THE Easter bunny will be hopping with joy this year as supermarkets launch a chocolate egg price war.
The scramble to offer the best bargains means some eggs are cheaper, gram for gram, than their standard bar versions.
For example, you can get a 313g Wispa egg for £2.75. That is the same amount of chocolate as eight standard 39g Wispa bars, priced 59p each — which would cost a total of £4.72.
POUNDWORLD have assorted 50g and 55g branded children's eggs, including Winnie The Pooh, Barbie and Cars, for £1 or four for £3. Their 150g chocolate bunny is also good value at £1.
TESCO will slash the price of a huge range of £6 eggs to £2.75, saving £3.25. Included are a 215g Simpsons, 307g Roses, 313g Wispa, 312g Maltesers & Friends and several eggs with a mug, including Yorkie, Munchies and Double Decker.
Their own-brand luxury 300g Chokablok eggs are not on offer but are reasonably priced at £5.
ALDI eggs are also good value, including the £1.99 200g Choceur bunny and £2.99 350g Choceur Flame egg with a mix of milk and white chocolates.
MARKS & SPENCER are offering three of their 55p 23g Bubbly Bunnies for £1, saving 65p.
THORNTONS are offering three for two on their standard £3.50 153g milk, dark and white eggs.
POUNDLAND have the new £1.20 96g bags of Galaxy Caramel mini eggs for £1, saving 20p, and the £1.85 101g boxes of Cadbury Buttons for £1, saving 85p.
A 50g Barbie egg and watch are 99p, saving £1.50, at 99P STORES. A 55g Toy Story egg is 99p, saving £1.50.
MORRISONS have £2 brand-name eggs for 98p, including Cadbury Flake, Smarties, Cadbury Buttons, Crunchie, Rolo, Cadbury Creme Egg, Cars, Cadbury Mini Eggs, Hello Kitty and KitKat.
WAITROSE are offering two for £6, saving £1, on their £3.50 150g Belgian children's eggs, which come with jelly drops, jelly beans or dolly mix. Their £1.50 30g Hen Eggs are two for £2.50. And they have two £5.59 Green & Black's 180g organic eggs for £8, saving £3.18.
LIDL are offering two for £2, saving 38p, on their 150g Favorina creme and nougat-filled mini eggs. Other good-value eggs include their £1.99 200g Confiserie Firenze decorated bunny.
MACE have three for £1, saving 52p, on 40g Cadbury Creme Eggs and Dairy Milk Caramel eggs and two for £1, saving 24p, on 29g MaltEaster bunnies.
WILKINSON are offering two 150g Thorntons eggs, including the Thorntons milk chocolate football, for £4, saving £1.30, and two large Thorntons eggs, including the 274g Classic, for £6, saving £2.
The CO-OP have 285g Duc d'O Belgian assorted praline eggs at £4.75, saving £5.25. From tomorrow there's two for £8, saving up to £4.50, on many branded eggs including the 324g Galaxy Minstrels, 372g Mars & Friends, 307g Roses, 343g Cadbury Dairy Milk and 277g Quality Street.
Find out more about these FABOffers with The Sun's Captain Crunch.
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Easter Special Offers on Experience events.
Trackdays.co.uk have announced they are to be launch their special offers for Easter this week with some driving experiences prices being slashed by as much as 40% as well as a buy one get one free offer on Single Seater driving experiences and new experience at Silverstone Race Circuit.
The track day and driving experience website which is owned and run by Digital Sports Group limited are expecting a busy Easter due to the recent good weather.
Dan Jones, Operations Manager for the Trackdays website said ‘we had a record number of calls at the weekend for this time of Year and we can put that mainly down to the sunshine. We have thousands of customers with vouchers who have been waiting for some good weather before they book their slot and with the Easter holiday looming we expect it to get busier. The Silverstone driving experiences have been especially popular with the Formula 1 season underway and both British drivers doing well’.
The Easter promotions which go live on the site this week include a Junior Supercar offer where kids from 12 – 16 years old can take a Supercar such as a Ferrari or Lamborghini. There is also a brand new product at the World famous Silverstone Race Track where customers can drive both the Ferrari 360 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and a multi-venue offer for Single Seater driving on a ‘buy one get one free’ promotion.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Days out or UK Holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The track day and driving experience website which is owned and run by Digital Sports Group limited are expecting a busy Easter due to the recent good weather.
Dan Jones, Operations Manager for the Trackdays website said ‘we had a record number of calls at the weekend for this time of Year and we can put that mainly down to the sunshine. We have thousands of customers with vouchers who have been waiting for some good weather before they book their slot and with the Easter holiday looming we expect it to get busier. The Silverstone driving experiences have been especially popular with the Formula 1 season underway and both British drivers doing well’.
The Easter promotions which go live on the site this week include a Junior Supercar offer where kids from 12 – 16 years old can take a Supercar such as a Ferrari or Lamborghini. There is also a brand new product at the World famous Silverstone Race Track where customers can drive both the Ferrari 360 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and a multi-venue offer for Single Seater driving on a ‘buy one get one free’ promotion.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Days out or UK Holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Monday 26 March 2012
Everest Olympic medal pledge set to be honoured
In 1922 a group of explorers made the first serious attempt to climb Mount Everest and, despite their lack of success, their exploits were lauded all over the world - even resulting in Olympic gold medals for them all.
Now, with the London 2012 Olympics fast approaching, British adventurer Kenton Cool has promised to try to fulfil a pledge made 88 years ago to take one of the medals to the summit of Everest.
The 1922 British Everest Expedition team - led by Brig Gen Charles Bruce and Lt Col Edward Strutt - came within 500m of the summit, but failed three times to reach the top.
Despite not reaching their goal, and recording the first fatalities trying to climb the mountain, the expedition was a popular sensation.
The public could not get enough of the men who had come within striking distance of the summit.
That attention climaxed at the 1924 Winter Olympics in France when 13 members of the team - 12 British and one Australian - were honoured with medals for mountaineering. It was the first time such medals had ever been awarded.
At a ceremony in Chamonix, International Olympic Committee chairman Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, spoke of the team's "absolute heroism on behalf of all of the nations of the world".
In France to collect the medals was the expedition's deputy leader, Lt Col Edward Strutt, a highly decorated officer in the Royal Scots.
As he was handed the medals, Lt Col Strutt pledged to place one on the summit of Everest.
In his memoirs Mr Coubertin recalled the moment: "There was also the moving occasion when, at the foot of Mont Blanc, the medal for mountaineering was awarded to one of the leaders of the famous Mount Everest expedition, a courageous Englishman who, defeated but not discouraged, swore to leave it next time at the top of the highest summit in the Himalayas."
But this was a promise that was never kept.....In the years that followed, other teams tried and failed to reach the top of the world. During World War II Everest was left in peace.
By the time Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the peak in 1953 the Olympic promise was all but forgotten.....Until now
Kenton Cool, who is also an Olympic torchbearer, plans to fulfil the pledge made 88 years ago.
"A friend of mine was doing some research into London 2012 when he came across the story of the pledge," said Cool, who has already climbed Everest nine times.
"When he told me about it I said straightaway: 'I have to do that'. And with the 2012 Olympics in London, I knew when I had to do it."
"Then it was a question of finding someone with a medal who would let me take such a precious family heirloom to the top."
Mr Cool is now preparing to leave for Nepal and, after a few weeks' acclimatisation, hopes to make a bid for the summit, with Dr Wakefield's medal in a special case, early in May.
If he makes it he'll not only have climbed Everest 10 times, breaking his own UK record, but he will have kept a very special promise.
Now, with the London 2012 Olympics fast approaching, British adventurer Kenton Cool has promised to try to fulfil a pledge made 88 years ago to take one of the medals to the summit of Everest.
The 1922 British Everest Expedition team - led by Brig Gen Charles Bruce and Lt Col Edward Strutt - came within 500m of the summit, but failed three times to reach the top.
Despite not reaching their goal, and recording the first fatalities trying to climb the mountain, the expedition was a popular sensation.
The public could not get enough of the men who had come within striking distance of the summit.
That attention climaxed at the 1924 Winter Olympics in France when 13 members of the team - 12 British and one Australian - were honoured with medals for mountaineering. It was the first time such medals had ever been awarded.
At a ceremony in Chamonix, International Olympic Committee chairman Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, spoke of the team's "absolute heroism on behalf of all of the nations of the world".
In France to collect the medals was the expedition's deputy leader, Lt Col Edward Strutt, a highly decorated officer in the Royal Scots.
As he was handed the medals, Lt Col Strutt pledged to place one on the summit of Everest.
In his memoirs Mr Coubertin recalled the moment: "There was also the moving occasion when, at the foot of Mont Blanc, the medal for mountaineering was awarded to one of the leaders of the famous Mount Everest expedition, a courageous Englishman who, defeated but not discouraged, swore to leave it next time at the top of the highest summit in the Himalayas."
But this was a promise that was never kept.....In the years that followed, other teams tried and failed to reach the top of the world. During World War II Everest was left in peace.
By the time Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the peak in 1953 the Olympic promise was all but forgotten.....Until now
Kenton Cool, who is also an Olympic torchbearer, plans to fulfil the pledge made 88 years ago.
"A friend of mine was doing some research into London 2012 when he came across the story of the pledge," said Cool, who has already climbed Everest nine times.
"When he told me about it I said straightaway: 'I have to do that'. And with the 2012 Olympics in London, I knew when I had to do it."
"Then it was a question of finding someone with a medal who would let me take such a precious family heirloom to the top."
Mr Cool is now preparing to leave for Nepal and, after a few weeks' acclimatisation, hopes to make a bid for the summit, with Dr Wakefield's medal in a special case, early in May.
If he makes it he'll not only have climbed Everest 10 times, breaking his own UK record, but he will have kept a very special promise.
Friday 23 March 2012
What are the best low-rate credit cards
Low-rate credit cards provide an alternative to the more popular purchase or balance transfer cards, especially for those people who don’t want to constantly chase promotional rates.
Many of these cards don’t charge a balance transfer fee so, on larger balances, it may be cheaper to opt for this type of card compared with an interest-free card, especially if you are unable to repay the balance before the promotional offer comes to an end.
Here are five of the best.
Sainsbury’s Low Rate Credit Card
This card from Sainsbury’s offers the lowest standard credit card rate in the market at just 6.9pc. Only available to Nectar cardholders, although a Nectar account can be easily opened at no cost, but loyalty points will not be earned on any spending on the card.
Kevin Mountford, head of banking at Moneysupermarket.com, said: “The card doesn’t come with any promotional balance transfer or purchase offers, but this card could be a cheaper borrowing option than a personal loan. It is only available to those with a good or excellent credit rating.”
Barclaycard Platinum Simplicity Card
Barclaycard’s Platinum Simplicity Card has one of the lowest interest rates currently available at 7.9pc on both balance transfers and purchases. There is no handling fee on balance transfers. Cardholders can manage their accounts online, and make contactless payments using the card on purchases up to £15. You must be 21 to apply for the card, with at least four years of managing credit commitments well, always making payments on time. You must also have a regular income of over £20,000 a year and not already have a credit card with Barclaycard.
Capital One Click Card
This card is designed specifically for shopping online, has a low annual percentage rate of 9.94pc on purchases and no fees to transfer a balance. Capital One are currently offering a £10 bonus for every account opened before 31 March.
“The main advantage of this card is that it gives you access to exclusive discounts when you use it to shop online,” said Mr Mountford.
Current offers include 20pc off anything on the Ted Baker site, plus free delivery, 25pc off travel at Travelpack.com and 30pc off on the Zavvi entertainment site. The card promises enhanced security for those nervous about handing over their details online. To qualify for the card you must be a UK resident, have a minimum income of £20,000 and be aged at least 21. You may be refused if you have applied for a Capital One card in the last six months.”
Lloyds TSB Advance Card
This card from Lloyds charges no interest on purchases for the first six months, and after that charges a low 11.95pc variable APR, lower than many rates on other interest-free cards. The card also offers 4.9pc interest on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3pc handling fee when you move your debts over. “It is probably best just to use the card for purchases, as there are other deals offering much more competitive rates on balance transfers,” said Mr Mountford.
The Co-operative Bank Fixed Rate Credit Card
The Co-operative Bank offers a rate of 9.9pc APR fixed for 5 years, with the rate reverting to 12.9pc, still lower than many other cards on the market. This card provides peace of mind that the rate won’t rise, ideal for anyone looking to fix their repayments over this period.
Many of these cards don’t charge a balance transfer fee so, on larger balances, it may be cheaper to opt for this type of card compared with an interest-free card, especially if you are unable to repay the balance before the promotional offer comes to an end.
Here are five of the best.
Sainsbury’s Low Rate Credit Card
This card from Sainsbury’s offers the lowest standard credit card rate in the market at just 6.9pc. Only available to Nectar cardholders, although a Nectar account can be easily opened at no cost, but loyalty points will not be earned on any spending on the card.
Kevin Mountford, head of banking at Moneysupermarket.com, said: “The card doesn’t come with any promotional balance transfer or purchase offers, but this card could be a cheaper borrowing option than a personal loan. It is only available to those with a good or excellent credit rating.”
Barclaycard Platinum Simplicity Card
Barclaycard’s Platinum Simplicity Card has one of the lowest interest rates currently available at 7.9pc on both balance transfers and purchases. There is no handling fee on balance transfers. Cardholders can manage their accounts online, and make contactless payments using the card on purchases up to £15. You must be 21 to apply for the card, with at least four years of managing credit commitments well, always making payments on time. You must also have a regular income of over £20,000 a year and not already have a credit card with Barclaycard.
Capital One Click Card
This card is designed specifically for shopping online, has a low annual percentage rate of 9.94pc on purchases and no fees to transfer a balance. Capital One are currently offering a £10 bonus for every account opened before 31 March.
“The main advantage of this card is that it gives you access to exclusive discounts when you use it to shop online,” said Mr Mountford.
Current offers include 20pc off anything on the Ted Baker site, plus free delivery, 25pc off travel at Travelpack.com and 30pc off on the Zavvi entertainment site. The card promises enhanced security for those nervous about handing over their details online. To qualify for the card you must be a UK resident, have a minimum income of £20,000 and be aged at least 21. You may be refused if you have applied for a Capital One card in the last six months.”
Lloyds TSB Advance Card
This card from Lloyds charges no interest on purchases for the first six months, and after that charges a low 11.95pc variable APR, lower than many rates on other interest-free cards. The card also offers 4.9pc interest on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3pc handling fee when you move your debts over. “It is probably best just to use the card for purchases, as there are other deals offering much more competitive rates on balance transfers,” said Mr Mountford.
The Co-operative Bank Fixed Rate Credit Card
The Co-operative Bank offers a rate of 9.9pc APR fixed for 5 years, with the rate reverting to 12.9pc, still lower than many other cards on the market. This card provides peace of mind that the rate won’t rise, ideal for anyone looking to fix their repayments over this period.
Wednesday 21 March 2012
Rail Europe Launches Promotion
Rail Europe has launched a promotion which offers travellers a line-up of more than 10 special deals.
The promotions feature dedicated city passes, including the London Pass, Paris Pass or Berlin Pass, which provide an ideal complement for travellers wanting to explore Europe's most vibrant capital cities.
Developed in cooperation with European Railways, the promotions are designed to make Europe more affordable as an holiday destination. On sale until 15 April 2012, these special deals are available for a limited time only, with a travel period that ends on par with Europe’s summer season. Rail Europe’s special “Birthday Promotions” include:
Rail Passes
- Swiss Pass "2-for-1 promotion" : Buy one pass, get one free (Travellers must travel together at all times, valid for sale until the 30 of May 2012)
- France Rail Pass: 20% discount
- Eurail Sweden Pass: One day free travel
- BritRail Passes: One day free travel
- Paris Pass: 10% discount
- London Pass: 10% discount
- Berlin Pass: 10% discount
Train Tickets
- Eurostar: 40€ in Standard Class and 98€ in Standard Premier between London and Paris or Brussels (Valid for sale until the 31 of March 2012)
- France-Italy TGV: 40€ in 2nd Class and 50€ in 1st Class for Paris-Milan and Paris-Torino
- Thalys: Lead-in fares in 1st Class, starting from 58€ (Paris-Brussels) or 78€ (Paris-Amsterdam, Valid for sale until the 31 of March 2012)
- TGV Lyria: Lead-in fares starting from 33€ in 2nd Class (Paris-Lausanne) or 66€ in 1st Class (Paris-Geneva)
All these offers represent savings of up to 60% off normal fares. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Terms and conditions apply.
"With such a large promotional assortment, Rail Europe is giving non-Europeans travellers even more reasons to discover Europe first-hand,” said Pierre-Stéphane Austi, CEO of Rail Europe. "These fantastic deals are also easy to advertise for our trade partners, providing a good opportunity to generate additional business before the high season.”
In 2011, Rail Europe recorded a remarkable performance in Greater China, with ticket sales increasing by 65%, in excess of 350,000 tickets sold.
Trains are widely regarded as the best way to discover Europe, offering comfortable, safe and efficient journeys from city centre to city centre. With high speed, night or scenic trains to choose between, travellers have the opportunity to enjoy their journeys at their own pace and make the most of their stay in Europe.
The promotions feature dedicated city passes, including the London Pass, Paris Pass or Berlin Pass, which provide an ideal complement for travellers wanting to explore Europe's most vibrant capital cities.
Developed in cooperation with European Railways, the promotions are designed to make Europe more affordable as an holiday destination. On sale until 15 April 2012, these special deals are available for a limited time only, with a travel period that ends on par with Europe’s summer season. Rail Europe’s special “Birthday Promotions” include:
Rail Passes
- Swiss Pass "2-for-1 promotion" : Buy one pass, get one free (Travellers must travel together at all times, valid for sale until the 30 of May 2012)
- France Rail Pass: 20% discount
- Eurail Sweden Pass: One day free travel
- BritRail Passes: One day free travel
- Paris Pass: 10% discount
- London Pass: 10% discount
- Berlin Pass: 10% discount
Train Tickets
- Eurostar: 40€ in Standard Class and 98€ in Standard Premier between London and Paris or Brussels (Valid for sale until the 31 of March 2012)
- France-Italy TGV: 40€ in 2nd Class and 50€ in 1st Class for Paris-Milan and Paris-Torino
- Thalys: Lead-in fares in 1st Class, starting from 58€ (Paris-Brussels) or 78€ (Paris-Amsterdam, Valid for sale until the 31 of March 2012)
- TGV Lyria: Lead-in fares starting from 33€ in 2nd Class (Paris-Lausanne) or 66€ in 1st Class (Paris-Geneva)
All these offers represent savings of up to 60% off normal fares. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Terms and conditions apply.
"With such a large promotional assortment, Rail Europe is giving non-Europeans travellers even more reasons to discover Europe first-hand,” said Pierre-Stéphane Austi, CEO of Rail Europe. "These fantastic deals are also easy to advertise for our trade partners, providing a good opportunity to generate additional business before the high season.”
In 2011, Rail Europe recorded a remarkable performance in Greater China, with ticket sales increasing by 65%, in excess of 350,000 tickets sold.
Trains are widely regarded as the best way to discover Europe, offering comfortable, safe and efficient journeys from city centre to city centre. With high speed, night or scenic trains to choose between, travellers have the opportunity to enjoy their journeys at their own pace and make the most of their stay in Europe.
Tuesday 20 March 2012
Keeping your little chicks entertained over the Easter holidays
To help you from cracking under the pressure of keeping your little chicks entertained over the Easter holidays, Travelodge is offering 40,000 cheap hotel rooms between £19 and £29 across the UK.
Why not plan ahead and immerse the family in all things chocolaty with an egg-stra special short break! To book a room just go to www.travelodge.co.uk room stays must take place between 31st March and 15th April 2012.
Travelodge have sourced a selection of 12 great family days out:
- 8 chocolate themed events
- 4 Easter themed events - if you chocolate isn't you're thing.
So why not turn a daytrip into an action packed, fun break and explore the local area. To help the pennies stretch further Travelodge is also offering discounts to top attractions for bookings made between 8th March and 11th April 2012 at Travelodge. Every booking made between this time will be able to download a discount voucher for one of 150 attractions throughout the UK including; Theme Parks, Zoo's, Museums and Historic Places of Interest.
With Travelodge you only pay for the room and not for the number of people staying per room. A family room caters for two adults and two children or three adults - so for a family of four, it works out at just £4.75 per person- cheaper than a portion of fish and chips! By booking a GBP 19 Travelodge room, you will have plenty of change left to spoil yourself. A Travelodge family room has a luxury king size bed, sofa bed, en-suite facilities, flat screen TV with 18 free digital channels, free tea / coffee making facilities and WIFI. (You only pay for the room and not for number of people staying per room).
Travelodge hotels that have a Bar Cafe offer an 'eat as much as you like' breakfast buffet for £7.65 per guest and for each paying adult - two children under the age of 16 eat for free. You can make a 20% saving on breakfast by ordering online and you can order a two course evening online for just £9.95 per person too.
All dishes on their children's menu are £3.95, meals include macaroni cheese, cheeseburger and chips and Spaghetti meatballs - 10p from each sale of this dish will be donated to Travelodge's appointed charity KidsOut, helping bring fun & happiness to disadvantaged children in the UK.
Listed below are the best events happening across the UK (according to Travelodge):
Easter egg hunt and Chocolate Workshop at Kew Gardens
Get the whole family involved and join the annual Easter egg hunt at Kew Gardens. Kids can search for the friendly characters of Kew Gardens - Buzzie Bee, Wriggler and Snap, Trap and Venus - who are hidden around the Gardens. Collect three tokens to receive a Green and Black's chocolate treat from the Easter bunnies! Alternatively, visit the drop-in chocolate workshops where families can learn to make objects from chocolate.
Location: Kew Gardens, London, TW9 3PZ
Dates: Easter Egg hunt: Easter day (4 April), 9.30 - 12.30 (or until the eggs run out!)
Chocolate Workshop: Sat 9 April to Mon 25 April & Fri 29 April to Mon 2 May, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm
Prices: Free*
Nearest Travelodge: London Kew Bridge Travelodge, though we have many more hotels in London.
The Great Peter Rabbit East Egg Hunt, Cumbria.
Take part in one of the UK's biggest Easter Egg hunts. Get your hands on one of the 100 hand crafted Peter Rabbit eggs that will be hidden across Cumbria. This hunt gives you the chance to get out into the beautiful Lake District countryside and enjoy the thrill of the hunt against other families and children.
Dates: Thursday 5th April 2012
Times: Starts at 10am
Prices: Free*
Nearest Travelodge: Kendal Travelodge. Prices start from £19**.
Waddesdon Manor Cadbury Easter Trail
The National Trust and Cadbury are teaming up for lots of chocolate fun and an Easter trail at Waddesdon Manor. Enjoy a family day out in the beautiful grounds, with children's explorer trials, an aviary, and beautiful gardens to explore. Why not make a day of it and enjoy the most of the stunning setting.
Location: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
Dates: Wednesday 4 April - Easter Monday 9 April, from 10am
Prices: £2.50* per trail. Normal admission charges apply, Adults from £6.50, Children from £3.50, children under 5 go free, families from £16.50.
Nearest Travelodge: Thame Travelodge.
The Giant Easter Egg Hunt
Experience the fun of the biggest Easter Egg hunt in Dorset. The wonderful surroundings of the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury, with face painting and many more fun activities will suit all the family. Plus, there are thousands of Cadbury's cream eggs to be found!
Location: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Dates: 06/04/2012 - 09/04/2012
Prices: Adults form £10.50*, children from £7.50*
Nearest Travelodge: Ilminster Travelodge
Lauriston Castle Easter Egg Hunt
Enjoy a day of fun Easter activities in the beautiful setting of Lauriston Castle. You can hunt for clues to find yourself some tasty treats then enjoy some Easter stories, an egg and spoon race, and finish the day by making your own framed Easter collage.
Location: Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, Edinburgh EH4 5QD
Dates: Saturday 7th April, 10am - 12.30pm
Prices: £6 per adult / child*
Nearest Travelodge: Edinburgh Learmonth Travelodge.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt 2012
Enjoy a family day out at this popular community event at Cranleigh Showground where there are plenty of chocolate surprises to be found. This is the perfect day out for the kids and parents too - get there early as this event becomes even more popular every year.
Location: Cranleigh Showhround, Surrey, GU6 7DW
Dates: Good Friday, 6th April 2011 at 10:30am
Prices: Free entry and parking*
Nearest Travelodge: Dorkin Travelodge
The Big Easter Bunny Hunt
Join the Big Easter Bunny Hunt in the beautiful surroundings of Waterperry Gardens, home to 8 acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens, plant centre and garden shop, gift barn, museum and teashop. It is your challenge to find bunnies with a difference hidden around the ornamental gardens. Find 8 out of 10 and claim your special Easter prize from Miss H's tea shop.
Location: Waterperry Gardens,Nr. Wheatley, Oxfordshire, England. OX33 1JZ
Dates: 31st March to 15th April
Prices: It costs £2 per child and children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the normal garden entrance fee applies.
Nearest Travelodge: Oxford Wheatley Travelodge
Easter Egg Eggstravagaza at Cadbury World
Cadbury World has an egg-cellent line-up of family-friendly events including circus performances with Charley Farley and Rags, ventriloquist Kimmo and children's performer Mark Traversoni. From Good Friday through to Easter Monday there will be a special Easter egg hunt and children will also have the chance to enter an Easter bonnet competition with prizes.
Location: Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2LU
Dates: 31st March to 15th April (TBC), 10am-3pm Monday - Friday; 9.30 - 4pm Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th and Monday 7th; 10am - 4pm ever weekend thenceforth; 10-2pm Tuesday 15th
Prices: Adult £14.30 - Child £10.40 Under 4s - free - Concessions £10.90 Family
Nearest Travelodge: Birmingham Central Newhall Street Travelodge.
*Prices correct at 09/03/2012
**£19 rooms can be booked 21 days in advance.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday Park holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Why not plan ahead and immerse the family in all things chocolaty with an egg-stra special short break! To book a room just go to www.travelodge.co.uk room stays must take place between 31st March and 15th April 2012.
Travelodge have sourced a selection of 12 great family days out:
- 8 chocolate themed events
- 4 Easter themed events - if you chocolate isn't you're thing.
So why not turn a daytrip into an action packed, fun break and explore the local area. To help the pennies stretch further Travelodge is also offering discounts to top attractions for bookings made between 8th March and 11th April 2012 at Travelodge. Every booking made between this time will be able to download a discount voucher for one of 150 attractions throughout the UK including; Theme Parks, Zoo's, Museums and Historic Places of Interest.
With Travelodge you only pay for the room and not for the number of people staying per room. A family room caters for two adults and two children or three adults - so for a family of four, it works out at just £4.75 per person- cheaper than a portion of fish and chips! By booking a GBP 19 Travelodge room, you will have plenty of change left to spoil yourself. A Travelodge family room has a luxury king size bed, sofa bed, en-suite facilities, flat screen TV with 18 free digital channels, free tea / coffee making facilities and WIFI. (You only pay for the room and not for number of people staying per room).
Travelodge hotels that have a Bar Cafe offer an 'eat as much as you like' breakfast buffet for £7.65 per guest and for each paying adult - two children under the age of 16 eat for free. You can make a 20% saving on breakfast by ordering online and you can order a two course evening online for just £9.95 per person too.
All dishes on their children's menu are £3.95, meals include macaroni cheese, cheeseburger and chips and Spaghetti meatballs - 10p from each sale of this dish will be donated to Travelodge's appointed charity KidsOut, helping bring fun & happiness to disadvantaged children in the UK.
Listed below are the best events happening across the UK (according to Travelodge):
Easter egg hunt and Chocolate Workshop at Kew Gardens
Get the whole family involved and join the annual Easter egg hunt at Kew Gardens. Kids can search for the friendly characters of Kew Gardens - Buzzie Bee, Wriggler and Snap, Trap and Venus - who are hidden around the Gardens. Collect three tokens to receive a Green and Black's chocolate treat from the Easter bunnies! Alternatively, visit the drop-in chocolate workshops where families can learn to make objects from chocolate.
Location: Kew Gardens, London, TW9 3PZ
Dates: Easter Egg hunt: Easter day (4 April), 9.30 - 12.30 (or until the eggs run out!)
Chocolate Workshop: Sat 9 April to Mon 25 April & Fri 29 April to Mon 2 May, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm
Prices: Free*
Nearest Travelodge: London Kew Bridge Travelodge, though we have many more hotels in London.
The Great Peter Rabbit East Egg Hunt, Cumbria.
Take part in one of the UK's biggest Easter Egg hunts. Get your hands on one of the 100 hand crafted Peter Rabbit eggs that will be hidden across Cumbria. This hunt gives you the chance to get out into the beautiful Lake District countryside and enjoy the thrill of the hunt against other families and children.
Dates: Thursday 5th April 2012
Times: Starts at 10am
Prices: Free*
Nearest Travelodge: Kendal Travelodge. Prices start from £19**.
Waddesdon Manor Cadbury Easter Trail
The National Trust and Cadbury are teaming up for lots of chocolate fun and an Easter trail at Waddesdon Manor. Enjoy a family day out in the beautiful grounds, with children's explorer trials, an aviary, and beautiful gardens to explore. Why not make a day of it and enjoy the most of the stunning setting.
Location: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
Dates: Wednesday 4 April - Easter Monday 9 April, from 10am
Prices: £2.50* per trail. Normal admission charges apply, Adults from £6.50, Children from £3.50, children under 5 go free, families from £16.50.
Nearest Travelodge: Thame Travelodge.
The Giant Easter Egg Hunt
Experience the fun of the biggest Easter Egg hunt in Dorset. The wonderful surroundings of the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury, with face painting and many more fun activities will suit all the family. Plus, there are thousands of Cadbury's cream eggs to be found!
Location: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Dates: 06/04/2012 - 09/04/2012
Prices: Adults form £10.50*, children from £7.50*
Nearest Travelodge: Ilminster Travelodge
Lauriston Castle Easter Egg Hunt
Enjoy a day of fun Easter activities in the beautiful setting of Lauriston Castle. You can hunt for clues to find yourself some tasty treats then enjoy some Easter stories, an egg and spoon race, and finish the day by making your own framed Easter collage.
Location: Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, Edinburgh EH4 5QD
Dates: Saturday 7th April, 10am - 12.30pm
Prices: £6 per adult / child*
Nearest Travelodge: Edinburgh Learmonth Travelodge.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt 2012
Enjoy a family day out at this popular community event at Cranleigh Showground where there are plenty of chocolate surprises to be found. This is the perfect day out for the kids and parents too - get there early as this event becomes even more popular every year.
Location: Cranleigh Showhround, Surrey, GU6 7DW
Dates: Good Friday, 6th April 2011 at 10:30am
Prices: Free entry and parking*
Nearest Travelodge: Dorkin Travelodge
The Big Easter Bunny Hunt
Join the Big Easter Bunny Hunt in the beautiful surroundings of Waterperry Gardens, home to 8 acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens, plant centre and garden shop, gift barn, museum and teashop. It is your challenge to find bunnies with a difference hidden around the ornamental gardens. Find 8 out of 10 and claim your special Easter prize from Miss H's tea shop.
Location: Waterperry Gardens,Nr. Wheatley, Oxfordshire, England. OX33 1JZ
Dates: 31st March to 15th April
Prices: It costs £2 per child and children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the normal garden entrance fee applies.
Nearest Travelodge: Oxford Wheatley Travelodge
Easter Egg Eggstravagaza at Cadbury World
Cadbury World has an egg-cellent line-up of family-friendly events including circus performances with Charley Farley and Rags, ventriloquist Kimmo and children's performer Mark Traversoni. From Good Friday through to Easter Monday there will be a special Easter egg hunt and children will also have the chance to enter an Easter bonnet competition with prizes.
Location: Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2LU
Dates: 31st March to 15th April (TBC), 10am-3pm Monday - Friday; 9.30 - 4pm Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th and Monday 7th; 10am - 4pm ever weekend thenceforth; 10-2pm Tuesday 15th
Prices: Adult £14.30 - Child £10.40 Under 4s - free - Concessions £10.90 Family
Nearest Travelodge: Birmingham Central Newhall Street Travelodge.
*Prices correct at 09/03/2012
**£19 rooms can be booked 21 days in advance.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday Park holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Monday 19 March 2012
UK holiday spending to rise suggest survey
UK holiday spending is poised to rise by an average £300 this year, according to a survey by Visa Europe.
Consumers intend to spend an average £3,890 on overseas breaks in 2012, an increase of more than £300 on 2011, the study suggests.
A poll of 2,050 adults also found a proportion of respondents plan September trips abroad in order to be in the UK to enjoy the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics earlier in the summer.
An analysis of cardholder spending found UK tourists spent £12.4 billion on foreign holidays last year, a 2% rise on 2010.
Visa Europe suggests accommodation is set to be the biggest expense this year, followed by travel to and from a destination. The largest proportion of in-resort holiday spending will be on eating out and drinking in bars.
The expenditure analysis rated Spain the most popular destination in 2011, with £1.8 billion spent there by UK holidaymakers, followed by France (£1.5 billion), the US (£1 billion), Italy (£560 million) and Australia (£517 million).
UK tourists spent almost £900 million on local entertainment while away and £70 million on food and drink.
Looking for the latest FABHoliday offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Consumers intend to spend an average £3,890 on overseas breaks in 2012, an increase of more than £300 on 2011, the study suggests.
A poll of 2,050 adults also found a proportion of respondents plan September trips abroad in order to be in the UK to enjoy the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics earlier in the summer.
An analysis of cardholder spending found UK tourists spent £12.4 billion on foreign holidays last year, a 2% rise on 2010.
Visa Europe suggests accommodation is set to be the biggest expense this year, followed by travel to and from a destination. The largest proportion of in-resort holiday spending will be on eating out and drinking in bars.
The expenditure analysis rated Spain the most popular destination in 2011, with £1.8 billion spent there by UK holidaymakers, followed by France (£1.5 billion), the US (£1 billion), Italy (£560 million) and Australia (£517 million).
UK tourists spent almost £900 million on local entertainment while away and £70 million on food and drink.
Looking for the latest FABHoliday offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Monday 12 March 2012
Families face soaring holiday tax bill
Families face having to find up to £500 tax to fly to far flung destinations by 2016 if the Government presses ahead with plans for annual rises in Air Passenger Duty.
Britain’s leading airlines stepped up pressure on George Osborne to call a halt to the rises by calculating how high the tax could rise on current Treasury plans.
Official figures show that a target of increasing revenue from the duty by 46 per cent by 2016 would mean a family of four would face a £500 tax bill for a holiday to Australia and £440 to the Caribbean.
In 2005, a family of four travelling to any long-haul destination would have paid just £80.
The next round of APD rises, which come into force on April 1, will see a family of four having to pay £368 tax for a trip to Australia and £264 for a holiday in the United States.
Four major airlines – easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and British Airways – have buried their differences – to oppose the taxes, which sees passengers leaving UK airports paying more than their foreign counterparts.
According to the airlines, seven years of APD has seen passenger numbers fail to rise, with the CAA figures showing that there has been no increase in the number of people flying since 2011.
“Aviation wants to, and should be, playing a leading role in economic recovery – as it does in so many other countries,” the airlines said in a joint statement.
“But the UK imposes the highest aviation taxes in the world, and keeps on increasing them without any analysis whatever of their overall economic impact. We are exporting economic growth, and jobs, to competitor countries. How much longer must this madness go on?
“We call on the Chancellor to suspend the April 1 rises in APD, and those planned up to 2016, while the Treasury commissions an independent study of the economic effects of this job-destroying tax.”
Meanwhile the World Travel and Tourism Council said its research had shown that scrapping the duty altogether would create 91,000 jobs in Britain and contribute £4.2 billion to the economy in 12 months.
“Air Passenger Duty is a completely disproportionate tax on people’s holidays and is hitting business travel hard,” said David Scowsill, the organisation’s chairman.
“When the economy needs help, it is economically illogical to continue with a tax that costs the country some 91,000 jobs and as much as £4.2 billion.
"Travel & Tourism grew by 4.1% in the UK last year, but is forecast to slow to 1.3% in 2012. This slowdown is partly due to the impact of Air Passenger Duty, which is dampening demand.”
Make sure you get the best deal when looking for a holiday to help make your money go further with fabthings2do-holidays.
Britain’s leading airlines stepped up pressure on George Osborne to call a halt to the rises by calculating how high the tax could rise on current Treasury plans.
Official figures show that a target of increasing revenue from the duty by 46 per cent by 2016 would mean a family of four would face a £500 tax bill for a holiday to Australia and £440 to the Caribbean.
In 2005, a family of four travelling to any long-haul destination would have paid just £80.
The next round of APD rises, which come into force on April 1, will see a family of four having to pay £368 tax for a trip to Australia and £264 for a holiday in the United States.
Four major airlines – easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and British Airways – have buried their differences – to oppose the taxes, which sees passengers leaving UK airports paying more than their foreign counterparts.
According to the airlines, seven years of APD has seen passenger numbers fail to rise, with the CAA figures showing that there has been no increase in the number of people flying since 2011.
“Aviation wants to, and should be, playing a leading role in economic recovery – as it does in so many other countries,” the airlines said in a joint statement.
“But the UK imposes the highest aviation taxes in the world, and keeps on increasing them without any analysis whatever of their overall economic impact. We are exporting economic growth, and jobs, to competitor countries. How much longer must this madness go on?
“We call on the Chancellor to suspend the April 1 rises in APD, and those planned up to 2016, while the Treasury commissions an independent study of the economic effects of this job-destroying tax.”
Meanwhile the World Travel and Tourism Council said its research had shown that scrapping the duty altogether would create 91,000 jobs in Britain and contribute £4.2 billion to the economy in 12 months.
“Air Passenger Duty is a completely disproportionate tax on people’s holidays and is hitting business travel hard,” said David Scowsill, the organisation’s chairman.
“When the economy needs help, it is economically illogical to continue with a tax that costs the country some 91,000 jobs and as much as £4.2 billion.
"Travel & Tourism grew by 4.1% in the UK last year, but is forecast to slow to 1.3% in 2012. This slowdown is partly due to the impact of Air Passenger Duty, which is dampening demand.”
Make sure you get the best deal when looking for a holiday to help make your money go further with fabthings2do-holidays.
Thursday 8 March 2012
Pensioners face steep rises in travel insurance
Pensioners holidaying abroad this summer face being hit by annual increases of up to 90 per cent in the cost of their travel insurance, in what age charities have called a “shocking” example of age discrimination.
Steep rises in the cost of medical care in the US and parts of Europe have led to a near-doubling of travel insurance premiums in the space of a year for people with certain medical conditions.
The move could add hundreds of pounds to the cost of holidays at a time when the ageing population is showing increasing signs of wanderlust. The number of people over the age of 75 going on long-haul trips has risen by 15 per cent in recent years, industry estimates show.
Pensioners planning to holiday in the US are being particularly hit by the price rises.
For example, a 69-year-old with diabetes traveling to the US for a two-week holiday this year would pay £248 for cover, up from £134 last year, according to insurer Columbus Direct.
A 79-year-old with angina on the same trip would pay £576 this year compared to £303 last year, an increase of 90 per cent, Columbus said.
The reason for the price rise is soaring “medical inflation” in parts of Europe and the US. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average bill for medical treatment in the US is almost £5,000. As well as hospitals charging more, the cost has been pushed up by unfavourable currency exchange rates and the rising price of aviation fuel, mean that the cost of flying someone who has fallen ill back home have risen sharply.
There has also been an increase in the number of claims by elderly people, which has further inflated premiums.
Some elderly travellers have complained that they are unable to get travel insurance at all.
Bob Champion, the 63-year-old jockey who beat cancer to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti, said that he was recently shocked when he was refused travel insurance by 10 companies on the basis that he has a small pre-existing heart condition.
Mr Champion, who makes money giving lectures on cruise ships, said: “I am fitter than I have ever been but they told me I am too much of a risk.”
The jockey, who was eventually given cover by insurer AllClear, said: “It wasn’t that I was offered cover at an over-inflated premium. I simply couldn’t get an insurer willing to give me a quote at all.”
Michelle Mitchell, charity director general at Age UK, said: “It is shocking that people can be discriminated against just because of their age. A date on a birth certificate should not mean that you have to forgo holidays abroad.”
A spokesman for Saga said that although insurance costs for people with pre-existing medical conditions has risen, they have fallen for people with no such conditions.
Some insurance companies have also in recent weeks lowered the age threshold at which they are prepared to give medical cover to pensioners.
At the end of January American Express reduced the age limit at which it is willing to provide its Platinum Card holders with medical cover from 80 to 70.
Greg Lawson, head of retail at Columbus Direct, said that the increased cost of claims from travellers means that many insurance companies have “suffered financially”. He said that the rising costs of medical care in the US and parts of Europe has meant that premiums have had to also rise accordingly.
“Insurers need to increase premiums, particularly in respect of older customers traveling worldwide where the risk is highest of having a high-cost medical incident,” said Mr Lawson.
However he said that when Columbus is unable to provide travel insurance to a person, it will recommend another company that is able to.
A spokesman for American Express said that as of January 25 it reduced from 80 to 70 the age at which its Platinum Card holders can get “medical assistance and expenses” cover on their travel insurance.
“The changes are being made due to the rising cost of medical treatment and to ensure that we continue to offer an overall comprehensive insurance product while not passing on any additional costs to our cardholders,” the spokesman said.
Ms Mitchell said that last month the Government announced a delay in the implementation of rules under the Equality Act that would have outlawed unjustified discrimination in goods and services.
“It is vital that the Government acts to stop insurance companies from excluding this growing sector of the population. In the meantime, customers should shop around the best offers that suit their individual needs,” she said.
Make sure you get the best deal when looking for holiday/travel insurance with fabthings2do
Steep rises in the cost of medical care in the US and parts of Europe have led to a near-doubling of travel insurance premiums in the space of a year for people with certain medical conditions.
The move could add hundreds of pounds to the cost of holidays at a time when the ageing population is showing increasing signs of wanderlust. The number of people over the age of 75 going on long-haul trips has risen by 15 per cent in recent years, industry estimates show.
Pensioners planning to holiday in the US are being particularly hit by the price rises.
For example, a 69-year-old with diabetes traveling to the US for a two-week holiday this year would pay £248 for cover, up from £134 last year, according to insurer Columbus Direct.
A 79-year-old with angina on the same trip would pay £576 this year compared to £303 last year, an increase of 90 per cent, Columbus said.
The reason for the price rise is soaring “medical inflation” in parts of Europe and the US. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average bill for medical treatment in the US is almost £5,000. As well as hospitals charging more, the cost has been pushed up by unfavourable currency exchange rates and the rising price of aviation fuel, mean that the cost of flying someone who has fallen ill back home have risen sharply.
There has also been an increase in the number of claims by elderly people, which has further inflated premiums.
Some elderly travellers have complained that they are unable to get travel insurance at all.
Bob Champion, the 63-year-old jockey who beat cancer to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti, said that he was recently shocked when he was refused travel insurance by 10 companies on the basis that he has a small pre-existing heart condition.
Mr Champion, who makes money giving lectures on cruise ships, said: “I am fitter than I have ever been but they told me I am too much of a risk.”
The jockey, who was eventually given cover by insurer AllClear, said: “It wasn’t that I was offered cover at an over-inflated premium. I simply couldn’t get an insurer willing to give me a quote at all.”
Michelle Mitchell, charity director general at Age UK, said: “It is shocking that people can be discriminated against just because of their age. A date on a birth certificate should not mean that you have to forgo holidays abroad.”
A spokesman for Saga said that although insurance costs for people with pre-existing medical conditions has risen, they have fallen for people with no such conditions.
Some insurance companies have also in recent weeks lowered the age threshold at which they are prepared to give medical cover to pensioners.
At the end of January American Express reduced the age limit at which it is willing to provide its Platinum Card holders with medical cover from 80 to 70.
Greg Lawson, head of retail at Columbus Direct, said that the increased cost of claims from travellers means that many insurance companies have “suffered financially”. He said that the rising costs of medical care in the US and parts of Europe has meant that premiums have had to also rise accordingly.
“Insurers need to increase premiums, particularly in respect of older customers traveling worldwide where the risk is highest of having a high-cost medical incident,” said Mr Lawson.
However he said that when Columbus is unable to provide travel insurance to a person, it will recommend another company that is able to.
A spokesman for American Express said that as of January 25 it reduced from 80 to 70 the age at which its Platinum Card holders can get “medical assistance and expenses” cover on their travel insurance.
“The changes are being made due to the rising cost of medical treatment and to ensure that we continue to offer an overall comprehensive insurance product while not passing on any additional costs to our cardholders,” the spokesman said.
Ms Mitchell said that last month the Government announced a delay in the implementation of rules under the Equality Act that would have outlawed unjustified discrimination in goods and services.
“It is vital that the Government acts to stop insurance companies from excluding this growing sector of the population. In the meantime, customers should shop around the best offers that suit their individual needs,” she said.
Make sure you get the best deal when looking for holiday/travel insurance with fabthings2do
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)