Author Archives: Qin Xie

How will Brexit affect my holiday?

by Qin Xie

Published on The Times digital on 5th November 2021

little under four years after the referendum, the UK finally left the EU at 11pm on January 31, 2020 and entered a transition period, during which the final details of Brexit were negotiated. The transition period ended on December 31, 2020, and the UK officially left the EU single market and customs union at 11pm that day.

From that point the UK became what’s known as a “Third Country”, one that’s defined by the EU as “a country that is not a member of the European Union as well as a country or territory whose citizens do not enjoy the European Union right to free movement”.

There have been wide-ranging implications for travellers as a result of these changes, including updates on passport validity, increased roaming charges and of course how long you can stay in an EU country without a visa.

Read more at The Times digital

Words – October 2021

by Qin Xie

Best U.S. cities to visit in winter

by Qin Xie

Published on Staysure on19th October 2021

It’s hard to beat the USA when it comes to a city break in winter. It’s one of a handful of countries in the world where you can pick between a bracing ski trip or a balmy beach holiday in the same month, not to mention the sheer number of cities you can choose from.

From Thanksgiving (25 November) onwards, almost everywhere will be gearing up for Christmas so it’s a great excuse to shop for presents, or just to soak up the cosy, festive atmosphere indoors. And after the new year, you can taste the new season’s maple syrup or join in Mardi Gras celebrations.

So whether you’re looking for something cool and festive or warm and sunny, we’ve rounded up a selection of US cities that are perfect for this winter.

Read more at Staysure

SCUBA OOO! Learn how to scuba dive among the unspoilt Red Sea reefs around Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh

by Qin Xie

Published in The Sun on 16th October 2021

Also published on The Sun digital

DRIFTING through a curtain of bubbles, I spot the Yolanda Reef for the very first time.

The majestic coral cliff is a scene of vibrant orange creatures, green plants and fluorescent yellow bannerfish, which loop around the rocks oblivious to my presence.

I’d only tried diving for the first time just a few days earlier and I’m now inside what feels like the world’s largest tropical aquarium, Ras Mohammed National Park, just outside the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

Read more at The Sun digital

BlueAir blue 3210 review: A whisper-quiet air purifier on a budget

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 7th October 2021

BlueAir is one of the market leaders when it comes to air purifiers, and it specialises in devices for huge offices as well as small bedrooms.

For consumers, the brand’s ethos is applaudable. Its whisper-quiet products for the home are designed to be super effective while being extremely energy efficient at the same time. And, as well as making products that have a low impact on the environment, the brand also uses its profits to help make clean air available to children around the world.

The blue 3210 purifier, launched in March 2021, is one of the brand’s most affordable and compact devices to date. Weighing in at a mere 1.68kg, it’s light enough to be moved around using just one hand, while also being powerful enough to remove the smallest particles from the air. In fact, based on independent testing, it can remove any pollen, dust and most bacteria and viruses from the air in a 12sq m room in just 12.5 minutes.

Read more at The Independent