Showing posts with label Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advice. Show all posts

Thursday, 10 May 2018

Human connections

A Southern California startup company now provides an innovative solution for help getting around walkable city centers easily. The Prontopia App connects travelers with vetted on-demand locals who arrive by foot to provide expert assistance any time the need arises. 

The locals on the Prontopia app know the best way to get to city lodging and meeting points, or to a departure point on time when door-to-door by car is not an option. The app works like Uber, but without cars, with an emphasis on the importance of human connections in the city.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Norwegian cabin crew and pilots reveal their top tips to stress-free family travel



WITH the main school summer holidays just around the corner, families are preparing to jet off into the sunshine for a well-deserved break. Parents can often worry about the ‘joys’ of flying with their young children so Norwegian’s cabin crew and pilots, who have a lot of experience of travelling with little ones, have shared their top tips to a stress-free journey – happy flying!

Liliana Chantre, Senior Cabin Crew: “Bring noise cancelling headphones for new-born babies and toddlers – it helps them to feel calm and relaxed as well as helping with the pressure change”
Robert Kennedy, Cabin Crew: “Pack lots of time consuming snacks for them to eat which will keep them occupied for as long as possible! I always bring dry alphabet cereal or cheerios”
Joost Smits, Pilot: “Write a contact phone number on their arm in case they wander off”
Meriel Taylor, Ground Instructor: “Invest in an inflatable booster seat that meets Norwegian’s regulations for child safety restraint systems – you can use it on the aircraft and in a hire car at your destinations. It looks no different when blown up to the real thing, apart from the fact you can deflate it and pop it in your handbag... fantastic!”
Lee Allen, Cabin Crew: “I always pack lavender balm. Just put a touch on the kid’s temple to keep them calm. On a night flight, the soothing smell helps induced sleep”
Andrew Huddleston, Relief Captain: “Take a compact backpack as hand luggage that enables you to store it under the seat in front – then you don't need to keep getting out of your seat to retrieve your items”
Anders Halvgaard, First Officer: “I always give my kids something to suck or chew on during take-off and landing. The distraction, as well as the chewing, can help prevent any problems with pain due to pressure changes. For small babies, a bottle helps a lot”
Christine Bergles, Chief Ground Instructor: “Don’t forget to bring some over the ear headphones – perfect for kid’s watching a movie or playing games on their tablet and it means they won’t pull them out or block their ears”
Sira Llorente, Senior Cabin Crew: “When travelling with my daughter I always pack her favourite things especially food, including a few treats and her favourite toys to make sure she is entertained the whole flight”


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Norwegian Air

Monday, 26 December 2016

US issues travel warnings for Egypt & Jordan

The US has issued travel warnings for Egypt and Jordan over the risk of terror attacks against American interests, tourists and personnel.  The US State Department warned US citizens to consider the risk of travelling to these countries and to avoid certain areas where the threat is greater.

"The Egyptian Government maintains a heavy security presence at major tourist sites, such as Sharm el-Sheikh... and at many of the temples and archaeological sites located in and around greater Cairo and in the Nile Valley," the travel warning read.

"US Mission personnel are allowed to travel to these areas. However, terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in the country," the alert added, explaining that several extremist organisations are operating in Egypt, including the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

The US has also warned its citizens and staff against travelling to Jordan, where terror organisations, including the IS, are active.

"Jordan's prominent role in the counter-IS Coalition and its shared borders with Iraq and Syria increase the potential for future terrorist incidents," the State Department said.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: ccarlstead flickr.com/photos/27087959@N00/388076082 Camels via photopin

Thursday, 1 September 2016

US issues travel warning for Turkey

A recent warning from the US State Department has advised American citizens against travel to Turkey following the recent engagement of military operations inside Syria and increased threats from terrorist groups.

The US State Department advised on August 23, 2016, that the voluntary departure of family members assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul had been extended through September 23, 2016.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK


Picture Credit: 87857621@N00/20169090863">Quiet Morning</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

The idiot’s guide to staying alive

BRITISH holidaymakers heading out to hotels around the Med have been given some advice by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA): don’t get drunk and fall off balconies. 

Sadly, the advice is needed: tour operators say that three British nationals had died and three more were seriously injured after falling or jumping from balconies while on holiday overseas last year. This represents just a fraction of the total number of such incidents. So far in 2016, says the FCO, there have been three balcony falls resulting in serious injury. One of them involved a 34-year-old British holidaymaker who jumped from his hotel balcony into the swimming pool. He is in a critical condition after suffering a serious spinal cord injury.

Many balcony falls involve young people and alcohol. For the last five years, ABTA and the FCO have run campaigns warning of the dangers as well as providing advice and tips on staying safe, including in hotels popular with younger travellers.

Nikki White, ABTA’s director of Destinations and Sustainability, said: ‘As we head into the peak summer season, we are again urging holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies. We see too many people badly injured or much worse because they’ve tried to climb over, jump, or dive from their hotel balcony. A moment of thoughtlessness can have a devastating impact, not just on the holidaymaker themselves, but also on their family and friends. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, ABTA Members and local authorities in resorts, we hope to help holidaymakers use their balconies sensibly and safely, as do millions of hotel guests around the world.’

Will Middleton, FCO consular director for Southern Europe, said: ‘We have already seen a number of very serious injuries caused by balcony falls this summer. We really do urge people to avoid taking risks around balconies, particularly if they have been drinking. A momentary lapse of judgement can lead to a lifetime of consequences.’

ABTA and the FCO have put together the following tips on using balconies safely:

Never lean over, sit, or climb on the balcony wall or railings.

Don’t try to pass items to someone on another balcony.

Don’t climb from one balcony to another.

Never stand on balcony furniture.

Never jump into the pool from your balcony.

Take extra care on balconies after drinking alcohol as your judgement may be affected.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: 24215748050 Cartagena, Colombia street scenes via photopin.com

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

17,000+ calls to India’s tourist helpline

THE #tourist #helpline set up by India’s Ministry of Tourism in February has already received more than 17,900 calls.

The new helpline was launched on February 8, and by March 20 it had handled 17,911 requests for assistance and information from tourists, marking an average of almost 578 calls per day.

The Toll Free Tourist Infoline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English, Hindi, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

It main objective is to provide information related to travel and tourism in India, as well as helping travellers in distress and, if required, alerting the authorities. It forms part of the Indian government’s drive to improve the safety of tourists in the country.

A new mobile app is also being launched help tourists, and the Incredible #India website will be revamped to make it ‘more tourist-friendly’.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK


Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Access for all

MARCH this year saw the launch of Limitless Travel, an online platform that allows hotels and attractions to list their access amenities for #disabled guests, and visitors to rate facilities. Users with #disabilities and mobility problems –and their friends, families, and carers – can search for destinations across the world based on their specific access requirements, saving them both time and money.

It was founded by Angus Drummond, who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in 2012. He quit his job in investment banking, travelled the world, and experienced at first-hand the difficulties people with disabilities can face when visiting a new place.

Angus says: ‘When you go holiday, what would you do if you couldn’t climb the stairs or get into the shower? What would you do if you couldn’t read the menu? These are just some of the issues facing people with disabilities when travelling the world, and one that Limitless Travel is solving. While I was travelling, I often found that places marked as disabled-friendly are quite inaccessible, which was extremely frustrating.

‘The Limitless Travel team’s aim is to promote equality and fairness for all who travel, and raise awareness and understanding within the travel industry. Through our website we believe the future is limitless. Disabled #travel doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience; we are making it an exciting opportunity to discover new parts of the world.’

The website kicked off with a guide to London, and aims to expand its coverage to hotels and attractions across the UK, Europe, and then the rest of the world. It is also in touch with tour operators who can offer trips to far-flung destinations for travellers with different access requirements.

www.limitlesstravel.org


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Australia issues Bali travel advisory

THE Australian government has issued a #Bali travel warning, saying terrorist attacks in Indonesia are expected and calling for caution while visiting the country.

After the release of the travel advisory, cruise ships began cancelling their stops in Bali, which was preparing to welcome more than 60 cruise ships this year.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK


Saturday, 23 January 2016

Waiting for the wedding …

GETTING married abroad can be romantic but also a bureaucratic nightmare. You have go through legal processes of one sort or another everywhere, but in these countries it’s little less of a headache than in many others … 

Cyprus
All paperwork is in English and couples don’t have to spend a certain period of time on the island before they get married, so they can have the wedding and honeymoon within a week.

Rhodes, Greece
Getting married in Greece is relatively straightforward, although the couple do have to be in the country for a full week before the wedding so they will need to book a fortnight holiday and get married in the second week. Santorini is another big wedding island in the Aegean.

Barbados
The Caribbean has long been one of the most popular overseas wedding destinations for British couples and Barbados, arguably the most ‘British’ of all the islands in the region, is a safe bet. Couples need to register only 48 hours before getting married, so it is easy to organize.

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is popular because it’s good value and has unusual wedding options – few places allow the bride and groom to ride off into the sunset on the back of an elephant, or marry on a moonlit beach to the hypnotic sound of drums. On a practical note, the couple need to be in Sri Lanka at least five working days before the wedding. Good flight connections from the capital Colombo mean it is easy to combine a Sri Lankan wedding with a honeymoon in the Maldives.

St Lucia
Another favourite Caribbean option, a special licence allows couples to be married within 24 hours of arrival and the choice of venues ranges from a deserted beach to a botanical garden, church, or yacht.

Las Vegas, US
Getting married here isn’t quite as uncomplicated as popular myth has it; there is paperwork. Both parties must appear in person at a Clark County Marriage Bureau location and present identification with ages and names. It, though, almost instant. There's no waiting period; couples will get their marriage licence on the day they apply for it … and the marriage bureau is open from 8 a.m. to midnight daily. Divorce in the state of Nevada, of course, takes somewhat longer.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28113499@N08/5526299075">"Endless love"</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124348109@N01/150969285">Runaway Bride</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Sunday, 17 January 2016

Stop smoking, Thailand tells tourists

#THAILAND is campaigning for tourists to refrain from smoking in prohibited public areas as part of its Tobacco Control Law. 

Ministry of Tourism and Sports is working with tour companies and guides to seek co-operation from tourists to refrain from smoking in prohibited areas, especially at sports complexes and tourist attractions.

Outdoor places where smoking is banned include public parks, zoos, amusement parks, children’s playgrounds, and markets.

The country has banned smoking in almost all indoor public places.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Saturday, 16 January 2016

Holidaymakers pay out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills

A STUDY has revealed that over-50s holidaymakers in Britain are paying out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills that aren’t covered by their travel insurance. 

Half of the over-50s within the study suffer from a medical condition, and 23 percent admit they fail to declare their medical conditions, which means they are not covered if they fall ill while on holiday.

The research by over-50s insurance and travel specialist Staysure also highlighted the most common misconceptions about insurance cover for medical conditions. More than 58 percent of Britons think they cannot get travel insurance cover if they have cancer, while four out of ten believe they will not find cover if they have had a stroke. One in five respondents said they had been prevented from fulfilling all their travel ambitions due medical conditions.

Chris Rolland, CEO of Staysure, said: ‘The fact that 23 percent of people who have pre-existing conditions fail to declare them when buying travel insurance is a truly shocking statistic, as it means people are putting themselves at risk of potentially extortionate medical bills should they fall ill abroad. They’re also spending money on a policy that won’t cover them for what they need – which is a false economy.

‘We urge holidaymakers to talk to their insurer and answer all questions honestly and to the best of their knowledge, declaring all conditions and any medication they’re taking. If their medical circumstances change before they travel, they should let their insurer know. While travelling with a medical condition might feel daunting, many of our customers love to achieve incredible things that they never thought possible, from climbing mountains to seeing the wonders of the world. There’s no reason for a medical condition to hold you back from achieving your travel dreams.’

Advice from Staysure on travelling with medical conditions:

1. If there is any doubt as to whether you are fit to travel, always take your doctor’s advice

2. Don't underestimate the value of a good travel insurance policy to cover your medical costs should you need treatment while you are away.

3. Declare all your pre-existing medical conditions when buying travel insurance. Claims directly arising from any pre-existing medical condition will not be covered unless you have declared all your medical history, hospital visits, and the medication you’re taking to your insurer at the point of purchase, and have them accepted by them in writing. It’s also important to tell your insurer if your medical history changes before you travel to ensure your policy is kept up to date, especially if you have annual cover.

4. You can get insured for cancellation, curtailment, and trip interruption cover which protects you against any unforeseen illness or accident that prevents you from travelling after you have booked your holiday.

5. You might need a licence for taking some medicines abroad (e.g. morphine-based pain killers). This can be obtained from your hospital, GP, or hospice. Rules vary from country to country, so you may need to contact the embassy for the country you are visiting to check.

6. Check that your insurer can help with replacing any lost medication or prescriptions while you are away.

7. Check with your doctor and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if your destination requires vaccinations.

8. If you’re travelling in Europe, most insurers will require that you carry an EHIC card as well as your travel insurance.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34120957@N04/6869336880">The Stethoscope</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">(license)

Monday, 11 January 2016

Beware fake travel websites, says ABTA

A WARNING about fake travel company websites has been issued by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), following an increase in reports of fraudulent sites.

The association has compiled a list of warning signs that suggest that the site might not be legitimate. These are:
  • Prices that are considerably lower than competitors 
  • Fuzzy logos for trade associations and credit card companies 
  • Non-receipt of tickets 
  • Bank transfer the only payment option 

ABTA urges users to research companies online before making a booking.

John de Vial, the association’s head of financial protection, said: ‘Our consumer helpline has seen an increase in calls from members of the public who are either checking the validity of a suspicious website or, worse, have already paid by bank transfer and then been fobbed off when trying to get hold of their tickets. We want to make consumers aware of this problem and stop them from being ripped off in this way.’


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Panneau attention large by Anatlol - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Monday, 16 November 2015

FCO urges Brits to 'exercise caution' following Paris murders



A THREE-DAY period of mourning is under way in #France after a series of terrorist attacks in the country’s capital killed 129 people and injured hundreds.

Following the massacre, France’s government declared a state of emergency and Britain’s #Foreign&CommonwealthOffice (FCO) advised UK nationals to ‘exercise caution in public places’.

It added: ‘French authorities have heightened security measures due to a risk of further attacks. The advice of the Paris Police is currently to keep movement around town to a minimum. Systematic border control checks have been implemented at all entry points into France.’

Attractions and monuments, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, closed over the weekend, as did Disneyland Paris, which will remain closed until Wednesday.

Responding to the tragedy, a number of other travel companies issued statements and advice:

Airlines, Eurostar, and Disneyland Paris were all offering flexibility for customers booked to travel over the weekend.Flybe said it would continue to accommodate customers following the attacks and on Sunday issued a further statement that it was extending its flexibility for a further two days for those who wished to change their travel plans.The statement said: ‘Any customer who is booked to travel to Paris on Monday or Tuesday and who doesn’t wish to now do so may re-book a later date to any alternative destination or obtain a credit note for future travel.’

BMI Regional is also offering customers flying between Bristol and Paris the option to re-schedule or cancel future flights to the French capital.

Eurostar advised passengers to check in 60 minutes before departure. Security was increased across all departure points.

P&O Ferries: ‘We would like to re-assure all our customers that we maintain a safe, reliable, and secure service to/from France. Due to adverse weather conditions some services are subject to delay of up to 20 minutes. Please check in as normal.’

DFDS Seaways: ‘Please allow extra time for your journey and expect increased security checks, Dover-Dunkirk-Dover services are operating to the advertised schedule with space currently available. Dover-Calais-Dover services are operating with around 60 minutes delays due to weather conditions in the channel.’

Brittany Ferries: ‘At present, our ships continue to operate as normal. There may be some additional security checks but at present check-in times remain unchanged.’

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: ‘Our service is operating as planned. However, due to reinforced border checks, customers travelling should allow extra time.’

easyJet: ‘Our schedule will operate as normal. However we would advise that all passengers due to fly with us check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker page at www.easyjet.com/en/flight-trackerfor real-time information before going to the airport and to allow extra time for security checks due to the reinforced security measures in place. easyJet will continue to comply with all recommendations and guidance from the French authorities."

British Airways: ‘We continue to monitor the situation in Paris after attacks in the city on Friday.The French government has asked for extra security checks at all airports in the country, and this may lead to delays to flights from France.’


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42907325@N00/2833152502">L'Arc de Triomphe</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Sunday, 8 November 2015

End in sight for EU roaming charges

MOBILE phone roaming charges – for calls, texts, and internet browsing – in European Union (EU) countries will be abolished in June 2017, following a vote in the European Parliament. An interim curb on charges will take effect from April next year, prior to the full ban across the EU.

One of the aims of the ban is to prevent consumers being caught out by large bills when downloading films or other data during their European holidays. There have been a number of cases in which mobile users have been landed with bills for hundreds of euros or pounds.

Critics of the ban fear the loss of revenue for mobile phone companies could push up prices in general, including those for non-travellers.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Monday, 7 September 2015

Travel for the over-50s: myths, risks, and fears


A STUDY has revealed that over-50s holidaymakers are paying out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills that aren’t covered by their #travelinsurance.

Half of the over-50s surveyed for the study suffer from a medical condition – almost a quarter of which are travelling without being properly insured – while 23 percent admit they fail to declare their medical conditions. This means travellers are not covered should they fall ill on holiday.

The research, conducted by over-50s insurance and travel specialist Staysure, also highlighted the most common misconceptions on insurance cover for medical conditions. Almost 60 percent of Brits surveyed in the study think you can’t get travel insurance cover if you have cancer, while four out of ten believe you won’t find cover if you’ve suffered from a stroke. One in five respondents also claimed they have been prevented from fulfilling all their travel ambitions due to their medical conditions.

Chris Rolland, CEO of Staysure said: ‘The fact that 23 percent of people who have pre-existing conditions fail to declare them when buying travel insurance is a truly shocking statistic, as it means people are putting themselves at risk of potentially extortionate medical bills should they fall ill abroad. They’re also spending money on a policy that won’t cover them for what they need – which is a false economy.

‘Our research also shows that almost one in ten Brits don’t feel confident travelling abroad with existing medical conditions – which suggests that the public don’t feel fully informed on how to approach it, or believe that the cost of cover for their needs may be prohibitive to their travel.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Travel firms collapse





1. Exclusive Escapes 



THE managing director of Turkey specialist Exclusive Escapes has cited ‘two challenging years’ after the company ceased trading with immediate effect. The luxury operator, based in Richmond, Surrey, also traded as Hidden Turkey and sold villa and hotel packages.

More than 2,000 holidaymakers are being assisted by the Air Travel Organizers Licensing (ATOL) protection scheme following the failure.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was working with hoteliers and airlines to enable 500 Exclusive Escapes customers already abroad to complete their holidays and travel back to the UK as planned.

Exclusive Escapes MD, Andrew Lee, said: ‘Our immediate thoughts and sympathies lie with the many loyal guests, wonderful hoteliers, property owners, and suppliers who are affected, in addition to our loyal team in Turkey and the UK. It’s no secret that 2015 has been one of the toughest years to date for tourism in Turkey, largely due to the country’s geo-political situation. This comes on the back of two challenging years of trading. 

‘Exclusive Escapes performed well compared to the general market, but the two months following the atrocity in Tunisia, and then Turkey joining the coalition against ISIS together with ensuing events, have had a considerable impact on the market which have sadly proved unmanageable.’

The company had 1,750 ATOL-protected customers with forward bookings. They will get full refunds.

David Clover, head of crisis management at ATOL, said: ‘The collapse of Exclusive Escapes is a timely reminder of why holidaymakers should make sure their holiday is ATOL protected and that they receive an ATOL certificate as soon as they’ve booked their trips. As a result of the ATOL protection scheme, customers of this business have the peace of mind that they will be able to complete their holidays and return home, or get a full refund. If you are looking for a bargain air holiday at the end of summer sales, it is essential to check to make sure you will get ATOL protection and receive an ATOL certificate before you hand over any money.’
 
2. Flight-only specialist Fone N Fly

The company, which operated the website fonenfly.co.uk, was based in Ealing, London, and offered flights worldwide. It failed on August 18 with 132 customers abroad and 226 forward bookings, accounting for 450 clients, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Airlines should honour tickets for those clients currently overseas, said a CAA spokesman. But the CAA has advised clients overseas to contact their airline before travel to check their return ticket is still valid.

If it has been cancelled by the airline, customers are advised to book a reasonably-priced ticket and apply for a refund on their return via their airline, and if unsuccessful, contact the CAA.

Clients who booked by credit card should contact their card issuers, which will process refunds.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57509161@N00/5984426652">Kigu Suitcase</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Spanish resort steps up fines for reserving beach spots with towels

HOLIDAYMAKERS who reserve their sunbathing spot by putting towels on the sand are reportedly being fined by a Spanish resort.

Torrox on the #CostadelSol has a new beach police patrol that will confiscate property left on the #beach.

Owners can reclaim their items only by paying a fee of €30 (£21), the BBC has reported.

"We don't want to start naming the country whose tourists are most guilty of this beach land-grabbing, but I think we can all guess who they are," said a local council spokesman. It is infuriating to arrive at the beach and find all the space taken by towels and umbrellas, but hardly any people.

"Our new policy seems to having the desired effect, and as a result there is less wasted space on the beach and more room for everyone.’

Ferrara beach in Torrox is being targeted because it is narrower than most other beaches in the area.

The Diario Sur newspaper reports that just over half of the people who have had items removed have collected them within the fortnight they are kept before being destroyed.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38551575@N00/2591603055">On the Beach</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Friday, 24 July 2015

Where to run … and what it costs


A GUIDE highlighting the most popular and unique #marathons around the globe has been compiled by Airport Parking and Hotels.

It lists marathons taking place in 22 cities across 18 countries around the world – between now and April next year – highlighting the locations, dates, entry fees, and stipulations for competitors.

Those in Antarctica, Peru, and South Africa were found to have the most expensive entry fees, with Antarctica’s Ice Marathon costing £7,766 and Peru’s Inca Trail Marathon costing £2,000 … although the entry fee for the Inca Trail Challenge and South Africa’s Big Five Marathon include flights, accommodation and some meals.

Marathons in Chile, France, and New Zealand all offer the cheapest entry fees, with Chile’s Patagonian International Marathon’ costing £79 for an early-bird entry fee. Registration for New Zealand’s ASB Auckland Marathon costs £77 for international participants, while the fee for the Marathon du Medoc is £60.

Marathon participants should also be aware that out of the 22 marathons researched, three European races – including Marathon du Medoc in Pauillac, France, the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, and the Maratona di Roma, Rome – require participants to provide a health certificate on the day of the marathon. Those who do not provide a valid certificate will be not be able to run.

www.aph.com/community/know-before-you-go/worlds-top-marathons


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: "Ööjooks 3" by Kristel.kitsing - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Thursday, 16 July 2015

Gas check warning for holiday rentals


EVEN though British families can take advantage of a strong pound, with the exchange rate against the euro now very favourable, a prevailing recessionary mindset is encouraging people to take their holidays in the UK rather than abroad. 

Research by Travelodge indicates that approximately three quarters of all British families will holiday at home this year. Other factors reinforcing the continued popularity of ‘staycations’ are the decline of the traditional two-week break, with more holidaymakers opting for a one-week holiday coupled with shorter breaks throughout the year and taken in the UK. 

This means families will be renting apartments and cottages in the British Isles, which is why the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) has issued safety advice, saying that it’s important that holiday homes with gas appliances have are regularly checked and serviced. 

B&ES spokesman Mark Oakes says: ‘Holiday home owners or their letting agents need to be aware that if they have an old boiler or other gas appliances such as cookers in their holiday accommodation, some of these will be potentially dangerous. 

Gas appliances in rented accommodation should be serviced annually in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions by a Gas Safe registered installer in addition to having annual gas safety checks carried out on them. 

‘Landlords and letting agents must realize that failure to maintain a boiler puts holidaymakers’ lives at risk – poorly maintained or defective gas appliances can leak potentially lethal quantities of carbon monoxide. As additional safeguards, landlords or their letting agents should supply comprehensive operating instructions for all appliances and should also fit carbon monoxide detectors.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/90863480@N00/17366593405">If you can't stand the heat...</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Saturday, 11 July 2015

Flying with kids?

WITH the school summer holiday period approaching, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has compared facilities available for parents travelling with infants and children on major airlines. The research is available in a comprehensive guide that can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website … at www.aph.com/childrensfacilities. 

The research compares the facilities for infants and children across 20 major airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Virgin Atlantic, highlighting the on-board changing facilities, children's meals, difference in cost for a child's ticket, and the rules for children when travelling unaccompanied.

Of the 20 airlines researched, nine airlines charge an infant fare when sitting on a parent's lap at 10% of an adult fare, whereas the remaining 11 airlines allow infants to travel on an adult's lap at no additional cost. Meanwhile, for a child's fare, the rates differ depending on the airline. For example, for travellers flying with American Airlines, a child's fare is 25% of an adult's fare, but with Atlantic Airways, it’s 50%.

www.aph.com 


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK