As a seasoned traveller, I’ve been fortunate to explore many beautiful destinations worldwide, but Lake Como in Northern Italy has always held a special allure. My recent stay in Blevio, with visits to nearby Como and Bellagio, offered a delightful taste of the elegance and natural beauty that this region is renowned for. Where is Lake Como? Lake Como (Lago Di Como)’s strategic location is one of its most attractive features., conveniently situated at the crossroads of Switzerland and Italy, making it a gateway between the two countries. The town is approximately 40 kilometres (25…
Exploring the Heart of Malta
I had no idea that Malta was so a picturesque island with so many stunning landscapes and as rich a history it has. Valletta, the capital city, boasts more monuments per square mile than any other city globally, reflecting its history of conquests and control by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, French, English, Italians, Sicilians, Romans, and various other powers. This led to be declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. Today half a million people call the 316km (200sq miles)that is Malta home making it the fifth most densely populated country on the planet. My…
Air Malta Flight Fails to Soar
The choices for a direct flight between Milano, Italy and the stunning island of Malta were between Air Malta or Ryanair, who I avoid flying at all costs. I was keen to try Air Malta, the tiny flag carrier, which has been financially struggling for a long time. But, when I booked this flight, I hadn’t anticipated the October 3rd announcement that the current Air Malta will be shut down in March next year. To make matters “more interesting”, Italy had a general transport strike on the day I departed Milan, which caused delays or…
Protecting yourself from the Bed Bug Scourge
It’s been a few years since I last wrote about bed bugs! It feels like I’m compelled to discuss these tiny bloodsucking critters every three or so years! Currently, I’m back in Paris, and there’s a noticeable media hysteria surrounding bed bugs. I have had numerous people messaging me warning me about the situation! Having experienced an infestation once, I can attest that it’s a far-from-pleasant experience. I often think of bed bugs as little vampires, stealthily settling into our cosy beds to feast on our blood as we slumber. The mere thought of these…
Unveiling the Hidden Truth: Behind the Online Booking Sites
Following my Agoda.com/Booking.com phishing experience described last week, I was keen to understand more about the behemoths I was dealing with. I am one of those travellers who love today’s digitally connected world with its plethora of online booking agencies at my fingertips. I like being able to book your next adventure with a few clicks. Up to now, my experiences have largely been positive. My phishing experience has changed that!What many do not realise is that our online hotel and airfare booking agencies are owned by just a handful of mega-companies. In this blog…
Agoda Nightmare: Falling Victim to the Booking.com Phishing Scam
I am very vigilant about avoiding scams and identity theft. I take extra care with my passwords, avoid clicking random Facebook links, and exercise caution in all aspects of my online life. Despite all my efforts, I recently fell victim to the Booking.com scam. One that has been recurring for about five years. To defend myself, it’s important to note that this wasn’t entirely my fault. In this scam, it appears that Booking.com’s data has been compromised, as cybersecurity experts at Perception Point reported. This compromise seems to be ongoing. Through whatever vulnerabilities exist, scammers…
The Tunisair Dilemma: Is the Terrible Rating a Warning or a Challenge?
I am planning my October travels, and I am always game to fly a new airline (surprise!!!). (I have now flown 120 different airlines). I have a group of airlines that are in my top ten and a group in my bottom ten… I may have found a contender for what would be the world’s worst airline if I am game to fly them on a short hop from Europe to Tunis. Their flight time is just over one hour whilst their competitors onky offer indirect flights of five hours plus for three times the…
Journey to the Isle of Man: A Wonderful Adventure
Let me take you on a journey around the Isle of Man (or Mann), a unique destination that offers visitors a rich history, stunning natural scenery, and a huge variety of activities. Located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is a self-governing British Overseas Territory with its own government, parliament, and judicial system. Therefore, I counted it as the 84th country/territory I have visited! The Isle of Man is most known for the annual TT Races, one of the world’s most famous motorcycle races, attracting thousands of visitors yearly.…
Poor One World connectivity: When a booking goes Really Awry
I am a devoted fan of Qatar Airways, my preferred airline. I am a One World Emerald passenger, which is the highest level for frequent fliers in the One World system. I appreciate the benefits that come from heat arrangement. However, what should have been a seamless, terrific One World experience, however, turned into a more stressful experience due to the handling of a sudden change in my flight itinerary. I booked a four-segment flight from Jakarta, Indonesia to New York’s JFK and back, with connections in Doha, Qatar. The total miles for the roundtrip…
The World’s Most Unsafe Airlines
I wrote recently about the safest airlines in the world according to Airline Ratings. My attention was drawn to the most unsafe airlines. Airline Ratings does not officially release a list of the least safe airlines. Numerous airlines have received one-star ratings, however, and those at the bottom of the one-star list are as follows: The flag carrier of Algeria, Air Algerie, has had a number of serious incidents. They at least get 3.5 out of 7 for customer service, which is more than many of their one-star compatriots. Customers are scathing: “travelling to Algeria…
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