BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

As we see the temperature drop this week, we know that the winter months are only around the corner! Here we look at some potential destinations to escape to where the winter coats and jumpers are not needed!

Best short haul option – THE CANARY ISLANDS

With 7 different islands to choose from, this sun-drenched destination makes it the perfect place to take a winter holiday. Its sub-tropical climate means you are set to enjoy temperatures on average of above 20°c even in the months of December, January and February.

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife offers something for all the family. It’s ever popular waterparks and numerous beaches combined makes it a winning formula for the perfect winter family holiday.

Recommended areas to stay include Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes.

Gran Canaria is the second most popular of the islands and is home to the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas.

Head to the south of the island for an even warmer climate and array of hotels and resorts to pick from.

Fancy staying somewhere a bit different? – why not try the luxury 5-star Lopesan Baobab Resort in Meloneras. This safari themed hotel will be an instant hit with those travelling with children.

Famed for its volcanic backdrop, Lanzarote has always been a popular holiday destination for couples and families alike.

Costa Teguise is a more peaceful option to the main resort of Puerto Del Carmen.

The more upmarket option for families is Playa Blanca, on the Southern tip of the island. Here you can visit the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura, less than an hour away by ferry.

Order your Euros HERE for your winter sun break to The Canary Islands

Best Luxury Option – DUBAI

If glitz and glam teamed with plenty of sunshine is what you’re after, then Dubai is your perfect winter destination.

With its skyscrapers, malls and sprawling beaches, Dubai offers something for everyone.

Take a camel ride along Jumeriah beach to take in the spectacular views of the city.

Travelling with the kids and staying on the Palm, Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park is a must during your visit. Alternatively, Wild Wadi Water Park offers the same level of fun!

Fan of brunches? Dubai offers a whole host of themed brunches including those where you can take the children. Bread Street Kitchen, Atlantis The Palm offers a family brunch with food courtesy of Gordan Ramsey. The brunch offers a menu of children’s favourites and activities including cookie decorating, play doh making and face painting meaning the adults can kick back and relax while the kids are kept busy!

Dubai is home to the World’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Standing at 828m high, here you can experience the ultimate viewing experience on level 124. While on level 122 you can enjoy a dinner at Atmosphere, the World’s tallest restaurant.

You will not be short of amazing hotels to stay at in Dubai. With so many on offer you’re sure to find a deal that will not break the bank. However, food, drink and shopping can soon add up in this sleek city, so be warned!

Hotel recommendations:

With both the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Atlantis, The Palm offering complimentary access to both the attached waterparks to these hotels, these are the recommended hotels to stay at if you are travelling as a family. Both also offer children’s clubs and plenty of family activities during your stay.

Order your UAE Dirhams HERE for your winter escape to Dubai.

Best affordable long-haul option – MEXICO

If you don’t mind travelling a few more hours in the air, then Mexico is well recommended for that winter getaway.

Sun-soaked beaches teamed with fun fiestas and vibrant nightlife, this location is sure to provide you with that dream holiday you’ll never forget.

The average temperature all year round sits at low to mid 20’s making it the perfect place to feel some sun on your back!

Cancun, popular with young couples offers plenty of all-inclusive hotels to enjoy and if you want to venture out of your hotel head down to all the nightlife Cancun provides! A visit to the world-famous Coco Bongos is a must if you have an appetite for a fun filled night out

Riviera Maya, set south of Cancun is fast becoming the place to visit in Mexico for that relaxing winter break. Spread throughout the Yucatan coast, Riviera Maya encompasses the most the most important historical and archaeological sites of the ancient Mayas. It is also seen as one of the best destinations to head to for snorkelling and diving.

Hotel recommendations:

Grand Riviera Princess hotel is designed for families and kids alike. The family club here provides daily entertainment for the children, allowing the adults to relax. This hotel is, one to consider for your winter family trip.

If it's an adult only luxury trip you are in search of, the Platinum Yucatan Princess hotel is proving a popular all-inclusive hotel to book.

Order your Mexican Peso HERE for your long-haul winter getaway.

© Currency Online Group

29th September 2022

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

It has been well documented in the media in the last few days that, airlines are being forced to cancel flights amid the current travel chaos at UK airports. In order to deliver an acceptable and on time service airlines such as Easyjet, British Airways (BA) and TUI have taken the decision to cut back on the daily flight schedule out of major UK airports. OK, so this helps them but how does it help all those passengers who have booked flights and holidays in advance, to find out 2 weeks before that their transport is cancelled and they face the prospect of disruption to their travel plans.

In particular it has been noted that Gatwick airport has decided, in order to cope with the current problems, that passenger numbers are going to be reduced over the busy summer period. Not the news that most travellers, planning a well-earned holiday post-pandemic, want to hear!

Understanding your rights if your flight becomes cancelled

When you find yourself with a cancellation, your flight must fall under one of the falling criteria for your rights under UK Law to take effect. Your flight must:

• departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, or
• arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline; or
• arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

If you arrive at the airport and your flight becomes cancelled, the airline you are flying with must provide you with care and assistance until you are able to fly, no matter how long the delay lasts.

Depending on the nature and length of delay, passengers should be offered the following where needed:

• A reasonable amount of food and drink (usually given in the form of vouchers)
• Communication – if you require making calls that are of an extra cost to you, this can be refunded
• Accommodation – if your new flight does not take off until the proceeding day or longer then the airline must provide you with suitable accommodation until the flight leaves (usually a local hotel)
• Transport to and from the accommodation, or your home if you are able to return here

Airlines should seek to offer care and assistance to ALL passengers but at times they can become stretched and may not be able to do so. In this instance you have the right to arrange your own care package and then claim the cost back. You must keep all receipts and do not spend more than is seen as reasonable. If you book a luxury hotel and purchase alcohol do not be surprised when they fail to refund you for this.

My flight has been cancelled less than 14 days before departure – can I claim compensation?

This very much depends on what has caused the cancellation. If the airline isn’t at fault and it is due to extreme weather conditions or for example an air traffic control strike, it is very unlikely you will be eligible for compensation.

Based on 7 to 14 days, notice of cancellation you may be able to claim compensation based on timings of the alternative flight given.

If your new flight given departs no more than 2 hours before your original flight time and your new flight arrives less than 4 hours after the scheduled flight, you are not entitled to financial compensation.

If your flight time falls outside of the above criteria then you are likely to be eligible for compensation at this time. We will provide a link to follow at the end of this section which documents tables of eligibility based on whether your flight is short, medium or long haul.

If your flight is cancelled with less than 7 days’ notice as with the above you may be eligible for compensation. This time the airline has to meet a tighter, criteria with your new flight in order for you not to qualify. If the airline is able to provide a flight that departs no more than 1 hour before your original flight time AND your new flight arrives less than 2 hours after the scheduled time, you are not eligible for compensation.

For all the tables of compensation figures and eligibility under UK Law click HERE

Rearranging your cancelled flight

If at any point your booked flight becomes cancelled at the fault of your airline you are travelling with, passengers under the rights of UK Law can choose between the following options:

1.       RECEIVE A FULL REFUND

Passengers are entitled to a full refund for all parts of a flight ticket that hasn’t been used. For example; if the outbound leg of a return flight is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket back from your airline.

If you are a passenger travelling with a connecting flight and you have completed the first part of your journey, when your connecting flight becomes cancelled, you are also entitled to a flight back to your original place of departure if you choose not to continue with your journey because of the unforeseen cancellation.

2.       CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT

If you still wish to travel, under UK Law the airline must find you a suitable alternative flight. It is at your discretion if you choose to fly as soon as possible after the cancellation of the original scheduled flight or you decide to travel at a later date. Airlines will usually book you onto another flight they can offer to the same destination. However, if another airline is flying their significantly sooner or there are other suitable modes of transport available to complete the planned journey, then you may have the right to get booked onto that alternative instead. This can be discussed with the airline in question.

We hope this has helped you in understanding your rights should your flight become cancelled.

Remember if you are travelling abroad this year and require travel money, visit Currency Online Group for some of the best market exchange rates. We offer a home delivery service or the option to collect your currency from our exclusive office location within London Waterloo Station.

© Currency Online Group

22^nd June 2022