Let’s hear it for the travel agents, including the giant Thomas Cook chain, for putting the welfare of animals ahead of profit opportunities.
Thomas Cook has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism from ABTA, the UK travel association.
When it comes to long-distance travel, bus used to be the only affordable way to go. Nowadays, though, everybody’s taking cheap flights and buses often get a bad rap.
Well, I’m not going to suggest that you jump on a coach to go thousands of kilometres, but for trips of a few hundred kilometres, they are still a good option. Especially so when they offer all the creature comforts.
While the prospect of supersonic flight intrigues me, I’m not so sure I’d want to fly on an aircraft called Boom.
But it seems that Boom, a company founded by former Amazon executive Blake Scholl, will be the first to make affordable ultrafast commercial flight available.
The northern winter really is a good time to visit the United Arab Emirates. Few people may think of greenery and flowers when they think about the desert, but — thanks to the hard work of dedicated gardeners — it really does bloom at this time of year.
Here are some pictures I’ve taken in Abu Dhabi over the past few days.
Cuba has survived the death of Fidel Castro, but will it survive the invasion of thousands of tourists?
The normalisation of relations agreed to by US president and Castro’s brother Raul has opened the door to direct flights and cruise ship arrivals from America.
For everything there is a season. Unless you’re on a cruise ship, because then you can just follow the sun all year round.
The beauty of running a cruise business is that you can move the big boats to where the demand is. And while some destinations are popular year-round, some are seasonal.
One upon a time, Australian travellers had to take three jumps on the “kangaroo route” to the United Kingdom.
Thanks to extended range aircraft, it will soon be possible for some Australians to get to London in one giant leap.
P&O Cruises, Holland America and Cunard have ditched ports in Turkey from their 2017 itineraries, replacing them with destinations in Greece and Albania.
This is a great shame, both for the Turkish economy and for the travellers who will miss out on great destinations such as Istanbul — with the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and other attractions — and the ancient Greek-Roman city of Ephesus.
I’ve noted here before that the price of a journey by plane can vary dramatically depending on where you start your journey.
Another incredible example of this has just surfaced, saving big money for business-class passengers flying from the Middle East. Continue reading Incredibly low business-class fares
Those in the airline-industry know were not surprised by the news that Emirates is introducing premium economy class on its 250-plane international fleet.
What that means for travellers is, of course, an affordable option between economy class and business class.
Do you remember your first kiss? Or the thrill you got from doing something a little naughty when the grownups weren’t watching? Or the rush you received from your first roller-coaster ride? Of course you do.
It may have happened a long time ago, and it was over in seconds, but you’ll never forget it. And every time you remember it, it makes you feel happy and good about yourself.
A short time ago, I wrote a blog post about my experience with the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Bangkok.
In summary, I filled in an online survey in which, on average, I gave them a score of 8 out of 10. Apparently they weren’t pleased with this, and wanted to know what was wrong.
So I wrote back and said nothing was wrong, I just usually don’t give out marks of 9 and 10.
Now they’ve written to me again, asking specifically about what was wrong with their internet.
In Shanghai, it’s hard to get off the Metro because of the people pushing to get in. In other parts of Asia and the Middle East, somebody who arrived after you will almost certainly try to steal “your” taxi, and drivers will almost always ignore pedestrian crossings.
If you are standing in the foyer of a museum in Russia, looking at the English signage, you will realise that you will be charged substantially more for entry than the locals.
Anybody who has ever travelled has become accustomed to the star system. We use it to rank hotels, airlines and other services, and we generally understand what it means.
Two stars means ordinary; five stars is excellent. Of course, we now sometimes hear of six- or seven-star properties, which is where the system becomes a bit fuzzy.
But these star systems only go so far in telling us what we really want to know.
Of all the factors affecting airfares — ranging from global oil prices to opportunistic price gouging by the airlines — the biggest one is the simple law of supply and demand.
Prices, generally, are higher when the most people want to fly.
But even that simple equation isn’t cut and dried. You can still find a bargain, even at traditionally busy times, if you are flexible.
What makes a travel experience great? Is it the comfort of your first-class airline seat or your six-star hotel bed?
Is it the availability of premium food or drink? Or is it, quite simply, the people who look after you?
If the Loch Ness Monster didn’t exist — and it almost certainly doesn’t — it would be necessary to invent it.
Why? Because an entire branch of the Scottish tourism industry relies on it.
While I have travelled a lot, for the past four years I have pitched my metaphorical tent in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
One of the things that I like about this place is the fact that I feel that both I and my property is safe. There are few other places in the world where I would leave my mobile phone or other belongings on the table at a restaurant or bar when I go to the rest room. But in the UAE, I have complete confidence that they will be there when I return.
Similarly, I don’t fret about going home and finding my flat ransacked, and I don’t fear being mugged on the streets regardless of how late I am out and about.
So, what makes a city safe? Continue reading What makes a city safe?
As with any other product, the priceof travel can vary dramatically. The same journey — by plane, train, boat or whatever — can cost more or less depending on a wide range of factors.
Of course, prices are affected by the season — ski resorts tend to be at a premium during winter — and other demand factors.
But with price comparison as near as your computer or mobile device, you might be surprised to find exactly the same journey or stay, at the same time, offered at bizarrely different prices.
When you travel a lot, you can’t avoid the feeling that booking a trip is a one-sided affair.
At the moment, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and the like offer a product at a price, and you decide to accept it or not.
But what if it were the other way round?
