The Travel Journal - travel news

Passenger leaves a plane by emergency exit

2008-07-07T15:35:00.004+01:00

One of the first class passengers on Delta flight from New York to Guyana got so angry that the economy passengers were leaving the aircraft before him, that he… opened emergency doors and slid down the slide.

Delta Airlines plans to file charges against the man.

For once, I am speechless.

Refunds from BA and Virgin

2008-07-07T12:24:00.001+01:00

This week British Airways and Virgin Atlantic start the ‘refund advertising campaign’. Both airlines were ordered to do so by US court who found them guilty of fix surcharges.

Passengers who travelled long-haul flights with BA or Virgin Atlantic between August 11, 2004, and March 23, 2006, might be able to claim between £4 and £20 for a return trip for a ticket purchased in the UK and between $7 and $34 for the US.

A black cab to conquer the world?

2008-07-07T10:46:00.003+01:00

Manganese Bronze, the manufacturer of iconic London’s cabs is developing a new ‘zero emission urban taxi’ model which is hoped to appeal to worldwide audience.

There supposed to be around 3,000 international orders placed for the black cab, with first 500 to be supplied in early 2009.

So do not be too shocked if you usual New York’s yellow taxi is a black one indeed.

British Airways plane turned around back to Belgrade

2008-07-03T16:33:00.001+01:00

Panic set on a British Airways flight Belgrade and London when passengers smelled foul odour. Fearing a terrorist attack, the captain turned plane around back to Belgrade, where aircraft was evacuated.

After last of the screaming passengers left the plane, the investigators started their examination expecting a leakage of some sort of acidic chemicals. Thankfully, upon further investigation, the source of suspicious odour was narrowed down to a package of curry.

What a curry on!

Hotels in USA in statistics

2008-07-02T12:16:00.002+01:00

With pound standing strong against the dollar more people consider taking their holidays in US. So what can you expect from an average hotel in USA? According to American Hotel & Lodging Association :

91% offer Internet (15% hotels charge for it, and of those, 75% to 91% of them fit into the luxury to up upscale category)
82% have refrigerator in the room
75% have a computer in the lobby for guest use
70% offer a free newspaper
67% have weekend specials
66% offer healthy meals
58% have outdoor swimming pools
56% allow pets, and of those, 67% charge extra for your four-legged family member.
48% offer vegan meals
47% have indoor swimming pools
43% have flat-screen TVs
40% have only non-smoking rooms
25% have allergy-free rooms

On the other hand, there was a 9% drop in hotels offering free breakfast compered to last survey carried out two years ago and more hotels are charging for late cancellation.

Visas to China double the price

2008-07-02T11:24:00.004+01:00

As Beijing Olympics are approaching, China has increased the cost of their tourist visa.

The standard single entry visa remains at £30 per person, but now there is an "application service fee" at £35.25 per person (£47 for express service).

The Chinese Embassy explains the risen fees by the necessity to outsource some of the administrative work associated with issuing visas. From now on, the new visa applications will have to be submitted to the "Chinese Visa Application Service Centre" (CVASC).

New York City Waterfalls

2008-07-02T10:55:00.002+01:00

Tourists visiting New York this summer have an unique chance to admire four waterfalls by Danish artists Olafur Eliasson. 90 to 120 feet tall structures are located along the East River waterfronts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The New York City Waterfalls will be disabled in October. More information can be found on
The New York City Waterfalls website

Wizz Air to operate in Ukraine

2008-07-02T10:20:00.003+01:00

Wizz Air finally received approval to operate in Ukraine.

The new service will run on domestic routes from July, linking Kiev with Odessa, Simferopol and Lviv. The cheapest one way ticket will cost around £18.

Wizz Air is planning to open an international link from Kiev later on this year.

FCO advice obn travel to United Arab Emirated

2008-06-19T10:01:00.002+01:00

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises high vigilance while travelling United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Its website reads:

There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

Full information is available on FCO's United Arab Emirates page, to follow, please click here.

Sphinxes avenue and new pyramid discovered

2008-06-06T13:21:00.003+01:00

The missing section of Sphinxes avenue and new pyramid has been found in Cairo at Saqqara area.

According to Farouk Hosni, Egypt’s minister of culture, the avenue was mentioned in Roman manuscripts and documents unearthed beside the Serapeum, the necropolis of the Apis bulls at Saqqara.

The newly discovered pyramid might be dated back to the Old Kingdom. Despite the lack of cartouche, Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities believes that it may belong to King Menkauhor of the Fifth Dynasty, which would make it almost 4500 years old.

New regulations for travel to U.S.

2008-06-06T12:05:00.005+01:00

From 12th of January 2009 all flying to U.S. under the visa waiver programme will have to register their details online with the U.S. Government at least three days before travel.

Australia, Japan and most countries in Western Europe; including UK are involved in the US Visa Waiver Programme. It is said, that passengers will have to supply the same information they now include on immigration forms they have to fill in before entering the U.S. The online registration supposed to be valid for two years.

Spot the difference

2008-05-30T16:38:00.002+01:00

Description: Ginza Tokyo. The big cat is a giant advertising of the Chanel shop which was under construction
Location: Ginza Tokyo, Japan
Credit: Eric Lafforgue
Source

Guys night out... kind off.

2008-05-30T16:10:00.006+01:00

For those who have enough ado about Sex and the City, the Four Seasons in New York has perfect solution; wait for it … "It's-Not-All-About-Sex-and-the-City" package created exclusively for man.

For cool $2000 a night one will be able to enjoy:

- One round of "anything but Cosmos" in The Bar
- Steak Dinner in 57 Restaurant*
- Complimentary DVD library featuring Rambo, Die Hard and Full Metal Jacket
- "Clog Your Arteries" breakfast the following morning in the guestroom or one of the hotel's dining outlets
- Double-bedded accommodations

Am I the only one who thinks this is a conspiracy of Manolo’s devotees, who through the sneaky use of the 'open' bar and cholesterol want to dominate the world?

British Airways increases fares by up to £60

2008-05-30T15:41:00.005+01:00

More grim news on flights prices. From 3rd of June, British Airways will increase their surcharges due to soaring fuel prices.

The surcharges on long-haul flights over nine hours will increase by £30 each way and on long-haul flights under nine hours will rise by £15 each way. The short-haul surcharge will rise by £3 per each way.

Silverjet ceased operations today

2008-05-30T15:15:00.003+01:00

Silverjet, the all-business-class airline, which flew from Luton to New York and Dubai, ceased operations today.

Travellers who book through the travel agents or bought a ticket as part of a package can expect a full refund.

British Airways has offered Silverjet passengers the chance to re-book flights from Heathrow and will waive both its advance-purchase and Saturday-night stay rules to reduce the cost of re-booking.

Virgin Atlantic offers the Upper Class fares of £759 one-way to Dubai and £899 to New York with proof of a purchased Silverjet ticket.

Customers should contact their travel agent or visit the CAA website at atol.org.uk.

European Commission

2008-05-27T15:42:00.001+01:00

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan that would become known as 'Euro-English'.

In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard 'c' will be dropped in favour of k'. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced with 'f'. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent 'e' in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' with z' and 'w' with 'v'.

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

OK, who managed to the fifth year? ;)

Ryanair's is rising extra charges yet again... again

2008-05-22T12:06:00.003+01:00

Ryanair announced changes to its optional priority boarding service which allows passengers to be first to board their flights. From June 3 all passengers flying with Ryanair will be required to pay £4 for priority boarding; this includes passengers checking-in online who till then checked-in free.

Skyway robbery

2008-05-19T11:30:00.005+01:00

The American Airlines has joined other major U.S. airlines in charging a fee for checking a second bag on domestic flights.

Charges range from $25-$50 for the second bag, depending on the airline, also charges for oversized bags - such as surf boards and golf clubs - and heavy (over 50 pounds) have risen.

2008-05-19T11:14:00.004+01:00

Should you be travelling in America this month, you might be in luck for some free buzz.

On Wednesdays in May in June, on selected flights to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, Virgin America will serve their passengers two free cocktails.

Your boarding pass will also ‘open bar’ for you in Tao Lounge, XYZ bars and The Venitian.

Please see the promo page for further details, including dozens of pages in fine print.

First Class, Business Class, Economy Class, … Loo Class?

2008-05-14T15:06:00.003+01:00

The New Yorker flying with JetBlue from New York to San Diego on a “buddy pass” - a standby travel voucher that JetBlue employees give to friends – was forced to give his seat to flight attendant and told by the pilot to sit in a… toilet.

When passenger objected, he was told by the pilot that "he was the pilot, that this was his plane, under his command that (passenger) should be grateful for being on board,"

For some reason now the passenger is suing the JetBlue airline for $2 million.

And who was laughing at the Hale&Pace's 'Yorkshire Airlines', ha? But do not worry, we do not sell JetBlue tickets, you are safe… for now at least ;)

Lebanon travel warning

2008-05-09T16:07:00.004+01:00

Britons have been warned by the Foreign Office against any travel to Lebanon amid running gunbattles in parts of Beirut.

Official travel advice was hardened, and those already in the country told to exercise "particular vigilance" and avoid troublespots.

The fighting between rival groups has led to the closure of the capital's international airport as well as some major roads.

The full text reads:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office today changed its Travel Advice for Lebanon. Due to ongoing violent clashes between rival groups in Beirut, the closure of Beirut International Airport and the blockage of some other major roads we now advise against all travel to Lebanon. The relevant summary points now read:

“We advise against all travel to Lebanon. The violent exchanges on the streets of Beirut and elsewhere between opposition and pro-government groups, which began on 7 May, continue to pose a danger to bystanders. If you are currently in Lebanon you should exercise particular vigilance at this time and wherever possible avoid areas where there has been fighting in recent days. You should ensure that you are content with your personal security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, including by regularly monitoring this travel advice. See the political section of this advice for more details.

You may find difficulty in travelling into or out of Lebanon. Beirut International Airport is currently inaccessible. The road to the Al Masna crossing (to Damascus) has been blocked at frequent intervals in the last two days. The road to the north (via Tripoli) and the northern crossings at Arida and Aboudieh remain clear. Roads to Syria are also subject to closure. British passport holders wishing to leave Lebanon can purchase a visa for Syria at the Lebanon/Syria border. Please seek local advice before attempting to leave by this means. See the Political Situation and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details”

Read the full travel advice for Lebanon

FCO Travel Advice can also be obtained on the following telephone number: 0845 850 2829.

FCO Travel Advice is kept under constant review. This advice is based on our latest assessment of the situation in Lebanon

Most luxurious hotel to be built t in Antalya

2008-05-06T09:50:00.004+01:00

An hotel being constructed by in southern province of Antalya's Aksu region is set to surpass world's most luxurious hotel in Dubai namely Burj al-Arab.

Mardan Istanbul Palace is expected to re-define the concept of luxury in hotels throughout the globe.

Rooms in Mardan Istanbul Palace will be rented for fees ranging from 400 USD to 20,000 Euros.

The hotel will have 500 rooms. 70 percent of all rooms will be 60-70 square meters large. Standard rooms will be 45-50 square meters large while double-bedrooms will be 200 square meters large.

In addition, there will be 20 villas each 100 square meters large and king suites on top floor of the hotel, each 2,500 square meters large.

The swimming pool, which will resemble the Istanbul Strait –Bosphorus, will be 24,000 square meters large and will be the world's second biggest swimming pool. The pool will be surrounded by restaurants.

Interior decoration of the hotel is being made by Zeynep Fadillioglu. All decorative materials resemble historical artifacts from the Ottoman era. Ismailov paid 80,000 Euros for a single sofa dating back the Ottoman era.

While the main body of the hotel will resemble the Dolmabahce Palace, the garden floor will resemble the Covered Bazaar.

Lesbos in court over 'lesbians'

2008-05-01T11:06:00.004+01:00

When hearing the word ‘lesbian’, do you think of the geographical destination or sexual orientation?

Well, that’s the point three people from Lesbos are trying to make by taking a gay rights group to court for using the word ‘lesbian’ in its name. According to one of the plaintiffs, the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians.

My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said.

So here you go, not all Lesbians like lesbians. I am trying hard to feel sorry of either of the groups, but I just cannot stop laughing at the idea of the court case :D Very un-pc of me.

$1m palm tree

2008-05-01T10:45:00.002+01:00

Scientists in Ivory Coast are trying to sell a coconut tree for 1 million dollars.
The tree is botanical curiosity as most of coconut palms have single trunk and head, but this one has three.

Even though the tree is for sale to fund the further research, the idea is just bananas, isn’t it?

Source and photo: BBC

Open wide!

2008-04-30T13:02:00.002+01:00

Description: A worker cleans a large model crocodile in preparation for a live crocodile show opening next month in Manila April 28, 2008.
Location: Manila, Philippines
Credit: REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
Source