You drive off the ferry, full of love for your European cousins, desperate to enjoy that once a year driving in France experience, only to be cut up by your first Clio, and you’ll soon be swearing like a trooper and gesturing in such a fashion that Entente Cordiale had drained right out of your car.

Okay, lets get one thing straight right away. If you’re heading off across the Channel, then get car breakdown cover in France. Don’t risk it. The cost of taking out good cover will not only give you peace of mind, but it could also save you a fortune.

But back to the French roads. The French do generally give a wider berth to cars with foreign number plates. It’s almost as if they know the average foreign driver does not have a steel stomach and a brain which seems to weigh up dangers with a different mathematical formula than most.

Take the average French driver along one of their ‘A’ roads. Not a motorway, or a dual-carriageway, but a straightforward road that links say two towns, with a couple of sleepy villages in between.

Firstly, the speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour (kph) – that’s 56 mph in old money, note some 4 mph slower than the national British speed limit) is only there so that some French people are employed making, erecting and maintaining speed signs. After that, it has no purpose.

Secondly, a long line of cars, with the odd lorry thrown in, all behind a lost Dutchman pulling his 75 metre caravan in first gear, is seen as a challenge by the average French driver. It is something to be overcome. This is best done by revving the old Peugeot up to 100 kph, pulling out once there’s nothing coming for at least 20 metres, then hurtling down the long line of traffic on the wrong side of the road, whilst lighting up the fifth Gauloise in four minutes, chatting animatedly to the passenger about the meaning of life and trying to stop the dog in the back licking the baguette.

It’s also best to ignore flashing lights, blaring horns and gestures, and once pass the caravan, swerve majestically across to the right side of the road and gun the Peugeot a bit more, because if you take the village at warp factor six, you’re going to get through quicker.

As for foreigners, don’t ignore the speed limits (or take a suitcase of bank notes instead), enjoy the motorway speed limit of 130 kph (81 mph), unless its raining, when it is 110 kph, and remember to take the warning triangle with you, just in case you do break down. And nowadays, you need a fluorescent jacket as well. It’s so that bloke doing warp factor six can see you and hopefully miss you.

All very French and oddly, quite charming. And the reason why you need good car breakdown cover in France.

Tags: Car Breakdown, Car Insurance, Cars, France, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Overseas Driving, Travel, Travel Insurance

Valid on ALL holidays departing for travel between 1st November ‘09 and 30 April ‘11

Book early for some of our best prices!

This offer will end at 10pm on Tuesday 23rd June 2009.

Some of our great deals include:

7 Nights in St Lucia from £799pp – Save £250pp

Escape for 7 nights in St Lucia with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic. 7 nights accommodation at the 4V Coconut Bay Resort and Spa on anAll Inclusive basis including transfers, starts from just £799pp! Flights are on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from London Gatwick and are based on departures between 01 Sept – 30 Sept 2009…so hurry and book online now!

7 Nights in Barbados from £539pp – Save £110pp

Escape for 7 nights in Barbados with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic. 7 nights accommodation at the 3V Silver Sands on a Room Only basis including transfers, starts from just £539pp! Flights are daily from London Gatwick and are based ondepartures between 01 Sept – 09 Oct 2009…so hurry and book online now!

3 Nights in Boston from £459pp – Save £96pp

Escape for 3 nights in Boston with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic. 3 nights accommodation at the 3V Boston Midtown on a Room Only basis, starts from just £459pp! Flights are daily from London Heathrow and are based on departures between 25 Aug – 31 Aug 2009…so hurry and book online now!

5 Nights in Dubai from £555pp

Escape for 5 nights in Dubai with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic. 5 nights accommodation at the 5V Hilton Dubai Jumeirah on a B&B basis including transfers, starts from just £555pp! Flights are from London Heathrow and are based on departures between 15 June – 06 July 2009…so hurry and book online now!

For full details of all our great offers visit:

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk

Terms & Conditions:
Book online at www.virginholidays.co.uk  between 6pm Thursday 18th June and 10pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009. Offer applies to new direct bookings only for travel between 1st November 2009 and 30th April 2011 only. The discount cannot be used against accommodation only bookings, car hire bookings or in conjunction with any other special offer, promotion or discount including the Frequent Virgin Club discount. The discount will be automatically applied to the booking and excludes APD and fuel surcharge supplements. This offer is not applicable on holidays that require booking via telephone. All holidays are subject to availability and Virgin Holidays full standard terms and conditions apply please see www.virginholidays.com  for full details.

Tags: Holiday, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Package Holidays, Travel, Virgin, Virgin Holidays

Has your plan of visiting Mexico for spending your holiday is canceled after hearing about the high crime rate? You need not worry then, as not all parts of Mexico are unsafe. One such place is Mayan Riviera. It boasts some of the Mexico’s best and safest boutique hotels and beach resorts. The climate is also very idyllic.

However, at present, you might have to think again before visiting Mexico due to the present swine flu pandemic.

You may also consider certain countries apart from Mexico that will surely make your vacation a pleasurable experience.

Europe:

Europe consists a number of places that you can choose to travel. Countries such as Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Finland are considered as some of the safest holiday destinations on the planet. Besides having a pleasant climate, these countries also have low criminal rate. Also, the people here are very friendly. In fact, Helsinki, the capital of Finland is often referred to as the ‘friendliest city’ of the world.

Many European cities have got very narrow lanes and so driving can be a tough task for you if you are not used to driving on narrow roads. Therefore, it is good to use the metro, bus or subway transport medium.

Australia and New Zealand:

Australia and New Zealand are two of the world’s most safest places to visit. The crime rate in New Zealand and Australia is negligible and corruption is almost zero in New Zealand. Also, both Australia and New Zealand have stable governments. The law and order of these countries is also very commendable.

Hong Kong:

Thousands of people fly to Hong Kong every year due to its hospitality. Moreover, the economic condition of Hong Kong is very stable and the city is secure even for single women. The people of Hong Kong are of very amiable.

Japan:

The list of ’safest places in the world’ cannot be completed without the inclusion of Japan. It is considered to be a country with the lowest crime rate in the world. This proves the friendly and disciplined attitude of the Japanese people. The chances of you getting duped by a local are marginal.

Thus, you may travel to any of the above mentioned places as per your convenience to treat your loved ones with a pleasant and safe vacation. In fact, you may even look to get settled in any of thee places.

Tags: Holiday, Holidays, 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

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

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

Be a responsible tourist and help save the world. Well, that might sound a bit grand, but The Independent Association of Tour Operators (“AITO”) helps remind people travelling abroad of some of their responsibilities.

Firstly, consider offsetting your carbon dioxide emissions by investing in projects that are specifically aimed at lowering the effect of this warming gas. Flying is the greatest culprit here and it emits tonnes of carbon dioxide into the sky every hour of the day. Your travel operator should have a list of schemes, such as reforestation and light bulb projects, which will help balance the effect of your flying. The Reduce My Footprint programme, supported by the AITO, can help you co-ordinate your efforts.

Learn a bit of the language and be polite. Do not see your holiday destination as a place devoid of other peoples and their way of life. Have a quick look at their traditions and customs, and make sure you don’t offend anyone. Showing the soles of your shoes in religious temples in Thailand is regarded as a great sin, so don’t embarrass yourself, or your hosts.

Before you even get there, be responsible with your packing. Don’t take out items that your hosts will find hard to dispose of, or recycle. And do you need all that stuff you have packed? Can you reduce the weight and so reduce the fuel needed to transport your luggage to its destination?

When you’re there, and start buying souvenirs, or any kind of shopping for that matter, try to buy things that will benefit the local economy, that are not made from pieces of endangered wildlife and that are being legitimately offered. And while bartering, try not to see it as a game, and end up making too good a bargain. They might not be able to afford it.

While swimming, walking, climbing, or driving, try not to damage the local wildlife. Indiscriminately picking flowers, taking shells off a beach, or taking the 4×4 into a wood to see how it performs at full throttle, is not being a responsible tourist. And don’t goad the wildlife – not only might they bite you, but it unsettles the natural rhythm of things. Dropping litter is out in any country, so don’t let your crisp packets fly out of the car window.

When taking your holiday snaps, bear in mind that everyone else might not want to be pictured with Little Johnny eating his favourite ice cream. As in all things, think how your actions might seem to others and try not to cause offence.

Think about how you are going to react to beggars. For some it might be the difference between life and death, for others it might be a lucrative career. It is usually recommended that you do not give to beggars, whether that be money, gifts, or sweets for the kids. If you want to help, think about an appropriate charity when you get home.

And finally, think about the water supply and the risk of pollution. Some countries are desperately short of water and running the tap regardless of how much you might need, can seem a little unthinking. And consider about what you’re throwing down the sink and into water courses. Pollution can effect whole communities.

Be a responsible tourist and do your bit for a better world.

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

Tags: Ecotourism, Holidays, Package Holidays, Thomas Cook, Travel

Terrorism – should we worry when travelling? Listen to the news and you’d be forgiven in thinking that a terrorist attack is an inevitable holiday event; much like getting a dose of the trots.

But before you start packing your hostage survival kit have a look at the real statistics. For the average Brit travelling aboard, you’re more likely to win the Lottery, than explode. Terrorism is not, in most parts of the world, a common occurrence.

The odds of wining the Lottery is roughly one in 14 million. But international statistics reveal that the average number of deaths per year in the world attributable to terrorism is less than 2,000. So, for a Brit, the odds of being involved in terrorism when travelling is virtually non-existent.

But if you’re still worried, have a look at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office web-site.

Now if you fancy sunning yourself on the beaches of Chad, then don’t bother. And that’s not because landlocked Chad has no beaches, but because this African nation, worryingly known as the Dead Heart of Africa, is one of two countries, the other being Somalia, that worry the Foreign Office. They are listed under the polite heading of Countries the FCO advises against all travel to.

Okay, Chad and Somalia might be an obvious worry. Yet move onto the FCO heading Countries the FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of and you will get a few surprises. Thailand is listed, so is India and also Turkey. These three have distinct terrorism warnings and although they are not top Brit holiday destinations, they do attract many visitors.

That does not mean you should cross them off your list; it just means that the chance of terrorism is higher than in other countries. As always, take the usual precautions. Don’t use that unattended luggage as a bench, don’t take that nice man’s bag on the plane for him and don’t let that stranger pack your underwear for you. Well, you get the picture.

But, terrorism – should we worry travelling? No

Sourced from http://package-holidays-direct.co.uk/

Tags: Flights, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Package Holidays, Terrorism, Travel, Travel Emergency

Source from http://www.jdhotels.co.uk/
Jurys Inn Brighton is a short walk away from the beach and Brighton’s central train station – it is in the very heart of the city. Brighton is a lively and sophisticated seaside town; it is only 50 minutes on a train from central London.

Jurys Inn Brighton has some excellent facilities for a 3 star budget accommodation; Jurys Inn Brighton has a restaurant, bar and coffee bar; Wi-Fi, air conditioning, laundry/dry cleaning service, comfy duvets and clean white linen, meeting rooms and a public car park nearby.

The hotel room’s amenities include flat screen TVs with Satellite TV, telephone, air conditioning, hairdryer, 24 hour news channels, Broadband internet access. Tea and coffee are available in every room.

There are many different reasons to visit Brighton; Brighton is a shopper’s heaven. Pop to The Lanes for a diverse mixture of shops, bars and restaurants. One of the biggest tourist attractions is Brighton Pier and beach. Visit Brighton Pier for a good day out with friends or family; the Pier has a restaurant, arcades, stalls, bars and even a funfair! It is enough to keep everyone of all ages entertained.

If you book a stay online for Jurys Inn Brighton, you can take advantage of the “Internet Special” offer. Rooms at this Brighton hotel start from £69 per night which is excellent value for money.

Tags: Brighton, Holidays, Hotel Review, Jurys Inn, Travel

This harbour front Canadian city is reputed for its beauty, offering waterfront and mountain views at every turn. Spread across an inlet, Vancouver is a network of bridges, winding streets, and gorgeous architecture set against a truly west-coast backdrop. �
Weather and Seasons�
Offering one of the most temperate climates in Canada, Vancouver is a popular winter destination thanks to the rarity of snow. This temperate climate means that gardens bloom almost year round and the foliage grows lush. Helping this paradise city stay so green is the infamous rain that Vancouver receives from late-fall to mid-spring. In fact, 2006 saw 30 straight days of rain during December and January. �
As long as you are willing to carry an umbrella, (the rains are usually very light) winter is an excellent time to take a cheap holiday to Vancouver. If you are looking for a dryer time of year, late spring through to early fall provides moderate temperatures. �
Flights�
Just south of downtown is the city’s major airport, Vancouver International Airport. This mid sized airport offers several daily international flights and is accessible via taxicab, car, and public transit. �
Very Cheap Holiday Transportation �
Although the Public Transit System in Vancouver is not as developed as in other parts of the country, it does have a very good reputation for regular, timely service. Comprised mostly of buses, Vancouver travellers can purchase single fairs, which allow on-and-off transit for an hour and a half. �
On your very cheap holiday to Vancouver, you may also wish to take the Sky Train. Requiring a separate ticket, this above ground train rides on high set tracks, but has limited destinations. �
Very Cheap Holiday Activities �
Although it is reputed as one of the more expensive of the Canadian cities, Vancouver still offers several very cheap holiday activities – especially if you enjoy the great outdoors. �
One highly recommended activity is to take the Sea Bus from central Vancouver to North Vancouver. There you can visit the Lonsdale Quay and take a quick bus ride to see some of the West Coast’s most beautiful rain forests. �
Another cheap holiday activity is to visit Granville Island. This small island is one of the best marketplaces in the country with several small artisan shops, fresh food stands, and several excellent restaurants. �
If you are visiting in the summer, it is worth the splurge to purchase tickets to Bard on the Beach, an outdoor Shakespearean Festival that is renowned for its creative interpretations, talented actors, and authentic setting.  

Tags: Canada, Holiday Activities, Holiday Transportation, Holidays, Package Holidays, Travel, Travel Insurance, Vacations, Vancouver