Aero Blog

Shoren Shaer asked:




One of the hardest parts of planning an overseas trip is knowing where all the best places to stay are. Finding New Zealand tourist information is no different. Sure you can buy a guidebook, and follow it to the letter, you can book a 12 day whistle stop tour and blast your way through the country so fast you can barely breathe, or maybe you could even blindfold yourself, step onto a giant map of New Zealand, and write down all the places you walk over as you stumble from one end of the living room to the other, but who knows if you are getting to see the best parts New Zealand has to offer?

What if the guidebook is out of date? It is often only written by a small group of people who got free accommodation to write a great review. It’s hardly impartial is it? And that tour can look great on paper, but what is it really like? As for the blindfold and the map idea, you might end up with a headache bigger than the one you got when you tripped over the coffee table while you did your map walking thing. Who knows where to stay? Where to go? What to see?

So where can you go to find the New Zealand tourist information you need? Like anything, finding real people to talk to helps. If people just like you have found a cool spot that had the most amazing views, the campground with the best amenities, the tours that gave the best value for money, surely you’d want them to tell you all about it right?

Getting the personal touch of experience stamped all over your NZ tourist information can help you cut out a lot of time and energy selecting the places and events that fit your personality the most. You can find out from a wide range of people whether a place lives up to other tourists expectations without having to plough through all that confusing marketing speak.

If you are looking for independent NZ tourist information look online for places that have honest and fair critiques that come from tourists just like you. There are many reputable and trusted online travel review websites available, which not only offer travelers opinions, but also interactive forums that you can participate in. Post comments and receive firsthand experience and travel advice from other tourists about various New Zealand regions, activities and attractions. It will help you have a holiday to remember for all the right reasons.

Through talking with thousands of travelers while running their own adventure tourism business, company owners Cymen Crick and Nick Morrison discovered that there was a clear need for independent travel information for NZ, free of bias and written by the traveler, for the traveler.

Warren Wong asked:




“I just got the best deal on my vacation — I’m going to Costa Rica in July!”

“Ah yes… the height of the rainy season. Be sure to pack your umbrella!”

Even though off-season vacationing may be less expensive, it’s important to figure out why the area isn’t a tourist destination all year long. As in the case of Costa Rica, you may find that some roads are downright impassable during the rainy season — a big downside if you plan to drive through the rainforest. Tourist seasons in other areas may be timed to major festivals or spring break vacationers — making them perfectly hospitable during the off-season. If you can make a compromise between off-season factors and your personal needs, you’ll be able to save tons of money while still enjoying the vacation of your dreams.

Planning Ahead

The key to getting a good deal on an off-season vacation is to plan ahead. First, choose your vacation destination and then do your research to find out when tourism is the slowest. Some areas will have clearly defined tourist seasons, while others experience a steadier flow of visitors. Areas with specific busy seasons are much more likely to give you a good deal on lodging and local activities. As soon as you’ve figured out when the best time to go is, make arrangements to get the time off of work and book your tickets as far in advance as possible.

Weather Conditions

One of the most common reasons that resort areas close down has to do with seasonal weather changes. For example, in the northeastern United States, some hotels close down completely, or are only open for limited amounts of time during the snowy winter months. That said, you may find wintertime suits your needs better than summer if you’re planning to snowshoe through the wilderness. On other hand, if you’re looking for a warmer destination during an off-peak time, you’ll want to consider a destination in the southern states.

Access to Attractions

Aside from weather considerations, some of the tourist attractions that you want to visit may not be open during off-season periods. This may be due to weather conditions or because of the cost of keeping a full-time staff when there are fewer visitors. Look at tourist brochures for the area you’re interested in visiting, or give the facility a call and ask if they will be open when you plan to visit. In some cases, even if they aren’t officially open, they may be willing to book a private tour for you.

Party Time

For many tropical locations like Mexico and the Caribbean, the timing of the tourist season is based primarily on the throngs of young college co-eds flocking south for spring break. Prices will be higher during the months of January through April, and destinations will be more crowded. However, most of these locations are just as lovely during the off-season. Visiting in the fall or early winter can be a great way to save money and have a quieter, more personalized vacation.

Many people choose to take their vacations during off-seasons periods in order to save money. However, it’s important to realize that some of the things you hoped to have on your vacation may not be available during these times. Think carefully about what’s most important to you and plan ahead — you may be able to choose a date that’s less expensive, without compromising on the quality of your vacation.

Peter Grimes asked:




Online money making schemes can be the catchcry that pops up in headings across the Internet when doing a search. The olde story that senational news is more appealing and will sell more newspapers than the tradional advertising holds true. Regardless, there simply is an abundance of opportunities today for truning a profit on the Internet.

Depending on your immediate skills, this will determine the path you could follow. If you are an experienced computer user, this will open up a few more opportunities in the first instance whereas the more beginner to computers and the Internet may experience a sharper learning curve. It is what it is and you need to make a start from where you are and move forward from there.

Once you have established what your skills are, then you can consider different positions and opportunities for online money making schemes or opportunities. You will need a lot of discipline when working online because of the distractions that are available to you so readily. e.g. If you are writing an article, then you may wish to consider turning off your Skype status to offline and closing your email client so as not to be tempted to stop and read incoming emails etc. You know what will work best for you, but please be aware of these and other time wasters so that you can remain focussed.

Consider online money making schemes such as article marketing, video marketing, blogging as excellent means to actually create for yourself an online business model that can really deliver.

You see, for every good or great idea online, there are 100 people who will try and push and pull you in another direction. This is where it is crucial to have done the first step above and understand your strengths and weaknesses. Now because you do understand, you can approach this new and exciting venture with the courage and passion you need. Working from home in your own business can and potentially will be very rewarding for you. However, like any good business, you need to take care of some core tasks in order to succeed.

May I suggest that you consider strongly linking up with a good mentor who can guide and assist you in your journey. This is someone for whom you have respect and have developed trust. Their job is to assist in your online educational and application of the skills on a consistent basis in order to bring you the success you desire.

By following an often very simple and straight forward business model, you can achieve online success with your online money making schemes approach rather efficiently and with a great deal less stress. Stick with this plan no matter what. Make sure you carve out the required time each day to activity work in your business and also spend some time each week to work on your business. By having the structure in place, working a consistent pace and not allowing distractions to hinder your progress, you will be amazed at how quickly you can achieve online success.

I encourage you to take the positive step forward toward your future today and consider your available options. I would be more than please to be able to offer you additional information and this is available to you right now by accessing the link in this article or on the bio. I truly wish you every success.

Jet Charter asked:




Generally speaking there are four types of Jet charters available in the country and also across the globe.  These are Air Taxi, Ad hoc charter, Frequent Membership charter, and Public or Full charter. Among these the Air Taxi is the current trend and getting popular day by day.  On the other hand ad hoc air charter, frequent charter membership and full or public charter are all popular in their sectors of users but do not have the global dimensions as the Private Jet Charters used as Air Taxi which is common for all.

Air Taxi –

It is not a new concept or new invention.  The use of private jet charter as Air Taxi has been on the rise with the coming up of the new generation.  You will now find very light Jets also known in short as VLJ flooding the jet market. One of the latest jet aircraft used as Air Taxi is the Eclipse 500.  There are many companies that provide on demand services with chartered jets and the service is mostly per seat.  An example is the DayJet in Florida.

Ordinarily these taxi services with jet charters target the business road used.  It does not aim at the already established jet charter market. These Air Taxi services use mostly the private jet charter to move you between non-serviced airports. You have the option to purchase one seat in the jet charter or to hire the entire plane.  However it would be better for you to get the jet charter quote to know exactly how much you are going to pay before you charter an aircraft.

Ad-hoc Air Charters –

When you rent an entire aircraft, it is called the ad-hoc air charter or jet charter.  You may rent the aircraft in your individual capacity, part of a group, or as representative of the corporate house.  Such ad hoc jet charter can also have a return flight.  Mostly the private jet charters are made for such purposes. 

For such cases you have three options open before you.  First, you can buy an aircraft for your use or for your company.  Second you can use the ad hoc jet charter services.  Third, you can procure an aircraft on lease basis. You can even purchase the individual or group seats in jet charter on long term basis.

Frequent Charter Membership & Full Public Charter –

Sometimes you or your company may require aircrafts on demand in regular frequencies.  In such cases you can have the frequent jet charter membership.  The advantage is that the investment is much less than evens the fractional ownership.  This type of arrangement is getting the jet charter as and when required on call.

Long term hiring of an aircraft is called the full public charter.  These are normally the domain of those who conduct the tours and travels of visitors.  Since visitors and tourists would be coming mostly during the season times, they require a season aircraft for jet charter demands as they may not have the required infrastructure to operate aircraft of their own.

It is your decision –

The decision to adopt one of the above four processes lies with you and you have to decide which one would be the most suitable course for you depending on your requirements, budget and the fact whether the requisition is individual or for a group or corporate house.

Sandy Darson asked:




Backpacks that are made out of heavy material and are extremely bulky to carry around, even before they are filled. You may also fear buying a new backpack because your past experience dictates that backpacks can be extremely expensive. Put aside those old beliefs, because many newer styles of backpacks are made from lighter weight materials and are very inexpensive, especially when you consider how valuable your new piece of luggage will be for you to use.

One of the most popular new styles of backpacks is one which can either be carried on your back or wheeled behind you. Backpack manufacturers, recognizing that the loads backpacks sometimes bear can be extremely heavy, began making wheeled backpacks in an effort to help consumers save themselves from hurting their backs.

Wheeled backpacks come in a number of different sizes. If you will be using your wheeled backpack to carry around every day loads that are not extremely heavy, there are smaller models available for you to use. If you will be using your wheeled backpack to carry around heavy items such as laptops, books and other school supplies, there are larger and heavier duty wheeled backpacks that you can use to avoid having to break your back or your bank. You can also find much larger wheeled backpacks to use for purposes such as traveling. These bags, which are extremely sturdy and yet often made from lightweight materials, come with many different compartments inside so that you have plenty of places to store all of your necessities when you are on the road.

If you will be traveling, wheeled backpacks can truly be your best friend. Ensure, however, that you can easily take your wheeled backpack everywhere you want to go. In most case, wheeled backpacks will be small enough to use as carry-ons for airplanes. Check the restrictions of your airline, however, to ensure that you do not purchase a bag you will be unable to use. In addition to wheeled backpacks, you can also find miniature backpacks to be very useful when you are traveling. These mini backpacks, which you can carry by hand or sling over your back, are the perfect sizes to hold all of your necessities without having to carry a bulky bag on all of your travels.

Another popular backpack style that will save both your back and your bank is sling bags. These bags, which you can either wear on one shoulder or diagonally across your body, are made so that weight is distributed more evenly to avoid hurting yourself when you are carrying your bag. Sling style backpacks are most commonly made out of lightweight material, so that the only weight you will bear when carrying will be the items that you include inside. Do not mistake lightweight material for not being sturdy, however! Even lightweight mesh materials can bear heavy contents quite easily so that anything you need to bring along can be carried in your bag.

Some of the most expensive backpacks that you can find are those that are of the newest style that has been released. If your first priority is using the latest in backpack fashions, you need to be prepared to pay top dollar. Unless you can find newly released styles on sale, the latest backpacks can often cost two or three times as much as older styles. In order to save money, always check out bags that have been available for quite some time. Do not worry about being unfashionable; many backpacks are made so that their style is considered timeless instead of timed out.

Another factor that you will need to consider is the manufacturer of your backpack. As with any other type of item, brand name or higher end bags will always be more expensive than every day or mid range bags. To save your money, be prepared to walk away from designers and instead choose from a wide range of more affordable backpacks. Sometimes, however, a name brand really does equal better quality and the bag will last longer without ripping and tearing. Choose from experience or try reading online reviews and buyer comments. You do not want to spend more just for the sake of a logo, but you may be willing to spend a little bit more for something that lasts longer than a few months. Some lesser known brands are constructed with high quality as well. If you can, feel the material and inspect the stitching to gauge the quality for yourself.

There are many backpack styles available today that are affordable, practical and fashionable all the same time. Consider your primary use for the bag: school, work, travel or sports. If you frequently carry heavy loads, help to prevent neck and back strains by choosing a rolling backpack with collapsible handle. And remember that you do not have to sacrifice style for function – backpacks come in all shapes, sizes and styles for children through mature executives. There is sure to be something to suit every need.

Shane Lee asked:




This arctile is about the Tibet travel and Lhasa travel. You can find some helpful information in it if you are planning your trip to Tibet now.

 

Tibet is famous of its Buddhism culture and all the Tibetan people are religious Buddhism follower. Because of this, there are many taboos(some knowledge of these will be helpful for your Lhasa travel or Tibet travel) here in Tibet.

 

1. If the guests visit a Tibetan home, the older people always get the priority to speak first. To show your respect to them, you can add a “LA” to the end of their names. Complaining to the strangers is unpolite in Tibet. When receiving gifts from the Tibetan people, always use your two hands.

 

2. Tibetan people have lots of Taboos in food. It is forbidden to eat the meat of donkey, horse or dog in Tibet. (Dog meat is the biggest taboo) Once a plate toughes these meats, it will not be used again. The Tibetan people believe that having these meats will make their soul dirty and they will never go to heaven after death if they eat these meats. In some Tibetan areas, eating fish meats is a sin too. The Tibetan people worship the horse and regard it as the God representing the Road. Because of this, having the milk of the horse is also forbidden in Tibet.

 

3. When drinking wines with the Tibetan people, you should spray some wine to the air for 3 times, using your ring finger. This is to show your respect to the sky, earth and ancestor.

 

4. In the first day of every year in the Tibetan calender, house-cleaning is not allowed in Tibet. You can not eat food with stuffings in it. Can not cry, fight, dispute. Can not say “empty”, “nothing”, “illness”, “pain”, “death”, “killing”, “poor”, “no”, “bad luck”, etc. Tibetan people think these words as the bad signs for the new year. It is also forbidden to borrow things from other people in this day. (this will make the Tibetan family poor)

 

5. Killing wild animals is also a big taboo in Tibet. Tibetan people believe that it is a big sin to be brutal to the wild animals. They oppose the hunting of wild animals.

 

6. In Tibet, do not spit or applaud in front of the Tibetan people. Do not shake the skirt. These actions will be thought as bad signs in Tibet. If you visit a Buddhism temple, do not walk from right to left.

 

7. Throwing the bones to the fire is also a taboo in Tibet. Tibetan people believe this will attract the ghosts. Whistling is also forbidden in Tibetan homes for the same reason. If there is some one sick, the Tibetan people will not invite guests to their home.

 

8. Bring white things out of a Tibetan home in the night is a sign of fortune losing in the future.

 

There are many other taboos in Tibet for sure, but do not worry about them too much. The Tibetan people are very hospitable and they will not be hostile to you if you make some little mistakes. They know that the tourist are from all over the world and have different cultures and customs.(You can get more information about Lhasa travel, Tibet travel and China vacations at : Travel 2 China Info . COM )

 

NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel 2 China Info Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

Amy Nutt asked:

Sometimes when we go on vacation or on a trip for business, it’s almost as if we are carrying our entire lives along with us in our checked bags, so it comes as no surprise that in this day and age that travelers want their possessions that go along with them to be as safe as possible.

Travel insurance plans have become increasingly popular in the US since the tragedy that struck during 9/11, but before you decide if travel insurance is something that you need to spend your money on, it would help to know what is typically covered by these protective plans.

What’s covered?

Lost or stolen bags:

Some companies offer different grades of travel insurance, much like you can get with your homeowners or auto insurance. Depending upon the level of protection that you choose to pay for, a lost or stolen bag may garner a reimbursement of five hundred to a thousand dollars each. This is a potentially good feature if your bags are stolen, but all airlines have reimbursements for lost luggage which has just been recently raised to three thousand dollars per traveler.

Delayed luggage:

We all travel with things that are absolute necessities; clothes, razors, deodorants and other toiletries – with travelers insurance, if your bags end up at your destination more than twenty four hours after you do, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to two hundred dollars or more to purchase these types of items to hold you over until your bags arrive.

What’s not covered?

Under each type of travelers insurance policy that you may invest in, be wary of exclusions. Items that are difficult to prove may not be covered under your policy – things like contact lenses, eyeglasses, and cash are usually among the lists of items that are not covered.

Do you need travelers insurance?

This can be a pretty tough call in some cases, if having the extra protection is going to make you feel safer and able to relax and enjoy your vacation more, and the money isn’t a very big concern, than by all means – invest in the travelers insurance, just be wary that you may already be covered.

Some travelers are eligible for coverage under their homeowner’s insurance policies. If you take the time to check your homeowners policy you may find that you are protected up to a certain dollar amount on lost or stolen possessions.

If you paid for your trip with plastic as many travelers do these days, your particular credit card may offer you certain protections. In fact many cards geared towards business people and frequent travelers have a built in insurance that is far greater than what you would get with a purchased policy – and you won’t have to pay out anything to get that coverage.

If you book your trip through a service you may have some extra protection as well. Online services in which you book your entire trip – from flight to hotel to rental car, often offer some coverage for just using the service and many offer the chance to purchase some additional coverage for a small fee. Though you probably wouldn’t get as great a level of coverage with this method it will often come at a lower price.

With all of the things that we take along with us as we travel these days – expensive clothes, laptop computers, digital cameras and portable electronics – it only makes sense for us to be safe. Traveler’s insurance can be a very good thing to have in the event that one of your bags that contains a very important possession gets lost or stolen, just be sure that you don’t already have coverage for a similar event through another avenue before you spend some of your hard earned money that could potentially have been used elsewhere in your journey.

Al Terry asked:




The major sports events nationwide, such as baseball, football, basketball and hockey can either be very easy to find tickets at a reasonable price or extremely difficult. Many factors play into the supply and demand of sports tickets for events and venues. Some factors include the popularity of the team, how well the team is doing any given year and the rivalry match up of the event. Sports tickets for the New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox in the final game of the season with the winner moving onto the wild card for example, these tickets were probably sold out at the beginning of the season and locating them at a reasonable price is most likely impossible. There is always a way to locate any sports tickets for an event and with some tricks and tips even the above example can be accomplished.

Sports tickets are usually always in high demand and even if a team is not doing well the local fans will always want to attend the games throughout the season. The best way to procure your sports tickets is always to order them the day they go on sale directly from the box office. This way you always receive the tickets and seats you want for any given date and match up at the cheapest price available. The down side to this is that you must plan for the event months in advance and do to the improvisational nature of sports may not get to see a great game or important match up. Though most sports fans are aware of the seasons schedule and can take a good guess on what will occur for their team in a season.

The above example is typically the best way to secure your sports tickets for the season, however, if you simply cannot plan that far in advance and are tired of trying to get through to the box office only to end up with nose bleed section seating the use of a ticket broker may be a better option. Ticket brokers seem to get a bad name sometimes but do offer a reputable service. If money is not a factor and the idea of paying a bit extra for your sports tickets in order to avoid the hassles of trying to get through to the box office all day, as well as being able to pick any seats you want the extra cost can be reasonable.

A sports tickets broker often has a price increase around thirty percent higher then face value on average. Depending on the popularity of the event and premium seating options prices can and will go dramatically higher. Ordering your sports tickets earlier will help you to save money from a ticket broker and ease any hassles. The ability to use the Internet may help you save money on your sports tickets as well. Many online sports tickets brokers offer discount codes and sales of around ten percent. Shop around the Internet and try to locate a promo code for a ticket broker to save a considerable amount of money from the listed price on the website. If you locate the seats you want to an event from a sports ticket broker online, during checkout look for the promo code box. If the promo code box is available before you make the purchase email the ticket broker for a code.

Using the Internet to locate sports tickets is a very useful tool. Ebay is always an option for locating your sports tickets and perhaps you can locate a great deal from someone who has extras and is unable to attend the event. Typically these sellers are looking to just receive the face value, shipping and perhaps a couple extra dollars for the work they put into purchasing the sports tickets. Most times they sell the tickets at face value to recoup the costs and not waste the sports tickets they purchased.

The last tip for using the Internet to secure your sports tickets is one which works great and saves you money. The only downside to this is you must invest some time and may be disappointed with not finding the sports tickets you desire. Many sports fans have communities online. These may be forums or blogs related directly to the team you love and the fans are all friendly and helpful. Try using a search engine to locate these forums by doing a search for “baseball forums” or “Padres blog.” Then make some posts asking if anyone has extra tickets available. Put the date and event you wish to attend and make sure you include your email so fans may write you with what they have available. Since you are all related through the passion of your team very rarely will anyone ask for more then face value and you may be able to locate amazing seats for the best game of the season at an unbelievable price.

Purchasing sports tickets from the box office will save you time and money but may be more of a hassle then it is worth. A sports tickets broker typically will have the seats for any event you wish to attend with a drastic increase in price but eliminate all hassles these other techniques involve. The Internet is a great source to locate sports tickets from friends and fans of the team who will be more then willing to help you out. Any one of these tips should assure you find the sports tickets of your choice and get to attend the event.

asked:




Helicopter training is your gateway to becoming a helicopter pilot (helicopter license is the key). This is why you should carefully plan that whole process of enrolling and getting the license. To help you out on this, here are the important things you must know.

Among all the important things you should do, planning your finances should be on the top of your list. Take note that the whole helicopter training course is expensive and involves a long time commitment. Indulge only to this commitment if you can pay the training from start to finish. If you think you cannot make it through, there are several financial aids that would lessen the financial burden you carry. Some training schools also have special payment schemes that you can take advantage of in order to get through the training.

Believe it or not, many aspire to become a helicopter pilot but few only make it to become one. One reason is that these people are not physically fit to fly a helicopter. It may be because of physical disability. It may also because they are not prepared mentally. Both these factors could cost the dream of flying to remain a dream. Another reason is that some are not into the noise and the vibration of the helicopter (this is much like the people who want to ride an airplane but are scared of flying). If you really want to enroll at a helicopter training school, make sure you are physically and mentally ready.

In choosing the helicopter training school, you should consider the location and cost of the training. Since not all states have helicopter training school, enrolling yourself at a training school could mean relocating. Now, the cost of relocation is too much. This means an added cost to the training fee. Some schools include accommodation while you train for an extra cost. Make sure you check on this.

Finding a flight training school may be easy. Here you should consider the cost, the proximity to your place, and the programs they offer. Selecting one involves more criteria.

When selecting a flight training school, it is not enough that you base it on the cost the program. Since you are the student and you are paying big time here, make sure that you check on the eligibility of the flight school you are considering. Weight the school on the criteria of maintenance capability, safety record, and pilot management. You should also talk to your possible flight instructor. Know if the instructor fits your personality. Remember that you will be spending many hours with each other so you better choose one who is fun to be with.

One important paper you should have if you want to fly is the flight medical certificate. Without it, you can never fly. There are 3 kinds of flight medical certificate: first class medical that is required for an Airline Transport Pilot, second class medical that is required to fly commercial, and the third class medical for private flying. Cost of training usually ranges between $20,000 to $45,000 depending on the type of training school.

You should also choose your helicopter training school based on the following criteria: the type of course they provide, the payment scheme, the time of training, the duration of the training, safety guidelines, insurance to the student, housing, school facilities, types of training helicopters they use, ground-school training program, job vacancy program, instructors and staff, and FAA certificates.

Mary Brooke asked:




In recent years, Barcelona has established itself as one of Europe´s most popular tourist destinations, and it is not difficult to understand why. With its balmy all-year climate, its avant-garde architecture, its burgeoning gastronomy, its fabulous beaches, proximity to the Costa Brava & ski-slopes as well as its eclectic mix of shops, Catalunya´s capital can be justly proud of what it has to offer visitors. Transformed by the 1992 Olympics, the city has attracted millions of curious independent travellers and, in the last few years, it has become increasingly popular as a family destination. The website mumabroad.com, a local site written by parents living in Barcelona with recommendations from local mums, shows you why the city has so much to offer kids, from its child-friendly accommodation and restaurants to its numerous outdoor activities and day-trips.

Arriving in Barcelona with the kids

Nowadays there are many airlines who operate in and out of Barcelona and not surprisingly most visitors arrive by air. Below we have listed a few options on how to reach the city centre. The most popular option is the Airport Bus due to its frequency and ease of access from the airport. Taxis can be expensive and most won´t have car seats although Spanish law requires that all children under three years of age must use a child seat. Failure to do so will result in a fine of 90 euros.

Barcelona Taxis

Just outside the arrivals hall you will find the Barcelona Airport taxi rank. Fares to Barcelona cost approximately 25 Euros and the journey time is around 30 minutes.

Barcelona Airport Bus

The Barcelona Airport Bus stops in front of Terminals A, B (Arrivals) and C and takes passengers to the centre of Barcelona (Plaza Catalunya). Departures from Mondays to Saturdays from the airport are from 6am to 1am; and from Plaza de Catalunya from 5:30am to 12:15am. Buses run every 7 to 15 minutes. Single Fare: 3.90 euros

Barcelona Airport Train

The Barcelona Airport train station is located opposite the arrivals and departure halls. The Line C10 goes to Barcelona Sants and takes around 30 minutes and costs 2.50 euros. The first train from the airport is at 6am and the trains run at 30 minute intervals until 11.44pm. From Barcelona Sants it is likely you will need to take the metro or a taxi as it is not in the centre of town.

Getting Around Barcelona with the kids

Barcelona By Metro

The Barcelona Metro is not such a popular choice for young families visiting the city, due to the fact that there are a limited amount of lifts for buggies, which means accessing the trains can be a real chore. Travel is cheap however and you can purchase a book of 10 tickets for around 7 euros. The ticket is valid for any journey on the metro although if you need a new ticket for journeys on the same day. For many, taxis are the transport of choice (see below). However if you are visiting Barcelona with older kids or if you decide to brave the system anyway, the timetable is below:

Mondays -Thursdays, Sundays & Holidays: 5am to 12am.

Fridays: 5am to 2am

Saturdays: Non-stop service

Barcelona By Taxi

For many families, taxis are the transport of choice as they are relatively cheap and even ones without car seats will accept young babies and toddlers for short journeys. You can flag them down (green light means they are empty) or many hotels will also call a taxi on your behalf. Be warned though English is not widely spoken amongst taxi drivers in Barcelona so it is a good idea to write down your destination on a piece of paper.

Barcelona By Tourist Bus

The open top double-decker Barcelona Bus Turístic is a fantastic way to get around Barcelona with little ones (children under 4 travel for free). You can hop off or hop on at any of the 44 stops. You will receive an information guide about each of the enroute attractions as well as a discount voucher booklet. The buses go between every 5-25 minutes and the timetable is at each of the 44 stops. First buses call at most stops between 9am and 9.30am A one day ticket for adults costs 20 euros and for children (4-12) 12 euros. You can buy tickets on the bus or at any of the tourist offices in Barcleona. The service operates daily apart from 25th December and 1st January.

Family Attractions in Barcelona

Nou Camp Tour

An absolute must for all football-mad kids. The guided tour of the third biggest football stadium in the world includes visiting the stadium,tunnel & pitch area. Admission: 11,50 euros adults 9,20 euros for children under 13 years.

Av. Aristides Maillo 12-18 Metro Collblanc, Les Corts, Badal or Maria Christina

Barcelona Zoo

Zoos aren´t everyone´s cup of tea, but Barcelona Zoo has a lot to offer children. As well as big cats, penguins, gorillas, hippos, bears etc there is a twice daily dolphin show at and a children´s farm with pigs, horses, rabbits & guinea pigs.The play area in the centre of the zoo is excellent, including a mini absail area and climbing frames. On the downside drinks & snacks are quite expensive and it gets very crowded at weekends. Open from 10am until 7pm in summer and until 6pm in the winter.

Parc Zoologic de Barcelona S.A, Parc de la Ciutadela s/n, 08003 Barcelona Metro Arc de Trionfo or Barceloneta (+34) 932256780 www.zoobarcelona.com

Barcelona Aquarium

This is the largest aquarium in Europe and includes an interactive space called Explora. Admission: Adults 13 euros. Children 4-12 years 9 euros. Under 4s free. Worth it just for walking in the vast transparent shark tunnel! There is a really good interactive children´s area. You are also among the shops and restaurants of the Maremagnum – a good place for lunch. Open 9.30am – 9pm.

Moll d’Espanya, Port Vell. Metro Drassanes (+34) 932217474

Tours of Barcelona

If you come to Barcelona with your children, fear not! Organised tours take place in the old town which can be enjoyed by parents and children alike. The idea is to include visits, games and stories to keep the attention of the younger ones (and the odd easily-distracted adults). These might include an artisanal sweet shop where they can see how the candies are made, an original toy workshop, an old-fashioned milk bar where they can indulge in a creamy traditional milkshake, guessing games in the food market, and more.With the little ones occupied, there is time to explain to the grown-ups of the group the anecdotes on the history, culture, cuisine and associated tales of the city.

Poble Espanyol

This is a mini-disneyland with every Spanish region in cameo and it provides great day out for children. Entry is 8 euros for adults and 5 euros for kids. Family ticket 16 euros (with children between 7 and 12 years). Opening times Monday 9am – 8pm Tuesday to Thursday 9am – 2am Friday 9am – 4am Saturday 9am – 5am Sunday 9am -midnight

Metro Espanya. Buses 55, 13. Tourist Bus Stop:Poble Espanyol (+34) 935086300 www.poble-espanyol.com

Tibidabo Amusement Park

Mix of fun rides and state-of-the-art attractions including a multimedia experience which allows children become part of a cartoon. There is also a mechanical Puppet museum dating back to 1899. Entrance fee: adults 15 euros, children under 110cm height 4 euros. Unlimited use of rides and attractions. Open every day from 11am apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day

3-4 Plaza del Tibidabo By Train: Get FGC from Plaza Catalunya to Avenida Tibidabo then follow signposts to the Tramvia Blau at the end of Balmes in Placa John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Take the Tramvia to the Mirablau and then the Funicular to the top of the Mountain. By Bus: Take the Tibibus from Plaza Catalunya

Port Aventura Theme Park

Hugely popular theme park around an hour outside Barcelona. You can be flung around eight inverted loops on Dragon Khan (supposedly the largest roller-coaster in Europe) or get soaked on Tutuki Splash. There are also shows with bubbles, birds of paradise, Mexican and Chinese themes.

Located near Salou/La Pineda, off A7. Buses go from from Passeig de Sant Joan and for trains from Passeig de Gracia. Look for trains on the Salou line and you need to get off at Port Aventura. The park also has areas designated for small children such as play areas, small rides, children´s swimming pools and the hotels offer special services for children such as menus, entertainment and monitor led activities. There are many baby changing facilities at the park and you are also able to rent prams.

Chocolate Museum

Located in an ancient convent in Calle Comerc (number 36) in el Borne, children can learn everything about chocolate including its medicinal, nutritional and aphrodisiac qualities. There are also some fantastic chocolate sculputures and workshops to teach you how to make chocolate. Best of all you can sample the goods! Admission 3,6 euros

Las Golondrinas

Double decker pleasureboats take you from the harbour to the breakwater. Good fun, good value with some great views of the city. Every half hour leaving from the bottom of Las Ramblas until 7pm. Adults 5 euros children up to 12 years 2,50 euros

Montserrat

Half the fun is getting there. The cog railway up the mountain is a must for children and railway enthusiasts alike .Once there, children will be awestruck by the wacky shaped rocks and for the more active there are numerous walking tracks, caves. Montserrat is of course famous for being the home of Our Lady of Montserrat and a Benedictine monastery.

Trains (R5) go from Placa d’Espanya metro.You can either get a train and cable car ride or just the train (and rack railway). Journey is approx one hour and they leave at a quarter to the hour. Get out at Montserrat Aeri Station if you have chosen the cable car or in Monistrol de Montserrat station to change to the Rack railway.

Magic Fountains of Montjuic (Font Magica)

This is a great stop for some evening entertainment for the children. The Font Magica is a colourful water and classical music extravaganza held each night. Thurs-Sun 9pm, 9.30pm, 10pm, 10.30pm, 11pm. From October to April just Fridays and Saturdays 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm

La plaza de Carles Buïgas, just above the Avenida de Maria Cristina. Metro Espanya .Walk towards the MNAC between the two large towers at Placa Espanya

Beaches, Parks and Play Areas for Kids in Barcelona

Park Güell

Probably the world´s most enchanting public park created by Barcelona´s most famous son, Antón Gaudí. Loosely based on Hampstead Heath in London, the park boasts sparkling mosaic stairways, multicoloured buildings and fairytale fountains. It is pure fantasty and kids will love it.

How to get there: Bus 24 from Plaza Catalunya stops right outside the main entrance. Metro Vallcarca (walk out the metro down Avenida Militar for 4 blocks, turn left at Baixada de La Gloria and take the outdoor escalators to the Park entrance. It is signposted).

Ciutadella Park & Play area

The Ciutudella Park is Barcelona´s most centrally located green space, sandwiched between the districts of Poble Nou, Barceloneta and San Pere. For families, there are a huge amount of facilities and activities including the Zoo, the Geology Museum, the Hivernacle (currenlty being renovated) and the boating lake. You can also rent out bikes at the main entrance (www.bicing.com). Located at the top end of the lake, twice daily toddlers can enjoy free toys and games in addition to the permanent swings and slides.There is even a sprinkler in the summer which the kids love! 11am-2pm every day and 4.30pm-6.30/7pm from mid september to mid June. 5.30pm-8.30pm from mid June to mid September

Mar Bella & Base Nautica

Mar Bella beach is about a 20 minute walk north of the Port Olimpic (left facing the water) and probably the most child-friendly of all of Barcelona´s beaches. It is clean and quiet and you can find a children´s play-area, lifeguards, sunbed hire, showers and a beach restaurant (chiringuito). The Base Nautica is can also based here, where you can hire small sailing boats, canoes and kayaks.

Parc de Collserola

Often overlooked but this Natural Park is literally a breath of fresh air and so close to the centre of town. The park is huge (22 times the size of New York´s Central Park) – the largest city park in the world. The information centre provides numerous walking guides and hikes to Tibidabo, the Torre de Collserola or the town of Vallvidrera.

Take train to Baixador de Vallvidrera from Plaza Catalunya and you arrive right in it.

Barceloneta

Barceloneta beach is popular with families due to its proximity with a huge choice of restaurants and the pedestrian walkway along Passeig Maritim, where you can also cycle. The beach gets very crowded in summer but is regularly cleaned. Likewise the water – for a city beach – is suprisingly clean. We suggest you don´t plonk yourself on the nearest available space but walk a little further on towards the Olympic Port where it gets much less crowded.

Metro Barceloneta or any Passeig Maritim bus route. For daily information on the city´s beaches call (+34) 934810053

Parc del Laberint d’Horta

This 17 acre park really warrants a short trip from town. It is a fairytale park with its pretty walkways, canal, romantic gardens, cascade and of course, the maze which kids will love. Entrance fee 1,90 euros

Pg Castanyers 1. Directly behind the Velodrome. Metro Mundet.