Breaks Etc

XL Goes Bust

2008-09-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

The UK's 3rd largest travel operator, XL, has gone into administration, creating travel chaos for up to 90,000 people.

Find out more: XL Goes Into Administration

Breaks in October

2008-09-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Looking for ideas for mini breaks and getaways in October? Check out our new subsite dedicated to that very topic:

October Breaks

Book a Murder Mystery Break

2008-09-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

Think you have the super sleuthing skills to put Poirot in the shade? Are you a match for Miss Marple? Do you have the measure of Morse? Then why not try out a murder mystery break which will see you using all of your little grey cells in order to find out "whodunnit".

Witness talented professional actors guide you through the plot, with each event having a specific theme such as a medieval supper or a masked ball. Fully immerse yourself in the story and at the end, name the murderous villain amongst you.

Book your fun Murder Mystery Break now....

Tutankhamun Tickets

2008-05-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Tutenkhamun exhibition at the O2 in Greenwich has been a smash hit, drawing a million visitors to see these Egyptian treasures. With the holidays coming, a visit to this stunning show - narrated by Omar Shariff - will make a great day out. So if you want to buy Tutankhamen tickets, pop over to AttractionTix where you can order online. Ticket prices vary according to the time and day of the week that you wish to attend.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Goes Bust

2008-04-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

Budget airline operator, Oasis, which offered flights from the UK to Hong Kong for as little as £65 has gone into voluntary liquidation today. The airline operated services from Gatwick to Hong Kong, and Vancouver to Hong Kong.

Customers who booked through an ATOL bonded travel agent can get a refund on any unused portions of tickets, or can use their credit card's protection policies if they booked direct.

Oasis ticket holders are being advised to call a special helpline setup by Cathay in order to helped stranded passengers, on 0208 834 8893.

More information:
Guardian
Times Online

Car Parking at Ebbsfleet

2008-03-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

Ebbsfleet International is the new high speed link into Europe, just a stones throw from Gravesend and Bluewater shopping centre.

I was curious as to the parking arrangements at Ebbsfleet station so tried finding out what facilities they have. I went to Eurostar's page on Ebbsfleet and it suggests visiting this page for more information - unfortunately, it just says "Coming Soon". You'd have thought building the website might be even easier thah building the station so it's suprising the page doesnt have the information.

If anyone knows the cost of parking at Ebbsfleet, feel free to share the information in the comments form.

Travelling to Europe? Go from Ebbsfleet.

Cheap Breaks in Fuerteventura

2008-03-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Fuerteventura (occasionally misspelt by Brits as futureventura) is one of the Canary Islands - the oldest of the islands in fact, dating back 20 million years. The weather is fantastic, offering 3,000 hours of sunshine in year. The island is home to over 150 long sandy beaches. Fuerteventura is really popular with lovers of watersports, with surfers, windsurfers and divers often making the trip. Great nightlife, excellent weather and amazing sights - what else could you want from a break in the sunshine.

If you're looking for cheap holidays in Fuerteventura, we recommend you check out Sunshine.co.uk for some genuine bargains.

Short Breaks Replace Fortnight Long Holidays

2008-02-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

The results of a new survey carried out by Holiday Inn, and reported by Travel Mole, indicate families are increasingly foregoing an expensive two week holiday once a year in favour of up to four short breaks through the year.

72% of people now believe that shorter breaks are a more affordable way of treating the family

Find out more at Travel Mole

Telegraph.co.uk on Activity Breaks

2008-02-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

The Telegraph as an interesting piece today on how the holiday industry is responding to demands for niche activity breaks, with a look at some of the weird and wonderful options available such as singing in the Scottish highlands, gardening in Belgium and a look at a tour of painted tombs in Egypt.

Find out more

Bank Holiday Breaks in 2008

2008-02-04T03:16:00.001-08:00

If you're thinking about taking a break on a bank holiday this year, this little list of public holidays for 2008 may be useful:

England and Wales

1st Jan (New Year's Day)
21st Mar (Good Friday)
24th Mar (Easter Monday)
5th May
26th May
25th Aug
25th Dec (Christmas Day)
26th Dec (Boxing day)

Scotland

1st Jan (New Year's Day)
2nd Jan
21st Mar (Good Friday)
5th May
26th May
4th August
1st December (St Andrew's Day)
25th Dec (Christmas Day)
26th Dec (Boxing day)

Ideas For Bank Holiday Days Out

Romantic Breaks for Valentines Day

2008-01-29T05:20:00.000-08:00

Not long now til Valentines day and if you're struggling for ideas, how about a romantic break. A couple of nights away in a romantic European city like Paris or Vienna will always go down well, but or there's plenty of great places to visit in the UK if you don't fancy going abroad.

Take A Cottage Break in Cumbria Like Withnail

2007-12-27T04:13:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite movies of all time is Withnail and I, starring Richard E Grant and Paul McCann. In it, two out of work actors are reaching rock bottom, reduced to the status of a bun, and decide to get it away from the city with a trip to Uncle Monty's cottage. What they don't expect it for Uncle Monty to turn up during their break and decide that he wants payment in kind for their use of the cottage, telling Withnail "I mean to have you, boy, even if it must be burglary.".

Much of Withnail and I was filmed around Cumbria. So if you want a Withnail style break, sampling 'the finest wines available to humanity' at a Penrith café whilst you're there, visit this page dedicated to Cottage Breaks in Cumbria.

Welcome to Breaks Etc

2007-11-22T03:59:00.000-08:00

Breaks Etc is a guide to the best breaks, holidays and get-a-ways. We'll list interesting news from the travel industry and flag up great bargains as and when we see them.