Travel
What they don't tell you about taking time out to travel
Filed under: Travel, Work & Careers
When I announced to friends and family that I was going travelling to New Zealand, there were lots of comments of 'You're so lucky.' Well, I'd worked really hard to be able to afford to go, so there wasn't really any luck involved. And I know from experience that travelling isn't the walk in the park that many people seem to think it is.Admittedly the image of swimming with dolphins and relaxing on faraway beaches doesn't exactly seem like hard work when everyone at home is braving dismal weather on the daily commute, but taking time out to travel is a different kind of challenge.
Struggling to believe me? Here are a few things they don't tell you about taking time out to travel.
BA woes could see more great deals on First Class
Filed under: Travel
News out today about the dire state of airline passenger figures could be one of the best things to happen to the business for quite some time.British Airways has reported the main reason for their £50 million loss in the last quarter was the 8% drop in passenger numbers. It didn't help that the Big Freeze saw so many flights scrapped altogether. There's only one thing for it then, cut prices and lure people back onto the planes.
So as the airlines compete with each other for market share then there could be more great deals coming our way, like BA's First Class to Los Angeles for £2,997.
Train ticket rip offs are sending us off the rails
Filed under: Travel
In theory train travel is the transport of the future. It's green, it's surprisingly quick and it keeps thousands of cars off the road. In practice it's a hideous experience that no-one in their right mind would want to be part of their future.Unreliable services, dirty trains, laughably overpriced tickets, and sandwiches that cost more than most meals in a restaurant all add up to a miserable experience.
In fact, the latest figures reveal that 55% of people think tickets are too expensive given the level of service offered.
But it's not all bad news.
Get savvy and book your holidays online
Filed under: Travel
However much you fancy an exotic break after all this cold weather, ice and snow, you will probably want to do it cheaply. In particular, because your income is likely to get squeezed if taxes and interest rates go up later in the year as expected.In fact one in four people are looking to spend up to 50% less on their holidays this year. That doesn't necessarily mean another staycation. It looks like people are simply becoming more savvy: nearly half are going to shop around for the best holiday deals online this summer.
So how do you get the best deal?
Scotland most popular UK choice for relocation
Filed under: Travel, Work & Careers
The weather may be worse up north, but Scotland is the most popular choice in the UK for people looking to relocate from around the world.
People prefer the land of haggis and bagpipes, lochs and Highlands, to all other areas in the UK.
According to a recent survey, of the 1,600 people polled from America, Africa, the European Union and Asia, 58% selected Scotland as their top choice location to live and work, ahead of England (37%), Ireland (4%) and Wales (1%).
Scotland's popularity has increased from the year before when 49% of people polled put Scotland as their top place to relocate (although this doesn't mean that they actually move there!).
How to protect yourself against dodgy holiday firms
Filed under: Travel
Hotel not quite finished yet? A swimming pool with no water in it? A "sea view" that was actually a building site? If you've got a complaint against a travel agent or tour operator a new type of insurance could help you make a claim for breach of contract.
Insurance firm InsureandGo has launched "holiday dispute cover" which is designed to cover legal costs if you take legal action against a holiday service providers because your holiday didn't come up to scratch.
So is it any use?
Cash is king for Brits abroad
Filed under: Travel
Cash is king and travellers cheques are on the way out for Brits abroad, according to new research.
Research from Santander reveals over half (52%) of all Britons travelling abroad took cash as their primary payment method. Only one in 20 use traveller's cheques.
The bank found that almost half (47%) withdraw three-quarters of their weekly spending money abroad from an ATM.
But is walking around foreign countries with bundles of cash really a good idea?
Are golden-oldies the new globetrotters?
Filed under: Travel
Word has it that 65 is the new 25 when it comes to taking time out to travel the world. Age Concern found that today's backpackers are as likely to be the recently retired as they are new graduates or school leavers.
Last year Age Concern found that sales of annual worldwide travel insurance increased by 41%, proving that not only as the over 65s travelling further afield, they are planning multiple trips to long-haul destinations. The number requesting winter sports cover also shot up 20% as more and more older people plan adventurous winter pursuits.
So are golden-oldies the new globetrotters?
Are you covered if your travel firm goes bust?
Filed under: Travel, Insurance
The past year or so has seen numerous travel firms and airlines go bust. Scottish airline Flyglobespan was the latest travel company to go to the wall, following others including Albury Travel, XL Airlines, Freedom Direct Holidays and Cambuslang Travel.
Travellers with these firms found themselves stranded abroad or unable to set off on a holiday they had booked and paid for.
With the recession far from over, and in the midst of holiday booking season, it's worth asking how you can protect yourself if more travel firms go into administration.
The cost of supporting England
Filed under: Travel
England fans will spend up to £319 million – or £6,399 each - if the team goes all the way to the World Cup final on July 10th, according to Virgin Money.
Getting through all three group C games against Slovenia, the United States and Algeria will set England fans back £2,445 in flights, tickets, accommodation, food and a new replica shirt for the tournament. And the costs will rise to £3,904 if England gets to the quarter finals.
So how do the costs break down?
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