Owner: Europe a la Carte Blog URL:http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/blog/ Join Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 09:33:39 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Authentic travel in Europe on a modest budget. See more of the real Europe by venturing, even slightly, off the beaten track to a less well known destination without the tourist crowds and which offers better value for money. Site statistics:Click here
Battle of Culloden film: Do we need more blood and gore? 2007-01-27 13:13:07 The National Trust for Scotland are to film a reinactment of the Battle
of Culloden to be shown at the new 10 million visitor centre at Culloden, near Inverness in the Highlands. The reinacment will be staged in Scottish Borders as it is deemed inappropriate for it to take place on the actual battlefield.
The film is supposed to reinforce the horrors of battle. I don’t know if this is really necessary, we must have all seen enough battles and killing in various films. The film will form the centrepiece of the new exhibition centre. The National Trust are treading a fine line between wanting to portray the brutality of war but not wanting it to be like a horror movie. Is it an educational historical experience or a bit of entertainment of a dubious nature? I can imagine the terror and ferocity of battle without being surrounded by it on wall to ceiling screens.
Ale to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rebus 2007-01-27 08:58:21 An Edinburgh brewery is launching a special limited edition ale to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the literary debut of Ian Rankin’s detective Rebus. It is interesting how popular fictional characters appear to take on a life of their own.
The article also talks about the centrality of pub culture in Scottish society. I think that I might have spend more time in pubs over the years if the smoking ban has been introduced earlier. I really dislike being in a smokey atmosphere and that has always put me off pubs. Since the introduction of the no smoking ban in Scotland, which coincidentally started in March 2006, the month I came to live in England, I have been going to pubs more often when I am in Scotland.
I also appreciated the no smoking legislation when I was last in Italy. Great to be able to sit in a clear atmosphere in a cafe there. Have you enjoyed being in public places more since the ban?
The importance of public toilets when travelling 2007-01-26 22:20:10 Reading a post in Foreign Perspectives today about French toilets
brought this issue to mind again. I have spent too much time when away from home thinking of toilets. It is such a waste of time when you are visiting a town or city to either have to go to a cafe and purchase a drink in order to use their toilet facilities or search for public toilets.
Have you had this problem? It does vary between different regions. In East Lothian, east of Edinburgh, there are great public toilets. They are clean, free, well sign posted and open long hours. The council has decided to spend money on this service. As a visitor I really appreciate the provision of good public toilets. It is down to who should pay. Should it be the user or the local taxpayer? What do you think?
Dundee named as an intelligent city. 2007-01-26 10:56:36 I feel that my recent remarks about the renaissance of Dundee have been vindicated by Dundee being declared one of the world’s most intelligent cities by a global think tank.
I am amazed by the transformation in Dundee and think that it makes a great short break destination. Don’t just think of Edinburgh and Glasgow give Dundee a try. You can read more about Dundee in my guide.
Read more:named
How personal should a business blog be? 2007-01-25 10:07:57 I have to admit that Europe a la Carte blog does have a bit of a bias towards Scotland. I am Scottish and have lived in Scotland for most of the my life. I now live in the north east of England, 3 miles from the Scottish border. I call the area in which I live, Scengland and think of myself as Scottish and British. I have thought about completely despersonalising the blog, as it is a commercial blog. However I think that is acceptable and appropriate for a small business blog
to have some personal input from the owner. The danger is over how much personal input. I have to tread a fine line between the blog not being a souless corporate blurb and merely personal ranting. I try to stick to writing posts relating to travel in Europe. In my posts I relate the facts and then often make a personal comment.
It is up to you to tell me if I am achieving my aim of the blog being entertaining and informative?
New Burns Museum 2007-01-25 09:36:15 Funding has been granted for a new museum to display the legacy of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns
. It is hoped that the museum will be ready for the 250th anniversary of his birth in Janaury 2009. There will be around 4500 items on display including Tam O’Shanter and Auld Lang Syne written in Burns hand.
I have mixed feelings about the 17 million pounds to be spent on this project. I know that we should celebrate our heritage and this project will probably increase visitor numbers to the area. However I think that Burns is already firmly in the public eye. I know a school we had an annual Burns poetry reading competition and that Burns night get worldwide coverage. I would advocate spending more money on encouraging current Scottish poets.
Read more:Museum
Portable travel ipod kiosks in UK shopping centres 2007-01-24 12:42:51 Thomson are to introduce manned portable travel kiosks in shopping centres
from March. They are hoping that they can drum our more business by being visible to spontaneous purchasers and some passersby who may not have internet access at home or work. They do not envisage increasing sales of package holidays, more last minute breaks and DIY holidays.
Would you be attracted to browse at one of the kiosks if you noticed one whilst in a shopping centre?
Read more:Portable
Ryanair: The high profile airline 2007-01-24 12:16:06 Ryanair never seems to be out of the news, they hardly need to pay for advertising!
It is rumoured that European Commission may force Ryanair to sell their 25% holding the Aer Lingus.
Rynair have announced 5 new routes from Dublin, to Billund in Denmark, Rzeszow in Poland and Almeria, Seville and Vitoria in Spain.
Ryanair are offering one million free seats to passengerw who email the UK Chancellor to complain about the increase in APD. Last week many customers were able to take advantage a computer glitch on the buy one get one free offer on the Ryanair website. Apparently if you entered any random 6 digit code, rather a specfic code given when you booked the first flight, you could book a free flight without buying one first. Ryanair have promised to honour flights booked during this malfunction.
All I can say is that I wish that Ryanair had more flights from Edinburgh and Newcastle, the two aiports closest to me.
Read more:profile
, Ryanair
Roma Pass 2007-01-23 10:34:24 The Roma Pass is now available for visitors to Rome at a cost of 20 euros for three days. It covers free admission, without queueing, to the first two museums which you visit, reduced entry to other museums and public transport.
Silverjet the first carbon neutral airline 2007-01-23 09:49:22 The UK based Silverjet the world’s first 100% carbon neutral airline has started flights from London to New York. The ticket price includes a compulsory contribution to “Carbon Points”. The customer can then choose a project to which they wish to donate their points. If the customer does not indicate a preference for a specific project then their points will be distributed between a portfolio of projects. Silverjet believe that by making the carbon offset charge mandatory and by allowing interested customers to choose the recipient of their points they are leading the way in airline carbon offset schemes. The customer service sounds great, check in up to 30 minutes before departure, 6′3″ flat beds, freshly cooked food, 5 bathrooms with one ladies only. Prices start at £799 return.
I think that this low cost, business class, long haul model will probably be very successful. I do wonder how many tickets will be availabile at £799 return?
Eyemouth, Scottish Borders 2007-01-28 16:36:40 We went fo Sunday lunch at the Contented Sole pub in Eyemouth today. It is one of favourite haunts for Sunday lunch and as it’s in Scotland I will be guaranteed a smoke free environment. Lunch was followed by a walk along the coastal path north towards Coldingham. I have to say that Eyemouth is very good on the free public toilet front, with 2 public toilets in the town centre. both next to free car parks. so easy for visitors to find. You can read more about Eyemouth and the Scottish
borders in my guide.
Read more:Borders
Will you have a holiday if you travel with kids? 2007-01-28 10:14:24 I read the guest blog on Travel Rants entitled “Can kids travel?“. I’ve been thinking about my rather negative response pasted below. “I am not sure about encouraging families with young kids to travel. We went to Greece when our twin sons were just over one year old. The brake on the twin buggy was broken off during transit, so we had to hold onto the buggy at all times. Our accommodation had a flagged stone floor. As our sons couldn't walk, only crawl they basically had to stay in their cots when we were indoors out of the sun. The only opportunity they had to crawl around was on the beach for short time in the mornngs before the sand became too hot. We were limited in the number of toys we could take with us. I found the holiday very stressful as our sons would play around happily all day at home on the carpeted floor with their large assortment of toys. The flight back was awful as they both cried for the whole 3 hour flight. Sorry to say this but your lif
Middleclasstonbury at Loch Fyne 2007-01-28 09:41:28 A more upmarket boutiique Summer outdoor concert at Inverarary Castle on the west coast of Scotland is planned. Geoff Ellis the organiser of T in the Park, has received a grant of £250,000 from Argyll and Highlands Enterprise. Concert goers will have ready pitched fully equipped teepees for accommodation and be offered extras such as woodland walks. Groups such as Velvet Underground and Karftwerk have been suggested.
I am surprised that this forthcoming event has been awarded public money. You would lthink at the prices that they charge for tickets, around £70 a day that they could cover thier own costs. Or they could find a willing commercial sponsor especially considering the track record of the organiser.
Are you attracted to this type of concert? I must say that the location by Loch Fyne is stunning particulary if the weather is good but I don’t see me forking out for the concert.
Glasvegas: Will a supercasino lure you to visit Glasgow? 2007-01-29 08:59:28 Some fingers (and toes) will be firmly crossed in Glasgow
as the announcement of the location of the UK’s first and only super casino is due soon. A super casino could create up to 2000 new jobs and make Glasgow more appealing to the conference and tourism market. There is opposition in some quarters with a feeling that this will only further encourage gambling.
It is a difficult question, if people want to gamble and it is entertainment for those who take an occasional flutter or at least can afford to lose what they stake, why should Glasgow not cash in on this?
Read more:visit
British Airways strike called off 2007-01-29 20:29:45 The BA cabin crew strike
due to start tomorrow Tuesday 30th January has been called off.  I think that this last minute decision will mean that it will be a bit chaotic for BA travellers tomorrrow. Some flights that were cancelled are now back on, passengers are being advised to call BA on a freephone number or to go to the BA website. Have you been affected by this?
I just begin to feel between increased APD, all the problems in December with fog, bad press about airplane emissions, increased check in time for security and possible industrial action, you might begin to wonder why bother to travel by air for leisure?
Read more:Airways
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, British Airways
Endorsement by National Geographic 2007-01-30 12:30:52 I am happy to see that the NationalGeographic
agrees with me about recommending visiting less well known destinations in Europe. However I would suggest getting a bit more off the beaten track than they mention.  For example instead of subsituting Glasgow for London, I would recommend Dundee or Stirling in Scotland.
Read more:Endorsement
, National Geographic
Not a good day for UK travellers 2007-01-30 12:15:02 Trains on the main East Coast rail line from Edinburgh to London have been affected by delays and cancellation after a fire on freight train near Edinburgh. British Airways are warning of some disruption to their flights after the proposed strike action was called off. Evidently 140,000 BA passengers had already changed their travel plans. Will this put you off booking with BA in the future?
I just don’t know which is the “best” method of transport in the UK. When I drove from Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh last week, at midday. I encountered 4 sets of road works on that 50 mile stretch of the A1, which added around 30 minutes to my journey.
World Tourism still increasing 2007-01-30 11:55:25 The WorldTourism
Organisation has reported a 4.5% increase in global tourism during 2006, a slightly higher rate than anticpated. The International Air Transport Association has also announced that passenger numbers increased by 5.9% in 2006, a lower increase than the 7.6% increase recorded in 2005. Passenger number in Europe grew at 5.3%, slighly below the global average.
I wonder if increases such as these are sustainable in the long tern? I think that if oil prices increase a lot and/or disposable household income drops people will just not have the spare cash for several trips a year. I think there is also the hassle factor associated with air travel that my put some people off flying. It has certainly influenced our travel plans. We have decided to take a short break, where we’ll drive to Norfolk in the UK this month, rather than take a flight to mainland Europe. We thought for a 4 day break, why spend the best part of 2 days on air travel. Have you been evaluating
Up to 20% off car hire prices 2007-02-01 21:00:12 Auto Europe is offering up to 20% off their car hire prices if you book before the 31st of March 2007. I have used Auto Europe, a car hire broker, on several occasions and always been happy with the service and the car. With Auto Europe you know you are getting a good deal as they have a “beat rate guarantee”. There is no cancellation or amendment fee, as long as you give at least 24 hours notice. I would recommend that you book with the refundable excess, it only costs a few pounds more and means that you can reclaim any excess charged by the hire company.
Whale spotted in Forth estuary 2007-02-01 20:47:04 An orca whale has been spotted hunting seals in the Forth
estuary around the bridges. I was in South Queensferry today but unfortunately did not manage to sight the whale. Evidently the best views have been caught by maintainence workers on the rail bridge.
Speaking of seals we see the seal pup most days lying sleeping, often beside swans, on a sandbank under beside bridge in Berwick at low tide.
Read more:Whale
Does travel contribute to your happiness? 2007-02-02 10:15:17 I read an article today asking why UK citizens are not happier as we are experiencing record levels of prosperity, low levels of crime, less poverty and better prospects in health, education, technology and employments than ever before. Apparently in 1957 52% of the population claimed to be very happy, this has now fallen to 36%. Why are we in this contradictory state?
It seems to be that you have to fight the stronger human instinct of negativity, you have to try to choose to be happy. I can only speak from personal experience but travel has brough a lot of happiness
to my life. I met my husband when I was on holiday. I have enjoyed travel over the years in different ways. It was great fun going on holiday with our sons when they were young. I’ve had some interesting trips relating to my business Europe a la Carte.
I think it depends on what travel means to you. If you focus on travel as an escape from your everyday humdrum life, then you may feel more depressed when you r Read more:contribute
Wildlife on your doorstep 2007-02-03 14:35:45 I read this article about wildlife on your doorstep, trying to make watching wildlife more accessible to all. I was happy to see that my home town of Berwick upon Tweed was mentioned in the article. It was mainly in the context of spotting salmon as they return home from Iceland to the River Tweed. They did mention the swan colony too. Yesterday when I was walking towards the old bridge, at the Tweedmouth side, there were 3 swans lying on the road and drivers were having to manoeuvre around them. You can spot a lot of other wildlife in Berwick, the seals, herons, oyster catchers and cormorants to name a few. I am really lucky I have a view to the River Tweed from my office window which you can see below.
The debate continues over user generated reviews 2007-02-03 11:18:37 New research shows that UGC is more trusted than travel agents sites. I don’t think that these findings are exactly ground breaking. I would have expected a higher percentage of people it’s only 20% to trust user generated reviews
than trust content on travel agents’ sites, that stands at 12%.
I have discussed this topic before. I think that only sensible approach is to use a few several different sources. I think that the system used by Active Hotels, one of the hotel affiliates I use, is a good approach. You can only submit a hotel review if you booked the accommodation through the Active Hotels website and using the email address provided at the time of booking. With sites like Trip Advisor anybody can log in and post a review.
Do you check the system for submitting reviews before you read reviews to help you assess their provenance?
Lucky haul for divers 2007-02-03 11:16:23 Fishermen diving for shellfish in the Firth of Clyde last month discovered a 19th century Italian sculpture by the Italian Rinaldo Rinaldi buried in silt. The bust is believed to have been lost during a shipwreck 130 years ago. It has been perfectly preserved and it estimated to be worth £45000. However the fishermen will have to wait to receive a salvage award.
Read more:divers
The allure of Lake Iseo 2007-02-04 10:48:25 I have come across another fan of my beloved Lake Iseo. Jane Ward, a landscape artist and art tutor, based in Keswick in the English Lake District, visited the Italian lakes on a painting holiday and discovered Lake Iseo. She decided to set up painting holidays at Lake Iseo. The June dates have already sold out but there are a few places left in September, from Saturday 1 - Saturday 8, at a cost of £795.
Falling of the charms of Lake Iseo is no recent phenomenon as you can read in my Literary Connections of Lake Iseo. It is reassuring for me to know I am in good company as I extol the virtues of the lake.
Read more:allure
Champs Elysees to fight banalisation 2007-02-04 18:01:46 The Paris city government is making moves for the Champs
Elysees to regain more authentic chic ambience, rather than being over run with global retail brands, the only firms who can afford the high rents. The Champs Elysees has been dubbed a commercialised money trap, losing it’s exceptional and symbolic character.
Perhaps at last there is a realisation that cities should try to be something special and unique, not just contain rows of the same shops that you find everywhere else.
Read more:fight
DIY travellers need more protection 2007-02-05 16:58:59 The UK Government should move to strengthen package holidays regulations to incorporate trips made up of individual components say HolidayTravelWatch. The consumer group is urging action to protect travellers as the constant pressure to sell by price means that measures to safeguard travellers (which can’t be cost free) are often ignored.
I think that this is an important issue. Some consumers are still unaware of the lack of protection. The consumer group says that even a warning that an unprotected purchase is about to be purchased would be a start. I know that you have some protection if you use your credit card to make the purchase. However some travel companies charge a higher fee if you use a credit rather than a debit card for paymentm but debit card offer no protection. You are ony covered on credit card purchases over £100. Another precaution you can take is to check the small print of your travel insurance to see if it covers you for possible insolvency of the comp
Little change in UK travellers' plans 2007-02-05 11:29:50 It was no surprise to read that the recent doubling of Air Passenger Duty on short haul flights from the UK has had little effect on travel plans
. Research by the Prudential reports that 75% of respondents will not change their travel plans due to the increase in APD. However 11% are commited to flying less in the future in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint but this course of action was only prompted in 3% by the hike in APD.
It has not made much impact on my travel plans. I want to fly to Bergamo from Newcastle soon but it is the flght arrival time of 23:55 into Bergamo that is putting me off. The car hire office shuts at midnight and I am not sure when the buses in to the city stop and I don’t fancy paying around 15 euros for a taxi.
Can this Myrica plant benefit the Scottish Highlands? 2007-02-05 11:15:09 The plant bog myrtle or to use it’s Latin name Mryica Gale may help revive the rural ecomony in the Scottish
Highland. Boots the Chemist are using essential oil from the plant in their sensitive skincare range. At present the bog myrtle grows wild but this will not produce enough oil so there are plans to cultivate the crop. Evidently the boggy Highland soil means that the plant has a higher oil yield.
What made me laugh is the premise that the plant should be known by it’s supposedly more appealing name of sweet gale, as it is felt that the bog part of bog mrytle is unappealing. I think a better solution would be to use the Latin name of Myrica Gale especially as one of the advertised properties of the skin cream will be anti-ageing and Myrica sounds very similar to miracle.
On a more serious note I think that projects which can inject money and jobs into rural areas by utilising the natural attributes of a region are a marvelous thing. However it could also be an oppo Read more:benefit
, Highlands
Edinburgh's Tartan Tat Royal Mile 2007-02-06 09:14:39 The president of the Scottish Tartan
Authority has hit out at the tourist tat shops spoiling the character of the Royal
Mile in Edinburgh
, claiming that it resembles an eastern bazaar. He believes that tourists are being misled by £20 acrylic skirts masquarading as kilts. He believes that the Royal Mile should epitomise a quality ethos in this historic World Heritage Site.
Well you could argue it is down to market forces, these shops can only survive if they can make a profit Could Edinburgh City Council or the Scottish parliament only allow “quality” shops in the Royal Mile? I am glad that at least issues like these are being discussed as I blogged about the the Champs Elysees recently. I always feel that many beautiful locations are spoiled by cheap commercialism and have wondered if anything would or could ever be done about it. I have to say that Venice is one of the worst examples I have visited. It is such a beautiful city overun every street bulging with tourist
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