Glastonbury: UK

Whilst festivals such as Reading/Leeds and T in the Park have mounted serious claims to being the UK’s ultimate festival, the history which precedes Glastonbury and its huge attendance still lands it as the number one UK festival. Known for bringing in the biggest headliners, (some of them much unexpected) there is always an eclectic mix of music and performances on display. Rumours for the 2013 headliners include veterans Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones. Tickets are known to sell out as quickly as you can blink, so it is worth monitoring the site to find out when tickets go on sale. You should also pack some wellingtons or heavy duty footwear as it is known to be a victim to torrential rain.

Mud at Glastonbury festival, UK by Joanne and Matt

Benicàssim: Spain

One distinct advantage of attending a music festival in Spain in the summer is the opportunity to watch some of your favourite bands in near perfect conditions. Whilst Spain does get very hot in the summer the festivals close proximity to the coast provides strong breezes to alleviate the intensity of the heat. It has continued to gain popularity over the past few years and people from all over Europe travel to attend the festival. It takes place in a town on the outskirts of Valencia and most people tend to fly in, but a road trip through Europe and over the Pyrenees mountains is also an option for those who want to visit other places en route. Most recent notable acts include The Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Sigor Ros and Bob Dylan.

Benicàssim Festival, Spain by Renzo Giusti

Outlook Festival: Croatia

Croatia has become a popular European destination mainly due to its great summer climate and the fact it has its own domestic currency which makes local products cheaper for European travellers. Outlook festival has become one of the biggest dance festivals in the world and is renowned for having a diverse range of dance music represented across its stages. It is located in Pula, Croatia which rests on the southwest of the country. There are a number of beaches near the area which makes it a popular festival choice.

Before you begin your journey overseas it is worth investing in a prepaid travel card. Unlike cash you get the benefit of extra security and the ability to monitor your finances online and plan your holiday budget.

About the author: Adam Porteous writing on behalf of ICE. Click here for more information on their prepaid travel cards and travel money offers.

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Boat leaving Great Blasket Island by Deanna Keahey

The Blasket Islands are about three miles from the Irish mainland, but they feel a world apart. The people here kept the ways of a simpler time, due to both isolation and lack of money. They never had television or supermarkets. They never had movie theaters or gas stations. The islanders continued to live a simple life until they were forced by the government to abandon their homes, ensuring that the Blaskets would never move into modern times.

It’s never been easy to get to the Blasket Islands. In the old days, people used small, open rowboats called curraghs, to travel out to the island. People had to row back and forth for many reasons – to buy or sell livestock or other goods, to see a doctor or a priest, or even to carry the mail. It’s hard to imagine loading a cow into one of these little rowboats without capsizing it, but they did. Travel to the mainland was difficult in good weather, and dangerous or even impossible in bad weather.

Life on the islands depended largely on the sea. Not only did it determine when they could row to the mainland, but it also provided much of what they needed. Fishing was a mainstay for food, and islanders also gathered seaweed to fertilize the scanty soil on the island for growing crops. A shipwreck could provide an unexpected bounty – everything from timber for building to rare supplies. Wood was scarce on the island, so they harvested peat to make fires.

Blasket Islands abandoned village by Deanna Keahey

In the 1800s, there were about 150 people who lived here, but by 1953, the last inhabitants left the islands. The government of Ireland mandated that the last people should abandon their homes on the island, due to the difficulty in ensuring them public services such as health and education. Just a few years earlier, the islanders had an emergency when bad weather cut them off from mainland supplies for several weeks. With a dwindling population there (it was down to 22 people), the government decided it was best to move them ashore.

Today, you can take a ferry to Great Blasket Island, the largest of the group, where the most people lived. The town is now in ruins, but skeletons of many homes still stand. You can wander through the streets of town, or into the ruins of homes. It’s a reminder of how tough life was here, to think of a large family living in one of these small two-room homes. You can see where people launched their curraghs for fishing, the beach where they gathered seaweed, and the hills where the children hunted rabbits.

Roofless stone house by Deanna Keahey

You can walk all the way around the island if you want, with great views of the islands and the sea. A walk around the island can be sunny, brisk, or blustery – or all three, on different sides of the island. You can find the remains of a Napoleonic fort at the very top of the island, along with the best views of all.

Dunquin is the closest place on the Irish mainland, and you can catch a ferry from there to Great Blasket Island. Even today, the trip is dependent on weather, and you may find that the boats aren’t running if the sea is up. As you ferry over to Great Blasket Island, just think about rowing yourself across in a small open boat. That will give you a great perspective on life in the Blasket Islands.

Deanna Keahey is a lifelong traveler, who ran an international travel company for years. Today, you’ll find her out traveling, hiking, and exploring as much as possible. Deanna writes about travel products and cool travel ideas at Best Travel Clothes, and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

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1 – Will I get sea sick on a cruise?

It is highly unlikely that you will get seasick whilst on a cruise as the majority of cruise ships are very well stabilised so you will hardly notice that they are moving. Thanks to radar equipment, most cruise ships are able to avoid bad-weather which causes sea conditions to change. However if you are concerned, you could visit your doctor before the cruise for some seasickness medication or take an over-the-counter remedy.

Cruise Ship with pool by kellinahandbasket

2 – What is included in the fare?

A cruise ship is similar to an ‘all inclusive holiday’ although what’s included varies between cruises. On the majority of cruises, your fare will cover your accommodation, standard dining, some shows and activities on board and some drinks. On more high-end cruises alcoholic drinks and snacks may also be included. Usually things like hair salon appointments, spa treatments and excursions are additional to the cost of your fare.

3 – What entertainment is on board?

Entertainment varies from ship to ship but you can expect to find a swimming pool, cinema, theatre, shops, a gym, and a spa on most large cruise ships. There may also be tennis courts, basketball courts, areas for golf practice and other sports.  There are usually also organised activities such as crafts, card playing and talks or lectures to keep you entertained too.

4 – What types of people will be on board?

People often expect to find only wealthy or retired people on cruises but this not the case at all. Cruise holidays are popular with honeymooners, young professionals and families as well as more mature people. These people are from all walks of life and have different hobbies, past-times and incomes. Some will be looking for the adventure of off-ship excursions offer whilst others will be looking to relax and unwind.

5 – What dining facilities are on board?

Cruise ships will offer a range of dining facilities including buffet style restaurants, fast food outlets and fine dining as well as more standard styles of restaurant. You can expect to find a wide range of cuisines including Italian, Chinese, French, British and English so there should be something to cater to your taste. There may also be coffee bars and ice cream parlours on board too.

Dining room in Cruise ship by Rennett Stowe

6 – What will my cabin be like?

The style of cabin you get depends on the ship you are on and the level of cabin you have chosen. Your cabin will have the bed option you have chosen along with amble space for your belongings and en suite bathroom facilities. All cabins tend to have a telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV. Outside cabins tend to have private balconies too.

7 – Can I keep in touch with friends and family whilst on board?

Thanks to modern technology, you will easily be able to keep in touch with friends and family. Cabins are equipped with telephones and mobile signals are available when in port or near land. Most cruise ships also have wifi facilities and offer internet access too.

8 – Is cruising safe?

We have all heard of the ill-fated Titanic but thankfully safety protocols have come a long way since then.  Cruise ships are subject to rigorous rules and regulations in relation to staff and passenger safety with regular inspections taking place. You will also undertake a drill exercise within the first 24 hours on board a cruise ship to ensure that you know what to do in the event of an emergency. All cruise ships are fitted with enough life jackets and lifeboats for all people on board.

9 – What activities can I do whilst in ports?

Stopping in ports is one of the most exciting parts of a cruise. You will be able to experience organised excursions which can cover anything from seeing the local wildlife to enjoying the beaches or taking in the local attractions and culture.

10 – What should I pack?

What you should pack depends on the destination of your cruise. If you are cruising to somewhere warm like the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Bahamas, lightweight summer clothing will be needed whilst more all-weather clothing will be needed for a cruise to Alaska or Scandinavia. Some restaurants on board may have dress codes such as formal evening dress but the majority of restaurants do not. You also need to remember to pack suitable swimwear and leisure wear too.

John is a freelance travel writer from the UK.

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Swimming pool in camping / Photo by admin

With deals on rooms and offers on equipment, both can be highly attractive options for the cost-conscious tripper and both have their advantages. Tents and camping equipment can be expensive but enthusiasts regard the outlay as investment rather than expenditure because good kit can provide a lifetime of faithful service. Hotel rooms will always cost more than campsite fees but in a hotel you know exactly what you’re getting – not least, guaranteed privacy, a weather-proof roof and a warm bed.

Unpredictable

Camping’s number one enemy is, of course, unpredictable weather. We all know that two days of scorching sun can easily be followed by a deluge that no one saw coming. But campers maintain that a bit of bad weather is a small price to pay for fresh air, wonderful scents on the night air and the delights of living close to the land and the wildlife that shares it.

To some, however, ‘close to the land’ just suggests mud and dirt and is less appealing than personal creature comforts. In that case, a warm hotel room with personal bathroom and lashings of hot water will be hard to turn down. On top of that, most hotels now offer satellite TV and an adjacent bar-restaurant that doesn’t require the crossing of a wet and windy field.

Today’s campsites offer good bathroom facilities, it’s true, but they tend to be in a toilet/shower block shared by other guests and you might have to wait your turn to use them.

Highlights

Campers can eat out in pubs and restaurants but many choose not to because cheaper campfire cooking is one of the highlights of a holiday under canvass. Few would argue that coffee, bacon and eggs never smells or tastes as good as it does when it’s cooked outside the tent on a dewy summer morning.

If you’re a city person you’re likely to find hotels to suit all pockets conveniently sited in the very centre of town with minimum travel expense to attractions. Campsites tend to be located out in the countryside where a car is needed to see the local sites and, while it’s perfectly possible to enjoy a camping holiday without a vehicle – hiking or biking, for example – for many modern campers the equipment needed to create that home-from-home is just too much to carry.

Who travels with you may need consideration, too. There are hotels which allow dogs but the majority don’t so if you can’t bear to be separated from your ‘best friend’, you’ll find campsites tend to be more accommodating in that respect.

One thing is for certain; if you’re embarking on the campsite versus hotel debate, it means you’re planning your holiday. Lucky you!

This guest post was written on behalf of North Wales Borderlands by Francesca, a UK based blogger with a passion for travel.

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Photo by admin

What is air traffic control?

Air traffic controllers are ground-based staff, operating from a control tower. They co-ordinate and organise the movements of aircraft, making sure that they fly within a safe distance from each other, thus avoiding any collisions.  They also direct flights during take-off and landing, relay information to pilots and direct them around bad weather.

How does air traffic control work?

Air traffic control is a complex system.  A controller uses radar screen systems to display all the aircraft flying in their particular sector at a given time – airspace is divided into zones and each zone is divided into sectors.  The airspace that they work in is called controlled airspace.  Although the systems they use display information in 2-D, the air traffic controllers have to think in 3-D; what may look like two aircraft nearly colliding on the screen, may in fact actually be a thousand feet apart from each other in reality.

Modern aircraft also have collision avoidance systems that serve as a backup to an air traffic controller’s radar system, but pilots still rely on air traffic control during a flight.  Although air traffic controllers are responsible for emergency monitoring, the pilot has the final call for the safety of the flight, however, and may deviate from instructions given in an emergency.

Departure

The air traffic controller uses visual observation before a flight departs, to assess whether the runway is clear for a flight to taxi into position.  They also use radar to check that the departing aircraft won’t get in the way of landing aircraft.  The air traffic controller then gives the aircraft clearance to depart.  Once the flight has taken off, the pilot activates a transponder in the cockpit, which sends a radar signal with the flight’s number, altitude, airspeed and destination to radar towers located along the plane’s route.  The airplane will appear as a dot on the air traffic controller’s radar screen systems.  As the aircraft travels through various airspaces, the plane is passed from one air traffic controller centre to another, until it finally reaches its destination.

Arrivals

The signal of a descending aircraft gets picked up by the air traffic control centre, at the arrival airport.  The air traffic controller can see the number of aircraft in the airspace surrounding the airport and the number of planes on the ground.  With this information, the controller safely guides an arriving aircraft into the airport and may relay instructions to the pilot depending on the weather conditions.

When we’re off on our travels, it’s quite easy to take for granted how we get from A to B, but a lot of careful co-ordination is going on behind the scenes, to make sure we get to our destinations safely.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Lee-Dickens who provide emergency monitoring software and other systems comonly used in air traffic control and industry. Photo: dno1967b

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Kat Hamilton

The name “Croagh” in Irish means “hill”. This 764 m high Patrick’s hill is really the dominant element of the landscape, towering above the rocky wastes of the surrounding moors. According to legend, Saint Patrick came to County Mayo in 441 during his great missionary expedition through Ireland. The first Saturday of Lent ascended to the top of the Cruachan Aigil mountain (as the hill was named before) to which the local pagans felt a certain awe. But he did not intend to leave the place with such spiritual significance for thousands of potential Christians. He stayed in the mountain for a period of 40 days, keeping fasting and praying for the Irish. It seemed to be very brave to the local residents, because they believed that the top of the hill was inhabited by demons. When he came back down, people were more amenable to his mission, they had baptized and demanded redemption.

This story that happened on Croagh Patrick became the subject of many other stories and legends, which mix truth, myth and symbolism. It is said, that Saint Patrick assured God that the Irish people never loose their faith and on Judgement Day will be saved.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Eoin O’Mahony

It didn’t take a long time and Croagh Patrick mountain has become a popular place of pilgrimage for the entire Christian Ireland. For more than 1500 years thousands of pilgrims climbed to the top, despite of criminal law, prohibitions or bad weather. 37-kilometres long pilgrimage trail called Tóchar Phádraig begins in Ballintubber Abbey and leads along the ancient pagan way to the top. The trail is quite challenging and tiring, but purifies the body and spirit. As a compensation is the unbelievable view of the surrounding countryside. Those who think the entire 37 km long trail is too long, may choose a shorter trail, which begins in Murrisk.

Climbing the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick has become a traditional activity not only for locals but also for visitors from abroad. For the climbing you need good hiking boots, a stick and a lot of determination. The route is viable, so you do not need to be in any special form.

Ancient pilgrimage trail leads through an interesting landscape dotted with many monuments. There are holy wells, menhirs, rocks engraved with inscriptions, magical piles of stones and allegedly enchanted forests. It takes two days to walk through the 37 km long trail. The best place for rest and overnight stay is Aghagower village boasting an ancient church and round tower. The next day, you can then continue further west along the path until you get to the saddle and then up to the peak.

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Tree Top Walk is the longest trail of that kind in the world, with a total length of 1300 metres. You can enjoy unspoilt nature at a height of 8-25 meters above the ground. The experience of walking through mixed forest is extended with three stations with a rope adventure elements, the swaying bridge, trapeze and the beam, which thrill not only children but also adults.

Walkway ends with 44 meters high observation tower, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. In clear weather you will even be able to see the north ridge of the Alps.

Both the trail and also the tower are barrier-free. Admission is €8 for adults, €6 for children of 6+ years, family ticket costs €19. The trail is open year round except for Christmas Day, every day from 9:30 am, according to an annual period closes at 15:30, respectively, at 18:00 or 19:30. In bad weather, such as storm or hurricane, the trail is closed.

For further details visit the official site of The world´s longest tree top walk.

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Steep cliffs are covered with forests, and the geological bedrock (granite) affects both the landscape and vegetation. There are two castles at the borders of the national park, Burg Hardegg and ruined castle Kaja. You can find there about half of all plant species originating from Austria.

Animal World is so prominent and contains a large number of very rare species of vertebrates. In terms of sport, cycling and hiking are popular activities in the park.

At the Czech side there is one of the most beautiful water reservoir called Vranov. In the case of bad weather you can visit nice city of Znojmo and test the Czech wine.

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