How to Combat Jetlag on Holiday

As if both business travellers and those heading off on holidays didn’t have enough on their plate dealing with long waits at the airport, flight delays and cancellations, jet lag is simply another added misery that can really make or break a trip. Especially on short business trips, travellers often don’t even get a chance to recover from jetlag and are already sitting on the plane back home before their body clock adjusts to the new time zone, causing disruption to work and seemingly unavoidable stress for those affected.

But there’s good news for travellers who have grown weary of dealing with the unpleasant experience a long haul flight can bring. Recent findings seem to point to a simple way of dealing with the problem of jet lag – simply don’t eat the food offered on the flight. This is because it seems that the body has more than one clock working to manage sleep cycles. One, of course, responds to the time of day and natural light levels. The other, surprisingly, is managed by what one eats.

So by avoiding food until the last minute, preferably after you have left the plane and have retrieved your bags, perhaps even until you reach your hotel, your body will have a far easier time adjusting to the considerable time difference. This second clock was studied in mice, and seemed to override the other, keeping the animals awake until they could find food.  While this knowledge may come in handy for anyone travelling on long haul flights, there is no way to combat the problem completely.

Methods such as using sleeping tablets are discouraged these days because with the swelling of limbs associated with long haul flights these can cause serious circulation problems which could even prove deadly in the most severe cases as these pills cause an almost comatose state of sleep which means less movement, something which is vitally important before, during, and after a flight.

A few other tried and tested methods to help travellers avoid the draining and unpleasant effects of jetlag include shifting their sleeping and eating patterns at least a few days before even jetting off to their destination, but this isn’t always possible as most people have a schedule to stick to, a job and other commitments which mean that any major changes are unfortunately not possible, so this new discovery could give those who are severely affected by jet lag a new hope for reducing the discomfort associated with a swift move through different time zones instead of spending the first few days of their holiday feeling stressed and uncomfortable.

An Eastern Odyssey

Sights, shopping, culture and cuisine are just a few of the things that the Far East has to offer its tourists. The only problem is with so much to see and do, it’s impossible to fit everything into one holiday. For this reason tours of the Far East come highly recommended as they incorporate the top attractions and ensure you visit all the must see destinations.

Those going on tours of the Far East should ensure that they stop at Kyoto in Japan at some point. Due to its interesting history there is so much to see and do including numerous temples, shrines and other historical structures. If you have a healthy cultural appetite this is one of the top places to visit in Japan due to the hundreds of attractions in the area as well as UNESCO World Heritage gardens.

Inevitably, another top destination when going on tours of the Far East is Tokyo. Those who enjoy busy city life will feel right at home here in one of the busiest cities in the world. Nowhere else will you find somewhere so vibrant and full of energy yet one minute you can be relaxing in peaceful gardens and the next be fighting your way through hectic streets.

Without a doubt Thailand has become one of the most popular holiday destinations amongst travellers from all over the world. From historical temples to floating markets it’s no surprise that in recent years so many people have chosen to take tours of Thailand. Bangkok is one of the most popular cities in the country and has always been a hit with holiday makers. The nightlife is excellent, there are plenty of shops, unusual things to do such as Thai boxing matches and there is plenty to see as well with all the historical temples.

From Hong Kong to Bangkok, the Far East is full of sensational sights, unusual surprises and diverse culture. It’s hardly surprising that tours of the Far East are becoming increasingly popular because with so much to see and do everybody is bound to have a great time.

Image belongs to: Christian Bachellier. Taken From: www.flickr.com   

The Images of Borneo

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located off the southeast coast of Asia. The island is famous for its wildlife, jungles, national parks and Mount Kinabalu. No matter what kind of holiday you are after you are bound to love Borneo because you have the option to be in the rainforest, city or beach.

Kuching is a popular city in Borneo due to its laid back nature and friendly atmosphere. The name of the city is another word for ‘cat’ which is very evident from all the cat statues located around the area. With an interesting history and plenty of culture on offer there is plenty to do in Kuching. To make it easier for tourists to get from here to there are riverboats which take passengers back and fourth across the river.

Something that all animal lovers should do when on holiday in Borneo is to pay a visit to the Semengok Orang Utan sanctuary. These magnificent creatures have been rescued from captivity and nurtured and rehabilitated for eventual release into the jungle. Even if you aren’t normally an animal lover it is almost impossible not to be amazed by these intriguing animals.

The Sarawak Museum is a popular attraction amongst many tourists who choose to go on holiday in Borneo. The museum was established in 1860 but didn’t open to the public until 1891. As its reputation has grown from strength to strength in the years that it has been open, it has since become a research centre in Borneo as well.

There are many things that attract thousands of visitors to Borneo every year as the island possesses so many good qualities. One of the many attractions is the tropical climate as temperatures generally range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.  Because of this it is hardly surprising that water – sports is such a popular past time on the island.

There are various beaches to choose from as well as a vast array of activities from diving and snorkelling to sailing and water skiing. No matter where in Borneo you go or at what time of the year you go, a holiday to Borneo will be an experience that you will never forget.  

Image belongs to: Christian Bachellier. Taken from: www.flickr.com

Edinburgh Airport Taxi Rip-off

An MP is demanding that action be taken after he was quoted nearly £50 for a 16-mile journey from Edinburgh Airport. Jim Devine is appalled that taxis from the airport can justify these prices. He says that a local taxi from his house to the airport would normally cost less than half that price.

He argues that these fares could deter tourists who would be understandably shocked at these prices from visiting the city again. The general consensus following this ordeal is that taxi prices should be capped or controlled. Many people feel that there is absolutely no reason why people travelling from Edinburgh Airport should have to pay double the amount purely because they are coming from the airport.

Others feel that it would be in the interest of taxi firms to reduce their prices anyway because if they don’t, then people will start using public transport instead. Either this or the airport is likely to see an increase in the amount of people using the meet and greet services available for parking at Edinburgh airport. Meet and greet services are very popular and are a convenient way of getting to and from the airport. Passengers drive their car to the airport and it is left there until they return from their journey. You can be satisfied that your car will be kept safe while you are away, don’t have to pay a fortune to get to and from the airport or struggle with your luggage on public transport. As well as this you don’t have to worry about trying to find parking at airports.

Unfortunately, Edinburgh Airport has no control over the prices charged by taxis to and from the airport which means that they are free to charge whatever they like. This isn’t helped by the fact that taxis in Edinburgh are thought to be amongst the most expensive in the world so prices are going to be high anyway.  On top of this, the law clearly states that if a taxi is going outside of the city’s region, it can charge whatever they like.

It seems unlikely that taxi firms operating at Edinburgh airport are unlikely to reduce their fees as they are perfectly within their rights to charge whatever they like. Whereas some people are happy to accept that it’s going to cost more, others are not. For a cheaper fare it is advisable to book a taxi from a local firm not operating at the airport to come and pick you up.     

Image belongs to: Esteban De Sousa Seibane. Taken from: www.flickr.com 

Boston

If you are looking for the perfect USA holiday then Boston is one of the top places to visit. Not only is it the capital of Massachusetts, it’s the largest city in New England and is often considered to be the unofficial economic and cultural centre of the New England region.Second only to San Francisco for its popularity with tourists, an American travel information magazine recently named Boston as the seventh most popular city in the world. A trip to this beautiful city will guarantee that this is one USA holiday that you will never forget.There is so much to do that it is unlikely that you will manage to see all the sites it has to offer.

A good place to start whilst on your USA holiday is the Freedom Trail which is one of America’s first historic walking tours. It is the perfect introduction to Colonial and Revolutionary Boston and takes visitors to 16 historical sites which gives you an idea of the best places to visit.Faneuil Hall is a collection of boutiques, eateries and pushcart vendors housed in converted 18th century warehouses which has played an integral role in the life of Boston’s residents for over 250 years. When you can’t possibly shop any more, you can enjoy the street entertainers that frequently perform outside the hall. For something a bit different while on your USA holiday you can take part in a Boston Tea Party Re – enactment sail on board the Tall Ship Liberty Clipper. You can help set the sails and then prepare for the fight where cannons will be shot and chests of tea will be thrown overboard.

You can also take part in a Boston tradition by taking a ride on the famous Swan Boats in the Public Garden. You can enjoy a peaceful 15 minute ride as a Swan Boat driver paddles you around the Public Garden Lagoon.

Just a short ferry ride from the city, you can visit the Boston Harbour Islands, the country’s newest National Park, composed of 34 islands. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, island tours, hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Most of the major places of interest are within walking distance of each other so you don’t have to worry about paying for taxis or getting lost on busses. There is a wide selection of hotels available to suit every taste and budget, ranging from the most luxurious hotels and large chain hotels, to smaller inexpensive lodgings.

The whole of the greater Boston area is served by an excellent transport system which includes an underground railway – the ‘T’ which is perhaps the easiest way to travel into and around the city. It’s no surprise that this is one of the top places of choice for people who want a USA holiday as you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the city.

Image belongs to: Joseph Hurtado http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumpetca/408416721/in/set-72157594566621889/