Airline & Holiday Information

Archive for December, 2009

Italy has been a popular holiday destination with British tourists for decades. Thousands of visitors book flights to Italy each year, all coming in search of “la dolce vita”. From the sidewalk cafes, situated amidst ancient Roman ruins, to the sun-baked cities full of vibrancy and life, to the gorgeous rolling landscapes of Tuscany, to the famous gondolas cruising up and down Venetian canals, there’s so much to see and do in Italy.

As centres of art and culture, Italy’s museums are home to the most impressive collections of paintings, sculptures and architecture in the world. It seems as though every city boasts at least one masterpiece or another. Spend a quiet afternoon browsing a gallery and you’re sure to find a treasure.

No holiday in Italy would be complete without sampling some of the country’s world-class cuisine. Whether you venture into a small neighbourhood cafe or dine in style at a five-star restaurant, eating authentic Italian food is part of the magic of visiting the country.

Flights to Italy present travellers with year-round opportunities to make great holidays. There’s skiing in the winter, taking some sun on the Amalfi Coast or one of the surrounding islands in the summer and plenty of big cities and quiet towns to explore all year round.

Flights to Italy from the UK and Ireland are brief, making this a perfect destination for a short holiday or weekend getaway. Each region has its own distinct personality and there’s always a surprise waiting for you.

Officially opened in 1940 with a single flight to Liverpool, Dublin Airport is now the busiest in all of Ireland.  More than 23 million travellers pass through its doors yearly and 78 different airlines operate out of the terminals.  Ireland’s national carrier, Aer Lingus, is headquartered there, as is budget flight innovator Ryanair.  Flights from Dublin now depart for destinations all over the world. 

To be sure you reach the airport in time, hail a taxi or use one of the city’s express bus routes.  Taxis and minibuses are readily available and generally fast; buses are more affordable and can be quicker thanks to direct routes to the airport.  Most major hotels also provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport to ensure you’re always on time for your flights from Dublin.

Dublin Airport is fully accessible for disabled travellers and also provides additional amenities such as currency exchange kiosks and ATMs; a full service bank and post office; an array of restaurants and pubs; duty-free shopping and a shopping concourse; luggage lost-and-found office; business services including phones; faxes; and photocopy; meeting rooms; catering; a pharmacy; a free nursery; and ample baby-change facilities throughout the complex.

Two major hotels—The Holiday Inn Dublin Airport and Dublin Airport Great Southern Hotel—are located right on the premises.  With several other quality hotels close nearby, there’s no reason to miss early flights from Dublin.

For help with travel, reservations, accommodation for disabled travellers, information, and addition services offered at Dublin Airport, visit one of the information centres located on the arrivals concourse.

The capital city of the island of Mallorca, Palma is a relatively large city (population about 325,000) with a substantial seaport.  The city has a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modern nightlife that provide a welcome respite from the crush of tourism at the region’s beachfront resorts. 

The highlight of flights to Palma is the city’s historic centre district, full of narrow streets bound by the towering walls of ancient edifices.  Easy on the feet and perfect for walking, Palma’s heart extends inland from the sea to the cathedral and palace that are the city’s most significant landmarks.  Both were built on top of Moorish structures that were demolished when conquering Christians took the island from the Moors centuries ago.

Palma is a central, convenient location perfect for those looking for great shopping, dining, and entertainment.  The best quality hotels are located just west of the city’s centre, but there are plenty of moderately-priced resorts and hotels there, too.  This is also where most of the city’s brilliant nightlife is concentrated, so the atmosphere is fairly energetic.

Daytime entertainment includes sightseeing in the city’s historic district, with attractions that include ancient Arabic baths and commercial ports.  There is also Bellver Castle and the Pueblo Español, reproductions of typical Spanish architecture.  Flights to Palma reveal many points of interest for the history buff or day-tripping sightseer.

For nightlife, you won’t be disappointed by the scene in the El Terreno neighbourhood.  From concerts to exhibits to festivals to performances to clubbing and pub-hopping, flights to Palma deliver many satisfied travellers home after a fabulous holiday.

Manchester is a city in northern England and forms the borough of Greater Manchester. It has a population of slightly fewer than half a million people. The city is one of the biggest in the United Kingdom and the area adds a lot of economic and cultural value to the UK.

The city boomed during the time of the textile revolution in the late 19th century and because of this many terraced houses were built as thousands of people flocked to the city looking for work and a better way of life.

The city was voted as England’s second city in 2002 and has also been voted as having the most rapidly advancing city economy in the year 2009. Transport links are good with motorway routes widely accessible as well as cheap train fares to a number of stations surrounding the city.

The city is also home to one of the most successful football clubs of all time, Manchester United, and because of the club’s existence, many people travel to the area from other countries in order to watch games, helping the city’s economy to grow.

The city also hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, which proved that the infrastructure was capable of being able to hold high profile events over an extended period of time. This also brought a lot of revenue to the city as people flocked to witness and take part in the games.

The city also has a very distinguished history as English Kings described it as the true ‘resting place to the north’ during a number of journeys on their way to invade Scotland.

As a holy place for three different religions, the city of Jerusalem can be overcrowded with tourists at almost any time of the year. All around the city are ruins, remains and relics of vast importance to the faithful and pilgrims often flood the place, making it difficult to find accommodation. All tourists should book hotels well in advance of their flights to Israel to be sure of enjoying a comfortable stay.

Tel Aviv, Israel’s second largest city, is almost the complete opposite of Jerusalem. The city’s glittering lights, modern shops and cosmopolitan atmosphere are about as far from the ancient ruins of Jerusalem as you can get. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean, most tourists come here for seaside holidays and the beaches are almost always crowded.

If you’re looking for a quintessential beach experience, go to Eliat. Situated on the southwestern edge of Israel, this coastal community is the most widely advertised tourist destination in the nation. The focus in Eliat is on snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, water sports, luxury resorts and five star dining.

Any visit to Israel should include a float in the Dead Sea. The high salt content of the water makes for unbelievable buoyancy. While you’re in the region, take a day trip to Masada, where you’ll find several ancient palaces built on cliffs overlooking the sea. 

Christian travellers and history buffs will appreciate the deep spirituality and antiquity to be found in Nazareth. Visitors can tour various religiously significant sites, like the place where the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, the Basilica of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well.

Travel in Egypt’s largest city is generally safe and reliable and there are many options for tourists that will get you where you need to be.

Upon arrival to Cairo on a flight, there are always taxis for hire outside Cairo International Airport’s arrival halls. From the airport, a cab ride to the city centre takes about 45 minutes. There are also shuttle buses available for travel between the airport and the city and to the pyramid sites at Giza. Public transport and comfortable, air-conditioned coaches depart regularly from the airport’s Terminal 1.

Once you’re in the city, transport is cheap and efficient. Cairo’s metro system is reliable and affordable and buses are the cheapest way to travel, though most tourists avoid them, as they can be crowded. Microbuses and large service taxis are operated by private companies and can take you almost anywhere. Private microbuses are also popular, but these vehicles do not display their destinations, so it’s wise to educate yourself on the various routes before you hire one.

If you only need to travel a short distance within the city, the taxi service is fast and cheap. Haggling is the name of the game as most drivers rarely use their in-vehicle fare meters; if you’re picking up a taxi in front of a hotel, be sure to talk down the price before you get in. Fares are usually higher early in the morning and late in the evening.

Cairo has one of the highest rates of vehicle related fatalities in the world and parking can be atrocious, so hiring a car or driving yourself is not advised.

Brussels is a city with a personality problem.  This is a city that is half French, half Flemish; part history, part modernity; sometimes utterly boring, sometimes completely bizarre.  This is a city of contradiction, disparity, and unique charm with much to discover.  Truly, Brussels is a mystery and great rewards are in store for the savvy traveller brave enough to unlock it.

As one of Europe’s artistic centres, Brussels is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Art Nouveau architecture and surrealist inspiration anywhere.  Many of the iconic images of surrealist art were created in Jette, the suburb just north of the city limits. 

The atmosphere is laid-back casual, and locals love to waste hours enjoying the fantastic cuisine, chocolate, and cafe culture.  Join them as you unwind after flights to Brussels touch down.  You can explore historic architecture, spend your inheritance in the designer shops along posh Ave Louise, or try exotic food like deep fried caterpillars in Matonge, the city’s funky African neighbourhood.   

The quality of life in Brussels is second to none.  It seems like everything here is just right.  There’s fantastic shopping, brilliant restaurants, divine chocolate shops, and a vibrant club scene.  There’s a new life and renewed energy flowing through the city these days, thanks to Brussels’ honour as 2000’s Cultural Capital of Europe.  To mark the occasion, the city worked hard to dust off its stodgy image and polish away the historic buildings and crumbling streets.  The spirit of the city is all vim and vigour, burgeoned by a rekindled interest among foreign tourists and the enthusiastic rejuvenation of the city’s own residents.

Flights to Moscow have become increasingly popular and cheaper over recent years with a number of established and now budget airlines flying to and from the country of Russia.

Moscow has one of the largest visitor appeals to other Europeans, and as a vibrant city has become a very desirable place to fly to for reasons of both business and leisure.

The cheapest return flight to Moscow will be in the region of £160. You also need to be aware that Moscow is a city that will require you to have a visa if you are staying in the city for longer than a few days.

There are two types of visa that you may apply for: a tourist visa for 14-30 days and a business visa, which will be for a stay of longer than a month. You need to factor this in before you book a flight to the city as many complications could arise if you fly in without the correct paperwork. You could be delayed or even deported in the worst case scenario.

Also, bear in mind that Moscow airport is one of the strictest for security in the whole of Europe. This is partly for historical reasons and is to do with the days prior to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Many holiday operators now offer a combined service of cheap flights to and from the city, as well as tickets to the major attractions.

The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is the final destination for nearly 10 million visitors each year.  Flights to Mallorca deliver weary travellers to a land full of sun, sea, and sand.  Although the island is known mostly for its gorgeous beaches and world famous sunsets, there’s much more to do in Mallorca than just relaxing by the seaside.

Palma de Mallorca – just Palma to the locals – is the island’s capital, main city centre, and a lovely place to window shop or enjoy a late afternoon cocktail in a cosy cafe.  Situated on the northwest coast are the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana range.  For the outdoor enthusiast, this region is full of vast olive groves, gorgeous pine forests, a breathtaking rocky coastline, and dozens of quaint, sun-drenched villages.

The best beaches are to the north and east, though most of the island’s natural beauty has given way to the crush of tourism.  Dotted throughout the landscape, though, are small enclaves that have managed to retain much of their original charm without the sterilising influence of commercial development.  For those feeling truly adventurous after flights to Mallorca, a trek to some of the beautiful beaches scattered along the southern coast outside of Palma is sure to please.

From rocky mountains to fertile plains, from the bustling city of Palma to quiet country towns, and from the lively tourist resorts in the east to the pristine and secluded beaches in the south, there’s something for everyone to discover before your flights depart for home.

Glasgow airport offers a comprehensive range of flights to a growing number of European destinations. The airport also has the advantage of being able to allow budget airlines to operate from its terminals, meaning that the customer will enjoy very competitive prices for flights.

The two biggest airlines that fly from Glasgow are British Airways and Flybe, both of whom fly to a lot more destinations than some of the smaller budget airlines that operate in the area.

The cheapest price for a flight from Glasgow to London can be as low £4. But beware that this does not take into account tax and other cost factors and also is based on very specific circumstances that you may not be aware of and may not be able to meet.

The two airports that you can fly from in Glasgow are Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick. Both airports offer very good services to mainland United Kingdom destinations and many other European destinations. They also have good deals to worldwide destinations, although these will not be direct and may require you to switch airlines half way through a flight in order to travel on to your final destination.

Security at the airports is thought to be adequate and matches up well with other UK transport centres such as Heathrow and Gatwick.

The M9 Motorway is also very convenient and will take you straight into Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.