Letter from France: May 2013

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the channel

The English seaside

Photographer Peter Williams celebrates the peculiar eccentricities and quintessential charms – from helter-skelters to lighthouses, pirates, palmists and Punch and Judy – of this cherished and rapidly changing English landscape

Identity and Passport Service

From the website:

“The Identity and Passport Service is responsible for issuing UK passports and identity cards and for the registration of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales. It is an executive agency of the Home Office.”

Kazakhstan: space rockets and tulips

Frederic explores Kazakhstan, a country unknown to most of us but which offers an exciting destination of the future – particularly if you like the outdoors

Piccadilly Circus Circus

Roll up, roll up to London’s secret circus!

The Travel Triumphs of the Decade

The World Travel Awards have examined their navels and decided what are the ten greatest achievements of this decade that they call the noughties. Looking at just the top three, I am not sure that I-or you- would agree with them when they say that number one is the dawn of space tourism. Although it was announced that such a holiday was viable nearly nine years ago, it hasn’t yet happened for other than a handful of multi millionaires. When it becomes affordable, then I think you could say it is an achievement.
Their second choice is social media and sites where holidaymakers and travellers leave their impressions on a website about where they have stayed or travelled

Amazing Thailand: Land of Smiles lives up to its reputation at WTM

Although many parts of Thailand have been affected by floods, they are expected to recede in a few weeks, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) team have welcomed guests at this week’s World Travel Market with smiles and enthusiasm, despite the damage that the floods are causing back home.