Posts Tagged ‘travel and leisure’

How To Get Flights To Tenerife

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Flying to Tenerife is easy any time of year with wide a selection of low-fare airlines and UK and Ireland airports.

Airports:

Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Blackpool Bournemouth Bristol Cardiff Cork Doncaster Dublin Durham Tees Edinburgh Exeter Gatwick Glascow Leeds Liverpool Luton Manchester Newcastle Norwich Nottingham Shannon Stansted

Airlines:

British Airways Jet2 Monarch Scheduled Aerlingus Ryanair Thomsonfly Flyglobespan

Flights to Tenerife are very reasonable, currently staring at around-8. The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a popular destination among UK travelers. Tenerife generally has two busy seasons. The first is during the winter when it experiences an influx of older tourists escaping winter’s chill. The second extends from May to October, with families and college students on holiday.

The world-famous Tenerife Carnival is held in February in Santa Cruz. Held in the two weeks before Lent, Tenerife Carnival rivals Rio for size and grandeur. The party culminates with a parade and the Burial of the Sardine, in which a huge model sardine is carried through the streets, followed by mourners, and eventually burned.

You will likely find the best deals in the off-season. The climate is fairly constant, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the beaches and attractions in less-crowded conditions.

There are two airports on Tenerife. Most traffic comes into Tenerife South Reina Sofia Airport (TFS), which also offers more than 100 connecting flights to additional destinations. Tenerife North handles inter-island flights for island hoppers. You can also take the ferry to explore the other Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands are known as the Islands of Eternal Springtime for a reason. There is little difference between summer and winter temperatures with winter temperatures bottoming out at-C. Summer months are balmy but comfortable. But, as an illustration of this island’s contrasts, the average annual temperature at the inland the Teide National Park is only 9C.

As you would expect, Tenerife offers white, sandy beaches and a lively night life. Beyond the usual tourist attractions, visitors find vast natural beauty and splendid landscapes. The snow-capped Mount Teide rises from the center of the island, providing its breathtaking backdrop. In the north, you’ll find a variety of wildlife and their habitats, ranging form rugged rocky coves to lush greenery. Farther south, the beaches stretch in the sun - home to resorts like Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Tenerife’s capital city, Santa Cruz, offers tax-free shopping for bargain hunters. The Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa, an Artistic Historical Monument, has galleries of merchants of all varieties surrounding a central courtyard and clock tower. One of Spain’s largest ports, this cosmopolitan city also offers parks and historical theaters.

Cable rides to the top of Mount Tiede, one of the world’s largest volcanoes, will offer spectacular views from the highest point in the Atlantic Ocean.

For children of all ages, the Monkey Zoo is a must. Located in Los Cristianos, most of the animal cages are open for visitors to walk into. You can buy food for the animals at the entrance, so you are guaranteed an up-close experience with a variety of animals including ring-tailed lemurs and iguanas.

Susan is the marketing director for the UK’s leading Flight comparison portal, which includes detailed information on Flights To Tenerife

Flights to Almeria

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Though not yet as popular as Costa del Sol, Madrid or Barcelona, Almeria is a rapidly developing holiday spot with enough choices of airlines and airports to get you there at a good price.

Airports: Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin, Gatwick, Leeds, Luton, Manchester, London Stansted.

Airlines:Monarch, Easyjet, Ryanair, Iberia

Fares to Aleneria are somewhat more expensive as there is not as much competition among airlines offering it as a destination. Fares can range from-9 up to 230 and more depending on your carrier. If you’re having difficulty finding a suitable flight to Almeria, consider a flight to Malaga as an alternative. Almeria is only a 2 hour drive from the Malaga Airport. You could also consider flying into Granada and catch the A-92 Autovia into Almeria.

Alemeria airport (LEI) is a small but modern airport and becomes busier each year. You can chose to hire a car, take the bus service or take a cab into the city.

Almeria is located at the eastern edge of Andalucia. Because the Almeria region and Costa Almeria are only now growing in popularity among holidaymakers, there is no defined busy season. You’ll be able to find a variety of activities and places of interest year-round. New resorts are springing up east and west of the city.

The city has a rich history and takes influence from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors who all occupied the city before it was recaptured by Christian armies in the 15th century. As evidence, the imposing Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress, overlooks the town from its hilltop perch.

You’ll find a strong African influence here due to the large number of immigrant workers from Morocco, Tunisia and others. You can even take a ferry trip to North Africa from Almeria.

Choose from a good selection of galleries, museums and shops for diversion. The Olive Oil Museum, located in the city’s historical quarter in a’th century home, gives you the chance to taste a variety of olive oils. La Rambla is a long avenue of squares, street cafes and children’s play areas. For architecture buffs, the old city offers fascinating medieval examples with colonnades, archways and squares you can explore on foot.

There are seven golf courses in Almeria offering something for novice golfers as well as more experienced players.

Nature provides much to see in Almeria. Inland you’ll find an almost lunar-like landscape, chosen as a perfect backdrop for the “spaghetti westerns” of the’70s. Almeria is also known for its troglodyte villages - a community of cave dwellers who have fashioned extraordinary homes, complete with smart doors and puffing chimneys, in the soft rock.

Hikers, bird waters, and scuba divers find the Cabo del Gato-Nijar nature preserve a favorite attraction. Its desert landscape and rugged coastline doted with small coves provides adventure for nature lovers of all types.

You can find more tame entertainment choices at the tourist centers on the eastern coast of the province at Mojacar and on the southern coast, west of the city. Here are beaches, marinas, international restaurants, hotels and sports centers.

Susan is the marketing director for the UK’s leading Flight comparison portal, which includes detailed information on Flights to Almeria

How To Get British Airways

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Not every airline can boast a history like British Airways’. This airline’s history is so storied, in fact, the British Airways Archive and Museum Collection, established at the company’s inceptions, preserves the history of British Airways and its predecessor companies. Read on for highlights:

On 25 August’19 Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, a company forerunner, launched the first daily scheduled international flight from London to Paris. The plane, a single-engine de Havilland DH4A biplane took off from Hundslow Heath, not far from today’s Heathrow International. Two-and- a-half hours later, the plane landed in Le Bourget, delivering its one passenger and cargo of newspapers, Devonshire cream and grouse. Soon after, two other airways began flights to Paris and Brussels. In these pioneering days, companies struggled with few passengers, high fares and less-than-predictable flights.

Just five years later, Britain’s four fledgling airlines merged to form Imperial Airways Limited. Passengers’ international flight choices included Paris, Brussels, Basle, Cologne and Zurich. Over the next 10 years, flights to India, the Arabian Gulf, Egypt, South Africa, Singapore, West Africa and Australia were introduced along with the addition of the Croydon airport. In’35, several smaller air transport companies merged to form British Airways Limited operating out of Gatwick airport. British Airways Limited became Imperial Airways Limited’s main UK competitor for European flights. In response to a governmental review, the two airlines were nationalized in’39 to form British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

The airline industry experienced vast changes after World War II. BOAC continued its international flights while continental European and domestic flights were handled by a new airline, British European Airways (BEA). BOAC was offering flights to New York, Japan, Chicago and the U.S. West Coast by’57. This, coupled with BEA’s network of domestic destinations put these two airlines at the forefront of scheduled passenger and cargo services in the UK.

BOAC led the world into the jet era in the’50s. Its first jet plane flight in’52, using a Comet 1 flying to Johannesburg, cut the previous flight time in half. BOAC also had the distinction of the first jet transatlantic with two Comet 4s flying simultaneously from London and New York. Other developments during this era: BEA completed the first automatic landing of a scheduled flight, ushering in all-weather operations. BEA met the demand of the mass holiday package industry by launching its own charter airline, BEA Airtours.

Beginning in’60, several governmental actions led to the creation and eventual merging of Britain’s airlines into British Airways in’74. Though these actions initially caused financial and industrial upheaval, the new airline eventually recovered and employed its predecessors’ pioneering spirit with the world’s first supersonic passenger service with Concorde in’76.

British Airways struggled financially under government control until it was privatized in’87. Later that year, British Airways merged with Caldonian.

Today, British Airways is UK’s largest international airline offering flights to more than 550 destinations. Passengers can chose from first class, business class, premium economy class and economy class. Services have come a long way since that first flight. British Airways offers food services and a selection of entertainment options including movies, TV, games, and music. Passengers can even shop in the on-board Highlife shop.

Susan is the marketing director for Saflights.co.za. South Arica’s leading Flight comparison portal which includes all major airlines including British Airways

Get Flights to Madrid

Friday, December 4th, 2009

The only difficult part of shopping for an inexpensive flight to Madrid is making a choice from the range of options. At the time of this writing, no less than 9 UK and Irish airlines were offering direct flights to Madrid from 15 airports. Take your choice:

Airports: Aberdeen,Belfast, Bristol, Bournemouth, Dublin, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Shannon.

Airlines: British Airways, EasyJet, Aer Lingus, Ryannair, Aireuropa, BMI British Midland, Iberia,Avro.

Because Spain is the top destination for UK travelers, low fares are easy to find. Currently, fares on the low-cost carriers range from 88 to 120, so Madrid makes a great holiday destination, even for travelers on a budget. Plan your trip to avoid summer in Madrid. October is an ideal time to visit the city if you like great weather, cheaper flights and lower hotel rates. If you enjoy cultural attractions and ski resorts, winter is a great time to visit.

Madrid’s airport, Madrid Barajas International Airport, MAD, is Spain’s busiest airport with more than 40 million passengers a year. It is located- km from central Madrid, and the Metro can get you there in 30 minutes, but you can also take one of the frequent shuffle buses or a cab. Keep in mind, traffic is usually bad, so the ride could be close to an hour.

Once in Madrid, the Metro and bus services are fast and inexpensive, as are cab services. It is best not to drive yourself in Madrid because of the dangerous traffic conditions. However, you can hire a car to drive out of town at the airport. Spain is a favorite holiday spot for more reasons that just affordability. The combination of Spanish charm, culture, art, nightlife and costal entertainments contribute to its popularity. Except for beaches, you can find attractions for all of these elements in Madrid.

Madrid is Spain’s capital and its largest city. Geographically located in the center of the Iberian peninsula, it has been the political, financial and administrative heart of the country for centuries. King Philip II established his royal court there in 1561. Successive kings contributed to Madrid’s grandeur by commissioning places, cathedrals, public buildings and monuments.

Some attractions to consider: For starters, the world-renowned Prado, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia for modern art and the newly public collection of Thyssen-Bornemisza are top attractions for art lovers. There is also the little-known Monasterio de las Descalas Reales, an elegant convent built in the 16th century for aristocratic nuns. Now a museum, you can see the priceless works of art and religious relics new nuns donated as part of their dowries.

For history buffs, visit the San Nicolas de las Servitas, believed to date back to 1085. For shoppers, El Rastro is one of the best flea markets in Europe. For culture/sport junkies, bull fights are held on Sundays and holidays throughout the year.

Experience Madrid’s unique night life by visiting tascas, pubs that serve tapas - Spanish appetizers ranging sausages to snails and always including good wines. Flamenco music is the soul of Spain, so plan to visit a flamenco tavern to experience these gypsy folk songs and dances. Remember, when in Madrid, start late and finish later when you’re going out. The food, drink and dancing often last until breakfast the next day.

Susan is the marketing director for the UK’s leading Flight comparison portal, which includes detailed information on Flights to Madrid

Book A Flight According To Your Convenience With An Aircraft Charter Service

Friday, November 20th, 2009

There are several ways that flying with an aircraft charter service differs from flying on commercial airlines, however for the customer; those differences can be summarized up in the words flexibility, efficiency and privacy.

Large corporations often use a charter service to get executives from one point to another in the least amount of time when millions of dollars are counting on their ability to sign a contract on time. There are other times that a critically ill patient needs to be transferred from one medical care facility to another. Perhaps you are just trying to transfer your family from one city to another and would like for them to be as comfortable as possible. No matter what your priorities are, an aircraft charter service allows you to organize your trip according to your needs.

If you have flown the commercial airlines you know that what should be a three hour flight may sometimes take the majority of the day as you fly to the major hubs and then sit and wait for hours for your next flight. There are times that your drive to or from the airport takes longer than the actual flight.

Once you get to the airport you may face long lines and searches just to board the plane. Another danger is lost luggage. On board the plane, it would be impossible to conduct any business dealings.

In contrast, a charter flight can pick you up at your nearest airport and fly you to within miles of your final destination. You are able to choose your plane as well as any amenities that you want during the flight. In your own private plane, you can feel free to discuss business freely without the fear of being overheard. There is very little wasted time in a flight that takes you directly to your destination.

If you think charter services may be too expensive, do not forget what you will pay for travel, hotel and wages for busy executives. In addition, if more than one person is flying you can save even more money. The charter service will work around your schedule and be sure that you are at the place you need to be on time every time. For many businesses, air charter service may become your only option.

Aircraft charter services usually charge by the hour. Rates can vary according to several factors. The hourly rates are calculated by the actual time the plane is in the air. Therefore, a good tailwind can make your trip cost less. If you get stuck in a holding pattern, the trip can cost more. You will find that some carriers offer a guaranteed rate; however they must charge to cover such delays, so you may actually pay more for the trip.

There are times that passengers are also responsible for additional fees. Check with your carrier to see which ones apply. This will help you to better plan your budget.

Want to travel? Go when you want with an aircraft charter service. You can travel where you want and how you want with private aircraft charter services, immediately! Go in style, find out how!

What You Need To Know About Locating Tenerife Spain Hotels

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Consider staying at one of these luxurious Tenerife Spain hotels if you are traveling to the Tenerife area for vacation with your family. These hotels all offer an array of amenities that will keep every member of your family entertained.

The Hotel Spa Tierra de Oro is a great place to stay if you like to swim. They have several pools for both adults and children. Or you can relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy the sauna or steam bath. If you want to something other than swim, they offer miniature golf. You can also get your hair done or have a massage. There is a gym if you can’t miss your workout and a solarium if you want to work on your tan. You can send the kids out to play on the playground or leave them in the hotel’s child care center while you enjoy some time with your partner.

Weather is pleasant in Tenerfie. It is warm and has a low humidity. The weather in the winter typically is approximately 70 degrees and in the summer 81 degrees. The island receives little rain each year. The most rainfall received is in December. There is not a lot of air pollution at the island.

There are several websites that you can use to locate accommodations and airfare. The best ones will offer you several different choices at a range of prices. You want to make sure that there is more information about the hotel or resort you will be staying included in the package description. The last thing you want is to get to your destination and find out that the hotel you will be staying in does not include food.

You may also be interested in booking your vacation through a travel agent. You will get their expertise and experience. Also, they may be able to help you book other aspects of your trip, such as tours, activities and other fun things to do. A good travel agent may have traveled to Tenerife and be able to fill you in on good night clubs and give you advice about where to stay and what to see while you are there.

You won’t regret choosing any of these highly rated Tenerife Spain hotels. All of them offer great service and a wide range of amenities to satisfy everyone in your party.

To pre-book best quality tenerife spain hotels on your upcoming vacation, visit us now at www.travelsoon.com

Holidays To Luxor: Experience An Ancient Gem

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

One of the most alluring destinations nowadays would be Luxor. You can ask anyone who planned their holidays to Luxor; how thrilling it is to immerse yourself in this very interesting culture. A culture that is not just ancient but beautiful as well.

Many travelers have visited Luxor over the decades who gave her a reputation as a warm and friendly city. Her hospitality is really excellent as she offers all types of accommodation. Whether it be for the discerned traveler or a back-packer, she has it all. Her gastronomic delights will astound you while her nightlife is ample.

One of the most famous activities is to view the mummified remains of the boy king Tutankhamen. These were discovered in the Valley of Kings and are now on view in a climate controlled glass box in his tomb. There are also plenty of other tombs of equal grandeur that can be visited and explored.

When you plan your trip to Luxor, you need to take into account that it can become stifling hot. Be prepared to experience temperatures that can reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Consequently the months of September to April would be the most suitable time to visit.

In Luxor, you can stroll amongst ancient palaces and gardens, past remnants the colonial times of the British as well as those of the Egyptian monarchs. Another famous structure is the temple of Luxor. Its massive statues, columns, and bays, depict a period that has been lost to history.

It has been a destination for tourists since time immemorial. Famous visitors have included Homer and Napoleon. In fact Napoleon. ’s army are said to have broken into spontaneous applause on first viewing the city.

Luxor has an undeniable charm that is both unique and friendly. Its energy is something that all visitors to Egypt should experience and cherish.

For top quality holidays to luxor, go to our website at www.travelsoon.com for the latest offers

Reviews on Holiday Destinations

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

When deciding where to go on holiday this year, you will not be short of top destinations. There will also be a lot of travel agents advising you to book with them for the best deals. One place you should visit though is the World Tourism Organisation.

Each year they release information regarding which countries had the most visitors in a year compared to others. Also they provide information which clearly shows those countries which have seen a marked increase in the number of visitors from abroad visiting them. They also help to break down this list into the various continents showing which countries within Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas were the most popular.

A favourite holiday destination in Europe is Italy, closely followed by France, Spain, UK and Germany. 18% of all holidaymakers choose Europe because of its history and culture. The weather is even good in some places!

Other popular destinations outside Europe include Africa, with Egypt being the first choice for travellers. Other countries like Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia and Morocco are also becoming very popular amongst holidaymakers.

This year China has been attracting quite a few tourists to its shores. The main reason is because this is the year where both the Olympics and Para Olympics will be taking place. But along with China other destinations in Asia that are seeing an increase in visitors are Japan and Thailand. All of which although popular with visitors from around the world have still been able to retain much of their own identity and have not been influenced too much by our Western ways.

If looking into the World Tourism Organisation is not enough for you, then it is worth checking out the Independent Tour Operators. They compile a list of the most popular 10 destinations in that year. Below is a list of the 10 ten places.

Tresco in the Isles of Scilly is very popular, quite a bit of construction work has been taking place to build new holiday homes and luxury apartments.

Naples, Italy ” There is not only many of the historic landmarks of the city which have recently been restored for you to spend time viewing, but it has some really wonderful shops and restaurants. Plus you are within easy reach of such attractions as Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast.

Since the start of the Eurostar many travellers have been going to France, as it only take a short time from England. When in France holidaymakers will truly experience why France is so famous.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a fantastic place to visit, there is so much to see and do. One must see is the World Heritage site where visitors can access for free.

Western Iceland ” This is a place where if you are looking for seclusion when on holiday is ideal. Throughout your time the chances of you being disturbed are almost zero so being able to relax and unwind wont be a problem.

Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is popular due to the fact that its food is second to none. There are plenty of Spanish and French cuisines to choose from.

Cook Islands, South Pacific ” This is the perfect location if you are looking for some winter sun. Currently this place seems to be proving popular with holiday makers from the UK as the pound is very strong against the New Zealand dollar.

Monte Carlo is a fantastic place to be, the sun shines and the people are nice. The one thing about Monte Carlo is that it is very expensive so plenty of money is needed. One great time to go is when the Grand Prix is on.

Zambia is becoming ever so popular with tourists due to the fact that it is very cheap. Safari is a common attraction with lots of wildlife to see. Large tribal homes are a great way to spend your holiday.

Togo and Benin is a great place to holiday is you are looking to see another view of Africa. This country does not get many visits but it is still worth visiting.

Looking for Property abroad? You can search for the perfect holiday homes on the classifieds site Adflyer.

Costa Adeje Apartments Provide The Perfect Getaway

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Beautiful beaches are waiting for you on the southern coast of Spain. Costa Adeje, located in Tenerife, has something to offer anyone and everyone. It is the perfect resort community for relaxing, with great alternatives to hotels in the many Costa Adeje apartments.

Featuring crystal clear waters and gorgeous black sand beaches, Costa Adeje is the place to go whether you want to lay in the sun or if you have something more active in mind. Every water activity you can imagine is there including scuba diving, snorkeling and much much more.

And if you get tired of the ocean activities, you can still play in the water and check out one of the many water parks. Other sporting activities include golfing, windsurfing, mountain biking and horseback riding.

When you are tired of relaxing, and are ready to hit the nightlife, Playa de las Americas is right nearby. You can party all night and then retreat to the much quieter Costa Adeje when you have had enough.

Costa Adeje apartments are perfect for the person who wants to take a longer vacation. They are especially nice as you do not have to eat out all the time, despite there being such a wide range of tasty choices.

Costa Adeje apartments are available in a variety of price ranges and sizes, and there are villas and bungalows available as well. These are all generally in resorts so that you have access to amenities that are more like staying in a hotel. These may include pools, restaurants, bars, laundries and supermarkets. A reception area can help you with everything from reservations to tennis lessons.

It will not take much searching to find an apartment that has exactly what you are looking for, in terms of both amenities and atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a more active social scene or something more tranquil, you will find what you want in the variety of Costa Adeje apartments.

To book incredible accommodation for your superb costa adeje holiday, visit www.Travelsoon.com soon

London Shopping Vacations

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

London, as a vacation destination, is very hard to beat. It is the most popular city in England for city breaks and longer vacations. Most people travel there to take in the wonderful sights of the capital city of England and some endeavor to see the British Royal Family (with the Queen being the top of everyone’s list). Many people head to London to take advantage of the finest shopping in the land.

London is one of the main three cities of the world associated with serious shopping, the others being Paris and New York. Check any bottle of perfume and the city is bound to appear somewhere on the packaging and usually on the bottle itself. Virtually every company involved in the retail trade has it’s UK flagship store in one of the primary shopping districts of London.

Department stores, designer shops, fashion shops and boutiques, music shops, bookshops, jewellery shops and virtually any other type of retail outlet is found within easy walking distance of a London tube station. Usually the different types of store tend to appear in groups in certain areas such as Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, New Bond Street and the likes.

Oxford Street And Knightsbridge

Harrods is, most probably, the most famous department store in England and you will find it, along with the superb Harvey Nichols and other stores, in Knightsbridge. Another incredibly famous department store is Selfridges department store found on Oxford Street. Oxford Street has lots of department stores and it has the reputation of being the busiest shopping street in Europe.

Bond Street

Bond Street, in Mayfair, has some of the most expensive shops in London. If you want elegance this is the place to visit it has more shops supplying the Royal Family (Royal Warrant holders) than any other London shopping area. Think Gucci and Armani and you have a rough idea of what to expect.

Covent Garden

If you find Bond Street a bit too expensive for your budget then you will find Covent Garden a pleasant alternative. This is where you will find most of London’s smaller independent fashion shops and shoe shops.

Other Places In London Associated With Shopping

Carnaby Street has a long association with fashion and in recent years the street is once again becoming trendy. If you want an old fashioned British tailor then Savile Row is the most famous place but you will also find tailors in and around Piccadilly. Hatton Garden (near Farringdon) is another place to go for jewelry shops. Shopping for books is best done around the Charing Cross Road although you may find some bookshops in Covent Garden too.

London has lots more places in which to go shopping and the above list is not comprehensive, there are simply too many. Other places to go shopping, especially for unusual items, are the many London markets, too many to list here.

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