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Spain Update – Important Information
Following last night’s announcement from the UK government stipulating that any passengers arriving back to the UK (from 26th July) from Spain will have to quarantine for 14 days upon return and, the FCO updated advice against all but non-essential travel to Spain, we would like to update you on the processes HolidayTaxis are putting in place to support you with your bookings during this time: Cancellations: Until 23:59 hours Thursday 30th July 2020, any bookings you have to Mainland Spain, due to arrive from 27th July 2020, can be cancelled free of charge up to at least 4 hours prior to the booked arrival time. For any cancellations being…
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HolidayTaxis – Making Travel Easier and Safer
As the world begins to travel again, we know that protocols and restrictions will rapidly change and evolve. The health and safety of our customers, suppliers and team are of paramount importance to us here at HolidayTaxis. We have drawn up our 7 point plan to deliver on this and provide confidence for everyone in our transfers. The plan is outlined below: 1. Compulsory face masks for customers and drivers To protect the safety of all involved we are making face masks compulsory for all customers over the age of 5 and for all drivers across all locations globally. Passengers are required to bring their own face masks. 2. Increased…
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Explore the world from the comfort of your sofa
With the world in lockdown and the enrichment that comes from travel on pause, we are all searching for ways to engage with the sights and sounds of our favourite destinations. As luck would have it, in this digital world, there are many opportunities to visit your favourite museums and historical sites from your homes. Virtual tours now exist for a wide range of the world’s top visited locations. The team at HolidayTaxis have pulled together their top 5 virtual tours for you to enjoy: 1. The Vatican Filled with artworks from across the ages and the world-famous Sistine Chapel, step into the museums and galleries of the Vatican with…
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Experience a new way to travel with a greener carbon footprint!
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way we live, work and travel. Day-to-day habits and routines, often taken for granted, are now luxuries that are sorely missed; a social gathering with family or friends, a visit to the high street for a spot of retail therapy or a weekend away in Paris. As social gatherings grind to a halt, due to government-enforced self-isolation measures, new patterns are already emerging. A renewed sense of community and solidarity has emerged with more and more people staying at home to each do their bit. The reduction in both air and road traffic has also seen a significant…
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Travel the world with your tastebuds
Whilst we all continue to persevere and adjust to the temporary lockdown lifestyle, it seems that our list of things to do “if only we had some time at home” is getting ticked off pretty quickly and the novelty of some things may be wearing off quite fast. Read this blog for fantastic food ideas from accross Europe.
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How to stay connected when social distancing.
The past few weeks have seen massive changes around the globe. With many countries on lockdown and others practicing extreme social distancing, it can feel overwhelming being stuck in the house 24/7. To give you some inspiration, we’ve come up with some ways to make the most of your time. Activities! Are you someone that has a lot of hobbies? Love spending your weekends going out to explore? There are still some adventures you can have at home: Camping Set up a tent in the garden and spend the night sleeping under the stars. Not only will it be something different, but you have the added bonus of a proper…
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COVID-19 Latest Update: Important information for all customers travelling before 30th June 2020.
Following on from the ongoing situation and impact as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we would like to provide you with further guidance on our approach at HolidayTaxis. Due to the ongoing closure of many borders in countries around the world, the unpredictability of the immediate future and, the advice from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and EU member State Governments, HolidayTaxis has now declared that its’ global Force Majeure event be extended to now include all reservations travelling up to and including 30th June 2020 that were made prior to 26th May. All such reservations will be cancelled with full refunds being issued automatically. If you…
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Coronavirus – How to Stay Connected
With many all over the world experiencing the repercussions of COVID-19, we realise that this is a time of great uncertainty. Working from home, kids off school and cancelled holidays have become the new norm for the time being. During this time we need to stay safe and connected as a community. Stay Connected With advice to social distance and self-isolate where possible, it could feel like you’re not getting to talk to the people you care about the most. There are so many available options to keep the communication flowing: text, phone or FaceTime with friends and family to keep up to date with those closest to you. If…
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The Best Places to Travel with Children
Looking for some inspiration for your family holiday? Here are the top places to travel with children, from traditional beach holidays to city breaks and more. Majorca Thanks to its glorious sandy beaches, guaranteed warm weather and child-friendly facilities, Majorca is a fail-safe place to take your kids. An abundance of Majorcan package holiday deals means less to worry about and fewer things to organise, especially when it comes to mealtimes. Not only that, but at only just over 2 hours away from the UK by plane, there’s less chance of little ones feeling the boredom of a longer-haul flight. Once you arrive on the island there’s plenty to see…
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Inspirational Women in Travel
This Sunday the 6th of March is International Women’s Day, which marks the global movement for women’s rights and celebrates women’s achievements throughout history. Over the past five years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of solo female travellers, as much as 73%! So we are taking this opportunity to look back at some historical icons who paved the way for female travellers today. Amelia Earhart (1887-1937) A pioneer of her time, Amelia Earhart is possibly one of the most famous women in the history of travel. She became the first woman to fly solo over heights of 14,000 feet, as well as non-stop over the Atlantic…
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Five of the best towns in Malaga for day trips
A trip to Malaga isn’t all about beaches and bars. The area has a rich history dating back thousands of years, and a stunning landscape, ready for you to explore. Malaga has been inhabited for almost 3,000 years, and in that time various civilisations have called it home. This is reflected in its varied architecture, with Roman ruins sitting alongside Moorish citadels. If you can drag yourself away from the beach, here are the top five towns you should take time to explore. 1. Nerja Head to Nerja to visit one of Spain’s most famous tourist attractions, the Caves of Nerja. The network of caverns is almost 5 kilometers long,…
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Making holidays in Turkey easier!
Not only is travel in Turkey easy with our convenient, award-winning transfers but it’s also now cheaper too! Thanks to the introduction of new rules by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a trip to Turkey will no longer include visa fees, which should save a whopping £27.00 per person! Starting on March the 2nd, citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the UK will be able to travel to Turkey without a visa. This is amazing news for travellers who may have previously been put off by the visa process in Turkey. Long queues and costly fees are to become a thing of the past for the…
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Our top three family-friendly destinations in the Canaries
Children playing in the sea With guaranteed sunshine and endless enjoyment for children, the Canary Islands are a popular destination for families each year. In this blog post we have chosen the best resorts in the Canary Islands, with an array of activities to keep both young and old entertained, to help you plan and book your next trip. Teide National Park, Tenerife, Spain Tenerife Flight time: 4h40mins direct from the UK. Flight cost: starting from £209 for a family of four. The largest of the Canary Islands and also known as ‘The Island of Eternal Spring’ due to its excellent year-round weather. Tenerife has a massive array of child-friendly…
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The 10 Best European Ski Resorts
Mayrhofen A once-traditional village in Austria’s Zillertal Valley, Mayrhofen has been a popular destination for British skiers (and now snowboarders) since the Seventies. The local area offers 136km of highly rated skiing terrain. However, for the keenest of skiers, the Zillertaler Superskipass provides access to a massive 515km of pistes in the valley. The après scene here is wild, so if you’re looking for a party resort then Mayhofen is the place to be. Visit in April to join in the fun at Snowbombing. This week-long snow festival includes igloo raves, world-class DJs and, of course, plenty of time on the slopes. Nearest airport: Innsbruck, only 120 mins away with…
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Last minute half-term holidays your kids will love
Christmas is long gone and we’re well into the second month of the year. Some days feel suspiciously spring-like and we are all ready for a well-deserved break after the undisputed longest month of the year. February can be the forgotten half term after the madness of the holidays- but it’s the perfect time to get away and take a break! Tenerife Perfect for: All the familyWeather: 20°C+Time Difference: 0 hrs If you’re after some sun after a long winter- head to the Canaries. Tenerife is hot all year round so it’s a great time to visit. It’s also perfect for families! Spend a day at Siam Park which has…
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The most romantic bridges in the world
Bridge There have always been romantic associations with bridges, dating back to ancient times. The bridge is one of our earliest technologies, and the mix of both form and function in the design is often a thing of beauty. These functional structures which join one place to another allow us to overcome an obstacle and create a feeling of connection which could explain why they have become a familiar and popular location for romantic strolls, photo opportunities and declarations of love. A tradition echoed across the world, which is gradually being phased out due to the damage it causes, is the idea of the love locks. Two lovers inscribe their…
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A guide to thrifting in New York City
If you’re a person with a deep love for fashion, there’s no better place to visit than New York City. The centre of the fashion world and home to the iconic NY Fashion week, the shopping experience is like none other. With large department stores like Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, you won’t be short of places to shop. But in keeping with the theme of living more sustainably, how about shopping more sustainably too? Thrifting has been extremely popular in New York for decades, vintage is definitely in. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to get your second-hand treasures; you’ll be channelling your inner Carrie Bradshaw in…
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Brexit travel advice as of 31/01/2020
After a lengthy and, I think we all agree, arduous process, the UK will officially be leaving the European Union (EU) in just three days, at 11pm on the 31st of January 2020. Over three and a half years since the original vote was cast, back on the 23rd of June 2016 – It’s finally happening folks. Ultimately, for now, nothing changes, as initially we will be entering a ‘transition period’ which runs until the end of December 2020. During this transition period the current rules on travel for the UK and EU remain the same; so the following information is to help travellers plan for when the transition period…
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A taste of the best Ski & Snowboard Festivals across Europe in 2020
Here in the UK, we love a good festival; any excuse to stomp around a field with friends, listening to music, enjoying the rural landscape, hoping for sunshine but counting on rain. We are, after all, the proud proprietors of Glastonbury (thanks to festival boss Michael Eavis) which welcomes over 200 000 visitors each day and is one of the largest festivals in the world, alongside big names like Coachella (California) and Sziger (Budapest). Size, however, does not necessarily equal enjoyment – Often the reality is desperately searching for your tent in the pitch black, spending hours in queues waiting for drinks and grimy toilet facilities, or losing your friends…
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Top destinations to visit for every month of the year
Do you want to plan your holidays for 2020 but have no clue where to start? We have carefully curated a list of the best destination to visit, one for every month of the year! Let us know in the comments below if any of these have sparked any inspiration! January The January blues may have you yearning for warmer climates at this time of year. If you’re lusting after some sun- visit Tenerife. Just a short 4-hour plane ride will have you sunbathing in no time. With gorgeous beaches, sparkling nightlife and Siam Park which is hailed as most spectacular water attraction in Europe, you won’t be short of…
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The benefits of a Vegan lifestyle
Inspired by World Vegan Day on the 1st of November last year, I embarked on my first attempt at becoming a Vegan. It was with a degree of trepidation that I decided to take the plunge and adopt a plant-based diet. Still, having watched several interesting documentaries and read various convincing articles, not to mention hearing some poignant news reports, I was excited to adopt this new, environmentally conscious lifestyle. It felt good to go through my cupboards and filter out any food containing animal products (which I donated to the local food bank), not to mention the embarrassingly large number of out of date items gathering dust in the…
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5 New Year’s Resolutions for Travel-Lovers
January is here, the time for fresh starts, new beginnings and the overuse of “New Year, New Me!” captions online. If you have a thirst for travel but haven’t quite decided on your plans for 2020, keep reading for some New Year inspiration. Take a trip on your own After a busy festive period visiting family and friends, some time alone can do the world of good. Why not book some time out just for you? Whether it’s a weekend away or an experience completely out of your comfort zone in another continent- take a risk and go for it. This is also a perfect self-care opportunity, allowing you a…
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Travel to Japan for the Sapporo Snow Festival 2020!
It’s time to get your holiday planned and booked for the unforgettable annual Snow Festival in Sapporo, known locally as Sappori Yuki Matsuri (Yuki = Snow, Matsuri = festival.) This spectacular winter event has been a tradition since the 1950s, now entering its 71st year, it boasts over 2 million visitors each February. The incredible displays are truly a sight to behold with giant snow and ice sculptures depicting everything from historical buildings to your favourite cartoon characters. There are three main sites at the snow festival, held in the capital Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido; they include Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome. Odori Park is open all day and is where the majority…
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Our pick of the best resorts for Christmas in the sunshine
The spirit of Christmas can easily be overshadowed by a sudden urgency to tick things off the endless to-do list teemed with a secret longing for it all to be over. Temperatures plummet and the high street becomes packed with herds of Christmas shoppers laden down with heavy bags, hurriedly negotiating claustrophobic stores. Last-minute shopping-sprees and yet another Christmas drink (or five) can begin to take its toll on both budget and well-being. Which is why so many people decide to escape at Christmas for quality time with loved ones, away from the pressure, stress and cold that the festive season can bring. Barbados With an average December temperature of…
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Our pick of the best resorts for Christmas in the sunshine
The spirit of Christmas can easily be overshadowed by a sudden urgency to tick things off the endless to-do list teemed with a secret longing for it all to be over. Temperatures plummet and the high street becomes packed with herds of Christmas shoppers laden down with heavy bags, hurriedly negotiating claustrophobic stores. Last-minute shopping-sprees and yet another Christmas drink (or five) can begin to take its toll on both budget and well-being. Which is why so many people decide to escape at Christmas for quality time with loved ones, away from the pressure, stress and cold that the festive season can bring. Barbados With an average December temperature of…
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What to buy your travel-loving Secret Santa
The annual office Secret Santa can be a stressful affair when you’ve no clue what to buy. Aside from the usual, chocolates and a mug- there may be an opportunity to up your game this year. Do you know someone in the office who loves a holiday? Jetting off multiple times a year? We’ve created a list of the best presents for your travel-loving colleagues, and they’re all under £20.00! The Practical Traveller Normally a forgotten, last-minute purchase, a travel adapter is an essential. We’ve found this fancy VGuard adapter on amazon which works in over 150 countries. What’s more it has 4 USB ports for charging mobile devices, meaning…
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Where to Travel for Winter Sun in 2020
As the days get shorter and mornings get colder, what better way to treat yourself than booking a getaway for some much-needed vitamin D. Whether you’re after a relaxing week on the beach, or an activity filled trip, we’ve curated a list of the best locations to keep you warm for the next few months. Turkey A summer favourite, Turkey is well-loved by us Brits; at this time of year temperatures tend to hover around a pleasant 15°C which makes sightseeing and haggling in the markets a much more pleasant experience. The quieter surroundings coupled with lower off-season prices make for the best budget-friendly holiday. Why not visit the beautiful…
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Christmas Airport Tips for 2019
With December the 1st just a few days away, Christmas is well and truly in the air. Mince pies are on the shelves, Michael Bublé is on the radio and the John Lewis Christmas advert is back on our screens. It’s no secret however, that Christmas can be notoriously stressful for travelling. Whether you’re going home for the holidays or escaping to warmer climates, here’s our guide to a stress-free airport journey. Make a list and check it twice! Like any trip, planning is key, but at this time of year it is even more important. A handwritten or digital list keeps you accountable and ensures that nothing important is…
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Europe’s Best Christmas Markets
Winter is a magical time to visit Europe, as the temperature drops, the streets come alive with festive lights and decorations as a sense of anticipation hangs in the air. As a child Christmas in our family was all about presents, food and snow; the latter being the icing on the Christmas cake! We can’t predict the weather; however, we can take a quick look at some of the best Christmas markets across Europe, which continue to delight each year. Wroclaw Christmas Market Hailed as one of the best in Poland, the city of Wroclaw (Poland’s fourth-largest city) is home to a truly magical fairy-tale Christmas market. The university town of Wroclaw…
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The Top Travel Bloggers you should be reading.
For the ultimate wanderlust, there’s no better research than the travel stories of others. First-hand information from those who have already been there and done it- mistakes and all! Thanks to the internet, now anyone can write about their weird and wonderful experiences abroad. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best travel bloggers around which will have you wishing you were halfway around the world already. 1. The Blonde Abroad Kiersten is an American blogger normally based in Cape Town when she’s not on the road. After an unfulfilling career in finance, she made the move to leave everything behind and take up travelling full time. With a…