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Terms and Conditions for ‘HolidayTaxis.com Travel Wordsearch Competition

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Carter

Terms and Conditions:

1. This competition is open to all residents of the UK aged 18 years or over, excluding employees or relatives of HolidayTaxis.com or associated companies or anyone professionally associated with this competition.

2. By entering this competition the entrant will be deemed to have read and understood these Terms and Conditions, and to be bound by them. These Terms and Conditions will be deemed to include the instructions on how to take part in the competition.

3. HolidayTaxis.com will not be responsible for transmission and/or computer error affecting the logging of entries to the competition. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

4. Responsibility cannot be accepted for entries invalidated by technical problems beyond the control of HolidayTaxis.com or problems with accessing the competition site.

5. All normal Internet connection charges associated with the submission of an entry to the competition shall be the entrant’s responsibility.

6. To win the competition, entrants should correctly identify all twelve travel-related words hidden in the wordsearch and email their answers to competitions@holidaytaxis.com by the closing date stated on the Facebook post. Entries sent by other methods will not be accepted. Of the entries that offer all correct answers, one will be chosen at random by an independent party to win a gift voucher from a specific retailer specified on the Facebook page for the monetary value explicitly stated on the Facebook page, to be spent by the winner. All decisions will be final and binding on the entrants and no correspondence will be entered into.

7. The winner must show proof of age on receipt of the prize.

8. The winner will announced on the Holiday Taxis Facebook page; the winner will also be notified via email or mobile and will be given instructions on procedures for receiving their prize.

9. If a winner cannot be located or does not respond within 7 days of notification, his/her prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant who will also be picked at random and again the judging panel will consist of two completely independent supervisors.

10. Details of the winner’s names and county of residence will be available by 10/06/13 by sending a stamped SAE to HolidayTaxis.com, Suite B, 2nd Floor, Moore House, 13 Black Lion St, Brighton, BN1 1ND (please reference the month you refering to).

11. The prizes are as stated. The prize is non-transferable and non-changeable.

12. HolidayTaxis.com and any associated companies cannot accept responsibility for any incidents resulting from claiming the prizes.

13. By entering this competition, entrants consent to the use of their name, without further compensation, in any promotion publicity and/or advertising carried out by HolidayTaxis.com.

14. The information that you supply will be held by HolidayTaxis.com for the purpose of this competition and direct marketing no information will be shared with 3rd parties.

15. HolidayTaxis.com and associated companies reserve the right to modify or terminate this competition at any time without prior notice.

16. HolidayTaxis.com has the rights to request and use an image of the winner for promotional and informative purposes.

17. HolidayTaxis.com takes no responsibility for any copyright infringement.

18. HolidayTaxis.com reserve the right to disqualify any entrant suspected to have, by any method, attempted to enter multiple times.

For further information and/or queries, please contact ecommerce@holidaytaxis.com

Posted in Terms and Conditions | Tagged &, conditions, term, terms, terms and conditions, word search, wordsearch | Leave a comment

Tell me about Kos…

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Carter

Kos is the third largest island in the Dodecanese island group, which also includes Rhodes. Whilst Rhodes is more widely visited by holidaymakers, Kos is as stunningly beautiful and its popularity rivals that of Rhodes. The island boasts a lively nightlife, to add to the outstanding beach life to be enjoyed at its resorts. Whilst some of these resorts, including Kardamena and Kos town, are popular with those seeking a party, for those wishing to visit Kos for some real peace and quiet, try the laid-back resort of Kefalos. Kefalos features coves and beautiful beaches and is just the ticket for a peaceful break, although, if you find yourself getting fidgety, Kefalos is also great for watersports, especially windsurfing, for which it has ideal conditions.

Kardamena is a resort ideally tailored to the Brit holidaymaker abroad, with no shortage of karaoke bars and nightclubs. Kos town is much the same, featuring the ‘Street Of Bars’ whose nickname is more than self-explanatory. If you do want to enjoy the nights as much as the days on your holiday in Kos, you could do worse than staying just three kilometres from Kos town, in the peaceful resort of Psalidi, lazing on the beach and working off that headache in the days, ready for a short walk to all the action after sunset.

The international airport for Kos, Kos International Hippocrates Airport, is situated about 27 kilometres from Kos town. As Kos is a relatively small island, airport transfers to all resorts are within easy reach with a pre-booked transfer, and this summer, HolidayTaxis.com is offering 10% off in our Sunshine sale, to a range of great, sunny holiday destinations including Kos and other Greek islands.

Families are advised to head to the resort of Taingaki, eleven kilometres from Kos, whose green and pleasant landscape and perfect beaches attract families seeking a place where the kids can build sandcastles and parents can soak up the sun. As a family, you will find yourself in good company here, with your children able to meet new friends on the beach and stay occupied for hours. Kos is not an island with zoos and waterparks and suchlike. However, this is, I’m sure most parents will agree, not necessarily a bad thing when youngsters gain so much pleasure from an entire day spent in the sand and emptying buckets of seawater into holes they dig.

It is also possible to take a day trip to nearby islands, including Rhodes, as well as many smaller islands. This is an ideal way to experience other places in the area, to explore, and to give yourself a break from the sun lounger (because, of course, that can get so exhausting!) You can enjoy horseriding as well, and, if you’re really on a ‘do something’ mission, then you may enjoy a visit to the Castle of the Knights of St John, at the entrance to Kos harbour, to experience some of Kos’s fascinating history.

In short, Kos is a perfect holiday destination for a variety of travellers. Whether you’re seeking ultimate peace and tranquility, somewhere to keep the kids amused while you get some well-earned rest, or if you just want to party the night away, Kos has something for everyone.

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged airport#, break, couple, families, Family, Greece, Holiday, Kos, minibus, minibuses, parties, party, shuttle, Shuttles, Taxi, taxis, Transfer, Transfers, trip | Leave a comment

The New Camp: Glamping and Beyond…

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Carter

Camping has had a makeover. Far from white plastic chairs and chemical toilets, sweating over tent pegs and shivering against the rain, a new camping phenomenon has been born. Glamping is the new trend in stylish, luxurious camping, with tents and yurts that, from the inside, would look more at home in a five star hotel. No damp sleeping bags on the lumpy ground here. Glamping is for those who would rather not forgo a real bed in their ‘great outdoors’ adventure. However, not all glamping is about poshing it up.

The idea has also grown to include holidays with a difference, where holidaymakers can totally relax in a rural, peaceful setting. There are glamping sites that are sort of themed, like Melusine Camping in Poitou-Charentes, France, just outside La Rochelle. Named after a fairy queen, this site has three medieval style pavilion tents, set in the middle of a wildflower meadow. There are also hammocks and sun loungers by an open-air swimming pool, as well as fire pits and picnic tables. The fairytale ambience of this site is what makes it unique, whilst other sites have their own inimitable USP’s.

Near to Antalya in Turkey, you can stay in a stunning beachfront treehouse. Activities to take part in, when you come down from the tree, include fishing and hiking. The site also has a bar and a barbecue grill, so you can enjoy cooking and dining al fresco, in the midst of a gorgeous Turkish orange grove. The surrounding area is teeming with lush forests and magnificent mountains, and is within easy reach of endless sandy beaches. The chance to sleep in your own treetop hideaway will take you right back to your childhood tree-climbing days, with the added pleasure of beautiful, tranquil, uncommercialised surroundings.

For the real hippie surfer dudes amongst us, Surf Algarve down in Portugal’s Costa Vicentina national park, near Faro, is a thoroughly chilled-out and entirely hippified experience. With sunrise and sunset yoga sessions, the choice of a large communal tipi, or secluded beachside camping spot to lay your head, as well as the endless opportunities for surfing, for certain folk, this place is heaven on earth. Even if surfing’s not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself, including mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching, canoeing, and a range of other water sports.

These are just a few examples of the wide choice of holiday camping retreats you can enjoy. With a bit more of a price tag than standard camping holidays, these sort of resorts offer unique experiences with an emphasis on engaging with nature, stress-relief and total relaxation. Some glamping sites offer spa treatments, whilst others offer you the chance to offset some of the cost of your stay by working on their organic farm. With a little research, it is easy to find a completely tailored camping holiday that meets your dreams. One thing is for certain, that when you choose a ‘glamping’-style holiday like those mentioned here, you are guaranteed an exclusive holiday that you are not likely to forget in a hurry!

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged airport#, break, camp, camping, couple, Europe, experience, Family, glamping, group, Holiday, kids, luxury, minibus, shuttle, sleep, Taxi, tent, Transfer, treehouse, trip, vacation, yoga, yurt | Leave a comment

Discovering Mayan Civilisation in Mexico

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Carter

A holiday in Cancun is the most awesome, envy-inspiring experience you can have. The powdery white sand and crystal clear blue waters are the stuff of dreams. This is why so many holidaymakers flock to the Mexican resort year after year. A heavily tourist-driven resort, however, Cancun itself is incredibly busy during peak season (December to April). Sitting on a crowded beach, no matter how beautiful that beach may be, can take the edge off the bliss, to say the least. Therefore, it is worth considering resorts an hour or two south of Cancun, which, along with being less crowded, are largely less expensive than those in Cancun’s ‘Hotel Zone’. Tulum, and Playa del Carmen (which caters for the all-inclusive crowd), are leading resorts outside of Cancun itself, as is Mérida in Yucatan, although this is an airline flight away.

Whilst Cancun is famous for its lively nightlife and its beaches, it is also a gateway to the ancient ruins of the lost Mayan civilisation. No trip to the area would be complete without seeing the historic relics, which are among the Seven Wonders of the World. As you would expect, there are plenty of daily tours to the ruins of Chichen Itza and the Pyramids of Kukulcan from Cancun, and from Playa del Carmen. It is perfectly possible to make your own way to the Mayan ruins, despite them being one hundred and fifty miles from Cancun. Catch the bus bound for Merida, or hire a car for the journey. Be sure to time your trip to arrive before nine am, as this is when the organised tours arrive. Of course, the organised tours are fine, but it depends on whether you want to experience the ruins as part of a large group of tourists, or independently.

Once you arrive, the main sites to see should include the Pyramid of Kukulcan (aka El Castillo). As the most famous, and in itself one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is not to be missed. At times, it is possible to climb the pyramid; however at other times climbing is banned. You’ll have to check before you try! Next, see the Cenote of Sacrifice, where the Mayans performed human sacrifices to their rain god. After that, try to see as many of the other temples, palaces and sweat lodges (‘zumbul’) as you can. Make sure that you bring plenty of bottled water with you, as well as a sun hat and sun cream. You will find yourself spending quite a long time out in the sun, likely with little shade.

Other Mayan sites to visit include Coba, about 90km from Chichen Itza (and 2.5hrs drive from Cancun), which is composed of the remains of various Mayan communities. There is also Ek Balam, Tulum and Kohunlich. Unless you are in Mexico specifically to visit the ruins, it may be difficult to reach all of the different sites. Chichen Itza and Tulum are perhaps the most widely-visited, but each site has its own unique qualities, so deciding on which you would like to see the most is simply a case of personal preference. After a long day of travel and sightseeing, no doubt you will be glad to spend the rest of your holiday sipping cocktails in the shade, happy that you ticked one great sight off your bucket list!

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged Airport cancellations, airport#, chichen itza, civilisation, coach, coba, ek balau, el castillo, Holiday, jungle, kohunlich, kukulcan, limousine airport transfer, maya, mayan, merida, Mexico, minibus, minibus airport transfers, private airport transfer, pyramid, pyramids, ruins, seven wonders of the world, shuttle, Taxi, taxi transfer, Transfer, tulum | Leave a comment

Hip in Berlin

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carter

Berlin is renowned for its creative and bohemian atmosphere, and you are certain to find yourself feeling like Alice in Wonderland as you explore all the wonders and delights on offer in the city. From sobering sites dedicated to Berlin’s cultural and historical heritage, such as the events of the Second World War, and the Berlin Wall, to the city’s outstanding nightlife, there is enough in Berlin to keep you exploring for months. As the chances are you’ll be coming for a city break over a few days, we’ve narrowed down five places you really must check out on your trip to Berlin.

Nowkölln Flowmarkt

As other flea markets in the city have reached the apex of their popularity, become overcrowded and then begun to decline in fashionability, so has risen the flea market at Neukölln. Taking place every third Sunday of the month, the Nowkölln Flowmarkt is the ultimate place to browse for everything from 1950’s ornaments to vintage books and records. Neukölln district is inhabited by cool international artists and trendsetters, making it not only a great place to pick up a bargain, but also to people-watch and to engage in debate and discussion with free-thinkers and creatives. A real cultural hub to stay in, the Neukölln district is just a twenty minute drive by private taxi transfer from Berlin Schoenefeld airport.

Aufsurtz

With over a hundred different varieties and flavours of beer, as well as a cracking choice of food, Aufsurtz is not only a bar/restaurant. The venue also hosts exhibitions of sculpture, photography, painting, installations and collages, with an additional club area presenting concerts in a range of musical genres. Their beers include such wonders as banana beer, smoked beer and a delicious Ghanian beer named ‘Dju Dju’ which comes in mango and passionfruit flavours.

Hanf Museum

From beer, to something a little more, um, ‘unconventional’. In Mitte, you will find the hemp museum, which exhibits exclusively on the agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing uses of the much-maligned herb. There is also information on hemp’s troubled legal history, paying particular attention to the complexities surrounding the use of the THC-rich varieties. The ‘Lesecafé’ (reading cafe) at the end of the exhibition includes a small artists’ gallery, and sells some delicious cakes, some of which are spiced up with the obvious extra ingredient.

Zeiss-Grossplanetarium

After visiting the café at the Hanf Museum, you may wish to consider heading directly to the planetarium to enjoy a spectacular astronomical show in the auditorium. Whilst many of the planetarium’s changing exhibitions are only available in German, the auditiorium shows are for everyone. As one of the largest stellar theatres in Europe, the Zeiss-Grossplanetarium is set within a futuristic metallic dome-shaped building, which, at the least, makes it an easy landmark to spot.

Holocaust Memorial

Peter Eisenmann’s breathtaking installation “Denkmal für die emordeten Juden Europas”, is a sobering memorial to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Opened in 2005, and situated over nearly 20,000 square metres of city block, the installation comprises 2,711 ‘stelae’ or concrete slabs. These are arranged in undulating rows of varying heights, tilting and differing angles, making them reminiscent of the tightly packed headstones in Prague’s Old Jewish cemetery. Walking amongst the slabs, one feels a real sense of abandonment and isolation. The sheer scale of the installation itself, set out in insistent row upon row of cold concrete, implies a loss of humanity in the face of relentless adherence to order. For a more thought-provoking engagement with Berlin’s history, a visit to this awe-inspiring work is a real must.

Whichever way you plan to enjoy Berlin, it is inevitable that you will find yourself engaging with the city’s rich cultural fabric. From its museums and historical sites, to its bars, restaurants and clubs, one thing is for certain. A trip to Berlin will leave you feeling inspired, invigorated, and, depending on how heavily you enjoy the city’s pleasures, both exhausted and simultaneously ready to do it all again!

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged airport#, art, artist, Berlin, city break, culture, fleamarket, Germany, hip, hipster, Holiday, installation, minibus, museum, nightlife, private, schonefeld, Taxi, taxis, Transfer, trendsetter, trendy | Leave a comment

Top 5 Tenerife Resorts

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Carter

Playa de Las Americas

Truly, Playa de las Americas needs no introduction. From the long, sandy beach itself, teeming with suntanned bodies, beach and watersports and lined with kiosks and beach bars, to the resort’s famous nightlife, Playa de las Americas really is the place to be. Much of the activities available for families, as well as adults, circles around Playa de las Americas. However, if you are seeking a quiet, relaxing holiday, you may wish to consider trying elsewhere.

Santa Cruz

The cosmopolitan capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz is the island’s answer to a city break location. With plenty of historic sites, museums and religious architecture to visit, as well as a profusion of excellent restaurants and cafes, Santa Cruz is a great destination for couples and older groups. If you are hoping to soak up some culture on your Tenerife trip, then Santa Cruz is the ideal place. Situated just twenty minutes drive from Los Rodeos airport, reaching your accommodation with a pre-booked transfer couldn’t be easier.

Puerto de la Cruz

On the north coast of the island, twenty three miles from Santa Cruz, the former fishing village of Puerto de la Cruz is a happy medium between the cosmopolita of Santa Cruz and the beach and bar revelry of Playa de las Americas. The Old Town of Puerto de la Cruz features busy, narrow cobbled streets filled with fascinating colonial architecture. The botanical gardens in the town date back to 1788 and are a lush, green place to relax. The Plaza del Charco is the hub of the town, with restaurants, a kids’ playground, kiosks and amusements. It is also the site of February’s Carnavale celebrations. Puerto de la Cruz is also home to Jardin beach, which is peaceful, lined with cafes and bars, and a great place to get a suntan!

Los Cristianos

Back on the south of the island, Los Cristianos offers two black volcanic sand beaches, as well as a multitude of bars and restaurants that make it the leading rival of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos initially shot to fame in the late 1950s, when it became popular as a location for convelescence for ailing Swedes. The two main beaches of Playa de los Cristianos and Las Vistas boast a number of facilities, including watersports, a children’s play area and beach volleyball. Los Cristianos is also a good location for shopping, as one of the major commercial centres on the island.

Adeje

Just north west of Los Cristianos and Las Américas, Adeje is home to some of the best beaches on the south of the island. Its scenery is generally one of outstanding beauty, including the presence of a small natural waterfall outside the village. From its architecture to the peaks that line the horizon, the beauty of Adeje is central to the experience of the area. A more relaxing and peaceful location, Adeje is the place for golf, good food, long walks and whale watching.

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged abroad, adeje, airport#, amusement, attraction, canaries, Canary Islands, capital, Family, group, Holiday, los cristianos, minibus, party, playa de las americas, puerto de la cruz, relaxing, Resort, santa cruz, shuttle, sights, Spain, summer, Taxi, taxis, Tenerife, transfe4r, Transfer, Transfers, trip | Leave a comment

Exotic Wild Animal Encounters

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Carter

For animal lovers and thrillseekers, there are few more breathtaking sights than this world’s most magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. From under the sea to high in the mountains, travellers have been seeking out encounters with the finest beasts of the animal kingdom for generations. So here’s our guide to the best places to go for a real life David Attenborough moment of your own.

Diving in a cage surrounded by sharks may not be for everyone, but for the daredevils amongst us, heading to South Africa to get up close and personal with sharks is high on the bucket list. However, for an underwater encounter with more ‘ahhh’ than ‘arrrghhh!’ head to Mexico’s Riveiera Maya, to one of the Dolphin Discovery Centres. Here, you can swim with, or simply observe, dolphins in their natural environment, rather than the constructed captivity of the Florida aquariums or Hawaiian waterparks. Plenty of holiday destinations in Europe offer you the chance to swim in an enclosure with dolphins, but for the real deal, Mexico, or the Bahamas, New Zealand and western Australia, are the places to go.

If whales are more your thing, Hermanus, in South Africa, is one of the most sought-after destinations for whale watching. Home of the endangered Southern Right whale, there are plenty of opportunities for spotting these exquisite animals, as well as enjoying a spot of cage diving for sharks if you fancy. Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town International Airport, a stay in Hermanus is an ideal holiday destination, offering everything from stunning, scenic beauty to shopping, upmarket hotels and no shortage of adventure experiences.

Coming up for air, South Africa is, of course, a prime location for encountering elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos. A trip to Kruger National Park is a favourite with visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of Africa’s finest. There are plenty of so-called ‘elephant camps’ in Asian destinations such as Kanchanaburi, Lampang, Surinam, Khao Sok and Chaing Rai, where gentle rides and treks through the countryside on the largest of land mammals are a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Elephant Nature Park just outside Chaing Mai, allows you to wash, feed and even take part in overnight visits with the elephants.

Back in Africa, further north in Tanzania, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the awe-inspiring wildebeest migration across the Serengheti plains. Each year, over 1.4 million wildebeest, in addition to 200,000 zebra and gazelle, stampede across the plains in search of fresh grazing and water. Depending upon what time of year you come, guides will bend over backwards to make sure you catch sight of this incredible migration.

Four hundred and eighty two miles away, in Uganda, a completely different animal experience awaits. A three day trek into the jungle, tracing the trail of mountain gorillas on foot, is an unbelievable experience, but not for the faint hearted. If you’re prepared to cope with altitude sickness, creepy crawlies and suffocating heat, the rewards of encountering gorillas in the mist, is a sight you will never forget.

Your opportunities to experience the natural wonders of the world first hand are endless. Just a quick search online can have you planning your gorilla trek or elephant ride, or one of a million other incredible experiences, starting today. No matter where in the world you decide to travel for your encounter, there is one thing you should be certain not to forget… and that’s your transfer!

Posted in Exciting Posts | Tagged africa, airport#, animal, asia, backpacking, cape town, chaing mai, elephant, encounter, experience, gorilla, minibus, shuttle, south, South Africa, Taxi, Transfer, travel, trek, trip, visit, wildebeest | Leave a comment

Terms and Conditions for ‘Taxis Tuesday Travel Trivia’ Quiz Competitions

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Carter

Terms and Conditions:

3. HolidayTaxis.com will not be responsible for transmission and/or computer error affecting the logging of entries to the competition. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

4. Responsibility cannot be accepted for entries invalidated by technical problems beyond the control of HolidayTaxis.com or problems with accessing the competition site.

5. All normal Internet connection charges associated with the submission of an entry to the competition shall be the entrant’s responsibility.

6. To win the competition, entrants should answer all ten questions correctly and email their answers to competitions@holidaytaxis.com by the closing date stated on the Facebook post. Entries sent by other methods will not be accepted. Of the entries that offer all correct answers, one will be chosen at random by an independent party to win a gift voucher to be spent by the winner. All decisions will be final and binding on the entrants and no correspondence will be entered into.