Traveling to any country has its quirks, thats part of the experience…

After all, it’s meant to be different.

But some of the everyday basics that we ladies tend to rely on can trip you up in the UK if you're not careful...

So read on if you want to know how to avoid any hiccups traveling in the UK...

When it comes to getting showered, hair dried, makeup on, and more as you head out the door.

And bring your sense of humour, I love the UK, quirks and all 🤪👏 🇬🇧💂‍♂️!

Just trying to shower, not crack a code!

Now to be fair this quirk may stump you in other countries.

This is not unique to the UK, travel to any country and shower and bathtub plumbing can be an exercise in creativity…

While the faucets in the bathroom of your hotel room or AirBnB might look sleek and amazing…

Turning them on and off to get water flowing and....

Knowing which way to go for hot or cold...

URGH… its over complicated for that sleek, simple design.

So yes, you guessed it...

I absolutely figure out how to get the shower working when I arrive rather than at 6 in the morning when I'm scrambling to get up and out the door on that amazing tour for the day!

Look for hidden buttons and…

You may have to hold the button while you actually turn the faucet on.

Watch out for faucets where one side might be to turn on the water and the other to control the temperature, again with hidden buttons or pushing in while you turn.

Looking for a face flannel? Good luck with that 🤷‍♀️

I don’t know about you but I rely on having a face flannel.

This isn’t just quirky, putting it bluntly it $%^& me off when hotels do not provide a face flannel.

For some reason it is definitely a UK thing to NOT provide face flannels.

You name it hotels or AirBnBs… for some reason they think you and I want to wash our face with our hands!!!

Give me a break.

So either be prepared to use your hands or flail around trying use the end of a hand towel and end up getting the whole thing sopping wet or…

Carry makeup rounds and they can do double duty not only to remove makeup but do a full face wash.

Hair Dryers: Ensuring Blow-Dry Bliss!

I don’t even realize I have all these little travel habits and rituals until I go to do something and things are not quite as I expected.

🔥🔥🔥 HOT TIP 🔥🔥🔥

The very first thing I do when I get into my hotel room is find the hairdryer and switch it on to make sure it works.

If I can’t find it or for some crazy reason it doesn’t work it gives me time to call housekeeping and get a replacement organized.

There is nothing worse then waking up, jumping in the shower and getting out dripping wet only to find there is no hair dryer or it doesn’t work!

Yes, that is the voice of experience talking, its happened more than once before I adopted my hairdryer habit ;-)

I was reminded of this recently on a trip to the UK. 

I checked in and then was in a rush to get back out and you guessed it…

I forgot my No. 1 habit to make sure I would be having a care free hair day the next next morning with a working hairdryer.

So here comes a quirk of being in the UK…

First, most bathrooms only have “shaver power outlets” which will not accommodate a hairdryer.

So now comes the mad scramble to find a power plug in the bedroom that you can reach without being stuck behind a desk or bed…

Then finding if it is remotely near a mirror!

If you manage to survive all that here comes the kicker.

I plug it in and press my heat setting and air flow and… NOTHING happened.

I tried different plug outlets, played with all the settings becoming increasingly frustrated.

So I call the front desk and let the receptionist know that my hairdryer was not working and could housekeeping send up a replacement.

The response back was a deep sigh, and they droll response of are you holding down the safety switch?🤦‍♀️

URG!!! Seriously!

I couldn’t exactly drop it in the bathtub or basin since I couldn’t plug it in the bathroom.

Ok, venting over, you get the picture so let me save you all that grief and hassle by being forewarned.

You’re welcome 🙂

UK wall plugs: A puzzle wrapped in a mystery

Ok, moving on I mentioned finding power plugs, well here goes the next quirky thing.

But before we get there lets start with the basics:

UK power is 230V vs. 110-120V in the US or Canada.

So what does that mean?

If you plan on bringing any electrical appliances with you...

You will need a “transformer” to adjust the 110-120V to be able to absorb 230V or you will toast your hairdryer, curling iron etc.

Personally, I never take my North American appliances to countries with a different voltage.

📌 I either make do without

📌 Keep my fingers crossed I can make do with just a hotel hairdryer

📌 Buy a cheap appliance once I get there, or...

📌 Purchase a dual voltage appliance from home to take with me

🔥🔥🔥 Hot Tip 🔥🔥🔥

If you do purchase a transformer be aware they weigh heavy, a big reason why I don’t bother.

Now in addition to a transformer you definitely need an “adaptor”. This is a plug that your appliance plugs into.

The UK use a Type G Plug

The G Plug has 3 prongs but wait for it…

I know this starts to hurt your head doesn’t it…

There are 2 x types of 3 x Prong plugs, one with the top single prong being round and the other the top single prong is flat.

But here’s the thing, once you know the problem there is always a solution.

This is a handy type of adaptor as you also have the USB outlets for your phone, tablet etc.

*********************************************************************************************

2-Pack US/CA to UK Ireland Travel Plug Adapter, Addtam Type G Power Outlet Adapter with 3 AC Outlets and 3 USB, Travel Essentials for USA to Dubai Scotland British London England Hong Kong Irish Tap the 👉LINK to view the them.

Please be aware, I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and I sometimes earn a commission through purchases made through links linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no additional cost to you.

*********************************************************************************************

Woo hoo, you’re nearly there.

Whether you’re trying to plug in your own appliance or the hotel hairdryer…

Don’t just plug in your laptop, flat iron etc. and expect things to be on.

You may also have to turn a “switch” on, yes seriously 🤦‍♀️…

Oh, the switch is on the plug? How delightfully quirky 🤪

Now remember, you’re in the UK and you’re likely staying in a some old or really old places so…

Wall plugs can often be in short supply and incredibly awkward spaces and..

And, some places you stay may have a mix of switches meaning some want the round  vs. the flat prong adaptor.

UK bathrooms: Where only a shaver gets VIP access

I mentioned this above but its worth repeating…

Don’t expect to plug your hairdryer into the bathroom plug even in hotels!!!

Plugs are not allowed in bathrooms or shower rooms unless they can be fitted at least 3 meters from the bath or shower.

So you will typically only find shaver outlets in bathrooms.

I make a point when I visit the UK of always figuring out where I’m going to plug that hairdryer in and make sure it works.

Try seeing yourself in a mirror? Better bring a ladder

Again the UK is not alone in doing this but you can pretty much bet on mirrors in hotels, Guest Inns and AirBnBs being in the some of the most awkward locations… 

Stuck in the darkest part of the room and…

The mirrors are hung so high so they only work for the Jolly Green Giant!

Ok, I might be exaggerating just a tad but if you’re a shorty like me, it is painful.

So be sure to bring that magnifying makeup mirror at a minimum.

Not sure what I’m talking about check this out.

*********************************************************************************************

10x Magnifying Handheld Mirror, 2-Sided with Adjustable Stand, Foldable and Portable, Suitable for Makeup: Tap the 👉LINK to view the them.

Please be aware, I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and I sometimes earn a commission through purchases made through links linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no additional cost to you.

*********************************************************************************************

Wrapping up…

Please don’t leave with the wrong impression. 

I absolutely adore the UK and traveling there feels like home.

As I mentioned you’ll find some of these quirks in other parts of the world… New Zealand my birth country being one of them :-) 

The whole point is that information is power...

And knowing some of these quirky things ahead of time are aimed to reduce and stress or frustration and instead bring a cheeky smile to your face instead.

So enjoy your travel to the UK quirks and all, I highly recommend it!

Interested in more, check out my YouTube Channel

If you found this blog valuable head on over to my YouTube channel and take a look, here's the 👉👉👉 link

Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

And if you like what you see please consider subscribing to the channel or giving a video a like :-)

So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.