Travel Bulletin 5th April 2013

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April 5 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,820 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Denmark & the Faroe Islands VisitDenmark offers tips on how agents can inspire their clients this week agent bulletin 9 win an iPad & ÂŁ100 in shopping vouchers with Travel 2

personality bulletin which sales executive was known as 'Jumpin Jase' in his school days?

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golf holidays new developments plus the latest offers & promotions

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southern africa operators unveil new tours, hotel additions & summer savings

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Cover Pictures: Main - Visit Denmark

Inset - Half Moon, Golf Course

This Week 3

news

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agent bulletin

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skal the world over

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puzzle bulletin

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airline bulletin

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personality bulletin

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denmark & the faroe islands

this week's product updates & announcements

win an iPad & £100 in shopping vouchers with Travel 2 how soft-selling through social media sites is the way forward play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher Delta & Virgin Atlantic partnership offers more choice for Heathrow passengers which sales executive was known as 'Jumpin Jase' in his school days?

VisitDenmark offers tips on how agents can inspire their clients

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golf holidays

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southern africa

a round-up of new developments, offers & promotions

operators unveil new tours, hotel additions & summer savings

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DRESSED FOR SUCCESS...Inghams, Esprit and Ski Total staff took part in Comic Relief with a host of fundraising activities and raised £841.50 which was matched by the company to reach a combined total of £1,683. Staff at Mountain House, Godalming took part in a fancy dress competition, a raffle, a bake off, wine tasting and a sweep stake on Jessie J’s new hairstyle to raise money for the charity. Pictured joining in the fundraising efforts are, from the left: Hazel Earl and Michael Eyres, Inghams; Andy Perrin and Goran Zunic, Hotelplan; and Matt Quartz, Poonam Luthra, Zuber Sameja and Kirsty Mclean from Inghams.

Research reveals it’s all Greek to Brits MORE THAN one in ten (14%) British travellers have been missed out on visiting a particular holiday destination because of a perceived language barrier, according to research conducted by Skyscanner.

Whilst French is the most widely spoken foreign language amongst Brits, it is also one of the countries that Brits are most likely to have avoided visiting if they don’t speak the language.

The research also found that British men are taking the lead with the lingo on holiday. Although on average women speak more languages, men are more confident when it comes to conversing abroad and are more likely to jet off to foreign shores regardless of any language barrier.

Almost half of men (41%) said the last time they held a conversation in a foreign language was during their last holiday, whilst 28% of women say the last time for them was at school.

At the other end of the scale, almost a third of those from Northern Ireland (30%) and 27% of those from the North East of England, expect to be understood in English whenever they go on holiday. Furthermore, 15% of those from the North East claim to never speak any other language, no matter where they are in the world.

Victoria Bailie, a spokesperson at the company, said: “With budget airlines opening routes to new destinations such as Russia, there are more opportunities than ever before for British travellers to experience new destinations.

"It's a shame that some people have let their language skills dictate their holiday plans, as they could be missing out on some great experiences. Being in a foreign country is one of best ways to pick up a foreign language, but it’s good to learn a few key phrases before you go as the locals always appreciate it. A simple hello and thank you can get you a long way."

Launch of ‘A Guide to Good Petiquette’ A SURVEY undertaken by MedicAnimal.com of 1,000 pet owners found that nine in ten people holidayed with their canine friend in the UK last year, and one in eight took their fourlegged friend abroad with them.

The survey also revealed that nearly one in two dog owners plan to take their pet on holiday with them this year and that pet owners from London and the south-east are more likely to take their dog abroad, reflecting the area's proximity to train and ferry links to the continent.

With the increasing number of travelling dogs, there comes the responsibility for pet owners and pups alike to demonstrate decorum when on holiday, in an environment intended for ● continues on next page

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newsbulletin Contiki launches 2013/14 Australia & New Zealand programme

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CONTIKI HOLIDAYS has issued its 2013/14 Australia and New Zealand programme, featuring a selection of adventures and iconic sights.

The latest brochure includes seven thrill-seeking tours in New Zealand and 11 tours down under, visiting destinations such as Queenstown, Wellington, Auckland and Rotorua in New Zealand and Sydney, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Alice Springs in Australia.

The operator's Backstage Pass to Australia and New Zealand gives passengers exclusive access to attractions, accommodation

relaxation and rejuvenation for everyone.

As such the company has produced ‘A Guide to Good Petiquette for the Travelling Dog’, which outlines the dos and don’ts when staying in hotels, B&B’s and holiday homes this summer.

The guide is available free online at www.medicanimal.com

and dining options and both the Australian and New Zealand itineraries include plenty of free time for travellers.

As an example of prices, a 14-day Beaches and Reefs itinerary starts in Sydney and travels up to Cairns.

Highlights include a visit to the Blue Mountains, Sydney Harbour ferry cruise, surf lessons in Coffs Harbour, a locally guided 4WD trip across Fraser Island, sailing the Whitsundays and visits to the Great Barrier Reef.

Prices lead in at £1,579 per person, land-only.

Early booking discounts of up to £225 are available

when payment is made in full by April 30, while clients making full payments by June 27 can save up to £150.

For details visit www.contiki.com

Saint Lucia Tourist Board unveils new ‘Elevated Experiences’ campaign for May THE SAINT Lucia Tourist Board has unveiled a new brand positioning, to be rolled out next month.

The campaign, 'Elevated Experiences' carries a 'Lift Your Senses' theme, that has been designed to evoke an emotional response and lift visitors’ five senses - sight, taste, hearing, feel and smell, by promoting the plethora of activities available to holidaymakers on the island.

Activities highlighted in the campaign range from watersport options, including 'snuba' - a combination of scuba diving and snorkelling, to rainforest walks, sunset cruises, sailing and health and wellness options.

A new website and brochure will also be

announced to tie in with the launch of the new campaign.

The tourist board's director of tourism, Louis Lewis said: “From strategy development through to execution, the ‘Lift Your Senses’ campaign truly captures what sets Saint Lucia apart from other Caribbean destinations in a way that we believe will differentiate our island in an extremely crowded competitive set.”

The tourist board reports that it saw an increase of 10% in visitors for January and February this year compared to 2012, and is confident that it can sustain this percentage increase and hit its target of 80,000 UK visitors for 2013.

For more information visit www.stlucia.org

CENTARA GRAND Island Resort & Spa Maldives has launched its Ultimate All-Inclusive experience which includes Champagne breakfasts, a choice of three restaurants, an open bar service from 10:00 until midnight and a credit of $100 per person per day to spend at the spa. The package also includes Wi-Fi access, use of the fitness facilities and a choice of off-island excursions with diving opportunities.

For details visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com

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Belleair Holidays issues farmhousestyle offers BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is offering deals on its farmhouse-style properties in Gozo, which have been restored and decorated with rustic-style interiors.

The properties are set in tranquil surroundings on the outskirts of rural villages and include Ta Frenc Farmhouses, a combination of village and terraced houses, modern villas, renovated farmhouses and also houses of character.

A seven-night self-catering stay leads in at £449 per person including flights from Luton with Ryanair, free car hire, a mini guide and complimentary entrance to one of the island’s attractions.

The offer is subject to availability and is based on four sharing a two-bedroom farmhouse, valid for travel on April 23.

Meanwhile, a seven-night self-catering stay at Bella Vista Farmhouses, located on the outskirts of the village of Xaghra, leads in at £464 including flights from Gatwick with easyJet, free car hire, a mini guide and complimentary entrance to one of the island’s attractions. The offer is based on four sharing a twobedroom farmhouse and is valid for travel on October 15.

For further information or to make a booking visit www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @ukcruising Royal Caribbean Announces 2014 Alaska Cruises And Cruisetours - http://bit.ly/YFPlHy @ABTALifeLine Run for your LifeLine!

Take part in the London 10k on 14 July. Doing good feels great! http://www.abtalifeline. org.uk @JurysInnsHotels Do you like the quirkier side of life?? Make ur break away that little bit more exciting this year!! http://ow.ly/jqCh0 @pacificasiauk Have you completed our BRAND NEW training courses on http://www.pataacademy .com yet? Hotels and Airline courses available now! @VisitBritain Over 800 gardens will open to the public on 15 and 16 June for National Gardens Weekend: http://ngs.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ TravelBulletin

Europcar unveils new low-cost brand, InterRent EUROPCAR HAS announced the launch of InterRent, its new low-cost car rental brand for leisure customers.

First implemented in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK, InterRent is to be expanded over the coming years encompassing the franchise network.

Mostly based near airport and railway stations, the 44 InterRent stations will offer customers a fleet of 6,000 vehicles, including mini, economy, compact and mini van categories. The new brand has

Spring savings from Carrier CARRIER HAS issued savings to a selection of locations including Barbados, the Maldives, Tanzania and Orlando.

As an example, a seven-night breakfast stay at Constance Halaveli Resort in the Maldives leads in at £2,500 per person, offering a saving of up to £2,020 per couple. The price is based on two sharing a Water Villa and includes flights from Heathrow with Emirates and seaplane transfers, valid for travel from April 15 to October 31, when booked by July 9 and a minimum 60 days prior to arrival.

Offers are subject to availability and terms, conditions and date restrictions apply.

For more information see www.carrier.co.uk

MIXING IT UP...Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) and Cosmos Holidays marked their new summer 2013 and winter 2013/14 programmes by hosting agents at a cocktail-making master class at The Living Room in Leeds. Pictured enjoying the day's activities are, from the left: Emma Holliday, LBA; Tony Mann, Idle Travel; Travel Bulletin's guest columnist and owner of Sandy’s Travel Escape’s, Sandra Murray; and Cosmos Holidays’ Simon Garrido.

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its own website at www.interrent.com, which offers an easy booking process in three steps - date and place of the rental, vehicle category and any options needed and payment.

Each rental includes 24-hour on-road assistance, the mandatory third-party liability insurance and additional coverage for theft and damages. Customers also have the opportunity to add options including a baby seat, GPS and extra drivers.

Booking boost for Islands of Greece ISLANDS OF Greece has reported a year-on-year increase in enquiries and bookings.

The company says that the trend mainly applies to multicentre, island-hopping and off-the-beaten-track itineraries.

Popular itineraries include a holiday that journeys to the islands of Santorini and Folegandros, the ‘Island of Peace’, from £775 per person based on two people sharing and travelling in May. Accommodation includes three nights at the Aria Lito in Fira, Santorini, and four nights at the Vardia Bay in Karavostasis, Folegandros. All transfers are included except to the Vardia Bay, which is a short walk across the harbour. Flights from Manchester are also included.

For further details see www.islands-of-greece.co.uk

QE adds three voyages on latest ship QUARK EXPEDITIONS has unveiled its Arctic 2014 programme, adding three voyages on its new 114-guest Sea Explorer ship.

The vessel, formerly known as Corinthian II and sister ship to Sea Spirit, will host Canadian Arctic and West Greenland voyages. The ice-strengthened small luxury expedition ship features ocean-facing cabins, an allinclusive bar and optional sea-kayaking excursions.

A 13-day Epic High Arctic: Baffin Island Explorer via Fury & Hecla navigates the Fury and Hecla Strait between Resolute and Iqaluit. Prices in September start from £3,525 per person for 12 nights including one night’s accommodation pre- and post-cruise in Toronto and Montreal plus on board lectures.

Alternatively, a 13-day In the Footsteps of Franklin: Greenland & Canada’s High Arctic explores Greenland’s west coast including Illulissat (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Beechey Island, the landing site of the Franklin Expedition. Prices for August and September start from £3,865 per person for 12 nights, including one night’s accommodation pre- and postcruise in Reykjavik and Toronto and on board lectures.

Meanwhile, a 16-day Arctic Quest itinerary from Greenland to Churchill explores the fjords of Greenland and navigates the eastern-most channel of Canada’s Northwest Passage. July and August prices start from £5,095 per person for 15 nights. All itineraries include three meals a day and shore landings.

Passengers who book before June 1 will also receive up to 25% early booking discount.

For further information call 0808-120 2333 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com

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newsbulletin Explore’s edge collection ventures into Africa, North America and Australasia EXPLORE HAS launched the latest collection for its newest brand, edge. With more than 73 new itineraries and three new continents on offer, the dedicated 18 to 30s collection has almost doubled in size since it was first launched 13 months ago.

Customers booking a trip between now and April 30, can take advantage of the 10% launch discount on all trips.

Designed especially for young professionals looking for adventure travel experiences, edge’s smallgroup itineraries allow customers to get off-thebeaten track and immerse themselves in local culture.

Trips are run by a group leader, with free time built in for independent exploration and optional activities.

New to the collection for 2013/14 is Africa, with prices starting from £599 for an

eight-day trip. A new 14-day Cape and Dunes Overland trip journeys from Cape Town to Namibia, which includes visits to Etosha National Park and Cape Town, costs from £899 per person, including accommodation and transport, plus the services of a group leader, driver, cook and some local guides.

Another new continent for 2013/14 is North America, offering 28 itineraries of varying durations, with prices starting from £599 per person. Australasia also debuts in the new brochure with 23 new itineraries on offer. Prices lead in at £499 per person for a seven-day Best of the North Island trip in New Zealand. All prices exclude flights which can be arranged through the operator.

For details visit www.edgeadventures.com or call 0844-225 3135.

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ABTA HAS announced that the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP, will deliver the keynote address at Travel Matters on June 26. Now in its fourth year, the invitation-only conference at Millbank Media Centre in Westminster, will offer delegates an opportunity to hear from, and engage with a line-up of speakers from Government and the industry.

GRAND CANYON West is celebrating its 25th anniversary on April 20 and to mark the occasion, until April 15, children under the age of 11 go free when accompanied by a paid adult admission for the Legacy Gold Package for the Grand Canyon Skywalk, when purchased through any Hualapai Tourism call center. The package gives visitors a Skywalk ticket to walk on the glass bridge over the Grand Canyon, a meal at the viewpoint of their choice, a gift shop voucher, hop-on-hop-off shuttle transportation to all viewpoints, visits to the Native American Village, tribal performances at the amphitheater and other attractions.

The promo code is "bogochild2013".

For details see www.hualapaitourism.com COLOGNE HAS been chosen to host this year’s ACE River Cruise Convention which takes place from November 17-18. In a first, agents will take to the water for the conference and trade fair which is taking place on MS RheinEnergie, a floating business centre with state-of-the-art technology. On the second day, ship visits will be offered by six river companies eWaterways, Lueftner Cruises, Riviera Travel, Shearings, The River Cruise Line and Uniworld.

For details see www.cruiseexperts.org FITNESS FANATICS with a sense of adventure can head to Spain’s La Manga Club this month to take part in a 51km mountain race, with a two-night stay including entry for runners on offer from €135 per person. Taking place on Saturday April 20, the challenging La Ruta de las Fortalezas route visits the different fortresses surrounding the historic Roman city of Cartagena and features a total ascent of more than 1,800m. Anyone aged 18 or over is eligible to compete, with the race split into three age groups for men and women. Runners can choose to compete as an individual or in teams of five, but all participants must complete the route on foot in less than 12 hours.

For details see www.lamangaclub.com/rutadelasfortelezas

Palm Springs festival tour for £1,159 from Contiki

KENT CAMP...The calendar of SATOA agent dinners kicked off in Tunbridge Wells at the Black Pig restaurant and pub recently, where a total of 19 agents and suppliers met over a three-course dinner to learn more about new Southern Africa trade initiatives and sales tools from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, The Zanzibar Collection, Red Carnation Hotel Collection South Africa and Luxury Representation Collection. Pictured is James Burnbridge from Gadabouts Travel with Natalie de la Porte from Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. The next agents' dinner is on April 30 in Birmingham.

For details see www.satoa.com

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CONTIKI HAS added a six-day 'We Love Coachella' tour to its programme which explores Los Angeles, followed by Palm Springs for the Coachella festival and leads in at £1,159 per person.

Bands performing at this year’s festival include Blur, Phoenix, The Stone Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Wu Tang Clan. Highlights of the trip include a three-day festival pass with daily transfers, five nights' hotel accommodation (one night in Los Angeles with a city tour and four nights in Palm Springs), breakfast daily and two dinners. Departures are on April 10 and April 17, catching both weekends of the festival.

See www.contiki.com

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newsbulletin Mosaic unveils trends in North Cyprus ACCORDING TO a report from Mosaic Holidays, North Cyprus is still relatively undiscovered in comparison to other Mediterranean island destinations, offering an authentic experience that will attract a growing number of travellers at a reasonable price.

The operator reports that tourism to the destination is growing steadily, partly due to increasing ease of access, with Pegasus flying from Stansted and Turkish Airlines from Gatwick and Heathrow, both with short touch-downs in Turkey. Many flights do not require passengers to disembark during these stopovers, and some passengers also now opt to fly to Larnaca where they can be picked up and transferred by road to their North Cyprus resort.

Popular resorts include Kyrenia, which offers hotels such as Bellapais Gardens, Bellapais Monastery Village and Bella View, all located in a small hillside village with an Abbey. Modern five-star town hotels such as the Colony and The Rocks are also popular.

The company is offering seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the Deniz Kizi from £799 per person based on two sharing, departing on July 21. It includes easyJet flights from Gatwick and transfers.

Alternatively, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the Bellapais Gardens costs from £919 per person based on two sharing for a July 7 departure. It includes Pegasus flights from Stansted to Ercan (via Istanbul) and transfers.

For more information call 020-8574 4000 or visit www.mosaicholidays.co.uk

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Sandals Resorts to host virtual WeddingMoons Parties SANDALS RESORTS is hosting a series of Virtual WeddingMoons Parties, webinars designed exclusively for clients of travel agents. Hosted by the operator's Marsha-Ann Brown, consumers will be provided with tips and information that are helpful when booking a WeddingMoon. The virtual parties take place on Tuesday April 9 and Thursday April 11.

Additionally, wedding clients will have the chance to receive up to $250 in Red Lane Spa credit for new wedding bookings made through travel agents within 14 consecutive days following the Virtual WeddingMoons parties in a Concierge or higher room category.

In order to receive the $250 credit, bookings can be made for stays of six nights or longer at any Sandals Resort or Beaches Resort. For bookings of four or five nights, participants can receive a $150 Red Lane Spa credit at select resorts including Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club, Sandals Whitehouse Village & Spa, Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas or Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa, St. Lucia. The offer is valid for travel this year and next and blackout dates apply.

To have their clients participate in a Virtual WeddingMoons Party, registered travel agents can log on to the company's travel agent portal, sign-up to create an e-newsletter and send a personalised email invitation to their clients.

For more information visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk or call 020-7590 0210.

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Great Glen Glen Great ark Water Park W ater P Northern N o r thern H Highlands ighlands

C Crowhurst rowhurst Park Park Lodges Lodges East East Sussex Sussex

B Bainland ainland C Country ountry P Park ark LLincolnshire incolnshire

Sherwood Sherwood Castle Castle Holiday Holiday ay y Forest Forest Nottinghamshire N ot tinghamshire

New N ew ffor or 2 2013 013 C Cheddar heddar W Woods o oods SSomerset omerset

B Brynteg rynteg N North orth W Wales ales

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Kielder Kielder Water Water Lodges Lodges Northumberland Nor thumberland

P Piperdam iperdam Lodges Lodges SSouthern outhern H Highlands ig hland s

Oakdene O akdene FForest orest Hampshire Hampshire

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Book Book N Now! ow! V Visit isit www www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents .hoseasons.co.uk//a agents or or call: call: 0844 0844 847 847 1144 1144 *Price based on a 4 night stay between 13/05/13 and completed by 24/05/13, based on 4 sharing. #Price based on a 4 night stay between 3/06/13 and completed by 28/06/13, based on 4 sharing. Prices apply to selected accommodation – accommodation only, at selected locations and are subject to availability. Booking terms and conditions apply. Please note Hoseasons does not own or operate any of the parks and/or accommodation it features.

All activities and/or events are run and operated by the relevant park, not Hoseasons. Not all activities are available at all Go Active Breaks locations and charges and age restrictions apply for some activities – please check www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents

See booking conditions for full details of our ABTA membership

ABT TA No. No Y0662

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newsbulletin Exodus unveils series of UK walking weekends & day walks throughout the UK EXODUS HAS launched a series of walking weekends and day walks in the UK. As well as trips to the Peak District and Snowdonia, walkers preparing for a strenuous trip to Everest Base Camp or Kilimanjaro can ramp up their training programmes on a specially designed TrekPrep weekend.

The three-day preparation trek in the Brecon Beacons is designed to help walkers prepare to trek Kilimanjaro with the operator. The tough itinerary includes a trek to the top of Pen y Fan, south UK’s highest peak, as well as opportunities to speak with trekking experts along the way, who will give walkers insight and knowledge about fitness, altitude, clothing and equipment. Prices lead in at £229 per person including accommodation and most meals and the trip takes place between August 2-4 and November 1-3.

A three-day Peak District Walking Weekend takes in the major highlights of the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire from August 10-12. Walkers will be accompanied

by a trekking guide from Kinder Scout, the highest grindstone in the Dark Peak, to Mam Tor, near the top of Winnatts Pass. A steady pace will allow walkers time to take in the flora and fauna, steep-sided limestone dales and high moorlands. Prices start from £229 for three days including accommodation and most meals.

Meanwhile, a day's Goring – Streatley Circular Walk in Oxfordshire takes a path from a riverside village through National Trust land towards a challengingly steep hill.

Descending a few miles to flat farmland, walkers will head back up a gentler hill to the forest above Thurle Down, ending up at the Beetle and Wedge Boathouse restaurant for lunch. The return follows the flat Thames path. The walk takes place on May 25 and leads in at £43.50 per person including lunch.

For more information see www.exodus.co.uk/walkingweekends

Savings of more than £1,650 per couple at Shanti Maurice, Mauritius THE SHANTI Maurice in Mauritius is offering couples a seven-night honeymoon stay from £1,539 per person, including accommodation in a Junior Ocean View Suite on a halfboard basis, a 50% discount, private transfers and flights, as well as special honeymoon benefits which include a private candlelit dinner per

couple, a spa treatment per person and a complimentary upgrade to the next available room category, subject to availability.

The property offers 61 luxury suites and villas, a spa and a concierge, which can organise a range of offproperty experiences for couples who wish to explore including scuba diving

on the reef, helicopter tours, parasailing and dolphin watching.

The offer is valid for stays until December 22.

For details on the property see www.shantimaurice.com and to book visit www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk, call 01494-678400 or email enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk

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WEBSCLUSIVES

HURTIGURTEN HAS launched a new short break land programme to Spitsbergen, which has been developed in conjunction with its subsidiary company, Spitsbergen Travel. Agents can book two-, three- and four-night trips that run daily in May, October and December. Three excursions are included in each short break and all are centred around Longyearbyen, the closest place to the North Pole. Examples include Ice Caving, where customers can wander through the heart of a glacier, using headlamps to make their way into the melt water channels under the glacier and Ride a Dog Cart with six huskies pulling a sled on wheels to show off the local scenery. Prices lead in at £484 per person for a twonight break in October including breakfast accommodation, a boat trip over the Isfjord on a Polarcirkle boat, a dog cart ride and a wilderness evening at a local camp. Flights are extra.

For details call 020-8846 2666 or see www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

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Two great prizes to be won by Canadian Tourism Commission: a) Win a fantastic lobster dinner for 4, delivered direct to your door! b) Entrants are also encouraged to complete the Canada Specialist training module for the further chance to win a £50 Amazon Gift Voucher. Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Make sure you complete this week’s Crossword, sponsored by Jet2holidays, for the chance to win £50 in Love2Shop vouchers. Just fill in the crossword on Page 11 of this edition, and then submit the mystery location along 2ith your contact details via our website on www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.uk The home of the web savvy travel agent www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

AGENTS HAVE the chance to win an iPad and £100 in shopping vouchers every two weeks, plus a digital SLR camera worth more than £300 as part of Travel 2’s New Zealand incentive. The operator has teamed up with Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and a variety of ground partners including APT, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Avis, maui and Britz for its New Zealand campaign ‘Where Memories Are Made Every Day’. Agents are being encouraged to dress their windows with the most imaginative display to win a high-tech digital camera.

For a chance to win iPads and shopping vouchers agents must make a minimum five-night booking to New Zealand before April 30 that includes flights with Air New Zealand.

For details see www.travel2.com

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THE KINSTERNA Hotel & Spa, a 13th century Byzantine mansion in the southern Peloponnese, is giving agents the opportunity to win a twonight break by making ten bookings by April 30 for a special package deal. The package leads in at €360 for a two-night break and includes one free night throughout the week, breakfast,

complimentary use of the spa areas, a bottle of the estate's House Wine and a bottle of olive oil.

Tour operators featuring the hotel are also part of the promotion and include Sunvil Holidays, Planet Holidays, Cyplon, A&K, Scott Dunn and Original Travel. Runner-up prizes include a case of the Kinsterna Estate wine and the Estate's extra virgin olive oil.

The Kinsterna Hotel & Spa

Agent training TRAVEL AGENTS can now benefit from a new training tool to help sell the Caribbean, as the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) announces a new online travel course.

The training tool acts as a central resource for agents and also introduces a new rewards scheme, so agents can gain even more from taking part and win prizes for successfully completing certain modules.

The programme is a fully integrated course and has the facility to link to training courses of individual Caribbean Tourism Organisation members, ensuring that agents receive the best news and information from across the Caribbean as well as for individual destinations within the region. The new online training will also make it easier for a much larger number of agents to take part, share insider tips and news whilst both agents and partners will be able to monitor progress and count up their achievements.

For more information visit www.onecaribbean.org

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BARBARA BAGS IT...Hurtigruten’s 120th birthday competition is still going strong with the operator giving away 120 prizes over 120 days. One of the recent winners was Barbara Symington from Connoisseur Travel in Edinburgh, who won a luxury hamper from Bradfords the bakers. Barbara is pictured with the line's regional sales manager, Danny Giles.

For details of the competition see www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents April 5 2013

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newsbulletin SKÅL THE VER WORLD O Janie Corbet BA, ACIM, UK PR officer at Skål - the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professional, looks at how soft-selling through social media sites is the way forward...

REGARD finding the best hotel at the best price a bit of a challenge. I switch from online reservation website to online reservation website until I find the establishment I think I might like.

Then I look at the hotel’s own site, carefully read reviews and finally make my choice, usually with the consolidator but sometimes directly with the hotel if they are offering special packages and the price is the same or lower.

Apparently, I am not alone in this behaviour as research shows that the travel business is one of the leading industries that uses the web to reach Internet users. Unlike traditional customers, those that use the Internet are just one search away from finding a better deal online. Therefore, keeping them on your own website becomes imperative.

So, how do the ‘big’ players do this? I asked Skål member Andrew Chantrell, general manager of the The Old Government House Hotel and Spa and The Duke of Richmond Hotel in Guernsey - both part of Red Carnation, a group of 14 luxury hotels, located around the world. Andrew firmly believes that the answer lies in the additional use of social media: "It’s a taster, it isn’t a sales tool. It’s about engaging with people, a soft sell." His head office provides training in social media and each manager takes direction from them but then individually tailor their messages to their audience via such media as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, so the Guernsey hotels will, for example, talk about such local topics as ormers (locally shellfish) and Victor Hugo’s home in the island.

Equally, Andrew knows that interacting with those who post comments on review sites, whether positive or negative, is essential. "It’s important to connect with people to deal with the issues and equally important to say ‘thank you’."

Surely, the obvious question for every manager is whether managing social media increases revenue and adds more customers. Andrew admits that, at the moment, there is no measurable Return-OnInvestment (ROI) but hopes that, by using dedicated web-based, analytical tools, they will show how significant this form of communication is.

I must admit that, these days, I am more tempted to read blogs and look at social network sites when I am investigating places to stay on holiday because the personality of a place and the people who run it matter.

I

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Trafalgar adds new tour to Florida TRAFALGAR HAS launched a new ten-day Florida Sunshine Trail which leads in at £2,595 per person.

The trip starts in Orlando and highlights include a visit to St. Augustine; the Kennedy Space Center, including lunch with a veteran astronaut from NASA's Astronaut Corps; Miami, including a guided tour of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Little Havanna; two nights in Naples; and a private visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.

The price includes scheduled flights, private door-to-door transfers, accommodation, a number of highlighted lunches and dinners (16 meals in total), travel in luxury coaches and sightseeing.

Meanwhile, the operator's new 14-day Coast, Canyon & Desert Oasis Crossing offers a journey through the three states of California, Nevada and Arizona. Guests can try their luck in Las Vegas or pleasure the senses on a lunch in Paso Robles at a privately-owned winery.

Highlights include dinner on Mt. San Jacinto in Palm Springs, a barbecue dinner in Death Valley National Park, local speciality tasting with a visit to a date farm and a visit to the Manzanar National Historic Site, dedicated to those relocated to the camp during World War II. Prices start from £3,150 per person including scheduled flights, private door-to-door airport transfers, accommodation, a number of highlighted lunches and dinners (19 meals in total) travel in luxury coaches and sightseeing.

For more information or to book visit www.trafalgar.com

Meliá launches flagship London property ME BY Meliá has launched its flagship hotel, ME London, a design-led, lifestyle hotel located in Marconi House, the original London home of BBC radio.

The property has 157 guestrooms, including 16 suites and a luxury Suite ME, a two-storey penthouse located in the turret of the building.

Dining options include a Radio roof top bar, offering panoramic views of London; an STK steakhouse and grill; CucinaAsellina for a contemporary take on rustic Italian food; and the Marconi Lounge, an ideal meeting place, open all day.

The hotel also has a fitness centre and offers in-room relaxation and spa treatments.

Room rates start from £340 per night, excluding VAT. For more information visit www.melondonuk.com

Corsican Places offers savings from Bristol THE VILLAGE of Patrimonio in the north of Corsica will celebrate its annual guitar festival, Les Nuits de la Guitare, from July 19-26, and will act as host to a range of performers across jazz, flamenco, blues and rock music.

This year the event is more accessible for UK visitors travelling from the South West and Wales, following the launch of Corsican Places’ new Bristol-Bastia flight service in June with bmi regional.

To coincide with Les Nuits de la Guitare, the operator is offering savings on a week’s holiday at La Maison de Marie, a three-bedroom villa which sleeps six and is situated in the heart of Patrimonio. Prices are from £799 per person based on six sharing, including flights, car hire and a welcome pack, offering a saving of £51 per person.

For more information or to book call 0845-330 2345 or visit www.corsica.co.uk, and for details on the festival see www.festival-guitare-patrimonio.com/home-uk.htm

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?

Number: 106

Hat Ed I

A➠

B➠ This airline is the official partner of Manchester City FC

C➠

Rat Tin Valet

D➠ Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.

Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name, company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if applicable to: competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, April 11th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 22nd March is Gail Donohue, Althams Travel in Bolton .

March 22 Solution: A=6 B=4 C=7 D=1

Crossword

Sponsored By

Operator known for escorted holidays named after Greek sun deity

Where Am I?

Largest railway station in Madrid.

Fill in the crossword to spell the mystery location highlighted by the blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword to submit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prize draw and one lucky winner will win £50 Love2Shop vouchers.

Closing date for entries is Thursday April 11th.

Across 1. Podgorica is the capital of which Jet2holidays destination? (10) 6. 17 Across is found in this Sea (5) 8. Flows through Chester (3) 9. P&O cruise ship (6) 10. Muscat is the capital (4) 13. Major car hire company (4) 14. Popular Greek island destination (6) 17. Douglas is the capital, initially (3) 19. They specialise in Vacations to Mauritius and the Seychelles (5) 20. English county (4,6)

Down 1. Belleair specialises in holidays to this island (5) 2. East African capital city (7) 3. Call sign (4) 4. Famous Moscow square (3) 5. Part of TUI, ___ Villas (4) 7. Hotel chain, part of Accor (4) 11. This crazy-sounding band brought the curtain down on the BBC Television Centre (7) 12. Carrier with HQ in Bangkok, ___ Airways (4) 13. Capital of Samoa (4) 15. Located in Iowa, ___ City, sounds like a native American tribe (5) 16. Smallest part of a dollar (4) 18. Flag-carrier of Lebanon (3)

Number: 106

Congratulations to Kirsten Oetting, Co-operative Travel who won the 22nd March crossword prize of £50 Love2Shop vouchers

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Jet2holidays offers flexible and great value package holidays for just £60pp deposit

The Where Am I and Travagrams solutions can be found on page 30 April 5 2013

11

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newsbulletin Hangzhou Tourism Commission promotes romantic getaways as part of latest campaign FOLLOWING ITS new ‘open door policy’ and tourism campaign, Hangzhou, the capital of China's Zhejiang province, is proving to be a popular destination for romantic getaways, according to Hangzhou Tourism Commission.

Hangzhou is the setting of The Butterfly Lovers, one of China's most popular folk tales which recounts the story of lovers Shanbu and Yingtai, whose story is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. The destination’s

signature feature is the West Lake, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Studded with islands, causeways, pagodas, gardens and willow trees, the lake has inspired the names of ten Scenic Sites, one of which, ‘Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon’, is printed on Chinese currency.

Couples can canoe on the lake or ply the Grand Canal, the world's longest man-made waterway.

Couples can also experience the

ritual of the tea ceremony or pick tea leaves from the fields of Longjing (Dragon Well), a type of handproduced green tea, renowned for its quality.

There are also many festivals held throughout the year, including the West Lake Expo, the Lantern Festival and the Qiantang Tide-Watching Festival.

Hangzhou offers 56 museums, including the National Silk Museum, which offers free admission.

AITO Specialist Travel Agents get set for five-star fam trips in Sri Lanka & Italy MEMBERS OF AITO Specialist Travel Agents will experience fam trips to Sri Lanka with AITO operator If Only and to Southern Italy with AITO operator Classic Collection Holidays The top five AITO Agents in AITO’s All Stars incentive scheme 2012 will go to Sri Lanka (May 7-15) courtesy of If Only.

Participants - from Beaver Travel, RB Collection, Deva Travel, Travellers World and The Travel Bureau - will enjoy highlights including a visit to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, a climb to the top of the Sigiriya Rock and a safari in the Yala National Park.

A fam trip to Southern Italy with Classic Collection, from April 24-29, explores Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and Ischia.

Guests will include Cockermouth Travel, RB Collection, Scott Travel, Bakewell Travel, Millington Travel, Westoe Travel and Feherty Travel.

The AITO All Stars scheme recognises AITO Agents who have achieved the best results when selling holidays offered by AITO operators.

For more information see www.aitoagents.com

Keeping an i on Apps

new introduced a SWISS HAS ers who om st y for cu service facilit iPhone for their le use their App ellers ng pass. Trav di ar bo ile mob ile ob ad their m who downlo ine’s web, ss via the airl pa boarding k-in tomatic chec mobile and au eir SWISS iPhone a th options or vi eir Apple store it in th ow n n ca p ap . The ter doing so Passbook af tal gi di a e ts lik Passbook ac arding bo can store briefcase that n, along with other atio pass inform documents. el av digital tr

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April 5 2013

Sri Lanka Monks at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

TURQUOISE HO launched a n LIDAYS has ew free app that provides info rm researching, ation on planning, booking and anticipating a honeymoo n or romantic ce lebration ab road.

Available for iPad advice, compr , the app offers eh essential info ensive and rmation, tips and golden rules on all the op erator's featured hon eymoon dest inations.

It also offers tips on whic h destinations work in harm ony and what to spen d to get the best for the available budget. It al so information on the compa has ny's gift registry. For details see www.turquoi seh or call 01494- olidays.co.uk 678400.

ed its T HAS launch TRAVELPOR , a software App Smartpoint an Go! the Worldsp r fo upgrade ning reduces trai Desktop that oves agents’ pr needs and im customer service. and y it iv ct u od pr ctive ude an intera Features incl arch and agents to se calendar for d car an hts, hotels shop for flig ons, ti op e count rentals; Queu e alerted when ar where agents ated; pd u e ar queues point, an intuitive ing Smart Panel ok bo to proach Multiple and-click ap d an ; ls ta r ren hotels and ca searches can be ral Tabs so seve e same time. th conducted at e se pp.com For details tsmartpointa or lp ve www.tra

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newsbulletin Virgin Atlantic launches new domestic flying programme FROM ABERDEEN to Australia, Manchester to Mumbai and Edinburgh to the East Coast, Virgin Atlantic passengers around the UK will now be able to connect to the rest of the world with the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s domestic flying programme, Little Red. Since last week the airline is now operating 26 domestic flights a day - six daily return flights to Edinburgh, three to Aberdeen and a further four to Manchester. The flights, which will operate from London Heathrow Terminal 1, cost from £99 per person return.

To celebrate the launch of Little Red, the carrier is giving all new members to its travel rewards programme Flying Club, 1,500 bonus miles. Once they have joined, members will also earn double miles on every Little Red flight they take before June 30.

Existing Flying Club members will also receive double bonus miles for all Little Red flights during the offer period.

For details see www.virginatlantic.com/bigrewards or call 0844-209 2770.

ALL LEISURE FUN...Pictured is the All Leisure Training table at the recent TIPTO Althams solus at the Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield. The event was TIPTO’s largest solus event to date and was attended by 106 Althams agents, TIPTO’s 13 members and the Dubai Department of Commerce and Marketing. Agents were offered interactive training sessions from each supplier in short time slots.

Become an elephant researcher with Anantara Golden Triangle THE ANANTARA Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, home to an elephant camp and an elephant intelligence research programme, is offering guests the chance to take part in an Elephant Researcher Experience.

Guests who book a stay of four nights or more at the resort, which is located on the border of Myanmar and Laos in Thailand, will be able to experience a mahout training day, presentations on elephant behaviour, cognition and conservation and elephant intelligence research sessions.

Guests will have the opportunity to work alongside the camp’s English-speaking elephant research staff, who work with

Think Elephants International and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.

Prices start from THB 41,420 (approximately £916) per room per night for a Deluxe Three Country View room. The experience is available over seven sets of dates between now and August.

For every package of four nights or more booked, the company will donate THB 40,000 (about £885) to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to help sustainable elephant projects throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia.

For more information visit www.anantara.com

Superbreak adds packages to Coronation Festival SUPERBREAK IS selling packages to this summer's Coronation Festival, a one-off event taking place at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

Providing agents with a hook for promoting short breaks to London this summer, the festival will celebrate the innovation, excellence and industry of more than 200 brands which have earned Royal Warrant recognition over the Queen's 60 year reign.

The event will be divided into four showcase areas including Design and Technology, Food and Drink, Style Pursuits and Pastimes and Homes and Gardens.

Alongside the four showcase areas, visitors will be able to see an area dedicated to The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which helps financially disadvantaged, experienced crafts people to further their skills through the funding of education and training.

Prices start from £145 per person including one night’s breakfast accommodation and a ticket to the event.

For details see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

Birmingham unveils new campaign, ‘See More, Feel More’ highlighting arts & culture VISIT BIRMINGHAM has unveiled a new tourism campaign designed to boost the region’s cultural profile, as part of its ongoing strategy to build on the ten million visitors that come to Birmingham for arts and culture annually.

The ‘See More, Feel More’ integrated

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marketing campaign targets visitors to spend a cultural break in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull through a range of national advertising, creative PR, digital and social media activity.

Running until the end of May, the campaign highlights the variety of arts

and culture found in the region, from classical to contemporary and critically acclaimed to cutting-edge, and profiles some of the region’s leading groups and artists in the worlds of dance, visual arts, performance and music.

For further information visit www.visitbirmingham.com/culture

April 5 2013

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airlinebulletin KLM ROYAL Dutch Airlines has unveiled its new World Business Class (WBC) cabin interior on its fleet of 22 Boeing 747-400s. The new interior features full-flat seats, new carpeting, panel decorations, curtains, lighting, blankets, cushions and upholstery. July will see the inaugural flight of the first aircraft with the new interior including the new seat and work on the carrier's 15 Boeing 777200s will follow.

For details see www.klm.com

InBrief ● PASSENGERS FLYING Malaysia Airlines are now offered an

additional 10kg free baggage allowance in every class.

Economy Class passengers will receive 30kg standard baggage allowance, Business Class guests will be entitled to 40kg and those in First Class will have 50kg. The carrier has also reduced its excess baggage charges for travel in all classes. ● FLYBE IS boosting services between Birmingham and Edinburgh and Glasgow airports with four additional flights a day, offering a choice of up to eight flights daily on each route from September 9. One-way fares cost from £29.99 including taxes and charges.

See www.flybe.com ● TRAVELPORT AND American Airlines have announced a new long-term, global distribution agreement. In addition to enabling continued access to shop and book the full content of flights marketed by American Airlines, the new agreement positions Travelport to become the first global distribution system to offer access to American’s other products and services. ● ALITALIA HAS introduced a third daily flight between Milan Linate and London City airports. The carrier has also added an additional daily service between London City and Rome Fiumicino. Return fares to Rome start from £178.

Delta & Virgin Atlantic partnership offers more choice for Heathrow passengers DELTA AIR Lines reports that it will significantly grow its presence at Heathrow Airport when its partnership with Virgin Atlantic comes into force later this year, when the two companies will jointly offer 21 daily flights to the US by the end of this year.

Delta's president Ed Bastian said: “Heathrow is the most important access point for corporate travellers and that was the driving force behind our decision to invest in Virgin Atlantic.

Given the constraints on growth at Heathrow, our partnership with Virgin will enable us to expand our presence at this airport and level the field a little with our competitors, while offering customers even more in terms of choice and benefits.”

The carrier has recently launched a third daily service between Heathrow and Atlanta to offer a total of nine daily non-stop flights to five US cities - New York-JFK, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St Paul and Boston. In addition, the airline has been making a number of investments in products and services for customers flying from Heathrow, including offering fully flat-bed seats on all services between Heathrow and the US, introducing Wi-Fi on transatlantic services and opening a new $1.4billion Terminal 4 at New York’s JFK Airport in May to improve the customer experience for JFK- Heathrow arrivals and departures.

For details see www.delta.com

Vueling increases summer services to Malaga & Alicante following demand FOLLOWING POSITIVE response from Welsh travellers for flights to Spain from Cardiff, Vueling has increased services to Malaga and Alicante, plus additional flights to Malaga on a Wednesday throughout August and September, taking into account the increased demand during the school holidays.

Spencer Birns, head of air service development and

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April 5 2013

commercial operations at Cardiff Airport, said: “It’s great to see Welsh passengers using the Vueling flights and those who have travelled with them already are re-booking because of the competitive pricing and quality product. We would urge more Welsh

passengers to support their local airport and fly with Vueling this summer.”

The carrier now operates flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma Mallorca from Cardiff, while direct flights from Cardiff to Palma Mallorca will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from June 20.

For more information see www.vueling.com

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Marmaris Turkish Culture and Tourism OfďŹ ce Tel: 020 7839 7778 | www.gototurkey.co.uk

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personalitybulletin

Jason Kemp The sales executive of Balkan Holidays was known as ‘Jumpin Jase’ at school and is partial to Smirnoff Vodka

Who is your ideal travelling companion?

Judith Chalmers – I would never get lost!

”I like to think I am a people person and can get on with almost anyone”

What's your earliest childhood memory?

Going to Edinburgh Airport when I was three years old to see Concorde. In those days, there was a great open-air viewing gallery on the roof.

Where was your last work-related trip?

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria.

Career path ●

If you were a celebrity who would you choose to be and why?

David Beckham – I wouldn’t mind his wages and his lifestyle!

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Fun, caring and honest.

What have your travels taught you?

That there is a big world out there and it’s important to see as much of it as possible.

What is the best advice you recall?

On my new rep’s induction course, one of our trainers told me that it was important to soldier on through the first few months as there would be many times I would feel homesick and want to go home. I felt like this a few times in my first two months but stayed on and ended up having the best six years of my life overseas.

●

● ● ●

1998–2000: Sales consultant then assistant retail manager for Travel Choice (First Choice retail) 2000–2006: Holiday rep, then team leader then resort team manager for Thomson Holidays in Mallorca, Cyprus, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

2006–2009: Senior customer relations for Flyglobespan 2009–2012 Retail manager for TUI Travel in Edinburgh May 2012-present: Sales executive for Balkan Holidays in Scotland, North East England and Northern Ireland

Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence in your career?

Linda Phelps who was my area manager when I worked as a rep for TUI in Mallorca. She helped train me to apply for resort manager and that has been the role that shaped me as the person I am today.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Smirnoff Vodka

What's your favourite city and why?

Dubai – it really is the city that has everything, I don’t think you could ever get bored there.

If you could change three things in the industry, what would they be?

Fewer taxes, no customer complaints and no shop closures.

What is your motto in life?

Take each day as it comes as every day is different, particularly working in the travel industry.

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If you had a super power what would it be and why?

Time travel. I could travel back to 1902 and see my football team win the Scottish Cup - LOL! What was your nickname at school and why?

Jumpin Jase as I bounced when I walked.

What item do you always take with you when travelling?

Mobile phone.

How do you deal with stress?

Having worked as a holiday rep for six years, I find it hard to get stressed nowadays as that particular job equips you to be able to deal with almost anything….

Is there anything that you dislike about the travel industry?

Fewer tour operators now than there were ten years ago.

What special skill do you have?

I like to think I am a people person and can get on with almost anyone.

What’s your favourite movie of all time?

Trainspotting.

What do you love about your job?

Travelling all over the country, meeting different agents and training agents in all things Balkan!

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denmark&thefaroeis

lands

What agents should be highlighting to inspire clients to visit Denmark...

Vikingeskib Jelling

by Vibeke (Becky) Oliver, marketing manager – leisure tourism at VisitDenmark

W

ITH 400 miles of white sandy beaches, Vikings, popular Scandi dramas such as The Killing and Borgen, plenty of Michelin starred restaurants and a 'cool Hawaii' in the north, Denmark has showcased its diversity and has become a firm favourite Scandinavian destination. As a result, we are pleased to see that Denmark is seeing a steady increase in visitors from the UK, to both the capital Copenhagen and the rest of the country.

Sample Viking life & culture We are marking the arrival of Danish Vikings at English shores exactly 1,000 years ago. Viking King Svein Forkbeard and his son Canute came and conquered the land from Ethelred the Unready - and this was the beginning of our English-Danish shared ancestry.

Denmark is staging a series of new exhibitions and events across the country this year, recreating a real taste for authentic Viking life and culture.

Highlights include a new major exhibition, opening on June 22 at the Danish National Museum in Copenhagen.

‘VIKING‘ runs until November 17 (before transferring to the British Museum in London in spring next year), and will host the largest exhibition on the Vikings in 20 years, including the world’s longest Viking ship wreck ever displayed.

Taking in Zealand One of the best places to start a tour is in the picturesque town of Roskilde (the capital of Denmark during the Viking Age), about 30 minutes west of Copenhagen, with a visit to the Roskilde Cathedral where many Viking kings and queens are buried.

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At The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, visitors can see five restored Viking ships from the 11th century, which were found at the bottom of the Roskilde Fjord in 1960, then dress up and step on a merchant vessel in the Jetty or join a sailing trip from the Museum Harbour. More Viking treasures can be unearthed at the nearby Lejre Museum. Lejre was the centre of power at the beginning of the Viking age.

These ancient settlements have been vividly brought to life at the open air museum of ‘Sagnlandet Lejre’ (The Land of Legends). Starting as a place for experimental archaeology, it has since grown to become a recreation of an Iron Age village, a Stone Age settlement (c. 5000 BC), the Viking market town of ‘Ravnsborg’ (c. 900 AD), as well as a 19th century farmstead. ● continues on next page

Fast Facts Tours: DFDS Seaways offers a regular year-round ferry service from Harwich to Esbjerg, West Jutland with prices from £144 one-way per car. Best Served Scandinavia offers a six-night Viking Trail from £760 per person. Call 020-7590 0618; Taber Holidays offers a seven-night March of the Vikings tour from £1,120 per person - call 01274-875199; and Viking Invest runs a Land of Vikings day trip from €130 - call +45 47 31 77 93.

Accommodation: Small Danish hotels offer accommodation all over Denmark, which are within close proximity to all the Viking attractions, in a choice of inns, hotels, castles and manor houses from £79 for a single room and £92 for a double room.

Dan Hostel offers family-friendly hostel accommodation from £ 11.50 per person, while Ribe Byferie is one of the most popular holiday centres in Denmark, with prices starting at £228 for three people for four nights.

For more information on Denmark, fam trips and agent offers see www.visitdenmark.co.uk or email Vibeke (Becky) Oliver at vo@visitdenmark.com

April 5 2013

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S04 TB0504 Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland_Layout 1 03/04/2013 14:47 Page 18

s d n la is e o r a f e h t & k r a denm ● continued from previous page

Famous is the World of the Frederikssund Vikings and their annual Viking play throughout the summer. At King Harald Bluetooth’s magnificent ring fortress of Trelleborg in south west Sealand, visitors can hone their combat skills and taste the Viking beer ‘mjød’ before a relaxed afternoon at Åmosen nature park on the shores of Lake Tissø. It was here that the largest farm from the Viking age was found. In Gerlev Play Park Experience, play traditional Viking games or visit nearby Slagelse, one of the oldest towns in Demark and now full of lively cafes, pretty squares and shops.

Jetting to Jutland An easy drive from Funen past rolling forests and farmland, Denmark's clean, green East Jutland region offers a famously unspoilt landscape. Close to the town of Vejle is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Jelling. The town is marked with two ancient rune stones. These hold special significance for Danes as the one erected in AD 983 by the Viking King Harald Bluetooth is often known as ‘Denmark’s birth certificate’, as it is the first recorded mention of the word ‘Denmark’.

Heading north Travelling north from Jelling towards Aalborg the magnificent circular ramparts of the historic ring fort at Fyrkat can be

found. Built in the reign of Harald Bluetooth it consisted of 16 bow-sided long houses. Today they are indicated by slabs of white stone.

Just north of there at the gateway to Northern Jutland is the strategic location of Lindholm Høje, Covered by centuries of drifting sands, archaeologists have uncovered Scandinavia's largest Viking burial ground comprising of more than 700 graves with beautifully preserved stone markings. Next to the burial site is the Lindholm Høje Museum.

Ribe and South West Jutland Following the coast road south to the ancient town of Ribe, visitors will be richly rewarded with an array of Viking attractions. Famed as the oldest town in Denmark, the Ribe Viking Museum displays archaeological finds discovered along its riverbank. Beyond the town’s medieval cobbled streets is the Ribe Viking Centre just outside the city, where guests can be transported back 1,000 years to the sounds, smells and taste of the Viking era inside the magnificently recreated Long House. Then explore the lively and vibrant atmosphere of a recreated Viking market, farmyard and bustling craftsmen’s workshops.

Further sites in Denmark include the Viking Museum at Ladby on the garden isle of Funen and Bork Viking Harbour by the West Coast of Jutland.✦

Atlantic launches 2013 Faroe Islands schedule ATLANTIC AIRWAYS is launching its twice-weekly summer schedule from London to the Faroe Islands on June 6.

The airline, which has recently celebrated its 25th birthday, has operated its summer schedule to London for more than a decade and has progressively extended its period of operation since then, with flights switching to Gatwick last summer.

The service operates on Mondays and Thursdays until September 19, with return fares starting from £242, including taxes and charges.

Flights depart Gatwick at 12:00 on Monday, arriving in the Faroe Islands at 14:25 and at 12:10 (arriving at 14:35) on

Thursdays. The return flights depart at 09:00 on Monday and 08:50 on Thursday, and arrive at Gatwick at 11:25 and 11:15 respectively.

The airline's chief executive Magni Arge said: “We’re delighted to once again be launching our summer schedule from and to the UK in our 25th anniversary year. This is an exciting time for Atlantic Airways following our Bronze Award by the European Regions Airline Association in recognition of our pioneering work in satellite navigation systems.

“We are close to the UK at a time when people are looking for new and exciting experiences that are perhaps closer to

home. We hope many more people from the UK will visit our beautiful islands in 2013 and learn what makes ours a very special destination.”

The carrier's partner, Sunvil Discovery, offers a variety of holidays in the islands, with best prices offered on bookings made before April 30.

As an example, a three-night stay costs from £540 per person, including transfers.

For more information or to book visit www.atlantic.fo

NEW FOR this summer, Taber Holidays has added a sevennight ‘March of the Vikings’ fly/drive trip through Denmark.

Starting and ending in Copenhagen, the tour includes a visit to Roskilde, home to the Viking Ship Museum, and a visit to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town and an important trading place during the Viking era. Prices start from £1,120 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights from Heathrow, breakfast accommodation and car hire with unlimited mileage. The tour departs daily from May 1 to September 30.

Alternative departure airports are available.

For details call 01274-875199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk

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Coming of the Vikings visitdenmark.co.uk

1000 years Anno 1013 We are marking the arrival of Danish Vikings at the English shores exactly 1000 years ago. Viking King Svein Forkbeard and his son Canute came and conquered the land from Ethelred the Unready - this was the beginning of our English-Danish shared ancestry.

National Museum VIKING exhibition Copenhagen 2013 The Danish National Museum opens its doors for VIKING - one of the largest exhibitions on the Vikings yet seen. Free entry 22 June – 17 November 2013

Holidays in Viking Denmark All of Denmark is bursting with great viking experiences throughout the year. No place in the world has as much Viking heritage as Denmark. Ancient monuments, mystic runestones, stunning longships, open-air life-size villages, burial mounds, mesmerising museums and much much more. Book now for your viking adventure this summer.

vikinginvest.org

best-served.co.uk

taberhols.co.uk

dfds.co.uk

Land of Vikings Daytrip from €130pp Including a visit to Roskilde Cathedral and the Land of Legends in Lejre.

Includes lunch.

Viking Trail 6 nights from £760 pp

March of the Vikings £1120pp

From Roskilde Viking ship Museum to Trelleborg fortress and Lejre

A 7-night fly-drive tour featuring Copenhagen, Roskilde, Odense, Ribe and Aarhus. Viking territory!

TO BOOK: +45 47 31 77 93

TO BOOK: 020 7838 5956

TO BOOK: 01274 875199

For all of the above offers please quote Ref: Travel Bulletin Magazine

Set sail on your Danish Viking adventure onboard cruise ferry Dana Sirena.

Enjoy restaurants, bars, and shops as you sail and arrive rested ready to discover delightful Denmark.

TO BOOK: 0871 522 9955

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s d n la is e o r a f e h t & k r a denm bmi regional launches daily flight from Birmingham to Denmark IN LINE with network expansion plans bmi regional has announced it is launching a new route from Birmingham to Billund, Denmark.

The route will operate six times a week with fares leading in at £59 one-way, with the first flight scheduled for Monday June 3.

Billund Airport is well served by both train, bus and taxi services and is only a short distance from Legoland, Lalandia Aquadome (a tropical waterpark open yearround) and Givskud Zoo. It also provides easy access to the Jutland Peninsula which offers stunning walks, biking and log cabins.

The announcement follows the launch of a number of new

European routes by the airline from Birmingham including Toulouse, Lyon and Gothenburg, creating a better network for both leisure and business travellers from the Midlands.

The carrier's chief commercial officer Steve Hoy said: “We’re pleased to announce the route to Billund from Birmingham. With fares starting from as little as £59, we are reducing both the cost and travel time for both business and leisure travellers who wish to travel to West Denmark. With increasing congestion in some London airports, Birmingham Airport is a great alternative to those who recognise the benefits of less crowded airports, speedy boarding, good shopping and eating facilities.”

For more information, visit www.bmiregional.com

DFDS Seaways offers up to 40% savings on selected mini cruises to Denmark DFDS SEAWAYS, which sails direct from Harwich to Esbjerg, is offering savings of 40% on selected mini cruises and 10% on ferry crossings.

A two-night Esbjerg mini cruise leads in at £54 per person based on two sharing and offers a saving of 40%.

The cruise departs Harwich between three and four times weekly and is available on selected departure dates until June 30.

Ferry crossings from Harwich to Esbjerg lead in at £76 per person for

four people, including a 10% discount.

The price is based on four sharing an ensuite cabin and carriage of a standard car. Prices based on two sharing an ensuite cabin start from £124 per person and also offer a 10% saving, based on selected departure dates until June 30.

Meanwhile, a four-night cruise & drive break to Copenhagen from Harwich costs from £209 per person.

Guests can take their car and stay two nights on board plus two nights in a hotel with breakfast. Departures from

Harwich are twice weekly (Wednesday & Sunday) and prices are based on two sharing.

The company is also offering a fournight cruise and drive break to the LEGOLAND hotel from £243 per person, based on four sharing. It includes two nights in an en-suite cabin with carriage of a standard car, two nights' breakfast stay at the four-star LEGOLAND hotel and entrance to the theme park.

For more information or to book visit www.dfds.co.uk or call 0871-522 9976.

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lands

SUNVIL DISCOVERY has introduced Hotel Klaksvik, a modern property with harbour views, located in Klaksvik, the second- largest settlement in the Faroes, to its 2013 programme. The islands, which are part of Denmark, remain an off-the-beaten track option, ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers and walkers. Prices for three nights' breakfast stay lead in at £573 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights from Gatwick and car hire.

To book or for more information call 020-8758 4722 or see www.sunvil.co.uk

Copenhagen hosts Northern Europe's largest food festival THE 2013 edition of the Michelin Guide Rouge has awarded Copenhagen’s restaurants a total of 15 stars, a record high for Copenhagen. The fully organic restaurant, Geranium, was awarded its second Michelin giving the city two two-star restaurants.

Meanwhile, the city will play host to Copenhagen Cooking, Northern Europe’s biggest food festival, which features new Nordic cuisine and gourmet restaurants at low prices, to food markets and other events across the city. The festival, now in its ninth year, will take place from August 23 to September 1, while the fourth winter edition will be held in February 2014.

For more information visit www.copenhagencooking.com

Copenhagen welcomes development of new museum district, Parkmuseerne PARKMUSEERNE IS a new museum district in Copenhagen, which is set to attract one million museum-goers and three million park visitors.

The new district has been created through the collaboration of the David Collection, the Filmhouse, the Hirschsprung Collection, Rosenborg Castle, the National History Museum of Denmark and The National Gallery of Denmark, with the aim to make Parkmuseerne a nationally and internationally acclaimed museum district.

Karsten Ohrt, chairman of Parkmuseerne and director of The National Gallery of Denmark, said: ”With a total of one

million visitors at the six museums and a total of three million visits to the parks each year, the area is excellently suited to becoming a unique museum district where visitors can experience the best from the realms of art and nature.

With this collaborative project we wish to create a museum district to match those of other cities such as Berlin and Vienna.”

All the museums are within walking distance of each other and are set in parklands that span the King’s Gardens, the Botanical Garden, and the Østre Anlæg park.

For more information visit www.parkmuseerne.dk

The Faroe Islands authentic, unspoiled and likely to remain so (National Geographic Traveler)

National Geographic Traveler has voted the Faroe Islands as the No. 1 destination in the world of 111 island communities. The Faroe Islands are situated between Scotland, Nor way and Iceland - only two hours away from London by plane.

For more information: www.visitfaroeislands.com

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DENMARK HAS welcomed a new visitor attraction, The Blue Planet, North Europe’s largest modern aquarium. Chairman of the aquarium, Professor Flemming Frandsen, says he is looking forward to The Blue Planet as a centre for new experiences in the Øresund region. He said: “Our ambition is to welcome 700,000 guests each year, thus being one of Denmark’s five largest tourist attractions. Now, we have an aquarium, which compares to the world elite of aquariums and that brings us close to the biology of the sea and strengthens our interest in natural science.”

Norwegian launches direct flights to Copenhagen from Liverpool John Lennon Airport FROM TODAY, travellers will be able to fly direct from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) to Copenhagen, following the launch of Norwegian's three times weekly service.

With a flight time of two hours, passengers can be in the Danish capital from Liverpool in less than the time it takes to reach London by train.

The city's visitor attractions include The Tivoli Gardens -

Faroe Islands announces May workshop EACH SPRING the Faroe Islands hosts the Visit Faroe Islands workshop for tour operators and agents worldwide.

This year's event, which runs from May 2-5, offers attendees the opportunity to experience the Faroe Islands and meet people and companies in Faroese tourism.

For registration details or more information see www.visitfaroeislands.com/2013 VISIT NORTH Sealand is highlighting its three castles to clients looking to visit Denmark's Royal North Sealand, where guests can rent bikes to cycle between the castles or opt to travel by train. A number of tailor-made suggestions are also available on the company's website covering, for example, bike tours, cultural travel and adventure travel.

For details see www.visitnorthsealand.com

the world's second oldest amusement park and the statue of The Little Mermaid, located at Langelinie Pier.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for LJLA, said: “Norwegian’s new service to Copenhagen is a great addition to the list of European capital cities for the region’s travellers to go and visit. The city has so much to offer and with the added convenience of flying from their local airport we expect Copenhagen to be a popular destination from here.”

Small Danish Hotels highlights range of properties SMALL DANISH Hotels is made up of around 100 inns, hotels, castles and manor houses across Denmark. Many of the inns are royally licensed inns which have been situated at the old main roads for several hundred years and which take pride in maintaining the good old traditions for good inn-keeping.

Today, the company includes several types of inns and hotels, but it is a common feature that they attach great importance to personal service and to being good hosts.

City hotels are situated in the centre of the cities. For example, clients can choose between five hotels in Copenhagen, as well as other cities including Thisted, Hjørring, Aalborg, Aarhus, Silkeborg, Skanderborg, Esbjerg, Odense, Assens, Roskilde, Sorø and Elsinore.

Classic Hotels are situated both at the sea, in the countryside and in the cities, while the portfolio also includes five castles and manors including one in Jutland, one in Funen and three in Zealand.

The company offers weekend stays, mini holidays, wellness and gourmet stays, golf holidays and meetings and conference facilities across its range of properties. All the inns and hotels in the association are classified with at least three stars. Agents are offered special net-rates and are asked to calculate their own commission. The net rates quoted are for an overnight stay with breakfast.

ATLANTIC.fo

PLAN YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE IN THE AMAZING

FAROE ISLANDS Twice weekly flights from Gatwick June to September. Fares from £242 return

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s y a d i l o h f l go READERS OF the German magazine, Golf Journal, have voted Club de Golf Alcanada, in the north of Mallorca, their favourite course in Europe for a fifth successive year.

The 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed layout, which overlooks the Bay of Alcudia, opened in 2003 and features a clubhouse where guests can sample regional specialities. A golf academy including a spacious short game area and covered driving range are also available.

For details see www.golf-alcanada.com

Golden anniversary breaks at Portugal’s five-star Monte Da Quinta Resort PORTUGAL’S ALGARVE is still a firm favourite amongst UK golfers seeking a sunshine break and the luxurious Monte da Quinta,a five-star resort in Portugal's Algarve, is offering a range of new golf packages.

The resort has teamed up with the nearby Vale de Lobo resort and unveiled a series of three- and seven-day golf holidays, with a three-night break including three rounds of golf leading in at €408 (approximately £340) per person.

From €136 per person per night, golfers can book three nights at the resort and 18 holes of golf on each of Vale de Lobo’s lay-outs, plus a free round of golf depending on availability.

For guests looking for an extended stay, a seven-night break including four rounds of golf and free transfers to and from the courses can be booked from €728 (£600) per person.

Guests will receive unlimited house wines and beer

during happy hour each day, while complimentary use of the resort’s gym, indoor heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and sensorial shower are also available.

The offers are available for stays up to the end of October, excluding June, July and August, and are based on two sharing a one-bedroom suite. The package also includes a welcome pack, late check-out (subject to availability) and free storage of golf clubs.

Meanwhile, the resort has renewed its offer to refund golf bag carriage charges to guests.

Visitors can earn up to €40 back on the cost of their holidays when they stay at the property on production of a valid airline golf baggage receipt.

The discount is available throughout this year except July and August.

For further information email mqreservas@mqclub.com or see www.mqresort.com

Savings of up to £300 on group golf breaks at Dartmouth Golf & Country Club DARTMOUTH GOLF & Country Club is offering golf groups the chance to take advantage of savings of more than £300 on unlimited golf breaks this year.

Golfers can receive discounts of up to £332 on three-day group packages at the South Devon resort, with the offer valid until the end of December.

The breaks include free places, with one golfer in every 12 able to stay and play for free between April and October, meaning they can enjoy a two-night golf break with three days of

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unlimited golf for £136 per person.

Dartmouth’s three-day unlimited golf breaks feature a round of golf each day on the resort’s Championship course and unlimited use of the nine-hole Dartmouth course; two nights’ breakfast accommodation; one evening meal; and complimentary access to the extensive Lakeside Health & Leisure Club.

In addition, golf groups save 15% on pre-booked buggies, 10% off all drinks purchased throughout the stay and more than 20% on a

April 5 2013

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club

second evening meal for the group, with private dining in the Kingsbridge Suite available to groups for 24 or more. Groups will also receive a case of wine which

can be used as prizes to add a competitive edge to a trip.

For more information or to book call 0800-043 3669 or email reservations@dgcc.co.uk

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golfholiday Award-winning golfing offers in Gran Canaria GRAN CANARIA was recently awarded European Golf Destination of 2013 at the IAGTO awards. The destination has a yearround golfing climate, with average temperatures ranging between 20 – 24C, as well as high-quality golfing facilities at the seven golf courses available with the Gran Canaria Golf Association.

Players can experience the 18-hole par 71 course at Spain’s oldest golf club, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, the technically challenging course at Lopesan Meloneras Golf or one of the longest courses in Spain at El Cortijo Club de Campo.

An example golf package available in Gran Canaria next month includes seven nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort from £399 per person with Leisure Link Golf Holidays .

To book visit www.leisurelinkgolf.com, call 01708-339 300 or email reservations@leisurelink golf.com.

For more information on Gran Canaria Golf visit www.grancanariagolf.com

Your Golf Travel partners with Manchester Golf Show EVENT ORGANISERS of The Manchester Golf Show, the Golf Show Group has renewed its partnership with Your Golf Travel for this year's show, which runs from today (April 5) until Sunday at Manchester’s EventCity.

As part of the agreement, the operator is offering a free £25 voucher to every person who registers with the firm on entry, which will also enter them into a prize draw to win a break at a top golf destination.

For more information call 0800-043 6644, email info@yourgolftravel.com or visit www.yourgolftravel.com

THE CHEDI Muscat in Oman, located close to both the PGA championship golf course and Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, is offering two 'Tee-off in Style' packages. The hotel has partnered with Almouj Golf at The Wave, an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Greg Norman, to create a two-night all-inclusive golf deal which includes two rounds of golf and spa treatments at The Spa. Guests can choose between The Chedi's Serai or Deluxe accommodation. A similar package is offered with Muscat Hills, an 18-hole course surrounded by desert and the Omani mountains. Prices lead in at OMR 345 (approximately £589) for a stay in the hotel's Serai room.

MOROCCO GOLF The Magic gic A Awaits wa w You You...

Tailor Made Golf Holidays all year around TANGIER £659 per Golfer – including: Return direct Flight from Gatwick to Tangier (Inclusive of Taxes + Check-in Luggage + Golf Clubs carriage) + 4 Nights on Half Board in a 4 star Hotel + 3 Rounds at the ROYAL Golf of TANGIER + Airport Transfers + Golf Transfers

MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT 5***** From £689 per Golfer – including: Return direct Flight from Gatwick to CASABLANCA (Inclusive of Taxes + Check-in Luggage + Golf Clubs carriage) + 5 Nights on B&B + UNLIMITED Golf Rounds at the MAZAGAN GOLF CLUB + Airport Shuttle......

10% Travel Agents Commission

Heli Golf package from Nira Caledonia NIRA CALEDONIA in Edinburgh has launched a threenight Heli Golf package which includes breakfast, a transfer to Edinburgh Airport to take a helicopter ride to the Old Course in St Andrews, and then to Gleneagles in the afternoon to tee off on one of three championship golf courses.

After the game, guests fly back to Edinburgh to visit the recently opened Blackwood’s Bar & Grill at Nira Caledonia for something to eat.

The package costs £1,599 per person based on two double rooms and four golfers or £2,499 per person based on one double room and two golfers. Travel agents receive 10% commission on the package price.

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For bookings & Further details please contact: MENARA TRAVEL LTD “fully bonded Tour Operator ATOL 6662” Tel: 0207 371 2030 Email: info@menaratravel.co.uk

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InBrief

● CONRAD ALGARVE has an exclusive offer for golf pros. Clients

bringing six guests will benefit from free breakfast accommodation, complimentary green fees when playing with three paying clients, an upgrade to a higher room category (subject to availability), a welcome reception cocktail, complimentary green fees and 10% discount in the in-house Golf Pro Shop. Agents can book at www.conradalgarve.com ● SUPERBREAK HAS added a new golf package at the four-star

Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club in Durham. The hotel offers a 27-hole championship golf course plus a large driving range and club house. Packages are from £99 per person and include two rounds of golf with guaranteed tee times between 09:00 and 12:00, dinner and breakfast.

See www.superbreak.com/agents ● THIS MONTH, Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland is launching

a new Performance Academy which offers tuition incorporating the principles of the Titleist Performance Institute. Players will be able to book one-to-one and group tuition from TPI-qualified staff covering all areas of a golfer’s game.

For details see www.turnberryresort.co.uk or call 01655-333991. ● THE FOUR-star Vale Resort in South Wales is offering Golf & Surf

breaks from £109 per person. The package includes one night's breakfast accommodation, two hours of surfing tuition with equipment, 18 holes of championship golf, use of the leisure facilities and free parking.

For details see www.vale-hotel.com

Florida's West Coast offers year-round golfing opportunitues ST.PETE/CLEARWATER has more than 40 public golf courses for all skill levels. The highlight of the area's golfing calendar this year is the Tampa Bay Championship PGA tournament which takes place from March 11-17.

Located on a peninsula on Florida's west coast, St. Pete/Clearwater's range of par three to championship golf courses offer natural settings and waterside views with year-round golfing opportunities.

Among the product offerings are the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club, an 18-hole course, the challenging Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, the wide fairways of the Bardmore Golf and Tennis Club and the extensive grounds of the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. This full-service family resort features guest rooms and suites, four restaurants, six swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and a spa.

For more information visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com

Seven-night Jebel Ali stay from £2,673 THE FIVE-STAR JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort is made up of 128 acres with a ninehole, par 36, championship-standard resort course. A sevennight stay at the JA Palm Tree Court Hotel (part of

the golf resort) based on two people sharing a Garden View Junior Suite in April, including flights with Emirates, costs from £2,673.

For more information visit www.jaresorts.com

GOLF ENTHUSIASTS can now benefit from the offer of unlimited golf on the Robert Trent Jones Senior-designed course at Half Moon, A RockResort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The resort's Total Golf Experience includes unlimited green fees for the resort’s 18-hole, par 72 course; a cart and caddy for 18 holes daily; one round at one of the other two courses in the Rose Hall Golf Association which include the White Witch and Cinnamon Hill courses; full board accommodation; and transfers. Golfers also receive a sleeve of Half Moon golf balls and range balls.

For more information visit www.halfmoon.rockresorts.com

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ROBIN POPE Safaris (www.robinpopesafaris.net) has added a new itinerary that retraces the steps of Dr David Livingstone, the explorer, writer, missionary and medic. The Livingstone tour explores Blantyre, a town named after his Scottish birthplace, and includes safari activities along the Shire River and staying by the Murchison Cataracts (rapids named by Livingstone). The tour also includes trips to Liwonde National Park and Lake Malawi. Expert Africa is offering the tour, along with 11 nights’ accommodation at the Pumulani beach lodge, from £3,576 per person (based on two sharing), including flights, transfers, full-board, most activities and park fees. The tour is also available through Audley Travel.

For details call 020-8232 9777 or visit www.expertafrica.com

Hayes & Jarvis reports 71% growth in summer bookings for South Africa IN ITS latest Trend Report, Hayes and Jarvis reports a 71% growth in summer bookings for South Africa, which has proved one of the big hitters in its new tailor-made programme.

The operator says that David Attenborough’s Africa wildlife series, broadcast in early 2013, has been instrumental in helping to fuel demand for Southern Africa – with South Africa and Botswana proving the biggest successes.

The company's tailor-made product manager Verity Rice said: "We have seen an increase in demand for Africa over the past couple of months, which I am sure has been helped by David Attenborough's latest BBC wildlife series. Safaris are increasingly popular and are one of the major draws for Botswana.

"Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta are the main areas where we are seeing demand for Botswana. The chance to experience water-based game viewing from a traditional dug-out canoe in the Okavango Delta really appeals to our more adventurous customers, giving an unusual perspective of wildlife at eye level.

"Botswana is a great destination for multi-centres, with a lot of our customers choosing to combine it with Victoria Falls, and also South Africa. We have a variety of tour packages which twin Johannesburg with Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, or the tailor-made team can design a bespoke itinerary for the region."

The operator reports that self-drive itineraries in South Africa are also proving popular and, aside from the Garden

Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

Route, tours of the winelands and ones that include wildlife and the country’s heritage are also in demand.

Rice said: “Cape Town and the Winelands go hand-in-hand to make the perfect short self-drive itinerary. Just a 30-minute drive from Cape Town and you will find yourself surrounded by the magnificent mountains and valleys of the Cape Winelands.

"Our tailor-made specialists can put together a self-drive itinerary that combines the best of Cape Town and historic Stellenbosch, with the added benefit of two nights in Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast, giving clients the chance to spot the Southern Right Whales who migrate from the SubAntarctic to calve in Walker Bay between June and December.”

Collette Worldwide Holidays offers savings of £650 per couple on South Africa tour COLLETTE WORLDWIDE Holidays has reduced the cost of its 'Spectacular South Africa' tour departing on June 6 by £650 per couple.

The saving means that the tour will cost £2,749 per person, down by £325 from the original price of £3,074. The 14-day tour

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begins in Johannesburg and highlights include a guided tour of Soweto, a trip through the Drakensburg Mountain Range en-route to Kruger National Park, two days on safari in Kruger and then on to Kynsyna and the Wineland town of

Stellenbosch, before finishing in Cape Town.

The tour also includes a visit to a local South African school that is about to be rebuilt with funds from the Collette Foundation.

Prices are based on two sharing and include flights,

four-star accommodation, the services of a tour leader and free door-todoor transfers within 100miles of the UK departure airport.

For more information or to book see www.colletteworldwide.com or call 0800-804 8701.

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southernafrica Four nights for the price of three promo to mark Livingstone’s birth from Sun International SUN INTERNATIONAL predicts substantial rises in profits as shares in the company have surged by more than 4% to its highest level in two years.

After recently unveiling two new hotels and refurbishments in South Africa and Zambia, the company reports considerable growth in consumer interest in both destinations.

At the end of last year, the company opened The Boardwalk Hotel and Spa, a five-star hotel in Port Elizabeth at the end of The Garden Route. Virgin Holidays is currently offering the new hotel in its ‘Eastern Cape Garden Route’ section, complete with a ‘rock star service.’

This year the company opened The Maslow, a four-star

hotel in Johannesburg’s business and retail district, Sandton, which is often referred to as South Africa’s ‘square mile.’ The opening reflects the fact that seven of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Africa, where economic growth is roughly 6% a year – double the rate of most western economies.

The company has also been involved in the BT Hell and High Water Challenge for Comic Relief, which took place on the Zambezi River, plus a $7million refurbishment of its fivestar hotel The Royal Livingstone, part of The Falls Resort. The operator is currently running a ‘four nights for the price of three’ offer at the hotel to coincide with a festival celebrating the 200th anniversary of explorer Dr David Livingstone’s birth.

Kamili Safaris introduces five Isibindi African Lodges to programme KAMILI SAFARIS has introduced five Isibindi African Lodges to its programme, which are located along the KZN Elephant Coast and inside the Kruger National Park.

Examples include the Isibindi Zulu Lodge, which is situated in a 4,000acre private game reserve in Zululand. The lodge has eight suites and each comes with its own viewing deck. Guests have the opportunity to embark on escorted tours to the Anglo-Zulu battlefields and morning and evening game drives are offered.

Meanwhile, the Rhino Post Safari

Lodge is situated at the southern end of a 12,000-hectare private wilderness concession in the Kruger National Park. The 16-bedroom lodge offers views of the riverbed from the bathroom, as well as an outdoor shower and decked patio and twice-daily game drives are organised for guests.

Alternatively, the Plains Camp in Kruger National Park is an ideal location for walking safaris. Raised on wooden decks, the camp offers four tents overlooking the Timbitene plain and waterhole. Rhino Walking

trails are organised by the lodge and are limited to eight guests who are guided by two armed rangers.

Sleepouts, where guests can sleep outside on elevated wooden platforms, are available to both Rhino Post Lodge and Plains Camp guests.

Bookings can be made through African Pride and rates include accommodation, some meals, teas, coffees and a selection of activities.

For details call 01904-619428 or see www.african-pride.co.uk

EXODUS IS launching a new off-road cycling itinerary in Namibia. The 15-day ‘Cycle Namibia’ tour travels through high sand dunes and visits a selection of game reserves. The trip leads in at £2,499 including flights from London, transfers, accommodation and most meals.

Departures are on April 13, June 15, October 12 and November 9.

For further details see www.exodus.co.uk

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southernafrica African Luxury Hideaways introduces two new Zimbabwe properties AFRICAN LUXURY Hideaways has announced the addition of two new properties in Zimbabwe – The Victoria Falls Cliff Top Lodge and the Elephant’s Eye in Hwange National Park.

Both currently under construction, The Victoria Falls Cliff Top Lodge is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Zambezi Gorge in Victoria Falls, while Elephant’s Eye is on a private concession adjacent to Hwange National Park.

Garth Jenman, owner of the company, said: “The rise in tourism over the last year

in Zimbabwe is remarkable.

After a decline of about 30% in the last decade, we have seen a huge increase of tourists and a surge of interest in the country on the whole. It’s a great time for us to build the two new lodges.”

Each lodge will feature eight chalets with en-suite bathrooms, a reception area, restaurant and bar areas, a lounge area and ecoswimming pools. Eco-friendly sustainable materials will be used along with solar power for light and heating water.

Local farmers will also supply fresh organic

vegetables for the lodges and members of staff will be local to the area.

Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe and is situated in the northwest corner of the country, covering an area of approximately 14,650km². It offers a range of flora and fauna as well as wildlife, with the elephant population in Hwange among the largest in the world.

The new lodges will also be accessible to Chobe National Park, and therefore can be sold as packages including Victoria Falls,

Chobe, Savuti and Moremi.

The lodges are ideally situated for extended safari options, exclusive fly-in packages, small groups and private parties looking for intimate settings.

One night's all-inclusive stay at the Elephant's Eye, which is set to open on June 1, costs from $290 per person based on two sharing, while a night’s breakfast stay at Victoria Falls Cliff Top Lodge, opening in August, costs from $130 per person.

For more information visit www.africanluxuryhideaways. com

Dive Worldwide offers sardine run experience

TOURISM KWAZULU-NATAL, the tourism authority for Durban, is gearing up for the annual Comrades Marathon set to take place on June 3. The 88km race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ultra-marathons and attracts participants from around the globe, including more than 10,000 locals and thousands of spectators.

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DIVE WORLDWIDE is offering clients the opportunity to experience the so-called ‘sardine run’ off the KwaZulu Natal coastline this June/July.

Each year, millions of sardines migrate north, following cold currents towards the warm Indian Ocean, attracting marine predators such as dolphins, sharks, seals and game fish. This drives the shoals to the surface where they fall prey to avian predators.

The operator is giving guests the opportunity to experience five days of the action from their base at Port St John. Depending on the sardine movements, the boat is launched and the days are spent at sea.

Guests can also spend a night at a divers' lodge in Umkomaas from where they spend a day (and two dives) exploring the Aliwal Shoal.

Prices start from £2,495 per person based on two sharing including flights, transfers, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation, two dives at Aliwal Shoal, five days’ sardine run, tanks and weights.

For more information call 0845-1306 980 or visit www.diveworldwide.com

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southernafrica Asilia Africa set to open Kubatana Camp in Gorongosa National Park We asked our staff the following question this week: What was your favourite subject at school?

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ASILIA AFRICA will open the Kubatana Camp in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique on July 1.

The camp, which will place emphasis on eco-sustainability, will contain six luxury tents, all with en-suite bathrooms and an area for relaxing.

Activities will include game drives and walking safaris, as well as boating on Lake Urema and visiting the rainforest on Mount Gorongosa for hiking, bird watching and fly-camping.

A safari at Gorongosa will also offer guests the opportunity to be part of the park’s restoration project in the form of relocating a rare species of wildlife or carrying out a game census.

Bas Hochstenbach, co-founder and commercial director of the company, said: “We are honoured to be part of what is certainly Africa’s most exciting conservation story. Today, Asilia Africa has a backbone of properties in the most famous nature and wildlife areas in the world and we want to use this knowledge and experience to help protect and develop Gorongosa National Park and to put Mozambique firmly back on the safari map.”

The Gorongosa National Park is run by the Mozambique government and the Gorongosa Restoration Project, a US non-profit organisation. It is run according to a conservation model based on balancing the needs of wildlife and people, providing employment and health and education programmes for local people.

Greg Carr, president of the Gorongosa Restoration Project, said: “Asilia is known as one of the top eco-tourism companies in East Africa. We are thrilled that they will be joining us in Gorongosa. Asilia will not only provide a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experience to its guests, but also, it will join us as allies in our effort to create opportunity for local people and protect the ecosystem.”

Rates start from $620 per person per night on a full board basis.

For more information see www.kubatanacampgorongosa.com

History

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Travel 2 highlights wildlife & culture options in South Africa TRAVEL 2 is offering a range of packages in South Africa, including cultural tours and safari experiences.

Michael Creighton, the company's product manager – Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Jordan and India, said: “Southern Africa boasts some of the best safaris on the continent - vibrant Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta in Botswana and Sossusvlei Dunes in Namibia. Offering a great mix of culture, scenic beauty, stunning coastline and self-drive itineraries, we recommend Southern Africa as the perfect place for those looking to discover hidden gems.

“Our packages offer a stay in the urban centre of Cape Town, just a 45minute drive from the stark beauty of the Cape West Coast or the Cape Winelands, making it easy to combine a South Africa self-drive with Botswana, Victoria Falls or Namibia.

“Our eight-day escorted wildlife and culture tour in South Africa visits the cultural heartland of South Africa, including Swaziland and Zululand, as well as stopping at two of Africa’s best game reserves, the Kruger National Park and the lesser-known Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

"For the best overall wildlife experience we recommend the ten-day Botswana Safari, a luxury tented safari with a maximum of six guests travelling through some of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa.”

Prices start from £1,749 per person when booked by April 30 including flights. Departure dates are on May 6, 20, 27 and June 3.

Prices for the Botswana Safari lead in at £4,829 per person including flights when booked by April 30. Selected travel dates are available throughout next month.

For more information visit www.travel2.com

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If you only knew how close to the stars you would be in Prague, you could already be touching them.

It is said that Prague has a special enchantment which enlightens and inspires.

It was known by such stellar artists as Mozart and Kafka, who created their best works here, but also by brilliant scientists, such as Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler and Albert Einstein, who found answers to the greatest mysteries of our universe in the Prague night sky. Spend some time roaming the legend-filled streets of the Old Town at dusk, or gaze up at the Astronomical Clock, which has been measuring celestial time for more than 600 years. Perhaps you, too, will leave Prague with the feeling that you have a magically changed view of the world in which we live.

Prague

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