My Travelling Companion: Iceland

Showing posts with label Iceland. Show all posts

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Greek back-up: it doesn't sound Greek, does it?

The strikes and natural disasters have all come and gone, but the chance to go and have a Greek holiday isn't over yet.

Take that chance!
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Greek back-up

Government promises free room and board for travellers affected by strikes, natural disasters

Greece has offered to cover the costs of tourists who are stranded as a result of industrial action or natural disaster in what is effectively a free "insurance policy".

The move is designed to repair the damage done to its important tourism industry as a result of industrial action and the ash cloud caused by Iceland's volcano.

Athens issued the undertaking as the country faced a wave of protests called by unions against government austerity cuts.

Pavlos Geroulanos, the Culture Minister, announced that the government would "guarantee" extra room and board payments if return flights are cancelled or postponed.

"We are certain that it will be a calm summer, and that there will be no major strike disruptions," an official said. "But just in case something happens, the Greek state is prepared to cover these costs."

Tourism generates almost one-fifth of the Greek gross domestic product but bookings have collapsed by 10 per cent since the onset of the financial crisis.

Budget cuts have provoked stoppages and strikes among public sector workers. Unions have called a general strike, the fifth since the start of the year, on June 29.

Public life has been met with continual disruption since the Greek government hit the financial buffers last year.

But Mr Geroulanos said there were indications that visitor numbers would be better than forecast.

"The numbers are not really as gloomy as they were with the first cancellations," he said. "Some destinations have suffered greatly due to the crisis, but others are doing better than before."

Greece has moved to ensure that the cost of visiting is reduced. It has suspended landing fees at all regional airports and relaxed visa rules for Russians and Ukrainians. The Daily Telegraph

From TODAY, Travel - Thursday, 24-June-2010
Greek back-up
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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Being right: The Wright travel plans

Image by Smaku via Flickr

This talks about an upcoming TV show where they'd feature travel destinations. (Since I am posting late, this is already on air this time).

Pardon me, but I do agree with Ian when he said that "... they're free... they're not nailed down... " Take 'em with you when you leave...

Read on...
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The Wright travel plans

It's out with boundaries, and in with Ian Wright

by Michelle Ann Kwara
michelleann@mediacorp.com.sg

AN ENTIRE room of eager journalists watched as Ian Wright slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Don't worry, the children can stay - he was just showing off his gleaming sunburn from his most recent escapade.

"Eighteen years of travel, and I realised that I haven't learnt one thing," sighed the globe-trekker, who popped into town last month to promote his latest TV travel programme, Ian Wright: Out of Bounds.

As the name suggests, the 45-year-old Englishman's latest offering features destinations that are, well, out of bounds. The world's most remote or least visited locations - Cuba, Syria, Venezuela and Siberia are a handful of the cities explored.

It may not sound like a leisurely spa getaway. And it isn't - Wright was quick to say that he wasn't always as calm and smiley as what you see on TV. "You've got to be mad to not be scared of nothing," he said. "Or dead, I suppose."

The much-loved host of Lonely Planet, also known as Globe Trekker, Wright has also hosted shows like America The Wright Way and VIP Weekends With Ian Wright. The shows are a lovechild of travelogue and comedy, with Wright providing his trademark wit and screwball antics.

As a professional traveller, he is no stranger to exotic foods. While Singaporeans feast on shark's fin, Wright dines on mouldy sharks in Iceland.

"It's an old Viking dish, it's like cured meat. If you're on a boat, you got to have something to nibble on. No wonder the Vikings aren't here anymore," he quipped.

We cosied up with the award-winning host as he shared tips on stealing hotel toiletries and why we should all go to Siberia.

Where's the one place you think everyone should visit?

There's isn't anywhere, really. Some people say Auschwitz is one place you must go, just to remind yourself of what's going on. Like in Cambodia, the school that was the death camp. It's always worth going to one of them places, just as a reminder of what a bunch of a**holes we are. You don't necessarily need to visit those places. Everyone's got their own little mecca. And while you're in Cambodia, get yourself some noodles and go off to Angkor Wat, you know? It's only round the corner, innit?

What's the best advice you can give travellers who want to travel the way you do?

Well, just buy a ticket, really. The thought of going on your own, or with someone, to the other end of the world, it's like, "Oh my god!" and you can dwell and think about it too much. And it can stop you going. What you need to do is, when you get the idea, go and buy a ticket. Buying that ticket is the first step, and probably the hardest.

What are your travel essentials?

Now, it's my DVD player. I love films, especially for long plane journeys. But make sure you've got a bloody good battery.

Why should we visit Siberia?

Because it's unlike any other place. People want to travel to experience new experiences, to see different perspectives of the world, different landscapes in the world. And it doesn't get more different, or more extreme, than in places like Siberia.

Have you ever nicked hotel soaps and toiletries?

I don't use the word nick - they're free anyway. If it's not nailed down, put it in your bag. That's my motto.

Ian Wright: Out of Bounds premieres today and airs every Thursday at 9pm on Discovery Travel and Living.

From TODAY, Travel - Thursday, 20-May-2010
The Wright travel plans
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Air Travel: Travelling safe

This may not be very timely, but the idea presented can be of use anytime any type of delay in air travel happens.

I'm not saying that another volcano eruption is imminent, or whatever, no, I'm not saying that. it is just that anything can happen while you are on travel, by air, water or land.

Read on...
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Travelling safe

Will the volcano in Iceland leave you stranded in Europe? Is this really the best time to visit Greece? We have the answers

Eruption disruption

IF WE want to fly, we have no option but to grin and bear the risks of delays. The good news is that any further disruption due to Icelandic ash looks as though it will be intermittent and short-term.

The bad news is that it could prove impossible to predict: The fact that there were cancellations in Spain, Italy and Morocco last week, but that most of Britain was unaffected, is proof of that point. It's essential to know what you are entitled to in the event of being stranded or delayed.

Greek philosophy

The problem here is that, while the European Union may have shored up Greece's finances for the immediate future, the level of discontent in the country is clearly extremely high. Further disruption and protest seem likely, and Athens does not look like an attractive option for a summer holiday.

You might reason that the most popular holiday islands are a long way from the tensions in the capital. But we have already seen strikes affecting air-traffic control and ferry services, and a long-lasting general strike would have an impact all over Greece.

Our advice? Not to deprive Greece of vital tourist income this summer but keep watch on the political situation there and be wary of booking too far in advance.

If you spot a last-minute bargain (and there will be many), however, you might do well to snap it up.

Bargain hunting

In the immediate future, the travel industry faces another issue - the World Cup. Traditionally, many of us put our holiday-booking plans on hold during the competition, consumed apparently, by a fear that we might miss out on the atmosphere in a bar if our teams do well. Since June is always a good month for holiday bargain hunting, the World Cup effect this year will make it better than ever. The Daily Telegraph

From TODAY, Travel
Travelling safe
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Monday, May 18, 2009

STEAMY LAGOON

Fringed by ragged lava rock and misted over by hot steam, Iceland's Blue Lagoon is a picture of wild, prehistoric splendour. But turn around and you'll see modern spa facilities and the jutting torsos of fellow tourists. The Blue Lagoon, 45 minutes from Reykjavik, derives its name from the mineral-rich blue-green water that flows through the lava rocks. It's hot, about 40°C. Retreat into the steam far enough and you might even lose sight of civilisation for a spell.

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 14-May-2009

My Travelling Companion

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Greek back-up: it doesn't sound Greek, does it?