All posts by Travelammo

British Airways, Holiday and Flight offers

The Current BA Sales – up to 20% off over 200,000 seats

British Airways Current Promotion which runs until the midnight is offering over 200,000 seats with up to 20% off. To coincide with this deal BA are also offering discounts on selected holidays, luxury holidays and beach holidays.

All offers are only available on selected departure dates although there seems to be relatively good availability on sale prices at present with exceptional bargains to be found in the holiday sale.

The offer claims to have a minimum of 200,000 available, although as with all flight prices as these sell out you can probably expect the prices to creep higher. BA itself warns that after the sale, seats may go for less than the current sale price although at present all the routes we have checked do offer a discount over the offered price a few weeks back.

It must be noted that the offer only applies to flight originating and returning to the UK.

View the BA Sale Page here.

Some of the routes on offer and current lowest prices during the specified travel dates:

North America: Date available 26th December 2016-29th March 2017

  • Atlanta from £588 Return
  • Calgary from £607 Return
  • Dallas from £535 Return
  • New York from £397 Return
  • San Diego from £500 Return
  • San Jose CA from £557 Return
  • Vancouver from £582 Return

Middle East and Africa: Dates available 12th September 2016 – 30th June 2017

  • Accra from £601 Return
  • Amman from £444 Return
  • Muscat from £338 Return

Far East: Dates available 12th September 2016 – 30th June 2017

  • Beijing from £478 Return
  • Hong Kong from £448 Return
  • Singapore from £519 Return

Holiday Sale:

There are many destinations and combinations available in the sale and again dates available vary by destination but some examples of what appears good value are. ( all prices include return flights based on London departure )

  • 2 Nights in Venice staying at the Centrale Hotel from £93-£95, Price currently available for most departure dates through to march 2017.
  • 2 Nights in Malaga staying at the Adriano Hotel from £94-£111, Departures are limited at this price although several dates per month are currently available.
  • 7 Nights in Barbados staying at the All Seasons Resort Europa from £499 room only, Departure dates are readily available in May – June 2017.

All of the prices quoted and availability are as at 5th September 2016. Flights are Economy class unless stated.

Link to the BA Sale page is here.

facts

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world

Measuring 0.44km², Vatican City is only a quarter the size of the second smallest country in the world which is Monaco.

Located on the western outskirts of Rome, the country formally gained independence from Italy in 1929 when it was declared a City-State under the Lateran Treaty whereby the Holy See, of whom the Pope is the head of state, would have complete jurisdiction and sovereignty of the City State.

Although tiny in terms of area, Vatican city has much of interest for the tourist and visitor. Along with many museums are some of the oldest and most historic buildings in the world. In fact the whole city was in 1984 made a UNESCO World heritage site.

The prominent Renaissance and Baroque architecture and the many famous murals by the likes of Michelangelo attract millions of visitors every year and with just reason, there truly is no where like it on the planet.

Visiting Vatican City does not require the production of a passport and people are free to move in and out of the walled city without restriction. A few areas are out of bounds to tourists such as the Gardens but access is freely granted to the streets and St Marks Square. Many of the City’s historic and world known buildings including the Sistine Chapel are open to the public and operate as museums for an entrance fee.

Popular Buildings, Monuments and Museums of Vatican City:

  • St Peters Square.
  • Sistine Chapel.
  • Vatican Library ( open to public who can prove the need to use for research ).
  • Papal Art Museum.
  • Apostolico Palace – The Popes official residence.
  • St Peters Basilica.
  • Vatican Pharmacy – The busiest in the world.
  • Vatican Post office

Getting to the City:

Access is only via foot and visitors likely to be coming from central Rome would be best suited to arrive via Metro, although other public transport, taxis and buses are also available.

Nearest Metro Stations – Cipro and Ottaviano.

See more of our quick travel facts here.

General

Winter sun holiday destinations

For those of us in the upper northern hemisphere the winter can seem like a long drawn out dreary affair and the desire for a little break to somewhere to shake of the winter blue can be strong.

Whilst there are the obvious choices of long haul flights to far flung tropical resorts this is, for some, usually far from practical given that many families will have used much of their holiday leave during the summer months and then there is the issue of taking the children out of school.

Below we list some suggestions of both short haul and long haul destinations to cater for both those in northern Europe and the USA, many will also apply if you are situated in northern Asia.

Of course, whats short haul for northern Europe can be added to long haul for else where and vice versa.

Short haul winter sun destinations for Europeans:

  • Canary Islands, Spain – Temperatures around 22°C, Sea temperatures typically 21°C, Hours of sunshine average 6 hrs.
  • Morocco – Temperatures around 23°C, Sea temperatures typically 19°C, Hours of sunshine average 6 hrs.
  • Egypt – Temperatures around 24°C, Sea temperatures typically 24°C, Hours of sunshine average 6.5 hrs.
  • Turkey – Temperatures around 21°C, Sea temperatures typically 18°C, Hours of sunshine average 6 hrs.
  • Costa del Sol, Spain – Temperatures around 20°C, Sea temperatures typically 16°C, Hours of sunshine average 6 hrs.


Short haul winter sun ideas for northern states of the USA:

  • South Florida – Temperatures around 21°C, Sea temperatures typically 23°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Mexico – Temperatures around 27°C, Sea temperatures typically 22°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Jamaica – Temperatures around 27°C, Sea temperatures typically 24°C, Hours of sunshine average 8 hrs.
  • Cuba – Temperatures around 23°C, Sea temperatures typically 23°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Bahamas – Temperatures around 22°C, Sea temperatures typically 25°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.

Long haul winter sun destinations for Europeans and North Americans:

  • Dubai – Temperatures around 22°C, Sea temperatures typically 33°C, Hours of sunshine average 6.5 hrs.
  • Thailand – Temperatures around 26°C, Sea temperatures typically 28°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Sri Lanka – Temperatures around 26°C, Sea temperatures typically 27°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Australia – Temperatures around 28°C, Sea temperatures typically 19°C, Hours of sunshine average 8 hrs.
  • Maldives – Temperatures around 29°C, Sea temperatures typically 20°C, Hours of sunshine average 8 hrs.
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Temperatures around 25°C, Sea temperatures typically 27°C, Hours of sunshine average 6 hrs.
  • Hawaii – Temperatures around 23°C, Sea temperatures typically 25°C, Hours of sunshine average 7 hrs.
  • Mauritius – Temperatures around 26°C, Sea temperatures typically 26°C, Hours of sunshine average 8 hrs.
  • South Africa – Temperatures around 30°C, Sea temperatures typically 18°C, Hours of sunshine average 10 hrs.

Sea surface temperatures, air temperatures and hours of sunshine are quoted for December average figures. Averages are taken from most popular holiday destinations for a given country.

Hilton HHonors, Hilton Hotels, Holiday and Flight offers

Hilton HHonors Autumn 2016 Bonus Offer

Hilton HHonors has just released its latest bonus points offer available to all HHonors members.

Double your base points earned on all stays between 1st of September and 31st of December 2016

This latest offer, imaginatively named Double Up, like recent promotions all hotels, properties and brands are participating and there are no block out dates or minimum stay requirements. Pre-registration is required before you check out of your first booking within the offer period and we recommend you do so as soon as possible. As far as we can tell it includes nights only within the specified dates regardless of check-in, check-out date.

Pre-Register for the HHonors Double Up Promotion here

A frequently asked question is will i earn the bonus on stays already booked? and the answer is Yes.

If you are not an existing HHonors member then sign up is quick and easy and this promotion will be available to you as soon as you join. Sign up to HHonors here.

It is noted from the offer terms that there are some rate types which are excluded from attracting the bonus and we suggest you check these out before you travel to avoid disappointment after your stay.

Warning: if you do not sign up before you check out, you will not be award the bonus even if you sign up later on in the offer period.

Follow this link to view the Terms and Conditions for the HHonors Double up promotion 2016

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Florida Visitors Guide

Cocoa beach, east of Orlando, is one of Florida’s original holiday destinations. A popular beach day for holiday makers visiting and staying at the theme parks in Orlando, Cocoa is within easy reach of International Drive and the Theme Parks and provides the legs with a little rest from walking many miles around Disney etc.

Cocoa Beach Walkway Florida - TravelammoMiles of beautiful golden beaches, reliably warm waters in summer and plenty of space makes this the perfect beach for a family day out. Be your wish to make the most of laying in the sun, having a game of beach volleyball or even a refreshing swim in the ocean you will find plenty on offer. If your looking to buy lunch in the area and not bringing a picnic with you then there a plentiful small restaurants, snack bars and during the summer season concessions available on the beach.

Ron Jons Surf Shop Cocoa Beach - TravelammoNot being a large resort type beach you will find like many of Florida’s east coast beaches, the beach runs along the main road separated only by modestly sized hotels. Along the main strip you will find your usual selection of small shops, petrol stations and restaurants all be it most are a decent walk from one another. You will however find there are a little more grouped together at the main beach entrance where you will also find the world famous Ron Jon Surf Shop which is located one block further back on the A1A/N Atlantic Ave.

Cocoa beach lying just to the south of Merit Island, Home of the Kennedy Space complex and Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, forms part of Florida’s space coast and offer the perfect place to watch a rocket launch. See here for launch schedule.

Getting to the beach by car you wold usually arrive, if coming from more than 20 miles away, via the US Hwy 520 from the I95. The 520 will lead you all the way across the many causeways finally leading to US A1A/North Atlantic Avenue. Cross directly over to E Cocoa Beach Causeway and onto Ocean Beach Blvd.

Parking: Once on Ocean Beach Blvd you will find plenty of beach side parking lots both on meters and attended. Spaces are usually always to be found although the busier the day the further away from the pier in either direction you may have to travel.

Whats Nearby:

Useful links to nearby Cocoa Beach attractions:

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