Cruises

Its 2010 which means I am in my fifth year of writing Travel Rants and I am out enjoying myself, celebrating a new year. It has been an odd year for me because while they are many positives to write about, the libel issue that I found myself in left a rather bad taste in the mouth.

Libel issue left me bruised but not out

At the time I was on the verge of closing the blog and moving on to pastures new but I decided to give myself six months to see how things worked out. Those six months have just come to an end and I think that Travel Rants still has a part to play in the travel industry.

Thankfully, I have found that people have been so supportive and it’s time to look forward to a new year.

Proud to be part of a great community

I sit back and look at what I have achieved, but that would not be possible without this great community. I want to thank every single one of you who have joined in the discussions. Especially to those that have been on here in the early hours answering consumer’s questions in difficult times.

Just before Christmas I was sat here reading comment’s, people worried about their holiday, newlyweds going on honeymoon, family holidays ruined, my fantastic readers and I were here to help, that made me so proud and it’s at that point that I realised I had to continue with this blog.

I still have that passion and fire in my belly.

Achievements in 2009

Mentions in the national press, nominated for awards by Lonely Planet and Travolution, recognition from the travel industry by the likes of Cheapflights and Lastminute.com and my appearance on BBC television and radio, yes a great year, but many more goals to achieve in 2010.

New Year, new goals and challenges

One of my goals this year is to use this blog to help the industry deal with big issues like holiday protection, yes, I do write about the negative aspects of travel but I think consumers, like me, have a role to play in making the industry better and that is why I write this blog.

New personal challenges

One of my biggest challenges outside of blogging is to lead a healthier lifestyle, I also want to do some fundraising and walk across part of the Great Wall of China, more on that soon. Regular readers will know that I work full-time, and run this blog in my spare time, that will hopefully change.

I wish you all the best for the coming year and here’s hoping that it is a healthy one for you all.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

Reflection on a year: Libel issue, TV appearance, a community

It has been an interesting year for blogs and blogging: there was some stupid talk that blogs are dying, loads of debates on blogger trips and the quality of sponsored blog posts. Then there’s bloggers coming together to raise thousands of pounds to help build a school in Cambodia.

Blogs useful for travel consumers

Today, I am going to highlight the blogs that I have enjoyed reading in 2009. I didn’t want to base this list on the useless Alexa ranking or how many people follow them on Twitter; I want to highlight these blogs because they are great sources of information for travel consumers.

Velvet Escape

You can see that Keith puts a lot of time into his blog posts, they are inspiring, and give you a good outlook on a destination or tourist attraction. If you are looking for some inspiration to find next year’s holiday destination then a visit to Velvet Escape is a must.

Roaming Tales

I’m lazy, it’s rare you’ll see a 500 words plus post on Travel Rants but you can tell Caitlin is a professional travel writer; concise, well written posts, great photos and the occasional video too. The blog features a mixture of destination content and Caitlin’s own thoughts and opinions on travel.

Elliott

The blog written by travel journalist, Christopher Elliott is a regular read for me as a travel consumer blogger. Well written and like Travel Rants looks at consumer issues. While most of the posts focus on the US industry it is good to read what is going on the other side of the pond.

Heather on her Travels

Not only is this a very good travel blog, but it is also worth a visit if you enjoy browsing through travel photos, watching videos and listening to podcasts. Truly multimedia, the Heather on her Travels blog reviews the destinations that she has visited. A useful blog if you are looking for some travel inspiration.

Europe a la Carte

Heading to Europe? Well I recommend a visit to Europe a la Carte, written by a group of writers and edited by Karen Bryan. I have met Karen and I have never met someone so passionate about Europe and travel. The blog doesn’t just feature popular tourist hotspots, but the lesser known European destinations too.

Londonelicious

I started reading Krista’s, Londonlicious not long after I launched my Leeds travel site and loved the well written reviews of restaurants and the life of an American living in London. Full with great photos, but my only advice is; don’t visit this blog if you are hungry.

Your favourite blogs of 2009

What travel blogs you have enjoyed reading this year and you must tell me why. Oh, and you cannot mention your own blog. Also what do you think 2010 will bring for blogs and bloggers, make your predictions for the coming year and we’ll see if they come true?

I would like to thank everyone for their support in 2009, have a fantastic New Year.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

My favourite travel blogs of 2009

The Christmas and the New Year holidays are coming to an end and it is that time of the year where many of us start to think about booking a holiday. I know I am. So, I wanted to write a useful post, to help you book your holiday in 2010.

Financially protect yourself

To be protected financially should the company or airline go into administration you need to make sure that the holiday that you have booked is ATOL protected. Do not assume that because the travel agent has the ATOL logo in its shop or website, that your holiday is financially protected. Ask them.

If you are booking your own holiday, i.e. separate flights and accommodation then pay with a credit card. Also check to make sure that your travel insurance also includes airline failure insurance. Do not book with a debit card unless it is a Visa debit card, in the chargeback scheme.

Compare holiday prices like-for-like

At this time of the year it is worth spending a little bit of time shopping around for the best deals. This could be by visiting a few travel agents in the high-street or, use hotel, flight and holiday comparison websites. Oh, and don’t assume that “budget” airlines are the cheapest option.

Really compare the holiday’s like-for-like. Some tour operators will offer free kids places just to hook you in but when you compare you could find that the holiday is more expensive. Think about booking an all-inclusive if you are looking to cut costs, but do your research.

Keep away from scam websites

If you are booking through a third party then my advice would be to only book with brands you are familiar with. Ask family and friends for suggestions of sites that they have used. Look for contact details and go with your gut instinct.

Check with the hotel or accommodation provider that they have received your booking.

Check spelling and booking terms & conditions

I cannot stress this enough. Check and double check all of the booking details when booking online. I hear so many stories where people have entered incorrect spelling or the wrong dates. Check the booking terms and conditions relating to cancellation or booking changes. Read the small print.

Purchase travel insurance

I get so annoyed when I receive a complaint from a consumer about having to pay medical bills when they have not taken out travel insurance. It can cost as little as £10 for a single trip, per person, so there’s really no excuse, and I have little sympathy for those that don’t.

Research before you go

So many complaints are because the consumer has not fully researched their destination. They are tons of places to go and find information. Look at the average temperatures, visa information, medical advice, and visit the Foreign, Commonwealth Office website to find out any potential dangers.

Check reviews of hotel and accommodation

I take hotel and accommodation reviews with a pinch of salt, but the reviews on badly managed accommodation stand out a mile when you read the reviews. Don’t just use one review site; so you can get a wider range of reviews. Check the dates of the reviews too.

So, what about you? What tips would you give other consumers when booking their holiday for 2010?

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

Guide to booking your holiday in 2010

If you’re not lucky enough to be in Thailand or Australia to ring in the New Year, these photos will help you celebrate vicariously from afar.

From Mexico and Sweden to Argentina and Japan, here are our picks for New Year’s Eve photos from around the world.

A Traditional Dance in Chiang Mai, Thailand

image source: jurvetson

Fireworks in Gothenburg, Sweden

image source: mescon

Crowded Streets in San Juan, Argentina

image source: fabio2005

Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, Japan

image source: shunkoh

Pinata in Cerralvo, Mexico

image source: celso flores

Water Lights in Had Rin, Thailand

image source: joestump

Fireworks and Bridge in Sydney, Australia

image source: coquetboy

Times Square in New York City, USA

image source: andrewparnell

Happy New Year!

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Photos: Celebrating the New Year Around the World

My husband and I were staying at a fairly posh resort in Mexico, and we noticed these kids at the beach. They were obviously brother and sister, and they looked miserable as they half-heartedly made sandcastles with the bored-looking teenaged kid’s club employee.

Dumping the kids in a holiday club

We saw them every day, and every day my we’d turn to each other and ask “Why bring your kids?” and wonder which drunken yahoos by the pool were their parents.

Sound harsh? It was meant to. As honeymooners more than 2 years away from parenthood, we uttered that daily with as much judgement and disdain as we could muster. Of course we would never take our future kids on holiday and dump them.

Judge less, play more

It’s now 6 years later and we’re parents of two. I’ve softened my stance, but not by much. We don’t go away with the hope of sending our kids off to a kids club, but it took just one rainy afternoon at a bare bones resort in Cuba for me to realise the importance of having at least a few amenities for children.

Under normal circumstances, the beach, a pool, and each other are all our family needs to have a good time. This was our pre-portable DVD player period, so having nothing around to keep our almost-two-year-old busy was only made manageable with the controlled consumption of mojito.

An indoor play area would have been much appreciated.

Your kids are worth the effort

The place in Mexico where we honeymooned was a lovely resort that did not exclude children but did not actively market itself towards families either.

I think if you are going away with the intention of enrolling your children in what is essentially full-time day-care it’s worth the effort to select accommodation that targets itself to families. When a kid’s club is clearly an afterthought, a bored caregiver is the least of your concerns.

There are numerous resort and hotel chains that feature wonderful children’s programs. If it’s an amenity that you’re planning on using it’s worth the effort and/or extra expense to choose somewhere your child will be well looked after and happy.

Never say never

Years later, at another resort in Mexico, we witnessed children reluctant to return to their parents after a day at the kids’ club. The children could not stop raving about how much fun they were having. Should the time come when we do want to ship the kids off, we’re going back there.

Your thoughts on holiday kids clubs

Thanks to Corinne McDermott of Have Baby will Travel for writing today’s post. I would like to know your thoughts on holiday kids clubs. Have you had a negative experience with one? Why would you take kids on holiday and then leave them in the care of strangers.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

Holiday kids clubs rant

It has been a week full of travel consumer issues and news and rather than writing a blog post reflecting I decided to record my first 5-minute travel rant podcast. Every so often I will publish a podcast for readers to listen to. Hopefully my editing skills will improve.

Travel posts discussed

Eurostar passengers trapped and now cancellations
Libra and Argo Holidays in administration
FlyGlobespan flies into administration
BA strike advice and information

You should be able to download the podcast from the iTunes library soon, but in the meantime please let me know what you think of the podcast, what you would like me to feature in future episodes. More importantly tell me if you agree or disagree with any of the points that I raised in the podcast.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

The 5-minute travel rants podcast

Between the overabundance of family togetherness, relatives who overstay their welcome, and delayed flights, the holidays are stressful.

But you can make your travels hassle-free by taking a few simple steps. Step back, take a deep breath, and dive into the holidays with these tips.

1. Check for flight delays before you leave

Call your airline or check online before you leave the house to see if your flight is delayed or cancelled. If it’s cancelled, you might have a better chance of getting rebooked on the phone than in person — especially if you’re a frequent flier. Either way, it’s helpful to know what to expect when you arrive at the airport.

2. Get to the airport (extra) early

Even the smallest airports are incredibly busy during the holidays. Last year I almost missed a flight in my hometown because I assumed the airport would be less crowded that it was. Account for things that could go wrong on the way (traffic, late train or bus), leave the house early, and be prepared to wait in long lines once you arrive at the airport.

3. Bag your toiletries

Save time in line by putting your travel-size toiletries in a plastic baggie before you leave the house. Keep the bag in accessible spot so you won’t hold up the line while frantically digging through your suitcase in search of your deodorant and toothpaste. For a green toiletry option, Tom’s of Maine has some great environmentally-friendly travel-size products.

image source: jetalone

4. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily

We’ve all been in line behind that guy who wore lace-up boots that took 20 minutes to remove. Don’t be that guy. If you want to wear shoes with laces, loosen the laces while you’re waiting in line so you can slip your shoes off quickly when you get to the front of the line.

5. Know airport screening requirements

Airport security lines are slowed down even more during the holidays by inexperienced travelers. Being prepared by knowing requirements will help you get through security without a hitch. In the U.S., you can’t have liquid bottles that are larger than 3 oz, all liquids have to go in a plastic baggie, you must remove your shoes and coat, and you have to take your laptop out of its bag.

6. Pack snacks

Who wants to wait in line for 45 minutes to buy a bland, sandwich? Bring snacks from home and you’ll save money and avoid hassle. For snack storage, a Wrap-n-mat is a fantastic alternative to the decidedly un-green plastic baggie.

7. Bring a water bottle

Avoid the bottles of water and opt for a green alternative — your own reusable bottle. The folks at Hydrasip were kind enough to send me a Hydrasip stainless steel bottle, which has become my new favorite. I like the contoured shape that fits comfortably in my hand.

8. Pack light

The overhead bins are fuller than ever around the holidays, so be prepared to check a bag if you don’t pack light. Packing light is better for the environment and easier on your stress level. Plus, most airlines in the U.S. now charge for checked bags. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Packing Light for tips and tricks to lighten your load.

What do you do to make your holidays less hectic? Share your tips in the comments.

Happy holidays and safe travels!

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

8 Holiday Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Vacation

It has been a week full of travel consumer issues and news and rather than writing a blog post reflecting I decided to record my first 5-minute travel rant podcast. Every so often I will publish a podcast for readers to listen to. Hopefully my editing skills will improve.

Travel posts discussed

Eurostar passengers trapped and now cancellations
Libra and Argo Holidays in administration
FlyGlobespan flies into administration
BA strike advice and information

You should be able to download the podcast from the iTunes library soon, but in the meantime please let me know what you think of the podcast, what you would like me to feature in future episodes. More importantly tell me if you agree or disagree with any of the points that I raised in the podcast.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

The 5-minute travel rant podcast

Tonight I have been reading the stories coming out from the news that 2,000 Eurostar passengers were stranded inside the channel tunnel for many hours with no food or drink, and a severe lack of communication for worried family and friends waiting at the other side.

Stranded inside the tunnel

The reports on how long passengers were stranded ranges from 5 to 18 hours. A total of four trains were stuck and the breakdown is being blamed on the cold weather and the sudden heat increase in the tunnel. Thankfully they were no casualties but why were passengers stranded for so long?

Eurostar stories will put consumers off travelling

I wonder how many people have been put off travelling on Eurostar after hearing the stories. I have to admit it has made me think twice. They are also a lot of stories circling around the internet, some true, some untrue, and I think Eurostar could have communicated better.

Your thoughts on the Eurostar saga

The Eurostar website currently says that trains will recommence at some point tomorrow when testing has been carried out. News networks are reporting that all trains tomorrow will be cancelled, whatever happens, it’ll be chaos, so I’ll update this post when I have more information.

Have you been affected by the Eurostar chaos? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

Eurostar cancellation update

The Eurostar website has announced that they will not be operating services on Monday 21 December due to the weather in France. They are asking passengers whose travel is not essential to change their booking or claim a refund. A further update regarding Tuesday’s services by 6pm on Monday.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

Eurostar passengers trapped and now cancellations

In the four years of writing this blog I have never witnessed a week like the one just gone. BA strike threat, collapse of FlyGlobespan and now I am hearing that Allbury Travel Group who traded as Libra Holidays and Argo Holidays have also gone into administration.

Thousands of consumers with ruined holidays

Travel media, TTG reports that the group operated air package holidays and flights out of Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford airports to Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. 4,000 holidaymakers are set to have their holiday ruined.

Lack of information

Apparently, the Allbury Travel Group sold holiday mostly through other travel agents. What is incredible is that none of the websites has information about the administration. Also Google ads have now appeared, rather than advice for consumers.

The Libra Holidays twitter account doesn’t even link to the CAA website just tells people that they have gone into administration.

Add your questions or experiences

Thankfully the CAA have posted information for consumers. Of course I will update this post when I have more information but if you have been affected by the administration of Allbury Travel Group who traded as Libra Holidays, Argo Holidays then please do feel free to ask any questions.

This post was syndicated from the Travel Rants Blog.

Libra and Argo Holidays in administration