Airplane Ear: How To Avoid Ear Pain During Flight

Taking a flight is usually an exciting time – most people are heading somewhere they’ve been looking forward to. But for some, the experience comes with an unwelcome side effect: airplane ear.

I get it myself. My ears regularly pop and go blocked or muffled during flights, especially on take-off and landing. I even notice it in the car on steep hills! Fortunately, a forced yawn usually does the trick. I’ve never had it continue beyond the flight – but I did once experience really severe ear pain during a skydive, which completely ruined the experience. Pressure changes don’t just affect planes, and when it’s bad, it’s really bad.

The good news is there’s plenty you can do to prevent airplane ear or ease it when it hits. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Is Priority Disembarkation Worth It on Brittany Ferries? (With vs Without)

When you’re on a long ferry crossing, especially one that lasts over 20 hours, the last thing you want is to sit waiting to get off.

So when booking our ferry with Brittany Ferries, we added priority disembarkation on the outward journey.

We were travelling lots with long drives on a road trip across Spain and Portugal, so thought it would be nice to get off quickly and crack on with our first long drive. 

On the way home we decided not to pay extra for the priority disembarkation as we didn’t have such a long drive and thought we’d just save the money, as we were heading home anyway by this point.  

But did we make the right choice?

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Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven Cabin Review: Commodore Suite vs Deluxe Cabin

We recently travelled on the Pont-Aven overnight ferry with Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Santander and decided to try two of the higher-end cabins, one for each leg of the journey.

A Commodore suite on the way out, and a 4-berth deluxe cabin on the way back.

Here’s how they compare, and whether paying extra is actually worth it.

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Plymouth to Santander Overnight Ferry vs Flying: Would We Do It Again?

42 hours on a ferry.

We recently travelled from the UK using the overnight ferry from Plymouth to Santander, taking our own car, for a road trip through Spain and Portugal.

It sounded like a great idea at the time. A slower, more relaxed way to travel. Part of the holiday itself.

But now we’ve done it, would we do it again?

Honestly… probably not.

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Making the Most of a Long Layover: Smart Tips for Waiting Between Flights

A long layover can feel like a frustrating pause in your travel plans, but with a little planning and the right mindset, it can also be a surprisingly enjoyable part of your journey. Whether you’re stuck in an airport for a few hours or half a day, there are plenty of ways to make your time comfortable, productive, and even fun.

Here are some smart tips for turning your next long layover into something worth looking forward to.

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Collision Damage Waiver vs Car Hire Excess Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Hiring a car in Europe is an excellent way to explore at your own pace, but insurance jargon can feel complicated. Two important policies to grasp clearly are Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), usually included by the rental company, and separate car hire excess insurance. Both are designed to protect your finances, but do they always ensure you’re completely covered? Let’s explore.

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How To Stay Warm on a Plane

Travelling by aeroplane is often the fastest way to reach your destination, especially for international trips. However, flights can be an uncomfortable experience, particularly due to the cold cabin temperatures.

In this guide, I’ll outline some of the best ways to stay warm on a plane and make your journey more comfortable. As well as answer common questions such as why are aeroplanes so cold or what are cabin temperatures, so you can be best prepared for your next flight.

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Is Hitchhiking Illegal? A Look at the Rules & Safety Concerns

Hitchhiking, once a popular and cost-effective mode of travel, has seen a decline in recent years. This article explores the legality of hitchhiking in the UK, the US, Europe, and other Western countries, examines the safety concerns for both hitchhikers and drivers, and discusses the reasons behind the decline in its popularity.

We’ll also explore why, personally, I would never choose to hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker due to the safety concerns, but why we have given strangers a lift on two occasions. But first, is hitchhiking illegal? Let’s explore.

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