Selling Travel January/February 2023

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Steve Hartridge

DEPUTY EDITOR Jessica Pook

DIGITAL EDITOR April Waterston

WRITERS

Bev Fearis, Gilly Pickup, Charlotte Flach, Jo Gardner, Rashmi Narayan, Peter Ellegard & Stuart Forster

PUBLISHING

PUBLISHERS

Steve Thompson steven.thompson@sellingtravel.co.uk Sally Parker sally.parker@sellingtravel.co.uk

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Lisa Merrigan lisa.merrigan@sellingtravel.co.uk

CIRCULATION MANAGER Shani Kunar

MANAGING DIRECTOR Matt Bonner CEO Martin Steady

January/February

Let the good times roll

There's a temptation when penning the first words of a new year in a column such as this one to postulate on likely trends and developments and to chime a few sounds of optimism for the year ahead.

But several factors make this a more di cult task this time around. Should we be cautiously optimistic or are there reasons to be slightly fearful?

Anyone who was on a flight or was at a UK airport in the closing weeks of last year would have noticed how busy things were. A sure sign that people are on the move is that prices for air tickets have gone through the roof. The least expensive Economy ticket I could find whilst researching a flight to Cape Town the week before Christmas was around £2,200.

Even two years ago that would have been a tari to see the jaw drop but is very much in line with expectations now. Airlines are almost back to full capacity but services on many routes are not, a factor that will keep airline fares high all the time demand is there.

But in spite of the challenges posed by rising prices in all aspects of our lives, the early anecdotal 'evidence' is that people aren't willing to give up their holidays.

If we are to go by the early-year comments of some key industry players, for example Gold Medal and Advantage, agents should have a spring in their step anticipating the good times that lie ahead. In early January, Gold Medal reported a 50% increase in the number of calls from agents compared to the same period in 2022, saying it was handling levels of trade enquiries “not seen since before the pandemic”. And, according to Advantage, the year has started with more people booking better properties in more exotic locations for longer periods.

And one owner-agent told me bookings for the U.S., particularly the West Coast and New York, the Caribbean, and Canada are booming and that Mauritius and South Africa are doing well.

Elsewhere, those selling Asia and South America can also look forward to a better year.

Please note that Selling Travel, owned and published by BMI Publishing Ltd., is not connected in any way to Selling Travel e-magazine published by SMP Training Co. and based in British Columbia, Canada. The latter online publication focuses exclusively on sales skills and all aspects of professional selling within the travel and tourism sectors. To benefit from this travel industry sales training resource visit sellingtravel.net

So, on balance, let's go with the reasons to be cheerful approach. But for those consumers who are still fearful - of perhaps flights being cancelled or dream holiday apartments found online that turn out not to actually exist– let agents step in to provide a level of personal service, knowledge and attention to detail that makes booking with them the only sensible option.

Enjoy this issue.

Steve Hartridge EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, located between the Prairies to the east and Banff National Park to the west, you will find Calgary, Alberta. As the home to Canada's largest rodeo, Calgary is sure to please the tourist seeking big city entertainment with a generous dose of small town appeal.

Direct flights from London to Calgary, Alberta.

Argentina Take a hike

Following a large-scale rewilding project, Patagonia Park Argentina has opened up to European travellers for the first time. The park stretches across 180,000 hectares, from Argentina to the border with Chile and is once again home to the puma, and the region’s largest herbivore, the guanaco. Adventure-seeking clients can tackle up to 10 new hiking trails and overnight in three new campsites, including La Confluencia which provides free accommodation inside of a canyon. parquepatagoniaargentina.org

Maldives canvas casTaWay

Set on their own private pocket of beach, the new Beach Tented Villas by Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi are a cross between a safari-style tent and a beachside bungalow. Each villa is equipped with bicycles, a telescope for stargazing and a personal villa host. Coinciding with the launch is a new Conscious Castaway experience, including movie nights under the stars, private beachfront BBQs as well as snorkelling safaris and visits to the Sustainability Lab. fairmont.com

Greece

WhaT’s cooking?

Lifestyle hotel brand Cook’s Club is set to open its tenth hotel in May 2023 in Rhodes, Greece. The new Cook’s Club Kolymbia will be the brand’s fifth property in the country and the third in Rhodes. The 271-room adults-only hotel features two outdoor pools, three bars and three restaurants serving local delicacies as well as Italian and Asian street food. The hotel stages ‘classic club night’ with live DJs, themed parties and exclusive events once the sun goes down. cooksclub.com

The whole package

As beleaguered Brits battle with their finances, the all-inclusive holiday is set to be more popular and comprehensive this year.

Jo Gardner discovers how this aged-old concept is evolving

The UK has had a tough time of it recently, with the cost of living crisis forcing most of us to tighten our belts. The travel industry, not yet fully back on its feet after Covid, is again feeling the brunt, with holidays fast becoming a luxury that many can’t afford.

But there is one sector that is set to bounce back this year: all-inclusives. Research published in ABTA’s 2023 Travel Trends report reveals that 29% of us plan to take an all-inclusive holiday this year, in an effort to keep costs down, with 40% aged 44 and under, and 57% young families.

“It’s well worth highlighting value-formoney when selling an all-inclusive,” says Leah Marshall, Director of Sales at Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

“One of the main benefits is that clients know how much their holiday will cost in advance. When agents book through our Unique Caribbean Holidays the price is guaranteed when the deposit is paid, so there are no unexpected increases.”

“The cost of living crisis, coupled with the economic challenges being felt in the UK, are seeing Brits gravitate to all-inclusive packages for their breaks,”

adds Antonio Fellino, Managing Director of Travel Republic.

“Our data tells us that it can be around 15% cheaper to book an all-inclusive compared to a B&B or half-board holiday, and that’s before you factor in the cost of the additional meals and drinks which would have to be paid for.”

A survey by The Personal Travel Agents also revealed that 99% of customers will take at least one holiday in 2023, with 37% opting for an all-inclusive to avoid being landed with a hefty bill on departure.

Five-star flare

Previously the domain of the fly-and-flop, with Groundhog Day-style buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners, the all-inclusive isn’t just having its time in the sun but is evolving to go beyond free ice creams and beers.

“Agents really should look at all-inclusive as being an option for all of their beach holiday customers,” says Paul Bixby, easyJet Holidays’ Commercial Director.

“Whether they’re looking for great value, family-friendly, beachfront, ecocertified or luxury, clients can now choose from a huge variety of features.”

“Ten years ago you never really found five-

star hotels offering all-inclusive,” adds Nikki Hain, Product Manager at Premier Holidays.

“It was almost seen as a downgrade on a resort. Now that couldn’t be further from the truth, with many destinations offering five-star luxury all-inclusive with premium-branded drinks, spa treatments, Champagne and underwater restaurant experiences as part of the inclusions,” she adds.

In fact, the all-inclusive market is becoming so comprehensive that clients can now try scuba diving, sign up for photography courses, join art crawls or sip exclusive cocktails by the pool without paying another penny.

Ikos Dassia in Corfu even offers guests a complimentary Mini Cooper to explore the island with, while well-known wellness resorts are throwing in free spa treatments.

And have you heard of Cool Inclusive? This stylish all-inclusive concept has been adopted by the new Domes Aulūs property in Elounda, Crete – with its mixology evenings and cooking classes – and Ikos Resorts properties, where new Dine Out options include complimentary meals at local restaurants.

“Food tends to get a bad

reputation at all-inclusive resorts,” says Ricky Wason, Head of Product and Purchasing at Olympic Holidays.

“Guests can now choose from à la carte restaurants and live cooking stations without having to upgrade.”

Cruising ahead

The cruise market is set for a bumper year, too, with keen pricing and the appeal of ticking several destinations in one go attracting the budget-conscious.

Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises have all adopted all-inclusive strategies in recent years, with fares including drinks, tips and wi-fi.

Those booking the top accommodation can also enjoy premium drinks and unlimited meals in fine-dining restaurants.

Princess Cruises now gives passengers the option to upgrade to a Princess Plus package that costs £30pp per day and covers their drinks, wi-fi and gratuities.

Prices for 2023 also appear to be in line with those a decade ago, despite eyewatering inflation and rising interest rates. Cruise.co.uk has discovered that the majority of voyages ranging from seven to 14 nights in the Mediterranean, northern Europe and the Caribbean were ‘cost consistent’ with those in 2012.

“This year is shaping up to be another year where cruise holidaymakers can take advantage of the incredible value-for-money and escape at sea offers,” says Tony Andrews, Deputy Managing Director at Cruise.co.uk.

“Prices for a 14-night Caribbean cruise, including flights, with P&O Cruises came in at £1,659pp in 2012; a matched 2023 sailing came out at £1,139pp, offering incredible value-for-money. That difference could be

used to upgrade to all-inclusive and take the financial stress out of the holiday.”

Closer to home

According to Sheena Whittle, Head of The Personal Travel Agents, Europe topped the list of destinations customers will holiday to in 2023, demonstrating, she says, that money is a deciding factor.

“European getaways are likely to be very popular as they are often cheaper than going long-haul,” she adds.

ABTA’s report highlighted strong sales for all-inclusive holidays to the Canary Islands this winter, too, where overall scheduled airline capacity is reported to be up by a third on 2019 levels in response to high demand.

In the Balearics, Spanish hospitality group Palladium has added TRS Ibiza Hotel and Hard Rock Marbella to its portfolio, with Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Sergio Zertuche reporting “a strong start” in each.

All Inclusive by Marriot Bonvoy, the all-inclusive concept launched by the Marriot Group in 2019, plans to build a number of new all-inclusive properties in Europe over the next few years across upmarket brands, including W, JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton. All meals, drinks, wi-fi, entertainment, non-motorised water sports, health club access and kids’ activities are all included in the price.

Where to book...

TUI

TUI is offering all-inclusive seven-night breaks to the four-star db Seabank Resort and Spa in Malta, from £677.22pp. The price includes flights from London Gatwick in May 2023; transfers; and all meals and drinks. tui.co.uk •

Paddle boarding is included at all sandals resorts

caribbean cruises are excellent value for money

the all-inclusive is a PoPular choice for families

“It can be around 15% cheaper to book an allinclusive compared to a bed and breakfast or half board holiday, and that’s before you factor in the cost of the additional meals and drinks”

antonio fellino, travel republic

Why sell it

Croissants for breakfast, hot chocolates on the mountain, lunches and meals out – those costs can quickly add up on a ski holiday, especially for families. With a captive market, mountain prices are high and even more so when you’re getting less for your pound. With many Brits watching their pennies right now, going all-inclusive has major benefits. You’ll know the costs upfront, you’ll have a big enough breakfast to get you through the day until it’s time for tea and cake, and then you’ll eat well each evening, usually with the wine included too.

“Ski chalet holidays have come on a long way from sharing steaming plates of pasta washed down with local wine,” says Laura Hazell, Sales and Marketing Director at chalet holiday specialist Ski Beat, which (unlike many ski resort restaurants) also caters well for vegetarians, vegans and guests with allergies.

Who to sell to

Chalets come in all sizes and configurations and naturally cater well for extended families and larger groups. But they’re also popular with singles, couples or smaller families seeking a more sociable experience.

“The advantage of a catered ski chalet is that the holiday is sold by room, whether

Fully-catered

Ski chalets

single, twin, double or a family suite, which means smaller groups, friends, couples or singles can enjoy the social ambience and value of a ski chalet holiday without needing to book the entire property,” adds Hazell.

What to sell

All-inclusive chalet holidays usually include flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea and cakes and evening meals on all but one evening. They don’t include ski passes, ski hire, in-chalet massages or excursions but most skiers will book these in advance, providing more commissionearning potential for agents.

When to sell

The ski season runs from the first week in December until mid-April, both in Europe and in America/Canada.

Christmas and the February half-term are always popular and demand is high.

Prices are generally lower at the start of the season and in mid-January, when temperatures are lower and pistes quieter.

What’s new

Brighton-based Ski Beat has added three new chalets for the 2022/23 season: the Chalet Grandes Alpes, La Rosiere, K120, La Praz, and Chalet Tetres Lyre, a new flagship chalet in Plan Peisey, part of the Paradiski area, with a hot tub and capacity for up to 12 guests. Ski Beat has also added a second early morning flight from Gatwick to Lyon, alongside a weekly flight from Manchester.

Following the successful opening of Poland’s first eco-chalet, Snomads has announced a second sustainable home for winter 2023. Eco Chalet Stardust 2 sleeps up to 13 and is located on Zakopane, at the base of the Tatras Mountains. •

Book it with...Ski beat

A week with Ski Beat costs from £860pp this winter, including accommodation in Chalet Cristal in Val d’Isere, morning flights from Manchester and Gatwick, transfers, breakfasts, afternoon tea with cakes and three-course meals with wine (six nights). skibeat.co.uk

All-inclusive extends to winter holidays too, with hot meals, drinks and transfers included in the catered chalet offering, says Bev Fearis

Snow-covered LA TAniA reSorT in MoreTTAz, FrAnce

coSy chALeT roSeLin in LeS ArcS, FrAnce

believe that Qatar offers the best value stopover in the market”

Philip Dickinson, VP International Markets, Qatar Tourism

beachfront resorts with fantastic facilities and a choice of restaurants and spas.

“We’ve just rolled out our Qatar Specialist Programme; there are a lot of great modules which are very interactive. When agents complete a module they go into our travel agency community and have access to FAM trips and competitions.

believe is the best value stopover in the market. People can travel easily from the UK to onward destinations in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Indian Ocean, with services on Qatar Airways and other airlines. Stopover prices start from $14pp per night in a four-star hotel.

“Our new campaign ‘Feel More’, will appeal to clients that are interested in a beautiful winter sun destination which is also steeped in history, culture, art and authenticity.

“What’s also exciting is, of course, all the new product that has come onstream for the World Cup. That includes more than 100 hotels, from boutique local hotels to larger

“We also have a lot of trade information on our corporate website, with details of our rep offices and a brand portal. Signing up offers access to our assets, including imagery and video content.

Stop right now

“We’ve worked hard to build what we

“With all the museums, the desert, the resorts and the great dining options, there’s plenty to pack into a one- or two-night stop.

“Post-World Cup, we have all these additional hotels that are crying out for business, so I would encourage top travel agents to contact their favourite tour operator to push for deals.” qatartourism.com •

“We were super excited to host the World Cup but at Qatar Tourism we’re all about thinking beyond, so our focus was also on enhancing consumer awareness.

“We

New Year Resolutions

I had an experience over the New Year that helped shape a resolution for 2023. I had booked an oft-delayed family European river cruise and, despite the worry of airport delays, strikes and pricey airfares, I was determined to end 2022 on a high enjoying some fizz and fireworks. Unfortunately, the weather and ‘sailing events’ meant that our scheduled itinerary had to be much altered and, come New Year’s Eve, the ship was unable to stop at the place where it should have.

After the uncertainty of the last few years my travel resolution for 2023 is to dream more and worry less!

It is our job to make dream holidays come true, and we care about that greatly, which is why we have such a high attention to detail. In December I spent two hours re-wording an email and spent a whole night worrying about the reply from slightly unhappy customers in Australia, whose day trip had been cancelled.

However, they replied and said they understood, and it couldn’t be helped! What a waste of my energy when it all turned out OK anyway!

I don’t know if worrying less is entirely possible, but I’m determined to feel less stressed about things outside of our control in 2023.

I like to think we offer a high standard of care to our customers and have been told by other agent friends that we are probably too helpful to our clients! I don’t want to drop our standards, but I do want to try and eliminate some of the job stress.

I hope it’s a good start to the year for our resilient and deserving industry – let’s raise a glass to less worry and the adventures which lay ahead!

Despite the foul weather, the week went well with some great excursions and good company aboard – and most people dealt with the disappointment of fireworks off in

the far distance rather than overhead. However the first day of the year saw me have a severe gastric bug that put at risk my travel plans home. In the event, I got home with some adjustment and considerable medication.

So, my resolution is to make sure clients are sold not just ‘the dream’ but that they are prepared to be flexible when the best laid plans are thrown into disarray – and that minor inconveniences are not used as a reason to make a major complaint.

My New Year’s Resolution is to make more time to travel!

My first trip this year is a surprise weekend break in January with friends, which was an Xmas present from my husband with – watch this space to find out where we went! And in March we are going to Barbados. The last time I was on the island was 20 years ago so I am really looking forward to going back.

A customer recently sent me a picture of their ‘Travel Xmas Tree’ which was filled with tree decorations from their holidays around the world. That struck me as a lovely idea and I plan to do this too.

We are looking forward to lots of bookings for early this year, with customers calling into the office to collect brochures and discuss ideas.

The first days of January have been very busy, almost like the ‘old days’.

We have seen lots of interest in South America, South Africa and Thailand along with demand to travel to Australia and New Zealand and last-minute bookings to the Caribbean and Canaries.

I have my fingers crossed it will still turn out to be a good season for skiers and that the snow starts to fall soon!

One my resolutions is to promote destinations that cater for those with mobility issues.

I recently discovered first-hand how easy it is to get around on a mobility scooter in Las Vegas and will be recommending it to clients who are worrying about accessibility. I had no trouble restaurant hopping with Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, zipping around the Mob Museum and even got a bird’s eye view of The Strip on a Maverick helicopter tour! My message will be: “Don’t let mobility issues stop you from having an adventure”.

I am encouraged by enquiries I have had for trips beyond Europe, which suggests more people are gaining the confidence to travel long-haul again.

It was good to see Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive of Advantage Travel, quoted as saying sales of summer 2023 breaks are running almost a quarter ahead of pre-pandemic comparisons. Also, congratulations to Richard Forde, the new Chair of trade marketing group TIPTO.

Let’s make 2023 a positive year to remember – and don’t forget to include Las Vegas in your window displays.

Alberta’s

Night Sky

Home to five dark sky preserves — including one of the largest in the world — the night sky in Canada’s Alberta twinkles with stars, planets and even the odd flash of the Northern Lights

Jasper National Park

Home to the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world, Jasper celebrates all things dark sky, especially during the annual Dark Sky Festival in October. The Jasper Planetarium is a fantastic starting point for budding astronomers. The Planetarium Experience transports visitors to the edge of the universe (and back) inside the dome theatre. For first-hand viewing add on a Telescope Experience or enjoy a Stargazer’s Lakeside Dinner at Pyramid Lake Resort. Some of the best places to stargaze in the park include Medicine Lake, Pyramid Lake, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, and Lake Annette.

Waterton Lakes National Park

The smallest of Alberta’s mountain parks, Waterton Lakes National Park is nestled in the southwest corner of the province. It’s also the only place you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an international peace park, dark sky preserve and biosphere reserve rolled into one destination. Some of the best places to spot constellations include the Red Rock Parkway and Cameron Bay. Learn from an expert with a Dark Sky Guides tour and try out telescopes, binoculars and stargazing equipment for the best view.

Elk Island National Park

Take a day trip from Edmonton and visit Elk Island National Park, a beautiful wilderness

setting that plays an important role in the conservation of Plains bison. The national park is also a dark sky preserve, and an ideal place to enjoy night sky experiences. Take in the sights at your own pace, or join a Snowshoe and Stargaze tour during the winter. The short, guided snowshoe walk winds around the picturesque Astotin Lake before getting cosy around the campfire to learn all about the night sky.

Stay in a geo dome

What’s more romantic than gazing up at the stars from the comfort of a geo dome? Elk Island Retreat, located less than an hour from Edmonton, offers geodesic domes which can accommodate two adults, complete with all the amenities for a cosy stay.

Meanwhile Métis Crossing, a significant cultural interpretive destination that shares the stories, history, and traditions of the Indigenous Métis people, will be opening geo domes on site soon in addition to guided cultural interpretive experiences.

•

Dark skies are iDeal for seeing the northern lights

snowshoe walk in waterton lakes national Park

star-sPotting in the JasPer Planetarium

watch the sky from the comfort of a geo Dome

Testing the waters in the

Cayman Islands

Donning snorkel and flippers, I fight the instinct to hold my breath as I lower my head under water. Quickly I am transported to another world – a colourful, magical and mysterious underwater paradise.

Schools of blue tangs and chubs meander through the coral, seemingly unperturbed by my presence. I find myself mesmerised by their patterns, and with only muffled sea sounds in my ears I feel relaxed and entirely switched off from modern-day life.

Dive into the Caymans

I am on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands, one of the best known beaches in the Caribbean – in 2022 it received the accolade of 'The Caribbean's Best Beach'–and renowned for its beauty.

And this is just a ‘taster’ of what the Cayman Islands offers divers and snorkellers as it is unequalled as one of the best places to do both in the Caribbean, with its perfect all-year-round conditions, small coves, and shallow water coral reefs.

For an added sense of adventure, there is the USS Kittiwake, an ex-US Navy submarine rescue vessel that was sunk in 2011 in Grand Cayman to create an artificial reef and shipwreck attraction for scuba divers and snorkellers.

It rests just 55 feet below the surface and is easily accessible divers of all abilities.

Divers get close up to the ship’s five decks which are overflowing with a rainbow of rare sponges, goliath groupers, darting squirrelfish and menacing urchins.

A magical paradise

The Cayman Islands has long presented more than a hint of mystique as one of those faraway and more glamorous destinations in the Caribbean, with a reputation for world-class beaches, stunning natural beauty, cuisine from top chefs, and the very highest quality of life.

Moreover, its reputation and experience as a global financial centre has, over many decades, brought stability, growth and a certain sophistication to this British Overseas Territory.

Upon arriving in Grand Cayman I'm greeted with the exciting news that an additional direct flight will be operating in 2023: a fifth weekly flight from London Heathrow with British Airways is due to start on January 19, making it easier than ever to visit this tropical but underrated destination.

I am welcomed at my hotel, the fabulous sea-facing Ritz-Carlton, by smiling staff and luxury amenities. I soon learn it is renowned for hosting the annual Cayman Cookout, which invites an all-star line-up of chefs for a four-day culinary extravaganza. And if the fare at the resort's signature restaurant is any indication of the standard, it's well worth attending!

Into the darkness

Time doesn't allow for me to sign up to one of Cayman Brac’s deep-sea fishing excursions, nor searching out Little Cayman’s endangered iguanas, amazing wildlife, and seabirds which include the Red-footed Boobies.

Whether above or below the water, Martin Steady is left impressed by one of the Caribbean's most magical but underrated destinations

USS Kittiwake was sunk in 2011 creating an artificial reef for divers

But ample compensation is at hand with a visit to the breathtaking Cayman Crystal Caves. I watch my step, which is tricky as I can’t help but be distracted by the immense stalactites and stalagmites. Cave after cave has endlessly impressive crystal structures and otherworldly formations.

I am told by our guide that this is the Cayman’s newest tourist attraction. In bygone times pirates would hide in the caves, evading those trying to claim back their bounty. There's even an annual Cayman Pirates Fest in November, complete with a mock-pirate ‘invasion’, music, street dancing, competitions, local food and drink, a children’s day, sea swims and firework displays.

Steeped in history

My next stop is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which provides us with a serene and enjoyable mix of natural beauty, culture and history. I am fortunate to have a close encounter with the endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguana The two-acre lake is the breeding ground for native birds such as the Caribbean Dove and the Cuban Bullfinch, rare aquatic birds and other native animals.

Learning about the heritage and culture of Cayman requires a visit to Pedro St. James, the oldest existing stone building in the Cayman Islands. In the 1990s, the island’s government purchased Pedro St. James and restored the Great House

to its original splendour, showcasing period furniture, authentic artefacts, and an experience of what life was like here so long ago. I am privileged to listen to an entertaining history lesson telling us how a wealthy Englishman created the astonishing three-storey building also known as Pedro's Castle.

Stingray City

Perhaps my most vivid memory will be a visit to the awesome Stingray City, a diving spot 25 miles off the north shores of Grand Cayman. A tour also incorporates access to Coral Garden, Starfish Point and Turtle Lagoon, with its mid-size green turtles and hundreds of fish species, the shark tank, the turtle touch tank, the bird sanctuary, water slides and beach chairs.

I am introduced to the huge green turtles at the Turtle Lagoon and join brave swimmers as they get up close and personal with enormous yet majestic stingrays surfing in the waist-high water.

This unforgettable experience of interacting with these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat is just one of many treasured memories I'll be taking home from this carefree collection of islands.

•

Book it with... A Caribbean specialist Tour operators selling the Cayman Islands to the trade include Caribtours caribtours.co.uk, Inspiring Travel Company inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk and Lusso Travel lussotravel.com

Culture capital

Graz

Think of Austria and Vienna or Salzburg probably spring to mind. Yet Graz is awash with history, culture and seriously quirky architecture, says Gilly Pickup

Day 1: A floating island and fairytale train

Morning: Over 1,000 years ago a fortress stood on a forested hill in Graz. Although the fortress is long gone, Schlossberg (Castle Hill), with its venerable 13th-century clock tower, is the city’s heart.

Whether you take the funicular or hoof it to the top, the reward is views which stretch all the way to the Slovenian Alps. Take a ride on the FairytaleExpress, a narrow-gauge railway which chugs through the mountain’s caves and tunnels. The half-hour trip spirits you off to fairyland by way of the Enchanted Forest, Flower Meadow and Den of Thieves.

Afternoon: Visit the UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance-era buildings.

The 15th century Graz Burg (castle), now home to the regional government, is famed for its free-standing double-spiral staircase. Known as the Staircase of Reconciliation, it is said to be a symbol of eternity.

Evening: To get from one side of Graz to the other, cross the river by means of the ‘floating island’ real name Murinsel. Shaped like an enormous upturned seashell, it links the city to the river banks. Murinsel was created as a temporary structure during the city’s role as Capital of Culture back in 2003, but locals liked it so much they decided to make it permanent. It is a fabulous place to relax, have a cocktail and bite to eat.

Book it with... Thomas Cook Thomas Cook offers a three-night room-only stay at the four-star Hotel Mercure Graz City including flights to/from London Stansted from £207pp. The hotel features a sauna and is centrally located near the old town. thomascook.com

Day 2: Music, markets and a friendly alien

Morning: Farmers Markets are often worth a gander and those in Graz won’t disappoint. After all, there are around 300 city farmers in Graz, by far the most of any urban area in Austria. For centuries, fruit and vegetables have been harvested here, schnapps distilled, wine pressed and Graz signature pumpkin seed oil milled. In and around town there are plenty of idyllic picnic spots to enjoy the delicacies bought for lunch.

Afternoon: Time to visit the Kunsthaus Graz, a contemporary art exhibition space dubbed ‘the friendly alien’ due to its unusual shape and hundreds of acrylic glass elements projecting from its

surface. Pause for afternoon tea at one of the cafes on the Glockenspielplatz and make sure you’re there at 15.00 for the 24 Glockenspiel bells, where life-size wooden figures appear high up on the gables.

Evening: This city loves its music and there is something on offer to suit every taste. The Opera House offers a range of fabulous productions, not only opera but musical theatre and ballet too.

For something less highbrow, there are year-round live music programmes including concerts and jazz festivals at Café Parkhouse in the middle of the Old Town.

It’s the place to enjoy traditional Styrian cuisine too. •

Hauptplatz, Graz’s central market square

FresH

cross tHe river mur via tHe murinsel

scHlossberG overlooks tHe city oF Graz

H ARRY S CHIFFER PHOTODESIGN

Why sell it

With its vast forests and abundance of flora and fauna, Québec is a veritable beauty spot just over a seven-hour flight from London –and access is easy!

There are direct daily flights to Montréal, double-daily in the summer months as well a once-a-week direct flight to Québec City with Air Transat from May-September.

Who to sell to

Québec is ideal for families, groups, couples and even solo travellers. Hikers will find miles of trails with beautiful vistas, while foodies can join a guided tour in Montréal to experience the local French-inspired cuisine.

Adventure seekers can hike, kayak, zip-line and whale watch along the St. Lawrence River and in the surrounding regions.

What to sell

Nature and outdoors-focused itineraries can be twinned with a city break. Montréal and Québec City offer vibrant cultural scenes and insights into the region’s rich history.

Visitors can learn about the First Nations in Wendake, a small town on the edge of Québec City, with the new Lumina Light Trail, and discover the legends of Indigenous peoples in the longhouse. Or visit the fairytale-esque Château Frontenac on a

Bonjour

Québec

walking tour that reveals the history of the UNESCO City that dates back 400 years.

From June to October, the streets come alive with unusual art during Les Passages Insolites. Each year in Montréal’s Old Port, Cirque du Soleil takes place at the Big Top.

A special new show will run from April to August 2023, focusing on evolution and the balance between humans, animals and the world we share. Pop-ups in the streets of Montréal keep the art alive year-round.

When to sell

Québec is mild and humid in summer. Many free summer festivals take place in Montréal and Québec City, while later in the year the province turns into a winter wonderland. Travellers can travel between both cities by car or with VIA Rail in around three hours.

What’s on in 2023

In 2023 the Château Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world, celebrates its 130th birthday. Elsewhere, festivals and events will energise the whole of the province, and from June visitors can discover the mountain of the Massif de Charlevoix on a nocturnal mountainside carousel. •

Book it with... First Class Holidays

The 12-day self-drive Splendours of Québec itinerary is priced from £2,349pp for Gatwick departures and £2,749pp from Manchester. The tour includes stops in Montréal and Québec City. fcholidays.com/canada/splendours-quebec

With its art, history, natural wonders and a lively French Canadian culture, Québec is the perfect destination to experience a unique North American holiday, says Charlotte Flach

Château FrontenaC, QuébeC City

Whale WatChing along the St. laWrenCe river adventureS

M ARC L OISELLE S

J EAN -F RAN ç OIS F RENETTE

Refresh, recharge, reset

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental and physical wellbeing, with more travellers looking for experiences that relax the body, nourish the mind and embrace self-care, says Jessica Pook

Whether it’s cutting down on screen time or doing the couch to 5k, maintaining a healthier lifestyle is a top priority for many this year.

But a traditional spa break is now just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to some much-needed R&R, with resorts offering treatments ranging from a digital detox to a menopause retreat.

Natural highs

Hilton’s trends report found that one in two (47%) travellers in 2023 are seeking out resorts with fitness amenities like gyms or activities and Florence Wong, Communications Manager at More Life Adventures, an independent fitness retreats company, agrees: “More of us are now using holidays to relax and recover, but in a productive way that matches their lifestyles,” says Wong. “Exercising is no longer seen as a chore, but an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, so good workouts and facilities are key aspects of a holiday.”

A new women-only wellness trip from Wilderness Scotland to the Isle of Skye puts this into practice with wild swimming, hiking along soaring sea cliffs, a private yoga session and foraging for seaweed and shellfish all part of the experience.

Remember the great bicycle boom of 2020? Well these pedal enthusiasts are

taking their hobby across the globe with cycling tours selling well into 2023.

“Cycling through a remote wilderness is a great way to be at one with nature which, in turn, is medicine for the mind,” says Nick Van Gruisen, Managing Director at The Ultimate Travel Company.

“Our clients are keener than ever to get under the skin of a country and discover its true heartbeat through interesting and active ways. We are seeing a significant rise in trekking and walking holidays in Nepal, Peru and Machu Picchu, walking safaris in Zambia and private cycling safaris in Botswana,” adds Van Gruisen.

Slovenia has launched a dedicated Green Wellness cycling route to cater to rising demand. It is made up of 16 stages that circle the country’s diverse landscapes and connect with the best Slovenian spas and natural health resorts along the way.

The digital detox

In order to combat burnout and stress, some resorts are enforcing a ‘digital detox’ whereby guests are encouraged to deposit their phones upon arrival in order to fully switch off and embrace nature.

One property that asks guests to leave their devices at the front desk is the adultsonly boutique hotel Sunrose 7 in Bohinj, Slovenia, near Lake Bohinj.

The hotel’s ‘digital detox concept’ means

there’s no internet, television or multimedia entertainment in the rooms and instead guests are encouraged to venture out into the surrounding nature.

Set on the edge of dense forest hills, Hoshinoya is a riverside resort in Japan’s former capital, Kyoto, where visitors can book a one-night, two-day digital detox programme that focuses on nature and local culture. After depositing all digital devices, guests will immerse themselves in their local surroundings, with grounding experiences such as incense ceremonies, zen meditations and stretch sessions.

And at the Camp’d out Joshua Tree Experience guests are transported to a desert hideaway in Greater Palm Springs for a one-night glamping experience in a noservice spot in Joshua Tree National Park. Campers sleep under the stars in luxury Spanish-style casitas.

Remote retreats

Yoga and meditation are commonplace at wellness retreats, but resorts are increasingly offering courses specialising in mental, nutrition and holistic therapies.

Brijesh Sarsar, Authentic India Tours, says it’s not just physical health that travellers are looking for post-pandemic, it’s also mental wellbeing.

“That’s why our wellbeing holidays are growing fast in popularity, with

New GreeN wellNess CyCliNG route iN sloveNia The RainfoResT expeRience

DeseRT DeTox in Joshua TRee naTional paRK, usa

sunRise yoga aT shinTa mani WilD, camboDia

travellers wanting to get away from it all before returning home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated,” he says.

The company’s best-selling eight-day programme at the SwaSwara Wellness Retreat in Gokarna, Karnataka, includes consultations with doctors and yoga instructors, therapeutic massages, group and private yoga sessions, meditation, art therapy, nature trails, interactive cooking classes and healthy gourmet cuisine.

With a particular focus on men’s mental health, Scarlet and Bedruthan Hotels in Cornwall is hosting dedicated retreats this year with dates in April, June and October. Anthony Mullally, a former Ireland international rugby league footballer known as the ‘Vegan Warrior’, will guide participants on how to build resilience, adapt to adversity and enable better management of stress using temperature exposure and breathwork.

New for 2023, the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence at Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland has partnered with fertility expert Zita West to offer the first ‘Fit for Fertility’ retreat in March, combining the best medical care with a holistic approach to preparing for fertility.

Also in March, PGA Catalunya Golf and

Wellness in Catalonia, Spain, will host a five-day ‘Balance’ Retreat at its new Wellness Centre, aimed at menopausal and perimenopausal women. The class combines movement, naturopathic and holistic therapies, and state of the art technologies to garner results and mitigate symptoms, from anxiety and fatigue to bad sleep and weight gain.

And for something completely unique, clients can try newly-launched horse therapy retreats for 2023. Retreat And Conquer claims that spending time with horses can help with issues ranging from anxiety to post-separation heartache to eating disorders. Heading overseas for the first time, the retreats will be located in remote locations including Nihi Sumba in Indonesia, the private island of Mustique in the Caribbean, as well as Arabia and Africa.

Healing powers

Estonia is showcasing its wellness culture by naming 2023 Year of the Sauna. With nineteen sauna varieties on offer including smoke, igloo sauna and honeycomb saunas, the practice is said to reduce stress, improve sleep and flush toxins.

Spas have developed new ways to enhance wellbeing with treatments

that include natural healing remedies, in-house medical teams and sound and heat therapy. The RitzCarlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert in the UAE emirate offers a luxury resort experience inspired by nature, culture, and tradition. Signature treatments use local herbs and healing traditions while The Rainforest experience combines European hydrothermal culture with Middle Eastern bathing rituals.

Due to open in 2023, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai in Thailand will offer a medicallevel programme complete with an in-house doctor and ‘master healer’ who will assist guests in achieving optimum wellness and balance through holistic approaches.

And Italy’s Palace Merano, has a ‘live life longer’ mantra featuring The Revital Detox for Longevity Programme which aims to revitalise the body and free it from toxins.

Where to book it

The Ultimate Travel Company has a sixnight guided Natural Selection Botswana cycling experience in the Okavango Delta, the first cycling safari of its kind in the country, priced from £5,735pp. Highlights include peddling through Moremi Game Reserve.. theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

WilDeRness WalK in The isle of sKye, scoTlanD

Health is wealth

From traditional medicine for detoxing to powerful mindfulness practices, the Indian Ocean is leading the way in holistic wellness for 2023, says Charlotte Flach

The sweet, cool tea hits my taste buds at just the moment the early afternoon sun reappears from behind a cloud, throwing its full brilliance across my prostrate body.

I breathe in the scent of the oils which have been liberally applied to my hair and body, as the gentle trickle of the pool fountain lulls me into a semi-dreamlike state. My whole body feels warm-inside and out and each one of my senses is stimulated. I’ve achieved ultimate relaxation.

I’m at the recently rebranded five-star Sugar Beach resort in Mauritius, part of the Sunlife portfolio, having just enjoyed an 80-minute Ayurvedic massage in its spa.

My complimentary Hamman experience beforehand, with its hot steam room, Jacuzzi

and cold plunge pool, has only enhanced my treatment.

Quality spa time is just one of the many wellness experiences on offer in Mauritiusand across the Indian Ocean.

Wellness in all its forms is trending for 2023, says James Treacey, Senior PR & Communications Manager at Abercrombie & Kent, and the Indian Ocean is the perfect sell. “Post-Covid, clients are prioritising health, wellbeing, self-improvement and pampering. The Indian Ocean offers space, peace and relaxation in a stunning setting.”

Different clients will be looking for different experiences, but luckily there’s plenty of choice. Although spas are still very popular, experiences beyond this are selling well, says Treacey. “For the luxury client spas

are popular including traditional pampering, but also more in-depth health-focussed treatments and therapies.”

The Indian Ocean is an ideal sell, as many destinations endorse organic materials as central to wellness practices and rituals. For example, there’s a focus on plants with healing properties in The Maldives, says Thoyyib Mohammed, CEO & MD of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation.

“Our woods were our pharmacies, and in them we found healing and nourishment. Our intimate knowledge of the flora, combined with the ancient healing knowledge of travellers from all corners of the world, created the local traditional medicine system of Dhivehi Beys which uses natural remedies that have been

overwater villas on the nautilus, maldives

developed over the centuries.”

When it comes to travel for 2023, the mindset is more reflective, holistic and channelled, says David Kevan, Director of CHIC Locations and tour operator spokesperson for PATA UK & Ireland.

“Both physical and mental health is becoming an important part of holidays, and as Pacific Asia is the spiritual home of healing, many people travel there to achieve emotional and physical wellness,” he says.

Mauritius

On the back of a new campaign, The Lux Collective’s two Mauritian resorts are highlighting their unique wellness offerings.

LUX* Grand Baie, located on one of the island’s stunning northern beaches, offers hydrothermal wellness facilities, LUX* ME spa and rejuvenating hammam treatments as well as fitness and wellbeing classes including HIIT, cycling, soft-sand running, mobility recovery and Yoga.

While LUX* Le Morne, positioned at the foot of the island’s famous UNESCO Heritage Site, is offering immersive experiences designed for travellers seeking mindful luxury. Only 15 minutes’ from Black River Gorges, clients can access hiking and biking trails, alongside sunset yoga spots and inviting lagoons.

At the Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Sundays are all about wellness with a customisable treatment. After a 60-minute massage, guests can dine on organic dishes at the Eat Well buffet and grab a drink at a special detox station.

Sell it: Gold Medal is featuring nine nights at Sugar Beach, half board, for two adults, priced from £2,399pp including Economy Air Mauritius flights from London Heathrow, a 10% discount and £175 F&B and Spa Credit. goldmedal.co.uk

Maldives

To declutter the mind, The Nautilus, a private island only accessible by seaplane, locks away smartphones on arrival and replaces TVs with relaxing music and mindful meditation podcasts. Daily activities feature restorative yoga practices, meditation, one-on-one Reiki sessions and a Tibetan singing sound bath that can be enjoyed in your villa pool. There’s also a menu of spa treatments, with a popular Abdominal Detox treatment.

From September 29 to October 8, 2023, the SOUL Festival in the Maldives will be held at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Over 10 days and two weekends, the festival will

coconut oil treatment at soneva fushi

spa garden at heritage Bel omBre in mauritius

natural and holistic ayurvedic treatments are popular in sri lanka

“For the luxury client spa treatments are popular, including traditional pampering but also more in-depth health-focussed treatments and therapies”

James treacey, abercrombie & kent

overwater sauna at Joali Being, seychelles

RESORTS & GOLF - SUGAR BEACH | LONG BEACH | LA PIROGUE | AMBRE | ILE AUX CERFS - YOURSUNLIFE.COM

celebrate ancient healing traditions and modern innovations that benefit individuals, communities and the planet.

Each weekend, panel discussions with acclaimed health and wellness leaders will be interspersed with group yoga and meditation classes.

Guests can enjoy a personalised Wellness Villa experience at newly renovated Anantara Veli on South Malé Atoll. Enhanced with light, sound and scent therapy, the villa comes with Ayurvedic spa amenities, an earthing mat for meditation, and a wellness minibar with herbal teas, healthy shakes and wholefood snacks. All stays include a wellness consultation upon arrival, daily yoga or personal training session, a healthy cooking class, and 20% off treatments at Balance Wellness by Anantara spa.

And guests staying at Heritance AArah can even indulge in some cosmetic treatments which focus on reverse ageing, fixing fine lines and resolve pigmentation problems. Other wellness programmes include healthy cooking classes, weight loss programmes, fitness stays and medical assessment.

Sell it: A minimum three-night stay for two guests during SOUL Festival is priced from $6,900pp and includes two festival tickets, with private villa accommodation on a fullboard basis and complimentary domestic transfers. soneva.com/soul

Seychelles

Joali BEING, a dedicated-wellness resort in The Seychelles, is offering a Discovery Program which includes a special discount rate on its Best Available Rate and 15% off on selected spa treatments. With the goal of helping guests reach a better understanding of their own wellbeing, the resort gives them tools for reducing stress and fatigue to take with them after their stay.

Therapies take a holistic approach, with sound therapy, skin rejuvenation therapies, learning about eating built around circadian rhythms, and exercise included.

The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island has introduced a

nature-inspired Four Elements Wellness Programme. Classes will enable guests to release the mind with water, ground and encourage a sense of peace with earth, nurture the soul and release stiffness with air and energise through fire.

Sell it: Abercrombie & Kent is offering seven nights at Joali Being, priced from £9,936pp including economy flights from London with Emirates, seaplane transfers, and the Joali Being Discovery Immersion programme. abercrombiekent.co.uk

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a growing number of wellness resorts – and at different price points, making it accessible to travellers beyond those in the high-end market.

Traditional Thai or Balinese style spa treatments in-resort are common, alongside Ayurvedic resorts, or clients can opt for longer specialised detox or yoga retreats.

The Fortress Hotel and Spa, in Galle, has Ayurvedic packages for clients to experience authentic Sri Lankan wellness rituals. An Ayurvedic doctor helps to select an option that suits the clients’ health needs.

The Santani Wellness Resort and Spa, located at Werapitiya, close to Kandy, caters for the luxury market but is still competitive price-wise compared to other resorts globally of the same calibre. Specialising in detox, anti-ageing and weight loss, each retreat begins with a doctor’s consultation to create a fully bespoke guest programme. Sell it: A 14-night tour of Sri Lanka, with seven nights at Santani on its detox programme (with treatments and three spa influenced meals daily) starts from £4,000pp, including flights and transfers, and seven-nights staying between Colombo, Sigiraya and Galle. santani.lk •

hot stone massage at luX* grand Baie, mauritius yoga at sugar Beach, mauritius

The Event

WHAT: Selling Travel Connect: Mauritius WHERE: The Caledonian Club in London

WHEN: December 8

WHo: Air Mauritius, Veranda and Heritage, Attitude Hotels, Sunlife, One & Only, Constance Hotels, LUX* Hotels & Resorts, Beachcomber, Marriott and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

Agents get a first class ticket to Mauritius

Agents and suppliers gathered in London in December for our latest Selling Travel Connect event, dedicated to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

Exhibitors on the night consisted of: Air Mauritius, Veranda and Heritage, Attitude Hotels, Sunlife, One & Only, Constance Hotels, LUX* Hotels & Resorts, Beachcomber, Marriott and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. Agents mingled during a drinks reception before speed-networking with the suppliers in

10-minute meetings.

The evening ended with a prize draw in which agents had the chance to win a five-night stay at Sunlife’s Long Beach property, a two-night stay at One & Only Le Saint Geran, Champagne – and more. Prakash Patel, from Hays Travel, was one agent who found the evening to be very informative, saying: “Mauritius is proving a very popular destination for 2023 so it was helpful to meet with some key suppliers and get more information on what it has to offer.”

“It was a great venue with really good

service and I left having learned lots of new things about this fabulous destination,” he added.

News from the night included the reopening of Veranda Grand Baie in July 2023 following an extensive refurbishment. Upgrades include an infinity pool and new beach bar overlooking Grand Bay. To celebrate, Veranda is offering a trade discount of 20%, valid for stays from July 1 to October 31 2023. The offer is combinable with the honeymoon discount of 5% and the repeater offer of 10%.

Mauritian hotel group Sun Resorts has recently rebranded as Sunlife. Made up of four luxury hotels: the five-star Sugar Beach, five-star Long Beach, four-star La Pirogue, and four-star Ambre, along with private island Ile aux Cerfs, Sunlife has undertaken a transformation across its whole portfolio.

Developments include a newly-launched ‘Come Alive Collection’ – a range of in-resort experiences such as Energy Gym, Sega Zoomba and Putting on the Ritz.

The latest development from JW

Marriott Mauritius comes in the form of The Grand Beachfront Villa, the largest private villa in the Indian Ocean.

Positioned on a secluded section of white sandy beach, the villa can sleep up to eight adults and eight children and comes complete with its own butler and aroundthe-clock chef. There’s also a private fitness centre, steam room, jacuzzi, infinity pool and three plunge pools, plus a sun-soaked deck with loungers.

Arvind Bundhun, Director of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said: “’We’ve had a very encouraging response

from the UK market looking to return to Mauritius and have so much new product for them to experience.

“From exploring the national parks, beaches and clear waters to the amazing culinary offering and meeting locals, adventure seekers, families and couples can enjoy a range of activities. There’s hiking, kayaking with dolphins, catamaran cruises and e-bike tours exploring the island, plus of course relaxing and spending time in hotels.”

Learn more about the suppliers at sellingtravel.co.uk

Wellness

cruises

Themed cruises and active excursions are some of the ways in which cruise lines are extending their wellness offering.

Charlotte Flach takes a closer look

Why sell it

Wellness is trending in 2023 and cruise lines are offering a number of holistic health activities to help clients rejuvenate.

A survey from Mundy Cruising highlighted the importance of wellness for cruise customers, with findings showing that 27% are looking for spa and wellness facilities and 23% for healthy food and drink options.

Covid and its after effects have led to a renewed energy to combine travel with experiences that promote relaxation and wellbeing– so now is the ideal time to sell.

Mundy’s survey also found that 53% of respondents rate a recommendation from their travel agent higher than one from family and friends, indicating a growing confidence in advice agents give.

Ultimately, recent times have shown customers the importance of looking after themselves both physically and mentally, says Lucia Rowe, Managing Director at A-ROSA River Cruises UK & Ireland.

“For many, being on holiday nowadays is about so much more than just being away, it’s about taking time out from the usual day-to-day pressures, it’s about being with loved ones and about taking care of ourselves in whatever way we see fit. Our meditation cruises are selling really well, which is testament to this fact.”

Who to sell to

Cruising for solo travellers is also on the rise, according to Mundy, and the demand for all-inclusive is still increasingly important. Ideal for solo travellers, small ships are trending with 47% of cruisers seeking out more intimate sailings.

Wellness is also a great hook for luxury lovers with onboard spas and finedining great selling points. According to

Mundy, 30% plan to travel in higher grade accommodation in 2023 with opportunities to upsell for those celebrating a special occasion or looking for luxurious add-ons to a bucket list experience.

What to sell

Wellness encapsulates a huge range of experiences, including spas, fitness facilities, yoga, active shore excursions and healthy eating. Luckily there is plenty of existing and new product available.

CroisiEurope has expanded its excursion offering to include hiking, canoing, cycling and other outdoors pursuits, following an increased appetite for active excursions.

The operator has also grown its Cruise & Walk itineraries for 2023 with the addition of the Canary Islands and Corsica. These sailings feature guided walks through beautiful scenery by day, with cruising overnight. Other itineraries offered are across the Adriatic; along the Douro and the Danube; through the Rhône and Saône regions, within Italy; and on the Moselle, the

Hiking cruise witH sail croatia

Saar, the Rhine and the Neckar rivers.

Similarly, Sail Croatia has seen real growth in its health and fitness offerings, namely its Cycle Cruises which includes the opportunity to ride across Hvar, Mljet National Park and Krka National Park, and its Hike Cruises with trails across Solta, Vis, Korcula, Hvar, Bol and Makarska.

A-ROSA River Cruises has launched a meditation-themed cruise on the Danube for 2023, for those seeking a more lowkey way to decompress. They will join a mindfulness coach for daily sessions and personalised one-to-one sessions. Guests can complement their meditation classes with a visit to the spa or a yoga class.

When to sell

Cruising is a strong sell year round due to the variety of activities and entertainment, both onboard and onshore excursions.

Itineraries are tailored to fit the season and location and take in local activities of note at each stop.

While the summer months are usually overwhelmingly busy for cruise lines, there is plenty of scope to sell outside of these, says Mundy’s survey. Over 38% will travel in the early part of 2023, with over 50% choosing to cruise in the autumn and winter seasons between October 2023 and

March 2024, plus over 59% are planning ahead for summer 2024 and beyond.

The versatility of cruise allows for sailings in both warm and colder destinations, and although the Mediterranean continues to be a favourite, as well as European river cruising, local itineraries in the British Isles, or the Baltic and Norwegian Fjords are very popular too.

And with over 40% planning to prioritise once-in-a-lifetime trips including the Polar Regions (9%), Japan (10%) and South America (9%), agents should highlight the year-round appeal of these bucket list destinations.

What’s new

MSC’s recently-launched luxury cruising brand, Explora Journeys, has launched its Ocean Wellness programme on EXPLORA I, addressing sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, energy and immunity-boosting. Its spa offers a sensorial therapeutic circuit, combining a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, and ice fall, while a sports court, panoramic running track and touch tennis add to extensive fitness facilities.

There are also tailor-made consultations and retreat programmes, ranging from sleep and immune boosting to nutritionfocused. An extensive yoga programme means enthusiasts can choose from energy flow power classes, sleep Yoga; relaxation yoga and mindfulness Yoga to anchor body and mind through meditation; and immune-boosting yoga to support health and reduce anxiety via pranayama breathing techniques.

“Neuroscience has shown how the ocean calms the mind, revitalises the body, and boosts the immune function,” says Julanda Marais, Senior Lead Spa Operations on EXPLORA I

“Instead of the relentless demands of the day-to-day, guests explore new destinations and cultures, spend leisurely time with companions, forge links with like-minded people, and reconnect with what matters,” adds Marais. •

Book it with... AROSA

A five-night ‘Meditation – A Journey into Inner Peace’ cruise onboard A-ROSA FLORA is priced from £1,379pp. The cruise departs on November 4 and 19, 2023 and sails along the Rhine, stopping at Cologne, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Utrecht. arosa-cruises.co.uk

Msc eMbraces nature on its sHore excursions

explora i debuts an ocean wellness prograMMe

Titan’s new Worldwide tours

Titan’s latest Worldwide brochure features 25 new tours including options in Japan, Cuba and a Canadian Rocky Mountains adventure.

Priced from £6,999pp, the escorted 21-day Grand Tour of Japan will visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, with travel on three bullet trains. Flights are with Japan Airlines from London Heathrow, based on an October 16 2023 departure.

The 16-day Viva Cuba tour, priced from £2,969pp, will take in Havana and then some of the lesser-known parts of the island including Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad and two Caribbean beach resorts. The deal is based on a May 30 departure from London Gatwick with Air Europa.

The 11-day Journey Through the Clouds escorted tour will include two days on board luxury train Rocky Mountaineer, five days exploring the pine-scented wilderness of Jasper and Banff and two nights in Vancouver. Based on a May 2 2023 departure, it is priced from £4,249pp. Titan is offering every customer a free

A-Rosa has booking incentives for agents

River cruise line A-ROSA is running its firstever agent incentive programme.

‘Wave’, which ends on January 31, offers agents booking directly with A-ROSA incentives such as free UK airport lounge passes for their clients on each booking and £50 Love2Shop vouchers for themselves.

Key campaign messages for agents during the campaign include a saving of £800 per couple on seven-night cruises in 2023 – available on all dates and rivers – with a lead-in price of £1,475pp on the Seine, departing October 12, and a saving of £2,000 per couple on the 18-night Danube Delta cruise in 2023, based on an April 10 2023 departure, with prices from £3,999pp.

Best overall lead-in price for an A-Rosa cruise in 2023 is £949pp, for a four-night mini cruise on the Rhine in November.

A-ROSA launched its bespoke ATOL protected packaged products, including flights and pre/post stays, in spring 2022. arosa-cruises.co.uk

airport lounge pass at No1 and Aspire Lounges on every new international booking made from December 28 2022 through to January 31 2023.

Andy Squirrell, Titan’s Managing Director, commented: “After an incredible year of holidays, we’re delighted launch our latest Worldwide brochure to help our customers plan their new travel adventures for 2023 and 2024. There’s a real joy to exploring the world and allowing us to look after the finer details leaves you free to do just that.” titantravel.co.uk

P&O Cruises has Select onboard offer

P&O Cruises is offering guests up to £500 on-board spending money when they book a Select Price holiday by March 6, 2023.

The offer, available on selected departures between December 16 2022 and April 1 2025, means guests can use the on-board spending money in a variety of ways – such as a treatment in the spa, a shore excursion or dining in one of the speciality restaurants.

Also, guests can book with a 10% deposit when they book a new Select Price or Early Saver holiday by March 6 2023 on departures during the same period.

Throughout January and February, P&O Cruises is giving travel agents the chance to win a pair of tickets to a one-day gala event on board its newest ship, Arvia, in April. For their chance to win and to keep up to date with P&O Cruises’ latest information, agents can join the cruise line’s training team through one of its Facebook Live sessions. pocruises.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hong Kong ends measures

Hong Kong – which had some of the world’s most stringent Covid-19 measures – has eased entry restrictions for tourists, following a similar move by mainland China. Visitors are no longer be required to take a PCR test and the vaccine pass system has also been removed – but a compulsory mask mandate in public places is still in place. discoverhongkong.com

•

Riviera’s drinks package

Riviera Travel is offering a free drinks package on all European river cruises departing in July and August 2023, applicable on bookings made up to February 28, with 82 departures across 11 different itineraries. The drinks package includes a selection of wines, draft beer and soft drinks at both lunch and dinner onboard. rivieratravel.co.uk

• Raffles heads to Boston

The Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences will be the first Raffles property in the U.S. when it opens in May 2023. With 147 guestrooms, it is located in the Back Bay area, close to shopping on Newbury Street and within easy reach of Fenway Park with its new MGM Music Hall. raffles.com

• BA flies to Florence

British Airways has added a new direct service from the UK to Italy to its summer 2023 schedule. Starting on April 26, the new flight to Florence will operate daily from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on an A320Neo aircraft. britishairways.com

National Holidays takes flight

National Holidays’ expanded product range for 2023 includes 48 new tours in Britain and Ireland and 26 in Europe, including for the first time 10 new holidays by air.

The coach break operator’s new line up of classic coach tour options feature many well-established holidays sold through sister brand, Just Go! Holidays.

The existing programme of ‘budgetfriendly breaks’ has been rebranded as the ‘SuperValue Selection’, with over 100 tours including best-sellers such as ‘Emmerdale Village – The Tour’ and ‘Llandudno Weekend Leisure break’.

New choices include 38 new five-, six- and seven-day classic collection coach tours in Britain including: a five-day Regal Scotland, Glamis Castle, Royal Yacht & Edinburgh; a five-day Northumberland, Hadrian’s Wall, Holy Island & Alnwick Castle; a fiveday Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion; and a five-day Gentleman Jack’s Charming Yorkshire.

Prices start from £299pp for a five-day Isle of Wight ‘Royals and Rails’ break.

There are six new tours in Ireland including a six-day ‘Irish Craic & Culture’ option that includes stays in Dublin and Belfast. Prices start from £649pp. The 26 new European Collection tours

include a four-day ‘Normandy, the British D-Day Memorial and Rouen’ break by coach from £349pp, a nine-day ‘Grand Tour of Italy’ by coach from £829pp and a sevenday “Villas & Gardens on the French Riviera’ break by air from £1059pp.

To help agents identify the type of tours on the operator’s agent website, every tour has a new icon marking it as a ‘Classic’ or a ‘SuperValue Selection’.

For 2023, three separate brochures have also created: National Holidays Britain & Ireland Collection, National Holidays SuperValue and National Holidays European Collection. They can be ordered from BP TradeGate over the coming days. nationalholidays.com/agents

NEWS IN BRIEF

• New coaster at Universal Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando’s seventh roller coaster, will debut in the spring. The attraction will be the world’s first ‘Surf Coaster,’ offering immersive design elements, including a dynamic surfing launch and ‘wave jumping’ motions for an ocean adventure with a difference. seaworld.com

• Dulles to downtown D.C. Washington Dulles International Airport (in Virginia) is now linked to downtown Washington D.C. after the Silver Line extension of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail expansion project opened in November. The line makes it much easier for passengers to travel from the airport to the nation’s capital and around the Capital Region. Virginia attractions include more than 330 wineries virginia.org

Jersey highlights the unique and familiar

Visit Jersey’s brand-new winter campaign, launched on Boxing Day, is designed to ignite interest in an island break to the Channel Island in 2023.

An extension of the ‘Curiously Brit …(ish)’ theme that ran in 2022, the campaign assets encourage Brits to think differently about the Channel Island.

Running across TV, video on demand, digital, out of home, print an Visit Jersey’s official website until the end of March, the campaign aims to drive awareness of and interest in Jersey as a spring/summer holiday destination.

The new ‘creatives’ are designed to capture the unexpected side of the island

– from historical reenactments at Mont Orgueil Castle to sea swims, seafood and paddle boarding takeaways on the island’s south coast. They also feature images of the historical holiday lets at Seymour Tower.

Visitors are also encouraged to see Jersey as combining the best of both worlds, the excitement and allure of an overseas holiday with the familiarity, low carbon footprint and security of a staycation Claire Lyons at Visit Jersey commented: “We had an excellent summer season in 2022 and really want to continue the momentum by raising Jersey’s profile across the UK for 2023, highlighting not just our proximity and connectivity to cities across the UK, but also the plethora of unexpected

and extraordinary experiences that visitors can expect when they arrive. We want people to consider Jersey as comfortably familiar, but with a continental twist.” jersey.com

The Event

WHAT: Selling Travel Connect

WHERE: One Great George Street, London

WHEN: November 21, 2022

WHo: Hong Kong Tourism Board, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines, Okinawa, Expedia TAAP, Bonjour Québec, Quark Expeditions, Ajman, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Amazing Thailand, Travelpack, JetBlue, Kissimmee, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation

Agents and suppliers gathered for Selling Travel’s biggest event of the year - and the first of many such post-Covid events.

Agents enjoyed a drinks reception before speed-networking with suppliers that included airlines, cruises, hoteliers, tour operators and tourist boards.

An exciting prize draw rounded off the evening, with highlights including hotel stays, airline tickets and fam trip places.

Jessica Pook, SellingTravel’s Deputy Editor, said: “It was so great to see our readers, chat to them face to face and hear all about what they’ve so far been selling for 2023.

“With such a diverse range of suppliers, Selling Travel Connect is a great way to inspire agents and help them connect the dots between destinations, tour operators, hotels and airlines.”

Comments from the evening...

One of many agents who enjoyed the evening was Brian Morris, Owner of Crescent Associates. “There was a great selection of suppliers which have sparked inspiration for my discerning clients,” he said. “I was interested to learn more about JetBlue’s extensive network to the U.S. and on upselling Delta’s cabins.”

Sylvia Mason, from Ultimate Global Meetings, added: “The Caribbean is a big seller for me so it was great to speak to the CTO and hear about British Airways new London-Aruba flight from March 2023.”

CONNECT

Success for suppliers

Laura Sayce, Bonjour Québec, said: “It’s so good to be engaging with so many agents and spreading the word about Québec. We are excited to have our direct flight from London to Québec City returning next year (May to October).

“We will be organising FAM trips to coincide with Canada’s big trade show, Rendezvous Canada, which will be held in Québec City in May”

Dawn Page, Director, UK and Northern Europe, Hong Kong Tourism Board, said: “As Hong Kong’s travel restrictions ease,

we plan to bring tour operators and Hong Kong Specialist Club members back to Hong Kong to experience the city.

“We want to reconnect with the industry and showcase new developments in Hong Kong, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, home to M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the new Peak Tram, which underwent renovations last year.”

Chris Lee, Head of Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “We are seeing that visitors are spending more money, staying longer and seeking out multicentre holidays.

“With clients booking more complex bookings it’s more important than ever that we educate the trade on everything Thailand has to offer.

“We have a roadshow planned in May, for Manchester and Glasgow, and plan to run four FAM trips in 2023.”

Sue Bailey, Director of Sales, Dusit Hotels, said: “Thailand is a big focus for us and we are excited to reopen the Dusit Thani hotel in 2024, which has undergone a major refurbishment. It is aimed at millennial travellers and will offer experiential travel opportunities.”

Meanwhile Mary Murphy, from Ajman Tourism, said that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year has sparked new interest in the Middle East, saying: “I think the tournament helped to put the region on the map, with visitors keen to explore beyond Dubai.

“Ajman is a great option for clients looking for the authentic Middle East.” In it to win it

At the end of the evening, a prize draw saw a handful of lucky agents walk away with more than just their knowledge and inspiration expanded!

Top prizes went to Joe Rivelli from BCD Travel Ltd, who won flight tickets from Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic; Sanyula Kabisa from Travel Counsellors won a spot on a fam trip to Ajman; and Otto Gumaelius of Jon Baines Tours Ltd who won five nights in two Dusit hotels in Thailand.

In additon to this, many other agents left with £100 Amazon vouchers, NFL tickets, rum, whisky, gift hampers, goodie bags and chocolates. sellingtravelco.uk/a-successful-nightat-selling-travel-connect

Atlantic Crossing

The USA is on course to welcome more than five million UK visitors a year by 2024 as visitors rush back across the Atlantic to banish the pandemic blues, says Peter Ellegard

Destinations across the USA are bracing for a rush of British visitors in 2023.

Tom Garzilli, Chief Marketing Offi cer for Brand USA, is certainly upbeat about prospects, saying: “The UK is the number one source of international overseas visitors for us, with almost three million travellers as of October (2022) and over fi ve million projected visitors by 2024.”

He adds: “One of the big factors for people returning to the US is the incredible culinary scene and there are so many foodie experiences for travellers to enjoy next year, from the renaissance of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to the inaugural Louisiana Food &

Wine Festival hosted in Lake Charles in September 2023.”

Flight paths

A slew of new flights and increases on existing services will help achieve this.

Among them, British Airways will begin a new year-round service from London Heathrow to Cincinnati in June, with up to five flights a week. It is also resuming direct flights from London Gatwick to Las Vegas in March, with three flights a week augmenting its daily service from Heathrow.

In addition, it is stepping up flights on services to Portland, Pittsburgh and New york’s JFK airport.

March will see Delta bring back its Heathrow-Los Angeles service for the first time since 2015, followed by seasonal services from Gatwick to JFK in April and Edinburgh to Atlanta in May, a route not operated since 2007.

Aer Lingus will add its 15th U.S. route in May, serving Cleveland from Dublin.

Virgin Atlantic is also boosting its U.S. services in 2023 with extra flights on its routes to Miami and JFK. In late 2022, United added a new Heathrow-Boston link and upped its Gatwick-JFK service.

New attractions

UK visitors will find many new attractions, hotels and other developments across the

country in 2023.

Super Nintendo World comes to Universal Studios Hollywood in February.

It will feature the signature Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge interactive ride combining augmented reality with projection mapping technology.

Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration continues until the end of March, featuring Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade parade along Main Street USA.

Disney will also be adding new attractions in 2023, including the Tron Lightcycle Run ride at the Magic Kingdom in spring and interactive trail Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana within EPCOT’s World Nature neighbourhood in late 2023.

The Las Vegas Strip will form part of the street circuit for the third Formula 1 race of the year in the U.S. when the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place in November, following the Miami Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix in Texas.

Mid-2023 is when high-speed rail service Brightline is due to start whisking passengers from Miami to Orlando in just three hours, once construction of Orlando International Airport station is complete.

Solar eclipses

Nature will be putting on its own spectacular displays in the next 15 months, with not one but two solar

eclipses visible from the U.S..

On October 14, an annular eclipse (where the moon passes in front of the sun, creating a ring of fire effect) will be visible within about a 125-mile-wide path from Oregon to Texas. That will be a precursor to a total eclipse on April 8, 2024, which will darken skies in a 115-mile-wide swathe north-east from Texas to Maine.

Tour operators are already offering tailor-made trips for the 2024 eclipse.

Key anniversaries in 2023 include Warner Bros’ centenary. Starting in February, the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood will have a special 100th anniversary exhibit as part of the tour,

Disney also turns 100 and will mark its founding in October 1923 with a series of events as part of its Disney 100 years of Wonder celebrations.

Looking good

U.S. destinations are confident about the year ahead. “Overall the outlook is positive,” says Jim Odoire, Director and Head of Travel Trade for Black Diamond, which represents Arizona, California, Colorado and other destinations in the UK.

“Airlift is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and tour operators are reporting strong bookings. The current economic situation does not seem to be dissuading people from travelling and holidays still seem to be a priority when it comes to discretionary spending.”

Odoire notes that although booking lead times are generally shorter, people realise they have to book early for popular destinations and are also staying longer.

Road trips are back again as car rental prices are coming down to normal levels.

There is also increased interest to wilderness destinations, mountains, deserts, national parks and dark sky locations.

TTM which represents Louisiana, North Carolina, Discover New England, Travel South, Tennessee, Massachusetts and West Virginia is equally positive.

Director Neil Jones, said: “We’ve been excited to see flight schedules returning and a number of new routes added as well.”

Jones adds that events in 2023 are proving booking hooks “because people are still making up for the lost years of the pandemic”. These include legacy events such as Mardi Gras, Fiesta and July Fourth celebrations but also smaller, local events and festivals across the U.S..

“This year, North Carolina will have several special events and races to mark the 75th anniversary of NASCAR. In Tupelo, it is the 25th anniversary of their Elvis festival and in New Hampshire, Portsmouth and Dover are celebrating their 400th anniversaries.”

Andy Facer, whose agency 5F Marketing represents Alabama in the UK, says:

“I would say that for most tour operators, business is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, and there is optimism for 2023. We are also hopeful that 2023 will be the year that Amtrak services are re-launched from Mobile to New Orleans.”

Tour operators

USA specialist tour operators are anticipating a good 2023, too.

Ruby Briggs, Managing Director for North America Travel Service (NATS), says: “Our client base is mainly high-spend travellers; therefore the current economic climate isn’t really impacting them.”

Briggs says demand is still strong for south-west states California, Arizona and Nevada, but NATS is booking more city breaks than it did pre-Covid.

“City breaks were typically something people would put together themselves, but the feedback is that they would prefer to have the total protection that a tour operator/ATOL bonding provides them.”

Over the past year, the operator has added “a significant number” of new tours and products including fly-drive itineraries and escorted tours in 2023 and 2024, as well as developing an Experience and Explore section featuring sightseeing tours. Walking and foodie tours will be added soon.

America As you Like It also has several fresh offerings, including a new California itinerary, a Great River Road fly-drive and another in Alabama, with a new Pennsylvania brochure coming soon.

Managing Director Maggi Smit says: “Most people are doing fly-drives. The deep south is selling particularly well: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina. Beach holidays are also popular.”

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disney

Why sell it

British Airways is launching a new direct flight from London Heathrow to Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), beginning June 5, 2023, making it easier than ever for agents to sell Kentucky.

The new service will establish the state as one of the ‘front porches’ of the South, and will boost fly-drives between northern Kentucky and Nashville and New Orleans. Alternatively, suggest clients can head North to Ohio and Pennsylvania, or East to Virginia and North Carolina.

Who to sell to

Foodies can tuck into farm-to-table fare and bourbon-inspired dishes across the state. There’s also events celebrating whiskey, barbeque and even a World Chicken Festival!

Outdoorsy types can hike, bike and kayak in Mammoth Cave National Park, Cumberland Falls and Red River Gorge.

A visit to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington will delight families while musiclovers will enjoy live bluegrass at a local jamboree or at the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro.

What to sell

Lexington and Louisville promise plenty of action and highlights include The

Bluegrass

Kentucky

Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville, which examines Ali’s life in and out of the ring. The sports theme continues in Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby horse race and the Kentucky Derby Museum, which includes a walking tour of Churchill Downs.

Bourbon Country offers a plethora of distilleries, including Louisville’s historic ‘Whiskey Row’ and Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, near Lexington, which is the oldest

continuously operating distillery in the U.S.. Those that like to live life in the fast lane will find plenty of horsepower in the National Corvette Museum & Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, the only place where Corvettes are still made. There are also civil rights tours that uncover Kentucky’s history.

When to sell

The Kentucky Derby is a highlight of the year and is always staged on the first weekend of May. The celebrations kick off two weeks before with The Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, which features an air show, fireworks and live music.

October/November is a great time to see fall colours in the National Parks, with pops of red, orange and yellow across the state.

Book it with... Trailfinders

A 14-day Spirit of Kentucky & Tennessee fly drive holiday with Trailfinders costs from £2,010pp. Includes accommodation and car hire. trailfinders.com

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Kentucky’s popularity is on the rise thanks to new direct flights and a growing demand for Southern USA fly-drives in 2023, says Jessica Pook

Fall Foliage at BuFFalo lake, elizaBethtown

wholesome southern Food mammoth

Visit Oklahoma

Land of What’s New

As America grew it seems every restless settler, cowboy, oil tycoon and budding entrepreneur paused or settled in what is now Oklahoma.

Most notable are the 39 Native American tribes now headquartered in the ‘Sooner State’ as a result of having been resettled –willingly or forcibly – in the 1800s.

Oklahoma is a richly-storied state: diverse, beautiful, welcoming and ready, willing and able to share these significant stories. It’s at America’s crossroads, where ranchers raised cattle (and still do) and cowboys hit the famous Chisholm Trail.

Twelve eco-regions are home to 32 state parks, ranging from desert to cypress

swamp, salt flats to tallgrass prairies, and hardwood forest-covered mountains.

All are graced with breathtaking beauty and countless watersports and land-based outdoor activities.

Remembering the past

Native American nations have rebuilt communities and prospered and now proudly share their stories with visitors at various tribal cultural centers, such as at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah, Choctaw Cultural Center near Durant, and Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.

Clients can learn Native American

techniques handed down from past generations or step into a living history museum and come face to face with a bison herd that’s been roaming the same land for decades.

What’s cooking?

Oklahomans come from many backgrounds and many nations.

This diversity is perfectly reflected in cuisine across this state. Traditionally, it’s about hearty Western fare: BBQ ribs and steak, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, Indian tacos, pie and ice cream – which are often served in a 50s themed diner.

Today, local ‘farm-to- fork’ sourcing is a big deal and Okies with roots all over

The turbulent growth of America created Oklahoma and its ‘uniqueness’ is best revealed during an unhurried USA road trip

the world – from Ireland to Italy and Sweden to Southeast Asia – offer an eclectic culinary experience in flourishing restaurants. The craft-brewery and winery scenes are also booming with brew tours and wine tastings available statewide.

Music maestro

Live music is everywhere, played in huge arenas but also ‘front-room’ bars. Genres range from blues, folk, jazz, rock, Western swing and even opera.

Home-grown artists such as Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton, to name just few, have become mega stars.

Exciting new music attractions include

Hit the road

In 1926, Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery envisioned a highway connecting east and west – and that’s how Route 66 was born.

There’s no richer section of the road than the 400-plus drivable miles in Oklahoma. The highway brings together around100 historic, quirky and fun attractions, and includes Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Set aside five to seven days for exploring the many ‘must do’ attractions, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, which offers visitors a journey through the history of the revered highway. •

a Bob Dylan ‘living archive’ at its own purpose-built Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa.

“Home-grown artists such as Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton, to name just few, have become global music stars”

Mother of all Road trips

America’s most famous road, gearing up for its 100th birthday celebrations, is best experienced by planning an itinerary that includes several nights in Oklahoma, says Peter Ellegard

Driving Route 66 in its entirety is an unfulfilled dream of mine.

However, I have had my kicks on Route 66 along various sections in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and California, besides paying homage to where the fabled road begins and ends – marked by commemorative signs by the Art Institute of Chicago and on Santa Monica Pier.

Sampling it in small chunks, I have savoured its enduring appeal, historic landmarks and memorable attractions.

For example, the saloon-style Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas serves up gigantic 72-ounce steaks and anyone downing the whole meal inside an hour eats for free. I resist the challenge but one fellow diner succeeds, earning himself a certificate and undoubtedly severe indigestion.

At Shamrock, Texas, I encounter the delightful, pink Conoco Tower Station, the only Art Deco petrol station on Route 66.

I stay in several roadside motels along the Mother Road in Texas and in Oklahoma, where I drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. And in California, I follow the final section from desert town Barstow, strolling the final few yards on Santa Monica’s venerable pier.

After those appetisers I’m now ready for the main course Route 66, otherwise known as the Mother Road, turns 100 on November 11, 2026 – but preparations to mark the centennial are already well under way.

And new road trip itineraries are being launched ahead of an expected surge in interest as the spotlight increasingly focuses on the historic route.

Nowhere is that more the case than in Oklahoma, which has the road’s longest driveable section of any state and where it has its roots.

The now legendary road came about thanks to Tulsa, Oklahoma, businessman Cyrus Avery, who successfully lobbied for a highway between Chicago and Los Angeles via Oklahoma as the Model T Ford was opening up driving to the masses.

Called the Main Street of America by Avery, Route 66 linked small towns and big cities in America’s heartland, spawning weird and wonderful roadside attractions to tempt travellers to stop, many of which still exist.

Illinois to California

Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, the route spans three time zones

and eight states – Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California – and stretches almost 2,500 miles, more than 400 of them in Oklahoma.

The advent of fast interstate highways bypassing the long and winding road signalled its apparent death knell and Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985.

But its spirit was kept alive by enthusiasts, local administrations and businesses, a renaissance that saw Route 66 museums and more attractions popping up celebrating its glory days and motoring history.

The momentum is growing. Among planned events, the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is to stage a special exhibition commemorating the road’s 100th anniversary in 2026.

Oklahoma

A nine-day festival of classic cars, historic memorabilia, music and food, the inaugural AAA Route 66 Fest was held in Oklahoma City and Tulsa in June 2022 with plans to stage it each year up to the centennial.

More festivities are also in the pipeline in the run-up to the big day. Meanwhile, efforts in Oklahoma include renewing Route 66

signage and neon lighting along the road as well as projects to renovate Route 66 motels.

Driving the entire route typically takes around two and a half weeks, but fresh flydrive options are being introduced to allow visitors to take things at a leisurely pace.

Oklahoma Tourism is working with ATI on itineraries that break the route into two – a 16-day eastern journey that starts in Chicago and finishes in Grapevine, Texas, with flights from Dallas, and an 18-day western drive from Grapevine to Santa Monica.

The eastern drive allows seven nights in Oklahoma while the western option includes four nights, giving time to explore beyond Route 66 and delve into the state’s Native American culture, Western heritage and natural attractions.

A 21-day full Route 66 itinerary includes four nights in Oklahoma.

Matt Bates, UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland Destination Awareness Manager for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, said that a number of tour operators were already including the hybrid east and west itineraries with their offerings and the full route option was available for them to tailor.

Car rental

First Class Holidays Product Manager Brian Hawe said that while one-way car rental had been an issue for a while, the operator was now seeing availability for rentals from Chicago to Los Angeles, and there was demand for the route.

He added: “Historically it was the one-way fees that were a barrier to sales but we can now see those included in the rental cost, so while the customer is still paying for it, it’s something that’s been included in the overall cost when they book, and not something perceived to come out of the holiday money.

Speaking of the upcoming anniversary Hawe predicts an added interest when the centenary promotions start.

Where to book it

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAYS

A 17-night Historic Route 66 fly-drive from Chicago to Los Angeles including a twonight extension in Oklahoma costs from £2829pp including international flights, accommodation and 18 days’ car rental with unlimited mileage, zero excess and no oneway drop fee. fcholidays.com

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There are Three rouTe 66 museums in oklahoma, including The oklahoma rouTe 66 museum in clinTon (lefT) and The naTional rouTe 66 and TransporTaTion museum in elk ciTy (righT)

Big Texan sTeak ranch in amarillo diner sTops are availaBle enrouTe rouTe 66 is a favouiTe amongsT classic car enThusiasTs

Oklahoma City

The Modern Frontier

In Oklahoma City (OKC) you’ll be greeted with the warmest of welcomes before discovering the heritage and culture of a city that embraces the modern world whilst still remembering its frontier roots.

A bright future

Oklahoma City is known as the Modern Frontier – and it is rich with opportunity and seasoned with character. It is a ‘yes city’ that actively makes things happen.

Its collaborative and energetic vision has transformed OKC over the past several decades, with nearly $2 billion invested in building world-class attractions, sports venues, urban parks and a new convention center complex. And they’re not done yet!

For two successive years OKC has been named the number 1 city in the nation for street art by USA Today

From alleyways filled with rotating murals to sculptures adorning bridges and parks, the city’s street art scene offers plenty of Instagrammable moments while also showcasing its culture and creative talent – just one of many unexpected things to discover about Oklahoma City.

If it’s curated cuisine you crave, OKC is a hub for innovative chefs and locally owned

restaurant groups that have cultivated a thriving food scene where flavor and gastronomic creativity has few limits.

Making history

This is also where authentic Western heritage meets thriving modern metropolis. True to its frontier roots, Oklahoma City embodies the Modern Frontier and is where a spirit of adventure fuses with a down-to-earth approach.

Every destination has a story, and Oklahoma City’s own story began with the several tribal nations which inhabited this special land long before it was ‘officially’ designated a city.

This complex past has led to OKC residents embracing a history of doing things their own way – which has resulted

in a visionary passion that is evident today in its people and entrepreneurial spirit. From the classically trained to the wildly inventive, the city is home to pioneering thinkers, doers and creators.

To really get the best out of a visit to Oklahoma City, be sure to linger awhile.

Or as the city says: “Discover those fresh perspectives and flavours that await you, and let the city and its people welcome you to the Modern Frontier.”

Top Experiences

The First Americans Museum: This museum tells the collective histories of the 39 tribes of Oklahoma. It showcases exhibitions in history, culture and art; features live public and educational programs and has a full-service restaurant

A warm welcome awaits in Oklahoma City. A place that embraces diversity and is open to all

BimBo Bakeries mural shines Bright in the city centre

presenting unique Native-inspired cuisine. Buy Native-made and artisan wares in the well-stocked gift shop. famok.org

Best of Bricktown: Bricktown Entertainment District is the go-to place for nightlife, dining and fun. Enjoy the sights along the mile-long Bricktown Canal on a Bricktown Water Taxi.

Bricktown is also home to the American Banjo Museum, where you’ll see more than 400 beautiful instruments and rotating exhibits. Located at the south end of Bricktown, the Oklahoma Land Run Monument features 45 of the world’s largest bronze sculptures. bricktownokc.com

The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine: The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, which is expected in 2023, will be a

resource for the Catholic archdiocese of Oklahoma City and a beacon of faith to people around the world. Blessed Stanley Rother was the first martyr from the U.S. and the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified. The shrine, built in dedication to him, is designed in the Spanish mission style. rothershrine.org

Oklahoma Trailhead and Bike Park (coming soon): Slated to open in Spring 2023, the Oklahoma Trailhead and Bike Park at RIVERSPORT expansion will include a new bike plaza, an outdoor classroom, a community garden, and play area, as well as paved parking. Shipping containers will be used to create a unique gathering place that includes a welcome center, a nature center, and ADA restrooms. visitokc.com •

“Bricktown Entertainment District is the go-to for nightlife, dining and fun. Enjoy the sights along the mile-long Bricktown Canal on a Bricktown Water Taxi”

center comPleX

comPleteD in

Vegas is constantly evolving: an ever-flowing stream of new shows, hotels and restaurants are part of the fabric in a destination which deserves its ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ tag.

Key developments include the opening of the MSG Sphere, which is anticipated in the second half of 2023. The 20,000-capacity entertainment venue at The Venetian is the world’s largest spherical structure. Featuring a brandable exterior, it will host both residencies and sporting events.

Motorsports fans are likely to be interested in visiting from November 16-18, when the roar of Formula 1 engines will reverberate on the Strip during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In 2021 Resorts World Las Vegas became the first resort to open on the Strip in more than a decade. It houses three hotels; the 1,496-room Conrad Las Vegas, the 1,774room Hilton plus the upscale Crockfords Las Vegas with 236 rooms and suites. In

What’s new in

Las Vegas

2023

Top experiences for 2023

Take an Allegiant Stadium tour: Las Vegas’s state-of-the-art stadium opened in the summer of 2020. Up to 65,000 fans can view concerts by artists such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran or attend (American football games. Both the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) and University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels play their home fixtures in the climate-controlled stadium.

Guided tours, peppered with facts, figures and anecdotes, present the chance to step inside the Raiders’ locker room.

Guides explain how the grass playing surface is rolled into the arena before each Raiders game. In February 2024 the stadium will host the Super Bowl – the NFL’s showpiece game. allegiantstadium.com

Enjoy immersive art and entertainment at AREA15: Not to be confused with Nevada’s secretive Area 51, AREA15 is located west of the Strip next to Interstate 15. The warehouse-like premises host a range of activities, including axe throwing, indoor golf and the zip line-like roller-glider, Haley’s Comet. Virtual Reality experiences are also offered at this quirky attraction which opened in 2020.

Works by more than 250 artists are showcased. Guests don 3D glasses to view the psychedelic art within Wink World, created by Blue Man Group co-founder Chris Wink. Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart may initially look like a supermarket but concealed entrances soon reveal immersive stories and a hidden cocktail bar.

Outside, Liftoff revolves at a height of 120ft while presenting views over Vegas and its surroundings. Later, AREA15 takes on a club-like vibe, with the Lost Spirits Distillery offering burlesque. area15.com

the resort’s 5,000-seat theatre will see residencies by performers including Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and David Blaine.

Stuart Forster

visits Las Vegas and discovers plenty of new reasons why agents should recommend the city to clients in 2023

a Giant Las VeGas siGn weLcomes Visitors

new York-new York hoteL and casino

Ride the Vegas Loop: The Vegas Loop is a transport system offering passengers rides in Tesla cars. The tunnel system was excavated by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company as a low-cost solution to urban congestion.

Initially, it offered a quick and easy way of getting between the South, Central and North Halls of the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center. In the summer of 2022, the Loop was extended to Resorts World Las Vegas.

Priced at just $3.50, day passes offer unlimited rides on a system that looks set for expansion. The vision is for the Vegas Loop to run for 29 miles between 51 stations, connecting resorts along the Strip with Harry Reid International Airport (formerly known as McCarran International Airport) and points of interest. lvloop.com/tickets

Experience the outdoors: Packing outdoor gear when visiting Vegas offers the chance to enjoy the surrounding

countryside for a complete contrast. Hiking trails cut through the rugged Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is highly rated by rock climbers, 17 miles west of the Strip.

Wild horses and donkeys roam the arid landscape, which can be explored on guided equestrian tours, while mountain biking and during a scenic 13-mile drive on a back country byway.

Day trips bring opportunities to view the Grand Canyon’s spectacular geology. The glass-floored Grand Canyon Skywalk, a two-hour drive from Las Vegas, presents dramatic vistas of the west rim’s Eagle Point.

The epic scale and story behind the Hoover Dam’s construction make a guided tour of the hydropower plant worth combining with a Grand Canyon excursion. pinkadventuretours.com

Dine in Downtown Las Vegas: Lip Smacking Foodie Tours offers several guided tours of the city, including a

Book it with... Newmarket Holidays

A 10-day Hollywood, Vegas and the Grand Canyon trip is priced from £1,870pp. It includes four nights in Las Vegas and a sunrise tour of the Grand Canyon. newmarketholidays.co.uk

2.5-hour introduction to the resurgent Downtown district. Affordable rents mean a peppering of restaurants by up-andcoming chefs. lipsmackingfoodietours.com.

The Downtown district is where Las Vegas started. The Golden Gate hotel and casino opened in 1906 in an area formerly nicknamed ‘Glitter Gulch’ due to its shimmering signs. Several are now displayed in The Neon Museum Las Vegas.

The Mob Museum tells the story of organised crime and its role in Las Vegas’s evolution. It occupies the former courthouse and post office building used in 1950 to question witnesses about criminal involvement in gambling. The cellar hosts a speakeasy-style bar.

Drinks are also served at bars along the Fremont Street Experience, a vibrant pedestrianised zone whose arching roof doubles as the world’s biggest video screen. Spectators gather for hourly shows from 18.00 until 02.00. vegasexperience.com •

skyline views from the Allē lounge on 66 the Venetian on the Las VeGas strip

paris Las VeGas hoteL and casino

the BellAgio hotel is fAmous for its wAter show

Nevada's super

Highway

Amidst Joshua trees and ‘Adopt a Highway’ signs, jagged peaks give way to mesas and lakes. There are whistling sand dunes that rise up to 800 feet, occasional hot springs and soaring mountains.

There are signs of abandoned towns, deserted settlements that once were filled with houses, schools, saloons, hotels and general stores but were left to deteriorate amidst the tumbleweeds after the nineteenth century mineral rush.

An hour out of Las Vegas, where vast solar panels are strewn across the desert, an F16 soars overhead, breaking the silence.

Driving along the Great Basin Highway, the lonely road in the eerie wilderness looks straight out of a movie set, with mountains skirting either side of the road.

As the elevation goes up, the Joshua trees disappear and juniper shrubs are in abundance. There is barely any phone network and the few gas stations there are quickly fade into the distance.

The town of Ely, which began as a Pony Express outpost and 1900s copper mining centre, is a key juncture and where the Great Basin Highway and the so-called Loneliest Road in America (Route 50) come together.

The latter heads out west towards Reno and Lake Tahoe and is the gateway to ghost towns, historic mining communities, state parks, recreational opportunities, and a handful of authenticity-packed 'Sagebrush Saloons', essentially a historic watering hole and a term used only in Nevada.

You can stop off in towns like Caliente, to admire the railroads, Art Deco buildings and

wildflowers or use it as a base to explore some of the nearby state parks nearby.

Between Caliente and Panacea is the distinctive Cathedral Gorge State Park, sonamed owing to its mystical landscape and spectacular slot canyons. Walking past these terracotta-coloured cliffs it feels like I am on the surface of another planet.

Years of geological activity in the region led to lakeshore and land erosion where the park stands today. The rippled formations of clay visible throughout the slot canyons are layers of ash that were dispersed due to wind, sand and the volcanoes.

"You’re standing in what is a part of the Caliente Caldera Complex where many volcanoes erupted in this area millions of years ago,' Dawn Andone, a park ranger at Cathedral Gorge tells me.

“Give these rocks a knock and you will see that they are hollow as they are formed from siltstone and not sandstone.

“We have 10 miles of trail in this park designated for hiking and mountain biking,”

Other state parks nearby such as KershawRyan and Cave Lake deserve to be high on every adventurer's list. There are alpine trails, scenic spots for swimming and the parks are surrounded by indigenous flora.

If there’s time to explore only one state park within an hour from Las Vegas, then Valley of Fire is a good bet.

This deep red, picturesque gem has served as a backdrop for films such as Transformers, Con Air, Total Recall and Star Trek. Its fiery Aztec Sandstone façade glows when the sun is out and some of the rocks display petroglyphs that are over 2,000 years old.

Beyond the twinkling lights of Las Vegas, The Great Basin Highway provides a sense of solitude and a glimpse into Nevada’s past, says Rashmi Narayan

Time to explore only one state park? Valley of Fire is a good bet

I spot some of the local wildlife: antelope squirrels, lizards and rattlesnakes. Within Great Basin National Park lies Lehman Caves with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formations.

Stargazing trains

As we pull out of Ely on Nevada Northern Railway’s Great Basin Star Train, it takes just a few minutes for the dark sky to unfold between the mountains. There are few nearby towns and no light pollution on this extraordinary steam train journey through rural Nevada’s rocky landscape.

The best seats are in the open-air carriage, where I sit back and enjoy the star-studded evening accompanied by commentary from a local astronomer.

This is a popular experience and tickets tend to sell out well in advance – but there are other similar evening train journeys such as the Sunset, Stars and Champagne Train that can be booked via the Nevada Northern Railway’s website.

Toughest town in the Old West

Along the Great Basin Highway, 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas and hanging on the side of a mountain in Nevada’s high desert, is the town of Pioche. There is a sign at a derelict cinema that reads ‘The Toughest Town in the Old West’ due to its past history of Wild West encounters and gunfights.

“The spirits here want everyone to know that this is their place,” says the receptionist at the Overland Hotel, which not only has

a Sagebrush Saloon downstairs but also is said to be most haunted. I do not encounter anything supernatural, but other hotel guests claim they heard footsteps and saw lights in the bedroom flicker in the night.

Pioche's Boot Hill Cemetery featuries its own ‘murderers’ row’ of outlaw graves.

Small stones encircle each grave, with their wooden slabs, worn-out leathery cowboy boots and hand-etched epitaphs. One reads: 'Shot during dispute over dog.'

Culture club

One of the biggest art projects in the world is taking shape in Nevada. Michael Heizer’s monumental work titled City began 50 years ago in the Great Basin and is still ongoing. The installations span over a mile and half and the structures are made from concrete, sand and rocks. Located an hour west of Pioche, the art exhibit opened in late 2022.

The California Gold Rush (1848) saw many Basques emigrate to the U.S. and Basque shepherds settling in the mountainous regions of Idaho, California and Nevada, developing a tradition of family style dining. Today the Basque influence is evident in northern Nevada in restaurants in towns such as Reno, Winnemucca, Elko and Ely.

Book it with... America as you like it

An 11-day Experience Nevada fly-drive tour departing from Las Vegas includes a trip to Ely via the Loneliest Road in America and Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park. Prices start at £1,095pp. americaasyoulikeit.com

•

Big energy in

New Orleans

All-singing, all-dancing New Orleans is never short of energy and atmosphere. From swaying brass bands to soulful singers to French flare, this city knows how to party – and everyone is invited.

Feel the music

Live music permeates and enriches everyday life in the city. Several musical genres – from traditional jazz to zydeco to rock and the blues – can be found here on street corners, in music venues and at world-renowned festivals.

New Orleans is the self-proclaimed birthplace of jazz. For the ultimate jazz experience, head to Preservation Hall to enjoy a traditional live jazz band. Enjoy big brassy sounds in all their glory with an intimate performance and learn about the historic venue.

Celebrated cuisine

New Orleans’ rich history and cocktail culture have resulted in the city becoming one of the most legendary places to dine in the world. With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, culinary adventures span a wide array of cuisines and atmospheres.

French influence is prominent on many menus but other must-tries include the famous sugary beignets, flavourful jambalaya and steaming gumbo.

Award-winning attractions

Get inspired by award-winning museums with subjects ranging from Mardi Gras to World War II. Dive into the city’s rich history with a modern twist at Sazerac House Museum (and then enjoy a cocktail), sign up for interactive story telling with 360-degree views at Vue Orleans, or immerse yourself in a cultural funhouse at JAMNOLA.

A city of festivity

With over 100 festivals each year there’s a celebration for everything and everyone in New Orleans. The city is home to so many fascinating festivals year-round that celebrate fabulous food, innovative music and cultural diversity.

The most famous celebration is Mardi Gras, each February, with parades, costumes and signature beaded necklaces decorating every balcony.

Be sure to check out the city’s festival line-up before planning a visit.

•

passing Brass Bands are a common sight in new orleans

creole-inspired

Jamnola - ‘Joy, art & music’

Experience more than 300 years’ worth of stories, celebrations and one-of-a-kind culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, says Jessica Pook

Twin-centre

Florida

Daytona Beach and Central Florida make an ideal two-centre pairing for clients wanting a Sunshine State holiday with some different twists, says Peter Ellegard

Suggest a twin-centre holiday combining Daytona Beach and Central Florida to clients and it may well conjure up images of an actionpacked break full of racing cars and theme park thrill rides.

Yet the two destinations both offer altogether gentler sides of the state that soothes the senses and provides a calm respite for body and mind.

Dreamy Daytona

Set on Florida’s east coast, Daytona Beach is just an hour by road from theme park capital Orlando. It is known as “The World’s Most Famous Beach” because its hardpacked sands were where pioneering motoring enthusiasts held car races and speed record attempts in the early years of the last century.

You can still drive on some sections of the beach alongside lapping waves, although the maximum speed is 10mph.

Slower still is a beach cruiser bike. Cyclists can pedal along much of the 23 miles of the Daytona Beach area’s golden sands, skirting the Atlantic tideline, weaving around families relaxing or playing on the beach, and riding under its famous pier and past bronzed lifeguards keeping watch from their lookout posts.

Time to pick up the pace? Speedlovers can get their thrills at the Daytona International Speedway, spectating at one of its high-octane races or enjoying a NASCAR experience driving or being driven on the tri-oval circuit in a racing car. Or stay at adjacent motoring-themed hotel The Daytona and take a VIP tour that includes a leisurely bus ride around its banked track and a visit to the Archives and Research Centre to see exhibits including famous winning racing cars and impressive trophies.

For a break from lazing on the beaches, take a laid-back sailing cruise from Ponce

best place for... art: Museum of Arts and Sciences Nature: Halifax River culture: Lakeland’s Historic and Antique District eNtertaiNmeNt: LEGOLAND architecture: Hollis Garden beach: New Smyrna Beach

Daytona InternatIonal SpeeDway

the SIngIng tower at Bok tower garDenS take In the vIewS from ponce De leon Inlet lIghthouSe

freSh cItruS from rIDge ISlanD groveS In central florIDa

PETER ELLEGARD

PETER ELLEGARD

Inlet, at the southern end of Daytona Beach. Among craft operating half-day cruises is 50-foot catamaran Arabella, which sails along the sheltered Halifax River and out into the Atlantic, with the opportunity to see dolphins and other wildlife before anchoring on a sandbank for a paddle in the shallow, clear waters.

Towering over the area at 175 feet high is Florida’s tallest lighthouse, the 135-year-old Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Although still operating, you can climb its 203 steps for panoramic views and visit the museum it forms part of. Close by is the family-friendly Marine Science Centre, featuring a touch pool and the area’s only turtle hospital and seabird rehabilitation facility.

The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach features major collections of American and Cuban art and one of the largest collections of Coca-Cola memorabilia, a children’s museum and a planetarium.

Foodies should savour breakfast on the terrace of The Shores Resort & Spa at Daytona Beach Shores or sample treats such as bacon and crisps covered in chocolate at Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory in downtown Daytona Beach. You can also cook up your own pancakes on the griddle at De Leon Springs State Park’s Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant.

Central Florida’s small town feel Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida’s Lake

Wales was one of Florida’s first attractions, opening in 1929 and attracting 23 million visitors since then. It comprises 157 acres of lush gardens, with the soaring Singing Tower and its 60-bell carillon at its heart, mirrored in a reflecting pool. A must on a visit to the gardens is the 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion, El Retiro, originally built as a winter home by a steel magnate.

Lakeland is Central Florida’s largest city but has a friendly, small town feel. Walk the promenade at Lake Mirror Park or take in colourful displays at Hollis Garden, a formal botanical garden with neo-Classical architecture containing flowers, ornamental shrubs and native trees.

Antique shops, art galleries, museums restaurants and bars abound in Lakeland’s downtown Historic and Antique District. Don’t miss the First Friday Celebration held monthly in Munn Park, featuring local artisans and market stalls.

Take a tour of a citrus grove at Ridge Island Groves in Haines City and then tuck into smoothies made from fresh fruits. And for fine dining with a Latin American flavour,

samba down to Nineteen61 in Lakeland. Central Florida has its own theme parks, too. The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened last year just a few steps away from LEGOLAND in Winter Haven.

Accommodation options include vacation villas with private swimming pools at Balmoral Resort in Haines City and Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins, one of the region’s newest resorts, in Auburndale, that offers a tiki bar, firepits, resort pool, entertainment stage and children’s playground.

A chilled Daytona Beach and Central Florida twin centre may not be the Sunshine State holiday your clients are familiar with, but it’s a winning combination. •

Book it with... Gold Medal Travel

A 10-night Daytona Beach and Central Florida two-centre stay costs from £1,799pp and includes Virgin Atlantic return flights to Orlando International Airport, seven nights in a villa at the Bahama Bay Resort on Lake Davenport in Polk County and three nights at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort plus fullyinclusive Alamo car hire. goldmedal.co.uk

peDDle the SanDy ShoreS of Daytona Beach

legolanD IS perfect for younger famIlIeS

See reScueD turtleS at marIne ScIence centre

PETER ELLEGARD

State of Washington

True to Nature

Washington state is where big city meets big nature. Clients can hike, ski, or sail and enjoy dinner and a show in the same day. Or just slow down and take time to savour all that the state has to offer.

Rejuvenating nature

With three national parks, hundreds of state parks, mountains, lakes and rivers, beaches and wineries, Washington’s diverse terrain means that no two days have to be the same.

Whether clients want to work up a sweat hiking through one of its beautiful national parks or lay back and watch the waves lap against the shore, the State of Washington allows for a mixture of both relaxation and high energy adventure.

Tasty travels

The state made coffee its official beverage in 2016 so starting the day with a frothy cup is a must. Then take time to shuck

oysters whilst overlooking the ocean or sample apples straight from the orchard.

Savor culinary excellence at restaurants in the cities or sip world-class wine from wine country (Washington is the second-largest producing wine state in the U.S.).

Also, experience locally-grown produce at a farm-to-table feast where ‘farmer chefs deliver up their seasonal bounty.

Authentic connections

Don’t miss discovering what really makes this place special – the people.

Whether you strike up a conversation with a fourth-generation farmer or an upcoming artist, or you visit one of the many cultural centers maintained by the Native Tribal Nations throughout the state, you’ll come across a common love of this place and respect for what makes it great.

People in Washington care about preserving the natural wonder that surrounds them, and often want to share this appreciation with everyone they

meet – so share your experiences with Washingtonians throughout your visit.

What’s new

The transformation of its downtown waterfront is introducing a whole new side of Seattle to visitors. Elegant, landscaped walkways and cycling paths are fresh ways to enjoy the city where it meets the stunning waters of Puget Sound.

Throughout February, guests who stay at participating downtown hotels in Seattle can receive half-price admission to many museums that include the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI).

Book it with... Audley Travel

A 15-day USA Pacific Northwest self-drive tour is priced from £4,520pp including flights and accommodation. Clients will stop in Seattle, Cannon Beach, Portland, and explore Mount Rainer. audleytravel.com

•

The State of Washington offers new adventures for people who love natural beauty, urban escapes and everything in between

TerTulia Cellars in Walla Walla

explore Wild CoasTal paThs

hike amongsT WildfloWers in spring

Must visit

State of Washington

From skiing down volcanic peaks to crossing vineyards on horseback to kayaking the shoreline, there’s never a dull moment in Washington State, says Jessica Pook

Washington Wine Country

Located in the sundrenched southeastern corner of Washington state, the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland offer over 200 wineraries and vinyards. Enjoy wine country getaways with horseback riding through vineyards or outdoor adventures on the Columbia River. And of course, no trip would be complete without sampling the produce with a wine tasting. visittri-cities.com

Olymic Peninsula

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Olympic National Park renowned for its diverse ecosystems, rugged mountains, mystical rainforests and wild Pacific Ocean beaches. You can even bathe in a hot spring pool. Discover the charm of nearby small towns such as Port Townsend or Port Ludlow and enjoy fresh Olympic Coast seafood. It’s all just a ferry ride away from Seattle. olympicpeninsula.org

Longbeach peninsula

The perfect place for natureenthusiasts, Longbeach Peninsula is home

to a 28-mile-long silver-sand beach, a number of leafy state parks, a national historic park, a national wildlife refuge, and a birding destination of international importance. Discover authentic villages, fresh seafood caught that day, craft beverages, art and live music. visitlongbeachpeninsula.com

Bellingham

Located between Seattle and Vancouver, this charming town pairs urban amenities with unbeatable outdoor recreation. Mt. Baker invites skiers with its snow capped volcanic peaks whilst surfers and swimmers head to the sandy shores of Bellingham Bay. Whether clients are looking for a rugged outdoor adventure or a relaxing seaside escape, they’ll find it in Bellingham. bellingham.com

Walla Walla

With more than 120 wineries, many of which are awardwinning and a surge of farm-totable restaurants, Walla Walla has established itself as a foodie destination with locally grown and organic produce a menu staple. Add to this a historic downtown with boutique shopping and you have a relaxed luxury holiday in a rural setting – all within a scenic drive or a quick flight from Seattle. wallawalla.org

Visit Mt St Helens

Embrace a slower pace of life with a visit to Cowlitz County, located, 55 minutes off I-5 Exit 49. The town is known for its hospitality, unique shops, restaurants, micro-brews and has plenty of accommodations for those that want to stay a little longer. Be sure to visit Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument which has spectacular vistas and hiking trails. visitmtsthelens.com

Bluegrass state puts on a show

Travel South International Showcase in Kentucky provided plenty of

Travel South International Showcase (TSI), the annual trade convention that showcases tourism offerings across 12 southern states – Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia – held its 10th event in Kentucky late last year.

The show, which hosted 397 delegates, including 107 buyers representing 16 countries, was hailed as “a huge success” by Mike Mangeot,Commissioner at Kentucky Department of Tourism, who praised the the team at Travel South USA and Louisville Tourism for putting the best of the South in the shop window.

He said: “For many delegates this was their first-time visiting Kentucky and we were so pleased to introduce them to our beautiful state, which we consider the front porch of the South.

“Following the showcase we hosted three multi-day FAM tours to explore communities and attractions across Kentucky. From small towns such as

Georgetown, Berea and Bardstown to our larger metro areas of Bowling Green, Covington and Lexington, these FAMS allowed our guests to experience our authentic Kentucky artists, bourbon and destinations first-hand, which is one of the benefits of hosting Travel South. Mangeot said: “The relationships and impressions made at TSI will go a long way toward generating interest in visiting Kentucky and the Southern U.S., among both our international trade partners and future travellers.”

This year’s TSI will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, from December 3-7.

BA adds new lift to Kentucky

Travel South’s host state Kentucky was keen to highlight the new British Airways non-stop service between London Heathrow and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport which is due to commence in June. The five-times-a-week service will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Mike Mangeot,Commissioner at Kentucky Department of Tourism, said: “2023 is shaping up to be a very good year for tourism in Kentucky. We obviously are not back to pre-pandemic levels of international visitation but will look to rebound and, hopefully, exceed those figures – and BA’s new flight here will assist us in that.”

In Kentucky, visitors can take in new attractions such as Louisville Slugger’s new distillery experience, Barrels and Billets; the Original KFC Café and Museum, which has reopened following renovations; or stay in the soon-to-open Discotel located in the former site of a disco ball factory. kentuckytourism.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Charleston looks back

The International African American Museum is due to open in Charleston, South Carolina. early this year. Its nine galleries will demonstrate how enslaved Africans and free blacks shaped economic, political, and cultural development throughout the nation and beyond, while offering an especially close look at the connection to the state’s Lowcountry. iaamuseum.org

• Missouri covers tracks

The newly-opened Shepherd Mountain Bike Park, in the Arcadia Valley, Missouri, includes five trails with granite rock features and is located near some of Missouri’s popular state parks, including Elephant Rocks and Johnson’s Shut-Ins. It’s said to feature “some of the most steep, technical and gnarly riding anywhere between the Appalachians and the Rockies.”

shepherdmountainmo.com

• Tupelo embraces the King Hotel Tupelo opened in Mississippi in February 2022. The boutique hotel has 79 rooms featuring two premier suites - the first suite is appropriately called the King’s Suite and includes Elvis-themed photos, books, and decor. It is within walking distance of the hardware store where Elvis bought his first guitar. hoteltupelo.com

updates for the tourism industry. Sally Parker rounds up the news from the show

Musical

Tennessee

Walk in the footsteps of music icons past and present on this journey from Nashville to Memphis, says Jessica Pook

Day 1-2: Nashville is Country Music Central

Day 1: Start a visit to Nashville with some country music education at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which follows the journey of musicians from the likes of Taylor Swift to Shania Twain. A highlight is a tour of the historic RCA Studio B, known as the birthplace of the ‘Nashville sound’. Stand where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and others recorded.

After a whistle-stop tour it’s time for some live music with a visit to Nashville’s most famous strip – Broadway. With flashing neon signs and music blasting out of every window, Broadway is the home of country music and an evening spent hopping from one honky tonk bar to another is a must.

Day 2: After a late night of great music and food kickstarting the day with coffee in a leafy neighbourhood is just the ticket. 12 South is the place to window shop and admire historic homes whilst The Gulch is home to lifesized murals, boutique hotels and trendy restaurants.

But back to the music! Take a tour of the inspirational new National Museum of African American Music before seeing a show at the Grand Ole Opry, a Nashville right of passage. The weekly concert offers the chance to see both country legends and rising stars. Or book tickets to The Listening Room Café for an intimate evening with some of Nashville’s songwriters.

Book it with... Newmarket holidays

A nine-day Elvis Presley’s Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans trip includes two nights in Memphis staying at the Guest House at Graceland, tours of Graceland and Sun Studios and time spent in Nashville, priced from £1,819pp. newmarketholidays.co.uk

Day 3-4: Singing the blues in Memphis

Day 3: Drive three hours west of Nashville and stop in Memphis, a city that is not the best known but should be a must for any music fans.

Get acquainted on a Memphis Mojo Tour, guided by a professional Beale Street musician, and then head to unassuming Sun Studio, which is where a young Elvis Presley began his music career.

Learn the history of the studio and stand in the spot where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded.

At the Peabody Hotel, watch the famous daily Peabody Duck March. Twice a day the Duckmaster escorts the hotel’s resident ducks to and from the lobby fountain. It’s a

tradition that has been going for 80 years. In the evening enjoy live music at one of the many bars lining Beale Street before dining in Elvis’ booth at Arcade Restaurant.

Day 4: Put on your blue suede shoes and head to Graceland, the former home of Elvis. See endless costumes, artifacts, cars and personal mementos from the Presley family as well as visiting the Graceland mansion. Follow this with a visit to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. While in Memphis, be sure to try out the barbecue cuisine that the region is known for. Rendezvous is a local favourite and serves ribs piled high. Wash these down with a local beer at Wiseacre Brewery •

Sun Studio, memphiS, where elviS recorded

BlueS cluBS on Beale Street

naShville’S lively Broadway Strip

country muSic hall of fame, naShville

Time for the

Maine course

Maine, the northeasternmost U.S. state, offers unique sightseeing and tour options that showcase local traditions, wild landscapes and plenty of fresh, homegrown produce.

Take to the water Maine’s rugged coastline is dotted with over 60 iconic lighthouses. Learn about their history and present-day importance to the state’s maritime culture and explore the charming unique towns that surround them. Or see Maine from a different perspective sailing on a windjammer.

Hear all about Maine’s aquaculture industry while visiting one of the more than 80 oyster farms located along the Maine Oyster Trail, or learn to catch lobster on a lobster boat tour.

Home-grown treats Maine lobster is an iconic mainstay – and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s bathed in

butter or piled into a freshly crafted lobster roll, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. But Maine also offers a thriving food scene rich with diverse, seasonal ingredients that are hand-harvested from the fields and tides.

Be sure to check out the Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival or the Maine Potato Blossom Festival. The Ploye Festival in Fort Kent offers visitors the chance to try a light buckwheat pancake, a staple brought to Maine by the French Acadians. And no trip to Maine would be complete without tasting a pie made with wild blueberries.

Walk on the wild side

Maine’s majestic mountains, deep woods and rocky coasts are home to aweinspiring wildlife. Birdwatchers will find plenty to impress them, and especially so if they’re hoping for a glimpse of puffins. Maine is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, from hiking, biking, and paddling to fishing and wildlife watching.

In winter, strap on some skis or snowshoes and explore a snowy wonderland. You can also experience the northeast’s only equestrian skijoring competition in Skowhegan. This sport looks like water skiing, except the water is snow and the boat is a horse – definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! •

What’s new

Occupying a former textile mill, the Lincoln Hotel has opened in Biddeford. Offering 33 stylish guest rooms, the design-forward property has a rooftop pool, a bar and a fully equipped fitness center.

The newly-opened Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown Old Port is a six-story, 102-room property within walking distance of local restaurants, breweries, and shopping. This is Cambria’s first hotel in Maine and features a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor-outdoor rooftop bar overlooking a hops garden, and a multi-use courtyard.

•

A veritable feast for the eyes, palate and tastebuds, Maine invites visitors to try and experience something different

Lighthouse Lookout in PortLand

oLd orchard Beach at sunset

ride the waves on awindjammer

Regional highlights in

Maine

It is known the world over for its abundant lobster but Maine has plenty of other star attractions that make it a worthy stop on any East Coast itinerary, says Jessica Pook

Portland

Portland’s vibrant heart beats to the sound of awardwinning restaurants, local shopping, concerts and arts. Browse boutiques downtown and enjoy the waterfront or sail the harbor at sunset. The new Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine is great for kids of all ages, with highlights including an aquarium, live theatre productions, art workshops and interactive exhibits. kitetails.org

Acadia National Park

Situated on the east of Maine, Acadia National Park is open all year and has 47,000 acres on Mount Desert Island. Climb Cadillac Mountain to see the first rays of daylight to touch the U.S., go green and rent an Acadia Gem EV vehicle for a family tour or stroll the small streets of downtown Bar Harbor to enjoy a fabulous seafood lunch. acadiagem.com

Boothbay Harbor

This popular harbor has treasures such as the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, which celebrates spring with 35,000 blooming tulips set among giant trolls. Or take to the water with Cap’n’ Fish’s whale cruises to see whales, puffins and dolphins. Windjammer Days includes a gathering of the fleet, street parades and fireworks. boothbayboattrips.com

Bangor

A must for all Stephen King fans, take a tour of the author’s home and places that inspired his stories and actual film locations from his movies, such as Mount Hope Cemetery, the site of “Pet-Sematary”. Dine in Downtown Bangor and see a show at the Penobscot Theatre. Lumberjack icon Paul Bunyan was also born in Bangor, a selfie-worthy photo op. sk-tours.com

Kennebunkport

Quintessentially Maine, this village offers shopping, walks on the beach and fresh seafood dinners. Deep sea fishing and whale watching are available, as are cruises on historic schooners. Kennebunkport has been voted the second best Christmas Town in America: it features a tree lighting ceremony, candlelight caroling and Santa’s arrival by lobster boat. christmasprelude.com

Bethel

When the mountains call you, Maine’s mountain village of Bethel has the answer. Hike, bike or kayak White Mountain National Forest at the doorstep of the village. Grafton Notch State Park offers day hikes, with stunning views during fall. In winter, the Bethel area offers some of the best alpine skiing in the east at Sunday River and Mt. Abram, plus nordic skiing, snowshoeing and great après ski. sundayriver.com

Where the good times

grow

The purple fields provide an eye-catchingly colourful contrast to the green hues of the surrounding hills still dotted with the blackened remains of trees that perished in fires in summer 2020.

Two teenage workers are moving between rows of lavender, carefully pinching the buds and placing them in buckets. Behind me two copper stills, called 'Ginger' and 'Fred', are distilling the water-soluble parts of the plant to make hydrosols, or floral waters.

A workshop is turning this into a range of products and the gift shop is stocked with insect repellents, creams, lip balms, facial toners, shower sprays, cleaning solvents and even shining agents for cats and dogs.

I am at Capay Valley Lavender, an organic farm with five acres of lavender fields located in the heart of Yolo County, in northern California.

"I planted my first lavender field at age 64. At a time when many look forward to retirement, I took steps to follow my lifelong dream of being a farmer even though I had not farming experience at all," says owner and ex-banker, Sherri Wood, who describes herself as a 'FarmHer'.

"We have a Mediterranean climate here and lavender grows well and uses very little water,” she explains, handing me a glass of lavender-infused lemonade.

I am to discover that Yolo, located a short distance west of the state capital Sacramento and an easy drive from San Francisco, is an area rich in people reconnecting with the land and its harvest.

The are wineries, craft breweries, honey producers, cherry tomato crops, olive oil estates, growers of walnuts and almonds, fields of herbs and flowers and even rice farms – and many welcome visitors.

Family owned

Several of these enterprises are familyowned or, like Cape Valley Lavender, start-ups by entrepreneurs with a business idea who have chosen Yolo in search of a better balanced lifestyle and more qualitative family time.

On the outskirts of characterful Winters, for which the term "charming small town America" could have been invented, is Berryessa Gap Winery, one of 15 or so in the county.

Corinne Martinez, who in 2000 left beyond a corporate role at Microsoft to become owner/president of the family business, takes me on a driving tour of Yolo's fertile agricultural lands.

We stop at farm stalls, wineries and wellstocked country-style delis selling olive oils, crackers, jams, cheeses and much more.

At Park Winters, a five-star B&B Inn, staff are covering tables with crisp white linen and placing hanging baskets of flowers for what they say is their 14th wedding in the past 15 days – and it is not difficult to see why couples choose to say 'I do' here.

The property is set among beautifully manicured grounds in the middle of farmland, with a flower garden and pool.

That evening, back at Berryessa Gap Vineyards, a lively Sunday crowd is enjoying the estate's wines, craft beers

Steve Hartridge visits Yolo County in northern California, an area rich in home-grown authentic experiences and country-style living

This

and live music. I chat to Corinne's brother, Dan, co-owner and CFO, and learn how the business was started by their father Dan Martinez, Sr., a first generation farmer of Spanish immigrants who first planted apricots, almonds, prunes and walnuts.

The next morning I join a group of agristudents from Budapest, Hungary, who are in town to learn about the science behind grapevine rootstock. We tour the nursery as Dan explains how Berryessa provides rootstock (the part of the plant with a root system, to which a bud from another plant is grafted) for wineries in neighbouring Napa and Sonoma Valley.

Historic Winters

I meet more growers and producers during an evening hosted by the River Fox Train. I taste honey infused with pumpkin spice and habanero, spread on a bagel produced by local company Upper Crust Bakery, and sip mead, which is made by fermenting honey mixed with water and yeast.

Built in 1911, today the River Fox Train operates passenger excursions along a 10mile stretch of track and options include beer and wine tasting trips.

'Rail-bikes' are also on offer and I enjoy a short ride on one of the pedal-powered two-seat vehicles, cruising on rail track through ivy-covered woodlands that offer occasional views of the Sacramento river.

My rail-bike co-peddler is Natalie Klempau, who I had chatted to a few days earlier at the Taber Ranch Vineyard and

Event Centre. Located in the heart of the stunning Capay Valley, the ranch enjoys 360-degree views of fertile land, rolling hills and canyon land. Taber is another of Yolo County's family-owned farms that offers weddings, with receptions held in a restored historic barn.

I also spend an afternoon with Lynda Hinds, co-owner of new start-up Yolo 363, whose curated tours of the area take in farms, tasting rooms, distilleries, gift shops and locally owned restaurants.

One of our stops is at Turkovitch Family vineyards. Like Berryessa Gap, Turkovitch also operate a tasting room in Winters.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Winters' compact downtown blocks are full of quirky and one-off shops and restaurants. In the centre of town is the new Hotel Winters, with a Zenterra Spa, courtyard with a rooftop bar and Carboni’s Ristorante Bar & Marketplace.

One block from downtown is Abbey House Inn. Built in 1905 but freshly restored it features just four bedrooms, one with a loft that can be booked as an add on – perfect for friends of families.

This is a trip where the term 'farm to fork' has real meaning; where country-style eateries, ranches, wineries and working farms offer a taste of 'authentic California'.

There's no time for me to enjoy some of the other activities on offer in Yolo, such as white-water rafting, hiking or looking out for some of the 300 or so bird species that the area attracts – but that's all the more reason to plan a return visit. visityolo.com •

is a trip where the term 'farm to fork' has real meaning

My journey: Yolo County, California

Florida’s Sweetest Spot

When it comes to holiday destinations it doesn’t get any sweeter than Central Florida. Home to more than 550 freshwater lakes, historic landmarks and theme parks, this bucket-list locations has a little bit of everything under the Florida sun.

The newly opened Peppa Pig Theme Park is perfect for kids and adults who are kids at heart.

This one-of-a-kind attraction places guests right in the world of Peppa Pig and her porky friends.

Guests can enjoy six new rides designed specifically for pre-schoolers, character meet-and-greets and a familyfriendly adventure that lets mummy pigs and daddy pigs ride along with their little ones on almost every ride.

Florida’s Sweetest Spot is also home to the LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, just steps from Peppa Pig Theme Park. Built around the historic Cypress Gardens, this fascinating attraction offers a water park, a 4-D movie theater and, coming in  January 2023, roller coasters including Pirate River Quest.

Its most recent addition, Pirate Island Hotel, is the first LEGO® pirate-themed

hotel in North America and is located just steps away from the entrance to the park. This five-story hotel also houses the renowned Shipwreck Restaurant, Smuggler’s Bar, an entertainment area with kid-friendly nightly programming as well as LEGO® play areas.

If you’re looking to get outside for some family adventure, Florida’s Sweetest Spot has anything from water skiing and air boating to hiking, biking and kayaking –but that’s just the start.

For the dedicated golfer, playing a round at Streamsong Resort is a must. This award-winning destination is renowned for its three Top 100 U.S. courses. You will find Streamsong Black will push your irons to their limit, while Streamsong Blue and Red’s Mach 1 turf

will test your putter with the fastest greens in the game.

There’s no place better than Florida’s Sweetest Spot. We can’t wait to see you and your family soon. Explore everything we have to offer at VisitCentralFlorida. com

Top Experiences

Bonnet Springs Parks: Just outside downtown Lakeland is a newly opened natural refuge waiting to greet visitors. Bonnet Springs Park is 168 acres of peaceful and majestic green space with towering oak trees and a clear stream. In  addition to its natural beauty, visitors can experience a botanical garden, children’s museum, a nature center, and many other attractions. bonnetspringspark.com

SuNSET OvER DOwNTOwN cENTRAl flORiDA

Streamsong Resort: Situated among 16,000 acres of stunning scenery and hushed seclusion away from the concrete and crowds, Streamsong’s three Top 100 U.S. courses make it one of the USA’s highest-rated golf destination.

This one-of-a-kind golf destination has been created in complete harmony with its natural surroundings. Golfers can stay in a modern lakeside lodge that features outstanding dining and a relaxing spa. streamsongresort.com

Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo: The largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River, Westgate River Ranch, is an all-inclusive resort featuring glamping tents, RV campsites and luxe teepees. Visitors to this untouched area will

enjoy airboat tours, golf, archery and a chance to experience a piece of Florida history, where the American cowboy tradition began. westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/ river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort

Peppa Pig Theme Park:

Central Florida’s newest theme park is now open and ready to entertain all the little piglets who want to play in the world of their favorite cartoon character. Rides and attractions are designed with the littlest ones in mind and parents will love seeing their faces light up as they explore. A splash pad, fun shows, a nature trail and so many other adventures await! peppapigthemepark.com/florida •

“Pirate Island Hotel is the first Lego® pirate-themed hotel in North America and is located just steps away from the entrance to the park”

STREAMSONG RESORT iS A GOlfiNG jEwEl

ThE All-iNcluSivE wESTGATE RivER RANch RESORT

ThE NATuRAl bEAuTy Of bONNET SPRiNG PARK

ThE NEw PEPPA PiG ThEME PARK

Another world

Guests to Gateway, with its focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating everything happening right now within the space programme.

Through immersive education, atmospheric effects and a motion theatre experience, they see, hear and feel what it’s like to travel in space.

Upon entering Gateway, ‘space travelers’ are greeted with a futuristic design intended to set the stage for their journey.

Visitors are surrounded by actual spaceflown artifacts, displayed like massive space sculptures in an outdoor garden, and full-scale models that are placed around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing.

Space flown artifacts

You can’t miss the flight-flown Orion spacecraft from Exploration Flight Test – 1 (EFT-1). Launched in 2014, this was the maiden voyage of the Lockheed Martin spacecraft. Learn about this mission and Orion’s key role in NASA’s Artemis missions. Interact with three screens to explore launch and liftoff, a comparison of the Orion to the Apollo capsule, training and flight preparation, navigation, key features and systems for the crew, and the path back to Earth.

Engaging interactives

As well as a ‘nose-to-nose’ view of the

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor has a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall with interactive, touchscreen displays where guests hear all about 40 satellites and probes in space.

Learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk at a HoloTube presentation station.

Spaceport KSC

Nearby, guests will be transported into the future of space travel at Spaceport KSC, the first and only airport of the future.

Upon entering the concourse, guests will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport: atmospheric airport chatter surround travelers as they peer through windows at distant views of active launches and landings.

They will board their ‘spaceships’ – in the form of a two-story, motion theater ride –for one of four fabulous journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. •

This bold new attraction explores the future of space travel while highlighting what is happening right now in the space program. First, see the spacecraft of today and the visionary designs paving the way of human deep space travel and discover the current cutting-edge space exploration innovations from NASA and commercial partners. Then, enter the spaceport of the future, Spaceport KSC. With your commander steering the path, launch aboard one of four unique journeys through the solar system and beyond during an immersive ride. 866.870.5505