Newsletter June 2007
LIVE YOUR LIFE NEWSLETTER
Editor's Note - June 2007:
June is a very exciting month for the St Christopher’s posse because there are a lot of new projects gathering momentum. Like a greased snowball hurtling down a toboggan track the St Christopher’s Podcasts are finally going to be launched online. We have the technology, I have a very sexy new microphone and I’ve put together a variety of scripts to please the cynics, the romantics and the fence sitters in the backpacking crowd.Another exciting new development will be the first ever St Christopher’s column in the backpacker bible that is Packed Magazine. After a good few years of friendship we decided to join forces and swap some creative juices. With that in mind you should definitely drag your eyeballs to the July issue of Packed and also to Interview Time in this month’s newsletter. In this edition I grilled the creator Gerald and the Editor in Chief Paul, about the best trips, Flashpacking and the funniest man in history.
You can look forward to many more cross contributions because together we want to bring you the best locations, break the unbroken frontiers, find you the best deals and give you an unparalleled backpacker resource. That way I can rest safe in the knowledge that you guys are well looked after, in the know, out of danger and drunk on fun.
As promised in last month’s Sneak Peek I’ve been busy behind the scenes putting together the travel writing competition to end all travel writing competitions. With a little help from the world of publishing I’ll be launching a website to find the next Bill Bryson and give him, or her, their very own book deal. All it will take is the first chapter, a synopsis of what the rest of the book will be about and a little pinch of caffeine flavoured creativity. Keep your eyes on the website for the details.
The guys at the Rough Guides are also throwing their weight behind the Backpacker Resources. This month you can win the new Edinburgh Directions by entering the monthly hostel competition and by being one of the first five to download the new St Christopher’s Podcast!
Just in case all of that isn’t enough for you, there’s also some very exciting news about our new Backpacker Hostel in London. Hammersmith is almost ready to go and you can be one of the first to stay in our beautiful listed building by booking online now.
- Rob Savage
Top Features
Travel Top 10
Save money as you go with the top ten budget tips across Europe from St Christopher’s Inns..
Interview Time
Get to grips with the creative forces behind Packed Magazine. I chatted to the publisher and the editor about what goes into this backpacker bible.
Monthly Features
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Ethical Travel
This month we take a trip with Plan to see how the backpackers can help kids across the globe.
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Female Travel - Beauty Terrorist
Stop the terrorists terrorising your beauty regime with the best beautifiers that always make it through customs.
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Write Around the World
Read everything you should and shouldn’t know about taking trains in Europe.
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Travel Book
Be the first to read Fred Johnston’s latest poetic offerings.
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Charities
See how you can help with charity paddles, bike rides and teddy bears.
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Traveller's Tips
Keep yourself safe on the road with some up to date travel tips from St Christopher’s.
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Backpacker Bites
Bringing you the best hints and tips on how to keep healthy on the road.
He who would learn to fly one day must learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying - Friedrich Nietzsche.
An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. Voltaire
Write around the world: Travel story
Write FOR A NIGHT : Inter-railing Around Europe
This month we have a double whammy of travel tales, from Rachael Dallimore as she rail roads around Europe and also your Editor, as he explores his Yorkshire roots. It involves fascist passport inspectors, a disturbed Romanian, an alcoholic shower, the delights of Doncaster and a few money saving train tips from GNER. If that little combination doesn't tickle your brain lobes then I'll eat my hat – and start wearing one from now on so that I have one to eat.
Try your hand at travel writing, send us your submission and if we publish it you get two free nights in a St. Christopher's hostel. E-mail travelwriters@st-christophers.co.uk
Female Travel : Beauty Terrorist
Beauty across borders
After last month's riotous success I decided to delve deeper into the shallows of superficial beauty because at the end of the day, looking good can make you feel great. With that mantra in mind I took on the mighty manicure challenge and dipped my toe into the lake of Trind Nail Care. Inside you'll find the how, who and ooh of perfect nails. It's a ride and a half I tell you.
Tell us your top beauty tips when you hit the open road. Just send them to us at submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Travel Charities
St Christopher's Charities
The staff at St Christopher's are in a very giving mood during the month of June so to keep track of all that charitable action we decided to write it all down. In a very condensed nutshell there is a charity paddle going on in Newquay, a teddy bear raffle in Hammersmith and a 54 mile bike ride from London to Brighton. It's all for a good cause, or three so take a look and see if you can lend a helping hand to someone who needs one.
We're here to listen about the charities that matter to you so send us an email submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
The Interview
Packed Magazine
Please Sir Can I Have Some More – is the theme of Interview Time in June. The first course is a sumptuous dollop of conversation with the Publisher and creator of Packed, Gerald Reisecker, but as tasty as this treat is, it's just not enough for the hungry St Christopher's backpackers. That's why you get a second helping of carbohydrate goodyness when we chat to the Editor in Chief Paul Scraton. Unfortunately you have to wait for dessert but it will be more than worth it when the St Christopher's column satisfies your sweet tooth in the July/August edition of Packed.
Got a health related question, comment or smart remark? We're here to listen, so send us an email. submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Backpacking Travel Tips
Be travel smart
We've got pants, Podcasts, the Royal Guard, Greenwich and some more top tactical tips for fending off the fiendish street collectors. They might think they're big and clever but we're here to cast them in a different light with a few strokes of our cynical brush. “Come back here now and give me money” say they? “Throw yourself backwards down a mineshaft without a parachute” say I.
Got a travelling query? Want us to help plan your trip? Want to know the best tours, countries, pubs, restaurants, hide-away gems? Just ask: submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Ethical travel
Plan
This month we take a trip with the child centered community organisation, Plan. Learn about how the trek of your life can help save a life and how you can help the good people behind this organisation, put an end to poverty in 62 countries. Take part in an overseas challenge, raise funds and make a donation that makes a difference with St Christopher's and Plan.
Tell us your top beauty tips when you hit the open road. Just send them to us at submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Top 5 Travel Reads
Reads on the road
This month we have the delicious Lollipop Shoes - the long awaited sequel to the taste bud tantalizing Chocolat, by Joanne Harris. Also making it into the top five this month we have some gritty urban crime in Broken Angel, a beyond death experience with Charlie St Cloud, some quotable animals and why you should never run with scissors.
We've been getting lots of info about what you are wrapping your eyes around so why not share it with your backpacking fellows? submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Backpacker Bites
Diet Diary and St Christopher's Supplements
James is back from his holiday and this time we're infusing his work with a little homeopathic therapy. In this month's guide to health on the open road we kill parasites with magnets, look at alternative Malaria treatments and keep track of the food you eat when you're happy, sad and in between. Let St Christopher's nurse you better as you traverse the world with your backpack..
Got a health related question, comment or smart remark? We're here to listen, so send us an email. submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
We are all travellers in the wilderness of the world and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend. Robert Louis Stevenson.
That which is called firmness in a King is called obstinacy in a donkey - John Erskine
St Christopher's Top 10
The Top 10 Ways to Save money in THe UK
If you're a ying yang, vice versa kind of backpacker, then you'll love this month's Top Ten. In the true spirit of budgeting backpackers this article gives you five red hot tips about saving money in London. These bad boys are then followed up with five equally roasting hints about how to cut down your expenses in Edinburgh. Make room in your budget for the important Live Your Life experiences by engaging your brain and reading through.
If you've got a great Top 10 fill us in. The world is full of travellers looking for the next big adventure so give them a helping hand. Send your submissions to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
ST Christopher's Online Store
Something to remember us by
When it comes to sweet backpacking mementoes, photos can only do so much. That’s why you need to grab a St Christopher’s T-Shirt. This way so you can wear your good times, day in and day out. They’re bright and affordable just like the stars of St Christopher’s. You can also crack open your beer bottles, lie on a sun drenched beach and keep your coffee hot, with the help of St Christopher’s Inns. Check out our Online Store for some bargain basement deals.
Remember your time with the St Christopher's crew with some top quality merchandise. Just let us know what you want to buy. submissions@st-christophers.co.uk.
Travel Book Extract
The Oracle Rooms
This month Fred Johnston is back by popular demand and this time he brings us a little bit of poetry. The Oracle Rooms is a tribute to the victims in Ireland who suffered abuse because the people who could have helped, said nothing. It's intense but it's a mould breaker that will make you think twice about letting the small things slide.
Recommend your favourite travel books to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
