Click HERE to get started!

 

 

If you like the freedom to choose your own flights and accommodation separately then try our ‘Build Your Own’ search facility to pull together your ideal getaway.

With this tailor made holiday search  you can pick and mix from a wide range of airlines and hotels to create your own perfect holiday. Doing things this way means you can spread your holiday budget out exactly as you choose. For example, you might prefer to book a cheap flight from one of the low cost airlines in order to spend more on your hotel.

Some of today’s best deals - for hundreds more call 0800 408 4048

Corfu

Newcastle

7nts

06 May 2011

SC

£115pp

Algarve

Gatwick

7nts

30 Sep 2011

BB

£215pp

Costa Del Sol

Manchester

14nts

22 Apr 2011

SC

£229pp

Costa Blanca

Birmingham

7nts

13 Jul 2011

SC

£269pp

Majorca

Luton

14nts

02 Jun 2011

SC

£269pp

Costa Dorada

Gatwick

14nts

16 Apr 2011

HB

£285pp

Ibiza

East Midlands

7nts

08 Jul 2011

HB

£309pp

Turkey

Newcastle

14nts

17 May 2011

AI

£349pp

Kos

Gatwick

7nts

31 Aug 2011

AI

£409pp

Sharm El Sheikh

Stansted

14nts

24 Apr 2011

AI

£449pp

 

Search and book your holiday online

Call one of our agents on 01823 478305

Click here for help and advice

Submit your holiday enquiry here

For more information or to book call: 01823 478305

Destination:
Barcelona
Depart:
Luton

Dates / Times:
Departing 11/10/2011
Returning 14/10/2011
Duration:
3 Nights

Staying in:
Medicis Hotel
Star Rating:
4

Room Type:
Standard
Board Basis:
BB

Description:
The Hotel Medicis in Barcelona offers an unbeatable location beside the Sagrada Família and the Sant Pau Hospital, the Modernism centre.
Refurbished on 2007, is amodern and functional hotel with services such as Breakfast Buffet included and free Wireless Connection to meet all you need.
Best choice in Barcelona, for those who know and enjoy a friendly atmosphere and personalized 24 hours front desk with an affordable price.
The Hotel Medicis has 29 fully equipped rooms for your relax and comfortably.
Price correct as at Friday 11th February, please click below for Live Pricing.

To book this offer call us on 01823 478305

and quote reference no: 129486-HAY

Prices are subject to change and availability. Hays Travel reserve the right to withdraw promotional prices at any time. All prices are based on maximum occupancy in standard rooms.

 

 

Smile...and book with confidence

Hays Travel is the UK's largest independently owned travel agent with over 30 years experience. Fully government licensed and ATOL bonded you can rest assured that your holiday and your money is in safe hands.

We specialise in providing affordable holidays and excellent customer service. Our independence means you can trust us to offer the most extensive range of low cost travel opportunities; from all inclusive, long haul and luxury getaways to late deals, ski holidays, cruises and packages.

For more information or to book call:

01823 478305

 

Combine a fascinating city break with a tropical beach getaway on this special twin-centre holiday to Thailand.

Fly Emirates and experience the comfort and service that make this scheduled airline so popular. Spend three nights on a bed and breakfast basis at the 3* Ambassador Hotel in the centre of Bangkok, then transfer to the coast for seven nights bed and breakfast at the 4* Best Western Premier Signature Pattaya.

Bangkok

The capital of Thailand is a feast for the senses, offering retail therapy, unique culture, eclectic dining and legendary nightlife. Ancient and modern are combined with dazzling Buddhist temples and equally dazzling bright lights. Take a tuk tuk through the busy streets, visit the bustling markets and sample the local cuisine. This colourful city is the perfect introduction to the Thai way of life.

Pattaya

The lively resort of Pattaya is just a 90 minute drive from Bangkok. With sandy beaches, golf courses and water sports galore, it's got all the ingredients for a great seaside holiday. Pattaya's freshly-caught seafood is especially good, but you'll also be spoilt for choice by an array of international restaurants. The famous Walking Street is lined with a heady mix of late night bars and nightclubs. During the day, boat trips whisk holidaymakers to the nearby islands, with breathtaking beaches and teeming coral reefs. Take an excursion to one of the nearby attractions, including stunning wooden temple the Sanctuary of Truth and spectacular rainforests and waterfalls. Pattaya is an eclectic destination that's as active or relaxing as you want it to be.

Ambassador Bangkok

A great central base for a trip to Bangkok.
More information...

Best Western Premier Signature

Convenient location in the centre of Pattaya.
More information...

This exclusive offer is limited and can only be booked by calling 0182 347 8305

---

The ancient Greek Mycenaeans knew a thing or two when they landed in Cyprus in the Bronze Age and built the settlement of Paleokastro on the northwest headland of Coral Bay.

Thousands of years on it’s still waiting to be discovered by many tourists heading for the larger and better-known resorts on the south and west Cypriot coastline. But with one of the island’s best beaches, and situated just 30 minutes from Paphos airport, Coral Bay is as accessible as it is attractive.

In 2009, a new airport link bus was launched, making it cheaper for visitors without transfers to reach Coral Bay. The eight-mile drive north of bustling Paphos on the south-western coastline takes visitors through banana plantations and vineyards, setting the scene for Coral Bay’s laid-back charms.

With its safe bathing and nightlife more suited to mature types than party animals, it’s a good choice for families. The flagship Coral Beach Hotel & Resort is the first and only five-star property on the island to offer a family plan. There are a selection of rooms, some inter-connecting, to accommodate two adults and up to three youngsters on an all-inclusive basis, plus a children’s restaurant with optional early meals and daytime entertainment programme.

While it doesn’t have the historic interest of nearby Paphos, Coral Bay is an ideal base to explore the rest of Cyprus and there are plenty of attractions and activities nearby served by a regular bus service.

For clients needing some rest and relaxation the beach is an obvious draw and there are some excellent spa hotels. Coral Bay also has a good selection of restaurants and local shops making it an attractive option for self-caterers who want to go it alone in a villa.

 

Families

The classic horseshoe-shaped beach is set in the natural bay protected by two headlands and is widely considered to be the finest on the island. Perfect for swimming and sunbathing, the soft golden sand leads to the shallow sea edge, making it very safe for children.

The beach has earned a European Blue Flag for its facilities, water quality and cleanliness and there are lifeguards on duty during the main season. Pedaloes, banana boats, water skis, jet skis and windsurfing provide fun for all age groups.

A popular family attraction close to Coral Bay is the Pafos Bird and Animal Park, the only one of its kind on the island. Open year-round, it’s home to a large collection of birds and there are daily parrot and owl shows in the 350-seat air-conditioned amphitheatre.

The Coral Beach Hotel & Resort (pictured) operates a crèche and children’s club for hotel guests and the facilities are also open to non-residents on a chargeable basis.

Active

One of the major attractions of Coral Bay is its diving. There are several dive companies in the area and everyone from beginners to seasoned divers are catered for.

First-timers can take the plunge with a dive around the Coral Bay harbour wall and Manijin Island, with its spectacular cave, which is just a 10-minute boat ride away. The entrance to Akamas National Park offers fantastic underwater scenery and experienced divers can go on a day trip to the wreck of Zenobia, one of the world’s largest wreck dive sites.

Back on dry land the Akamas peninsula is a beautiful part of the island to swim, cycle and walk. For clients who want to move up a gear, Coral Bay Karting has adult and kiddy karts and horse riding is available near Coral Bay.

 

Spa

For couples and spa enthusiasts the area has some notable boutique properties. Anagenisis, the spa at the Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa, was the first holistic spa in Cyprus. Overlooking Coral Bay, and with rooms and suites named after Greek gods and goddesses, spa treatments are geared to soothe the mind, body and soul.

On the road to Coral Bay is the Azia Resort and Spa, a three-in-one boutique hotel featuring three properties with distinctive characteristics on the same site. One is the Club and Spa, which is perfect for privacy and pampering.

This hotel also boasts another first for the island, a butler allocated to every suite from a superior suite upwards. And at Esthisis, the spa at Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, there’s a new romantic candlelit body massage for two in the outdoor Roman tent.

 

 

Excursions

Just outside Coral Bay are the Adonis Baths, a natural pool beside a waterfall and restored watermill. According to Greek mythology, this is where the goddess of love Aphrodite frolicked in the waters with Adonis. It’s worth the climb to reach the baths and many visitors go for a dip as legend has it that swimming in the baths makes women beautiful and men stronger.

A top attraction is the Unesco-listed Kato-Paphos Archaeological Park at Paphos, famous for its Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings burial site. Coral Bay is also a good base for exploring the northern coastline, with its coves and isolated beaches, and protected turtle nesting ground at Cape Lara.

Other day trips can take in the mountain monasteries of Ayios Neophytos and Chrysoroyiatissa and hillside villages of Peyia and Yeroskipou with their traditional tavernas and panoramic views.

 

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

Enjoy freedom and flexibility on your Orlando Holiday by renting your own private villa. Ideal for groups or families, these spacious homes sleep up to eight guests. Expect to find all the facilities and comforts you're used to in your own home – and a few more besides. Cook dinner in the well-equipped kitchen, or take a short drive to one of the many nearby restaurants. Orlando's abundant attractions are all close by and the private screened pool is the perfect place to relax after a busy day at the theme parks.

Suitable For...

Families:                               Honeymoon:                      Couples:                                         Young:

                             

 

Please note that villas are allocated on arrival in Orlando within the Disney area. Photographs are for a guide only, so décor and amenities may differ from those shown, but all homes do include the listed facilities.

*Prices advertised are a basic price and may only be valid on selected dates, durations and departures.

                                                

Flight Duration: 9 Hours Time Diff: –5 Hours Average Temp: 23oC Currency: US Dollar

 

Facilities

All standard homes feature:

• Outdoor screened swimming pool
• Two sun loungers
• Patio table with four chairs
• Satellite/cable TV
• Radio
• Air conditioning / heating
• Washing machine and tumble dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Towels and linen
• Full-size oven
• Refrigerator with freezer
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery
• Pool heat, cot hire and high chair hire are available for an additional daily charge.

Accommodation

• Master bedrooms feature either a king or queen-size bed with an adjoining full en suite bathroom
• Additional bedrooms have either a double bed or twin beds, with at least one shared full bathroom
• 4-bedroom homes sleep up to eight people

Key Facts

• All homes are located between 5 and 35 km away from Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal attraction parks
• Check in is from 16:00
• Check out is 10:00
• Check in, registration and key collection is to be conducted from the Welcome Centre, open 08:00 to 12 midnight
• After hours key collection is from the electronic lock box outside of the Welcome Centre
• 24 hour freephone home assistance service
• A refundable security deposit of USD 500 is required at registration for each home
• All homes are non smoking and pets are not allowed

REVIEW….

"We visited Orlando last year with another family. There were eight of us in total and we decided to go for a four bedroomed Home within the Disney Area of Orlando.

On picking up our car, directions couldn’t have been simpler and in no time at all we were at our destination which to be our home for the next two weeks.

The holiday home really was a “home from Home” with four really great sized luxurious bedrooms (ours had en-suite) and great living space. Our kitchen had a full oven, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and tumble dryer which was great, especially with four kids. The biggest bonus had to be the private pool which meant the kids had somewhere to play whilst we relaxed in the Florida sunshine.

The benefit of having a Florida home for us with children, meant we could relax as a family after a long days sightseeing. We usually would get back from the theme parks around tea time and cook whilst the kids splashed around in the pool. Evenings were spent on the terrace with a couple of beers whilst the kids watched Disney videos in the living room.

I would recommend car hire for this type of holiday, and Disney was only a short drive away as was Universal and International Drive. There were plenty of Supermarkets and Restaurants in the vicinity and we could even got take-aways a few nights when we didn’t feel like cooking."

Julie Nunes
Sales Development Manager at Hays Travel

 

Temperatures in Orlando are generally warm year-round; peaking past 30 degrees in summer and rarely dipping below the late teens in winter. Visit in November, December or January for low humidity and rainfall. June to October gets very hot and can be rainy too. Hurricanes can take place any time from June to November, but September is the most common month for them to arrive. Generally, the outlook in Orlando is sunny, that's why Florida's official nickname is 'The Sunshine State.'

 

Destination: 
Florida

Depart:
London

Dates / Times:
Departing 12th April 2011

Returning 19th April 2011

Duration: 
7 Nights

Staying in:
Radisson Worldgate Resort

Star Rating:
3

Room Type:
Standard

Board Basis:
Room Only

Description:
Contemporary, Elegant choice amongst Orlando hotels. Experience world-class comfort, contemporary elegance, and refined service - all in an ideal location. Visit the Radisson Worldgate Resort and celebrate an Orlando Florida hotel that's anything but ordinary. The relaxing resort provides every guest with exceptional family-friendly accommodations and plenty of perks, including an unmatched setting.

Prices correct as of Saturday 5th Feb 2011.

 

To book this offer, call us on

0182 347 8305

and quote reference no: GOLD

Prices are subject to change and availability. Hays Travel reserve the right to withdraw promotional prices at any time. All prices are based on maximum occupancy in standard rooms.

 

Reasons to smile...

Our low low prices are guaranteed on all our holidays, flights and accommodation

As the UK's largest independently owned travel agent we offer holidays from all the major suppliers

Our friendly staff have a wealth of travel knowledge and are waiting to help you build your perfect holiday

Hays Travel, celebrating 30 years of making people smile

For more details or to book call: 0182 347 8305 today

Destination:
New York

Depart:
Heathrow

Dates / Times:
Departing 05/02/2011
Returning 08/02/2011

Duration:
3 Nights

Staying in:
Astor on the Park

Star Rating:
2

Room Type:
Standard

Board Basis:
RO

Description:
The Astor on the Park Hotel, is conveniently located on New York’s Upper West side overlooking Central Park. We are in close proximity to the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Modern Art.

0182 347 8305

and quote reference no: 983551-HAY

Prices are subject to change and availability. Hays Travel reserve the right to withdraw promotional prices at any time. All prices are based on maximum occupancy in standard rooms.

 

Reasons to smile...

Our low low prices are guaranteed on all our holidays, flights and accommodation

As the UK's largest independently owned travel agent we offer holidays from all the major suppliers

Our friendly staff have a wealth of travel knowledge and are waiting to help you build your perfect holiday

Hays Travel, celebrating 30 years of making people smile

For more details or to book call: 0182 347 8305 today

 

This lush, laid-back island provides the perfect Caribbean hideaway.

Whoever coined the phrase ‘looks aren’t everything’ obviously hadn’t been to Saint Lucia. My first view of the Pitons was so breathtaking it was a good thing I was lying down.

We’d arrived as the sun set the night before, so my first glimpse came as I opened my eyes in a four-poster bed at Jade Mountain, a luxury hotel where the fourth wall of every room is missing. Instead of the wall, you get a panoramic vista of the iconic twin mountains. Oh, and your own private, in-room infinity pool.

The island’s five-star hotels are amazing, but five-star views can be found all over the place. There can be few islands more beautiful than this one, famed for its volcanic peaks, green jungles and clear waters. Saint Lucia is nicknamed ‘the Helen of the West Indies’, after Helen of Troy, the beautiful queen whose face launched a thousand war ships. Saint Lucia’s has launched a few too; the British and French fought over the island for more than 150 years, with each nation possessing it at least seven times before being ceded to Britain in 1814.

Britain still loves Saint Lucia, with British lovers particularly fond of it. The island’s gorgeous views have given it the reputation as a romantic idyll for honeymooners and couples, and there are certainly more than enough stunning vistas to give them an alternative to staring into each other’s eyes.

But Saint Lucia is no shallow dolly bird. Beneath the beauty there’s plenty of substance too, from jungle trekking and zip-lining to historical sights and jumping street parties. The island’s winding roads can make driving around picturesque but not speedy, so a twin centre holiday staying in both the north and south gives the opportunity to explore each end of the island without long car journeys.

Accommodation

Many of Saint Lucia’s hotels are located in one of two areas, with by far the largest concentration in the northwest. There are good three-stars such as the Village Inn and Spa, and St Lucian by Rex Resorts, which is located right on Reduit Beach, one of the island’s best stretches of sand.

The three Sandals resorts are dotted around this area, plus other all-inclusives such as the newly refurbished Rendezvous, Smugglers Cove and Almond Morgan Bay. Right up at the very tip of the island you’ll find the wellness-focused BodyHoliday at LeSport and the deluxe Cap Maison.

There’s a second clutch of hotels in the southwest around Soufriere, near the soaring Piton mountains. Perched on a hillside between the two peaks, Ladera is a luxury, secluded boutique property. Below this, The Jalousie Plantation nestles beneath the peaks, on a lovely stretch of beach.

It’s undergoing a $100 million redevelopment in preparation to rebrand as The Tides, Sugar Beach at the end of this year, and has new villas and spa facilities. Further north, on a stretch of coast looking back at the iconic Pitons, sits Anse Chastanet and its super-luxury sister, Jade Mountain.

The most notable hotels outside these two areas are Cotton Bay Village, a luxury villa resort on the island’s undeveloped east coast, and Coconut Bay. This popular all-inclusive is only minutes from the international airport on the southeast coast. There’s an adults-only side, and a family area with a water park.

Excursions

The wide range of activities on offer in Saint Lucia means there will be something to suit all but the laziest of tourists.

Most clients will stay on the coast, so an option that takes them to the interior of the island provides a nice contrast. There are two zip-lining centres, and whizzing through the jungle suspended on a wire makes for a fun-packed day.

At Rainforest Adventure in Chassin, the helmets and a triple-locking harness system made us feel really safe, and you need only a very basic level of fitness and an average head for heights to love the thrill. There’s a gondola ride for those who prefer something more sedate, plus nature trails and birdwatching hikes. rainforestadventure.com

Plantation tours get clients right into the rainforest. Fond Doux cocoa plantation runs a lovely short tour, where visitors are shown the chocolate making process and see local fruits and flora growing among the plantation’s residential cottages, from grapefruit trees to huge, colourful lilies. The restaurant serves up fantastic Caribbean food. fonddouxestate.com

A visit to the bubbling clay of Sulphur Springs to see (and smell) evidence of Saint Lucia’s volcanic make-up is easily combined with a side-trip to nearby Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens, where clients can visit the waterfall and swim in the mineral baths. diamondstlucia.com

At the island’s northern tip, Pigeon Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Beyond the lovely beach, visitors can see the remains of a pirate cave and a naval base, and visit a mini-museum for an overview of the history.

Foodies will enjoy a visit to Castries Market, where there are stalls selling fruit and vegetables, spices and fish hauled from the sea the same day. We visited with Nico, the sous-chef from Cap Maison, which made it extra special, as he knew all the traders and took us for breakfast at his favourite cafe first, where we ate bakes, smoked herring and black pudding, and drank coconut water and sweet cocoa tea.

Über-fit travellers can mountain bike through the rainforests and even climb the Pitons – though many tourists may feel they look lovely enough from a distance.

Saint Lucia’s west coast is lapped by the calm, clear Caribbean Sea, and many hotels offer a wide range of water sports including kayaking and sailing trips – Soufriere and Marigot Bay are particularly popular spots to head for, and it’s a quick way to see the other end of the island if clients are sticking to one hotel for their whole stay.

The area around Soufriere has particularly good coral reefs, with dive school Scuba Saint Lucia sitting on Anse Chastanet Beach. scubastlucia.com

Nightlife

Rodney Bay, home to the island’s yacht marina, is a centre of tourist nightlife. There are cocktail bars and restaurants of many shapes and sizes, from steakhouses to Thai eateries.

For a taste of the Caribbean, many guests head out of their hotels for a street party.

The Friday night fish fry at Anse La Ray is famous, but there’s also – conveniently located for the large number of hotels in the Rodney Bay area – the Friday night jump-up at Gros Islet.

With street stalls selling food and drink and a large sound system, it’s a great night out, with both tourists and locals mingling on the streets.

Sample product

Caribtours offers seven nights from £2,566, combining four nights at Cap Maison in a Garden View room and three nights at Jade Mountain in a Sky Jacuzzi Suite including breakfast. The price includes return scheduled flights with British Airways and private transfers.

Virgin Holidays offers seven nights’ room-only in a Deluxe Garden View room at Saint Lucian by Rex from £699 including Virgin Atlantic flights and transfers.

 

 

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

When a gooey-eyed couple sits down in front of me and utters the word ‘honeymoon’ the pressure is on to come up with something special.

The good news is that if my lovebirds are looking for luxury and pampering but lack the five-star budget, they may still be in luck thanks to the abundance of special offers and great value deals currently on offer.

 

Hit the Med

According to Mathilde Robert, managing director of Planet Holidays, some short-haul options such as Greece can offer just as much romance and luxury as long-haul escapes. Moreover, she points to the fact that many Greek hoteliers haven’t increased their prices for 2011. “One of our top-selling honeymoon destinations is Crete, which has many five-star resorts,” says Robert.

Couples can pay as little as £1,499 to stay in a Royal Villa in the grounds of Aldemar’s Knossos Royal hotel, in Hersonissos. Loved up guests can choose to have a massage in the comfort of their own space, and dinner on their terrace.

Another good-value destination that appeals to all age groups is Cyprus. “My personal favourite is the Four Seasons in Limassol,” says Robert. “Even the standard double rooms have a Jacuzzi bath big enough for two.” Seven nights’ half board costs from £937.

For something smaller and more boutique she recommends the Londa Beach Hotel, also in Limassol, where the honeymoon suite boasts a round bed. Prices for March departures start from £614.

Turkey and Egypt

Turkey offers particularly great value and Turkey specialist Anatolian Sky offers a selection of chic hotels in traditional towns beyond the large-scale tourist hubs.

“This year we have some exciting new properties in our portfolio that have particular appeal for honeymooners, such as the 29-room Kanuni Kervansaray – a newly renovated former Ottoman travellers’ inn in Cesme,” says Akin Koc, owner and managing director. A seven-night stay starts from £585.

Egypt is another good bet for honeymooners. One of Planet Holidays’ most popular itineraries combines Cairo and El Soukhna on the Red Sea. Seven nights in June start from £997.

Morocco

For those seeking something different from a classic beach escape, Prestige Holidays is championing Morocco.

“Marrakech is a really vibrant and exciting city; eating out is very reasonable compared to many European destinations and there’s a fantastic range of high quality accommodation,” says David Nash, Prestige’s director of group travel.

“I’d recommend honeymooners stay in Maison Arabe, a delightful riad hidden in a quiet street on the edge of the medina. The property’s beautiful suites include two with Jacuzzis on their large terraces and super views.”

A week in June costs from £726 including British Airways flights, transfers, breakfast and a free hammam at the hotel spa.

Asia

Further afield, Kate Andrews, a product manager at Sunset Faraway Holidays, says Asia is perfect for those seeking ‘exotic’ on a budget. “Malaysia and Thailand provide many ideal honeymoon locations where clients can explore amazing landscapes, temples and palaces then retreat to the beach.”

Andrews singles out the luxurious Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo as being especially romantic. “It’s set in 400 lush, tropical acres beside the exquisite Pantai Dalit beach and adjacent to an interactive orang-utan education centre,” she says. Seven nights cost from £1,375 from May until July, with honeymooners receiving a 20% discount on spa treatments.

“Koh Lanta island in Thailand is an up and coming honeymoon destination,” adds Andrews. “The island has wonderful beaches, magical sunsets, great diving and verdant jungle.” A seven-night stay costs from £1,375 for travel between May and June at the Cha-Da Beach Resort & Spa. Honeymooners will receive a free Thai massage.

Indian Ocean

Virgin, Cosmos and Kuoni are all tipping the Indian Ocean as the honeymoon hotspot for 2011.

“As the area has become more developed, competition for customers has increased and hoteliers have lowered prices,” says Hayat Bourner a weddings supervisor at Virgin.

“I’d suggest the Chaaya Lagoon Hakuraa Huraa in the Maldives. It has water villas and costs from £1,465 all-inclusive for seven nights. It’s fantastic value for money.”

With the launch of its new Maldives and Indian Ocean brochure, Cosmos Distant Dreams is aiming to increase its share of this market. “The brochure features lots of value-added offers for honeymooners,” says product manager David Fraser. “For many, this is the deciding factor when making the all-important decision about where to stay.”

Hoteliers in Mauritius are offering some particularly great deals. Twelve nights’ half-board at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa in May costs from £1,629. Honeymooners receive a 50% discount for the bride, room upgrade (subject to availability) and a candlelit dinner.

Kuoni is tipping Sri Lanka with its ancient cities, jungle and palm-fringed beaches. Top picks include The Fortress, a five-star boutique hotel that boasts a beautiful ocean-front setting. Five nights start from £1,383, and newlyweds are offered extras such as a private four-course dinner, complimentary room up-grade and Champagne cocktail.

 

Agent tips

“Bali is a romantic destination we’re recommending for honeymoons in 2011. It has superb hotels with fantastic customer service available at great prices. With rich history, stunning scenery, powder-white sandy beaches and amazing sunsets. This mystical island is a true tropical paradise and will enchant honeymooners.”
Bob Martindale, Perfect Weddings & Honeymoons, Staffordshire

“My top tip for great value honeymoons in 2011 is Caribbean cruises as there are so many great offers. Last year the Maldives and the Sandals resorts were our most requested honeymoon destinations. I can’t see this changing for 2011, however I think Dubai is going to give them a close run.”
Ian Inglis, Weddings4u

“For short haul, Cyprus is a top value destination for 2011. Many low-cost carriers fly there so you can keep costs down and accommodation options are varied from intimate boutique-style hotels to private villas and grand five-star luxury, meaning there is something special to suit every couple’s budget.”
Melanie Salt, Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist, Gates Travel, Cumbria

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

One of the most fashionable Midtown Manhattan hotels is The Paramount Hotel in New York, centrally located in the heart of bustling Times Square. Completely renovated in 2009, The Paramount remains the consummate modern Times Square New York hotel, with easy access to the Broadway Theatre District, Restaurant Row, upscale Madison and Fifth Avenue shopping, Penn Station, and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre. The Paramount Hotel NY is located one-half block from Broadway on 46th Street - the perfect location if you are here to enjoy the best Broadway shows in New York City!

The Paramount Hotel New York boasts 597 freshly renovated, comfortable guest rooms adorned with the most modern and serene furnishings. Paramount guests are greeted by vibrant decor in the lobby; the mezzanine floors combine historical architecture with chic nuevo styles.

Make your next visit to New York City an unforgettable experience. Our experienced and friendly staff will be anticipating your arrival to ensure that you have a memorable stay in our boutique Times Square hotel: The Paramount Hotel NYC.

 

 

 

Exclusive rates….

• Hotel only : £58 per person, per night
• 2 nights room only including return flights with Delta Air Lines £499pp
• Valid for travel 1 - 28 Feb 11. Book by 4 Oct.

 

 

Good evening everyone,

I thought I would update my blog this evening to advise those who are travelling within the next couple of days to make sure that their flights are departing as planned from their UK airport as at the moment there is threat from strike action of the French Air Traffic Controllers…

“French Air Traffic Control Strike:  Due to industrial action in France, some flights are subject to flight delay or cancellation. Passengers are advised to check with their airline directly, prior to making their way to your airport. If your flight is operating, please attend the airport and check-in as normal.

If any of my clients needs assistance please contact me,

 

Sue x

At least 1.8 million people are expected to travel abroad over the August Bank Holiday weekend, according to estimates released by Abta.
While tomorrow (Friday) will be the busiest day, over the whole bank holiday weekend more than 420,000 will fly out from Heathrow, 250,000 from Gatwick,136,000 from Stansted and 65,000 from Luton airport.

Hundreds of thousands will leave through regional airports, including 145,000 from Manchester, 25,000 from Leeds/Bradford, 12,000 from Southampton, 36,000 from Newcastle and 65,000 from Birmingham.

In Scotland 116,000 will be flying out from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Additionally, 60,000 will use the Eurostar for trips to the continent and 500,000 people will head overseas by ferry or Eurotunnel.

The Balearic Islands, mainland Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus and the Greek islands are the top holiday spots.

The US is also proving to be popular with Orlando and New York the top destinations, while for European cities, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice and Dublin lead the way, Abta said.

Traditional beach resorts on England's south coast, Devon and Cornwall are also expected to be busy despite the recent wet weather.

 

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

Heathrow recorded its busiest-ever month in July and its busiest-ever day on Sunday July 18 when 232,000 passengers passed through the airport.

Monthly traffic at Heathrow was up 3.5% on July 2009 to 6.7 million passengers, although numbers for the year to date remain 2.3% down on last year. The figures mean Heathrow is operating close to capacity again following last year’s downturn.

Total traffic across operator BAA’s six UK airports rose marginally despite Stansted seeing a further marked decline – down 7.2% on last year in line with a reduction in seats available, chiefly on Ryanair.

Aberdeen (-4.1%), Glasgow (-3.6%) and Southampton (-1.4%) also saw falling passenger numbers, with only Edinburgh (+0.6%) joining Heathrow in a move in the opposite direction.

The figures are the first indicators of UK passenger numbers since February to exclude disruption due to British Airways strikes or volcanic ash. Domestic traffic across the airports was down 4.6%.

The big surge at Heathrow came in traffic to and from Europe, which rose 9.5% year on year in July.

 

 

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

 

The total fee for travellers visiting the US has been set at $14.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) has been a mandatory condition of travel to the US since January 2009 but the full charge comes in from September 8.

Online completion of Esta, and its approval, is mandatory head of travel for Britons and all other travellers who qualify under the Visa Waiver Programme.

Of the $14, $10 will be ring-fenced to promote tourism to the US through fam trips and marketing among other things, while $4 will pay for administration costs.

All payments must be made by credit or debit card when applying for or renewing an Esta at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

The Esta system currently accepts the following credit/debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. Applications will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received.

Applications can be submitted at any time prior to travel. Once approved, authorisations are generally valid for multiple entries into the US for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires.

Under the new interim final rule, travellers with an approved Esta will not need to pay the Esta fees when updating an Esta application. 

However, travellers with new passports and reapplying for an Esta will need to pay the Esta fee.

The US’s Tourism Promotion Corporation will decide how the revenue will be spent.

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

 

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has called on easyJet to improve its performance within 90 days or risk losing the use of the 'easy' brand name.

Stepping up the row over how the carrier is run, Sir Stelios, who has waged a high-profile war of words against former easyJet chief executive Any Harrison, instructed lawyers to write to the airline with the warning.

The letter gives the airline 90 days to bring its on-time performance in line with the highest standards in the industry or risk losing its license to use the easy brand.

Sir Stelios attacked Harrison in a statement issued on the easyGroup website.

He said: “It is regrettable that the obvious mismanagement by Harrison in the last six months of his tenure as CEO has led to such deterioration to the customer service

“I have been receiving many unsolicited complaints from members of the public and even easyJet pilots about the degree that the airline is short of crew to operate the flights it sold to its customers.

“Unless (chairman) Mike Rake and (new chief executive) Carolyn McCall do something to improve the situation for the sake of the travelling public, I am left with no option but to terminate the brand licence."

His anger has been sparked by weekend reports of poor punctuality of easyJet flights from Gatwick and its refusal to publish on-time statistics.

The solicitor’s letter said the current punctuality rates are “completely unreasonable and contrary to the brand values which easyJet and easyGroup companies have built their reputation”.

This was causing “serious damage” to both the easyJet and other ‘easy’ brands and the goodwill associated with them built up over many years.

The letter said: “The goodwill associated with the ‘easy’ brand will be damaged in the minds of customers that experience such bad punctuality.”

 

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

 

Black Pearl Investments (BPI) has called for the Civil Aviation Authority to disclose what it knows about the collapse of Goldtrail Holidays.

The private equity fund has a minority share in Viking Airlines, which had sold around 30,000 Greece-bound seats to Goldtrail for the forthcoming summer season. The airline had also reviewed the company’s finances before striking the deal.

Now, following the operator’s collapse with around 16,000 customers stranded overseas and a further 50,000 forward bookings, the private equity fund is urging the CAA to start providing answer’s to the company’s failure.

The staement reads: “It appeared then that Goldtrail was a robust and well-established business, and it paid for its flying on the dot. Its failure just as we enter the peak season, when passengers’ final balances would have been paid, makes no sense.

“Presumably the CAA monitors ATOL-protected businesses on a monthly basis, too. BPI would welcome the CAA’s views on how and why Goldtrail’s failure has occurred at this time of the year.”

The statement also seeks to distance two former XL Leisure Group employees from the collapse of Goldtrail. It notes that Abhi Dighe worked for Kosmar Holidays when it was acquired by XL before then moving to Goldtrail.

However, he has not worked there since August last year.

“He (Dighe) is patently not linked in any way to Goldtrail’s collapse,” it reads.

The statement also adds that former XL chief executive Phil Wyatt is a shareholder in BPI which is only linked to Goldtrail through the contract for 30,000 seats this summer.

“Linking Phil Wyatt’s name with the Goldtrail failure is pure mischief-making and total misrepresentation of the facts,” the statement adds.

 

source: www.travel.co.uk

 

British Airways has pledged to fly more than 70% of its customers once new strikes begin.

An airline spokesman said contingency plans are being implemented immediately following this morning’s High Court action when Unite, which represents up to 90% of BA cabin crew, won the appeal against Monday’s court order that the strike was illegal.

Cabin crew could walk out as early as tonight.

The spokesman said: “We are very disappointed for our customers that Unite’s appeal has been upheld and that the union intends to go ahead with its unjustified and pointless strikes.

“We will implement our contingency plan to keep British Airways flying. We are confident that thousands of cabin crew will ignore Unite’s strike call and help us fly more than 70% of the customers who were booked to fly with us in the period targeted.

“We will run a full programme at Gatwick and London City. At Heathrow, we will operate more than 60% of our long-haul operation and more than 50% of short haul.

“Unite’s strikes have failed twice and they will fail again.

“We have put forward a very fair offer that addresses the concerns Unite has raised over the last 15 months. We believe cabin crew would accept it if it was put to them in a fair and secret ballot.”

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

 

After watching this short video I realised where I have been going wrong all these years when packing for my holidays!

 

Thomas Cook has launched a preview brochure of its summer 2011 programme two months earlier than last year to drive early bookings, particularly from the family market.

The preview of the mainstream summer range features the operator’s most popular holidays, and includes Djerba in Tunisia for the first time.

Last year, Thomas Cook delayed the release of its summer 2010 brochures to concentrate on late bookings. This year, however, the operator wanted to stimulate the early booking market by offering good deals and added value, said Richard Calvert, Thomas Cook’s joint managing director of mainstream travel for the UK and Ireland.

The operator is striving to bolster the family market by offering free kids’ places, free in-flight meals and 10kg of free infant baggage allowance, as well as introducing the Family World programme in Greece, Rhodes, Cyprus and Turkey.

Calvert said: “Family World hotels have beachside locations and activities that parents and children can do together.”

He claimed Thomas Cook would be the only UK operator to offer direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Djerba, an island off the coast of Tunisia, featuring it in both its Thomas Cook and Airtours summer-sun brochures.

“Tunisia has been very big for us and we want to offer something different,” he said. “Djerba is a north African island with fantastic beaches and hotels, and a French twist.”

Thomas Cook is adding six properties to its Aquamania Resorts for 2011, in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Florida. It is also offering customers a Big Price Rewind promise, which means many holidays will be available at prices lower than in 2010, and expanding its Kids World clubs to 55 properties.

Airtours’ preview 2011 brochure, which also launches today, is driving early sales by offering customers up to £200 off bookings made by August.

The operator is expanding its SunStar resorts and is introducing the Sunsplash brand – three-star hotels with water-based activities.

Other plans include adding flights from Bournemouth to Antalya and Corfu, and more flights from Newcastle, Bristol, East Midlands, Southampton and Humberside.

Fifty more exclusive properties have been added  to the Thomas Cook and Airtours programmes. A greater choice of durations will also be available including 10 and 11-night options, to cater for consumer demand.

The full Airtours programme will be launched on May 27.

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk

 

All UK airports reopened at 10pm yesterday (April 20) following six days of flight disruption from a cloud of volcanic ash.

Transport secretary Lord Adonis made the announcement following a meeting with the CAA to assess the continuing effects of the ash cloud from an eruption in Iceland.

Some restrictions will remain, but they will be much less rigorous than those which have been in place since Thursday last week.

The CAA has issued guidance saying after the ban has lifted airlines must do their own safety checks, inspect their aircraft for ash damage and report any incidents to the CAA.

It said: “The CAA has drawn together many of the world’s top aviation engineers and experts to find a way to tackle this immense challenge, unknown in the UK and Europe in living memory.

“Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas.”

BA plans to operate all longhaul flights departing from Heathrow and Gatwick today. It is hoped the airline will bring flights into Heathrow and Gatwick between 5am and noon.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh told Sky News it would be weeks before the industry could get back to normal.

He said: "We've had thousands of crew stuck abroad and we have to get them back to Heathrow."

Walsh said the industry had learned from the experience. "We'll look at what has happened and what could have been done better. The industry has learned an awful lot in a very short time.

He added: "The decisions that have been taken were with safety in mind. There could be further eruptions in the next few weeks, and if that means we have to suspend flights again, we will do."

Airline association Iata and airline bosses including Monarch's Tim Jeans have been critical of the handling of the ash crisis, with many calling for the restrictions to be lifted.

A British Airways test flight from Heathrow to Cardiff carried out on Sunday April 18 found no damage to the aircraft or its engines. KLM and the German airline Lufthansa also carried out test flights in their countries’ airspace and said no damage had occurred.

Commercial flights were first grounded on Thursday April 15 as weather systems pushed the first cloud of ash south from Iceland. Volcanic ash is a particular threat to aircraft engines and can cause them to stall.

Airline body Iata said on Friday that its conservative estimate was that the grounding has cost around $200 million per day in lost revenues, plus the additional costs of bringing services back into line once the restrictions are lifted.

Those still stranded overseas should call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office helpline on 0207 008 0000.

source: www.travelweekly.co.uk