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The Beetle
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Eco-tax on Balearics set to be abolished
Visitor figures to the Balearic Islands have slumped because of a controversial eco-tax introduced just a year ago. The tax, (around £12 million raised so far) paid by tourists to the islands, started in May 2002 to counter the environmental damage caused by mass tourism. The levy proved very unpopular with families visiting Mallorca, Menorca,…
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The Beetle
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London Tube Tales
“Ladies and Gentlemen do you want the good news first or the bad news? “The good news is that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. I felt sadly let down by the fact that none of you sent me a card! I drive you to work…
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The Beetle
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Mac Tells US About Round the World Walker
U. S. Soldiers Home, Mac: I am a compulsive reader and pick up any newspaper, any printed matter I see laying around and start reading. This is from January 14, 2003 issue of Examiner newsmagazine. Nick Jeffreys write about a guy walking around the world. The walker is Karl Bushby from Hull, England. He is…
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The Beetle
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Tahir Shah’s Film on C5, UK TV
If you live in the UK, and have access to Channel 5, then switch on, tune on to Search for the lost city of Gold, Channel 5, 9pm Weds 9th July> Thank you,
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The Beetle
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Travel Quiz
Win a Moon guidebook on Yellowstone and Grand Teton. See www.moon.com for info on Moon guidebooks. Some people have said the quiz is difficult, we say do some research; try google.com or Ask Jeeves, if you need help with the answers. One submission, only, please! The winner of last month's Moon guide is Judith Phillips.…
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The Beetle
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Physiotherapy – Matt Maddocks
Matt is a volunteer at the Old Boma, Mikindani, Southern Tanzania. During a visit last year to Mikindani, I was informed of a physiotherapist working in Nyanguo mission hospital and having now started my degree in this subject I decided to try and gain some experience. Arriving I was happy to find the hospital staff…
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The Beetle
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Solomon Islands
The Australian and New Zealand governments have both said they will commit to sending army and police forces to nearby troubled Solomon Islands. The on-going ethnic violence has resulted in the country being dangerous to visit, which is a huge shame as the Beetle can strongly recommend the wreck diving in the Solomons as being…
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The Beetle
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Place Names
Same names: how many place names have you come across that are the same, but different countries? There’s Paris Texas and Paris France. Other place names include Versailles in Kentucky and Versailles in France; Naples and Venice in Florida and Naples and Venice in Italy. Do you have any favourites? Write in and tell the…
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The Beetle
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Balearics to Mainland Spain
Anyone planning to visit Mallorca and Ibiza can now pop over to the Spanish mainland on a new high-speed ferry service. The catamaran service can carry up to 900 passengers and up to 265 cars. The routes include Palma to Ibiza in two hours, and Ibiza to Valencia in three hours. The journey will cost…
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The Beetle
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Guide Books
Recently, the Beetle was asked about Guidebooks – what is out there and can she make any recommendations? Below is a commentary on a selection of some of the guidebooks available: Eyewitness guides, published by Dorling Kindersley produce glossy guidebooks with lots of pictures on cities and also countries. The city guides are especially good…
The Globetrotters Club
The travel club for independent travellers.