The Advantages and Disadvantages of Flying in an Aeroplane
Air travel is one of the fastest way of traveling on our planet. You can get from point A to point B much quicker than all other modes of transport. For example, when traveling to the same destination, a ship can take months while a plane will only take hours. Obviously, speed is the number one advantage for traveling in an air plane. There are other advantages as well.
Comfort
Commercial air planes are often more comfortable to ride in when the destination is far away. Occasional turbulence may be experienced while traveling in an air plane. But this is nothing compared to the way a ship will roll in rough seas. Some people suffer from air sickness but this is very rare.
Temperatures are kept to a comfortable level, and entertainment may be available. You can choose to listen to some soothing music, watch videos, or even play Nintendo games on an air plane. The level of comfort also depends on the type of seats that you have bought tickets for.
If you have a little more budget, you may want to consider buying a business class air ticket. This is your ticket that will get you a seat that offers more leg room and personal space. You are also attended to by attentive air stewards or stewardesses. If you need anything at all (e.g. blankets, food and wine, etc), just make a request and the items will sent to you without you having to leave your seat.
Besides comfort, if you choose to travel by air, you can also enjoy greater convenience.
Convenience
It is more convenient to travel by plane, especially when you are in a rush. You can book air tickets easily from your favorite travel agency just by making a phone call. Your travel agency will advise you on the next available flight, and you can decide on the spot whether you want to make a reservation.
Many metropolitan airports are serviced by numerous airlines. So unless it’s the peak season, you should be able to book the tickets for the dates you want.
In addition, most international airports are equipped with comprehensive facilities to serve the difference needs of travelers. For instance, you should be able to locate car rental services easily at most major airports. Such services provide added convenience.
Perhaps the only major drawback for air traveling is the ticket price. The price of the ticket depends on your choice of airline, the class of your seat, and your destination. Bigger and more established airlines tend to charge more compared to smaller airlines. Business class seats are more luxurious, so they cost more than economy class seats. And of course, the further you travel, the more you may have to pay.
Despite higher prices, many still choose to travel by air due to the speed, comfort and convenience that air travel offers. Traveling by air saves a lot of time. Besides, numerous budget airlines offer air tickets at highly affordable prices. That makes air travel a more attractive mode of transport.
Benefits of Camping
Camping is a great alternative to hotels for family vacations. Rather than spending cramped nights in overpriced hotel rooms, a week spent camping under the stars will make any vacation the cathartic experience that it is meant to be.
The next time you are planning a family trip, consider the benefits of camping before making a reservation at a hotel.
• Price: A week spent camping will inevitably be less expensive than seven nights in a hotel. Granted, you will not get the same amenities, but campsites will charge a considerably less per night than even the cheapest hotel.
• Nature: There is no better way to start a day than unzipping the door of a tent and taking a breath of fresh air while watching the sunrise. Many campgrounds are situated in national parks with lakes and trails nearby, giving visitors a chance to get away from civilization and put their minds at ease.
• Location: There are thousands of campsites located everywhere imaginable in the United States. If you want to stay near Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, choose from dozens of campgrounds in the area. If you’re family enjoys spending vacations near the beach, visit one of the many campsites up and down the coast of Florida.
• Physical activity: Most vacations consist of a lot of sitting — sitting on a plane or in a car, sitting on the beach, or sitting by the pool. A vacation spent camping promotes hiking, fishing, canoeing, and other physical activities that will get your blood flowing.
• Family togetherness: Camping prompts family bonding. Rather than arguing about who will sleep where in a hotel room, camping lets families spend time together around a fire under the stars, rather than in front of a television at a Red Roof Inn.
Camping will provide a great break from the average workaday lifestyle. From a car camping site to a RV park, Ocala to Ohio, there is a campsite for every family vacation.
Horley Attractions – What To Do When You Visit Horley
About Horley:
Horley is a famous town in Surrey, at the north of Gatwick Airport and Crawley. The town of Horley is located between the Redhell, Reigate and Gatwick Airport. Since 1950, its population has been doubled. Horley is considered to be one of the best tourist places in Surrey, mainly because of its rural surroundings that look really attractive.
Horley also serves as an excellent shopping place for its tourist. The town has easy access through trains and busses. The economy of the town is quite strong, mainly because of the fact that it is located close to the Gatwick Airport so it is often visited by different visitors going to or coming from the Gatwick Airport. Horley offer exciting staying options to its visitors in the form of hotels, motels, cottages and guest houses.
Attractions of Horley
Horley look particularly beautiful and attractive due to the surrounding rural areas. There are lots of attractive places for the tourists coming to Horley. Some of the famous attractions of Horley are described here:
Ladyland Farm:
One of the famous attractions of Horley is the Ladyland Farm. Ladyland form is located at the north of Horley Town. This attraction is particularly appealing for students as it is an educational attraction. It houses babies of different animals including calves, kittens, lambs and rabbits etc. the farm usually not open to general public during the term time.
High Beeches:
One of the most exciting tourist attractions at Horley is the High Beeches which is located near to the Haywards Heath. High Beeches is spread over an area of 20 acres. It has tranquil woodland and different attractive water gardens. These gardens are very well maintained since the time when they were laid out. The maintenance of the garden is under the responsibility of the High Beeches Gardens Conservation Trust. The garden is worth seeing and it captures the imagination of the visitor. High Breeches has always been the focus of attraction for all the visitors that come to Horley. The gardens houses many natural flowers, for example cowslips, orchids etc. The best time to visit this garden is the spring time when the every other thing is outshined by the colorful plants of High Beeches.
Sainthill Manor:
Overlooking the great hills of the Weald, Sainthill Manor serves as a source of attraction for all the visitors. It provides an excellent landscape and people from all over the world often come here to get themselves closer to the nature. Sainthill Manor was the effort of Gibbs Crawfurd in 1792. During the 1800s, the Sainthill Manor was used as England’s Home Headquarter of China Inland Mission. It also became a centre for the purpose of recruitments for different missions of its time. Sainthill Manor is spread over an area of almost 59 acres.
Apart from the above attractions, there are other lots of worth seeing places in Horley that makes real value for their visitor’s journey. Some of the other most well-known attractions of Horley are:
Godstone Vineyard
Ladyland Farm
Barons Cave
East Grinstead Town Museum
Sackville College
Wattlehurst Farm etc.
Newcastle Pub Crawl – Binge Drinking Nightmare or Stag Do Heaven?
Newcastle Overview
Having been multiple times to Newcastle over the last few years for nights out, it is safe to say that a pub crawl in this city never disappoints. Recently, the city has had some bad press being dubbed ‘Binge Drinking Capital of the UK’. This is an unfair tag in my opinion, as it will conjure up images of people fighting, vomiting and in a state of unconsciousness in the streets. Ok, so there is probably an element of that in every city, but the actual reality is that Newcastle is an excellent place for a night out, with many pubs, bars and clubs full of people who know how to have a good time. It is a very popular destination for stag weekends, hen dos and party goers alike.
My mates and I usually have a road trip to Newcastle for a lads night out at least twice a year and I’ve also been to four stag weekends in Newcastle. This article aims to help anyone thinking of a stag do or lads weekend in Newcastle.
Newcastle Pub Crawl Areas & Nightlife
There are many good places in the city for a pub crawl with the liveliest area being the ‘Bigg Market’. This is in the city centre and has many pubs, bars and clubs, all within a close proximity and is very popular with a younger crowd of party goers.
Another popular area is the Quayside, right next to the River Tyne and a short walk from the Bigg Market. The majority of times that I have been to Newcastle, I have stayed in or around the Quayside area. This area has been renovated in recent years and has many hotels and bars. It can be a good place to have a few drinks in the afternoon on a sunny day, sat outside one of the many bars overlooking the Tyne. Certain bars are also very popular in the evening.
Jesmond is an area on the outskirts of the city centre, it is almost a little town within a city. The main high street has many hotels, bars and restaurants which can be packed at the weekend, especially on race days.
Stag Do Daytime Activities
If you are planning a stag do in Newcastle and are looking for some daytime events, then we have a list of suggestions below:
Horse Racing – If you fancy a punt on a few nags then why not go to Newcastle racecourse? The racecourse is on the outskirts of the city which has many race meetings during the course of the year. It is approximately a 20 minute taxi ride from the city centre or a 10 minute taxi ride from Jesmond. This is also an activity where you can carry on drinking, so very popular with many stag and hen dos.
Karting – If cars are your thing, then you may fancy karting especially if there is a large group of you. This will need to be organised in advance as they do get booked up, especially at weekends. There are a number of different companies to choose from in the area, so you should be able to find one that meets yours requirements.
Football – If you are there during the football season and fancy seeing some Premiership football (Premiership at the time of writing), then you could try to get tickets for a Newcastle match with the Toon Army. This might be a bit more difficult to sort out, especially if you are in a large group. If you can’t get tickets with the home fans then you could try to get tickets with the away fans, depending on who they are playing against.
Whitley Bay – If you are thinking of an all day drinking session and fancy going somewhere different then just a short taxi ride from Newcastle is the seaside town of Whitley Bay. Again, it has a lot of popular bars all within a close proximity. It can also be very popular for a night out. You would probably be looking at approximately £20.00 in a taxi to get there from the city centre (£5.00 per person each way between four people sharing a taxi isn’t too bad).
Getting There
Getting to Newcastle is usually quite straight forward as it has good road and rail links as well as an airport:
Air – You can fly to Newcastle from the following locations – Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, Exeter, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Southampton. Look out for cheap deals from the usual low-cost airlines (who shall remain nameless). The airport is located on the outskirts of the city, a short taxi ride or bus journey from the city centre. The airport itself, though only small, is very modern and has better facilities than a lot of larger airports that I have been to.
Rail – To travel to Newcastle by rail you will at some point in your journey have to connect to the east coast line which runs from Kings Cross in London to Newcastle (and beyond to Scotland). If you are travelling from the South you will probably join the east coast line at London (Kings Cross) or Peterborough. From the Midlands or North you will probably connect at York. Newcastle train station is located in the city centre.
Road – To travel to Newcastle by Road you will at some point in your journey have to join the A1M. From the South you would travel on either the M1 or A1 and then join the A1M. Once on the A1M take the A167 towards Gateshead/Newcastle.
Places To Stay
Quayside – As mentioned previously the Quayside area is an ideal location for a trip to Newcastle. Not only does it have its own hotels, bars and restaurants but it is only a few minutes walk to the city centre and Bigg Market.
Jesmond – As mentioned above Jesmond is almost a town within a city, with plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants. The only downside with Jesmond is that it is a few miles from the city centre which will mean getting a taxi into Newcastle for a night out. A taxi will cost approximately £10.00 each way and there is a taxi rank on the main high street in Jesmond with regular taxis, so getting one isn’t usually a problem. If you are in a large group and need 4/5 then might be worth getting your hotel to pre-book some for you. I’ve never had a problem getting a taxi in Jesmond or Newcastle, compared to many other cities.
Planning the Ultimate Birthday Weekend
Do you have a big birthday looming? Perhaps you’re about to hit a milestone birthday, such as your 30th, or even your 40th, and you want to have the best celebration that you can have. Or maybe you’ve been left in charge or organising a dear friend’s, or even your partner’s birthday. No matter who the birthday boy or girl is, you’ll want to organise something big, but with so much to consider, organise and execute, this can often sound a lot easier than it is in practise. However, don’t let a little bit of hard work put you off, because if you work hard preparing the party, you can really let your hair down later on.
When it comes to organising a birthday night out or activity, ask yourself if the birthday celebrations can last longer than one day, because as most people are free at the weekend, it will be easier to just arrange something for both days, for those guests that feel that they can last two days, and also for guests who can only make one of the days. Birthday weekends are becoming increasingly popular with people, as they go much further than the usual night out that many people have on their birthday.
So once you’ve decided that you’re going to use a whole weekend to celebrate your impending birthday, it’s time to decide just what it is that you’re going to do. The activities that you choose will obviously depend on your interests, and how many people are attending, so there is a lot to choose from, such as going to the local spa for a pamper day, doing an activity you’ve never done before, such as kayaking or boating or even something really exciting, such as paintball. If you make a group booking you might also be able to get a discount on your chosen activity, which just makes your day a little bit sweeter. After you’ve done this activity, it’s time to decide what you;re going to do that evening, and while you may want to go out, remember that you have another full day to get through tomorrow, so don’t overdo it. If you don’t want to go out just yet, perhaps you should consider doing something a little more subdued, such as going to the cinema, the theatre, or enjoying a meal in a fine restaurant.
On the second day, think about doing something that you’ve never done before, or just not done for a while; you could visit your favourite old haunts, such as a bar you’ve not been to for years, go siteseeing, go for a long walk in the country, or even just pack a picnic and find somewhere nice to go and eat your lunch. If you are going to be far from home, such as in a another city, such as Glasgow or London, make sure that you’ve researched hotels in London, and booked rooms for you and your party.
Whatever you decide to do for your birthday, don’t just limit it to one day, go for two days and have the best birthday of your life so far.
Flights London to Hong Kong
Just a little research time spent online, checking daily newspapers or your local travel agent will show you that finding flights from London to Hong Kong at a reasonable price is easy. China travel opportunities and cheap Flights are available from both the major London airports. Whether you want to fly from Gatwick or Heathrow, it is now easy to find flights from London to Hong Kong.
How and when you travel is largely reliant on your budget. If you want to go first-class during the month of August, or around Christmas time, then you need a high budget. However, there are flights from London or Hong Kong for even the tightest of budgets.
A direct flight from London to Hong Kong will take around 12 hours, flying direct. This is a long haul flight, and travellers should make sure that they take items with them that will make the journey as comfortable as possible. However, be sure to check the local hand luggage rules in force at the time that you intend to travel.
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, there are many things to see and do that will suit all tastes and purses. Hotels in Hong Kong range from expensive 5 star luxury in the heart of the city, to more moderate accommodation more suited to a smaller budget on the outskirts. At off peak times, many hotels offer substantial discounts, so check to see what is available at the time you book your flights from London to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is one of the cities that never sleep, but if you find that the noise and hustle and bustle proves too much for you, there are other alternatives. When you book your flights from London to Hong Kong, look for excursions to some of the smaller islands around the city. Here you will find a quieter pace of life with time to unwind and enjoy the scenery. Finding cheap flights to Hong Kong is a simple process and you’ll have little difficulty finding a great deal.
A boat trip to the island territory of Lantau will show you a different part of China than the cosmopolitan Hong Kong. On this island you can see the very last surviving fishing village, complete with its aluminium stilt houses. Lantau is also the home of the famous bronze Buddha.
If you fancy a walking China holiday, then try the Lantau Peak trek, which is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong city. If the trek seems too much for you, then take a boat trip and go pink dolphin spotting. Or take in some culture in the New Territories with the traditional walled villages.
The majority of people book their flights from London to Hong Kong with a view to experiencing the fast pace of Hong Kong itself. The shopping is second to none, and although there may not be the rock bottom bargains of the past available, but there are still bargains to be had. Many people buy silk to bring home with them, to be made into luxurious garments.
The variety of food available in Hong Kong is vast. The Chinese believe that all food should not only satisfy your hunger, but should bring joy to all the senses. The food in Hong Kong is no different.
When eating in Hong Kong, it is possible to find most of the cuisines of the world in a single street. From the street side vendors to five star restaurants, there is sure to be something for everyone. Remember that lunchtime is one of the busiest times with literally hundreds of workers looking for somewhere to eat, so it is best to avoid eating at this time.
Booking flights from London to Hong Kong can provide a gateway to experiencing the rest of China. A China holiday with the Olympics being held in Beijing 2008 is perfect for any vacation, and you may want to combine the trip with some travel throughout the country. Or you may decide to use your flight to Hong Kong as an opportunity to take in some of the many tourist attractions that China has to offer.
The most well-known tourist attraction in China must be the Great Wall of China. However there are many other things to see in the vast country and many travellers have been delighted with what they find when they venture off the beaten track a little. If you intend to do this, then it is wise to make sure you have the relevant maps and information.
All of China has a deep spiritual element, with a variety of religions being practised. In Hong Kong, it is possible to step from a busy street into a quiet temple that seems like another world. Many travellers have sought sanctuary in the peace and quiet of such places.
Booking your flights from London to Hong Kong provides any traveller with a gateway to another land that will surprise and enthral them. It is worth considering this destination as a full day stop over when travelling even further abroad. Whatever your intentions, booking flights from London to Hong Kong has never been easier.
Airport Coach Travel – The Best Way to Start Your Holiday
As the summer holiday season finally comes into view, it’s important to bear in mind a number of things when planning your vacation. The most important issues are clearly the most obvious: book your flights and accommodation well in advance and make sure you take out sufficient travel insurance cover for your needs. However, in the flurry of organizing your travel itinerary, you might have forgotten one crucial thing: how are you going to get to the airport to catch your flight in time?
If you live near the airport from which you’re catching your flight, it can be tempting to drive there yourself – especially if you’re only going away for a short while. Many people also choose to take the train to their chosen airport. For instance, if you live in Bolton and you’re flying to Spain from Manchester, it seems like the easiest option to take the train directly to Manchester Airport.
However, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, or a large family, it can be difficult to manoeuvre yourself and your bags through a crowded train. In fact, choosing to get to the airport via an airport coach could be an altogether more convenient option for you and your fellow travelers. Airport coaches are designed specifically with airport travelers in mind – hence, your most pressing needs will be fulfilled. Coaches provide plenty of space in which you can safely stow your heavy luggage, so you won’t have to worry about your bags until you alight at your chosen airport destination. This can be a real load off your mind when you’re traveling with a big group of children, or if your travel companion tends to be a worrier!
Airport coach travel is also more convenient because many airport coach travel providers offer 24/7 service on many popular routes. So if your flight is at 6am on Monday, you won’t have to get the last train on Sunday night and loiter around the airport in the small hours of the morning. Instead, you’ll be able to get the airport coach to your airport at the most suitable time for you, minimising the number of hours you spend waiting around.
What’s more, the proliferation of budget airlines in the modern travel market means that many people will be opting for cheaper flights to their holiday destination from many of the UK’s smaller, lesser-known airports. And while there’ll be a variety of train services that holidaymakers can take direct to Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, it’s less likely than trains will run to East Midlands, Coventry or Liverpool Airports. So if you live in Cambridge and are planning to catch a flight to Greece from East Midlands Airport, you might find that airport coach travel is not only your most effective travel option, but possibly your only travel option.
Whatever airport you’re traveling to in the UK, airport coach travel could be the most efficient and convenient way to help you get to your airport destination – and it’ll help you kick-start your holiday in comfort and style!
Top Ten Holiday Destinations For 2009
Recession? Resmession! Despite the financial pinch, the public are still keen to go on holiday. Indeed, trips away are one of the last ‘non-essential’ expenses that consumers will axe when cutting back on their spending. And rightly so – it’s important to get away and unwind once in a while. Possibly even more when times are tough.
But where to go? With the Pound faring poorly against the Euro, trips to the Eurozone are less than ideal from an economic point of view. So holidaymakers are increasingly going to mid and long-haul destinations. With this in mind, here are our top ten holiday tips for 2009:
1. Turkey
A typically sunny day at Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey was a notable beneficiary of travellers looking a little further afield in 2008, and should do well with British tourists this year too. Why? Well, it’s not only because the Pound will have legs there. It’s a top spot for culture vultures, due to its rich history and sites of archaeological interest – including Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy.
And on the days when you don’t fancy looking at magnificent old historical structures, there are beaches a-plenty, and great spots for diving. Plus it’s nice and hot. Lots of boxes ticked there.
2. Iceland
Iceland has been a particularly expensive destination traditionally. However, its economic plunge in the second half of last year now means that the cost of living is entirely reasonable… Which is great news for bargain hunters.
Iceland is the perfect spot for adventure sport enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities to go kayaking, cycling, and zipping around on glaciers on a snow-mobile. And if you’re not thrilled at the prospect of releasing lots of adrenaline, there’s plenty of other stuff to do – including watching geysers, fishing, spotting whales, and lazing around in geothermal pools.
Note that although your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will only cover you for urgent medical treatment here – but not repatriation, ongoing treatment or anything less than a medical emergency. As such, comprehensive travel insurance shouldn’t be overlooked.
3. Lithuania
This year could well be a good one for Lithuanian tourism. Firstly, this is the millennial anniversary of its name. And secondly, the capital Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture for 2009. The country offers national parks, spa towns, a selection of UNESCO heritage sites such as the Old Town in Vilnius – its historical centre, hearty food, and a bronze statue of Frank Zappa. What more could you possibly want?
4. USA
The Manhattan Bridge, New York, USA. Although the Pound isn’t as strong against the Dollar as it has been, the US is still likely to be a popular destination for Brits abroad in 2009. Why? Well, the election of Barack Obama has brought about a lot of good feeling regarding the US. But that’s not all. One of the alluring factors of the States is that there’s just so much to see and do. It gets a lot of repeat visitors because it’s virtually impossible to do everything you’d want to do in just one trip. And as extra incentive, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of New York – a city which is already a firm favourite.
If you’re heading off to the States, please bear in mind that it is now compulsory to fill in an online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form before doing so. For more information, read our article ‘Going to the USA? Then Don’t Forget ESTA ‘.
5. South Africa
South Africa is becoming increasingly popular among British holidaymakers. Sterling is faring well against the Rand at the moment, so visitors are likely to get more pow! for their Pound. Which is just as well, because the food is well worth wiring into. Plus rugby fans may well be keen to catch some of The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer, between the 30th of May and the 4th of July.
A few pointers, though. Medical treatment can be very expensive in South Africa, so going there with anything less than a comprehensive travel insurance policy isn’t advised. Also it’s well known that there is a lot of crime in South Africa – although this predominantly occurs in the townships, rather than tourist areas. Still, it’s an idea to have cover for all eventualities. To find out the latest travel information and advice, go to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s South Africa page.
6. Egypt
Bargain hunters could do a lot worse than heading towards Egypt. There are countless iconic sights for visitors to experience first hand: the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, the Temple of Ramses III, the Aswan Dam… We could go on.
Beach lovers are spoilt with a selection of Red Sea resorts. And Egypt’s not just exclusive to culture vultures… For those who are up for some Club 18-30 shenanigans, Sharm el Sheikh will be beginning just such a programme this year.
Be sure to read up on the customs before you go however, as what may count as acceptable in the UK may not necessarily be so here. In particular, it’s important to dress modestly – especially when visiting traditional spots.
7. Mexico
For lovely beaches, great food and atmosphere, a trip to Mexico is difficult to top. There is an excellent range of all-inclusive deals available, and a trip to this gateway to central America is widely considered to be great value. There will be a number of resorts on the beautiful new Riviera opening this year. And there are now more flights available, as Mexicana airlines launched a new service in January linking Gatwick and Mexico City twice a week.
If saline activity is your thing, then Banderas Bay has a wide range of water activities available – including diving, sailing and even deep sea fishing. There are plenty of fascinating landmarks to see, such as Meso-American ruins, pyramids… And then of course there’s the wonderful cuisine and the tequila!
Do bear in mind that English is not as widely spoken outside the major cities as one might expect. So – if you’re planning on having a bit of a wander – be sure to at least familiarise yourself with some useful Spanish phrases.
8. Thailand
Beautiful Krabi, Thailand. For friendly folk, enormous cheap fresh fish and among the world’s best beaches, Thailand simply rocks. From the temples and tuk-tuks of Bankok, to the white beaches of Krabi and the surrounding islands, you’re simply never going to forget a trip to Thailand.
There’s something here to suit all budgets. Backpackers are very well catered for, as are flashpackers – travellers with a bit more cash to spend. Although the pound isn’t faring against the Baht as well as it could, you’re still likely to find that everything is great value – from the five-star hotels all the way down to the cheap market shopping.
Unfortunately at the time of writing, there is uncertainty concerning the political situation in Thailand. Before travelling there, it’s recommended that you check out advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Thailand page.
9. Australia
The Pound has strengthened against the Australian Dollar, so – despite the initial large expense of a flight to the other side of the planet – British tourists should at least get good value while they’re there. But they’re assured to get good value in terms of sunshine, and things to see and do. Whether you’re intending to explore the outback, find out about Aborigine culture, go surfing or sample the nightlife, Australia is sure not to disappoint.
British tourists need a visa to enter Australia, even for a short holiday… So don’t leave home without one.
10. The UK
According to a survey in November last year, one in five Britons claim that going abroad for a holiday in 2009 is a luxury that they are unlikely to be able to afford*. But it’s well worth bearing in mind that our very own isles are well worth exploring further. Plus you’re unlikely to meet with any language barrier, or lose out due to fluctuations in exchange rate.
There are far too many great places in the UK to hope to list here. But just a handful of places that we love include Bath, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, and Monkey World in Dorset. Plus the number of diverse festivals in the UK has really blossomed over the last few years. Our favourites include Latitude in Suffolk, the Edinburgh Festival, Truck in Oxfordshire and Brecon Jazz Festival… But what type of festival you can attend is nowadays limited only by your imagination. Read our guide to festival survival to get you in the mood and for some handy tips.
Heathrow Arrivals
Whenever you plan a trip to a fabulous city like London, you should be assured that you are not the only one planning such a trip. London Heathrow Airport is considered the third busiest airport in the world based on its passenger traffic. The London Gatwick Airport has been ranked among the top 25. But this doesn’t mean that flights to London are difficult to get or are very expensive.
As this is one of the busiest cities in the world, almost every major airline offers tickets at cheap and affordable prices which give you an endless variety to choose from. If the flight you wish to travel is not available, chances are that it has a partner which will be happy to take you there.
Search the websites to find the airline that provides what you are looking for. There is a wide variety to choose from and each one is different. Choose the one that provides you the most affordable fares.
If you are travelling from US to London then your flight could take from six and a half to almost ten hours. This means that you would need your flight to be comfortable with good service and enough legroom. London travel forums provide reviews from vacationers who have recently visited London. Choose your airline carefully before you purchase a ticket.
You can also opt for a cheaper flight by choosing an airport other than Heathrow. There are better prices available at Luton, Gatwick, Stansted or London City Airports. But there are trade-offs for these cheaper prices like taking a taxi or a bus from the other airport rather than the underground from Heathrow. But this can be done with the money you would have saved on your flight. So, include all the five airports while booking your flights.
Always remember that all you need is a little research and work to track down the right flights to London at the right price.
The Expansion of Regional Airports
Watching a television documentary about Heathrow Airport, I was struck by how much the mood seems to be changing in terms of the perceived future of flights here in the UK. Are we seeing more people looking to fly from regional airports?
If you want to fly to most places in the world from the United Kingdom then you’ll almost certainly find that it’s possible to do so from one of London’s three main airports – Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. But would you want to fly from London?
For those people living some distance from the capital city, making use of these airports is often inconvenient and more expensive. Yet the concept of making use of smaller, nationwide airports has really only gathered pace at a fairly late stage.
It’s the rise of the budget airlines that appears to have driven the demand for flights from regional airports in recent years. Names like Easyjet, Ryanair and Flybe have become familiar to many people traveling from UK. These low-cost operators offer cheaper deals on flights by providing a basic level of service.
They’ve also managed to keep costs down by using smaller airports. This can, at times, be somewhat annoying. After all, when you jet in somewhere on holiday, you don’t necessarily want to be faced by a long transfer by coach, train or taxi to your final destination. Then again, if it saves you money then it soon looks more worthwhile.
Equally, this potential disadvantage is being seen increasingly as an advantage within the UK. Those of us living near small regional airports no longer have to deal with longer journeys to London. There’s less hassle and we don’t have to pay so much simply to reach our departure point.
This all helps to explain why regional airports are expanding. It’s because they offer cheap flights and convenience. That’s led to an increased demand from consumers, which seems set to continue.