Valuable Information

BEST BEACHES

Around the Med, you can use the whole beach all day long.

How do you rate a BEST BEACH?
Plenty of beaches look good when the tide goes out. But the tide could spoil your planned beach party! Local fishermen know the tides, and plan their trips accordingly, but when you are on holiday, you want to put down your beach towel whenever it suits you. So ask this question - How much beach is left when the tide comes in?
If the tide is in, and covers the beach, you may be losing part of your fun – especially if you have children. And in many parts of the world, the tide is in for a large part of every day of your holiday! When a tide is ebbing (going out) there is the risk that people in the water – especially children playing with inflatable toys – could get swept out to sea without realising the dangers. When the tide is coming in, there is sometimes the possibility of becoming stranded. Many beaches put up notices warning of local conditions, but not all. Extra vigilance is always needed on tidal beaches.

The Mediterranean is different. It is practically tideless – so the beautiful beach scene you see in the brochures will always be there – day or night. Around the Mediterranean you can use the whole beach all day long. That's surely the BEST BEACH for your vacation!

SUITCASES? - FLYING SOLUTIONS

Ever wondered how to avoid paying so much for excess baggage?

Or how to avoid those endless airlines baggage queues?

Or how to get priority boarding passes and your favourite seat?

Take a typical suitcase with built-in wheels and extending handle, like this one. Sounds an ideal solution, doesn't it? We all use one. But on an aeroplane it is costing us dear! A suitcase like this could weigh a third of your check-in baggage allowance!
If your allowance is fifteen kilos, then you have just ten kilos left to play with - unless you want your bargain airline fares to rocket with heavy charges for excess baggage.

Flylite is one company that offers an ingenious solution to excess baggage charges through its range of ultra lightweight but robust foldaway luggage - both cabin and checked-in sizes.
Here's a typical Flylite case (www.flylite.uk.com).  It weighs just 850 grms, leaving you with nearly as much capacity as a larger check-in wheeled suitcase. And the bonus is that the dimensions are designed so that you can put it in the overhead locker!

These bags can be used as primary pieces of luggage or stored away to be used as additional or emergency bags when required, either after shopping or even at check-in. The bags are made from a heavy-grade 840D woven nylon with a water-resistant lining incorporating a padded shoulder strap and Velcro-padded grip handles.

The range is complemented with a compact trolley cabin-bag and hand-held digital scales (small enough to be taken on all journeys to ensure that travellers keep within the various weight limits of all airlines).

Some airlines give priority to passengers with such lightweight luggage, and that means you can board before others, get your favourite seat by the window - and, best of all, no more waiting when you disembark. Just walk off the plane and GO!

PACKING FOR YOUR VACATION

How do you make the most of the airline baggage restrictions?

PACKING A SUITCASE - It is not so difficult to pack your case so that you get maximum usage with minimum creases. One tip is to put the heaviest things in first – like books, camera and toiletries. This way, the case is bottom-heavy, not top-heavy – an important consideration if you are carrying it.

Many people – and confess, you are one of them – get back home and unpack and say, ‘Why ever did I take THAT – I never wore it!’  It happens every holiday! So be selective and realistic in what you pack. Choose a colour scheme, preferably just 2 colours, & pack only clothes in those colours - then everything will tone or match, so you have a greater variety of outfits with fewer clothes. Even a carry-on case can hold enough clothing for a week's holiday with care.

How to pack the case? Place the largest items of clothing on the bed (or other convenient flat space) and then arrange lighter/smaller items on top. Then just roll them up! Simple - but with a bit of care you will gain a huge advantage. Rolling packs more items into a smaller space, and avoids creasing. True, there may be a few wrinkles, but these often fall out when the clothes are unpacked.

With this method, there will be corners in the case with spare space. Fit shoes and other non-crushable items into these – remembering to pack your socks, undies or whatever, tightly into the shoes first.

Passport, tickets,sunglasses, maps, directions and other paperwork? Put them in a zip-up holder that you wear round your neck.

Still marginal with your weight allowance? Then double up on the clothes you wear on the plane – and remember the adage: Wear the heaviest – pack the lightest.

BACKGROUNDERS

                    What is a BACKGROUNDER?

A MEDWELCOME BACKGROUNDER is a combination of information about your chosen destination that we have put together for you. A typical BACKGROUNDER covers selected bits of history, geography, customs, entertainment facilities, unique events and 'must see' features, money and time saving tips, and much more. Just select any destination on our site, and there you will see the BACKGROUNDER for that specific region.