HouseTrip.com Blog – The official blog for holiday apartments

London’s iconic red double decker buses were finally withdrawn from service by Ken Livingstone in 2005. But a new design has just been unveiled for London’s buses of the future, taking much of its inspiration from the classic 1950s model.

New London Bus Design / Photograph: TFL

The futuristic hybrid design, incorporating lightweight materials and green technology to lower fuel emissions by up to 40%, also includes an open platform at the rear to allow passengers to “hop on” and “hop off” – just like the original RouteMasters.

A key part of Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s electoral manifesto in 2008, the buses are not without criticism. At a time when ordinary Londoners are increasingly tightening their belts, the £7.8m scheme has been dismissed as “extravagant”.

Tags: bus, design, London, red, Top Destinations

Every month, flight comparison website Skyscanner releases its search data for the UK. By ranking destinations based on the number of searches for flights with UK departures, it is able to demonstrate the locations in which the UK shows most interest.

April’s Top 50 Destinations list was released on Friday. It is dominated by beach resorts, but still includes TEN HouseTrip cities:

• London (7)
• New York (9)
• Amsterdam (10)
• Barcelona (12)
• Paris (17)
• Rome (21)
• Edinburgh (24)
• Prague (28)
• Berlin (29)
• Lisbon (39)

Expect to see more and more HouseTrip cities appearing in this list, as HouseTrip continues to add to our top destinations

Tags: amsterdam, barcelona, Berlin, edinburgh, lisbon, London, new york, Paris, prague, rome, Top Destinations

100 table tennis tables will be placed in open-air locations around London this summer as part of the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

The scheme was dreamt up by Colette Hiller of Sing London, who previously placed 30 pianos around the capital in 2009, adorned with the slogan “Play Me, I’m Yours”.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who has previously irritated the Chinese by claiming that table tennis is a British invention, will kick off Ping London with a match against Lord Coe, head of the 2012 Olympic Committee

The ping pong bats will include the tongue-in-cheek message “Please put me back”.

Tags: London, ping pong, Travel

HouseTrip last week launched a trial of an instant (direct) booking solution. We’ve been considering this for a while, because although our messaging system has been very successful and has generated a huge amount of bookings, it is quite time consuming for owners and guests.

Instant Booking Holiday Apartment

The reason we launched the messaging system in the first place was to convince our owners that we could generate a lot of booking enquiries for them. Now that the owners have seen that we can, many of them keep their calendars extremely up-to-date.

So, after gauging the initial response via our Owner Newsletter, we contacted many of our hosts in Paris and asked them whether they would be interested in participating in our instant booking trial. The response was an overwhelming YES!

Instant booking properties are now marked clearly in search results. Guests just have to choose a holiday apartment they like and pay with a  credit card.

So far, the trial has been a huge success, so we hope to roll this out to all our major destinations in the near future. Watch this space!

Tags: HouseTrip, instant booking

Arthur Frommer

Arthur Frommer, the legendary writer, publisher and consumer advocate for budget travel, yesterday threw his weight behind holiday apartments as the best way for Americans to save money in Europe.

In a blog post, he noted that the decreasing value of the Euro and British pound against the dollar has been counteracted by rising airfares from America to Europe – unless Americans can find a cheaper source of accommodation than hotels.

And the author of the seminal guidebook Europe on 5 Dollars a day believes that holiday apartments are the best bet. Frommer stated that “Europe is abundantly stocked with real estate agents who will rent you a spacious apartment in a fairly central location for much less than you’d spend at an equivalent hotel”.

Funnily enough, it’s what we’ve been saying for ages!

Tags: Frommer, holiday apartments, Travel

With cycle hire schemes already going strong in many European cities such as Paris, Barcelona and Rome, it was only a matter of time until London followed suit. Mayor of London Borish Johnson announced plans for the scheme in April 2009, and Transport For London have named the official launch date as the 30th July this year.

Although urban cycle hire had been in existence for many years, it gained worldwide acclaim after being trialled in 2007 in Paris, where the “Vélib” (Vélo Libre) is still going strong. With over 20,000 bicycles around the city, the Vélib is the largest system of its type in the world.

To hire a bike, users must register with a credit or debit card, and there is a large fine if the bike is not returned. Although this by no means eliminates vandalism and theft, it does reduce the number of bikes that go AWOL.

In London, as in Paris, there is a rapidly escalating payment scale: the first half hour is free, while an hour is only £1, but two hours costs £6 and three hours £15. The model strongly favours the use of the bicycles as a means of short-term transport, rather than a leisure activity.

With 400 docking stations available, it’s a great way to see more of the city, instead of relying on the tube. It’s yet another great reason to visit London this summer.

Tags: cycle hire, London, Travel

According to an Associated Press report, the US Department of Transportation announced this week that 2009 saw a 42% increase in airline fees from 2008, to the tune of $7.8 billion. These “ancillary fees” include charges for checked baggage, seat assignments, reservation changes, pillows, food, drinks and anything not included in the flight price.

Delta, the world’s biggest airline, took $1.6 billion in ancillary fees, including $481 million from baggage fees, around 9.1% of their total revenue. Spirit Airlines made an astonishing 21% of their revenue from these fees.

So how can you avoid paying them?

Baggage Fees

These make up the bulk of the ancillary fees. The most important thing to remember is to check your airline’s baggage policy before travelling. Most airlines allow at least one carry on bag for free, and the size allowance is normally generous e.g. 55 x 35 x 20cm. That’s plenty of room for at least a few days, so think carefully before packing that suitcase. Do you REALLY need it?

If you are checking in a piece of luggage, see if you can add it to your flight before going to the airport. EasyJet is just one of the “budget” airlines that charges double price when you check in luggage at the airport. And make sure you weigh your bag carefully! Airlines are sticklers for rules, and they’ll charge a hefty price per kilo if you’re over. Use your bathroom scales if you don’t want to buy purpose-built ones.

Check In and Seat Assignments

Check in online. It’s very easy. Ryanair will charge you a sizeable fee if you forget your boarding pass, while easyJet will put you in the last boarding group if you check in at the airport. And you don’t need priority boarding. A lot of the time you’ll get on the same bus from terminal to plane as the Speedy Boarders (which will annoy them a lot), and if you’re elderly, travelling with children or need special assistance, you’ll get priority boarding anyway.

As for seat assignments, policies vary by airline. US airlines will often charge to reserve a seat at all: Spirit Airlines charges a $15 fee to passengers who choose a window seat, $12 for an aisle and $5 for one in the middle. The only way to avoid the charge is to check in as early as possible and you may be able to reserve for free. As always, the bottom line is to check the individual airline policy carefully when you book.

Reservation Changes

Obviously, if you have to change your flight as a result of a change in circumstances, there’s not much you can do about it. But you can avoid making a mistake the first time. These sorts of errors make airlines hundreds of millions, so check the details very carefully before clicking “Book”. Are your dates and times correct? Are names entered exactly as they are on the passport? Many reservation changes are the result of carelessness when booking, and they’re costly to change.

Booking and Payments

Although it is worth looking for the cheapest flights on a meta-search engine such as Kayak or Skyscanner, the cheapest way to book is almost always through the airline’s own website. By avoiding the middle man, you may avoid their commission. Don’t call the airline direct, though. They will normally charge extra, as well as charging you a premium rate number for your call.

For your payment, most airlines charge more when you pay with a credit card, so it’s normally best to use a debit card unless you want financial protection against the airline going bankrupt! Many airlines offer free payments with a certain type of card e.g. a Visa Electron.

Hidden Extras

• See if you’ll be offered a complimentary meal or snack by the airline before heading to the airport. You can easily bring food for the plane from home.
• It’s a good idea to keep hydrated, especially on long flights, but current airport restrictions forbid taking more than 100ml of liquid through the security zone. Having said that, you can normally buy drinks much cheaper in duty-free than you can on the plane.
• Bring an inflatable pillow, if you want to sleep. If you borrow one from the airline, you may be charged for the privilege.

If you want to save money on the rest of your trip, try booking a holiday apartment instead of a hotel and see how much you could save.

Tags: airlines, Guests, save money, Travel

Have you ever wondered, when you look through holiday apartments in Paris, which are the most popular? How do people choose between them?

Wonder no longer.

To answer the question, we’ve collected together the ten most popular holiday apartments in Paris. These apartments are the real deal. They attracted more enquiries from guests in March than any others.

Without further ado, here’s the top ten.

10: Montmartre, from 110€

Montmartre

The first of our apartments in the popular Montmartre area, this artist’s garret is an apartment with great character. Housed in an eighteenth century listed building, it is very bright and comfortable with a fully equipped kitchen, hardwood floors and exposed beams. The apartment is located in a very calm pedestrian area, with a great view of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur. An island of peace and happiness of art at the heart of Paris.

9: Montmartre Zen Studio Loft, from 110€

Montmartre Zen Studio Loft

Another apartment in Montmartre, this studio loft has a unique Zen style, which was completed in May 2008 with the help of the owners’ friends Gérard Binisti and the Parisian artist, Bruno Pascal. The apartment looks out on a little garden and is very quiet as the street is 50 meters away. The apartment is located in one of the hippest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in the city.

8: Montmartre Caulaincourt, from 110€

Montmartre Caulaincourt

Montmartre again! But “Montmartre Caulaincourt” has a greater sleeping capacity than the previous two apartments. It can accommodate up to 6 people, thanks to the two large sofa beds in the oak-floor lounge. The kitchen is fully equipped, while the lounge also contains a dining table and coffee table, as well as a large flat screen TV, cable TV and a DVD player. The apartment overlooks a quiet interior courtyard, 5 minutes from the Sacré Coeur.

7: In Heart of Le Marais, from 120€

In Heart of Le Marais

The first of our apartments outside Montmartre, this interesting, fully furnished apartment is located in Le Marais, a central district famous for its historical bourgeois presence and the growing gay community. The apartment, which has been recently renovated and refurnished with a stylish new decoration, is located on the 2nd floor, overlooking a large and quiet courtyard in front of Musee Carnavalet. A short walk from Place des Vosges and close to many museums, shops and restaurants, “In Heart of Le Marais” is also very close to St-Paul subway station.

6: Montmartre Clichy

Montmartre Clichy

Another Montmartre apartment, this colourful and fun studio is located near the Place de Clichy. Situated on the third floor of an old building, in a quiet passage 5 minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge, it can accommodate up to 4 people including use of a comfortable sofa bed. The studio includes everything necessary for cooking and high speed internet access. Walking on foot, you can discover the Paris of Amelie Poulain, the markets of the rue Lepic and enjoy the view from the Sacre Coeur!

5: Appartment 4/6 Personnes, Vue Magnifique, from 120€

Appartment 4/6 Personnes, Vue Magnifique

This apartment in central Paris (19th arrondissement – Bassin de la Villette) contains 2 balconies and offers a wonderful view of the Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower and the Bassin de La Villette. Ideal for a family, the two bedrooms contain 1 double and 2 single beds, while the lounge includes a sofa bed. The owners live near the apartment and are happy to help you plan your stay in this typically charming Paris neighbourhood.

4: Periscope, from 138€

Periscope

The most expensive apartment in the top ten, Periscope is a top-end holiday apartment located on the 18th floor of a serviced residence which includes concierge, swimming pool, solarium and private parking. The glass walls of this stunning apartment offer magnificent views over the City of Paris, the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon, which you can also enjoy from the spacious private ter. The apartment easily sleeps four people, thanks to an extra double bed hidden in the living room wall, and includes a piano, quality kitchen and washing machine. An exceptional apartment.

3: Pont Neuf, from 130€

Pont Neuf

This Châtelet – Les Halles apartment is fully furnished and comfortably accommodates four people in its two stylish rooms. With an excellent location near the Louvre, Notre Dame, Saint Germain des Prés, Les Halles and the Marais, “Pont Neuf” attracted an impressive 2.7% of all guest booking enquiries for Paris in March!

2: Appartement 3 Pièces, from 125€

Appartement 3 Pièces

With prices starting from just 125€ per night for 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an attractive living room and a fully equipped kitchen, “Appartement 3 Pièces” offers superb value for money for up to 6 people. The apartment, which also includes a private yard, is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, close to Parc de Belleville. It is well served by public transport but also offers a quiet retreat from the big city life.

1: Up to 5 Fully Renovated Great Location, from 69€

Up to 5 Fully Renovated Great Location

Coming out far ahead of the competition, “Up to 5 Fully Renovated Great Location” attracted a quite incredible 5.3% of guest booking enquiries in Paris during March. Ideally situated in a charming neighbourhood close to Champs Elysées, Opera, Butte Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Porte Maillot, Boulevard Malesherbes and Perreire and Parc Monceau, its location is only trumped by the incredibly low price: the starting rate of 69€ for up to 5 people equals 15€ per person! The apartment is well served by public transport, while there are countless stores and supermarkets accessible by foot, including the famous rue de Lévis market.

Tags: champs elysees, clichy, eiffel tower, holiday apartments, HouseTrip, Loft, marais, montmartre, opera, pantheon, parc monceau, Paris, pont neuf, studio, villette

In the 2009 World Travel Awards, one city stood head and shoulders above the rest of Europe. Not only was it elected Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination and Europe’s Leading City-Break Destination but also Europe’s overall Leading Destination.

The award broke Copenhagen’s incredible five-year stranglehold on the Leading Cruise Destination award, and the monopoly of Europe’s elite tourist cities (London, Paris, Barcelona etc) on the Leading Destination award.

So which city made this breakthrough?

I guessed it must be somewhere on the Iberian Peninsula. If you agreed with me, you’d be right. But if you thought, like me, that it must be Barcelona, you’d be wrong.

The answer, in fact, is Lisbon.

Lisbon

At first glance, the awards might seem a surprising choice, given Lisbon’s unwanted and ignominious reputation only a few years before as a tired has-been: a poverty-stricken remnant of its former medieval glories.

But in fact, its recognition as one of Europe’s premier tourist destinations capped a remarkable renaissance that began in 1994 with its selection as European Capital of Culture and continued with the hosting of the 1998 World Expo and the 2004 European Football Championships.

It was the sort of attention expected and demanded by a city which had attracted settlers as early as 900BC, which had launched countless explorations in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and which had been at the heart of an empire stretching from Brazil to India.

Jeronimos Monastery

This historical pre-eminence can be seen in the magnificent medieval buildings that dot the Lisbon cityscape: there are cathedrals, museums and monasteries aplenty, such as the UNESCO-protected Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower.

Yet the spirit of the city is defined neither by these glorious historical monuments that pervade its narrow hillside backstreets, nor by the mournful songs of the fadistas that lament the maritime decline and the eighteenth century earthquake that destroyed so much of the city.

Lisbon’s spirit remains quintessentially youthful, with a vibrant pavement café culture that is suppressed only by the coldest and wettest days of winter, and a buzzing nightlife that keeps revellers going until dawn in the old town of Bairro Alto or Docas.

Lisbon tram

Bright yellow turn-of-the-century trams wind their way through leafy streets, past Lisboêtas and tourists enjoying an espresso and pastry, exploring art-nouveau shops or enjoying the exceptional local gastronomic specialities: grilled swordfish or sardines, caldo verde (green soup) or pastéis de bacalhau (salt cod fritters).

And when you’ve had your fill, there’s always more to see.

Outside the city, there is the fairytale town of Sintra, famous among romantics worldwide as a lush, verdant paradise replete with richly hued palaces and precipitous Moorish castles. Not to forget the stunning coastline and gorgeous beaches that make Lisbon a quite unique European capital.

As well as being unique, Lisbon is also Western Europe’s cheapest capital. Accommodation starts from just 40€ per night, with deals on longer stays.

Palacio de Pena, Sintra

Tags: barcelona, destination, europe, lisbon, London, Paris, tourism, Travel, world travel awards

Today we’d like to introduce you to another great Swiss travel start-up: GetYourGuide.

“Be a local, everywhere you go” – that was the slogan when GetYourGuide was first launched in June 2008. They wanted to fulfil this promise by providing a platform where travellers from around the world could book a local tour guide – who could either be a professional or just you and me – in any destination around the world.

Along the way GetYourGuide realised that it made more sense to only let professionals offer their services while extending the range of possible services from mere sightseeing to anything fun and bookable. So now you can find activities from bus sightseeing in London and sightjogging in Berlin to shark-diving in Capetown or the famous 007 Golden Eye bungee jump in Ticino, Switzerland.

Travelling is about experiencing the extraordinary, and because it’s locals who know best how to provide the most unique experiences at any given destination, their goal is to connect travellers with local professionals who could provide authentic experiences that travellers wouldn’t be able to experience on their own. And having grown up in the eBay generation, they decided right from the start that they wanted to create a transparent marketplace where they would tell their customers which local companies stood behind the various products on GetYourGuide.

Why should you book a sightseeing tour beforehand when you could just get a Lonely Planet for a lot less? Because sometimes a guide book just doesn’t cut it and because all those local companies offering paid tours & activities do it for a reason: they’re good at it. Taking a morning stroll in Hanoi while following a guide book is great, but starting off your day in Hanoi with a tai chi class and a bowl of local Phở soup while enjoying the Hanoi sunrise at the best possible spot followed by a cooking class and a warm lunch together is at a whole different level. Price-wise that Hanoi experience is 7 hours long, includes a cooking class, two warm meals, and costs about 40 bucks. When you consider how much you paid for your flight to Vietnam, it’s probably a price worth paying.

So the next time you travel somewhere, take a look at some of their tours & activities in Paris, Barcelona, New York, or even Bangkok.

GetYourGuide is based a couple of hours away from HouseTrip, in Zurich. We’ve met their team a few times now at various travel events; they’re a great team and a great company, so do have a look at their site!

Tags: GetYourGuide, Startup, swiss