Travel shorts …

STAY SAFE: Potential risks are being highlighted for travellers planning to take adventure tours. Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has teamed up with the British Standards Institution to offer advice on how #staysafe.

A checklist has been produced by the FCO to help people prepare for trips which might include activities ranging from deep-sea diving and bungee jumping to mountain biking and canoeing. The guide can be downloaded at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/432872/adventure_checklist.pdf

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42274165@N00/7615187330">Bungee Jump - Interlaken, Switzerland</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/36196762@N04/5081186618">Warrior Adventure Quest: let the healing begin - FMWRC - US Army - 101008</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/75885890@N00/428424968">Trials Biking</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

UK tops holiday choices chart

LUXURY travel network Virtuoso has tapped into its data warehouse of more than $35 billion in transactions to determine the top #summer destinations for 2015. It turns out the well-heeled – those who use ‘summer’ as a verb, rather than a noun – are still vacationing in Europe; however, not in droves as anticipated.

The most popular destinations for summer vacations based on future bookings are:

#UnitedKingdom, Italy, France. Canada, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, 
#South Africa, Ireland and Greece.

The #UK maintains its position as the number one spot for travellers. Bookings for Spain are up four percent and Germany is seeing a seven percent increase. 

The countries that have seen the largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings are Australia, China, Eucador, Iceland, Greece, Japan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Croatia.

Australia leads the chart with triple-digit growth, indicating that winter travel to Down Under is gaining in popularity. China followed closely behind, largely thanks to Hong Kong, which accounts for almost half of its air traffic.


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Picture Credit: Flag of the United Kingdom as Paths by Raymond1922A - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Fun fortnight in Adelaide

THIS year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival runs from June 5 to June 20, and in charge as artistic director will be Australia’s comic genius, Barry Humphries … better known to some as Dame Edna Everage and the Australian beer-swilling, foul-mouthed cultural attaché, Sir Les Patterson.

Humphries promises ‘beauty, wit and astonishment’ in a programme of music, story-telling, and comedy featuring more than 350 artists in 152 performances over 14 days and nights.

www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaide-cabaret-festival

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Picture Credit: Dame Edna by Eva Rinaldi from Sydney Australia - Dame EdnaUploaded by russavia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Adelaide Festival Centre Triangles by Michael Zimmer from Brisbane, Australia Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Villa choices on Mustique

IN a part of the world synonymous with ginger bread houses and traditional Caribbean architecture, Mustique offers a wildly diverse villa portfolio showcasing some of the most innovative villa designs in the Caribbean. 

Wyler House – A contemporary-style villa designed by famed Italian architect Paolo Piva, Wyler House has panoramic views and a swimming pool with viewing windows into the deep end.

Taliesin – The ultimate in open plan living, designed by Jack Diamond and inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, this multi-terraced villa is surrounded by 'entertainment decks' and covers more than 30,000 sq ft. 

Hummingbird – A Paolo Piva contemporary spectacular, Hummingbird is spread over eight acres of hillside. It has two swimming pools and a private rock pool in the master bedroom. 

Casa dalla Valle – A teak-filled contemporary Caribbean design masterpiece with a Mexican vibe, overhead walkways, and a cactus garden surrounding an ink-dark swimming pool.

For detailed information, call The Mustique Company on +44 207 201 6831 or visit www.mustique-island.com

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Picture Credit: MustiquebeachesLicensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, www.mustique-island.com

Eastern delights on the menu

RETURNING for its tenth year, the Sani Gourmet (May 8-17) in Halkidiki brings together the best chefs from Greece and around the world. It’s held at the five-star Sani Resort.

Following the success of last year’s Silk Road theme, this year’s event will feature dishes of the Near and Far East, as well as the Mediterranean. 

The route carved out for centuries by merchants travelling between Asia and Europe will be reflected in gastronomy from China, Iran, India, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

Among the chefs taking part are Alfred Prasad – the youngest Indian chef, at 29, to receive a Michelin star – Lorenzo Cogo, the youngest Michelin star chef in Italy, Yau Tim Lai from China, and Tamara Tekuna Gachechiladze, hailed as the “queen of fusion Georgian cuisine”.

The eco-enclave of Sani comprises four hotels, a marina, and 18 restaurants.
www.saniresort.gr/sanigourmet




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Picture Credit: Sani Gourmet Logo-Red Creative,A Real Greek Image by Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece via Wikimedia Commons 

L'Hermione sets sail … again!

HERE’S some history ...

... In March 1780, France's Marquis de Lafayette set sail aboard L'Hermione, his aim being (albeit somewhat late in the day) to assist George Washington and his 13 rebellious English colonies in their fight for American independence … the principle being that any enemy of England was a friend of France! 

More than two centuries later, a replica of the ship has been built by enthusiasts in France who began the re-enactment last month (April) of its voyage across the Atlantic.

The replicated frigate began its Atlantic crossing from Port-des-Barques in south-western France, heading for Yorktown, Virginia. 

From there, it will begin a two-month tour of the eastern US and Canadian seaboards, calling at 12 ports including New York, Newport, and Boston.

www.hermione2015.com

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Picture Credit: L'Hermione by Rossel de Cercy; Logo courtesy hermione2015.com

Cancelled or delayed flight?

Get this compensation guide ....

AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS (APH) has published a guide for airline passengers dealing with delayed or cancelled flights.

Available on the company’s website - www.aph.com - the guide includes research comparing 25 major airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic, highlighting their policies on cancelled and delayed flights, and refund procedures.

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Athens ‘cheapest city’ for breaks in Western Europe

THE Post Office's annual Travel Money City Costs Barometer has found Athens to be the cheapest city for visitors in Western Europe.

The barometer collects data on costs for city break visitors, including a three-course dinner with wine – which in Athens averaged at £29.15 for two – drinks, two nights' accommodation, airport transfers, sightseeing attractions, and city transport.

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Picture Credit: "Panoramic view of Athen" by Andreas Trepte - Own work via Wikimedia Commons.

Pegasus opens Gatwick-Istanbul service

TURKEY’S Pegasus Airlines launched flights on May 1 between London Gatwick and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport, and onto destinations across Turkey and to Northern Cyprus.

Flights can be booked now at www.flypgs.com/en with fares starting at £39.99 one way, including taxes and charges.

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On your marks for the Gozo Hellfire Trail

THE Gozo Hellfire 55k Ultra Trail for runners and mountain bikers takes place on May 2. 

It’s Gozo’s toughest race, and one of the Mediterranean’s most scenic. 

The course –. Which has a total elevation of 3,200ft. – circumnavigates the island, including cliff-edge single tracks, valleys, water courses, salt pans, and beaches. It has a total elevation of 3,200ft.

The organizers say bikers will need to carry their bikes over some parts of the course.

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Rules of the road … across Europe

AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS (APH) has produced a guide for UK holidaymakers highlighting the different driving rules and regulations – including maximum speed limits and fines, and equipment and paperwork that drivers must carry – in 20 European countries.

Speed limits on European motorways was found to vary significantly, ranging from 62mph in Cyprus and Latvia to 80mph in Austria, France, and Greece.

Germany imposes no maximum speed limit on motorways, although an 80mph top speed is ‘recommended’ on some autobahns.

Denmark, Finland, and Sweden inflict varying speed limits on all roads, so drivers are urged to pay particular attention to road signs.

All 20 countries surveyed have on-the-spot fines, with countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Poland, requiring drivers to make an immediate cash deposit towards fines. 

Countries such as Cyprus, Greece, and Sweden are not allowed to collect any money from on-the-spot fines and instead ask drivers to pay their fines at a later date. It is advised that drivers carry both cash and/or a payment card when driving abroad, as some countries such as Portugal have portable ATM machines in traffic police vehicles for immediate payment of any driving infraction.

UK and American drivers should also be aware that compulsory car equipment varies according to country. Nine out of the 20 countries researched require drivers to carry a reflective jacket in the car at all times, but France is the only country in Europe that requires drivers to carry a breathalyzer kit inside their vehicle.


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Picture Credit: "Fareskilt 45" by Statens Vegvesen via Wikimedia Commons.

Make-over for Ayers Rock holiday apartments

AYERS ROCK RESORT'S self-catering accommodation, Emu Walk Apartments, has been refurbished with a modern indigenous-inspired design.

All 63 apartments have undergone a total internal make-over.

ayersrockresort.com.au/emu

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BA-Visit Orlando campaign targets young tourists

VISIT ORLANDO has partnered with British Airways (BA) to launch a campaign targeted at younger British tourists who wouldn’t normally consider visiting the Florida destination. 

The campaign coincides with BA’s launch of double-daily Boeing 777 services to Orlando from Gatwick.

‘While Orlando is recognized as the theme park capital of the world, this campaign with British Airways delves more deeply into the broader Orlando vacation experience by sharing recommendations from actual locals,’ said Mark Jaronski, vice president of global communications for Visit Orlando. ‘With additional flights from British Airways, a campaign reaching an audience with more flexibility to travel and the continually evolving and broadening of the Orlando holiday product, there’s no better time for agents to sell Orlando.’

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Picture Credit: GoHoliday blog via Wikimedia Commons

New in Normandy

A JOAN OF ARC museum has opened in the Normandy town of Rouen, where she was burnt at the stake in 1431.

It is in the restored 15th century Archbishop's palace, where her trial took place.

Visits will be conducted in groups of up to 25, with multi-lingual audio guides available.
Rouen is just over an hour by train from Paris, and a short drive from the ferry ports of Le Havre and Dieppe. Also see www.normandy-tourism.org

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Picture Credit: "Ingres coronation charles vii" by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - Unknown via Wikimedia Commons

Hotels team up for 4-night get-away offer ...

THE Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and Seaham Hall – a boutique hotel near Durham – have joined together to give guests a luxury driving experience get-away. 

The four-day driving tour package offers holidaymakers an opportunity to experience the very best of the north of England.

Guests can start their luxury break at either hotel, where they stay for two nights. 

They will be given a picnic basket to set them on their way for the second half of the journey, where they get to spend two nights at the other hotel.

Charles Merchie, general manager at The Feversham Arms: ‘We are in some of the most beautiful scenery in England, yet more often than not people don’t get to see this, as they come for a short break, and head straight back. The drive up to Durham, through the Yorkshire Moors is stunning.'

Guests will have access to spa facilities at both hotels, and the offer includes tickets to two local attractions, Castle Howard - pictured above - and The Beamish Museum, the world famous museum which tells the story of the people of North East England during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. Pictured at right is the 'Dentistry' display at the museum.

Find out more at www.fevershamarmshotel.com and www.seaham-hall.co.uk 

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Picture Credit: Courtesy fevershamarmshotel.com and seaham-hall.co.uk; "CastleHoward-LakeSide" by chris 論 - Own work via Wikimedia Commons; "Dentistry, Beamish Museum" by Immanuel Giel (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Vilnius offers biggest bang for your soaring UK £

THE rise of sterling has seen prices plunge in three-quarters of the European cities surveyed for the annual Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer. 

The increasingly powerful pound means city-breakers now have up to 22 percent more to spend than a year ago, equating to £90 extra on a £500 transaction.

For the seventh year running, Eastern European cities will offer bargain hunters the best value – taking seven of the leading ten places in the Post Office’s survey of 28 cities. 

Lithuanian capital Vilnius, with the city's Dawn Gate pictured is the newest eurozone member, tops the chart after registering a fall of over 15 per cent year-on-year in the overall cost of the barometer basket.

It would have been a clean sweep for the Baltic States, were it not for Budapest, which comes in second in the City Costs Barometer chart.

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: ‘It’s a win/win situation for UK holidaymakers this year in European cities because prices are down in the majority of cities we surveyed, thanks to the soaring value of sterling. However, prices continue to vary significantly in different cities, so it makes sense to do some holiday homework before taking the plunge and booking a capital break.’

For the third consecutive year, Stockholm is Europe’s most expensive city, although prices for UK visitors are down by more than 14 percent.

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Picture Credit: "Vilnius-Tor der Morgenröte" by Nikater - Own work via Wikimedia Commons

Disability in focus

THE Lake District Calvert Trust – which organizes adventure holidays for people with disabilities – has launched a photography competition to find inspiring pictures that capture the It's what you can do that counts! spirit. 

Starting this month (April), there will be a different theme every month for four months. Entries should show how disability can be challenged through outdoor adventure.

‘We want to show,’ says the trust, ‘as many people as possible that you can challenge disability through outdoor adventure, and that everyone can be encouraged to reach their full potential.’

Prizes include George Fisher vouchers, a multi-activity break for up to four people, and an Olympus TG-850 camera.

Entries can be submitted via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the tag #candocalvert, or by e-mailing to entries@lakedistrict.calvert-trust.org.uk

For full details, go to www.calvert-trust.org.uk/lake-district/candocalvert

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Picture Credit: Courtesy 'calvert-trust.org.uk/lake-district/candocalvert'

Icelandair starts Portland flights

ICELANDAIR is to start scheduled flights in May from Reykjavik to Portland, Oregon, with easy connections from five UK airports. 

‘We are delighted to begin flights to our newest gateway Portland, to which all our flights from five UK airports will connect in Reykjavik,’ says Andres Jonsson, general manager of Icelandair UK. ‘Our flight to Portland will be the quickest and most convenient way to travel there from the UK. Our passengers can also opt to have an additional stop-over in Iceland en route for up to a week for no additional airfare, to extend their holiday experience.’

Icelandair has daily flights from London Heathrow and regular flights from Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow airports to Reykjavik that connect to 14 onward North American flights.

‘Oregon is famous for its scenic splendor, award-winning wine and tax-free shopping,’ said Todd Davidson at Travel Oregon. ‘We look forward to welcoming more European visitors with Icelandair’s convenient non-stop flight from Reykjavik. Our diverse landscapes –340 miles of open coastline, mountains, valleys, desert – and exciting urban centres and quaint small towns – will create rewarding, lasting memories for anyone who visits.’

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Picture Credit: "Icelandair Boeing 757-200" by By Myself (Adrian Pingstone). [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

For sale: three piers

TWO piers in Blackpool and one in Llandudno have been put on the market with a combined price tag of £12.6 million.

Blackpool Central Pier is for sale at £4.8 million. Blackpool South Pier, which features rides including the Skyscreamer and the Skycoaster rides, will cost £3.3 million. The 2,300ft Llandudno Pier – the longest in Wales – is on sale for £4.5 million.

The piers were built in the 19th century using cast iron piles, steel frames, and wooden decking, and all include promenades, amusement arcades, rides and food outlets.

They generate a total income of more than £1.6 million a year for operator Cuerden Leisure.

Richard Baldwin, a director at Bilfinger GVA, which is handling the sale, says: ‘Each of these piers is an iconic structure, having been popular visitor attractions in two of the UK’s best known resorts for more than a century. Each pier is being offered for sale freehold, subject to the various concession agreements in place.’

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Double celebration for seabird centre

THE Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, has two reasons to celebrate: the first gannets of the year have landed on Bass Rock, and the centre has been named Nature Reserve of the Year by the BBC’s Countryfile magazine.

The gannet sighting is a significant milestone at the start of the nesting season on the Firth of Forth islands. 

The area is of international importance for seabirds and over the coming months it will be home to approximately 500,000 seabirds.

They will Include puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, shags, and terns. 

Scotland is home to some 60% of the world's population of North Atlantic gannets. 

By the summer, the Bass Rock – 2.5miles – from North Berwick, will be crammed with more than 150,000 gannets.

Boat trips to the Bass Rock start from March 21.

www.seabird.org

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Picture Credit: "Arctic Tern Sculpture at the SeaBird Centre, North Berwick - geograph.org.uk - 1198452" by Barbara Carr via Wikimedia Commons; "Razorbills (Alca torda) in a shower" by Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland via Wikimedia Commons.