Our top travel stories of the week
In the news
Thomas Cook sees bookings fall 33% – we may be forgiven a little schadenfreude on hearing the problems this package holiday behemoth is experiencing, but the woes of Thomas Cook at an important time of the year highlight the fight for customers in 2012 (via The Guardian)
This month’s buzzword: ‘Savecation’ – new year, new buzz words. Know your praycation from your gaycation? Lots of amusing new ways to talk holidays have entered our lexicon but this year’s do highlight the drive for value in austere times (via Skyscanner)
Ryanair considers cutting routes to Canary Islands – last week it was Ibiza. This week the Canaries look like losing some flights if local politicians go ahead with proposals to cut subsidies (via tumbit Spain)
Spaniards have Mondays, too – stereotypes of a people besotted with sun, sea, fiestas and siestas may be wide of the mark. The Spanish work longer hours than most Europeans. Insightful and surprising read (via The Guardian)
Tony Blair agreed to give Gibraltar to Spain – allegedly. Peter Hain insists in his new book that the ex-PM gave the go ahead for Hain and Jack Straw to strike a deal with Spain over sovereignty of the island. (via The Olive Press)
King Juan Carlos made a pass at Princess Diana – ah, nothing to do with holiday villas. But it is a silly story about a womanising 74-year old King? We tittered. (via Mail Online)
Spain is happiest expat destination – for those of you living in Spain, this is probably no surprise. A poll showed over two thirds of Brits who made the move to Spain prefer their new home to the old. (via The Telegraph)


