Training For Cycling Holidays

Cycling holidays are a unique and interesting way of taking a holiday. They are perfect if you are bored with the typical holiday break which includes mainly sitting on a beach and maybe going sightseeing. Some people prefer to be more active and get bored of sitting around which is why cycling holidays are perfect for them.

 

Not everyone who goes on cycling holidays is super fit and some don’t even cycle all that much. If you are one of those people then it is wise to get some preparation and training in beforehand so you don’t struggle while you are away. Generally cycling holidays are aimed at everyone from all abilities and fitness levels so they aren’t going to be too hardcore but you are more likely to enjoy it if you have a reasonably good fitness level.

 

When training for cycling holidays you don’t even need to ride a bike to get fit. However, this is the recommended form of exercise because then once you are on your holiday you will know what you are capable of and how hard you can push yourself. Any exercise such as running, going to the gym, swimming, walking and doing exercise dvds will get your heart pumping and will therefore help to improve your fitness.

 

If you do choose cycling as your preferred method of getting fit for your cycling holidays then how you go about it depends on how much you currently exercise. If you never exercise and you haven’t done for a long time then it is better to start off slow and build your way up. Start at a slow pace for about 20 minutes and then gradually you can get faster and faster and also increase your distance. It won’t be long before you notice that you will be able to cycle for much longer distances than you could when you first started your training.

 

If you are a regular fitness fanatic then training for cycling holidays shouldn’t be a problem and you should quickly get the hang of it. However, even if you are very fit but cycling isn’t something that you normally do, it is still important to get some practice in before you go on your break. This is because whereas you may find jogging really easy, you may find that you struggle a bit with cycling.

 

One of the best things about cycling holidays is not only are they fun and exciting but it is also a great way to get fit and stay in shape whilst you are on holiday.

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

Sailing Makes Unique Holiday

If you are looking for a completely different kind of holiday this year then something to consider is a sailing holiday. This is quite an unusual concept and it is not something that many people would have even considered before but it a great way of enjoying time abroad whilst learning a new skill at the same time.

Sailing is something that many people around the world thoroughly enjoy for a wide range of reasons. Not only is it fun and relaxing but it is a very unique way of discovering places around the world that you would never otherwise be able to see.

The great thing about these holidays is that it doesn’t matter how good or bad at sailing you are. Some people embark on them having never tried it before whereas others may be a lot more confident with it. Most companies offer a range of courses which vary in length depending how much practice you want or how much experience you have with sailing. This means that you can fit the lessons around you and your holiday needs very easily.

Once you have mastered the art of sailing you will be able to practice your new skill as much or as little as you like. If you own your own boat this is very handy as you will be able to go on sailing holidays whenever you want. This is likely to prove popular because there aren’t many types of holidays that you can enjoy with your friends and/or family from the privacy of your own boat. This also means that you can go wherever you want and stay there for however long you want.

Sailing can be enjoyed at any time, not just for holidays which is what makes it such a worthwhile skill to use. Taking a boat out for a day with friends and family is a very different way of spending your time. This would be a particularly good thing to do if you have friends or family visiting you and you want to do something unique to entertain them and show them around.

Sailing holidays can be enjoyed all around the world at any time during the year. You don’t have to worry about getting bored either because obviously you are free to step onto dry land at any time and go and explore the area you have just sailed to.  

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

The Importance Of Travel Insurance

Holidays are the one thing that everyone looks forward to every year because it is a great way to forget the stresses of everyday life and have some fun. People can sometimes get so caught up in the excitement of going abroad that they either completely forget to get travel insurance or simply assume that they won’t need it.

 

However, this has caught out many people and even ruined their holidays when it turns out that they do in fact need it. Travel insurance is a vital part of booking any holiday because you just don’t know what will happen. This is especially the case when you are on holiday because people tend to be more careless and drink more which means that you are more likely to have an accident.

 

Now is a time when travel insurance is more important than ever because medical costs continue to rise for Brits who are travelling abroad. This means that if you get ill or have an accident abroad you could be faced with a large medical bill if you haven’t taken out the correct travel insurance beforehand. You can find some good insurance deals online so you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on it and then not using it. Regardless of whether you use it or not it is better to be safer than sorry because medical expenses abroad will set you back a lot more than taking out travel insurance will.

 

Travel insurance can cover more than just illnesses and accidents, it can also cover loss of luggage or other personal belongings such as passports and money. Loss of luggage is something that is completely out of your control which is another reason why travel insurance is so important. No matter how careful you are or how many precautions you take, these things do happen and therefore it is important to ensure that you are covered in case you are one of the unlucky ones that this happens to.

 

Travel insurance is particularly important if you are going on an adventure holiday such as skiing. You are far more likely to get an injury on this kind of holiday than you would if you were just lazing on a beach for two weeks. With adventure holidays it is not worth the risk of not taking out travel insurance because your risk of injury is so much higher.

 

With so many companies now offering travel insurance you are bound to find a great deal that will suit both you and the type of holiday you are going on.

Image belongs to: Carla Saliba. Taken from: http://www.flickr.com

Journey into the Amazon

If you are stuck for holiday ideas this year, why not consider something different that can really open your eyes to the world. Traditionally, people tend to stick to what they know by visiting destinations that include the typical sun, sea and sand setting. However, this can get repetitive and chances are you aren’t experiencing the different cultures and traditions that the world has to offer.

 

South America is just one of the many locations around the world that has so much more to offer than just beaches and bars. The Amazon rainforest is one of the top tourist destinations on the continent and will more than likely leave you breathless and speechless.

 

The rainforest covers a staggering 1.2 billion acres and is spread across Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Bearing this in mind, it is virtually impossible to see the whole of the rainforest in one holiday. For this reason many people choose to go on package holidays that incorporate a tour of part of the Amazon or go on excursions to the rainforest.

 

A journey to the Amazon comes highly recommended as you will encounter species you never knew existed, scenery that is so beautiful it doesn’t seem real and wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. This is definitely an expedition that requires a camera and plenty of film.

 

There is more to South America than just the Amazon rainforest and the city of Quito does an excellent job of proving this. The capital city of Ecuador is the second highest capital city in the world and is only a mere 15 miles from the equator. These things provide interesting talking points and mean that there is lots to do around the area.

 

One of the many attractions in Quito, Ecuador is a monument and museum which marks the location of the equator. Appropriately named la mitad del mundo, which means the middle of the world, this attraction marks the point where it was originally thought that the equator runs through. It wasn’t until recent GPS technology that it was discovered that the monument is actually 240 metres south of the equator. 

 

From the Amazon rainforest to Ecuador there is plenty to see and do in South America. Regardless of how old you are or what interests you this is bound to be an experience that you will never forget.

Image belongs to: Gert Van Duinen. Taken from: http://www.flickr.com

The Andes of Peru

When visiting Peru, there is something that absolutely must be done. This is to take a trip to the Andes which is the longest north – south mountain range in the world. Here you will encounter fascinating wildlife and stunning scenery that will stay with you forever.

A common excursion for many tourists who visit Peru is to take a train ride through the Andes to Machu Picchu. This pre – Columbian Inca site is often referred to as ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ and has become the most visited tourist attraction in the country. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World this attraction will not disappoint as you are confronted with brilliantly coloured artefacts and Spanish colonial architecture.

If you are looking for traditional yet modern locations to visit while in Peru then Lima is perfect for you. Although Lima is Peru’s cultural and business centre, it still runs at a slower pace than many other South American cities. The capital city is located amongst valleys, rivers and seaports and overlooks the Pacific Ocean which means that photo opportunities are plentiful and there is lots to see.

One attraction in particular that should be visited while in Lima is the Gold museum. It is not hard to see why this is the most popular museum in Peru as it possesses one of the largest collections of pre – Columbian gold in the world. Here tourists can see gold figures, masks, artefacts, mummies and other ancient relics which can’t be found in many other parts of the world.

The ‘Archaeological Capital of the Americas’, Cusco is yet another must see location in Peru. It is hard to say exactly what makes this destination so special but many think that it is the contrast between the native and western cultures that are clearly on display. Surrounded by six mountains, possessing the oldest city in the western hemisphere and having been the home of ancient Inca civilisation, Cusco possibly has some of the most beautiful views in the world.

Whether you are going to Peru in search of fascinating wildlife, stunning scenery or attractions that you will never find anywhere else, this is bound to be a holiday that you will never forget. Peru is a far cry from what you would normally see on a typical holiday so prepare to be left amazed and speechless and you encounter the wonders that the country has to offer.     

Image belongs to: Joseph Hurtado http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumpetca/76141168/in/set-1632890/