Classes in TAM Airlines per aircraft type

See how premium economy is not available in long-haul.

Convivence rules when travelling

Over the years I had the chance to travel with many different people: partners, friends, relatives, workmates and even strangers. I have travelled alone too, and that is very challenging! My fellow travel mates go from people that have travelled extensively to those ones that haven't left their native country.
Let´s face it: travelling is an adventure and not everyone is ready for it. Anyone can become the best or worst mate, no matter how much you love him/her, you can end up thinking: this is the last time we travel together.
Did it happen to me? Yes. Have I been one of those whose friends think: WTF is wrong with you? Mea culpa, I have to assume it. There are people that have never travelled before and you are surprised how open-minded they are with other cultures (my own Mum happens to be one of those). Then, there are those that have travelled a lot and they can be the perfect annoying tourist (I should write a post about this!)

As a general rule, a good tourist shouldn´t be complaining about everything. You are travelling to enjoy. Spending money to be kilometres away from home and not enjoying the thing at all, it is not worth it. Whether it is the first time you travel or you have done it many times, I give you a few convivence rules to help you survive the vacation without problems.

1. Sharing room: This is my big no-no and one of my worst issues when planning a trip. The room is there to get rest and grooming. Decide a few basic rules before ending pulling your hair out. There are people that need more hours of sleep than others, as well as people that need two hours to get ready (true story). Be realistic: if you are going to straighten your hair, waxing and apply 5 layers of make up before leaving the hotel, do not dare to be the last one to get up and make everyone else waiting for you. Also, if you are not capable of sleeping without the tv on, maybe this is a good chance to start trying for the sake of those with light sleep. I still remember how in my first trip to London, my roommate decided to see all the 2000 pictures she took that day without turning off the sound in her camera, resulting in 2000 beeps. Mad!
   
   

Easyjet: check-in only on-line

From 30/04/2013 Easyjet has implemented the only on-line check-in for all its flights. That means airport desks are only for baggabe drop.

Check-in can be done from 30 days to 2 hours in advance.

Why do airlines want my phone number?

We could also say: why do travel agencies want my phone number?

Passengers always complain and they do not want to provide us with their number. Not, really, we are not calling you to offer extra services. I have ever heard of a travel agency that stalks its clients by phone. And we really are not going to sell it to anyone.

The only reason why we need your number is for EMERGENCIES. If your flight is cancelled or there is a storm that has shut down airports, it is better that you hear it from us before heading there. I still remember one lady that told me off because no one called her to let her know her flight 07:10 was cancelled. She had to wake up early and drive for one hour and a half to get there on time and now she had to come back home. When I looked at her booking I saw that there was not contact number at all and I could see how the airline and us had sent her several emails the day before. Of course when I told her that , she was a bit shocked.

Really, I can not stress this enough: always, always, give a contact number where we can find you at any time.

Go! Airlines routes

It looks like Go! Airlines has more routes and destinations, so probably we will decide to go for it. I will keep searching ;)

7 essential: warm clothes for a city in winter

Every time I travel I have to do a list of things to pack in case I need them. If I do not do it, at the end and keep forgetting something essential. 

Typical tourist you DON'T
like to look like

This week, with the cold going on on London I have seen many lost tourists with teeth chattering. Yes, it is really typical you come from the south of Greece thinking here is going to be just a little bit colder. A bit is too generous. This week it has been snowing and I can confirm out of experience that November to March are quite cold months. But I am not only referring to London, I am also referring to northern countries or even Eastern ones, where temperatures drop a lot. While you can't do anything to change the weather, you can do something to avoid leaving your Cracovian hotel with skirt, no tights and flip-flops in December (true story).

To be honest, I always feel cold in winter and, through the years, I have been discovering clothes that keep me warm. So here is a list of my mandatory items if you are planning a city tour in winter. Let's have in mind that although you are coming for some tourism, you do not have to wear neon lights on your face to prove it!

• Snoods: my more recent discovery. You can laugh if you want, but I feel not cold with them. Yeah, they can look like you are going for a snow trip but, does it really matter? Choose a thick or flurry one, they are the best. The good thing about this item is that they cover more area than the typical scarf and like the girl in the picture, you can even cover your head,  ears or even your nose. I have kept colds apart wearing this.
• Wool hats. A classic. Through the head you loose the most heat produced by the body. If you do not like them, at least get earmuffs (you get a lot of cold there).
• Boots. There is nothing better to keep you warm than waterproof boots.
• Trekking socks. Maybe you do not feel cold at the beginning of the day, but walking all the cobbled streets and being all day outdoors, will make your feet icy cold. And if they get cold, you are KO and wanting to go back to your hotel. At least this is what happens to me. I have some socks like the ones in the picture and they are the best of the best.
• Coat. Yes, you can have a jacket, but the coat covers much more (bum inclusive!), so is more practical. If the coat is waterproof, even better. 
• Gloves: hands and feet warm, always. 
• Optional: raincoat and a foldable umbrella. 

With all this you will feel warm and won't look like a tourist. 

When should you be buying your ticket?

I have found this today and I can subscribe almost up to 80%. I do not agree too much that prices can rise up to three times per day. I guess they mean low cost carriers do!

Anyway, I think this gives you a clear idea of when buying your flight tickets. Yep, last minute offers barely exist!!!

Via Angieslist

11 reasons to visit Galicia

Probably one the least known parts of Spain, Galicia (where I come from) in the northwest, has a lot to offer. From its food to its climate, apart from its natural beauty, I give you 11 GOOD reasons why you should visit us.

• Countryside. Have you been in Ireland or England? We have greener pastures, amazing rivers with fjords, and stone built houses, churches and castles. The forests are everywhere and a weekend in one of our rural houses combined with the  rest of the reasons in this list, will take all the stress away.

• Weather: not as hot as the South of Spain, Galicia is the perfect place to be in summer and spring. Winters and autumms bring a bit of rain and temperatures over 10º C.
• Coast: stunning landscapes and beaches to die for, in fact As Catedrais in Lugo, has been ranked 6 of the top ten beaches in the world by Tripadvisor. We were once considered the end of the world, for Romans there was nothing further away from Fisterra (end of the world). The sea is always breathtaking in Galicia, with over 1600 Kms of coast you will never get bored.

KLM to charge for checked-in luggage

Great news today: KLM  will charge for checked-in luggage from April. Isn't it great? :(

15€ per lugagge if you book in advance and 30€ at the airport for shorthaul. They say this will help them reduce the price of the tickets.

Flying Blue holders and longhaul passengers will go free.

Honestly, what is going to be next? KLM prices are not so cheap as low cost, do they really need to charge? Don't forget they also charge for the seat selection.

The worst? How long is going to take for BA, Air France, Iberia and the rest to follow their example?

Countries where you can't kiss your partner in public... if you are gay (or not)

Whenever we travel, we need to consider many aspects apart from the appealing of the destination or its beautiful beaches. We should also consider the culture we are travelling to and try not to be offensive. But in the cases of gay people, this is even worse. It is not a fact of how other people see their relationship, (sadly, if you let me tell you) is that they can put themselves into trouble and end in jail the same as if you were a drug dealer or killed someone. Unbelievable we are in 2013, uh?

I have found this useful list in Metro today and I think it is worth sharing it. Places you won't be really welcomed if you express your love for your partner in public. And I must warn you: in some of these places you have to behave if you are an heterosexual couple too!

Below are just a few nations that have laws that severely punish anyone engaging in same-sex activity:
Antigua and Barbuda: 15 years in jail
Barbados: Life in prison
Dominica: Ten years or sectioning
Grenada: Ten years for men
Guyana: Life in prison
Jamaica: Ten years’ hard labour for men
Kenya: 14 years
Malaysia: 20 years
Mauritius: Five years
Morocco: Three years
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Ten years for men
St Lucia: Ten years for men

Vincent and the Grenadines: Ten years

Seychelles: 14 years
Solomon Islands: 14 years
Singapore: Two years
Trinidad and Tobago: 25 years
Tunisia: Three years
United Arab Emirates: Deportation or death penalty in extreme cases

 I am pretty sure there are a few more, feel free to add them in the comments.

So if you are travelling to any of these destinations, remember what you can and you can't do for having lovely memories of your trip.

Viva Las Vegas!

Planning to visit Vegas? What a stupid question, who isn't? Most of the people would say they don't find it appealing, but just because they do not want to admit that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

So if you are one of this people that does not mind admitting that would L-O-V-E to go (or even if you do not want to admit it: no one is looking at you) this is your website.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has launched LasVegas.com, the first website that allows you book from flights to shows and hotels to tours. They have a 24 customer service to meet the request of the over 38 million people that visit the city every year.

And if you are a travel agent or meeting planner, they also have a special section for you.

Tallinn maps- Estonia

Eurostars affected by the Olympics

This is the list Eurostar has sent to us regarding cancellations and replacements due to the Olympics:

Alterations to our timetable during the Olympic period

Please note that in order to run Olympic charters we have made a number of cancellations and alterations to our timetable on 13 and 25 August  and  10 September.

These are as follows:

Monday 13 August

9005 Paris to London service is currently closed to sales.
9113 Brussels to London service has been cancelled.
9024 London to Paris service has been cancelled.
9132 London to Brussels service has been cancelled.
9140 London to Brussels service is currently closed to sales.

Saturday 25 August

9006 London to Paris service has been cancelled.
9008 London to Paris service has been added to replace the 9006.
9019 Paris to London service has been cancelled.
9017 Paris to London service has been added to replace the 9019.
9025 Paris to London service has been cancelled.
9027 Paris to London service has been added to replace the 9025.

Monday 10 September

9005 Paris to London service has been cancelled.
9018 London to Paris service has been cancelled.
9126 London to Brussels service has been cancelled.
9140 London to Brussels is currently closed to sales.

Seoul maps- South Korea

Bukchon

Don't get lost at Madrid's T4

If  you have a connecting flight in Madrid's T4, here is a video to help you:

Mumbai maps- India

railway lines

Hong Kong´s tube map

Here is Hong Kong's tube map.

And if you prefer download it in your phone, they have got apps in English and chinese for iPad, iPhone y Android.

Transport´s website.

Severe weather conditions across Europe

Severe weather conditions during these days are cancelling flights across Europe. Places like Germany, Netherlands or Scotland are suffering strong winds.

It´s strongly recommended to check your flight status before going to the airport if you think your flight could be affected.

Air Europa December 2011's strike

Air Europa is also on strike during this month. Here is the list of the affected flights.

My flight status

The best way to know if your flight is departin on time due to strikes, vulcanos, snow, etc... is checking in the airlines website. Here are some flight status checkers I will be adding more as soon as I need them:

A
Air Europa
Air France
Alitalia
Amadeus up to date information of all airlines working with Amadeus
American Airlines

B
British Airways

C
Continental Airlines

E
Easyjet
Emirates
Etihad Airways

F
Finnair

I
Iberia

K
KLM

L
Lufthansa

N
Norwegian

Q
Qantas
Qatar Airways

R
Royal Air Jordania
Ryanair

S
Spanair
Swiss