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Full disclosure - for one reason or another I have an irrational fear of wasps. I know its irrational, and to a limited degree I am able to control it, but most times the way they fly, or the sound they make, is enough to put me into blind panic mode. TL;DR Wasps - I find it best to try to understand your fears and use that new found knowledge to try to help manage those fears, and if it doesn't work first time, to try again. In my case with wasps, the fear started as far back as I can remember, and is still with me at 56 years of age. I have tried to understand wasps a little better over this time span - this time documenting my research. Why Wasps Act Like a Larger Lout in September Why do wasps go round looking for a fight in September, its generally when they are at their height of being a complete an utter pest. In September - in the UK anyway, a number of factors combine together with a net effect - that changes a clean living, hardworking 9 to 5 standard wasp into a twat. Unemployment: Worker wasps spend most of the summer collecting protein (such as insects) to feed the larvae back at the nest. When the larvae mature, and no longer need the support the worker wasps become the equivalent of empty nesters. They have a shift in purpose that they find difficult to accept. Preparing for an over wintering, they seek out more calorific food - carbohydrates and sugars. End of Nest Cycle: By September, the wasp colony is reaching the end of its cycle, and the original queen has often died. The remaining worker wasps are less focused and less disciplined, leading to increased foraging activity, and a greater chance of encountering humans.  Shorter Days: The shorter daylight hours as the summer draws to a close mean wasps are busier during the day, spending more time outside foraging for food and less time inside the nest. They may also be attracted to artificial lights, leading to them entering homes.  Increased Aggression: When wasps are feeding on rotting fruit, that has feremented and contains alcohol they can become intoxicated, drunk or hung over - they are more easily wound up and like humans more likely to get into a fight. This increased aggression means a greater likelihood of stinging if they feel threatened. Pheromone Response: If a wasp stings or is squashed, it releases a pheromone that can attract other wasps to the same area, making it seem like they are swarming.  They Are Essential Bees often get the spotlight for their pollination efforts, but wasps are important players too. Wasps serve as nature's pest controllers by preying on a variety of insects. This natural predation plays a crucial role in reducing pest populations, which helps farmers avoid the use of chemical pesticides. Essential but still annoying Wasps may often be labeled as pests, but they are crucial to our ecosystems. From their intriguing life cycles to their important roles as pollinators and pest controllers, wasps deserve our understanding and appreciation. The next time you encounter a wasp, pause for a moment to appreciate its role in nature. They are not just pesky stingers; they are vital contributors to the health of our environment. I'll be running the other direction waving my arms in the air in an irrational manner. Happy travels!

This recipe will make approx 12 lovely scones, and takes only 30mins. Ingredients 1/4 pack butter - approx 62.5g - melted 2 cups of flour + 2 x the volume of the melted butter 1 tablespoon of sugar 1 cup of butter milk In summary it's 2 parts dry to 1 wet parts wet. Method - Scones Mix the sugar and flour together in a bowl. These are your dry ingredients. If you haven't already, melt the butter into a liquid. The microwave does this well - few seconds at a time until its liquid or you will be cleaning that microwave. Add the melted butter to the butter milk and give it a bit of a stir. Make a hole in the dry ingredients, and add the wet ingredients Mix gently to make into a soft dough Flour a surface lightly so the dough doesn't stick, and also a little flour on top so the rolling pin doesn't stick. Roll out to around 1cm - if you're doing it right - there won't be any cracks in the dough. Use a pastry cutter to create round pucks. Don't waste any of the dough - just remix the off cuts, roll out and cut some more pucks. Good luck with the last one - it will look nasty. That will be yours. Place them on a oven tray - the ugly one will need its own tray as it doesn't look aesthetically pleasing along side all the previously perfectly formed pucks. Brush with a little milk Bake in the oven for 10-14 mins at 220c. Put the kettle on and make a pot of tea. Keep an eye on the scones until they turn a nice golden colour on top. Rest in a tea towel on a wire rack. Best eaten there and then while they are hot with some butter and jam. Grab that big ugly one that was the last one made, use some extra jam as you deserve a reward for making the scones, and enjoy with that tea you've just made. Delicious!

Around 2021, there was a great British Airways holidays offer when visiting Monaco TL;DR The deal was that a return helicopter transfer between Nice airport and Monaco was included free of charge when booking a flight and hotel deal with BA Holidays in Monaco. Travel from the heliport to the hotel was also included. You could do it as a short break - typically costing around £300 per person - for economy flights, hotel, and return helicopter and shuttle transfer. The helicopter transfer time was a mere 10 mins once you got past the check in process, comparing well with the alternative of the train. Passport to Monaco It was called ‘Passport to Monaco’ sponsored by the Monaco tourist board rather than BA. It also came with a load of other freebee visits that more than filled the days in Monaco Too Expensive It’s a common misconception that Monaco is expensive. Yes it can be - there are some horribly expensive restaurants and coffee shops - I got caught out with a coffee and a sandwich once - never again. But if you do your research it’s quite easy to have a great time without breaking the bank. Normal people live there too, and if you walk any sort of distance you quickly find yourself in France. I remain vigilant for this offer returning as it’s a cool way of arriving into Monaco from Nice - especially when you call dibs on the front seat. Happy travels!

Scrabo tower is 41m high and is built on a hill near Newtownards, Northern Ireland. It is visible from many miles away. Currently this iconic structure, hasn't actually got a lot to offer the visitor, other than a steep walk and a breathtaking 360 degree views. TL;DR I visited Scrabo Tower last week and wanted to know a little more about its history. The Origins of Scrabo Tower Scrabo Tower was constructed in 1857 as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Charles William, who was known for his contributions to the local community and his significant role in the area’s development. The tower was funded by the public - which demonstrates how much the local community valued the marquess and his contributions. At 168 years old, it remains a solid structure that is in good shape - which is impressive given its exposed position. And it doesn't look to be going anywhere in the next 168 years. Architectural Features Scrabo Tower is a prime example of the Scottish Baronial style - I'm not sure what that means. The tower appears to be currently closed to visitors - according to the Discover Northern Ireland website - but there is a virtual tour available here - https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/scrabo-tower-p675451 Planning Your Visit to Scrabo Tower If you are thinking of visiting Scrabo Tower, here are some practical tips. The tower is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available nearby. It is well-signposted, making it easy to find even for first-time visitors. 30mins to an hour is plenty of time for a visit - its a pleasant stop for a short walk.

We’ve decided to go to Athens - June 2026. We’ll need return flights from the UK to Athens, and hotel accommodation in Athens. This post walks through the process I follow to book flights, and highlights the advantages of AVIOS bookings. We prefer to book well in advance to get best prices, the specific flight times that we want, and to include a free carry on bag. We find that British Airways flying from Heathrow is a good match for our requirements. TL;DR In this post I compare the CASH and AVIOS price for our chosen return flights between London to Athens - highlighting the benefit of having AVIOS points available to save on flights with British Airways and other airlines within the OneWorld alliance. Let me share my process. Google Flights I start with google flights to get an initial price for comparison purposes. We wanted a lunchtime flight out and late afternoon flight back. Aegean came up at around £300 each - including bags. £600 total - that felt like expensive. Establishing the Cash Price with British Airways The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights; Flight Price for Two = London to Athens with a Hold Bag Each I wasn't prepared to pay that sum of money - even for a 4 hour flight to the wonderful destination of Athens - so looked at different options. AVIOS Points to the rescue I reran the search - but this time as an AVIOS Points search on the British Airways main page. The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights; Results from the AVIOS search General consensus is to value a AVIOS point at approx 0.8p. So taking the 40000 AVIOS points and £70 pricing option. The cost for 2 people for the same flights is (40000 * 0.8) +£70 = £390 That was a £998 saving. In fact as I source my AVIOS through credit card bonuses the saving could be considered to be much greater. Understanding AVIOS Points AVIOS points are a loyalty currency earned through airlines, hotel stays, and even certain credit cards. You can redeem these points for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. For my London to Athens trip, I had saved enough AVIOS points to secure my flight for a bunch of AVIOS and small fee of £35 per passenger instead of the high fare illustrated. By using AVIOS points, I was able to significantly cut down on this cost, making my travel much more budget-friendly. Additional Costs: Luggage and Taxes My AVIOS ticket included both luggage and taxes. In addition - if I decide to cancel - its a £35 fee per person, and the AVIOS points are returned to my account. Finalising the Trip After reviewing my travel itinerary and confirming my flight selections, I finalised my booking. A confirmation email arrived shortly, with all my travel details. By using AVIOS points wisely, I saved nearly £1000 compared to standard ticket prices. Athens skyline featuring the Acropolis during sunset Travel Tips for Using AVIOS Points Maximise your savings with these tips when booking with AVIOS points: Monitor Earning Promotions : Airlines and credit cards frequently offer promotions to earn AVIOS points. Keep an eye out for these opportunities. For instance, some airlines provide bonus points for signing up or booking during promotional periods. Be Flexible : Being open to different dates or destinations can help you save significantly, especially during off-peak seasons. Combine Points : Collaborate with friends or family who also have AVIOS points. By pooling them together, you can afford longer or more luxurious trips. Have a Plan : Decide how you want to use your points in advance. A clear strategy helps you avoid wasting points and spend less on flights overall. Stay Up-to-Date : Join aviation blogs and forums to keep yourself informed on the latest news regarding AVIOS points and smart travel tips. Final Thoughts Friends and family will tell me from time to time that there isn't any availability for AVIOS points spend. There is availability - by booking well in advance most flights will offer a minimum of 8 economy seats as AVIOS bookings. As illustrated by my initial AVIOS searches - there is masses of availability. Booking well in advance that Using AVIOS points to book flights can lead to massive savings - allowing you to travel more. Take the time to explore your own options with AVIOS points. You may find fantastic ways to see the world that won't strain your budget. Happy travels!

We’ve decided to go to Athens - June 2026. We’ll need return flights from the UK to Athens, and hotel accommodation in Athens. This post walks through the process I follow to book accommodation leveraging my Genius Level 3 status on booking.com . We prefer to book well in advance to get best prices, and opt for a free cancellation rate. Booking.com is my go to website. We also generally prefer hotel stays. TL;DR In this post I walk through how I find properties that suit my requirements, and ensure that I am getting best price. Let me share my process. Before diving into the booking process, it’s essential to take some time to assess your travel needs. These will vary with destination, time of year, who you are with etc. Are you looking for a romantic getaway, a family-friendly environment, or perhaps a solo adventure? Step 1 - Start with booking.com on a computer browser I initially open booking.com on a browser on a large computer screen. This is for ease of use as opposed to working on a much smaller mobile phone screen. My initial search criteria for are; Location - Athens Dates - My arrival and departure dates People - 2 adults This brings back an unsurprisingly large set of potential results - 5366 properties! I then use the filters down the left hand side of the booking.com screen to narrow the field to suit my wife and my requirements for Athens; Free Cancellation Hotels Guest reviews - 9+ (wonderful) This narrows the field further - down to 146 properties. For Athens pricing is quite competitive and has a broad range - I remove properties over £150/night and sort in ascending order. I now have 41 properties that appear to meet my criteria - except its obvious that some are not hotels. I work through the list top down, ignoring non-hotels, and anything that has less than 100 reviews. I quickly find this as a suitable hotel - plenty of reviewers scoring it well. The proximity to the city centre is ideal, together with the subway access. Result of detailed search on booking.com Step 2 - Confirm Reviews I do a quick check on both google and Tripadvisor for consistency, and confirm the rating is similar. Step 3 - Try booking.com  on a mobile device Hurray - there is a "mobile only price", of £337, as there is only 2 rooms left, and its a free cancellation rate, I decide to book a slighter larger room for £341, and confirm, so as not to lose the price. The booking shows two discounts - £65.50 associated with my Genius status, and £37.12 mobile-only price. Note - the mobile-only price prevents using cashback sites - but I'm unlikely to get a guaranteed 10% back on any cashabck site. Step 3 - Check Alternative Approaches Google - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Opodo - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Tripadvisor - Not available to book - NOPE Trivago - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Direct with the hotel - The large room is offered at £400 - NOPE I'm happy that I've got the best deal. Conclusion Finding the best value on Booking.com doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By understanding your travel needs, utilising the platform's filtering and mapping features, checking cancellation policies, reading reviews, taking advantage of deals, and being mindful of extra fees, you can uncover hidden gems that meet your expectations and budget. The next time you plan a trip, implement these strategies and enjoy the thrill of discovering great properties without overspending. Happy travels!

One of the first things after retirement was to start to action that bucket list of travel destinations that we'd built up over many years. Near the top was the Maldives - which frankly had been too expensive for us cost conscious value seeking travellers to consider without some major travel hacks. Making it even more difficult is that March is in peak season for visiting the Maldives - in both terms of availablity and cost. Significant pre-work would be required to ensure that it would be both an affordable but memorable holiday - you only do it once - right? TL;DR With the right strategies and a little resourcefulness, I knew that I would be able to take the dream and transform it into a reality without draining my bank account. Utilising loyalty programs like British Airways AVIOS and Hilton Honors points was the game-changer. Here’s how I made it happen and tips to help you save as you plan your own excursion to this stunning paradise. Laying the ground work With British Airways - I would need both status and points. Status - I won't go into this in any detail - as that ship has now sailed - and the method of acquiring status has changed significantly. However just to say that it involved a series of cheap business flights in a not so direct manner from Budapest, sleeping on the floor in JFK overnight for a few hours, and teamed with a couple of nights in Hawaii and the reversed. That along with a few other specifically chosen flights netted me GOLD status with BA. Points - I collect these through signing up with credit cards that reward with AVIOS bonus offers when spend targets are met. I have a rule of never carrying a balance and thus never paying any interest. With Hilton - I would again need status and points. Status - I contacted Hilton and asked for a status match with my BA status - this was granted with a reasonable target of 14 stays in 3 months. Thankfully as I was already retired - I had the time to combine this with a long distance cycle. The cycle route was purposely designed around staying at Hilton hotels to hit the total. That netted me DIAMOND status with Hilton, and pretty strong legs as I cycled UK to Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and back. Points - I tend to buy these through the Hilton site. A point, when on promotion will cost $0.5 cent, or roughly 0.3p, and you can buy up to 480,000 points in a calendar year. The Plan Flights With British Airways - there is one daily flight leaving from London Heathrow that arrives early in the morning Maldivian time. The cost of an economy return flight is just 60,000 AVIOS + £150, but seats are limited in number to 8 per flight. When the flights were released 01:00 UK time, I was awake and jumped on them straight away. I then used my GOLD status to select our preferred seats - two together, beside the window, at the back where the plane narrows. We also had access to the first class lounge in Heathrow and with an AVIOS booking there was no charge for our bags. Accomodation 5 nights at a Hilton A single night in an iconic over water villa at the Hilton Amingiri was approx $1300, so $6500 for 5 nights - if we were to have paid cash. However with Hilton Honor points the price per night was a much more palatable 110,000 Hilton Honors points. With my Diamond Status, I could take advantage of a points promotion of 5 nights for the price of 4 - so a total of 440,000 Hilton Honors points for 5 nights. I purchased the 440,000 points for $2200 or £1650, and booked. The additional benefit was that these reservations could be cancelled up to 2 weeks before travelling. With my status we got free breakfasts, and lovely evening cocktails, wine or beers together with some simple snacks. We paid for other food and drinks - which were on the expensive side - but every meal was memorable. There was also a mandatory charge for the speed boat transfers of $360 each. 1 night in Male We opted for an overnight in Male so that we could stay most of the day at the Amingiri resort, and it worked well with a late checkout. We stayed at the Premier Beehive - to be honest it wasn't more than a bed for the night - but included in the price was collection and return from the airport and breakfast. The Execution The BA flight landed in Male on time and we were seated comfortably on one of the dedicated Hilton boats out to the resort in no time at all, and settled late morning. A great 5 night stay. We left the resort late in the day, and stayed overnight in Male, taking the mid-morning flight home. Not yet accounted for... We spent approx £1300 between us on activities , memorable meals and excellent cocktails whilst at the resort. I received back approx £200 of Hilton points. Additional notes There was no need for specific travel insurance as I get that with my AMEX card. The overnight in Male allowed for a visit to the capital. With my GOLD BA status we could have taken 2 large suitcases each - but honestly you don't need a lot of clothes in the Maldives. The Maldivian climate is tropical, so lightweight clothing, swimwear, and protective beach gear were at the top of my packing list. Conclusion: The Art of Budget Travel In conclusion, planning a holiday in the Maldives on a budget is entirely feasible with a strategic approach. By leveraging British Airways status, AVIOS, Hilton Diamond Status, and Honors points paired with savvy travel tips and opportunities for cashback, I created an unforgettable experience without overspending. For those keen to explore this tropical paradise economically, the key lies in smart planning and utilizing the benefits of loyalty programs. With some research and the willingness to seek out deals, your dream holiday to the Maldives could be just within your reach! Colorful coral reef teeming with diverse marine life

When planning a holiday, sorting out cost effective transportation can be challenging. I always aim to find great deals, especially for car hire. My technique is to book my rental car well in advance and recheck prices periodically. Last night I applied the technique and saved a further £100+ off what I had accepted as already a good deal. Here’s the actual detail from my real world example. TL;DR I've a car booked with stressfreecarrental.com for 7 days in September, to be collected from and returned to Brindisi airport. I booked in February after shopping around for a few hours and got the car that I wanted - knowing that if I wanted to, I could easily cancel. The cost was £11.48 deposit online, with a further 199.74 Euros to pay on collection. Last night, as part of my regular checks of the 3 car rentals I've currently got booked, I checked current pricing for an equivalent booking - via skyscanner.com and found a similar car with a different supplier GotRentalCars.com - but for just £83. I booked it and cancelled the original booking. That's a £100+ saving for just 10mins work. I won't get cheaper than £13/day - so will take this particular booking off my regular checks. The Early Bird Gets the Worm Booking my vehicle several months before my travel date was the first step to getting a great deal. Car hire prices can fluctuate dramatically. It’s not uncommon for rates to increase as the departure date approaches, particularly during peak travel seasons. However they can also fall. I researched online and found a reputable car hire service that offered free cancellations and flexible bookings. Having the ability to cancel my booking without any penalty gave me peace of mind. I felt secure in my choice while also keeping the door open to better offers. Car parked on a scenic open road Keeping an Eye on Price Fluctuations I've made it a habit to check car hire prices, along with hotels, experiences and car parking every few weeks. Once you've benefited from this approach the habit naturally beds in. Thanks to the cancellable option, I canceled my original reservation and easily secured the new deal. The Best Part: Low-Risk, High-Reward This strategy combines low risk with high reward. By booking early, my transportation was already set. I could keep looking for better prices without the fear of getting stranded. Found this on the internet - A 2023 study found nearly 40% of frequent travelers use this same tactic, highlighting its effectiveness. Passengers often discuss finding value during their trips, and this approach exemplifies that. The option to cancel and rebook was key in getting the most for my money. I've learned that smart planning can lead to substantial savings, and more that it can be applied to hotel, car parking and experience bookings. The Emotional Satisfaction of a Great Deal Saving money on car hire is not just about the pounds saved; it’s about the satisfaction of making smart decisions. Each time I manage to secure a lower rate, I feel a sense of achievement - a travel superhero, overcoming the challenges of pricing to secure a great deal. It's not just a savings game; it’s about the pride that comes from being strategic and informed. Scenic road leading into the horizon What Makes a Great Cancellable Option? If this approach appeals to you, look for these key features in a cancellable car hire: Flexibility Choose a service that allows free cancellations and modifications. This way, you can adjust your booking if better deals arise. Check Pricing Regularly I do this manually as part of my other regular checks. I'd looked at services that do this for you - but didn't like the way that they would take-over your booking. Transparent Pricing Always check for hidden fees, different terms. Clear pricing helps you confidently make the decision to cancel and rebook. In Conclusion Getting a good deal doesn't have to be stressful. By booking my car hire early and keeping track of prices, its a simple process. If you are preparing for your next holiday, consider using this method for your car hire. It's effective and allows you to appreciate the value of your expenditure. Enjoy your travels!

Blue Lagoon Worth a visit - especially if transiting and only have a short time in Iceland. The water is a beautiful colour. Not sure of the quality of the mud at the bottom, given how many people have been in there. Having been a few times - I think there are better options if staying for a while. Reykjavik City Centre Worth a visit - lovely compact city centre to walk around, with plenty of options to eat and drink. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Park at the Reykjadalur Café, have a coffee and/or something to eat and then take the well trodden trail path 4km to the bathing area. Pretty cool experience. Bring a towel. Kerid Old volcano crater, with lake at bottom - nice for a quick stop and a walk around the rim, and then walk down to the water’s edge. Secret lagoon The not so secret lagoon is a nice place to visit, especially in the evening. A little cheaper than the Blue Lagoon and not as commercial. The water is a variety of different temperatures, allowing you to easily find somewhere that suits you best, There is a café. Sky Lagoon Newish, and now my favourite place for bathing in Iceland. Conveniently located close to Reykjavik - the 7 step spa ritual is both interesting and so enjoyable. Take your time, don’t rush, and what ever you do, don’t skip the cold plunge pool! Fishing trip in Iceland This was my favourite trip over all the times that we visited Iceland. Whilst it was summer time when we did it, it was still very cold. We used fishing rods to fish for Cod, and as a boat we were quite successful. Cod fillets were put into the BBQ, served with potatoes and butter on the way back into the harbour. Geysir Standard visit when in Iceland and not to be missed. I never tire of visiting this place. Gullfoss Again another standard visit when in Iceland. When in full flow this waterfall is so powerful, and is a magnificent sight and sound not to be missed. During winter when the flow is slow it is almost silent. Northern lights We’ve not been very successful with seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. In my opinion there are better places - such as Tromso, Norway to see the lights more successfully. Hot tub Getting a cabin with a hot tub isn’t to be missed. We’ve found winter time in Iceland with a good covering of snow, and even better a snow storm, to be the best time to be in the hot tub. Definitely all worth a visit - if you get a chance to visit this magical country. Happy travels!

TL;DR A short post on why you should park at the station in Bruges Details Details.... To park in Bruges using Interparking, the main options are the Interparking Brugge Station car park and the Centrum-Station car park . The station car park, which we opted to use, is the largest and located a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with an option for a free shuttle into town. The Centrum-Station car park is an 8-minute walk to the centre. Both allow for reservations - but to be honest the car parks are that large that it really isn't needed. Interparking Bruge Station: Location:  Located at the train station, a 10-minute walk from the city center. Size:  Large car park with 1,690 spaces. Cost:  The car park costs €7 per 24hrs and includes shuttle bus tickets for 2 into the city center. Shuttle:  A free shuttle bus operates between the station and the city center from 7:30 AM to 7 PM. Entry:  Located on the right after a large roundabout.  It’s all pretty standard, you get a ticket on entry, and on exit you pay what you owe. The machine has an option for English. The transfer bus leaves from the bus station and the free tickets are picked up there when showing your parking ticket. Bus lines 1 and 2 take you to the centre of Bruges. Bus line 1 (towards "Sint-Kruis") - get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, O.L.V. Kerk or Dijver Bus line 2 (towards "P+R Coiseau") - get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, O.L.V. Kerk, Dijver, Stadsschouwburg or Jan Van Eyckplein. Remember where you got off the transfer bus - so you know where to get back on, when returning.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - in exactly 1 year’s time. We are going to Iceland to see it. And in retirement we have the time to make a holiday out of it. For Reykjavík, the eclipse will run as follows - it really is fantastic that the timings can be so accurate and precise. 16:47:11 - Start of Partial Eclipse 17:48:16 - Start of Total Eclipse 17:48:47 - Maximum Eclipse 17:49:17 - End of Total Eclipse 18:47:40 - End of partial Eclipse So nearly 2 hours of an experience with the Total Eclipse lasting just 1 minute. We’ve visited Iceland maybe 5 or 6 times over the years - so we are quite familiar with the airport, car hire and accommodation - including the very changeable weather. Whilst flight availability and prices haven’t been released yet, I can see that accommodation is already expensive. And expensive for an already expensive place like Iceland translates to VERY expensive. I’m going to have to work some magic to get affordable flights and accommodation. To make it even more challenging our two adult kids are coming with us - so flights and accommodation for 4 are required. Read the related posts in this Eclipse category to understand how I apply my tried and tested approaches to getting good value for this and other unique travel plans. Happy travels!

The travel industry is changing rapidly, with more people looking for ways to explore the world sustainably. Havila Voyages' approach to this is its innovative Eco-Voyager Program. It's a little bit hidden away on their website - so this post focuses on the details of the program, and the positive effects it has on sustainable travel. TL;DR This post focuses on the details of the Havila Voyages Eco-Voyager Program, and the positive effects it has on sustainable travel. What is the Eco-Voyager Program? Havila Voyages' Eco-Voyager Program is a strong commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its Coastal Cruises. This initiative promotes sustainable tourism whilst allowing travellers to visit some of the most beautiful and untouched areas of the Norwegian coast. By adopting eco-friendly practices, Havila Voyages already ensures that its operations help the environment and support local communities. What can Guests do? For those who want to do more, Havila have made a helpful checklist to give guests the opportunity to partake in their Eco-Voyager Program. By adopting these practices whilst on board guests can make a big difference. Here's the checklist currently on the website; https://www.havilavoyages.com/sustainability/eco-voyager Room service every other day Less water and energy used to clean rooms and sheets Use lights when needed, unplug chargers. Reduces electricity consumption If you like, you can recycle your waste at the ship’s environmental stations. Avoids putting recyclable waste into general waste Reduce food waste – order as needed Separate blog post on this; https://www.retiredcormac.co.uk/post/havila-voyages-reducing-onboard-food-waste Engage in local culture, and sign up for the ship’s educational program Learn more about both historical and current sustainability measures that are practiced by the local communities Reuse towels, as much as you like Less water and energy used to clean towels Be mindful of water use during showers and brushing teeth Reduces the amount of water used on ship Use the screens for information instead of paper. Reduces the amount of paper used, and the materials and energy used in paper production Feel free to drink the water in your cabin, or from the dispensers on board. It is safe. Reduction in single use plastics Eco-excursions Gain valuable knowledge about sustainability efforts of others. The Positive Impact of the Eco-Voyager Sustainability Program It's a nice initiative that doesn't get in the way of enjoying the journey with Havila - in fact, it enhances it. In the words of Blur - "It gives an enormous sense of wellbeing (parklife) and then I'm happy for the rest of the day" Personally, I feel proud that on our last trip we pushed ourselves to get involved in this Program, adopting as many of the ideas from the tick sheet as we could. It's great to be one cog in the big machine that actually does make a real difference. Happy travels!