Travel Bulletin North America Supplement 2014

S01 North America Supp 2014 Whats New_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:29 Page 1

t u o b All A

a c i r e m A h t r No

2014 h c r a M

Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in North America

Produced by

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

S01 North America Supp 2014 Whats New_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:29 Page 2

Get 2014 off to a great start with

TRAVEL AGENT

AFFILIATE PROGRAMME

This year we’re bringing you…

New trade website, with single log-in and booking vouchers

Even more hotels to choose from, with 240,000+ now available

Excellent package offers Great prices (the same as available to the public)

Complete our Online Travel Training course at www.expediataaptraining.co.uk

UK trade sales team – please contact us to arrange a meeting / training etc

SPECIAL OFFER Register a new account with us at www.expedia.co.uk/taap and make a booking by the end of March to receive a £20 voucher

020 3027 9793 taexpediauk@expedia.com www.expedia.co.uk/taap 12:30

S01 North America Supp 2014 Whats New_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:29 Page 3

t u o b All A

a c i r e m A h t r No

CONTENTS

N

orth America is a big holiday destination to cover in 24 pages; there’s so many destinations to include and so many different types of holiday products - and so much to say.

It’s these reasons - and many more - that make the US and Canada eternally popular destinations with the UK market, and this year is a particular good one according to operators, as the strong pound against the dollar means that Britons can get more bang from their buck this year. And there’s nothing like making a visitor’s money stretch that much further as they are guaranteed to spend more on excursions and room upgrades if they think they are getting great value for money.

This All About North America supplement kicks off with a look at What’s new from operators and hotels in 2014, before moving on to Family holidays, which will focus on the different types of holiday experiences families can have across the pond.

Our Adventure holidays pages look at how adventure seekers can also include cultural and heritage tours in their adrenalinepumping breaks, while for those who want a road trip without the hassle of doing the drive themselves, we look at the tours available from north, south, east and west in our Escorted Tours feature.

Cruising is popular in North America and the magnitude of voyages is impressive. We look at the variety on offer, from the three-night journeys to 14-night cruises.

In our regular Question Time feature, we chat to a honeymoon specialist agent about the popularity of North America with newlyweds, while on page 21, we have a brief regional round-up.

Our Holidays for less than… brings this information-packed supplement to an end with a double-page spread of some impressive packages for 2014.

I hope this proves to be a useful guide for you when it comes to selling holidays to North America this year.

Happy reading

4 - What’s new

6 - Family holidays

12 - Adventure holidays

15 - Escorted tours 18 - Cruising holidays

20 - Question time

Angela Cronin Supplement editor

21 - Regional round-up Published by

Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe

All About North America

Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Genaro Santos & Lee Telot Printed by: MCR Printers Cover Picture: Disney Cruise Line ISSN: 0956-2419

22 - Holidays for less than...

3

S01 North America Supp 2014 Whats New_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:29 Page 4

WHAT’S NEW

What’s new From new A-List adventures to Legoland openings, there’s lots happening Stateside this year – just as you would expect!

Virgin Holidays The US specialist is jumping on the Oscars bandwagon with the launch of its A-List escape that offers film fans the chance to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood A-listers with a coast-tocoast adventure that takes in the filming locations for this year’s blockbusters.

The holiday highlights include the East Coast A-List escape which features a six-night, three-city tour of the east coast, visiting Boston, Washington DC and New York with a visit to the Financial District to see the setting for Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Wolf of Wall Street.

Then it’s a flight down to the Deep South for six nights exploring New Orleans and Dallas with a stay in a plantation house in Louisiana and the chance to experience life on a working ranch. This part of the holiday will give

visitors the opportunity to experience the stories and locations that inspired 12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club.

Then it’s time to head to the movie makers’ paradise of Los Angeles for two nights in Anaheim to discover the city’s theme parks, before heading north for a long weekend in LA for the trip’s grand finale.

Prices start at £2,799 per person for the 19-night, eight-stop Virgin Holidays’ A-List escape, which includes room-only accommodation, intenational and domestic flights and car hire.

Solos Holidays The specialist operator for solo travellers has added two new itineraries in the US for 2014.

The first new holiday is a 13-day Utah and the Grand Canyon walking holiday

which will journey through Utah and Arizona to Las Vegas. The tour starts at Phoenix and heads on to Sedona for a walk to Bell Rock, Walnut Canyon and some 13th-century cave dwellings before moving on to the Grand Canyon for two nights with the promise of a walk at sunrise and sunset.

Then it’s on to Maon for two days of exploring the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks before heading to Zion National Park for two days, with a night in Las Vegas bringing the holiday to a close.

Prices lead in at £3,299 per person including flights with departures on 3 May and 14 October.

The 11-day Sounds of the Deep South escorted tour is designed for music lovers of all genres as it travels from Atlanta to Nashville, the home of country music, then on to Memphis, the city of rock ‘n’ roll before heading to the home of jazz, New Orleans.

Prices lead in at £3,079 per person including flights with departures on 13 October.

Jet2.com Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have increased the number of New York shopping breaks they are featuring for winter 2014.

There will be 16 breaks in total, including double the number of New York flights and city breaks taking off from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle airports.

A new four-night break option on top of the three-night trips is also available.

Legoland Florida has announced plans to open a new hotel at the theme park in 2015

4

Universal Orlando Resort The theme park is building on the popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter by bringing to life All About North America

S01 North America Supp 2014 Whats New_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:29 Page 5

WHAT’S NEW

Enjoy a taste of the Wild West at the Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco-Resort which is due to open in June

experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. Diagon Alley and London will be located within Universal Studios Florida, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the current location for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

When complete, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will feature shops, the Leaky Cauldron eatery and a new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Guests will be able to travel between London’s King’s Cross Station and Hogsmeade Station on board the Hogwarts Express.

In Universal Studios Hollywood, a 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem interactive play zone and simulator ride is scheduled to open this spring.

British Columbia Air Canada has launched a daily service between Heathrow and Vancouver on new B777-300ER aircraft.

The airline has also unveiled its new Executive First seat and Premium Economy service on the new aircraft, which has 458 seats, including 36 new lie-flat seats in the Executive First cabin and 24 Premium Economy seats at 38” pitch.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic will be adding a fifth weekly flight from Heathrow to Vancouver for summer 2014, which will operate on Sundays All About North America

from 10 May to 31 August 2014, while Icelandair will be operating two flights a week to Vancouver from 13 May to 12 October 2014 on B-757 aircraft from Reykjavik, Iceland. There will be connections with Icelandair’s UK services from Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow.

New hotels The Cromwell A new 188-room hotel owned by Caesars Entertainment is poised to open on the Las Vegas Strip on 21 May. The Cromwell Hotel and Casino will have 66 table games, 440 slot machines and a reserved gaming salon in its casino.

Celebrity chief Giada De Laurentiis will open her first-ever restaurant in the Cromwell, which will also have a beach club called Drai and Drai’s After Hours nightclub.

The Cromwell was originally Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon but has undergone a $185million renovation.

Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco-Resort A new eco-resort and wild mustang reserve is opening in Nevada in June.

Mustang Monument covers 900 square miles of mountainous land in Wells.

The reserve is home to 600 descendants of the wild horses, which are cared for by philanthropist Madeleine Pickens, who runs Saving

America’s Mustangs. Guests at the eco-resort will have the opportunity to see the mustangs in their natural habitat.

Mustang Monument is aiming to incorporate the best of Wild West culture into every element of its offering with accommodation in tipis that feature king-sized beds, fine linens, hardwood floors, hand-made Native American rugs, luxurious bathroom cabins and 24-hour butler service.

Activities include horse-riding, horse-drawn and off-road vehicle safaris, calf roping lessons, archery, hiking, Native American beading classes, learning about the heritage and history of the Wild West and in-tipi spa treatments.

Abercrombie and Kent is offering five nights’ full-board at Mustang Monument, including flights and car hire, from £2,285 per person.

Legoland Florida has unveiled plans to open Legoland Hotel next year.

The four-storey hotel will aim to be an extension of the vibrant and interactive theme park experience with 152 brightly colored and highly themed rooms and suites, Lego décor; interactive play areas; a pool; and a restaurant.

There are 50 rides, shows, attractions, a water park and the new Lego World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network at Legoland Florida.

5

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 6

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

The family guys Family holidays across the pond are not all about theme parks and beaches

N

o one does theme parks quite like the Americans, which is why most parents put a family holiday in the US on their once-in-a-lifetime list to create those magical memories for their offspring.

Disney, Busch Gardens, Universal, Legoland, SeaWorld, Legoland and the Six Flags Fiesta Texas are the major attractions that everyone thinks of, but it seems lots of families are being more adventurous with their US holidays.

Funway Holidays marketing executive Clare Campbell says the US specialist has seen a noticeable increase in the last 18

6

months in the amount of families opting for twin- and multi-centre holidays across the US and Caribbean.

“We believe parents are becoming more travel savvy by choosing to experience two or more destinations in one holiday. Gone are the days where a family holiday means just seven or 14 nights in Orlando alone.”

Alice Nevins-Ramessur, product development executive at Virgin Holidays agrees, but says the West Coast is more popular than the East Coast “due to the warmer climate within the western states and the greater flexibility available with

renting a car and exploring the vast region.

“California in particular is a good choice for families due to the many theme parks and beaches on offer. Oahu, Hawaii is also generally good with families.”

Abercrombie and Kent has also noticed a remarkable increase in the number of clients going to California. “Passenger numbers for California are almost beating Florida for the first time in 20 years and experience is now outweighing cost.”

We catch up with the US experts to find out if there is more to a family holiday than a theme park and a beach.

Texas Ask most people what springs to mind when you mention the southern US state All About North America

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 7

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

A character parade at Disney World Resort in Florida

of Texas, the chances are they are likely to say George Bush, JR Ewing and oil.

Cowboys, ranches, desert landscapes, the skyscrapers of Houston, indycar racing at Fort Worth, visits to the Alamo, the site of the great battle of 1836 and whitewater rafting down the Rio Grande River appear in most people’s tours of this Deep South state, but many parents may not realise that the ultimate icing on the cake for a family holiday to Texas is a theme park that can rival some of the more well-known attractions.

The Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park, which is located around 15 minutes from Downtown San Antonio, is packed full of rides and attractions for all of the family, and for 2014, it has a new water slide complex.

Hayes and Jarvis has a dedicated seven-night family holiday to Austin and San Antonio with an itinerary that suggests parents spend a day or two at the theme park, then visit a few more key attractions including the NASA Space Centre in Houston, the Austin Children's Museum, the Austin Zoo and Zilker Metropolitan Park, a multi-purpose recreational area that also features the Austin Nature and Science Centre and the Zilker Botanical Gardens.

There is also the option to add on a stay at ranches such as the Mayan Dude Ranch which offers lots of fun family activities, suited for children aged eight and over.

How much? Hayes and Jarvis features a seven-night holiday to Austin and San Antonio, departing 25 October, with prices

Just the ticket…

For clients who want to book tours and passes separately, here are some sample prices from Expedia Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets from £125 per adult. The price includes admission to Disneyland Park, Admission to Disney California Adventure Park and one Magic Morning admission to Disneyland Park.

SeaWorld San Diego Single Day Ticket from £48.61 per adult Legoland California Theme Park, Waterpark and Sea Life Aquarium from £49 per adult Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets from £50.38 per Adult All About North America

from £3,799 for a family of four, and savings of £667 per family. The price includes flights, three nights at the threestar Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin Downtown, followed by four nights at the three-star Holiday Inn Riverwalk in San Antonio, both on a room-only basis.

To book: www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk Miami Hotels in the US know a thing or two about how to look after families with children of all ages, but the James Royal Palm on Miami’s South Beach has really pushed the boat out for its younger guests.

The five-star 1930’s Art Deco hotel building, which reopened in November 2012 following a $42million renovation, has teamed up with the Miami Children’s Museum to design the ultimate kidfriendly space.

The hotel’s new lil’ James Play Space is filled with kid-friendly activities for playtime including special activity tables, artist easels, sandpits and water play stations as well as complimentary healthy snacks and water. There is also an exclusive Lifeguard Station – a reading nook – offering a library of children’s books and brightly coloured bean bag chairs.

The hotel also boasts two swimming pools, a plunge pool and day beds for the grown-ups to lounge about on. It also has a great spot on South Beach with direct access to the beach as well as being ideally-situated near Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road and Espanola Way. And it’s always the added extras that

Starline Tours of Hollywood: Warner Bros. Studios VIP and Movie Stars’ Homes Tour From £72 per adult Hollywood and Los Angeles-Area Bike and Hiking Tours, from £31 per traveller.

There’s four tours to choose from including: LA in a Day; Hollywood, or Movie Star Homes bike tours; or the Hollywood Hills Sunset Hike.

Los Angeles Helicopter VIP Grand Tour from £161 per traveller Whale-Watching Cruise from £17.99 per adult This two-and-a-half-hour tour of Newport Harbor offers the chance to see a wide variety of whales, dolphins and seals.

To book: www.expedia.co.uk

7

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 8

FAMILY HOLIDAYS make the guests feel special and the team at James Royal Palm are the experts with the hotel’s Sun Concierges on hand to retrieve items left in the guestrooms, remind guests to turn over to ensure an even tan and provide water pails to keep feet cool in the sand.

The hotel also has a full-service spa and two restaurants.

How much? Virgin Holidays offers five nights’ room-only at The James Royal Palm from £1,155 per person. The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a family suite and includes flights.

To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk California Abercrombie and Kent has a dedicated 11day family itinerary for California that offers a great combination of the state’s fascinating cities, national parks and coastal attractions.

The holiday starts off in San Francisco with two nights exploring the sights of the city, including the Golden Gate bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero waterfront, China Town, Lombard Street, nicknamed the most crooked street in the world, and of course, a cruise around the bay to see Alcatraz.

After two days in San Fran, it’s time to pick up the hire car and head across the Golden Gate Bridge to the pictureque waterfront community of Sausalito.

Day four, head out on the road for a 210-mile drive to the mighty Yosemite National Park to visit the park’s giant Sequoias, some of the largest living things on earth.

With overnight accommodation at Tenaya Lodge, day five starts off with a full-day van and walking tour, taking in the highlights of Yosemite, including the major waterfalls and rock formations, plus portions of the high country.

The following day, it’s back on the road to head west and pass through the town of Mariposa before joining the famous Highway 1, with a recommended stop at Monterey Bay Aquarium, before continuing on to the upmarket town on Carmel for an overnight stay at Tradewinds Inn. Day seven starts with a drive to Monterey Bay for a marine wildlife cruise then it’s back on Highway 1 for a breathtaking drive packed with views of the Pacific Ocean, before visiting Cambria for an overnight stay at El Colibri.

The following day, stop off at Hearst Castle on the way to wine lovers’ paradise Santa Barbara. Formerly the retreat of William Randolph Hearst, the castle is brimming with European antiques.

Leave Santa Barbara on day nine and head to the beautiful beach-side city of Santa Monica via Malibu, home to many a Hollywood star.

Day 10 starts with the chance to explore the bustling melting pot of Los Angeles which is packed full of attitude, culture and glamour. It may be a cliche, but there is something for everyone in the city’s many neighbourhoods. The kids are guaranteed to love the Beverley Hills celebrity homes tour, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and of course Venice Beach, home to the eponymous muscle beach.

There’s also the chance to do a private tour of a film studio or enjoy a performance at the incredible Disney Theatre in Downtown LA before driving to the airport on day 11 for the return flight home.

How much? Prices start at £2,590 per person based on two adults and two children sharing (under 12) including flights.

To book: www.abercrombiekent.co.uk Alaska For a family who think a holiday isn’t a holiday without a bit of biking, hiking and sea kayaking thrown in, then Family Adventure Company has just the holiday for them.

Its 14-day Alaska Family Adventure explores the stunning landscape of the US’s most northern state.

The holiday starts in the state’s largest city Anchorage before heading to the Denali National Park the following day to

James Royal Palm’s location on Miami’s South Beach makes it a great location for a family break

8

All About North America

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 9

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 10

FAMILY HOLIDAYS get off the beaten track and explore the park as well as enjoying a dog-sled demonstration and camping under the stars for two nights.

A night’s camping in the heart of the Alaskan mountain range is also on the agenda with some fishing in the quiet lakes of the tundra and some hiking up Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America.

A visit to Alaska isn’t complete without an overnight stay or two at Wrangell-St Elias National Park, which is home to a number of glaciers that are five times the size of Manhattan, and a visit to Valdez and Prince William Sound, home to humpback and orca whales.

Kenai Fjords National Park on days eight and nine is a must with visits to active glaciers and tidewater glaciers, with days 10 and 11 offering visitors the chance to really get away from it all at the Kachemak Bay Wilderness Camp for a memorable Alaskan adventure packed with guided sea kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and beach combing.

The holiday finishes back in Anchorage for the return flights home.

How much? The 14-day Alaska Family Adventure leads in at £2,519 per child and £2,799 per adult. Price includes most meals, seven nights’ camping with facilities, two nights’ wilderness camping and one night’s hotel accommodation, local tour leader throughout, transport including domestic flights and most activities.

To book: www.familyadventurecompany.co.uk/stfa Canada KE Adventure has introduced a new family holiday that explores the west coast of Canada.

The tour starts with two days in Vancouver with family barbecues on the beach at Deep Cove with the option to take the kids kayaking or canoeing.

Then the following day, it’s time to visit the Capilano suspension bridge to explore the forest the other side before transferring to Porteau Cave to spot seals and otters followed by a visit to the Britannia Beach Museum to hop on board one of the original miners’ trains to travel into one of the mining tunnels before transferring to Squamish, dubbed the outdoor recreational capital of Canada, for a night’s camping.

10

KE Adventure offers family tours of the west coast of Canada packed full of outdoor adventure

All the latest from Disney Parks For agents: Disney Parks is offering agents the chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida this year.

Agents who complete the MM+ Disney Stars training module will be entered into a draw to win an eight-day trip to Walt Disney World for themselves and up to three guests including flights and theme park tickets.

To enter, agents need to visit disneytravelagents.co.uk and and the closing date is 5pm on 31 March 2014.

Meanwhile, agents who watch Disney’s MM+ training video on disneytravelagents.co.uk will receive a free The Incredibles DVD. Latest offers: Disney is offering a 14-day ticket for the price of seven which allows unlimited access to six Disney Parks.

The offer is available for all Walt Disney World Hotel bookings from 2 July 2013 31 December 2014 for arrivals throughout 2014. The offer is available if purchased in one transaction with a Walt Disney World hotel stay of five nights or more.

Meanwhile, any visitors to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida who are not staying in a Disney Resort Hotel are being offered the chance to enjoy nine Disney Park days for the price of seven. This offer is available on bookings made by 30 June for arrivals until 31 December 2014.

New attractions: A new ride is poised to open this spring time at Walt Disney World in Florida. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ready To Roll will be the latest attraction in New Fantasyland and is the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Inspired by the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride family-style rollercoaster will take guests on a musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine” and through the rolling countryside surrounding the mine.

Sample package: Virgin Holidays has a 14-night family holiday in Florida which includes seven nights’ room-only at Disney’s All Star Resort Music, Movies and Sport, seven-day family ticket for Walt Disney World Resort, four nights’ room only at the The Southernmost in Key West in the Florida Keys, three nights’ room only at the Days Hotel Thunderbird Beach Resort at Sunny Isles beach in Miami and car hire for the duration. Price for a family of four based on two adults and two children costs from £7,949 for a family of four based on two adults and two children travelling, including flights.

All About North America

S02 North America Supp 2014 Family Holidays_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:27 Page 11

FAMILY HOLIDAYS The next morning starts off with a hike to discover the ancient volcano and crater at Cheakamus Lake before heading off to Whistler for the afternoon for a spot of swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, or a gondola ride to the top of the mountains.

Day five involves a walk to the Stawamus Chief - 700-metre granite dome towers that are said to be the second largest granite monolith in the world, with an overnight camp at Qualicum beach.

Then the next few days include more exploring with caves at Horne Lake, giant 800-year-old Douglas fir trees at Cathedral Cove, and two days at the Pacific Rim National Park for the chance to go bear and whale watching.

The tour heads to the town of Victoria for a chance to explore the town for those still keen to cram in some more activities, such as cycling along the Galloping Goose Trail or more whale-watching.

On day 11, it’s time to get the ferry back to Vancouver via Granville Island which

has a kids’ market, lots of play areas with water slides before overnighting in Vancouver to catch the flight home the next day.

How much? The 12-day package costs $2,635 per person land only with departures.

To book: www.keadventure.co.uk

Top 5 US family destinations Virgin Holidays has put together a list of its most popular holidays in North America with families.

California: multi-centres in the Golden State are very popular, particularly ones that twin a stay in Los Angeles, with a few days in San Diego and a couple of action-packed days in Anaheim for the theme parks, of which there are many.

These include: Disneyland California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, Legoland California, SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Hawaii: Oahu is the third biggest island in Hawaii and is ideal for families, particularly for those that opt to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village as there’s so much for both children and parents to do in resort.

New York: A great option for families with older children who relish the idea of exploring the Big Apple. Particularly a good option as a pre-Christmas break.

Lake Tahoe: popular with families who are looking for a skiing break, Lake Tahoe promises guaranteed snow, lots of runs to suit skiers of all abilities and entertainment to keep all the family happy.

New Hampshire: again, another US ski resort turns out top for families. New Hampshire promises hundreds of pistes, uncrowded slopes, great ski schools, outlet shopping and great apres-ski. What’s not to like?

THE BEST SELECTION OF TICKETS AND TOURS ACROSS THE USA AND CANADA WWW.TTTANDT.COM Call: 08707 77 88 77 Email: sales@tttandt.com

S03 North America Supp 2014 Adventure and Activity_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:19 Page 12

ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS

Spirit

of adventure North, east, south or west, there is adventure to be had in every corner of North America

Ranch Rider has seen demand for its ranch holidays at places such as Wyoming's Paradise Guest Ranch soar as people look to get back to nature

“E

co-friendly holidays, getting back in touch with nature and unplugging are key travel trends this year,” according to Tony Daly, managing director of horseriding specialist Ranch Rider.

And the US certainly packs a punch with a variety of landscapes – from the wide-open spaces of Nevada to the forested regions of the Appalachian Mountains, there’s plenty of outdoors experience to have.

With many operators offering cultural and adventure experiences in one holiday, here is a selection of some of the adventres to be had in 2014.

Tennessee Funway Holidays has put together a Tennessee Self-drive itinerary that is perfect for activity-lovers who want a slice of music and culture with their adventure holiday.

The tour starts off with three days in Memphis visiting the Rock ‘n’ Soul and Stax museums, Sun Studio where Elvis Presley first recorded, and a stop off at his former home Graceland.

Memphis’ historic Beale Street is a great place to spend the evening exploring its colourful collection of jazz and blues bars.

12

Day four, head off to Nashville, the home of country music, for three nights to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where you can find Elvis’ Gold Cadillac, see the historic Ryman Auditorium and check out the newly opened Johnny Cash Museum.

Head to east Tennessee on day seven to visit the ‘secret city’ of Oak Ridge with its Science and Energy Museum, and then on to Museum of Appalachia in Norris before arriving at Knoxville for a two-night stay.

En route to Knoxville, you can visit the Science and Energy Museum and the Museum of Appalachia.

Day nine is all about the Cherokee National Forest and the famous Blue Ride Parkway before driving on to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a two-night stay.

This is the place to squeeze in some adventure with cycling, fishing, horseriding and miles of hiking trails on offer, which lead to the park’s spectacular waterfalls.

The park is home to black bears, bobcats, elks and wild hogs.

Then it’s time to visit Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, home to Dollywood, the country music and entertainment theme park before heading off to Chattanooga for a two-night stay

where there are a number of outdoorsy things to do including exploring High Point Climbing and Fitness, one of the US’s largest climbing facilities.

The final day ends in Atlanta for the return flight home.

How much? Fly-drive prices start at £1,099 per person, including hotel accommodation, return flights and car hire.

To book: www.funway4agents.co.uk The Northeast Imaginative Traveller has put together a 12-day Northeastern Explorer tour, the highlights of which include Niagara Falls, Arcadia National Park, Toronto and Montreal.

The tour starts in New York and journeys through the Pocono Mountains to the Finger Lakes area. A forested region full of lakes and inland waterways, Finger Lakes has some of the deepest lakes in the US. The area is also New York State's largest wine producing region with 100 vineyards located around the lakes.

Then, the tour crosses the border into Canada to visit Niagara Falls for a cruise under the falls before heading off to Lake Ontario and on to Toronto, Canada’s largest city for a two-night stay.

Montreal and Quebec City are next All About North America

S03 North America Supp 2014 Adventure and Activity_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:19 Page 13

S03 North America Supp 2014 Adventure and Activity_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:19 Page 14

ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS on the tour agenda from days four to seven with Acadia National Park on the agenda for days eight and nine.

Acadia is the only national park in New England, so it’s a great place to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, climbing or sea kayaking.

Days 10 and 11 include two days in Boston with a return to New York on day 12 for the flight home.

How much? Prices start at £1,869 for a departure date of 8 June. The price includes accommodation and excursions. Bookings made before March 31 will receive 10% off.

To book: www.imaginativetraveller.com Yellowstone National Park Adventure specialist Explore has put together the perfect walking tour for those keen to journey into one of the US’s most spectacular national parks.

The 15-day Yellowstone And Western Trails walking tour follows scenic park trails to discover a kaleidoscope of landscapes; from glaciers and rivers to deserts and canyons, hot springs and waterfalls, this tour has it.

Highlights include: Yellowstone for the exploration of its spectacular scenery and mud volcanoes; Grand Teton National Park for its soaring peaks and glacial lakes; Dinosaur National Monument to uncover the US’s jurassic coast; Moab, one of the country’s leading adventure centres where there are plenty of opportunities to go climbing, whitewater rafting, or go on jeep safaris; Arches National Park, where more than 1,600 natural arches have been sculpted over the years by wind, sun, frost and rain, creating a strange rockscape in the desert; Canyonlands National Park and Salt Lake City.

How much? Prices start at £2,662 per person including flights.

To book: www.explore.co.uk Ranch holidays There’s more to ranch holidays than horse-riding and cattle drives these days, according to Tony Daly, managing director of Ranch Rider, in particular ranches such as Idaho's Red Horse Mountain Ranch and Wyoming's Brush Creek Ranch and Spa.

14

A visit to Niagara Falls features in Imaginative Traveller’s 12-day Northeastern Explorer tour

“Ranch holidays in North America offer much more variation than you might think. Hitting the trail will be one of many adventure activities on offer – hiking, cycling, kayaking, white-water rafting and fly-fishing are often on the list.

“For instance, at Wyoming's Paradise Guest Ranch, angling enthusiasts can add on a four-day fishing trip. For the ultimate challenge there are outward bound courses where clients might have access to zip wires, climbing walls and high ropes courses,” adds Daly.

“These ranches are what we would call adventure centres. They also have health and wellness features.

Wyoming's Brush Creek Ranch and Spa offers clients the opportunity to hire a personal trainer during their week long stay.

“And for those want to take their stay at at a more leisurely pace, more scenic and slower paced river rafting and guided nature hikes are available,” he adds.

How much? Ranch Rider offers seven nights at the Paradise Guest Ranch in Wyoming from £1,265 per person (two sharing) including accommodation, meals and most ranch activities. Tranfers and flights are excluded. The price is based on seasonal departures from 1 June - 21 September.

To book: www.ranchrider.co.uk

The Midwest state of Colorado has more than 30 approved all-inclusive dude ranches, so if you have clients who want to step back in time to the Gold Rush era of the Wild West and relish the opportunity to eat, sleep and work alongside real cowboys without the constant distraction of mobile technology.

Guests at the ranches are invited to join in with riding, herding and the odd barn dance. There’s also the opportunity to go on cattle round-ups, overnight pack trips and family rodeos for a thrilling experience.

The Black Mountain ranch is a fully operating ranch that offers guests the chance to get their hands dirty cowboy style. Cattle work is high on the agenda and guests are invited to herd, brand and doctor the ranches’ Texas longhorns.

In a prime location, just outside Vail, there are extensive trails cross country and guests will be able to show off their new-found cowboy skills at the ranch weekly rodeo. For the more adventurous, private overnight trips into the wilderness can be taken for a true cowboy escapade.

How much? Prices start at £1,725 per person for a seven-night all-inclusive stay in a standard double and includes accommodation, all meals, ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Flights are not included.

For more information: www.colorado.com/english All About North America

S04 North America Supp 2014 Multi-Centre and Escorted Tours_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 15

ESCORTED TOURS

Parks and rides How much? Prices start at £2,635 per person based on two people sharing and £2,455 for a child aged five to 17 years. The price includes flights, seven nights’ bed and breakfast and transfers.

To book: www.trafalgar.co.uk

Trafalgar's Florida Fun and Sun stops off at Universal Orlando so guests can try out the new Harry Potter experiences

With a kaleidoscope of tours to choose from, and something for every budget, there’s no time like the present to book an escorted tour to North America

R

oad trips are what most people think a holiday in North America is all about. But a road trip where you don’t have to do the driving, or risk falling out with your nearest and dearest about whether to believe everything the sat nav tells you or not sounds like the ultimate dream.

Escorted tours are big across the pond and there are lots of itineraries to suit all budgets.

Escorted tours specialist Collette has seen demand soar recently, which UK general manager Peter Traynor says is due to “the strength of the exchange rate, which is making the US a popular destination for 2014 as it offers great value for British travellers”.

So with this in mind, why don’t you impress your clients with your knowledge of the escorted tours market and get them to book on to one of the many itineraries available.

The North Trafalgar has an eight-day Rockies Thrills and Glacier Chills tour of Canada’s western coast.

All About North America

The tour starts off in the lively city of Vancouver before travelling along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, where guests will get the chance to enjoy the Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, believed to be the world’s highest and longest gondola ride.

Then it’s on to Hat Creek Ranch where interpreters in period clothing will bring to life this 1860’s roadhouse.

The journey continues on the following day to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies before travelling on to Jasper where families can opt to go white-water rafting on the Athabasca river or take a gentle boat trip on calmer waters.

The following day, guests get to explore Jasper National Park at their leisure before moving on to the Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield for a ride on the Athabasca Glacier ice sheet on board a specially designed Ice Explorer. Then it’s on to Banff National Park for the chance to enjoy a canoe ride across Lake Louise.

After exploring Banff, it’s on to Calgary for a visit to the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Collette has a new 12-day Alaskan Adventure itinerary that features a three-night stay in Seattle with sightseeing, including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Also included is a seven-night Alaska cruise, with visits to Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World, the Tracy Arm Fjord, the capital Juneau, and a chance to view the wildlife of the Inside Passage.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,999 per person including flights.

To book: www.gocollette.com East The 16-day Eastern Extravaganza is one of Titan’s most popular tours with highlights ranging from visits to Niagara Falls and the Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa to the ‘Cradle of Liberty’, Boston, New York, and Washington DC. How much? The tour starts at £2,645 per person with departure dates from April to October 2014. The price includes flights and transfers.

To book: www.titanagents.co.uk Collette has an eight-day Autumn in New England itinerary that visits Boston, Salem (a maritime town known for its infamous witch trials of 1692), Vermont’s Norman Rockwell Museum, a traditional Vermont farm and Portland Head Light, as well as a chance to sample a famous Maine lobster dinner.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,009 per person based on departure dates of 27 and 30 September and 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9 October 2014. The price includes flights, transfers and transportation, breakfasts and many other meals, accommodation and services of a Collette Tour Manager throughout.

To book: www.gocollette.com

15

S04 North America Supp 2014 Multi-Centre and Escorted Tours_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 16

ESCORTED TOURS Florida Trafalgar Tours has introduced a new family-focused 10-day Florida Fun ‘n’ Sun tour that takes visitors on a journey to the cities and natural attractions of the Sunshine State.

The 10-day adventure kicks off in Miami with a few days of sightseeing that includes a walking tour of Little Havana, which provides an insight into the city’s Latin American influences and a Be My Guest Cuban dinner will supply the much needed fuel for a post dinner dance lesson. On day four, the tour heads towards the Gulf Coast on route to Tampa for a thrilling airboat ride through the Everglades, which will give the kids a chance to spot some of the regions wildlife including crocodiles.

Day five includes a tour of Tampa’s Latin Quarter, and its popular Saturday Market before heading off in the afternoon to the Florida Aquarium and the African-themed park, Busch Gardens, which boasts some of the state’s best roller coasters and animal encounters.

Day nine is all about Orlando with allday passes to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld, before preparing to fly home in the evening.

How much? Prices start at £2, 950 per person based on two people sharing and £2,717 for a child aged five to 17 years.

The price includes land and air, nine nights’ B&B and transfers.

To book: www.titanagents.co.uk The South Titan has a 14-day Southern Sights and Sounds tour takes guest on a rich cultural journey through the Deep South to the music capitals of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.

A jazz cruise on the Mississippi and a visit to an antebellum plantation house are the icing on the cake for this very popular tour.

The specialist has also introduced a new 15-day Journey on the Mighty Mississippi tour, which combines a cruise on a traditional Mississippi paddle steamer along with visits to Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,995 per person for the Southern Sights and Sounds and include flights, 12 nights in hotels, one meal on day 10 or 11, excursions and transfers. The 15-day

16

Collette has an eight-day Autumn in New England itinerary

Journey on the Mighty Mississippi costs from £3,695 per person.

To book: titanagents.co.uk Insight Vacations offers guests the chance to pay homage to the two great pleasures of food and music on its 14day Rhythms and Flavours of America itinerary.

The tour starts off in Chicago and from here guests head into Illinois for a visit to Springfield and St Louis. Louisville is next on the agenda where guests take a trip to the Woodford Bourbon Distillery before heading to Nashville to explore the US’s rich country-music heritage and then on to Memphis for a tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley.

Vicksburg National Military Park is next on the itinerary before sampling some colonial culture in Mississippi and Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, before rounding off the tour with the New Orleans experience.

How much? This 14-day itinerary costs from £4,125 including flights, 13 nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and some meals.

To book: www.insightvacations.com/uk The West Trafalgar Tours has a nine-day Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos itinerary that begins in Salt Lake City before heading north into Wyoming to encounter the Rocky Mountains.

The tour then crosses into the authentic Old West town of Jackson for a step back in time before journeying on to Grand Teton National Park and the world’s first National Park, the spectacular Yellowstone.

The rustic Wild West town of Cody will be the next point of exploration before heading to a rodeo show for the evening.

A taste of ranch and cowboy life awaits guests the next day at the Old-West working Ranch at Ucross, Clearmont.

Guests have the chance to participate in a range of ranch activities from riding to fishing before heading to Keystone to explore the local wildlife.

The tour then heads on to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a visit to Mount Rushmore before heading to Fort Laramie and finally Denver for the flight home.

How much? Prices start at £2,225 per person based on two people sharing and £2,057 for a child aged 5-17 years. The price includes flights, eight nights’ B&B and transfers.

Arblaster and Clarke has a seven-day Californian wine tour that hosts tastings at the top wineries in the Napa Valley and Sonoma, with invitations to meet the owners and winemakers over private tastings and special lunches, including the cellars at the Heitz family ranch to appreciate single vineyard Cab Sauvignons; a personal reception by John Williams at Frog’s Leap; exploring the Anderson Valley where Louis Roederer opened the Roederer Estate in the late 1980s.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,799 per person and includes six nights’ B&B, seven meals with wines, vineyard visits and tastings and a wine guide. The tour departs on 2 November To book: www.winetours.co.uk Titan’s most popular tour is its California and the Golden West 16-day tour. It includes stays in San Diego, Scottsdale, Flagstaff (Grand Canyon), Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles with excursions to the Hoover Dam, Old Silver mining Town of Calico, Yosemite National Park, a VIP tour of Warner Bros Studios and an orientation tour of Hollywood.

How much? Prices start at £1,595 per person and include flights, accommodation, transfers and some tours.

To book: www.titanagents.co.uk All About North America

S04 North America Supp 2014 Multi-Centre and Escorted Tours_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 17

A FRESH NEW PERSPECTIVE Caesars Entertainment is redefining the iconic Las Vegas skyline with the $550 million retail, dining and entertainment district, anchored by the world’s tallest observation wheel, known as the High Roller. It will have 28 glass-enclosed cabins, each accommodating up to 40 people, that will reveal broad views of the famed-resort city in the 30 minutes it takes to complete one revolution.

Located at the center of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, The LINQ will feature more than 30 unique retail, dining and entertainment experiences. Unique retailers will open their first Las Vegas locations, including the Polaroid Fotobar retail store and museum, Chilli Beans sunglasses, Vanity Style Lounge and Goorin Bros. hat shop. Style-savvy shoppers will also enjoy checking out the latest footwear at 12AM:Run, backed by popular rapper Nas. For those interested in quenching their thirst, wine aficionados will enjoy The Stomping Grape, featuring a casual approach to lighter and healthier comfort food and drinks. The latest list of tenants joins an existing roster of popular and trendsetting brands such as Brooklyn Bowl, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Yard House. thelinq.com

CaesarsTravelAgents.com caesars.com

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2014, Caesars License Company, LLC.

S05 North America Supp 2014 Cruising - Question Time - Training_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 18

CRUISING HOLIDAYS

Time to cruise Captain Mickey on board Disney Wonder cruise to Alaska

Whether a cruise is the main reason to visit the US, or you would like to fit in a small regional cruise as part of your holiday, there are plenty of options to consider

T

he cruise market in the US is huge.

Americans love to cruise for a number of reasons, the main one being that they have a very limited holiday allowance – around nine days a year – so short duration cruises are the perfect solution for US holidaymakers who want to relax but visit a few destinations in a short space of time.

This means that the variety of cruises – both ocean and river – on offer is huge and with cruise itineraries starting at three days, this means that visiting Britons can include a voyage in their US holiday.

Cruiselines also offer world voyages, which visit parts of North America, and many UK holidaymakers opt to fly to the States for the US part of these cruises.

And then, of course, there’s the transatlantic journeys offered by the likes of Cunard, which call in at Nova Scotia on both east and westbound cruises.

And the multitude of three and fournight itineraries offered by Disney Cruise Line from Port Canaveral to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Bernard Carter, UK and Europe managing director for luxury cruiseline Oceania Cruises, says the line has seen an emerging trend in what Britions want from their cruises Stateside.

“British guests are increasingly looking

18

for more in-depth US cruise experiences, with the opportunity to combine immersive excursion experiences with imaginative itineraries, taking them to unusual and interesting destinations.

“British guests are particularly interested in our sailings in Alaska and New England, and also in cruises that include Panama Canal transits, even more so this year which marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Canal,” he adds.”

With so much on offer, here is a brief round-up of just some of the great voyages on offer in 2014.

Crystal Cruises The luxury cruiseline has a wide selection of North America cruises that travel up the East Coast to Canada and Alaska from Boston or New York up to Quebec City, and along the West Coast from LA up to Vancouver.

Crystal’s 14-day Colonial Collection voyage on Crystal Serenity departs from New York City on 5 November and heads up the East Coast to Baltimore, the largest US seaport in the mid-Atlantic.

The cruise then goes on to Norfolk in Virginia, which has a rich colonial history as Jamestown in the state was the first permanent English colony in the US in 1607.

Then, it’s on to Charleston in South Carolina, which again packs a punch with its well-preserved colonial and antebellum buildings. Cruise passengers can visit the old plantations to get a sense of how hard life was hundreds of years ago.

Crystal Serenity then heads for some Caribbean sunshine with stopovers at Turks and Caicos, Curacao and Aruba before heading back to the US for its final port of call, Miami.

Crystal also has a seven-day Pacific Coast Collection voyage on board Crystal Symphony that starts off in Vancouver and heads down the west coast to Victoria in British Columbia, Seattle, Astoria in Oregon, San Francisco, Santa Barbara before finally arriving in Los Angeles.

How much? Prices for the 14-night Colonial Collection cruise lead in at £4,290 per person cruise only for a delux stateroom. Savings of £906 per person are available on bookings made before 30 April 2014. Meanwhile prices for the Pacific Coast Collection journey start at £1,991 per person including savings of £419 on bookings made before 30 April.

To book: crystalcruises.co.uk Oceania Cruises So much has been written about the spectacle that is autumn, or has Americans call it fall, in New England, and to capitalise on this popular time to visit this part of the US, small-ship luxury cruiseline Oceania Cruises has a 12-day Fall Foliage voyage on board Regatta.

All About North America

S05 North America Supp 2014 Cruising - Question Time - Training_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 19

CRUISING HOLIDAYS The voyage starts off in Montreal where guests have a full 24 hours in port to discover the city before cruising down St Lawrence River to Corner Brook where Captain Cook first mapped the area in 1767. The cruise continues down the east coasts of Canada and the US to New York, calling in at Sydney, Halifax, Saint John (Bay of Fundy), Bay Harbor, Portland and Boston.

How much? Prices lead in at £3,277 per person for an inside stateroom and includes return UK flights, all meals on board, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

To book: oceaniacruises.com Royal Caribbean International The US cruiseline has the perfect voyage for cruisers keen to see as much of eastcoast Canada in a 10-night period.

Its Canada cruise on Legend of the Seas starts off with two days in Quebec City where there is a number of shore excursions that offer passengers the chance to explore the city’s many historic sites.

On day three, the ship sets sail for the former mill town of Saguenay, accessed by a spectacular fjord carved into the landscape during the last ice age.

Departing Saguenay for a day at sea, Legend of the Seas sets sail for the city of Sydney, formerly the English capital of Cape Breton Island from its founding until 1820.

Halifax is the next port of call. Located on the shores of the world's secondlargest natural harbor, nicknamed the 'City of Trees' Halifax has an extensive network of walking trails that extends from the waterfront out to a series of parks and gardens.

After another day at sea, the voyage arrives at Saint Pierre Et Miquelon, a small group of islands that are territories of France, so expect lots of tasty French cuisine and nightlife.

The cruise then returns to Quebec City for the return flight home.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,629 per person, based on two people sharing an interior stateroom, and include flights and transfers. Departure date is 24 October.

To book: royalcaribbean.co.uk Fred Olsen Cruise Lines If you have clients with a lot time on their hands, then suggest they consider Fred All About North America

Crystal’s Colonial Collection voyage

departs from New York on 5 November

Olsen’s 32-night Canadian Fall with New York and Boston which is timed to coincide with the change of seasons and the arrival of the colourful Fall months.

Balmoral sets sail from Southampton on 1 September, and crosses the Atlantic to St John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, and North America’s oldest city.

Next, the voyage visits Gaspé, in Quebec, a great place to explore on foot, or take a tour to the impressive Follion National Park, and Baie-Comeau, before reaching Quebec City for the chance to explore theis fascinating city during the ships’ overnight stay.

The next stop, Saguenay, is situated at the head of the great fjord of Saguenay, and is a major centre for outdoor activities, such as hiking and kayaking.

A visit to Halifax in Nova Scotia follows.

The port played an important part in the story of the Titanic, as many who lost their lives on the ship were laid to rest in the city.

Balmoral then visits the port of Shelburne for the first time. Fishing remains the primary industry here today, and it is renowned as the Lobster Capital of Canada.

The ship continues south to three North American ports; Bar Harbor, with its pretty clapboard houses, Boston and New York. There are overnights in both of these iconic cities.

The final port on this cruise is Sydney, in Nova Scotia, before Balmoral sets sail for her return crossing of the Atlantic.

How much? Prices for this cruise start at £3,149 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bed, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues.

To book: fredolsen.co.uk Disney Cruise Line With the shortest Disney cruise starting at three nights, the voyages are a great way to enjoy a little bit of Mickey magic without the theme park environment.

There are four ships in the Disney portfolio and the most popular and wellestablished cruises are the three and four-night Bahamas and Caribbean voyages.

This year, Disney Wonder will sail seven-night Alaska cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, with a one special nine-night cruise that will call at Sitka, Alaska A new feature for Disney Magic is the arrival of Captain America, who will be greeting guests and young recruits in Marvel’s Avengers Academy.

Young crime-fighters are transported to a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) – a technologically advanced remote command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.

Marvel’s Avengers Academy centres on high-tech fun, with computer stations and a giant video wall to assist in their multi-day “training” and super hero missions. Special lighting and audio effects enhance the experience.

How much? Prices for the seven-night Alaska cruise lead in at $1,015 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Departure dates are: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 1. The new Nine-night Alaska departs on May 24.

For more info: disneytravelagents.com

19

S05 North America Supp 2014 Cruising - Question Time - Training_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 20

Question time Sangeeta Sehmi is one of the UK’s leading Honeymoon Planners, and is a member of Independent Travel Experts. Sangeeta, who is looking forward to her own honeymoon later this year in Bora Bora and Las Vegas, tells Travel Bulletin about the popularity of the US as a honeymoon destination 1. Is the US a popular honeymoon destination?

Yes, it’s very popular place for stopovers and multi centre honeymoons.

2. Are there particular destinations that are more popular than others?

Hawaii is the most popular destination in the US, with Maui being the most popular of the Hawaiian islands for honeymoon couples. To get to places such as Hawaii and other areas in the Pacific such as Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Island, LA makes a great stopover. You can even combine San Franscisco and Las Vegas on the West Coast as part of your itinerary. Las Vegas has been very popular with Mexico too, as have Miami and New York on the East Coast with cruises and the Caribbean.

3. Are honeymooners keen to do multicentre breaks to get the most out of their once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon experience to the US?

Yes, but they don’t always know where to go. This is partly because the US is so big, and partly because they don’t know how easy it is to fly between certain destinations. If you think about it, most honeymoon couples want to travel longhaul, so they want to spend at least 10 days away. Most couples don’t want to spend more than a week on the beach, so a city break in the US is ideal as they can take advantage of the great shopping on offer.

6. How much interaction do you have with tourist board representatives, operators, hotel groups and other suppliers eg agency visits, roadshows, dinners etc?

Good trade relations are an extremely important part of what I do, and should be for every travel agent. There are a lot of free courses, information, and opportunities to educate yourself on products and destinations so I use these resources all the time.

4. Are there certain destinations that are easier to sell as honeymoon options than others?

For the US, LA and Hawaii are very easy to sell too. Not only is this a great combination and good value, but the weather is excellent throughout most of the year, especially the peak of our wedding season. Las Vegas and Mexico, and also the East Coast with the Caribbean are easy sells too.

7. What sort of information would you like to receive more of from suppliers?

Multi-centre offers and itineraries, and fam trips for sure. The best and easiest way to sell somewhere is when you have been there and experienced it for yourself. You can guaranteed instant attention from your client as they will sense the passion and enthusiasm coming from you.

For agents Brand USA has teamed up with British Airways and American Airlines for its 2014 Mega Fam, which is taking place from 15-22 May. Agents interested in taking part on the fam trip need to enter any BA and American flights sold to and within the US from January 1 2014 on to the bespoke website, www.USAMegafam.co.uk.

They also need to log on to the new agent training site at USADiscoveryProgram.co.uk and complete two Specialist modules by April 4. Current USA Specialist badges include Food and Drink, Fly-Drive, Coastal Escapes, Winter Sports, the Great Outdoors, Big City Buzz and Music, Culture and Heritage.

There will be seven itineraries to choose from covering 21 states, which have been created in conjunction with the partner airlines and destinations.

20

After spending six nights on their designated itinerary, the seven groups will fly to Austin, Texas, for a grand finale. Here, the agents will present the highlights of their Brand USA Megafam experience with the goal of educating other agents. The seven Brand USA Megafam itineraries include the following states: 1. California – Nevada – Arizona 2. Illinois – Utah – Colorado – New Mexico 3. Colorado – Nebraska – South Dakota 4. Massachusetts – New Hampshire – Vermont – New York State 5. District of Columbia – Maryland – Virginia 6. North Carolina – South Carolina – Georgia 7. Florida Brand USA has also released a Family module on the USA Discovery online training programme for agents.

All About North America

S05 North America Supp 2014 Cruising - Question Time - Training_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:21 Page 21

REGIONAL ROUND-UP

The best bits of the rest With so much happening across the pond this year, here is a just a selection of the highlights for 2014 Alaska The Alaskan city of Anchorage is celebrating its centenary with a whole host of events throughout 2014 and 2015.

The city began life back in 1915 when Ship Creek was chosen as a construction camp to build the Alaska Railroad. The camp grew from a settlement of tents to first wood-frame structures, and today it is a vibrant metropolis of 300,000 people with more than 95 languages spoken.

To mark 100 years of Anchorage, special events and celebrations will give visitors the chance to learn about the history of Anchorage, from the native Athabascans to the voyages of Captain James Cook and the first Anchorage land auction.

Meanwhile, starting in June, a team of local, professional photographers, Through The Lens – Alaska (TTLA), will be hosting photography workshops and escorting exclusive backcountry tours throughout Alaska offering guests the chance to capture the state’s breath-taking scenery.

The photography programmes range in length from one-day workshops to multi-day photo safari tours. Services include fully customisable group packages, as well as individual guide services for professional photographers.

Also, package tour company Alaska Heritage Tours, is offering an escorted group tour. The Alaska National Parks Tour is an eight-day, fully escorted land tour offered on five departure dates between May and September. Starting in Anchorage, the tour takes guests through Kenai Fjords and Denali National Park and features several wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as the chance to see Mount McKinley. Lodging is included in Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna and Denali as well as several meals. Packages start at £1,500 based on double occupancy. alaskatravel.com South Carolina South Carolina is pulling out all the stops to raise its profile as a foodie’s destination with a campaign to highlight the variety of countries that have influenced its cuisine, which includes European, African and Caribbean.

The state has gained a foodie reputation through many of its signature dishes including Gullah okra gumbo, South Carolina BBQ and Charleston she-crab soup.

South Carolina has teamed up with Vacations to America as part of its latest Just Right for Dining campaign, which showcases the regions gastronomic delights and a choice of packages. The operator has an 11-day South Carolina flydrive with prices from £1,595 per person. The offer includes return flights, 10 nights’ bed and breakfast, 10 days’ car hire and a personalised holiday guide.

To book, go vacationstoamerica.com/south-carolina British Columbia A new Sea to Sky Gondola on Howe Sound is due to open this spring.

The eight-passenger lift will take sightseers on am eightminute ride between Shannon Falls and the cliffs of Stawamus Chief to viewing platforms, a suspension bridge and access to backcountry walking routes.

Seatoskygondola.com In Vancouver, the Tour Guys, a collective of passionate history junkies, pop culture buffs and dynamic storytellers, who offer everything from food cart, craft beer or murder mystery tours, have introduced free tours for 2014 that play on Vancouver’s Winter Olympics heritage as 2010 host city. The tours, which cost £24 per person, include the Coal Harbour/West End walking tour which starts at the Olympic Cauldron or the Olympic Village/SE False Creek tour which examines the role the 2010 Games played in reshaping this neighbourhood. tourguys.ca Orlando SeaWorld Orlando is launching its 50th anniversary celebration on 21 March, 2014.

The 18-month ‘A Sea of Surprises’ campaign will include: animal ambassadors located throughout the park giving visitors surprise encounters with animals; Surprise Squads giving away prizes such as free souvenirs or behind-the-scenes experiences; and spontaneous entertainment popping up at unexpected moments along park pathways.

Meanwhile, Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, will open Orlando’s tallest and steepest free-fall waterslide. Ihu’s Breakway Falls will be the only multi-slide of its kind in Orlando.

Over at Legoland Florida, Duplo Valley will open for preschoolers with new farm-themed attractions, including a train, mini tractor ride and water play area.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando has opened at Walt Disney World Resort, just minutes from Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The hotel will have 444 guest rooms, a golf course, full-service spa, three restaurants and an elaborate pool area.

Universal Orlando Resort is set to get its fourth and largest on-site hotel when Cabana Bay Beach Resort opens. Inspired by retro resorts of the 1950s and 60s, the 1800-room hotel will feature moderately priced family suites and value-priced guest rooms. When complete, there will be a 10-lane bowling alley, two massive pools with sand beaches, a lazy river and waterslide.

Alaska Heritage Tours, is offering an escorted, eight-day group tour of the Alaska National Parks Tour which visits Denali National Park All About North America

21

S06 North America Supp 2014 Regional Round-Up - Holidays for Less_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:23 Page 22

From tours that explore the Deep South to ranch holidays and adventures on the Atlantic Canadian coast, here is a round-up of packages to book for 2014 Holidays for less than… £1,000 Ranch Rider features seven nights at the White Stallion Guest Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, where guests can combine horseback adventures in the desert in the morning with afternoons spent relaxing by the resort’s pool. There’s also cookouts, campfires, hayrides and the chance to go to the weekly rodeo.

How much? Prices lead in at £879 per person including, accommodation, all meals, most ranch activities and transfers.

To book: www.ranchrider.com

Holidays for less than...

22

Canadian Affair is offering a sevennight break in Nova Scotia’s cosmopolitan capital of Halifax at the four-star Lord Nelson hotel.

How much? Price start at £665 per person, including flights and seven nights’ accommodation.

To book: www.canadianaffair.com America As You Like It has a 10-night Discover the Open Roads of Illinois, All About North America

S06 North America Supp 2014 Regional Round-Up - Holidays for Less_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:23 Page 23

HOLIDAYS FOR LESS THAN... which starts off in Chicago and heads out on Route 66 to Springfield, Galena, Rockford and Rosemont.

How much? Prices lead in at £980 per person for the 10-night tour.

To book: www.Americaasyoulikeit.com £3,000 Prestige Holidays has a nine-night tour of Canada that takes in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Vancouver and a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer. The tour also includes a sightseeing transfer from Lake Louise to Jasper with an ice-explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,760 per person based on 19 May departures and includes flights, transfers and accommodation To book: www.prestigeholidays.co.uk Discover the World has a 12-night, self-drive tour of the Atlantic Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that gives visitors the chance to enjoy whalewatching excursions in the Bay of Fundy.

How much? Prices start at £2,190 per person and include flights, 12 nights’ B&B accommodation, 13 days’ car rental, ferry from Digby to Saint John and two whale-watching excursions.

To book: www.discover-the-world.co.uk

A visit to Elvis’ former home Graceland features in Trafalgar’s Tastes and Sounds of the South tour All About North America

Enjoy Montana from horseback with seven nights at The Resort at Paws Up featured by Western and Oriental

Trafalgar Tours, the escorted tours specialist has a 10-day Tastes and Sounds of the South itinerary that starts in Nashville with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and a private performance and discussion with Johnny Cash and June Carter’s son, John Carter Cash.

Then it’s time to hit the road to Memphis with a visit to the hotel where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. Then it’s on to Graceland, a museum dedicated to Elvis Presley, and Natchez for a private tour of a Renaissance Revival mansion and a visit to Oak Alley Plantation, a classic antebellum home on the banks of the Mississippi River. The journey then continues on to New Orleans where guests will take part in a Creole cooking class and explore the home of jazz.

How much? Prices start at £2,475 per person based on two people sharing.

The price includes flights, nine nights’ bed and breakfast and transfers.

To book: www.trafalgar.com £5,000 Insight Vacations, the escorted tours specialist, has an 11-night Classic MidAtlantic itinerary that starts in Washington DC guests can explore the city’s many monuments and landmarks before departing for Gettysburg to take a guided tour of the site of one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles. Then it’s on to Pittsburgh for a cruise along the base of Niagara Falls before journeying into Amish Country and on to Philadelphia. The final stop is New York.

How much? This 11-day itinerary costs

from £3,150 and includes 11 nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, four additional meals and sightseeing.

To book: www.insightvacations.com Western and Oriental has a seven-night stay at The Resort at Paws Up, Montana. The luxury resort is located in a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch, the resort offers a range of one to fourbedroom private homes as well as glamping facilities, with a fitness centre, hiking trails, geo-caching, group yoga, fishing equipment rentals and horse-riding.

How much? Prices start at £4,735 per person on a full-board basis, based on sharing a two-bedroom meadow home. Flights are included.

To book: www.westernoriental.com Wildlife Worldwide has introduced a new five-night Classic Polar Bears adventure that gives visitors the chance to observe polar bears in their natural surroundings on this trip to the small isolated town of Churchill in Canada.

Two daytime outings and one at night provide the opportunity to get close to the bears but from the safety of a Polar Rover that can carry up to 15 passengers.

How much? Prices lead in at £4,695 per person based on two sharing including return flights, internal flights and transfers, five nights’ hotel accommodation, most meals and guided activities. Departures are on 14, 16, 17, 19, 21 October 2014.

To book: www.wildlifeworldwide.com

23

S06 North America Supp 2014 Regional Round-Up - Holidays for Less_Layout 1 10/03/2014 17:23 Page 24

YOUR JOB IS ABOUT TO GET

MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World Resort unlocks a new dimension of Disney magic to give your customers an opportunity to customise and personalise their visit in exciting ways. While the testing continues, visit disneytravelagents.co.uk for online training to help you prepare for MyMagic+.

WIN A HOLIDAY! Complete our new Disney Stars MyMagic+ training module for your chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World and experience MyMagic+ for yourself and three friends.

WATCH & WIN! Watch our MyMagic+ training video to receive a FREE The Incredibles DVD!

To enter, visit disneytravelagents.co.uk Terms and conditions apply — see disneytravelagents.co.uk for details. ©Disney ©Disney/Pixar

COMPETITIONS END 31.03.14