Archive for August, 2010

Travel To Lisbon.

If you want to travel to Lisbon, you might want to note the findings of a recent survey on European destinations for UK travellers.  It has emerged that Lisbon, Potugal is the location for the best city break.  Travellers sited, affordabilty, weather, food, and security as the priority factors of a holiday.  For overall value for money Lisbon came out tops.  I’m not suprised, Lisbon has been featured in one of our previous articles.

I know about a dozen friends and family who travel to Lisbon is year only.  They all echo the above attributes.  I’ve been to Portugal, (although not Lisbon) and had a great time, so I’m not suprised with the good reports.  If you are looking for a great destination.  Why not travel to Lisbon and give it a try?

Bank Holiday Weekend.

Meanwhile back home in the UK.  It is a Bank Holiday weekend in England, Wales and N.Ireland.  It is also the final day of London’s Notting Hill Carival, Europe’s biggest street festival.  If you’ve never been, it’s worth it for a fun day out, and of course it’s a lot closer and cheaper to get to than Portugal.

If you want to find out the best deals you can get if you travel to Lisbon.   See Lastminute.com Lisbon city breaks or Opodo city breaks.  Do I have to say it?  Okay I will, please look up your travel insurance options.  It may only be a short trip, but it’s worth it!

Photo by Amanda Santos.

The Lion King.

Have you ever seen the movie, The Lion King?  You know, that mid 1990s cute animated movie about a lion cub’s travels, (Simba).  Well, right now in London, you can also see the stage show.  But it doesn’t end there, because there is something new being added to the magic of the Lion King this Autumn.

For a limited time, starting on 21st September 2010.  An exhibition devoted to The Lion King Stage Show is being shown.  You will be able to view the creativity of the costumes, masks, models, sketches and interactive video screens.

Details of Event.

EVENT: The Lion King Exhibition.
LOCATION: National Geographic Store, 83-97 Regent Street, Soho,  W1B 4E1.
DATES: 21st September 2010 – 17th October 2010.
ADMISSION: Free.

The Lion King Stage play is currently showing at the West End Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ.  Tickets from £20.00.

Photo by Francesco Marino at http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Travel To Berlin.

If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to travel to Berlin.  This may be the ideal time, because of  some very interesting information I read about the city.  I thought it was worth a quick mention as a follow up to my earlier blog post of 16/8/2010.  Apparently, right now, the city of Berlin is the cheapest travel destination in Europe.

Berlin came out tops, beating London and Paris hands down.  I can’t remember all the figures, but it’s just another good reason why you could travel to Berlin.  Cheap is good, but when it comes down to, great value for money, that’s even better.  Go for it!  As always, don’t forget to book your travel insurance too.

Photos by: Nelly Freitas.

Travel Company.

Kiss Flights, a Travel Company based in London officially ceased trading on Tuesday 17th August 2010.  This is very bad news for travellers who have booked flights with them.  The Travel Company offered flights primarily to European destinations.  Including  the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

This has caused caos for thousands of people who have flights booked with KISS.  The sudden collapse will undoubtedly be a very big blow to thousands of travellers.

Kiss Flights is the third British Travel Company to fold this year.  You may remember an earlier article reporting the collapse of Goldtrail.  Just Last week, Sun4U a travel Company based in Birmingham, ceased trading leaving around 1,200 people in doubt of their booked flights and holidays.

The Civil Aviation Authority has stated that the thousands of people already abroad will be able to return home once their holiday is complete.  However there are still more than 50,000 people who booked flights with Kiss.  The good news is that they will be able to get a full refund if their bookings were protected by ATOL.

This is the exact unexpected situation that serves as a reminder to us all.  To protect ALL of your travel plans.  Whether it is your travel insurance or ATOL protected flight and hotel bookings, no matter which Travel Company you use.

Good luck to all of you who are affected!

Berlin.

Berlin, Germany’s capital city, has been enjoying a surge of visitors over the last six months.  I use to speak and write a little German, but over the years I lost most of what I learned.  Perhap I should take it up again.

International travel to Berlin has increased by 14% and the city is enjoying visitors from all over the World.  Why not, I’ve heard it’s a great city, full of culture and history.  It is also on my list of European cities to visit between 2011 – 2013.  I feel sure I’m going to enjoy Berlin as much as everyone else.  Can’t wait.

Easy Breaks.

If you fancy a long weekend, or a short trip to Berlin.  This may be the time to go for it. To search for good flight deals, visit our cheap flights deals page.  I have noticed a few £20.00 flights, although I suspect that was for a one way ticket. £40.00 return is still a great price.  Additionally, you can check Opodo deals.  Single trip travel insurance for Europe is very cheap, so make sure you include it in your travel costs.

Das Reisen nach Berlin und genießt!  (Travel to Berlin and enjoy).

Luton Airport.

A new executive lounge called “The Someries” has opened at Luton airport.  It will offer pay-per-use lounge facilities for some passengers and free facelities to Servisair members.

Among the many facilities available are, free newspapers and magazines, complimentary light refreshments, drinks, internet access and seating upgrades.  I have never travelled from Luton Airport, I usually fly from Gatwick or Heathrow, but who knows what the future may hold!

Photographed by healingdream at free digital photos.

Canada.

I know that Americans often drive over the State line to Canada.  I drove across the Canadian Border over to America with some Cousins of mine.  We drove from Calary to Cleveland Ohio.  It took about five hours, and oh boy did I need to stretch my legs.

Quebec, Canada is fast becoming a very popular holiday destination for visitors from the UK.  The flight is less than seven hours, which makes Quebec, a good option for a city break, or short holiday destination.  Along with the appropriate travel insurance.

US Cities Closest To Canada.

I’ve often thought I must go back to Canada one day.  Perhaps Quebec will be the next city I visit.  If you are in the USA, and live in or near Alaska, Idaho, Maine,  Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont or Washington.  It should be relatively easy for you to visit Canada for a break!

If you want to check out flight services to Canada CLICK HERE.  Otherwise see BA or Canadian Affair.

Photo By: B Cleary.

Travel Company Collapse.

Last month saw another travel company collapse.  When the South London based Tour Operator Goldtrail went into administration.  Thousands of holiday makers were sent into a holiday abyss, as they realised they were unable to take their planned summer break.  Approximately, 50,000 customers were unable to leave for their planned holiday.

Reports stated that there were approximately 16,000 customers already aboard “enjoying” their holidays.  Holiday makers in Greece faced the difficult perils of returning home.  Having to rely on the Civil Aviation Authority to step in and arrange flights home.  Well, what else could they do, leave them out there?  I think not!  Return flights from Turkey were okay.

Other reports I read, stated that Hotels in Turkey were asking the holiday makers to pay again for their hotel stay.  Otherwise they were NOT going to be able to stay at their chosen and already paid for accommodations.  Not sure how accurate that report was, but I would have thought that Hotels would have some kind of insurance cover in the event of a tour operator going into administration.  They would have an easier time of claiming back any monies from the appropriate authorities.

Some details about Goldtrail.

Goldrail was ATOL protected, so customers can claim their money back through the CAA, (Civil Aviation Authority).  However, previous customers affected by a travel company collapse have said they waited months for a refund, and some even up to 2 years.

Goldtrail was based in Morden, South East London.  The Company was started in the 1990s and specialized in holidays to Greece and Turkey.  They used chartered flight services from Turkuaz, Viking and Onur Air.  Which I must confess, I’ve never heard of them.  I generally fly scheduled flights only.

If you were affected by the unfortunate Goldrail travel company collapse. You can find out about refunds from the CAA information line on 0203 441 0846.

It’s difficult to judge which Companies, travel or otherwise will continued in business these days.  I hope you were not affected by the Goldrail travel company collapse.

For safe European holiday bookings, see Opodo or Low Cost Holidays.

Photo by Ilker.

Brussels.

Brussels is hosting their annual Beer Festival, known as the Belgian Beer Weekend.  If you like a good drink and happy atmosphere. Brussels will be overflowing with both at The Belgian Beer Weekend.  Although the weekend is centered around people drinking and tasting various different types of brew.  There will also be lots of other events going on to keep you entertained.

I am not advocating heavy drinking or drunken behaviour in any way.  However, there’s nothing wrong with a good drink if you can hold it, or better yet, hold it down.  More than 50 breweries  will be participate in this years’ event.  If you’re located in the UK, Brussels is just a few hours away, so this could be a great City Break for you.  If you’re further a field, this may be an event you would like to be a part of.

NB: Alway take care when consuming large amounts of alcohol!

Details Of Event.

EVENT: The Belgian Beer Weekend.
LOCATION: Grand Place, Brussels.
DATES:  Friday 3rd September 2010 – 6:00pm -    10:00pm.
Saturday 4th September 2010 – 11:00am – 9:00pm.
Sunday 5th September 2010 – 11:00am – 8:00pm.

Travel insurance is must - Compare prices.

Flights to Brussels from BA, Lowcostholidays or Lastminute.com.

Photographed by Lolo, wikipedia.org.

The Moon Festival.

If you’ve longed for some Eastern promise, one destination you could consider is Hong Kong.  Next month, The Moon Festival, or Harvet Moon Festival is taking place. This event has been celerated in Chineese culture for more than 3,000 years.  The Moon festival follows the Chinese calender.  It traditionally celebrates the end of the Summer harvests.  It is the time in the Chinese calendar when the moon is at it’s brightest.

If you decide to visit Hong Kong to enjoy this colourful event.  You will witness many different celebrations.  The Tai Hang Fire Dragon dance, floating sky lanterns and other brightly lit lanterns are just a few.  The traditional food for the Moon Festival celebrations is moon cakes, which is a delicate round pastries.

The Details.

EVENT: The Moon Festival.
LOCATION: Hong Kong,
DATES: 21st September 2010 – 23 September 2010.

For flights to Hong Kong, check prices at Air New Zealand or Britiah Airways.

Compare prices for your travel insurance.