Chalky

What’s the Best French Ski Resort for Snowboarding?

Chalky — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:10:15 +0000

Having not been skiing for a few years (8 to be exact), I’m looking at going again in Winter 2011/12. This time though, my ski’s will be kept in the loft and am going to hire a snowboard. I’ve wanted to try this before but never got the chance last time when I was in les Duex Alpes.

Having spent endless hours trawling through google, I have come to the conclusion that Avoriaz maybe the best resort for me to try boarding. It has 4 snowboard parks and was is designated for beginners.

The problem I have is Avoriaz has many Apartments rather than catered chalets. I’m dubious about staying in self catering apartments as not sure of the costs of food in the supermarkets locally.

If you have been to any other French ski resorts that are good for snowboarding then please let me know.

Post from: Chalky

What’s the Best French Ski Resort for Snowboarding?

Spanish Air Strikes

Chalky — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:36:10 +0000

Spanish Airport workers have announced they may strike again in 2011 over the Governments plans to sell off some airports. Ground staff from maintenance, fire-fighters, check in staff will all be striking in fear the proposed sale of airports could affect their jobs. Below we have outlined a few points to help you, as the Spanish strikes are purposely done to cause maximum disruption to all passengers.

What dates are the Spanish Air Strikes in 2011?

April Strike Dates – 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th and 30th

May Strike Dates – 2nd, 14th, 15th, 19th and 20th

June Strike Dates – 13th, 23rd and 30th

July Strike Dates – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 15th and 31st

August Strike Dates – 1st, 15th and 31st.

What Airport’s will be affected?

Some of the largest airport’s in Spain could be affected, from Tenerife and the Canaries, so Alicante, Palma Majorca and Malaga. As many as 100,000 people a day are expected to travel to Spain over the Easter weekend.

If I have a holiday booked, what can I do? Can I cancel my booking due to the strikes?

Unfortunately the strikes are beyond and travel agent, tour operators, airline or hotels control. You maybe able to amend your travel dates, but will be subject to any amendment fees. If your looking to cancel, then you may lose some, or all of your money

Will I get my money back if my flight is cancelled?

This depends on what type of holiday you have booked. If you have booked a standard package holiday and this gets cancelled, you will be entitled to a full refund. If you have booked a holiday with a flight plus a hotel, and the airline cancel you flight, then you can claim for a refund of the flight part. The hotel or transfer refund will depend on the whether the hotel owner or transfer supplier will give any money back. If they don’t you will need to claim this off any travel insurance policy you may have.

Check with your travel agent to see what you would be entitled to.

All Spanish Strike dates are subject to change and have not been confirmed as yet. They may not even be allowed to go ahead as the Spanish government intervention.

Post from: Chalky

Spanish Air Strikes

What’s the best hotel in Alcudia Majorca?

Chalky — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:47:39 +0000

Probably the best hotel in Alcudia for a great family holiday is the Hotel Jupiter Alcudia.

The hotel has 7 swimming pools, a water-park next door and offers all inclusive board basis to all guests, so you don’t have to worry about any extra costs when you are there.

If you need a car park at Gatwick airport before you travel, then checkout Parking at Gatwick Airport

Post from: Chalky

What’s the best hotel in Alcudia Majorca?

How to get Free Flights when booking a Cruise

Chalky — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:26:18 +0000

For the month of November only and on selected cruises, Royal Caribbean are giving away 10,000 Free Flights. No catch or gimmicks, just 100% free flights on Mediterranean fly Cruises.

Prices start from as little as £499 for a weeks cruise around the Canary Islands on-board The Adventure of the Seas in October 2011, saving you over £200 per person. Read Cruise Reviews

Choose from dates between May 2011 and October 2011 on any of some of Royal Caribbean’s best Cruise ships.

All offers are subject to availability and available to the first 10,000 passengers who book a new cruise only.

To book one of these fantastic Free Flight Cruises to the Med, click the button below, because once there gone….there gone.

Post from: Chalky

How to get Free Flights when booking a Cruise

Top 5 Budget Hotels in Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Chalky — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:17:27 +0000

When I say ‘budget’ I mean, these 5 hotels are easily affordable and provide good value for money when booking All Inclusive hotels in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

1. Isla Bonita Hotel

2. Dream Villa Tagoro

3. Fanabe Costa Sur

4. Playa Real Resort Hotel

5. Villa de Adeje Beach

To check prices on any of the above hotels, or all hotels in Costa Adeje, then – Click Here

Costa Adeje is an upmarket resort in the South of Tenerife approx. 25 minutes from the airport by local taxi. Suitable more for families and couples, the resort is set on the beach with a nice promenade offering a relaxed atmosphere with plenty to do. The lively resort of Playa de las Americas is around 25 minute walk from Costa Adeje.

Post from: Chalky

Top 5 Budget Hotels in Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Are budget airlines really low cost?

Chalky — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:25:12 +0000

I’ve asked this question to a few holidaymakers and, no surprise to me, it gets mixed reactions. The split between yes and no was around 50%, so the best answer I can give is….sometimes.

Confused? Well don’t be. I will try to explain below the positives and negatives of booking with a low cost airline, and hopefully will enable you to understand how the low cost airlines operate and how to grab yourself a bargain.

Yes, you can get cheap flight by booking with a low cost airline, but be careful, as they tend to add on non-compulsory extras such as insurance, carbon offset donations, in-flight meals and checked in baggage. All of these can be removed so your flight will be as cheap as possible.

The flight is advertised for £4.99, why can’t I buy it for that price?

The OFT have taken a firm stance on airlines advertising stupidly low prices to attract customers – Read the Press Release here.

Many airlines were advertising prices that they could not honour such as fly from £1, but as you went through the flight booking, they would add on the compulsory charges such as airport tax, which you have to pay when flying.

Now a days, if they offer a flight for £30, they have to sell you the flight, including all airport taxes for that price. (the fare will not include any optional extras such as checked in baggage, in-flight meals etc.)

I’m being charged for baggage, but surely everyone takes a suitcase on holiday?

This is a great annoyance, not just to me, but many travellers. It is just another way for the airlines to advertise low prices, to appear cheap and to add on extras when you are booking the

flight. You need a bag right, so your going to pay to add it on.

Does that mean I have to pay for a pushchair?

No, all airlines will allow you to take 1 pushchair or buggy per child.

Can I pay a deposit when booking with a low cost airline?

Unfortunately not, low cost airlines will take the full cost of the flight at the time of booking, but you can still pay considerably less than booking a charter flight and paying a deposit.

I’ve noticed that the price increases as you get closer to the departure date.

That’s correct. Budget airlines start with an empty plane and price the seats at the cheapest possible price. As seats are sold, the airlines slowly increase the prices of the flights, as they want to maximise profit. As the seats gets less, they become more expensive as the demand is higher. The trick is to book early when the airlines first release the flight routes, or when they have special offers if they are struggling to sell certain flights.

I need to change my flight, how much will it cost me?

This is where low cost airlines will make their money, in booking amendments. Making a mistake when spelling a name can cost you hundreds. Some airlines charge over £100 to change a name or even correct a spelling mistake, even if you paid less for the flight.

Changing your travel plans can also be costly. Many airlines charge you an admin fee or around £40-£60 per person…..AND…..the increase in the cost of the flight price. Which basically means, if you paid £100 for the flight you booked 3 months ago and the cost to book it today is £200, then you will have to pay the £100 difference, plus the admin fee to change your flight.

The majority of people find this ridiculous, as you are not booking another flight, so why should you be charged the extra when it’s the same flight? And by the way, if the flight price is cheaper, they won’t refund you either.

Why am I being charged to check-in for my flight?

Again, another way of the airlines saving money. By having less staff at the airport checking people in, they can keep the price of the flights lower. The only problem you may face, is if you do not have a printer or access to one, you will not be able to print off your boarding cards/tickets and will have to pay to check-in at the airport. Make sure you are careful which option you select when booking your flight.

I have a debit card, but am being charged to use it.

When using your card to book the flight, the bank will charge the airline processing the payment around £0.30 – £0.70 per transaction for a debit card payment and around 1.5 – 2% for a credit card. A few of the airlines will also try and capitalise on this by charging up to £10 per person for a debit card and over 5% for using a credit card. See how easy it is for the low cost airlines to make money?

Where can I read reviews on the different airlines?

There are not many websites dedicated to specific reviews but the best one we have found is – airline reviews

To summarise You can get a cheap deal when booking with low cost airlines.

Book early to take advantage of special offers.

Try not to take too many checked in bags as you can normally take up to 10kgs as hand luggage.

Some airlines offer no card charges if you use a prepaid visa or mastercard.

Remember to read airline reviews so you know what to expect before you travel.

Make sure you spell each name correctly and make sure you can travel on the dates you have booked.

Eat at the airport, or take your own food on the plane, as there is nowhere else to eat once your at 35000 feet.

Happy Holidays - Chalky Chicken Nuggets

Pictures: Easyjet by eisenbahner / Ryanair by Andres Rueda

Post from: Chalky

Are budget airlines really low cost?

Holidays to Egypt set to be the top Winter Destination

Chalky — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:47:15 +0000

With the end of Summer closing in, more and more people are looking for Winter Sun holidays. One of the most popular destinations to go this winter will be Egypt. It is outside the EU, only 5 hour flying time from the UK and Egypt has guaranteed sunshine.

The Sphinx at Cairo

You sometimes hear of horror stories such as sickness bugs, but you can get one eating at your local restaurant. Many people are susceptible to illness as they drastically change what they eat on a daily basis and they put this down to the food in Egypt, which is not always the case. It’s the age old case of, ‘You pay for what you get’. If people pay £150 per person for a week for an All Inclusive hotel, not just in Egypt but anywhere in the World, then what do you honestly expect? There are many fabulous hotels in Egypt that are within most people’s budget and are great places to stay, so check out Egypt holidays.

Having been to Egypt many times and travelled around quite extensively, below are a few of my favourite hotels of which I will keep updated the next time I go. Here, I have found the service of the Egyptian people second to non and wouldn’t hesitate in going back.

1. Coral Sea Resort Sharm el Sheikh – A stunning family hotel in Nabq Bay.

2. Hilton Sharks Bay Resort – This First class hotel is a must for quality and relaxing holiday.

3. Rehana Sharm Resort – A relatively new up and coming hotel offers cheap prices throughout the year.

4. Hauza Beach Resort – A superb hotel in Nabq Bay which is great for diving.

If you haven’t been to Egypt then I suggest you take a trip this winter to experience this fantastic Country, steeped in ancient history and culture.

Post from: Chalky

Holidays to Egypt set to be the top Winter Destination

Where I bought my Festival Tent

Chalky — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:43:41 +0000

This summer’s music festival’s are coming to an end, but there is still time to get your festival tents for the up coming Reading and Leeds festivals.

With record high temperature’s at Glastonbury, and a wet Sunday at V Festival yesterday, your choice of tent does matter, as you don’t want one that’s easily going to rip or blow away.

Having recently come back from V Festival in Chelmsford myself, I came across Festival Tents when looking for a tent to purchase. They have sections from 1 man pop-up tents to the large 6 man tents. They compare prices from all the major tent retailers, showing you where to buy your chosen tent for the cheapest price.

I opted for a 4 man tent, as there was ample room to stand up in and get changed, and had a nice big porch area. The make was Eurohike who have been around for quite a few years and make great tents. The outer layer was very easy to put up and the internal sleeping area fitted nicely inside with plenty of room to move about. There was enough room for a double air bed, 2 rucksacks with clothes and other camping equipment.

So if your looking for an end of season sale, ready for next years Music Festival’s then get yourself along to http://www.festivaltents.org.uk

Post from: Chalky

Where I bought my Festival Tent

Petzl – Head Torches

Chalky — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:32:25 +0000

Having recently returned from a camping trip, I decided I needed something better than my normal hand held torch. I went to my local camping shop and came across the Petzl headtorch. Although more expensive than normal torches, it wraps around your forehead and enables you to have both hands free.

You can use it when camping, hiking or even around the house if you are in the loft or basement. If outside the headlamp is water-resistant and the strap and lamp adjust for maximum comfort and lighting beam. It is lightweight and compact, giving you a much better torch all-round.

The Petzl head torch has 4 settings, 3 of which are different strength light settings and the 4th is strobe mode. If comes in a nice pouch that you can attach to your belt, and can produce around 140 hours of light on 1 set of AAA batteries, using 2 or 3 powerful LED lights.

There are several different versions of the Petzl, from the basic Tikkina to the more advanced Tikka and Tactikka.

Post from: Chalky

Petzl – Head Torches

Remote Control Wand | Magic button free universal remote in the shape of a Wand

Chalky — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:53:37 +0000

Want to impress your friends and turn your TV on, change channels or even turn off the lights like Harry Potter, then look no further! The guys at The Wand Company have developed this superb universal remote control to do just that.

The remote control Wand has 13 gestures, where you can learn in the practice mode, along with a learning mode, where you can teach the Wand what to do using the pre-set functions. It is totally button free and you work the wand by moving it up and down, swishing it like a magician or rotating it left and right.

There is a detailed instruction booklet that comes with each one or you can down load it from here: Wand Instructions

The remote control wand was featured on the BBC TV program Dragon’s Den, where Duncan Bannatyne made the £200,000 investment the Wand Company were looking for.

The Kymera Wand requires 2 AAA batteries, which are not included and comes in a lovely presentation box. This is the only one for all remote control you will ever need!

Post from: Chalky

Remote Control Wand | Magic button free universal remote in the shape of a Wand