http://journalisted.com/charles-starmersmith en-gb http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2601651/Airline-charges-quadruple-in-two-years.html Families worst hit as charges raise hundreds of millions from low-cost flights, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-08-22 16:36:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2601651/Airline-charges-quadruple-in-two-years.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2564438/Latin-America-is-this-years-hotspot.html Latin America is becoming the most popular destination for gap years, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-08-15 15:06:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2564438/Latin-America-is-this-years-hotspot.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552891/Ten-gap-year-tips.html Make sure you're well prepared for gap year travel before leaving home with these top safety tips. 2008-08-13 18:28:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552891/Ten-gap-year-tips.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552174/Gap-year-directory-working-abroad.html Useful websites for gappers looking for job vacancies and advice on working abroad. 2008-08-13 18:23:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552174/Gap-year-directory-working-abroad.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552255/Gap-year-directory-teaching-and-training.html The best websites offering gap year programmes for travellers who wish to learn or teach abroad. 2008-08-13 18:12:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552255/Gap-year-directory-teaching-and-training.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552769/Gap-year-directory-volunteering.html From conservation in Belize to care work in India, our gap year volunteering directory contains useful contact information to help you plan your travels. 2008-08-13 17:49:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/2552769/Gap-year-directory-volunteering.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520366/Cruise-control-urged-as-crowds-increase.html Historic Mediterranean ports are in danger of being swamped by day-trippers from big cruise ships. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-08-08 13:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520366/Cruise-control-urged-as-crowds-increase.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520356/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, including a gong for Kuoni and Ryanair's impending introduction of mobile phones. 2008-08-08 11:59:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520356/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520409/Airport-fingerprint-plan-sparks-a-domestic-dispute.html Controversial plan comes under scrutiny as Government proposes fingerprinting at Gatwick and Manchester airports. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-08-08 11:54:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2520409/Airport-fingerprint-plan-sparks-a-domestic-dispute.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2516542/Newfoundland-adventure-in-the-great-outdoors.html Newfoundland offers all the challenges for adventure lovers – and loads of fun, says Charles Starmer-Smith . 2008-08-07 13:37:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2516542/Newfoundland-adventure-in-the-great-outdoors.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2484161/Antigua-shooting-This-murder-is-a-one-off.html Tour operators and tourism officials in Antigua claim the island is safe, despite the murder of a British woman on her honeymoon. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-08-01 16:45:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2484161/Antigua-shooting-This-murder-is-a-one-off.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2482615/Heathrow-Airport-is-laptop-crime-capital.html Nearly 1,000 laptops go missing at Heathrow Airport every week, according to new research. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-08-01 14:41:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2482615/Heathrow-Airport-is-laptop-crime-capital.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456877/Beijing-hotels-drop-prices-as-low-turn-out-hits-Olympic-Games.html A lack of visitors to the Beijing Olympics has led to big reductions in air fares and hotel costs, says Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-07-25 15:48:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456877/Beijing-hotels-drop-prices-as-low-turn-out-hits-Olympic-Games.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456868/Credit-crunch-Britons-taking-summer-holidays-at-home.html The credit crunch, the strength of the euro and environmental concerns are persuading half of holidaymakers to stay at home. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-07-25 15:44:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456868/Credit-crunch-Britons-taking-summer-holidays-at-home.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456870/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, including a fillip for no-frills airlines, smoke-free cruise ships and the collapse of Bournemouth-based Travel Worldwide. 2008-07-25 15:43:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2456870/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2432664/Mother-Teresa-wins-Nelson-Mandela-icon-vote.html Readers have named their most Mandela-like figures in our South Africa flights competition. 2008-07-21 14:20:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2432664/Mother-Teresa-wins-Nelson-Mandela-icon-vote.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2435082/Leading-airlines-cut-flights.html Ryanair and BA are among a number of airlines to have responded to spiralling oil prices by cutting services. 2008-07-21 14:20:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2435082/Leading-airlines-cut-flights.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2435099/Top-three-cheapest-places-to-hire-a-car.html Rental arithmetic puts Dubai at the top of the car-hire league. 2008-07-19 23:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2435099/Top-three-cheapest-places-to-hire-a-car.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2435014/Irish-golf-special-Great-South-West-courses.html Charles Starmer-Smith battles the water hazards of Killarney and Doonbeg, takes aim at a castle in Lahinch, and finds himself at the mercy of the South-West Irish winds at Ballybunion. 2008-07-19 23:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2435014/Irish-golf-special-Great-South-West-courses.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2433279/Travel-news-in-brief.html The week's travel news includes a warning that other countries may punish tourists in retaliation for a new Home Office plan. That could be a problem since thousands of Britons plan to escape the rainy summer. 2008-07-18 22:29:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2433279/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307316/Leading-airlines-cut-flights.html Ryanair and BA are among a number of airlines to have responded to spiralling oil prices by cutting services. 2008-07-18 17:03:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307316/Leading-airlines-cut-flights.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307277/Travel-news-in-brief.html The week's travel news includes a warning that other countries may punish tourists in retaliation for a new Home Office plan. That could be a problem since thousands of Britons plan to escape the rainy summer. 2008-07-18 16:51:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307277/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307386/Top-three-cheapest-places-to-hire-a-car.html Rental arithmetic puts Dubai at the top of the car-hire league. 2008-07-18 16:36:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307386/Top-three-cheapest-places-to-hire-a-car.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307207/Mother-Teresa-wins-Nelson-Mandela-icon-vote.html Readers have named their most Mandela-like figures in our South Africa flights competition. 2008-07-18 16:25:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2307207/Mother-Teresa-wins-Nelson-Mandela-icon-vote.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2307041/Irish-golf-special-Great-South-West-courses.html Charles Starmer-Smith battles the water hazards of Killarney and Doonbeg, takes aim at a castle in Lahinch, and finds himself at the mercy of the South-West Irish winds at Ballybunion. 2008-07-18 14:28:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2307041/Irish-golf-special-Great-South-West-courses.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2202640/Travellers-back-no-frills-airlines-over-British-Airways.html Consumers give British Airways the thumbs-down in survey on service. Charles Starmer-Smith examines the results. 2008-06-27 15:31:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2202640/Travellers-back-no-frills-airlines-over-British-Airways.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/06/23/noindex/dubai.xml Emirate insists tourists are safe despite Foreign Office warnings. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-06-23 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/06/23/noindex/dubai.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2163047/Dubai-plays-down-high-risk-terror-alert.html Emirate insists tourists are safe despite Foreign Office warnings. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-06-20 16:43:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2163047/Dubai-plays-down-high-risk-terror-alert.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2158482/Alternative-hen-and-stag-weekend-ideas.html There's a world of options for stags and hens, whether you choose to pamper, party or petrify. Send them off in style, say Francisca Kellett and Charles Starmer-Smith 2008-06-20 11:30:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2158482/Alternative-hen-and-stag-weekend-ideas.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2158123/Stag-and-hen-weekends-Flying-solo.html Opening our guide to the best stag and hen outings to take at home and abroad, Charles Starmer-Smith goes wing-walking over the Cotswolds. 2008-06-20 11:30:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2158123/Stag-and-hen-weekends-Flying-solo.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083424/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, including a new approach on Russian visas, cutbacks for United Airlines and the AA's Bed and Breakfast awards. 2008-06-06 14:37:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083424/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083427/Indian-visas-more-expensive-for-Britons.html British tourists heading to India will be forced to pay extra visa charges, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-06-06 14:34:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083427/Indian-visas-more-expensive-for-Britons.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083425/Ecuador-bus-crash-survivor-fights-for-refund.html A gap-year traveller is still awaiting a payout after tragedy cut short his trip in Ecuador. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-06-06 14:29:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2083425/Ecuador-bus-crash-survivor-fights-for-refund.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/june2008/airlinerant.htm Budget carriers have finally taken Ryanair’s bait and responded to the rants of its chief executive, Michael O’Leary – the Marmite man of the airline industry (you either love him or hate him). Love him or hate him? Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary As usual when there is talk of an economic downturn, Ryanair’s combatant boss comes out swinging, stating that he expects only Ryanair, EasyJet, BA, Lufthansa and Air France to ride out the crisis: “I hope oil prices stay high over the winter because we will get rid of a lot of crappy competitors.” Read more... 2008-06-04 16:21:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/june2008/airlinerant.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/june2008/robotsindisguise.htm It may be a fashion crime for a 30-year old man to be wearing a Transformers’ T-shirt, but surely it is not enough for him to be prevented from flying? Well, not according to the friendly security staff at Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Children play with this toy replica of Optimus Brad Jayakody, an IT consultant, from Bayswater in West London, was told to remove his T-shirt which had a picture of one of the robotic cartoon characters (Optimus, for those who know their Transformers) carrying a gun. Read more... 2008-06-03 07:03:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/june2008/robotsindisguise.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2053756/British-holidaymakers-continue-to-travel.html Household bills are rising and the pound is plummeting, but Britons refuse to give up their annual holiday. Charles Starmer-Smith and Jeremy Skidmore report. 2008-05-30 16:51:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2053756/British-holidaymakers-continue-to-travel.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2054046/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, including Swan Hellenic's belated return and yet more fuel charges from British Airways. 2008-05-30 16:38:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2054046/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2053699/Government-cabin-air-tests-%27flawed%27.html Scientists and air crew dismiss a Department for Transport inquiry into toxic fumes as 'inadequate'. By Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-30 16:30:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2053699/Government-cabin-air-tests-%27flawed%27.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2015789/Two-million-head-abroad-for-bank-holiday.html Bad weather is driving Britons abroad this bank holiday and half term, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-23 17:25:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2015789/Two-million-head-abroad-for-bank-holiday.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/caribbean/2011295/Cruise-couple-banned-for-complaining.html Royal Caribbean has banned an American couple for complaining too often about its cruises, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-23 16:20:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/caribbean/2011295/Cruise-couple-banned-for-complaining.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2011292/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, including the beginning of OpenSkies and a European insurance warning. 2008-05-23 16:06:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2011292/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2013966/Guernsey-attacked-over-dirty-beaches.html Guernsey has come under fire as a report reveals the decline in water quality at British beaches. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-05-23 15:58:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2013966/Guernsey-attacked-over-dirty-beaches.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/1995355/Swan-Hellenic%27s-comeback-cruise-cancelled.html The return of Swan Hellenic cruises - saved from extinction by Lord Sterling - has been put on hold, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-20 16:33:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/1995355/Swan-Hellenic%27s-comeback-cruise-cancelled.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1994392/Belgian-strike-disrupts-Eurostar-service.html Eurostar trains to Brussels are set for major disruptions as Belgian railway workers go on strike. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-05-20 13:31:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1994392/Belgian-strike-disrupts-Eurostar-service.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1966326/Foreign-Office-launches-new-tracker-service.html An emergency tracking service has been launched by the FO following recent crises in China and Burma, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-16 15:50:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1966326/Foreign-Office-launches-new-tracker-service.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1966414/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, from child tags and tourism in Rajasthan to the latest new flight routes. 2008-05-16 15:45:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1966414/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1966521/Travel-accessories-action-cameras.html Charles Starmer-Smith profiles four action cameras in the first of our new travel accessories column: the Sanyo HD1000, VIO POV-1, Oregon Scientific ATC2K and the Olympus Mju 1030 SW. 2008-05-16 15:32:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1966521/Travel-accessories-action-cameras.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1962906/Holidaymakers-face-protection-fears.html More than 100 travel operators are still selling package holidays without protection, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-16 15:26:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1962906/Holidaymakers-face-protection-fears.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/uk/london/1962989/London-attractions-are-world%27s-priciest.html A study shows that visitors to the capital are paying a premium, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-16 15:24:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/uk/london/1962989/London-attractions-are-world%27s-priciest.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/may2008/babillion.htm So British Airways’ profits are up by 45 per cent to a cool £1 billion – news that will be of great comfort to the poor passengers who have been on the 43 per cent of BA flights that have been delayed this year. BA's profits are soaring, but do they deserve it? According to statistics released by the Association of European Airlines (AEA) nearly half of BA flights arrived more than 15 minutes late in the first quarter of this year – up from a pretty poor 29 per cent during the same period last year. Read more... 2008-05-16 11:40:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/may2008/babillion.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/may2008/defycrunch.htm British holidaymakers are a resilient bunch. They are being squeezed from all sides by an increasing raft of exorbitant charges – from checking-in at the airport, putting bags in the hold and using a credit card to choosing a seat, fuel surcharges and now even currency surcharges . British holidaymakers deserve their two weeks off Yet, still, they continue to travel in ever greater numbers. They will pay whatever it takes, it seems, just for a break from "Calamity" Brown's Britain. Read more... 2008-05-14 11:59:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/may2008/defycrunch.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1948633/EuroManx-grounded-amid-spiralling-fuel-prices.html Isle of Man-based airline EuroManx is the latest airline to fall victim to rising fuel prices, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-12 11:35:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1948633/EuroManx-grounded-amid-spiralling-fuel-prices.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1941879/Hellenic-Voyages-ceases-trading.html Charles Starmer-Smith reports on the latest travel company to close this year, Hellenic Voyages. 2008-05-09 17:30:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1941879/Hellenic-Voyages-ceases-trading.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939700/Oil-prices-force-airlines-to-cut-costs.html With oil prices continuing to soar, airlines are trying both conventional and unusual methods to save on fuel. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-05-09 15:38:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939700/Oil-prices-force-airlines-to-cut-costs.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939696/Nearly-half-of-BA-flights-are-delayed.html British Airways trails Europe's other major airlines for punctuality and lost bags, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-09 15:23:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939696/Nearly-half-of-BA-flights-are-delayed.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939671/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, from green hotels and afternoon teas to the latest new routes. 2008-05-09 15:22:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1939671/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1920107/British-holidaymakers-avoid-Eurozone.html The weak pound is prompting a switch away from Greece and Spain to countries such as Tunisia and Egypt, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-06 12:36:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1920107/British-holidaymakers-avoid-Eurozone.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1919475/Comment-why-currency-surcharges-are-unfair.html Imposing currency surcharges on holidays that have already been booked is unfair on the already beleaguered British holidaymaker, says Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-05-02 16:21:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1919475/Comment-why-currency-surcharges-are-unfair.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1920136/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, from the rescue of Silverjet to the latest new flight routes. 2008-05-02 16:11:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1920136/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1913602/Nationwide-Airlines-suspends-all-flights.html The South African budget carrier is the latest casualty to rising fuel costs, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-04-30 10:35:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1913602/Nationwide-Airlines-suspends-all-flights.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/april2008/fingerprints.htm Does the Bush regime really want no one to visit the United States? Not satisfied with treating all arriving holidaymakers like criminals by insisting on fingerprints and photographs, now the US is to extend its fingerprinting frenzy to those leaving the country as well. Why are American citizens not being fingerprinted as well? If the new laws are approved, from January all non-US citizens will have to give prints, whether they are leaving by plane or cruise ship. Read more... 2008-04-29 12:31:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/april2008/fingerprints.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1586123/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news, from BA's lost bags to EasyCruise strike delays. 2008-04-18 14:54:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/1586123/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/greentravel/1586156/Decline-in-flying-is-rail%27s-gain.html British holidaymakers are shunning planes in favour of rail travel, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-04-18 14:52:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/greentravel/1586156/Decline-in-flying-is-rail%27s-gain.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1308262/High-fuel-costs-blamed-for-Oasis%27s-collapse.html Rising oil prices and higher aircraft leasing costs are taking their toll on airlines. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-04-11 15:46:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1308262/High-fuel-costs-blamed-for-Oasis%27s-collapse.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1308618/Travel-news-in-brief.html The latest travel news in brief, from AITO's packing tips to a House of Commons inquiry over the problems at Heathrow's T5. 2008-04-11 13:27:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1308618/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/1308244/The-list-50-sporting-holidays.html Charles Starmer-Smith picks fifty of the best sporting holidays, from the fairways of Kentucky to the floodlit streets of Singapore. 2008-04-11 10:18:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/1308244/The-list-50-sporting-holidays.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/1308240/50-great-sporting-holidays.html Ryder Cup golf, the Beijing Olympics, Calzaghe vs Hopkins... The only thing tour operators can't organise is the result, says Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-04-11 10:17:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/1308240/50-great-sporting-holidays.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1305350/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the week's travel news. 2008-04-04 15:03:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/1305350/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/uk/1305397/Heathrow-chaos-puts-reshuffle-at-risk.html Airlines and passengers may suffer the effects of the Terminal 5 shambles for some time, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-04-04 15:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/uk/1305397/Heathrow-chaos-puts-reshuffle-at-risk.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/april2008/nipplearrest.htm Forget the pain and embarrassment of Terminal 5 for a second, and spare a thought for one poor lady at Lubbock Airport in Texas, who was ordered by security officers to forcibly remove her nipple rings with a pair of pliers. Pliers: not something you want to be handed at security Mandi Hamlin, 37, from Dallas was trying to board a flight back to her home city when a handheld scanner, manned by a power-happy security agent, beeped as it passed over her chest. Read more... 2008-04-04 10:45:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/april2008/nipplearrest.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/centralamericaandcaribbean/839200/Hit-it-like-Hurst.html A galaxy of stars will be present at this year's Barbados Sports Camp, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-03-25 11:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/centralamericaandcaribbean/839200/Hit-it-like-Hurst.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/839150/Travel-news-in-brief.html Round up of the week's travel news. 2008-03-25 10:58:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/839150/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/greece/839198/Thomas-Cook-criticises-trial-of-Corfu-staff.html Following the deaths of two children in Corfu, two Thomas Cook staff members will stand trial after being charged with manslaughter and causing bodily harm. 2008-03-21 17:49:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/greece/839198/Thomas-Cook-criticises-trial-of-Corfu-staff.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/spain/canaryislands/839201/%27Illegal%27-Lanzarote-hotels-face-demolition.html Britons visiting the popular holiday island may have to seek alternative accommodation, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-03-21 17:08:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/spain/canaryislands/839201/%27Illegal%27-Lanzarote-hotels-face-demolition.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/815319/Skiing-in-Canada-cut-price-powder.html Charles Starmer-Smith heads to Canada to find cheaper ways to ski in deeper snow. 2008-03-21 12:52:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/815319/Skiing-in-Canada-cut-price-powder.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/nightmarefordrealiner.htm Things seems going from bad to worse for the Boeing. Forget the Airbus A380 Superjumbo, it’s Boeing’s Dreamliner 787 that is rightly tipped to take the biggest step forward in aviation technology. But when that will actually happen is anyone’s guess  - with aviation experts this week predicting further setbacks, the production of the Dreamliner is fast turning into a nightmare. Will Boeing's 787 Dreamliner ever get off the ground? Made from carbon composite, the aircraft promises to be more lighter and more fuel efficient that any commercial jet aircraft in history, it will fly for longer and its interiors are set to rival the A380 for space and comfort. Read more... 2008-03-21 12:11:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/nightmarefordrealiner.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762281/Zambia-visa-charges-hit-school-charity-mission.html A recent rise in Zambian visa charges has taken its toll on one Buckinghamshire school, reports Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-03-14 16:37:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762281/Zambia-visa-charges-hit-school-charity-mission.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762303/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith reports on the latest travel news. 2008-03-14 16:28:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762303/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762292/Terminal-5-turbulent-times-ahead.html Heathrow's new Terminal 5 should improve life for travellers but there is plenty on the horizon to hinder them, says Charles Starmer-Smith. 2008-03-14 11:04:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/762292/Terminal-5-turbulent-times-ahead.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/cheerleader.htm If money is of no object, talk of the Budget is of little relevance and self-indulgent and overly-lavish hotel stays are your thing, then how about a hotel suite that comes complete with not only a basketball court, but also a team of cheerleaders on standby to be sent up to your room to cheer you on? You throw some screwed up paper into your bin, they cheer Yes, it could only be Las Vegas; yes, it’s gratuitous, grotesque and garish; yes, it’s outrageously expensive, and yes, I want a go. I can just imagine the room service order: Read more... 2008-03-13 15:02:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/cheerleader.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/761542/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith rounds up the latest travel news. 2008-03-07 11:59:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/761542/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/761531/Ryanair-%27fobbing-off%27-OFT%2C-claims-Abta.html Budget airline Ryanair is still failing to provide transparent pricing, despite repeated warnings from the OFT. Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-03-07 11:59:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/761531/Ryanair-%27fobbing-off%27-OFT%2C-claims-Abta.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/segregatebabies.htm In my eyes, babies have just overtaken the odour-challenged and obese on my “please-not-next-to-me” list. I can’t be the only one who eyes young families in the airport lounge with increasing suspicion. Is it wrong that this fear turns to loathing after I have taken my seat onboard and I see them approach down the aisle looking every bit the the perfect nuclear family? Public enemy on public transport OK, so I bear a grudge after spending 23 out of 24 hours of a flight to Australia last year with a baby’s vomit festering on my front, and enduring a sleep-free overnight flight from Canada thanks to a little angel with lung power of Pavarotti proportions. Read more... 2008-03-05 14:40:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/march2008/segregatebabies.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/759562/Is-cabin-air-making-us-sick.html More and more pilots are reporting that air polluted by engine fumes is making them ill and even incapable of handling their aircraft. So why are passengers not being told? Charles Starmer-Smith reports. 2008-02-24 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/759562/Is-cabin-air-making-us-sick.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/759594/Travel-news-in-brief.html Charles Starmer-Smith reports on the latest travel news. 2008-02-22 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/759594/Travel-news-in-brief.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/02/16/et-luggage-news-116.xml The Department for Transport said this week that by May 31 all British airports will allow passengers to carry two pieces of hand luggage. 2008-02-16 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/02/16/et-luggage-news-116.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/02/11/noindex/et-BA-news-109.xml British Airways' new business-class service from London City Airport to New York will be as fast as any other transatlantic service, despite the need for a refuelling stop at Shannon Airport on the outbound journey. 2008-02-09 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/02/11/noindex/et-BA-news-109.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/february2008/kanagaroo.htm My apologies, in advance, if you have already heard this amusing tale that has been doing the rounds in Australia. If not, here’s how this unbelievable story goes: The Poms won't have much luck picking the offender out of a police line-up It was New Year’s Day and two British gap-year students were driving between Sydney and Melbourne in their rented motor-home. They were tired after the previous night’s excesses, but keen to reach Sydney before sunset. As they wound their way along one of the inland sections of this great ocean drive, a giant kangaroo hopped out into the middle of the road. The startled driver slammed on the brakes, but it was too late – the Winnebago hit the kangaroo, at full tilt and there could be only one winner. With no sign of life from the prostrate kangaroo, and with the pair unable to start the vehicle again because of the damage caused by the collision, they called the tow-truck. It would take at least an hour, they were told. After ten minutes of waiting, boredom set in for the two 19-year-olds. Sad as the kangaroo’s fate was the students decided there were photo opportunities here that were just too good to miss. Read more... 2008-02-07 15:20:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/february2008/kanagaroo.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/02/02/et-nibs-102.xml Visa fees soar 2008-02-02 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/02/02/et-nibs-102.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/savethebooby.htm Keen twitchers looking to spot the elusive booby bird may get more than bargained for in the Cayman Islands. First it was the Women’s Institute with some strategically-placed ice buns. Now it’s the lovely, and often large, ladies of the Cayman Islands who have stripped off to show their support for the booby – or not, if you take a look at the pictures . The Cayman calender girls do their bit for the booby bird With conch shells, giant palms and binoculars mercifully preserving some dignity, these Cayman calendar girls are not quite the sun-kissed beauties of a Sports Illustrated centerfold. It has caused a few locals to choke on their rum punches as grandmothers, mothers, sisters and daughters have stripped off (more of the former and less of the latter). Read more... 2008-01-30 11:58:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/savethebooby.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/planecrash.htm The sight of the famous BA livery lying crumpled on the tarmac at Heathrow airport is enough to make even the most frequent flier wince. But really, we should not worry. Of course, thoughts of planes dropping out of the sky will fuel the fears of thousands of nervous fliers, but this is the first serious accident for a Boeing 777 since it began commercial service in 1995. The sight of the crash should not unduly alarm us What really irritates me are the environmentalists, such as Friends of the Earth, who are now citing this accident as a reason for not having a third runway at Heathrow. We don’t even know the cause of the failure but already they are claiming that Heathrow is by far the most dangerous airport in the country. Read more... 2008-01-18 13:56:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/planecrash.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/milehigh.htm So news this week that two randy Russians performed a live sex act in front of a packed BA flight from Brazil to London is a tad shocking. But the mile-high club is no longer the exclusive “nudge-nudge, wink-wink” club (whose members recount tales of champagne-induced fumbled encounters in claustrophobic lavatories) it once was. Presumably you don't take this plane for the views of the countryside For those that are lucky enough to turn left when they get on the plane it is just too easy. Cabin staff offer you as much alcohol as you can digest and increasingly as much privacy as a hotel room. It started with Virgin Atlantic (whose owner, Richard Branson, is a self-confessed mile-high member) when they introduced the love bed a couple of years ago. Although it would take a re-writing of the Kama Sutra guide for anything to happen on these makeshift double beds. But now Singapore Airlines and Jet Airways have introduced entirely separate cabins on some planes, with double beds, champagne on ice and “do not disturb” signs included. Read more... 2008-01-14 15:04:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/milehigh.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/12/et-nibs-news-112.xml Crash deaths reduced 2008-01-12 00:00:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/12/et-nibs-news-112.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/chocolatetruck.htm Forget Ewan MacGregor and Charley Boorman’s self-indulgent motorocycle diaries, it is a chocolate-powered truck which has completed the real Boys Own adventure of 2007. Using only biodiesel made from waste chocolate, two British adventurers, Andy Pag and John Grimshaw have just finished a 6000-mile journey from England to Timbuktu . The chocolate-powered team It is a typically British hair-brained scheme and yet it has a serious message - independent analysts, Carbon Aid, estimate that the net effect of the expedition will actually save 15 tonnes of carbon emissions thanks to the pair’s delivery of a biodiesel processing unit to MFC, a local charity in Timbuktu. They claim this makes it the first ever carbon negative expedition. Read more... 2008-01-08 11:36:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/january2008/chocolatetruck.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-news-nibs-105.xml Extra holiday 2008-01-05 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-news-nibs-105.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-new-routes-105.xml BMI ( www.flybmi.com ) is to offer twice-daily flights between Heathrow and Moscow from March 30, but intends to withdraw its flights from Heathrow to Inverness. A spokesman said that the doubling of air passenger duty has made the route unviable. 2008-01-05 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-new-routes-105.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-kenya-news-105.xml The Foreign Office's decision to warn against all but essential travel to Kenya could lead to the collapse of tourism in the country, officials there have warned. 2008-01-05 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2008/01/05/et-kenya-news-105.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/liposuction.htm Mention the word green and people’s eyes always seem to glaze over. Until now. New Zealander, Pete Bethune, has caused jaws to hit floors as he takes his Earthrace boat – dubbed the green machine - on a world tour ahead of his record-breaking attempt in March next year. Not least, because some its fuel came from his belly. Earthrace’s uniquely sleek design helps it slice through the waves This futuristic powerboat, which runs entirely on biodiesel, is aiming to circumnavigate the globe in a record 60 days. It was in London yesterday and with tales of pirate attacks, being shot at by Colombian navy, water-skiing on Loch Lomond and even having liposuction to create some extra fuel, this Jack Sparrow figure certainly talks the talk. Read more... 2007-12-19 12:31:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/liposuction.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/19/et-ryanair-119.xml Ryanair has countered warnings that the credit crunch will cause holidaymakers to take fewer flights next year, with the announcement of its biggest ever expansion this week. 2007-12-19 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/19/et-ryanair-119.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/badflight.htm With more lost luggage, delays, over-crowded terminals and over-sized passengers, everyone seems to have a bad flight story. They have become the scourge of dinner parties – no one enjoys having to feign interest with sympathetic nods and “poor you” frowns as someone’s latest travel trauma is explained in intricate detail (except insomniacs, perhaps). Thankfully, help is at hand. Queuing for hours: just one of the traumas of travel Mybadflight.com offers the perfect outflet to vent any pent-up, post-flight fury – a quick glance at the website reveals rants against babies on flights, fat fliers, rude staff, farcical delays and inedible food. According to the European Consumer Centre network, the number of complaints relating to air passenger rights in Europe has almost doubled since 2005 – so expect plenty more to follow. Read more... 2007-12-13 17:11:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/badflight.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/alternativeolympics.htm Anyone who has become frustrated by the growing levels of cynicism surrounding the London Olympics in 2012 might take some solace from what is happening in the Spanish capital. The Madrid bid for the 2016 Olympics is in danger of being de-railed by residents in the rundown quarter of Lavapiés, who have launched a blog with the alternative events that include “free-style urinating”, “synchronized evictions” and “urban fencing”. Olympic dreams: an alternative view of competitive sport Objecting to the fact that municipal authorities are making lavish plans for an Olympics in Madrid without a thought for this deprived area, two graphic designers have been spurred into launching this campaign. Read more... 2007-12-12 11:41:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/alternativeolympics.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/11/et-fuel-111.xml Two leading cruise lines have imposed fuel surcharges on its passengers, blaming the rising cost of oil. 2007-12-11 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/11/et-fuel-111.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-nibs.xml Skier shopped 2007-12-08 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-nibs.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-ski-cost-news-108.xml British travellers hoping to go skiing this season can expect to pay more than ever before, according to new research. 2007-12-08 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-ski-cost-news-108.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-snow-news.xml Heavy snowfall across Europe this week has helped ease concerns that a third of Europe's ski resorts may not exist by 2050. 2007-12-08 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/08/et-snow-news.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/fingperprints.htm “Guilty until proven innocent” is how some people have summed up the US government’s new security demands – travellers arriving at US airports will soon be forced to give fingerprints of all 10 digits before the authorities deign to allow them into the Land of the Free. Having your fingerprints taken is not the best welcome Washington Dulles lived up to its name by becoming the first airport to require a complete set of fingerprints. Forget the fact that US airport security staff were unable to spot bombs or explosives in recent tests , the authorities are only too happy to slow down the process by making ridiculous requirements on arriving passengers. They say the new fingerprinting system will rule out any errors or unnecessary questioning. Read more... 2007-12-06 15:04:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/december2007/fingperprints.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-awards-results-101.xml Favourite Destination Worldwide 1. New Zealand 2. Maldives 3. Australia 2007-12-01 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-awards-results-101.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-earth-race-101.xml 'Get behind the controls of this boat and it's the closest you'll ever get to feeling like Superman," said Adrian Erangey, the operations manager for Earthrace, on our way to the Algarve port of Vilamoura. For a man who had suffered four broken ribs and a collapsed lung after falling out of his bunk during his last stint on board, you might have thought he would have been only too aware of his mortality. But already this ginger Dubliner was itching to get back on the boat and smash all records by circumnavigating the globe in just 60 days. 2007-12-01 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-earth-race-101.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-awards-101.xml When the Telegraph Travel awards were launched almost a decade ago, a baby-faced Blair was beginning his first full year in charge, Bill Clinton was fronting up to his Monica Lewinsky moment, Google was born and girl power was fading after Geri Halliwell left the Spice Girls. 2007-12-01 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/12/01/et-awards-101.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/24/et-green-news-124.xml Europe's biggest travel group has given warning that it will pull out of destinations and withdraw from hotels that fail to comply with its environmental standards. 2007-11-24 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/24/et-green-news-124.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/24/et-bags-news-124.xml The number of claims for lost luggage or items stolen from bags has doubled, according to a leading insurer. 2007-11-24 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/24/et-bags-news-124.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/securityitems.htm What does a batch of human eye balls, a collection of hermit crabs and a two-headed snake have in common? They were all items recently confiscated by airport security staff in the United States. Hermit crab: found during airport security checks I thought British travellers were a bizarre bunch when I read that among the items unearthed during security checks at Stansted earlier this year were chameleons, cats, dogs, mice and even a pet tarantula, but 10 human eye balls floating in a jam jar surely takes the biscuit. Read more... 2007-11-22 18:25:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/securityitems.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/fatfliers.htm First Australian health experts suggest that fat passengers should pay more to fly, then New Zealand authorities ban a British woman from entering the country because she was too heavy. Outrageous, I thought, until I found myself smeared against the window on a recent flight, due to the colossus sitting next to me. Excess baggage: extra weight equals extra fuel consumption While passengers are routinely charged hundreds of pounds for excess baggage and sports equipment, the weight of individuals is not measured by airlines. Dr John Tickell, a nutrition expert, believes obese passengers should be penalised. The fat tax (like excess baggage) would be charged per extra kilogram. Tickell did not suggest what the limit should be, but argued that more weight on planes means more fuel, which in turn creates more carbon emissions. Read more... 2007-11-20 11:50:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/fatfliers.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-race-train-117.xml Charles Starmer-Smith takes the train: the Eurostar 1230 from St Pancras 2007-11-17 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-race-train-117.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-fuel-117.xml British Airways raised its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights this week by £30 to £116, meaning it has increased the levy by more than 2,300 per cent since May 2004. During this time fuel prices have not quite trebled. 2007-11-17 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-fuel-117.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-nibs-117.xml Eco-labelling 2007-11-17 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-nibs-117.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-baa-speed-117.xml The British Airports Authority (BAA) claimed this week that 95 per cent of passengers would take less than five minutes to pass through security next year, thanks to improvements at its seven airports. It also promised that only one per cent of travellers would fail to pass through within 15 minutes. 2007-11-17 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-baa-speed-117.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-holidays-117.xml The failure of British workers to take their full holiday entitlement is giving employers up to £13.9 billion of unpaid work. 2007-11-17 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/17/et-holidays-117.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/dogonflight.htm The plane had just about reached cruising altitude when the passenger started belting out his favourite karaoke numbers. You can’t blame the cabin crew on this Virgin Atlantic flight from Chicago to London for assuming he was drunk. It was only when fellow passengers heard the scratching, barking and yelping coming from the overhead locker that they realised that all this crooning at 30,000 feet was in a vain effort to mask his pet canine’s cries. Whatever next? The petrified poodle was soon freed and spent the rest of the journey wandering up and down the aisles, much to the amusement of the other passengers. The subsequent reports have made quips about whether the owner was singing Snoop Dog raps or Pet Shop Boys’ hits. But I am sorry to be killjoy, has anyone asked how this dog got past security at Chicago airport? I can understand how the odd pair of tweezers can be missed during hand luggage checks, but a poodle? Read more... 2007-11-12 14:11:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/dogonflight.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/10/et-spend-110.xml British and Russian travellers spend more on hotel rooms than any of their European counterparts, according to new research. 2007-11-10 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/10/et-spend-110.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/09/et-green-109.xml Few holidaymakers are prepared to spend more on a holiday in order to offset their carbon emissions, according to new research. 2007-11-09 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/09/et-green-109.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/greenstunts.htm First we are told to stop flushing at 30,000 ft in China, then I hear donkeys are replacing rubbish trucks in Sicily and now a chocolate-powered truck is driving from here to Mali, all in the name of saving our planet. All quite amusing, but doesn’t in all smack of winning the skirmishes but not fighting the war? A donkey: the latest weapon against global warming So the Sicilian town of Castelbuono has replaced four of its garbage trucks with donkeys and claims to be saving money as well as helping to combat global warming. Meanwhile China Southern Airlines, one of the country's leading carriers, is encouraging passengers to use the toilet before they board flights and then cross their legs for the rest of the journey. It estimates that a single flush at 30,000 feet uses a litre of fuel. Read more... 2007-11-08 14:38:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/greenstunts.htm http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/skiaccidents.htm It’s nearly that time when a growing band of overweight and unfit Britons catch sight of snow-covered slopes and suddenly believe they are Superman. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding or, that quintessentially British activity (unless we are talking cricket), sledging, they feel the crunch of snow underfoot and all thoughts of self-preservation go out the window. Yes, I couldn’t help but laugh (and wince) at this compilation of winter wipe-outs on YouTube. Apparently, most accidents can be blamed on post-lunch, vin chaud-fuelled bravado – the Foreign Office estimates that more than a third of young British skiers and snowboarders will become involved in alcohol-related accidents this winter. Read more... 2007-11-06 14:30:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/november2007/skiaccidents.htm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/03/et-us-travel-103.xml Fewer Britons are visiting the United States than in the year 2000, despite an exchange rate that makes holidays much better value than they were then. 2007-11-03 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/11/03/et-us-travel-103.xml http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/10/31/et-strikes.xml British air travellers could face disruption over the Christmas period after workers across seven major airports called for a vote on whether to strike over BAA's changes to pension plans. 2007-10-31 00:01:00 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/10/31/et-strikes.xml http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/october2007/usbombs.htm It will be of great comfort to US visitors that the post-September 11 years of insufferable immigration queues and power-happy security guards, have been worth it. In recent undercover tests, three in four fake explosives passed undetected at Los Angeles Airport and over three in five at Chicago. Baggage scanners are clearly antiquated Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, air passengers have been subjected to ever more stringent security measures at US airports. Read more... 2007-10-29 17:16:00 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/travel/charlesstarmersmith/october2007/usbombs.htm