Travel Bulletin 22nd March 2013 by Alain Charles Publishing

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March 22 2013 | ISSUE NO 1,818 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

Cultural Tours Operators highlight new options to inspire clients

this week

agent bulletin win the role of a hotel reviewer for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

event bulletin

images from the Tobago Tourist Office's agent event in Manchester

iceland Promote Iceland welcomes 40% rise in UK visitors

dynamic packaging a round-up of add-on deals to boost sales & commission

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newsbulletin Survey reveals Brits throw caution to the wind on holiday

TEAM ORLANDO…Funway Holidays has launched its first dedicated Orlando brochure featuring the ‘Top 10 Must-Dos’ for each area plus an ‘In Our View’ section, which offers personal reviews of hotels. A ‘Disney - Top Tips’ section is also featured, covering park tickets and hotels, along with increased coverage of each theme park. Brochure prices start from £545 per person for seven nights in a North American Vacation Home on a room-only basis (based on six sharing) and including flights. Pictured marking the new launch are, from the left, the company's: Nick Talbot, Claire Campbell, Stephen Rhodes, Erica Collins, Andrew Barr, Morag Owlett and Robert Thornton.

This Week 3

news

agent bulletin

puzzle bulletin

new report reveals Brits throw caution to the wind on holiday what's in store for Aries? Plus win the role of a hotel reviewer for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts your chance to win a £50 Hotel Chocolat voucher by playing Su Doku

event bulletin the news in images from The Tobago Tourist Office's agent event in Manchester

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iceland

dynamic packaging

cultural tours

Promote Iceland welcomes 40% rise in UK visitors a round-up of add-on deals to boost sales & commission operators highlight new cultural options to inspire clients

Cover Pictures: Main - Apsara dancers at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor Cambodia Inset - Tobago Tourist Office event, Manchester

A NEW poll by Holiday Extras, which asked customers whether they would be put off by an adverse piece of news coverage at their chosen holiday destination, found that holidaymakers pay less attention to warnings about their safety than expected. While the Foreign Office is currently advising travellers to stay away from Borneo, more than half of intrepid men said that trouble in the sun wouldn’t hinder their travel plans at all, with just 34% of men polled stating that a serious incident or crime would stop them from holidaying wherever they wanted. Women were more cautious, with 51% admitting that bad news about a country or resort would be enough to make them change their plans to visit that destination. Some 15% of those questioned stated that they would avoid a resort for a year if it was negatively reported in the news, while 43% said that they would avoid a destination for up to six months. Meanwhile, there would be no going back for 11% of those polled, who said that they would never book a ● continues on next page

March 22 2013

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newsbulletin Easter escapes from £404 with Belleair

Hurtigruten adds more winter charters for 2013/14

BELLEAIR IS offering clients special deals over the Easter break through Malta Direct. Examples include seven nights’ breakfast accommodation at the fourstar Marina Hotel at the Corinthia Beach Resort from £404 per person. The price includes flights from Liverpool, transfers, a mini guide and complimentary access to one of the island’s attractions, and is based on two adults and one child sharing a seaview room for an April 3 arrival. Alternatively, seven nights’ all-inclusive stay at the fourstar Seashells Resort at Suncrest costs from £504, offering a saving of up to £105 per family. Flights from Edinburgh, transfers, a mini guide and complimentary access to one of the island’s attractions is also included, and the price is based on two adults and one child sharing a superior inland balcony room, valid for travel on April 5. For clients with a higher budget, the five-star Corinthia Hotel St. George's Bay is offering seven nights’ breakfast accommodation from £584 per person, saving £74 per family. It includes flights from Luton, private transfers, a mini guide and complimentary entrance to one of the island’s attractions, and is valid for travel on April 5. For further information or to make a booking visit www.belleair.co.uk/agents or call 0845-365 3412.

AGENTS IN Bournemouth and Glasgow can now sell Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights voyages with direct flights from their local airport. The new departures are featured in the operator’s 2013/14 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ brochure. In total, 48 charter flights are offered, with overall prices leading in at £995 per person for a five-day Arctic Highlights tour from Tromso to Kirkenes. Also featured is the Snowhotel in Kirkenes (from £1,593 for eight days) and five ‘Astronomy’ voyages, with prices from £1,608. The operator has created a dedicated poster for agents to use in their windows and will be carrying out training with agents, particularly in the new areas of Bournemouth and Glasgow. For more information call 020-8846 2666 or see www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ agents

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holiday at that place once it had been perceived as dangerous. The operator's head of insurance Andrea Clayton said: "The results of the poll show how positive British people feel about their travels in the world – and this is a really good thing.

Keep in mind, wherever you go on holiday and however daring you intend to be, that you should always follow advice from the Foreign Office. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance and don’t underestimate the cover that you may require wherever you go."

CELEBRATING IN STYLES...Vanya Styles from Howard Travel was the winner of Travel 2's New South Wales campaign and bagged herself an iPad Mini. Pictured celebrating with Vanya is the operator's Andy Harris.

Mailbox Mailings with Travel Bulletin this week include: ● Discover Egypt has combined its Egypt and

Jordan product into one brochure which includes new cruise options, new unique packages that take people to see the real Egypt, new hotels and resorts, plus a range of fantastic discounts. For reservations call 020-7407 2111 or visit www.discoveregypt.co.uk For further details and special offers please read the mail shots that accompany this issue

AHA Group signs management contracts for Gondwana Game Reserve properties AFRICAN HOTELS and Adventures has signed management contracts for the properties on the Gondwana Game Reserve near Mossel Bay, South Africa. The 11,000-hectare reserve is the only fynbos (natural shrubland or heathland vegetation), reserve with free-roaming Big Five game. The reserve also offers Cape mountain zebra, black rhino and black harrier. The Kwena Lodge, which offers 14 suites modelled after traditional Khoi-San dwellings, offers views of the surrounding

March 22 2013

Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges. The reserve also houses several large bush villas featuring two, three or four bedrooms. Villas can be staffed with a personal field guide, chef and butler or rented on a self-catering basis. Activities on offer include game drives and Africology spa treatments. Pinnacle Point, Pezula, Oubaai and Fancourt golf courses are also close by, as well as beaches and coastal towns along the Garden Route. For more information see www.ahagroup.co.za

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newsbulletin Contiki marks Earth Month

MOVERS ● COLLETTE WORLDWIDE Holidays has promoted Steve Stuart to marketing manager. He will

be supported by new recruit, Gail Rees, who has joined the company as marketing assistant. ● CITY CRUISES has appointed Heather Egerton as business development manager. ● DAGMARA POWELL has been appointed product marketing manager for the UK and Northern

Europe for the Hong Kong Tourism Board. ● AFFORDABLE CAR Hire has promoted Chris Laxen to senior partnership manager. ● PAUL VERHAAK has joined The Visit USA Association UK (VUSA) as chief operating officer. ● CLIA, THE new global cruise association, has announced that Andy Harmer will take

responsibility for its activities in Britain and Ireland. Andy, presently head of the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), will take up the position as director of CLIA UK and Ireland on May 1. ● GROSVENOR HOUSE Apartments by Jumeirah Living has appointed Hendrik Engel as operations director. ● SIMON WAKEFIELD has been appointed general manager of The Halkin by COMO, London. ● RIPLEY’S BELIEVE It or Not! London has appointed Luke Reilly as trade sales manager.

Esprit Sun issues early booking deal on Côte d'Azur holidays ESPRIT SUN is offering an early booking incentive for bookings made before April 1. Clients can save £840 per family of four (two adults and two children under six) when staying for two weeks at the Riviera Beach Club on Giens Peninsula, south of France. With the discount, self-drive prices start from £2,428 per family, including ferry crossings, buffet breakfast and evening meals with complimentary wine, a free boat trip, use of swimming pools, tennis courts, beach volleyball, mini golf, pétanque and fitness classes. Nursery and children's clubs are available from £69 for three half-days. For further details call 01483-791919 or see www.espritsun.com

CONTIKI HOLIDAYS is giving travellers the opportunity to travel to the Galápagos in South America next month with environmental activist and granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau, Céline Cousteau. To celebrate Earth Month, travellers on the Ecuador & the Galápagos tour will be accompanied by Céline, and activities include exploring Ecuador’s volcanoes and meeting its indigenous giant tortoises. On the Galápagos Islands, activities include diving and snorkelling plus a visit to the Darwin Centre. The 11-day tour departs on April 21 and costs from £1,799 per person, land-only. All proceeds will be donated to local oceanic initiatives in the Galápagos. For more information visit www.contiki.com

The Canterbury Tales announces dates of medieval market in May THE CANTERBURY Tales visitor attraction is organising its fifth annual medieval market, which takes place on Saturday May 25. Previous markets have featured archery demonstrations, mead sampling, pottery-making using ancient methods and calligraphy lessons, with visitors shown how to write their names in a medieval style. Ken Broad, duty manager-retail at the attraction, says the medieval market is a firm favourite with visitors and is held in the churchyard at the rear of St Margaret’s Church. He said: “The medieval market takes place at the start of the half-term holiday and adds a fun and colourful spectacle for visitors to

The Canterbury Tales and passers-by. Entrance to the market is free and there’s usually plenty of opportunity for people to have a go at medieval-themed events taking place. “Traders can participate free of charge, with a £30 refundable deposit taken at the time of booking. There must be a medieval theme to their products or demonstrations and we insist that they dress in period costume. This all adds to the authentic atmosphere and spirit of the market and ensures that everyone has great fun.” Admission to The Canterbury Tales costs £8.50 for adults and £6.25 for children. For more information visit www.canterburytales.org.uk

Jesters at The Canterbury Tales

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March 22 2013

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newsbulletin Join in the Songkran festivities with Amari AMARI IS offering guests the chance to experience Thailand’s annual Songkran Festival which is held from April 13-15. The festival traditionally marks the beginning of the solar New Year, with locals and tourists gathering in the streets across the country to soak each other with water, which symbolises a fresh start to the New Year. The Amari Boulevard Bangkok is offering a two-night Songkran Splash Package, with prices starting from THB 7,700 (approximately £169), based on two people sharing. The offer is valid from April 10-17 and includes a stay in a superior room on a bed-and-breakfast basis, a late check-out (18:00), a Thai dinner, festival activities and approximately £11 worth of icecream credit. For more information visit www.amari.com

Sardinian Places offers new properties & tours in latest brochure launch SARDINIAN PLACES has launched its 2013 brochure, featuring four new properties and a selection of new tours. New for this year is the four-star Hotel Calabona located in Alghero. The 110-room hotel is a 20-minute walk from the old town and sleeps up to four per room. Prices start from £757 per person in May, based on two sharing on a bed-andbreakfast basis, including flights and transfers. Two new villas have also been added, including the twobedroom Casa Angelica in Alghero, which offers a large pool, and the Casa del Sole in Cagliari, which offers two bedrooms and a private pool. Alternatively, the Apartment Piazza Civica in Alghero is a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the medieval quarter. The brochure also features new touring holidays including a seven-night ‘Sardinian Taster’ from £899 per person, a tennight ‘Authentic Sardinia’ from £1,149 per person; and a ‘Sardinia & Corsica’ twin-centre break from £879 per person. Savings of up to £300 per person are available on package bookings, as well as free child places at selected hotels, discounts of up to 50% at selected properties and couple offers, with up to 25% per person discount off package holidays on selected departure dates and properties. Seven-night holidays start from £349 per person, based on eight sharing self-catering accommodation at the fourbedroom La Mendula villa, in the seaside resort of Cannigione. The price includes flights, car hire and a welcome hamper. For more information visit www.sardinianplaces.co.uk or email trade@serenity.co.uk

March 22 2013

CHOCS AWAY...Superbreak’s sales team has been out visiting agents to promote its last minute Easter breaks. Laura Dawson (centre), the operator's sales executive popped into Co-Operative Travel in Rotherham with some Easter treats. Pictured from the shop are Jessica Robson (left) and Claire Wilson.

Newsbites ●

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VAYANT TRAVEL Technologies has launched the latest version of Pricing Cache, its cache export solution for online travel agents, tour operators and airlines. New features include, for each origin and destination, combination support for multiple passenger types and different fare classes in a single cache. Travel retailers can also specify maximum connection times, airports, airlines and routes, and define the number and type of search results in their respective cache. HILTON HHONORS, the loyalty programme for Hilton Worldwide's ten hotel brands, has launched a Treasured Moments promotion, giving travellers 20% off rooms and dining at participating hotels when booking by April 30 for stays until December 31. BRAND USA has teamed up with ESPN to produce an online sports calendar, which is now live at www.discoveramerica.com YOUR HOLIDAY Experts has announced a revenue increase of 28% for 2012, with its homeworking division confirming an average sale of £769,000 per homeworker. The company reports that sales have been boosted by exclusive hotel deals, while commission levels of between 30-60% plus bonus payments have also generated further interest from agents. For details email sue.dennis@tarsc.net

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newsbulletin Tweets of the Week Who’s saying what on Twitter... @AITOHQ Brush up on your painting skills on a week’s sojourn on unspoilt Alonissos in Greece w/ @SunvilTeam. Find out more: http://www.sunvil.co.uk @superbreak Look who's coming to Madame Tussauds! See them from April http://yfrog.com/kjlrhgxvj @LegerHolidays ` Read what our eCommerce Executive thought of his trip to #Paris on our Paris midweek and weekend breaks tour http://ity.vc/88854 @Discoveregypt 30th April Manchester flights 7nts Sharm el Sheikh Sheraton Sharm hotel B&B £699pp Price subject to availability.Book now 0844 880 0462! @HKTourismUK Flights from the UK to #HongKong from £399 with the Flight Centre's flash sale http://dld.bz/b84fq

Port of Dover welcomes first cruise visitors of 2013 DOVER CRUISE Port is getting set to welcome the first cruise ship of the season with the arrival of Fred. Olsen’s Braemar on March 25 at the start of a 14-day cruise to the Canary Islands. Braemar is a regular visitor to the port and joins 147 other cruise calls for this year including nine inaugural visits. Cruise lines showcasing their new ships from Dover include AIDA, which has confirmed its commitment to Dover by increasing the number of calls to the port. The AIDAstella, fresh from its maiden voyage, will be offering a new fourday city tour from Dover covering Amsterdam and Hamburg. Also making its Dover debut is Hapag Lloyd’s Columbus 2 on its 14-day tour of the British Isles in addition to NCL’s Norwegian Star, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess, Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas, FTI Cruises’ FTI Berlin, MV Explorer from Semester at Sea and MV Voyager from Voyages of Discovery. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Lines is launching its widest selection of European itineraries to date with Carnival Legend, offering its first Norwegian Fjords package, along with 12-day cruises to the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the British Isles. In total Carnival Legend will operate 17 European

Intrepid adds new Ecuador tours INTREPID TRAVEL has boosted its Latin America programme with two new tours in Ecuador. A ‘Highlights of Ecuador’ option offers a two-week introduction to the country’s jungles, cities and markets, plus the opportunity to visit a Quechua family and learn about their culture. Prices start from £885 for 15 days, excluding flights. There is also a new week-long ‘comfort’ standard option, the ‘Ecuadorian Haciendas’ tour. The trip takes in the country’s volcanoes, national parks and Quito while staying in locally-owned accommodation. Prices start from £795, excluding flights.

March 22 2013

Fred. Olsen’s Braemar

cruises visiting 34 ports across 18 countries and will also be celebrating an inaugural visit to Dover in June. The port is also welcoming back ships from Costa Cruises, Saga and MSC, of which the latter will be offering a series of Northern Europe

and Mediterranean minicruises. Holland America’s MS Ryndam will cast-off on a range of Northern European routes and in September Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will both be berthed at Dover. For more information visit www.doverport.co.uk

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WEBSCLUSIVES ●

Access great rates on hotels, apartments and transfers with bookabed.co.uk. To register, email darren@bookabed.co.uk

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

All this and more at:

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

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agentbulletin Agent competition IBEROSTAR HOTELS & Resorts is offering ten travel agents the opportunity to act as hotel reviewers and stay in one of ten of the company's hotels across the Mediterranean. Flights are provided by Thomas Cook and agents will receive complimentary accommodation, food and drinks for the duration of their stay. Agents have until the end of this month to enter. For details see www.iberostarcompetition.com

Booking incentives ●

BUILDING ON the popularity of its “Sell Three/Sail Free” agent booking incentive, Crystal Cruises has announced its latest, exclusive sales programme, ‘Sell Six/Sail Penthouse’, which rewards agents (and one guest) with a free ultra-luxury cruise in a butler-serviced Penthouse for booking six staterooms on any 2013 voyage. The new programme upgrades agents from the Deluxe Stateroom they would usually receive for selling three staterooms, and to earn a Penthouse, all six applicable staterooms for redemption must be full fare, double occupancy bookings made by December 31 for cruises of seven nights or longer. For details see www.discovercrystal.co.uk and www.crystalcruises.co.uk or call 020-7399 7601.

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SIMPLY LUXURY by Travel 2, is giving agents the chance to win a place on its first fam trip. The operator will host a five-star trip to Dubai and Mauritius, with the opportunity to visit Simply Luxury’s finest portfolio of properties in both destinations. To mark its first fam, a total of nine places are being given away. To qualify and to be entered into the prize draw, agents must make a Simply Luxury booking by March 31. For details see www.travel2.com

Agent training BOURNE LEISURE has launched new training courses for agents to increase their knowledge and sales confidence. The company has created six courses for each of its three brands that cover the following: Haven - About Haven, All-weather fun parks, holiday homes, entertainment, sports and splash and family dining. For Butlins - About Butlins, what is included?, where to stay, what to eat, enhance your customer’s stay and Live Music Weekends. And for Warner: About Warner, our country locations, our coastal locations, wine and dine, entertainment and facilities plus experiences and groups. For a chance to win a free break (with five runners-up receiving a Brainz! mascot), agents should complete and pass the Haven course by March 31. For details see www.havenspecialist.co.uk and www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk/training

It’s in the stars… What’s in store for Aries? OVER THE next few weeks you should aim to pay particular attention to your home life and family. Neighbours and relatives will play a significant part, helping you when you most need it. Learning as part of your career is also gathering pace this month so grab any opportunity to take a new course or learn a new skill. Positive news or an announcement is likely to be part of the picture. Lucky day: Tuesday Lucky number: 18

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FACEBOOK FRIENDS...Superbreak recently ran a fiveday ‘Short Breaks Escapes’ competition on its Facebook site giving agents the opportunity to win a selection of prizes including a weekend break for two on Eurostar to Paris, Brussels or Disneyland Paris. Every day for five days a question was posted and agents had to answer all five question correctly and make an overseas booking. The winner of the main prize was Ruth Lincoln (left), of Midcounties Co-op in Lichfield, who is pictured with the operator's Claire Dutton.

March 22 2013

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newsbulletin

ELEGANT RESORTS is offering seven nights in a luxury garden pool villa on a half-board basis at The Residence Zanzibar from £2,060 per person, based on a May 18 departure. The offer, which is ideal for honeymooners and offers a saving of £700 per couple, is available until December 21 and includes British Airways Economy flights from Heathrow, private transfers, fresh fruit bowl, beach bag, local Pareo ‘Kitenge’ and a Sunset Dhow Cruise including canapés and drinks, plus a Sundown pre-dinner drink on the jetty with a bottle of Champagne. For details see www.elegantresorts.co.uk or call 01244-897538.

The Residence Zanzibar

Free Easter activity basket for families at Spain's La Manga Club SPAIN'S FIVE-STAR La Manga Club is lining up a selection of free activities to keep children amused during the Easter holidays. Ranging from Hollywood-themed days and Harry Potter workshops to a selection of more traditional activities, prices for a seven-night stay for a family of four start from €959 (approximately £800), staying at the resort's four-star Las Lomas Village. Running from March 25 to April 14 and available to kids aged five to 12, the activity programmes include cookery, pottery and eco-sessions to drawing, magic and acting workshops, with one afternoon per week reserved to watch a Disney film with popcorn. Morning and afternoon snacks are included and the resort's new Junior Club packages also give children the

chance to experience a range of different sports including archery, table tennis and padel tennis. Sessions can be booked on a half-day or daily basis and are free to guests staying in the Las Lomas accommodation or the resort’s five-star Hotel La Manga Club Principe Felipe. A seven-night break in La Manga Club’s hotel costs from €1,820 (approximately £1,515), which includes full access to Spa La Manga Club’s pool, saunas, steam rooms and fitness centre. All prices are based on two people sharing a double room and include VAT and breakfast when staying in the hotel, while a €100 resort credit is available to guests staying for four nights or more during April. For more information or to book email reserve@lamangaclub.com or visit www.lamangaclub.com

Holidays By Rail announces five new rail/cruise itineraries in US & Canada HOLIDAYS BY Rail has expanded its North American product with the addition of five new rail/cruise holidays across the US and Canada, bringing the number of land and sea combination trips offered by the company to more than 30. In Canada, a new 16-day ‘Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska by Land and Sea holidays’ pairs a scenic all-daylight rail journey through the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer with a city stay in

March 22 2013

Vancouver, a seven-day cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage and touring in Denali National Park and Fairbanks. The dual-country itinerary departs on May 21, June 18, July 16 and August 13 and 27. Prices lead in at £2,147 per person, land-only, based on double occupancy plus port taxes. In the US, travellers can select from four new itineraries. As an example, a 15-day ‘Empire Builder, Glacier & Alaska Cruise’ showcases the Pacific Northwest

by rail on the Empire Builder train, which travels from Chicago to Seattle. Guests will visit one of America’s Glacier National Parks as well as Seattle, where travellers meet their cruise ship for a seven-night sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage. Departures are available on June 8 and 29 and August 3, and prices lead in at £2,063 land-only. For more information or to book visit www.holidaysbyrail.com or call 0800-033 7960.

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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?

Number: 104

A➠

Undoing Catnap Mope

B➠

Travel “à la française” with France’s only cruise line

C➠

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, March 28th. Solution and new puzzle will appear next week. The winner for 8th March is Emma-Louise Willis, Carrick Travel Limited in Coventry. March 8 Solution: A=8 B=6 C=1 D=5

Crossword

Sponsored By

Lech I Contrary to its name, this Latin American country is far from cold.

Where Am I?

My longest river is the Scheldt at 200km.

Fill in the crossword to spell the mystery location highlighted by the blue squares and visit www.travelbulletin.co.uk/crossword to submit your entry. All correct entries will be placed in a free prize draw and one lucky winner will win £50 Love2Shop vouchers. Closing date for entries is Thursday March 28th. Down Across 1. Which Turkish holiday hotspot is home to one of 1. Singer Justin who recently had a troubled the Seven Wonders of the World, the UK tour (6) Mausoleum of Halicarnassus? (6) 2. Atlanta-based airline (5) 3. This Project is a popular Cornish tourist 4. First name of famous English footballer now attraction (4) playing for Paris Saint-Germain (5) 7. UK-based Solstice Class Celebrity cruise ship (7) 5. City on the French Riviera (4) 9. Australian state, in short (3) 6. Dover is the capital of this US state (8) 10. Antipodean state capital, nicknamed City of 8. South African city (8) Churches (8) 11. Ferry operator, with HO in Guernsey, CI (6) 12. Popular Windsor holiday park for kids (8) 13. Formidable Swiss mountain (5) 16. Lugano airport code (3) 14. Valley in the Mojave desert, sounds lethal (5) 17. Vatnajokull National Park is located on 15. Flag carrier of Israel (2,2) this island (7) 18. Currency used in 1 Across (4) 19. Author and former politician, Jeffrey (6)

Number: 104

Congratulations to Heather Jardine, New Horizons who won the 8th March crossword prize of £50 Love2Shop vouchers

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

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

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eventbulletin THE TOBAGO Tourist Office held an 'Experience Tobago' event at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel in Manchester recently, in conjunction with Cosmos Holidays and supported by Travel Bulletin. Agents were invited to learn more about the Caribbean destination, enjoy a buffet dinner and had the chance to win a range of prizes including seven-night fam trips to the island...

Fast facts Time: Trinidad and Tobago are four hours behind GMT Currency: The local currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. Average TT$10 to UKÂŁ1 (rates vary) People: Descended mainly from African origin as well as East Indian, European, Middle Eastern and Chinese. Language: Officially English and local dialect (Patois) Airlift from the UK: Monarch Airways, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Caribbean Airlines

Above: COSMOS CHUMS...The Cosmos team celebrate a successful evening. From the left are: Gina Brame, Rachael Evans, Nicola Baines, Kerry Taylor, Laura Ockenden, Ross Mckeating, Ben Calderbank (with Steely Pan, the Tobago Tourist Office's mascot), Catherine Trainor and Lauren Ashworth.

Where suits which kind of client? Beach Lovers Families, couples and singletons will enjoy Store Bay and Pigeon Point in Tobago Honeymooners Stonehaven Bay on the east coast as well as many luxury hotels dotted on the west coast between Buccoo and Plymouth Tobago Carnival Plymouth in Tobago Bird watchers East coast of Tobago Arnos Vale and Little Tobago Adventurous The north coast of Tobago Diving Speyside Tobago

Above: MADE-UP MEADE...Meade Campbell from Thomas Cook was the lucky winner of a seven-night fam to Tobago, sponsored by Cosmos Holidays. She is pictured collecting her prize from Darrin Des Vignes from the Tobago Tourist Office.

Below: Agents danced the night away with music from Akil Browne of CSI Steel Band

GETTING ACQUAINTED...Mona Mikhaeil and Gehad Philobbos (right) from Mina World Travel chat with Elliot Goldwater from Co-Op PTA.

Below: BARBER'S BREAK...Ann Barber of Travel Counsellors won a seven-night fam trip to Tobago, courtesy of Cosmos Holidays. Ann is pictured with the Tobago Tourist Office's Victoria Taylor.

Right: STEEL PAN PALS...Enjoying the Steel Pan beats, courtesy of Akil Browne (right) from CSI Steel Band are, from the left: Michael Churnside and Lisa Mousley from CBT International Travel; Victoria Taylor, Tobago Tourist Office; and Ann Barber, Travel Counsellors.

March 22 2013

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iceland

TABER HOLIDAYS is offering an eight-night escorted round-the-island tour of Iceland. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, the tour is ideal for clients who want to experience the destination's culture and history in one week. Highlights include a visit to two of Iceland’s National Parks, climbing a volcano crater, a whale-watching cruise, a boat ride in the glacial lagoon at Jökulsárlon, strolling along a black lava beach and a visit to the geothermal Geysir area. Prices are from £1,947 per person, based on two sharing, and include flights from Heathrow, transfers, accommodation, some meals, whale-watching, a boat trip on the glacial lagoon and the services of a bus and guide. Departures are on June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20, August 3 and 17 and September 7. For details call 01274-875199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk

Cox & Kings highlights range of summer activities with day tours from £160 WITH ALL eyes on Iceland during this winter’s Northern Lights spectacular, Cox & Kings is looking ahead to offer a suggestion of the most popular summer activities, which run from May to September. As examples, a full day ‘Descend into a Volcano’ option runs from June 15 to August 20 and costs from £220 per person. The Thrihnukagigur volcano lies in the Blafjoll mountains, a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik. Now extinct,

guests can descend into the cavern of its magma chamber via an open air cradle lowered with ropes. On reaching the Blafjoll Mountains Cabin, there is a 40-minute hike through lava fields to the mouth of the crater. The cradle takes a maximum of five people at a time and takes ten minutes to descend the 120m to the chamber floor. Once down, guests will then be able to spend up to one hour inside the volcano. A full day ‘Westman

Islands – Pompeii of the North’ itinerary leads in at £160 and offers guests a 30-minute crossing to the island, followed by a bus tour to take in the mountains, volcanoes and seabirds. Meanwhile, a day’s ‘South Coast & Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon’ tour explores the south shore of Iceland en-route to the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón, and costs from £160 per person. The beginning of the tour drives along Iceland’s south

coast, passing through villages and national parks and, upon reaching the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, guests will cruise between the floating icebergs and blocks of ice which have fallen from Vatnajökull. A seven-day/six-night self-drive private tour costs from £1,040 per person including flights, transfers, car hire and breakfast accommodation. For more information or to book call 020-7873 5000 or see www.coxandkings.co.uk

Regent Holidays launches four-night Northern Lights tour from £829 REGENT HOLIDAYS has launched a new four-night Land of the Northern Lights tour to Iceland for winter 2013/14. Priced from £829 per person, the tour departs in October, November and February and March next year, offering a chance for visitors to discover the Icelandic winter at its best – during the day and after dark. Over five days visitors explore South West Iceland, taking in the natural wonders and cultural sites including

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glaciers, snow-capped mountains, giant lava fields and steaming hot springs. Guests also have the opportunity to bathe in the Blue Lagoon, visit an Icelandic horse farm, travel close to Eyjafjallajökull volcano and search for the Northern Lights from a countryside hotel. The price includes flights from Heathrow with IcelandAir; two nights’ hotel accommodation in Reykjavik; two

nights’ accommodation in a guest house in the countryside; daily breakfast; all transfers and transportation; sightseeing with an English-speaking guide; entrance fees; and a Northern Lights programme with two evenings of lectures/films and guided searches for the Northern Lights. For more information or to book see www.regentholidays.co.uk or call 020-7666 1290.

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iceland Promote Iceland welcomes 40% rise in UK visitors PROMOTE ICELAND has announced a record growth of 39.9% in UK visitor numbers last year, with 94,599 UK tourists visiting the country throughout 2012. The figure represents an increase of almost 40% on UK visitor numbers in 2011, where UK tourists peaked at 67,608. The month of December saw a significant 45.7% increase in UK visitors compared to the same month in 2011, with the large increase partly attributed to the Northern Lights attracting tourists to the country. Meanwhile, the destination saw increased airlift from the UK last year, with both easyJet and Wow Air launching direct flights from London to Keflavik in March and June respectively. Icelandair also increased its year-on-year flight capacity by 14% with the introduction of twiceweekly flights to Reykjavik from Gatwick, supplementing the daily flights from Heathrow. Líney Inga Arnórsdóttir, project manager for marketing at Promote Iceland, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved such a huge increase in visitor numbers in 2012 and are particularly pleased that so many UK tourists are discovering Iceland in the winter time, outside of our peak summer months. “We are optimistic that UK numbers will remain buoyant throughout 2013. Last year was a phenomenal success for Iceland and we hope that more UK visitors will continue to be inspired by Iceland this year.”

The Northern Lights

Exodus adds new itineraries to programme EXODUS HAS added a selection of new itineraries for this year. As examples, an Iceland Northern Lights tour visits a range of sites in the south of the island, including the Glacial Lagoon, the Vatnajokull National Park and a number of waterfalls. Underpinning the experience will be efforts to seek out the Northern Lights. The first departure is on December 4 and prices lead in at £1,399 per person including flights, accommodation and most meals. Meanwhile, a Discover Iceland tour offers an introduction to the southern half of the

country, which takes travellers from the mountainous Snaefellsness Peninsula in the west across the lunar-like landscape of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve to the eastern side of the Vatnajokull National Park. Craters, hot springs, lava flows and waterfalls dot the route, before journeying back along the south coast to Reykjavik. The first departure is on May 19 and prices start from £1,849 per person for eight days, including flights, accommodation and meals. To book or for more information visit www.exodustravels.com or call 0845-863 9601.

Iceland welcomes annual Airwaves festival in October ICELAND IS to play host to the annual Airwaves festival from October 30 to November 3, featuring both international and Icelandic music and incorporating a selection of eclectic and intimate venues throughout Reykjavik that combine alternative, pop, dance and techo music. Festival goers can stay at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina, located in the heart of the action, where five nights’ breakfast stay costs from £660 per person based on two sharing and including flights from Heathrow, departing on October 30. The five-day Iceland Airwaves Festival pass costs £95. For more information on the festival see http://icelandairwaves.is and for more information on the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina see www.icelandairhotels.com

Discover the World promotes availability on popular tours DISCOVER THE World is highlighting availability on some of its most popular holidays to Iceland this Easter, with a choice of adventures available from £745 per person. As examples, The Icelandic Way offers departures on March 31 and April 7 and features a self-drive holiday based in a choice of self-catering properties. It is suitable for families or a group of friends looking for a base from which to explore the country's scenic south and west. Popular attractions such as the Blue Lagoon and highlights of the Golden Circle (including Thingvellir National Park, the double-tiered cascade of Gullfoss waterfall and the erupting plumes of Strokur at the geothermal hotspot of Geysir), are also on the doorstep. The seven-night break includes an optional stay at the Glacier Lodge, a new self-catering cottage exclusive to the operator, which is located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, offering views of Snaefellsjokull volcano and across Faxafloi Bay. With departures on Sundays throughout this month and next, the break is available from £985 per person based on two sharing, and includes flights with Icelandair from Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow; self-catering accommodation for four nights at Gljufur Cottages; three nights’ self-catering at the Glacier Lodge; and car hire for the duration. A Killer Whales and Northern Lights option, which offers a four-night break from March 28, is based at Hotel Framnes, a traditional hotel set on the oceanfront of Grundarfjordur, a small fishing village on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula's north coast. Over the last two years, killer whales have been spotted around this area from late December to mid-April, so this final Easter departure is the last chance to see them this season. In addition to whale-watching, the remote Peninsula is an ideal location for observing the Northern Lights, and the holiday concludes with a trip to the Blue Lagoon. Prices lead in at £1,096 per person based on two sharing a twin room on a full board basis. It includes flights with Icelandair from Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow, transfers, four nights' full board accommodation, two whale-watching boat excursions, entrance to the Blue Lagoon and the services of a driver/guide throughout. For more information or to book see www.discover-the-world.co.uk or call 01737-214291.

March 22 2013

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iceland Game of Thrones enthusiasts can fly to Iceland from £95

WILDLIFE WORLDWIDE has added an Orcas and Northern Lights tour for this year. Between December and April, orcas arrive off the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to feed on herring, and on this short break guests stay in the west coast fishing village of Grundarfjordur and take boat trips to encounter the pods which frequent the bay, as well as a day trip to spot the Peninsula’s birdlife. Prices lead in at £923 per person based on two sharing, including flights, transfers, four nights’ breakfast accommodation and guided activities. For details call 0845-130 6982 or visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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GAME OF Thrones returns to screens for the third season on March 31. The HBO smash-hit is based on novels by George R. R. Martin and the third season contains scenes which were filmed in the north of Iceland around Lake Mývatn near Akureyri. The team filmed for eight days, shooting scenes which will air in the first five episodes of the ten episode season. Clients who want to tread in the footsteps of Jon Snow and the other Men of the Watch can fly with WOW air from Gatwick to Reykjavik from £95 one-way including taxes, hand luggage allowance plus a handbag and duty-free shopping bag. The carrier's director of communications Svana Fridriksdottir said: “The cult HBO series showcased Iceland in season two and now our country will once again be beamed into people’s homes for the third season which is great news for us. “Visiting our beautiful glaciers, treading on our black sand beaches and visiting our thunderous waterfalls are all pastimes of those who’ve set-jetted before. Game of Thrones will ensure the high profile of the country is upheld.” From June 3, travellers will be able to choose from twice daily flights to Reykjavik, apart from Saturdays when there will be one return flight departing Gatwick. Meanwhile, the carrier has increased its fleet of Airbus A320s with the introduction of two new aircraft. For more information or to book visit www.wowair.co.uk

March 22 2013

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g n i g a k c a p dynamic

VISITORS TO New York can take advantage of shows which have never been seen in the UK, but will be opening on Broadway this month. These include Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Kinky Boots, a new musical based on the 2005 film about how fetishism footwear saved a traditional English shoemaker; Hands on a Hardbody, the story of ten Texans who are down on their luck, but a new lease on life is so close they can touch it; and Motown, a new musical that tells the real story behind the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the American airwaves in 1959. Tickets are available through partners including Attraction World, Encore Tickets, Lastminute.com, Titan Travel, Trailfinders, TUI and Virgin Holidays. For details see www.broadwaycollection.com

Affordable Car Hire adds new products & services to help agents seal the deal AFFORDABLE CAR Hire is making it easier for agents to find the best deals and latest products online, following the launch of its new and enhanced website. The new site features Affordable Choice and Deals of the Day, which allow agents and their customers to pick out exactly the right car and insurance cover quickly and easily. And in response to suggestions from specialist agents who deal with business clients, the company has introduced a chauffeur-driven service, where executive vehicles such as Bentleys, Rolls-Royces or Jaguars can be hired. The company has also added prestige and sports cars, motorhomes and vans to its sales lines, to offer customers more choice. The company's chief executive Angela Day said: “We are constantly looking to improve the service we provide for both agents and the general public and these latest offerings mean that there is even more choice. “By adding new lines, we are appealing to even more people, so

March 22 2013

Prestige car

whether they want to drive a Lamborghini or Porsche on a special trip away, or take the family on holiday in a motor-home, we can help. “We are particularly excited with the new executive chauffeur-driven service option and believe we are one of the only leisure car hire companies in the country to offer this.” By clicking on Affordable Choice on the home page, agents will be able to see at a glance the overall cost of car hire with its full Supermax Insurance – including a 10% discount. Day said: "Because 80% of our customers already opt for top-up insurance or our full Supermax Insurance, which offers 100% protection against tyres, windscreens, keys, and includes an excess wavier, when they hire a car, it made sense to have a complete ready-made package for agents to show their customers." The new Deals of the Day page takes agents straight to the best price for whichever class of car they or their customer are looking for.

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dynamicpackaging Six-night allinclusive cruises from European Waterways

YOUTRAVEL.COM CONSIDERS its recent return to principal status to be a key selling point for a provider to the dynamic packaging market. The company offers several options to fit its partners pricing needs and business models, such as NET/Gross prices, the option to settle accounts in GBP or EUR and bookings and amendments on www.youtravel.com or via XML feed. The company has also recently added Lebanon and Oman to its portfolio, as well as new exclusive hotels such as the fivestar Aquis Plaza Resort in Anavyssos (a traditional fishing village close to Athens) and the four-star Aquis Mon Repos Palace Art Hotel in Corfu, Greece. Prices in May for a week's double occupancy start from £307 at the four-star Aquis Mon Repos Palace Art Hotel and £616 at the five-star Aquis.

New Empire State Building day/night ticket added to New York CityPASS THE 2013 New York CityPASS programme, which saves 40% off the cost of buying individual attraction tickets, now includes day/night admission to the Empire State Building, allowing travellers to make a trip to the 86th-floor observatory during the day and then return for a second visit between the hours of 22:00 and closing. The company's president and CEO Megan Allen said: "Seeing Manhattan from the Empire State Building by day gives you a lot of detail, but the skyline at night is particularly beautiful. We always felt it was a shame that New York travellers had to pick one or the other." Each ticket booklet also covers prepaid admission to the American Museum of Natural History, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which also allows same-day admission to The Cloisters museum and gardens; The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); a choice between either Top of the Rock observation deck and the Guggenheim Museum; and a choice between either the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. Prices for the booklet lead in at $106 for adults (value $176) and $79 for children aged six-17. For more information visit www.citypass.com

EUROPEAN WATERWAYS is offering six-night allinclusive cruises this month and next on a choice of three luxury hotel barges on Canal du Midi, Southern France. Highlights include a visit to the medieval hilltop village of Minerve, offering views from its 12th century Cathar fort; tours of Narbonne, with its colourful indoor market; and the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne. Each itinerary also includes private tours and tastings at renowned Minervois vineyards. As an example of prices, a six-night cruise on Anjodi in March and April costs from £2,385 per person and includes a 10% discount. It also includes accommodation in airconditioned en-suite cabins, all gourmet meals on board, fine wines, open bar, daily escorted shore excursions, local transfers and the use of all barge facilities such as bicycles and spa pools. For more information visit www.gobarging.com, call 01753-598555 or email sales@gobarging.com

Jetset sees unusual destinations booked through Package Pal JETSET REPORTS strong sales to some unusual places through its Package Pal system. The company's sales director, Adrian Smyth, advises ‘volume’ is not the only thing to have left the team slightly taken aback. He said: "We have been taken by surprise recently by some really strange bookings – in particular the destinations booked on Package Pal. Of course, one of the main benefits of Package Pal is that it has complete global coverage. Essentially, as long as we can get scheduled, charter or low-cost flights to the destination then we will be able to create a flexible but protected package. As the awareness of this global coverage grows so does our list of obscure destinations. "Already this year we have seen bookings to Curacao and Martinique in the Caribbean, Moldova, Tirana and Azerbaijan in Eastern Europe and just recently, Gangnam in Seoul. The mainstay of bookings are to the Mediterranean and East Coast of the States but when we

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see these destinations we realise that Package Pal is really fulfilling a need. "Agents on the High Street are now aware of the ATOL regulations and, where in the past we would just have booked a flight, dynamic packaging has been made so easy for our agents with the introduction of Package Pal, that we now see flight bookings becoming package holidays even if they are less than traditional destinations for a package. Equally we have also seen eyebrows raised with a number of very large bookings such as the one that Dave Criddle Travel made to Alcudia, Mallorca, worth more than £19,000." The company is now looking at two new developments for Package Pal, one of which includes becoming a dedicated supplier for UAE accommodation, which will enable Package Pal and therefore agents to compete favourably with online B2C players. For more information visit www.jetsetflights.co.uk

March 22 2013

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dynamicpackaging New trade programme from Simply Chateau offers 10% commission to agents LUXURY PROPERTY specialist Simply Chateau has announced a new trade engagement programme offering 10% commission for all travel agent bookings across its four property portfolios, as well as dedicated support for all trade enquiries. The four property portfolios, each with its own dedicated website, feature more than 1,000 luxury chateaux, villas, castles, cottages and even medieval villages to rent throughout France, Italy, the Caribbean and the UK. Properties sleep from four up to more than 60 people and each is handpicked, privately owned and vetted for quality. As well as earning 10% commission on property bookings, agents are free to add their own

supplementary commission on to bookings, where they feel it is appropriate. Average bookings are around £4,000 but can go up to as much as £130,000 for a whole Caribbean island estate. A non-branded, non-priced PDF brochure for each property is available for agents to download direct from the websites and personalise for their own clients, and a dedicated trade enquiry email has been set up for booking requests agents@simplychateau.com The company's marketing manager Maria Serna said: “We are celebrating our tenth anniversary this year and despite the difficult economic climate, business has been growing steadily. "Our presence at World Travel Market last year got a great

response, particularly our Caribbean collection Simply Caribe, which lends itself to travellers looking to book independently-owned accommodation alongside flights, car hire and other activities that can be packaged up by a travel agent. The ‘special occasion’ market across France, Italy and the UK was also of particular interest. We are very excited to be working more closely with travel agents and hope that building stronger trade relations will increase sales for us all.” To view the property portfolios visit www.simplychateau.com, www.simplycaribe.com, www.statelyescapes.co.uk and www.simplyitaly.com. To book or for more information call 0845-389 9582 or email agents@simplychateau.com

Avro Flights expands regional programme for summer AVRO HAS expanded its regional flying programme to meet demand for flight-only this summer, with new services from UK airports including Humberside, East Midlands, Birmingham and Glasgow. Flights from the newly featured airport of Humberside will operate to Alicante and Palma, Mallorca, operating weekly on Tuesdays from May 28 until September 17. Fares lead in at £240 per person to Palma and from £250 per person to Alicante. New flights from East Midlands include Dalaman from July 17 to September 25, priced from £209 per person

and Heraklion, Crete from May 21 to September 24, priced from £169 per person. To meet demand for peak summer season flying, a new flight from Glasgow to Palma is available on selected dates from £239. Additional capacity has also been added from Birmingham to Palma with a Sunday flight priced from £189 from July 21 to September 8. Flights are also available to Costa Blanca from Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and East Midlands. Fares include taxes and fuel supplements.

Car hire hotspots over Easter could cost renters an additional £352 A FAMILY hiring a standard family car in Malaga over the Easter week could hand over an additional £352 at the rental desk when picking their car up, according to icarhireinsurance.com. Purchasing excess car hire insurance (at £130), extra driver’s cover (at £74), a child’s car seat (at £67) and a Sat Nav (at £81) from the rental desk will push the overall cost up by an additional 125%. The company compared the prices of four rental companies at five popular destinations for the Easter week (March 29-April 5) to reveal the hidden costs at the rental desk. Looking at the destinations of Malaga, Faro, Nice, Milan and Barcelona, the car rental company found great variations in the costs that travellers would be paying at each destination. As examples, putting an extra driver on a policy can be costly,

March 22 2013

ranging from up to £74 with Hertz in Barcelona, to £41 with Avis in Malaga and to £20 with Sixt in Nice. The company advises clients to budget for around £50 as this was the average cost although if the driver is under 25 expect a steep hike again with an average charge of around £100. The company also advises families to take their own child car seat or they could be looking at paying up to £80 in Milan for instance. The average price was around £50 in the four destinations of Faro, Malaga, Barcelona and Milan, falling to £38 in Nice. Another expensive addition was the cost of hiring a Sat Nav, which ranged from more than £85 in Milan with Avis and Hertz, to a more reasonable £56 in Faro with Budget and £38 in Barcelona with Sixt. The sting in the tail at the rental desk was excess car hire insurance. The company's founder and CEO

Ernesto Suarez said: "This will make the biggest dent in the holiday budget. If excess waiver insurance is not purchased by a hire car customer they could be liable for up to £1,600 if the car gets damaged or even stolen. "Visitors to Barcelona and Malaga over Easter could be looking at a week’s excess insurance costing them £168 if bought from the rental desk – this is more than eight times the cost of an iCarhireinsurance.com policy at £21 for the week (at £2.99 a day). “The most reasonable place to purchase excess insurance was in Nice, where it cost £73 on average from the four rental companies, however this is still three-and-a-half times more than a policy from iCarhireinsurance.com “When a small scratch on the paintwork can cost hundreds to repair, make sure you buy your excess insurance before you fly."

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dynamicpackaging

DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT.COM IS now selling adult tickets at kids prices for The Kennedy Space Center. The badge is normally £33 for adults but, for a limited time, now costs £27. To take advantage of the offer, agents should book the experience for clients by March 31. The discounted price is available on trips taken before June 28. For details visit www.dosomethingdifferent.com or call 020-8090 3890

Superbreak adds new walking tours with overnight stays in London SUPERBREAK HAS added a selection of new walking tours to its portfolio of tours that can be packaged up with an overnight hotel stay in London. Offering a range of themes from The Beatles and James Bond to a gangster tour by Stephen Marcus from Lock Stock, the tours are pre-bookable and commissionable to agents. New tours include a Beatles walking tour of London, which visits the studios, pubs, cafes, film locations, art galleries, homes and music venues that inspired The Beatles, and leads in at £10 per adult and £8 per child; a

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Doctor Who walking tour of London which costs £12 per adult and £10 per child; a Gangster London tour, which explores real life and film locations associated with London’s criminal underworld and costs £15; a London film and TV walk for £10 per adult and £8 per child; and a James Bond tour of London, which visits movie locations and sites linked with Ian Fleming and 007 and costs £25 per adult and £15 per child. For more information or to book see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

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s r u o t l a r u t cul SHANGRI-LA’S VILLINGILI Resort & Spa in the Maldives has launched a selection of cultural tours for guests. These include a complimentary oneand-a-half hour Villingili Nature Walk; a two-and-a-half-hour Addu City Tour by Bicycle at $50 (£34); a two-and-a-halfhour historical tour visiting the Island of Gan, a former British naval base during the Second World War, also $50; and a three-hour Meedhoo Farms Tour at $80. A Maldivian Journey package leads in at $815 per couple per night on a bedand-breakfast basis and includes three nights at the resort in a two-person villa and one night at the Traders Hotel in Malé in a double room, inclusive of a Dolphin cruise, Addu bicycle tour and Malé city tour. The offer is valid for stays until December 23. For more information see www.shangri-la.com

Discover the cornerstones of civilisation with Voyages of Discovery VOYAGES OF Discovery is offering guests a history-themed cruise that explores Turkey and Greece. Guests will visit the Temple of Artmis in Kusadasi, Turkey, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; learn about the Monastery of St John in Patmos, Greece; and discover a

variety of historic landmarks in Athens, including the Acropolis and the Ancient Corinth. Prices start from £1,449 per person, which is a Saver Fare price based on two people sharing an inside cabin for an October 21 departure. The 13-day cruise departs

Shearings highlights range of popular itineraries SHEARINGS IS highlghting a selection of cultural itineraries. As examples, this year is the 200th anniversary of the first publication of Pride and Prejudice, and customers can discover the city of Bath where author, Jane Austen, lived for much of her life, on a new five-day itinerary. Prices lead in at £329 per person including four nights’ half-board accommodation, two excursions and luxury coach travel. Departures are available from June to September. A five-day Warwick Castle & Shakespeare’s Stratford tour takes in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Highlights include a full day at Stratford and Tudor World, where guests can explore the birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright. Prices lead in at £369 including four nights’ half-board accommodation, three excursions and luxury coach travel. Departures are available from June to September. Meanwhile, a five-day Romantic Bath & Downton Abbey option includes a visit to Highclere Castle, the setting of Downton Abbey, and also visits Bampton and Oxford. Prices lead in at £379 including four nights’ half-board accommodation, two excursions and coach travel, and departures are available in July and August. For details or to book call 0844-824 6351 or see www.shearingsagent.com

March 22 2013

from Istanbul and calls at destinations including Canakkale, Dikili, Kusadasi and Antalya in Turkey and Patmos, Kavala, Thessaloniki and Piraeus in Greece. For more information or to book call 0843-221 8499 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com

Beach House Iruveli offers Maldivian experience for guests from $90 per person THE BEACH House Iruveli in the Maldives is giving guests the opportunity to experience the cultural aspects of the destination. Located on a remote island in Haa Alif, the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, guests can embark on a Local Island Tour, which involves a visit to the neighbouring islands, meeting with the locals and tasting traditional food. A Fishing Island Tour offers guests the opportunity to explore a typical Maldivian fishing village, while an Historical Island Tour offers guests the chance to visit Utheemu Palace, situated on Utheemu Island. The

palace is the ancestral home of Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam, a previous ruler of the Maldives. Following this, guests will visit one of the local houses to taste some Maldivian dishes. Rates start from $90 per person, with a minimum number of four guests required. Tropic Breeze offers seven nights’ breakfast accommodation in a Water Villa for £2,049 per person, including flights from Gatwick with BA in World Traveller Class, internal flights and speedboat transfers. For more information call 01752-880880 or see www.tropicbreeze.co.uk

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culturaltours American cultural tours from Travel 2

RAFFLES HOTELS & Resorts Cambodia is offering A Journey through Khmer Culture, a new six-day itinerary based at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap. The tour explores Cambodian culture, where guests can meet one of Cambodia’s artists, witness shadow puppetry from an Arts Master or learn to cook the original recipes from the Royal Palace of Cambodia. Prices for the itinerary lead in at £2,073 per person based on two sharing, including five nights’ breakfast accommodation in Landmark Rooms; 24-hour butler service; all activity options and additional meals stated in the itinerary; entrance fees; an English speaking local guide; and transfers. For details visit www.raffles.com

Trafalgar Tours adds 11-day New York & New England foodie & battlefields tour from £2,950 per person TRAFALGAR HAS added a New York Zest & New England’s Best 11-day tour for this year, which aims to tickle the taste buds on a journey through New York and New England, with guests getting a taste of the East Coast’s most popular foods. Arriving in New York City and departing from Boston, the trip stops off in Newport, Cape Cod, Nantucket, New Bedford, North Conway and Essex in between. With two nights in New York, guests have time to explore the flavours of the culturally diverse metropolis and also join a food-themed Local Speciality tour to sample the tastes of the city. In New Bedford, guests take a guided bog tour at a cranberry farm and, as the group travels through Vermont, they will spend a day trying local specialities at the family-owned Cabot Creamery known for their tasty cheeses, a cidery where they will learn about the craft of making apple cider and a stop at Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream makers. On the way to Boston, clients also stop at Moonlight Meadery for a special Be My Guest experience where they will learn about making wine from honey and feast on a lunch made from local New Hampshire ingredients. The 11-day itinerary, which offers departures between May 24 and October 4, costs from £2,950 per person including flights; private transfers; breakfast accommodation; seven additional meals, including a harbour cruise welcome reception in New York and a Be My Guest lunch; and includes sightseeing and activities such as city and museum tours, tastings and cookery classes, plus the services of a travel director. The company has also unveiled a 12-day WWI and WWII Battlefields tour which combines some of the most poignant WWI and WWII history and sites in some of Europe’s most vibrant cities – London, Paris, Lille and Amsterdam. Starting in London, the trip visits some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, with a visit to the Imperial War Museum also included. It carries on to Portsmouth, taking in the D-Day and Overlord Embroidery Museum, Portsmouth’s historic Dockyard and the famous HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Spinnaker Tower. Crossing the channel to Normandy, the tour takes guests to see the D-Day landing beaches and museum, the Omaha Beach and the American cemetery. Other significant visits en-route include the historic Bayeux Tapestry, the Memorial de Caen and the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral in Amiens, plus a stop at the Somme Battlefields. The group then stays two nights in Paris visiting some of the famous sights, before travelling on to Lille, via the city of Reims, where the group will indulge in a tasting in one of the city’s Champagne houses. From the base in Lille, there is a day excursion to Ypres in Belgium, another of the most important sites of WWI history, visiting the Memorial Museum of Passchendaele 1917 and the Essex Farm Cemetery, where Lt Col. John McCrea wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields”. The trip then travels on to Groesbeek in the Netherlands to see the Groesbeek Memorial and the National Liberation Museum, before arriving in Amsterdam where the group takes an orientation tour, with free time to explore the museums or visit the home of Anne Frank. Prices lead in at £2,035 per person, based on two sharing and include 11 nights’ breakfast accommodation, five evening meals (including a Be My Guest dinner dining with a local family in Amsterdam), sightseeing, Champagne tasting in Reims, ferry crossings, flights, a complimentary one-way transfer from the return flight, travel in air-conditioned coaches and the services of a travel director. For more information or to book see www.trafalgartours.co.uk or call 0800-533 5617.

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TRAVEL 2 offers a range of American cultural tours to destinations including Mexico, Central America and Peru. The operator is promoting a 13-day Highlights of Mexico which includes 12 nights’ accommodation, flights and transfers, and leads in at £1,689 per person, based on two sharing. Justine Egan Forwarder, product manager at the company, said: “Guests can experience Mexico’s diverse culture, influenced by the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations. The itinerary commences in Mexico City and visits Oaxaca, Palenque, Campeche, Merida and the Chichén Itzá, before concluding in Cancun.” Accommodation includes a one-night all-inclusive stay at the five-star Grand Xcaret, based on a September 21 departure. Alternatively, a seven-day Wonders of Peru tour leads in at £2,349 per person based on twin share and includes flights and six nights’ accommodation. It is valid for departures between September 1 and October 31. Egan Forwarder said: “The itinerary features the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the greatest archaeological rediscoveries of the early 20th century, a visit to the Sacred Valley with its traditional Andean villages and Cuzco, the capital of the ancient Inca Empire.” Meanwhile, an 11-day Spirit of Central America tour leads in at £2,719 per person, based on two sharing. It includes flights, ten nights' accommodation and transfers, and is valid for travel between September 1 and October 31. All prices are valid for bookings made by May 31 and itineraries include selected meals and touring. For more information see www.travel2.com

March 22 2013

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culturaltours KwaZulu Natal Coast, Culture & Wildlife Tour from Visions of Africa We asked our staff the following question this week: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe jeanette.ratcliffe@travelbulletin.co.uk The Dalai Lama

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March 22 2013

VISIONS OF Africa is offering a ten-night tour that offers an insight into the life of the Zulu Nation, its culture and struggle for survival. The route starts in Durban with a stay at the Shakaland Cultural Village, learning about the customs and traditions of the Zulu people. From there it heads into the heart of KwaZulu Natal with a chance to admire the scenery and wildlife, before stopping in the heart of the Battlefields. Guests learn about the mighty battles that took place between the Boers, Zulus and the British across the Zulu territory as each struggled for power and land. The itinerary ends with two nights in the Drakensberg Mountains with guided walks in the mountains and a chance to see the cave art left by some of the oldest inhabitants of the area, the Khoi-San people. Prices lead in at £1,675 per person based on two sharing, including flights from Heathrow, self-drive hire car with GPS and directions, four nights’ full board accommodation, two nights’ dinner, bed-and-breakfast and two nights’ breakfast accommodation. Scheduled cultural experiences, history talks, a safari cruise and guided walks are also included.

ITC Mughal launches historical Mughal Empire tours COINCIDING WITH the opening of the British Library’s Mughal Empire exhibition on April 2, the ITC Mughal in Agra (www.itchotels.in) is offering guests the opportunity to learn more about the Southeast Asian dynasty with a tailor-made tour. Designed to emulate the style of the Mughal Dynasty, the hotel is offering an eight-hour sightseeing trip to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehapur Sikri, which leads in at £16 per person for up to five guests. Accommodation costs from £201 per night including a complimentary spa treatment. Greaves is offering five nights’ breakfast accommodation at the hotel from £1,250 per person including flights, transfers, a visit to the Taj Mahal and one signature Kaya Kalp massage, based on two sharing. For more information call 020-7487 9111 or visit www.greavesindia.co.uk

Superbreak adds packages to Pompeii exhibition at British Museum CULTURE LOVING customers can now book packages to the new exhibition ‘Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ opening at the British Museum on March 28 and running until September 29. In AD79, in a 24-hour period, two cities in the Bay of Naples in southern Italy were buried by a catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Preserved under ash, their rediscovery nearly 1,700 years later provided a glimpse into the daily life of the Roman Empire. From the bustling street to the intimate spaces of a Roman home, the exhibition takes visitors to the heart of people’s lives in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The exhibition is the result of close collaboration with the Archaeological Superintendency of Naples and Pompeii, and brings together more than 250 objects, both recent discoveries and celebrated finds from earlier excavations. The exhibition will have a unique focus, looking at the Roman home and the people who lived in these ill-fated cities. Prices start from £62 per person including one night’s accommodation and a ticket to the exhibition. To book or for more information see www.superbreak.com/agents or call 0871-221 4444.

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