New Survey Reveals the Highs, Lows and Illicit Loves of Britain’s Motorway Service Stations
Posted July 22, 2009 , add a comment) With this summer set to be a bumper one for UK tourism and millions of travellers hitting the roads, a new survey reveals that 1 in 6 would like to have an illicit romantic liaison at a motorway service station ? compared to 1 in 20 who already have.
The survey, by leading car hire comparison site Carrentals.co.uk, questioned over 2,300 people on their experiences at garages and service stations across the UK, and found that while there were a range of complaints about prices and cleanliness there was still an interest in them for a romantic tryst.
The top service stations for these romantic get togethers are located in the Midlands and North West, followed by London and South East ? according to respondents who have tried them - with the 36 ? 45 age group the most likely to opt for these motorway illicit liaisons.
Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “This survey was designed to look at just what people think of motorway service stations, particularly the prices charged, and also the experiences they have had in them. The level of illicit romantic liaisons came as a complete surprise to us, but when you look at the most popular locations they all tend to be around the main travel routes through the country so service stations must make convenient, and secret, meeting places.”
The high costs charged by service stations was one of the key issues found by the survey, with nearly 60% of respondents saying service stations should lower their prices, with medical items, sweets, souvenirs and CDs all highlighted as being over priced.
Another area of complaint was the toilet facilities, with 1 in 5 saying they thought they should be cleaner and men being more critical of toilet cleanliness than women, while the choice of food on offer was also highlighted as needing major improvement.
Gareth adds: “With many people being more cautious with money and opting against an overseas holiday, this summer is set to see more travellers hitting Britain’s motorways than ever before, but the main complaint that came from the survey was the prices charged in service stations. In the current climate and with the school holidays just around the corner, just driving from a to b can be expensive for parents, so the best option is to stock up on snacks and magazines before you set off.”
Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 35 car rental companies, including Alamo, Holiday Autos, Sixt and Thrifty in over 9,000 locations worldwide.
For more information visit www.carrentals.co.uk
Carrentals.co.uk was launched in February 2003 and grew to become one of the UK’s leading online car hire companies by 2006.
In 2007 the company re-launched its site to create the first major online price comparator in the travel industry. The Carrentals.co.uk site now searches up to 35 different car hire websites comparing the best prices in over 9,000 locations.
Websites searched include Alamo, Budget, EasyCar, Ebookers, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Opodo, Sixt and Thrifty.
The Carrentals.co.uk site also features over 5,000 pages of travel information in a mini-guide format.
In 2008 Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the Travolution Awards.
Princess Cruises… 5 Important Points!
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The Princess Cruises offers all of the main facilities that Princess is noted for, plus some new innovations. These include the, fantastic shows each evening, dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and performing street entertainers. The larger cruise liners in the Princess Cruises fleet carry more than three thousand passengers, with a vast number of balcony staterooms and mini-suites. There will be a great experience while waking in the morning, go out to your private balcony and take in the fresh sea air. If you have few glasses of juices with you, you will definitely enjoy more. There are many things to consider before embarking on a Princess cruise adventure. First you need to be clear on what you want from this type of vacation so you can easily search for available trips and packages. 1. Destination is one of the first things to decide on before getting down to details. A Princess Cruise offers so many interesting destinations to choose from and the most popular ones are South America, Europe, Canada, New England, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Tahiti, South Pacific, Mexican Riviera, Alaska and World Cruise. 2. Duration is another factor that you need to decide on. There are short cruises that only run for five days. For first timers though, it is recommended that you choose a longer trip to maximize the activities that you can do. There are trips that last for 6 to 8 days, 9 to 15 days, and schedules for 16 days up too. For tour duration, most tours run for 3 to 4 to 6 days or more. Relative to this, you would also need to think about the travel sequence. You can choose to cruise first before the tour or the other way around. 3. Just like any other holiday trips, there are documents that need to be prepared when going on a Princess cruise. You need to have your travel certification, permits, visa/s or passports on hand to avoid any hitches during the trip. Your travel agency can further advise you on other essential documents that you should not forget to bring. 4. Are you combining your cruise with another travel itinerary? Or is it the only travel activity that you’re going to do? Whichever, it pays to learn about the embarkation ports so you can plan for other things including delays, land and air transfers and stopovers. Embarkation ports for these trips include Acapulco in Mexico, Athens in Greece, Bangkok in Thailand, Barbados, Beijing in China, Cape Town in South Africa, Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, Honolulu in Hawaii, London in England, Manaus in Brazil, New Orleans in Louisiana, Osaka in Japan, Quebec City in Quebec, Rome in Italy, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Seattle in Washington, Sydney in Australia, Venice in Italy, Anchorage in Alaska, Auckland in New Zealand, Barcelona in Spain, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Copenhagen in Denmark, Galveston in Texas and Lima in Peru among many others. 5. The fleet must be considered too. All princesses are magnificent ships but they offer different opportunities as far as amenities, activities and experiences to be had are concerned. Read the detailed description for each ship and make your choice.
Viva la Summer: Rome
Posted , add a commentEditor’s Note:This is the second installment of Viator’s Viva la Summer, a special series encouraging everybody to hit the road this summer and unleash their inner traveler. Each week we’re selecting a “Traveler of the Week” from a featured destination, which earns you bragging rights and a $50 Viator Gift Certificate. Happy summer travels! Last week’s destination? Las Vegas. Next week’s destination? London!
Haven’t heard of Viva la Summer? Here’s the deal - as part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is Rome, Italy (see below for some of our favorite things to do in Rome).
The first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it’s Mike and Natalie from the USA. They just submitted this photo taken on a Rome Segway tour outside the Roman Forum. We love the photo, we love the idea of roaming the streets of Rome on a Segway (terrible traffic in Rome? not on a Segway!!) and, yes, we do love their smiling faces. For being selected as Viator’s Viva la Summer traveler of the week, we’re sending Mike and Natalie a $50 Viator Gift Certificate.
Mike & Natalie on a Rome Segway tour
Viva la Summer, Viva Rome!
Rome is a year-round favorite among travelers, and Viator has more than 75 tours and things to do in Rome to help you make the most of a trip to Italy’s political and cultural capital. Here are some of our favorites:
- Vatican Tours - The Holy See, central authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and The Vatican City (home to the Pope since 1929) create the foundation of this cultural and religious mecca. With its popularity, an opportunity to gain entry before the public during the Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms and St Peter’s (8:10am departure only) is access nearly impossible to come by. Comments submitted by 1,300+ travelers illustrate why this experience sits at the top of Viator’s top-rated experiences list in Rome!
- A selection of additional special Vatican Skip-the-Line experiences include the Private Tour: Vatican Museums Walking Tour; St. Peter’s Basilica and Thrones of the Pope Tour; and Vatican Museums Tickets (for those who like to explore on their own). For those lucky enough to plan their vacation around one of the Vatican private viewings - this isn’t a skip-the-line experience but rather a special invitation to visit the Vatican behind-the-scenes, after hours.
- Ancient culture and history ooze from the cracks in the cobblestones throughout Rome. Suggestions for experiences that take travelers beyond the guidebook include the Rome by Night Tour and the Ancient Rome Half-Day Walking Tour. More off-the-beaten-path experiences in Rome include Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking Tour; Rome Angels and Demons Half-Day Tour (based on the Dan Brown novel and recent motion picture adaptation); Roman Gladiator School: Learn How to Become a Gladiator; and the Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour of Rome.
- It is easy to explore much Italy has to offer just beyond Rome’s borders on a day trip from Rome. Destinations and combinations easily explored from Rome include Florence; Capri; Naples and Pompeii; Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast; and Assisi and Orvieto. For longer excursions, Rome is a perfect point of departure for multi-day adventures including the 5-day Best of Italy Trip: Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, and Venice; the 3-Day Italy Trip: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri; and the 5-Day Italy Trip: Florence, Pisa and Venice.
-Viator Travel Team
England: London, Carbon Voyage Offers Environmentally Friendly Door-to-Door Express Service.
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment
It is not often that London and the phrase earth friendly travel options appear in the same sentence but as I am planning my next trip to London I have discovered several examples – not only earth friendly but family friendly. You are probably thinking earth friendly and family friendly go hand-in-hand, right? Yup, that’s right.
Here’s the deal. My first green discovery is also economical. I have plugged Heathrow and Gatwick Express for several years because the service makes sense. After all, if you can travel lightly in a city why not do it? I am now happy to report that the good idea is even better. Heathrow and Gatwick Express have launched the first ever environmentally friendly door-to-door service to and from the airport with Carbon Voyage. Now travellers may book a pickup with Carbon Voyage and travel by car to Paddington or Victoria Stations to board the express train service to Heathrow or Gatwick Airports.
This new integrated service, which may be booked online, means customers will only need to make one booking, to arrange a Carbon Voyage vehicle and train ticket. Train tickets will be sent electronically to the customers, saving postage and paper.
According to George Fripp, Account Manager for Heathrow and Gatwick Express, the intent is to provide a best-in-class service and assistance to travelers who care about the environment. This idea works for anyone wishing to travel “green” in London. To make this concept come together Carbon Voyage patterned with Green Tomato Cars (www.greentomatocars.com), London’s largest exclusively green taxi company. The result is that travellers can easily “go green” without settling for a lower quality of service or paying premiums often assessed to earth friendly service. Travellers will enjoy a smooth journey, excellent customer service, reduce their environmental impact and pay less for the trip all at the same time.
Check the numbers. James Swanston of Carbon Voyage said, “From an environmental perspective, this new service will assist in taking cars off the road, reducing congestion and more importantly the pollution caused from the five million people per year that use taxis and minicabs to travel to and from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. The average taxi trip from Paddington to Heathrow is approximately 6.2 kg of CO2 emissions as opposed to 1.4 kg using a train (Source: www.transportdirect.info).”
Make it happen. Heathrow and Gatwick Express Carbon Voyage prices start from ?32 and may be booked online at www.carbonvoyage.com
About Heathrow Express. Launched in June 1998 and operated by BAA, Heathrow Express carries an average of 16,000 passengers each day with over 50 million people having travelled on Heathrow Express since launch. Heathrow Express leaves every 15 minutes from London’s Paddington station to London’s Heathrow Airport. Customers can get to Heathrow Central (Terminals 1, 2 & 3) in 15 minutes and Terminal 5 six minutes later. For more information about Heathrow Express visit www.heathrowexpress.com
About Gatwick Express. Gatwick Express, the non-stop rail-air service between Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport departs every 15 minutes with a journey time of 30 minutes. For more information visit www.gatwickexpress.com
Editor’s note: My other family friendly “green” discoveries remain on my note pad fo rnow but will be featured once I have seen the green for myself.
Thailand travel
Posted , add a commentThailand Travel:
This popular country is located in southeast Asia in the north of Malaysia, bordered by Laos and Cambodia on the east. In the recent years, Thailand
tourism has become a very activity in the world, securing a position among the
top 25 most popular tourism places of the world and among the top 5 in Asia. There are several reasons for the increasing popularity of Thailand tourism, the most important one is the friendly and peace loving nature of the Thai
people. Thailand tourism offers a wealth of exotic and culturally distinctive destinations spread throughout its 76 provinces. The Majestic city of Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.
Topics:
? Thailand Tourism Overview
? Getting There
? Transportation And Car Rental
? Climate / Weather
? Visa
? Golf
? Shopping
? Top Hotels
? Nightlife
? Local Tourist Office
? Currency
? Recommendation and Safety
THAILAND TOURISM AND TRAVEL OVERVIEW:
Thailand tourism is an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural
beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of
fabulous ancient kingdoms. It offers everything from crowded markets and bazaars
to ancient temples, to busy nightlife all set against some of the best scenery
in the region. Thailand tourism is mainly divided into four regions - The Central Plain,
The Peninsular South, The Mountainous North and The High Northeast Plateau.
Thailand is a popular travel destination, and tourist facilities and services
are available throughout the country. You will find great food, a tropical
climate, national parks, fascinating culture and, great beaches, its diverse
attractions make it popular with tourists and travelers of all types and ages. Thailand
tourism has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand
(TAT).
GETTING
TO THAILAND:
Since Bangkok is Thailand’s main tourist attraction,
most tourists arrive at Bangkok’s Don Muang International Airport which has
connecting flights to almost all the major cities around the world.
TRANSPORTATION AND CAR RENTAL:
Thailand has many buses and taxi services that are fast, comfortable and very
easily available. Thailand also has a efficient rail system along with domestic
flights, connecting to all the major cities of the country, therefore getting
around the country is very easy and the tourists have several options including
domestic flights, buses, taxis and rail system. The roads are modern and there
are several Air-conditioned buses offering maximum comfort at a low price.
Car Rental:
Many companies like Avis, Hertz, National and Budget operate rental car
operations in Thailand.
In Thailand you drive on the left hand side of the road. Speed limits signs are
posted in English.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with driving conditions and
local laws before renting a car in this popular tourism destination.
Most rental car companies apply the following rules, but do check with your
company for full requirements.
- Minimum driver age is 21 years.
- Driver must hold a valid driving license or International Driving Permit
- Customer must have an international credit card.
- A copy of customers’ ID Card or Passport is required.
CLIMATE - WHEN TO GO:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons summer from March
through May, rainy season with plenty of sunshine from June to September and
winters from October through February. Since Thailand can get very hot in the
summer season, the best time for Thailand tourism is December to February.
TOURIST VISA:
It is required to have a return ticket and passport ready
before visiting Thailand. The validity of passport should be at least 6 months
beyond intended length. When this article was written in 2007 the citizens of
USA, Canada, Australia, and Britain were exempted from visa for up to 30 days of
stay. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,
Slovak Republic and Slovenia are granted a 15 day visa on arrival. Citizens of
other countries need a visa in advance.
Visit these official sites for more tourism information:
Thailand Tourism office- USA
61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, USA
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Thailand Tourism office-UK
3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE, UK
Website: www.thaismile.co.uk
Embassy websites:
www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
www.thaiembdc.org
GOLF:
Thailand tourism offers great golf clubs to its tourists .Popular 18-hole golf clubs are the Pok-Ta-Pok along the coast of
Caribbean and Hilton Park Golf Club near the El Rey ruins.
The 9-hole golf course located at the Hotel Melia is relatively cheaper.
Golf has been a popular Thailand attraction for centuries where world’s top
designers have come and left their marks and so have several world class
players. There are Golf Courses within easy reach of all the major cities. For
Golf lovers, the best time to visit is the winter season, from November to
March. Even rainy season is not a bad time since the rain comes down mostly in
the afternoon that too only for a few minutes and most of the Golf courses have
a good drainage system. However, it is highly recommended to get your booking
done in advance, especially over the weekends and peak travel season.
SHOPPING IN THAILAND:
Shopping has always been a the major Thailand tourism attraction where a wealth of
shopping opportunities await the visitors. Thailand is popular for its
traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, finished jewellery, antiques, ceramics, Nielloware, silk, silverware, pottery and much more, all at a bargain prices.
Thailand is truly a shoppers paradise ranging from modern malls to street
vendors. The biggest market of all, and the most fascinating, is the Chatuchak
Weekend Market, held on Saturday and Sunday at Chatuchak Park in Bangkok, not
far from the Central Plaza Hotel. Chiang Mai is another popular shopping place
where some of the factories have demonstrations of how these goods (silk, paper,
silver etc.) are made. The Night Bazaar, is a good place to sample the full
range of local products such as cotton, lacquer ware, silver, hill tribe
clothing, Burmese tapestries, painted umbrellas, and woodcarvings. Other than
the big malls that have a fixed price, bargaining is very popular at most of the
other tourism places in order to get the best prices.
TOP HOTELS:
Thailand tourism offers a vide range of luxury hotels and resorts, some of the
popular ones are - The Peninsula, Lebua at state tower, The Metropolitan, and
Intercontinental in Bangkok; Amanpuri, Aleena resort and spa, and JW Marriott in
Phuket; Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai.
You will also find several budget accommodations and inns in Thailand.
NIGHTLIFE:
Nightlife is another popular attraction of Thailand tourism, the evening entertainment
is both plentiful and inexpensive. The bars, discos and pubs are open till late
at night and some of the clubs play live music all night. The important
nightlife locations in Thailand include the cinemas that offer excellent value
for money, ticket prices are much cheaper than in many other parts of the world
and most of the country?s cinemas are top of the range. The other locations
include the beaches that are the most sought after nightlife locations. Here one
would find bars, pubs and go-go bars that are very popular. Thailand’s nightlife
has something for all its visitors and offers a wide variety of night
entertainment, it is truly a nightlife paradise.
Thailand tourism has some problems too, prostitution in Thailand is a big
in-famous industry and the Thai red-light branch turns billions of dollars every
year.
LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE :
Thailand Tourism Office:
1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310.
+66 (0)2 250 5500 (Bangkok) or www.tourismthailand.org
CURRENCY:
1 USD = 32.125 Thai Baht
For latest exchange rates go to -
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=THB
RECOMMENDATION & SAFETY:
Solo women travelers should avoid beaches at night. Thailand is overall safe
country to visit from both the health and personal safety aspects. Consult with
your doctor with any immunizations he may recommend. Tourists should also
exercise caution in remote areas along the border with Myanmar. Visit
travel.state.gov for latest safety guidelines.