In this blog, we’ll fill you in on the complications which were at play beneath the generalized homophobia, that made growing up gay in the Big Apple so much more dangerous.
Most have heard of the Stonewall Riots which took place on June 28th 1969 – The same day (or early hours after) the day of Judy Garland’s funeral, a famous gay ally and source of the term “friends of Dorothy”. Due to the close proximity of the two events, many have suggested that the emotions of both played a part in the community having the strength to push back when police raided the Stonewall Inn that night. After Stormé DeLarverie, a lesbian, was pushed into the back of a police car, she is said to have asked the crowd “aren’t you going to do something?”, which sparked the first brick to be thrown at law enforcement. Two trans women of colour are rumored to have each thrown the first stone but both claim this isn’t the case. These women are Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.
Marsha P Johnson is particularly key in New York’s shady homophobic history, as her body was found in the Hudson River under suspicious circumstances. In the Netflix documentary ‘The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson’, eye witness accounts stress that she was wounded – A stark contrast to the police ruling of a “suicide”. Friends recalled her ‘larger than life’ personality and happy disposition, so when her behavior became unusual and paranoid in the days before her death, the community pushed the police to investigate. This sadly never led to a sentencing, or as far as we can tell, any arrests.
So was this a homophobic attack? The events of the time actually put another suspect at the forefront… The mob.
From the 1960’s onwards, the Big Apple’s gay scene began to flourish in a very threatening environment. With homosexuality only made legal in 1980, the mob saw a profit stream in greasing the palms of the 6th Precinct’s NYPD in exchange for them leaving the profitable gay bars free from raids. In it to make a profit, the mob controlled everything from watering down alcohol to cheap cigarettes, and even had a heavy hand in Pride parade profits.
Gay business owners kept turning as a ‘cog’ to avoid the dangers that came with non-compliance, and those who tried to operate without mob control risked their lives for their principals. It’s highly-suspected by some witnesses of Marsha’s last days that the mob were targeting her for an unknown reason. This would explain the blind eye in police investigations if correct.
The nation-wide LGBT movement which followed Stonewall saw anti-mob slogans and organizations focused on removing organized crime from gay spaces. In the 1980’s, likely supported by the decriminalization of gay activity, the mob’s control of the gay scene took a beating with some high-profile court cases and prosecutions. Although these events were victories for the advancement of LGBT rights, it was difficult to ignore the importance the mob had in providing LGBTQI+ individuals with a safe(ish) environment to be themselves in for the past few decades.
With gay marriage only legalized in the state of New York in 2011, you only need to walk the streets of Greenwich Village and the East Village to discover a rich and hopeful history of love triumphing over discrimination. We highly recommend adding these areas to your holiday to New York.
Sailing aboard the new and beautiful ‘Celebrity Beyond’ by Celebrity Cruises, a colleague and I made our way to Southampton. We did stay the night in a local hotel for ease but many cruisers would rather set off on the day of and parking on the large on-site carpark for the duration of their sailing – The choice is yours (but I will say Southampton has a great shopping centre if you’re looking for some pre-cruise spending!).
If you have never embarked on a cruise before, the terminal is much like a mini airport, but much faster to clear. Southampton has multiple terminals with friendly staff taking you quickly through security & check-in before taking you aboard. In these terminals, you’ll notice a lack of duty-free – all because of a lack of waiting! You may be asked to take a seat for a short while to avoid too many people boarding at once, but the wait is certainly short-lived before you’re directed to the bridge.
As soon as you’re crossing over the bridge, you may be asked for a quick show of your documents & passport before the holiday begins. All of this can be achieved in less than 30 minutes on a good day, so…
– No 4am wake-ups
– No airport bag drop (or standing around the luggage carousel on the other side)
– No waiting around the departures board for your gate
– No uncomfortable flights
– No transfers
Just effortless check-ins and a beverage in-hand within the hour.
About bags – There’s often no baggage allowance on ex-UK cruises so you can pack everything but the kitchen sink. You’ll even notice funny little doors on the outside of the terminal, used to take your bags from you at the carpark and have them waiting for you in your stateroom.
Is there anything smoother than this process? Actually, yes… I’ve never classed myself a ‘cruiser’ but the feeling on-board during ‘sail-away’ is amazing. Live music, excited chatter, a glass of bubbly and watching the port disappear at sunset is a strange mix of relaxing and thrilling – You really have to experience it.
Not many of our customers realise we’re able to book cruises, both from the UK and embarking abroad. If you’re interested in cruising, our team would be happy to find the perfect ship to match your interests and comfort level. Worried you might regret the choice? It might help to know that the cruise industry has some of the highest repeat business within travel, with 80% of Brits keen to take another! And, I’d certainly put myself in that percentage.
Thanks for reading,
Megan, Holidaysplease
If you’re new to the idea, the Metaverse seems to combine the immersive VR experience with social media, bringing a ‘Wreck It Ralph Breaks the Internet’-style world where we stand as our own custom avatars facing the precipice of immersive digital code.
So less comparisons – What could this mean for the travel industry? How can a sector beloved by both employees and holidaymakers change so much? Our knowledge, as well as the public knowledge of the Metaverse is still somewhat limited, so do take this blog with a pinch of salt.
If we look from a consumer perspective, anyone who can afford a state-of-the-art VR headset (which will probably be as accessible as a monthly bus pass in the coming years), will be able to step into a virtual world where they can see a universe of animated marvels. So, what if you could walk into a Balinese forest, onto the beaches of Dominican Republic or even to the mythical Lost City of Atlantis? Would the need to travel still be there?
The (virtual) reality is, once you take off your headset, you’ll still have your angry cat at your feet waiting for their evening scoop of food – so not much will change in real life. But what if the Metaverse could be more than your evening escape?
Imagine experiencing a destination you never would have considered on a try-before-you-buy basis, even walking around your potential hotel room to see what that £20 per person/per night upgrade will give you over the lead-in room. To see which seat on the plane you’ll spend 8 hours in, with insight beforehand whether you’ll be close enough to the exit that you’ll be at the front of the customs queue.
Would you give the Metaverse the chance to enhance your holiday booking experience, or is the concept slightly creepy? If you’ve seen the animated promo of Facebook’s own Mark Zuckerberg, you’ll probably be able to make that decision for yourself! Go ahead, Google it…
In a concept which seems otherworldly to us, the younger generation will naturally take like ducks to water; so give it 10 years and your child or grandchild might invite you to a game of bowling in VR – Something which will be painfully mundane to them but makes us feel a bit sick. They are however, hopefully, future travellers who might expect this “basic” technology as part of the travel agent experience.
As we say, there’s very little information we can report on before seeing something with our own eyes through a snuggly-fitting pair of goggles, but it’s certainly food for thought. Keen to jump on the band wagon, there are already businesses investing incredible amounts of money, hoping for a sizeable piece of the virtual pie… With rumours that a certain Caribbean country is opening a virtual embassy.
So what do you think? Will virtual reality become a new world we can simply charge and place on our heads for not only entertainment, but also shopping and even dating (Oh, let’s not get into that!)?
One thing is for sure, the travel industry remains as one of the most creative and inspirational sectors to both shop from and work in, so if the extraordinary is possible, it’s possible here.
Here are our favourite places to do some holiday shopping, without the seasonally-high price tag…
TK Maxx
Our favourite for… Sun cream! You probably weren’t expecting that, but TK Maxx has high SPF and UV rating sun creams and luxury tanning oils for a fraction of what you’ll find elsewhere. A personal bargain, I got a £17.99 sun cream for £4 which also had a natural-looking developing fake tan. Just be sure to check the expiry, but you should be good if you’re last-minute holiday shopping.
House of Fraser
If you still have a House of Fraser in your home town and haven’t been holiday shopping here, you may want to start. The swimwear section is filled to the brim with luxury branded bikinis, swimsuits and surf shorts at discounts that will have you power-walking to the check-out.
New Look
Our go-to for a shoe sale, New Look do a great job of knowing exactly what shoes you need for a holiday – Espadrilles for exploring the town, flip flops for the beach, multi-purpose heels, comfortable-looking sandals… You’ll find it all in the New Look sale. This store is also good for finding beach cover ups, which are something a lot of shops seem to forget about each year.
Savers
If you love a first aid kit, you’ll be over the moon in Savers. The last time I was in there, I thought paramedics could drop in here on the way to work! Bandages, cleaning solutions, medicines, even plasters big enough to cover relatively-large tattoos, if anyone is planning to get inked abroad. It’s also a great store for shampoo & conditioner if you don’t want to take your usual £4 per bottle option on holiday.
Primark
It had to be here somewhere! Much like Aldi’s products competing with designer labels, Primark has taken on a sneaky habit of keeping a close eye on the year’s catwalks. If you’re looking for high-end on a low price, invest in a high fashion magazine a couple of weeks before you go away and see whether you can catch the trend early.
Amazon
We know you’ve probably used the same suitcase for years, but your packing routine may be due for a bit of love. Amazon are great for low-cost packing cube sets – A God-send for travelling as a family where you need to keep a close eye on what’s already been worn. You can also find leak-proof toiletry bags and even travel gadgets, such as RFID card protectors, money belts and mesh beach bags.
Do you have any holiday plans this year? We’d be happy to give you something to look forward to! Place an enquiry using the provided form today and one of our Personal Travel Experts will be in touch.
Luckily one of our directors visited Florida with his family for half term week and here are his tips on how to do it….
Airport & Flights
Tip 1 – Later flight times:- Many flights from the USA return overnight and so book a late evening return flight to get a full last day of Florida fun before your return. Both Orlando and Miami airports are close to a number of attractions and there are plenty of places where you can leave your luggage.
Tip 2 – Family Check-in:- When departing the UK, try to find family check-in desks to cut your check-in queue time. During storm Eunice, we turned a 3-hour queue at Heathrow Terminal 5 into just 30 minutes by finding the family queue in desk next to security.
Tip 3:- Airport lounge:- You can get airport executive lounges for as little as £30 per person and they usually come with free food and complimentary alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks. This alone means a lounge can pay for itself if you were planning to eat or drink in the terminal. They are also a Godsend if your flight is delayed as you can stay in their peaceful environment for up to 3 hours usually.
Staying/travelling in Florida
Tip 1 – Get an RV:- If you want to see the most of Florida then you need to be mobile. A campervan (or RV as they call them in the States) is the perfect way to achieve this. Not only can you use it to visit all the main attractions, it is economical as it will save on taxi fares and accommodation costs. We used Cruise America and they were fantastic with a clean, spacious RV and a very easy pick-up/drop off process. We really felt the freedom that we could go anywhere and do anything.
Tip 2 – If staying in a hotel, location is key:- Because there is so much to do in Florida, you probably won’t spend much time in a hotel. So, you don’t need to book anything super-fancy. Instead, you want something that is clean, in a good location and with good service. We booked a couple of nights at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Kissimmee and it was perfect. The hotel was clean with spacious rooms and it had a reasonable gym and pool. More importantly it was only a 15–20-minute taxi ride from the major theme parks and was a 5-minute walk to the attractions in Kissimmee “Old Town”.
Attractions
Visiting Florida is all about the attractions and in my view, you want to get as much variety as possible. At the time of writing, Covid policies were in place at Disney where their UK ticket retailers were only able to sell 7-day park tickets to UK customers. We wouldn’t recommend visiting Disney for 7 days as there are so many other things to see/do in Florida. So we experienced these Florida attractions instead: –
Everglades – Only a 20-minute taxi ride from West Miami, the Everglades are pure wilderness on the edge of a sprawling metropolis. We wanted to go on the famous airboats and we used Coopertown airboats because a) they are on the East side of the Everglades ie you don’t have to travel far to get to them; b) they offer both group and private tours (the former can really help with your budget); and c) they have a small wildlife walk as well to see some of the wildlife up close and personal, away from the airboat.
Kennedy Space Centre – Wow! We took a whole day to visit one of the most perfect attractions for families. We loved the fact that the children felt that they were at an attraction as exciting as a theme park without realising that they were also getting an education and building an interest in science and space. Here you can see the biggest, fastest and most technologically advanced machines ever made, matched by the bravery and dedication of the people who have operated them. Despite visiting theme parks during our trip, the one story that my daughter told her school friends when she got back to the UK, was how she had touched actual moon rock!
Kissimmee Old Town – If you are staying in Kissimmee or south Orlando and you want some fun in the evening after a hard day at the theme parks, then pop down to Kissimmee Old Town. You can experience bars, restaurants and fairground entertainment all set in an old-fashioned Hollywood type old town mock up. There are also modern activities as well such as a Ninja warrior challenge that thankfully my daughter did on my behalf.
Universal theme parks –There are three Universal Theme Parks in Florida:- Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Volcano Bay. You need at least a day at each one and so I wouldn’t bother with tickets to travel between the two parks unless you really want to travel on the Hogwarts Express. To help you decide which park(s) to visit:- Islands of Adventure is the full throttle roller coaster theme park, Universal Studios is more traditional with rides that are gentler and based more around the movies and Volcano Bay is a water park. One tip for all you coaster addicts is to arrive at the theme park an hour before opening time, get to the front of the queue and run to the first ride. Also choose days where the park is open late to squeeze in those extra rides.
Kayaking – We spent a beautiful morning kayaking down Shingle Creek at the Paddling Centre, which unbelievably is only a 15-minute drive from central Kissimmee. Here you can hire single or double kayaks and drift down the slow waterways that meander their way through unspoilt woods and forests. Spotting turtles, alligators and birdlife is guaranteed. I chose a double kayak so one of us could paddle and the other could fend off the alligators!
Miami – We only stayed two nights in Miami and if like us you had limited time, you have to visit the vast expanse of Miami beach and Ocean Drive behind it. Here you will see art deco buildings, stylish bars/restaurants and of course the crazy rich (or pretending to be rich) people who cruise up and down all day.
While we packed a lot into our limited time, we didn’t feel rushed or pressured. Part of this was because we had the mobility of the RV and could just travel to each place easily without having to worry about taxis, buses/trains etc.. The other thing that helped was the fact that we had pre-planned and pre-bought a lot of our excursions ahead of time. You will be surprised how much time it can take to decide what to do and then paying for it and it’s much better to do this in the UK rather than wasting time doing it while you are on holiday.
If you are thinking of planning a family holiday to Florida then just place an enquiry today and one of our Florida family holiday experts will be able to provide you with the best possible advice and prices. ]]>
This certainly seems to be the viewpoint of Breathless resorts who own luxury hotels across the Caribbean & Mexico. At these hotels, you’ll find a rather unusual room package – What could it be? Rose petals on the bed? A bottle of champagne? Butler service? No, this one is a little less “romantic”, a break-up package!
Known un-lovingly as the “Untying the Knot Package”, grab your mates and have a party somewhere sun-soaked with the tequila flowing. It certainly beats sitting at home scrolling through your image gallery with a tub of Ben & Jerrys, so we’re all for it.
So what’s so special about this break-up package? Glad you asked…
The newly-single individual will receive a gift in their room on arrival, alongside a well-deserved room upgrade.
But they don’t stop there – You’ll also partake in a “Trash the Memory Ceremony” where you’ll be given a piñata with your ex’s face on!
On top of this, you and 5 friends will have VIP resort treatment to keep the tears at bay:
– Cocktail-making or wine-tasting experience
– Complimentary Hydrotherapy passes at the spa
– 20% Spa discount
– Reserved spot on the beach for group (one day during stay)
– Private reserved area with bottle service at resort nightclub (one night during stay)
– “Untying the Knot” party cake one evening during stay
– Reserved dinner at selected resort restaurant
– Group photo shoot – a printed copy of the group’s selected photo for each person
All of this is available for just $599 for up to 6 people, working out at only $100 each on top of your stay for this fantastic collection of privileges.
Really need a “new you” edgy experience? They can do that too! The Breathless resorts can also arrange a guided bar hopping tour, bungee jumping, sky diving, fly boarding or paintball for a supplement (depending on destination).
We’ve spent 20 years planning the dreamiest of honeymoons and we’re loving this fresh take on the other end of the relationship spectrum!
Do you know someone who’s newly single and in need of a party? We think we have your next holiday…
Credit to AM Resorts for the package details.
That being said, travel is finally taking place and with 55% of the entire world fully-vaccinated and with 65% of the UK with 3 doses under their belts, the light at the end of the tunnel has arrived. The Great British public are letting their hair down and booking the holidays they’ve been dreaming about for so long – be that a big family holiday, a belated honeymoon or simply a sight for sore eyes after working from home.
Of all of the things we’ve lost in the past 2 years, let’s not let our sense of adventure and ability to dream be among them.
Here are my top ‘wanderlust’ experiences to help ignite that passion for travel we haven’t been able to feed for a while…
A Luxury Safari
The Lion Sands Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park have a Treehouse experience where you can sleep under the stars of the savannah surrounded by crisp linens and glowing lanterns.
An ‘Underwater’ Room
The Atlantis the Palm in Dubai has a suite which looks into the tank of one of the world’s top 10 largest aquariums! With floor to ceiling views of sharks and manta rays next to your bed and bathtub, you really can ‘sleep with the fishes’.
A Picnic on a Sandbank
The Fushifaru Maldives resort have the perfect solution to date night – A private picnic on a sandbank, surrounded by the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean.
Cruising through the USA in a Convertible
Fun fact – We’ve had customers hinge their holidays to the USA on certain types of vehicles they’ve dreamed of driving… and we can’t blame them! The signature way to do the west coast is in a Ford Mustang but we’ll do our best to put you in the welcoming seat of your dream car.
Meeting Elephants in Thailand
The Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps in Surat Thani are renowned for their sustainable practices and incredible guest experiences. Stay in a romantic tent with luxury amenities, then awake for a day of interacting with gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Living the High-Life in Las Vegas
Need I say more? We can’t guarantee you’ll wake up with a tiger in the bathroom, but we’ll get you and your friends there in style with a fabulous collection of hotel rooms, right in the centre of the action!
Hanging Up-Side Down from a Rollercoaster
If working from home within the same four-walls has you in search of adrenaline, you’ll find it in many of the world’s most popular theme parks, including Universal Studios Orlando. Plus, if you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, you’ll receive complimentary fast passes as part of your room privileges!
Sky-Diving over the Maldives
The Kandima Maldives likes to shake things up a bit – Perfect for those who find tranquillity just a little too ‘tranquil’. There’s no better way to get your heart racing than skydiving over the Maldives Atolls with breath-taking views.
Settling into a Glass Bathtub
The Six Senses Maldives Resort has glass bottom bathtubs in its water villas, which apparently are like Marmite; you love the idea, or the thought of fish seeing your bum puts you off. Personally, I’d love to pop on some spa music, grab a glass of bubbly and spend all day in there!
Lying Under the Northern Lights
There are plenty of places you can do this, from Swedish & Finnish Lapland, to Norway and Iceland, we can help you book the incredible sparse glass igloos with uninterrupted views of the northern lights. Just be aware there’s no guarantee they’ll make an appearance!
Are you ready to have a fabulous holiday to look forward to? Place an enquiry today using our provided form and we’ll help you find your personal paradise…
Here are our top tips for travelling during the holidays…
When to depart
Firstly, if crowded airports and Christmas formalities aren’t really your thing, you can get away with departing before the 20th December, potentially benefitting from cheaper flights too. If you’re happy to travel on Christmas Day, you’ll likely find a quieter check-in desk than surrounding days, with massive surges to be expected on Boxing Day as people hope to squeeze in a short break before returning to work & school.
Things to be careful of!
Please don’t miss your flight due to a hangover, you wouldn’t be the first and certainly not the last. Providing this won’t be an issue, there are other things that can make you late; the availability of taxis, public transport changes and maybe a romantic helping of Christmas snow to be cleared from your windscreen! If you wanted to start your holiday with minimal stress, an airport hotel could be the best choice for you. You can even purchase packages which include a three-course meal and parking for the duration of your trip with certain on-site hotels – job done!
Destinations
If you’re interested in spending Christmas immersed in another culture, Lonely Planet have recommended countries with deep roots in Catholicism for authentic traditions, such as Mexico, Colombia and Italy. However, if you’re looking for sun, shopping and festive family fun, there’s nowhere quite like Orlando (with a fabulous opportunity to buy discounted Christmas gifts from the outlet malls). Looking to escape Christmas all together? Why not sink into an overwater lounging net with a book and a cocktail in the Maldives instead? Bliss!
Preparations
You may want to start these a little earlier than you would a usual holiday as you’ll have a hell of a time trying to find swimwear in December! Think about bookings for the cattery, ordering holiday clothes online, getting any presents to relatives early and even in-resort preparations, such as trying to get a booking for your Christmas Day & New Years’ Eve dinners. What’s more, we know you’ll probably be attending a gathering or two in the days running up to your departure, so maybe add some notifications to your phone’s calendar to check in online, choose your seats and print any necessary documentation – If you don’t have a printer at home, maybe time this with your last day in the office.
Getting home
Just 3 words here – “Scheduled. Food. Shop”. You’ll thank us later!
However you prefer to spend the festive season, we hope you have an incredible time. If we can help you with any future plans, do let us know and our elves will get to work crafting your perfect getaway.
Question 1:
You’ve arrived at the beach, what’s the first thing on your mind?
A) Absolutely nothing! See you in 8 hours when I’m golden brown…
B) Where can I get a beer?
C) *Puts on snorkel*
D) I need a kite, a sand castle kit, a beach ball…
Question 2:
It’s your first Friday night on holiday, what’s on the agenda?
A) A fantastic meal & watching the sunset
B) Let’s see the island, live music would hit the spot!
C) A catamaran cruise with rum punch
D) A party or show sounds like fun!
Question 3:
Complete the phrase; “I like my hotel room to be”…
A) Social media worthy
B) Representative of the country I’m in
C) Homely yet luxurious
D) Modern with crisp linens
Question 4:
How do you feel about all-inclusive?
A) It’s a nice option to have
B) We’ll be out & about a lot, so we’ll pass
C) B&B or half board for me, I want to encourage myself to venture out
D) It’s essential!
Question 5:
Which term would you use to describe yourself?
A) Beach connoisseur
B) Adventurer
C) Nature enthusiast
D) In need of a break!
Question 6:
Tell us about your idea of a date night…
A) great meal with long walks on the beach
B) We’re going dancing and having a laugh
C) Amazing sunset views with a drink in hand
D) Getting dressed for a booking at the best a la carte restaurant in the resort
Question 7:
What travel gadget changed your life…
A) A sarong – Beach towel, blanket, clothing… Is there anything it can’t do?!
B) A camera, duh!
C) Nothing can beat good bug spray
D) Sun lounger towel clips – Don’t knock them until you try them
Question 8:
Where do you spend most of your time on holiday?
A) On the beach
B) Exploring the local town/city
C) In the water
D) A bit of everything, I like options
Question 9:
Your inflatable of choice?
A) A unicorn for sure!
B) No thank you…
C) Something with a clear bottom so I can see fish
D) A rubber ring – The perfect ratio of wet & dry
Question 10:
Pick an activity…
A) Swim with turtles
B) A city tour
C) Tropical river tubing
D) You’ll find me in the spa
Your Answers!
Mostly A – Barbados
You live for powder-white beaches and sunshine, and we can’t blame you. Filled with stunning hotels, endless photo opportunities and great food, we know you’ll have an incredible time in Barbados.
Mostly B – Cuba
The term “fly and flop” isn’t for you. History, architecture, culture, plus fruity hats, cigars and cocktails – We’re willing to guess this suits you better?
Mostly C – Grenada
Scuba diving, tropical greenery, trying things outside of your comfort zone and incredible scenery – It has to be Grenada! Known for its world-famous underwater sculpture park and top-tier sunsets, your holiday photos will be unmatched.
Mostly D – Dominican Republic
A 5-star all-inclusive resort on a powder-white beach is what you dream of, and Dominican Republic has them in abundance! Between the endless lists of activities, restaurants and tempting room categories, you’ll be in heaven regardless.
Our Personal Travel Experts love finding the perfect destination and hotel to suit your personality, so allow us to find your dream getaway today!
]]>
Ginger
Available in all shapes and sizes, here are a few ways ginger can make your journeys more comfortable; Add ginger tonic to a glass of water or fizzy drink before long car rides to prevent nausea, take crystallised ginger candies on boat trips to ward off seasickness and drink ginger tea on a long flight to prevent strong symptoms of jet lag.
Lavender
A calming scent which does wonders for a good night’s rest, lavender is ideal for those who struggle to sleep in a new environment. Begin adding 2-3 drops of lavender to your pillow 1 month before travel to create a little reminder of home when settling into your hotel bed. This extract is also said to reduce pain and inflammation, making it the perfect addition to your evening bath after a long day of exploring.
Probiotics
Want to feel brand new? You may want to start taking probiotics! Not just for travel, benefits of probiotics include warding off the aging process, reducing inflammation, improved mental health, healthier cell growth, a stronger immune system against colds & flu, antioxidant properties, the maintenance of digestion, and better neurotransmitter balance (key components to your nervous system). Perhaps the most well-known probiotic drink in the UK is Yakult, but there are fantastic reviews for a food supplement called ‘HeyNutrition Probiotic Complex’ which has also been praised for women’s health and weight management.
Tea Tree
Where to start with tea tree?! Putting the “essential” in essential oils, tea tree has an endless list of benefits including the reduction of acne, natural antibacterial properties, the treatment of fungal infections, a natural hand sanitizer, insect repellant, emergency deodorant when your can has run out, encouraging the treatment of cuts & wounds, reducing inflammation, creating a chemical-free mouthwash, treating psoriasis & dandruff, and even to use as an all-purpose cleaner! Phew, that’s a long list…
Magnesium
Very useful for preventing more serious health conditions than a little jet lag, magnesium can prevent type 2 diabetes, as well as help those who have the condition keep their blood sugars under control. Also credited for fighting depression, lowering blood pressure, reducing PMS symptoms and preventing migraines, add magnesium to your daily diet to stay on top-form! The recommended dose for men is between 400 to 420 milligrams daily, whereas women are advised to take between 310 & 320mg.
Pycnogenol
This hard-to-pronounce extract is found in the bark of certain pine trees and is a miracle-worker for jet lag. Don’t just take our word for it, in a recent Italian study with 133 test subjects, Pycnogenol reduced symptoms of jet lag by 56%, including; disorientation, irritability, insomnia, headaches and general grogginess – So if you’re unpleasant to be around on a long journey, your family will thank you for taking them! You can buy this handy remedy in a capsule format from Holland & Barrett, with fantastic reviews from people claiming it has helped with restless leg syndrome and often tinnitus.
Are you planning your next adventure? Why not ask our Personal Travel Experts to search the market on your behalf? Simply place an enquiry using our provided form today to get started.
