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From the monthly archives:
May 2010
This week the new wonder of the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London was revealed and it’s something we’re sure that Nelson would be proud of; it’s a perfect relica HMS Victory inside a huge glass bottle! We visited Trafalgar Square – among the families splashing around in the fountain in the shock sunny weather England [...]
Each year Florence becomes cloaked in flowers of all shapes and colours for the Florence Flower Show and if you’re travelling in Italy this week you should make time to visit this vibrant and beautiful show. It really is a spectacular site to behold; flowers blanket the main square, Piazza della Signoria, as well as [...]
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If you’re travelling in Venice on 23 May 2010, do try to catch the spectacular Vogalonga. This is a larger than life, non-competitive boat race where rowers completely take over the lagoon and canals much to the delight of locals and tourists alike. On the day of the Vogalonga, all motorboats are banned from Venice’s canals [...]
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This is just a quick warning which I want you to know about.
Hopefully you have not been caught out as some travellers have already.
I am passing on word for word what I have read as well as the contact numbers below.
Consumer Protection is acting quickly to close down a bogus travel website which is offering ridiculously low airfares and operating without a licence. The website -www.AusFlightz.net- is hosted overseas and is using a travel agent licence number and ABN of a legitimate travel business. It is also falsely claiming to be an agent for major airlines. The physical address on the site does not exist and the phone number has been disconnected.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll said the Department launched an investigation after receiving complaints from licensed travel agents who were approached by consumers asking them if they could match the low fares.
“To sell travel in Western Australia you must be licensed and this business definitely does not hold a licence, despite its claims,” Ms Driscoll said. “The airfares being advertised are well below market prices, with the site claiming that the fares being offered are cheap because they are exempt from paying fees and taxes. We strongly recommend that consumers avoid making any bookings or revealing any bank or credit card details on this site until our investigations are complete.”
Consumer Protection is approaching the web hosting company overseas to suspend this account and is continuing to investigate. If in any doubt, travel consumers are urged to contact Consumer Protection to check that the agent or website they are dealing with is on our register of licensed agents. Consumers who may have had dealings with this particular website are also asked to come forward by calling us on 1300 30 40 54 or by emailing consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
Again please be careful when something seems to good to be true…well you know how it goes…right?
Next week I share the top 10 safest travel destination…so please check in regularly.
Take care.
John C Spark
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A great travel tip to help stretch your legs when preparing for walking or hiking on your vacation.
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Three weeks ago I said that I was excited and heading off to Singapore for singing classes.
So what happened in Singapore and why the delay in me getting back to you?
Firstly, I certainly enjoyed my singing classes…in fact I loved everything about the Singapore trip.
I will share how and what happened to me which could be of benefit to you someday.
As you know I advocate doing something different for part of your travel that you would not normally consider in your home environment.
Why you ask?
Well to me travel is the best educational tool out there that allows for you to explore yourself and still gives you the comfort of knowing you can always return home to set ways.
So let me share my experience…
Nilla my wife asked me if I would join her on a learn to express yourself singing course with Deborah Torres Patel. Who has over 22,000 hours on stage in Broadway productions and other stage work.
Now you need to understand I have never sang a song in my life…but have always thought it would be good to sing.
Deborah guarantees anyone can sing with the right coaching so I thought why not what the heck.
Next Nilla tells me she has organised to stay at a friend she meet over the internet who is part of a course she is doing. Talk about staying at a stranger’s house.
This worked out much better than we could of hoped for and frankly opened my mind to other possibilities when we travel in the future.
Our 6 days in Singapore were truly amazing and very rewarding as I learnt that in fact I can sing and with some practice will be able to sing well. And the good news is anyone can sing no matter what your voice. Personally it has set me free to being able to express myself better and the surprising extra benefit is that singing makes you feel happy and cheerful. What a great way to start your day with a nice song you love.
Oh and did I mention that on my next visit to Singapore I have been offered a gig to sing my song “The Gambler” in a local band who do a lot of work for charities…how cool is that?
On reflection by being prepared to step out of my comfort zone while traveling has been so beneficial to me both on a personal development level but also for my confidence.
An interesting side benefit is that I can now hear and feel the rhythm in music which will no doubt be good for when I do my dancing lessons.
My point I want to get across is that thanks to travel I am now gaining new skills and experiences which I can share with anyone interested.
Early on I said it has been 3 weeks since my last post…well I ended up developing an extremely sore throat on my return which robbed me of heaps of sleep and created a continuous dry cough which I am still to fully shake. I just have not been feeling up to writing as my concentration was constantly challenged with trying to relieve my cough.
Thanks for your understanding.
Perhaps you have a interesting travel experience you would like to share with us. If so send me an emial on john@travelwithjetset.com with the details.
My next post will reveal the Top 10 safest countries in the world so be sure to check back in regularly.
Cheers
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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If you’re lucky enough to be travelling in Florence in amazing Italy this month, you’re in for a cultural treat. Both the Artisans and the Palace and the International Iris Competition are being held in the charming city in May, bringing you crafts and flowers from around the world in two events that Florence locals are [...]
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Join us in Nilla's kitchen as she shares with us a spicy sauce from South America's own Argentina. Great on your meat dishes!!!
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Every April, people all over Holland celebrate Koninginnedag – or Queen’s Day - in many exciting ways, the most extravagant of which is by dressing head to toe in orange! This year, Amsterdam local, Albertine Rae, shares with us her experience and her fantastic pictures of the colourful celebrations that took place in Holland’s capital. Albertine writes: Just like the Queen of England, Queen Beatrix of [...]
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