Norwegian Airlines: first budget flight to Buenos Aires

IN February 2018, Norwegian Airlines launched the first low cost flight from London Gatwick to Pistarini airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

With return flights costing under £600, the new flight will open up Latin America to a more diverse market, making the destination more accessible to a wider demographic and stimulating further growth to the region.

www.norwegian.com

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New budget hotels for Universal Orlando

UNIVERSAL Orlando has revealed plans for two new budget resort hotels as well as a new Fast & Furious attraction opening in Spring 2018.  The hotels will be located close to the three theme parks and Universal CityWalk's dining and entertainment district. Amenities include a combined three pools, two food courts, coffee bars, poolside bars, fitness rooms and car rental facilities.

The developments will be the destination's seventh and eighth hotels and will bring the total number of rooms up to 9,000 when combined with Universal's 600-room Aventura Hotel, opening in August 2018.

This spring will also see the opening of the Fast & Furious - Supercharged attraction at Universal Orlando.

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Norwegian expands summer 2017 flights at Edinburgh

LOW-COST airline Norwegian has put on sale an increased number of low-cost flights from Edinburgh this summer including the return of its newest route to Barcelona from £34.90.

Norwegian is placing the Scottish capital at the centre of its rapid UK growth and ahead of planned transatlantic flights to the USA to be announced in the coming weeks, the airline is also expanding its summer programme on select routes to Scandinavia and Spain.

Customers travelling from Edinburgh Airport now have more affordable choices to fly direct to some of Europe’s most popular destinations with 10 additional flight departures per week from the end of March.

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American Airlines to start selling basic economy fares

AMERICAN Airlines (Nasdaq:AAL) has announced it will begin selling Basic Economy fares in addition to the wide range of Main Cabin fares currently offered.

Basic Economy fares will go on sale in February in 10 select markets, with the first flights occurring shortly thereafter and expansion to additional markets expected later this year. Not every American Airlines flight will offer Basic Economy fares.

“American Airlines now has something to offer every customer, from those who want simple, low-price travel to those who want an ultra-premium experience via First Class,” said American Airlines President Robert Isom. “Importantly, this new fare product also gives American the ability to compete more effectively with the growing number of ultra low-cost carriers."

American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.

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Enjoy New York City for less in January & February

VISITORS to #NewYork City in January and February be able to experience picturesque snowfalls as well as rare moments such as shorter lines at museums, easier-to-book restaurant reservations and other conveniences unique to the cold-weather months. 

Winter 2017 will also be the most affordable value period ever for travellers, with deals on dining, attractions and live theater, and hotels offering their lowest room rates of the year.

“Winter is one of the most attractive and value-oriented times of the year to visit New York City, with unique and magical experiences across all five boroughs,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “New shopping destinations, iconic attractions, world-class dining and live theater promise to energize visitors and locals alike.”

Each of the City’s five boroughs is a unique destination in itself, where free and affordable hidden gems and one-of-a-kind winter experiences await. Itineraries that feature indoor and outdoor activities by borough—all easily accessible by the City’s affordable 24-hour subway system with additional events and activities listed in NYC & Company’s new Winter Guide at nycgo.com/winter

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Picture Credit: Glyn Lowe Photoworks flickr.com/photos/65354164@N02/11113191973 Signs - New York via photopin

Up in the air . . .

THE global flight search and travel deals platform cheapglights, has crunched over 10 billion lines of data to help Brits understand ‘when to buy and when to fly’ in 2017, potentially saving them hundreds on airfares to their dream destinations.

Andrew Shelton, Managing Director of Cheapflights said, “As our thoughts turn to booking our getaways for the year ahead, we hope our analysis helps holiday planning for 2017.

“Travellers who can be flexible with their holiday dates should earmark November and early December for a winter escape, as this period is consistently the cheapest time of year to visit many of the most popular holiday spots, including Dubai, Thailand, South Africa, Barbados and New York.”

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Best holiday destinations on a budget for 2017

AS an award-winning travel search site momondo.co.uk understands a few things about how to break-in a new suitcase without breaking the piggy bank. So with 2017 on the horizon, the travel site here lists its top budget holiday destinations for next year – be it sea, snow, or city.

Momondo’s spokesperson Neil Cartwright states: 

“Holidays shouldn’t rhyme with worries and restrictions – that’s best left at home. Go abroad and let loose in a destination where you’ll get more bang for your buck. Affordable drinks, great food without sacrifice, free museums, and walking tours make like a winning ticket for a holiday on a budget.

January – Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is an idyllic getaway during wintertime when all the buildings wear a pristine snowy glow. After you’ve visited Sofia’s iconic gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, grab the family and strap on some ice skates at Ariana Lake. Each year the lake in Borisova Garden freezes and becomes a giant ice rink, accessible throughout the winter months and early spring.

Surrounded by mountains, escape the city for a day to ride some snowy slopes. In a 30-minute drive, Vitosha Mountain is yours to conquer. January offers good skiing conditions – stay warm after a day on the snow at one of the many mineral spas in the region.

February – San Antonio, Texas, USA

Welcome to San Antonio, Texas, home of the Battle of the Alamo. The 1836 battle for independence from Mexico remains one of the city’s main attractions, so book a Battlefield Tour around the mission grounds. Everything’s bigger in Texas, they say, so catch a rowdy rodeo or visit the Natural Bridge Caverns, three kilometres (2 miles) of underground tunnels.

Stroll through the Hemisfair, an area of urban parks and landmarks like the Tower of Americas observation tower or the outdoor Market Square. Mariachi performances or Hispanic festivals bring to life the stalls selling foods and clothes that remind you how close you are to the Mexican border. 

March – Valparaíso, Chile

Aboard the Artilleria funicular railway, take in the view of the colonial UNESCO World Heritage city of Valparaíso. In Cerro Artillería, shops have everything you need for souvenirs like alpaca wool products and aquarelles. The hilly residential areas like Cerro Bellavista with its Museo a Cielo Abierto, open air museum of murals, or Cierros Alegre and Concepcion with their painted houses are the perfect places to get a hint of the chaotic ambiance of the city.

With temperatures around 23°C, the seaside is tempting. Head to Viña del Mar for sandy beaches and nice beachside bars. The season is opportune for wine harvest festivals, so wine-lovers should head along the Valparaíso-Santiago Route 68, also known as the Casablanca Valley wine route, for a taste of the refined white wines of Casablanca Valley.

April – Braga, Portugal

Plan ahead if coming to Braga during Semana Santa (the week before Easter) – hotels are a hot commodity but the festivities are well worth that extra stretch of budget. Just outside of the city at Tenões join in the fervour of pilgrims zig-zagging up the hill to the baroque-style church Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the mount). To head back home, grab the funicular, dating back to 1882, that links the sanctuary to the city of Braga.

Braga has all the charm of old-town Portugal with the perks of a youthful university city thanks to the student crowd from Universidade de Minho. Cathedral towers keep a watchful eye on the narrow streets that stream through the city, lined with restaurants and bars. The 12th century Sé de Braga (Cathedral of Braga) is the country’s oldest cathedral. Scattered throughout the old centre, peek into one of the many chapels, the Capela dos Coimbras (Chapel of the Coimbras) to see a typical azulejo fresco.

May – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Beach, sun, and Spanish cuisine – what more could you ask for? Open your appetite with a seaside stroll along Paseo de las Canteras that hugs the beach by the same name. Bathing is high on the holiday agenda in Las Palmas, especially at low tide when the reef, known as La Barra, transforms Las Canteras into snorkeler’s paradise. Take the Avenida Maritima that leads to the fishing village San Cristóbal which is said to have the best seafood eateries in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

June – Yerevan, Armenia

Give in to the minibus chaos to criss-cross your way through the city – for 100 Dram, and a loudly shouted “stop!” you’ll be dropped off at the Yerevan’s prized monuments. The pedestrian Northern Avenue takes you from the opera to the fountains at Republic Square. Imposing Soviet era buildings by day, elegant backdrop to a light and water show at night, the Republic Square is inevitably a must-see.

Enjoy the long summer nights in the pink city, as it’s called due to the pinkish stones of the buildings, at the café terraces, while snacking on lamehjun (Armenian-style pizza). Rebuilt to hide the scars of wars and natural disasters, most of Yerevan’s current attire is only a century old. Yerevan’s oldest heritage lies along the outskirts of the city where the Hrazdan River and deep gorge create a natural border.

July – Belfast, Northern Ireland

As you wander around Belfast, by foot or aboard a Black Taxi, you won’t be able to miss the peace lines (walls between Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods) and commemorative murals. You’ll also see many reminders of Belfast’s shipbuilding history – don’t miss the Titanic Belfast, tribute to the launching of the Titanic in 1912, and the Titanic Memorial on the grounds by City Hall.

August – Lviv, Ukraine

Wrapped in the warm breeze of a Ukrainian summer, explore the streets of Lviv as they lead you to the heart of the city. It’s here at Rynok Square that you’ll find people cooling off by the four fountains adorned with figures of Greek and Roman mythology. Only a few steps away, the wings of the Chapel of the Boim Family shelter coffee shop terraces – make sure to go to Світ кави (Coffee World) for its varieties of coffee and cosy interior.

September – Pristina, Kosovo

Spared from tourism, rich in tradition, and focused on writing their history as a recognised state, Kosovo and its capital, Pristina, challenge you to an open-minded visit far from preconceptions. First and foremost, partake in locals’ favourite hobby – enjoying a good cup of coffee. Grab a macchiato at the bookshop Dit’ e Nat’ before going to the neighbourhood north of the city centre, lined with mosques and the old clock tower, remnant of the Ottoman Empire rule.

October – Panama City, Panama

Barely arrived in Panama City, hop on a boat through the famous canal, floating under the Bridge of Americas, built as part of the Pan-American Highway connecting the North and South Americas. On land, meander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site ruins of Old Town Panama, victim of total destruction in 1671 to “save” the city from a pirate attack. You can still see the city’s foundations and cathedral tower, but a scale model of the city at the Visitor’s Centre gives you the full picture.

Panama’s riches lie in its biodiversity – a cable car ride through the jungle of nearby Gamboa or a visit to the colourful Biomuseo designed by Frank Gehry place Panama’s spectacular nature in centre stage.

November – Kalamata, Greece

Start your visit to Kalamata via the shores of the Mediterranean. Sea kayak along the cliffs and by rock formations, taking breaks to dip into the warm waters of the Messinian gulf. In-between beach breaks, visit Kalamata’s historical centre, wandering through the gardens leading up to Kalamata Castle on the hill dominating the city. To make the most of the last warm nights of autumn, join the crowds on Latropoulou pedestrian street for a late night snack – the lalagia, sweet fried dough strips will do just the trick!

December – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hosts of the Winter Olympics in 1984, Sarajevo knows how to do winter. If snow has started falling in December, skiiers can catch the slopes on Mount Jahorina and rent equipment at an affordable price.

On sunny winter days, sit at a terrace in Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s historical Ottoman city centre. Reminders of the Siege of Sarajevo in 1992 are inevitable as you visit the rest of the city – learn and experience a bit about the recent war by visiting the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum built around the tunnel that served as a vital artery in supplying occupied Sarajevo with food and medical care.

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Picture Credit: meducauk flickr.com/photos/29090934@N07/29756892192 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral via photopin, Miradortigre flickr.com/photos/68018236@N03/27167783354 Paisaje de Coyhaique via photopin, Bengt Nyman flickr.com/photos/97469566@N00/24257316211 D8E_7261 via photopin, Johnny flickr.com/photos/74704004@N00/29477012946 Titanic Museum, Belfast via photopin, dronepicr 132646954@N02/26878155830 Panama City via photopin, Jonathan Retico 52094030@N05/20626619680 Baščaršija via photopin

Visit the Seven Wonders for under £5,200

VISITING the Seven Wonders of the World would once have been considered something only the very wealthy elite could do, but money saving website Voucherbox.co.uk says seeing all seven wonders in one year is possible for under £5,200. 

Its price study found that for a total cost of £5,194 it is possible to travel from the UK to visit the seven Wonders – The Great Wall of China, Petra (Jordan), The Colosseum (Rome), Chichén Itzá (Yucatán, Mexico), Machu Picchu (Peru), Taj Mahal (India), and Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro) – in under a year.

The list comes from an initiative started in 2000 to choose the New #SevenWonders of the World, with winners announced in 2007.

The total cost includes economy class return flights from London, travel connections to reach the local destination, accommodation, and food in the destination country and entrance fees. Those traveling would need to plan their journey to avoid peak season travel. The cheapest months to visit many of the wonders are April, May and June.

The travel costs have been calculated on the basis of visiting each destination on individual trips to and from London, rather than as part of a round-the-world trip.

Shane Forster, UK country manager of Voucherbox.co.uk, commented: ‘Just 20 years ago, the costs of a trip like this would have been well beyond the means of most of us, but now for less than the cost of a new car an intrepid Brit could see the Seven Wonders of the World.

‘While many things in modern life seem to be getting increasingly costly, it is truly remarkable how much of the world you can see on a budget nowadays if you plan carefully.’

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Picture Credit:Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin, Machu Picchu</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin