Smart Traveller

In this post, the first in a series looking at some of the specific attractions that you can visit in Spain, we take a look at Terra Natura, a wildlife park located just outside of Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca.

Terra Natura is divided into four themed areas: Pangea, Europe, Asia and America. In the Pangea area, you can see snakes, including diamond-back rattlesnakes and green tree pythons, as well as tarantulas, lizards, scorpions and bush babies, and in the Europe area of Terra Natura, you can see donkeys, horses, turtles and deer.

Exhibits in the Asia area of the park include elephants, Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, saltwater crocodiles, leopards, water buffalo and Sumatran tigers, whilst the America area is home to armadillos, macaws, boa constrictors, jaguars, Capuchin monkeys, marmosets, ocelots and squirrel monkeys.

Other attractions at Terra Natura include the “Birds of Prey Challenge” zip wire and the “Flight of the Parrots” and the “Flight of the Birds of Prey” shows.

Terra Natura is set out beautifully, with mock  ruins and themed architecture, and pathways lined with trees and flowers. It also has several restaurants and cafes, and there are gift shops in each area of the park.

It will take you at least four hours to explore Terra Natura properly, so it’s wise to plan to spend a whole day at the park so that your visit doesn’t feel rushed. The park is open all year round, but opening hours vary, so make sure that you check them before visiting.

Terra Natura is only about 10 minutes’ drive from Benidorm and about 40 minutes’ drive from Alicante, so it’s a great place to visit as part of a Costa Blanca car hire holiday.

Image: © Carolyn Marshall | Dreamstime.com

In light of the recent widely-reported outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has today advised against travelling to Mexico unless your visit is essential.

If you are due to be flying to Mexico, check with your airline or travel agent for up to date information.

The latest information from some of the main airlines and travel agents is as follows:

• British Airways - (Statement issued at 11:18 on 28 April 2009) - flights between the UK and Mexico are still operating.  However, if you are due to be flying to Mexico within the next 7 days, you can rebook to travel to a different destination or book another flight to Mexico for another date.
• Thomson Holidays - (Statement issued 14:00 on 28 April 2008) -  Thomson has now announced that all flights from the UK to Cancun and Cozumel from now until 8 May 2009 have been cancelled. Customers due to fly between these dates can alter their travel dates, change destinations or cancel their holiday and receive a full refund. Customers due to fly to Mexico between 9 May and 22 May can also alter their flight dates or change their destination. Thomson customers who booked their holidays through travel agents should contact their agents in order to change or cancel their bookings.
• United Airlines is continuing to operate flights between the UK and Mexico but has issued a travel waiver for flights to Mexico until 6 May 2009 meaning that customers due to fly before that date can change their travel plans.
• American Airlines is allowing customers who booked their flights prior to 24 April 2009, and who are due to fly to Mexico before on or before 6 May 2009, to change their flight dates free of charge. Travellers can choose to change their flight destination, but additional charges may apply.

Experience Queensland is offering UK residents the chance to win a holiday for two in Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State.

The prize consists of: return flights for two from London Heathrow to Cairns via Singapore on Quantas and Jetstar; airport transfers; seven nights’ accommodation at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort (on a room-only basis); and two places on a Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise.

To enter the competition, complete the form on the Experience Queensland website. Entries must be received by midday on Friday 8 May, 2009.  The winner must redeem the prize before 30 June 2009 and must take the holiday before 31 May 2010 (travel is not permitted between 10 December 2009 and 10 December 2010, and travel is restricted during school and public holidays).

Image by Donaldytong