Thats Holiday

What’s New for Families with First Choice in 2010?

2009-12-09T16:18:00.001-08:00

First Choice, the family holiday company, understands not any one family is the same and is proud to offer a whole range of holidays, so there’s something for everyone. The choice of family holidays is growing, and First Choice will be introducing several exciting new family hotels in 2010. Here are the top five family properties to suit any budget…

Great Value Breaks…

£1500 per family - BRAND NEW – Caribbean World, Tunisia

New for summer 2010, the 3 Sun plus Caribbean World hotel is the latest addition to the Family Choice range. Family Choice hotels offer full childcare up to the age of 15 years at the First Choice Kids’ Academy, run by UK qualified Kids Reps.

An excellent setting for a Tunisian holiday, this hotel lies along the sandy beach of Skanes. The complex offers a selection of dining opportunities, from international cuisine to local dishes, and has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for unwinding in the sun.

First Choice offers seven night family holidays in Tunisia staying at the (3 Sun plus) Caribbean World on an all-inclusive basis from £535 per adult, £179 for 1st child and £219 for second child. Prices based on two adults and two children sharing, flying from London Gatwick on 5th May 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/families

Under £2000 per family - BRAND NEW – Hotel Saturno, Majorca

The newest ‘Splash’ hotel for 2010, this hotel includes unlimited access to the on-site waterpark. In 2010, First Choice will introduce the first ‘Splash’ resort to the island, the 3 Sun, Hotel Saturno in Alcudia. Customers can benefit from ‘Free Kids’ places, a choice of flexible durations including 10 and 11 nights and all-inclusive board.

First Choice offers seven night family holidays in Majorca staying at the (3 Sun) Saturno Hotel on an all-inclusive basis from £595 per adult, £175 for 1st child and £235 for second child. Prices based on two adults and two children sharing, flying from London Gatwick on 6th May 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/splash

More Luxurious Options…

Under £3000 per family - BRAND NEW - Lopesan Baobab Resort in Gran Canaria

The African themed Lopesan Baobab Resort, a 5 Sun luxury hotel with excellent family rooms, will introduce First Choice’s new Premier Childcare. From 1st May 2010, First Choice’s market leading children’s clubs will offer free childcare from 12 months up to 8 years old, allowing parents the chance to relax and unwind with peace of mind.

The Lopesan will feature the First Choice Premier Childcare clubs split into two different age groups; Littlestars for 3-5 year olds and Superstars for 6-8 year olds and for the first time the Twinkle Stars crèche will be completely free. Plus all sessions are run by qualified crèche reps holding NNEB (National Nursery Examining Board), CACHE (Council for Award in Childcare and Education) or equivalent, UK qualifications. With all this plus amazing pools, its very own beach and a great choice of restaurants, the Lopesan Baobab is a fantastic retreat for the whole family.

First Choice offers seven night family holidays in Gran Canaria staying at the (5 Sun) Lopesan Baobab Resort on a full-board basis from £845 per adult, £379 for 1st child and £479 for second child. Prices based on two adults and two children flying from London Gatwick on 25 August 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/premier

Under £4000 per family - BRAND NEW – Holiday Village Rhodes

Family holiday operator First Choice will open the brand new flagship resort, Holiday Village Rhodes, on the Greek Island of Rhodes in May 2010.

The new-build property is First Choice’s first 5 Sun, Holiday Village and becomes the latest addition to its flagship collection of family properties. The all-inclusive resort will feature all of the fantastic family facilities which have made Holiday Villages so popular but in more luxurious surroundings.

With unbeatable childcare through the First Choice Kids’ Academies, the ASA Swim Academy, Reebok Football Academy and Razzmatazz Stage Academy as well as the fun filled In2Action activities, the Holiday Villages are very popular with children and their parents alike.

First Choice offers seven night family holidays in Rhodes staying at the (5 Sun) Holiday Village Rhodes on an all-inclusive basis from £1022 per adult, £443 for 1st child and £586 for second child. Prices based on two adults and two children sharing a Double Family room, flying from London Gatwick on 14th August 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/holidayvillage

£5000 + - BRAND NEW - Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives

For a blow-out holiday of a lifetime why not tick-off your fantasy to snooze in a luxe villa over bright blue waters at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa. Here, your every whim is looked after. Kids are sorted with their own pool and activities. Mums can indulge in spa treatments or a good book and Dads have a long list of watersports to work through. Plus, there’s a house reef and plush open-air bars and restaurants to enjoy.

First Choice offers seven night family holidays in the Maldives staying at the (5 Sun) Centara Grand on an all-inclusive basis from £2411 per adult, £1258 for the first child and £1875 for the second child. Price based on two adults and two children sharing, flying from London Gatwick on 28th February 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/premier

All holidays are subject to availability and booking terms and conditions.

Superbreak has launched an iPhone application that helps travellers book hotels whilst on the go

2009-12-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

Developed by iXit, the new application allows users to search for hotel in all the same ways as the website - by date, location or by specific hotel name.

The application can handle the whole booking process from start to finish.

The iphone app developed by IXIT is the first mobile application developed using Superbreak's API. Superbreak's full range of 7000 UK and European hotels can be booked by this method. The application also allows hotels to be searched using geo-code technology, meaning potential customers can look at hotels that are close to their current location. For example, a traveller to London can search for nearby London hotels for the following night and be shown all those nearby that have free rooms.

These web services have been developed by Superbreak so that affiliates can easily build content into their own websites or systems. The services are written in .NET providing SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) access to Superbreak's web services. With the iPhone and iPod Touch leading the mobile browser market in the UK with 31% and 20% respectively, thereby making up more than half the market, Superbreak believes there is a huge potential for useful travel apps like this.

Andrew Armstrong, CEO of iXit said, "The iXit team is delighted to have collaborated with such an established market leader to create this fantastic little app. Not least because we are all travellers and with the choice of accommodation offered by Superbreak, we can’t wait to use it ourselves. It also fits nicely within our expanding portfolio of travel related apps."

"The launch of the iPhone app is our first foray into the ever-growing mobile market. iXit have provided us with mobile expertise and experience and we look forward to seeing the success of the app with great interest. The Superbreak API has made this great mobile innovation possible", commented Ray Jones, Brand Development Director.

Skiers Heading For Eastern Europe: 154% Rise in Interest For Cheap Flights To The East

2009-12-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

Tight holiday budgets are leading skiers to leapfrog traditional favourites in the Alps for better value ski resorts in Central and Eastern Europe this winter.

Skyscanner has seen a 154% rise in searches for winter flights from the UK to cities east of the Alps compared to last year.

The most popular eastern ski hubs are Krakow in Poland, Sofia in Bulgaria, Bratislava in Slovakia and Ljubljana in Slovenia. The trends reflect the search for better value skiing combined with cheap flights this winter in light of the recession and strong Euro.

Further evidence for this trend comes from a recent Skyscanner poll which asked skiers and snowboarders whether they would be taking a ski trip this winter; 57% replied that they would, but of those, 65% said they would be heading for a cheaper option than usual.

Sam Baldwin, Skyscanner travel editor and ski expert commented on the trends:

“With an après ski pint now costing close to £8 in some French resorts, many skiers and snowboarders are looking for cheaper options this year. Eastern Europe has suffered from a stigma – some people imagine it to be all concrete communist blocks and dodgy food – but that’s completely inaccurate.

"Whilst it’s true that most resorts in Eastern and central Europe are smaller than large interlinked areas in France or Austria, they do offer plenty of great skiing in attractive alpine towns, excellent value and an interesting cultural experience.”

Skyscanner’s proprietary technology scours over 600 airlines and travel agents to find the best flight tickets. It includes flexible views showing ranges from whole year to month prices and day-to-day prices so whether it is flights to New York or a ski trip leaving on a London flight Skyscanner can find the perfect deal.

New Year Travel Offer:10% Off Airport Hotels with Airport Parking and Hotels

2009-12-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

Travellers escaping the UK to celebrate the New Year festivities abroad can now get their holiday off to an earlier start with an overnight stay in an airport hotel. With airport hotels cheaper than ever before and Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) offering a further 10% off all participating hotels booked before the 9th January 2010, now is the time to enjoy a relaxing start to the trip. To book visit www.aph.com/hotels/hotel_offer.shtml?ref=hot10

Examples of saving on airport hotels:

A double room at the four star Park Inn, London Heathrow – only £61.07 per room, saving 10%
Situated just minutes away from Heathrow Airport, the hotel has ensuite twin, family and double rooms on offer. Guests can use the gym facilities and dine in the restaurants.

A twin room at the three star Ibis Hotel, Birmingham Airport – only £54.61 per room,saving 10%
The Ibis Hotel is located in the heart of Birmingham International Airport. Food and drinks are available 24 hours and all bedrooms have ensuite facilities.

Airport Parking and Hotels Ltd is one of the UK's leading booking agencies and has over 29 years' experience as a retailer of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports, ports and Eurotunnel terminals plus airport hotels packaged with parking, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire and holiday taxis. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has through the World Land Trust helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of Belize rainforest.

For further information visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

Ghostly Grizedale Exhibition Extended Into New Year

2009-12-02T15:33:00.001-08:00

A striking art exhibition on the Forestry Commission estate at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District has proved so popular that it has now been extended until Sunday 17 January.

The ‘Ghosts in the Wood’ exhibition by award winning artist Mike Smallcombe, which was originally due to end on 6 November, sees 19 giant darkly enchanting 8 x 6ft photographs suspended among the trees and is estimated to have drawn over 10,000 visitors since it opened on 18 August.

The exhibition's stunning photographs are printed on a special outdoor canvas made from waterproof material and are held in place high in the trees using ropes and a specially developed pulley system.

Mike Smallcombe has described the Ghosts in the Wood exhibition as featuring images of imagined stories of local people in rural settings reflecting the harsh realities of country life; and also a reflection of the need of the imagination to ‘flourish through myth and altered reality.’

For more information see www.ghostsinthewood.co.uk.

Hayley Skipper, Arts Development Officer for the Forestry Commission at Grizedale said: “We're absolutely delighted at the popularity of Ghosts in the Wood and it’s great for Grizedale that we have managed to extend the exhibition until the New Year.

“It’s particularly pleasing as the haunting nature of the photographs fit in well with the theme of our Dark Grizedale winter programme of events.”

Dark Grizedale is the theme for a series of events taking place over the autumn and winter months, with the aim of brightening the dark nights and firing up children’s imagination. Amongst the highlights are tree dressing events and lantern walks.

The first tree dressing event takes place on Saturday 5 December to celebrate Tree Dressing Day, a national day that highlights our responsibility for looking after trees and reminds us of their enormous cultural and environmental importance.

Children will get the chance to make Christmas decorations from natural materials, listen to tree tales, join a lantern walk and take part in dressing a special Grizedale tree. Families can bring a glass jar, to transform into a decorative lantern to take on the walk.

There will be further opportunities to make decorations, join a lantern walk and dress the tree on 6, 12 and 13 December.

Ghosts in the Wood is supported by Arts Council England, Devon Arts Culture and CCANW.

Grizedale is one of three Forestry Commission estate venues that have hosted Mike Smallcombe’s touring exhibition. Previous venues included Kielder Forest in Northumberland and Haldon Forest in Devon.

The exhibition is part Grizedale’s forest based art programme which aims to inspire and engage people with the development of art in Grizedale Forest and forge new links between contemporary visual art, sculpture and the forest environment.

Grizedale was at the forefront in the development of art in the environment in the 1970s and the Forest is home to over 60 sculptures including works by Andy Goldsworthy, Richard Harris and David Kemp.

Grizedale has something for everyone with a wide range of walking trails, waymarked paths, forest roads, tracks and bridleways, plus superb views of Coniston Water, Windermere and the Grizedale Valley.

More information about Grizedale Forest can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland

Merry Cricket-mas!

2009-12-02T15:25:00.001-08:00

Beat the winter blues by following the England cricket team to South Africa this Christmas and New Year with Sport Abroad. As well as watching top class cricket in the sunshine of the Rainbow Nation, celebrate Christmas Day with a lunch at Durban’s finest Game Reserve and be part of an exclusive New Year’s Eve Waterfront Cruise.

Packages for the 2nd and 3rd test (23rd December 2009 – 8th January 2010) start from £2999 per person including 15 nights 3* accommodation and return flights (excludes match tickets and functions). The ‘Tour C’ 4* package starts from £4395 per person and includes guaranteed official match tickets, 15 nights 4* accommodation on B7B basis, return international flights, domestic flights (where applicable), welcome drinks, Christmas Day lunch at the Game Reserve, New Year’s Eve cruise, airport and match transfers and souvenir merchandise. For more information or to book call 08456 803 086 or go to www.sportabroad.co.uk

Sail away at the London Boat Show

2009-11-29T16:03:00.001-08:00

The English capital is famous for proudly standing on the banks of the River Thames and anyone staying in London hotels may be keen to get a room with a view so they can watch the various boats and vessels make their way up and down the waterway.

If they are eager boating enthusiasts then one event taking place in January may tickle their fancy and tick all the boxes when it comes to learning more about the activity.

The Tullett Prebon London Boat Show takes place from January 8th until January 17th 2010 and next year's event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Held at ExCel, the show has everything any boating fans could possibly want and even those who prefer to stay on dry land can find something to amuse themselves with at the exhibition.

From dainty dinghies to the most up-to-date and modern yachts, this show has it all and tickets for adults cost £13 for a day at the event.

Highlights include deck games, the Ovington Skiff Grand Prix and the British Sailing: Battle of the Classes Pursuits Race, which brings the exhibition to an impressive close.

Running through London, the Thames is the second largest river in the UK.

To make the most of the London Boat Show – you should consider booking your London hotel to avoid disappointment.

Berlin's annual run offers visitors and locals an unusual way to end the year

2009-11-28T17:02:00.001-08:00

Participants can choose to negotiate the course in fancy dress, with the incentive that the best costumes receive a prize.

Anyone staying in Berlin hotels and not feeling quite so energetic can always watch the streams of witches, bears and Mexicans take to the streets from the comfort of one of the city's many bars or cafes.

There are two different courses for adults to race, one 6.3 km long and the other 9.9 km for those who are a little more ambitious.

Entry into the event costs €10 (£9) and registrations have to be filled in before December 11th, either online or by post.

Runners can also register on the day; however, it costs €15 as opposed to €10.

There are also shorter courses for children and teenagers to enjoy the fun.

It starts and ends in Mommsen Stadium in the west of the capital. On reaching the finishing line, runners can warm up with a hot cup of gluhwein and enjoy traditional German pancakes to build up their strength.

If you're heading to the Berlin run this year, we strongly advise that you book your hotels Berlin as soon as possible, given the huge popularity of the event.

Previous years have seen more than 2,500 runners turn out to brave Berlin's cold and complete the course. This will be the 34th year that the race has been held.

Thomson and First Choice introduce new twin-centres, double capacity in Cuba, and unveil a 35% increase in demand for weddings abroad

2009-11-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

Introducing Thomson’s New Twin Centres

When it comes to twins, Thomson certainly has the X Factor in 2010! They’ve added two new twin centre breaks to add variety and choice to the traditional holiday experience. New for summer 2010 is the Samana twin centre in the Dominican Republic - it is now possible to combine a week in the north of the island with a week in Samana. In addition they have also added the Maldives/Kerala twin centre which will consist of a week absorbing the Highlights of Kerala tour in India, before a weeks' stay at a choice of Maldivian properties.

First Choice – Introducing The Brand New 5 SUN Premier Families Resort In The Maldives

First Choice has extended its Maldives programme by introducing its first Premier Families hotel in the Maldives at the (5 SUN) Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa.

Staying on this island will be like a fantasy come true. You can stay in a luxurious villa over bright blue waters and have your every whim looked after. Kids have their own pool and plenty of activities, so mum and dad can indulge in spa treatments, a good book or work their way through a long list of water-sports. If that’s not enough, there’s a house reef to explore the amazing underworld of the Indian Ocean and plush open-air bars and restaurants to enjoy.

As this property is included in the First Choice Premier Families collection, families can also benefit from a number of added extras including 3kg more baggage allowance (and 10kg for infants), complimentary in-flight meal, priority transfers and discount on your chosen excursion. Customers also have the chance to upgrade to our Premium cabin on-board Thomson Airways, making this the ultimate treat for any deserving family.

First Choice offers holidays to the Maldives staying 7 nights all-inclusive at the 5 Sun Centara Grand from £2411 per adult, £1258 for the first child and £1875 for the second child. Price based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and departing from London Gatwick on 28th February 2010.

For further information or to book please call 0871 200 4455 or visit www.firstchoice.co.uk/premier

Thomson and First Choice Double Capacity in Cuba for Next Summer

Thomson and First Choice have responded to the popularity of Cuba as a long haul holiday destination with a 100% increase in capacity to the country famed for its rumba beats, daiquiri cocktails and an endless choice of white sandy beaches.

For summer 2010, Thomson and First Choice have doubled capacity to the resorts of Varadero and Guardalavaca compared to summer 2009, with flights from both Manchester and Gatwick Airports.

Thomson and First Choice have a variety of accommodation options in Cuba to suit both couples and families alike. For an exciting break for couples, look no further than the NEW Paradisus Varadero. As a luxurious beachfront hotel, it benefits from 5 fine dining restaurants and a choice of activities.

Thomson offers seven night holidays in Cuba at the NEW 4T+ {Paradisus Varadero|http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/cuba/cuba-va...], in Varadero part of Thomson’s Chic & Unique Collection, on an all-inclusive basis from £1056 per person based on two sharing. Departing on 5th May 2010 from London Gatwick Airport, the price includes return flights, accommodation, transfers and all taxes and charges. To book visit www.thomson.co.uk or call 0871 231 5595.

Cuba also makes for a fantastic family destination and with options to keep all the family entertained. For upbeat nights and unwinding days, the http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/holidays/cuba-holguin-holidays/... Sol Rio de Luna has plenty going on the evening, while relaxation comes in the form of a spa and a romantic beach restaurant, where you can enjoy special meals while soaking up tropical views of the Bahia Naranjo National Park.

First choice offers seven night holidays in Cuba, staying all-inclusive at the 4 Sun Sol Rio de Luna Resort from £769 per adult and from £509 per child based on two adults and two children sharing, departing from Manchester on the 10th July 2010. For further information or to book this holiday go to www.firstchoice.co.uk/cuba or call 0871 200 4455.

Weddings Abroad Increase by 35%

In the past year, Thomson and First Choice have seen the bookings of weddings abroad increase by 35%. Whether due to couples trying to save a bit of money or the unreliable British weather, the choice of destination and venue abroad offered by Thomson and First Choice is certainly a deciding factor.

From beach weddings in Jamaica to an old monastery in Sorrento, Thomson and First Choice Weddings offer something for everyone, with a host of new and exciting venues added for 2010. The latest Thomson brochure features Ibiza as a brand new ceremony destination, offering a selection of religious, beach front or sea view venues around the ‘white isle’. Another new addition to the brochure is Sensatori Crete; Thomson’s flagship 5T hotel is a beautiful option for a wedding and honeymoon.

2010 will also see First Choice enhance its Weddings programme further with a number of new venues including a castle in Lake Garda and a private villa in Ravello, Italy – where Gary Linekar recently got married – as well as new venues in Cyprus and the Caribbean.

Donna Russell, Product Executive – Weddings & Renewal of Vows, says: “The great thing about having your wedding abroad is that once the big day is over, you’re already on your honeymoon. Whether a civil ceremony on a stunning beach or a religious ceremony in a chapel, reached by a sleigh through snow-white Lapland, if you can imagine it, we can take you there. There’s no need to worry about legal paperwork, organising the venue and reception, or booking rooms for your guests. In fact, your very own Wedding Coordinator will be at the destination to make sure everything goes exactly to plan. All you need to do is relax and enjoy your special day.”

The Thomson and First Choice Weddings brochures are available now. For more information visit www.thomson.co.uk or www.firstchoice.co.uk/weddings

Mercury Direct launch new site

2009-11-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Mercury Direct, the holiday specialist, has announced the launch of a new, more user friendly website that will allow customers to see more information and book a wider range of holidays than ever before.

The redesigned website offers customers increased accessibility and a more user friendly layout that allows them to book holidays faster and with greater ease. The site also includes more interactive Web 2.0 content, including virtual tours, to enable customers to make a more informed decision on their proposed holiday. Greater access to Mercury Direct's special holiday deals, which include offers like buy one week and get another free and free room upgrades, are also part of the new site. The site will also feature an upgraded security certificate, namely a Verisign Extended Validation SSL Certificate which helps to diminish the effectiveness of phishing attacks. When users go to the new Mercury Direct site while using a high security browser, the address bar on the site will turn green, letting the visitor know that the site they are on is secure.

Martin Bugeja, Managing Director of Mercury Direct, said: "We hope that with the launch of our redesigned website our customers will find greater access to our holidays. With the ability to find information on all aspects of their trip customers will be able to comfortably book holidays with ease at greater speed and lower prices."

Mercury Direct's new website will also soon feature details of the latest destinations on offer from the holiday provider, which will include diverse locations from around the world like the Greek islands, Cuba and Thailand.

Mercury Direct is a leading provider of package holidays in the UK to holiday destinations within Europe (Gozo and Malta holidays, Cyprus, Madeira, the Algarve, Tenerife and Spain) as well as Worldwide (Sri Lanka, Kerala, Bali, Mauritius, and Australia). Fully bonded to the ABTA (the Travel Association) and ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing), Mercury Direct has a wide range of destinations and special offers including three weeks for the price of two and no single supplement deals.

HostelBookers offer discount Desert Tours for customers booking hostels in Morocco

2009-11-26T14:30:00.001-08:00

Budget Accommodation website HostelBookers has teamed up with Authentic Morocco, to offer travellers an exclusive discount on Desert Tours this winter.

All customers booking hostels in Morocco from the 1st December-1st March 2010 will receive a 15% discount on a wide range of tours that include a sunset camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes and day trips to traditional Berber villages.

A far-off land of kasbahs, souks, and desert dunes, Morocco is an exotic escape. The vibrant cities of Fez and Marrakech offer Moorish palaces, excellent shopping in the souks and authentic indulgence in the Hamman spas. But away from the tourist trail, travellers can immerse themselves in Moroccan culture and discover natural landmarks from the Todra and Dades Gorges to the Cedar Forests south of Fez.

These private organized tours are the perfect way to experience the real Morocco, with local drivers taking guests on a tailor-made ride off the beaten track, and unique sights out of reach of the average tourist. The winter season, from December – February is the ideal climate for camel trekking and an adventurous alternative to a winter sun holiday.

HostelBookers also have a wide range of Riads close to the desert, the ideal starting point for trekking the dunes by camel. These traditional guesthouses are homely, beautifully decorated and offer a true taste of Moroccan hospitality. They are also incredibly affordable, offering customers cheap holidays in Morocco.

Ouarzazate is the main gateway to the desert in southern Morocco and the Riad Salam is one of the town’s prettiest places to stay. This picturesque Riad looks out over the river and all rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite bathrooms. Guests can unwind poolside, on the sun terrace, or in the colourful garden and enjoy local cuisine in the restaurant.

Ksar Bicha Hotel Merzouga is the perfect base for exploring the dunes of the Sahara. The affordable Kasbah is run by a friendly Moroccan family, and offers ensuite rooms clustered around a courtyard filled with flowers. There are fabulous views of the dunes from the roof terrace and the owners have plenty of suggestions for things to do in the desert.

The Hotel Kasbah Tizimi is in Erfoud on the desert road connecting the north to the south of Morocco. An oasis in the middle of the desert, guestrooms surround a swimming pool overlooking one of the biggest palm groves in the world. The traditional architecture and rooms are decorated in typical Moroccan style to make this an authentic retreat.

If you would like to have more information on the best Riads and hostels in Morocco and full details of this exclusive offer can be found on the HostelBookers Blog.

British Airways increases flights to Grenada

2009-11-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

British Airways has doubled the frequency of its flights to Grenada from one to two services a week with the launch of the new summer schedule on March 28, 2010. The airline currently operates a twice weekly service during its winter schedule but just one weekly flight during the lower season summer months. The new additional flights offer customers further flexibility and choice throughout the whole year.

Grenada holidays have become immensely popular again with many of the hotels newly refurbished following the island's devastation by hurricane Ivan in 2004. Stunning beaches, rolling mountains, covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers give Grenada its name - Spice Isle. 'Spice up your life' is also the motto of this gem of a Caribbean island, pulling in visitors from all over the world.

The twice weekly Grenada flights will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class configuration: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World. Flights operate via Antigua during the winter schedule, departing London Gatwick Tuesdays and Fridays and via Barbados during the new summer schedule, departing Tuesdays and Sundays.

In combination with the flights, British Airways has a wide range of hotels in Grenada available, offering room only, to all-inclusive, rates, providing the flexibility valued by families and couples alike, whether they are looking for fun beach holidays or romantic breaks in the Caribbean.

The range of hotels in Grenada available through British Airways includes a collection of 3* accommodation up to the finest hand picked 5* hotels for luxury holidays. The 4* LaSource on the beautiful Pink Gin beach allows the rediscovery of one's inner energy while the secluded 4* Calabash with only 30 suites to stay in, is also a truly delightful treat. The contemporary, boutique 5* Mount Cinnamon is a true luxury hotel and the perfect choice for tranquillity in stunning surroundings.

Tickets and holidays are on sale now through ba.com/grenada and direct through BA reservations on 0844 493 0758.

The Twelve Apostles - No 1 Luxury Hotel & Spa in Cape Town Reveals New Look

2009-11-24T16:23:00.001-08:00

The iconic five-star Twelve Apostles Luxury Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, consistently wins more than its fair share of awards but this only encourages the owners to make even greater efforts. Recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel and No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards, and gaining an impressive score of 94.2 in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, this fine hotel has now been further enhanced with an extensive multi-million Rand structural and interior design refurbishment.

Founder and President Beatrice Tollman and her daughter Toni, inspired by the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, have created a fresh and calming design scheme that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity and comfort with elegance.

The glorious seclusion of the surroundings has been used to great effect with the natural feel and character of the environment echoed throughout the bespoke designer bedrooms, lobby, corridors, 24-hour Café and one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite. The ambience has been achieved with light, warm fabrics; natural wood shutters in the bedrooms; plus various designs and colours of Bodrum marble and Thassos beige and white marble to create a delightfully decadent feeling in all the custom-built bathrooms. For convenience a pale blue LED night light provides subtle illumination.

Each en suite bedroom has been uniquely designed and decorated to suit every palate, using luxurious fabrics and scrumptious colour hues, personally chosen antiques, and custom furniture completing each room. White hardwood plantation shutters adorn the windows, which lead out to private balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or the famous fynbos vegetation nestling below Cape Town’s magnificent Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Beds are the ultimate in luxury, complete with 400 thread count sheets allowing guests the most perfect night's sleep.

Skilled craftsmen, from the local area and further afield, provide a number of the more unusual items, such as mud chandeliers made from recycled clay as well as candy stripe wool carpets to emphasise the relaxed beach feel of Cape Town. A host of other thoughtful details have been added to meet every conceivable need: latest technology flat screen TVs in all rooms, iPod docking stations and wi-fi for sheer business convenience, all discreetly in evidence. Walls are adorned with impressive art purchased from local artists and antique houses round the world. The extensive grounds, already boasting a superb selection of sculptures, have become a showcase for the work of the most talented local artists.

Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, comments that, “Excellence is the result of constant innovation and we are keen to take our already luxurious offering to an entirely new level. Discerning guests are constantly looking for a once in a lifetime experience with fresh pleasures and we’re confident that this stunning refurbishment will launch an entirely new era in the hotel’s illustrious history. Our staff pride themselves on providing the ultimate in customer service and can’t wait to perform on what they see as a magnificent new stage.”

The hotel’s already excellent green credentials have also been further enhanced with a redesigned kitchen. Under the direction of Executive Chef Roberto Carvalho, the kitchen has been transformed to create a world class environment that goes hand in hand with world class cuisine.

These improvements include a customised air extraction system. Installed by WSP consulting engineers, it uses a UV filtering system to remove all odours and turn all grease not caught by the filters into ozone for an environmentally friendly waste product. The new Capturejet Halton canopy, locally manufactured by AMMS, is a first for South Africa. It provides a healthy, fresh environment and ensures comfortable working temperatures throughout the year.

The level of investment and the sheer attention to detail clearly demonstrates why Red Carnation Hotels are so respected the world over. Nothing stands in the way of their passionate commitment to offer guests an experience unmatched throughout the entire hospitality industry.

For more information and/or reservations, contact The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa on (+27) (21) 437 9000, email bookta@rchmail.co.za or visit www.12apostleshotel.co.za .

Summer Lodge Voted Number One for Most Outstanding Service

2009-11-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, tucked away in the heart of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, has just won the award for “Most Outstanding Service” in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence, UK and Ireland.

The award was presented on the 9th of November at Johansens 28th Annual Awards Dinner and the launch of their 2010 guides at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge, London.

Condé Nast Johansens remains the most comprehensive illustrated reference to annually inspected, independently owned hotels, and merely getting into the guides is an achievement in itself. The dedicated and highly trained Inspectors only admit about one in ten properties to the finished publication - the final selection represents, quite simply, the crème de la crème of accommodation for independent travellers.

The Inspectors describe Summer Lodge in the following glowing terms, “Set in four acres amid picturesque Dorsetshire countryside in the pretty village of Evershot, this charming twenty-four-bedroom Relais and Chateaux property ranks amongst the finest country house hotels in England.”

The awards themselves are based on responses from guest nomination forms, guest survey reports, and the regional inspector reports drawn from the luxury hotels featured in the most recent guides.

Charles Lotter, General Manager of Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, comments, “I’m delighted to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the great team here. They work tirelessly to make guests feel truly at home and find extra ways to exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village. This luxurious 24-bedroom 5-star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Costa del Sol still no.1 holiday destination for Brits, reports Owners Direct

2009-11-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Spain continues to be one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe with over 50 million people choosing to take holidays there every year. Owners Direct, which advertises thousands of villas in Spain, reports that the country is still its number one destination, receiving over 200,000 booking enquiries between January and July this year, an increase of 40% on last year. On www.OwnersDirect.co.uk there are currently over 6500 privately owned holiday homes available to rent in Spain.

The most popular destination for Spanish holidays is still the Costa del Sol, with 75,580 enquiries received between January and November 2009; an increase of 45% since 2008. Despite a blighted reputation of late, Britons continue to choose Costa Del Sol as their preferred destination for relaxation and fun for all ages. In fact, the Costa del Sol received over 50% more enquiries than the Greek Islands and Tenerife combined. Regardless of the negative press surrounding the Spanish economy, apartment and villa rentals there are proving increasingly popular for Brits due to the low rental rates and the self catering capabilities.

Booking enquiries for inland properties this year have also increased, with the most popular destinations being the Granada Province, Las Alpujjaras area and inland Costa Del Sol. Away from the main tourist destinations is some amazing countryside dotted with traditional villages in keeping with the ‘real Spain’. The scenery is diverse, with the the lush green Andalucian countryside contrasting with the mountainous landscapes of the Sierra Nevada. People take time to explore on foot, horseback or bike and can often travel for miles without meeting another English speaking person.

The region of Andalucia has worked hard in recent years to promote the diverse and cultural side of Spain – an approach, it would seem, that is paying off.

EuropcarClub launches in the UK

2009-11-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

Europcar, the UK's leading vehicle hire company, has launched EuropcarClub to offer the membership benefits of a car club with the flexibility of daily hire. The UK launch follows a successful roll out in France in 2008.

Bringing a fresh approach to car clubs, EuropcarClub is a subscription based service with two tiers - Easy and Premium. The new service is ideal for those who have decided to opt out of second car ownership but still want the flexibility of different cars to suit different demands or for those who just want to find ways to drive greener. EuropcarClub also offers a solution to businesses who don't want the financial commitment of leasing or buying company cars.

The launch comes off the back of recent research conducted by Europcar which found that across Europe, Britons are the most open to the idea of car sharing (34% vs. 28% for the rest of Europe), with the age group most open to giving up car ownership being 18 to 34 year olds.

The Europcar Club 'Easy' subscription promises members low rates on daily hire of any vehicle size or type - from compacts to MPVs and vans - with no additional charges for excess cover, one way hires or additional drivers who are also members. Those who subscribe to EuropcarClub's 'Premium' service will get discounted rates on all vehicles on Europcar's fleet including Prestige from Europcar which offers some of the most coveted vehicles on the road today.

All customers are guaranteed vehicles that are, on average, just 6 months old and can select a car group by its average CO2 emissions. In fact Europcar's fuel-efficient and low emissions cars use 33% less petrol than the average car on the road.

Catriona Lougher, Marketing Director for Europcar said: "EuropcarClub is all about flexibility and cost-savings. Members can change cars on demand, leave a vehicle at any Europcar location and benefit from fantastic rates all year long. With no worries over depreciation, tax, maintenance and roadside assistance, they can enjoy access to vehicles suited for the job, the occasion or their mood. We believe EuropcarClub takes the car club concept to the next level and we are committed to be at the forefront of delivering transport solutions to meet the needs of today’s cost conscious and environmentally focused travellers."

Lloydspharmacy makes travel health easier

2009-11-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

Lloydspharmacy launches new travel clinics to help provide vaccines and malaria tablets, to help ensure travellers stay healthy.

More and more Brits are exploring the globe, however because there are so many things to think about when preparing to go abroad, too often health protection is left to the last minute or forgotten altogether, leading travellers to not be fully prepared for the health risks that the countries being visited potentially pose.

To assist travellers Lloydspharmacy has now launched a convenient one-stop travel service which not only advises which travel vaccines and anti malaria tablets are required for specific destinations, but also provides access to the medicines required with no need to visit a GP. The service is available at the firm's online pharmacy and in over 260 participating pharmacies across the UK.

Travellers can now log on to the online doctor service which will answer questions about their health specific to their travel destination. The answers are all submitted to and assessed by a qualified GP. Travellers are then informed about any suitable vaccines they will need as well as having the opportunity to purchase anti-malaria pills.

For vaccines the user can choose which ones they would like to be administered. The prescription for the vaccines will then be sent to one of 260 selected pharmacies where a trained member of staff can administer them in the privacy of a Lloydspharmacy consultation area. Anti-malarial pills can be either sent out by next day special delivery or collected in any one of 260 participating branches.

The vaccines currently available include: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and polio, tick borne encephalitis, typhoid, hepatitis a/typhoid combination.

Patients unable to access the online doctor can still have a travel consultation with a trained member of staff in any one of the participating pharmacies.

Lloydspharmacy hopes that the convenient nature of the service will mean that more people will be properly protected when travelling.

Through the online doctor, Lloydspharmacy also offers:

- Melatonin which can help travellers avoid and overcome jet lag when flying to a country where the time-difference is three or more hours ahead or behind the UK.

- Traveller's diarrhoea packs which contain an oral antibiotic that treats most bacterial causes of travellers' diarrhoea as well as oral rehydration sachets to help avoid dehydration.

- Advance supply of the emergency pill - invaluable if going on a long trip to countries where the morning after pill may not be available at short notice.

Kuoni launches new 2010 World Class Europe and Morocco brochure

2009-11-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

Travel specialist Kuoni has launched its new World Class Europe and Morocco 2010 brochure.

The brochure, which is being made available through Kuoni's website and from high street stores and travel agents across the country, includes a selection of luxury holidays to 16 countries from as far north as Russia to the Mediterranean islands of Madeira, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Ibiza and Croatia, and everywhere in between.

Specialising in luxury holidays, the 2010 World Class Europe and Morocco brochure includes 23 newly introduced resorts and hotels across eight countries, including Verona and Lake Garda in Italy, Ibiza and Casares in Spain, St Laurent de Cabrereisse in the French Languedoc region, and the Istrian resorts of Rovinj and Savudrija in Croatia to meet increased interest in this area.

Other highlights include more family-friendly, luxury resorts with facilities to occupy the little ones, in the Algarve, Cyprus, Tenerife, France and Croatia. Also, World Class experiences have been added for the first time.

The new brochure also includes flights on scheduled, low cost carriers and private jets as well as eco-friendly hotels and Michelin-star restaurants and chefs at hotels like the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, and the Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, Italy.

The brochure features 40 tours and one-off experiences including; performances at the world-famous La Scala Opera House in Milan, private wine tasting sessions in Madrid, flying in a private plane or helicopter over the French Riviera and chartering a private yacht in Croatia.

Rezidor honoured for profound growth and expansion in Africa

2009-11-18T15:39:00.001-08:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's fastest growing hotel companies, has been honoured for its ambitious business development across the African continent at the Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA) in Sandton Sun, Gauteng, South Africa, on 4-6 November.

Andrew McLachlan, the group's Vice President Business Development for Africa & the Indian Ocean Islands, was given the prestigious 'Mover & Shaker' award. The HICA prize is awarded to an individual who through their skills, ingenuity and energy has already had an extraordinary impact in the industry, and recognises his outstanding leadership role and contribution to hospitality investment in Africa.

Between January 2007 and March 2009 McLachlan tripled Rezidor's portfolio from eight hotels (open or under development) in five African countries to 21 Hotels in Africa (open or under development) across 13 sub-Saharan African countries. Over this period the Rezidor portfolio expanded with properties in nations such as Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa under McLachlan's headship.

The Hospitality Investment Conference Africa, is an annual event on the local and international hospitality and investment calendar. This year's event was hosted by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), in association with the conference's founding partners and the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism of South Africa.

The event proved to be a big success and was attended by the South African Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk. Mmatsatsi Marobe, CEO Tourism Business Council of South Africa, stated on the HICA website, "His attendance serves as confirmation of his commitment to promoting investment opportunities for South Africa and the continent as a whole. The department's continued support for the conference, as well as the launch of the South African Tourism Investment Portfolio for 2009 at HICA serves as further confirmation".

British Airways makes travel to Shanghai more convenient

2009-11-18T15:18:00.000-08:00

British Airways is adding an additional flight to Shanghai this December, taking the number of services from five to six flights a week as of December 4, 2009. The decision has been taken due to increased customer demand on the popular route over the past year.

BA's regional general manager Far East, Kevin McQuillan, said: "We need to meet the needs of our customers, and make travel as comfortable and convenient as possible for them. That's the reason we are adding the new flight to Shanghai."

Shanghai is a thriving metropolis boasting gleaming skyscrapers, tree-lined avenues, colonial restaurants and trendy bars. As China's largest city and often regarded as the centre of finance and trade in mainland China, Shanghai was an obvious destination for BA to expand its service by increasing the number flights.

British Airways also offers a range of hotels in Shanghai, from 3* budget hotels for the price-conscious through sophisticated 4* hotels like the Rendezvous Merry which is conveniently located in heart of the commercial district Shanghai, to 5* resorts like The PuLi Hotel and Spa or the Pudong Shangri-La. The PuLi Hotel and Spa is an Urban Resort Concept and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. As one of the world's 500 best hotels (Travel + Leisure 2009), the prestigious 5* Pudong Shangri-La with its breathtaking views of the legendary riverfront, the Bund is the perfect choice for a once in a lifetime luxury holiday in Shanghai.

All hotels offer superb service and are ideal for business and leisure travellers alike, in great city locations. To mark the launch of the new flight, British Airways has reduced prices at all hotels in Shanghai until the end of the year.

Tickets and hotels are on sale through ba.com/shanghai and direct through BA reservations on 0844 493 0758.

Hotels.com makes Dublin unrecognisable to a third of Irish people

2009-11-18T15:07:00.000-08:00

New research from Hotels.com has shown that one in three Irish people fail to recognise their own capital city landscape without its iconic Ha'penny Bridge. An incredible 32% of Irish people were stumped by an image of their capital city when the memorable bridge was airbrushed out of the picture. While 68% weren't fooled, 28% confused the image of Dublin with Amsterdam.

UK neighbours also struggled to recognise Dublin city's landscape when asked to identify it without the Ha'penny Bridge. 75% of those surveyed in the UK thought Dublin was Amsterdam in the photo, with only 22% recognising the city without the landmark.

The landmark quiz also revealed that the Irish were quicker to recognise other cities, including London (88%), Paris (87%) and Sydney (76%) before their own home town, even when the key landmarks (Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Opera House) in these cities were omitted from the view.

Hotels.com polled more than 10,000 travellers across the globe, to see just how many cities they recognised after a key landmark had been removed.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of Irish people have travelled to a city just to see an iconic landmark, according to the findings. Of the world's most famous landmarks, the overall favourites were the Eiffel Tower in Paris (15%), while one in ten chose New York's Empire State Building (10%) and San Francisco's Golden Bridge (10%). These landmarks were followed in popularity by the Taj Mahal in India and The Vatican in Rome.

Despite the rise in the UK of the mini break, the research showed that it's our neighbouring European cities that we know the least. Less than half (48%) of Irish travellers recognised Barcelona without Gaudi's Sagrada Familia; 38% spotted Pisa without its Leaning Tower, and just 36% recognised Berlin without the Berlin TV Tower.

Ireland fared better when looking across the water to the UK however, with a greater number of Irish people recognising the London skyline (89%) without Big Ben than the Brits themselves. Only 83% of British people surveyed recognised their own capital without the iconic clock.

When it comes to long haul destinations, iconic landmarks seem to resonate well in the visual memory. The Hotels.com research showed that over three quarters of all Irish (76%) recognised Sydney without the Opera House and similarly Rio was identified correctly by 81% of travellers even after the Christ the Redeemer statue had been removed.

Alison Couper, Communications Director for Hotels.com, said: "It's interesting to see just how important a city's iconic landmark is when it comes to recognising the destination. This quirky survey shows that it is the cities which have a famous and world renowned landmark, such as the Sydney Opera House or the Eiffel Tower that tend to resonate more in our minds."

Villa Plus unveils fresh new rebrand

2009-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Villa Plus, the independent, direct-sell villa specialist, has rebranded itself with a fresh, modern look, demonstrated by a vibrant and uplifting new colourful logo.

As part of the re-brand, Villa Plus will also be adopting a new tag line; 'Villa holidays with a difference', which reinforces the fact that the company's villas come with many extras as standard and are among the best equipped rental villas in Europe. An impressive 98% of villas are air conditioned and all have their own private swimming pool, many of which are heated. Other additional benefits include sun beds, BBQ's, table tennis tables, pool tables, Playstation 2s, satellite TV (many with BBC and ITV), as well as the added security of an alarm system. All villas include maid and linen service and, space permitting, each villa is equipped with a washing machine and dishwasher.

Simon Linford, Sales and Marketing Manager at Villa Plus said: "Having been about for a while, we've decided it's time to better reflect the fabulous product and service we sell. Our new brand is characterised by a modern logo of a friendly persona. Also, to illustrate the extra value we give the customer, we've come up with the tag line 'villa holidays with a difference'.

"Yet this doesn't mean we've been taken over by the big boys," Linford continued. "On the contrary, Villa Plus remains an independent direct sell tour operator owned and managed by its founders. We have over 700 exclusively contracted villas across nine destinations in Europe and we select the very best villas in the very best locations. All our villas have their very own private pools and are amongst the best equipped in the market."

Villa Plus has been providing quality villa holidays for 23 years and was the pioneer in improving the standard of European villa holidays. Started from the bedroom of founder Nick Cooper, the company has to date booked over 300,000 customers and become the UK's second largest villa tour operator. With a culture of providing strong customer service, Villa Plus has built up an enviable reputation in the business and a well deserved customer loyalty which is unrivalled.

As the company rolls out its fresh, new image, Villa Plus looks forward to the future and continuing to raise the standards of villa holidays for customers old and new.

About Villa Plus:
VillaPlus.com is an independent tour operator that has been providing villa holidays for 23 years to the best locations in Europe, providing holiday villas to rent in Cyprus, the Algarve, Costa del Sol, Mallorca, Menorca, Corfu, Costa Blanca, Kefalonia and Villas in Lanzarote.

VillaPlus.com has extensive experience and the independent operation means that they can offer ATOL protected air inclusive holiday packages that are genuinely tailored to individual client requirements.

In the late 80s and early 90s VillaPlus.com were the first villa company to try to install into every villa, basic items such as washing machines, dishwashers, satellite TV, microwaves, safes and alarms. These items were later followed by further upgrades such as PlayStation 2, stair gates, pool tables, table tennis, brick barbecues and sun bed mattresses.

VillaPlus.com have a highly experienced and dedicated team based in the UK and overseas who work hard to provide clients with the high levels of professional service required to ensure that the VillaPlus.com holiday experience is enjoyable and hassle free.

Top Holiday Tips from APH

2009-11-16T16:31:00.001-08:00

Along with the early skiers, many sunshine-starved families who opted for a UK "raincation" during the summer will be heading for more reliable climates this Christmas break. As a result, UK airports promise to be busy despite the economic woes. Airport Parking and Hotels (APH), the long stay airport parking expert, is offering travellers a selection of top tips to make sure they have a fuss-free, festive break.

The family-friendly top tips include the following:

• Check that your passports are still valid - for some countries it must be valid for six months after the date of travel, and remember, children's passports do not last 10 years like adults.

• Make sure you have travel insurance and if travelling in the EU then obtain and take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

• Make copies of important documents and take one copy and leave one copy with a close friend or relative, or subscribe to and load them onto the 'APH Online Safe' in case bags get stolen or lost.

• Shop around for the best rates on foreign currency or purchase a pre-paid currency card - don't wait until you get to the airport to buy your currency.

• Heading for the sun at this time of year means you may be travelling to more exotic destinations so check which inoculations are necessary for that country.

• Pack a foreign plug adapter.

• Charge iPod and camera batteries the night before departing.

• Check that suitcase weight and dimensions conform to your airline's rules.

• Check-in online, 24 hours before flying to avoid check-in fees at the airport.

• Print out flight e-tickets.

• Reserve seats on the plane.

• Cancel the milk and papers and make sure your central heating is on the "frost protection" setting.

• If you have a very early start, consider an airport hotel the night before. This year Hotel and Parking packages are even better value and offer great peace of mind.

• If not, set a back up alarm clock to make sure you wake up for early departures.

• Make sure your car is prepared for the journey to the airport - for example, check tyres, battery and screen washer fluid.

• Double check the booking if you have arranged a taxi to take you to the airport and be sure you have a contact number if they fail to show up at the agreed time.

Airport Parking and Hotels Ltd is one of the UK's leading booking agencies and has over 29 years' experience as a retailer of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports, ports and Eurotunnel terminals plus airport hotels packaged with parking, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire and holiday taxis. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has through the World Land Trust helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of Belize rainforest.

Europcar rewarded at the World Travel Awards

2009-11-16T16:29:00.001-08:00

Europcar has been named the World's Leading Car Rental Company, at the 2008 World Travel Awards ceremony in London, following its title of Europe's Leading Car Rental Company in Portugal on October 17.

The World Travel Awards are the 'Oscars' of the travel industry, with 187,000 industry professionals voting for the best company in each category across seven regions of the world.

These two global awards not only reflect Europcar's professionalism but also its commitment to customer satisfaction: a double victory for the group, which further strengthens its position as Europe's number one car rental company.

As the European Leader in short-term light- and utility vehicle rental, Europcar is strongly customer-orientated and strives to listen carefully to its customers' demands. For the last two years the company has taken a global look at its customers' mobility habits with a pan-European survey: the Europcar Mobility Observatory. This has enabled Europcar to better understand and predict drivers' habits across Europe, in order to deploy car rental deals and offers which meet customers' needs.

Europcar has also worked to make progress in innovation and formed partnerships with other leading travel industry players, to offer customers an ever wider and more accessible range of services, as well as renewing agreements with some of the leading names in the European tourism industry. These agreements include easyJet and Swiss, and the launch of a new service of reservations tailored to the customer's needs with ACCOR.

Additional developments include the development of a new B2B website 'click4wheels', known in France as 'Click@ndDrive', which facilitates vehicle reservations through the websites of Europcar's travel agency and tour operator partners. The car rental company has also recently launched a new mobile phone service, which allows users to make or change a reservation, and find the nearest car rental location from compatible mobile phones.

Jehan de Thé, Global Marketing Director of Europcar International, who accepted the trophy in London, commented: "We are truly proud to have won these two awards. They represent our commitment to providing the highest quality of service - a value shared by our entire network, as demonstrated by the awards won by Europcar in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central America."

Best Western Castle Green Hotel acknowledged in North West Tourism Awards

2009-11-15T15:51:00.001-08:00

The Best Western Castle Green Hotel near Kendal, in Cumbria was highly commended in the most prestigious awards for hotels in the North West.

The hotel was runner up in the large hotel of the year category in the North West Tourism Awards which were held in Blackpool.

The only independent hotel in the shortlist, the Best Western Castle Green Hotel, one of a number of hotels in Kendal, was up against stiff competition from across the region. The Lowry in Manchester won the award, which was the only hotel in the category with a five star rating.

After winning the large hotel of the year category in the Cumbrian Tourism Awards in May 2009, the Best Western Castle Green was automatically short-listed for the awards covering the whole region, including the hotels in Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire category winners.

The highly commended status means that the hotel passed a mystery shopper visit with flying colours. The hotel also had to show excellence in the areas of - customer care, investment in training and staff development, accessibility and innovative marketing.

Tim Wade, Best Western said; "We are delighted that the Best Western Castle Green Hotel has received such a prestigious accolade at the North West Tourism Awards. As an independent hotel group we are always striving to not only maintain but exceed our internationally renowned high standards of quality and service. So, it is fantastic to see how well this hotel has done to achieve such excellent recognition. We hope that next year the hotel will have a repeat success and maybe secure the top award."

The 2009 Northwest Tourism Awards were held at Blackpool Tower on September 28. The event was hosted by BBC presenter Ranvir Singh and organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

FACT FILE:

Best Western Great Britain is part of Best Western International, the world's largest hotel chain. Best Western currently has more than 280 individual hotels in the UK, including hotels in Blackpool, Chester and Darlington. Each one is independently owned and managed, while being committed to the company's common standards of quality, service and value.