San Jaun Snow Treks

Nearly everyone uses a computer in their line of work or for pleasure, and many people who own laptop computers take them everywhere, even on holiday.  While you may love the idea of checking your email and browsing the internet from your hotel, there are a few things you should remember when you take your laptop with you on holiday.

The first is that you should backup all of your data before you leave.  This is a good idea for two reasons.  First, you never know when a thief may strike.  Second, your laptop could be damaged while travelling.  Additionally, you need to write down all of the serial numbers on your laptop and your laptop accessories.  Having these numbers makes it much easier to recover your laptop in the event that it is stolen.

Of course no one wants their property to be taken, and there are several things you can do to protect your laptop.  First, even though your hotel room should be secure, if you leave, always put your laptop back in its bag and put that bag in the closet or in a drawer.  Don’t leave your laptop out in plain sight.

If you’re taking your laptop out with you, use a shoulder strap with your bag and wear it over your neck so someone can’t just pull it off your shoulder and run off with it.  Also, never leave your laptop unattended.  If you’re using it in a restaurant or café and need to use the restroom, pack it up and take it with you.  Don’t assume the café staff will watch it.

Tags: holiday, hotel, hotel room, travelling

Travelling by bus is different from travelling by plane and even by going by car or train.  There are, in fact, some specific things you need to take into account when travelling by bus.

First, safety is of more concern when you’re travelling by bus.  Unlike on a plane, people get on and off the bus between your starting point and your final destination.  In fact, it’s possible you’ll get on and off the bus multiple times before your journey is done.  Every time you get off the bus, take all of your carry-on luggage with you.  Otherwise, you run the risk of someone taking your things.  This is especially important if you have a laptop with you.  Also, be certain to always have your bus ticket on hand.  You may need to present it when you re-board the bus.

Keep in mind that others on the bus may be trying to sleep or otherwise relax, so you need to keep your noise to a minimum.  This includes keeping your CD or MP3 player turned down so only you can hear it.  Likewise, keep your mobile phone calls to a minimum or, when you must use the phone, don’t speak loudly.

You also need to plan your meals around bus stop breaks.  Your ticket should list all of the stops the bus will make.  You may want to have an early lunch or at least get a snack if you see that the bus won’t be stopping around lunch or dinner time.  Be sure to pack a few snacks as well so you’ll have something to eat during long periods of travel.

Tags: luggage, travel, travelling

One of the most famous and interesting sites to visit while in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle, the old stronghold that can be seen from just about anywhere in the city because of its location on Castle Rock.  People have lived at the site since the 9th century BC, although most of the castle that currently stands only dates back to the 16th century.  One of the oldest structures is St. Margaret’s Chapel, a building that has been dated to the 12th century.

While the castle has served as the political and military centre of Edinburgh over the years, today Edinburgh Castle is run by Historical Scotland, an agency under the Scottish government.  The agency is tasked with both maintaining the site and operating it as a tourist attraction.  While the castle is mostly maintained as it was when built, some changes have been made.  The castle now includes shops, some displays, an educational section that details the history of the castle to school tours, and two restaurants.  Actors in historical costumes are also positioned throughout the castle to explain the various rooms and provide interactive history lessons.

Edinburgh Castle is also home to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a musical parade featuring drums and pipes and performed with military precision.  They perform during August of each year, and while originally all performers were Scottish, the group now often invites international performers to join them.  Over 200,000 people attend the performance each year, plus it is broadcast on television, so you’ll want to a hotel in Edinburgh early to make sure you have somewhere to stay.

Tags: Castle Rock, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Historical Scotland

Travelling by yourself can be a lot of fun—you can set your own schedule, do what you want to do, and make your own plans.  However, travelling by yourself can also be somewhat dangerous, especially if you find yourself in any sort of trouble. When travelling alone, be certain you always know how to get back to your hotel when you go out.  If you get lost in a strange city, you may find yourself wandering through a less than safe neighbourhood.  If this does happen to you, try to stick to the streets that are well-lit and ask for help from shop assistants or other reputable-looking people.  Keep an eye on your surroundings, too.  Don’t walk with your head down, and watch for others. If you have a mobile phone, program in the number for your hotel so you can call them if you get lost.  Likewise, you might ask the hotel staff for the number of a good taxi firms so you can call and get a ride in case you end up too far from your hotel. If you’re going out, watch your handbag or other bag.  Never leave your personal items unattended.  If you’re in a restaurant and need to use the restroom, be certain to always take your bags with you.  It can be inconvenient, yes, but it’s better than coming back only to find that someone has walked away with your stuff. Don’t be afraid to go out and have a good time while travelling alone, but do be careful.  Keep aware of your surroundings, know how to get back to your hotel, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  If you keep your safety in mind, you’ll be just fine.

Tags: hotel, travelling

Travelling for a long distance can be tiring, especially if you’re on a long international flight or have a bus or train trip that’s going to take several days.  However, it can be difficult to sleep while travelling.  Some people simply can’t do it.  If you have issues resting while in transit, here are some tips that might help you. Take along a CD player or MP3 player to block out the noise.  One of the main reasons some people can’t sleep is because of others talking or the sound of the vehicle.  Just remember to keep the volume down to a reasonable level so those around you don’t complain.  The last thing you want is to disturb someone else while you’re trying to rest. If the motion of the vehicle bothers you or you have anxiety while flying, look into medication to help with your upset stomach or nerves.  Don’t simply buy something over the counter, either - ask your doctor for a recommendation or even a prescription so you know that what you purchase will actually help you relax and rest during your trip. Reading a book or a magazine can help some people relax enough to sleep, as can working crossword puzzles or other brain teasers.  The first several hours of your trip are likely to be exciting just because you’re finally off, but after that, expect some boredom to sit in.  If you’re simply not tired, you’ll want something to entertain yourself with.  If you do want to sleep, be sure to avoid any sort of stimulant - either decline the in-flight beverage or ask for something with no caffeine in it.  Likewise, avoid snack foods that might keep you from sleeping.

Tags: train trip, travelling

Rome is the capital city of Italy, and it’s one of the most historical cities in the world.  There’s a ton of different things to see in Rome.  In fact, you’re going to need a few weeks just to see the most famous sites in the city.  Here are some travelling tips for taking a holiday in Rome. If you’re visiting Rome during the summer, be ready for a sunny, hot trip.  You’ll certainly want to pack a hat and some sunscreen.  Some don’t expect to get sunburn in Rome, but it is certainly a possibility in summer.  To avoid the heat, do what the native Italians do—go out in the morning and late afternoon/early evening.  Around lunchtime, get in out of the sun and then take a nap.  Rome has an amazing nightlife, and a lot happens after the sun goes down. During the tourist season, you’ll find Rome is incredibly crowded.  In addition to its large population, many visit the city during the peak months.  However, there are many hotels in Rome and restaurants, and it can easily accommodate the crowds.  You should book your hotels early, however, because many of the top ones fill up quickly.  For eating, you’ll find wonderful Italian restaurants that serve pasta, pizza, and great wine. While lunch is usually a light meal eaten indoors, dinner is a slow, more formal appeal.  Few rush their meals, so don’t expect speedy service in any restaurant.  In Italy, dinner is seen as a chance to unwind, discuss your day with your friends and family, and generally relax.  Rushing your server or complaining about slow service will get you nowhere.  In fact, if you try to rush things, you’ll likely get even slower service.  If you want something quick, go for fast food or pizza, not a sit-down restaurant. The treasures of Rome are almost endless, which is what makes exploring the city so much fun.  Take some time to wander off the normal track of highlights to find places like the two at the right edge of this page. Be prepared to take the good with the bad.  For example, Rome has dense traffic, sometimes circling stunning works of art, like the Bernini Triton;!

Tags: Italy, Rome, tourist season

While travelling for pleasure is great, many people travel for business.  One of the main business reasons for travelling is to attend a conference or other professional meeting.  These can be a lot of fun, especially if they’re the only time you get to see some professional acquaintances, but conferences also bring about their own set of safety concerns.

The first concern is that many conferences give attendees name badges.  Attendees often need these badges to get into events and other activities, and they have to keep up with their badge for the entire duration of the conference.  So what’s bad about this?  A lot of people forget to remove their badges when the conference activities are over for the day and wear it outside of the hotel or meeting location.  This means that anyone who sees you knows your name.  In this age of identity theft, it’s never a good idea to let strangers know who you are.  Always remember take off your name badge when the conference is over for the day.

Another issue is drinking alcohol.  Some conferences actually have an open bar, and participants often go out for a drink or two after conference events.  If you’re not drinking in your hotel’s bar, don’t imbibe too much.  It’s never a good idea to be impaired in a strange city, especially if you are not staying at the same hotel as the rest of your party.

Know where you’re going.  Nothing can be as stressful as missing a conference event because you don’t know where it is.  Stressing and panicking can also lead to making mistakes or getting lost because you’re rushing.  When you first arrive, make certain you know where you need to go, especially if you have to leave your hotel and go to another location.

Tags: hotel, travelling