Archive for April, 2010

Fine Dining In San Francisco.

Fine Dining in San Francisco.  The top culinary attraction for San Franciscans is an event that is sure to be very popular this Spring.  The City’s “Dine About Town Event” is returning this year.  San Francisco’s culinary scene has always been of great importance to the City.  That makes this particular event important to residents and tourist alike.  A high source of entertainment around the world, dining out is still viewed as a good day or evening out.  This is the perfect opportunity to experience some true fine dining in San Francisco, this year.

A full list of regular participating restaurants will be available from early May 2010.  New participants will include new menus such as Credo, Pera and French Bistro.  It is expected that over 100 chefs will be cooking up fabulous foods with set two course lunch menus and three course dinner menus.

Dates: From 1st to 15th June 2010.
Location: Throughout the city of San Francisco.
Prices: 2-course Lunches from $18.00 -  3-course Dinner from $35.00.

See Expedia and others for flights.

Don’t forget your travel insurance!

 
Photos By: Monika Henkel.

Air Travel or Train Travel.

Which do you prefer? Air travel or train travel?  I love to fly.  Unfortunately, when in coach/ecomomy, (which usually I am).  It can be, to put it mildy.  Cramped.  This is why train travel is so attractive to me.  It is however, one of things that I have be realistic about.  Let’s face it, It’s not exactly realistic to travel to America or further a field by train.  (Don’t even know if this could be done).  The next best thing is to choose a European destination.

I choose France, EuroStar (train) from St Pancras railway station to Paris.  Then another train from Paris to Nimes would be a great adventure.  I have friends who live in Nimes and I’ve been to France many times, but not to Paris or Nimes.  I looked up some approximate costs for off-peak travel by air and rail.

EuroStar – Round Trip from London St Pancras 1 week early September 2010
Price approx pp = £69.00 – £119.00 – 2-2:30 hours travel time.

Air Travel – Round Trip from Various London Airports 1 week early September
2010.
Air France – Round Trip – £76.00 – £101.50 pp
BA – Round Trip – £59.00 – £108.00 pp

Well it’s cheaper to use Air travel for this little excercise.  But how do I satisfy by need to travel by rail?  I could spend three days in Paris.  Then take a train from Paris to Nimes to visit my friends.  Only thing, I think it is a 3-4 hour journey .  Choosing this itenary I won’t have to make the choice of, air travel or train travel, I will get to do both.  Plus I’ll get some senic views (I hope)!

Flights to France.
Train Travel to France.

Don’t forget your travel insurance.

Picture by Oxyman.

Celebrity Eclipse.

Following on from my previous blog post (April 16th) about the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.  The Volcanic Ash drifting across European airspace is causing major distruptions.  I’ve just heard, a few days ago, a luxury Crusie Liner jumped to the resue of more than 2,000 stranded British and Irish holiday makers.

The Celebrity Eclipse, is the newest Celebrity Cruises Ship of the UK Celebrity Cruise fleet.  It carried Spanish passengers stranded in Britain, including 50 teenage students back to Spain.  Arriving a few days ago in Bilbao, Spain.  It collected more than 2,000 standed passengers from Thomas Cook, Thomson and Co-operative Group package tour Companies back to Southampton.

Way to go Celebrity Eclipse!

Picture by George Hutchinson.

Visit Brighton.

I used to visit Brighton often as a kid.  It’s Spring and a great time of the year to take a holiday break.  Next month Monday 3rd May 2010, is a Bank Holiday for England, N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  It is generally referred to on the  calender as , “Early Spring Bank Holiday”.  I think it’s great day for rail travel.  It’s Spring, the days are brighter, it’s a long weekend.  Fabulous.

My recommendation is a day trip to Brighton!  It can be a lot of fun and rich with activities for the whole family during  holidays.  The train will be crowded and noisy, but this should be the one day when we Brits should suck it up.  It’s Spring!!

For general Bank Holiday travel tips (See March 5th post).  Whether you travel rail, travel air, or travel by car or sea.  Take care and have a good one!

Visit Brighton – Day trips and schedules see;

Thetrainline.
Rail Europe.

Photo By: diwat 26.

Art Exhibition.

Picasso vs. Rusiñol.

The Museu Picasso, (Picasso Museum) in Barcelona, Spain will have a special showing of Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973), work this Spring.  A marvellous treat for art enthusiasts and admirers of the famed artist.

This art exhibition, is focusing on the influence on Picasso by Santiago Rusiñol one of Spain’s important and influencial culture figures of the 19th & 20th Century.  Santiago Rusiñol (1861 – 1931), was a poet, a painter and playwright.  The art works will show the connection between both artists and will feature some unknown or litte known work from Picasso.

This sounds thrilling and would be a great city break, especially for those living in Europe.  You can enjoy a short break and an, prestiguious Art Exhibition, at the same time.  Spain is also on our list of most visited Countries in the World (No.3).  Where better than to visit it’s capital City and enjoy a little culture.

Art Exhibition – Details.

Dates: 28th May 2010 to 5th September 2010.
Location: Montcada, 15-23 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Opens: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: €9.00
Reduced Admission Fees: Under 25yrs & Over 65yrs, Children under 16 free.

Check Expedia or Lastminute.com for city breaks & Flights.

Don’t forget your travel insurance.

Picture by Flickr.

China Airlines.

Good news for UK and European Travellers.  China Airlines, international network has been expanded to include nonstop services to Taipel three times a week from Heathrow Airport.

The airline’s services also extend to many other European Cities which  include; Amsterdam, Rome, Vienna.  As well many German Cities including Cologne, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart.

Don’t forget to check out what travel insurance options are available for you and your family.

Picture by Ellery Cheng at wikipedia.org.

Volcanic Ash.

OMG Travel Plans For Brits Haulted Due to Volcanic Ash.

Airpots across the UK are hopelessly cancelling flights left right and centre becasue of the Volcanic Ash being spread across British airspace from the arupting Volcano in Iceland.  I’ve never seen anything like it before, it’s fasinating and frustrating at the same time.  All flights are understandably grounded but oh boy, what a blow to people due to travel abroad or get home.

I’m hearing reports on the news that more than 100,000 people are stranded abroad trying to get back home.  A group of people paid a £700.00 taxi ride home from Ireland.  And I’ve even heard that people are taking taxis to Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Zurich.  Back here in the UK, others have had their Wedding Plans ruined because they can’t fly. Eurostar is fully book, but keep trying just in case.

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano has caused such distruption to the UK, and other European cities, inclding France and Spain.  But what can you do?  It’s just one of those unexpected turns in Nature.

Good luck to all, and here’s hoping you can get to or from where you need to soon!

Picture by Tim McMahan

Annual Travel Insurance.

Annaul Travel Insurance – YES or NO?  Who in their right minds would go on holiday without it.  Although, I do have a sneaky suspcion that thousands of people do.  I wanted to give my penny’s worth since the subject came up in conversation with some friends late last Friday night. Very late.

If I am planning a trip, particulary more than once in a year.  I ALWAYS take out annual travel insurance. (Worldwide).  This way I’m covered where ever I go, and it works out a lot cheaper.   Even if you are planning a short city break, get  cover, so that you and your family are protected.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to taking out annual travel insurance, then get single trip insurance.  If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill while on holiday without travel insurance.  You may NOT get the level of care you need., and you may have to pay a fortune for medical treatment.

Check online, or with your local travel agent, or post office. Get the type of travel insurance that suits you and your chosen destination.  Most of all – enjoy your holiday!

Picture by Steve Ralston

Travelling Abroad.

I read a report recently that said over 55% of British people were plan on travelling abroad for their holidays this year. The report stats that many Brits are set to travel to Asia and other Countries This year.

Thosands of Britains have claimed that travelling abroad to warmer climates has been influenced because of the cold weather in the UK. (yep it sure is cold here).  even now in April’s Spring, it’s still not warm enough.

Other European cities who’s Spring warmth and sunshine is already shinning through are the top proiorities.  Along with, America, Africa, Asia & the Caribbean. Air travel is definately on the up and up these days.  But let’s not rule out a cruise.  I will be going on a cruise with family next year, and although I cannot swim. (I know, I know), it still doesn’t put me off cruises.  After all, you stay on the ship right?

For affordable flights and packages, Lowcost holidays and Monarch holidays forspecial deal.
For City Breaks check out Lastminute.com
Where ever you decide to go, be sure to purchase relevent travel insurance!

Picture by Gregory Runyan

Cheap City Break.

If you are looking for a cheap city break.  A recent study has named Prague of the Czech Republic, the cheapest City in Europe.  This is very good news for people living in the UK and other European Cities.  I’ve never been to Prague but I do know it is also one of the cleanest Cities in Europe.

Lisbon, Portugal was found to the be second cheapest City in Europe, so there’s two Cities to choose from.  What is also very interesting, is that both these Cities happen to be the Capital Cities of their respective Countries.  There you go, if you’re feeling the financial pains we all are, but still want a cheap City break.   These two cities seems like a good place to start!

#1 TRAVEL TIP: Compare travel insurance quotes, find cheap travel and cover yourself!

See Expedia for European holiday packages.

Skiing Resort.

The Skiing Resort, Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia is still open for a Ski holiday getaway.  If you didn’t get a chance to vacation away this Winter, this could be the perfect opportunity.  Heavy snow falls will kept this popular Ski Resort open thoughout the Easter Break.

If snowballing and skiing is your bag, check this resort out and see what’s available.  The men’s Olympic course, along with most of Whistler’s snowboarding and skiing terrain is open.

Whistler Blackcomb Open Until 24th May 2010.

How To Get There: Fly to Vancouver, then by car or train to the Resort.

Check affordable flights BA or Opodo.

Don’t forget your travel insurance options for you and your family.

Picture by Jack Kuzuian