Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for planning a long trip.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.This show covers nine key tips covering:

1: Planning is everything In advance - jot notes of things that happen like costs, events, meter readings, alarm servicing - use to do to do list and also manual if having house sittersResources like Jeff Jung's Careerbreaksecrets or CBTravelers Handbook2: Be Passport ReadyEnsure is validEnough empty pagesVisas and ESTA3: Be Medically readyVaccinations Check-upDentalPrescriptions - check issues on taking into countriesEuro medical cardFirst aid kit4: InsuranceTravel insurance - annual may not cover - 60 days and less issueHome insurance - check paid up - advise and see if any restrictions5: Prepare for the worstWillBack-up of key documents - paper copy - email yourself - email set to a friendDetailed itinerary and how to contact at various stages if need to friends and family - including how they contact each other6: Be Security ConsciousHouse sitters - TrustedHouseSitters.com - develop manualRegular checks - insurance may require theseForeign Office advice 7: Notify Key ServicesBank / Credit CardsMobile Phone - unlock phone 8: Ensure you don't drop ballsRegular costs covered and scheduled via Direct Debit or by setting up payments ahead of timeHousesitters or friends to check mail and alert you about bills or important looking mailID to collect post or parcelsCheck if things run out while away like car tax, subscriptions , MOT9: Prepare to enjoyGuidebooks like DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - electronic versions or booksWikipedia print outs or emailDaily budget and track

Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares his observations, tips and advice on going bear watching in British Columbia in Canada at Knight Inlet Lodge. In part one of a two-part series he explores the overall experience, overview of the experience and why you should do it.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.For more visit: http://www.tipsfortravellers.com/british-columbia-spring-watch/

Recorded live on my seven-day Uniworld “Enchanting Danube” river cruise from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary visiting Linz, Melk, Durnstein and Vienna along the way. In this two hour show, which is in two parts, I discuss my observations, insights, events and share my tips and advice about river cruising. My aim was to provide an in-depth report on what is it like to take a river cruise and all the events, surprises and things that happen along the way. It is full of tips and advice on how to make the most of river cruising based on my daily experiences.In the show I cover:(1) What it is like being on a river cruise for the first time.(2) Differences between river and ocean cruising.(3) Who a river cruise is best suited for, and why (including suitability for people with restricted mobility and special needs).(4) Key Crew members, what they do and their thoughts on river cruising and insider tips.(5) Things to do on a river cruise - is it as sedate as reputation has them being?(6) Titan Travel VIP service.(7) Details of what cruising the Danube is like, and what you should expect including: - The Danube - facts and figures.- Style, look and facilities on board the ship.- Introductory briefing.- Safety and environmental issues.- Passenger type and mix - and why those chose to come on a river cruise.- All-inclusive dining arrangements, food and on-board treats.- What else is included in the all-inclusive fare.- Fitness and wellness facilities.- Daily program and daily update and destination departure and arrival talks.- On-board entertainment and activities.- Service standards and approach including the Uniworld Six-Star Service approach- Technology and Wi-Fi on board including TV channels and the on-board Uniworld SmartPhone App.- Ship details and how the Captain and crew navigate the Danube and locks- Excursions in Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna and Budapest including the different types of all-inclusive excursions available and additional fare paying excursions. I discuss the local guide approach and the QuietVox portable audio system used on tours.(8)Packing advice and things to ensure you bring.(9) Smoking policy.(10) My overall observations, tips and advice on river cruising at the end of the cruise.For more articles, photographs and videos visit my Uniworld River Cruise page: tipsfortravellers.com/Uniworld

Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Brisbane in Australia.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn RadioThis show covers among other topics:

Observations

• 3rd largest city in Australia - over 2 million people - growing fast and projecting may overtake Melbourne - capital of Queensland.
• Attractive city set around the curves of Brisbane River named after Sir Thomas Brisbane Governer of NSW in 1820s.
• Compact and easy to get around with good transport infrastructure both road and on river - easily walkable.
• Mix of modern glass buildings and grand old buildings like City Hall - Post Office - Treasury building (now a casino).
• Lots of greenery and shade about - even the roads in the CBD has trees along both sides creating cover and playgrounds have covered play areas .
• About hour drive to beaches and theme parks of Gold Coast.
• Prone to major flooding at various times over history - big one 1974 - most recent in 2011 when CBD and suburbs badly affected.

History

• Created to support the penal colony close by.
• Growing fast for as commercial centre : mineral and agriculture resources , financial services , technology - busy port handling exports of things like grain, coal.
• In WWII General MacArthur commanded to Pacific war effort from here for a time.
• Hosted 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88

Getting thereGood airline connections within Australia and to parts of AsiaCruise lines - big ships dock quite way from the city (30-45 mins transfer)Best time to goSummer : Dec - Feb Winter: Jun - AugGetting aroundBus - tickets by zoneRail - to suburbsRiver - free and pay for services WalkingBike hire scheme (blue bikes)Green tricycle taxisTips

• Get information booklets from tourist information offices - free Brisbane Insider Guid.
• Brisbane Greeter Service - 100 volunteers - 20 languages - two options (refer to information leaflet) - greeter's choice or your choice - free
• Hop-on Hop-off bus.

Things to do

River trips

• Free red City Hopper - every 30 minutes - takes about 1.5 hours.
• CityCat service - big catamarans go much further up and down river
• Mississippi style paddle streamer - Kookaburra River Queens
• Jet Ski or kayak
• River City Cruises- 1,5 trip with commentary by Captain

South Bank Parklands

42-acre development on site of 1988 World Expo - very busy at weekends with locals to hang out- includes Information centre The Beach - Aquativity water parkPicnic areasRestaurantsWeekend marketWheel of Brisbane - 12 to 15 minute ride in aircon enclosed cabinQueensland performing arts centreQueensland museum & science centreQueensland Art gallery State library of QueesnslandGallery of Modern ArtConvention & Exhibition centreRainforest walkBougainvillea featureNepalese PagodaLone Pine Koala Sanctuary

1927 - worlds first koala sanctuary - 130 koala and 90 other Aussie species - 11km awayMount Coot-thaPanoramic view from Mount Coot-tha - 8km outside cityBotanical garden - established 1824 as fruit & vegetable garden for nearby Moreton Bay penal settlement - 20 hectares flowers treesOtherCity Hall Story Bridge ClimbANZAC square memorialShoppingQueens street pedestrian mall - over 600 shops on 1 kmQueensPlaza Gold Coast day trip

In this episode of Tips For Travellers I provide an overview and must-do of P&O Cruises, the major UK based cruise line focused on cruising in the Caribbean.

This includes looking at:

• A British Bubble to cruise by.
• On-Board Britannia Highlights:
  • Style and Accommodation
  • Special Eric Lanlard Afternoon Tea
  • The Cookery Club
  • Range of Dining Experiences
• Destination Highlights
  • Saint Maarten
  • Saint Lucia
  • Dominica
  • Grenada

If you have a travel query email me

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