Travel Bulletin 26th July 2013

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July 26 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,836 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Short breaks

an overview of evolving and undiscovered territory in Russian cities & beyond

this week notes from normanton Sandy questions why people opt for all-inclusive holidays

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hotel bulletin hoteliers unveil new wedding, spa & business packages

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baltic states Riga is named European Capital of Culture for 2014

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egypt operators launch new brochures with programme additions

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BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW Monday 7th October 2013 TThe hee Landmark, 222 M Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ Dress Code: Black Tie

To attend the UK Travel Industry’s Premier Event call 020 7834 6661 or book online at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards/reserve-tickets Sponsors

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newsbulletin

This Week news 3 the latest industry announcements, emerging trends & discounts for clients

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notes from normanton

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agent bulletin

Cover Pictures: Main - St Petersburg, Russia, IntouristUK

Inset - Riga, Latvia, Regent Holidays

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Sandy questions why people opt for all-inclusive holidays a round-up of new booking incentives plus what's in store for Leo this month?

agent review Jessica Jenn from STA Travel receives a £10 Love2Shop voucher for offering her thoughts on Australia’s QT Port Douglas Hotel

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puzzle bulletin

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hotel bulletin

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pix mix

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baltic states

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play Su Doku for your chance to win £50 M&S vouchers hoteliers unveil new wedding, spa & business packages the story in pictures of Jetset's golf day in Crewe Riga is named European Capital of Culture for 2014

short breaks an overview of evolving and undiscovered territory in Russian cities & beyond

egypt operators launch new brochures with programme additions

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JULY JUBILATION...The Funway Holidays' sales team visited Go Travel in Locksbottom, Kent to celebrate American Independence Day earlier this month. Pictured are, from the left: Gary McIntyre and Jodean Whittington from Funway; Laura Bishop and Pauline Gyllenship, Go Travel; and Fiona Boss and Andy Travis from Funway.

Agents remain king for the 'Boomer Generation' new survey reveals TAILOR-MADE itineraries topped the list of most popular holidays according to new research from The Global Travel Group.

More than a third of respondents in a recent survey ranked tailor-made, long-haul itineraries as the most popular type of holiday amongst their current customer base, compared to cruise holidays, hotel stays, flight bookings and city breaks.

Coming in at a close second, more than one in four agents ranked the traditional package holiday as their most popular seller since they joined The Global Travel Group.

Looking ahead to 2014, the popularity of long-haul tailormade itineraries is a trend that shows no sign of slowing down with more than three quarters of respondents believing this category of holiday will see the biggest increase in popularity in the years to come.

The group’s managing director, Andy Stark, said: “Customers trust agents for the knowledge that they bring to the table and with the dizzying array of options out there, can be relied on for their expertise in cutting through the clutter to present the best complex itinerary. At The Global Travel Group we ensure that all new agents are provided with the tools they need to stay one step ahead of the competition from tailored marketing materials and comprehensive training to commercial support. While the rise of OTA’s has no doubt led to more consumers booking their flights and hotels online, when it comes to the tailor-made holiday, the survey results have spoken and the agent is still king.”

The survey also revealed that it is the 'Boomer Generation' and the elderly who are seeking out travel agents with respondents stating that nearly 90% of their customers are over the age of 40.

For more information visit www.globaltravelgroup.com or call 0844-826 4567.

Travel loyalty flies high with Brits MORE THAN 2.5m Brits rank air miles as their most valued loyalty reward, according to a new survey by One Poll.

The study of UK adults also highlighted a trend for returning to favourite holiday haunts year after year, with 72.5% choosing to visit a destination they’ve been to before, and two thirds travelling with the same airline.

However, while the report reveals the travel sector is gaining some consumer loyalty, when ranked alongside other elements of their lives, the public rates airline loyalty the lowest, and destination loyalty third from last.

As well as surveying overall customer loyalty in the industry, the study, which was commissioned

by Plastic Card Services, also examined the impact of loyalty cards on the ● continues on next page

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population. Although more than 5% said they viewed air miles as the most valuable reward on offer, fewer than 2% of the public frequently use airline loyalty cards. Hotels fared even worse in the report, with less than 1% of people saying that they frequently used hotel loyalty cards.

However, the report also shows that nearly 70% of the adult population feels more loyal to a brand when they own a loyalty card.

Rob Nichols, managing director of Plastic Card Services, said: “As times are financially tough, holidays are often one of the areas where consumers are looking to cut costs. Loyalty cards can be a great way to provide repeat

customers with better value for money, while keeping the brand on their mind.

“The figures show that the travel industry has some way to go in driving loyalty, and although points are usually used for lower value purchases, it is clear that earning air miles carries a sense of value for consumers, showing that there is room for improvement.”

Hurtigruten adds three new wildlife excursions in Norway for summer HURTIGRUTEN HAS introduced three new summer excursions, ideal for customers who love animals and wildlife. Available from now until the end of August, the excursions are centered around horses, reindeers and salmon and offer guests experiences that take them closer to the culture and nature of Norway. All three are available when travelling on the southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen and can be prebooked by agents.

A Lofoten by Horse option gives guests the opportunity to explore Lofoten on horseback. En route, guests pass historic sites of the Viking era such as the island of Gimsøy, home to the highest density of relicts from the saga period. The itinerary is suitable for guests with little or no horse-riding experience and leads in at £102 per person.

A Reindeer Spotting in the Summer Night excursion takes guests overland from Mehamn to Kjøllefjord with a guide who offers information about the Sami culture, their special

relationship with the reindeer and life at 71 degrees north.

Prices lead in at £66.

The operator has also added a Visit the Salmon experience, which takes guests to a salmon farm in Brønnøysund. The excursion costs £58.

In order to accommodate the new excursions, minor changes have been made to the schedule of the southbound route. The laytimes in Svolvær and Brønnøysund have been extended slightly, and the ones in Bodø und Sandnessjøen shortened slightly instead. The arrival and departure times in Stamsund have also been pushed back by half an hour.

A Classic Round Voyage next month costs from £1,515 per person for an 11-night round-trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes. It includes half-board accommodation in an inside cabin. Flights are extra and cost from £450 per person.

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

TRAINING TRIUMPH...Barrhead Travel’s Lauren Eccles (left) from East Kilbride won a Kindle Fire HD from Florida Attractions Collection for being one of the first 500 agents to complete the OTT training programme. Pictured presenting Lauren with her prize on behalf of the company is Attraction World’s Miya Giltrichie.

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newsbulletin Voyages to Antiquity adds more destinations to 2014 brochure

CRUISE WITH COOK…cruisingexcursions.com has announced that Thomas Cook is now selling its range of trips. The cruise company has produced a 16-page ‘shore-trip’ sampler brochure for its new partner’s clients, with incentives for bookings to be made through agents, rather than direct. Pictured showcasing the brochure is Graham Chuter from cruisingexcursions.com with, from the left: consultants Laura Willis, Joanne Bage and Zowie Sellen from Thomas Cook, Westbury Mall.

For details call 0800-091 8274.

MOVERS

● YOUTRAVEL GROUP has appointed Jacky

Bedlow as CEO. ● FORMER ABTA chairman, John McEwan, has joined the board at www.holidaysplease.co.uk ● MATT WILLIAMS has joined the recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton London – Ealing as general manager. ● FRED. OLSEN Travel has appointed Hannah Logan as sales support executive to

provide agency liaison and support to travel agents and the external sales team for cruise brands AmaWaterways and Star Clippers. ● PHILIP TAYLOR has been appointed head of marketing for VisitBritain. ● ADVANTAGE HAS promoted Julia Lo BueSaid to managing director and Noel Mansell to finance director.

New Ecuador rail itinerary from Rainbow Tours RAINBOW TOURS is offering visitors a chance to travel on the new Tren Crucero, a brightly painted steam train that travels 400km from the Ecuadorian capital Quito to the coastal city of Guayaquil as part of its new Scenic Ecuador by Train itinerary.

The journey is the latest in the development of this stretch of railway line which was completely reinstated last year. Pulled by steam and diesel locomotives, the train has capacity for 54 passengers and each of the four coaches is furnished in a distinct style, with a lounge, coffee bar and open terrace.

The ten-night itinerary leads in at £2,755 per person, including four nights in Quito; two nights in the Otavalo region, including a journey through the northern highlands on the Tren de Libertad; four days/three nights on the Tren Crucero; a night in Guayaquil; flights; transfers; breakfast accommodation; and full-board during the train journey from Quito to Guayaquil. Departures are available throughout July and August, until September 1.

For more information call 020-7666 1250 or visit www.rainbowtours.co.uk

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VOYAGES TO Antiquity has added more destinations to its summer 2014 Mediterranean and Black Sea programme.

New ports of call for 2014 include Bodrum in Turkey and the Greek islands of Syros and Kos. The 17 voyages from March through to November include highlights such as a new 28-day Spring Grand Voyage, which sails from Athens to Istanbul via Egypt, providing an exploration of the Roman Empire and Ancient Greece.

Prices lead in at £2,295 per person for a 13-day cruise-tour, including flights, domestic flight connections via London from seven regional airports, shore excursions in most ports with complimentary bottled water, gratuities to cabin and restaurant staff, as well as wine with dinner on board.

Guests can save up to £1,200 per cabin when booking by September 30 and will also receive a flight upgrade to Club Europe if reserving categories A to D. Several itineraries also feature a single supplement of 15%.

For more information call 0845-437 9737 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com

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newsbulletin Carrier issues early booking deals for 2014

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CLIA HAS announced that entrepreneur and co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith, James Lohan, will be the key note speaker at this year’s CLIA UK & Ireland’s Luxury Expo which takes place on September 2 and 3 in Dover.

See www.cruiseexperts.org MYFERRYLINK HAS launched a new price promise, where any customer who finds a lower fare elsewhere on a ‘like for like’ booking, will be offered a price match or a refund of the difference. Fares start from £19 each way for a car and up to nine passengers. Terms and conditions apply.

For details see www.myferrylink.com or call 0844-248 2100.

SPANISH BRAND Marconfort Hotels & Apartments is entering into the adultsonly travel market. The renovated complex is located in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, and offers all-inclusive threestar bungalow complexes.

REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has entered into a definitive contract with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard to build its most

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luxurious cruise ship with delivery scheduled in summer 2016.

Accommodating 738 guests, the new ship will be named Seven Seas Explorer and will be the line's third all-suite, allbalcony ship, and the largest vessel in its fleet.

KHIRI TRAVEL Myanmar will give guests on upcountry trips in Myanmar free beer on each day that it rains for more than ten minutes during the day. The offer is valid from now until September 30.

For details see www.khiri.com A LONDON & Partners survey, the London Attractions Monitor, has seen a 13.8% increase in attendance at London’s tourist attractions in the period March to May 2013. Attendance at the 33 attractions surveyed including the British Museum, London Eye, National Gallery, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral increased by 22% in both March and May. In May alone two-thirds of London attractions in the sample reported double-figure percentage increases in attendances.

MSC Cruises marks 2014 brochure with Simply Marvellous offers TO CELEBRATE the launch of its 2014 brochure, MSC Cruises has introduced a Simply Marvellous offer.

It includes a range of Mediterranean summer cruises from £649 per person including flights, plus Caribbean cruises from £419 per person cruise-only. Also included is a mini-cruise departing from Southampton from £179 per person.

The new brochure follows a simplified pricing structure, making it easier for agents to navigate new categories that have been organised to make bookings more straightforward.

The brochure also features a second and bigger ship, MSC Magnifica, which will run a new programme of ex-UK minicruises, all-year-round

Caribbean cruises from Miami and the cruise line’s return to the UAE. This also includes an overview of the cruise line’s fleet, destinations, leisure facilities, a round-up of special packages available to pre-book and information about cruising.

To view or download the brochure visit www.msccruises.co.uk

LESLIE'S LUCK...Leslie Tomlinson (centre) from Co-operative Travel, Belper was the winner of Attraction World's January to March campaign in conjunction with Kennedy Space Center. Agents had to make a booking for Kennedy Space Center for the chance to win an all expenses paid VIP prize including flights and hotel accommodation for two people to attend the Grand Opening of seeing Space Shuttle Atlantis return home. Pictured with Leslie is Damian O'Grady (left) from Kennedy Space Center and Gordon Torrance, Attraction World.

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CARRIER HAS launched a range of early booking offers for a selection of hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius and Thailand.

Deals include a sevennight stay at The Sarojin, Thailand from £1,650 per person, including 50% off accommodation, equating to a saving of £970 per couple. The price is based on two sharing a Garden Residence with daily breakfast and includes flights from Heathrow plus private transfers. The offer is valid for travel from April 16-October 31, 2014.

Alternatively, seven nights’ half-board accommodation at One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius is being offered for the price of four nights.

Prices lead in at £2,410 per person, offering a saving of up to £2,910 per couple, based on two sharing a Junior Suite. It includes flights from Gatwick plus private transfers and is valid for travel from January 6-April 11, April 27-October 17 and November 3-December 19, 2014. For clients with a higher budget, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is offering seven nights for the price of five, with prices starting from £3,390 per person, including a saving of up to £2,980 per couple.

It is based on two sharing a Beach Bungalow on a complimentary half-board basis and includes flights from Heathrow and seaplane transfers. The offer is valid for travel from May 11-July 31 and September 1-30, 2014 and must be booked by March 31 next year.

For more information or to book call 01614-921358 (Indian Ocean), 01614921355 (Indian Subcontinent, Far East and Australasia) or visit www.carrier.co.uk

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @VisitBritain Love cycling? There are plenty of places in Britain to do it. #Norfolk is particularly good http://bit.ly/MSrG2w http://ow.ly/i/2FF2O @cottages4you Congrats to Chris Froome on his #TourdeFrance win.

We can't wait for Yorkshire in 2014 :)

New airport & new flights boost access to Sicily's Donnafugata Resort DONNAFUGATA GOLF Resort & Spa in Sicily is expecting a boost in business following the opening of a new airport in Comiso and plans to increase flights to the region.

Opened on May 30, the airport is located 20 minutes away from the resort.

Ryanair’s plans to launch flights to Comiso from August will also make the resort more accessible. The airline will initially operate a total of ten flights weekly from Stansted, Rome Ciampino and Brussels Charleroi, with fares starting from €30.99 (approximately £26).

The new services, which are currently

on sale until March 2014, are forecast to deliver more than 150,000 passengers per year into the region, with more routes and airlines anticipated to follow in the near future.

The resort, which is located in the town of Ragusa, offers two 18-hole golf courses – the Links Course and the Gary Playerdesigned Parkland Course – with the latter being used to stage the 2011 Sicilian Open. Other facilities include a spa and wellness centre, swimming pools and three restaurants.

For further information or to book visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com

Xmas & NY boost from Grand UK Holidays

@visitportugal #Madeira launches new digital promotional material http://visitportugalblog.blo gspot.com/2013/07/madei ra-launches-newdigital.html?spref=tw … @ABTAtravel #abtamembers Have you made your pledge to help make holidays greener? http://www.thetravelfound ation.org.uk/greenerhols/ make_a_pledge/ … @ClassicHols Luxury Deal of the Day, 4* Hotel Mijas, Costa del Sol, 7 nights, B&B dept from 30 Sept from £499pp http://www.classiccollection.co.uk/deal-of-the -day #spain #luxury

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

APP APP AND AWAY...Pictured is Becky Teasdel of No Fly Cruising, Hopton, receiving an iPad Mini from Michael Delacamp of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The company ran a quiz for agents visiting its stand at the CLIA UK Selling Cruises Convention to win one of four iPads.

GRAND UK Holidays has boosted the range of Christmas and New Year holidays in its new 2013/14 brochure, with new destinations and hotels in the UK for the Christmas period, as well as New Year breaks, Turkey & Tinsel favourites, plus Christmas markets at home and abroad. Trips to see Christmas markets in the UK and Europe cost from £189 per person for four days and include new choices such as Festive Folkestone & Bruges Christmas Market (from £169 for four days) and Dunster By Candlelight and Bath Christmas Market (£189 for four days).

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

Edinburgh's Nira Caledonia Hotel launches two-night whisky package from £375 NIRA CALEDONIA in Edinburgh has launched a two-night whisky package which kicks off on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Guests can jump on a barrel ride through a replica distillery at The Scotch Whisky Experience to discover the process behind the centenary craft

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and visit the world’s largest collection of Scottish Whisky, before visiting the independent Tullibardine Distillery in the Highlands, to learn about the traditional whisky distillation process.

The package costs from £375 per person based on two sharing and includes

two nights in a double room at Nira Caledonia with breakfast; a three-course dinner at Blackwood’s Bar & Grill on one evening; a Silver Tour at The Whisky Experience on The Royal Mile; a Classic Distillery Tour at Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford; and traditional afternoon tea at

Gleneagles Hotel. Transfers from Nira Caledonia to Blackford and Gleneagles are also included and the package is valid until December 23. Agents are offered 10% commission on the package price.

For more information visit www.niracaledonia.com or call 0131-225 2720.

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newsbulletin Limassol's Royal Apollonia reopens after major renovation

Notes from . . . n o t n a m r o N AD A fantastic week in Gouves in Crete. Stayed at the Kaissa Apts which you can find in the Olympic and Jet2 brochures. I stayed there last year and it was wonderful to get such a warm welcome from the Kaissa and my 3 favourite restaurants (turn right out of the apts not left into town) the Paradise, 2Friends and Ilios for lunch. I noticed a few things this time which makes me ask the question do we really need allinclusive on the Greek Islands? I ask because I saw quite a few places had closed since last year and everyone I spoke to said it was because of the all-inclusive hotels. I would have thought that one of the main reasons for going to the Greek Islands was to experience the local ambiance, chat to the locals and enjoy proper Greek food.

I bet that you don’t get the yummy home prepared tzatziki, green salads, fish platters, souvlaki, calamari and moussaka (the Paradise make the best Moussaka I have ever tasted!) that you get in the small Greek restaurants dotted along the sea road and up side streets that you get in the all-inclusive hotels. And to sit outside and watch the sun setting over the sea, enjoying a lovely freshly cooked meal and carafe of local wine with attentive owners can’t possibly be the same. So why are we contributing to putting locals out of business? I know customers say 'Oh, with AI you know what you have paid and that’s it', but it is a poor imitation for the true experience of a Greek holiday, and I have to say prices are keeping low on the Greek Islands - you can eat out reasonably and it’s more enjoyable. So come on, let us try and protect the Greek Islands and people, persuade your clients to go BB or SC – they will thank you for it and it will help local businesses survive! What I have said also applies to Cyprus and places like Croatia - it’s the local people that help make a good holiday. Me, I can’t wait to go back again!

‘Dreams come true for those who work while they dream’ and ‘No one is guaranteed happiness. Life just gives us time and space – it’s up to us to fill it with joy and meaning’.

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by SANDRA MURRAY in Normanton, Yorkshire

BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is offering a £25 per person discount in addition to flight and hotel offers on family holidays this August for bookings made by July 31.

Prices start from £1,644 per family for 14 nights at the four-star Gillieru Harbour Hotel, offering savings of up to £315 per family. The price includes flights from Exeter, breakfast accommodation in a twin room, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction. The offer is subject to availability and is based on two adults and one child sharing, and is valid for travel on August 6.

Go

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Win vouchers to spend at a UK Christmas Market, courtesy of the Frankfurt Tourist & Congress Board.

Enter our competition at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Travel Bulletin’s Destination Showcase series goes from strength to strength, filling venues up and down the country.

To view video highlights, go to www.youtube.com/travelbulletin

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Fly locally with Prestige Holidays.

For details, see: www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/ flybe-local-departures

All this and more at: To respond to any of Sandy’s comments email jill. sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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THE ROYAL Apollonia in Limassol, Cyprus has opened its doors after a major renovation to offer the resort's first five-star hotel.

Located in the heart of the tourist area and with its own secluded sandy beach, the property now features revamped public areas and all its 204 rooms have been rebuilt and redesigned, with deluxe rooms now featuring an extended balcony with a Jacuzzi.

Other new additions include a children's pool with small water slides and a spa centre that offers a range of treatments.

For details see www.theroyalapollonia.com

Last minute discounts from Belleair Holidays

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

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agentbulletin It’s in the stars…

Booking incentives ON THE Go Tours is giving agents the chance to earn a free trip to Africa when they book four passengers for any overland tour. The booking must also be for a minimum of 11 days for departures at any time and must be made by September 30. The offer gives agents (and one companion at 50% discount) a maximum 21-day tour for travel by December 31, 2014.

For details email abbey@onthegotours.com

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What’s in store for Leo? DESPITE A relatively quiet period lately, things are about to get a lot more interesting. People born under Leo are very creative and this is a great time to get your creative juices flowing - whether it's writing a book, painting a picture or learning to play a new instrument. You should also rely on your gut instinct as you will be proven right, time after time - both socially, academically and professionally.

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DFDS SEAWAYS is offering agents last minute Love2Shop vouchers for bookings made this month.

Agents can earn a £3 voucher for every booking made on its Harwich to Esbjerg and Dover to Dunkirk/Calais routes (booked online), while a £10 voucher is offered for booking ten or more passengers on the Newcastle to Amsterdam route.

Agents will need a DFDS Seaways account number or ABTA number and a credit agreement in place with the line.

To register see https://ferry.dfdsseaways.com/ Agent/Register?locale=en. To make a booking call 0871-882 0881. Agents should send all entries to loves.travelagents@dfds.com

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THE BOTTOM Drawer, a honeymoon gift list service, is giving agents the chance to earn (up to the value of £20) for every gift list created. The company's gifts are regularly used for honeymoon gift registries but are also ideal for a gift registry for other special occasion holidays such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays and retirement trips. For each Essentials service agents sign their clients up for, the company is awarding a £10 discount on its standard price or a £10 Love2Shop voucher for agents. For each Bespoke service booked, the company awards agents or their clients a £20 discount on its standard price - or agents can claim a £20 Love2Shop voucher.

For details see www.thebottomdrawer.co.uk/ travelagents.asp

Lucky day: Sunday Lucky number: 13

LIZ LUCKS IN...Liz Mann from Sunways Travel will be spending a week at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa in Mexico after winning the C by Caribtours incentive star prize. The second prize was dinner for two at Hotel Du Vin or Malmaison, won by Christian Green from Thames Travel and third prize was a bottle of Champagne, won by Michelle Mckay from Travel Counsellors. Caribtours & The Private Travel Company will be launching more incentives throughout the year.

For details and the latest news see www.facebook.com/CaribtoursforTravelAgents www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Agent training...

THE SEYCHELLES Tourist Office and Partners will be visiting the UK prior to WTM to train and meet agents during a series of relaxed dine and training events. The Seychelles Discovered Roadshows take place on October 29 at The Marylebone Hotel in London, on October 30 at The Crowne Plaza Reading in Berkshire and on October 31 at The Bristol Hotel, Harbourside, Bristol. The evenings commence at 18:15 with drinks and dinner served in-between presentations from 19:00. The evening ends no later than 21:45 with one lucky guest winning a trip to the Seychelles.

To book a place email events@destination-representation.com

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agentreview Jessica Jenn from STA Travel spent a night at Australia’s QT Port Douglas Hotel in Port Douglas, Queensland as part of a Corroboree fam trip. Here's what she thought of the property...

First impressions ..............................10/10 Stylish and modern with a fresh twist on vintage 50s style.

Perfect for the trendy 20-40s crowd. I received a very warm welcome on arrival and felt like I had found my happy place.

Comfort ............................................10/10 The hotel offers a brilliant combination of peaceful Zenstyle pools, lush grass and flowers reflecting the local area, fresh whitewashed walls and chilled wooden decking.

Rooms were spotless with comfortable beds and games, and snacks were also provided. Best of all, if you liked anything in the room you could order it and take it home with you. If only everywhere was like that!

Quality ..............................................10/10 Excellent - I want to go back and I think our customers would love it. The high quality and attention to detail is a real trademark of QT Hotels.

Affordability ........................................9/10 Rooms start from $290 (£177) and this seems fair.

Service ..............................................10/10 We received excellent service throughout our stay. We liked the welcome notes and the friendly staff at reception really made a difference.

Good to know ......................

The chef makes killer omelettes on request and brilliant Bloody Mary shots, so make sure you allow more than the usual ten minutes to enjoy a quality breakfast.

10/ 10

Jessica receives a £10 Love2Shop voucher for her review.

If you'd like to take part and receive a free Love2Shop voucher please email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

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CLAIRE'S COUP...Claire Failes (right) at Virgin Holidays booked five rooms for a wedding party to Sandals Halcyon Beach, St Lucia, and in return received five 'Sell & Go' nights (valid at any Sandals, Beaches or Grand Pineapple Beach Resort across the Caribbean) and £30 Love2Shop vouchers through the company's Luxury Included Stars reward programme. Pictured presenting Claire with a bottle of Beringer is Sandals' business development manager, Donna Brooks.

Debut European Ski & Snowboard brochure from Cosmos Holidays COSMOS HOLIDAYS has launched its first dedicated ski & snowboard brochure featuring a range of winter sports holidays in popular European ski resorts across Austria, France and Italy for winter 2013/14.

The new holidays are packaged with a choice of Monarch scheduled flights operating to Munich, Friedrichshafen, Innsbruck, Verona, Venice and Grenoble from selected UK airports.

Building on the introduction of a first phase of the ski programme for winter 2012/13, the new brochure features a broader range of resorts and accommodation on all board bases. Ski holidays are based on seven-night durations with short breaks available in Italy.

Customers can also choose from a choice of ‘simply elite’ branded hotels offering superior accommodation such as the five-diamond rated Cristallo Hotel & Spa in Cortina d’Ampezzo or the five-diamond rated Schloss Lebenberg Hotel in Kitzbuhel.

Early booking offers are also available including a deposit offer of £59 per person, as well as half price ski or snowboard carriage for bookings made before September 30.

All holidays include resort transfers and customers can pre-book a range of extras such as equipment hire, lessons and ski passes. Five-day ski tuition is available from £110 per adult or child and six-day ski set hire including boots, skis and poles is available from £51 per adult and £28 per child, while six-day lift passes cost from £13 per adult and children from £77.

Meanwhile, sister company, Avro Flights has launched its full range of ski flights for winter 2013/14 to include Friedrichshafen, Grenoble, Munich, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice. Lead in prices are from £80 from Manchester to Verona (departing on April 12, 2014), from Gatwick to Grenoble (departing on January 4) and Manchester to Friedrichshafen from £89 (departing on January 12).

A seven-night package price in France leads in at £349 per person based on a Gatwick departure to Grenoble on January 4, staying at the two-diamond rated La Muzelle, Les Deux Alps. A lead-in price for a seven-night stay in Austria, based on a departure from Manchester on January 11, costs from £435 per person, based on a stay at the three-diamond rated Schindlhaus Apartments in Soll.

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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?

Number: 122

Boy & Den

A➠

B➠ This operator’s name is featured in Buzz Lightyear’s famous catchphrase

C➠

Nirvana At Sly

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, August 1st. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 12th July is Emma Manning, Forces Travel in Ipswich.

July 12 Solution: A=5 B=4 C=9 D=8

Crossword

A region in Romania frequently associated with vampires

Where Am I?

Famous California golf course near Carmel.

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

Number: 122

Across 1. Leading ferry operator, ___Line (5) 3. Worldwide holidays operator (5) 5. Santana, known for its picturesque triangular shaped cottages is a tourist attraction on this island (7) 7. Carrier with a hub at Schiphol airport (3) 9. 3 Across can organise a cruise for you on this river (4) 10. State capital of Colorado (6) 13. National airline of UAE (6) 14. Flows through Florence and Pisa (4) 16. Glasgow airport code (3) 18. US city, sounds like a musical (7) 19. Florida city, known as the world's cruise capital (5) 20. Rocky Mountain state (5)

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Down 1. Comic actor starring in The World's End at a cinema near you (5,4) 2. Major car hire company (4) 3. Operator, specialising in boating holidays (6) 4. Currency of Albania (3) 6. Indian city (5) 8. Venice airport is named for this explorer (5,4) 11. Bulgarian holiday resort on the Black Sea (5) 12. Chinese martial art, in slow motion (3,3) 15. Suva is the capital of this Pacific island (4) 17. Agadir international airport code (3

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 22 July 26 2013

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hotelbulletin Portugal's Conrad Algarve promotes bespoke wedding packages CONRAD HOTELS & Resorts’ new hotel, Conrad Algarve in Portugal, is highlighting a range of settings for weddings and a bespoke service to cater to all types of ceremonies.

Venues include the ballroom for a glittering wedding party, offering panoramic views and accommodating up to 300 guests; the Infinity Pool and Sensations Pool for an al fresco celebration; the Presidential Suite Roof Terrace for a ceremony for up to 100 people; and the beach.

Other location options include the Dado Gardens for a less formal, family-friendly occasion outdoors, which can be followed by a DadoQ, a fun private barbecue experience. Another option is the Gusto by Michelin starred chef Heinz Beck, a gourmet dining experience with an open-plan kitchen and fusion cooking, ideal for an intimate wedding celebration.

Services include bespoke menus, florists, photographers, decorations, entertainment and fireworks.

A Wedding Deluxe Experience, which includes a fourcourse dinner menu, midnight supper, free room upgrade, late checkout and the first wedding anniversary at the Louro Restaurant, costs from €185 per person, with nightly rates starting from €200, based on two sharing a grand deluxe room on a bed-andbreakfast basis.

For more information visit www.conradalgarve.com

Macdonald Cardrona Hotel

Macdonald Cardrona offers catch of the day with 'Fishing For Business' package MACDONALD CARDRONA Hotel, Golf & Spa in Peebles is offering conference and event organisers a team building activity when they host their meeting at the hotel above the banks of the River Tweed, 30 minutes outside Edinburgh.

With meeting and conference spaces for up to 240 delegates, the property combines flexibility with attention to detail. Suitable for the novice or expert angler alike, the ‘Fishing for Business’ package gives a corporate group the opportunity to fish in style on one of Scotland’s most famous rivers.

Leaving the meeting room behind, guests can fish on the Horsburgh Beat, casting for salmon, trout and grayling before returning to the hotel for hospitality.

The package can be added as part of the all-inclusive Meeting@ 24-hour package, including meeting room hire, Meeting@ lunch and refreshment breaks. Prices lead in at £189.50 per person per 24-hour delegate, with fishing included for one day, along with the meeting package as detailed.

To book or for more information call 0845-604 4242 or visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/cardrona

Bangkok's Mandarin Oriental launches 20th anniversary spa package

THE BUSINESS district of Bangkok has welcomed the opening of the W Hotel, which offers a 24-hour swimming pool and business centre.

For details see www.whotels.com/bangkok

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July 26 2013

THE MANDARIN Oriental, Bangkok, has introduced an Oriental Spa Package to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

It includes breakfast accommodation, transfers and three hours of spa treatments for individuals or couples, including a 90-minute Oriental Signature Treatment; 30minute Thai Organic Rice Scrubs; and a 30-minute Breathing Techniques and Meditation session.

Each guest will also receive a healthy snack, fruit drink and an aloe vera gel back mask.

Prices start from £449.41 net per room per night for single occupancy and £532.53 per room per night for double occupancy in a superior room, available for guests staying a minimum of two nights. The package is on offer from now until the end of October.

For more details or to book visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok or email mobkk-reservations@mohg.com

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pixmix JETSET HELD its annual golfing event on July 4 at Wychwood Park, Cheshire. The event saw the largest field so far with 60 players and 20 sponsors. Qantas Airways supported the event as main sponsor for the third consecutive year, while Travel Bulletin was media sponsor. Here’s a selection of pictures from the day...

PRETTY IN PINK… Justine Royle (left) and Wendy Lynan from Magenta Creative get ready to present the winner with a bottle of Champ agne.

JETSET PALS… John Bond (left) of Jetset is pictured with Cindy Buckland from Qantas and Tom Dunkerley of World Travell ers UK.

ON THE GREEN… Pictured lef t to right are Nick Marks and Chris Marks of Baldwin Travel; Warren Joy, JDA Group; Steve Briggs, Kwik Travel Group; and Aurora Kataroshi fro m Royal Brunei Airlines.

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HOLE IN ONE…Pictured are, from the left: Rob Kenton, Triangle Travel; Phil Nuttall, The Cruise Village; Paul Lynan, Magenta Creative; and Greg Garner, Orbital.

PLAYING BLIND… Cindy Buckland from Qantas Airways (left) and Camilla Rigby of Jetset play a game with Chris Bailey on the Qantas hole.

on DREAM TEAM…From the left is: Sim Eddolls, Travel Bulletin; Andrew Earle, Andrew Earle World of Travel ; Paul Hanson, Hanson Worldchoice ; and Ben Reid, Midcounties Travel.

July 26 2013

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EXPLORE’S NEW nine-day Cycling the Baltic States tour combines the countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Graded easy, it cycles through the countryside and coastal towns, and allows customers the opportunity to explore national parks, historic castles and fishing villages. Prices lead in at £1,122 per person for departures in July, August and September and include flights, breakfast accommodation, bike hire, transport and the services of a tour leader and support vehicle.

For details see www.explore.co.uk or call 0844-499 0901.

Capital Sport offers cycling tour in Lithuania

RIGA HAS been named as European Capital of Culture for 2014, which makes it an ideal time to encourage clients to take in the destination's attractions such as the Cathedral, Castle, Occupation Museum and Central Market. Regent Holidays is offering three-night city breaks from £295 per person including breakfast accommodation at the Hanza Hotel, located within easy reach of the Old Town and many of the city's attractions, plus flights.

For details visit www.regentholidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1244.

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July 26 2013

CAPITAL SPORT offers The Curonian Lagoon tour along the Lithuanian coastline.The seven-night, eight-day selfguided cycling tour is priced at £595 per person based on two people sharing a room.

Accommodation includes a renovated mill in Klaipeda, and hotels.

The tour starts on Saturdays until August 31 and is circular from Klaipeda. Klaipeda is a short distance from Palanga airport and transfers are offered to and from Palanga airport.

The tour includes five days of cycling 16 - 26 miles (26 42 km) per day and one day of optional cycling. Bike hire is included.

For further information visit www.capital-sport.co.uk

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STEP TO IT....A group of operators were recenty hosted on a Lithuania Tourism fam trip where they had the opportunity to take a bike tour of Vilnius, visit the historic town of Trakai and the Trakai castle, take a walking tour and cultural heritage dinner in Lithuania's second city Kaunas, plus a trip to the spa resort town of Druskininkai. Pictured enjoying the sights are, from the left: (back row) Thomas Rast and Jagruti Dhokia, Voyages Jules Verne; Andrew Papandreas, Cricketer Holidays; Maxine Forster, Poland Your Way; Christine Gibbons, Regent Holidays; Christine Taylor, Poland Your Way; Iveta Kalvisa, Baltic Travel Company; Fran Waddams, Halsbury Travel; with (front row) Daniel Oxley, Operas Abroad; Rob Stapely, Saga; Luke Doyle, Travelzoo; Kinga Sobiak, Ramblers Holidays; John Bennet, Scantours; Sarah Bareham, Responsible Travel; and Kate Fenton, Lithuania Tourism Office UK.

Baltic Holidays sees increase in Brits seeking longer tours in winter months BALTIC HOLIDAYS reports that its longer tours are becoming increasingly popular in the winter months, where visitors can go at their own pace and take in St. Petersburg as well as the Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, staying in four- and five-star properties.

The company's owner Phil Teubler said: “St. Petersburg, in particular, is excellent to go to in the winter. You don’t get the crowds at the Hermitage and St Catherine’s place that you do in the summer months.

"In the Baltic capitals you get a very good choice of hotels, and guests are more often than not upgraded. There are also many concerts on throughout the winter months and, increasingly, we are seeing more clients coming over to enjoy the high standard of ballet and opera on offer in winter."

As an example, a 19-night Baltic & Russian Circle itinerary visits Helsinki, Moscow, Riga, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Vilnius and leads in at £2,536 per person. Prices include four-star breakfast accommodation, private transfers, trains and ferry crossings per the itinerary, plus a selection of private excursions and city tours.

For more information visit www.balticholidays.com

New OTT training programme from Lithuania LITHUANIA HAS launched an updated OTT training programme designed to offer agents the latest information about the destination.

Agents registering with the programme will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 shopping voucher.

For more information and to register visit www.ott.travel

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July 26 2013

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s k a e r b t r sho Russian cities & beyond: Evolving and undiscovered territory

by KRISTI RORISON, director of outgoing business, IntouristUK HEN I say the word ‘Russia’ to you, what do you think of? This was a question posed recently to many travel agents and the response was varied. A larger number than first suspected replied with mentions of Moscow and St Petersburg, and descriptions of fur hats, vodka, Russian dolls and snow. A smaller number, thanks to the widely advertised and commercial world of football, spoke of Abramovich, Spartak Moscow and Rubin Kazan. On further discussion with some, enthusiastic tales of the vast expansive beauty of Red Square and St Basil’s cathedral in Moscow, the breathtaking collections of the Hermitage in St Petersburg and a rich cultural and political history came to the fore. Relatively few mentioned Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater source in the world, and the phenomenon that is the Trans Siberian railway.

Nobody spoke of scorching summers, adventure tours and trekking in Far Eastern Russia. So it seems that an update on what the world’s largest country has to offer is a little overdue.

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hotels and flights independently and searching ‘good deals’ without setting foot inside a travel agency, this is still far less common for Russia. Escorted group tours are in high demand, not only for the value they bring with included transfers, excursions and meals, but also for the added comfort of an experienced guide to help them navigate the cities and provide a much deeper insight into a destination that still does not have a wide spread of the English language. Themed city breaks are also very popular, particularly the festive New Year in St Petersburg package, offering Gala dinner and snow sledding with a nation renowned for its celebratory spirit! As for tailored city breaks for the more independent traveller, it is always advisable to offer at least an arrival transfer along with flights and accommodation, and the peace of mind you can give your client by packaging the whole thing together is appreciated when it comes to Russia, not least because you can provide them with paperwork for their travel visa as part of the booking. Like with most destinations, a city tour excursion is always a good recommendation to add in, but it is also worth noting that queue times for the Moscow Kremlin and St Petersburg Hermitage can be considerably long, so adding excursions to these places will always add value, and a further element of trust, to your bookings.

The ‘Two Capitals’ Moscow and St Petersburg remain the best known cities and destinations in Russia. The boom in the cruise industry has opened the gates of St Petersburg to many a sea cruise lover.

Understandably, short visits to St Petersburg whet the appetite for what this breathtaking destination has to offer, and entice the visitor to return and explore further, often combining the trip with Moscow. This goes some way to explain the year-on-year growth in sales of our two-centre Real Russia eight-day tour, with a particularly dramatic increase from 2012-2013. The river cruise market has also helped bring Russia into the public eye, as the Volga River starts to compete with the Danube and the Rhine. Growing demand for Russia as a holiday, as well as a business destination, has encouraged the development of more hotel accommodation and tourism services, not only in Moscow and St Petersburg for 2013, but also in further flung places such as Kazan, Ekaterinburg and Krasnodar.

Sports & adventure The 2013 World Athletics Championship, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA world cup are just some of the major sporting events to be held in Russia in the near and more distant future, adding to the reasons why Russia is becoming increasingly important to consider as a tourism destination. It is also worth noting that not all of these events are being held in Moscow and St Petersburg.

While international events and keen travellers draw our attention to city breaks all over Russia, the growing demand for adventure tourism is also being met in breathtaking ways with trekking, bear watching, exploration of active volcanoes and helicopter tours over dramatic landscapes.

With the launch of our 2014 brochure in September this year, we at IntouristUK are excited by the ever evolving tourism market in the cities, and the opening of gateways to parts of the country which are still relatively unexplored. We look forward to displaying this in our existing and new packaged and tailored products, with specialists always on hand to provide advice and boost confidence in selling a destination that becomes more and more fascinating each year. ✦

Packages V Tailor-made city breaks While a large number of clients now research online, booking

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shortbreaks Great Rail Journeys and Treyn launch battlefield short breaks WITH NEXT year’s centenary commemorations of the anniversary of the First World War recently announced, Great Rail Journeys and Treyn have produced two brochures showcasing their collection of 2014 battlefield short breaks.

To help agents promote the tours, the companies have also produced dedicated rack cards, new tour information and posters for agents to use in shop windows.

Tony Byrne, national sales manager of the companies, said: “We think that many agents Tyne Cot Cemetery , Visit Flanders will have clients wishing to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the First World War and these special tours have been designed with them in mind. Northern France and Belgium are easily and quickly reached by rail and our specially designed rail tours take you from St Pancras in London into the heart of the western front area in a matter of hours.”

The First World War tours are focused around the Ypres Salient and the Somme, which represented the Western Front between 1914 and 1918.

Treyn breaks start from £295 per person for a four-day Bruges & Ypres tour, which includes rail travel; three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast; a guided walking tour of Bruges with a visit to a chocolate-maker; an excursion to Ypres and the battlefields of the First World War; visits to Tyne Cot Cemetery (pictured), Bayernwald Trenches, Hill 60, The Last Post; and the services of a tour manager throughout. Departures are between April and October 2014.

For more information call 01904-521980 or visit www.greatrail.com/uk

Exodus highlights short breaks options from £119 EXODUS IS highlighting a range of short breaks for a variety of budgets, both in the UK and abroad.

Breaks in the UK lead in at £119 per person with the Secret South Downs Cycling Weekend, cycling in the South Downs. The price includes accommodation and most meals and the weekend tour is led by local expert Jo Burt from August 17-18, with guests expected to bring their own bikes.

For those who would prefer to take a short break abroad, a four-night Mont Ventoux cycling weekend takes in Mont Ventoux, the 'Giant of Provence' in France. Clients wishing to take an extra challenge can register to join the 'Club des Cingles du Ventoux', founded in 1988 and created for people who attempt to

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climb from all three directions in one day.

Those wanting to rest their legs can also choose from less strenuous options. The break costs £629 per person (including a saving of £100) and takes place from October 2-6. It includes flights, accommodation and breakfast.

Alternatively, a five-day Iceland: Whales and Northern Lights trip explores the Orcas off the Snaefellsness Peninsula and Reykjavik's old harbour. Priced from £1,399 per person, including flights, accommodation and most meals, the first departure is on January 30, 2014.

For more information or to book call 0845-863 9601 or visit www.exodustravels.com

Maritim promotes short opera breaks GERMAN HOTEL group Maritim is offering a selection of short opera breaks.

The company, which has an in-house opera specialist, organises tickets to all the key opera houses in Germany alongside predinner arrangements, transfers between the hotel and the concert venues and dessert and Champagne back at the hotel.

As an example, a Wagner in Berlin overnight package leads in at €331 (£284) per person based on a September 21 departure.

Guests will stay at the Maritim Pro Arte Hotel and receive a ticket to ‘Das Rheingold’ at the Deutsche Opera, the first of four operas that constitute Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The price includes a double room and breakfast.

Performances of ‘Die Walküre’, ‘Siegfried’ and ‘Götterdämmerung’, also

by Wagner, are available with an overnight stay at the hotel on September 22, 27 and 30, respectively.

For further information call 0500-303 030 or visit www.maritim.com

July 26 2013

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shortbreaks Fred.\ encourages agents to highlight beer festivals FRED.\, WHICH specialises in city break and tailor-made holidays to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and central Europe, is encouraging agents to get behind alternative beer festivals as a way to sell short breaks.

Lawrence Peachey, the operator's UK sales manager, said: “Many agents only really know about Munich’s annual

Oktoberfest which is enduringly popular and which gets sold out very fast each year. However, there are some great alternatives such as Hamburg’s DOM festival, Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volkfest and Prague’s Beer Festival.

These are easy to sell as clients love the idea of a short break to sample the culture and beverages of a European city and we have

some very reasonable offers available.”

Beer festival breaks cost from £349 per person for a two-night break to the German Cannstatter Volkfest Festival in October, staying at the three-star Intercity Hotel on a bed-andbreakfast basis, including flights from London.

For more information call 0808-159 5256 or e-mail lawrence@fred.travel

Superbreak adds summer spa break options THREE NEW summer spa breaks are available through Superbreak in association with Macdonald Hotels, with packages featuring one 30-minute treatment and a glass of bubbly.

One night’s breakfast accommodation at the Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel and Spa, Lancashire leads in at £99 per person, while a night’s breakfast accommodation costs from £109 per person at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa in Falkirk. Alternatively, one night’s breakfast accommodation at the Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel and Spa, located on the shore of Loch Ard in the Trossachs, leads in at £119 per person.

Offers are available from Sunday to Friday until September 30.

For more information call 0871-221 4444 or visit www.superbreak.com/agents

ON SALE NOW 2014 Cosmos

CITY & SHORT BREAKS

Travel 2 offers short breaks to Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC TRAVEL 2 is offering short breaks to the five-star Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel, New York.

As a full service resort in Manhattan’s meatpacking district, the hotel features three hydro pools, massages and facials, mind and body classes, a 24-hour fitness centre, a heated rooftop pool with underwater music and a rooftop bar and lounge grill.

A three-night package leads in at £1,039 per person, including flights from London with BA. The price is valid on travel dates between September 2 and October 20 when booked by August 31.

For further details visit www.travel2.com

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Brochure requests: www.trade-gate.co.uk * Price based on a three night short break to the Algarve on 21 October ‘14 from Gatwick and includes return flights, three nights self catering accommodation and airport transfers.

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shortbreaks

EASYJET HAS launched a new direct flight from Gatwick to Kalamata, Greece, making the five-star Costa Navarino resort more accessible for visitors, with a 45-minute transfer time from the airport. Flights are twice-weekly, departing on Tuesday from Gatwick at 05:40 and arriving at Kalamata at 11:20, and on Saturday departing at 13:05 and arriving at 18:45. Kalamata-Gatwick departures, meanwhile, take place on Tuesdays at 12:00, arriving in Gatwick at 13:45, while Saturday departures are at 19:25, arriving at Gatwick at 21:10.

For details see www.easyjet.com and www.costanavarino.com

Premier Holidays launches special offers to the Channel Islands this summer PREMIER HOLIDAYS has introduced a selection of special offers to the Channel Islands this summer from £215 per person.

Jersey offers a range of seasonal events, including the Battle of the Flowers floral festival from August 8-9. The festival consists of music, fun fairs, dancers, majorettes and a parade of flower floats alongside various street entertainers. Clients can also experience the Moonlight Parade which ends in a fireworks display.

Alternatively, Guernsey and The Isles of Scilly offer clients a relaxing break with beaches and natural beauty to explore.

Examples include four nights’ breakfast accommodation at the three-star Marton Guest House in Guernsey, leading in at £215 per person by sea or £259 by air. The package includes travel by ferry from Weymouth or Poole and transfers. The offer is valid for travel until September 30.

Four nights’ breakfast accommodation at the three-star Scilly

Guest House on the Isles of Scilly cost from £299 per person by sea. It includes travel by ferry from Penzance and transfers, and is valid until August 31.

Meanwhile, five nights’ breakfast accommodation in Jersey leads in at £325 per person by sea or £379 by air, staying at the Mayfair or Metropole, including ferry crossings from Poole to Jersey as a foot passenger and transfers. The offer is valid for travel until August 24.

Regional airports are available for all departures at an additional supplement.

To make the most of the campaign A4 flyers promoting a selection of offers will be available for agents to download or use in store. Agents can also earn £5 in capital bond vouchers per short-haul booking.

For more information or to book call 08444-937 444 or visit www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk

Scottish short breaks options from Love Loch Lomond LOVE LOCH Lomond offers a selection of short breaks to the Loch Lomond area.

A midweek two-night bed-andbreakfast deal at The Oak Tree Inn (www.oak-tree-inn.co.uk) in the village of Balmaha includes one free pint of real ale or cider per person from the Balmaha Brewing Co. on arrival or with dinner, and costs £85 (Sunday-Thursdays only). The offer is valid until the end of August.

Alternatively, two nights’ bed-andbreakfast accommodation at the fourstar Balmillig (www.balmillig.co.uk) in

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Helensburgh costs £140 for two people sharing a twin or double ensuite room, with a day’s bike hire included. For clients who want to stay an extra night, three nights cost £192.

To receive the offer, the code ‘LLNature’ must be quoted at the time of booking and the offer ends on August 31.

Meanwhile, a two-night midweek stay at the four-star Knockderry Country House Hotel (www.knockderryhouse.co.uk), located a 40-minute drive north of Glasgow, costs from £299 and includes

accommodation in a traditional room with a two-course dinner on the first night. A complimentary ticket for a guided bird-watching tour and a cruise on Loch Lomond with Cruise Loch Lomond and the RSPB is also offered to all guests. The break is available throughout this month and next.

Valid until August 31, guests can also embark on a guided walk around Loch Lomond with Lomond Guides (www.lomondguides.co.uk), taking in the sights of Arrochar Alps or the Three Lochs Way from £70 for two people, reduced from £120.

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SOMA BAY, located 45 minutes from Hurghada airport, offers five luxury hotels including The Kempinski Hotel, La Résidence des Cascades, Robinson Club, Sheraton Soma Bay Resort and The Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge, as well as a Thalasso Spa, a Gary Player Golf Course and a diving and kite surfing centre. Accommodation at the Sheraton costs from €60 (£52) per night, with those staying a minimum of five nights receiving 20% discount and those staying a minimum of seven nights receiving 30% off.

Classic Collection Holidays promotes Egypt late offers CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays reports that winter sales to Egypt for 2012/13 finished in line with the previous year, while bookings for this summer are running at a little over 80% of last year’s figures.

The company’s head of purchasing Gary Boyer said: “Egypt enquiries and bookings are down year-on-year, but there is still demand for popular dates throughout the summer. We’re working closely with our Egyptian hoteliers to encourage special offers, rate reductions

and currently have more than 40 added value offers to tempt customers to travel to the region. Despite recent changes to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice, the popular Red Sea Riviera area of the country remains unaffected by events elsewhere.”

For this summer the operator has two new properties in Sharm el Sheikh, the Stella di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa and the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa. For further information call 0800-008 7288.

Andante Travels launches new 'Meet the Past' tours itineraries ARCHAEOLOGICAL OPERATOR Andante Travels has launched 15 new 'Meet the Past' tours, including a ten-day Meet The Ancient Egyptians itinerary.

The tour, led by guide Lucia Gahlin, takes place from February 8-17 and from October 18-27 next year and leads in at £2,995 per person including flights, full-board accommodation in two hotels in Giza and Luxor, private transfers, a cruise

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boat trip, guide lecturer, entry to sites and tips.

Land-only arrangements start from £2,445 per person.

Denise Allen, deputy director of the operator, said: “We have designed these tours to encompass the whole lifecycle of a civilisation: birth, flourishing, peak, decline and fall. Each tells a story that is comprehensive and intimate, covering the grand sweep of empires, as well as the poignant

July 26 2013

everyday revelations about real people.”

Ian Finlay, the company's CEO, said: “We are aiming to provide the same excellent standard of tour we have for 28 years.

We have guide lecturers at the top of their field to provide structured academic content, use experienced tour managers, choose handpicked hotels and can guarantee like-minded guests with whom to share the experiences.

"The difference between the Meet the Past tours and our standard Travels in Archaeology is the emphasis on the thorough introduction - or to put it another way, complete overview - to the period in question; a truly comprehensive way of meeting the people and places from our history, yet still in our friendly and relaxed fashion.”

For more information call 01722-713800 or visit www.meetingthepast.co.uk

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egypt Red Sea Holidays adds scheduled flights with Egypt Air and new hotel offerings RED SEA Holidays’ 2013/2014 brochure sees the addition of scheduled services with national carrier Egypt Air and increased third party hotel offerings including Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh and the Meliá Sharm to the collection. The company is also offering a £75 deposit requirement plus a guaranteed £100 off early summer 2014 bookings, while Edinburgh and Luton have also been added to the operator's regional departure points.

The company's sales director Jason Hilton said: "We will be upgrading our booking engine later this year, providing agents with easier access and a greater range of fully commissionable bespoke options.

"November will see the launch of a new consumer facing website; in keeping with new higher-end product offerings and a restyled brochure, customers will benefit from greater flexibility on flights and multi-centre options, no single room supplements and our guaranteed child price of £439 for any date and duration."

Meanwhile, the company is now

Sunwing Waterworld waterpark

operating a single all-inclusive fivestar ship, the MS Grand Rose and is offering complimentary UK airport lounge passes for all Nile Cruise Holidays; 100% allocation for UK

guests only – with UK oriented catering and entertainment; and flight rotations moved to Wednesdays where guests can visit attractions at a quieter time.

Ancient Egypt 12-day tour from £3,520 by ACE cultural Tours ACE CULTURAL Tours is highlighting an Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise which leads in at £3,520 for travel from October 31 to November 11. The tour is with Andrew Wilson, archaeologist, theologian and ancient historian, who has travelled many times to Egypt and knows the sites well.

The 12-day tour unravels the secrets of the ancient Egyptians, focusing on some of archaic man’s most prodigious achievements including the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak temple complex and Abu Simbel, home to four colossal statues of Ramses II. For more information see www.aceculturaltours.co.uk

Attraction World promotes Sharm el Sheikh desert safari tours ATTRACTION WORLD is offering half-day desert safari experiences in Sharm el Sheikh, including a ‘Camel Ride and Bedouin Dinner’ tour.

Starting with a quad bike ride across the Sinai Mountains, guests will then be transported to a Bedouin tent via camel. Tea and dinner is served, followed by a show and an astronomy guide.

The experience costs £49 per person and operates every day except Monday.

When two adults and two children book this or a ‘Evening City Tour of Sharm el Sheikh’, ‘Glass Bottom Boat Trip’, ‘Ras Mohammed Half Day by Land’ and ‘Star Gazing and Dinner in the Desert’, the cost for children is £1 each until December 31.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Egypt 5+ Baron Palms Resort SHARM EL SHEIKH

SAVE up to

£210*

*per couple per week, for stays 1 Nov-30 Apr. Book by 31 Oct.

CALL 0800 008 7288

www.classic-collection.co.uk July 26 2013

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egypt We asked our staff the following question this week: What's your favourite computer/iPad game?

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Minecraft - I have my own hotel with swimming pool

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk Solitaire - I have to keep going until I win

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk I don't play any

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Angry Birds on phone, Scrabble or Boggle on iPad

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Paperboy on Atari

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Fifa 96

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk PacPal by Jetset

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk My Little Pony online

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Candy Crush Saga

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Deus Ex

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk Mario Kart

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Earthworm Jim

Production: Nick Salt production@travelbulletin.co.uk Dungeons & Dragons on the Commodore 64

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are £105 p.a. £155 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

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July 26 2013

GECKOS ADVENTURES, an adventure travel tour company geared towards the 18–35 year olds, is running a special deal on its ‘Egypt on a Boat’ tour. The eight-day option leads in at £319 per person and offers a saving of £106. It starts in Cairo where guests can explore the pyramids and Sphinx, and other highlights include a sunrise donkey ride to the Valley of The Kings and a felucca cruise down the Nile. The tour departs on September 8 and accommodation is based on one night on a felucca, two nights on an overnight train and four nights in a hotel.

For details see www.geckosadventures.com

Discover Egypt promotes Classic Nile cruises DISCOVER EGYPT offers the five-star Classic Nile Cruise on Viking Princess inclusive of flights to Luxor, transfers, full-board accommodation and ten guided excursions for £799 per person. The offer is valid for departures on December 2, 9 and 16 this year and there is also a private dock for passengers, plus a free shuttle bus from the dock to central Luxor.

The seven-night Nile cruise starts in the ancient city of Luxor for the chance to visit the Valley of the King and Queens, including the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Temples of Karnak and Luxor. The cruise continues with stops at ancient sites such as the Colossi of Memnon, Esna and Edfu, Aswan and its High Dam, plus Abu Simbel.

The company’s commercial director Philip Breckner said: “Egypt deserves to bounce back - it is a timeless destination and one that has played a vital role across so many interests. July celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hollywood’s biggest romance, which began on the set of Egyptian epic ‘Cleopatra’ between Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. There is nowhere else in the world where travellers can combine the mammoth Pyramids, with outstanding Tombs, Temples and stunning scenery – Egypt is an open air museum of epic proportions and a unique destination which we as a specialist continue to support.”

For more information or to book call 0844-880 0462 or visit www.discoveregypt.co.uk

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. STENA, 3. BALES, 5. MADEIRA, 7. KLM, 9. NILE, 10. DENVER, 13. ETIHAD, 14. ARNO, 16. GLA, 18. CHICAGO, 19. MIAMI, 20. IDAHO. Down: 1. SIMON PEGG, 2. AVIS, 3. BLAKES, 4. LEK, 6. DELHI, 8. MARCO POLO, 11. VARNA, 12. TAI CHI, 15. FIJI, 17. AGA.

Highlighted Word: SANTIAGO Travagrams: (top) &Beyond

(bottom) Transylvania

Where Am I?: Pebble Beach

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S06 TB2607 Egypt_Layout 1 24/07/2013 11:30 Page 23

Experience the magic of Egypt Year round sunshine, exclusive hotels and 5000 years of history.

All just 5 hours away.

The Egyptian Experts ABTA No.Y2507

Call 0845 072 2477 Visit redseaholidays.co.uk/agent

S06 TB2607 Egypt_Layout 1 24/07/2013 11:30 Page 24

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