On the runway . . .

RYANAIR'S summer 2017 schedule from Glasgow Airport got off to a flyer with the launch of three new routes to Lisbon, Valencia and Palanga, Lithuania.

The introduction of these latest services takes Ryanair’s total number of current routes to 19 since the airline set up base at Glasgow Airport in October 2014. A further route to Zadar, Croatia, will launch in July.

Paul White, business development manager at Glasgow Airport, said: “These three new routes to Lisbon, Valencia and Palanga are welcome additions and further strengthen our European connectivity.

“Since the launch of its base in 2014, Ryanair has continually responded to demand by adding new routes at Glasgow Airport.

“This has been demonstrated once again with the airline’s decision to add a further three routes later in the year to Madrid, Frankfurt and Krakow, which will take the number of services operated from Glasgow Airport by Ryanair to 23.”

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Pitch here . . .

PITCHUP.COM has added exciting new #destinations to its portfolio – Australia, Greece, Canada, Botswana and Lithuania bringing the total number of countries in Pitchup.com’s portfolio to 32.

Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates said: “Pitchup.com is always looking for new and exciting outdoor accommodation options. Despite fears about the future of the UK outside of the EU, and the plummeting pound, Brexit is actually fueling Pitchup.com’s expansion as we are finding people don’t want to give up their overseas holidays but are instead looking for more economical options.”

Botswana game-viewing – from £11pppn, Family-run Mwandi View, along the Chobe River, 18km from Chobe National Park, is perfect for watching sunsets and game viewing, as it’s located among three large migration routes. Bungee jumping, river cruises, game drives and bush walks can all be booked on site. There’s an infinity pool overlooking the plains and a restaurant.

Family friendly camping Down Under – from £11pppn, with easy access to some of New South Wales’ superb nature attractions, such as Wollomombi Falls and the New England and Oxley Wild Rivers national parks is Armidale Tourist Park. On site there’s tennis, table tennis, pool, air hockey, a ‘jumping pillow’ and heated pool.

Right by the beach in Greece – from £7pppn, with direct access to 12km of fine golden sand on a sheltered beach and 4km from Rethymno, a historically important old town built by the Republic of Venice, Camping Elizabeth is perfect for beach bums and history buffs. Throw in a bit of romance – the beach taverna has tables directly on the sand – add some mod cons including washing machines, hot showers and wifi, and it’s the perfect Greek getaway – at a great price.

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Picture Credit: Pitchup.com

Up in the air ...

WIZZ AIR is to introduce a twice weekly service between Glasgow and the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. 

It will be the first time Vilnius has been served as a destination from Glasgow, and will operate a year round, twice weekly service starting in September.


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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94299816@N00/17238488502">Wizz Air Airbus A320-232</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Brits flock to Eastern Europe

RESEARCH by payment card company Visa has found that #EasternEurope and the Baltics are becoming increasingly popular with British travellers. #Croatia, #Romania, and #Lithuania are said to be among the top five fastest growing destinations for UK holiday spend.

The research was based on debit card use statistics at point-of-sale and ATMs overseas as compared with travel money bought from bureau de change before departure.

It also found that spend by UK Visa cardholders on summer holidays abroad grew 25% between 2012 and 2014.

Spend by UK cardholders in Romania, Lithuania, and Croatia increased by 80%, 61% and 57% respectively between 2012 and 2014.

Spending in bars and restaurants has seen the fastest growth across these countries, with Croatia leading the way.

Kevin Jenkins, managing director UK and Ireland for Visa Europe, said: ‘Our data suggests the appetite for domestic holidays remains strong, but there’s clearly a renewed desire to grab the passport and get exploring again.

‘A third of Brits tell us they’re taking more overseas holidays than five years ago. The difference though is in the choice of destination. People are looking beyond the traditional Mediterranean holiday spots for new experiences. Croatia’s exploding festival scene, low prices, and stunning scenery are making it highly attractive and there’s a similar halo effect across Eastern Europe’s new tourist hotspots. Lithuania, too, has become a real hotspot.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/89108678@N00/4684684707">Trstenik_4</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Tourism growth for Lithuania

#LITHUANIA saw strong growth in inbound tourism in 2014, when it rose by 7.7%.

For UK visitors, there are direct flights from London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Birmingham, Doncaster, and Bristol.

www.Lithuania.travel

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/131411397@N02/17364674105">David Iliff - Vilnius_Modern_Skyline_At_Dusk,_Lithuania</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), 

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

Lonely Planet accolade for Lithuania

LITHUANIA has been ranked third in Lonely Planet's top ten Best in Travel destinations for 2015.

After ten years of European Union membership, Lithuania joins the single currency zone in January in 2015.

Its capital, Vilnius, has been declared the cleanest air capital of Europe, and is the second-most cost effective destination to visit for British travellers, according to the Post Office City Costs Barometer 2014. 

The country has four UNESCO world heritage sites: Vilnius Historic Centre, Kernave Archaelogical site, Struve Geodetic Arc, and the Curonian Spit.

www.Lithuania.travel

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Picture Credit:'Coat of arms of Lithuania' by Government of Lithuania [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; "Vilnius city" by Andrejavus via Wikimedia Commons