Huge savings on travel from UK as APD scrapped for under-16s

From today, March 1st 2016, travellers under the age of 16 years old will no longer have to pay Air Passenger Duty (APD) on economy flights. This means families will see huge savings on their holidays when flying from a UK airport.

APD is set at £13 per person when flying within Europe (Band A) and to some North African countries though long haul flights attract around £73 per person however this may increase depending on which class a person is flying in.

Long haul trips over 2,000 miles will have the most significant savings. A family with, say, two children between 12 and 16 years travelling to the Caribbean or the USA (Band B) would save up to £146.

Incidentally, holiday-makers could seek refunds from their airline for flights tickets already purchased.

A complete list of bands and their destinations is available on the HMRC website.

Flight misery for Brits travelling to France next weekend

Today, French Air Traffic Controllers have confirmed that they will be going on strike at the weekend March 20th-22nd. The bad news is that travellers won’t be able to claim compensation. There is no good news.

Passengers planning getaways during Easter school holidays will be the first to suffer, as strike action by French Air Traffic Controllers is set to throw airports across the Channel into meltdown from Sunday to Tuesday.

Tjitze Noordehaven, the Chief Operating Officer at EUclaim predicts things could get even worse for British holidaymakers:

“If the French unions follow their strike patterns of 2014, we are likely to see further action in May and June, spoiling summer holidays.”

Unfortunately, British travellers won’t be able to claim any compensation if delays or cancellations are caused by a French Air Traffic Control strike, because strike action is not considered “extraordinary”.

Read also: Are you Entitled to Airline Compensation?

Over the course of just two days in June 2014, there were 1,030 delays or cancellations caused by French Air Traffic Control Strikes.

In the past, strike action planned for a Sunday (double pay day) has been cancelled by the French to avoid missing out on double pay.

When Easter last fell in March in 2013, the worst offender for flight delays and cancellations was Manchester Airport which saw 30 flights delayed for more than three hours and a whopping 17 cancellations, compared with just nine delays and only four cancellations over the April Easter weekend in 2014.

London airports reveal the same March Easter patterns, particularly Heathrow and Gatwick. Heathrow saw 12 cancelled flights in 2013, dropping significantly to 5 for the 2014 Easter weekend.

This shot back up to 16 with the early April holiday last year. Gatwick is no less at fault with 15 cancellations in 2013, compared to three in 2014 and rising to 11 last year.

Ninjas wanted to promote tourism in Japan: apply now

Update 15 April 2016: According to Japan Times, of the 235 applicants 85% were non-Japanese and 29-year-old American, Chris O’Neill, was one of the six applicants who got the job!

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If you were a child in the eighties you may well have played with ninja dolls making up covert operations and adventures using espionage and aerial fighting skills. For some reason ninja toys (and cartoons) fell out of favour. But now they are back.

Japan is looking to hire six full time ninja warriors to kick start warlord tourism to Aichi prefecture. They say that this was once home to the feudal warlord Oda Nobunaga.

If you can do a backflip, are aged over 18 and love Japanese warlord history you can apply regardless of nationality. If you choose to accept the mission you will have to wear ninja garb and be willing to perform during public events both in Japan and elsewhere. The salary is $1600 per month.

In ninja spirit you will have to be quick and apply by March 22 and be available to start work in May.

Balearic Islands to introduce new tourist tax from July

Holidays to Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca are about to get more expensive thanks to a new tourist tax. The Balearic Islands authorities have announced a new duty to fund “sustainable tourism” which will be imposed on anyone holidaying after July 1 even if the holiday is already booked.

On arrival, each holidaymaker aged over 14 will have to pay the tax for each night of their stay. The rate depends upon the hotel’s star rating and the sliding scale starts at:

• €0.50 per person per night for campers or those staying in a hostel;
• €1 per per person per night for those staying in one, two or three star hotels;
• €2 per per person per night for those staying in four or five star hotels.

However, after day 9 and between November and March tax rates are halved.

The levy which could add another €14 a week per person or around €88 for a family of four spending a fortnight on the islands and this will be collected on arrival by reception staff.

A tourist tax also applied in Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia and range from €0.45 to €2.50. The extra income is split between tourism boards and town halls.

The Balearics are not the first to impose a tourist tax. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Greece already do so but it is usually included in the hotel cost. Malta will be charging an “eco-tax” from June.

As Paris floods, the Louvre museum shuts to protect priceless artwork

As Paris is pounded by heavy rains, several towns to the east and south of Paris are experiencing the worst flooding for decades.

This part of Europe-wide freak weather where at least 11 people (one in France and 11 in Germany) have been killed.

The river Seine rose above acceptable alert levels (5 metres) on Thursday. The river’s quays were washed out and an island in front of the Eiffel Tower has been completely covered over.

Motorway slip roads have been closed and some railways services, RER C, had to be suspended.

Flood alert levels are at yellow, the third highest, but with more downpours forecast for the weekend, expectations are that this will be upgraded to orange. According to François Duquesne, head of Vigicrues, the agency which monitors water levels in France, said:

“The Seine is still rising but we are far from the 8.5 metres recorded in 1910 (when large areas of the capital were flooded for 45 days). We should see a rise to a peak of around 5.6 metres overnight.”

The timing could not be worse being just a week before UEFA Euro 2016 national football tournament due to start in Paris. The giant “fan zone” is built on the Champs de Mars close to the Eiffel Tower and can host up to 100,000 people. Continued flooding could see the zone submerged under water.

The city’s iconic Louvre Museum has been closed so its priceless artworks can be protected or moved. The museum has just 72 hours to move its work into its underground reserve, the first time since the Second World War.

The Musée d’Orsay, (which was once a train station) on the opposite bank of the river, also closed early on Thursday night as a precautionary measure.

The Eiffel tower and all other museums are currently open.

All pleasure boats and cruises have been cancelled, some promenades along the Seine are closed off and some of the city’s Metro stations have been shut.

However there is no disruption to Eurostar services or air travel. There is disruption to the country’s rail network but this is due to strike action and unrelated to the weather.

Luggage Review: LAT_56 Road Warrior 2 Wheel Carry-On Suitcase

If the words “military-spec moulded EVA foam + Ballistic Nylon 1680×1680” sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, the first thing that comes to your mind will probably not be carry-on luggage.

And yet, when Scottish designer Kevin Fox asked me to review his RW_01 – Road Warrior carry-on suitcase, he described it as “a strong but lightweight suitcase – the best product yet from LAT_56”, which was enough to get me itching to try it out.

The suitcase is light but despite weighing just 3.1kg (6.8lbs), it felt very strong. The stylish front is extremely hard and resisted several deliberate kicks, while the rest of the bag is in durable, hard wearing nylon.

RW_01 has two silent red wheels inspired by skateboards, that roll smoothly on the hard surfaces I tested them on. Foam-padded handle meant it was comfortable to hold and the extendible handle is coated with soft rubber for a comfortable grip.

One clever invention is a zipped pocket on the top of the bag which allows access to the toiletries bag without having to open the whole bag at the airport security check.

There is another external pocket at the back of the suitcase, large enough for a book or a magazine.

Inside there is a bright red washable nylon lining and the main part of the luggage is split into two parts: a sealed detachable shoe bag (which I also used as a laundry bag) and space for folded clothes (I managed to fit a pair of jeans, three shirts, two T-shirts and a sweater and still had some space left). There are also three zipped pockets which are useful for small items.

The other half of the suitcase comes with a textile clothes bag and a torso-shaped hanger (which they say was designed in consultation with Savile Row tailors) that can hold a suit and a shirt.

The bottom of the garment bag is sturdy so when the suit is rolled (click on images below to enlarge), it remains crease-free. While that was the case with the suit, the shirt needed ironing when I arrived at the destination.

I tested RW_01 on three separate trips and have to say it is pretty impressive. Despite being pulled and dropped and kicked, there isn’t a single scratch. The interior, although simple at first glance has been thoughtfully designed and I was able to pack everything I needed for a 3-4 day trip.

Although there isn’t anything negative to say about RW_01, I liked the external access to the toiletries bag so much that I would have liked to have the same for my laptop, not having to open the suitcase at customs in order to take the laptop out.

Road Warrior does not come cheap at £299 (€389/$449). However, considering the exceptional quality, stylish design, travel comfort, and 5 year warranty, I think is excellent value for a suitcase which will last years, even for a frequent traveller.

Weight: 3.1kg (6.8lbs)
Dimensions: 55cm x 37cm x 20cm (21.5" x 14" x 7.5")
Internal Volume: 39L (2380 cu. in.)
Warranty: 5 years

Hotel Review: Sunborn Super Yacht, Gibraltar

It may be located on the south coast of Spain but Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, known as The Rock thanks to its terrain – Rock of Gibraltar – its viability as a holiday destination has been hampered by the lack of a truly world class hotel in recent years.

However it now looks as though that problem may have been solved. Say hello to theSunborn, the world’s first luxury super yacht hotel.

Permanently docked in the heart of Gibraltar’s Ocean Village marina development, the 142m long Sunborn offers five star guest rooms and suites across seven floors. There’s also a casino, top floor restaurant, pool bar, spa and fitness centre.

For the first time visitors to Gibraltar can now enjoy “Britain in the Sun” in style.

Who For?

British holidaymakers, in particular, looking for a short break will appreciate the low cost flights available from Manchester, Birmingham and several London airports direct into Gibraltar. This makes a stay at Sunborn a realistic option for anyone who has ever dreamed of staying aboard a super yacht but felt it might be out of their budget.

It starts with a walk along the red carpet that runs up to the reception entrance where a glitzy, glamorous floating hotel experience is available at a relatively affordable price.  It may well be the perfect choice for a romantic sunshine getaway.

It’s also superbly located for exploring everything that Gibraltar has to offer.

Accommodation

The Sunborn has 189 guest rooms and suites, offering sea, marina and rock views.

Each spacious room has wall to wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in lashings of daylight and lead out on to a generous private terrace or balcony.

Push the boat out and stay in one of the Sunborn’s 18 luxury suites. Each suite has panoramic views, polished timber sundecks and bespoke furnishings creating an impressive five star finish.

Facilities

Situated at the stern of the yacht, the Sunborn’s sundeck is an ideal setting for a relaxing afternoon of sunbathing and sipping cocktails under Gibraltar’s clear blue skies. Or dip into the infinity pool and peer out over the marina below.

If that doesn’t sound tranquil enough, you can also treat yourself to a pampering session in the Sunborn’s Infinity Spa, which offers a wide range of massage, facial and holistic treatments.

You can also burn off those excess holiday calories in the gym, enjoy a spin in the casino and party the night away at the onboard La Sala nightclub and bar.

Food and Drink

The top deck Sky Bar offers some of the best views in Gibraltar and is the ideal spot to enjoy an afternoon cocktail or pre-dinner drinks.

Wander along to the front of the yacht where you’ll find the newly opened Wheelhouse Bar, serving up an extensive selection of champagne and champagne cocktails.

If you’re feeling hungry there’s classic Mediterranean style cuisine with a contemporary twist to be had in the Sky Restaurant. Salads, soups and fresh fish are all available along with mouthwatering cuts straight from the grill, including the excellent Galician fillet steak.

The Sky Restaurant also offers an outstanding daily brunch with a wide variety of fresh, seasonal choices available.

What’s nearby?

Gibraltar has nature reserves, botanical gardens, panoramic vistas of Morocco from the summit of the Rock, sandy beaches, watersports and, of course, the Barbary Macaques – mainland Europe’s only wild monkey population.

There’s also dolphin sightseeing tours, ancient limestone caves to explore and rich military history all within a 2.6 square mile area.

A trip to the Upper Rock Nature reserve, where you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a close encounter with one of the Rock’s resident primates is an absolute must.  Mini bus tours of the Rock are readily available, while you can also opt to take a cable car up to the top and explore it for yourself.

Wi-Fi

High speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Room Rates

Starting from £170