Flights to Pattaya
With more than 5 million visitors each year, Pattaya has built and continues to maintain its reputation as a popular vacation spot. There are no direct flights from the UK to Pattaya’s U-Tapao Airport, but you can get a connecting flight via Bangkok Airlines from Phuket. However, most flights into Phuket originate from Bangkok, only 150 km from Pattaya, so it is easiest to fly into Bangkok and get to Pattaya by road.
When you decide to fly, you should make sure if there is room for you and anyone else that you are flying with. You need to decide if you want first class or coach. And when you arrive make sure that you have your rental car ready. That way you don’t have wait in any lines to get your car. Also make sure you can really get to Pattaya in 30 minutes or if there is going to be any problems getting there on time.
Pattaya recently updated its image to be more family oriented. It had been most famous for its go-go and beer bars. Now it attracts a large number of Thai, North and South Asian tourist that are vacationing with their families. Visitors will find a selection of Beaches, golf, horseback, bungee jumping and shooting.
Getting around Pattaya offers its own options. The songthaew, public passenger pick-up vehicles, also called Baht Busses, are available throughout Pattaya. You may also choose the local bus, motorbike taxi, or meter taxi. If you wish to brave the erratic (by Western standards) traffic, you can hire a car, motorbike or scooter.
Pattaya sees the most visitors around Christmas and New Year’s, when visitors want to go somewhere sunny and warm. Several of Pattaya’s beaches are very popular, such as Pattaya Beach near the city center. Pattaya Beach has many stores, hotels, and nightspots nearby. Many jetskis, powerboats, and deckchairs are available for rent in the area.
Jomtein Beach is south of the city and a more popular spot for families. Away from the beach, you can visit the Pattaya Park entertainment complex offering a water park, roller coaster, monorail and children’s activities.
Both offer the primary scuba diving destinations for Pattaya.Is accessible by speedboat or ferry The Near Islands are close to Pattaya’s northern shores and the Far Islands lie directly to the west,Ko Lan, or Coral Island.Islands surrounding Pattaya also offer great beaches.
Fishing is a popular diversion. Deep sea fishing excursions often include breakfast, lunch and a stop at one of the island beaches for swimming. The North Pattaya Fishing Park provides rod and bait, serves refreshments and has live music after dark.
Another island specialty is golf. More than 20 courses are within an hour’s drive from Pattaya, and many are designed by golf’s most famous names. Laem Chabang International Country Club is ranked as one of Thailand’s top three courses and is considered the finest in this area.
There is an aquarium which offers up-close and personal experiences with the native marine life. A see-through tunnel allows extensive viewing of many rare creatures.
The elephant village in Pattaya has hour long shows each day, which show methods of catching, working with, and playing with elephants.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Fights to Pattaya
United Kingdom to Marseille
Marseille is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in France. There are flights from the UK to Marseille from both London?s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Marseille Provence Airport is the city?s main airport and is the fourth largest airport in France. Expect to see both tourists and business travelers crowding its terminals. The city also has an excellent public transportation system.
Marseille lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the southeast coast, the Cote-d-Azur, of France. It has the country’s largest commercial port. The Old Port that fell into disuse after the’70s oil crises has been redeveloped into a bustling residential and tourist destination with assistance from the European Community.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight pass through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. The city is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille has mild winters and hot summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with July and August being the area’s hottest months. Harsh, cold winds blow into the city from the Alps in the winter and spring.
The city also boasts Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in France. The research center employs thousands of scientists.
But besides all the industry, UK travelers will find no shortage of museums, theaters, shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants in Marseille. Lovers of theater will be especially pleased by the wonderful repertoires of le Gymnase, the Teatre Toursky, and la Crie?. The opera season runs from September until June.
Like other areas of France, Marseille is well-known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, which is an alcoholic beverage similar to beer made with aniseed and spice. Other popular items are aioli (mayonnaise) served on fish or hardboiled eggs, tapenade, bouillabaisse, panisse, and navette. All dishes are made with local ingredients, which make them very flavorful. Many restaurants can be found in the city?s Old Port area, which is the site of a daily fish market. The Old Port area is very beautiful at night, making it a popular spot for a long evening meal.
Noteworthy architecture in the city includes the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the first places of Christian worship in France, and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse lying on an inlet in the Old Port, as well as Museum of Old Marseille.
With all that the city has to offer to visitors, it is easy to see why Marseille is growing in popularity with travelers.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Marseille
UK Flights to South America
South America is the largest province of South USA. Some of the major countries which constitute the continent are Brazil, Lima, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Cayenne, Uruguay, to name a few. Both Spanish and Portuguese are the largely spoken languages in the continent, even though Dutch, French, and English are also used.
South America is a continent, which is rich in culture, and has influences from Portugal and Spain due to the connections of the regions with Europe. South America is also a wonderful destination due to its hot weather and good natured people; South American cuisines are mouth-watering and it offers several historical sights to explore.
Normally, you will get a lot of flights to Latin America however they are not economical from UK. But there are also means to get cheaper flights like you have to avoid booking your tickets on the weekends mainly Saturday, and you can also try to take an indirect route (your tour operator will generally take of these points). Some of the airlines that operate flights to Latin America are Iberia Airlines, Continental, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Most important destinations of Latin America where you can fly to are Sao Paolo, Mexico, Quito, Rio, Havana, San Jose, and Santiago. You will not face legal problems while entering with a valid UK passport. There are some places which are known as problematic zones for travellers in Latin America so it is very important to check whether the place is safe or not before visiting to it.
The atmosphere of South America changes very frequently. You can find a series of arid desert circumstance in Peru and Chile,and on other hand you can also find damp and stifling weather circumstances of the Amazon. Gran Chacowere of Argentina is the victim of the hottest weather which reaches a shocking 44 degrees centigrade at times. It is very important for travellers to carry sun cream and other skin protections when they travel to Latin America as most of the time you will get clear sky and hot weather conditions.
South America offers several interesting things to do. While in Venezuela, you can see Angel Falls, which is the highest waterfall in the world, which measures 321 feet. It is 15 times higher than the Niagara Falls. You may take an upriver raft to enjoy views from the bottom of the falls and take voyage to see it from a different view. Rio Carnival held in Brazil is the world’s biggest and brightest carnivals.
This takes place every February but make early bookings as the flights are much sought after during this time. Various attractions like Corcovado Mountain and the excursions Sugar Loa Mountain Day Tour can be enjoy while you are in Rio. The excursion will let you explore the rain forest, and you can enjoy visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue, situated atop the mountain.
If you come to Chile, try trekking to an exciting wonder of the world, called the Machu Picchu, an Inca Ruin. The discovery of Incas was done in’00s but is now visited by people worldwide. Bring your camera along. South America is really charming, both its landscape and people.
Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Venice
Iceland Trip Planning
Iceland is a mountainous island in the North Atlantic, located between Europe and North America. Although a bit austere, Iceland is a country of unreserved natural splendor. The almost unreal beauty of lava eruptions, hot springs, geysers, fissures and glaciers make this land truly unique. Nordic and Celtic people settled Iceland in the 9th century, and in fact, Ing?lfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking, founded the first settlement on the site known as present day Reykjavik, which is Iceland?s capital city.
Of all the tourist attractions, one of the most famous, and certainly the most popular, is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Some people actually think they are only visible during the winter months, but actually, you can see them all year long. The Midnight Sun is another tourist favorite. Occurring in Scandinavia during early summer, the Midnight Sun means just what it says?the sun is visible at midnight. Its opposite, the Polar Night, occurs in winter.
At some point in your vacation, you will most likely spend some time in Reykjavik City, Iceland?s capital. It is one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world, and the nightlife is vibrant. The variety of pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls is endless, and live music is becoming a trademark. In fact, there is at least one concert on any given night. The assortment of local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores making shopping an adventure, as does the Kringlan shopping mall.
Of course, if you come to Iceland, you simply must try a whale-watching tour. A natural habitat for whales, dolphins and seals, the ocean surrounding Reykjavik is ideal for catching a glimpse. Tours will generally pass by Puffin Island, too. Built in 1988, and considered to be Reykjavik?s landmark, the Perlan, or Pearl, is located under a large glass dome. This dome sits atop huge tanks, which are used to store the natural hot water for heating the city, and houses a rotating restaurant. The cuisine is divine, and the views spectacular.
If Viking history is an interest of yours, you most definitely want to check out some of Reykjavik?s museums. The Sun Voyager should be another stop on your list of things to do. This Sun Voyagers is a huge steel sculpture of a Viking ship, by Jon Gunnar Arnason. You definitely want to view this sculpture at sunrise or sunset. Another attraction you can?t miss is the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Done up in the Viking style, and serving up a traditional Viking feast, this one-of a-kind eating establishment lets you to step back into time, and taste a little Viking culture.
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland?s most popular tourist attractions. It is an outdoor, geothermal seawater pool, and is about 45-minute from Reykjavik. This steam-covered, fluorescent blue pool is almost 104-degrees all year long.
Iceland?s amazing scenery and unique attractions are sure to both awe and delight. Strikingly beautiful and strangely ascetic, your vacation to Iceland will leave you with many wonderful memories.
Private Jet Services Are The Future Of Air Travel
Globalization has led to an increased demand for world travel. With so much more money circulating in economies around the world there are many more potential clients for private jet services which has lead to a burst in the flight industry. Now anyone can charter a private jet to any destination for much less than every before.
Private Jet Services – Here To Stay
There are now many businesses providing private jet services. Some of these are small entrepreneur startups and others are large and successful corporations. Each increasingly specializes in providing a luxury experience to high-end customers. But most people will find that these services are much more affordable than they once were.
Today’s private jet services are the modern limo service. They strive to provide the discerning traveler a comfortable and convenient way to travel by air. These services have been favorites of large corporations and have been used for important business partners, CEOs, or prospective clients.
However, private jet services are increasingly used by everyday people. They are becoming popular alternatives to regular commercial flights. Whether it is a party trip with friends to a fun destination or simply a romantic getaway or honeymoon, many people are beginning to take advantage of this enjoyable service.
Why not charter a private jet for your next family vacation? Imagine the joy of having the entire plane to yourselves – its easy to see why private jet services have become so popular.
The additional cost over commercial airlines is worthwhile to most travelers because the service offered is much more comprehensive. Not only are passengers pampered on their flights but their hotel reservations and ground transportation are taken care of as well.
Additionally, private jet services save you many hours of wasted time. No longer do you need to wait in line for hours to check baggage and go through public airport security.
This is why private jet services are now so popular with average people. No longer is luxury flight just for the rich and famous. You too can enjoy traveling aboard a luxury jet with your family or friends. If you have never experienced flying on a private jet then now is the best time to give it a try.
Beamed Energy Propulsion and Introduction to New Aeronautics
At the turn of new century (December 2003) we have celebrated first hundred years of powered flight. Images of Wright brothers and their first powered flyer Kitty Hawk appeared on covers of new books, conference booklets, stamps and even coins. Century-long progress of aviation is indeed breathtaking. Kitty Hawk of glued spruce and bicycle spokes would be looking like a humble flea next to a modern-day behemoth, like B-2 Spirit, one of the most advanced creatures of modern aerospace technology.
The century long way of progress is taking a new turn. One day the limited supply of fossil fuels and inevitably growing price on use of incinerating technologies will put an end to everything that moves out of combustion. It is quite likely, that when this day will come, the spiral of progress will return us back to a pastoral reality of Huffman Prairie, field where Wright flyers were developed. Fumes and noise will be gone, and instead there will be light. And the light will keep our new silent flyers to go farther and longer than we could ever dream.
The aircraft of the future will be powered by light and it will be fumeless and noiseless. It will be driven by solar energy during the day and by beamed light energy during night. It will be serving to the needs of local individual transportation (substituting modern cars): even the range of daily transportation will be expanded from exhausting today 50 miles of driving to several hundred miles of pleasant flight. (Similar change happened with advent of Ford T and dwindling of horse-powered transportation). Scaled-up planes will work as long-distance passenger carriers, jumbo jets will be history. Never again the price of fuel will dictate the cost of long distance travel.
What will be the major features of new aircraft?
The bodies of new flyers will be made of lightweight composites. Upper wing surfaces will be plated with solar cells. During the day the cells will convert sun light into electricity, which will run aircraft motors. Some part of the energy will be collected by batteries, so in case of light outage (clouds or night time) the flyer could keep going. This may sound as a too much faith on bright sunlight and batteries: how about clouds and how about carrying heavy on-board batteries for night flights? Both issues can be solved entirely if beamed energy propulsion will become a part of the picture. This would require building of a network of power stations, but they would justify the construction costs hundredfold.
The stations can be placed on airborne aerostatic platforms, hanging at 3,000 to 5,000 ft altitude and charging passing-by aircraft with light beams from above. Equipped with spotlights or lasers (depends on the range and type of photovoltaic elements in use), such stations could serve approximately 120 square mile areas each. Alternatively, power-beaming sources can be placed on towers, so the planes will be charged from below. In this case photovoltaic cells matching the wavelength of beaming sources must be placed on lower surfaces of the flyers. Ground-based stations will have smaller range, but they will be somewhat easier in operation and maintenance and will cost less.
Battery re-charging from power-beaming stations will be somewhat similar to modern in-flight fueling procedures, although safety, simplicity and affordability will be incomparably higher. If in-flight charging seems too logistically difficult, perhaps, as a transitional measure, the first flyers could be charged in hovering mode. In this case charging flyer battery with electricity will be similar to filling car tank with gasoline, although there will be no mechanical contact, light will be beamed to the hovering flyer with a powerful spotlight. When the flyer tracking technology will mature, in-flight charging will come in place. The on-board batteries will be used for passing dark zones. The stations (except those on rainy day duty) will be shut after sunrise.
I hope that this is where we are going now. Just imagine the inevitable: there will be the day when internal-combustion engines will become part of a history and individual, family-owned, light aircraft, likely capable of hovering, vertical take-off and landing (somewhat like tiltrotor V-22 Osprey) will be flying daily and safely from point A to point B without air pollution, without fumes and noise. They will rule the sky day and night. How realistic is this? There are full-scale working prototypes. To learn more about solar powered aircraft check the story by Ron Laurenzo about Solar Impulse plane in May 09 issue of Aerospace America. To find out more on the subject and applications of power-beamed transportation, please, visit the official web site of American Institute of Beamed Energy Propulsion.


