Bad Memories

Have you ever arrived at the airport, ready to check-in and jet off, but been far from in the holiday spirit.

I will explain my particular experience, purely because I have learnt from it and now put my own proven measures into place, to make sure the whole drama-filled episode never, ever recurs!

Picture the scene - 7am, bleary-eyed, wild-haired woman, just about managed to pull together an outfit that matches, wheeling an extremely large and garishly pink suitcase across a rather busy train platform, with a bag hanging from her shoulder that is so heavy it is making her look rather lop-sided.

You’d laugh normally wouldn’t you?

Well that person was me.

I’d decided, in my infinite wisdom, to take the train to the airport, which involved a connection in Sheffield en-route to Manchester and it basically caused me more stress than I can remember in a long time. It wasn’t too late in summer, so I deemed it necessary to wear sandals – bad move. I ran over my toes with that suitcase more than times I want to admit, and everyone else who got in my way got an unintentional bruise as a souvenir of meeting me.

It wasn’t fun. It was stressful, miserable and by the time I got to check-in I was ready to think ‘forget it!’ and go home. Luckily I didn’t and from that point onwards my holiday was fun, but oh my, never again.

My answer to this predicament was to take my friend’s advice and book airport parking for my next holiday. She may not have good ideas quite that often, but that particular one was a brainwave. I tried it for the first time and couldn’t understand why I’d put myself through such unnecessary stress in the past. Taking my car to the airport and parking up was the answer to my A to B travel stress all along. I wish I’d tried it sooner.

It doesn’t matter where you’re flying from, as this is a nationwide service, with most large airports offering facilities. I’ve since used Bristol Airport parking and found the same great level of service. The added bonus is that you also save money when compared to what can often be high train and coach fares, without any control in your hands.

I won’t be going back to the train-line hell after that last performance, and I think everyone who was around me that day will be quite glad of that too!

About the Author: Molly Austin is the content creator for Airparks and she has a passion for fashion, fun and traveling.

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Goodbye stress, hello holiday!

Picture the scene, if you will – a busy train platform, people everywhere, children running around, commuters holding coffee, reading newspapers, then out of nowhere, the calm is spoilt by a slightly manic looking woman, hair flailing, running over everyone’s toes with an oversized wheeled suitcase, wheezing slightly from being a little late …

That manic looking woman is usually me.

Yes, I am that woman running across the train platform, usually late, and unable to lift her suitcase onto the train without help because it’s basically too damn heavy.

I don’t enjoy getting to the airport, no matter how much I enjoy the rest of the holiday, and I usually show up on my first beach day sporting bruises from banging myself repeatedly with my suitcase. Everyone else around me? Yes, they generally have bruises too.

It’s no good for me, and it’s no good for anyone in the general vicinity either.

It’s through one too many of these experiences that I forced myself to find a better way. You can all breathe a sigh of relief now.

Driving myself to the airport means this panic and stress is eliminated, and it’s also much cheaper. Train fares these days are going up and up, and finding a cheap deal isn’t easy. Finding a cheap deal on airport parking however, well that’s just par for the course.

The first time I booked this service I used Gatwick parking, and I found the whole experience fantastic from start to finish. The convenience of taking my time getting to the airport, perhaps stopping off for a coffee, having loaded up the car with my luggage in plenty of time, really was a much less stressful experience, and nobody’s toes were squashed from my suitcase. I also discovered that you can stay at an airport hotel overnight for very little extra. I booked my Gatwick Airport hotels through Airparks and found great value, alongside some fantastic facilities. It was probably the least stressful airport experience I’ve ever had!

I now regularly use this service, and no matter where you fly from you’ll find a service to suit.

Kissing goodbye to those expensive trains, coaches and even airport taxis means more money to spend whilst you’re on holiday, after all, more money means more enjoyment. Nobody wants to be scrimping whilst they’re away, we save far too long and hard for our two weeks’ in the sun, so it makes sense to save wherever possible. Those pennies really do add up into pounds after all.

Check out what’s available at your airport when you’re booking your holiday, whether you’re heading away during winter or summer, and you’ll save yourself stress and money to boot – oh, and you won’t see me running down the platform again either!

About the author: Molly Austin is the content creator for Airparks and she has a passion for fashion, fun and travelling.

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Guest Post: Turn Departure Hell into Departure Heaven

I’m sure you have all experienced departure hell; arriving with kids and bags galore, to be greeted by harassed-looking airport staff trying to contain the chaos in the delightful check-in queue, culminating with that dreaded moment when you discover your flight has been delayed by three hours. Not the most ideal way to begin what is supposed to be a relaxing trip away.

However, HolidayExtras.co.uk have come to the rescue. The answer to all your prayers lies in an airport hotel. Now I know what you’re thinking; those stuffy hotels are for official looking businessmen who travel weekly with pinstripe suits and briefcases. However, you couldn’t be more wrong. Book into one of the many discount Manchester airport hotel or a room in one of the Stansted airport hotels, and add on an extra day of your holiday before you have even left the country!
 
These hotels, and many more dotted all over the country provide fun and enjoyment for all the family. A great many include a swimming pool and spa where you can indulge in a few treatments, as well as excellent restaurants so you are well fed and rested before you depart.

These hotels are a stone’s throw away from the airport so there’s no last-minute rush, just a nice easy transfer. You can casually stroll over to the terminal after breakfast so you are well prepared and ready to enjoy the holiday ahead.
 
What is more, if your flight is later on in the day, some of these hotels are situated near some of Britain’s greatest cities. If you are staying in one of the Dublin airport hotels, then be sure to visit the sights of this wonderful city, and of course drink a pint of Guinness.
 
I stayed at Gatwick as part of a Gatwick hotel and parking deal before my last holiday and it took away all that departure stress and made my whole holiday experience so much more enjoyable that I’ve never looked back!
 
So book an airport hotel now and say goodbye to the days of departure hell.

About the author of this post: Laurence Brown has worked in the travel industry for over 7 years. Having travelled around the world on a budget he is a firm believer in economical travel. His favourite international destination is Ecuador.

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