Top Ten Packing Tips for Mature Travellers

Silver Travel Advisor photo - travel by elephant

Travel by elephant in South Africa. Photo from Silver Travel Advisor.

Here’s the definitive summer holiday packing list for mature holidaymakers.

Thanks to over fifties travel review website, Silver Travel Advisor, for this list. It hits all the right points.

.• Flight compression socks –great for wrapping around bottles of duty free in the luggage

• Haemorrhoid cream – to conceal late night bags from under the eyes

• A passport – in case you’re ID-checked in the local clubs

• A compass – to find your way home again

• A local phrase book – wedge a few pages under wobbly bar tables to avoid spilt drinks

• Wet wipes – great for cleaning red wine stains off the hotel bedroom carpet

• Slippers – if you look eccentric, you can make all kinds of unreasonable demands

Reading glasses – To replace the ones you lost on your head

• Walking stick – ideal for jumping airport queues or attracting the bar staff’s attention

• Sunglasses –even the over-fifties need to sleep sometimes

Silver Travel Advisor’s MD, Debbie Marshall, said, “Today’s mature traveller is far more likely to pack a Rough Guide and a pack of malaria pills than the stereotypical comfortable shoes and cardigans that they were once associated with.”

She added,  ”We came up with our mature travellers’ packing list to make the point that older travellers are travelling further than any generation before them…

” They are active, they want to have fun and it’s clear from the numerous holiday and travel reviews posted at www.silvertraveladvisor.com that we are now seeing a new generation of `golden gap year’ travellers who are making the most of their time to explore the world.”

 

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Balloon Fiesta to Brighten Bristol Skies

Bristol icons - the Brunel Bridge and the annual Balloon Fiesta. Photo Gary Newman.

Bristol icons - the Brunel Bridge and the annual Balloon Fiesta. Photo Gary Newman.

Visit Bristol this week for some awe-inspiring aerial sights.

Balloons will soar en-masse into the sky every night and morning during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place from 11th – 14th August.

The Balloon Fiesta gets under way properly at 12 noon on Thursday.

The curtain raiser began today in Bristol’s historical College Green.

Flanked by the Cathedral and Council House, a group of hot air balloons took off from the heart of the city centre.

They left a cluster of vintage balloons - lent by the British Balloon Museum – tethered on Bristol Green for all to admire until the end of the Fiesta.

These illustrate how ballooning has evolved over the decades.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Photo called 'Into the Blue' by Gary Newman.

Into the Blue. Photographed by Gary Newman.

It was in 1971, that the Fiesta’s founder, Don Cameron, set up Cameron Balloons in Bristol. They are now the world’s largest balloon manufacturer.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Cameron Balloons will construct a passenger-carrying balloon on site – over four days of the Fiesta – so that visitors have a chance to see a hot air balloon being made.

Make sure you’re close enough to see the famous Night Glows, when balloons tether in the main arena and light up – in sequence to music – like giant light bulbs.

Spectacular firework displays will follow each of the Night Glows on Thursday and Saturday.

On Thursday night, the Bristol Marriott City Centre ‘Night Glow‘ will have a movies theme and on Saturday night: the Goodridge Night Glow will celebrate four decades of balloon manufacturing.

Sunday will see heads turn to the sky again as the hugely popular Red Arrows give exciting aerial displays, in association with Spire Bristol Hospital.

During the Fiesta, there will be arena and air displays, over 250 trade stands, local and international food stalls, a funfair and variety of other entertainment to make sure everyone has fun.

Collett Transport Services sponsor the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Transport

Two dedicated bus services will operate during the Fiesta weekend. These will link up central Bristol, Clifton and Bristol Temple Meads with the Fiesta site.

Timetables

Click here for a Balloon Fiesta timetable.

International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol

International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol

Balloon Flights

Visitors can enjoy balloon flights during the event. Local balloon company, Bailey Balloons, is offering flight discounts for £160 per person (normal price, £180).

Email: office@baileyballoons.co.uk for details and other offers.

Accommodation

To book a hotel, click here.

Visitor Information

Ring 0906 711 2191 (calls charged at 50 pence pm) or email ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk

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