RYANAIR GETS 200th
PLANE
Ryanair have taken delivery of its 200th Boeing
737-
800NG aircraft, which took the total value of its fleet to more
than US$12 billion.
Spokesman Stephen McNamara
said the carrier was “proud to operate the youngest, greenest
and most fuel efficient fleet of any major European airline.”
He said the new plane would help Ryanair achieve growth to carry
67 million passengers this year.
AN
AUSTRALIAN DIY JUMBO SIMULATOR
 An
aviation enthusiast has attracted worldwide attention by building
his own Boeing 747-400 flight simulator. Matthew Sheil spent about
£150,000 constructing the elaborate setup in a warehouse,
and says the simulator can stand alongside professional versions
costing up to US$40 million. According to a story in online ‘gadget
blog’ Gizmodo, Sheil is one of a global network of enthusiasts
who serve as pilots and air traffic controllers in a virtual aviation
world. This year 15 “pilots and crew” will man the
simulator to take part in a virtual round-the-world flight.
TRAVEL
INSURANCE REQUIRED FOR VISITS TO THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
UK
residents visiting the Channel Islands must ensure they have adequate
travel insurance from 1 April. The recommendation comes from the
Department of Health as the healthcare arrangements for UK visitors
to the Islands are due to change.
The
current agreement, which allowed UK travellers to get a limited
number of medical treatments in the Channel Islands free of charge,
will end on March 31. Anyone travelling to the Islands, which
include Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, will be required
to pay for medical treatment should they become ill or injured
there after this date. Visitors should therefore take out adequate
insurance before they travel.
 KEUKENHOF,
HOLLAND
The world's most beautiful spring garden continues
until
21 May
Keukenhof is a historic park covering an area of thirty-two hectares,
full of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and all the other spring
bulbs. The floral displays in the park and the unique flower shows
in the various pavilions are a glorious visual feast. And in the
midst of this magnificent spectacle of colour there are also exquisite
works of art. Every year more than 7 million flower bulbs are
planted in the park. These can be seen in the historical garden,
the natural garden and the inspirational gardens. But not everything
is outside; the four pavilions within the park offer a variety
of unique indoor flower shows such as roses, carnations, irises
and many others.- Daily from 08:00 – 19:30.
(Ticket office closes at 18:00) - For more information see
http://www.keukenhof.nl
RHINE
RIVER CRUISE
A Romantic Summer Rhine River Cruise from Newcastle. This 6 night
trip has 2 nights cruising the North sea and 4 cruising the Rhine
river in the height of summer, passing through Bonn, Cologne,
Dusseldorf and Amsterdam. On
arrival in Holland you're taken by coach to Rudesheim, where you
cruise along the Rhine at a gentle pace to Amsterdam, passing
through Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne and Dusseldorf en-route.
What's Included:
• 2 nights onboard ship in an en suite cabin
• Transfers to and from the River Cruise
• 4 nights on board River Cruiser
• Amsterdam canal trip and guided tour included
• All meals included on board ship/river cruiser
Travel to Holland is
on the Cruise Ferry, King of Scandinavia, Prices
are from £716pp
To book go to www.dfds.co.uk/rivercruising
or call 0871 882 0886
TOWER
FESTIVAL
AT THE HISTORIC TOWER OF LONDON
10th- 20th September 2009
CELEBRATING THE BEST IN ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC!
**************
SADLER'S WELLS IS DANCE
LESLEY GARRETT AND THE FRON MALE VOICE CHOIR
GILBERT & SULLIVAN'S THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
Presented By Carl Rosa Opera
DAME KIRI TE KANAWA AND THE FUTURE STARS OF OPERA
KIND OF BLUE AT 50 FEATURING JIMMY COBB'S SO WHAT BAND
WOMAD PRESENTS WORLD MUSIC AT THE TOWER
International concert promoters and owners of the O2 Arena, AEG
Live, have
teamed up with legendary operatic and concert impresario Harvey
Goldsmith, to
launch the 2009 TOWER FESTIVAL at the TOWER OF LONDON, celebrating
the very best
in arts, culture and music.
The TOWER FESTIVAL will take place over the 10th-20th September
at the historic
and prestigious TOWER OF LONDON, the royal palace and fortress on
the banks of
the River Thames in London.
PEAK
SEASON FAMILY HOLIDAYS FROM £310
With
2009 looking set to be a bumper year for the UK holiday market,
book early is the message from Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in
North Devon. The company reports huge demand for school holiday
peak season getaways where prices start from as little as £310
for a family of four - lessthan £78 per person - on selected
dates in July and August.
The
above price applies to those staying in fully equipped holiday
caravan homes complete with two bedrooms, shower room, spacious
lounge/diner and kitchen. There's also more than 40 free activities
on offer including 10 heated indoor and outdoor pools, tennis,
cinema, fishing and kids' clubs, along with evening entertainment
with cabaret.Other self-catering options available at Woolacombe
Bay Holiday Parks include luxury lodges, stylish apartments and
a choice of caravan holiday homes, many brand new for the 2009
season.
Reservations:
http://www.woolacombe.com/bp
Tel 01271 870343
SHORE POWER FOR
VANCOUVER CRUISE SHIPS MAKES CRUISING GREEN
Port Metro Vancouver recently announced that it will be the first
port in Canada to implement shore power infrastructure for cruise
ships beginning with the 2009 cruise season at Canada Place cruise
ship terminal. Up to three ships each day can plug in, enabling
them to shut down their engines and connect to the electrical grid
(powered by hydro electricity) in order to provide necessary power
while docked, saving about 10 hours of emissions from each chugging
engine. Canada Place cruise ship terminal is the homeport of the
Vancouver-Alaska cruise – one of the world’s most popular
cruises. The initiative represents the first shore power installation
for cruise ships in Canada, and only the third in the world.
TV
PROGRAMMES ON THE NIGHT TRAIN
The overnight sleeper service between London and Cornwall has recently
been enhanced by an entertainment system that’s the first
of its kind on any British train.
Volo TV is similar to the systems currently available
to business class air travellers, which give
passengers access to hours of on-demand TV.
It is believed to be the world’s first true entertainment
system for train travellers.
The Night Riviera Sleeper operates between Penzance and London’s
Paddington
Station Sunday to Friday in both directions.
The Night Riviera Sleeper is operated by
First Great Western Tel: +44 845 678 6980 (reservations)
Website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
BE
AWARE OF NEW ‘GREEN ZONES.’
Driving In Germany?
Europcar is
warning travellers planning to drive in some of Germany’s
cosmopolitan and buzzing cities that new ‘Green Zones’
have recently been introduced. These require all vehicles to display
an ‘environmental badge’ and any vehicle without a
badge will be subject to a fine of €40. Importantly this
includes vehicles driven cross-border by foreign travellers.
SPACE
TOURISM ENDS
Russia will not take tourists to the International
Space
Station after this year because of plans to double the size of the
station’s crew from three to six astronauts.
The lucrative Russian space tourism programme has flown six “private
spaceflight participants” since 2001. Participants paid in
excess of US$20 million for flights aboard Russian-built Soyuz crafts
|
 NATIONAL
WINDMILL DAY
9-10 MAY
More
than 600 of Holland's 1000 windmills fly a blue pennant each year
to show that they welcome visitors on National Windmill Day.
The day is a chance to visit Amsterdam's handful of working mills,
which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, where millers
give demonstrations of their activities.
TRAVELODGE
OFFERS ROOMS AT £19 AT ITS HEATHROW AIRPORT HOTELS
Travelodge
has released an additional 13,000 rooms at £19 at both of
its Heathrow Airport hotels to enable Brits to start their break
stress free this holiday season.
To book your room please visit www.travelodge.co.uk. A £19
family room will cater for two adults and two children under the
age of 16 years and you only pay for the room and not for the
number of people staying. For a family of four that works out
at just £4.75 which is cheaper than a book to read on the
plane.
In addition
Travelodge has cut their pre pay ‘Eat As Much As You Like’
Breakfast Buffet and dinner menu by 20%. Breakfast is now £5.99
per person (Two children under the age of 16 can eat for free
per each paying guest – this offer is only available online
and must be ordered before stay date.
The dinner
offer has been reduced from £8.00 to £6.00 for two
courses per person
BBC SUMMER
GOOD FOOD SHOW FOR 2009
AT THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM
From
Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th June, The BBC Summer Good Food Show
will engage all the senses with the very best in regional and seasonal
foods, specialist producers and TV chefs in abundance. Features
of the show will include:
• The Summer Kitchen sponsored by Sainsbury’s –
see celebrity chefs live in action
• The Producers’ Village - discover the best in regional
and seasonal produce
• How Do I? Stage – learn key skills from the experts
– from filleting a fish to dough-making and pickling
• Picnic Must Haves – everything for the perfect picnic
– whatever the occasion
• Drinks, the Fine Wine and Spirits Area – taste and
buy perfect summer tipples
• Drinks Tasting Workshops – learn more about great
drinks for hot summer days
• Beers of the World Live (Fri to Sun only) - celebrate the
amber nectar
The Show will
take place alongside BBC Gardeners’ World Live and one ticket
will gain entry to both shows. Family weekend welcomes two children
from 5-16 free for each accompanying paying adult on Saturday
and Sunday. Under 5s are free on any day.
Tel: 0844 579 3170
Show info and online booking: www.bbcsummergoodfoodshow.com
www.bbcsummergoodfoodshow.com
 COUNTRY
HOUSE WALKING BREAKS
Beat the credit crunch this
Spring with a selection of UK Classic Value Walking breaks with
HF Holidays - the UK's largest specialist walking holidays company.
Taking place at a choice
of the company's Country Houses across England, Scotland and Wales,
the 10 options on offer combine local guided walks - requiring
less coach travel - with free time to explore independently or
simply relax at the Country House.
Most meals - with more
value choices and picnic lunches on guided walking days only -
are included and evening entertainment is also provided, plus
every house has a bar and lounges.
Three, four and five-night
breaks are available with selected departures in March, April
and May and prices range from £159 to £229 per person,
twin-share, inclusive of mostly full-board accommodation, the
programme of organised walks and social activities, plus the services
of an HF Holidays' walks leader.
For example, a three-night
break starting 20 March at Monk Coniston - part of a Lakeland
estate at Conistonwater in the Lake District - costs £159,
whilst five nights starting 15 March at Newfield Hall - situated
in extensive grounds and boasting an indoor heated pool - near
Malhamdale in the Yorkshire Dales costs £229.
Reservations: 0845
470 7558, http://www.hfholidays.co.uk
FRANCE,
SPAIN AND ITALY FROM JUST £3.50 PER PERSON, PER NIGHT.
Bargain-priced ferry-inclusive
camping and mobile home holidays - with prices starting from as
little as £3.50 per person, per night in a fully-equipped
tent - have been announced by specialist operator, Venue Holidays.
The above price, based
on two adults and two children sharing, applies to holidays of
a minimum of seven nights in duration - arriving on-site between
18 April and 9 May - to a choice of locations in France, Spain
and Italy.
For those who prefer
mobile home accommodation, this price increases to £4.50
per person, per night.
This means, for example,
a family of four will pay a TOTAL of £98 for a seven-night
holiday in a fully-equipped tent - including a return midweek
Dover/Calais saver ferry crossing for car and passengers - at
the superb Camping Ca'Savio on the Venetian Riviera.
The same family, but
enjoying a week's ferry-inclusive holiday in a two-bedroom mobile
home at Berny Riviere - well-placed for Paris and the Disneyland
Resort Paris - will pay a TOTAL of £126.
If no ferry crossing
is required, deduct £30 from the above prices.
Also available - at
supplement - are alternative ferry options, including weekend
crossings, three-bedroom mobile home accommodation and linen hire.
01233 629950 http://www.venueholidays.co.uk
OSTELBOOKERS
INTRODUCES VIDEOS
More than 100 videos of properties have been introduced to the HostelBookers.com
website.
Budget accommodation
in Amsterdam, Singapore, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Edinburgh
and Dublin is being featured by the company. The company has undertaken
the entire project in-house – from the recording to the
editing. It will be opening the field up to user-generated content
and footage created by the properties themselves in the near future.
By taking these videos by themselves with a mobile phone HostelBookers
puts itself in their customers’ place, the company claims.
HostelBookers has also
joined forces with TripAdvisor to promote a selection of the videos,
which can be found at: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-videos/HostelBook
CRIME
SCENE INVESTIGATION
A Holiday with a differencewith Bon Voyage.
Join forensic pathologists, FBI agents and scientists in Las Vegas
and learn all about crime scene investigation on a four-night Road
Scholar break, courtesy of US operator Bon Voyage.
Highlights include a field trip to a County Clerk Coroner's Office
and a detention centre, along with behind the scene visits and lectures
on a wealth of topics including crime scene investigation, fingerprinting,
dental forensics and forensic anthropology.
There is a choice of dates in February, March and September, prices
start at £885 per person (twin share) inclusive of return
flights from Gatwick or Manchester, accommodation with breakfast
at the three-star Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, most lunches and
dinners and the above itinerary.
Reservations: Tel: 0800 316 0194
ONTARIO
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 2009
The Ontario calendar for 2009 is jam packed with exciting festivals,
covering everything from flowers to films and music to maple syrup.
Here is a round-up of just some of the goings on this year:
Elmira Maple Syrup
Festival, April 4th
In celebration of this most iconically Canadian foodstuff the
tiny town of Elmira hosts the largest single day maple syrup
festival in the world. The festival draws in all the local maple
syrup producers giving visitors the chance to gorge themselves
on some of the thousands of syrup drizzled pancakes and other
maple-syrup-based produce on offer on the day. www.elmiramaplesyrup.com
Canadian Tulip Festival,
May 1st – 18th
Taking place in Canada’s capital Ottawa, this festival
sees some of the city’s parks completely transformed into
floral explosions as some 3 million tulips are planted. Around
500,000 people flocked to the festival in 2008, visiting Commissioner’s
Park and Dow’s Lake to see the spectacular displays of
flowers that all come as a gift from the Dutch Royal Family.
Other activities include walking the 15km Tulip Route and browsing
the tents at the International Pavillion where 25 countries
were represtented by food stalls, entertainment, arts, crafts
and culture. www.tulipfestival.ca
Thunder Bay Kite
Festival, May 31st
This one day festival is held annually at Chippewa Park on the
shores of Lake Superior. Hundreds of people attend putting on
spectacular displays of high-flying kites of all colours, shapes
and sizes. The event has been running since 1981 and includes
workshops, demonstrations and activities. www.thunderbay.ca/kitefestival
Luminato, June 5th
– 14th
Toronto’s festival of arts and creativity is in it’s
third year, having attracted over one million visitors in ’07
and ’08. The festival is broad and multi-disciplinary
– encompassing music, dance, film, theatre, literature,
visual arts and lectures. Luminato aims to provide free widely
accessible events that visitors can encounter, experience and
participate in as part of a celebration of the city’s
multi-culturalism and creativity. www.luminato.com
Toronto Pride Week,
June 19th – 28th
Canada’s most populous city has a large and vibrant gay
community which comes together in June each year for one of
the largest Pride celebrations in the world. Featuring 10 days
of arts and cultural programming along with one of the world’s
largest street festivals, Toronto’s 29th Pride Week sees
an attendance of over 1 million people. www.pridetoronto.com
Ottawa International
Jazz Festival, June 25th – July 5th
The Canadian capital’s premier music event is now in it’s
28th year and continues to showcase dynamic jazz artists, featuring
acts breaching the avant-garde to the traditional from countries
all across the world. www.ottawajazzfestival.com
Northern Lights Festival
Boréal, July 3rd – 5th
Held in Sudbury in Northern Ontario this is the oldest music
festival in Canada. Billed as a bilingual folk festival it encompasses
many music genres, and last year’s performers have included
Don MacLean, the Sadies and Miracle Fortress. In addition to
the music there are arts, crafts and children’s entertainment.
www.nlfbsudbury.com
The Art of Being
Green Festival, July 10th – 12th
Taking place this year in the Middleville Fair Grounds in the
Lanark Highlands is a grand celebration of renewable energy,
adaptation and green lifestyle. A great family event with free
entry, it includes workshops, interactive displays, children’s
programs, entertainment and local food – everything you
need to learn how to live a sustainable life. www.artofbeinggreen.ca
Collingwood Elvis
Festival, July 23rd – 26th
This festival celebrates all things Elvis-related. Visitors
to the town of Collingwood will have the opportunity to see
hundreds of Elvis impersonators, purchase memorabilia and see
performances from some of the King’s best tribute acts.
There are trivia knowledge competitions, street parties and
a tribute artist’s classic car parade. A must for Elvis
fans and a spectacle for all. www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com
Toronto International
Film Festival, September 10th – 19th
Among the most prestigious film festivals in the world, the
TIFF is widely regarded as the ‘Cannes of North America’.
Drawing in all the most high profile stars, the festival is
publicly attended by in excess of 300,000 people and sees between
300-400 film screenings in downtown Toronto. It is considered
by many studios to be a ‘launch-pad’ for Oscar buzz,
so visitors can see the films that will be winning the awards
first. www.tiff09.ca
Niagara Grape and
Wine Festival, September 19th – 28th
Many know the Niagara region for it’s ice wine, but the
region is fast becoming a superb boutique wine producing area
with great reds and whites. The festival is held in the towns
of St Catherines, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls, it
is the largest wine festival in Canada, incorporating more than
100 events including tours, tastings, seminars and entertainment.
www.niagarawinefestival.com
For more information
on events in Ontario see http://www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca
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