I thought that the London Tube map of the central zone published to indicate walking times between stations is brilliant.  I lived in London more than 20 years ago and would often walk to my final destination in central London rather then change tube lines for one or two stops. You can’t tell from the [...]

I know that I am going 50% off my focus of writing posts about travel in Europe but at least it is about France. Arnold of Foreign Perspectives, who now lives in France, told me that a French website was looking for posts about the forthcoming French Presidential elections from an outsider’s angle. I thought [...]

The full potential of the fast growing youth market of 16 – 24 year olds is not being tapped, with a only one third of tourism authorities having a youth tourism policy. It was often assumed that the youth market was too low budget to take seriously. However because young travellers generally stay for longer [...]

I’ve been away for a few days. Our destination was Norfolk in the east of England but as we live in the north of England we spent a night in the Scotch Corner Travelodge on the way south to Norfolk and a night at the Harrogate Travelodge on the way north again. the rooms cost [...]

Airline Passenger Duty is to be scrutinised on 2 legal grounds in a challange mounted by the Federation of Tour Operators.  Firstly it is claimed that the UK Government can not impose charges solely to exit or enter the UK, charges can only be made for use of an airport service. Secondly the manner in [...]

What do you know about SKAL, the international association of travel and tourism professionals? I read about SKAL in a TravelWire news bulletin, I have never heard of them. They formed in 1934 to promote global tourism and friendship. They claim to be the only international group which unites all branches of travel and tourism [...]

I know that there is never a good time to shut Glasgow Central railway station, the busiest station in Scotland.  First Scotrail have announced the Glasgow Central will be close on the 7 – 8 April 2007 for major signalling work.  There will also be disruption at Glasgow Queen St railway station from 6 – [...]

When Darren of Travel Rants asked me to guest blog, I thought great, a chance to rant, why not live up to the name. What aspect of travel makes me want to rant, it’s poor customer service. I looked at Travel Rants and saw that Darren had recently blogged on this topic. Darren reckoned that [...]

The UK Treasury is investigating the sale of travel insurance purchased as part of a package from travel agents. At present travel insurance bought as part of a package is not subject to the same Financial Servies Authority (FSA) regulation as stand alone travel insurance. I know that travel agents make good commission on selling [...]

British Midland are exploiting a loophole so that business class passengers only have to pay the standard rate of APD.  They have removed the partitions which demarcate ecomony and business class.  I can’t understand this as the business class passengers are still gaining access to lounges and receiving a higher standard of on board catering.  [...]