Airline & Holiday Information

Archive for the ‘World Airports’ Category

You may be in for a long haul but when you get to this infinitely fascinating continent, flanked on all sides by breathtaking seascapes, you’ll quickly realise that the travelling was worth every minute. All Australian state capitals have major airports (and many also have ports), so one of them is inevitably going to be your arrival point. Most holidaymakers visit the country between May and October, and most of these head for the stunning Southern coastline. Bear in mind that, if you’re travelling from Europe, your flight time will not be under 24 hours (travellers from Los Angeles get off lightly with 14 hours). Australia is, however, serviced by more than 50 international airlines, with Qantas, for example, flying in and out every week, every year.  With distances like this, however, you must expect flights to be expensive. Keep your eyes peeled, even so; during the slower travel times there are invariably excellent deals to be found.

If you’d prefer to cruise to Oz, you’ll almost certainly arrive at Sydney. Don’t be under any illusions though; fabulous though the cruise experience usually is, you’ll certainly pay for it. Floating holidays to Australia are not cheap. And they’re very popular, so you’ll nearly always discover there’s a waiting list. So either plan well ahead, or fly to Asia and pick up a Princess Cruise from there (the waiting period is usually shorter this way).

When you arrive, don’t be fazed by the strict customs controls. Australia has kept itself free of many diseases and pests for many years, so it prides itself on its customs rigour. You’ll be asked to declare anything you’re bringing in – so don’t even think about taking any fruit, vegetables, meat or other foodstuffs or you’ll instantly fall foul of the authorities. Be extra careful about your passport and visa, though; visas must be issued in the visitor’s country of origin and passports must expire well after the specified departure date.

Flights to Damascus and other destinations in the Middle East make it easy to reach exotic cities and diverse peoples whose ways of life differ often dramatically from our own.

The very name Damascus conjures up images of bazaars, magic carpets, minarets and all the other associations with the mystic Middle East so beloved of orientalists.

Capital of Syria, Damascus is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a huge, covered souk and a labyrinthine complex of narrow streets at its heart. The old city centre is where any visitor will find all his dreams and expectations of what the Middle East should be like fully realised. It is packed with markets, mosques and various shrines, with the Omayyad Mosque with its high encircling walls the most famous of all. Take the weight off your feet with a refreshing glass of the local beverage in a tea house behind the mosque, or have a Turkish bath to wipe away the grime of what can be a rather dirty city.

Large sections of the city are poor and overcrowded, but the Al Mouhajarine district is dominated by modern office blocks, in a trend seen elsewhere in other great cities in the region such as Istanbul, Beirut and Cairo. This often sharp intrusion of the modern world of corporate capitalism into traditional cityscapes may not be too easy on the eye, but it does highlight the fact that ancient and ultra-modern can usually happily co-exist in the same metropolis and indeed create an arresting contrast.

Sometimes the ideal holiday destination may be a city with foreign customs, and a lifestyle that is completely different from your own. Perhaps you are planning a flight to Cairo, Egypt or a flight to Amman, Jordan, and you want to make sure that you put your best foot forward. An air travel consolidator may be the answer to your problems.

Consolidators can be found on the internet or located in ethnic neighbourhoods in your city. Orbitz and Expedia are two of the larger online consolidators, but don not be afraid to ask co-workers or family members if they have a specific consolidator that they have used before.

There are different types of consolidators, but you will want a destination specialist. Destination specialists will often include car hires and/or hotel packages in their flight packages, finding you the cheapest flights possible. They are generally natives of the country you plan to visit, giving you an opportunity to confer with someone who knows the local customs, restrictions and the intricacies of travel to these cities. Since they book the majority of their clients on the same airlines, they have an inside edge on great discounts. You will get the most convenient flights at the most affordable prices by using a consolidator who has the means and inside information to finalize a great deal for you.

As you sit back to enjoy your cheap flight, you will also take great pleasure in knowing that no matter how much you paid, the person sitting across the aisle from you probably paid a lot more than you did.

Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is one of the Caucasus countries close the Middle East. It borders the Caspian Sea to its immediate East, Georgia and Russia to its north, Armenia and Turkey to its east and Iran to its south.

Throughout the 20th century, Baku was known as an oil town. The city is heavily industrialised due to oil exploration and transportation. Travel to and from Baku, especially that related to the oil industry, is mostly by air. Flights to Baku will take you to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The airport was modernised in the mid 2000s to develop its function as a major cargo centre serving the wider region. Though there are further airports surrounding Baku, these tend to be private or military ones, making Heydar Aliyev International Airport the only commercial travel destination in the area.

Other than the oil industry, Baku is the main cultural destination within Azerbaijan. The city has a number of museums, principally devoted to history and art. The city is home to the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Baku International Film Festival and the Baku International Jazz Festival.

Baku is a place of historic interest, with ancient buildings, palaces and mosques, mainly concentrated in what is known as the Old City. Parts of the Old City have been named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Modern culture is represented by an array of nightclubs, cafes and European or eastern style restaurants.

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.

If you’re looking for a bit of unexpected excitement and sophistication amidst the antiquity and spirituality of Israel, then a flight to Tel Aviv is just what you need. 

Located on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean, the city of Tel Aviv has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. The mild year-round climate makes the seaside a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The beaches are informally divided, based on activities, sunbathing at one, water sports at another, young crowd here, family atmosphere there. Just keep wandering until you find the vibe that’s right for you.

The nightlife in Tel Aviv is on par with major metropolitan destinations like London and New York and the commercial and financial sectors are also growing rapidly. Fantastic clubs, bars and restaurants seem to pop up around every corner and the city is fast becoming an important place to do business for companies all over the world.

For the cultured traveller, the abundance of cheap flights to Tel Aviv provide instant access to some excellent museums and theatres. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art houses a remarkable collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings; the Diaspora Museum ushers millions of visitors each year through the annals of Jewish history and both the New Israel Opera and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra are located in Tel Aviv.

As the home of thousands of Jews, Muslims and Christians, Tel Aviv offers a diverse collection of cultures and traditions. These unique influences are apparent in everything from the food to the architecture.

All visitors to Jordan, regardless of their travel purposes or country of origin, are required to obtain a visa upon arrival. Visas can be acquired before taking flights to Jordan or may be issued at the airport. You’ll also need to present documentation and tickets for any travel you plan to do beyond Jordan. British citizens will have to show a valid passport. 

Queen Alia International, the main airport in the country, is located just 35kms from central Amman. Domestic flights are limited to a single route between Amman and Aqaba, so if you plan to travel around the country it is generally easier and more flexible to hire a car. Filling stations are few and very far between, so be sure to plan ahead and fill up before heading out of the larger towns and cities. If you have held a valid driver licence in your home country, for at least a year, you will be allowed to hire a car in Jordan. Driving is on the right-hand side and road signs are in both English and Arabic. Look out for the brown signs that mark various points of interest for tourists.

If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, you can take any of the bus routes through the major cities. Aimed at the tourist population, buses are modern and air conditioned and stop at all main tourist attractions. Bus travel is a bit pricier than hiring a taxi or renting a car, but it’s safe and comfortable. 

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.

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.