Travel Bulletin 4th May 2012 by Alain Charles Publishing

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May 4 2012 | ISSUE NO 1,777 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Escorted trips A round-up of selling tips, new product launches & deals

this week puzzle bulletin 11 play Su Doku and you could win a ÂŁ50 Hotel Chocolat voucher

conference report news, views & updates from last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advantage Conference in Malta

baltic states germany Riga plays host to a series of cultural and entertainment events operators highlight new tours & itineraries

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newsbulletin

GALICIA GROUP...Kirker Holidays recently hosted an agent fam to Galicia in Spain for eight of its independent travel agent partners. Pictured on the terrace of the Domus restaurant refreshed from having lunch are, from the left: Michael Kinnersly, World Travel Worldchoice; Katherine Harris, Bath Travel; Catherine Ellis, Traveltime Beaconsfield; Tracy Connor, Sevenoaks Travel; Richard (tour guide); Michelle Williams, Bath Travel; Helena from the Galician Tourist Board; Hisham Mahmoud, Kirker Holidays; Maria-Louisa, Assistant Mayor to La Coruna; Louisa Smith, Quintessentially Travel; Carol Naylor, Greenstar Travel; Joanne Cockram, Sue Lewis Travel; Ellie Day, Kirker Holidays; and Julio from La Coruna Tourist Board.

This Week news 3 a round-up of the latest industry news & developments

Cover Pictures: Main - Cuba Havana Journeys of Distinction

Inset - Riga Tourism Development Bureau

skål the world over five good reasons for joining Skål

agent bulletin

W-AITO-Go!

puzzle bulletin

cruise bulletin

agent invites, booking incentives & offers the latest news & views from AITO Agents play Su Doku and you could win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher Celebrity Cruises announces 2013/14 line-up

conference report the latest news, views & updates from last week’s Advantage Conference in Malta

escorted trips

baltic states

germany

a round-up of selling tips, new product launches & deals Riga plays host to a series of cultural and entertainment events operators highlight new tours & itineraries

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Hayes & Jarvis report reveals long-haul bookings show unexpected growth HAYES & JARVIS' latest trend report reveals that British holidaymakers are opting to take long-haul breaks this year and are opting for destinations they perceive to be safe. 'West is Best' could be the motto as the operator reports record bookings for Mexico, Latin America and the Dominican Republic as well as significant increases for both the US and Caribbean. Value is key to the Caribbean’s success with rock bottom pricing fuelling demand for three- and four-star trips to Barbados and St Lucia. As a result this year’s bookings in the Caribbean are up 37% overall - but as much as 800% for the Dominican Republic, 66% for Cuba and 55% for St Lucia - while Mexico has seen a further surge of 143% compared with a year ago. The operator’s commercial director, Niel Alobaidi, said: "We have seen massive year on year growth in bookings heading West to the USA, Caribbean or Latin America, clearly highlighting the importance of value in driving customer demand. Much of this has come about because of the competitive pricing of luxury all-inclusive packages, which are perceived as a bargain." The company says that booking trends suggest customers are destination-swapping to get the best deals too. Mexico is scoring here because four- and five-star all-inclusive prices are lower than in the Caribbean - even when prices for St Lucia and Barbados have been slashed by more than 40%. This means that even though holidaymakers can save 49% on a trip to The BodyHoliday, St Lucia in June, a week’s allinclusive stay at the five-star Valentin Riviera Maya in Mexico leads in at £899 per person in September, including flights, which is still 20% cheaper. Similarly, a week in June at the four-star Viva Wyndham Maya, Mexico works out 24% cheaper than at the Almond Beach Club in Barbados.

Skyscanner survey identifies ‘the perfect airline seat’ WITH EASYJET now trialling bookable seats, a new poll by flight comparison site Skyscanner reveals which seat most passengers are vying for. The poll of more than 1,000 airline passengers questioned respondents on their seat preferences (aside from extra legroom seats) including which section and whether they chose window, middle or aisle seats. The poll also delved deeper to find out if choices were influenced by lucky numbers as well as odd or even row numbers. Combining the responses the site has revealed that the most sought after seat on a standard aircraft is seat 6A. The findings support previous studies which have found that the front ● continues on next page

May 4 2012

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... Royal Caribbean UK Shrek-tastic! More cruise and theme-park options onboard Freedom of the Seas for 2013 http://bit.ly/I8jiL0 Travelbag UK We have lots of interesting new travel blog poststake a look http:// www.travelbag.co.uk/Blog OnlineTravelTraining Win a case of wine from Viking River Cruises! http://bit.ly/I6zDBU HolidayExtrasUK Luton parking-back on sale! Our parking packages for Priority, Short term, Mid term, and Long term are back on sale. http://bit.ly/wfPIxW TIPTO TERRI Win your very own Diamond Jubilee Party in our competition from @superbreak http://www.tipto.co.uk ABTAtravel Our Travel Law Seminar http://bit.ly/w6SWEw will keep you up to date with the major changes in the travel industry over the past 12 months.

Beaches introduces new character and resort activities BEACHES RESORTS has added new activities to its Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street programme, plus the introduction of its own super hero, Super Grover, to all four resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica. The new character and his furry friends will ensure children and their families can learn, have fun and spend quality time together. New activities include a Super Science Fair, which allows children to experience three exclusive activities geared toward experimenting and investigation; a Ready for Action Stage Show, which launches in September; Abby and Elmo’s Surprise Tea Time, where children can use their imaginations to dress up, wrap presents and make cards; and Elmo & Friends Rock N’ Roll Dance Party, where children can play musical instruments and dance with their favourite Sesame Street characters. For more information call 020-7590 0210 or visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk

Intrepid offers savings in new brochures INTREPID TRAVEL has launched two new specialist holiday brochures, Worldwide Walking & Cycling and Worldwide Family Adventures, and is offering discounts on child places of up to 25% for bookings made by May 31. As examples of prices, a 12-day USA Family Discovery costs from £1,070 per person, while a ten-day Egypt Family Discovery costs from £730 per person, both without the discount. For details see www.intrepidtravel.com

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six rows of the plane are the most popular, taking 45% of the votes, something that easyJet are aware of as booking seats in this section of the aircraft is actually £8 instead of the standard £3 charged to pre-book seats in any other section. The research also found that 60% of passengers preferred the window seat, compared to 39% who opt for the aisle and an unusual 1% choosing the middle seat. At the other end of the scale, the survey found that the most unpopular seat was 31E, a middle seat towards the back of the aircraft.

Super Grover

May 4 2012

MARKING A MILLION...Superbreak has hit £1million sales of packages to see Ghost The Musical, less than a year since the musical opened in London’s West End. Pictured delivering cake and Champagne for the cast is the operator's Graham Balmforth (right) with the show's Siobhan Dillon (Molly) and Mark Evans (Sam).

Flybe launches 2012/13 winter schedule FLYBE HAS published its new 2012/13 winter schedule with 4.8million seats on sale, offering a total choice of up to 2,760 flights a week on a selection of 100 routes. Two new routes operating for the first time this winter are between Birmingham and Waterford, and Newcastle to Bergen (Norway). Amongst the choice of routes is also the return of popular ski and sun routes and nine regional routes serving Gatwick. One-way fares start from £29.99 including taxes and charges and are available for booking now at www.flybe.com for travel from October 28 through to March 30, 2013. The airline reports that the introduction of its first five new 88-seat Embraer 175 jet aircrafts have been well received, and that these, as well as the airline’s New Economy product, the removal of debit card charges and increased technology, will greatly benefit passengers travelling this winter.

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newsbulletin h c t a W o Ones t grammes travel pro p to e th A pick of ant to miss... w you don't

Newsbites ●

Cruise Today on Wednesday 9th May at 19:00 on The Travel Channel There's adventure on the North Sea as Cheryl Baker braves icy waters on DFDS’ Dana Sirena from Harwich in the East of England to Esbjerg in Denmark. Ben Hull enjoys a spot of diving and a dash of desert in the Jordanian resort of Aqaba and Gareth Davis indulges his passions on the trail of popes and fine wines in Avignon and Chateauneuf du Pape. ●

Mark Warner launches spring sale MARK WARNER has launched a spring sale offering discounts on selected Corsica, Greece, Portugal, Sardinia and Turkey holidays until August, with savings of up to 45%. As an example, a seven-night break to San Agostino in Greece has been reduced from £849 per person to £465, offering a saving of £384. The holiday departs from Gatwick on May 26 and includes half-board accommodation and transfers. For more information call 0844-273 6826 or email agencysales@markwarner.co.uk

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EASYJET AND Travelport have announced a new agreement that will further open up the airline's booking services to be sold by all Galileo-connected agency customers worldwide and any other agency using the Travelport Universal API. In addition, the new agreement will also deliver enhanced functionality to improve the booking process for agents, including the sale of the carrier's ancillary services. All agents can now access the airline's content through the Travelport GDS, enabling faster booking and the building of itineraries including hotel, car and other travel services offered by Travelport. MALLORCA FARMHOUSES has launched a ‘Pamper By The Pool’ service, which offers a mobile massage and treatment service, turning guests' villas into a spa for the day. See www.mallorca.co.uk KETTERING-BASED independent travel agency, Affinion International Travel, has been awarded an Investors In People accreditation. VISIT FLORIDA has announced a new founding partnership with Brand USA with a commitment of US$1million, joining fellow founding travel partners Marriott International, the Walt Disney Company and Best Western International.

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newsbulletin National Trust cruise by Swan Hellenic

HURTIGRUTEN HAS extended its free flight offer to cover selected departures in August and September. Available on the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north and back, the deal offers savings of up to £364 per person, with prices leading in at £1,587 including free flights with SAS from Heathrow on selected dates and full board on the ship, based on two sharing. For details call 020-8846 2666 or see www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

Just Sunshine takes over Wings Abroad bookings JUST SUNSHINE has stepped in to protect just under 100 holidaymakers that were booked with Wings Abroad which has not renewed its own ATOL. The operator has introduced Turkey as a new destination for this year and features more than 300 properties across 13 resorts. A range of accommodation is offered - from self-catering to allinclusive and from smaller boutique hotels to luxury resort properties, with flights from Gatwick and Manchester. Former Wings Abroad consulting marketing manager, Chris Mansell, who continues in a similar role at Just Sunshine, said: “For this new selection we have included some of the lesser known resorts such as Dalyan, Turunc, Akyaka and Selimye. A selection of the most popular resorts also features such as Marmaris, Olu Deniz, Hisaronou, Ovacik, Icmeler, Kalkan and Fethiye." All resort transfers and 20kgs luggage allowance are included holiday prices. For details call 0844-756 0056 or see www.justsunshine.com

CYPRUS £40

Quality accommodations from 3# Boutique Hotels to Villas with Pools matched by product knowledge & 40 years experience To request brochure or to booking call us on 020 8340 7612 Email: sales@cyplon.co.uk

incentive for package holiday bookings (book by 30/6) Holidays Bookings over

£6,999

will receive an amazing gift of Bubbles & Truﬄes

May 4 2012

SWAN HELLENIC is highlighting a 15-day Treasures of the British Isles cruise in partnership with the National Trust. The summer cruise visits a number of National Trust properties including Wallington in Northumberland, Plas Newydd, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey, Greenway, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, the magical garden of the D’Oyly Carte family at Coleton Fishacre, as well as Snowdonia National Park and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Helping bring the destinations to life, guests will be joined by National Trust guest speakers to offer their expertise on the properties visited. The cruise departs from Portsmouth and calls at Port of Tyne, Edinburgh, Scrabster, Stornoway, Tobermory, Oban, Anglesey, Belfast, Isles of Scilly, Dartmouth and St.Peter Port, before returning to Portsmouth. Prices lead in at £1,905 per person based on a June 6 departure. Savings of up to £930 per person are available on selected cabins and prices include a tailormade programme of shore excursions, talks by guest speakers, meals, entertainment, gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. For more information or to book visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844-822 0679.

Lake Garda for £299 from Inghams INGHAMS IS offering a new deal to Lake Garda from £299 per person, departing on May 12. The seven-night bed-and-breakfast holiday includes flights from Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham and resort transfers and guests can choose from the lakeside resorts of Desenzano, Garda and Malcesine, with savings of up to £592 per couple available. For more information visit www.inghams.co.uk/agents or call 020-8780 4444.

Titan introduces ‘The World’s Best River Cruises’ in rebrand TITAN HAS announced the rebranding of its five-star luxury river cruise product, Elegant River Cruises, in conjunction with the release of its 2013 preview brochure. Now named ‘The World’s Best River Cruises’, the new concept builds on the foundations laid by the partnership of the operator and deluxe boutique river cruise specialist Uniworld, and is now exclusively available for the trade through Titan. The 2013 preview brochure showcases eight itineraries, including favourites such as the eight-day Castles along the Rhine, sailing on the SS Antoinette, priced from £2,099 per person; and the Italian Venice and the Po River, a newly-featured eight-day itinerary, which costs from £2,399. Clients booking before June 30 can receive discounts of up to £500, while Privileged Clients enjoy an additional £100 per person saving. Holidays include flights and door-to-door transfers as part of the VIP Home Departure Service.

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emiratesagents.com/uk

Hello

Vietnam

From the buzz of culture-filled cities to stunning landscapes, ancient myths and new adventures, experience it all. Fly Emirates daily to Ho Chi Minh City from 4th June.

Hello Tomorrow More than 120 destinations worldwide and over 500 international awards. Emirates flies from Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow via Dubai. To book or for further information, consult your GDS. To book holiday packages contact Emirates Tours UK on 020 7590 1450. Discover frequent flyer benefits at skywards.com

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newsbulletin SKÅL THE VER WORLD O Skål, the international organisation which brings together all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, represents the industry’s managers and executives. Skål members meet at local, national and international levels in an environment of friendship to discuss subjects of common interest. The organisation has approximately 20,000 members in 450 clubs spread throughout almost 85 countries. Most Skål activities take place locally, but the movement also features national and area committees under the umbrella of Skål International.

Newsbites ●

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Five good reasons for joining Skål Database • Access to the Skål database, a worldwide membership directory with close to 20,000 contacts at your fingertips. Networking • Networking connections: 20,000 tourism professionals worldwide with whom to make contact. • Starting a new business: Skål is an ideal way to meet new professional contacts. • Moving to a new city: use Skål to meet other tourism professionals. Doing Business Among Friends • Develop new friends within the travel and tourism industry. Fairs & Trade Shows • Complimentary use of the Skål stand at major tourism trade shows. Discounts, Benefits & Support • As a Skålleague your membership of the association will be recognised in many ways as you travel. For more information email skal@skal.travel or see www.skal.travel

Virgin issues Caribbean brochure VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has launched its Caribbean 2013 brochure featuring a range of benefits including savings for kids up to the age of 16 of £100 during the summer including school holidays, free access to the Virgin Holidays v-room for select departure periods, domestic flights from £29 for selected regional airports, Premium Economy Upgrades from £199, free room nights and room upgrades for various holiday destinations, free weddings and kids stay and eat free at many hotels across the Caribbean. For details see www.virginholidays.co.uk

May 4 2012

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VIKING OCEAN Cruises, sister company of Viking River Cruises, and shipbuilder Fincantieri, have announced the signature of a Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of two new luxury ocean cruise ships. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2014, the second one in late 2015. EUROPCAR IS working in partnership with Tesco to give motorists deals on car hire. Under the new agreement, the company has become a Tesco Clubcard Rewards partner, offering Tesco customers the opportunity to use their points for car hire reservations. MALTA IS hosting the free Isle of MTV live music event on June 26 and has confirmed that musician and producer Will.i.am is to headline at the event. A NEW Website has launched detailing independent hotels that offer rooms for less than £100 a night. Most hotels are in India, Sri Lanka and Zambia, but there are plans to expand the collection further. See www.hotelsunder100.co.uk KUONI TRAVEL has partnered with healthcare charity, Nuffield Health, to better understand the health impact of a holiday on the body. People from across the UK are encouraged to sign up to take part in The Holiday Health Experiment, which will seek to quantify the physiological and psychological changes following a holiday. For details see www.kuoni.co.uk/holidayhealthexperiment

W&O launches campaign to encourage families to 'play' together this summer WITH STATISTICS hitting the headlines showing how many kids in the UK don’t know how to play games that were once recognised as playground staples, Western & Oriental has launched a Holiday Playbook to get British families back on track. The company is urging parents to switch off their phones and encouraging kids to ditch their games consoles to spend more quality and fun time together this summer holiday. In the latest "Holiday Review” report from Mintel, UK travellers are making more time for family holidays with 38% taking a family holiday in 2011, up from 26% in 2010, but increasing numbers of Brits are unable to leave their technology additions at home. According to Mintel’s ‘Family Leisure Trends’ report from March last year, 25% agree with the statement “my family spends so much time using electronic devises that we don’t communicate face to face anymore”. Author of Holiday Playbook, Josie Curran, said: “Whether it’s a chance to bury dad in the sand, to challenge mum at skimming stones, or to spend a happy evening playing family card games as the sun goes down, many people’s best childhood memories come from treasured family holidays. Family fun doesn’t have to cost money – just a little time and inspiration is all that is needed to create lasting holiday memories.” The Holiday Playbook is free to download from www.wandotravel.com/playbook For more information visit www.wandotravel.com/families or call 020-7666 1234.

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agentbulletin Booking incentives ●

BAHAMAS FLAVOUR is giving agents the chance to win five nights' all-inclusive stay at Breezes Bahamas when making a booking before May 31. The trip must be taken before December 19 and the winner will be announced on June 2. Agents will also receive a £50 M&S voucher for two or more bookings made throughout this year, while a place on an educational is being offered for one or more bookings made throughout this year. For details see www.bahamasflavour.co.uk or call 0870-066 9975.

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CLUB MED is offering agents a £20 Love2Shop voucher for all bookings made by May 16 for July and August departures. Clients also receive a £350 early booking bonus when they book by May 16. For details call 0845-367 6767 or see www.easyclubmed.com

Agent invites

over Jamaica AGENTS ARE being invited to a Disc June 14, at travel agent evening on Thursday t Road, London, Jamaica House, 1-2 Prince Consor the island in SW7 2BZ. Attendees will experience be in with the 3D, sample Jamaican cuisine and inclusive stay at chance of winning seven nights' allwin tickets to Secrets Resorts, Montego Bay, plus 2012 Olympics. see Jamaica athletes at the London worth of M&S The company is also offering £50 s made vouchers for two or more booking to register see or ils deta For r. yea throughout this 020-7078 7518. www.discoverjamaica.co.uk or call y of Tourism, THE SULTANATE of Oman Ministr und operators Oman Air, Oman’s hoteliers and gro and Glasgow on will be visiting London, Manchester events from May 28, 29 and 30 to host training nts will give local 17:30-22:00 each evening. The eve el agents expert tour operator sales staff and trav entic Omani destination training followed by auth dinner, Omani hospitality including a meze buffet s for agents to gifts and prizes including holiday first hand. experience the Sultanate of Oman place by emailing Agents can register and reserve a oman@representationplus.co.uk

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WINE WATCHERS...Ellie Hatte (middle), of Flight Centre Oxford Street, London , is the winner of the ‘Win Your Weight in Wine’ incentive run by The South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Tasmania. Ellie won 48 bottles of South Australian and Tasmanian wine as her prize, after selling more room nights to both Australian states than any other Flight Centre agent. Pictured celebrating with Ellie is Amy Thomas (left) from South Australia Tourism Commission and Susanna Housden from Tourism Tasmania.

Agent offer THIS SUMMER, travel agents can stay at the Oasis Beach Tower (deluxe hotel apartments) in Dubai from £16 per person per night. A choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments are available and bookings should be made at www.jebelali-international.com with the promotion code TTSS.

HOLIDAY AUTOS is celebrating 25 years of trading and to mark the event, and as a thank you to agents for their support, the operator is giving away a £50 High Street voucher every day this month. May 4 2012

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opinionbulletin

W-AITO-Go! by GEMMA ANTROBUS, managing director of Haslemere Travel and AITO Agent panel member

Keep calm and carry on shopping: how to adapt in the face of adversity S IF running a High Street travel agency wasn’t hard enough during this ‘double dip’ recession, our local council recently decided that it would try to introduce on-street parking meters to our lovely little town - Haslemere in Surrey, which is full of independent retailers that rely on footfall to operate their businesses. With an exceptionally strong and vocal Chamber of Commerce, we fought long and hard to have this overturned and, thankfully, we won. We were all very pleased with ourselves and felt rather smug to say the least. Imagining all of our problems were solved, we ploughed on promoting our products and services in blissful ignorance, thinking that we’d got away lightly compared with the challenges that many High Streets are currently facing. How wrong we were! Only a few weeks ago, all of the Haslemere businesses were advised that the main road that carries traffic in and out of the town was to be closed for 16 weeks commencing 1st May 2012 to undertake ‘essential’ gas works, rendering it virtually impossible to access the town, unless using a few very twisty country lanes. This period would cover the May Bank Holidays and Queen’s Jubilee, when the town had been planning huge festivities. To say mild hysteria set in is an understatement! As a travel business we do not solely rely on footfall to operate; however, we are relatively unique in this respect and our fellow Chamber members are not so fortunate.

shopping vouchers of £250 and an end-of-campaign grand prize of a weekend in New York with flights, which we are arranging. The Gas Board has been surprisingly generous and offered money towards the grand prize, as has our local branch of Waitrose. Unsurprisingly, the council was not interested and has not contributed at all. Neither has it agreed to waive the pay and display charges in the town’s car park for this period, which would have been a significant help. Will this work? We hope so! Doing something has got to be significantly better than doing nothing, and fighting for a common cause has helped to bring the local Haslemere retailers closer to one another. It may mean that we undertake joint initiatives in the future, too. Whatever product or service you sell on the High Street, the battles facing you are not unique. I would encourage anyone dealing with similar trading issues to work with their fellow shopkeepers - many hands make light work.

“Whatever product or service you sell on the High Street, the battles facing you are not unique” A committee was formed with the main intention of challenging this road closure but, when that seemed impossible, thoughts turned to making the best of a really bad situation. Many ideas were shared and the campaign ‘Keep Calm and Carry on Shopping in Haslemere’ was born (see www.haslemere.com/keepcalm/index.html, www.twitter.com/HaslemereShops and www.facebook.com/HaslemereShops). The aim of the campaign is to encourage shoppers to make the ‘trek’ into town and, in exchange, they can enter a prize draw as many times as they shop in participating retailers. All local businesses are clubbing together to provide weekly shopping vouchers of £50, monthly

May 4 2012

To respond to any of Gemma’s views email jill.sayles@travelbulletin.co.uk

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puzzlebulletin Travagrams

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

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

Avatar Wanes Yowl

Number: 063

A➠

B➠ Cruise line named after the legendary Arthurian island

C➠

A Car Stoic

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, May 10th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 20th April is Tammy Le Noury, Twayfarers Travel in Guernsey. April 20 Solution: A=3 B=7 C=1 D=8

Crossword

This “Rich Coast” is the most visited nation in Central America

Where Am I?

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on this island.

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

Number: 063

Across 1. Ferries operator, ___ Seaways (4) 3. Asian based hotels and resorts group (6) 8. Home of The Broads (7) 9. Airport operator, initially (3) 10. They are fishing for salmon in this country at a cinema near you (5) 12. Paris airport (4) 13. Surfers Paradise airport code (3) 15. Irish city and county (4) 16. Racecourse, home of The Derby (5) 19. Follows Premier and Holiday for somewhere to stay (3) 20. Caribbean island (7) 22. South American river (6) 23. Country on the border of 15 Down (4)

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Down 1. First name of The Script frontman (5) 2. Durban international airport code (3) 4. Capital of Azerbaijan (4) 5. American actress, Julia (7) 6. Mediterranean country (5) 7. Capital city on the island of 20 Across, St ___ (5) 11. Lofty English comedienne / actress (7) 14. City on the Swan river (5) 15. The world's most populous country (5) 17. Bushcraft and survival expert Ray (5) 18. Algarve city and airport (4) 21. India's smallest state and popular tourist destination (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 May 4 2012

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newsbulletin Turkey’s LykiaWorld Oludeniz creates calendar of summer events for families TO CELEBRATE the start of the 2012 holiday season, Turkey’s family resort LykiaWorld Ölüdeniz - has created a calendar of events for families. Fitness will take centre stage this month with a Fun ‘n More Fitness Festival from May 8-12 to showcase the resort’s wellbeing facilities with a dedicated programme of yoga, Pilates, step classes, Zumba and choreography. Continuing with this fitness theme, a Beach Volleyball Camp, Beach Volley Ball Cup and the extreme Lycian Challenge will round out the month’s activities. In June, guests will be treated to week long dance and yoga retreats led

Oludeniz

by the resort’s specialist trainers, while younger guests can take part in the resort's Kids' Tennis Tournament from June 22-24. July will see the return of the resort’s summer tradition, the LykiaWorld Children’s Festival, which is held from July 3-8 and includes activities such as treasure hunts, football and cooking lessons, a kids' disco and Olympic-style games, while families staying in August can take part in balloon modelling, hip hop shows, singing contests, boat tours, family Olympics and mini-golf tournaments. For more information or to book call 0844482 1674 or visit www.lykiagroup.co.uk

Anniversary sale from Holiday Autos

Invites you to attend a

Greece & Cyprus Showcase Agent Networking Evening

TO MARK its 25th anniversary, Holiday Autos is launching a 25% sale on rentals in some of its most popular destinations. The sale is valid on rentals until October 31 when booked by May 25 and destinations such as Tenerife, Lisbon, Lanzarote and Alicante are included, as well as long-haul locations including Sydney, Johannesburg, Florida and Cape Town. For more information or to book visit www.holidayautos.co.uk

Fred. Olsen issues ‘Summer Cruises’ brochure

Tuesday 29th May 2012 Elysée Restaurant, London W1 Travel Bulletin is delighted to invite you to this informative, fun event involving a combination of networking, presentations, exciting entertainment, delicious food and wine and a free prize draw with a number of fabulous prizes to be won! To confirm your place at this amazing event, email the names and job titles of up to 4 staff members to jeanette@travelbulletin.co.uk or telephone 020 7834 6661 for more information.

May 4 2012

FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines has launched a special selection of cruises for summer 2012, offering savings on brochure prices. There are sailings from a range of regional UK ports, to destinations including the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic, the Arctic, Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, as well as several mini cruises. Prices lead in at £64 per person per night and savings of up to £1,500 per cabin are available. For details see www.fredolsencruises.com or call 01473-742424.

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cruisebulletin

InBrief ● HEBRIDEAN ISLAND Cruises is offering the chance to

discover Orkney's Nordic heritage from £5,550 per person, based on two people sharing a castle grade cabin, on a nine-night North to Orkney cruise, departing on June 27. It includes all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. See www.hebridean.co.uk or call 01756-704704. ● THOMSON CRUISES has announced that the Thomson

Majesty will be joining its fleet this summer, as part of the company’s modernisation plans. From this month the ship will begin sailing the Adriatic Explorer, Pearls of Aegean, Colourful Coasts and Canarian Flavours itineraries and will replace Thomson Destiny that was originally scheduled to operate these routes. For details see www.thomson.co.uk/cruise or call 0871-231 3243. ● A £100MILLION makeover will be given to the Carnival

Destiny ship – the most ambitious refit and transformation project undertaken by Carnival Cruise Lines. Following the refurbishment the ship will be renamed Carnival Sunshine, and will begin a schedule of nine and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Venice, from April next year. ● SEABOURN HAS announced itinerary enhancements on a

series of cruises in Australia and New Zealand scheduled in early 2013 on the 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey. The ship’s cruises in the South Pacific region will now comprise of new longer sailings, including three 16-day cruises between Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand, and one 20-day cruise from Auckland to Benoa, Bali. The new cruises will depart on January 6 and 22 and February 7 and 23. See www.seabourn.com for details.

Celebrity announces 2013/14 line-up CELEBRITY CRUISES has announced its full summer 2013 and winter 2013/14 itinerary line-up, which includes new options for cruising to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, plus a new Pacific Coastal Wine Cruise. Summer 2013 marks the line’s most comprehensive season in Europe, with Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Reflection – which debuts in October of this year – all sailing European waters. Other cruise options throughout the summer season include Celebrity Solstice offering cruises in Alaska and Celebrity Summit offering sailings to Bermuda from Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey). During the winter season, the company will feature six of its ships in the Caribbean and five further ships around the globe in Australia and New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, South America and the South Pacific. The fleet will visit 170 ports in 42 countries from 20 different departure ports. For details visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk and www.cruisingpower.co.uk or call 0845-456 0523.

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HOLLAND AMERICA Line is offering a 13-night Fjords & North Cape cruise departing from Dover on MS Ryndam from £899, departing on May 20. Guests will cruise around Norway and beyond the Arctic Circle, sailing to Olso to experience ancient Viking culture and calling at a variety of ports including Stavanger, Molde, Honningsvag and Bergen. Free parking is also available for ocean-view stateroom and suite bookings. For details call 0845-351 0557.

Swan Hellenic announces 16 new ports and early booking offers for 2013/14 SWAN HELLENIC has introduced its 2013/14 programme of cruises which sees its flagship 350-passenger ship, Minerva, visiting 16 new destinations. In total, the ship will sail to 184 ports around the world during 2013/14. To celebrate the launch of the new programme the company is offering passengers a 10% discount on selected 2013 cruises plus free travel insurance on all bookings made by May 31 on departures from May 21, 2013. For the first time, passengers choosing a higher grade Balcony suite (Grades A-C) can also benefit from a free chauffeur service from their home to the UK airport or port within a radius of 75-miles (excess mileage charges on journeys over 75 miles will apply) on all cruises departing from February 13 next year. Additional discounts can also be made if, when booking a 2013 cruise, clients also book a cruise for this year, with up to 30% savings available on booking Grand Voyages in winter 2012/13. In Summer 2013 Minerva will be sailing from its home port of Portsmouth, offering a varied programme of no-fly cruises to the Baltic, Norway, Spitsbergen, The British Isles, Iceland, France and Ireland. These include partnership cruises that have been designed in conjunction with the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. Fly/cruises are also available, including the Black Sea and the Dalmatian coast and itineraries that explore the Mediterranean. The company has also announced its winter 2013/14 programme, marking the start of its Diamond anniversary year. Minerva will cruise to the Caribbean, Central America and make a circumnavigation of South America. New ports of call include Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Casilda in Cuba, Cartagena in Colombia and the San Blas islands. For more information or to book visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844-822 0679.

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conferencereport A round-up of news from the Advantage Conference in Malta.

JOHN McEWAN, chief executive of Advantage Travel Centres, told delegates that mainstream holiday bookings through the consortia have fallen 6% year-on-year, while the overall mainstream market was down by 8%. However, leisure business revenue is up 5% on last year and the group retailer’s turnover has increased to £3.5billion, an increase of £100million on last year, making it the largest retailer in the UK, according to McEwan.

Annual award winners announced

AMS applies to become accredited body

ADVANTAGE PRESENTED its annual awards at the conference, where winners received a custom-made gold medal from Olympic athlete Michael Johnson. Within the leisure categories, the award for Advantage Leisure Member of the Year 2012 was awarded to Aspen Travel, Cruise Line of the Year went to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Luxury Operator of the Year went to Kuoni and Kirker was named Best Specialist Operator of the Year. Classic Collection won the Overall Business Partner, Leisure, while the Leisure Sales Representative of the Year went to Bhav Patel of Thomas Cook. The Agent Friendly Business Partner Leisure award was presented to Travel 2.

PAUL NUNN, financial operations manager at the consortia, revealed that Advantage Managed Services (AMS) has applied to become an ATOL Accredited Body. The ATOL reform came into effect on April 30, with a transitional period this month. Nunn told agents "it has never been more important" to inform customers of the changes to ATOL and Flight Plus conditions.

Mystery shopper results reveal importance of customer service GUEST SPEAKER at the conference, Kate Hardcastle from Insight With Passion, revealed that she had mystery shopped four member agencies prior to the conference and said that three out of the four did not connect with her satisfactorily on a customer service level. She said: “Everything needs to be customer-centric. You need to ask yourself if you are brilliant at customer service,” adding that emotional selling wins hearts and minds and that “Customers will pay more than a competitor if they get a better service.” Hardcastle also emphasised the importance of communication with customers, saying “It’s about capturing people in store and keeping them,” and informed agents that 60% of purchases are decided in store.

Malaga is 2013 conference destination ADVANTAGE IS set to hold its annual conference in the Malaga, Spain from May 9–13, next year. The conference will be held at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre, with delegates able to stay in a choice of three hotels in the city.

May 4 2012

New bookable website launched COLIN O'NEILL, sales and marketing director, Advantage Travel Centres unveiled a new prototype for a bookable website enabling members to grow their internet sales and have closer customer interaction offering more social media channel integration.

InBrief ● JOHN SULLIVAN, head of commercial at Advantage,

warned that cuts in commission levels over the past year were unlikely to stop and urged members to “pull together” for support. Sullivan highlighted how Advantage’s commissions have a 1% competitive edge over its agency competitors and the consortia offers 30 incentives on average per month. He also reminded delegates of the importance of long-term deals with the consortia and said “If you are not in a long-term partnership you need to consider changing your business model.” ● SUPPLIERS WERE encouraged to join Advantage’s

Gateway selling system which currently has 60 suppliers on its system and is used by 360 members to book holidays, enabling leisure agents to save 30 minutes per transaction according to McEwan.

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pixmix Here’s a selection of images from last week’s Advantage Conference in Malta

r coffee are Chris tina GRAND SL AM…catching up ove astle Executive Travel and Peter Drummond from Hornc drea Clayton (middle) in Newcastle Upon Tyne , with An from Holiday Extras.

AGENTS OF GL AMOUR… enjoying the drinks reception at the Wes tin Dragonara Hotel are, from the left : Jennifer Gi bbons, Jodie Wellington , Sara McNally, Karen Ja mes and Kerr y Thomas, all from Regal Travel in Wales.

ATLANTIC DATING…Dino To ouli from Atlantic Holidays enter tai ns Jacquie Rober ts (left) and Verit y Eyre from Voyager Systems Ltd in Sh effield at the ‘Speed Dating’ session.

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ADVANTAGE MALTA…s triking a pose with Claire Kelly from The Midcounties Co-operative and David Hood (right) from Mercur y Direct during the welcome par ty is Alex Incorvaja, UK director of the Malta Tourism Authority.

DATING ESCORT…Joan Budgen (left) from Eton Travel in Windsor discusses escorted tours with Julie Franklin from Page & Moy Travel Group.

VALLETTA JETSETTERS… enjoying the gala dinner in the Sacred Infirmary, Valetta is Rachel Baker (left) of Vale Travel in Dorset with Adrian Smyth and Alison Armstrong from Jetset. May 4 2012

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tours with prices from only £999 – Adventure more for distinctly less! • 21 adventurous itineraries • NEW destinations; Burma, Borneo, • • • • •

Costa Rica and Cuba Plenty of free time to explore Local guides in each destination No single supplement offers Single share scheme Private, tailor made tours available Maximum group size of 25 on all our tours!

Brand New! The Very Best of the UK Exclusive 11-day tour showcasing the best of England and Scotland

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Exclusive brand new tour Stratford upon Avon York and Whitby Enjoy a steam train journey Edinburgh and the Lake District Edinburgh city tour The Alnwick Garden Historic Chester Luxury accommodation throughout Gala welcome and farewell dinners with wine Luxury coach transport Porterage throughout

Our Classic collection Luxury enlightened tours to over 30 worldwide destinations

For more details... visit www.jod.uk.com/travelagents or contact Sue Copper, Agency Sales Manager 07821 176150 Journeys of Distinction 0161 491 7616 A KUONI company

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An artist's impression of Burma

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Journeys of Distinction adds new collection to portfolio JOURNEYS OF Distinction has added a new collection to its portfolio called JOD Light to cater for the increase in demand for added value and holiday discounts. With the strapline ‘Adventure more. Pay less’, the collection has been put together to make sure that customers make the most of their time and budget. Clients can choose from a range of destinations including new tours to Burma, Costa Rica, Borneo and Cuba as well as traditional favourites such as Jordan, South Africa and Canada. Booking mainly three-star hotels and balancing included sightseeing with free time to explore independently, the holidays open up the market to a new, more adventurous and younger holidaymaker. There are

also shorter itineraries making touring more accessible and all tours are accompanied by a local guide. The tours also offer no single supplements and the maximum group size is 25. The operator has also introduced private touring so that clients can choose any of the itineraries in the Light brochure and tailor it to their needs. The operator has issued an eight-page ‘Offers’ booklet, which features holidays from both the Classic and Light collection of holidays with savings of up to £400 and prices from £999. Email sue.copper@jod.uk.com to order the offers booklet or for more information call 0161-491 7616 or see www.jod.uk.com

Great Rail Journeys & Treyn add new Floriade tours following demand GREAT RAIL Journeys and Treyn have added seven new Floriade tours, due to demand from agents. Floriade is the largest horticultural expo in Europe held once every ten years in Holland. The companies' national sales manager, Tony Byrne, said: “The Floriade expo has just opened and agents shouldn’t miss this opportunity to promote late sales as the event goes on until October 7. It's expected that more than Keukenhof 200,000 people will attend from the UK and it's something which is perfect for agents to sell - it's a tenyear event, so agents only have one opportunity to sell

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it. We’ve been overwhelmed with fantastic response so far from agents, and that’s why we’ve added seven new tours.” As an example of prices, a five-day Floriade & The Gardens of Holland tour costs from £675 per person including standard class rail travel, four nights' breakfast accommodation, two dinners, a guided walking tour of Amsterdam, an Amsterdam canal cruise, a full day excursion for Floriade 2012 in Venlo, an excursion to Keukenhof and Flora Holland world flower auction, a visit to the Historical Gardens in Aalsmeer and the services of a tour manager throughout.

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escortedtrips Escorted tours selling tips by SIMON GARRIDO, national sales manager, Cosmos Tours & Cruises ●

●

Take a good look at what’s included in a touring holiday such as how many meals/excursions, transport and sightseeing trips are included. You can then demonstrate to the customer what great value an escorted tour offers. Break it down to a per day cost and show what they get for their money compared to say a short break in the destination where there would be many added costs. Remember that some destinations are virtually impossible to make your own arrangements (via the web or otherwise) such as China. There are so many internal flights involved for those wanting to see the country's highlights that agents suggesting a touring package where everything is pre-booked is by far the best option. In addition, choosing an operator which offers all their tours on a full board basis as well as the majority of the excursions included in the price, offers the customer maximum value for money. Agents should ask their customers what paced itinerary they would like - a busy classic itinerary or more of a relaxed itinerary? In addition to the classic coach tours (staying in different hotels most nights throughout the tour) we also offer 'Leisurely Tours' or ‘Stay and Explore’ which means that customers can stay in just one or two hotels during the holiday but have a range of included

sightseeing excursions throughout. An added benefit is they don't have to continually pack and unpack but can return to the same hotel at the end of the day. ●

There’s a growing interest in rail journeys so it’s good idea for agents to know which operators feature these. For example, we offer a seven-night 'Scenic Switzerland by Rail' which includes the Golden Pass Train from Lucerne to Lausanne, the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz as well as the Bernina Express to Pontresina and Tirano. Agents would find it really time-consuming to have to tailor-make this itinerary for customers.

●

Escorted touring appeals to many single travellers due to the social aspect of meeting new fellow passengers as well as having the travel arrangements taken care of. Look out for ‘no single supplement’ offers for clients travelling alone. Alternatively, agents can suggest an itinerary that features a ‘single share’ option.

●

For those wanting even higher standards of comfort, some operators offer superior touring holidays. These can include a range of benefits and services, plus first class hotels, deluxe coaches as well as door-to-door private car transfers.

The journey is just the start of the

adventure

Don’t forget to vote for us in the Star Escorted Tours Specialist and Star Rail Operator categories in the Star Travel Bulletins Awards With an enviable track record of over 30 years, Great Rail Journeys are true specialists in creating the most unforgettable holiday itineraries, including scheduled ﬂights, iconic train journeys, good quality hotels, breathtaking scenery and unmissable sightseeing. Great Rail Journeys take all the stress out of worldwide travel by taking care of every detail and with a professional Tour Manager on hand every step of the way. Quite simply, as the many loyal customers will conﬁrm, no-one does worldwide escorted holidays quite like Great Rail Journeys.

CONTACT AGENCYSALES@GREATRAIL.COM FOR INFORMATION ON OUR FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. BROCHURE SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE VIA: WWW.TRADE-GATE.CO.UK OR CALL: 01904 734888 18

May 4 2012

THE

WORLDWIDE COLLECTION A choice of rail tours from 8 to 22 days, throughout the USA & Canada, Russia, India, Australasia, Africa and the Far East.

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escortedtrips Rabbie's Small Group Tours introduces London departures FOLLOWING ALMOST 20 years of operation in Scotland, independent small-group tour operator, Rabbie’s Small Group Tours, has turned its sights to London by launching its first range of tours departing from the capital this month. The company offers the chance for guests to see some of England's most iconic scenery and destinations of its new two- to five-day tours include Oxford, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Bath, the Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall. Travelling in Mercedes mini-coaches and with a maximum of 16 passengers, the new itours will take guests off the beaten track to experience the real England, its people, history, legends and culture. Robin Worsnop, the operator's chief executive, said: “The new tours will introduce Rabbie’s service and philosophy to a different location and will allow visitors to explore the beautiful landscapes and historic cities of England and Wales in comfort and with ease. The 2012 Olympics present the opportune moment for us to launch the new London departure tours and we hope this will prove a valued legacy of the Olympic Games.” As examples of prices, a five-day Magical Land of Legends tour in Devon and Cornwall takes guests to discover the lands and legends of King Arthur and costs from £299 per person. Highlights include Bodmin Moor, Tintagel Castle, Durdle Door, Dartmoor and St Ives plus a range of beaches and Eden gardens. The price includes

a two-night stay in Exeter and two nights in Falmouth on the Cornish coast. A three-day Heart of England and North Wales tour takes in Shakespeare Country, The World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Chester and the north of Wales including Snowdownia, the Peak District and Chatsworth House. Prices lead in at £179 and include two nights in Chester. Meanwhile, a two-day Cotswolds, Bath & Oxford tour covers the Cotswolds, the ancient stone circle of Avebury, Bath and Oxford. Prices lead in at £119 per person and include a one-night stay in the city of Cirencester. For more information visit www.rabbies.com or call 0131-226 3133.

Ffestiniog offers eight-night tour for railway enthusiasts Ffestiniog Travel is highlighting an eight-day English Riviera escorted tour for railway enthusiasts, which costs from £1,105 per person. The itinerary combines excursions to a number of local railways with visits to the Eden Project, Morwellham Quay and Cotehele Gardens, as well as a cruise on the River Dart. The tour departs on September 7 and prices are based on two sharing and include all rail travel, eight nights’ breakfast accommodation, dinner with a glass of wine each evening, all excursions/entrance tickets and the services of a tour leader. For more information call 01766-772030 or visit www.ffestiniogtravel.com

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS Worldwide Journeys is offering an 11-day Wonders of Brazil tour from £2,695 per person including flights via Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro from Heathrow and accommodation encompassing Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls and Salvador. Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing on a mixed board basis, and include sightseeing with English-speaking guides, transfers and all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges. For details call 0844-225 1235 or visit www.virginholidaysjourneys.co.uk

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May 4 2012

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escortedtrips Titan issues 2013/14 preview brochure TITAN HAS launched its 2013/14 preview brochure Early Booking Bonanza to its trade partners. Featuring a range of tours and cruises extending into 2014, the brochure offers a selection of discounts from £25 to £300 per person, available for bookings made before July 31. As examples, clients can save £300 per person on the Deluxe Alaskan Voyage and the Rocky Mountaineer - an 18-day cruise-tour incorporating an Alaskan voyage and Canadian Rockies, including a two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, with prices starting from £3,395 per person. Savings of up to £250 per person are available on a Best of Australia itinerary. The 25-day tour includes the most iconic highlights down under and costs from £4,875 per person. Other offers include low or no single supplements, cruise cabin upgrades, onboard credit and on bookings made by May 31, free airport lounge access at Gatwick and Heathrow airports on selected holidays. Each holiday includes scheduled flights, accommodation, a host of excursions and visits, the services of a tour manager throughout and door-to-door transfers as part of the company's VIP Home Departure Service. Holidays are also flexible to give clients the option to upgrade flights, add stopovers, extra hotel nights and pre-packaged mini-tours, and also combine holidays to save money. For more information call 0800-988 5166 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk

Cosmos Tours & Cruises adds new Cuba tour COSMOS TOURS & Cruises has introduced a new 13-day tour of Cuba called Viva Cuba. The company's head of product, David Binns, said: “Continuing interest for Cuba has meant our Rhythms of Cuba tour is our best selling long-haul tour. To meet demand to experience the culture, history and amazing scenery we have launched a longer tour of the island – the 13-day ‘Viva Cuba’ which includes Cuba’s second largest city, Santiago de Cuba, beautiful Vinales Valley as well as the southern coast to Santa Clara, resting place of Che Guevara." Prices lead in at £1,739 per person including flights, transfers, 11 nights' breakfast accommodation, a guide and a range of sightseeing. Departures are in October and November and two extra nights in Havana can be added, taking the total price to £2,039 for 15 days. Meanwhile, the operator reports a significant increase in sales of more than 200% last month of its 12-day ‘Scenic Scandinavia’ escorted tour in comparison to this time last year. The operator's head of product, Lesley Taylor, said: “Our Scenic Scandinavia tour has been our star performer in the last month with an amazing increase in sales. General awareness of life in Scandinavia seems to be increasing thanks to the range of crime fiction novels, films, TV programmes and designers becoming more prominent. This seems to be encouraging people to visit firsthand the stunning scenery, beautiful fjords and vibrant cities of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. As living and travelling costs in Scandinavia are generally high, our escorted tour, which includes all travel, accommodation and sightseeing, offers the most cost-effective way of seeing these countries.” For more information call 0844-573 0668 or visit www.cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk

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escortedtrips Travelsphere reports boom in Burma sales TRAVELSPHERE HAS recorded bumper sales for its newly introduced Burma programme. Of the 13 departures introduced new into the 2012 season, the operator reports that it is on track to be at least 95% sold with the possible addition of extra capacity to meet demand in 2013. The company's sales director, Colin Wilson, said: “Originally running a Burma programme between 1997 and 2002, we felt the time was right to reintroduce the destination in 2012 and it has proved hugely popular with our customers. "The 12-day ‘Images of Burma’ tour itself has had great feedback, with a Ngapali beach add-on also proving popular, so we’re looking to add more departures including this extra. “As a result of the strong sales, we’re also looking to increase capacity for 2013, which will be challenging, especially regarding securing room allocations. Burma is one of the hottest destinations in the world at the moment and the demand is outstripping supply, but we’re confident of securing the beds at the right price for our customers.” The 12-day Images of Burma tour costs from £1,899 per person including flights, transfers, hotel accommodation, some meals and six excursions. For more information visit www.travelsphere.co.uk or call 0844-567 5214.

EARLY BOOKING BONANZA HAS ARRIVED!

InBrief ● TABER HOLIDAYS has added a new Four Capitals Tour to

its programme which spends eight days exploring Scandinavian capital cities. Highlights include the Royal Palace and the Old Town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm, a tour of Helsinki and Copenhagen and a visit to Oslo, which includes a trip to the Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Sculpture Park and free time to explore. Prices lead in at £2,216 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights, transfers, accommodation, all sailings, a tour escort and most meals. Departures are on selected dates in July and August. For details call 01274-875199 or visit www.taberhols.co.uk ● TRAVEL 2 is featuring an 11-day Eastern Discovery tour

from £1,769 per person, which explores Eastern USA and Canada including Boston, Montréal, Québec, Toronto Ottawa, NYC and Washington. Departures are on June 23 and 30, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and August 4, 11 and 18 and bookings need to be made by June 30. The price includes flights. ● LONGWOOD HOLIDAYS is highlighting Israel as an ideal

destination for escorted trips and the company offers several different ways of exploring the destination, including guided tours around the main historic sites led by an experienced tour guide. A ‘Heritage of the Holyland’ Tour takes visitors to see the biblical sights of Israel in a week, with prices leading in at £1,269 for a May 10 departure from Luton. Meanwhile, the operator has announced that it will soon launch a new ‘Imperial Cities’ private Morocco tour which will provide an insight to Marrakesh.

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Guaranteed lowest prices on 2013/14 holidays with savings from £25 to £300 per person To order brochures and for more details visit www.titanagents.co.uk

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escortedtrips Image: Japan National Tourism Organisation

Wendy Wu Tours expands further with Japan launch WENDY WU Tours has increased its range of itineraries to include Japan. The operator's first ‘Discover Japan’ tour departs on October 17 and the 14-day fully inclusive tour is available from £5,990 per person. The price includes international and domestic travel, accommodation, all meals, entrance fees and guides and the itinerary covers more than 300-miles across the length of the country and passes through central Kyoto, Oska, the mountainous region of Kanazawa and to the top of Tokyo Tower. The journey is made by road and rail and also incorporates a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashinoko. The tour starts in Tokyo then allows guests to take in a range of experiences - from visiting Mt Fuji, to scaling Mt Owakudani to peer into the 3,000 year-old active

crater and meandering through Japanese gardens. In addition to touring natural wonders guests will also take in man-made accolades such as Tokyo’s Nakamise shopping street and Meiji Shrine, Osaka Castle and Kiyomizu Temple in Koyto. Guests will also have the opportunity to combine well known attractions with little known local experiences such as making Japanese washi paper and learning about traditional trades through visiting a wasabi farm and a sake brewery. Other experiences include sleeping in a Buddhist temple lodge, meditating with a Buddhist priest, taking part in a tea ceremony, crafting origami and witnessing the Japanese flower art of Ikebana. For more information call 0844-875 2436 or visit www.wendywutours.co.uk

Anatolian Sky Holidays highlights small group tours ANATOLIAN SKY Holidays is offering a selection of guided tours for small groups through Central, Western, Northern and Eastern Turkey. All tours have guaranteed departure dates with a minimum of six and a maximum of 20 guests. As examples, a seven-day North Eastern Anatolia Tour from Van to Trabzon incorporates the highlights of north-eastern Turkey, including castles, Lake Van, the ancient ruins of Ani and the 14th century Sumela

Monastery near Trabzon. Prices lead in at £1,499 per person including flights from Heathrow, Manchester or Birmingham, transfers, a guide and driver, entrance fees, excursions, seven nights’ breakfast accommodation and lunch each day. Departures are on May 26 and September 15. An eight-day Western Anatolia 1 – Lunar Landscapes and Whirling Dervishes trip travels from Istanbul to Ankara, Cappadocia, the cultural

CROATIA TOURS, CRUISES OR TWIN-CENTRE STAYS

centre of Konya, home to the whirling dervishes, and ending at Antalya. Prices start from £1,399 including flights, transfers, a guide and driver, entrance fees, excursions; six nights’ breakfast accommodation, an overnight train from Istanbul to Ankara and lunch each day. Departures are on September 2 and October 7. For details visit www.anatoliansky.co.uk or call 0844-273 3585.

tours & cruises

Call us NOW for the best choice of great value escorted tours, cruises, resort and twin centre holidays in Croatia. Reservations and Admin

0844 573 0660

Brochure Requests: www.trade-gate.co.uk

May 4 2012

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balticstates

SHEARINGS IS offering a new 14-day Great Baltic Cities tour from £1,249 per person, where guests can discover the cities of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn on this Grand Tourer itinerary. Highlights include a visit to the old quarter of Vilnius, a UNESCO world heritage site, the art noveau buildings of Riga and the 10th century Toompea castle of Tallinn. the price includes 13 nights' half-board accommodation, touring itinerary and luxury coach travel. The holiday is also available as a nine-day by air option which includes eight nights' half-board accommodation, touring itinerary, flights and transfers. Departures are available from May to October. For details call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com

Flowers, waterways and palaces in the Baltic for less than £75 per day VOYAGES OF Discovery is offering a 16-day Baltic Icons cruise from £1,199 per person (or £75 per day), based on two people sharing an inside cabin. The cruise visits Amsterdam allowing guests to visit the famous Keukenhof Flower festival, explore Sweden’s historic waterways as well

as stop in St Petersburg for grand palaces from the imperial reign. Baltic Icons departs from Portsmouth and calls at IJmuiden, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Warnemunde and Kiel Canal, before returning to Portsmouth.

The price is based on a May 11 departure and includes meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from guest speakers. For more information or to book call 0844-822 0820 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk

Urban Adventures offers Riga & Tallinn tour options from £48.68 per person URBAN ADVENTURES, a joint venture between Intrepid Travel and WHL Group, is offering a three-hour Taste Riga tour which leads in at £48.68 per person. The tour visits the city's best markets, cafes and restaurants and guests can sample a range of local delicacies - such as fresh cottage cheese with dill, sweet blueberry pie and locally-brewed beer. The

May 4 2012

Taste Riga tour

company is also offering a three to four-hour Soviet Tallinn tour which visits the KGB headquarters, the only surviving hotel from the Soviet era, the war memorial at Maarjamäe and the former location of the Bronze Soldier, a Soviet statue that prompted riots when it was removed only a few years ago. For more information or to book visit www.intrepidtravel.com

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balticstates Riga showcases series of cultural events UNTIL SEPTEMBER Riga is hosting a series of cultural and entertainment events, ranging from performances of classical music and dance to Latvian and foreign folk traditions. There will also be events that have attracted international attention – the Nordea Riga Marathon, Riga City Festival and Summer solstice feast Līgo! celebration. Meanwhile, the city has launched a new culinary project, ‘Delightfully Delicious Destination – Riga, the Gastronomic Capital of the Baltic’ to encourage vistors to sample local product. For example, throughout October different types of fish will be highlighted in restaurants throughout the city, while in November visitors will be encouraged to try Riga’s Black Balsam and dishes from the biggest berry in Latvia. The culmination of the project will be in December, which will be the month of taste surprises with special festive restaurant offers. For more information visit www.liveriga.com

Reduced fares from RSSC REGENT SEVEN Seas Cruises is featuring a selection of new reduced fares on its Baltic cruise. As examples, a ten-night Stockholm to Copenhagen cruise on Seven Seas Voyager, departing on July 2 or August 15, leads in at £3,799 per person and includes two overnight stays on the ship in St Petersburg, free Business Class flights when clients make a booking for a Penthouse Suite or above and up to 43 free excursions for the July 2 departure and up to 72 free excursions for the August 15 departure. A seven-night Stockholm to Copenhagen cruise, departing on July 22 and August 8, leads in at £2,629 for a Deluxe Balcony Suite on Seven Seas Voyager. The price includes free Business Class flights for clients booking Penthouse Suites and above and up to 35 free excursions. For more information visit www.rssc.com

Maritime Museum opens in Estonia TALLINN, THE capital of Estonia, will be the home of a new maritime museum - The Seaplane Harbour. The museum’s display comprises of more than 200 large exhibits and, with the help of modern multimedia, tells exciting stories about Estonian maritime and military history. The submarine Lembit (pictured) is the centrepiece of the new museum. Built in England in 1936 for the Estonian navy, Lembit served in the WWII under the Soviet flag. It remained in service for 75 years being the oldest submarine in the world still in use until it was hauled ashore last year. Despite its long history, Lembit is still in an excellent condition offering a glimpse of the 1930s art of technology. The submarine’s interior has been fully restored to provide visitors with an opportunity to go on board and experience Lembit as it was in its heyday. Guests can also take a trip on the Seaplane Harbour’s simulators to enjoy a flight above Tallinn, go on an aroundthe-world journey in the Yellow Submarine or navigate on the Gulf of Tallinn.

Attraction World promotes Tallinn tour AGENTS CAN offer their clients booking trips to Tallinn sightseeing tours with Attraction World. The operator offers a hop-on, hop-off bus service which visits both the old and new towns and tickets cost £13 per adult and £8 per child and are valid for 24-hours. For more information visit www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

Find out more about the most surprising and fastest growing destination in Europe on www.visitestonia.com or e-mail london@visitestonia.com

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May 4 2012

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balticstates Flexible options from Regent Holidays IN ADDITION to the Baltics tours featured in its 2012 brochure, Regent Holidays has added several new Baltics tours throughout the year, which are all featured online. The tours, which exclude flights so that the best airfare at the time of booking can be found, are run in conjunction with local partners and offer guaranteed departures, multilingual guides and flexibility. As an example, the Estonia group tours provide guests with the opportunity to discover the Baltic region, exploring the medieval capital cities of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius on the Classic Baltics Group Tour, as well as visiting hidden gems such as the Estonian seaside resort of Parnu and Rundale Palace in Latvia. In addition to the new tours, the operator offers three itineraries in the Baltic States. As examples, an eight-day Classic Baltic Group Tour covers Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn and costs from £895 per person including flights, breakfast accommodation, transfers between cities and sightseeing with English speaking guides. The operator also features a ten-day Baltic Capitals fly/drive tour from £895 per person and an eight-day Tallinn and the Islands Tour which combines Tallinn with the Padaste Manor on Muhu Island. The twin-centre holiday costs from £995 per person including flights and five-star accommodation in Tallinn and on Muhu Island. For more information call 0117-921 1711 or visit www.regent-holidays.co.uk

Website: www.latvia.travel Telephone: +371 67229945 Email: info@latvia.travel

EASYJET HAS added flights to Tallinn as part of its winter schedule which now extends to a total of 280 routes. Flights are from Gatwick with fares starting from £32.99 one-way, including taxes. See www.easyjet.com/holidays

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Wine casks

Dertour promotes tailor-made Rhine tours following renewed interest DERTOUR REPORTS that it has seen more demand for tailor-made Rhine tours. The company's head of sales, Lawrence Peachey, said: "The Rhine is at the very heart of Germany, and so provides the perfect backdrop for UK visitors as they can either do a river cruise or explore its many fascinating towns and villages along it. "We specialise in tailor-made travel and often get requests for including at least one element of the Rhine in

these bespoke holidays to Germany." As an example of a tailor-made tour, prices for London to Frankfurt flights, rail travel from Frankfurt to Königswinter, two nights at the Maritim hotel, rail travel from Königswinter to Würzburg, two nights at the Maritim Würzburg and rail travel to Frankfurt, lead in at £499 per person. For more information or to book call 020-3131 2895 or see www.dertour.co.uk/travel-agents

GNTB announces 'Creative Germany' as new slogan THE GERMAN National Tourist Board (GNTB) has announced that 'Creative Germany' is the slogan for a new, young and creative side to Germany as a travel destination. The GNTB's chief executive officer, Petra Hedorfer, said: "Germany is traditionally known as the country of poets and philosophers. But even now, people in our country are still setting trends every day, coming up with innovative ideas and pushing the boundaries of art. The famous 'Made in Germany' label has evolved into a 'Created in Germany' brand. "De facto brand ambassadors include popular contemporary painters such as Neo Rauch, Bernhard Heisig, Werner Tübke and Wolfgang Mattheurer, all exponents of the Leipzig School who have made a name

for themselves around the world. Germany has also become a magnet for international architects, designers and creators of fashion, and it's pulling in the visitors too.The latest Quality Monitor survey of the German tourism industry shows that 52% of travellers from abroad come to Germany because of its art and cultural scene. "Germany's major cities are the youngest, most innovative and most inspiring places of all. There is so much creativity to discover in places such as Berlin, the buzzing capital and cultural hub, Hamburg, home of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall and of musical life in northern Germany, and Cologne, the city of art on the Rhine." Visitors to www.germany.travel can find out about Creative Germany in the categories of architecture, art, design, music, fashion and events.

Ffestiniog Travel promotes eight-day Harz Autumn Gala tour FFESTINIOG TRAVEL is highlighting its eight-day escorted Harz Autumn Gala tour, which departs on October 16 and takes railway enthusiasts to the annual Harz Autumn Gala in central Germany, held across the entire Harz Narrow Gauge Railway. This is the longest unbroken narrow gauge railway network in Germany, connecting the principal towns of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and Quedlinburg, as well as several smaller towns in a picturesque mountain setting. The trip is one of the company's Connoisseur Rail Tours, each of which is designed to appeal to those with a specific passion for railways. The Harz Railway’s fleet of steam engines, railcars, diesel engines and historic

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railway carriages make it one of the most interesting narrow gauge railway services, and the annual Autumn Gala attracts enthusiasts from far and wide. Prices lead in at £945 per person, based on two sharing and include second-class travel to and from Quedlinburg (via Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels, high-speed train to Cologne and then onward to Quedlinburg), a three-day gala programme, public transport tickets for independent exploration in Wuppertal, transfers, bed-and-breakfast accommodation and the services of a tour leader. For more information call 01766-772957 or visit www.ffestiniogtravel.com

May 4 2012

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GERMANY'S EUROPA Park has unveiled a new four-star property, Bell Rock, the theme park's fifth adventure hotel. From this summer, visitors to the hotel, which features a lighthouse, can follow the trail of the Pilgrim Fathers and discoverers who once sought new shores and crossed the Atlantic by ship on adventurous journeys to the New World. The hotel features 35 suites with individual themes and six tower suites in the lighthouse. For details visit http://resort.europapark.com

Up to 20% savings from Le Boat LE BOAT is offering up to 20% off boating holidays in Germany departing this month, 15% savings for holidays departing in June and July and 10% savings for holidays departing in September. The offers are valid for bookings confirmed by May 31 for a minimum duration of seven nights. A selection of options are available, including booking a boat charter in the Mecklenburg lake district and taking a Berlin cruising break. For more information or to book call 0844-463 3579 or visit www.leboat.co.uk

GRJ and Treyn promote Rhine tours GREAT RAIL Journeys (GRJ) and Treyn are highlighting a range of Rhine tours, such as the four-night Cologne & Rhine in Flames, offered by GRJ. The tour costs from £775 per person and combines a luxury stay at Cologne's Maritim Hotel with a varied programme exploring Cologne, the Rhine region and a Rhine cruise culminating in a fireworks display. The price includes Standard Premier Class travel on Eurostar journeys with meals and drinks; Standard Class rail travel from Brussels to Cologne; four nights' breakfast accommodation; three dinners; a guided walking tour of Cologne; a 'Rhine in Flames' evening cruise; an excursion to Konigswinter; a journey on the Drachenfelsbahn and the services of a tour manager. For Treyn, the four-day Railways of the Rhine itinerary includes Remagen, an excursion on the Kashachtal Railway and an excursion on the Vulkan Express. Prices start from £368 per person including rail travel, three nights' half-board accommodation, the two excursions and a tour manager. For bookings or more information visit www.greatrail.com and www.railholidays.com

May 4 2012

Shearings promotes summer cruise options SHEARINGS IS highlighting a selection of itineraries for summer including a ten-day Classic Moselle trip, which leads in at £979, where customers can take in the sights of the Rhine and Moselle valleys on the MPS Da Vinci. Highlights of the cruise include Bernkastel’s medieval market square, Koblenz and the Rhine Gorge and Alken and its valleys and vineyards. The price includes seven nights' full board cruise, two nights' half-board accommodation en-route and coach travel. The holiday is also available as an eight-day by rail and air option, including either flights and transfers or train travel and departures are available between June and August. A ten-day Historic towns & The Loreley Valley option costs from £1,299 and highlights include Miltenberg and its castle, Medieval Karlstadt, the popular resort of Rudesheim and Koblenz. The price includes seven nights' full board cruise on

the MPS Da Vinci, two nights' breakfast accommodation en-route and coach travel. The holiday is also available as an eight-day by rail and air option, including either flights and transfers or train travel and departs on July 10 for coach travel and July 11 for rail and air travel. Meanwhile, a ten-day Main-Danube Canal Explorer itinerary leads in at £1,349 and takes in the scenery and vineyards which surround the Main and Danube rivers. Highlights include the historic city of Passau and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Regensburg. Included in the price are seven nights' full board cruise on the MPS Da Vinci, two nights' breakfast accommodation and coach travel. The holiday can also be taken as an eight-day by air option, including flights and transfers and departs on July 3 for coach travel and July 4 for air travel. For more information call 0844-824 6351 or visit www.shearingsagent.com

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germany Attraction World highlights Munich beer tour THE ART of brewing is a centuries old tradition in Munich and the city is known worldwide for its beer, breweries, beer gardens and many beer festivals. A ‘Munich and its Beer’ tour from Attraction World offers visitors the opportunity to get behind the scenes at the Paulaner Brewery, where experienced brewers provide information about the beer, which is brewed according to the original Bavarian ‘Order of Purity’ – Europe’s oldest food law. After the guided tour, there is the opportunity to sample the beer with a light snack. Tickets cost £32 per person (adults aged 18 plus only) and are fully commissionable to agents. For more information see www.attractionworld.com or call 0871-700 8888.

URBAN ADVENTURES, a joint venture between Intrepid Travel and WHL Group, has launched 'Day tours with a difference' in more than 80 cities worldwide. Led by a local guide, visitors are taken off the beaten track to see hidden gems as well as local landmarks. A four-hour 'Hidden Berlin' tour leads in at £28.88 and visits a range of sites including locations where Jewish children were rescued from death camps, Humboldt University where 29 Nobel prize winners studied, the location of 1933's infamous book burning, Museum Island, the New Synagogue to hear stories of 'Reichskristallnacht' or the Night of Broken Glass, the grave of Jewish philosopher Mendelssohn, a bakery to sample a 'Real-Berliner' and the Berlin Wall. For details see www.intrepidtravel.com

Maritim Hotels invests in Munich & Cologne properties MARITIM HOTELS has unveiled 54 newly-refurbished superior rooms at its Munich property to add to the hotel’s 24 single, 24 double and one Junior Suite rooms. The hotel chain reports that it is continuously looking to improve and upgrade its properties, including a recent 4million investment in its four-star city centre Cologne hotel, which included bathrooms, guest rooms, conference and spa facilities. The grand entrance to the Maritim Hotel Cologne is also being completely overhauled this year, along with renovation of the events and conference space and spa. The company’s director of international sales, Mark Spivey, said: "We are proud to boast exemplary standards for all of our hotels and we are constantly looking to improve and maintain those standards. Maritim Hotel Munich is one of our most popular properties and investment in it will markedly improve the experience of guests and visitors.”

Barrier-free Frankfurt Information for Handicapped Travellers

To download your free brochure or obtain further information, visit: www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/barrier-free.html

One of the new superior rooms

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May 4 2012

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germany Frankfurt begins Old Town reconstruction

We asked our staff the following question this week: What's the hardest thing you've ever done? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk Hand over £5 to a Man. City fan after they beat us 1-0 on Monday

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May 4 2012

OVER THE next few weeks, visitors walking across the Römerberg on their way to the Emperor’s Cathedral in Frankfurt’s Old Town will be met with one of the largest reconstruction projects in Germany. The project sees the reconstruction of an entire quarter – approximately 7,000sq.m will be remodeled on the basis of the original blueprints of the quarter. Once completed, it will comprise of nearly 30 townhouses, eight of which will be exact replicas of their historical predecessors. An entire housing row will also be rebuilt along the path of the former alley “Hinter dem Lämmchen”. In an effort to recreate a typically vivacious urban quarter, the buildings to be developed will feature residential space on the upper floors and shops, pubs, offices and restaurants on the ground floor. The design of the buildings,meanwhile, will resemble the style of the original constructions. Meanwhile, the Frankfurt Tourist + Congress Board (TCF) has launched a new brochure featuring information for disabled travellers. The publication, ‘Barrier-free Frankfurt’, aims to promote Frankfurt’s touristic attractions, focusing in Market Square, Frankfurt particular on their ease of accessibility and various other disability-friendly aspects. The TCF recently reviewed its entire range of city tours with the aim of making them comprehensively barrier-free, adding new tours and restructuring existing ones in the process. For details on the publication see www.frankfurthandicap.de For more information visit www.frankfurt-tourismus.de

Codeshare connections between Germany and Austria AFTER BEGINNING to work together last December, Austrian Airlines and Germanwings – both subsidiaries of Lufthansa – have established closer ties by offering codeshare flights. As a result, all Germanwings flights between Germany and Austria will in future also bear an Austrian OS flight number. The airlines' codesharing is part of their strategy to further connect the services offered by both brands in order to create added benefits to the clients of both airlines. Together, the two airlines will in future offer their passengers five daily flights from Vienna to Cologne and vice versa instead of the three offered previously as well as seven daily connections to Stuttgart. Non-stop Germanwings flights with OS flight numbers are now also offered from Salzburg and Klagenfurt to Cologne. Austrian Airlines passengers will in future also be able to easily book Germanwings flights online via the Austrian Website at www.austrian.com Karsten Benz, chief commercial officer of Austrian Airlines, said: “This cooperation means that the clients of both airlines will benefit. We can now, for example, offer our clients more connections from Vienna to Cologne and Stuttgart and even a new connection to Hannover under an OS flight number. Meanwhile, Germanwings will fly to all Lufthansa European destinations out of Stuttgart as of this summer. The carrier has already launched a new route between Stuttgart and Heathrow in February to offer 21 flights a week and will commence five weekly services between Stuttgart and Manchester from July. For more information visit www.germanwings.com

puzzlesolutions Crossword: Across: 1. DFDS, 3. OBEROI, 8. NORFOLK, 9. BAA, 10. YEMEN, 12. ORLY, 13. SFP, 15. CORK, 16. EPSOM, 19. INN, 20. ANTIGUA, 22. AMAZON, 23. LAOS. Down: 1. DANNY, 2. DUR, 4. BAKU, 5. ROBERTS, 6. ITALY, 7. JOHNS, 11. MIRANDA, 14. PERTH, 15. CHINA, 17. MEARS, 18. FARO, 21. GOA.

Highlighted Word: DORSET Travagrams: (top) Avalon Waterways

(bottom) Costa Rica

Where Am I?: Madeira

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www.germany.travel www.creative-germany.travel

Berlin. See it. Be it.

Berlin is one of Europe’s most creative capitals - and the youngest. Here trends from all over the world gather pace and innovation is visible on every street corner. Fashion and fashions are created; but not the price tag is important – it’s the ideas that count. Music is not made to please everybody and design is not just an eye catcher; Berlin’s events thrive to be inspiring. And Germany’s capital will open its arms even wider with the opening of the new Berlin-Brandenburg airport on the 3rd June 2012. Welcome world!

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