travel

By Virgin Media Edit

When we’re on holiday, we’re often relaxing in unfamiliar surroundings. This makes a lovely change of pace from the daily grind, but it’s also the perfect environment for losing devices – whether you accidentally drop your phone in a pool or are unlucky enough to be targeted by pickpockets in a piazza.

Hopefully, neither of those things will happen. But implementing some extra security measures before you go will help limit the damage if the worst happens. Here are some steps to consider: 

Back up your devices. Even if your phone or tablet does go walkabout, backing up means you can restore your treasured photos, messages or music collection on another device. Back-up methods vary depending on device, but are rarely tricky – a quick online search for your model of device and “how to back up” will give clear instructions.

Lock all devices, including e-books, with a password, passcode or passphrase. If your device allows it, a passphrase is harder to crack than a simple word or collection of numbers. Think of a simple run-on sentence (eg “I love Ibiza”), then throw in some special characters and different cases (eg “i L0v3Ib1£a”).

Approve all pending software updates. Yes, even those you’ve been snoozing for a month. They often include fixes to security issues, so you’ll be getting the best possible protection.

Turn off functionalities you don’t need. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and NFC should be switched off when you’re not using them, especially in public places. Leaving them on may make your device more vulnerable to hackers.

Remember, less is more. If possible, don’t pack all your devices: the fewer valuable items you have to protect and remember while you’re on holiday, the better. It also means that if something goes wrong, you’ll know you have a device at home where you can easily access all your accounts and data.

Be sensible on the socials. This is particularly important if you’re leaving lots of precious items at home (which you probably are). Holiday periods often see spikes in burglaries, because criminals know homes are sitting empty while people are away.

We’re not saying you should go off-grid, but it’s worth thinking twice before posting that you’re about to head off to the beach/mountains/coast. Consider only sharing holiday details and photos once you’re home – and avoid adding your location to posts while you’re away.

Beware public devices. Steer clear of using public computers and tablets in hotels, airports, and libraries if you can – you just don’t know who used them previously or what viruses or malicious software might be lurking on them. This is particularly important to bear in mind if you want to log into important accounts such as online banking, email or social media.

If you have to use a public device to check personal accounts, remember to log out of everything and clear the online browser history before you leave. When you next have access to a secure device, consider changing the passwords for the accounts you used in risky places. A password manager will make this process much easier.

Take care where you connect. If you sync your phone in a rental car to use features such as music or hands-free calling, be aware that the rental company (plus any subsequent drivers) may then be able to see your contacts and other synced information. That’s just one example of why it’s important to think carefully before connecting or charging your devices on holiday.

When connecting, pay attention to the warnings on your mobiles and tablets asking if you want to allow syncing of your contacts and photos. Feel free to say no!

Use the internet less. It’s safer not to connect to public Wi-Fi if you can avoid it. If you’re holidaying in Europe, it’s preferable to use mobile data, which is more secure than public Wi-Fi networks. Most mobile carriers still allow customers to use UK minutes, texts and data in the EU at no extra charge. Just check your contract before you travel.

Have fun. Remember, digital security shouldn’t make your life harder or your holiday less enjoyable. You don’t need to be paranoid and hyper-vigilant about the risks to your devices; in fact, it could spoil your trip.

But by taking these simple steps ahead of time – and paying attention to the digital devices and services you use while you’re away – you’ll be able to properly relax, safe in the knowledge that you’re as protected as possible. Have a good trip.

Central America is hardly a well-kept secret. Costa Rica is jam-packed with eco resorts, expats and sloth-scouting holidaymakers, while the beaches of Belize are littered with yogis. And then there’s Panama with its famous canal and cruises to match. Anyone who’s done a little research on travelling to Guatemala recently will no doubt have come across the same raft of travel bloggers and influencers as the rest of the world. On the other hand, there are a few countries there that still fly under most people’s travel radars.

El Salvador

El Salvador used to be solidly on the “Do Not Travel” list. However, things have begun to look pretty different in the last few years. Since he took office, President Bukele has been making drastic efforts to cut back on the violence. It’s still not exactly a beginner’s holiday, but more experienced travellers can feel confident checking out the country’s Mayan cities and volcanic hikes before the hordes catch on.

When it comes to those aforementioned ruins, there are a good few sites to choose from but if there’s only room for one ancient city in your itinerary, it should probably be Cihuatán. You’ll find quite a few companies offering combined tours of Cihuatan Archaeological Park and the distillery, usually with a stop off in the charming colonial town of Suchitoto as well. While it’s great for a couple of hours meandering through the cobblestone streets and galleries, stick around a little longer to hit the trails, your gateway to serene lakes, hidden waterfalls, and mysterious caves.

Santa Ana is the country’s highest active volcano, whose summit comes complete with epic views over the radioactive-turquoise of Laguna Ilamatepec, the less bio-hazardous-looking Lake Coatepeque, and the surrounding volcanoes.

The Santa Ana volcano climb is fairly intense, taking anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, however summits like one of San Salvador’s two peaks will take as little as 30 minutes. The trail up the higher of the capital’s twin peaks still only takes around 1.5 hrs, with the leafy canopies of El Boquerón National Park protecting you from the elements.

Honduras

Another not so well travelled country is Honduras. If it’s beach time you’re after, this is likely where you’ll want to focus all your energy. The Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean off Honduras’ northern coast, have some of the clearest waters around and are renowned for phenomenal diving. 

Roatán is the most popular holiday island there. The village of West End is a lot less busy and might make a good home base if you’d like room to breathe. 

Utila is a smaller island southwest of Roatán, with a party reputation and a huge scuba culture. You can take a water taxi to Water Cay, a tiny uninhabited island nearby. On the mainland, there are a few more spots that are well established on the tourist trail. Firstly, there are the Mayan ruins at Copán Ruinas

The rainforests of Pico Bonito National Park and the nearby Cangrejal River Valley, just inland from the coastal city of La Ceiba are ripe for adventure travel, with white water rafting, hiking trails, and wildlife aplenty. Similarly, Lago de Yojoa is a nature-lover’s paradise, this time with a bonus lake. 

Now, while Honduras isn’t super touristy overall, it’s also not the kind of place we’d recommend getting off the beaten path.

According to MoneyWeek

5. COSTA RICA

Costa Rica tops the charts for the best place to retire in 2024, according to the latest index by International Living. The destination might be among the smaller Central American countries, but it has tonnes to offer. It’s a quiet destination with access to both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, jungles to explore, and volcanos to hike.

Average daily cost: £94

Average accommodation cost per person: £48

Average daily meals cost: £20

4. HUNGARY

Budapest is a beautiful historic city with lots to offer at affordable prices. The countryside is home to picturesque villages and beautiful valleys, rivers, thermal baths and mountains to enjoy. If you’re looking for a city break, there’s plenty to do with the capital broken up into two parts to explore – Buda (the quieter side of the city filled with sights to see) and Pest (an area filled with tourists and more hustle and bustle). 

Average daily cost: £55

Average accommodation cost per person: £27

Average daily meals cost: £14

3. THAILAND

Don’t be put off by expensive flight costs. If you’re looking to travel east, the lower cost of accommodation and meals in Thailand can make up for pricey flights. The country is known for its jungle temples, tropical beaches, delicious food and bustling cities. Again, Thailand offers the best of both worlds – you can find city life and night markets in Bangkok and Phuket, but if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down, its islands are a must including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. 

Average daily cost: £67

Average accommodation cost per person: £29

Average daily meals cost: £14

2. INDONESIA

Bali regularly ranks as one of the best places to visit in the world, but with over 17,000 islands Indonesia has plenty to offer – from orangutan colonies to volcanoes to beautiful beaches, all of which you can enjoy for low prices. For a more city vibe, its capital Jakarta offers culture, museums and lively evenings. 

Average daily cost: £48

Average accommodation cost: £26

Average daily meals cost: £13

1. LAOS

This destination in southeast Asia remains the cheapest country to visit. Despite being landlocked, Laos boasts more than 4,000 islands to visit. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched, and visitors can enjoy tasty local food, jungle treks, and temple visits as well as waterfalls in the mainland.

Average daily cost: £12

Average accommodation cost: £5

Average daily meals cost: £5

For anyone who isn’t familiar, it’s a charge that anyone travelling alone may have come up against when booking hotels or cruises in particular—especially if the room you book is designed for multiple occupancy. To make up potential losses from one less person in a room, guests have traditionally been expected to pay extra on top of the standard rate.

These days, hotels tend to be priced by the room regardless of how many people are occupying it. On top of that, it’s much more common to find single-occupancy rooms at lower prices. The same goes for cruises, with cabins designed for solo seafarers commonplace on newer ships.

When it comes to booking tour packages, there are also quite a few operators that won’t charge you double for going it alone. In fact, there are now so many companies that specialise in running tours for solo travellers that we would likely be here all day if we tried to list them.

That said, getting a private room is not a given if you join a solo tour. As anyone who’s ever booked a hotel will know, the cost of a single-occupancy room is rarely half that of a double. Many operators keep costs down by pairing you up to share a twin room with another traveller, unless you choose to pay a little extra for a private room.

Here are our top recommendations for tour operators that won’t charge you a hefty single supplement, if at all:

• Intrepid Travel – More than half of travellers taking an Intrepid tour are going it alone, so you can decide whether to buddy up and share a room or pay a “small extra charge”. Trips range from exploring the streets of Budapest and Transylvanian castles to a gruelling trek to Everest Base Camp, and they run tours catering to various demographics and budgets.
• G Adventures – Another one that receive rave reviews for their solo trips. They also work with the “modest additional fee” approach to private rooms for anyone who wants their own space. Around 40% of their guests are solo travellers, with ages anywhere from 20s-60+. They also offer tours for all kinds of travel styles, be it 18-35, wellness or a spot of luxury.
• Flash Pack – Specialising in solo travel for those in their 30s-40s, 98% of Flashpackers join trips alone. They focus on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so you can generally expect these trips to be a bit fancier and more expensive than other companies. They’re big into the social aspect of their tours, and take great care to pair travellers with a roommate they’ll mesh well with. Once again, single rooms are available upon request for an extra fee.
• Jules Verne – Unlike the rest of the pack, JV negotiate special “No Single Supplement” dates on over half their group tours, where single travellers can actually get a room to themselves for no additional cost. They also run solo-only tours, so you can be sure you won’t be surrounded by couples or groups of friends who already know each other.
• One Traveller – These trips cater exclusively to the mature solo traveller, with most travellers in their 50s-70s. All their trips prices are based on single-occupancy rooms with ensuite facilities, so you won’t have to worry about sharing at all. They’re based in the UK, but offer trips all over the world.

It is also worth checking out: https://solotravelerworld.com/solo-travel-deals/

The Taj Mahal is near the top of every traveller’s list as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, but it’s only one of the amazing sites of India’s “Golden Triangle”.

The established tourist route includes the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra, the city of Jaipur, and the country’s capital, New Delhi. Convenient air connections mean most people begin their trip in Delhi

Old Delhi is full of chaotic energy, where livestock, vehicles, and street food vendors all weave frantically between one another. It’s an assault on your senses that you have to experience at least once.

On now to Agra, and the thing we’ve all been waiting for—the Taj Mahal. You can absolutely do it under your own steam, but to get the most out of your visit, members recommend hiring one of the government-certified guides waiting outside or booking a private tour.

Once again, visiting early tends to be the best way to avoid huge crowds, although sunrise is a popular time to get the classic Taj picture. Don’t try to wait for a moment without other people in the background, that time is unlikely to come!

If you have more time, the gardens (and wildlife) surrounding the intricately designed Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (aka the Baby Taj) are a dreamy spot to explore. Agra’s own Red Fort is another great example of Mughal architecture, even better preserved and more accessible than its namesake in Delhi.

Around 25 miles from Agra, the fortified ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri is often missed off tight schedules. It’s easy to spend a day here, soaking in the grandeur of the palace buildings, mosque and pavilions, which were designed as the first permanent Mughal settlement.

For those who’ve had enough of the red sandstone, it’s on to Jaipur, which is called the “Pink City” due to the colour of the buildings.

While Jaipur may not be as hectic as Delhi on the whole, it’s still a very busy place, so allow yourself a couple of days there. As well as the essential visit to the Amber Fort make time to see the Patrika Gate, and its daily musical fountain show, and the iconic Hawa Mahal palace.

You can spend hours just photographing the colourful buildings as you walk onwards to the City Palace and make sure you include Nahargarh Fort at the end of the day for sunset views over the city.