The beautiful country of Mexico is situated in the North American continent and boasts of various exotic tourist destinations. Grasslands, high rugged mountains, exquisite desert locations and tropical rainforests are perfect examples of nature’s beauty and are sure to have a spellbinding effect on you (tourist).

There may be some unpleasant and unsafe places in Mexico that may have a high crime rate. These places may also witness thefts, rapes and drug-related violence quite often. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid traveling to such places.

You may also have apprehensions about traveling to Mexico due to the recent Swine flu outbreak. Many parts of Mexico have been affected by the flu. The Pandemic Threat Alert Phase of the WHO has been kept at level five. Also, hundreds of people have fallen prey to this H1N1 influenza. It has also affected the natives of other nations who had visited Mexico and this way, the Swine flu has spread to other countries such as the U.S. and Canada. All these facts may make a serious dent in your plans to visit Mexico.

However, you need to know that, not all places in Mexico are unsafe to visit. There are many other places in Mexico that you can choose as your destination. You can prefer visiting ‘Sun and Sand’ resorts that are situated in Mayan Riviera. Some of these resorts are as follows:

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Resort:

This place is one of the safest and fascinating resorts in Mexico. It boasts of excellent features such as reflective pools, fountain-laden walkways and open courtyards. You can also spend away your time in a huge luxury spa situated inside the resort.

Escencia Resort:

If you are on a honeymoon, this may turn out to be the most ideal destination for you. You will surely be able to enjoy some precious personal moments with your spouse or enjoy the luxurious treatment at the spa that makes use of only organic ingredients in all its products.

These places are sure to intrigue your senses and provide you with a fascinating experience. Also, considering the present Swine flu outbreak in the country, it is advisable to pack some important items with yourself. Do not forget to include some Swine flu medicines and extra vitamin supplements. You may also include other useful products such as soaps, hand sanitizers, masks and a pair of gloves. You are also advised to have your medical and travel insurance papers in place.

By undertaking few precautionary measures, you may surely have an enthralling experience in Mexico.

Tags: Mexico, N1H1, Package Holidays, Swine Flu, Thomas Cook, Travel, Travel Insurance

Travelers around the world are in a state of panic, because of the number of increasing swine flu cases. In fact, many tour companies, airlines and cruise lines are rescheduling their flights and reducing fares, as travelers are delaying their trips.

The airline industry have been affected due the series of problems including terrorist attacks, the respiratory syndrome, high rise in fuel prices and the SARS occurrence. The result of the industry may rely on the how much fear the travelers have.

Due to the flying fears, travel analysts have found that fares have reduced tremendously. The fares are ranging from an average of less than $300. In spite of the decrease in fares to Mexico, travel agents are striving hard to re-book the travel trips of people. However, the agents are having a real tough time, as travelers are either changing their destinations or are rethinking on their travel plans.

In fact, people are so panicked by the swine flu that they avoid to go for shopping or going out of their houses.

In addition, there are travelers, who are canceling their trips not due to the fear of catching the H1N1 virus. Instead, they are canceling their trips because of the assumptions that, they will find all the resorts vacant and the restaurants closed.

These travelers are even worried that they would get stuck up in the airport due to the outbreak of swine flu. Therefore, they are planning their trips to some other places, which are free from swine flu.

It is also found that the hotels, which are providing services in Caribbean and Mexico are shifting their guests from Mexico to other places. Due to the fears of swine flu, Alaska airlines is keeping all the planes sanitized by cleaning each surface and ascertaining that the seat buckles, knobs and overhead bins are hygienic.

Passengers on Mexico flights are getting individual sanitizing wipes. It is also found that more than half of the travelers are reconsidering to postpone their international travel bookings. However, some of the travelers even say that all the flights towards Mexico need to be canceled.

Hence, the fear of flying to and from Mexico and the places around has been forcing travelers to stay indoors. This fear has forced many travelers to cancel and/or postpone their trips that have resulted in huge losses to the airline industry.

Tags: Caribbean, Mexico, N1H1, Package Holidays, Swine Flu, Travel, Travel Insurance

Travel jabs; who needs them? Well, we all do actually, especially if you don’t want to end up with something nasty that is.

Firstly, a true story. This writer once went on a business trip with a number of well-heeled commercial guys to Bangkok. Everyone thought they had got fully immunised and after the trip was over, one of the party fell ill. Not just ill mind you, but very ill. In fact, he was incarcerated in a hospital isolation ward for over four months. After weeks of testing they discovered he had a particularly nasty bug which is not uncommon in Asia, but very uncommon in this country. And although not life-threatening, if not spotted quickly enough, it can certainly ruin your social life for a while.

But the point is, that an innocent trip to the commercial centre of Thailand which, afterall, is not the Third World, turned into a nightmare for a guy who, said the hospital, if he hadn’t had some form of protection with his jabs, might have suffered even more. 

So, don’t take risks, but also appreciate that getting fully tanked up with the recommended vaccinations can be a very expensive business. Most crucially, it could invalidate your travel insurance and leave you with a big bill for getting treatment and then getting back home.

And you have a choice between private clinics, which can do things in a rush if need be, but are generally more expensive, and your local GP, which are cheaper, but do need some warning.

A quote for getting say rabies, yellow fever, hepatitis A and typhoid jabs at a private clinic could cost you well over £200, whereas a GP might be able to shave over a £100 off that bill.

Bear in mind that anti-malaria tablets alone can cost, for a box of 50 tablets, around £25.

GP’s will usually provide free jabs for hepatitis and typhoid, and are more competitive with shots for yellow fever and rabies. And the NHS will also offer you, sometimes at least, free meningitis and polio jabs. 

Of course, you might think it wiser to use a private clinic, especially one which specialises in travel vaccinations, as they hold bigger stocks, tend to have rarer vaccinations and have a greater knowledge, and one which is updated regularly, on the changes and developments.

So, when you are planning your exotic holiday, remember a key things regarding your travel vaccinations.

Firstly, get plenty of advice from the NHS, The Department of Health, The Foreign Office and the National Travel Health Network and Centre. Do a bit of research and find out what you need for the countries you intend to visit.

Secondly, plan way ahead. Some jabs might need to be taken three months before you intend to travel.

Thirdly, even if you intend to use a private clinic, or vaccination centre, have a word with your GP. He can chat you through a few things you need to know and if you have an issue in your health history, might advise a course of action relevant to you. He will also give you an idea as to what they would charge for the jabs.

But finally back to the Thai example at the start of this article. To give you an example, if you wish to travel to this country it is recommended (some more strongly than others, depending on the current opinion of the day) that you have jabs for the following, a certain number of days before you leave:

• Diphtheria (three months before travel);
• Hepatitis A (two weeks);
• Hepatitis B (two months);
• Rabies (one month);
• Tuberculosis (three months);
• Typhoid (ten days).

Mind you, nothing for Dengue fever, which might suggest there’s not a lot you can do about catching that, apart from avoiding those pesky mosquitoes.

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Package Holidays, Thomas Cook, Travel, Travel Insurance

In the good old days, when the words credit crunch had yet to be invented, it was the done thing to aspire to the best method of travel possible and the best holidays.

It was de rigeur to be seen flaunting your wealth and this was especially evident when flying. Airlines made it very clear that for those enduring the ‘walk of shame’ through the sumptuous luxury of the business cabin into the cramped cattle pen conditions of economy, flying was about spending your hard earnt money on the best seats. Okay, all those on the bucket airlines didn’t really care where they sat, even on the wing, as long as they did so at the least cost, but at least there are no other classes to show you up.

Also, travel destinations were all about being pampered; going to exotic locations, preferably as near to the sea as possible and having to hand international 18-hole golf courses for the men and with beauty salons for the women.

It was the time of the travel ego, when money was spent on giving yourself a treat and letting everyone else know that you were doing just that. It was the personification of hedonism and summed up the start of the 21st century.

Now, with world economies crashing with greater frequency than Eddie the Eagle, a new phrase has been coined by the travel industry: recession chic.

In the true sense of the ingenuity of the human race, people are trying to make the best from having to make their money go further.

Leading the way are the Americans and the trend for getting a better deal for holidays has been spotted at a New York travel show, where people are said to be on the hunt not only for bargains, but for a chance to show an heightened awareness of the new world order.

Those in the industry attending the travel show say their customers are not only considering how much their dwindling savings will buy them, but also how they can show that the important things in their lives, such as family, their health, or the environment, can in someway be accommodated when booking their holidays.

And for those holiday destinations that offer guilt-free pampering to those wiling to pay for it, they are worried that people will spurn their enticements and go for something more akin to the recession chic experience.

And to try and cope with this development, many of the more luxurious resorts are trying tone down their top end holidays with chances of doing good. Therefore, in certain destinations, such as Central America, Asia and the Far East, travellers are encouraged to participate in conservation and social projects.

In one such project holiday-makers are given the chance to purchase a book for a village that has no library. And not only purchase the book, but also deliver it in person and talk to the villagers themselves.

It’s almost a case of social guilt offsetting. So you can not only now offset your carbon footprint, you can also now offset your conscience.

Another company has hit upon a novel idea of ‘Laid Off, Take Off’, possibly a pretty sad reflection of the hard times people face. Simply, when you get made redundant, take some time off. Whether that’s a good use of their money remains to be seen, but, maybe it’s a good an idea as any.

So, when booking your holiday, remember now that its cool to be cost conscious and maybe, as you walk down the plane to cattle class, you can hold your head up high with a new sense of superiority.

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Hotel, Package Holidays, Thomas Cook, Travel, Travel Insurance

The Jumbo has reached middle-age; its 40 years old this year.

But far from showing it’s age; there’s still life in the old dog yet, with the next version, the 747-800, about to be launched in 2010. And to think that it has taken forty years for a true competitor to try and fill the Jumbo’s shoes, in the shape of the Superjumbo, the Airbus A380, is testament to Boeing’s engineering skills.

And when you talk about the Jumbo, you have to use superlatives. The main one being that the 1,525 Jumbos ordered have collectively clocked up around 42 billion nautical miles. That’s the equivalent of having flown to the moon and back 100,000 times, having made approximately 17 million flights.

The first Boeing 747 flexed its wings over Washington State in 1969 and enjoyed around 75 minutes in the air. It was called City of Everett, the place where it was built, and it carried the hopes of the Boeing company. Repeated funding exercises have been needed to get the cash needed to build the Jumbo and observers at the time had said that had it proved a white elephant (an appropriate simile), it would have been the end of the Boeing Company. The Jumbo proved anything but a white elephant, and it has been one of the world’s greatest products.

In 1970 the first commercially equipped 747, decked out in the colours of the now defunct airline Pan-Am, was christened by the then First Lady of the U.S. Pat Nixon and made its first commercial flight on 22 January, 1970.

The Jumbo had a number of aviation firsts. It was the first commercial airliner to have twin aisles and provide the passenger with a sense of roominess. It was also the first to have an upper deck and gave the marketing men a chance to show first class passengers leaning against a top deck bar enjoying a mid-flight drink.

That novel idea was eventually dropped when the airlines realised that a 37,000 feet high bar was not a good use of space. Nowadays most Jumbo’s use the three-class system (between 350 to 400 seats) and put their pampered first-class passengers in the nose of the Jumbo, with the upper deck for business class (or sometimes economy, in those Jumbos exploited for maximum seating capacity) and the economy passengers in the main cabin.

The pilots also have their cockpit at the upper end of the upper deck, meaning that they had to be re-trained to not only fly such a larger aircraft, but one where they are positioned so far off the ground. And it was not only the pilots that had to change. Airport runways had to be widened and lengthened; taxi-ways had to be strengthened, and, terminal buildings made larger to accommodate the bigger aircraft and their larger loads of passengers.

The 747 also introduced the concept of ‘big fan’ engines. Such was the power needed to get the Jumbo in the air, that it was only possible after a leap-forward in jet-engine technology. Not only did they become more efficient, they became huge, having to collect as much air as possible to force along the engine, which was then mixed with aviation spirit, before being ignited and creating the thrust necessary to lift tonnes of metal into the air. And such is the size of a modern turbo fan jet engine, that you could fit a fuselage of a 737 into the front of it.

But, for the airlines, the Jumbo was not about remarkable engineering, or the beauty of the aircraft’s design; for them, it all comes down to economics. The Jumbo offered lots of seats and that meant lots more passengers on each flight. Of course, the downside is that the more seats you have and the more you can’t possibly fill it, then the more money you will lose.

So whilst the airlines were salivating at the thought of getting more passengers on board, they were also worried if the travel industry could stand that increase in numbers of people wishing to fly. They needn’t have worried, because apart from the times when recession has blighted the world economy (such as the various oil crises), the Jumbo has done much to stimulate air travel, opening up the market by allowing airlines to lower fares.

In the broadest terms, a commercial airliner with 400 seats does not cost twice as much to run as one with half the number of seats. The effect is that the cost per seat on a large aircraft is reduced over its smaller counterparts, so once airlines realised there were major economies of scale to be achieved, then fares came down (not only because they could, but they had to to increase the market size) and modern aviation as we know it now, was away.

And few aircraft have played such a part in modern culture. The Jumbo has played a starring role in many movies, novels and songs.

Whether the pretender, the A380 Superjumbo will prove such a hit with people’s imagination, remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, the good old Jumbo is set to be around for many decades to come.

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Hotel, Jumbo, Jumbo Jet, Package Holidays, Thomas Cook, Travel, Travel Insurance

The Department of Health is urging U.K. holiday makers to check that their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are up to date before they travel.

If they don’t, warns The Department of Health, they could face unnecessary medical costs if they are treated in mainland Europe.

The EHIC replaced the old E111 form and has an expiry date printed on the credit card type piece of plastic. Should the card have lapsed before the date of travel, then travellers will be charged full medical costs if they become ill.

The Department of Health estimates that over half of U.K. travellers do not realise that their EHIC has an expiry date. So the message is check before you travel, as it would be too late when abroad.

Renewal is straightforward, either online, or by phone, and can be renewed up to six months before the due date. Be warned that it can take up to ten days to deliver the renewed card, so people are warned not to leave it too late before they leave.

Log onto the NHS website to get renewal details.

Consumer groups and The Department of Health point out that the EHIC is a superb system, allowing the holder to get the same treatment in any EU, or Swiss hospital, that the locals can obtain. It is free to get the card and once acquired, is easily updated. For everyone travelling in Europe, it is seen as a must-have credential.

It is reckoned that over 28 million U.K. residents hold an EHIC, which replaced the E111 form in 2005, but that over three million are due to expire in March 2009. The EHIC officially entitles the holder to free state provided healthcare, should they fall ill, or have an accident.

But although a superb system, both The Department of Health and consumer groups warn that the EHIC should not be seen as a replacement for travel insurance. It is there to signify that the holder is entitled to a base level of medical cover within Europe. Most importantly, it does not cover transportation costs home in the event of a serious, or debilitating accident, and that can cost a fortune.

Nor does it give cancellation cover should your plane/train/ferry be delayed, provide compensation for lost luggage, or offer personal insurance cover. It also does not cover accidents when ski-ing.

So, be warned, if you haven’t got an EHIC in your wallet, get one. And if you have, check the expiry date, otherwise it could cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Do Just Book It Thomas Cook It!!!

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Insurance, Travel, Travel Insurance

Oh dear, not long now before fans of the home countries go through the ritual, every four years, of being ridiculed at the World Cup. Indeed, most don’t even make the event in the first place, but, at the time of writing, things are looking a little better in terms of actually turning up. So, fingers crossed.

But the great thing about the World Cup, is that it’s a unique footballing event, a pageant that the true fan of the sport should see at least once in their lifetime; an almost religious pilgrimage.

And this time around it’s taking place in South Africa, which is a trip of a lifetime anyway, even without the football.

But for all those planning to go, it is better to choose a travel operator which has been officially recognised by the event itself.

And one such operator is Thomas Cook which has just announced that it has been appointed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup organisation as a participating tour operator.

Thomas Cook announced the news and said that as well as selling Authorised Travel Packages for U.K. fans, it will also be selling packages to fans in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Thomas Cook is very experienced in this field and enjoys existing partnerships with some of the U.K.’s leading clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool. It is already an Official Licensed Operator for the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to South Africa this summer.

So, you’re in good hands.

Thomas Cook expect 2010 FIFA World Cup packages to be on sale this summer, so keep an eye out for them.

Tags: 2010, 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup, Thomas Cook, Travel, Travel Insurance, World Cup

Rarely is anyone too broke for a break these days.

The travel industry is so competitive that as long as you are a bit canny and are prepared to be patient, and spend a bit of time on the internet, then whatever your budget, you can get some time away from it all.

Firstly, and this is most important, do your research online and once you’ve find the ideal package, remember to book online as well.

Most top travel companies run very good web-sites and encourage the users to make use of their automated systems. This is why online prices can be so low, because a computer takes over most of the booking process.

And another tip, if you’re looking for a really cheap break, then get a package that includes says flights, hotel and if you can’t get a good deal on the food thrown in (full board), then go for the self-catering option. That takes many of the variables away and allows you to budget properly. You have one set price (including your self-catering cost element) and that can be saved up and then used to buy your holiday.

Take a case in point. The cheap, no-frills airlines make a big fuss of their seat sales. One such airline offered hundreds of seats at only a token 1p. Superb you might think, free flying, and even when offered with no taxes, there are a number of hidden extras, such as an online booking fee and a check-in luggage charge, which means that your 1p ticket can quickly be £10.

Okay, £10 is still not had, but lets say you pop off to some European location for £10. You tend to land in some remote airport which then requires transport (often expensive) to get you to a decent sized town, or City, to stay at a hotel. But bear in mind that hotels are expensive if booked by an individual traveller. And eating in such hotels can be very expensive if not booked through a travel company, who get the best rates because they book in bulk. So, by the time you’ve enjoyed your 1p, suddenly £10 flight, you might end up paying hundreds of ponds for a very mediocre break.

Just as an aside, someone worked out that with a 1p flight, if you booked using a VISA Electron card (which often does not incur an online charge) and didn’t take any luggage for the hold, and minimal hand-luggage, then your 1p could actually only cost you 1p. Mind you, that’s quite a lot of sacrifice for a holiday flight!

So, unless you are confident in matching your very cheap flight with a very cheap resort/hotel package, and it can be done with a little effort, then go for the whole package which includes flights and resort.

Take one example which is a seven night self-catering package to Tenerife, which includes flights from a U.K. regional airport with studio bedroom accommodation in some Spanish style villas close to the seafront, restaurants and bars. In May, this would cost only around £250 per person.

Also consider a City break, which can offer an intensive get-away-from-it-all travel experience for little money.

Two nights in Prague for example, staying in a City-centre two-star hotel in a guestroom sleeping up to five people in a family room, can be had for just over £200, including flights from a regional U.K. airport. Great value for all concerned.

So, if you think about it, you’re never really too broke for a break.

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Hotel, Thomas Cook

A recent survey found out that over 25% of women asked what they most wanted as a gift, said they wanted to travel.

And so much so, that nearly 70% were prepared to pay for it themselves.

So, for the fellas out there, when it comes to the loved one in your life, don’t always rely on the chocolates, flowers, or DVD option; get your hands in your pockets and treat them to a special trip away. And don’t think that’s a trip to Margate, or Southend.

But the fact that so many women are prepared to pay for their own break, is maybe a warning to their partners to cough up and contribute, or risk being left behind.

And it turns out that women want to travel so much because for many, it means a release from the daily drudge of their lives, which comes down to running the household, looking after the kids and working. Travel simply means not having to juggle all those responsibilities for a week, or two, and that, in the eyes of most women, is bliss.

And women further let on that their most favoured kind of travelling is to a spa (to be pampered, not necessarily to follow a health regime), a cruise, or being treated to a no-frills package tour.

Now a Spa is a good choice, because they are something that women can visit with their friends, without travelling too far, and happily, guilt-free, leave their partner and kids at home.

But although a trip to the Spa need not necessarily involve a complicated trip, think how much better it is when combined with a cruise, or indeed, a package holiday.

The common denominator is of course that each option involves someone else doing the work. A Spa is all about being looked after and being pampered, likewise with a cruise, where all you have to think about is the sun lounger and getting to the food on time; and, with a package, once again, all things are handled by the holiday company. All you have to do is sit back and relax.

So, if the woman in your life starts hinting about a bit of travel, take heed, otherwise you might find she’ll do it anyway, with, or without you.

Tags: Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Thomas Cook, Travel

Thomas Cook Holidays

Thomas Cook Holidays is more than a source for cheap flights and last minute holiday deals. Thomas Cook Holidays is a complete resource for the best holiday planning experience – and the best holiday. Here are some ways that Thomas Cook Holidays will meet and beat your expectations.

Before You Go

Thomas Cook Holidays offers a wide range of holiday packages starting with cheap flights and ending with luxury cruises (and of course everything in between). Whether you are looking for a last minute deal or planning your holiday months in advance, Thomas Cook Holidays can help by helping you to take care of all the details including:

§ Cheap flights
§ Cheap car hire
§ Cheap travel insurance
§ Cheap hotels
§ Cheap attraction tickets
§ And more!

Thomas Cook Holidays pays attentions to the finer details of a getaway, ensuring that you have everything covered and are leaving nothing to the last minute. In this way, Thomas Cook Holidays helps get you the best holiday deals, while eliminating holiday stress.

En Route

On a Thomas Cook Holidays, getting there is half the fun. Your holiday starts the minute you depart, whether you are flying travelling abroad by Eurostar, or driving yourself.

With information and advice, Thomas Cook Holidays can help you settle flying nerves, make the most of your eurostar experience, and find your way to your destination quickly and comfortably. Thomas Cook Holidays offers a wide variety of travel options ensuring that you receive the best deal on the travel style of your preference.

Whilst You are There

Thomas Cook Holidays wants your travel experience to exceed your expectations. That is why Thomas Cook Holidays offers advice and assistance that extends well beyond booking tickets.

If you are looking for an easy and relaxing holiday, consider one of Thomas Cook Holidays’ popular package holiday experiences. Or, you may prefer to use the comprehensive website to tailor a Thomas Cook Holidays experience specifically to your needs.

Sourced from http://www.thomascook-direct.co.uk/ visit http://www.thomascook-direct.co.uk/ to view the latest offer from Thomas Cook

Tags: Flights, Holiday, Holiday Transportation, Thomas Cook, Travel