Summer 2010 now on sale

After a long wait The Travel Times, The World Travel Blog is pleased to announce that the major UK tour operators launched their Summer 2010 brochures this week.

Summer brochures for the following year are normally released in May, but this year were postponed until now due to the economic crisis.

Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Airtours are all now on sale and the smaller independent tour operators are sure to follow suit shortly.

Many of the operators are now offering redundancy cover allowing you to cancel your booking if you are made redundant. It is hoped that this coupled with early booking discounts and free child places will entice you to book your 2010 travel plans in advance.

The Travel Times, The World Travel Blog would like to know whether you feel confident enough to book in advance, or whether you plan to wait in hope that there will be some summer 2010 last minute bargains.

Please leave your comments below.

Free Travel Advice

The Travel Times, The World Travel Blog is now offering free travel advice. If you need advice on destinations, local currency, hotel reccommendations or even a general Travel Guide, The Travel Times is here to help.

We have a vast amount of experience gained through working for many years within the retail Travel Industry. We also have access to a range of travel resources giving the most up to date travel information and Travel Guides.

Just leave a comment with your question and email address and The Travel Times will do it's best to get back to you ASAP with the required information.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sandals Offer Extended

The Travel Times, The World Travel Blog is delighted to report that Sandals have extended their excellent 2 for 1 offer which we posted on earlier this month.

Bookings can now been made up until the 17th June 2009 to the ultimate all inclusive holiday experience, for departures throughout 2009 and 2010.

The Travel Times recomends that you should book your dream holiday with either Kuoni, Funway Holiday or Caribtours.

If you have been to a Sandals property before, The Travel Times would like to hear what you thought. Please leave your comments below.

The Kuoni 35% Summer Sale

This year Kuoni have launched their biggest Summer Sale in 100 years. You can save up to 35% on holidays with the award winning tour operator.

Kuoni is one of The Travel Times favourite tour operators who we would recommend to any of our readers.

Choose from a large selection of holidays to luxury far away destinations such as Thailand, The Middle East and the Caribbean. All bookings must be made by the 28th June 2009 and valid departure dates vary from destination to destination.

To book your dream holiday today simply click on one of the Kuoni adverts on this post to take you directly to the Kuoni booking website.

Be sure to let The Travel Times World Travel Blog know if you manage to snap up a bargain!

50% Off Sandals Holidays

The Travel Times World Travel Blog often stumbles across fantastic travel deals and today we are writing about Sandals – The Caribbean’s ultra all-inclusive holiday experience.

As recently featured in the UK press, Funway Holidays are offering a massive 50% off Sandals and Beaches luxury Caribbean holidays.

Sandals is a couples paradise and blends excellent hotels in exotic locations with fine dining and relaxation. Unwind by daytime beside one of the hotels many pools, sip a cocktail on the beach and then by evening enjoy gourmet candlelit dining for two.

All Sandals properties are situated on beautiful beaches and destinations include Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua and the Bahamas.

The Travel Times has included some sample packages below all of which can be booked at http://www.funwayholidays.co.uk/

Other offers are also available and valid for departures between 7th June 2009 and 24th March 2010. Flights are from Gatwick and Heathrow with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. All 50% off holidays are based on 7 night stays.

St Lucia (based on travel 7th September - 13th October 2009)Sandals Halcyon Beach St Lucia, Paradise Pool Premium Room7 nights from only £999 per person! WAS £1998 pp!

Jamaica (based on travel 18th January - 24th March 2010)Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Golf Resort, Honeymoon Luxury Cottage Room7 nights from only £1099 per person! WAS £2198 pp!

Antigua (based on travel 18th January - 24th March 2010)Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa - Caribbean Grove, Honeymoon Veranda Junior Suite7 nights from only £1369 per person! WAS £2738 pp!

Turks & Caicos (based on travel 1st September - 16th December 2009)Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, French Village Luxury Walkout Room7 nights from only £1395 per person! WAS £2790 pp!

All prices include return non-stop flights, 7 nights accommodation, luxury included basis, return airport transfers, all air & hotel taxes and fuel surcharges.
Please note that prices are subject to availability and change. This offer ends on the 10th June 2009.

If you have stayed at a Sandals hotel The Travel Times would love to hear about your experience. Just leave a comment below.

Air France Passenger Jet Missing

The Travel Times World Travel Blog understands today that an Air France passenger jet carrying 228 people and 12 crew has gone missing. The jet dropped off the radar over the Atlantic coast of Brazil, a Paris airport official confirmed.


"We are very worried," he said. "The plane disappeared from the screens several hours ago.

"It could be a transponder problem, but this kind of fault is very rare and the plane did not land when expected."


Contact was lost with the plane – flight AF447 at 6am GMT after it took off from Rio heading for Paris. It was due to land in the French capital at 9.10am GMT. Airport authorities have set up a 'crisis cell' at Charles de Gaulle.

British Nuns Arrested In Crete

It has been reported in the British media today that 17 men from Bristol appeared in a Crete court for dressing as Nuns.

The men also wearing ladies underwear were on a night out as part of a football tour, when they were arrested and spent a night in a prison cell on bank holiday Monday.

Ranging in age from late teens to early 60's the shocked tourists were arrested for causing scandal and misrepresenting a uniform. Charges were later dropped and the Nuns ran free to enjoy the rest of their holiday.

Do you have a funny holiday story, if so why not share it with The Travel Times World Travel Blog.

Mexico - Would You Go?

The recent outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico now seems to be contained, but how much has it affected our confidence in travelling to the country.

With the major UK tour operators declaring ‘Business As Usual’ for holidays to the destination and prices at an all time low, The Travel Times is asking would you go?

I have done some research and found 7 night all inclusive deals at a four star a hotel including flights from as little as £370 per person. If I was available I would snap it up as it represents excellent value for money and an opportunity to visit a beautiful country.

The Travel Times World Travel Blog would be interested to hear your thoughts on this? Have you snapped up one of these bargains or are you avoiding Mexico like the Plague??!

Leave your comments below.

Making Sense of Ryanair

Ryanair have once again been grabbing the attention of the media as calculating the total cost of a flight becomes ever more confusing.

All seems well when you log-on to the Ryanair website and enter your search criteria. You are presented with some very attractive fares including taxes, but don’t be fooled! Once you progress to the next stage and you add on the baggage charge, the online check in charge and the card payment charge, you would be forgiven for thinking you had purchased shares in the not so Low-Cost Airline.

Further confusion is caused if you are unable to check in online and you will find your self throwing more of your hard earned cash in to the Ryanair coffers. Check in at the airport now means you have to pay £40 to re-issue your boarding pass, a truly memorable Low-Cost travel experience.

The Travel Times World Travel Blog would love to hear about your personal experiences with Ryanair, just add a comment to this post.

Beat The Eurozone

With the Euro rate barely rising above 1.10 Euros to the Pound, many of us are looking to non Euro-Zone countries when arranging our travel plans for summer 2009.

Over the coming weeks the travel industry is expecting a huge surge in demand for late deals and holiday bargains as advance holiday bookings have been slow.

In this post we are listing The Travel Times Free Travel Blog Top 10 non Euro-Zone holiday destinations, their local currency and links to holiday companies featuring these destinations.

1) Turkey - A popular destination with UK holiday makers for many years. The local currency is Turkish Lira and you can expect a rate of around 2.27 Lira to the Pound.

For great holidays to Turkey check out http://www.anatoliansky.co.uk/

2) Bulgaria – A relatively new beach holiday destination for British Tourists. Be careful as some coastal resorts in recent years have been subject to heavy building works as they look to improve tourist areas. The local currency is the Bulgarian Lev and you should get around 2.04 Lev to the Pound.

You will find excellent Bulgarian holiday deals available at http://www.balkanholidays.co.uk/

3) Croatia – A country with beautiful architecture, unspoilt islands and vibrant cities. The local currency is the Croatian Kuna and your can expect around 7.73 Kuna to the pound.

Search for your holiday to Croatia at http://www.holidayoptions.co.uk/

4) The Gambia – Friendly people, rich in culture, excellent beaches and only 5 hours flying time from the UK. The local currency is the Gambian Dalasi and £1 will get you around 40 Dalasi.

Find great deals to the Gambia at http://www.gambia.co.uk/

5) Cape Verde - 10 Islands, all unique and mainly unspoilt. Only in the last few years have there been direct flights from the UK to Cape Verde, making it a new and exciting destination. The currency is the Cape Verde Escudo and can only be purchased on the islands.

To start planning your trip visit http://www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk/

6) Egypt - Culture, Deserts, Beaches, Pyramids, Diving, History, Mummies and the list goes on making Egypt a diverse and fascinating destination. £1 will buy you roughly 7.73 Egyptian Pounds.

Plan your trip to Egypt at http://www.peltours.com/

7) Tunisia – The perfect place to sample a traditional camel ride, take a dessert safari or simply relax on the beach enjoying the Arabian sun. Tunisian Dinar is the local currency and only available to purchase in Tunisia.

Check out some great deals to Tunisia at www.thomascook.com/panorama

8) Morocco – A land of Contrast with where crowded beaches meet the vast Sahara dessert and local markets buzz with activity. £1 gets you roughly 13 Moroccan Durham’s but this can only be purchased in the country itself.

Search for your Moroccan holiday at http://www.cadoganholidays.com/

9) Northern Cyprus – The Turkish side of Cyprus and quickly becoming very popular with UK tourists seeking a historical beach holiday. The currency here is Turkish Lira and the rate is roughly 2.27 to the Pound.

Search for your Northern Cyprus holiday at http://www.anatoliansky.co.uk/

10) Blighty – Remember there are plenty of beautiful and fascinating destinations here in the UK to explore. The experts are predicting a great summer so why not holiday at home?

Be inspired take a look at http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/

I hope this post has been informative and that you enjoy your summer holiday wherever it may be. Most currency rates used in this post were sourced from http://www.travelex.co.uk/

The Travel Times News

You can now also find great travel tips and advice from The Travel Times at

http://www.trazzler.com

You can check out our latest tips on the following direct link

http://www.trazzler.com/users/kevin.partridge

Trazzler is a great site where travellers and wanna-be travel writers share their favourite travel experiences. A monthly theme is created and writers are asked to write a 'trip' with the chance of winning $200 and a freelance writing contract.

We will also be publishing all of our Trazzler trips on the blog so happy reading.

Pirates Strike MSC Cruise Ship

Following on from my post earlier this year when Somalian Pirates attacked a Fred Olsen cruise ship, they have struck again!

This time the victim was MSC ship 'Melody' whilst on a 22 day cruise from Durban to Genoa. Despite the ship altering her course she was attacked 600 miles off the Somalian coast at 7.35pm local time on Saturday.

Gun fire caused minor damage to the ship which was carrying 994 passengers and around 500 crew. Due to recent attacks on a US cargo ship the Melody chose to sail further from the coast than normal, adding an extra 400 miles to the journey and also cancelling a planned stop at the port of Safga in Egypt.

A spokeswoman for MSC confirmed Israeli security guards on board the ship had expelled the pirates. Passengers were asked to remain in their cabins and there were no injuries reported. The owner of MSC Gianluigi Aponte praised his staff for their professionalism during a critical situation.

Racing through the streets of Bangkok on a Tuk-Tuk ride

Travelling to Bangkok and not taking a Tuk-Tuk ride is like travelling to London and not experiencing the Underground.

In exchange for a few coins, you step aboard what can only be described as a motorised Rickshaw and your driver will treat you to the most exciting form of public transport you will have ever experienced.

Like a real life game of Cat and Mouse your Tuk-Tuk scurries through the traffic seeking the quickest route to your destination. Hold on to your seat as you weave through back streets and don't be surprised if your driver offers to take you t his brothers shop en-route to purchase souvenir's.

You arrive at your destination safe in the knowledge that if you had taken a cab you would have arrived atleast ten minutes later.

Gazing at Kauai from above

As only 10 percent of Kauai is accessible by road, it comes as no surprise that a helicopter trip is the best way to explore this beautiful paradise, known as the 'Garden Island'.

Fly as the crow flies over cascading waterfalls that glisten under the Polynesian sun. Meander through the valleys of the Waimea canyon, catching glimpses of the distant ocean as you rise above the mountainous landscape.

Climb towards the peaks of Mount Waialeale, said to be one of the wettest places on Earth, before making your descent towards the Napali coast with its pristine beaches, a masterpiece created by the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.

After experiencing a Roller Coaster ride of natural wonder you head back with lasting memories of your aerial adventure.

Sinking a Singapore Sling in The Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, Singapore

There is no better place to sink a Singapore Sling other than the Bar in which it was invented. Step into the Long Bar at the iconic Raffles Hotel and journey back to Singapore's colonial past.

Revel in the atmosphere as tourists review their Singapore experiences and Expats reminisce their war-time exploits.

Relax in a bamboo chair, under the cooling breeze of wicker fans swaying on the ceiling above, as you sip your famous cocktail.

In a city where dropping litter is a crime, the Long Bar has a custom where it is tradition to throw peanut shells on the floor- A surreal yet enjoyable experience.

Cruise Holidays Best Value In 2009

Many UK holidaymakers are warming to the idea of a cruise holiday in 2009 to avoid losing out on the poor Euro rate.

As we are all fully aware, travel to Euro-Zone countries in 2009 is going to be expensive with the rate rarely moving above 1.050 to the pound.

Holidays with British Cruise Lines offer a cost effective alternative as the currency used on board is Sterling. This means drinks are comparative to UK pub prices and you can pay for your excursions without having to worry about the rate of exchange.

P&O, Cunard and Fred Olsen are offering a huge range of itineraries in 2009 including trips to the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and the Canary Islands.

So if you have never tried a cruise, now seems to be the best time!

NCL to pull out of Southampton

This week brought the news that NCL Freestyle Cruising will stop operating sailings from Southampton in 2009. As a result the Norwegian Jade will be based in Barcelona and the Norwegian Gem will sail from Venice.

There is huge competition with many new ships entering service from 2010 which could have influenced NCL'S decision.


The Norwegian Jewell will continue to offer its Baltic itinerary from Dover.

Benidorm Clubbing Paradise Vs Gods Waiting Room

Benidorm- The epicentre of everything that is British in Spain. Fish and Chips, Sunday Roast, British Tabloid Press, Sun wrinkled groups of bridge playing pensioners and of course drink induced party animals.

British pensioners tend to migrate to the warmer climes of Benidorm at the start of November when it becomes too cold for their limbs to operate in the UK. They then hibernate at one of the resorts large hotel blocks until it is safe to return home in spring. During their stay, in the daytime they enjoy leisurely promenade walks, green bowling and a traditional siesta (afternoon nap!). Nights are spent around a bridge table or wailing out their favourite hits on Dave's Karaoke.

In contrast the summer months attract a different breed of British tourist. From May to October Benidorm is graced by British teenagers seeking the ultimate clubbing holiday experience. The likes of Club 18-30 lure the British youth with the promise of Sun, Sea, Sex and an all round drunken unconscious blur. Days for most are spent recovering from the night before on a sunbed until the reps round them up for another evening of drunken euphoria.


So on the whole Benidorm is a great destination for all ages. Just make sure you pick the right time of year to visit.

Man Overboard!

Yes it was a case quite literally of Man overboard earlier this week in the port of Palma, Majorca. A passenger on MSC cruise ship Fantasia had to be rescued from the water after a gangway collapsed due to strong winds on the Spanish island.

The man was rescued by members of the ships crew and then taken to hospital to recover from the shock of the incident.

Strong winds caused mooring bits on the pier to come loose and the ship strayed away from the quay resulting in the gangway collapsing.

The ship was later moved to a different port and a spokeswoman from MSC cruises confirmed that the company had lodged a formal complaint to the port authority.

The ship was in the middle of an eight night Mediterranean itinerary.

Pirates Strike Again!

The last thing you expect when sailing the seas on a luxury cruise liner is to be targeted by Captain Hook! Well that's exactly what some UK cruisers experienced earlier this week.

Reports have emerged over the last couple of days that Fred Olsen Cruise liner 'Balmoral' was targeted by Pirates on the 3rd March 2009 in the waters off Somalia. According to the U.K publication Metro, the Balmoral reported "suspicious" activity after two small vesseles followed the ship in the Gulf of Aden.

A tannoy announcement was made in a nervous voice asking the 1000 passengers to remain below deck, while the ship steered away from the suspicious craft. Reports in the Sun suggested that gun fire had been heard and that some had watched through binoculars men with AK-47 rifles and even rocket launchers just 400 metres away. It remains to be seen if this report is true and predictably Fred Olsen have played down the whole situation on their website.


This is the latest in a number of pirate attacks which have taken place in these waters recently. In the last year 42 hijackings have taken place off the coast of Somalia with ship owners paying over £100million in ransom money.

Grab A Thai Bargain

The Tourism Authority of Thailand have confirmed that they are set to launch a campaign promoting the destinations value following a drop in passenger numbers in 2008.

The country welcomed around 700,000 British tourists in 2008, which is 50,000 less than 2007, however official figures have not yet been confirmed.

On this occasion it is not the current economic downturn which is to blame, as the political protests which caused Bangkok's international airport to close for several days last year are said to be the main cause.

It is thought that the promotional campaign to lure tourists back is being funded by the Thai Government to the tune of around $34 million, which could also lead to some bargain holidays being available from the UK this year.

Funway holidays have recently been advertising in the Mail on Sunday lead in prices from £699 per person for an 8 night beach stay, which represents excellent value for money. Thailand is known as the 'Land Of Smiles' and it seems 2009 could be a fantastic opportunity to sample this fascinating country.

Travel To Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Island Paradise,

Working in the travel industry, many of my clients are looking for new and exiting destinations. When I suggest holidays to Hawaii many of them reply by saying "Isn't it expensive"? Maybe there was a time when travel to exotic destinations such as Hawaii would exceed most peoples travel budget, but times are changing.


In this blog I am focusing on the beautiful garden island of Kuaui, the oldest and the most northerly of the main Hawaiian islands. Kauai is known as 'The Garden Isle' due to it's lush green vegetation and plant life. The island is roughly 550 square miles (1430 square km) in area, stretching from the picture postcard Hanalei Bay on the wet north shore, to the beautiful beach of Poipu on the south.


The blue pacific ocean laps the shore of the stunning Na Pali coast with it's towering cliffs, emerald canyons, lava tubes and pristine beaches. This area is best enjoyed by helicopter from above, or the more adventurous will enjoy Kayaking along this beautiful coastline.





Western Kauai boasts an abundance of natural wonders, cultural landmarks and above all the spectacular Waimea Canyon. A vast 16km (10 miles) in length and 1038 m (3600 ft) in depth, this natural wonder is best appreciated when struck by the colours of the rainbow. Rainbows are of plenty in this area and onwards towards the peaks of Mt Waialeale, which is claimed to be one of the wettest places on earth, with an average of 460 inches of rain a year.

Kauai is an Island of beauty as you seem to be able to visit one amazing sight after another. It has so much to offer, whether your looking for a relaxing beach stay, romantic honeymoon or thrill packed adventure break this Island simply has it all.

The best time of year to visit Kauai is during the UK summertime (April-October) when rainfall is at it's lowest.

Where to stay?

I have provided below a list of links to some beautiful hotels to suit all budgets where a warm Hawaiian welcome is Guaranteed.

http://www.resortquesthawaii.com/

http://www.sheraton-kauai.com/

http://www.princeville.com/

http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lihhi-kauai-marriott-resort-and-beach-club

http://kauai.hyatt.com/

Other useful links that might help you plan your trip to Kauai include,

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/

http://www.cheaptourshawaii.com/

I hope you have enjoyed this blog and that it helps those of you out there who are planning a trip to Kauai. I will be posting other articles and guides over the coming months so please visit my blog again. For now though what more can I say than Aloha!

Ryan Air Toilet Charge The End of Low Cost Airlines?

Next time you fly with Ryan Air, on top of the basic cost of the flight, remember to budget for a baggage charge, check in charge, online card payment charge and now a Toilet Charge.

Yes it is true! It has been suggested that the Airline will start charging customers for use of their toilets during flights.

Cheif executive Michael O'leary suggested that the airline could charge customers up to £1 just to go to the loo on BBC television this morning.

He added "One thing we have looked at in the past and could look at again is the possibility of putting a coin slot on the toilet door so people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in the future."

He went on to deny that passengers may get caught short without the money, adding "I don't think that there is anyone in history who has boarded a Ryan Air aircraft with less than a pound."

Mr O'leary has obviously forgotten that a large percentage of the airlines customers will board the aircraft from outside the UK, meaning they won't have a pound. They might have a Euro or maybe a Polish Zloty, will this do? or will they have to hold it in until they arrive at their destination airport? This is just one of the humerous thoughts that spring to mind.

The Airlines motives have already been questioned by Which? And leads me to question the obvious, Can Ryan Air really call itself a low cost airline?