Visitors from all around the globe will flood into the nation’s capital on the 28th September to see the glitz and glam of the fashion world take centre stage. This event lasting until October 7th lets the industry know exactly what is in and out for the Spring/Summer season, whilst allowing buyers to look at the latest trends.

On the catwalk at last year's Paris event

Explore the beautiful city of Paris by attending the shows in the various locations. For Chanel, visit Le Grand Palais, but don’t stop there. Le Petit Palais, Le Carrousel du Louvre and le Jardin des Tuileries are other places across the city that parade the finest elements of fashion during this week.

Paris fashion weeks are always rich and diverse and so whatever you have your mind set on, you will rarely leave a show disappointed. Every day there are numerous shows on and so pick whichever fits into your timetable best. For those of you missing that flare for fashion do not worry because just the atmosphere is enough to tempt anyone back for a second visit.

Dress up in style as often these shows not only emanate beauty on the catwalk but also on the floor. As the collections extend beyond adventurous, those watching allow themselves to push their own outfits away from the norm.

Hosted in one of the fashion capitals of the world and embracing designer collections from those such as Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier, this event should not be missed out on. The fashion spectacle makes a trip to Paris this season all the more worthwhile and adds a touch of sparkle to your holiday excursion.

Getting to Paris is made easy by Short Breaks where a return Eurostar ticket is just a few clicks away. Why stop there? Short Breaks can also help you find the ideal accommodation best suited to experiencing Paris Fashion week at its best.

In April 2010, thousands of passengers were left stranded as most of Europe’s airspace was shut down due to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. Millions of pounds were lost as airlines fought to get their planes back up in the sky. For one transport provider though, this was to be a fortuitous turn of events.

Eurostar stepped out to show their might, they laid on extra services to accommodate the large amounts of holiday makers stranded and desperate to get back home from the chaos, proving once more they are a strong, reliable source of transport between the UK and the rest of Europe.

Eurostar have had their fair share of problems

It goes without saying that Eurostar have seen their fair share of problems over the last couple of years, what with the Channel Tunnel Fire in 2008 and the Eurostar snow chaos which caused trains to simply stop working in February of this year.

Eurostar restores faith as one of the best methods of transport to the rest of Europe and beyond.

The London Evening Standard reported today that the volcanic ash cloud crisis helped swell numbers on Eurostar trains, aiding in a 6% increase in comparison to the first half of last year. Eurostar revenues for the first six months of 2010 rose 18% to £404 million.

So, has the ash cloud fiasco put faith back into Eurostar? In my opinion the faith never went, but one thing is for sure, it certainly hasn’t had a disadvantage on their standing as one of the best methods of transport to the rest of Europe and beyond.

Boat passengers in the European Union are to see their rights enhanced in the event of delay or cancellation following a decision by the European Parliament.

The introduction of boat protection?

At present ferry passengers have the right to a refund or a space on a later sailing if their journey is disrupted. However, airline customers get more protection, such as compensation if a flight from a European airport is affected.

The new rules are designed to bring consistency to the arrangements.

From 2012 when a regular passenger boat or ferry service is cancelled or over 90 minutes late in departing, the passengers will have the right to be rerouted (in order to reach the destination earlier) or to receive back the ticket cost and not to travel (or else to return to the initial port of departure at the company’s cost).

This will not apply in the case of weather delays or other conditions outside the operator’s control.

Passengers must also be given snacks or meals, wherever possible, the EP said in a statement.

In addition, regardless of whether they choose to travel or not, the passengers will now be entitled to compensation of 25 per cent of the ticket price.

However, passengers are still unable to claim compensation for any lost time at their holiday destination. Such claims will still have to be made through travel insurance - if a policy offers sufficient cover - or a credit card provider.

This means passengers travelling by water will benefit from the same basic quality service standards wherever they travel in the European Union.

There are several reports out today warning of the rise of bogus travel agents (read as criminals),  http://www.getsafeonline.org have highlighted several points for would be holiday bookers to take into account before booking a holiday.

They are all sensible and reasonable  - in my eyes and something I follow regularly when making any purchase online is to make sure that before you book online try and speak to the company

- How easy is it to find their number in the website

- Ask the questions about their stability  - how long have they been operating?

- Ask for their ABTA/ATOL number - check it against the relevant ABTA and ATOL websites

- How much do they know about the holiday they are selling you?

Avoid online rip-offs with Get Safe Online

Just don’t be afraid about asking questions  - if they are a reputable company they will answer all your questions in a reasonable manner.

Of course the above questions are not exhaustive but they will give you a good feel for how the company operates.

I totally agree that there is a level of personal responsibility but as an industry we have to realise that we will all lose out if we don’t treat customers with the respect they are due.

I received a call from Javier Espinoza the week before last for comment on some feedback he had on the failing popularity of longer breaks in the European travel market in general. After a quick Google , just double check that he was who he said he was, made some comments on Short Breaks’ experience of the UK short break market.

Last week it appeared and makes interesting reading - it does however make it sound as if we put on 63 extra Eurostar trains during the Ash crisis…..given the revenue they should have generated  I wish.