Archive for May, 2006
When choosing a travel companion, trust me on this one - The Female Mosquito is a bad choice.
The recent death of Christopher Gallagher, the young British traveller who lost his life to malaria is not pleasant to read about but maybe we should see it as a wake up call. Most travellers are sensible, just like young Christopher was, and they make sure that if they are travelling to malaria infected areas like Africa, North, Central and South America, and Asia they take a course of anti-malarial drugs. However, some people are under the impression that they are immune and don’t bother to seek advice from the doctor before travelling and they put themselves and their families at risk.
As a travel guide website we would like to strongly recommend (again) that you check in with the GP long before you travel (even in Europe with the recent upsurge of measles) to make sure you and your family are protected.
Malaria is a rather nasty little illness and kills more people than the average Joe realises. Did you know that Malaria is a biggest killer than TB? It is even suggested that AIDS will not kill as many people as Malaria, which is a parasite injected into the bloodstream by a female Anopheles mosquito.
A tremendously popular family holiday for the British people is the wonderful African Safari. Now don’t let malaria put you off. Just make sure that you find out where the malaria hot spots are. For example, Malaria occurs in very limited areas in South Africa but you need to take medication if you are traveling to the Northern Province, Mpumalanga, and the north eastern part of KwaZulu Natal.
If you want more information, let us know.
by Doreen B.
May 24th, 2006
What are we to make of the Da Vince Code? My my what a raucous the film has caused. First the book and know the film. I read the book and will be seeing the movie this weekend. I am Catholic and I am willing to keep an open mind about such matters. Why cant people let it run its course? Dan Brown has made more money over the debacle than the story itself, I recon.
Anyway, Leonardo Da Vince is a fascinating character and his work and legacy should not be marred by all this. He was a painter, a sculptor, an architect, an engineer, and a scholar. He was born at Vinci, near Florence, Italy in 1452. He died at Cloux, near Amboise, France on 2 May 1519. He has left us more enlightened than most as there are few men that had such varied talent and amassed such a mountain of knowledge.
For those who want to see with their own eyes what he was capable of producing, I believe that the wonders of the Louvre in Paris is a good place to start. This is where the portrait of Madonna (Monna) Lisa, was once displayed. It was acquired directly from the artist by Francis I. They managed to preserve it for three centuries before it disappeared in August 1911. Leonardo took so much pride in this particular painting. He devoted four years of his life to this single face. Another one of Leonardo’s works now stands in its place, the St. John Baptist.
Top Tip: When you travel to France, try and time it so that you are there for the first Sunday of the month. All the big galleries are free to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
What do you want to see on this site?
By Doreen B.
May 19th, 2006
May is such a great month to travel to Athens because of the perfect weather conditions. Lots of sunshine and temperatures around 24°C. If that is were you will be this weekend, I am envious.
A weekend does not give you much time to sight see but if you take a little walk through the centre of Athens its enough to rejuvenate your sense of well being. The city offers you the luxury of been transported back in history just by being there.
While you are there you should check out the 51st Eurovision Song Contest. It is being held at the Olympic Stadium’s Indoor Hall which is part of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. This is situated at Maroussi, northeast of Athens. The name of the street is Kifisias Avenue. The final is on Saturday 20th May.
The Eurovision Contest was established in 1956 by a French music producer in the hope that it would bring the different European countries closer together but alas, I am afraid there is very little genuine togetherness. If you have watched this contest over the years like I have, you will agree with me that the contest has done little to unite Europe. There are too many ancient grudges among the countries. They don’t seem to be able to suppress their feelings of distate for one another. Indeed, they seem to have no intention of shrugging off the past.
With all the tactical voting and down right obvious back scratching taking place as it does every year, the continent has little hope of singing from the same page. I firmly believe that every year, the outcome is sadly and seriously skewed. On the bright side, I find it very very entertaining! If I were in Athens this weekend, that’s where I would be!
What say you?
by Doreen B.
May 19th, 2006
When you decide to travel across the channel, you never consider that you might need to be concerned about vaccinations but it is a good idea to check with your local health practice. For example, did you know that Western Europe recently had an outbreak of measles and mumps? Denmark, Germany, Greece,Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine were all on the list of Western European Countries that had an outbreak (in 2005/2006) of measles and mumps.
If you would prefer to do your own research on the net before you travel, try this site ‘Centres for Disease Control and Prevention‘. You can make up your own reports about health risks and vaccine requirements for whatever country you are travelling to. Click on this Spot to make your own list.
Tell us if you want more information like this.
By Doreen B.
May 14th, 2006
If you are planning a trip to Hawaii this year, try and get in on the action. A Phoenix-based carrier (Mesa Air Group Inc) plans to start an inter-island service in June and the fairs are dirt cheap. Try $39 for a one-way trip!
Even if you can’t get onto the new airline GO!, you stand a good chance of getting these rock bottom prices from the other airlines. Both Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines have matched GO’s low air fares. It looks like Hawaii is in for a fare war!
The new Inter-Island service with Go! starts in June and the service runs between Honolulu and Kahului, and Kona and Lihue. Hilo will be added to the service at the end of June. Check out their website: www.iflygo.com
Mesa is hoping to survive in Hawaii, where other start up carriers have failed. If you want to know what else they own, here it is: They have a fleet of 180 aircraft and operate for major carriers like America West Express, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. They do also fly independently as Mesa Airlines.
by Doreen B
May 12th, 2006
The news that Hawaii is planning to have a ferry service between the main Islands is great in my opinion. From my personal experience, there was not much beauty to be seen from 20.000 feet in the air. I know that if Hawaii had a ferry services, I would have been on it like a shot. Hawaii has a lot to offer tourists in the ‘Beauty’ department. Trust me I have been there and experienced it first hand. In my opinion a ferry service will provide scenic trips for tourists and also be a form of connection for the Islanders.
The plan is to have a Superferry running from Honolulu, on the island of Oahu to Maui and Kauai by July 2007. Initially it will only be one ferry and then by 2009 they hope to have a second boat connecting Honolulu to Big Island.
The Superferry will start the service with the first boat equal in size to the length of a football field. They will run daily from Honolulu to Maui and Kauai and carry up to 900 passengers and 250 cars. The cost will be in the region of $42 per person for a single trip and $55 per vehicle. Although the ferry trip from Honolulu to Maui will take around 3 hours compared to a 40 minute plane trip, the argument is that the ferry service will cater for a totally different clientele to that of the airlines.
The ferry service is a great idea but that is just my personal opinion from first hand experience. New Zealand has ferry services running to various Islands around the main land like, the Stewart Island, Great Barrier Island, Rangitoto Islands and Waiheke. They also connect the North and South Island by ferry. It works well for them so it should work in Hawaii.
What do you think?
by Doreen B
May 12th, 2006
Torremolinos is destined for big things! If this is one of your favoured destinations then you have something grand to look forward to. The Mayor, Pedro Fernández was proud to announce that they are getting set to build the first five star hotel in Torremolinos. It should be ready by the summer of 2009 and has been described as the most important tourist investment in the town for more than 30 years. It will cost in the region of 120 million € and will be named the Cruiser Hotel Tres Carabelas. You will find it on the site of the old Melía hotel.
May 9th, 2006
If you are thinking of booking a Safari to Kenya, and this is your first trip to Africa, I thought I would give you some sound advice about Kenya.
There is no strict dress codes in Kenya but you should be aware that the coastal areas of the country are predominantly Muslim. I say play it safe and dress conservatively when you venture away from the tourist resorts and hotels. You don’t want to offend the local people.
Of special note is that homosexual activity is illegal in Kenya. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of the law, so it is best to keep your private lives behind closed doors.
Other sensible travel advice to follow is to avoid travelling after dark in isolated places. Avoid carrying valuables or wearing flashy expensive jewellery in public places and try not to carry credit cards or cash cards around with you unless you really have to. Keep them in your safe at the hotel and finally, always ask for identification if you are stopped by the police. Thieves are known to pose as police officers.
I would generally follow these basic rules for most parts of Africa. I was born and raised in Africa and whenever I go back, I still consider the basic common sense tourist guide lines.
Steve
May 5th, 2006
Just keeping you in touch with some travel stuff. If you don’t already know what Ryanair is up to, we suggest you check out their latest offers on the new routes which start in October 2006.
Ryanair has announced 9 new routes. Here are your new choices: From its base in Frankfurt Hahn they are offering flights to Granada and Murcia in Spain, Trieste and Veronato in Italy, Krakow and Wroclaw in Poland, in Lithuania they are flying to Kaunus and lastly they are flying to Marrakesh and Fez in Morocco.
Check out the Ryanair site because they are also increasing the number of flights a day to London and they are offering some really really really low prices!
by Doreen B
May 5th, 2006
I mentioned yesterday in my blog that Air Berlin has started new low cost flights to Malaga. I though I would just add more information for you.
Air Berlin is the third largest low-cost airline in Europe. On May 2nd 2006 they launched flights from Belfast City Airport to 7 new destinations around Europe. This will be run from Stansted Airport in London as Air Berlins base is at Stansted. These will be scheduled flights leaving every morning and evening on week days and a flight on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Air Berlin intends providing this service for both business people and holiday clients. The cost is said to be from £19 one way from Belfast to Stansted and £29 from Stansted to most European destinations. The destinations include; Northern Ireland, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Leipzig, Munster/Osnabruck, Nuremberg, Paderborn and Vienna.
The best thing about this low-cost airline is that you still get full service. They offer free food and drinks, air miles, baggage transfers for connecting flights and flight flexibility. You can book directly with Air Berlin online or you can use the travel agents or book by phone: 0870 738 88 80. One of my biggest problems with flying low cost is that you have to either buy food before you board or you are stuck with the food they offer (very limited choice I might add) and the prices are extortionate.
What say you?
by Doreen B.
May 4th, 2006
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