HALLOWEEN
It is not long to go until the spookiest night of the year, Halloween. Most of you will be dressing up and trick or treating or handing out the goodies at the front door. Many of you will be dressed in costumes and more than a few are probably heading out to a Halloween party.
Travel Advice has a few suggestions to really liven up this Halloween Night:
If you are in the UK why not try Jack The Ripper’s Sinister London Walking Tour? You will be following in the footsteps of one of the most infamous murderers in Britain. Down dark, narrow alleyways, looking at the scenes of his brutal murders. Perfect for a creepy Halloween Experience.
Or what about the most haunted place in Britain. Try the Edinburgh Underground Night Walking Tour. Descend beneath Edinburgh to the underground vaults. Here you will find out all about the Edinburgh Ghost Project.
It is one thing to read about ghosts and ghouls in the comfort of your arm chair but how would you feel actually looking for ghostly apparitions, or poltergeist activity? How would it feel on Halloween Night to be in a place where there is a tradition of spirit sightings and unexplained events.
For those of you in the USA why not consider a Halloween Break in Salem, Massachusetts. Here you can visit the location of the famous Witch Trials and join the locals in the “Festival of The Dead“. Take part in the “Dumb Supper” a banquet which is held in silence in honour of the dead, or join any number of spooky events in the area.
Why not get a group together and go to Hell. You can chose from Hell in Michigan, California, Norway, Holland or the Cayman Islands. You can all go to Hell together for the perfect Halloween destination.
Another spooky destination if you would like a Halloween Vacation is the Bermuda Triangle. This would be another fantastic spot for a group holiday of spooky goings on.
A quick look on the internet will soon have your head full of spooky Halloween Holiday ideas. Haunted Castles, Lighthouses, Walking Tours, Vampire Walking Tours, Haunted History Tours, Murder and Mystery Walking Tours, Halloween Balls and a whole host of haunted Hotel and Bed and Breakfasts. One of the spookiest being the Lizzie Borden B & B.
Wherever you live and what ever you decide to do on Halloween Night have a fantastically creepy time.
UNUSUAL HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Tired of the normal holiday hotels with their sameness and the menu that changes every three days? Plastic furnishings and a bedroom which is identical in Acapulco or Amsterdam.
There is a solution. Why not try some of the more unusual types of accommodation around the world. If you want something a little special for your holidays, have a look at some of the following suggestions. Whether you need accommodation for a romantic getaway, family holiday, wedding or honeymoon you are sure to find some thing just a bit different to make your vacation that much more interesting.
A Moroccan Riad. A traditional Moroccan house or palace built around an interior garden. The design of these dwellings in the coastal regions of Morocco is an adaptation and modification of a Roman Villa. A new vogue of restoration has seen a surge of interest in such towns as Marrakesh and Essaouira. Many Riads are now used as apartments, hotels and restaurants. Relax in total tranquillity, experiencing an amazing culture, in beautiful and exotic surroundings.
In sunny rural Spain, stay in a Finca or Cortijos farmhouse. A Finca is similar to an English smallholding, usually on less than 10000 square metres of land. The Cortijos is a large farm on many hectares with several buildings and stables.These are a great option for an holiday experience with space for hiking, biking and riding. Perfect for a family holiday in the sun.
A Trullo is a traditional Italian stone dwelling with a conical roof. These houses are found in the Itria Valley in the southern region of Apulia. Built without cement or water, the walls are very thick providing a cool environment in hot weather and insulation in the winter. The Trulli are very popular with tourists and found in picturesque, rural locations. So for a truly special holiday try the Trulli.
How about Bed and Breakfast in a Lighthouse? For over a century mariners have relied on these lights to guide them near rocky and remote coastlines. Many around the world are no longer active and have been tastefully converted into holiday accommodation. We mention just a couple. Big Bay Point Lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior in Michigan and the Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River, built in 1869 at the mouth of the Esopus Creek. Quirky but very comfortable!
Converted Water Mills and Olive Mills provide great accommodation in both France and Spain. Normally authentic and spacious, these mills offer a comfortable stay in some of the most beautiful settings.
In Egypt, The Dakhla Oasis Lodge is situated in the desert outside of Cairo. The Oasis sits in a depression surrounded by pink cliffs and has been inhabited since prehistoric times The 32 rooms are furnished in the local style and all are air conditioned. Visits to the nearby archaeological sites and camel safaris into the Sahara make for a unique and fascinating holiday. Rather a romantic holiday for two.
Last but not least is the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. We have written about this before but it provides a truly unique experience. A Hotel made totally from ice. Each room is very individual in style but all are made from the frozen water of the local river. And we do mean everything right down to the bed.
Whatever your choice - why not try an unusual holiday accommodation this year.
HOW GOOD ARE OUR AIRLINES
Was your holiday air travel uneventful and on time? - or were you unfortunate to suffer from delays, cancellations, baggage problems or even being bumped off?
The US Bureau of Transportation publishes some very interesting statistics on the performance of our airlines. In this article we examine a few of the published figures and leave you to decide - How Good Are Our Airlines? A word of warning. As Chaucer once said ” There are lies, dammed lies and Statistics!” These figures are those reported in June 2008.
Delays
The overall causes of delays, with percentages, are published as follows:
Delays and cancellations attributable to National Aviation Systems such as Air Traffic Control, traffic volume. airport operations and non extreme weather - 10.16%
Late arriving aircraft. Previous flight with same aircraft causing late departure - 8.86%
Air Carrier Delay caused by circumstance within the airline’s control. Maintenance or crew problems - 6.78%
Cancellations - 1.80%
Extreme Weather - 1.14%
Diverted Aircraft - 0.37%
Security Delay - 0.05%
Mishandled Baggage
Did you have any problems with lost or delayed luggage? In June 2008, US Airlines received a total of 281,404 baggage reports from 54,674,153 enplaned passengers in the domestic US area, giving an overall rate of 5.15 reports per 1000 passengers. American Eagle Airlines appear to have the worst record both in 2007 and 2008.
Bumped Off
In the period April to June 2008 there were 158,249 Voluntary Bumpings (Passengers receiving compensation for over sales) 15049 Involuntary Bumpings from a total of 151,843,987 enplaned passengers giving a rate of 1.00 per 1000.
Did you have reason to complain?
These could include Flight Problems, Overbooking, Boarding, Refunds, Baggage, Customer Service, Disabilities or Discrimination. In June 2008, US Airlines, Foreign Airlines, Travel Agents, Tour Operators and others generated 881 complaints, down from 1097 in June
2007. Flight delays and baggage problems received the most complaints.
On a sad note. Airlines in June 2008, reported the deaths of three animals and the loss of one animal in transit.
Finally, in the US, arrivals on time ranged from 98.2% by Hawaiian Airlines to 58.8% by American Airlines, giving an overall punctuality figure of 70.8%
Based on the above we leave you to decide on how good you feel are our airlines. Whatever your opinion we wish you a safe and complaint free flight.
CYPRUS PARADISE ISLAND?
We have seen reports that the attraction of Cyprus in terms of quality of life, living costs and property investment may be much less and significant numbers of ex-pats (mainly Brits) are heading back to the UK
The stated aim of Travel Advice Pages is to provide correct, factual and up-to-date information. Being resident in Cyprus, we feel that we are able to offer an objective opinion on this reported exodus.
In many ways (as in the rest of the world) Cyprus is no longer an ultra cheap place to live. However, on balance it is cheaper in many ways than the UK and is still attractive. Certainly, ex-pats are suffering due to the current exchange rate of sterling against the Cyprus Euro which reduces the value of UK pensions. Against this fact is the option of a 5% tax on pension income reported in a previous article.
However, does a return to the UK offer a desired solution? UK inflation is approaching 5% with a recession imminent. A hapless and moribund Labour Government lurches from one crisis to another headed by a Prime Minister who obviously underwent a charisma bypass at birth! Utilities have reached obscene levels together with petrol and diesel prices and the new road tax system is pricing older family vehicles off the road. Cyprus is in the process of lowering fuel prices at the pumps. The dreaded UK Council Tax continues to rise, linked with nonsensical legislation regarding household garbage disposal. There is no Council Tax in Cyprus. A small Municipal charge is levied at year end for the twice-weekly garbage collection.
In Britain the Police appear to have lost control in the inner city areas with a teenage knife culture rampant. In Cyprus the crime rate is very low. There are minor problems with youngsters in the tourist hot spots of Aya Napa and Kato Pafos. Very little crime is reported in the local newspapers. Law breaking seems limited to riding motorcycles without a helmet, running a red traffic light and using a mobile phone when driving!Having driven or been driven in Lagos, Beijing, Rome and Cairo - the Cypriots have good road manners.
There is no doubt that there is much more freedom on the Island and life is more relaxed. The “Big Brother” attitude has not reached Cyprus. With new shopping malls, well stocked supermarkets and a multitude of good retaurants, life is easy. Helpful and cheerful shop assistants and waiters remind one of how it used to be in the UK. A healthy lifestyle is possible with the abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish.
Much has been reported on the “drought” conditions on the Island. There is a shortage of water but this has little impact on normal life. Rationing exists in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and less in Pafos. The local system of roof water tanks means that on “wet” days these tanks fill and water is also available for washing machines and dishwashers. On “dry” days one still has sufficient water in the tanks for showers and washing dishes by hand etc.
The Government is purchasing water from Greece and building additional de-salination plants to solve the situation in the shorter and longer term. The Island is still beautiful despite the drought with its mountains and beaches and enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. July and August can be oppressively hot but one can escape the heat in one’s air conditioned accomodation or automobile.
On balance would one exchange all this for a cold, wet, costly and bureaucratic UK?
EU UPGRADE OF AIRPORT SERVICES
Directives from the Eu have often been received with scepticsm, criticism and downright hilarity. The shape of certain vegetables comes to mind. However, Travel Advice Pages welcomes a new statement from the European Commission regarding the free services which must be provided for disabled and elderly passengers.
As from the 26th July, all EU airports must provide wheelchairs and even guide dogs for persons with reduced mobility, from when they enter the airport to the boarding gate at both departure and arrival destinantions. Such passengers should be able to use the airport in the same way as other passengers. They should enjoy priority boarding under the best conditions and with the necessary equipment.
On flights from EU airports and from airports in a third country to an EU destinantion, European Air Carriers will be obliged to carry wheelchairs and guide dogs free of charge. These new rules should end discrimination and give disabled and elderly passengers the help needed when travelling. A third of the EU population suffers from reduced mobility. Although these are mainly the disabled and elderly, there are others unable to walk the long distances in modern airports.
Although not compulsory, anyone requiring such assistance should notify their travel agent about specific requirements 48 hours before departure.
Travel Advice Pages applauds the EU for this initiative.
10 THINGS NOT TO DO ON HOLIDAY
1. Try not to be drunk during the day at your holiday resort. Red faced, sweating and sick is not an attractive look at home or abroad.
2. Don’t wander about towns or cities in beach clothes it is offensive to the locals. Dress as they do and you won’t go far wrong.
3. If you sunbathe topless take the time to put a top on when going off the beach or away from the poolside.
4. If you are visiting strongly religious countries take the time to find out the local rules and regulations regarding clothing, manners and behaviour. In some countries the breaking of their laws could result in jail time!
5. If you must hire a dune buggy or motorbike when on holiday, drive it sensibly in the appropriate area. Behaving like a lunatic roaring up and down the local beach will not make you more attractive to the local females. Neither will revving your engine continuously or doing wheelies on take off. This is even more important if you are over 40.
6. If you must get drunk try not to sing on the way back to your Hotel room. I know this is a difficult one because a few drinks and your singing improves tremendously but everyone who is trying to sleep will really appreciate it.
7. If you are overweight do not choose the tiniest of swim suits. I know a tan makes you look slimmer but it isn’t a miracle cure.
8. When purchasing new clothes for your holiday, don’t buy anything you wouldn’t wear in your own home town, the locals in your holiday resort would really appreciate this.
9. Don’t insist on eating only McDonalds or egg and chips have a culture shock and try the local food.
10. Women of a certain age don’t think just because you are on holiday and in the sun that dressing 20 years younger is suitable and attractive or that you are fooling anyone.
TIPS FOR RELOCATING
Whether you are relocating within the same country or relocating abroad your most useful resources are your computer and the Internet.
Everything you need to know about your new location can be found on the Internet. From the laws of your new country to what is on the supermarket shelves. All of this information is available with only a few clicks of your mouse.
Travel Advice would suggest you print out and keep a folder of the most important papers, things you might need before your computer arrives. Copies of passports, birth and marriage certificates, divorce papers, adoption papers etc (Many countries require a copy of these documents so have some ready along with the originals to show the authorities), take along extra passport type photographs, details of requirements for residency, medical care and schools etc. Also lists of important telephone numbers both back home and at the new one, where to find Doctors who speak your language, pharmacies, hospitals, translators, government departments, employment offices etc. If you are shipping furniture keep a list of measurements with you so you can check out the space in your new home and make sure everything fits in. If possible get copies of medical records and school records. Also in this folder should be any important x-rays. Remember do not pack this folder it should be with you at all times.
Even for those people relocating within their own country the Internet is a useful resource. You can read the local newspapers online, check out crime or the lack of it in the area you are moving to, have a look at the local school’s website, see if there is a forum in your new area and read what the people who live there think of the area and ask questions yourself. On most forums people are very helpful and willing to pass on information. So if you need specialist help renovating your new home, or you have a health problem, or perhaps dietary needs, whatever it is you will be able to ask the questions before you go and make sure what you need is available in your chosen area. You might also make friends for yourself and your children even before you get there. Certainly the children can contact their new schools before arrival and start getting to know their teachers and classmates.
For those relocating abroad I would suggest checking out the area you are going to via the Internet. Whether you are retiring to a country you know well from holidays, relocating with your company or just packing up and moving to the sun you will find everything you need to know on the Internet.
Go to the Government or Embassy websites of your new country.
Check out the requirements for: visas, residency, receiving medical care ( you may need private medical insurance) and education, employment, the basic laws of the country, allowances for bringing money into the country, tax laws, inheritance laws (This is a very important one. Many people have been caught out if their partner passes away abroad they suddenly find out inheritance laws are considerably different from their home country), requirements for bringing any pets into the country and customs regulations regarding any shipment of household goods and personal items you want to bring to your new country.
Assuming all of the above items are satisfactory you can then start checking out the finer details of the area.
Always read the local online newspapers this gives you a real feel for your new country. After all you don’t want to end up living in the local crime hot spot!
Check out homes, whether you are renting or buying see which real estate agent has properties you like and contact them online to arrange viewings. This saves time when you arrive. You can also ask about the best areas, schools etc.
Check out schools (as above in relocating within your own country)
If you have some idea of the area you will be living in check out the facilities. Hospitals, Doctors, Clinics, Dentists etc.
Travel Advice would recommend that those people moving to second or third world countries check out the food situation and the supermarkets online. Make sure you can purchase what you need ( especially if you are on a special diet) or see if you will have to organise shipments every few months. This goes for pharmaceuticals as well. Check customs regulations too!
Join an online forum in the local area. This really can be invaluable. You can find out the average cost of utilities, groceries, school fees etc before you arrive. After all if you are moving somewhere for a better life for you and your family you don’t want to find you are actually worse off apart from the sunshine! So compare prices, taxes, etc with your current costs and see just how well off you will be.
Make use of the Internet to stay in contact with your shippers. Using your laptop or Internet cafes you can keep up to date with the location of your possessions and if there are any problems you have easy access to your removers and they to you.
If you know your new address remember to inform everyone of your change of address. If you won’t know your new address right away remember to print out sufficient copies of change of address letters plus envelopes leaving out the actual address so you can fill it in by hand later.
Use the Internet to book, flights, accommodation, car hire, etc and remember to print out the confirmation emails and keep them with you to present when necessary.
Use the Internet to learn about your new location. It is helpful to know something of the geography and history of your new home. Also to find about great restaurants or leisure facilities. If you belong to clubs or societies see if they are available at your new destination. If they are you should be able to contact them online. This is a great way to meet new friends and contacts before you arrive. It also provides another way of getting detailed local information.
We hope the above article is of use to you when you are moving. If anyone has any other hints or tips for relocating whether in country or abroad please let us know so we can pass them on.
OVER BOOKED FLIGHTS IN THE US
In a previous article, Travel Advice Pages, gave advice on compensation if your flight was delayed.
If you are “bumped” off a flight it is a different situation. Sadly, it is a fact of holiday air travel that over-booking of flights has become a common practice by airlines. Before resigning yourself to spending the night on the floor of the departure lounge, we offer some facts and advice.
In the US, if you are “bumped” off your flight and the airline cannot get you to your destination within one hour of your original arrival time; US Federal Law requires that you are paid the equivalent of a one-way fare ($200-400) depending on the length of delay. This is somewhat inadequate particularly if you may suffer financial loss perhaps due to missing that important business meeting. Insist on a cash payment as some vouchers come with restrictions and may be difficult to redeem. It is a good idea, while waiting for some action at the check in desk to call the airline direct for help. Most have 800 series telephone numbers and you may get ahead of fellow sufferers by circumventing airport computer systems which allocate priority to “Frequent Flyers” or those who have paid full price for a seat.
In busy holiday periods, it is wise to have a “Plan B”giving alternative flights so you can ask to be rebooked on another carrier. Many airlines will refuse but it is worth a try.
One way of avoiding being “bumped” is to research which US domestic carriers have a low incidence of overbooking. The US Department of Consumer Protection website will provide you with statistics about this practice and other facts about your chosen airline.
Remember that the people in the cheap seats have the lowest priority. ”Frequent Flyers,” First and Business Class passengers and those who have paid full fare are the most likely to win in an overbooked situation. Always aim to arrive early as late check ins are the first to suffer.
Be aware that compensation does not apply to charter flights or scheduled flights with less than 60 passengers. Also, that the above information applies to US Domestic Carriers and may vary with international flights. Unfortunately, if the airline has to substitute a smaller aircraft for the one it planned to use - there is no compensation for you.
Hopefully, with our Travel Advice you can avoid spending a night on the floor in the airport!!
HAIR RAISING RUNWAYS
From Travelandleisure
“It’s 10:45 a.m. on a cloudy day, and the crew of Druk Air flight KB205 is preparing to land at their home airport of Paro. Suddenly, ominous warnings start blaring, alerting them that their flight angle is all wrong and their rate of descent is far too fast. They fly a series of unconventional right-and-left banks through a narrow channel of hillsides before centering the swaying jet and putting it on the tarmac.
An emergency situation? Not quite. In fact, this is a completely normal—however nail-biting—landing at Paro Airport, Bhutan, set 7,300 feet above sea level. Because of the airport’s tightly cropped valley, surrounded by 16,000-foot-high serrated Himalayan peaks, this drama replays itself on every flight.
There’s a sobering saying among pilots: “Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.” And it’s not until you fly into places like Paro, or Toncontìn Airport in Tegucigalpa, that the adage starts to make sense. Both are surrounded by mountains, and Toncontìn has one of the world’s shortest international runways; each requires a series of hard last-minute banks. It’s no wonder both give even the most seasoned pilots—not to mention their passengers—the sweats.
While Bhutan is the most extreme example—only eight pilots in the world are qualified to fly into Paro—a number of the world’s airports, can present challenges for pilots. “A lot of these airports require additional training and route familiarization because they’re so crazy,” says one commercial pilot who flies international routes.
According to aviation experts, mitigating factors range from the truncated length of runways to unique atmospheric and meteorological conditions, dramatic geographical settings, heavy air traffic, or a combination thereof. “Sometimes it’s just the way the airport is laid out that makes it a pain,” says the pilot, referring to whether an airport is situated askew.
One such tricky spot: Reagan International Airport. That’s not because of strange Potomac River winds . It’s the excess of government buildings and restricted airspace that makes setting down there like threading a needle with a 200-ton hunk of metal.
In fact, cities are often tough: for years (73, to be exact), the honor of the world’s most harrowing airport was reserved for Kai Tak, in Hong Kong. Whose single runway was jammed in between Victoria Harbor and densely populated Kowloon. Pilots had to battle crosswinds and fly a complicated curved approach, all while dodging mountains and high-rises. Kai Tak was shuttered in 1998 and replaced by a modern mega-port located on a reclaimed island out in the South China Sea. But many locales don’t have that luxury, and continue to operate with their existing facilities, many of which include palm sweat-inducing approaches and photo-worthy opportunities.
And it’s not always the landing that’s the stuff of lore. Matekane Air Strip, in the tiny African kingdom of Lesotho, features a stunted 1,312-foot-long runway perched at the edge of a couloir that sits at 7,550 feet. According to celebrated bush pilot Tom Claytor, depending on the wind during takeoff, it’s entirely possible for the aircraft not to be airborne by the end of the airstrip. “Instead,” he says, “you shoot off the end of the airstrip, then drop down the 2,000-foot cliff face until you start flying.”
It’s enough to make you take the train.”
EUROPE - BANNED CARRY ON ITEMS
“AIR travellers in Europe will now be able to view the same list of items banned from carry-on luggage as airline staff after the European Union amended laws.
Previously, this list had been available only to staff for security reasons. The public were only able to see an amended list which created confusion. Some travellers were barred from getting on flights because they had items on the secret list.
The new air travel security rules, which took effect this week, require governments to maintain a single, public list of banned carry-on items.
The issue was highlighted in the case of German traveller Gottfried Heinrich who was ordered to leave a plane in Vienna as he was carrying tennis racquets, “allegedly prohibited items,” according to the advocate general.
Heinrich took the case to court in Austria which has referred it to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. EU Advocate-General Eleanor Sharpston had urged the European Court of Justice to annul the EU law on the carry-on items lists, saying it was illegal to maintain a list that travelers could not consult. ”
This is excellent news for all those travelling in or to Europe as there has been a great deal of confusion about what can and cannot be carried on board. You can be told one thing by travel agents or airport enquiries and arrive at the airport only to have items confiscated or left behind.
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