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Post Olympics holiday exodus starts

2012-08-13T05:01:00.001-07:00

The long-awaited start of the summer holidays is expected this week with the travel industry bracing itself for a surge in bookings after the Olympics.

With the Games having captured the public’s imagination, many Britons are taking their holidays later than usual.

Two years ago there was a similar exodus when England was knocked out of the World Cup.
British Airways sought to capitalise on the mood encouraging passengers to stay at home and enjoy what has turned out to be a glut of gold medals.

The airline is now pushing holidaymakers to enjoy what it described as a “sizzling September” with offers including £100 off European holidays.

The first sign of the delayed great British exodus will be at Heathrow, which expects to deal with 116,000 departures tomorrow, compared with 95,000 on an average day.

While the numbers are initially being swelled by departing athletes, families and supporters, daily departures from Heathrow will hover around 110,000 for the rest of the week.

According to research carried out by the price comparison website, Travelsupermarket, more than 3million Britons have delayed their holiday because of the Olympics.

“By mid-August we’d expect most people to have booked their annual summer holiday or at the very least have something booked,” said Bob Atkinson, the company’s travel analyst.

“However, with the huge amount of us planning to go on post-Olympics breaks, many of which haven’t even been booked yet, this year is going to be a particularly late summer holiday season.”

Laurence Hicks, director of tour operator and holiday rentals company CLC Leisure, has noticed a similar trend.

"The end of July and beginning of August were relatively quiet but suddenly we have seen this massive upswing in booking and inquiries.

"Either we Brits don't want the party to end and intend to carry on celebrating the success of Team GB with a holiday or we are worn out by the emotional extremes of watching the Games and need a break.

"We knew that there would be a late-booking trend this year because people wanted to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience of London 2012 but the sudden rush has exceeded all expectations."

EasyJet has already noticed a surge, with nearly 200,000 passengers booked to depart tomorrow, with Athens and Alicante the most popular destinations.

Eurostar is also expecting a busy week with Britons crossing the Channel in droves for their delayed summer break.

According one aviation industry insider, airlines have had a slack summer and will be looking for a pick up in post Olympics departure to fill empty seats.

“It does look as if people have been deferring their holidays, so there is fair chance business will pick up.”

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E-Books Edge Ahead Of Paperbacks On UK Holidays

2012-07-30T03:29:00.000-07:00

People are putting paperbacks aside on holiday and reaching for e-books instead, according to a survey.

E-reading devices such as the Kindle are now the preferred way to get stuck into a good novel while on a break, the poll by a leading online travel agency found.

A total of 1,928 UK adults who had been abroad on holiday in the last 12 months were surveyed.

Of those who had read while away, 51% had used an e-reader while 49% had opted for a traditional book.

E-readers were most popular among those aged 40 or more, with only 11% of 18-25-year-olds using them.

Of those who used an e-reader, 44% said it was easier to hold while 29% said it was easier to see in the sun.

Of those sticking with traditional books, 24% felt e-readers were too expensive while 46% said they "simply preferred books".

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Possibly The Best British Castle Stays

2012-07-28T04:47:00.000-07:00

Roch Castle, Wales

A beautifully restored Norman castle high above Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Refurbished as a five-star holiday let, it has six modern rooms encased within the heavy walls. Views are of the Irish Sea, St David's peninsula or wild Welsh countryside. The House Manager is on hand for breakfast, the larder is stocked, and a private chef is ready to rustle up a special evening meal.

Roch Castle, Roch, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 6AQ (01422 323200; retreatsgroup.com). Weekly rental from £4,000, including breakfast. Sleeps 12.

Stonefield Castle Hotel, Scotland

One of Scotland's loveliest lochs is the setting for Stonefield Castle. This 19th-century baronial manor stands on the Kintyre peninsula, with spectacular views of Loch Fyne and acres of private woodland. A spot for bracing walks around the West Coast, rounded off with warming whisky and plates of local smoked salmon and oysters. By night, sequester yourself amid wood-panelled walls and period furnishings.

Stonefield Castle Hotel, Tarbert, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland PA29 6YJ (01880 820836; stonefieldcastleargyll.co.uk). Doubles from £190, B&B.

Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire

Play lord of the fortified manor at this Tudor castle on the fringes of the Cotswolds. Built in the early 16th century, it has welcomed Henry VIII (who had Thornbury's architect, also a distant cousin, executed) and Queen Mary, who lived here for several years. Now part of the Luxury Family Hotels portfolio, its impressive original features – coats of arms, carved ceilings and an on-site vineyard – are available for everyone to enjoy.

Thornbury Castle, Castle Street, Thornbury, Gloucestershire BS35 1HH (01454 281182; thornburycastle.co.uk). Doubles from €190, including breakfast.

Haldon Belvedere, Devon

Haldon Belvedere is a Grade II-listed triangular tower, also known as Lawrence Castle, in the heart of the Devon countryside. It was built in 1788, and renovated by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust in 1994 to include a top-floor apartment that makes the perfect romantic hideaway. Exeter is to the east, Dartmoor to the west, while Torquay and the beaches of South Hams are due south.

Haldon Belvedere, Higher Ashton, near Dunchideock, Devon EX6 7QY (01392 833846; haldonbelvedere. co.uk). Three-night rental from £325, self catering. Sleeps two.

Hazlewood Castle, Yorkshire

Hazlewood's halls have a history that stretches back centuries. The former monastery was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 and it's claimed a priest haunts the Tansy bedroom. Converted in 1997, it offers cosy, traditional rooms. Events throughout the year include Jazz Sunday lunches and champagne brunches ahead of horse race meetings at York and Wetherby.

Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Hazlewood, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 9NJ (0808 1787666; hazlewood-castle.co.uk). Doubles start at £160, including breakfast.

Beauchamp Castle, Worcestershire

Lavish rooms set the scene at Beauchamp Castle, on the banks of the River Severn. Dodge the stuffed bear on the stairs to reach rich suites bedecked with suits of armour, coats of arms, rich red carpets and well-stocked bookshelves. The grounds are more sedate, with manicured lawns, a flagstone terrace and tennis courts. Worcester, Droitwich Spa and Kidderminster are a short drive, along with gentle walks in the Malvern Hills.

Beauchamp Castle, near Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire (0845 389 9582; statelyescapes.co.uk). Weekly rental from £6,714, self catering. Sleeps 16.

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Tips to Save You Money on Holiday This Summer

2012-07-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

A big holiday abroad can be the experience of a lifetime, and often people save up for years to afford one great trip away. After so much preparation, you want to make sure that your holiday is perfect, and if possible, save a few pennies so you can spoil yourself that much more when it comes to getting on the plane.

First of all, get yourself a good exchange rate by using a service like Currencies Direct's travel-money service. Foreign exchange costs a surprising amount and particularly if you're changing a lot, a good company can save you a surprising amount. Unless you're going to the Eurozone, it's worth making sure you have a few dollars, and as the dollar to pounds rate is so good at the moment, they're more than worth it as a backup.

Next up, it's important that you get a good deal on your holiday insurance. That does not mean that you should go for the cheapest one available, but rather go for the one that represents the best value for money.

A good tip is to check out the Defaqto website, Defaqto is the independent body which judges the quality of products in the UK financial sector, so work your way through the list of Defaqto 5 star holiday insurances and pick the one that represents the best value for you.

Another good tip, particularly if you're going to somewhere which might not be quite as developed as the UK, is to buy things when you get there. This saves you a little space in your bag and maybe a lot of money. Things like suntan lotion are usually a lot cheaper abroad (except in Latin America) so it's worth waiting until you get out there before splashing out.

Again, depending on where you're going, it might be worth looking up local transport routes. Generally speaking you can buy things in advance from the UK, but a trip that could cost £50 when bought from the UK could cost a fraction of that when you get out to your destination, particularly if you're willing to hop on a bus with the other local travellers.

Last of all, restrict your mobile phone use when you get out there, if you're going to be at your destination for a long time it's worth buying a local sim, but otherwise, roaming data charges can be huge so it's best to reduce your phone use as much as possible.

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UK holiday spend on the rise

2012-07-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

According to latest research released by MasterCard Cash Passport, three quarters of travellers expect to spend the same or more on their main holiday this year compared to 2011, despite concerns over the Eurozone and the costs associated with travel.

Results from a YouGov survey commissioned by the prepaid travel money card, Cash Passport, show that two thirds of us are taking a summer holiday.

Of these, one third (29 per cent) resolve to budget more for their holidays this year compared to 2011.

Two fifths (38 per cent) of 18-to-24-year-old holidaymakers are putting more money aside for spending compared to last year while one third of the over 55s are budgeting for an increase of up to 50 per cent on their holiday budgets.

As the strengthening pound means better exchange rates for those spending in Eurozone countries, less than one in ten (seven per cent) UK adults said they would be avoiding European holidays as a result of reported banking difficulties in destination countries.

Across the regions, only the south of England has a larger proportion of people budgeting to spend less on their summer holiday (31 per cent) compared to more (19 per cent), while Wales enjoys the largest percentage of people prepared to spend more on their holiday this year (37 per cent).

People in the East of England are expecting to spend 50 per cent more than they did last year, the highest proportion of all regions.

Jonathan Bennett, European sales director at Cash Passport, commented on the findings: “Faced with a difficult economic climate in the UK and elsewhere and perhaps even spurred on by the dismal weather so far this year, UK holidaymakers are staying positive about their main summer holiday and their expectations of getting away without worrying about bigger economic issues.

“For those going away but looking to tighten their belts and even those planning to spend more than last year, it remains important for people to be in control of their spending. Cash Passport customers can conveniently put aside their money and manage holiday budgets by using a prepaid card.”

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Benefits of Owning a Caravan

2012-07-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

If you had a UK holiday home by the sea how often would you visit? Every weekend? Once a month? All of the Summer holidays?

How would you like to spend your time when you get there? Take a swim in the sea, a dip in the pool, relax in the hot tub or the sauna. Maybe have some well deserved "me time" in the spa, burn off some calories in the gym, play a round of golf, a game of bowls, go to a wine tasting or chocolate making workshop? Maybe you just want to meet up with old friends at a communal BBQ or go on a nature ramble along the cliff tops with the dog. Have you got some grandchildren you need to entertain during the summer holidays whilst your kids are working?

A seaside location usually comes at a premium price however if someone else already has the land and your static holiday homes located on there with all of these great facilities at your disposal then it's a very affordable and attractive option.

Haven have 34 holiday parks dotted around the coastline and 23,000 families all enjoying the benefits of
owning holiday homes. Cliff Marsh from Somerset is an owner at Devon Cliffs holiday park in Exmouth. He says, "The best part about being an owner for me is picking the girls up from school on Friday at half three and being on the deck with a chilled glass of wine by half four. It's the best way to start the weekend."

Site fees vary between £2,950 and £7,500 a year (depending on park locations and your location within each park). These site fees pay for maintenance, 24 hour security and exclusive park facilities. Owners can offset some or all of these costs by subletting their caravan and Haven will manage the subletting.

The price of our holiday homes can range from £11,995 to over £100,000, depending on the park and your location on it, the model of holiday home you choose and whether it's new or pre-owned.

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Schools out! Two million Brits head abroad

2012-07-20T06:08:00.003-07:00

This weekend marks the start of the summer holiday getaway and is expected to be one of the busiest of the year at UK airports, with thousands also arriving for the Olympics. Eurozone destinations are proving popular with holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the pound’s strengthening against the Euro, coupled with the fact that many bars and restaurants have lowered their prices.

Two million holidaymakers are expected to head overseas this weekend after schools break up for the summer.

According to Abta, the majority will be heading to Spain, with the Canary and Balearic Islands being extremely popular.

Abta said airports will be extremely busy, with 482,000 passengers leaving from Heathrow, 275,000 from Gatwick, 132,500 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton this weekend.

Over 100,000 will be leaving from Scottish airports with 50,000 from Glasgow alone.

It is expected that 297,000 will leave from Manchester, 64,000 from Birmingham and 45,000 from Bristol.

The travel organisation said Turkey and Greece were also proving popular with Brits.

With the pound at its strongest against the euro for almost four years, British holidaymakers are receiving 11.5%more value for their money than this time last year.

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Peace Camp to light up UK coastline for London 2012

2012-07-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

A striking series of illuminations will highlight some of Britain's most remote and beautiful coastal areas as part of the London 2012 Festival.

In eight locations ranging from County Antrim in Northern Island to Sussex, the project, known as Peace Camp, will see a total of 2,000 tents lit up from today (July 19) until Sunday.

Described as a "coastal installation celebrating love, poetry and landscape", the installation will allow visitors to wander among hundreds of tents, listening to a “soundscape” made up of poems spoken in different dialects.

It features the work of artists ranging from John Donne to Carol Ann Duffy, as well as the voices of actors and poets such as Andrew Motion, Eileen Atkins and Bill Paterson.

Alongside the poetry readings there will also be music, spoken fragments and the sounds of the natural environment, all of which will be listened to via personal headsets.

The installations will be free to visit, with the tents being illuminated from nightfall at 9.30pm to 5.30am.

The full list of sites where the display will be taking place include: Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, Wales; White Park Bay on the North Antrim coast; Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach, Borough of Coleraine, Northern Ireland; Cliff Beach at Valtos on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland; Fort Fiddes, Cullykhan Bay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland; Cuckmere Haven, Sussex; and Godvery, Cornwall.

More information is available at peacecamp2012.com

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Things to do with the kids in the summer holidays

2012-07-18T04:01:00.001-07:00

Summer family days out don't need to cost a fortune. Here's our guide to some great cheap and free options around the UK.

It’s summer holiday time again. But more and more of us are cutting back on days out due to the cost, according to new research by charity Family Action.

If you want to entertain the kids this summer, you don’t have to spend a fortune. There are loads of cheap and free activities going on across the UK – here are just some of them.

Free swimming
To coincide with the Olympics, British Gas is offering free swims between now and the end of August, even if you’re not a customer. You can get a free swim (or other activity, such as aqua aerobics) for an adult and up to two children, depending on the venue.

To find out more and get your free swims, go to the British Gas Swimming website.

If you live in Wales, children 16 and under can go to your local swimming pool for free during the school holidays - there's more details at the Sport Wales website. Some local councils in England and Scotland also offer free swimming – check your local council's website to see if it's one of them.

Free football skills
If your kids love football and are aged between five and 11, why not get them along to a free FA Tesco Skills coaching session? There are free tasters available at schools around the UK.

For more info and to book, head to the official website.

Free sports
Asda runs the Asda Active programme over the summer holidays, encouraging families to try out free sports together.

You can find out when it’s visiting your area at the Asda Active website.

Get into the Olympic spirit for free
If you want to watch the Games outside, there will be a number of Live Sites popping up all over the UK in the run-up to 27th July. As well as showing the sporting action on a big screen, there will be a programme of live entertainment.

Find out more about the Live Sites around the UK at the London 2012 Live Sites pages.

If you live in London or nearby, there’s a huge programme of free events planned for the Live Sites in Hyde Park, Potters Fields, Victoria Park, Waltham Forest and Woolwich. There will be live concerts from the likes of McFly, Alexandra Burke, Rebecca Ferguson, Tom Jones and The Temper Trap.

You can find out more about what’s going on at the London 2012 website.

Go to a free museum or art gallery
Loads of our museums are free to enter, from London’s Science and Natural History collections to the newly-opened Museum of Liverpool and the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. The Visit Britain website has a good list.

If you want something a bit more artistic, how about the Yorkshire Sculpture Park or the weird ‘n’ wonderful delights of Tate Modern in London?

Again, Visit Britain has a good list on its website.

But don’t forget the museums and art galleries on your doorstep – many have free events throughout the holidays.

Free festivals and events
Every weekend during the summer is crammed with free festivals and events of one kind or another (with lots for grown-ups to do too)

The Edinburgh Festival and Fringe Festival have plenty of free performances and activities during August. And the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta from the 9th to 12th August is one of the biggest free festivals in the country.

Get out and play
Playday is a national day celebrating children playing outdoors. There will be free events throughout the nation, most of which will take place on the day itself, which this year is 1st August.

You can see what’s happening near you at the Playday website.

Explore a new place
The National Trust runs a series of family events on its properties and land throughout the summer months, many of which are free or very cheap to take part in.

For a list, go to the Trust’s website

Go to the cinema for less
If it's raining going to the movies is a good option, but can be very expensive. However, there are a range of cheaper options.

Vue Cinemas have children's films showing on Saturdays and Sundays and every day in the school holidays for just £1.50 per child (one adult per child goes free, 3D films are £2.75). Odeon Kids shows films on Saturdays and Saturdays and many also run them in the school holidays from £2.50 (one adult per child goes free again). Meanwhile, Cineworld runs Movies For Juniors at many of its cinemas on Saturday and Sunday mornings (it hasn't extended this to school holidays), where adults and children pay £1 apiece.

And if you're an Orange phone customer, you can take advantage of the two-for-one Orange Wednesdays promotion at most cinemas.

Cheap train travel
If you travel a lot by train with children aged between five and 16, you might find a Family & Friends Railcard a good option. It costs £28 a year and gives you a third off adult travel and 60% off kids' tickets. Even better, it's valid for up to four adults and four children. Note that you can only use it on off-peak trains.

Find out more at the Family & Friends Railcard website.

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School's out for summer 2012

2012-07-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

The last week of July marks the beginning of the summer holidays in the UK and the annual rush to the airport is set to begin.

The persistent rain we’re experiencing seems to be threatening any chance of a domestic holiday, urging families to escape to warmer climes, recently lowcostholidays.com reported a yearly increase of 103 per cent on family holiday related searches in June this year.

Just in time for the school holidays, here’s what is new in five of the UK’s favourite destinations for family holidays.

Traditional sun and sea in Majorca
Majorca remains a favourite for UK families, with over nine million visitors enjoying the island’s universal appeal in 2011. The biggest of the Balearic Islands is home to 554km of exotic coastline, understated natural beauty and a mix of modern attractions that keep families returning year after year. Known as the birthplace of the package holiday, Majorca offers families traditional fun in the sun, but is also beginning to offer more diverse holidays, ideal for adventure seeking families. Active breaks in the rural Tramuntana Mountains are amongst the new trends on the island.

New for 2012: Majorca is set to be the first destination in Europe to enjoy artificial surfing. Two flow barrel machines are being installed in the beach resort of Calvia, making Majorca a new hotspot for novices and surf enthusiasts.

Thrill-seeking in Florida
Florida reigns supreme as the go-to destination for fun-seeking families. With guaranteed hot weather and the biggest and best attractions, it is a playground for young children, teenagers and parents alike. Thrill-seekers are catered for with an incredible selection of theme parks, whilst younger children remain enchanted with the magic of the Disney theme parks. Parents are not left out either; Florida is home to some of the world’s most loved golf courses and a fantastic selection of shopping outlets.

New for 2012: SeaWorld in Orlando is creating a new Freshwater Oasis for visitors to enjoy in 2012. The new attraction allows visitors swim alongside Asian otters, and enjoy a 3D Turtle Trek experience.

Beach lovers in Turkey
Turkey strikes a great balance between culture and relaxation, with the eastern Mediterranean country a favourite destination for beach-loving families. Surrounded by four different oceans, Turkey’s beaches are some of Europe’s most diverse and loved stretches of sand. The country is home to an incredible 352 blue flag beaches, detailing the incredible natural beauty of the Turkish coastline. OluDeniz is one of Turkey’s most celebrated beaches and was recently voted Europe’s top beach. The resort is also renowned as a centre of excellence for paragliding.

New for 2012: Adaland Water Park has recently been renovated, adding the exciting water coaster ride to its already impressive list of attractions which include a dolphin park and sea park.

Red Sea adventures in Egypt
Competing with Turkey as a resort for relaxing beach breaks, Egypt has grown to be one of the UK’s favourite family holiday destinations. Beach resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai have been largely unaffected by events elsewhere in the country, with families still attracted by Egypt’s year-round sunshine and selection of luxury hotels. The resort’s now world-renowned diving is also a highlight. The 1950s saw famous diving pioneer Hans Has ‘discover’ diving in Sharm El Sheikh, paving the way for today’s facilities, which include snorkelling, diving and even specially designed children’s diving excursions.

New for 2012: Soho Square in Sharm El Sheikh is home to an ice rink, a bowling alley and numerous other great family attractions (not to mention the shopping). Every year they tip the cheesy entertainment scales, with acts such as former Eurovision stars Ruslana, and the likes of Peter Andre – if you’re in need of a good laugh, check their website’s listing pages.

Terrific trips in Tenerife
Tenerife is an island of diversity, making a favourite with families seeking culture, excitement or relaxation. Day trips are a great way to explore all that the island has to offer and include trekking up a volcano, boat trips to watch whales and dolphins, Thai themed water parks and enough hotels with children’s pools and activity clubs to suit even the fussiest of families. The weather on The Island of Eternal Spring is warm year round and doesn’t get too hot in the summer, averaging around 26C in August, meaning little ones won’t be uncomfortable.

New for 2012: 15 of Tenerife’s beaches have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag awards for 2012. Parents can rest easy knowing that the beaches here are clean, the waters are safe and you will never be short of ice cream shops or places to buy buckets and spades.

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Fancy a holiday in space

2012-07-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

A company in the Isle of Man is offering travellers a chance to go - into space.

The trips to the moon and beyond will take place using a Russian space ship - but for a very hefty price.

If you ever have £100 million to throw around, one British company is offering up the chance for you to throw it their way in return for a trip to the moon.

Excalibur Almaz is offering up a 500,000-mile round trip ticket to the moon on a converted Soviet-era space station.

Art Dula, founder and chief executive of the company, said in a space tourism meeting in London that they are ready to sell tickets, with flights taking place as early as 2015.

Although being rich is the most important qualification to dish out the £100 million, participants must also pass the necessary level of physical and mental fitness.

The Soviet “Almaz” space stations were designed for orbital spying operations, and are being converted by the company for the travel.

Excalibur Almaz is attaching thrusters to the station to convert them into long-distance spaceships. Four re-entry capsules will ferry three people at a time to the space station and return them to Earth.

All of the space vehicles are being housed in hangers on the Isle of Man, while one of the re-usable return vehicles (RRV) is being exhibited outside the Queen Elizabeth II conference center in London.

If everything goes according to plan, the British company will be the first to carry out a manned moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.

The goal is for three people to fly to the moon, orbit the surface, and then safely return back to Earth, parachuting to the ground in an RRV.

Most of the flying will be controlled by a computer, but a human pilot for the spacecraft will still be provided for the tourists.

Dula said that around 30 moon-mission seats could be taken up between 2015 and 2025, making enough trips for one mission a year.

“Excalibur Almaz is willing and able to send crewed missions deeper into space than would be possible aboard any other spacecraft in existence today,” said Mr Dula. “Our fleet of space stations and re-entry capsules enables us to safely fly members of the public to moon orbit as early as 2015.”

He said there is no single vessel, whether owned by a government or private sector, that is suitable for a manned flight to the Moon, utilizing proven technologies.

“The EA fleet has previously flown to space several times and will undertake many more missions,” he told the space tourism meeting attendees. “It contains vessels of a design that has spent thousands of hours in space successfully. This is scientific fact, not fiction.”

The company will be sending the Almaz space station up into orbit by using a giant Russian Proton rocket. The other space station will be kept in reserve on the ground.

The space station has about 3,200 cubic feet of living space, and also provides a “refuge” where crew members can take shelter in the event of a solar radiation storm.

Dula chose the Isle of Man to host its space vehicles to take advantage of tax benefits, and because it has become a hub of space industry. Of the 54 international space satellites companies, 30 are located on the island.

He said that he doesn’t just envision trips being taken to the moon, but unmanned research missions, transportation of people and cargo, and chartered space exploration flights to be future endeavors by the company.

“This is a paradigm shift,” Dula told the meeting. “Whether we do it or somebody else does it, it’s never going to go back to being national space programs.”

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Breaking up will be hard to do....

2012-07-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

If you've lost faith with your bank because you blame it for the financial crisis, or are upset with corporate greed, or have just had enough of their IT problems, you don't really have many alternatives.

The UK's biggest five banks - Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, RBS and Santander - dominate the marketplace. Excluding Santander, the other four banks together have 85% of the personal current account market.

Labour leader Ed Miliband wants to reshape the banking landscape. He is calling for existing banks to be forced to sell off hundreds of branches, thereby increasing the number of main UK banks by adding at least two new "challenger" banks.

Mr Miliband's view is that more banking competition would lead to more consumer choice and ultimately lower charges.

The UK did once have a much more diverse banking landscape. But wholesale demutualisation of building societies in the 1990s, together with the subsequent 2008 financial crisis, has seen many of the mutuals and the competition that went with them disappear as they were absorbed into bigger companies.

Last month, business secretary Vince Cable described the building societies' demutualisation as "one of the greatest acts of economic vandalism in modern times", leading to commercial banks "abandoning locally based relationship banking in the decade before the recent financial crisis".

Britain now has just 47 building societies, from the biggest - Nationwide and the Yorkshire - to small, local societies that have only a few thousand members. That's a far cry from the 481 that existed in 1970.

To get back to this level of banking variety, observers say actions will need to go a lot further than Mr Miliband has suggested.

Britons head overseas to escape the rain

2012-07-06T06:31:00.002-07:00

The recent wet weather has been welcomed by travel companies, who have reported a sharp rise in holiday bookings.

Persistent wet weather across Britain has led to a surge in bookings for foreign holidays, according to tour operators.

Last month was the wettest June since records began in 1910, while a month’s worth of rain is expected to fall in parts of Northern England, the Midlands and Wales today.

The downpours have been welcomed by holiday companies, however, and both Thomas Cook and On the Beach, the online travel agent, have reported a rise in bookings.

On the Beach claimed that bookings for trips to European destinations had risen by 20 per cent during the past fortnight, compared with the same period last year.

Thomas Cook also said bookings had increased, with Spain and Greece proving particularly popular.
“We’ve definitely seen a rise in bookings as the weather worsens, with our research showing one in five people are influenced to book a holiday by the disappointing British weather,” said Lydia Dearden from Thomas Cook.

A spokesman for Thomson said it had seen a 20 per cent rise in searches for holidays last month, compared with June 2011. He added that the Balearics, Greece, Tunisia and Morocco were attracting the most interest from British travellers.

ABTA, the travel association, recently reported that up to 13 million Britons would be heading abroad during July and August, with 90 per cent of those heading to traditional Mediterranean destinations.

The eurozone is thought to be finding favour thanks to the strength of the pound against the euro – British holidaymakers can expect to get at least 10 per cent more for their money compared with last summer.

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Monastery makes pitch for the 'gap year' market

2012-06-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

It might not quite offer the hedonism of Goa or Phuket but a traditional Roman Catholic monastery is making an unexpected move into the gap year market.

Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight is advertising its first “monastic internships”, offering young people a taste of life in a Benedictine community.

There will be no all-night beach parties or Himalayan treks to help them “find” themselves – just plenty of prayer and reflection.

The four successful candidates will receive board, lodgings and spiritual guidance in return for at least four hours work a day every day - except Sunday – cooking, growing food in the Abbey gardens, looking after cattle, pigs and bees or binding books.

They will live by the Benedictine traditions, rising before 5am each day to wash from a bowl in their cell before making their way for Vigils at 5.30am – the first of seven services throughout the day.
The Abbey has a long tradition of hospitality to visitors but the two month placement, which is open to young men aged 18 to 25, is the first extended stay of its kind.

“It’s like a gap year experience and laying a spiritual foundation,” Father Luke Bell, who is organising the scheme, told The Catholic Herald.

“It is very much a monastic tradition for guests to stay in a monastery but it’s normally a week or two in the spiritual programme.

“People are actually working in the rule of St Benedict.”

The Abbey traces its origins to the early 12th Century when the Cistercian house of Our Lady and St John was founded.

Left in ruins after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries it was refounded at the turn of the 20th Century to house a French Benedictine community who were living in exile on the Isle of Wight.

When not at prayer its current inhabitants are known for their range of crafts including one monk who devotes his time to painting treescapes and another who writes devotional books.

The monks also run a tea shop and open their gardens to visitors – of the human variety as well as red squirrels and buzzards.

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Tunisian tourism shows signs of recovery

2012-06-18T03:04:00.003-07:00

Figures suggest that holidaymakers are returning to Tunisia as political tensions ease following last year’s “Jasmine Revolution".

Figures released by the Tunisian National Tourist Office indicate that more than 31,000 Britons travelled to the country in May, a 34 per cent increase on the number of British visitors in the same period last year.

The numbers currently stand at about 14 per cent less than they were in May 2010, a record-breaking month in terms for visitors from the UK, with slightly more than 35,000 Britons entering the country.

The news was welcomed by Tunisian tourism officials.

“The UK has proved to be one of our most resilient markets and I’m delighted to see visitors returning to Tunisia in such numbers,” said Wahida Jaiet, director of the country’s tourism office for the UK and Ireland.

“I’m confident that the UK and Irish markets will continue to grow,” she said.

“Now is a great time to visit Tunisia as the country enjoys a new-found freedom and optimism. There is plenty to bring visitors back to Tunisia again and again.”

Mehdi Houas, the former tourism and commerce minister, said that Tunisia’s revenues from tourism had dropped by around 50 per cent in 2011 to about £800m.

There has since been a highly visible marketing campaign launched in Britain to encourage tourists back to the country.

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FAB Family Days Out

2012-06-06T05:51:00.000-07:00

Stuck for something to do with with the family during the school half term?

After a visit to the the Alnwick Castle & Garden we would highly recommend you add this to your list of places to visit.

The Alnwick Garden's charitable activities are managed by The Alnwick Garden Trust - enabling The Garden to become not just a lovely place to visit, but also the inspiration for authentic change.

How many secrets can one garden hold? A visit to The Alnwick Garden is full of surprises - whether it's a specialised tour with one of their gardeners, or a den-building workshop for schools.

And the best bit about this was the FAB offer to all visitors "Pay for a Day, Visit Free For a year" great value when you look at all the exciting events they have coming up over the next few months.

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Brits increasingly going off the beaten track on holiday

2012-06-04T04:23:00.001-07:00

An increasing number of travellers are choosing to go off the beaten track into little known or niche territory when taking a package holiday abroad, it has been revealed.

This is according to Tom Hall, UK travel editor of lonelyplanet.com, who said that going to little known festivals and sports events are all the rage when it comes to those forgotten corners of the globe.

He said: "When people are going, they might be aiming for some of the more iconic experiences, maybe it is a one man train or boat ride, maybe it is visiting some off the beaten track but very famous ancient ruins, those kinds of things."

He added that Central Asian destinations were also increasing in popularity amongst British tourists.

His comments follow those made by travel writer and broadcaster Sarah Woods said that European destinations such as Burgundy were also something of a trendy hotspot among Brits.

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Virgin Galactic takes another step closer to space tourism.

2012-06-01T04:33:00.002-07:00

Virgin Galactic has revealed that it expects to make rocket-powered test flights of its passenger spaceship later this year, bringing space tourism one step closer.

The company - the brainchild of pioneering Sir Richard Branson - said its spaceship builder partner, Scaled Composites, has been granted an experimental permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
That means it will be allowed to proceed with rocket-powered test flights.

A post on the company's website said: 'Scaled expects to begin rocket-powered, supersonic flights under the just-issued experimental permit toward the end of the year.'

No timetable has been set for the first launches carrying paying customers, but that is expected to be confirmed after the test program is complete.

More than 500 people, including actor Ashton Kutcher, have signed up with Virgin Galactic for a chance to experience weightlessness during suborbital flights.

Sir Richard and his children Sam and Holly are also set to be among the first commercial passengers on SpaceShipTwo.

Virgin Galactic and the California-based Scaled Composites have been glide-testing their six-passenger vehicle SpaceShipTwo, which is air-launched from a twin-fuselage carrier airplane called WhiteKnightTwo.

Work is under way to integrate the rocket motor into SpaceShipTwo in preparation to test the 'aerodynamic performance of the spacecraft'.

Virgin Galactic said SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo have made 'significant progress' in their flight test program, with a total of almost 100 completed.

'This important milestone enables our team to progress to the rocket-powered phase of test flight, bringing us a major step closer to bringing our customers to space,' said George Whitesides, president and CEO of Virgin Galactic.

Doug Shane, president of Scaled, added: 'The spaceship program is making steady progress, and we are all looking forward to lighting the vehicle’s rocket engine in flight for the first time.'

According to Virgin Galactic, the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation issues permits 'after it has determined that the vehicle operator has taken the appropriate steps to protect the public during testing.'

The starting price for space flights is £130,000 with refundable deposits starting from £13,000.

Virgin Galactic will be based at Spaceport America, a purpose-built spaceline terminal designed by architect Sir Norman Foster, based in New Mexico.

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Where are the best royal celebrations?

2012-05-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

The best royal celebrations for the Queen's big Diamond anniversary.

The biggest royal party of them all, the Diamond Jubilee, is almost upon us. But what to do to celebrate the Queen's grand hurrah? From blazing beacons on the Mull of Kintyre to Bond theatrics in London, Here are a selection of the best celebrations taking place across the UK.

SCOTLAND

Booming fun: Edinburgh
The 105th Regiment Royal Artillery is sounding out the gun salute at Edinburgh Castle.
Details: Listen out on June 2 at noon, www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk.

Treasure trove: Palace of Holyrood House.
More than 100 works of art from the Queen's palaces are on display, including masterpieces by Michelangelo and Canaletto and Russia's famous Faberge eggs.
Details: Tickets cost £6 for adults, £3 for children, www.royalcollection.org.uk.

Time for tea: The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway, Ayr
Hark back to Coronation year at this Fifties party with a King and Queen costume competition on June 4. There is also afternoon tea with flower arranging and cookery demonstrations.
Details: Entrance to the Museum is £8 for adults, £6 for children, £20 family ticket. Afternoon tea is £18.50; 0844 493 2601, www.visitscotland.com.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Jubilee jamboree: Belfast
A host of events is being held across the city on Jubilee weekend, including a Coronation Carnival in City Hall on June 4 from 11am to 5pm and a continental market outside the Hall from June 1 to 4.
Details: 028 9027 0495, www.belfastcity.gov.uk.

Drum roll: Belfast
Head to the waterfront for a Diamond Jubilee concert on June 22. There will be celebratory music by the band, bugles, pipes and drums of The Royal Irish Regiment (TA) and The Bangor Ladies' Choir. All proceeds go to the Army Benevolent Fund.
Details: Tickets cost £16, groups of 10-plus £14.40 each; 028 9033 4455, www.waterfront.co.uk.

Jazz it up: Bangor
There's full on family fun in and around Bangor's Town Hall on the June 3 and 4 with a Cartoon Wonderland, vintage fair and a Big Lunch. In the evenings of June 3 and 4 and there's music from the Jacqui Dankworth Band, the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Details: Tickets are free, but you have to book for the evening events; 028 9127 0069, www.northdowntourism.com.

WALES

In concert: Cardiff
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has a number of royal-related special events, from a performance by the Prince of Wales's harpist Hannah Stone, on June 8, to the Diamond Jubilee Concert, featuring favourites from royal occasions such as the Coronation, with international star soloists. Expect the roof to be lifted by the likes of Let The Bright Seraphim and Zadok The Priest.
Details: Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; June 2, 8pm; £7 adult, £5 concession; 029 2039 1391, www.visitcardiff.com.

ENGLAND

High notes: York Minster
A Royal medley, including a Diamond Jubilee concert on June 16 in York Minister with a performance of William Walton's march Crown Imperial.
Details: Tickets £20 for adults, £18 concessions; 0844 9390015, www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org.

Duel in the crown: Belsay Hall, Northumberland
Plantaganet knights will cross lances for the King (Edward III) at Belsay Hall and Castle over the Jubilee weekend. Bring your best eye and arm - there's a chance to try out archery (for an extra fee).
Details: Tickets are £8.50 for adults, £6 for children; www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Fifties fair: Leeds Castle, Kent
Rock 'n' roll chic is the keynote for this stylish event at Leeds Castle on June 2 and 3. There will be retro cars, cream teas and a screening of the original Coronation newsreel on the evening of June 3. There is also a showing of the film Grease, starring Olivia Newton John and John Travolta.
Details: Tickets for the fireworks and open-air cinema are £20 for adults, £15 children. Tickets for daytime events are £19.75 for adults, £12.50 children (these tickets last all year); 01622 880008, www.leeds-castle.com.

Sandy celebrations: Littlehampton, West Sussex
Be on Britain's longest beach for the lighting of a beacon brazier on June 4. A lantern procession will start at 9.30pm from Mewsbrook Park with the mayor doing the honours.
Details: www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk.

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EU roaming charges set to fall

2012-05-17T01:54:00.000-07:00

Britons face cheaper EU roaming charges from July.

Millions of Britons holidaying in Europe this summer will have far cheaper mobile phone bills after the European Union gave the green light to strict price caps on “rip-off” mobile data roaming charges.

The move, which confirmed plans laid out earlier this year, will stop consumers being hit by surprise “bill shock” when they return from trips overseas.

The caps, which will come into force on July 1, will mean that people who travel to Europe with smartphones will have cheaper access to emails, interactive maps and social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The EU said that the caps will save the typical family taking a holiday in Europe “at least” €200 (£160).

A typical businessman traveling in the EU will save around €1,000 (£800) a year, the EU said. There are already price caps in place in Europe for mobile phone calls and text messages.

In total, Europeans will spend around €5 billion this year on roaming services, a saving of around €15 billion compared to what the same services would have cost under 2007 prices, the EU said.

From July, phone companies will only be allowed to charge 70 cents (56 pence) per megabyte of data, plus VAT. As recently as 2009 the price was six times as much.

By 2014, the maximum cost of downloading data will be cut further to 20 cents per megabyte.
Neelie Kroes, Vice-President at the European Commission, said that by putting price caps on data, the EC had “created a roaming market for the smartphone generation”.

“More than that, we have ended to rip-offs familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone while traveling abroad,” said Mr Kroes.

He said that from 2014 consumers will be able to choose a “separate roaming provider” when they travel.
“If you can find a better offer compared to your standard contract you’ll be able to do it in a few simple swipes, just like when you choose a wi-fi network,” he said.

Monique Goyens, director general of The European Consumer Organisation, said: “This welcome news is the latest step down from sky high roaming costs. As of July 1, the EU is once again bringing down the cost of calls and texts when abroad.”

However Ms Goyens added: “The issue of transparency remains a concern. A recent EU-wide survey found 74 per cent of consumers are hesitant to use their phone abroad to call, check mail, download photos or use voice services for fear of cost. This latest battle for fairer pricing can only help reduce that number.”

The EU also announced new price caps for mobile calls and texts, which will also come into effect on July 1.

From July calls will cost a maximum of 29 cents a minute to make and 8 cents a minute to receive, plus VAT. Texts will dost 9 cents each to send. They will fall again in 2013 and 2014.

Currently calls cost 35 cents a minute to make and 11 cents a minute to receive. Texts also cost 11 cents.

The EU said that the prices are a maximum and that competition between operators could drive them even lower.

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Britons enjoying up to 25% off summer holidays.

2012-05-16T04:28:00.001-07:00

Britons enjoying up to 25% off summer holidays in the sun compared to last year thanks to strong pound.

Someone travelling to Rio will get 24.5% more this year whilst Tourists heading to Spanish or French resorts can expect 10.5% more spending power due to Euro crisis.

The Euro crisis has delivered a bonus for British holidaymakers who can expect 10.5 per cent more spending power on the Spanish islands or French resorts.

For every £500 converted to euros, a family will get an extra £47.41 this year compared to the summer of 2011.

That means more ice creams for the children, a glass of wine or two more with meals or entry to an attraction or theme park.

For those travelling further afield, the relative strength of sterling against other currencies will deliver an even bigger increase in spending power.

For example, someone travelling to Rio in Brazil will get 24.5 per cent more for their money this year, or around an extra £86 for every £500 that is converted to the local currency, the real.

Similarly, the pound will buy 15.7 per cent more Mexican pesos, delivering extra spending power to the many Britons who holiday in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Visitors to South Africa will get 16.7 per cent more for their money this year.

While holidays in the Euro zone will be relatively cheaper in terms of daily spending, the strength of the pound against other European currencies has been even more marked.

For example, the pound is now some 23 per cent stronger against the Polish zloty than the summer of 2011, while it is 20.8 per cent stronger against the Hungarian forint.

Money will also go further this year in Turkey and Croatia.

The figures, which have been collated by Post Office Travel Money, will encourage many families to make their summer holiday choices based on where they can best value.

At the same time, many may decide to buy their summer spending money now to take advantage of the good rates. The Post Office research shows the pound has made gains against 24 of 30 leading holiday currencies over the past year.

Compared to a year ago, the pound is down by 0.7 per cent against the dollar, 1 per cent against the Barbados dollar, 1.1 per cent against the Vietnamese dong, 1.8 per cent against the UAE dirham and 4.1 per cent against the Kenyan shilling.

Post Office Head of Travel Money, Andrew Brown, said: ‘Although the increasing value of sterling against the euro has dominated the headlines, there are very few places where the pound is not packing a stronger punch this year.

'Our advice is for people to keep a close eye on exchange rates for all the destinations they are considering so they can judge where they will get the best return on their money.'

He added: ‘There are signs that the power of the pound is making people increasingly savvy both about their choice of destination and their spending habits.’

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Bucket List Surveys

2012-05-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

The desire to get married is sliding down British women’s to-do list but having a family remains a high priority, according to a research.

The poll,by Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, examined what Brits really want to be doing in various areas of their lives, revealed the top ten most popular items on the UK’s bucket list. Starting a family ranked second on the list with getting married coming in at 4th, for women.

“Getting married would have been at the top of the list for women over a decade or two ago, but now with our hard-won independence and more equal footing in society women are just as ready to travel the world as men, according to sociologist Jenni Trent Hughes.

Men, on the other hand, are far more interested in driving an F1 car than settling down.

“However both sexes have put having a family high on the list, another sign of the times. And both are finally realising the importance of striking a good work-balance, which of course will be necessary in order to live a fulfilling life,” said Jenni.

The women’s UK top ten life to-do list
1. Travelling the world
2. Having a family
3. Living in another country
4. Getting married
5. Learning a new skill
6. Owning a shop
7. Striking the work life balance
8. Owning a bar or restaurant
9. Swimming with dolphins
10. Recording an album

The men's UK top ten life to-do list
1. Travelling the world
2. Living in another country
3. Having a family
4. Learning a new skill
5. Driving an F1 car
6. Recording an album
7. Striking the work life balance
8. Owning a bar or restaurant
9. Getting married
10. Acting in a film

‘World’s oldest backpacker’ hits the road again

2012-05-10T05:01:00.001-07:00

A man described as the “world’s oldest backpacker” is poised to embark on his latest globe-trotting trip – at the age of 95.

Keith Wright, a pensioner from Queensland in Australia, will fly out to Europe on May 28, his eighth backpacking trip since he started travelling solo at the age of 85.

He has planned a two-month itinerary including Madrid, San Sebastian, Paris, Munich, Vienna and a trip to Britain to see the racing at Royal Ascot.

In the past decade, Mr Wright has visited many of the countries in Western and Eastern Europe, starting his backpacking a few years after his wife Barbara passed away.

His first trip was a bus journey through Turkey. Since then, he has travelled the world on a strict budget, saving up money throughout the year for flights and hostel accommodation.

“I have had itchy feet all my life and had always wanted to go to Gallipoli on Anzac Day, so I decided to sell our house and put the extra money towards a holiday,” said Mr Wright, who is a veteran of the Second World War.

“I have seen things that most tourists haven’t seen, because I walk the back streets and take trains or buses to nearby towns for the day.

“Most people I meet are surprised when I tell them my age and amazed that I have come all the way from Australia.”

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Is it the perfect time to buy your holiday money?

2012-05-09T01:48:00.000-07:00

The exchange rate against the euro and the dollar is good at present.

The pound's strength against the euro and dollar has left some currency experts suggesting that you stock up on holiday money now. But will it strengthen further and what is the cheapest way to benefit when the pound is strong?

The crisis in the eurozone has pushed the euro's value down against the pound in recent months, meaning that those who are taking their holidays in mainland Europe could end up getting more for their money than they did last year.

Customers who bought £100 of euros now could get €122 for their money, compared with €111 last July. Those going to the US could get $160 for £100, compared with $142 in May 2010.

A spokesperson for currencies.co.uk, said that the sterling exchange rate "is currently the best it has been for years against all other major currencies". However, he warned that the Government may take action to reduce the strength of the pound because of the effect that it is having on exports.

"With that in mind we would advise those looking to exchange sterling to be wary of the recent pound strength and look to exchange as soon as possible. It may also be worth considering a forward contract to fix the exchange rate at its current level."However, another spokesperson at currency broker HIFX, said that they believed sterling was in a good position and could become even stronger. "Buying euros must be tempting right now, but I think the UK economy is in much better shape than the eurozone so there may be more of a rally to come," he said.

Those who do wish to take advantage of the current rates, whether because they live abroad or are planning a holiday in the months to come, can do so in a variety of ways. Preloaded currency cards are convenient for those who want to buy hundreds of pounds worth of euros for a holiday. However, it is worth noting that money does not have the same protection in the event of a firm going bust as it would in an ordinary bank account. This is because you do not have the same protection under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

These cards allow you to buy currency at today's prices and hold it on a card until you wish to spend it. While it is there it does not earn interest. However, you effectively "lock in" today's exchange rate, and these cards can be a cost-effective way of spending abroad.

Two of the best-known prepaid cards are FairFX and Caxton FX, which come in dollar or euro formats. These come with slightly different fees and charges and tend to be only slightly more expensive to use abroad than the very best credit and debit cards. If you don't have a specialist credit or debit card for spending overseas they are likely to be a good option as well as allowing you to buy your currency when sterling is strong.

Those who wish to buy larger amounts of currency could use a money broker. These specialists can allow you to buy larger amounts of money at an advantageous rate. Or you could lock yourself into a more expensive "forward contract". This would give you the price available now for up to two years. This may be worth doing if you are about to buy a property abroad, for example. A specialist broker is often cheaper than a bank.

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Iceland offers world's first tour inside a volcano

2012-05-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

Visitors to Iceland are being given the opportunity to be among the first tourists to enter the magma chamber of a volcano.

The interior of Thrihnukagigur, which has been dormant for around 4,000 years, will be opened to ordinary travellers for six weeks this summer, from June 15 to July 31.

The volcano is a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital. Visitors must then embark on a short 40-minute hike across a lava field to reach the volcano, before descending 120 metres to the bottom of the crater in an open cable lift. They will be able to spend around an hour inside the volcano in the company of a team of expert guides.

The tour costs ISK 37,000 (£180) per person, a portion of which will go towards further research into the country’s volcanoes. Visitors must be aged 12 or over, and are advised to bring walking boots, water, sensible outdoor clothing and a camera.

The chamber was first accessed by scientists in 2011, in what was described at the time as an historic development.

Black Tomato, the luxury adventure travel specialist, has launched an “Ultimate Volcano Adventure” package that includes a private, evening trip inside the Thrihnukagigur volcano, a tour of the Thingvellir National Park, and a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. www.blacktomato.com for more infomation.

For more information on the tour of Thrihnukagigur, see www.insidethevolcano.com.

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