Airfleets contains all the interesting (and geeky) statistics and information you could ever want about airlines and planes. Particularly useful are the average age of an airline’s fleet (even the date a specific plane was delivered) and accidents and fatalities by airline and country. Particularly useful you’re unsure about flying an airline you’re not familiar with (or perhaps in the case of Aeroflot or Air India too familiar with).
[Photo kaysha via Flickr]
In my round-up of tips and hints earlier today I left out this article from The Age Nights of Cheap Splendor. In hindsight I’m glad because it deserves to be highlighted, it really is a belter if you’re looking for a place to stay in Europe. Highlights include the Clink Hostel in London, a restored London courthouse, that starts at $25 a night, converted first class rail carriages in the Scottish highlands, a treehouse in Norway and Colditz castle which was (without intending to reinforce any unfair negative stereotypes of hostels) a prisoner of war camp.
In a country where using the word “no” displays ‘as much social grace as a bovine’ and “toilet slippers” should be kept out of the kitchen some cultural tips come in handy.
National Geographic has a list of the world’s top guided tours. Continki gets nary a mention.
Patronising quote of the week goes to Flight Centre’s marketing manager in The Age’s tips for using budget airlines to get around the place:
“We have people who have spent time on the internet to put their own itineraries together, and then come in to talk to our agents,” Bowman says. “That’s when the agent might say, ‘Are you aware that flight to London goes in to Luton and not Heathrow?’ The response is usually, ‘So what does that mean?’
“That’s when we need to explain all the details that the customer has not found on the internet.”
In our experience workaday wage slaves simply LOVE receiving bulk emails from you gloating about the simply wonderful time you’re having in exotic climes. If that hasn’t been you’re experience Traveler’s Notebook has some tips for writing emails the folks at home will actually want to read.
Intelligent Traveler has a guide to guides; five tips on how to pick a guidebook. Vagabondish goes one better with four alternatives to let you dispense with the darned things for good.
MSNBC makes taking children on a plane trip sound a marginally less complex operation than Dunkirk, while the Perrin Post has the Top Ten Toyless Ways to Occupy Kids on Planes without alcohol OR Prozac.
‘To have tasty and nutritious food on board, and be the envy of your fellow passengers, you need to bring your own. With advance planning, you can eat like a King or Queen on the plane.’ How to eat well at 30,000 feet via Beat of Hawaii featuring lots of Tupperware.
James Wysong has some tips for navigating customs: no fruit, no jokes, no phones and no porn are apparently the secret to avoiding being patted by down by your friendly neighbourhood customs officer. Hardly seems worth it.
Vagabondish has 12 clever and creative uses for a digital camera on the road.
The Times recommends six destinations in the United States, while Intelligent Travel has an excellent guide to taking teens to NYC. 10 free things to do in LA from Frommer’s.
Toronto is oft-overlooked even by travellers to Canada. Peter Greenfield has an introduction to its lesser known attractions.
Get closer to nature with five gems for the eco-tourist in Costa Rica.
The New York Times spends 36 hours in Naples where incredible history, garbage and toxic mozzarella meet.
About.com has a list of the five worst wookie rookie France travel mistakes. You’ll feel like Captain Cook with PeterGreenberg’s secret spots in Paris and The Times Undiscovered France: Poitiers. Alexander Lobrano reckons it’s possible to eat well in Paris. We remain unconvinced.
The Guardian’s Blog by Blog section has some really interesting and unusual tips for things to do in London
The Telegraph has published a Madrid city guide, and claims to have a list of Madrid’s best budget hotels (£44+). To get there the Independent has some tips on tourist trains in Spain.
Eurocheapo has five free things to do in Krakow.
Whether or not to get a Eurorail pass can be a difficult business, here are some tips as to when it is likely to represent a decent deal.
AsiaBusiness Week (of all places) has a list of India’s top five yoga centres.
Seth Mydans has some tips for Singapore hawker fare, street food heaven.
Viator has some tips for Kuala Lumpur.
[Contiki image via Glenn Ross on Flickr, Toronto image via Photofusion on Flickr, Krakow image via astilly on Flickr, yoga image via premasagar on Flickr]
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