Billabong for Cooler Weather
When we think Billabong we think sun, surf, and hot summer weather. But if your travel plans take you to a destination south of the equator, you may experience weather too cool to run around in shorts and flip-flops. Have no fear, because our favourite outfitter from Australia has you covered with just the right stuff to keep you warm and make you look great.
Since we can't always predict the weather, one of the essentials of any holiday is a pair or two of denim jeans. Billabong has eight lines for 2010. The popular mid-priced Recycler is made with a combination of 63% standard cotton and 37% recycled cotton fibres, and has a zipper fly. The high-end Malice, on the other hand, is made with sorona stretch denim and features an internal waistband, in leg embroidery, and a zipper fly as well.
Above the waist you'll look great and feel comfortable with the autumn line of shirts and knits. There are v-necks, polo’s, knits, and short or long sleeve dress shirts, all with a tasteful Billabong embroidery. For evening walks on the beach or a night on the town Billabong offers three cotton/polyester thermals and a complete line of eight different flannels. For especially chilly weather, the Steelo is a 100% cotton flannel with a medium-weight polyester fill and a hood. It's perfect for those beach parties that go long into the night as you hang around the bonfire.
Finally, just in case your travel plans take you to a destination that requires something a bit heavier, Billabong has that covered with fleece tops, sweaters, and jackets. Fleece tops come in a variety of styles ranging from simple single colours to eye-catching patterns and embroidery, to the elegant and stylish which would be suitable for a semi-formal gathering. All Billabong Fleece tops provide a hood for extra warmth.
The ten different jackets for 2010 are modestly priced. If good looks and styling are important to you, you can't go wrong with the incredibly attractive Roughneck. This jacket is faux leather with a quilted top panel, chest pocket, metal badging, and a hood. The elastic cuffs and waist keep the jacket in place and the cold air out.
If function is your need, try the military-style Markridge. This polyester jacket has both a front zipper and button snap closure for maximum protection along with a flannel-lined hood. Four oversized pockets don the front and are complemented nicely by metal badging and woven labelling.
As you can see, Billabong clothing isn't just for the sun and surf; it's for any climate or weather your holiday travel takes you to.
The Benefit of Getting Travel Insurance
Many people either intentionally or unintentionally neglect to buy travel insurance before they head off on their holidays. They feel that it is something that they do not need to worry about because surely nothing is going to happen? But you really never can be sure so it is worthwhile knowing the benefits of a travel insurance policy and why it is so important that you have one in place before you head off on your annual holiday.
If you were unfortunate enough that something did happen to you while you were away then you really could benefit from having travel insurance. It will give you peace of mind should you find yourself in a difficult situation when you are away from home.
For example, imagine if something where to happen to you or your family while you were away and you needed to have urgent medical attention. You cannot be sure that nothing will happen no matter how healthy you are. There is always going to be the chance that someone could fall ill while you are away or that there could be an accident. Having insurance in place will ensure that you or your family will get the best possible care if the unexpected should occur.
It is not only illnesses or accidents that you need to concern yourself with. There are other things which could happen while you are away and which could be covered under an insurance policy.
Having an insurance policy in place before you head off on your trip would mean that should you have to cancel your trip or cut your trip short, you would be covered by your policy. There are many reasons why you would have to cancel your trip including the death of a family member or the illness of someone in the travelling party. The same reasons could apply for having to cut your holiday short. These are things that cannot be predicted so it is always best to be adequately covered.
Many insurance policies also cover you for lost luggage or stolen items. Having your luggage lost can be a real disruption. Without your necessary items, it can be difficult to enjoy your holiday. Most of the time luggage turns up within a day but even this time without necessities can be a huge pain. Luckily with an insurance policy you may be covered for a certain amount of money so that you can replace these items.
There also could be the chance that some of your personal items could be stolen. If you are the victim of theft while on holiday, you may be covered for a certain amount of cash to cover money that has been taken.
Having travel insurance will give you peace of mind that should anything happen, you will be looked after. Hopefully you will never have to use your insurance but the fact that you have a policy in place will put your mind at rest while you are away from home.
Shopping in Portugal
When we go abroad we all love to bring back souvenirs for our friends and family as well as to keep for ourselves as mementoes of our great holiday. Every country has its local crafts and specialties and Portugal is certainly no different. It’s just a case of knowing where to shop for the right goods. If you like to ‘shop until you drop’ on your holiday, then car hire in Portugal is an absolute must.
First of all, for new visitors to Portugal, it might be useful to know a little bit about shopping hours and taxes. There will always be exceptions, but generally speaking the shops are open from 9 am to 7 pm on Monday to Friday, but close for two hours in the afternoon, usually between 1 and 3 pm. Many shops open for only half the day on Saturday. Prices should always be clearly displayed and these should include tax, which in Portugal is 19%. Armed with this information and your reliable car hire in Portugal, it’s time to go shopping!
Most areas sell local crafts and souvenirs but some places are known for their own specialities. If you are looking for ceramics, for example, you will find different styles in different areas but the gallery and workshop in Evora is well worth a visit. Here you will find a large selection of pottery, which you can watch being made by contemporary young artists. Coimbra is another area famed for its ceramics.
Another speciality is cork-ware – hardly surprising considering 50% of the world’s cork is produced in Portugal. Look around for inexpensive tableware, such as decorative coasters and dinner mats, or for unusual sandals, all of which make great souvenirs.
Take advantage of your car hire in Portugal to tour Lisbon and seek out the boutiques and street markets. Stroll down the elegant Rua Augusta for ideas; or the fine jewellery in the Chiado district, then hunt down similar items in the smaller galleries and markets that can be found all over Portugal. The Cascais Municipal Market is particularly good for leather goods: bags, shoes, belts etc. But delightful street markets and flea markets abound all over Portugal from Lagos to Coimbra and beyond. The flea market in Lisbon’s Alfama area is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays for all manner of jewellery, bric-a-brac, antiques and clothes.
Don’t leave Portugal without a tour of Douro Valley vineyards and a port wine tasting tour at the Ribeira wineries. With your car hire in Portugal, you will want to stock up on some of the fine local wines before you leave.