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Around the world with 30 words: a new language guide for travellers

An interesting new series of language guides have just been launched that backpackers might find rather useful: 30 Words.

They’re compact, they’re focused and they’re waterproof (always handy).  When it comes to language, often simplest is best, so having enough words to get by is usually better than having too many too remember.

“We make a unique type of language guide (http://www.30words.com/) that is designed to enable travelers to start speaking local languages from day one on the road! The philosophy behind our guides is that knowing even a handful of key words and phrases in the local language can be the difference between a mundane travel experience and an unforgettable adventure.  Further, our guides’ portability and durability make them a great fit for travelers looking to get off the beaten path.  30 WORDS are waterproof, tear proof and passport sized so they slide easily into any pocket. Finally, we supplement our printed guides with free online content that allows users to customize their guides according to their travel needs and interests.”

The guides focus on specific topics, each of which is downloadable.  There’s something for all kinds of travellers, from lists of medical conditions (for the accident prone?), or the most important surfing terms that’ll help you find the waves.

The guides are currently only available in Spanish, but more are in the pipeline.

To find out more, visit www.30words.com.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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TGV Summer Sale: Travel Europe in first class style, without paying first class prices

If you need a break from roughing it – and wouldn’t mind a little first-class treatment, you’re in luck.

European rail operator TGV is having a sale on first-class tickets for various European routes, valid for travel between 15 July and 31 August 2009 (that’s peak summer season, baby!).

Naturally, the offer isn’t without some conditions:

“Prem’s fares from, per person, for a single outbound journey, in 1st class, only on departure from certain cities, on a selection of destinations and on certain trains with TGV, TGV Luxembourg Paris, TGV Brussels Province, TGV Geneva Mediterranean, Corail Téoz or Corail Lunéa. Offer subject to availability. The tickets are on sale from Tuesday 7 July to Sunday 23 August 2009 for travel between Wednesday 15 July to Monday 31 August 2009.”

But all in all it’s a pretty good deal, and a little bit of luxury now and then sure doesn’t hurt, now does it?

Check out tgv-europe.com for more info.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Alien landscapes in our own backyard

Looking for a little travel inspiration?

Well, you don’t have to go that far to find something extraordinary, even downright alien-looking right here on our own planet Earth.

From blood red desert-scapes to dragon’s blood trees and strange circular shapes in the middle of nowhere… we’ve got it all.

Check out Matador Travel’s Photo Essay: The Most Alien Landscapes on Earth to see what we’re on about…  and prepare to be awed (and inspired).

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Fancy a free ticket to the Glade Festival?

The UK’s summer season is kicking into full throttle, and even if you’re short on cash, there’s no reason to be left out!

Popular electronic dance shindig, Glade Festival, is looking for volunteers to man their bars and join their litter-picking team (‘treasure-hunting’, they prefer to call it).  In return for a free ticket, all you have to do is a bit of not-too-taxing work to help keep things running smoothly.

Glade Festival will take place this coming weekend – 16 to 19th July 2009. Email 2009@gladefestival.com to find out more.

And, if Glade’s not the only festival you’d like to be a part of, sign up at Festivalvolunteer.co.uk and you could be going to them all!

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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BmiBaby summer flight sale

Uk-based budget airline BmiBaby is celebrating summer by offering backpackers and other cash-strapped travellers the chance to fly for as little as £9.99.

The deal applies to selected flights for July and August, and are one way.

Book before 14 July 2009.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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BA Worldwide Sale - Flights from £259

Via Opodo comes the news of a big sale on British Airways flights.

Catch a worldwide sale flight in any direction with these offers from British Airways across five continents. All of these flights depart London and are direct (except Sydney which has a technical stop in either Singapore or Bangkok).

Weekend supplements may apply, and of course all the usual terms and conditions.

Sale ends 14 July 2009.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Gearing up for Creamfields 2009

Creamfields is one of the UK’s biggest shindigs, with a lineup that would make any dance music fan weak at the knees.  Think Basement Jazz and Tiesto, think Paul Van Dyk, Too Many DJs live, Mylo live and Dizziee Rascal and you’re just getting started.

And, there’s great news for dance-loving backpackers out there:  Creamfields 2009 has reduced its ticket prices!

Creamfields 2009 is an explosive end to the Summer, with no stone left unturned with the line up, and ridiculously good value for money, dance festivals don’t get much better than this!   It’s what August Bank Holidays are for…

So, head over to www.creamfields.com and be a part of this music-lovin’ action.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Cheap flights to Nice from only £24.99

European budget airline EasyJet is offering up 50,000 seats to Nice for as little as £24.99.

Fly out from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Luton, London Stansted or Newcastle and enjoy a little fun in the summer sun.

The end date of the special isn’t specified.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

Posted in Destinations, Transport, Travel Deals | 1 Comment »

More discounts for backpackers as BmiBaby slashes fares by 40%

The recession may be bad news for most people, but for backpackers looking for travel discounts, it’s a pretty good time to be on the trot.  UK budget airline BmiBaby has slashed all fares by up to 40% for flights between now and the 16th of December 2009.

Midlands-based airline covers a variety of European and UK routes and services destinations such as Alicante, Prague and even Perpignan.

Book before midnight on 30 June 2009.

Handy travel resources for backpackers:
Book hostels – book a hostel at thousands of locations around the world.
RTW flights – book your round-the-world flights at backpacking prices!
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Take advantage of Eurail’s pass special before the end of June

Backpackers exploring Europe this summer and hoping to save a few bucks on travel costs, listen up.  The ever-vigilant Kathleen who writes About.com’s student travel blog explains the special better than we could:

“Love this Eurail sale on now: buy a qualifying Eurail pass by June 30, 2009 and Rail Europe will give you a credit voucher good for 25 percent of the value of that pass, which can be used toward up to 75 percent of any rail travel purchase made by December 20, 2009, provided your second purchase is at least 1.34 times the value of credit. Okay, this is how it works:

For example, buy a $586 Eurail Youth Global pass (that’s the already discounted student price) and get a voucher for $146.50 (25 percent). Subsequently save $146.50 when you buy any Rail Europe passes or tickets worth at least $196.31 (1.34 times the dollar value of your credit ) next fall. That could be up to 75% off a different pass or a point-to-point ticket which you discover you need to buy on top of your pass. “  (more of that here)

Whilst you’re at it, you can also score an extra two days of free train travel if you book a Eurail 8-day Select Pass through Rail Europe from June 1 to July 31, 2009 (you’ll need to have an ISIC card).  More about that here.

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