I have just booked to go to New York for the Christmas Holidays and I’m really excited. I’ve never been to New York before and have heard that it’s really good over Christmas. We’re flying with Virgin Atlantic on Boxing Day from Heathrow. It’s a really good deal actually as we get to New York at 1:30pm so have the whole afternoon. The main bonus is that we are flying directly – no changes halfway.

I priced up quite a few flights to New York from London and all the ones where you had to change added nearly a whole days travel which would simply be a waste of a holiday as we are only going for 4 days.

My advice is to go with a slightly more expensive flight (there is only about £100 difference anyway between the none stop and one stop flights) and get an extra day in New York rather than an extra day sat around airports waiting for connecting flights.

Think British Airways – think business class flights only???? Maybe you don’t – but you will from now on, because British Airways have launched their first Business Class only flights from London City Airport to New York.

There have been failings from other companies who previously offered the service however British Airways are keen to pursue the exclusive all-business class idea. The flight from London City Airport allows passangers to travel from the heart of London rather than previous failed services from Stansted or Luton run by companies like Silverjet, Maxjet or Eos.

The problem is the flight takes slightly longer, as it needs a refuel in Shannon Airport (Ireland). The Airbus A318 has been built specifically to satisfy business class only flights and although you touch down at Shannon, it allows for a very quick check in upon arrival in the States as passangers can clear US immigration while in Ireland.  The Airbus A318 has reclining seats that turn into beds – be quick to book though – the aircraft only accommodates 32 passangers!!!

I used to work in London about 6 months ago before moving back north with my job and regularly used to travel from Manchester to London and vice versa. It’s really not a bad service – it takes between 1 hour 50 mins to 2 hours 30 mins to get from Manchester Picadilly to London Euston and then it was just a short tube ride to my flat in Marylebone. I then moved to Balham which was south of the river and the tube journey took a while longer.

The main problem with the journey was that I travelled on Friday evenings at about 6:40pm after work and the train was always packed – so much so that people would be standing up and there would always be a mad rush along the platform for people trying to get seats. Even booking in advance, you are not always guaranteed a reserved seat so I used to do my best Usain Bolt impression in order to ensure I wasn’t standing up for 2 hours. Virgin Trains apparently increased the number of services between London and Manchester but I still think that once a train is full they should tell you so that you don’t have the discomfort of standing for a 2 hour journey.

The Sunday journey was a lot more comfortable with a choice of seats and you could just shut your eyes and relax. The journey is not cheap though – the cheapest you can generally get is £60 return but last minute bookings can cost £60-£120 each way so be sure to book in advance.

I know Valentines Day is a while away, but I thought I’d recommend Paris as a destination. I went on for Valentines weekend earlier this year and had a great time. I booked online and travelled down to Paris on the Eurostar from Kings Cross St Pancras Station. In the same time as it takes to get from Manchester to London which is roughly 2 hours you can get from London to Paris. The train is smooth, fast and far more spacious than an aeroplane. You have more room to move and more leg room which is brilliant.

Once you arrive there are loads of hotels nearby the main station Gare du Nord so we just walked from the station to our hotel and then got on with the romantic weekend, taking in all the famous sites.

One word of advice – it’s usually still very cold in February. We had a really nice sunny weekend but you need to wrap up warm in order to enjoy it to the full.

After the success of my last office poll I decided to ask the lads about there favourite holiday destination / location and experience?

Michael – stated his favourite holiday experience was swimming with dolphins in Turkey. He said it was an experience that was once in a life time.

James – said his favourite holiday was with lads in Magalluf when he was 18, unfortunately he didnt’t get lucky over there.

Ryan – thought that the best holiday experience was visiting the pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt.

Jew-lie – loved his trip to a Jerusalem and says his favourite country is Israel.

David – found his honeymoon to be the best holiday of his life.

Liam – enjoys thrill seeking holdays and adventure sports.

What makes the perfect beach holiday? – I asked the lads in the office and got the responses below.

Michael – wants a beach hut on the sands that sells Stella and Hot Dogs.

James – wanted a beach full of eastern european women

Ryan – wanted factor 100 sun cream to be available for free

Jew-lie – wanted a free skull cap to protect his bald spot

David – wanted the beach to have good snorkelling reefs as he likes tropical fish

Liam – said all of the above would be great as long as it was a nudist beach and sunny as well

I recently went on a one weeks holiday to Taba Heights in Egypt.

First impressions were a little worrying the airport, which is in the hills is an ex-military army base (which looked like it was still in use by the army as there was a large presence of army officers with rivals manning the entrance)!!!

The airport simply hasnt been expanded to accomodate holidaymakers but it doesnt need to be as there is only 12 flights every week into Taba Heights airport (i found this out of a local).

Once you travel to the resort it looks like a scene from “the hills have eyes” – not what you expect on holiday! When in the resort it is fantastic!!!!!

Getting stung by a jellyfish is not a pleasant experience. Even less pleasant is having someone insist that urine is a great cure for the sting. Believe me there are cleaner and more effective ways of dealing with it.

The first thing to do is to rinse the skin with hot water. If hot water is not available then use salt water. Using gloves, peel off the tentacles. If you don’t have gloves available then use a stick or shell. Avoid touching or getting them on your clothing.

Watch the victim carefully for anaphylactic shock. Symptoms can include itching, wheezing and dizziness.

If the patient can cope, immerse the wounded area into hottest water that they can stand. Preferably over 102 degrees. Give them ibuprofen to help with the pain.

Always seek medical attention if the sting was severe or if the victim is showing any signs of distress.

Holidays are about relaxing and having fun but you can easily let your guard down unwittingly and become a victim of crime.

To avoid becoming a victim, ensure that you remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. If using a camera or MP3 player make sure that you still keep your eye on your purse, wallet or handbag.

If you have hired a vehicle you may stand out as a tourist so have your keys in your hand ready when approaching your vehicle. Drive with the doors locked and keep belongings out of view and easy reach.
When walking through town try to look as though you know where you are going. Looking lost and waving a map around could attract the wrong kind of attention.

If you are walking at night stick to busy, well lit streets rather than venturing down dark, little used side roads. Use a taxi if necessary to stay safe.

Depending on your destination you may wish to avoid wearing expensive watches and jewellery. Alternatively leave them locked in your hotel room and wear them in a safe environment such as the hotel restaurant.

Only carry the amount of money that you need for that day. Money belts hidden under clothing are a good idea. Use a money belt concealed under your clothing or an inside pocket.

Kenya is one of the most popular places to go on a safari in Africa. This is due in part to the first rate accommodation and professionalism of the safari guides but also of course due to the wide variety of wild animals you are likely to see.

In Kenya you have a good chance of spotting lions, rhinos and leopards along with elephants and buffalo. One of the most popular spectacles is the migration of millions of Wildebeests as they cross the Mara-Serengeti.

There are many national parks where you can see big game but don’t forget that one of the most popular sights to be had is at Lake Nakuru where there are over a million pink flamingos.