Up in the air . . .

TRAVELLERS around the world recognized the quality of service and exceptional experience offered by Avianca selecting it as the “Best Airline in South America” at the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards. This is the eighth time the has company received this award. Avianca also received the award for “Best Economy Class in the Region” and ranked 51st in the Top 100 ranking of best airlines in the world. www.avianca.com

Iberia’s first A350 flight from Madrid landed at London Heathrow on 20 July. It is configured with 31 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 293 economy seats and will fly between Madrid and London on selected weeks between July and August and then from Madrid to New York City. Iberia’s new planes are also good for the environment with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions 25% lower than similar aircraft. www.iberia.com

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Ireland on track in Spain

MILLIONS of Spaniards are seeing eye-catching ads for Dublin and Belfast in metro stations in Madrid and Barcelona right now. Tourism Ireland’s latest promotion, in partnership with Atrapalo, a major online travel agent in Spain, is under way.

The campaign aims to boost late season travel from Spain to the island of Ireland and to kick-start business for 2018. Spain is an important market for tourism to the island of Ireland; travel by Spaniards to Ireland has grown significantly over the past 15 years – going from just 90,000 Spanish visitors in 2000 to a record 391,000 visitors in 2016.

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Super Spanish serviced apartments

HABITAT Apartments has been announced as “Spain’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2017”.  This year’s award is Habitat Apartments’ fourth consecutive victory.

World Travel Awards celebrates its 24th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade. The World Travel Awards recognizes and awards the excellence and quality of the global tourist sector.

Founded 15 years ago, Habitat Apartments started out with only four employees, who supervised eight apartments in Spain. Over the years, the company expanded up to 25 employees and more than 500 apartments in eight different cities, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, Florence, Valencia and Marbella.

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Alternative accommodation for a city break

TRAVELLING to a European city does not have to mean staying right in the centre in an overpriced hotel. Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has alternative ideas that are easy on the wallet and offer a more fun and quirky alternative.

Gothenburg
The Swedish city is an increasingly popular destination thanks to its rich culinary scene, proximity to the coastline and fascinating sights. Kungälvs Camping is just outside Gothenburg in a quiet town. Golfing and fishing are some of the local activities available, while the site has an easy stroll into the nearest town along the beach.

Dubrovnik
Why stay in the centre of Dubrovnik when just 15km away, accommodation for a holiday could be in a funky treehouse! Surely more fun for the holiday photos and Facebook updates. Cadmos Village is situated in Komaji and within easy reach of both Dubrovnik centre and airport. There is so much to do here from archery, painting and ziplining to hiking, bike tours and wine tasting.

Ljubljana
The compact Slovenian city is a must-see for anyone who loves European city breaks. Pitchup.com has seen vast growth in outdoor holidays to Slovenia and when you have a site just a 20-minute cycle from the centre of Ljubljana, it’s not hard to see why.

Madrid
On the outskirts of Madrid lies Camping Park Arco Iris. Although most visitors will probably spend their days exploring the shops, museums and galleries of Madrid, there is also plenty to keep them on site including a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, restaurant and kids’ playground.
Paris

Rome
Who needs to stay in the centre of Rome when from as little as £17 per night, visitors can stay just 12km away and enjoy a shuttle bus transfer everyday into the city. Camping Village Tiber offers guests a swimming pool, pizzeria and free wifi with entertainment in peak season.



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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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Iberia launches Birmingham-Madrid flights

BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT has announced the launch of Iberia Express services, offering four weekly flights to #Madrid.

Iberia Express will operate the return flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

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Where to go for clean air

HOLIDAYMAKERS concerned about air quality when travelling abroad might be interested in a report by Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) which compares pollution levels in some of the world's most popular destinations. 

The research compares 28 cities in 19 countries highlighting their current Air Quality Index (AQI) in October 2015. 

The index is based on pollutants that have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Visitors are advised that if they are travelling to countries where the AQI is higher than 151, strenuous exercises or activities should be avoided.

Holidaymakers heading to the Middle East and Asia should be more cautious about travelling to Dubai in the UAE and Beijing in China. According to the research, Dubai has an AQI of 222, which is considered 'very unhealthy', while Beijing’s score is 328, described as 'hazardous'.

Luckily for travellers visiting destinations in Europe such as Paris, Venice, and Madrid, all three cities showed an AQI of 46 or below, which is considered good, posing little or no risk. Amsterdam’s score was 66, and London’s was 77.

The city with the lowest level of pollution was Bangkok, which recorded a figure of 18, followed by Washington DC at 24 and San Francisco at 25. 

The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/airpollution.



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Picture Credit: href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69345640@N00/4405955226">Shanghai</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/84292292@N00/7017130433">Bangkok</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), 

Monarch expands summer schedule

UK AIRLINE group #Monarch has announced the addition of #flights and #holidays to its summer 2016 schedule. The expansion includes two new routes: Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham to Lisbon, and Birmingham to Madrid. 

Monarch also said that an additional Airbus A320 aircraft will be based at Birmingham Airport for summer 2016. This brings the total number of aircraft flying for Monarch to 35, with nine based at Birmingham.

The new flight services from Birmingham to Madrid will commence on June 17, operating thrice weekly, while the new Birmingham-Lisbon route will start from June 20, with four services per week. The fares start from £79 for both. The Manchester-Lisbon route starts on May 5, while Gatwick-Lisbon will start on May 3, both operating three flights per week with fares starting from £69.

Following the launch of flights from London Luton earlier this month, a new route from Manchester to Tel Aviv will start on April 19, operating thrice weekly with fares starting from £110.

The extended summer 2016 schedule also includes additional services to several of the airline’s most popular destinations such as Malaga, Alicante, Majorca, and Tenerife.

www.monarch.co.uk.

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Spanish airport workers set for September strikes

A SERIES of #strikes has been called by Spanish airport workers over four days in September. The action is expected to affect airports in #Madrid, #Barcelona, #Alicante, #Malaga, and #Majorca from next Friday.

The airport handlers are due to walk out in the peak morning and evening periods on September 4, 11, 18, and 25.

The Workers’ Commission Union, one of the three unions involved, warned that easyJet and Vueling would be the airlines most affected.

The threatened stoppages – from 4.30am to 7.30am and 7.30pm to 9.30pm – are being blamed on a decision by handling firm Menzies Aviation Iberica to postpone a collective bargaining agreement.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22168167@N00/7484741668">Célébration espagnole</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

‘Precious Time’ tourism project launched by Madrid

THE UN World Tourism Organization has selected Madrid as the pilot city for smart urban tourism.  

The Precious Time project will involve 100 business owners designing tailor-made experiences for tourists, the aim being to establish Madrid as a first-class destination for wealthy visitors, tourists interested in luxury retail, and hyper-connected tourists who want access to Wi-Fi on the go.

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