Guess the City!

Hello all!

Afraid sleep is eluding me currently, so I'm not in a terribly inspired frame of mind. That's why I'm going to go for a more visual emphasis (not because I'm lazy or anything...!)

Just had a quick snoop through the archive and found these rather lovely pictures...but do you know where they are? (Click on them to have a little hint) I think some are a lot more obvious than others, but who know? I'm actually pretty terrible with my landmarks. Someone showed me a picture of Versailles a few weeks ago and I had no idea what it was. That may have something to do with my sieve of a memory or that I've never been to Paris - who knows?

Anyway have fun guessing! Answers can be found at the bottom of the post in teeny-tiny text. Back with non-lazy, but perhaps less visually-appealling posts on Monday! Have a lovely weekend!







Like the pictures? Maybe looking for a hotel in the area? Head on over to HolidayCheck.co.uk to check hotel reviews, travel pictures, videos and more. Enjoy!

1) Heidelberg 2) St Petersburg 3) Seattle 4) Bangkok 5) Sydney 6) Prague

Swine Flu: Prevention is Cure for Travellers Woes

Last week 100,000 new cases of the HIN1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, were reported by the Health Protection Agency and it is continuing to spread like wildfire.With many overseas visitors now cancelling their UK holidays the impact on our domestic tourist industry is likely to be more drawn out. The situation also has unhappy implications for the outbound sector.

Mark Parry, website manager for the online hotel review platform and travel agency holidaycheck.co.uk, summarised how the current climate would affect holidaymakers flying out of the UK, " some airlines are not letting passengers board flights if they suspect swine flu. Obviously this puts anyone with a cold or allergy in a difficult position. However, passengers with concerns should definitely find out about the current policies of specific airlines in advance. Generally, careful judgement should be applied when flying on the part of anyone who has any doubts whatsoever about their own state of health." Already 160 British nationals are detained in quarantine in Egypt, India, China and Singapore for displaying flu-type symptoms. British visitors to Turkey have to pass thermal monitors on their way through customs that check they have not got a fever.

British Airways and British Midlands have confirmed they will not allow passengers with flu like symptoms to board flights. Furthermore, those subjected to this diagnostic shot in the dark will not be refunded – they are instead advised to refer the matter to their insurance companies.

In view of all the problems holidaymakers can experience if they exhibit the symptoms specified before they fly it really makes sense to undertake steps to avoid contracting swine flu. Since the virus is passed on by inhaling droplets expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces, these four points relate to simple hygiene.

...

Hand washing. Thoroughness and regularity must be your watchwords here. Many people neglect the backs of their hands and the skin between fingers.

Anti-bacterial gel. To be really effective this should contain at least 30% alcohol (the label will list ethanol or ethyl alcohol as the key ingredients).

Use Tissues. Disposable tissues should be binned right after use. Cotton hankies are a no-no since they harbour germs even after being washed.

Disposable paper masks. Most effective in confined spaces i.e in an aeroplane cabin, provided they fit closely over the mouth and nose. When they get moist they should be replaced.


What do you think? Are you worried about swin flu, or just think it's a load of hot air? Share your opinions on our forum here.

Kat and HolidayCheck on Flickr

Just a quick message to say: Kat and HolidayCheck now have a Flickr photostream. This is a collection of the very best of users' holiday photos and they are rather jealous-making*, if I don't say.

You can check it out here.

* am aware jealous-making is not a word, but in my list of favourite non-words it tops the list!

Eating Out in Vienna

Foodies alert! Today I'm going to tell you about how much I loved eating out in Vienna (or Wien, as I am inclined to say!). Now, I am aware that in terms of sheer scale or innovation, Vienna doesn't exactly rival London, New York or Tokyo, but what I am convinced of is that you can eat very well there - and often for very reasonable prices.

All of the places that follow are places I tried myself, so they've got my personal seal of approval. I eat generally vegetarian food, so you guys get a double whammy. Not only are these places great, but any veggies tagging along will be very happy.

Unlike England, it's very hard to find Indian food in Vienna. For some reason, it just hasn't caught on. What you will find in its place is an abundance of sushi restaurants, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Viennese food, along with a smattering of organic restaurants and coffee houses, which often make their own cake and treats are really are worth a blog entry of their own. Some other time, perhaps.

I lived in the North of the city, but most of the best places I know are closer to the centre. I used to walk back and forth all the time, and one of my friends lived right in the middle of the my route. Turns out one of the best places we found was just down her street. Ha Noi Express is in Sechsschimmelgasse and serves a limited, but delicious menu, both for eating in and takeaway. It's basically very simple, but very good, Vietnamese cooking. I have never had better tofu in my life: full stop. My other dining companions also raved about the fish and chicken skewers. Service can be a bit iffy, but in any case it's worth it.

If you're more in the mood for sushi, I suggest above all: Dots Experimental Sushi. Don't be put off by the name - they also serve warm dishes and normal sushi. However, if you are more adventurous there's also no end to the strange combinations you can go for. Every plate is gorgeous - I hope you can see the picture, but that's me with by huuuge plate of vegetarian sushi. Absolutely lovely, and so pretty. The service is very good and although the drinks are expensive, the sushi is actually a bargain. The quality is the highest I found in Vienna and yet the prices are the same you'd find in an average restaurant. Just remember to book a table in advance, because it's quite popular!


Well, what about Italian? Vienna is heavy with great Italian restaurants, but I have one clear favourite: Pizza Mari. This restaurant is run by Italians and has a small, traditional menu with only a few appetisers and toppings available. The pizzas are stunning. I had a traditional pizza with tomato, buffalo mozzarella and rocket and it was one of the best I've had. It's located in a quiet street but has a cult following, so you may have to wait for a table - but please do, because you won't regret it!

Finally, on to Austrian food. Go to Amerlingbeisl - it's a command. Not only is the location absolutely stunning and the food fantastic, but it's a cultural hub. All kinds of groups meet here to discuss politicals, music, whatever they feel like. I always liked watching them leave and wondering which group they belonged to. Food is simple, there is plenty of variety and the portions are generous. I had trouble finishing mine, but did anyway because it was so good. I found the staff very friendly, although the place does get busy in the evenings.

In any case, be careful...otherwise you might end up like me at the end of my trip...!


To read more from Kat, follow her on Twitter: @KC_HolidayCheck

For more treats and tips, head on over to www.holidaycheck.co.uk To stay up-to-date with HolidayCheck news, articles and new blog posts, become our fan on Facebook.

International Flirting Trends

A recent HolidayCheck survey demonstrates that the British, French, Germans and Italians flirt in different ways and have distinct preferences with regard to the locations they choose to flirt in.

Italians view the poolside or the beach as a place for flirty interaction. 36.8% of those questioned like to flirt on the beach. 24.7% of French holidaymakers questioned expressed a similar preference for flirting at the water's edge. The corresponding figure for the Germans was 29.2%. By contrast the water seems to douse the amorous instincts of the English since only 23.9% of those asked would 'take the plunge' and risk a little poolside flirting.

When hotels and resorts lay on entertainment, the inclination of guests to get flirty rises accordingly. Particularly those activities where guests are separated in small groups (anyone for tennis?) offer rich pickings: this suggests people are more prepared to take a risk when there are fewer people around to see them slip up. For the French these organised activities are ranked very highly on the flirt-scale (30.4%). The corresponding figures for the Italians, English and Germans are 26.4%, 13% and 11.4% respectively.

The survey suggests that many holidaymakers are up for more than sightseeing on a guided tour. The coach environment and the potential for pairs being thrown together randomly due to seating arrangements mean that 15.2% of those French subjects questioned saw such occasions as ripe flirting opportunities. 14.9 % of the Italians had a similar point of view. Amongst the Germans, 12.6% would not be adverse to a bit of 'flirten'. The English are stubbornly resistant to the romantic possibilities of the coach excursion. A mere 8.7% of UK residents approached expressed interest in the idea. More susceptible to travel than love sickness perhaps?

By way of contrast, the club scene is a happier hunting ground for the English. 28.4% of her Majesty's subjects approached in our survey were interested not only in throwing some shapes on the floor but also in pulling (or trying to pull). However, the Germans are most likely to put aside their teutonic reserve here; 34.7% of them indicated their readiness to flirt in the disco. The French also proved willing (25.3%) but here the Italians are out of step with a paltry 12.6%.

An advantage of engaging in flirtatious behaviour on an aeroplane is that the object of your affections cannot escape. The English have seized upon this with enthusiasm and 26.1% of those surveyed were quite prepared to give it a go. At least they're not wasting any time getting into the holiday spirit. The corresponding figures for Germany (12.1%), Italy (9.6%) and France (4.4%) suggest they all need a bit more time to loosen up.

Have a look at our photos and videos to see if the statistics really don't lie! For more hints and tips on travel, have a look at holidaycheck.co.uk

To read more from Mark, follow him on twitter here.

Party Machen

Hi ladies and gents!

My lovely colleague just sent me some pictures ahead of time, so I'm going to go ahead and post today instead of tomorrow. Or maybe I'll treat you all and post tomorrow too! Who knows.





I spent most of my weekend recovering from work party on Friday evening. The whole thing had been booked for months and was essentially our 'Sommerfest' - summer celebration, if you will - so thus, of course, it had to tip it down with rain on the day!

I had to nip out of work speedily to get there by bike. I had hoped to be able to pop in quickly at home and change out of my nasty cycling gear, but alas, my bike chain came off and then I lost my bike lock (clever, I know), so I spent the party in my ratty cycling shorts and waterproof jacket. Clearly I did not win any fashion awards that evening.
In any case, otherwise it was great. HolidayCheck rented out a nice bar slash restaurant on the banks of the Rhein and drinks and food were on the house. We had some games - including dinghy racing - before the rain started, but when it had begun it didn't stop for the entire rest of the night or next day.

Still, the rain definitely did not put a damper on our celebrations. The bar we were at serves fantastic mojitos, so everybody had a few (too many!). I have to admit that one of the highlights for me was my colleague, Wei (otherwise known as Team China). She had only one drink, but because she's not used to it, went bright pink. You can kind of see it in the photo above! I think she was a bit embarrassed, but everyone else thought it was quite funny and sweet.

Basically, HolidayCheck is just a nice company to work for. The International Team are all friendly and we get on really well. In the two photos above, we've got people from China, Italy, France, Poland, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic. Not bad, eh?

<---- Here, we've also got our Dutch manager and myself! The others are Celine, our French manager, and Carlos, who's an intern like me.

I'm told that the party went on well into the early hours, but I ended up getting a bit chilly and going home - remember, I only had my trendy cycling shorts on! Verdict, however: good evening!

German airline to offer smoking-only aircraft

During my daily browsing, I stumbled across this post from Gadling.

While I am very much anti-smoking myself, having worked in a smoky bar and lived with a housemate who smoked (did not do me good!!), I like this idea. I mean, everybody on the planet must know by know that smoking is bad, expensive, can give you cancer etc. But people still do it anyway and it's only fair to offer a choice.

I can imagine, for instance, that a seven-hour flight is hellish for a heavy smoker. And while I don't believe non-smokers should be subjected to cigarette smoke against their will, I also don't think options for smokers should just be wiped out.

It seems this service, which is still in its planning stages, will be a rather upmarket affair, so not much help to the majority of the general population, but still. I hope that it does come to fruition - if not least because smokers have been rather hard-done-by lately and could probably do with an in-flight ciggie.

What do you all think? Am I wrong to endorse this? Or is it a victimless crime when everybody has gone along with it consensually?

To read more from Kat, follow her on Twitter here and say hello! Alternatively become a fan of HolidayCheck UK on facebook for all the latest news from the site.

HolidayCheck Competitions

HolidayCat's here with a quick message to let you readers know that every person who submits one review and four travel photos on www.holidaycheck.co.uk is in with a chance of winning a fantastic Travel Translator! It comes with its own travel pouch, can pronounce words and phrases and will hopefully prevent some awful faux-pas!

We have also have one other competition running: every person who submits a review has the chance to win our of our great Top Hotels Guides. Three winners will be chosen based on the quality of the review(s) submitted and will be notified in September. So sharpen those typing fingers and get going!

Have a nice rest of the day,

HolidayCat

Holiday brochures and weasely words

Hello! Mark here, your guardian angel for the slippery world of travel brochures...

As summer reaches its height the number of holidaymakers peaks in line with the number returning home disappointed from their annual break. Often the catalogue blurb and accompanying glossy pictures are to blame in that they do not give a fair and accurate representation of the resort or hotel in question. Of course the people selling package holidays are entitled to their rose tinted glasses but for those looking to book it's as well to take them off.

In the same way that school reports (or even job references) can be written in a coded language, brochures can likewise contain some pretty weasily phrasing. For the benefit of the (w)easily led I have plucked out some choice snippets of brochure speak so you'll know when to be on your guard.

'Heated Pool'

This doesn't signify that the pool is necessarily warm, only that it can be heated.

'Room with Sea-View'

At Fawlty Towers a guest complained about her room on the basis that a tiny patch of blue in the distance couldn't constitute an ocean view. Sadly this weasily practice has not been totally expunged.

'Near the beach'

Two things here: firstly there is no indication given that the sea is suitable for swimming in. Secondly, 'near' is a matter of interpretation – one person's 'near' is another's hard slog.

'Direct Flight'

This only means that you don't have to change planes. On a long haul flight, for example, a stopover may well be on the cards. But technically this is still a direct flight.

All of these phrases are banana skins for the unsuspecting holidaymaker and touch the boundaries of what is legally acceptable without breaking it. Others are still more devious. 'Central location' or 'near the airport' can mean that a holiday is blighted continuously by noise from a nearby building site or planes flying directly overhead.

For this reason it is advisable for those planning a holiday to research their planned destination independently in advance. A practical way of doing this is to make use of online review platforms. These offer an opportunity for people to find out what a resort or hotel really has to offer and typically help holidaymakers book their trip on the basis of these authentic impressions.

Holiday in Germany?

Seeing as I seem to have offended some of my colleagues by chatting about Germany's real age (sorry guys, but it's true!), today I'm going to make up for it by writing about some of the most beautiful spots in Germany.

With the recession biting deep, many more people are choosing holidays closer to home over exotic trips and since Germay is so perfectly located in Europe, it's actually a fantastic destination for many people. Clearly, I am a bit of a fan of Germany, studying German and all, but I do honestly and impartially think that the country has something to offer for everyone.

Here's why:

1) Even total culture phobes can feel at home there. The Germans are strangely interested in English speakers (this is frustrating when trying to improve your German, like me). They seem to have a sixth sense and even if you are speaking in German, they will suddenly burst into English mid-conversation. Being an English speaker can really open some doors and people will make you feel right at home.

2) Sport, relaxing, sunbathing, fine dining, road trips, slobbing about, city breaks...Germany has it all. There's a lot of variety. Take city breaks for example: you've already got about ten big cities to choose from, maybe more. From there, you can whittle your choices down further. Avant garde and cultural? Berlin! Stunning architecture, traditional? Munich! A taste of the former East German Republic? Dresden! See what I mean?

3) Price. Germany is overall very affordable (although for those of us in the UK, not affordable as it used to be, what with our weak pound at the moment). If you want to splurge, you can go ahead and do it, BUT if, like most people, you are on a budget, you are not limited in the slightest. If you're really poor, it's interesting to note that Germany has a thriving Couchsurfing community. Basically, you find someone in the place you want to go to, see if you hit it off and then crash on their sofa free of charge. A great idea if you really want to get to know a place and the locals.


I bet you're already convinced! Still, if you're not, take a peek at this quick list of some of the placed voted most beautiful in Germany:


Bodensee: First on my list, because this is where I am! Konstanz, just on the edge of the lake, is small but beautiful, both in summer and winter. There are numerous pretty little towns and villages around the lake, as well as several ferries going back and forth. All around the lake are cycle paths and footpaths and you will likely stumble frequently on little beaches where you can take a swim.

Altes Land: This little piece of paradise near Hamburg is bursting with orchards and small, private accommodations. Popular among couples and families, there are many activities available, such as cycling tours, hiking, boating along the Elbe and tours around the local orchards (surprisingly interesting!) Larger cities are just a stone's throw away.

Potsdam: no longer a part of Berlin, but still just a leap, skip and a jump away. Former summer residence of Friedrich the Great, this great destination is full to the brim with gardens, glorious architecture, castles and churches. Locally known as the Versailles of the North, the former palace is a Cultural Heritage Site. In the town itself there are also many activities, including shows, film showings and markets.

Quedlinburg: Never heard of it, eh? A romance, secluded town in Sachsen-Anhalt, Quedlingburg is also a Cultural Heritage Site. Even year its charming, twisty streets and dreamy atmosphere draw visitors from all over, but luckily it's still little-known enough that it feels like your very own secret discovery.

Thüringer Wald: last, but not least, we're on to Thüringen, where the majestic wood offers a paradise for walkers, hikers, cyclists and nature lovers. If you get peckish, you could try the traditional meal: the Thüringer Bratwurst, or simply visit the Wurst Museum (that's sausages, everyone)! If you've still got energy after that, you could climb up to the highest point, Beerburg, and enjoy the fantastic view.

If you're interested in finding out more about holiday destinations in Germany, head off to HolidayCheck. Interested in reading more from Kat? Follow her on Twitter here.

Hello all! As I was browsing through the interweb this morning, I came across this article (sorry, non-German speakers) about the safest places in the world.

The results are from a survey from Forbes Traveller, which itself has some pretty good credentials. Results were determined from a combination of studies by such hard-hitters as the World Health Organisation, Mercer and the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not bad, as surveys go!

So, here's the rundown:

ABC-Islands (Caribbean) The ABC of safety are the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The reasons? For hurricanes, they are too far south, they have low crime rates and a multicultural tourist-friendly population.

Dubai Artificial, but safe! Although Dubai is currently suffering from the recession, the country remains safe due to its multitude of CCTV cameras and its stable political and social climate.

Ireland According to a study from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Irish are European folk least inclined to violence! Perhaps they prefer to just talk their problems out...?

Cyprus A little miracle: smack dab in the middle of the Near East is an oasis of peace. This is probably due to the strong economic climate, impression education system, an emphasis on familial values – and two British military bases.

New Zealand This island has one of the lowest rates of crime and violence in the entire world. Due to its location, New Zealand is safe from tropical storms (too far south) and also from antarctic snowstorms (too far north). Not bad!

Mauritius Together with the Seychelles, Mauritius has the lowest rate of crime in Africa. So why is only Mauritius in the top ten? Well...due to its location much further south in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is safe from piracy!

Bhutan Located in the Himalayas, this kingdom is one of the safest Asian countries. Most of the people are poor, but due to their buddhist beliefs and high level of family values they are some of happiest people in Asia.

Switzerland Amazing but true: three of the five safest cities in the world are in Switzerland (that's Bern, Genf and Zürich, if you wanted to know). The only warning: watch out for your valuables when taking the night trains across the border!

Iceland Iceland has been most affected by the economic crisis, but the island's inhabitants have remained peaceful. The level of crime is still remarkably low, possibly due to the exce

llent education standards.

Singapore Almost a complete lack of natural catastrophes, a law-abiding population and a strong system in case of terrorist threats mean Singapore is as safe as they come...

I've only actually been to two of these destinations. Turns out I'm far more of a risk-taker than I'd thought....!

HolidayCat's Survival Guide to Foreign Languages (part 1)

This week, HolidayCat has been brushing up on his language skills. Who would have thought such an innocent fuzzball could be such a polyglot?

According to HolidayCat, it's pretty rude not to learn a few phrases before you whisk yourself away on holiday, even if what you learn is just "Hello", "Please", "Thank you", and "Two beers please." HolidayCat, of course, has impeccable manners.

Besides, does anybody really want to be that tourist? You all know the one. The sweaty, sunburned English-speaker, yelling at ever-increasing volume "DO-YOU-SPEAK-ENGLISH?", as if their conversation partner is deaf. Oh dear goodness, no!

Well, thanks to HolidayCat, today we've got your survival Dutch and French served hot and fresh today. Dip in and choose which phrases are most relevant to you and do your bit to give us English speakers a better reputation as tourists! Tune in next week for Spanish and German, while HolidayCat purrs convincingly to get our colleagues on board for Polish and Czech the week after that.

DUTCH

ENGLISH	DUTCH	PRONOUNCIATION
Hello	Hallo	hallo
How are you?	How is het?	hoo-iss-het
Where is...?	How kom ik bij...?	Hoo-komm-ick-by
Help!	Help!	Help!
How much does it cost?	Hoeveel kost dat?	hoo-fill-kost-dat
I would like...	Ik zou graag	Ick-zow-hrach
Two beers please	Twee biertjes?	Zway-bier-ch
Please	Dankje	Dank-je
Thank you	Bedankt	bed-ankt
Do you speak English?	Spreek je Engels?	Schprayk-ye-engels
I don't understand	Ik begrijp het niet	Ick-begripe-het-neet
es	Ja	Ya
No	Nee	Nay

FRENCH

ENGLISH	FRENCH	PRONOUNCIATION
Hello	Bonjour	Bon-joor
How are you?	Comment ça va?	Common-sa-vah
Where is...?	Où est ...?	Oo-eh
Help!	A l'aide!	A-layd
How much does it cost?	Combien ça coûte?	com-bee-en-a-coot
I would like...	J'aimerais...	jhe-mer-ayz
Two beers please	Deux bières, s'il vous plaît	doo-bier-seel-voo-play
Please	S'il vous plaît	seel-voo-play
Thank you	Merci	mayr-see
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais?	par-lay-voo-on-glays
I don't understand	Je ne comprends pas	jhe-neh-comprond-pah
Yes	Oui	wee
No	Non	noh

For more tips and tricks, take a trip to the HolidayCheck forum: here

Switzerland: a land of many surprises!

Since I've been working in Switzerland for almost a month now, I thought it was able time to find out more about this amazing country...

Switzerland is famous for its stunning countryside, dotted with lakes, tiny villages and hemmed by the mountain ranges of the Jura and the Alps, as well as its cuckoo clocks and the Red Cross. But there is a lot more to this very different country.

Did you know?

* Switzerland is over 700 years old- far older than most other European countries (Germany, for instance, is just a little over 150 years old.
* It is the only central European country to resist fascism - perhaps due to the fact that the average family owns three guns!
* It is the world leader in the production of: watches, chocolate, perfumes and energy production, of all things.
* Switzerland is the only truly practicing democracy in the world. Its people have the last word on everything, can vote on laws, government spending and even launch popular initiatives that are binding for the government! (I think the British would really go for something like this at the moment...)
* On top of all that, the country has not one, not two, not even three but FOUR national languages: German, French, Italian and Rumantsch, which sounds a little bit like an Italian dialect.

Clearly, Switzerland is a fascinating country, but other than brushing up on your language skills, what is there to see and do there? Basically, it depends on what you want.

For active holidaymakers:

You are in your element! The Swiss are big hikers, bikers and Nordic walkers (a bit like hyped-up power walking) and they have a lot of room to practice their hobbies. Climbers and hikers will benefit from heading towards the hills. Both the Alps and the Jura offer ample opportunities to get out there, experience nature and flex your muscles. One big benefit to staying in the countryside is the abundance of small, personal hotels and chalets, which give guests a real personal touch and feel for the country (see the following blog post for a review of one of the best).

If you're more of a water sports kind of person, you're also in luck. The country is practically awash with rivers and lakes and there are few places where you can't indulge a love of sailing, canoeing or waterskiing. Some of the best recommendations for river rafting and canoeing can be found here. For swimming and sailing, head East towards Lake Constance (known in German as Bodensee) or try Zurich's Strandbad Mythenquai. As I speak, the water is 21 degrees celcius!

For city creatures:

Take a trip to Bern, the country's capital, with its romantic architecture and unique medieval Old Town. Situated on a peninsula over the River Aare, its centre is dominated by the parliamentary building. Here you can find museums, restaursnts, shop and weekly markets aplenty! It also boasts Europe's longest weather-protected shopping promenade (6km!) The city's most popular attractions are the Zähringer fountain, the Zeitglocke Tower and the Bear Pit.

Or you could mosey over to Zürich and explore its crooked, cobbled lanes and hidden inner courtyards and dreamy buildings. Among Zürich's most important landmarks are the city's principle churches, Fraumünster, Grossmünster and St. Peter's church. The city is also popular among young people and boasts splendid eating and shopping opportunities. Those hungry to get to the real heart of the city (or just hungry, for that matter) should check out this site (you can find some real gems this way).

For more information on Switzerland and to read reviews and look at pictures and videos from other holidaymakers visit holidaycheck.co.uk.