Cheap Flights to Bangkok Make Thailand the Perfect Winter Escape

As the winter months draw in many Brits are no doubt already plotting their escape to warmer climes, and for those of us dreaming of a beach paradise somewhere on the other side of the world Thailand’s beaches surely represent the perfect getaway. Happily, with the price of Bangkok flights at DialAFlight.com starting at a tempting £395 during November, these idyllic slices of beach paradise might be more accessible than you think.

Samila Beach

Songkhla is a popular seaside resort and has a few large seaports. If you’re stopping here, try and make it to Samila Beach where you’ll be greeted by the famous bronze mermaid statue, perched on her rock. It’s an appropriate welcome to the beach, given the fairytale behind it. Locals say that the sparkling white sand comes from a stolen crystal brought over by a cat, mouse and dog. The cat and mouse became the surrounding mountains on either side of the beach and the dog is the Khao Tang Kuan hill that you’ll see from the ocean. It’s a tranquil spot, and if you want to relax and unwind you’ll be pleased to see the shade of the many pine trees and lots of quiet cafes. Helpfully, a local minibus service can take you directly to the beach from the town.

Koh Pha-Ngan

This beach is host to the Full Moon Party, which happens once-a-month. Even if you aren’t that into the crowds, it’s hard to say no to this party as it is a one-off experience. Hitting the beach at night, you’ll find it lined up with bars, clubs and places to eat as well as a circus of jugglers and fire-eaters. Various DJs treat the crowds to drum and bass, techno and reggae as soon as the moon appears over the crescent-shaped white beach. You can really let your hair down and get dancing with lots of like-minded travellers and it should provide one of the many highlights on your travels. Just remember to take care of your valuables and documents and take copies of passports or visas just in case things get lost or go missing when you’re having the time of your life dancing in the sand.

Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi Leh

Maya Bay is famous for being the setting for the film, The Beach. Beyond that, it is a picturesque area, with coconut palms, sand dunes and cliffs surrounding the white sand. You’ll see fishermen trawling their boats through the sea as well as the odd tourist snorkelling and tanning. Thanks to the popularity of the film, the bay has its fair share of visitors. It’s a recommended spot for diving, and is sure to make a welcome break from being on the road. The most pleasant way to get there is by boat, which you can get from Phuket City, just 48 km from Maya Bay. It can become a little crowded in the mid-afternoon, so if you want a spot it’s good to arrive bright and early. When the tourists get dropped off, you can always grab your siesta under the shade of one of the many cliffs and go back to sun-bathing when it’s cooler and less crowded.

The best times to visit Thailand’s beaches are between the months of December and March when you’ll avoid the rainy season and the heat won’t be too stifling. Visit DialAFlight for help in finding flights to Bangkok and other Thai destinations during these months.

South Australian Vacation Destination : Kangaroo National and Conservation Parks

National and conservation parks cover more than one third of the total area of land on Kangaroo Island and are ideal to explore on your next holiday.

These are havens for wildlife and a great place to get close to Australian nature. See sea lions lolling around Admirals Arch, koalas clinging to trees in Kelly Hill Conservation Park, waves crashing against the island’s shoreline, and rock formations that will take your breath away.

From very early in Kangaroo Island’s European settlement, national and conservation parks were declared across the Island in recognition of the importance of preserving the unique plant and wildlife species that exist here. Some of these species of plants and animals are either threatened or exist nowhere else in Australia.

When you think of world famous Kangaroo Island, chances are that you picture a secluded island of native forests, teeming with natural wildlife. That’s one way of describing Kangaroo Island – but it’s a description that hardly does it justice.

The first thing that strikes you when you arrive on Kangaroo Island is the scale of the place. Only 15 kilometres from the South Australian mainland, the island is seven times larger than Singapore, with a breathtaking diversity of natural environments for you to discover.

For nature lovers, Kangaroo Island is a feast for the senses. There are secluded beaches where you can relax in the sun, or do a spot of ocean fishing. There are pastures where sheep farmers, beekeepers, and winemakers produce the renowned local gourmet cuisine.

There are small towns with intimate restaurants and stores showcasing local artwork. And there are dense, ancient forests that are only a short drive from the island’s charming hamlets.

How do you take it all in?

Take a 4WD trip into the island’s bushland areas, and you’ll see koalas, echidnas, wallabies, all in their own natural habitat. Join a guided night-time tour to see the famous little penguins march out of the ocean to their homes along the coastline.

And venture to the remarkable western coastline of the island, where two of the Southern Hemisphere’s three species of seals have made their homes among a dramatic backdrop of tumultuous seas and rocky coastal outcrops.

Your hosts will be members of an eclectic local community of farmers, artists, ecologists, fishers, and adventurer lovers. Some were born on the island. Others visited and never wanted to go home again. But they’ve all got one thing in common – a love affair with this special place.

Talk to them, and you’ll realize that there’s no shortage of things to see and do on Kangaroo Island – and one visit might not be enough to take it all in.

Kangaroo Island Flora

Kangaroo Island’s plant catalogue lists 891 species, as well as approximately 250 that have been introduced from other parts of the world.

You’ll see wildflowers in every season, and September and October reveal spectacular flowering of much of the flora.

More than 400 of the plants are found in Flinders Chase National Park, making it the most representative area of original flora. Mallee scrub dominates much of the uncleared areas.

In the east, Kangaroo Island Narrow-Leaf Mallee is the main multi-trunked mallee, and it is from this tree that eucalyptus oil is extracted. The much taller single-trunk eucalypts such as Sugar Gum, Blue Gum, Cup Gum, Swamp Gum and River Red Gum generally grow along rivers and creek banks. Two stringybark species are found in the centre to the northwest of the Island.

The number and variety of wattles match the diversity of the eucalypts. Other small trees or large shrubs include the Drooping Sheoak, two Banksia species, Dryland Tea-tree, Broombush, Scarlet Bottlebrush, several Hakea and the slow-growing Tate’s Grass tree. Because of its isolation from the mainland, Kangaroo Island has 46 endemic species; these are plants that are native to, and restricted to, a particular geographical region.

Some of these, like the two Tetrathecas, are very beautiful; others, like the prickly Kangaroo Island Conestick, are more remarkable for their uniqueness than their beauty. One Hakea (Hakea aenigma), does not put on seed in the normal way, but reproduces itself by suckering.

Spring is the best time to see the Golden Wattle – Australia’s floral emblem. Many species of wattle provide a mass of vivid yellow from Penneshaw to Cape Borda and many places in between. Other flowering plants, which bring a splash of colour to the bush, include Scarlet Bottlebrush, orange and red Cockies Tongue, purple Fringe-lily, green and red Correa, Azure Daisy bush and many others. The different varieties of scented white bearded heaths, white and yellow graceful Riceflower, green-orange, lovely pink and red Grevilleas and Spyridiums enhance the beauty of the understorey.

There are also more than 60 different species of orchid found on the Island with all but one of these being terrestrial (having small bulbs under the ground) and ranging in height from 1-100 centimetres.

Find more information vacation destination at : www.southaustralia.com

Reschedule Air Travel : Commercial Airlines Cancel Flight to Caribean as Tropical Storm Tomas

As Tropical Storm Tomas threatens parts of the Caribbean, commercial airlines were canceling flights and encouraging passengers to reschedule travel to the region.

American Airlines canceled its flights in and out of Port-au-Prince for Friday and is allowing customers with reservations to Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic through Nov. 8 to rebook at no additional costs.

Miramar-based Spirit Airlines canceled its Friday flights to and from Haiti. Passengers who have flights booked to Haiti and Jamaica from Nov. 4-8 can rebook without penalty.

Air France said it had not canceled any flights to Haiti.

The National Hurricane Center expects Tomas to brush Jamaica’s eastern provinces before passing near the western coast of Haiti early Friday morning with heavy rains. The storm could then be on track to strengthen as it hits the southernmost island in the Bahamas, Great Inagua, and closes in on Turks and Caicos.

Cost of Air Travel : New Air Passenger Duty Effect Flight Tax Rises

Some passengers will see the cost of air travel soar from Monday 1 November, when new Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates come into effect.

APD applies to all flight routes out of the UK, and under the new rules passengers will fall into one of four different tax bands depending on how far they will be flying. Those taking long-haul flights will be hit hardest, and may see the cost of their flight tax hiked by as much as 50%.
Ensure APD is included in flight prices

The introduction of the new APD bands and rates has stirred controversy in the travel industry, raising concerns that it will prevent some families from taking foreign holidays – particularly to far-flung destinations. APD applies to all passengers including children over the age of two, so large parties of travellers will face the biggest combined price increases.

Holidaymakers are being urged to ensure that the price they are quoted for any flight is inclusive of APD before they buy. Many travel deals advertise prices exclusive of tax, so passengers could find that apparently cheap flights rocket in cost once APD is taken into consideration.
New air passenger duty rules

There has also been criticism of how different flight destinations have been categorised for APC.

Because a country’s APC band is worked out based on how far its capital city is from London, there will be anomalies in the system – as in the case of large countries such as the United States.

Flights to the USA, whose capital is Washington D.C., fall into Band B under the APD rules, whereas Cuba – which is much closer to the UK than parts of the USA such as Hawaii – falls into the more expensive Band C.
APD on economy, premium, business and first class flights

Each APD band encompasses two different rates of flight tax – one for economy (or ‘lowest’) class passengers, and one for ‘others’ – premium, business and first class passengers. Airlines’ ‘other’ class passengers will face the sharpest flight tax increases, though anyone upgraded to premium, business or first class from an economy seat will not have to pay extra.

Air Travel Weekend Destination : Wonderful Long-Haul Ski Destinations Around The World

While many people think of a ski trip as something that is enjoyed over a long weekend, the fact is that there are number of wonderful long-haul ski destinations around the world. These destinations offer excellent accommodation for anyone who wants to get away for an extended period of time and enjoy their favourite sport.

The Long Haul

Embarking on a long-haul skiing holiday is a wonderful way to take your annual break (no pun intended). Or perhaps you need to get away for a special occasion, such as an anniversary, birthday celebration, or even a honeymoon trip. Here are a few examples of long-haul ski destinations that are worthy of consideration.

Switzerland

When most people think of skiing they tend to immediately think of the Swiss Alps. There are in fact a number of excellent resorts there and a wide choice of accommodation that provides extended stay facilities for keen skiers. One location in Switzerland hat has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years is Zermatt. There it is possible to combine skiing and all modern conveniences with the charm of centuries past. The major modes of transportation are electric taxis, ski buses, and charming horse drawn carriages that can take visitors to any part of the city that they desire to visit. An impressive network of gondolas, cog railways, and cable cars make it easy to reach and enjoy a number of points along the slopes, with some of these means of conveyance able to lift skiers to altitudes that are in excess of 12,000 feet.

While the first impression of Zermatt may be that the area is somewhat quaint, the fact is that it combines this Olde World charm with an amazing nightlife. After enjoying the slopes during the day, it is a simple matter to find clubs and other night venues that offer an impressive array of music and entertainment, ranging from the soft and subtle to the wild and crazy. While it does require a train ride of several hours to get to Zermatt from Geneva, the effort is well worth it.

Canada

A bit further afield, Canada is an excellent long-haul ski destination. Take a look at what Banff has to offer; the longer trip is well worth the effort. Situated among the Canadian Rockies, Banff offers spectacular views as well as skiing opportunities for everyone from the novice to the pro. Accommodation is very comfortable, the local residents friendly, and the cost can be very reasonable for someone who wants to have an excellent experience for less money. As with many of the best long-haul ski opportunities, the procedure is to fly into a larger city and finish the journey to the ski resort via shuttle. With Banff, this is accomplished by flying into Calgary and taking an airport shuttle directly to the city.

Slovakia

Back on the European continent, planning a ski trip to the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia might be just the thing for you. Like Zermatt, there are many areas in Slovakia that have an eclectic blend of the old with the convenience of the new. The setting itself is somewhat like the vision of villages conjured up by children’s fables. However, the skiing is usually so varied that it is possible to find something that is right for just about everyone. Among the snow activities that are most popular include the option of night skiing, something that is not always available in many of the better known resorts around the world. Another benefit is that this location is still somewhat of a secret, meaning that there is a good chance you can enjoy excellent prices for your accommodation as well as reasonably priced transportation to and from the area.

Japan

For something different consider a trip to Hokkaido Island, in Japan. Yes, it will be an expensive holiday but what a once in a lifetime experience! The volcanoes that make up the island offer some excellent options for long haul skiing that are hard to match anywhere else in the world. One of the factors that makes this destination such an excellent choice is the quality of the snow. With the ranges covered with an ample coating of snow that is dry and powdery, skiers of all skill levels will find that it is possible to manoeuvre with great ease, which only helps to make the skiing experience more rewarding. To get there you can fly into Sapporo, and then take the train and a series of bus transfers to arrive at Niseko. There is a wide range of accommodation that will fit just about any budget.

USA

Skiers with a desire to enjoy a long-haul ski trip somewhere in the United States will find that a trip to Aspen, Colorado is still worth the effort. Considered to be somewhat over-hyped by many skiers, Aspen still has a bit of a small town flavour that makes it appealing for anyone who wants to combine peace and quiet with excellent slopes and possibly a little celebrity watching. The pace is even and slow, and the area is also family orientated. Adults can enjoy guided ski excursions, while the kids are provided with excellent opportunities to learn the basics of skiing under the watchful eyes of instructors who not only keep them busy, but also teach young ones the essentials of skiing safely.

Other Ideas

These are just a few suggestions for long-haul skiing opportunities that can be found around the world. Other destinations in France, South America, and Russia are also ideal for anyone who wants to get away from it all and see something a little bit different. Depending on how far you can travel and the amount you can reasonably afford to set aside for the trip, there is a good chance that at least one or two possibilities can be uncovered with a quick search online, or a visit to your local travel agency.

As you consider different destinations for your a long-haul ski trip, it is a good idea to look closely at peak times associated with the destinations you are considering. Often, it is possible to secure excellent accommodation for less by choosing to go off-season, even if the trip is planned for only a week or two before the opening of the official season. Along with discounts on lodgings, there is a good chance you can also enjoy reduced rates for transportation to and from your destination, as well as special pricing on restaurants and other forms of entertainment in the area.

Air Travel : Orlando’s Hotel Occupancy Up 5.1% For Week August

Orlando’s hotel occupancy rates for the week of Aug. 16-22 were 58.3 percent, a 5.1 percent increase from the year-ago period, according to Smith Travel Research, a hospitality industry research tracker.
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