Tenerife set to party

TENERIFE is gearing up to host another spectacular Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (February 11-12), when locals and tourists flock to the capital to party.

Considered the world's second largest festival of its kind after Rio, the street party is a two-week day-into-night experience that encapsulates the spirit and pride of the islanders.

Many of the island's towns and villages will be joining in the celebrations with their own street parades and parties.

http://carnavaldetenerife.com/en/santa-cruz-2015/#alojamiento

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Picture Credit: 'Carnival 1" by TDT (Own work) via Wikimedia Common

Up in the air …

Qantas tops for safety … QANTAS is the world’s safest airline, according to the annual report by AirlineRatings.com.

The website monitors the safety records of almost 450 airlines worldwide, taking into account a variety of factors such as safety records, aircraft type, and government audits.

The Australian airline has remained fatality-free since the dawn of the jet era. Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines also featured in the top 10.

‘Our top 10 safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation,’ said AirlineRatings.com’s editor, Geoffrey Thomas. ‘These airlines are a byword for excellence.’

AirlineRatings.com has also identified the ten safest low-cost carriers. These are (in alphabetical order): Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, Icelandair, JetBlue, Jetstar, Kulula.com, Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook, TUI Fly, and WestJet.

Up in the air … for just 20 minutes … AIR BERLIN subsidiary Niki is to start flights between Vienna, Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia, with Austrian state broadcaster ORF claiming it will be the shortest commercial route in the world.

The flight between the capitals of Austria and Slovakia is reported to cover 31 miles in 20 minutes, leading some observers to question whether it would be faster to drive or take a bus.

Niki says the route is aimed at Slovakians taking connecting flights from Vienna.

Norwegian numbers up … NORWEGIAN AIR has seen a three million increase in passenger numbers in 2014 compared to the previous year. The carrier reached almost 24 million passengers in 2014 as it launched new routes from Britain to the US and Spain.

Aer Lingus v Ryanair …. TOTAL Aer Lingus passenger numbers declined by 3.8% last month in contrast to a 20% rise by its Irish rival Ryanair.

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KLM boost for Belfast

BELFAST AIRPORT is the only airport in the UK and Ireland to be included in expansion plans announced by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which will start a daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol in May.

The airport’s commercial and marketing director, Katy Best, said: ‘Attracting an airline such as KLM to Northern Ireland is a major win for the airport, tourism within the region and local businesses who will benefit from KLM’s worldwide network.

‘Schiphol is the lynchpin of the KLM network, and as one of the busiest airports in Europe serving over 300 destinations, it is an attractive superhub with quick and easy transfer facilities for passengers on popular routes such as Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Moscow, Johannesburg and Bangkok.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: ‘Today’s announcement by KLM is really good news for tourism, as we kick off our 2015 promotional drive. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from the Netherlands, but this new flight will offer connectivity from other important tourism markets, including North America, Asia, and the Middle East.’

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Millions came home to Scotland …

TWO MILLION people attended a total of 1,049 Homecoming events across Scotland in 2014, says VisitScotland.  

Events included Bannockburn Live, the Glasgow Film Festival, East Neuk Festival, and Scotland’s Boat Show. More than 1,000 businesses benefited from the year.

                 

Fergus Ewing, Tourism Minister in the Scottish government, said: ‘Homecoming has been a huge success, bringing millions together in a joint celebration of all that is great about our country, and showcasing all of our unique attractions and icons to a massive worldwide audience.’

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Weddings in the sun …

COUPLES-TO-BE have been inspired by George Clooney’s nuptials to opt for an overseas wedding, according to Kuoni.

The tour operator said it has seen a 20% increase in enquiries for Venice since Clooney married there last year.

And while the Maldives is still the run-away favourite destination for honeymoons, the company is finding more honeymooners are looking for adventurous destinations and experiences. 

Favourites include the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius, and Mexico.

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Picture Credit: "Bacino di San Marco in Venice 001" by Moonik - Own work. via Wikimedia Commons.

Prices – and snow – fall on the Alps

PRICES in European ski resorts have fallen this year, as snow continued to descend on the mountains.

Prices of basics in 19 of 21 European resorts surveyed are lower this winter compared to last year, according to the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort report.

The largest fall was in the resort of Soldeu, Andorra, where the cost of ski equipment, lift passes, ski school, meals, and drinks fell 23% to £331. 

Overall Bansko, Bulgaria is the cheapest with a total of £261.

Said Andrew Brown from the Post Office Travel Money: ‘Although skiing is still cheapest in Bulgaria and Slovenia, growing competition for business means there are great bargains to be struck in many of the most popular European resorts this season.’ 

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Picture Credit: 'Grau Roig". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Humberside flights to luxury

HUMBERSIDE Airport is launching an exclusive season of flights for luxury weekend breaks to some of Europe’s most desirable city break destinations in May and June.

The airport will offer a choice of convenient, direct weekend flights to Nice, Barcelona, and Venice on a 50-seat jet.

Customers will have private check-in, complimentary car parking at the airport, a champagne breakfast, and a ‘private jet experience’ on the Embraer jet.

Paul Litten, Humberside Airport’s commercial director, said: ‘Two of the weekend departures to Nice and Barcelona have been specifically planned around both the Monaco and Spanish Grand Prix.’

The breaks can be booked as flight-only or packaged with accommodation through Humberside Airport Travel.

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