ISSUE 26 MAY 2019
BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE IN SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORTH OF ENGLAND & IOM
BOOK A BALCONY STATEROOM OR ABOVE AND RECEIVE
FREE ECONOMY FLIGHTS
OR
$1000 PER STATEROOM ONBOARD CREDIT
ON 7 SELECT MEDITERRANEAN SAILINGS
Now is the time for your guests to experience the World’s Best for themselves – there really is no reason not to! With fabulous enhancements including a lower guest capacity, open dining throughout the ship, complimentary WiFi, and fantastic fares that are hard to beat, you have our Promise of Crystal Confidence that they will love it.
The All-Inclusive
CRYSTAL EXPERIENCE® INCLUDES
◆ OPEN BARS & LOUNGES with complimentary fine wines, Champagnes, spirits & speciality coffees
◆ MICHELIN-INSPIRED CUISINE in up to ten venues plus 24-hour in-suite dining
◆ SPECIALITY DINING including Umi Uma® by Chef Nobu
◆ ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES
◆ NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT
◆ COMPLIMENTARY, UNLIMITED WI-FI
◆ PRE-PAID GRATUITIES
BOOK BY 30 JUNE 2019
CALL CRYSTAL ON 0207 399 7601 | VISIT CRYSTALCRUISES.CO.UK
CHOOSE BETWEEN FREE ECONOMY CLASS FLIGHTS OR $1000 PER STATEROOM ONBOARD SPEND IF YOUR GUESTS BOOK A BALCONY STATEROOM OR ABOVE ON THESE SAILINGS
IBERIAN IMAGES
LISBON TO MONTE CARLO | CRYSTAL SERENITY | 11 NIGHTS | 12 AUG 2019 | VOYAGE OCY190812-11
Cruise Itinerary:
Lisbon (overnight), Cádiz/Seville, Gibraltar, Ibiza (overnight), Barcelona (overnight), St-Tropez (overnight), Monte Carlo (overnight).
ROMANTIC RIVIERA
MONTE CARLO TO ROME | CRYSTAL SERENITY | 8 NIGHTS | 23 AUG 2019 | VOYAGE OCY190823-08
Cruise Itinerary:
Monte Carlo, Cannes, Calvi, Florence/ Livorno (overnight), Portofino, Porto Venere, Piombino, Rome/Civitavecchia.
LIGURIAN SEA MEDLEY
ROME ROUND-TRIP | CRYSTAL SERENITY | 7 NIGHTS | 31 AUG 2019 | VOYAGE OCY190831-07
Cruise Itinerary:
Rome/Civitavecchia, Santa Margherita Ligure, Monte Carlo, St Tropez, Ajaccio, Livorno/Florence, Porto Venere, Rome/Civitavecchia.
ROMANTIC REFLECTIONS
Penthouse with Verandah and Butler Service
(PH Grade)
ROME TO VENICE | CRYSTAL SERENITY | 7 NIGHTS | 7 SEP 2019 | VOYAGE OCY190907-07
Cruise Itinerary:
CALL CRYSTAL ON 0207 399 7601 | VISIT CRYSTALCRUISES.CO.UK
SUITE/STATEROOM
Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah
(B1 Grade)
CRUISE ONLY FARES
£4,923
per person
£7,788
per person
Penthouse with Verandah and Butler Service
(PH Grade)
SUITE/STATEROOM
Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah
(B1 Grade)
CRUISE ONLY FARES
£3,538
per person
£5,765
per person
Penthouse with Verandah and Butler Service
(PH Grade)
SUITE/STATEROOM
Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah
(B1 Grade)
CRUISE ONLY FARES
£4,350
per person
£4,981
per person
Rome/Civitavecchia, Sorrento, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Venice (overnight).
SUITE/STATEROOM
Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah
(B1 Grade)
CRUISE ONLY FARES
£3,035
per person
Penthouse with Verandah and Butler Service £4,981 (PH Grade) per person
ISSUE 26 MAY 2019
BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE IN SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORTH OF ENGLAND & IOM
FLORIDA HIGHLIGHTS
PLUS
Perfect Day at CocoCay now open
PLUS
Finnair - Buy one, get one free
FOCUS ON SHORT BREAKS
* [email protected] www.travelmatters.biz
Travel MattersTM is published by GAH Publishing Ltd, 96 Craigleith Hill Crescent, Edinburgh, EH4 2JP
Time to take a break....
New findings from ABTA reveal that consumers are planning to spend more on their holiday this year and that people in Scotland are more likely to take a city break.
So this is a perfect time to promote short break ideas to your customers, especially with lots of new direct flights to great city destinations, both here in the UK and abroad.
For clients who want to venture further afield, the Sunshine State remains as popular as ever and our Florida Highlights show that there is plenty to keep them going back, time and again. From thrilling theme park rides and attractions, to eco tours and festivals - there is something for everyone.
Not to mention the beautiful beaches and warm weather!
Hilary Douglas
Director
07989 414454 [email protected]
Printed by Claro Print
For magazine delivery and subscription enquiries,
email [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the prior permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at time of publication. Opinions expressed in Travel Matters are not necessarily those of the publisher and GAH Publishing does not accept responsibility for any mistakes that may occur.
Get in touch...
Gary Reavely
Director
07762 630057 [email protected]
Read last month’s issue online at... www.travelmatters.biz
Follow us...
@travelmatters.biz @ TravelMatBiz
@travelmattersbiz travelmattersbiz
Andrea Pellicci
Director
07766 010272 [email protected]
Inside Guide...
8
WIN! An evening on board Nieuw Statendam
19
Check out the Dosomethingdifference
38
Q&A with Murray Thomson, Blythswood Square Hotel
45
Finnair - Buy One Get One Free
57
Belfast City Airport - just a short drive away
14-15
GLAmore Winners
23
Villas & car hire with Goodlife Florida Villas
33
Balkan Holidays Summer 2020 on sale now!
43
Have a good time with Hoseasons
67-68
Free economy flight or $1,000 per stateroom with Crystal Cruises
18-31
Florida Highlights
20-21
Icelandair - Fly to Florida with an Icelandic stopover
30-31
SeaWorld Parks’ latest news
32
‘Uncle Jim’ French celebrates 50 years in the industry
40-57
Focus on Short Breaks
41
Door to door service with Glenton Holidays
48-49
Travel more with Blue Air
18
New online training course - Kennedy Space Centre
62
Check-In with Air Astana
MAY 2019
Best Medium Coach Holiday Company 2016 • 2017 • 2018
OUT NOW!
Europe & Worldwide Brochure
with Departures from Scotland by Coach and Air
3 May 2019 through to Oct 2020 3 £50pp LOW DEPOSIT
3 Great Value Holidays from £569pp 3 Door-to-Door Service
3 'Luxuria Signature' Tours
3 'Experience More with Leger' Tours
To book your customers’ holiday, call on:
01709 385 652 or, to order supplies, please visit
BP Trade-Gate or call Retail Sales on 01709 833 805
Terms & Conditions apply
NEW
Your automatic brochure supplies are on the way!
017606
NEW TOURS AND OFFERS FROM TRAVELSPHERE
Travelsphere's Europe & Worldwide Collection features new escorted tours to Australia, Africa and the Middle East, with an early booking saving of up to £1,000 per person and a low deposit of £99.
The operator has also launched its latest campaign, ‘Real Smiles’ which focuses on the positive impact travelling with Travelsphere has on its customers.
“Real Smiles with Travelsphere, perfectly describes how our customers feel when they are on our holidays, whether it be seeing a lion in the Kruger National Park or enjoying a meal with a local family in Jaipur, the euphoric feeling that a holiday brings is something that will stay with you forever,”
said Alastair Campbell, Managing Director of Travelsphere.
“We rebranded Travelsphere just over a year ago and our latest campaign is part of that journey. We spent a huge amount of time speaking to
our customers and trade partners, and our ‘Real Smiles’ campaign encapsulates everything that people are telling us about the authenticity of their Travelsphere holiday."
WIN!
AN EVENING WITH
TRAVEL MATTERS ON BOARD HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S NIEUW STATENDAM
Launched in December 2018, Holland America Line’s stunning new ship, Nieuw Statendam, is the second in the company’s Pinnacle-class and features a classic style, elegant dining and luxurious decor.
On Wednesday 7th August, Nieuw Statendam will be calling at South Queensferry and you could WIN! an exclusive evening on board with Travel Matters to enjoy dinner and a tour of its state-of-the-art facilities, including its breathtaking central atrium, stunning Dining Room and innovative Music Walk. With its contemporary styling and light-filled spaces, this beautifully appointed ship is a must see!
To enter, simply answer the following question:
Which famous philanthropist, film star and TV icon is Godmother to Nieuw Statendam?
Answers should be submitted by email to [email protected] by no later than Friday 7th June 2019. Terms and conditions apply.
T&Cs: Only one entry per travel agent and prize is non-transferable, non-negotiable and no cash alternative will be offered. Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Entries will be entered into a prize draw and the winner notified by email or telephone. Prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers’ terms and conditions.
DREAMING OF WALKS BY THE SEA...
MAY 2019
Next is East Midlands
Mark, now serving you Inverness East Midlands
Taking off 2nd September 2019
Book now at Loganair.co.uk or via your GDS
Where next?
The Voice of Travel in Scotland
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY
As if mirroring one of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible movies, advances in technology in the world of travel also come thick and fast, most of them with a positive effect on improving a variety of aspects within our industry. With Heathrow introducing enhanced facial recognition this summer to allow air passengers to pass through the airport without showing their passport, the moves to make life easier for travellers continues apace.
Costing somewhere in the region of
£50 million, the project to install permanent facial recognition technology at Britain’s biggest airport is intended
to reduce time spent passing through Heathrow by up to a third as travellers will not even need to show a boarding pass.
It is the biggest single deployment of biometric technology in the world, with Gatwick not far behind, running their
own trials of facial recognition this month. However, the need for a passport, despite some reports, will still be required to ensure the traveller is “registered” at a kiosk similar to what happens currently, only with the addition of their photo being taken.
The airport has already used facial recognition in some stages of passengers’ journeys, including on entry to Britain
at biometric e-gates. However, this will
be the first time that a British airport has used the technology at every stage of the departing passenger’s progress through the airport. The system won’t be available to all travellers immediately, but it’s a huge step in speeding up the airport experience. Many American airports already have this and Asia is light years ahead in technology. From the point of view of convenience, it undoubtedly works, although customers may have concerns about how their
data is protected and airports need to be transparent about this.
British Airways has said that its own shift towards biometric boarding in the United States has allowed it to reduce boarding times by half. The US is introducing facial- recognition systems for all international passengers. They will not require
customers to scan their passport at the start of their trip but compare faces against a central database. This allows passengers to travel through all aspects of an airport system, so boarding passes may be a thing of the past sooner, rather than later. The problems are that its use can be seen as very intrusive; people may not know it is being used, leading to concerns about how their data is being utilised.
On the other hand, images may be compared against wanted lists and that could make it more difficult for those
with a criminal persuasion to travel by
air. Heathrow says that it will not ask customers for data they do not already share while travelling and they can choose not to use facial recognition.
However, new advances in technology can have its downside as well. Drones are a particular area that are giving airports nightmares in trying to understand how to deal with the potential threats they
can bring.
Whilst Gatwick got the main attention when it shut down for two days, there have been over one hundred incidents of drones near airports this year and figures are rising.
Governments have been very slow to find a solution to this growing threat, but even with stringent legislation being applied, anyone with criminal activity in mind is not going to pay much heed to rules. It wouldn’t be the first time we took action too late.
Ken McLeod SPAA President
SPAA 'SUMMER IN THE CITY' CHARITY BALL
Thursday 20th June 2019
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH
Come along as your favourite Hollywood movie star! There'll be prizes for the best-dressed characters of the evening
Lights, camera & action!
6.30pm for 7.15pm Pre-dinner drinks courtesy of Travelport
BOOK NOW!
Email Janice Hogarth at
[email protected]
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
MAY 2019
ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS BYTES
Fly from your
local airport
with Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM offers passengers a choice of four departure points in Scotland: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, so you can enjoy seamless travel worldwide from your local airport.
Air France-KLM is the leading Group in terms of international traffic on departure from Europe, offering Scottish customers access to a global network of 314 destinations in 116 countries. With a fleet of 548 aircraft and 101.4 million passengers carried in 2018, Air France-KLM operates up to 2,300 daily flights, through its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam- Schiphol Airports.
Travellers can take advantage of our award winning frequent flyer programme, Flying Blue, to ensure they get the most out of their journey.
For more information, contact: Lyndsey Haigh
Account Manager Scotland Air France KLM
Tel: 07500 796870
Email: [email protected]
Explore Europe with G Adventures
With over 700 tours, in over 100 countries on every continent, G Adventures offers a small-group adventure to suit every kind of traveller. The global adventure travel specialist’s award-winning tours support local communities, giving travellers meaningful experiences with local people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, while offering them the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own.
Just on the doorstep and with wellness breaks in Tuscany, pizza adventures in Naples, trekking tours in Iceland or shoestring tours from Rome to Lisbon catering to every traveller’s need, G Adventures is offering up to 20% off select trips in Europe this summer, departing before 30th September, when booked before 31st May.
For more information, contact: Kerry Anne Naughton
G Adventures Global Purpose Specialist, Scotland
Tel: 07792 232185
Email: [email protected]
LOGO AIRFRANCE-KLM
No dossier : 2008332E Date : 09/02/09 Validation DA/DC : Validation Client
Special offers on board Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises are offering a free bottle of wine, free speciality dining and up to $250 onboard spending money per person for guests booking on select sailings in 2019 & 2020.
The deal is available from 1st May - 1st July and comprises sailings from the UK, Europe and a number of further afield destinations including Japan, South America, Caribbean and Alaska.
Voyages start from £299pp and range from 4 to 77 nights. Featured in the offer are the first sailings on Enchanted Princess that will launch in June 2020. Enchanted will be named in Southampton before her maiden voyage in July visiting Mediterranean destinations such as Italy, Greece, Spain and Montenegro.
For more details, contact:
Liam Hunt
Territory Business Manager Scotland & Northern Ireland, Princess Cruises Mobile: 07973 823253
Email: [email protected]
Take a break with Hoseasons & James Villas
ABTA revealed that consumers will take up to 3 UK breaks in addition to their main overseas holiday, so let your customers know you can book their Hoseasons UK Break. Plus Hoseasons offer complete price parity so your customers will not be able to book direct with us cheaper.
As the UK’s largest villa company, James Villas are all about taking care of the little things that make your Big Holiday! With over 3,000 holiday villas in over 60 destinations, flights departing from 25 UK airports, finding the perfect villa holiday has never been easier. We have just launched our new destinations for 2019 including, Corsica, Olympus Riviera and Santorini.
For more information and trade support contact: Sarah Smith - National Account Manager
for Hoseasons and James Villas
Tel: 07920 811198
Email: [email protected] Agency Sales enquiries:
Hoseasons: Tel: 01502 516900
Email: [email protected] James Villas: Tel: 0800 0740377 Email: [email protected]
MAY 2019
11
NEWS
BUSINESSMATTERS
June
02 CMV SHIP VISIT,
MAGELLAN, NEWCASTLE
10 DESTINATION CARIBBEAN, DURHAM
18 CARIBBEAN TOURISM ROADSHOW, EDINBURGH
19 CARIBBEAN TOURISM ROADSHOW, DUNDEE
20 CARIBBEAN TOURISM ROADSHOW, GLASGOW
20 SPAA SUMMER IN THE CITY BALL, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH
September
05 SPAA SEMINAR & AUTUMN NETWORK LUNCH, PRINCIPAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH
06 CMV SHIP VISIT, ASTORIA, BELFAST
10 TRAVEL GOSSIP ROADSHOW, GLASGOW
11 TRAVEL GOSSIP ROADSHOW, NEWCASTLE
12 STAR EXHIBITION,
DOUGLAS HOTEL, ABERDEEN
October
7-9 ABTA TRAVEL CONVENTION, TOKYO
11 CMV SHIP VISIT, COLUMBUS, BELFAST
22 DISCOVER GERMANY,
GLASGOW
July
03 CMV SHIP VISIT, MAGELLAN, DUNDEE
08 CMV SHIP VISIT, MAGELLAN, BELFAST
10 PATA QUIZ NIGHT, NEWCASTLE
November
07 SPAA ANNUAL TRAVEL AWARDS, DOUBLETREE HILTON, GLASGOW
19 STAR EXHIBITION, DOUBLETREE HILTON, GLASGOW
August
14 CMV SHIP VISIT,
MARCO POLO, NEWCASTLE
15 CUNARD SHIP VISIT, QUEEN VICTORIA, INVERGORDON
17 CUNARD SHIP VISIT, QUEEN VICTORIA, GREENOCK
22 SPAA GOLF DAY, LANARK GOLF COURSE
23 CMV SHIP VISIT, MARCO POLO, ROSYTH
December
05 SPAA AGM & CHRISTMAS NETWORKING LUNCH, GLASGOW
TIME FOR A BREAK
Canadian Affair expands travel trade team
Canadian Affair is expanding its travel trade team and has appointed Stephanie Robertson
as Travel Trade Sales Executive.
Stephanie will be based in
the Greater Manchester area,
with responsibility for driving sales
in Northern England and will report to the company’s Travel Trade Manager, Jane Fraser.
Stephanie has previously worked with The Holiday Team, Insight Vacations and Trafalgar Tours.
Canadian Affair is planning a wide range of activity for its travel trade partners, including roadshow events across the UK as well as a series of fam trips to different parts
of Canada to showcase its versatility and appeal as a holiday destination.
Celebrity Cruises aims to develop trade relationships
Celebrity Cruises has appointed Pauline Thomson as Regional Sales Manager, covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Pauline has over 15 years experience
in the travel industry and joins the cruise line from Tui, where she was a retail manager. She comments: “My passion has always been cruise so I am delighted to be working for such a great cruise company at a time where the future is looking so exciting.
“I am looking forward to working with and supporting our trade partners in Scotland and Northern Ireland. I have already had such a warm welcome on my travels and I am confident that I can help agents build on their Celebrity Cruises’ business.”
MAY 2019
Venture east with the experts. For 23 years, Indus Experience has been creating bespoke travel experiences for discerning travellers who want to see and understand Asia through local eyes. Contact us and we will create an unforgettable journey for your clients
Bhutan Burma Cambodia India Laos Nepal Sri Lanka Vietnam Uzbekistan
enquiries & Bookings: 020 8901 7320 or email: [email protected]
GLAMORE WINNERS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS OF THE GLAMORE COMPETITION
MAY 2019
CARLY WATSON, CLARITY
2 X ICELANDAIR TICKETS TO ANYWHERE ON THE NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK
EVELYN MCGLINCHEY, FCM TRAVEL
2 X EMIRATES FLIGHTS TO DUBAI
ANGELA TAYLOR, TRAVEL COUNSELLORS
2 X THOMAS COOK AIRLINES FLIGHTS TO TURKEY
ELIZABETH PATTISON, TRAVEL PLANET
2 X UNITED AIRLINES TICKETS TO NEW YORK (NEWARK)
LOUISE WHANNEL, TRAVEL CTM
2 X KLM FLIGHTS TO AMSTERDAM
SUSAN SPEIRS, LAH TRAVEL
2 X AIR TRANSAT FLIGHTS TO TORONTO
KIRSTY HOOD, STEWART TRAVEL
2 X LUFTHANSA FLIGHTS TO FRANKFURT OR MUNICH
KIRSTY PEARCE, IF ONLY...
2 X DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHTS TO NEW YORK (JFK)
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!
MAY 2019
15
PAULINE HILL, GLEN TRAVEL
2 X JET2HOLIDAYS FLIGHTS TO ANY EUROPEAN DESTINATION
LAUREN ROSS, TRAVEL 2
2 X FLIGHTS TO ANY EASYJET DESTINATION
HELEN WALKER, FLIGHT CENTRE
2 X AIR CANADA ROUGE FLIGHTS TO TORONTO
MARK ROGER, IAN DICKSON TRAVEL
2 X VIRGIN ATLANTIC FLIGHTS TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Emirates and Glasgow Airport celebrated the arrival of Emirates' iconic Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft.
Visit ifonly.co/A380 to find out more
BENEFITS OF FLYING
ON-BOARD THE A380
1. On-board lounge for
First & Business Class travellers
2. Expertly crafted cuisine and beverages
3. On-board shower spa with Bvlgari toiletries
4. State-of-the-art entertainment systems
5. Award-winning service
MAY 2019
AROUND THE WORLD IN
A380 DAYS
Departure
Arrival
GLA DXB Glasgow Dubai
FLORIDA
In TripAdvisor’s 2019 Travellers’ Choice Awards, seven Florida beaches were named in the top 10 beaches in the USA, with Clearwater Beach making number one for the second year running.
For more information, go to www.visitflorida.com/en-us/florida- beaches/beach-finder - an online tool that allows travellers to view and choose which beach to visit.
Clearwater Beach (#1)
Panama City Beach (#3)
St. Pete Beach (#4)
Pensacola Beach (#5)
Siesta Key Beach (#6)
St. Augustine (#8)
Fort Lauderdale Beach (#9)
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun, inspiration and educational activities.
Come face-to-face with an astronaut, stand next to space shuttle Atlantis and go behind the gates on a bus tour of NASA to see launch pads and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
For the chance to qualify for two General Admission tickets to the Kennedy Space Center and the chance to WIN a goody bag, simply complete the NEW OTT training course at: www.onlinetraveltraining.com/uk/courses/ themeparksattractions/
For more information, visit
www.kennedyspacecenter.com
MAY 2019
Find a beach in the Sunshine State
We Make Selling Tickets
EASY & FUN
For all the major Florida theme parks!
The DSD Difference...
We issue REAL gate-ready theme park tickets NO deposits, amendment or cancellation fees! We’re hosting 3 Florida FAMs this year! Great cash incentives throughout the year! Great mates rates for you and your family! We know because we go (perk of the job) We’re ABTA members
We’re awesomely bonkers!
Book-Something-Different today! 0208 090 3890 [email protected]
FLORIDA
FLY ICELANDAIR TO FLORIDA WITH AN ICELANDIC STOPOVER ADVENTURE
Fun, sun and sand: Florida offers endless exciting activities for the entire family. Fly Icelandair to Tampa and Orlando from the UK and Ireland with an unforgettable Stopover in Iceland.
The epicentre of sun-kissed theme-park holidays, Orlando is a magnet for families around the globe. It is one of the world’s most visited family destinations and home to more than a dozen theme parks. Walt Disney World includes a range of parks such as Magic Kingdom and Epcot, as well as water parks. And Universal Orlando has Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter straddling both. Go there and make your children (and your inner child) deliriously happy!
Known as the City Beautiful, Orlando has a vibrant and well-kept city centre and a climate that averages around 75° Fahrenheit (25° Celsius). It is brimming with family-friendly attractions such as
waterparks, giant aquariums and zoos, exciting shows and airboat tours around the swamps. And of course, the golfing opportunities are abundant.
Orlando is not the only Florida destination for theme-park holidays. Tampa, located on Tampa Bay along Florida’s Gulf Coast, has family-friendly parks too, museums and various cultural events, not to mention some stunning beaches in the vicinity and that same reliable Florida sunshine. Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park with roller coasters and animal-viewing areas.
Are you ready to experience exciting wildlife encounters? Spotting manatees or perhaps feeding a rhinoceros? In the mood for great dining and dancing? The historic Ybor City neighbourhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar- factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is the perfect place to go.
In addition to great amusement parks, fantastic beaches and golf courses, Florida is known to be a fantastic shopping destination. Outlet malls are to be found across the state, offering top class brands at unbelievable prices.
Before hitting the beaches, parks and shopping malls of Florida, why not make a stop in magical Iceland? Icelandair offers regular flights to Tampa and Orlando from the UK and continental Europe with an unforgettable Stopover in Iceland.
When you book flights to Tampa and Orlando with Icelandair, you can easily add a Stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare. Go for an unforgettable soak and a mud mask at the unique geothermal wonder Blue Lagoon, explore Reykjavík’s vibrant cultural life and explore its unspoiled spectacular nature, all in just a few days. A win-win situation if there ever was one!
MAY 2019
Travel to US & Canada via the hot springs
Stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare when flying transatlantic
Reykjavik I Anchorage I Boston I Chicago I Denver I Edmonton I Kansas City I Minneapolis I Montreal I New York (JFK & Newark) Orlando I Philadelphia I Portland I Seattle I San Francisco I Tampa I Toronto I Vancouver I Washington, D.C.
n Fly direct from London (Heathrow & Gatwick), Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to Iceland with easy connections to North America.
n 23 kg checked luggage (Light fares excluded), 10 kg hand luggage, 32 in legroom, in-flight entertainment and more.
n Stopover in Iceland for up to 7 nights at no additional airfare. + icelandairacademy.com
FLORIDA
FLY AND DINE at Icon Orlando 360
A new Fly and Dine Package on Icon Orlando is now available to pre-book in the UK, offering guests a ride on one of the world’s tallest observation wheels as well as a meal of their choice all in one package.
Fast casual dining is priced from £25.74 per person and includes an entrée, choice of drink or side and a dessert at Shake Shack, iCafe de Paris and UNO Express. Priced from £35.10 per person, full service dining is also available and includes a starter, entrée and dessert
at Tapa Toro Spanish Restaurant, Sugar Factory, Tin Roof and UNO Pizzeria and Grill I-Drive.
The Fly and Dine package tickets are valid for single ride, (duration approximately 23 minutes) and bookable and fully commissionable through Travel Trade Tickets and Tours (www.tttandt.com).
ICON ORLANDO 360 also features SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology and the new StarFlyer.
Get active on an Eco Tour
New attractions in the Florida Keys include the 64-acre Crane Point Museum & Nature Trail , offering new guided daily sunset kayak and paddleboard tours by Natural Paths Paddle Adventures.
Crane Point has also acquired a light-blue 900-square-foot wooden house dating back to
the 1920s and a historic red railroad car that was previously located at Knight’s Key. The area’s rich history includes the George Adderley house, built of tabby concrete incorporating burnt seashells which also features a butterfly garden, museum, wild bird rehabilitation centre and several walking tours.
Further south in Key West, visitors can take a
dolphin watch and snorkel tour with
Honest Eco Sustainable Nature Tours featuring
a new eco-friendly option: SQUID, Key West’s first electric- powered charter boat.
22
MAY 2019
Celebrations at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
As well as celebrating the launch of Tigris, Florida’s tallest roller coaster this spring, this year also marks the 60th Anniversary of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
First opened in March 1959 as a brewery and bird garden, the park now offers thrilling roller coaster rides, state of the art animal habitats as well as family entertainment. Busch Gardens will be celebrating its birthday throughout the year with special events, festivals and concerts.
Visitors can also enjoy a great programme of entertainment during Summer Nights, with extended park hours every night.
Featuring themed party zones throughout the park, guests can also take on the exhilarating rides in the dark.
Adults aged 21 and older will also be able to enjoy the special 2019 promotion #YearOfBeer.
Going back to the park’s roots as a beer garden, guests will receive two complimentary beer samples each park visit at the Garden Gate Cafe or Kettle Corn in Pantopia.
✓ Over 800 named villas in over 60 communities throughout Orlando & Gulf Coast
✓ Low prices for Allocation on Arrival villas with pools in Orlando and Gulf Coast
✓ Easy to use bookable website
✓ Live availability on villas and townhouses
until January 2021
✓ Virtual tours available on selected homes
✓ Low deposit - 10% of villa cost
✓ All prices include commission
✓ Flexible booking durations
✓ No supplements for under occupancy ✓ Fantastic car hire rates –
NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
✓ Attractions tickets available to book with low deposits
SPECIALISTS IN
VILLAS AND CAR HIRE THROUGHOUT FLORIDA
Visit www.glfv.co.uk
MAY 2019
23
FLORIDA
YOUR PERFECT DAY, OUR PERFECT ISLAND
Introducing a destination that resets adventure to a whole new level, reimagining what’s possible in a day. A destination bolder than any other. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, you’ll discover endless ways to fill your day with one-of- a-kind experiences designed to conquer more unknowns and cultivate more lasting memories at every turn.
Now open and with 14 ships visiting
the island as part of their incredible itineraries, you’ll be able to experience whatever you’re after, from the chills to the thrills, from perfect family time, to relaxed moments together just the two of you, Perfect Day at CocoCay has it all.
Prefer to relax? One-of-a-kind ways to chill invite next level relaxation at the first over water cabanas in The Bahamas and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.
At Coco Beach Club, every moment
is elevated. It’s just you and endless
blue, lounging in the Bahamas. Savour new Mediterranean flavours, then drift along the finest line between poolside and seaside, in an infinity edge pool overlooking the ocean. Still peckish? Just steps away, you can fill up your plate with tasty BBQ right on the beach at Chill Grill. Once you’re feeling recharged, check
out the island sights from a jet ski or on a guided snorkel tour.
Looking for excitement? Thrill Waterpark is a drench a minute thrill-a-thon for every adventurer. From giggle-worthy tides to shriek-inducing slides towering high into the clouds. Bounce, climb and swing your way through the obstacles
in Adventure Pool. Get swept up by the biggest Wave Pool in the Caribbean. Or if you’re up for a true rush, take on the tallest waterslide in North America — Daredevil’s PeakSM.
Gather up your adventure squad and get ready to take on six awesome slides together, because Splash Summit is all about sharing the thrill.
Hit the winding tube slide known as The Twister on a two-person raft, or go for a zero-gravity rush with your most fearless foursome on The Slingshot. Then stoke your competitive spirit on the four-lane Splash Speedway racers. It’s true what they say — there’s strength in numbers.
Or if you’re looking to take your adventure to the skies, climb aboard a helium balloon and see the islands like never before from the highest vantage point in The Bahamas — Up, Up and Away. Feel your heart race while soaring up to 450 feet above land and sea, then let the wonder wash over you as you coast on the breeze.
Picturing it already?
We can’t blame you! Book now.
MAY 2019
YOUR PERFECT DAY, OUR PRIVATE ISLAND
Say hello to Perfect DaySM at CocoCay®, our private destination in the Bahamas designed to take your breath away. Visited by 14 of our amazing ships, including
Allure, Anthem and Harmony of the Seas®.
NOW OPEN
BOOK NOW
Images and messaging for Perfect Day at CocoCay reflect current design concepts and may include artistic renderings. All destination features and experiences, and related delivery timing for these features, are currently in development and are subject to change without notice. Perfect Day and CocoCay are trademarks of Royal Caribbean.
© 2018 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 18061315 • 3/8/2018.
FLORIDA
VACATION LIKE A VIP in
sunny Fort Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale is offering a 2-for-1 savings card this summer, featuring discounts on attractions and hotel accommodation.
The destination-wide 2-for-1 Summer Savings programme runs from 1st May through to 30th September, 2019 and features more than 40 buy one, get one free special offers including options for boating/cruising, diving/snorkelling, museums, nature, restaurants, shopping, watersports and spa and fitness.
Highlights include airboat rides through the Everglades with Billie Swamp Safari, Sawgrass Recreation Park and Everglades Holiday Park; surfing on
the FlowRider at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, as well as other water-adventure activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling excursions; kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, surfing and boogie boarding; fishing trips, sailing excursions and Water Taxi tours. Visitors can also explore Butterfly World with more than 20,000 live butterflies as well as historic sites including the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
The summer 2019 Vacation Like a VIP promotion, which runs at the same time, is offered exclusively at the destination’s Resort Collection properties and offers reduced room rates. Participating hotels include Bonaventure Resort & Spa, Costa Hollywood Beach Resort, The Diplomat Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz- Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, W Fort Lauderdale and Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
Other highlights of the VIP package include complimentary access to The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills Luxury Lounge with amenities including welcome refreshments, luxury concierge and complimentary valet parking.
For more information, visit sunny.org/summer
Step into the world
of Harry Potter
Harry Potter fans are in for a real treat this summer with the opening of new attraction, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike AdventureTM.
Opening on 13th June, this all-new thrilling roller coaster ride features HagridTM as a guide as you board motorbikes that fly past HogwartsTM Castle and into the Forbidden Forest to discover the creatures that live there.
Guests can also explore the village of HogsmeadeTM at the foot of HogwartsTM Castle. Activities include dining at the Three BroomsticksTM, a view of Hagrid’s hut on Flight of the HippogriffTM or shopping for sweets at HoneydukesTM. Visitors can also wander around the classrooms and corridors of HogwartsTM and then soar above the castle with Harry PotterTM on the groundbreaking ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM.
The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM – HogsmeadeTM is located inside Universal’s Islands of AdventureTM theme park.
MAY 2019
FLORIDA
Experience the Temptations of Miami
Visitors to Miami this summer can take advantage of a programme of special discounts and deals offered by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).
Miami Attractions & Museum Month is one of seven promotions and runs until 31st May offering entry into unique attractions and galleries throughout the Miami and the Beaches area.
Other promotions in the Miami Temptations Programme, include Miami Hotel Months (July- August); Miami Spa Months (July- August); and Miami Spice Months (August- September).
Visit MiamiTemptations.com for a complete list of special offers and events.
I’M ALL ABOUT THE PALM TREES AND
80 DEGREES!
MAY 2019
27
FLORIDA
Visit Orlando Roadshow
comes to Glasgow
Visit Orlando recently took its annual Roadshow to nine cities across the UK, including Glasgow. Agents were given updates on the latest hotels, attractions and experiences through one-on-one meetings with Orlando’s travel partners, including SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment®, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Aer Lingus.
For more information on Orlando, agents can complete the revamped online Orlando Travel Academy on the travel trade website, visitorlando.com/trade to become a certified ‘Orlando Travel Expert.’
MAY 2019
CLASSIC STYLE
& ENRICHING
JOURNEYS
OUR IN-DEPTH CARIBBEAN
THE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DIFFERENCE
Perfectly-sized, elegant ships
Spacious staterooms and suites, many with private balcony
Nearly one crew member for every two guests
Fine dining with casual to formal options
Regional cuisine, Explorations Central destination experiences and more Every cruise calls at our private island, Half Moon Cay
Long days and overnight stays in hand- picked destinations
Beyond the Caribbean’s beautiful beaches lie little known island secrets and off the beaten track surprises. Here too Mexico, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal. With Holland America Line, visitors may discover these tropical gems in greater depth through inside stories, regional cuisine and authentic destination experiences. At our award-winning private island of Half Moon Cay, a protected sanctuary for wildlife, you might quietly count egrets, they may swim with curious stingrays, play in the water on Sunfish sailboats or relax on a crescent of perfect white sand beach.
11-NIGHT
SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN WAYFARER
Departs:
13 Nov, 4*, 22 Dec 2019. 22 Jan; 12 Feb, 4 Mar 2020
Koningsdam
DEPART:
FT LAUDERDALE
ARRIVE:
FT LAUDERDALE
Departs:
23, 30* Nov; 21 Dec 2019. 18, 25 Jan; 15, 22 Feb; 14, 21 Mar 2020
Nieuw Amsterdam
DEPART:
FT LAUDERDALE
ARRIVE:
FT LAUDERDALE
Departs:
20, 30+ Oct; 10*, 20 Nov 2019. 15+, 26+ Feb; 8, 18+, 29 Mar; 8+ Apr 2020
Zuiderdam
DEPART: ARRIVE:
FT LAUDERDALE FT LAUDERDALE
*Lead fare based on 10/11/19 sailing. +11-night sailings
Itineraries may vary. *Lead fare based on 4/12/19 sailing
CONTACT:
Itineraries may vary. *Lead fare based on 30/11/19 sailing
14-NIGHT
WESTERN & TROPICAL CARIBBEAN
Cruise from
£1,079*
per person
VISITS: St Maarten, St Lucia, scenic cruising Soufriere Bay, Barbados, Martinique, St Kitts, St Thomas, Half Moon Cay.
Fly/cruise from Glasgow
£1,889
Includes hotel and transfers
from
pp
Cruise from
£1,199*
per person
VISITS: Half Moon Cay, Falmouth (Jamaica), Grand Cayman, Cozumel (Mexico), Ft Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove,
Key West.
Fly/cruise from Glasgow
£2,199
Includes hotel and transfers
from
pp
10-11-NIGHT CARIBBEAN & PANAMA CANAL SUNFARER
Cruise from
£1,359*
per person
VISITS: Half Moon Cay, Aruba, Curacao, Cartagena (Columbia), Scenic cruising Panama Canal & Gatun Lake, Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica).
Fly/cruise from Glasgow
£2,009
Includes hotel and transfers
from
pp
Bekkie Skipp - BDM North & Scotland [email protected]. Call (0)7780 490748 email: [email protected]
Reservations Online POLAR Online: via www.hollandamerica.co.uk and click on partnerships Reservations by Phone Call 0344 338 8600
Terms & Conditions *ALL LEAD PRICES STATED ARE CRUISE ONLY OR FLY/CRUISE FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT IN GBP Sterling. Please ask for other regional airports. Featured fares are per person based on double occupancy and include Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. Subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply. It is the responsibility of guests to ensure they have a full passport valid at least 6 months beyond the date travel is to commence. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.
FLORIDA
THE SEAWORLD PARKS’ LATEST NEWS
Busch Gardens officially opened Tigris, a triple-launch steel roller coaster, on Friday, April 19, 2019. The new attraction is Florida’s tallest launch coaster and the ninth coaster in the park’s collection, solidifying Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as Florida’s thrill ride leader.
Tigris will catapult riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward and backward motion, breath- taking drops, a 150-foot skyward surge, and an inverted heartline roll, reaching a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour. Tigris will race riders along more than 1,800 feet of steel track designed to mimic the awe-inspiring agility of the world’s largest and most powerful cat – the tiger.
KareKare Curl, Aquatica Orlando’s highly-anticipated new waterslide attraction, made its grand debut to park guests on Friday 12 April 2019. “KareKare” means “waves” in the Maori language, and combined with “Curl”, this new ride could be described as a “curve shaped wave”, which riders experience when surging up the vertical wave wall.
True to its name and holding two passengers per raft, this new slide delivers a high-adrenaline, weightless adventure. With the addition of KareKare Curl, Aquatica becomes the thrill leader among Florida waterparks, with more high-thrill rides than any other.
Get ready to walk down Sesame Street for the very first time at SeaWorld Orlando. The grand opening of this six-acre, world- class attraction took place on Wednesday March 27th.
For the very first time, take a walk down Sesame Street and bring your family to the neighbourhood your favourite furry friends call home. Stop by the famous stoop at 123, explore the inside of Hooper’s Store, then head for big fun at Big Bird’s Nest. Sesame Street at SeaWorld is exactly as you imagined, and with an award-winning parade, wet and dry play areas, rides, and an interactive neighbourhood, it’s more fun than you could ever dream. Come play and learn with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby and all their furry friends!
AUTISM CERTIFICATION
On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day and as part
of World Autism Awareness Week, SeaWorld Orlando announced it has been designated as a Certified Autism Center by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). SeaWorld joins Aquatica and Discovery Cove to become the first family of parks, in the world’s leading theme park destination, to be certified.
MAY 2019
Sesame Street at SeaWorld
Take a walk down Sesame Street for the very first time
Tigris
at Busch Gardens
Florida’s tallest launch coaster
KareKare Curl at Aquatica
Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove
A high-adrenaline and weightless adventure
Once in a lifetime experience
Experience an unforgettable day at
Discovery Cove with our all-inclusive package.
Come up close and personal with the ocean’s most-loved creatures by swimming with dolphins.
As well as your Discovery Cove experience, make more memories and enjoy more adventures with unlimited 14- day admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, plus free unlimited parking.
PACKAGES FROM £245PP
VISIT DOSOMETHINGDIFFERENT.COM TO BOOK
© 2019 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TM/© Sesame Workshop. Individual terms and conditions apply, see dosomethingdifferent.com for details. Price correct at time of print and subject to change without prior notice.
OBSERVATIONS FROM ‘UNCLE JIM’ (FRENCH)
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN TRAVEL
After starting his career as an office boy in Monteith Travel, where he hand wrote his first 7 x 4 coupon Round the World tickets, (which he then delivered on a Honda 90), Jim French is celebrating 50 years in the travel industry.
Jim has seen many changes within the travel trade
- from working with manual reservation systems, with no computers and no mobile phones, through
to working with technology and the internet. He has worked with various travel companies, including Horizon Holidays and Volta-Dixon Travel and is now a Travel Counsellor, known fondly in the Scottish travel trade as ‘Uncle Jim’.
In his 50th year, Uncle Jim gives us a few of his own personal travel observations:
FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS...
Japan, NZ, Puerto Pollensa, Italy, especially Tuscany.
BEST HOLIDAYS EVER...
Safaris & Multi Centre S.A. Motorhomes through the Rockies & New Zealand. Amtrak around Western USA. Skiing in the Rockies. Learning to sail in the Greek Islands.
BEST EDUCATIONALS...
Tauck Heli Hiking in the Canadian Bugaboos.
PLACES STILL TO VISIT...
India, Vietnam & Cambodia (because I keep flying over them to see my brother and family in Australia). Norwegian Fjords. Some Scottish Treks.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE I KICK THE BUCKET...
Hot Air Balloon flight (keeping it for somewhere very special); Fly a Glider; managing to stand up on a Surfboard/Windsurfer; One decent golf score card; Another great ski trip; Sailing with the family.
TRAVEL TIP...
Don’t sit on the highest back seat on a Safari. I got bitten on the bum after we had driven through a spider’s web on a Scotia trip with Hugh Sanders (now of Afar / Asia).
GOLDEN RULE...
Treat clients, colleagues and people in general, in
the way you would like to be treated. Even in today’s technological world, relationships matter. Travel is still very much a people business.
FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY...
Competing with up and coming nations/economies, who want to see and experience the world. Climate change and a genuine wish to protect fragile places and species at risk.
HOPES & OPPORTUNITIES...
Scotland may be a small country however, we have one of the last natural, wild and amazing landscapes in Europe. Our rich history is fascinating and we must also value our inbound travel industry and improve standards.
I think there should be more better paid travel career opportunities in our own hotel and hospitality industry to help create Quality Sustainable Tourism.
MAY 2019
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SUMMER 2020 ON SALE NOW!
• The widest choice of the best value holidays to Bulgaria– More flights, more hotels and more resorts than any other tour operator!
• Plus a wide choice of holidays to Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro
• Prices from £199 plus FREE child places
• Low deposit of just £49pp
• 5% Loyalty Discount for repeat clients
• Early Booking Discounts – Save up to £802 per couple
• 22kg luggage allowance and airport transfers included
in package holidays
GLASGOW EDINBURGH ABERDEEN DURHAM TEES VALLEY NEWCASTLE BELFAST
Call 0207 543 5555 Visit balkanholida
Brochures via BP Trade-Gate » Viewdata: BAL
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SUMMER 2019 LATE DEALS ON SALE NOW
What was the thinking behind this new collection?
There were a number of cruise lines with a bespoke offering at a similar level to If Only’...s existing products that we knew would complement the destinations we sell, as well as offer experiences that our customers would like.
We identified ten cruise companies which showcase a broad range of luxury options that could be tailor made to each destination. So, we chose Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, Star Clippers, Princess, Crystal Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn, HAL, Celebrity and Azamara.
I have worked with all of these cruise lines in the past and although these ten are exclusive at the moment, we may well expand that collection in the future.
This is a competitive market – so why would agents choose If Only...?
I believe we are well known for the quality of service we offer, right from the moment when a travel agent calls our telephone number and one of our reservation specialists picks up
the phone.
Face to Face with...
DAVID IRVING
Head of Specialist Business, If Only... talking about the launch of their Luxury Cruise Collection
We offffer our agent partners in-depth knowledge and expertise right through the booking process - from creating a bespoke itinerary and ultimately to the customer’s holiday experience.
With the destinations that we feature, we have the capability to be able to tailor make any programme that our customers are looking for.
This does not apply to just flights and hotels but also extends to touring
or luxury rail journeys – various components that we can add to really make that holiday a unique and memorable experience.
What are the major USPs for the Luxury Cruise Collection?
We are a Trade Only operator and only sell our Luxury Cruise Collection via Independent travel agents.
Having a dedicated team with loads
of experience, working with hand selected cruise lines, selling only four and five-star luxury products with private transfers and direct lines for each of our reservation teams, so agents can get that bespoke quality service - this also allows us to stand out from the crowd.
Of course, we offer commission on all elements of our pricing which is unusual and we have a very flexible
pricing approach which allows manoeuvrability and is essential in the highly competitive cruise market.
If Only... have built their reputation on their reservation service – is this still important for cruise?
Absolutely! This is a top priority.
We began the task of getting the
right people early on and spent time recruiting them so that we got it right.
We now have a team of five, brought in specifically for their cruise experience. They have between them 108 years (to be exact!) experience in this market.
Crucially though, it’s vital that they have not only the cruise knowledge, but also knowledge of the destination and can confidently talk about both aspects.
These guys have to be experts in the whole world! We are delighted with our team and know agents will be too.
MAY 2019
NEWS
The Canny Lad...
DARREN PHILLIPS
Hi guys, hope you are all nice and busy with the summer rush and last minute £99 bargain hunters! It never ceases to amaze me how people can still think they can get holidays that cheap but it’s all part of the job eh!
No matter what people pay for a holiday these days, you always get the moaners and groaners, don’t you? Some of them are a great source of amusement and others just get more trivial than ever. I once had a client that did not want to pay for a sea view so got a garden view instead. She then wanted a refund for not being able to use the balcony, as she didn’t like the plants in the garden that they overlooked...!
One of the best ones I heard was from an agent I was visiting for Affordable Car Hire. She explained that a client’s complaint and compensation claim had been going on for over six months. The client’s taxi didn’t turn up at the hotel to pick them up for the flight home, so she had to get her own one. The agent refunded both her pre-paid taxi fare AND the one she had paid for in resort.
However, the client still wasn’t happy, as she felt that as she nearly had a heart attack when she realised the taxi wasn’t coming, she
wanted the
agent to pay for
her to privately
see a heart specialist to check that everything was OK - unbelievable!
If you have had any funny
complaints, let me know - email [email protected] and I will pass them on!
On a positive note, here at Affordable Car Hire, our motor home product is going great with over 120 suppliers now. We have just taken on a supplier with motor homes where the living room and a bedroom comes out the side - these are just amazing and really have the wow factor!
If you would like any details or more more information, email
[email protected]
Happy selling folks!
Darren
Join first sailing of Sky Princess
Agents can win a place on the preview voyage of Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Sky Princess.
Winners of the #SkyPrincess competition will join a four-night sailing departing on 16th October from Trieste, Italy to Athens, Greece, including a call at Kotor, Montenegro. The trip includes return flights, overseas transfers and a variety of complimentary onboard activities.
The 3,660-guest Sky Princess is currently under construction and will be a sister ship to the three newest vessels in the Princess Cruises fleet: Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess.
New features on board Sky Princess will include top-deck ‘Sky Suites’, the largest balconies at sea, with 270 degree views
and a private viewing area of the outdoor ‘Movies Under The Stars’ screen. The ship will also feature Ocean Medallion, which is replacing the cruise card on all Princess ships.
To be in with a chance of winning, agents simply need to make a Princess Cruises' booking between 1st May and 30th June, 2019 on any Princess voyage and submit the booking reference to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/skyprincess
Agents can apply for the #SkyPrincess competition every time they make a booking, as there is no limit on entries. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email by 5th July.
MAY 2019
Visit Malta held an agents' Quiz Night in Glasgow
OUR WORLD DESERVES MORE YOU.
Because with us you can use your passion for travel to change people’s lives. We choose local business and services, and create self-sustaining initiatives, so your travellers have the time of their lives and we can make travel make a difference.
Why book with G Adventures?
› Adventures to fit every traveller › Lifetime DepositsTM
› No single supplements
› New TailorMade travel option
› Up to 70% agent discount*
24/7 Agent Hotline | 0344 272 2200
gadventures.com
*Terms and conditions apply. For details please visit sherpa.gadventures.com
Cruise figures
continue to grow
Latest figures from CLIA’s annual Cruise Review industry report show that for the UK and Irish market, the number of ocean cruises taken last year reached over two million for the first time.
Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said: “Surpassing the two million mark is a significant milestone as it demonstrates the continued strength of cruising as a mainstream holiday choice for the British & Irish. With cruise lines continuing to expand their offerings both onboard and ashore and being able to explore fascinating destinations and only having to unpack once, cruise holidays have become appealing to a more diverse and often younger market.”
The average cruise passenger age stood at 57 years, which can be contributed to the growth in the number of families choosing to cruise and Europe remains the most popular choice for British and Irish holidaymakers.
MAY 2019
37
NEWS
Questions & Answers
GARY REAVELY speaks to
MURRAY THOMSON,
General Manager, Blythswood Square Hotel
Tell us about your career background
Apart from a stint as MD of a marketing consultancy, I’ve spent all of my working life to date in the hospitality and leisure sector. I started at the Rocco Forte Collection back in 1997 and climbed the ranks to become UK Director of Sales and Marketing before leaving there in 2007.
In 2009 I joined the Blythswood Square Hotel for the first time, as Director of Operations and spent two very happy years there before moving to Cameron House Hotel on the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond to become Hotel Manager.
I was then recruited to Principal Hotels who by then had acquired both the Grand Central Hotel and Blythswood Square Hotel.
After a couple of years at the Grand Central Hotel, I re-joined the Blythswood Square Hotel as General Manager in February 2015 to continue my relationship with this very special hotel. The four years have flown by, with many more exciting years ahead.
What attracted you to the position at the Blythswood Square Hotel?
Well, when you’re in the hospitality, leisure and entertainment business, it’s the top job in town. With the spa, cinema, restaurant, bars and accommodation, the Blythswood Square Hotel is one of the leading destination hotels in the UK for the discerning customer.
We have a great team, a super culture and a wonderful work environment.
When you first took up the post, what were your priorities?
With a top class team in place, my first task was to work with my colleagues to help enhance the customer experience. I believe we’ve achieved that but there’s always more to be done.
In your opinion, when you stay at a hotel, what do you think makes it stand out from all the rest?
It’s all about the people. Always. Customers will remember such things as comfy pillows, a buzzy bar and great food but most of all they remember the people. That’s why customers come back time and again to the Blythswood Square Hotel.
You must have met many famous people -
is there one in particular who has stood out?
There’s a few. Priscilla Presley was one of the most down to earth famous faces we’ve had at the hotel, along with Katy Perry who really loved the design of our rooms and wanted to meet the designer. And there’s Tom Jones. Who better to have a sing song with at 4am in the morning. It’s not unusual.....!
What was the best piece of business advice that you were ever given?
The best advice comes from an IHG colleague, Sean Wheeler, who said: “What gets measured gets done!”.
MAY 2019
Glen Travel's new Silversea Suite was officially opened by Peter Shanks, Managing Director - UK & Ireland, Silversea Cruises
RAIL HOLIDAYS
to Europe, North America and beyond!
Independent Rail Holiday Experts
Book Rail Holidays up to 2 years in advance
Short hold times and Instant Quote
Full Price Parity
ABTA and ATOL protected
Excellent Commission
Dedicated Trade Team to help – contact [email protected]
Order brochures through
Y6401
TradeGate.co.uk k to view all of our rail holidays or call 0203 327 3586
Visit www.railbookers.co.uk
RBL131F_RBUK_TRAVEL_MATTERS_HP_AD_APR19_v1.indd 1 03/04/2019 12:20
may 2019
39
FLY FROM
SCOTLAND
7579
SHORT BREAKS
GLIDE ABOVE THE THAMES IN A CABLE CAR
For a bird’s eye of London, why not jump on
board the Emirates
Air Line cable car
and glide above the Thames.
Using the cable
car is an easy
way to get from
the Greenwich
Peninsula to the
Royal Docks and the
trip takes approximately
10 minutes. The cars,
which accommodate 10 people,
arrive every 30 seconds. You can use your Oyster and Visitor Oyster card or a contactless payment card to pay for the trip.
In the evenings, after 7pm, visitors can enjoy extended Night Flights (12 to 13 minutes each way) with music and video in cabins to enhance the in-flight experience as you watch the city come alive after dark. A private cabin can also be hired (subject to availability) for a 360° round-trip with up to 10 passengers.
Emirates Air Line is accessible to wheelchair users and cyclists and is open seven days per week.
With an Oyster card, adult fares are from £3.50 and child fares are from £1.70 one way. You can book a return or a 360° tour
– a non-stop return journey – by buying a 360° tour Boarding Pass at the ticket office from £6.80 per adult or from £3.40 per child. Paying with an Oyster card is 25% cheaper than
paying cash.
Individuals, families or groups can travel with Thames Clippers river passes allowing unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel to 15 piers along the Thames, as well as a 360° trip on the Emirates Air Line and access to the Emirates Aviation Experience. A family of up to five people – two adults and three children – can purchase a ‘Roamer package’ for £50.
TAKE A
WALK IN
THE CHANNEL
ISLANDS
The Channel Islands, comprising of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm are just a short hop away from Britain and perfect for a short break. The mild winters, warm summers and long hours of sunshine make them ideal year- round destinations, with lots to see and do for all the family.
For an active break, visitors can enjoy Guernsey’s Spring Walking Festival. Guided walks include a Walk in the Steps
of Renoir and Victor Hugo or The Military History and Fortifications of Pembroke & L’Ancresse, focusing on the late 18th Century through to the German Occupation during WWII.
In Sark, you can take a Walk on the Wild Side to view the natural beauty of the island, or in Herm, take the Three Peak Challenge towards the north of Herm.
For an evening walk with a difference, visitors to Jersey can experience the colours and star-like shapes of the luminous green creatures at the sea’s edge.
Jersey WalkAdventures offer “moonwalks” across the seabed, guided by a local expert, to explore the bioluminescent marine life of the ocean in a few special spots at low tide. Private walks are also available.
HERE COMES THE SUN
MAY 2019
SHORT BREAKS
Short breaks with the effortless ease of Glenton’s Door to Door service...
Due to the popular demand for this facility, Glenton Holidays have included a home pickup in their holiday package on an increasing number of getaways. On coach tours, this service is available to clients living within ten miles of Glasgow, Bathgate, Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Hamilton. This radius is extended to 35 miles from the above points for customers booking on a Glenton cruise or air holiday.
Glenton’s brochures feature a door to door icon in the shape of a red front door next to the holidays which include this benefit so you can see at a glance where it is available. A map on page 11 of their summer brochure indicates some of the pickup locations covered by this facility. However, Glenton can only pick up from one address per booking and some longer distances may involve a coach transfer element. Sometimes, holidaymakers may share their transfer people carrier with other passengers travelling on the same tour – a great way to kick off your break and get to know your fellow holidaymakers!
Call to book 0141 241 6058 WITH glenton YOU GET so muCh more
• Door to Door* service with many holidays
• Free welcome pack with all Coach & Select holidays
• Hosted holidays for solo travellers with our
good Companions
• You are in safe hands – ABTA & ATOL protected
More and more holidaymakers are seeking the convenience and reassurance of a home pickup when they set off on their holiday. Providing a door to door service leaves customers free to simply pack their suitcase and look forward to their break rather than fretting over how to get to the airport, cruise terminal or coach station. Quite simply, it sidesteps the worry of missing the departure time for their eagerly anticipated escape. In addition,
it also saves them money as they don’t have to shell out for expensive taxis with meters continually clocking up the £££s even when the vehicle is sitting at lights or stuck in traffic.
llandudno
Door to Door*
Staying at the family run White Heather Hotel in lovely Llandudno with outings
to Caernarfon, the island of Anglesey & Beaumaris as well as to Porthmadog & Betws-y-Coed. A highlight will be our narrow gauge steam train trip on Llanberis Lake Railway through the countryside and past Lake Padarn.
Mon 3 Jun 5 Days only £319
blaCkpool
at the Queens
Door to Door*
Door to Door*
The excellent Queens Hotel on Blackpool’s promenade boasts
sea views, leisure facilities and a lounge with dance floor. Excursion to Southport and we explore the Lake District.
Mon 22 Jul 5 Days from £299
coach
cruise
air
holidays
diRECT C
sCarborough
& yorkshire market towns Door to Door*
The Britannia Clifton Hotel is close to Scarborough’s popular Peasholm Park and makes a great base. We visit old world Whitby, home to landmarks that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, and explore picture postcard Helmsley & Pickering.
Mon 15 Jul 5 Days only £269
giant’s Causeway & the titaniC experienCe
Our base is Belfast’s brand new and centrally located George Best Hotel. Includes a guided city tour, entry to the Titanic Experience, a tour & taste of Bushmills Distillery and visits to the Giant’s Causeway, Mount Stewart House & Gardens, Down Cathedral & St Patrick’s Visitor Centre.
Mon 2 Sep 5 Days only £449
summer collection 2019
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our summer
sCoTland 2
2019 broChure
Call now for more details .... 0141 241 6058
or visit us online at www.glentonholidays.Com *Conditions Apply. E&OE
Call now for
MAY 2019
41
SHORT BREAKS
LIFE ON THE NORFOLK BROADS
For visitors heading to East Anglia and the county of Norfolk, the Broads National Park offers over 125 miles of navigable lock-free waterways to explore, with both rivers and lakes as well as cycle ways, walking trails and coastal paths.
One of the best ways to discover the Broads is by boat. The famous Broads motor cruisers have been popular since the 1930s and today feature all the comforts of home on board. You can take a boat trip, hire a boat for the day, or extend your stay with a boating holiday.
There are plenty of places along the waterways to moor up and discover pretty villages and market towns, or to stop at a welcoming pub. You
can also stop for a spot of fishing, or follow a walking trail to discover the local wildlife or migrating birds, including waders and ospreys.
The twin villages of Wroxham and Hoveton sit either side of the River Bure and together are known as the capital of the Broads. At Horsey, the sandy beaches of Sea Palling and Waxham are ideal for building sand castles or you could backtrack along the river and the Bure will take you south to the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth.
Alternatively, follow the Norfolk Broads to the medieval city of Norwich, which is ideal for a short break and the only English city set within a National Park.
As well as being the UK’s best-preserved medieval city in the UK, with
a Norman castle and cathedral, Norwich offers a flourishing arts, music and cultural scene, the largest permanent undercover market in Europe, ancient pubs, plenty of independent shops, lively restaurants, bars and nightlife. It was also England's first UNESCO City of Literature.
LOGANAIR
ANNOUNCES
NEW SERVICES
Commencing 1st September, Loganair will launch jet services on two key routes from Aberdeen Airport, including three non-stop weekday services to Newcastle and up to three non-stop weekday services to Norwich. Non-stop Sunday services will also be offered on both routes.
Lead-in fares between Aberdeen and Newcastle start from £69.99, while tickets to Norwich are priced from £74.99. The new Loganair service will also offer early morning northbound flights from Norwich and later evening return flights from Aberdeen heading south.
The new services will also offer secured connections via Loganair’s Aberdeen hub to and from Orkney, Shetland, Oslo and Esbjerg.
Loganair recently opened an operating base at Newcastle, introducing jet services to the Norwegian city of Stavanger and Brussels and will also launch six flights per week between Inverness and East Midlands airport this autumn. The airline now serves over 40 destinations across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the UK and Europe - including Dublin, Derry, Donegal, Esbjerg, Dusseldorf, Oslo, Brussels, Bergen and Stavanger.
MAY 2019
SHORT BREAKS
Have a good time with
Discover the best of summer with holiday locations completely overflowing with fun with Hoseasons.
The school holidays are the perfect time to enjoy quality family time together. Hoseasons offer locations full of brilliant things to do, with amazing indoor swimming pools that are perfect for cooling off from a fun day out in the sun. Don’t be afraid to dive into the action by gliding down flumes, or try out Waterwalkerz and Sea Scooters exclusively at our Go Active locations for the ultimate pool experience!
Your days will be filled with a fantastic choice of activities... why not start off with a round of golf, take a shot at archery, cycle through shady woods or monkey around at the adventure park? Or if you prefer, explore the local area by foot. Discover a beach just a stone’s throw from your location or pinpoint the perfect fishing spot. How about grabbing the car to take a short trip to an unmissable landmark or attraction?
By night, get glamorous for an evening of live entertainment or get a taste for a delicious meal at the restaurant onsite. If you wish for a more laidback night, you can relax in comfortable accommodations with the TV on, cook up a fine meal or
get competitive with the family at a board game. Or indulge yourselves and enjoy the luxury of a steamy hot tub, ideal to recharge your batteries for the day ahead.
With plenty of facilities on and off site to thrill all the family, Hoseasons can ensure you of a good time to create some everlasting memories.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
from £275*
BE SOCIAL facebook.com/HollieHoseasons @HollieHoseasons
Last chance to book visit www.hoseasons.co.uk/agents or call 0345 498 6153
*The price advertised is per accommodation and based on accommodation only, departing 05/07/2019 for 3 nights. Prices may differ depending on departure date.
Prices based on maximum occupancy. The holiday listed above is from the Hoseasons Lodges and Holiday Parks 2019 programme. Hoseasons booking conditions apply –
see brochure or website. Image may not be representative of specific offer. ABTA No. Y0662
MAY 2019
43
Hello Summer
SHORT BREAKS
Call the Icelandair hotline
If your clients are planning to take advantage of a stopover break in Iceland with Icelandair, they can now call an Icelandair Buddy, an Icelandair staff member who will assist with their travel plans.
Icelandair Buddies are all volunteers, are passionate about the country and have the insider knowledge to help make visitors make the most of their stay. All Icelandair passengers have access to the hotline once their flight is booked. Calls can be made via phone or Facebook Messenger and the Buddy Hotline is available until 8th July 2019.
Sample The Best in Travel: Copenhagen
Scandinavian Airlines has increased flights from Aberdeen International Airport to Copenhagen, and now offers a new Wednesday morning departure.
Take a break in Helsinki
Helsinki is an ideal destination for a short break with a booming restaurant scene, a variety of bars and great shopping. Surrounded by the world’s largest archipelago, there are also lots of islands to explore. The Finnish capital features an easy to use tram system, bikes for hire or boats that will ferry you to the islands.
You can shop for traditional food in the Market Square, or spend time browsing around Stockmann department store. Built in 1930, the landmark art nouveau building at the north end of Esplanade Park is Helsinki’s high-end shopping destination for everything from clothing to homewares, with its famous food store in the basement. With plenty of boutique shops as well as Finnish design shops, Helsinki’s Design District encompasses the downtown area and several surrounding neighbourhoods. Visitors can pick up a Design District brochure and explore more than 200 destinations on the map.
For some island hopping, you can visit Suomenlinna. The 18th century sea fortress and World Heritage site is just a 20 minute ferry ride from Market Square and you can take a scenic walk around the island, visit the museums and restaurants. Tiny Lonna island is just a seven minute ride from Market Square and worth the trip for the great restaurant, public sauna and sea views of the city.
Named as Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2019, Copenhagen has become an ultra cool city, with a booming street food scene, trendy bars and restaurants, numerous museums and lots of outdoor spaces to get active or relax in.
One of the best things about Copenhagen is that you can walk to almost everything - an ideal way to explore the city. You can also purchase the Copenhagen Card, which gives you free admission to more than 80 museums and attractions and free public transportation in the entire Copenhagen region.
Cultural buffs can visit The National Gallery of Denmark, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek or The National Museum. Visitors can enjoy the rides, attractions and restaurants of Tivoli Gardens or sample the food and craft market Reffen or new Nordic restaurants, including Host or The Standard.
If you fancy a change of scenery, right across the sound from Copenhagen and only a short drive away, you will find the Swedish city of Malmö. Perfect for a day trip, Malmö also offers great shopping, cultural experiences and a wide variety of food options.
MAY 2019
SHORT BREAKS
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE with
Short Haul European Breaks
Established in 1923 and one of the world’s oldest continuously operating airlines, Finnair specialises in connecting Europe and Asia via our Helsinki hub. Finnair has become known for its short connections to the Far East, flying to 19 destinations in Asia.
Finnair now offers a FREE European stopover so passengers can experience TWO European destinations for the price of one on the same short break. Your clients could fly to Lapland and experience the 24 hour midnight sun in Ivalo or Kittilä, or for those adrenaline junkies try white water rafting and for nature lovers, brown bear watching in Kuusamo or Kajaani.
There are also the delights of the Finnish Archipelago to explore as well as the fresh waters of Lakeland. Passengers can combine Baltic cities such as Tallinn or Riga, the culture of St Petersburg, or visit Stockholm or Reykjavik in Iceland as well as the stop in Helsinki.
Finnair flies to over 100 destinations in Europe via our Helsinki hub offering UK passengers some great short break opportunities at
great prices.
Finnair operate up-to 10 flights in the Summer months from Edinburgh, twice daily from Manchester and 6 daily flights from Heathrow to allow a great city break in Helsinki.
The capital of Finland is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs, museums and art galleries.
Finland is the HAPPIEST country in the world, topping the 2019 World Happiness Report, come and experience Finland and find out why! To view experiences in Finland please visit www.visitfinland.com/mystay/
THERE’S SOMETHING NORDIC IN THE AIR
ENJOY UNIQUE NORDIC EXPERIENCES ON BOARD EVERY FINNAIR FLIGHT
Book your flights at finnair.com
MAY 2019
45
SHORT BREAKS
EMMA RODGERS
SALES DEVELOPMENT MANAGER NORTH
RIVIERA TRAVEL
When I joined Riviera Travel in June last year, there had never been a dedicated Sales Development Manager covering the North. One of my first tasks was to get out on the road and let agents know that they now had me on hand
to help!
The response from agents was fantastic and the feedback on our product was so positive - everyone commented how much they loved Riviera Travel. From the moment I took on the role,
I was inundated with emails and Facebook messages requesting training, promotional material, dates for client events, holiday shows and in store promotion days.
I regularly attend ‘meet the expert’ agent in store events which have proven very successful. It’s great to see the efforts agents go to, when promoting ‘Riviera Travel’ in store and their customers are always keen to speak to a representative from the company. One of my favourite type of events is a solus client evening
- this is a great way to showcase our product and highlights the fact that the
agents have a personal relationship with me - their customers really love that.
I also arrange agents’ training sessions. These are very important as many of my agents haven’t seen a river cruise ship or know the extent of our escorted touring programme. It’s an ideal way to have some dedicated time to get across our key messages. River cruise is still growing, so there is a great sales potential for agents, as well as with Escorted Touring. Our customers love to have the expertise of knowledgeable tour managers and guides to hand, along with everything included, so they can really enjoy
their holiday. We are also constantly introducing new tours and adding to our dedicated SoloTraveller tours.
Social media plays a big part in the day to day life of an agent, so it’s very important that they have easy access to river cruise and escorted touring itineraries
to promote on their pages. I make sure that these are regularly available, both through my Facebook page and our dedicated Riviera Travel Agents’ page. If an agent requires something specific, maybe they are having a promotion on Asia, we can create bespoke slides and posters which will have the agent’s call to action and logo. We also have downloadable posters, which are constantly updated with new tours or river cruises.
At the moment we are updating and improving our agent ‘’tool kit’’ which will include videos and social media slides, that agents will be able to easily access and promote on their pages and in their store windows.
We are extremely keen for our agent partners to experience our product and are planning ship visits for the future.
In May, I am taking a group of agents to experience our Portugal’s Douro Valley to Lisbon dedicated Solo’s Escorted tour. It goes without saying, it’s so important
to experience a product so an agent can pass on their personal recommendations confidently. One of the things I love is hearing about any successful bookings after we have hosted agents.
In fact, I had this recently, after an agent
I had taken to see one of our ships, used her own experience and personal photos to show a customer when they enquired about a river cruise. Because of this, she secured 10 passengers on one of our Christmas Market Cruises!
We also have dedicated agency sale support at our head office in Burton
on Trent and our agent booking portal, where you can check availability, confirm bookings and hold options.
Hope to see you all very soon!
MAY 2019
AWARD-WINNING
SHORT BREAKS
FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH & GLASGOW
So much is included in the price:
Insightful guided tours and visits
Return flights from a choice of regional airports and overseas transfers
Hand-picked hotels
Services of a Riviera Travel tour manager and knowledgeable local guides
Financial protection
All local and airport taxes
KRAKOW
2020
NOW ON SALE
Selected departures from May to December 2019 & March to December 2020
4 days from £449pp
ROME – ANCIENT & BAROQUE
2020
NOW ON SALE
Selected departures from April to November 2019 & 2020
5 days from £669pp
TRANSYLVANIA & BUCHAREST
6 days from £829pp
Selected departures from May to October 2019
CONTACT US FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR FOR AGENCY SALES SUPPORT
Call agency sales for support: 01283 744307 Email: [email protected]
Call reservations to book: 01283 744370 Book online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents
Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply. Prices correct at time of print.
ABTA No. V4744
SHORT BREAKS
TRAVEL MORE, ENJOY MORE WITH BLUE AIR!
Blue Air is Romania’s largest airline, operating since 2004 and is a full IATA member.
The airline currently operates 4 x weekly flights direct from Glasgow to Bucharest.
There are 3 types of packages available when booking a Blue Air ticket (Light, Classic and Premium), designed to suit every customer. Services included are a carry-on bag of 10kg, check-in baggage
of 23kg or 32kg, online or free airport check-in and a hot meal is included in the Premium ticket.
Blue Air flights are available in Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo or Worldspan. Additionally, agents can register for a login to the website, or book though the main wholesale agents and tour operators.
y
Among the top attractions are the Palace of the Parliament (the world's third-largest administrative building), the National Village Museum, the Old Town, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Romanian ‘Arc de Triomphe’.
The city is well known for its traditional restaurants and vibrant night life, with plenty of choice to suit all budgets!
A visit to Romania is not complete without visiting the surrounding attractions, including the famous Bram Castle aka Dracula's Castle, Peles castle in Sinaia, Sighisoara
(the last inhabited citadel in Europe),
Bucharest is an amazing cit
‘’to visit’’ list.
t
y everyone should include on their
t
t
h
h
a
a
t
t
Sibiu and Transfagarasan (one of the most difficult, yet outstanding roads in Europe, as featured in Top Gear), or the Danube Delta (second largest delta in Europe), to enjoy the unspoilt nature.
Discover more about Blue Air and Romania at www.blueairweb.com or contact [email protected], their representative in the UK.
MAY 2019
SHORT BREAKS
Explore the seven kingdoms
of Game of Thrones®
With the release of the eighth and final season of HBO’s epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones®, now is an ideal time for fans to head to Northern Ireland to visit the filming locations from this hugely popular series.
First stop is the TEC Belfast, to view the Game of Thrones : The Touring Exhibition which gives visitors the chance to step inside Westeros and the lands beyond. The exhibition combines costumes, authentic props and settings from all seven seasons to create an interactive and immersive Game of Thrones® experience.
You can experience the wintry landscapes of the North; explore the tree-lined pathway of the Kingsroad; see the regal settings of King’s Landing; view the conquered city of Meereen with its garrisons of Unsullied warriors; explore Castle Black, the home of the Night’s Watch and see the iconic Iron Throne Room. Prices start from £10 per child and £15 per adult and the exhibition runs until 1st September 2019.
There are also various tours and events at Castle Ward, located just 40 minutes from Belfast. Here you can explore over 20 key filming location hotspots, including Bran’s fall from Winterfell Castle; Robb’s camp; the Whispering Wood and the tree where Robb Stark and Talisa got secretly married.
Alternatively, you can meet the Direwolves, Summer and Greywind in The Game of Thrones Direwolf Tour. All of their tour guides have featured as extras, doubles or support actors in the show and work as tour guides in between filming jobs.
Glasgow Airport to sponsor golf tournament
Glasgow Airport has been
confirmed as an official sponsor
of The 2019 Solheim Cup, taking place at Gleneagles from 9th - 15th September, 2019.
Some 100,000 spectators are expected at the event, which is ideally placed for visitors to explore the attractions of Perthshire and central Scotland.
Located one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Gleneagles Hotel is set in an 850-acre estate, with its own railway station just minutes away. Gleneagles is synonymous with golf and home
to three championship golf courses - The PGA Centenary Course - venue for the Ryder Cup 2014 - and the King's and Queen's Courses.
The resort offers a choice of more than twenty activities, from clay target shooting, archery and trout fishing on three lochs within the resort’s estate, to horse-riding, Segway tours and gun dog training.
Glasgow Airport employees
Sarah Hopkins (L) and Chantelle Docherty with the Solheim
Cup trophy on the runway at Glasgow Airport.
New flight from Flybe
Flybe has launched a new flight to Heathrow from Isle of Man. Operating daily, the flight will depart Isle of Man at 1350, arriving in London Heathrow Terminal 2 at 1510. The return flight departs London Heathrow at 1705 and arrives in Isle of Man at 1825.
This will be the first time in nearly 20 years that the island has had a direct flight to London and the airport's onward connections.
MAY 2019
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Travel Matters Issue 26 May 2019
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