Your Technological Holiday Checklist
Your Technological Holiday Checklist
Technology features in every aspect of our lives, from work, to home, to play and now, in our holidays. Thanks to advances in technology and communication, it's now possible to book holidays online, book accommodation for your holiday and book activities, such as tours, excursions and restaurants, all from your home internet connection. However, while technology helps us to arrange our holidays, they can also be the cause of higher bills and hidden charges. So if you're due to fly out on holiday, here are a few things you can do to ensure that you won't be faced with an unexpected and expensive bill when you return home.
At Home
Before you go on holiday, make a list of what electrical appliances will need to be used whilst you're away. These are usually items in your kitchen, such as the fridge and the freezer. Everything else that's not going to get used in your absence, such as the TV, the computer and the internet can be properly switched off in your absence, which will help you save on electricity bills. The same rules go for heating, if you're going to be away for a while, or if you're travelling during a warmer time of year, then there's no need to keep the heating on in your house while you're away.
On the Go
It seems like everyone has a mobile phone these days, but smartphones are becoming more popular, with the i-Phone and the Blackberry being just two of the industry's best known examples. As all mobile phones will be more expensive to use abroad, it's a good idea to phone your service provider or mobile phone company to find out what kind of charges you'll incur while using your phone abroad. Ask what the charge would be for phoning another phone in your destination, for texting and for making an international call back home. Smartphones have access to the internet and email, which is probably one of the most expensive things to do on a mobile phone abroad, so it's a good idea to switch off your phone's data access, such as Wi-Fi and email before you travel. Your mobile phone company may be able to advise you on special deals and discounts for international calls, so make sure you ask about this, as well as giving them your dates of travel.
In the Hotel
Depending on where you're staying on holiday, there may be internet access at your hotel or hostel, but make sure that there's not a charge for this. Many companies do provide free internet access, but others may not be as cheap, so make sure you know what the charges are for internet access, phone calls and even basic items, such as towels, drinks and food.
It's time to acknowledge that internet access abroad isn't without its price, or those cheap holidays will end up being more expensive that you first thought. London and Paris: Compare and Contrast Save Money by Gaining Local Knowledge on Holiday How to Save Money for a Holiday World top 5 Travel Destinations Get Real Flavor through Taj Mahal with Jaipur Tour PHL Department of Tourism joins 17th Annual Honolulu Festival Hawaii- A Golf Paradise Survival Guide for Living in London How to spend the perfect weekend in Paris Argentina Travel: History in Alta Gracia Top 3 Honeymoon Destinations in South America Argentina Holidays: Villages of Los Valles Calchaquies Latest Summer Shoe Collection 2011