Monsoon Travel in India

This famous quote rightly sums up the experience of holidaying during the monsoon season in India. The sheer sight of cascading streams, tumbling waterfalls and ferocious torrents carving their way through jagged cliffs and rocky gorges is simply breathtaking.

The cool monsoon air redolent with the smell of wet earth, murmur of squeaking frogs and chirping of insects is something that just needs to be experienced firsthand. Eagerly awaited each year, the south-west monsoon lashes most parts of north, west and eastern India from June to September offering the much needed respite from the scorching summer heat of the plains. The Retreating Monsoon season, on the other hand, brings rainfall to the southern regions from October to December.

If spending a monsoon holiday is on your mind then there a multitude of options to choose from. Bharatpur, Damdama, Barrackpore, Yelagiri, Khandala, Lonavala, Bakreswar, Bakkhali, Diamond Harbour, Vedanthangal, Bhandardhara, Mahabaleshwar, Malshej Ghat, Panchgani - the list of exciting monsoon destinations in India is endless! Quite a few airlines offer economical air tickets to exciting monsoon destinations for those who want to experience the beauty of the Indian landscape during monsoons. Book your flights to India and head to the backwater paradise of Kerala to experience the magic of 15^th century Ayurvedic treatments that have the power to heal modern day ailments. Even Goa with its lush greenery and overflowing beaches is a good option. Surprising as it may sound, Goa during monsoons is no less exciting.

Cheap Flights to India are plentiful during this season and one can easily find cheap tickets to any destination on all major airlines. Notwithstanding the possibility of floods playing spoilsport there are certain places which should be on your itinerary on your next monsoon holiday .Offering some spectacular scenery, the Valley of flowers is one such place and the 15-kilometre uphill trek to this picturesque vale is an adventure that you should not miss at any cost. Watching innumerable varieties of flowers in full bloom is an experience that is sure to stay with you for long.

Author: Finely Kieran

Air India introduces online check-in option

Air India has launched a new service that will allow passengers taking flights to India to check-in online.

The carrier will open check-in 48 hours before departure for domestic and international flights originating from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, reported Express Buzz.

Passengers will be able to print out their own boarding pass and once at the airport will be able to go directly to security checks rather than check-in.

Anyone travelling with baggage will still need to collect registered baggage tags and take their luggage to the appropriate drop-off point.

For more information visit here

Cheap flights available in south-east Asia

The number of cheap flights available in south-east Asia makes it easy for Brits to explore the region, claims Lonely Planet.

Heather Carswell, a spokeswoman for the travel guides, explained that many tourists initially take flights to Thailand but in recent years people are starting to then visit other places across Asia because flights are affordable.

She explained: "An increasing number of visitors are flying to the major cities such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur and jumping on a cheap flight, for example to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see Angkor Wat or Vientiane to explore Laos."

For more information visit here

Brits remain attracted to Dubai

The number of Brits taking flights to Dubai remains strong as the UAE reports increased visitors during 2010.

Figures published by Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTM) show that a total of 8.3 million people visited the emirate last year, with 719,889 coming from the UK.

Despite a global slowdown within the tourist industry, Dubai still maintained hotel occupancy rates of 70 per cent. There was also a rise in the number of people opting to stay in self-catering accommodation, with a rise of 17 per cent to 1.7 million.

Ian Scott, director in the UK and Ireland for DTCM, explained that there had been a tough start to the year but a number of tempting hotel promotions had encourage more Brits to take flights to Dubai in the final three months of the year.

For more information visit here

Hua Hin popular Thai destination for Brits

The beach resort of Hua Hin in Thailand is proving to be a popular attraction for Brits, claims the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Hua Hin is around two hours' drive from Bangkok International Airport so ideally placed for those taking long-haul flights to Thailand and its recent development has transformed it into a major hotspot.

Chris Lee, trade marketing manager, UK and Ireland, Tourism Authority of Thailand, explained: "Over the last few years the resort has seen a number of new boutique hotels such as Let's Sea and the Alila Cha-Am, which compliment the more traditional, quality hotels like the Anantara and the Sofitel Centara Grand Resort."

For more information visit here

Queensland to feature new marketing campaign

Queensland will play an important part in a new campaign aimed at encouraging more people to take flights to Australia.

Tourism Australia is launching the 'Making Tracks' promotion that will feature four musicians involved in the forthcoming YouTube Symphony Orchestra event in Sydney.

Stu Cullen, a keyboard player from Melbourne and American bassoon player Samuel Blair are set to spend a few days exploring the various attractions of Queensland and will create music based on their adventures.

For more information visit here

Excuses for Booking Flights to Bali

Bali, a sizzling holiday destination in Indonesia, plays host to hundreds of visitors year after year. With a large number of cheap hotels, Bali also fulfils the needs of travellers on a small budget. Connectivity is pretty good to the destination as most of the major airline company’s operate flights to Bali.

Ubud

Ubud is a hot favourite attraction with most travellers catching flights to Bali. Its high altitude location ensures a pleasant climate. Ubud is well known for museums like Purl Lukisan and Neka. The Purl Lukisan is well stocked with Balinese art works dating back to some hundred years. The museum even houses art galleries and is home to eminent artists like Antonio Blanco and Hans Snel. Similarly, the Neka Museum is full of exquisite works of Indonesian as well as overseas artists.

Kuta

Kuta, a bustling tourist resort, has come a long way since its days as a sleepy little village. The beach here is a very potent tourist magnet, although the treacherous currents make it unsafe for swimming. However, surfing is a popular activity. Kuta is one of the absolute must visits for travellers saving up painstakingly to buy tickets for cheap flights to Bali. There is no dearth of discotheques, shops, and restaurants in Kuta. Special Balinese song and dance performances are held for tourists. Kuta’s westward location also makes it a wonderful spot for watching sunsets. For accommodation, travellers can take their pick of swanky hotels as well as cheap home stays.

Pura Besakih

Sitting on the slopes of Mt. Agung, Pura Besakih is amongst the biggest as well as the holiest temples in Bali. More than a thousand years old, the temple’s main courtyard is home to cloth wrapped Trinity shrines of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Besides the main shrines dedicated to the trinity, there are sanctuaries for other gods as well. Pura Besakih is decorated with colourful banners during festivals and its splendour reaches its peak. Visiting the temple is like a special pilgrimage for the locals and a major part of the holiday itinerary of tourists booking flights to Bali.

Nusa Dua

The Nusa Dua is a tourist resort famed for pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. It is part of the famed Bukit Peninsula, one of the most favoured visiting spots of travellers catching flights to Bali. While the Southern side of the peninsula has big surfs, the northern side is marked by gentler surfs.

Tanah Lot

The majestic temple sanctuary here is amongst the most famed sea temples in Bali. The temple makes for spectacular sight from its base atop an immense rock surrounded by the sea. The temple has a special history. It is said to have been built one of the last priests who come to Bali from Java during the 16th century. The temples rituals include paying homage to the sea’s guardian spirits. Legend has it that the sea snakes at the island’s base guard the temple from robbers, evil spirits, and other intruders. It goes without saying that tourists should positively try to visit the temple. The experience will definitely add more value to the price that travellers pay for the tickets of their cheap flights to Bali. The magnificence of Tanah Lot is best evident during the evenings.

Gunung Batur

The Gunung Batur is yet another attraction, which serves as one of the major excuses for buying some airline ticket to Bali. Standing at an altitude of about 5,635 ft, the Gunung Batur is the site of a still active volcano. The Balinese people revere it as the island’s second holiest mountain and a symbolisation of the female element.

British Airways Crew Unlikely to Strike during Royal Wedding

Unite, the trade union representing the British Airways cabin crew is likely to rule out industrial action during the royal wedding if the new strike ballot mandate is in the favour of an action against the airline.

Earlier, the general secretary of UK’s largest union, Len McCluskey declined to discount the wedding from the potential strike dates. However it is now understood that Unite does not want to create any hassles during the major public event.

The dispute between the UK’s flag carrier and its crew has been going on for more than a year now, during which British Airways is estimated to have lost some £150 million in more than 20 days of strike apart from causing great deal of trouble to travellers and creating commotion at various airports.

Unite is on the brink of announcing its fourth BA cabin crew strike in nearly 16 months. A strike ballot that took place recently indicated that thousands of the airline’s staff members are unwavering as far as pushing forward the dispute with British Airways is concerned. The ballot, however, was scrapped following a legal challenge by the airline over the validity of the union ballot.

McCluskey, in an interview to the BBC this month, denoted that Unite members might be a bit reluctant to strike during the royal wedding. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".

However, it is implicit that McCluskey is not likely to approve industrial action during the wedding weekend. Unite is currently preparing to organise the new strike ballot before the end of this month which provides it with a likely closing date at the beginning of April, which in turn exposes the grand royal event to the potential strike if there rolls out a yes vote to the action ballot.

Unite has not ruled out industrial action during Easter, which falls on the weekend before the wedding and is an ideal time for anyone who plans to have refreshing holidays. In fact, many have even booked flight tickets on the airline in order to avoid spiralling ticket costs later as cheap tickets on flights might not be available in plenty during the peak holiday travel period.

British Airways’ lawyers are expected to carefully scrutinise the Unite’s mandate if it is in the favour of a strike action. The union had to declare its last ballot invalid after the airline announced that members who took part in an ‘illegal’ strike would be exposed to dismissal.

It is also considered highly unlikely that the union members will engage in traditional walkouts if they have another mandate supporting strike action. The airline’s plans of recruiting a back-up workforce, and its promise to run 100% of all long-haul flights, has compelled the union into a strategy volte-face and now conventional walkouts are perhaps not likely.

A BA spokesman urged Unite to consider the peace deal that was shaped out last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," BA’s spokesman was quoted by different online sources as stating.

Airlines to Hike Fares in the Backdrop of Rising Fuel Costs

United Airlines and Continental Airlines have raised their airfares. This move was followed by American and Delta Air Lines. Approximately, $20 to $60 has been added to the cost of round trip tickets. The move is geared towards business travel segment air travellers making last-minute bookings. These steps are an attempt by airlines to balance out their losses due to the continuous spurt in fuel prices. The Associated Press reported that travellers who book ‘first class and instant-upgrade tickets’ will be effected by the rise in fares. The Associated Press also reported that such travellers ‘are less likely to put off or cancel trips because of rising prices’. Since mid December, leisure fares have gone up four times.

Twin Cities’ Passengers to be Hit Hardest

With Delta Airlines also increasing ticket prices, travellers catching Delta flights from the Twin Cities of St Paul and Minneapolis will have to bear the brunt of the impact at the local level. Delta Airlines is the largest airline in the town and handles more than 450 departures from the Minneapolis St Paul Airport everyday. However, there has been no instantaneous response to this hike from budget airlines such as Southwest, AirTran, Frontier, and Sun Country.

Qantas to Also Hike Fares

Qantas voiced plans to increase the fares of trans-Tasman, regional, and domestic airfares by a maximum of 5%. The move will significantly dent its cheap flights segment. The airline claimed that the rise in the average prices in Singapore Jet Fuel (SJF) and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil (WTICO) are the major factors behind the step. Qantas has claimed that the prices in WTICO and SJF are higher than the level of prices during the first half of FY11 and also at their peak after FY08. In fact, the SJF average per barrel rise has been from US$88 from September, 2010 to US$110 in January 2011. In the present week, this reached the figure of US$117 as per internet sources. The increased airfares would be applied to the tickets sold from February 25th onwards.

Qantas CEO’s Take on the Issue

Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas commented ‘Airlines in Australia and around the world continue to monitor oil and fuel prices very closely, and many have already responded to the current high prices with changes to their surcharges and fares’. He went on to say ‘Domestic, regional and Tasman fares have been under review and, while we have been absorbing higher fuel costs for some time, this increase is an appropriate response to this significant and additional cost to our business’. Mr Joyce even voiced the concern that future hikes can be a possibility and that ‘after fuel hedging and this change to our fares, Qantas will still not fully recover these higher fuel costs’.

South African Airways announces partnership with JetBlue Airways

South African Airways (SAS) has developed an extended partnership with JetBlue Airways to increase options for those taking flights to South Africa and the US.

The new deal means that SAS will now code share on services on JetBlue flights to 20 cities across the US including New York and Washington.

"Customer response to the interline service between South African Airways and JetBlue has been overwhelmingly positive on both sides of the Atlantic. They appreciate the ease with which they can connect between these two award-winning airlines," explained Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America, for SAS.

For more information visit here

Single Travel Asia – Gaining Popularity

Solo travel is about fun, emancipation and self-indulgence. Thousands of solo travellers embark upon journeys every year. For them it is about getting close with their new surroundings unfiltered by the preferences, tastes and prejudices of a travelling companion. Solo holidays to Asia are gradually gaining popularity and prominence as several tour operators are vigorously promoting solo travel packages to Asian destinations.

Asia as a Popular Solo Travel Destination

The incredible diversity of Asia is perhaps the biggest reason why it charms solo travellers so much. Cheap tickets to different Asian countries are always high in demand as the region boasts of each and every kind of geological feature in its abode.

Bangkok, Thailand
Be it solo travellers or a group of 20, Bangkok is one city that attracts all. The myriad of options that the place offers in terms of fun and entertainment are so attractive that Bangkok features in every list that has anything to do with tourism in Asia. For single tourists, the city is perhaps the perfect place to make new friends!

Rishikesh, India
India is another big name in the world of tourism. Cheap flights to India are sought after by almost every kind of traveller. However, for solo travellers flights to India are particularly special and Rishikesh is the city to land up in for them. The city is all about vivacious religious fervour that permeates each and every facet of the region. Numerous ashrams, which have been highly popular among solo travellers, line up along the shores of the Ganges.

Bali, Indonesia
Bali is also big among single travellers as the place offers a number of options to have fun. The city is inundated with incredible beaches that are venues for pulsating parties that charm tourists. Along with the beaches, temples, jungles and yoga are the prime attractions that make cheap tickets on flights to Indonesia popular.

With basic safety precautions and by following simple measures, Solo travel can be extreme fun and enlightening for tourists.

Advantages of Solo Holidays
A solo journey into an unknown country is perhaps the ideal way to leave behind worries, pressures and issues of day to day life. Be it work, family or friends – you leave everything behind with no strings attached. It’s like you have a new life altogether! Another positive impact of solo travel is that an individual gets closer with his inner self understanding himself better and clearer. People also tend to gain in confidence as they become more adept in handling difficult situations and people. But perhaps the most fun part of being a solo traveller is the freedom it allows you. From meditating in some ashram in India to snorkelling in Thailand – you can do anything you wish to!

Incredible Mountain Ranges Make Cheap Flights to Morocco Popular

Most people around the world perhaps envisage large desert plains or old medinas when they think of Morocco. While it is true that these physical features constitute a big part of the country’s geography, it is equally appropriate to say that there is much more to the landscape of this enthralling country! The country’s landscape is dominated and completed by numerous majestic mountain ranges that are spectacular tourist attractions beguiling holiday makers from all over the globe to grab cheap tickets on airlines to the country. Amazing rich in flora and fauna, these mountain ranges are also home to a variety of nomadic tribes who practise ancient cultures and traditions!

The mountains of Morocco offer an array of interesting adventure activities for the enthusiasts enticing them to seek cheap flights to Morocco. Holiday makers can take part in sport activities like climbing, hiking, mule-aided trekking and skiing! People can also buy handicrafts at these mountains that are much more durable and much cheaper than found in any medina.


Top Mountain Ranges in Morocco

Take in the incredible views, sample the remarkable flora and discover an altogether new world on your way up! Take a look at various mountain ranges that make different airlines’ flights to Morocco so incredibly popular.


Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains extend for about 2,500 km and divide the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The Atlas Mountains is almost a paradise for trekkers, providing year-round trekking, spectacular scenery and crowd free trails. However, the mountains are perhaps best known for offering an insight into the fascinating Berber cultures in the numerous lovely villages in the valleys. Most mountain enthusiasts have the incredible Atlas Mountains as the key reason to hunt for cheap tickets on flights to Morocco.

Amtoudi Peak
Amtoudi is as fascinating an area as it gets! Slightly off the beaten path as far as regular Moroccan tourism is concerned, Amtoudi is still able to hold the attention of tourists and makes for one of the most attractive stops on any visit. Amtoudi feature one of the oldest and best preserved granaries in North Africa. These granaries (or agadirs as they are called) belong to the times when bandits ruled the roost and agadirs were used to store grain, dates and gunpowder!

Chefchaouen Mountains
Chefchaouen Mountains is one fascinating range that is located in the midst of several other mountains. Chefchaouen Mountains has two major peaks - Jebel Meggou and Jebel Tisouka. While Jebel Meggou is 1625 meters above sea level, Jebel Tisouka is situated at a dizzying 2050 meters above sea level. Jebel Tisouka additionally features a mosque at the top – regarded by the locals as the most splendid location for morning worship!

Tafraoute Mountains
The grand rocky mountains of Tafraoute are perhaps the biggest attractions in the area that make cheap flights to Morocco such a popular affair. The inhabitants around the pink-coloured Tafraoute Mountains are proud but simple people who strive to keep their surroundings neat and clean. The windows of the crimson houses that are framed by white painting offer quite a dramatic sight for the travellers!

Tan Tan Mountains
Located in South West Morocco, the Tan Tan Mountains are majestic ranges that outshine the town of Tan Tan. Famous for its rare flat top, Tan Tan Mountains are revered all over the region. Perhaps the best way to experience the remarkable splendour of the Tan Tan Mountains is to get on top of them from where travellers can enjoy the splendid views of the Southern Slope as well as the mesmerising views of the Tan Tan plain with all its glittering brooks, ridges and sand dunes.

Phuket airport may welcome new food service

A catering firm is planning to open a second facility at Phuket Airport in order to meet growing demand from the increased number of flights to Thailand.

Bangkok Air Catering (BAC) is currently having discussions with Airports of Thailand (AoT), the operator of Thailand's six main airports, about the possibility of expansion that could lead to the company supplying around 8,000 in-flight meals per day.

BAC's Suvarnabhumi current facility has around 500 workers responsible for producing around 17,500 in-flight meals each day, reported the Bangkok Post.

Thavatvong Thanasumitra, Bangkok Airways' executive vice-president for finance, said the Phuket facility would form a key part of BAC's long-term plans.

For more information visit here

Virgin plans Sydney Airport expansion

Virgin Blue has confirmed plans to increase its hangar space at Sydney Airport following increasing demand.

The airline is set to build its first wide-body hangar at the Australian airport by the end of 2012 to enable it to hold four narrow-body aircraft or two narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body plane.

Sydney Airport chief executive Russell Balding welcomed Virgin Blue's decision to increase its presence in a move that could increase options for those taking flights to Australia.

For more information visit here

Take the Historical Apache Trail for a Wild West Experience

Travellers from all over the world reach the shores of the magnificent country called the United States to experience the glitz, glamour and grandiose associated with arguably the world’s most powerful country. However, apart the gaudy monstrosity that is reflected through its various facets, the country is widely known for its extreme natural wonders enchanting globe trotters with its varied geological marvels. Especially, the Western United States is big in terms of tourism making cheap flights to USA disappear fast. The region is believed to have played an important role in the American history and has been embedded in country’s popular folklore. The Western United States, commonly referred to the West, is a region that comprises the westernmost states of the U.S.

Arizona’s Apache Trail is a big attraction in the western part of the country that promises complete fun and extreme thrill for individuals seeking a ‘Wild West’ experience. Apache Trail is a 120 mile scenic route between Phoenix and Globe that has been recognised as the only Historic and Scenic Highway in Arizona. A tour of this wonderful trail will take you through vast deserts, majestic mountains, lake shores, old mining towns and brilliantly eroded canyons. No wonder tourists have been using this route for almost 100 years now. This is one road trip that you won’t forget in a hurry. Take a look at different destinations that surely cannot be missed along the Apache Trail, ones that make air tickets to USA so popular among holiday makers.

The Lost Dutchman State Park
Located at the base of the Superstition Mountains, the Lost Dutchman State Park is the perfect launch pad for those who wish to explore the huge proportions of the magnificent mountains. The Lost Dutchman State Park features a variety of hiking trails, several campsites and picnic facilities. The park also organises special programs throughout the year.

Goldfield Ghost Town
Goldfield Ghost Town is another reason why cheap tickets on airlines to Arizona are so popular. Goldfield Ghost Town is a re-created old west town that offers mine tours, great shopping options and incredible food. The place is so much fun and has so much to offer that tourists indeed get confused as to what to experience and what to leave out! Be it walking down the main street or exploring the myriad of historical structures, Goldfield Ghost Town is fun through and through! Travellers can also witness an old west gun fight enacted by the well-known Goldfield Gunfighters! Goldfield Ghost Town is the way to go for a fun filled day and to experience rich Wild West history!

Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is an incredible tourist spot that beguiles people from every corner of the world enticing them to catch flights to USA. It is one of the four reservoirs that were formed by the damming of the Salt River. People can have a great time here as the place features a number of facilities for tourists like boating, camping, the Dolly Steamboat Cruises, dining and swimming.

Tortilla Flat
Tortilla Flat is an old-west style settlement that is a big hit among travellers. Majority of travellers stop here to have a hearty lunch amidst the charming historic surroundings. At Tortilla Flat one can find a variety of options as far as food is concerned.

Roosevelt Dam
Roosevelt Dam is a famous landmark on the historic Apache Trail. The dam stands apart from the others in the way it was originally constructed. It was build using the Greco-Roman style of construction that uses massive, irregular blocks.

Visit Apache Trail and experience the wonderful past of America in the present! Plan early to land up with cheap air tickets to USA!

New Delhi Airport Metro line opens

A new airport metro rail service has begun operating in New Delhi that could help to reduce travelling times for those taking flights to India.

The Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro has been met with positive comments from passengers as it provides a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to taking a taxi to the airport.

"It is a dream come true. Travelling in this train makes me believe that we are in sync with the developed world now," a passenger told Business Standard.

For more information visit here

Parkroyal set to launch Melbourne Airport hotel

The Hilton Melbourne Airport hotel is set to be rebranded by Parkroyal.

Based in Australia, Parkroyal has been a key industry figure from a number of years but is now under the control of Pan Pacific Hotels Group and was re-launched down under in November.

Ideally placed for those taking flights to Melbourne, the airport hotel has a total of 276 rooms and is a popular with businesses travellers due to its 16 high-tech meeting and function rooms.

For more information visit here

Delta Air Lines Plans to Grows in Asia, Also Revamps Services

Delta Air Lines is on an expansion spree in Asia. With Asia being a booming economy, Delta is eager to claim its share of the market pie in the segment of air travel, which is expected to grow steadily. The Senior Vice President for Delta Air Lines' Asia Pacific, Mr Vinay Dube, commented that the airline has the ability to make investments in customer service and reach a major brand name position in Asia. Delta gained approximately $593 million in 2010 and at present, 17 Asia-Pacific cities are serviced by the airline. Delta would be operating new routes in Asia from this year. This includes the flight, which would be launched from this weekend. This flight will operate from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Los Angeles and Detroit. In addition, Delta would operate flights from Atlanta to Shanghai and Detroit to Beijing. Besides concentrating upon Asia, Delta is taking many other steps for boosting its business. This includes investments to the tune of $2 billion for renovating airport lounges and improving seats and entertainment systems.

Revamped Section in Premium Economy

From next summer onwards, passengers booking cheap flights with the new Economy Comfort section of Delta will spend their air travel in comfort. Delta will be installing new seats on its long distance international flights. These seats would provide better recline and up to 4 inches of additional legroom and would be installed in the economy cabins’ first few rows of Delta’s 747, 757, 767, 777, and A330 airlines. Full fare ticket passengers as well as highest ranking frequent flyer travellers won’t have to pay extra on their tickets for these seats. In addition, whenever these international flights would be put on domestic routes, the new seats would be reserved for highest ranking frequent flyers and full fare ticket passengers.

Delta Air Lines Starts Codeshare Service with GOL

Delta Air Lines started a codeshare service with GOL, one of the largest Brazilian airlines. This adds 15 new destinations immediately to Delta’s network in South America and also increases passenger prospects for finding cheap flights. At present, Delta sells its services on 56 GOL flights between Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and 15 destinations in Brazil. These are Curitiba, Cuiaba, Belo Horizonte, Florianopolis, Belem, Fortaleza, Goiania, Iguassu Falls, Joao Pessoa, Vitoria, Teresina, Salvador, Recife, Porto Alegre, and Navegantes.

Eternal SkyMiles

A SkyMiles member can now book a ticket with Delta after long gaps without worrying about the previously accumulated miles. Delta no longer invalidates these miles for passengers who have not operated their accounts for over two years. Delta Air Lines has also announced more benefits for the year ‘including significant improvements to delta.com such as an upgraded award travel calendar, improved booking process and better flight information display’.

United Airlines Retains Economy plus Seats on Flights

United Airlines will continue with the Economy Plus® seating arrangement on its flights. There had been apprehension over the future of these seats right since the merger plan was announced between United Airlines and Continental Airlines. However, it has emerged that United will not only retain these seats, but even install them aboard the aircrafts of Continental Airlines, which is projected to take effect from 2012. As of now, travellers can go ahead and buy a ticket with United for the spacious and comfortable Economy Plus seats.

Features of Economy Plus Section and Future Plans

The Economy Plus seats of United Airlines are very popular with passengers who seek cheap flights with the airline. These seats which are a feature of the airline’s cheap Economy Plus section are more spacious and comfortable.

• United introduced Economy Plus seats aboard its flights in 1999. These seats increase legroom space by up to 5 inches.
  

• Elite class Mileage Plus® members of United and OnePass® elite members of Continental do not have to pay extra charges and can avail the benefit on all flights offering Economy Plus seating.
  

• Right now, there is no Economy Plus seating option with Continental, but the airline will be refurbished with an Economy Plus class in the future. However, Continental does offer its own version of extra legroom seats.
  

• Presently, United passengers can also enjoy the Economy Plus benefits on their cheap flights with over 150 larger regional jets of United Express®. In fact, all the 359 mainline aircrafts of United are equipped with these seats and these seats are complimentary for Mileage Plus and OnePass Frequent Flyer members.
  

• Economy Plus can be availed while buying tickets, at the airport, during check in, and while viewing reservations through the ‘My Reservations’ section of United’s website.
  

• United has voiced plans to introduce Economy Plus on more than 700 mainline aircrafts, including Continental’s mainline aircrafts and the larger regional aircrafts. Once this multi year plan takes shape, United will have 40,000 Economy Plus seats, which translates as 122,000 Economy Plus seats everyday for passengers booking their tickets with United. Presently, no airline has this capacity.
  

What Experts Say

Mr Jim Compton, the chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, commented upon the occasion in the words, ‘Our customers value Economy Plus and the additional personal space that it provides’. He further said, ‘customers who sit in Economy Plus are significantly more satisfied with their travel experience, as are travelers who choose other options that enable them to tailor their travel to their liking’. Industry experts feel that United’s decision to retain Economy Plus shows that the airline is dedicated towards offering a customised travel experience and creative choices to its passengers.

Popular Cape Town Attractions for Perfect Holidays in South Africa

Cape Town is a vivacious, beautiful city that lies at the very end of the African Continent in South Africa. Many regard Cape Town as the most attractive city in the world – one that is inundated with a number of mesmerising attractions that beguile families, couples as well as solo adventure travellers. With the magnificent Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town has indeed been a popular vacation spot for many years now. Even the city’s incredible blend of architectural styles portraying the splendid approach of the past and the wonderful designs of the present is a big hit among tourists who throng to buy cheap tickets on airlines to Cape Town.

Popular Cape Town Attractions

With mind-numbing range of tourist attractions in the city, it is not always easy to decide what to miss and what to see on your holidays to Cape Town. However, there are few must-visit spots in the city that are responsible for making flights to South Africa absolute hit.

Table Mountain
Cape Town’s biggest landmark, Table Mountain is a World Heritage Site that exerts its powerful and magnetic pull, captivating and drawing any and all who fall under its spell! The mountain’s summit soars up to more than 1080 metres above sea level and is accessible through a revolving cable car. The top of the mountain offers spectacular views that are sure to make your travel to the city worth it! A self-serving restaurant is also located at the top of the Table Mountain that serves a variety of snacks and cuisines, and has an admirable selection of wines.

Robben Island
Robben Island is another popular spot that can share some credit for the blossoming city tourism and ensuring cheap airlines and flights to South Africa remain in vogue. The island is a symbol that reflects the regions’ troubled past as regards to apartheid and other human rights abuses and its victory over it. Robben Island runs a museum that organises educational programmes for students and adults facilitating city tourism in the process. The Robben Island Museum also conducts researches concerning the island.

Chapman’s Peak
Chapman’s Peak stands impressively at the heart of Chapman’s Peak Drive, linking Hout Bay with Noordhoek alongside one of the most remarkable marine routes on the globe that hugs the coast of the Atlantic Seaboard for several kilometres. Enjoy mesmerising views of the sandy bays as you experience the splendour of Chapman’s Peak Drive - the combination of thrilling steep rocky inclines, iridescent blue waters and expansive skies is sure to dazzle and enchant travellers. The drive also features a number of picnic spots en route that surely augment the quotient of your pleasure. Chapman’s Peak Drive is hugely popular among foreigners and a big cause why tickets on cheap flights to South Africa dwindle away fast.

Cape Point
Talking about the reasons of fast disappearing tickets on cheap flights to South Africa, it would surely be a mistake if Cape Point is not given its due credit. Cape Point lies at the tip of the Cape Peninsula within the Table Mountain National Park and features some of the highest cliffs in the world that make up the south-western tip of Africa. Once inside the reserve, tourists will be greeted with an array of animals, including buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra. More than 250 species of birds and extremely rare flora can also be found in the reserve.

Atlantic Seaboard
Atlantic Seaboard is an incredibly stunning stretch that boasts of a most picturesque, scenic drive along the Victoria Road. The Atlantic Seaboard never ceases to enthral travellers with the radiant Atlantic Ocean on one side and the superb slopes of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles on the other. Get transported by the utter brilliance of the surroundings at Atlantic Seaboard!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world renowned for its breathtaking beauty and amazing diversity. The beautiful gardens encompass over an area of more than 520 hectares with nearly 35 hectares of cultivated garden. Many consider the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden to be a celebration of South African flora as it displays only indigenous South African plants. A great variety of vegetation like Fynbos, Proteas and Cycads along with beautiful streams and ponds make the gardens an extremely popular tourist hotspot. Be it a casual stroll, a more exhausting walk or a fun picnic - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a must experience for all those who travel to Cape Town.

V & A Waterfront Harbour
Easily one of the Cape Town's biggest tourist attractions, V & A Waterfront Harbour is the place to be for those who wish to experience city’s shopping, dining and entertainment scene. The Waterfront features more than 250 shops that include designer boutiques, and arts and crafts stalls. Additionally, V & A Waterfront Harbour features restaurants, cafes as well as organises leisure activities for kids.

British Airways Crew Strike Not Likely on Royal Wedding

According to reports, the union that represents the British Airways cabin crew is unlikely to opt for industrial action during the royal wedding if the ballot mandate swings in the favour of a strike.

The prospect of the royal wedding getting disrupted seemed real when previously Len McCluskey, Unite’s general secretary, refused to rule out the royal wedding as a possible strike period. However, now it is believed that Unite wants to steer clear of any controversies during a major public event.

BA and its cabin crew have been engaged in an ongoing feud for more than one year now. The feud has resulted in 22 strikes and a loss of nearly £150 million to the renowned national airline. The strikes had also proved to be a pain in the neck for the travellers who had to negotiate grounded flights as well as chaotic airport scenes.

Unite is yet to take a strike ballot that will decide the course of the action for the union. The union’s earlier ballot that voted in favour of a strike was termed ‘illegal’ by British Airways and was scrapped by the union after the airline warned of dismissals for those taking part.

In an interview given to the BBC this month, McCluskey indicated that the crew members are hesitant to go on a strike during the royal wedding that is slated for the 29th of April. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".

However, it has to be said that Mr. McCluskey is not likely to give a go ahead for a strike during the royal wedding. The period during Easter and the wedding offers ample time for people to plan out their holidays. Many have even booked tickets on flights to take advantage of the elongated weekends. Many flights are running booked and tickets on cheap flights surely would not be easily available for those who prefer last minute travel plans and ticket hunt.

Meanwhile, BA has urged the union to consider the peace deals that was negotiated last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," A BA spokesman was quoted as stating by different online sources.

Some Fabulous Temples to Explore in Chennai

Chennai, the capital city of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is blessed with some of the most important temples in Indian history, with a few being almost a millennium old. Besides temples, Chennai also offers a world of other captivating sights, smells, and tastes for the visitor. No wonder, scores of people buy their Chennai tickets right at the time of booking their cheap flights to India. Here is a glimpse into just five of the famous temples in the destination.

Ashtalakshmi Temple

The Ashtalakshmi Temple embodies eight different forms of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. The temple is a fusion of contemporary and Dravidian architectural elements and showcases the octal manifestations of Lakshmi such as Dhairya and Dhaanya Lakshmi, AdhiLakshmi, MahaLakshmi, MahaVishnu, SantaanaLakshmi, GajaLakshmi and VijayaLakshmi, and Dhanalakshmi at different levels. Other than Lakshmi, the temple also has shrines for other Hindu gods like Sri Ganesh and Sri Hanuman. Ashtalakshmi Temple is located in the serene Elliot’s Beach.

The Kalikambal Temple

The Kalikambal Temple is located Chennai’s George Town area and is noted as much for its architectural brilliance as for its link with the famous Maratha king of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In terms of architecture, the temple is well known for the Sri Chakra Vimamaanam or Kinnitter, which means king’s chariot. Metal cymbals line this exquisitely crafted chariot. The presiding deities are those of Lord Kamateshwar and Goddess Kalikambal. The Kalikambal Temple has also become an endearing place as it hosts numerous festivals throughout the year and has become one of the factors prompting visitors to book flights to Chennai. Some of most colourful festivals are the ten day Brahmotsavam, Vasant Navaratri, Margazhi, and Maasi Makam.

Kundrathur Temple

Anyone planning to catch flights to India for a Chennai trip should definitely check out the Kundrathur Temple. The temple is a brilliant specimen of Murugan temple architecture and in contrast to usual practice, the presiding deity has been placed in a North facing direction. The deity is that of Lord Subramaniam, a form of the destroyer God Shiva. The Kundrathur Temple dates back to the reign of the famed Chola King, Kulothunga Chola-II, and according to folklore, the lord had halted on the Kundrathur hills on the way from Tiruporur to Truttanigai. An interesting attribute of the temple is the placement of the idols. Interestingly, despite the presence of the two separate female deities of Valli and Deivanai, along with the deity of Lord Subramaniam, the lord can not be seen with both the goddesses at the same point of time.

Mangadu Kamakshi Temple

The Lordess Kamakshi, a form of the Goddess Parvati is worshipped at the Mangadu Kamakshi temple. According to mythological beliefs, the Goddess Kamakshi performed penance in a sacred fire called Panch-Agni at the site of the temple. The right leg of the idol is folded, while the left rests on Agni. The goddess symbolises Shakti or female power, the creator of the world. Local belief has it that unwedded girls, who worship the goddess with a pure heart, get blessed with marriage. Some of the other deities at the temple are Vinaygar, Sooryan, and Nava Kannigal and Fridays are amongst the most auspicious days for visiting. The temple also has the rare Sri Chakra.

Tyagarajar Temple

The Tyagarajar Temple is supposed to be at least 1300 years old, which was roughly around the time of the Pallava dynasty. In fact, the temple bears inscriptions of the ancient Pallavas. The Tyagarajar Temple also earned the patronage of several Chola kings and has its fair shares of colourful claims. For instance, the temple is the twentieth of the thirty two Tevara Stalams of South India’s Tondai Region. The principal deity worshipped here is Shiva, in the form of Adipureeswar and Tyagarajar.

Travellers offered advice ahead of World Cup

Brits planning to take flights to India for the forthcoming Cricket World Cup are being offered travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the England and Wales Cricket Board have joined forces to help ensure that travellers heading to India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the sporting event are well-informed.

Starting on February 19th, the tournament is set to prove popular with many cricket fans but the FCO is advising travellers to make sure they are up-to-date with vaccinations and have taken the correct malaria tablets before jetting off.

For more information visit here

British Airways Strike Threat – Union to Hold Fresh Strike Ballot

British Airways crew have scrapped plans for immediate strike action following a legal challenge to the validity of the union members’ ballot that took place in January. The development lends another twist to an already elongated story of clash between staff and British Airways over conditions, pay and the removal of staff perks.

Unite, which represents the cabin crew of the UK’s national airline, conducted ballot for industrial action in the month of January. BA, however, succeeded in persuading the Electoral Reform Society, an independent body that scrutinises such ballots, that there were sufficient issues with the ballot.

Terming the ballot as ‘illegal’, British Airways warned its staff to be ready to face dire consequences if they become part of any such ‘illegal’ strike.

Len McCluskey, Unite's new general secretary, was quoted by online resources as stating, "Unite therefore cannot call industrial action based on this ballot, since such a move would expose our members to sanctions by a bullying employer."

McCluskey also announced his plans of organising fresh ballot for strike action. He also alleged that the airline is not in interested in peace talks and is instead trying to outmuscle crew members using a legal battle.

BA has however refuted the charges. BA’s spokesman was quoted as stating, "Only Unite wants to continue this dispute. We shook hands on a deal last October but Unite reneged on it. The union does not have the support of the majority of our crew and it has lost 2,500 crew members since the dispute began."

Whatever maybe the case, one thing is certain that any fresh strike is surely going to be a cause of worry for all those travellers who have booked flight tickets early and have been lucky enough to get cheap tickets on flights. BA crew strikes in the past have created havoc at various London airports with number of flights getting grounded or delayed.

Strike Fear on Royal Wedding
As Unite gets ready to announce fresh ballot date, BA looks to place legal hurdles on its way in order to prevent its crew from going on a strike during the royal wedding.

The period of royal wedding and Easter is proving to be a peak season for the airline as number of holiday makers have planned to travel during the time. Many travellers have booked cheap tickets on flights well in advance.

India benefits from approaching World Cup

The forthcoming cricket World Cup has helped to boost tourism to India, with many hotels reporting full occupancy.


PTI reports that tour packages for the matches are now sold out, meaning that many cricket fans will have to arrange their own flights to India as well as tickets and accommodation if they wish to see some of the action.

The International Cricket Council's official tour provider confirmed that not all of the later games have yet sold out but fans will need to move quickly.

For more information visit here

Tips for Travellers taking a Flight to Australia

Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and every year thousands of visitors travel to the destination from all corners of the world. Here are some tips, which can prove pretty convenient for a trip to Australia.

Flight Tips

• Qantas is one of the most popular airlines for flights to Australia. Qantas, owing to its partnership with many other airlines often emerges as a cheap travel choice. Passengers get to buy tickets with some partner airline for the initial leg and complete the remaining journey with Qantas or some domestic airline.

• The months from September to November are best for finding cheap flights to Australia as this is the off season time in terms of tourism.

• A cheap flight to Australia is more likely to be available in the Sydney and Melbourne sector as these two cities are covered by the majority of the airlines operating cheap return flights to Australia.

Beach Tips

• Invisible undertows or rips at the Ocean beaches cause drowning fatalities every year. Rips can be identified by features like foams going beyond the break zone, brownish or sandy coloured waters, and rippled stretches amidst calm surrounding waters.

• Beach goers should also take note of the fact that the area between the red and yellow flags is safe for swimming. If there are no flags around, it means the beach is not patrolled. However, ceaseless attempts are made to patrol beaches as much as possible so that freak accidents don’t spoil Australia’s legendary reputation for tourism.

Climate Tips on Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney

• It is said that Melbourne has four seasons in one day, especially during early Spring and late Autumn. October is supposedly the wettest month and a good time for buying cheap tickets to Melbourne.

• Perth, with its location in one of the world’s five Mediterranean climate zones, is blessed with a sunny year round climate. While Perth summers are long, winters are brief and mild.

• Those looking for cheap deals to Sydney, should book with the winter months in mind. The damp and chilly winters bring down ticket prices. Summers are heavenly and usually the maximum temperature is about 35 °C.

Tips on Social Life

• Australians are very informal and may promptly give a nickname to someone. However, it is disrespectful of strangers to start imitating them or taking liberties.

• Australians have a good sense of humour and may come across as self deprecating. It would be naïve of visitors to take such comments seriously.

• Australians try to downplay achievements and successes. They also expect the same and do not trust people who brag. In fact, they admire genuine people.
  

Maldives – The Best Place for Scuba Diving

Maldives is a dream holiday destination with numerous top class attractions. With its charming sandy beaches and pristine lagoons, Maldives is known to drown many a travellers in its incredible beauty! Lofty palm trees lining the beaches, vibrant coral reefs adorning the clear lagoons along with most astonishing resorts complete the wonderful picture!

Each Maldivian island is a holiday resort in itself and is dedicated to make your holidays in Maldives something spectacular and memorable! It is a little wonder that flights to Maldives are hugely popular among leisure travellers around the world, and cheap flights to Maldives are something that cause almost frenzy among holiday makers!

Every Maldivian island is blessed with a shallow and large lagoon and with few of them bestowed with a house reef that guards the islands from the enormous waves originating from the ocean. The reefs make water around the islands a natural swimming pool with varied depths making it appropriate for all kinds and levels of swimmers. The shallow waters are perfect for families with kids to enjoy. However the reefs are much more than swimming heavens, they are host to a various species of live corals and tropical fishes!

Maldives’s Diving Scene
Whether you wish to snorkel around or hope to catch a closer look at the marine life by underwater diving, the Maldivian resorts will provide you with all facilities and equipment. If you fancy yourself as a bit of daredevil or an adventurer, the opportunities are just a jump away from your resorts! Delve into the waters to experience the horizon of the sea, and explore the beauty of a variety of corals and the overwhelming fauna that festoon the reef!

Many of the island nation’s diving sites can be explored from the resorts themselves or through diving safari trips. Most of the diving sites in the country are more likely to be found in the in the shallower reefs around the islands. However, some best diving spots are to be found in the crowd of channels that are created by the Maldives' exceptional ecological formations.

What Makes Maldives Probably the Best Diving Paradise in the World?
Many believe that Maldives is perhaps the best diving spot around the world, and it really will be something to contradict this belief! The mesmerising underwater life is the biggest reason tickets on cheap flights to Maldives sell like hot cakes. The reefs are brimming with an array of species of tropical fish – perhaps more than anywhere else found in the world. Each and every Maldivian resort is fully equipped to let you play out your scuba diving fantasies. Resorts feature dining centres along with regular dive excursion schedules. Diving centres offer courses ranging from fun diving to open-water training to professional diving. Even night time diving can be arranged for travellers under the guidance of expert diving instructors.

With scuba diving being the most significant recreational activity undertaken by the tourists visiting Maldives, a host of diving sites have been declared as protected ones. Each of the sites is a top notch diving spot that have the potential of spellbinding even the diving instructors who visit them daily! Grab flights to Maldives and experience the finest of marine life!

Diving Season in Maldives
Maldives is a major scuba diving destination all year round but the period between November to May is considered to be the best time for confirmed live-aboard departures. Travellers who choose to visit outside this period are less likely to land up with a departure date that suits their schedule. However, those looking for cheap airlines to Maldives during the peak season must plan early and book cheap tickets on airlines well in advance.

Handy Information for Travellers Booking Flights to New Zealand

New Zealand, with its world wide reputation as a tourism haven, remains the most popular travel destination for thousands of globe trotters. Like any other world famous tourist destination, New Zealand also has its own set of rules and regulations. Familiarising oneself with the same can save a lot of hassle. Here is some information and tips on the destination.

Entry Policies

• Travellers taking flights to New Zealand need to be aware of the fact that the country has strict immigration laws in place, especially in matters of employment. Anyone seeking employment in the country should carry a visa, which allows this.
  


• British passport holders can enter New Zealand on arrival as visitors for a period of six months without a visa. However, amongst other condition, they also need to have an Immigration Officer’s approval that they are satisfying rules.
  


• Visitors planning to buy their cheap New Zealand tickets should seek detailed immigration information from the New Zealand High Commission in London.
  

Flight Booking Tips

• A good idea for cheap flights to New Zealand is to book tickets for flights departing for Christchurch or Auckland from Heathrow. Quite often, there are higher chances of landing cheap tickets on these itineraries.
  


• Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Malaysian Airlines, and Singapore Airlines are some of the favoured airlines for flights to New Zealand.
  


• Although, New Zealand is a year round destination, business gets a little slow during May and June. This is the time, when there are better odds of bagging cheap flights to New Zealand.
  

Homosexuality and Narcotics

Gay and Lesbian travellers taking flights to New Zealand should be mindful of the fact that there are freak incidents of violence against homosexuals. However, New Zealand is not a homophobic country and travellers should only try to make sure that they don’t indulge in outwardly open acts that hurt local sensitivities.

Travellers buying their New Zealand tickets must be mindful of the fact that a jail sentence of 8 to 12 years awaits anyone who imports illegal drugs to the country.

Medical Tips

• The ozone layer over New Zealand is thinner than in other regions as the country lies in southerly position. This results in shorter sunburn times as compared to the UK. Visitors buying tickets with the intention of indulging in outdoor activities during summers should observe all necessary precautions.
  


• Many people buy airline tickets to New Zealand to indulge in adventure sports like white water rafting, water boarding, and bungee jumping. Visitors should ensure that their medical and travel insurance covers such activities. Exclusions should be checked very carefully.
  


• Although, New Zealand is a famed environmentally clean tourism spot, asthmatics should be aware of the fact there are chances of an attack in the country.
  

Etihad and Air New Zealand agree codeshare deal

Holidaymakers taking flights to New Zealand and Australia could benefit from a new codeshare agreement between Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand.


The new partnership means that Etihad will be able to codeshare on Air New Zealand flights to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Rotorua.

Air New Zealand will also be able to share services on Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia.

Rob Fyfe, Air New Zealand's chief executive officer, explained the codesharing will increase passenger numbers on domestic flights as well as allow expansion into the Middle East market.

For more information visit here

A Sojourn to Explore Rajasthan during Winters!

Indian state of Rajasthan, with its rich heritage displaying in remarkably designed forts, palaces and havelis, carefully manicured gardens, vast deserts, and placid lakes makes for lovely winter getaway in India while the west freezes.

Rajasthan is bordered with the National Capital of Delhi which is the most preferred gateway in the country and is well served by airlines operating flights to India. Although, the state’s key gateway and the capital, Jaipur is well linked with major cities in the country through air, rail and road, most travellers usually take cheap flights to India landing in metros and access Rajasthan from Delhi.

Jaipur
Jaipur, the Pink City with dozens of pink buildings dotting the landscape is one of the most charming places in Rajasthan and part of the globally renowned Golden Triangle Tour. The City is crammed full of astounding monuments such as Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, Government Central Museum, Albert Hall, and Jantar Mantar. Recreate the ambience of the bygone era of Maharajas by taking an elephant safari. Jaipur is easily accessible from Delhi by road and one can save the cost of airlines’ tickets.

Ranthambore National Park
Big cats like tigers and leopards as well as different species of other mammals, birds, and reptiles are to be found in the Ranthambore National Park. Visitors are taken into the jungle on jeep safaris and many get to catch the magnificent sight of a tiger basking in the soft warmth of the winter sun. History buffs can explore the Ranthambore Fort on the fringes of the forest.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary serves as the winter home of Siberian cranes and many species of other winged guests. Every winter, the park sees a mass influx of rare species of birds from faraway lands. Full of long stretches of lakes and verdant greenery, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary makes for a wonderful retreat for a number of bird lovers who book air fares to India to be a part of the tranquil environs of the place.

Jaisalmer
Winter is the perfect season to experience the charm of a camel back desert safari across the vast stretches of the Thar Desert. Those looking for further adventures can also indulge in sand bashing safaris and hot air balloon rides. Another highly popular activity is to explore the colossal Jaisalmer Fort or the Golden Fort.

Jodhpur
Jodhpur, popularly known as the ‘Blue City’, stands on a sandstone hillock’s foothill and remains one of the most popular winter destinations in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is famed for its numerous palaces, forts, lakes, and gardens and the three of the hottest attractions here are the Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Museum, and Jaswant Thada. Jodhpur’s quaint villages also give rich glimpses into the unique way of life.

Udaipur
Famed as the ‘city of lakes’ and affectionately known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is a fabulous tourist attraction in Rajasthan. Of all the lakes, the Swaroop Sagar, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar, and Pichola are the most famous ones. Besides, Udaipur is home to a plethora of well laid out temples, gardens, and forts. The city also hosts the finest of Rajasthan’s legendary puppet shows. The forts of Kumbhalgarah and Chittorgarh, Mount Abu, and Ranakpur Jain Temples are other interesting tourist spots easily accessible from Udaipur.

With so much and more, Rajasthan remains one of the most alluring reasons for travellers to look for cheap flights. In winters, the state promises enjoyment worth more than the money spent on air fares. One may find cheap deals on hotels, tour packages and flight tickets by choosing to book with an India expert travel agent. Air tickets booked individually may be expensive than air tickets booked as a package deal including accommodation.

Alliance to create new flights to Australia

A joint alliance between Etihad and Virgin Blue means an increase in flights to Australia from the Middle East.


Australian Authorities have backed the new deal that will allow the two carriers to code-share from this month and will allow non-stop flights to Australia from Abu Dhabi by the end of February.

John Borghetti, Virgin Blue's chief executive and managing director, believes that the alliance will lead to the United Arab Emirates state becoming a major "international hub" and open up travel options for those flying to and from Australia.

For more information visit here

Air India shows good financial results

The Indian carrier revealed it had an operating surplus of Rs 49.48 crore (£6.6 million) in the final month of last year.

Air India has reported strong financial results for December 2010, posting a record cash profit compared with the previous month.

In November, the airline had made a profit of Rs 21.66 crore.

According to Air India, this boost in income can be attributed to a "significant improvement in efficiency parameters" and the take-up of "better yield management strategies".

"With the launch of the new state-of-the-art Passenger Service System later this month, we expect a further boost to our efforts to improve our efficiency parameters," revealed Arvind Jadhav, chairman and managing director of Air India.

For more information visit here

Egypt Crisis - FCO Chartered Flight Gears to Take Off

British Government’s special charter flight arranged by Foreign Office gets ready to take off from the Cairo airport with 180 passengers as Egypt crisis gets murkier and bloodier. Keeping the grim situation in mind, the Foreign Office (FCO) announced that a new flight is also being arranged for British tourists to fly them out later in the week.

FCO spokesperson was quoted by news portals as stating, "The plane will depart from Cairo on Saturday, and will supplement existing commercial services. We will provide further such flights as necessary."

The announcement came after a mob of pro-government supporters attacked protestors in Tahrir Square. FCO also advised British travellers to leave Cairo as soon as possible.

"The situation in Cairo remains unpredictable, and the FCO advises all British nationals to leave the city unless they have a pressing reason to stay," FCO spokesperson was quoted by online resources.

"A large team remains on the ground, including significant specialist reinforcements sent in the course of the last week from London and other British Embassies in the region.

"Staff who are not immediately involved in responding to the crisis or helping British nationals are being temporarily removed in line with our travel advice," spokesperson further added.

The first flight that is slated to depart today from the crisis-stricken country was sent by Foreign Office on Wednesday to ensure that there is enough capacity to allow Britons to leave Egypt without many hassles.

Passengers will be charged £300 per air ticket on the charter, which is more or less the same price as a seat with a commercial airline would cost.

FCO defended its policy of not rolling out cheap tickets on the flight as it does not want to undercut commercial airlines by offering a cheap flight.


Cheap Holiday Deals amidst Egypt Protests

There is also a section of people who plan to take benefit of the current turmoil in Egypt by grabbing some great holiday deals for Sharm El Sheikh. The normal operations at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport have boosted the holiday makers’ confidence in the claims that the Red Sea’s resort coastline is calm and peaceful.

Reports suggest that Red Sea resorts like Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada have not been affected by the turbulence seen in Egypt’s main cities.

However, countries like Australia and the United States have advised its citizens against visiting any part of Egypt in the current conditions.

On the other hand British travel firms are rolling out attractive and cheap holiday packages to entice tourists into buying air tickets to such Red Sea resorts. Some travel operators are even offering as much as 50% discount on holiday packages.

Chaos Reigns at Cairo Airport as Britons Struggle to Get Home

Hundreds of Britons were left stranded at the Cairo airport last night (Sunday) as airport operations slumped down with the staff joining the bandwagon against the Egypt’s president. British tourists, heeding the advice of Foreign Office to leave the troubled nation, got a rude shock as they found out that different flights have been cancelled. Around 30,000 Britons are reported to be stranded in Egypt with most of them still at Red Sea resorts.

Holiday makers who ventured out of their hotels to travel to the airport were greeted with scenes of utter chaos and confusion as long meandering queues were found at the airport. The night-time curfew imposed by the authorities added to the woes of the travellers as they were unable to leave the airport and forced to sleep in the departure lounges. With the reports of the Cairo International Airport running out of water and food, the proceedings only got worse for the holiday makers.

The British Government had advised against all non-essential travel to Luxor, Cairo, Alexandria and Suez after the violent protest against Egypt’s president broke out on last Tuesday. UK authorities grounded all UK to Egypt flights and in the process wrecking plans of those who landed up with cheap flights to the popular holiday destinations.

There were also reports of some airlines trying to take advantage of the helplessness of the tourists by increasing costs of air tickets on flights back to the UK. British Airways was among those airlines which were being accused of profiteering by the travellers.

However BA on their part accused third party vendors for inflating tickets costs and maintain there has been no change in their pricing policy. BA’s spokesman stated as quoted by online resources, "Tickets are selling at a normal price, we have made no changes to our fares policy."

BA’s spokesman also added, "We are trying to operate normally, but we have had to amend plane times to comply with the curfew.

"For this reason people should watch our website to get the latest information, especially as the situation is pretty volatile."

UK’s budget airline BMI known for its cheap flights plans to have its flights rolling on Monday. However, they struck a cautious note by stating that flights were subject to delay and cancellations.

Questions were also asked about the Foreign Office's response to the crisis as nations like United States, Turkey and India recently announced that they will have special flights to get their citizens out of the country.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted that he is monitoring the situation and considers the wellbeing of the British citizens as his top most priority. He also announced the government’s decision of sending extra consular staff to the Cairo International Airport.

Two Couplets of Cheap and Luxury Hotels from Mauritius

Many avid travellers buy airline tickets to the island nation of Mauritius at least once in their lifetimes. With a plethora of cheap as well as luxury hotels, the destination is well suited to the needs of both budget travellers and the well heeled. Here are two popular choices for luxury and budget hotels in Mauritius.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa

The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa is a wonderful place to unwind in after alighting from a long tiring flight to Mauritius. The beachside hotel gives marvellous views of the crystal clear tranquil Tamarin Bay waters. Spanning a humongous area of some 27 acres, the hotel offers amazing accommodation facilities, fine dining, and lots of leisure and recreational facilities. The interiors are a mix of Arabic, African, French Colonial, and Indian design patterns and make for a delightful psychedelic sight. Although, every room is like an oasis of comfort, the Luxury Villas somehow steal the show with facilities like private pool, serene alfresco dining area, open air garden shower, rain shower, flat screen plasma TV equipped with surround sound CD/DVD system, twin vanity, walk in wardrobe, in room safe, and Internet connection. Some of the Luxury Villas are interconnected and also allow an extra bed. The hotel is about a one hour car ride away from the international airport, which serves quite a few cheap flights to Mauritius.

Le Méridien Ile Maurice

The Le Méridien Ile Maurice is yet another wonderful accommodation facility for travellers taking a flight to Mauritius. The different rooms and suites offer clear views of the mighty ocean and mountains. The Nirvana rooms of the hotel have long been a hit with guests. These rooms stand at the edge of the tranquil lagoon and come with a personal terrace and a private infinity pool. The terrace overlooks verdant tropical foliage. Anyone who has taken a cheap flights to Mauritius with some cheap airline but wants to experience luxury in terms of accommodation, should definitely book a room at the Le Méridien Ile Maurice. The hotel recently bagged the ‘Mauritius Leading Hotel 2010’ award at the World Travel Award, which is one of the most celebrated travel industry awards program on the planet.

Coin De Mire Hotel Cap Malheureux

Visitors looking for a cheap hotel in Mauritius would do well to check out the Coin De Mire Hotel Cap Malheureux. This no frills hotel offers good value for money and is a good choice for someone more keen to spend more time sightseeing rather than laze around in some luxury resort. Despite being cheap, the hotel is just moments away from the beach and only about 4 kms from the vibrant Grand Baie town alive with its numerous shops and restaurants. The double storied whitewashed Coin De Mire Hotel Cap Malheureux is covered with bougainvillea flowers and radiates a very inviting atmosphere from a distance. The hotel also has its own pool and the rooms are fairly large. Dark wood tones and rattan furnishings have been used in the rooms.

Le Blason
The Le Blason is another good choice for someone who plans to buy a ticket to Mauritius and stay at some reasonably cheap hotel. Le Blason is pretty close to two stunningly beautiful beaches, namely Blue Bay and Beach Point of Esny. The hotel offers facilities like Internet access, Currency Exchange, Safety deposit, 24 hour hot showers, Car Parking, and Swimming Pool. The use of linen, towels, and luggage room is free of charge. A well stocked library spells delight for the bookworms and the cuisine also leaves nothing to be desired.

FCO Announces a New Charter Flight as Egypt Descends Into Violence

FCO’s special charter carrier is set to take off from the Cairo International Airport amidst growing tension in the country. Meanwhile, FCO announced another flight for its fellow citizens stuck in the country that just witnessed a gruesome attack on anti-government protestors by a mob of pro-government supporters in Tahrir Square.

Foreign Office’s first charter that is slated to depart today is carrying out nearly 180 Britons out of the country. Passengers on the special flight are required to shell out £300 per air ticket, which is approximately the same amount for an air ticket with a commercial airline would cost, a move that has been criticised by many.

FCO defended its decision of not offering cheap tickets on the flight as it does not want to undermine commercial airlines by offering tickets in much a cheap flights.

FCO also advised travellers to get out of Cairo as early as possible as political heat is set to rise in the region.

"The situation in Cairo remains unpredictable, and the FCO advises all British nationals to leave the city unless they have a pressing reason to stay," FCO spokesperson was quoted by online resources.

"A large team remains on the ground, including significant specialist reinforcements sent in the course of the last week from London and other British Embassies in the region.

"Staff who is not immediately involved in responding to the crisis or helping British nationals are being temporarily removed in line with our travel advice," the spokesperson further added.

Flights to Singapore – Book Cheap & Enjoy the Most

Singapore is arguably Asia’s most beautiful island nation that is endowed with mind-numbing attractions and beauty. With its innumerable natural and man made marvels, holidays to Singapore remains one of the of most desirable vacation destinations around the world.

Singapore Attractions
Travellers from all over the world book flights to Singapore to experience the overwhelming beauty and splendid aura of this wonderful place. From world class island resorts to luxuriant parks and natural reserves – Singapore is truly blessed with infinite wonders. The Singapore Flyer, the Merlion, Underwater World on Sentosa, Singapore Science Centre, Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Botanic Gardens are some of the numerous tourist attractions in the island country that enthral holiday makers.

Apart from all the grand attractions, Singapore has a varied cultural heritage that has left many a visitors spellbound. The brilliant blend of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures ensure that every cultural aficionado who grabs flights to Singapore is utterly and thoroughly mesmerised. The region’s many temples, synagogues and mosques are thriving testaments of Singapore’s splendid culture. On the whole, Singapore is correctly regarded as a great tourist destination with distractions enough to engage people of all ages.

Ways to Find Cheap Flights to Singapore
However, it generally believed that Singapore holidays are only for rich and cheap flights to Singapore are very few and far between. Nothing could be farther from the truth! With number of airlines operating in the region, cheap flights to Singapore are easily and readily available. One can grab wonderful travel deals for Singapore holidays from various travel agents. Travellers just need to follow some tips and suggestions to land up with economical air tickets to Singapore. Check out different discounts and deals, and be a little flexible with your travel plans and you will surely grab some cheap tickets to the destination. Take a look at different steps that can help holiday makers in procuring affordable vacation deals.

Research Well
While looking for cheap deals on flights, it is imperative to research well on the internet. It is best to go for a complete package as it automatically allows you to land up with cheapest flight options. And with it you also get the most affordable options in terms of lodgings and ground transportation. Travellers looking for economical deals are best advised to go for an all-inclusive package offered by a travel agent or company that specialises in Southeast Asian vacations. This will not only save you money, it will also be very convenient for you.

Be Flexible
Flexible travel plans are sure to provide you with some great savings. Travellers who are visiting Singapore to enjoy the tropical climate would like to avoid the wet months of November and December. However, if the prospect of wet holidays does not scare you then you are in for some big time savings as you can grasp some of the most amazing off-season discounts offered by airlines and tour operators. You are sure to save heaps of money if you plan your holidays around the time when you have the cheapest flights available.

Use Fare Comparison Websites
This is the internet age and it is time to get technology savvy for all those who would like book flights without burning holes in their pockets. It is not always necessary that you pay the published fares on flights to Singapore or any destination for that matter. Use different fare comparison websites to stumble upon the best available air fares in the market. This is indeed the best way to get cheapest flight to Singapore. Along with cheap flights, one can also find package deals including hotels, attractions and transportation.

Tips to Consider before booking Flights to Hong Kong

Hong Kong, an erstwhile British colony makes for a pretty cheap destination compared to quite a few other places in the world. Here are some tips for a wrinkle free travel experience in Hong Kong.

Information on Flights to Hong Kong

• Cathay Pacific is the national carrier of Hong Kong.

• Some of the popular airlines operating flights to Hong Kong are KLM, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, British Airways, and Air New Zealand.

• Usually, cheap flights to Hong Kong are available during March to May. This is the off season time airlines try to lure travellers with cheap fares.

Entry requirements for Hong Kong

Travellers must check entry requirements conditions for Hong Kong with relevant authorities. Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website is also a good source of travel advice.

• Despite being part of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region and has its own set of immigration controls. Visitors without a visa can stay in Hong Kong for a maximum period of six months.

• British nationals holding a passport, which is valid for at least six months, are usually allowed to stay for a period of six months. However, if the validity of the passport is less than six months, visitors can only extend their stay by a month. This clause is also subject to the validity of the passport. In simple words, before snapping up the ticket on some cheap flight to Hong Kong, ensure that the passport is valid for the entire period of your visit.

• Single parents travelling alone with children need to know that some places require documents certifying parental responsibility before allowing entry. There are even places that don’t allow the children to leave without this proof. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London has exhaustive information on this topic.

• A British passport holder travelling to Mainland China through Hong Kong needs to get hold of a Chinese visa before reaching the border. British passport holders can’t get a visa after arriving at the Chinese border. Violating the rule can lead to a fine as well as detention. Travellers entering Hong Kong through Mainland China and leaving again through the same route need to have a double or multiple entry visa for Mainland China.

• In June 1997, ‘The UK and Hong Kong Reciprocal Health Care Arrangement’ came to an end.
  

Legal Information

• By and large, Hong Kong’s legal system is modelled after the UK. Activities like littering or spitting attract on the spot fines. Similarly, tolerance level is zero for dodging a ticket for travelling on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).

• Don’t get involved with illicit drugs of any kind. Possession of such illicit drugs can land you in jail.

• It is advisable not to click military installations in Hong Kong. Ever since the handover in 1997, Hong Kong’s defence has become the responsibility of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In fact, previous British military barracks are now under the PLA.
  

Medical Information

• Temperature screenings maybe carried out at the border and additional medical tests can also be ordered depending upon the temperature screening results.

• Dengue fever is highly prevalent in Hong Kong.

• Exercise usual precautions against HIV/AIDS. This includes refraining from unprotected sex with strangers and avoiding tattoos and acupuncture therapies.

• Seek medical advice before booking your flights to Hong Kong. Visitors should make sure that all the required vaccinations have been taken. The websites of the NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel and the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) have further information on vaccinations, overall disease prevention, and health outbreaks. Information can also be obtained by calling NHS Direct on the number 0845 46 47.

• Medical care is very expensive in Hong Kong and travellers should be armed with comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Make sure that the policy covers things like adventure sports or other activities that you are likely to indulge in. Keep a sharp lookout for exclusions on the policy.
  

BA’s Cabin Crew Votes for Strike

British Airways is the flag carrier of United Kingdom and is amongst the most flamboyant airlines in the world. But everything is not going properly for the website as the cabin crew has gone on a strike. The entire cabin crew of British Airways once again voted for a strike which is quite bad news for the airlines.

This is quite a bad news for all the visitors who have booked cheap tickets on flights for the Easter vacation. With the long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in the coming month of April cheap tickets on flights will be quite difficult to find.

The General Secretary designate Mr. Len McCluskey appealed to British Airways for figuring out some sought of negotiations. It quoted on the internet that, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”

It has been quite long time since the problem between the crew and the company started but now it has surely come to a saturation point with the cabin crew going on a strike. The British Airways has refuted to the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. It has been found that Unite has lost around 2,500 cabin crew members since the dispute started quite some time ago.

“Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” The airline has said in a statement. The British Airways has insisted that in the event of strike all the ticket holders will not be troubled and all the flights will operate on normal timetables and from different airports as well.

British Airways is amongst the biggest airlines in the world and once it was also rated as the best in the world. But the recent feuds with its crew members has resulted it in falling on its head. It is believed by the company that the feud will surely be solved in the near future and it will start providing flights to people from all across the world.