Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on May 9

BAA Gatwick Airport is the 10th busiest international airport in the world. Gatcwick is the UK’s second largest airport, behind Heathrow, and is considered to be the worlds busiest singe runway airport.

Opened by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II in June, 1958, Gatwick celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. The name ‘Gatwick’ is, like many British place names, derived from old Anglo-Saxon words, in this case meaning ‘goat farm’ or ‘goat dairy farm’ to be more accurate.

Gatwick was the first UK airport to have its own railway station and a direct rail link. As the passenger numbers increased so the airport has expanded to accommodate them. In 1984 the airport opened a new air traffic control tower and a new non-stop rail service between Gatwick and Victoria was started. The new North terminal at Gatwick was opened by the Queen in 1988.

The airport has continued to undergo further expansion with an extension to the South Terminal departure lounge in 2000 and a similar expansion to the North terminal departure lounge in 2005. The airport South Terminal had another extension added in 2008 and a new upstairs security search area was added.

Gatwick currently supports over 80 airlines flying to more than 220 destinations worldwide. Some of the most popular destinations from Gatwick are actually closer to home with many passengers using Gatwick for domestic, European and Irish flights. Airlines including US operators Delta, Northwest and Continental now offer a huge selection of long-haul flights to all areas of the world. The airport has received numerous awards including the 2008 Travel Bulletin ‘Best UK Airport’ award for the fifth year running.

Travellers are spoiled with an abundance of Gatwick parking facilities or they can use the excellent train services running direct to the airport. The airport is jam packed with top class restaurants and a variety of high street shops. It’s looking like Gatwick will contiune to grow in popularity as as major international transport hub.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Apr 8

It can be very confusing to both find and book car parking space at the UK’s second busiest airport. Where can you go to get accurate parking price information? Do you need long term or short term parking? What are the key differences between the various car parks? These are the questions that I hope to answer in this brief article.

You may not be aware that Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport and the sixth busiest in the world. With over 32 million passengers using the airport each year it’s not surprising to find that the airport provides extensive car parking facilities.

You will probably want to use short term parking when dropping people off and picking them up from the airport. This is also adequate for most short duration journeys. Gatwick provides short term parking in multi-storey car parks at both the North and South terminals.

You are warned not to leave your car unattended, even for a short time, in the forecourt areas outside the airport passenger terminals. If you do your car will be removed by the police and you will have to pay a release fee to get it back. If you need to leave your car unattended you should always park in the car parks provided.

If your trip lasts more than just a few days then Gatwick long term parking is what you will need. There are so many options to consider when booking airport parking at Gatwick it can be a little confusing.

It is worthwhile looking at the details of the various long stay car parks servicing Gatwick airport to make certain they meet your requirements. Most airport car parks provide excellent security facilities including fencing, security cameras and regular patrols. Some outstanding car parks have the ‘park mark’ safer parking award. All provide a free transfer bus service between the car park and the airport terminals.

If you don’t what the hassle of bus transfers and you want to save a little time then meet and greet parking is for you. This basically means that all you need do is drive directly to the appropriate terminal forecourt where you will be met by professional chauffeur. They will take your car and park it on your behalf in one of the secure long term car parks. When you return from your trip your car will have been retrieved from the car park to be ready and waiting for you as soon as you have cleared customs.

The benefits provided by meet and greet parking are that you don’t need to arrive at the airport very early as you don’t need to take a transfer bus from the car park and you will be on your way home as soon as you leave the airport terminal. You may also like to take advantage of the valet service to have your car cleaned while you are away.

To get the best Gatwick parking rate it is essential that you book in advance. Booking your car parking space well in advance will usually give you the best deal. The best way to check on prices and availability is to use an online price checking and comparison facility such as the one provided by Gosimply.com. This excellent website not only provides accurate and up to date parking prices and availability information it also provides honest and impartial customer reviews of various airport facilities, including airport hotels.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Feb 7

Snow Causes Traffic Chaos Across Britain

Severe weather in the UK has caused almost a complete breakdown of transport systems as many trains, buses and flights are cancelled. And met office forecasters have warned that more heavy snow is set to hit the British shores as the UK suffers its most severe winter for 13 years.

Met office forecasters have warned that snowstorms from Russia, currently brewing over the north sea, will bring even more freezing temperatures, biting winds and even more heavy snow. While the weather may be seen to improve for a while more heavy snow is predicted for the rest of the week across the UK.

The Automobile Association have warned people that their cars are not overcoats. If they break down they will need to leave their vehicles and must ensure that they are adequately protected against the cold, else they will risk hypothermia.

London and the Southeast region of England has experienced the heaviest snow falls for around 20 years. The severe weather forced London mayor, Boris Johnson, to shut down the whole of the London bus network causing immense disruption for commuters. Disruption to public transport has led many people to work from home and lots of schools are still closed.

The worst snowstorm to hit London for 20 years has cancelled hundreds of flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. The closure of one of Heathrow airport’s busy runways has led to more than 650 flight cancellations. The outlook for travellers this week continues to look uncertain as forecasters predict even more severe weather.

The cancellation of many trains and buses is resulting in lots of people attempting to get to the airports by car. Freezing conditions are making driving dangerous, particularly in many outlying districts where roads have not been treated. The roads are littered with abandoned cars, buses and trucks, some blocking carriageways.

Anyone who is hoping to fly from Heathrow or Gatwick is advised to contact their airport before leaving home. And if you are planning to take your car to the airport be sure to pre-book your Heathrow parking or Gatwick parking space in advance to be certain of a place.

The current Highways agency advice is: ‘if your journey isn’t vital, stay at home’.