Commuters from the Bath and Bristol areas were in a bad moo'd recently - udderly fed up with being forced to ride cattle class. Hundreds of them staged a protest by wearing cow masks as they rode the overcrowded trains provided by First Great Western. Their main gripe was being forced to stand on long journeys because insufficient seating was provided for the demand. The service was also said to be unreliable - with frequent delays. On top of all that, First Great Western fares are believed to be Europe's most expensive!

Good for them, I say! We Brits are far too polite for our own good and don't complain enough when we're being milked. We pay more of our hard-earned moo-la for everything, yet are expected to put up with inferior service dished out in the pursuit of corner cutting to increase profits. Such greed is hard to stomach - even with two stomachs. Whatever happened to common decency?

The protesters have called for a freeze on any more fare hikes until First Great Western improves its train service and they are no longer treated like cattle. In fact, it would probably be illegal to treat cattle that way - the perpetrators would have the animal rights people all over them like flies on a cow pat. Unfortunately, the company knows that the commuters are at their mercy and have no choice but to use their trains. They've continued to make hay while the sun shines - and even when it mostly doesn't. They've continued to cash in on the discomfort of their passengers until they reached the end of their tethers and won't stand for it any more!

We've all had that familiar childhood 'are we there yet' feeling as we sit grimacing in our budget airline seats. We keep a stiff upper lip and don't complain because… Well…At least we have a seat to strap into, and we know that without a cattle-class airfare we wouldn't be going anywhere at all. We're led by the nose - like cows to the slaughter - and we can't bring ourselves to say no to those tempting budget flights and holidays.

Despite all the talk about global warming and carbon hoof prints we still flock to the airports for our cheap flights, getting fleeced at the airport shops and restaurants along the way. It's easier to blame the cows for global warming, what with producing all that methane gas…

Travel has become more affordable and available to the masses, but does it really have to be less comfortable? We save time by eating lunch on the hoof. We save money by flying with no frills. We endure the crowded departure lounges and sit on the floor. We brace ourselves against the panicked stampede created by the lack of seat assignment. We've got used to being prodded and herded onto planes - but we don't like it. We complain about the high taxes on everything. We chew it all over and swallow it anyway - but it's hard to digest.

Fortunately, there's one field where you can still get value for money - and that's with your travel insurance - if you choose wisely! Get a quote from an established travel insurance company where you'll find affordable prices with no cuts to either customer-service or products - and you'll never be treated like cattle. Getting to your destination in cramped conditions is one thing, but if your luggage goes missing or anything else goes haywire during your trip it could be the last straw!

About the Author

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer quotes and travel insurance.

A city steeped in cultural traditions that date back to its early beginnings as a fishing village, Amsterdam offers wonderful canal cruises. Quite possibly Amsterdam’s most compelling attraction, the canals provide an easy way to see most of the city in a couple of hours.

Several different boat companies provide tours that often come with a multi-lingual guide. Most boats are equipped to seat approximately 40 passengers. Amsterdam City Tours features several themed canal cruises that are explored here.

What an enchanted, romantic evening you can have on the 2 hour-long Candlelight Cruise that gently glides you through the illuminated canals of Amsterdam. As you enjoy the sights of the city from your glass-enclosed seating arrangement, indulge in a bit of red or white wine and a savory taste of cheese. As your multi-lingual host points out many of the city’s finer points, your memories of this journey will be forged forever in your mind. This canal cruise is offered daily starting at the Central Station directly across from the Victoria Hotel.

What could be better than a delicious meal set with the background of scenery that just seems to float away? The Traditional Dinner Cruise is one of the most popular cruises, offering 2.5 hours of enjoyment as you glide along Amsterdam’s delightful waterways. If you can pull your eyes away from the gorgeous scenery, a 4-course gourmet dinner is served right in the comfort of your glass-enclosed seating arrangement aboard the motor launch. Included with the meal is a fine selection of red or white wine, beer, coffee, soft drinks, and an after-dinner liqueur. This canal cruise is offered daily starting at the Central Station directly across from the Victoria Hotel.

Offered only on Saturdays, the Canal Pizza Cruise takes you on a 1.5-hour journey that includes freshly baked Domino’s pizza and assorted beverages. Order your pizza as you board the boat. This nighttime canal cruise starts at the landing stage for canal buses across from the Rijksmuseum.

The Blue Boat brunch cruise, where a luxurious party vessel is ready to take you on a 2-hour cruise through beautiful Amsterdam while you enjoy a tasty brunch menu is also a very nice way to spend your Sunday afternoon.

If you are looking for something that provides an opportunity for you to explore more of Amsterdam than the canals, you should consider the 2-Day Canal Bus Hop On Hop Off Service. It includes 14 exciting stops with 3 different routes: green line, red line, and blue line. Plus, this bargain is offered daily. What better way to get to major attractions, museums, and shopping areas than from the comfort of a canal bus?

Recently added canal travelers of the canals of Amsterdam are the Canal Hoppers. Friendly to the environment, the electric boats can be hired for private outings. Unfortunately, these boats can only accommodate a maximum of 12 persons.

Luxurious saloon steamers also offer an opportunity for a delightful getaway. In fact, their lavish style makes them the perfect spot to give a marriage proposal, have an intimate wedding ceremony, or conduct business. Lunches are available most days and dinners are served on warm, summer evenings.

This is just a mere sampling of what the canals of Amsterdam have to offer its guests. As you can see, the variety is sufficient enough to merit more than one journey along the fascinating Amsterdam canals.

About the Author

Offering Canal cruises in Amsterdam, AmsterdamCityTours has a wide selection of canal and dinnner cruises in Amsterdam