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Biometrics is the technology which captures biological data. It records individual characteristics like fingerprints, voice patterns and measurements of the eyes retinas and irises. In a world where identity theft and other mishaps are common place, authenticity of users is increasingly important, which is where this new biometric technology comes in.

Once data is scanned it is often encrypted into a software application or, in our case, onto ones visa.  The UK is first to try this advanced technology. The country is requiring that anyone coming from overseas must have a biometric visa in hand or they won’t be allowed admittance.

It sounds like a really great security measure and it is. However, as always, the backlash has begun. Non-UK citizens looking to visit the country are claiming that the biometric aspect of attaining a visa is ultra-personal and that they simply do not want to be inconvenienced by the scanning and higher prices.

The ugliest part of this uphill battle is that there has been a drop in countries that require it or are soon looking to necessitate this much needed security measure. 

The bottom line is that, although it may be a burden to travelers, it is necessary in today’s harsh reality. So travelers if you plan on coming to the UK anytime soon, get ready because biometric isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Photo courtesy of gov.uk

Camping vacation guru siblu has just announced plans to open their fourteenth holiday spot in the stunning south of France. Titled Les Sables du Midi, the resort will be surrounded by the beauty of the region’s local vineyards and will also include two pools and a fun, fast and furious 85 meter water slide.

To celebrate the opening season, siblu is offering a 25% discount for bookings made by March 9. You can find a better setting or more affordable fun in the south of France so visitors are encouraged to take on the discount while it lasts.

If you want to test siblu’s campsites before du Midi’s grand opening try l’ Hippocampo, which is also located in the beautiful south of Rance.

Photo courtesy of sletoh.com.

Whether you are here to stay for business or to play on a holiday, the MacDonald Group believes that you deserve to know exactly where your hotels foods are coming from.

Following a round of high profiled documentaries by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver, who sought to prove a point that luxury hotel foods aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be, the MacDonald Group took the message to heart and has begun improving its standards. They’ve started with food traceability and the belief that leisure consumers have the right to know where their foods are coming from and that they are receiving nothing but the best.

Aside from getting only free range chicken, MacDonald Group has also collaborated with the largest family-owned dairy farm in Scotland so that all of the milk and dairy it receives are guaranteed organic. They also promise to only buy pork and other meat products from farms that follow the rigorous Meat and Livestock Commission guidelines.

Alan Swinson, catering director of the MacDonald group states that, “this is unusual for a hotel group of our size and we believe it sets us apart from our competitors. We take pride in our food and the menus we create with it.  With 37 AA Rosettes across the group’s restaurants it’s no surprise that it’s our celebrated cuisine that has helped make Macdonald Hotels a destination of choice for both leisure and corporate clients.”

The ideals of the MacDonald group fit in perfectly with the eco-minded consumer of today who is concerned about the chemicals used in seemingly “fresh” foods and the safety of the animal products that they may consume outside of their homes. So if you are one that worries about the safety and health of your family on vacation, you do not have to worry any longer. MacDonald Group has nearly 50 hotels sprinkled throughout the UK and 10 resorts in the UK and Spain, these include Leila Playa Club, Berystede Hotel and Spa and Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa. 

Photo of the MacDonald Group’s MacDonald Manchester courtesy of sletoh.com

The Accor Group’s new upscale chain, labeled Pullman, has lofty goals to conquer the hotel world by adding 300 new hotels to its roster by 2015. Since last December, 12 new hotels in France, Germany, Belgium, Thailand and China have all been added to kick start the Accor’s latest brand.

The most recent project for the ambitious company was obtaining the Paris Bercy Sofitel hotel, which will change its name from Sofitel Paris Bercy to Pullman Paris Bercy when the marriage is complete on February 5.  Pullman has also made Paris Bercy one of its flagship European hotel’s, which fuels the company’s promise to stand by its commitment of extending its network and enhancing the hotels it acquires. 

Accor Group is faithful to business minded men and women around the world. While the Pullman sector of Accor is acquiring its hotels, they will also be working to implement a wide variety of customized services and up to the minute technology to meet the business requirements of those staying at their hotels.

However, the location is also ideal for those with a more pleasurable agenda. It is located in one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in the city, right close to the Place de la Madeleine, Place de la Opera, and Disneyland Paris.

The Accor Group owns several other hotel sectors in Paris including the Mercure, Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel, Ibis Porte D’Orleans’, Etap and now the Pullman Paris Bercy. With 288 more hotels to go by 2015, we are sure Paris will see another Pullman or two. 

Photos courtesy of Sletoh.com

A new marriage of sorts for boutique hotel guru Ian Schrager to J.W. Marriott Jr., is taking place in the form of an innovative hotel chain called “Edition.” This “magical combination,” as Marriott puts it, will seek international acclaim in its start up cities of Paris, Madrid, Costa Rica, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Each hotel is expected to have anywhere from 150 – 200 rooms and will capture the essence of the city in which it is located. “These hotels will be an exceptional complement to our brand portfolio and will allow us to use our global platform and operational expertise to create the first truly global branded boutique lifestyle hotel on a large scale,” says Marriott.

Giving the people what they want is the key to Edition claim the duo. They want their hotels to constantly reflect the changing lifestyles and culture of each city, whilst bringing in the type of quality, service and exclusivity that customers deserve. The first wave is expected to open in 2010 in the previously listed cities, however, Marriott and Schrager plan on taking the world by storm with over 100 new “Editions” around the world.

Marriott already has hotels around the globe including Rome Marriot Park in Rome and Courtyard by Marriott Vienna. Some of Schrager’s most notable hotels are the Delano in Miami, Gramercy Park in New York City and St. Martin’s Lane in London.

Photo of St. Martin’s Lane courtesy of Wikipedia.org

The newest addition to the 2008 European Capital of Culture, also known as Liverpool, England, is the February opening of the “Hard Days Night Hotel.” The hotel pays complete homage to the Fab Four in every one of the 110 rooms and two restaurants.

Famed American airbrush artist, Shannon, has written the Beatles’ narrative in every one of the 110 rooms. Much like the bands humble beginnings, their story begins on the first floor and rises to the top. And what do you find at the top? Why two luxury suites dedicated to the late John Lennon and the knightly Paul McCartney. The Lennon suite is pure white, complete with a white baby grand and enormous pictures of John. The McCartney suite also pays its dues to the talented singer by way of a giant suit of armor and an animal-free suite, depicting Paul’s knighthood and his vegan ways. Rooms start at about 170 pounds while the suites come to a grand total of 650 pounds a night.

And what about the daytrippers who don’t want a stay but do want to play? Guests can dine at one of the two restaurants – The Brasserie and Blakes – while listening to nothing but the best of the Beatles the whole night through. Visitors can also browse the fantastic hotel art work or check out the Cavern Club, which is just a block or so away, where it all started for the Fab Four decades ago. And if love the Beatles as much as you love your mate, say “Love me Do” at the hotels wedding chapel. Now how’s that for “A Day in the Life?”

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.com