There were pre-emptive cancellations by BAA at Heathrow airport where around a third of flights were cancelled for the 5th February due to snow and freezing fog, though in spite of the cancellations there have still been flight delays of around 5 hours or more. Other UK airports such as Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham are reporting flight delays. Other European airports are also reporting flight delays – in Paris and Toulouse in France and Geneva in Switzerland. Passengers should check with their airlines before setting out.
05 February 2012 by Paul Cronin
The Matisse Museum is in Cateau-Cambresis around 200 km from Paris and features an exhibition bringing together his brush drawn work for the first time. This particular exhibition is set to finish on the 19th February . This unusual exhibition displays the works made with Albert Marquet in Paris in the year 1900 up until their final partnership in the Chapel de Vence. This delightful Museum is worth a visit anytime!
02 February 2012 by Vanessa Hughton
In addition to Air France’s threatened strike by pilots and other airline personnel on the 6th, 7th and 8th February there are strikes planned in February in other European Countries, namely, Greece, Portugal and Italy.
30 January 2012 by Miranda Westlake
A European Health Insurance card entitles UK residents temporarily visiting Europe to obtain medical treatment sometimes for free or sometimes at reduced cost (but only treatment available under the state schemes). EHIC cards are valid for only 5 years, so if you’ve had yours for a while check the expiry date in good time before you travel. You can renew or apply for a EHIC at the NHS website where the card is free (don’t get taken in by an unofficial site and have to pay a fee).
27 January 2012 by Paul Cronin
Millions of people travel each year for the purpose of religious pilgrimages, but the popularity of religious tourism is on the increase. There are several key areas that attract faith tourists – for example, Christians often visit holy places in the Middle East or Europe, and Buddhists are often drawn to Asian countries including Nepal and India and Japan. Turkey is actively marketing centres in the country as a focus for religious tourism, pointing out the historical links to Christianity, and Judaism in Anatolia as well as rich treasures of Islamic Art.
26 January 2012 by Vanessa Hughton
A cold front from the Atlantic is bringing snow across Spain from west to east. The snow is currently affecting the Valencia region as well as Castilla La Mancha, the Murcia region and Andalucia. The heaviest snow falls in Andalucia are forecast for Almeria, Jaen and Granada. Holiday makers wanting to enjoy the winter sun in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca are enjoying views of snow-clad mountains.
20 January 2012 by Miranda Westlake
Cape Town is an excellent base for a winter sun holiday with a wonderful range of activities and a good base for trips with a difference. Not only is there a marvellous view when you’ve ventured up Table Mountain but many other easy reached destinations. Visit the famous Kirstenbosch Gardens and drive along the Atlantic seaboard and visit Camps Bay and Hout Bay and stay and have lunch! Drive the Garden route and visit a game park or just chill in Cape Town and browse the excellent shops and craft markets along the waterfront.
18 January 2012 by Paul Cronin
After strikes and disruptions in 2011 and continuing in to 2012 Air France pilots and other personnel have announced another three-day strike in February 2012. Most revellers will have enough time to make other flight arrangements but should check with their airlines if they think there will be any knock-on effect of the strikes. The strikes are in response to Air France-KLM’s pay freeze and cutbacks to the fleet as part of its 3 year plan to stabilise finance.
15 January 2012 by Vanessa Hughton
With the unrest in the country Egyptian tourism has taken a massive hit, though holidays in Luxor have remained available and safe throughout the period. Some tourists are trickling back, but now there is a real incentive to visit Luxor in March when a 150 metre long section out of the 2,700 metres overall of the avenue will be officially re-opened for the public to see. Luxor, once the city of Thebes, was where Queen Hatshepsut (15th C BC) originally built the avenue featuring at that time hundreds of sphinxes.
11 January 2012 by Vanessa Hughton
Another eruption, following the series of other eruptions in 2011 from Europe’s highest active volcano, Etna, in Sicily, threw a plume of lava and ash over 5000km into the air and threatened the closure of Catania airport. Travellers to Sicily may want to check the latest situation with their airlines over the next few days.The presence of snow on the volcano added to the explosive nature of the eruption which was energetic enough to grow a small pyroclastic cone.
08 January 2012 by Paul Cronin