Author: Shawon Hannan
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a UK government agency controlling interests of the UK overseas, has urged winter sports holidaymakers to exercise caution before hitting the slopes. The agency is campaigning for raising awareness amidst Britons visiting European winter sports resorts this winter, against the dangers of attempting to ski on mountain slopes beyond their physical fitness levels. The agency reported that in 2012, there have been around 12 serious accidents reported from the ski slopes in France, with seven resulting in deaths. New research conducted by the FCO stated that only 1% of the respondents who visit ski…
VisitBritain, the official tourism website for Great Britain, is reporting that international visitors are flocking to the country’s religious buildings, with around 6.7 million international tourists visiting a religious building in 2011, and spending a total of around £5 billion during their stay. The research conducted by the tourism agency shows that around 22% of the total visits to the UK in 2011 visited a religious building. Of the religious buildings, international visitors are most drawn towards the British churches and the cathedrals, such as the Glasgow Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral in London, St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Westminster…
The new Novotel London Blackfriars is opening in the capital as a trendy hotel property from France-based Accor group. The hotel offers a stay in a contemporary setting for today’s travellers, and is located two minutes from Southwark tube station, and eight minutes from Blackfriars station. The 182-room hotel is offering free Wi-Fi, self check-in and check-out service, an interactive information system, smart boards in two meeting rooms, and an indoor swimming pool. The restaurant dining area has a range of amenities including tables fitted with TVs for lone diners while waiting; and a multimedia table with iPads for guests…
Whether we like it or not, traveling is always a part of life, and we can’t always afford cheap airfare. There are times when we need to travel short or long trips for some important reasons. Taking a trip can be more convenient if every detail is given extra attention. A hassle-free trip is about everything proper preparation because when a single detail is left behind, it could do more harm than good. Before hitting the road, it is best to grab some tips that will make your trip worthwhile and comfortable. 1. Keep your vehicle in top shape Facilitate…
Would-be space travellers that have the interest, the enthusiasm and the money, will be able to visit the moon if plans that are being formulated by a group of former NASA engineers come to fruition. The former engineers, who between them have experience of space travel and past NASA visits to the moon, have formed The Golden Spike Company. Now they are planning to offer the opportunity to normal people who have the large sums of money to pay for their dreams. The company is promoting itself as the first private venture to plan routine exploration expeditions to the lunar…
First Group, a Scotland based transport company, has been awarded an extension to operate the franchise for Scot Rail until 2015. The earlier franchise is due to expire on November 9, 2014, and the Scottish government has now granted an extension until March 31, 2015. The company has been operating Scot Rail since October 2004, and has reported that around 81 million passengers travel on the network every year. The company chief executive officer, Tim O’Toole, said, ‘We are delighted that the Scottish Government has announced that the ScotRail franchise will continue until March 2015. Everyone at ScotRail has worked…
easyJet, the UK based airline, is increasing its flights between Belfast International Airport and Birmingham, in keeping with an increase in demand. The airline is offering a second Sunday flight from Belfast to Birmingham, which will be added to the airline schedule from March 31, 2013. The airfares for the new flights are currently on sale at www.easyJet.com, with prices commencing from £22.99 one way. The service to Birmingham from Belfast was only launched from October 28, 2012, and around 14,000 passengers have flown on the route since then. Ali Gayward, the airline head for Northern Ireland, said, ‘We only…
Flybe, a UK-based airline company, is the first UK carrier to offer an automatic check-in option to its passengers. The facility is available for passengers booking online, and they will receive an electronic boarding pass through their smart phone or e-mail, between 36 and 15 hours preceding their flight’s departure. This means that passengers can be confident in the knowledge that at the point of booking their flight, they have already arranged to be checked in automatically, and are on their way. The full facility is currently being launched at nine airports in the UK; Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow,…
If you’re planning a winter holiday, you might decide to apply for a credit card online before going away. While it’s sure to come in useful, you must keep your new bit of plastic safe as you don’t want to become a victim of fraudulent activity. Here are some of the scams to be aware of, as well as ways to protect your bank balance abroad. Card not present fraud Whether you’re popping to Spain for some much-needed sunshine or are going further afield, it’s important to be aware of card not present fraud. With this type of crime, fraudsters…
Delta Air Lines, a US-based airline, is expanding its daily service between Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, in Atlanta, US, and London Heathrow Airport in the UK. The airline, which already flies two daily flights on the route, will be adding the additional flight from March 31, 2013. The new service will also include access to in-flight Internet services for passengers. The airline will be installing Wi-Fi on its fleet of around 150 international aircraft, and claims to be the only airline offering online access on flights between the UK and the US. Perry Cantarutti, the airline senior vice president for…