Booking a Package Holiday?

If you’re looking for a package holiday you need to shop around just as you would for travel insurance or anything else. Recently the consumer body Which? investigated the difference in price between booking package holidays online and through a travel agent.  We thought the results were worth passing along.  Holiday Which? reported that significant savings could be made by booking online but this was disputed by tour operators who defended and clarified the pricing structure they use.

According to tour operators, the prices they print in brochures for holidays are guideline, or maximum prices – not firm prices.  Because holiday brochures are often printed over a year in advance they can’t always predict fluctuations in the market.  The Office of Fair Trading doesn’t allow them to increase prices printed in their brochures so they get around the problem by discounting the prices depending on the time of year and demand for the product.

In response to the report Thomson has apparently guaranteed to offer the same price for a holiday no matter whether it is booked in person, with an agent, online or by phone.

Which? stands by its argument that the same holidays are being offered for much less online and some operators admitted they do run special offers online from time to time.   It seems the best advice is to check your holiday price online before agreeing to the price offered elsewhere and see if they match up.  If not demand a discount!

Lost Elephant at Gatwick? Try Toys Reunited

We couldn’t resist passing this along… Unfortunately we don’t offer travel insurance to cover lost toys, but we came across a website which helps to reunite children with their best friends.  Anyone travelling with a youngster who has lost their beloved ‘Teddy’ along the way will know what this means… The inconsolable heartbreak, wailing and tears!  Maybe you have sad memories of losing a cherished and trusted stuffed friend when you were a child?

The website allows parents to post details of lost and loved toys. Those who are kind enough to care can post details of the found.  If all else fails, they appeal to anyone who has a look-alike toy which would act as a sneaky substitute.  The gallery of pictures looks like a crazy police line-up of ‘wanted’ ASBO critters.  Have a look at the ‘Lost’ and ‘Found’ sections on the website.  It has to make you smile. (www.toys-reunited.co.uk).

Under the Found section there’s ‘A black and white stuffed cat found all alone in a puddle in a car park in Chelmsford.’  They report that he is dry and warm, with ripped ear mended, and waiting to be reunited with his owner.

In the Lost section ’Elephant’ is described as ‘blue and pink and well loved with a flower motif inside his ear.  He was last seen at immigration/passport control at Gatwick South Terminal Arrivals…’

Then there’s ‘Doggie, about 6-8 inches tall, with brown ears and one slightly scratched eye due to washing machine… Lost on Virgin flight from Orlando to Gatwick.’ They report that Doggie’s owner is 3 years old and distraught as she’s carried him everywhere since she was born.

With a pang of guilt I remember the times I’ve seen cuddly toys that have likely been tossed out of pushchairs and lying lost on pavements.  Never again will I walk by and leave them there… Not now!  Neither should you…  Have a look at this heart-warming website:  www.toys-reunited.co.uk.

Time Change (DST) this Weekend - Don’t Forget!

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend!  Yippee!  The actual time change occurs at 1:00 a.m. (GMT) Sunday morning, but most of us will probably make the change before heading to bed rather than risk waking up late for Sunday lunch or whatever we have planned.  The clocks will change back an hour on the last Sunday in October (28th October).   Remember that old saying:  Spring Forward, Fall Back.  (By the way, we’re told that it’s Daylight Saving Time not Daylight Savings Time!)

If you have friends and family living in the U.S. you might make a note of their time changes so that you don’t make a blunder and call at the wrong times:  In the United States the time change already happened – on the second Sunday in March.  In 2005 President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which changed the date of the time change for DST in the U.S. beginning in 2007.  They will change their clocks back this year on the first Sunday in November.  Each time zone across the U.S. switches at different times, obviously.  The Secretary of Energy in the U.S. will examine the impact of this change to a longer summer and Congress has retained the right to switch back to the old schedule if they feel it’s necessary.

This might be a good time to get in the habit of reminding yourself to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries.   Blow the dust off your passports and make sure they are up-to-date and ready for your summer travels.  If you plan to travel a lot consider purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy so you’ll be covered and can forget about renewals for another year!

Open Skies = Cheaper Transatlantic Flights

Despite initial reservations by Britain, the EU has managed to reach a satisfactory agreement for all and backed an agreement with the United States which will eventually open up the transatlantic market, lower fares and create thousands of new jobs.   Under the new ‘Open Skies’ agreement EU member airlines will be permitted to fly from any city in the EU to the U.S. and vice-versa.

The new arrangement will take effect in March 2008 rather than October of this year.  Both sides are reserving the right to withdraw and Britain is particularly concerned that the U.S. may not agree to allow foreign airlines to buy shares of U.S. airlines, establish airlines in the U.S. and fly domestic routes there.  If the U.S. does not reciprocate on the benefits - and it seems that Washington is not too thrilled about lowering the limits on foreign investment in U.S. air carriers – Britain could withdraw.   Currently Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, American Airline and United Airline are the only transatlantic carriers permitted to operate out of Heathrow.   The new agreement will change all that, although there are apparently no plans for additional take-off and landing slots at Heathrow. 

It is predicted that new deal will increase the amount of transatlantic flights by fifty percent over the next five years.   Is it just me… or does this all seems a bit crazy in view of the concerns about protecting borders, terrorism, security, global warming and talk about future restrictions on air travel?

Taking Traveller’s Cheques? Do your Homework

If you’re planning a tour through areas of France or Spain - or many other countries (especially away from the major tourist areas) give some thought to how you will pay. We’ve seen reports that many banks in small towns in France and Spain won’t accept traveller’s cheques, even if they are American Express and denominated in Euros.    If you’re forced into using your credit and debit cards you could be liable for surcharges for foreign-exchange in overseas transactions, but it’s better than having no money.   We’ve  heard that certain banks provide cards which allow you to access money abroad for no additional fees. 

Apparently some of the major banks in France, such as Credit Agricole and affiliates of HSBC may not accept American Express traveller’s cheques.   If you have to bring them home unused you’ll be able to cash them in, but be prepared for another loss during the conversion.   The problem seems to be that many banks in France don’t have agreements with American Express and therefore don’t accept their traveller’s cheques.  One traveller in rural France had problems convincing the bank personnel the cheques were legitimate and still had problems even though they should have accepted them without question.

On the other hand, in the Far East traveller’s cheques may be more useful as many banks there apparently don’t accept credit and debit cards that are printed in English. 

If you plan to travel off the beaten path in France or certain other countries, it seems best to play it safe and take cash with a plastic back-up.   Do your homework to find out the best method of accessing funds.  Your bank or post office may not be aware of the problems you could encounter with their traveller’s cheques when they sell them to you so it might not be a good idea to rely totally on their advice.  Websites:  www.postoffice.co.uk and www.americanexpress.com.

Grand Canyon Skywalk Official Opening

Those who didn’t look away will have seen news reports yesterday about the opening of the new glass-bottomed walkway over the Grand Canyon.   The former astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, officially opened the attraction and it will be open for visitors from March 28th with tickets costing about twenty-five dollars each.

The Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped observation deck which extends seventy feet out across a part of the western side of the Canyon.   The bottom of the walkway is made up of over three inches of thick reinforced glass, allowing those brave enough to gaze down between their legs 3,000 feet to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Canyon.  The architects claim that the structure can support several hundred people at once and withstand high winds.  Giant shock absorbers were installed to prevent any unsettling shaking from the weight of visitors.  A businessman from Shanghai, based in nearby Las Vegas, funded the project to the tune of about thirty million dollars. 

The Skywalk has taken three years to construct and is built on the land of the Native American Hualapai tribe.  Apparently many of the Hualapi were opposed to construction of the Walkway on land that they consider sacred, but have accepted that it will help with their survival and provide jobs and income for their children.   Future plans for the site will probably include a restaurant and visitor centre.

Whatever your feelings about this ‘intrusion’ into one of the natural wonders of the world, it’ll be hard to resist venturing out onto it – vertigo or not!  If it’s not your cup of tea you can look at the photos and find more information online:  The Hualapai Tribe website  www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/skywalk  and the Skywalk site www.grandcanyonskywalk.com.

Passport Application or Renewal Needed?

With the summer holiday season not far off this might be a good time to get out the family’s passports and check on renewal dates.  If you’ve already booked your summer holiday then it’s even more important to start the process now.  Other matters to take care of might include checking on health issues and vaccinations needed in the countries you plan to visit, obtaining an International Driving Permit, and applying for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if travelling within the EU www.ehicard.org.  Remember that the EHIC doesn’t cover for all medical costs and is not a substitute for a good travel insurance policy.

As anyone who has been caught out will know, leaving passport renewal until the last minute is not something you want to take a chance on.  Here’s something to think about:  The Home Office reported that UK passport offices have had to pay out over £350,000 in compensation to travellers because of mistakes made.   Most claims were made by people whose travel plans had to be cancelled due to errors made at the UK Passport Service (UKPS) and the agency that has taken them over, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) www.passport.gov.uk.

The National Audit Office has apparently also issued a warning about the new ten-year ‘e-passports.’ They were supposed to last for ten years but it is now thought they may expire much sooner because the biometric chip used to store the information is only guaranteed for two years.   Let’s hope they get this sorted out before we all have to carry identity cards around with us!

More British Airways Ghost Flights?

BA is in the news again and unfortunately it never seems to be anything positive. In our blog on March 12th we mentioned BMed, a British Airways franchise, operating ‘ghost flights’ from Heathrow to Cardiff – in other words carrying no passengers or ‘deadheading’ in order to keep their landing slot. 

Today’s news tells of a different type of ghost flight operated by BA.  We don’t mean to be irreverent or unsympathetic to those concerned and the terrible tragedy.  In fact we were rather horrified by the story and for all concerned. 

During a recent BA flight from Delhi to London an elderly lady passed away.  The deceased and her distressed and grieving daughter were upgraded from Economy to First Class for the duration of the flight.  A businessman was shocked to awaken to find the deceased lady strapped in a seat near him.  Evidently her frail body kept slipping down and had to be wedged in with pillows.  BA later offered an apology and stated the cabin crew took the action which seemed least disruptive to other passengers.  

We were left wondering what the normal procedure is for this type of event.  It’s not something we’ve thought about or experienced ourselves but it must happen more often than we know.  Surely there ought to be a better procedure in place than this - and a less stressful way to get a free upgrade?

Amercia’s Cup 2007 Yacht Races in Valencia

Sailing enthusiasts will be aware that the America’s Cup challenge is being held in Valencia, Spain. Perhaps you already have your trip planned? Don’t forget your travel insurance! The final qualifying races (The Louis Vuitton Cup) take place in Valencia from mid-April to mid-June. The winner will race against the defender for the America’s Cup between the end of June and early July. I was lucky enough to be a spectator (a long time ago) at the 1983 races in Newport, Rhode Island when the British boat ‘Victory’ was a contender. Everyone was shocked when an Australian boat with a revolutionary hull design won and took the coveted cup home to Perth.

The America’s Cup is the world’s most prestigious yachting race series, having a rather elitist image. The series moves to Europe in 2007 for the first time in 150 years. Valencia developed a special venue for the events with its Port America’s Cup Marina. The 32nd challenge in June will bring to a head three years of intense preparations by the twelve competing teams to take home the trophy.

The international team contenders for the 2007 cup challenge include Switzerland (the defenders), the U.S., Italy, S. Africa, N. Zealand, France, Sweden, Spain, Germany and China. This is the first time a team from China has competed. Although British sailors will crew on board the yachts, there’s no British team for the 2007 challenge. Sir Keith Mills announced he will head a British team challenge, named ‘Origin’, for the America’s Cup races in 2009 and 2011.

The trophy was named after the first yacht to win it, the schooner ‘America’ in the mid-1800’s – hence the name ‘America’s Cup.’ The trophy remained at the New York Yacht Club until their long winning streak was ended in 1983 by the Australian challenger. After WWII the huge ‘J’ Class boats were replaced by 12-metre yachts which were 65-75 feet (20-23m) long. The 12-metre yachts were replaced in 1992 by the IACC (International America’s Cup Class) yachts, which are the ones being raced today.

The races have a fascinating history - well worth reading up on. The 1995 challenge will be remembered as the year the boat ‘oneAustralia’ was televised sinking and her crew rescued by a New Zealand boat.   In 1997 someone seriously damaged the Cup with a sledgehammer at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club! The Cup has subsequently been repaired and is up for grabs again.

The America’s Cup races were the inspiration for the film ‘Wind’ made in 1992. The April copy of Yachting World includes information about the America’s Cup, or check out details on the official America’s Cup website:  www.americascup.com.  Other informative websites include: www.americascupnews.com and www.portamericascup.com.

Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday Weekend Break

Perhaps you’re planning to visit mum or whisk her away for a weekend break somewhere she’s always wanted to go? Maybe it’ll be Sunday lunch at her favourite restaurant, a bouquet of flowers or some chocolates? Let’s hope the sun continues to shine – despite the forecast for snow! Here in England the trees are blossoming and spring flowers putting on their best colours. It’s the one special day of the year to give back to the woman who does so much for others. Children traditionally make cards and give small gifts to their mothers in thanks for all they do. Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days and in different ways in other parts of the world. For more information visit sites such as www.womenshistory.about.com and www.mothers.net.

We were wondering about the origin of Mother’s Day and found all sorts of versions. In the UK it is called Mothering Sunday but it’s now widely accepted to use the U.S. version ‘Mother’s Day’. Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since about the sixteenth century. Mother’s Day celebrations had origins back to ancient Greece when Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, was honoured during spring. The history of Mothering Sunday seems to come mainly from religious roots although we found no clear definition of how the celebration of Mothering Sunday actually began. At one time it was thought to be the day when people visited their mother churches, or cathedrals, rather than their local churches.

Years ago young children from poor families were put into service in rich households and were only allowed one day off per year. They were encouraged to take this day on Mothering Sunday. They would be permitted to take a cake or flowers or some other items from the household as a gift. In some parts of the UK it’s still called Simnel Sunday. This involves the baking of a Simnel cake, which is basically a fruit cake with marzipan on top which has Christian significance.

We tend to forget how tough life used to be years ago - and still is today for many people all over the world. Whether or not we are lucky enough to still have a mother perhaps this a day to take time to think of mothers grieving for children, those who are alone and those who struggle for basic daily survival.