Travel Matters May23 Issue 62

TRAVEL MTRAVEL
TM MATTERS ATTERS
ISSUE 62 MAY 2023
NORTH OF ENGLAND NORTHERN IRELAND ISLE OF MAN
S
COTLAND
INSPIRING SALES IDEAS FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE
LIFE. CHANGING. ANTARCTICA
THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE 2024 | 2025 PROGRAM
SMALL-SHIP 32 YEARS PIONEERING AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONS EXPLORATION OWNED
100% CLIMATE NEUTRAL
part of Aurora Expeditions

Welcome to Antarctica 2024/2025 – the most
comprehensive Antarctica season
We are excited to release our new 2024/2025 itineraries and brochure, celebrating the spirit of polar exploration and adventure to the epic white continent. There has never been a season with more ways to explore Antarctica.
• 25 departures, including multiple fly & sail options
• 3 new itineraries! The new itineraries featuring the Chilean Fjords will encounter some breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife as well
as exploring Antarctica, whilst “In Shackleton’s Footsteps” will venture as far as possible into the Weddell Sea, where Shackleton’s Endurance
met its fate
• A unique photography themed voyage (Spirit of Antarctica departing 12 Nov 24), designed especially for photography enthusiasts.
Expeditioners will be guided by the best photographers in the business to enhance their photography skills and have the opportunity to
capture the most amazing imagery from Antarctica
• Our Peninsula in Depth voyage returns in 24/25 – a unique longer expedition exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with more time for snow
activities and longer outings for skiers/snowboarders and snowshoers
• Early Bird savings of up to 25% off* - reserve your client’s place as early as possible to secure the best rates and best staterooms
The Aurora Difference
You might have noticed we do not call it a cruise, but experiential travel. For over 32 years, we have pioneered travel that inspires hearts and minds and makes dreams come true.
Relaxed & informal onboard experience
Unmatched knowledge of our Expedition Team
More time off-ship with 2-3 landings per day^
Professional photographer on board every voyage
World Leading Activity Program including Scuba Diving and Rock Climbing
100% Climate Neutral
For more information, to request a brochure and access trade assets visit aexpeditions.co.uk
^Note, this is only a guide and subject to change due to weather conditions.

TRAVEL MTRAVEL
TM MATTERS ATTERS
ISSUE 62 MAY 2023
NORTH OF ENGLAND NORTHERN IRELAND ISLE OF MAN
S
COTLAND
INSPIRING SALES IDEAS FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE
FOCUS ON FLORIDA
AGENT’S GUIDE TO AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINES
SHORT BREAKS FEATURE

inside this issue...
9 Meet #TeamOrange - easyJet Holidays 9 13
13 Dive into TRS Coral Hotel
15 Turkish Airlines - connecting to Ho Chi Minh City
17 Direct to Canada year-round with Air Transat
15
19 Iberostar Hotels & Resorts - sustainable holidays to remember
21 Find that feeling with G Adventures 23 Delta Airlines - Non stop to Atlanta
19
39-42
39-42 Agent’sGuideto Ambassador Cruise Line
55 Divers Paradise - Dhawa Ihuru - The Maldives
57 67
23
57 Cruise & Stay with Fred. Holidays
59 Savings with Virgin Voyages
61 Island hopping with Hurtigruten Expeditions
65 Win a Balcony Stateroom on Cunard’s Queen Anne
79
67 Inghams Walking - for lovers of the great outdoors
77 Azamara Rewards
79 Spirit of Antarctica - AE Expeditions
4
MAY 2023

FOCUS ON FLORIDA
25 Book with Driveaway
27 29
25
27 Visit Central Florida for Outdoor Fun
29 New adventures at Seaworld Parks & Entertainment
31
33
45 47
51
31 Golden Age of Travel - The Palm Beaches
33 Boost your earnings with DoSomethingDifferent
SHORT BREAKS
43
43 Shop Amsterdam to Newcastle with DFDS
45 Loganair - Fly Edi-Stavanager
47 May Madness with Leger Shearings 51 Fill your heart with Ireland
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Read previous issues online at...
www.travelmatters.biz
MEET THE TEAM:
Gary Reavely
Director
07762 630057 [email protected]
Andrea Pellicci-Glen
Director
07766 010272 [email protected]
Hilary Douglas
Director
07989 414454 [email protected]
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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.
SPRING IN YOUR STEP
With three bank holidays this month, royal celebrations and garden parties galore, you may think that consumers have given up any thoughts of going on holiday and have decided to stay at home instead.
However, airports, airlines, cruise lines and operators are all reporting rises in passenger numbers, with figures heading towards pre-pandemic levels - very positive news indeed!
Short breaks are also rising in popularity - a perfect choice for home or abroad - and highlighted in this month’s issue.
Customers who want to travel further afield, can also make
a great escape to Florida. Our Florida feature showcases its attractions, beaches, thrills and spills and authentic American experiences - and with the added bonus of sunshine and warmer weather!
All guaranteed to put a spring in everyone’s step!
The Travel Matters Team

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN BULGARIA WITH BALKAN HOLIDAYS
Are your customers looking for a great value last-minute getaway?
Bulgaria's resorts are calling their name! With stunning beaches, rich history and a vibrant culture, Bulgaria is the perfect destination for travellers looking for a mix of relaxation, adventure and value with many of our holidays costing under £300.
Sunny Beach is one of Bulgaria's most popular resorts and for good reason. The long, sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and watersports and the lively promenade is full of restaurants, bars and shops. For a more low-key experience, head to Nessebar. This charming, historic town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features stunning architecture, ancient ruins and a quaint harbour.
For a taste of traditional Bulgarian culture, head to Sozopol. This historic town is home to charming cobblestone streets, colourful houses and a thriving arts scene.
No matter which resort you choose, Bulgaria has plenty to offer visitors. From stunning natural scenery to delicious cuisine, there's something for everyone to enjoy. And with our Balkan Holiday late holiday deals available, there's never been a better time to book your customers their Bulgarian escape.
Flying from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow this summer with prices starting under £300! Why wait? Head to the red Deals tab on the website for the best prices!
Helena Resort
Sozopol
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NEWS
LOGANAIR EXPANDS SERVICES
STUBA APPOINTS BDM FOR SCOTLAND AND NORTH OF ENGLAND
Accommodation-only specialist Stuba has appointed Ryan Carroll as BDM covering Scotland and the North of England.
Ryan has previously worked for Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Wyndham Vacation Rentals/Hoseasons, Thomas Cook and most recently Scotrail.
Based in Dundee, Ryan will be responsible for building relationships with existing customers, through visits, webinars and sales calls as well as looking for new business opportunities.
Angela Muir, Head of Sales for UK & Ireland comments: “We are thrilled to have Ryan on board. We’re looking forward to having a BDM based in Scotland, but to have someone that agents will be very familiar with is the icing on the cake!”
Ryan says: “I’m really excited to be joining Stuba. The company is well established, having been in business for 32 years and has a fantastic reputation.
“I can’t wait to get back on the road and do what I love and help agents achieve their goals and look forward to increasing our exposure in Scotland and the North of England and working closely with our partners to mutual benefit.”
Ryan can be contacted via email [email protected]
FROM LONDON HEATHROW
Loganair has secured access to 30 additional
pairs of slots each week at Heathrow under a lease arrangement with British Airways and has now launched new domestic air services linking Heathrow with City of Derry, Dundee, Orkney and Shetland.
Customers will be able to book single-ticket, assured connections to and from City of Derry and from Dundee via London Heathrow to 97 destinations in 45 countries.
Same-plane services from Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands and Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands via Dundee to London will also move to Heathrow.
“The move to Heathrow truly is a gamechanger for UK regional air services,” says Loganair Chief Executive Jonathan Hinkles. “Alongside excellent ground transport links into central London, the new range of global flight connections will bring new inward investment opportunities and tourism into the UK’s regions, together with enabling travellers to use their local airport to fly worldwide for the first time.”
All Loganair flights will operate to and from London Heathrow’s Terminal Two. There will be some small adjustments to the timetable, with morning flights now leaving Dundee at 07:00 and evening flights returning from Heathrow Terminal 2 at 18:50. Morning flights will leave City of Derry at 06:35 instead of the current 06:50.
Loganair’s airline partners include British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Air France, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines Finnair, Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
BUY A TICKET MAKE NEW FRIENDS....
Aer Lingus Regional services have taken off from Belfast City Airport to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the Isle of Man.
Flights to Newcastle will operate daily whilst the new Isle of Man route will operate four times per week, increasing to six weekly for the peak summer season.
Flights to Jersey now also operate up to twice a week.
8
MAY 2023

A SLICE OF #TEAMORANGE
Meet #TeamOrange
It has been almost 3 years since easyJet holidays launched to the trade and I am absolutely delighted to have recently joined #TeamOrange as Trade Distribution Manager.
We value our amazing travel agent partners and have increased the team to offer more support as we continue with our rapid growth.
It has been a record breaking year so far and has exceeded all our expectations and we continue to add to our unrivalled route network by adding more holiday destinations, enabling you to sell more easyJet holidays.
Since joining the business last September, Kelly Walker (Head of Distribution) has built a team which is made up of three Trade Distribution Managers (John Docherty, Adrian Marpole & Dom Carrick) and three Trade Support members Sarah Moore (Trade Support Manager) Paula Bottle & Karen Zweck (Trade Distribution Executives).
Our team will help you understand what easyJet holidays has to offer and help increase your sales through various means including training, highlighting opportunities tailored to your business, incentives and fam trips. The Trade Support team helps with day to day communication, marketing & offers additional support to agents.
We have our Facebook group to keep everyone up to date with promotions, news, offers, competitions, top hotels, incentives and much more so if you haven’t joined up already, please scan the QR code below.
If you are looking to learn more about easyJet holidays and would like some help in doing so, please do not hesitate to contact me.
See you all soon John Docherty
John Docherty
Trade Distribution Manager easyJet holidays [email protected]

Hello and welcome everyone to my latest update on our SPAA.
I hope you all were able to attend and enjoy the STAR event held recently at the home of Scottish Rugby, Murrayfield Stadium. Certainly, a different venue and for those that attended the Network Lunch as well, there was also an opportunity to take the stadium tour enjoying access
to normally restricted areas of the changing rooms and pitch side photo opportunities.
The highlight for any rugby fans was, of course, getting up close to the Calcutta cup. With plenty of parking and public transport, the tram being directly outside the stadium, I hope the venue was acceptable for all those who came along on the day.
It was great news to hear that Loganair will fly now to Heathrow on selected routes, particularly the Scottish island communities in Orkney and Shetland will benefit as Loganair’s same-plane services from Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands and Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands via Dundee will fly to Heathrow from 7th May. Aligned with the expanding codeshare agreements in place, this is excellent news for regional connectivity - we wish them all possible success and long may it prosper.
On 26th May, Delta Airlines will launch their service from Edinburgh to Atlanta which is another great news story for transatlantic flights for Scotland and this is in addition to the increase in services and duration of United Airlines and also Air Canada.
Qatar Airways have also increased their services from Edinburgh and Emirates have brought the A380 back to Glasgow, which is all very positive.
With all good news alas, there is always an alternative side to the
coin and it’s worrying for all the
trade in Scotland of the prospective industrial action proposed at both Glasgow and Heathrow airports which urgently needs resolution to head
off any possible disruptions to public confidence and media negativity as we head into the peak season. We hope that by the time you read this article, an agreement has been found that
is mutually acceptable to all parties concerned.
At the SPAA we are completely focused on driving sustainability to the front
of the agenda and ensuring that
THE VOICE OF TRAVEL IN SCOTLAND
whenever possible, any initiatives that can create value towards the process is either implemented or made aware of to all our associates and members for perusal and prospective action. Next month, we shall focus more in Travel Matters on our position and published document on sustainability, outlining our thoughts and ambitions on what is a truly imperative subject to us all in the travel industry.
By the time you read this, the Annual SPAA Quiz will have been held this year at Sloan’s in Glasgow which offered some fantastic prizes from cruises to air tickets. So, if you did not enter, do consider it for next year.
Our new Council members are settling in well and coming up with lots of new ideas and suggestions and you will hopefully have seen and completed our questionnaire to review what we do and how successful we are with our events etc.
On the page opposite, you will also
see the first of the columns from
our new Council Member, Christiane from Thorne Travel or ‘Insta’ as she is affectionately known after creating our Instagram account.
We always welcome new ideas, so please do let us know any suggestions you may have and I hope to see you all next at our Summer Carnival Event in Edinburgh in June.
In the meantime, take care and stay safe,
Mike Tibbert SPAA President
10
MAY 2023

Christiane McCorgray, Thorne Travel
I started my career in the travel industry as an Apprentice Travel Consultant in September 2012 at Thorne Travel. Before then, I studied Travel and Tourism in 6th year at school and went on to complete
my NC, HNC and HND in Travel and Tourism at Ayrshire College.
I’ve now been working at Thorne Travel for 10 years and I was delighted to be promoted to Branch Manager of our flagship store in Kilwinning recently. As Branch Manager, I’m loving training up new members of the team, showing them our ways of working.
I’ve always been passionate about exploring the world. I was really lucky growing up that my family were able to have holidays every year. We visited places like Majorca,
Ibiza, Mexico, Orlando and Australia and I loved learning all about these destinations. When I started going on holidays with my friends, we would go to the usual places like Magaluf, Ibiza and the Canaries, but again I would always be the one doing the research and finding out as much as I could about these fabulous places.
My first FAM trip was to Sunny Beach with Balkan Holidays. I’ve been to the UAE with If Only, sailed the Med with Azamara, travelled to Vietnam with Travelsphere and so many more! More recently, I had the pleasure
of attending the SPAA Conference onboard Silver Dawn.
I was elected on to SPAA Council in December 2022 and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’ve always attended SPAA events (or any event for that matter) over the years. I love the social aspect of it
Join us for the...
P
a r t y
Get your glad rags ready - think Rio, Mardi Gras, Caribbean...
Kindly sponsored by:
WEDNESDAY 21st JUNE 2023
at the Edinburgh Sheraton
This year’s theme is....
THE VOICE OF TRAVEL IN SCOTLAND
such as meeting new operators and suppliers, catching up with those I’ve worked closely with over the years, getting hints and tips on different destinations or ships and of course, there is always the prizes!
I believe that I am bringing a fresh approach to Council and I’ve managed to persuade them to join Instagram (@SPAAInsta) which I use for sharing updates and stories of travel. I’ve got lots of ideas to get younger agents involved and look forward to putting these in motion in the future!
Meet new SPAA Council Member...
Charity
travelmatters.biz
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Where’s William?
Last month I was lucky enough to sail on board our luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra, on a FAM trip. I cannot describe how excited I was to fly to Catania in Sicily and embark the 100-guest yacht for my journey to Rome.
Since launching Emerald Azzurra on sale, I have seen hundreds of photos of her sleek lines and ‘superyacht’ look, however seeing her in person was just something else.
We were greeted at the port with a very easy embarkation and soon after, we were on board – one of the many benefits of small ship cruising. The reception area was very welcoming and right next door was the spacious beautifully appointed Amici Bar & Lounge. This is where we would relax in the evening and have the privilege of being informed and entertained by our lovely cruise director Chloe.
We were taken to our suite - the Deluxe Balcony Suite - conveniently located on the pool deck and featuring our own private balcony, lovely lounge area and separate bedroom with all the comforts of home. There are just two of these onboard so you need to book these early to secure.
We were in close proximity to the pool area and what a beautiful space that was, with an infinity-style pool and Missoni towels and dressing gowns on the sun loungers. Another lovely area to enjoy the sun is the Sky Deck: an amazing area to relax with a jacuzzi style pool and a bar to enjoy your favourite tipple – the views from up here are all around and a real highlight for many.
On our way we cruised along the Italian coastline, pulled into Naples and took a tour to the beautiful Ravello, a gorgeous village perched high on the Amalfi Coast.
I just adored Emerald Azzurra and what it offers, from the incredible service and dining to the small ports she visits.
I am sure your clients will not be disappointed. Plus, we also have our sister-yacht, Emerald Sakara, joining the fleet later this year.
Please contact your Sales Manager, William Young for further information –
E : [email protected]
T : 07921 830147
W: scenic.co.uk | emeraldcruises.co.uk
Find out more at ifonly.co/agent/incentives.
BLIXEN TRAVEL CELEBRATE AWARDS
Congratulations to Blixen Travel who were recently named ‘Honeymoon Planner of the Year’ in the Oceanic Scottish Wedding Awards 2023.
The agency also won in the category of ‘Best Africa Travel
S
avel & Tourism Awards.
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GRAND PALLADIUM JAMAICA RESORT & SPA AND IF ONLY LAUNCH AGENT CAMPAIGN
If Only has teamed up with Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa to launch a new agent campaign: ‘Jamaica Welcomes You’.
If Only will provide agents with marketing materials including social media, video content and blogs to highlight the facilities of the five-star resort, which features pools,
a spa and restaurants. The operator is currently offering a 7-night luxury All-Inclusive stay at the resort from £1,919 per person. The price includes a Junior Suite Garden View, return flights with Virgin Atlantic and private transfers.
Agents also have the chance to win a 7-night stay. To enter, agents simply have to make as many bookings as possible for Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa with If Only from 25th April–30th May 2023.
12
MAY 2023

Dive into TRS Coral Hotel.
Now you can indulge your most sophisticated desires in TRS Coral Hotel. Personalized services, Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness, international à la carte restaurants, butler, incredible pools and Chic Cabaret & Restaurant wait for you on your luxury vacation in the Caribbean, in a safe and protected environment full of nature and tranquility, for adults only.
With Infinite Indulgence®, it’s all included.
For more information, visit PALLADIUMHOTELGROUP.COM or contact your favorite travel agent.
COSTA MUJERES, CANCUN (MEXICO), PUNTA CANA, CAP CANA (THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC), RIVIERA MAYA (MEXICO) and IBIZA (SPAIN).

NEWS
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SIGN CODESHARE AGREEMENT
Turkish Airlines has signed a new codeshare agreement with RwandAir.
The new codeshare partnership will offer the African airline’s customers seamless connection opportunities in both Kigali and Istanbul with access toTurkish Airlines’ network of over 300 worldwide destinations.
Turkish Airlines’ customers arriving in Kigali will be able to enjoy onward connection across RwandAir’s African network.
Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO, said: “We are incredibly excited to have signed this new codeshare agreement with one the world’s largest and leading carriers, Turkish Airlines.
“This landmark move will not only allow our customers to access the 124 countries served by Turkish Airlines, but will improve connections for inbound travellers to Africa via our extensive continental network.
“RwandAir is always exploring new commercial opportunities to expand its reach into markets which can deliver financial return and benefit our growing customer base.”
Currently, Turkish Airlines offers daily flights between RwandAir’s Kigali base and the carrier’s home hub in Istanbul.
This agreement follows the African airline’s recently launched codeshares with Qatar Airways and British Airways.
AMAWATERWAYS EXTENDS
FLY FOR FREE OFFER
AmaWaterways has extended its Fly for Free offer on over 200 cruises in 2023, while adding 300 sailings in 2024.
“We launched our Fly for Free, in response to our agents telling us simplicity is key. Ensuring we can support flights from across the UK with our regional supplements gives even more flexibility for their customers, as well as enhancing our guests’ holiday by providing a seamless and hassle-free experience with us from start to finish,” comments Jamie Loizou, UK Managing Director.
“This promotion has been so successful that we are thrilled to extend it on select 2023 sailings and introduce it on over 300 2024 cruises. This extension, paired with our savings of up to £1,200 per stateroom, is an additional incentive for our guests to enjoy an unforgettable river cruise on our award-winning fleet.’’
Flights are included from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with regional supplements priced from just £75 per person.
SHIRLEY BALLAS JOINS MSC VIRTUOSA SAILING Shirley Ballas recently joined MSC Virtuosa for her Northern
European sailing, embarking from Southampton.
The Strictly Head Judge hosted an exclusive Q&A session with guests sharing
insights about her career and the struggles she has faced in the industry.
Speaking about her time on board, Shirley said: “I must say, cruising on MSC Virtuosa has been an absolute delight! As a fifirst-time cruiser with MSC Cruises, I was blown away by the level of luxury and service on board.
“From the stunning design and amenities of the ship to the exceptional dining and entertainment options, every moment on board was truly unforgettable.”
14
MAY 2023

WE’RE ALL CONNECTED:
Connecting more countries than any other.
VIETNAM

NEWS
FLIGHTS TO FRANKFURT TAKE OFF
FROM BELFAST CITY AIRPORT
Lufthansa’s new service to Frankfurt has taken off from Belfast City Airport, marking the first time the German flag carrier has operated in Northern Ireland.
The service, which is the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany, will operate up to four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Welcoming the inaugural flight, Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, commented: “The commencement of Lufthansa’s service to Frankfurt represents a significant milestone for Belfast City Airport, providing Northern Ireland with essential connectivity to Europe and further afield.
“This exciting new partnership opens up opportunities for business and leisure travellers alike and there is no doubt that it will be an extremely popular route for many.”
Flights to Frankfurt will be operated by an Embraer E-190 aircraft, offering both Economy and Business class services.
Pictured are: Dr. Frank Wagner, General Manager of Lufthansa, UK, Ireland and Iceland; Katy Best, Chief Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport; and Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber.
REGISTRATION NOW FOR ABTA’S
2023 TRAVEL CONVENTION
Registration for this year’s ABTA Travel Convention is now open, with discounted Early Bird fees available until mid-July.
Taking place in Bodrum, Türkiye from 30th October to 1st November, delegates will stay at the five-star Lujo Hotel in Bodrum, a luxury all-inclusive property offering three private beaches, several pools, nine restaurants and an in-house Convention Centre that will host
the business sessions on Tuesday 31st October and Wednesday 1st November.
Early Bird fees are £650 for ABTA members and first ABTA Partner to register and £750 for additional ABTA Partners and other delegates. There is a companion fee of £215 for those not attending as delegates.
ALL AT SEA
with Alli G
Allison Graham
Read the latest news from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Hello everyone,
I hope that you’re all having a lovely May and enjoying the new things that this month has to offer and speaking of all things lovely and new - our beautiful brand-new brochure has just landed! A colourful display of our 2024/25 voyages that your customers can sit back and indulge
in with a coffee on their couch.
The new brochure contains over 100 sailings, with seven sailings from Rosyth and over 50 from our northern England departure ports of Liverpool and Newcastle. From Rosyth, your nature loving customers have the chance to witness the incredible landscapes and wildlife of Iceland, lovers of history and culture can visit the beautiful Baltic cities and those seeking a relaxing break with scenic cruising can visit the Norwegian fjords in just five nights.
However, just next month, our Rosyth sailings are kicking back into action! I can’t believe how quickly the time
has gone and we’re incredibly excited for Balmoral to be returning to this beautiful area of the world once again. From the beginning of June until mid-August, Balmoral will take guests on adventures to Spain and Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Norway and many more beautiful European destinations.
And excitingly, our Summer Sale is now on! Until 14th June, your customers can sail with us from just £599 per person on a great selection of 2023 sailings, including savings of up to £400 per person on cruises from Rosyth.
For more information on our Summer Sale, including promotional assets and offers, visit the dedicated Travel Agent Centre, or search for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines - Trade Team on Facebook for all the latest news.
Happy selling and see you in June!
Alli G
USEFUL CONTACTS
To contact Alli, or for agent support, please contact our Sales Support team on 01473 746164
or email [email protected]
For help with marketing tools and support, contact the Trade Marketing team: [email protected]
Visit our Travel Agent Centre:
www.fredolsencruises.com/agent
16
MAY 2023

Learn more about Air Transat over on OTT!
With prizes to be won, find out more and get started at airtransat-ott.com.
Flying direct to Canada year-round from Glasgow, Manchester & London Gatwick
Connections throughout Canada, Florida & California*
Available to book via the GDS
One £100 Love2Shop e-voucher winner selected at random monthly when course is completed by 31 May 2023. See airtransat-ott.com for full T&Cs. *Other routes available with Air Transat. Connections based on route and inclusions based on class type. See website or GDS for further details.
Economy Class
Ergonomic seats, complimentary meal and in-flight entertainment
Club Class
Travel in style in an exclusive 12-seat cabin with VIP service
Kids Club
Score a bunch of awesome perks for free for mini- globetrotters aged 2 to 11
A321LR
Greenest in class with more space in Economy and Club Class
2022 Best Leisure Airline in North America
airtransat.com
[email protected]

UNFORGETTABLE STAY WITH IBEROSTAR HOTELS & RESORTS
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
is a Spanish hotel chain that is committed to developing
a responsible tourism model focused on caring about both people and the environment.
With over one hundred hotels worldwide and a presence in 16 countries in much-loved beachfront locations, Iberostar offers guests a first-class experience while leading the way in responsible tourism.
With sustainability as a business driver and lever, the company places circular economy at the centre of its strategy in its own 2030 Agenda, aimed at becoming waste free by 2025, carbon neutral by 2030, 100% responsible
in its seafood consumption by 2025, as well as improving the health of ecosystems surrounding its hotels (among other targets).
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts have
set the benchmark for responsible tourism based on quality, offering an exceptional service which is reflected throughout the whole guest experience. From gastronomy and facilities to attention to detail and passion for perfection, we ensure that every detail is taken care of for our guests.
You’ll find Iberostar situated on some of the most beautiful beachfront locations in the world offering guests the opportunity to relax, unwind and make time for themselves.
Swimming pools, lush gardens and seaview terraces invite families, couples and friends to spend quality time together. For children, Star Camp promises plenty of day-time activities.
As for cuisine, honest food and locally sourced ingredients are
the base with a variety of dining options that cater for every taste and preference. A special dinner by the sea (enjoying responsibly-sourced fish) is characteristic of the Iberostar experience.
Book a stay at any one of their hotels in the Americas, Europe or Africa and you’ll appreciate the little details that make your stay unforgettable.
SILVERSEA CRUISES RECENTLY HOSTED THE SPAA COUNCIL ON BOARD SILVER DAWN, WHICH INCLUDED THE IMPROMPTU WEDDING OF JIMMY AND JOANNE, KINDLY ORGANISED BY AMANDA AND CONNIE.
18
MAY 2023

Here, together
Memories are made by the sea
Sustainable holidays to remember

NEWS
AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE
LAUNCHES 2024/25 SEASON
Ambassador Cruise Line has launched its 2024/25 season, with an increase in the number of regional departures including Belfast, Newcastle, Dundee and Edinburgh.
Ambience and Ambition will sail to 34 countries across six continents in 2024/25, calling at 127 ports. Itineraries include round-Britain voyages, cruises to the Norwegian Fjords, Mediterranean, the Caribbean and West Indies.
Other highlights include a selection of ‘Short Sailings’, offering guests a choice of European City Breaks and three multigenerational cruises for all the family to enjoy.
Ambassador is offering a number of early booking offers on all new bookings with up to 40% off full fares across the 2024/25 season; savings on Ocean View, Balcony and Suite Cabins; 20% off premium drinks packages with Ambassador Fares and up to £300 onboard credit on Ocean View, Balcony and Suite cabins as well as
solo offers with discounts on single supplements. These offers are valid on all new bookings made until 31st May 2023.
Ambassador Cruise Line has expanded its trade and groups teams with two new appointments.
Sam Richardson will join the
cruise line on 30th May 2023 as
Business Development Manager
- Trade. Reporting into Divisional
Sales Manager Karen Cameron,
Sam will have responsibility
for trade sales in the North,
fostering existing commercial
relationships to maximise sales
opportunities while instigating new agent and trade partnerships. Sam joins Ambassador from Cruise118, where he was Sales Manager.
Ambassador also recently announced that Alan Rennie has joined the team as Business Development Manager - Groups. Alan joins Ambassador from
DC Thomson, where he was formerly Travel Partnerships Lead. Alan will report directly to Nicola Harper.
Alan Rennie
Sam Richardson
HURTIGRUTEN EXPEDITIONS AND EVOY TO LAUNCH FIRST ELECTRIC TENDER BOATS
Hurtigruten has announced a collaboration with Evoy, a manufacturer of maritime electric motor systems, to electrify its tender boats.
Announced by Hurtigruten Group as part of their 2022 annual Environmental Social and Governance Report, the new innovative tender boats are designed for excursions from expedition ships in Arctic and Antarctic waters and in all regions in-between
the poles.
The electric tenders, custom-built for Hurtigruten’s expedition cruising, can carry up to 20 guests,
along with scientific & safety-related equipment, for emission free excursions and ‘ship to shore’ landings.
“We are very proud to be the first commercial expedition cruise fleet to offer this ground-breaking technology enabling silent and emission-free excursions with minimal disturbance to local wildlife. It is an innovation collaboration based on our aligned commitment to safety and sustainability,” said Iain McNeill, SVP Operations, Hurtigruten Expeditions.
Hurtigruten Expeditions will introduce the first electric tender boats on expedition cruises with MS Otto Sverdrup along the Norwegian coast this season.
TAKE A BREAK... PACK A BAG
20
MAY 2023

A bigger than ever transatlantic summer schedule means there’s more of America to explore from Edinburgh and Dublin with Delta this summer.
The U.S. carrier is starting a new route from Edinburgh to Atlanta, effective 26 May, complementing existing daily flights to New York-JFK and seasonal flights to Boston returning 9 May.
From Dublin, customers can also fly to Atlanta, Boston and New York-JFK and choose from connections to over 70 destinations across the United States.
UNRIVALLED OPTIONS
Delta offers a vast choice of easy, one-stop connections from Ireland
and Scotland. These include the
west coast cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco and national parks of the Mountain West region, while the beaches and theme parks of Florida are only a short hop from Atlanta.
And when they fly, customers will experience Delta’s human-centric innovation and state-of-the-art airport terminals designed to make travel easier.
TRAVEL INNOVATION
Delta is elevating the customer experience by introducing new digital solutions that help take the guesswork out of travel.
These include the new Delta Sync that makes being a SkyMiles® Member more rewarding through personalized digital services and experiences to create moments of delight and recognition. New features coming this year include exclusive in-flight entertainment, onboard offerings and partnerships with top brands.
AMERICA AWAITS
At Concourse F in Atlanta, international travellers can use facial recognition technology from curb to gate, a digital ID experience that will eventually be activated in all of Delta’s U.S. hubs.
Meanwhile, ground-breaking PARALELL REALITYTM technology at Delta’s Detroit hub allows up to 100 customers to see personalized flight information on a single digital screen at the same time.
HUB INVESTMENT
Over the past decade, Delta has invested more than $12 billion in its airport hubs, including Seattle, Los Angeles and New York, to create state-of-the-art terminals capable of supporting new innovation as technology evolves.
Later this year, a nearly 14,000-square- foot Delta Sky Club® will open at Concourse A in New York-JFK’s Terminal 4, which will also be the first Delta hub to host an exclusive Delta Sky Club for Delta One® customers in the near future.
NONSTOP CONNECTIVITY
Customers can stay connected at every step of their journey, thanks to free messaging via iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp and enjoy access to high-speed Wi-Fi on all international flights. Fast, free Wi-Fi
for SkyMiles Members launched on most Delta domestic mainline flights early this year, will be rolled out across international flights by the end of 2024.
CONNECTING, REFLECTING
AND RESPECTING THE WORLD
Delta is committed to creating a world-class, inclusive supply chain that reflects the diversity of its global customers who enjoy a people-first, values-led experience highlighting small businesses, global suppliers, and woman- and LGBTQ+-led brands.
In Delta One and Delta Premium Select, new amenity kits are made by Mexican artisans in partnership with Someone Somewhere, helping to provide jobs while reducing single-use plastic.
The airline is also committed to giving back to the communities where
Delta people live, work and serve and donates 1% of net profits to charitable causes.
22
MAY 2023

NONSTOP TO ATLANTA,
YOUR GATEWAY TO THE U.S.
Customers can enjoy convenient connections to over 70 destinations across the U.S. this summer with daily nonstop flights from Dublin and Edinburgh to Atlanta. Flights from Edinburgh will start 26 May 2023.

FLORIDA
BUSY 2023 SEASON FOR
PORT EVERGLADES
Port Everglades is expecting to welcome eight cruise lines, 45 ships and nearly 3.5 million passengers this year.
Viking has increased its ships homeported in
Port Everglades to four, including two of its expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new Evrima set sail from Port Everglades in February and Azamara Cruises’ Onward will depart in autumn 2023.
Disney Cruise Line will begin sailing from Port Everglades from a refurbished cruise terminal at Port Everglades in late 2023.
© Visit Fort Lauderdale
ENJOY THE INLAND WATERWAYS
IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Known as the ‘Venice of America’, visitors can explore some of the 300 miles of Fort Lauderdale’s inland waterways by boat or by paddleboard or kayak.
Visitors can enjoy the great outdoors and join the all-new paddleboard or kayak tour of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The excursion includes a paddle from Coconut Cove and a walk through the grounds of the historical 100-year old plantation that is home to spot racoons, wild monkeys, turtles, manatees and heron.
For a more leisurely tour, visitors can experience a ‘Top of the Tower’ tour with scenic views of the waterways at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame. Recently reopened after a US$47 million renovation and expansion, the Centre features five swimming pools, a 27-metre dive tower with springboards and nine platform levels.
© Visit Fort Lauderdale
RENTYL RESORTS AND EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE LAUNCH FAM INCENTIVE
Agents can win one of 10 places on
Rentyl Resorts first ever fam trip incentive.
In association with Experience Kissimmee, three- nights are up for grabs in Kissimmee, Florida along with the opportunity to experience the entire Rentyl Resorts’ Orlando property portfolio.
Running until 31st October 2023, agents can enter by registering all valid Rentyl Resorts bookings at its Rentyl Rewards.com platform.
Bookings must include a minimum five-night stay at one of Rentyl’s five Orlando properties and winners will be chosen based on their sales.
Agents can also earn cash back on all bookings logged, with £50 cash back available on confirmed and consumed room revenue of up to £10,000 and £25 cash back available on confirmed and consumed room revenue of up to £5000.
Terms and conditions apply.
24
MAY 2023

BOOK WITH DRIVEAWAY
for your clients USA car hire & motorhome adventure
USA CAR HIRE
Trade Only rates giving you the edge over direct websites. Wide choice of premium car rental companies. Stress free inclusive & Gold Packages. Easy to book one-way rentals with all fees clearly displayed.
MOTORHOME
Easy to quote and book online. Locations across USA with a wide range of vehicles to book. Great rates and special offers. Dedicated motorhome team on hand to help.
TRADE ONLY
Great commissions. Excellent Customer Service, before, during and after the rental. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up for all car hire bookings. XML & White Label options available.
Book now and secure the best rates and availability for 2023
Work with DriveAway Melanie Thom UK - Sales Director
[email protected] 07938 240110
https://partners.drive-away.com

FLORIDA
CENTRAL FLORIDA’S TOP CITIES AND TOWNS
Florida may be home to the famous mouse and theme parks but Polk County in Central Florida is home to characterful and walkable towns that showcase the region’s rich history, architecture and culinary offerings.
Lakeland
Lakeland is the largest city in Central Florida’s Polk County but has a small town feel complete with boutique shops, farmers markets and a bookstore-turned-coffee shop. It is known as Swan City and it makes for a great base for families with favourites including feeding the swans gifted
by Queen Elizabeth II at Lake Morton, alligator-spotting at Circle B Bar Reserve, a camel-back ride at Safari Wilderness, cheering on The Tigers
at a Major League Baseball game and getting a popcorn fix at the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre.
The new Bonnet Springs Park is great for families with the new Florida Children’s Museum located at its heart.
For foodies there’s everything from food trucks to seafood restaurants, to the Downtown Farmers Curb Market on Saturdays, but be sure to start the day with a freshly baked cruffin from Born & Bread Bakehouse.
Bartow
Bartow is known for its small city heritage and distinctive Southern culture and is nicknamed ‘City of Oaks and Azaleas’. It’s the County’s second oldest city with walkable leafy streets that lead visitors to many historic homes and beautiful architecture.
What was once the Polk County Courthouse now serves as the History Center and houses the historical museum and library - the building itself is worth a visit. My Girl was filmed at 555 East Stanford Street
and the Benjamin Franklin Holland House is across the street. The John J. Swearingen House was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982 and in the Northeast Bartow Historic Residential District, there are 27 historical buildings built between 1886 and 1925. Take the time to tour
the Historic L.B. Brown House and Museum, a museum and architectural masterpiece and finish the history tour at Antiques on Main and Smith & Jones Antiques.
Winter Haven
Children’s dreams come to life in Winter Haven, home to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, Pirate Island Hotel, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat and the new Peppa Pig Theme Park. When it’s time to escape the theme parks, Winter Haven’s network of lakes give a taste of the lakeside lifestyle that many flock to over the winter months. Water activities include pontoon boat tours, paddle-boarding, wake-boarding, water skiing, kayak tours and fishing, or there’s also the option to simply watch the sunset from a dock while sipping on a glass of wine or locally brewed craft beer or dining at farm to fork restaurants like Nutwood.
Davenport
For many, Davenport is the gateway
to Disney with 8,000 vacation rental homes on Walt Disney World’s doorstep. Its central location makes
it a perfect option for those that want to be close to all the attractions, shopping and restaurants. Golfers can take a moment to practice their swing at White Heron Golf Club at Ridgewood Lakes while keen shoppers can browse their way around Posner Park, an open-air shopping mall just south
of Interstate 4.
26
MAY 2023

BOK TOWER GARDENS – Lake Wales, FL
LEGOLAND® FLORIDA RESORT – Winter Haven, FL
WESTGATE RIVER RANCH RESORT – Lake Wales, FL
Where Natural Wonders Surround Thrilling Attractions.
When it comes to incredible outdoor fun that your whole family will love, Florida’s Sweetest Spot delivers—every time. Discover our attractions, activities, animals and more—including Peppa Pig Theme Park located steps from LEGOLAND® Florida Resort’s front gate. Learn more at VisitCentralFlorida.com.

FLORIDA
FAMILY SUMMER FUN AT AQUATICA ORLANDO
Aquatica Orlando, voted America’s #1 outdoor water park, according to the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards, has announced
a new kids play area plus new events for 2023.
Set to open this spring, families will
be able to enjoy plenty of water fun
at the all-new Turi’s Kid Cove, located between Big Surf Shores and Mango Market. With watering palms, tipping buckets and spraying jets, kids can also take a ride on the all-new Tamariki
Twirl water slide, with a pint-sized halfpipe just for the little ones.
Guests visiting the award-winning water park from October through December will also be able to stay
late to enjoy Beach Nights for family- friendly movies and games. Featuring a different movie every weekend, families can sit on Orlando’s largest beach, on deck chairs or blankets, with popcorn, food, snacks, hot chocolate and fountain drinks all available to purchase at Kura’s Beachside Panini.
For something a bit stronger, the new Trader Turi’s Tiki Bar will feature a selection of specialty cocktails.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 16th September through to 15th October, Fiesta Aquatica will return to the Park to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. The pool party will feature Latin music and food and is included with park admission.
For more information about
the SeaWorld Parks or to
book tickets please visit login.attractionworldportal.com
VISIT FLORIDA ANNOUNCES NEW DATES FOR 2024 FLORIDA HUDDLE
VISIT FLORIDA has announced that Florida Huddle and Encounter 2024 will now take place from
4th - 6th February 2024, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, hosted in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Florida Huddle is the Sunshine State’s Official Travel Trade Show, showcasing the best of Florida to international tour operators, with educational sessions and networking.
Florida Encounter, one of the longest running appointment trade shows in the MICE industry, will take place in conjunction with Florida Huddle 2024.
SCUBA DIVE THE ICONIC 1,000
MERMAIDS IN HOLLYWOOD
For visitors searching for an underwater adventure, the 1,000 Mermaids Artificial Reef site off the
coast of Hollywood Beach is a first in Greater
Fort Lauderdale.
Featuring 20 ocean-friendly artificial reef modules, some resembling mermaids, this public eco-art project in the form of an artificial reef serves as an underwater destination for coral restoration, eco-tourism and research.
Currently, only accessible to certified, skilled divers via a diving vessel, plans are underway for a future reef installation that will be accessible to those snorkeling from the beach in Broward County.
28
MAY 2023

GET SET FOR NEW ADVENTURES AT THE SEAWORLD PARKS
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is welcoming an ocean of excitement across its Florida theme parks this year, with thrills and spills for guests of all ages.
SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction, “Pipeline: The Surf Coaster”, will open on 27th May. On the World’s first-’surf coaster’, riders will be able to experience the power of the ocean in a whole new way. Featuring innovative design elements, guests will be secured on the rollercoaster in a surfing position and enjoy ‘surfing launch’ and ‘wave jumping’ motions.
An immersive experience awaits guests, as they will be able to ride the waves, race up to heights of 110-feet in the air and feel like they are about to wipe out when they go upside down on a wave curl along the 2,950-feet of track. Reaching speeds of up to 60-miles per-hour, with five different airtime moments lasting a total of 1 minute and 50 seconds, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is a one of a kind experience.
For more thrills and spills, visitors can head to Busch Gardens, Tampa to experience the recently opened Serengeti Flyer, the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind.
Serengeti Flyer features twin duelling arms that reach speeds of 68 mph, a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak as well as the excitement of multiple negative-G moments. The park’s new thrill features the unique capability to adjust the ride’s intensity level, giving guests the opportunity for a milder or wilder experience.
3-Visits for the Price of Two Ticket + Eat Free
Be sure to recommend the 3-Visit Ticket to clients. This includes a day each at SeaWorld, Aquatica PLUS Busch Gardens and access
to all the rides and experiences they have
to offer.
Guests also get to eat FREE at the parks with three All-Day Dines included – one for each park. PLUS, don’t forget to remind your clients to take advantage of the FREE return bus to Busch Gardens on the Shuttle Express service.
With the 3-Visit Ticket costing the same as the 2-Visit Ticket, this really does provide exceptional value with a whole extra park and day of eating for free. It really is the must have ticket for your customers.
Prices start from below £183 when booked through Attraction World. Terms & Conditions apply.
For more information or to book tickets, go to
login.attractionworldportal.com
or visit your preferred ticket provider.

FLORIDA
T
T
H
H
E
E PALM BEACHES
Located along Florida’s southeast coast, The Palm Beaches are
a gentler side of Florida - with cleaner sands, warmer waters and fewer crowds.
A collection of 39 vibrant cities and towns along 47 miles of golden beachfront, the area is a thriving destination of culture and spectacular natural beauty, located just one
hour north of Miami and two hours southeast of Orlando.
Built on 125 years of genuine hospitality, The Palm Beaches are known as “America’s First Resort Destination®.” The area is home to more than 18,400 hotel rooms and plenty of family-friendly attractions, award-winning restaurants and
125 miles of peaceful waterways for
water activities, such as boating, snorkelling, diving and more.
With more than 160 golf courses,
The Palm Beaches have earned the moniker of Florida’s Golf Capital®, as well as The Cultural Capital of Florida® thanks to its hundreds of theatres, museums, historical sites and tropical gardens.
The Palm Beaches are constantly building and refreshing their hotel products, so there is always an amazing place to stay. Multiple stunning properties have opened in the past few years, plus major renovations for PGA National Resort, The Boca Raton and The Colony.
Throughout the year, The Palm Beaches host an array of events like The International Boat Show in late March and Polo season from January to April. SunFest is a popular music festival in May, and the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival in December is a big hit, among many other events.
The Palm Beaches are accessible
via Palm Beach International Airport, which offers more than 200 daily nonstop flights. The destination is
also within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport.
Plus, the high-speed Brightline train runs to multiple stations in South Florida for even easier transportation.
Plan your client’s trip at thepalmbeaches.com.
30
MAY 2023

THE GOLDEN AGE
OF TRAVEL IS BACK IN THE PALM BEACHES
As America’s First Resort Destination®, The Palm Beaches have been the preferred getaway for discerning guests for over 125 years. From Jupiter to Boca Raton, discover sun-kissed beaches, alfresco dining, premier spas and world-class shopping. Less crowded and more relaxed, the gentler side of Florida awaits. | ThePalmBeaches.com/Travel-Trade-Professionals

FLORIDA
ROLLERCOASTER YOUR WAY TO HAPPY CLIENTS AND BOOSTED EARNINGS!
DoSomethingDifferent.com are all about the fun stuff! We offer pre- bookable attractions, tours, and experiences from the ordinary to the extraordinary, including the spectacular Northern Lights in Iceland, the Wieliczka Salt Mine
in Krakow, glitzy High-Teas in London, Voodoo Tours in the Deep South, Helicoptering through the Grand Canyon and skip the line passes to the world’s most
iconic skyscrapers!
The DSD team though are mad about theme parks! Vibrant and infectious, holiday makers really can do- something-different every day and Orlando showcases some of the World’s most action-packed theme parks!
New entertainment, new immersive dining experiences and new rides using ground-breaking technological advancements are constantly being unveiled – making sure customers keep coming back year after year!
New for this year at Walt Disney World, Florida is TRON Lightcycle / Run.
The long-awaited debut of the Magic Kingdom Park’s most eye-catching ride is finally open. This exciting dive into the world of the TRON films will give the park its top thrill ride in the form of this swooping coaster.
At Universal Orlando Resorts, preparations are already underway for Halloween, and while it might seem a bit soon to be thinking about the spooky season, Universal have just confirmed the dates for this year’s premier scare event, Halloween Horror Nights, and tickets are now
on sale! Get ready for 10 terrifying houses, 5 sinister scare zones and live entertainment that brings to life some of the most famous horror stories of all time!
There are new surprises this year at The SeaWorld Parks too, as they unveil Pipeline: The Surf Coaster – the World’s first ‘Surf Coaster’ this May. A first-of- its-kind roller coaster with a surfing launch and wave jumping motion experience, the unique surfboard- shaped ride will give you an immersive experience from the moment it starts.
With such an abundance of new, thrilling developments at the Orlando theme parks this year, it’s no wonder that DoSomethingDifferent.com are reporting record booking levels for 2023.
A holiday to Orlando does require planning and the DSD Team are the leading industry experts to help you and your customers secure the best ticket options for their holiday. We’re also full of insider hints and tips such as the best spot for lunch, where to stand for the best view of the firework shows and how to maximise your Disney Genie Service.
Add the FUN to your customers holidays TODAY and take out the stress and long queues at gate entrances. Pre-booking your Florida attraction tickets also means you lock in the best price and can save up to 50% on the gate prices – keeping their spending money for what counts, ice cream, cocktails and Mickey Ears! Popular attractions like Alcatraz, the Grand Canyon or the latest theatre productions on Broadway, the West-end or in Las Vegas sell out fast, so book early to guarantee the availability - get whattheywant,whentheywantit! Plus you won’t have to worry about admin or cancellation fees with uber flexible trading terms. And, there’s always the chance to join us on a FAM trip!
Have fun booking- something-different!
32
MAY 2023

Out of this world ƒam trips
See for yourself!
Amazing experiences
Making Friends
We make selling tickets EASY & FUN for all the major Florida theme parks!
The DSD Difference...
We issue gate-ready mobile tickets
No deposit or amendment fees
No cancellation fees prior to departure Great mates’ rates for you and your family! Cash incentives throughout the year We’re ABTOT members
We know because we go!
Delicious!
Book-Something-Different today! 0208 090 3890 [email protected]

NEWS
INGHAMS UNVEILS
NEW LOGO AND BRANDING
Inghams has refreshed its branding with a new look and feel.
With a new logo, website, brand imagery and travel agent campaign, the operator has also shifted the focus to its summer programme. Appealing to the 28% of people in Mintel’s Dec ‘21 report who were interested in going on a walking holiday, compared to 19% who have actually been on one, ‘Inghams Summer’ will now be categorised as the Inghams Walking programme.
Tours will now be based in one (sometimes two) locations, with no fixed itinerary, offering guests the freedom to explore as much or as little of the local area on foot in Italy, France, Switzerland, Slovenia and Austria.
Inghams Head of Agency Sales, Julie Franklin comments: “We are very excited to be giving a new focus to our summer product, providing an emphasis on walking.
“Our engagement and aim will be for our trade partners
to introduce our product to their customers who love to holiday as much as they love to walk. The outdoors appeal is massive and having just completed our destination focus month, we have now launched a huge amount
of new tools, including new sales guides, new training, images for social media and window posters to help our agent partners share inspiration with their customers.”
CELEBRITY CRUISES ADDS PICKLEBALL COURTS
Celebrity Cruises is adding pickleball courts to nine of its ships in the fleet.
Located in open-air courts, guests can enjoy panoramic ocean views while playing the sport, a hybrid of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Open to players of all skill levels, pickleball will be offered complimentary to all guests who sail on a participating ship.
Separate times will be scheduled for adult play 18 and over, or family play of six years and older.
Pickleball courts will be featured on the two Edge Series ships – Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Apex at the Rooftop Garden. On Solstice Series ships including Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Solstice, pickleball will be offered on the Sports Deck (Deck 15).
On Millennium Series ships Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit, players can head to the Sports Court (Deck 12).
EASYJET TO OFFER TWILIGHT BAG
DROP AT EDINBURGH AIRPORT
easyJet passengers travelling from Edinburgh Airport will now be able to drop their bags the day before their flight as the airline introduces its Twilight Bag Drop service.
Airline passengers on early morning flights can check-in bags the night before at the airport and then head straight to security on the day of travel.
Twilight Bag Drop will be available to all easyJet customers on flights departing before 1200 and bags can be dropped between 1600-2100 the day before they fly.
34
MAY 2023

LISBON, PORTUGAL
INCLUDES RETURN FLIGHTS FROM GLASGOW
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
ITALY, CROATIA & MONTENEGRO CELEBRITY BEYONDSM
10-nights l 18 August 2023 l Departs from Rome (Civitavecchia)
Visiting Olympia (Katakolon), Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sicily (Messina), Naples, Florence/Pisa (Livorno) & Rome (Civitavecchia)
FROM £1,679* PER PERSON
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.
PROVENCE, FRANCE
ITALIAN RIVIERA
& FRANCE
CELEBRITY REFLECTION®
9-nights l 21 September 2023 l Departs from Barcelona
Visiting Provence (Marseille), Nice (Villefranche), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Ajaccio, Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples & Barcelona
FROM £1,799* PER PERSON
BEST OF SPAIN
& PORTUGAL CELEBRITY INFINITY®
10-nights l 18 November 2023 l Departs from Barcelona
Visiting Valencia, Malaga, Porto (Leixoes), Lisbon, Seville (Cadiz) & Barcelona
FROM £1,039* PER PERSON
FEATURED SAILINGS
INCLUDES RETURN FLIGHTS FROM GLASGOW
INCLUDES RETURN FLIGHTS FROM GLASGOW
ADD ALL INCLUDED DRINKS, WI-FI & TIPS FROM £69PPPN
$75 per person Onboard Credit included*
ADD ALL INCLUDED DRINKS, WI-FI & TIPS FROM £69PPPN ADD ALL INCLUDED DRINKS, WI-FI & TIPS FROM £69PPPN
$50 per person Onboard Credit included* $75 per person Onboard Credit included*
TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE,
VISIT CELEBRITYCENTRAL.CO.UK/BOOKINGS
*Pricing is per person, correct as at 3 May 2023 and subject to change and availability. The ‘Spring Into Summer Sale’ offer applies to eligible bookings made between 3 May 2023 and 6 July 2023 (the “Offer Period”) on sailings departing 4 May 2023 to 30 April 2025 (the “Sailing Period”), excluding Galapagos sailings. Visit Airwaves or Espresso via celebritycentral.co.uk for latest pricing and full terms and conditions.

Experiencing the exceptional on the World’s Best Airline
Starting 1 July 2023, we will operate two daily flights from Edinburgh, connecting your clients with more than 150 destinations in our expanding global network.
Visit qatarairways.com/tradeportal

SNAPSHOTS
T
THE SPAA NETWORKING LUNCH & STAR EVENT
T
FIELD STADIUM, EDINBURGH
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38
MAY 2023

ON A PREMIUM V LUE CRUISE
IT’S THE BEST V LUE AT SEA
SAY HELLO AT ambassadorcruiseline.com
Call 0808 102 8524 NEW BROCHURE OUT NOW
Best Value for Money (Ocean)
Service Rating
Best UK Mid-Size Cruises Overall
4.7/5
1343 Reviews

SAY HELLO TO BRITAIN’S PREMIUM VALUE CRUISE LINE
When sailing with Ambassador, your customers will discover destinations all over the world, plus amazing entertainment and outstanding cuisine aboard our ships. We believe quality shouldn’t come at a high price, so our sailings are designed to suit a range of tastes and budgets. Find out more at www.ambassadorcruiseline.com
INTRODUCING OUR PORTS FOR 2024-25
With Ambassador, no-fly cruising doesn’t mean you have to compromise on destination.
For our upcoming 2024-25 season, we continue to offer an ample selection of sailings from the UK, including explorations of the Norwegian fjords, adventures around the British Isles, getaways to the Canary Islands and,
for those looking further afield, the stunning Caribbean. Thanks to our mid-sized cruise ships, you’ll be able to access both the hustle and bustle of large port cities and the laid-back atmosphere of smaller, more-secluded port destinations. In 2024-25 we will offer no-fly sailings from eight UK ports. Looks like a cruise holiday is a lot closer to you than you think.
Belfast
Dundee
Edinburgh Leith
Newcastle Tyne
Liverpool
Bristol Royal Portbury
London Tilbury
Falmouth
OUTSTANDING CUISINE We believe outstanding cuisine shouldn’t have to come at a high price. Our carefully crafted menus blend traditional
fare with locally inspired dishes, giving guests a taste of the finer things in life.
From Executive Chefs to mixologists, dining and drinks on board are designed with our guests in mind. Exceptional service and authentic flavours are an everyday staple on board, as outstanding cuisine shouldn’t have to come at a high price.

OUR SHIPS
AMBIENCE AMBITION
Here she is, our flagship of the fleet, our first lady of
the sea: Ambience. Derived from the French word for ‘surrounding’, our ambition at Ambassador is to create the optimum atmosphere onboard; one that brings out the best in each of us. The perfect ambience.
With an average
1,400-guest capacity and careful configuration, she offers both a feeling of spaciousness and freedom, whilst retaining that sense of intimacy and camaraderie we each crave; it’s whatever makes you comfortable.
Here she is, Ambition. Our second lady of the sea. Aptly named to further emphasise our commitment to inspire and delight
every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably.
Ambition will carry up to 1,200 passengers to give her a true sense of comfort and space in her 714 cabins, 125 of which have balconies and 113 are suites with up to 62m2 of living space.
AMAZING
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
Your customers will enjoy a host of amazing entertainment including quizzes, crafting, plays, cabaret, West End style shows and much more on our ships. We don’t make a song and dance of it, we leave that up to them as quality entertainment shouldn’t have to come at a high price.
THE WARMEST WELCOME
We are Ambassador. The premium value no-fly cruise line offering an authentic experience and the warmest welcome at sea. Journey to new lands to explore breathtaking destinations, fascinating cultures, amazing entertainment and outstanding cuisine in the comfort of our Ambassador ships, with no exchange rate worries; all for the best value.

BRITISH ISLES DISCOVERY from £859pp
ICELAND LAND OF FIRE & ICE from £799pp
TASTE OF FJORDLAND from £549pp
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We offer a premium value, no-fly authentic cruise experience. Plus, with our onboard currency in GBP£, avoid exchange rates and enjoy sailing at a fantastically affordable price.
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IT’S THE BEST V LUE AT SEA
Get in touch at ambassadorcruiseline.com Call 0808 102 8524
Service Rating 1343 Reviews
Money (Ocean) Best Value for
Best UK Mid-Size Cruises Overall

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Amsterdam Zoo
Mini Cruise with DFDS
A trip to the zoo is always a special experience - whether with family, friends or nature lovers. The whole world can
be explored in one day. Diving into the oceans, strolling the Mediterranean through the subtropics to the deepest jungle - you can encounter rich and diverse wildlife.
DFDS offers a complete package with
a mini cruise to Amsterdam Zoo. The trip includes 2 nights onboard, coach to and from the zoo, and entry tickets to the zoo. The zoo might offer access to exclusive facilities against a surcharge.
ARTIS, experience it for yourself
Founded in 1838, Artis Royal Zoo is as enchanting today as it was almost two centuries ago. It is a true city zoo. Amsterdam’s zoological garden is not only an oasis of calm in the middle of a fast-paced city, but also a haven for around 700 animal species and 200 tree species.
The best thing about a visit to the ARTIS Royal Zoo in Amsterdam is the escape from the hustle and bustle. A place where you can truly escape from nature, immerse yourself in the animal world and truly explore.
Marvel at the many species that live side by side in the forest house and the bird house. Take a trip through space in the planetarium. Experience penguins, wolves, giraffes and many other beautiful animals. Micropia is a unique museum, showing the invisible world
of microorganisms. Feel the flutter of countless wings in the butterfly pavilion. Sounds exciting?
Book your clients today with code – MNEANAZM. From only £84pp (Based on 2 adults and 2 children – including zoo tickets and transfers).
Shopping - Amsterdam to Newcastle - with DFDS
In the Sea Shops on our Amsterdam to Newcastle crossings, we say goodbye to mainland prices and hello to savings at sea.
Grab a great deal on alcohol to enjoy on holiday, browse our designer fragrances and pick up a new scent or treat the little ones to sweets for a midnight feast later on.
With savings of up to 50% on top brand cosmetics, electronics, fragrances and last minute travel essentials, it’s a great excuse to indulge in some retail therapy!
Your unlimited baggage is waiting to be filled!
Book at dfds.co.uk/agent or call 0871 522 9955
travelmatters.biz
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REDISCOVER FJORD NORWAY THIS SUMMER WITH LOGANAIR
From colourful rainbow neighbourhoods with eye- catching street art to amusement parks and museums, not forgetting the breathtaking Fjords, Stavanger is a city bursting with rich cultural history and all the makings of a perfect summer getaway for your customers.
They can now conveniently fly there from the Scottish capital as Loganair operates direct services from Edinburgh to Stavanger three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
As the oil capital of Norway, it’s a popular destination for business travellers. Still, leisure customers
can learn more about the important offshore operations of the region at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.
For a further history lesson, they can visit Gamble Stavanger, the old town comprising 173 wooden buildings from the turn of the 18th century and 8,000 houses in several different styles, from empire to Art Nouveau
and functionalism.
For those looking for a fun-filled family adventure, Kongeparken is the biggest amusement park in the southwest of Norway and is a must-visit. Located just outside Stavanger in Ålgård, it boasts Norway’s steepest drop tower, largest merry-go-round and longest bobsleigh track.
Stavanger truly is a food city, renowned as home to some of Norway’s best dining destinations, including several local coffee roasters and two Michelin-star restaurants. The city also hosts an annual food festival, Gladmat, which offers ample opportunity to sample local delicacies.
Head outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and find vast landscapes and mountains in the wider Stavanger region to explore. Stavanger can be a base to witness some of Norway’s most spectacular natural sights, including
a cruise on the Lysefjord or hikes to Kjerag boulder or Preikestolen - the Pulpit Rock.
Curious travellers that wish to venture further and explore northern Norway will have the opportunity to connect easily via Loganair’s codeshare partnership with Norwegian regional airline, Widerøe.
The benefits of utilising Loganair’s partner network include protection in case of delay and through-checked baggage to the final destination. Put simply, it makes the overall journey more seamless so your customers can activate holiday mode early.
Fares include a standard 15kg baggage per person and a contribution to Loganair’s GreenSkies programme.
The GreenSkies fund invests in highly accredited carbon offset schemes worldwide and future flight projects to achieve Loganair’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Furthermore, each Loganair journey qualifies for Clan Points to redeem against future travel as part of Loganair’s loyalty programme.
Whatever the reason for travelling, with Clan Loganair, your customers can collect Clan Points on every trip, so
the more they fly, the more points they can collect. This can be redeemed for
a future trip, whether for a business meeting, to enjoy a weekend of leisure or for an extended break.
Bookings can be made via all major global distribution systems.
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MAY 2023

Fly
Edinburgh
Stavanger
For local cuisine time, embracing rich culture time, or
hiking in the fjords time.
BOOK TODAY AT LOGANAIR.CO.UK
OR BOOK VIA YOUR GDS

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LEGER HOLIDAYS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS!
This year marks the 40th anniversary of escorted coach tour company, Leger Holidays and goodness how coach holidays have changed since 1983!
Leger Holidays was founded by Alan Henry who had the idea of running coach tours to Austria and to arrange ABTA bonding quickly, he acquired
a small travel agency with shops in Wakefield and Doncaster, called Leger Travel.
Originally Leger was very much a small family business operating from home in South Yorkshire, with a couple of desks, phones and a Telex machine (you might need to look that one up!) offering 7-day holidays to the
Austrian Tyrol.
The Leger Shearings Group became the UK’s largest escorted coach tour company.
Choice of holiday has come a long
way since the first tours to Austria
with their focus on rural and mountain scenery; these days Leger Holidays has a programme of more than 300 itineraries with a huge choice of destinations. You’ll find most European countries featured in the latest Leger brochure in addition to tours much further afield - Australia, USA and
India for example. And it’s no longer just weekly tours – there’s a choice ranging from short 2-night breaks to Grand Explorer holidays of up to 19 days; there’s something for everyone – including solo, group holidays, Festive Breaks and Battlefield Tours.
The biggest change since 1983 is however in the coaches! In the very early days they were bumpy, had no air con and allowed smokers! People would bring their own food and drink for the journey, as service stations weren’t what they are now and there was no M25 to speed up the journey to Dover.
There were always two drivers to escort the tours, but excursions were mostly walking tours with one of the drivers reading from a guidebook.
These days all tours are fully escorted with expert local guides and well- planned immersive excursions.
Today all of Leger’s coaches are modern and comfortable - the
Silver Service coaches even have a rear lounge for socialising onboard and Leger’s Luxuria coaches are considered the equivalent of travelling business class! These coaches have
a spacious interior with wider, deluxe, reclining, armchair-style seats with generous legroom.
Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch-screen monitor offering a wide choice of entertainment and there’s a plug socket and USB port at each seat to keep devices charged. There’s a washroom with an on-board toilet and also a drinks servery and of course, air-conditioning.
How times have changed!
Leger Coach 1992
Sadly, in 1993 Alan Henry died suddenly and his son Ian took over
the running of Leger Holidays. Ian is still involved in the company today as Chairman, with the management team now led by chief executive Liam Race.
The company has grown significantly since the early days and with the acquisition of former rival Shearings in 2020 and Arena Travel in 2022,
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MAY 2023

WIN
£2000
WORTH OF SHOPPING VOUCHERS!
UP TO
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For every Shearings and Leger Holidays booking you make during May, you will be entered into a weekly prize draw to win a £500 shopping voucher. All entries will also automatically go into the ultimate ‘May Madness’ prize draw, with £2000 worth of shopping vouchers up for grabs!
It couldn’t be simpler!
To enter, simply log all your Shearings and Leger Holidays bookings made in May and email [email protected] with the following information:
Subject: May Madness
• Full name • Contact details • ABTA number • Booking ID • Date of booking
The winner of each week will be contacted directly and announced on our Facebook trade pages. The monthly winner will be announced by 5th June 2023 via email and our Facebook trade pages.
The more bookings you make, the more entries you receive into the prize draw!
Good luck!
ORDER YOUR BROCHURE SUPPLIES AT BP TRADE-GATE
Terms and Conditions: 1. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash, there is no cash alternative. 2. The prize cannot be transferred. 3. Winners agree to have their image used for any potential PR purposes. 4. Any bookings cancelled within the incentive period will not be included in the prize draw. 5. Only one entry per booking reference will be accepted. 6. Prize can only be accepted by the person who made the booking. 7. Leger Shearings Group are not responsible for any lost vouchers and will not replace them once received and signed for. 8. Any bookings made and submitted outside of the incentive period will not be included. 9. The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with another of the same value should this prize for any reason become unavailable. 10. Bookings must be logged via [email protected] to be included.

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JUST GO! HOLIDAYS ADDS
LONDON THEATRE BREAKS
Just Go! Holidays has added a new London theatre breaks and attractions programme to its product range for the first time. In total, 19 leading West End theatre shows are featured, plus the hugely popular ABBA Voyage, all packaged up with coach travel and overnight accommodation for an easy-to-book option for agents to promote.
Two-day theatre breaks are available for departures from mid-August 2023 onwards, on selected Saturdays. In addition, for November and December, the operator has also added additional Thursday departure dates to meet the demand for trips to London over the festive period. Prices start from £159pp.
A range of three-day New Year in London packages are also on sale, priced from £329pp that include tickets to a show on Saturday 30th December and a gala New Year’s dinner the following evening.
Also new are five two-day London attraction breaks. Each one will include admission to a key attraction such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London or the House of Parliament, with prices starting from £169pp.
Claire Dutton, trade sales manager at Just Go! Holidays comments: “I’m delighted that agents will now be able to book London theatre and attractions through Just Go! Holidays. We trialled a couple of products to see how they sold and it was clearly something that our loyal JG customers wanted, as the response was incredible.
“ We have all the leading shows from Jersey Boys and Les Misérables to Hamilton and Spitting Image – there really is so much variety for agents to promote and something that will appeal to everyone.”
The new London coach breaks can now be booked through all three JG Travel Group brands – Just Go! Holidays, National Holidays and Omega Breaks.
NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS LAUNCHES 2023 FESTIVE BROCHURE
Newmarket Holidays has launched its Festiv
e Tours brochure for
tours including Christmas s
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2023, including new breaks to the Peak District, Madeira and Budapest.
Covering Christmas markets, Christmas and New Year holidays, the festive breaks brochure offers a wide variety of group tours at home and abroad.
There are seven new
New Year in Madeira is a new eight-day celebration of the Portuguese Island, with walking tours to Funchal, the remote west and a visit to Ribeiro Frio Nature Reserve, with a gala dinner and fireworks to bring in the New Year.
The operator has also expanded its selection of Christmas market tours and now includes Zagreb, Hamburg
and Budapest.
Richard Forde, Head of Trade Sales at Newmarket Holidays said: “We are really excited to be launching our Festive Brochure, which features exciting new destinations such as Zagreb, plus returning favourites including our New Year on Safari tour, which was such a success in 2022.
“They say that Christmas gets earlier every year, but one of the themes we’ve seen from customers in 2023 is that people are booking further in advance to help manage budgets, so introducing our new Christmas and New Year tours and launch offer now gives travel agents a really strong opportunity to secure early sales.”
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trips to Bakewell and Buxton, Midnight Mass at a local
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church and a visit to Chatsworth House.
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MAY 2023

FLEXIBILITY WITH RAILBOOKERS
When it comes to independent rail holidays, Railbookers are the experts.
Whether a luxury journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, an iconic trip through the Swiss Alps, combining a number of historic European cities or
a Coast to Coast adventure across the USA or Canada, there’s a holiday
for everyone.
And flexibility is at the heart of everything we do. Adding in extra nights, extra destinations, combining different itineraries, starting from any UK rail station, booking flights
or adding additional excursions and private sightseeing are just some of the ways we make customers’ holidays truly their own. Short breaks or longer stays, if the train goes there, so do Railbookers!
Thanks to Europe’s extensive network of high-speed and comfortable trains, the major cities and sights of Europe are all on your customer’s doorstep. All they have to decide is where to visit next. With Railbookers, choose any destination, any date and for
any length of time, up to two years in advance.
Classic Glacier and Bernina Express
Sicily
What are some of our most popular trips booking right now?
• Classic Glacier and Bernina Express - Discover two of the world’s most scenic train journeys and enjoy Switzerland’s scenery on this classic four-night holiday with stops in the cities of Interlaken and Chur.
• Sicily by Train - First travel to Milan then head south to Taormina, riding
through the Sicilian countryside to Catania and finally Palermo.
• Barcelona and Madrid - Explore two vibrant cities on this six-night Spanish holiday by rail.
Visit www.railbookers.co.uk or call us on 020 3780 2222 for more information!
GRAND BERLIN, PRAGUE, VIENNA AND BUDAPEST Berlin > Prague > Vienna > Budapest
VENICE, FLORENCE AND ROME
Geneva > Venice > Florence > Rome
PARIS, NORMANDY,
THE LOIRE VALLEY, AND BORDEAUX
Paris > Bayeux > Tours > Bordeaux
SEE THE WORLD FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW IF THE TRAIN GOES THERE, SO DO WE
Call 020 3780 2222 or visit railbookers.co.uk to view all of our holidays and to access our travel agent toolbox with downloadable resources to help you promote
what’s booking right now!
travelmatters.biz
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SHORT BREAKS
Avondale House and Treetop Walk, Co. Wicklow Titanic Belfast Waterford Greenway, Co. Waterford
FILL YOUR HEART WITH IRELAND
Let the island of Ireland capture your heart with the rugged, untouched beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, the intriguing history of Ireland’s Ancient East, the natural splendour of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the vibrant culture of Dublin and
its surrounds and all the giant experiences on offer across Northern Ireland.
With its breath-taking scenery, world class visitor attractions, fantastic culture and music, internationally lauded food and drink scene and globally renowned friendly welcome, Ireland is a must visit destination.
Explore the great outdoors
Visitors can get back to nature with a spot of sea kayaking in Co. Cork, take a gentle cycle along the Waterford Greenway or enjoy a relaxing coastal walk accompanied by a group of friendly alpacas in Co. Donegal.
The recently opened Beyond the
Trees Avondale brings an exciting
new dimension to the experience of exploring the picturesque landscape of Avondale Forest Park in Co. Wicklow. This treetop walk treats visitors to
a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular Wicklow countryside.
In Northern Ireland, The Mournes, Ring of Gullion and Strangford Lough and Lecale are set to become a UNESCO Global Geopark. From the high peaks of the Mournes to the rippling shores of Strangford Lough, the region has long been prized for its gorgeous landscape.
A visit to the recently redeveloped Mount Congreve Gardens in Co. Waterford is a must for garden enthusiasts. Described as ‘one of the great gardens of the world’, Mount Congreve is home to seventy acres of planted woodland and a four-acre walled garden.
Enjoy delicious food and drink
Everywhere you go you’ll find
delicious local produce to tantalise your tastebuds. There are fantastic food tours and experiences available including Fab Food Trails in Cork and Taste & Tour NI in Belfast. Try an Irish soda breadmaking class at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen in Co. Down or sign up for a Catch & Cook adventure with Dingle Cookery School where you’ll spend the morning fishing before heading back to the kitchen to cook up your catch.
Fancy a tipple? Why not follow the new Northern Ireland Spirits Trail which covers 10 unique distilleries across Northern Ireland. Home to one of the oldest licensed whiskey distilleries in the world – the Old Bushmills Distillery – Northern Ireland has a long history of distilling excellence.
Discover intriguing history
The island of Ireland’s historic attractions and landmarks are plentiful. Visitors can explore stone age passage tombs at Newgrange in Co. Meath, uncover Viking history in Waterford, visit grand historic houses, walk Derry- Londonderry’s famous 17th century walls or learn about Belfast’s
maritime heritage.
The award-winning Titanic Belfast has just re-opened following a multi- million-pound refurbishment and reimagining, so there’s never been
a better time to visit. The visitor experience now showcases a new theme, ‘The Pursuit of Dreams’ and original artefacts from RMS Titanic are on display including the world-famous violin belonging to the ship’s hero musician, Wallace Hartley.
Lights, camera, action!
Northern Ireland is truly Game of Thrones Territory, much of the series was filmed here. Visit Game of Thrones Studio Tour at the authentic filming location of Linen Mills Studio in Banbridge,
Co. Down. The attraction offers an immersive, high-sensory experience featuring fully dressed sets, authentic costumes, weaponry and props.
Channel 4 comedy ‘Derry Girls’ put the city on the map and visitors can now enjoy a range of Derry Girls themed experiences – sample a Derry Girls themed Afternoon Tea at Everglades Hotel, visit the Derry Girls mural or enjoy a Derry Girls Food Tour.
The island of Ireland benefits from quick and easy access from Great Britain with plenty of air and sea routes to choose from.
The continuation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) means British and Irish citizens can travel between
the two islands without a passport
or visa restrictions, subject to ID requirements from the travel provider.
For more information and itinerary inspiration visit trade.ireland.com
Wild Alpaca Way, Co. Donegal
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MAY 2023