Travel News: What Does the Budget Mean for Long-Haul Flights?

Got a spare few minutes? Wondering what’s been going on in the world of travel this week? Then read on…

Holi Moli

Hindus across the world celebrated the arrival of spring and the end of winter this week – by throwing coloured paint over each other. The annual festival of colour, known as Holi, is a joyous occasion, primarily taking place in India and Nepal to celebrate love, frolic and colours. The festival involves lots of singing, dancing, music and tonnes of coloured powder – talk about painting the town red!

Make Mine a Brazilian

For many of us, all we want to do on holiday is lounge around on the beach all day and top up that suntan. But where are the best beaches in the world to do so? According to TripAdvisor, you’ll have to jet to Brazil to experience the world’s best beach at Baia do Sancho, in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, said to be a paradise for nature lovers. Other beaches in the top ten include Rabbit Beach in Italy and Playa de ses Illetes in Formentera – a short boat ride away from Ibiza.

Don’t Skip a Trip to Yorkshire

If you fancy a break in the country, you might want to consider the North Yorkshire town of Skipton. That’s because the picturesque town has been named as the best place to live in the UK. As well as being surrounded by beautiful countryside, the small town was also praised for its top-class schools, affordable housing and low crime rates. Newnham in Cambridge came in at number two on the list with Monmouth (at the border between Wales and England) not far behind in third position.

On the Rails

Train lovers could soon be able to enjoy the trip of a lifetime, as one rail tour operator has revealed plans to offer an epic round-the-world train journey. Lasting 53 days, the ride will begin and end in London and will span around 23,000 miles while passing sights such as the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building and the Great Wall of China. The bad news? You’ll need a whopping £21,995 to book a ticket!

Budget Flying

The budget was revealed on Wednesday, and it’s good news for long-haul travellers. Chancellor George Osborne announced a reform on Air Passenger Duty (APD) that means we’ll pay less tax when travelling to places such as Thailand, Australia and the Caribbean. For anyone travelling between 4,001 and 6,000 miles, tax will be reduced by £14 from April 2015, while going further than 6,000 miles will save you an extra £26. Just another great excuse to book a holiday – not that you needed it!