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We’ve decided to go to Athens - June 2026. We’ll need return flights from the UK to Athens, and hotel accommodation in Athens. This post walks through the process I follow to book flights, and highlights the advantages of AVIOS bookings. We prefer to book well in advance to get best prices, the specific flight times that we want, and to include a free carry on bag. We find that British Airways flying from Heathrow is a good match for our requirements. TL;DR In this post I compare the CASH and AVIOS price for our chosen return flights between London to Athens - highlighting the benefit of having AVIOS points available to save on flights with British Airways and other airlines within the OneWorld alliance. Let me share my process. Google Flights I start with google flights to get an initial price for comparison purposes. We wanted a lunchtime flight out and late afternoon flight back. Aegean came up at around £300 each - including bags. £600 total - that felt like expensive. Establishing the Cash Price with British Airways The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights; Flight Price for Two = London to Athens with a Hold Bag Each I wasn't prepared to pay that sum of money - even for a 4 hour flight to the wonderful destination of Athens - so looked at different options. AVIOS Points to the rescue I reran the search - but this time as an AVIOS Points search on the British Airways main page. The search calculated the cost of our preferred flights; Results from the AVIOS search General consensus is to value a AVIOS point at approx 0.8p. So taking the 40000 AVIOS points and £70 pricing option. The cost for 2 people for the same flights is (40000 * 0.8) +£70 = £390 That was a £998 saving. In fact as I source my AVIOS through credit card bonuses the saving could be considered to be much greater. Understanding AVIOS Points AVIOS points are a loyalty currency earned through airlines, hotel stays, and even certain credit cards. You can redeem these points for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. For my London to Athens trip, I had saved enough AVIOS points to secure my flight for a bunch of AVIOS and small fee of £35 per passenger instead of the high fare illustrated. By using AVIOS points, I was able to significantly cut down on this cost, making my travel much more budget-friendly. Additional Costs: Luggage and Taxes My AVIOS ticket included both luggage and taxes. In addition - if I decide to cancel - its a £35 fee per person, and the AVIOS points are returned to my account. Finalising the Trip After reviewing my travel itinerary and confirming my flight selections, I finalised my booking. A confirmation email arrived shortly, with all my travel details. By using AVIOS points wisely, I saved nearly £1000 compared to standard ticket prices. Athens skyline featuring the Acropolis during sunset Travel Tips for Using AVIOS Points Maximise your savings with these tips when booking with AVIOS points: Monitor Earning Promotions : Airlines and credit cards frequently offer promotions to earn AVIOS points. Keep an eye out for these opportunities. For instance, some airlines provide bonus points for signing up or booking during promotional periods. Be Flexible : Being open to different dates or destinations can help you save significantly, especially during off-peak seasons. Combine Points : Collaborate with friends or family who also have AVIOS points. By pooling them together, you can afford longer or more luxurious trips. Have a Plan : Decide how you want to use your points in advance. A clear strategy helps you avoid wasting points and spend less on flights overall. Stay Up-to-Date : Join aviation blogs and forums to keep yourself informed on the latest news regarding AVIOS points and smart travel tips. Final Thoughts Friends and family will tell me from time to time that there isn't any availability for AVIOS points spend. There is availability - by booking well in advance most flights will offer a minimum of 8 economy seats as AVIOS bookings. As illustrated by my initial AVIOS searches - there is masses of availability. Booking well in advance that Using AVIOS points to book flights can lead to massive savings - allowing you to travel more. Take the time to explore your own options with AVIOS points. You may find fantastic ways to see the world that won't strain your budget. Happy travels!

We’ve decided to go to Athens - June 2026. We’ll need return flights from the UK to Athens, and hotel accommodation in Athens. This post walks through the process I follow to book accommodation leveraging my Genius Level 3 status on booking.com . We prefer to book well in advance to get best prices, and opt for a free cancellation rate. Booking.com is my go to website. We also generally prefer hotel stays. TL;DR In this post I walk through how I find properties that suit my requirements, and ensure that I am getting best price. Let me share my process. Before diving into the booking process, it’s essential to take some time to assess your travel needs. These will vary with destination, time of year, who you are with etc. Are you looking for a romantic getaway, a family-friendly environment, or perhaps a solo adventure? Step 1 - Start with booking.com on a computer browser I initially open booking.com on a browser on a large computer screen. This is for ease of use as opposed to working on a much smaller mobile phone screen. My initial search criteria for are; Location - Athens Dates - My arrival and departure dates People - 2 adults This brings back an unsurprisingly large set of potential results - 5366 properties! I then use the filters down the left hand side of the booking.com screen to narrow the field to suit my wife and my requirements for Athens; Free Cancellation Hotels Guest reviews - 9+ (wonderful) This narrows the field further - down to 146 properties. For Athens pricing is quite competitive and has a broad range - I remove properties over £150/night and sort in ascending order. I now have 41 properties that appear to meet my criteria - except its obvious that some are not hotels. I work through the list top down, ignoring non-hotels, and anything that has less than 100 reviews. I quickly find this as a suitable hotel - plenty of reviewers scoring it well. The proximity to the city centre is ideal, together with the subway access. Result of detailed search on booking.com Step 2 - Confirm Reviews I do a quick check on both google and Tripadvisor for consistency, and confirm the rating is similar. Step 3 - Try booking.com  on a mobile device Hurray - there is a "mobile only price", of £337, as there is only 2 rooms left, and its a free cancellation rate, I decide to book a slighter larger room for £341, and confirm, so as not to lose the price. The booking shows two discounts - £65.50 associated with my Genius status, and £37.12 mobile-only price. Note - the mobile-only price prevents using cashback sites - but I'm unlikely to get a guaranteed 10% back on any cashabck site. Step 3 - Check Alternative Approaches Google - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Opodo - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Tripadvisor - Not available to book - NOPE Trivago - Best price offered is £374 - NOPE Direct with the hotel - The large room is offered at £400 - NOPE I'm happy that I've got the best deal. Conclusion Finding the best value on Booking.com doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By understanding your travel needs, utilising the platform's filtering and mapping features, checking cancellation policies, reading reviews, taking advantage of deals, and being mindful of extra fees, you can uncover hidden gems that meet your expectations and budget. The next time you plan a trip, implement these strategies and enjoy the thrill of discovering great properties without overspending. Happy travels!

One of the first things after retirement was to start to action that bucket list of travel destinations that we'd built up over many years. Near the top was the Maldives - which frankly had been too expensive for us cost conscious value seeking travellers to consider without some major travel hacks. Making it even more difficult is that March is in peak season for visiting the Maldives - in both terms of availablity and cost. Significant pre-work would be required to ensure that it would be both an affordable but memorable holiday - you only do it once - right? TL;DR With the right strategies and a little resourcefulness, I knew that I would be able to take the dream and transform it into a reality without draining my bank account. Utilising loyalty programs like British Airways AVIOS and Hilton Honors points was the game-changer. Here’s how I made it happen and tips to help you save as you plan your own excursion to this stunning paradise. Laying the ground work With British Airways - I would need both status and points. Status - I won't go into this in any detail - as that ship has now sailed - and the method of acquiring status has changed significantly. However just to say that it involved a series of cheap business flights in a not so direct manner from Budapest, sleeping on the floor in JFK overnight for a few hours, and teamed with a couple of nights in Hawaii and the reversed. That along with a few other specifically chosen flights netted me GOLD status with BA. Points - I collect these through signing up with credit cards that reward with AVIOS bonus offers when spend targets are met. I have a rule of never carrying a balance and thus never paying any interest. With Hilton - I would again need status and points. Status - I contacted Hilton and asked for a status match with my BA status - this was granted with a reasonable target of 14 stays in 3 months. Thankfully as I was already retired - I had the time to combine this with a long distance cycle. The cycle route was purposely designed around staying at Hilton hotels to hit the total. That netted me DIAMOND status with Hilton, and pretty strong legs as I cycled UK to Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and back. Points - I tend to buy these through the Hilton site. A point, when on promotion will cost $0.5 cent, or roughly 0.3p, and you can buy up to 480,000 points in a calendar year. The Plan Flights With British Airways - there is one daily flight leaving from London Heathrow that arrives early in the morning Maldivian time. The cost of an economy return flight is just 60,000 AVIOS + £150, but seats are limited in number to 8 per flight. When the flights were released 01:00 UK time, I was awake and jumped on them straight away. I then used my GOLD status to select our preferred seats - two together, beside the window, at the back where the plane narrows. We also had access to the first class lounge in Heathrow and with an AVIOS booking there was no charge for our bags. Accomodation 5 nights at a Hilton A single night in an iconic over water villa at the Hilton Amingiri was approx $1300, so $6500 for 5 nights - if we were to have paid cash. However with Hilton Honor points the price per night was a much more palatable 110,000 Hilton Honors points. With my Diamond Status, I could take advantage of a points promotion of 5 nights for the price of 4 - so a total of 440,000 Hilton Honors points for 5 nights. I purchased the 440,000 points for $2200 or £1650, and booked. The additional benefit was that these reservations could be cancelled up to 2 weeks before travelling. With my status we got free breakfasts, and lovely evening cocktails, wine or beers together with some simple snacks. We paid for other food and drinks - which were on the expensive side - but every meal was memorable. There was also a mandatory charge for the speed boat transfers of $360 each. 1 night in Male We opted for an overnight in Male so that we could stay most of the day at the Amingiri resort, and it worked well with a late checkout. We stayed at the Premier Beehive - to be honest it wasn't more than a bed for the night - but included in the price was collection and return from the airport and breakfast. The Execution The BA flight landed in Male on time and we were seated comfortably on one of the dedicated Hilton boats out to the resort in no time at all, and settled late morning. A great 5 night stay. We left the resort late in the day, and stayed overnight in Male, taking the mid-morning flight home. Not yet accounted for... We spent approx £1300 between us on activities , memorable meals and excellent cocktails whilst at the resort. I received back approx £200 of Hilton points. Additional notes There was no need for specific travel insurance as I get that with my AMEX card. The overnight in Male allowed for a visit to the capital. With my GOLD BA status we could have taken 2 large suitcases each - but honestly you don't need a lot of clothes in the Maldives. The Maldivian climate is tropical, so lightweight clothing, swimwear, and protective beach gear were at the top of my packing list. Conclusion: The Art of Budget Travel In conclusion, planning a holiday in the Maldives on a budget is entirely feasible with a strategic approach. By leveraging British Airways status, AVIOS, Hilton Diamond Status, and Honors points paired with savvy travel tips and opportunities for cashback, I created an unforgettable experience without overspending. For those keen to explore this tropical paradise economically, the key lies in smart planning and utilizing the benefits of loyalty programs. With some research and the willingness to seek out deals, your dream holiday to the Maldives could be just within your reach! Colorful coral reef teeming with diverse marine life

When planning a holiday, sorting out cost effective transportation can be challenging. I always aim to find great deals, especially for car hire. My technique is to book my rental car well in advance and recheck prices periodically. Last night I applied the technique and saved a further £100+ off what I had accepted as already a good deal. Here’s the actual detail from my real world example. TL;DR I've a car booked with stressfreecarrental.com for 7 days in September, to be collected from and returned to Brindisi airport. I booked in February after shopping around for a few hours and got the car that I wanted - knowing that if I wanted to, I could easily cancel. The cost was £11.48 deposit online, with a further 199.74 Euros to pay on collection. Last night, as part of my regular checks of the 3 car rentals I've currently got booked, I checked current pricing for an equivalent booking - via skyscanner.com and found a similar car with a different supplier GotRentalCars.com - but for just £83. I booked it and cancelled the original booking. That's a £100+ saving for just 10mins work. I won't get cheaper than £13/day - so will take this particular booking off my regular checks. The Early Bird Gets the Worm Booking my vehicle several months before my travel date was the first step to getting a great deal. Car hire prices can fluctuate dramatically. It’s not uncommon for rates to increase as the departure date approaches, particularly during peak travel seasons. However they can also fall. I researched online and found a reputable car hire service that offered free cancellations and flexible bookings. Having the ability to cancel my booking without any penalty gave me peace of mind. I felt secure in my choice while also keeping the door open to better offers. Car parked on a scenic open road Keeping an Eye on Price Fluctuations I've made it a habit to check car hire prices, along with hotels, experiences and car parking every few weeks. Once you've benefited from this approach the habit naturally beds in. Thanks to the cancellable option, I canceled my original reservation and easily secured the new deal. The Best Part: Low-Risk, High-Reward This strategy combines low risk with high reward. By booking early, my transportation was already set. I could keep looking for better prices without the fear of getting stranded. Found this on the internet - A 2023 study found nearly 40% of frequent travelers use this same tactic, highlighting its effectiveness. Passengers often discuss finding value during their trips, and this approach exemplifies that. The option to cancel and rebook was key in getting the most for my money. I've learned that smart planning can lead to substantial savings, and more that it can be applied to hotel, car parking and experience bookings. The Emotional Satisfaction of a Great Deal Saving money on car hire is not just about the pounds saved; it’s about the satisfaction of making smart decisions. Each time I manage to secure a lower rate, I feel a sense of achievement - a travel superhero, overcoming the challenges of pricing to secure a great deal. It's not just a savings game; it’s about the pride that comes from being strategic and informed. Scenic road leading into the horizon What Makes a Great Cancellable Option? If this approach appeals to you, look for these key features in a cancellable car hire: Flexibility Choose a service that allows free cancellations and modifications. This way, you can adjust your booking if better deals arise. Check Pricing Regularly I do this manually as part of my other regular checks. I'd looked at services that do this for you - but didn't like the way that they would take-over your booking. Transparent Pricing Always check for hidden fees, different terms. Clear pricing helps you confidently make the decision to cancel and rebook. In Conclusion Getting a good deal doesn't have to be stressful. By booking my car hire early and keeping track of prices, its a simple process. If you are preparing for your next holiday, consider using this method for your car hire. It's effective and allows you to appreciate the value of your expenditure. Enjoy your travels!

Blue Lagoon Worth a visit - especially if transiting and only have a short time in Iceland. The water is a beautiful colour. Not sure of the quality of the mud at the bottom, given how many people have been in there. Having been a few times - I think there are better options if staying for a while. Reykjavik City Centre Worth a visit - lovely compact city centre to walk around, with plenty of options to eat and drink. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Park at the Reykjadalur Café, have a coffee and/or something to eat and then take the well trodden trail path 4km to the bathing area. Pretty cool experience. Bring a towel. Kerid Old volcano crater, with lake at bottom - nice for a quick stop and a walk around the rim, and then walk down to the water’s edge. Secret lagoon The not so secret lagoon is a nice place to visit, especially in the evening. A little cheaper than the Blue Lagoon and not as commercial. The water is a variety of different temperatures, allowing you to easily find somewhere that suits you best, There is a café. Sky Lagoon Newish, and now my favourite place for bathing in Iceland. Conveniently located close to Reykjavik - the 7 step spa ritual is both interesting and so enjoyable. Take your time, don’t rush, and what ever you do, don’t skip the cold plunge pool! Fishing trip in Iceland This was my favourite trip over all the times that we visited Iceland. Whilst it was summer time when we did it, it was still very cold. We used fishing rods to fish for Cod, and as a boat we were quite successful. Cod fillets were put into the BBQ, served with potatoes and butter on the way back into the harbour. Geysir Standard visit when in Iceland and not to be missed. I never tire of visiting this place. Gullfoss Again another standard visit when in Iceland. When in full flow this waterfall is so powerful, and is a magnificent sight and sound not to be missed. During winter when the flow is slow it is almost silent. Northern lights We’ve not been very successful with seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. In my opinion there are better places - such as Tromso, Norway to see the lights more successfully. Hot tub Getting a cabin with a hot tub isn’t to be missed. We’ve found winter time in Iceland with a good covering of snow, and even better a snow storm, to be the best time to be in the hot tub. Definitely all worth a visit - if you get a chance to visit this magical country. Happy travels!

TL;DR A short post on why you should park at the station in Bruges Details Details.... To park in Bruges using Interparking, the main options are the Interparking Brugge Station car park and the Centrum-Station car park . The station car park, which we opted to use, is the largest and located a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with an option for a free shuttle into town. The Centrum-Station car park is an 8-minute walk to the centre. Both allow for reservations - but to be honest the car parks are that large that it really isn't needed. Interparking Bruge Station: Location:  Located at the train station, a 10-minute walk from the city center. Size:  Large car park with 1,690 spaces. Cost:  The car park costs €7 per 24hrs and includes shuttle bus tickets for 2 into the city center. Shuttle:  A free shuttle bus operates between the station and the city center from 7:30 AM to 7 PM. Entry:  Located on the right after a large roundabout.  It’s all pretty standard, you get a ticket on entry, and on exit you pay what you owe. The machine has an option for English. The transfer bus leaves from the bus station and the free tickets are picked up there when showing your parking ticket. Bus lines 1 and 2 take you to the centre of Bruges. Bus line 1 (towards "Sint-Kruis") - get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, O.L.V. Kerk or Dijver Bus line 2 (towards "P+R Coiseau") - get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, O.L.V. Kerk, Dijver, Stadsschouwburg or Jan Van Eyckplein. Remember where you got off the transfer bus - so you know where to get back on, when returning.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - in exactly 1 year’s time. We are going to Iceland to see it. And in retirement we have the time to make a holiday out of it. For Reykjavík, the eclipse will run as follows - it really is fantastic that the timings can be so accurate and precise. 16:47:11 - Start of Partial Eclipse 17:48:16 - Start of Total Eclipse 17:48:47 - Maximum Eclipse 17:49:17 - End of Total Eclipse 18:47:40 - End of partial Eclipse So nearly 2 hours of an experience with the Total Eclipse lasting just 1 minute. We’ve visited Iceland maybe 5 or 6 times over the years - so we are quite familiar with the airport, car hire and accommodation - including the very changeable weather. Whilst flight availability and prices haven’t been released yet, I can see that accommodation is already expensive. And expensive for an already expensive place like Iceland translates to VERY expensive. I’m going to have to work some magic to get affordable flights and accommodation. To make it even more challenging our two adult kids are coming with us - so flights and accommodation for 4 are required. Read the related posts in this Eclipse category to understand how I apply my tried and tested approaches to getting good value for this and other unique travel plans. Happy travels!

The travel industry is changing rapidly, with more people looking for ways to explore the world sustainably. Havila Voyages' approach to this is its innovative Eco-Voyager Program. It's a little bit hidden away on their website - so this post focuses on the details of the program, and the positive effects it has on sustainable travel. TL;DR This post focuses on the details of the Havila Voyages Eco-Voyager Program, and the positive effects it has on sustainable travel. What is the Eco-Voyager Program? Havila Voyages' Eco-Voyager Program is a strong commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its Coastal Cruises. This initiative promotes sustainable tourism whilst allowing travellers to visit some of the most beautiful and untouched areas of the Norwegian coast. By adopting eco-friendly practices, Havila Voyages already ensures that its operations help the environment and support local communities. What can Guests do? For those who want to do more, Havila have made a helpful checklist to give guests the opportunity to partake in their Eco-Voyager Program. By adopting these practices whilst on board guests can make a big difference. Here's the checklist currently on the website; https://www.havilavoyages.com/sustainability/eco-voyager Room service every other day Less water and energy used to clean rooms and sheets Use lights when needed, unplug chargers. Reduces electricity consumption If you like, you can recycle your waste at the ship’s environmental stations. Avoids putting recyclable waste into general waste Reduce food waste – order as needed Separate blog post on this; https://www.retiredcormac.co.uk/post/havila-voyages-reducing-onboard-food-waste Engage in local culture, and sign up for the ship’s educational program Learn more about both historical and current sustainability measures that are practiced by the local communities Reuse towels, as much as you like Less water and energy used to clean towels Be mindful of water use during showers and brushing teeth Reduces the amount of water used on ship Use the screens for information instead of paper. Reduces the amount of paper used, and the materials and energy used in paper production Feel free to drink the water in your cabin, or from the dispensers on board. It is safe. Reduction in single use plastics Eco-excursions Gain valuable knowledge about sustainability efforts of others. The Positive Impact of the Eco-Voyager Sustainability Program It's a nice initiative that doesn't get in the way of enjoying the journey with Havila - in fact, it enhances it. In the words of Blur - "It gives an enormous sense of wellbeing (parklife) and then I'm happy for the rest of the day" Personally, I feel proud that on our last trip we pushed ourselves to get involved in this Program, adopting as many of the ideas from the tick sheet as we could. It's great to be one cog in the big machine that actually does make a real difference. Happy travels!

Havila offers a unique and thoughtfully curated dining experience, ensuring that guests enjoy excellent meals each day. Managing to feed all the ships guests breakfast, lunch and dinner needs some organisation behind it. TL;DR This blog post describes how Havila organises its main restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, whilst serving distinct menus that appeal to all within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Note - This post refers to the main restaurant - the Havrand, named after the point on the horizon where the sky meets the sea. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served here to the majority of guests. The Havrand restaurant offers a number of fixed dishes (i.e. are on the menu every day), and an additional number that match the four different coastal regions as the ship sails through. This means that the menu subtly changes during the voyage allowing guests to try something different for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, whilst always having a few fall back dishes. The regions that influence the food are; Flavours of the Fjords Flavours of the polar region Flavours of the Arctic Flavours of the archipelago Havila Breakfast Breakfast changed between our first and second trips. It is now organised so that you can help yourself to small plates of cold breakfast items. As many as you want and finish. And you separately order hot food and hot drinks, again as much as you want through the dinning assistants. The hot food then turns up to your table a few minutes later. In addition on the second trip the seating had changed - no longer do you have a reserved seat at your preferred time, its now an unreserved seat - so you tend to find yourself with a different set of people each day as there are very few tables for just 1 or 2. Food wise, there is pretty much everything that you'd expect to be served for breakfast. The cold items tended to vary a little each day, whilst the hot menu was the same each day. Havila Lunch Lunch was my favourite. In fact if we had a late breakfast I would tend to hold back a little so I could have a larger lunch! It was a tapas style affair - where you could order as many small dishes as you wanted. We tended to order five or six dishes between us, sharing a few of them, and then have a second or even a third round of dishes. Variety was good and changed every 3 days to match the coastal region being travelled through. Seating and timing preferences are agreed with the restaurant manager once boarded on your first day - so same time and same seat for lunch and dinner through out the journey. I believe you can change where you sit - subject to their being space elsewhere. Havila Dinner Dinner is a 3 course affair starter, main dish, and dessert. I was told via some facebook comments from more recent guests that you can ask for a larger main course if desired. Vegetables are served separately, and you can ask for more of these as well. Again - ordering as much as you finish. Additional Points If you buy a bottle of wine with any meal the dinning assistants are happy to seal, stick a label with your name on it and store at the right temperature for when you want to have another glass. To prevent food waste portions are small - think a thrid of what you imagine they should be, but you can have as many as you want. Best thing is you don't find yourself full struggling to finish half a bowl of cold chips. Havila places an emphasis on using local ingredients, which helps support sustainability. There are also a different range of choices available at the Cafe (Havly) and Fine Dining (Hildring) which I don't cover here. Final Thoughts All this is served in a spacious dining room situated toward the back of the ship, with floor to ceilling windows providing fantastic views. Window seats aren't necessary - the views can be appreciated from any seat in the restaurant. Opening hours Breakfast:  07:00 – 10:00 - Final seating 09:30 Lunch:  11:30 – 14:30 Dinner: 18:00 – 21:00 - Final seating 20:30 Happy travels!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to pick up a few tickets to see Pete Doherty using my stash of virgin red points that I mostly collected from taking out their credit card or booking trains. The tickets were a very reasonable 7,500 points - considering I have over 50,000 and very little else to do with them. I find using them for flying doesn’t match my needs as well as AVIOS does. When the offer came up I was pleased to be using them even though I wasn’t familiar with Pete Doherty of the Libertines - not my era. So off to London we popped and made a bit of a day of it. We chose to take a massively long walk on a beautiful day from Euston to London Bridge to soak up the atmosphere, punctuated with drink and food stops. I remember it as a long enjoyable walk - we had all day. The concert was on the roof of the News Building beside the Shard. I’m pretty sure I could see those urinals in one of the restaurants that allow for you to have a wee whilst admiring the London vista. A unique experience. There were only a few hundred people present, and the drinks flowed, though the nibbles were a bit of a disappointment. It was cool to watch the sun go down whilst the support band, and then Pete’s band put on a great show. Music - was good and enjoyable. The gig was also aired live on Virgin radio which book ended the all too short set quite effectively and before we knew it, it was time to depart. Tube back to Euston this time and train home. Collected some more points on those train tickets. Looking out for the next one on Virgin Red. Happy travels!

Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago in Norway, offers an extraordinary environment for its inhabitants – including their beloved pets. The lives of dogs and cats in this remote and beautiful location are very different. Spoiler - there are no cats! TL;DR In this blog post, I explore what it’s like to be a dog, and why there are no cats. 🐕 Dogs There are hundreds of dogs in Svalbard. The majority are working dogs used in Dog sledding and guided patrols. The breeds tend to be Siberian huskies, Green land dogs and Alaskan malamutes. These dogs live at the several dog yards outside of Longyearbyen - you can’t miss the dog yards - they are big and noisy. Male and female dogs are separated - to help manage the dogs and aid selective breeding. Each dog has its own wooden kennel, to which its 2 metre lead is attached. The dogs stay here all year - even during the harsh cold winters, some of the dogs even prefer to sleep outside, lying in a circle with its nose tucked under its tail. The dogs are primarily used for dog sledding which is a traditional and popular activity in Svalbard, especially in Longyearbyen, the main settlement - for winter transport, tourism excursions and dog sled racing. Dogs are exercised all year - with wheeled sledges used during the summer when snow covering is absent. In addition, because of the real danger of polar bears, dogs are used as early warning systems in remote areas or during wilderness walks or camping, their keen sense of smell and hearing will alert humans before bears get too close. There are a small number of dogs that are kept as pets, they usually live with the owner. They tend to be breeds that are more suited to living indoors. 🐈 Cats There are no cats allowed in Svalbard. From 1992 they were strictly prohibited from being imported. It’s the same story for ferets. This is due to the risk to the native bird population. However there is a story that a cat named Kesha  lived in the Russian settlement Barentsburg, to get around the law, his owners claimed he was an arctic fox on official documents. After his death in 2021, a handful of other cats still remained in Barentsburg, but no cats are permitted in Longyearbyen Happy travels!

Havila Voyages are committed to sustainability, at the outset they set an ambitious target to maintain food waste on board their ships at less than 75 grams per guest night. This commitment positions them as leaders in waste reduction practices within the maritime sector. TL;DR It was the sustainability efforts of Havila Voyages that first caught my attention when I researched my first journey on the Norwegian Coastal experience, and I was interested in how they were doing against their target Understanding the Challenge of Food Waste In the cruise industry, the potential for food waste is heightened due to the sheer volume of meals served daily. By tackling this challenge head-on, Havila Voyages not only seeks to reduce negative ecological impacts but also creates a more responsible travel experience. Their approach includes various strategies aimed at minimising waste efficiently - which was recently recognised when they were awarded the Q-Meieriene Food Saver of the Year Award 2024. No buffet food on Havila Voyages Implementing Sustainable Culinary Practices One key strategy Havila Voyages uses to limit food waste is sustainable culinary practices. For example, by utilising locally sourced ingredients, they ensure meals are fresh, reducing the likelihood of spoilage. Culinary teams are trained in techniques that minimise waste, such as batch cooking and creatively using leftovers. For instance, by repurposing unsold bread into croutons for salads, waste is minimised while enhancing menu variety. Focus on Guest Engagement Guest engagement plays a vital role in managing food waste at Havila Voyages. Without preaching, or frowning, they educate passengers about sustainable dining. With the exception of some breakfast items food is served directly to guests’ tables - there are no buffets. Guests are served smaller portions from a wide variety of menu options that vary during the cruise. Order what you can finish - you never leave hungry. This approach not only informs but also empowers guests to make mindful choices, fostering a cultural shift towards sustainability during their journey. Its a different approach - but simple and intuitive enough for guests to manage. Innovations in Waste Management Technology Havila Voyages uses food waste tracking systems to monitor waste patterns effectively. With this data, they can make better-informed decisions regarding food purchasing and preparation. For instance, if a particular dish consistently results in leftover food, they can adjust portion sizes or rework the menu to better fit guest preferences. Collaboration with Local Suppliers This practice not only results in fresher produce but also supports local economies. Fresh ingredients mean less spoilage, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals and helping to maintain their waste target. Continuous Monitoring and Reporting To stay on course with their waste reduction aims, Havila Voyages integrates ongoing monitoring and reporting mechanisms into their operations. By regularly analyzing waste data, they can make timely adjustments to improve efficiency. Regular reporting underscores their dedication to sustainable cruising, reassuring guests and stakeholders alike. So How Are Havila Doing? Through sustainable culinary practices, guest engagement, innovative technologies, focused feedback adaptation, and local sourcing, they are making significant strides in waste reduction. Year Waste 2021 60g 2022 71g 2023 58g 2024 68g 2025(Q1) 68g I'm proud that along with reducing food waste, switching our cabin lights off, avoiding frequent towel and bed sheet changes, that we as guests helped contribute to remain under 75g of food waste per guest night. Bravo Havila Voyages Happy travels!