So Simon, it’s great to have you. I guess we’d love to know if 2014 is the year of cheaper holiday locations! If so, could you tell us a little more about these places?

Certainly. What we are looking at is where the Pound has got stronger against all these different currencies around the world. So there are two real categories to look at. These are winter sun and skiing. So at this time of year, people are thinking, where am I going to go for my skiing holiday? So you’ve got places as far flown as Japan, and because the Japanese Yen has got a bit weaker against the Pound, you’re around about 18% better off than you would have been last year. So literally for every £100, you get an extra £18 to spend so that’s great to think that you can just go out and have a meal for free that you might not have had the year before. A bit closer to home you’ve got Norway as well, about 11% higher than last year. If you’re heading over to the west, you’ve got the Canadian Dollar which is 9% better than it was last year. The great thing about some of these places is that you’re not just going skiing, you’ll also be bringing back some nice bits and pieces and souvenirs as well. If you’re like me and you’re after some sun then there are all sorts of places offering some great value. So Argentina is up 28%, which of course means a lot more Pesos for your Pound. South Africa. a lot of people go there at this time of year because you’ve got great safaris and the Rand is about 21% better so that’s had a real impact.

Want to make the most of these great value currencies? Check out live exchange rates.

Picking up on what you said about bringing back some nice bits and pieces abroad, a lot of these countries are home to markets and such which can be quite daunting. When buying souvenirs and keepsakes, how do you recommend tourists pay?

I guess if you’re going in to shops where you can use electronic payment, then it is always best to pay by some form of card. This is purely to prevent you from carrying a large amount of cash through the streets. In places such as Russia, you don’t really want to have a large amount of cash in your wallet, as of course when it’s gone, it’s gone. So things like debit cards, prepaid currency cards etc. are great because you know how much you are spending to help you budget. Now if you do need cash, there’s no problem in using cash, but try and restrict the amount of cash you take out and about. Certainly if you are in the bazaars and all that sort of stuff then be mindful not to let everybody know that you are carrying a load of cash in your pocket.

How do you think people can avoid getting ripped off when they go to the bazaars?

I think the key is to treat it like a game. They know that you are coming to spend money. You know, market stalls are there to sell you a product and you are there to go and buy it. So you’ve already established that, by going there, you’ve got two roles to play. As long as you’re not afraid to actually go in and just have fun with it. It’s not like in this country where there is a set price, and that is the price you pay. Just have fun with it and they’ll appreciate it as well because that’s part of their way of life. So go with it, be bold and haggle. The worst thing that could happen is that you’ll end up paying what you thought you’d be paying in the first place. The best thing that could happen is that you walk away and tell everyone that you’ve just saved yourself £50.

When you go abroad, there are many currency exchange stands that offer 0% commission etc. How true are these and should holidaymakers exchange their money here?

0% commission is right up there with ‘up to’ on Broadband speeds you know, it’s a bit of a con because commission is one thing, and exchange rates are another. They are two very distinct things. In the old days when you were converting cash or even traveller’s cheques, you would pay commission on top of the exchange rate, because it was a way for banks, building societies and the Post Office to make even more money. Then some marketing guy said, you know what, let’s get rid of the commission and everyone went, wahey, we’re getting a better deal. But of course if the exchange rate that they are using isn’t near to what the exchange rate should be, then you will probably end up paying more than you would if you were actually paying commission. This is because with commission, they’ll advertise 2% so that you know if you’re exchanging £100, you’re paying £2. But if they use an exchange rate to widen what we call the ‘spread’, you could be 4-12% out and you wouldn’t know, but you’d think oh I’m getting 0% commission so I’m getting a good deal.

So you’d say it’s best not to buy in to these claims?

It’s about being aware. No one expects everybody to be an expert in the city or an expert in exchange rates but in this day and age when we’ve all got our mobile phones and tablets, there are free apps that allow you to see what the ‘base exchange rate’ is. This is the rate that the banks trade at with each other. So the nearer to that you’re getting, the better the deal is. It’s easy to work out what the exchange rates are because you just divide one by the other and it will give you a percentage.

Where do you think the best place to exchange currency is when you go abroad?

It’s a question of being prepared and doing it as early as possible. So either ordering it and going for cash as there are plenty of places to order it online and you can have it delivered securely to your home the next day, which is great. Prepaid cards again, have revolutionised the industry so that you’re still getting the best exchange rates, but you also have that familiar chip and PIN security. It also means that wherever you go, for example on a round the world trip, you can just take one card as opposed to lots of different currencies. Failing that, you can still use your bankcard if you must, but be aware that convenience comes at a cost.

Is there anywhere in the world, where you would recommend holidaymakers using a credit or debit card when making payments?

Well yes you can, and ultimately it is just a convenient method of doing it. Obviously with credit cards you get some sort of purchase protection. If you are going to somewhere like America and you want to buy an iPad or something like that, then there is an element to say that well actually, you might pay more but you can benefit from that protection of using your credit card. Personally, I think that in this day and age, with the goods you’re going to be buying, it’s not really that much of an issue. You really want to look at what the best value cost is and that’s always going to be pre-ordered cash or a prepaid currency card.

Is there a worst place to buy or exchange your currency?

At the Airport. Quite simply. It doesn’t matter whether you’re taking off or landing, they know they’ve got a captive market. So of course the exchange rates there can be up to 18-20% at some regional airports. So of course that means for every £100 you exchange, it’s going to cost you another £20. It’s only when you actually put it in monetary values, people can’t believe they’re pretty much giving away money for nothing. Like I said, with cash online you’re looking at maybe 1-2% so there’s really that much difference. Of course, be aware that it will also happen when you land.

Now, abroad, when paying with credit card, we often have the choice to pay in Pound Sterling or the local currency. What is the best way to pay when using a credit card?

Never take the local currency. It’s something that they call ‘dynamic currency conversion‘. It was brought to market by a hotel chain about 20 years ago. Of course it’s great because you think brilliant, this is really convenient, I’m paying in the local currency. What generally tends to happen is two things. First of all they convert your currency to their currency and they’ll put in again, what we call the ‘spread‘. So they’ll probably put about 5-7% on there. Because you’re paying with your credit card in a different currency, it’s going to be happening at the other end as well. So you’ve just got to be really careful that you understand what the cost is that’s advertised and what you’re paying. So it’s always best to say, no, I’m happy to pay in your currency and then you know what your exchange rate is either on your credit card or prepaid currency card.

To find out more, check out: ‘What is dynamic currency conversion?’

A lot of people are travelling to Brazil this year for the World Cup. Is there any advice you would offer in terms of how to keep your money safe or what the best payment method is whilst you’re out there?

It’s a combination again. Brazil is a country where, unfortunately, credit card fraud is very high. So I would be very wary about using your bank attached credit card because once it is exposed, your bank account could be cleared out very quickly. That said, cash again is not always the most secure option on the streets of Brazil. They know that there are going to be millions of people there ripe for the picking. So ideally, you want a combination of a small amount of cash and a prepaid currency card. Again, they’re great because if your card gets nicked, well then you just block it and get your funds back and you don’t have to worry about someone having your details that are attached to your bank account back home. Brazil has just entered, what’s called the PIN waiver scheme. Up until last year, you had no protection if your credit card was used over there. It’s now part of the global scheme so, as long as you have a chip and PIN card, you will have protection and that’s the same for prepaid cards as well.

And lastly, we’d love to know how you exchange your travel money when you go abroad?

I’m a big fan of doing a general mix. So I’ll usually order some cash, but not too much otherwise I’ll spend it all. So I’ll also get a prepaid currency card as well so that if I’ve got some money left over, I’ll just save it for my next trip.

Thank you so much for your time Simon, it’s been absolutely great having you today. Hopefully this has given you an insight to the best places to travel to this year in terms of value for currency.

Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to follow and tweet us @mytravelmoneyUK or e-mail me directly at sofia@mytravelmoney.co.uk

Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post Interview with Simon England, FairFX: Where to travel in 2014 to take your Pound further appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

We are delighted to welcome CEO & Co-Founder of Trevolta; a global crowd-funded travels website. Trevolta enables travellers to submit their extraordinary ideas for expeditions in order to raise funds for it. We were so excited about this fantastic idea for budding travellers and look forward to speaking with Mark to find out more.

Firstly, what a fabulous and innovative idea! How did you come up with it?

=) thanks. I was following a couple of travellers for a long time, who at some point in time started securing sponsorships for their travels in return for brand awareness and marketing opportunities. They would stick the sponsors logos on their cars and feature them on videos, etc. Those travellers have a great following base, so it’s a win-win relationship. At the same time a lot of travellers are looking for sponsorships but can’t get any because they have no blogs or following base, so sponsors can’t really benefit from sponsoring them. That’s how we came up with an idea to connect travellers with sponsors. We wrapped it up in crowd-funding model and kicked-off with a great viral campaign,

Can you briefly explain how crowd-funding travel on Trevolta works?

Anyone can create a trip on our website seeking for funds. After the trip is created it goes for review to our team, where we will either approve the trip to become public, or ask for more information. The traveller need to plan his trip properly, present it properly and explain his goals, reason for the trip, where the value for others are, etc. Only unique and exciting trips have a fair chance to raise funds.

What sets you apart from competitors such as the likes of Kickstarter and indiegogo?

First of all we’re taking a specific niche: travels. But most importantly, we the bring sponsors element to crowd-funding. Sponsorships is such a massive playground, we believe that connecting great travellers with great brands can create an immense powerful results for both sides, and we’re working hard to make our sponsorship element more advanced and unique. We have been approached by some amazing brands that want to get involved, and we’re working with them closely at the moment to run some amazing campaigns with our travellers. 2014 is going to be a very exciting year for Trevolta.

What is the most adventurous project you have seen on your website?

Since we launched fully featured website only a week ago, a lot of trips are still in the making. But the most exciting so far is the “New York to Patagonia… by Ambulance” trip and “Argentina to Alaska in a Fiat 600″. They are both featured on our main page – they have attracted some sponsors, currently on the road, writing about their experience on blogs and Facebook. The guys from Argentina have been featured in numerous newspapers, blogs, TV shows, etc. Great opportunity for sponsors to benefit from this kind of attention.

How do sponsors benefit from supporting projects and trips?

When it comes to travels, the possibilities are endless. Starting from simple things such as brand association with the trip on our website, and featuring on social media, the brands’ logo can appear on the traveller’s transport (for example, Fiat 600), or on merchandise they provide to travellers etc. The great thing about sponsorships is that it’s not always about the money. Some companies can give travellers what they produce in return for reviews, tests, etc. For example, airlines can give tickets, hotels can provide accommodation. Cars, equipment, cameras, clothing – you name it, any company can sponsor a trip and suggest their terms and requirements. We are in the making of some interesting campaigns with some exciting brands, where travellers will be able to apply specifically to them in order to get their trip sponsored. With time and a little bit of patience, it will become available.

Are there any particular projects that are supported more than others? For example for research purposes?

One word: unique. No one is generally interested in supporting someone’s vacation or a honeymoon, but everyone wants to see what happens to the traveller who goes an extra mile and does something no one else does. Who produces great content (photos, videos, blog posts), who is charismatic and who’s willing to share his experience and provide value to the community and sponsors.

What advice would you give to groups wanting to have their projects sponsored and supported on Trevolta?

Put some effort in it. Plan it properly, record a great video explaining our trip (and if you can’t do it yourself, get someone to help you). A crucial aspect are the rewards you set up, come up with something that people would treasure and enjoy, this would help your trip to get backed much sooner. Quality is very important, especially if you’re looking for sponsorships. If you can’t take photos or shoot quality videos and edit it, it’s time to learn how to do it or get a photographer to join your team. The time and effort you put in your trip tells a lot about your dedication and determination. No sponsor would give money or products to someone who’s not proved himself to be the best man for a job.

Anything else you’d like to say about Trevolta?

I just want to say thanks for everyone who supports us and believes in what we’re doing. If we could, we would erase all the borders and make travels more accessible and affordable to everyone. But this is only the first step, and we believe there is still a lot of innovations that are coming to the travel industry and crowd-funding itself.

We would like to thank Mark for sharing his time with us and wish him the best of luck with Trevolta!

The post Interview with Mark Karimov, Co-Founder & CEO of Trevolta appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Hey Stefan. Thanks for joining us. So.. How did you first get into the web?
Back in 1989 – even before the web – I first attempted to sell internet services in the form of electronic mail boxes where you would dial up and exchange messages, but I ended up being just one of a small group of business people who were using them for a bit because Tim Berners-Lee came along and changed everything.

What inspired you to start blogging?
Back in 2006 when blogging started taking off big time, I thought it would be fun to share my business experience. Having built Nacamar Group PLC into one of the biggest ISPs in Europe and selling it during the dotcom boom, I was working from 2000 onwards to create an on-demand infrastructure for business via my other company WinWeb and the blog was a good way to get feedback on what we were doing.

Since starting SME-Blog what has been the most noticeable change that you’ve witnessed in enterprise?
Probably the shift towards software-as-a-service. When I first came on the scene with our own Cloud offering in 2005 we were probably too early and it was frustrating waiting for the rest of the software industry to catch up! Now when I talk about Cloud on the blog or about the work I do at WinWeb, people seem to already have a general grasp of what the Cloud is.

What do you think could be done to help more small businesses succeed?
I think the work that is being done by people like Tony Robinson OBE of the “Enterprise Rockers” is essential. He is bringing together micro businesses to collaborate and help each other out, because they certainly aren’t getting any help from the government or the economy. Hopefully these mutually beneficial relationships are going to become more commonplace.

What are the common themes that you see in successful small businesses?
Success only comes with a lot of hard work and business focus. It might seem trite, but there is no shortcut to being successful in business other than putting the hours in and grafting hard, probably a lot harder than you ever would even consider doing if you were working for someone else.

Many spend too much time on non-essential business admin and other distractions. Successful entrepreneurs are always focused on sales and customer service.

What are some of the most common mistakes that are made?
I’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs burn out by attempting to do absolutely everything themselves and performing about 10+ job roles at once. I admire them for trying, but it just doesn’t work long-term and the Internet has made outsourcing so affordable that there is really no need either. Focusing on your business goals and avoiding distractions will benefit every business.

What technologies do you believe have had the biggest impact on businesses establishing in today’s environment?
Social media is probably the most important one right now, but increasingly it seems everything matters equally. There’s no point having social media pages if you don’t have your own website to showcase your business, there’s no point having a website if you don’t have an online shop that people can purchase from, and so on.

Cloud technology is definitely the most transformational business technology at the moment. Making sure it is an integrated platform will afford every business a big competitive advantage. Combine this with business process virtualisation and you have more time to focus on your business goals.

When you find time to stop working, what type of holidays do you enjoy to relax?
I am a keen photographer so I like to visit places that will provide me with a lot of lovely things to photograph. My favourite is probably Tasmania – the scenery is so spectacular that I have to visit at least once per year!

What is your favourite destination?
Well my all-time favourite is Tasmania, but I really enjoyed a recent trip to Washington this year. I got to see some wonderful scenery in places like the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and of course the United States Capitol building is always an impressive sight.

What type of holidays do you prefer to take?
Actually most of my “holidays” are in fact working holidays and involve travelling to our international offices in the US and Australia but when I do get some time to myself I enjoy sightseeing and the usual tourist-y activities.

What are the most important factors that you consider when choosing your airline?
Comfort, reliability and customer service are most important to me. If I’m going to be spending most of the day on a plane travelling across the globe I don’t want the absence of any of those elements to put me in a bad mood!

What’s been your worst holiday experience to-date?
I’ve actually been fairly lucky when it comes to travel, but recently I did get stuck on the runway at Heathrow for the entire morning when another plane made an emergency landing. It wasn’t a total loss, I was able to blog about it live from the runway. 

We would like to thank Stefan for sharing his time and expert knowledge with us.

Stefan can be found on Google+

The post Interview with Stefan Töpfer, Editor Of SME-Blog.com appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Good morning Philip, thank you for joining us today. Can you explain a little bit about yourself and your role at Cox & Kings?
I am the Marketing Director at Cox & Kings, so I oversee everything from brochure and website production to public relations, online promotions, advertising, promotion through travel agents and partnerships with third parties. I joined Cox & Kings almost 20 years ago as a Latin America specialist, moved across into marketing three years later and have been the Marketing Director for the last 10 years.

What section of the travel market are Cox & Kings targeting?
Cox & Kings specialises in upmarket tours, focussing on the cultural and natural wonders of destinations around the world. We organise both small-group tours and tailor-made private travel.

Why do you think you’ve built such a great level of trust & loyalty amongst your client base?
Most of our clients are travelling to countries with very different cultures, traditions and infrastructure to those we find at home. Cox & Kings provides expert planning combined with the knowledge and services of the finest guides and local representatives in each destination. These ingredients allow people to get maximum fulfilment from their travels with the minimum stress and it is that combination, reliably reproduced, that has enabled us to build such a strong relationship with our clients.

For those looking at a late Summer getaway, where would you recommend?
How about escaping the heat and heading for the light….. I think Iceland would make a great summer escape with its long days and almost non-existent nights.

What’s your favourite travel destination and why?
My favourite destination is Namibia. As with many people, one of the main aims of travel for me is escapism and there is nowhere better to get away from bustling city life than Namibia with its wide open spaces, extraordinarily beautiful desert landscapes and stunning wildlife and plant life. The country is more than three times the size of Britain, but with a population of just over 2 million, so crowded it is not, even in the heart of its capital, Windhoek.

What’s the worse place you’ve ever visited and why?
I travelled through Africa many years ago and while I loved most of it, the Central African Republic would be high on my list of least favourite places, mainly because of the ceaseless petty corruption and threat of crime. When the people who are employed to enforce the law are actually the most lawless people themselves it is very difficult to relax and really enjoy the country!

What travel trends can we expect to see over the next couple of years?
People who are seeking authentic travel experiences are generally looking to venture ever further from the beaten track. This is why countries that have previously been overlooked by tourism will start to open up. A little bit of short-term investment in tourist infrastructure can help developing countries earn invaluable foreign currency in the longer term, so I would expect to see places like West Africa, remote parts of India and Indonesia emerging as popular destinations for Cox & Kings’ clients.

How are Cox & Kings innovating in the travel space, can you share any exciting plans?
Rather like the trend for pop-up restaurants in the UK, Cox & Kings in India has developed what is effectively a pop-up luxury hotel. With the aim of helping our clients explore remote and unusual places we have created a movable luxury camp in India that combines stylish and highly comfortable accommodation with superb food and service, and stunning locations. The camp will move around the country through the seasons to take in extraordinary scenery, wildlife and festivals in different places at different times of year.

Best part of working life at Cox & Kings?
The people. Almost everyone at Cox & Kings joined the company because they have a genuine passion for travel. By nature travel-lovers tend to be a very unstuffy and interesting crowd, so there is a great atmosphere of relaxed productivity around the office. I only joined the company as a two week temp originally and I am still here after almost 20 years so it clearly suits me!

How do you buy your travel money?
Being a travel company we usually have plenty of foreign currency in the office, so if possible I will change money at work for a fairer exchange rate. However, if I have been less organised I tend to get ripped off at the airport Bureau de Change like most other people.

We would like to thank Philip for sharing his time and expert knowledge with us.

Philip can be found on Google+

The post Interview with Philip Hamilton-Grierson, Cox & Kings appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

It feels great to be on board! I am a Graphic Design graduate with a passion for writing and travelling; blogging and tweeting are second nature to me and I am very excited to be doing this on a daily basis here.

What excites you about working for an online business?

A lot! Online businesses are a fantastic new way of communicating and interacting with customers, clients and other companies via social networks. It means we can establish great relationships and constantly keep people up to date with what’s going on at MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

How does it feel to be the latest addition to the MyTravelMoney family?

It feels great. There are so many exciting projects that I will be working on in the next few months to establish the company even further and I am thrilled to be part of that. The community and vibe here is great, so I am really looking forward to the next few months.

Favourite place you have ever travelled to and why?

Definitely New York! Everyone needs to go there at least once. The cosmopolitan feel and buzz on the streets is so refreshing, it feels like home from home. I’m travelling to Morocco later this year, and I can imagine that the impressive culture and art will be just as fascinating.

Worst place you have ever travelled to and why?

I can’t think of anywhere that has been a negative experience! I gain and learn something new from all the places I travel to. I travel for the adventure, so even if I don’t have a great time, the experience is what counts.

If you could take 3 things on a desert island, what would they be?

This question always gets me because I end up listing nothing or 20 things. If I really had to narrow it down to 3 things, I would have to take my coffee machine, my pushbike and my iPod.

Any secrets you want to share on what our visitors can expect to see on the blog over the coming months?

There are so many new and exciting things we are working on to make our blog an even better place for visitors. We’ll be supplying great money saving tips and interviewing travel bloggers so the MyTravelMoney blog will be a great read and place to access the latest travel related content.

What do you make of the new offices in Covent Garden?

I keep looking around and familiarising myself with the contemporary layout and quirky amenities. I have no doubts that I will feel very much at home here!. My name on my desk was a great welcome and start to my first day, thank you!!

What are your hobbies?

I love writing about new places I go to, exhibitions I visit as well as everyday subjects or current affairs that take my interest. Aside from that, I love spinning and illustrating! And I really love drinking coffee.

How do you buy your travel money?

I have always bought my travel money from the airport bureuas because I tend to leave these things last minute. Now that I know how much they rip you off and how much cheaper it is via MyTravelMoney.co.uk, I will definitely be getting my Moroccan Dirham from the site!

– Interview Ends –

We’re super excited to add Sofia to the team and can’t wait to delight all our visitors with fresh, fun and exciting content.

Daniel Abrahams on Google +

The post Behind The Scenes: Interview With Sofia Kluge appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

With this in mind, we felt it was a perfect opportunity to interview Rob Hawthorne, Marketing Manager of the event, to ask about the show and what those attending can expect.

Who should attend Destinations: The Holiday and Travel show?

The Destinations Show is the perfect place for passionate travellers to be inspired, pick up new holiday ideas from hundreds of leading travel brands and get expert advice on planning their 2013 adventures. There isn’t a specific type of person who attends the show but they all share a real desire to discover new destinations and immerse themselves in different cultures and experiences.

How many people are you expecting to attend at Earl’s Court over the 4 days?

We expect around 35,000 people over the four days.

What was the inspiration behind the travel show? As I understand, there are lots of travel events out there already?

The idea behind Destinations remains as true today as it did 19 years ago when the first show was held – that the best way to research holidays, meet travel experts and to book in confidence is face-to-face and that’s why the show has been so successful over the years. Other events have come and gone over the last couple of decades but Destinations remains the best place to find the biggest choice of leading, specialist tour operators and tourist boards.

How long have you been running the show?

I believe Clarion took control of the show around 2001.

What celebrities and interesting travel personalities are we likely to see at the show?

We’ve got some brilliant celebrity speakers this year – broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, adventurer Ben Fogle, wildlife expert Chris Packham, foreign correspondent’s John Sergeant and John McCarthy.

What type of talks and seminars can you expect to find at the show?

We’ve got two ‘Meet the Experts’ theatres at the show which run over 50 hours of talks hosted by travel experts over the four days of the show. The talks cover a huge spectrum of types of travel and countries so pretty much no matter where in the world you are heading there is something you’ll find informative. Our full timetables are on our website so anyone heading to the show can plan which talks they want to attend.

Tell us a little bit about the Travel Health Clinic at the show?

That’s a new feature this year and one I felt very passionately that we should have. As people travel further, and to more exotic destinations, it’s important they are armed with the right information on the vaccinations they need and up-to-date health advice. We’ve teamed up with Nomad who are offering appointments so visitors can get their vaccinations and anti-malarial’s at the show or just pop along for an more informal consultation. We opened up 50% of the appointment slots for pre-booking before the show opens and almost all are gone already which indicates the demand is there from consumers.

Favourite travel destination?

I loved Marrakech – the hustle and bustle, the incredible souks and amazing food make it really special. I’m going to Iceland for my honeymoon in three weeks, which I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, so I may have a new favourite very soon!

How do you normally buy holiday money?

I’m terrible and have been caught out so many times at the airport where the exchange rate is awful. My better half is much more organised so will take care of buying it in advance, usually from the Post Office.

– interview ends – 

Thanks Rob!

Inspired by the show and booked your trip? Compare travel money and get the best value currency deals today.

Daniel Abrahams on Google +

The post The Holiday And Travel Show Interview With Rob Hawthorne appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Describe MyHolidayMonkey in one sentence?

My holiday monkey is a ski & snowboarding holiday comparison website which compares accommodation options from a number of independent sources through a quick and effective search facility. Travellers can then sort through the search results by price or rating, helping them to determine if the holiday fits their needs.

Snow holiday comparison is a niche. Did you spot a gap in the market?

Yes, I believed that there was a gap in the market, there is so much choice out there at the moment with hundreds of independent companies to choose from, I wanted to make this choice easier for people heading to the slopes. My vision is for one website that people can use to assist with finding their ideal ski holiday whilst incorporating ski related deals to assist with their holiday i.e clothing, transfers etc.

What is your background which led you to setting up the site?

I have skied from a young age and after university worked as a chalet girl for Crystal Holidays in 1999, this enhanced my passion for the mountains. I subsequently arranged group holidays for friends every year and found my time spent trawling websites trying to get the best of everything for the whole group for the price. This was time consuming as there was not one website that compared a range of independent companies, this led to the idea for myholidaymonkey.com

What skiing destinations offer the best value for money?

I have always been a fan of the smaller Austrian resorts for value for money, friendliness and they are great for both families and Apres ski. I have been going back to Saalbach, Hinterglemm for years for those very reasons. Bulgaria is also great value for money at the moment.

Top tips for a skiing newbie?

Making sure that you have the right equipment which includes a helmet and warm clothing!

Favourite skiing resort?

This will have to be Morzine in France as you have access to both Avoriaz and Les Gets. Its a beautiful town with a warm friendly atmosphere and great skiing for all abilities.

Skiing resort you’d never go back to again?

I have not been to a resort I would never go back to yet as they all offer something slightly different whether it be great nightlife, value for money or a good snow record.

Tell our visitors a little about how to make the most of apres ski?

The key is to start as soon as you get off the mountain or on the mountain if your in St Anton in Austria. This is especially the case in the European resorts and stay in your ski boots! The locals and ski instructors will generally start early so they can get to bed early and be ready for the next day on the mountain.

What can we expect to see from MyHolidayMonkey in the next 12 months?

My holiday Monkey is looking to increase the number of independent operators listed on the website and continue its growth both within the UK and internationally.

Where do you buy your holiday money?

Always online as you cannot beat the exchange rates.

-interview ends-

Thank you Georgina. If you are thinking of a winter snow break, check out www.myholidaymonkey.com

For the best travel money deals, MyTravelMoney is the UK’s leading travel money comparison site.

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Our verdict: 5/5 Anika’s cooking and wine tasting courses will help you come away with delicious recipes, fabulous memories and the chance to meet charming new friends. 

What is Flavours of France in one sentence?

Flavours of France offers cooking and wine holidays in La Rochelle and Lyon.

Why did you set it up, what’s your background?

My background is in financial consultancy in The City. I left this industry as I wanted to pursue my dream of starting my own business. When I was contemplating business ideas I thought about what interests me and what I feel passionate about. I have both studied and worked in France and during my time there I developed a love for the food and wine. Flavours of France was born out of a desire to create an experience where people can discover the very best of France through its food. A slice of French life, if you like. Many people have visited France, it’s a popular destination among tourists but by learning to cook the regional dishes you learn so much more about the locals and their culture than simply eating in local restaurants.

 Why France and do you have plans to expand into other countries?

France was a natural choice as I love the food and exploring the country. I visited many regions before settling on Poitou Charentes and Rhone Alpes, and I am looking to set up new tours in the Champagne region. Every region has its own identity and local specialities. Perhaps one day I will expand, the only other country in which I would consider setting up food themed holidays is India. The food is delicious, each dish tells a story.

What differentiates Flavours of France from the competition?

Flavours of France is a niche, independent holiday provider and with all independents there will be many points of difference. Firstly, I work with hugely talented French chefs, Simon Huet and Laurent Kehr, who are from the region where the holidays take place so they have expert knowledge of the local specialities and the area. Simon works at Michelin starred restaurant, Tetedoie, and is a professional gourmet chef with experience in working all over the world. Laurent has worked in the finest hotels in the world also as a gourmet chef. They are both professional, passionate and inspiring teachers.

Another difference is our locations. La Rochelle is a pretty, seaside town famous for its fresh seafood. Lyon as the food capital of France is the ideal destination for a food themed break. In both locations guests stay in the heart of the place, so in La Rochelle this is the Old Town and in Lyon this is right on the central square, Place Bellecour. The idea is that people can explore the area during their free time.

When you started out the business, what problem were you trying to solve?

Not a problem as such but meeting a growing demand. Niche travel has become a big trend and the number of tourists choosing a “themed” holiday is rising. There are people who wish to learn a new skill on holiday and to delve further into the local culture, whether this is through wine tasting or learning the language. Flavours of France offers those travellers a unique, independent experience. Unlike cookery schools based in the countryside our holidays are in easy to reach locations where there is plenty to do and see when you are not cooking or enjoying a wine tour.

Favourite city in France and why?

Lyon, because of its beautiful architecture and gastronomy. The traditional rustic “bouchons” (eateries) are just as popular as the Michelin starred restaurants. There is something for everyone here. I love the Croix Rousse district and the view from the Fourvière hill.

Favourite recipe?

There are so many. If I had to choose it would be foie gras with port wine sauce and crusty French bread.

Where would you like the company to be in 12 months time?

I would like the company to be creating tours that are suitable for the incentive travel market and for corporate clients. Also as mentioned I would like to expand into different regions of France.

 Greatest achievement to date?

Since I set up Flavours of France I have been doing my own PR and have learnt some of the tricks of the trade. Flavours has been in the press a few times this year in The Independent, The Sun and The Sunday Times newspapers as well as Living France and France magazine.

 How do you buy your travel money?

I visit the MyTravelMoney.co.uk to compare different rates, usually I find ICE gives me the best euro exchange rates.

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Our Verdict: Train travel is clearly a far more relaxing, less expensive and eco-friendly method of travel. Trains On The Brain stands as a perfect site to investigate the thrill of travelling the world by train. 

I like travelling on trains because….? (fill in the blank!)

How long have you got? It’s just the civilised way to go and it harks back to a more leisurely era when the journey itself was part of the travel experience. Plus I hate airports and all the faffing that comes with flying these days, which just makes me want to repeatedly dash my head against the seatback in front…. Sorry, I think it’s time for my injection again…

How did the train travel obsession start?

Fairly recently actually, only about 4 years ago. I took the sleeper train from Paris to Venice and it was just such great fun compared to flying. Although there were little Derren Brown-like triggers planted years before as well. When I was a nipper our family holidays to Devon and Cornwall always started with a long train journey from Paddington. We couldn’t open our packed lunches until we got near Bath. Plus I met my wonderful wife-to-be on a train platform, so the ‘romance of the railways’ just kinda stuck after that…

Give our readers a flavour of a typical day on a train?

Oh well it can vary so much of course, but you mustn’t let your commuting woes taint the notion of travelling by train for fun. For a true taste of the experience I’d recommend a long distance ‘land cruise’ over a few nights, like the Trans Siberian or one I took across Canada last year with Via Rail. It’s a communal experience, you eat and chat with strangers, it allows your thoughts the space and time to wander properly and it gives you a real sense of how big the world is and how varied it can be, even within the borders of a single country.

How has social media changed the landscape of travel blogging?

I can only speak form my own experience of nearly 2 and a half years of (lazy and inconsistent) blogging, but it’s a mixed bag. On the one hand ‘micro-blogging’ arguably makes traditional blogging a little redundant, and of course the increased take up of Pinterest or whatever THE NEXT BIG THING is supposed to be inevitably means more noise and sadly more ‘travel porn.’ And don’t get me started on Facebook and everyone’s incessant demands to like, share and comment on this, that and the other!

You could argue that the playing field has been skewed in favour of those who are good at building a following, good at marketing and scoring the quick-win than at the craft of writing itself.

But equally we all have to use all the tools in the shed. What can you do, cling to your carrier pigeon and smoke signals and pine for the gold old days when it were all fields and forums round these parts?

Favourite train travel itinerary?

Ahh, waaaaay too many to mention! InterRail alone provides dozens of great routes. One I’m just itching to do though is to cross America by train, from New York to San Francisco, coast to coast in a month, with a biiiiiig Deep South de-tour, taking in lots of stops to re-fuel at juke joints and barbeque pits along the way. For the seriously hardcore, take a look at the Ultimate Train Challenge – a fab charity project on the world’s longest continuous train ride, from Lisbon to Saigon.

Your one piece of advice for a prospective train traveller?

Plan well ahead, book early and prepare to learn the tips n tricks to make the best of the frustratingly complex booking systems most train operators foist upon us! Oh yeah, and ya’know, read my blog. ☺ (Ok, that’s four, but hey…)

Tell us a funny train travel anecdote?

Last year when I crossed Canada by train we were about an hour out of Toronto, pretty much deep in the bush. Suddenly we start backing up for about ten minutes, then come to a stop. The guard comes through to the caboose, walking very purposefully carrying a paper bag. He opens the back door and steps out onto the tracks. We were all wondering what was going on, was there some sort of problem with the train? We hear some chat with the driver of the train backed up behind us and he comes back in laughing, saying ‘You didn’t see this, OK?’ He’d given the freight train driver a flask of coffee! Freight trains get priority on the lines, so apparently they need to keep them sweet, to keep delays to a minimum.

Which city would you never go back to in a million years?

I’m fairly forgiving about cities and would probably give most a second chance, but I can’t see myself rushing back to Fort William in the Highlands anytime soon. Thank God they’ve got some mighty mountains up in their neck of the woods!

Which other travel bloggers do you admire & inspire you?

Quite a few, but I’m gonna keep this on a TBE tip. Kash of Budget Traveller for his heartfelt honesty, humour and general savvy, Lola of GeoTraveller’s Niche for storytelling, telling it like it is and adapting her travel style to her personal situation.

And of course I couldn’t forget the ‘Posh n’ Becks’ of British-based travel blogging – Jayne of 40 before 30 for her consummate professionalism and rapid freelancing ascent and Justin of 48 Hour Adventures for a killer concept, well executed on top of a demanding career.

How do you buy your travel money?

Usually I go to a comparison site and print out the ICE voucher, which tends to be cheapest, for Euros anyway, but I also use ATMs a fair bit too. Occasionally I get it in advance over the counter at Thomas Cook or the Post Office, and other brands which engender my trust for some reason.

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