Etna burst into our view as we explored Taormina’s Teatro Greco early one April morning. The day’s clear skies allowed us to look out across from this large amphitheatre and notice how the volcano formed a marvellous and deliberate backdrop through the semi ruined red brick stage walls. The Greek colonists certainly a had sense…

This beautiful cottage that dates from 1614 has been converted to a Youth Hostel. Thanks to fellow Globetrotters Jeanie Copland’s organisation, we met in the middle of National Trust land with Polesden Lacey estate in front of us. Those who arrived on time had the pleasure of starting the weekend at the Pilgrim pub in…

Good news and bad news for our friends, Ryanair. On the one hand, they recently reported a 44 percent year-on-year increase of passenger numbers. They say that they handled 2.141 million passengers in August 2003 compared to 1.487 million a year earlier. Internet bookings rose 2 points to 94 percent. The average load factor (the…

Our webmaster passed on an e-mail of complaint by an easyCar customer. easyCar is a low cost, no frills car hire company. We thought we’d pass it along in case any reader decides to rent a car through easyCar. This is what he has to say: Just to let you know that I rented from…

And so we left Buenos Aires and now here I am in Brazil! We crossed the border last night after visiting the Iguaçu waterfalls on the Argentinean side, which was an incredible experience, including a train journey and a “quiet” boat trip on a rigid inflatable where we had to sit on the sides of…

Meeting news from our branches around the world.

What is it: Giardiasis is a diarrhoea illness caused by a microscopic parasite (Giardia intestinalis) that lives in the intestines of people and animals. It can occur anywhere in the world, although it is most frequent where water is not clean. How do I get it: transmission occurs from ingestion of contaminated food or water…

Globetrotters meeting 6th September 2003 by Padmassana We had a very special guest join us at the September Globetrotters meeting, despite not being announced, we were honoured that Mary-Jane Sweet from the Texas Globetrotter branch popped in to say hello (and enjoyed a pint or two at our local pub!) on her way back from…