How to prevent blood clots on long journeys

Jun 27, 2014

If you are travelling long haul this summer the chances of you getting a blood clot is significantly higher. Thankfully there are certain things you can do to prevent it.

Here are four tips to help ensure you avoid developing any clots:

Move around
If on an aeroplane try to get up off your seat at least every two hours. If you are driving, make sure you stop every few miles to stretch your legs. This will help keep the blood moving and circulating through your body.

Drink water
Make sure you drink plenty of water. Not only will it keep you hydrated, it will also mean you will need to take a lot more toilet breaks encouraging you to walk around.

Wear DVT socks
DVT socks are great for keeping the blood flowing in your legs, so make sure you pick up a pair. They are readily available in pharmacies and are great for giving you peace of mind.

Clothing
Wear loose fitting clothing and avoid anything that is too tight around your waist. Leggings and loose tunics are great for flights – they are really comfy too.

What to do if your flight gets cancelled

Lifestyle

Jun 26, 2014

by Amber Saunders

All this talk of air travel strikes has got us feeling a little worried about our summer holidays. While the French air traffic controllers’ strike, which caused a hell of a lot of disruption, is now over, it hasn’t put our mind at ease that something like this might happen again…

Here’s what you need to know if your flight does get cancelled:

Call the airline
As soon as you hear a whisper that your flight is cancelled, call your airline. They will be able to tell you what is happening.

Know your rights
As a passenger you have rights so make sure you are aware of them. For a cancelled flight your airline must offer you re-routing either straight away or at a later date or a full refund.

Compensation
Compensation only depends on your flight and reasons for cancellation. Don’t hold out for a pay package – the most you will ever get is €600 and that’s if you are going long haul.

Assistance
You are entitled to meals, accommodation and transfers if needed but only if you choose the re-routing option. If you ask for a full refund don’t expect to receive any more from the airline.

We know where we WON’T be going on holidays!

Lifestyle

Jun 26, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Blackpool has been named as the leading destination for dirty hotels in the UK.

The research was carried out by Hotel.info and surveyed the ratings of over two million hotels guests. The three most offending factors were stained sheets, dusty tables and smoky smells.

While Blackpool is said to be being revitalised, we think we’ll give it a miss this year!

You can zipline from one country to another

Lifestyle

Jun 24, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There is a zipline in Spain that runs from Sanclucar de Guadiana in Andalucia to Alcoutim in Portugal and the hour time difference between the two countries means you are transported back in time by an hour. Sounds cool, doesn’t it?

However, the 60 second ride is not for the faint-hearted, as you can reach speeds of up to 50mph as you zoom across the Guadiana River.

The 2,365ft zipline was created by David Jarma who said that: “Two villages in two countries, separated by a river 150 metres wide – a zipline just seemed obvious to me. It also seemed like a great way to unite both places, since a bridge had been talked about for many years, but was never realised.”

The trip is not expensive and will only set you back 15 euros – although you don’t get to spend that much time in Portugal, as there is a boat waiting on the other side to bring you back to Spain.

Looks cool, but we’ll be keeping our feet firmly on the ground thanks very much.

Ireland’s best beaches

Lifestyle

Jun 20, 2014

by Amber Saunders

When you think of the beach, the last place you would ever think of is Ireland, but we do have some pretty good spots here.

So, no need to book a plane ticket, here’s a list of the best beaches all over our little island:

Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow
This is a very popular beach during the summer, but with gorgeous sand and clear water it’s not surprising.

Dollymount Strand, Co. Dublin
A favourite among kite surfers because of its windy conditions, this beach has 5km of sand – perfect for a running or walking on.

Bettystown, Co. Meath
This gorgeous sandy beach is located in a pretty seaside village popular with tourists.

Ballymastocker Bay, Co. Donegal
Previously voted second most beautiful beach in the world, this is one beach you don’t want to miss out on.

How to reduce the impact of jet lag

Lifestyle

Jun 18, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There is nothing more annoying on a holiday than jet lag – well, there probably is but this it is pretty bad.

Thankfully, while you can’t completely prevent it from happening (unless you don’t fly too far away), there are ways to lessen its impact.

Prepare
If you are flying to a country with a significantly different timezone – we’re talking Australia, here – you might want to gradually adjust your schedule to suit your new timezone.

The journey
Set your watch according to your destination time and eat and sleep at the right times.

Drink water
Make sure your body stays hydrated so drink plenty of water throughout the journey. This will also help to keep your mind focused and aware of your surroundings.

Go to bed straight away
If you arrive at your destination in the middle of the night head to bed straight away, but make sure you get up at a reasonable hour in the morning – even if this means you only get four hours sleep!

This New York timelapse is pretty incredible

Lifestyle

Jun 13, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There is just something about New York that keeps pulling us back across the pond – although the incredible shopping may actually be one of the reasons….

This timelapse video from Nowakfilm will make you want to book a flight over to the city that never sleeps straight away.

The Taj Mahal is to have a mud bath

Jun 10, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It is India’s most famous landmark and has featured in so many films that it’s hard to keep track of.

Rihanna was also in a spot of bother after an apparent photo shoot compromised “the status and sanctity” of the iconic attraction.

Now it seems the Taj Mahal is about to undergo a beauty treatment that is used by women all over the world – a mud bath – to remove the yellow discolouration caused by pollution.

Basically, the World Heritage Site will be covered in a 2mm layer of lime clay which will be left to dry on the wall. The special mud, which has already been made, will then be cleaned off using distilled water.

This is not the first time the Taj Mahal has been cleaned this way – the same beauty treatment was given in 1994, 2001 and 2008.

The gorgeous white marble building attracts thousands of visitors each year, so it is not surprising it needs a mud bath every now and then.

10 things to do in Rio de Janeiro

Lifestyle

Jun 9, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Rio is not all about football! Here are 10 things to you need to see and do if you are heading to the South American city this summer:

Corcovado – Christ the Redeemer
Rio’s most famous attraction should definitely be on your list.

Ipanema Beach
Clean sand, blue water – what more could you want?!

Copacabana Beach
Even if it’s just to sing the song.

Sugar Loaf Mountain
If only to say you climbed the Sugar Loaf in South America and Wicklow.

Santa Teresa Tram
Experience a little bit of history in Rio’s oldest form of transportation – the tram.

Bar Urca
After your trip up the Sugar Loaf, head here for a well deserved beer and some food.

Meza Bar
Not into the club scene? Here you get to sit at a table and still enjoy DJ sounds.

The Maze
This guesthouse right on the top of a hill will allow you to experience decent jazz music and one hell of a view.

Parque Lage
This mansion built in the 1800s is home to a fantastic tropical garden that you need to visit.

Lapa
For the real South American feel hit Lapa – the samba capital of Brazil.

Island hopping Irish style

Lifestyle

Jun 6, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Around Ireland is an abundance of Islands that need to be visited. While we know about most of them, there are a few that have gone unnoticed in terms of places to visit. Have a holiday with a difference this year and go island hopping across Ireland

Inishtrahull, Co. Donegal
Located six miles from Malin Head, this island is free from any one, apart from wild deer and eider duck, so you are sure to have some peace and quiet.

Inishturk Island Co. Mayo
It may be pretty isolated but true to its Irishness, it is home to a gorgeous GAA pitch. Head here if you want to indulge in a bit of diving.

Heir Island, Co. Cork
This picturesque island is located in Roaringwater Bay and is great if you want to go exploring. Foodie will love the Cottage restaurant.

The Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry
The last people living on the island left in 1953 but it is home to lots of wildlife including seals and birds. Located at the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, the island is perfect for campers.

Ireland features twice on Lonely Planet’s top 50 secret spots

Lifestyle

Jun 5, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Lonely Planet have released their new ebook, Secret Europe, that unearths 50 of the best off the beaten track sites in Europe and Ireland features on the list twice. Yes TWICE!

Not surprisingly, one of the hotspots is a pub – Kavanagh’s pub in Glasnevin to be exact. Known as The Gravediggers, the pub is located right beside Glasnevin cemetery.

Owner Eugene Kavanagh says: “It’s an original pub, and I’m the sixth generation Kavanagh to run the joint. I still live over the premises and reared a family here. We’re a traditional pub and we carry on as we’ve always done, but to be successful you also have to be different – which we also are.”

Cromane Peninsula, a small split of land between Killorglin and Glenbeigh, also features on the list due to its “spectacular water vistas and multihued sunsets”.

The top spot went to Olomouc a Czech town because of its main square and a hidden picnic spot underneath the arches of the Palais Royal in Paris also features.

Well done Ireland, we’re so proud!

Irish adventurer travels from Cork to Donegal on a paramotor

Lifestyle

Jun 4, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Mike O’Shea has become the first person to fly from Mizen Head to Malin Head on a paramotor – a powered glider.

Supported by Vodafone Ireland to mark the launch of their Vodafone Firsts programme, this was a dream of Mike’s ever since he started paramotoring.

Talking about his experience, he said: “I’m always on the lookout for new challenges and the chance to take on a new adventure. Becoming the first person to paramotor from Mizen to Malin has been a personal ambition since I first took up this sport.”

The three day trip took Mike from Cork to Donegal – a distance of over 590km – and reached heights of up to 10,000 feet.

Strong winds and dodgy weather conditions might have put many of us off the challenge but Mike was not to be discouraged: “I’ve achieved many things in my life but this certainly ranks up there with the best of them. And the great thing is that I can also share it with anyone who wants to watch!”

Fair play to Mike, don’t think we would have the nerve!