Firstly consider the clothes that you will be travelling in. These should be lightweight, roomy and comfortable. Buses are often heated or cooled as the season demands, but a pair of tight jeans will start to become uncomfortable after a few hours of sitting still in them, no matter how great they look.

You should also think about the hotels that you will be staying in each evening and whether there are any excursions planned. This may necessitate smart clothing and a capsule wardrobe is a great idea here as it will leave you plenty of space in your luggage but allow you to look stylish each evening.

To make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during your time on the bus itself you should take a travel bag onboard with you. Buses will often have overhead compartments just like planes so you can afford to take a reasonably sized bag on with you. In this bag you should have your toiletry kit so you can freshen up when you stop at any services.

You should also include a light blanket and small pillow, although it is best to check with your travel company when you book as some bus trips provide these to passengers. Those that don’t will not object to you bringing them and you will be pleased you did when you want a nap. A change of clothes is also a good idea for your carry on bag just in case.

Consider bringing snack food and drinks with you in case the length of time between some of the stops is long. Most bus companies do not have a problem with the type of food and drink you bring onboard and some allow you to bring alcohol too, although they ask that you drink it in moderation. You will often find that there is a spirit of camaraderie on a bus trip and people can be found pooling their snacks and having a picnic.

Things to keep you occupied while on your bus trip are also a good idea to include in your travel bag, but remember you do not have to cram everything into it at once. Each evening when you stop you will be able to exchange books from your main luggage and you can also do this with music or games that you have decided to pack as well.

This article is written by Laura Donnovan. She is currently living in Denmark and working for a travel agency for 3 years. She loves to cook, meet her friends and travel all over the world. If you like her tips for bus trips (or as it is called in Denmark bus rejser) you can follow her @LauraDonnovan.

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There could be traffic, delays, crowded airports, diversions, and sat nav failure which could make a journey stressful – even for adults!

But when you throw kids into the mix you can also count on crying, boredom, “when are we there yet?”, hunger, nappy changes and discomfort to name just a few. Anyone else already stressed out?!

Photo by admin

However, with just a little forward planning you can make you journey much easier. First off you need to make sure you’ve taken care of the essentials:

• A car seat; obviously for safety’s sake this needs to be the right type for your child or children’s age and size, also for their comfort during the car journey the right car seat can make a big difference e.g. being able to see out of the window and not having cramped legs.
• Clothing; whether you’re flying or driving, light layers are important. This way it’s easy to make them warmer or colder. Have a jacket or blanket easily accessible, especially for nap times and rest stops!
• Buggy; having a lightweight, small pushchair when travelling can make all the difference – especially with luggage allowances on planes, and precious boot space for car trips. Don’t feel like you need to spend a lot either, many supermarkets now have buggies for £20-£30 that are perfect for these occasions. If your child is young a sling or baby carrier can be invaluable, as it leaves your hands free, especially with potential luggage or other children!
• Medicine; it goes without saying that for safety and for your own peace of mind take any prescriptions and other medicines you might need with you. There’s nothing worse than a crying, sick child in the middle of the night and no way of placating them.
• Food; this can be tricky, be careful with young children and pregnancy, avoid any food that could contain raw eggs or shellfish. And of course keep everyone well hydrated.

Remember to take a few familiar toys, and a couple of new books/activity packs and your journey can be a breeze!

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The area where the Old Harry Rocks sits is known as the Jurassic coast. Because of tectonics, the land has folded over and over itself time and time again. As a result, rocks that date back to not just the Jurassic period, but also the Triassic and Cretaceous period can be seen clearly. Amongst these rocks are the fossils of countless dinosaurs from long ago; just waiting to be uncovered.

Old Harry Rocks, UK by John Tomlinson

The area where the Old Harry Rocks can be found is filled with chalk and this particular kind of rock is very resistant to the acidic attacks by saltwater. There was a day when a number of chalk columns stood in the area, but because of erosion by the waves, one by one they have tumbled to the sea. The last rock to fall was back in 1896, it was considered to be the wife of Old Harry. Today, all that is left of her is a stump.

However, to the east, just across the water you will see the very popular Needles that are situated along the coastline of the Isle of Wight. While the distance is quite far if the day is clear enough then you should have no problems seeing the Needles. It is said, that the islands used to be connected by the chalk but over the millennia this bridge has long since eroded away.

Old Harry Rocks, England, UK by Cmcqueen

Before long, it is expected that the Old Harry Rocks too will succumb to erosion. There are many people working together to find a way to protect the rocks and preserve them from the tremendous force of the waves and time.

As local legend has it, the name of the Old Harry Rocks comes from an infamous pirate who hid out in the area. Harry Paye, who was a pirate from Poole, used the area as his hideout and was said to have buried his treasures along the rocky shores of the island. While no treasure has ever been found, the name stuck as a symbol to the history that has made the island what it is today.

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