Top 5 Tips For Planning a Long Haul Holiday

As I mentioned in my previous post, How To Do The Grand Prix In Style, next year I turn 40.  Although not particularly bothered about the number myself, I am bracing myself for the inevitable teasing and middle age jokes.

For me though, 40 is a number and is more an excuse to celebrate and do something really fun.  Especially as my best friend turns 40 in the same year so a holiday together is something we are really considering.

Me being me, I have been doing a lot of research.  Now whether you are planning vacation rentals in Los Cabos, an action packed holiday around Australia or a sight sighting tour in Japan, planning your long haul holiday pulls up a few more things to consider.

So here are my top 5 tips for planning a long haul holiday.

Where do you want to go?

If you are planning a long haul holiday, you are going to spending serious money which you need to ensure that you spend wisely.  What type of holiday are you looking for?  Do you want to lie on a beach in paradise?  See as many sights as you can and absorb the culture?  Do you want somewhere hot or cold? Do you want a holiday with a bit of everything?

The world is very large and there is the opportunity to get everything that you want.  You just need to decide what you are looking for and thereby, narrow your options down.  If you are going to be spending a lot of money it is so important that you choose the location that will be perfect for you, for the right price.

With that in mind...

Research, research and research again

So you have chosen your destination.  Now to choose what you are going to be doing when you get there.  Where you have chosen to go on a bespoke route or a package holiday, if you choose to arrange trips or places to go whilst already on holiday; the chances are that you are going to pay over the odds.

Even if you are just planning a beach holiday, which beaches are the best?  Where the best and most recommended bars and restaurants to go to?  What is the best way to get to that perfect beach that you found online but have no clue how to get to?

Perhaps you have booked the perfect place to stay but want to take day trips and investigate some of the culture and see the sights.  How do you get there?  What are the recommended things to do by people who have visited the country before?  What trip looks amazing, but would turn out to be a boat ride to hell or the most boring 8 hours you have ever wasted?

I think we all have fallen for a well promoted but ultimately terrible trip on holiday.  I still have nightmares about a 6 hour boat trip that promised dolphins and fine food but ultimately was terrible seas and even worse food.

Tripadvisor and travel blogs are your friends.

Respect the culture

Chances are that if you are planning a long haul holiday, you are going to be visiting a place that has a different culture to your own.  A simple gesture in a different culture can mean something totally different.

For example, in places like Japan South Korea, tipping is classed as an insult.  They take pride in the job that they do and do not want or need an incentive to do it well.  In Russia, the Middle East and Western Africa a thumbs up has the same meaning as giving someone "the finger" in the UK and the US.

Your timing also works differently depending on the country you visit.  In Germany, turning up late, as it is in most of Europe is considered rude; whilst in places like Latin America, turning up about an hour late is deemed the most appropriate time to attend an event.

So you have chosen your destination, planned what you are going to do; what else do you need to think about?

Plan for the plane journey

A long haul holiday means a long haul flight.  6, 8, 12 hours being on a plane.  The best tip I can give you is to invest in a travel pillow.  Sleep on a flight can be nay on impossible, but a travel pillow, practically one that wraps around your neck or enables you to rest your head to one side is a God send.

Don't over indulge on the bar.  Chances are with a long haul flight is that a few free alcohol drinks are going to be included.  There is nothing worse than having a few too many drinks, falling asleep and then waking with a hangover with a few more hours still left on the plane or worse; that you now have to navigate an unknown airport in a foreign country with your head pounding.

Remember, this is part of your holiday too!  So have a glass of wine to celebrate but entertain yourself as well.  Take advantage of the wifi and watch that TV series that you keep meaning to watch on Netflix.  Read that book you have been meaning to read for ages but haven't had the time.

Pack Intelligently

This applies to all holidays.   Do you really need those 14 dresses for a 10 day holiday?   Do you need that extra swimsuit that you love but feel uncomfortable in?  If you don't feel comfortable wearing it at home, you are not going to feel comfortable wearing it on holiday.

During the day you need minimal clothing.  A couple of swimsuits or bikinis, a fabulous pair of shorts or a skirt that you can team with different tops.  A comfortable pair of sandals for the day and a couple of heeled and non heeded options at night that you can wear with everything.

Remember, when it comes down to it, everything you need (apart from passport, tickets and money) can be purchased there.  Buy local shampoo and conditioner that you can leave in your room when you leave.  

Take mini products where you can and leave space in your suitcase for the flight home for those gifts and purchases that you bought to remind you of the trip.

What tips would you give for a long haul holiday?

*Post in collaboration with Luxury Retreats.  All images from Pixabay.

Wedding Traditions In Different Cultures

I love receiving wedding invitations. Once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation has worn off, it’s time to start planning your outfit. My favourite part.

Choosing a guest outfit for a wedding in the UK is hard enough. You want to be individual but not detract from the bride and ideally, buy something that you can wear again. What happens however if you’ve been invited to a wedding abroad, of a different culture?

Just like the tradition that no guest wears white to a wedding in the UK, every culture has their own traditions and rules. It can be difficult to choose an outfit as a guest, as there are many traditions and symbols that you may be unaware of and you don’t want to offend anyone.

Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, retailers of timeless menswear, I am looking today at how the dress code of a wedding changes depending on the background of the newlyweds. in India, Japan and China.

India

What will the bride be wearing?

The bride and her bridal party often have henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.

In India, the lady’s dress depends on the region of India that they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree which is a garment that looks like a long drape, in others she wears a lehenga which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.

What will the groom be wearing?

Similar to the women, it depends on what region of India the groom is from as to what they wear. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti which is a rectangular cloth ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.

The men also have henna on their bodies but it is less elaborate and often hidden.

What should you wear as a guest?

At an Indian wedding, the bolder your outfit is the better. Wearing vibrant colours will mean you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and mourning in India. It is also advised that red is not worn either as the bride will probably be dressed in this colour.

Women guests should not bare their shoulders, wear low cut tops or short skirts as this can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits. Jewellery is important for women too, choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.

Men often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating.

Guests might also be expected to cover their heads if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads and men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.

An Indian wedding is often a long drawn out event (it could be three days long!) so make sure you are wearing something loose and comfortable. 

Japan

Japanese weddings are very elaborate and it is acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. It is often the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and they are willing to spend excessive amounts to save face. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as 5 costume changes!

What will the bride be wearing?

At a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides wear a dress that has a traditional print.

What will the groom be wearing?

Traditionally, a Japanese groom wears a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, younger grooms start the ceremony in a tuxedo too.

What should you wear as a guest?

At a traditional Japanese wedding, men were expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it is accepted for men to come dressed in suits other than black with various coloured ties. However, it is advised to avoid white clothes with black ties.

Women often wear dresses that are knee length or a coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It is best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.

China

What will the bride be wearing?

In China, it is likely that the bride will be dressed in red as it is considered a sign of good luck that can warn off evil spirits. In some regions, typically in northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress that is embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, the typical wear is a two-piece frock.

A bridal crown is part of the wedding costume for some brides too – it is worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are often worn that are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolizes happiness and longevity. 

What will the groom be wearing?

In China, the husband-to-be traditionally wears a black silk coat over an embroidered robe. Often, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.

The groom has to wear certain headwear too – this is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations are not following the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.

What should you wear as a guest?

When dressing for a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.

Colours to avoid include black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.

Manchester Central Travelodge Review

A couple of weeks ago I decided to take a two day trip to Manchester.  The plan was to do a little sightseeing, some shopping, catch up with a friend and have a few spa treatments.

I booked myself in the Manchester Central Travelodge on Blackfriars Street, Salford as it is in a prime location for everything you could want in a city break hotel.  There is parking available which is cheaper than the usual NCP parking but is also close to bus routes.

Only 5 minutes walk away from all the major shops, including everything from Primark to Michael Kors (all hail those amazing handbags) with lots of eatery places scattered around; the hotel is the perfect location for shopoholics.

Just around the corner from the hotel are the fantastic bars and restaurants in Deansgate and Spinningfields with an easy 5-10 minute stroll back to the hotel after some lovely food and a cocktail or two.   I would recommend The Botanist for cocktails and Gusto for gorgeous Italian fayre or GBK for the best burger in town.

For those looking for some culture too, the hotel is less than a 5 minute walk to Manchester Cathedral, 10 minutes to the Phones 4U Manchester Arena to see the latest musical performer and a 10-15 minutes stroll to the Opera House.

I was booked into one of the business floors at the Travelodge which offer a quiet and relaxing stay, especially with the fantastic new king size beds.  My room was compact but comfortable and had all the usual amenities.

Breakfast at the Travelodge has all the things that you could want including cereals, croissants, yogurts  and of course the hot breakfast together with an array of fruit juices, tea and coffee.  Diane, who was the lady on duty to assist customers was really lovely and helpful; being the perfect combination of chatty, without being intruding.  A plus when you are a sole traveller who wants to feel at ease, but also enjoy a peaceful breakfast.

I thought that I would share with you a few photographs that I snapped during my visit to Manchester Cathedral.  The architecture is simply breathtaking and is definately worth a visit.

I also visited a spa which I will be telling you about in a future blog post as well as as a cocktail bar or two!

*My hotel stay was gifted to me however all opinions are my own