As a taxi driver in London, I often find myself with a big mixture of different clientele; Business men, holiday makers, the young, the old, and the whole gamete of society. Some of these come with the most fascinating stories to tell, where truth is often stranger than fiction. What I enjoy most about being a taxi driver is the freedom to travel various routes; up and down Piccadilly, over Knightsbridge, over Blackfriars Bridge at night, makes my heart swell with pride, patriotism beating in the breast of a proud Londoner.

Learning the knowledge was one of the most difficult things I had to do as a taxi driver. This is a special test that every taxi driver has to take before he can drive one of Londons famous black cabs. It means as a taxi driver you cannot stop rely on satellite navigation or ask a controller by radio where to deliver your passenger. It is hard work learning the knowledge, a skill that many try to learn but most fail.

The test dates back to 1865, and can take up to two to four years to pass the All London Knowledge, but once you get your licence you can work anywhere you choose in Greater London area. It is the worlds most demanding taxi cab examination and it takes a driver an average 12 appearances before they pass the test. I remember taking it 9 times.

Nearly three quarters of those who start the course drop out, because the course involves heavy revision, preparation and drilling. I remember there were nights when I could not go over my revision notes; my mind was clouded with roads and streets. But it certainly paid off in the end. It has even been proved that cabbies that have spent over two years learning the knowledge have a larger hippocampus – an area associated with memory and navigation. They also found that the hippocampus grows larger the more time the cabbie spent on the job. I speak this from truth, my friends often remark that my memory is fantastic, a very handy skill to have when taking part in pub quizzes.

There are two distinct types of badges you will need if you want to drive about either London or the suburbs. London cabbies or green badge drivers needs to know detailed knowledge of every street road and landmark within a 6 mile radius of Charing Cross. This includes nearly 25,000 streets, 320 runs as well as all landmarks and places of interest. Believe me some of the routes I run, definitely requires this in depth knowledge.

Yellow badge drivers or suburban drivers can choose from Londons nine suburban sectors, where they have to learn 30 to 51 runs, as well as places of interest and landmarks. It can take over 2 years to get your yellow badge.

Jim Stockwell is a former London cabbie working as an airport taxi transfer driver at Holiday Taxis. For great deals on Dubai taxi transfers and Thessaloniki airport transfer and Kos taxi transfers contact www.holidaytaxis.com

1) Be sure to visit the vibrant streets and squares of Palma, Majorca’s stylish capital. Explore the striking gothic cathedral, stroll along the yacht-lined marina and work your way through the trendy bars, chic boutiques and authentic restaurants.

2) Make a splash at one of Majorca’s many water parks. You’ll love racing down waterslides, bobbing up and down in wave pools and jumping in giant rubber rings with your mates, all under the gorgeous Mediterranean sunshine.

3) Explore Majorca’s beautiful countryside. Soak up the island scenery, from the calm of its green olive groves and fruit trees to the drama of its breathtaking coastal views and the rugged Tramuntana mountains.

4) Live it up in Magalluf, Majorca’s party capital. Whether you do it every night or just the once, you’ll have a fantastic time eating, drinking and dancing your way through the plethora of restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs.

5) Everyone knows Majorca is a party island, so fall for the colourful processions, local music and dance of its festivals, celebrating everything from the festival of Moors and Christians in Soller to the start of summer across the island.

6) For a whole new perspective on Majorca’s island beauty, make sure you take a boat trip. Some of the best excursions are Sa Dragonera island, an idyllic nature reserve, and Cabrera, an island once used as a prison. From Palma, you can even take a day trip to Ibiza.

7) Take Majorca’s prettiest rail journey on a quaint old train through the mountains. Catch the vintage train from Palma to the village of Soller, then sit back, relax, enjoy the Majorcan countryside and travel through the mountains’ 3 tunnels.

8 ) Holidays in Majorca are all about slowing down and enjoying life. So take pleasure in a leisurely round on one of the island’s excellent golf courses. For a world-class game, head to Santa Ponsa, which has played host to the PGA Balearic Open.

9) Discover the island’s unbeatable beaches, from endless stretches to tiny coves. With over 250 miles of coastline, there’s a beach to suit everyone, whether you want a party atmosphere, quiet relaxation or refreshing water sports.

10) It’s all too easy to stick with your favourite foods from home on holiday, but make sure you try the local cuisine. Go for bite-sized tapas, freshly caught seafood and lip-smacking chorizo sausage, all washed down with a glass or two of the local wine.

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When booking an airport transfer it is important to bear a few facts in mind. Booking in advance, over the Internet can save a lot of time, energy and trouble. Sometimes when arriving in a foreign land, taxicabs will not be metered and will want a pre-paid or pre-agreed fare. These pre-paid fares can be extortionate in value as well as service. Often the time taken for a journey can be short, but the fare distinctly overpriced. Throughout my experiences travelling through Asia, through Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, taxicab fares have been up to 5 times the price paid by a local. When arriving at airports the tourist can often be jet legged, tired and confused, whereupon the unscrupulous taxi driver will take advantage of the dazed traveller, haranguing them into his taxi.

This very story happened to me a few years ago. I remember distinctly travelling from Hon Soi Square in Bejing and in my chagrin and naivety, I paid nearly 5 times the price to what I should have. Taxi drivers will often hustle the weary traveller into their cabs, and in their tired desperation, in their jet lagged stupor, they agree to the outrageously overpriced fares, in their haste to get out of the sun, and towards a cold shower. This was a lesson I learned the hard way. My taxi driver did take me to my agreed destination, but not before driving me to nearly the Hebei Province and back, through backstreets and alleyways, in an attempt to justify his expensive fare. After a few weeks in the town, I realised that the taxicab had driven an incredibly convoluted route, in an attempt to hide his shocking prices. For those travelling on a budget, sometimes the difference in fare can mean a shorter stay, or being content with inferior accommodation. However I learnt my lesson well, and in future, I decided to prebook all my airport transfers in advance, over the Internet, to avoid such unscrupulous dealings.

I have had other friends in similar situations. One friend in Ho Chi Min City Vietnam, was transferred to rather an unsavoury part of town, due to a language mix up with the driver. As he had prepaid the fare, he had little choice when the driver demanded he vacate his cab, and was promptly, rather unceremoniously, dumped at the side of Phu My Hung. The driver shook his head in anger when my friend demanded his money back, but abdicated all responsibility, threw his luggage to the side of the road, and drove off at speed with his hefty profit. Rogue taxi drivers will often lay in wait at airports, agreeing with the traveller their taxis are metered, but once in the taxi they demand their fare.

When exhausted from long haul flights, the last thing the busy traveller or business executive wants is to argue the odds over a hot and humid taxi journey. Pre-booking airport transfers was the best decision I ever made. I implore you, when travelling to exotic climes, pre-book your airport transfers; they will save you a tremendous amount of hassle and time, making your journey as stress-free as possible. Pre-booked taxis can appear more expensive, but believe me, from the experiences I’ve had, they are ridiculously cheap.

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