One of the UK's leading budget airlines, Flybe.com specialise in regional flights to prominent European destinations such as London, Paris, Milan & Geneva. Flybe operate from many regional airports making them the ideal airline wherever you are based in the UK. They offer a number of great deals so be sure to check in regularly to keep up to date on the best offers.
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Virgin Atlantic
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Rating:
10
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Founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic is now one of the UK’s largest long-haul airlines. Flights depart daily from Heathrow and Gatwick to over 20 worldwide destinations including the USA, Caribbean, Africa, India and the Far East. Their Flying Club enables you to earn air miles on almost all flights including full fare Economy class. Virgin Atlantic regularly wins awards for business and leisure travel, including those for Best Long Haul Airline, and Best Transatlantic Airline, and has received numerous awards for their innovative in-flight entertainment, which includes individual seatback TVs with a choice of at least 8 channels. Flying Upper Class enables you to experience their award-winning Upper Class suite, which boasts an on-board bar area, and the largest fully flat bed offered in business class by any airline. Virgin Atlantic provide a great in-flight experience and excellent customer service.
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Singapore Airlines
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Rating:
9
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One of the leading Asian flight operators, Singapore Airlines have extensive coverage across central Asia and the southern hemisphere as well as important European and US destinations. They operate daily scheduled services to long haul destinations in key eastern cities. Their service has been highly commended over recent years and is supported by one the youngest fleets within the industry.
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The Royal Dutch Airlines have built an enviable reputation as one of Europe's leading airlines. Having recently merged with Air France, KLM are now in a position to offer an even greater service with over 500 destinations world wide. Frequent flyers can earn air miles to be used on all KLM and Air France routes. They have extensive coverage across many regional UK airports and have an excellent reputation for first class service and hospitality on their scheduled services worldwide.
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With Eurostar you can travel from London to Paris in under 3 hours. Eurostar travel direct to cities such as Paris, Lille, Brussels and Avignon and offer connections to over 100 destinations across Europe. You could take advantage of the huge range of special offers available by booking your hotel and travel together and save money. Travelling on Eurostar is convenient and simple, and the carriages are spacious and air conditioned. It's easy to see why Eurostar now carries more passengers between London and Paris than all of the airlines put together!
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Despite the best efforts of the power to its north, the
sun still shines on Cuba. It's the Caribbean's largest and
least commercialized island and one of the world's last
bastions of communism. The island's relative political isolation
has prevented it from being overrun by tourists, and locals
are sincerely friendly to those who do venture in - even
blockade runners from the US get a warm welcome! The Helms-Burton
Act has allowed Cuba to find its place in the post-Soviet
world gradually, without the sudden destabilizing shock
of mass consumer tourism from the United States. It's only
a matter of time before American-imposed travel and trade
barriers fall. No doubt millions will come when flights
from Miami resume. Clearly, the time to go is now.
Although you can't quite hear the colonial architecture
peeling in the streets, even Cuba's larger towns are pretty
relaxed. The most frenetic it gets is in the middle of an
enthusiastic chachachá, and the loudest it gets is
behind one of the huge finned American cars chugging the
streets. If you want it even quieter, Cuba's backcountry
and beaches are perfect chillout destinations for hikers,
swimmers, cyclers, spelunkers or those who just want to
smoke a fine cigar under a palm tree.
Cuba has undergone a transformation since it first opened
its doors to global tourism after almost three decades of
isolation. Most noteworthy has been the rapid growth in
private accommodation, the extensive network of casas particulares
allowing the independent traveller the opportunity, not
only to experience life more as it is lived by the average
Cubano, but also to explore corners of the country that
had previously been inaccessible or off-limits. Good news
for the tourist is the growing choice of resorts and the
number of new or refurbished hotels that are opening in
towns across the country. While eco-tourism is still in
its infancy and much of the islands extraordinary
natural beauty remains to be discovered, the government
is already making strides in the right direction
Cuba really can offer something for all types of travellers
and holiday makers. Whether you are looking for a picture
perfect paradise with palm trees shading the pure white
sand beaches and blue lagoons, or for an interesting baptism
into a culture moulded by its unique history and political
climate, next time you draft up your short list of vacations...
make sure Cuba is on it.
VITAL STATISTICS:
Full country name: Republic
of Cuba
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 110,860 sq km
Land: 110,860 sq km
Land boundaries: 29 km
Water: 0 sq km
Population: 11 million
Capital city: Havana (pop 2,200,000)
People: 60% Spanish descent, 22% mixed-race, 11%
African descent, 1% Chinese
Language: Spanish
Religion: 47% Catholic, 4% Protestant, 2% Santería
(many Catholics also practice Santería
Government: Communist republic
Head of State: Fidel Castro
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Yahoo is a comprehensive weather website with international information. Weather forecasts are available for most UK towns, including sunrise and sunset times, visibility and a 10-day forecast. Area maps are available showing animated satellite images and temperature forecasts.
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World Health Organization (WHO)
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Rating:
9
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International Travel and Health is a WHO publication that offers guidance on the full range of health risks likely to be encountered at specific destinations and associated with different types of travel – from business, humanitarian and leisure travel to backpacking and adventure tours.
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Golfing Elite membership enables you to have easy access to over 100 of the world's most prestigious courses, including Open Championship and international PGA courses. For the price of a new putter you can enjoy a golfing service that is the equivalent to overseas membership at top clubs. Family and friends are able to enjoy the same benefits and savings making it perfect for holidays, although corporate membership is also available.
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Magellans International Travel
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Rating:
8
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Magellans are The leading source of travel supplies in America. They really offer a one stop shop for all of your travel needs. The huge range includes appliances, clothing, luggage, maps, photography, packing aids, toiletries and picnic gear.
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Thomson Flights
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Rating:
8
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Specialising in low cost charter flights, they offer a number of great deals especially for the holiday maker. Formerly known as BrittanniaDirect.com, they are of course operated by the Britannia Airways fleet. The site offers a straightforward flight search for a large number of charter destinations. Bargain flights can certainly be found so for a low cost charter option to many popular holiday resorts, Thomson Flights could be just the ticket.
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A highly polished travel site which has established itself as a leading internet travel company. Expedia
offers an extensive list of flight options and searches making it easy to find the right flight at a budget to suit.Of course, like all good travel sites
they don't just provide flights but also offer a whole host of travel amenities including car hire, hotels, holidays, insurance... Quite simply one of the
best.
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Lunn Poly is a leading travel retailer, offering holidays from the UK’s major tour operators. They offer
a huge range of UK and overseas holidays including cruises, flights, ski holidays, city breaks and sun holidays. Their website has special offers which are
exclusively available online, and plenty of late deals to choose from. The website also offers online auctions where you can bid on Thomson late deal
package holidays from £1. They have a high level of customer service and excellent value for money. Booking online is easy, and can be done in 5 simple
steps.
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The Met Office has to be the most comprehensive website for UK weather. It shows regularly updated weather warnings for the UK and offers a 5-day forecast for most towns. This website is a great place for UK statistics, with charts showing average temperatures, rainfall, hours of sunshine and even number of days of air frost for each month for regional weather stations. World weather forecasts and past weather statistics are available with detailed information on world climate for countries, major cities and holiday destinations. A 5-day UV index, shipping forecasts, satellite information, rainfall animation and a UK 4 week forecast are available. A great website for those wanting more detailed information and statistics.
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Weather Channel
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Rating:
10
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The Weather Channel is a great place to get general information and statistics about the climate of your holiday destination, or even for where you live at any time of the year. It gives average monthly temperatures and rainfall, and you can even look at the actual dates that you expect to travel to see the average temperatures for those dates, and sunrise and sunset times. There are 10-day forecasts for most UK towns.
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Holiday Autos are part of LastMinute.com and they are the world's largest leisure car rental broker with 4000 locations throughout the UK and worldwide. This means that they are able to offer low prices from the best rental companies, and they offer a price tracker promise where they check their prices against their main competitiors to offer the lowest priced fully inclusive deals. Check out their website for the latest offers!
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Expedia give you access to the same information as a high street travel agent, enabling you to choose and plan your travel. They offer great deals on holiday packages, flights, hotels, car hire and city breaks. The website is packed with detailed information on destinations and you can view photos of hotels and read reviews before making your choice. Loads of special offers online, including late deals and even discounted holidays from regional UK airports
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Simply Travel are specialists in providing villa and hotel holidays off the beaten track. The properties are hand-picked and full of character, offering an alternative to mass-marketed package holidays for those who want more from their holiday than a nice tan! The quality accommodation ranges from simple to luxurious and you can even select a 'wandering' option so you get the chance to tour the island/area and stay in a selection of hotels.
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Simply Travel aim to offer something for those who want something a little different from mass-marketed package holidays. They carefully select quality accommodation in destinations off the beaten track. All properties are full of character and range from charmingly simple to luxurious. For those who want to explore more of an island or area, you can select the 'wandering' option which enables you to tour the area whilst staying in a carefully hand-picked selection of hotels across the region. Great destination guides to help you pick the right location.
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Superbreak specialise in short breaks and simple hotel requirements e.g. stopovers, business travel, throughout the UK. For 2-5 star accommodation, whether you are looking for a city or countryside location, Superbreak has access to 1000s of hotels ensuring they will meet your requirements. With real time availability you can book up to and including the day of departure, with a simple online booking process. Last minute offers and special deals are always available online.
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Airtours.co.uk
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Rating:
10
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For the best holiday deals online it really is hard to be beat Airtours, one of the UK's leading tour operators! You can choose from 1000s of holiday deals to all the popular destinations and many more exotic places plus cruises, skiing and flights. There are many exclusive online discounts and of course children and infants can travel for free! Whatever you do... make sure you check Airtours for your next holiday.
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Last Minute.com are the definitive internet travel and lifestyle company. With so much more than just
booking flights online, you really could organise your whole life with Last Minute.com!! They offer a multitude of special deals and as the name suggests
last minute options. Add to this a highly sophisticated search and booking system, Last Minute.com have created a site that truly is a delight to use.
Without doubt one of the best travel sites online and it would appear they keep getting better and better...
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Columbus Travel Insurance
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Rating:
9
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Columbus Direct are leading travel insurers. By selling directly to the public they are
able to offer savings of up to 60% in commissions. In addition to the usual travel policies they offer specialist policies for the regular business
traveller and a Lifestyle policy which enables you to mark your possessions and register them, enabling them to be identified and returned promptly if found.
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Volunteer Travel
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Rating:
9
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i-to-i provides well researched, supported volunteer placements to those who wish to do something different and rewarding with their time off. They offer teaching, conservation, community development, and professional placements available in 24 countries around the world. All prices include full travel insurance, food and accommodation arrangements, emergency cover, a worldwide support network, and training provided for all volunteers.
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Haven Holiday Parks
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Rating:
9
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Haven Holidays offer fun-filled breaks at award-winning family holiday parks around the UK. With a choice of ‘All-Action’ parks for non-stop entertainment, or ‘Lively’ parks which also give the chance to unwind, there is something to suit the tastes of all family members. All the parks have excellent facilities such as all-weather sports courts, indoor and outdoor pools, crazy golf and mini-bowling, adventure playgrounds, kid’s clubs and much more. There are also daytime and nightime shows full of music and spectacular floorshows, often from big-name star performers, so you’ll never be short of something to do, day or night.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Rating:
9
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For up-to-date information on problems affecting your safety in around 200 countries.
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EasyCar is represented in over 30 countries with 1,400 rental locations and access to a fleet of some 350,000 cars! As part of the Easy Group which operates the highly successful Easyjet, you can be sure you are getting something just that little bit different at the lowest possible price.
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Going Places.com
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Rating:
9
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Going Places.com is the website of one of the UK’s leading high street travel agents and offers great value package holidays and flights direct from established, and well-respected tour operators including Airtours, Aspro, Escapades, Manos and Panorama.
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Europcar have a huge fleet of over 220 000 vehicles to suit all your requirements, from economy to prestige including minivans and trucks. They are based in over 2800 locations in 143 countries including all major airports. Their website includes details of special offers including hourly rates available from major UK airports and affordable longer term hire.
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For secure airport parking across the UK, Purple Parking offer a park and ride service from your car to the terminal and even help with your luggage. They also offer a meet and greet service at major UK airports where they park your car for you while you catch your flight to save you valuable time.
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