Big Freeze Continues Travel Chaos

Airports across western Europe are still struggling to cover the backlog of flights after a dreadful weekend that saw many airports close to flight arrivals and departures, in fact some airports are struggling to cover all of their normal flight patterns.

The main airports currently affected are those in France, England and Belgium, of which the main talking point is Europes largest airport Heathrow.

It seems that Heathrow was unable to manage the weather situation that saw people sleeping at the airport for up to three or four nights because of the weather, it was that bad that even the British Army offered their services to help but were turned down and only half of Heathrows flights are leaving and will not resume normality until at least Wednesday.

With over 66 million passengers passing through Heathrow every year its not hard to see why it would be a huge undertaking to manage but the issue is that the European big freeze is now being felt in Asia and America because of Heathrows actions.

One of the big questions everyone is asking is how Helsinki and other northern European airports can operate while seeing huge amounts of snow every year yet their western European compatriates are unable to cope, this is something the European transport commissioner Siim Kallas is asking.

The European transport commissioner Siim Kallas said of the issue: "In recent days, I have become increasingly concerned about the problems relating to the infrastructure available to airlines - airports and ground handling - during this severe period of snow,"

"It seems at this stage that this is a 'weak link' in a chain which, under pressure, is contributing to severe disruption."

Airports Open but Bad Weather Continues

Gatwick and Heathrow, two of the largest airports in the UK have opened this Monday morning but travel woes continue as many flights are still cancelled. British Airways has said they hope that 60 flights should take off from Heathrow today, but the reality is that this is a small percentage of all Heathrow flights.

Many spent their time overnight in terminals as flights were cancelled at short notice, of these many people were stranded as they were looking to return home for Christmas.

There were scenes of chaos in the airports as travellers were having to sleep in any possible location, this meant seats, floors, literally where ever there was a comfortable space. The airports did give food and blankets but passengers were unhappy as it was felt not enough was done for them.

Although the weather related travel issues affecting many are not suitable the British government have said that air travel is a "Safety-first business" meaning that it is unfortunate but travellers safety is of paramount importance.

Air Travel Weather Disruptions

Air travel across Europe is suffering from severe disruption today due to the cold weather that has hi the continent. the worst affected of all European countries is the United Kingdom where many airports have canceled flights for the whole day.

Gatwick and Heathrow, two of the United Kingdoms largest airports have canceled all flights for today, Sunday 19th December, because of heavy snow fall received throughout Saturday and continuing in to Sunday.

the weather affects on air travel started early Saturday morning as flights to and from Holland, Germany and other northern European countries ceased because of the weather, this then swept into the United Kingdom as flights to and from UK airports started receiving delays and then being canceled throughout Saturday and into Sunday.

Many travelers wishing to enjoy winter holidays or visit family over the festive season were left to sleep in airport terminals overnight because of the difficult situation. Thse ravellers were helped by airports as they were given food and provisions to make their overnight stay as comfortable as possible.

It is hoped that flights will resume on Monday 20th December but with weather forecasts looking bad for the next few weeks only time will tell.

If your looking to travel in the next few days it is important to ring your airline to see if you flight is delayed or canceled.

Calke Abbey

If the idea of grand English stately homes interests you then a visit to Calke Abbey would make the perfect afternoon out. Calke Abbey is a Grade I listed building found in Derbyshire near the small village of Ticknall.

The name Calke Abbey conjures up ideas of an old abbey to many but the truth is that although Calke Abbey was built on the grounds of an old 12th century Augustinian priory it is actually a mansion built in the Baroque style back in 1701.

The Abbey was built by the Harpur family who bought the land in the early seventeenth century and owned Calke Abbey up until 1981 when the owner, a Charles Harpur Crewe, passed away and the relative left with the mansion couldn’t afford the tax to keep the property. This meant that Calke Abbey became the ownership of the state and it fell under the ownership of the National Trust.

The National Trust still own Calke Abbey today although one section has been created as a family apartment for a relative of the late Charles Harpur Crewe.

For those that wish to visit Calke Abbey you will enjoy the splendeur of a grand Baroque mansion in decline that comes complete with out buildings and wonderful gardens set in large green parkland. There is also a small church set in the grounds that can be visited and is still in use today.

The building itself is majestic to view from the outside and is a wonderful treat to behold as you walk through as it still comes complete with all furniture and paintings from times of old showing how a true mansion of such age used to be like.

Address:
Calke Abbey
Ticknall,
Derby,
Derbyshire
DE73 7LE

Telephone: 01332 863822

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Etihad Airways - Qatar

Etihad fly’s to Qatar on a regular basis from a variety of different destinations, these flights land at Doha International Airport but some do have a transfer in Abu Dhabi to arrive in Qartar.

The Doha International Airport is primarily used by Qatar Airways but is also used to a lesser extent by other airlines, including Etihad Airways. The prices for flights to Qatar vary greatly between starting destinations and also depends greatly on demand and time of year.

Etihad is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and is based in Abu Dhabi, its personal hub for flying and home to many of the Etihad planes. Because of its close vicinity to Qatar Etihad is able to provide transfers through Abu Dhabi to Doha International Airport for those that cannot fly directly.

For those who don’t know Qatar is found north of Saudi Arabia and is on the Persian Gulf coast making it a perfect holiday alternative to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

Etihad Airways Flights from Doha International Airport:

Abu Dhabi
London
Frankfurt
Munich
Dublin
Paris

Are you looking to travel from Qatar, then why not fly with Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways Flights to Doha International Airport:

Abu Dhabi
London
Frankfurt
Munich
Dublin
Paris

Are you looking to try somewhere new, then why not fly to Qatar with Etihad Airways

Kafue National Park

The Kafue National Park is found in Zambia and is a national park of a gigantic size. To put into perspective the overall size of the Kafue National Park you simply have to understand that it is roughly the size of the country Wales, in the United Kingdom making it around twenty two thousand four hundred square kilometres in size.

The national park is not a new venture; in fact it has been allowed to flourish for decades after it was set up by the British Government running Zambia back in 1924. The national park was named the Kafue National Park after the river Kafue that runs through the country of Zambia.

For those wishing to visit Zambia the Kafue National Park is one of the highlights of their trip. Some visitors actually come to Zambia simply to take long tours around the national park and not venturing elsewhere.

The park holds woodlands, evergreen forest, plains, swamps and marshes, grasslands and a reservoir which all lends to offering a wide variety of wildlife from large African animals to small insects and animals of interest. Some wildlife that can be seen at the Kafue National Park and cant be seen anywhere else are Lichtenstein's hartebeest, roan antelope, Defassa waterbuck and Oribi.

Safaris around the national park can be taken between June and October as the rainy season occurs between November and May causing many areas of the park to become flooded and inaccessible. The hotter climates are between September and November so warmer clothes are required between June and August.

Address:
Kafue National Park
Zambia

Tel: +27 21 762 1543


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