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Home for this Travelstart blogger is just outside of Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada. I currently live in Sweden, but I was born and raised in Canada. 

I wasn't planning to go home to Canada for Christmas this year, as it's expensive to fly from Europe, especially if I visit more than once a year. 

But a month ago, I decided to check online, just in case there happened to be any great deals. If I could find a super price, then I might just go home for Christmas. My search began at Travelstart..... 

Within minutes, I had found a flight that would take me home for 3 weeks over Christmas, and it was really really cheap. In fact, it was so cheap I didn't believe the price I was being quoted. I thought, maybe Travelstart hadn't included the taxes in the quoted price, or maybe they are showing me the one-way, and not round-trip price. But having used Travelstart for many previous bookings, I knew they have an up-front pricing policy that always includes the taxes, so I quickly realized the price was in fact correct. Yippee!  

To make a long story short, I'm going home for Christmas, thanks to an amazing deal I found through Travelstart. The price was about 35% less than I usually pay, for this same flight. 

I'll be sure to file a blog or two during my travels home. One of the first things I plan to do, besides visiting family, is visit my favorite ski hill in Vancouver, Cypress Mountain. The photo above was taken the last time I snowboarded there. The clouds were covering the ocean, and it was a crisp, beautiful morning.  

Are you going home for the holidays?  Check Travelstart's home page today, and maybe you will be surprised by a super deal, like I was! 

(photo courtesy of mizzpattytoyou)  

The historic Fort Ross, a Californian State Park, will remain open authorities announced this week, despite the budget cutbacks faced by the state of California. 

Fort Ross is was built in 1812 by Russian settlers, and was established as a state park in 1906. The facility features 6 buildings, including a chapel, and the surrounding area is also included as part of the state park. It is considered by many to be a memorable landmark in U.S. Russian relations. 

It's located about 120 km north of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast, in Sonoma Country, a very popular tourism region in the U.S.

The state of California is experiencing significant budget constraints this year due to the financial crisis, and has been forced to close many state parks due to a lack of funding. It's nice to hear this historic one will remain open during these challenging financial times. 

(photo - Vancouver's Coal Harbour)

Another day, and another pile of news stories about the challenges facing the travel industry. But what's considered challenging for the industry, should be looked at as an opportunity for travellers! 

If you are currently undecided about where, when, and if, you will travel this fall, be advised that as a travel consumer, there is no better time to find great deals on airfare and accommodations. 

The fall is traditionally a quiet time of year for the travel industry, after the busy summer travel season, but couple that with this year's global recession, and what you've got is travel deals extraordinaire!!

The travel industry usually picks up in the winter, as many people flock to warmer climates to beat the cold weather at home. (remember that much of the world's population lives in the cold north) 

If you are considering a trip this fall season, there's no better time to find a great deal on airfare or hotels. Tourist attractions are also a little less busy this season, making the experience even more enjoyable. 

(photo courtesy of DubaiFM)

The longest fully automated rail system in the world will open on September 9 2009 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The much anticipated Dubai Metro will begin operations in September, providing a much needed rail network for Dubai's estimated metropolitan population of more than 2.2 million people. 

Because the Dubai Metro is the first of its kind in the region, there is much excitement and anticipation in its grand opening. 

Opening next week will be the 50km Red Line, which services the airport and the city centre, and the 20km Green Line. The Purple Line will be operational by 2012, and there are two other proposed lines for the city. 

The metro will feature 57 stations in total, both underground and above-ground. The stations will follow four artistic themes, being earth, water, fire and air. 

Needless to say, the Dubai Metro is going to be a major convenience for travellers, providing easy access to the city, as soon as you step off the plane. 

Our Travelbar team celebrate their 1st birthday today.

The Travelstart office has been decorated with pink helium filled balloons with the team also dressed in pink – Travelbar’s official colour.

It’s hard to believe it has been a year since we opened the phones to our customers wishing to book directly with a consultant opposed to booking online.

Travelbar has grown from strength to strength. Having started business a year ago with just 2 consultants, we have now 5 consultants.

Happy birthday Travelbar long may you reign & continue raising the bar.

Our Travelbar team are:
Wouter Nel - Team Leader
Delani van Rijswijk
Kirsty Henderson
Nanette McDonald
Levonne Aspey

Tel: 0861 878 278 (select option 5)
Email

Virgin Atlantic has announced that is coming to the rescue, saving South African passport holders the extra expense of applying for a British Visitor Visa. Virgin has declared that they will fund SA travellers’ UK visa costs.

Great! Someone has finally seen sense to counteract this very unfair, extremely unpopular & expensive introduction by the British Government.

However, in reality the procedure to qualify for a free UK visa is rather complex. I will attempt to outline the rules as follows;

1. Buy a ticket to London on Virgin Atlantic before 30th September 2009 & travel between 23rd September & 30th November 2009. The ticket must be issued at least 60-days before travel.

2. Apply for a regular 6-month stay UK visa in the normal manner within 30-days of buying your 1st ticket & pay the visa cost (regular visa costs R938 per person). Once the UK visa has been granted a copy of the visa, or visa number, must be sent to Virgin.

3. Once you have travelled on the 1st ticket, you will be required to purchase a 2nd ticket before 30th September 2009. Travel on the 2nd ticket must be between 1st October 2009 & 30th November 2010. This 2nd ticket must be in the same name as the 1st ticket.

Bear with me the refund for the visa is coming…

4. All travel on the 2nd ticket must be completed within a year from the date the 1st ticket was issued.

5. Once authorised by Virgin Atlantic, the 2nd ticket price will be discounted by R938 (the original cost of the visa).

6. Travel for both tickets must be in the same class of travel, i.e. Economy & Economy or Upper Class & Upper Class.

7. Economy tickets only permit a free 6-month stay UK visa.

8. Both tickets will only be valid on Virgin Atlantic for the same traveller.

9. Your 1st ticket may be refunded in full if your UK visa application is unsuccessful (proof required) within 30-days of the ticket purchase.

If you have any questions in relation to this or any other matter, please give us a call on 0861 878 278, or chat to us online, or pop us an email.

Emirates has announced the opening of its new business class lounge at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. This will be Emirates' first dedicated lounge in Africa & will be able to accommodate 135 guests.

A part from offering a full complimentary bar with hot & cold gourmet meals, the lounge provides a well-equipped business centre as well as shower facilities. This will definitely enhance your Emirates’ experience giving you the perfect start to your journey by relaxing in the comfortable leather armchairs while you wait to board your flight.

Emirates flies three times each day from Johannesburg to Dubai connecting to their worldwide network. 

Udaipur!