1st Contact eNews » Travel

Travel with Top Deck Tours

Johan Liebenberg — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:54:14 +0000

At Topdeck our passion is providing unforgettable travel experiences for 18 to 30 somethings. Extended trips, festivals, breathtaking holidays in Europe, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Israel, safaris in Africa, your choice of great trips with like-minded travellers is huge!

… chill-out on the beaches of Mykonos or party hard in Prague…

With all your transport, accommodation and most food taken care of, there’s no stress or hassles for you. Instead, devote all your energies to the best parts of travelling – explore the back streets of Paris, gaze in awe at the Colosseum, chill-out on the beaches of Mykonos or party hard in Prague.

Just quote TD101STCONTACT to make the most of your discount! Travel with Topdeck and Share the Experience.

Volunteer in South Africa with Aviva

Johan Liebenberg — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:04:23 +0000

AVIVA offers international volunteers the opportunity to make a vital contribution to Underprivileged Children and Endangered Wildlife while enjoying a life changing, hands on volunteering experience in South Africa.

AVIVA

… international volunteers can help to feed underprivileged children, introduce computer literacy & sports skills to rural schools…

AVIVA volunteers leave their mark in South Africa, not only by dedicating their time and energy to their chosen project, but also through the positive contribution they make in supporting local businesses, tourism operators, craftsmen and women, and the many jobs that are created and sustained by purchases they make, and activities they take part in during their stay.

Volunteering in South Africa presents volunteers with many beneficial opportunities for self-growth, improving their understanding of other cultures, their ability for tolerance and understanding of others, developing new skills and talents, gaining self-confidence and making new friends.

Many previous volunteers have used their project time to help them decide on future career paths or areas of study, and in all cases, volunteers have a useful addition to their resume which can help them stand above the competition.

Amongst the wide range of projects available year round, international volunteers can help to feed underprivileged children, introduce computer literacy & sports skills to rural schools; rehabilitate endangered penguins, track and monitor rhino, cheetah & wild dogs, or help to protect natural habitats & biodiversity in South Africa.

1st Contact’s Travel Clinic Stocked up with Flu Jabs

Johan Liebenberg — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:30:38 +0000

Flu season is around the corner and now is the right time to pop into the 1st Contact Travel Clinic for your flu jab! At only £15, it could save you much more than that in flu medication, tissues and DVDs alone! But that’s not the only reason to go for a jab before winter hits…

In fact, the flu vaccine is said to give 70-80% protection against infection.

What does it protect against?

Depending on information from flu laboratories around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) decides each February which three flu strains or viruses are likely to be the greatest threat in the coming year. A vaccine is then developed which protects against being infected by any of these viruses. So if you have your flu jab, you are unlikely to contract flu for the following year. In fact, the flu vaccine is said to give 70-80% protection against infection.

Swine Flu included in 2010 Jab

In 2010, the H1N1 flu virus (swine flu) will be one of the main strains of seasonal flu and will therefore be included in the 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine, meaning your are also protected against contracting swine flu if you have the vaccination.

What to expect

There is a common misconception among people that the flu jab actually gives you the flu. This is simply not true! Very few people experience slight fever and muscle pain for a few days; others may already have caught the flu virus before they have the jab and so wrongly attribute this to the jab; and some people experience certain mild flu-like symptoms after their shot. Most people however have absolutely no side effects whatsoever and allergic reactions are extremely rare.

Who should have the flu shot?

Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of contracting flu or swine flu this winter should have the shot. Those at particular risk are the elderly, people with serious medical conditions, those who live or work in nursing homes or those involved in any sort of patient care.

For more information, visit the 1st Contact Travel Clinic in New Oxford Street or call 0808 141 5506. They charge no consultation fees and only £15 for a flu jab, and are fully stocked up for the winter!

20 Interesting Facts About the Land Down Under

Nikki — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:50:05 +0000

Home to many weird and wonderful fauna and flora, interesting people and an extremely diverse landscape, Australia is no doubt a very interesting place!

One of the most commonly known facts about the country is that its population started when England decided to send their convicts to the Island continent… Here is a list of 20 of the lesser known facts about the land down under.

Criminals convicted of serious crimes were not sent to Australia. Those convicted of crimes like murder and rape were given the death sentence in England.

There are more sheep than people in Australia.

In 1954, Bob Hawke made it into the Guinness Book of Records for drinking 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. He went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia.

The Australian Alps see more snow in a given year than Switzerland.

After Athens, Melbourne is home to the second largest population of Greeks in the world.

The roof of the Sydney Opera House weighs around 161,000 tons.

Australia was the second country to give women the right to vote

From 1838 to 1902 it was illegal to swim at a public beach in Australia during the day.

In 2007, it was estimated that 22 % of living Australians had a convict ancestor.

Australia has the highest per capita of newspaper readers in the world.

The fastest growing tree in the world is the Australian Eucalyptus, which can grow up to 10 metres in one year.

Australia is the only continent on Earth occupied by only one nation.

Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.

Australia is the smallest, flattest, and driest inhabited continent in the world.

The Wombat, native only to Australia, has square poop.

Another animal found only in Australia, the Tasmanian Devil, can also eat almost a third of its body weight in one go.

Two more Australian animals – the Emu and the kangaroo – share an interesting fact: neither can walk backwards.

The ‘dingo fence’ in Australia is the longest fence in the world, covering 5,614 km.

Australians spend more money per capita on gambling than any other nation.

The highly venomous Sydney Funnel web spider has fangs powerful enough to bite through fingernails.

Did these facts make you want to visit Australia? If so, speak to a 1^st Contact Visa consultant by calling 080 8141 1644 or email mailtovisas@1stcontact.com.

No related posts.

5 Great Reasons To Live And Work In The UK!

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:52:00 +0000

There are loads, but here are five good reasons to pack your bags and move to the UK.

It looks good on your CV

No doubt about it – international working experience is respected and quite simply “looks good on your CV” once you’re back home and back in the local job market. A great reference from a reputable UK company makes you automatically more employable and would be especially useful if you’re applying for a position with a global company operating from your home country.

If an opportunity to work in the UK, in your chosen field or profession, comes along, it would be an extremely smart career move to take up the position and gain the experience and exposure it would bring. But more than just a reflection of your work experience, a 2 – 10 year stint in London also shows that you are a risk-taker, a hard worker and a forward thinker, and that you have staying power.

Travel opportunities abound!

If you want to see the world, or at least the good bits, there can be no better base than London!

You can get to pretty much anywhere in Europe and back for between £100 and £150, making a weekend in Paris a very real possibility.

A two year stint in London, coupled with some clever budgeting and you could see hundreds of places and have incredible experiences that would need 100 different holidays if you were travelling from home. You could also make your holidays – short or longer – even more cost effective by using a house swap as your means of accommodation, where possible.

Make lifelong friends

London has a reputation for being a cold, unfriendly place and if you try to strike up a conversation with someone on the tube, you’ll soon know why. But there’s also something about London that really brings people together.

Maybe it’s because the strangers are so aloof and often downright rude to one another that those who do break the ice and make friends tend to become really good friends. Maybe it’s the weather or all the pubs or the communal living… Whatever the reason, it seems that the people you meet and spend time with in London will become great, lifelong friends! And wherever any of you originally come from, it’s inevitable that you will always – after your London stint – have really good friends living overseas, somewhere you might want to visit!

Bulk up your bank account

While London is undoubtedly an expensive city, there is no reason you can’t save money during your stint of living and working in the UK. No matter what you earn, you will have to cleverly budget to be able to afford accommodation, food and entertainment, and transport and travel costs.

Budget just slightly more cleverly, and you’ll be able to save a little every month too. Many people have left their home country with only enough to survive London for a few months and returned years later with more than enough to buy a home or set up a business. London can be a fantastic stepping stone to financial success!

British Citizenship opens the world to you

After living permanently in London for 6 years, you can apply for a British passport. For people from the EU that may not seem like a huge plus, but for those from Australia, South Africa and India for instance, a British passport opens up a world of opportunity. It not only allows you to travel much more freely in Europe (often without the need for a visa), it also allows you to buy property or start a business in the EU with far less red tape than without a British passport.

There are many, many more pros to spending a few years living and working in the UK… If you’re considering it and want to check your eligibility, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com or call 0800 003163 to speak to a qualified 1^st Contact visa consultant. You have nothing to lose and a whole world of opportunity to gain!

Travel Money – Compare Your Options

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:26:27 +0000

There are numerous options to consider when it comes to travel money. But which is best for you? We review 5 methods of paying for things when you’re on holiday and rate each one according to convenience, safety and affordability.

1st Contact Travel Card

Travellers Cheques are considered an outdated form of travel money and these days, fewer and fewer retailers accept them, meaning you would have to go to a bank or Bureau de Change anyway. They can be fairly expensive too, depending on where you purchase them, as there is often a service charge and you are not guaranteed the best exchange rate if buying in foreign currency. Traveller’s Cheques are also not the safest option – they can get stolen or lost, which means insurance (an unnecessary expense) and more time in banks should you need to have them re-issued. Plus, they are bulky to carry around and not everybody enjoys wearing a big money pouch!

Debit Card

Your debit card is easy to carry and can’t be used if stolen. If part of a major bank, you will most likely be able to draw cash easily from many ATM s, but at a price… It’s also safer for your budget as it draws only from funds you actually have! The downside is that you will have to notify your bank that you are using it in a foreign country, you may not be able to use it at merchants and retailers and in some instances you may have to change your pin to a 5-digit pin before embarking on your travels.

Credit Card

Credit cards are easy to carry and you may receive “rewards” or “points” for your purchases, but holidaying on credit can be dangerous for your bank balance! You will also have to notify your bank if you plan to swipe in a foreign country. Another con is that your credit card could get stolen or your details “stolen” by unscrupulous merchants or waiting staff – this often takes months to clear up! You will also pay interest if you don’t settle the full amount at the end of the month.

Cash

It is always a good idea to enter a country with some local currency cash, to pay for things like taxis or a snack to tide you over before you check into your accommodation. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and bureau de change locations before you leave home or at the airport. Be aware that both these options can prove expensive and you should always check the charges and exchange rates offered before going this route!

1st Contact offers a travel money solution, which allows you to buy travel money – in cash – before you leave, at a great exchange rate! You can collect the money directly from their central London brand or have the cash delivered to your door for a mere £5.

Travel Money Card

An excellent option for travel money these days is a travel money card. It works just like a MasterCard debit card, but loaded with foreign currency prior to departure. The 1st Contact travel Money Card is a convenient, cost effective and safe method of paying for your holiday purchases. Not only do you receive excellent exchange rates, you pay NO fees for swiping in your destination country, no commissions and only a standard, low fee for ATM withdrawals – meaning you can carry a little cash for when you need it, and have a card for larger purchases. You are only spending money you actually have, and you load additional funds online, anytime you want. You also enjoy 24/7 support, via telephone or SMS.

Our advice?

Get a 1st Contact Travel Money Card pre-loaded with the money you need for you holiday, and use it to draw a little cash as soon as you touch down! You could also take along your credit card for emergencies – like if you see a handbag you simply MUST have! If you’re travelling soon – bon voyage! Enjoy your trip and remember – a little investigation into exchange rates, fees and commissions can save you a lot of spending money.

It really is here! – The FIFA World Cup Off To a Good Start

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:44:37 +0000

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is officially here and South Africa is abuzz with fans from all over the world… painting their faces, waving their flags and blowing their Vuvuzelas to create a positively electric energy!

Apart from a few less than impressive performances in the first few games and the “great Vuvuzela debate”, the event seems set to be a huge success.

If you’re heading to SA at any point during the next month, here are some tips and advice gathered since the kick-off:

Bring earplugs! Despite the controversy over Vuvuzelas and even players complaining about the distracting noise, it seems they are here to stay and will not be banned from stadiums. Love ‘em, hate it – they’re here to stay.

Dress warm! It’s cold… very, very cold in parts of South Africa and Cape Town has been experiencing heavy rainfall, so bring warm jackets, scarves and raincoats. Umbrellas are not permitted into the stadium, so a weather proof jacket is advisable!

Lock up your valuables! There have been a few reports of theft – if you have very valuable items, rather have them stored in the hotel safe if possible.

Carry less cash! The 1st Contact Travel Money Card is a great solution to the worry of pick-pocketing in crowds. It works like a MasterCard debit card, there are no fees for swiping in South Africa and your card is loaded with ZAR, so you pay like a local. There is a small fee for withdrawing cash from an ATM (which are to be found all over).

See as much of the country as you can! South Africa is a beautiful country with an enormous amount to see and do. Don’t get stuck in your hotel room – see all there is to see! Remember to check with locals about which areas are safe and which to avoid.

Scout around! If you’ve ever wondered about living and working in South Africa, this is your opportunity to get a really good idea of the country and its people. Chat to locals about your industry and job opportunities. Just remember, SA has a high unemployment rate, so people with skills that are in demand are more likely to successfully apply for a Visa. Speak to a 1st Contact Visa consultant if you fall in love with South Africa and must go back!

Here’s to the next few weeks! We won’t venture a guess as to the World Cup winner at this stage, but we will say, for sure, that this World Cup is alreay one to remember!

For more information on the country, go to www.1stcontact.com

The Real Wimbledon

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:11:19 +0000

The biggest tennis event of the year kicked off yesterday as the Wimbledon Championship came into its 124th edition.

But what about the town behind the event? Put down your strawberries and cream and have a look at ten Wimbledon facts you didn’t know.

The Wombles of Wimbledon is an iconic stop-motion animation made famous in the 1970s. The creator of the series, Elizabeth Beresford, took her young children for a walk one day in Wimbledon common when one of her children referred to it as ‘Wombledon Common’. From that one utterance a TV legend was born.
The average rental for a two bedroom flat, in the Wimbledon area, is around £300 per week. The SW19 (Wimbledon’s post code) area varies greatly in rent, so have a good look around. Here are three examples of flats available in the borough.

Wimbledon Common is one of the settings of HG Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’.

Scholars believe that Wimbledon has been inhabited since the age of ancient Greeks and Romans. http://www.wcraltd.co.uk/id15.html
Wimbledon is well served by the Northern and District Tube lines. Locals say a journey into central London takes around 25 minutes.

Nearby Tube stations include:

Wimbledon
Wimbledon Park
South Wimbledon

Eighties rapper, Slick Rick, was born in South Wimbledon in 1965. Rick lost his right eye when he was a child and mentions Wimbledon in his lyrics often.

You may also have heard of these three people who, at some point, have lived in Wimbledon:

Steve-O – from ‘Jackass’,
Michael Ballack – Footballer who plays for Chelsea FC and Germany.
William Wilberforce - The 19th century anti-slavery campaigner.

In the 16^th century, Elizabeth the 1^st granted Wimbledon to Thomas Cecil, the 1^st Earl of Exeter. Cecil was so involved with the development of Wimbledon that he is referred to by history as the ‘Maker of Wimbledon’.

It was in a match between Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo, in 2009, that the retractable roof was used for the first time after a rain delay. The cost of the roof is an estimated £80 million.

If you lived 100 m from the tennis action your street would look like this.

In Search Of A Real Tomato? You’re Not Alone

Two for One on Selected Travel Talk Tours

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:58:43 +0000

Two for one on selected Travel Talk tours when 2 mates book at the same time for Sail Greece, Turkey and Sail Croatia, Save up to GBP 40% for Egypt, Morocco and Jordan. Also save up to 50% on Festival Tours.

1st Contact Membership Card holders get’s 15% off on any non Campaign tours or receive an additional 5% off on any advertised offer when you Quote “1st Contact Card Holder”. TRAVEL TALK is the leading Mediterranean and Anzac tour operator specialized in Adventure & Discovery tours to Egypt, Turkey, Croatia, Morocco, Jordan, Greece And New For 2010 Festival Tours, Oktoberfest, Pamplona And La Tomatia.

Travel Talk tours are designed for adventure travelers who simply prefer high level of comfort and more inclusions, maximum convenience and lowest possible price.

Call 02080998852 or visit www.traveltalktours.com or e-mail info@traveltalktours.com

Anderson Tours

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 07:42:48 +0000

Sightseeing Tours in UK and Europe. Anderson Tours is part of the M.S. Anderson Holdings Group, which also includes Anderson Travel and London Mini Coaches.

For UK day trips, overnight tours & weekend breaks to Europe, you can’t beat Anderson Tours!
P: 020 7436 9304 E: info@andersontours.co.uk W: www.andersontours.co.uk

BANK HOLIDAY BREAKS

PARIS BY EUROSTAR

Tour includes:

Return Eurostar travel and transfers.
Guided city sightseeing tour.
2 nights B&B hotel accommodation.
Services of an Anderson Tours Tour Manager.

From £199

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

Tour Includes:

Return luxury coach travel & ferry crossings.
2 nights B&B hotel accommodation.
3 course evening meals provided at the hotel including free bar 20.30hrs – 23.00hrs.
Excursion to Brugge.
Plenty of free time to explore.
Services of an Anderson Tours Tour Manager.

From £189

Plus breaks to Germany Rhineland, Belgium & Paris & Champagne Region

OVERNIGHT TOURS

3 MUST SEE’S— STONEHENGE, OXFORD & BATH, OVERNIGHT HILTON HOTEL

Tour Includes:

Return luxury coach Travel
Overnight hotel accommodation at the Hilton with incl. buffet dinner & breakfast!
Sightseeing tour of Oxford & Bath
Entrance to Stonehenge
Services of an Anderson Tours Tour Manager

ONLY £109

Plus many more overnighters including the Isle of Wight & Liverpool

DAY TRIPS

Departing daily with picks up in Central London. Entrances to sights included in the price !

STONEHENGE & BATH from £46
WINDSOR, ETON & OXFORD £49
A DAY IN WALES £49
CAMBRIDGE £45
ISLE OF WIGHT £49
YORK BY TRAIN £49
COTSWOLDS £45

Plus luxury mini coach tours with no more than 15 people to Leeds Castle, Canterbury & white cliffs of Dover, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Avebury & Challice Well + more for just £65

1st Contact eNews » Travel

Travel with Top Deck Tours

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It looks good on your CV

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Travel Money – Compare Your Options

Debit Card

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Our advice?

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It really is here! – The FIFA World Cup Off To a Good Start

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The Real Wimbledon

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Two for One on Selected Travel Talk Tours

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Anderson Tours

BANK HOLIDAY BREAKS

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