Friday, 22 February 2008
Lost In Translation!
No doubt at some point on your travels you have seen a poorly-translated sign that has made you chuckle. In this blog we have gathered a few of the best of these from around the world.
Japanese car hire leaflet: “When passenger of foot heave into sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigour”
Munich hotel: “In your room is a minibar filled with alcoholics”
Spanish beach: “Beach of irregular bottoms”
Hotel in Canary Islands: “Great entertainment – live paella”
Hotel brochure, Copenhagen: “In fire, the bells rings three times. There is a fine escape on each floor. For other amusements see page 3”
Airline brochure: “Wide boiled aircraft for your comfort”
Japanese Zoo, by monkey enclosure: “You had better deposit your baggage into the charge free lockers or it will be ours. But we are not interested in your camera. We do not like to be stared at our eyes. If you do so, we are not responsible for what will happen. We do not hope to be such a monkey. Please, refrain from feeding us”
Guide to Buenos Aires: “Several of the local beaches are very copular in the summer”
In bathroom on train, China: “Don’t throw things in the pond”
Cornish hotel: “Will any guest wishing to take a bath please make arrangements to have one with Mrs Harvey”
Sign by swimming pool in Shanghai: “Bottom of pond very hard and not far from top of water”
Budapest: “Forbidden to hang out of hotel window. Person which do so will be charge for clean up mess on footpath”
Prague hotel: “Water is officially drinkable (but not for sucklings) but we don’t recommend to drink it”
Menu in Thailand: “Limpid red beets soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger” and “Beef rashers beaten up in the country people’s fashion”
Japanese car park: “Please get a punch at window no.2”
Czech Republic: “We like 2 please our customers but if u r unhappy please see the manager who will give u total satisfaction”
At least 24/7 travel insurance is in English! If you are planning a trip around the world (and hoping to see some of these….), you can obtain travel insurance from as little as £10.41*.
*Including Insurance Premium Tax; premium quote based on an individual traveller aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker policy for one month for Worldwide travel. Prices are correct at the time of going to press and are subject to change.
Examples in this blog were originally quoted in Telegraph Travel, October 6 2007 and the internet.
Japanese car hire leaflet: “When passenger of foot heave into sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigour”
Munich hotel: “In your room is a minibar filled with alcoholics”
Spanish beach: “Beach of irregular bottoms”
Hotel in Canary Islands: “Great entertainment – live paella”
Hotel brochure, Copenhagen: “In fire, the bells rings three times. There is a fine escape on each floor. For other amusements see page 3”
Airline brochure: “Wide boiled aircraft for your comfort”
Japanese Zoo, by monkey enclosure: “You had better deposit your baggage into the charge free lockers or it will be ours. But we are not interested in your camera. We do not like to be stared at our eyes. If you do so, we are not responsible for what will happen. We do not hope to be such a monkey. Please, refrain from feeding us”
Guide to Buenos Aires: “Several of the local beaches are very copular in the summer”
In bathroom on train, China: “Don’t throw things in the pond”
Cornish hotel: “Will any guest wishing to take a bath please make arrangements to have one with Mrs Harvey”
Sign by swimming pool in Shanghai: “Bottom of pond very hard and not far from top of water”
Budapest: “Forbidden to hang out of hotel window. Person which do so will be charge for clean up mess on footpath”
Prague hotel: “Water is officially drinkable (but not for sucklings) but we don’t recommend to drink it”
Menu in Thailand: “Limpid red beets soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger” and “Beef rashers beaten up in the country people’s fashion”
Japanese car park: “Please get a punch at window no.2”
Czech Republic: “We like 2 please our customers but if u r unhappy please see the manager who will give u total satisfaction”
At least 24/7 travel insurance is in English! If you are planning a trip around the world (and hoping to see some of these….), you can obtain travel insurance from as little as £10.41*.
*Including Insurance Premium Tax; premium quote based on an individual traveller aged under 36 taking out a Standard Backpacker policy for one month for Worldwide travel. Prices are correct at the time of going to press and are subject to change.
Examples in this blog were originally quoted in Telegraph Travel, October 6 2007 and the internet.
Labels: Lost In Translation
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 12:02
Saturday, 9 February 2008
How to save on school holiday travel
If you are going ski-ing during the upcoming half-term, or are looking at booking your next summer holiday about now, no doubt you will have baulked at the massive jump in travel prices once the school holidays begin. The only alternative seems to be to take the children out of school – but that isn’t ideal either. Some schools even threaten to fine parents who take their offspring on holiday in term time.
The increase in price of package trips during the school holiday even prompted the Government to launch a scheme in co-operation with ABTA to encourage travel companies to offer cheaper deals in the holidays. But in June 2007, the project was quietly abandoned.
The reason is simple – the travel industry works on a principle of supply and demand, and hotel and flight providers increase their prices in the summer and during Easter and Christmas so the tour operators have to pass this increase on to the customer. But there are ways to beat the system.
Winter Sports
The price of ski-ing in February half-term has sadly put winter sports holidays beyond the reach of many families. But don’t rule out the Easter holidays – ski-ing towards the end of the season can be much cheaper. You might have to take a risk with the snow by going this late, so choose a “snow sure” resort.
Florida
The big plus with Florida is that it is warm all year round. February half term is an excellent time to go as it is not too hot, and queues at the theme parks should be much shorter. The other point worth bearing in mind with Florida is there is a vast choice of holidays – fly drive, all inclusive, room only...unsurprisingly, the big resort hotels show steep prices during the holidays so consider booking independently or going self-catering, and check out the transport links to the parks – you might not need a hire car. The best deal will come from shopping around – allow yourself plenty of time for this!
Summer Sun
Probably the most popular type of family holiday, but the prices out of term time can go up by 25-30%*. But again, savings can be made by going in May or October half-term. Most destinations are very pleasant in May especially, and with the heat being less stifling this is a good time to travel with younger children. The last week of the holidays in August is also often cheaper than the first week at the end of July.
Independent travel is also worth considering at this time of year. A holiday in a privately-owned gite in France can sometimes be 50% cheaper than the camping/mobile home holidays offered by tour operators.**
Don’t forget the insurance!
Lastly, whenever you travel, it is possible to make significant savings on your travel insurance. Shop around – sites like Moneysupermarket make this very easy – and remember you are not obliged to buy the travel insurance offered by your tour operator which can be much pricier. 24/7 travel insurance http://www.247travelinsurance.co.uk/ offers cover for a family holiday to Spain from just £15.27† so don’t pay more than you need!
*Source: Guardian Online, 24 June 2007
**Source: Telegraph Travel, 26 January 2008
† Includes Insurance Premium Tax; priced based on 2 adults under 55 and their two accompanying children aged under 18 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 7 nights in Europe and travelling within 14 days of purchase.
The increase in price of package trips during the school holiday even prompted the Government to launch a scheme in co-operation with ABTA to encourage travel companies to offer cheaper deals in the holidays. But in June 2007, the project was quietly abandoned.
The reason is simple – the travel industry works on a principle of supply and demand, and hotel and flight providers increase their prices in the summer and during Easter and Christmas so the tour operators have to pass this increase on to the customer. But there are ways to beat the system.
Winter Sports
The price of ski-ing in February half-term has sadly put winter sports holidays beyond the reach of many families. But don’t rule out the Easter holidays – ski-ing towards the end of the season can be much cheaper. You might have to take a risk with the snow by going this late, so choose a “snow sure” resort.
Florida
The big plus with Florida is that it is warm all year round. February half term is an excellent time to go as it is not too hot, and queues at the theme parks should be much shorter. The other point worth bearing in mind with Florida is there is a vast choice of holidays – fly drive, all inclusive, room only...unsurprisingly, the big resort hotels show steep prices during the holidays so consider booking independently or going self-catering, and check out the transport links to the parks – you might not need a hire car. The best deal will come from shopping around – allow yourself plenty of time for this!
Summer Sun
Probably the most popular type of family holiday, but the prices out of term time can go up by 25-30%*. But again, savings can be made by going in May or October half-term. Most destinations are very pleasant in May especially, and with the heat being less stifling this is a good time to travel with younger children. The last week of the holidays in August is also often cheaper than the first week at the end of July.
Independent travel is also worth considering at this time of year. A holiday in a privately-owned gite in France can sometimes be 50% cheaper than the camping/mobile home holidays offered by tour operators.**
Don’t forget the insurance!
Lastly, whenever you travel, it is possible to make significant savings on your travel insurance. Shop around – sites like Moneysupermarket make this very easy – and remember you are not obliged to buy the travel insurance offered by your tour operator which can be much pricier. 24/7 travel insurance http://www.247travelinsurance.co.uk/ offers cover for a family holiday to Spain from just £15.27† so don’t pay more than you need!
*Source: Guardian Online, 24 June 2007
**Source: Telegraph Travel, 26 January 2008
† Includes Insurance Premium Tax; priced based on 2 adults under 55 and their two accompanying children aged under 18 taking out a Standard single-trip policy for 7 nights in Europe and travelling within 14 days of purchase.
Labels: school holiday travel
// posted by 24/7 Travel Insurance @ 04:04
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