Travelling abroad? How to avoid this modern day money pitfall

A quick travel tip today if you plan on using your bank card abroad. It's partly bourne of a friend's personal experience and increasing murmurings from the travel community.

A recent trip to Iceland saw a friend of mine, who had planned and organised the visit as a birthday present for her husband, suddenly stranded without money. Thinking, as one might in this modern world, that rather than risk carrying around wads of Icelandic krona she would instead make use of ATMs to draw her money as and when she needed it. Not a preposterous idea I think you'll agree.

Upon trying to do so however she encountered a problem. The machine didn't want to give up her money. Strange since, a) she knew the money was in there and b) she had used her card several times abroard in previous years with no problem. A call to the bank revealed the reason; they had frozen her card. But why?

Well, it would seem that trying to use the card abroad had triggered off a fraud alarm in the depths of her bank's HQ. After a lengthy discussion it transpired that, unbeknowst to her, she should have informed her bank before travelling as the attempted transactions were interpreted as fraudulent activity. Fine, but she had no knowledge of her duty to do this.

The matter was sorted and something new learned. Of course, she was very grateful for the banks efficiency at protecting her money and avoiding a more serious situation, so no harm done thankfully.

It would seem though that she's not the only one who wasn't aware of this new practice. Reading some seasoned travel writers experiences reveals they have also encountered this and my guess, and the point of this story, is that if they are not aware then it's probable that most people aren't. So, remember, if you want to use your bank card abroad to withdrawn your hard earned spending money it's worth advising your bank beforehand to avoid the situation that many have found themselves in.

http://www.hotelshopuk.com/

Euro surely not going to go there!

With the Euro down against the pound the prospect of securing a cheap European holiday is decreasing with almost as much speed as the housing market. If you do find a great deal, chances are that you'll spend almost as much, if not more, whilst you're there so it dawned on me that 'staying at home' (ok, in the UK!) might be the new 'going abroad'. Staying in the UK for your holidays might sound less appealing than sunning-it-up on a deserted island but I urge you to look again.

For those that want from their break a peacefulness and a time to reflect and get closer to mother nature, the UK & Ireland is home to some of the most beautiful countryside around. Take the lake district for example, what more breathtaking beauty can one person behold? If not the Lakes, then there are miles of coastline teaming with wildlife, picture postcard villages and cosy tea-rooms just waiting for you to arrive, breathless and freshfaced from your rambles, and serve you a warming sweet brew and feather light fairy cakes that sprinkle magic into your day. Behold, with childlike awe, the extraordinary sunsets that envelope the striking landscape of the Gower Pennisula or try to glimpse the monster that lurks beneath the waters of Loch Ness. Take the time to explore the stunning landscapes that are on your doorstep; to slow down, to switch off the phone, forget the emails, the children's demands, the endless list of To Do's that never get done and just: breath. relax. And take it all in. Because:
"What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
William Henry Davies 1871 - 1940

For those that want to charge up their holidays, why not choose the buzz of a city? Once again, there is an abundance out there. Most obvious, of course, is London. What you can't do in London just isn't worth mentioning but it's worth looking beyond the M25 and discovering what the new glittering cities have to offer. An array of restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, and attractions for all ages mean a weekend in the city could be your new favourite pastime.

Still not convinced, well how about knowing that you could be staying in 3 star hotels from as little as £19 per person per night? Costa del 'falling Euro' not so attractive now.

Like a long lost but much loved shoe discovered at the back of the wardrobe, the UK is yearning for you to go out there and re-discover it. Travel its ancient landscapes, re-trace the steps you did as a child, take a fresh look at its treasures be they old or new and rejoice in not having to stand in one single airport queue to do it!

For a fantastic selection of short breaks and hotels in delightful Blighty, bonnie Scotland and enchanting Ireland, go to http://www.hotelshopuk.com/ now.

hotelshop uk's Europe expansion continued...

If you read my blog about hotelshop UK's expansion into Europe, then take a look at the press release just published...

http://www.prlog.org/10151056-hotelshop-uk-expands-into-europe.html

Today Europe...tomorrow the World!

Great news - hotelshopUK just had their first booking for a Europe hotel! No longer just the preserve of the lovely UK & Northern Ireland, hotelshopUK now provide accommodation in 25 continental European countries! Whether you want the 'oh la la' of France or the Bohemian vibe of Berlin, the delightfully sculptural coastline of Dubrovnik or the festive magic of Finland, hotelshopUK can now provide them all and more.

We are so pleased to be able to add to our existing 500+ UK & Northern Ireland hotel inventory and bring our fabulous customers more choice than ever before, in more far flung locations than ever before. Tell your friends, hotelshopUK now has access to over 45, 000 continental European hotels & more than 5000 additional UK ones!

For our full hotel listings visit http://www.hotelshopuk.com and for our new additional hotels visit http://www.hotelshopuk.com/hotels-europe

Of course, all of our friendly reservation agents can book any of our hotels for you on 08448 488 488.

Watch this space for more developments...today Europe, tomorrow the World! Now, where's that continent I had my eye on...