Author: News Team
After a December that was the coldest in Europe for 100 years – many of us dream of heading south to the warmth. Some adventurous Britons, however, have moved in the opposite direction, setting up home in Swedish Lapland in a string of remote communities straddling the Arctic Circle. The area (Lapland comprises the northernmost parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland and part of Russia) is sometimes described as Europe’s last wilderness, and it is certainly cold; this winter, the first snow fell in the first week of October. Temperatures can plunge to minus 30C, and snow covers the ground until…
The advent of the summer season brings schoolchildren, newly released from the confines of the classroom, ready to explore the outside world, make new friends, and enjoy new experiences. Summer is a time when families can reconnect, enjoy quality time together, and create lasting memories. Modern parents now recognize the great benefits of bringing children along on summer travels, whether near or far. Elementary school-aged children are at a wonderful juncture to absorb the many and varied experiences which travel abroad provides. From vastly different cuisine to the richness of new climates and languages, children will recall the wonder of…
Michael Grove, Education Secretary, has this week called for drastic changes to the current school holiday system. The changes would see families given just a four week summer break to take a holiday. Mr Groves reforms could lead to British children havign the shortest summer holiday in Europe. Traditionally state-educated children have had a six-week break between July and September. The changes would include changing from three to six terms per year, with schools possibly lengthening their hours. Those serving large numbers of working parents could stay open for 51 weeks a year, closing only over Christmas. Compared with school’s…
Traveling with BA this summer? You can breath a sign of relief as the two year long cabin crew dispute looks to be over. However those travelling with Virgin have more to worry about. Virgin Atlantic pilots have so far refused to back down from the walkout and could ruin tens of thousands of family holidays this summer. Hitting key long-haul routes, including flights to Disneyland in California and Florida, as well as the Caribbean, the Far East and Australia, strikes would be incredibly disruptive for many holiday makers. Strike dates have not be revealed yet, but the first is…
Following scenes of protest, walkouts by certain councillors, and ultimately a lack of quorum, the debate and vote on Venice’s proposed accommodation tax was delayed on Monday evening (June 20). Outside the chambers, people held up banners decrying money being wasted and suggested that not just tourists but also locals will feel more tax burden under the various proposals on the table. The fallout from these events is that the council reconvened on Thursday, June 23 and that any resolution would mean that an accommodation tax is unlikely to come into force before August 23. Prior to the council meeting,…
Cape Town has been short-listed for the World Design Capital 2014. From a team of 56 hopefuls, Cape Town now stands alongside just 2 other world cities – Dublin and Bilbao – in the race to earn the World Design Capital title. Being named a World Design Capital bears a prestigious status. The title is designated biennially by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (CSID) to cities that are dedicated to using design for social, cultural, and economic development. The announcement is pivotal for Cape Town’s reputation as a destination that has adopted design for transformation and social…
London based Yoga Holidays announced today that it is the first Yoga School in the UK to offer consumers holidays in Cornwall (England) from £99 per person this summer. Aimed at those feeling the pinch during the economic downturn these cut price trips will last for 3 days and follow the recent trend towards ‘Glamping’ (Sleeping in a tent, tipi or yurt where bedding and other equipment is supplied). Included in the price customers will get healthy continental breakfasts, a private tent with a comfortable mattress and two yoga classes per day. Laura Watson, Founder of Yoga Holidays stated “After doing a…
The ash cloud from the Chilean Volcano Puyehue-Cordón Caulle that has been erupting since June 4 has reached Cape Town airspace, affecting flights in and out of Cape Town International Airport. The ash cloud has circled the globe and has, in the last 2 weeks, disrupted flights in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Australia, and New Zealand. Deon Cloete, General Manager of Cape Town International Airport, said on Saturday evening: “Airports Company South Africa would like to advise all passengers traveling today and in the next few days to contact their airline in order to confirm their flight details, as volcanic ash…
As summer holidays approach, Facebook (which is expected to be valued at $100bn following an initial IPO) is being used by travellers to warn each other about where not to get travel money. A recent campaign started on a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/fairfx) has resulted in many cost-conscious holidaymakers posting photos of poor exchange rates at various locations. The biggest culprits to-date include bureaux de change at Gatwick and Heathrow airports as well as overseas locations like France. Stephen Heath, CEO at FairFX.com said: “It’s interesting to see this development in the use of social media effectively providing more transparency for consumers in a marketplace which is sometimes confusing.”…
With more Brits than ever choosing to stay at home for their holidays, the West Country continues to enjoy buoyant trade as the UK’s favourite holiday destination; with families, couples and those in search of adventure returning year after year to enjoy the wide range of attractions and events that span the counties of Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and Somerset. With more Brits than ever choosing to stay at home for their holidays, the West Country continues to enjoy buoyant trade as the UK’s favourite holiday destination; with families, couples and those in search of adventure returning year after year to…