Last month we reported that both the French and British authorities had decided to retire Concorde. Now, Richard Branson, millionaire owner of Virgin Airlines, has stepped by saying that he could make Concorde profitable and more affordable. He said, “we believe it has as many as 25 years good flying in it. Concorde is a great ambassador to Britain and should be in the air, not broken up and sold.” Under Virgin, the planes would offer cheaper second-class seats while first class prices would increase.
Category Archives: enewsletter
EasyCruise
We had easyJet (which spawned low cost imitators including Ryanair) and now easyCruise is coming our way in 2004. Not many people know that the low cost pile ‘em high and give them crap so called low cost airlines was started by the serial entrepreneurial Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Now, Stelios, as he likes to be known, is looking at a low cost cruise business. Don’t forget that he comes from a shipping background before making his name creating the UK’s extremely successful first no-frills airline.
He has plans to charge around £30 or US $50 per night on Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises. Prices will be berth-only, with extra charges for meals and drinks – sound familiar? (The Beetle rather cynically wonders if you have pre-allocated cabins or is survival of the fittest as to who can get there first?!) Passengers can choose where they join and leave the ship subject to availability. Summer cruises will take place in the Mediterranean and in the winter months in the Caribbean.
He hopes to attract a younger clientele, backpackers and even young families for whom previously, the notion of cruising has been prohibitively expensive.
If anyone can take on the big cruisers such as Carnival-Princess, RCL and Star Cruises, he can. The company is currently looking for smaller passenger ships and says that operations may start at Easter 2004. The easyCruise concept will be bookable on-line with early booking discounts available. Watch this space!
Swiss Mystery Park Opens
Science fiction writer Eric von Däniken was the inspiration behind the May 2003 opening of Mystery Park in Interläken, Switzerland. The attraction resembles a giant space station, the centrepiece of which is a 41-metre high, globe-like tower, housing the Eric von Däniken Foundation and offering views of the surrounding mountains. There are seven themed pavilions and a circular glass walkway that connects each structure. These take visitors on a tour of the unexplained, from the Pyramids of Giza to the Nazca lines in Peru to Stonehenge in the UK. For more info, visit: www.mysterypark.ch
Mutual Aid
Simon, a single guy from the UK is looking for a travel companion to join him from May 2003 onwards in his travels across the US, over to New Zealand and to Fiji. Simon enjoys the usual things in life and is a keen scuba diver. If you would like to join Simon, please contact him direct on: DISNEYBOND@HOTMAIL.COM
Don, a recently renewed member of the Globetrotter’s Club is starting to research travel to Mexico. He is seeking general advice on suggested places to get off the beaten trail, visit with local people and historic sites. He would likely launch the trip from a popular locale (for best airfare rate) and venture away from there. Any suggestions of places/regions to start my research greatly appreciated. Also, anyone have info on renting a basic mid-size motorcycle in Mexico and touring the 'blue highways.' Don can be contacted on donelda@island.net
Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid
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TV Appeal for Help
RDF Media are producing a documentary for Channel 4 in the UK about people who go travelling and do not return to the UK. We are looking for stories of British people who find alternative lifestyles, jobs, identities and relationships whilst travelling and resolve not to return home. We would particularly like to speak to travellers who can articulate why they have rejected UK lifestyle, and what qualities their new life can offer that Britain can not. We are also looking into stories of UK travellers that have gone missing whilst abroad. We would like to speak to the friends and family that are searching for them. If you would like to contact Kelly, you may e-mail her at: kelly.close@rdfmedia.com or phone her on 0207 013 4316.
Being Careful . Travel to Hong Kong and Guandong Province, China
From the UK Foreign Office: “The Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health — on the basis of information from the World Health Organisation — has strongly advised the UK public to defer travel to Hong Kong, Beijing, China’s Shanzi province China and Toronto in Canada for the time being due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome”. The situation in China is being kept under careful review. Travellers are advised to monitor the FCO website and the Department of Health website regularly. Further information on SARS is also available on the World Health Organisation website (www.who.int)
Mutual Aid
Felicity would like help on staying in the Hawaiian Islands. She says she would like to stay and work on one of the Hawaiian islands for say a period of about 4 to 5 months after her exams. Can anyone help her with some info about visa’s, jobs, accommodation, weather, when it’s best to go, etc. Felicity can be contacted on: felicitybishop@hotmail.com
David from PA, USA says: “I have a small boat (850 LBS) in Van Nuys California at my brother’s house. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I am willing to pay someone’s gas expenses if they are travelling across country and are willing to bring my boat east. What newsgroups would I post something like this on? I am new to newsgroups and would appreciate any help you could give me in getting my boat east”. If you can help David, please e-mail him on: dave43pa2003@yahoo.com
Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid
Meeting News from New York "Ladakh: The last Shangri-la?"
“Ladakh: The last Shangri-la?”
“In the forbidding terrain of the Himalayas, a robust people embellish their frugal lives with rich endowments of faith” (Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic). Experience the beauty of this exotic land through a slide show by Kenneth Axen, PhD, research scientist, graphic artist, and serious amateur photographer.
For details of forthcoming meetings email newyork@globetrotters.co.uk or register for email updates, click here at our website.
New York meetings are held at The Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher Street (btw Greenwich St and Washington St), to the right of Crunch Fitness, in the Archive on the first Saturday of each month at 4 pm.
Free London Museums: Leighton House
Leighton House Art Gallery & Museum, the former home of the great nineteenth century classical painter Lord Leighton is now open to visitors as a mixture of stately home and art gallery. An impressive collection of high Victorian art is on show here, along with various contemporary art exhibitions. The house itself is also a dramatic sight, with its ebony woodwork, ornate mosaic flooring and exquisite Persian carpets.
Address: 12 Holland Park Road
Telephone: 020 7602 3316 Admission times: Mon-Sun, 11am-5.30pm; Closed on Tuesdays Admission: Free
Website: leightonhousemuseum