Malaria is one of the scariest illnesses on the planet, affecting billions every year. Here are a few hard-hitting facts about the deadly disease. Continue Reading

Last chance to SAVE UP to £300 on selected tours with Travel Talk to Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan , Russia, Greece, Croatia, Spain and Portugal. SAVE UP to 30% on Pamplona, La Tomatina and Oktoberfest.

Book by June 30^th and 1st Contact Customers will receive 15% discount on all none campaign advertised Travel Talk tours or additional 5% discount on advertised campaign tours by quoting the voucher code: “1stcontact2011“

Travel Talk is the leading MEDITERRANEAN and ANZAC tour operator specialized in ADVENTURE & DISCOVERY tours to EGYPT,JORDAN, MOROCCO, TURKEY, ANZAC,GREECE, CROATIA, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, RUSSIA, OKTOBERFEST, PAMPLONA and LA TOMATINA.

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

Call 020 8099 8852 or visit www.traveltalktours.com or e-mail on: info@traveltalktours.com

Could you be eligible for a British Passport?

No?

Are you sure?

According to Robyn Cory from 1^st Contact Visas, there are thousands of people – particularly from Commonwealth countries – who often are not aware they may be eligible through Nationality law at the time of their birth and their ancestry that they may be eligible for a UK passport, when in fact they do qualify.

“A nationality status trace through 1^st Contact Visas, along with the relevant supporting documentation could well put you on your way to British citizenship, and all the possibilities that opens up.” Continue Reading

Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination with literally millions of Brits visiting the country each year – and this summer will probably be no different. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your Spanish holiday money, should you be planning a trip to Spain in 2011. Continue Reading

This month we look at fascinating Poland, a country rich in history, with a population of 39 million people. Continue Reading

From 1 July 2011 until October 2012, nationals from India, China and 12 other countries visiting the UK on a tourist visa will be able to visit neighbouring Ireland without the need for a visa.

This visa waiver programme was announced in Dublin by Ireland’s Justice and Defence Minister Alan Shatter and coincides with the 2012 Olympics to be held in London. The programme will also see the €60 visa application fee being dropped for the period. Continue Reading

India is a large, colourful and highly populous country with more than 1.2 billion people living within its borders. Here are 20 interesting facts about the Republic! Continue Reading

So you’re thinking about moving from the UK to Australia? Immigration websites and forums are always full of questions and conversations about this very move and the consensus seems to be that the grass is indeed greener on the Other Side.

In this article we look at what exactly attracts UK families in particular to the land down under, as well as the steps to take if you’re considering the move. Continue Reading

You’re finally going on that travel holiday you’ve always dreamed of. But with the tickets booked and the itinerary planned, it’s time to give serious thought to the practical details – for example, how will you be carrying your travel money? Continue Reading

By Nikki van Coller

Despite predictions to the contrary, South Africa shone in June and July last year as host country to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, with some even saying that the vibe, hospitality and sheer excitement of the event far outweighed the quality of football played.

The world was left with the image of a happy, friendly and cohesive nation of people and it seemed South Africa was set to benefit enormously from the positive publicity generated by the event. Sadly though, a few short months later, a British tourist was killed in a Cape township and once again the country’s crime rate was in the spotlight. Whether the hijacking proves to have been a set-up or not, it doesn’t show SA in a favourable light.

But should South Africa be overlooked as a top holiday destination?

This writer thinks not.

1. Price

South Africa is still a very reasonably priced tourist destination, with abundant accommodation in every price range. A night in a backpackers can still be found for under R100, while good hotel rooms start from around R400/night right up to thousands for a 5-star option.

A good steak in a restaurant is around R100, car rental starts at around R150/day and a fantastic bottle of wine can be found for under R70. A holiday in South Africa is not dirt cheap, but it certainly is good value for money, and there’s something to suit every budget.

2. People

As a South African I’m probably biased, but South Africans are nice people! No matter what their language or race or age or gender, the majority of South Africans are friendly, hospitable and interesting.

Take a drive up the West Coast and spend a few nights in Tieties Baai or Darling; visit any of a number of small towns in the Karoo; or get involved with an uplifting township project to get a feel for the different cultures that exist in South Africa.

South Africans love socialising and you should try to savour as much of the local life as possible.

Yes, crime is an issue, but there are measures you can take: stay out of dangerous areas and guard yourself against petty crime. Always know where you’re going – standing in a dodgy area looking confused with a cumbersome map flapping around in the wind makes you a soft target for opportunists.

Always ask locals’ advice when it comes to your safety. Instead of carrying cash, use a Rand Travel Money Card, which ensures your safety and saves you money because you’re paying like a local.

3. Food and Wine

Can you say “La Motte Chardonnay”? South Africa has some of the best wines available in the world today, with many parts of the Western Cape providing the perfect winemaking conditions. If you do a little research with locals, you can also find incredible food at establishments ranging from cheap and cheerful cafes to expensive, world-class restaurants with top chefs.

Food is a big part of SA culture, so there is a huge variety of foods to sample. Traditional African food is available at specialist restaurants in main cities and in Townships, and is hearty and flavourful. Braaing (like a barbecue, but better) is a favourite pastime and if you have the opportunity to attend a genuine South African braai, do so.

Expect to drink a lot of beer and eat quite late into the occasion – the burning of the firewood to make coals is half the fun! The meat in South Africa is tender, tasty, abundant and relatively inexpensive.

If you’re a vegetarian, you will not go hungry in South Africa. Meat is not the only farming in the country. The butter, cream, cheese, fruit and vegetables are simply divine!

4. Culture

South Africa is a cosmopolitan country with many cultures gradually blending to create a unique and colourful culture.

If you enjoy music, theatre, art and architecture, you will find something of interest in South Africa. We have brilliant authors, artists, sports people and musicians. Depending on your tastes, you could go to a 10 000-strong, 3-day outdoor trance party or see the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra while tucking into a picnic at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or a wine farm a short drive from the city.

You could spend the day on a Game Drive or volunteer at an animal shelter. You could attend a slam poetry event or an extreme sporting challenge. We are vibrant, energetic, expressive people who love the outdoors and appreciate our beautiful piece of the world!

5. Nature

Talking of which: South Africa is B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! Deserts, forests, beaches, canyons, mountains, rivers, waterfalls… we have it all! If you’re planning to visit South Africa, make sure you have a decent camera – the disposables don’t do the landscape justice!

From the rugged Eastern Cape coastline to the forests of the Garden Route; the West Coast beaches to the picturesque Kalahari, you are never short of beautiful views and enchanting places… If you plan your route carefully, with the help of a local or a travel agent who knows South Africa, you can see many different landscapes.

There are also a huge number of outdoor activities to enjoy: surfing, golf, game viewing, soccer, rugby, hiking, fishing and 4×4 trails are popular. Sports like slacklining and sandboarding are also gaining in popularity.

If this sounds like your kind of place, why not investigate further and consider a South African holiday? And if you’ve been to South Africa before and this article simply reminded you of how awesome it is, why not speak to a 1^st Contact visa consultant about your options for living and working in South Africa?

There’s a well known saying, “Moving house is the third most traumatic event after
bereavement or divorce.”

In sharing her experience, a former colleague revealed how she had made one of the
fatal errors in the realm of moving house; She chose the cheapest removal company
she could find. She ended up paying dearly for this in terms of some precious items,
heirlooms etc. that broke.

It’s a strange business. The one day you are still secure in your little castle
an the next day a truck pulls up, strangers arrive – big burly men who can’t tell
the difference between a Steinway piano and a honky-tonk piano in a bar room and
suddenly your world is turned into a domestic nightmare.

I read recently about one gentleman in the States who made the fatal error of letting
the removal truck out of his sight. He had things to do on the way, so his arrival
at the new house was delayed. When he got to his new cute little home he found the
removal men passed out in the lounge …. another one lay face downwards in the kitchen.
Beer cans lay strewn all over the place. They had trashed the place. But that was
not all: to his horror he discovered that the truck had delivered someone else’s
furniture, not his! Mysteriously, a switch of trucks had taken place mid-journey
and from there on, everything went wrong and at that very moment his furniture was
being delivered to some house in another state!

But there are ways to limit the pain of moving. I have compiled a list, both from
personal experience and from what I found to be the most useful hints on the net.
Just little tips to help you on your way. I found the list at
about.com particularly useful. I hope you do too:

1. Make lists! Number your boxes with a marker, or create a record on computer whilst
   leaving space to write down the contents. And be as specific as possible, so that
   ‘blender’ and ‘food processor’ are preferable to just ‘kitchen equipment’.
2. Collect MORE boxes than you think you’ll need. (You can get them at the supermarket.
   But it’s a good idea to try to organize it beforehand with the store manager). Set
   aside about 10 boxes for emergency packing; items such as bedding, clothing, and
   cleaning supplies. Get duct tape to seal the boxes. Be careful about using newspaper
   print to wrap your precious items – the print ink can stain your items. If possible
   use unprinted newsprint or bubble wrap to cushion your goods.
3. Don’t make the boxes too heavy to lift. In other words, if you’re an angler don’t
   dump all your boxes of lead sinkers into one box. Be careful when packing books;
   they can be very heavy. My suggestion is to restrict books to smaller boxes, the
   kind you usually find in liquor stores. Test them for heaviness and seal very well
   at the bottom.
4. Colour coordinate. Designate a colour, such as yellow for the lounge, blue for the
   dining room, for each room in the house. Then match each box with a designated colour.
   Stick coloured stickers on the box close the box number and apply a matching sticker
   on the door to each room so that the removal people will know where to put each
   box on the day you move in. To avoid further chaos, designate areas where the boxes
   should go (use big signs that read “Boxes” and another for furniture. This avoids
   boxes getting hidden behind furniture.
5. Keep things together if you can. This may sound obvious but it’s worth mentioning
   anyway. Have the duct tape handy to secure small loose parts to the main item. It
   will save you a headache later on. Other small items that might otherwise disappear
   for weeks can be sealed in envelopes and marked, so you know what’s inside. Keep
   an extra box or two to pack cables, cords and other miscellaneous items on the day
   you move, just in case.
6. Pack ahead. I lessen the trauma of last-minute packing by starting well ahead of
   time. Try to see what you don’t need, such as winter clothing when it’s summer and
   start packing them. If you intend cleaning your old place, assemble a basic kit
   of cleaning supplies and rags and clean as much as possible ahead of time. Vacuum
   the rooms as they are emptied.
7. Pack your valuables safely or keep them with you. It’s best to carefully pack your
   artworks with lots of bubble wrap between each painting and keep them with you (obviously
   never placing anything on top of them.). If you are not able to do this for some
   reason, you can always phone some of the art galleries to find out whom they use
   to move their art works.
8. Check up on your homeowner’s insurance to see if you are covered, or whether additional
   insurance is required. And this is important: find out how you must go about filing
   a claim in the event of loss or damage (receipts, appraisals, and photographs).
9. Keep important documents with you. The list might include: birth certificates, school
   records, mover quotes, new job contacts, utility company numbers, current bills,
   phone lists, closing papers, ID books, passports, visas. (Not to mention those valuable
   photographs of loved ones and friends!).
10. Create personal boxes. These would contain items you might want to use immediately
    upon arrival and which are essential to your well being such as, cosmetics, toiletries,
    instant coffee, a kettle and cord, cups, and other necessities such as er … your
    jar of Marmite. I hear you asking, “Why Marmite”? Well, I know a woman who never
    travels anywhere without a jar of Marmite in her bag. “You never know,” she always
    says mysteriously.

Moving? Looking for a Trusted Name?

1^st Contact can help you take the stress out of moving whether you are moving to London, that exciting mega-city overflowing with effervescence, or moving in the city itself or departing from there.

1st Contact Shipping is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and is able to offer some special discounts for clients who make use of some of the other services offered by 1st Contact.

The shipping team has over 25 years’ experience and have safely delivered over half a million (!) consignments. They are a trusted name in helping their clients relocate or adapt to a new country. In addition their network of agents are all
accredited by FIDI/FAIM – the respected global international removals trade body.

Everyone knows that moving is just one big headache so they are really worth checking out because they go the extra mile, even providing shipping cartons and other packing materials like packaging tape, bubble wrap and tissue paper – all at no charge. They also offer advice on which box sizes you may require and more.

For more information, contact 1st Contact on:

UK: 080 8141 1648 or visit www.1stcontact-shipping.com

Are you considering leaving your home country next year to find greener pastures but unsure of where to go and what it entails? Continue Reading

If you’re planning to visit Europe these holidays, make sure you make the most of your spending money with the 1^st Contact Euro Travel Card. Designed specifically to be used in Europe, it will save you plenty of hassle and put more money in your pocket!

How does it work?

The 1^st Contact Euro Travel Money Card is essentially a MasterCard Debit Card pre-loaded with Euro, so you’ll be paying like a local and saving on high bank charges and commissions, leaving you more cash to spend on your travels!

A money-saving fee structure

Unlike many other foreign exchange products, the 1^st Contact Travel Money Card charges no commission, and there are no charges for swiping the card in restaurants or shops in Europe. In fact, the only charges are for the purchase of the card (€ 12.50), a small fee for ATM withdrawals and a small card replacement fee, should you lose your card.

Save up before your holiday

One of the great benefits of the Card is that you can load money onto it in the weeks leading up to your holiday, and because it can only be used in Europe, you won’t be tempted to spend your travel money before you leave!

Easily manage your money

You have the option of managing your Travel Money Card via our secure online system or via SMS. Load funds, transfer money or check your balances any time, day or night, as often as you like.

Excellent, transparent Exchange Rates

With 1^st Contact Forex, the rate you see online when you load your money is the exact rate you’ll get, so there’ll be no nasty surprises when you check your balances. And because of the buying power of 1^st Contact Forex, you are also guaranteed one of the best exchange rates available, meaning an even greater saving!

Rand and Dollar Card options available

If you’re planning to visit South Africa or the United States, we also offer Travel Money Card for these destinations, with all the benefits of the Euro Card!

For more information or to order your 1^st Contact Travel Money Card, visit www.1stcontactforex.com, or call  0808 141 1685

The London Underground is an institution in London, and anyone who’s ever been to the city has undoubtedly used “the tube” at some point or another. Love it or hate it, here are 50 facts you probably didn’t know! Continue Reading

We’ve looked at Australia’s quirkiness and some amazing facts about South Africa… This month, we turn our attention to New Zealand, with the Top 20 Interesting facts about this nation. Continue Reading

Start planning your travel money now. If you’re a South African living in the UK and looking forward to heading back to SA for some sunshine and family time over the December holidays, you’re probably already calculating how much you’ll have to spend on all that delectable seafood and steak, the sugar cones, mojitos and cosmos…. Don’t stress – the Rand Travel Card will make you feel like a local again, paying in Rands! Continue Reading

If English is the only language you speak fluently, perhaps you should consider using the winter months to learn a second language? You might think there’s no need if English is your home language since English is “universal”, but the truth is, having a second or even third language under your belt can help you in more ways than you think!

1. Improve Your Job Prospects

The most obvious reason for taking a language course is that fluency in a second language looks really good on your CV, which means that when you apply for a job, you are already a step ahead of your monolingual counterparts. There are also many opportunities in the UK for people who are fluent in English and another European language – do some research in your industry and see where the opportunities exist for you.

2. Increase Your Study Opportunities

Not only will fluency in another language make it possible for you to apply for bursaries and study in another country, you will also have a better chance of being accepted into a college or university in the UK if you are fluent in a second language.

3. Enjoy Foreign Travel More

If for instance you chose to learn Spanish, there would be at least 21 more places in the world where you wouldn’t need to page through a confusing little language book just to ask what time the train will be arriving (and in all likelihood end up politely telling the conductor that his mother is a man). The locals will be friendlier towards you and your chances of being ripped off decrease when you understand and speak the language… Order beer with confidence; direct your cab driver directly to your hotel; and the next time a local in a little café says something about your lack of a tan, you can confidently remind him – in his own language – that Michael Jackson paid millions of Dollars to get your skin tone.

4. Enhance Your Appreciation of Foreign Culture

Never again will you sit silently at the dinner table while your girlfriend’s parents discuss the intricacies of La Traviata. When you learn a second language, you will develop an understanding of the music, food, art and people of the country/ies whose language you master. Italian Opera; French Cuisine or Literature; Akido or Capoeira – whatever it is you’re interested in, you can delve much deeper if you are approaching the subject in the language though which it was created.

5. Take Your Business Abroad

Whatever your business, there might be an untapped market in another country that you haven’t even considered because it seems impossible. By first learning to speak, read and write the language like a native, you’re in a position to investigate your global options. Your Spanish Language Course might just be the start to your “half the year in London / half the year in Majorca” dream!

6. Increase Your Chances of l’ amour

If you’re still single and your cousin’s wife’s best friend’s weird brother is looking like your last hope, broaden your pool of prospects by learning the language of a country whose natives you find attractive. If the French make your knees weak – learn the language, take the holiday, converse with ease… the rest is history.

7. Understand the World Better

By learning another language, along with the country’s history, culture and traditions, you are not only improving your general knowledge, but also your understanding of another nation of people. This will no doubt lead to a more open minded approach to the world around you and you’ll start to enjoy more positive interactions with people from a cultural background different to your own.

8. Improve Your English

Learning a second language will teach you different methods of expressing ideas, concepts, or thoughts, which will actually improve your English communication skills and vocabulary too.  As you learn the new language, you will no doubt be brushing up on your English theory – the verbs, the pronouns, the conjunctive adverbs – you’ll be reminded about all of that.

9. Become Smarter

Learning another language exercises all sorts of cognitive skills and studies have shown that bilingual students achieve better divergent thinking, creativity, and cognitive development compared to monolingual students and that those who speak a second language do better on both nonverbal and verbal intelligence tests. Who doesn’t want to be more intelligent?

10. Be Sexier

There’s no doubt about it – people who speak a foreign language are considered more attractive and more intelligent by the opposite sex than those who only speak English. It’s impressive. It’s enviable. It’s dead sexy.

Relax by crackling fires, stroll through un-crowded market places and pay a fraction of the summer cost! Travelling Europe in winter with Topdeck has its benefits, snow covered scenery and charismatic cities, minus the hustle and bustle of the summer crowds. Our biggest Winter trip, 24 day ‘Winter Spirit’ takes you from trendy Paris to historical Krakow and leaves time to get on the slopes for some skiing in Salzburg! Topdecks winter trips offer lower prices too, taking advantage of seasonal discounts to offer you up to 25% savings on their summer equivalent. Continue Reading

London has a heritage dating back to the time of the Romans when the first pubs were established. Over time these became fondly known as ‘the local’ (‘pub’ is an abbreviation of public house). With such a rich heritage it is understandable that there are those who don’t want things to change, especially the beer. But is change inevitable? Continue Reading

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!

Continue Reading