Top 5 Fly-Drive Holidays

September 29th, 2010

It can often be challenging to cram in all the places and sites you want to see on your holiday, and with the cost of tours continuing to rise, what other options are available? Opting for car hire can give you the freedom to travel at your own pace to help you to relax and enjoy your break.

Here are our top 5 suggestions for a fly-drive holiday.

  1. Croatia – Between Zagreb and Zadar the Plitvice Lakes can be found, which make a stunning destination for a holiday. In this area there is plenty to see including Krka National Park, the city of Zadar bursting with roman ruins and Gradec, an area of Zagreb where many historic buildings can be found.

  2. Slovenia – A Beautiful country with many places to explore, including The Karst which is full of amazing rivers, streams and caverns. For a taste of Slovenian architecture, the old town of Ljubljana is a must.  Take a trip to Lake Bled and explore this breathtaking region.

  3. USA – Why not visit California? Go to the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, drive through 1200 square miles of Yosemite National Park or just hit the open road!

  4. Turkey –The Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia is close to two volcanoes and you can find the perfect spot to explore the region. There are also the ancient ruins at Nemrut Dagi or the Byzantine frescoes to help you enjoy some culture.

  5. South Africa – Follow the South-East Coast and drive along the Garden Route, or drive along the Panorama Route and enjoy Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Gods Window, Mac Mac Falls, Long Tom Pass and the Berlin Falls.

With so many sights to be seen, a fly-drive holiday can make for a truly individual experience. Ensuring you plan your route will make the most of your time away!

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Top 5 European Festivals

September 24th, 2010

If you’re considering a short break this autumn, or even looking for activities as part of your holiday, we have found 5 festivals and events to enjoy in October:

  • Eurochocolate – Visit Perugia in Italy from 15th – 24th October where can go to chocolate tastings as well as see Chocolate sculptures and visit Chocofarm, a spa devoted to bodycare treatments made from chocolate and cocoa.

  • Flamenco Biennal – This is held bi-annually in Seville, Spain from 15th September – 9th October. Primarily a music and dance festival, there are flamenco competitions and workshops to help you learn or improve your skills. There is also food and wine tasting available, as these complement flamenco perfectly!

  • Wine Festival – In Marino, about 45 minutes from Rome, Italy on Sunday 3rd of October over three days Sagra dell’Uva occurs. The fountains in the town start flowing with wine and traditional cellars open so bread, meat and wine can be purchased. There is also a street procession and display of period costumes and music with fireworks and frivolities in the evening.

  • Rolex Middle Sea Race – The Royal Malta Yacht Club runs the 606 nautical mile race starting on 23rd October 2010. Many come to watch the start of the race and enjoy the bustling town of Valletta, Malta during the week of the race.

  • Seafood Festival – Held at O Grove, Spain over 2nd – 12th October many come to sample some local specialities. There are stands selling seafood, exhibitions and Galician-Portuguese Folklore can also be seen.

With so much going on in the coming months, why not hire a car in Spain, Malta or Italy and make the most of a short break!

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Spanish standstill anticipated in strike action

September 22nd, 2010

Tourists face potential travel chaos following an announcement today from Spanish trade unions advising of widespread strikes on 29th September. Customers could face long delays and cancellations in the midst of the country’s first general strike since 2002, due to affect all international flights as well as train and coach travel. It has been advised that only flights which are due to take off before Midnight Spanish time on Tuesday will be allowed to land.

Threats of strike action surfaced back in August however they were postponed at the time by the union UNSCA following an outcry of the disastrous affect it could pose on the tourist industry, however a strike is now due to commence in full swing following revisions to labour laws. Spain’s two biggest unions hope hundreds of thousands of workers will support the strike over government reforms to slash 20% unemployment.

If you feel you may be affected, we would recommend those with flights already booked to check the status of your flight online, or contact your travel operator or airline directly to try to rearrange your flights. If you need to amend your car hire booking as a result of this, please contact us.

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Appetite for Low Cost Flights Continues to Rise!

September 22nd, 2010

Both Ryanair and Easyjet reported year on year increases in passenger numbers in August, experiencing rises of 12% and 8.4% respectively. Over the month of August, Ryanair carried 7.68 million passengers and Easyjet 5.2 million.

Interestingly, of the total number of seats available Easyjet filled 92.3%, an increase from 91.8% the previous year. Ryanair however only managed to fill 89% of its available seats. Total passenger numbers for both airlines have continued to grow, showing that we all still want a holiday, as long as it’s kind to our wallet!

There are other companies that are trying to muscle in on this market, including Flybe. As soon as Ryanair announced that it will stop running flights from Belfast City Airport from October 31st, Flybe jumped in and proclaimed that they would replace some of these services. If you are looking to book budget flights, shop around and take into account all the extras, such as baggage charges to make sure you can make a fair comparison!

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Thomas Cook Sole Vendor for 2012 Olympics

September 9th, 2010

Tickets for the 2012 Olympics are due to go on sale in spring 2011 and Thomas Cook has been named as the official partner of the games. They will be the only company permitted to package and sell tickets in the UK.

In the region of 300,000 short-break packages will be available for the Olympics and the Paralympics. No other retailer or purchaser can offer tickets for resale. The London Organising Committee will be the vendor for ticket only bookings, using the website London2012.com. Only a lucky few will be able to attend the Olympics, as tickets will be allocated on a lottery basis.

The exact date tickets go on sale has yet to be announced. There will also be some corporate hospitality packages available. Thomas Cook staff will also get the opportunity to volunteer at the games, or work on secondment to the organisers. Either way, if you are keen to get the 2012 Olympics, make sure you get in early!

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New Air Tax Introduced in Germany

September 6th, 2010

A new German flight tax has been implemented on all airfares purchased from Wednesday 1st September for departures January 1st 2011 onwards. This will result in charges of 25EUR being levied on all flights to the UK. The amount of the charge will vary depending on destination; with 52 European destinations having an 8EUR levy imposed, increasing to 25EUR for 50 airports in Asia and Africa, and 45 for other locations.

This is just one of a set of controversial measures to assist in the reduction of the German budget deficit. The German Government has met stark opposition from carriers and tourists alike, concerned about the impact this will have for holidaymakers travelling to and from Germany.

ABTA is seeking confirmation that the tax will be axed in two years’ time, to coincide with the EU’s emission trading scheme (ETS) coming into effect. A similar tax was introduced and then swiftly abolished in the Netherlands in 2008. The revenue generated actually dropped due to a decline in passenger numbers. Will this affect your decision to travel to Germany?

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Top 5 Great Value Autumn Breaks!

September 3rd, 2010

The school holidays are almost over, and many of you have been waiting to plan your annual getaway. Holidays are often a lot cheaper at this time of year, and with many travel firms offering great deals, there has never been a better time to get the holiday of your dreams at an affordable price!

Once you have set your budget, consider what locations are still hot and sunny in September and October:

  • Visit one of the Canary Islands, renowned for being a year round holiday destination. You will find an amazing mix of natural wonders, water sports and beaches, definitely something for everyone!
  • Why not travel further afield to South Africa? The World Cup has really improved the infrastructure so there has never been a better time to travel to this fantastic country.
  • Cyprus is a popular choice for families during the summer holidays, but you can still enjoy temperatures of 25-30 degrees in September and October. Holidays range from the classic sun and sea combination to a break focussed on enjoying the natural sights Cyprus has to offer.
  • For an affordable autumn break, many people are choosing Turkey this year. Relish the mixture of culture, history and sun to make an unforgettable experience.
  • Fancy a golfing holiday? Madeira is the destination for you; the mixture of beautiful scenery and remarkable golf courses makes this a destination with plenty to enjoy!

Now that you have decided where to go, make sure you organise all the extras, such as car hire, travel insurance and airport parking. Booking these in advance will ensure that all elements of your holiday will be kind to your wallet, giving you more cash to enjoy your trip!

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World Largest Commercial Plane Lands at Manchester Airport

September 1st, 2010

Thousands of people flocked to Manchester Airport on Wednesday 1st September to see the Airbus A380 land for the first time. Emirates flight EK017 landed just after 12.25pm on the 1st September.  From now on, the world’s largest commercial aeroplane will fly from Manchester Airport to Dubai daily.

£10m has been spent on upgrading the Airport in the last 18 months so it can accommodate the double decker plane. Although the jet has flown into Heathrow Airport since 2008, this is the first regional airport in the world to have a daily A380 service.

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