A day in the life of London's most spectacular tourist attraction: Timelapse video shows off Tower Bridge's beauty over 24 hours

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A stunning timelapse video has showcased the beauty of Tower Bridge by day and night including the impressive glass bottomed walkway. Chad Gordon Higgins, who was originally from the West Midlands but now lives in London, took 12,076 pictures in and around the capital's landmark, and then spent seven-and-a-half hours condensing these into 3,878 to make the video.

Inside the megayacht that looks like the Batmobile ... but at £16MILLION, you'll need Bruce Wayne's bank account to buy it

Whether it's being used as a swanky party venue or a luxury bolthole, the Xhibitionist is designed to turn heads... and it even comes with its own mini version on wheels for shore excursions. Designed by Swedish-based supercar designer Eduard Gray, the slick ship's interior is decked out in Art Nouveau decor, with classic touches like a Steinway piano, a dual staircase, and fine crystal Baccarat lighting.

The new hot travel destinations you've never heard of! Da Nang in Vietnam, Eilat in Israel and Russia's Kazan tipped as top spots for 2015 by travellers

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The awards highlight spots around the world that have received the greatest increase in positive feedback and interest from TripAdvisor members over the past year. Other destinations include Naha in Japan, Hurghada in Egypt and Manaus in Brazil.

Planes in chains! Trio of stunt pilots performs breathtaking stunts and loop the loops while ATTACHED wing-to-wing

The job of a stunt pilot is already dangerous enough, but these thrillseekers in Argentina took their job to even more extremes by performing tricks while their planes were chained together.

Now that's teamwork! Photographer captures moment elephant herd works together to rescue calf from water with their trunks

The young elephant fell into the water at South Africa's Addo National Park and amateur photographer Adele van Schalkwyk captured the amazing pictures of the rescue.

A third of British expats would like to move back to the UK and 40% admit they are homesick... but they will stay abroad for a better quality of life

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One third of British expats would move back home, given the choice, while 72 per cent of British expats are unhappy where they currently live, according to new statistics.

A real winter wonderland! Frozen beauty of America's National Parks captured in stunning photos as temperatures plummet

These stunning snaps, collated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, capture the country's true winter wonderlands as Mother Nature's icy grip takes hold of America's National Parks. Pictured: Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska (top left), the Grand Canyon (bottom left), Apostle Island National Lakeshore Park in Wisconsin (top right) and the Conway Summit Mountain Pass in California (bottom right).

Singapore Airlines business class tickets sold for economy prices due to computer glitch... but 900 passengers who snapped up deal now have to pay £2,700 difference

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Around 900 'cheap' seats were sold by travel agents in Australia for journeys between Singapore and Europe, but now customers have to re-book or pay the difference after glitch was noticed by airline. The flights were reportedly incorrectly loaded into the system by the airline and agents claim the carrier is now demanding they notify their clients and charge them the difference.

Now that's naked ambition! Meet the thrillseeker who travels the world and STRIPS while slacklining across spectacular locations

Jaan Roose, from Estonia, has performed his stunt around the world, setting up a slackline in beautiful locations and stripping down to his underwear as he balances above terrifying drops.

Free Wi-Fi more important than a good night's sleep when booking a hotel (because 60% of guests want to update social media)

A good internet connection ranks higher than location, friendly staff and even a good night's sleep and travellers want to update Facebook, search for travel tips and check work emails.

The most romantic proposal ever? Artist spends six months trekking 3,000 miles through Japan with a GPS tracker to spell out 'Marry Me' across islands

Japanese artist Yasushi Takahashi left his job to travel through Japan for six months carrying a GPS tracker to spell out what is the world's largest marriage proposal - and his girlfriends said yes.

The £1MILLION stag do! Ultimate party for 'players' launches, complete with private jet world tour, superyachts and shark diving

A travel company is launching a Million Pound Stag Party aimed at 'Premier League footballers, investment bankers and lottery winners'. The once in a lifetime celebration includes travel in private jets and first class flights to several of the world's most lavish and decadent cities, as well as a £4,000,000 super yacht trip to a private Caribbean island.  

An end to armrest wars? The £20 paper divider that aims to banish air rage on planes by creating space for two elbows

Transforming the armrest evenly for two people will be pleasing news for many

Soarigami menas 'graceful sky' in Japanese and is a clip-on, origami-style armrest divider that looks like a paper airplane and creates double the space on an armrest, keeping all passengers happy. The invention also folds easily back into your bag and is set to go on sale early next year.

Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach and New Orleans are most searched for destinations in 2014 (and Southwest is the most popular airline)

CWRP6M Las Vegas Blvd. at Flamingo

Sin City was followed by Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Atlantic City and Key West as coastal cities proved to be a popular destination for Yahoo users this year.

Was it Father Christmas? Aircraft with SANTA1 call sign spotted in skies over Norway and Sweden on journey from London to Arctic Circle

An aircraft with the call sign SANTA1 was spotted flying over Norway and Sweden near the Arctic Circle on a flight radar website, but there were no reindeer in sight.

Morzine named Britons' favourite ski resort, bookings to Andorra are up 30%... but interest in pricey Switzerland has dropped by HALF

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France is by far the most popular ski destination for Britons, with French resorts taking the top 10 spots for ski trips, but bookings to Austria and Switzerland have dropped compared to last year.

Private cinemas, nightclubs and Sir Richard Branson's slopeside hot tub: Inside the world's most opulent ski chalets (but they'll set you back up to £430,000 A WEEK)

For a minority of super-rich holidaymakers, the real entertainment on a ski trip is to be found back in the palatial chalets that dot the mountains, complete with saunas, private chefs and even nightclubs.

Sun, sea and National Socialism? Former Nazi resort promising 'strength through joy' converted into £160,000 holiday homes

The construction, on the northwestern side of Rügen, Germany's largest island, was part of a programme introduced by Hitler to offer organised fun in the 1930s.

Picass-snow! Artist creates stunning and intricate patterns across the Alps by RUNNING across the slopes in snow shoes

The artist, from Berkshire, has spent the past decade decorating the mountain range with his spectacular artworks, which can measure up to 100m x 100m - the size of two football pitches.

Japan's latest tourist attraction? Locals offer sightseeing trips to Fukushima... amid claims contamination levels are low enough for whistle-stop visit

The Fukushima site, the scene of the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, has become a tourist attraction. Local government tour guides are now escorting buses of people through the area, explaining what has become of the disaster zone. Back in 2011, three of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant's six reactors blew up, releasing radioactive gases that meant the whole area had to be evacuated.

The George Clooney effect! Venice sees 66% surge in bookings for romantic Christmas breaks (but London is still the top spot for festive trips)

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Research has revealed that there has been an increase of 66 per cent in bookings for the Italian city, which hit the headlines this autumn when film star and director Clooney married Amal Alamuddin.

Chinese tourists skip London in favour of LA, Paris and even Moscow... with New York named their favourite long-haul holiday spot

In terms of long-haul destinations, London ranked a distant 22nd with just 94,162 visitors from China in 2013 - and that means the UK capital is missing out on a massive amount of business.

Helicopter captures dramatic footage of sea rescue after passenger falls ill on cruise ship and has to be winched to safety

The young man reportedly choked on a piece of meat on board the Norwegian cruise ship off the coast of Miami and had to be air lifted to safety on a stretcher from the vessel.

Tourism to Hong Kong has INCREASED despite ongoing political protests... and the biggest rise comes from Chinese travellers

epa04512880 A group of Occupy Central demonstrators hold signs outside the Central Police Station in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China, 03 November 2014. The three co-founders of Occupy Central, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and academics Benny Tai Yiu-ting and Dr Chan Kin-man surrendered to the police and were released without charges.  EPA/JEROME FAVRE

Warnings that the 'Umbrella Movement' pro-democracy protests could devastate tourism in Hong Kong appear to be unfounded as the country saw a 13 per cent increase in visitors in October.

Sleep with the fishes! Five-star underwater hotel opens 13ft below Indian Ocean... but it could sink your budget at £1,000 a night

Described as an 'inverted fish tank' the underwater hotel room forms part of a secluded mini island off the coast of Tanzania and Zanzibar where holidaymakers can enjoy the ultimate getaway. The three-floor slice of luxury is situated 820ft from the little-known island of Pemba and the bedroom is the star attraction offering windows look out on an underwater world.

What you REALLY get when you fly London to New York for £150: We put Norwegian's budget transatlantic flights to the test

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Norwegian's transatlantic flights opened to great fanfare, promising one-way tickets from £150, but just what do you get for that price? And is long-haul budget travel as bad as it sounds? MailOnline Travel puts the airline to the test to see if it's as comfortable as promised and just how much you're expected to pay for extras.

From supercell storms to terrifying tornadoes: Photographer travels the world to catch Mother Nature at her most violent

Storm chaser Mike Mezeul II, 30, has travelled all over the US to shoot the likes of mammoth thunderstorms and surreal cloud patterns.

It's a holiday miracle! Heartwarming Christmas advert sees airline deliver dream presents to town in the Dominican Republic

In the battle of the heartwarming Christmas adverts, WestJet has gone all out to deliver festive cheer by delivering washing machines, toys and even a horse to a town in need in the Caribbean.

The rise of the Kangaroo Route! BA celebrates 80th anniversary of Airmail to Australia... a journey that took 12 days and cost a penny

Generations of families have kept in touch with loved ones in Australia thanks to British Airways flights flying thousands of tonnes of letters and parcels over the decades.

Sky-high selfies in paradise! Paragliding instructor snaps incredible images of tourists soaring above the Turkish coastline

Hüseyin Burak Tuzer sees sights everyday that holidaymakers usually only dream of, paragliding along the idyllic Turkish coast. Now, he's bringing them along to see the stunning views for themselves - and snap a once in a lifetime selfie!

Death of the gap year? 60% of students admit travel doesn't broaden the mind... and a fifth say it could HARM job prospects

A third of travellers admitted they struggled to make the transition from carefree lifestyle to a nine-to-five work mentality and half said they quickly reverted back to their old ways after a gap year.

French ski resorts delay openings as lack of snow and unseasonably warm weather leave slopes completely bare

Upmarket resorts such as Courchevel and Meribel had planned to open on December 6, but are now pushing that back to December 13 in the hope of heavy snowfall ahead of peak Christmas period.

Film premiere at 30,000 feet: Lucky airline passengers get a surprise when their in-flight movie turns out to be new blockbuster Annie - a fortnight before its release

The passengers on board the American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York were treated to the first ever film premiere at 30,000 feet, when they were joined by the stars of the new Annie movie.

Airline bans YouTube blogger for posing 'physical threat' to staff after tweets comparing worker to Mean Girls character

BDBTDM Two Jet Blue Airbus aircraft at Las Vegas Airport.

Video blogger Matthew Lush claims he was banned from boarding a JetBlue flight after he tweeted the company what he considered 'joke' messages following spat over a flight booking.

The beauty of Earth from above: Photographer captures African deserts, plunging waterfalls and Arctic snowscapes from 3,000ft 

Acclaimed travel and nature photographer Peter Adams, from the Cotswolds, travelled thousands of miles to document the varied surfaces of the planet. From high above, Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring looks like an alien volcano, tourists look like ants next to a magnificent waterfall in Iceland, and glaciers look like a series of streams as they carve through the ground below.

Work of art or revolting mess? Tourists cover wall with BUBBLE GUM... making it the 'germiest' attraction in the world

Bubble gum wall

The sticky attraction in Seattle is decorated with thousands of pieces of colourful bubble gum as part of a 'work of art' and has become a popular tourist site near the city's oldest farmers' market. The Gum Wall has been created by visitors over a 20-year period and was once named one of the 'germiest' tourist attractions in the world by TripAdvisor, with some layers several inches thick or as tall as 15ft.

Ryanair recognises 13 millionth passenger at Shannon Airport and surprises passengers with free flights as controversial CEO tries to tone down gruff persona

Piotr Rachuta received a personal visit from the Dublin-based carrier's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, who gave away free flights to all passengers on the journey to Wroclaw, Poland.

Christmas dinner in one bite! Heathrow to serve up bon bons flavoured with turkey, stuffing and Christmas pudding for holiday travellers

Aptly named Boarding Bon Bons, the treats have been designed to perfectly recreate traditional Christmas dinner flavours. They will be handed out from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

Transatlantic flights, free Wi-Fi and planes decorated with photos of happy customers: Ryanair reveals plan for flights in 2018

The carrier is set to make some huge changes over the next three years, including the introduction of 'smiley face' interiors, which coincide with CEO Michael O'Leary's recent charm offensive.

Dubai could overtake Heathrow to become world's busiest airport by end of 2014 with passengers exceeding 71million

Dubai International claims it could be a 'photo finish' at the end of 2014 with Heathrow Airport as a surge in travellers sees Gulf hub set to overtake London airport.

Check in, chill out! Stunning igloo hotel opens with private pools, mountain saunas and candle-lit suites ... but no running water

The Iglu-Dorf hotel in Switzerland is rebuilt every season with artworks carved into the walls, views of the 9,000ft mountains and cosy sheepskin rugs as well as outdoor whirlpools for the brave and saunas up among the peaks. But owners recommend guests only stay one night as there is no running water or showers.

New York LaGuardia named North America's most frustrating airport (while Vancouver International is the least stressful)

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Taking into account the time it takes to get there, the security processes, the quality of the terminals and facilities, and how many flights get delayed, Laguardia takes the crown it doesn't want.

Polish castle offers ultimate Hogwarts sleepover for Harry Potter fans... complete with potion mixing, broomstick practice and quidditch (and it charges muggles £140)

Harry Potter role-playing festival in Poland

It's an opportunity Harry Potter fans have been dreaming of - to act out the roles of their favourite characters from the blockbuster movie series, with a role-playing weekend in a Polish castle.

Why it's illegal not to smile in Milan... and donkeys can't sleep in the bath in Oklahoma: The strangest laws from around the world

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When travelling around the world, it's not always a bad idea to do your research on local laws and traditions.

Air New Zealand named world's best airline as British Airways scrapes into 10th place (and Etihad is top for first class travel)

The Auckland-based airline has received AirlineRatings.com's top gong for the second consecutive year, beating larger companies and carriers that are synonymous with luxury.

What it looks like to be charged by a rhino: Tourist captures photos of moment her family is chased by one-and-a-half tonne animal

SEE CATERS FEED FOR VIDEO
 
 PIC BY HOLLY POWERS / MERCURY PRESS - (PICTURED: THE RHINO RUNNING TOWARDS THE CAMERA) A mum's hair-raising safari pictures show just what it's like to be charged by a one-and-a-half tonne RHINO. American Holly Powers caught these amazing photos as she and her husband Christopher took their 20-month-old son Thomas for a morning drive. The family set off from their home to the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, in Pretoria, South Africa, as their son had been waking up at 5.30am every day. But Holly, 35, couldn't have guessed what would happen next when their family trip turned into an incredible encounter last week with not one - but three massive white rhinos. Holly, who works with orphans and vulnerable children internationally, said: "We have a 20-month-old little boy who wakes up at 5:30 am every day, so on this morning we decided to get up and take a drive...SEE MERCURY COPY

The terrifying snaps show the rhino charging a car in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, when Holly Powers, from Oregon, was travelling with her husband and 20-month-old child.

Rush hour hell: Rail passengers face delays of up to an HOUR across the country due to signalling problems on lines affecting London, Birmingham and Glasgow

The late autumn/early winter period has seen a significant number of morning hold-ups, with travellers in the Midlands, London and heading north to Scotland experiencing delays.

Into the deep: Free divers capture stunning images while swimming with GREAT WHITE SHARKS in the depths of the ocean

These images of some of the ocean's most rare and deadly predators are the work of Alex Roubaud and Alex Voyer, from Paris, France, who have been freediving as a hobby for the past 10 years. Pictured: a diver with a great white shark.

The world's most disappointing tourist destinations revealed: Egyptian Pyramids, the entire city of Paris and even Stonehenge branded as overrated

The prehistoric monument, located in Wiltshire, joined a host of the planet's most visited destinations and attractions including Los Angeles and Venice as places that left visitors most unimpressed. Stonehenge was criticised because it was considered 'small, you can't get very close to it, and it's really not worth the rather long journey from London'.

Canadian lobsters discovered off coast of YORKSHIRE: Experts blame cruise ship diners trying to 'save' animals by throwing them overboard

ARYBJ0 American lobster, close up.

Local fisherman in Bridlington are understood to have found the species in their lobster pots, 3,500 miles away from their natural habitat in the Atlantic ocean off the coast of North America.

Dining with a twist! Abu Dhabi opens world's largest rollercoaster RESTAURANT delivering meals through network of loops, twists and 'tornado' spirals

Located in a luxury shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, ROGO's has a network of 30 individual rollercoaster tracks that deliver food and drinks straight from the kitchen to customers' tables.

Flights halted at Stansted Airport after passerby mistakes photographer under flight path for gunman

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Essex Police officers raced to Molehill Green, just east of the airport, after a passer-by reported a man holding what appeared to be a firearm, but it turns out it he was carrying a camera.

Is this the most ridiculous stunt ever? Tourists test their strength against jet engine blasts by clinging to fence between Caribbean airport and popular beach

Saint Martin's airport is famed for its dangerous airport which backs right on to a popular beach, with holidaymakers testing their strength against jet engine blasts by clinging onto a dividing fence.

Ryanair flight from Lanzarote to London delayed by 51 HOURS... and irate traveller live tweets entire ordeal to airline

Corinne Redfern was among 400 passengers returning to the UK from the Spanish island of Lanzarote. In a series of more than 40 tweets, she gave a blow-by-blow account of the saga.

A Barbados hideaway with a pink sand beach, a chic Greek retreat and the family timeshare minutes from Disneyland: The incredible holiday homes you CAN afford

SPONSORED: There is a way for travellers who to live the high life on luxury holidays without breaking the bank. We round up the best timeshare deals.

Frozen beauty: Self-taught photographer captures mesmerising images of Finland's starry skies and landscapes blanketed in snow

Finish photographer Mikko Lagerstedt's enchanting photo series highlights some of Finland's most extraordinary landscapes, by concentrating on the horizon and what comes above and below it. Mr Lagerstedt is a self-taught photographer, who began taking his craft in December 2008. Writing on his website, Lagerstedt says: 'I mostly get inspired from the surrounding nature here in Finland.'

Just you and Lone Mountain! Montana's lakeside log cabin comes complete with elk horn stairs, wooden pool table and great views

The picture-perfect wooden hut, located in Yellowstone National Park in Montana, ticks all the boxes with its quaint characteristics and idyllic surroundings, cloaked in a glowing magical mist. The five-bedroom hideaway has spectacular views across the National Park and rental costs from $275 a night.

Nicole Scherzinger's favourite pit stop! Singer declares love for British service stations after late night Instagram adventure

For most of us, roadside services are a road trip's necessary evil - an oasis off the motorway offering fast food, pre-packaged sandwiches and fuel. For Nicole Scherzinger, they're an adventure worth celebrating and sharing with the world. After performing at the Free Radio Live concert in Birmingham, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton's other half did a service to services everywhere by giving them, bizarrely along with Britain as a whole, her most enthusiastic endorsement in a fun Instagram saga.

Beer-loving friends celebrate world's longest bar crawl at 18,000th pub... after spending 30 YEARS visiting local bars in every county in Britain

Peter Hill, 59, and John Drew, 61, members of the Black County Ale Tairsters, said cheers this week as they marked the incredible milestone during their world-record 30 year long pub crawl.

A full gym kit, high-heel shoes you will never wear and mega-sized shampoo: The unnecessary things every woman packs for a holiday ... but should really leave at home

To help you solve any of your potential packing problems, MailOnline Travel offers a complete guide to what you must have - and what should be left behind - when going on holiday.

Christmas is cancelled: Train passengers face holiday chaos as engineering works shut key London to Scotland line and cause closures across the capital

To minimise disruption Network Rail and the Virgin Trains and London Midland train companies are advising passengers to avoid the West Coast main line and use alternative routes over Christmas.

The world's first mobile hotel! Sweden delivers luxury room to whichever location a guest requests (and they even get a hot breakfast in the morning)

It might not look like your standard hotel, but this container has everything that a guest would want and it will be delivered to whichever picturesque location you choose.

An ice fountain, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a Cleopatra bath: Inside the 18th-century spa where Misha Barton and Jemma Kidd relax

Nestled in 163 stunning acres of Belfast countryside, it's clear to see why Galgorm Resort & Spa is a haven for celebrities wanting to relax and get away from it all. Misha Barton (top right), Jemma Kidd (bottom right with husband Arthur Wellesley), Michael Fassbender and Liam Neeson have all stayed at the luxurious Galgorm Resort & Spa, which is 30 minutes from Belfast city centre.

They must be barking! Daredevil couple take three-year-old pug PARAGLIDING over Peruvian capital... and they claim he loved it

Peruvian couple Michael and Cristina tested the limits of their pug Nano's willingness to remain their best friend by taking him paragliding over the coastline around Lima. Luckily for them, the three-year-old pug appeared to love every minute of it, looking around at the views from the comfort of his custom-made harness.

Boeing Dreamliner back in service just days after lightning strike leaves SCORCH marks on fuselage during flight to Perth

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Aircraft engineers discovered scorch marks on the fuselage, so the aircraft was taken out of service and flown back to Auckland without any passengers for further inspection and repairs.

How to discover the REAL Mallorca: Exploring the island the Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones way... by car, helicopter... and £1.5m superyacht

It is a holiday island has long been favoured by the rich and famous, from Michael Douglas to Princess Diana, so surely the best way to see it is by using their favourite modes of transport?

Teenagers prove just how easy it is to bypass airport security by sneaking onto runway in hi-vis vests and even posing for pictures in aircraft COCKPITS

The group of Russian teenagers scaled security fences, pulled on high-vis jackets, and posed next to and inside aircraft at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo International Airport.

Free travel and board! China's 'Snail Man' walks with portable home on his back for three-day commute into the city for work

Pic shows: Chinese man Liu Lingchao travelled hundreds of miles with his home on his back has been dubbed snail man by local media.\n\nA Chinese man who has travelled hundreds of miles with his home on his back has been dubbed snail man by local media.\n\nAnd Liu Lingchao, 39, who makes a living collecting rubbish across the city of Liuzhou in central China's Guangxi Autonomous Region, reckons the description is about right because he cannot go very fast, and retreats into his circular home that he carries on his back every time he wants to take a rest.\n\nHe said: "My life started to fall apart six-years-ago when I lost my job after my father died, and my marriage broke up and my wife left me.\n\n"I was struggling to get back on my feet, and then I realised that I really needed to be doing something to get me out of my depression. About the only thing that seemed to be possible was getting involved in garbage recycling collecting plastic bottles and stuff, but the best place to do th

Liu Lingchao, 39, came up with an ingenious way to make a living in the Chinese city of Liuzhou and travel from his rural home a three day's walk away free of expenses.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Traditional markets open across Europe as visitors get into spirit with mulled wine, sweets

For those who are looking to get into the festive spirit, there may be no better place than Europe's Christmas markets. From huge cities to tiny villages, markets across the continent are spreading Christmas cheer with less than a month to go until December 25. In Germany alone it is estimated that there are as many as 5,000 markets, which are now in full swing.

Now that's a frequent flyer! Australian pensioner who jets around the world just for the fun of it racks up 3 MILLION miles with Qantas Airways

John Martin

When he completes his 959th flight with Qantas Airways on Tuesday, 82-year-old John Martin will have racked up three million miles with a single airline - the equivalent of flying around the world several times over. The former television news editor has been flying for more than 50 years, completing 148 long-haul journeys to New York and 138 return flights to London along the way.

We will remember them: Cambodia designs poignant memorial dedicated to millions of genocide victims in Phnom Penh

Zahar Hadid designs for Sleuk Rith Institute - a memorial for to the victims of the Cambodian genocide

Designed by acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid and inspired by Siem Reap's Angkor Wat Temple, the new Sleuk Rith Institute in Phnom Penh aims to honour the victims of Cambodia's past.

Aircraft pilots and engineers are UK's highest paid workers with average salaries of £90,410 (more than chief executives and medical practitioners)

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The Office of National Statistics' annual Survey of Hours and Earnings does not include those who are self-employed or celebrities who are not listed on company payrolls.

Lack of snow threatens to disrupt start of Austrian ski season (and travel plans for thousands of Brits) as unseasonably warm weather leaves slopes bare

Snow-making machines have been placed on the slopes of Gschwandtkopf mountain in the western Austrian village of Seefeld, while similar problems have affected Flachau in Salzburg.

Men want an Aston Martin and women want a Range Rover: Infographic reveals what British holidaymakers are looking for in 'perfect' car hire

Almost a fifth of men said they would prefer to drive a sporty Aston Martin or Jaguar, compared to just 12 per cent of women. Of those polled, the top choice for women was a Range Rover or Jeep.

That's not a watering hole! Tourists find giraffe drinking from their swimming pool... before sticking its tongue out at them as it leaves

***EXCLUSIVE***
KARIEGA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 10: A giraffe was caught drinking water from an elevated swimming pool on July 10, 2014 in Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa.
40 year old writer and homemaker, Kali Sakai, and her husband got a pleasant surprise as they returned from breakfast and found a thirsty giraffe drinking water out of their swimming pool.
PHOTOGRAPH BY Great Stock / Barcroft Media
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Kali Sakai and her husband were staying at the Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa when they returned from breakfast to find the unannounced guest making use of their facilities.

From sleeping compartments to a £12,500 'apartment in the sky' with a personal butler: Airlines add first class seats as flying enters new age of luxury

After suffering a major decline during the recession six years ago, luxury air travel is taking off again as legacy carriers introduce extravagant 'apartments in the sky' and more first class seats to lure wealthy travellers. An analysis by aviation data company OAG shows a 34 per cent jump in first class seats on planes departing in 2014 compared with 2009, when many analysts predicted the end of first class seating.

Thai police officers and soldiers raid tourist beach in Phuket... to seize parasols and sunloungers from stunned holidaymakers 

Thai police raid beach

Despite protests from upset tourists, authorities forcefully removed their umbrellas, chairs and cushions at Surin Beach, even though the objects aren't banned under existing laws. Some holidaymakers argued and stubbornly refused to take down their umbrellas.

Fighter jets scramble into skies over Austria after Turkish Airlines pilot inadvertently triggers hijack alert

Fearing the plane had been commandeered by terrorists, Austria's military deployed two fighter jets to escort the Boeing 737 to Vienna International Airport.

Two friends recreate Phileas Fogg's fictional 80-day journey around the world... and manage to get the entire trip for FREE

After setting off from Paris on September 9, Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz travelled through countries including Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Iran, India, and the US.

Raw sewage in the baby pool, rats in the kitchen and undercooked food: Thomas Cook pays £9,400 to family who fell severely ill just days into Corfu holiday

Tarina Phillips, from Kent, and three family members fell ill, including her husband, Patrick, who was placed on an IV drip and was unable to leave their hotel room.

Scotland boasts HALF of UK's best extinct volcanoes... but none can knock stunning Giant's Causeway from top spot on elite list

Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and Ardnamurchan on the west coast placed second and third, respectively, behind Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway.

Mosquito virus cases soar by 432% in UK as holidaymakers return from Caribbean where major chikungunya outbreak is spreading

E8KPER The proboscis of an Aedes albopictus mosquito feeding on human blood Under experimental conditions Aedes albopictus mosquito,

Nearly 200 British tourists have been diagnosed with chikungunya in 2014. Of those, 162 have been associated with travel to the Americas, say officials.

Brawling heiresses, 'charming' Prince Harry and sunburnt Saudi royals: What REALLY happens on £46,000 South Pole safaris

Patrick Woodhead reveals just what happens when guests including Prince Harry, Saudi royalty and fashionistas head to the Antarctic with his exclusive White Desert tour company which hosts luxury polar safaris fro the world's most influential people.

Passengers accuse 'unapologetic' Kanye West of delaying flight from Paris to Helsinki and boarding late in a 'huff'

Kanye and Kim

The 37-year-old star was not talkative with other passengers and declined to pose for a photo with a European couple, although he had a brief exchange with another pair according to a report. During the three-hour flight, Kanye focused on his laptop computer, which displayed photographs of a nearly nude woman with long, dark hair, and apparently had time for a nap.

Plenty of fish in the sea! Incredible underwater images capture swirling school of jacks as snorkeller dives into azure ocean

Diver Whitney De Neef delved into the colony in waters off a small island called Dimakya in the Philippines while her husband Steve photographed her adventures from above.

On Silent Night duty! Security brought in to monitor disruptive musical Christmas tree after hotel guests complain that it randomly bursts into song

Security guards are keeping a new festive vigil to ensure a singing Christmas tree, installed at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness, Scotland, does not burst into song at night.

Water goal! Floating football pitch surrounded by azure waters opens in Thailand (just don't kick the ball too far!)

Youngsters play football on a floating football pitch in Koh Panyee, Thailand's Phang Nga province on October 1, 2014 ©Christophe Archambault (AFP/File)

In Panyee, part of Thailand's picturesque Phanga Nga province, foreign visitors keep coming thanks to excitement over the community's highly unusual football pitch.

Hot air balloon ride carries daredevils over Mount Everest with spectacular views from 30,000ft in the air ... but it will set you back a cool £3MILLION

Everest

For those who can afford it, the once-in-a-lifetime ride is well worth it, boasting a stunning 360-degree view of snow-topped mountains like they have never been seen before. Holidaymakers will feel like they are on top of the world on the balloon expedition with veteran pilot Chris Dewhirst, the first person to fly a hot air balloon over Everest. The journey takes most of the day to complete and is weather dependent.

It's not just jet lag you need to worry about! A complete guide to how flying affects your health (and what you can do to combat it)

Plane

Aside from the cabin pressure, dry air, and sitting squashed in one place, there are a host of unpleasant things that happen to your body while you're travelling...

London has four out of five of the most expensive airport transfers in Europe... and Heathrow Express tops list with tickets that cost same as a return flight to MALAGA

The city's four main airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London Luton - made up four of Europe's top five priciest train journey's from airport to city centre.

Now that's flying blind! Terrifying footage shows pilots approaching airport in fog so thick they can't see the runway until moments before landing 

Storyful

Landing an airplane at 150 mph in thick fog might not be something anyone would want to experience after seeing this video, which was shot from a plane's cockpit approaching Dublin Airport.

Mischievous baby elephant attempts to charge bus load of tourists... before having a change of heart and running back to mum

The 12-month-old calf was caught on camera running full-on at the holidaymakers, who were visiting the Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

Causing a stir at 30,000ft! The carry-on cocktail-making kits that are turning passengers into mid-air mixologists

New carry on cocktail-making are kits giving passengers the chance to flex their mixology skills while at 30,000 feet.

Thomson agrees to refund couple's £1,000 Tenerife holiday after it was ruined by 7am building works (but originally offered £30)

Holiday nightmare couple Jordan Pedelty and Dee Kimmings of Slaithwaite fighting their holiday company for compensation... Pic from MEN Syndication.. .. Mitchell Henry House.. Hollinwood Avenue.. Chadderton.. Oldham.. OL9 8EF.. syndication@men-news.co.uk

Jordan Pedelty and Dee Kimmings, from West Yorkshire, say they were woken at 7am every morning by drilling and banging at the Columbus Aparthotel, Playa de las Americas, Tenerife.

A pool on the middle deck, a VIP suite and a sky lounge: Italian designer unveils plans for stunning 164ft BRONZE superyacht

The luxury vessel, called The Belafonte, is a superyacht on steroids with a massive bow and striking bronze exterior that catches the sun's reflection off the sea. With room for up to ten overnight guests, the mini-cruise ship has five luxurious cabins, including a large VIP suite, two twin cabins and a double cabin, although the owner will retire to the largest room of all.

Breathe in! Thai market set on TOP of railway tracks... so locals have to move stalls every time trains pass through

renegadetravels.com

The Mae Klong market, 50 miles from capital Bangkok, is a favourite with tourists who film the phenomenon as locals dash to get out of the way of passing trains.

Now that's a restaurant with a view! Pop-up eatery opens 1,000ft above the snow-covered Alps ... inside a cable car

During a two-hour gourmet dinner, diners will be suspended at an altitude of 5,740feet, 1,250ft above the ground and will enjoy a panoramic view over the snow-covered Alps.

New hostel in heart of London's West End offers beds for just £25-a-night (and if you're local, it could be cheaper than a taxi home)

London's SoHostel is situated on Dean Street, W1, which is minutes away from Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. It offers double rooms for just £55.

Taking the plunge! The incredible moment intrepid kayaker paddles over a waterfall ... and drops 60 FEET into a pool below

Quebec-born Emrick Blanchette, who has been paddling for five years, travelled to the Tlapacoyan Veracruz region to take on the Tomata Falls - a 60ft-high waterfall with a sharp vertical drop.

Malaysia Airlines removes tweet promoting flight sales and apologises after outrage from followers who link it to missing MH370

DWGKTF.jpg Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777

The tweet - which Malaysia Airlines said was meant to 'inspire travellers' - was part of a series of efforts to promote deals on the beleaguered airline's routes up to June 2015.

It's not quite Disneyland! China opens bleak Hello Kitty theme park that cost £210MILLION (and locals expect a million tourists a year)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Imaginechina/REX (4272185c)
 Entertainers dressed in Hello Kitty costumes
 Hello Kitty theme park inauguration ceremony, Huzhou city, Zhejiang province, China - 28 Nov 2014
 The inauguration ceremony of a new Hello Kitty theme park was held Friday (28 November 2014) in Anji county, in east China?s Zhejiang province. The theme park is set to delight Chinese fans when it opens its doors at the beginning of 2015. Japanese company Sanrio, who created Hello Kitty in 1974, have joined with entertainment design firm Hettema Group from California, to bring their new park to life. Sanrio already owns two theme parks in Japan - Puroland and Harmonyland - which attract millions of visitors every year. With both parks exceeding expectations, the new theme park in China is likely to attract over a million visitors each year.

The new £210 million theme park centred around the iconic character in east China's Zhejiang province opened its doors for a special inauguration ceremony.

What it looks like to be charged by a rhino: Tourist captures photos of moment her family is chased by one-and-a-half tonne animal

The terrifying snaps show the rhino charging a car in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, when Holly Powers, from Oregon, was travelling with her husband and 20-month-old child. The amazing images capture the rhino thundering towards the car as it drives away.

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