We love London town: part three

Ahead of the 2012 Olympic/Paralympic Games, actress Rhona Foulis reveals why she makes for Mildred’s and what she would do if she were Mayor for a day

Top 10 Valentine’s breaks

Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have sifted through the schmaltz to find Valentine’s packages that will really set hearts aflutter (and won’t involve soggy petals clogging the plughole). Here are 10 hot properties that offer something a little bit different…

Consumer Direct (formally the National Consumer Council)

From the website:

“Consumer Direct is the government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues. Consumer Direct is funded by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services.”

Two Minute Guide to France

As we celebrate France on their national holiday we begin a week of stories on France starting with a brief introduction to each of the 22 French mainland regions and Corsica.

Summer 2012 holidays to cost more

First Choice and Thomson holidaymakers are to pay more for their vacations next year, owing to the rising costs of fuel and accommodation.

Holidays Are More Expensive in School Holidays

Is this another survey of the blindingly obvious?
In many ways, yes. Anybody could tell you that prices rise during the school holidays. Airlines, hotels, tour operators all take the view that there is a captive market. Children can only have holidays out of term time so the law of supply and demand applies. A captive market means raised prices.
Except that the research by Santander Cards shows that it has been getting more and more expensive in proportion to other times of the year.

National treasure

The pearl trade employed most Bahrainis and although its economic importance has long since waned, pearls still play an important part in Bahrain today. CD Traveller gives you the lowdown on the Kingdom’s national icon