With money tight at the moment and all the financial problems brought on by the credit crunch, this article aims to help you enjoy that tropical holiday, make savings, but still indulge yourself this year.

1. Book Early
By booking early you can take advantage of savings on both flights and hotel accommodation. The advantages of this is that you can be more specific about the location and hotel or resort you

2. Book Late
To get the cheapest accommodation you have two options, depending on how flexible your holiday dates are. If you book at the very last minute, you can take advantage of some fantastic bargains – but the downside is you don’t have as much choice regarding where you stay, and you must be ready to fly at the drop of a hat.

3. Ask for a discount
Travel agents earn money on commission, and many will be willing to drop their commission amount to secure a sale. It is worth asking, don’t be shy and stand your ground, it really works in many cases and you have nothing to lose by asking.

4. Airline bag costs
To encourage people to pack lighter to reduce fuel usage, certain airlines have varying luggage charges. By checking out these limits and charges, you can make savings by sharing bags or opting not to take hand luggage on board.

5. Sun cream, insect repellent and the like
Necessities like sun cream and insect repellent is something you cannot do without. However, the high price you pay in the UK is not likely to be mirrored abroad, and purchasing these locally when on holiday for your family could leave you quids in.

6. All inclusive
All inclusive deals might look expensive when booking, but there are loads of good deals in some surprisingly luxury hotels and you can make a big saving by ensuring your holiday is fully catered.

7. Money Abroad
Check your bank charges for use of ATMs abroad – at the time of writing, Nationwide Building Society do not charge for using ATMs abroad, and by doing this, not only is your money safer, you won’t be stung with any comission charges. Be careful not to draw out more than you need however, as comission does apply when changing foreign currency back to pound sterling.

8. gosimply Airport Services
gosimply.com is an airport services comparison website who compare prices on airport parking, car hire, airport lounges and hotels.
Get up-to-date prices and read reviews, good and bad, to find the best services at the airport you are flying from.

9. Travel Insurance
When booking the above services with Go Simply, you can shave 10% off the price of your single or multi-trip travel insurance.

10. Shop around
Finally, simply shop around and compare prices across all major travel agents to hunt out the best bargains. There are plenty of comparison websites such as the one mentioned above, and other resources such as the Motley Fool and Money Saving Expert who are on hand to offer you plenty of tips.

Good luck and bon voyage!

A United Airlines pilot has just been arrested for alleged drunkenness at the helm of a Boeing 777. Can you be certain that the pilot of your aircraft hasn’t been drinking?

While there is nothing wrong with airline pilots letting their hair down and enjoying themselves with a drink or two, the rules that specify the acceptable level of alcohol in the bloodstream of pilots are very strict. The legal limit for them is only 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. This is less than a third of that which would be tolerated for a car driver. This equates to less than half a glass of wine or around half a pint of low-alcohol beer.

Tests have shown that pilots with a low level of blood alcohol exhibited significant deteriorations in their performance.

This recent pilot under the influence of alcohol incident is just the latest to make the headlines. There was a recent case of a pilot being stopped for erratic driving when departing from a Gatwick airport parking facility and another, in the U.S., of a pilot found drunk and naked in some woods in Pennsylvania.

So, are you certain that the pilot of your aircraft is sober and fit to be flying?

A recent arson attack on a small car park used by a Gatwick hotel to store client’s cars while they are away has highlighted the need to check what happens to your car when you go away.

The arson attack took place in the early hours of Monday 13th. Initially affecting 2 cars the fire quickly spread to 19 vehicles closely parked in the Forgewood industrial estate car park near Gatwick Airport.

Four units from West Sussex fire and rescue were called to the blaze by a vigilant passer by. Several cars exploded in the conflagration which tookfire-fighters almost 3 hours to control.

The car park is reported to be operated by the Gatwick Worth Hotel on Turners Hill Road. Although holiday makers have been assured that they would be provided with hire cars when they return this cannot compensate for the loss of their vehicles.

This incident highlights the need to be certain of what happens to your car when you depart on your holiday or business trip. There are many Gatwick airport parking facilities to choose from and some hotels, like the Worth, provide their own services. It makes sense to ask about the security facilities at the actual compound where your car will be stored:

1. Is it staffed 24 hours a day?
2. Is it surrounded by a secure fence?
3. Does it have floodlighting?
4. Does it have security CCTV?

Rather than leave the security of your valuable car to chance – Ask!

Cuba is a charming country, a country rich in culture and history. Cuba offers year round sunshine, with the busy dry season falling between the months of November to April.

City Charm
Havana, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must see – full of old charm, Havana is billed as Latin America’s best preserved colonial city, with Old Havana containing five centuries of architectural heritage, full of museums and galleries that are perfect to get a taste of the real Cuba.

Coastal Resorts
Varadero is known for its clear waters and beautiful resorts. Two hours east of Havana, Varadero is the place for sun worshippers. Great for diving, swimming or just lazing around in the sun, Varadero’s coastline is lined with fantastic all-inclusive resorts.

Activities and History
Cuba offers visitors a great many activities, from cycling, horse riding and hiking to golf and fishing, and there is some stunning countryside to enjoy. The Sierra Maestra mountain region affords some stunning scenery, great for walking and photo opportunities, the area also has some interesting history, being the location Fidel Castro hid on his return from exile in Mexico.

Wildlife
Cuba is described on the National Geographic website as “an island nation so rich with endemic species that biologists can hardly keep count.”
Explore and search for frogs, birds, iguanas and even crocodiles, Cuba has a fantastic array of wildlife, providing great opportunities for budding wildlife photographers or just lovers of nature in general.

If this has wet your apetite, why not have a look at the following hotels and resorts for a holiday in Cuba?

Havana
Melia Cohiba Hotel – A stunning five star property in the Vedado area which overlooks the seafront Malecon boardwalk.

Varadero
Breezes Varadero – A beautiful 26 acre resort for couples and adults over 14 years.

– an incredible Counter-Strike: Source map replica of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion. Released just in time for Halloween as part of the joe.to community’s Halloween 2008 Map Pack! Get the map pack: www.joe.to Visit the joe.to community: forums.joe.to Watch the high quality version of this video: www.youtube.com … nipper counter strike source de_haunts dehaunts de haunts disneyland disney land disneyworld world the haunted mansion halloween map pack mappack 2008 j2 joe.to joe to joeto valve …

Read the original post: 
A ride-through of NIPPER’s de_haunts (a "The Haunted Mansion" Counter-Strike: Source map)

Indian Railways is believed to be one of the largest rail networks across the world. It covers a length of over 62,000 km and takes nearly about millions of passengers on a daily basis. The history of Indian railways is a long and rich starting its journey from during the British rule in the country. British during their rule required a fast mode of transport for troop movement and so they introduced trains. The first train was introduced on April 16, 1853 from Bori Bunder to Thane and comprised 14 carriages which could comfortably carry about 400 passengers.

Read the original:
All About Indian Railways – Holidaychatter By : Jennie Gandhi

2008-10-19 08:00:00

Travellers who enjoy holidays for couples only will no longer be able to visit the Ocho Rios Resort in Jamaica, well they will, just when the resort reopens after refurbishment, it will be named Couples Tower Isle.

The resort is currently undergoing renovation thought to cost in the region of $25m (around £14m) and will open in spring 2009.

The name change is on account of the resort’s private island status and ‘Hollywood hangout’ in the 1950s and 60s.

Among the additional facilities constructed during the renovations are four new ocean-view suites and 16 rooms, improved in-room amenities including flat-screen TVs and zero edge walk in showers.

The pool is also undergoing treatment, with the depth level becoming a constant 5 feet and adopting a new water feature and swim-up bar.

For holidaymakers that love to pamper themselves, the new 10-treatment room spa will come as a welcome surprise.

Lee Issa, Chairman of Couples Resorts said of the refurbishment: “With an investment of over $25 million in upgrades, enhancements and renovations, the time has come for a new era for the original all-inclusive resort for couples only. To reinforce the storied history and old-world charm and emphasize our focus on the future, we feel the unveiling of our Grand Lady deserves a fresh start to carry on the legacy that is – Couples Resorts.”

Couples Resorts offer holidays in Jamaica at couples only, adult resorts. For more information, visit www.couplesresorts.co.uk or call 0870 850 4855.

Just before the school summer holidays ended I took our two youngsters for a weekends camping. I just wish I’d used a camping equipment checklist before we left.

It was all a bit of a rush really. The weather forecast had not been very good so we thought we’d have to call it off. But the weather on the Friday was excellent and the BBC weather forecasters were now telling us to expect a fine weekend.

So we hurriedly piled our camping equipment into the car and headed off to a friend’s piece of secluded woodland for a few nights under canvas, cooking over a camp fire. Unfortunately, in my haste, I managed to forget to bring my sleeping mat, toothbrush, the mallet and our tin mugs. Whoops! The children made me feel like I was old, senile and forgetful (not far from the truth).

I’m not normally so dis-organised. My only excuse is that I was being harassed by our two keen youngsters who couldn’t wait to get out into the woods. In future I shall definitely be using a checklist before we leave and I’ll get the children to help make certain that we don’t leave any essentials behind.

Forget vacations abroad, some of the best destinations for a well-deserved break can be found right here on our doorsteps. Sure, the weather in the UK might not be up to much, but when you consider the benefits of staying in your own country, a bit of rain or overcast sky doesn’t seem so bad.

View original post here:
Oh I Do Like To B&B Beside the Seaside – Holidaychatter By : J Tillotson

2008-10-16 08:00:00

Now that the summer is behind us, most of us are beginning to think about the Christmas season. For many, Christmas is a time for panic, last-minute shopping and fights for the last pack of Christmas lights on the shelf. This year, why not be ahead of the game, treat yourself at the same time, and do your Christmas shopping in another country?

Read the rest here:
A Parisian Christmas – Holidaychatter By : J Tillotson

2008-10-16 08:00:00