HolidaysPlease

Anyone about to leave the UK in order to go on a well-earned holiday has been reminded that the normal regulations apply when it comes to baggage restrictions on aircraft.

Security spokesperson for Gatwick Airport, Fiona Carleton, said that with December 27th and 28th looking set to be especially busy days in terms of flights in and out, people should remember that ignoring the rules is likely to cause delays.

She warned: “Restrictions apply to all liquids – including Christmas presents – and I strongly encourage passengers to come prepared so that our operational staff can provide the best possible service to all.”

Liquids are still restricted to containers of 100ml or less and anyone taking presents to friends and family members in their hand luggage is advised not to wrap them, as they may need to be checked at security.

Better still, put them in your suitcase where they can be wrapped and ready to be given to the eager recipient at the other end!

In related news, those going abroad have been urged not to forget to tell their bank.

This is the advice of Peter Harrison from moneysupermarket.com, who said that one person in nine has had transactions that they tried to make abroad refused by their bank.

A whopping three million Brits are to take to the skies over the Christmas period in order to go on holiday, it has been found.

According to the Association of British Travel agents (Abta), traditional holiday destinations such as Tenerife, Turkey and Egypt are popular, but other, less touristy places like Budapest and Warsaw are also being chosen by many people from the UK.

This could be due to people visiting their family and friends who may have moved away.

The number jetting off to foreign climes was found to be much the same as last year, despite predictions that travel may suffer as people cut back amid the credit crunch.

Justin Fleming, Abta president, said that getting away is more important at Christmas for many than is escaping in the summer, since the reasoning behind it is probably different.

“[Holidays] provide a valuable time to unwind and spend quality time with family,” he pointed out.

The news echoes recent research by Kayak.co.uk, which found that most people who are going away over the festive period will do so on December 22nd when they have finished work for the year and have had time to tie up any loose ends.

With X Factor over for another year, it’s hard to think of something which could fill the gap left by Diana and … that one who cried all the time.

However, for those lucky enough to be going on holidays to Dubai this week, it won’t be a problem at all.

This is because something very special – if not a little strange – is taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from December 23rd: the Camel Festival.

Although it may be similar in terms of the amount of fluttering long eyelashes and knobbly knees on show, the Camel Festival is likely to be much more exciting and probably less predictable.

According to the Khaleej Times, the competition will see over 30,000 camels compete in a huge beauty contest lasting 13 days.

No, we’re not sure how they can make it last that long, either – or whether celebrities will join the competitors for a duet in the grand final – but Ebrahim Al Mazrouei, the organiser of the festival, said that there is plenty of interest.

“Every day we are registering around 600 to 700 camels and we have to extend the registration deadline by one more day, in order to cope with all the arrivals,” he commented.

The Gulf Today states that there are around 375,000 camels in the UAE – presumably the other 345,000 were too shy to take part.

Holidays to New York for new year this time around could be bigger and better than ever before, thanks to efforts from the city’s tourist officials.

Although a huge ball counts the seconds down every New Year’s Eve, the usual one has been replaced with a whopper.

It’s 12 feet high, weighs double that of its predecessor and is studded with 2,668 Waterford crystals, meaning that the countdown should be bigger and sparklier than ever before.

George Fertitta, chief executive of New York City’s marketing and tourism organisation, said: “This year’s new ball reflects the vibrancy and excitement of New York City itself.”

He added that there will also be a host of activities going on to encourage visitors that NYC is the only place to celebrate new year.

Indeed, tourists will be able to see special operas and a New Year’s Eve performance of the Big Apple Circus, which is sure to delight families with young children who may not be able to keep those eyes open all the way to midnight!

For extra activities, people on holiday in New York may also wish to take a horse and carriage ride around Central Park or a helicopter ride to the top of the Statue of Liberty.