Travel Bulletin 14th March 2014

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March 14 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,864 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Croatia Operators capitalise on demand by boosting holiday options

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this week agent bulletin 9 the latest agent offers, fam trips & booking incentives

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airline bulletin Bangkok Airways offers iPad minis as in-flight entertainment

training

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a round-up of new training events, online modules & courses

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greece & cyprus strong summer bookings for Greek islands predicted following sales boost

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IT’S A DEAL...Funway has launched its ‘Top Deals’ campaign for March which includes a four-page flyer showcasing the operator's top offers, covering single-, twin- and multi-centre holidays, as well as a suggested fly/drive itinerary. Destinations highlighted include the US and Caribbean and prices lead in at £559 per person for seven nights in Orlando in a three-bedroom Value Home with pool for selected departures in November and December, including flights with American Airlines. Multi-centre holiday prices start from £849 including two nights in New York and five nights in Orlando with flights. The company is also offering a deposit of £150 per person, subject to terms and conditions, and all travel offers included must be booked by March 31. Pictured marking the launch are, from the left: the operator's Nick Talbot, Nandita Patel, Jade Andrews, Lisa Dalton and Rob Thornton.

For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk

This Week news 3 this week's deals, programme additions & travel trends

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Cover Pictures: Main - Dubrovnik, Flickr

Inset - RSSC

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notes from normanton Sandy wins a holiday at the Tipto event in Leeds

agent bulletin the latest agent offers, fam trips & booking incentives

puzzle bulletin play Su Doku for your chance to win a £50 M&S voucher

bulletin briefing the latest news & views from ANTOR

airline bulletin Bangkok Airways offers iPad minis as in-flight entertainment

training a round-up of new training events, online modules & courses

personality bulletin the trade sales manager for the DTCM is in the hot seat

croatia operators capitalise on demand by boosting holiday options

greece & cyprus strong summer bookings for Greek islands predicted following sales boost

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Holidaymakers ‘quids in’ as sterling rises year-on-year POST OFFICE Travel Money reports that people planning holidays abroad could have more than £100 extra to spend when changing £500 into foreign currency - provided they pick their destination carefully.

Sterling has risen year-on-year against all of the Post Office’s top 40 holiday currencies and by at least 10% against more than half of them. As a result, holidaymakers will be ‘quids in’ in all the most popular overseas destinations – including transatlantic hotspots and Far Eastern favourites.

The company's head of travel money, Andrew Brown, said: “The biggest jump in sterling’s value is currently against the South African rand. In a year when many people will want to walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela as South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy, UK visitors will get almost 37% more for their pounds. That equates to more than £134 extra to spend when they change £500.

“But UK tourists can look forward to having more spending money in every holiday hotspot this year and they will be even better off if they pick a destination where local prices are down. Our barometer research found that resort prices were as much as 56% higher last year than they are now, so it will be well worth doing some holiday homework before booking an overseas trip.”

According to the report, transatlantic travellers visiting the Caribbean will have the most to gain in Jamaica where the pound will buy 28% more Jamaican dollars than a year ago. Plummeting prices in island restaurants mean local costs are down as well. There are

sterling gains of around 10-15% against all the other Caribbean currencies too, which means good deals for UK tourists visiting St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Tobago and the Dominican Republic.

Sun-seekers heading to the Far East can also get much more for their money. Sterling has made strides against currencies for every Asian destination including Bali (rupiah +33%) and Vietnam (dong +10%), where tour operator Travelbag is reporting a 79% surge in demand. In Thailand, tourists will not only have nearly 20% extra cash to spend – around £82 on a £500 currency transaction - but resort prices in Phuket are lower too.

Meanwhile, Mexico has become a big favourite with wallet-watchers keen to take advantage of cheap prices for five-star hotels. Even though sterling fell in value against the Mexican peso during 2013, peso sales soared by a third to register a huge growth of 248% in just five years, proving the destination’s popularity. Now sterling has strengthened 14% year-on-year to regain its 2012 value and the forecast looks bright for Mexico again this year.

Closer to home in Europe, the best deals will be for city break holidaymakers planning trips to Russian cities or to Prague and Budapest, the cheapest cities in the Post Office City Costs Barometer. The Russian ruble has dropped in value by more than 9% since the beginning of this year and is currently worth more than 29% less against the pound than last February, giving visitors more than £113 extra cash when they change £500.

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newsbulletin Butlins launches second edition brochure for 2014 with prices from £29 BUTLINS HAS launched its second edition brochure for 2014, featuring details of the resorts’ recent investments, updated product and entertainment line-up, opening dates of new developments and latest offers.

The brochure includes details of new entertainment and acts including Mister Maker, Dick & Dom and Scooby Doo Live, amongst others.

Resort developments and key opening dates include the Fairground at Minehead and the Diner at Bognor Regis, which will both open this Easter, plus the Firehouse Family Grill restaurant in Skegness, which will open in June.

The brochure also details information on the new Just for Tots breaks plus a planner which outlines the range of activities available throughout the midweek for toddlers.

Pages are also dedicated to the resorts, spas and dining plans, which have been simplified to make the options available clearer, while new offers include savings of up to 30% on selected breaks.

A four-night weekend break at Minehead costs from £29 per person based on a March 24 arrival and two adults and two children sharing a Silver selfcatering apartment.

Butlins’ second edition

Back Roads Touring boosts battlefield tour dates with weekend breaks from £485 TO MARK the centenary of the start of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, Back-Roads Touring has added extra dates to its most popular battlefield tours this year.

The two-night/three-day WW1 Battlefield Weekend tour includes visits to The Somme, Villers-Bretonneux and Vimy Ridge, and allows visitors to see the major areas of British and Commonwealth involvement across the Western Front, offering guests the opportunity to visit specific cemeteries and pay their respects to a fallen relative.

Tour highlights include the nightly playing of the Last Post under the Menin Gate

and a trench and tunnel tour at Vimy Ridge (weather permitting). The tour costs from £485 per person and departs on various dates from April to October. It includes two nights’ accommodation, a tour leader, daily breakfast and one evening meal. Entrance fees to Hooge Crater Museum, Hooge Trenches and Fromelles Visitor Centre are also included.

Alternatively, a three-night/four-day D-Day: Battles for France tour includes visits to Dunkirk and the Normandy landing beaches. From the Dunkirk Shield to the Dieppe Raid and the beaches of Normandy, guests travel along Hitler’s Atlantic Wall in the

footsteps of soldiers. The tour costs from £975 per person and departs on various dates from April to September. It includes three nights’ accommodation, a tour leader, breakfast and two evening meals.

Entrance fees to Dunkirk Dynamo Museum, Dieppe Memorial Museum, Merville Battery, Utah Beach Museum, Juno Bridge Museum and Pegasus Bridge Museum are also included.

The company also offers a range of other themed tours which retrace the footsteps of Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I. To book or for more information call 033-311 201 09 or visit www.backroadstouring.co.uk

Celebrate Christmas & New Year with Viking Cruises

OLYMPIC WIN...Travel Bulletin columnist, Sandra Murray (right), won a self-catering accommodation stay for two in Cyprus at the recent TIPTO event in York, courtesy of Olympic Holidays. Sandy is pictured collecting her prize envelope from the operator's Lynne Brocklesby.

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VIKING CRUISES has launched Christmas and New Year sailings on its European river cruise routes for 2014/15 due to early demand.

The sailings will operate in destinations well known for their Christmas markets and yuletide traditions.

Passengers can see cathedrals and castles along the Rhine, immerse themselves in the cities of Budapest and Vienna on the Danube or sample wine and Portuguese cuisine on the Douro.

Guests on the Christmas departures can enjoy a traditional European festive dinner, while at New Year, the ships provide an ideal vantage point to witness local celebrations and to raise a glass to toast the New Year.

Prices lead in at £1,395 per person for an eight-day Rhine Discovery cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. The itinerary takes in the Christmas markets along the Rhine and departs on December 20 and 27.

Those with a higher budget can opt for the ten-day Portugal’s River of Gold cruise, which offers two days to explore the capital city of Lisbon before heading to Porto to embark on a journey along the Douro. Prices start from £2,595 and sailings are on December 19 and 26.

For more information or to book visit www.vikingcruises.co.uk

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @HertzOffersUK Always jump the car hire queue. Get special deals and extra freebies. Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards free: http://bit.ly/1iOtnO5 @superbreak Dirty Dancing is coming to #Dublin! See the classic story live on stage this July! http://bit.ly/1hP7LRY @Shearings These 40 photos from the past are #amazing!

We love them. http://imgur.com/a/zR3LX @JurysInnsHotels Thinking of planning a visit to #London for Paddys wknd? JI LondonChelsea have rooms from £99 4 Sat night & £79 4 Sun night! @Freedom_2Travel VisitEngland has teamed up with Wallace & Gromit to launch the second Holidays at Home are GREAT campaign http://www.visitengland.org/marketing/ HAHAG/ …

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

LUCKY STRIKE…Trafalgar recently hosted staff from STA London branches at Bloomsbury Lanes for an evening of bowling and gaming. Pictured enjoying the evening are, from the left: Vanessa Lewis, manager at STA Clapham; Mark Coulthart, Trafalgar; Paul Hodgkinson, manager at STA Victoria; and Alison Smith, manager at STA Chelmsford.

Picture this - a new add-on product that makes it snappy A NEW add-on product for travel agents has been launched that involves professional pictures being taken of holidaymakers (individuals, couples, families or groups) across Europe and in more than 70 locations worldwide. The idea of Flytographer is to capture candid moments that embrace the spirit of a trip, with prices ranging from £150 for 30 minutes of a local photographer in one neighbourhood and 15 digital photos, to £200 for an hour in one or two neighbourhoods and 30 photos, and £350 for two hours covering multiple locations and 60 photos. Each add-on package is commissionable at 10%. Details at www.flytographer.com

Princess Cruises offers 10% commission on flights for 2015 cruises PRINCESS CRUISES has announced that 10% commission will now be paid on flights booked for its 2015 cruises to coincide with the launch of its 2015 Europe programme.

Other agent tools include a reduced deposit of £99 per person on all Europe cruises; package fares on all fly/cruises departing next year; complimentary ‘all inclusive’ package on Caribbean Princess sailings from the UK; and guaranteed groups on Caribbean Princess.

Programmes on the Caribbean Princess include a seven-night Scandinavia cruise, a 14night North Cape and Summer Solstice departure and a 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruises, with prices leading in at £979 per person.

The line has also revealed that Royal

Princess, which was named by the Duchess of Cambridge last year, will return to the UK for spring and summer next year. The ship will sail out of Southampton on a series of British Isles roundtrips and one 12-night Baltic Heritage cruise, with prices starting from £1,419 per person.

Other itineraries are available on Regal Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess and Ocean Princess travelling to a variety of destinations.

The complimentary drinks package and £99 deposit are available on all cruises booked by June 30.

To book call 0843-373 0333, visit www.completecruisesolution.com or email salesteam@princesscruises.co.uk

THL launches new motorhomes for self-drive holidays in the States MOTORHOME SUPPLIER Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) is offering UK tour operators and travel agents the opportunity to drive more business through the US with its Road Bear RV and Britz USA motorhome fleets.

Following on from sister company Road Bear’s success, Britz USA was launched in November last year to offer agents more choice when planning self-drive holidays around the US for their customers.

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With depots in Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and San Francisco, the company also has some of the newest four berth vehicles to hit the American highways.

The Britz range includes 2013-15 models and all feature awnings, generators, storage space and fully equipped kitchens. Rentals also include linen and optional GPS. Road Bear meanwhile guarantees 2014-15 models including a new 29-

32ft Class layout with a larger interior slide-out for more spacious living.

All vehicles include Wi-Fi hotspots, tether anchor for child seat installation and cab-over child safety net, one-way rental options, a complimentary hotel/airport shuttle and 24-hour emergency assistance.

For more information call 020-7193 3518, email ukgroup@thlonline.com or visit www.britz-usa.com and www.roadbearrv.com

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THE BARBADOS Tourism Authority and Top Gear Festival have announced that 2008 Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, will join the line-up of presenters and motor sport legends at the Top Gear Festival in Barbados from May 17-18.

THE EGYPTIAN Tourist Authority has launched its official UK Facebook page at Facebook.com/LoveEgyptUK. The page showcases Egypt's tourism attractions and provides travel information, updates and tips for planning a holiday to Egypt.

CENTRAL CHAUFFEUR, owner of Cruisetransfer.com, has announced that it has extended its affordable luxury travel and cruise transfer services in Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona. The offer includes transfers to and from major airports throughout the UK from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City, Southampton, Dover and Harwich.

For details see www.cruisetransfer.com D-HOTELS & Resorts latest hotel, D-Resort Gocek, is set to open its doors in May. The property is set in the traditional Turkish village of Gocek and offers backdrops of forest-clad mountain ranges, a secluded beach and marinas.

CRUSADER HOLIDAYS has purchased two new Setra coaches to add to its existing fleet of ten.

LEEDS BRADFORD Airport has announced Martin House Children’s Hospice, Overgate Hospice, Arthritis Research UK, RAF Benevolent Fund and Yeadon Charities Association as its chosen charities for this year’s annual coin collection.

Under the scheme, passengers are encouraged to donate any loose sterling, foreign coins or notes in collection boxes located in the departure lounge and baggage collection area of international arrivals.

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WEX EUROPE, a provider of corporate payment solutions, has announced that it has joined the Guild of Travel Management Companies as an industry partner.

THE UK Holiday Group is looking to sign new deals with operators and cruise lines following a partnership agreement with the Conference of Naval Associations (CONA). The association, which is a federation of likeminded naval organisations, will now offer its members discounts on holidays and other travel services as a result of the new agreement. The group said it will also make a donation to the association for every holiday that is booked.

For details call 01603-886 700, email@theukholidaygroup.com or see www.theukholidaygroup.com SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT has launched a new website, aimed at improving customers’ journeys before they set off.

See www.southamptonairport.com P&O CRUISES and Cunard are extending their UK call centre opening hours to support travel agents for key selling dates. Based on high demand and following agent feedback the support centres will be open from 08:00 to 19:00 on the following dates: March 13 for the Cunard 175th anniversary launch general on sale date; March 27 for the P&O Britannia launch general on sale date; April 7 for the P&O 2015 programme launch on sale date; April 8 for the Cunard 2015 programme launch general on sale date; and April 9, 10 and 11 for extra help with the P&O and Cunard 2015 programme launch.

CroisiEurope offers ten-night Mekong journey from £1,475 CROISIEUROPE IS offering a ten-night journey along the Mekong between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap on the 48guest RV Indochine, one of the only ships to sail along the Cho Gao Canal between Saigon and My Tho. The itinerary allows guests to board and stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, allowing them time to immerse themselves in the destination. The cruise starts with an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City and visits My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Koh Chen, Kampong Tralach, Kampong Chhnang and Lake Tonle Sap, before arriving in Siem Reap where guests will disembark and check into a hotel for two nights.

Departures take place in March, April, August, September, October, November and December and another 17 departures of the reverse itinerary in March, April, July, August, September, October, November and December.

Prices start from approximately £1,475 person including eight nights on the RV Indochine, two nights' hotel accommodation in Siem Reap, all meals throughout the tour, some drinks on board, all transfers, visits and excursions as listed in the itinerary, guides for the visits to Ho Chi Minh City and Angkor, local guides throughout the cruise, a tour leader for the cruise and tours, emergency and repatriation insurance and gratuities.

To book or for further information call 020-8328 1281 or visit www.croisieurope.travel

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SHOW TIME...Superbreak’s sales executive David Hinder headed down to the Newell’s Holiday Show in Truro, Cornwall recently to show his support.

Pictured with David is Steph Borys from Newell’s Travel in Truro.

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newsbulletin Poll unveils rise of merry cruise drinkers A NEW study conducted by bonvoyage.co.uk has revealed that more than a third of cruise passengers estimate that they had alcohol in their system for the whole duration of their last voyage.

The poll, which surveyed 1,394 UK adults who had been on a cruise within the last five years, also found that almost a tenth of respondents admitted to not drinking anything on board other than alcohol during their cruise.

Of the participants questioned, the majority (68%) had all-inclusive alcohol options as part of their booking. Of these, 31% admitted that they most likely had alcohol present in their system throughout the entire duration of their voyage, while 57% admitted that they typically started drinking alcohol before midday, enjoying such cocktails as a bucks fizz or a liqueur coffee with breakfast.

Funway promotes Mother's Day treat in Chicago FUNWAY HOLIDAYS is encouraging agents to highlight short breaks to Chicago to clients in the run up to Mothering Sunday.

The operator says that the city offers a cheaper alternative to a New York City break and is home to great shopping experiences - from specialty retail shops to iconic department stores, lavish luxury boutiques and trendy favourites.

A four-night stay at the four-star The Drake Hotel leads in at £569 per person based on a March 27 departure including flights with United Airlines.

For more information visit www.funway4agents.co.uk

A BITE OF THE BIG APPLE...Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, is pictured marking the launch of Jet2holidays’ biggest choice of New York shopping breaks for winter, with 16 trips offered in total. The expansion sees the company double the number of New York flights and offer city breaks from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. Four-night breaks and weekend deals are also now available, as well as a special October half-term trip for families.

For details visit https://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

DID YOU KNOW...

MOUNT EVEREST, which is currently around 8,850m tall, grows at an estimated 4mm a year, pushed ever upwards by a meeting of tectonic plates.

Source: lonelyplanet.com

MyBookingRewards.com launches new centrally managed online system MYBOOKINGREWARDS.COM (MBR) has launched a new, centrally managed online rewards system.

Agents will now have complete control over the way they ‘click and earn’ by choosing the type of rewards they collect for each logged booking.

Suppliers will also be able to take advantage of the rewards fulfilment system via an automated management service.

The company will provide all registered agents with the option to alter their profile settings, choosing to be rewarded with credits to their MBR Cashcard, iTunes or Amazon accounts. Agents can opt for one overall reward type or set the reward type per member programme.

Profiles can also be regularly updated, allowing agents the opportunity to change their mind at any time.

For details see www.mybookingrewards.com/rewards

1st Class Holidays expands touring options in newly launched 2014/15 Complete Guide to Australia 1ST CLASS Holidays has launched its Australia 2014/15 brochure which features a range of new hotels, sightseeing and touring options across the continent.

The brochure is segmented by state/territory and contains hotels, lodges and resorts, as well as transfers, sightseeing and readymade touring itineraries. Car hire, rail travel and motorhomes are all featured and flights are available with eight different airlines.

An independent touring section is also featured for itineraries that span more than one state, with tours by

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both air and rail, in addition to a coach touring section.

New rail itineraries featuring the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Spirit of Queensland trains are available, with itineraries leading in at £949 per person based on twin-share for a seven-day Magical Reefs and Daydream Island itinerary on the Spirit of Queensland.

A ten-day Sydney, Rock & Reef Independent Touring itinerary, showcasing Sydney, Ayers Rock and North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda, leads in at £1,104 per person.

Cruising has also been expanded with itineraries from Holland America and Regent Seven Seas. New for 2014/15 are one-way cruises from London to Fremantle and a round Australia itinerary on the MV Astor, with prices starting from £4,180 per person, including 38 nights’ cruising from London to Australia, gratuities, two nights in Perth and the return flight from Perth to London.

To download the brochure visit www.1stclassholidays.com/downloadbrochures.html or for further information email brian.hawe@1stclassholidays.com

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MOVERS ● BLUE CHIP Holidays, the South West’s provider of four- and

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N NOTHER BUSY couple of weeks. I attended the Tipto event in York and felt like the man in the Milk Tray advert (for those of you old enough to remember it), where he had to go across rivers and up mountains etc. just to deliver his box of chocolates! It took me one hour and 45 minutes to do a 45-minute journey because of a fire on the motorway! I got there in the end and it was nice to be part of a light-hearted and interesting evening.

I caught up with Feysal from The Holiday Team and I have to say, I do like their way of not just showing one flight, but a month at a glance so that you can see if there are cheaper dates instead of having to keep putting a new date in. They have a lovely brochure and of course they only deal with independent agents & tour operators!

I also love Olympic’s low deposit of £49 - it’s always useful to have low deposits and they also offer departures from 28 UK airports. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Olympic is just cheap and cheerful - their Gold and Platinum Collection has a luxury range of hotels and you can upgrade your customers to the VIP service which includes private taxi transfers in resort as well as pre-departure airport lounge.

The long journey was worth it as I was lucky enough to win one of the main prizes, so a big ‘Thank You’ to Lynne Brocklesby from Olympic for my great prize of accommodation in Cyprus for two.

I also chatted to Dan from Do Something Different and I think it’s great that they have real tickets and there are no deposits and no cancellation fees - can’t be more helpful than that can they?

‘Never let your memories be greater than your dreams’ and ‘It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are’.

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by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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five-star self-catering holiday homes, has appointed Allan Lambert as managing director.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES has appointed Captain Yohannes Hailemariam as vice president flight operations.

SANDRA HICKEN has joined Vertical Systems as business development manager.

EDWARDIAN GROUP London has appointed Inderneel Singh as general manager of the May Fair Hotel.

SIMON FORDHAM has been appointed general manager of Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport North Terminal.

MÖVENPICK HOTELS & Resorts has announced two new appointments – Jan Bundgaard has been internally promoted to the position of vice president development, Europe and Africa, and Paul Mulcahy joins the company as vice president distribution and revenue management.

Khiri Travel launches in Indonesia KHIRI TRAVEL has announced the launch of its operations in Indonesia. The operator has partnered with Sunda Trails to open with offices in Lombok and Flores, with dedicated English and Dutch speaking teams in place.

Initially, the islands east of Bali (Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba and Flores), also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara Timor or East Nusa Tenggara) will remain as the cornerstone of the new tours, with all trips being personally selected by Anita Verhoeven, founder of Sunda Trails.

Go

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A total of £300 of Harrods Vouchers are up for grabs in our Vienna Tourist Office competition.

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Win a fantastic 2 nights stay at Efteling Park.

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Win a Kindle Fire HD, courtesy of Carnival.

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All this and more at:

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

CARIBTOURS IS giving agents the chance to win a week in Dubai. The seven-night prize consists of five nights at Jumeirah Beach in an Ocean Superior Room and two nights at Jumeirah Creekside in a Superior Room, both including breakfast. To enter, agents need to book a minimum five-night stay at either hotel (or combining the two) for travel between May 1October 31. All bookings must be made by April 7.

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AGENTS CAN win one of five ‘experience vouchers’ worth £100 each for days out including spa trips, whitewater rafting and wine tasting as part of Travel 2’s ‘Experience Extraordinary Western Australia with Qatar Airways’ campaign. The operator has teamed up with Tourism Western Australia and Qatar Airways to highlight the airline’s daily flights to Perth for holidaymakers keen to experience Western Australia. To be entered into the prize draw, agents need to book a holiday to Western Australia flying with the airline and including a minimum of three days' ground arrangements

with Travel 2. Qualifying bookings must be made by March 31. The company is also offering agents the chance to win a fournight holiday for two to Dubai as part of its new ‘Dubai, for the holiday that gives you more’ campaign in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing. To be in with a chance of winning, agents should make a new Dubai booking with the operator that includes a minimum of three nights’ accommodation by March 31.

For details visit www.travel2.com ●

TO CELEBRATE the launch of its new range of Croatia and Bosnia holidays, Transun is offering agents a £50 Love2Shop voucher when making any Croatia booking before March 31.

A dedicated e-brochure is available to view online at http://www.transun.co.uk/flipbook/ croatia/index.html.

For details visit www.transun.co.uk/agents

Agent offer HAVEN IS inviting agents and their families to stay at one of 30 of its holiday parks for £49. Four-night breaks are available commencing on March 17, 24 and 31, April 21 and 28 or May 5, 12 and 19, staying in a deluxe threebedroom caravan sleeping up to eight people for £49 per family. Alternatively, agents can book a four-night Easter break arriving on April 7 for £129 per family.

To apply, download the booking form at www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk and return it by email to trade.sales@bourne-leisure.co.uk

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Fancy a fam?

THE HALKIDIKI Tourism Organisation is hosting a five-day fam for agents on May 8. Highlights of the trip include a cruise around Mt Athos Byzantine Monasteries or free time for swimming/exploring the village, a visit to the mountainous historical village of Arnea and the beaches of Sithonia, taking in the Petralona cave where the first European skull was found, a walk through the picturesque village of Athytos and a visit to the Vergina Museum. The purpose of the fam is to showcase the variety of accommodation available, the range of activities and cultural wonders the region has to offer, in addition to its leisure/ beach options.

To apply for a place on the fam email sandra@sandybeach.cc

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newsbulletin InsideVietnam Tours offers 16-night off-the-beaten-track adventure from £2,400 INSIDEVIETNAM TOURS is promoting a 16-night tour that gives guests the chance to hike through mountains, stay in remote villages, camp near caves, enjoy cultural immersion on foot, bicycle and motorbike and experience beach-side relaxation.

The 'Vietnam Adventure' begins in Hanoi with a local food blogger, who takes guests to the city's hidden corners and markets to

discover culinary delights and taste street food, before boarding the overnight Victoria Express for the mountains of the Lao Cai province in northern Vietnam.

Four days of traditional culture, scenery and rural lifestyles follow, accompanied by an expert guide. Guests will meet the Dao, H'mong, Nuung, Lung Phin and Tay tribes who live near the Chinese border near Ha

Giang, and stay with a family in a house on stilts.

The tour continues in Phong Nha National Park to explore the caves and camp under the stars, followed by visits to Vinh Moc Tunnels (where villagers lived underground during the Vietnam-American War), the Imperial city of Hue and the coastal town of Hoi An. Prices lead in at £2,400 per person based on two sharing

and include nine nights' accommodation in hotels, two nights camping, two nights in a local homestay and three nights on a sleeper train; breakfast, some lunches and dinners; domestic flights; transfers and guided excursions as per the itinerary. International flights are extra.

For more information call 0117-244 3370 or visit www.insidevietnamtours.com

Cosmos offers regional flights to Antalya

FRED./ IS promoting short breaks to Hotel Jardin Tecina on the Canary island of La Gomera. The four-star property offers 434 rooms and suites plus a range of leisure and sporting activities that includes an 18-hole golf course. A three-night break, including flights and transfers, leads in at £589 per person.

For details call 0808-159 5256, email lawrence@fred.travel or see www.fredhoteljardintecina.co.uk

COSMOS HOLIDAYS has added a range of spring departures to Antalya, Turkey on selected dates from Bournemouth, Newquay and Glasgow Prestwick for both flight-only and packages.

A seven-night package departing from Newquay on April 3 costs from £499 per person including flights, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the Leda Beach Hotel in Side and transfers.

Through sister company Avro, flights are available from Glasgow Prestwick on March 20 and from Newquay on March 27 and April 3, with prices leading in at £349.

A departure from Bournemouth is available on April 17 and costs from £369.

Both companies will this year feature flights to Turkey (Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman) from up to eight UK airports with daily flights available from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton to Dalaman during peak season.

Experience Spain’s best golf courses with March savings from Kempinski GOLFERS ARE being offered the chance to play at a collection of Europe’s best golf courses with the launch of a range of five-star Spanish golf breaks.

Kempinski Hotel Bahía, MarbellaEstepona, has unveiled a selection of packages providing access to the Costa del Sol’s most famous venues including the Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup. The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is situated within easy reach of more than 50 courses including Finca Cortesin, the setting of the Volvo Match Play Championship from 2009-2012; European Tour venues San Roque, Sotogrande and La Quinta; as well as new emerging courses such as La Reserva and Almenara.

Until March 31, golfers can take advantage of a range of three- and fiveday packages while staying at the hotel.

Three-day breaks are available from

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€710 per person (approximately £590).

Golf weekend prices include 18 holes of golf with buggies at Valderrama, La Reserva and San Roque’s new course host of the 2006 Spanish Open - as well two nights’ breakfast accommodation in one of the hotel’s deluxe rooms and access to its spa and fitness club facilities.

Visitors seeking longer stays can experience a four-night stay featuring golf with buggies at Valderrama, San Roque (new course), Los Flamingos, Alcadeisa Links and Valle Romano, as well as the same hotel privileges from €995 per person (approximately £830) with the Golf on Top package.

Meanwhile, a Lifetime five-day break leads in at €1,232 per person (approximately £1,025), with four nights’ breakfast accommodation and a round of golf including buggies at Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, Sotogrande, La Reserve and San Roque’s Old Course.

Kempinski Hotel Bahía

The hotel is located a 45-minute drive from Malaga airport and 30 minutes from Gibraltar. Guests will benefit from personalised packages and reduced prices at more than 20 golf venues.

The hotel offers 128 spacious rooms and 17 luxury suites, featuring terraces and balconies with garden or sea views.

For further details or to book email golf.estepona@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

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

Activist Anon Sigh

Number: 010

A➠

B➠ Gain a ‘greater understanding’ of a destination with these Vacations

C➠

Tube Rod Eel

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, March 20th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 28th February is Leanne Hope, Regent Travel in Hartlepool.

February 28 Solution: A=2 B=8 C=9 D=4

Crossword

Think of two trees

Where Am I?

Noisy dog in East London?

Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.

Number: 010

Across 1. Boating holidays specialist (6) 4. Capital of Qatar (4) 8. Movie-based theme park operator ___ Studios (9) 9. Chinese boat, sounds like rubbish (4) 10. Bird of prey logo on the tail of Gulf Air (6) 13. Independent specialist, ___ Faraway Holidays (6) 14. Currency of Mexico (4) 16. English university city (9) 17. Italian holiday isle (4) 18. Group of nine islands in the Atlantic, part of Portugal (6)

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Down 1. Cate Blanchett recently won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in this movie (4,7) 2. City on the Rhone with a bridge to sing about (7) 3. This Project is a major Cornish tourist attraction (4) 5. Oslo Gardermoen airport code (3) 6. The world's first CBeebies Land opens here this year (5,6) 7. Famous dam on the Nile (5) 11. English gorge, sounds cheesy (7) 12. French city known for its champagne and gastronomy (5) 15. Scenic capital of the Styria state of Austria (4) 16. Taxi (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 March 14 2014

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2015 CRUISES NOW ON SALE SAVE

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PER PERSON

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Call 020 8780 7985 or visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

10 days, 8 guided tours Lisbon • Porto • Salamanca Departing March – December 2015

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bulletinbriefing

Industry Insight by...

Tracey Poggio, ANTOR chair, highlights members' new training programmes & events N THIS month’s column we would like to flag up a number of ANTOR members’ new training programmes, improved training programmes, roadshows and important trade events.

Destination training for the travel trade remains an important part of tourist board activity with more than half of all ANTOR members running a training programme registered with one of the top three UK training providers - Travel Uni, OTT and Equator.

Many members are looking to make their travel training programmes even bigger and better this year. Agents who complete St Lucia’s 45-minute course online and attend one of its fam trips become a “specialist”. And as of this year, only specialists are listed on the re-vamped website at www.stlucia.org. They also offer quarterly prizes to agents that log their bookings at www.saintluciaexpert.com The UK & Ireland office of Visit Flanders has announced the official launch of its new e-learning platform, Flanders Master.

Within this modular e-learning course, agents will be able to discover key points about Flanders, with the aid of videos, images and fun facts. The course includes a module focused on the Great War Centenary in Flanders – allowing agents to hone their skills on a topic that will be present in the minds of consumers throughout 2014 and the coming years.

The Egyptian State Tourist Office is also set to unveil a new e-training platform with Online Travel Training (OTT).

Participating travel agents will have four chances per year to win a magnificent one-week trip to Egypt for two, as well as being eligible to join the tourist office on its upcoming educational trips.

Korea Tourism Organisation is currently in the process of creating a new and dedicated training portal for the travel trade with OTT, which will be available within the next few weeks.

Gibraltar is similarly going to be relaunching its UK training site and launching to the German market in the next few months at www.gibraltartraining.com. In the UK they are also looking to target regional cities for ventures for promotion with local agents. Québec has also updated its training programme at www.quebecexperts.com, where agents can complete the course to enter to win vouchers. Oman is also offering agents the opportunity to sign up to and complete its online training at www.omanacademy.com, where they will not only gain lots of useful sales tips but might even win a Google nexus 7 tablet, Kindle or £10 Love2Shop voucher.

Travel Alberta is currently targeting agents and tour operators by producing an e-newsletter six times a year. The ‘Bear Essentials’ publication focuses on product updates, insider sales tips, personal views from suppliers in the region and competitions.

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"Especially exciting for us this year is our inaugural ANTOR meets the Travel Trade event that will be taking place in June. The event gives ANTOR members and members of the travel trade the chance to meet and network in an informal setting" ANTOR members are going to be busy this year with calendars starting to fill up already. Especially exciting for us this year is our inaugural ANTOR meets the Travel Trade event that will be taking place in June. The event gives ANTOR members and members of the travel trade the chance to meet and network in an informal setting. The ANTOR board and members decided to establish an event to provide a selection of our 60 members with the opportunity to meet with all sectors of the travel trade to boost their product knowledge and discuss how to promote the destination. We are also planning on hosting two seminars beforehand on adventure and responsible tourism.

ANTOR members have a number of individual events coming up for the travel trade. For example, the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism will host 50 UK travel trade and media delegates at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, London on May 14 for a ‘Lithuania Live in London’ event, showcasing the destination’s latest tourism products. Similarly, the Oman Ministry of Tourism will be visiting Southampton, Dublin, Birmingham and Cardiff for its fourth Oman roadshow in the UK & Irish Market, with film screenings and souk style networking.

The roadshow begins on April 28 in Southampton.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is also looking to host its inaugural ‘Showcase Antigua Barbuda’ event at Sandals Grande Antigua from June 4-6. The event will allow wholesalers and tour operators to meet with regional suppliers in the tourism industry - make sure to put the dates in your diaries!

This is just a small snippet of all the events and training programmes that ANTOR members are involved in this year. For more information on trade events, the ANTOR website at www.antor.com/events provides a platform where members can upload their calendars of events for the coming year.

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newsbulletin

InBrief ● BMI REGIONAL has launched its new service from Newcastle International to Brussels. The route is operated by a 49-seater Embraer jet aircraft twice daily Monday to Friday and on Sunday afternoons. The flights will offer business and leisure travellers the opportunity to reach the Belgian capital in 75 minutes from £80 per person including taxes one-way. ● QATAR AIRWAYS has launched a free Doha city tour for passengers who are transitting through Doha. The joint initiative, between the airline and Qatar Tourism Authority, will provide passengers with a unique transit experience. Passengers travelling with the carrier who have between five and 12 hours transit time in Doha can take advantage of the free city tour by visiting the Doha City Tour counter at Doha International Airport Transit terminal. The tour takes around three hours and includes visits to some of the key landmarks around Doha city including the Museum of Islamic Art, the Corniche, West Bay area, Katara Cultural and Heritage Village, The Pearl Qatar and Souq Waqif.

For details see www.qatarairways.com ● FINNAIR AND fellow oneworld alliance member S7 Airlines have agreed to new codeshare arrangements. From April 26, Finnair code will be added to S7’s new service between Helsinki and Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport, as well as to selected onward S7 services from Domodedovo to Novosibirsk, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Ufa and Yekaterinburg. In return, S7 will add its flight code to selected Finnair services from St. Petersburg and Yekaturinburg to Helsinki, and to selected onward Finnair services to the Finnish cities of Joensuu, Kuopio, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa. ● UNITED AIRLINES has expanded its inflight dining by offering glutenfree options for premium-cabin and United Economy customers on flights departing the US to points throughout North and Central America.

For details see www.united.com

Bangkok Airways introduces iPad minis as in-flight entertainment BANGKOK AIRWAYS is offering iPad minis as inflight entertainment for its Blue Ribbon Class passengers.

The iPad minis, supplied

by Bluebox Avionics, come equipped with a range of movie content including the latest Hollywood released movies, TV shows and music, along with various interactive games.

The carrier's president, Puttipong PrasarttongOsoth, said: “Delivering an outstanding passenger experience is at the heart of our ethos at Bangkok Airways. We are already

famous for our on-board boutique service, but we wanted to go an extra mile to ensure that our Business Class travellers’ flying experience is more pleasurable and enjoyable.”

The devices are offered to all Business Class travellers at no cost, and during the trial-run period, the service will be available on flights between BangkokMaldives, Samui-Hong Kong and SamuiSingapore.

For more information see www.bangkokair.com

Pegasus expands network with new routes to Kuwait and Ukraine's Simferopol PEGASUS AIRLINES is expanding its network with the addition of two new routes to Kuwait and Simferopol, its fourth destination in Ukraine.

Flights to Kuwait City from Stansted commence on March 25, flying four times weekly until May 9 - on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From May 9, flights will be daily at 12:55, with one-way fares starting from £105 including taxes and charges.

Simferopol is the airline's fourth destination in the Ukraine, after Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv. Launching on April 14, flights to Simferopol from Stansted will operate four times weekly (Mondays and Wednesdays at 01:40; Saturdays and Sundays at 23:35), with one-way fares starting from £92.65 including taxes and charges.

ROYAL BRUNEI Airlines has unveiled its new heritage-inspired uniforms for cabin crew, in the latest phase of the rebranding programme designed to share the culture of Brunei with the world. Female crew blouses have been detailed with traditional songket patterns along the hem, trim and back, with colours ranging from from coral dust to morning sky to fresh mint, based on the seniority of the crew. Matching traditional headscarves and chestnut brown skirts complete the updated ensemble. Male crew members will wear three-piece suits in matching brown, with a similar spectrum of Malay-inspired shirts and traditional standing collars.

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training Carnival Cruise Lines launches new social game CARNIVAL CRUISE Lines has created a new social game, Carnival CruiseAders, designed to assist travel agents in learning about cruising, speed booking and booking cruises online.

The game has been launched online on Carnival Passport – the line's travel agent training portal, and aims to both educate and reward travel agents, making learning more fun and interesting, and generating results.

The game will guide agents through three levels of training, including first-time cruiser acquisition, booking tools and policies, and in-depth training on the fleet of ships.

Advancing through each level, agents will engage in friendly competition by earning 'Fun points' which

can be exchanged for points in the Travel Agent Reward Program. The game also highlights the

top 100 players in realtime on a leader board.

For more information visit www.goccl.co.uk

New online course from Expedia TAAP THE EXPEDIA Travel Agent Affiliate Programme (TAAP) has launched a new course with Online Travel Training (OTT).

The course’s primary aim is to ensure that UK travel agents are fully aware they can sell any product available on the Expedia.co.uk website at exactly the same price that is available direct to the general public and at the same time, earn commission.

All agents who complete the course for the first time will receive a bar of chocolate, while a monthly draw will see one agent win a £35 Domino’s Pizza voucher.

For details see www.expediataap training.co.uk

Tourism New Zealand updates training programme with interactive modules TOURISM NEW Zealand reports that it has a busy year of training and activity ahead with a range of agent training, fam trips and events in the planning.

Agents looking for the latest product updates can visit the trade website which offers a wealth of resources from an Industry Guidebook covering New Zealand’s key destinations and

experiences to the latest news and event updates.

Agents can become experts in selling New Zealand travel by becoming a 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist.

The newly revamped training programme features a new set of interactive online training modules to complete that are easy to use and can be stopped and started as

agents please. Agents who become 100% Pure New Zealand Specialists receive special invitations to events, accreditation to prove knowledge to clients, as well as a broad and diverse knowledge of each region’s unique selling points and how to build them into an itinerary. The tourist board is in the process of planning a programme of

fam trips for the year ahead which will be highlighted at www.tourismnewzealand.com The tourist board also operates an Explore New Zealand programme, which offers discounts to front line travel sellers who are actively and currently selling New Zealand.

For more information see www.traveltrade.new zealand.com

Destination New South Wales hosts UK trade mission in London & Manchester DESTINATION NSW, the New South Wales Government agency responsible for tourism and major events, is hosting a trade mission from March 26-28 with events in London and Manchester.

The events will showcase new product offerings and travel experiences from Sydney and regional New South Wales to agents, product managers and other key partners.

The event programme offers a range of activities, informative sessions and the opportunity to meet with each supplier during appointment sessions.

After the workshops, agents will be

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treated to a typical Aussie barbecue, accompanied by New South Wales regional wines.

Agents who attend the events will also be in with a chance of winning return flights to Sydney with Qantas as well as a range of other prizes.

More than ten tourism operators are participating including leading hotels such as Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Some of Sydney’s must-do experiences such as BridgeClimb Sydney, Let’s Go Surfing and Sydney Princess Cruises will also

be attending, as well as The Legendary Pacific Coast region and Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism.

Agent events are being held at Manchester’s Great John Street Hotel and London’s The Sanderson Hotel (March 26 and 27 from 18:00-22:30 respectively) whilst the Product Manager event is being held at London’s Berkeley Hotel on March 28 from 11:00 to 17:00.

For more information or to register to attend one of the agent training events visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/uk2014

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personalitybulletin

Sangita Makwana Trade sales manager, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) At home

At work

What's your favourite household gadget?

George Foreman Grill.

What personal item do you have on your desk at work?

My Definitely Dubai bear.

What are your favourite TV programmes?

CSI and An Idiot Abroad.

What's the best thing about your job?

I have lots of fun doing what I do.

Who does the cooking?

Where?

What's a typical day like?

There’s no such thing!

What's a typical weekend for you like?

At the moment I’m preparing for my Mount Kilimanjaro trek for charity in August so I spend most of my spare time walking and trekking.

What's your favourite travel app?

Dubai the Destination, of course.

What's your guilty pleasure?

Chocolates – specifically a large box of Thorntons.

What do you do to relax?

Read books on my ibooks and listen to music.

What music do you listen to?

Jazz and a bit of RnB. What's your favourite movie?

Mamma Mia. What's been your latest DIY project?

I don’t do DIY!

“

I’m preparing for a Mount Kilimanjaro trek for charity in August

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”

March 14 2014

What other companies/organisations have you previously worked for?

Air Jamaica; McCluskey International looking after Kimpton Hotels and Arizona Office of Tourism; Travelshop, looking after their charter product; and Representation Plus looking after Oman.

If you could change one thing in the industry what would it be?

Salaries.

What was the last email you received?

This questionnaire.

What skill are you most proud of?

Building relationships.

What do you love about the travel industry?

Everything.

What item do you always take with you when travelling?

My passport ….and my iPhone!

At play Where would you most like to visit and why?

Tanzania for Mount Kilimanjaro, via Dubai of course!

What's your most embarrassing moment?

Hasn’t happened yet…

What are your hobbies?

Travelling, trekking, exploring & socialising.

What's your favourite (non-work related) website?

Quidco.

Do you use social media for work and play?

Always.

What trait do you dislike in other people?

Falseness.

What is your best quality?

I forgive easily.

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training NCL launches new Travel Partner Website with integrated interface NORWEGIAN CRUISE Line UK has relaunched its Travel Partner Website, combining trade resources and virtual university NCLU into one interface.

Building on the four pillars of the Partners First philosophy, the new interface offers new features to travel partners, as well as favourite elements from the previous separate portals.

These include Education, with partners benefiting from updates to the courses and online training programme, NCLU; Communication, with details of the latest fares, promotions and news; Easy to do business with, which offers one-click access to the booking engine, marketing resources and customer FAQs; and Reward & Recognition, which lists incentives, competitions and industry offers.

To mark the launch of the new website and the christening of the line's newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, the company has introduced a new elective module within NCLU which teaches partners all there is to know about the Breakaway-class

ships – Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.

NCLU also gives key travel partners the opportunity to earn points as they learn. For every completed course, partners will benefit from 25,000 points and those who complete electives will earn 10,000 points. As points add up, partners will progress through NCLU levels, being automatically entered into a prize draw which will take place in December. The higher the level, the more rewarding the cruise experience and this year there are four categories to be won: 50,000 points - Freestyle Specialist with the prize of a three-night European mini-cruise for two sharing an Inside Stateroom; 100,000 points Freestyle Professional with the prize of a three-night European mini-cruise for two sharing a Balcony Stateroom; 150,000 points - Freestyle Master which offers a seven-night cruise prize for two to a chosen destination, sharing a Balcony Stateroom; and 250,000 points - Certified Norwegian Cruise Line Expert, with the prize consisting of a seven-night cruise in a

chosen destination for two people sharing a Balcony Stateroom, plus $150 free on-board spending money.

Nick Wilkinson, the line's business development director, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our enhanced Travel Partner Website and NCLU. After listening to our key travel partners and their needs, developing one simple interface was the next step to increasing usability and ensuring that we help travel partners to sell cruise, impacting their bottom line and personal goals.”

To access the new site visit www.agents-uk.ncl.eu

CLIA UK & Ireland offers destination training for cruise agents CLIA UK & Ireland is introducing a unique set of 57 destination modules covering more than 350 worldwide ports to assist travel agent members in selling cruise holidays.

The Destination Series covers various geographical regions including South America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Alaska, North Asia and the South Pacific. The key features of the ports and regions will be highlighted with photographs, maps and facts, and accompanied by an informative commentary.

The Destination Series is a joint venture between CLIA UK & Ireland and CLIA Australasia whose training and development manager, Peter Kollar, has vast experience of worldwide destinations after spending many years as the shore excursion manager for Crystal Cruises.

The association's UK & Ireland director, Andy Harmer, said: “This informative series not only provides agents with key information but it enables them to truly add value by being knowledgeable about these ports and regions and demonstrating their expertise to potential customers.

"It also enables them to suggest additional pre- and postcruise opportunities, gives an understanding of popular excursions and illustrates the key motivators for customers choosing particular itineraries. It also means travel agents are able to consider cruise itineraries which they may not have thought about before, offering destinations that new to cruise customers or regular cruisers may not have considered in the past.”

The first modules within the Destination Series will be launched at the beginning of next month.

For further information visit www.cruiseexperts.org

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training Destination Staffordshire offers free places on training courses WITH AN ongoing commitment to promote the county’s offering, Destination Staffordshire, the region’s Destination Management Organisation (DMO), is to give local tourism and hospitality businesses the chance to enrol on a free destination and customer service training programme to mark English Tourism Week which runs from March 29 to April 6.

Destination Staffordshire is extending its provision of free courses in a bid to add value to the region’s vibrant visitor

economy, and support the small to medium sized businesses whose contributions are integral to its success.

To be eligible for the free training, businesses must have a turnover of less than £25million, and employ less than 250 individuals.

Registration for the courses will open on March 29, with 300 places to be filled on a first come, first served basis.

For more information email welcometoxcellence@tourism se.com, see www.welcometoexcellence.com or call 023-8062 5439.

RSSC joins forces with CLIA REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has announced that it is forming part of CLIA UK & Ireland's online learning modules re-launch.

The new, simplified modules include, for the first time, a new module from the cruise line and agents can gain an insight into the brand, how they can benefit from selling Regent as well as understanding what makes the brand unique from the onboard experiences to the free and unlimited shore excursions.

The module also includes selling advice for agents and an outline of the marketing tools available to them.

The line's senior director sales & marketing UK and Europe, Cecilia Abert, said "We are delighted to show our commitment both to the travel trade and to CLIA, by joining forces with them to promote a deeper understanding of our ultraluxury positioning. This is one of many steps in our renewed trade efforts watch this space for more campaigns due to roll-out this spring."

To complete the new module visit www.cruiseexperts.org

New Family module from Brand USA BRAND USA has introduced a Family module on its USA Discovery Program.

The new specialist badge allows users to learn why the US has the wow-factor when it comes to family holidays and includes details on a range of family attractions - from the famed Universal Studios and Walt Disney World in Florida and its sister Disneyland Resort in California, to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Texas and the 364-acre Cedar Point in Ohio.

For more information visit www.discoveramerica.com

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croatia LEGER HOLIDAYS is promoting its six-night Porec and the Istrian Riviera itinerary which leads in at £449 per person including breakfast accommodation and six evening meals. The tour includes a visit to Ljubljana with optional excursions to Rovinj, the Istrian Mosaic and Pula, the ‘Nice of the Adriatic’ – Optatija, and on the Ljubljana walking tour. Guests can travel door-to-door or from a convenient local joining point by Executive coach.

For details call 0844-324 9256.

Prestige Holidays launches new nine-night tour to Croatia & Bosnia PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS reports a year-on-year increase of 15% in Croatia business and says that it has also noticed a strong trend for multi-centre breaks of between seven and ten days, with five- or sixcentre stays not being unusual.

New for this year is a ninenight tour to Croatia and Bosnia hosted by Martin Bell OBE, formerly international correspondent for the BBC. The tour starts in Zagreb and continues by train to Osijek, a town on the river Drava. It also takes in the Vukovar in Croatia, the site of intense shelling and attacks in the early 90s before travelling south to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and visits Snipers Alley and The Sarajevo Tunnel.

From here it goes across Bosnia-Herzegovina to

Mostar where the famous Ottoman bridge was destroyed in 1993 and then rebuilt in 2004. The tour ends with a four-night stay in Dubrovnik. Here guests will take a day trip to the island of Korcula and see a private performance of the famous Moreska sword dance-drama, as well as a half-day in Cavtat. Prices for the tour, which departs on October 20, lead in at £2,350 per person.

The operator's marketing manager, Nicky Shafe, said: “We are very excited about the new tour which we are confident will sell out quickly.

Any agent interested in it should contact our groups department on 01425-480600.

“Croatia continues to sell well. Business from around Europe is high so securing allocations can be difficult.

We have increased ours for

2014, but with certain resorts we are still advising people they need to book early. We already have stop sales on some hotels for peak season particularly in Dubrovnik but we can always make alternative suggestions” The company is featuring a number of special offers to Croatia including a saving of £137 per couple on stays at Villa Marija in Tucepi with a May break starting from £384 per person. It includes

breakfast accommodation, shared transfers and flights from Gatwick. Also on offer is a week’s stay at the Hotel Horizont in Baska Voda from £464 including breakfast accommodation, a seven nights for the price of six offer, flights from Gatwick to Split with Norwegian Air and shared transfers.

For more information or to book see www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/c roatia or call 01425-480400.

Hotel Horizont

Anatolian Sky offers more options to combine Croatia with Slovenia & Montenegro ANATOLIAN SKY Holidays’ latest programme of holidays to Croatia also includes the neighbouring countries of Slovenia and Montenegro.

The operator is recommending clients who are keen to add variety to their holidays to consider combining a city or beach break in Croatia with a stay in either of the two neighbouring destinations.

The company offers a range of tailor-made holiday options including twin-centre breaks combining a city

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stay in Dubrovnik with the beach in Montenegro, or a city stay in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and a beach break on the Istrian Peninsula.

Prices start from £939 per person for three nights at the Hotel Uvala in Dubrovnik and four nights at the Hotel Varda in Kotor, travelling in late April.

Alternatively, three-centre options are available combining several highlights of Slovenia with a stay on the Istrian Peninsula. For example, a ten-night trip incorporating three

nights at the Antiqu Palace Hotel in Ljubljana, three nights at the Grand Hotel Toplice on the shores of Lake Bled, and four nights at the Hotel Lone in the Istrian resort of Rovinj, costs from £1,499 per person, travelling in early May. All prices are based on two adults sharing and include bed-and-breakfast accommodation, flights and transfers.

For more information visit www.anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.

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croatia Eight-day Croatian Island cruising option from £668 per person with Contiki CONTIKI IS offering a new Croatian Island Cruising trip which gives travellers the chance to sail around the mainland and islands over an eight-day itinerary.

Guests will start their journey on the island of Hvar followed by the walled fishing village of Korcula with its distinct Venetian architecture and locally produced white wine.

Dubrovnik is the next port of call with time to explore the Baroque buildings, museums, monasteries and beaches, and after a scenic sail past the Elaphite Islands, known for their palms, cypresses, olive trees, citrus plantations and colourful reefs, guests will arrive at the village of Trestenik which offers views of the Korcula archipelago.

Other highlights include a visit to Makarska for a chance to explore the sandy beach and bustling markets and the island of Split with time to take in real Roman heritage with a wander through Diocletian’s Palace.

The itinerary includes two ME Time optionals, designed so travellers can make the most out of their trip by taking part in experiences, and include a Dubrovnik city walls kayaking excursion and a city walking tour.

Prices start from £668 and include seven nights' breakfast accommodation, seven additional meals, a dedicated captain and crew, plus port and visitor taxes.

For more information visit www.contiki.com

Debut sailing itineraries from G Adventures with eight days from £722 per person G ADVENTURES has introduced sailing in Croatia for the first time this year.

An eight-day DubrovnikSplit itinerary costs from £722 per person and takes in a range of secluded islands and deserted beaches.

Other highlights include an exploration of Korčula, the birth place of Marco Polo; visiting Mljet National Park and Diocletian's Palace in Split; and sampling the nightlife.

The price includes a

seven-night sailing on a yacht with a skipper and snorkelling equipment.

Basic items on the boat will be covered by a food kitty of about €50 per person, while meals ashore will cost an additional €250-

300. The yacht offers five double/twin cabins, three shared bathrooms and four showers.

The company is offering a 15% discount on standard double rooms based on a May 3 departure.

ORBITAL TRAVEL has added a seven-night Dalmatian coastal cruise to its cruise programme. The cruise begins and ends in the medieval city of Dubrovnik and showcases the region’s scenery. Stopovers include the islands of Mljet, Korkula, Vis and Hvar, the medieval cities of Sibenik, Trogir and Split, and the Kotor estuary in Montenegro. Departures are between April and October and prices lead in at £1,325 per person, including flights, transfers and seven nights' all-inclusive on the MS Belle de l'Adriatique.

For details call 0333-123 7147 or see www.orbitaltravel.co.uk

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croatia

GRAND UK Holidays has a new Croatian holiday for summer called ‘The Istrian Riviera’ which visits Pula, Rovinj, the Postojna Caves and the Lipica Horse Stud Farm. Accommodation is based near the town of Porec and includes flights from Stansted. Prices lead in at £599 per person for eight days on a half-board basis.

For details call 01603-619933 or visit www.grandukholidays.com

Transun marks new packages with trade incentive of £50 Love2Shop vouchers TRANSUN HAS launched a new selection of Croatia and Bosnia holidays and is offering agents a £50 Love2Shop voucher to redeem when making any Croatia booking before March 31.

One of the new packages is a seven-night ‘Bosnian Highlights’ option, which features six nights in Dubrovnik and a night in Sarajevo.

Prices lead in at £1,345 per person based on two people sharing and include flights from a range of selected national airports, transfers, breakfast accommodation and guided walking tours of Sarajevo, Mostar and Dubrovnik.

The operator's director of trading, Nico Kostich, said: “We are excited to add to our exclusive package offerings to Croatia and Bosnia; it is such a beautiful part of the world that is steeped in rich history. We hope agents share in our excitement and that the Love2Shop voucher rewarded for each booking of any of our eight Croatia packages serves as a great incentive to drive bookings to the area.”

Other new highlights include a seven-night ‘Villa Escapes’ holiday on the Dalmatian coast in a villa on Sviracina Bay, exclusive to the operator's guests; a short 'Hidden Hvar’ break that includes a vineyard visit; and ‘Southern Pearls’, a cruise of the Adriatic coast which includes a visit to Vis, one of the most remote islands in Croatia.

A dedicated e-brochure is available to view at www.transun.co.uk/flipbook/croatia/index.html For further information visit www.transun.co.uk/agents or call 01865-265200.

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March 14 2014

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croatia Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts announces launch of new property for summer PARK PLAZA Hotels & Resorts is opening a new hotel this summer - the fourth contemporary property in Croatia, increasing the brand’s number of rooms in the destination to nearly 1,400.

Following a €17million renovation, the existing Hotel Belvedere Medulin

will be rebranded to Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin.

The four-star hotel will offer approximately 428 rooms and will feature a spa with indoor and outdoor pools and football fields for year-round sports use.

Reli Slonim, the hotel group’s vice president Croatia, said: "Park Plaza

Belvedere Medulin is yet another milestone for the development in the region and collaboration between PPHE Hotel Group and Arenaturist. Despite the global financial crisis, we will have significantly upgraded and rebranded nearly half of the Arenaturist portfolio, when

we open the doors of Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin in June.”

Direct flights are available to Pula from a range of UK airports including London, Manchester, Newcastle and new routes this summer from Dublin and Edinburgh.

For more information visit www.parkplaza.com/croatia

Riviera Travel offers eight-day Dubrovnik, Dalmatian Coast & Montenegro tour from £829 RIVIERA TRAVEL is promoting its eight-day Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro fully escorted tour, which operates on selected departures between May and October.

It includes flights to Dubrovnik or Split from Gatwick, Heathrow, Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford, Edinburgh, Belfast or Manchester; seven nights' half-board in three- and four-star hotel accommodation; and a tour manager.

Highlights of the tour include visits to Dubrovnik, Krka National Park and its waterfalls and Mostar; a tour of Montenegro, a visit to Split and a tour of the Emperor Diocletian’s monumental palace, one of the greatest Roman structures in eastern Europe; plus a visit to medieval Trogir in Dalmatia.

For more information email agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk or visit www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Classic Collection expands property portfolio with 22 new additions Brac Bol Abbey

CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays is adding no fewer than 22 new hotels to its Croatia programme for 2014, bringing the total number of properties featured to 46.

The operator has also expanded its choice of resorts to include Sipan, Omis, Brac, Krk and Rab and has also added an eight-day Adriatic cruise from Dubrovnik on the newly launched MS Splendid motor cruiser which features 19 cabins.

The company's deputy managing director, Matt Rice, said: "Croatia is a beautifully unspoilt area of the Mediterranean, but one which, in the past, has not necessarily been associated with luxury hotel products.

Nowadays it’s not just the main area of Dubrovnik which features luxurious

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hotels but areas such as Split, Makarska, the Istrian peninsula and the delightful Croatian islands.

"Our new brochure features a vast selection of four- and five-star properties which score very well on customer review sites. Croatia is also a destination well supported by regional flying allowing us to offer customers our usual service of a flexible choice of UK departure airports, airlines and holiday duration."

Brac is a 50-minute ferry ride from Split and is Croatia’s third largest island featuring the Golden Cape, the country’s best known shingle beach.

Seven-night stays at the waterfront Villa Vela Luka start from £541 per person in April.

Krk, which offers its own airport, is one of the most popular and easily accessible Croatian islands retaining much of its historic ambience and offering secluded pebble coves and blue flag sandy beaches. Prices lead in at £590 per person for seven nights at Hotel Malin. Rab is home to the scenic Rab Town, with its well preserved old quarter punctuated by church spires and cobbled streets. Its unexpected nightlife makes it a hit with a younger crowd in the height of the summer, while clients seeking stunning and dramatic scenery should head to Omis where the Biokovo Mountains make the area popular with walkers and hikers.

For further information visit www.classic-collection.co.uk or call 0800-008 7288.

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croatia Insight adds 'Country Roads of Croatia' option for 2014 INSIGHT VACATIONS is featuring a new 14-day Country Roads of Croatia in its 2014 Europe, Britain, Eastern Mediterranean and Morocco brochure.

The itinerary highlights the islands, seas and historic towns of Croatia and starts in the capital of Zagreb.

Following a detour to Slovenia to see the stalactites and stalagmites in the caves of Postojna, guests will travel to the seaside resort of Opatija.

Other highlights include a scenic journey along the Adriatic to Plitvice National Park, a visit to Split where a local expert will lead guests through the labyrinthine streets to explore above

and below the ground within the walls of a Roman palace and island hopping with visits to Brac and historical Krocula.

The itinerary also takes in the sights of Dubrovnik with a three-night stay, as well as a trip to Montenegro to visit the towns of Kotor and Budva.

Prices lead in at £2,799 including flights, VIP door-to-door airport transfers, 13 nights' breakfast accommodation with a further six meals, included sightseeing and the services of a tour director.

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

Explore highlights multi-active breaks for clients seeking adventure EXPLORE HAS introduced a new cycling tour to Croatia as well as a new multi-active break to entice clients seeking adventure.

The 'Multi Active Croatia' option is based in a rural hamlet with access to the Dalmatian Coast.

Guests can enjoy the thrills of whitewater rafting, go sea kayaking and canyon through caves

and waterfalls. There is also time to discover the destination's historic sights and take in Croatia's many islands on a cruise.

Departing in July, August and September, the new eight-day tour costs from £1,170 per person including flights, seven nights' guesthouse accommodation with breakfast, seven other

meals, transport, a tour leader and activity guides.

A 'Cycle the Dalmatian Coast' itinerary, which stretches from Split to Dubrovnik, is also available from £1,225 per person for eight days.

Local ferries take guests to the islands of Hvar and Korcula which can then be explored by bike on quiet roads, riding past vineyards, olive groves,

dramatic limestone cliffs, forested hills and hidden coves.

The tour departs in May, June and September and includes seven nights' breakfast accommodation, transport, bike hire, a driver and tour leader/ cycle guide.

For further information or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 0844-499 0901.

^ƉĞĐŝĂů /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ dŽƵƌ ǁŝƚŚ DĂƌƟŶ Ğůů ƚŽ ƌŽĂƟĂ ĂŶĚ ŽƐŶŝĂ This very special 10 day tour will be led by DĂƌƟŶ Ğůů K , probably best known for his news ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŽĨ ŵĂŶLJ ĐŽŶŇŝĐƚƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƌŽĂƟĂ ĂŶĚ ŽƐŶŝĂ͘ ĞƉĂƌƟŶŐ ŽŶ ϮϬƚŚ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϭϰ͕ ŝŶ ĂŐƌĞď ƚŚĞŶ ǀŝƐŝƟŶŐ KƐŝũĞŬ͕ sƵŬŽǀĂƌ͕ ^ĂƌĂũĞǀŽ͕ DŽƐƚĂƌ ĂŶĚ ƵďƌŽǀŶŝŬ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĂƌĞ ũƵƐƚ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚƐ͘ WƌŝĐĞ͗ άϮϯϱϬ ƉĞƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŝŶĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ŽĨ ŇŝŐŚƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ͕ ƐŽŵĞ ĞdžĐƵƌƐŝŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ŐƵŝĚŝŶŐ͕ ϰ ƐƚĂƌ ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟŽŶ͕ ŵĞĂůƐ ĂƐ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĞĚ͕ ƉŽƌƚĞƌĂŐĞ ŝŶ ŵŽƐƚ ƉůĂĐĞƐ͕ ƚĂůŬƐ ĂŶĚ ĞŶŐĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ǁŝƚŚ DĂƌƟŶ Ğůů K ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ƚŽƵƌ ŵĂŶĂŐĞƌ͘

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480600

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croatia Balkan Holiday adds new resorts to Croatia programme for summer BALKAN HOLIDAYS has added two new resorts to its Croatia programme for this summer – the ‘Grande Dame’ town of Opatija and the nearby holiday spot of Lovran, both on the Kvarner Riviera on the Northern Adriatic coast.

Famous as a holiday destination for the Hapsburg nobility 160 years ago, thanks to its spas, sea views and grand hotels, Opatija retains much of its charm and style with a selection of five-star hotels, as well as accommodation for holidaymakers on a budget. The company is offering 16 hotels ranging from two- to five-stars, with prices from £508 per person for seven nights at the two-star Hotel Belvedere, including flights and transfers.

Just 7km from Opatija, Lovran features Baroque houses, a town square and a Romanesque church and is regarded as one of the most attractive towns on the Riviera. The operator is offering a three-star and two four-star hotels in Lovran, with prices from £524 staying at the three-star Hotel Bristol for seven nights, including flights and transfers.

Flights will be to Pula from

Lovran

Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle, between April and October.

The company's sales and marketing manager, Rupert Diggins, said: “With an increased number of flights now serving the Kvarner Riviera from various UK

airports we saw this as a great opportunity to offer these wonderful Croatian resorts to British holidaymakers.”

For further information or to book visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk/agents or call 0845-130 1114.

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PRICES FROM

£

645

PER PERSON

FOR BOOKINGS CALL 01865 565221 OR VISIT WWW.TRANSUN.CO.UK

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March 14 2014

● FROM APRIL 4 Ryanair will introduce flights from Manchester to Zadar.

For details see www.ryanair.com ● ZAGREB HAS been named as the second best European destination for 2014, coming in closely behind Porto in Portugal. The top ten was put together by European Best Destinations, a non-profit organisation based in Brussels who promote culture and tourism in Europe. ● DSP STUDIO & Momentum Studio has been awarded the Ulysses Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism for its latest app.

Handed out by the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Madrid, the team from Šibenik claimed the award for their innovative 3D AR Visual Portal project. The project is a virtual 3D-guide taking visitors on a tour of Šibenik's famous Sveti Jakov cathedral. Installing the app sees famous 15th century sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac tell the story of the history of the town's cathedral. ● THE TRAVEL Network Group will hold its annual conference at the Hotel Le Meridien Lav in Split. The event takes place from October 35. ● CROATIA WELCOMED more than 409,025 British holidaymakers last year, a boost of 23% compared to 2012’s figures. The UK and Ireland market has experienced year-on-year growth since 2010 and is now among the four primary strategic markets that Croatia will focus on this year.

For details visit www.croatia.hr ● THIS YEAR the Opatija Riviera will celebrate 170 years of tourism and has introduced a new logo for the region to mark the occasion. The new design represents the six tourist boards that make up the Riviera, including Opatija, Lovran, Mošćenička Draga, Ičići, Kastav and Matulj.

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Palm Beach Hotel & Bungalows undergoes refurbishment THE PALM Beach Hotel & Bungalows on the outskirts of Larnaka in Cyprus has been closed since December for an extensive refurbishment programme, and has announced that it will reopen on March 26.

Antonis Papakyriakou, the hotel's general manager, said: “The recent refurbishment programme has included the remaining 20 luxury Garden Studio Bungalows, the Royal Suites and connecting Superior Sea View rooms (four suites and four connecting rooms), all of the second floor rooms, 45 in total with the creation of Superior Sea View rooms, new corridor carpets on all floors, newly resurfaced tennis courts and a fully renovated Aldephi Lounge, the lobby area featuring a state-of-the-art sushi bar.

“Our core market is from the UK and we have had excellent sales from UK tour operators. We are looking to increase our wedding business and feel that the refurbishment of the suites will meet the demands of couples looking for something really special. The Bungalows on the other hand are very popular with families particularly in the school holiday periods and we are looking to see increases in family bookings from the UK for this coming season now that we’ve completed all 40 units.”

Prices for a seven-night holiday, based on two adults and two children sharing a Garden Studio Bungalow on half-board, is £2,186.58 for travel with Jet2holidays from East Midlands on May 28. It includes flights and transfers.

For details see www.jet2holidays.com or call 0800-408 5599.

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ALDEMAR HOTELS' Royal Mare Thalasso Spa Centre in Crete has launched a new Thalasso spa brochure to coincide with its re-opening in April. The brochure highlights a range of two, four and six day spa programmes in four core areas. As an example, a ‘Wellness – New energy’ package is designed to energise, regenerate and sooth the body. Guests can choose two, four, or six days and will receive four treatments per day, including seaweed wraps, massages and seawater pool treatments, with prices from €263 for two days. A typical seven-night holiday inclusive of flights, transfers and accommodation in a garden view room on bed-and-breakfast at the beginning of May costs from £599 per person, bookable through operators including Classic Collection Holidays, Cosmos Holidays, Cyplon Holidays, Jet2holidays, Monarch Holidays, Olympic Holidays, Planet Holidays, Thomson Holidays and Wellbeing Escapes.

For details see www.aldemar-resorts.gr

Bookings to Cyprus up 25% for Prestige Holidays PRESTIGE REPORTS that it has seen a surge in Cyprus business for this year with bookings up 25%.

The company's marketing manager, Nicky Shafe, said: “Bookings to the island were static for a while but the cloud has now lifted and Cyprus is very much back in business. This is due in part to troubles elsewhere in the world and also the strength of the pound which has seen bookings to all Mediterranean destinations grow.

"The Elysium and Annabelle remain our most popular hotels in Cyprus. Le Meridien is to undergo a major refurbishment this winter, which I am sure will give its business a boost next season.

“The Alexander the Great Hotel in Paphos

has also been a great addition to our programme. It is selling really well with both families and couples. Couples particularly like the adult-only cabanas and swimming pool and the outdoor entertainment venue is also very popular."

As an example of prices, clients making a booking by April 30 for a stay at the Asimina Suites in Paphos this summer will receive free half-board. Alternatively, for an allinclusive booking clients will save £421 per couple. A week’s stay at the boutique style property costs from £1,056 per person on half-board or £1,427 on all-inclusive basis, including the savings. The price also includes flights and transfers.

For more information call 01425-480400 or see www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

March 14 2014

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greece&cyprus Halkidiki’s Sani Resort updates onsite facilities ready for April reopening SANI RESORT, on the Halkidiki peninsula of mainland Greece, has been updating its offerings with new restaurants, shops and room refurbishments, ready to welcome guests from April 17.

Upgrades include the introduction of larger umbrellas on the beach for guests and new sun loungers; new playground slides and roundabouts, with shaded bench areas; and a refurbishment of The Melissa Creche and Mini Club with a purpose built baby room, toddler rooms, siesta rooms, themed children’s areas and a new outdoor playground surface.

Most of the resort's restaurants will now offer gluten free options on the a la carte menus, while new live cooking stations at the Veranda restaurant will also be unveiled.

Meanwhile, accommodation options now include new oneand two-bedroom beach front family suites, offering up to 105m2 space for guests. The suites offer direct beach access and large private gardens. In-room Nespresso machines are also now available in all of the hotel's rooms, while a new infinity pool has also been installed.

Sani Asterias Suites, the boutique all suite accommodation sitting on Sani’s marina, has also undergone an extensive refurbishment, with new fabrics and four poster beds. And at Porto Sani Village, subtle refurbishments include new fabrics for curtains and lounge furniture plus the renovation of public areas.

At the centre of Sani Resort is Sani Marina, which has been revamped with more culinary and shopping options for guests.

The resort is also introducing a number of initiatives and new activities for families to enjoy and room rates lead in at €126 per room, per night at the Sani Beach Hotel.

For further information or to book visit www.saniresort.gr

Villa additions from Sunvil Holidays Ktima 1937

SUNVIL HOLIDAYS has added two new villas for this year.

The secluded Frene Villa, which sleeps ten, is located in the village of Geroskipou, near Paphos and offers a private pool and small children’s play area. Prices lead in at £560 per person, based on four sharing, and include seven nights’ selfcatering accommodation, flights from Gatwick and car hire.

Lampis Villa, which sleeps six and is located at the edge of Neo Chorio village, also offers a private pool, barbecue area and vegetable garden, with panoramic views over the Akamas coastline. The property is a five-minute walk from tavernas and a mini market and prices lead in at £505 per person, based on four sharing, including seven nights’ self-catering accommodation, flights from Gatwick and car hire.

Also new for this year is the recently-converted Ktima 1937, a traditional village property located in Cyprus' Droushia, with five apartments and a shared pool. Prices lead in at £615 per person based on two sharing, including seven nights’ breakfast stay, flights from Gatwick and car hire.

Meanwhile, the company is offering trips to new regions in Greece including North Karpathos in Dodecanese Islands, where prices lead in at £865 per person based on two sharing, including seven nights’ self-catering at the traditional Dorana Studios, flights and transfers. In Pythagorion, Samos, which is also new for this year, prices start from £612 including seven nights’ self-catering at Dias Studios, flights and transfers.

For more information visit www.sunvil.co.uk

Free Meet & Greet parking from Mark Warner

GREEK BREAKFAST is a programme of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH) designed and in operation since 2010, whose main aim is to enrich the breakfast offered at Greek hotels with fresh and unique Greek products, as well as with traditional local dishes from each region of Greece. The Mediterranean Diet is not just a modern dietary trend but, according to UNESCO, the “intangible cultural heritage of mankind”. Hotel guests are offered the chance to get to know the gastronomic wealth of the destination and to taste at breakfast the range of Greek products and dishes that are at the heart of the Mediterranean Diet. As an example, Halkidiki’s Greek Breakfast contains olives and olive oil, local honey, a range of cheese products, marmalades and sweets and pastries. A total of 15 hotels in Halkidiki are certified by the Greek Breakfast Label, with several more expected to be certified this year.

For details see www.greekbreakfast.gr/en/ and www.visit-halkidiki.gr

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March 14 2014

MARK WARNER, which offers a number of resorts in Greece, is offering free Meet and Greet parking for all holidays from Heathrow and Gatwick in peak season.

The operator has increased flight capacity throughout the season following demand and reports that sales to Kos alone are up 27% from last year.

Package prices to Lakitira, based on an April 28 departure, lead in at £500 per person.

For details see www.markwarner.co.uk/offers/meet_and_greet

Ryanair introduces flights to Athens FROM APRIL 1, Ryanair is introducing flights from London to Athens.

The airline will offer up to two daily flights from Stansted, with prices starting from £24.99 one-way. Two aircraft will be based in Athens that will serve, in addition to London, Milan, Paphos, Rhodes, Chania and Thessaloniki, where the carrier will also create a base.

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greece&cyprus Corfu's Marbella Beach Hotel unveils new family rooms, pool bar & restaurant THE MARBELLA Beach Hotel in Corfu has recently undergone renovations to unveil a new Greek restaurant, re-imagined pool bar complete with big screen and a fresh subterranean entertainment venue.

The hotel has also announced the launch of 20 new family rooms all of which lead directly into the property's gardens.

The new Pool Bar's big screen will show the most popular sporting events of the year and there will also be an entertainment area with a selection of local beers on offer. A new underground music venue complete with bar, DJ and live music will also open to provide a vibrant setting in which guests can socialise and dance the night away.

Classic Collection Holidays is offering a seven-night, half-board stay for a family of four for £2,239 based on two adults and two children sharing a family room.

Prices for all-inclusive lead in at £2,836 and both include flights from Gatwick and private transfers, based on a May 12 departure.

For more information or to book call 0800-294 9318 or see www.classic-collection.co.uk

Contiki introduces new eight-day Greek sailing adventure from £734 CONTIKI HOLIDAYS' new 2014 Europe brochure offers a range of new tours from which to explore the continent and the company's 'Backstage Pass to Europe' has been given greater emphasis, giving guests the benefit of jumping the queue at many popular attractions - from the Vatican Musuem in Rome to Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

The increase of Me Time (free time) optional excursions has also been expanded from 50 to 100 across Europe.

As an example of itineraries, a new 'Greek Sailing' option has been added to the programme and offers guests the chance to step into the shoes of Robinson Crusoe as they explore the lesser known gems of the Saronic Coast. Sun soakers, snorkellers and budding skippers are all catered for on the tour and the adventure begins in the historical capital of Athens with an introduction to crew and fellow travellers.

The eight-day trip continues on to the fishing village of Perdika where guests can explore before settling down for a full Greek fare. Hydra is the next port of call with exploration on foot or by donkey.

Other highlights of the itinerary include visits to Nafplio, Spetses, Dhokos and Poros, before venturing to the final port of call, Aegina, where guests can enjoy a farewell party before heading back to Athens.

Prices start from £734 per person, land-only, including seven nights in two berth accommodation on a sailing yacht, seven breakfasts, a dedicated on-board skipper and port and visitor taxes.

For more information visit www.contiki.com

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Olympian Village

THOMSON’S HAS launched a new weekly flight to Patra Araxos in the west Peloponnese from Gatwick.

Family package prices with Thomson start from £599 per adult, from £370 for the first child and from £420 for the second child on half-board at the five-star, all-inclusive Aldemar Olympian Village, including flights from Gatwick on May 30.

The resort is being promoted as ideal for families, with a choice of rooms, suites, bungalows and apartments, plus a selection of facilities on and off the water, including cycling for the family and supervised children’s activities.

For more information see www.thomson.co.uk or call 0871-230 2555.

Olympic predicts strong summer bookings for Greek islands THE GREEK islands look set for a strong summer for Olympic Holidays, with bookings to Crete, Rhodes and Skiathos riding high, according to the operator's commercial director, Photis Lambrianides.

He said: "The bulk of Greek island hoteliers have maintained their rates at 2013 levels and with our early booking discounts the prices we can offer for summer 2014 are strongly competitive.

"Package holidays generally are back in favour and I expect the upward trend to continue. People are once again seeing the package is the best way to buy a holiday.

"Agents should remember the smaller Greek islands sell earlier, as clients have picked them out in advance as ideal holiday spots and there are fewer places to stay."

This summer, the operator has added Greek island hotels in Crete, Rhodes, Zante, Kos, Kefalonia, Santorini, Paros and Samos, with more studios and apartments offered in Chania, Crete.

A seven-night breakfast stay at the four-star Atrium Hotel in Skiathos, based on two sharing a twin seaview room, costs £653 per person in June. It includes flights from Gatwick and transfers.

For details call 0844-499 4449 or see www.olympicholidays.com

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greece&cyprus New holiday properties from Costa Navarino to be unveiled in 2015 COSTA NAVARINO in Greece has announced that Navarino Residences will be its next phase of development.

The new holiday properties will be available from early 2015 and are situated within the Navarino Dunes, the first area at Costa Navarino.

Complemented by a wide range of offerings and services available from the hotel facilities and the resort's two signature golf courses, the properties will provide a unique residency experience complete with sea views.

Four types of Navarino Residences will be available; the first comprises spacious beach-front villas with private infinity pools, built on large plots of land with unobstructed views of the Ionian Sea. The next type

consists of villas with private swimming pools, in a setting dominated by olive groves and greenery, with scenic 360° views. The third type includes villas with private swimming pools, situated in the tranquil surroundings of the golf course and lastly, Navarino Residences will also offer spacious apartments within the hotel premises, some of which will have their own infinity pools with views over the sea, the landscaped gardens or the olive groves.

Abercrombie & Kent is offering a seven-night stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino from £1,100 per person based on two sharing an Infinity King/Twin with a resort view and private pool, on a bed-and-

Planet Holidays launches summer 2014 Cyprus & Greece brochure PLANET HOLIDAYS, which has recently joined the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) for the first time, has launched its new summer 2014 Cyprus and Greece brochure to the trade.

The 208-page has been expanded to include more luxury and unique accommodation and villas in Greece, plus lesser-known islands and classic tours, with the emphasis on offering consumers a flexible and tailormade product.

The lead in price is £593 per person for seven nights at the four-star Thalassa Seaside Resort in Kamari, Santorini. It is based on two adults sharing and includes flights from Gatwick for an April 19 departure, transfers and breakfast.

In Cyprus, a selection of three-star properties have been added to complement the operator's wedding programme, as well as the newly opened four-star Amphora Hotel & Suites in Paphos.

Harry Kyrillou, the company's director, said: “Greece continues to be very popular with British holidaymakers and as ABTA pointed out in its 2013 trend report, it continues to attract UK tourists despite the political and economic turmoil over the last few years.

“We expect demand to be high in 2014 and decided to expand our programme, especially in the four-star accommodation band to give travel agents greater opportunities.

“We have also added some classic tours this year to provide another dimension for those wanting to supplement a traditional Athens city stay or mainland and island holiday with extra cultural cache."

Meanwhile, guests booking a suite at the five-star Kontokali Bay Resort and Spa on Corfu with the operator, between April 26 and October 20 for a minimum of a week’s stay, will receive a free ‘Rejuvenate You’ spa package with a week of spa treatments worth up to £400 or up to £800 on a twoweek stay.

For more information or to book call 01438-841270 or visit www.planet-holidays.co.uk

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breakfast basis. The price also includes flights and transfers.

For more information call 0845-485 1143 or see www.abercrombiekent.co.uk.

For details on the property visit www.costanavarino.com and www.westincostanavarino.com

Cyplon Holidays highlights seven-night Cyprus breaks from £512 per person CYPLON HOLIDAYS is promoting the Natura Beach Hotel & Villas in Polis.

The property is less than an hour's dive from Paphos on the North West coast of Cyprus and offers an ideal base for ramblers and watersport enthusiasts.

Based on a seven-night stay in May, prices lead in at £512 per person including breakfast accommodation, flights from London and private transfers, plus a local rep.

The operator is also highlighting a seven-night stay at the four-star Forest Park Hotel in the Troodos Mountains.

The hotel lends itself to nature walks, mountain biking, bird watching and wine trails, which can be arranged at the property's concierge, and prices lead in £621 including breakfast accommodation, flights, private transfers and a local rep.

Marketing Greece unveils new website MARKETING GREECE has launched www.discovergreece.com, a website created to showcase the complete portfolio of Greek tourism destinations and experiences.

The website aims to strengthen the visibility of Greece as a leading tourist destination worldwide and visitors to the site can view the unique experiences offered by more than 120 destinations within Greece.

The site also offers more than 3,000 photographs and 60 specially made videos, along with information on Hidden Gems, Highlights and Must See suggestions.

The company's general manager, Iossif Parsalis, said: "What differentiates discovergreece.com is the fact that it focuses on the product dimension of Greek tourism.

Utilising the experience of the tourism industry, Mckinsey’s report on the development of Greek tourism policy for 2021, the Marketing Greece team has delivered a website that incorporates the latest technology and most up-to-date practices of electronic and digital communication to a global audience."

For more information visit www.discovergreece.com

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greece&cyprus Skiathos Princess unveils â‚Ź1.5million refurbishment SKIATHOS PRINCESS Hotel, on the Greek island of Skiathos, is getting ready to re-open its doors in May following an extensive refurbishment to almost half of its rooms.

With spending reaching â‚Ź1.5million so far in on-going work, the unveiling of the new look Premier Building (40 rooms) and Bay Building (seven deluxe family rooms) in May will be the hotel's most dramatic to date.

Designed by Sotiris Bakopoulos, both buildings have been refurbished to remain in keeping with the Santikos Collection’s brand essence; offering a blend of heritage, lifestyle, culture and elegance.

The Deluxe Family Rooms within the Bay Building offer soft but contemporary furnishings and state-of-the-art facilities including flat screen TVs and wireless technology. Five of the seven rooms offer direct access to the gardens via furnished wood deck patios - and all are interconnecting with one double and two single beds making them ideal for families of four.

The Premier Building offers the widest selection of room categories throughout the resort; with seven to choose from across 40 appointed rooms including Deluxe Doubles and Deluxe Junior Suites to Premier Rooms with private pools and Suites with Jacuzzis.

Sovereign Luxury Travel offers seven nights’ half-board at the property from £839 per person including a complimentary upgrade to half-board, a complimentary room upgrade to a Bay Deluxe Double Sea View, flights from Gatwick with Thomson, airport lounge access and private transfers, based on a May 9 departure.

Skiathos Princess

For details or to book call 0843-770 4526 or visit www.sovereign.com Meanwhile, the hotel is building its wellness credentials by partnering with trainer and fitness entrepreneur, Rebecca Cartledge, of boutique fitness specialist Sandy Feet.

Guests staying at the property between July 25 and August 2 will be able to take part in daily one-to-one bespoke exercise sessions for a supplement of ÂŁ800. An example day includes an outdoor exercise class, a personal training session, pilates and yoga, paddle boarding/nordic walking and a deep massage or reflexology. The price includes the week's stay with a four-week preparation and four-week maintenance programme.

For more information email becky@rebeccacartledge.co.uk

KE^d Ed/EKh ZK^ ^/D/E ^h/d ^Í• zWZh^ WĆŒÄžĆ?Ć&#x;Ĺ?Äž ,ŽůĹ?ĚĂLJĆ? Ĺ˝ÄŤÄžĆŒ ƚŚĞ Ä?ÄžĆ?Ćš Ć‰ĆŒĹ?Ä?ÄžĆ? ƚŽ ƚŚĹ?Ć? ĨĂÄ?ƾůŽƾĆ? ‘adults only’ ĹšĹ˝ĆšÄžĹŻÍ˜ ŽŽŏ Ä?ÄžÄ¨Ĺ˝ĆŒÄž ĎŻĎŹ Ć‰ĆŒĹ?ĹŻ ƚŽ ĆŒÄžÄ?ÄžĹ?ǀĞ Ä¨ĆŒÄžÄž ŚĂůĨ Ä?Ĺ˝Ä‚ĆŒÄš ĂŜĚ ĆŒÄžÄšĆľÄ?ĞĚ ĞůƾdžĞ ůůͲ/ĹśÄ?ĹŻĆľĆ?Ĺ?ǀĞ Ć?ĆľĆ‰Ć‰ĹŻÄžĹľÄžĹśĆšÍ˜ WĆŒĹ?Ä?ÄžĆ? Ä¨ĆŒĹ˝Ĺľ ŽŜůLJ ÎŹĎ­ĎŹĎŽĎą Ć‰ÄžĆŒ Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜ Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ä‚ Ç ÄžÄžĹŹ Ĺ?Ĺś Ć‰ĆŒĹ?ĹŻÍ˜ tÄž Ä?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?ŽŽŏ ĂŜLJ ŇĹ?Ĺ?Śƚ Ä¨ĆŒĹ˝Ĺľ ĂŜLJ Ä‚Ĺ?ĆŒĆ‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÍ• Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ ĂŜLJ ůĞŜĹ?ƚŚ ŽĨ Ć?ĆšÄ‚Ç‡Í˜ ŽŜ͛ƚ Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒĹ?Ğƚ LJŽƾ Ç Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻ ĆŒÄžÄ?ÄžĹ?ǀĞ >ŽǀĞ ƚŽ ^ŚŽƉ ǀŽƾÄ?ĹšÄžĆŒĆ? Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ ĞĂÄ?Ĺš Ä?ŽŽŏĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹľÄ‚ÄšÄžÍ˜

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 or www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/cyprus/asimina-suite-hotel

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greece&cyprus

Kefalonia

We asked our staff the following question this week: What picture do you have as your home screen on your phone?

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CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays is featuring more than 50 early booking offers on its Cyprus hotels to encourage summer sales for 2014. The company is offering savings of £462 per couple per week with a complimentary upgrade to half-board on all stays at the beachfront five-star Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites in Paphos. The offer is valid on all holidays taken between April 1 and October 31 when booked before April 30. Savings of up to £252 per couple per week are available at the all suite Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri on stays between April 1 and October 31 when booked before March 31.

Meanwhile, the company has expanded its programme in Greece by adding the islands of Kefalonia and Naxos, the east and west Peloponnese and the city of Thessaloniki. Three nights in Thessaloniki lead in at £475 per person in April at the centrally located, five-star Met Hotel, including flights and private transfers.

For details call 0800-008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

Launch of National Museum of Contemporary Art THE NATIONAL Museum of Contemporary Art will open in Athens in late spring.

After 13 years of development, it will open its doors to the public at the former building of the legendary Athenian brewery Fix, one of the finest examples of post war industrial architecture in Greece.

Situated in the heart of Athens, with 20,000sq.m of space and divided into eight levels (including a roof garden for open-air exhibitions and events), it will be located at the end of a small promenade which will connect it with the new Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis Hill.

New Greek Islands mini-trip from Insight Vacations INSIGHT VACATIONS is featuring a new eight-day mini trip on its Gold itinerary Greek Islands that takes in Mykonos and Santorini.

The leisurely trip sees guests spend one day in Athens, three days in Mykonos and a further four days on Santorini, while staying in luxury hotels.

In Athens guests stay for a night at the five-star Grande Bretagne followed by two days at leisure to explore Mykonos and its windmills, winding maze of walkways, whitewashed houses and uninhibited nightlife. A high-speed ferry then transfers guests to the island of Santorini where they are met at the port and transferred to their hotel. The rest of the days are then taken at leisure.

Prices start from £2,499 per person including flights, transfers, 13 nights' breakfast accommodation in luxury boutique hotels, a tour director, coach transport and included sightseeing.

Meanwhile, highlights of a 13-day Treasures of Greece and the Islands option include visits to Athens, Nafplio, Olympia, Meteora and Santorini.

Prices start at £2,665 including flights, transfers, 13 nights' breakfast accommodation, a tour director, coach transport and included sightseeing.

For more information visit www.insightvacations.com/uk

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. BLAKES, 4. DOHA, 8. UNIVERSAL, 9. JUNK, 10. FALCON, 13. SUNSET, 14. PESO, 16. CAMBRIDGE, 17. ELBA, 18. AZORES. Down: 1. BLUE JASMINE, 2. AVIGNON, 3. EDEN, 5. OSL, 6. ALTON TOWERS, 7. ASWAN, 11. CHEDDAR, 12. REIMS, 15. GRAZ, 16. CAB.

Highlighted Word: ORLANDO Travagrams: (top) Insight Vacations

(bottom) DoubleTree

Where Am I?: Barking

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Experience a feast for fo your ur senses.

THE OMAN SHORT FILM SCREENING AND TOURISM SOUK – CO COMING TO O A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU! Join us for an evening of fun and discovery in n our Omani Souk and private viewings wings of a selection of short films. perts from Oman and the UK. WIN prizes both big and small and meet experts Venue and Dates: otel Dublin 29th April - Brook otel Southampton 28th April - Grand Harbour Hotel Brooks Hotel vid Hotel & Spa Birmingham 30th April - MAC Birmingham Arts Centre Cardiff 1st May - St David’s All timings 6pm - 9.30pm tionplus.co.uk or call 020 8877 4524 Reserve your place by email – oman@representationplus.co.uk

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