Travelogger

Sep|30|2006

And The Airline Winners Are….

Posted by Zahir as News

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Here is a list of the winners of the annual World Travel Awards in the “World Airlines” category, held just a few days ago in the Carribean.

Very useful for planning your next trip, I think, but for a look at the other winners, check out the extensive list on their website.

“Voted for independently by travel professionals worldwide, our award winners are having a major impact and influence on the world’s travel and tourism industry. They are the true innovators and benchmarks for our trade, especially in the areas of customer service, technology, operational efficiency, product offering and style”

World’s Leading Airline:

British Airways

World’s Leading Airline Alliance:

Oneworld (Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, …

Sep|28|2006

World Travel Awards

Posted by Zahir as Awards, News, Arts & Culture

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The World Travel Awards was started in 1993 to benchmark the best in the travel industry. Huge numbers reaching the hundreds of thousands of travel professionals from over 200 countries around the world vote each year, culminating an an awards night celebration.

Regional geographical categories are broken down into eight smaller areas representing the different continents, and this is further broken down into smaller areas covering all sections of this fast growing industry. Other awards are also given for specific areas, such as the World’s Leading Sports Resort and so on.

This year’s gala event took place in the Turks and Caicos Islands and was attended by over 350 travel professionals and international VIP’s from around the …

Sep|26|2006

Most Amusing Travel Quotes

Posted by Zahir as Reading Room, Trivia

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Still hot on my quote trail, here are the most amusing ones that I’m sure you’ll enjoy as much as I have. Funny how the truth can tickle.

Robert Benchley
“In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children.”
Terry Hanson
“Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you’re going to kiss your ass good-bye.”

Mignon McLaughlin
“Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.”

Carl Burns
“A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and
dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home”

James Michener
“If you …

Sep|24|2006

Travel Quotes

Posted by Zahir as Reading Room, Trivia

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Some of the world’s most famous minds have spoken of the attributes of travel, so I’ve taken it upon myself to assemble some of my favourites here below. I couldn’t agree with them more.

Robert Benchley

“In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children.”

Terry Hanson

“Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you’re going to kiss your ass good-bye.”Mignon McLaughlin

“Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.”

Carl Burns

“A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and dreams of a faraway place A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home.”

James …

Sep|22|2006

Better Holidays With The Kids: The Beach

Posted by Zahir as Tips, Getaways, Family, Resorts

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Children of all ages adore the beach, so if you are planning a holiday where all the members of the family are sure to have a great time (and keep them occupied for very long periods), a beach holiday is ideal.

However, like all holidays where the kids are in close contact with mother nature, there are precautions to be taken.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. On the Beach

Beaches have hidden dangers - however calm a beach may seem, be aware of tide times, undercurrents and make sure the children are supervised at all times. Know what any warning signs or flags may mean and choose beaches with lifeguards if possible.

2. At the …

Sep|20|2006

Better Holidays With The Kids: Go Prepared

Posted by Zahir as Tips, Adventure, Getaways, Family

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Anyone who has children can tell you that travelling with the little ones can make the experience less of a holiday and more of a logistical challenge (or even nightmare if they’re under 7).

Of course its probably better to take them along as you get to save on long distance calls back home and cut the panic-stricken worry (that something fatal will happen while you’re away) by a rather large margin, but if its a langorous, bestselling-novel-and-adult-conversation-packed relaxing holiday you’re looking for, then call Grandma and leave them at home.

But if you do decide to take them, here are some good tips:

1. Choose a Child-Friendly Hotel

This is, without a doubt the most vital factor as a …

Sep|18|2006

New Zealand’s Friars Guide

Posted by Zahir as Historical, Nature, Australia NZ, Luxurious, Gourmet, Romantic, Getaways, Hotels

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If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, the Friars Guide is indispensable. In fact I’ve yet to see another guide of its kind anywhere else in the world. For a country as stunningly gorgeous as New Zealand, this guide does it justice in showing you a fantastic selection of places to stay.

So what is it? The Friar’s Guide is a guide to luxurious accommodation in New Zealand for the discerning traveller. This means NO large impersonal hotel chains (although NZ has a few which are good value and pretty darn decent), but a variety of the most wonderful inns, cottages, b&b’s, lodges, homestays and boutique hotels - …

Sep|16|2006

Honeymoon in New Zealand: South Street Cottages

Posted by Zahir as Oceania, Historical, Arts & Culture, Cities, Romantic, Hotels

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On our honeymoon about 5 years ago, we spent 6 weeks travelling around New Zealand by car. Although we booked some of our hotels ahead of time, the most charming place we stayed was found by chance.

We drove into Nelson, (North of South Island, and said to be the artists town of NZ) late in the night, and after spending the evening at a pretty dreadful motel, explored the city in hopes to find something befitting to a honeymoon.

We walked into a potter’s shop, and after chatting to the proprietor (whom we fondly called the “Happy Potter”), found out that he was renting out a few cottages around the corner from his shop, in historic “South Street”, …

Sep|14|2006

More Tips From The Falls: Lights, Rooms and Ice Cream

Posted by Zahir as Food and Drink, Nature, Tips, Americas, Backpacking & Budget, Family

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Very graciously, Jamie has sent us another installation of her riveting Niagra Falls memoirs, giving me full permission to “rip off wholesale”. Another big thank you, Jamie!!

” …I did forget to mention that every night they illuminate the falls, too. The lights for American and Horseshoe come from a huge bank of spotlights on the Canadian side,
and Joshua amused himself by watching the spotlights change so hecould predict what color was next. (I think Bridal Veil was illuminated by a spotlight closer to the fall that I couldn’t see.)

At one point American and Bridal Veil were red, white, and blue, and Horseshoe was red and white; other times they’d decorate in rainbow, or just with vivid colors …

Sep|12|2006

Letter From Niagara Falls

Posted by Zahir as Nature, Reviews, Americas

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My husband just recieved this letter by email from a friend of his who had just been to Niagara Falls. It was written so wonderfully, so I thought it was worth sharing. Big THANK YOU Jamie!

“..Had a remarkable weekend — the people over at Niagara are absolutely
wonderful and neither words nor pictures can get across the grandeur
of the falls. I have never seen or felt anything like it. Even my
sons, jaded by anything that doesn’t play on a video screen, were
absolutely blown away.

The falls are in three pieces — Horseshoe Falls is shaped more or
less like a horseshoe, which means that when the Maid of the Mist, the
boats that cruise down at the bottom …