Volcanic Ash Stops More Europe Flights

Updated information from National Geographic regarding the continuing cancellation of flights to and from Europe, due to an Icelandic Volcano erupting.

First we have H1N1, then we have earthquakes and mudslides that have rocked the world, and now we have our second batch of cancelled flights due to volcanic eruptions, the first happening in the Pacific ocean, cancelling flights to Japan. What will happen next?


James Owen in London
for National Geographic News
Published April 15, 2010

Airline flights to, from, and within northern Europe have been cancelled today because of fears that a vast cloud of volcanic ash spreading from an Iceland volcano could bring down passenger planes (map of northern Europe).

British airports are completely closed to civilian aircraft following latest eruptions from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. (Pictures: Iceland Volcano Erupts, Under Ice This Time.)

Thousands of flights have likewise been cancelled to and from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark as affected countries close airspace in response to the volcanic cloud, which is currently drifting at altitudes of 25,000 to 30,000 feet (7,620 to 9,140 meters).

(See aerial pictures of the Iceland volcano's earlier eruption.)

To see the rest of the article, please click here.

Blast from the Past at Disney

The musical that thrilled Disneyland guests from 1986 – 1997 is returning to the California amusement park. Twenty-three years ago, Michael Jackson joined forces with Disney, producer George Lucas and director Francis Ford Coppola to create a groundbreaking 17-minute 3-D film experience starring Jackson as Captain EO performing original songs. A new generation of visitors to Tomorrowland will have the opportunity to experience the original 3-D production, as well as a nostalgic look back for long-term fans wanting to see the “King of Pop” in a rare performance created for the big screen.

Flights to London Cancelled

THE National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has imposed restrictions to UK airspace for Thursday morning due to volcanic ash drifting across the UK from Iceland. Volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft.Air Canada and Jazz advise that flights to, from or connecting through London’s Heathrow (LHR) may be delayed or cancelled due to the volcanic activity in Iceland. This advisory is in effect for all day April 15.

Air Canada says 12 flights between London and Canadian destinations have been cancelled. Peter Fitzpatrick says the airline is waiving fees for those affected by the cancellations.
So far, only flights to London are affected, but Fitzpatrick said wind changes could affect flights to places like Frankfurt and Paris.

"It's unpredictable because of the nature of the situation," Fitzpatrick said, noting advisories would be posted on the Air Canada website.

Air Transat also issued a travel warning on Thursday for its passengers. The airline had one flight to Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday morning that arrived on time, but the aircraft is now stuck at the airport until the ash passes. Another flight to London's Gatwick airport was also cancelled on Thursday, but the airline's others flights to France and elsewhere remain unaffected at this time, a spokesman for the airline said.

All British Airways UK domestic flights are cancelled today (15 April). Some flights from the USA (BA292/BA296/BA68) have been night-stopped and others already airborne may be diverted (BA228/BA192/BA264/BA188). Further disruption is likely as a second eruption has occurred in closer to Finland and Russia.

The following flights have been cancelled ex Canadian gateways:*BA0092 YYZ LHR 18h55 15 Apr*BA0093 LHR YYZ 12h00 15 Apr

Lufthansa confirms that several of its flights have either been cancelled or delayed into northern Europe.Airports throughout the United Kingdom and Scandinavia have closed. Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airline for further information.Weather forecasters said the ash plume could drift over British airspace during the night, causing significant disruption to services.

The movement of the plume, which has been drifting eastwards, is being monitored by Met Office, NATS, Eurocontrol and neighbouring countries.Volcanic ash, which consists of the pulverised rock and glass created by the eruptions, can jam aircraft machinery if a plane flies through the plume, shutting down the engines. Ash can also be can be sucked into the cabin itself, contaminating the passengers' environment as well as damaging the plane's electronic systems.

Forecasters also said the cloud could take a number of days to disperse. Reports indicate that the threat could run into Friday.

Olympic Spirit lives on at Whistler Fairmont

The Olympic spirit lives on with the Fairmont Chateau Whistlers new Gold, Silver and Bronze package for winter and summer. The new lineup of packages will put guests on top of the mountain or top of the tee from the comfort of the Chateau Whistler.

A full day of heli-skiing tops off the three-night Gold package, which also features a complimentary room upgrade, gold-themed chocolate treat on arrival, “Gold Medal” spa treatment, breakfast daily and exclusive dinner in The Wine Room. Rates start at $3,978 based on double.

Visit the Galapagos

Discovery adventures, the adventure travel brand developed by Gap Adventures in partnership with the Discovery Channel, is offering a trip to the Galapagos Islands led by the channels shark advisor and director of biological programs for Washington D.C’s National Aquarium, Andy Dehart. The tour takes place June 19 to 28 and will offer multiple snorkeling expeditions on a journey aboard a 16-passenger catamaran.

Discovery Adventures

Gap Adventures

The Great French Transition

France. Wineries, Culture and romance – an amazing get away this summer. Need more of a reason to plan your next European getaway? Here are 10.

10) Gastronomy – amazing food, and lots of it. More info.
9) Antibes-Juan-les-Pins celebrates its 50th anniversary and is the longest running Jazz festival in Europe. More Info.
8) Nouveau Paris – Paris is evolving with new museums, fashion creators and centers, hotels, restaurants and areas to explore.
7) Woman’s Travel – The place for females to vacation
6) Centre Pompidou-Metz – the nation’s newest art museum. More Info.
5) Impressionist Normandy – first ever Impressionist art festival to be held in Normandy. More Info.
4) Wine – no other explanation is required!
3) Accessibility – air, coach, rail or rental car, nothing is out of reach.
2) Great air links from all major countries
1) The current exchange rate. More Info.

New Adventures to Tasmania

Things have gotten a little crazy on my end here, with work that needed attending too, and family that needed attention, so my traveling had recently suffered. But seeing as the family has been satisfied, and the work has been completed, so I’m off and running and planning my next trip.

A love of mine, if anyone has yet to figure out, is food and wine, so my next large trip has been decided. I am headed off to go gallivanting around the wonderful island of Tasmania in Australia. About an hour and a half flight from Melbourne, it was one of the places that I missed the last two times that I toured the Outback.

The 2010 Taste Festival runs from December 28, 10 to January 3, 11 this year and is known as Tasmania’s largest food and wine festival that is right on the waterfront in Hobart. Accommodation and flights start filling up as early as May, and visitors flock from Australia and further abroad to experience the many food and wine booths that are set up to allow visitors to enjoy the fruits of Tasmania’s labor!

You can check out the website with more information here.

While the main reason for the trip is to experience this amazing event, we also intend to experience some of the history and adrenaline that Tasmania has to offer, with treetop walkways, cable hang gliders and of course, some of the most amazing walks that are to be found in the South Pacific.

If you have been to Tasmania, please give me your feedback on what to see and what to do! And if you are a tour operator, or accommodation owner, please feel free to give me your recommendations on what is a must see, or must stay, and what to stay away from! I look forward to hearing from you all!