Travel Bulletin 21st March 2014

Operators highlight newitineraries that take guestsoff-the-beaten-track

Cultural Tours

March 21 2014 | ISSUE NO 1,865 | www.travelbulletin.co.uk

agent bulletinfind out what's in storefor Aries this month

hotel bulletinfree & fast Wi-Fi withno strings becomes areality for guests ofone hotel group

dynamic packagingideas to boost yourcommission with DIYpackages

9 2314this week

iceland

Promote Iceland welcomesrecord growth in UK visitors

17

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Experience a feast for your senses.THE OMAN SHORT FILM SCREENING AND TOURISM SOUK – COMING TO A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU!Join us for an evening of fun and discovery in our Omani Souk and private viewings of a selection of short fi lms.WIN prizes both big and small and meet experts from Oman and the UK.

Venue and Dates:Southampton 28th April - Grand Harbour Hotel Dublin 29th April - Brooks Hotel Birmingham 30th April - MAC Birmingham Arts Centre Cardiff 1st May - St David’s Hotel & Spa All timings 6pm - 9.30pmReserve your place by email – [email protected] or call 020 8877 4524

Beauty has an addressFor more information on Oman please contact:Oman Ministry of Tourism UK & Ireland Representative Offi ceTel: 0208 877 4524 | Email: [email protected] | Visit: www.omantourism.gov.omStudy: www.omanacademy.com

a feast for y AND TOURISM SOUK – CO

n our Omani Souk and private viewings of a selection of short fi perts from Oman and the UK.

otel Dublin 29th April - Brooks Hotel Arts Centre Cardiff 1st May - St David’

tionplus.co.uk or call 020 8877 4524

Beauty has an addressFor more information on Oman please contact:Oman Ministry of Tourism UK & Ireland R Tel: 0208 877 4524 | Email: oman@rStudy: www.omanacademy

sensesO A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU!

wings of a selection of short fi lms.

otel vid

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PIP's PALS....38 independent travel agents from Norwich and the Norfolk region attended a BRIGHT workshop anddinner at the De Vere Dunston Hall Hotel recently, hosted by members from Sunvil, Explore, Viking River Cruises,Attraction World, Hurtigruten, Kirker Holidays, 1st Class Holidays, Crystal Cruises and Veloso Tours. Pictured catchingup with Explore's Pip Baines (left) are, from the left: Co-op Travel’s Clare Slattery, Kerri Mann and Zoe Adams. For details of upcoming events see www.brightconsortia.com

This Week

3 newsthis week's latestindustry announcements& special deals

9 agent bulletinfind out what's in storefor Aries this month

10 pix mixindustry partners fromLouisiana hosted anevent to promote themusic, food and historyof the region

13 bulletin briefingthe latest news and views from Advantage

14 hotel bulletinfree and fast Wi-Fi withno strings becomes areality for guests of onehotel group

17 icelandPromote Icelandwelcomes record growthin UK visitors

23 dynamic packagingideas to boost yourcommission with a DIYpackage

27 cultural toursoperators highlight newitineraries that takeguests off-the-beaten-track

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3www.travelbulletin.co.uk March 21 2014

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A RECENT poll by Holiday Discount Centrehas revealed that 36% of UKholidaymakers enjoyed their mosttreasured holiday moments whilst out andabout with family and friends. Visiting atheme park, attraction or fun fair toppedthe list, with cultural sightseeing andvisiting scenic views a close second. Zoosand wildlife parks were also popular,followed by attending music festivals andvisiting waterparks.

The research carried out amongst itscustomers also showed that 20% enjoyedtheir best moments on the beach, withsimple pastimes like building sandcastles,playing in the sea, beach walks, collectingshells and eating ice creams, being thethings that really count.

The research also revealed that 10%said their best holiday moment had beenmarking a special occasion – a firstholiday abroad was top, with celebrating abirthday, honeymoon and wedding in jointsecond spot, followed by getting engagedand spending Christmas abroad.

Just being able to spend quality timewith their family was what 8% said wasmost special about their annual holidayand 5% liked nothing more than to relaxaround the pool.

Having an amazing city break had given7% their best holiday moment with NewYork beating Paris to the top spot. London

was third, followed by Las Vegas andBarcelona. Animal encounters and outdooradventure both also got 7%. Swimmingwith dolphins was the animal adventurethat is still most magical forholidaymakers but riding a camel andelephant trekking are now almost level inpopularity. Staying on a working farm,fishing and horse-riding were alsomentioned as special experiences formany, while camping and caravanningwere the most popular outdoor adventureactivities.

Commenting on the findings thecompany's managing director, SteveCampion, said: “Despite our busy lives thisstudy shows that a lot of our customersaren’t just looking for a cheap fly and flopholiday. Some of our most magical holidaymoments are experienced whilst exploring,sightseeing and visiting tourist attractionsbe it in the UK or abroad. Equally, thisdoesn’t always have to mean costlyentrance fees to theme parks andattractions, as visiting an amazing view,pottering around an iconic city, hangingout at a seafront pier or spending time onthe beach with your loved ones, doesn’thave to cost the earth. I think the studyproves that no matter what the price tag,holidays are all about spending qualitytime with family and friends and sharingmemorable experiences.”

MOLLY SMITTEN-Downeswill represent the UK at theEurovision Song Contestwhich will be hosted inCopenhagen this spring,shortly after the launch ofdirect services from LeedsBradford withScandinavian Airlines(SAS), which commenceon March 31.

Yorkshire supporters ofEurovision can fly directlyto Copenhagen with thecarrier in 90 minutes.For more information or tobook call 0871-226 7760 orvisit www.flysas.co.uk

Experience a feast for your senses.THE OMAN SHORT FILM SCREENING AND TOURISM SOUK – COMING TO A LUXURY VENUE NEAR YOU!Join us for an evening of fun and discovery in our Omani Souk and private viewings of a selection of short fi lms.WIN prizes both big and small and meet experts from Oman and the UK.

Venue and Dates:Southampton 28th April - Grand Harbour Hotel Dublin 29th April - Brooks Hotel Birmingham 30th April - MAC Birmingham Arts Centre Cardiff 1st May - St David’s Hotel & Spa All timings 6pm - 9.30pmReserve your place by email – [email protected] or call 020 8877 4524

Beauty has an addressFor more information on Oman please contact:Oman Ministry of Tourism UK & Ireland Representative Offi ceTel: 0208 877 4524 | Email: [email protected] | Visit: www.omantourism.gov.omStudy: www.omanacademy.com

Flights with SAS toCopenhagen for

Eurovision

Poll reveals most treasured holiday moments for holidaymakers

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LA MANGA Club has announced anearly booking promotion offeringsavings of up to 50% on holidaysbooked this spring.The promotion means that parents

can take advantage of half-priceaccommodation on adjoining roomsfor children aged 12 and under in theSpanish resort’s Hotel PrincipeFelipe.Valid for breaks of four nights or

more when booking before April 30, aseven-night stay for a family of fouris available from €1,585

(approximately £1,320). Alternatively,families can choose to stay in a rangeof self-catering apartments in thefour-star Las Lomas Village and takeadvantage of a seven nights for theprice of six offer, with a stay in atwo-bedroom apartment available forfour people from €990 (£825) in July.All prices, which are based on two

sharing a room, featurecomplimentary use of the fitnesscentre, indoor pool, saunas andsteam rooms and free access to theresort’s Junior Club from Monday to

Friday for children aged five to 12.Free meals for kids under five arealso included.New to the resort this year is the

Leadbetter Golf Academy and formerWales rugby union captain MichaelOwen’s rugby academy will bereturning in August. The resort’s ownacademies for golf, tennis, cricket,rugby, football and dance are alsoavailable for guests.For more information or to bookemail [email protected] orvisit www.lamangaclub.com

WARNER LEISURE Hotels has launchedits second edition 2014 brochureproviding updated agent-friendly offers,information on new breaks and news onproduct developments.The brochure highlights the news

that Cricket St. Thomas Hotel’sFenocchi restaurant has beenexpanded, refurbished and renamed‘The Granary’. It also details newlodge and cottage openings atLakeside Coastal Village, theexpansion and refurbishment of thePopham restaurant at Littlecote HouseHotel, plus information and images ofAlvaston Hall’s redevelopment.The imagery in the Entertainment

spread has been updated and the new'60s Summer in the Country' and'Sounds of Vegas' itineraries havebeen added to the themed breaks

section. Star Breaks have also beenupdated with new dates and acts addedto the line up including Myleene Klass.Updated early booking offers and

discounts are also offered, with savingsof up to 50% for bookings in January,February and March 2015, while newprice guarantees for 2015 breaks offerguests who book their break beforeAugust 1, the best possible price or thecompany will refund the difference. Holidays lead in at £135 per person,

based on two adults sharing a standardroom, for a three-night break at NortonGrange on the Isle of Wight. It includes aSimply Dine (half-board) option and isbased on a late March departure. To become an expert visitwww.warnerexpert.co.uk and for moreinformation or to book call 0808-141 111 orvisit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

Free flights for summer tour bookings from Back-Roads Touring

SMALL GROUP tour specialist Back-Roads Touring haslaunched a special offer for bookings made this monthand next, offering free flights on all tours taken thissummer.The offer is valid for all bookings made until April 30

and is valid across the whole summer 2014 portfolio,which includes tours across the UK, Italy, Spain, Greece,Croatia and Scandinavia.Examples of tours in the summer programme include

a new seven-day/six-night Hidden Turkey itinerarywhich costs from £1,165 per person and includes freeflights to Istanbul; a seven-day/six-night EnchantingSouthern Italy itinerary which leads in at £1,545 andincludes free flights to Naples; a new eight-day/seven-night Croatian Wilderness Sailing which costs from£1,685 and includes free flights to Split, Croatia; and anew nine-day/eight-night Highlights of Northern Spainwhich costs from £1,930 and includes free flights toBarcelona.To book or for details visit www.backroadstouring.co.uk

Warner Leisure Hotels announces new dates & acts in second edition brochure

Spain's La Manga Club offers 50% savings for early bookers with a week from £1,320

www.travelbulletin.co.ukMarch 21 20144

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MUSIC TO YOUR EARS…Superbreak has announced that sales of itsregional tours of West End musicals have increased by 34% over thelast three years. The operator currently has 15 tour dates on sale andis expecting that number to more than double by the end of the year.Shows currently on tour include Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia!, Fame,The Lion King, Let It Be, War Horse, Rock of Ages and Wicked. Pricesfor a theatre break lead in at £101.50 per person to see The Lion Kingin Liverpool between May 16 and July 5. The price includes a night’sstay at the three-star Hampton by Hilton Liverpool City Centre Hoteland a ticket to the show. For details call 0871-221 4444 or www.superbreak.com/agents



JOURNEYS OF Distinction has added twoAustralian Wine Tours plus ‘A Taste ofSpain’ tour that are designed to appeal tofoodies, wine aficionados and culturelovers.The operator's managing director, Karen

Gee, said: “We are delighted to be able tooffer these new tours to our customers.They really are something special -featuring some of the best food and drinkavailable in the world and in some of theglobe’s most beautiful settings. Food anddrink is at the very heart of every cultureand entire histories can be shaped by acountry’s cuisine. There is no better way toexperience the history, beauty and taste of anation’s culinary pulse than being right atthe heart of that nation. With our Taste ofSpain and Australian Wine Tours we areoffering a unique opportunity to celebrateand enjoy both old and new world cuisinesin some of the most awe-inspiring locationson earth.”The two new Australian Wine Tours are

private touring holidays that showcase thewine regions of southern and westernAustralia, mainly concentrated around theYarra and Barossa Valleys and MargaretRiver near to Perth. The tours are highlyflexible and can be tailored to suit all tastes

and can be taken as standalone itinerariesfrom the UK, combined with other citiesand experiences or booked as extensionpackages to group touring holidays such asthe Very Best of Australia and IconicAustralia.A 12-day private tour to the Barossa

Valley & Margaret River in SouthernAustralia costs from £3,995 per personwhile a 12-day private tour to the YarraValley, Coal River Valley and Bruny Islandleads in at £4,345. Alternatively, the winetours can be added as an extension to anyAustralia or New Zealand touring holidayfrom £895.The company's 'A Taste of Spain’ option

offers a one-off experience on onedeparture date (June 1) and guests travelwith a tour manager and a local guide. Thetour starts in Barcelona and travels throughthe countryside in the Rioja region, endingin San Sebastian – known as the foodiecapital of Europe. The ten-day tour takes guests through

the Catalan countryside visiting towns,villages, monasteries, wineries and eatingplaces. Each location shows a differentperspective on the country and the groupstays in hand-picked hotels.For more information visit www.jod.uk.com

Hunger Gamesexperience fromDoSomethingDifferent.com

DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT.COM has launched a HungerGames Survival Campexperience.On arrival, guests are

assigned to their district andthen their training for thegames will begin. Survivaltraining includes first aid,finding food and shelter, firelighting, self-defence,archery and animal andhuman tracking.Throughout the day,

Katniss and Peetawannabes will competeagainst other districts andhunt for items fromsponsors along the way inthe run-up to the finale.The experience costs £55

per person.For more information call020-8090 3890.

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS has introduced apackage that offers film fans thechance to take in the filming locationsfor this year’s biggest flicks in a coast-to-coast tour of the US.Guests will experience a three-city

tour of the east coast, visiting Boston;New York, where guests will stay in thefinancial district to see the setting for‘The Wolf of Wall Street’; andWashington DC.After six nights on the east coast,

guests will fly to the Deep South to

explore New Orleans and Dallas toexperience a historic plantation stay inLouisiana and life on a working ranchin Texas, to get a feel for the filminglocations of ‘12 Years a Slave’ and‘Dallas Buyers Club’.On the West Coast, guests will stay

two nights in Anaheim to experienceDisneyland, before heading north for along weekend in Los Angeles for thetrip’s grand finale. While in Tinseltown,guests will stay on the Sunset Strip andexplore the city’s movie heritage by

visiting locations such as the KodakTheater, home of the Oscars and theHollywood ‘Walk of Fame’, before goingceleb-spotting in Beverly Hills. The 19-night, eight-stop tour

includes room-only accommodation,Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow,internal flights and car hire. Prices start from £2,799 per person,

based on two adults sharing and adeparture date of September 17.For more information call 0844-557 3859.

Virgin Holidays launches new 19-night coast-to-coast US package for film fans

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CARIBBEAN PARTY...Sharon Flax-Mars (centre with long hair), director of tourism at the BVI Tourist Board, hosted a ‘OneCaribbean’ reception this month at BVI House in Mayfair. More than 15 Caribbean countries came together alongside industrypartners to celebrate promoting the Caribbean as One Destination.

Journeys of Distinction unveils new gastronomy options


JET2.COM ANDJet2holidays havelaunched their biggestchoice of New Yorkshopping breaks for winter2014, now offering 16trips.The expansion sees the

airline and packageholiday specialist doublethe number of New Yorkflights and city breakstaking off from EastMidlands, Glasgow, LeedsBradford, Manchester andNewcastle airports; add anew four-night breakoption on top of the three-night trips; offer weekendbreaks during some of thecity’s most iconic eventsincluding the NYCmarathon, ThanksgivingDay parade and BlackFriday; plus the addition ofan October half-term trip.Departures are

scheduled from East

Midlands on November 13for three nights andNovember 20 for fournights; Glasgow onNovember 27 for fournights and December 4 forthree nights; LeedsBradford on October 25 forfour nights, November 20for four nights, November27 for four nights andDecember 4 for threenights; from Manchesteron October 30 for fournights, November 13 forfour nights, November 27for four nights andDecember 11 for threenights; Newcastle onOctober 28 for four nights,November 20 for fournights, December 4 forfour nights and December11 for three nights.For details call 0800-408 5587 or visithttps://tradesite.jet2holidays.com

Meanwhile, Jet2.comhas launched two newservices - from Edinburghto Geneva and Manchesterto Turin, ready for the2014/15 winter sportsseason. Both routes willoperate from December 20through to April 11, 2015.The Manchester to Turinservice will operate duringpeak ski months withweekly flights departingSaturday mornings andcosting from £37 one-way,including taxes. Geneva isthe airline’s third skidestination fromEdinburgh, complementingexisting services toChambery and Salzburg,and will depart weekly onSaturday. Flights are onsale now from £38 one-way including taxes. For further information or to book visitwww.jet2.com/ski

WITH SHORT break salesthrough the trade up 110%year-on-year, Cox & Kingshas launched a new ShortBreaks brochure offering adiverse range of citybreaks.Examples include four

nights’ breakfastaccommodation inDubrovnik at the four-starGrand Hotel Park from£350 per person includingflights with BA, easyJet,Monarch or Jet2 andtransfers; three nights’breakfast accommodationat the four-star AbadesRecogidas in Granada from£365 including flights withBA, easyJet, Monarch orJet2 to Malaga and carhire; three nights’breakfast accommodationat the four-star HotelPalazzo Giovanelli in Venicefrom £395 including flightswith BA, easyJet, Monarchor Jet2; three nights’breakfast accommodationat the Riad Ilayka inMarrakech from £395including flights with BA,Royal Air Maroc or easyJetand transfers; three nights’breakfast accommodationat the four-star CelalSultan Hotel in Istanbulfrom £440 including flightswith BA, easyJet, Jet2 orTurkish Airlines andtransfers; and four nights’breakfast accommodationat the four-star AngleterreHotel in St Petersburgfrom £595 including BAflights and transfers.For more [email protected]

CROISIEUROPE HASannounced it has boughtout the Mekong RiverCruise Company, effectiveimmediately.The company will retain

its original name,

‘Compagnie Fluviale duMékong’, to which thetrademark ‘byCroisiEurope’ will beadded.The acquisition gives the

company another four

colonial-style vesselswhich will cruise along theMekong between Cambodiaand Vietnam.All the vessels will stick

with their original cruiseplanning from Siem Reap

to Saigon via Phnom Penh(or vice-versa), fromAugust to April.For more information or tobook call 020-8328 1281 orvisitwww.croisieurope.co.uk

Overseas weekendgetaways from£350 with Cox & Kings

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expand range of New York shopping breaks


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ALL ABOARD…To mark the tenth anniversary of the inauguraltranscontinental journey of the Ghan from Adelaide in South Australiato Darwin in the Northern Territory, ten London taxis have beenwrapped with a photo of the train. The ‘Ghanniversary’ taxis will betravelling around the capital for the next few months and those whohail one of them could be in with a chance of winning a trip toAustralia on the Ghan, courtesy of Great Southern Rail and Austravel.Pictured climbing aboard one of the taxis is Laura Hardie, destinationexecutive for Austravel. For more information visit www.greatsouthernrail.com.au andwww.austravel.com

CelebrateMother’s Daywith CityJetCITYJET IS invitingtravellers to say thank youto their mums on Mother’sDay by treating their mumto a flight to one of theairline’s 19 Europeandestinations.The airline, which flies

from London and Cardiff,offers a range of flights tocities including France,Germany, Italy and theNetherlands.Return fares start from

£99 to Rotterdam andJersey, £109 to Paris, £129to Brest and £129 toFlorence.For further details or tobook visit www.cityjet.com

CroisiEurope acquires Mekong River Cruise Company


To enter, visit disneytravelagents.co.ukCOMPETITIONS

END 31.03.14

WIN A HOLIDAY!Complete our new Disney Stars MyMagic+ training module for your chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World and experience MyMagic+ for yourself and three friends.

WATCH & WIN!Watch our MyMagic+ training video to receive a FREE The Incredibles DVD!

MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World Resort unlocks a new dimension of Disney magic to give your customers an opportunity to customise and personalise their visit in exciting ways. While the testing continues,

visit disneytravelagents.co.uk for online training to help you prepare for MyMagic+.

YOUR JOB IS ABOUT TO GET

Terms and conditions apply — see disneytravelagents.co.uk for details. ©Disney ©Disney/Pixar

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ROCKY MOUNTAINEER has announced the launch of its newCoastal Passage route connecting Seattle and Vancouver,British Columbia en-route to the Canadian Rockies.The season’s first departure on May 10 marks the

company’s fifth rail route and the first time the rail service willdepart from, and arrive into, the US.Coastal Passage is available in the GoldLeaf Service as well

as SilverLeaf Service. In GoldLeaf, travellers experience a bi-level custom-designed glass-domed coach with panoramicviews, gourmet cuisine in a private dining room along withpersonalised service.Alaskan Cruise sailings depart from Seattle with Holland

America Line or Norwegian Cruise Line and are available inconjunction with Coastal Passage and can be added to any2014 package.The new route can also be added to any two-day or more

rail tour into the Canadian Rockies.The Coastal Passage route offers 24 departures on 12

Saturdays between May and October, and packages allow forstays in Seattle, Vancouver and Kamloops, as well as theresort towns of Lake Louise, Banff or Jasper and Alberta. For further details see www.agent.rockymountaineer.com

Rocky Mountaineer launches routeconnecting Canada to the US


BUZZCOCKS AT BUTLINS…Butlins has launched its 2014 LiveMusic Weekends guide which contains everything agents need toknow about its adult-only breaks, including information about thenew Festival of Comedy break in June. On June 6 in Bognor Regis,Al Murray will headline the new Comedy Festival alongside LeeNelson, Dave Spikey, Hal Cruttenden and more than 50 othercomedians. The guide also provides a calendar of the other LiveMusic Weekends including the Great British Alternative MusicFestival, which will feature the Buzzcocks (pictured) as theheadliners. A three-night break for The Festival of Comedy costsfrom £115 per person based on four adults sharing a Silver self-catering apartment. To become a Butlins expert visit www.butlinsexpert.co.uk, call0845-070 4742 or visit www.bourneleisuresales.co.uk

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

WEBSCLUSIVES� Enter our Viking River Cruises competitiontoday. First prize is a trip to Cologne, withrunners-up prizes of Viking goody bags.To enter, go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

� Win a memorable two nights city break toSalzburg, with our new competition atwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

� Win a Kindle Fire HD with Carnival.Enter the competition today atwww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

� Win a fantastic 2 nights stay at Park Efteling inThe Netherlands.Go to: www.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

� Win a set of GHDs, courtesy of Hoseasons.Banish those bad hair days now, seewww.travelbulletin.co.uk/competitions

All this and more at:

www.travelbulletin.co.ukThe home of the web savvy travel agent

Go

Newsbites� MUMS CAN dine for free in The Brasserie whentravelling with their families or friends on a P&O Ferries'day trip from Dover to Calais over the Mother’s Dayweekend from March 29-30. Clients who book by March28 will also receive six free bottles of wine. For details visit www.poferries.com

� ARUNDEL CASTLE will open to visitors on Tuesday April1 following a period of renovation. The walled castlegardens have been transformed and a small exhibitionon the castle’s role in WWI has been prepared to markthe 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war. For details visit www.arundelcastle.org

� HOTELOPIA, ONE of the online travel agencies of TUITravel, has won a new contract to supply its productportfolio to easyJet Holidays for three-and-a-half yearsfrom May.

� CARNIVAL UK’S chief commercial officer, GerardTempest, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s executive vicepresident of sales and marketing, Andy Stuart, have beenannounced as the keynote speakers for CLIA UK &Ireland’s 2014 Selling Cruise Conference. Daniel Radnor,recently named ‘Young Travel Agent of the Year’, will alsopresent at the two-day event.For details visit www.cliauk.co.uk

� TURKISH CARRIER Atlasjet will commence flightsbetween Luton and Istanbul Atatürk on May 2. For details visit www.atlasjet.com

� BARBIE’S MALIBU Dreamhouse has been brought to lifeat Bloomington’s Mall of America. The DreamhouseExperience gives visitors of all ages the chance tobecome a living doll in Barbie’s house, which has ninerooms. Tickets for the attraction cost from $16.99, withentry free for under-twos. For details visit www.bloomingtonmn.org/barbie

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S02 TB2103 2014 News 1_Layout 1 3/19/2014 3:32 PM Page 8

� AS PART of its ongoing support of its UK tradepartners, Crystal Cruises has announced a newagent incentive aimed at encouraging teamwork in agencies and driving sales, with a rangeof prizes up for grabs. The ‘Crystal CruisesSeahorse Stakes’ incentive, which runs until theend of the year, sees UK agents work their wayaround a racetrack with prizes awarded asbookings increase. Any UK agencies whoachieve the ultimate goal of 25 bookings withinthe incentive period will be rewarded with aprivate box at the races for up to 16 people.Along the way, other prizes include a horseriding day in the country for five bookings, aluxury hamper worth £100 for ten bookings,theatre tickets for two plus dinner for 15bookings and a pamper day for 20 bookings,plus a number of surprise ‘Spot Prizes’.Agencies will receive a poster-size racetrackcourse on which they can record and trackbookings and progress with each bookingearning them one point and allowing them

to move forward one space. Agents should lookout for ‘Enhanced Sailings’ throughout the yearwhere double points (moving forwards twospaces) will be awarded for bookings made onspecific sailings. Agents will also be able toearn points through their own creativemarketing activity such as hosting a client orstaff training event, issuing inspiring mailings totheir database and displaying the line's windowposters.

For details see www.discovercrystal.co.uk

� MAJOR TRAVEL has teamed up with Etihad togive agents the chance to win shoppingvouchers in its latest booking incentive.Throughout this month, all agents bookingEtihad Diamond Class will receive a £50shopping voucher per booking and for EtihadPearl Class a £30 shopping voucher perbooking.

For details see www.major4agents.co.uk orcall 0800-035 5681.

TrainingupdatesSATOA IS hosting a Tour Operator Dinner onApril 2 in London and a Travel Agent Dinner onApril 29 in Berkshire. For details call 0844-880 2421 or [email protected]

SOUTH AFRICAN Airways has launched its newtrade website at www.flysaatrade.com whichcovers the airline's routes, fleet and contactdetails, to FAQs and latest news. Agentsentering the carrier's competition at ott.travelbefore March 31 have the chance to win aniPad mini.

TOURISM NEW Zealand has launched its newtrade website, which is now aligned withnewzealand.com to provide a consistent lookand feel. The site provides training tools andresources such as online modules and the100% Pure New Zealand Specialistprogramme. For details visitwww.traveltrade.newzealand.com

Agent offerVIRGIN HOLIDAYS is offering one agent the

chance to win a NIKON Coolpix camera by

emailing their best Florida pictures to

[email protected], along with

their name, ABTA number, agency name and

address plus telephone number by April 4.

Booking incentives

It’s in thestars…What’s in store for Aries?

A SHIFT in the stars suggests new beginnings for you,so now is the time to learn a new skill or apply for anew position. For the rest of this month and nextthings are looking up financially, but be aware of anyhealth niggles - it is best to get them checked out forpeace of mind.

Lucky day: Tuesday

Lucky number: 36


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pixmix

STAR LINE-UP...From the left are : Sharon Moser

and Hal Moser from Houma CVB; Jody Hanson from

TTM World ; Cathy Dardenne, Louisiana ; and Jay

Dardenne, Louisiana Office of Tourism.

MERRY MUSIC...Entertainment for theevent was provided by Phil Underwood.

ALL THE MOVES...Catching up

are David Wade (left) from

Strictly Elvis UK/ Elvis Travel

Service and Jay Dardenne from

Louisiana Office of Tourism.

RAISING A GLASS...is KieranMeeke (left) from TRL.COM andKyle Edmiston from LouisianaOffice of Tourism .

NOTEPADS AT THE READY...Picking up tips are,

from the left: Jamie Loizou, Trafalgar Tours &

Insight Vacations; Robert Guasco, Baton Rouge; Kim

Priez, New Orleans CVB; and Clare Jamieson, STA.

COCKTAIL CLASS...Pictured learning the ropes of cocktailmaking are, from the left: Maggi Smith, America As YouLike It; Sharon Moser, Houma CVB; Pramila Siwa, Titan& Saga; Lynn Dorsey, Website Parish CVB Lousiana; andJay Dardenne, Louisiana Office of Tourism.

THE STATE of Louisiana's LieutenantGovernor Jay Dardenne recently led alarge delegation of industry partnersfrom New Orleans, Lafayette, BatonRouge and tourism attractions to theUK to promote the music, food andhistory of the region. In London thegroup hosted a trade reception at theLockhart Restaurant near Marble Archwhose American chef prepared a rangeof Deep South specialities and guestswere given a masterclass in regionalcocktail making...


puzzlebulletin


Where Am I?

My state capital is Tallahassee.

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the

3 x 3 squares contains the digits 1-9.Once you have completed the puzzle, simply identify the numbers that relate

to the letters, A, B, C and D then e-mail the solution, with your name,

company name, and full postal address plus phone and ABTA number if

applicable to:

[email protected]

Closing date for entries is Thursday, March 27th. Solution and new puzzle

will appear next week.

The winner for 7th March is Paula Hume, Stewart Travel in

Troon.

March 7 Solution: A=9 B=6 C=7 D=2

�A

�B

�C

�D

Number: 011

Travagrams

Across 1. Well-known safari holidays specialist (5)3. Family friendly P&O cruise ship (5)5. The port of Newhaven is in this county (4,6)8. Liverpool John Lennon airport code (3)9. Colin, star of A New York Winter's Tale (7)11. One of the country destinations featured

by 1 Across (7)12. Currency of Bulgaria (3)13. City in South Carolina, sounds like a

dance (10)16. Cape Town's iconic landmark, ___

Mountain (5)17. Cruise company with HQ in Genoa (5)

Down 1. BBC crime drama series set in Scotland (8)2. Part of Australia, initially (3)3. Wolfgangsee is a popular tourist lake in this

country (7)4. Abu Dhabi is the capital (3)6. This Massachusetts city could bewitch you (5)7. Ljubljana is the capital (8)9. Jewellery House, famous for its lavish Imperial

Eggs (7)10. Popular Red Sea resort (5)14. Airline centre of operations (3)15. San Francisco airport code (3)

Where Am I?

Fill in the crossword to reveal the mystery location highlighted by the green squares.

For the solution to the Crossword, Where Am I? and Travagrams, please see page 30

Crossword

Su Doku

Num

ber:

011

This carrier sponsors Manchester United FC

Don’t worry, you won’t be put on trial ‘inn’ these hotels

Rate Fool

Runs Jiny

Can you solve the following anagrams to decipher the destination & tour operator?Win a £50 M&S voucher in the travelbulletin Su Doku prize puzzle


S03 TB2103 2014 News 2_Layout 1 19/03/2014 12:47 Page 12

WHILST I appreciate that many of you will not be ableto attend the forthcoming Advantage TravelPartnership conference in Dubai this May, I still

thought that one of the sessions that we have planned isuniversally relevant to us all.Undoubtedly, one of the most compelling aspects of our

industry is the strong entrepreneurial spirit that ripplesthrough it, however, it is becoming increasingly obvious thatthis creativity needs to be wedded to a deliberate businessplan if the business benefit is to be fully realised.Drawing upon the extensive leadership experience of one

of our keynote speakers, Ellis Watson, we will argue the casethat business leaders need to set out a clear developmentpath for their organisation - a path that is clearly understoodby the staff within the organisations, creating value to theorganisation and also to the current customers of thatbusiness and potential new ones to it. And Ellis Watsonshould know what he is talking about - having worked forRupert Murdoch at The Sun and Simon Cowell, he is now CEOPublishing at media group D C Thomson.The formulation of a simple, focused and, above all,

realistic business plan is the core element to this process - aplan which is part of the everyday business rather thansomething which once created is confined to either the actualor technological filing cabinet – never to see the light again.And once that plan is developed, not forgetting the input of

staff, the senior managers within that business need tobecome real leaders:

� Championing the plan and leading by example� Ensuring that staff are properly trained, motivated anddirected- That the consumer proposition is clear andcompelling

� That the total consumer experience is consistent with theaspirations in the plan

� Finally, that the business leaders have the courage andconviction to make changes to that plan if its realisation isbeing held back.

If a plan needs to be adapted or changed, this does notdevalue the worth of the original plan but we have to acceptin life that we seldom get things right from the start,particularly something as complicated and emotive as a planfor a business.The real skill is being able to review that plan on a regular

basis and to objectively identify and importantly, implementremedial action.I suspect a number of people may get to the end of this

article and write it off as so obvious and perhaps even a bitpatronising but if you consider that to be the case, then whydon’t you all take a look at your current business plan andask yourself:

� Is it something that you really consider is fit for purpose?� Is it something that is understood by your staff and their rolein achieving it?

� Has the risk of failure being reduced to a minimum, turningthe balance in favour of deliberate success?

Finally, as we will debate in Dubai, it is phrases such as‘with a bit of luck’ and ‘we hope it will work’ that should bethrown into the bin, in that goals will be reached because abusiness ‘deliberately’ set out to achieve them and had thesense and skills along the way to adjust the plan to ensuresuccess.

Industry Insight by...

"If a plan needs to be adapted or

changed, this does not devalue the

worth of the original plan but we

have to accept in life that we

seldom get things right from the

start, particularly something as

complicated and emotive as a plan

for a business"


bulletinbriefing

”One of the most compelling

aspects of our industry is the

strong entrepreneurial spirit that

ripples through it”

Don’t confuse deliberate with deliberation says Colin O’Neill, business development director of The Advantage Travel Partnership


| French Riviera

I | Cyprus | Turkey | Morocco | Red Sea

S

GLH HOTELS, which claims to be the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with more than 4,000rooms, or more than 10% of the city's fully functioninghotel rooms, has announced the launch, with BT, of full,fast and free Wi-Fi at all of its 36 UK properties with norequirement to register. It means the service isavailable throughout the hotels - from the lobby to thebathroom - with a single click to gain access. It alsomeans that anyone - a guest or not - can use the freeservice. The company maintains that the major investment of

close to £2m will see its appeal to all guests such asbusiness travellers, groups and individuals surpass thatof rival hotel groups, and has already seen a 13%increase in business.The group's 15 London properties include the Charing

Cross Hotel, Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch,Grosvenor at Victoria, Tower Hotel at Tower Bridge andRoyal Horseguards Hotel on the Embankment. Its national brand is Thistle Hotels, which recently

carried out a survey of 2,000 people and discovered"surfing" was one of the most popular holiday pastimesfor Brits, but that having to pay for Wi-Fi was one of thetop "holiday hates".The survey also found that when booking a holiday,

fast, free and reliable Wi-Fi was a more importantconsideration that the hotel having a swimming pool orbeing close to local attractions.The CEO of glh Mike DeNoma said: "It's crazy to think

that in 2014 hotel chains are still charging up to £20 aday for Wi-Fi. Our research shows that free and fast Wi-Fi is very important, which is why we partnered with BTWi-Fi to upgrade our existing free internet access withno registration, no limitations and no fine print so thatcustomers can simply click and connect without fuss orfee. And most importantly, they don't have to sign up tomemberships or earn loyalty points to qualify."

EMERALDA MANAGEMENT Group (EMG) has announced aportfolio expansion with the launch of its latest luxuryhotel, the Emeralda Resort, Ninh Binh.

Located in Northern Vietnam, the new five-star propertysits within the primeval tropical-forest of the Van LongNature Reserve and offers an ideal base for exploringVietnam's ancient Royal Capital including Cuc PhuongNational Park, Tam Coc - Bich Dong and the Kenh Gafloating village.

The company's chief commercial officer, Luong TracDuc, said: "We are delighted to launch Emeralda Resort tothe UK market, which is an important market for us andwe're keen to support it with sales initiatives and trainingthat educate and offer a full explanation of key USPs foreach property." For more information visit www.emeraldaresort.com

EMG expands portfolio with launch of new luxury resort in Vietnam

Free and fast Wi-Fi with no strings becomes areality for guests of one hotel groupby PAUL SCUDAMORE


hotelbulletin

VILLA MALY, a boutique hotel in Laos' Luang Prabang, is markingSongkran (Lao New Year) with a three-night package from April13-16 that leads in at US$452 for two or $367 for one. It includesbreakfast, airport transfers, a spa treatment and a dinner cruiseon the Mekong River on the Nava Mekong. For details email [email protected]

InBrief� RELAIS & Châteaux has announced the addition of six newmembers as it approaches its 60th anniversary. They includeMaison d’Uzès in Gard, France; Hotel Restaurant Mammertsbergin Freidorf overlooking Lake Constance, Switzerland; ChasaMontana Hotel & Spa in Samnaun, Switzerland; MyconianUtopia Resort on the Greek island of Mykonos; Mihir Garh inJodhpur, India; and Brilliant Resort & Spa in Kunming next toYangzong Lake in China’s Yunnan province.

� THE FAIRMONT Hamilton Princess in Bermuda is undertaking a$70m renovation and restoration project that will maintain thehistoric character of the hotel, while adding luxury andcontemporary features. It includes the renovation andrestoration of the guestrooms and suites in the Poinciana Wingof the hotel, a new resort pool, the development of a new marinaand harbour side restaurant, plus enhancements to theinfrastructure.

� SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, At The Shard, London has opened itsreservation lines for rooms, events and Tīng – the signature

restaurant and lounge on level 35. The hotel will open on May 6with room rates starting from £450 per room, per night,including VAT.

For details see www.shangri-la.com/london� MOROCCO'S MAZAGAN Beach & Golf Resort is promoting aspecial Easter offer which is valid from April 1-30. Rates startfrom 1300 MAD (approximately £95) per night in a Pool ViewRoom, including breakfast and airport transfers. The offerincludes dinner for two adults and two kids under 12; 50% offchildren’s rooms (under 12 years); two-for-one spa treatmentsper room; five rounds of mini karting per child; free access toleisure and wellness activities throughout the stay includingbiking, fitness and tennis; free access to the casino and nightclub(for parents) including a 250 MAD casino bonus play per person;and free access to all kids clubs. The offer is subject to touristtaxes (MAD 49.50 per person, per day).

For details email [email protected] or seewww.mazaganbeachresort.com


3228

TO CONTACT OUR SIMPLY LUXURY SPECIALISTS, CALL 0800 678 1497 OR EMAIL [email protected]

The Simply Luxury by Travel 2 Short Haul brochure will include destinations that

provide an array of cultural experiences, breathtaking beaches, abundance of culinary delights and

a selection of the finest hand selected 4 & 5* luxurious hotels at exceptional value. All packaged

together by our dedicated luxury specialist team, providing an understated and effortless service.

22·04·14Canary Islands | Algarve | Madeira | Mallorca | Menorca | Ibiza | Andalucía | French Riviera

Italy | Malta | Croatia | Greece and Greek Islands | Cyprus | Turkey | Morocco | Red Sea

SHORT HAUL




INSIGHT VACATIONS has expanded itscountry roads style touring in its 2014 Europe,Britain, Eastern Mediterranean and Moroccobrochure.The brochure features an eight-day Natural

Wonders of Iceland circular tour which beginsin the capital of Reykjavik. Guests will receivean orientation tour before heading east to visitthe country’s newest geothermal heat andelectric power station at Hellisheidavirkjun,before continuing on to the hot springs atGeysir and the Gullfos Waterfall.

Other highlights include a visit to theNational Park at Skaftafell, a drive throughthe sand desert of Modrual to the Dettifoss,plus visits to Lake Myvatn and Godafosswaterfalls. Prices start from £2,635 per person

including flights and transport, seven nights'breakfast accommodation, VIP door-to-doorairport transfers, included sightseeing andthe services of a tour director.For more information visitwww.insightvacations.com

BEST SERVED Scandinaviais introducing a newescorted tour to Iceland forclients looking to take inthe Northern lights duringwinter 2014/15. The five-day itinerary

takes in the winterwilderness of southernIceland, starting andending in the capitalReykjavik and visiting anumber of the region'ssites, including theiceberg-filled waters of theJokulsarlon Lagoon and

the waterfalls of Gullfossand Skogafoss.Accommodation is inremote countrysidelocations to give guests thebest chance of seeing theNorthern Lights. Prices lead in at £860

per person based on twosharing and £975 for solotravellers. It includesflights, a fully escortedthree-day tour with a localguide, two nights'breakfast accommodationin Centerhotel Plaza, two

nights' half-boardaccommodation in HotelEdda in Vik, a visit to anIcelandic farm with horsestables and geothermalgreenhouse, an eveninglecture and a hunt for theNorthern Lights whilestaying in Hotel Edda(weather dependent). Theprice also includesentrance to EyjafjallajökullVisitor Center and entranceto the Blue Lagoon.For more information seewww.best-served.co.uk

Best Served Scandinavia's new escorted tour takes in Northern Lights

TRANSUN IS offering guests the chance to experience the best of Iceland and Greenland with a three-night 'A Greenland Encounter'package. The trip offers travellers the opportunity to take in the sights of Reykjavik and explore the surrounding volcanic landscapes,geysers and waterfalls. From here travellers can also opt for a whale-watching excursion in Faxafloi Bay or take a trip to the Blue Lagoon.The highlight of the break is a day trip to Kulusuk, Greenland, which includes a two-hour speed boat cruise around the icebergs, withviews of glaciers, before visiting the ruins of an abandoned settlement. Prices start from £1,199 per person, based on two sharing, andinclude flights, all relevant transfers, three nights' breakfast accommodation, a two-hour speedboat cruise and a walking tour of Kulusuk. For details see www.transun.co.uk/agents or call 01865-265200.

iceland

Eight-day volcanohike from ExodusEXODUS HAS announcedthe launch of a neweight-day Iceland VolcanoHike with the firstdeparture taking place onJuly 5. The moderate trek

explores some ofIceland’s mostimpressive landscapes,from its rugged coast todramatic volcanohighlands and passesthrough fast-changinglandscapes including theThorsmork area, whichfeatures the craters ofEyafjallajokull Volcano. The route then follows

the Eldgja volcanofissure, traversing lavaflows, crossing streamsand skirting lakes,descending throughcanyons and climbingoccasional peaks on theway. For details seewww.exodus.co.uk or call0845 863 9601

Natural Wonders of Iceland tour from £2,635 with Insight

S04 TB2103 2014 Iceland_Layout 1 19/03/2014 12:39 Page 17

| [email protected] | TEL +354 531-8000

G

DISCOVER THE World has launchedits 2014 Iceland & Greenlandsummer programme.Written by Iceland experts, the

programme places greater emphasison visiting quieter, off-the-beaten-track destinations. All self-driveitineraries are more in-depth andtypically recommend a choice of upto ten different places to visit, orexperiences to embark upon, everyday. The company has launched aniPad touring service for all summerself-drives called iDiscover, whichoffers a personal online travel guidecomplete with itinerary details, aroute guidance system and a rangeof apps/weblinks to assist witheveryday matters such as monitoringlocal road and weather conditions.Meanwhile, this year marks the

40th anniversary of the completion ofthe country’s 832-mile Route 1 ringroad. The coastal roadcircumnavigates the whole of Icelandand allows access to some of theisland’s natural wonders on a 14-night self-drive Around Iceland tour. Departing April to October, the 14-

night itinerary costs from £1,285 perperson based on two sharing andincludes breakfast accommodationand car rental. Flights from London,Manchester or Glasgow withIcelandair cost from £252 perperson, while flights with easyJetand WOW Air are also offered.Tours include In the Footsteps of

Erik the Red, offering nine days ofhiking with time to explore theremains of Viking settlements andbeach trails at the foot of theGreenland Icecap. The 11-night trip

is available from £2,285 per personincluding transfers between Keflavi,two nights’ breakfastaccommodation in Reykjavik (twinshare), nine nights’ accommodationin shared hostel/farmaccommodation in Greenland (fullboard), the services of a guide andexcursions as detailed in theitinerary. The price is based on aJuly 9 departure.With Iceland sitting in the middle

of the Atlantic, the operator alsooffers holiday options to NorthAmerica travelling direct fromKeflavik. North American gatewaysinclude Anchorage, Vancouver andHalifax with a flight time of four-and-a-half hours from Keflavik toHalifax and seven hours toAnchorage.For more information or to book call01737-214291 or see www.discover-the-world.co.uk

Discover The World issues 2014 Iceland & Greenland summer programme

Arnarstapi-Snaefellsnes Peninsula


iceland

THE VIKINGS played a rich part in Iceland’s history andInspired by Iceland has put together a round-up of Viking-themed activities in the destination.Activities include Viking World (or ‘Víkingaheimar’ in

Icelandic), a Viking-themed museum in West Iceland,located near to Keflavik airport - an hour’s drive fromReykjavik. The main exhibition hall was designed by theIcelandic artist Guðmundur Jónsson and houses a life-sizemodel of a Viking ship called the ‘Íslendingur’ (‘Icelander’),which visitors can board. The museum has five differentexhibition spaces, as well as a small zoo, playground andan outdoor classroom, all of which are linked to the VikingAge. Entry costs 1,200 ISK (£6) per adult, 1,000 ISK (£5) forconcessions and children under 14 go free. For details visitwww.vikingaheimar.is/enMeanwhile, more than 100 Vikings from ten different

nations, as well as around 60 Icelandic Vikings, gettogether each year in Hafnarfjörður at the Viking Village forthe Viking Festival. From June 14-17, the Vikings will

reassemble for a weekend of entertainment. Visitorsattending the festival will see models of ships, experienceViking cuisine and music, as well as witness archery andbattle demonstrations. The festival will also involveeducational games and storytelling. Those wishing to spendthe night can stay at the Viking Hotel, which is decorated onthe first floor in Viking. Tickets cost 800 ISK (£4) per adultand 400 ISK (£2) per child. See www.fjorukrain.is/enVisitors to Iceland can also sail on The Viking Ship in

Dýrafjörður, Westfjords. Running each year from May-October, the ship takes up to 18 passengers per trip andthe journey is roughly two hours in length. Prices startfrom 11,500 ISK (£63) per adult and children under sevengo free. A Viking Horse Riding Tour on Westmann islands is

also available from 17,000 ISK (£90) per adult and lastsapproximately seven hours, including lunch. For detailsvisit www.extremeiceland.is/enFor more information see www.visiticeland.com

Inspired by Iceland celebrates Viking heritage with selection of themed activities


STRACTA HOTELS- A NEW HOTEL CHAIN IN ICELANDWe are proud to introduce a brand new Icelandic hotel chain, which will build new 100-150-room hotels all around the country at some of its top tourism hotspots. The first hotel is near the village of Hella in South Iceland – surrounded by volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls and glaciers.

Book your stay at www.stractahotels.is

STRACTA HOTELS EHF | REYK JAVIKURVEGI 66 | 220 HAFNARFJORDUR | ICEL AND | WWW.STRACTAHOTELS.IS | [email protected] | TEL +354 531-8000

Goðafoss

Mývatn

Skaftafell

Skálholt


Calvin Klein announced as guest speakerat Reykjavik’s DesignMarch 2014CALVIN KLEIN will be guest speaker at Reykjavik’sDesignMarch which takes place from March 27-30 atIcelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura.Guests at the event can listen to Calvin Klein’s speech

about life in the fashion world and experience up to 150fashion shows, events, exhibitions and parties.Later this year, the hotel’s Satt Restaurant will be

transformed into Order to Effect, a concept eatery wherepatrons select cuisine by physiological impact.Four nights’ breakfast accommodation at the hotel

during DesignMarch leads in at £355 per person, based ontwo sharing a double bedroom.For more information or to book visit

www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/naturaFlights from Heathrow to Reykjavik with Icelandair cost

from £322 based on a March 27 departure and returning onMarch 30 to Gatwick.For details call 0844-8111 190 or visit www.icelandair.co.uk


iceland

IT HAS taken many emails, telephone calls and quite abit of googling, but I am finally about to try a shot ofBlack Death. To be honest, I am a little scared, I’m

even thinking of chickening out of it. You only have to read a few reviews of ‘bucket and

spade’ resorts to find that there is a lot of Britishtravellers who don’t like foreign food. I really don’tunderstand why these people don’t try an alternative tosausages, egg and chips when they are away. Although with that said, I don’t either, and I have a

note from my mum excusing me. I’m a vegan, and yes, Iam larger than you would expect for a vegan. I findeating a steak as off putting as staring at a bowl of KalePache, so there is no way that I’ll be trying somethinglike Iceland’s infamous Hákarl. The sharks used for this are poisonous if eaten in the

conventional (as in British) way, and you have to wonderhow someone discovered that letting the meat rotunderground and then hanging it for months made itsafe to eat. Being told as a first-timer to hold your nose while

trying to eat something is hardly the best way to sellsomething. Let’s just say that it’s probably an acquiredtaste, and while searching for Black Death I was warnedoff trying Hákarl. But there wasn’t any danger of metrying it. However, they did also suggest that I shouldn’ttry what I’m about to do as well. Iceland did have limited resources to food so it makes

sense that they became very adventurous in preparingand storing what they did have access to. Which is why Iwanted to try something Icelandic, and it appears thatBrennivín (also known as ‘Black Death’) is suitable forvegans. It wasn’t easy to find, eventually a bottle was found in

Icelandair’s London Office www.icelandair.co.uk. So mythanks (for the moment at least) go to Hjalti Jónsson forgiving me this opportunity. Brennivín is Iceland’s signature alcoholic drink. It is

made from fermented grain or potatoes, and flavouredwith angelica, cumin and caraway. The label says 37.5%vol, so who said that vegan food can’t be interesting? It has been stored in the freezer as Hjalti suggested,

so here goes…

John getsadventurouswith Icelandiccuisine

by John Guinn, holiday resea

rcher

John Guinn runs Holiday Hut and has a weeklytravel show on internet radio station, SecklowSounds. He also contributes regularly to UK HealthRadio.

ICELAND TRAVEL is taking the ‘selfie’ photo sharingphenomenon to another level, with the launch of #ElfieSelfie,a new way for travellers to discover Iceland’s elfin folklore.This summer, travellers will find suggested #ElfieSelfie

locations, including troll-shaped lava formations andminiature painted elf houses, added to the operator’sselection of online itineraries. Jakobina Gudmundsdottir, the operator's sales and

marketing manager, said: “It’s an undeniable fact thatphoto sharing is an essential part of the travel experiencehere in photogenic Iceland. We’re updating our existingtours with entertaining elf sites and using social media toengage visitors who often seem fascinated by thisparticular mythology which sometimes manifests itself inour nature as well.” The mythology includes the Viking-age belief in ‘hidden

people’ which includes elves, trolls, fairies andsupernatural beings believed to be living in the lava.Beginning this summer, visitors to Iceland are

encouraged to tag photos on Instagram and Twitter with thehashtag for posting on the operator’s dedicated #ElfieSelfiepage, www.icelandtravel.is/elfieselfie

Iceland Travel encourages travellers to take an #ElfieSelfie to

discover elfin folklore

15% commission from Hella's Stracta Hotel THE NEW Stracta Hotel in Hella is encouraging agents tohighlight a three-night stay at the property to prospectiveclients. The hotel is ideally located to offer a wide range of activities,

as well as leisure and adventure options, which guests canenjoy while taking in the natural surroundings of the hotel.Examples include hiking, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, rafting,kayaking, horse-riding, super jeep tours, helicopter rides, golf,swimming, caving and fishing.On-site facilities include a sauna, Jacuzzis, massage

treatments, restaurant, bistro and bar. Prices for a double room lead in at €116 per person, per

night and the property offers 15% commission to travel agents.For more information visit www.stractahotels.is


FRED. OLSEN Cruise Linesis offering guests the chanceto explore ‘The Land of Fireand Ice’ on four explorationcruises to Iceland. The itineraries sail from

four regional departureports – Southampton, Bristol(Avonmouth), Liverpool andNewcastle – from May toAugust, on Black Watch,Boudicca or Balmoral.The company's sales and

marketing director, NathanPhilpot, said: “Iceland hasemerged as an up-and-coming tourist destination inthe last couple of years and,because of Fred. Olsen’sNorwegian heritage andNorwegian Officers onboard, we have generationsof experience and a passionfor sailing these northernwaters. We visit the threeaccessible sides of Iceland –the west, north and east –giving guests a real insight

into this fascinating country. “What's more, guests who

book one of these‘experiential’ cruisesbetween now and March 31will benefit from our special‘closer to departure’ prices,which start from £83 perperson, per night.”As examples of prices, a

14-night 'Blue Lagoons &White Water’ cruise fromSouthampton on Balmoralcosts from £1,149 perperson, based on a May 31departure. Boudicca’s 14-night ‘Discover Iceland &Norway’ cruise from Bristol,departing on June 14, leadsin at £1,149, while BlackWatch’s 11-night ‘Puffins,Waterfalls & Geysers’ cruisefrom Newcastle, departingon July 20, costs from £999.Prices are based on two

adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, andinclude accommodation, all

meals and entertainment onboard, plus port taxes. Solo travellers can

benefit from no singlesupplement on selectedcruises and cabins, and allguests can also choose to

upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks packagefor £10 per person, pernight.For further information seewww.fredolsencruises.comor call 0800-035 5242.

Gullfoss Waterfall

icelandFred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers four exploration cruise options from regional ports

S04 TB2103 2014 Iceland_Layout 1 3/19/2014 2:45 PM Page 21

Iceland plays host to new three-day music festival

ICELAND'S NEW music festival, Secret Solstice, is set totake place in Reykjavik over the weekend of June 20-22.The capital city will offer festival-goers a three-dayweekend of partying and music and will be headlined byBrit music giants, Massive Attack.The line-up announced so far features more than 150

established and up-and-coming international acts froma multitude of genres, including Woodkid, DamianLazarus, Eats Everything, Skream Jackmaster, Boddika,Oneman and Kerri Chandler. Located in Laugardalur in central Reykjavik, the

festival site offers various outdoor and indoor stages aswell as the largest thermal pool in Iceland,Laugardalslaug. Accommodation in the form of hostels, guesthouses,

luxury hotels and camping sites are all within a fiveminute walk. WOW air is the official travel partner of Secret

Solstice and is offering a limited number of three-dayfestival passes from £73 each. For more details or to purchase tickets visit

www.secretsolstice.is. Early bird UK tickets can also be found at

www.ticketarena.co.ukFares on the carrier's direct route between Gatwick

and Reykjavik lead in at £69 one-way, including taxesand hand luggage allowance, plus a handbag and duty-free shopping bag. For more information or to book flights visitwww.wowair.co.uk

&

Highlights

PRICES FROM

£1059PER PERSON

DEPARTING FROM LOCAL UK AIRPORTS

FOR BOOKINGS CALL 01865 565221 OR VISIT WWW.TRANSUN.CO.UK

iceland


TABER HOLIDAYS is highlighting its two-week Iceland’s Full Circletour which costs from £2,264 per person. The motoring tourcircumnavigates the 832-mile highway this summer and startsand ends in the capital Reykjavik. Guests will take in waterfalls,volcanoes, glaciers and geysers on daily tours that deparrtbetween May 1 and September 30. The price includes flights fromHeathrow, transfers, car hire with unlimited mileage, breakfastaccommodation and most evening meals. Also being highlighted isNorway’s UNESCO World Heritage tour, which costs from £2,282.The 11-night self-guided motoring tour takes in four out ofNorway’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and the priceincludes flights from Heathrow, 11 nights’ breakfastaccommodation and car hire with unlimited mileage. Based on twosharing, it departs daily from June 1 to August 27. For details call 01274-875199 or see www.taberhols.co.uk

PROMOTE ICELAND has announced that Iceland saw arecord growth of 65.2% in British visitors duringJanuary.During the same period last year, the country

welcomed 10,031 tourists from the UK, whilst Januarythis year saw a record 16,576 UK visitors. The tourist board says that a number of factors may

have caused the significant increase in visitors,including NASA’s prediction that conditions for catchingthe Northern Lights during the winter months of 2013and 2014 were at their best in 50 years.Líney Inga Arnórsdóttir, project manager for

marketing at the tourist board, said: “We are delightedto have seen such an increased interest in Iceland inJanuary and we are particularly pleased that theamount of tourists from the UK that are discoveringIceland during the winter months has increased by somuch, outside of the peak summer months.“We are optimistic that UK numbers will remain

buoyant for the rest of 2014 due to a number of excitingnew projects which are in the pipeline, including theopening of a number of new hotels and attractions.Similarly, Iceland is only a two-and-a-half hour flightfrom UK and an increasing number of airlines areoffering direct flights. Last year was a phenomenalsuccess for Iceland and we hope that more UK visitorswill continue to be inspired by Iceland in 2014.”

Iceland reports 65.2% rise in UKvisitor numbers in January



ATTRACTION WORLD has enhanced its Dubai product range which now features more than 25excursions and attractions. New additions include Wild Wadi Water Park for £50 per adult and £41 perchild (four-11yrs); lunch at Burj Al Arab (including transfers to and from hotel) for £130 per adult and£67 per child; and High Tea at Burj Al Arab (including transfers) for £99 per adult and £49 per child. AFerrari World excursion is also available (including transfers) from £89 per person. For details see www.attractionworld.com

New members join The Zulu RouteTHE ZULU Route, a collection of properties marketingthemselves on a series of routes or itineraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has welcomed the addition of newproperties. They include The Cavern, Thula Thula PrivateGame Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park and Umkhumbi Lodge.Highlights of The Zulu Route include numerous game

reserves, the Drakensberg Mountains, sandy white beaches,dive spots, historical battlefields and a mix ofZulu/Indian/Western culture. The route also encouragesvisitors to explore off-the-beaten-track and agents caneither create an itinerary from scratch for their clients orselect one of the suggested 'ready to go' itineraries. As an example of prices, a three-night breakfast stay at

Ghost Mountain Inn in Zululand, which has recentlyannounced a new Family Bush Break package, leads in atapproximately £149 per person. It includes a boat cruise,15% off safaris, spa treatments and laundry services plus awelcome fruit bowl on arrival. Kids’ activities range fromgrubby bug walks, learning Zulu crafts, nature treasurehunts, fishing, pizza making, canoeing, navigation skills andlearning how to cook on a camp fire.For details see www.zuluroute.com

AIRBERLIN, GERMANY’S second largest airline, has optimisedflight price data to supply dynamic price comparison andpackaging systems in collaboration with TravelTainment andPeakwork, two software specialists for the tourist industry. Thishas enabled TravelTainment to record availability of almost100% and price correction percentages in single figures. On the basis of airberlin fare and availability data, a system

has been developed by the carrier which updates flight price

data every two hours for the whole of the airline's group’s flightprogramme, with departures from Germany, Austria andSwitzerland shown in the EDF format from Peakwork. This isthe basis for being able to make INFX data available using thePeakwork player. TravelTainment has put together a team ofexperts responsible for the integration and quality assurance ofthe data for the TT-BistroPortal and TT-DataMix systems. For details see www.airberlin.com

HOLIDAY EXTRAS is offering a range of flexible insurance policiesthat are underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance. Insuranceincludes single trips and annual policies, business trips, wintersports, weddings and cruises. The company also offers Latitude, acompetitively priced insurance service for those up to the age of89 with pre-existing medical conditions. It covers everything frommedical expenses and delays to lost baggage. For details call 0871-360 2590 or [email protected]

dynamicpackagingGETABED HAS announcedspecial new rates at thefour-and-a-half-star HyattTimes Square New York. Opened in December last

year, the new hotel offers487 guest rooms spreadover 54 floors with viewsover the heart of Manhattan.The residential-style guestrooms offer floor to ceilingwindows along with aselection of in-roomamenities.Getabed has announced

low rates at the hotel,offering savings of up to43% off its previous sellingprice, and is currentlytaking bookings through toMarch 2015. Prices start from £85 per

person, per night. For details seewww.getabed.co.uk

Getabed secures lowrates at Hyatt TimesSquare New York

airberlin announces launch of new data formats for dynamic packagers

Ferrari World

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Excursions and tours,

Attractions and activities,

Airport, hotel and cruise transfers,

Bespoke itineraries and city guides.

T

1 3 13:29

dynamicpackaging

ALL ACCOMMODATION featured in Lagrange Holidays' France2014 programme can be booked as accommodation-only, as partof a self-drive (via ferry or Eurotunnel crossing) or rail travelpackage from the UK. The newly-built ‘Les Patios Eugénie’Lagrange Prestige apartments in Biarritz (pictured) are locatedin the heart of the city and two miles from Biarritz’s airport,making them an ideal option to match with a range of dynamicpackaging options to suit clients' needs. The company is urgingagents to encourage clients to book before April 12 to save up to5% on the cost of their accommodation for stays throughout thesummer, including school holidays. A one-bedroom apartmentsleeping up to four leads in at £839 for the week based on a stayfrom July 26 when booked by April 12. Agent commission onaccommodation starts from 10% plus VAT. For details call 020 7371 6111 or visit www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk


TWO DINING options at theCriterion Restaurant are nowavailable for agents to book whenpackaging up London short breakswith Superbreak. An afternoon tea option and a

lunch/dinner steak offer can beadded to any hotel booking.Afternoon Tea at the restaurant,which is located in PiccadillyCircus, is available for £19.50 perperson and includes threesandwiches, three cakes orsweets, two scones, homemade

jams, clotted cream and selection of teas and coffees. It isavailable daily year-round.A Sizzler Steak option costs £21 and offers aged beef

steak served on a sizzling hot stone platter with potatopuree and green beans. It is available for lunch and dinner,Monday to Saturday in January, February, June, July,August, September and October. The dining options mustbe booked in conjunction with a hotel stay.For more information see www.superbreak.com/agents orcall 0871-221 4444.

New London restaurant optionsavailable with Superbreak

Criterion Restaurant

GOCOMPARE.COM IS warning step families to take time out tocheck the fine print of their travel insurance before going onholiday, as the whole family might not be included.

The comparison website examined 473 annual travelinsurance policies and found that only 297 policies cover stepchildren regardless of whether they live with the main insuredperson or not, while 174 state that the step children must livewith the main insured person to be included in the cover.

Some of those insurers that don't cover step-children as partof a family policy will if they are named on the policy, whileothers say you can add a step child to the policy if a familypremium is paid.

The company's product development manager, CarolineLloyd, said: "Step families are increasingly common in today'ssociety, so it seems strange that these children aren't includedon travel insurance policies as a matter of course.

"Whether the child lives for the majority of time with themain insured person or not, when they are holidaying together

as a family, the child is a dependent of that person, whetherthey are a birth parent, or step parent.

"One way around this is to ensure that when a family withstep children are planning a holiday that the biological parentbuys the travel insurance - not the step parent. That way allchildren will be covered as they won't be deemed step children,or if your family includes step children on both sides, make sureyour insurer covers all of the children before buying.

"Again, checking the fine print of your insurance documentswill mean that you won't get caught without cover for your stepchildren. When you are buying your travel insurance make surethat it includes everything you need, and if you are a step family,check that your step children are included in the policy.

"If you are in doubt about whether your current policyprotects your step children, then call your travel insuranceprovider. They should be able tell you straight away, and if youneed additional cover to protect them, you might be able to addthat to your policy."

Don't miss a step this year when taking your extended family on holiday warns Gocompare.com


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AVIS HAS announced that Peugeot’s latest eco-friendly cars are nowavailable to hire across the UK. The cars, including the 508 Hybrid4and 3008 Hybrid4, are ideal for those looking to hire a new vehicle andat the same time cut the cost of filling the tank and be eco-friendly.The care hire company has been certified as CarbonNeutral since1997, offsetting almost 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions to date. For more information visit www.avis.co.uk and www.avis-greenerworld.com

AIRPORT PARKING and Hotels (APH) has compiled a guidehighlighting ski insurance policies.The guide, which is available in the Know Before You Go

section at www.aph.com/skiinsurance2014, highlights thetravel insurance policies available in both Europe andworldwide, comparing the costs and stipulations across 18major travel insurance companies including Direct Line,HSBC and AA.With regards to the cost of winter sports insurance in

Europe, prices vary greatly. Lloyds TSB and OUL Classic, forexample, charge £59.04 and £62.32 respectively for anindividual single trip policy whereas Preferential Travel andFlexicover charge £13.92 and £20.80 respectively for similarpolicies.The cost of winter sports cover for emergency medical

expenses and damage to ski equipment, for a family singletrip worldwide, was also found to vary greatly, with Barclaysoffering the most affordable option at £60.33 and the mostexpensive policy available with OUL Classic, at £641.38 forClassic Cover.Most of the insurance companies offer similar benefits to

policy holders, including cover on ski equipment, pisteclosure and delays owing to avalanches. However, someinsurance firms, such as Endsleigh, were more generous,also including allowance for replacement of ski passes andreimbursement of ski school fees. Certain insurance providers offer a longer length of cover

than others, with OUL Classic offering up to 31 days of annualcover whereas Marks & Spencer offers up to 17 days.With 10,000 Brits injuring themselves while on winter

sports holidays to the extent that they need hospitaltreatment, the company says that it is essential that skiersare also aware of medical emergency cover provided by eachinsurance company. A large proportion of ski insurance firmswill cover up to £10m for medical emergencies covers, with astandard excess of £50. However, some offer less as in thecase of OUL Classic and InsureandGo, which provide £5m ofmedical emergency cover.For further information call 01342-859515 or visitwww.aph.com

APH highlights the slippery slope of skiinsurance policies

HOTELBEDS WILL becelebrating the secondMarketHub Europe in thenew Hard Rock Hotel inIbiza from June 3-6 incollaboration with eventsponsor Palladium HotelGroup.The five-star hotel will

welcome more than 200experts from the mainsectors of the Europeantravel industry, who willdiscuss the latest industrytrends under the theme‘Forward Thinking’.Carlos Muñoz, managing

director of the company,said: “The MarketHub

Europe has given us theopportunity to shareopinions and discuss thefuture of the industry withkey travel players. In thisconstantly changingindustry it is necessary togo the extra mile inanalysing the latest trendsand technologicaldevelopments that will becrucial in the future. Forthis second edition inEurope, we are verysatisfied to have selected adestination like Ibiza that,without doubt, has beenand continues to be one ofthe most popular in

European tourism, and tocollaborate with thePalladium Hotel Group asthe host sponsor. We aresure that the new HardRock Hotel in Ibiza will bethe perfect venue to hostthe MarketHub Europe2014.”Due to open its doors on

May 18, the hotel will offer493 rooms with a moderndesign as well as spacedesigned to host live eventswith a capacity for 2,500people and an open airstage, situated next to themain pool. Other featuresinclude four restaurants, a

sky lounge, a sports bar,various bars in the pool andmain stage area, a spa andfitness centre and aconvention centre with acapacity for 600 people,where the event will beheld.The company will also

celebrate the sixth editionof MarketHub Americasfrom May 12-15 at CaesarsPalace Hotel in Las Vegas,and plans to celebrate thefirst edition of MarketHubAsia in Bangkok at the endof the year.For further details visitwww.hotelbeds.com

LOWCOSTTRAVELGROUP REPORTS that it has seen a strongstart to the year with traffic to its international websites up bymore than 50% year-on-year plus a 40% increase in overallsales, and has unveiled its focus for the rest of the year. The company's chief marketing officer, Alex Gisbert, said:

“We are delighted that our investment in hotel buying, mobileand diversification from the UK is paying off, with our growthaccelerating ahead of schedule."We are now on course to double the number of contracted

hotels we offer across Lowcostbeds and Lowcostholidays."The company's CEO, Paul Evans, said: "Global supply is a

massive challenge and our biggest investment area. Theuptake from having the right hotel stock for travel agents andtravellers across the world from 42 countries is immediate, butcustomer demand changes and keeping up is crucial tocontinued growth.“Our top five trade customers are now a combination of UK,

South American and Scandinavian companies and our Germanbusiness is now one of our top growth areas. Going globalmeans our ambition of delivering £1bn in sales within twoyears is now a tangible goal."

Lowcosttravelgroup reports strongsales & unveils focus areas for 2014

Hotelbeds to celebrate second MarketHub at Ibiza’s Hard Rock Hotel

dynamicpackaging



RIVIERA TRAVEL is running six-day Carthage, Roman Africa & Moorish Tunisiatours on selected departures up to November. Prices lead in at £679 per person and includeflights from Heathrow; half-board accommodation in five-star hotels; one lunch; visits to sixUNESCO World Heritage Sites; a guided tour of Hannibal’s and Roman Carthage; a visit to SidiBousaid; a guided tour of the Bardo National Museum displaying Carthaginian gold, silverware

and the world’s largest collection of Roman; a tour of Tunis and the ancient Roman site ofDougga; plus a stay in Kairouan to take in the mosque, medieval university and old town.

For details email [email protected] or see www.rivieratravel.co.uk

culturaltours

Private tours of Buckingham Palacewith hotel stay from SuperbreakCULTURE LOVERS can now join private evening tours ofBuckingham Palace with Superbreak. After the doorshave closed to the public for the day, visitors canexplore the State Rooms in the company of an expertguide. Packages are available on September 10 and 19 and

combine the evening tour with overnightaccommodation.Included as part of the package, guests can visit the

special exhibition Royal Childhood which tells the storyof life as a young member of the royal family atBuckingham Palace, and the tour concludes with aglass of Champagne.Prices start from £209 per person including one night

at the four-star Flemings Mayfair Hotel and a copy of anofficial guide book.For details or to book see www.superbreak.com/agentsor call 0871-221 4444.

Experience Venice with Luna Hotel BaglioniLUNA HOTEL Baglioni in Venice is positioned close to thePiazza San Marco with views of the San Marco Basin andthe island of San Giorgio, offering an ideal base from whichto explore the city.The hotel offers a rich history dating back to the 12th

century. Recorded as having given shelter to the KnightsTemplar in 1118, the building was known as Locanda dellaLuna by 1574 and was decorated with frescoes by Pupils ofGiambattista Tiepolo (which now adorn the Marco PoloBallroom where breakfast is served) during the 18thcentury. The hotel also runs its own Arts & Culture package

which includes entrance to the Doges Palace, the CorrerMuseum, the Guggenheim, the Archaeological Museum andthe Venice National Library.One night’s breakfast accommodation costs from €460,

excluding taxes.For more information or to book visitwww.baglionihotels.com

S06 TB2103 2014 Cultural Tours_Layout 1 3/19/2014 12:37 PM Page 27

MALTA IS MORE WWW.VISITMALTA.COM visitmalta @visitmaltauk

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MALTA IS MORE TO SELLFLY DIRECT:


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Departs from London Gatwick 14 May 2014 and returning 17 May 2014

WIN a place on our 3-night Douro FAM!Book any Titan river cruise and you could be joining us on the ‘Royal Barge’*

* TO ENTER – Book any Titan or Uniworld river cruise and email [email protected] with ABTA, name and booking reference.

To order brochures or to � nd out more, please call 0800 988 5800 or visit www.titanagents.co.uk

culturaltours

THE AZORES offers an ideal destination for thosetravelling solo, with a variety of experiences on offer.The islands, which are in the mid-Atlantic, are

characterised by volcanic landscapes, dark cliffs, greenvalleys and coastlines. Experiences available include hiking, mountain biking,

canyoning, swimming with dolphins and horse-riding,all with a ready-made group of holidaymakers andguides to lead the way.For those looking to explore the islands by foot and

who are travelling solo, Archipelago Choice offers aguided group walking tour, exploring four of the Azoreanislands over two weeks. Explorers can take on theterrain of Sao Miguel, Terceira, Sao Jorge and Faial witha carefully designed itinerary. Travellers will discoverthe hidden gems of Sete Cidades, the volcanic basin ofFurnas, the old city of Angra to Monte Brazil and thecapital, Velas.The package leads in at £1,798 per person and

includes flights, picnics on full walking days, all walkand airport transfers, services of guides and 14 nights’breakfast accommodation on a sharing basis, departingon May 31.For more information call 01768-775672 or visitazoreschoice.com

Guided walking tour of the Azores forsolo travellers from Archipelago Choice

TABER HOLIDAYS is promoting its 11-day UNESCO WorldHeritage Tour to Norway, with prices leading in at£2,282 per person.The self-guided motoring tour takes in four out of the

destination's seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The11-night trip starts in Norway’s capital, Oslo, andcontinues to Røros, Trondheim, Ålesund, Solvorn,Lofthus and finally Bergen. As well as the obvious Viking history associated with

Norway, it’s a country also well known for its culture,having produced painters, writers and musicians, suchas Munch, Ibsen and Grieg. In keeping with thehistorical destinations featured in the itinerary, thehotels selected have also been chosen for theircharacter, place in history and their high standard offood and service.The price includes flights from Heathrow, 11 nights'

breakfast accommodation and car hire with unlimitedmileage. It is based on two sharing and departs dailyfrom June 1 to August 27. Also being highlighted is 'The World of Hans Christian

Andersen' Denmark tour which costs from £1,036. Theseven-night option explores the cities of Odense (thebirthplace of Hans Christian Andersen) andCopenhagen. The price includes seven nights' breakfast

accommodation, flights from Heathrow to Copenhagenand the return rail journey from Copenhagen to Odense.Based on two sharing, daily departures are availablefrom May 1 to September 30. For more information call 01274-875199 or seewww.taberhols.co.uk

Taber offers Norway UNESCO WorldHeritage tour from £2,282


Inghams boosts small group coach tours for summerINGHAMS HAS introduced new small group coach tours for summer. Theyinclude a seven-day Grand Tuscany Explorer which includes a visit to themedieval towns of Siena and Lucca, a day exploring the Piazzas and galleriesof Florence and a scenic drive through vineyards and olive groves to thehilltop town of San Gimignano. Prices start from £1,395 and include accommodation in a range of four-star

hotels on a half-board basis, all excursions, entrance fees and flights fromGatwick to Pisa with British Airways. The tour runs from May to September.Also available is a seven-night Amalfi Coast Splendours option which is

based in the four-star Hotel Regina Palace in the seaside town of Maiori.From here, guests will explore the Amalfi coastline visiting the cosmopolitantown of Sorrento, the archaeological site of Pompeii and the small fishingvillage of Ravello. The tour also includes a boat trip to the island of Capri.The hotel is centrally located and offers a swimming pool and access to aprivate beach. Prices start from £999 on a half-board basis and include allexcursions, entrance fees and flights from Gatwick to Naples with BritishAirways. The tour runs from May through to October.Other tours being highlighted include an eight-day Treasures of Sicily from

£1,329 on half-board and a seven-night Puglia Discovery from £1,309 onhalf-board. For more information visit www.inghamsitaly.co.uk/agents or call 01483-79111.

We asked our staff thefollowing question this week:

In the future, what doyou hope gets invented?Publisher: Jeanette [email protected] self driving car like Kitt in Knight Rider!

Editor: Lauretta [email protected] pill that allows you to lose weight the more you eat.Imagine if you were the inventor...you'd be absolutelyrolling in it!

Assistant Editor: Jill [email protected]

Contributing Editor: Paul [email protected] from free Guinness, mobile devices that don'trequire battery charging

Sales Director: Simon [email protected] ambition curb on Simon Cowell

Advertisement Manager: Tim [email protected]

Online Sales Manager: Nick [email protected]'s more a discovery, but a cure for cancer and otherserious illnesses would be top of the list

Account Manager: Bill [email protected] cure for cancer

Sales Executive: Chris [email protected]

Sales Executive: Matt [email protected]

Senior Designer: Genaro [email protected] software that does not crash

Assistant Designer: Nicky [email protected] regeneration

Production: Erica Sesay [email protected] of the above

Circulation Manager: Jim [email protected]

Crossword:Across: 1. SOMAK, 3. AZURA, 5. EAST SUSSEX, 8. LPL, 9. FARRELL, 11. NAMIBIA, 12. LEV, 13. CHARLESTON, 16. TABLE, 17. COSTA. Down: 1. SHETLAND, 2. ACT, 3. AUSTRIA, 4. UAE, 6. SALEM, 7. SLOVENIA, 9. FABERGÉ, 10. EILAT, 14. HUB, 15. SFO.

Highlighted Word: AUSTRALIA

Travagrams: (top) Aeroflot (bottom) Jury’s Inn

Where Am I?: Florida

puzzlesolutions


Travel Bulletin is published by Alain Charles Publishing (Travel) Ltd - University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London,SW1W 0EX, Tel: 020-7834 6661 Printed by: Wyndeham Grange LimitedSubscriptions are £125 p.a. £195 overseasISSN: 0956-2419

Follow us on Twitter!@TravelBulletin

Urban Adventures unveils new Home-Cooked toursINTREPID TRAVEL'S day tour business, Urban Adventures, has expanded its'Home Cooked' programme, which welcomes travellers into the home of localfamilies to share a meal and chat about local life, culture and traditions. Agents can book the tours directly with the operator or as an add-on to a

longer tour with Intrepid. As examples, a three-hour Home Cooked Bucharest tour costs from $25 per

person; a three-hour Home Cooked Kochi tour in south India costs from $49;and a four-hour Home Cooked Silk Road tour in Samarkand leads in at $25.Guests who join the tours can shop for ingredients at local markets, join thehost in the kitchen to see how typical national dishes are created and sit downwith their host family to eat a meal together and learn about local culture.

culturaltours


See you in on a Nile Cruise LUXOR - ASWAN

www.egypt.travel

We’re stories

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We’re Egypt


FOR BOOKINGS CALL 01865 565221 OR VISIT WWW.TRANSUN.CO.UK

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Documents

Travel Bulletin 21st March 2014