Travel Bulletin 21st March 2014

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March 21 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,865 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Cultural Tours

Operators highlight new itineraries that take guests off-the-beaten-track

this week agent bulletin 9

find out what's in store for Aries this month

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hotel bulletin free & fast Wi-Fi with no strings becomes a reality for guests of one hotel group

iceland

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Promote Iceland welcomes record growth in UK visitors

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dynamic packaging ideas to boost your commission with DIY packages


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Experience a feast for your y senses. senses THE OMAN SHORT FILM SCREENING AND TOURISM SOUK – CO COMING TO O A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU! Join us for an evening of fun and discovery in n our Omani Souk and private viewings wings of a selection of short films. perts from Oman and the UK. WIN prizes both big and small and meet experts Venue and Dates: otel Dublin 29th April - Brooks Hotel otel Southampton 28th April - Grand Harbour Hotel vid Hotel & Spa Birmingham 30th April - MAC Birmingham Arts Centre Cardiff 1st May - St David’ David’s All timings 6pm - 9.30pm tionplus.co.uk or call 020 8877 4524 Reserve your place by email – oman@representationplus.co.uk

Beauty has an address For more information on Oman please contact: Representative Office Oman Ministry of Tourism UK & Ireland R oman@representationplus.co.uk | Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om Tel: 0208 877 4524 | Email: oman@r www.omanacademy.com Study: www.omanacademy


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Flights with SAS to Copenhagen for Eurovision MOLLY SMITTEN-Downes will represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest which will be hosted in Copenhagen this spring, shortly after the launch of direct services from Leeds Bradford with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which commence on March 31. Yorkshire supporters of Eurovision can fly directly to Copenhagen with the carrier in 90 minutes. For more information or to book call 0871-226 7760 or visit www.flysas.co.uk

This Week

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Cover Pictures: Main - Urban Adventures

Inset - Transun

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news this week's latest industry announcements & special deals

agent bulletin find out what's in store for Aries this month

pix mix industry partners from Louisiana hosted an event to promote the music, food and history of the region

bulletin briefing the latest news and views from Advantage

hotel bulletin free and fast Wi-Fi with no strings becomes a reality for guests of one hotel group

iceland Promote Iceland welcomes record growth in UK visitors

dynamic packaging ideas to boost your commission with a DIY package

cultural tours operators highlight new itineraries that take guests off-the-beatentrack

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PIP's PALS....38 independent travel agents from Norwich and the Norfolk region attended a BRIGHT workshop and dinner at the De Vere Dunston Hall Hotel recently, hosted by members from Sunvil, Explore, Viking River Cruises, Attraction World, Hurtigruten, Kirker Holidays, 1st Class Holidays, Crystal Cruises and Veloso Tours. Pictured catching up with Explore's Pip Baines (left) are, from the left: Co-op Travel’s Clare Slattery, Kerri Mann and Zoe Adams. For details of upcoming events see www.brightconsortia.com

Poll reveals most treasured holiday moments for holidaymakers A RECENT poll by Holiday Discount Centre has revealed that 36% of UK holidaymakers enjoyed their most treasured holiday moments whilst out and about with family and friends. Visiting a theme park, attraction or fun fair topped the list, with cultural sightseeing and visiting scenic views a close second. Zoos and wildlife parks were also popular, followed by attending music festivals and visiting waterparks. The research carried out amongst its customers also showed that 20% enjoyed their best moments on the beach, with simple pastimes like building sandcastles, playing in the sea, beach walks, collecting shells and eating ice creams, being the things that really count. The research also revealed that 10% said their best holiday moment had been marking a special occasion – a first holiday abroad was top, with celebrating a birthday, honeymoon and wedding in joint second spot, followed by getting engaged and spending Christmas abroad. Just being able to spend quality time with their family was what 8% said was most special about their annual holiday and 5% liked nothing more than to relax around the pool. Having an amazing city break had given 7% their best holiday moment with New York beating Paris to the top spot. London

was third, followed by Las Vegas and Barcelona. Animal encounters and outdoor adventure both also got 7%. Swimming with dolphins was the animal adventure that is still most magical for holidaymakers but riding a camel and elephant trekking are now almost level in popularity. Staying on a working farm, fishing and horse-riding were also mentioned as special experiences for many, while camping and caravanning were the most popular outdoor adventure activities. Commenting on the findings the company's managing director, Steve Campion, said: “Despite our busy lives this study shows that a lot of our customers aren’t just looking for a cheap fly and flop holiday. Some of our most magical holiday moments are experienced whilst exploring, sightseeing and visiting tourist attractions be it in the UK or abroad. Equally, this doesn’t always have to mean costly entrance fees to theme parks and attractions, as visiting an amazing view, pottering around an iconic city, hanging out at a seafront pier or spending time on the beach with your loved ones, doesn’t have to cost the earth. I think the study proves that no matter what the price tag, holidays are all about spending quality time with family and friends and sharing memorable experiences.”

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Warner Leisure Hotels announces new dates & acts in second edition brochure section. Star Breaks have also been updated with new dates and acts added to the line up including Myleene Klass. Updated early booking offers and discounts are also offered, with savings of up to 50% for bookings in January, February and March 2015, while new price guarantees for 2015 breaks offer guests who book their break before August 1, the best possible price or the company will refund the difference. Holidays lead in at £135 per person, based on two adults sharing a standard room, for a three-night break at Norton Grange on the Isle of Wight. It includes a Simply Dine (half-board) option and is based on a late March departure. To become an expert visit www.warnerexpert.co.uk and for more information or to book call 0808-141 111 or visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

WARNER LEISURE Hotels has launched its second edition 2014 brochure providing updated agent-friendly offers, information on new breaks and news on product developments. The brochure highlights the news that Cricket St. Thomas Hotel’s Fenocchi restaurant has been expanded, refurbished and renamed ‘The Granary’. It also details new lodge and cottage openings at Lakeside Coastal Village, the expansion and refurbishment of the Popham restaurant at Littlecote House Hotel, plus information and images of Alvaston Hall’s redevelopment. The imagery in the Entertainment spread has been updated and the new '60s Summer in the Country' and 'Sounds of Vegas' itineraries have been added to the themed breaks

Spain's La Manga Club offers 50% savings for early bookers with a week from £1,320 LA MANGA Club has announced an early booking promotion offering savings of up to 50% on holidays booked this spring. The promotion means that parents can take advantage of half-price accommodation on adjoining rooms for children aged 12 and under in the Spanish resort’s Hotel Principe Felipe. Valid for breaks of four nights or more when booking before April 30, a seven-night stay for a family of four is available from €1,585

(approximately £1,320). Alternatively, families can choose to stay in a range of self-catering apartments in the four-star Las Lomas Village and take advantage of a seven nights for the price of six offer, with a stay in a two-bedroom apartment available for four people from €990 (£825) in July. All prices, which are based on two sharing a room, feature complimentary use of the fitness centre, indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms and free access to the resort’s Junior Club from Monday to

Friday for children aged five to 12. Free meals for kids under five are also included. New to the resort this year is the Leadbetter Golf Academy and former Wales rugby union captain Michael Owen’s rugby academy will be returning in August. The resort’s own academies for golf, tennis, cricket, rugby, football and dance are also available for guests. For more information or to book email reservas@lamangaclub.com or visit www.lamangaclub.com

Free flights for summer tour bookings from Back-Roads Touring

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS…Superbreak has announced that sales of its regional tours of West End musicals have increased by 34% over the last three years. The operator currently has 15 tour dates on sale and is expecting that number to more than double by the end of the year. Shows currently on tour include Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia!, Fame, The Lion King, Let It Be, War Horse, Rock of Ages and Wicked. Prices for a theatre break lead in at £101.50 per person to see The Lion King in Liverpool between May 16 and July 5. The price includes a night’s stay at the three-star Hampton by Hilton Liverpool City Centre Hotel and a ticket to the show. For details call 0871-221 4444 or www.superbreak.com/agents

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SMALL GROUP tour specialist Back-Roads Touring has launched a special offer for bookings made this month and next, offering free flights on all tours taken this summer. The offer is valid for all bookings made until April 30 and is valid across the whole summer 2014 portfolio, which includes tours across the UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Scandinavia. Examples of tours in the summer programme include a new seven-day/six-night Hidden Turkey itinerary which costs from £1,165 per person and includes free flights to Istanbul; a seven-day/six-night Enchanting Southern Italy itinerary which leads in at £1,545 and includes free flights to Naples; a new eight-day/sevennight Croatian Wilderness Sailing which costs from £1,685 and includes free flights to Split, Croatia; and a new nine-day/eight-night Highlights of Northern Spain which costs from £1,930 and includes free flights to Barcelona. To book or for details visit www.backroadstouring.co.uk

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CARIBBEAN PARTY...Sharon Flax-Mars (centre with long hair), director of tourism at the BVI Tourist Board, hosted a ‘One Caribbean’ reception this month at BVI House in Mayfair. More than 15 Caribbean countries came together alongside industry partners to celebrate promoting the Caribbean as One Destination.

Hunger Games experience from DoSomething Different.com DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT. COM has launched a Hunger Games Survival Camp experience. On arrival, guests are assigned to their district and then their training for the games will begin. Survival training includes first aid, finding food and shelter, fire lighting, self-defence, archery and animal and human tracking. Throughout the day, Katniss and Peeta wannabes will compete against other districts and hunt for items from sponsors along the way in the run-up to the finale. The experience costs £55 per person. For more information call 020-8090 3890.

Journeys of Distinction unveils new gastronomy options JOURNEYS OF Distinction has added two Australian Wine Tours plus ‘A Taste of Spain’ tour that are designed to appeal to foodies, wine aficionados and culture lovers. The operator's managing director, Karen Gee, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer these new tours to our customers. They really are something special featuring some of the best food and drink available in the world and in some of the globe’s most beautiful settings. Food and drink is at the very heart of every culture and entire histories can be shaped by a country’s cuisine. There is no better way to experience the history, beauty and taste of a nation’s culinary pulse than being right at the heart of that nation. With our Taste of Spain and Australian Wine Tours we are offering a unique opportunity to celebrate and enjoy both old and new world cuisines in some of the most awe-inspiring locations on earth.” The two new Australian Wine Tours are private touring holidays that showcase the wine regions of southern and western Australia, mainly concentrated around the Yarra and Barossa Valleys and Margaret River near to Perth. The tours are highly flexible and can be tailored to suit all tastes

and can be taken as standalone itineraries from the UK, combined with other cities and experiences or booked as extension packages to group touring holidays such as the Very Best of Australia and Iconic Australia. A 12-day private tour to the Barossa Valley & Margaret River in Southern Australia costs from £3,995 per person while a 12-day private tour to the Yarra Valley, Coal River Valley and Bruny Island leads in at £4,345. Alternatively, the wine tours can be added as an extension to any Australia or New Zealand touring holiday from £895. The company's 'A Taste of Spain’ option offers a one-off experience on one departure date (June 1) and guests travel with a tour manager and a local guide. The tour starts in Barcelona and travels through the countryside in the Rioja region, ending in San Sebastian – known as the foodie capital of Europe. The ten-day tour takes guests through the Catalan countryside visiting towns, villages, monasteries, wineries and eating places. Each location shows a different perspective on the country and the group stays in hand-picked hotels. For more information visit www.jod.uk.com

Virgin Holidays launches new 19-night coast-to-coast US package for film fans VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has introduced a package that offers film fans the chance to take in the filming locations for this year’s biggest flicks in a coastto-coast tour of the US. Guests will experience a three-city tour of the east coast, visiting Boston; New York, where guests will stay in the financial district to see the setting for ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’; and Washington DC. After six nights on the east coast, guests will fly to the Deep South to

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explore New Orleans and Dallas to experience a historic plantation stay in Louisiana and life on a working ranch in Texas, to get a feel for the filming locations of ‘12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Dallas Buyers Club’. On the West Coast, guests will stay two nights in Anaheim to experience Disneyland, before heading north for a long weekend in Los Angeles for the trip’s grand finale. While in Tinseltown, guests will stay on the Sunset Strip and explore the city’s movie heritage by

visiting locations such as the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars and the Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame’, before going celeb-spotting in Beverly Hills. The 19-night, eight-stop tour includes room-only accommodation, Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow, internal flights and car hire. Prices start from £2,799 per person, based on two adults sharing and a departure date of September 17. For more information call 0844-557 3859.

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CroisiEurope acquires Mekong River Cruise Company CROISIEUROPE HAS announced it has bought out the Mekong River Cruise Company, effective immediately. The company will retain its original name,

‘Compagnie Fluviale du Mékong’, to which the trademark ‘by CroisiEurope’ will be added. The acquisition gives the company another four

colonial-style vessels which will cruise along the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. All the vessels will stick with their original cruise planning from Siem Reap

Celebrate Mother’s Day with CityJet CITYJET IS inviting travellers to say thank you to their mums on Mother’s Day by treating their mum to a flight to one of the airline’s 19 European destinations. The airline, which flies from London and Cardiff, offers a range of flights to cities including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Return fares start from £99 to Rotterdam and Jersey, £109 to Paris, £129 to Brest and £129 to Florence. For further details or to book visit www.cityjet.com

Overseas weekend getaways from £350 with Cox & Kings

ALL ABOARD…To mark the tenth anniversary of the inaugural transcontinental journey of the Ghan from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory, ten London taxis have been wrapped with a photo of the train. The ‘Ghanniversary’ taxis will be travelling around the capital for the next few months and those who hail one of them could be in with a chance of winning a trip to Australia on the Ghan, courtesy of Great Southern Rail and Austravel. Pictured climbing aboard one of the taxis is Laura Hardie, destination executive for Austravel. For more information visit www.greatsouthernrail.com.au and www.austravel.com

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expand range of New York shopping breaks JET2.COM AND Jet2holidays have launched their biggest choice of New York shopping breaks for winter 2014, now offering 16 trips. The expansion sees the airline and package holiday specialist double the number of New York flights and city breaks taking off from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle airports; add a new four-night break option on top of the threenight trips; offer weekend breaks during some of the city’s most iconic events including the NYC marathon, Thanksgiving Day parade and Black Friday; plus the addition of an October half-term trip. Departures are scheduled from East

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to Saigon via Phnom Penh (or vice-versa), from August to April. For more information or to book call 020-8328 1281 or visit www.croisieurope.co.uk

Midlands on November 13 for three nights and November 20 for four nights; Glasgow on November 27 for four nights and December 4 for three nights; Leeds Bradford on October 25 for four nights, November 20 for four nights, November 27 for four nights and December 4 for three nights; from Manchester on October 30 for four nights, November 13 for four nights, November 27 for four nights and December 11 for three nights; Newcastle on October 28 for four nights, November 20 for four nights, December 4 for four nights and December 11 for three nights. For details call 0800-408 5587 or visit https://tradesite.jet2holida ys.com

March 21 2014

Meanwhile, Jet2.com has launched two new services - from Edinburgh to Geneva and Manchester to Turin, ready for the 2014/15 winter sports season. Both routes will operate from December 20 through to April 11, 2015. The Manchester to Turin service will operate during peak ski months with weekly flights departing Saturday mornings and costing from £37 one-way, including taxes. Geneva is the airline’s third ski destination from Edinburgh, complementing existing services to Chambery and Salzburg, and will depart weekly on Saturday. Flights are on sale now from £38 oneway including taxes. For further information or to book visit www.jet2.com/ski

WITH SHORT break sales through the trade up 110% year-on-year, Cox & Kings has launched a new Short Breaks brochure offering a diverse range of city breaks. Examples include four nights’ breakfast accommodation in Dubrovnik at the four-star Grand Hotel Park from £350 per person including flights with BA, easyJet, Monarch or Jet2 and transfers; three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the four-star Abades Recogidas in Granada from £365 including flights with BA, easyJet, Monarch or Jet2 to Malaga and car hire; three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli in Venice from £395 including flights with BA, easyJet, Monarch or Jet2; three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the Riad Ilayka in Marrakech from £395 including flights with BA, Royal Air Maroc or easyJet and transfers; three nights’ breakfast accommodation at the four-star Celal Sultan Hotel in Istanbul from £440 including flights with BA, easyJet, Jet2 or Turkish Airlines and transfers; and four nights’ breakfast accommodation at the four-star Angleterre Hotel in St Petersburg from £595 including BA flights and transfers. For more information email sales@coxandkings.co.uk

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YOUR JOB IS ABOUT TO GET

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

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

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

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

COMPETITIONS END 31.03.14


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Newsbites ●

MUMS CAN dine for free in The Brasserie when travelling with their families or friends on a P&O Ferries' day trip from Dover to Calais over the Mother’s Day weekend from March 29-30. Clients who book by March 28 will also receive six free bottles of wine. For details visit www.poferries.com ARUNDEL CASTLE will open to visitors on Tuesday April 1 following a period of renovation. The walled castle gardens have been transformed and a small exhibition on the castle’s role in WWI has been prepared to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war. For details visit www.arundelcastle.org HOTELOPIA, ONE of the online travel agencies of TUI Travel, has won a new contract to supply its product portfolio to easyJet Holidays for three-and-a-half years from May. CARNIVAL UK’S chief commercial officer, Gerard Tempest, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Andy Stuart, have been announced as the keynote speakers for CLIA UK & Ireland’s 2014 Selling Cruise Conference. Daniel Radnor, recently named ‘Young Travel Agent of the Year’, will also present at the two-day event. For details visit www.cliauk.co.uk TURKISH CARRIER Atlasjet will commence flights between Luton and Istanbul Atatürk on May 2. For details visit www.atlasjet.com BARBIE’S MALIBU Dreamhouse has been brought to life at Bloomington’s Mall of America. The Dreamhouse Experience gives visitors of all ages the chance to become a living doll in Barbie’s house, which has nine rooms. Tickets for the attraction cost from $16.99, with entry free for under-twos. For details visit www.bloomingtonmn.org/barbie

BUZZCOCKS AT BUTLINS…Butlins has launched its 2014 Live Music Weekends guide which contains everything agents need to know about its adult-only breaks, including information about the new Festival of Comedy break in June. On June 6 in Bognor Regis, Al Murray will headline the new Comedy Festival alongside Lee Nelson, Dave Spikey, Hal Cruttenden and more than 50 other comedians. The guide also provides a calendar of the other Live Music Weekends including the Great British Alternative Music Festival, which will feature the Buzzcocks (pictured) as the headliners. A three-night break for The Festival of Comedy costs from £115 per person based on four adults sharing a Silver selfcatering apartment. To become a Butlins expert visit www.butlinsexpert.co.uk, call 0845-070 4742 or visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

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WEBSCLUSIVES Rocky Mountaineer launches route connecting Canada to the US ROCKY MOUNTAINEER has announced the launch of its new Coastal Passage route connecting Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia en-route to the Canadian Rockies. The season’s first departure on May 10 marks the company’s fifth rail route and the first time the rail service will depart from, and arrive into, the US. Coastal Passage is available in the GoldLeaf Service as well as SilverLeaf Service. In GoldLeaf, travellers experience a bilevel custom-designed glass-domed coach with panoramic views, gourmet cuisine in a private dining room along with personalised service. Alaskan Cruise sailings depart from Seattle with Holland America Line or Norwegian Cruise Line and are available in conjunction with Coastal Passage and can be added to any 2014 package. The new route can also be added to any two-day or more rail tour into the Canadian Rockies. The Coastal Passage route offers 24 departures on 12 Saturdays between May and October, and packages allow for stays in Seattle, Vancouver and Kamloops, as well as the resort towns of Lake Louise, Banff or Jasper and Alberta. For further details see www.agent.rockymountaineer.com

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Enter our Viking River Cruises competition today. First prize is a trip to Cologne, with runners-up prizes of Viking goody bags. To enter, go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a memorable two nights city break to Salzburg, with our new competition at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a Kindle Fire HD with Carnival. Enter the competition today at www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a fantastic 2 nights stay at Park Efteling in The Netherlands. Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions Win a set of GHDs, courtesy of Hoseasons. Banish those bad hair days now, see www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:

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


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Booking incentives ●

AS PART of its ongoing support of its UK trade partners, Crystal Cruises has announced a new agent incentive aimed at encouraging team work in agencies and driving sales, with a range of prizes up for grabs. The ‘Crystal Cruises Seahorse Stakes’ incentive, which runs until the end of the year, sees UK agents work their way around a racetrack with prizes awarded as bookings increase. Any UK agencies who achieve the ultimate goal of 25 bookings within the incentive period will be rewarded with a private box at the races for up to 16 people. Along the way, other prizes include a horse riding day in the country for five bookings, a luxury hamper worth £100 for ten bookings, theatre tickets for two plus dinner for 15 bookings and a pamper day for 20 bookings, plus a number of surprise ‘Spot Prizes’. Agencies will receive a poster-size racetrack course on which they can record and track bookings and progress with each booking earning them one point and allowing them

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VIR olpix camera by chance to win a NIKON Co pictures to a rid emailing their best Flo .com, along with ays lid ho florida.snap@virgin agency name and their name, ABTA number, er by April 4. mb address plus telephone nu

It’s in the stars… What’s in store for Aries?

A SHIFT in the stars suggests new beginnings for you, so now is the time to learn a new skill or apply for a new position. For the rest of this month and next things are looking up financially, but be aware of any health niggles - it is best to get them checked out for peace of mind. Lucky day: Tuesday

agentbulletin

to move forward one space. Agents should look out for ‘Enhanced Sailings’ throughout the year where double points (moving forwards two spaces) will be awarded for bookings made on specific sailings. Agents will also be able to earn points through their own creative marketing activity such as hosting a client or staff training event, issuing inspiring mailings to their database and displaying the line's window posters. For details see www.discovercrystal.co.uk ●

MAJOR TRAVEL has teamed up with Etihad to give agents the chance to win shopping vouchers in its latest booking incentive. Throughout this month, all agents booking Etihad Diamond Class will receive a £50 shopping voucher per booking and for Etihad Pearl Class a £30 shopping voucher per booking. For details see www.major4agents.co.uk or call 0800-035 5681.

Training updates

SATOA IS hosting a Tour Ope rator Dinner on April 2 in London and a Travel Agent Dinner on April 29 in Berkshire. For details call 0844-880 242 1 or email info@satoa.com SOUTH AFRICAN Airways has launched its new trade website at www.flysaat rade.com which covers the airline's routes, flee t and contact details, to FAQs and latest new s. Agents entering the carrier's compet ition at ott.travel before March 31 have the cha nce to win an iPad mini. TOURISM NEW Zealand has launched its new trade website, which is now aligned with newzealand.com to provide a consistent look and feel. The site provides tra ining tools and resources such as online mo dules and the 100% Pure New Zealand Spe cialist programme. For details visit www.traveltrade.newzealand. com

Lucky number: 36 www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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THE STATE of Louisiana's Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne recently led a large delegation of industry partners from New Orleans, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and tourism attractions to the UK to promote the music, food and history of the region. In London the group hosted a trade reception at the Lockhart Restaurant near Marble Arch whose American chef prepared a range of Deep South specialities and guests were given a masterclass in regional cocktail making...

COCKTAIL CLASS...Pictu red learning the ropes of cocktail making are, from the le ft: Maggi Smith , Americ a As You Like It ; Sharon Moser, H ouma CVB; Pramila Siw a, Titan & Saga ; Lynn Dorsey, W ebsite Parish CVB Lousia na ; and Jay Dardenne , Louisiana Office of Tourism .

RAISING A GL ASS...is Kieran Meeke (le ft) fro m TRL.C OM and Ky le Edmi ston fro m Loui siana Of fice of Tour ism . 10

March 21 2014

: Sharon Moser STAR LINE-UP...From the lef t are Jody Hanson from and Hal Moser from Houma CVB; uisiana; and Jay TTM World ; Cathy Dardenne, Lo urism . Dardenne, Louisiana Office of To

tips are , NOTEPADS AT THE READY...Picking up Tours & from the left: Jamie Loizou , Trafalgar Rouge; Kim Insight Vacations; Robert Guasco, Baton ieson, STA. Priez, New Orleans CVB; and Clare Jam

MERRY MUSIC...Entertainment for the event was provided by Phil Underwood.

g up ALL THE MOVES...Catchin are David Wade (left) from el Str ictly Elvi s UK/ Elvi s Trav m Ser vice and Jay Dardenne fro . Loui siana Of fice of Tour ism www.travelbulletin.co.uk


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puzzlebulletin

Su Doku

Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle

Travagrams

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

Number: 011

Rate Fool

A➠

B➠ This carrier sponsors Manchester United FC

C➠

Runs Jiny

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:

Where Am I?

Don’t worry, you won’t be put on trial ‘inn’ these hotels

competition@travelbulletin.co.uk Closing date for entries is Thursday, March 27th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 7th March is Paula Hume, Stewart Travel in Troon. March 7 Solution: A=9 B=6 C=7 D=2

Crossword

My state capital is Tallahassee.

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

Number: 011

Across 1. Well-known safari holidays specialist (5) 3. Family friendly P&O cruise ship (5) 5. The port of Newhaven is in this county (4,6) 8. Liverpool John Lennon airport code (3) 9. Colin, star of A New York Winter's Tale (7) 11. One of the country destinations featured by 1 Across (7) 12. Currency of Bulgaria (3) 13. City in South Carolina, sounds like a dance (10) 16. Cape Town's iconic landmark, ___ Mountain (5) 17. Cruise company with HQ in Genoa (5)

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Down 1. BBC crime drama series set in Scotland (8) 2. Part of Australia, initially (3) 3. Wolfgangsee is a popular tourist lake in this country (7) 4. Abu Dhabi is the capital (3) 6. This Massachusetts city could bewitch you (5) 7. Ljubljana is the capital (8) 9. Jewellery House, famous for its lavish Imperial Eggs (7) 10. Popular Red Sea resort (5) 14. Airline centre of operations (3) 15. San Francisco airport code (3)

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30 March 21 2014

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Industry Insight by... Don’t confuse deliberate with deliberation says Colin O’Neill, business development director of The Advantage Travel Partnership

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HILST I appreciate that many of you will not be able to attend the forthcoming Advantage Travel Partnership conference in Dubai this May, I still thought that one of the sessions that we have planned is universally relevant to us all. Undoubtedly, one of the most compelling aspects of our industry is the strong entrepreneurial spirit that ripples through it, however, it is becoming increasingly obvious that this creativity needs to be wedded to a deliberate business plan if the business benefit is to be fully realised. Drawing upon the extensive leadership experience of one of our keynote speakers, Ellis Watson, we will argue the case that business leaders need to set out a clear development path for their organisation - a path that is clearly understood by the staff within the organisations, creating value to the organisation and also to the current customers of that business and potential new ones to it. And Ellis Watson should know what he is talking about - having worked for Rupert Murdoch at The Sun and Simon Cowell, he is now CEO Publishing at media group D C Thomson. The formulation of a simple, focused and, above all, realistic business plan is the core element to this process - a plan which is part of the everyday business rather than something which once created is confined to either the actual or technological filing cabinet – never to see the light again. And once that plan is developed, not forgetting the input of staff, the senior managers within that business need to become real leaders: Championing the plan and leading by example Ensuring that staff are properly trained, motivated and directed- That the consumer proposition is clear and compelling ● That the total consumer experience is consistent with the aspirations in the plan ● Finally, that the business leaders have the courage and conviction to make changes to that plan if its realisation is being held back. ● ●

If a plan needs to be adapted or changed, this does not devalue the worth of the original plan but we have to accept in life that we seldom get things right from the start, particularly something as complicated and emotive as a plan for a business. The real skill is being able to review that plan on a regular

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"If a plan needs to be adapted or changed, this does not devalue the worth of the original plan but we have to accept in life that we seldom get things right from the start, particularly something as complicated and emotive as a plan for a business" basis and to objectively identify and importantly, implement remedial action. I suspect a number of people may get to the end of this article and write it off as so obvious and perhaps even a bit patronising but if you consider that to be the case, then why don’t you all take a look at your current business plan and ask yourself: Is it something that you really consider is fit for purpose? Is it something that is understood by your staff and their role in achieving it? ● Has the risk of failure being reduced to a minimum, turning the balance in favour of deliberate success? ● ●

Finally, as we will debate in Dubai, it is phrases such as ‘with a bit of luck’ and ‘we hope it will work’ that should be thrown into the bin, in that goals will be reached because a business ‘deliberately’ set out to achieve them and had the sense and skills along the way to adjust the plan to ensure success.

”One of the most compelling aspects of our industry is the strong entrepreneurial spirit that ripples through it” March 21 2014

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Free and fast Wi-Fi with no strings becomes a reality for guests of one hotel group by PAUL SCUDAMORE GLH HOTELS, which claims to be the largest owneroperator hotel company in London with more than 4,000 rooms, or more than 10% of the city's fully functioning hotel rooms, has announced the launch, with BT, of full, fast and free Wi-Fi at all of its 36 UK properties with no requirement to register. It means the service is available throughout the hotels - from the lobby to the bathroom - with a single click to gain access. It also means that anyone - a guest or not - can use the free service. The company maintains that the major investment of close to £2m will see its appeal to all guests such as business travellers, groups and individuals surpass that of rival hotel groups, and has already seen a 13% increase in business. The group's 15 London properties include the Charing Cross Hotel, Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch, Grosvenor at Victoria, Tower Hotel at Tower Bridge and Royal Horseguards Hotel on the Embankment. Its national brand is Thistle Hotels, which recently carried out a survey of 2,000 people and discovered "surfing" was one of the most popular holiday pastimes for Brits, but that having to pay for Wi-Fi was one of the top "holiday hates". The survey also found that when booking a holiday, fast, free and reliable Wi-Fi was a more important consideration that the hotel having a swimming pool or being close to local attractions. The CEO of glh Mike DeNoma said: "It's crazy to think that in 2014 hotel chains are still charging up to £20 a day for Wi-Fi. Our research shows that free and fast WiFi is very important, which is why we partnered with BT Wi-Fi to upgrade our existing free internet access with no registration, no limitations and no fine print so that customers can simply click and connect without fuss or fee. And most importantly, they don't have to sign up to memberships or earn loyalty points to qualify."

VILLA MALY, a boutique hotel in Laos' Luang Prabang, is marking Songkran (Lao New Year) with a three-night package from April 13-16 that leads in at US$452 for two or $367 for one. It includes breakfast, airport transfers, a spa treatment and a dinner cruise on the Mekong River on the Nava Mekong. For details email info@villa-maly.com

EMG expands portfolio with launch of new luxury resort in Vietnam EMERALDA MANAGEMENT Group (EMG) has announced a portfolio expansion with the launch of its latest luxury hotel, the Emeralda Resort, Ninh Binh. Located in Northern Vietnam, the new five-star property sits within the primeval tropical-forest of the Van Long Nature Reserve and offers an ideal base for exploring Vietnam's ancient Royal Capital including Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc - Bich Dong and the Kenh Ga floating village. The company's chief commercial officer, Luong Trac Duc, said: "We are delighted to launch Emeralda Resort to the UK market, which is an important market for us and we're keen to support it with sales initiatives and training that educate and offer a full explanation of key USPs for each property." For more information visit www.emeraldaresort.com

InBrief ● RELAIS & Châteaux has announced the addition of six new

members as it approaches its 60th anniversary. They include Maison d’Uzès in Gard, France; Hotel Restaurant Mammertsberg in Freidorf overlooking Lake Constance, Switzerland; Chasa Montana Hotel & Spa in Samnaun, Switzerland; Myconian Utopia Resort on the Greek island of Mykonos; Mihir Garh in Jodhpur, India; and Brilliant Resort & Spa in Kunming next to Yangzong Lake in China’s Yunnan province. ● THE FAIRMONT Hamilton Princess in Bermuda is undertaking a $70m renovation and restoration project that will maintain the historic character of the hotel, while adding luxury and contemporary features. It includes the renovation and restoration of the guestrooms and suites in the Poinciana Wing of the hotel, a new resort pool, the development of a new marina and harbour side restaurant, plus enhancements to the infrastructure. ● SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, At The Shard, London has opened its reservation lines for rooms, events and Tīng – the signature

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restaurant and lounge on level 35. The hotel will open on May 6 with room rates starting from £450 per room, per night, including VAT. For details see www.shangri-la.com/london ● MOROCCO'S MAZAGAN Beach & Golf Resort is promoting a special Easter offer which is valid from April 1-30. Rates start from 1300 MAD (approximately £95) per night in a Pool View Room, including breakfast and airport transfers. The offer includes dinner for two adults and two kids under 12; 50% off children’s rooms (under 12 years); two-for-one spa treatments per room; five rounds of mini karting per child; free access to leisure and wellness activities throughout the stay including biking, fitness and tennis; free access to the casino and nightclub (for parents) including a 250 MAD casino bonus play per person; and free access to all kids clubs. The offer is subject to tourist taxes (MAD 49.50 per person, per day). For details email reservations@mazaganbeachresort.com or see www.mazaganbeachresort.com

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SHORT HAUL Canary Islands | Algarve | Madeira | Mallorca | Menorca | Ibiza | Andaluc铆a | French Riviera Italy | Malta | Croatia | Greece and Greek Islands | Cyprus | Turkey | Morocco | Red Sea

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The Simply Luxury by Travel 2 Short Haul brochure will include destinations that provide an array of cultural experiences, breathtaking beaches, abundance of culinary delights and a selection of the finest hand selected 4 & 5* luxurious hotels at exceptional value. All packaged together by our dedicated luxury specialist team, providing an understated and effortless service. TO CONTACT OUR SIMPLY LUXURY SPECIALISTS, CALL 0800 678 1497 OR EMAIL SIMPLYLUXURY@TRAVEL2.COM

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TRANSUN IS offering guests the chance to experience the best of Iceland and Greenland with a three-night 'A Greenland Encounter' package. The trip offers travellers the opportunity to take in the sights of Reykjavik and explore the surrounding volcanic landscapes, geysers and waterfalls. From here travellers can also opt for a whale-watching excursion in Faxafloi Bay or take a trip to the Blue Lagoon. The highlight of the break is a day trip to Kulusuk, Greenland, which includes a two-hour speed boat cruise around the icebergs, with views of glaciers, before visiting the ruins of an abandoned settlement. Prices start from £1,199 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights, all relevant transfers, three nights' breakfast accommodation, a two-hour speedboat cruise and a walking tour of Kulusuk. For details see www.transun.co.uk/agents or call 01865-265200.

Eight-day volcano hike from Exodus EXODUS HAS announced the launch of a new eight-day Iceland Volcano Hike with the first departure taking place on July 5. The moderate trek explores some of Iceland’s most impressive landscapes, from its rugged coast to dramatic volcano highlands and passes through fast-changing landscapes including the Thorsmork area, which features the craters of Eyafjallajokull Volcano. The route then follows the Eldgja volcano fissure, traversing lava flows, crossing streams and skirting lakes, descending through canyons and climbing occasional peaks on the way. For details see www.exodus.co.uk or call 0845 863 9601

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Natural Wonders of Iceland tour from £2,635 with Insight INSIGHT VACATIONS has expanded its country roads style touring in its 2014 Europe, Britain, Eastern Mediterranean and Morocco brochure. The brochure features an eight-day Natural Wonders of Iceland circular tour which begins in the capital of Reykjavik. Guests will receive an orientation tour before heading east to visit the country’s newest geothermal heat and electric power station at Hellisheidavirkjun, before continuing on to the hot springs at Geysir and the Gullfos Waterfall.

Other highlights include a visit to the National Park at Skaftafell, a drive through the sand desert of Modrual to the Dettifoss, plus visits to Lake Myvatn and Godafoss waterfalls. Prices start from £2,635 per person including flights and transport, seven nights' breakfast accommodation, VIP door-to-door airport transfers, included sightseeing and the services of a tour director. For more information visit www.insightvacations.com

Best Served Scandinavia's new escorted tour takes in Northern Lights BEST SERVED Scandinavia is introducing a new escorted tour to Iceland for clients looking to take in the Northern lights during winter 2014/15. The five-day itinerary takes in the winter wilderness of southern Iceland, starting and ending in the capital Reykjavik and visiting a number of the region's sites, including the iceberg-filled waters of the Jokulsarlon Lagoon and

the waterfalls of Gullfoss and Skogafoss. Accommodation is in remote countryside locations to give guests the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Prices lead in at £860 per person based on two sharing and £975 for solo travellers. It includes flights, a fully escorted three-day tour with a local guide, two nights' breakfast accommodation in Centerhotel Plaza, two

nights' half-board accommodation in Hotel Edda in Vik, a visit to an Icelandic farm with horse stables and geothermal greenhouse, an evening lecture and a hunt for the Northern Lights while staying in Hotel Edda (weather dependent). The price also includes entrance to Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center and entrance to the Blue Lagoon. For more information see www.best-served.co.uk

March 21 2014

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Discover The World issues 2014 Iceland & Greenland summer programme DISCOVER THE World has launched its 2014 Iceland & Greenland summer programme. Written by Iceland experts, the programme places greater emphasis on visiting quieter, off-the-beatentrack destinations. All self-drive itineraries are more in-depth and typically recommend a choice of up to ten different places to visit, or experiences to embark upon, every day. The company has launched an iPad touring service for all summer self-drives called iDiscover, which offers a personal online travel guide complete with itinerary details, a route guidance system and a range of apps/weblinks to assist with everyday matters such as monitoring local road and weather conditions. Meanwhile, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the completion of the country’s 832-mile Route 1 ring road. The coastal road circumnavigates the whole of Iceland and allows access to some of the island’s natural wonders on a 14night self-drive Around Iceland tour. Departing April to October, the 14night itinerary costs from £1,285 per person based on two sharing and includes breakfast accommodation and car rental. Flights from London, Manchester or Glasgow with Icelandair cost from £252 per person, while flights with easyJet and WOW Air are also offered. Tours include In the Footsteps of Erik the Red, offering nine days of hiking with time to explore the remains of Viking settlements and beach trails at the foot of the Greenland Icecap. The 11-night trip

Arnarstapi-Snaefellsnes Peninsula

is available from £2,285 per person including transfers between Keflavi, two nights’ breakfast accommodation in Reykjavik (twin share), nine nights’ accommodation in shared hostel/farm accommodation in Greenland (full board), the services of a guide and excursions as detailed in the itinerary. The price is based on a July 9 departure. With Iceland sitting in the middle

of the Atlantic, the operator also offers holiday options to North America travelling direct from Keflavik. North American gateways include Anchorage, Vancouver and Halifax with a flight time of fourand-a-half hours from Keflavik to Halifax and seven hours to Anchorage. For more information or to book call 01737-214291 or see www.discover-the-world.co.uk

Inspired by Iceland celebrates Viking heritage with selection of themed activities THE VIKINGS played a rich part in Iceland’s history and Inspired by Iceland has put together a round-up of Vikingthemed activities in the destination. Activities include Viking World (or ‘Víkingaheimar’ in Icelandic), a Viking-themed museum in West Iceland, located near to Keflavik airport - an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. The main exhibition hall was designed by the Icelandic artist Guðmundur Jónsson and houses a life-size model of a Viking ship called the ‘Íslendingur’ (‘Icelander’), which visitors can board. The museum has five different exhibition spaces, as well as a small zoo, playground and an outdoor classroom, all of which are linked to the Viking Age. Entry costs 1,200 ISK (£6) per adult, 1,000 ISK (£5) for concessions and children under 14 go free. For details visit www.vikingaheimar.is/en Meanwhile, more than 100 Vikings from ten different nations, as well as around 60 Icelandic Vikings, get together each year in Hafnarfjörður at the Viking Village for the Viking Festival. From June 14-17, the Vikings will

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reassemble for a weekend of entertainment. Visitors attending the festival will see models of ships, experience Viking cuisine and music, as well as witness archery and battle demonstrations. The festival will also involve educational games and storytelling. Those wishing to spend the night can stay at the Viking Hotel, which is decorated on the first floor in Viking. Tickets cost 800 ISK (£4) per adult and 400 ISK (£2) per child. See www.fjorukrain.is/en Visitors to Iceland can also sail on The Viking Ship in Dýrafjörður, Westfjords. Running each year from MayOctober, the ship takes up to 18 passengers per trip and the journey is roughly two hours in length. Prices start from 11,500 ISK (£63) per adult and children under seven go free. A Viking Horse Riding Tour on Westmann islands is also available from 17,000 ISK (£90) per adult and lasts approximately seven hours, including lunch. For details visit www.extremeiceland.is/en For more information see www.visiticeland.com

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STRACTA HOTELS - A NEW HOTEL CHAIN IN ICELAND We are proud to introduce a brand new Icelandic hotel chain, which will build new 100-150-room hotels all around the country at some of its top tourism hotspots. The first hotel is near the village of Hella in South Iceland – surrounded by volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls and glaciers. Book your stay at www.stractahotels.is

Goðafoss Mývatn

Skálholt

Skaftafell

S TR ACTA HOT ELS EHF | REY K JAVIKURVEGI 66 | 220 HAF NA RFJ O RDU R | IC E L A N D | W W W.S T RAC TA H OT E LS .IS | IN FO @S T RAC TA H OT E LS.I S | TE L +3 5 4 5 3 1 -8 0 0 0


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Calvin Klein announced as guest speaker at Reykjavik’s DesignMarch 2014 CALVIN KLEIN will be guest speaker at Reykjavik’s DesignMarch which takes place from March 27-30 at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura. Guests at the event can listen to Calvin Klein’s speech about life in the fashion world and experience up to 150 fashion shows, events, exhibitions and parties. Later this year, the hotel’s Satt Restaurant will be transformed into Order to Effect, a concept eatery where patrons select cuisine by physiological impact. Four nights’ breakfast accommodation at the hotel during DesignMarch leads in at £355 per person, based on two sharing a double bedroom. For more information or to book visit www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/natura Flights from Heathrow to Reykjavik with Icelandair cost from £322 based on a March 27 departure and returning on March 30 to Gatwick. For details call 0844-8111 190 or visit www.icelandair.co.uk

15% commission from Hella's Stracta Hotel THE NEW Stracta Hotel in Hella is encouraging agents to highlight a three-night stay at the property to prospective clients. The hotel is ideally located to offer a wide range of activities, as well as leisure and adventure options, which guests can enjoy while taking in the natural surroundings of the hotel. Examples include hiking, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, rafting, kayaking, horse-riding, super jeep tours, helicopter rides, golf, swimming, caving and fishing. On-site facilities include a sauna, Jacuzzis, massage treatments, restaurant, bistro and bar. Prices for a double room lead in at €116 per person, per night and the property offers 15% commission to travel agents. For more information visit www.stractahotels.is

Iceland Travel encourages travellers to take an #ElfieSelfie to discover elfin folklore ICELAND TRAVEL is taking the ‘selfie’ photo sharing phenomenon to another level, with the launch of #ElfieSelfie, a new way for travellers to discover Iceland’s elfin folklore. This summer, travellers will find suggested #ElfieSelfie locations, including troll-shaped lava formations and miniature painted elf houses, added to the operator’s selection of online itineraries. Jakobina Gudmundsdottir, the operator's sales and marketing manager, said: “It’s an undeniable fact that photo sharing is an essential part of the travel experience here in photogenic Iceland. We’re updating our existing tours with entertaining elf sites and using social media to engage visitors who often seem fascinated by this particular mythology which sometimes manifests itself in our nature as well.” The mythology includes the Viking-age belief in ‘hidden people’ which includes elves, trolls, fairies and supernatural beings believed to be living in the lava. Beginning this summer, visitors to Iceland are encouraged to tag photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag for posting on the operator’s dedicated #ElfieSelfie page, www.icelandtravel.is/elfieselfie

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researcher nn, holiday by John Gui

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

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T HAS taken many emails, telephone calls and quite a bit of googling, but I am finally about to try a shot of Black Death. To be honest, I am a little scared, I’m even thinking of chickening out of it. You only have to read a few reviews of ‘bucket and spade’ resorts to find that there is a lot of British travellers who don’t like foreign food. I really don’t understand why these people don’t try an alternative to sausages, egg and chips when they are away. Although with that said, I don’t either, and I have a note from my mum excusing me. I’m a vegan, and yes, I am larger than you would expect for a vegan. I find eating a steak as off putting as staring at a bowl of Kale Pache, so there is no way that I’ll be trying something like Iceland’s infamous Hákarl. The sharks used for this are poisonous if eaten in the conventional (as in British) way, and you have to wonder how someone discovered that letting the meat rot underground and then hanging it for months made it safe to eat. Being told as a first-timer to hold your nose while trying to eat something is hardly the best way to sell something. Let’s just say that it’s probably an acquired taste, and while searching for Black Death I was warned off trying Hákarl. But there wasn’t any danger of me trying it. However, they did also suggest that I shouldn’t try what I’m about to do as well. Iceland did have limited resources to food so it makes sense that they became very adventurous in preparing and storing what they did have access to. Which is why I wanted to try something Icelandic, and it appears that Brennivín (also known as ‘Black Death’) is suitable for vegans. It wasn’t easy to find, eventually a bottle was found in Icelandair’s London Office www.icelandair.co.uk. So my thanks (for the moment at least) go to Hjalti Jónsson for giving me this opportunity. Brennivín is Iceland’s signature alcoholic drink. It is made from fermented grain or potatoes, and flavoured with angelica, cumin and caraway. The label says 37.5% vol, so who said that vegan food can’t be interesting? It has been stored in the freezer as Hjalti suggested, so here goes…

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers four exploration cruise options from regional ports FRED. OLSEN Cruise Lines is offering guests the chance to explore ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ on four exploration cruises to Iceland. The itineraries sail from four regional departure ports – Southampton, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool and Newcastle – from May to August, on Black Watch, Boudicca or Balmoral. The company's sales and marketing director, Nathan Philpot, said: “Iceland has emerged as an up-andcoming tourist destination in the last couple of years and, because of Fred. Olsen’s Norwegian heritage and Norwegian Officers on board, we have generations of experience and a passion for sailing these northern waters. We visit the three accessible sides of Iceland – the west, north and east – giving guests a real insight

into this fascinating country. “What's more, guests who book one of these ‘experiential’ cruises between now and March 31 will benefit from our special ‘closer to departure’ prices, which start from £83 per person, per night.” As examples of prices, a 14-night 'Blue Lagoons & White Water’ cruise from Southampton on Balmoral costs from £1,149 per person, based on a May 31 departure. Boudicca’s 14night ‘Discover Iceland & Norway’ cruise from Bristol, departing on June 14, leads in at £1,149, while Black Watch’s 11-night ‘Puffins, Waterfalls & Geysers’ cruise from Newcastle, departing on July 20, costs from £999. Prices are based on two adults sharing a twinbedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all

Gullfoss Waterfall

meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes. Solo travellers can benefit from no single supplement on selected cruises and cabins, and all guests can also choose to

upgrade to the ‘allinclusive’ drinks package for £10 per person, per night. For further information see www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0800-035 5242.


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Iceland reports 65.2% rise in UK visitor numbers in January

TABER HOLIDAYS is highlighting its two-week Iceland’s Full Circle tour which costs from £2,264 per person. The motoring tour circumnavigates the 832-mile highway this summer and starts and ends in the capital Reykjavik. Guests will take in waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers and geysers on daily tours that deparrt between May 1 and September 30. The price includes flights from Heathrow, transfers, car hire with unlimited mileage, breakfast accommodation and most evening meals. Also being highlighted is Norway’s UNESCO World Heritage tour, which costs from £2,282. The 11-night self-guided motoring tour takes in four out of Norway’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and the price includes flights from Heathrow, 11 nights’ breakfast accommodation and car hire with unlimited mileage. Based on two sharing, it departs daily from June 1 to August 27. For details call 01274-875199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk

PROMOTE ICELAND has announced that Iceland saw a record growth of 65.2% in British visitors during January. During the same period last year, the country welcomed 10,031 tourists from the UK, whilst January this year saw a record 16,576 UK visitors. The tourist board says that a number of factors may have caused the significant increase in visitors, including NASA’s prediction that conditions for catching the Northern Lights during the winter months of 2013 and 2014 were at their best in 50 years. Líney Inga Arnórsdóttir, project manager for marketing at the tourist board, said: “We are delighted to have seen such an increased interest in Iceland in January and we are particularly pleased that the amount of tourists from the UK that are discovering Iceland during the winter months has increased by so much, outside of the peak summer months. “We are optimistic that UK numbers will remain buoyant for the rest of 2014 due to a number of exciting new projects which are in the pipeline, including the opening of a number of new hotels and attractions. Similarly, Iceland is only a two-and-a-half hour flight from UK and an increasing number of airlines are offering direct flights. Last year was a phenomenal success for Iceland and we hope that more UK visitors will continue to be inspired by Iceland in 2014.”

Iceland plays host to new three-day music festival

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ICELAND'S NEW music festival, Secret Solstice, is set to take place in Reykjavik over the weekend of June 20-22. The capital city will offer festival-goers a three-day weekend of partying and music and will be headlined by Brit music giants, Massive Attack. The line-up announced so far features more than 150 established and up-and-coming international acts from a multitude of genres, including Woodkid, Damian Lazarus, Eats Everything, Skream Jackmaster, Boddika, Oneman and Kerri Chandler. Located in Laugardalur in central Reykjavik, the festival site offers various outdoor and indoor stages as well as the largest thermal pool in Iceland, Laugardalslaug. Accommodation in the form of hostels, guesthouses, luxury hotels and camping sites are all within a five minute walk. WOW air is the official travel partner of Secret Solstice and is offering a limited number of three-day festival passes from £73 each. For more details or to purchase tickets visit www.secretsolstice.is. Early bird UK tickets can also be found at www.ticketarena.co.uk Fares on the carrier's direct route between Gatwick and Reykjavik lead in at £69 one-way, including taxes and hand luggage allowance, plus a handbag and dutyfree shopping bag. For more information or to book flights visit www.wowair.co.uk

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Getabed secures low rates at Hyatt Times Square New York GETABED HAS announced special new rates at the four-and-a-half-star Hyatt Times Square New York. Opened in December last year, the new hotel offers 487 guest rooms spread over 54 floors with views over the heart of Manhattan. The residential-style guest rooms offer floor to ceiling windows along with a selection of in-room amenities. Getabed has announced low rates at the hotel, offering savings of up to 43% off its previous selling price, and is currently taking bookings through to March 2015. Prices start from £85 per person, per night. For details see www.getabed.co.uk

Ferrari World

ATTRACTION WORLD has enhanced its Dubai product range which now features more than 25 excursions and attractions. New additions include Wild Wadi Water Park for £50 per adult and £41 per child (four-11yrs); lunch at Burj Al Arab (including transfers to and from hotel) for £130 per adult and £67 per child; and High Tea at Burj Al Arab (including transfers) for £99 per adult and £49 per child. A Ferrari World excursion is also available (including transfers) from £89 per person. For details see www.attractionworld.com

airberlin announces launch of new data formats for dynamic packagers AIRBERLIN, GERMANY’S second largest airline, has optimised flight price data to supply dynamic price comparison and packaging systems in collaboration with TravelTainment and Peakwork, two software specialists for the tourist industry. This has enabled TravelTainment to record availability of almost 100% and price correction percentages in single figures. On the basis of airberlin fare and availability data, a system has been developed by the carrier which updates flight price

data every two hours for the whole of the airline's group’s flight programme, with departures from Germany, Austria and Switzerland shown in the EDF format from Peakwork. This is the basis for being able to make INFX data available using the Peakwork player. TravelTainment has put together a team of experts responsible for the integration and quality assurance of the data for the TT-BistroPortal and TT-DataMix systems. For details see www.airberlin.com

New members join The Zulu Route

HOLIDAY EXTRAS is offering a range of flexible insurance policies that are underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance. Insurance includes single trips and annual policies, business trips, winter sports, weddings and cruises. The company also offers Latitude, a competitively priced insurance service for those up to the age of 89 with pre-existing medical conditions. It covers everything from medical expenses and delays to lost baggage. For details call 0871-360 2590 or email travelinsurance@holidayextras.com

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THE ZULU Route, a collection of properties marketing themselves on a series of routes or itineraries in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa, has welcomed the addition of new properties. They include The Cavern, Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park and Umkhumbi Lodge. Highlights of The Zulu Route include numerous game reserves, the Drakensberg Mountains, sandy white beaches, dive spots, historical battlefields and a mix of Zulu/Indian/Western culture. The route also encourages visitors to explore off-the-beaten-track and agents can either create an itinerary from scratch for their clients or select one of the suggested 'ready to go' itineraries. As an example of prices, a three-night breakfast stay at Ghost Mountain Inn in Zululand, which has recently announced a new Family Bush Break package, leads in at approximately £149 per person. It includes a boat cruise, 15% off safaris, spa treatments and laundry services plus a welcome fruit bowl on arrival. Kids’ activities range from grubby bug walks, learning Zulu crafts, nature treasure hunts, fishing, pizza making, canoeing, navigation skills and learning how to cook on a camp fire. For details see www.zuluroute.com

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New London restaurant options available with Superbreak TWO DINING options at the Criterion Restaurant are now available for agents to book when packaging up London short breaks with Superbreak. An afternoon tea option and a lunch/dinner steak offer can be added to any hotel booking. Afternoon Tea at the restaurant, which is located in Piccadilly Circus, is available for £19.50 per Criterion Restaurant person and includes three sandwiches, three cakes or sweets, two scones, homemade jams, clotted cream and selection of teas and coffees. It is available daily year-round. A Sizzler Steak option costs £21 and offers aged beef steak served on a sizzling hot stone platter with potato puree and green beans. It is available for lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday in January, February, June, July, August, September and October. The dining options must be booked in conjunction with a hotel stay. For more information see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

ALL ACCOMMODATION featured in Lagrange Holidays' France 2014 programme can be booked as accommodation-only, as part of a self-drive (via ferry or Eurotunnel crossing) or rail travel package from the UK. The newly-built ‘Les Patios Eugénie’ Lagrange Prestige apartments in Biarritz (pictured) are located in the heart of the city and two miles from Biarritz’s airport, making them an ideal option to match with a range of dynamic packaging options to suit clients' needs. The company is urging agents to encourage clients to book before April 12 to save up to 5% on the cost of their accommodation for stays throughout the summer, including school holidays. A one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four leads in at £839 for the week based on a stay from July 26 when booked by April 12. Agent commission on accommodation starts from 10% plus VAT. For details call 020 7371 6111 or visit www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk

Don't miss a step this year when taking your extended family on holiday warns Gocompare.com GOCOMPARE.COM IS warning step families to take time out to check the fine print of their travel insurance before going on holiday, as the whole family might not be included. The comparison website examined 473 annual travel insurance policies and found that only 297 policies cover step children regardless of whether they live with the main insured person or not, while 174 state that the step children must live with the main insured person to be included in the cover. Some of those insurers that don't cover step-children as part of a family policy will if they are named on the policy, while others say you can add a step child to the policy if a family premium is paid. The company's product development manager, Caroline Lloyd, said: "Step families are increasingly common in today's society, so it seems strange that these children aren't included on travel insurance policies as a matter of course. "Whether the child lives for the majority of time with the main insured person or not, when they are holidaying together

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March 21 2014

as a family, the child is a dependent of that person, whether they are a birth parent, or step parent. "One way around this is to ensure that when a family with step children are planning a holiday that the biological parent buys the travel insurance - not the step parent. That way all children will be covered as they won't be deemed step children, or if your family includes step children on both sides, make sure your insurer covers all of the children before buying. "Again, checking the fine print of your insurance documents will mean that you won't get caught without cover for your step children. When you are buying your travel insurance make sure that it includes everything you need, and if you are a step family, check that your step children are included in the policy. "If you are in doubt about whether your current policy protects your step children, then call your travel insurance provider. They should be able tell you straight away, and if you need additional cover to protect them, you might be able to add that to your policy."

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dynamicpackaging

APH highlights the slippery slope of ski insurance policies AIRPORT PARKING and Hotels (APH) has compiled a guide highlighting ski insurance policies. The guide, which is available in the Know Before You Go section at www.aph.com/skiinsurance2014, highlights the travel insurance policies available in both Europe and worldwide, comparing the costs and stipulations across 18 major travel insurance companies including Direct Line, HSBC and AA. With regards to the cost of winter sports insurance in Europe, prices vary greatly. Lloyds TSB and OUL Classic, for example, charge £59.04 and £62.32 respectively for an individual single trip policy whereas Preferential Travel and Flexicover charge £13.92 and £20.80 respectively for similar policies. The cost of winter sports cover for emergency medical expenses and damage to ski equipment, for a family single trip worldwide, was also found to vary greatly, with Barclays offering the most affordable option at £60.33 and the most expensive policy available with OUL Classic, at £641.38 for Classic Cover. Most of the insurance companies offer similar benefits to policy holders, including cover on ski equipment, piste closure and delays owing to avalanches. However, some insurance firms, such as Endsleigh, were more generous, also including allowance for replacement of ski passes and reimbursement of ski school fees. Certain insurance providers offer a longer length of cover than others, with OUL Classic offering up to 31 days of annual cover whereas Marks & Spencer offers up to 17 days. With 10,000 Brits injuring themselves while on winter sports holidays to the extent that they need hospital treatment, the company says that it is essential that skiers are also aware of medical emergency cover provided by each insurance company. A large proportion of ski insurance firms will cover up to £10m for medical emergencies covers, with a standard excess of £50. However, some offer less as in the case of OUL Classic and InsureandGo, which provide £5m of medical emergency cover. For further information call 01342-859515 or visit www.aph.com

AVIS HAS announced that Peugeot’s latest eco-friendly cars are now available to hire across the UK. The cars, including the 508 Hybrid4 and 3008 Hybrid4, are ideal for those looking to hire a new vehicle and at the same time cut the cost of filling the tank and be eco-friendly. The care hire company has been certified as CarbonNeutral since 1997, offsetting almost 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions to date. For more information visit www.avis.co.uk and www.avisgreenerworld.com

Lowcosttravelgroup reports strong sales & unveils focus areas for 2014 LOWCOSTTRAVELGROUP REPORTS that it has seen a strong start to the year with traffic to its international websites up by more than 50% year-on-year plus a 40% increase in overall sales, and has unveiled its focus for the rest of the year. The company's chief marketing officer, Alex Gisbert, said: “We are delighted that our investment in hotel buying, mobile and diversification from the UK is paying off, with our growth accelerating ahead of schedule. "We are now on course to double the number of contracted hotels we offer across Lowcostbeds and Lowcostholidays." The company's CEO, Paul Evans, said: "Global supply is a massive challenge and our biggest investment area. The uptake from having the right hotel stock for travel agents and travellers across the world from 42 countries is immediate, but customer demand changes and keeping up is crucial to continued growth. “Our top five trade customers are now a combination of UK, South American and Scandinavian companies and our German business is now one of our top growth areas. Going global means our ambition of delivering £1bn in sales within two years is now a tangible goal."

Hotelbeds to celebrate second MarketHub at Ibiza’s Hard Rock Hotel HOTELBEDS WILL be celebrating the second MarketHub Europe in the new Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza from June 3-6 in collaboration with event sponsor Palladium Hotel Group. The five-star hotel will welcome more than 200 experts from the main sectors of the European travel industry, who will discuss the latest industry trends under the theme ‘Forward Thinking’. Carlos Muñoz, managing director of the company, said: “The MarketHub

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Europe has given us the opportunity to share opinions and discuss the future of the industry with key travel players. In this constantly changing industry it is necessary to go the extra mile in analysing the latest trends and technological developments that will be crucial in the future. For this second edition in Europe, we are very satisfied to have selected a destination like Ibiza that, without doubt, has been and continues to be one of the most popular in

March 21 2014

European tourism, and to collaborate with the Palladium Hotel Group as the host sponsor. We are sure that the new Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza will be the perfect venue to host the MarketHub Europe 2014.” Due to open its doors on May 18, the hotel will offer 493 rooms with a modern design as well as space designed to host live events with a capacity for 2,500 people and an open air stage, situated next to the main pool. Other features include four restaurants, a

sky lounge, a sports bar, various bars in the pool and main stage area, a spa and fitness centre and a convention centre with a capacity for 600 people, where the event will be held. The company will also celebrate the sixth edition of MarketHub Americas from May 12-15 at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, and plans to celebrate the first edition of MarketHub Asia in Bangkok at the end of the year. For further details visit www.hotelbeds.com

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RIVIERA TRAVEL is running six-day Carthage, Roman Africa & Moorish Tunisia tours on selected departures up to November. Prices lead in at £679 per person and include flights from Heathrow; half-board accommodation in five-star hotels; one lunch; visits to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites; a guided tour of Hannibal’s and Roman Carthage; a visit to Sidi Bousaid; a guided tour of the Bardo National Museum displaying Carthaginian gold, silverware and the world’s largest collection of Roman; a tour of Tunis and the ancient Roman site of Dougga; plus a stay in Kairouan to take in the mosque, medieval university and old town. For details email agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk or see www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Private tours of Buckingham Palace with hotel stay from Superbreak CULTURE LOVERS can now join private evening tours of Buckingham Palace with Superbreak. After the doors have closed to the public for the day, visitors can explore the State Rooms in the company of an expert guide. Packages are available on September 10 and 19 and combine the evening tour with overnight accommodation. Included as part of the package, guests can visit the special exhibition Royal Childhood which tells the story of life as a young member of the royal family at Buckingham Palace, and the tour concludes with a glass of Champagne. Prices start from £209 per person including one night at the four-star Flemings Mayfair Hotel and a copy of an official guide book. For details or to book see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

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Experience Venice with Luna Hotel Baglioni LUNA HOTEL Baglioni in Venice is positioned close to the Piazza San Marco with views of the San Marco Basin and the island of San Giorgio, offering an ideal base from which to explore the city. The hotel offers a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Recorded as having given shelter to the Knights Templar in 1118, the building was known as Locanda della Luna by 1574 and was decorated with frescoes by Pupils of Giambattista Tiepolo (which now adorn the Marco Polo Ballroom where breakfast is served) during the 18th century. The hotel also runs its own Arts & Culture package which includes entrance to the Doges Palace, the Correr Museum, the Guggenheim, the Archaeological Museum and the Venice National Library. One night’s breakfast accommodation costs from €460, excluding taxes. For more information or to book visit www.baglionihotels.com

March 21 2014

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culturaltours

Guided walking tour of the Azores for solo travellers from Archipelago Choice THE AZORES offers an ideal destination for those travelling solo, with a variety of experiences on offer. The islands, which are in the mid-Atlantic, are characterised by volcanic landscapes, dark cliffs, green valleys and coastlines. Experiences available include hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, swimming with dolphins and horse-riding, all with a ready-made group of holidaymakers and guides to lead the way. For those looking to explore the islands by foot and who are travelling solo, Archipelago Choice offers a guided group walking tour, exploring four of the Azorean islands over two weeks. Explorers can take on the terrain of Sao Miguel, Terceira, Sao Jorge and Faial with a carefully designed itinerary. Travellers will discover the hidden gems of Sete Cidades, the volcanic basin of Furnas, the old city of Angra to Monte Brazil and the capital, Velas. The package leads in at £1,798 per person and includes flights, picnics on full walking days, all walk and airport transfers, services of guides and 14 nights’ breakfast accommodation on a sharing basis, departing on May 31. For more information call 01768-775672 or visit azoreschoice.com

WIN a place on our 3-night Douro FAM! Book any Titan river cruise and you could be joining us on the ‘Royal Barge’*

Taber offers Norway UNESCO World Heritage tour from £2,282 TABER HOLIDAYS is promoting its 11-day UNESCO World Heritage Tour to Norway, with prices leading in at £2,282 per person. The self-guided motoring tour takes in four out of the destination's seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The 11-night trip starts in Norway’s capital, Oslo, and continues to Røros, Trondheim, Ålesund, Solvorn, Lofthus and finally Bergen. As well as the obvious Viking history associated with Norway, it’s a country also well known for its culture, having produced painters, writers and musicians, such as Munch, Ibsen and Grieg. In keeping with the historical destinations featured in the itinerary, the hotels selected have also been chosen for their character, place in history and their high standard of food and service. The price includes flights from Heathrow, 11 nights' breakfast accommodation and car hire with unlimited mileage. It is based on two sharing and departs daily from June 1 to August 27. Also being highlighted is 'The World of Hans Christian Andersen' Denmark tour which costs from £1,036. The seven-night option explores the cities of Odense (the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen) and Copenhagen. The price includes seven nights' breakfast accommodation, flights from Heathrow to Copenhagen and the return rail journey from Copenhagen to Odense. Based on two sharing, daily departures are available from May 1 to September 30. For more information call 01274-875199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk

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Departs from London Gatwick 14 May 2014 and returning 17 May 2014

To order brochures or to find out more, please call

0800 988 5800 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk * TO ENTER – Book any Titan or Uniworld river cruise and email agentadmin@titantravel.co.uk with ABTA, name and booking reference.


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culturaltours

We asked our staff the following question this week: In the future, what do you hope gets invented? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk The self driving car like Kitt in Knight Rider!

Editor: Lauretta Wright lauretta.wright@travelbulletin.co.uk A pill that allows you to lose weight the more you eat. Imagine if you were the inventor...you'd be absolutely rolling in it!

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

Contributing Editor: Paul Scudamore post@travelbulletin.co.uk Apart from free Guinness, mobile devices that don't require battery charging

Sales Director: Simon Eddolls simon.eddolls@travelbulletin.co.uk An ambition curb on Simon Cowell

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

Urban Adventures unveils new Home-Cooked tours INTREPID TRAVEL'S day tour business, Urban Adventures, has expanded its 'Home Cooked' programme, which welcomes travellers into the home of local families to share a meal and chat about local life, culture and traditions. Agents can book the tours directly with the operator or as an add-on to a longer tour with Intrepid. As examples, a three-hour Home Cooked Bucharest tour costs from $25 per person; a three-hour Home Cooked Kochi tour in south India costs from $49; and a four-hour Home Cooked Silk Road tour in Samarkand leads in at $25. Guests who join the tours can shop for ingredients at local markets, join the host in the kitchen to see how typical national dishes are created and sit down with their host family to eat a meal together and learn about local culture.

Online Sales Manager: Nick Boocock nick.boocock@travelbulletin.co.uk It's more a discovery, but a cure for cancer and other serious illnesses would be top of the list

Account Manager: Bill Coad bill.coad@travelbulletin.co.uk A cure for cancer

Sales Executive: Chris Gascoine chris.gascoine@travelbulletin.co.uk Teleportation

Sales Executive: Matt Gill matt.gill@travelbulletin.co.uk Senior Designer: Genaro Santos genaro.santos@travelbulletin.co.uk Computer software that does not crash

Assistant Designer: Nicky Valsamakis nicky.valsamakis@travelbulletin.co.uk Limb regeneration

Production: Erica Sesay production@travelbulletin.co.uk All of the above

Circulation Manager: Jim Merchant post@travelbulletin.co.uk Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Subscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseas ISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter! @TravelBulletin 30

March 21 2014

Inghams boosts small group coach tours for summer INGHAMS HAS introduced new small group coach tours for summer. They include a seven-day Grand Tuscany Explorer which includes a visit to the medieval towns of Siena and Lucca, a day exploring the Piazzas and galleries of Florence and a scenic drive through vineyards and olive groves to the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Prices start from £1,395 and include accommodation in a range of four-star hotels on a half-board basis, all excursions, entrance fees and flights from Gatwick to Pisa with British Airways. The tour runs from May to September. Also available is a seven-night Amalfi Coast Splendours option which is based in the four-star Hotel Regina Palace in the seaside town of Maiori. From here, guests will explore the Amalfi coastline visiting the cosmopolitan town of Sorrento, the archaeological site of Pompeii and the small fishing village of Ravello. The tour also includes a boat trip to the island of Capri. The hotel is centrally located and offers a swimming pool and access to a private beach. Prices start from £999 on a half-board basis and include all excursions, entrance fees and flights from Gatwick to Naples with British Airways. The tour runs from May through to October. Other tours being highlighted include an eight-day Treasures of Sicily from £1,329 on half-board and a seven-night Puglia Discovery from £1,309 on half-board. For more information visit www.inghamsitaly.co.uk/agents or call 01483-79111.

puzzlesolutions

Crossword: Across: 1. SOMAK, 3. AZURA, 5. EAST SUSSEX, 8. LPL, 9. FARRELL, 11. NAMIBIA, 12. LEV, 13. CHARLESTON, 16. TABLE, 17. COSTA. Down: 1. SHETLAND, 2. ACT, 3. AUSTRIA, 4. UAE, 6. SALEM, 7. SLOVENIA, 9. FABERGÉ, 10. EILAT, 14. HUB, 15. SFO.

Highlighted Word: AUSTRALIA Travagrams: (top) Aeroflot

(bottom) Jury’s Inn

Where Am I?: Florida

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We’re stories

We’re rhythms

We’re Egypt

Seeyouinona Nile Cruise LUXOR - ASWAN www.egypt.travel


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