I cringe whenever I go on holiday and find myself sitting near to a family with a baby or small children on the plane. I know I shouldn’t be negative about families travelling with babies but I can’t help it. I have seen it so many times before that the baby cries almost non stop it seems but in reality that is never the case !

I think the older you get the less tolerant you become but even though that might well be the case I still admire families taking small children or baby’s on holiday because they seem determined that their lifestyle should not be changed. The reality, however, is that baby’s change the way you have to take a holiday and the holiday destinations that you can go to safely with a baby. I should know as I have gone through the same thing myself ….many years ago …..and have lived to tell the tale !

The fact remains though that if you intend to take a small baby on holiday you need to do a lot of planning and expect that your holiday won’t quite be the same as it was before you had babies !

Firstly, you need to find a baby friendly holiday destination. Trekking along the Inca Trail is obviously out but also you need to think about the health situation. For instance, I would advise against going to a holiday destination where there is a Malaria risk or where there is poor sanitation.I can think of plenty of baby friendly holiday destinations. Many years ago I went camping in France with a baby and that worked out quite well although I didn’t enjoy getting up in the middle of the night, but that is going to happen at whatever holiday destination that you decide on. I can also remember that we took my one year old baby to the beach and she used to sleep under a parasol on the beach – she was well trained !

There are plenty of baby friendly holiday destinations but you need to do your research before booking to make sure the hotel is suitable for children. You may also want somewhere which is suitable for pushing a baby buggy, so a holiday destination with no hills might be a good idea. Speak to a good independent travel agent about the best holiday destinations for travelling with a baby.

Preparing to go on holiday with a baby

If you are taking a baby on holiday and you are travelling by car then you will find that your car fills up sooner than you thought. Take as much as you can to keep your baby as happy as possible and to help you deal with as many situations as you can think of. You will be able to take plenty of nappies and a plentiful supply of baby food. Calpol is also a useful addition to your luggage together with any other baby medicines that you might need. Taking your babies favourite toy might also be a good idea for those occasions when you need some distractions.

Taking a baby on a plane

If you are travelling by plane then you need to do far more planning as you have to take account of luggage weight restrictions. Most airlines will allow you to take a pushchair at no extra cost but it is a good idea to check with your airline. Going through security with baby milk and other drinks is also something for your to consider. Again, most airlines will allow you to take a reasonable amount of baby milk but you should check with your airline about this.

You should enjoy yoursleves too !

In all probability your young baby is not going to remember the holiday he/she has just been on, but you are ! Your need to find a holiday destination that you are going to enjoy rather than what is good for your baby, but, of course, it’s a compromise. Don’t go somewhere you won’t enjoy just because its good for babies. Also, it’s a good idea to find a hotel where they will let you use a microwave for warming baby milk or if you go self catering make sure there is a a microwave. Don’t forget that babies normally like to go to bed early so if the hotel or apartment you are staying at has somewhere for adults to watch TV, read or whatever then that might be a good idea.

Taking everything into account, I would say that it is worth taking a baby on holiday with you. After all, you are giving your child an early education and a introduction to a world of travel and that has got to be good !

Call Global Holidays on 0845 299 4450 to speak to a holiday expert about the perfect holdiay destination for families with babies.

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DavidB Travel Advice cheap family holiday, taking a baby on holiday

Magical Madeira is one of the fewEuropean destinations that can offer the visitor a beach, mountains and a city holiday all wrapped into one.

The capital of Madeira is Funchal and the city lies on the Bay of Funchal and has a long and fascinating history. You can easily spend several days in Funchal and, in fact the city makes a great holiday destination in itself. Many cruise ships stop in Funchal as the fascinating old town with winding cobbled streets has much to offer the visitor.

You can take the cable car from Funchal old town to Monte village and there is an abundance of shops, bars and restuarants as well as some luxury hotels. Funchal has an upmarket feel to it and the palm tree lined Lido area is a popular meeting place. Many of the restaurants in Funchal offer high quaility sea food and you can stroll in the evening along the Lido which leads to the pebbled Praia Formosa beach.Funchal has a proud past and is divided into three historic quarters. Among the many historic treasures in Funchal are the amazing Se Cathedral, the House-Museum Frederico de Freitas and the Santa Maria Maior Mother Church.

Eating out in Funchal

You won’t go hungry in Funchal, especially if you like seafood. Espada is a local speciality as well as tuna and swordfish. You can dine in well established restaurants whilst in Funchal’s old town or in the cosmopolitan area near the marina, although some of the restaurants near the marina can be a little more expensive than elsewhere. You can also join the locals and sample fresh Madeira dishes at reasonable prices in small restaurants tucked away in Funchal’s side streets.

What to do in Funchal

Funchal’s Botanical Gardens are an amazing selction of colour with more than 2,000 plants. You can also take the 14 minute cable car ride from the Botanical Gardens to the mountains and cliff tops with fantstaic views over the Atlantic Ocean.Also, you can take the city’s other cable car route from the old town which rises 560 metres and travels on a 3718 metre-long trip.Madeira is known as the floating garden in the Atlantic and is well known for its walks along pretty paths in the moutains around Funchal.

Sledge riding in Funchal, Madeira is a traditional tourist attraction for tourists but it is not for the faint hearted !If you are wanting a holiday destination with a little bit of everything then a holiday to Madeira might just be the right destination for you.

Call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for a holiday to Madeira.

Global Holidays are the online holiday experts offering great bargains on luxury holidays.

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Christmas – A Personal View about going away for Christmas – (maybe a grumpy view !)

Christmas is nearly upon us all and many people will be preparing to go away for the festivities. However, I won’t be one of them. I am staying at home yet again. In fact, I have never been away from home at Christmas and it does not bother me in the slightest ! OK … I know that I am a travel agent and I love selling holidays to anybody who wants to go away, but who would want to go somewhere warm at Christmas ? Christmas should be spent somewhere cold. Eating Turkey on a beach somewhere warm like the Caribbean does not interest me.

As I write this, it’s snowing  outside and the temperature is close to freezing, but I like it.Most of the UK won’t be going away on holiday this Christmas. Like me they will be eating too much on Christmas Day and stuffing themselves with leftover turkey, with pickles, and pork pie and mince pies and the chocolate money that seems to always find its way into the house somehow.

But to those of you who are going away I am pleased that the British Airways strike is not going ahead and I hope your holidays are enjoyable. As the year draws to a close and we look forward to next year I hope that the economy picks up and the UK starts to gain confidence in its future. I hope that more of us go on holiday next year because we deserve a holiday in the sun. It re-charges our batteries and makes us feel good, for a while at least !

What’s hot for holiday destinations  ?

Egypt and Turkey will continue to attract holidaymakers looking for a good deal.  These holiday destinations have invested in luxury hotels and improved airports and infrastructure.

Morocco and Tunisia will benefit from a quirk in the changes to APD, which means travelling there will become cheaper. Previously, Tunisia and Morocco were rated outside Europe and the tax was £40 per person. Now the two countries are in Band A and the tax is £11. So if you fancy a holiday to north Africa, Tunisia or Morocco could be the place for you.Another hot destination for 2010 will be Dubai, as the emirate’s financial difficulties translate to good deals for holidaymakers. According to ABTA, the financial crisis has prompted a price war in hotel room rates to stimulate demand and a currency that is losing its value.

Dubai is still a popular holiday destination. With many luxury hotels and the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai.

Naked cruising is also predicted to increase in popularity next year.  It is possible to do this at the moment in the  US with Texas-based Bare Necessities first chartering a Costa Cruises vessel to take 2,200 naked passengers around the states in 1991. A further holiday trend shows demand for areas emerging from troubled times, such as Sri Lanka, which looks set to increase in popularity next year. Iraq is also promoting itself as a holiday destination for !

Don’t forget, of course, the traditional summer holiday destinations of Greece, Spain and Portugal as they still offer great value for money. The destinations are still far cheaper than a weeks holiday in the UK.

Finally, don’t forget that if you want a great holiday in 2010 then please call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for great holiday deals and service from the holiday experts.

Best wishes for the new year - From David – Global Holidays Blog Editor

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DavidB Travel News holiday ideas for next year, travel trends for next year

Crete is the largest and most southern of all the Greek Islands. It offers a fascinating history, bustling seaside resorts and pretty little Greek villages.According to legend Crete was the birthplace of Zeus, king of all gods and to this day Crete retains much of its ancient character with medieval market towns and stunning archaelogical sites.Crete has much to offer the visitor and is served by two airports.

Most holiday charter flights go into Heraklion as this is closest to the main tourist resorts, however, the other airport is Chania which is on the north west coast of Crete. The town of Chania itself is known as little Venice and was once the capital of Crete. Chania offers sophistication as well as charm and character. If you are looking for some of the real Greece then you should consider a holiday in the Chania area of Crete.

The main focal point of the pretty town of Chania is the Ventian style harbour which is fringed by waterside restaurants and cafe bars, whilst to the west of Chania you will find long sandy beaches and small shingle coves.So, if you are looking for a holiday on a traditional Greek island and at the same time you want good beaches and good dining then a holiday to Chania on the Greek island of Crete might be what you are looking for.

Call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for a holiday to Chania on the Greek island of CreteRelated articles about the Greek islands

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The Indian state of Goa has become a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers in recent years, particularly for its stunning beaches, dramatic architecture and carefree spirit.Located on the country’s south west coast, it is synonymous with partying and beach holidays, but also has an array of other sights and experiences for travellers.

Portuguese traders first landed on the shores of Goa in the 1500s and the area existed as a Portuguese colony for centuries, until it was annexed as part of India in 1961.Goa has more than 20 delightful stretches of white sand beach down its 101km long coastline, some of which are crowded year round with holidaymakers, while others present secluded palm-fringed paradises for those seeking a quieter break.

 Every type of traveller and size of wallet is catered for and accommodation along the coast ranges from five star hotels to palm-leaf shacks. Goa is now India’s richest state and has seen a huge influx from neighbouring areas in recent years.

Calangute and Baga in northern Goa are heavily developed resorts and full of the usual tourist amenities, the south offers simpler and more peaceful resorts like Colva and Benaulim, while partygoers head to Anjuna, Vagator, and Chapora. Goa was famous as the hangout for hippy travellers and the psychedelic generation during the 1960s and 1970s and it still attracts similar visitors as well as more conventional tourists, luxury travellers and backpackers, and there are a number of popular yoga resorts in the north of the state.The Portuguese influence is widespread and food in Goa is a delicious blend of meat and fish cooked with Indian spices in a way unique to the region.

Alcohol is freely available in the state and Goa produces large quantities of rice and coconuts, which feature in many of the dishes.The ruins of the former Portuguese capital at Old Goa are a key tourist attraction, with an exotic mix of European and Indian architecture and a number of quaint churches and cathedrals.

The influence of early Portuguese merchants can also be seen at the ruins of Fort Aguada in north Goa and the Bom Jesus Basilica, which houses the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.Goa has a number of charming market towns, as well as the bustling state capital Panaji. Vasco-de-Gama, the largest town in the state, has some interesting colonial and native architecture, while the town of Anjuna has a popular weekly flea market.

Other towns of interest include Margao, Marmagao, and Mapusa. The state is dotted with ornate and colourful Hindu temples and holds a number of lavish annual Hindu and Christian celebrations. As India’s smallest state, Goa represents a manageable slice of the vast country and has just 1.4 million inhabitants. Inland visitors can walk in the Western Ghats range of mountains, a world biodiversity hotspot, visit numerous estuaries and river valleys, and a number of small islands. Its tropical jungles in the east of the state are home to bright birds, wild boars and the region has a large snake population. The Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is particularly interesting, with its exotic mynas and parrots.

Visitors to Goa generally arrive by air or travel to the state from the Indian capital Mumbai. The Konkan Railway line, built during the 1990s, runs parallel to the coast between Mumbai and Goa. Once in the state, public transport largely consists of buses, unmetered taxis, auto rickshaws and the state’s unique yellow-and-black motorcycle taxis.

Goa’s official language is Konkani, but many Indians speak English and travellers will not struggle to get around the more heavily populated areas. The country has a warm and humid climate for most of the year, with temperatures hottest in May and a cooler spell between December and February. The annual monsoon season starts in early June and runs to late September.

Call Global Holidays on 0845 299 4450 for a Goa holiday

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Call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for a holiday to Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is situated on The Red Sea and it is a well developed holiday destination offering great beaches, excellent year round weather and some of the best diving in the world. Sharm el Sheikh is  the main holiday destination for UK holidaymakers but you don’t get the Egyptian history and culture that you would get on a visit to Cairo or Luxor but, of course, you still get to experience the culture and values if its people, and sample their way of life.

Diving sites are scattered along the golden 10-mile stretch of beach between Sharm el Sheikh and Ras Nusrani. Sharm offers world-class diving with spectacular reefs, magnificent drop-offs and shipwrecks waiting to be explored. You can also dive amongst the sharks, barracudas and turtles of Shark’s Bay or take a PADI diving course in the gentler waters of Na’ama Bay.

Sharm el Sheikh has a mountainous backdrop reflected on an inky-blue sea, this alluring destination is today attracting some of the worlds leading hotel chains.A holiday in Sharm el Sheikh can be as relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be . You can go on a desert safari on a camel or on a quad bike, or you can relax by your hotel swimming pool and take advantage of the year round warm weather that Sharm el Sheikh benefits from.

Na’ama Bay

Na’ama Bay is situated just north of Sharm and it has lots of modern hotels as well as shops, bars and restaurants. Most hotels here have their own private beaches. Water sports are located at Na’ama Bay’s pretty marina, with jetties stretching along the coastline to protect the coral reefs.

Shark’s Bay

Shark’s Bay has a rugged coastline and lies on the Al Pasha coast, a short taxi journey from Na’ama Bay. Many hotels are built into the jagged cliffs in Shark’s Bay so if you stay here you can enjoy captivating views to Tiran Island as well as beautiful sunsets.

Nabq Bay

Nabq Bay is set on the edge of the Nabq National Park, an area of breathtaking mountainous beauty. Nabq Bay is not as developed as Na’ama Bay. Nabq Bay has a gently shelved shallow lagoon which makes it popular with families with young children.

Um El Sid

If you want to experience traditional Egyptian life then you should head south from Sharm el Sheikh to Um El Sid, where hotels and restaurants are shelved on the edge of rocky steep cliffs. If you travel 5 km south from Um El Sid you will find the old town of Sharm el Maya. Here, you will find a natural harbour surrounded by Arab bazaars, stall and shops.

Eating Out in Sharm el Sheikh

The main diet in Egypt consists of beans, flat breads and lots of dishes based on sesame, butter and pulses. Hummus, babaganoush, kebabs, and falafel are all part of the Egyptian staple diet. Sharm el Sheikh restaurants are varied, with European and Asian options as well as restaurants featuring traditional Egyptian dishes. The seafood available in Sharm is a must !

Call Global Holidays on 0800 433 2300 for a holiday to Sharm el Sheikh

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Libra Holidays, Argo Holidays and Jetlife have all ceased trading today. The companies  operated air package holidays and flights out of Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford airports to Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. About 100 passengers are abraod at this time and Libra, it is reported, had about 4,000 forward bookings.Most customers will be protected under the ATOL scheme and will be able to claim a full refund if they have not travelled. These customers will have to book an alternative holiday or flight.If you are a Libra Holidays or Argo customer and you want to book another holiday or flight you can call Global Holidays on 0845 299 4450

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Call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for holidays to The Gambia

The Gambia has been a popular holiday destination for UK travellers for many years. This tiny English speaking West African country offers an easily accessible taste of Africa as it is only 6 hours flying time from the UK.In recent years The Gambia has benefited from the addition of more luxury accommodation and more flights from regional UK airports such as Bristol and Birmingham. Whilst cheap package holidays to the Gambia still sell well it is now possible to to choose to stay at a luxury hotel and in January 2010 it will be possible to stay at the Sheraton Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. The hotel will offer All Inclusive accommodation.

A bit about The Gambia Coastline

The resort areas of The Gambia are set along the coast south of the River Gambia. All the resorts have wide, sandy beaches and have good restaurants. Even quieter areas like Bijilo are only a taxi ride away from Kololi’s lively centre with its numerous bars and restaurants.From sleepy Cape Point it is only a 10 minute walk to Bakau. Kotu has also been developed with new restaurants and bars on the beach and even a golf course nearby

The Real GambiaI

t is easily possible to get a taste of the real Gambia on one of the several excursions on offer.. You can go on a four-wheel drive excursion which will give you an insight into the local culture. You will be able to visit a school, see villages in remote farming areas and stop at Tanji Fishing Village to watch the locals haul in the days catch. When night falls you can go to Makasutu where you can have a meal and see some traditional African dancing.

Wildlife in The Gambia

Visitors can go bird watching as there are over 500 species of birds to see. There is the Abuko Nature Reserve or Makasutu Cultural Forest. There you can see lots of other wildlife including monkeys, lizards and crocodiles.

The Coco Ocean Resort & Spa

The Gambia’s newest resort hotel is the fabulous Moorish styled – Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. The hotel has 59 rooms, but over 40 luxury suites will be finished soon. All rooms have air-conditioning, king sized beds, satellite TV and wi-fi (the internet signal is weak though in the Gambia).

The Coco Ocean Resort has various restaurant options including the beachfront Coco Beach Grill that offers a Thai menu in the evening and there is international fine dining in the Safran Restaurant.One of the best features on this new hotel will be the Moroccan styled spa which is beautifully designed with immaculate treatment rooms. There are also steam rooms, a sauna and cold plunge pools.7 nights Bed & Breakfast in a junior suite in February or March will cost from £1,350 per person including flights.

Weather in The Gambia

The best time to visit The Gambia is during the winter season which is between November and April when the weather is dry and cooler in the evenings.  Temperatures avaerage about 30C year round. The rainy months between July and October are hot and humid.

Health in The Gambia

Malaria is widespread and taking malaria tablets is advised.

If you are looking to book a holiday to The Gambia please call Global Holidays FREE on 0800 433 2300 for fantatstic discounts and last minute holidays.

As an internet only travel agent we have some of the best prices around.

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We often talk in this travel blog about how good a holiday in The Maldives is so here we go again !

It is a truly luxury holiday destination in an exotic tropical island setting. Couple this fact with excellent accommodation and you do really have the perfect holiday destination. However, don’t expect much night life. The Maldives is a romantic holiday destination for couples or honeymooners wanting a luxury break away from it all.

The Maldives is one of those places where you forget all about life back at home and the daily commute to work ! As soon as your flight lands at Male airport you have landed in another world where all you have to worry about is the day you have to go home.To show how popular a holiday to The Maldives is becoming British Airways launched new direct flights to Male in October 2009.

Flights depart from Gatwick on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The service will feature Club World lie-flat beds. Also, Oman Air has launched a new Maldives service from Heathrow via Muscat, the capital of Oman. Oman Air will have the airline’s new Airbus A330 aircraft on the route and will feature First Class, Business Class and Economy seating.Accommodation on The Maldives is generally of a high standard and prices can vary.

A week at a 3 star hotel can cost as little as £950 per person at certain times of the year. If you want an extra special holiday to The Maldives you may want to try the top class W Retreat and Spa. 7 nights in a Beach Oasis room, including breakfast, seaplane transfers and Club World business-class flights costs £3800 per person.

About W Retreat & Spa

W retreat is Starwood’s premier resort in the Maldives, this is a gorgeous, understated and exclusive little island. Ultra-chic facilities blend seamlessly with barefoot luxury, and traditional Maldivian exteriors house deliciously elegant interiors.W Retreat occupies a tiny island in the North Ari atoll, 35 minutes by seaplane from Male’ airport.

Accommodation at W Retreat Beach Retreat  – Contemporary facilities, plasma screen TV, spacious indoor and outdoor living area, plunge pool, daybed and BBQ for private dining.

Ocean Retreat –  With stilts over the water. Contemporary facilities, plasma screen TV, spacious indoor and outdoor living area, plunge pool, daybed and BBQ for private dining.

Ocean Retreat Lagoon  – Views out over the lagoon, with stilts over the water. Contemporary facilities, plasma screen TV, spacious indoor and outdoor living area, plunge pool, daybed and BBQ for private dining.

Call Global Holidays on 0800 433 2300 for details of holidays to The Maldives

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DavidB The Maldives flights to The Maldives, Maldives holiday, W Retreat and Spa

It was a very sad day for the aviation industry in Scotland yesterday as it was announced that FlyGlobespan had gone into administration. The airline industry has been going through a tough time over the last 2 years and Globespan has become another casualty of the recession and the reduction in the numbers of passengers travelling. Together with the possible British Airways strike it was not a good day yesterday for air travellers.

The collapse of Globespan has left over 4,000 people stranded abroad and many thousands of other people out of pocket because if you had booked direct with Globespan you will not have been ATOL protected and therefore risk losing all the money you had paid. A few weeks ago we wrote an article on our travel blog about the benefits of booking flights and holidays with a good independent travel agent because travel agents would normally have ATOL protection for flights and holidays.

Despite several airline failures over the past 12 months there seems to be confusion still about the ATOL protection scheme and the benefits that it has for consumers. This is probably because many people now prefer to book direct with airlines believing that they are getting a cheaper fare. However, this is not always the case as travel agents have access to many different flights with many airlines which means they can offer more choice and excellent value for money, and the travel agent would give the advantage of ATOL financial protection as well.

Replacement flights for cancelled Globespan flights are in short supply – please call us on 0845 299 4450 as soon as possible as lack of supply will mean prices from Scotland will increase.

If you have a booking with Globespan and want to re-book with ATOL protection then please call Global Holidays on 0845 299 4450

DavidB Travel News ATOL protection, FlyGlobespan, Globespan, travel agent