Will you be travelling around Christmas or New Year? – Do you want to find the best cheap train fares?

Travelling around Christmas and New Year can be expensive but instead of forking out huge amounts, you can save money – we’ve done the research for you. Cheap train fares are available, you just have to know where to look.

Did you know you can actually split your journey in half and buy two tickets instead of just one for the whole trip? It’s called split-ticketing and it’s completely within the terms and conditions of train operating companies. Sometimes with split ticketing you will need to change trains, but usually you can stay on the same train and often in the same seat.
For example if you need to travel from London to Manchester, instead of having just one ticket for the whole journey, you have two. You could have one from London to Stoke-On-Trent and one from Stoke-On-Trent to Manchester. As these stops are all on the same line, there’s no need to change trains.

To find split tickets go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/split-cheap-train-tickets or www.splitticketing.com

For longer or overnight journeys within the UK, you can also use an overnight sleeper bus. www.megabusgold.com offers comfortable and inexpensive beds. Wifi, power sockets and refreshments are included and although it’s small and compact, having a comfortable place to sleep for the duration of an overnight journey is all you need.

If you’re looking for train journeys from the UK to Europe or within Europe itself, www.bahn.co.uk is a very clear booking website where you can often find cheap train fares. Prices are fixed in Euros and with the current exchange rate this makes it even cheaper. For example a ticket from London to Cologne starts from EUR 59 and takes just a little over four hours.

Another website for travel by boat or train is www.seat61.com. It has various routes available around the world and although it doesn’t necessarily offer cheap train fares, it has a vast selection of routes – especially for those feeling adventurous – including, for example, London to India by train or Southampton to New York onboard the Queen Mary 2.

The above websites are well worth checking out to find cheap train fares. Once you find the website you like to use it’ll be your go-to place for future travel whether it’s to a yoga retreat or other.

If you are looking for a wellbeing or yoga retreat, Neal’s Yard Holidays has plenty in the UK and Europe.

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The thought of going on your first yoga retreat can be daunting. You might have many questions such as am I experienced enough?

Who else will be there? Am I fit enough to keep up with all the classes and activities? Will it even feel like a holiday?

No worries, when you get there, there’s no need to plan anything. It’s all done for you. The days are mostly structured and you will be catered for. So there is nothing to do but relax and unwind, and take it in your stride.

A yoga retreat could be the perfect next step from your regular weekly class if you want to learn more and develop your yoga, or even if you just want to spend more time practicing without all the distractions of life. Most retreats cater for everyone from beginners to fully-practiced yogis and yoginis so there’s no need to worry about your fitness levels.

What are you looking for in a yoga retreat?

Before booking a yoga retreat, be clear about what you hope to get out of it. Having an intention will help you make the most out of the holiday. Next, think about the location. Would you prefer to be in a hot country on the beach or close to home in the countryside? Near majestic mountains or a tropical paradise? It’s usually best to choose somewhere that will inspire you; that gives you the energy you’re looking for.

Don’t let the idea of a group holiday put you off. The thought of a whole week with strangers – eating together, exercising together and sometimes sharing a room – can be daunting, but the kinds of people who will be there, are just like you. They too are looking for a relaxing break to focus on themselves, and besides, there are no rules against eating alone or taking some time off from yoga classes to take a walk by yourself. But generally, a sense of community will build. You will bond with each other and you might make some good friends out of the experience.

Go with an open mind because you will undoubtedly learn things about yourself, and learn new things about yoga. If you’re hesitant about booking a week-long retreat, there are plenty of long weekend alternatives instead, which will give you the opportunity to ‘try them out’ without committing too much time or money.

Wherever you decide to go, you’ll come home feeling happier and refreshed with a positive outlook!

To be the first to know about our latest offers, holidays and last minute deals, sign up to our monthly Ezine.

If you decide that yoga isn’t for you after all, take a look at our Tai Chi retreats.

The post Make your Next Holiday a Yoga Retreat appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

If you’re setting off this summer for a yoga getaway then you will need to know the weight restrictions for your luggage so you don’t have any nasty shocks at the airport.

We have recommended Skyscanner in the past for comparisons of cheap flights. Now they also have this excellent infographic detailing the luggage allowances for the airlines that offer short-haul European flights. See below overview at a glance.

Yoga Getaway Luggage Allowance

For a yoga getaway that requires a long haul flight, baggage allowances vary depending on class and route. But most will allow in the region of 20kg-32kg. BA for example, allows 23kg on all flights regardless of how long the journey, while Lufthansa allows 23kg for long haul but only 8kg for short haul flights.

For travel tips and latest offers sign up to our monthly ezine. If you are still unsure of where to go this summer for a great yoga getaway, have a look at our previous blog for some great offers, or see our holidays by month

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St Jude’s storm in the UK in 2013 has highlighted the importance of travel insurance that covers unexpected weather events.

Cancelled trains and flights left thousands stranded, and if they weren’t adequately insured, out of pocket too.

As in previous winters, there’s likely to be more disruption through storms, flooding and snow over the coming months, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t get caught out.

If your flight or train is cancelled, you’re likely to get reimbursed for your ticket by the rail company or airline, but what about your accommodation or any tours and activities you’ve booked?
Many travel insurance providers don’t cover “acts of nature” or “god”, as extreme weather events are often referred to. So it helps to know what to look out for.

Here are 6 tips that will help you pick the right travel insurance:

1. Use a price comparison website – not just to check the cheapest offer – but to compare several different policies. Look out for the main points as below and choose the one that covers you for as many events as possible. The Moneysavingexpert.com offers a ‘quick best buy’.

2. Read carefully through the insurer’s definition of “weather related events” and “acts of god” or any other terms they might use. Some insurance companies for example include volcanic ash clouds as a “weather related” event, others don’t.

3. Check the excess – you may have to cover the first £100 or £200 of a potential claim. Are you happy with the excess amount on your policy?

4. Are you covered for UK holidays? We often only think about travel insurance when we plan to go abroad. But if you’ve booked for a yoga weekend retreat and the trains aren’t running to get you there, you won’t get your money back without insurance.

5. Ensure your travel insurance is comprehensive. According to Moneywise UK: “A good travel insurance policy should have at least £2 million medical expenses cover, £1 million personal liability cover, £3,000 cancellation cover, £1,500 baggage cover and £250 cover for cash, as well as cover for delays and scheduled airline and end supplier (such as hotels) failure.”

6. Finally, choose a trusted insurer. There’s a lot of choice and new companies pop up all the time. Have a quick look at reviews from previous customers to make sure you pick a travel insurance that actually pays for justified claims. Surely that’s the whole point!

For further tips you can also check our previous blog on finding good and cheap health travel insurance for your retreat.

Safe journey!

Updated 22 July 2018.

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There’s good news for those who like to travel and escape the daily routine to various yoga retreats.

It looks like flying in the future could become a lot faster thanks to US-based Spike Aerospace, which is building aeroplanes without windows.

But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see what’s going on outside. – How? Instead of windows, thin screens will be embedded in the walls of the aircrafts, which will display a live, panoramic view, sent from cameras attached to the outside of the plane. Passengers will be able to dim the screens or change the display to a stored image.

The reason behind all of this is that windows are heavy and cause drag, so by removing them, planes will be able to fly much faster, which is great for those of you taking long haul flights to yoga retreats. Spike Aerospace says that their planes will be able to fly from London to New York within three to four hours instead of the current six to seven hours.

When Can I Fly to my Yoga Retreats?

Of course, these planes won’t be here for a while yet. The earliest people can fly to yoga retreats in one of these jets is 2018, but even then, the cost of a ticket on one of these Supersonic Jets will undoubtedly be very expensive, so businesses will most likely use them first. Eventually, these planes should be available to everyone so we can all travel to our favourite yoga retreats much faster.

While a reduced journey time is the main reason for removing the windows, this in turn will mean less fuel is used, making these jets more eco-friendly than current planes. So while tickets will certainly be quite pricey at first, at least we can take comfort in the knowledge that it’s better for the environment.

Would you fly in a windowless aeroplane to your yoga retreats if it means saving fuel and faster flights?

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter and on Facebook and don’t forget to sign up to our monthly ezine if you haven’t already.

(Image: Spike Aerospace)

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Do you want to find a good yet cheap travel health insurance, and quickly?

Are you covered for your trip by a good yet cheap travel health insurance?

What do I need to look out for when acquiring travel insurance? What’s a good and cheap travel health insurance to cover my needs? And how can I find it quickly?

In the current economic climate and also the apparent climate change there can be unexpected occurrences from financial failure of airlines to extreme weather, e.g. storms. Just think back to the volcanic ash cloud and it’s effects on travel plans in Europe. There are a few travel insurance companies that will also cover you for those eventualities.

Even if you are travelling anywhere within the UK (or your home country) if you paid for any ticket, accommodation, activity holiday or retreat you may like to be covered by the best travel insurance e.g in case of floods or any natural disaster, so that you can claim back any money.

If before now you haven’t considered getting travel insurance when embarking on your trip or think you will simply be insured by paying for your holiday with your credit card, you may like to think again. Not all credit card companies still provide automatic money back insurance, you may like to check with your bank. It’s advisable to get covered before you travel, ideally when you buy your ticket or take the risk of loosing your deposits.

These days most people use price comparison sites where you can request some of your criteria to narrow down your choice and find the cheapest insurance. It’s a good start, though bear in mind that not all insurance providers are included. It’s always highly recommend you read the ‘small print’ carefully and check reviews of your selected providers – to fast track this process we’ve done some leg work for you and compiled a quick checklist for travel insurance essentials.

7 Top Tips – Quick checklist to cover the essentials of your travel insurance:

Make sure you…
1) acquire a comprehensive travel AND medical insurance
e.g. some insurance companies will cover for financial failure including scheduled flights and accommodation, either as standard, or as an optional extra. AND don’t lie about your medical history you may end up paying for it.

2) your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake
e.g. yoga, sports etc.

3) your policy covers you for any natural disasters
e.g. covering claims resulting from closure of airspace due to volcanic ash. Some insurance companies are treating volcanic ash clouds as a “weather related” event.

4) check for any exclusions
e.g. depending on your needs some exclusions may be fine for you, others not.

5) are happy with the excess
e.g. if you make any claim do you want to absorb the first £100, £200 or less?

6) choose an insurer who pays for justified claims
e.g with a brief check of the latest reviews on the internet you can quickly identify companies to avoid

7) check annual cover that usually works out cheaper if you are planning on two or more trips (worldwide or Europe).

In our research we discovered The Moneysaving Expert helps you find a good yet cheap travel health insurance with the cover you want and it’s quick to use; including tips for over 50s.
(If you do not live in the UK or you are not a UK resident then you may need to get insurance in your country of origin or residency.)

Please always double-check all insurance details directly with the company. Neal’s Yard Holidays cannot be held responsible for any decisions you make regarding your travel insurance.

If you are interested in further reading, the Guardian have a good article on travel insurance policies with further helpful suggestions (although it was published in 2009, it still contains applicable information).

Happy travelling!

The post Cheap travel health insurance? Top tips for quick find appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Need a quick packing list and some useful travel tips?

We’ve all got too many things to remember especially just before we go off on a holiday. Here’s an easy reference packing list and travel tips to help you on your journey.

General travel packing tips:

First I like to pack my travel documents, and next toiletries, as this can be done well in advance and bit by bit, removing any stress, giving me time to obtain any missing items. I have my open travel bag on the side and add to it as and when over the coming days/weeks in the run up to the holiday.
Last I pack my clothes, once I can find out about the local weather. For a 10-day weather forecast worldwide check out www.viamichelin.co.uk

Packing list and travel tips:

So that you can tick things off as you go along, simply copy and paste the below packing list into your own word doc or similar, then print it off. Depending on your needs and destination you’ll want to omit as relevant.
This packing list is for women (men, please add or remove as relevant), the travel tips apply for all.

Travel documents:
passport (for most overseas trips make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months before your return date)
tickets
travel confirmation
itinerary
driving licence
travel insurance (see our quick tips)
EHIC – European health insurance card (free via www.nhs.uk)
local addresses and phone numbers
local info / guide book /maps
phrase book
ATM card / credit card (see moneysaving expert’s tips)
cash
spare passport photos (handy in case you loose any photo id and need to get a replacement)
copies of travel documents and passport
credit card contact info
emergency contact info
travel locks & keys
luggage tags

Toiletries:
washbag
tootbrush / toothpaste/ floss
shower gel / bio degradable soap
shampoo/conditioner
body lotion / sun cream /after sun
lip salve
moisturiser
face cleanser
cotton wool
make-up / nail varnish & remover
deodorant
razor / tweezers / scissors
feminine hygiene
towel
beach towel
comb / brush / hair bands and clips
blow dryer
mirror

First aid and remedies:
obtain relevant vaccinations (via GP or health clinic)
insect repellent
medicines / supplements
plasters / blister pads


Accessories:

beach bag/mat
small day-sack / bag
carrier bags
fan
umbrella
torch (hands-free head torch can be very useful)
sunglasses
binoculars
travel wash
needle/thread
books / cards / game
money belt
watch

Electrical:
phone & charger
music player with head phones & charger
camera & charger and spare memory card
tablet / laptop & charger
adaptors

For the handbag:
water (flask – not if travelling by plane)
teabags
snacks / sweets / throat pastels
ear plugs
eye pads
travel cushion
tissues
notebook / pen / reading material
ziplock / clear bags (for check-in to flights re liquid/cream items)

Clothes:
t-shirts / shirts (also long sleeved for protection from sun)
skirts / dress
jumpers / cardigan
jeans / trousers / shorts
slacks / leggings / tights
socks
underwear / bras / vests
sleep wear / robe
jewellery / belts
jacket / coat
waterproof
hat / gloves / scarf
shoes / trainers / boots / wellies
sandals / flip flops / slippers
swim suit / goggles

And of course:
gifts for any hosts / family and friends

24 hours before:
check-in online (possible with most airlines)
check travel arrangement to train station or airport / book mini cab
set alarm

Last not least:
take an open mind and sense of humour

This packing list is by no means exhaustive. You may wish to add your own special items. In any case I hope you find the packing list and travel tips useful. If you fancy it you can try this interactive packing list or this universal packing list.

To be kept informed of latest news, tips and offers subscribe to our monthly ezine (e-magazine).

Happy holidays!

The post Packing list and travel tips appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Will we ever see yoga featured at the Olympics? Should it be?

Yoga is fondly considered to be one of the least competitive activities we can engage in. And most people want to keep it that way. Yet asana (posture) competitions already take place – historically in India, and more recently in the US. Earlier this year the American National Yoga Asana Championship garnered a lot of publicity. The competitors each performed seven poses in three minutes while being judged on their strength, flexibility, breathing, timing, and ‘grace’. The championship organisers, USA Yoga, are aiming to see ‘Asana’ qualify as an Olympic sport for the 2016 games.

This year there were competitors from 15 countries. But that still leaves 60 countries to go to reach the Olympic qualifying number. Plus, there are more major hurdles (no pun intended) after that. Not least that the new sport must be voted for by two thirds of the International Olympic Committee.

Not all yogis appreciate this increasing focus on the athletic aspect of this ancient practice. The idea of it as a sport seems at odds with its inherent meditative and non-competitive nature. It teaches you to respect your body and its limits. But the Olympics are about pushing past your limits, often resulting in physical injury. Do we really want to see yoga become even less of a spiritual practice than it is now, in much of the West? It’s worth thinking about the implications of USA’s project on the future of yoga as practised by you and me, should it ever come to fruition.

For those of you whose practice isn’t quite yet Olympic standard, and who enjoy it less as a sport and more as a nurturing, enlightening, fun way to find connection and union, why not join a retreat? Practising in company with others, and having a bit of a holiday at the same time, is a great way to learn more about yoga. There is also so much to choose from at this time of year: from short weekend yoga breaks in the country to week-long retreats by the sea.

Or, if you’d like to take your practice even further, there is a wealth of wonderful yoga teacher trainings to choose from. You don’t even have to be planning to teach students afterwards; it can just be the next step in your exciting personal yoga journey. Om Shanti!

Updated 22 July 2018.

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