Irish Ferries will operate Isle of Inishmore on its new Dover to Calais service this summer
Operator to run cross-Channel ferries
Irish Ferries is to start operating a new service between Dover and Calais for the first time in summer 2021 in a bold move to offer and alternative to the existing very fleets and the Channel Tunnel.
Despite the current travel restriction in place in the UK and uncertainty when some kind of normality will resume, the operator, part of Irish Continental Group, is planning to transfer its Isle of Inishmore ferry on to the busy cross-Channel route where it will compete with existing firms P&O Ferries and DFDS.
Services are due to begin in June 2021 with Irish Ferries planning to add more capacity on the Dover-Calais route in the “coming months”.
“We are very excited about launching our services on the best short sea ferry market in the world and we believe we can bring more choice for customers in the years ahead,” said Irish Ferries.
“The initial level of passenger services offered will be dependent on the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions.”
Doug Bannister, Port of Dover’s chief executive, added: “We are delighted to welcome Irish Ferries to Dover. This announcement gives the millions of customers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland who value the intrinsic benefits of the shortest sea crossing to Europe, the prospect of even more choice.”
Irish Ferries is also adding a new ship, Blue Star 1, to its fleet which will sail on the Rosslare to Pembroke route.
Turkey says it will be ready to host British tourists this summer. The country has pledged to review its pre-travel test requirement too, starting 15 April.
It has also announced a priority vaccination programme for those employed across the country’s tourism economy.
This will extend to hotel workers and other tourism employees, who will be vaccinated before the summer.
“We are looking forward to welcoming British tourists with open arms, as we did safely last summer,” said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s minister of culture and tourism.
“We have world-class border processes in place for ensuring travel will be low-risk throughout Turkey. We are working with the British authorities to ensure these necessary processes are world-class and as up to date as possible.
“We will not require vaccination passports from international travellers when entering the country.”
Ersoy said that the country would review case numbers from 15 April and determine whether it will continue to require Brits to provide evidence a negative pre-travel Covid test.
“I expect there will be no such requirement from British visitors as the UK government is rapidly, and impressively, rolling out the vaccination program for the whole nation and a significant portion of the population will be vaccinated by early summer.”
The minister said Turkey would continue to invest in its safe tourism certification programme, which has been expanded for 2021 and made compulsory for all hotels and other accommodation with 30 rooms or more. In excess of 8,000 such businesses have been certified to date.
All certified accommodation providers will provide testing facilities for tourists should they need a test ahead of their return journey. Tests will cost €30 (£25) and will also be available at the country’s airports.
Turkey is also offering a Covid-19 insurance package from €15 (£12) covering treatment, medication and emergency care costs if a traveller requires hospital treatment. An additional accommodation support insurance will cover guests in event they have to extend their stay owing to Covid.
“We are confident that the successful vaccination programmes ongoing in both the UK and Turkey will ensure this season is even safer than last year,” said Ersoy.
Virgin Voyages, which recently revealed its third ship Resilient Lady would launch in Europenext summer, said its vaccination stance was to “ensure we’re providing the safest travel experience”.
“This is a step towards the safe return to sailing and is the right decision for Virgin Voyages,” said the line’s president Tom McAlpin in a statement.
McAlpin said he was “really encouraged” by US president Joe Biden’s plans to offer vaccinations to every American adult by the end of May.
“We’re an adult-only cruise line, which allows for us to offer a highly controlled, safe environment for everyone onboard,” added McAlpin.
“Our business us uniquely set up to do this with testing and vaccine travel requirements. There’s a huge pent-up demand for travel, and Virgin Voyages will be ready to welcome you onboard soon.”
The Indian Ocean island destination has announced that it will be welcoming visitors from across the globe, irrespective of their vaccination status, as from March 25. Visitors from South Africa will still not be permitted to enter Seychelles for the time being until further review.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde in a press briefing this morning, Thursday, March 4, 2021, at the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) conference room at Botanical House following the Tourism Task Force Committee meeting.
Visitors will now only be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure.
There will be no quarantine requirement nor restriction on movement upon entry into Seychelles.
Additionally, the minimum stay in establishments upon arrival will no longer be applicable.
However, visitors will still be required to adhere to other public health measures put in place in view of the pandemic these will include wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular sanitisation or washing of hands.
The new measures also give visitors access to all communal area within the hotel premises inclusive of bars, swimming pools, spas and Kid’s club.
The press conference announcing details of how the island will open up again to visitors
Minister Radegonde stated that the decision to review and relax the entry procedures in the country has been made possible in view of the success registered in the aggressive vaccination campaign that the country embarked on earlier in the year.
“The vaccination campaign has been quite successful. The government has done everything in its power to make sure that the population is protected. We have now arrived at the point where opening our borders further is the next step to allow for our economic recovery. The measures being announced reflect broadly the recommendation of our tourism partners and have been done in full consultation with and the endorsement of our health authorities.”
The small island nation off the east coast of Africa whose economy is based primarily on tourism was the first African country to launch a bold, comprehensive and effective Covid-19 immunisation campaign, in January 2021.
The destination will continuously review the new entry measures to ensure that at all times the health and safety of the visitors and the local population are not compromised.
Volvo has been a trendsetter in many ways over the years, notably with innovative safety features, and now with electrification of the Swedish firm’s vehicles.
Thing is about Sweden, you never know when you might run not a moose on those empty roads, so the firm built in a warning system to detect extra large animals, like a wandering moose, along with a raft or other safety features. Add to this the Swedish firm’s proven all wheel drive capability, such a boon on those snowy and icy Nordic roads, and you have quite a package.
You won’t see many on most British roads, but you will see a growing number of electric powered vehicles, whether full hybrid, plug-in hybrid of full electric, so the firm has reacted to this be stating that by 2025, it wants half of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids.
This big saloon is a plug-in hybrid that offers excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, to make it an extremely attractive company car with lower benefit in kind payments. It is also luxurious, almost decadent, with just about every creature comfort catered for, and a few other bits and pieces as well.
It is a million miles from the tank-like Volvos of yesteryear, looking svelte and sleek. It also adds cutting-edge technologies, ranging from safety to cloud-based apps and services. In addition passengers are cossets in top end comfort, with ride and comfort, matched by few.
It has just two trim levels, R-Design and Inscription driven here, both feature the T8 twin engine technology, with petrol only and diesel abandoned.
The two litre petrol engine is mated with an 86hp electric motor to deliver a total of 399hp.
That is a lot of power on tap and, mated with a slick eight-speed auto box, the big car delivers blistering pace, racing to 60mph in a shade under five seconds. Very impressive if you take into account the excellent economy on offer. It also has a claimed electric power only range of around 37 miles, a figure I struggled to attain, with nearer 30 miles achieved, even driving carefully. It has a theoretical range of 134 miles, which in the real world equates to nearer 60mpg. Still impressive in such a vehicle.
Having said that, a daily commute on electric only, does give mind-blowing figures, with the plug-in charge up taking around six hours. What you gain in fuel economy, you lose a little on electricity costs, but the savings are clear to see.
Driving in hybrid mode, the electric range does drain fairly quickly so switch to ‘B’ mode on the gear selector which allows the battery to regain power under braking, while slowing the vehicle by just taking your foot off the accelerator.
It has a real road presence, featuring the now-familiar Thor’s hammer style headlights, LED running lights, folding door mirrors, power boot lid, piano black front grille with chrome surrounds and twin exhaust tailpipes, and sitting in smart alloy wheels.
The interior is dominated by nine-inch, tablet style touch screen and a 12.3 inch TFT driver information display.
The touchscreen hosts the major functions, like Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, satellite navigation, various apps, a sophisticated voice-control system, top end sound system with 10 speakers and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Exterior Large Animal Detection Volvo
You can even turn the car into a WiFi hotspot thanks to the standard data SIM card and it features in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify, Pandora, Baidu or TuneIn and Volvo On Call.
Otherwise quality is exceptional with soft touch materials throughout, powered and heated leather seats which are firm and supportive and a large glass areas. Features include dual zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, electric windows and door mirrors sports mat and pedals.
Also standard are ambient lighting, rear footwell and side step illumination, heated sports multi-function steering wheel, heated, powered front seats with lumbar support, split folding rear seats, power folding rear backrests, and ski hatch.
It is an engaging drive, Even at high speed, engine and road noise is muted, with just a hint of wind noise from the large door mirrors. Excellent torque means motorway driving is a comfortable affair, the key acceleration range of 50-70mph achieved in what seems the blink of an eye.
In practical terms, there is much on offer including a huge, long boot with 500 litres capacity and a power-operated tailgate, which can also be operated with a ‘kick’ function to trigger a sensor beneath the boot.
All models are packed with safety equipment, which goes without saying on a Volvo, with full complement of airbags and a raft of driver, passenger and pedestrian safety technology. Neat options include automatic parking and 360 degree camera, where the surround view from the four wide-angle lens cameras appears on the centre touch screen at even at very low speeds.
It also includes City Safety, part of the Intellisafe package, which includes pedestrian, cyclist and the now famed Nordic ‘moose’ detection.
A multi-million pound funding boost to promote active travel, including walking and cycling in the Sutton area, has been given a cautious welcome.
It comes as Sutton residents were taking part in a month-long cycling initiative which is due to go Midlands-wide next week.
Birmingham City Council has been awarded nearly £4.5m as part of the second tranche of funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
A Sutton councillor says full consultation with all local interested parties over the new transport funding, must be open and inclusive.
Councillor Maureen Cornish also criticised the council for the installation of a cycle scheme on Brassington Avenue in Sutton town, since removed, for launching a proper consultation.
The new funding comes from a £13 million allocation to Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
An engagement programme with residents and businesses on how they would like to see the funding used in their communities is already underway.
Cllr Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “This second tranche of funding gives Birmingham a real opportunity to continue transforming our transport network, reduce air pollution, and provide our citizens with more opportunities for active travel.
“We want to focus on supporting a green recovery and will seek community input at every stage, with future schemes being delivered throughout 2021.”
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We all know that cycling and walking are good for our physical health and good for the environment, especially as we face up to the climate emergency in the region.
“Many have taken to two wheels throughout the pandemic, but some are not yet confident enough because they do not believe the right infrastructure is in place. That is why the money we have secured from Government for the Emergency Active Travel Fund is so important, and I look forward to seeing what improvements Birmingham City Council are going to propose for Sutton Coldfield.
“With our West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme trial already up and running in the royal town, and the full scheme launching next week, these are really exciting times for cyclists in Sutton.”
Councillor Maureen Cornish
Councillor Cornish, who represents Four Oaks ward on Birmingham City Council, said: “I would support reducing pollution and encourage active travel including cycling and walking, but proactive consultation is the key.
“This is essential for all wards across the city particularly in Sutton Coldfield. Sutton Town Council, the B.I.D, and local residents must be allowed sufficient time to absorb all plans.
“The previous installation of a cycle route, without full consultation within Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield, resulted in its removal. This was inappropriate use of tax payers money.
“This could have been avoided if consultation was implemented well in advance of installation. Information provided states that consultation will commence later this year, therefor we need to keep a close eye on all aspects of the procedure .”
The Active Travel Fund supports the improvement of active travel (cycling and walking) provision and safety in towns and cities.
Formal consultation on the proposals will take place later this year after lockdown restrictions have eased to ensure inclusive, meaningful engagement with communities and key stakeholders can be carried out.
The plans support the Council’s vision for a cleaner, greener city – as set-out in its Route to Zero Action Plan, which was approved last month.
New bike stands have appeared at Sutton Park as part of the new cycle hire scheme in the town.
The stands have appeared at the park’s Banners Gate and Boldmere Gate entrances as well as Sutton town centre and customers will hire the bikes via an app at a cost £1 to unlock a bike and 5p per minute after that. This means a 20 minute cycle will cost £2 and an hour £4.
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has welcomed the initiative. He said: “I know the people of Sutton will be itching to get involved now they can see the docks and bikes, and I look forward to seeing the first residents of the royal town trying the bikes out when the scheme launches to members of the public on March 8.”
A 5,000-year-old brewery is maybe not what you would expect to find on a luxurious Nile cruise, but it is ancient and exciting stop off for holidaymakers heading to Egypt with tour operator Discover Egypt.
The country is a nation that excels in outdoor museums and has long been a firm favourite for British holidaymakers looking to combine what the ancients left behind and winter sunshine.
To plan a trip for September this year or next, Discover Egypt is offering cruises which stop off at Abydos, where an ancient brewery has just been discovered.
The five-star luxury Steigenberger Senator provides a high standard of comfort and service, featuring 17 suites, all with large panoramic sliding windows that open onto an outdoor terrace. Specialist Discover Egypt offer a selection of 11-night and 14-night Nile cruises to choose from starting in Cairo and ending in Luxor or vice versa. All cruises include return flights from Heathrow, transfers in resort and the full board cruises with guided excursions as per the programme.
An Egyptian-American team of archaeologists have unearthed what could be the world’s oldest known beer factory, dating back about 5,000 years. The brewery in Abydos, an ancient burial ground in the desert, is likely to date back to the era of King Narmer who founded the First Dynasty and is considered to have unified Egypt, over 5,000 years ago.
The Steigenberger Senator offers outside luxury and a chance to see ancientEgyptian wonders
The brewery consisted of eight large areas, each 20m (65ft) long and each containing about 40 earthenware pots arranged in two rows where a mixture of grains and water were heated to produce about 22,400 litres (5,000 gallons) of beer at a time.
The brewery may have been built to supply the royal rituals that were taking place inside the funeral facilities of the kings of Egypt.
Abydos is one of the oldest cities of ancient Egypt and houses vast cemeteries and temples.
The area is in the southern province of Sohag, in Upper Egypt, also home to the city of Luxor, one of the country’s most popular tourist sites.
Highlights when cruising from Cairo on the 14-night long Nile cruises include the the Pyramids and Sphinx as well as Beni Suef, Minya, Beni Hassan, Tel El, Amarna, Assuit, Sohag, Abydos, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan and Abu Simbel. This cruise provides the best way to visit Lower, Middle and Upper Egypt’s outstanding pyramids, temples, tombs, museums and monuments.
Abydos’ proximity to Luxor means that visitors choosing the classic 7-night Nile cruises or Luxor hotel stays can also opt for an additional excursion to Abydos from £95 per person. Seven nights staying at the Sonesta St George hotel in Luxor in September costs from £899 per person in a twin room with breakfast, return scheduled flights and transfers.
Prices for the 11-night Ultimate Long Cruise start from £3, 185 per person and £3,845 for the longer 14-nights itinerary, based on two adults sharing a cabin on full board, plus the excursions escorted by an Egyptologist. A drinks package can also be booked in advance for £33 per person per night to include locally produced mineral water, soft drinks, tea and coffee as well as wines, beer and spirits. All drinks are served between 11 am to 11 pm.
Mattei House, once a club for the British military, will open as a hub for culture and creativity
New lease of life for historic buildings
One of the most significant buildings in the history of the Cypriot town of Laranka and once known as The English Club, will soon open to visitors as a centre for culture and creativity, showcasing the areas arts, crafts and heritage.
The town of Larnaka, a popular destination for tourists, continues to focus on sustainable tourism and culture with the restoration of Mattei House, a former British club, which will soon operate under the Municipality of Larnaka as a ‘Multispace of Creativity and Culture’.
The project will enrich Larnaka’s existing tourist product for both tourists and locals. Visitors will be able to watch traditional works of folk art included in UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage such as embroidery and basketry, and other arts that are part of Cypriot cultural heritage.
Larnaka Tourism Board recently undertook, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, to cover part of the costs of refurbishing the new site.
The building is one of the most significant historic buildings of Larnaka and is interwoven with the history of the city from the 18th century when it began life as Mattei House, the home of Giacomo Mattei a merchant and landowner whose family ties stretched to Rome and Florence.
A mini documentary, in the Greek language, presents its history with interviews of those that experienced it as the ‘English Club’, renamed Larnaka Club in 1955, on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDBEwdxic3w.
The film begins with Dr. Iosif Hatzikyriakos, Director of the Phivos Stavrides Foundation-Larnaka Archives, explaining the ownership of the house in the second half of the 18th century. With the arrival of the English in Cyprus in 1878, it was turned into a club for civil servants and military personnel, the renowned “English Club”.
This building also served as the meeting place of the local elite community and the first tennis court on the island, constructed in white cement, in the courtyard. Dimitrios Z. Pieridis, President of the Pierides Foundation and Mrs Leda Sandama, former Member of the Club take a trip down memory lane.
Both Mr Pieridis and Mrs Sandama played tennis here when they were 11 and 14 years old, they had to finish promptly at 4:30 pm for the staff to set up for 5pm afternoon tea, this would follow with card games.
There was a reading room for those who did not play tennis or cards. Leda recalls the beautifully dressed ladies and the large hall used for special occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities with huge buffets and dancing.
Larnaka is a town with a rich history and is a favourite with tourists
Mr Pierides recalls that the library received important publications such as the Sphere and London Illustrated news. It was an officers’ meeting point, especially for naval officers, not just British but Italian too as Larnaka was a cosmopolitan centre. He mentions that he is pleased that Larnaka is expanding its soulful historic centre, which stretches from the Pierides Museum to the new cultural centre.
It takes in the old Ottoman bank which houses the Stavrides Foundation; the old kiosk that houses the Tourist Information Office and other outstanding historic buildings from the British administration such as the police station, the district administration office and the old customs office in Europe Square.
Last but by no means least, the writer and school principal, Mrs. Angela Kaimaklioti, describes on the video, the period after the Turkish invasion post 14 August 1974 when the club temporarily housed refugees.
She is delighted that this space, which she called home during a difficult time in her childhood, has been restored. What was a haven, a shelter in 1974 for a 14-year-old and her family alongside so many more, has been given a new and cultural lease of life that befits the building and Larnaka’s historic centre.
The mini documentary, which is in Greek with English subtitles, was created by the Larnaka Tourism Board and the Municipality of Larnaka with the support of the Ministry of Tourism.
With the first glimmers of hope starting to get brighter as the UK’s mass vaccination Covid-19 gathers pace, thoughts are once again turning to holidays abroad, writes Bill McCarthy.
The Seychelles has updated its entry requirements to allow vaccinated visitors “from any part of the world”.
To be recognised as ‘vaccinated’, travellers must be able to show that they have received a second dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine.
It is great news for those wishing to visit the exotic destination in the Indian Ocean, 300 miles off the coast of Africa, but travellers should check about getting a negative PCR test before their return to the UK.
The new measures have been announced following the start of a national immunisation drive – with the country aiming to became the first in the world to vaccinate more than 70 per cent of its population over the age of 18.
To be recognised as “vaccinated”, visitors must be able to show that they have received a second dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine, the Seychelles Tourist Office explained in a statement.
Visitors must submit an authentic certificate from their national health authority as proof of vaccination alongside a negative Covid-19 PCR certificate, obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel.
All non-vaccinated visitors currently permitted entry into the country must show a negative PCR test obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel.
The new vaccines for Covid-19 has sparked a surge in confidence with the over-65s leading a huge surge in holiday bookings.
Coach operator National Express has seen a 185 per cent rise in over-65s booking holidays compared with this time in 2020 after launching its spring and summer programme last weekend.
Jit Desai, from National Express, told BBC Breakfast: “Many of them have had their first jab and now within 12 weeks will receive their second jab. That gives them a level of certainty that they can enjoy and look forward to their 2021 holiday.”
Desai added that National Express had taken “a week’s worth” of bookings in a single day on Monday, compared with the same period last year.
Tui’s UK managing director Andrew Flintham said the over-50s accounted for more than half of bookings received on the tour operator’s website in the past two weeks.
He added that they were getting more multi-generational family bookings as well as from “broader groups”.
TTG editor Sophie Griffiths also told BBC Breakfast: “This is utterly fantastic news and will be hugely welcomed by an industry that’s been devastated by the pandemic.
“Ten months into this crisis, the travel industry still has received zero dedicated financial support from the government.
“This is the first sign of the light at the end of the tunnel for the sector. Who isn’t going to want a holiday after the annus horribilis that was 2020?”
Escorted touring specialist Titan Travel said bookings for 2022 were “beginning to take off”, with one tour to Costa Rica already sold out 13 months before departure.
Managing director Andy Squirrell added: “Having conducted consumer surveys over summer last year, we recognised that travellers are looking ahead to future trips earlier than ever before.
“The vaccine rollout is undoubtedly bringing greater confidence to travellers who are itching to book a holiday and travel once again. Whether consumers are wanting to travel in 2021 or book in advance for 2022, we’re declaring 2021 the Year of the Holiday; the much-anticipated reawakening of travel.”
Sutton Coldfield Life 