Have you ever wondered exactly how this tradition originated, well here at the Travellers Club we’ve been doing the research for you.

The custom originated from the ancient Olympic Games in Greece; a torch would be lit at the altar of the goddess Hera and burn continuously throughout the competition. Hera was so important as she was the queen of the Greek gods and the wife of Zeus.

The Flame carries such a strong symbol of peace and unity because during ancient times heralds would travel around Greece announcing there was to be a truce throughout the games.

This great tradition is now carried over into the modern Olympic Games. The Flame is lit by the sun at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, and then circulated around Greece before being handed over to the host city, in this case London, at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens.

This is where David Beckham will be doing his bit and bringing the torch back to the UK ready to commence the 70 day relay in the lead up to the games. What an honour it must be to one of the lucky torchbearers, especially the one who will be lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. The Flame will then continue to burn until the Closing Ceremony.

For more information visit the official site. 

Perhaps you’re a torch bearer or you know someone who is, then why not get in touch with us here at the Travellers Club. If you’re lucky enough to spot the Flame en-route then why not send us a photo to travellers@web-clubs.co.uk 

We look forward to hearing from you, good luck!

The strike is nothing to do with the working conditions, long queues and disgruntled travellers at passport control returning from abroad at Heathrow and other major airlines, but over proposed changes in the government’s planned pension reforms.

The Union reckon there would be little disruption at Border Control – then I say this ‘why strike if it doesn’t have any effect!’ The Union say that there will be little effect if the Border Agency bring in extra staff and drafting in volunteers, to man passport gates during the strike, but they won't be trained to do the job and in many cases they won't have the right level of security clearance so they won't be able to access the systems the Border Agency uses.

A Union spokesman said - "They will only be able to sit on desks and wave passengers through. They won't be checking passports at the gates, and if that were to go on for any length of time there would be a major incident."

So, there will be a threat to security if they strike too frequently or for too long, and this then will have an effect. I don’t mind queuing because of safeguarding national security by checking the details of people entering the country but I’ll be pretty miffed if I’m delayed for hours on end because of striking Border Control and untrained personnel don’t know how to correctly process people.

What a mess…

Damian Green responded that most people pass through immigration “quickly” (quote). It is claimed that the average time across all UK airports is just 6 minutes for UK and EU citizens. Yeh, well – Stansted must be way above average, because the other night arriving from Spain in the early hours of the morning, it still took 25 minutes to get through!

The unions and the Labour opposition say that the cuts introduced to the UK Border Authority is the main cause of the problem – insufficient manpower at peak travel times. But rising passenger numbers and the government scrapping of the selective “risk-based” approach at immigration control being required to now ensure detailed checks are carried out on people arriving here, plus the failure of the iris fast tracking system, has heightened the problems.

The combination of all these factors surely means that the queues at border control for UK, EU and especially non-EU passengers arriving here is inevitable. When airlines say we should arrive at least two hours before departure, they may also need to advise passengers to allow at least two hours to get through arrivals.

Do you have any recent experience to pass on? Let’s here what you have to say.

One destination that is always popular with all types of traveller for a summer break is Egypt and always attracts many visitors every year. With fantastic hotel deals for family travel and exciting trips to explore one of the seven wonders of the world for the solo or discerning traveller.

So here at the Travellers Club we are pleased to announce that we have just finished updating our Egypt travel guide and its useful mini guides.

So before you plan your summer holiday why not check out our Egypt travel guide. We’ll give you advice on camel trekking, Nile River cruising, Scuba diving in the Red Sea, visiting the pyramids and much, much more.

So whether you want to discover Egypt’s history, have an active holiday exploring it’s natural wonders, or just relax in the sunshine; why not check out our travel guide and get booking……Happy holidays travellers!

The other main concerns were found to be:

• Other passengers reclining seats - 61%
• Non-allocated seats - 53%
• Poor airline food - 51%
• Lack of leg room - 48%
• Perhaps, what was most revealing from the survey was the number of people that said they would be willing to pay extra for non-child flights (61% of them).

Jerome Cohen-Scali, Co-Founder of Jetcost.co.uk, commented on the findings, “We’re always seeking to find out more about the flying experiences of UK passengers, and as bugbears are an inevitable part of anyone’s travelling experience, we wanted to find out exactly what annoys people the most on-board. To see loud children top the charts wasn’t too surprising, as screaming babies or toddlers in confined spaces for any period of time is bound to drive anyone up the wall; but to see that so many adults would pay more for child-free flights was interesting.”

He continued, “I suppose if child-free holidays and resorts are on offer, then it’s only a matter of time before flights may follow in their footsteps. It seems that many would be willing to pay a little extra for the privilege!”

What’s your opinion on this matter? What annoys you most when on a flight? Leave a comment to get in touch; we look forward to hearing from you.

But, with the Olympics coming up, more visitors will be arriving in the UK and with the addition of the Home Office planning to cut the size of the Border Agency workforce, even longer delays are likely over the summer months.

Plus, the eye recognition scanner, the automatic passport control system (that was introduced by the last government at vast expense) has now been scrapped.

What are your experiences of passport control, good or bad? Here at the Travellers Club we’d really like to hear your opinion, so leave a comment and get the discussion started, we look forward to hearing from you.

Ryanair is now asking for a ban on air traffic control strikes. Ryanair's Stephen McNamara said: "It is unacceptable that the skies over Europe are repeatedly closed or flights delayed by the unjustified strike action of tiny numbers of air traffic controllers. These public servants are among the most overpaid and protected in Europe and yet they repeatedly opt for the strike weapon as a first, rather than a last resort. The EU Commission should stop talking about taking action and finally do something about these repeated and unacceptable strikes by removing the right to strike from ATC unions".

Ryanair has also pointed out that many of Europe’s police forces and army personnel are not allowed to strike, as well as America’s air traffic control.

Here at the Travellers Club we’d really like to hear what you think; do you think air traffic controllers should have the right to take industrial action or not? Leave a comment to get in touch and get the discussion started.

This is the most important event in the Thai calendar, so if you happen to be in Thailand this weekend as a visitor you’ll be lucky enough to inevitably be involved in the world’s biggest water fight. Especially if you’re in the north of the country in Chang Mai where celebrations will go on for almost a week; good job it’s the hottest time of year!

Songkran is seen as a time for cleansing and renewal, with water considered as a symbol of washing the bad away for a fresh start for the New Year. Thai people will begin the day dressing up in new clothes to visit their local Buddhist temple to pay their respect to their elders and to give offerings to the monks.

Next is the water! The tradition started originally by gently pouring water over elders and family in the hope for good fortune, this has now evolved into full blown water fights with anyone and everyone. People will also use this time to clean their Buddha images with water.

Will you be celebrating this year? Make sure you waterproof all your valuables! If you have any photos of this fantastic event then why not send them in to us at travellers@web-clubs.co.uk 

Here at the Travellers Club we unfortunately won’t be celebrating in Thailand but we’ll definitely have our own celebration with a delicious traditional Thai meal tonight. If you fancy doing the same then why not check out our recipes section with foods from around the world and try one of our Thai dishes….let us know how you get on.

So Happy New Year Thailand!

Easter is the perfect excuse to spend some quality time with the family enjoying the Great British countryside, not to mention an Easter egg hunt! So why not get involved in the Cadbury’s Easter egg trails happening at National Trust locations all over the country.

The National Trust has been looking after the UK’s most beautiful landscapes and historical places for over 100 years. The Trust is an independent body that relies on the money raised by visitors and members. So why not get out there and do your bit to look after the countryside to ensure we can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

It’ll be something that the whole family can enjoy together; chocolate for the kids and the beautiful English countryside for the parents.

This will be the 5th year that Cadbury’s have supported the National Trust on their traditional Easter egg trails. Set in over 250 picturesque locations across the country where you can enjoy “traditional, fun, games and Easter egg trails”.

So why not visit the website to find out if there’s one going on near you. This could be the perfect last minute event for you and your family this Easter weekend.

If you do decide to take part in an Easter egg hunt then do get in touch and tell us all about it; why not send some photos to us at travellers@web-clubs.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you and Happy Easter!

Three and a half hours into the flight passengers say the Captain began pacing through the aircraft shouting about bomb threats, Iraq, Afghanistan and al-Qaida. Cabin crew tried to calm him down at the back of the plane, in the mean time the co-pilot took over the controls and locked the Captain out of the cabin as a safety precaution.

Passengers claim at one point they heard the Captain shouting “They’re going to take us down. They’re taking us down. They’re going to take us down. Say the Lord’s prayer”.

Four passengers acted admirably when the Captain tried to re-enter the cockpit and pinned him to the ground until the plane was landed safely at Amarillo airport, Texas. Luckily there was an off duty pilot on board the plane who took over the Captain’s duties before landing.

Jetblue released a statement saying there was a “medical situation involving the Captain who was later taken to hospital”. The situation is now being thoroughly investigated.

A big well done to those passengers that managed to keep calm and control the situation! How do you think you would react if you found yourself in a situation like this? Do you think it would be fight or flight for you? Pardon the pun! Leave a comment and get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you.

Firstly remember you are not alone; almost 25% of people have a fear of flying, while approximately one in 10 people have a phobia of flying.

British Airways offer a Flying with Confidence course, perhaps this is just what you need. Their courses are run by experienced BA pilots and crew as well as a Clinical Psychologist; so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands! After a day of training you will board a short flight with their team of experts.

British Airways have stated; “We have over twenty years of experience, and over 45,000 nervous flyers have taken our courses”.

And the good news doesn’t stop there, if you finally get round to booking that long awaited flight within 6 months of taking the course you will receive a 10% discount on your flight.

I certainly don’t particularly enjoy flying but I would never let it stop me from travelling, but it’s not that simple for everyone. How do you feel about flying? Do you think this course might be of interest to you? Or perhaps you’ve got some top tips for your fellow Travellers Club members on beating your fear. Do get in touch; we look forward to hearing from you.

For more information and advice on travel related issues you might be interested in our Travel health section where you will find information on travel sickness and coping with jet lag.

Tourism Ireland’s global project “Go Green” will be celebrating its 3rd year tomorrow. The aim of the project is to connect cities and communities across the world, by reaching 70 million people worldwide using 22 iconic landmarks in 6 continents in 1 global day of celebration.

Tourism Irelands Chief Executive, Niall Gibbons has stated, “Our aim is to bring a smile to world and to convey the message the Ireland continues to offer a warm welcome, fun and spontaneity, alongside fantastic scenery and cultural activies”.

To commemorate St Patrick’s Day symbolic “greening” of iconic landmarks will take place across the world. This fantastic photo shows how previously the Chicago River has been dyed green. By creating these incredible visual scenes Tourism Ireland hopes to “create a powerful wave of connectedness, linking communities across the world”. We don’t know about you, but seeing a green flowing river would certainly make us stop and stare and appreciate its significance.

This year there are many iconic landmarks taking part amongst these are; Niagra Falls, The White House fountains, the Empire State Building, The London Eye, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Table Mountain in South Africa, Sky Tower in Auckland, the leaning Tower of Pisa and Selfridges flag ship store in London.

Are you planning on celebrating tomorrow and taking in one of these spectacular sights? If so, why not get in touch with a comment or send your photo’s to travellers@web-club.co.uk .We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

The Queens first stop was Leicester where she was greeted by a cheering crowd waving their Union Jack flags.

The Queen started her visit watching cultural dancers before entering DeMontfort University to attend a fashion show with the Duchess of Cambridge, whilst Prince Philip viewed a project aimed at improving the local community.

They later attended a service at Leicester Cathedral and the Queen unveiled a plaque at ‘Jubilee Square’ to commemorate her visit.

The Queen and Prince Philip will continue to travel all over the UK visiting towns and cities until the end of July.

Here at the Travellers Club we are looking forward to celebrating this special occasion; especially as there will be a special bank holiday this year on the 5th of June in honour of the Jubilee. The late May Bank holiday has also been moved to the 4th of June to give everyone across the UK a four day long weekend.

So let’s make the most of it travellers, what will you do with your time off? Perhaps you will have the ultimate Staycation like the Queen? Check out our Travel talk on Staycations for inspiration and ideas. Get in touch and let us know where you go and what you see!

Firstly two British cruise ships were refused docking at an Argentine port as diplomatic tensions rise a month before the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. P&O Cruises’ Adonia and Princess Cruises’ Star Princess were both refused entry to the port at the tip of South America after visiting the Falklands.

Following that, cruise liner the Costa Allegra is being towed to safety after a fire in the engine room. The fire broke out when the ship was around 200 miles off the south west of the Seychelles. Read our news article for the full story on this.

How have all the recent events on the cruise industry made you feel about a cruise holiday? Are you a cruise veteran that wouldn’t even consider holidaying on dry land? Or perhaps you’re a novice that has been put off by all the latest, very unfortunate, incidents.

Whatever your opinion we want to hear from you, leave a comment and get the discussion started.

After the Education Secretary, Michael Gove has announced they are planning to “crack down” on parents taking their children out of school for term time holidays, it’s got everyone talking. And here at the Travellers Club we were wondering how you plan your family holiday?

At the moment head-teachers have the ability to approve up to two weeks a year of “authorised absence” during term time; mostly used for absence due to illness, bad weather and bereavements. Some schools will use it to allow pupils to be taken on holiday when it’s cheaper.

One option that is being considered is that parents who continue to remove their children could receive a fine.

The Department for Education told the daily mail, “Any time out of school has the potential to damage a child’s education. That is why the government will end the distinction between authorised and unauthorised”.

However many parent’s argue that is down to the travel operators. Holidays can sometimes be twice as expensive during the school holidays and feel they have no option to but to take their children during term time. Should the government be penalising the travel operators instead?

Leave a comment and get the discussion started, we look forward to hearing your opinion!

Be sure to check out our information section on family travel for advice on travelling with children.

Then here at the Travellers Club we might be able to help. We’ve just finished putting together our United Kingdom travel guide and mini guides.

Check them out for yourself, you’ll find information on the Cotswolds, Devon & Cornwall, walking holidays, golf holidays and much, much more.

We hope to keep adding to these guides with information that we think our members will find useful and it would be great if you could help too.

So if you have some top tips or hidden gems of the UK that you’d like to share with us and your fellow members then leave a comment or get in touch at travellers@web-clubs.co.uk 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Some schools have closed today; 30 in Staffordshire & Cheshire, 1 in Wiltshire, 4 in Lincolnshire and 2 in Cambridgeshire.

The Met Office is warning people to “be prepared” for severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow until Monday morning. Be particularly careful on the roads tonight and tomorrow as temperatures will drop to as low as -8C tonight leading to a hard frost and icy driving conditions.

Here at the Travellers Club we were wondering if you’ve had any travel disruptions caused by the bad weather. Or perhaps you’ve got some lovely snowy pictures you’d like to share with us? Leave a comment and get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you.

Here at the Travellers Club we’ve put together a few ideas that might inspire you to do something special this Valentine’s day; we’ve compiled a list of top Valentine’s Day mini break destinations.

There are so many destinations for you to choose from; just a train journey away is the fantastic city of Edinburgh, or perhaps this could be your chance to visit Rome, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Or if you’ve got a bit more money put by you might opt for romantic walks in Central Park and take a break in New York.

So check out the full article and let us know what you decide to do….if anything at all!

So if passengers continue to increase in size as the obesity crisis predicts, planes will continue to weigh more and the airline’s costs will go up, especially as airline fuel costs have increased since 2000. Eventually the airlines will need to cover these costs and therefore the passenger’s costs will go up. Here at the Travellers Club we want to know if you think this is fair. Should those passengers at a healthy weight have to pay the extra?

A weight surcharge may be a good idea until it has to be put into action; how would it be worked out, where would the weigh-in take place and will it just result in making the check-in process even longer?

Leave a comment and get the discussion started, we look forward to hearing from you.

The Captain of the ship, who has worked for the company for 11 years, has been accused of leaving the ship before evacuation and has now been arrested on suspicion of multiple homicide along with the first officer.

Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of the passengers still unaccounted for as the search is temporarily suspended after the ship slipped 9cm from its resting place. The Daily Mail has reported that “fears are growing that the vessel could soon sink 100 metres to the bottom of the ocean and stormy weather has hampered rescue efforts”.

The island of Giglio’s Major has said, “the hopes of finding any more survivors are fading. There are also worries oil could start to spill from the ship – sparking an environmental disaster”.

We hope rescue efforts can begin again soon at this unbelievable tragedy of a modern ship.

Visit the Travellers Club YouTube Channel to see BBC implausible coverage of this terrible disaster.
 

On the one hand the government maintain that the billions of pounds it will cost will generate extra jobs in the area and show a real return in future savings. Those against apart from the 'ecological' arguments of ripping up parts of the countryside, feel it is a waste of money, not needed and the prospects for it being a positive contribution are exaggerated.

However, the one thing that mystifies me is why the route is so different from the route already laid down many, many years ago from Euston to London - was that so far out? It could be that the current route takes in places along the route that people want to stop off at. Whereas, the HS2 route ignores everywhere else, making a beeline for the outskirts of Birmingham (once you arrive on your 250 mph non-stop train to Brum, you have a much slower trail of at least 10 miles into the heart of the city).

People will need to want to really travel to and from London to Birmingham up to 14 times an hour to make this high speed journey worthwhile.

Click through to view the route on our Travellers Club YouTube Channel.

Thousands of people in Britain were left without power; worst hit was Scotland’s central area, at one stage 60,000 homes were without power.

The weather caused many tragedies all over Britain, sadly in some extreme cases resulting in fatalities.

All across Britain it was a horrible time for people wishing to travel around, to and from Britain on all types of transport. Buildings were damaged, roads closed and trains, flights and ferries were cancelled.

Did you encounter any extreme weather? Get in touch and let us know.

The government has confirmed that air travellers will no longer be able to opt out of body scanners at airports and they hope to roll out the scanners more widely at UK airports. The timing of these future installations will depend upon how quickly the new generation of scanners can be developed.

I recently went on holiday to Australia and Bali for 3 weeks. Now perhaps I don’t look so trust-worthy but as I was leaving both London and Brisbane I was pulled aside at random to undergo the body scan.

I had to stand on the marked spot and slowly turn round fully, wait for the green light and then that’s it, it took a matter of minutes.

I really didn’t see what all the fuss was about, it didn’t take long and there were no screens so the security attendant I was with did not see anything, he just operates the device. The results were assessed elsewhere so there was no embarrassment what so ever.

So personally I think if it’s going to reassure and keep travellers safe then I’m all for the body scan. What do you think? Make a comment and get the discussion started.

The Travellers Club has a YouTube Channel!

We've started to upload some of our own videos from our travel experiences and we've also begun to compile a list of our favourite must see video's.

Visit the Travellers Club Channel and let us know what you think! We looking forward to hearing from you, enjoy!

The 35 year old Ukrainian passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight has been accused of touching the buttocks and breasts of an air hostess as the flight was in Thai airspace. According to the Strait Times, a pre-trial conference has been scheduled for Friday and if the man is found guilty he could be given a prison sentence, fined and/or caned.

Even the celebrities are forgetting their manners;

In February 2011, former Westlife singer Brian McFadden was made to leave a flight from Los Angeles to Australia after apparently attempting to light up a cigarette whilst heavily under the influence of alcohol.

In May 2011, pop star Justin Bieber had to be asked to sit down and stop behaving like a child on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne and respect the safety measures whilst the plane was taxiing.

In August 2011, the French actor Gerard Depardieu was apparently denied the use of the toilet before take-off so he resorted to relieving himself in a bottle whilst standing in the aisle. The actor had claimed he was so desperate and had offered to clean up any mess but was still asked to leave the plane.

In October 2011, singer/actress Whitney Houston was accused of acting like a diva by refusing to adhere to simple safety measures but was said to eventually agree to doing up her seatbelt.

In December 2011, the American actor Alec Baldwin was made to leave an American Airlines flight after he refused to stop playing with his mobile phone before the flight took off. This resulted in an argument in which he allegedly became loud and abusive.

These were only a few from 2011; we wonder what in-flight antics the celebs will get up to next year! Have you ever had any trouble from a fellow passenger on a flight? If so, please do leave a comment and get in touch; we look forward to hearing all about it.

Why not check out our tips on Travelling by plane, to see how a passenger should behave on a flight.

I never really gave my luggage a second thought when travelling until last weekend when I was lucky enough to be taken to Paris for my Birthday.

We flew with Easyjet and paid the extra £18 to take check a bag in, when we were queuing to board the plane it was clear that most passengers had not. Some of these bags were huge, I’m not sure they complied with the hand luggage limit of ‘56x45x25 inc. wheels, pockets and handles’. As a result the staff had to take peoples hand luggage off them to be checked into the hold as there wasn’t enough space for everyone’s bags. Which started the concern of ‘did my bag make it onto the plane’ amongst many passengers. Luckily they did.

However some other passengers might not have been so lucky. Whilst queuing at Charles de Gaulle airport to return home we witnessed a baggage handler driving too fast with his train of luggage and several bags including a musical instrument were thrown off as he turned a corner too fast. What was even more disappointing was that he didn’t notice and the bags were left there on the airport tarmac in the rain.

As I began researching to write this blog post I discovered that a Heathrow baggage handler has just been jailed for stealing from passenger luggage. The employee was sentenced to six months in prison on the 25th November 2011 having pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and four counts of attempted theft, as reported by the Met Police.

The incidents took place in June 2011; whilst scanning luggage to ensure bags were sent to the right destination the accused would open luggage and steal the valuables from inside. Goods worth up to £2,000 were stolen, including two laptops, a camcorder and aftershave.

Amazingly, after much detective work, Police were able to reunite the electronic items with their owners. An American student working in Ireland received their laptop back containing a whole year’s coursework and the camcorder went back to a traveller, full of the photos from her first trip to London. To say the least, the owners were delighted and had their trust in London restored.

So at least it’s not all doom and gloom. Have you had any experiences like these whilst travelling? Do get in touch and let us know, comment below and get the discussion started. We look forward to hearing from you.

He has booked not just a seat but a whole flight; the customer handed over a cheque for US$1 million and asked to remain anonymous because “apparently he hasn’t told his wife yet”.

How much would you be willing to pay for a holiday in space?

Other places are still recommended to be avoided, particularly the provinces of Pattani, Yula, Narathiwat and Songkla.

After eight days of wandering the airport, without a shower and very little money for food she was liberated from the airport by the ‘Airport Church of Christ’ whose parishioners paid her baggage and rebooking fees and allowed her to continue her journey.

So let this be a lesson for you, don’t forget to account for those extra costs when travelling by plane.

People living near the flood waters around Bangkok have another problem besides the flood water - the green mamba snakes that have escaped from a flooded home. People have been told not to try to capture the venomous creatures as they are deadly and the serum for their venom is not available in Thailand. And you thought you were havving a bad day.

But, that's what happened to a near full Lot aircraft on it's approach to Warsaw airport on route from the US.

A Boeing 767 carrying 231 people has made an emergency landing airport after its landing gear failed. But passengers said the touchdown was so smooth they thought the plane's wheels had in fact been functioning, although some described moments of fear as the fault become apparent.

It is estimated that almost half the Park, comprising some 400m acres has seen nearly 1,000 trees destroyed by the heavy and prolonged snowstorm. The wet and weight of the snow caused the leaves to be shreaded from the trees, branches break and left many looking as if they had beren torched. It is going to take many years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the Park back to how it looked before the storm.

The worst area affected is the area by 86th Street the most popular area visted by tourists.

The east coast and Massachusetts in particular was the worst hit with nearly 70 cm of snow and causing more than 3 million homes to be without power.

The snowstorm has been blamed for at least a dozen deaths and states of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York.

Airports in the region were badly affected leading to long delays for departures.

In Italy, torrential rain was also threatening lives, affecting the popular tourist area of Cinque Terre among others.

Rescue workers were searching for missing people in Liguria and Tuscany with the province of La Spezia and its UNESCO- protected tourist site of Monterosso particularly badly hit.

The government there have declared 5 days of national holidays to allow people to relocate to higher ground areas.

More than 360 people have already died as a result of the flooding.

Cancun, a popular resort is about to be hit by Hurricane Rina which appears to be gathering strength and likely to hit the Mexican coast with winds of over 120 mph - hold on to your sombreo!

Kenneth and Mary Hall, aged 72 and 70, from Merseyside, were at a street market in the coastal town of Finestrat when they were hit by a wall of water.

It is believed the couple were on holiday in Benidorm.

As a guest you will have the opportunity to pack light and be as nature intended while on board and visiting secluded beaches. Passengers will only be required to wear clothes when in port and during meal times.

If you think this might be the cruise for you, you can opt for the Kvarner Bay Island hopper or the Dalmation Island hopper.

Just don’t forget the sun tan lotion!

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said there were the ‘possibility of copycat kidnappings' taking place after a French woman was taken by gunmen on Saturday. This has happened a month after a British woman was kidnapped and her husband killed.

“Both attacks were on beach-front properties, with two Westerners kidnapped and one murdered. Beach-front accommodation in that area and boats off the coast are vulnerable.

Here at the Travellers Club we urge you to take the advice of the FCO and to check for updates before travel on their website.

The 35 year old Frenchman admitted to charges of issuing threats and consuming alcohol on board a flight from Dubai to Paris. The 32 year old American pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk on an aircraft; he was said to have been offensive to a female steward and aggressive to a male steward when he was refused more alcohol. He received a written warning about his behaviour but apparently he threw it away, he was then arrested when the plane landed at Heathrow.

Here at the Travellers Club we’re thinking we might opt for soft drinks on our next flight. There’s nothing more frustrating than inconsiderate passengers on a long haul flight; check out our article on travelling by plane for the do’s and don’ts of air travel.

US intelligence has revealed that Al Qaeda has threatened to blow up bridges or tunnels in New York or Washington DC on Sunday.

US president Barack Obama has ordered counter terrorism forces to “redouble” efforts. Police have stated that the threat was “specific and credible but as yet unconfirmed”.

Police said the public would face car inspections and bag inspections on the subway and a larger number of police cars will be on patrol over the anniversary period. The public have been warned to be “hyper-vigilant”.

Here at the Travellers Club we really hope this is just a horrible hoax and our thoughts are with all the friends and families of those whose lives were lost 10 years ago.

British Airways and other airlines have cancelled or rescheduled flights to the country due to the 8 hour strike today.

Air services will face most disruption between 10am and 6pm, whilst trouble on the trains is expected to occur from 9am to 5pm. Knock on delays are expected to carry on into Wednesday.

Millions of Italian trade union members are taking action in protest against the Governments latest austerity measures.

So if you’re travelling to Italy be sure to contact your airline in advance to check whether flight has been affected.

The FCO has warned fans to take extra care on the country’s roads; twice as many people die on the roads in New Zealand per head of population, as in the UK.

Jeremy Brown, Minister for consular affairs has stated: “Whether taking part in adrenalin sports or hiring a vehicle for a road trip, I strongly recommend that they check the small print of their travel insurance to ensure they are covered for everything they want to do. And people driving long distances should plan their journey carefully; include regular breaks to avoid accidents”.

For more information and advice you can visit the FCO’s dedicated Rugby World Cup advice page for details of match dates, locations and travel tips.

If you are off to New Zealand have fun but stay safe!

Ticket sales have been suspended and they are hoping to rely on their British drivers to carry out the services as normal.

Obviously many travellers are looking to the ferries for alternate transportation. SeaFrance and DFDS Seaways have both issued statements urging passengers to book with them as early as possible as capacity is already tight. SeaFrance will be operating an additional 16 crossings for Dover to Calais to cope with the demand.

If you are travelling by ferry this weekend; operators have advised customers use the M2/A2 route to the Port of Dover to avoid potential traffic delays as a back log from the Eurotunnel.

We hope these strike threats do not affect you, enjoy the long weekend!

The cases occurred in the Laconia region of the Southern Peloponnese and on Euboea, a large island north of Athens.

None of the sufferers, five adults and a child had any history of travel to a country where the disease is commonplace.

The Greek authorities have responded with enhanced surveillance of malaria in the two areas, intensified mosquito control programmes and raised awareness amongst doctors and local residents.

Authorities have reported; “Risk to holidaymakers of catching malaria while in Greece remains extremely low, so there is no need to take anti-malarial medication when visiting this country, but travellers should take measures to prevent being bitten.

Advice for travellers to Greece; be sure to take the necessary precautions for mosquito repellent whilst away. Holidaymakers returning from the affected areas who experience symptoms of malaria – which include fever, headache and muscle pains – should seek medical advice.

British actress Kate Winslet was among those staying on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands when the tropical storm broke out.

Luckily the 20 people staying in the house at the time, including Branson’s 90 year old mother escaped unhurt, even though the BBC reported that the blaze had completely destroyed the building.

Sir Richard Branson’s son and nephew helped many people out and is said to also be very thankful to Kate Winslet for ensuring his mother reached safety.

What a terrifying ordeal this must have been and a miracle that everyone escaped unharmed.

A French man had also been killed by a shark attack off the same beach just two weeks prior. Shark hunters are being flown in from South Africa to try and catch the shark. However, these two deaths are the first to occur in waters around the Indian Ocean for 50 years.

Our deepest condolences go out to the victim's family.

The airline will help students secure sponsorship from Airline Placement Ltd to cover the initial training, which will then be paid back over a period of time out of their salaries throughout their career. Captain Robin Glover, head of pilot recruitment at BA said, “By removing the barrier of initial training costs and making it more accessible to a wider range of people, we hope to be able to attract the very best talent out there”.

BA hopes to take on 800 new pilots by 2016; half of which will come through the new Future Pilot Training Scheme. 400 applicants will gain places at approved colleges in the UK and Spain, the successful ones will land a job as a BA pilot.

BA is also working with the armed forces to give military pilots a new career in commercial aviation once their agreed service period has ended. They will also be taking on current commercial pilots from other airlines.

So if you’re looking for a change of career, perhaps this could be the answer.

Mary Rance, CEO of UK Inbound has stated, “with scenes of looting, violence and lawlessness flashing across TV screens across the globe it is vital for the government and it’s agencies, as well the UK tourism industry to work hard to put things into context”.

USAToday said it was the worst unrest since race riots set the capital ablaze in the 1980’s. “The spreading disorder was an unwelcome warning of the possibility of violence during London’s 2012 summer Olympics, less than a year away”.

This 3rd night of rioting spread across London, then to Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol.

At least 400 have been arrested following a wave of copy cat violence. An extra 1,700 police officers were drafted in to help cope with the unrest in London. Prime Minister David Cameron, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Labour leader Ed Milliband have all returned early from their holidays to hold crisis meetings.

Let’s hope this can be stopped and communities don’t have a fourth night to deal with.

The study revealed that tourists pile on 8lbs during a typical 2 week trip to the US; the huge portions seem to be taking most of the blame.

Here’s the top six on the holiday fat map:

1. America
2. The Caribbean
3. France
4. Italy
5. Greece
6. Britain

2,000 Britons were surveyed on their holiday eating habits; 6/10 typically gains 5lb during their break, however half of these holidaymakers only notice the weight gain after returning home.

The top culprits getting the blame for our holiday weight are:

• Large portions
• Lounging around sunbathing
• Alcohol
• Free refills
• Finding it hard to say no to seconds

So it might be a good idea to bare this in mind on your next holiday!

US Transportation Security Administration has approved plans to upgrade their current full body scanners. Security operators will see a computer – generated outline or silhouette as opposed to the passenger’s naked body.

Security will not be compromised as suspicious objects will still be high – lighted they will just be superimposed onto the outline instead.

The TSA are hoping this will ‘improve the passenger experience whilst providing a high level of security’.

Olympic Gold medallist Denise Lewis unveiled the aircraft at London City airport.

This Airbus A318 departs to New York daily and will fly directly past the Olympic Park, displaying its motivational message.

So if you’re in the area keep your eyes peeled!

They are expecting plane tickets to go up by 12% which will come as a secondary blow as families are also likely to face a rise in Air Passenger Duty in November, despite Britain having the highest aviation taxes in Europe.

As fuel costs rose by 49% Mr O’Leary stated “We are passing on those higher prices to consumers with a slight increase in fares, however fares are still lower than they were in 2007”.

So be aware of this planned increase; it might be worth booking those flights sooner rather than later!

After refusing to comply with standard passenger screening procedures, businesswoman Yukari Mihamae from Colorado was accused of groping the security agent and arrested at Phoenix airport.

Following her arrest a Facebook page was setup to support the passenger as many believe she was just standing up for all those who believe security procedures at US airports invade their privacy. The page already has more than 2000 supporters.

The woman is thought to have been released and the charge of sexual abuse dropped.

How do you feel about airport security, do you think she went too far? Get in touch!

Tom is a sales consultant and has been on 5,962 flights, including flights to all 50 US States, 200 round trips to Australia and 30 round trips to Asia. On three occasions Stuker has spent five consecutive days on a plane.

The champagne was popped as he reached his 10 millionth mile flying from Los Angeles to Chicago. He will also be honoured with his name painted on the side of a Boeing 747 jet and the first titanium Mileage Plus membership card.

Tom Stuker claims, “I love the solace and peacefulness at 40,000 ft, that’s where I do my best creative work writing my training materials”.

Do you like flying as much as Tom? How many miles do you think you have clocked up?

This Russian Orthodox Church was erected on the Red Square in Moscow in 1555-61. It was built on the order of Ivan IV of Russia to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It marks the geometric centre of the city and the hub of its growth since the 14th century.

The museum’s director, Tatyana Saracheva, has stated that the festivities begun last November and will continue today with an exhibition called “Golden Vestry” which was staged with the anniversary in mind.

So if you happen to be travelling in Moscow, St Basil’s Cathedral would be well worth a visit today!

Pilots had originally voted to strike as part of ongoing disputes over pay and conditions with management.

BALPA have stated “We can confirm that negotiations are now concluded and BALPA will present a pay offer to its members over the coming weeks. The threat of strike action has now been removed and our flying schedule remains completely unaffected”. BALPA’s general secretary stated, “Pilots have never wished to inconvenience the travelling public, especially those looking forward to summer holidays. We have therefore lifted the threat of strike action”.

Sir Richard Branson’s ‘Makepeace Island’ was built in 2009 on a heart shaped island in the Noosa River. This luxurious getaway has its own riverboat to transfer guests, a tennis court, pavilion, spa facilities, theatre, lagoon pool, office facilities and an expansive indoor bar.

Until now, the island has remained a private retreat for family and friends of the owners Sir Richard Branson and Brett Godfrey; founders of Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia. Branson has now stated that Makepeace Island would now be offered to other guests.

The island will be offered on an exclusive, whole island basis. So if you think you might have the holiday budget available or perhaps you just like to admire this beautiful retreat, then check out the website.

Commencing on July 7th this year (2011) a big celebration will take place to mark the centenary of its discovery. The centennial events will include fairs, a film festival, conferences, the launch of a commemorative postage stamp and an international photography competition. A concert will also be held and is expected to attract at least 500 million people. Possible acts, not yet confirmed, are rumoured to be U2’s Bono and Sting. This could be the ultimate reason for a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

For more information visit our main article on Machu Picchu. If Machu Picchu becomes this year’s travel destination or if you’ve already been, then please do get in touch, we can’t wait to hear about your adventure.

Experts say that one of Iceland’s most feared volcanoes, Hekla, is showing signs that an eruption is looming. Hekla volcano was once dubbed the “Gateway to hell”. Hekla is situated close to Eyjafjoell volcano, which affected more than 100,000 flights and eight million passengers when it erupted last year and sent an ash plume across Europe.

The Iceland Civil Protection Authority is closely monitoring the situation at Hekla. Iceland geophysicist, Pall Einarsson has stated, “While this might not necessarily mean an immediate blast, the volcano is ready to erupt”.

Here at the Travellers Club we will do our best to keep you updated on this situation to minimise your travel disruption should an eruption occur.

The airline claims to have invested heavily in sustainable aviation and is calling on the government to develop a system that allows more use of biofuel. They are urging “UK and EU governments to use this opportunity to review legislation and remove the barriers around sustainable biofuels so that other airlines can follow our lead”.

Thomson airways believe this is a step in the right direction to help the recently announced carbon budget committing the UK to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2025.

So watch this space, this could be a big step forward for eco-travel.

Thousands of air, sea and channel tunnel travellers could experience delays from 6pm tonight as the majority of UK Border Agency staff will be joining the strike. The agency has told airlines to advise passengers to “travel on an alternative day” to avoid disruption.

There is concern that as immigration staff walkout the country’s security will also be weakened as back office staff and managers struggle to keep a lid on the chaos.

We hope that your travel plans are not too badly affected by the scheduled walkouts.

The trade unions are opposing the austerity measures being forced upon PM George Papandreou’s government.

More than 5,000 police officers are due to be deployed in the centre of Athens as the workers are expected to march towards parliament.

It is thought that the strike will halt or at least disrupt most public services.

Air traffic controllers will be joining the walkouts resulting in airports being shut for hours at a time.

Ferries, buses and trains will also stop running.

BALPA represents about 85% of Virgin’s 750 pilots so any strike action is likely to seriously disrupt travel services. A total of 94% took part in the vote with 97% voting in favour of the industrial action.

However, the strike dates are yet to be confirmed as the Union are still hoping there is time for Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson to intervene and try to settle the dispute.

Here at the Travellers Club we will do our best to keep you updated on all the latest industrial action.

Travellers will be funnelled into three lane checks based on their perceived security risk. 

The three lanes are “known traveller”, “normal” and “enhanced security”. A biometric identifier in your passport will determine which lane you join, based on a risk assessment conducted by the government before you arrive at the airport.

So how do you feel about the future of airport security? It looks very thorough which is reassuring but it could be slightly un-nerving sharing the plane with one too many “enhanced security” travellers. What do you think?

There is thought to be overwhelming support to go ahead with the strike, the ballot closes tomorrow and if the industrial action is to go ahead, it will start at the end of June/beginning of July.

The dispute is over pay increases. Pilots have been on three years of pay freezes and are said to be angry over Sir Richard Branson’s offer of a 4% rise. The union’s General Secretary stated, “During the tough years pilots have made sacrifices to help the business on the basis that fair pay would return, but this hasn’t proved to be the case”.

Virgin’s chief executive Steve Ridgway was quoted as saying pilots do not want to strike and they are hoping an agreement can be reached and a strike avoided.

The Travellers Club will keep you informed and updated on any developments of this possible strike action to minimise disruption to your travel plans.

However, airport immigration staff will be involved in the strike.

BAA stated they will only know nearer the time of the strike just how big an impact it will have on travel plans. We will be sure to let you know as soon as we receive an update.

750,000 workers are expected to strike over disputes regarding pension changes, job cuts and pay freezes. Amongst the strikers are expected to be air traffic controllers, border and immigration staff. It is thought that this action will affect airports, ports, job centres, tax and benefit centres, courts, driving test centres, coastguard stations and government departments.

The union has stated, “The very modest pay and pensions of public servants did not cause the recession, so they should not be blamed or punished for it”.

So here at the Travellers Club we thought it would be best to warn you of this planned industrial action in case it should affect your travel plans, we hope not!

EasyJet said it had been advised on the possibility of potential strike action by Greek unions on today. The airline is expecting significant disruption.

Passengers should also be aware of possible delays on flights out of Sharm El Sheikh today due to the eruption of Volcano Nabro in North East Africa late on Sunday following a series of earthquakes.

It seems volcanoes are disrupting flights around the world, with the eruption of Chilean volcano Puyehue which continues to disrupt flights as far south as Australia.

We hope none of this affects your travel plans.

Cleanup is already underway since Monday’s aftershocks and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key flew to Christchurch today to reassure the city that the government were committed to rebuilding the damaged city.

However, the aftershocks are having psychological effects on residents. Many people are expected to join the permanent exodus from the city.

Here at the Travellers Club we’ve got our fingers crossed that this might be the end of it.

The largest tremor measured 6.0 on the Richter scale and six people have been seriously injured. The tremors have caused power outages and flooding. A further 110 people are believed to have been hit by material falling from already damaged buildings.

We will do our best to keep you updated on this situation.

They believe the best security will come from travellers being directed into three separate lanes for security checks, depending on their perceived security risk.

The three lanes will be “known traveller”, “normal” and “enhanced” security.

After presenting security with your passport your biometric identifier will determine which lane you are assigned to. The judgement is based on “a risk assessment conducted by the government before the passenger arrives at the airport”.

So what affect do you think these advances in airport security will have on passengers? Get in touch.

Industrial action by the tube employee’s union, the RMT was triggered after the dismissal of colleague Arwyn Thomas and the refusal to reinstate him. He is currently awaiting the outcome of an employment tribunal.

London Underground claims that the action is premature as it has come about even before the tribunal result. RMT reacted by saying that London Underground had “dragged its heels” and the union was left with no other choice.

The strike dates are as follows:

• Between 0901 on June 19th and 0300 on June 20th
• Between 0901 on June 27th and 1159 on June 28th
• Between noon on June 29th and 1159 on June 30th
• Between noon and 2100 on July 1st

Here at the Travellers Club we will do our best to keep you updated to ensure your travel plans are not affected.

Shortlists of 20 nominations were compiled by Google’s panel of experts which was then opened up to a two week vote by about 20,000 people.

The picturesque road which came out on top was Copse Hill Road in Lower Slaughter.

Other street categories up for grabs were “Hippest” and “Best shopping”.

Which street would get your vote? Or perhaps it would be the street you live on? Get in touch.

There are currently 12 bikes available to rent from Hertz’s Marble Arch location and it costs £20 for a day’s bike rental. Customers will also receive full training, a lock, an optional helmet and a copy of the AA Leisure Guide to London and suggested bike rides around the capital.

Planning on visiting London? Maybe this could be the perfect way to see the sites.

However thousands of passengers tried to pre-empt the strike action and have already altered their travel plans.

Aer Lingus have “apologised to its customers for the inconvenience caused to them by the recent uncertainty over our scheduled operations” and stated that “customers who have already changed bookings to another date, may change back to their original planned date of travel if they so wish via aerlingus.com

We hope your travel plans haven’t been affected and your flight runs according to plan!

They are expecting a huge increase in rail capacity to meet rising demand for long distance rail travel and to ease overcrowding on existing railways.

However, their plans meet great opposition with the significantly supported campaign STOP HS2; “We oppose the HS2 high speed rail link, because the business case in based on unrealistic assumptions, the environmental impact has not been assessed, it is not green, the strategic benefits are questionable and the money could be better spent on other things”.

The biggest concern seems to be the detrimental effect the tunnelling of the line will have on the beautiful landscape of the Chiltern Hills, is it all really worth it? What do you think? Leave a comment and voice your opinion on this very important subject.

Even more unnerving is that they were found in the emergency medical equipment that is carried on board the plane.

Cabin crew disposed of the rodents and searched for any more. This was then followed up with an inspection by engineers to ensure the wiring and aircraft systems had not been damaged.

A Qantas spokeswoman has stated “We still don’t know how they got on board but it is obviously not a common occurrence”.

We're just relieved they were found before the flight left Sydney!

It certainly is high speed with a top test speed of 302mph, however the train will operating at speeds of up to 185mph.

China’s new train will mean the 818 mile journey will take just 5 hours compared to the 10 it used to.

Planning on exploring China? Then it might be easier than you thought with this new bullet train opening soon, a year ahead of schedule.

So if you are travelling with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester airports in the week commencing June 3rd, expect to receive a postcard outlining the tax and you will then be asked for your views on how it could be changed.

Virgin Atlantic will then use the survey results to form a response to the UK Governments consultation on APD. They believe it will be a “great chance for our customers to make their voices heard in a quick and simple way”.

So if this survey includes you check out the Travellers Club article on Planned APD rises for more information.

Heathrow is expecting to have 800,000 passengers passing through its gates, with its top destinations being New York, Dubai and Dublin.

Unfortunately the Heathrow Express service is holding a 48 hour strike over pay starting today. Members of Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union walked out at 0340 BST. They have stated that they will be running a half-hourly service between 0800 and 2000 BST on both days.

So if you do have travel plans departing from Heathrow this weekend and you were planning on travelling on the Heathrow Express be sure to leave plenty of time for your travel to avoid any disappointment.

The new guidelines will allow aircraft to fly below the ash cloud. Planes will alter their flight paths by taking longer to ascend to 30,000ft, therefore flying below the ash if present.

The new rules will also encourage the Met Office and CAA to share information with each other more readily to ensure the most informed decisions are made.

The Met Office has stated that the Icelandic volcano has “currently paused its eruptions and Met Office modelling indicates that significant disruption between now and the end of the weekend is unlikely”.

So at the moment things are looking good for your bank holiday travel plans, we will be sure to let you know if anything changes.

You’ll discover 461 bathing beaches recommended for excellent water quality, the 2011 guide also features safety tips.

MCS campaigns to stop sewage pollution getting onto our beaches, they will only recommend beaches with the best water quality. So follow this link to the MCS Good Beach Guide 2011 Recommended Beaches.

At the extra cost of 80 and 140 US dollars, the customer will benefit from four inches of extra legroom, 50% more seat recline and those who pay for this privilege will be able to board early and enjoy free cocktails.

The idea is to find a middle ground between ‘cattle class’ and ‘first class’ without a big increase in cost. So what do you think, would you be willing to pay the extra?

Obama arrived in the UK on Monday the23rd May to begin his busy state visit.

He will be meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace, where he will also be able to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their marriage. The President will also be meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron for planned talks focusing on Libya and the Middle East.

At 08.00 hours the Met Office stated that it had already reached Northern Scotland and is predicted to spread to Wales, Northern England, Northern Ireland by midday today and across much of the UK by the end of the day.

So far flights in and out of Scotland have been cancelled. BA, KLM, Easyjet, Flybe, Aer Lingus, Loganair and Eastern Airways cancelled services on Tuesday and some flights over the Atlantic were delayed.

Thousands of passengers face UK flight cancellations. Airports expected to be affected from 13.00 to 19.00 are Londonderry, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Carlisle. European air traffic controllers have stated that 252 flights have already been cancelled.

However, transport secretary Philip Hammond has claimed that the disruption is unlikely to last long as the ash particles are larger and as a result fall to the ground more quickly.
Be sure to check with you airline before departing for the airport. We will do our best to keep you updated on all the latest travel situations.

Your prize will include two return flights and four nights accommodation in the fantastic, New York City.

Or be one of the 10 runners up that receive the iconic "I love NY" T-shirt.

So what are you waiting for ENTER NOW.

If you're heading abroad in 2011, ensure your travel insurance is up to date; failed companies and natural disasters means 55% of us now feel more confident when travelling with travel insurance and ATOL protection according to the Post Office.

This high density stand up seat known as the ‘Skyrider’ will need just 23 inches in space compared to the current 28 inch economy class seat. Therefore airlines will have the opportunity to dramatically reduce ticket prices. The seats have been compared to the stance you would take on a touring scooter and they have made sure there will still be room for carry on baggage to be stored underneath. The company has stated that ‘the dynamic upright position will not only be comfortable but also very healthy.

Although aviation insiders believe it is highly unlikely that this new seat configuration will be approved by UK air safety regulator, the CAA, we would still like to hear your views. Would you be happy to assume an almost standing position throughout your flight if it meant you had a little extra spending money for your holiday? Get the discussion started and leave us your feedback, we look forward to hearing from you.

But where are we heading this year? In addition to the old favourites there are some new contenders;Tallinn, Stockholm and Morocco.

Are you planning a city break this year, where will you be headed?

The citadel was discovered on July the 24th 1911 by Hiram Bingham; a US historian then employed as a lecturer at Yale University. Bingham’s original motive for travel was to locate Vilcabamba, the legendary city where descendents of Inca aristocracy had allegedly taken shelter between 1536 and 1572 to defend against the conquistadors. Whilst on this mission; a peasant named Melchor Arteaga informed Bingham of some important ruins at the foot of the mountain known as Machu Picchu and led him to it.

So on July 7th this year (2011) a big celebration will take place to mark the centenary of its discovery. A brief concert will be held and is expected to attract at least 500 million people. Possible acts, not yet confirmed, are rumoured to be U2’s Bono and Sting.

This could be the ultimate reason for a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

So starting university in 2011 may be the cheapest option a year out travelling the world might have to be put on hold.

So will you be finishing school this year? What's next for you; travel, work or study?

This location already has a great significance for the couple as it was the setting for their make or break holiday after their temporary split in 2007. It has been suggested that the couple have headed to a different location this time, opting for a private island with only a handful of secluded £4,000 a night honeymoon villas. These hand crafted wooden villas have their own personal chef and butler on hand to serve local delicacies.

It’s no wonder the Seychelles makes for a fantastic honeymoon destination with its secluded white beaches perfect for snorkelling and conservation as a haven for rare sea turtles.
With 115 islands, the Seychelles was once suggested as being one of the most sough-after honeymoon destinations in the world, could it be making a comeback after a visit from the future King and Queen?

Are you planning a honeymoon? Where will you be going? Get in touch with us here.

However, Ryanair are going to rigorously appeal the decision from a Barcelona court. A spokesman for Ryanair said, "Ryanair's low fare, low cost services appeal to millions of passengers because they are simple, efficient and agreed by each passenger at the time of booking. Without these procedures, Ryanair would have to re-employ numerous handling agents at all airports to issue manual boarding cards for passengers who simply "forgot" to bring their pre-printed boarding passes or who failed to comply with their original agreement to check-in online. We believe that the Barcelona commercial court number one has no basis, as a matter of contract law, for its ruling".

Ryanair might have a point, but what we object to here at the Travellers Club with Ryanair, is that you have to pay if you check-in online or at the airport, regardless. It costs a lot more to check-in at the airport and we understand Ryanair charging as this costs them extra. But, you can't travel without booking in and it seems unfair (unjust even) that you have to pay for the need to do this - it should be part of the online cost, surely not an additional charge. What do you think? Leave a comment and have your say!