Tis the Season to be jolly...well delayed!

Delayed: It still says ‘Boarding in 3 days'

The School Summer Holidays have begun to the predictable accompaniment of heavy rain and delayed flights. Consider expectations managed. In the same way that a budget flight can be considered better than you expected - because you survived with your dignity intact.

Tenerife is one of the most visited spots of the summer and if you venture away from the All Inclusive compounds it very much exceeds expectations as a multi-activity destination with something for everyone.


Travel News

Crowded: In need of fresh air

Friday was due to be the busiest day if the year for UK’s airports with 8,800 flights expected on the first day of the School Holiday season. The airports already had their excuses ready however blaming the air for not being big enough to fit all of their planes. Not sure that’s the right way to look at it...

A Gatwick Meet & Greet company failed to do either this week after the owners of Gatwick First Parking disappeared with the cash abandoning 120 cars around Sussex, not all of which have been found so far. Moral of the story - book with a licensed operator. Or go by train. 

Events Diary

Comicon: Hello, you’re weird

The Just for Laughs Comedy Festival is on in Montreal until 30 July when comics from around the perform at one of the largest events of its type. Venues throughout the city host acts and you hope that they have saved up their best material for this one. 

Grown ups who like dressing up as Superheros can get some practise interacting with real people at the Comic Con 4 day nerdfest in Las Vegas to 23 July. 

Featured Destination: Tenerife

Volcano: Keeping Tenerife Teide 

Tenerife is a volcanic rock in the Atlantic nearer to Africa than Europe. It is a big player on the package market with cheap & cheerful options in forgettable Playa de las Americas. Head instead to nearby Costa Adeje for the best hotels in Tenerife. 

Travel further north for a more authentic experience of food & culture. Puerto de la Cruz is a personal favourite with excellent value food & drink. Excursions can be arranged to the Teide cable car, Siam water park, Loro bird park as well as off shore whale watching.

TRIP IDEA: 1 or 2 week holiday: Choose between the high end hotels of Costa Adeje in the South or Puerto de la Cruz in the North. Do both on a longer visit. Car rental is cheap (fuel is duty free) and the island bus network is very efficient. Event Weekend: head to city of Santa Cruz in April for Carnival, one of the largest after Rio's

Sign of the Week: Free luggage in this part of China

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School’s out for Summer, School’s out for an EU261 Claim

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 23 July 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

***

All of my Latest Offers are on Facebook

Twitter: @eyelinetravel

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

Latest Thailand Offers

Twitter: @bouthaique

For Lakes & Mountains Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk
Latest Lakes & Mountains Offers
Twitter:@alpineweekender

EyeLine Travel is an Explorer Travel Franchise owned & operated by David Sutherland 

All Holidays that I arrange are ABTA (L3832) Bonded and ATOL Protected

Lights-Camera-Holiday: Are you on Location or on Vacation?

Excuse Me, is this the Love Island Hotel?

We now live in an era of box sets and Z list celebrities. This has given rise to themed tourism as people who watch Game of Thrones swamp Dubrovnik in Croatia, one of the areas used in filming. Remember, it’s TV not real life!

Currently there is a show called Love Island which looks like the Inbetweeners holiday transfer bus has crashed through the walls of the Jeremy Kyle Show studios. Set in Mallorca, even Magaluf is getting worried about its reputation. But there is far more to this Balearic Island once you escape the resort areas. Rafael Nadal lives here - and he has had a few extra days to enjoy his home this week. So enjoy the best parts of your holiday through your own eyes, not those of an emotionally challenged TV executive.

Travel News

Star Wars Land: May the bill be with you

Disney have revealed their plans to open a Star Wars Land at their parks in California and Florida in 2019. They have yet to confirm prices for their old rope merchandise stand.

A couple claiming acute sickness whist on holiday in Gran Canaria 4 years ago are likely to have lost their appetite after Thomas Cook won a court case and costs of £3,744. Evidence showed that their ‘sickness’ had no effect on their ability to consume large amounts of food & lager.  

Events Diary

Mud: Not right or neat for your tiger feet 

Croatia is making a name for itself in the Festival market. The Soundwave Festival runs 27-31 July in the fishing village of Tisno. Expect Ibiza style beach and boat parties without (yet) Ibiza style prices.

Alternatively, fans of mud (damp soil not the band) will want to be in Boryeong, South Korea between 21-30 July for the Mud Festival. Expect the mud malarky to include wrestling, fireworks and music. 



Featured Destination: Mallorca

Mallorca: escape from crowded Majorca

Mallorca: that’s Magaluf, English breakfasts & designer-lite hotels isn’t it? Well one small part of this island is but venture to the outer coasts and you can find traditional guesthouse and villa accommodation, local food & culture and quieter beaches. 

Puerto Pollença in the north has always attracted a more discerning crowd but also look at areas around Puerto Sóller, Can Picafort or the Tramontana mountains. You won’t avoid all the crowds but you will see the island in a very different light. 

TRIP IDEA: 1 or 2 week holiday: Rent a car from Palma airport between May-October and head to the north, west or east coast away from the high-rise resorts. Long Weekend: head to vibrant Palma outside July/August and enjoy the old town and high quality tapas. 

Sign of the Week: Practical advice from China

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What exactly should the water in Mallorca taste like then?

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 16 July 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

***

All of my Latest Offers are on Facebook

Twitter: @eyelinetravel

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

Latest Thailand Offers

Twitter: @bouthaique

For Lakes & Mountains Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk
Latest Lakes & Mountains Offers
Twitter:@alpineweekender

EyeLine Travel is an Explorer Travel Franchise owned & operated by David Sutherland 

All Holidays that I arrange are ABTA (L3832) Bonded and ATOL Protected

Long Haul is the new Short Haul for a Late Summer Deal

The Med: Quite popular in August. 

As peak Summer Holiday season approaches, prospective holidaymakers can be categorised into two camps: Those who have booked and those who have not (we do not speak of the staycationer)

If you booked back in 2010, then you may have secured a good deal - but if you have left it late then you might find two weeks in Spain cost about the same as a 1 bed flat in a hipster neighbourhood. However, if you can manage a longer flight, there’s a good chance that a long haul holiday to the Far East, Caribbean or Mauritius will be cheaper than a short haul break so it really is worth broadening your horizons at this time of year.

Travel News

Democracy: not always a good thing

Government suggestions that a £15 congestion charge could be introduced for driving to Heathrow to reduce emissions has gone down like an unleaded balloon. Expect a commission to be formed with no final decision until at least 2047.  

P&O Cruises have launched a public campaign to get suggestions for the name of their newest and largest ship to be delivered in 2020. Some companies never learn so expect ‘Shippy McShipface’ to be the unofficial winner.

Events Diary

Benicàssim: get your towel down early

Festival Season is in full swing with a double header 13-16 July. In Spain, it’s the Benicàssim Festival including Stormy, Red Hot Chili Peppers & Kasabian amongst many more. Nearest airports are Reus and Valencia.

For something more chilled, try the Beats, Beers & Boogaloo festival in Croatia featuring bands, DJs and beers curated by Craig Charles. Nearest airports are Zadar and Split.


For something classical, the Verbier Festival runs 21 July-6 August with 60 concerts. Nearest airport is Geneva.

Featured Destination: Mauritius

Mauritius: ideal for kids, creoles and coconuts 

Mauritius: that’s the expensive, luxury island full of honeymooners? Actually, it can be all or none of these things as more and more people are finding out. It is also becoming very good value as many hotels fix their prices against the Pound rather than Dollar or Euro which has benefited UK tourists.

Mauritius is the classic Indian Ocean retreat where you can relax in a luxurious Resort on an All Inclusive package. Or you can go diving, sailing, golfing, hiking in the National Parks, shopping at the clothing retail outlets etc. Basically it is whatever holiday you want it to be.  

TRIP IDEA: May to December. Choose from one of the top quality East or West Coast resorts as a base to explore or for watersports, diving and golf or get away from it all at one of the remote North or South coast resorts. Add a stopover in Dubai with Emirates flights or combine with South Africa (4 hours to Johannesburg) on a longer trip.

Sign of the Week: Sound advice from Thailand

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If a cocktail is poured by the pool and nobody sees it, does it make a sound?

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 10 July 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

***

All of my Latest Offers are on Facebook

Twitter: @eyelinetravel

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

Latest Thailand Offers

Twitter: @bouthaique

For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

Latest Lakes & Mountains Offers
Twitter:@alpineweekender

For Lakes & Mountains Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk

EyeLine Travel is an Explorer Travel Franchise owned & operated by David Sutherland 

All Holidays that I arrange are ABTA (L3832) Bonded and ATOL Protected

Celebrating the big 150: Happy Birthday Canada

July 1st was Canada Day in case you were’t aware. This year was a big celebration for its 150th Birthday. Making Canada 5 years younger than Notts County Football Club.

If you like wearing a coat outdoors, Canada offers a spectacular adventure through mountains, forests and quite a bit of snow. There is World class skiing as well as vibrant cities - great for literally chilling. Just remember Ice Hockey is called Hockey over there. Many Happy Returns Canada!

Travel News

Pre-clearance: 14 nights in Orlando you say?

New enhanced security screening is to be introduced on flights to the USA instead of an expanded cabin lap top ban. Expect alien abduction style probing to be introduced next.

Two new high speed rail lines open in France this week bringing Rennes 90 minutes from Paris and Bordeaux 2 hours. Meanwhile, HS2 is...


Colombian budget carrier VivaColombia is looking at ‘vertical seating options’ i.e. standing on some of its aircraft. Hopefully a certain Irish budget carrier has missed this story. 

Events Diary

Pacificists: Palau's Nuclear alternative 

Whilst 1st July is celebrated in Canada, it shares an anniversary related date with Burundi, Madeira, Rwanda, Somalia and Hong Kong. We think the Canadian party will win.

July is a popular month for national anniversaries including the USA (4th), Argentina (9th), France (14th), Belgium (21st) & Peru (28th).

Big up also to the Pacific island Republic of Palau which celebrates 36 years of a nuclear free constitution on 9th. To join the party, it’s just a 22hour flight from London via Seoul

Featured Destination: Canada

Rocky Mountaineer: No ASLEF overtime ban

Canada is fast becoming everyone’s favourite America and this year it really is the place to be for its birthday.

With spectacular outdoor landscapes and wildlife, peak time is the summer when everything isn’t covered in snow. Winter sports fans can enjoy resorts including Whistler, Banff & Lake Louise. Toronto makes a good short break whilst Vancouver is also worth a visit.

TRIP IDEA: May to October. Fly into Calgary and drive to Banff, Lake Louise, Glacer & Jasper National Parks. For a treat, take the Rocky Mountaineer train or alternatively continue by road to Vancouver. Add a whale watching trip off Vancouver island if time permits. December to April head to Whistler for ski & board with a break in Vancouver. Allow two weeks Summer/10 days Winter.

Sign of the Week: from New Brunswick, Canada 

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In the Holiday Deals forest, I’m a lumberjack & I’m ok!

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 2 July 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

***

All of my Latest Offers are on Facebook

Twitter: @eyelinetravel

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

Latest Thailand Offers

Twitter: @bouthaique

For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

Latest Lakes & Mountains Offers
Twitter:@alpineweekender

For Lakes & Mountains Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk

EyeLine Travel is an Explorer Travel Franchise owned & operated by David Sutherland 

All Holidays that I arrange are ABTA (L3832) Bonded and ATOL Protected

In the Summertime when the weather is hot. Elsewhere.

Summer Packing Tips: Don’t ask Baboons for help

Eye On Travel returns after undergoing a spot of refurbishment. As the Summer Season gets under way, we will be covering what’s happening in the Travel World, what’s in the Diary, discussing must visit Destinations and looking for things that amuse us.

And remember, three days does not a Summer make. If you are thinking of a Staycation because the UK was hot for a few days, feel free to get in touch when the weather changes!


Travel News

Qatar Airways: Would you prefer an M&S BLT ?

BA short haul Customers from Heathrow are in for a service upgrade as the airline is wet leasing 9 airbus jets from Qatar Airways to cover the Mixed Fleet strike starting 1 July17.

British Holidaymakers have been warned against making false sickness claims from All Inclusive resorts which could result in going to prison. Which ironically is also all inclusive.

Ryanair have denied deliberately auto allocating random middle seats to customers who don’t choose to pay for one in advance. Solution: choose a free seat with another airline.

Events Diary

Finnished: Too much Midnight Sun & Vodka

The Wife Carrying World Championships take place in Sonkajärvi, Finland 30 June- 1 July17. Whoever crosses the Finnish Line (get it) wins a trip to the 21st Century.

The World Bodypainting Festival takes place in Klagenfurt, Austria 28-30 July17. There will be mixed emulsions.

For fans of tourists getting gored, the Running of the Bulls takes place from 7-14 July in Pamplona, Spain. Expect crowds, alcohol & idiocy to feature.

Featured Destination: South Africa

Cape Town: Scenery, Steaks. And the odd Shark.

As the value of the British Pound seems to shrink by the week, there are still some destinations that are great value for money, i.e. their economy is performing worse than ours! 

South Africa fits into this category and offers excellent value with an exhaustive list of things to see & do. With a small time difference, it makes a great winter sun destination. Plus the wine & steak is excellent.

TRIP IDEA: Fly into captivating Cape Town for a few days. Then drive along the Garden route stopping off at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve and Plettenberg Bay. Drop the car in Port Elizabeth and with fly home via Johannesburg or via a few days in Mauritius. Itinerary time from 10 days (South Africa only) to two weeks (including Mauritius).

Sign of the Week: from India

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If the World is your Oyster, I am your Oyster Shucker!

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 25 June 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

***

All of my Latest Offers are on Facebook

Twitter: @eyelinetravel

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

Latest Thailand Offers

Twitter: @bouthaique

For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

Latest Lakes & Mountains Offers
Twitter:@alpineweekender

For Lakes & Mountains Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk

EyeLine Travel is an Explorer Travel Franchise owned & operated by David Sutherland 

All Holidays that I arrange are ABTA (L3832) Bonded and ATOL Protected