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SPRING
APRIL - MAY
2005 Edition 32. |
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SPRING
APRIL - MAY
2005 Edition 32. |
DEALS
VALUE IN FRANCE - EX UK
Self drive holidays can be really convenient. If you want to take your car to France check out Brittany Ferries' website for accomodation at http://www.brittanyferries.co.uk/holidays
there is a huge selection of both self-catering and hotel accommodation. Gîtes and cottages from just £97 a week, Apartments from £117 a week, Villas with pools from £320 a week, Holiday villages, chalet camping, and even river cruisers.
CAMPING BARGAIN IN EUROPE - EX UK
Book a seven-night camping or mobile home holiday before 31 March and enjoy up to seven nights free-of-charge.
This mega offer from Canvas Holidays http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk
Tel: 01383 629000 applies to 75 campsites in France, Italy and Spain on early season breaks completed by the middle of July.
For example, a 14-night holiday (including seven free nights) at Guilvinec in Brittany costs £349 for arrivals between 21 and 26 May.
This price is the TOTAL cost for two adults and up to four children and includes return midweek Dover/Calais ferry crossing for car and passengers and accommodation in a fully equipped tent.
FLY CAMP - EX UK
Families can enjoy a camping holiday without the need for a long car journey as Vacansoleil (08700 778 779, www.vacansoleil.co.uk) offers ‘accommodation-only’ packages to a selection of sites situated close to airports serviced by low cost carriers.
In Italy, for example, the company is highlighting Camping Marina di Venezia at Punta Sabbione (easily reached via Venice/Treviso airport with Ryanair flights) where a family of up to six can enjoy a seven-night stay in a fully equipped Fiji mobile home for just £230 for arrivals on site between 23 - 28 April and 3 - 29 September.
USA - VACATONS WITH A LEG AT EACH CORNER
The Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch
Association now has its 2005 full-color Vacation Guide available.
The 2005 Vacation Guide has been completely updated into a new, larger
format.The guide contains a useful chart that makes comparing individual ranch activity offerings, rates, lodging, and children's programs quick and easy. And a new pricing format enables potential guests to compare ranches within each price level so they can find the right ranch for their budget.
To obtain the free directory see: http://www.duderanching.info
SOLVE THE DA VINCI CODE FOR £179! EX UK
Gold Crest Holidays, the UK's leading budget short break coach tour operator, invites travellers to experience the excitement of Paris with its new itinerary dedicated to the sensational sights and sounds found in Dan Brown's best-selling novel, the Da Vinci Code.
Millions of readers worldwide have been gripped by the mysteries hidden within the pages of Brown's novel - at last count, over 2 million people have purchased a copy in the UK alone. A movie release has also been announced directed by Ron Howard. Multi-Oscar winner Tom Hanks and Audrey Tatou of Amelie fame are set to star.
Gold Crest's Da Vinci Code tour allows holidaymakers to explore the streets of the French capital city and relive the exciting route taken by lead characters Sophie Neveu and Professor Langdon on their quest to find the key to the deadly code that threatens to destroy the Catholic Church.
Expert guides will point out every clue, significant stone and painting in a way that makes the book come alive. The glittering Right Bank, the Louvre and the bohemian Latin Quarter are all included on the itinerary, making this the ideal getaway for both fans and those who have yet to enjoy this year's must-read thriller.
The tour, like the book, begins at Place Vendôme - home of the Hotel Ritz. From there, Da Vinci travellers are taken on a walking tour along the Rue de Rivoli and across the Place du Carousel, where Sophie Neveu and Langdon began their flight from the Louvre.
Across the River Seine is the next stop on the tour, the church of St Sulpice where Silas goes in search of the Holy Grail. This neo-Classical church built in the 17th century has a narrow brass strip which marks the original zero longtitudal line - or Rose Line- used as a reference point throughout the book.
Other locales included in the itinerary are a visit to the Louvre and a morning in Versailles, also known as the area where Chateau Villette, the fictional home of Leigh Teabing, is located.
The cost is £179 per person, B&B, based on two sharing. Package includes three nights at a comfortable hotel in the greater Paris area and return executive coach transport from a choice of over 300 free UK departure points, return channel crossings by ferry/Eurotunnel, entry to the Louvre and a guided walking tour. Departs 27 May, 24 June, 29 July, 12 & 26 August, 16 & 30 September and 21 October.
Book through Gold Crest Holidays (0870 7000 007 or log on to http://www.dvctours.com ), quoting tour code DVC4.
BLOOMING HOLLAND
When visitors travel to Holland next spring to enjoy the scenery of the blooming tulip fields, then they should not miss Panorama TulipLand at the little village of Voorhout.
Just look at www.tulipland.nl for additional information
USA.
LONG BEACH, CA -
BOAT, BED & B'FAST
You can enjoy a unique bed and breakfast experience on a California yacht with Dockside Boat and Bed, a company that offers accommodations on a dockside yacht with a complimentary continental breakfast served onboard each morning.Located in Rainbow Harbor in Downtown Long Beach, guests choose from a selection of privately owned motor and sailing vessels, just steps away from restaurants, shopping, the World-class Aquarium of the Pacific, theaters and nightlife.
All of the yachts are equipped with private staterooms, showers, televisions, stereos, coffee makers, fresh linen, and scenic harbor views. Yachts range in size from thirty-eight to sixty-feet in length.Book any yacht (rates range from $190 to $250 a night) and add the Evening of Romance package for $60. The special includes a bottle of chilled champagne, a dozen red roses and a plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries or gourmet truffles awaiting when you check in to your own yacht for the night.
Your boat remains dockside during your stay, however, you can fulfill your romantic, seafaring dreams by arranging a private charter cruise for up to 6 guests with a licensed captain (additional fee). Arrangements can also be made for a romantic catered candlelight dinner on-board, limousine service, picnic baskets, or an on-board massage.
Contact Dockside Boat and Bed,
(800) 436-2574. Email: boatandbed@yahoo.com. Web: www.boatandbed.com
NEWS
USA - ALBUQUERQUE,
New Mexico
celebrates its 300th birthday.
The Tricentennial festivities will bring a party atmosphere to Albuquerque with events for all ages from April 2005 through October 2006. Join us for fiestas, reenactments, grand openings, new exhibits, cultural heritage and much more.
The April 16, 2005, opening celebration will kick off the Tricentennial festivities at Balloon Fiesta Park beginning with a balloon mass ascension, music, a Parade of Eras, a dove release and a torch relay to light a Tricentennial flame.
The Tricentennial Half Marathon will also take place on April 16th beginning at the Coronado State Monument near Bernalillo, NM with the runners finishing near the opening ceremony at Balloon Fiesta Park.
ESTONIAN OPERATIC ELEGANCE
Visit Estonia with Baltic Holidays and make your heart sing!If you're looking for a high-culture take on the city-break, why not take a trip to Tallinn with Baltic Holidays, the UK's leading specialist tour operator to the Baltic States? The Estonian National Opera House or "Rahvusooper Estonia" is the city's pride and joy and is hosting a sensational spring season of operas and ballets.This year sees the premiere of the ballet Shannon Rose, a story of war, betrayal, religion, sex and infidelity staged by Hungarian choreographer Youri Vàmos, and set to music by Sibelius.If you prefer something a little more traditional, you can feast your ears on many much-loved old favourites. The Spring programme, which runs through to the beginning of June, also includes the classic operas, Don Giovanni, Cyrano de Bergerac, La Traviata, Carmen and Tosca along with ballets such as Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.A full programme of events is available at http://www.opera.eeIn the UK Baltic Holidays can organise your tickets as well as your trip, so all you have to do is enjoy the show! And from May 2005 a trip to Estonia with Baltic Holidays is even more convenient - you can fly direct to Tallinn from Manchester with Estonian Air.
SINGAPORE AIRPORT has introduced what is claimed to be the world's first fully automated check-in and immigration clearance system that uses biometric recognition technology. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) are jointly conducting a six-month trial of a system that combines the check-in and immigration processes into one. It's called FAST (fully automated seamless travel).
The FAST passenger will be issued with a card containing a microchip that has captured his facial features and fingerprint details. Authentication of his identity will be done at a one-stop kiosk in the FAST lane, where the traveller can check-in, select seat onboard, collect his boarding pass and clear immigration from a user-friendly interactive touch-screen monitor. http://www.changi.airport.com.sg
HERTZ
COMPUTER HOT SPOTS Hertz is to introduce wireless, high-speed Internet access in more than 50 major airport locations within the US during the first quarter of 2005.
In a preliminary agreement with Wayport, one of the world's largest providers of WiFi wireless and high-speed Internet access, customers at the locations will be able to connect to the Internet from inside the Hertz facility. When accessing the Internet, a co-branded Hertz/Wayport welcome page will be displayed and customers who are members of Wayport will be able to use the service as part of the standard package. Other customers have the option of purchasing a one-time connection for use at the Hertz location for a minimal fee.
Clearly one for the UK too in the future. Hertz NeverLost, the
satellite navigation system, will have a listing of all Wayport WiFi locations and will be able to provide directions to the closest Wayport WiFi location. http://www.hertz.com
CANADA - BC
TALL SHIPS VICTORIA
A Fleet of Tall Ships Set Their Sails for Victoria: The Internationally-renowned Victoria Tall Ships Challenge promises a seafaring spectacle featuring as many as 30 magnificent vessels to Victoria's Inner Harbour, June 23-26, 2005.
As the first port of call for the participating tall ships, Victoria will set the scene for a unique collection of masts and sails and will feature a star-studded line-up to include the Lady Washington from Gray's Harbour - famous for its prominent role in the film Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Depp. The Mexican navy's 23-sail, 270-ft. Cuauhtemoc promises a bit of showboating, while the Russian Pallada - one of the largest tall ships in the world at more than 350-ft. long – will also captivate.
The pageantry is set to begin with a ships parade into Victoria's Inner Harbour, and from there, the vessels will be moored at Ship's Point and Ogden Point. Celebrations will continue with mock gun battles, a crew parade, the carving and launch of a First Nations dugout canoe, demonstrations of traditional maritime skills such as sail-making and wooden boatbuilding, live music, art displays, a kids' zone featuring a pirate school, scrimshaw carving, model boat building, seamanship training, and a daily sunset ceremony to lower the flags of all participating ships (accompanied by each of their national anthems).
All before the ships pull up anchor and make way to their next ports of call in Vancouver, Port Alberni, Tacoma, WA, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. To reserve your view of the tall ships, tickets can be purchased beginning March 1, 2005. Visit www.tourismvictoria.com/tallships or www.tallshipsvictoria.ca
CANADA - BC
THE BEAR FACTS
Daily fly-in Grizzly Bear Tours A new day excursion combines genuine west coast bush flying with the chance to see British Columbia’s west coast Grizzly bears in their natural habitat.
The journey in takes visitors over deep inlets, snowcapped glacial peaks and vast evergreen forests, and past historical town sites, long since uninhabited, enabling a firsthand view of aboriginal First Nations history.
Along the way there are ample opportunities to spot wildlife including bald eagles, sea lions and Orca whales. Guests then board a specially designed jet boat and head deep into the inlet to where the coastal BC Grizzly bear lives in its natural habitat.
The tour departs from Campbell River on Vancouver Island and takes visitors to the remote west coast of mainland BC www.beartours.com
