Someone asked me the other day whether Sweden was a good destination for a family holiday. The answer is a resounding ‘Yes’.
Sweden is a fantastic summer holiday destination, offering interesting cities combined with exceptional natural scenery. It’s very child-friendly, has an agreeable summer climate and is only 2 hours away by plane. A week in the city could be combined with a week exploring the nature and wildlife that Sweden has to offer.
Compared to southern Europe, Sweden is expensive, but there are ways you can reduce the hit on your pocket and with the Swedish Kroner around 12.9 SEK to the British Pound, it’s not as expensive as it was last year.
So what are the Things to Do for a family holiday in Sweden?
Both Sweden’s archipelagic capital, Stockholm, and its second city Gothenburg offer city sightseeing at a relaxed pace, with plenty to do with the children and great cultural sights to see for the adults.
Stockholm
Stockholm is a most beautiful capital city, built on 14 islands. The Old Town is particularly spectacular, and walking around the city’s waterways and parks is a lovely way to spend a week. It can also be a lively city, with its maritime bent and international flavour. Recommended things to do include:
- Gamla Stan: take a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town
- Gröna Lund Tivoli: a great (though not cheap) theme park on the relaxed island of Djurgården
- Stockholm Archipelago: you can take a boat trip to the many islands on the archipelago.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a cosmopolitan city with a small town charm. It’s a compact city to get around and has plenty to see and do. Recommended things to do include:
- Paddan Boats: These open-topped boats will take you through the old Moat, under 20 bridges and on 17th century canals, giving a unique view of the city and its open harbour.
- Liseberg: a great amusement park on the edge of the city centre (use the city’s extensive tram network to get there). It has 36 rides and attractions - from gentle carousels to heart-in-the-mouth rides such as Uppswinget, Kanonen and Balder (voted several times the “Best Wooden Roller Coaster in the World”).
- Universeum: a fantastic museum to experience the Ocean, the Rain Forest and Space all in one day.
If you’d like to learn more about Sweden as a family holiday destination, please feel free to contact me at www.go2research.com/contact_Go2.php.
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009,
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Are Low-Cost Flights really cheaper than Scheduled Flights? British Airways say ‘not always’.
British Airways are highlighting that no-frills can mean bigger bills, when all the added extras are taken into account.
This week, a ‘value calculator’ was launched on ba.com. It allows customers to check the true cost of Ryanair and EasyJet’s added charges versus the value of BA’s full service.
Richard Tams, head of UK & Ireland sales at British Airways, said: “With BA, the price you see is the price you pay. It’s been well documented that some of the no-frills carriers charge for a range of ‘extras’ that we consider to be part of our core service, from checking in a bag to food and drinks on board. We’re just making these transparent for customers.”
“On a round trip customers can be paying up to £375 on Ryanair and £79 on EasyJet for these ‘extras’ in addition to their fare. The no frills carriers claim they’re always cheaper. Our calculator shows they are not.”
The ‘value calculator’ enables customers to select how they’re choosing to travel eg. checking in at the airport or online, selecting a seat 24-hours before they fly, taking a bag, or opting for food and drink on board. It will then calculate what Ryanair, EasyJet and BA will charge in total for those options.
Want to compare for yourself? View the BA value calculator at http://www.ba.com/valuecalculator
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009,
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Filed under: Travel News, Travel Tips| British Airways, Compare flights, Low-cost flights, Scheduled Flights|
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Your Travel Planner says: Check out car hire excess insurance from standalone providers and save some money.
Comparing car hire quotes for your holiday isn’t always as straightforward as you may think.
In the UK and most other countries apart from the USA, car rental companies include Collision Damage Waiver, Theft and Third Party insurance cover in their rental price. However, amount of excess you’d have to pay if your hire car got damaged, can be surprisingly high.
For example, a quick check today shows the excess for a medium compact car in Italy this summer with Avis is 850 EUR for Vehicle Damage and 1000 EUR for Vehicle Theft.
Car rental companies always offer an opportunity to cover your excess when you pick up your car, but this can sometimes cost a hefty £9 per day, which is a huge proportion of the cost of the hire itself.
So here’s a travel tip from Your Travel Planner: look into getting this additional insurance from separate standalone providers and save some money.
You can get additional excess cover from as little as £1.90 per day (for Europe) from insurers such as insurance4carhire, Car Hire Excess and Worldwide Insure. Check out the terms and conditions to see which policy suits your requirements.
For longer trips or if you book car hire more than once in a year, annual policies are available from £39 per year for Europe. Again, check the terms and conditions for suitability, but the same insurers mentioned above also offer these annual policies.
These policies also cover you for damage to the vehicle’s windows, tyres, the under-carriage and the roof, which are often not covered by insurance bought through the car hire company.
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009,
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Filed under: Saving Money on 2009 Holidays, Travel Tips| Car Hire Excess Insurance|
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Only 4 more weeks to go before Virgin Atlantic’s 25th birthday and their special fares continue this week with London to Chicago return from £279.
The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 1 Sept 09 - 30 Nov 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 28 May to 10pm on 3 June 09
The good news is that Autumn is still a good time to visit Chicago. As the birthplace to the modern skyscraper, take in the architecture, catch a baseball game or just chill out on the Lakefront. Visit Virgin Atlantic’s website for more details of this week’s offer.
Thursday, May 28th, 2009,
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Filed under: Destinations, North America| London to Chicago Flight Offer, Virgin Atlantic Offer of the Week|
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Keeping the family entertained doesn’t have to break the bank. There are loads of FREE Things to Do in London for families during the May Half Term. Your Travel Planner shares some suggestions.
South Bank Centre
The South Bank Centre has plenty of free events on for children and families during the May half-term, with most taking place in the Clore Ballroom. Below is a selection, but see the South Bank website for more information:
West End Family Fun; Tuesday, 26 May 2009
To celebrate National Family week, Southbank Centre teams up with the West End to bring you a day of workshops, singalongs, dancealongs and the opportunity to see a live extract from one of the best musicals currently running in the West End.
Half Term Family Workshops; Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 May 2009
Families can drop in for workshops that will get all the family working and playing together.
Gluemouth; Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 May 2009
Gluemouth is a new show that will inspire young poets. Laura Dockrill will perform some of her new poems for children in this unique family event.
The Magnets; Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 May 2009
The UK’s leading ‘all vocal’ band lead a singing workshop in which groups of children and their families learn different parts of well known songs.
Free Swimming
As part of a scheme supported by central government to encourage people to adopt more healthy lifestyles, many local authorities now offer free swimming for under 16 year olds (and over 60s). So if grandparents take their grandchildren, you can all go for free!
You can check here for a list of local authorities in London where you can swim for free.
Free Tennis
It’s not just swimming. Tennis for Free is an initiative to allow the public to play tennis for free. You can search the list of local authorities by area to see where there are free courts and free coaching.
Mercedes-Benz World
Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in Weybridge is a great day out if you’re a motoring fan. Free May Half Term activities include spectacular shows from the Silver Arrows Display Team, passenger laps and F1 presentations.
Free London Museums
Visiting London means that you have access to world class and lesser known museums, with most offering free admission. All have special activities for the May Half Term. Your Travel Planner favourites include the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the British Museum.
Know of any other FREE things to do in the May Half Term? Please share it with Your Travel Planner readers by posting it as a comment. Thank you.
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009,
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Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips| Half Term ideas London, Things to Do|
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A beach holiday, in a hot destination, with good snorkelling. It’s many people’s idea of a dream holiday.
Seeing the wonders of the underwater world is breathtaking and it’s something that we would want our children and future generations to be able to experience.
However, scientists estimate that 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have already been lost. Those that remain are threatened by climate change and human-induced damage, including tourism-related activities, such as harvesting for jewellery and souvenirs.
SeaWeb’s Too Precious to Wear campaign highlights 5 coral saving tips to consider when on holiday:
- Avoid purchases of products made from real coral. Instead, choose jewellery or decorative items that are made of alternative materials. For products that are coral-inspired, not coral-derived, please visit www.tooprecioustowear.org.
- When snorkelling or diving, refrain from collecting pieces of coral or other reef creatures as souvenirs or from even touching them. Corals are slow-growing animals and can take decades to recover from impacts, sometimes never recuperating from the damage.
- Choose hotels and recreation vendors that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and make the same commitment for your own home. Carbon dioxide emissions are warming the ocean and making it increasingly acidic, negatively affecting the health of reef corals and other marine organisms.
- Do your homework. Visit beach resorts that receive a high green rating, particularly for their pollution control and conservation policies. Do your part at home by refraining from putting chemicals and other toxic wastes into your sewer system. All treated sewage can eventually end up in the ocean and other important water systems.
- Whether you are going on holiday or staying at home this summer, make a pledge and take action to help preserve corals by signing Too Precious to Wear’s coral pledge at http://www.seaweb.org/TPTW/pledge.php.
For the full story, see the Yahoo! News website or the article on the TravelMole website.
Too Precious to Wear is a SeaWeb campaign to create a demand for coral conservation. Too Precious to Wear is made possible with support from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, Kingfisher Foundation, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and The Ocean Foundation. www.tooprecioustowear.org.
SeaWeb is a communications-based nonprofit organization that utilizes social marketing techniques to advance ocean conservation. www.seaweb.org
Friday, May 15th, 2009,
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Filed under: Responsible Tourism, Travel Tips| Beach holiday, coral reef, snorkelling|
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According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there are more than 11,000 restaurants in Hong Kong. Locals and visitors alike have a fantastic choice of Cantonese and other regional Chinese food, cuisines from the rest of Asia as well as Western fare.
So after Hong Kong Highlights: Things to Do (28 April 2009), I thought I would share some of the eateries sampled on my recent trip:
Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop
The Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop in the impressive International Finance Centre is a far cry from the ‘dai pai dongs’ (open-air food stalls) that traditionally serve congee and noodles.
These days, dai pai dongs are in rapid decline as they are moved into more ‘hygienic’ cooked food centres. They still offer cheap, delicious food, though, and are definitely worth trying.
However, if you find yourself with weary feet in Central’s waterfront and have an urge for wanton noodle soup, the Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop on Level 3 of IFC Mall could be just the place. As you’d expect being in the IFC, this place is a restful, more refined, but pricier version of the beloved dai pai dong. The food’s still good though; I can recommend the dried fried beef ho fun, wanton noodles soup and red bean soup.
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
Another shopping centre, another restaurant. Hong Kong’s famous Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui has around 700 shops, including 50 places to eat. Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine offers just that - Thai food in a traditional setting. Prices are above average, but where else could you eat Thai and watch the big cruise ships dock right by your window?
Sham Tseng Chan Kee Roasted Goose Restaurant
Sham Tseng in Tseun Wan district is famous for its roast goose and there are several restaurants in the area serving this speciality, including the excellent Chan Kee Roasted Goose Restaurant. Our half roast goose was roasted to perfection, with crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat on the inside. The other dishes of fish steamed with ginger and spring onion and a marrow soup (served in the marrow!) were equally delicious. Sham Tseng is in the New Territories and so a little way out from central Hong Kong. However, if you have the time, it definitely is worth taking the trip.
Monday, May 11th, 2009,
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Filed under: Asia Pacific, Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations| Hong Kong, Hong Kong Places to Eat, Hong Kong Restaurant Reviews|
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This week’s special fare from Virgin Atlantic (as part of their 25th birthday promotions) is London to Havana, return from £425.
The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 13 May 09 - 21 Jun 09 and 1 Sept - 28 Oct 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 7 May to 10pm on 13 May 09
It’s a shame that the travel period for the offer is in the rainy season (May to October); the wettest months are May and June. It’s also the hurricane season, but apparently, most hurricanes strike between August and October.
However, if this doesn’t bother you, the good news is that summer temperatures in Cuba average around 81°F (27°C) with humidity at about 80 percent. Visit Virgin Atlantic’s website for more details and more news of their weekly offers.
Friday, May 8th, 2009,
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Filed under: Destinations, South & Central America, Travel News| Cuba, Havana, Virgin Atlantic Offer of the Week|
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Taking a holiday in the eurozone this year may be cheaper than you think, according to the annual Holiday Costs Barometer from Post Office Travel Services.
The Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer provides prices for a basket of 10 goods typically bought by holidaymakers - including meals and drinks - from 18 holiday destinations.
Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia are Europe’s best buys, but Spain and Portugal are two countries in the eurozone that have made it to the top 10.
Sarah Munro, Post Office head of travel services said: “The eurozone has taken a bashing this year but our survey suggests that tourist outlets in many resorts are taking dramatic steps to encourage tourists. Despite the weak pound, this means that UK tourists who shop carefully could find that they get more than expected for their money.”
Your Travel Planner says, “This is great news for people who are still considering a holiday in the more traditional European destinations. If you can book your transportation and accommodation in Pounds, eurozone countries could still be a viable option for people on strict budgets.”
To read more on this story, see the announcement from the Post Office or the article on the Guardian website.
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009,
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Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Saving Money on 2009 Holidays, Travel News| Europe, Eurozone, Holiday in Europe|
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I recently came back from another memorable trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a dazzling, vibrant place to visit. The pace of development means there’s always something new to see and yet, comfortingly, the old attractions still endear.
Lamma Island
The Outlying Islands provide a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong. Lamma Island is popular as a weekend getaway as it’s less than half an hour by ferry Central. It’s also one of the places to go to for delicious seafood.
I’m not usually one for tours, especially in a place that I regard as my second home, but the Lamma Island Romance Tour turned out to be a fantastic way to experience 3 ‘must-dos’, especially if you’re travelling with children or older relatives (as I was).
The tour, organised by Able & Promotion Tours Ltd, included a mouth-watering seafood banquet at the Rainbow Seafood Restaurant on Lamma Island, a harbour cruise to see the Symphony of Lights show in Victoria Harbour and a trip to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram (see more on this in a previous post: My Personal Top Five Things to Do in Hong Kong).
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is one of Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums and theme parks and is home to two pairs of giant panda cubs.
On a previous trip, the crowds were such that I vowed never to visit Ocean Park again. Well, I’m pleased to report that the crowds were not as bad as before and have to admit that Ocean Park is actually a rather spectacular theme park.
Perched on a hillside on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, you need a whole day to get around the park. The two sites are linked by a jaw-dropping cable car ride, or you can opt for the free shuttle bus.
Lantau Island
Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong. Originally the site of traditional fishing villages, the island has, in recent years, been transformed and is now home to Hong Kong’s new international airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ngong Ping 360.
Ngong Ping 360
Ngong Ping is a breathtaking cable car experience that offers stunning views of North Lantau and the South China Sea. To enhance your experience, you can opt to wait for one of the Crystal Cabins - a glass-bottomed cable car! The cable car takes you to the themed Ngong Ping Village (with obligatory shops and places to eat), from where you can walk to the Big Buddha. At 34m tall, it’s one of the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.
Of course, Hong Kong wouldn’t be Hong Kong without the food and the shopping and I will be sharing food and shopping highlights with Your Travel Planner readers in my next posts.
If you’re thinking about visiting Hong Kong and need help planning your trip, please feel free to contact me, Ching Lee, at Go2 Holiday Research, www.go2research.com.
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009,
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Filed under: Asia Pacific, Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations| Hong Kong, Hong Kong Things to Do|
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