How to do Disney World Florida on a budget

August 13, 2012, 1:26 am

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Planning a trip to the House of Mouse in Orlando? Here are our top 10 tips to help you save money and make the most of your holiday at Disney World Florida.

How to do Disney on a budget

Get around for free!
 If you are staying at a Disney resort, take advantage of the Magical Express Transportation shuttle service, which is complimentary to and from your hotel/Orlando International Airport.
Make the most of having little ones
 Travelling with children under the age of three? They get free admission to all Walt Disney World parks. If you're not taking your own buggy, it can be cheaper to pay for your buggy hire in one go ($13 for multiple days instead of $15 for single days) – or even consider buying a cheap buggy.
Get fruity!
 Eating healthily at the parks doesn't have to be expensive – for example, you can buy apples, pears and oranges for just 85 cents. And the ever popular giant turkey legs (which go a looong way and are made for sharing) are around $9.
Get your refills
 Take water bottles so you can fill up at the fountains in the parks and save money on buying soft drinks which will quickly mount up in the Florida heat. If you're staying at a Disney resort, buy the refillable cup ($5.95 to $9.95) and then your soft drinks, tea and coffee will be free at your hotel.
Have a pic nic
 Make sure you have a big breakfast to set you up for the day and take your own snacks and drinks into the park – there are absolutely no restrictions on doing this. Tom Sawyer's Island in Magic Kingdom is a relaxing place to stop and have a picnic.
Go for Disney Value accommodation
 Consider staying at a Disney value resort – choose from the Pop Century Resort and the three All-Star resorts. Rooms start at just £19 per person per night (based on four sharing), and you get all the benefits of staying at a Disney hotel, including Disney's Extra Magic Hours giving you more time to enjoy the parks before the crowds start arriving and free use of the transportation system (including the boat, monorail and bus).
Be clever with your souvenirs
 For an inexpensive souvenir your kids will want to keep forever, get them an autograph book (around $6) and then they can collect characters' signatures as you walk around the park. And if you're going to give them some spending money, set a limit, and stick to it – they'll have fun working out what to buy with their US dollars and it will teach them how to budget, too.
Book early!
 Book your holiday as early as possible to get the best savings. For example, if you book for 2013 now (by 20 June), you get extras including dining for free for the duration of your stay, $200 spending money and a 14 day ticket for the price of seven.
Organise your passes
 The longer you stay, the less you pay - a multi-day ticket works out cheaper than buying individual day passes. Not only does your entry ticket give you admission to all the rides, but the parades and fireworks are included as well, making it great value for money. You can find out more info about ticket options here <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/">http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/</a>
Check out the Dining Plan
 The Disney Dining Plan is an easy way to budget for food during your stay. There are different packages available, saving you up to 40 per cent of the cost of meals, and you can choose from over 100 different restaurants.

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Hotel review: Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall

August 13, 2012, 2:02 am

≫ Next: Take three... Ridiculously luxurious Olympic-inspired holidays

≪ Previous: How to do Disney World Florida on a budget

Filed under: Short breaks, UK travel

Hotel review: Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall Kirstin Prisk

If you're after a short break in Cornwall, the Atlantic coastline leaves you spoilt for choice. North Cornwall is home to some stunning beaches that are brimming with boutique hotels. On the outskirts of Newquay, we visited Watergate Bay Hotel, a place that is so confident you're going to love the place, it shuns the star rating system and can't be found in booking search engines. It is happy to rely on loyal return visitors and wonderful word-of-mouth recommendations.

First impressions
Ten minutes from Newquay airport by car or bus, your approach is down a steep hill that reveals a stretch of sand with wonderfully wild waves. To the right, nestled in the rocks, you'll see a traditional Victorian hotel. On closer inspection it's a vibrant, re-vamped hotel that is relaxed enough to welcome sandy-soaked dogs and wetsuit-clad kids.

What's to love?
You can check-in and throw away the car keys. With a backdrop to rival any beach vista in the world, there's more than enough to occupy and relax you in this small bay - despite there being no local shops. From the newly renovated spa with an almost-infinity pool, to surfing, and exploring the rock-pools.

Best room in the house
A "better family suite" with interconnecting rooms and in-room roll-top bath to contemplate the sea-view at leisure.

Where to eat
Choose from a snack in the Beach Hut with the surfing instructors and dog-walkers or dress-up for dinner at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen. If you can't bear to leave the hotel then eat in the Brasserie or the Living Space with panoramic views and delicious sharing plates and gastro-pub classics.

About the famous Fifteen restaurant...

The chefs are a credit to Jamie's training scheme as the food we sampled was sublime. The waiting staff are efficient, knowledgeable yet unintrusive and there is a lively yet relaxed buzz in the atsmosphere. I'm still attempting to decide on my favourite course from the tasting menu - perhaps the risotto teased with prosecco or the awesome amuse-bouche of stuffed tempura zucchini. Whatever it is, I'm still tasting all the separate courses in my mind long after I visited.

This place is perfect for you...

If you're a city-dweller or busy family that yearns for some space and pampering yet doesn't really like sitting still. This is a short-break for all seasons - with the hotel and environs reminiscent of a ski-resort. When we visited the weather varied from stormy to sun-soaked and both experiences equally fitting. Imagine yourself sipping a hot chocolate in front of the wood-burning stove in the spa cafe after a surf lesson in winter wetsuit or sun-bathing on the terrace or beach with a good book.

Parental extras
Tucked around the back of the Living Space is a fully-equipt nursery and playground. It offers nursery care sessions for over-3s and cinema nights for the older kids. The hotel also has baby-monitors you can use so you can eat your dinner while the kids sleep or you could just take advantage of their baby-sitting service.

If you do one thing here, make sure it's...
Feel the real spirit of the bay and visit the Extreme Academy. You'll find some of the best surf and kite surf instructors anywhere in the country. Absolute beginners are more than welcome - of all ages - and there's plenty of support and encouragement for the hesitant. You'll be in good company, as we're reliably informed by Sports Manager Carl Coombes that the Academy has had some pretty important visitors - if you consider this sort of thing an endorsement - Prince William and his friends have had a lesson or two there.

Things to do, places to see
Realistically, there's more than enough to do in Watergate Bay if you're staying a couple of days but should you want to venture out you're in a prime position to explore the North Cornish coast - Polzeath, Newquay and Padstow or south to St Ives. Inland, the Eden Project is approximately 20 miles away. The stunning Tintagel Castle is around 30 miles away but be aware that Cornish roads can be a very slow drive should you get stuck behind a caravan or tractor!

Prices and offers:
We suggest you try the taste of the bay in Autumn a three night stay costs from only £275 per person for 3 nights including breakfast and dinner at Fifteen, The Beach Hut and the hotel. For all other details and offers, go to Watergate Bay Hotel, Extreme Academy or Fifteen Cornwall.

Ten things to do at Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Don a wetsuit and splash in the surf
 Bring your own board or get a surf lesson at the Extreme Academy. Instruction is available all year round whatever the weather. But, if you just want the pressure of learning something new you can always just jump around in a wetsuit with a boogie board!
Relax, unwind, treat yourself
 Whether you fancy a facial, a massage or a manicure there's a full menu of spa treatments available in stunning surroundings.
Enjoy a bracing walk
 Admire the view of the bay and the hotel from the cliff tops. If you don't have a dog you can always borrow one from another guest!
Learn to kite surf
 Embrace the elements with a kite surfing lesson. It's easier than you think!
Enjoy the view and a hot chocolate in one of the bars
 No that's not a picture on the wall that's the view.
Polo on the beach
 The Hotel also hosts many events throughout the year including polo on the sand in September.
Swim in the new pool
 Pretend you're in the Caribbean whilst you're doing your morning lengths in the fabulous new "almost-infinity" pool. For the serious swimmers early mornings and evenings are kept child-free so you can concentrate on your swimming.
Have a bath with a view
 This may just been on your bucket list... Enjoy a relaxing soak with a view in one of the rooms with a chic roll-top bath.
Sample the scenery from the Beach Hut
 Grab a coffee a burger or a glass of wine in the Beach Hut.
Explore the rock pools in the evening sun
 This is a sun-soaked view from the rock-pools of Fifteen restaurant, the Beach Hut and The Extreme Academy.

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Take three... Ridiculously luxurious Olympic-inspired holidays

August 13, 2012, 5:16 am

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Filed under: Travel News

Take three... Luxurious Olympic-inspired holidays La Source Grenada

Inspired by London 2012 Olympics? Then take a well-earned holiday and practice your sporting prowess in style. We've picked three absolutely luxurious holidays where you can learn an Olympic sport and get pampered rotten at the same time. Here's how to get perfect match of sport with sun, sea, sand... with a little sweat thrown in.

Pick up some equestrian skills at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai.

If the nail-biting triumph of a gold medal for Team GB in showjumping has got you itching to jump into saddle and learn to ride, gallop off to the The Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, which offers Dubai its own air-conditioned stables (yes, really).

You can book tuition in a fully equipped equestrian environment perfect for beginners or for those who haven't been riding for a while. Prices with Dial-a-Flight for selected dates in November and December start from £1,179 per person for five nights bed and breakfast with flights from London.

Learn archery, fencing and beach volleyball At La Source, Grenada.

The all-inclusive retreat of La Source is set on a glorious beachfront with tropical gardens. The hotel says it is dedicated to promoting a healthy mind and body, so the idea is to make sport an integral part of your holiday - and there are more activities than you can shake a javelin at.

Daily beach volleyball classes with equipment and professional instruction are offered, or you can request private lessons. Try a morning tutorial in archery or fencing, or some of the wide range of watersports including kayaking and hobie sailing (pictured). Prices for selected dates in November and December start from £1,899 per person for seven nights all-inclusive with flights from London.

Learn to sail At The Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands

Want to be the next Ben Ainslie? Swap the chilly Solent for the Bitter End Yacht Club, the Caribbean's premiere luxury water sports resort for couples and families.

A US Sailing Association accredited sailing school offers certified instructors from all over the world to help guests learn to sail, fine-tune their skills or obtain keelboat certification. Sailing instruction is available for all ages and levels, using the club's professionally maintained boats and course materials.

Set on the island of Virgin Gorda, you'll be able to relax on a mile of shorefront on the protected waters of the North Sound. Prices for selected dates in November and December start from £2,199 per person for seven nights full-board with flights from London and boat transfers with Dial-a- Flight.

All a bit OTT for you? If you'd rather do your Olympic practice closer to home, check out our favourite activity breaks in the UK, from diving to archery to clay pigeon shooting:

Ten of the best: UK 'Olympic' holidays

The Archers
 Where better to try your hand at archery than in the heart of 1066 country? Self catering holiday village, Crowhurst Park in East Sussex has teamed up with an archery company to offer both Field Archery (in which archers move from target to target through wooded terrain, shooting 3D foam prey, including bears, deer and er, giant mosquitoes) and Target Archery (one of the Olympic sports). Weekend breaks in a small lodge from £99, <a href="http://www.crowhurstpark.co.uk">www.crowhurstpark.co.uk</a>
Wild water
 You could try your hand at kayaking the man made rapids at the brand new Lee Valley White Water Centre (where the Olympic kayaking events are being held), but for a chance to paddle alongside porpoises, seals and even whales, head up to the Outer Hebrides for five days kayaking and camping among uninhabited islands and skerries. Five day sea kayaking trip costs £725. NB, not for beginners. <a href="//www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/2243/sea-kayaking-holiday-in-scotland">//www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/2243/sea-kayaking-holiday-in-scotland</a>.
Tour de Wales
 While the Olympic cyclists whizz round and round the London velodrome, enjoy a rather more scenic view from your saddle on a Welsh biking holiday. The seven day 'Snowdonia Beano', cycling around Snowdonia National Park and the Lleyn Peninsula in July costs from £640 per person, which includes accommodation and yummy vegetarian meals. For more details on this and other cycling holidays, visit <a href="http://www.bicycle-beano.co.uk">www.bicycle-beano.co.uk</a>.
Row your boat
 Stage your own mini Olympics at Siblyback Lake Campsite, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, which offers three Olympic watersports - kayaking, sailing and canoeing. Instructors are on hand to help train your junior athletes - perhaps for the 2020 Games? Pitches from £11 per night. <a href="http://www.pitchup.com">www.pitchup.com</a>
Ticket to ride
 Make like a minor royal and buff up your riding skills at Lucknam Park's outstanding equestrian centre, which includes 500 acres of parkland, an all weather arena, cross country course and riding clinics with equestrian experts Stephen Hadley and Richard Waygood. Non-riders can make the most of the hotel's Michelin-starred food and lush spa. Rooms from £330 per night. <a href="http://www.Lucknampark.com">www.lucknampark.com</a>
Scilly sailing
 Learn to tell a flying jib from a gaff topsail on board the beautiful traditional wooden pilot cutter, Eve of St Mawes.  A 6 day hands-on, island hopping voyage in the Isles of Scilly, departing from St Mawes, Cornwall, costs £720 per person. For details of this and other voyages, visit <a href="http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk">www.classic-sailing.co.uk</a>.
On your marks...
 Spend a day clay pigeon shooting in scenic fields, gullies and among the trees with local farmer Jonty and his sons on a farm on the outskirts of the Lake District. Then retire to the cozy Plough Inn opposite for a soak in the freestanding bath, followed by local ale and lamb for dinner. Clay pigeon shooting available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from £135 per room per night (beginners package from £150), <a href="http://www.theploughatlupton.co.uk ">www.theploughatlupton.co.uk  </a>
Anyone for tennis?
 What with Wimbledon and the Olympics, its easy to get carried away by Pimms-fuelled fantasies about tennis whites and volleying. Indulge the dream at the Four Seasons' grand Georgian pile in Hampshire, which has two outdoor, all-weather, floodlit tennis courts and tennis pros on hand to polish up your backhand. Doubles from £258, <a href="http://www.four seasons.com/Hampshire">www.four seasons.com/Hampshire</a>
Beach volleyball for beginners
 Find out for yourself why beach volleyball is the most popular Olympic spectator sport (nothing to do with the barely there bikinis the ladies play in, obv) on Brighton's answer to Copacabana, Yellowave Beach Sports Venue. (<a href="http://www.yellowave.co.uk">www.yellowave.co.uk</a>). After a hard day on the beach, retire to the supremely classy surroundings of the Kemp Townhouse boutique b&b. Doubles from £95, <a href="http://www.kemptownhousebrighton.com">www.kemptownhousebrighton.com</a>
Dive in
 Crawling up and down an Olympic size swimming pool's all very well, but there's nothing like swimming in the wild to make you feel truly alive. Based at the snazzy Scarlet hotel, guests can enjoy a wild swimming tour of Cornwall's water, with professional instructors equipped with towels, rescue boards - and hot toddies! A 2-night package costs from £515 per person, including a private Wild Sea Swimming Lesson, with instructor and all equipment (including heated wetsuits!) and a ‘Short Journey’ in the Ayurvedic Spa. <a href="http://www.scarlethotel.co.uk">www.scarlethotel.co.uk</a>

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Tourists stunned as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach

August 13, 2012, 11:32 pm

≫ Next: Three Ryanair planes make mayday calls on same day

≪ Previous: Take three... Ridiculously luxurious Olympic-inspired holidays

Filed under: Travel News, UK travel

Getty

Holidaymakers and locals at a Cornish resort were shocked to witness a 65ft-long endangered whale wash up on a popular beach.

The doomed whale inadvertently became a major tourist attraction at Carlyon Bay, near St Austell, as hundreds of sightseers flocked to see the female fin whale (also known as a razorback or herring whale). Roads leading to the beach became gridlocked as the news of the stranded mammal spread around Cornwall.

Holidaymakers shocked as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach Getty

The beach eventually had to be cordoned off by St Austell Coastguard to allow vets from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue to assess the whale, which had injuries to its underside and head as well as lesions on its body.

A vet at the scene said that the whale had lost a huge amount of weight and that the plan had been to euthanise the creature due to the severity of its injuries and diseased condition, reports This is Cornwall. However, the whale died naturally and in the end did not need to be put down.

One holidaymaker, Phil Ford, told the local news service: "It is a shame to see such a magnificent animal washed up and helpless on the beach. However terrible, it was still a compelling sight, drawing crowds to view this startling scene."

Holidaymakers shocked as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach Getty

The razorback is the second longest animal on the planet, after the blue whale. It can grow up to 85ft long, weigh up to 74 tonnes and live for 90 years. Populations are severely depleted due to excessive over-hunting and there are now believed to be only around 123,000 whales left.

Although still a rare sight around the UK shoreline, 21 fin whales were spotted off the coast of north Cornwall last year - the largest ever known gathering of fin whales ever spotted in British waters. Groups are now returning to British waters on an annual basis, according to marine experts at the Sea Trust.

Tourists stunned as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach Carlyon Bay and St Austell/Getty

Like all large whales, the fin whale is an endangered species and The International Whaling Commission has a moratorium on commercial hunting.

Holidaymakers shocked as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach Getty

A post mortem on the beached whale in Cornwall is due to be carried out by experts in a bid to find the cause of death. People in the area are being warned that it is an offence to remove any part of the endangered mammal without an appropriate licence.

Wonders of the sea

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Three Ryanair planes make mayday calls on same day

August 13, 2012, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: Take three... glass-bottomed viewing platforms

≪ Previous: Tourists stunned as endangered whale washes up on Cornish beach

Filed under: Travel News

Three Ryanair planes make mayday calls on same day PA

Three Ryanair flights approaching Spain's Valencia airport had to call mayday emergencies because of low fuel on the same day.

The three planes had been diverted from Madrid - about an hour's flight time from Valencia - because the city was hit by severe thunderstorms.

The emergency calls meant that other aircraft flying into Valencia had to stay in a holding pattern and give priority to the Ryanair flights.

Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara confirmed the emergency calls to the Sunday Independent, saying: "Due to thunderstorms over Madrid on Thursday (26 July), Spanish ATC (air traffic control) instructed Ryanair aircraft to divert to Valencia where they were placed in a hold pattern.

"Sometime later the aircraft advised ATC that they would not have sufficient fuel reserves to return to Madrid and were permitted to land in Valencia. All aircraft landed normally. Ryanair sincerely apologises to the passengers affected by these diversions, which were due to adverse weather."

The paper reports that during voice recordings of the conversation between a Ryanair pilot and air traffic control in Valencia, the pilot can be heard calling mayday because of low fuel.

The issue of how much fuel Ryanair flights are allowed to carry has been part of an efficiency review at the airline.

Read more about this at independent.ie

See 10 reasons why we love to hate no-frills flying:

Ten things we love to hate about low-cost flying

Paying for paying
Is it just us, or is there something seriously nut so about the concept of paying for the privilege of paying? It's a crazy, mixed-up world when you have to pay £10 to use a debit card which costs the airline around 20p to process. Of course, you could apply for one of the cards which are 'free' to use, but they change all the time and take hours to apply for. If we thought about it too hard we'd only ever sit at home and cry.
Clashing colours
My dear, the garishness! Bright orange, purple, lurid yellow... it's enough to make anyone long for the days of a discreet livery of navy, red and perhaps a touch of silver. If you weren't feeling queasy before you got onboard, the combination of lime green uniforms and a £10 gin and tonic should do the job. Pass the sick bag – oh no, that's right, there aren't any.
Arriving at random airports
It's all very well paying £3.99 for your flight to Stockholm, but you won't be feeling so clever when you land in a field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lakes and forests, with no capital city in sight. Add on the taxes, extra charges and an hour and a half taxi ride into town and suddenly the national carrier flying to the main airport is looking like a pretty good deal. Especially when you factor in the professional service and free prawn sandwich you would have got...
Bonkers booking
Ah, the joys of the online no-frills airline booking procedure... First off, let's assume you've got access to the internet (if you don't, you're pretty much stuffed, because the chances of finding a real live human to book with are about as high you being able to travel on one of the special offer days). You've then got to navigate the site without accidentally hiring a car, paying for golf clubs or adopting a small child. By the time you remember to print out your boarding pass within the correct time period, you're in serious need of a holiday...
Full-fare food and drink
The recent story about a certain airline which gave a man a sandwich and a drink after he suffered a cardiac arrest – and then charged him for it – just about sums up the no-frills airline attitude to catering. It's all about the money, money, money. So, three letters for you: B.Y.O.
Speedy boarding
Seriously, what is up with people who pay for speedy boarding? You haven't spent enough on extra taxes, credit card charges, baggage fees? Sure, whack on another hefty charge while you're at it, just so you can stand in the front of the queue and feel superior. The plane's not going anywhere until the povs at the back of the queue are on too, so save the twenty quid – you'll need it to pay for your cheese sandwich on board.</div>
Baggage restrictions
No, no, we don't really need to take anything with us on our holiday, honestly. We may be going to Norway for two weeks in January, but a toothbrush, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops will do us just fine. The book, nappies, wet wipes and baby food ? No problem, they'll slip right into the one bag too, that's fine, don't need them at all, yes stick them in the overhead locker miles away from my seat, too. Marvellous.
No seat pocket
Remember in the old days when the seat in front of you had a pocket you could stow your bits and pieces, magazines, bottle of water etc, instead of having to strew them all over the floor? They might be saving space and weight, but when your three-year-old starts projectile vomiting and the seat belt sign's on, suddenly a seat pocket full of sick bags makes a lot of sense. Ah, sweet revenge...
Lousy legroom
Jeez, there's nothing like 29" legroom pitch and a non-reclining seat back to force you to practice your yoga moves. Like human origami, we fold our limbs into unnatural shapes and wonder why we can't feel our feet by the end of the flight. And we're relatively normal! What it's like for a 6ft 7" man, or a 7 month pregnant woman with a 20 month old on her 'lap' doesn't bear thinking about...
Surly service
OK, when you're paying more for your beer than your air fare, you can't expect silver service, but would a smile hurt? We feel for the cabin crew dealing with leery stag weekenders and bitter businessmen whose companies won't cough up for a proper airline, but it would be nice to be treated slightly more like a human being, less like a walking wallet from whom to extract as much cash as possible in a two hour period. Scratch card, perfume, magazine, £2.50 bottle of water, anyone?

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Take three... glass-bottomed viewing platforms

August 14, 2012, 9:57 pm

≫ Next: British tourists warned over holiday 'balcony deaths'

≪ Previous: Three Ryanair planes make mayday calls on same day

Filed under: World travel

Take three... glass-bottomed viewing platforms Image courtesy of Intercontinental Hotels Group

It took us a second or two to work out what was happening in this image. But yes, it really is a glass-bottomed swimming pool in the sky.

The Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao's pool is suspended from the 24th storey, offering swimmers a bird's eye view the beautiful scenery of Pudong below.

The pool measures 30m long and 6m wide and was designed by Singapore company Chan Sau Yan Associates. Guests who have tried it say the feel as if they are flying and swimming at the same time... but it's probably not the best place to take a dip if you suffer from vertigo.

There's a bit of a craze for these glass viewing platforms at the moment - they seem to be springing up around the world (toughened safety glass is the latest thing, don't you know). In Chicago, the Sears Tower's Ledge (above), which is suspended 412m above the city, gives visitors an extra thrill while taking in the views, and the new Skywalk at the top of the Blackpool Tower (below) now allows visitors to walk on air and take in the views. Again, not for the fainthearted...

Take three... glass-bottomed viewing platforms PA

Inspired by the idea of a pool with a view? The Shangai isn't the only hotel with a wonderful vistas with a splash. Check out our delectable pool gallery below.

Wonderful rooftop hotel pools

The Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel, New York
 The Gansevoort Park Avenue has a bijou rooftop pool in the shadow of the Empire State Building with a mosaic 1940s pin up temptress on the base of the pool an indoor and outdoor section allowing it to stay open all year round. Doubles from £250. Visit <a href="http://www.gansevoortpark.com" target="_blank">gansevoortpark.com</a>
The Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg, Sweden
 This little gem opened early in 2012. It's housed in a listed former 1920s post office which has been restored and extended into a sleek 500-bedroom hotel with a hip rooftop pool and bar. Doubles from £116 B&B. Visit <a href="http://clarionpost.com" target="_blank">clarionpost.com</a>.
The SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain
 Set on the Sierra Helada hillside the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante uses contemporary modern design with a stylish pool area overlooking the Mediterranean sea and surrounding mountains. The award-winning Spanish spa combines Eastern and Western therapies. Doubles from €275, <a href="http://www.shawellnessclinic.com" target="_blank">shawellnessclinic.com</a>.
The Molino Stucky Hilton, Venice
 The five-star Molino Stucky Hilton is a 19th century former grain mill turned swanky hotel dominating the Venetian skyline on the Giudecca. The rooftop pool and bar area is one of Venice’s top spots with views stretching across to St Marks. Doubles from £150 B&B, <a href="http://www.molinostuckyhilton.com/" target="_blank">molinostuckyhilton.com</a>.
The Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain
 Set on Passeig de Gràcia in an elegant mid-20th Century building with interiors by internationally renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, the Terrat rooftop dipping pool has panoramic views over the city’s famous architectural skyline including the Sagrada Familia. Doubles from £212, <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com" target="_blank">mandarinoriental.com</a>
The Hilton Bandung, Indonesia
 This modern, glass-fronted hotel has a fittingly cool roof top with spa, health club, restaurant and swimming pool all overlooking the lush green mountainous surrounding the sleek city of Bandung. Doubles from £73 B&B, <a href="http://www.hilton.com" target="_blank">Hilton.com</a>.
Hotel Udai Kothi, Udaipor, India
 The fusion of ancient grandeur and modern facilities makes this hotel one not to be missed. There's a lot going on on the roof: a top-notch restaurant and jacuzzi as well as the sensational pool. Rooms from around £60 per night. Visit <a href="http://www.udaikothi.com/" target="_blank">udaikothi.com</a>.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
 You'll need a head for heights to swim in this infinity pool, as it's 55 storeys up (665ft, 202 metres above ground, to be precise). At three times the length of an Olympic swimming pool, it also claims to be the largest outdoor pool at this height. Doubles from £200 per night. Visit <a href="http://www.marinabaysands.com/" target="_blank">marinabaysands.com</a>.
Grand Central Hotel, Barcelona
 This chic design hotel in the Gothic district boasts some of the best views over the city - and the bar serves a mean cocktail too. Perfect for swims and sundowners. Doubles from 230 Euros per night during the summer. Visit <a href="http://www.grandhotelcentral.com/" target="_blank">grandhotelcentral.com</a>.
The W Hotel, Hong Kong
 This is surely the highest hotel swimming pool in the world - it's the 76th floor, a cool 210 metres above Victoria Harbour. If you know of a higher one, let us know! Doubles from around £160 per night. Visit <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1965" target="_blank">starwoodhotels.com</a>
Ubud Hotel, Payangan, Bali
 Definitely one of our faves! This tranquil swimming pool floats above the Ayung River valley in Bali's foothills. From $260 for a double. Visit <a href="http://www.uma.ubud.como.bz/">uma.ubud.como.bz</a>

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British tourists warned over holiday 'balcony deaths'

August 15, 2012, 12:45 am

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Filed under: Travel News

British holidaymakers warned over holiday 'balcony deaths' Stock photo, Majorca: Rex

British tourists are being warned of the dangers of balcony falls after the shocking rise in injuries and fatalities.

There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year.

Three of these cases resulted in death while others have been seriously injured. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and ABTA The Travel Association, have joined forces on a campaign to help prevent balcony incidents among young people in popular holiday resorts.

In Majorca and Ibiza, two of the UK's top tourist destinations, there have been 9 cases - already matching figures for 2011, despite only being half way through the season.

Most incidents involve young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and whilst not always the case, alcohol often plays a part.

Paul Abrey, Consul in the Balearics, told Aol Travel: "We've already seen some tragic cases this summer which have had devastating consequences for the individuals and families concerned. This year there's been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last year's. Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend's apartment, others have simply lost their footing after a few too many drinks and a few have deliberately jumped off aiming for the pool below.

"It should go without saying these practices are extremely dangerous and can cost them their life or leave them permanently disabled. Many young people also arrive without travel insurance. The FCO can't pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK."

ABTA predicts around three million young holidaymakers will head overseas this summer with Spain, Greece and Turkey favourite destinations.

Young people travelling out to resorts will be handed leaflets that include the story of Jake Evans, 18, from Liverpool, who narrowly survived a fall from a 7th floor balcony last year after a few too many drinks. Jake also tells his story in a video, which can be viewed on the FCO's website and on YouTube, in an attempt to get young people to think twice before they engage in risky behaviour.

This summer, the FCO and ABTA are urging young people to:
Understand the risks - climbing over or jumping off balconies can have serious consequences.
Know your limit - alcohol can impair your judgement and hotter climates can often increase the effect of drinking.
Get comprehensive travel insurance - be prepared if something does go wrong. Figures released in July this year showed that Spain is the country where most Britons require consular assistance, including 1105 hospitalisations.

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'Terror' as passengers hear Mayday call moments before plane drops

August 15, 2012, 4:29 am

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'Terror' as Monarch passengers hear pilot's Mayday call moments before plane drops PA

Passengers on a Monarch holiday plane flying from Birmingham to Majorca were left "struck with terror" after hearing a pilot's Mayday call - just moments before the plane quickly dropped altitude.

The flight, bound for Palma, then diverted to Limoges, France, as a safety precaution.

Passenger Andrew Taylor told the BBC that he had feared for his family's safety during the ordeal.

Mr Taylor, from Sutton Coldfield, said: "About an hour into the flight I noticed a hissing, blowing noise which I thought was unusual.

"It was then that the pilot came on the tannoy to the cabin, saying 'Mayday, Mayday - emergency descent'."

He said they then felt the aircraft descend "very, very quickly", adding: "The pilot came back on to the tannoy and said, 'we are now at 10,000 feet and the problem has been resolved, but we're contacting the aircraft manufacturer to see what we need to do'.

"We flew for about another 10 minutes but a decision was then made to land immediately."

Another passenger said: "To say we were completely struck with terror - I can't tell you how we felt.

"But no one screamed on the plane - I think we were just struck mute."

In a statement sent to Aol Travel, Monarch confirmed the incident and apologised for any distress it may have caused, saying: "Monarch confirms that flight ZB958 on 24 July, en route from Birmingham to Palma diverted to Limoges, France following a depressurisation of the cabin.

"The Captain, in accordance with standard response to such an event, placed the aircraft into an immediate controlled descent to lower the cabin altitude, and landed the aircraft at the nearest suitable airfield, in this case Limoges.

"Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft to complete their journey to Palma.

"It is a requirement for the Captain of an aircraft to declare a "mayday" to air traffic control if such an event occurs in order that priority handling can be established to facilitate a landing without delay.

"This was accomplished and the aircraft landed safely without incident. During the exchange of radio transmissions some passengers may have heard the "mayday" call over the public address system. The Captain's priority throughout was to ensure a safe, prompt and uneventful landing which he achieved.

"Monarch regrets any concern or distress that this may have caused."

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Ryanair 'tells pensioner to go on holiday without sick wife'

August 15, 2012, 4:59 am

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Ryanair 'tells pensioner to go on holiday without sick wife' PA

A pensioner has complained after Ryanair reportedly told him to go on holiday "with someone else" after his wife had a heart attack and was too sick to travel.

Roger Johnston, 74, and his wife Marie, 73, had seats booked with Ryanair from East Midlands Airport to Dinard, France.

But, before the flight date, Marie had a heart attack that required surgery and left her unable to travel for three months.

The retired architect says that when he called Ryanair to get a refund, a member of staff told him to chage the name on his wife's ticket and go with "someone else".

According to the Telegraph, he said: "I was absolutely appalled that they would even insinuate that I should abandon my wife at a time when she needs me the most. It's morally insulting.

"I would never consider leaving my wife in such a situation. We've been married for 40 years and she needs me to help look after her.

"To make matters worse Ryanair say they can only accept her doctor's note by fax.

"That is just obstructive and designed to put people off. They do everything else online or by email and they should accept a doctor's note by email too."

He added: "I asked the woman at Ryanair 'Would you go off on holiday when your husband had suffered a heart attack and had been told he cannot travel?'

"There was a deafening silence before she told me to send a fax over with a doctor's note."

Ryanair said in a statement to the Telegraph: "We confirmed to Mr Johnston that a full refund would be issued on receipt of a medical letter from his wife's doctor.

"The passenger called back to advise of a delay in obtaining the required letter, as the doctor was going on holiday, and it was confirmed to him that a refund would be issued even if the required medical letter was received after the date of flight.

"Ryanair made all of the passenger's options clear to him and at all times clearly advised him that a refund would be issued.

"Ryanair wishes Mrs Johnston a speedy recovery and hopes to welcome the couple onto another Ryanair flight in the near future."

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Ever seen a 'fire rainbow cloud'?

August 15, 2012, 5:33 am

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Ever seen a 'fire rainbow cloud'? National News and Pictures

This image, captured by photographer Ken Rotberg, shows an extremely rare phenomenon known as a 'circumhorizon arc' - which is the posh word for a fire rainbow cloud.

As Ken was walking to his home in south Florida one evening, he noticed the odd sight as the sun passed behind a storm cloud, and grabbed his camera.

The clouds appear to be floating over rainbow-coloured shapes which appeared to dance in front of his eyes.

Want to know the science behind it? Apparently, it's to do with cumulus clouds pushing layers of moist air upwards, forming cloud caps. Water droplets from these create the rainbow effect.

We have to confess we've never heard of a fire rainbow cloud, but we're quite enjoying adding it to our collection of strange rainbow effects.

First there there was the rare white rainbow in the North Pole and the lunar rainbow in Victoria Falls. Oh, and then there was the surfer's rainbow captured in Tahiti.

We can feel a rainbow gallery coming on. But for now, let's make do with some pictures of other strange weather-related phenomenon...

Weird weather and strange phenomena around the world

Lightning, Zurich
 This magnificent lightning strike hit a tower during a thunderstorm in Zurich, Switzerland on 12 August, 2010. Lightning occurs when the balance between the negative charge of storm clouds and the positive charge of the earth is redressed by a current passing between the two - with literally stunning results.
Tornados, USA
 Tornados have been ripping through parts of the USA at an alarming rate during 2011. This example was captured on camera in Limestone County, Alabama, in April. A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air that it is contact with a cumulonimbus cloud and the ground. Also called twisters, they’re characterised by the condensation funnel that touches the earth, and are surrounded by clouds of dust or debris.
Frozen canal, Scotland
 On 11 January, 2010, two pranksters decided to drive their car along the frozen Union Canal in Winchburgh, West Lothian, Scotland. Unfortunately for them, the thaw had already started to set in. The canal froze solid during he longest spell of freezing weather in the UK for almost 30 years.
Dust storm, India
 This dust storm engulfed the desert city of Bikaner, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on 2 April, 2010. The town was already broiling in temperatures of 39C. Dust storms happen when strong wind carries loose sand and dust away from one area and deposits it in another.
Northern Lights, Alaska
 This image of the Northern lights was captured in the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March 2011. Occurring just within the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the Northern lights – or Aurora borealis, to give them their Latin name – are the light display in the sky caused by the collision of charged particles directed by the Earth's magnetic field.
Rainbow, UK
 This impressive rainbow resulted from a spectacular storm and was photographed in Brandon Hill Park near Clifton, Bristol, in the UK on 27 August, 2010. The rainbow seems to rise from the top of Cabot Tower - which is itself 105ft tall - showing its immense scale. Rainbows are an optical phenomenon that occur when the sun shines on to moisture droplets in the atmosphere.
Freezing rain, USA
 This set of footprints in freezing rain was snapped in Lexington, Kentucky, USA on 16 December, 2010. Rain that falls and becomes ‘supercooled’ when surface temperatures are below freezing point can freeze on impact with anything it touches, unlike snow which remains only partially frozen. The resulting ice is known as glaze. Freezing rain is one of the deadliest weather conditions, bringing down power line and causing numerous road traffic accidents and personal injury.
Smog, Russia
 This example of smog was pictured hanging over Moscow, on 7 August, 2010, and was caused by the billowing smoke from peat bog and forest fires. Smog was originally a description of the pollution resulting from factory smoke and fog in the 1900s. Today it’s more often caused when sunlight reacts with car exhaust, coal power plants or factory emissions and the compounds released from petrol, paints and solvents.
Hurricane, Porto Rico
 This crashing wave was caused by the approaching of the Hurricane Earl in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, in August, 2010. Earl battered some islands across the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and roof-ripping winds, rapidly intensifying into a major storm on a path projected to menace the United States. Hurricanes are triggered by low pressure areas forming over warm ocean waters.
Supermoon, around the world
 In March 2011, the 'supermoon' was the closest it had been to earth for18 years lighting up the night sky from just 221,567 miles (356,577 kilometers) away. This snap was taken from Huntington Beach in Los Angeles.
Rainstorms, China
 Rainstorms come and go, but not usually as dramatically as this downpour which completely flooded the town of Wuzhou in southwest China on 9 June, 2010, proving that the trusty umbrella isn’t always protection enough...
Volcanic ash cloud, Iceland
 Ash covered everything for thousands of miles after the eruption of Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano in May 2011 sent clouds of ash high into the air, carrying it toward the European continent on the wind, disrupting flights for the second time in less than a year.
Sun halo, Arctic circle
 This halo around the sun was photographed  on the island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic Circle on 19 April, 2011. These halos - spectacular and eerie at the same time - are caused by ice crystals in high clouds. They tend to occur during the summer months, during ‘midnight sun’ season in the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.

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Rare shark breaches in front of shocked boat passengers in Wales

August 15, 2012, 6:59 am

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Rare shark breaches in front of shocked boat passengers in Wales Cascade News

Boat passengers in Wales got more than they bargained for when a rare shark breached the water right in front of them.

The thresher shark was caught on camera in the same stretch of water in Ceredigion where a blue shark last week kept holidaymakers out of the water.

Threshers are usually spotted in Asia and North America, but this one threw itself out of the water in front of passengers on the research vessel Sulaire.

Members of the public as well as staff from the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre were on board.

Sarah Perry, the centre's science officer, was on board. According to the Daily Mail, she said: "Thresher sharks are normally found in deep waters but can follow their prey closer to the shore so maybe that's what this one was doing.

"Perhaps either it or its prey were attracted by increasing sea temperatures.

"You can recognise thresher sharks by their long tails - which they use to herd their prey into tight groups before feeding on them.

"They're protected as a threatened species - they're far more at risk from us."

Last week, holidaymakers in the same area were told to stay out of the water after RNLI lifeguards spotted a blue shark in the sea.

According to the BBC, red flags were raised on New Quay beach in Ceredigion on and the beach was temporarily closed.

The shark swam between boats moored at the end of the beach.

The RNLI said it would be very rare to see a shark that close to the shoreline in the area.

And, just a month ago, a beach in Devon was evacuated after a member of the public saw a shark fin about 20 to 25 metres out to sea.

Swimmers and surfers were forced to abandon Croyde beach after it was put on red alert when the fin was spotted.

World's deadliest animals

Venomous snakes
 Out of the world's 2,000 species of snake, around 250 are thought to be capable of killing a man. The Asian cobra does not have the deadliest venom, but is believed to be responsible for the biggest portion of the thousands of snakebite deaths every year. In Africa, the black mamba is the largest venomous snake and, during an attack, can strike up to 12 times, each time delivering enough neuro and cardio-toxic venom to kill a dozen men within 1 hour. Kills: An estimated 50-125,000 people a year. Deadly technique: A snake will use its fangs to pierce the skin and inject its paralysing venom. Lives in: Africa, Asia, Australia, North America
Cape Buffalo
 Many people might not realise that the cape buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and will react with force when it feels threatened. These beasts can weigh up to 1.5 tons and stand at 1.7 metres high; they're so intimidating that even lions don't usually consider them dinner. Cape buffalos will charge, and then gore its victim to death with its impressive horns. Kills: An estimated 200 people a year. Deadly technique: These animals will charge and gore their victims to death with their huge horns. Lives in: Africa
Saltwater crocodiles
 Crocodiles have been around for 200 million years, and are fearsome predators. The saltwater crocodile, or saltie, is the largest living reptile in the world, and can grow up to 21ft long and weigh 1.6 tons. These animals can run extremely fast on land, and, in the water, can swim as fast as dolphin. Many fatalities occur when people are washing or gathering food near river banks. Kills: An estimated 600-800 people a year. Deadly technique: Crocodiles will grab their victims with terrifying speed, and often launch into a 'death roll', weakening its prey, dragging it under water and drowning the victim. Lives in: Africa and Australia
Elephants
 Weighing in at up to eight tons, although beautiful creatures, elephants can be lethal. African elephants in particular can be aggressive, especially older bulls and young males. These creatures, unsurprisingly, are more aggressive in areas where poaching is rife or when their habitat is threatened. Kills: An estimated 300-500 people a year. Deadly technique: Most human deaths are result of the elephant trampling on its victim. Lives in: Africa and India
Hippos
 Although they might look cumbersome and cute, hippos are actually one of the most feared animals in Africa, and can outrun a human. When a male feels its territory is threatened, or a female thinks her offspring her in danger, these animals can be particularly dangerous. And with huge teeth and mouth that can open four feet wide, it's a good idea to steer clear. Kills: An estimated 100-150 people a year. Deadly technique: Hippos will charge, trample and gore its victims, and have been known to upturn boats and canoes without warning. Lives in: Africa
Big cats
 African lions are the biggest of the big cats, and are known to kill around 70 people in Tanzania alone every year. With the destruction of their habitat, human attacks by leopards in India, and the North American mountain lion are thought to be on the increase. Kills: An estimated 800 people a year. Deadly technique: African lions will often use strangulation to kill their prey, while tigers will attack from the back and aim for the jugular, and mountain lions will maul their victims. Lives in: Africa, North America, and India
Mosquitos
 Apart from humans, the mosquito is the deadliest creature on the planet. It kills millions of people every year through the spread of diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Many of the malaria victims are children under the age of five. Kills: Two to three million people a year. Deadly technique: Female mosquitos pierce the skin with serrated mouth parts, and inject a saliva with a thinning agent to liquidise the blood. Lives in: Worldwide, more harmful in Africa, Asia and North America
Bears
 The are lots of different species of bear, but the polar, black and grizzly are the deadliest. Native to the Arctic, polar bears could decapitate a human being with one swipe of their massive paws. Bears generally attack when they are hungry, so it's a good idea to keep food away from your camp. Kills: An estimated 5 to 10 people a year. Deadly technique: Bear will use their teeth and claws to maul and trample their victims. Lives in: North America, Canada, North Pole, and Russia.
Scorpions
 Out of the 1,500 species of scorpion, the African spitting scorpion is thought to be the most deadly, and can spray its venom up to a metre. Arounf 25 species of scorpion are thought to be deadly to humans. Kills: An estimated 800-2,000 people a year. Deadly technique: Scorpions use their tail stingers to paralyse their prey with venom. Lives in: Worldwide; particularly Africa, the Americas and Central Asia.
Sharks
 The great white shark, which can grow up to six metres in length and weigh up to five tons, seems to have the most ferocious reputation. But, while they have been known to attack humans, most of these incidents are thought to be 'test bites', where the animal is deciphering whether he wants to eat you. And, generally, they humans are not on the menu. It is thought the aggressive bull shark is responsible for the most attacks on people. Out of the 360 shark species, only four are known killers: the great white, the bull, tiger, and the oceanic white tip. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Sharks use their razor-sharp teeth to rip chunks out of its victims. Great whites usually take a big single bite, drag their victims into deeper waters, and wait until the prey bleeds to death before they eat it. Lives in: Florida, Australia, Hawaii and South Africa.
Box Jellyfish
 Box jellyfish can have up to 60 tentacles as long as 15 feet. And each tentacle contains enough venom to kill 50 humans, making it one of the most venomous marine creatures in the world. If stung, a box jellyfish can kill a man within minutes. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Jellyfish use their tentacles to pump venom and paralyse its prey. Deaths in humans are usually a result of cardiac arrest. Lives in: Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Pictures: Tourists mob the Great Wall of China

October 3, 2012, 11:09 pm

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Pictures: Tourists mob the Great Wall of China Rex

Tourist attractions are being completely overwhelmed by huge crowds making the most of the eight-day Chinese national holiday.

And when we say huge crowds, we mean, ooh, just 362 million people or so.

That's the number of Chinese people believed to be on the move during the extended national break this week, according to estimates from the Chinese Tourism Academy.

The decision to waive highway tolls has brought many tourists attractions to a virtual standstill.

These pictures show the Badaling Great Wall, the most visited section, approximately 50 miles northwest of Beijing.

And we thought our bank holiday logjams were bad...

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Don't miss our picture gallery of the strangest tourist attractions around the globe!

The world's weirdest tourist attractions

Catacombs of Paris, France
 During the 18th century, after a long practice of burying the poor en masse in excavated ground and without coffins, the conditions around <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/02/01/things-to-see-in-paris/" target="_blank">Paris </a>became unbearably insanitary, and the decision was taken to transfer the remains, bone by bone, to this underground ossuary. It became a gruesome tourist attraction from the early 19th century, and has been open to the public on a regular basis since1867.
Ice Hotel, Hokkaido, Japan
 If you like your accommodation chilly and pure white, you could do worse than checking out the 'ice hotel' facility at the Alpha Resort Tomamu, Hokkaido. Dinner - which is frozen - is served on ice plates, and drinks are served in carved out blocks of ice. Cold enough for you?
Cockroach Hall of Fame, Plano, Texas
 Inside a DIY pest-conrol shop, proprietor Michael Bohdan passes his time dressing up deceased cockroaches. Among the exhibits you can see representations of Marilyn Monroe and Liberace - and there's this awesome diorama of roaches relaxing at the beach. Too much time on your hands, Michael?
The Paper House, Rockport, Massachusetts, USA
 Taking his cue from the three little pigs, perhaps, Mr Elis F Stenman, designer of the machines that make paper clips, decided in 1922 to start building a house entirely from newspaper. To this day, all the furnishings, including a piano and a desk and chair, are also made from newspaper, and there are other intricate and very detailed pieces.
The Blue Hole of Belize
 Tourist attractions aren't just manmad - Mother Nature offers lots of weird sites for tourists too, like the  Great Blue Hole of Belize in the Barrier Reef Reserve System. It's believed to be the world's largest sea hole, created by a rise in sea levels around 65,000 years ago. With a depth of around 125 meters, it has divers flocking to it from all over the world, especially as it's home to lots of rare animal species and life forms.
International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell, New Mexico, USA
 Roswell has been attracting curious visitors for decades, and the UFO Museum and Research Center no doubt fuels the imagination of every child who goes there. Probably the most famous exhibit is this model of an alien. The museum, which is free to enter, receives fascinated visitors from all over the world.
The Real Mary King's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
 This underground close beneath the streets of Edinburgh is shrouded in mystery and beset by ghost stories. Murders are rumoured to have been committed down there, and they say victims of the plague may have been walled up and left to die. Chilling stuff!
Island of the Dolls, Mexico City
 As tourist attractions go, they don't come much spookier than the Island Of The Dolls, located near Xochimilco, Mexico City. The area itself with its network of canals is rich in superstition, and the spine-chilling display was created by the hermit Don Julián Santana who, despite being married with kids, lived there alone for over 50 years until his death in 2001. The eerie montage of naked, staring dolls is said to be a shrine to a dead girl who haunted him.
The Museum of Toilets, New Delhi
 Pathak's worldwide research into the evolution of the human waste receptacle has resulted in a collection that some might call a load of old toilet. But pictures, exhibits – even poetry – relate the history of the toilet and related customs. Check out the chamber pots – veritable Victorian objets d'art – the French toilet disguised as a bookcase and the replica of King Louis XIII's throne, with its concealed commode. Intrigued? <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/03/28/ten-of-the-worlds-weirdest-museums/" target="_blank">Check out lots more weird museums here!</a>
Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska, USA
 Constructed in the 1980s using 38 vintage American cars sprayed with grey paint, Carhenge is a replication of Stonehenge in England. A visitor centre opened for the public in 2006. Now known as the Car Art Reserve, there are other spray-painted car sculptures to see, too. Want to see more? Check out <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/05/18/ten-of-the-weirdest-tourist-attractions-in-britain/#photo-1" target="_blank">Britain's oddest tourist attractions</a>!

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Take three: sweet days out for chocoholics

October 4, 2012, 2:25 am

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Filed under: UK travel

Take three: sweet days out for chocoholics Choccywoccydoodah, Brighton

Calling all chocoholics! It's National Chocolate Week from 8 to 14 October and although we've never needed an excuse to tuck into the sweet stuff we thought it would be the perfect time to explore some of Britain's chocolatey hotspots for a day out the kids and adults can enjoy.

There will be events and chocolate promotions all across the country - but National Chocolate Week aside, did you know that the village of Bournville in Birmingham was where Cadbury chocolate was born? That York is home to Kit Kat and Smarties? Or that Brighton is creating its own chocolate history with a decadent boudoir for chocoholics?

In York you can take a chocolate tour of the city and discover how its rivers, railways and Quakers brought chocolate here. The Chocolate Trail passes York Cocoa House, a must for those with a sweet tooth to indulge in chocolate afternoon tea and have a go at making chocolate. It also takes in quaint shop Chocolate Heaven and chocolate chain Hotel Chocolat.

Take three: sweet days out for chocoholics York Cocoa House, York

If you want to know more about the delectable treat, explore the rich story of chocolate and confectionary at York's Chocolate Story. Here you'll learn to taste the sweet treat like a professional, get hands on at a virtual chocolate factory and watch chocolatiers in captivating demonstrations. Don't leave without learning how chocolate is made from bean to bar or discovering its secrets.

Head to the model village of Bournville in Birmingham for a indulgent day trip with the kids at Cadbury World. The real-life Willy Wonka chocolate factory is the place for an ultimate chocolate experience, where the kids can visualise themselves as Charlie, learn how the confectionary is made and splash around in the chocolate rain. It's fun for the adults too, as you can create your own delicious chocolate with popcorn marshmallows and biscuits covered in warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk, plus stock up on sweets at the world's biggest Cadbury chocolate shop.

Take three: sweet days out for chocoholics Cadbury World, Bournville. Getty

In the south, Brighton is a haven for chocolate lovers and is home to the Choccywoccydoodah shop and boudoir. The chocolaterie lives and breathes chocolate, so you can browse the fantastical cakes displayed in the boutique, stop for a hot chocolate or tuck into a large piece of chocolate cake before resting on a chaise longue.

Other top spots for chocoholics in Brighton include The Chilli-Shop in Brighton Marina with its free tasters of chilli products, such as chilli chocolate and chocolate brownies - great for those who like their chocolate spicy! And Laughter Alive offers laughing workshops that can be combined with chocolate making - ideal if you're visiting as a group of friends and really want to have a giggle in the city by the sea.

Take three: sweet days out for chocoholics The Chocolate Boutique Hotel, Bournemouth

Looking for a tasty place to sleep after a day out? Mercure Spa Hotels is offering indulgent getaways at nine of its hotels across the country throughout October. The Chocolate Unwrapped package includes a Chocotherapy spa treatment, a Choctail in the bar and a dining experience rounded off with a chocolate twist, from £160 for two people.

Alternatively, boutique bolthole The Chocolate Hotel in Bournemouth has 13 chocolate-themed rooms, which come with chocolate fountains! The Grade II-listed hosts chocolate workshops and chocolate parties all year round.

Love food? Browse our favourite British dishes below...

Great British food

Cornish pasty - Cornwall
 'A genuine Cornish pasty has a distinctive D shape and is crimped on one side, never on top,' the Cornish Pasty Association says. Hit Cornwall to enjoy its national dish, which was once eaten by poor working class families who could only afford cheap ingredients in the 18th century. The pastry filled with chunky beef, swede, potato and onion with a light salt and pepper seasoning is slow-baked and golden brown in colour. Today you can buy the savoury treats all over the country but you'll want to visit Cornwall to taste the real thing. Some great Cornish pasty shops in Cornwall include <a href="http://www.thechoughbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Chough Bakery</a> in Padstow, <a href="http://www.philpsbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Philp's Famous Pasties</a> in Hayle and <a href="http://www.annspasties.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ann's Pasties</a> in The Lizard. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266717;81134721;j" target="_blank">Check out offers on accommodation in Cornwall</a>
Haggis - Scotland
 If you're into adventurous eating and think you can handle Scottish delicacy haggis, take a trip to Scotland to taste the meaty dish. Haggis is best described as a kind of sausage or a savoury pudding cooked in a casing of sheep's intestine. It may not sound appealing but the 2001 English edition of the Larousse Gastronomique says it has an 'excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour'. The dish is popular all over Scotland and there's even a vegetarian version so non-meat eaters don't have to miss out. Want to eat haggis in Scotland? Try <a href="http://www.amber-restaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amber Restaurant</a> set in The Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, which serves a delicious traditional haggis. The hotel <a href="http://mhor.net/" target="_blank">Monachyle Mhor</a> in the Trossachs National Park serves haggis bonbons and haggis for breakfast too. Browse <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266717;81134721;j" target="_blank">accommodation deals in the Trossachs National Park</a> and <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266737;81134743;p" target="_blank">offers on places to stay in Edinburgh</a>
Stilton cheese - Stilton, Cambridgeshire
 Head to the home of the famous blue-veined cheese in Cambridgeshire where historically, The Bell Inn in the village of Stilton popularized Stilton cheese with passing travellers. It's no longer made in the village and only producers in Derbyshire, Nottingham and Leicestershire are allowed to use the name Stilton for the cheese, but the village still celebrates the crumbly blue favourite with its annual Stilton-rolling competition in May. If you're visiting the village you can eat all kinds of Stilton at <a href="http://www.thebellstilton.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Bell Inn</a>. In a leek and potato soup, as a paté or in a creamy sauce on a steak are just some of the ways you can sample the cheese at the inn. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266735;81134741;l" target="_blank">Browse accommodation deals in Cambridgeshire</a>
Welsh cakes - South Wales
 The tradition of baking these fruit cakes on a bakestone goes back so far that it's unclear where in Wales it originates from, although it's said to have started in the Valleys in South Wales. Welsh cakes are traditionally cooked on a bakestone (a flat cast iron griddle that sits on top of the cooker) and contain flour, butter, sugar, currants, egg and spices (mainly cinnamon and nutmeg). The cakes are normally dusted with caster sugar and can be served hot or cold - perfect with a good cuppa! Looking for some top spots in South Wales to taste Welsh cakes? At <a href="http://www.fabulouswelshcakes.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">Fabulous Welshcakes</a> in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay you can watch the cakes being made and take some warms one away with you. <a href="http://www.cakesfromwales.com/maddocks/P7_TeaRoom.aspx" target="_blank">Maddocks' Tea Room</a> in Southgate on the Gower Peninsula serves them with its afternoon tea. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;256696326;81134740;m" target="_blank">Browse accommodation offers in Cardiff</a> and <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266725;81134731;j" target="_blank">deals on places to stay in Cardigan. </a>
Jellied eels - London
 Once a staple food of East and South London's working class when eels were the only fish tough enough to survive in the polluted River Thames, jellied eels can still be found in London if you know where to look. The fish boiled in gelatine is definitely a dish for the brave due to its jellied texture. Even if you don't have the stomach for jellied eels, a visit to a shop is a must to see the Victorian decor and to try pie and mash - another traditional London dish. Goddard's in Deptford, Greenwich, F Cooke on Broadway Market in Hackney and Manze's in Tower Bridge Road in Southwark are some of the best places in London for jellied eels and pie and mash. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266732;81134738;o" target="_blank">See accommodation deals in London</a>
Yorkshire pudding - Yorkshire
 A Sunday roast wouldn't be the same without Yorkshire puddings. The crispy batter dish was originally served as a starter by the working class people of Yorkshire and made with dripping fat from meat roasting in the oven. It's still common in parts of Yorkshire for the dish to be eaten separately to a main meat meal. According to a 2008 ruling by the Royal Society of Chemistry, 'a Yorkshire pudding isn't a Yorkshire pudding if it is less than four inches tall'. For a tasty Sunday lunch in Yorkshire, head to the Carlton Bore in Thirsk where you can enjoy a traditional roast with fresh Yorkshire puddings. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266730;81134737;l" target="_blank">Browse accommodation offers in Yorkshire</a>
Colchester oysters - Colchester, Essex
 Did you know that Colchester Natives are considered some of the best oysters in the world? The tangy molluscs found off the Essex coast were first popularised by the Romans and are flatter, creamier, sweeter and more delicate than more common varieties. The Romans dubbed them as 'the only good thing to come out of Britain'. Mersea Island in Colchester is home to famous suppliers Richard Haward and The Colchester Oyster Fishery. <a href="http://the-company-shed.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Company Shed</a> and the West Mersey Oyster Bar are two top spots for eating the oysters when they're in season. Want somewhere to stay? <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266729;81134735;r">Check out these accommodation offers in Colchester, like 20.12% off a stay at the Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester</a>
Bakewell tart - Bakewell, Derbyshire
 When the hotel cook at the Rutland Arms in the market town of Bakewell, Derbyshire misunderstood the instructions of a dessert she was making in 1860 and spread the egg mixture on top of the jam instead of stirring it into the pastry, little did she know she'd create a local delicacy that would become a much-loved teatime treat all over the country. Visit the Peak District town where you can buy a real Bakewell tart, or pudding as they call it. At the <a href="http://www.bakewellpuddingshop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop</a> in The Square you can even post yourself a Pudding, the <a href="http://www.postapudding.com/" target="_blank">Bakewell Pudding Parlour</a> on Water Street is a good place to have the dessert with a cup of tea and at <a href="http://www.bakewelltartshop.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Bakewell Tart Shop</a> on Matlock Street you can have a personal message iced on a tart! <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266728;81134734;p" target="_blank">Find accommodation deals in Derbyshire</a>
Arbroath Smokies - Arbroath, Scotland
 Ever tried an Arbroath Smokie? It's a haddock that's dried and salted before being smoked over a half-whisky barrel which is set into a smokie pit in the ground. It's intense, rich and smoky in flavour with a burnished copper colour. The Scottish delicacy originated in Auchmithie, a small fishing village a few miles north of Arbroath, which was once populated with Scandinavian fishermen. Although Arbroath Smokies are exported all over the world, they're protected by the European Commission, meaning only haddock smoked in a traditional way within an eight-kilometre radius of Arbroath are considered genuine. Watch the haddock being traditionally smoked by <a href="http://www.arbroathsmokies.net/" target="_blank">Iain Spink of RR Spink & Sons</a> at a farmer's market, then eat them warm from the newspaper on the beach in Arbroath. <a href="http://www.butnbenauchmithie.co.uk/" target="_blank">But 'n' Ben Restaurant</a> in the real home of the Smokie, Auchmithie, is the perfect place to eat fresh Arbroath Smokies when the weather takes a turn for the worse. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266717;81134721;j" target="_blank">Check out these accommodation offers in Angus</a>
Lancashire hotpot - Lancashire
 Like many of Britain's best dishes, the hotpot was born as a necessity and made from everyday local ingredients like potatoes, carrots and lambs by working class families in Lancashire to get them through the winter. Bubbling Lancashire hotpot with its meaty lamb juices and golden potato topping is a pub favourite and you won't want to miss eating the real thing at a restaurant or pub in Lancashire. Be sure to order it with picked red cabbage and a local beer, followed by an Eccles cake, which is also a Lancashire speciality. Top spots to enjoy authentic hotpot in Lancashire include Michelin chef Nigel Haworth's cosy pub <a href="http://www.thethreefishes.com/" target="_blank">The Three Fishes</a> in Mitton where tasty Bowland lamb hotpot is served, Nigel's elegant restaurant <a href="http://www.northcote.com/" target="_blank">Northcote Manor</a> in Blackburn and lively bistro <a href="http://www.hastingslytham.com/" target="_blank">Hastings</a> in Lytham St Annes. Want somewhere to stay? <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;257266769;81134747;y" target="_blank">Browse accommodation offers in Lancashire</a>

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Videos of the day: Paris in motion

October 4, 2012, 3:35 am

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Filed under: Paris

Check out these videos of Paris by Mayeul Akpovi: we think they capture the atmosphere and the beauty of the the city perfectly.

Part I (above) is made from 3000 photos and took five days to film and two days of editing, while Part II was even more ambitious: Akpovi took 3500 photos over 12 days to get the stunning film below.

Paris In Motion (Part II) from Mayeul Akpovi on Vimeo.

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Hotel review: St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel, Crete

October 4, 2012, 5:01 am

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Filed under: World travel

St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas is a five-star hotel situated on a peninsula in the sought-after Mediterranean resort of Agios Nikolaos on the east coast of Crete.

Written by: Ruth Doherty

Hotel

Date published: 10/04/2012

5 / 5 stars

Hoping to escape the October gloom? Then we highly recommend catching some Cretan rays at St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas, a five-star hotel on a peninsula in the sought-after Mediterranean resort of Agios Nikolaos.

First impressions
After setting off from a rain-lashed England, pulling up in gloriously balmy Greece alone would have been enough to set our spirits soaring. So when the St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Spa gates opened and revealed a cobblestoned, bougainvillea-bedecked courtyard, a frisson of excitement bubbled inside. The reception area is enhanced with beautiful beach-scene pictures painted by a local artist, whose work can be seen adorning the walls of the rooms and restaurants throughout the rest of the hotel. There's even an on-site art gallery next to the main pool, showcasing a number of local painters' creations, which makes a wonderful pit-stop after a day soaking up the sun - and the views over the Med - at the infinity-edged swimming area.

The owner of St Nicolas Bay is a successful architect, and more than one staff member described the hotel as not just a business, but his absolute passion and pride. He has successfully blended the hotel with the stunning coastline, carving some of the villas and the pools into the rocks, using an abundance of glass to bring the outside in, allowing for excellent views in as many places as possible.

Everything here is styled to reflect "authentic Greece" with natural materials used throughout (white-plaster walls, marble-lined bathrooms). The mature gardens are also a joy, with a trip to the pool allowing you to enjoy the scents of Cretan basil, oregano, thyme and a host of herbs on your way.

What's to love?
Apart from the obvious (non-stop sunshine (albeit with quite strong winds at times), a private serviced beach - yep, you don't even have to leave your lounger to quench your thirst - the soul-reviving ocean vista, a spa with spectacular scenery, five lovely restaurants) what really stood out was the charming service. The staff had a refreshing nothing-is-too-much-trouble attitude, and bend over backwards to make sure you're happy and catered for. Many of them have worked there for years, and the manager described them as a "family" - something that really came across.

This place is perfect if you...
Are a couple looking for boutique bliss, or a family seeking upmarket fun in the sun. As a couple without children, we weren't bothered by the kids playing on the beach. There's enough room - and activities, including watersports - to keep everybody happy, and even the stunning pool area wasn't overrun with little ones, as they had their own pool to splash around in.

Get me there!
Accommodation: St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas is a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection. Double rooms from £176.00. For more information or to book visit ghotw.com, or call 020 7380 3658.
Flights: Return flights to Crete are available from On the Beach from as little as £100 per person. To book your next holiday, visit onthebeach.co.uk or call the UK call centre 0871 911 0202.

See all the holiday highlights here:

St Nicolas Bay Resort & Villas, Greece

Sleep in style:
 Rooms start at the Classic Double level, where, although they are the most basic, standards are still high, offering sea views and Philippe Starck furniture.
Sleep in luxury:
 Holidaymakers with a little more cash in the coffers can treat themselves to a suite with a private pool, carved into the rocks on the stunning cliff top coastline.
Sleep in heaven:
 Or, you can even make like England football player Theo Walcott, and take your family to stay in one of the six plush Thalassa villas. The Aphrodite House (pictured), is a three-bedroom space offering stylish day-beds next to its private pool, as well as a Jacuzzi with serious views.
Lunch at:
 The Blue Bay All Day Beach Restaurant & Bar is where you take a break from the beach (it's a hard life), and stroll up the stairs for a mid-day snack. You can keep it simple with a burger and chips, or push the boat out with delicious kebabs.
Dinner date:
 The Labyrinthos Restaurant, located next to the hotel reception, is where you'll head for actually-very-good buffet, but if you want to splash out there are a number of fine-dining options, of which The Greek Kafenion (pictured) is one. Sitting above the private beach, with views over the bay, this is where you'll find authentic Cretan dishes cooked on an outdoor BBQ, including lip-smacking seafood (the grilled octopus starter is a highlight). For a real treat, book in to the poolside Minotaure Restaurant (located below the Labyrinthos), and enjoy high-end Asian and International fare by candlelight (top tip? Order the lobster risotto).
Pamper party:
 When you feel like indulging in some me-time, the Poseidon Spa offers a host of treatments using Elemis products. As well as the indoor pool, there's a number of treatment rooms, but by far the best one is accessed via a lift, which opens up to a single room with a view that would boost your senses even without the massage.
Pool cool:
 The huge seawater infinity pool is the perfect spot for relaxing while looking out to the sea and the beach below. It's just a short stroll to the  Blue Bay Beach Restaurant, but staff will ensure you don't need to leave your seat to eat if you don't want to.
Catch the sunset at:
 The Astra Bar Terrace overlooks The Minotaure Restaurant and lagoon pool, and is the perfect place to catch the sun setting over the bright lights of the Agios Nikolaus fishing port.
Cocktails at:
 Right on the beach, the Bonaccia Jetty Bar is a breathtaking spot where you can watch the moon rise, and enjoy a cocktail at the same time. Underwater lights embedded in the beach bay's rocks add to the magical atmosphere.
The lowdown:
 St Nicolas Bay has an idyllic beachfront location just 1.5km from the cosmopolitan port village of Agios Nikolaos. Made up of 40 rooms and suites, as well as six Thalassa villas with private pools, there's accommodation for every budget.

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Is this the alternative to a cruise holiday?

October 4, 2012, 5:09 am

≫ Next: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen! Ten things you must do

≪ Previous: Hotel review: St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel, Crete

Filed under: Travel News

Is this the alternative to a cruise holiday? Rex

A new floating hot tub is giving a whole new meaning to river cruising.

Introducing the Hot Tug, a Dutch creation from a cutting edge company which is already getting lots of interest from locals and tourists alike.

Heated by a wood burning stove, the Hot Tug holds 2,000 litres of water at a balmy 38C temperature, regardless of the outside water temperature.

Is this the alternative to a cruise holiday? Rex

The boat comfortably seats six to eight people. Speaking on ABC News, sales manager Jochem Karstanje said of de Bruijn: 'His dream was to combine his passion for boats and something for public spaces, and he loved to go in a hot tub. So for him, it was obvious."

Rex

It's available to rent or buy. The top version, which includes the boat, a stainless steel wood burning heater, an electric engine, batteries and a charger, costs around £13,000, while a more modest model costs £7,000. Visit hottug.nl for more.

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Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen! Ten things you must do

October 4, 2012, 9:18 pm

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Filed under: Short breaks

48 hours in Copenhagen Rex

The Danes are proud of their capital city - and it's easy to see why. With its eclectic mix of districts, thousands of bicycles and peaceful way of life, Copenhagen is a wonderful choice for a city break.

There's a certain beauty to this place, especially on a blue-skied crisp day. Of course, you can't always control the weather but you can pick where you visit when you get there (see our guide, below). We flew to Copenhagen with BA, a painless hour and a half flight from Heathrow, and spent 48 hours in the city that brought the world Carlsberg and Hans Christian Andersen.

One thing you can't fail to notice is the Danish concept of hyggelige - basically a sense of cosiness, wellbeing and conviviality - which oozes from all corners of Copenhagen and its public spaces. Bars, restaurants and cafes all buzz with it, and when you add in the Danes' naturally friendly nature, it's virtually impossible not to leave this Scandinavian city feeling a certain joie de vivre.

Copenhagen may not be cheap - but it's friendly, pretty, clean, safe and ridiculously easy to get around - we reckon it's well worth that little bit of extra spending money. Here are our top ten things to do...

Ten things to do in Copenhagen

Oggle at the opera house
 Catch a bus-style boat across the harbour in Copenhagen's port to see one of the world's most appreciated and modern Opera houses. Crashing through chunks of ice on the way made the experience all the more exciting. The Opera House (Operaen), which towers over 14 storeys and took four years and 2.5 billion Danish Kroner to build, was certainly something to marvel over.
Stop off at the statue
 The harbour is also home to Denmark's most famous tourism hotspot The Little Mermaid statue, made in memorial of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale, which went on to become a Disney blockbuster. The canal tours will take you to visit it, or you can make your own way to it on one of the cities much loved bikes.
Wander around the harbour
 Spend an afternoon by the harbour and stroll around Downtown Copenhagen, the oldest district, with small, narrow cobbled streets, plus the famous Strøget Street which goes from the City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv and is always packed with people, street artists and of course shops.
Pop in on Kronborg
 Nearer to the capital, it's well worth a visit to Kronborg Castle in Elsinore, Øresund, which is one of northern Europe's most important Renaissance castles. Known from Shakespeare's Hamlet, it's the most famous castle in Denmark and is visited each year by about 200,000 Danes and tourists.
Don't miss out on Frederiksborg
 Like the Brits, the Danish have a Royal family and their castles are spectacular. To see one of the best, take a train North to Hillerød (line E) to Frederiksborg Castle. Beautifully situated in the middle of a lake and surrounded by a Baroque garden, it makes an incredible sight. The largest Renaissance Castle in Scandinavia, it was built in the first decades of the 17th century by King Christian IV and incorporates the finest Renaissance architecture. The castle now houses the Museum of National History, where you can see 500 years of Danish past.
Explore the canals
 Copenhagen began as a port and is still connected by its many canals. Unfortunately the bitterly cold weather when we visited meant the waters were too frozen to take a canal boat tour - but we have it on good authority that this is the best way to see the city's five districts!  Copenhagen may be Denmark's capital city but it certainly never seems busy or cramped. The busiest place you will find is Strøget Street and the downtown area, where people from across the country and even Sweden come to shop.
Grab a hotdog
 Denmark, a country which has more pigs than it does people, is famous for its pork. You'll find no shortage of quality places to eat in Copenhagen, but the hotdogs from street vendors are also great. The gourmet hotdog vendor next to Andersen Bakery (Bernstorffsgade 5) is even better. Order the prized Grand Danois (DKK50), made with organic pork sausage, Bornholm mustard, and a Chanterelle sauce and you'll definitely be full. One of the most memorable places we dined was a delightful 1940's style cafe-come-restaurant. We ate a brunch consisting of a savoury muffin with a sort of ham and potato omelette at Granola cafe on Vaernedamsvej off Vesterbrogade. Thankfully most Danish people speak English so even if you don't understand the menus you only have to ask and they're happy to explain.
Sample the local beer
 If beer is more your tipple and you don't mind moving from beside the water to get it, specialist beer bar Mikkeller is a must visit. Located in the Vesterbro district, the most fashionable and lively area of the city, but which used to be known for its sex industry and having more butchers per square kilometre than anywhere else in Europe, you can find Mikkeller tucked away just off Vesterbrogade. This local gem contains over 20 different types of homebrewed beer; to give you some idea of their creativity in 2010 alone Mikkeller launched 76 new beers.
Soak up the atmosphere
 Nothing beats sitting outside with one of the "blanket bars" (blankets are provided by proprietors when it's cold) watching the world (and beautiful Danish people) pass by. We found a wine bar, called Ved Stranden, which boasted over 500 different types of fine wine, mainly Austrian, plus a very helpful connoisseur/waitress who helped us pick something perfect.

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Great white shark jumps out of water and frightens photographer

October 5, 2012, 9:57 pm

≫ Next: Wizz Air charges passengers for large hand luggage

≪ Previous: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen! Ten things you must do

Filed under: Travel News

Great white shark jumps out of water and frightens photographer, great whites, south africa, shark diving Rex

A photographer got more than he bargained for when he was on a diving trip in South Africa and a 16-foot long great white shark jumped out of the water and was just inches from his camera lens.

British snapper David Caravias was shocked when the shark suddenly burst out of the water after his brave attempt to recreate an image from shark film Jaws.

Part of a shark diving team aboard a 30ft-long boat, David had been 'playing' with the shark by dangling a chunk of tuna over the edge of the boat.

The shark momentarily went out of sight before leaping out of the sea and nearly taking David with him on his descent back into the water.

Great white shark jumps out of water and frightens photographer Rex

David, 42, told Rex Features: 'It came out of nowhere at real pace and completely caught us off guard.

'The shark must have come only an inch from us and I was convinced we were goners.

'This was a complete freak incident but it definitely puts you in your place, it shows you cannot get complacent with the sharks.

'Nevertheless, I love to photograph great whites; you just have to work out their behaviour and movements.'

There were up to five great whites up to 16 feet long circling the boat at any one time.

Great white shark jumps out of water and frightens photographer Rex

The boat had a specially designed cage attached to allow divers to get a closer look at the predators.

David said that although they look menacing, he believes they are actually 'quite playful'.

His stunning pictures were taken off the coast of South Africa at Gansbaai, near Cape Town.

The photographer, who moved to South Africa from Wokingham, Berkshire to pursue a dream career in shark diving, added: 'It is very exciting taking photos of sharks, especially great whites.

Great white shark jumps out of water and frightens photographer Rex

'They all have different personalities - some are relaxed and slow and others are feisty and very playful.

'But never have the sharks 'gone for' divers in the cage or tried to hurt people on the trip.

'They are extremely intelligent creatures and very selective on what they prey on and hunt.'

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Wizz Air charges passengers for large hand luggage

October 6, 2012, 12:19 am

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Filed under: Travel News

Wizz Air charges passengers for larger hand luggage PA

Hungarian no-frills airline Wizz Air has become the first carrier in Europe to charge passengers for carry-on luggage.

Passengers booking Wizz Air tickets for travel from 24 October 2012 will only be allowed to carry a small cabin bag of up to 42 x 32 x 25cm free of charge. Any other kind of bags taken as hand luggage will come with a £9-per-bag fee.

According to Travel News, the airline previously tested the new baggage policy on its Luton Airport to Katowice (Poland) route, and claims very good results. Since 1 August this year, passengers on the route have been paying 10 euros for a larger piece of cabin baggage.

The airline's new policy is to control the problem of lack of storage space on smaller aircrafts.

In a statement, chief financial officer of Wizz Air, Michael Powell, said: 'When it comes to low fares Wizz Air knows no half measures! Wizz Air is announcing its new and innovative cabin baggage policy after a successful trial confirmed that more onboard space and cost savings are achieved when passengers bring less large bags into the cabin.

'With the vast majority of passengers willing to bring smaller bags on board we are now the first European carrier to eliminate a chronic problem in the airline industry faced by all airlines.

He added: 'We leave it for high fare airlines to tackle their costs by raising fares and levying unavoidable fuel surcharges while Wizz Air passengers will continue to pay only for the services they use.

'Today we encourage our passengers to travel smart and bring only a small bag on board. To pass on the expected cost savings we are immediately discounting by £4.50 all fares available for booking under the new cabin bag policy at wizzair.com.'

Ten things we love to hate about low-cost flying

Paying for paying
Is it just us, or is there something seriously nut so about the concept of paying for the privilege of paying? It's a crazy, mixed-up world when you have to pay £10 to use a debit card which costs the airline around 20p to process. Of course, you could apply for one of the cards which are 'free' to use, but they change all the time and take hours to apply for. If we thought about it too hard we'd only ever sit at home and cry.
Clashing colours
My dear, the garishness! Bright orange, purple, lurid yellow... it's enough to make anyone long for the days of a discreet livery of navy, red and perhaps a touch of silver. If you weren't feeling queasy before you got onboard, the combination of lime green uniforms and a £10 gin and tonic should do the job. Pass the sick bag – oh no, that's right, there aren't any.
Arriving at random airports
It's all very well paying £3.99 for your flight to Stockholm, but you won't be feeling so clever when you land in a field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lakes and forests, with no capital city in sight. Add on the taxes, extra charges and an hour and a half taxi ride into town and suddenly the national carrier flying to the main airport is looking like a pretty good deal. Especially when you factor in the professional service and free prawn sandwich you would have got...
Bonkers booking
Ah, the joys of the online no-frills airline booking procedure... First off, let's assume you've got access to the internet (if you don't, you're pretty much stuffed, because the chances of finding a real live human to book with are about as high you being able to travel on one of the special offer days). You've then got to navigate the site without accidentally hiring a car, paying for golf clubs or adopting a small child. By the time you remember to print out your boarding pass within the correct time period, you're in serious need of a holiday...
Full-fare food and drink
The recent story about a certain airline which gave a man a sandwich and a drink after he suffered a cardiac arrest – and then charged him for it – just about sums up the no-frills airline attitude to catering. It's all about the money, money, money. So, three letters for you: B.Y.O.
Speedy boarding
Seriously, what is up with people who pay for speedy boarding? You haven't spent enough on extra taxes, credit card charges, baggage fees? Sure, whack on another hefty charge while you're at it, just so you can stand in the front of the queue and feel superior. The plane's not going anywhere until the povs at the back of the queue are on too, so save the twenty quid – you'll need it to pay for your cheese sandwich on board.</div>
Baggage restrictions
No, no, we don't really need to take anything with us on our holiday, honestly. We may be going to Norway for two weeks in January, but a toothbrush, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops will do us just fine. The book, nappies, wet wipes and baby food ? No problem, they'll slip right into the one bag too, that's fine, don't need them at all, yes stick them in the overhead locker miles away from my seat, too. Marvellous.
No seat pocket
Remember in the old days when the seat in front of you had a pocket you could stow your bits and pieces, magazines, bottle of water etc, instead of having to strew them all over the floor? They might be saving space and weight, but when your three-year-old starts projectile vomiting and the seat belt sign's on, suddenly a seat pocket full of sick bags makes a lot of sense. Ah, sweet revenge...
Lousy legroom
Jeez, there's nothing like 29" legroom pitch and a non-reclining seat back to force you to practice your yoga moves. Like human origami, we fold our limbs into unnatural shapes and wonder why we can't feel our feet by the end of the flight. And we're relatively normal! What it's like for a 6ft 7" man, or a 7 month pregnant woman with a 20 month old on her 'lap' doesn't bear thinking about...
Surly service
OK, when you're paying more for your beer than your air fare, you can't expect silver service, but would a smile hurt? We feel for the cabin crew dealing with leery stag weekenders and bitter businessmen whose companies won't cough up for a proper airline, but it would be nice to be treated slightly more like a human being, less like a walking wallet from whom to extract as much cash as possible in a two hour period. Scratch card, perfume, magazine, £2.50 bottle of water, anyone?

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Ten of the world's most magnificent gorges

October 7, 2012, 10:08 pm

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Filed under: World travel

Ten of the world's most magnificent gorges Rex

From Arizona's captivating Grand Canyon to the wonderful Gorges du Verdon in France, feast your eyes on these awe-inspiring gorges around the world...

World's most spectacular gorges

Gorges du Verdon, France
 Considered one of the most spectacular gorges in Europe, Gorges du Verdon in south-east France is around 25km long and up to 700 metres deep. It was formed by the Verdon River and one of its most distinctive features is the turquoise-green of the river. Tourists flock to the gorge to kayak, hike and climb, and the most impressive part of it is between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where you can see a picturesque ravine. Don't miss the amazing rock structures of the Styx du Verdon and the scenic Sentier Martel hike.
Fish River Canyon, Namibia
 Located in the south of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and features a gigantic ravine about 160km long and almost 55 metres deep in some places. The canyon follows Namibia's longest interior river, Fish River, into Orange River, which then flows out to the Atlantic. It is one of southern African's top spots for hiking. The trip through ancient landscapes is strenuous and takes around four days to cover the 53 miles of rocky desert terrain, pools and sulphur springs. Look out for mountain zebra, rock rabbits, baboon and elusive leopards.
Ristikallio Gorge, Lapland, Finland
 Ristikallio Gorge, located in North Eastern Finland's Oulanka National Park is a famous viewpoint on the popular hiking route, the Karhunkierros Trail. The gorge is fantastic starting point for the Bear Trail Hike, where many people hope to spot the elusive brown bear, which makes the area its home. The River Aventojoki flows between the cracks of the bedrock switching from one crack to another.
Cheddar Gorge, UK
 As Britain's biggest gorge and 300 million years in the making, Cheddar Gorge is a must-visit UK attraction. The limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills is the site of the Cheddar show caves, where you can see Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, the 9,000-year-old Cheddar Man. The maximum depth of the gorge is 137 metres with a near-vertical cliff-face to the south. At the gorge you can learn about geological formations, prehistoric cannibalism and even embark on a crystal quest across Gough’s Cave, which was formed between 500,000 and 15,000 years ago by water dissolving the limestone rock.
Antelope Canyon, America
 Named after the herds of pronghorn antelope that roamed freely in the canyon, Antelope Canyon in Arizona is one of the most intriguing canyons in the world and boasts mysterious and haunting beauty. The famous light beams in the Upper Antelope Canyon occur most often in the summer months, while the views in the Lower Antelope Canyon are best enjoyed in the early morning. It can be a challenge photographing Antelope Canyon due to the light reflecting off the walls but its sculpture is like no other making it well worth a visit.
Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia
 One of Slovenia's most popular natural features the Vintgar Gorge is home to stunning views and the delightful Sum waterfall. Located in Bled, it is over a kilometre long and a 30 to 40-minute walk, depending on how energetic you're feeling. The path through the gorge is along wooden bridges, galleries and the rushing river Radovna. Take the scenic walk past St Catherine's Church and across the meadows, which offer wonderful views of the Karavanke mountain range and the Ljubljanska valley.
Todra Gorge, Morocco
 Todra Gorge is located on the remote eastern side of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains where the last 600 metres of the gorge narrows to a flat stony track with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160 metres high on each side. There is a tiny glacier stream, which must have once carried more water, and the scenery is breathtaking, with local people living in the area often seen with their donkeys or herding camels and goats. Hiking and rock climbing are the most popular activities at the gorge.
Copper Canyon, Mexico
 Mexico's Copper Canyon is a group of canyons in the Sierra Madre. Its name derives from the greenish copper hue of the canyon walls and it spans a total length of 37,000 miles. Remarkable legends, traditions and mysteries are hidden in the mighty walls and the indigenous people of the Raramuris and Tarahumaras communities have made the canyons their home for centuries with their lives intertwined with the mountains. Top things to do include visiting the quiet village of Cerocahui, eating fresh seafood in Los Mochis and experiencing a Copper Canyon train journey.
Grand Canyon, America
 The vast and magnificent Grand Canyon is Arizona's most distinguishable landmark and one of America's most famous attractions. The natural wonder is one you have to see to believe and stretches 277 miles from end to end, where steep, rocky walls descend more than a mile to the canyon's floor. Learn about the Grand Canyon's two distinct sides, go on a backpacking trip or gain a new perspective by rafting in the canyon. There are historic lodges and rugged campgrounds so you can sleep at the Grand Canyon too.
Samaria Gorge, Greece
 The island of Crete's Samaria Gorge was created by a small river running between the White Mountains and Mount Volakias, and is 16km long. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates, where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of just four metres and soar up to a height of nearly 300 metres. Samaria is a refuge for the rare kri-kri or Cretan goat, which is mainly found in the park.
Glen Helen Gorge, Australia
 View the West MacDonnell Ranges, take a cool dip in the Finke River and admire the towering sandstone at Glen Helen Gorge in Australia's outback. The gorge, located 132km west of Alice Springs, is a refuge for local wildlife and is a popular overnight stop for drivers on the iconic Red Centre Way. The landscape around the gorge is spectacular and the sandstone wall is the first thing you'll see as you arrive. The ranges of Glen Helen Gorge part to make way for the Finke River, an important waterhole for fish and migrating waterbirds.

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