Travel Bulletin 29th November 2013

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November 29 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,852 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Budget Holidays Lisbon recognised as best city break on a budget

this week

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agent bulletin the latest agent training & fam trip announcements

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bulletin briefing ANTOR explains why we are all selling a holiday of a lifetime med islands

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Mykonos & Santorini villas predicted to receive boost in visitors next summer france operators unveil their latest product additions for 2014

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HO HO HO AT HOGWARTS...Some of Superbreak's staff were invited by the Warner Bros Studio Tour to visit the Making of Harry Potter and be one of the first to see what Hogwarts has to offer visitors this Christmas. Pictured enjoying the day are, from the left: Laura Dawson, sales executive North West & Yorkshire; Kelly Giblin, sales executive North East & Humberside; Ashley Wilcox, customer marketing executive; and Rebecca Jayne Birch, online marketing executive.

Cover Pictures: Main - Budget holidays, Lisbon

Inset - Cyplon Holidays

This Week 3

news

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agent bulletin

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puzzle bulletin

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staff review

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bulletin briefing

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mediterranean islands

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france

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budget holidays

a round-up of this week's industry offers and product launches the latest agent training & fam trip announcements play Su Doku for a chance to win a £50 M&S voucher

we check-in at Macdonalds Hotels & Resorts' property in Bath ANTOR explains why we are all selling a holiday of a lifetime Mykonos & Santorini villas predicted to receive boost in visitors next summer operators unveil their latest product additions for 2014

Lisbon recognised as best city break on a budget

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Post Office Travel Money survey reveals Budapest & Riga are bargain choices for a Christmas markets break RISING PRICES mean Tallinn has lost its top spot to Budapest in the annual Post Office Travel Money Christmas Markets Barometer, as Advent markets get underway across Europe.

The city, which was last year's best buy, now costs 59% more for a two-night break than this year’s bargain choice, Budapest.

At £529 for a two-night break for two in early December, Budapest emerged as the cheapest of 12 European cities, costing around 39% less than Munich or Basel (both around £866). These were the most expensive cities surveyed for the Post Office Travel Money Barometer, which includes two evening meals with wine, coffee, festive drinks and snacks, two nights’ breakfast accommodation, travel and transfers.

Even though sterling is worth just 0.3% more year-on-year against the Hungarian forint, Budapest prices have fallen by 8.8% compared with November 2012.

By contrast, barometer prices for meals, drinks and other out-of-pocket expenses have risen 15% to £123 in Tallinn – only partly as a result of a UK pound that is 5% weaker yearon-year.

When these higher prices were added to flight and accommodation charges, the overall total of £841 accounts for the Estonian capital’s fall to eighth position.

Latvia’s capital Riga (£530) was a close runner-up to Budapest (£529) when all the weekend break costs are taken into account - but this was because of the low package price (£378 for two in Riga compared with £450 for Budapest). Once visitors arrive in Riga, they can expect to pay considerably more than in Budapest as the research revealed that meal, drinks and transfer costs were 91% higher (£152 compared with just under £80).

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: “Sterling is up to 5% weaker than a year ago against European currencies so it is doubly important for people to shop around for the best currency deals and factor in all the costs they will incur on a Christmas Markets trip.

“For example, meal and drink prices may be higher in Riga than in some other cities, but flight and hotel costs were the lowest we found.

“By contrast, although a meal for two in Prague (£24) is around a quarter the cost in Basel (£106) or Copenhagen (£95), accommodation and flights were among the most expensive. It is a combination of cheap packages and low city costs that make Budapest such good value.”

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newsbulletin Titan Travel launches second edition 2014 river cruise brochure TITAN TRAVEL has launched the second edition of its 2014 river cruise brochure, featuring six new Christmas cruises and savings of up to £800 per person on cruises booked before December 31.

The brochure showcases the waterways of Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia on Uniworld vessels, designed by Red Carnation Hotels.

Every European itinerary next year (excluding Russia) is now all-inclusive, with prices covering all gratuities (on board and on shore), unlimited wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks (excluding premium wines and spirits) and on board Internet/Wi-Fi. The extras are offered in addition to river-view

staterooms, full-board dining, a choice of guided shore excursions and door-to-door transfers from any UK address as part of the operator’s VIP Home Departure Service.

New for next year is the expansion of Uniworld’s fleet of vessels, with the addition of the new SS Catherine. The vessel will replace the River Royale to sail along the Rhône and Saône through southern France on the eight-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ itinerary from Lyon to Avignon, with prices starting from £2,149 per person based on a November 9 departure (saving £400 if booked before December 31).

For more information visit www.titanagents.co.uk

A WARM WELCOME...Bright (Bringing Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) has announced that Explore has joined the consortium, taking the membership to 14 travel organisations. Pictured welcoming the operator's Philippa Baines is Bright chairman, Hisham Mahmoud of Kirker Holidays.

For details see www.brightconsortia.com and for details on upcoming roadshow events email bookings@eventsfortravel.com

Atlantic Airways announces summer flight schedule to Faroe Islands ATLANTIC AIRWAYS will operate its twice-weekly summer schedule from Stansted to the Faroe Islands from June 5 to August 25 next year.

Flights depart on Mondays and Thursdays, with return fares booked online at www.atlantic.fo starting from approximately £239, including taxes, charges and a booking fee.

Flights depart Stansted at 10:05 on Monday, arriving in the Faroe Islands at 12:30 and depart at 12:20, arriving at 14:40 on Thursdays. Return flights depart at 07:00 on Monday and 09:15 on Thursday, arriving at Stansted at 09:20 and 11:35, respectively.

Alongside the airline, Visit Faroe Islands has been working to boost the portfolio of UK operators offering the Faroe Islands, with Regent Holidays, Taber Holidays and Inntravel all now selling breaks to the islands alongside Sunvil Discovery.

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Funway Holidays launches Florida Beaches 2014/15 brochure FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has issued its Florida Beaches 2014/15 brochure, valid from now until March 31, 2015 and featuring offers such as free nights, free breakfast and free transfers.

When booking an Alamo Gold or fully inclusive car

by November 30, guests will receive a guaranteed upgrade from compact to intermediate or intermediate to full size for any Florida arrival point on selected dates.

Car rental prices start from £22 a day, based on a compact car.

Meanwhile, air upgrade prices start from £225 per person, based on a Premium Economy oneway journey from Gatwick to Tampa with Virgin Atlantic.

New features of the programme include the top experiences, the top 'must dos' plus expert views on all featured hotels and private homes.

Meanwhile, new destinations include Anna Maria Island in Bradenton Area, Panama City Beach, Sarasota, Amelia Island In Jacksonville, Cocoa Beach in Cape Canaveral and Pensacola. New hotels include the Gulf Coast Private Homes & Apartments in Miami and the four-star Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.

Multi-centre packages start from £899 per person, including seven nights’ accommodation and flights with United Airlines based on three nights at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Chicago and four nights at Ocean Pointe Suites at Key Largo.

For more information visit www.funway4agents.co.uk

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newsbulletin Italy brochure launch from Kirker Holidays KIRKER HOLIDAYS has issued its 2014 dedicated brochure to Italy featuring two new destinations and a range of new properties.

Many of the itineraries also include added extras such as guaranteed entrance to the Doge’s Palace, Guggenheim or Accademia for clients visiting Venice, timed tickets to the Uffizi, Accademia or Bargello Galleries for travellers to Florence or, in Rome, complimentary entrance to either Villa Borghese or the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel.

Venice has been added for next year offering two new experiences. A two-hour ‘Kirker Walking Tour’ is led by an experienced guide and follows a route that is adjusted according to the interests of those taking part. Each group has no more than 15 people in it and the tour is free for clients travelling between November and March (usual cost is £15).

Alternatively, the operator has negotiated a preferential rate at the Excelsior Hotel’s popular beach ‘pagodas’ on the Venice Lido for clients looking to soak up the rays.

Usually costing up to €300 per person per day, which includes the use of two sun beds, two chairs, a private changing area and waiter service, clients staying in the city can now reserve these for €80, including use of the Excelsior’s launch to and from St. Mark’s Square.

Also newly introduced for 2014 is the city of Trieste which borders Slovenia. Sightseeing highlights include the Miramare Castle, the largest synagogue in Europe and the Illy coffee factory. Three nights at the 19th century Savoia Excelsior Palace, overlooking the city’s marina and port, leads in at £398 per person.

New properties have been added in Florence, Tuscany and Umbria. As examples, a three-night stay at Villa Fiesole in Florence leads in at £598 while a three-night stay at Hotel Astor in Viareggio costs from £698 and includes free use of the sun loungers at the nearby beach.

For more information call 020-7593 2283 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

Winter offers from Seabourn SEABOURN HAS released a selection of offers for winter.

A 22-day World Voyage XII, departing on April 9 next year, offers a cruise from Mumbai to Venice, calling at India, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Italy.

Fly/cruise prices start from £6,599 per person based on two sharing a suite. It includes all tips and gratuities, dining, open bars, a fully stocked mini bar and $250 on board spending.

Alternatively, a 34-day World Voyage IV, departing on January 4, travels from Los Angeles to Sydney. It visits California, Hawaii, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia.

Fly/cruise prices start from £10,999 per person based on two sharing a suite. It includes all tips and gratuities, dining, open bars, a fully stocked mini bar and $500 on board spending.

Newsbites ●

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THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation has moved. The new address is: 13 St. James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LB. The CTO UK team can be reached on 020-7321 4181.

THE ARCELORMITTAL Orbit was recognised worldwide as a dramatic emblem of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Located at the south of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, its two viewing platforms offer views of the city of London and over the transformed east side of the capital. The attraction will be open to visitors from April next year and tickets are now on sale with prices from £15 per adult and £7 per child, aged three-16 years.

BRITAIN’S ANNUAL National Ferry Fortnight will take place from March 15–29, 2014. Now in its sixth year, the campaign has been growing steadily since launching in 2009. Supported by the 12 members of Discover Ferries, the two-week showcase was created to heighten consumer and media awareness of Britain’s extensive 75-plus ferry routes.

For details see www.nationalferryfortnight.co.uk THE PORT of Dover has announced that its Community Regatta will take place on Saturday July 26, 2014. The event will see teams racing across the harbour in Thames Cutters to raise money for a local cause.

For details email portcommunityregatta@doverport.co.uk LONDON & Partners reports that international visitor numbers to London are at a record high as the capital continues to bask in a post-Olympic glow that has seen 7.9 million tourists visit London in the first six months of 2013, spending more than £4.9billion - a 12.4% increase compared to the same time last year.

Skyscanner data reveals more Brits will head long-haul this Christmas WITH CHRISTMAS just weeks away, flight data from global travel search site Skyscanner has revealed the number of people planning to spend the festive season in long-haul locations is on the rise.

Whilst Iceland is showing the greatest increase in searches over the Christmas period, the company's data suggests British travellers are becoming increasingly adventurous with their holidays, with flight searches to far away destinations such as China up 55% on last year.

Singapore is also proving a popular destination for British travellers with searches up 43%, whilst Sri Lanka, a long term favourite and popular alternative to Thailand, is up 21% this Christmas.

Overall, Spain remains the most popular destination for celebrating this Christmas, although searches during this busy period are down 3% year-on-year.

Expedia TAAP announces launch of new dedicated platform for agents EXPEDIA TAAP has announced the launch of its new dedicated UK travel agent platform.

A main feature is the use of a single login, enabling seamless navigation through both the travel agent

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reporting and bookings functions of Expedia. This means agents can now book with the company and see how much commission they have earned in a few clicks.

Further developments to the new

platform are due for release in the coming months, including the introduction of more flexible terms of payment for travel agents.

For details see www.expedia.co.uk/taap or call 020-3027 9793.

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @visitlondon NEXT MONTH: Kids go #free at @shardview The Shard this Christmas 20 Dec-6 Jan > http://ow.ly/pyMRD @TravelodgeUK Get your skates on and head to one of the UK's best ice skating rinks http://ow.ly/r0mKF @APTAgentClub You and a companion could be joining our Travelmarvel 14-day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia. Visit http://www.aptouring.co. uk/APTagents @NCLairport You can't fly to Hull from @NCLairport, but you can fly to Europe's 2017 Capital of Culture (it's Paphos). #CityofCulture2017 @pandocruises Need some last minute Christmas shopping? Book a Christmas Markets cruise from only £199 pp.

Visit http://bit.ly/1aFJfiL for more info

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

HANGIN' TOUGH...A group of four friends from across the travel industry completed the Tough Mudder challenge to raise funds for Reuben’s Retreat. Pictured are, from the left: Dave Kneale, Premier Holidays; Benjamin Cambridge and Dave Cole, Universal Parks and Resorts; Andy Travis, Funway Holidays; and Ashley Dellow, Leger Holidays. Along with another friend, Benjamin Cambridge, the group raised more than £2,500 for the charity by taking part in a 12-mile obstacle course designed by the Special Forces to test strength, stamina, mental grit and team camaraderie.

It’s in the bag...

WHETHER YOU’RE a gap year student heading out to see the world or a business traveller that demands the best, the Fast Track 85 pack from Caribee has it all. Offering 85 litres of capacity, this lightweight yet durable bag offers a range of useful features and more pockets and compartments than you can shake a stick at.

Comfortable to carry as a backpack on its own or wheel around the airport concourse with ease, Fast Track 85 offers two rucksacks in one. There’s a detachable (10litre) day-pack, ideal as carry-on luggage on planes or for shorter excursions, while the roomy (75-litre) main bag comes with wheels. From the concealed harness system with added hip-belt and lumbar support, to the dual opening main compartment to keep shoes and clothes apart, if you need a bag - this is the one to have on your Christmas wish-list. The pack retails at £199 and comes in two colours - platinum or black.

For details see www.caribee-uk.com

ON THE CASE

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND...

Warner Leisure Hotels adds two new holiday options for next year WARNER LEISURE Hotels is launching two new breaks for 2014 – ‘Party through the Decades’ and ‘Anchors Away - A Cruise on Land’.

From January 6, ‘Party through the Decades’ at Alvaston Hall Hotel, Cheshire, will transport guests back to the 50s, 60s and 70s. Guests will experience a welcome party show on the Monday night, 50’s Rock and Roll Show ‘Dream Lover’ on Tuesday, 60’s act ‘Marvin Jarvis as Tom-Tastic’ and ‘A Groovy Kind of 60’s - The Big Party Gig’ on Wednesday, plus a final night of disco hits on Thursday at the 70’s Party Show - ‘Boogie Fever’.

Guests will also be able to take part in activities including game shows, dance workshops, pop choirs, films and trivia quizzes, as well as decade-themed cocktails.

Prices for a four-night mid-week break start from £152 per person, based on a February 24 arrival and two adults sharing a standard room.

Alternatively, the ‘Anchors Away - A Cruise on Land’

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option is offered on a January 20 arrival at Gunton Hall Coastal Village in Suffolk.

The break will virtually transport ‘passengers’ on a journey to four different destinations. The on-land cruise will begin in New York, stopping off in the Caribbean and Italy, before arriving at its final destination back in England.

As well as sampling destination themed dishes and cocktails, guests can take part in games, multimedia trivia quizzes and game shows and attend cookery demonstrations.

Evening entertainment includes an American themed welcome party, a Caribbean deck party and a British Night at the Musicals followed by a farewell party.

Prices for a four-night mid-week break start from £144 based on a February 17 arrival and two adults sharing a standard room.

For more information visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0808-141111.

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newsbulletin Beer tasting, golf and wellness along the Danube from Avalon Waterways AVALON WATERWAYS has introduced new themes for its 2014 cruises, including golf, beer tasting and wellness options.

Examples include a nine-day beer tasting cruise, ‘Austrian Highlights & Bavaria’, departing on October 13 and leading in at £2,169 per person. It includes tastings and lectures from a beer expert as well as a dinner paired with selected beers for each course. Breweries featured include the Ottakringer brewery, Freistadt brewery and a visit to the Kuchlbauer World of Beer in Abensberg.

Alternatively, golf enthusiasts can embark on a nine-day ‘Austrian Highlights & Bavaria’ golf trip, departing on July 7 and leading in at £2,215 per person. Guests can experience the fairways and greens of selected golf courses in Austria and

Bavaria before returning to the line’s newest cruise ship, Artistry II, for dinner served with regional wines. Up to three rounds of golf can be played at courses close to where the ship is moored.

Meanwhile, a new ‘Blue Danube Discovery’ wellness cruise departs on July 14 and costs from £2,909 per person. Guests will start every morning with exercise programmes featuring stretching and yoga as well as attending lectures on healthy lifestyles and healthy dining options devised with the help of a nutritionist.

Cruise highlights include two nights in Budapest before sailing to Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg and Nuremberg, as well as three nights in Prague. A visit to the Gellerth Baths is also included in the visit to Budapest.

For details see www.avaloncruises.co.uk

WIMBLEDON WIN...Pictured at TIpto's recent roadshow in Coventry are: Richard Forde (left) and Gemma Walker from Newmarket Holidays presenting Chris Bird from Anglia Co-operative Travel in Whetstone with his prize of a trip to Wimbledon.

Worldwide launch from Cox & Kings COX & Kings has introduced a new worldwide brochure designed especially with the trade in mind.

The brochure’s lead-in escorted tours are the eightday/seven-night ‘Splendours of Morocco’ and the eightday/seven-night ‘Classical Turkey’, both priced from £1,045 per person, including flights from London, transfers, excursions and breakfast accommodation.

The new brochure is available to all agents to use alongside the full range of brochures and is available to order via www.trade-gate.co.uk For more information call 020-7873 5020 or email agency.sales@coxandkings.co.uk

JTA Travel reports year of strong growth MIDLAND-BASED tour operator and flights specialist JTA Travel reports that this year has been another year of strong growth, and attributes part of the success to the launch of its cruise website, Needacruise.co.uk.

The system brings together all the elements of cruise booking, such as airlines including schedule, low-cost and charter flights with cruise fares and hotels, enabling agents to build cruise packages with savings of up to 40%.

All packages are covered by Atol and delayed departure cover. The company has also set up a dedicated team of cruise experts to support agents.

The operator's managing director, Wayne Darrock, said: "Our key focus has been on providing technology and tools which travel agents need to be competitive in the industry.

This is why Needacruise.co.uk was in the pipeline for two years before its launch. We wanted to ensure that Needacruise not only stands out from the competition, but most importantly is easy to use and meets agents’ needs by offering the latest in cruise packaging technology, the widest variety of all major cruise lines in the market, packaging with flight and accommodation options and such important extras as delayed departure cover.

"Our system provides agents with access to all major airlines and fares including Cruise IT fares and all complimented by a significant hotel programme for preand post-stays to deliver the cruise package in minutes."

For more information see www.jtatravel.co.uk

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Here’s a great competition from Louisiana – the place where the music never stops, and most of it started.

You can win up to £250 of Harrods vouchers by answering three quick questions. Go to www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

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Win one of four Fam Trip places to South Africa, courtesy of South African Tourism. To enter, you must complete 3 modules on the SA Specialist training programme. Register and get training now on www.saspecialist.southafrica.net/za/en/

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Win a 7” Kindle Fire courtesy of Prestige Holidays.

Enter now on www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:

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agentbulletin Agent training BRIGHT HAS announced details of its 14 workshops and dinners planned for independent agents throughout 2014. Events will be held in Bristol on February 11, Ascot on February 12, Kegworth on March 4, Norwich on March 5, Durham on April 29, Wetherby on April 20, Bodmin on May 21, Exeter on May 22, Glasgow on June 23, Kendal on June 24, Isle of Man on September 9, Chester on September 10, Tunbridge Wells on October 7 and Guildford on October 8. Bright has also confirmed that Hisham Mahmoud from Kirker Holidays will continue to be chairman and Jonathan Whiteley of 1st Class Holidays remains deputy chairman.

For details see www.brightconsortia.com THE OMAN Ministry of Tourism has announced its 2014 roadshow dates which take place from April 28 to May 1, visiting Cardiff, Birmingham, Dublin and South East England.

TRAVEL INDOCHINA has developed a new online training programme for travel agents, Asia Guru, at www.asia-guru.com. It provides key information on the operator's destinations and its unique style of travel. The training covers three stages and has been launched to support agents in selling areas they may be less familiar with. On successful completion of the 'Bronze Tiger’ first stage, which focuses on the company’s core destinations of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, agents will become a ‘Bronze Tiger’ in recognition of their acquired knowledge, and if successfully completed by December 31, will be in with the chance of winning one of ten Love2Shop vouchers worth £50.

SUNRISE MARKETING has signed up six Caribbean clients to a new online training portal designed to help travel agents and reservations staff become experts in the destinations. Created by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), the new portal provides a one-stop shop to help travel professionals sell the Caribbean more effectively. It features training modules for The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis, Ottley’s Plantation in St Kitts, True Blue Bay in Grenada and Biras Creek and Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands. The programme includes a reward scheme so agents can earn rewards for completing certain modules. The portal also includes news, photo galleries, a calendar of events as well as links to social media sites.

See www.caribbeantravelguru.com or for more information email info@sunrisemarketing.co.uk

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Fancy a fam?

FUNWAY HOLIDAYS, which hosted seven fam trips this year for agents (two in Florida, three in Mexico, one in the Dominican Republic and one to Jamaica) is encouraging agents who are interested in going on a fam next year to get in touch.

For details see www.funway4agents.co.uk WARNER LEISURE Hotels has launched new agent educationals and offers across its portfolio of Country House Hotels, Coastal Hotels and Villages.

The trips are aimed at boosting customer bookings and agents’ knowledge of the product and the developments on offer for 2014. On December 20 and 21, agents can book a one-, two- or three-night weekend break at a selection of the 13 UK properties from £79 per room. The price is based on two adults sharing and includes accommodation in an upgraded room, three-course evening meals and breakfast. To download a booking form visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk and return to agency.sales@bourne-leisure.co.uk. Spaces are limited and breaks will be issued on a first come first served basis.

GOING FOR GOLD...Gold Medal has announced that 36 winning agents scooped places on its latest mega fam which took place last week. Travelling east with Emirates, the trip saw four regional teams head off to different destinations simultaneously, before all meeting back at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Each team was escorted by one of the operator's sales development managers, who hosted the trips in Mauritius, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Pictured getting ready to head to Dubai are, from the left: the operator's Matthew Hinchliffe, Tina Hodge, Ruth Hilton and Lauren Beaton.

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newsbulletin Exodus unveils new cultural adventure holidays plus trekking and walking brochure EXODUS HAS launched its 2014/15 Discover brochure with 12 new cultural adventure holidays and new destinations that include northern Namibia, Angola and Bangladesh.

As an example, a 15-day ‘Discover Bangladesh’ leads in at £1,999 per person and takes travellers out of Dhaka to explore the citadels of Bagerhat and the tea plantations, with two days cruising through the mangroves of the Sundarban National Park for the chance to spot crocodiles, sea turtles and Bengal tigers. Following a loop of the whole country, travellers will visit the Garo tribal village, one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world, where women inherit property and children take the clan title of their mothers.

The price includes flights from London and breakfast accommodation and departs on February 15 and April 5.

Meanwhile, the operator has issued a new Trekking and Walking brochure for 2013/14, featuring 21 new itineraries.

New trips include the three-day ‘Trek Snowdon Long Weekend’ from £249, including accommodation and most

meals. The trip to Snowdonia National Park includes an ascent of the highest peak in England and Wales, Mt Snowden (1,085m), with the first departure on June 20.

Alternatively, those looking to go abroad can spend 12 days trekking along Italy’s Amalfi Coast from £669, including accommodation and most meals. With the first trip departing on February 1, the holiday follows mule tracks and old paths through hillside villages, lemon groves and deep gorges, descending from a rural base on the Agerola Plain to the towns.

Further afield, the five-day Jordan Walking Weekend leads in at £999, including flights from London, accommodation and most meals. With the first departure on February 21, guests will experience the Dead Sea, life with the Bedouin and sleeping under the stars, culminating with a walk around the city of Petra and time at the Red Sea. For more information or to book call 0845-863 9601 or visit www.exodus.co.uk

Cruise and Maritime Voyages offers Northern Lights cruises from £999 CRUISE AND Maritime Voyages (CMV) has reduced prices for a number of 2014 ‘Land of the Northern Lights’ cruises, which now lead in at £999 per person.

The cruises depart from Tilbury on February 16 and March 2 and 16 for 14 nights on Marco Polo.

From the West Country there is a choice of two 15night departures on Discovery from Bristol Avonmouth on February 24 and March 11, with prices also starting from £999 per

person. The March 11 cruise can also be joined in Liverpool the following day or by coach transfer from Hull.

The ports of call vary slightly on each departure but all head up to the Norwegian coastline and across the Arctic Circle in search of the Aurora Borealis. The cruise includes visits to Narvik, Alta and Tromsø, with an overnight stay in Alta and an opportunity to see polar wildlife and winter landscapes including the Svartisen Glacier, as well as

a chance to visit the Igloo Hotel.

Prices are based on two sharing an inner cabin on a full board basis and include afternoon tea and late night snacks. Daytime activities, a guest speaker programme, evening ‘big show’ entertainment, complimentary tea and coffee (06:00-22:00) and porterage of luggage is also included in the price.

For further details call 0844-414 6185 or visit www.cruiseandmaritime.com

TROPHY TRAVEL...Jet2.com rolled out the red carpet treatment for a VIP 'passenger' as it made more than 100 stops across the host nations of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France. Pictured with the Rugby League World Cup, which the airline transported to Barcelona, is the carrier's Ellena Pollady.

For details on flights to Barcelona visit www.jet2.com and for city breaks visit www.jet2holidays.com

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Red Funnel offers 2014 ferry travel at 2013 prices RED FUNNEL Isle of Wight Ferries is offering customers the chance to book next year’s ferry travel at this year’s prices until January 5.

Clients making a booking before this date will also automatically be entered into a prize draw to receive their crossing for free.

The Isle of Wight will next year continue to offer visitors the chance to step back in time with its Walking with Dinosaurs walking trail, using augmented reality software to bring dinosaurs back to life at six sites across the island.

Next year will also see the return of the Isle of Wight Festival, Bestival, Festival of the Sea, the IoW Cycling Festival, the IoW Walking Festival, The Garlic Festival and the Isle of Fright.

Vehicle ferries run regularly from Southampton and savings of up to 25% on ferry travel for clients booking accommodation with the company are also available.

For more information or to book call 0844-844 9988 or visit www.redfunnel.co.uk

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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: 138

Scab Lake

A➠

B➠ We assure you that this small ocean is not filled with oil despite its name

C➠

A Candelabra Buds Bros Sport

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, December 5th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week.

The winner for 15th November is Charlotte Williams, Travel a la Carte in Kilmacolm.

November 15 Solution: A=4 B=6 C=1 D=7

This adult-only inclusive resort is situated on an island in the Caribbean known for its gorgeous beaches and rum

Where Am I?

US State in which you'd find Yale University?

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

Number: 138

Across 1. Leisure hotels operator, part of Bourne Holidays Ltd (6) 4. This time-travelling Dr recently celebrated 50 years on TV (3) 8. Flag carrier of Poland (3) 9. West African country (7) 10. Part of a dollar (4) 12. Station at the end of the Central Line (6) 14. Ballet, with music by Delibes (6) 15. South American flightless bird, sounds mythological (4) 17. Upmarket resort in Crete (7) 18. Lahore airport code (3) 19. Abu Dhabi is the capital, initially (3) 20. Mr Malone, seeking a new choir in the workplace (6)

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Down 1. Entertainment mogul featured in the movie, Saving Mr. Banks (4,6) 2. Rotorua airport code (3) 3. Volcanic Mount, recently seen blowing smoke rings (4) 5. Stena and DFDS operate from this UK port (7) 6. Country in North East Africa (5) 7. Dhaka is the capital (10) 11. Country bordered by Romania and Ukraine (7) 13. Historic city in Tuscany (5) 16. The world's most populous island (4) 18. English golfer, ___ Westwood (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 November 29 2013

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MOVERS

staffreview Travel Bulletin's Lauretta Wright stayed at Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel for a night. Here are her thoughts...

● GILES HAWKE has joined MSC Cruises as UK & Ireland managing

director. ● CARLOS MARTINEZ has been appointed executive chef at The

Stafford London by Kempinski. ● GEORGE JENKINS has been re-appointed chair of the Dover

Harbour Board. The appointment takes effect on January 1, 2014. ● REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises has appointed Ben Smith as trade

marketing manager, UK & Europe. ● CONSTANCE HOTELS & Resorts has appointed Rob O’Keeffe-

First impressions ................................9/10 I was made to feel extremely welcome by the friendly and attentive reception staff who immediately set about making sure I had everything that I needed.

Comfort ............................................10/10 Macdonald’s Bath Hotel is a beautiful and venerable old building with sumptuously fitted rooms (including super king size beds and Molton Brown spa products) all set in beautifully landscaped gardens.

Quality ..............................................10/10 The hotel has a well appointed spa attached with guests able to make use of the pool, the gym, thermal suite and hydro pool. All facilities are excellently supported by expert staff.

Affordability ........................................8/10 The hotel and spa is a premium product with exceptional attention to detail. If it’s luxury you’re after then the hotel is competitively priced with room rates starting from £185 per night including breakfast.

Service ..............................................10/10 Staff were very attentive and seemed happy to go the extra mile to accommodate any reasonable request.

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

Bath town centre is a short ten-minute stroll away so no need to drive or get a bus.

For details see www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Overall scoring: ..................

9.5 /10

Wilson as sales manager for the UK & Ireland.

United strengthens London-New York service UNITED AIRLINES has announced that it will strengthen its service between Heathrow and New York/Newark next year by operating all its five daily flights on the route with widebody aircraft during the summer peak season, nearly doubling the number of flat-bed seats offered on upgraded flights. The move will increase overall capacity by 5% yearon-year during the April-September period.

Flights currently operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft will be operated by three-cabin 767-300s, each featuring a total of 183 seats – six in United Global First, 26 in United BusinessFirst and 151 in United Economy, including 67 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space. Like Premium cabins on all United international long-haul flights, Global First and BusinessFirst will feature flat-bed seats.

For details see www.united.com

Genie magic from DoSomethingDifferent AGENTS CAN now pre-book ‘special offer priority rate’ tickets for Disney’s new theatrical, musical comedy ALADDIN from DoSomethingDifferent.com Tickets officially go on sale to the public after December 1, but agents can secure seats now through the operator, including seats for the preview shows on Broadway from February 26 and for the grand opening on March 20.

ALADDIN will be showing at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway and 42nd Street. Seats in the prime Orchestra or Front Mezzanine sections for both evening and matinee performances cost £72.

For further information call 020-8090 3890.

If you'd like to take part and receive a £10 Love2Shop voucher email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk or call 020-7834 6661 with your name and contact details.

ME TIME...Jan Hallows from Mercian Travel in West Hagley won a spa package worth £250 as part of Travel 2's 'Affordable Dubai' campaign incentive. Pictured with Jan is the operator's Andy Harris.

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KSC AND ATTRACTION WORLD ARE GIVING AWAY TOP PRIZES EVERY DAY TO CELEBRATE THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS‌ WE ARE OVER THE MOON ABOUT IT AND SURE YOU WILL BE TOO!

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Just answer the question that will appear every morning on our homepage from 1st to 12th December for your chance to win a fantastic prize... from Space Memorabilia to Gift Experiences!

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Winners will be announced the following morning on www.attractionworld.com. One prize per agent. No booking necessary. 78 prizes in total to be won.

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newsbulletin Legoland Florida announces launch of four-storey hotel development for 2015 LEGOLAND FLORIDA has announced that its hotel is scheduled to open in 2015.

Welcoming guests with a multi-coloured exterior and entrance, the four-storey hotel will immerse families with young children in the world of Lego, as an extension of the interactive theme park experience.

Created to bring children’s imaginations to life, the themed hotel will feature 152 brightly coloured and highly themed rooms and suites, interactive play areas, a pool and a restaurant.

The new property will be the fifth Legoland Hotel worldwide, joining California, Windsor and Billund, plus the soon to open Malaysia property.

Legoland Hotel, California

Condor Ferries announces 2014/15 sailing schedule to Channel Islands & France CONDOR FERRIES has launched its 2014/15 sailing schedule offering sailings until March 24, 2015, allowing guests to book journeys from the UK to the Channel Islands and France up to 16 months in advance.

Guests travelling on the fast ferries will be able to take advantage of a choice of sailings from both Weymouth and Poole Ports to Guernsey, Jersey and connecting services through to St Malo in France.

Customers will also benefit from popular day trips from both UK ports to Guernsey, allowing guests to experience a taste of the Channel

Islands, as well as take advantage of duty free shopping on board.

The company's sales and marketing director, Alicia Andrews, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer the sailing schedules from April 1, 2014, right through until March 25, 2015, giving our guests the opportunity to plan their holidays to the Channel Islands and France in advance and take advantage of our early booking offers.

“We are also continuing our popular connecting services to France, giving guests wishing to travel to the continent the opportunity to break their journey

across the Channel with a stop in the Channel Islands, allowing them to shop onboard for genuine duty free goods and cruise the spectacular coastline of the Channel Islands on one trip.”

Bookings made online before December 5 will receive a free 26page personalised photo book worth £17.99, allowing customers to upload their digital photos to create a Christmas gift or keepsake. Agents booking online for their customers can also save their clients £5 on return journeys.

For more information see www.condorferries.com

Khiri Travel unveils 'immersive' B2B site

LET IT SNOW...Best Served Scandinavia took seven agents on a fam to experience the best of Northern Norway and Trondelag. Agents visited Tromso, the Lofoten Islands and Trondheim, plus experienced a husky safari. Pictured are, from the left (back row): Myron Barnard, Travelplanners; Danny Wooller, Dreamtime Travel; Wendy Manning, Bath Travel; Lesley Reeves, Meon Valley Travel; and local guide Roar; with (middle row) local guide Amelia, Natalie Keeler, TenUK; Sue Brownell, Travel About; and (bottom row): Becky Davis, Best Served Scandinavia; local guide Anja; Abbie Harrington, Bath Travel; and Terhi Millar, Best Served Scandinavia.

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KHIRI TRAVEL has launched a new website, Khiri.com, that replicates online the company's approach to immersive, engaging travel in the Greater Mekong Region.

The site offers a modern design with large images and a spacious layout and brings together all of the company's offerings, as well as improving B2B interaction through integrated Facebook comments and social media updates.

The site features a secure travel trade log-in section, where agents have their own page within the website.

Agents will also find information such as a picture database, contact lists for each office, a festival calendar, plus price quotes and itineraries for travellers.

The site, which features the destinations of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, also gives agents the option to access personalised files and pages through a secure login, creating a safe and lasting repository of files without relying on email attachments.

Other value-added highlights include a contact form to easily connect with the operator, a testimonials section with feedback from travellers and agents, blogs and a sustainability zone where the company's charitable arm, Khiri Reach is introduced.

Agents can also visit the site to register for the monthly e-newsletter which features innovative travel ideas, product news and themed experiences from across five countries.

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pixmix TO MARK 25 years in the luxury travel market next year, Prestige Holidays recently held a dinner at The Langham Hotel in London. The operator features four- and five-star hotels in Southern Spain, Mallorca, five of the Canary Islands, Cyprus, the Algarve, Madeira & Porto Santo, Morocco, Malta and Gozo. In the summer, Croatia, Turkey, Sardinia, the Italian Lakes, Sicily and Crete are also featured. Here's a round-up of the night in pictures...

PRESTIGE ADVANTAGE.. .Proudly holding Prestige's 2013 award to Advantage for 'Travel Consor tium of the Year' is Tania Codling from Advantage (second from right) with , from th e left: celebrity Julie Peasgood, John Dixon and David Nash from Prestige.

TRAVEL TALK...Pictured catch ing up over drinks are , from the left: Garry Burns, Hynds Travel; Anita Garcia, Pre stige Holidays; and John Barr, Ian Dixo n Travel. www.travelbulletin.co.uk

STAR LINE-UP...Pictured with celebrity, Julie Peasgood (left) are, from the left: Prestige Holidays' John Dixon, Shubhra Halliday, John Joinson and David Nash.

BUBBLY BROTHERS...Tim Giles (left) and Peter Giles from World Market Travel in Bath raise a glass to a successful evening.

APPLAUSE PLEASE...Bharat Gadhoke from Holidays Please catches up with Steph Witchell (left) and Jemma Storey from Sevenoaks Travel.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...Enjoying the evening are, from the left: Julie Peasgood with John Dixon and David Nash from Prestige Holidays; and Julie Boto-White, Air Canada .

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Industry Insight by...

Why we are all selling a holiday of a lifetime by Tracey Poggio, ANTOR chairman

RAVEL ABROAD has moved leaps and bounds since building face on. The new breeder is seeking enrichment the first organised tour of Thomas Cook & Son in and immersion with valuable experiences to raise the 1841, on a chartered train from Leicester to consciousness and develop new skills in their lives.

Loughborough.

This is where the undoubted experience of a tourist In the early 1950s the package holiday as we know it was board comes into its own, in promoting the unique assets launched and as the public retreated from British seaside of a destination. The genre of experiential travel is on the holidays, information films were shown in town halls rise and every destination is hot on its heels. It has become throughout Britain of life abroad. fundamental to bringing a tourism brand to life.

Early newsreel footage on Whether it’s cooking on a British Pathe gives a classic "Whether it’s cooking on a Tuscan Tuscan farm, sledging with sense of the Englishman the huskies or taking a hot air abroad. Those early travellers farm, sledging with the huskies or balloon over the Gobi desert, were enticed by adventure there is mass audience taking a hot air balloon over the Gobi appeal and it leaves and a taste of the exotic.

As package travel evolved, boundless opportunities for desert, there is mass audience appeal product diversification. the massive UK outbound industry has left its indelible If we consider the Disney and it leaves boundless opportunities brand, that offers immersive mark on destinations of choice and we grew to experiences for families for product diversification" sample much less the taste around a theme, and the of the exotic, but rather an diversification of a cruise extension of the home we left behind. holiday, where each port of call can leave an indelible The increased relative affordability of travel which has led impression on its footfall, the news is good. This all leads to to a global explosion of an industry, which the UNWTO endless openings for new businesses, new packaging and a predicts will see 1.8 billion international travellers by 2030, new selling tool which is good for the destinations, good for has changed the face of travel again. Bored and uninspired the operators, good for the agents and most of all good for by fish and chips abroad, we see a new breed of traveller, the paying customer, who may just find time to reinvigorate more seasoned, educated and well-heeled. These new and re-energise from a dull and lustre less life. travellers demand and desire more than looking at a After all, isn’t that what a holiday is about anyway?

T

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Cyplon expands Greece product for next year CYPLON HOLIDAYS has issued its Cyprus & Greece summer 2014 brochure which features a range of carefully selected hotels plus an expanded Greece programme.

Most of the added properties are on Greece’s islands including Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Skiathos. The operator has also re-introduced some smaller Greek islands to the programme including Naxos, Paros, Lefkada, Parga and Skopelos.

Examples include a sevennight breakfast stay at the three-star Margarita’s House for £384 per person in May, including flights.

Alternatively, a seven-night breakfast stay at the fourstar Archipelagos Hotel in Mykonos costs from £573 in June with flights.

Meanwhile, the operator is set to launch its new website next month featuring all brochure products plus more hotels. To coincide with the launch, the company will be selling carefully selected four- and five-star holidays to the Mediterranean islands of Malta, Sicily and Sardinia as well as Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.

For more information or to order the new brochure call 0800-074 8888.

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

THE MARBELLA Beach Hotel in Corfu, Greece is scheduled for further renovations next year, including a new restaurant, the construction of a new tunnel to allow safer and more direct access from the hotel to the beach and investment in the gardens and public areas. Located 30 minutes from the airport and town centre, the hotel is close to the Old Fort and offers views of the island and Corfu Old Town. Classic Collection is offering seven nights at the hotel from £693 per person in May 2014, based on two sharing a deluxe room on a half-board basis. It includes flights and private transfers.

Mykonos & Santorini villas to receive boost in visitors next summer BRITISH AIRWAYS is set to launch direct flights from Heathrow to the popular Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini for summer 2014.

Portugal and Malaga will also see twiceweekly direct flights available from Heathrow from next year.

The carrier's director of strategy, Lynne Embleton, said: "We want to give our customers even more great destinations to choose from next summer. We believe the introduction of Oporto, Mykonos and Santorini will prove very popular with holidaymakers looking for summer sun and the start of flights to Faro and Malaga from Heathrow, plus the increase in frequencies to a number of popular summer routes will give them even more choice."

Until now, Mykonos and Santorini have proved difficult to access with most flight routes requiring a stopover in Athens. For transatlantic travellers who may already have multiple legs to their trip, the new direct flights will be a welcome option.

IAVRA partner, JC Moquette, said: "In spite of the economic instability in the country over the last few years, Greece continues to

attract tourists. In fact, it remains one of IAVRA's most popular European vacation rental destinations for the months of July and August with UK and international agents alike. And with the introduction of more convenient flight routes from early next summer we are confident that our property agents in Mykonos and Greece will see an increase in enquiries for their properties."

The Greek portfolio on IAVRA is varied both in the destinations it covers as well as the price point, offering properties from 400 a week for a two-bedroom villa with a private pool to €60,000 a week for a 16bedroom luxury villa in Mykonos. With the introduction of two weekly direct flights from London to Mykonos from May 3 and to Santorini from May 4, IAVRA will be looking to bring on new property agents in the region to help satisfy the expected increase in demand for alternative holiday accommodation options.

Flights are now on sale for May departures at www.ba.com.

For more information about IAVRA email info@iavra.com, visit www.iavra.com or call 020-7351 6636.

Special offer on diving equipment from Air Malta AIR MALTA has launched a special offer related to the carriage of diving equipment on its scheduled flights.

Passengers travelling on the airline until March 31, 2014 can download a special voucher from the carrier's website (www.airmalta.com) and pay €5 at the check-in counter for checking in personal diving equipment up to 32kg on presentation of the voucher.

The airline's chief commercial officer, Philip Saunders, said: “Malta is renowned for its world class dive sites and the special rate on diving equipment charge will allow our passengers the freedom to enjoy the various dive sites on the islands with their own equipment.”

For more information on the various shore and boat sites see www.visitmalta.com/en/dive-sites

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Thomas Cook Airlines adds new Med islands destinations following launch of larger aircraft THOMAS COOK Airlines has announced that, from June 2014, it will operate two aircraft from Stansted Airport – using the larger Airbus A321 replacing the existing A320 – bringing an increased amount of flights and holidays which are now on sale for holidaymakers from the East and South East of England.

The additional and larger aircraft means that a range of new destinations are now within reach of holidaymakers travelling from Stansted, including the new destinations of Corfu,

Fuerteventura, Heraklion, Izmir, Kefalonia, Kos, Rhodes and new to Stansted - Skiathos – as well as increased frequency to popular resorts.

Thomas Cook Holidays is offering seven nights in Skiathos from £449 per person, staying at the three-star Myrtia Apartments on self-catering, based on a June 6 departure.

For more information visit www.flythomascook.com and www.thomascook.com

Arblaster & Clarke promotes Mount Etna and the Islands of Sicily option ARBLASTER & Clarke Wine Tours has introduced a new wine tour for 2014, to Mount Etna and the Islands of Sicily.

Prices lead in at £2,575 per person based on a September 21 departure, and highlights include visiting the wine areas on Etna and the opportunity to stay on the islands of the volcanic Aeolian archipelago.

Made up of seven small, inhabited islands off the north east coast of Sicily, the islands are home to the Malvasia delle Lipari wines. The wine discoveries made on the tour are centered around the eastern and northern slopes of Mount Etna and the islands of Lipari, Salina and Stromboli.

Meanwhile, the company is offering an early spring escape to Malta and Gozo, travelling from March 30 to April 3. Prices lead in at £1,599 which includes flights and accommodation at the five-star Hotel Phoenicia in Valetta.

Guests will spend a day on Gozo to visit Joe Spiteri at Ta Mena wine estate and the Azure Window, one of the natural features of the island.

The operator's managing director, Lynette Arblaster, said: "If you know nothing about the wines of Malta, or are slightly bemused to hear that these wines are worthy of interest you will be pleasantly surprised. We have escorted tours to the archipelago in previous years and the clients were both surprised and impressed by the quality of the wines, so we are delighted to be offering this excellent itinerary to our 2014 programme.”

For more information visit www.winetours.co.uk

ME BY Meliá has announced the launch of ME Ibiza in 2014. Located on the bay in Santa Eulalia, the property offers 200 guest rooms including 21 ME+ suites, some of which offer private Jacuzzis and swimming pools, plus an ultra-luxurious Suite ME. Hotel facilities include two pools with a concierge service, a fitness centre and spa, roof terrace cocktail bar and restaurant. Opening in June next year, room rates lead in at £200 per night excluding VAT.

Visit Calvia launches ‘Magaluf Revolution’ marketing strategy FOLLOWING THE closure of the Calvia region in Mallorca for the summer to re-open in February 2014, Visit Calvia has launched its Magaluf Revolution marketing strategy which focuses on the quality of the holiday experiences available in the region.

With a number of new luxury properties opening, as well as a wide variety of family attractions, the region is developing substantially and showcasing a holiday experience far removed from the typical holiday associated with Magaluf.

A municipality located in the south west corner of Mallorca, Calvia is best known for being home to popular party spot Magaluf. However, during the past year the tourist board has worked hard to change the perception of the region and to promote its range of outdoor activities.

The destination features six well established resorts (Magaluf, Palmanova, Portal Nous, Illetes, Santa Ponsa and Paguera) which are all situated approximately 20 minutes from Palma de Mallorca Airport, a two-hour flight from Gatwick and other regional airports.

For more information visit www.visitcalvia.com

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Winter getaways from £375 from Belleair

nn, holiday

by John Gui

researcher

John has fond memories of his visit to Mallorca...

John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weekly travel show on internet radio station, Secklow Sounds. He also contributes regularly to UK Health Radio.

HAVE Searched the internet to find out exactly how many islands there are in the Mediterranean. It wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. The numbers changed depending on how the islands were classified. Let’s just agree that there are lots.

What I do know for certain is that I have visited precisely two. It’s a pathetic number I know, especially for someone working in travel. I didn’t even need a calculator to add them up.

The trips may be few in numbers, but I have loads of memories.

The first island I visited was Cyprus and it was on this island that I committed to starting a travel agency after going to a consortium conference. I had left a stable, well paid job in telecommunications to work with fickle customers for commission only. Hmmm.

So to ensure that I didn’t continue to hold a grunge against the island I have since been back for a holiday, so I now have happy Cyprus memories too.

The second island is Mallorca. As a challenge I departed from Luton on the first Saturday of the school summer holidays. If you’re into people watching then this is a great move. If you’re not then you should avoid this day like the plague. It was easy to see why divorce lawyers have a surge in clients around September time.

The flight was uneventful and soon I was in a cab off to the hotel. The taxi driver didn’t know the hotel, so he was continually fiddling with his sat-nav trying to find it. This was a little unnerving when he was driving up the hills. Especially as there wasn’t always a crash barrier to stop us driving over the edge, as others had done judging by the skid marks on the road.

Still we made it to the small town without incident, and he pulled over to ask for directions. Unfortunately for him, if he had looked to his right he would have seen that he had stopped right outside the hotel…

I

BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS is offering a selection of winter getaways on selected departures in December and January.

The holidays include mini-breaks for those with little holiday time left and wish to spoil themselves on a spa break, or longer options for those who want to celebrate New Year in Malta and escape the cold for some winter sun. They offer maximum flexibility with departures from 13 regional airports.

For short breaks, examples include four nights' breakfast accommodation at the five-star InterContinental Malta from £379 per person including Gatwick flights with easyJet, private transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction. The offer is subject to availability and is based on two sharing for a December 14 departure.

A New Year escape to the Sunseeker Apartments leads in at £409 including flights from East Midlands with Monarch Airlines, 14 nights' self-catering accommodation in a studio, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction. The offer is subject to availability and is based on three adults sharing for a December 28 departure.

Meanwhile, a seven-night breakfast stay at the four-star The Coastline Hotel costs from £375. It includes flights from Belfast with easyJet, transfers and complimentary entrance to a selected Malta attraction, and is based on a January 14 departure.

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

Skiathos Princess adds private garden space for families THE SKIATHOS Princess Hotel, located on the Greek island of Skiathos, offers a range of activities for guests including water skiing and sailing, plus boat rentals or boat taxis to visit nearby beaches and deserted islands.

The five-star, 132-room property has also added private garden space to 20 family rooms and is highlighting its selection of kids' clubs including ‘Little Seal’s Creche’ (from six months to four years) and ‘Little Seals Mini Club’ (from four to 12 years).

For more information visit www.skiathosprincess.com

Skiathos Princess

A bar in Palma

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Jet2holidays launches dedicated package holidays to Mallorca for cyclists JET2HOLIDAYS IS now offering dedicated cycling breaks to Mallorca with prices leading in at £195 per person for one week, with a £60 deposit.

Bike enthusiasts can benefit from March – November flights, which are timed to take advantage of the cooler weather for training, and the company's flexible stays mean holidays can be tailored to suit all styles whether it’s a short weekend break with friends or a week-long family trip.

Flights to Palma from eight UK airports are available with Jet2.com, along with bike carriage; a hand-picked selection of three- to fourstar hotels with cycling friendly features including direct access to the best routes, secure CCTV storage plus repair, maintenance and bike cleaning facilities; transfers for cyclists and their bikes; plus bike hire packages including top-of-the-range brands like Cannondale, coming soon.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We are continually expanding our product range to offer our customers an unrivalled choice of holiday options. Active

breaks are certainly seeing an increase in popularity, particularly cycling on the back of the UK’s Olympic legacy and next year’s Grand Depart Yorkshire. It therefore made sense to cater for this growing demand by launching bespoke cycling holidays to one of the most popular biking destinations in Europe.

“We’ve worked hard to develop a package which is a one-stop-shop to suit all biking styles and abilities.

Our dedicated microsite not only highlights the best hotel deals but also has top route maps plus a host of handy tips and advice, including how to pack your cycle for travel.

Combined with our unrivalled knowledge on what to do in Mallorca when out of the saddle, we are confident our new cycling breaks are right on track.”

As examples of hotel packages, seven nights at the fourstar Viva Blue in Playa de Muro, which is ideal for couples, families and groups, costs from £265 per person, while a seven-night stay at the four-star Aparthotel Duva & Spa in Puerto Pollensa costs from £229.

For further information visit www.jet2holidays.com/cycling

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mediterraneanisland Estonian Air adds seasonal flights to Split FROM MAY 10, 2014, Estonian Air will open direct seasonal flights between Tallinn and Split.

Flights will operate on Saturdays until September 27, and from June 18 until August 27 twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

One-way fares from Tallinn to Split start from €109.90, and from Split to Tallinn from €116.99 including all fees and taxes.

For more information visit www.estonian-air.com

New flights to Pula, Dubrovnik and Split from Jet2 JET2 HAS announced new weekly flights between Edinburgh and Pula and has increased the number of flights from Manchester to Pula from May 2014.

Additional flights to Dubrovnik from Norwegian Air and British Airways have also been announced from Gatwick, while easyJet is adding new flights from Scotland to Split from next summer.

Olympic Holidays boosts property portfolio in Cyprus in 2013/14 brochure OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS has introduced the Canaries and mainland Spain to its Winter Sun 2013/14 brochure, and has added additional product in core destinations.

The company's commercial director, Photis Lambrianides, said: "We've been pleased with Spain's performance in our Summer Sun programme and are sure it will do well in winter, too.

"The Canaries are wellestablished in the British

market for winter sun holidays, while the Costa del Sol always holds appeal for a break outside the summer months.”

While the Canaries and mainland Spain are newlyintroduced, the programme keeps the emphasis firmly on core destinations Cyprus and Egypt's Red Sea Riviera.

Malta, The Gambia and Goa also feature in the programme.

Lambrianides said: "Cyprus remains our

number one winter sun destination and we are placing more emphasis on it this year by boosting the number of properties and widening choice. With its outstanding culture and wonderful sightseeing, not to mention golf, bowls and a range of other activities, Cyprus is a terrific choice for a winter holiday."

New properties have also been added across the programme. In Cyprus, these include the Zening Resorts in Latchi, a four-

star spa property within 60 acres of grounds aimed at adults-only.

Other Cyprus additions are the five-star Grecian Bay Hotel in Agia Napa and four-star Athena Royal Beach Hotel in Paphos.

Lead in prices for Cyprus start from £349 for seven nights' self-catering at the four-star Louis King Jason in Paphos, based on four sharing a onebedroom apartment.

For more information visit www.olympicholidays.com EXODUS HAS launched a new family cycling adventure in Croatia following an increase in sales this year, with more than 30% in bookings. The eight-day itinerary leads in at £1,199 per adult and £1,149 per child, including flights from London and breakfast accommodation.

Starting in Dubrovnik, the gentle family cycling holiday explores the highlights of Croatia, taking in Korcula Island, and its walled city; the Island of Mljet and the Peljesac Peninsula with its easy coastal roads. The itinerary is suitable for children from eight years old and departs on April 12, May 24 and July 19.

For details call 0845-863 9601 or visit www.exodus.co.uk

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November 29 2013

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NEXT MONTH, from December 6-9, the city of Lyon will host its annual Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières). The main light parade this year will honour Mexico, with a display of giant puppets inspired by Mexican alebrijes, of more than 30 visual artists, painters, builders, actors and circus performers. Nearly 70 light displays will be on show around the city, developed by artists including French fashion designer Chantal Thomass, and famous light artists such as Damien Fontaine and Jean-Luc Hervé. The city’s food scene also comes alive during the festival, with stalls and ‘bouchons’ – traditional Lyonnaise eateries – selling food and wine. Flights to Lyon during the Festival start from £47 one-way with easyJet.

Money back guarantee from Le Mas Candille THE FIVE-STAR boutique hotel Le Mas Candille on the Côte d'Azur has launched a new promotion for clients who visit for four nights or more until December 19.

Guests will receive a 50% money back guarantee on their holiday if there is more than 25mm of rainfall on one day of their four-night break.

As well as breakfast accommodation in a classic room featuring Provençal interiors, the package also includes car rental.

While staying at the hillside hotel, guests are a short walk from the arthub of Mougins where they can explore a range of independent art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants. The Mougins Museum of Classical Art and the Museum of Photography are also on the doorstep.

The four-night package costs €996 per person, based on two sharing.

To book email reservations@lemascandil le.com, quoting SUN2013.

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Lagrange Holidays issues France 2014 summer programme LAGRANGE HOLIDAYS has launched its 2014 summer programme which features a variety of accommodation in more than 200 resorts throughout France’s coasts, countryside, mountains and cities.

Accommodation ranges from simple apartments and family-friendly campsites to highstandard villas with private pools and smart chateaux ideal for short breaks.

The new brochure has also been updated for this year to include a wider variety of destinations and types of accommodation. New additions include a range of campsites in resorts such as Benodet and Port Grimaud, as well as hotels, Loire Valley chateaux and theme parks including Parc Asterix, where park passes can be booked with accommodation.

Other highlights include early booking discounts of up to 20% (including stays during the school holidays at selected residences), long stay discounts of up to 50% and new apartments in Biarritz, ‘Les Patios Eugénie’, which opened in summer.

Early booking discounts for stays in the Côte d’Azur offer up to 15% off in high-standard villas with private pool in Sainte-Maxime, including peak dates, for bookings made before January 25. As an example, a two-bedroom alcove villa with private pool sleeping up to seven people in ‘Le Carre Beauchene’ costs £1,464 for the week commencing on August 30, offering a saving of £253 on the usual weekly price.

Guests booking long stays in Brittany can also benefit from a variety of discounts including 14 nights for the price of 12, three weeks for the price of two and 40% off stays of four weeks or more. The long-stay discounts can also be used alongside early booking discounts at selected residences when applicable. As an example of prices, a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four in ‘Les Hauts de la Houle’ in the Breton fishing port of Cancale costs £732 for a four-week stay from August 30, and includes a 10% early booking discount.

Travel agent commission starts at 10% and selected pre-payable extras are also fully commissionable.

For enquiries or to book call 020-7371 6111 or visit www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk

Club Med unveils new Val Thorens mountain-top resort CLUB MED has announced that its new Val Thorens destination will be open to the public from December next year.

The resort will act as a flagship ski destination for the operator's Mountain resorts and will offer door-step access to one of the most prestigious ski domains of the French Alp: the Three Valleys with their 600km of pistes.

The company's UK managing director,

Laurent De Chorivit, said: “Our 4-T Val Thorens resort is a real family-pleaser encompassing a great array of activities for everyone to enjoy. Servicing elite skiers who are looking for a broad range of other sports and activities, the new resort really has something for everyone.”

For more information visit www.clubmed.co.uk or call 0845-367 0670.

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france Celebrate the New Year in Paris or Lille with one of Eurostar’s lowest fares CLIENTS LOOKING to kickstart 2014 in style can treat themselves to a discounted New Year break in Paris, Lille, Brussels or Disneyland Paris thanks to Eurostar’s express sale offering return tickets from £54 per person for groups of two or four passengers.

Travellers have until Monday (December 2) to take advantage of the special offer, for travel between January 6

and February 12, 2014. More than 45,000 seats are available at the discounted price, which offers a saving of 21% on the regular lead-in fare.

For passengers looking for a little more luxury, the express sale offers return fares in Standard Premier from £159 per person for a minimum of two or a maximum of four travellers.

For more information visit www.eurostar.com

New 19-day 'French Elegance' itinerary from Insight Vacations from £4,025 INSIGHT VACATIONS has added a new 19-day French Elegance itinerary.

Beginning in Paris, the itinerary takes guests to the Normandy beaches, St. Malo, the Loire Valley, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Dordogne Valley, Vichy, Dijon, Strasbourg and the Champagne Country.

On the Country Roads itinerary, the journey is gently paced, with premium accommodation en-route, including

the five-star Spa Hotel Les Celestins in the town of Vichy, which offers panoramic views of Lake Allier.

Signature Experiences along the way include visiting the famous Bayeux Tapestry, an emotive trip to the Normandy Beaches in the year that marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and a visit to the “Ladies Castle” in Chenonceau.

Other highlights include tasting the famous wines of St. Emilion, a

scenic railway journey up one of Auvergne’s greatest volcanic plugs and a Celebration Dinner at a typical French bistro in Paris.

Prices start from £4,025, including VIP door-to-door airport transfers, 18 nights' breakfast accommodation with a further eight evening meals, sightseeing and the services of a tour director.

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

New interactive brochure offers 13 property additions from Corsican Places CORSICAN PLACES has issued its 2014 collection with a new interactive brochure, new branding plus a revamped website highlighting 13 new property additions, extended flight options and incentives to book early.

More than 160 accommodation options are available, suitable for couples, families or groups of friends and flight options from Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Bristol and Gatwick.

The new brochure incorporates Augmented Reality and QR codes which instantly bring selected content to life. By downloading the operator’s free Serenity Holidays app from

the app store and Google Play, there is access to photographs, 3D floor plans and property and destination videos. A new-look website has also been designed to provide easy navigation and access to detailed information.

Early booking offers include free UK airport lounge access, increased child discounts or up to £174 per person off selected holidays.

As examples of prices, a seven-night stay at the newly added Villa l’Oriu, a three-bedroom villa with a pool in Calvi, costs from £609 per person.

For details visit www.corsica.co.uk or call 0845-330 2345.

Kirker issues new brochure for 2014

SUPERBREAK HAS added 17 new hotels in key French destinations, further boosting its accommodation-only options in popular areas such as Paris, Disneyland Paris, Lyon and the French Riviera.

Providing additional choices for agents to book, all hotels can be booked as accommodation-only or with transport options such as Eurostar or flights and all packages have full Atol protection. As an example, a one-night stay at the two-star Sejours & Affaires Rive Gauche, located close to Disneyland Paris, costs from £30 per person, based on two sharing a self-catering studio. A Eurostar inclusive package costs from £148.50 including two nights' breakfast accommodation at the two-star Little Hotel.

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

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November 29 2013

KIRKER HAS launched its new France brochure for next year featuring a number of new additions.

They include the Dordogne region with a choice of six hotels, ranging in budget from the three-star superior Château de la Fleunie (three nights from £498 per person) to the four-star deluxe Château de la Treyne (three nights from £794).

Prices are based on two sharing and include flights from London, breakfast accommodation and car hire.

A new hotel in Paris has also been added for next year. The five-star Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is a few minutes’ walk from the Louvre and a stay of three nights, based on two sharing, costs from £998. It includes Eurostar travel; transfers; guide notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing; a two-day Museum Pass; a carnet of Metro tickets; a Seine river cruise and concierge service.

Other new hotels have been added including the threestar Continental in central Bordeaux; the five-star superior Le Saint James, just outside Bordeaux; the four-star Domaine de la Tortiniere, just south of Tours in the Loire Valley; and Domaine de Verchant in Montpellier, a five-star deluxe Relais & Chateaux vineyard member hotel.

For more information call 020-7593 2288 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

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france Diamond Rail Holidays adds ten-day ‘Highlights of Corsica’ itinerary AS PART of its recently-launched 2014 programme of escorted trips by rail throughout Europe, Diamond Rail Holidays has added a new ten-day ‘Highlights of Corsica’ itinerary. It visits the four corners of Corsica, from Bastia in the far north, to Calvi and Corte at the island’s mountainous heart, before ending in the capital Ajaccio. Included in the itinerary are journeys on the ‘Trinicellu’ which follows the coast from Bastia to Calvi, and a journey from Corte to Ajaccio.

The tour departs in April, June, September and October and costs from £1,329 per person. It includes travel by Eurostar and TGV from St Pancras to Nice (return from Marseille); ferry crossing to Corsica; all rail journeys in Corscia; seven nights’ accommodation; main visits and excursions; many meals and the services of a tour manager.

For details visit www.sellingrailholidays.com or call 0844-544 7581.

CroisiEurope launches three new hotel barge cruises & four new itineraries on France's waterways FOLLOWING THE launch of CroisiEurope’s first hotel barge, the 11berth MS La Jeanine, the French river cruise company has announced details of three new hotel barges for 2014 which will operate on four new routes through the Burgundy, Provence and Champagne regions as well as on the Canal SaintMartin through Paris.

The new custom designed hotel barges – the Anne-Marie, Raymonde and Madeleine are fully air-conditioned and each has 12 outward facing cabins with windows or portholes, private bathrooms, a spacious lounge and dining room and a fleet of bicycles for guests' use.

New itineraries include a seven-day cruise in Provence on the Anne-Marie,

which starts in Avignon and visits Beaucaire, Arles, Saint-Gilles, AiquesMortes and Palavas-Les Flots, before finishing in Sète. There are three departures next year - May 26, July 7 and September 15, with prices leading in at £1,690 per person. It includes accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals and at the bar (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment, excursions, use of bicyles and port taxes.

In Champagne, a seven-day cruise on the Raymonde starts in Chalons-enChampagne and visits Epernay, Dormans, Château-Thierry, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, Meaux and Nogent-sur-Marne before

finishing in Paris. There are three departures in 2014 – June 12, July 10 and September 4, with prices from £1,665.

In Paris, a four-day cruise on the Jeanine is offered on five departures March 17, September 29, October 13, November 10 and December 11, with prices from ÂŁ545. And in Burgundy, a seven-day cruise on the Jeanine starts in Saint-Leger-Sur-Dheune and visits Santenay, Chagny, Charlon-sur-Saone, Saint-Jean-de-Losne and Petit-Ouges, before finishing in Dijon. Four departures are offered on May 30, June 27, July 25 and October 3, with prices from ÂŁ1,620.

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

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HOTEL CRILLON le Brave, located 25 miles north-east of Avignon, reopens from Friday December 20 until the morning of Thursday January 2, offering up to 50% off normal room and breakfast rates.

On Christmas Eve, breakfast accommodation with lunch or dinner costs from â‚Ź170 per head, based on two sharing. Guests staying an additional night will receive 50% off the room and breakfast rate. A New Year's Eve stay costs from â‚Ź260 per person, based on two sharing, with an additional night at 50% off the room rate with breakfast and dinner included.

To book or for more information email reservations@crillonlebrave.com

Sunday opening at CitÊ Europe CITÉ EUROPE, the largest shopping centre in Northern France offering 140 shops, 15 restaurants and a ten-pin bowling complex, has announced special Sunday opening hours in the run-up to Christmas.

The centre, located next to the Eurotunnel Terminal, will be opening on December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

For more information see www.citeeurope.com

New battlefield tours from Great Rail Journeys & Treyn from ÂŁ425

0845 330 2345

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GREAT RAIL Journeys and Treyn are promoting their collection of 2014 battlefield tours, including ones to France.

Each escorted tour provides an informative, insightful and respectful opportunity to visit the memorials, cemeteries and museums which remember the events and people of the First World War. Northern France is easily and quickly reached by rail and the companies' specially designed rail tours take guests from St Pancras in London, into the heart of the western front area in a matter of hours.

The First World War tours in France are focused around The Somme, an important area which represented the “western front� between 1914 and 1918. Within this region, some of the fiercest fighting took place, and although many of the towns and cities have undergone restoration projects to bring them back to their former glory, there are many museums and preserved battlefields sites to help guests understand and experience how things were during the war.

Tours start from ÂŁ425 per person for a five-day ‘Battlefields of Flanders’ tour which includes standard class rail and coach travel; four nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast and two dinners; Ypres & the Last Post ceremony, visits to Essex Farm Cemetery, Talbot House and Lijssenthoek; entrance to ‘In Flanders Field’ museum; visits to Passchendaele, Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Hooge Crater Museum and Bayernwald Trenches; and a tour manager.

Departures are between April and October.

For more information see www.railholidays.com

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GECKOS HAS launched new tours and short breaks for independently-minded, sociable travellers with a sense of adventure and a limited budget.

As examples, a Diggers at Dawn short break takes travellers from Istanbul to Gallipoli to pay their respects on ANZAC day and costs from £115 per person for two days, including coach transport, camping and two meals. Also featured is a new Ice Ice Baby itinerary (four days from £290) which explores Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, before touring the Golden Circle of Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs and Thingvellir National Park.

Optional activities such as whale-watching, Icelandic horse-riding, and Northern Lights viewings can be arranged locally for an additional cost.

New award puts Lisbon at top of list for best city break on a budget PORTUGAL’S CAPITAL, Lisbon, has gained further recognition as a choice for budget travellers, winning the best 'City Break on a Budget' category at the inaugural Amadeus and WTM Travel Experience Awards.

Despite its rich culture, grand monuments and nearby beaches, Lisbon has not succumbed to the rest of Europe’s rising prices. When considering the cost of meals, drinks, sightseeing, travel and accommodation, Lisbon was less than half the price of Amsterdam and Rome according to the Post Office’s 2013 City Costs Barometer. The survey said visitors to the city can expect to pay £82 for two nights in a central hotel, with a

meal for two averaging £37.38, making Lisbon the best value city break destination in the Eurozone.

Executive director of Turismo de Lisboa, Paula Oliveira, said: “We are delighted to have won the best City Break on a Budget award. Lisbon is a very affordable capital and a great choice for those watching the pennies, thanks to our huge array of free or low-cost attractions, value-for-money restaurants and popular beach resorts that are accessible by public transport in only 30 minutes. Our city offers invaluable holiday experiences for every visitor.”

For more information see www.visitlisboa.com

Four-day, half-board coach touring breaks for £139 from Grand UK Holidays GRAND UK Holidays is offering fourday, half-board coach touring holidays in the UK from £139 per person, in its new 2014 brochure.

Prices work out at less than £35 a day for transport, accommodation and meals, including sightseeing tours, tour manager escorts and no single room supplement.

The over-55s specialist also features Long Stay UK holidays next year, from 19 to 33 days, leading in at around £23 per day. They are featured

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at hotels in Skegness, Weston-superMare, Bridlington and Sandown.

The operator's sales director, Harold Burke, said: “Our customers always demand good deals from their holidays, whether we offer luxury coach tours or trips at the value end of our range. Our customers are also not tied into school term times or the work-based holiday restrictions, so they can take advantage of trips in the quieter times of the year, which are cheaper.

“Also, with many of our trips being hobby holidays or specialist interest breaks, it doesn’t really matter what the weather is like, so travelling out of season is not an issue.”

Prices in the new summer brochure start from £139 for a four-day Magical Mystery Tour in the UK, including coach travel, half-board accommodation and excursions.

For bookings or more information call 01603-619933 or see www.grandukholidays.com

November 29 2013

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budgetholidays We asked our staff the following question this week: Who's your favourite movie action hero?

Bruce Willis

BARBADOS BUDDIES...Pictured marking the launch of Funway Holidays' debut Barbados brochure, which offers seven nights, room-only at the three-star Butterfly Beach Hotel from £799 per person with flights and transfers are, from the left: Mellissa Tilling, Funway; Petra Roach, Barbados Tourism Authority; and Stephen Rhodes, Funway.

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk

Self-catering property expansion from easyJet Holidays

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk

Nicolas Cage in Con Air

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk James Bond

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Indiana Jones

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Sean Connery as Bond

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Bond. James Bond.

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Bruce Willis

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Jim Carey from The Mask

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Spider-Man

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk Chuck Norris

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Michael Dudikoff

Production: Nick Salt production@travelbulletin.co.uk Jean-Claude Van Damme

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 £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

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November 29 2013

EASYJET HOLIDAYS' website now features an increased number of properties following an agreement with Interhome, which sees an additional 27,000 selfcatering properties added to the site.

Properties range from mountain chalets and villas, to apartments and cottages, and the new offering covers the whole range of star ratings with prices to suit all budgets.

Prices start from £209 per person for seven nights' self-catering basis at the four-star ‘Les Cimes Blanches A et B’ in Nendaz in the Swiss Alps, departing from Gatwick on January 11, 2014.

Alternatively, seven nights at the five-star Nepomuk chalet in Zermatt on a self-catering basis costs £808 per person, based on six sharing. The break departs from Luton on January 11. A week at the three-star Casa Nina, a semidetached house in Begur on the Costa Brava, is also featured and leads in at £216 per person, based on six sharing. It departs from Southend (to Barcelona) on April 23. Prices include flights and accommodation, but exclude transfers and baggage.

Mandy Round, the company's general manager, said: “Holidaymakers are constantly seeking new and exciting places to visit and with that in mind, it is fantastic to enter into a partnership that will offer a huge number of accommodation options, ideally located in destinations within easyJet’s extensive network."

For more information visit www.easyjet.com/holidays or call 0843-104 1000.

Butlins Minehead announces new music festival for 2014 BUTLINS MINEHEAD is launching a new festival for rock music fans next year.

The aptly named ‘Giants of Rock’ will take place on the weekend February 7-10 and guests will be treated to rock festival vibes in the indoor venue.

The four-day festival will celebrate some of the greatest rock musicians in history with live performances from head-liners and supporting acts including 30 million album selling Uriah Heep and inventors of ‘space rock’ Hawkwind.

A three-night break at the resort costs from £79 per person, based on a February 7 arrival and four adults sharing a standard self-catering apartment.

It includes tickets to the show and access to the resort’s facilities and entertainment.

Meanwhile, the company's adult-only Live Music Weekends for next year include Soul Weekender, Festival of the 60s, We Love the 70s, Ultimate 80s and 90s Reloaded.

For more information see www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0845-070 4742.

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Where Am I?: Connecticut

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