Types of trip
New attractions at Futuroscope for 2009
Futuroscope, near Poitiers in the Poitou-Charentes region of France, opened to the public in June 1987 with the aim to “harness the future”. Since it opened, the park has welcomed over 35 million visitors, making it the second largest leisure park in France. It is substantially different from any other “theme park” as it is based on the visual and the senses, thus appealing to a very wide audience of all age groups. Futuroscope is bringing guests three fantastic new attractions for 2009, which will appeal to the senses and a wide audience.
Thomson enhances its exclusive holiday offering
On July 24, Thomson launched its latest brochure collection, featuring a range of destinations and tailored holiday experiences to suit all tastes. The latest addition to the company’s summer holiday collection includes the all new Polynesia resort on the Costa del Sol, and Elegant Escapes hotels in Madeira.
Larger than life Guyana
Over the years, BBC wildlife documentaries have featured the most incredible footage, allowing armchair travellers a rare glimpse into some of the most remote corners of the globe. The BBC’s latest production is no exception and over the next three Wednesdays viewers will follow a team of explorers, scientists and filmmakers as they discover the plants and animals inhabiting the spectacular landscape of Guyana.
Ride the Chihuahua and hike the Copper Canyon
Journey from the sparkling Sea of Cortez to the arid canyons of Mexico’s Sierra Madre along the spectacular Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad, then hike the world’s largest canyon system, the magnificent Copper Canyon, deeper and grander in places than its more famous US counterpart. Later, sip margaritas at sunset and rest weary limbs in stunningly located wilderness lodges and beautifully restored haciendas during Walks Worldwide’s 11-day Copper Canyon in Style fully guided hiking tour.
Not-so-lonesome George
'Lonesome George', the last surviving Pinta Island Tortoise, may finally become a father after 9 eggs were discovered in his enclosure at Charles Darwin Research Station on the Galapagos' Santa Cruz Island. Since his rescue in 1971 from Pinta, George has shown little interest in reproducing. However, two weeks ago George’s female companions were found digging around in the soil of his pen and a nest was found - three of the eggs have since been transferred to an incubator where they will stay for 120 days.
Uruguay on horseback
A country the size of England and Wales with a warm, friendly population of about 3.5-million, unexpectedly diverse landscapes, vast open skies and stunning beaches – Uruguay is a lesser-known destination ideal for riding.
Encouraging kids to get active on holiday
As part of First Choice’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its family holidays offering, Get Active sessions will be introduced into First Choice Holiday Villages from summer 2009. Get Active sessions will run as part of the Kids Academy’s programme, and will promote exercise in fun and imaginative ways.
A real life planet of the apes experience
Full-on adventure begins here - search for the Big Five in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, get hands-on community involvement at Jinja, meet Chimpanzees on Lake Victoria's Ngamba Island then head off to Dian Fossey’s mist in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP searching out Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey. Dragoman Overland offer all of this and more during its 15-night Great Apes & Gameparks expedition, departing Nairobi 13th October 08.
Brits say 'so what' to credit crunch
Despite the ongoing gloomy economic outlook, it seems that Brits are reluctant to give up on their annual two weeks in the sun. A survey of more than 1000 customers throughout the UK by leading discount travel website, alpharooms.com, revealed that 82% of people would rather tighten their belts and scrimp and save on other household expenditures before giving up their cherished break on the beach.
Elegant river cruises in Europe
Connections, the specialist independent travel division of Titan Travel, has launched a comprehensive brochure of Elegant River Cruises for 2009. This enticing range of luxurious itineraries – previously sold under the name of Grand River Cruises – features some spectacular voyages of discovery on Europe’s grandest and most scenic waterways, including the Rhone, the Rhine, the Douro and the legendary Danube.
Interact with America’s space heroes at Kennedy Space Centre
As the most visible symbol of the American space program, it’s no wonder that two of the most popular Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex experiences are the Astronaut Encounter and Lunch With an Astronaut. Both are unique, one-of-a-kind experiences available only at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Take a walk on the green side
“When it comes to the environment,” says Alfred Strigl, deputy director of the Austrian Institute for Sustainability, “Austrians are top of Europe and top of the world.” Being green, he explains, has always come naturally to his countrymen.
Hollywood Star reveals top 10 perfect days in Scotland
The results of an online survey, revealed yesterday (28 July) by VisitScotland and Hollywood star Billy Boyd, showcases UK holiday-makers’ top ten ways to spend a perfect day in Scotland. Strapping yourself into a 12ft human hamster ball and throwing yourself down a Perthshire hill, cracking the Da Vinci Code and going on a quest for the Holy Grail all feature in the results.
Group holiday bookings soar as Brits battle credit crunch
Two weeks with the in-laws might sound like some people’s idea of hell but a recent survey has shown that the current credit crunch is changing the way Brits holiday this year.
Korea sparkles with student traveller discounts
Korea Tourism Organization is encouraging student travellers from around the world to visit the country with the publication of a discount booklet ‘Benefits in Korea’ offering large discounts for International Student Identity Card (ISIC) cardholders.