Airline & Holiday Information

Archive for February, 2010

Choosing a cruise holiday for the first time can be a daunting experience. Choosing an operator and deciding on a destination can seem an impossible task to those unfamiliar with cruises.

But with such a wealth of choice available there is no reason why any holidaymaker should be unable to find a cruise that suits their needs. A good place to start your search for a cruise is by investigating the operators on offer; visit the websites of companies such as P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises and Thomson Cruises to explore the sort of atmosphere and activities available onboard their boats.

Younger travellers may enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a Carnival Cruise, while traditionalists might opt for a package from Princess Cruises – choosing the operator that best suits your needs is the key to finding the cruise for you. Families might want to check what is on offer on board for youngsters, while couples might like to consider the option of an adults-only cruise.

Once the operator has been chosen the next step is to select the perfect itinerary.  While cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean have traditionally proved popular, packages such as Red Sea cruises, Baltic cruises and Far East cruises are more modern favourites offering the option to explore various ports in each destination.

Choosing a cruise is a big responsibility so it is important to find the right one for your group. Online forums and customer reviews can give a valuable insight into the reality of each cruise operator and destination.

Due to the distance, skiing in Canada is always going to be more expensive than a budget skiing break in Europe. However, skiing in Canada can be more affordable if you choose cheaper self-catering accommodation, stay in locations that are further from the slopes and travel during the low season. Even top resorts such as Whistler can be enjoyed if you are prepared to compromise on the timing of your trip and accommodation.

Last minute ski deals are a good way of saving money so if you are flexible about dates and can travel at a moment’s notice then checking travel websites for budget packages is a good idea. April is the best time to pick up a budget ski holiday in Canada as it is the time when many hotels have made big cuts in their prices. Conditions at the resorts will still be good and the skies will be sunny, but the prices will be much lower.

Another tip for cheap skiing in Canada is to choose one of the less well known resorts such as Castle Mountain in Alberta. Castle Mountain is generally in the shadow of the Alberta big names such as Lake Louise and Sunshine Village, but skiers can ride the Canadian Rockies for less at this resort. A day ticket gives access to chutes, steeps and demanding bowls down Castle’s 2,833 foot vertical, all covered with dry Rocky Mountain powder.

Tremblant in Montreal is another good choice for a budget ski holiday. Many of the resorts, even the top names such as Kicking Horse Resort, often offer ski and stay packages including free nights or free lift tickets so it is worth checking all the deals on offer.

Edinburgh is always bustling with life no matter what time of the year it is; this city is also extremely easy to get to. Take the train up the east coast of England and over the border into Scotland and it only takes five hours from London. You get to enjoy the glorious scenery all the way up the coast from King’s Cross Station in London.

Alternatively you can book flights to Edinburgh from London or several other European airports directly, and then take a taxi or bus into this historical city. This is obviously the fastest way to travel if you just want get there quickly and start enjoying the sites.

Even in winter and early spring there is a lot to do in this city, which is the capital of Scotland. You can enjoy the coast and the bracing wind and walk in the nearby nature reserves and parks. If you are not the outdoors type you could stay warm inside by visiting “The Scotch Whisky Experience”, or one of the famous malt distilleries like the one at Glenkinchie. Sampling some of the products there will give you a ‘warm glow’ for the rest of the day.

Dining is always part of visiting a large city and Edinburgh offers a variety of traditional Scottish fare and food styles from just about every country you could think of. There is even a Roman style restaurant that serves food just as the ancient Romans would have eaten it.

After you have eaten, Edinburgh Playhouse always has something to offer no matter what time of year it is. 2010 sees “Mary King’s Ghost Fest” opening, and this promises to be a really spooky event because Edinburgh is renowned for its hauntings and ghostly Roman legions that are said to march around.

You could of course just go shopping in one of the vast range of arcades and specialist stores dotted around the city and finish off with a special dinner of traditional Scottish fare.

When the rich and famous start buying second homes on a Caribbean island, it’s a sure sign that the island must be pretty special. Giorgio Armani, Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey are just a few of the stars who have chosen Antigua as their island escape.

Antigua has everything one would expect from one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations. Luxury retreats and resorts nestle along white-sand beaches whose crystal-clear waters soon break upon vibrant coral reefs. With 365 beaches to choose from, finding which part of paradise to relax in will likely be the most troubling part of the holiday.

On the northwest coast, Runaway Bay and Dickenson Bay are the resort hotspots and full of life. Less developed beaches can be found to the south, most notably Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach. It can be a bumpy ride getting there, but if looking for tranquillity it is certainly worth the effort. On the south-eastern corner of the island, Half Moon Bay is a good spot for family excursions. The water is calm and swimming is very safe.

There are plenty of activities available both on land and water. Tennis, golf, hiking and bird watching keep the landlubber’s happy, while every water sport imaginable can be found along the coast. If arriving during Sailing Week, prepare for the arrival of yachts and yachtsmen from all over the globe.

Getting to Antigua is not complicated. The island’s airport is serviced by many major airlines such as British Airways, US Airways, Continental and Caribbean Airlines.

Whether you are looking for exotic beaches, stunning panoramas, unspoilt beauty spots or historic sites, taking a Costa Cruise will enable you to see all of these and more.

Every holiday with Costa Cruises is different and depending on where you want to go and what you want to see, you can have the most amazing time. Don’t worry about being stuck on the cruise ship for the entire holiday, Costa Cruises offer fabulous excursions with lots of opportunities for shopping, sightseeing or just sitting and watching the world go by. On a Costa cruise, you can see, do and experience whatever you want.

If you are a sports lover, you can get involved in lots of different activities. On a Costa cruise you can work out in their cool and spacious gyms, with stunning views of the sea. There will also be a personal trainer on hand to help you and give you any advice that you may need.

If a gym isn’t your style, you can take part in classes such as aerobics or Pilates. Some cruise ships have open air jogging tracks, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts for you to enjoy.

If you would rather relax on your time on the high seas, you can have therapeutic massages by qualified trainers or relax in a sauna or a Turkish bath. In the wellness centres, you can choose from a fantastic variety of treatments that will have you relaxed from head to toe.

We all need some time to take a break from our everyday activities to recharge our batteries, and cross country ski holidays give us the time to do just that. Spending time on the trails is a way to get some much-needed perspective on our lives. This sport is also a great way to stay physically fit or improve our overall level of fitness.

Many resorts offering accommodation for people looking to get away on skiing holidays are located close to cross country ski trails, as well as slopes where guests can enjoy downhill skiing. Some people enjoy both sports, and welcome the chance to have a choice while away on their ski holidays.

Cross country skiing allows participants to enjoy the fresh air and the quietness of nature. While it is a great cardiovascular workout, part of the appeal of this activity is that it allows the participant to be alone with his or her thoughts. Being in the woods among trees that may have stood on a particular spot for the better part of a century helps to give the skier a sense of the timelessness of nature.

When you want to get away from your regular routine, consider a cross country ski holiday. The sport is easy to learn if you have never participated in it before, and you will enjoy the time spent in the fresh air. Once your batteries have been recharged, you can go back to your regular routine feeling refreshed and renewed.

Saudi Arabia has four international airports located in the main cities and the country has its own airline which runs flights to a number of destinations.  Discounts are available if travelling in groups or using the airline for flights to Riyadh or Dammam.

A number of tourists choose to reach the country on ferries and a regular service runs between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.  The service operates on a number of routes and journey times vary.  The ferries are modern boats and all cabins have air conditioning.  Some have private bathrooms depending on the class of travel you choose.  Tickets can often be purchased on the day of travel though when religious festivals are taking place demand is high so it is wiser to book in advance.

When travelling into Saudi Arabia by road, the land crossings are very efficient and there are usually no problems if you have the correct documentation.  Remember that if you are travelling during the Hajj or Ramadan then you may experience significant delays due to the number of pilgrims entering the country.  You must have documentation to declare you are the owner of the car you are driving or that you have permission to use the car. Borders are always open.

Saudi Arabia has a bus company that offers international journeys but if you are travelling in from a neighbouring country then they also offer similar services for a similar price. 

Security when travelling internationally to or from Saudi Arabia is tight and travellers are advised to arrive early for flights, buses and trains.

The Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland. Arguably the country’s greatest natural wonder, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Legend would have it that the Causeway was built by an Irish giant named Finn McCool. Accepting a trial of strength from a Scottish giant named Benandonner, McCool built the rocky causeway so that the two could meet. Slightly more scientific sources state that the basalt formations were the result of volcanic eruptions more than 50 million years ago.

Either way, the Giant’s Causeway is a spectacular sight with its strange basalt columns disappearing into the sea. Visitors can walk out over the columns to enjoy both the stunning scenery and the intriguing formations themselves. There are a number of routes which can be taken to reach the Causeway, the simplest of which is a half-mile walk or bus ride from the nearby road. Other longer, less direct circuits can be followed on foot, allowing for greater exploration of the area’s natural beauty, ancient ruins and wildlife.

The Causeway is open both day and night and there is no admission charge. Car park fees are approximately £6 for all-day parking, slightly more for campervans. Two gift shops and a tea room can be found nearby, while a new visitor centre is scheduled for completion in 2011. The nearest town is Bushmills, located about two miles south of the Causeway. If coming from Belfast, allow approximately 90 minutes if travelling by car.

Picture courtesy of Andrew D Hurley

If you cannot get to the Olympics in Vancouver, try the tiny Swiss resort of Mürren, which is where the sport began in January 1928. Then Sir Arnold Lunn and 16 other members of the British-run Kandahar Ski Club slowly zigzagged their way up the Shilthorn on hickory skis lined with sealskins. They spent the night in a spartan mountain hut before pointing their tips downwards and racing back to Lauterbrunnen the next morning. According to the records, all 17 finished the winner in a time of one hour 12 minutes.

The start is at the famous revolving Piz Gloria restaurant which was the location for the ski chase in James Bond’s film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and sitting having lunch or a quiet drink you will see the 360-degree panoramas it offers of the Bernese Oberland that few are in a rush to leave. Interestingly, this is the only lift that makes a charge for a descent, which many are happy to pay when they see the top of the run down, it’s not called  ”Oh God” for nothing! For what awaits the brave participants is a white knuckle descent of epic proportions. The course runs from the top of the Shilthorn to the bottom at Winteregg, a journey of six miles, dropping 7,140 vertical feet. Welcome to your very own Swiss Olympics!

Mürren is a popular Ski resort and is a car-free village situated in possibly the world’s most beautiful ski area with a wealth of off-piste skiing.  Along with the more famous Wengen, it is In the same Jungfrau ski region and has incredible Alpine village charm with the added appeal of being less crowded and less commercialized, The ideal place for a ski holiday and family friendly too.

What many newcomers to cruise holidays may not realise is how important timing is when it comes to booking your cruise and stay escape. Last minute cruises and other discount cruise deals can usually be found towards the end of the season, but it will be well worth your while finding out what the climate at your chosen destination will really be like at the time of year you plan to travel. Nonetheless, off-season may be more appealing, as there are normally fewer crowds and substantially lower fares.

Baltic cruises usually sail in the summer months and if you are looking for off-season cruise deals in this region be warned, it can get pretty cold in these northern latitudes. The best time to take a Baltic cruise is in the late spring or early autumn, as the scenery at these times of year is truly stunning and the weather is still tolerable.

Red Sea and Mediterranean cruises, provide a wider range of options when it comes picking the best time to travel. June to August is the hottest time of year and therefore the high season for these destinations. The same can be said of Far East cruises, but if you are looking for some sunshine in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, Australia comes highly recommended.

Caribbean cruises are popular almost all year round, but there are quiet periods in late January, April and May, which are ideal for getting the best rates. However, though the Caribbean is advertised as a year-round destination, the hurricane season must also be taken into consideration, as ships will sometimes have to change course, which can severely affect your holiday plans.