Travel Guides

It's already been established that I love books so it's only natural that when I'm planning a trip I turn to travel guides. I generally go to our local library to check out if there are any guides for where I am going but sadly - with local funding cuts- our libraries seem to have fewer and fewer such books and any they have are quite old editions. They can still be useful though.

I also enjoy a good old mooch around a book shop - and if it's got a coffee shop attached then all the better. Near where I live there is a book shop called Linghams that also has a coffee shop attached. It's a fantastic local resource and frequently has guest authors, a book club, story time for kids and it sells the tickets for the local amateur dramatic productions. Check it out www.linghams.co.uk

Back to travel guides....

As can be seen from my bookshelf I have quite a collection of travel books.

I thought I had a preference for Rough Guides but actually the collection is split 50/50 between Rough Guides and Lonely Planet books. The books are useful not only for planning a trip but also while you are there. We were in Paris once and I had the Rough Guide to France with me. I read in it about the Catacombs, the underground store of human bones and we decided to visit - fabulous (if macabre) afternoon out. I had never heard of it before and it was thanks to the guide that I found it that visit. http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/

 I also like AA City Packs for the following reason. Years ago hubby and I went on a weekend city break to Madrid - it was our first city break and we didn't plan it at all really - just hopped on the plane, found our hotel and then wandered the streets. When we got back people were asking me "did you see, visit, try etc etc?" and I was quite disappointed that we had seen hardly anything. Next time we did a city break it was to Barcelona and I bought the AA City Pack and took it with us - soooo much better. Using their recommended Top 10 we decided what we wanted to see as a priority and what we'd see if we could fit it in. Worked out brilliantly. We never go on a city break without one now and the books get passed around friends and family so are well used.

I know with all our portable technology it is easy to google a destination and check out what's around but I like the fact that with the books I only need some light (and sadly these days my glasses!) and I have instant access to the information without worrying about battery life, signal, roaming charges etc etc.

Jo x

Accommodation - know yourself.

Booking accommodation - in the UK or abroad.

Most importantly - be honest with yourself and ask what do I really want out of a hotel room?

Now this may seem a stupid question - and you are probably thinking "errr a bed to sleep in" but bear with me.

If you are on a road trip, stopping off at hotels for one night at a time then you may well just need a bed to sleep in. If you are staying somewhere for 2 or more nights then other factors come into play. Here's what I mean..

1. Do you spend much time in your room?
2. Are you happy to share a bathroom or will you insist on an en suite?
3. Is a balcony or a view important to you, and if so - why?
4. Do you like small, intimate hotels where you get to know other people or do you like the anonymity of a large chain? 
5. Do you need a restaurant on site or breakfast included?

To give you an idea of what I mean I'll share some of the things I've learned about what matters to me and Hubby.

1. On a "Fly and Flop" holiday Hubby and I spend quite a lot of time in our rooms. We both like to get out of the sun mid day and, as I have some problems with my joints, I sometimes need to rest.
On a Road Trip holiday it's not so much of an issue as we are often staying only 1 night.

2. Given the choice I would never share a bathroom - with anyone- so I am happy to pay extra for an en suite. Even if it's for only 1 night.

3. We do not sit on balconies nor do we spend hours staring at views. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for a view. I remember my Dad's wife once paid extra for a room with a view and he made a point of pulling a chair up to the window and refusing to leave the room as he wanted to get his money's worth. Point made!

4. We are quite private people and prefer the anonymity of large hotel chains. Not to say we are unfriendly but we take time to relax on holiday and don't want to have to sit with strangers across a breakfast table from Day 1 having the "is this your first time here?" conversations.

5. Given the choice I like breakfast to be included - it's one less faff in the mornings. A perfectly acceptable alternative for us is a McDonalds or Subway nearby. Let's be honest that applies equally to travel at home and abroad as they are everywhere! (Interesting aside - there is no McDonald's in Iceland any more but there is Subway. I did hear that someone bought the last ever burger sold in McD before it closed and it's preserved - with a web cam on it - to monitor decay. May just be an urban myth but it's one I like).

Sometimes you don't have the choice and you just have to take what's available, but if you have the luxury of booking well in advance and know the answers to the above questions then you've a head start. Next time I'll look at the booking accommodation process I follow.

Jo