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German cities are famous for their Christmas markets, but in terms of historic locations and content, we can certainly hold our own here in the U.K. — especially when you blend together:
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in the Run Up to Christmas
Supplement toTravel Agent Professional
London
Christmas Markets and Stately Homes German cities are famous for their Christmas markets, but in terms of his-
toric locations and content, we can certainly hold our own here in the U.K.— especially when you blend together:
The treasure-filled Waddesdon Manor and Blenheim Palace, superblydecorated for Christmas;
Christmas Markets in Tetbury, THE place for antiques in the Cotswoldsand Bath, held in front of the ancient Roman Baths that gave the city itsname;
The Victorian Festival of Christmas in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard;An optional rail excursion to the Viking city of York for celebrations
including Victorian costumed traders and carol singers.For a genuine German Christmas Market experience, I can also offer a
memorable day among the 80-plus picturesque stalls at the BirminghamFrankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Fair.
Having been on the road for the past three weeks in the southern USA, I’vehad the chance to talk to dozens of travel agents about the impact of the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee celebrations. In a word, it has been massive, and the consensus isthat it will last for many months more.
I also saw that USA Today ran the Beatles as their headline photo story on June 12 —for the third time since Feb. 12. With more coverage likely to come during their 50th
anniversary year, the Fab Four will continue to play their part in keeping the U.K. in thepublic eye.
The third big topic of conversation is the Olympic Games, and the many historic sitesbeing used for the staging of some of the events. For some, these settings will be moreinteresting than the actual sports being played. Either way, the publicity for theJuly/August Games is cranking up, and Britain will continue to be in the headlines formost of the summer.
If you’re not yet taking full advantage of this massive wave of destination publicity,NOW is the time to start. Here are some helpful off-season travel ideas that might veryeasily convert into dollars in your pocket in the months ahead:
The London Jazz Festival, Nov. 9-18
The London Jazz Festival, thelargest pan-city music festival in theU.K., has been taking place everyNovember since 1992.
Widely acknowledged for deliv-ering a heady mix of talent fromaround the globe, including bothworld-class artists and emergingstars, the Festival continues tobring jazz to a massive audience.
London in the Run Up to Christmas
Get Your Skates OnLondon at Christmas is a magical time
for families. Everyone is in festive mood,with many attractions offering imaginativeand family-friendly activities.
Two that are especially notable are theliving history experiences at HamptonCourt Palace and the authentic recre-ation of a Victorian/EdwardianChristmas at the atmospheric LinleySambourne House.
If your clients include a family that likesto ice skate, invite them to get theirblades on. Ice rinks can be found at theNatural History Museum, SomersetHouse, the London Eye, the Tower ofLondon and at Hampton Court Palace, toname but five of them.
Warner Brothers’ new “The Makingof Harry Potter” studio tour, now openjust north of London, could end upbeing the highlight of the trip for fami-lies with Potter fans of all ages.
For further tour information please contact Paull Tickner at [email protected]
For more information on Travel Agent Professional come visit us at www.travelagentprofessional.com
Cover: Blenheim Palace at Christmas
Antique Fairs and London MarketsThe Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors
Fairs are the largest in the southeast of England. Thisyear, they take place Oct. 30-31.
Combine a couple of days at the Fair with antiquehunting in Brighton’s “twittens” and then head toLondon for the bust l ing colour ful markets atBermondsey (Friday), Camden Passage and PortobelloRoad (Saturday) and Spitalfields/Petticoat Lane(Sunday).
And don’t forget, the Harrods Sale opens immediate-ly after Christmas Day, which offers another hook for a6 -nighter that can include a New Years Eve Gala din-ner at a top 4- or 5-star hotel.
