Ashdown winter2012 2013 by Net Effect

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* MEXICO * SPA BREAKS * RIVER CRUISING * * ESCORTED TOURING * SONG SAA * SANDY LANE *

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Welcome to our latest newsletter! Firstly I hope you have all had a lovely festive period and would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2013. I know many of you attended the Oxted late night shopping event, and I am delighted to advise that we raised over £250 for our chosen local charity Pastens Action for Children. As always in our newsletters we try and bring you some new and inspirational ideas that will whet your appetite to travel and hope this will be no different. Mexico is a country that has seen a resurgence in demand as BA and Virgin are now ﬂying directly from Gatwick to Cancun opening up a signiﬁcant array of beach resorts along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Of course Mexico has a lot more to offer than just beaches and I hope you will enjoy reading about this amazing country. Escorted touring has also been popular for us and we have decided to suggest some interesting and exciting destinations where you can visit, whilst enjoying the security and knowledge of your own tour leader. These are just a suggestion so if you like the concept, but would prefer alternative destinations, please don’t hesitate to ask. For our clients that like a bit of pampering, then we have included a number of fantastic spa resorts that you can visit without going too far away.These are all easily accessible and can be tailored to meet your requirements. Again this is just a small selection so call us for further suggestions.

Once again I would like to remind you all that Ashdown Travel hold ABTA, IATA and ATOL licences which means that your money is fully protected when booking through us. We also have a 24 hour emergency service so you really do have someone on hand to help if you need us! I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and look forward to seeing you in the shop soon.

Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris have extended their ‘Party of the Year’ celebrations!! Their 20th Anniversary celebrations were so popular that they have decided to extend it for another 6 months! Choose from 2 Disney Parks and experience fantastic parades; meet the Disney characters whilst experiencing unmissable attractions and spectacular shows! You can wander round the Disney Village to ﬁnd the perfect gift and dine in numerous restaurants in the parks, the Disney village or in one of the 14 hotels - one to suit every taste!

There are various offers available including: Kids under 7 get free hotel and park tickets valid for arrivals until 7th November 2013 inclusive or Kids under 12 get free hotel and park tickets valid for arrivals 1st January – 27th March 2013 inclusive. Early booking offers also available for Spring, Summer and Autumn 2013 and are subject to availability. The new brochure is now out so please call in for more details on the celebratory offers!

Kind 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

Airline News British Airways are launching some exciting new routes from Gatwick, and with the return of direct ﬂights to the Canary Islands, this will offer you a fully serviced ﬂight alternative to the budget airlines. From 29th October 2012 | Las Vegas 3 times a week. Upto 29th March 2013 | Puerto Rico every Friday. From 31st March 2013 | Tenerife every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday | Lanzarote every Thursday & Sunday | Dominican Republic every Wednesday, and Sunday.

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S A N DY L A N E

S O N G SAA

Sandy Lane is the epitome of ﬁve-diamond luxury. The truly world class resort sits on 1000ft of gorgeous white sand beach and combines timeless elegance with ultra-modern facilities, catering to the most discerning couples and families. Plush accommodations include 112 spacious rooms and suites, each with large balcony overlooking the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea or exotic tropical gardens. Nestled in a mahogany cove on the ‘platinum’ west coast of Barbados, this unforgettable resort provides 45 holes of championship golf, featuring two Tom Fazio

designed courses, a magniﬁcent 47,000-squarefoot spa, four restaurants, seven bars, nine ﬂoodlit tennis courts, water sports, the Treehouse Club dedicated children’s facility and all the warmth of Barbadian hospitality. A Sandy Lane holiday is an unparalleled experience and with a captivating collection of summer offers, your luxurious escape is closer than ever. Stay during our endless summer, from 12th April 2013 to 31st October 2013. Packages range from Romantic Escapades to Golf, Spa or Family Escapes.

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01883 714312

The new Song Saa Private Island resort in Cambodia has been one of the most talked about luxury resorts in the last year. Situated just off the Southern coastal resort of Sihanoukville, Song Saa Private Island features luxury 1 and 2 bedroom Over-Water, Jungle and Ocean-View villas built with sustainable materials and with the deepest respect for the natural environment. Since it’s opening in late 2011, the resort has won many top awards and has already established itself as one of the new must stay places for the discerning traveler.

You can easily combine a stay with most South East Asian cities and in particular why not combine a stay with the World famous Angkor Wat temples at Siem Riep. Booking early is essential as demand for this resort is extremely high! Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and prices. Ashdown exclusive All bookings made to Song Saa by the 31st March 2013 will receive a 1 hr spa treatment per person. Please check with us for any date exclusions.

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S PA B R EA K S

A relaxing Spa treatment is a great way to sooth away aches and pains as well as rejuvenating the body & soul. Rather than wait until your holiday to indulge why not enjoy a relaxing spa break closer to home? We have listed some of our favourite UK resorts where you can go away and spend a relaxing 1 or 2 night break and come back totally refreshed. The Four Seasons Resort in Dogmersﬁeld Park is a beautiful retreat in the Hampshire countryside that makes a stunning short spa break. Elegantly casual yet oozing in style you can indulge in a vast array of treatments, including the signature Four Seasons massages which are infamous worldwide. Guests can partake in many other country pursuits and children are well catered for as well

through the Kids for all Seasons programme. As preferred partners for Four Seasons, Ashdown Travel clients receive exclusive beneﬁts, so please ask for full details. Bovey Castle is situated in the Dartmoor National Park in the heart of Devon and easily accessible from the M5 motorway. The ﬂagship Sundari Spa is a sanctuary tucked away from the

bustle of modern life. Echoing the tranquility and therapeutic ﬂow of the River Dart, they have created bespoke spa experiences to relax, revive and restore the body and spirit. Bovey Castle is a pet friendly property, so why not take the whole family for a truly indulgent weekend. If your idea of a great short break is excellent food, wine and packed full of activities, then the award winning Gleneagles in 850 acres of Perthshire countryside is the answer. Situated less than 1 hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports it can make a lovely weekend. The Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA is proud to be one of the Leading Spas of the World. Launched by the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group, this recognises the highest levels in the spa industry. The 2 Michelin star Andrew Fairlie restaurant has just been announced as Britain’s best restaurant in the 2012 Sunday Times food list. Please ask us for the best rates at this fabulous resort.

Conveniently located 15 minutes away from the M6, Rookery Hall Hotel is a great venue for a Spa break and also for exploring the North West, being within easy reach of Chester and Manchester. The medieval town of Nantwich is just 5 minutes away. Spa breaks start from just £99.00 per person, including 1 night’s hotel accommodation and a 55 minute spa treatment. Many other packages are available and this hotel represents fabulous value for money for a short Spa break.

There are many other options available in the UK so if you like the concept, but would prefer another location, then please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be delighted to help you!

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MEXICO

Riviera Maya, Mexico The Riviera Maya, south of Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is an exciting destination that ticks so many boxes for the independent traveller, shaking off its reputation of just being a charter holiday and enticing you to fall in love with the warmth of its welcome. Firstly it has fabulous powder white sandy beaches fringing the warm Caribbean sea. Off shore is the world’s second largest reef after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, providing ample opportunity for divers and snorkellers alike and day trips can be arranged to the beautiful island at Isla Mujeres. The Yucatán Peninsula has fascinating historical sights with its rich cultural history of the ancient Mayan civilisation, so there are plenty of interesting days out beyond your sun-bed. Ninety minutes south of Cancun are the Mayan ruins of Tulum, perched on a cliff-side with spectacular views of the sea; and

further afield, take a fascinating full day tour to the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá with its iconic Kukulcan Pyramid. Overnight trips can be arranged to other places such as Uxmal and Merida. The weather is extremely pleasant mirroring the Caribbean islands. The food is, of course, delicious with plenty of tasty dishes, with as much or as little chilli as you please! Souvenir shopping in Playa del Carmen is a fun break from the beach. Head to Quinta Avenida, or “Fifth Avenue” as its affectionately known and find beautiful silver jewellery, local pottery and glassware. Mexico is very good value compared to the neighboring Caribbean islands and with BA flying 3 times a week and Virgin Atlantic flying twice a week and expanding their timetable, it’s even easier to get to using scheduled flights with a choice of 3 cabin classes. Abigail has just returned so call now to find out more.

The hotel choices along the Riviera Maya are excellent. From great value 3* options to deluxe 5* luxury depending on your budget. We love Now Sapphire for its excellent value, standing on a great stretch of beach, with lots of facilities and evening entertainment, proving a good choice for families and couples on a budget. Dreams Tulum is a little further aﬁeld but is also great value for money and enjoys a lovely established garden through the property and great facilities for families and couples alike. For modern, sleek, contemporary chic try Paradisus Playa del Carmen’s sister hotels, La Perla, exclusively for adults, and La Esmeralda, geared

towards families including kids and teen clubs from 12 month old to 17 years. Adults will enjoy Secrets Maroma Beach on a prime stretch of beach with excellent value all inclusive, a range of activities and nightly entertainment, plus a huge spa featuring a fabulous choice of treatments. The most established all-inclusive on the Riviera is Royal Hideaway Playacar styled like a grand colonial home. Don’t miss the incredible “Chefs Table” featuring an array of courses and the opportunity to meet the Executive chef. It’s also very close to the shopping and nightlife of Playa del Carmen.

A S H D OW N MEXICO The Mayakoba development is best for the nature lovers amongst you with a network of canals and lagoons snaking through the three hotels on site, teeming with wildlife including racoons, cormorants and 2 very shy baby crocodiles! It is easy to get around each resort by the hotel’s own golf buggies, but we also love the eco-boat tours on offer. Fairmont has been designed to combine conservation and luxury side by side. As well as abundant facilities, it also boasts management of the El Camaleon Golf Course, the Greg Norman designed course that hosts Mexico’s only PGA event. Rosewood is an all suite property, with private plunge pools in each suite and some of its accommodation on stilts over the lagoon.

The Banyan Tree is all about the stunning rooms, private plunge pools, incredible spa and unrivalled service. If you prefer smaller hotels, we love Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita with its unique design and eclectic mix of handpicked treasures collected from around the world. It is an all suite, all inclusive property with endless privileges including wi-ﬁ and international calls.The cuisine can be designed for any speciﬁc diet and every day you will receive champagne, fresh fruit and a replenished minibar. Rooms are themed with Balinese, African, Oriental, Mediterranean of Caribbean designs and even feature an elevated bed so you can wake up to views of the Caribbean Sea every morning.

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Our favourite is the Maroma Resort & Spa, an Orient Express hotel that gives a real WOW factor. Its motto is “mi casa es su casa” and the welcome couldn’t be warmer. It has been converted from a private home and it delivers an authentic Mexican experience, with its hacienda style, on a beach that consistently wins awards as one of the best in the world! From the moment you arrive you are charmed by the genuine smiles from the staff and the attention to detail and every evening the pathways through the gardens are illuminated by 1000’s of candles. The hotel has three pools, a beautiful spa and 2 tennis courts. There are several dining options serving delicious food including the beachside restaurant, El Restaurante and El Sol for Tapas with a Mexican twist. The Executive chef also offers

regular cookery demonstrations and other options include romantic dinners that can be set up on the beach or in the jungle gardens. There is also fun tequila tasting, a refreshing change from the usual perception of this traditional drink! Families are welcome, but activities are low key so we would suggest it is better for independent families, but it does have a games centre and TV lounge. The rooms and suites are individually designed with unique artwork and hand-painted tiles. They all share great tasteful design and wonderful features including possibly the comﬁest beds in the world!! It’s a place to relax, unwind and have attentive staff looking after your every need from the morning coffee service delivered to your room to the nightly aromatherapy turndown service. It wont fail to charm you!!

A S H D OW N R IV E R C R U I S I N G Spectacular landscapes, local cultures, regional cuisine, luxurious accommodation, incredible convenience and excellent service are just some of the experiences a River cruise offers. The Heart of Europe, Russian Waterways, Vietnam and Cambodia; the choices are amazing.Your river ship goes right into the heart of the cities, allowing you to step straight ashore and enjoy some amazing excursions with local guides who will take you on a more intimate sightseeing experience. Convenient travel at a relaxed pace. A daily river cruising schedule is quite ﬂexible giving you ample time to explore independently, on board user friendly bicycles give you the ultimate freedom to take in even more sights. Providing an intriguing insight into local life, from discovery by foot or bicycle to excursions by coach, a gondola ride, zipping around in a rickshaw or setting off aboard an ox-cart, all itineraries are planned to maximize your enjoyment of the scenery, history and local atmosphere. Large picture windows in the lounge give you great views of the beautiful countryside as you gently cruise along. With either a full picture window or a delightful French balcony enabling you to enjoy the views whilst in your stateroom. The food is fabulous and award-winning chefs create menus featuring regional specialities, with accompanying wines and beers. A visit to a cooking school to learn about regional foods and the opportunity to participate in preparing and tasting the dishes is just an example of the tours available. Entertainment each evening adds to your enjoyment; elegant lounges and lively bar areas are readily available, local folk dancers or a classical quartet. Each night different performers come on board; a perfect complement to the days discovery.

The choice is yours: A music cruise on the Danube taking in the sights along your journey from Budapest to Nuremberg, a Springtime cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basle, cruise through Provence on the Rhone from Lyon to Arles. Join a cruise on the Elbe from Berlin to Prague and stay a few extra nights to enjoy the sights of this beautiful and popular city. A new addition to many River cruise companies for 2013 is the Douro, known as the River of Gold, taking you through one of the worlds oldest and most beautiful destinations, Portugal. If you feel more adventurous, cruise on the Russian Waterways from Moscow to St Petersburg and enjoy a visit to the famous Hermitage or ballet performance in a historic theatre. Experience an ox-cart ride and visit the famous Angkor Wat during a Mekong cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, discover China’s Three Gorges region on a trip along the Yangtze river or maybe an African itinerary encompassing the Zambezi Queen with private game drives along the banks of the Chobe river. With so much included in the price, return travel from the UK, all on board meals complimented by specially selected wine, beer and soft drinks, a great selection of shore excursions with expert guides, entertaining lectures, music performances and activities, a river cruise represents excellent value for money. Sailing on smaller ships travelling to places inaccessible to larger vessels with no wave motion, no sea-sickness, no long days at sea and deﬁnitely no dinner jacket required, river cruising offers a warm and friendly environment. River cruising is a hugely growing market, giving us a spectacular panorama of ever changing views on the world’s great rivers! Please kindly note inclusions will vary by operator.

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A S H D OW N E S C O RT E D T O U R I N G APT Touring One of our favourite escorted touring companies is APT. It celebrates its 85th birthday this year and is still proud to be family-owned. Not only does it cover its roots in Australia and New Zealand, but has tours in Canada, South America, some parts of Asia, and river cruising in Europe and Russia. Tours are always fully escorted so someone will be telling you where to be and at what time, a liberating experience taking a lot of the stress out of travel! Tours are from as little as 5 days to more extensive 28 day tours and are predominantly in deluxe hotels in the best locations. Their particular selling point is the Freedom of Choice meals and excursions at certain locations. It gives exactly that: a choice of where to eat, with

whom you choose and what to see depending on your interests. It recognises that whilst escorted touring is a fun way to travel, meeting new friends along the way, you are still independent minded and want to make the most of your trip without always following the crowd. They have tours to suit both 4* and 5* budgets and a maximum 48 guests on any trip. There are many guaranteed departures and a policy where they try and match up singles to avoid the single supplements. They also have some small group departures in some locations for a more personal experience.Add to that some amazing early booking offers with savings of £550 per couple if booked by 28 Feb 2013.

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Travel Indochina

Titan Tours

If you want the convenience of an escorted tour but prefer the idea of a smaller group, and are considering Asia as your destination, then we would recommend Travel Indochina. They are one of the UK’s leading Asia specialists with a wealth of product knowledge and a large range of tours throughout South East Asia including Burma, which is increasing hugely in popularity. The tours have a maximum group size of 16. When there are 7 guests or more on the tours, they have both a Western Tour Leader as well as a local English speaking guide.They have lots of guaranteed departures and of the ones that aren’t guaranteed, they operate with a minimum of 4 passengers. They have a choice of Classic tours (3 to 4 star) and Deluxe (5 star / boutique) accommodation. Solo travellers aren’t penalised as the company operate a ‘Willing to Share’ option on Classic journeys, where you pay the twin share price and are matched up with same sex passengers. If there isn’t anyone suitable then you are given the room without the single supplement! For those of you who travel with your families, they offer tours speciﬁcally for the younger traveller where the minimum age is 5, and the itinerary is speciﬁcally geared towards our younger guests like elephant mahout for a day or learning Kung Fu from the experts in China.

One of the most popular tour operators for escorted touring continues to be Titan. They offer such a huge variety of itineraries to more than 50 countries covering every continent! They have been in operation for over 35 years and take pride in their customer satisfaction and value for money. Their particular selling points start from the moment you leave home including: their VIP Home Departure Service offering a door to door service from your house to the airport; free airport parking for those who choose to make their own way to Heathrow or Gatwick; and uniformed Titan representatives at both those airports to assist with baggage and check-in. The itineraries themselves, over 300 of them, have been designed from their team’s personal experience and years of client feedback. They try to include as many excursions and entrance fees as possible. They use scheduled airlines and quality hotels to make the tour as comfortable as possible. One of their biggest selling points is the tour managers who are on hand 24 hours a day if needed, providing professional, knowledgeable assistance from their years of on-the-road experience. Titan also provide the best available coaches with air-conditioning, w/c and daily seat rotation.

A S H D OW N T EA M T R I P S Dubai by Sue Following our ﬂight with Virgin Atlantic overnight from London Heathrow, I was most surprised to discover that Dubai is no longer a huge building site and the cranes have gone! A 45 minute drive took us to Al Maha desert resort, a luxurious Boutique Hotel in a conservation area with Bedouin tent style suites all with individual swimming pools. I was a little sceptical of the sunset camel trek, never having ridden a camel before, however after a very amusing 25 minutes we did enjoy a beautiful sunset.Alternative activities include a desert safari, nature walks, archery, falconry and horse riding. I loved the desert experience and seeing the Oryx and the Gazelles really close up. We headed into Dubai the next morning and visited a varied selection of hotels, starting with the popular Jumeirah Beach Hotel, situated next to the Wild Wadi Waterpark. The only 7 star hotel in the world the Burj Al Arab, an iconic sail-like structure which has become the symbol of Dubai. Six dining experiences, together with the famous Skyview bar, the Burj Al Arab will ensure your experience is unique! Mina A’Salem and Al Qasr, plus the courtyard summer houses of Dar Al Masyaf make up the Madinat Jumeirah where you will ﬁnd the Souk Madinat and a touch of “old Arabia”. The Park Hyatt: great for a short stay or stopover just 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from The Dubai Mall

on the beautiful Dubai Creek. The Palace at One and Only Royal Mirage: a beautiful resort with three distinct accommodations, The Palace, The Arabian Court and Residence and Spa, with a selection of dining options in beautiful surroundings. A visit to the One and Only Spa is a must! The Atlantis the Palm, sitting on over one kilometre of beautiful white sand beach this resort certainly offers an exciting family experience, including a dolphinarium, an amazing Aquaventure waterpark and The Lost Chambers. In complete contrast the One and Only The Palm, an intimate, luxurious boutique resort with an exclusive marina and private harbour, situated on its own private sandy beach. This is the place to relax and pamper yourself. The Ritz Carlton on Jumeirah Beach, an excellent choice close to the shops, cafes and restaurants of the Walk, perfect for an evening stroll.The Ritz Kids club and the ﬂowing design of the pools and gardens make this a perfect family option. Back in the desert for our last night at the Banyan Tree Al Wadi desert resort, an all pool villa concept with views of the desert oasis. With its own activity centre and kids club, this resort is a great choice for a family. Just 20 minutes from the resort takes you to the private beach to enjoy a selection of watersports. After a ﬁnal dinner and a dip in the inviting pool we retired for the night A very enjoyable trip and I can see why Dubai is so popular!

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