The border near Tijuana

Mexico and in particular areas such as Cancun, Tijuana and Acapulco have long been very popular destinations with visitors from the UK and the USA.  In recent years however the seemingly unending reports of violent crime and disorder have put off visitors. Hotel bookings in Tijuana, close to the border with California have fallen off catastrophically. Naturally the fall in demand has led to some great deals being available – but would it be foolish to take them up?

Frightening news continues to come out of Mexico. Bizarrely, the latest seems to have be of a possibly supernatural nature.  The deaths of 300 goats have been blamed on the vampiric chupacabra. Chupacabra means ‘goat-sucker’ – and it is a legendary beast supposedly connected with the deaths of livestock. Threats to tourists however are far more prosaic, and much easier to verify.

Primarily it is Americans who have been spooked by the extreme levels of gang violence, and a look at the the US State Department’s page of travel advice certainly reveals a lot to be wary of.  The threat from gang violence to foreigners is downplayed, though it is pointed out that attacks have occurred in areas frequented by tourists. The list of other danger to be aware of though is truly terrifying. Reading through it you would assume that as  a visitor you are pretty much guaranteed to be robbed, raped, and imprisoned after having a confession extracted by torture by corrupt officials.

The advice from the British Foreign Office is a little more reassuring, pointing out that “most visits to Mexico are trouble free”. Non essential travel to Ciudad Juarez (close to the US border) is warned against though, as this area has been the focus of much of the violence of late. Both the US and UK governments official advice have many tips for saying safe – which, if they don’t scare you off entirely, should keep you as safe as you would be anywhere if you stick to tourist areas.

Your holiday experience starts when you get to the airport. Do you think of hard seats and heavy bags and sky high prices? In Journeyfish.com article How To Sleep In An Airport we looked at the rough side of airport life, the weary financially challenged passenger just trying to survive in a hostile uncaring environment. Yeah, you can approach the whole airport experience with that mindset, thousands do, but there is another way.

Modern airports are like shopping centers. Like shopping centers with one important difference: the price. Aside from the duty free the same shops and bar and restaurant chains you can find  all over are there, with a hefty markup. Escape from all of this by getting yourself into a lounge and you will never look back.

Many of the more expensive tickets include lounge access in the price, but you don’t necessarily need to be traveling first class, or even with a particular airline to get in. By paying a small fee you can enjoy a much more relaxing atmosphere, and when you include things like complementary food, drinks, and Internet access it can pretty soon pay for itself.

Of course some airport lounges take things to a whole different level. For instance Etihad passengers waiting in Abu Dhabi whether it is  for flights to London,  or flights to Bangkok can really soak up the luxury. The ‘Diamond First Class Lounge’ at Abu Dhabi international airport includes a fully featured spa, offering treatments including scalp massage, foot detox and facial renewal. In addition to this there is of course fine dining, a Champagne bar and a cigar lounge boasting the finest Cuban and American smokes to enjoy with your vintage cognac!

Rumors and hearsay about the possible negative consequences of sunscreen use abound. Although this sounds like prime urban legend material there may actually be something to it.  Firstly there is the fact that sun protection creams can only provide limited protection. Feeling that you are protected can lead you to take greater risks with sun exposure.  If you have applied cream and think that you will not burn then you are much more likely to stay in the sun than if you know that covering up and getting into the shade is your only option. Similarly if you always apply high factor sun protection your skin will never be able to develop its own natural defenses against UV light, meaning that you will always be at a greater risk of burning if you encounter sunshine whilst unprotected.

There is another and potentially more disturbing aspect to sun-screen health concerns. These centre around the ingredients that are used. For instance there is oxybenzone. This chemical is found in several commercially available high factor sun creams. Although still approved by the US FDA oxybenzone is known to be a hormone disruptor and it is suspected that it may also have carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects. A wide variety of chemicals are used to make sunscreen, these range from those that provide the protection to those to ensure that the cream is absorbed by the skin or is waterproof. In addition to these sun products often contain either skin lightening or fake tan products – important to remember if you buy sun cream while you are away on holiday, many countries have next to no regulation regarding what substances can be used in these products.

The only way to be safe with either the sun or with sun protection products is to exercise caution and moderation. A bit of sunshine is essential for health, too much can kill you. The best thing to do is to make sure that you plan to be able to cover up after a period of exposure, for instance put some thought into the long dresses and other clothing that will work on the beach and ensure that you can retreat to the shade when you have had enough. Also build your tan gradually and naturally by reducing the potency of the creams that you use across your holiday. The number one most important thing to remember though is that under absolutely no circumstances should you ever let you or your family burn.

Figures show that up to a remarkable 14% of holidays across the June 2010 period were booked only four weeks or less before the departure date, an increase from June 2009.

In the U.K. holidaymakers are eager to take advantage of the rising Pound value against the weakening Euro, with the prospect of travelling to mainland Europe being a more affordable choice then usual.

While in Germany, unemployment figures have continued to fall as the economy stabilizes, giving consumers a renewed confidence to make spontaneous purchases.

“People are anxious early in the year whether they will still have their job in summer to pay for a holiday trip,” said Klaus Kraenzle, an analyst at GSC Research in Dusseldorf.

“Early bookings are not part of many customers’ reality of life any more as the future has become less predictable,” Meyer said. The ash plume from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano as well as riots in Greece and Thailand also put some vacationers off making bookings earlier in the year, she said.

The increase of online booking is also making it easier, faster, and cheaper to find the holiday best suited for consumers. Price comparison websites make it even easier to search for the best deals.

“To get the best deal, consumers are spending more time online and that’s reducing the time between booking and travel,” said Caroline Bremner, global travel and tourism manager at Euromonitor International in London.

“People are booking later than ever before,” said Nina Meyer, a spokeswoman for L’TUR Tourismus AG, Europe’s largest last-minute-travel organizer. L’TUR’s package-tour sales are ahead of last year and the company aims to sell 1 million journeys for the year, up from 2009’s record 832,000, which produced revenue of 360 million euros ($464 million), she said.

5vorFlug one of L’TUR’s competitors noted a jump of 60 percent in the first two weeks of July, compared with the previous year.

Whether following this trend of booking last minute holidays is something you should follow of course varies on a case by case basis. While you can get the odd cheap package deal at the last minute, for the independent traveler it is much better to book as far in advance as possible. Everything from flights to accommodation is always much cheaper the further in advance you book. That said, there really is nothing like a bit of spontaneity!

The scene in Lahore

The Swat valley region was recently plagued by violence and unrest. Despite this trouble  it remains one of the most popular Pakistani regions among tourists. Located in the Hindu Kush mountain range it is an area of incredible natural beauty. The infrastructure of the region has been totally devastated, nearly all bridges in the region have been destroyed leaving somewhere in the region of 1500 visitors trapped.

The scale of the floods is truly shocking as is the scale of the humanitarian disaster. Across large areas of Pakistan the effects of the flooding have proved massively destructive. In addition to the ever increasing number of people known to have perished, there is already known to be in excess of 1.5 million Pakistanis in urgent need of assistance.

The problems facing the people of Pakistan after this flooding are numerous and varied. Most pressingly there are people stranded by flood waters who must be rescued. Food and water are in terribly short supply. Cholera and other diseases are posing a deadly threat to survivors, many of whom are finding that their wells have been contaminated.In the long term both infrastructure and peoples livelihoods will have to be pieced back together again.

Though military  efforts are underway to drop supplies, the military of Pakistan even with the help of US forces are unlikely to do enough on their own. In the short term international aid organisations and charities will be very much needed  to get help out to those that need it. Oxfam have launched an international appeal to raise funds for their efforts and are urging people to make Pakistan flood donations.

The bags you take on holiday don’t have to be dependable and boring. You can really have some fun with what you take with you on holiday. Even if you don’t want to fork out for new luggage you can get these awesome stickers to put on your existing suitcases. These are eye-catching and eyebrow raising images that ma not necessarily be in the best taste, but hey, and least you will be able to spot your bag on the luggage carousel!

These stickers are available for just $15 excluding postage from thecheeky.com. I can imagine that they might cause one or two problems with airport, airline and security workers who, lets face it, usually have a major sense of humor deficit. In a world where a man was arrested after a Ryanair flight for complaining about his sandwich having any kind of fun could be a little ill advised.

For those willing to explore the further limits of what premium luggage can do there is one very special option. This one will be particularly welcome for those that find the places that they have to wait are cruelly lacking in comfortable sofas. Unfortunately this idea is still at the concept stage, it was developed a young Dutch designer Erik de Nijs. A four piece luggage set that converts into a couch! How massively cool is that?

The wealth of Dubai mainly comes, not from oil,but from tourism and business. Trade has always been the very soul of Dubai, and this outward looking and enterprising spirit remain strong to this day. Hospitality to business and leisure visitors is critical to Dubai, and those who experience it will seldom be disappointed.

Dubai wonderland

The international flavor of Dubai cannot be understated. Just 17% of the population is Emerati, with the rest being composed largely of workers from around the globe. It is in fact Indians (and also others from the sub-continent) who make up the majority of the population in Dubai! With flights to India being the short hop that they are it is obvious why Dubai is such a popular choice for overseas workers and business people from there.

Attractions in Dubai include the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building! Officially opened in January this tower truly scrapes the sky at an astonishing  828 metres tall. This building also sets several other records, including having the world’s highest swimming pool on the 76th floor, and the worlds highest mosque of the 158th.

Entertainment and hotels in Dubai are excellent.  Particularly recommend are the Grand Hyatt, the Somerset Jadaf and  Burj al Arab. The Burj al Arab is one of the most distinctive buildings on Dubai’s remarkable skyline. Built to resemble a sail to reflect the areas seafaring heritage, this hotel stands on a specially constructed artificial island and has declared itself to be a “7 star” establishment.

Two things that Dubai is rightly famous for are beaches and shopping. The best beaches in Dubai are the Jebel Ali beach, Wollongong Beach and Jumeirah Beach. The Grand Mosque at Jumeirah is open to visitors and is a must for visitors wanting to connect to the history and culture of the UAE.

Useful links:
Latest travel advice
Flights to Dubai
Visa requirements
Dubai hotels

So what is going on? Is this evidence of global climate change in action, or merely freak weather? Certainly it fits the pattern as to what has been predicted by climate scientists. A rise in temperature is what has been previously predicted. One single event however cannot be used as a yardstick to judge whether a pattern has been established.  Also the question as to whether the climate change is anthropogenic, caused by human activity, is the subject of debate.

The heatwave has not been global however. In many parts of the world, for instance northern China have experienced much cooler temperatures this year than are typical.  Alarmingly though, the global average temperature is up on average across all areas. There is no scientific debate as to whether the global climate is warming, many measurements confirm this. Climate skeptics point out that variation in global temperature has happened throughout the history of te Earth.

There may or may not be a human factor at work. The fact that there is a problem and that there needs to be a response to the problem is certain. The issue of CO2 emissions is one that governments and polluters must grapple with if future warming can be curbed by cutting these. Whatever the cause though,what is happening in Russia, in Greece and in other places this summer shows that there is a human impact to rising temperatures, and responses from governments and no-governmental bodies such as charities will be needed to cope with these issues.

1996 is a very long time ago on the Internet, but it was way back then in the days when dial-up connections roamed the Earth that sleepinginairports.net was founded. Originally a forum for travelers to share their experiences of crashing in airport concourses it has grown from there. The site is now a repository for information, tips and reviews on the practicalities in sleeping in airports around the world. If you find yourself stuck, you could do a lot worse than log-on to one of those coin operated Internet terminals and benefit from the wisdom of those that were in that jam before you.

Things that you can learn

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

The worst airport in the world you can stay in is Paris. The reasons that travelers have given for Charles de Gaulle to be such an unpleasant place to spend the night include lack of cleanliness, rude staff and the undesirable nature of having to bed down with large numbers of the Parisian homeless.

In contrast Singapore Changi Airport is awarded the dubious honor of being the best airport to sleep over in. One reviewer even goes so far as to say “Even if you have the cash to spring on a hotel room in Singapore, I would recommend a night in the airport”.

There are also some great tips about where in the airport is best for sleeping. The trick of booking cheap car hire instead of a pricey airport hotel room, then spending the night in the relative comfort and privacy that a hatchback in an airport car park provides. Another top tip is that the arrivals lounges are often much more comfortable than departures.

Canal Street

Manchester is known as the Capital of the North. Outside of London it is Britain’s most popular airport and for many taking flights to Manchester is their preferred route into the UK. The central position of Manchester within Great Britain means that onward journeys can prove to be much shorter than from the London airports. Even for access to London, Manchester airport is not too far away, and the planned high speed rail link will bring it into direct competition with airports in the South.

For what is only Britain’s 7th biggest city Manchester certainly punches above its weight cultural life of the country. Manchester United are the most famous footballing brand in the world, and a visit to their Old Trafford ground is a pilgrimage to many. Of course it is a football mad city with Manchester City being the other big club in the city itself and several others in the Greater Manchester area.

Music is the other thing that Manchester is justly famous for, with many famous acts coming from the city over the years such as Oasis, the Smiths and the Happy Mondays. The music scene in Manchester remains strong and with world class venues such as the M.E.N. Arena mean that it is popular with touring acts. The nightlife and club scene is also particularly strong, and with well over 500 licensed premises in the city you wont go thirsty!

There are a great selection of museums and galleries in Manchester. These include a museum of football, a reconstruction of the Roman fort of Mamucium and the People’s History Museum. Famous Manchester painter L.S. Lowry has works displayed in the Lowry art centre and also in the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Going to the Match by L.S. Lowry

Useful links:
Official Manchester Tourist Information
Manchester Airport
Hotel Discounts