10 UPDATE
Local girl
June 2014 Travel News
runs yoga breaks
FEELING stressed out or overworked? This summer there’s the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life on a soul- reviving yoga retreat to Portugal’s Western Algarve. Dive into a week of transformational yoga, meditation and much more from June 29 – July 5, 2014, on a summer yoga experience set in the stunning Monte Velho Eco Resort, nestled in hills above the Atlantic coast. The retreat is organised by The Peace Lily, a partnership between two dynamic yoga instructors, Cheryl Parsons, a former Holywood, Co Down resident, who now teaches yoga in Dubai, and Lisa Murphy, from the USA. During the retreat participants can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the stunning Monte Velho Eco Resort, while indulging in two daily yoga and meditation sessions and three freshly prepared healthy meals per day, with many of the ingredients sourced from Monte Velho’s very own organic gardens. The retreat also allows for plenty of free time to explore the various experiences the resort and surrounding area has to offer, including trekking, cycling, surfing or simply relaxing in a hammock. Monte Velho Eco Resort also features a holistic horse-riding centre for a truly unique experience. Cheryl Parsons from The Peace Lily said yoga-themed retreats have become increasingly popular in recent years:
“As a busy mum, I know that life can get really hectic. The retreat will give people the chance to press pause on their busy schedules and to enjoy the healing practice of yoga and meditation. “Monte Velho is a truly amazing setting and we have no doubt this retreat will leave you feeling totally refreshed.”
Local girl Cheryl Parsons - a yoga instructor offering yoga packages in Algarve (see story left)
No frills carrier’s winter programme
... and airline eases gadget restrictions E
ASYJET Northern Ireland’s largest airline, has has put on sale its winter 2014 schedule from Belfast International Airport with 19 routes across the UK and Europe. More than 8,500 flights are now on sale on the easyJet website enabling passengers to secure the best fares early for travel between October 26, 2014 and February 28, 2015. Key routes include popular winter sun flights to Malaga, Palma and Malta as well as city breaks to Geneva and Paris. The airline has also released fares for key business routes including Barcelona and London airports of Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s Head of Northern Ireland, commented: “Today easyJet has launched its winter schedule from Belfast International Airport offering 19 routes between October 2014 and February 2015.
“When developing our flying schedule we consider many factors including customer comments and holiday trends to ensure we’re offering the right combination of flights at a great price. easyJet also secures access to primary airports which take people straight to the heart of a destination to save time and money on transfers.
“Key winter sun destinations from Belfast include Faro and Malta but we’ve also retained firm favourites such as Alicante and Malaga. Around 20 per cent of easyjet customers are business travellers so they’ll be pleased to secure low cost flights to cities such as Manchester and Glasgow.” Winter routes now on sale from Belfast include Malta from
£30.49; Barcelona from £35.49; Geneva from £28.49; and Amsterdam from £25.49*
In total easyJet now flies from 19 airports across the UK. The
airline has in total put on sale over 11 million seats for winter 2014 to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Russia. *Fares are based on two people booking at the same time.
Meanwhile, easyJet passengers are now able to use
Spain unveils plans for Ferrari park
THE very popular family theme park PortAventura has established 'Ferrari Land', a new theme park dedicated to the global brand of Ferrari within the PortAventura destination resort near Barcelona, Spain. The new branded site (expected to open during 2016) will be the sole Ferrari theme park in Europe and will envisage a total investment of more than €100 million. Ferrari Land will be built on a total surface area of 75,000 square meters and benefit from several rides (including the highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe), a new premium hotel with 250 rooms and five star service, restaurants, shops and large simulation areas for car racing.
personal electronic devices such as laptops, tables and mobiles onboard throughout the whole flight, including during take- off and landing.
The gadgets must be placed in 'Flight Mode' and mobiles can't be used for making or receiving calls or texts. EasyJet said the move follows recent recommendations from the European Aviation Safety Agency for restrictions on the use of gadgets onboard aircraft to be relaxed. Peter Duffy, easyJet's Group Commercial Director, customer, product and marketing said: "We know that portable devices are an important part of our customers' journey with us so we are pleased they can now use their electronic devices onboard in 'Flight mode' for the duration of their flight with us - we think this will be a popular change."
Local tour operator fills gap in market
LOCAL tour operator Travel Solutions is introducing a winter ski programme to Bulgaria to fill the gap in the local market left by the withdrawal of Balkan Tours. Travel Solutions will be operating a winter programme from December 28 to late March with direct flights from Belfast to Plovdiv with
Jet2.com. Flights will depart weekly and the programme will feature the resorts of Pamporovo, Borovets and Bansko.
Peter McMinn, Managing Director of Belfast-based Travel Solutions: “Bulgaria have been a popular ski destination for tens of thousands of Northern Ireland skiers over many years and we understood their disappointment when the news broke that the destination was to be lost. I am pleased that the team at Travel Solutions was able to react quickly. With
jet2.com as our airline partner, and our team able to secure the best hotels in the ski resorts, we are confident that this new destination for Travel Solutions will be a great success”.
Madeira flights axed and refunds offered
THE planned programme of weekly flights from Dublin to Madeira this holiday season has been cancelled. Airline Windavia had been due to take over the weekly flights operated previously by SATA Airlines between Dublin and Funchal and due to start this month.
“As the contracted General Sales Agent for Windavia in Ireland, we greatly regret that Windavia are now unable to fulfill their intended flight operations from Dublin to Funchal this summer,” said Paul Weir of APG Ireland. “Windavia are refunding in full any tickets that have already been paid for. The airline is also in discussions with other parties who have expressed an interest in operating this route for at least some of the season.”
Belfast tour operator Travel Solutions had planned a Madeira programme using the Dublin flights as well as Dublin based operators Concorde Travel, Sunway, Topflight, and Travel Department.
UK ‘nation of smugglers’
THE UK is still a nation of smugglers, according to a new survey, carried out in the wake of the TV series about smuggling, Jamacia Inn.
According to the survey, carried out among 1300 adults, one in five UK holidaymakers have chosen to walk through the 'Nothing to Declare' aisle at Customs knowing full well they were carrying more than their duty free allowance, or were concealing illegal or controlled goods or substances. Those most likely to try their luck in outwitting customs officials were aged 25 to 34 and male smugglers outnumber women smugglers by 2 to 1.
The goods most frequently smuggled by UK holidaymakers include cigarettes and alcohol but other frequently concealed goods include perfume, marijuana, other controlled drugs, food stuffs, weapons and even live animals.
Portugal drivers warned
UK TRAVELLERS planning on driving in Portugal this summer will have to abide by even stricter rules on the road following more than 60 amendments to the country’s Road Traffic Act since last summer. The revisions include lowering the alcohol limit for inexperienced drivers and changing the use of lanes at roundabouts.
At roundabouts the law now states that only road users taking the first exit can use the right-hand lane while everyone else must use the inner lane. The fine for failing to do so is up to €300.
Cyclists have gained multiple new rights on the road in 2014 although all of these don’t affect other road users. The key amendments drivers must be aware of are; drivers must give berth of at least 1.5m when passing a cyclist, cyclists have an equal footing with cars at roundabouts and cycling on pavements is now illegal.
Alliance is moving to T2
Heathrow’s Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal will open on June 4. T2 will be the new home for 23 Star Alliance airlines with all members moving in by the end of November 2014.
T2 is a purpose built, state of the art facility. Designed to meet the needs of the international frequent flyer, it will revolutionise passengers' travel experience. Light, bright, spacious and airy, with plenty of shops and comfortable bars, waiting time at T2 is relaxing and enjoyable. The latest technology and world class service ensure a quick and hassle-free journey through the airport, from check in right through to boarding.
From baggage claim to flight connections, all the services the traveller needs are conveniently housed under one roof. There's no stress, no headache and no need for rushing around.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44