Tighter controls on cruise ships are being called for after the inexperienced captain of a tourist vessel almost caused a Titanic-like disaster in the Antarctic.A report into the sinking of the MV Explorer found that an 'inexperienced and overconfident' captain drove the ship too fast towards 'a wall of ice', according to The Independent.The fact that no-one died in the incident was put down to good fortune and unusually benign weather by...more
Britain's leading travel companies have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer demanding an end to Air Passenger Duty (APD) and better financial protection for airline passengers.The letter, from ABTA to Alistair Darling, includes a 5-point plan to help British holidaymakers and travel firms survive the recession. According to recent surveys, the economic downturn means 15% fewer Britons will travel abroad this year. Travel companies believe...more
Leaving the holiday plans of dozens of Britons in tatters. Though the administrators, Ernst & Young, have promised cruises on Hebridean Princess will continue as planned, an early pledge by the cruise company to refund passengers booked on a larger ship, the Hebridean Spirit, has been withdraw.The 98-passenger Hebridean Spirit was sold in March, prior to the administrators being called in, and customers were originally given the option of a full refund or switching to the Princess.The administrators are now advising anyone booked on Spirit to contact the Civil Aviation Authority for a possible refund. In a statement, Ernst and Young said: "Customers should also check their travel insurance policy since it may provide cover for the cancellation."The type of cover provided will vary according to the type of policy taken out. Your policy may cover the complete or partial cost of the original booking purchased."If you paid by credit card, you may also be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You should check with your credit card provider for further advice."The administrators have secured funding to continue operating the 49-passenger Princess, which was chartered...more
More than a third of 1,500 people polled by online travel agency On the Beach planned to downgrade their hotel this year, while half said they would cut back on excursions, water sports and trips to theme parks.Almost a third said they would take just one week away this summer instead of the traditional two-week break. Only one in 10 people said...more
Avis is to become the first car rental firm to charge customers for no shows.Those who don't cancel prior to the allocated pick up time, or don't turn up within 24 hours thereafter, will be charged £40.The charges will start to apply to Avis rental locations across Europe throughout this year. Customers will be asked for a form of payment at the...more
Britons have been warned not to travel to Bangkok after the Thailand government declared a state of emergency in the capital city.The UK Foreign Office urged anyone planning a trip to 'urgently review their plans' after gangs of anti-government protests swarmed through Bangkok smashing cars, blocking roads and beating up motorists.Last weekend, armoured vehicles and soldiers were ordered onto the streets to try to restore law and order. Advice on the Foreign Office website reads: "In view of the deteriorating security situation anyone considering going to Bangkok should urgently review their plans."British residents in, and visitors to, Bangkok are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place and to stay indoors as far as possible."More than 800, 000 Britons visit Thailand every year, though the majority by-pass Bangkok and head straight to the beach resorts in the south or the jungle in the north of the country.Though areas outside Bangkok remain relatively peaceful, there have been recent political demonstrations in Pattaya, the country's largest beach resort, and in the provinces.The Foreign office has not advised against travel to Thailand's beach resorts or...more
Dubai Real Estate market has been popular among one of the top real estate investors in the world today. Discovery Gardens, International City and Dubai Sports City has made a global impact on the world real estate market and there by attracting...more
Rome is one of the most historic cities in the world, with museums and monuments that date back for thousands of years. Finding holidays apartments in Rome can be accomplished by using a service that offers apartments around the city. With apartments...more
Going on a vacation is, for most people, something they look forward to and plan for upwards of a year. The thought of anything going wrong is cause for much anxiety. Sometimes in peoples desire to book the "foolproof" vacation they out smart...more
Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of renting a private residence for their vacation, although with a little help they could and should be. Here are a few tips on how to over come some concerns about how and why renting private homes in...more
Kerala Tours in true terms fulfill one's dream to experience a perfect vacation set in solitude amidst the lush natural settings of God's own country. The beauty of Kerala is indeed mesmerizing and has the ability to transform the sternest individual...more
With the contemporary emphasis on the Middle East, Arabic Translation, transcription and editing have become big business. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the translations produced are at best inaccurate, and in many cases incomprehensible,...more