All Aboard!! Speedy Airport Queuing Tips

When I hear the word 'airport', the first images that come to mind are those of: queues, delays, crowds, chaos, liquids.. What a pity that the word is not synonymous with ease, excitement, punctuality, speed!  If you're keen to explore the world and sea-travel is not your forte, then you're stuck with the crazy world of airports... until they master the art of teleporting of course!

I've listed a few tips to ease the painful airport experience and help start off your holiday on a positive note.  It might even give you extra time to enjoy another latte or cappuccino before you board your flight!

Know your airport	Familiarise yourself with the airport, especially when it's a large international one. For many of these airports, buses/trains are required to travel from one terminal to another so it's a great timesaver to view their websites before travelling.
Online check in	You'll be able to bypass the airport queues, and print your boarding passes at home (or get bar-coded boarding passes on your mobile)! The shorter 'bag drop only' queue can then be used to check in any luggage if required. The same applies to bus/train tickets to the airport itself - book in advance!
Dress to clear security	Before joining the queue place metal items, scarves and jackets in your carry-on bag, not on your person.  Laptops and cameras must be taken out of carrying cases and placed in the trays.  Remember, if you set off the security alarm you'll be subjected to a further search (and waste valuable time). How about wearing slip-on shoes for security checks? Perhaps opt for trousers that don't require a belt?
Document organiser	Avoid fumbling through your bags, looking for your passport and ticket while in the security check queues. Keep all your documents in one place (holder/pocket)
Clear plastic bag	Packing all your 100ml liquid items (incl toothpaste, lotion, hair products) in a clear sealable plastic bag at home when packing, and place the bag at the top of your carry-on for easy removal at the security check point. Another tip would be to avoid carrying powder/talc in your check-in bag. This might attract unnecessary attention and increase the chance of having your entire bag's contents individually scanned (drug alert etc)
Forex online	Consider purchasing foreign currency in advance, before reaching the airport. You stand a great chance of receiving a better exchange rate, and you'll have one less task to worry about at the airport.
Be punctual	Aim for arrival at the airport 2hrs in advance for domestic flights, and 3hrs for international trips. This should ensure that you have excess time to cover any unexpected situations on the day.
Be patient	An old placard in our family doctor's surgery displayed the following text: "Be a patient patient. Remember, it could be you". Apply this same logic to the airport queues - impatience and frustration won't speed up the process any further!
Meet & greet parking	If you're driving to the airport don't immediately shrug off the 'valet' option just because off-site parking might be cheaper. The convenience and peace of mind could be ideal for business trips or travellers with excess luggage.

I've purposely excluded the topic of 'packing light' vs 'luggage check-in'...

Although packing light would mean avoiding the check-in/bag-drop queues, the inconvenience of lugging a heavy carry-on bag around the airport (and the hassle if security officials choose your bag for a random contents search) might be less appealing.

Checking in your lugagge (even if for a fee), might save you time in the security check zone and increase your chance for bagging the more spacious 'cheap-flight' seats as your timesaving techniques ensure you're right in the front of the boarding queue.

These are just a few ideas to help save time and energy as you head to the departure gates. In the spirit of keeping the list concise, I've held back from rattling off an essay of ideas! I trust that this summary of, albeit simple, steps encourages you to book that next trip abroad ... HAPPY TRAVELS!

Just Touched Down in London Town

Nearly six years on, and I still find myself exploring the city like a newbie tourist! London truly has an abundance of sights and attractions that are simply waiting to be discovered and shared.

You don't have to worry about 'breaking the bank', with a whole array of free attractions at your disposal and plenty of offers to take advantage of... I've compiled a list of hidden treasures and tips that won't necessarily be listed in your standard city guide, but are certainly worth taking advantage of!

Free walking tour	Visit my blog "Did you say FREE???" for more information on the Sandemans free walking tour
2-for-1 offers	National Rail train ticket holders can enjoy 2FOR1 entry to over 150 top London attractions. With a train ticket as cheap as £2-£3, you can make use of these offers. You simply need to display a ticket that's valid on the day you want to visit, and the rest is history! Vouchers are printable off the website by clicking "claim offer".
£5 Afternoon Tea	In true English style, the Fan Museum in Greenwich has a lovely Orangery that serves afternoon teas on Tuesdays and Sundays from 3pm, for as little as £5. The museum is only a short walk from the Greenwich overground/DLR station.  Booking is advised to avoid disappointment. Admission to the museum itself is normally £4 pp, but you can take advantage of National Rail's 2-for-1 offer and save 50%.
Panoramic views	Royal Observatory Greenwich Park is home to the Royal Observatory on the top of the hill.  The majestic views of the Canary Wharf skyscrapers, the Millennium Dome and the City of London make the steep climb worth the while! Although admission to the observatory museum itself is no longer free, you can still take a picture at the Shepherd Clock outside the gate, while enjoying the views across London. Close to the Observatory, you'll also find the Pavilion Tea House if you fancy a bite to eat or refreshment. Westminster Cathedral - Campanile Bell Tower The cathedral's 273ft high bell tower offers a spectacular 360⁰ views across London. A trip up the tower costs £5 per adult, only a minimal amount when compared to the highly advertised London Eye with its ridiculously long queues.  The viewing gallery is accessible by elevator (200ft above street level). Access to the cathedral is free, although donations are of course welcome.
Celebrity-spotting	There's a great website that provides detailed listings of upcoming London film premieres, including cast and plot details - markmeets.com.  If you're willing to join the crowds before the red carpet arrivals, you stand a good chance of seeing celebrities in the flesh and taking a few good pics.
South Bank	In the heart of London, this Thames riverside stretch is perfect for an afternoon stroll. The area is buzzing with activities throughout the year - theatre, music, dance, exhibitions and many free events.
Free concerts	Royal Opera House Located in popular Covent Garden area, the Royal Opera House offers FREE lunchtime recitals/concerts. A proportion of tickets can be reserved online a few days before the concert date, and remaining tickets at the box office from 10am on the recital day. National Theatre Located along the Southbank, free music can be enjoyed at 5.45pm (Mon-Fri) and Saturdays (1pm and 5.45pm), varying from cool jazz to upbeat ethnic.

Along with the abundance of free galleries, museums and parks at your disposal, a trip to London is certainly one you'll enjoy!

Please feel free to share your own experiences and any other hidden London treasures that you've come across... HAPPY TRAVELS!

Paris - hidden treasures

While you enjoy a coffee and croissant at one of the local Parisian cafés, you don't have to sit and count your last few Euros before visiting another landmark.  There are plenty of ways to stretch your travel wallet and still soak up all that the wonderful city has to offer.

Welcome to Paris... the city of Love, Fashion, Art!

Eiffel Tower	Light show The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset to 1am (2am during summer) and its lighthouse sends out light beams too. There's a short light show every hour on the hour during which the lights sparkle for ~5 minutes (all 20,000+ of them). This show is free to view, and a great way to end a busy day! Afternoon picnic Although an elevator journey up the tower costs a pretty penny, it's absolutely free to enjoy a view of the structure itself and even more special while picnicking in one of the many green public spaces around the tower. Stairs vs lift If you're willing to take stairs to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, you'll pay less for admission fees and join a shorter queue.
Louvre	Free entry Along with a number of the city's galleries and museums, on the 1st Sunday of every month entry is FREE to the Louvre. It might be worth your while to plan your trip around this time, or even justify a slightly higher flight price? Avoid queues If you have to pay, you can avoid long queues by purchasing tickets in advance online. They are valid for entry on any day (no date stamp) and allow admission via special entrances.
Notre Dame	Free entry This cathedral is a free treasure for tourists! The only reason to part with any cash would be to climb to the towers or visit the museum. Other than accessing these sections, it's absolutely free to walk inside and around the cathedral. I've been told that the cathedral also hosts several free concerts...
Seine River	You can stroll along Paris’ famous river, or peruse the infamous bookseller carts that line up along the riverside on the Left Bank.
Perfume Museum	Free guided tour Not only is the Fragonard Perfume Museum free to visit, the guided tour is free as well. It's only a short walk from the metro stop, Opera.
Montmartre	Sacré-Coeur Basilica The steps in front of the basilica could easily be argued as housing the best views of the city. The church is situated atop Montmartre hill. Best of all, access to the hilltop and basilica is free.
Arc de Triomphe / Champs Elysees	Even if just for a short stroll down the Champs Elysees and to take a few pictures of the Arc de Triomphe , this is definitely a worthwhile stop. Despite the overpriced shops and food, it's a must-see boulevard. At night, the Champs Elysees comes alive with bar crawls galore.
Versailles Garden	Free access While a visit to the palace will cost you, access to the wonderful, extensive gardens is free of charge (except on some Tuesdays, when the 'musical fountains' are on show).
Hôtel de Ville	Free exhibits Don't be fooled by the name - it's not a place where you can book a room! It's beautiful to look at the City Hall from the outside, and there are public areas inside with art exhibits that change regularly... and these can be visited for free.
Latin Quarter	Cheap eats Filled with fabulous cafés and shops, this vibrant neighbourhood is worth the visit.

And last, but not least, don't forget about Sandemans Free Walking Tour. Visit my blog "Did you say FREE???" for more information.

Including sites already covered, the list below highlights some of Paris' main attractions:

1. Eiffel Tower

2. Louvre Museum

3. Arc de Triomphe

4. Notre Dame Cathedral

5. Montmarte & Sacré-Coeur Basilica

6. Champs-Elysées

7. Versailles Palace

8. Jardin du Luxembourg

9. Sunset River Cruise on the Seine

10. Place de la Concorde

There so many beautiful parks and gardens to visit, and way too many to mention! These are great spots to enjoy a light lunch or evening stroll, and simply watch the world go by...

If you have any experiences to share, please feel free to comment and help unlock more free city treasures... HAPPY TRAVELS!

Hotel Hunting made easy

"... only 15 min walk to the Eiffel Tower..."
How often have you seen phrases like these? More likely than not, that's the time it would take to drive, not walk at a leisurely pace to the famous landmark. If you're planning to stay in the heart of the city there are a few things you could do to make sure you choose the right hotel. In the end, it will save you time and money!

Map of city	Free maps from sites like Lonely Planet / Frommer's Including metro stations and landmarks if possible Google Maps website open to type in street address if required
Airport shuttle service	Does hotel offer free shuttle service to and from airport? If not, check if hotel is close to public airport shuttle bus stops. Airport shuttle bus timetable is downloadable from airport site.
Access to bus/train	How long would it take to travel to main sites from hotel?
City transport package	Hotels often offer 'accommodation + city travel pass' deals. This could save you time and money.
Hotel reviews	Do a quick search on sites like Tripadvisor for customer reviews.  This will also give an indication of neighbourhood (safety etc).

These are very easy and simple travel steps that one often takes for granted would be easy to avoid until arriving at your destination... but it could mean waiting an extra hour for a shuttle bus, or running up an expensive taxi bill if you haven't done research beforehand.

Even more frustrating, if the city is not one where your home language is widely spoken these steps could save you a great deal of time and embarrassment!  The shuttle service timetable is also very useful when you're planning on arriving/departing from an airport in the early hours of the morning.

If you have any more tips to share, or website recommendations for choosing the best hotels, it would be great to hear about them. Many hotel booking sites offer user-friendly maps to plot your hotel (along with famous landmarks) so this is often a good start :-)

Hope you found this post useful... HAPPY TRAVELS!