Tag: Travel

The Queen is known for having travelled around the world multiple times to meet people from various nations. In fact, she is officially the most travelled head of state of all time. Her Majesty is even known to have had some bizarre travel traditions such as having to include a black outfit in her luggage and always carrying boiled sweets.

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But over the years she has clocked up a huge amount of air miles.

Surprisingly, the Queen has travelled more than a million miles.

In fact, she has travelled 1,032,513 miles which is the equivalent of 42 journeys around the entire length of the Earth.

She took most of her trips in the 1970s when she visited 48 different countries.

These countries included the likes of Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, Barbados and Australia.

In total, she has visited 110 countries which has earned her the right to join the Traveller’s Century Club which represents travellers who have visited 100 or more countries and territories.

Meanwhile, the average Briton will visit just ten countries in their lifetime.

Her longest trip was a 44,000-mile tour of the Commonwealth in 1953.

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The journey was so huge that the Queen took an impressive 12 tons of luggage with her.

She visited Canada the most with 27 trips, followed by Australia with 18 trips.

But there are some places that she has never visited during her official trips.

One of the countries she has never visited includes Egypt.

This is potentially due to security issues and the Suez Crisis of 1956.

Other destinations that she has not visited include Libya, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Albania, Costa Rica, Madagascar and Israel.

In her role as Queen, she also never visited Greece which may be because of her husband Prince Philip’s family history.

But out of all 195 countries, she has only missed out 91.

The Queen’s last state visit was in 2015 to Malta.

But the Queen didn’t fly commercial, despite other members of the Royal Family having to do so.

Back in 2002, Prince Philip explained how the planes that they use have had improvements for their own comfort.

He said: “If you travel as much as we do, you appreciate the improvements in aircraft design of less noise and more comfort – provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly.”

The Queen is the only member of the royals who does not have to take a scheduled flight unlike Prince William and Prince Harry and their families.

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The impact of coronavirus has left a lot of holidaymakers wondering whether they should apply for refunds or cancel their plans. The travel and service industries have been hit hard by the virus as they are forced to suspend their schedules and let go of staff. But as lockdown measures continue, and more people are left out of work, many will no doubt be seeking refunds.

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Today, presenter Nicky Campbell took questions on BBC 5 Live Breakfast with financial expert Martin Lewis.

A man called Dave called in and asked Mr Lewis about how he can get refunds on his hotel bookings.

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He asked: “We’ve got three short breaks booked later in the year with a chain of budget hotels.

“I just wondered – I prepaid them all – can I claim back or is there anyway I can do that if I don’t go?”

Mr Campbell pointed out that a lot of companies would be financially in their right to give refunds or not give refunds.

He added: “But I’m sure there are many companies who are understanding the exigencies of the situation and doing the right thing.”

Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com Mr Lewis said: “Yes, and equally we have to understand the exigencies of the situation for firms.

“And as someone who has always backed consumers, I understand that at the moment we have to show forbearance too.

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“Look, we don’t know you can’t go yet. When you say later in the year, how much later in the year are you talking?”

Dave replied: “The first break is in May. The second one is in June and the third is in July and that’s for the open golf as well so that may be off, I don’t know.”

Mr Lewis replied: “Interestingly, unless you’ve booked an open golf package, if the open golf is off but the hotel is available then the open golf being off doesn’t mean you can cancel your hotel.

“Assuming it is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund if you cannot go because the holiday is cancelled.

“And the same is true of flights. But enforcing that is becoming the problem at the moment.

“Loads of people are talking to me about flights especially as well as hotels.

“With flights there is actually a specific law – EU regulation 264/2004 – with general cancellations you must expect your money back.

“Now, enforcement is the real difficulty. With flights by the way everyone, the easiest solution on that is their websites which are offering you vouchers.

“If you can take a voucher why not, it will help the travel industry but if you can’t then you’re going to need to call them up which I know is difficult and I know there are long delays.

“They should give you the cash refund. With a hotel they should give you a cash refund too.

“Whether they will or not is difficult, the only real way to enforce that is by going to court and some of these companies clearly are under huge trouble and don’t have the money.”

He then explained the best way to get a refund is through your card company.

He said: “I would probably use the charge back system. If you pay for something that you don’t get then under the Visa MasterCard and American Express rules, if you can’t get a refund then you can go to Visa MasterCard and American Express which you do via your card provider.

“Say you’d like to do a chargeback because you’ve paid for this and you haven’t received it and you should get a refund that way.”

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Often, researching hotels can be tricky, especially when scrolling though various options online. Some extravagant rooms have names like “presidential”, “executive” or even “royal” suite which are usually perfect for those willing to spend a little extra. But most hotel rooms with those labels don’t have particularly notable guests.

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However, some hotels across the globe have had British Royalty grace their hallways and rooms.

From the UK to Kenya, the royals have made themselves more than comfortable in hotel rooms.

Below is a list of hotels that have housed more than one member of the royal family over the years.

The Stafford, London

This five-star hotel is a British classic located in the heart of London with a concierge service and a revolving door.

Tucked away in the heart of St James’ near Mayfair, it’s perfect for those who want to experience luxury just minutes away from the vibrancy of the West End.

The hotel is frequently used by the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips.

The hotel was originally built as a private residence in the 17th century, belonging to Lord and Lady Lyttelton.

Lady Lyttelton served as a nanny to Queen Victoria’s children.

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Tschuggen Grand, Switzerland

This hotel has been used by Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The three royals used it while attending the wedding of English polo player Mark Tomlinson.

The hotel boasts “award-winning cuisine”, a stunning spa and wellness facilities along with those gorgeous Swiss views.

Carton House Golf & Spa Resort, Kildare, Ireland

This hotel includes Queen Victoria’s bedroom which has been kept in its original state.

The stunning hotel is located just 25 minutes outside of Dublin and is perfect for anyone trying to escape the big city for a glimpse of royal life.

The building is set on 1,100 private acres of sweeping Kildare parkland, and is one of Ireland’s national treasures.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Island

A royal visit in 1966 by the Queen herself saw this little hotel acquire international fame.

Located on the dreamy British Virgin Island, this hotel looks like paradise complete with palm trees, pale blue sea and wooden hotel suites.

The Queen and Prince Phillip visited in 1966 during their royal Caribbean tour when Her Majesty was just 40 years old.

Rutundu inside Mount Kenya National Park, Kenya

Prince William and his wife Kate stayed here while on safari in Kenya.

They stayed at the Lewa Safari Camp inside the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which has a collection of 12 tents.

But this place is more special to the Royal Family than just a place to go on safari.

After a long journey up to the Rutundu lodge, Prince William decided to propose to Kate.

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