Types of trip
Santa's gift to the gloomy UK
In the face of economic doom and gloom in the UK families are still booking Lapland trips to meet the real Santa Claus, in their thousands. Santa holiday specialist Esprit Holidays said “We have more early bookings for families to visit Father Christmas this year than ever before. People don’t want to miss out on the crucial time when their children are young when they can take them on a real once in a lifetime trip”.
Connectpoint have it all mapped out
On the back of three years of work on specialist holiday brand, Keycamp, Connectpoint has been appointed to also handle Eurocamp’s PR. Part of Holidaybreak plc, the two brands dominate the European camping sector and the brief is to support each brand individually as well as work on joint initiatives designed to change perceptions.
Himalaya heritage unveiled
In recent years a new breed of traveller is looking for the classic experiences of India and Nepal, but with a little more comfort and support. Recognising this emerging market, tour operator Peregrine has designed two new South Asian tours.
20 years from the fall of the wall
Join in the festivities for a unique experience of contemporary history in the middle of Europe and experience Germany’s most recent history. In 2009, Germany is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Naturally, the capital has the highest concentration of monuments and memorial sites. However, the history of East Germany and the Cold War can also be explored in other parts of the country.
A sunshine guarantee in the Maldives
Luxury tour operator Bailey Robinson has an amazing offer of cash-back at the exclusive resort of Naladhu if it rains. So confident of sunshine, US$600 per villa will be credited should it rain for more than three hours between sunrise and sunset every day that this might happen. The credit is to be spent at the resort, so even if it rains clients will be able to spend their credit on massages, romantic dinners, scuba diving or enjoying a desert island picnic once the rain clears.
Extraordinary Christmas parties
Amaze your staff, clients or friends with a Christmas party they will never forget from paranormal specialists, Haunting Breaks. Haunting Breaks’ truly unique parties offer many guests once in a lifetime experiences including: a professional ghost hunt, a séance hosted by a medium and the chance to contact the spirits via a glass or using a table. Guests are also taught how to dowse with crystals and rods.
Whatley Manor wins fourth AA Rosette
On Tuesday, 2 September, at the AA Centenary awards in London, Peter Egli, General Manager and Martin Burge, Head Chef at Whatley Manor, the beautifully restored grade ll listed Wiltshire manor house hotel, received a much coveted AA Four Rosette award from the celebrity chef James Martin.
Join City Cruises and be part of the Thames Pageant
Join City Cruises, onboard the M.V. Millennium of London, on the 13th September 2008 and take part in the Thames Pageant. Part of the Mayor's Thames Festival, the Thames Pageant sees river users of all kinds join together in a colourful river display. The event runs from Greenwich to Westminster and back and includes users of the river from working tugs and steam tugs to private yachts, fireboats, pleasure boats and Livery company vessels.
Eastbourne attracts more visitors this summer
Despite the unpredictable weather this summer, Eastbourne is attracting thousands more visitors into the town as website hits increase nearly two-fold and Holiday Guide requests rise by 50%.
Forest winners
Two popular National Forest projects have beaten hundreds of organisations across the UK to take top honours in the 2008 National Lottery Awards. Get Active in the Forest, based at Rosliston Forestry Centre, and the Armed Forces Memorial, both situated in The National Forest at the heart of the Midlands, won two out of the seven categories, and were presented with their awards – and a £2,000 cash prize - at this year’s star-studded National Lottery Awards, broadcast live on BBC1 on Saturday 30 August.
The UK’s top 10 new cruise ships
Over the past year it seems like there hasn’t been a month without a new cruise ship launch. In the U.K. we have seen our fair share of glittering naming ceremonies with celebrities and even Royals attending celebrations. Leading online cruise review and news site CruiseCritic.co.uk has taken a look at what’s on offer and compiled its top 10 list of cruise ships for British travellers.
Royal Academy musicians head to Regent Street
The Royal Academy of Music is boldly bringing a selection of superb musicians to this year’s Regent Street Festival 2008: A Great British Experience. In one of the most-anticipated annual free outdoor events, Regent Street will be closed to traffic and welcoming people from all over the world. String and brass ensembles and singers from the Royal Academy of Music will entertain the public along Regent Street throughout Sunday 7 September 2008.
Madagascar welcomes fishing enthusiasts
Fishing is a relatively underdeveloped industry in Madagascar with the fish densities being quite high in some areas. The area in the North-West is particularly renowned for its high sailfish count! Marlin is also plentiful in this region - mostly black Marlin - though they are often hooked by mistake on sailfish bait. There are 6 species of crayfish that can be found in Madagascar, all of which are endemic.
Summer Holiday at Eastbourne Bandstand
Enjoy a real ‘Summer Holiday’ at Eastbourne Bandstand this week as Jimmy Jermain brings the sounds of Cliff Richard to the unique seafront venue later today. Audiences can look forward to a Tribute concert charting the success of the famous singer, Cliff Richard, whose popular hits including the likes of Living Doll, The Young Ones and Millennium Prayer span six decades.
What’s great about Britain for you?
A new photographic competition has been launched on regentstreetonline.com which is encourages the public to capture ‘What’s Great About Britain To You?’. The competition has been launched in celebration of this year’s Regent Street Festival 2008: A Great British Experience. Calling all happy snappers, enthusiastic amateurs and even professionals who would like to enter a competition, regentstreetonline.com challenges anyone to capture in a photograph the ‘Great British Experience’.