On Air...

Whilst planning a little trip to Malaga at the end of this month, I stumbled across a fantastic app for searching out some great independent digs whilst you're away - airB&B...

As you would expect from any well-connected app these days, traveller reviews play a key role in the format of airB&B, allowing you to see what others thought about their stay before you book. The great news is, thanks to the app's focus on independent accommodation, you can also contact the 'host' with any questions you may have before you travel.

Searching for your digs is made really easy with these handy filters. Everything is laid out in a really simple format, making the initial search process a breeze.

The design of the app blends in seamlessly with iOS7 for apple devices and also enhances the app's authority on good design and complements the standard of properties available. Another great tool accessible from the side menu is 'Wish Lists' - allowing you to trawl through any number of potential places and save them to a quick menu for you to review and compare from later making it even easier to narrow down your search.

Search results are displayed in a scroll of beautifully mouth-watering photos, meaning that the only downside to the app is that there is almost too much choice. You can spend hours viewing these properties as they are presented to you in their Sunday best. That said - you could also argue that this is the best bit!

Well done airB&B for taking independent lets which all to often end up looking sorry for themselves and unappealing on similar sites. As always I will be writing a trip report when I return from the good old Costa del Sol early next month and I'll be sure to include my thoughts on whichever pad we decide to go for.

A Quick Turnaround

It always makes me smile when I'm talking to someone about my job and the inevitable "what's your favourite  destination/do you get to stay over/how long do you get there?" question is asked. I suppose to the flying public we are only ever seen on the aircraft and if they are getting off... Why wouldn't we be?!?

For the record; if we have been on the ground for more than an hour, then the chances are we're late! It really is that quick. Bish bash bosh: seats for departure. This doesn't mean however, that I don't ever get chance to enjoy the destination. I'm a bit of a plane geek so there's always something to look at. Even when the apron is empty, most of our destinations are so beautiful that you can enjoy a few rays of sunshine  and admire the mountains or coastline from the back steps whilst you're waiting with a cup of tea for the cleaners to finish in the cabin.

And so here it is: The world through the eyes of a trolley dolly...

A view of the Alps from the tarmac in Geneva

Sunshine beaming down in Split, Croatia

Monarch were the first European airline to take delivery of the new Airbus A320 fitted with 'sharklets' this year. Here are both of the new sharky's parked together next to the infamous Boeing 727 'ghost plane' in Faro, Portugal...

 Another shot in Faro of a lovely warm evening in late September... Not a cloud in the sky :)

From the good old baby days... although I think this is in Birmingham... Not quite so glamorous!

One of the most impressive places we fly to is Gibraltar as 'the rock' seems to climb up straight off the runway. Gibraltar is so small that the airport is actually wider than the territory itself... there's even a railway-style level crossing across the runway that closes when a plane is taking off or landing...