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BOTALA SKY TRAVEL & TOURS (Proprietary) provides Inbound Travel and Outbound Travel Solutions to the local market and the rest of the World. We provide bookings for local, regional and international accommodation destinations including Flights.

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Bustling city life | Sun-soaked coasts | Active adventure | Vibrant culture

Botala sky travel & tours.

BOTALA SKY TRAVEL & TOURS (Proprietary) provides Inbound Travel and Outbound Travel Solutions to the local market in Botswana and the rest of the World. They provide bookings for local, regional and international accommodation destinations, including Flights. They offer exclusive deals with the best luxury hotels and exquisite resorts with thoughtfully curated activities to make your stay memorable.  Botala Sky Travel & Tours is committed to making your dream a reality, taking you to hidden gems. 

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South Africa on social media

Travelling is the gift we’re excited to share with you. Join us as Gulshan Khan shares her travel playbook of Johannesburg, including her favourite places to discover art, music, history, and so much more.

A photo is worth more than a thousand words. Capturing a single moment isn’t just creating a vivid memory; it’s tying you to a place forever. #ComeJourneyWithUs, where every experience and every person you meet is a new moment waiting to be captured. Visit South Africa, there's so much more to see. Visual artist & photojournalist: Yagazie Emezi

Endless golden beaches. Blue waves breaking perfectly, every time. And food and drinks that’ll have you coming back for more. Legendary Springbok prop, Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira, welcomes us to the Dolphin Coast and shares his favourite places to spend time. There are always new experiences and moments awaiting you on the Dolphin Coast when you #ComeJourneyWithUs.

Music. Art. Food. Johannesburg is buzzing with energy and is a regional magnet for creatives looking for expression. Having travelled the world performing stand-up comedy, Jozi is where Loyiso Gola hangs his hat. And we’re told he may know a place or two that are worth visiting when you #ComeJourneyWithUs. 😉

Over the hill, down the path, and across the river, there’s always something new waiting just for you. #ComeJourneyWithUs and discover the joy of new connections and more unforgettable memories in South Africa.

‘If you come here on a weekend, oh man. It’s packed with people sipping and jiving and shaking a leg. This is where it’s at. Soweto, baby — you don’t get more cultural than this.’ Things to do and see in Soweto: 1. Soweto Bicycle Tour 2. Mandela House 3. Hector Pieterson Museum 4. Soweto Theatre 5. Chaf Pozi Restaurant 6. Sakhumzi Restaurant Visit www.southafrica.net to book your Soweto journey today.

South African Tourism has partnered with travel brand Exceptional Alien to produce a multimedia campaign that features ten storytellers taking us through their favourite travel gems across South Africa. The collaborative campaign offers an opportunity to ‘discover South Africa through the lens of exceptional tastemakers and local influencers. Featuring a line-up of new talents, local legends, and seasoned explorers, who each curate a ‘travel playbook’ of their chosen towns and cities – which is a central feature of South African Tourism’s strategy, focusing on individually curated and personalised experiences from locals and insiders who, from a local’s perspective, know the destinations hidden gems best. Their recommendations range from their beloved beaches, to must-visit stores and venues, incredible restaurants, and picturesque sites, these ten guides reveal why ‘there’s so much more to see’ in South Africa. From an array of experiences, cultures and backgrounds, those featured include DJ and producer Uncles Waffles taking us through Cape Town, Rugby legend Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira exploring The Dolphin Coast, National Geographic photographer Gulshan Khan and comedian Loyiso Gola spotlighting Johannesburg, among other incredible journeys. Travelling through our diverse and beautiful landscape, with its incredible range of cultures, experiences and scenery, these travel guides take us on an insider’s route through South Africa, seen through each creator’s lens. These travel playbooks offer a unique window into the country through personal recommendations that feature beloved, well-known sites and many must experience hidden gems.

Welcome to the month of June. In South Africa, June is Youth month. During this month, we honour our brave young people who took to the streets to protest against the apartheid government’s decision to introduce Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools. The protests were met with brutal force from the police, resulting in the deaths of many young people. The significance of Youth Month is to acknowledge the role that these young students played in the struggle for freedom and to celebrate their contribution to the development of the South Africa we have come to live in and enjoy. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that young people face today, including high rates of unemployment and poverty. June 16 is a very important day in our history and we continue to invite the world to come to our country to learn about this and other historic events that make our country’s history and heritage so rich. The month is marked by various activities, such as educational events, cultural performances, and community service initiatives, aimed at empowering and inspiring young people to become active citizens and leaders in their communities.

Happy Africa Month! #OurAfricaOurFuture On this the 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE OAU-AU, let's seize this opportunity to shape the narrative about our Africa, by sharing the story on the journey of the continent since 25 May 1963. Africa made history with the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) the precursor to the African Union (AU) on 25 May 1963. Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation on May 25, 1963, in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, as well as the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent faces in a global environment. The annual commemoration of Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

South Africa is the perfect backdrop to celebrate romance. If you are thinking of proposing or planning your wedding or just a weekend break to spoil a loved one, then Come journey with us and fall in love with South Africa.

Our favourite part of 2022? All the new friends that we made! #ItsMoreFunWithYou sharing every moment with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2023 #ComeJourneyWithUs. There’s so much more to see 😉🗺️🥂

A road trip through South Africa is a ‘turn up the music and roll down your windows’ kind of vibe. It is all about appreciating the breathtaking views, enjoying the company, meeting the locals and making new friends along the way. So let them be your guide to all the hangouts, dance spots and best-kept secrets around the cities they call home. South African Road trips are never about the destination; they’re about the journey and the shared joy of going where the heart leads. It’s sure to create the kind of memories that will stay with you forever. #ComeJourneyWithUs #VisitSouthAfrica

This adventure is for the thrill seekers and the adrenaline junkies. It’s the ultimate boys' trip on the open road. Whatever your pleasure. South Africa is an endless outdoor playground that will make you feel alive and free. This is your moment. This journey will provide you with the exhilarating thrills you've been craving. #ComeJourneyWithUs #VisitSouthAfrica

From vibrant city life to majestic wildlife, adventure and culture, breath-taking scenery is waiting for you. Experience South Africa like you've experienced it before. There’s always. more to see. Breath-taking moments, captivating experiences, it’s bustling, it’s endless… it’s South Africa! #ComeJourneyWithUs, there's a story waiting to be shared. #LiveSouthAfrica @ShoMadjozi Credits: Directed by Lamar Bonhomme @therealbonhomme Writers: Treyvone Moosa, Lamar Bonhomme, Tipi Executive Producer: Monareng Makwetla DOP: Jason Prins @jasonprins_dop Colorist: Nic Apostoli @nic_apostoli 1st AD: Thobelani Faku @thobelanifaku x Jeremy Briggs @jezzapix VT: Londi Khambule @londi.khambule Art Director: Noluthando Lobese @t__texture Wardrobe Stylist: Louw Kotze @louw.77 x Ntediseng Moloi Producer: Litha Mbutuma @lithambutuma Production Manager: Amo Mbutuma @amo_mbutuma Production Coordinator: Thando Hlongwane Key Grip: Mlungisi Dube @mlungisidube2 Editor: Lamar Bonhomme & Glary Leshilo. @iglary Sound Design and Final Mix: The Audio Guys & Pressure Cooker Studios Online: Donovan Smith Cast: Sho Madjozi @shomadjozi Tamara Moeng @tamaramoeng Faith Mashaba @theefaithk Lelo What'sGood @lelowhatsgood SA Tourism Regional Director: Evelyn Mahlaba SA Tourism Hub Head: Fathima Adam @adamfathima Agency: Activ8 Brand Ingenuity Managing Partners: Tumaini Leshoai x Brent Van Rysyk HOD Creative & Strategy: Treyvone Moosa A Triple Story Content Production.

Our hidden gems aren’t just places, and experiences but also our people. 🙌 Semakaleng Mathebula is South Africa’s first black female hot air balloon pilot. She sees the world from a different point of view, a view filled with positivity, optimism, and joy. @theefaithk and @tamaramoeng got to spend a winter’s morning with Semakaleng and experience a new way to travel. In a hot air balloon! With the world stretching below them, they got to soak up the stunning vistas. 🥰🗺️🎈 We consider ourselves fortunate to have Semakaleng as an incredible ambassador and mentor for the South Africa travel industry. #LiveSouthAfrica #ComeJourneyWithUs #WomensMonth Director - Simoné Bobo DOP - Chaunne Blofield Creative Director - Treyvone Moosa Creative writer - Simoné Bobo & Selaelo Mannya Production Manager - Mishak Meintjies Sound - Sam Masemane Make Up - Palesa Moloi Editor - Glary Leshilo Post-production - Left Post Colorist - Jarryd du Toit Audio Mix - Audio Militia

Rhythm is the friend of dancing in Tsonga culture. Shake your hips, show your #XibelaniMoves and you and your bestie could win a trip to #LiveSouthAfrica and stand to be part of @ShoMadjozi's new music video. #LiveSouthAfrica #TiktokAfrica #TravelTikTok #SATravelTok #TravelTime #TravelTok #TravelTip #TravelTheWorld #TravelHacks #Traveling #Travel

Check out our Women’s Month Leeto Experience Deals for August 2022 Deals: https://www.southafrica.net/bw/en/travel/category/affordable-travel-deals

It’s breath-taking, it’s captivating, it’s bustling, it’s endless… it’s South Africa! In every province, around every corner, there's a story waiting to be shared. From city life to wildlife, adventure to culture, breath-taking scenery to sun-soaked coasts. There’s so much more to see. #ComeJourneyWithUs #LiveSouthAfrica @shomadjozi61 Credits: Directed by Lamar Bonhomme @therealbonhomme Writers: Treyvone Moosa, Lamar Bonhomme, Tipi Executive Producer: Monareng Makwetla DOP: Jason Prins @jasonprins_dop Colorist: Nic Apostoli @nic_apostoli 1st AD: Thobelani Faku @thobelanifaku x Jeremy Briggs @jezzapix VT: Londi Khambule @londi.khambule Art Director: Noluthando Lobese @t__texture Wardrobe Stylist: Louw Kotze @louw.77 x Ntediseng Moloi Producer: Litha Mbutuma @lithambutuma Production Manager: Amo Mbutuma @amo_mbutuma Production Coordinator: Thando Hlongwane Key Grip: Mlungisi Dube @mlungisidube2 Editor: Lamar Bonhomme & Glary Leshilo. @iglary Sound Design and Final Mix: The Audio Guys & Pressure Cooker Studios Online: Donovan Smith Cast: Sho Madjozi @shomadjozi Tamara Moeng @tamaramoeng Faith Mashaba @theefaithk Lelo What'sGood @lelowhatsgood SA Tourism Regional Director: Evelyn Mahlaba SA Tourism Hub Head: Fathima Adam @adamfathima Agency: Activ8 Brand Ingenuity Managing Partners: Tumaini Leshoai x Brent Van Rysyk HOD Creative & Strategy: Treyvone Moosa A Triple Story Content Production.

Week 2 of the Mzansi #Mukbang was something special! @ExtraLargeCravings had a truly 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 culinary experience at Sowetan-born and Michelin trained @chef_wandilemabaso’s @lescreatifsrestaurant. Viciously delicious chipotle chicken, sumptuous duck confit, and inspired lamb shank. Feel like you're missing out? Check out the full video with the link in our bio. 😉 #ComeJourneyWithUs #LiveSouthAfrica @lescreatifsrestaurant @visitgauteng

Are you a Foodie? Do you love nothing more than tucking into delicious Gatsbys🥖, Kotas 🥪, Burgers 🍔, Koe’sisters🍩, and milkshakes🧋? Then it’s time you join our Mzansi #Mukbang journey: https://youtu.be/iWHtM7HWVzw Let’s dig in together! 😉🛬💖 #ComeJourneyWithUs #LiveSouthAfrica @CapeTownTourism #extralargecravings

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Botala Sky Travel & Tours

Botala Sky Travel is a Botswana owned company, which is located in the capital city of Botswana, Gaborone. Our team has vast knowledge of Botswana’s Wild Destinations namely the inland Okavango Delta and are able to offer you the ultimate Safari experience which will bring you closer to Wildlife that you can ever dream.

Our tailor made packages are given a personal touch to transform your travels, in Botswana, Africa and the around World. We make all of your travel arrangements, from accommodation, excursions, transport , insurance as well as VISA applications to assist in fulfilling your bucket list experience.

Our agency prides itself with the packages offered to the following destinations:

• Botswana | Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Kalahari Game Reserve and Makgadikgadi National Park
• Zimbabwe | Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Matobo Hills and National Park
• South Africa | Cape Town, Durban, Sun City and Madikwe
• Swaziland | The annual Bush Fir and the annual Reed Dance.

In addition to these wonderful destinations, we also offer destinations like Mozambique, Kenya, Zanzibar, Bali and the Maldives. Our aim is to give you a wonderful travel experience.

INTRODUCTION

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Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana Private Bag 00423, Botswana Email:   [email protected] Tel:  +267 395 7144 Fax:  +267 390 3201

Join today and enjoy the many benefits of being a HATAB member. For more details click here >

HATAB campsites are solely reserved for HATAB Mobile Safari Operators registered in Botswana.  For more information with regards to bookings please click here >

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Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana Tel: +267 395 7144 Fax: +267 390 3201 [email protected]

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Tribal Plot 529, Maun Mopane Road, French Connection Tel: +267 686 0143 Cell: +267 7135 0954 [email protected]

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• Botala Sky Travel & Tours

Botala Sky travel and tours will assist you with all your travel arrangements... weather it be a safari in the Okavango delta or a beach holiday in the Indian ocean, a cruise from Durban to Maputo or a weekend to enjoy your favourite sport , formula 1 / a

Phone Number : +26771388555

Website : Suggest Official Website

Categories : Travel agency, Travel Service

Opening Hours :

Address : Shop 12 airport junction block 10, 0000 Gaborone

GPS Coordinates : -24.65819 , 25.91594

Facebook : facebook.com/306033613297003

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Travel Agencies nearby

Companies and places nearby, what hotels, hostels and apartments are located near botala sky travel & tours.

There is a list of nearest hotels: Cresta President Hotel is a three stars hotel located at Botswana Rd, Main Mall, in 64 meters southeast . Madamz Bed & Breakfast located at Plot 60551, Block 7, in 70 meters south . Kullas Self Catering Apartment located at Block 10 Box 287ABG, in 769 meters east . White City Inn located at No. 1703-4, Extension 7, P.O. Box 2444, Gaborone, Botswana, in 869 meters southwest . Elegant & Exclusive Boutique GuestHouse located at Nelson Mandele drive Bontleng, in 1.06 km west . Gaborone Hotel is a two stars hotel located at 37799, Bus Rank, in 1.16 km west . Regent Select Hotel located at Plot 74334, Corner of Chuma & Sedibelo Way, Extension 10, in 1.39 km southeast .

Your can find and book more hotels, hostels and apartments on our interactive hotels map .

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• 4 DAY – SANTA CRUZ, ISABELA
• 5 DAY – SANTA CRUZ, ISABELA
• 6 DAY – SANTA CRUZ, ISABELA
• 6 DAY – SAN CRISTOBAL, ISABELA, SANTA CRUZ
• 7 DAY – SAN CRISTOBAL, ISABELA, SANTA CRUZ
• 8 DAY – SAN CRISTOBAL, ISABELA, SANTA CRUZ
• GALAXY DIVER
• 8 DAY SNORKEL FOCUSED
• 4 DAY – ISABELA
• 5 DAY – SAN CRISTOBAL, ISABELA
• 6 DAY – SAN CRISTOBAL, ISABELA
• 4 DAY TOUR – NAPO WILDLIFE
• 5 DAY TOUR – SACHA LODGE
• 5 DAY TOUR – CUYABENO WILDLIFE
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8 Days Snorkel Focused Tour

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6-Day Adventure Tour – San Cristobal – Isabela

5-Day Adventure Tour – San Cristobal – Isabela

In the hands of experts

SharkSky is a travel agency and receptive operator based on the Galapagos islands. We have more than 15 years creating trips and helping travelers make the best of their Galapagos Experience. We value the place we live in.

Got a Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

(+593) 99 472 5272

(+593) 98 242 6363, [email protected], testimonials.

We did a 8 day, 7 night tour of the Galapagos through SharkSky and cannot recommend them enough. Before we booked the trip, Paola helped us outline different options we had given our timeline and activities. We wanted to do 2 days of diving and spend at least a full week in the Galapagos so we did 8 days, 7 nights in total.

We had the best time! Awesome group. Guides and Tobert were amazing! Will be booking with them again. Highly recommend.

For 8 days we cruised around the Galapagos on a beautiful, little boat called the Samba. It honestly was the experience of a lifetime. The very first day, a pod of bottlenose dolphins and their babies surrounded the boat. We jumped in the water and swam with them, their high pitched vocals echoing under the water. We got to dinghy right next to a pair of Orca’s. One surprised us by gliding right under our small raft – the white of her magnificent belly shining in the sun.

We were going back and forth for weeks trying to decide how to do the Galápagos Islands because there are so many options – land tours, cruises, independently etc… it can be a bit overwhelming! We were recommended Sharksky by a family member who had booked with them previously so we decided to go for it! Wow we were not disappointed! From start to finish it was so perfectly organised, the Sharksky staff were amazing and on hand to help at all times via WhatsApp. They were so accommodating as we stayed in the Galapagos for a few extra days and they still factored in pick up and transport to the airport for us at the end of our trip.

INQUIRE NOW!

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New Year’s Eve tours

Ring in the new year in a brand-new city. See fireworks light up the night sky and count down to midnight alongside new friends and locals on a New Year's Eve tour.

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We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.

That’s all it takes to secure a spot on one of our group tours when you sign up for AutoPay . Plus, you can pay in interest-free, monthly installments.

While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about .

Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.

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What travelers say about their New Year's Eve group trips

Travel tips for planning a trip for new year's eve.

Traveling over New Year’s Eve is a memorable way to experience new-to-you traditions. Still deciding where to travel for New Year’s Eve? Here are a few of our favorite New Year’s Eve destinations to consider:

• Rome.  Fireworks, free concerts, and delicious food await travelers on  New Year’s Eve trips to Rome . See landmarks, like the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, bathed in the bright light of fireworks, warm up with a piping-hot slice of pizza, and take in a musical performance in one of the city’s churches, opera halls, or theaters before toasting the arrival of the new year.
• Florence.  Tuscany’s capital city may be a popular summer destination, but it’s also a great place for New Year’s Eve trips, like our  New Year’s Eve in Florence with Venice & Rome tour , thanks to a number of musical performances and other festivities that take place in Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo, to name just two spots. Plus, seeing the city’s iconic Renaissance structures against a backdrop of twinkle lights is especially enchanting.
• Venice.  The only thing more special than soaking in Venice’s history while strolling among its storied streets and canals? Doing it on New Year’s Eve. Like Rome and Florence, Venice comes alive on New Year’s Eve with classical music concerts, opera performances, festive dishes, and plenty of fireworks, which light up the sky over the Venetian Lagoon. You can experience it on our  New Year’s Eve in Venice with Florence & Rome tour .
• Paris.  The City of Lights truly lives up to its name on New Year’s Eve, with lasers and fireworks lighting up landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. When you travel on one of our  New Year’s Eve trips to Paris , you can spend the evening your way, whether that means attending a classical music concert at La Sainte Chapelle, taking in a ballet performance at the Palais Garnier, heading to Moulin Rouge for a night of cabaret, or boarding a river boat for a festive cruise along the Seine.  
• Madrid.  In Spain, dining and socializing late into the night is common, which makes the country one of our favorite New Year’s Eve destinations. If you choose one of our  New Year’s Eve trips to Spain , you’ll spend the festive evening strolling through Madrid’s illuminated streets, and enjoying traditional Castilian fare and live  tuna  music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city.
• Lucerne . For a New Year’s Eve celebration set against a breathtaking mountain and lake backdrop, consider booking our  New Year’s Eve in Lucerne: Germany, Austria & Switzerland tour . During your free time on New Year’s Eve, you can head into the Swiss Alps, or spend the day enjoying Lucerne’s charming restaurants, shops, and cultural venues. Either way, be sure to catch Lucerne’s spectacular lakefront fireworks show that night.   
• London.  England’s capital is a buzzing cultural center any night of the year, but excitement reaches new heights on New Year’s Eve. Travelers visiting the city on our  New Year’s Eve tours of London  can take in a theater performance in the West End, feast on a Michelin-star meal, rub elbows with locals in Trafalgar Square, and marvel at the many colorful light installations and illuminated artworks that are sprinkled throughout the city.
• Lima.  Peru’s capital is the perfect destination for New Year’s Eve trips packed with music, delicious food—and celebrations on the beach. After all, December is summertime in Peru, which means you can ring in the new year while enjoying warm, pleasant weather by the water. Sound good? Check out our  New Year’s Eve in Lima: Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu tou r .  
• Sydney.  Situated in southeastern Australia, Sydney is another warm-weather spot that’s perfect for welcoming the new year. Its iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is also the site of one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve fireworks displays. Soak up more sun, and laid-back Down Under vibes, on our  New Year’s Eve in Australia & New Zealand tour.

Depending on which of our New Year’s Eve trips you choose, your packing needs might vary. Heading to Europe? Pack plenty of warm layers to ward off the chill. Heading to the Southern Hemisphere? Don’t forget your SPF! No matter where you go, though, a few essentials will come in handy.

• Festive, more formal attire.  What better occasion than New Year’s Eve to step up your style game? Whether you head to the ballet in Paris or to a classical concert in Rome, a sport coat or chic dress can make your night out feel all the more special.
• Comfortable shoes.  If you plan to ring in the new year outside, like, say, in London’s Trafalgar Square or Sydney’s Circular Quay, be sure to wear shoes that’ll keep your feet comfy, as you’ll likely do a good bit of standing.
• A camera.  New Year’s Eve in a destination you’ve been dreaming about? This is an occasion you’ll want to revisit long after you’ve returned home.
• A small backpack or crossbody bag.  Keep your essentials close by, especially if you plan to spend the evening surrounded by crowds.

If you book one of our New Year’s Eve travel packages, expect to encounter more crowds, as holidays are popular travel periods. Our New Year’s Eve travel packages are designed to include a mix of planned tours, optional excursions, and plenty of free time so you can celebrate the occasion your way. And if you enjoyed the novelty of spending New Year’s Eve overseas, you don’t have to wait another year to experience the same feeling. We offer tours that are themed around several  travel styles , from food and wine or wildlife, to other holidays and special events. We’ll even help you decide  where to travel based on your favorite holiday .

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Millions of people are traveling to see the total eclipse. Hotels, motels, and skydiving operators are making bank on it.

• Millions of tourists are expected to boost economies in Texas and New York during the eclipse.
• Hotels, an eyeglasses manufacturer, and even skydiving companies are preparing for increased business.
• One study predicted that the eclipse could benefit the US economy with nearly $1.6 billion.

As millions of Americans get ready to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday — an event NASA has described as rare and "spectacular" — the phenomenon stands to lift local economies.

Various industries are poised to benefit from the millions of tourists flocking to cities in Texas, Ohio, and New York , which are on the eclipse's "path of totality" and offer the best views of the ring around the sun.

According to NASA, this year's eclipse is set to last three to four minutes, longer than the last solar eclipse , in 2017. People who miss this one will not be able to see another in the contiguous US until 2044 or 2045, the agency said.

Up to 3.7 million people are set to travel to the path of the eclipse, joining the 31 million people already living along the stretch, according to predictions by the eclipse-tracking website Great American Eclipse .

Visitors are expected to spend big: They'll shell out up to $1.6 billion on lodging, activities, food, and gas, the Texas economic consultancy Perryman Group estimated .

Here are some of the industries seeing big boosts from Monday's eclipse.

Hotels and Airbnbs book out

The budget hotel chain Super 8 has over 300 locations within the path of totality, per The New York Times. About 100 of these hotels are sold out for Sunday or Monday, according to the chain's website.

One two-star Super 8 branch in Grayville, Illinois, is advertising rooms for between $765 and $950 from Sunday through Tuesday. On most days, the rooms typically cost $80, the Super 8 website shows.

Higher-end hotels are seeing similar spikes. A JW Marriott in Dallas listed a standard room for $1,039 for Sunday night. It typically costs between $355 and $482, the website said.

Related stories

Visitors are flocking to Airbnbs, too. As of March 25, occupancy rates for April 7 soared to 88% across 110,000 active listings on the path of totality, according to the vacation-rental-data company AirDNA.

The biggest glasses manufacturer has sold out

People can permanently damage their eyesight by looking straight into the sun during an eclipse, so NASA recommends specific solar-filtering glasses .

The eye-protection guidelines translated into huge sales for some glasses manufacturers.

Tennessee's American Paper Optics, the country's largest producer of protective eclipse eyeglasses, has seen a big jump in sales compared with the total eclipse in 2017.

The company started taking eclipse orders two years in advance, John Jerit, the company's founder, told NPR on Friday. The glasses sold for $1.50 to $2 apiece.

"We've shipped already about 70 million glasses, and I suspect I'm going to approach right at 75 million by the time next week comes," Jerit said.

American Paper Optics sold out of glasses this year after producing about 30 million more glasses than it did for the total solar eclipse in 2017, according to a sales figure on the company's site .

Eclipse skydiving attracts thrill seekers

Some adrenaline junkies seeking a novel vantage point are planning to jump during totality to enjoy the darkness from the sky.

A group of 30 skydivers plans to jump in northern New York on Monday, Fox News reported . Tickets for the dive, hosted by the local company Skydive the Falls, sold out in seven minutes after they went live in January.

"We're going to jump one minute prior to totality, so we can enjoy totality in full under our parachutes," Jason Berger, a co-owner of Skydive the Falls, told Fox News.

A similar event in Dallas sold out of its $250 eclipse skydive tickets, too.

For sun observers on the ground, restaurants are making the most of the celestial phenomenon with eclipse menus and specials. Establishments like Smoothie King, Applebee's, and Sonic are offering special eclipse-themed smoothies and margaritas, as well as "blackout" drinks to mark the occasion.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

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Money latest: US burger chain expanding in UK; Spotify hiking prices again

American burger chain Wendy's will be recruiting for over 400 job roles as part of its expansion across the UK. Meanwhile, Spotify is raising prices again. Read about this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog, and leave a comment in the form below.

Thursday 11 April 2024 13:38, UK

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• Spotify to hike subscription price by up to £24 a year
• Minimum income for family visa rises by £10,000
• Britons can now 'work from home' in Italy for a year
• Wendy's creating 400 jobs as part of UK expansion
• Britons buying homes, having babies, getting married and retiring later - but one key life event is happening earlier
• 'WTF is going on with the price of olive oil?'
• Could I build a home gym for less than my gym membership?
• Basically...  Tax codes
• Cheap Eats : Great British Menu legend shares ultimate toastie recipe

Ask a question or make a comment

Rishi Sunak's post-Brexit rules for foreign workers are getting tough press in Italy this week - with claims they could mark the end of Italian waiters in London.

April saw the minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker visa increase from £26,200 to £38,700 - a near 50% rise as the government tries to reduce immigration.

Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica published an article on its site headlined "Italians in London, the long goodbye" after the new rule was brought in this month.

There were an estimated 342,000 Italians living in the UK in 2021, according to the latest Office for National Statistics census data.

La Repubblica said the new rule change would lead to the "end of the story" of Italy's "ancient roots" in the capital, which was founded by the Romans in 43 AD.

Separately, Italian journalist Antonio Polito wrote in the Corriere della Sera newspaper that the new salary for skilled workers was "an amount that no young novice can realistically earn".

"Thus London gives up one of its great assets, the fact of being an offshore and cosmopolitan city," he said.

Mr Sunak's post-Brexit rule change has worried hospitality bosses who are still struggling to get to grips with a post-COVID reality and rising costs. 

Conor Sheridan, founder of Nory and Mad Egg restaurant chain, previously told the Money blog that roughly 14% of his 15,000 UK employee base were on working visas that could be affected.

Trade body UKHospitality also said the changes would "further shrink the talent pool that the entire economy will be recruiting from".

As the migration law came in, Home Secretary James Cleverly said it was "time to turn off the taps and end the flow of cheap workers from abroad".

"We are refocusing our immigration system to prioritise the brightest and best who have the skills our economy needs, while reducing overall numbers," he said.

Several of the UK's biggest supermarkets closed their gender pay gap in the last year - while Morrisons saw the biggest rise, figures show.

Ocado and Lidl reduced their gap by the largest amounts in 2023-24 compared to the previous year, while Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Co-op, Iceland and Waitrose owner John Lewis also saw a reduction.

The data comes from the government's gender pay gap service and states the difference in hourly rates of pay. 

In contrast to other big-name brands, Morrisons saw its mean pay gap widen to 12.5% from 7.6%. M&S also saw a slight increase from 12.5% to 12.6%.

The mean figure gives the best overall view of the gender pay gap but includes extreme values which could skew the average.

Of the 11 biggest UK supermarkets, Co-op has the largest pay gap with 13.2%, followed by M&S and Morrisons.

An M&S spokesperson said: "We're committed to driving equal opportunities and making M&S a great place to work for women. Encouragingly our median pay gap has decreased, and women now make up more than 50% of our UK store management population, but we know there is more to do. 

"We're making progress with the launch of new initiatives, talent programmes, and policies, including our flexible working offer – Worklife, a Job Share Finder, and our industry-leading family leave offer."

A spokesperson for Co-op said: "We are committed to treating our colleague member owners fairly, and this includes driving equitable outcomes for female colleagues. We've seen a significant reduction in our gender pay gap since we started to report data in 2017, and this year's data shows further progress towards closing it.

"It's important to reiterate that we don't pay people differently based on their gender at Co-op. The gender pay gap is caused by us having fewer females in leadership role, where salaries are higher.

"Our focus on improving representation remains, as we know this is one of the key drivers causing the gender pay gap. Today, 40% of our leadership population are female - this is not enough, which is why we’ve launched a series of development programmes and have a coaching and mentoring offer to support women with career progression.

"We know there’s still much to do in this space and will hold ourselves to account and continue to strive for gender equality."

Morrisons has also been contacted for comment.

Every Thursday we look at a different savings option, explain the pros and cons, and reveal the best deals on the market (see table below for that).  This week we're talking about the best notice accounts. Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  says this...

As with the rest of the savings market, the top notice account rates have started to fall. However, there are stalwarts like the Investec 90-day notice account that are holding steady and as a result offering savers an opportunity to earn a little more, while not having to tie up their cash for too long.

A relatively unused aspect of the savings market, notice accounts offer a bit of a halfway house, with the best rates available generally paying more than the top easy access rates, but will more flexibility of access than a fixed term bond.

Just as it sounds, these savings accounts require you to give notice in order to access your money without a penalty. The usual notice period ranges from 30 to 120 days, although there are some accounts on the market that require six months or even a year's notice.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Another record month for Heathrow. Last month was the busiest ever March for the UK's biggest airport, the second record-breaking month in a row. 

It was also the busiest Easter weekend as Good Friday became the busiest ever direct departure day, when 118,000 people began their journey at the airport. 

It shows, despite cost of living pressures, lots of Britons were going on holiday.

More good news for Heathrow came earlier this week as planned strike action by 600 border force officers was called off to allow for negotiations in its dispute over working patterns. 

Oil prices are still high, hanging around $90. A barrel of Brent crude oil, the benchmark for oil prices, costs $90.66. The last time prices were this high was in the wake of the 7 October attacks and fears of conflict spreading throughout the Middle East. 

On the currency front, £1 buys $1.2538 and €1.1678.

How old is the average Briton when they buy their first home, or finish paying their mortgage, or retire?

These are some of the questions answered in a "Journeying Through Life" data dump from the Office for National Statistics.

Here are some of the key takeaways...

Home ownership - including the one life event that's happening earlier

People are buying homes later in life, perhaps unsurprisingly given how house prices have risen in the last decade or so.

In 2022, more than half of people owned their own home (either with a mortgage or outright) by the age of 36. 

That's a significant increase on 2004's figures - which showed the average age for home ownership was 32. 

This graph shows what proportion of people own homes at what age.

It isn't all doom and gloom on the homes front, however, with the age at which people own their home outright (ie mortgage paid off) dropping from 63 (in 2004) to 61 in 2020. 

This is pretty much the only life event happening earlier, however.

Retiring later

Again, this probably won't come as a huge surprise, but people are retiring later. 

The age where more than half of people were retired increased from 64 in 2011 to 66 in 2021. ​

There has been a bigger increase in average retirement age for women (from 61 years in 2011, to 66 years in 2021) than for men (from 65 in 2011 to 66 in 2021). 

The ONS says this is because the state pension age for women was increased from 60 to 66 during this time to match men.

Gender pay gap shrinking but still present

The latest data shows that men are still, on the whole, being paid more than women - although the gender pay gap is shown to be shrinking. 

For all employees, the gender pay gap was 14% in 2023 - compared with 20% in 2013.

Despite the gap shrinking, this graph shows that men's hourly wages are higher than women's at nearly all ages. 

The grey shaded area represents the pay gap. 

Another part of the data shows that males start work a touch earlier than women - with half of males in full-time employment by the age of 23 (compared with females at 24) in 2021. 

That data could be explained by the fact that more women attend university - some 319,000 females compared with 285,000 males in 2022.  

Moving out, marrying and having children

The age at which young people move out of their family homes is increasing, too.

In 2011, half of people were not living with their parents at the age of 21 - compared with 24 in 2022. 

More men live with their parents than women, with 61% of adults living at home in 2021 were male.

When it comes to having children, the average age at which women have their first baby has risen to 29.

That's up from an average of just 23 in 1970. 

And finally, marriage.

The median age at first marriage has been steadily increasing since the 1960s. 

For opposite sex couples married in 2020, the median age was 32 years for men and 30 years for women. For those entering into same-sex marriage, the median age was older, at 36 years for men and 32 years for women.

As well as getting married older, fewer people are getting married. In 2019, marriage rates had fallen to their lowest on record. For men, there were 18.6 marriages per 1,000 never-married men; for women, there were 17.2 marriages per 1,000 never-married women.

Spotify has announced it is hiking its subscription prices by up to £24 a year.

It is the second time in less than a year that the music streaming giant has increased its prices.

Here's how the prices will change...

Individual: £11.99 a month (up from £10.99 a month)  

Duo: £16.99 a month (up from £14.99 a month)  

Family: £19.99 a month (up from £17.99 a month) 

When will the change kick in?

The subscription price will change from May and if you are an existing customer Spotify will email you and give you one-month's notice of the change.

If you are on a free trial you will pay the old price for one month once your trial ends.

A Spotify spokesperson told Sky News: "So that we can keep innovating and delivering value to fans, the music industry, and creators on our platform, we occasionally update our prices. 

"We've begun communicating with existing subscribers in the UK to explain what this means for their account."

American burger chain Wendy's will be recruiting for over 400 job roles as part of its expansion across the UK.

The chain returned to the UK in 2021 after a 20-year break and has since opened just over 30 sites, including drive-throughs in Colchester, Peterborough, Derby and Brampton Hut.

But the chain, which was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969, plans to open a further nine sites this year in Liverpool, Middlesbrough, and a second location in Sheffield.

New locations will include Liverpool, Middlesbrough and a second site in Sheffield.

Wendy's franchisee GH Burgers will open a first restaurant in Wood Green, London, this year.

There will also be restaurants in Southend-on-Sea, Colchester, Cambridge and Newcastle.

Michael Clarke, UK managing director for the Wendy's Company, told The Caterer : "We've seen great momentum in building Wendy's fandom in the UK, and the love and excitement for this iconic brand grows stronger with each new restaurant opening."

Changes to visa rules costing people thousands of pounds extra "destroy the notion of the UK as a place where families can thrive", campaigners have said.

The minimum income for family visas rises by more than £10,000 to £29,000 today. 

It will rise further to £38,700 early next year. 

Reunite Families UK claimed the values of family and love are being treated as "as yet another political football to be sacrificed in order to receive better poll or electoral results".

The government says the plans offer "an accelerated and comprehensive programme of reforms" to address "unsustainable" levels of legal migration to the UK.

Justifying its plans, the Home Office said the minimum amount had remained unchanged for more than a decade, and the new measures will help ensure families are self-sufficient and not relying on public funds.

'We just want to be with our families'

Argentinian Eugenia Morales said the uncertainty around her and her baby daughter being able to reunite with her husband in the UK had taken a toll.

The 30-year-old has been with her partner Connor White for three years but is unsure whether - after having their daughter in Argentina - she will be able to join him in England.

She said Mr White, who is based in West Sussex, cannot leave his eldest child from a previous relationship and has been working weekends in his construction job to try to boost his income to the required amount to sponsor his wife.

Ms Morales said she would be looking for a job in the UK and would not have access to benefits while applying on the family visa route anyway.

She told the PA news agency: "We don't want to be a burden to the [welfare] system, we just want to be with our families.

"It's an awful situation. We want to be together, we want the girls to grow up together but this is making it totally impossible."

Caroline Coombs, co-founder of Reunite Families UK, said people are feeling "punished" and "excluded" by the new rules.

Ms Coombs said: "This increase, together with the ones which will come into force in the next 12 months, destroy the notion of the UK as a place where families can thrive."

Athletics will become the first sport to introduce prize money at the Olympics this summer.

World Athletics, the international athletics federation, says it will pay Olympic gold medal winners $50,000 at the Paris games.

The athletics governing body said it is setting aside $2.4m (£1.89m) to pay the gold medallists across 48 events at Paris' track and field programme.

Read the full story here ...

The tweet below on the price of olive oil has gone viral - so we thought it was a good opportunity to resurface our feature from March that explains what's going on.

At the time, our  spending calculator  revealed the average price of a 500ml bottle of olive oil had risen from £3.54 in January 2021 to £7.45 now - an eyebrow-raising jump of 110.5%.

We spoke to experts about why - and here's what we learned...

Groves becomes graveyards

We start in Italy, where, according to a  survey by the polling firm Istituto Piepoli , 45% of consumers have rediscovered seed oil in the kitchen, and the industry is facing an existential crisis.

Mike Carlucci, managing director of the Italian food importer  Tenuta Marmorelle , says production in parts of Italy is becoming impossible due to a natural disaster that has nothing to do with the climate.

"The events of the past 10 years have made olive oil production in Puglia [which produces 40% of Italy's olive oil] almost impossible," he said. "This is due to the rising bacteria disease Xylella Fastidiosa."

The disease attacks and kills century-old olive trees, severely diminishing yields.

It spreads about 20km to 25km a year, Mike says, leaving a "graveyard of withered and barren trees which were once stunning beautiful olive groves".

Many producers have been forced to replace their trees with more resilient varieties but...

"Even if the new trees manage not to succumb to Xylella, it will be at least nine to 12 years before they produce a notable amount of oil," says Mike.

While prices are up across the continent, in the UK another factor is in play: Brexit.

"The cost of customs documentation leaving Europe and entering the UK is approximately £95 per shipment," says Mike.

"Transporters have all imposed a Brexit surcharge for extra admin duties performed by them in the importation of goods from Europe."

Pallets coming into the UK from the continent are now subject to more stringent fire resistance rules - meaning the cost of pallets has "tripled, even in some cases quadrupled".

'Never had a shortage like it'

Another issue, as has been widely reported, are the wildfires and droughts in southern Europe last year.

These weather events have lead people to extreme measures, according to Sarah Vachon, olive oil sommelier and founder of  citizensofsoil.com .

"You can ask the elders in the villages in Greece and they've never had a shortage like this," she says.

"I see lots of producers selling their previous harvest's oils, since they're able to get a high price for it and might have held on to it over the year. 

"This means the consumer is not getting fresh EVOO. And when it's not fresh, it not only loses its flavour, but it also loses a lot of the health benefits (namely antioxidants like polyphenols) which drop significantly over time."

On top of climate change, there's a flood of cheap sunflower oil coming from Ukraine - so while the price of olive oil is going up, the cost of alternatives are going down.

200 trees stolen overnight

The result is an industry in crisis - and organised criminals are taking advantage.

"Around half of the farmers I work with have a story to tell about thieves stealing their liquid gold," says Sarah.

"Sometimes it's the oil itself, or the olive fruit at the groves, or even an insane story from one of our producers about thieves coming in the night and uprooting 200 freshly planted trees."

Maria Dawson, managing director of the organic food seller Clearspring, says the industry is seeing "some of the lowest levels of olive oil production for five decades and unfortunately a shortage of supply".

The company has managed to secure a stable supply for the coming year, but Maria expects the market to remain uncertain - with no price reductions in the near future, even if 2025 brings better harvests.

Olive oil sommelier Sarah isn't hopeful, either.

"Olive oil is already facing record prices, and the way the climate is changing across the Mediterranean basin (which is warming 20% faster than the rest of the world), the shortages we've seen will likely continue."

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