Tag: UK

Well it’s that time of year and Wintersports are back on the television. For those who are too eager to watch and actually want to take part in snow sports, Europe has many great slopes to try out. Mobile Network 3 are taking the Wintersports season as an opportunity to remind us about international calling rates. The EU legislation in 2007 brought in a maximum calling cost for all calls from EU countries back to the United Kingdom, the cap means that the maximum charge for a call to the United Kingdom will be just 28 pence per minute and the maximum cost to receive a call while in the EU is 19 pence per minute.

While the other networks have lowered their rates, and are charging much less than in previous years, they have all pretty much stuck to the EU regulation cost and not really tried to beat it. 3 have got the lowest calling rates in the EU of all the UK and EU operators, meaning you can call home without worrying about getting a massive bill the following month.

3 charge just 25 pence to call the UK from a EU country and just 10 pence per minute to receive a call while in the EU – which is les than any of the other networks, and the specialist sim cards available online.

Whether you are on 3 or any of the other UK mobile networks please be sure to check with your network operator before you travel to be sure roaming is enabled – as this is not always enabled as standard on a lot of contract mobile phone accounts, and to check your call and text costs. It is still surprising how many mobile customers do not realise how much a quick call home can cost, and even more do not think that they will be charged for a friend or family member calling them to check if they have landed safely.

There are wireless telecom service providers that offer international cell phone rentals and international SIM cards. You could also get a country-specific SIM card or a Global Prepaid SIM card if you go to a good wireless telecom service provider. There are several reasons why you should get a UK, Ireland, or Europe cell phone rental.

With an international or country-specific cell phone rental, you could save up to 85% of the carrier roaming rate. Roaming rates are the rates charged by service providers when you are out of your normal area. The international roaming rates are usually very high.

There are country-specific SIM cards with free incoming calls for international travelers. Most countries, particularly, have free incoming calls. You could get a Global SIM card purchase plan or a multi-country travel & cell phone rental for international travel if your GSM cell phones are not unlocked.

If you are a corporate or a leisure traveler, you can international SIM card + cell phone rental plan that is specifically designed for you. This is important because it means you minimize your spending on cell phone costs. With a good Europe cell phone rental company, you simply have to return the SIM card once the service length has expired. There will be no contract.

Most UK and Ireland cell phone rental plans are post paid where you will be charged for usage on a monthly basis. You do not need to worry about such things as adding minutes to your SIM card.

You will get dedicated customer service with a good rental company. This is important because all your problems will be solved. If you buy your own SIM card, you might have problems adapting in a country that is not your own. You could lease a SIM card and continue to use your old phone. This is particularly possible with cell phones that have tri- or quad-band spectrums.

With the rental services you will save money as you would not need to buy a new cell phone and a new SIM card to use in your new country. This would be particularly expensive if you want a Blackberry, an iPhone, or any other expensive Smartphone. Renting the cell phone and the SIM card is advantageous as it would help you save money by renting rather than buying. In most cases, you will need to pay a fraction of what you paid for buying.

Other than the low cost, other good advantages of Ireland and UK cell phone rental is that you get unparalleled convenience. It is convenient as you do not have to bother for buying the cell phone and SIM card. If you too have been planning to go abroad, get your rented Cell phone + SIM card now!

New Zealand is one of the worlds most popular destinations for leisure and business travellers alike. Amongst the many awards and recommendations that New Zealand has obtained, New Zealand has just been selected by Lonely Planet authors, staff and travellers as one of the Top 10 Countries to visit in 2010.

Purchasing dutyfree is a great value method of purchasing a large variety of luxury items, with many travellers taking advantage of the opportunity when overseas. New and innovative developments in the ways to purchase dutyfree are constantly evolving to better provide for consumer needs and trends. Some examples of this development include new and convenient methods of purchasing, including online stores and expedient airport delivery services. Stocking limited lines of exclusive products, along with offering loyalty programs, the dutyfree store is hard to beat on price and product selection.

However, whether you are an inbound or outbound tourist or returning home from an overseas adventure, you must be aware of the duty free allowances that are in place for each of the countries you are visiting. Another important consideration is the countries custom laws and banned items. Many countries, including New Zealand have strict and enforceable customs and duty free allowances, with penalties ranging from confiscation of banned or excessive goods to fines. Ensure your holiday and dutyfree experiences remain positive by taking a little time and investigating the dutyfree allowances applicable in New Zealand.

New Zealand has a generous duty free allowance, but if you are caught bringing in any animal or plant material, instant fines will be the result. New Zealand prides itself on its natural beauty and this depends vitally on the ability of New Zealand customs keeping out foreign bodies that may damage the historic flora and fauna of the nation.

Each country has different duty free allowances and they are often in flux. A recent example of this is in 2008 when the European Commission decided to increase the duty free allowance from outside the European Union without paying UK duty, to over double the monetary value previous to the law change. Therefore, it is vital to check a reputable dutyfree store, or visit their website, to get up to date information on levels of dutyfree allowance. At the time of writing, the New Zealand duty free allowance for an individual is NZ$700, excluding any items used for personal use, such as clothing and toiletries.

On the very south-western tip of England lies the beautiful county of Cornwall. With a delightful mix of superb beaches (among the best in Britain), outstanding scenery and charming towns, villages and cities, Cornwall has something to offer every traveller.

Despite the wealth of attractions & scenic beauty on offer, Cornwall has many affordable hotels, B&Bs & guesthouses to suit the budgets of all holidaymakers.

Cornwall is also Britain’s premier surfing capital not surprising given that it enjoys the best weather anywhere in the country. It also has some of the cleanest beaches and attracts visitors by the millions every year.

Whether it’s lazing on lovely white beaches, ambling along wonderful sub-tropical gardens or exploring quiet, picture-perfect fishing villages you’re after, you’ll find it all when you visit Cornwall.

The famous King Arthur is also believed to have come from Cornwall, in a small town called Tintagel. Cornish history is mystical, ancient and highly fascinating. The many delightful towns and villages are often named after the Christian missionaries that have influenced them.

Like your food and drink? Cornish pubs are known for offering good hearty foods and your choice of flavoursome ales. And let’s not forget the Cornish pasty a tasty must-have meat pie that must be experienced when visiting Cornwall.

Holidays In Devon

Devon is famously known to offer the traveller a feast of splendid scenery, lovely beaches and pretty harbour towns. Popular destinations within Devon include Plymouth, Torbay and Dartmoor National Park.

Devon is also a walkers paradise, and like neighbouring Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations within the United Kingdom. And it’s very easy to see why lush pastures break out into spectacular coastlines, making Devon a Mecca for those hunting for a taste of quaint old England.

While enjoying a holiday in Devon, be sure to experience the wonderfully rugged coastline scenery. Devon is also blessed with some stunning countryside charming narrow little roads amble on for miles with nothing but lush greenery and flora that offers a myriad of explosive colours during the summertime. Driving through these single-lane roads is an experience like no other arrive in a Devon town that’s dotted with charming thatched cottages and enjoy a cream tea and scone in one of the many tea-shops.

Devon offers the traveller a classic English village experience and there are many great hotels, B&Bs and many more types of accommodation to cater to the needs of both the luxury traveller and budget conscious back-packer.

Devon also offers some of the best year-round weather to be found anywhere in the UK. Temperatures in January (when the rest of the country is shivering) average a maximum of 9 degrees.

If you enjoy coasts & estuaries then a holiday in Devon will delight you the estuaries (such as the Teign) also attract many species of migratory birds.

Some people call Edinburgh the Athens of the North. Edinburgh is ripe with history and tourist attractions such as the famous Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Scott Monument, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Zoo and the Butterfly and Insect World. Make sure to set aside at least two days in your itinerary to view the sites of this Jewel of Scotland.

You can stay at any of the fine Bed and Breakfast locations; one of the more popular is the 23 Mayfield a beautifully restored home that is comfortable and cosy with elegantly furnished rooms of solid mahogany and other fine appointments. There is also the well regarded, 14 Hart Street and Six Brunton Place Guest House. If you would rather stay in a hotel some of the top rated hotels in Edinburgh are the Chester Residence, the Atholl Brae Royal Mile and the Holyrood Aparthotel.

There are any number of great places to eat some of the favourites are the Elephant House, the Tower Restaurant located on top of the Museum of Scotland. It is owned and operated by award winning Scottish restaurateur James Thomson. There is also the Witchery By The Castle, situated at the top of the Royal Mile, the sister restaurant of the Tower with a colourful history that can be traced back to the 1600s. Local legend has it that witches were housed there prior to their execution, hence the name. The restaurant has no electricity and you dine by candlelight adding to the overall ambiance of the place.

Edinburgh has a pretty lively nightlife and pub scene as well; currently one of the trendiest spots in the city is George Street. There is also the former red light district of Rose Street; one of the most famous streets in all of Edinburgh. Rose Street is packed with pubs from end to end, check out the Bad Ass or Dirty Dick’s or take the “Rose Street Challenge” by starting at one end of Rose Street and walking to the other having a drink at every pub along the way. Cowgate and Grassmarket are other popular spots in Edinburgh.

If you are on a budget there are a number of cheap hotels in Edinburgh, you can find lodgings for any budget. There are also a number of nice, affordable little restaurants throughout the city. Regardless of where you stay Edinburgh is a must see.