20/07/2010 by Dave G.

Gather travel expert Milly has saved cash over the years on hotel costs and car hire by swapping her cosy home in the UK with holidaymakers from America, Canada and France.

She uses the website homelink.ie to find suitable swapping candidates. She won’t be using the service this summer — she is planning some building work on his home — but Milly has no qualms about handing over the keys to her house and car to a stranger who wants to holiday in Ireland.

For families with small children, house-swapping is ideal. “If you are travelling to America, families there often have people-carriers instead of saloon cars. That will save you a fortune in car hire costs and you will have plenty of space.

“Many people ask me, ‘Are you not afraid they will wreck your home?’ The answer I always give is, ‘Well, would you wreck theirs?’ Of course you wouldn’t,” said Milly, who has swapped homes in Perpignan, Connecticut and Vancouver.

“If there is something you really don’t want people to get access to, lock it away. But in all the times I have house-swapped, I have never come across a locked room.”

Milly, who has had three teenage children, used to do a house swap every year.

“As the kids get older, we are starting to do it less. The kids want to go on holidays where their friends are,” he said.

Apart from saving on hotel and car rental, there are other benefits.

“If you are a golfer, for example, you could swap with somebody who owns a house on a golf course. That could entitle you to free golf.”

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11/11/2009 by Dave G.

Visitors to Dubai often remark on the predictable weather - hot and sunny - Nothing Interesting.

Having found lots of cheap flights to Dubai we though it only right and proper that we check out what this crazy city has to offer other than sand and sun - and have discovered Gold Fever

Here we take a peek inside on of Dubai’s popular traditional attractions to see Gold

Witness the glittering Gold Souk

A visit to a market may seem a bit conventional, but Dubai’s Gold Souk is a bizarre and glittering feast for the eyes. At any single time, more than 25 tonnes of gold is on show at the Gold Souk.

Set in the heart of eastern Dubai’s commercial business district, Deira, narrow alleyways dazzle with gold and diamonds, including earrings, pearl necklaces, bracelets, rings and pendants.

Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s worth a pee

Posted in General | 4 Comments »

27/10/2009 by Dave G.

My Uncle had a favourite Christmas card which he used to put up year after year. It depicted a car driving up to a house in the semi-darkness, its headlights lighting up the beginnings of a snowstorm. Although modern, it was rather beautiful. Personally, I love charity Christmas cards - the more the merrier - tacky, religious, tasteful, or whatever.

Like my uncle, I put up my favourites every year and recycle the rest as gift tags for the following Christmas.

People who say ‘I’m not sending any Christmas cards this year but donating the money to charity’ are rather missing the point.

I certainly wouldn’t want to deter sending charity gifts but still send cards at Christmas - often it’s the only time of year you hear from old friends or distant members of the family.

Yo ho ho

Posted in christmas, Holiday | 1 Comment »

20/10/2009 by Dave G.

Ok Nothing Interesting fans - its time for the answer to the question you’ve all been pondering over for the past few months since you returned from your summer hols:

Where are the best airport Duty Free shops?

Time was that the icing on the cake for any European holiday was the chance to pick up tax free goodies whilst waiting to board your flight at the airport both outbound and on return.

You may have noticed the decline in airport shopping - at UK regional airports the sorry retail outlets sit airside but offer nothing interesting.  Some “enterprising airport authorities even think its added value to include a tax free shop in arrivals next to car rental desks and customs benches.

In Europe the tax free shops are little  better - prices often being higher than in local supermarkets.  Where on earth can you get a truly duty free shopping experience?

DUBAI

The Unite Arab Emirates now boasts 2 international airports with world class services including what have been called the best airport shopping in the world.  Bargains a plenty not only on high ticket items such as consumer electronics and perfume but also gold, GOLD! - always believe in  your soul.

Flights to Dubai

With a little planning it is easily possible to pay for your flights to Dubai with the savings made by stocking up with gifts at Dubai airport.

Fly to Abu Dhabi Airport

The newly developed Abu Dhabi International Airport also serves Dubai well and it too has a reputation for its state of the art shopping centre.

The middle east is fast becoming a hub for international travel so you too may be able to explore these eight wonders of the world during your travels.

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