Tuesday 22 May 2012

Where are the best royal celebrations?

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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Thursday 17 May 2012

EU roaming charges set to fall

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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Wednesday 16 May 2012

Britons enjoying up to 25% off summer holidays.

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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Tuesday 15 May 2012

Bucket List Surveys

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

Thursday 10 May 2012

‘World’s oldest backpacker’ hits the road again

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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Wednesday 9 May 2012

Is it the perfect time to buy your holiday money?

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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Tuesday 1 May 2012

Iceland offers world's first tour inside a volcano

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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