Travel Bulletin 1 February 2013 by Alain Charles Publishing

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February 1 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,811 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Slovenia International MICE market goes from strength to strength

this week agent bulletin 9 win a trip to Las Vegas plus a place on a fam to Florida

puzzle bulletin training bulletin win a ÂŁ50 Love2Shop BRIGHT announces new voucher by completing training events & venues the Jet2holidays crossword

australasia

operators unveil new property & sightseeing options

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newsbulletin

FAM FRIENDS...a four day trip to The Gambia proved a hit with travel agents as The Gambia Experience hosted its latest group of independent agents on a whistle stop tour of the destination’s wide ranging choice of hotels. Pictured are, from the left (back row): Jason Dicks, Serenity Holidays; Barbara O’Neil, Travel Counsellors; Kym Donaldson and Katie Marklew, Midcounties Coop; Sue Whitston, Farewise Travel; Jane Colson, Symphony World Travel; Stephen Worswick, Highgate Travel; and David Stock, Tickets Travel; with (front row) Donna Puffet, Travel Counsellors; Emma Fensterseifer, Bath Travel; and Shannon Simmonds, Toucan Travel.

This Week 3

news

agent bulletin

staff review

a round-up of this week's latest announcements & deals win a trip to Las Vegas and a place on a fam to Florida Jill Sayles reviews the Maritim Hotel in Germany

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

puzzle bulletin

training bulletin

slovenia

win a £50 Love2Shop voucher by completing the Jet2holiday crossword BRIGHT announces new training events & venues the latest deals & product additions to capture your clients' imagination

holiday parks

australasia

a look at the latest offers & new product additions operators unveil new property & sightseeing options

Cover Pictures: Main - Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia (photographer: Miran Kambič) Inset - Whitsunday Islands, ANZCRO

February 1 2013

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newsbulletin Business travel goes online but mobile has a long way to go reveals Amadeus AMADEUS HAS released a report titled “Amadeus Business Travel Insights: the 21st Century Business Traveller”, which charts the behaviour and aspirations of business travellers across the UK. The report is based on a survey of more than 400 UK and Ireland adults, who work for large companies and regularly travel for business. Key findings include a tipping point has been reached in the ability to book online with data inidicating new opportunities for self managed travel, with two thirds (66%) of travellers now being able to book their business travel through an online booking tool. Other results found that only a third of travellers (33%) are able to book travel on a mobile or tablet device, providing a significant area of opportunity for travel managers, TMCs and technology companies to put their knowledge and company policies in the hands of the

traveller. The report also revealed that a third (34%) of travellers surveyed said that they had gone “off plan” during their 2012 business travel. However, this increased to half (51%) for those travellers who made 11 or more trips last year, with nearly a fifth (18%) of them going “off plan” at least five times during the year. The report also found that convenience is prioritised by business travellers above cost and comfort, with 62% of respondents stating this was the most important factor when travelling for business. Just over a fifth (22%) stated cost as their top priority, with 15% putting comfort first. Some 32% of the business travellers who took part in our survey would also like to have the opportunity to extend their business trip to include self-funded leisure travel and 14% would like to be provided with information on local sights.

Self-drive breaks from Irish Ferries

BLACKPOOL BOOST...pictured marking Blackpool’s latest bid to entice visitors with the launch of its 2013 Destination Guide, Blackpool Now, is VisitEngland's chief executive James Berresford and Marketing Blackpool's marketing executive, Beth Baldwin. The guide, which is launched every year, features hints and tips to suit every pocket including details of the new Blackpool Resort Pass – It’s Just the Ticket, and an events listing for 2013. It is available to download from www.visitblackpool.com/blackpoolnow

IRISH FERRIES has launched its 2013 programme of selfdrive holidays to Ireland with prices typically 5% lower than last year, and with a range of offers including free nights and free child places. All holiday prices include ferry crossings and special offers include three nights for the price of two at 35 featured hotels, including year-round Dublin city deals; two weeks for the price of one on shoulder season stays at 27 featured holiday cottage locations; free places for children at hotels and holiday cottages when sharing with two adults; savings of up to 15% on self-catering holidays at more than 20 different locations (for bookings made by March 16); and £50 deposit if booked by March 16 (£100 thereafter). Newly featured properties include Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara, which offers a nine-hole golf course and fishing lake, with prices from £320 per couple for three nights; Killashee House Hotel in Naas, a 19th century castle set in 250 acres of parkland in County Dublin, where a two-night break costs from £396 per couple; and Quilty Holiday Homes in County Clare, which offers a small cluster of individual, traditionally-styled holiday cottages, where a week’s stay for a family of up to six costs from £507 – with a second week free on selected dates. For more information call 0871-730 0400 or see www.irishferries.com/holidays

Valentine's Day mini cruises with P&O MSC Cruises launches YouTube channel MSC CRUISES has launched a global YouTube channel to inspire travellers across the world and convey its brand and range of travel experiences. The channel is divided by country and current highlights include the new Mediterranean Moments TV commercial which follows a day on a cruise with a focus on four of the company’s key values - discovery, the art of eating, the value of time and sociability. Viewers can also go behind the scenes of the new commercial with The Making-Of, and discover more about the company's philosophy through its brand manifesto, The Masters of the Sea. At Your Service. For more information see www.youtube.com/msccruises

February 1 2013

P&O FERRIES is offering a romantic cross-Channel cruise for couples. A ‘Cruise a la Carte’ deal offers Champagne, fine dining and shopping from £39 per person for non-landing foot passenger trips on its Dover-Calais service. During the crossing couples can relax in the exclusive Club Lounge with a glass of Champagne and then visit the on board shop, before sitting down for a three-course meal as the ship cruises back to Dover. The four-hour round trip is available between 11:00 and 19:20 daily and the price is based on two foot passengers. The package is also available with a car, allowing passengers to drive and park on board and have their shopping delivered directly to the vehicle, with prices from £48 based on a car and two passengers. For details call 0871-664 6464 or visit www.poferries.com

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Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @LondonCityAir We’re giving away 30 exclusive London City Airport hand warmers this winter! RT to win yours, t&c’s apply #lcycomp http://bit.ly/TIqcNo @LegerHolidays Ever wanted to visit the Chelsea Flower Show? well now you can with Leger http://tinyurl.com/bapmw 7x @British_Airways UK offer: Free Universal Orlando tickets when booking a flight & any 4/5* Orlando hotel for 7 nts or more http://bit.ly/XyXD2a Terms apply @superbreak Sneak in a weekend break you can afford with a spa break, hotel, dinner + afternoon tea near York from £99pp http://bit.ly/Y0XTJT @JurysInnsHotels Great New Look for Jurys Inn Birmingham following £4.7m makeover http://ow.ly/h65Gr

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Picture: courtesy of Zenon Adamek

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BOULOGNE BUDDIES...Peacock Travel in London sent more than 100 people to Boulogne for the day recently in support of the Mayor of the London Borough of Redbridge’s Charity Appeal Mencap and Carers Support. Pictured marking the event is the Mayoress of Redbridge (left) with Keith Lloyd from Peacock Travel and Pascale Vernieuwe of Boulogne Tourism.

CityJet launches flights to Brest from Dublin CITYJET HAS announced the launch of a new weekly direct service between Dublin Airport and Aeroport Brest Bretagne in Brittany. Weekly flights will commence on Saturday June 29 and run throughout the peak summer period and fares lead in at €96 one-way and €189 return, including taxes and charges. For more information or to book visit www.cityjet.com

Lowcostbeds expands into Dominican Republic LOWCOSTBEDS HAS doubled the number of hotels they now offer in the Dominican Republic, to now cover more than 13 resorts, from Bavaro to Boca Chica. Having recently set up a dedicated long-haul team, the bedbank has seen a sales increase to the Dominican Republic of more than 40% over the same period last year. The company's group director of sales Paul Riches said: "We are now working with brands such as Occidental, Barcelo, Be Live, Celuisma, VIK, LifeStyle and AM Resorts, which gives us a superb range of hotels in the area. We have secured a number of exclusive deals and rates for 2013 and 2014 across a range of budget, all inclusive, boutique and luxury hotels." Prices lead in at £285 for a week's all-inclusive break at the four-star Coral Costa Caribe in Juan Dolio.

Forestal Park offers outdoor adventures in Tenerife FORESTAL PARK is Tenerife’s newest outdoor adventure park and the first of its kind on the island. The park incorporates two tree climbing circuits – one for families and one for the more adventurous – reaching up to 80m in height and featuring 30m high wooden platforms. There are also ziplines that stretch for 200m and more than 90 games that can be played above the ground. The park is located in La Esperanza forest nature reserve and can be experienced by children aged six and above. Prices start from €22 (approximately £18) for adults (from 13 years old) and €17 (approximately £14) for children (six-12 years old). For more information visit www.forestalpark.com

February 1 2013

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newsbulletin El Al offers more frequency for summer EL AL Israel Airlines is increasing frequency in its Summer 2013 schedule, and will offer up to 22 flights per week in peak season. The increased frequencies will operate from Luton, which will see an increase from six to 11 flights weekly. The carrier's summer schedule begins in the middle of March, with the airline offering 11 flights weekly from Heathrow and six flights weekly from Luton. From June 30 until August 31, the airline will add five flights per week (Sunday to Thursday inclusive) departing from Luton at 23:30, and arriving in Tel Aviv at 06:30. During this peak period, the airline will offer 22 flights weekly between London and Tel Aviv.

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Explore Travel launches Montenegro and Croatia brands to trade EXPLORE TRAVEL has launched its Montenegro and Croatia brands to the trade to build on a successful inaugural 2012 season in Montenegro. A new travel trade team has been developed with the aim of introducing a competitive set of packages for agents to sell to the UK market. The operator is offering a selection of handpicked villas, apartments and hotels along the Montenegrin and Southern Dalmatian coastline. Tours, excursions, car hire and additional services such as a villa hosting service are also offered as part of the packages which focus on providing an authentic experience of the country combined with high-quality accommodation. The company's 2012 airline agreements have

also been extended and capacity increased with Montenegro Airlines, alongside the introduction of an agreement with Monarch airlines for this year, enabling the brands to offer customers flights into Tivat, Podgorica and Dubrovnik airports as well as book other airlines on request. Alongside the flight and accommodation options, Explore Montenegro has broadened its product lines for 2013 to include an exclusive rail experience for UK travellers looking to experience a ride through Eastern European history. The train ride, which connects Belgrade to Montenegro, will take passengers on a scenic route on the former Yugoslav ruler Tito’s 1950s state carriages. For more information email kimberly@exploretravel.me

February 1 2013

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HOSEASONS HAS extended its call centre opening hours to respond to demand for UK breaks, following the launch of its £1.8million marketing push for the first quarter of 2013. The company is now taking calls until 22:00 from Sunday to Friday, and until 19:00 on Saturday, giving agents an extra ten hours a week to make enquiries and bookings over the phone. THOMSON AND First Choice holidaymakers now have the option to speak to a member of the TUI UK & Ireland social media customer service team at any time before, during or after their holiday. The move sees the team increase to 15, all working shifts to be online 24-hours a day, seven days a week via the company's Facebook and Twitter pages. FROM MARCH 31, Thai Airways will replace its A346s with retrofitted B747s on both its daily Heathrow– Bangkok flights. For details see www.thaiairways.co.uk or call 0844-561 0911. BUTLINS SKEGNESS is set to add a new event, The Bootleg Ball, to its line-up of Live Music Weekend for 2013. The event will be held from March 15-18 and headlining the weekend are tributes to U2, Kings of Leon, Bon Jovi, AC/DC and Blondie. For details see www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0845-070 4742. THE ENCORE Sales Team will be exhibiting at The Best of Britain and Ireland at the NEC from March 13-14. SUPERBREAK HAS packaged up tickets for The Shard, which opens today (February 1) with overnight accommodation. Prices start from £80 per person including one night’s three-star breakfast stay and a ticket to The View in March. See www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444. BRITS ARE to be wooed by tourism organisation Visit York to book a stay in York as part of a new multichannel marketing campaign in partnership with the national tourism body VisitEngland. For details see www.visitengland.com/moreromantic THE 13TH Winter Jazz Festival (or 'Vinterjazz' in Danish) takes place in Denmark from February 1-17. The festival will welcome a range of events taking place throughout the country including approximately 300 concerts. See www.jazz.dk

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newsbulletin 'Real Greece' launch from Sunvil Holidays offers new property additions SUNVIL HOLIDAYS, has launched its 2013 'Real Greece' brochure, featuring a range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to seaside self-catering options, on lesserknown islands and off the beaten track. New additions for this year include ‘Boutique Greece’ - historic luxury properties that have been restored, offering high standards of service and cuisine. Also new to the programme are the islands of Kalymnos and tiny Telendos in the Dodecanese, plus a new programme in Stoupa in the Peloponnese, providing access to beaches and with family-friendly bases at which to stay. The operator's programme director Dudley der Parthog said: “This year we are encouraging customers to take

advantage of the late Greek Easter, which this year falls on Sunday May 5. This world-famous event is definitely worth catching and we can arrange holidays to a number of destinations, including Corfu - where celebrations include the parading of the mummified body of St Spiridon, the island's patron saint, through the streets of the old town, followed by the hurling of crockery from the upper windows of houses. Survivors can then relax and enjoy the subsequent fireworks and feasting. "We firmly believe that Greece is set for an excellent year, partly due to pentup demand from customers who postponed visiting in 2012. People now understand that the Euro crisis is highly unlikely to have any impact on their

holiday enjoyment - and prices are more competitive than ever. In fact some holidays are considerably cheaper than last year. For example, Villa Afrodite, a four-star boutique hotel on Lemnos, now offers two weeks in peak season, reduced from £1,293 per person in 2012 to £1,113 this year - a saving of £180 per person." As an example of 'Boutique Greece' prices, a stay at the remotely-located Kyrimai Hotel in Gerolimenas, a former 19th century warehouse, costs from £818 per person for seven nights' breakfast stay, based on two sharing, including flights and car hire. For more information or to book call 020-8758 4747 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk

Cruise and Maritime Voyages promotes Easter cruise itineraries CRUISE AND Maritime Voyages (CMV) is highlighting two cruises on offer for Easter. A ‘Bulbfields & Gardens’ cruise on Marco Polo leaves Tilbury on March 28 for a seven-night cruise to take in Europe’s gardens and historically interesting places. Alternatively, guests can sail out of Bristol Avonmouth on Discovery on March 30 for eight nights cruising down to

Spain and Portugal. Both cruises lead in at £599 per person when booked by March 18 and are based on two sharing an inner cabin on a full board basis. Gratuities of £5 per person per night are added to the on board account at the end of the cruise. For more information see www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844-414 6185.

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WEBSCLUSIVES

LOVE IS IN THE AIR....Zoe Holt, Attraction World’s business development executive for the North visited Nigel Gregory from Designer Travel in Ramsbottom to give him a peck on the cheek and highlight the operator's range of experiential gift ideas in the run-up to Valentine's Day. Examples include a Bateaux London lunch cruise for two for £68; an Historic Vineyard & Wine tasting for two for £70; a Lovers Chocolate Making for two for £121; and a Top to Toe Pampering Day for two for £149. Agents also benefit from 15% discount off their own bookings. For details see www.attractionworld.com

February 1 2013

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WIN A FAM TRIP TO FLORIDA! Have you ever dreamt of year-round sunshine, soft sand and clear waters? If so, now is your chance to experience this by winning a place on one of Funway’s fantastic FAM trips to the Florida beaches, travelling in May/June! For more details, go to ww.travelbulletin.co.uk/funway

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

All this and more at:

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

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agentbulletin Booking incentive DoSomethingDifferent.com has launched a booking incentive for an agent and their plus one to win a trip to Las Vegas. The winner will receive a personal airport welcome, luxury limousine transfer including Champagne and STRIP tour, three nights at a four-star hotel, dinner at a top restaurant, entry into one of Las Vegas’ famous pool parties and VIP entry into an A-list nightclub. Also included is a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, as well as flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick or Manchester. To be in with a chance of winning, book any worldwide attraction, experience or tour on the operator's website and register each booking either by email at viva-las-vegas@dosomethingdifferent.com, by phone on 020-8909 3890 or on Twitter @DSDsuperheroes. For a bonus entry and a surprise goodie into the draw, agents can pre-book tickets for their clients for a ‘Grand Canyon Tour’ or ‘Vegas VIP Nightlife Tour’.

PANDORA'S BOX...Sarah Beswick (left) from First Choice in Warrington opened Pandora’s box to find a Pandora bracelet, after winning the first in a series of ten weekly luxury prizes in Hoseasons’ ‘Win Win Win’ promotion. Pictured presenting the prize is the operator's Sarah Smith. Other prizes up for grabs (for confirmed bookings made until March 13) include a Samsung Galaxy Note tablet, GHD hair styler, a £150 House of Fraser gift card and a Ted Baker designer Man Bag. For details see www.hoseasons.co.uk/pdfs/ hoseasonsprizegiveaway

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Fancy a fam? FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has announced details of two agent fam trips to Florida, scheduled to take place in June. The trips fly with Virgin Atlantic and depart on the same day, but once on location the group of 20 travel agents will be split into two groups to follow different one-week itineraries that showcase all seven of Florida's beaches. These include Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key; The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel; The Florida Keys and Key West; The Palm Beaches and Boca Raton; Panama City Beach; Tampa Bay; St.Pete/Clearwater. Agents can win a place on one of the trips by confirming a Florida package holiday with the operator that includes at least three nights in any of the above destinations by March 31. Once confirmed, agents should email win@funway.co.uk to register their booking. For more information see www.funway4agents.co.uk

February 1 2013

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newsbulletin Norwich International announces new charter holidays to the Turkish Riviera

staffreview Jill Sayles, Travel Bulletin’s assistant editor, stayed at the Maritim Hotel Cologne for two nights on a bed-andbreakfast basis. Here are her thoughts...

First impressions ................................9/10 Check-in was quick and efficient, friendly staff, and I was given a voucher for a drink at the bar.

Comfort ..............................................8/10 My room was spacious and clean (if a little dated) with a great view of Cologne Cathedral.

Quality ................................................8/10 The hotel features 454 rooms and suites, three restaurants, two bars, conference and event facilities for up to 1,600 delegates. There’s a huge atrium (pictured) that offers views of the Rhine river. The wellness centre (free of use for guests) includes a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath. The hotel’s central location means the city sights are no more than a ten-minute walk away.

Affordability ........................................8/10 Room rates start from €155 for a double room

Service ................................................8/10 Staff were easy to find and helpful and tea making facilities were brought to my room on request.

Good to know ............................................ Ask for a room with a Cathedral or Rhine view. The Chocolate Museum is a short walk away.

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

8/ 10

NORWICH INTERNATIONAL has announced that from April 4, tour operator OSKA-TRAVEL, a member of KENBA Group International, will be operating seven-night escorted tours around the Turkish Riviera every Thursday in April. The luxury break includes guided tours to Antalya, Kemer, Pamukkale, Tava & Perga, overnight accommodation in four- and five-star hotels and a buffet breakfast, with prices ranging from £249 up to £299 depending on dates. Andrew Bell, the airport's CEO, said: “We are delighted that OSKA-TRAVEL has selected to operate its low cost luxury charter breaks from Norwich this April and we are certain this popular destination will prove a hit with our customers.”

Superbreak adds new hotels in Athens SUPERBREAK HAS added two new hotels in Athens to its portfolio, both of which are four-star. Prices for a one-night stay at the Four Star Fresh Hotel, located in the heart of Athens, lead in at £46.50 per person, while a stay at the Athens Lotus Hotel leads in at £37.50. Flight inclusive packages start from £297 per person including flights from Gatwick and three nights' breakfast accommodation at the Athens Lotus Hotel. See www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

Funway issues largest Mexico brochure FUNWAY HOLIDAYS has unveiled the 2013/14 edition of its stand-alone Mexico brochure, valid for departures up until 31 March 2014. Featured are a choice of hotels from three- to five-star resorts, with prices leading in at £955 per person for seven nights at the Catalonia Riviera Maya, including flights with Virgin Atlantic and transfers. The new 52-page brochure more than doubles the current programme to feature 34 hotels in Cancun, Riviera Maya and newly added areas Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen and Playacar. Other new additions include a selection of excursions, wedding and honeymoon options and multicentre recommendations. Highlights include money-saving deals such as free resort credit, free gold, free weddings and kids stay free.

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

Nick Talbot, Funway Holidays' marketing manager steps into character to mark the launch of the new Mexico brochure

February 1 2013

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

Su Doku Win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle Number: 097

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

Accuses Riots

A➠

B➠ This cruise line shares its name with a popular coffee shop chain

C➠

A Caiman Ripe Snot

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, February 7th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 18th January is Amanda Pizer, Thomas Cook in Kingston Upon Thames. January 18 Solution: A=7 B=2 C=3 D=9

Crossword

Sponsored By

The famous pier in Los Angeles which marks the end of Route 66

Where Am I?

Largest city in Maryland

Fill in the crossword to spell the mystery location highlighted by the blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword to submit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prize draw and one lucky winner will win £50 Love2Shop vouchers. Closing date for entries is Thursday February 7th.

Number: 097

Across 1. Fergus Hotels can be booked with Jet2holidays in which Balearics island? (7) 4. Copenhagen airport code (3) 6. City on Gran Canaria (3,6) 7. Historic French city with a bridge to sing about (7) 10. Hotel brand, Holiday ___ (3) 11. Eilat is on this sea (3) 12. TV drama series, sounds like a dish best served cold (7) 14. The Algarve's biggest and best-known resort (9) 16. Larnaca airport code (3) 17. Three-wheeled vehicles, popular in Bangkok (3-4)

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Down 1. Valletta is the capital of this island (5) 2. Popular British boy band (3) 3. Capital of Jordan (5) 4. The world's largest lake, ___ Sea (7) 5. Holiday parks operator (5) 8. Midwestern state in the Great Lakes region (7) 9. Weekday TV programme, The ___ Show (3) 11. Cruise company, ___ Caribbean International (5) 12. Capital of Morocco (5) 13. Chris who co-hosts 9 Down on Fridays (5) 15. Promise to pay, in short (3)

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

The Where Am I and Travagrams solutions can be found on page 22 February 1 2013

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newsbulletin Visit Florida aquires Huddle trade show

Escape the Rain Fly Vueling to Spain.

VISIT FLORIDA has announced the acquisition of Florida Huddle. The event, which has been operating for 37 years, is the longest running travel trade show in Florida where suppliers from around the state meet directly with domestic and international buyers of travel and travel media. The tourism marketing corporation’s CEO Will Seccombe said: “Relationship building events that allow buyers and suppliers to have pre-arranged face-to-face appointments are a vital component of the Florida tourism industry’s marketing efforts. The acquisition of Huddle provides a great opportunity for Visit Florida to add value for our partners and offer first-hand information to travel trade professionals from around the globe.” International travel to Florida has been growing steadily in recent years and is a major focus of the corporation’s marketing efforts. In 2011, Florida welcomed more than 12.6million international visitors who spent more than $14billion, and overseas travel to Florida increased 16.1% over 2010 levels. In comparison, overseas visits to the US increased by 5% for the same period.

Guided Guernsey tours from Condor Ferries CONDOR CONDOR Ferries has teamed up with Visit Guernsey to offer a series of guided tours in Guernsey, the home of Les Misérables author, Victor Hugo, for more than 15 years. Passengers travelling to Guernsey will have the chance to experience guided tours down the same streets and alleyways traversed by Hugo, who was a political exile on the island, more than 150 years ago. The company's marketing manager Justin Amey said: “Guernsey offers a fantastic opportunity for visitors who have been inspired by the new film to find out more about the fascinating life of Victor Hugo. We’d encourage anyone looking for a literary break to come on board and see what Guernsey has to offer.” Travel to Guernsey with the company costs from £61.25 per person one-way for a car and two passengers. For more information visit www.condorferries.com

Two wheel itineraries from Inntravel

Fly direct from Cardiff to Malaga, Alicante, Majorca & Barcelona Book your 2013 ﬂights at www.vueling.com

INNTRAVEL HAS introduced a selection of new Slow breaks on two wheels to its Cycling & More programme for this year. Among them is the Danish Riviera, the Czech Republic’s Southern Moravia, a new family cycling break in France’s Mayenne Valley, plus a trio of leisurely holidays which combine cycling and walking. As examples, highlights of a Danish Riviera break include an inland route to the Royal Palace of Fredensborg (known as the Danish Versailles); a boat journey along 'Denmark's Loveliest Sea Mile'; and Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet, and where the soon to open Maritime Museum will open. Prices lead in at £1,065 per person including six nights' breakfast accommodation and four dinners. A Bordeaux & St Emilion cycle tour follows country lanes and a disused railway line to discover the historic villages and neat vineyards of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. Prices lead in at £715 per person including six nights’ breakfast accommodation and four dinners. Prices include luggage transfers, cycle hire, route notes and maps. For details see www.inntravel.co.uk or call 01653-617000.

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*Some facilities not available at all resorts. Resorts may change some All Inclusive package inclusions at short notice. Seat allocation not guaranteed. Prices are per person and are based on 2 adults travelling together, ﬂying from LGW on EK12 and include private car transfers and airport taxes. Valid for departures from 8 May to 15 June 2013 and subject to availability. Direct Emirates ﬂights from LHR, BHX, MAN, NCL, GLA & DUB also available at a supplement.

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trainingbulletin Launch of first LGBT online training for travel agents VISIT HELSINKI and Tourismus & Congress Frankfurt have become the first destination tourism offices to develop targeted training specifically for travel agents and tour operators aimed at increasing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) visitors to their cities. The deals were struck at last year's World Travel Market, where Visit Helsinki was one of 12 companies that exhibited in the first WTM LGBT Pavilion. The new training modules have been built and are managed by Out Now Global in partnership with Online Travel Training (OTT). A general LGBT awareness training module is also being made available online at http://ott.travel/LGBT/hom e.aspx, giving practical advice for agents to use when dealing with LGBT customers. The destination specific e-learning courses are free for all agents who have completed the initial course. Ian Johnson, CEO and founder of Out Now, said: “This new initiative has the potential to expand the market reach for LGBT sales substantially. Travel agents and tour operators now account for more than 30% of all LGBT sales in most markets globally, so by providing specialist training and relevant LGBT product information we are able to give our partner destinations a much enhanced competitive edge. Thanks to OTT this new training resource is being made available to an extensive global network of more than 60,000 travel agents and tour operators.”

Prestige teams with CTC for Kent event PRESTIGE HAS teamed up with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) to hold an educational evening for agents in Kent and the surrounding area. The event starts at 18:30 on February 13 at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells and will commence with networking and the chance to learn more about Canada through a series of workshops being run by event partners. These include Fairmont Hotels, Rocky Mountaineer, CTC, RitzCarlton Hotel, Air Canada and the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and the Yukon. The workshops will be followed by dinner and the chance to win prizes. Agents interested in attending the event should email Emma Pine at epine@prestigeholidays.co.uk

MARIKA'S MERRY...pictured at a recent TIPTO roadshow event is Marika Riddick from Travel Counsellors, who won a one-night four-star London theatre break for two, which was given away by Mark Riddle from Newmarket Holidays.

Americas Workshop announces March launch in London THE AMERICAS Workshop, a trade show dedicated to Latin America, will take place at the Royal Geographical Society London on March 12 and 13. The event attracts more than 100 operators, ranging from small specialists to large well known names, plus many operators who are only just beginning to develop Latin America. Company organiser of the workshop Wendy McNeill said: “We’ve seen a massive increase in the number of UK tour operators wanting to add Latin America to their portfolio, or expand on their current offering. It’s clear Latin America is very ‘hot’ right now with travellers – particularly those looking for tailor-made tours.” More than 40 suppliers will be exhibiting including small lodges, haciendas, boutique hotels, rainforest lodges, expedition cruises and the DMC's represented by Americas. For more information call 020-7223 4330, email americas@americas.co.uk or see www.americas.co.uk

BRIGHT announces new training events & venues BRIGHT (BRINGING Real Information & Guaranteed High Quality Training) has announced details of its training workshops. They are: Chester on February 12, Solihull on February 13, Exeter on March 19, Southampton on March 20, Colchester on April 16, St Albans on April 17, Guernsey on April 30, Jersey on May 1, Belfast on June 18, Manchester on June 19, Glasgow on September 17, Edinburgh on September 18, Ashford on October 15 and Brighton on October 16. At the launch of its programme of travel workshops, chairman of Bright, Hisham Mahmoud, said that 2012 had been a very successful tenth anniversary year for its

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members with a fitting final team effort when 47 members and travel industry guests raised more than £7,000 for The Hospice of The Good Shepherd at the 10km Richmond Riverside Run. This was followed by a celebratory lunch to mark the anniversary and a cheque presentation in memory of the daughter of its PR manager, Doug Goodman. Mahmoud has been re-elected as chairman for this year and Jonathan Whiteley of 1st Class Holidays remains vice-chairman. For more information or book a place at the events email bookings@eventsfortravel.com or visit www.brightconsortia.com

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slovenia Tine Murn

International MICE market goes from strength to strength THE SLOVENIAN Tourist Board UK reports that Slovenia’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market is continuing to go from strength to strength and, with the establishment of the National Convention Bureau eight years ago, the destination has actively started to promote itself on the international MICE market. The tourist board’s head of tourism Tine Murn said: “Meetings business is of course extremely important for the hotels. The biggest possibilities are still in the capital city of Ljubljana, where more than two thirds of all events take place. Meetings and incentives are arguably the best type of promotion for Slovenia’s leisure tourism. In one of the National Convention Bureau’s surveys conducted among international delegates, more than 90% of respondents confirmed that they will return to Ljubljana as tourists.” One notable event for the travel industry is the upcoming Slovenia Incoming Workshop (SIW), which takes place from April 18-20 in Portorož. Murn said: “SIW is a first class

opportunity to meet all major Slovenian tourism providers who gather together in one place for the purpose of encouraging business relations, establishing new contacts and partners and raising the standard of tourism. Every year more than 250 Slovenian tourism providers attend this event which provides a great opportunity for anybody interested in doing business with Slovenian tourism. “Participants of the workshop can also choose from various study tours to different destinations in Slovenia. This is with the intention of letting delegates discover the opportunities that they will hear about in business meetings with Slovenian partners whilst attending the workshop.” Murn emphasises that Slovenia has never been a mass tourism destination and that the destination will always only focus on niche products; this being the reason why the meetings industry holds such importance for Slovenia. He said: “The meetings industry is changing constantly; the supply side is growing worldwide, social media and IT is changing the format of meetings

and communication and all this is changing our working environment. You have to be ready to swiftly adapt to these changes and build the right offer or you run the risk of losing the connection with the business as well as the market. Our huge advantage is, that we can adapt to changes very quickly. Feedback from the industry is that this is a very challenging market environment and Slovenia is a very competitive country, offering great value for money.” Note: A new Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the promotion of entrepreneurship, innovation, development, investment and tourism was established at the start of this year. SPIRIT Slovenia merged three public agencies – the Slovenian Tourist Board, JAPTI (the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments) and TIA (the Slovenian Technology Agency). For more information on MICE tourism email info@slovenia-convention.com or see www.slovenia-convention.com and for details on how to apply for SIW visit www.slovenia.info/siw

www.kracun.si

Penzion Kračun

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with

Medical - aesthetic & wellness center Lucija 12 modern rooms I restaurant with Italian food I pizza place I 2 seminar rooms I wellness & spa I beauty treatments I the oldest restaurant from 1467 in Slovenia with traditional slovenian food Send us an email on info@kracun.si or call us on 00 386 51 330 511

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slovenia Kracun Hotel promotes breakfast stay for €40

Balkan increases ski programme to Slovenia

THE FAMILY-OWNED Kracun Hotel, which offers 12 guestrooms, is highlighting one-night breakfast stays for €40. The property offers a European style restaurant, free Wi-fi and wellness and spa facilities. For more information email benjamin@kracun.si or see www.penzion-kracun.si

BALKAN HOLIDAYS has increased its ski and snowboard programme to Slovenia with the addition of new flights to Salzburg, Austria, which borders the country. The additional flights will increase the number of regional airport departures to nine for the operator and holidaymakers can ski in the resorts of Kranjska Gora, Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled. New flight departures are to Salzburg on Saturdays with scheduled airlines starting this month, flying from Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Luton, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Southampton and Exeter. The flights are in addition to the company’s existing programme to Slovenia from Stansted and Luton. The operator’s sales and marketing manager Rupert Diggins said: “Slovenia is a beautiful country with so much to offer and it is a great place to learn to ski if you have not tried it before, by taking advantage of the excellent ski schools. Each resort is ideal for a family holiday, they are safe and compact, with plenty of facilities and good nursery slopes conveniently located by the hotels.” To book or for more information see www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call 0845-130 1114.

THE TRESOR Hoster, located in the heart of Ljubljana town centre, has opened this month following its transformation. The 29-room hostel features two common areas - a high atrium area with a sky ceiling and a former bank vault in the basement, which is now a club. Prices lead in at €17 per night including breakfast. The property also offers free Wi-fi and is in the vicinity of a number of boutique stores, theatres, museums, galleries and nightlife.

InBrief ● THE NEWLY opened Lovec Pub at Lovec Hotel in Lake Bled is now

offering traditional Slovenian dishes produced exclusively from locally grown ingredients. The pub offers a broad selection of local and international beer, wines, sparkling wines and Champagnes, along with a range of home-made liqueurs, brandies and soft drinks. ● HIŠA RADUHA, located in Logarska Dolina valley, is highlighting new accommodation options including tree houses and glass-enclosed hayracks. Each accommodation offers a whirlpool and views across the river Savinja. For details see www.raduha.com or email info@raduha.com

RIVERSIDE CHALET BARBARA

Welcome to our comfortable Alpine chalet. In the tourist village of Preddvor, Upper Carniola. Fantas c Facili es: Private Pool Spacious living area Sleeps up to 5 people Large garden and terrace Perfect Loca on: Surrounded by mountains Delicious cuisine, ﬁshing, cycling, hiking, paragliding, horse riding, skiing, golf and beach within minutes Only 10km from Ljubljana airport

Contact: 00 386 40 272 104 zumerb@gmail.com

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slovenia Inntravel highlights three-centre option for £538 THE RIVERSIDE Chalet Barbara, located in the village of Preddvor - 10km from Ljubljana airport, is highlighting its location as ideal for visitors looking to explore nearby attractions. These include places of historical interest, hiking and mountaineering to various tours such as St. Jacob Hill (961m), Potoška gora (1,283m), Javorjev vrh (1,434m) and Storžič (2,132m). A beach at Lake Crnava and a forest footpath are also within walking distance. The chalet offers a spacious living area with open-plan dining, a kitchen and a lounge. Two bedrooms, each with a balcony, sleep three in one room and two in the second, while a terrace area offers sunbeds and a barbecue and leads into large garden which offers a private pool and a children's play area.

Inghams introduces new resorts & Lake Bled discounts INGHAMS IS offering a range of resorts in Slovenia, from three to five-star hotels, including the lake resorts of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, the mountain resorts of Bovec and Kranjska Gora, the coastal resorts of Piran and Portoroz and short stays in the cultural capital of Ljubljana. New for this summer, the operator has added the traditional village of Bovec, which is surrounded by the Julian Alps and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as trekking, mountain biking, swimming and canoeing on the River Soca, as well as discovering wildlife. As an example of prices, a seven-night half-

board stay at the three-star Hotel Kanin costs from £539 per person, including flights from Gatwick and transfers. Regional flights are available at a supplement. The company is also offering a discount of £250 per couple for clients booking the threestar Pension Mlino in Lake Bled by March 31. The property is an ideal base for walking and hiking trails and prices lead in at £759 per person (including the discount) as well as flights from Gatwick, transfers and 14 nights’ half board accommodation. For more information or to book visit www.inghams.co.uk/agents or call 01483-791114.

INNTRAVEL IS featuring two self-guided walking holidays with luggage transported ahead in Slovenia. One follows the winding Soca River Valley and the other explores Slovenia’s Lakes Bled and Bohinj. Also offered in the company’s Rural Hideaways programme are self-catering apartments; near idyllic Lake Bohinj, ideal for walking and biking. As an example of prices, a seven-night at The Lakes & Julian Alps three-centre option leads in at £538 per person based on two sharing and includes breakfast accommodation, three picnics, luggage transfers, walking maps and notes. Flights and airport transfers are extra. For more information see www.inntravel.co.uk

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slovenia

GUESTS CAN stay in one of three- or four-star hotels, apartment houses, camps or bungalows at the Terme Catez Spa Resort. Prices lead in at €178.50 for three nights on a half-board basis, including access to Summer or Winter Thermal Riviera Aquapark.

Lake Bled to host 2013 Travel Network Group conference in May THE TRAVEL Network Group will hold its 2013 conference in Slovenia’s Lake Bled from May 17-19. The network’s group managing director Gary Lewis said: “We wanted a conference destination with a difference for our next overseas event, a destination that was less mass-market and one that our members may not have visited before. We believe that Lake Bled will be a very popular choice

not only because of its sheer beauty but because of its two-hour flight time from the UK, its proximity to the airports in Ljubljana and Trieste, and its fine weather during the spring months. “The current market remains very challenging and therefore we have heavily subsidised conference rates to ensure that members get maximum value.”

Debut collection from Classic offers breaks in Portoroz, Beld & Bohinj CLASSIC COLLECTION Holidays is featuring Slovenia for the first time this year, with a choice of eight properties in Ljubljana, Portoroz, Bled and Bohinj. The new programme runs until the end of the year and all holidays are tailor-made with short breaks, city breaks, longer stays, fly/drive and accommodation-only options. Twin and multi-centre options can include Croatia, Montenegro and Italy. The operator’s deputy managing director Matt Rice said: “This is a beautifully unspoilt area of the Mediterranean, but one which, in the past, has not necessarily been associated with luxury hotel products. Our new programme features a good selection of four- and five-star properties which score very well on customer review sites. “It’s also a destination well supported by regional flying allowing us to offer customers our usual service of a flexible choice of UK departure airports, airlines and holiday duration. Customers can fly to Venice, Trieste, Klagenfurt, Pula as well as Ljubljana. Demand from travel agents and customers alike has meant that it was timely to introduce Slovenia to our operation. It offers a huge diversity of holiday product, from city breaks to lakes, mountains and coasts, and can easily be combined as a twin-centre holiday to the Istrian Peninsula.” As examples of prices, a three-night breakfast stay at the Kempinski Palace in Portoroz costs from £575 per person in March, while a three-night city break to Ljubljana costs from £371 at the Hotel Slon including breakfast. For details call 0800-998 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk

February 1 2013

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Château de l’Epervière, Burgundy

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Keycamp adds new parcs in Côte d’Azur & Burgundy for 2013 KEYCAMP HAS launched two new parcs this year, with an early booking discount available on all trips booked before February 14. The new Holiday Marina parc in the Côte d’Azur is situated next to the canal-side town of Port Grimaud, 900m from the beach. It offers two pool complexes, a range of sporting facilities, a restaurant, hammam, spa treatments and a Jacuzzi. A seven-night stay in a twobedroom Prestige mobile home, which sleeps up to four adults and two children, costs from £265 per party, based on a May 6 departure. The price is based on accommodation-only and includes an early booking discount of £74. Meanwhile, the new Château de l’Epervière parc in

Burgundy is set in the grounds of a 16th century château and offers a three pool complex, sauna and Jacuzzi. Weekly tasting sessions are available at the parc’s cellars, while the Burgundy vineyards are a short drive away. A seven-night stay in a two-bedroom Vista mobile home, which sleeps up to four adults and two children, costs from £203 per party. The price is based on a May 10 arrival and includes an early booking discount of £91. Ferry crossings and fly/drive packages are also available for both parcs at a supplement. To book or for more information call 0844-406 0319 or visit www.keycamp.co.uk

14 days for the price of seven at Disneyworld from DoSomethingDifferent.com DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT.COM IS offering customers a 14-day Disneyworld Florida Ultimate Ticket for the price of seven. The ticket offers unlimited access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom,

Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Wide World of Sports Complex, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Park and the Oak Trail Golf course. Under the offer, an adult ticket costs £269 and a child ticket (aged three to nine years) is £248. The offer

is valid for travel this year and tickets must be activated on or before December 31, for bookings made by April 2. For more information call 020-8090 3890 or visit www.dosomethingdifferent.com

Butlins introduces new spa breaks in Skegness & Bognor BUTLINS HAS launched a new range of spa breaks in Skegness and Bognor Regis. The Ocean Spa in Bognor Regis and The Spa in Skegness offer a range of facilities, along with some added extras such as disco showers and crystal steam rooms. Guests can book a two-night spa break arriving on either Monday or Wednesday. Breaks include a two-hour spa experience on each day, which can be a choice of two mini treatments or one luxury treatment, plus buffet-style breakfast and evening meals throughout. A two-night break in Skegness costs from £170 per person arriving on March 27, based on two adults sharing a Gold Apartment. Launching this month, the company has also introduced a

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'B Line Fast Pass’, allowing guests to access shows and venues without having to queue. Available on all trips to Bognor Regis, Minehead or Skegness, the passes cost £18 per person for three- or four-night breaks and £36 per person for a seven-night break. Events being held this year include the Alternative Music Festival in Minehead from April 26-29. Headlining the weekend is a variety of English post-punk and ska bands, including The Fall, a band which had close links to John Peel. A three-night festival break from April 26-29 costs from £268 per person based on four sharing a Silver Self-Catering apartment in Minehead. For details visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

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holidayparks Cask Marque Award for Haven Holidays

EUROPA-PARK IN Germany welcomed the launch of its fifth themed hotel, Bell Rock, and the new Wodan – Timburcoaster wooden rollercoaster (pictured) last year. The park also reports a record of 4.5million visitors in 2012, with rising number of visitors from countries other than Germany, France and Switzerland.

Away Resorts gets it Wight for half-term breaks AWAY RESORTS is opening its Isle of Wight holiday park early to coincide with half-term later this month. Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park usually starts welcoming guests from Easter but demand from holidaymakers has prompted the park to open earlier than usual. The operator, which has undergone a rebrand with the launch of its new 2013 Holiday Heroes brochure, is offering seven nights’ glamping Canvas Village Bell Tent accommodation in a Canvas Village Bell Tent, which sleeps up to four people, from £238 from February 15 or 16. Alternatively, seven nights in a Superior Chalet, which sleeps six, costs from £341 or a Luxury Lodge that sleeps eight costs from £487. The company's managing director Carl Castledine said: "During last October half-term, we had a number of guests ask us about whether we would consider opening earlier than normal. We usually start welcoming guests from the beginning of March. So we have decided to give it a try, and have a number of chalets and lodges available to book. While we won't have our extensive programme of activities that are available when the park is fully open, there will be some entertainment to get involved with. If this half-term proves to be a success, we will look at doing the same next year, but with a bigger programme of activities for all the family."

HAVEN HOLIDAY Parks has been awarded the Cask Marque Award which heralds the introduction of a range of real ales from Marston Brewery across 13 of the company's 35 UK holiday parks. The operator's head of retail sales Allan Lambert said: “We offer families the quintessential British holiday experience and there’s nothing more British than a quality pint of ale. We’re thrilled to have been recognised for the efforts that we make to ensure that our guests are treated to the best of British ale.” The parks were judged by an independent adjudicator who made two unannounced visits during the year to test the ale for its aroma, temperature, clarity and taste. As an example of prices, a three-night stay arriving on March 15 for up to six people at Blue Dolphin Holiday Park in Yorkshire, costs from £109 per holiday home, based on a Superior two-bedroom caravan. For more information or to book visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk or call 0871-230 1919

Al Fresco Holidays predicts booking increase following investment AL FRESCO Holidays has reported that bookings for this year are set to increase following record bookings across its 56 parcs in France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Croatia and Austria last year. According to the company, significant investment such as the multi-million pound renovation of La Croix du Vieux Pont, France, has increased the popularity of the parcs. La Croix du Vieux Pont is a three-hour drive from Calais and is situated in the Champagne region of France.

The five-star holiday resort is within easy reach of both Paris and Disneyland Paris, operating regular excursions to both. The parc now has a new water complex, gym, spa and entertainment facilities, as well as a Kidz Club and Family Fun programme, which also operates at four other parcs – Sanguli, Le Clarys Plage, Chateau Des Ormes and Marina Di Venezia. John Escott, the operator's sales manager, said: “We are delighted to report that our momentum going into 2013 is

February 1 2013

even stronger than it was going into 2012 as we celebrate our tenth anniversary. To keep pace with the growing scale of our popularity, we have continued to invest heavily, enabling us to offer great value for money holidays on some of the best parcs in Europe.” Luxury mobile homes offer two or three bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, seating/dining area, shower room, outside decked veranda, barbecue and outdoor table, chairs and sun loungers. A seven-night stay

for six people at La Croix du Vieux Pont in a Rossini Mobile Home leads in at £216. It includes free off-peak, midweek, low-season Dover to Calais crossings for a car and up to six passengers. Early booking offers include savings of up to 25%; free nights, including 14 nights for the price of seven; two mobile homes for the price of one; group booking discounts of £25 per mobile home when two or more are booked; and up to £100 saving for returning customers.

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British & Irish Lions Tour kicks off in Queensland QUEENSLAND IS enticing Rugby Union fans to its shores this year as the British & Irish Lions visit Australia for the first time in 12 years. The countdown to the tour officially kicks off at 09:00 on February 18, when match tickets go on sale for Brisbane (June 22), Melbourne (June 29) and Sydney (July 6). Fans are being urged to make sure they include Brisbane in the Sunshine State in their itineraries, marking the first time the Lions have played the Wallabies since 2001. Test tickets lead in at A$95 (approximately £63) and are available through Ticketek. For more information see www.experiencequeensland .com

DESPITE THE continuing dominance of the Australia Dollar against the pound, Jetset reports that it is still finding good numbers of travellers heading down under. The company has seen an increase in popularity of the Great Ocean Road and envisages another busy year ahead, culminating in the Ashes Tour from November to January. The operator is offering five-night packages in the cities including transfers and accommodation, with prices starting from £239 per person based on two sharing three-star accommodation in Melbourne for the Boxing Day test match. Other price examples include Brisbane from £299 from November 21-26; Adelaide from £299 from December 5-10; Perth from £265 from December 13-18; Melbourne from £239 from December 26-31; and Sydney from £275 from January 3-8, 2014. Clients can also hire a campervan to follow the tour, with prices from £2,299 per person, based on six sharing a Maui Platinum River Motorhome. It includes Qantas flights from Heathrow on December 24, returning from Sydney on January 7.

ANZCRO introduces new accommodation and sightseeing options ANZCRO (THE Australia New Zealand Central Reservations Office) has issued its new 2013/14 Australia Book featuring a comprehensive range of accommodation and sightseeing throughout Australia. New accommodation options are featured in Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Port Douglas, Alice Springs and Perth including value added stays allowing clients to stay for three nights and include an extra night free. New sightseeing tours include a Boutique Mountains Tour departing from Sydney from Monday to Saturday on a personalised small group tour taking in wildlife and tranquil bush walks, and giving clients the opportunity to escape

the well-trodden tourist trail. Boutique Wine tours have also been added in Hunter Valley and prices lead in at £77 per person excluding lunch, based on travel in May. Meanwhile, new cruising options have been added in the Whitsundays including a Whitsundays & Whitehaven beach half-day cruise (also available as a full day tour), with prices starting from £71 per person departing from Hamilton Island. Another small group tour has been included departing from Cairns; Daintree Dreaming allows clients a real Aboriginal cultural experience within the natural beauty of the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. Guests can

learn how to throw a spear; how to search and hunt for fish, mud crabs and mussels; and share in an authentic aboriginal art experience with a local artist. Tours depart from Cairns and include transfers, morning tea and picnic lunch, with prices starting from £147 per person. A new sunset sailing experience from Port Douglas also allows clients to take in a sunset sailing experience on a Lagoon catermaran, including Champagne and canapés. It departs from Port Douglas at 17:00 for a oneand-a-half-hour cruise, from £34 per person. For more information call 01872-266899 or email sales@anzcro.co.uk

Whitsunday Islands

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australasia We asked our staff the following question this week: What is your top travel tip? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Locate your passport well in advance of travelling then remember to take it!

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk When travelling on flights with kids - buy cheap pressies (99p store is good) & wrap them up to give throughout the flight - keeps them amused

Assistant Editor: Jill Sayles jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk Always take sunscreen

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Always carry a photocopy of your passport

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk Pack your own bag

Advertisement Manager: Tim Podger tim.podger@travelbulletin.co.uk Change your money abroad, you get a better rate.

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk Pack only what you can carry. If the only way to shift it is to drag it, you've overpacked

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk Don't forget your toothbrush

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Avoid people on the beach giving away scratch cards

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk When in Bulgaria, never get into a cab that doesn’t have a meter!

Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@alaincharles.com Don’t use your mobile too much.

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@alaincharles.com Pack snacks for the plane

Production: Jeremy Walters production@travelbulletin.co.uk Don't travel through Heathrow when it snows

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

SINGAPORE AIRLINES is increasing the frequency of its flights to selected destinations in Australia, Asia and Europe between March 31 and October 26. Examples include the addition of a fourth daily service to Melbourne, plus an increase in services to Fukuoka, Japan to daily, as well as new twice-daily services to Osaka in Japan. Between May 20 and August 11, Singapore-MoscowHouston frequency will also increase to daily. For more information see www.singaporeair.com

Collette offers New Zealand options in new RHS Garden Tours programme THE ROYAL Horticultural Society has launched its first RHS Garden Holidays brochure in conjunction with Collette Worldwide Holidays. Featuring a selection of carefully designed horticulture-themed holidays around the world, the brochure includes a chance to explore New Zealand’s Garden Route, a 20-day adventure that takes in many of the country’s most interesting gardens. Included in the itinerary are visits to the Bay of Islands, the geothermal landscape of Rotorua, the Marlborough winery region, the Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound and the wilderness of the Mount Cook National Park. Also included are RHS experiences including a tour of the Gwavas homestead and historic gardens; a visit to the Ayrlies Garden near Auckland; visits to the Art Deco gardens of Napier; and a trip to the house and gardens of Kate Sheppard, the leader of the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand. Prices lead in at £4,599 per person and the tour departs in November and January, February and March 2014. For more information call 0800-804 8710 or visit www.rhsgardenholidays.com

Britz offers savings on seven-night rentals BRITZ HAS launched a new promotion to offer value for money on extended campervan rentals. Between May 1 and September 30, customers can experience a week's camper van rental for the price of a five-night booking. The deal increases incrementally for longer rental durations, allowing customers to book 14 days for the price of ten; 21 days for the price of 15 or 28 days for the price of 20. Prices lead in at approximately £19.50 per day for a HiTop model which sleeps two. The operator's sales manager UK & Europe, Stephen Hart, said: "The New Zealand winter offers a very different touring experience to the traditional summer saunter round the islands. The extra publicity from New Zealand film locations will surely stimulate holidaymakers to come and experience scenic splendours they've seen both on and off the big screen, and with our special deals on campervan rentals this winter, customers can stretch their budgets even further, effectively paying less and staying longer."

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Travagrams: (top) Costa Cruises

(bottom) Santa Monica Pier

Where Am I?: Baltimore

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Terms and conditions

Commission will only be sent to the first 50 agencies that register during the entry period and enter the promo code EXP01. Eligible dates for entries are: Wednesday January 9th - Thursday February 28th On the first booking of Expedia Special Rate hotel done by March 31st 2013