Airports can be very large these days and people often have to walk a considerable distance with their luggage, frequently pulling a suitcase with one hand and carrying another bag in the other. Conventional cases with their tiny wheels and pull up handles are difficult to manoeuvre, sometimes fall over and are very difficult to lug up stairs. Moving a fully-packed case weighing up to 23kg places a considerable strain on the user. To travel like this assumes a level of fitness which not everyone is blessed with. As we age and still wish to travel, our journeys through airports and stations can become problematical. Even the young and robust aren’t immune to arm and neck strain from the effort of dragging and lifting heavy luggage, and surely everyone would prefer to keep one hand free, instead of having to put something down to accomplish simple tasks like paying for a newspaper or handing over passports or tickets.

Live Luggage realised what people really require from luggage is stability, manoeuvrability, and flexibility. So it designed and engineered a completely new range of suitcases literally from the ground up. After six years, the result is stylish luggage, flexible enough to cope with everything from a day trip to a two or three week holiday, with high-tech innovations to help prevent health problems caused by pulling heavy bags around. Live Luggage invested around two kilos’ worth of weight allowance in the actual case and associated technological breakthroughs, devised a proper handle system on a stable chassis and pioneered powered wheels. 85% of the packed weight in a Live Luggage case rests over the wheels instead of on the user, thanks to the properly-engineered fully injection-moulded handle system (the Anti-Gravity handle). The result – no hassle, no struggling – no health issues such as backache and shoulder problems. Live Luggage PA (power-assisted) cases also have pan-cake motors built in to the large flat wheels, giving power-assistance for going up gradients: intelligently driven with torque sensors and tilt switches, the wheels only power up when a step or gradient is sensed. The weight of the packed case feels like virtually nothing. Safe, rechargeable batteries last for around 1.5 miles on a single charge.

The multi-bag zip system of Live Luggage’s Hybrid bag is a breakthrough in functionality designed to cope with airlines’ continued changes of weight and “number of items of hand luggage” policies. Made from tested and proven ballistic lightweight nylon, the Live Luggage Hybrid Bag comprises a capacious main case with a removable laptop bag and a weekend luggage bag, which can be checked in as a single piece of luggage or alternatively zipped off to be carried as either one or two pieces of hand luggage. It’s a very neat way of buying three different bags in one, which can used separately all year round.

Live Luggage cases are stylish designer bags, designed by British engineers and built in Britain so people can travel safely and flexibly anywhere in the world. The Hybrid Bag is available in black with a choice of black, yellow, white, pink or red handles. Two versions are available: The Hybrid PA (power-assisted) Bag, with powered wheels and anti-gravity handle at £395, and the Hybrid AG (anti-gravity handle) Bag, priced at £250.

Live luggage…because the world is not flat

Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” announced a new route from Edinburgh to Vilnius (Lithuania), commencing 28 of March.

“The “Star1 Airlines” decision to launch direct flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius will definitely help to attract more tourists from Scotland to Lithuania. We are happy to cooperate with them marketing Lithuania to the Scottish travel trade and travel writers.” – states Augusta Jaudegyte, the Director of Lithuanian National Tourism Office in the UK.

“Our constantly expanding market share and growing passenger flow enables “Star1 Airlines” to establish itself as the only Lithuanian low-cost airline and further develop new routes and services. We believe that low fares of flights combined with the high quality of service and individual attention to each client offers us a strong competitive position”, Martynas Laivys, the head of the company said.

The airline does not charge for luggage – one suitcase not exceeding 20 kg will be carried free of charge. “This is particularly important to our customers who travel for business or leisure purposes. Free luggage and flight check-in are some of our advantages which bring down the costs for each traveller”, says the head of “Star1 Airlines”.

“Star1 Airlines” will launch its regular flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius from 28 March on Thursdays and Sundays (as of May 7 – on Fridays and Sundays). Fares to Edinburgh including all fees start from just 99 litas (£25). For booking, visit www.star1.aero or call +44 1293 874 986.
Apart from Edinburgh, “Star1 Airlines” also operates direct flights from Vilnius to London (Stansted), Milan (Malpensa) and restores summer season flights to Dublin and Girona (Barcelona).

Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” belongs to the Star Team Group of companies which also owns a tour operator “Star1 Holidays”. During the first six months of operations, the company has carried nearly 66 thousand of passengers in its scheduled and charter flights, while the period’s turnover amounted to 28 million litas.

The Dorchester Spa, London’s most distinguished destination spa, will be celebrating Father’s Day with a special offer for June 2010. Throughout the month, Fathers booked for a ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ treatment by Aromatherapy Associates will receive a complimentary Aromatherapy Associates ‘De-Stress Muscle Gel’ to continue the treatment benefits at home.

The ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ is a deeply restorative body treatment for the sports enthusiast or overworked father to help relieve tight, stressed limbs by dispersing the build-up of lactic acid. Swedish and cross muscle-fibre massage, stretching and draining techniques, are used in combination with highly therapeutic essential oil blends for deeper, longer lasting results. The Aromatherapy Associates ‘De-Stress Muscle Gel’ used during treatment contains essential oils of black pepper, rosemary and ginger for their stimulating benefits to the circulation providing a warm, soothing effect to help relieve muscular aches and tension.

The Dorchester Spa’s Aromatherapy Associates ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ is available as a 55 minute treatment priced at £110, or as 1 hour 25 minute treatment priced at £155. Gift certificates can be purchased on line or direct with The Dorchester Spa reception; the perfect Father’s Day gift.

For reservations and further information, please contact The Dorchester Spa on +44 20 7319 7109 or email spa@thedorchester.com. To see the Spa Treatment Menu, please visit www.thedorchester.com.

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, the official hotel partner of the Frieze Art Fair, is proud to present Perspectives, the second exhibition that it has developed in partnership with the leading cultural consultancy Candlestar. Perspectives explores ideas of expectation and illusion, with each of the works featured not quite as it first appears.

Exhibited in the lobby of the hotel, this exhibition portrays graphic images that, under close scrutiny appear, to shift and flip; a collection of boxes that becomes a cabinet of curiosities; and an angel turns into a meticulously made replica of a bombed and beaten city. Apparently abstract paintings reveal themselves as photographs of toxic lakes, rendered via a disorientating aerial perspective, while seemingly straightforward copies of works by Piranesi turn out to be a meticulous digital collage of hundreds of photographs.

Perspectives features five highly distinctive artists – two photographers, Emily Allchurch and David Maisel and two painters Patrick Hughes and Gerry Judah, as well as, the Prague-based Iranian installation artist Yassi Golshani. Each of these fastidious, exacting artists painstakingly constructs a world and then delights in breaking the illusion – either literally, as in the paintings of Gerry Judah where tiny precise cities are built up and then broken down on the canvas, or more subversively, as in Emily Allchurch’s Urban Chiaroscuro, where surveillance cameras and mirrors, modern signs and graffiti, and other contemporary details are positioned within what is apparently an 18th century etching.

All of the works featured in Perspectives are for sale and the exhibition will be hung from 15 March until the beginning of July 2010.

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill has been the official hotel partner of Frieze Art Fair since 2008.

Funny Women finalists Domestic Goddi will be appearing at the Londa Hotel in Limassol Cyprus for a night of hilarious comedy on 24 April. Comprising of BBC Comedy Award winner HELEN O’BRIEN and Stage Award nominee GENEVIEVE SWALLOW, the talented duo promise unique sketches and a uniquely ironic look at coping with 21st Century living.

The one night show in April is the latest in a four year series of comedy shows at the Londa Hotel staged for both guests and local clientele. The shows also raise funds for the Cyprus Anticancer Society. The Londa has an exclusive partnership with leading promoters of female comedy, Funny Women, resulting in a very popular series of events at the hotel featuring some of the UK’s top comedians.

Gathering inspiration from a variety of television shows, adverts and stereotypes, Domestic Goddi promise a night of seamlessly funny sketches.

The event will be kindly supported by M.Y. Bunkers, a Limassol-based marine fuel services company that provides unique fuel management services to the international shipping industry. Tickets cost €10.00 and all proceeds will be donated to the Cyprus Anticancer Society, www.anticancersociety.org.cy. To see Domestic Goddi perform, please contact Mr George Ellinas, tel: (+357) 25 865 555. The show starts at 8.30 pm in the Alpha Omega Ballroom.

Jochen Niemann, General Manager of the Londa comments, “We’re delighted that we have been able to attract this unique act to Cyprus to perform at the Londa. Our award-winning* contemporary boutique hotel with its lively outlets is the perfect place for this type of entertainment, and our exclusive partnership with Funny Women means that the Londa is the only place in Cyprus to see some of the best names on the comedy scene.”

Funny Women runs the UK’s only dedicated new talent competition for female comedy talent and is now in its 8th year. Their awards have become a platform for launching the careers of a great number of artistes.

All Funny Women events aim to raise money and awareness for causes that affect women.
For more information visit www.funnywomen.com www.londahotel.com www.mybunkers.com

- Icelandic economic situation puts Iceland as a value destination in the spotlight

Iceland’s leading airline, Icelandair, has seen an increase in UK sales over the past year since the Icelandic economic situation has brought increased attention to the destination.

Travellers are flocking to Iceland due to the favourable currency exchange rate for UK visitors which has also been confirmed by the Lonely Planet World Travel Guide choosing Iceland as the 2010 best value destination for 2010.

“It seems that in the middle of the media interest we have been able to communicate the fact that this is a great time to visit Iceland, because as a traveller you simply get more for your money than ever before”, says Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair.

Hjorvar Saeberg Hognason, General Manager UK, added, “If you compare what a pound got you on 1st February 2008 to 1st February 2010, you see an increase of 57%, so you can see why UK passengers are heading to Iceland in droves to experience the breathtaking nature and enjoy activities like searching for the northern lights. Whale watching season is just around the corner so we hope to see many travellers heading over to see the whales and amazing birdlife.”

Last week Icelandair added another three percent to its flight schedule, which was already ten percent up from last year, as a reaction to the rising interest in Iceland tourism.

Icelandair is one of Iceland’s longest established companies, connecting the world and Iceland for over 70 years.
For more information on Icelandair and to book flights visit www.icelandair.com

The Co-operative Travel is offering double membership points on any summer holiday booked from its new tour operation before 31 March – which means a point for every pound spent. Last year each point was worth two pence, meaning a £20 return on a holiday costing £1,000.

For details call 0844 742 2030 or visit www.co operativetravelholidays.co.uk

Couples that play together really are more likely to stay together reveals a new study by easyJet.

In the wake of the recent run of celebrity marriage break-ups, the low-fares airline has conducted a UK-wide survey* to discover the true secret of staying together.

The results indicated that marital bliss is much more likely if couples indulge in at least one holiday together a year. 81 per cent of people surveyed said that they felt their most recent holiday had bought them closer to their partner and strengthened their relationship.

In addition, the majority of people who had been on holiday with their partner within the last six months rated their current happiness as a couple as nine out of 10 – this dropped to an average of seven out of 10 for couples who hadn’t been away together for more than 12 months.

The findings are echoed by the recent spate of high profile marriage breakdowns. Cheryl and Ashley Cole’s most recent holiday together before their split was the ill-fated group holiday to the South of France in June 2009 with the Terrys, Wayne Bridge and Vanessa Perroncel. Prior to this, they hadn’t been away alone together for more than a year – with Cheryl choosing to holiday with the girls in Thailand after Ashley’s indiscretions first came to light in 2008.

Similarly, Katie Price and Peter Andre split up in May 2009 after returning from a trip to LA where, rather than relaxing together, their time was spent apart as Peter recorded his new album.

In contrast, it seems that celebrity partnerships that have gone the distance place a lot of importance on regular holidays together. Jamie and Jools Oliver, who have been married for over nine years and have three children together, ensure they have a family holiday every year.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, who married in 2000, spend part of every summer with their kids at their holiday home in Majorca and Elton John and David Furnish, who have been together since 1993, can regularly be found holidaying together in Saint Tropez.

Paul Simmons, easyJet’s UK general manager, comments: “Holidays can often strengthen relationships as they allow couples to spend quality time together away from other distractions such as work and family.

“Whether it’s a weekend city break or a fortnight in the sun, a holiday provides couples with the opportunity to relax and appreciate each other in a new setting allowing them to reignite the spark!”

When it comes to air travel it seems that, although we complain about hidden charges, the budget airlines are gradually educating travellers to accept such charges for services that were once part of the headline flight price, according to new research released by BDRC Continental.

Budget airline travellers stressed more than anything else that they would like to see fewer hidden charges added to their ticket, yet budget airlines are still managing to convince customers that paying extra for an ever-widening range of services is acceptable.

Carried out in January, the survey asked travellers what extra charges are acceptable once they had paid for the flight. And the results suggest that some customers are prepared to pay for almost anything. 66% now think it acceptable to be charged for an extra item of hand luggage, 61% consider it appropriate to ask people to dig a little deeper in their pockets for priority boarding and 53% would accept the principle of additional charges for seat reservations.

There are now also significant numbers who feel it is acceptable to be charged for the privilege of being checked in by a member of staff (25%), to check in a bag at all (18%) and to pay for a ticket via a credit (26%) or debit card (15%) -see below.

When purchasing airline tickets extras are often charged separately. Which of these do you think are acceptable to charge for as extras on your ticket price?

66% An extra item of hand luggage
61% Priority boarding
53% A seat reservation charge
50% Surcharge on people over a certain weight
29% A carbon off-setting charge
27% Assistance to aircraft if have mobility problems
26% Paying for ticket on a credit card charge
25% To be checked in via a member of staff
18% To check in a bag
15% Paying for ticket on a debit card

Source: BDRC Continental (Q19) Base: All 20-64 year old online users (1005)

Steve Mills, Director of the Tourism, Travel and Leisure Team at BDRC Continental says: “Who would have thought five years ago that a quarter of us would now find it acceptable to pay extra just to be checked in? We all like to moan about these charges for ‘extras’, but the fact is those of us looking for bargain flights still look at the headline flight price when choosing an airline and neither have the time nor inclination to work out the final amount you end up being charged. The fact that this ‘unbundling’ of flight charges seems to be increasingly accepted by the public suggests that this practice is only likely to become more commonplace.”

So, how do these additional charges add up?

An extra item of hand luggage From £6.50 to £70 each way
Priority boarding From £4 to £16
A seat reservation charge From £4.50 to £10
A carbon off-setting charge Depending on flight distance – (e.g. flight from LGW to Alicante = £3.12 per passenger)
Paying for ticket on a credit card charge From 2.5% of transaction to £10
To be checked in via a member of staff From £6 to £80
To check in a bag From £8 to £15
Paying for ticket on a debit card From £2.95 to £10

So, in essence, a traveller could be paying in the region of an extra £284.12 on top of the ticket price – not such a budget conscious option after all.

We don’t even generally like travelling on budget airlines, with the survey finding that 49% of those with an opinion of budget airlines had not enjoyed their experience, compared with only 23% among scheduled airline travellers. However, further lowering prices seems to trump all quality measures when it comes to aspects that the public would like to see improved – for both budget and scheduled airlines.

Blue Chip Vacations has released its top ten new Cornish properties for 2010 including stunning period houses, cosy cottages, chic coastal apartments and contemporary custom-built lodges, all of which are available for press visits and reviews.

1. By Farthi Best – New for 2010
Farthings is a stunning three bedroom cottage, which features a charming additional child’s room and bed.
Located right on the beach at Ready Money Cove in Fowey, Farthings house has good access to the National Trust Coastal Path, the beach, which is 30 yards away, and Fowey town centre.

Inside, Farthings has a beautiful open plan living, dining and kitchen area on the first floor, which has double doors that open up onto a balcony overlooking the sweet and secluded beach. A lovely wood burning stove keeps guest toasty and warm at night, and the flatscreen TV, DVD player and IPod sound system help to entertain in the brief moments away from the beach. The bedrooms are quirky and use the unique shape and features within this wonderful house to stunning effect.

Outside, Farthings has a hot and cold outdoor shower, perfect for washing off sand, and an enclosed courtyard, which acts as a perfect sun trap.

Farthings sleeps six and can be booked for seven nights from £788 (£131pp), or for three nights from £557 (£92pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/penzance/golden-sands.html

2. Grand Design – New for 2010
Curlew Point is one of those properties that could so easily have featured on Grands Designs. This amazing four bedroom house enjoys uninterrupted views of the South Cornwall Coastline and is only a short walk from the traditional Cornish village of Downderry, situated on the outskirts of Looe between Saltash and Liskeard.

Inside, the spacious living spaces each have access to the impressive balcony, which leads out to the lower decked and garden areas. A wood burning stove helps to make for a warm and cosy atmosphere during the winter months, and the 42” flatscreen TV, DVD player, CD player and IPod docking station provide plenty of entertainment at night or on wetter days. The open plan kitchen and dining areas each enjoy spectacular views. The bedrooms are large and spacious and the bathrooms have every convenience imaginable.

Outside, the property has direct access to the South West Coast Path. The beaches of Whitsand Bay and Seaton are both within a short walking distance, and Whitsand Bay Golf Course at Portwinkle, is close by.

Curlew Point sleeps eight and can be booked for seven nights from £788 per week (£98pp), or for three nights from £557 (69pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/whitsand-bay-downderry/curlew-point.html

3. Classic Cornish Cottage – New for 2010
Bryher Cottage is a beautiful barn conversion situated in the picturesque village of St. Mawgan. It has beams throughout, large bright and airy rooms, a toasty log burning stove and a fabulous 70 foot enclosed garden, which is a great sun-trap during the warm Summer months. A travel cot, high chair, stair gate, night lights, children’s cutlery and crockery are all provided, making this the perfect spot for a family getaway.

St Mawgan has a popular pub with a lovely beer garden and a great little village shop. For those looking to build sandcastles, swim, learn to surf or just relax, Mawgan Porth Beach and Watergate Bay – home to the Extreme Sports Academy and the Jamie Oliver inspired ‘Fifteen Cornwall’ – are within a five minute drive. Alternatively, the pretty harbour town of Padstow, home to Rick Stein’s sea food restaurants, is just a short trip around the coast.

Bryher Cottage sleeps six and can be booked for seven nights from £678 (£113pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/watergate-bay-mawgan-porth/bryher-cottage.html

4. Stunning sea views – New for 2010
28 Mount Brioni is a Mediterranean-styled self-catering house, which is situated in the village of Seaton on the coast of South Cornwall. It has stunning sea views and is thoughtfully designed to an exceptional standard, including lavish internal fixtures and fittings. Features such as under floor central heating, which is fuelled by a green ‘air exchange unit’, help to keep this property’s carbon footprint low.

Set in beautiful South-facing gardens and spectacular coastal surroundings, Mount Brioni is within yards of the Coastal Path. The beach is a 100 yard stroll away, where rock pools that are ideal for crabbing can be found. The beach is also a popular spot for anglers throughout the year.

28 Mount Brioni sleeps four and can be booked for three nights from £398 (£99pp), or from £418 (£104pp) for seven nights.
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/looe-polperro/28-mount-brioni.html

5. Way impressive!- New for 2010
Wayside Cottage is a delightful single-story cottage, which is nestled on a country lane on a cliff above the beach at Cawsand. Inside, the living and dining rooms both possess impressive coastal views, while outside the real winner for this property is its large sea-front decking area and landscaped gardens.

Situated in the pretty village of Kingsand and Cawsand on the Rame Peninsula, Wayside Cottage is set in haven of peace and tranquillity. The beach is just a few minute’s walk away as is the village, which is blessed with pubs, narrow streets, charming colour washed cottages and a lovely selection of local shops.

Wayside Cottage sleeps six and can be booked for seven nights from £548 (£91pp), or for three nights from £389 (£64pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/kingsand-cawsand/wayside-cottage.html

6. Fore! Great Sea Views and Golf – New for 2010
9 Headland Point is a superbly located apartment that has fantastic sea views from the living room and patio area. Inside, the living area is styled with chic contemporary furniture and a modern open plan kitchen. The bedrooms are generously proportioned with large double beds that can be separated to provide twin beds.

Fistral Beach is just a 2 minute walk away, offering some of the best surfing conditions in the world. Also close by is Newquay Golf Course, one of the finest links courses in the area, offering 18 challenging holes with truly breathtaking views over Fistral Bay.

9 Headland Point sleeps six and can be booked for seven nights from £458 (£76pp), or for three nights from £326 (£54pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/newquay/9-headland-point.html

7. Goldrush! – New for 2010
Golden Sands is a fantastic holiday home situated just a few steps from the gorgeous Praa Sands near Penzance. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the sea and beach life, and there are plenty of water sports on offer close by.

Inside, the house is beautifully furnished. The living room has some of the best sea views in Cornwall, and the chic kitchen makes the most of natural light, provided via a clever room-length glass ceiling. The bedrooms are large, have beautiful seasoned wooden floor boards, and each has their own views.

Outside, the impressive large decked terrace is a perfect place to relax with a cool drink on balmy summer evenings. And, on arrival, guest are greeted with a traditional cream tea.

Golden Sands sleeps six and can be booked for seven nights or less from £718 (£119pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/penzance/golden-sands.html

8. Terraced stunner – New for 2010
18 Tregaskes is a stunning two-bedroom terraced house, which is situated just a ten minute walk from the beaches of Cooklets and Summerleaze, and the picturesque town of Bude on the North Cornwall coast.

The property has been beautifully appointed throughout combining exciting, modern architectural design with ecologically friendly features. Inside, the kitchen, dining and living areas are chic and contemporary, while upstairs, the bedrooms are large, funky and fun. The patio and rear enclosed garden are accessed from the sitting room.

18 Tregaskes sleeps four and can be booked for seven nights from £398 (£99pp), or for three nights from £284 (£71pp).
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/bude/18-tregaskes-parc.html

Bookings can be made by calling Blue Chip Vacations on 0844 5612001 or by visiting www.bluechipvacations.com

9. The Height of Coastal Chic – New for 2010
Harbour Heights is a beautifully converted 1930’s coastal house, which is perched on top of a hill above Victoria Pier overlooking the stunning, historic fishing harbour of Mevagissey. Recently refurbished, this five-star property matches its art-deco charm with chic contemporary features and furnishings.

Inside, the property has a large and spacious living and dining area, both of which enjoy impressive sea views. Loaded with the entertainment technology throughout, including a 50” Flat-screen Plasma screen, a Playstation 3 for gaming, HD movies, 5.1 Surround Sound System, Sky TV, Wifi and LCD TV’s & DVD players in every bedroom, even if the weather comes in, there’ll never be dull moment.

The contemporary high-spec kitchen has fabulous quartz work surfaces. Patio doors lead onto a side deck with stunning views over the harbour, and a six seat table for al-fresco dining. The bedrooms are of the highest calibre and the bathroom is made for indulgence, long soaks and hot showers.

Outside, Harbour Heights has a large elevated sun deck with seating for sun loungers, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Harbour Heights sleeps six and can be booked from £618 for seven nights (£103pp) or from £438 (£73pp) for a three night stay.
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/mevagissey/harbour-heights-house.html

Bookings can be made by calling Blue Chip Vacations on 0844 5612001 or by visiting www.bluechipvacations.com

10. Penthouse passion – New for 2010
No. 52 Bredon Court is an impressive penthouse apartment with views over Newquay Golf Course down to Fistral Beach and out to sea. The apartment has two balconies; one from the living area and one from the bedroom, giving stunning sea vistas day or night.

Inside, the living and dining areas are stylishly finished with chic furniture and fittings. The sitting room has enviable views and a grand double height apex ceiling, which pours light in during the day. The bedrooms are large, comfortable and beautifully appointed.

52 Bredon Court sleeps six and can be booked from £508 (£84pp) for seven nights or from £361 (£60pp) for three nights.
http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/newquay/52-bredon-court.html