MALU's Travel Challenge (Why (not) travel?)

Member Name: ks.h

Product:	Why (not) travel?
Date:	04/12/03 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unwind

Disadvantages: Always too short

---malu's blurb---

"this is my christmas prezzie for you, my dears, I've posted it now so that you can complete it. I can give you only the first half, the second half must come from you. do it before Christmas day so that you can fill your coffers and have some dosh for your next holiday!another reason for posting it before Christmas is that I want to read some of your answers; I'll be away during the festive season on an excursion for travel guides, expenses covered by dooyoo.*

this challenge does not compete or interfere with the official guides' challenges.

* "only kidding"

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we all like these challenges don't we? not too difficult to write but seem to pick up quite a few reads and in the run up to Christmas the extra cash can't hurt!

merry Christmas and a happy new year - wherever you are!

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q: how many times a year do you travel?

a: We try to get away a couple of times a year, usually Spring and Autumn and when possible a weekend break in Summer. Him indoors works for a Spanish company and we also go to the Costa Blanca for the conference every September, we get a five-day break at the companies expense, and we also have the opportunity to go for two of three long weekends or mid-week breaks throughout the year. I also try to get away with my sister for a few days, after all Mick usually gets a few days away with one of our sons.

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q: for how long do you go away?

a: I've always been tied to school holidays, so because we don't go away during the Summer break we can't get away for longer than one week, ten days at the most - I actually love my home and garden so during the holidays I also want to spend time enjoying them.

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q: do you stay in your home country or do you go abroad?

a: Spring and Autumn we go abroad and if we get a weekend break in the Summer I
like to go to Scotland, the north of Northumberland or the Lake District - all within two hours drive.

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Q: Do you organise your holidays yourself or do you go to a travel agency?

A: Well this is a bit of a mixture, the working holidays we book our own flights and the company books us in to a hotel in Santa Pola, our weekend in Summer we normally book on the internet and our holiday in Spring and Autumn is normally booked through a travel agency.

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Q: Do you prepare your holidays in advance by reading guidebooks and studying maps?

A: Yes - we like to try and get a taste of the way of life of the locals and culture of the places we visit. I don't see the point in just lying by the pool or on the beach, I am very fair skinned with red hair so I've never been a sun worshipper because I just burn. If we go away for the weekend in Summer we have lots of good food and drink, it,s entirely for relaxing.

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Q: Do you travel alone/with family or friends/with an organised group?

A: I usually travel with the other half, and occasionally with my sister. When we go to the conference there are five of us and we get complimentary passes into the VIP lounge of the airport, it's great.

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Q: Do you prefer the sea / mountains / plains / cities as destinations?

A: I have no real preference, I'm more of a country person than beach or city, but I base my holiday location on the cultural activities first, scenery second.

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Q: Do you mainly relax or are you an active holidayer?

A: It depends what you mean by relax, I find it relaxing looking around old churches, museums, art galleries, and other places of interest. I don't lounge around the pool reading a book and soaking up the sun. My days of active sports holidays are a thing of the past.

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Q: If you go abroad do you learn at least some words of th
e foreign language?

A: I try to learn a few words of the local language - in Spain it's expected because the company my husband works for employs people from all over Northern Europe as well as Spain so we have to find a common language; this is normally 80% English and 20% Spanish. I know a few Italian phrases and I was taught French at school but that is pretty basic.

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Q: Are you interested in the cuisine of a foreign country?

A: I try to eat local cuisine but I'm a vegetarian so it's often quite difficult and I have to settle for salads.

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Q: Which means of transportation do you prefer?

A: Generally I fly because I have no option but given the choice I would sail - I love ships and have travelled to Denmark, Norway and Guernsey by sea. I keep promising myself a cruise but just never get around to it.

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Q: What kind of luggage do you take with you? Have you got problems packing? Do you tend to take too many / too few things with you?

A: I pack one case and a small bag for hand luggage. I always take too many things and come home with at least half of my clothes unworn. My hand luggage is taken up by my camcorder, 35mm camera and digital camera - I love photography and do use all three.

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Q: Do you send picture postcards to your family and friends?

A: I send a couple of postcards to friends and family who don't live near me but those I see regularly don't get a postcard because I'm usually home before it arrives. I send a text message to my children to let them know I've arrived safely, etc. Other than that the holiday is for me to unwind so I don't keep in close contact with home.

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Thanks for reading!

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