Holidays

Thomson Worldwide’s latest Asia & Persian collection provides even more choice and is guaranteed to cater for all tastes and budgets. From romantic retreats and spa breaks to family holidays full of adventures, a budget conscious base or push-the-boat-out luxury holiday, Thomson Worldwide are confident that their new brochure has something for everyone.

A-level results are out, the weather is getting cooler, the P45 from the summer job is almost ready to be posted, the wedding season is drawing to a close and parents are set to drop their kids off at university for another academic year. For people of all ages – school or university leavers, those on a career break or ‘grown-up gappers’ – the autumn is a popular season to take some time out to embark on extended GAP year travels or an around the world trip.

Whether it’s a romantic ‘two’s company’ break this Christmas or lively festive celebrations with friends or family, Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire has created special, seven-night holiday packages.

Join a social flotilla cruising the Greek Ionian islands with Sunvil Sailing departing Sunday, 31 August from London Gatwick priced at £599 for one week with optional tuition for beginners. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, transfers and live aboard accommodation.

Travel The Unknown, a specialist tour operator in eco-friendly and off-the-beaten-track trips, has launched its first tours to the unchartered territories of North East India. The 2- and 3-week trips will commence from October 2008 and take groups of up to 12 travellers into the undiscovered regions of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, where they will live amongst tribal villagers, go on elephant-back safari searching for the rare unicorn rhino and visit the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet in the remote Himalayas.

Saving money by having a wedding abroad may be growing in popularity in the current climate, but one method of helping the pounds take care of themselves may not be obvious to many brides and grooms - using a currency broker to make sure the money markets work to your advantage. When going on holiday we are all too aware of the fact that we will be paying over the odds to exchange money at tourist exchange rates and put up with extortionate bank fees and receiving charges.

Amsterdam, the classic eclectic vibrant capital of Holland is a must see. A city cruise break with DFDS Seaways is the ideal way to enjoy this city, soak up the atmosphere and combine it with a relaxing cruise there and back.

AITO Travel Company of the Year Martin Randall Travel announces the launch of its five Mediterranean cruises in 2009. Following the enthusiastic response to the inaugural cruises in 2008, the company are repeating this year’s cruises, and introducing two new itineraries: The Matisse Cruise and Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Where better to take the children on an autumn half-term getaway than to a private luxury farmhouse in Mallorca? With temperatures still averaging in the high 20’s and accommodation to suit all budgets, it’s the perfect excuse to take a family holiday with specialist tour-operator, Mallorca Farmhouses.

With Oktoberfest fast approaching, Kayak.co.uk has put together a list of trip ideas for all the beer lovers out there looking for something that little bit more alternative.

Amid the doom and gloom of a poor summer and talk of the credit crunch, increasing numbers of Britons are choosing to spend their hard earned cash on holidays in less than traditional locations. Sales of holidays in luxury destinations, such as the Caribbean, are on the up in 2008, says holidays-direct.co.uk.

Mantis Collection has put together a fantastic Bush & Beach package combining stays at three of their most stunning South African properties. Relax in absolute luxury and privacy at Oceana Beach & Wildlife reserve, perched on 7km of pristine beach with breathtaking views of the ocean, experience the definitive safari experience at Shamwari Game Reserve and check into the glamorous new Shamwari Townhouse.

On the Go has specialised in group and tailor made tours that combine a superb mix of culture and adventure for over ten years. With Russia being part of their extensive portfolio and a popular destination for clientele it has allowed them to take adventure to the next stratosphere with three new exclusive packages offering guests the opportunity to experience zero-gravity, weightlessness and the rare opportunity to marvel at Earth from afar!

Natural Retreats Yorkshire Dales opened in late 2006 in order to allow luxury and nature to mutually flourish without infringing on the environment or the local community. It was the accomplishment of this principle which last week encouraged Scarborough Borough Council’s planning committee to vote unanimously to approve the application which included the development of 40 guest residences on a new site based around the beautiful Causeway Lakes, near the village of Wykeham.

They say some memories last a lifetime, but not when it comes to our holidays whose lifespan is exactly six years, 11 months, one week, four days, seven hours and six minutes according to research published today by Leger Holidays. The tour operator is launching a brain training memory initiative which it hopes will give its holidaymakers an even longer-lasting holiday memory.

When people think of Africa, they think of the big five safari sightings (lion, leopard, elephant, water buffalo, and rhino) or the big five tragedies of the continent (war, genocide, famine, political corruption, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic). But Africa encompasses much more than wildlife and warfare. Africa is huge. It's four times the size of the United States. It's roughly 5,000 miles long and 4,600 miles wide. Africa makes up 20% of the earth's landmass.

For a limited period tailor-made natural history specialist Wildlife Worldwide is offering savings of at least £355 p/p on its 12-day Leopards of Luangwa tour, centred around Kapani Lodge, former home of Zambia’s father of conservation, Norman Carr, and its satellite bush camps, Luwi, Nsolo and Kakuli, departing Heathrow throughout September and October 2008.

Compared to sheep and cattle, Kangaroos produce less methane - one of the worst causes of climate change. Dr George Wilson, of the Australian Wildlife Services is encouraging stock farmers to switch from beef to ‘roo’ in an attempt to reduce gas emissions. Although Kangaroos may be the missing link to ‘saving the planet’, they are still best seen in their pollution-free, natural wilderness instead of between a sesame bun.

Walks Worldwide’s new 16-day Chile in Style guided trekking holiday uncovers the huge diversity of this long and spectacular sliver of a country by combining the sparkling glaciers and iceberg-filled lakes of Torres del Paine NP with the arid vastness of the Atacama Desert.

Tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, bands of inquisitive monkeys and vivid macaws - the small but incredibly diverse country of Costa Rica offers numerous thrilling sights. Join tailor-made specialists Trips Worldwide, on a new, excellent value 14-night exploration of one of their all-time favourite destinations with stays in San José, Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio.

Stylish, cultured, good humoured and yet volatile - Italy, with its golden light, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage has inspired poets and painters for centuries. Equine Adventures’ offers a new tour, riding deep into Tuscany’s spectacular landscape through the heart of the Casentino-Pomino, Chianti Rufina and Mugello regions.

Former Dragoman driver Ben Grayling, is currently undergoing a rigorous training programme in the Himalaya, prior to attempting to climb Mount Everest and plant the company flag atop the summit.

According to a recent news report, DNA tests are to be carried out on the mummified remains of two stillborn children found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. It is hoped that these tests will confirm whether the children were the offspring of King Tut.

Cookery holiday specialist Italian Hideaways is launching new, two-night packages that will combine sightseeing, cookery classes and wine tasting with a stay at its eco-friendly villa in Bergamo, northern Italy.

Sharm charms as it tops the bill for scuba lovers taking first position in the charts according to Cheapflights.co.uk’s latest tips page mapping out the world’s Top Ten Dive Sites.

Forget that August was a washout and look forward to an Indian Summer over the October half term. The water is probably at its’ warmest at this time of year and with improved wetsuit technology there is no excuse not to hit the beach with the kids and surf a few breaks. And don't stint on comfortable accommodation, there are still bargains to be had in the Seven Bays area.

Make the most of the final weeks of the school holidays and enjoy a family break together at Center Parcs in Europe from as little as £189 per person for 9 nights.

easyCruise is previewing its 2009 itineraries with a fantastic offer – up to 30% saving for early bookers until 31st August 2008. The new cruises include stops at some of Greece’s most popular islands as well the company’s first visit to Crete and Rhodes and a new range of festival celebrations including the Patras Carnival, one of the most famous in Europe.

A recent Ramblers Worldwide Holidays survey has revealed a number of important trends in the walking holidays market. Tony Maniscalco, Marketing Manager for the operator says, “many of our clients over 45 are playing ‘catch up’ with their sons and daughters who have enjoyed gap years whilst studying at universities and colleges. Some, felt they had missed out on the opportunity of travelling to diverse and interesting places throughout the world and experiencing different people and cultures.”