Types of trip
Travellers stay cheek-to-cheek with loved ones
58% of business travellers said their partner or loved-one was the thing they missed most when away from home, a survey has revealed.* In response, Hotels.com has launched a new service – Picture Pillows – that enables business travellers to send in a photo of a loved one for Hotels.com to turn into a bespoke pillow case.
A polar bears picnic
The world’s largest land predator has long been adored in films and documentaries however, long-haul travel specialist, Canadian Sky, can now offer one better with a six-night polar bear expedition to Churchill, Canada. For those wanting to learn about and observe these formidable creatures in their natural habitat The Great Ice Bear Tour is an experience not to be missed.
2009 jazz festival brings vibrant energy to Barbados
UK million-selling singer-songwriter, James Blunt, who shot to fame in 2005 with the single 'You're Beautiful’ will set the scene at the 16th Barbados Jazz Festival to be held on the island between 12th and 18th January 2008.
Take a country break in Austria
Austria was recently hailed as one of the world's best destinations for sustainable tourism in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. And the Austrian Institute for Sustainability hails the Naturidyll hotels as the pioneers of Europe with an “aristocratic” green sensibility.
The Outchester Ducket: A tower made for two
This week sees the launch of what is Northumberland’s tallest, smallest and most unique self catering accommodation – The Outchester Ducket. Standing at 65ft high this is no ordinary holiday cottage or villa it is a remarkable and unusual 5 Star holiday experience for two able people.
Top landing zones for skiers
Leading flight search engine, Skyscanner.net, has dipped into its data to see where British winter sports enthusiasts are flying to this winter. Despite economic woes, European ski searches appear healthy with a small rise in flight search traffic for ski airports compared to last year. With a strong US dollar, it seems many Brits are avoiding transatlantic mountains and favouring the more local European peaks.
Dive into Iceland
To celebrate the season and the fact that the pound is nearly 50% stronger against the Icelandic Krona than last winter, Icelandair invites the UK to Dive into Iceland with a £199 City Break, the lowest priced package offered by Icelandair this year. It makes an ideal Christmas present and features return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Reykjavik, 3 nights hotel accommodation and entrance into Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s largest thermal pool complex.
St. Lucia named World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination
The beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia has once again achieved the prestigious accolade of the ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’ by the World Travel Awards 2008. St. Lucia’s spectacular rainforests, world famous Pitons, sparkling turquoise waters, friendly Caribbean vibe and soft, sandy beaches as well as their world class resorts, makes it a perfect choice for romantic honeymoons.
Christmas gifts for walkers
Wiltshire based walking specialist Foot Trails has launched a Christmas gift voucher with a difference. Not only are the vouchers redeemable against walking holidays with Foot Trails but each voucher comes with a complimentary gift pack.
Short breaks that won’t break the bank
Inghams Short Breaks 2009 brochure is your perfect getaway companion for the credit crunch. Sometimes, three days away really can be better than seven. In the current economic climate, short breaks are a great holiday option for anyone flinching at the thought of forking out for a whole week away from home. Inghams, with 18 years of experience in this market has put together a new short breaks brochure that combines adventure with affordability.
Poland is a literary stocking filler
A new children’s book has hit the shelves in time for Christmas called P is for Poland. The book, aimed at 6 to 10 year olds, is the work of Prodeepta Das who hopes to educate youngsters about Poland and its rich cultural heritage.
Winter luxury in the sun for less
Specialist tour operator, Libra Holidays in conjunction with the 5-star St Raphael Hotel in Limassol in Cyprus is offering a free room upgrade on all new bookings due to depart between 6th Jan – 31st March 2009, including the February Half Term.
Protests in Thailand wreaking havoc for travellers
Anti-government protests in Thailand have had a huge impact on the travel industry with 860,000 British travellers having visited last year. Gold Medal Travel Group estimates that it has around 1000 customers travelling to Bangkok every week which has left them busy salvaging travel plans for hundreds of anxious travellers.
Top New Year party places
2008 may not have been the most cheerful year, but despite the gloom, it seems Brits are determined to welcome in 2009 with a big party, and there's been no reduction in flight search traffic for the New Year break. Leading flight search engine, Skyscanner.net) reveals the most popular* New Year destinations for Brits.
Newcastle and Gateshead host winter festival
After-dark fairy tales, striking light projections and glowing art cars will brighten the long nights of December as part of the NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival. The festival, which forms part of NewcastleGateshead’s world-class festivals and events programme developed by culture10, returns this year with three inspiring highlights: Enchanted Parks, Glow and Glowmobiles – all of which are free.