Skin care is one of the basic elements that one has to think about especially while travelling. Whether it is travel for pleasure or necessity it does not matter, what matters is that when you go from one place to another the weather and other conditions change; the part of your body which is most exposed and vulnerable to damage, is your skin. It is also a fact that facial skin is more sensitive than others and it is essential to take extra care of it even while travelling. If you are conscious about the health of your skin then you already understand the importance of carrying the essential beauty product to take with you on holiday.

For the beauty novices here are a few ideas that may help you care for your skin while on a holiday. First of all, get in to the beauty regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin at least twice a day; before choosing the products that you would be using on your skin, determine your skin type and also the compatibility of the product on your skin. It is always better to opt for products that have natural ingredients as opposed to the commercial products. If you are skeptical about using products sold in shops and want to make your own natural face moisturizer at home.

There are few ingredients that are good for your skin and it is a good idea to look for them while buying a crème for yourself; Aloe-Vera is the basic ingredient of any quality natural face moisturizer and apart from that a few examples of what you should look for in a good cream are, strawberry, raspberry and cranberry, since these fruits contain very high quantity of anti-oxidants, they help reduce wrinkle and damage on your skin; Green tea is good for sun damage, black patches and redness on your skin.

For those people interested in a life of travel, putting money aside is certainly an issue. Keeping in mind that the travel part of the equation is the ultimate goal, finding jobs that offer the most return for the least commitment is generally a fundamental guideline. These are not long-term positions you are looking for. Although it would be nice to be welcomed back to a job in order to fill your pockets again, that should only be considered a bonus.

Finding the most hassle free jobs to help you save up for travelling is not terribly difficult. Know what your goal is, approach the situation with a positive attitude, put a smile on your face, and maintain a good work ethic, remembering to keep a picture in your mind of the adventures that await.

The world of food service

Being a bartender, or being part of the waiting staff at a restaurant or tavern, is the perfect solution for someone saving money for travel. Seasonal tourist locations are good spots to find short-term work. The hours are long, but the longer the better because the more money you can earn. If you can muster up the energy to be the best person you can be every day, the tips alone may finance your trip. Because the work is seasonal, you may be welcomed back the following season with open arms, and there will be no hard feelings when you have to leave.

Cashier jobs

Finding cashier jobs in your local area should be easy enough, supermarkets and shops are usually in need of cashier staff as it’s the kind of job that students do so turnaround can be high. If you live in a town or city you are guaranteed of a variety of stores that will at different times be offering cashier jobs. The great thing is that once you’ve worked in one shop as a cashier then you will be trusted to work in any shop in a similar role.

Delivery jobs

Delivering for restaurants is another short-term job that offers tips. Any work you can find that offers tips is going to help you achieve your goal faster. Whether it’s pizza or take-out from a full service restaurant, delivery jobs will keep you in the money. Again, this is a position that won’t disappoint your employer when you need to part ways as high turnaround is par for the course with this kind of job.

General labour

General labour positions, such as jobs on construction sites, are not for the faint of heart, but they will often pay well. If you plan on hiking or backpacking, they will also give you an opportunity to get into shape if you haven’t already done so. If you play your cards right, you may even find a labour position that offers you cash for a day or week’s worth of work. Never pass up cash!

Finding the most hassle free jobs to help you save up for travelling is simply a matter of getting out there and being the first in line. This is no time to be lazy. The harder you work the better off you will be when you start your trip. There will be plenty of time for relaxation when you’re sitting on a beach somewhere.

Keep a few simple things in mind. Never pass up jobs that pay cash. Jobs that offer tips are always a priority, and the more hours you can work the better. Temporary employment agencies are also another avenue to pursue. Don’t leave any stones unturned, and you’ll have a pocket full of cash to help you enjoy your latest adventure.

Finding a job abroad when travelling abroad is not difficult if the traveler knows how to go about it. This post shares top tips for finding a job whilst travelling abroad.

Teaching

The best paying job when travelling abroad is temporary teaching assignments. While it is possible to teach any subject of expertise, the most common opportunities are to teach English to non-English speakers, fine arts such as dancing, or some other skill. Websites such as craigslist, www.idealist.org and others that list volunteer and job opportunities worldwide is a good source to identify such job opportunities. Even when there are no direct positions available, the traveler seeking out jobs can email possible schools, agencies and others who may be interesting in the services of a special tutor from abroad. English teachers are much in demand all over the world, and in places like Thailand and Korea where English is not the native language, but people want to learn the language, such assignments actually pays enough money to live by and even save something.

Working for Keeps

In the olden days, many people paid for their trans-Atlantic journey by working their keep. This is possible even today, where the traveler can sign up for temporary positions in a cruise ship. This would not only allow the traveler to travel and dine free, but the remuneration may cover other expenses. The jobs on offer however would be the low-end jobs, such as cleaning jobs, personal assistants, guides, security guards, lifeguards, deck hands or any other job of a temporary nature. There have been instances of travelers even undertaking the Antarctic cruise, one of the most expensive cruises on earth, without spending a cent, this way.

Volunteer Jobs

Many not-for-profit organizations such as Volunteers for Peace (http://www.vfp.org/) and others offer short-term volunteer jobs across the globe. The range of job options mostly includes doing charity or relief work. These jobs do not pay much, but would invariably offer accommodation, and remain best suited for the traveler as the commitment required is only for a short duration.

Marketing and sales

Most small and medium business would love to expand their market, but would lack the resources and means to do so. The traveler can tie up with any business to promote their products at the destination. Emails and trade websites serve a limited functionality and do not ensure credibility upfront. A real person approaching the foreign sales partner to introduce the product is a sure way to close the deal initiated through ebay.com, alibaba.com or some other trade portal. The traveler can secure a commission from the business for finding stockist or sellers of their products at the destination. Finding online sales jobs is also easier than one might think.

Taking Up Seasonal Jobs

The traveler could cash in by being at the right place at the right time. Many businesses are seasonal in nature and do not employ full time permanent staff for all their requirements. They rather hire short-term seasonal labor. For instance, tourism is a seasonal business, and many hotels and resorts tend to hire temporary staff during the busy season. Similarly, many farms may require seasonal labor during the harvest season. The prospects brighten at places where there is shortage of seasonal labor to begin with.

However, many countries issue tourist visas that explicitly prohibit the visitor from taking up employment. The traveler looking to find a job when travelling abroad needs to be aware of such limitations, and also local labor regulations regarding temporary jobs.

In Amsterdam one can go look at the original Vermeer and Rembrandt, stroll through the famous Red Light District, settle on a barge, buy a bouquet of fresh flowers every day, shop at unique local markets, rent a bike and strengthen the leg muscles or spend the whole evening in the coffee shop. If you still haven’t found a reason to visit Amsterdam, these post will give you one.

Opportunity to live on a barge

In Amsterdam, with its abundance of channels and islands settling on the waves is quite simple – there are large floating hotels, such as the Amstel Botel with the 175 rooms and small mansions with three to four rooms. Some of them may be pretty expensive like for example Le Maroxidien with organic breakfast. Only few however dare to refuse to stay on land but be sure that staying on a barge is definitely worth it. They are considered to be the most romantic spots in the city.

Artists and museums

Netherlands gave to the world culture many great artists. The originals, of familiar tro everyone since early childhood paintings like “Night Watch” by Rembrandt or “Milkmaid” by Vermeer can be seen in the Rijksmuseum. There are also very entertaining collections of porcelain figurines and dishes, doll houses and other objects of decorative art. And in the famous Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, contrary to popular belief, there are pictures not only of this artist (the most extensive collection in the world, covering all periods of Van Gogh’s life), but those of his contemporaries, the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, including Monet, Seurat, Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Markets

There are dozens of local markets in Amsterdam where you can find practically everything including vintage clothing, antiques, flowers and farm products. Everyone should attend Blumenmarkt – flower market on the water, where you don’t even need to buy something, just to enjoy the variety of colorful flowers. For antiques and art go to Art Plein Spey or De Loire. There is an abundance of oriental flavors on Dappermarkt Keypmarkt and fresh products in Lindengraht Nordenmarkt.

Liberal traditions

It is known all over the world that here soft drugs, prostitution and same-sex marriage are absolutely legal. Till January 2013 every tourist still has a chance to leagally smoke a joint in one of the coffeeshops in Amsterdam. The main thing however is to remember the possible adverse effects of local risky but legitimate entertainment.

Amsterdam is the bike capital of Europe

In Amsterdam there are more bikes than people. There are no bike paths only in the older parts of the city. It is possible to rent a bike on every corner of the city. Cycling here is safe and moreover is the cheapest way of getting around the city.

All year we have been hearing about London, thanks to the Olympic Games, but now that is over, what is there to do… that’s new!

Over recent years London’s Theatreland has remained quite static, but 2012 gave it a bit of a shake up. Yes some of the old classics are still there – ‘Phantom’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Mamma Mia!’ ‘The Lion King’, ‘The Mousetrap’ – but many have gone and THAT is only good news for anyone thinking of putting London on their list of holiday destinations in 2013 – even if it is just for a weekend break in London!  So what is there to look out for?

The big show with a World Premiere right at the end of 2012 but already booking well into 2013 is ‘Viva Forever!’ The exclamation mark may give away the fact that it is produced by the same team that produced ‘Mamma Mia!’ And, like Mamma Mia! It has taken the songs of a super group to help the story along. The super group in question is The Spice Girls! And the writer given the job of making sense of their “Ziga-zig-ahh” is comedy legend Jennifer Saunders. Put all this together and I think you will agree, it has the pedigree to be the next big thing in London – and you could see it first!

The second show to be worthy of mention is ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ which will be coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from June 2013. The huge success of Tim Minchin’s stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda’ (which is also still on in London), must have been at the forefront of the producers for this show. Again the team behind the production is a good indication of its chances for success.  Sam Mendes will produce, he has just finished producing ‘Skyfall’, the latest James Bond movie, the songs are by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitmann who wrote the songs for the stage show ‘Hairspray’ and Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge will play Wonka in a move that has been seen as a triumph of talent over celebrity!

Third on our list is another stage adaptation of a hit film. This time it comes with its own pre-written hit songs: ‘The Bodyguard’ was a huge success for Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and the stage version looks to do the same for its stars. Of course the music is well known: in addition to the movie sound track, extra Whitney Houston songs have been included, and why not: Heather Headley who is playing the role is more than up to singing them. She created the role of Nala in the stage musical of ‘The Lion King’ and won a Tony for best actress in ‘Aida’ on Broadway but her vocal pedigree goes way beyond the stage with a long list of award-winning live and recorded performances.  The Bodyguard himself is British beefcake and ex ‘Monarch of the Glen’ star Lloyd Owen.

If these first three shows are all about the stars then our next show is all about the chorus: ‘A Chorus Line’ is back! If you are a fan of X Factor and the like then you need to see this.  ‘A Chorus Line’ is based on the true stories, the real life auditions that dancers go through for every job they do get and every job they don’t get! This is the show many dancers quote as being the show that inspired them to dance (no, not ‘Strictly Come Dancing’!) but it is also the show that shows us mere mortals how hard that choice is! It has been over 30 years since the show was first in London but having seen it more recently it hasn’t aged. As a dramatic piece there is no doubt it will be a success but will it fill the London Palladium night after night?  This is why it is in my list because it will undoubtedly be one of the successes of 2013 and you really must go and see it, but I’m a realist – how many of you actually will?

The last show in my top five is one that I predict will be a slow burner but will become one of those shows that takes London over for many years to come.  ‘Once’ is another Broadway import and yet another stage adaptation of successful movie. If you haven’t seen either, it is the story of the relationship between an Irish musician and a young Czech mother who meet through a shared love of music.  A talented cast of actor/musicians bring the music to life and it won no less than 8 Tony’s in 2012. Although it is not always the case that a successful Broadway show becomes a successful London show I think this one will.

So that is my top five! It is, I have to say, the tip of the iceberg.  I’ve not mentioned any of the great plays featuring a multitude of stars that will open in 2013… and I have steered clear of the gossip mongers who will have every musical ever written, coming to London – however likely that may be. And I’ve not mentioned any of the shows that are already wooing London audiences and will continue to do so throughout 2013 and the beyond. But maybe that was my fault for only promising you 5 shows!

About the author: Simon Harding has been promoting London theatre for over 30 years. He currently runs London Theatre Breaks and recently wrote London Theatre and Theatre Breaks – a guide on getting the best out of your London theatre-going.  SPECIAL OFFER: Readers can download a copy by clicking on the link – it’s free for a tweet or a share.

On the north east coast of Cornwall sits a small village with a very big history. Tintagel overlooks the Atlantic on a wild and rugged stretch of the Cornish backdrop that is the perfect setting for it’s colourful past. Known as Trevena until it was given its current name in around 1850 by the Post Office, which is still standing to this day. This was once a manor house dating from the 14^th century, with ancient stone walls and wooden roof with beams blackened from smoke.

Arthurian Legend Tintagel

Much further back in the recesses of time, Geoffrey Monmouth identified Tintagel as the birthplace of the Arthurian legend in his 12^th century tome ‘The history of the kings of England’. Centuries later, Lord Tennyson described the connection between Tintagel and the legend in ‘The Idyllis of the King’. Today, there is little left of Tintagel Castle, the birthplace of King Arthur, but the cliff top ruins have a serenity about them that is almost magical.

The castle is said to have built in around 1240 by Richard the Earl of Cornwall,  this post dates the Arthurian legend of the 7^th century by around 600 years as he chose to build his castle on the wild and windswept site where the original castle had stood using the original foundations and footstones in his construction. It is these original parts that are said to still exist, but it is the site and the ambience that is more important.

Dog friendly hotels in Cornwall

The combination of the beauty of the area and the legend makes Tintagel one of the most popular tourist spots in Cornwall, and searches on the Internet for hotels in Cornwall, accommodation Cornwall or Cornwall hotels bring up many results for in and around Tintagel. Those who are looking to take their dogs on holiday with them will be looking for dog friendly hotels in Cornwall, and there is one in particular to watch out for.

Camelot Castle hotel

Camelot Castle hotel sits overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on one of the most prime sites you will ever find for a luxury hotel. Majestic on the inside as it looks from outside, this hotel welcomes both guests and their pets into its rooms and offers comfort and hospitality to all, whether they have two or four legs. It is rare to find such a beautiful hotel opening it’s doors to both pets and their owners, but then again, with a name like the Camelot it’s going to be pretty special.

The Cornish seaside town of Newquay is one of the most popular of all south west holiday resorts, with a heady mix of some of the best weather in the UK, great surfing, a vibrant night life and more than enough activities to entertain everyone. If you are looking to head down Newquay way in 2013 then get your accommodation booked early so your trip coincides with the Run to the Sun festival which takes place from the 24th-27^th May.

Newquay stag weekend Run To The Sun

This is one of Europe’s largest combined dance, VW and custom car festivals, and could be the perfect event to plan your Newquay stag weekend around. This self contained event is being held at the Trevelgue Holiday Park in the town and has on site camping facilities. While this will appeal to seasoned festival-goers, those who prefer a few home comforts will still be putting cheap hotels Newquay into their internet search engines.

Here’s a tip; for the best accommodation in Newquay forget the hotels Newquay search and head to the Sunnyside hotel website. Clean, comfortable rooms await you and your pals, and the ensuite rooms are suitable for singles, couples and large groups. The Sunnyside enjoys a great location looking out over Towan Beach in the heart of the town and is the ideal base to take in the festival and all the other attractions in Newquay.

Party till dawn

Tickets are already on sale for RttS 2013 and are selling fast, so get down to the website and order yours so you don’t miss out. The five arena’s have a 4am licence so you can party ’til dawn, and the festival also has a fully functioning village full of vendors as well as a selection of white knuckle rides. Everything you could want to know is on their website, enabling you to plan your trip here to perfection.

Whether or not you can time your visit to Newquay to coincide with RttS or not, there are plenty of other reasons to book yourself at the Sunnyside and make the trip south. While many British seaside resorts are considered dull by the younger set, there is no such misconception with Newquay and the amount of young travellers who come down every year to have fun in the sun and the surf is testimony to this.

The west coast offers many outdoor adventure possibilities. California beaches, sun, surfing, hiking, and boating are often thought about as commonplace for the west. But there’s more than just hot weather sports, California has really great winter sports too. There are terrific and affordable places you can go with your friends, spouse, or even great escapes for a family retreat.

Alpine Meadows is a resort in Tahoe City California that offers ski and snowboarding adventures for anyone who might be interested. They have schools at the resort to teach people at whatever level they may be at, and Alpine even supports the Disabled Sports USA. Prices for a Tahoe Super Pass range from $229 for children and super seniors, to a gold version of the pass for adults for $749. There are discounts for college students, military, groups, and cooperate gatherings too.

Another fun lodge is Heavenly, also at Lake Tahoe. Heavenly is a very family friendly resort with lots of activities kids can enjoy including tubing, gondola rides, hot air ballooning, lake and helicopter tours, and snowmobile rentals. The prices are really reasonable too with a basic lift ticket only beginning at $37 for children and $63 for adults. Heavenly even offers some child care options for children from six weeks old, all the way up to six years.

Boreal is definitely a snowboarder’s haven. They not only have amazing mountings to ride but they offer four separate terrain parks including a bag jump area, mini shred and shred park, as well as a core park all having different boarding features to allow for tricks, ramps, jumps, and so much more invention and fun on a board. A day lift ticket will only run you around $50, but with the special features this resort offers it may be worth a season pass for only $399. They have very affordable lodging for a little over a hundred dollars so it would be easy to spend a lot of time at Boreal whenever you wanted.

If you don’t want to spend all of your time in the cold or on a mountain there are other fun things to do at these west coast winter resorts. Shopping, dining, nightclubs, and casinos are just a few options you would have. With very affordable prices you can get everything from seafood to duck, and even a simple lobster salad. If you want something a little more modest and traditional, check out the Base Camp Pizza Company with amazing pizza and pasta that will fill you up without breaking your wallet.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, don’t forget that the west coast can be fun all year round. Many resort companies offer entertaining and fun activities for everyone at any age or ability, as well as at all price ranges.

In today’s climate, insurance is somewhat a vital necessity when it comes to ensuring our prized possessions are always in good hands. Unfortunately it’s impossible to predict what’s around the corner; and that long awaited and much needed holiday, could soon turn in to disaster when unpredictable factors spiral out of our control.

The decision to not take out a travel insurance policy for an upcoming holiday is often something people do in order to reduce costs. Travel insurance however, really doesn’t cost the earth; and could very well be the answer to your prayers in unforeseen circumstances.

There are many options on the market for travel insurance, some high and some very low. Neither of these should ever be an option for your personal policy as both have many flaws.

Insurance is an absolute must nowadays, though offers of low cost travel insurance can often prove to not even be worth the paper it’s written on.

When comparing travel insurance quotes, low priced offers can often appear more attractive, but saving a few pounds on your policy now could leave you footing larger medical bills if an accident was to happen overseas.

If you are thinking about buying your insurance through your travel agent, you know that these can sometimes be up to four times higher than a policy you can purchase yourself online. Albeit knowing this fact; the lowest price you can find still is not the right choice to make either.

Travel insurance in effect is no different than any other insurance you may have; and as a general rule you should never purchase a policy which offers less than £2 million for medical expenses, and £1 million for personal liability. These are the main priorities of your policy, and should never be overlooked simply because you can save a few pounds when purchasing it.

Secondly, you should always check the level of excess on your policy; as you could end up paying over the odds before your insurer even begins to pay out. Many budget travel insurance companies have high excess costs, so always check the small print before you commit to buy.

There are many travel insurance providers who don’t automatically offer cover for cancellations costs, or medical expenses; as the only legal requirement for a travel policy is that it provides a form of cover for personal belongings. Additionally, always ensure you check the wording on policies that are offered complimentary with bank accounts; as you could end up stuck overseas without a number to call in the event of an emergency.

The cost of travel insurance can often vary significantly, with a lot of companies refusing to insure people over the age of 50; or those with existing medical disorders. Always, always check before you buy, as it could end up costing you thousands.

Some companies such as Insure & Away, do allow travellers to customise their quotes to suit their needs. Don’t jeopardise your dream trip by not buying the right policy for you. When it comes to travel insurance, less is definitely not more.

Porto, Portugalís second largest city, has the soulful feel of a smaller coastal town with the rolling Douro River at its heart. Located on the Atlantic coast it is one of the most scenic cities in Europe with lush parkland and mountains surrounding the centre.

Walking and enjoying the view are key ingredients of a city break in Porto, whether that be along the steep river banks and its sandy beaches or through the medieval old town. The city is also the place to begin a Douro river cruise, a popular way to enjoy the stunning scenery of Portugalís interior. Week-long cruises travel through the heart of the historic winemaking country that has existed on the banks of the river for hundreds of years, and then on to Spanish Salamanca.

Portoís historic quarter has UNESCO world heritage status, and is a well preserved gem of a medieval city. Strolling around here is the perfect way to spend the day, with baroque churches, lofty bell towers and an impressive cathedral to enjoy. Climb Torre de Clerigos for great views over the tiled rooftops and river. Portoís old town is characterised by the white and blue tiled buildings that date back to the Middle Ages. Locally known as azulejos these tiles are one of the regionís most celebrated products.

The cityís atmosphere is best soaked up at the Ribeira quayside where you can sip coffee by day and port wine cocktails by night as you watch the world go by. Street art, live music and an exciting array of contemporary restaurants mark Ribeira out as the most bohemian area of the city and is the best place to experience its arty scene. There are also a number of quality galleries to explore.

Port wine originates from the region, and its production is a time honoured tradition throughout the Douro Valley. Cruising along the river, the history of the practise is plain to see in the vineyards and terraces that line its banks. One of the joys of a European river cruise like this is that it presents the opportunity to enjoy remote regions and soak up the atmosphere of rural Europe. The vineyard terraces and settlements that have grown up around the port wine making tradition have earned the valley UNESCO status.

Dining at one of the wine producing quintas with a glass of port and a backdrop of the historic terraces is a definitive Portuguese experience, and, for many, rural Portugal quickly becomes one of their favourite European locations.