International Travel Notes

Who chooses where you go on holiday?

A great view but who makes the decision where you go?

According to new research from Hotels.com, leading hotels accommodation website, women undoubtedly ‘wear the trousers’ when it comes to making holiday decisions. One in four wives and girlfriends take sole responsibility for choosing the finer details of a holiday, according to the findings.

But while the ladies are busying themselves with organising the getaway, the men are steeling themselves to foot the bill. Of the 360 UK couples polled, 25% admitted that the holidays are paid for by their partner.

In contrast, the research showed that just 12% of guys in a relationship take the lead when it comes to organising holidays and only seven per cent of women are happy to flash the cash and pay for the break.

The research drilled down further into the holidaying habits of couples, showing that even if women don’t take full responsibility for the trip, almost half (43%) make sure they have the final say on the accommodation selected. It would also seem that holiday chivalry is alive and kicking as 46% of men pick up all the bills while they are away, despite the choice of restaurants and bars frequently being a joint affair.

For married couples, the seeds of holiday decision-making power are sewn early. Nine per cent of brides-to-be admit they plan their perfect honeymoon alone. Over a third of women (35%) also confess they wouldn’t trust their partner to book their dream holiday, while 76% of men polled admit they would put total trust in their partner’s decisions regarding a dream getaway.

Time out

Women’s reluctance to let men in on the holiday decision-making process clearly stems from bitter experience as 69% of women who are no longer married or in a relationship are adamant they wouldn’t trust a future partner to book a holiday. One in ten women also confessed that on occasion when they had put their trust in their partner it resulted in an argument.

Alison Couper, Director of Communications at Hotels.com, said: “For many couples, deciding where to go on holiday can be one of the most important and contentious decisions in their relationship. It is key to understand what each partner wants to get out of time away and look for a holiday that can meet all these needs. Hotels.com has more than 110,000 different properties and an extensive library of 1.8 million reviews on the site which can help guide both men and women on making the right holiday decisions for both of them.”

Bags and baggage

Take away some of the hassle of travel with a door to door luggage delivery service designed to allow you to enjoy ‘luggage-free travel’. Carrymyluggage.com began operations in 2004 and has been providing door-to-door luggage delivery services for many passengers who want to travel luggage-free. The company provides services for the UK, EU, USA and other international destinations and carries both luggage and parcels for their customers.

The benefits of having luggage delivered means you can start your holiday from the moment you leave home. No more awkward struggling with heavy items to and from airports or paying high excess baggage fees. Your items are sent directly to your destination and are waiting for you on your arrival.

In the autumn of 2009, a new EU Economy service was introduced that provides even greater savings for the traveller, with prices starting from just £60 for a medium sized suitcase.

The service is offered also via many rail providers in the UK, allowing for a more enjoyable rail journey (no more crowding or looking for luggage space on trains).

With the company’s state-of-the-art tracking facilities, Carrymyluggage.com proactively tracks all items from collection through to delivery, whether you’ve made a one-way or round-trip booking.

MedicAlert speaks for you, when you can’t!

A MedicAlert gold single link bracelet

If you have a potentially life threatening health condition, it is essential that you carry some means of alerting medical staff to the problem.

The MedicAlert Foundation is the only registered charity that provides a life-saving identification system for people with hidden medical conditions and allergies. With more than four million members worldwide, MedicAlert Members live safe in the knowledge that they will have vital information relayed in an emergency.

MedicAlert Members wear a bracelet, necklet or watch (known as an Emblem) engraved with a personal identification number, main medical condition(s) and our emergency telephone number. Each tailor-made Emblem bears the internationally recognised symbol of the medical profession.

In an emergency, medical personnel have immediate access to vital information on the back of the MedicAlert disc. By phoning the emergency number, they can also gain further medical and personal information such as your name and address, doctor’s details, current drug therapy and next of kin details.

Choreographer, dancer and MedicAlert supporter, Arlene Phillips

Arlene Phillips, a great supporter of MedicAlert says: “It doesn’t matter how minor your medical condition may be, there is always a chance that something could happen to you and you rely on MedicAlert to save your life.”

The MedicAlert service can also inform health professionals to an Advance Decision wish or organ donation pledge. The MedicAlert service is particularly helpful for those who travel, or work and live abroad. The emergency call line is accessible 24 hours and day, and from anywhere in the world.

The MedicAlert Foundation in partnership with Unique Insurance Services provides a specialist insurance scheme designed for people living with medical conditions, disabilities and allergies. Each day, people with a variety of hidden medical conditions are able to access suitable insurance policies. To find out more and to discuss the options call: 01603 828 207 or email medicalert@heathlambert.com