VENICE GETS THE BIRD
As of May 7 feeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square will be illegal and
tourists found guilty of feeding their feathered friends will have
to cough up a fine of 50 euros ($78).
The mayor's office has placed a ban on the sale and distribution
of grain to feed the birds as they hold it responsible for attracting
the pigeons and their droppings, according to a report by eTurbo
news.
The ban has raised the ire of the grain vendors who find themselves
out of a job. "Thanks Mr. Mayor for killing off our business
after 100 years of sales," read one banner, according to the
report.
The pigeons are also
being accused of eating away at the city's marble statues and buildings
by pecking at small gaps in the facades to reach for scraps of food
that were blown inside. One study estimated that cleaning up monuments
and repairing the damage cost each Venetian taxpayer 275 euros a
year.
FRANCE:
CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL.
At the foot of the Croix de Lorraine, in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises,
the memorial uses the very latest museum and exhibition technology
that will enable visitors to learn more about France’s most
famous 20th century son – General Charles de Gaulle. The village
has become famous for being the place that General de Gaulle chose
to set up home, with the acquisition of La Boisserie on 9 June 1934.
THE CROIX DE LORRAINE
 On
the General’s death, on 9 November 1970, a huge crowd attended
his funeral. In the years that have followed, hundred of thousands
of pilgrims have come from all over the world to gather at the gravestone
of the “most distinguished French man”
THE TRANS SIBERIAN
- GROUP TRAVEL
ON
THE WORLD'S LONGEST RAIL JOURNEY OFFERS COMFORT
& COSTS FROM £2995
We've all heard about
the Trans Siberian train taking you all the way from Moscow across
Siberia to Mongolia and China - its not to be confused by the local
daily commute. Now you can experience the "big one" in
style. Enjoy the cities and countryside with a guide and get more
out of this once in a lifetime journey.
You will travel by a modern private 1st Class carriage (with shower
facilities) that is attached to different trains during the journey
to allow longer stopovers.
A premium carriage is exclusive to the group but you are free to
walk through the train and meet some of the locals and some of the
greatest travellers in the world. On the train journey there are
two attendants throughout for our private coach. The group leader
will also travel the whole journey of the Trans Siberian and will
ensure this is the journey of a lifetime.
Your guide will show
the church at Yekaterinburg the site where the Romanov family were
murdered; take you on a nostalgic trip by Lake Baikal (it has 20%
of the earths fresh water), the world's largest freshwater lake,
staying at a typical Siberian guesthouse. At Ulaanbaatar, the world's
most remote city and capital of Mongolia, you will stay at a Ger,
a typical local
house tent, and then change to another train taking you across the
Gobi desert and through the Great Wall of China to Beijing. Here
you have the option to take a train to Hong Kong and return by air.
Prices for the journey London to Beijing with a 2 berth sleeper
start from £2995 per person for a 16 day trip including
guided visits in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan
Ude, Ulan Bator and Beijing.
Next departures from London are 24th April, 5th June, 29th June,
24th July and then 4 more to 16th October. It is imperative that
you book early to allow time for visas etc.
For more information or to make a booking phone eRail tours 020
7619 1080 or email sales@europeanrail.com
FESTIVALS
& CELEBRATIONS
IN BOSTON USA THIS SUMMER:
Each of Boston’s
festivals, parades and celebrations promises to be bigger this year:
The six-day 26th Boston Harborfest (July 1-6)
& the Boston July 4th Celebration,
29th Dragon Boat Festival (June 7),
38th Gay Pride Parade & Festival (June 14),
the Bunker Hill/ Charlestown Parade (June 15),
33rd Boston Bastille Day Celebration (July 11)
13th Italia Unita Festival (July 12-13),
Bastille Day in Cambridge (July 13) ,
35th Festival Betances (July 19-20) ,
the 42nd Puerto Rican Festival & Parade (July 26-27 tentative),
the 94th St. Agrippina di Mineo Society Feast Celebration (August
2-3),
18th Irish Festival ( Aug. 8-10 tentative)
93rd Madonna Della Cava North End Feast Celebration (August 8-10),
Boston’s Chinatown August Moon Festival, (Aug. 10,) 35th Caribbean
Carnival Parade & Festival (August 23 tentative) Caribbean Carnival,
St. Anthony’s North End Feast Celebration (August 23-24),
Summer Revels (June 21-22), a two-day multicultural food and music
kickoff to summer at Fort Point Channel, near Boston Children’s
Museum
.
To view: Explore Multicultural Events at a Glance 2008.
click on
http://www.bostonusa.com:
80/images/admin/logos/ExploreMulticultural.htm
FRANCE
CELEBRATES THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JOURNEY
"TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CEVENNES" BY R.L. STEVENSON.
In 2008 it will be the 130th anniversary of Robert Lewis Stevenson’s
trip to the Cevennes. Robert Lewis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist
poet and travel writer and a leading representative of Neo-Romanticism
in English Literature. On the 22nd September 1878 he set off on a
journey in the Cevennes. His walk took 12 days and 220km from Monastier
sur Gazeille to Saint Gard with Monastine his stubborn donkey. In
1879 his book Travels with a donkey in the Cevennes was published.
The trek labelled GR70 retraces his journey covering landscapes of
valleys, forests and farm lands from the Haute-Loire in l’Auvergne
to La Lozère in the Languedoc Roussillon and also l’Ardeche
in Rhone-Alpes. T
his trek takes you on an unforgettable trip of beautiful sceneries,
a wildlife adventure and also gastronomic discoveries with the typical
Cevennes dish of L’Aligot. L’Aligot is made of melted
tome cheese blended into potato purée with garlic and needs
a special preparation of hours of mixing and turning to give it that
smooth elastic texture.
The Association of "Sur le chemin de RL Stevenson" will
be commemorating this anniversary with many events and festivals especially
during the official anniversary between the 22nd September and 3rd
October.
NEW GLACIER
EXPRESS TO ST MORITZ
ITINERARY BY RAIL FOR 2008
Great Rail Journeys
- the UK's market leader for escorted holidays by rail - is highlighting
its - new for 2008 - 10-day 'Glacier Express to St Moritz' itinerary
to the Swiss Alps which includes a journey in First Class on the Glacier
Express narrow-gauge train along its entire length - from Zermatt
to St Moritz - all in one day.
On this excursion,
the train leaves Zermatt for Brig, climbs up the Rhone Valley to Andermatt,
wends its way towards the Oberalp Pass and continues through pasture
and woodland to the Rhine before arriving in St Moritz. Being in First
Class, lunch is served at the passengers' seat.
All other excursions
are also by First Class rail with highlights including a guided tour
of Zermatt - with its timbered buildings and English church dating
back to 1870 - plus a visit to the Alpine museum, a journey on the
Gornergrat Bahn to the summit of the  Gornergrat
where there are spectacular views across the valley to the Matterhorn,
an excursion to Stresa on Lake Maggiore and a journey on the Bernina
Express climbing over the Bernina Pass.
Available with
selected departure dates between May and October, prices start from
£1425 per person, twin-share inclusive of return First Class
rail travel from St Pancras, nine nights' hotel accommodation (including
four at the four-star Parkhotel Beau-Site in Zermatt and three at
the four-star Hotel Monopol in St Moritz) with breakfast and dinner
each day, transfers, a two-person Swiss travel pass, excursions as
above and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.
Reservations:
01904 521 980, http://www.GreatRail.com
2CV, PARIS
TOUR.
'Four wheels under
one umbrella' - a new tour pre-bookable via Allo France where visitors
to Paris take a tour in that four-wheeled French icon, the 2CV, which
comes complete with English-speaking chauffeur.
There are two
one-and-a-half-hour tours. The 'Essential Ride' covers the Eiffel
Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs Elysees, Ile de la Cité,
Notre Dame, Madeleine, Les Invalides and Place de la Concorde, while
the 'Unexpected Ride' goes off the beaten track taking in Place Vendome,
Kiosk des Noctambules, Place de la Fontaine Stravinsky and Hotel de
Sully etc.
With two sharing,
price is £60 per person pre-bookable on www.allo-france.com
or by calling 01256 843832. The website also features many other Paris
essentials such as Paris Visite travel cards, museum and monuments
passes, bus and river bus tours, cabaret shows, plus lunch and dinner
cruises.
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HORSING AROUND IN FRANCE
Relax while
a gentle giant draws your caravan through the Bassigny area, a land
steeped in history and tradition.
You will be
in charge of your fully equipped caravan so you can unwind as you
follow the route at a relaxed pace.
Programme:
Day 1: You arrive in Rangecourt and meet the horses. Sleep in the
caravan overnight.
Day 2: In the morning, you receive instruction on how to harness
the horses so you can set off with total confidence. The route is
approximately 15 km. In the evening you will be welcomed at a local
camp site.
Day 3: Following another 15 km route you return to Rangecourt.
279 euros per
person
The price includes:
The caravan is equipped with a sink and water, a cooking hob, a
dining table, crockery, cooking utensils and an ice box.
Caravan rental, food for the horse, overnight stops (use of showers
and washing facilities), instructions for harnessing and driving
the horse and the itinerary details.
The price excludes:
Meals, transport, cancellation insurance, drinks and any personal
expenditure, sheets and towels.
Contacts:
Accueil Vert
Haute-Marn
Cours Marcel Baron
BP 2048
52 902 CHAUMONT Cedex 9
Tel: 0033 325 30 39 08
Fax : 0033 325 30 39 05
hautemarne@champagne-ardenne-reservation.com
BOB THE
BUILDER MAKES DUBAI DEBUT
Pingu, Bob the
Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and Barney are among children's
entertainment characters to feature at a new attraction in Dubai
where they are developing family entertainment projects in Global
Village at DUBAILAND, a three billion sq ft development, claimed
to be the world's biggest tourism, leisure and entertainment destination.
The world's
first HIT Entertainment 'Little Big Club' will be created. The 25,000
sq ft project is set to open its doors in the last quarter of 2008.
It will
offer young children and their families a secure and interactive
experience designed around popular characters Barney, Pingu, Bob
the Builder and Thomas & Friends with themed rides and indoor
and outdoor play-centres.
EUROLINES
SURVIVAL GUIDE TO ROCKIN’ AROUND EUROPE
There is a sizzling summer
of Rock and Music Festivals all over Europe in 2008 with major acts
including Amy Winehouse, Radiohead, Babyshambles, Kaiser Chiefs,
Manic Street Preachers, Lenny Kravitz, Leonard Cohen, Paul Weller….even
heavy metal mega-stars Whitesnake and Def Leppard headlining at
events all over the continent.
Eurolines, part of National
Express, operates coach services to over 500 destinations in Europe
and its ultra low-cost fare are a favourite with music fans. This
year it has pulled together a useful Essential Guide to Festivals
in Europe including all the main events, performers and travel information.
There are also practical tips on the things you can’t do without
if you’re heading to a big festival. The advice lists ten
top tips on what to take, how to save money and how to enjoy yourself
as you rock into Europe.
John Gilbert, managing
director of Eurolines said: “This year, more than ever before,
people are heading to Europe where some of the best festivals will
be taking place. Most music fans like to travel independently and
save money wherever they can, so coach travel is great for them.
We know our services are a stress-free way to travel, but we want
to make sure people have an equally hassle-free time when they’re
at a festival by making sure they have the right gear with them.”
“There are plenty
of ways to save time, money and effort” says Gilbert. “We
suggest that with a little advance planning, you can travel light
and be fairly self-sufficient when you are there.”
Eurolines Top Ten Essentials are:
o A light weight tent. (Carrying too much weight is not a good idea)
o A Light weight sleeping bag.
o Plenty of Wet Wipes (They are life-savers!)
o A Small Torch (and batteries)
o Money belt (You need to carry cash, tickets and everything important
with you all the time)
o Two bottles for water – so you will always have a supply
without paying a fortune for branded water.
o Sun Block, hat and sun glasses (you could be out in the open all
day long)
o Light-weight Waterproof
o Waterproof boots or wellies
o Basic medical kit (Pain killers, anti-septic, plasters, crepe
bandage. You may be in a huge venue, but getting medical help can
be a long, slow process).
In addition to these
top ten things to take, Eurolines advises
o travelling light (You don’t need a massive wardrobe –
just a practical one)
o keeping a list of all your important travel details, booking references
and phone numbers , a photocopy of your passport and travel insurance
separately from the documents themselves. (It’s no good assuming
you can keep all you need on your mobile phone. That could easily
go missing leaving you with a major problem if disaster does strike)
o Arrive early, so you can choose where to pitch your tent. Choose
somewhere close to the exits – so you can get away easily.
(You’ll get a better sleep away from the sound stages anyway)
o Travel with friends – there’s always safety in numbers
and people you can rely on if things do go wrong.
Eurolines coach travel is an ultra low carbon way to travel to Europe.
Passengers travelling by coach will leave a tiny carbon footprint
around six times smaller than a flight to the same destination.²
For more information
about coach travel in Europe, go to Eurolines.co.uk or call the
Travel Centre on 08717818177
The Eurolines Guide to Rock Festivals in Europe can be found at
www.rockineurope.co.uk
 SMILES
FROM CAR RENTAL COMPANY
Holiday
Autos’ provided us with these bizarre customer stories from
the past 12 months
Holiday
Autos’ customer service team have been kept amused by its
customers’ queries and antics.
Kangaroo
On Main Street - A couple holidaying in Australia claimed
damaged to their hired car occurred when a kangaroo ran out in front
of them… on a busy main road in Sydney.
“Excuse
Me Sir You’ve left A Prosthetic Leg In The Boot” -
Items left in returned hired cars include; a prosthetic leg, dildos,
frilly lingerie, and a glass eye.
A
Fly-ing Accident - One Nice (France) holidaymaker crashed
into a phone box as he was trying to swot a fly – luckily
the phone box was empty and nobody was hurt.
No
Driving License - A potential customer thought he could
legally hire a car for a Florida fly-drive holiday despite only
holding a provisional license.
“How Much for the Hire Car?” - A female
customer grew so attached to her red Clio she bartered (unsuccessfully)
to purchase it
A
number of holidaymakers refused to accept their hire car because
they were the wrong colour
Handbrake,
Signal, Manoeuvre… Out Of The Way Of The Falling Car -
One customer holidaying in Geneva wrote off his hired car during
a trip to the mountains, when he forgot to put the handbrake on
and the car rolled off the mountain.
“Where’s
Granddad?” - One extended Family returning home from
Palma was in such a rush to catch the plane they left Granddad in
the back of the car.
BIGGER
AND BETTER. THE BERLIN WELCOMECARD 2008
A must-have
for visitors to the lively, cosmopolitan city of Berlin is the new,
bigger and better Berlin WelcomeCard with its accompanying Berlin
Guide.
With the card
- which costs £16.50 for 48 hours or £21.50 for 72 hours
- visitors benefit from free travel on bus and rail travel together
with discounts of up to 50 per cent with more than 130 city 'partners'
which include tours, museums and attractions, theatres and restaurants.
New 'partners'
for 2008 include the Videobustour (25 per cent discount) with historical
film footage shown at the original sites along the tour's route,
plus the new Kindercity for children in the Alexa Shopping Centre
where 25 per cent discounts also apply.
Added for 2008
are orientation guides with listings of attractions around some
of the most-visited areas such as Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm,
Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz, plus maps and rail/subway information.
Berlin WelcomeCards
are pre-bookable on http://www.berlinwelcomecard.de.
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