Who is Simon Calder?

Who is Simon Calder?

OK OK, so I've got a business that sell travel related items, I've worked in this industry for quite a number of years - I'm sure you are saying 'You should know who Simon Calder is'.

Well, I didn't - until the other day. His name was just popping up all over the place, I think he was on Radio 4 commentating on local travel (Which I think is extremely important - check out earlier blogs). I got home and promptly forgot about him. Then he popped up in his very easy going, engaging way - not sure what he was talking about this time, but the presenter mentioned him as the foremost commentator on travel in the UK.

So I googled him. Sounds painful when you put it like that. 350,000 results - result!

Turns out he is local to me. From Crawley, West Sussex - and now in London. May get him to open my store, if ever I get one!

Have a read of his website, its interesting. I particularly like the pictures - I wish I could say his writing too, as he is now an important journalist, but you need to buy publications to do this - which I don't mind doing, the Independent Travel Section is quite good. I have even advertised in it, relatively successfully. I'm sure if I went through the google search a little more I will be able to find some of his articles for a read.

Got some great travel tips and fave places on his biog page - best of which is 'Smile' couldn't agree more with him - a smile opens lots of doors and goes a million miles.

Smile, Travel and Love the Adventure.

Till next time...

Going travelling? Travel Security.

Travel Safe. Travel Security. Love the Adventure with Walk and Travel.

It's that time of the year when thousands of young people are heading off on their travels or getting close to heading off. If you know someone who is going travelling get them to think about travelling safely. There are many things that can ruin a trip, but a carefully planned trip has less chance of being ruined. Here are some of my tips for a safe and enjoyable trip where you can 'Love the Adventure' and stay safe.

Learn about the country you are going to.
This is now simple with the Internet. Get other peoples reviews and tips, find out about the culture. I think that the more you can learn about a country the more you will enjoy It. If you know about the people and their customs you will be able to interact with them better. Especially in the more exciting places off the beaten track.

Learn some of the language for the country you are going to.
This is an absolute essential. We all know that in most countries the people that you come across will talk a small amount of English, especially in the tourist areas. But, you learn some of their language, simple phrases such as, please; thank you; how are you?; yes; no; and some numbers and you will be breaking down barriers everywhere you go. More importantly you will be having fun!

Always let people know where you are going. If you said you were going to check in with someone at a certain time, really do make sure you do. It just reduces any anxiety they will feel.

Take valuables in a money belt. In fact keep you valuables in a money belt. It can be a belt that goes round your waste, across your shoulder or on your arm. Just keep the valuables out of sight. I was in Bali once and a friend of mine was walking along with her money belt in her hand, a scooter whooshed by and grabbed the money belt. It went with our tickets to Sulawesi, her money, passport and credit cards. Yes, it should have been round her waste.

Think carefully about your accommodation. If you are travelling on a budget and staying in budget hotels and hostels, think about who else is staying there. There may seem like a lot of camaraderie and you will meet some wonderful people in these places, but there will always be a thief looking for and opportunity to nick things. Again, keep your valuable with you at all times. If there are lockers use them, use a travel padlock to lock the zips on your bag to stop opportunists and lock your bag, with a cable lock, to something solid like a bed leg or seat leg on a train, just to help reduce the chance of people walking off with it.

Trust your instinct. If a place feels unsafe or a situation feels wrong then get out the way. A friend was walking around Amsterdam late one night and sensed that something was wrong, so headed off to a brighter area to find a bar, 5 minutes later they heard a gun shot.

If you are heading off to a country for the first time, book onto a tour for when you arrive. This will help you get a feel for the country and learn about it in a safe environment. You will also get instant friends and these could well make great travelling companions for the independent leg of your journey. When I was in India I travelled independently first and then on a tour. I would rather have done it the other way round! A great travel safe tip if you are on your first trip to a developing country or going on your first ever trip on your own.


Have a look at the Foreign Office website and look at the information they have on the travel advice section by country. There is a wealth of information on there about all the countries in the world.

At Walk and Travel we supporters of the Foreign Office Know Before You Go Campaign. Check out their website for more travel safe tips and advice.

And lastly... Don't forget to get travel insurance. It isn't a lot of money when you think what you may get out of it. I had everything I was travelling with stolen in Morocco once. It taught me to travel light, but more importantly it taught me to have good quality travel insurance as I managed to claim back for everything I lost, even without a police report.

This may all seem like a lot to think about, but you may even need it in the UK!

Travel safe and Love the Adventure!

Gareth Sear
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