As one of the world's revered religious and historical sites, the Vatican is by default also one of the most overcrowded, with some 25,000 visitors per day in peak season. But there is now a way to sidestep the masses. A new tour of the artistic treasure trove – one of the biggest museums in the world – allows visitors to accompany the ‘Clavigero’, a Vatican key holder, at the crack of dawn as he unlocks the doors and turns on the lights. Setting off at 6am, three hours earlier than usual, the group - a maximum of 20 per day - spend an hour on a guided exploration through main areas of the Vatican Museums before they open to the public, taking in the Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps. Operated by TripAdvisor and priced from £280 a ticket, the group and their guide are, breaking with tradition, permitted to speak in the Sistine Chapel, a privilege not afforded during opening hours. The tour winds up at the Pinecone … [Read more...] about New private Vatican tour lets visitors unlock the Sistine Chapel at dawn and explore before crowds arrive
Travel
The must-see countries that are much cheaper to visit post-Brexit
This weekend marks two years since the UK voted to leave the European Union - and with it the beginning of a bumpy ride for the wallets of British holidaymakers. According to analysis by travel money experts FairFX, sterling is up as much as 70 per cent against some currencies, but remains 12 per cent down against the euro and 11 per cent down on the dollar compared to June 23, 2016, the day of the referendum. “The past two years since the Brexit referendum have been eventful for the pound to say the least,” said FairFX CEO Ian Strafford-Taylor, who added there is likely to be more uncertainty for holidaymakers as the Government continues to navigate its way out of the EU. He said, however, that holidaymakers are growing increasingly savvy in how they purchase their holiday money. “As people become aware of the impact politics can have on currencies, we’re seeing an increasing number of people topping up their prepaid cards on a much more regular basis as and … [Read more...] about The must-see countries that are much cheaper to visit post-Brexit
Brits who booked Airbnb property for the full-sized pool table shocked to find it’s a KID’S version
A GROUP of Glasgow lads were shocked after booking a holiday letting in Croatia for the lovely pool table - only to find out it was actually tiny. Brian Ashe has told how one of his mates booked the holiday home on Airbnb "specifically for the pool table," but was left beyond disappointed by its size. Clever camera angles were used to make the teeny table look like a full-sized pub version. But in reality it was a table made for kids stuck in the corner of the room. Sharing the blunder on social media, Brian said: "Hahahaha when one of the troops books an Air bnb specifically for the pool table." His post has already racked up more than 5,500 likes and 800 retweets since it was posted on Monday. And social media users are loving the efforts from the holiday home tricksters. One Twitter user said: "That first picture is some absolute belting camera work btw." Connor Handren added: "Genius fae the owner there tbf." And another wrote: "Hahahahaha I want pics of them playing pool on … [Read more...] about Brits who booked Airbnb property for the full-sized pool table shocked to find it’s a KID’S version
Michael Deacon: I took my 4-year-old to Cyprus and all he wanted was to play indoors
No one who has a small child is ever truly on holiday. Parenthood is a job with no time off. You can go to the beach but you won’t be sunbathing – you’ll be digging a tunnel to Australia while your child stands over you, barking orders like a foreman (“Deeper! Deeper! Keep digging, Dada!”). You can go to the pool but you won’t be lazing on a lounger with a Lee Child novel – you’ll be too busy trying to prevent your child from drowning (or trying to prevent him from drowning you). There’s no relaxing, no recharging, no letting your mind unwind as the hours drift dreamily by. Looking after a small child is hard work. It demands an Olympian’s reserves of energy, stamina and focus. As the end of each family holiday nears, I’m already looking forward to getting back into the office for a well-earned break. It’s still possible to have a good time, of course. But there are certain criteria on which my wife and I insist. … [Read more...] about Michael Deacon: I took my 4-year-old to Cyprus and all he wanted was to play indoors
BA cancels passengers’ cheap flights after discovering pricing ‘error’
British Airways has cancelled the tickets of passengers who managed to buy cheap flights after a glitch on the airline’s booking system. A number of customers bought heavily reduced fares, many to Tel Aviv, including a £167 return ticket, from third-party agents, but BA voided the tickets when it discovered the wrong fares had been published. Ash Dubbay, from London, paid £195 through agent Travel Up for return flights to the Israeli city, but now has to pay as much as £1,000. A spot-check on flight comparison website Skyscanner for travel next month shows return flights to Tel Aviv costing from £307 with Easyjet, £567 with Turkish Airlines and £1,144 with British Airways. On the BA website, flights start from £351 return in the summer and £291 later in the year. BA has apologised for cancelling the tickets and offered full refunds and a £100 voucher, but Mr Dubbay said it was “no help” because of how expensive the … [Read more...] about BA cancels passengers’ cheap flights after discovering pricing ‘error’