The Top 10 April Fools from our Tech and Web section

1. The hotelicopter - we wondered yesterday why an old story, Sex ban on the Airbus A380, was getting a lot of hits. The referrals were coming from a well-designed website which promoted a new airborne hotel concept. Our posting on Twitter has since been followed by a host of other travel tweeters. A lot of effort for a very good spoof - 10/10

2. New travel destination - Bakpakhistan - brilliant spoof from Lonely Planet on a country that has thrown open its doors - "it's all former-Soviet pollution, totalitarian fear and really, really cheap rugs." Even has links through to the weather - "the time of the fierce annual wëtwëtwët (monsoon), is another story" - and adds: "only one festival, in June. The best time to visit is any time except June. Bakpakhistan's only real event is the annual grain festival, the Bakbakbakstöp Harvest Festival." 10/10 (and thanks to benjilanyado for subsequently pointing out this spoof site - jetlagtravel.com)

3. New Twitlite site launched in travel - V. good spoof from Travolution which is "sooooo proud" to become the first UK title to pilot a service from the creators of Twitter. "The side project, known as TwitLite (or ‘T’ for short), is a micro version of Twitter and restricts messages to just 24 characters," Travolution reveals and quotes Mickey Fishmonger, editor of the hugely popular TechSqueeze website: “If I see one more 140-character Tweet which just goes on about how they’ve picked up a bagel and what is in it, I think I’m going to scream.” 9/10

4. Boutique bendy buses - this time hotels to be launched on London's disused bendy buses, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Smith. "Ring the bell and a 24-hour private butler dressed as a conductor is at your call. All aboard!" Then they go and ruin it by providing a link for more details and revealing the joke. Bah humbug. 8/10

5. Buckingham Palace for rent - early out the blocks for Holiday Lettings - in fact we got this last week. Very well written - "The owners do reside in the property but are discreet and are available should you require any assistance, and "On arrival a flag will be raised to signal your stay at the property." Plus plenty more 8/10

6. Virgin flies to Chile - well, you'd expect something from Branson's mob, wouldn't you? The press release has its moments - "plans to launch a spicy non-stop service," with a "dedicated South American menu" and a red fleece for Upper Class passengers "in case they get chilly on arrival." The best bit is the new country manager for Chile - Hal Apeno. 6/10

7. Ryanair to launch new Plus and Irish Gold luxury class flight services - another airline spoof, this one from Skyscanner which sent us an email welcoming the new services. Passengers in Ryanair Plus class will enjoy luxuries "such as sick bags, pre-assigned seats so they can sit next to their own children, reclining seats and check-in desks," reads the release. Best bit? "In-flight entertainment plans for Irish Gold class include a scaled down version of Riverdance with Michael Flatley in discussions with the airline to choreograph a version that will work in the standard aisle space." 5/10

8. Free ride from BMW - lovely tale of a new beam from BMW that "projects an enhanced magnetic beam 20 metres in front of the BMW." It adds: "Once a suitable target car is located and the BMW is magnetically locked on behind it, the driver is then able to take his foot off the accelerator, turn off the engine and let the car in front do all the work..." 5/10

9. Dubai's hovering hotel - "The first hover-hotel will be a 20-room boutique ‘pod’ floating above the ground," reveals TTG. "If it proves to be a success then plans for expansion are already in place, including a family-friendly version." There's a link to a photo gallery which, of course, reveals the truth. Had more potential. 3/10

10. EasyJet launches flights to Frilo Palo - tame spoof as carried by Travelmole - says easyJet: "The island is spectacular; it has a fantastic historical and cultural past together with great beaches, views and a serene environment. It’s the perfect summer hideaway - you’d be a fool not to go!” Is that it? 0/10

And more post-noon offerings...

11. He Sells Sea Shares On The Sea Shore - "One of the world’s leading luxury cruise operators is about to announce the launch of a new credit crunch cruise liner, 40 per cent of which will be owned by its passengers on a time-share basis." - from Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief, www.cruisecritic.co.uk

12. First ever animal-only gym - another from the Virgin stable - this time Virgin Active to launch Animal Active press release (we wouldn't have rated it but for the photo).

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