Europe

2011 Golden Backpack Awards : Celebrating The Best In Adventure Travel, Transport & Tours

The UK version of the Golden Backpack Awards has finally arrived. Taking place on 12 October 2011 at the spectacular Shaka Zulu in London, the gala evening event will honour excellence in travel. The inaugural awards will recognise tour operators, airlines, accommodation and transport providers who have shown outstanding commitment to the adventure and youth travel market.

The nominees include an exciting line up of over 35 companies from well-known names such as British Airways, Contiki, Intrepid Travel and Thomas Cook to smaller niche companies and industry newcomers such as Wicked Campers and Balkan Road Trip. The 19 award categories range from Best Tour Operator and Best Tour Itinerary to Best Festival Tour Operator and are being judged by TNT readers via a two-month online campaign at www.tntmagazine.com.

For further information on the event visit: www.tnttravelawards.com

United States, UK and Japan are Named Top Travel Destinations in Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011

The United States, United Kingdom and Japan have been voted the top global travel destinations among 11,620 respondents from 23 countries and territories around the world, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011.

One in five (20 percent) respondents surveyed said they are likely to travel to the United States for leisure in the next two years. The United Kingdom followed closely behind in second place with 19 percent, followed by Japan (16 percent) and France and Italy (both 15 percent).

Other key findings from the survey include:

• Travel Spend
  • Global average spend for the last trip taken by respondents was US$1,481, and this is expected to increase to an average of US$1,895 on their next trip.
  • Highest spenders were respondents from Australia who spent an average of US$3,636 on their last trip, followed by the Saudi Arabian (US$3129) and Egyptian (US$3072) travelers.

• The availability of good deals (70 percent), natural scenery (69 percent), political stability and good weather (both 66 percent), and new destinations (65 percent) emerged as top factors that influence travelers’ choice of destinations.

• On average, respondents are planning to make four international trips in the next two years, with 11 percent more respondents intending to travel in the next two years, compared with the last two years.

St. Patrick’s Day Discounted Ireland Adventures from Brendan Vacations

St. Patrick’s Day has been called a day that begins transforming Winter Dreams into Summer Magic, and what better way to celebrate than an authentic Brendan Vacation to Ireland? Brendan Vacations has been the Ireland Specialists for over 40 years. This St. Patrick’s Day season, Brendan Vacations is offering first-time and Ireland-lovers the opportunity to save on immersive and breathtaking escorted vacations, including our most-popular itineraries by up to $700 per couple.*

Take a look at some of our signature tours:

The Scots and The Irish – 15 Days. Your tour begins in Glasgow witnessing the rugged beauty of Scotland’s glens, locks, and isles. Visit Cawdor Castle this morning, famous for its associations with Shakespeare’s Macbeth who was promised the Thanedom of Cawdor by the witches. Tour the regal city of Edinburgh from Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile to fairy-tale Holyrood Palace. Next, cross over to Ireland where there is plenty of time to explore the cities of Letterkenny, Connemara, Killarney, and Dublin and have a pint of Guinness with Ireland’s locals. Priced from $2599 land only, based on double occupancy.

Glimpse of Ireland – 9 Days. Take a glimpse of Ireland’s best as you travel from Dublin towards Castlebar and Connemara visiting the visually stunning Kylemore Abbey and Strokestown Park House. Then head south toward Limerick and Killarney taking in Ireland’s finest scenic landscape and the natural beauty found throughout the Cliffs of Moher and Ring of Kerry. You won’t want to miss the chance to walk across to Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone that bestows the gift of eloquence. You’ll visit the House of Waterford Crystal for a visual journey of over 225 years of glassmaking, and then return to Dublin where you’ll meet local Jack Burtchaell for a stroll around Ireland’s oldest city. See the cathedrals and national monuments, and hear about a gallery of rogues and rascals, all delivered in a witty, entertaining style by a master storyteller. Priced from $1399 land only, based on double occupancy. Read more…

Vienna Local Tourist Vehicles

Require regular transfers from hotel Geblergasse to Vienna Messe from 18th July to 23 July for 8 persons.

Who can provide a cheap transport solution for my group.

Thanks,
Prashant Vaidya

Can you share any cheap flight reservation websites for Europe Destinations?

I’m traveling to Paris, London and other parts of Europe for the World Cup 2010 and will be staying in Amsterdam for couple of days.

Im currently looking for some cheap airline reservation sites where I can book cheap tickets.

If anyone knows of any good airline reservation sites that has promotions? I appreciate your advice and help.

Newcastle City Breaks And To Explore England

Newcastle is a great place to visit and is an outstanding base for exploring many other attractions. Flights to Newcastle offer visitors easy access from many airports throughout the UK and Europe. You can also get there by car easily from many parts of the UK and there is also an outstanding train service providing London rail breaks offers from the capital to Newcastle.

Instead of Newcastle flights you could get one of the many cheap Edinburgh flights and travel to Newcastle by train or rent a car.

Newcastle is situated in the north east of England a brief drive south of the border with Scotland. Newcastle is a wonderful place to see for its outstanding nightlife and fun ambiance. However for tourists searching for something more than just going to the pubs, clubs and shopping there are numerous nearby attractions you can visit.

Tanfield Railway is the earliest example of an existing railroad in the World, which was originally constructed to serve the coal industry. The oldest part of the railway system dates from as long back as 1647. At the railroad there are frequent unique events throughout the year, which are perfect for a family visit.

The Angel of the North is one of the most iconic landmarks in England and is visable from the A1 road. The statue measures 20 metres high and can be spotted by thousands of motorists utilising the nearby roads each day. Read more…