A S H D OW N W I NT E R 2 0 1 8 / 1 9 Welcome to our latest newsletter! Happy New Year and our very best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2019! Well what an interesting year 2018 was! We had the hottest summer since 1976 which many thought would never end, Brexit negotiations lasted virtually all year and it looks like progress was made in peace talks between the USA and North Korea. Despite all of this, Ashdown Travel has had one of the best years in its 38-year history. In 2018 we put together our first Holiday Show which was held at the Oxted Community Centre and a huge thank you to everyone that came along to join us. In 2019 we will be hosting our second Holiday Show on Sunday 03rd March at the Nutfield Priory Hotel on the A25 between Oxted and Redhill.There will be exciting presentations along with key suppliers in attendance and some of them are featured in this newsletter. Whilst many travel services can be booked online, our team of expert travel consultants have spent years gaining the knowledge and contacts to create the holiday of your dreams. Our end to end service means that we are with you from the moment you start your enquiry until you have returned home giving you total peace of mind. The Ashdown team have been very busy travelling during the year to new and exciting hotels and destinations to keep our knowledge and contacts up to date.You will have the chance to read more about their experiences in our staff year highlights, we feel this is so important in order that we can give you as much first-hand knowledge as possible. There have been some fantastic new property openings over the last year, however very few have been as exciting as the reopening of Cheetah Plains in the Northern Sabi Sands Game Reserve. This
property has been given a complete rebirth and is now one of the top places in the Area. See more about this outstanding property on pages 16 & 17, it truly is something special! A long standing ‘Ashdown Favourite’ is the exquisite Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. Easily accessible from both Kingston and Montego Bay airports, this little gem exudes class and elegance and has a huge repeat guest ratio.With a large choice of rooms, suites and cottages, together with a choice of board basis’ from room only to all-inclusive, this property really does cater for all discerning tastes. You will discover more about this lovely hotel on pages 10 & 11. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and we do hope to see you in the shop soon and at our holiday show on Sunday 03rd March. Kindest regards Nick Samuels, Director
nick@ashdowntravel.co.uk
A S H D O W N T R A V E L 24-26 Station Road East, Oxted
A S H D OW N W I NT E R 2 0 1 8 / 1 9 Oberammergau Passion Play
Held only every 10 years, 2020 will see the next instalment of the Oberammergau passion play. The Great Plague descended on this little Bavarian Village and many lives were lost to this mysterious illness.The villagers made a solemn vow that, if the lives of the villagers were spared the whole village would perform a play every ten years, depicting the story of Christ’s suffering, dying and resurrection. Miraculously the Plague did not claim any more lives and so true to their vows, the villagers of Oberammergau enacted their first play in 1634. Over 500’000 people will see it’s 42nd performance and booking early is essential. Various tours are already on sale so call us now if you are interested.
Hotel News
2018 saw the reopening of some fantastic properties around the world. Classed by many as being on one of the best beaches in the world, Belmond have reopened the iconic Cap Juluca Hotel in Anguilla. This outstanding property has been taken to a new level and Belmond are delighted to have it in their portfolio. The Seychelles now has a direct flight with BA twice per week which has seen a huge increase in demand for these idyllic Indian Ocean islands. Four Seasons have taken over the management of the delightful Desroches Island resort and moved this to a world class option in the area that combines perfectly with their property on Mahe. Ikos, the highly successful Greek brand, already have properties in Halkidiki and Corfu. Opening on the stunning Dodecanese island of Kos in the summer of 2019 will be Ikos Aria. This will truly be another outstanding option for the discerning family.
Celebrity Edge
Over the last 10 years many new cruise ships have come into circulation, however not many have captured the imagination like the new Celebrity Edge. Her inaugural sailing on the 16th December 2018 saw the first glimpse of a ground breaking new level of accommodation on the water the ‘Iconic Suite’. Measuring 1892 sq. ft with an outside space of a further 689 sq. ft which has a double day bed and private plunge pool. this really is taking traditional cruising to a new level. Edge will be based in the Caribbean until April 2019 and then reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer. Early booking packages are available so call us for details.
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A S H D OW N BU S I N E S S T R AV E L U P DAT E
As well as our retail shop, Ashdown Travel also has a successful Business Travel department which has grown significantly over the last few years. While Skyscanner, Kayak and Expedia will offer you prices, on many occasions they default to the lowest fare which usually involves huge layover times or overnight stays and hugely restricted conditions. Our team of expert business consultants know all about fare rules and the ways to save you vital time and money and offer you the correct fare for your needs. If you travel for business particularly in Premium Economy, Business Class or First Class then give us a call. We have saved many of our corporate clients vast sums of money by fully understanding their travel requirements and then using our knowledge and creative thinking to make savings over regular airline fares. Our detailed back office system collates all data and allows us to give detailed reports on
expenditure, routes travelled and for companies that travel on the same route on a regular basis, then we have great airline contacts to put together route deals and corporate loyalty schemes. We use the latest airline reservation systems and with e ticketing as standard your documentation can be with you within minutes of booking if needed. We also book hotels, car hire and are in partnership with one of London’s top passport and visa agents for expert advice and expedited applications. Whether you do 2 flights a year or 10 flights a month we have the knowledge and capability to assist with your corporate travel plans. For further information please contact: James Metcalf – Business Travel Manager james@ashdowntravel.co.uk / 01883 877772 or Stacey McCartney – Business Travel Executive stacey@ashdowntravel.co.uk / 01883 877774 .
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We would be delighted if you would join us on Sunday 03rd March at Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa, Nutfield Road, Redhill, RH1 4EZ for our second holiday show! It will run from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm and key suppliers will be in attendance and virtually every continent will be covered by some of our most trusted partners. There will also be 5 expert destination presentations that will be held as follows:
10.45 11.30 12.15 13.00 13.45
– – – – –
11.25 12.10 12.55 13.40 14.25
– Japan – Costa Rica – Sri Lanka – New Zealand – Australia
Each presentation has a maximum of 25 spaces on a first come first serve basis so booking your space early will be essential. This can be done by emailing marketing@ashdowntravel. co.uk or calling the office and stipulating how many spaces and which presentation you would like to book onto. More details can be found on our website www.ashdowntravel.co.uk Refreshments are available in the Library throughout the show and all attendees will be entered into a prize draw to win a voucher for a pair of tickets for a day trip on the iconic Belmond British Pullman Train. I really hope that you will be able to join us, I can promise you a relaxed, informative day with some fabulous travel products on show!
Should you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01883 714312.
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We have specialised in carefully-crafted adventure trips to Latin America since 1995. We feature eleven countries across Central and South America including Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos and Chile. Our itineraries are ideal for the adventurous and free-spirited traveller. There is a strong emphasis on wildlife and culture. We excel in capturing what makes these far-flung countries such a fulfilling travel experience. We pride ourselves on being specialists who delve deep into the real country – traditions, local people and history. From charming character hilltop boutique hotels to remote jungle lodges. Activities a-plenty, including trekking, whitewater rafting and horse-riding. My name is Lloyd and I have been exploring (and working with) Latin America since 1999. I even spent my honeymoon in Costa Rica! I am fascinated by its beauty, diversity and its natural history. On my recent trip I visited the Tempisque river for the first time. It encompasses wetlands, tropical dry forest and mangroves all teeming with wildlife. Explore the area by jeep or boat safari and stay at the smart Rancho Humo. I look forward to sharing the wonders of Costa Rica with you during my presentation and talking to you personally throughout the day about any of our Latin America destinations.
“It all began in 1976, when we received the keys to the legendary Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice. A year later we began collecting the carriages for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which launched in 1982 to whisk intrepid travellers to La Serenissima in style. Since then we’ve grown to a carefully curated collection of travel adventures, each with a rich story to tell. Discover Belmond who creates luxury experiences that are as authentic as they are unique.” My name is Manisha and I have been with Belmond for the last 12 years. I am thrilled to be part of a company who has a pioneering spirit, a passion for creating unique experiences and an exceptional taste in everything they do. Together we have made lots of dreams come true and helped our guests make some incredible memories along the way. More so for me, every day is different at Belmond! I am thoroughly grateful for my knowledge of our destinations, different modes of transports making journeys oh so special or just the feeling and emotions of being in these locations or historic properties. I have been very lucky to have some truly amazing experiences which I would love to share with you! Come and let me inspire you!
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Hi, I am Sheena and I’m thrilled to be representing Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts – Maldives. We like to be different and are taking the Maldives by storm! We offer a family of resorts, all offering a superior All Inclusive package, with an option to suit every budget and taste. I’ve stayed at each resort, they are all gorgeous, of course, but I will point you in the right direction to suit you. OZEN at Maadhoo – my absolute favourite and our flagship, lifestyle luxury resort located in the South Male Atoll offering our unique All Inclusive experience, fine dining, underwater restaurant, Champagne trail and all premium drinks are included – along with the spa, diving and the underwater restaurant! NO shock, NO surprises, NO hidden extras Atmosphere Kanifushi – Beach front bliss, with nearly 2kms of uninterrupted white sandy beach, with all 132 villas facing the Maldivian sunset. Offering a variety of dining options, spa, activities and excursions and a Platinum All Inclusive Plan. OBLU Select at Sangeli – Opened in 2018 OBLU Select is fresh, with stunning stand-alone villas with & without private pool, superb family suites and great diving, with our wonderful All Inclusive plan. OBLU at Helengeli – Quaint, cosy and authentically Maldivian, we offer the best in the 4 star market. This lush green island offers an award winning house reef and superb diving.
InsideJapan Tours is the UK’s leading Japan specialist. This year’s recipients of the Editor’s Choice Sunday Times Travel Award, InsideJapan offers unique small group tours, tailored travel and cultural experiences to all corners of this fascinating destination. InsideJapan’s team have had years of experience living, working and travelling in Japan, and offer unrivalled advice and support – whatever your budget or personal interests. For many years Japan was one of the Far East’s best kept secrets, but these days it’s one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations. With the Rugby World Cup in 2019 (September to November) and the Olympics in 2020, the growth in popularity shows no sign of stopping. My name is Matt and I lived in Japan between 2005 and 2008 as an English teacher and fell in love with the country, food, people and culture. Luckily, I have been able to combine my passion for Japan into a career at InsideJapan Tours. I’m very much looking forward to being part of the Holiday Show this year and invite everyone to attend my presentation, even if you have previously had no interest in ever visiting Japan – I’ll do my best to change your mind! I will then be on hand throughout the day to help you plan the perfect trip. Whether it’s skiing on world-class powder snow, exploring traditional gardens, taking a dip in a hot spring bath at a traditional inn or relaxing on the sub-tropical beaches of Okinawa, Japan has a lot to offer any traveller.
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A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by S u e Well I can truly say 2018 has been an exceptionally good and happy year for me! The year has been very busy with a wide range of challenging quotes and inspirational trips all making my job so interesting, no day is the same, as all of our clients have different needs. I always like to have a holiday in March, it makes the winter months easier to get through and this year our usual group enjoyed 2 weeks at the beautiful Shandrani resort in Mauritius. All-inclusive resorts are good for us as it takes the pain out of “whose round is it next?�! This resort delivers on all levels, a great choice of restaurants, beaches, decent wine and branded drinks! In May I was invited on a trip to Crete, our first stop was the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. With the island of Spinalonga clearly visible across the water and being situated within easy walking distance of the village of Plaka, this hotel is a great choice for everyone. I found Daios Cove Luxury Hotel and Villas to be a wonderfully vibrant resort built into the hillside in sympathetic style to its surroundings, a 20-minute drive from Aghios Nikolaos. St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel and Villas, located a short walk from Aghios Nikolaos, has beautiful gardens and contemporary accommodation; this resort is a haven of relaxation and beauty. A few weeks later I was back in Greece, this time to celebrate our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in Halkidiki. My husband and I spent 9 nights at the beautifully positioned Eagles Palace Hotel; the family villas built on the hillside at the back of the property are a great choice for families, with their own restaurant, gym, spa and family bar with wonderful views to the sea. We try to do a family villa holiday every other year and in August we went to Puglia for the first time and we loved it! The villa was fabulous with one of the largest pools we had ever had on a villa holiday, which was good because I had bought a 6ft 6 inch blow up swan for us all to enjoy! The hilltop towns were filled with
interesting little shops selling ceramics and local produce, and restaurants were in tiny cobbled stepped streets. In October we welcomed a beautiful granddaughter into the family, Martha was born to my son and daughter in law. I am incredibly lucky to have two handsome grandsons and now a very cute granddaughter. To say I feel like the cat who got the cream is an understatement. I finished up my year on a VIP trip to the Seychelles, home to numerous beaches, coral reefs, rain forests and National Parks, the Giant Aldabra Tortoises and the Seychelles Black Parrot. The new direct British Airways flight to the Seychelles will give easier access to this archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean and I look forward to sharing my experience with our clients.
A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by Ja m e s A year in Ashdown Travel’s Corporate department and there is always something new around the corner, and 2018 was the year for groups. After the Christmas break, we hit the ground running, finalizing a group of Women’s health professionals to Nairobi, launching a research program throughout Africa. This involved coordinating a group flight from London, and individual flights throughout Africa. A couple of months later we had a similar annual group meeting in Addis Ababa. We then secured group seats for an IT annual event taking place in Croatia in June and began to book the 120 speakers to an annual European Medical Congress. The next few months were busy servicing our groups and individual business travellers ranging from key medical professionals, to engineers. Despite the onrush of work in January I did escape for a romantic long weekend with my wife to the beautiful area of County Kerry, Ireland. Flying direct to County Kerry we hired a car and headed down the road to the classic Dromhall Hotel in Killarney. The next day we headed off to explore the stunning scenery of the Ring of Kerry, including a stop on the western
coast to see The Skellig’s. Killarney really does make a perfect base for a short weekend break. Other trips involved escorting an incentive group to Marbella, staying at the chic Hotel Amàre, then back to Marbella for a family wedding with the reception at the beautiful setting of the Hotel Fuerte, Marbella. My main family holiday was to the Vendée in France. This included a must visit to Puy du Fou, a historic theme park recently ranked 3rd in the World by Trip Advisor. Be warned, not a rollercoaster in sight, but a perfect experience for all ages. Finally, I recently returned from a 4-night trip to Toronto sponsored by one of our suppliers. Toronto is a vibrant city, a perfect destination if you would like somewhere different to New York. Set on the shores of Lake Ontario, with a stunning city skyline including the CN Tower, there was plenty that kept us busy. It has one of the world’s biggest theatre scenes, and an annual Film Festival open to the public, unlike Cannes. The always breath-taking Niagara Falls are close by which can be easily visited in a day excursion, a once in a lifetime must-see.
A S H D OW N JA M A I C A I N N It begins the moment you arrive at Jamaica Inn. You sense an incredibly warm welcome and simply lose yourself in the tranquillity that envelops this iconic boutique hotel which has just celebrated its 60th anniversary under the same family ownership. Located on one of the most naturally beautiful and diverse destinations in the Caribbean, Jamaica Inn allows its guests to enjoy all of the beauty of the island from a peaceful and relaxing haven. The management and team ensure attentive yet unobtrusive personal service, the food is exquisite and the setting simply magical. With only 56 suites, cottages and beach
bungalows, it is the epitome of true boutique luxury with a guest experience second to none, confirmed by the incredibly high number of people that return. Its crowning glory is arguably the furnished balconies in each guest suite which act as oversized, open air living rooms - but then there is the gorgeous pristine crescent shaped beach, the manicured lawns, the Caribbean sea, an open-air ocean spa, and more ... Every luxury at the Inn is understated which is why to this day it remains one of the best loved hotels in the West Indies with an incredible history of famous guests. Today the hotel is owned by brothers Peter and Eric Morrow, inheriting
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A S H D OW N JA M A I C A I N N the property from their father in 1987. From its inception in 1958 Jamaica Inn became the jetsetter destination for Hollywood aristocracy partying with British nobility. Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Millar honeymooned here and Sir Winston Churchill was partial to the White Suite so of course a plaque sits at its entrance. The story is told that he would drink Martinis with Ian Fleming at the hotel bar, doubtless shaken, not stirred. The Inn continues to play host to Heads of State, actors and film stars. The hotel is well known for its long serving staff and Teddy who runs the beach bar began working there in 1958 when he was 16. He says
it’s the best job he’s ever had and of course it’s the only one he’s ever had! He’s served gin and tonics to Princess Margaret and recounts countless entertaining stories of all the guests he’s met. The Inn is also famous for several black Labradors called Shadow who have been part of the Inn from the 1970s - Shadow IV joined the staff as a puppy in 2014 and has even mastered a surfboard! Finally this very special hotel not only has a huge heart but a huge conscience. Their Foundation encompasses a turtle protection project, which also provides a thrilling guest experience during the hatching season, and a local coral reef regeneration project.
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A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by Jo I was lucky enough last year to be invited on a weekend trip to Crete and was even luckier to be able to take my son Ben. He was so excited about coming away with me! We stayed at the Elounda Peninsula All-Suite hotel which was lovely. We had time to look around the other 2 hotels – the Porto Elounda and the Elounda Mare, but also had some time to relax whilst enjoying the hotel’s fantastic restaurants and spa, whilst the children were taken off to the clubs with numerous activities - football with the Valencia football coaches, swimming, arts & craft and even a cinema night in the hotels own inhouse cinema. The weekend was fantastic and I would definitely recommend this hotel for couples, singles or families. Europe has been very popular this year and one of my memorable bookings was for a tour around Europe for a lady and her cousin, travelling entirely by train. They were away for nearly a month and visited some of the main cities in Europe taking in all the sights and went on various excursions, including the Vienna
Riding School which she said was an amazing experience! The highlight of my year was being invited on another work trip, this time to South Africa. This was a 10-night trip and it was amazing from start to finish. After landing in Cape Town, we were taken straight to Table Mountain where we got the cable car to the top. The views are stunning! We spent 1 night at the Table Bay hotel in Cape Town, 1 night at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, 1 night at Franschhoek Country House & Villas, 1 night at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Forest Lodge, 2 nights at Lairds Lodge Country Estate and then 2 nights at Long Lee Manor on Shamwari Game Reserve. On the trip I was lucky enough to see whales, dolphins, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, rhino and many more, plus we had the chance to visit the Born Free Foundation and learn about their work helping the animals! It was a trip of a lifetime, and one that I would highly recommend anyone to do, should you have the chance.
A S H D OW N MY YEAR - by Laura In my second Ashdown TravelinI South have If you’re lookingyear for atwildlife locations been luckythen enough four places America, why tonottravel try to stopping off inI have neverAmazon been to region. before so there were few Ecuador’s Here you cana find ‘firsts’ for amazing me. In array addition, I’ve been kept busy the most of tropical birds; herons, with lots of spoonbills bookings for all over the world kingfishers, andareas ospreys to name a few. including a tailor-made self-drive package to Walk along raised boardwalks through the Canada; a Nordic Capitals trip visiting Sweden, dense flooded palm forest and very often you’ll Norway Denmark train journeys; get to seeand various speciesfeaturing of monkeys showing off an action-packed Iceland trip incorporating their dare devil jumping skills! snowmobiling and a visit to a volcano and a fully Take a dugout canoe across the lakes and along escorted tour to Australia to name but a few. the canals that stretch out all around the lodges Mauritius was just stunning, and I was lucky where you will find all sorts of insects and spiders, enough to visit all eight of the Beachcomber and lazy lizards watching you, as you slowly properties and stayed at five in December. One paddle by. of my favourite properties located in the south When rainforest visit comes to an end region of your Mauritius, Shandrani Beachcomber then what would better than an onward Resort & Spa is abewelcoming fully-inclusive trip to the Galapagos Islands. Perhaps night five-star resort with a lively vibe. Set onaa 7private peninsula by the Blue Bay Marine Park rich in sea life, the hotel has three different beaches to discover. Marbella was a great experience and I visited here in April. The Amare Beach Hotel is an adult only hotel that brings together the perfect ingredients for a delightful stay; it is set right on the beachfront and close to Marbella’s old town where you can also catch a ferry easily into Puerto Banus, known for its designer shops and great nightlife. The hotel itself features the Bellevue rooftop bar where you can enjoy 360º views over the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella’s old town and the majestic Sierra Blanca. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a few drinks, a snack and music while watching a spectacular sunset. Kefalonia is such a beautiful place and I stayed in June in Lixouri which is located to the west of the island. From here you can catch a ferry over to Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, and at the end of the bay sits the Koutavos Lagoon, a feeding ground for loggerhead turtles which are quite a sight to see. I hired a car and discovered some amazing beaches, Myrtos being my favourite, not surprising as it is one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. The scenery
from above unique andhave the view is certainly cruise whereis you won’t to keep packing breathtaking. that result in a long or unpacking Green and yourocks can completely relax and beach the withwildlife. white pebbles and the Ionian Sea so at enjoy The yachts travel at night its best with turquoise waters. you have plenty of time to visit the numerous St Lucia islands duringwas thethe day.fouth of my new places to visitLook in September I stayed at iguanas, the Sandals out for the and basking marine the Grande St. Lucian which is often described as the waved albatrosses, giant tortoises, the Galapagos “closest holiday to a picture-perfect postcard.” penguins and so much more. Take time out to Cradled to the west by Rodney Bay boasting visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to the calmest waters in all of Saint Lucia and to learn about the conservation efforts of this unique the east by the Atlantic Ocean, this magnificent environment. place showcases awe-inspiring panoramic views that will linger in your mind forever. Volcanic mountains draped in blankets of green rise from a clear blue sea. A sheltered mile-long beach. This is paradise as it was meant to be, full of natural beauty and rich in history.
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Travel Gallery, established over 30 years ago, is a tour operator with an Asian focus, we specialise in curating bespoke itineraries for discerning travellers looking for authentic experiences, whether solo, couples or families. We create memorable journeys, paying attention to the interests and requirements for each traveller. Our destinations include hot pick Sri Lanka, which has recently been voted as the best destination to travel to in 2019 by Lonely Planet. Managing Director Farzana was born in Sri Lanka and today spends 6 months a year working in Sri Lanka & discovering unique experiences. We are excited about sharing our passion for Sri Lanka at the Holiday Show, revealing some of our “hidden treasures”, off the beaten track and bucket list experiences; whether cultural, world heritage sites, national parks, wildlife or hidden beaches. We hope you will join us for our presentation and share SO Sri Lanka.
The Africa Collection team is one of the most experienced in our field, we know Africa and the Indian Ocean as well as anyone, and better than most. But maybe the most important thing is that we enjoy what we do, and the product we sell. We love Africa and the Indian Ocean; we still marvel at the scenery; we are awed by the power and rawness of nature, with every safari and wildlife experience as unique as the first; we enjoy and revel in the people we get the opportunity to meet; we find the cuisine as tasty today as it has ever been and more; and the sand as soft as ever. We are proud to be able to share this knowledge, our commitment to service, and our experience, with our customers. Come and meet Storm! She hails from Zimbabwe, has travelled extensively and loves sharing her passion and knowledge! As she says, “you can leave Africa but Africa never leaves you”! Allow us to take you on a journey, Let Us Guide You…
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A S H D OW N H O L I D AY S H O W If you’re looking for wildlife locations in South America, then why not try stopping off in Ecuador’s Amazon region. Here you can find the most amazing array of tropical birds; herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys to name a few. Walk along raised boardwalks through the dense flooded palm forest and very often you’ll get to see various species of monkeys showing off their dare devil jumping skills! Take a dugout across the lakes along A world-leader in canoe premium guided travel,and Tauck is the canalstothat stretchthat out all around dedicated the belief “How You Seethe the lodges World where you will offers find all sorts insects and spiders, Matters.” Tauck over 100ofinspiring journeys to and lazy lizards watching you, as you 70+ countries and all seven continents. Each slowly reveals paddle the rich,by.engaging, cultural “story” of the featured When your rainforest visitmust-see comes to an end destination, showcasing both attractions then authentic, what would be better than an onward and off-the-beaten-path experiences trip to thetoGalapagos Islands. Perhaps a 7 night unavailable most travellers. At Tauck we strive to do it better than we did before because we know no one can return a holiday, it happens only once. We spend over 2 years planning every single itinerary we offer from river and small ship cruising to escorted land journeys. Everything is included in the one upfront price. My name is Kathryn and I’ve been working in travel since the 1990’s and during the last 4 years I have had the pleasure of working for Tauck. With Tauck, I have learnt so much about the art of travelling well. Most recently I took hubby for his birthday on the safari of a lifetime. There were so many benefits of travelling in our small group and we made friends for life on this unforgettable trip. I can’t wait to share my passion for travel with Ashdown Travels’ guests.
cruise where you won’t have to keep packing or unpacking and you can completely relax and enjoy the wildlife. The yachts travel at night so you have plenty of time to visit the numerous islands during the day. Look out for the basking marine iguanas, the waved albatrosses, giant tortoises, the Galapagos penguins and so much more. Take time out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn conservation this unique Forgetabout abouttheEuros and the efforts latest of exchange rate environment. because the new currency is all about experiences.And imagine how refreshing it would be to experience luxury travel where you could even leave your wallet at home – everything was already included! With over 25 years’ experience, we are the experts in the most inclusive luxury experience, without compromise. Our boutique ships sail to the hottest of climates and coolest locations such as Cuba, Japan, Africa and South America as well as those on our doorstep - in Europe and the Mediterranean. Onboard, everything you could possibly want is included from exquisite gourmet dining to Champagne all day long and once ashore, it’s all about living like a local and immersing yourself in the culture around you. If you’re a discerning traveller with a taste for the finer things in life, come and meet Caroline. Her youthful looks defy the number of years this cruise expert has been in the industry.A huge lover of travel, Caroline has ventured far and wide across land and sea and will be only too happy to share her passion with you about the most inclusive luxury experience – Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.
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A S H D OW N C H E E TA H P L A I N S
Set in South Africa’s famous Sabi Sands the new Cheetah Plains private game reserve, located in the quieter northern section of the reserve, is taking luxury lodges to a new dimension. Reopening in December 2018 after a complete rebuild, this amazing lodge will offer a new and contemporary bush experience to the most discerning luxury travellers. Cheetah Plains will offer a fully inclusive seductive safari experience‌ all meals are prepared
by private chef as well as carefully chosen wines from your own wine cellar, twice-daily game drives and private spa therapists as well as gym facilities all included in your stay. There are 3 exclusive-use, state-of-the-art designer bush houses with 2 lounges, dining areas, outdoor bomas, wine cellars & heated swimming pools as well as a private game viewing vehicle with heated seats & designated bush guides for your entire stay. Each bush house comprises 4 luxurious
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private suites, which feature private decks, dressing rooms and lounges, double rain showers and baths overlooking the splendid African bushveld. Renowned for big five game viewing the Sabi Sand game reserve lies adjacent to the SouthWest corner of the Kruger National Park. There are no fences between the two reserves which allows game to move freely between the areas resulting in some of the most exceptional wildlife
viewing in Southern Africa. All lodges in the greater Sabi Sand area are involved in environmental managements such as alien plant control, combating erosion, monitoring wildlife, anti-poaching and fire control. Cheetah Plains is a truly world class Safari option and Ashdown Travel are delighted to be working closely with them to put together your dream Africa trip.
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A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by A n n e
2018 has proved to be another busy year for me, and as always, I have crammed in as many breaks away, as time and budget have allowed! Our regular winter sun slot of Orlando in February was refreshed by taking friends with us who had never been before, and we got such pleasure from seeing things through their eyes. Universal is really leading the way with park ride developments and queue management strategies, although the top ride of the week went to Maku, fairly new at Seaworld – no loops but thrilling! In June I joined a trip to North-East Sardinia visiting the Delphina Hotels. This coastline here is dramatic with blue sea hues fringing the bays and coves, and many of the hotels’ rooms are set in little bungalows roofed in terracotta, tumbling through gardens lush with bougainvillea and hibiscus. My two favourite hotels were the relaxed Cala di Falco in Cannigione, where you have both the pool and beach to hand but also the town is very easily walkable, giving you plenty of dining choices; and then their larger hotel called Resort Valle dell’Erica. There was such a sense of space here, with a gorgeous beach, sports and good choice of dining options – perfect for a family holiday. And did I mention that the food and wine were delicious?... In the summer the family returned to Fiskardo, Kefalonia, for a reliable, relaxing week in one of the prettiest harbours in the Med. We hired a little
speedboat for the day and puttered across to Ithaca which was great fun and, in the evenings, enjoyed tasty dinners harbourside, whilst people watching and admiring the beautiful yachts. I also took my Mum to Madeira for a few days. As Mum is someone with some walking difficulties, I was delighted to find the Porto Mare hotel caters well for such guests, with an excellently adapted room, lift and ramps to all areas and helpful staff. Indeed, everyone we came across on this stunning island was most welcoming and couldn’t do enough to help, and I would thoroughly recommend the hotel – we will certainly be back! Much of our job is research, and then matching client needs and expectations with the right product. Having personal contact throughout the lifetime of a booking is a key benefit to our clients and our desire to ‘get it right’ means we often go the extra mile; recently for example found me contacting marine biologists on different Maldivian islands to check the state of their coral reef recovery following the worldwide 2016 bleaching event. Having particularly enjoyed the television series about the Trans Siberian journey with Joanna Lumley a couple of years ago, I was delighted to research the trip for real for a client – this is what makes our job so interesting and rewarding, no two days are ever the same! I look forward to booking your special trip this year, happy travelling!
A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by A l e x
2018 was my second year with Ashdown Travel and what a year it has been. The year started very busy with customers planning and booking their holidays for the spring and summer ahead. This year my family opted for the luxury resort of Aphrodite Hills Residences in Cyprus. It was a perfect choice for us with our 2-year-old, with apartment and villa style accommodation set within a hotel complex with all the facilities and activities you would need on site. Cyprus is a beautiful island and has so much to offer – beaches, history, countryside & scenery as well as excellent towns and nightlife. One of my stand out bookings this year was an incredible trip through Japan for a father and son. They included Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka Mount Fiji, Hakone, travel by the famous ‘bullet train’ and even a stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. It was the perfect combination of modern cities, history, architecture, culture and breath-taking scenery. It’s easy to see why this destination is
becoming more and more popular every year. I was also very fortunate to go on a luxury trip to Mykonos. The quality and service of the hotels were exceptional and the food - some of the best I have ever eaten. Imagine beautiful sunsets, champagne cocktails, infinity pools, fine dining restaurants and buzzing beach clubs. Although not a budget destination, Mykonos is perfect for a celebration or even if you just want to treat yourself. I wouldn’t hesitate to return!
A S H D OW N H O L I D AY S H O W If you’re looking for wildlife locations in South America, then why not try stopping off in Ecuador’s Amazon region. Here you can find the most amazing array of tropical birds; herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys to name a few. Walk along raised boardwalks through the dense flooded palm forest and very often you’ll get to see various species of monkeys showing off their dare devil jumping skills! Take a World dugouthave canoe across the lakestailormade and along Southern been arranging the canalsinthat stretchNew out all aroundand theFiji lodges holidays Australia, Zealand for where you will find all sorts of insects and spiders, the last 27 years, we supply the travel trade with a and watching you, tours, as you huge lazy rangelizards of hotels, apartments, dayslowly trips, paddle by. rail journeys, transfers, car rental and experiences rainforest visit holiday. comes toWeanwork end thatWhen help toyour create your perfect then specialist what would be better than anTravel onward with agencies like Ashdown to trip tolocal the Galapagos Islands. Perhaps a 7 night offer expertise and ideas tailoring each holiday to customers’ requirements. We think of ourselves as an extension of their services downunder, who act as your local contact on the same time zone if you need to contact us whilst away. My name is Val and I’ve been promoting holidays Down-Under for over 20 years after living there for 3 years myself. I love to share my enormous passion for these fabulous countries and I do hope to see you at my presentations during the afternoon of the show when I will be showcasing some of the memorable experiences we can create for you. I’m also available to talk to individually during the morning. So, come and say G’day and KiaOra to the Ashdown team and myself from Southern World, their local Aussie/Kiwi partner. As they say, “if not now, when?”.
cruise where you won’t have to keep packing or unpacking and you can completely relax and enjoy the wildlife. The yachts travel at night so you have plenty of time to visit the numerous islands during the day. Look out for the basking marine iguanas, the waved albatrosses, giant tortoises, the Galapagos penguins and so much more. Take time out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the love-affair conservation efforts of this unique Our about ongoing with luxury travel has environment. spanned 40 years and our passion for the most beautiful parts of the world burns as brightly as ever. We continue to reinvent and expand our global programme and these exciting additions mean that Caribtours is still the go-to operator for those looking for luxury holidays in a fantastic variety of destinations. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of bringing the best of luxury travel to our clients whilst proudly maintaining Caribtours’ award-winning service and destination knowledge. Our approach and ethos will remain the same as we look forward to celebrating four decades of luxury travel. We are one of the only true specialist holiday companies to have a team of award-winning Travel Advisers, with impeccable first-hand knowledge of our destinations and a real love for all thing’s luxury. Visit the Caribtours stand and speak to Karen, our Trade Sales Manager, who has been with the company for 9 years so knows a thing or two about the Caribbean. Ask about her recent trip to Grenada when she stayed at some spectacular properties, including Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel. Karen loved the laid-back living, warm people and beautiful white beaches so much that she didn’t want to come home!
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A S H D OW N H O L I D AY S H O W
For 45 years, Great Rail Journeys, Rail Discoveries, and Great Rail Journeys Independent have been offering customers fantastic rail experiences and exhilarating tours. As a company that believes that a holiday should start the moment you leave your house, you can be assured of a fantastic adventure from beginning to end. Offering first-rate rail travel, superb accommodation, and sensational excursions that truly offer an immersive insight into your chosen destination, you can be sure that with us, you will be making memories that will last years to come. If you think of rail travel as boring, then you’ve clearly never picked up one of our brochures! We have the most amazing portfolio of journeys you probably never knew existed! From the romantic steam trains of the Scottish Highlands to the iconic Bullet train of Japan we can show you a world of glorious landscapes whilst you sit back and relax. My name is Claire and I’ve travelled through Norway, France, Vietnam and even the North Yorkshire Moors by train! It’s a fantastic way to see those places you’ve always dreamt of visiting whether you choose one of our fully escorted tours or create your own itinerary, we can show you the world. I look forward to meeting you at the show.
Hurtigruten are the original Norwegian Coastal Voyage sailing since 1893, meaning we have over 125 years of experience along the coastline, and we believe nobody knows this beautiful country like us.We visit 34 ports, a mixture of big and small cities and places most vessels cannot reach so you really do visit places seldom visited by others. Of those 34 ports of call, 22 are above the Arctic Circle, making your chances of seeing the northern lights even greater. Most staff have grown up along this coast and are passionate about their country. We have complimentary lectures and onboard activities and over 90 excursions that bring you even closer to the nature, culture and wildlife. My name is Jayne and when I travelled to Norway mid-September last year, the northern lights appeared - we were all astounded at seeing them during the classic midnight sun season. I had goose pimples and everyone I was travelling with in the group shed a few tears, it really was a moment I will never forget! Sailing in complete darkness , the northern lights were the only thing we could see. Please come and talk to me at the holiday show when I can show you some of my fantastic videos and photos and talk all things expedition travel with you.
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A S H D OW N H O L I D AY S H O W If you’re looking for wildlife locations in South America, then why not try stopping off in Ecuador’s Amazon region. Here you can find the most amazing array of tropical birds; herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys to name a few. Walk along raised boardwalks through the dense flooded palm forest and very often you’ll get to see various species of monkeys showing off their dare devil jumping skills! a dugout the lakes and along GPTake Associates is canoe in theacross privileged position of the canals that stretch all around the lodges representing some of theout world’s most spectacular where you will owned find all sorts insects and independently hotelsof around the spiders, world. and lazy lizards watching you, as you slowly My name is Shirley and I have been working paddle by. with GP Associates for over 18 years and have your rainforest visit to an end hadWhen the incredible fortune to comes travel the world then what would be better than an onward during my time! tripThis to the Islands. Perhaps a has, 7 night love Galapagos of hotels and travel combined over the years, heightened my passion for the amazing array of hotels we are in the privileged position of representing, from the Dolomites to Fiji; or the beaches of the Caribbean to the French Riviera. Whether you are searching for that once in a lifetime trip to remember or a last-minute escape, our broad collection of hotels provides limitless choice and variety. I am just as excited now, as I was the day I started, in sharing my knowledge and expertise with each and every client – and you definitely won’t forget my Irish charm!
cruise where you won’t have to keep packing or unpacking and you can completely relax and enjoy the wildlife. The yachts travel at night so you have plenty of time to visit the numerous islands during the day. Look out for the basking marine iguanas, the waved albatrosses, giant tortoises, the Galapagos penguins and so much more. Take time out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation of this unique Since 1998,theExsus Travel efforts has specialised in environment. creating the very best luxury tailor-made holidays, honeymoons and family adventures all over the world. Pioneering and passionate, our commitment is simple: to deliver first-class service, every single time, to hunt down the very best hotels in compelling, hypnotic locations, and to plan unique and memorable experiences along the way. The result? Extraordinary, immersive holidays. By combining our specialist knowledge of more than 80 countries on all seven continents with each client’s personal holiday wish list, our team of experts will transform the ideas into travel reality, and craft every detail of each trip to perfection. My name is Neil and my passion for travel began at an early age – being the son of an airline pilot, I was lucky enough to be able to travel the globe during my childhood. Having lived in Singapore, India and England, I continue to jump on a plane to discover new destinations whenever the opportunity arises!
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A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by L i n d a For me, 2018 really started in summer 2017 with the planning of a very special trip with my husband to Australia for our son’s wedding. We headed to Brisbane in March, and after a few days exploring the city, took the coastal road down to the hinterland of Byron Bay, where we had an amazing time with family and friends celebrating the wedding. Whenever we travel back from Australia – and there have been quite a few times since my son moved to Sydney - we try to add a stop-over trip to a different country, and this time it was Thailand. Our first stay was at the small boutique resort of the Sarojin Hotel in Khao Lak where we took full advantage of the secluded surroundings and its beautiful pool and beaches. Our next stop the Khao Sok National Park Elephant Hills for a 2 night stay package. The first day we took a Canoe Safari down the Sok River and then onto the ‘Elephant Experience’ where you have the chance to interact with the elephants by hand feeding and bathing them! After this incredible experience we spent the night in a luxury jungle tented camp before we headed out the following morning to the rainforest camp and this time a stay in a luxury floating tent. Situated on the Cheow Lan Lake, these luxury tents are surrounded by beautiful rainforest mountains and the only sounds are that of an array of monkeys and birdlife. Back to civilisation, we travelled on to Krabi. A stay at the Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort hotel with its spectacular views towards the limestone peaks of the Ko Hong Archipelago and the gentle waves of the Andaman Sea completed our Thailand adventure. After such a wonderful trip it was back to work with a bump, and I’ve been kept busy all year with a vast array of bookings ranging from touring Peru including the luxury Belmond Andean Explorer, to a surprise honeymoon in Bora Bora, to a multi-generational family celebration onboard a European river cruise! After such a wonderful start to our holiday
year, we have kept the rest fairly low key, and just spent some UK weekends away including two trips to Edinburgh to visit our daughter, and some dog friendly breaks taking our cocker spaniel Ella, and our terrier Leo to some lovely self-catering properties near the beach. A quick visit to Berlin to see our other son, and the incredible Christmas Market, and a week of winter sunshine in St Lucia finished up our year nicely!! Now, what about 2019?...
A S H D OW N M Y Y E A R - by N i c k
2018 has been a very busy year for me both personally and professionally. We arrange a large volume of flights for a company that arranges medical conferences and that took a lot of time at the beginning of the year - booking people to fly from places like Curitiba in Brazil to Barcelona, in the shortest possible time, is always challenging! As a family we had a lovely holiday over Easter in Jamaica staying at Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios. The Couples all inclusive concept really is outstanding and makes way for a very easy worry-free holiday. Whilst often maligned, Jamaica is a stunning, beautiful island with lovely people and, in my opinion, is hugely underrated. For 25 years we have been going to the Ionian Islands in Greece and staying on the magnificent island of Zakynthos. Shipwreck Beach on the island was voted by readers of a top magazine
as the clearest waters in the world and from the attached picture you will see why. I also must go to one of my favourite restaurants in the world called Cave Damianos where the sunsets are some of the most spectacular ever. I have also been actively working with one of our Corporate clients for their 2019 conference who have decided on Malaga on the Costa Del Sol. Malaga truly is a beautiful city, and whilst it flies under the radar compared to other major Spanish cities, it is well worth a visit for sure. Finally, we went with our goddaughter to Lapland in December to do a hunt for Father Christmas. I can honestly say seeing the look on her face was worth every penny and it doesn’t matter how old you are, you will have fun. These trips fill up so quickly and early booking is essential to get one of the Ashdown recommended packages.
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