Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ticks
Ticks are increasingly common in the region's countryside, some carry Lymes Disease - a relatively uncommon but po-
tentially serious illness. To prevent bites use insect repellent and wear long trousers tucked into socks and long-sleeved
shirts. At the end of the day, check that you're tick-free. If you are bitten, remove the tick as soon as possible by grasp-
ing it close to the skin with tweezers and twisting anti-clockwise. Lymes Disease may appear as an expanding, reddish
round rash in the area of the bite, for up to 30 days later. Symptoms include influenza, mild headaches and aching
muscles and joints. The condition is treatable with antibiotics but early diagnosis is best; if you think any of these symp-
toms may come from a tick bite, see a doctor.
Internet Access
Internet cafes feature in Devon and Cornwall's main cities and towns; prices range from around £1.50 to £3 per hour.
You can get online at many hotels and hostels too. Public libraries often have free access but sometimes run booking
systems and limit sessions to half an hour.
While not packed with wi-fi zones, most towns and cities have fair-to-good provision. Many hotels and a reasonable
number of B&Bs also have wi-fi access, and (as elsewhere in the UK) cafes are another good option. Charges range
from nothing to £5 per hour.
This topic uses an internet icon ( ) to show you can get online. The wi-fi icon ( ) denotes wi-fi access.
Maps
If you're heading onto the region's smaller roads, a good regional atlas will save you frustration diversions. In remote
areas you can't rely on signposts, or them mentioning places you're familiar with. In some more rural areas satnav sys-
tems are notorious for directing drivers down unnavigable roads.
The most useful maps have a scale of about 1:200,000 (three miles to one inch). The region's cities have their own A-
Zs; look out too for good scale county-specific, or West-Country-specific map books. Most road atlases cost £8 to £12
and can be bought at petrol stations and bookshops.
For walkers and cyclists the
Ordnance Survey
(OS;
www.shop.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk
) Landranger series (£7)
is good, with a scale of 1:50,000, but many prefer the detail of the Explorer range (£8), at 1:25,000.
Money
ATMs
ATMs (or cash machines) pepper cities and towns, but some of Devon and Cornwall's smaller communities simply
don't have them, so a cheque book or small emergency stash of money is a good idea. Alternatives can be the stand-
alone cash machines in convenience stores (as elsewhere, charges may apply).
