Essential Travel Guide for 2018

Here at tripsology, we want you to have everything you need for your holiday at your fingertips. Here’s a handy guide to help you with everything from deciding on where to go to how to pack your suitcase. We’re with you every step of the way!

tripsologists’ Top Choice for Beach Beaches: Florida and the Caribbean

Florida:

Florida is not known as the ‘Sunshine State’ for nothing. It’s a haven for sun worshipers and boasts over 360 days of sunshine each year. Sun-soaked, golden sandy beaches and white knuckle rides for all the fun in the sun you can handle. Its climate draws holidaymakers from all over the world but there’s more to Florida than getting a tan. Enjoy the magic in this beautiful state all year round.

Caribbean:

Seen by some as the ultimate holiday escape, The Caribbean is a cluster of idyllic paradise islands which wealth of historic harbours, lush tropical forests, sugar white sands and crystal clear waters. The region is blessed with dependable weather and each island has its own character and culture. Rich in natural beauty with a chilled vibe, it is little wonder that visitors continue to flock here for the ultimate beach holiday experience.

When to go: Year round but be mindful of the summer months of July and August when Florida and the Caribbean can experience tropical storms and occasional hurricanes.  Generally it’s hot and sunny though.

What to take: Cool, summer clothing but Florida and the Caribbean are prone to sudden rain bursts which clear quickly but pack a waterproof jacket or pick up a cheap rain poncho from the supermarket. Sensible, comfortable footwear when walking in the Florida theme parks is a MUST. Generally smart, casual attire is the norm but clothing should be appropriate to the destination and climate.  Do cover up away from the beach. The locals don’t care much for scantily clad bodies around the town!

Insurance: Do take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance, as US medical bills can be costly.

Entry Requirements: Full valid passport. You must apply via the ESTA site prior to arrival in the US. The fee is currently $14. To make your visit to the United States, you must either travel under the country’s Visa Waiver programme (with an ‘ESTA’), or have a US visa (or be a US citizen, of course). An ESTA allows you to stay in the US under the Visa Waiver programme for up to 90 days and allows travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

An ESTA is valid for two years, (or less if your passport expires in that time).

Check with your exact destination on entry requirements prior to travel. *Info correct at time of publishing. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adhered to the country’s legal/entry requirements for your trip.

tripsologists’ Top Choice for Best Sightseeing: Italy

Italy:

Italy is crammed with wonderful palaces, basilicas and monuments. Its rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan vibe make for an exciting adventure and the perfect destination for history and culture vultures to explore the ancient treasures of this beautiful country. Choose from the vibrant cities of Rome, Venice, Verona, Naples and Milan or explore the many quaint, traditional towns and villages, all steeped in history and folklore.

When to go: April – June is a nice time to visit as the weather is warm and cities and resorts are less crowded. July and August can get very hot and as this is when Italians take their holiday it can be very busy.

What to take: Smart, casual attire appropriate for the season. Italians are very stylish and frown upon scantily clad tourists in the cities. Sensible walking shoes are advisable when sightseeing.

Driving: EU member states licences are acceptable. Non-European licence holders should obtain an International Driving Permit.

tripsologists’ Top Choice for Families: Spain, The Canaries and The Balearic Islands

Spain has been a haven for sun and fun seekers for many years. Its popularity never wanes and it’s easy to see why. The Costas and Canaries, along with Majorca and Menorca are pretty safe bets for family fun for all ages.

The Costas:

Spain’s coastline has been drawing tourists for decades and is still a popular choice today. In the north there’s the golden beaches of the Costa Dorada. Head south for the popular Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria and Costa de la Luz, or top up your tan on the Costa Blanca’s white sands.

The Balearics: 

Just off the east coast of the mainland are the Balearic Islands. Majorca’s great for families and whilst Ibiza, known as the party island, some of the quieter resorts are totally geared up for families with young children and Menorca offers up a low-key vibe, picturesque harbour and pretty villages and a safe haven for family breaks.

The Canaries:

Spain’s other big draw is the famous Canary Islands. Choose from the big four – Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerifeand Fuerteventura or venture into lesser-known La Palma.

When to go:  Year round but July and August are the hottest and busiest months.

What to take: Beachwear for around the pool and on the beach. Smart casual attire for evenings and comfortable sandals or shoes for walking in the heat. It is considered poor etiquette to wear beachwear in the cities and towns.

tripsologists’ Top Choice for sport/activity and action holidays:

If lying on the beach all day just isn’t your thing, why not opt for some high-octane fun on the slopes or invigorating walks in some of Europe’s finest hillsides.

• Ski destinations: France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Scotland
• Jungle safaris: South Africa
• Golf: Portugal and Spain
• Surfing: Australia’s Gold Coast and California, USA
• Horse-Riding: The Pyrenees

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

talkholiday’s handy packing tips:

• Suitcase – Make yours easy to spot on the baggage carousel with a brightly coloured strap or ribbon. You could even customize it with stickers that are instantly recognizable to you.
• Space – Make the most of your luggage allowance by rolling clothes up and packing them into vacuum compression bags.
• Scales – Avoid over limit charges at the airport by weighing your bags before you leave the house.
• Lists – Sounds simple but write a list of everything you want/need to take and cross them off as you pack them
• Hand luggage – Make sure you keep travel documents, cash and passports in your hand luggage. NEVER pack in your hold suitcase!
• Toiletries – Buy mini travel size shampoo/soap/hairspray/deodorant to get you through the first day or so and then buy your toiletries when you get there. Helps avoid spillage and also keeps the weight of your case down.

With tripsology you have everything you’ll need at your fingertips, even if the worst happens. Generally, we all go on holiday and it comes and goes without incident but things can and do go wrong.

Here at tripsology we have a crisis support section that could be a lifesaver if things don’t go to plan overseas and will give you peace of mind for your trip.

Remember to contact your mobile phone network provider before you travel. These companies usually all have special rates and tariffs for traveling abroad and you must get in touch with them and let them know where you’re going to so as to avoid hefty charges on your bill when you get back! Hook into the local/hotel free Wi-Fi hotspots if available and switch off the data roaming function on your device.

It’s advisable to check on current political unrest or dangers abroad before travelling and the best place to look is on the country’s Consulate website.

The tripsology fun part:

By signing up to tripsology, you’ve already taken the first step to joining the biggest social network for travel lovers and holidaymakers worldwide. In addition to saving you money through our travel partners and offering helpful insights, you can enjoy reading about other tripsologists holiday experiences and getting intel on your chosen destination from real people who have been there as well as from expert locals in the area. We know there’s nothing better than getting advice straight from the horse’s mouth. This way you get to know a lot more than the brochure tells you.

Let’s face it; we all work hard all year round to pay for our holidays and breaks so it’s worth the research to get it right. Doing this on tripsology also makes it fun! Think Facebook meets Trip Advisor and you can get the picture.

We also have everything you need in one place. You can source everything from cruises to currency, suncreen to sandals and the best hotel prices worldwide.

It really is your one stop shop…saving you hours of trawling the web.

Finally, as well as sharing your valuable advice on places you’ve been to, remember to upload lots of pics and show off your photography skills on our site. You’ve probably already shared them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so what’s one more click between friends? It might bring you a whole new bunch of followers too!

So, tell us where you’ve been and show off what a tripsologist you are. We can’t wait to see where you go next.

Bon voyage!