Author: News Team
The Bluebell Railway, a steam powered heritage line that has, until now, run for nine miles along the border of East and West Sussex in England, has extended its line to join the national rail network. The extension of service marks the first time in 55 years that the steam trains can operate as far as the town of East Grinstead in West Sussex, with the Grinstead Belle locomotive making the inaugural journey yesterday. The line between Sheffield Park, the locomotive’s previous terminus, and East Grinstead was closed in 1958, but the culmination of an £11 million project that saw…
Easyjet, a UK-based budget air carrier, is to close its check-in desks and promote on-line advance check-in for all of its passengers. All of the check-in desks across the company’s network will become bag drop desks from April 30 this year, and it hopes that the measure will see all passengers downloading their boarding cards in advance from its website. Passengers are currently being notified of the change by e-mail. In a statement the airline said, ‘Easyjet is always looking to make travel easier and more affordable. Online check-in has proved popular with passengers, for whom it saves time queuing…
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the agency responsible for British travellers overseas, is maintaining a warning for visitors to the island of Cyprus. In light of the financial crisis that is currently sweeping the nation, forcing bank closures and the threat of a tax on deposits in Cypriot banks, the FCO has advised UK nationals intending to visit the country to take adequate cash reserves and to be extra vigilant with regards to the possibility of theft. Although a EUR10 billion bailout was agreed early this morning, the Foreign Office warning, which was first issued last week, remains…
Passengers using Reading railway station in the UK are likely to experience disruption this Easter, during a planned 10-day changeover to new station facilities. The changeover is scheduled to begin this Friday, March 29, and various levels of disruption can be expected until Sunday April 7. During this period passengers have been advised to check before they travel, but new facilities, including four new platforms, two new entrances and a new footbridge will be available for commuters to use from Tuesday April 2. However, platform changes are to be expected during the 10-day period, and passengers should check their platform…
The refurbished luxury Venice Simplon Orient Express is ready to take to the rails around Europe this coming season, with iconic journeys spanning London, Venice and Budapest along its route. Following the end of the 2012 season last November, the train has spent the winter months under a period of refurbishment, particularly to two of its three restaurant cars. In planning for years, furnishings have been removed, sandblasting has taken place, and the exterior has been repainted in the train’s iconic royal blue shade before varnishing. Covering the routes once favoured by Agatha Christie, the train has kept its 1920’s…
Cunard Line, the Anglo-American cruise company, has eased back on its long standing reputation for strict dress code at evening events, by introducing a new ‘elegant casual’ option. Previously, the company held a tradition of two evening wear options – ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ – aboard its ships. Starting this year before the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria begin their voyages this sailing season in April and May, a third option will be available, with the new codes now being ‘formal’, ‘semi-formal’ and ‘elegant casual’. Evenings where formal dress is required will now be down to three times…
In light of the recent events whereby the Cypriot government has announced a one-off fee on bank savings, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning travellers about the potential risk of running short of funds while in the country. Banks are currently closed today for a public holiday – although this may continue to be the case tomorrow amid fears of a run on savings – and it is expected that events may lead to a shortage of cash available at ATM’s. As a result, although there are no other restrictions on travel to the country, the FCO…
The head of Travelodge, a UK-based budget hotel chain, has written to a number of British politicians urging them to use their influence to fight for the nation’s tourism industry. Grant Hearn, the hotel chain’s chief executive, has written to 106 members of parliament whose constituencies have tourism interests, asking for their support in raising the profile of the UK’s tourism industry from what he sees as its ‘second class’ status in the eyes of policymakers. Hearn claims that with the right regulatory framework, the tourism industry has the potential to create 300,000 UK jobs by 2020. He has put…
Princess Cruises, a cruise ship company with its corporate headquarters in Southampton, UK, has announced details of the inaugural celebrations for its new liner, Royal Princess. The company has organised a number of events to take place in Southampton this coming June to celebrate the arrival of the vessel and introduce it to the public. The ship will arrive on June 7 at Ocean Cruise Terminal, Southampton, and following the naming celebrations on June 12 and 13, which are set to be the highlight of the festivities, Royal Princess will depart on her maiden voyage on June 16. Among the…
Vueling Airlines, a Spanish based airline with its headquarters in Barcelona, has decided to increase its flights from Cardiff to Spanish resort destinations. The company has made the decision to increase the number of Welsh flights due to the growing popularity of existing flights to Spain from Cardiff. The new flights to Malaga and Alicante have been scheduled to commence on the 23rd of this month, so will be in place in time for the Easter holiday exodus. More flights to Malaga will be added on Wednesdays during the peak school holiday time of August and September. From March 23,…