Summer Edition

NEWS
GO DUTCH FOR THE YEAR OF THE WINDMILLS

The first polder windmill was built in 1407, exactly 600 years ago. To mark this special occasion, 2007 has been designated the Year of the Windmill. A whole host of festivities have already taken place, but plenty more are scheduled for the rest of the year.
For example, why not visit Rotterdam to see a demonstration of traditional snuff manufacturing and spice milling, or Schiedam to discover more about what it was like to live and work in a windmill? Millers recount stories of what is truly a by-gone era in De Babbersmolen. Nieuwerbrug, meanwhile, is home to a fully functional windmill, known as De Weijpoortsche Molen. This centuries-old, imposing windmill operates once a week, and is well worth a visit.
For more about these and other activities, please visit http://www.jaarvandemolens.nl.

QE2 TO BECOME LUXURY FLOATING HOTEL AT THE PALM JUMEIRAH

As part of a $100 million deal, the QE2 will be delivered to Dubai, where she will be refurbished and adapted to become a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah man-made island.
The ship, which has sailed the world's seas for almost 40 years and travelled over 5 million miles, is Cunard's longest-serving ship.
The world's most famous ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, will leave the Cunard fleet in autumn 2008.
As part of a $100 million deal, the QE2 will be delivered to Dubai, where she will be refurbished and adapted to become a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah man-made island.

EUROPE’S ONLY CITY CENTRE SEAPLANE SERVICE TAKES OFF FROM GLASGOW

Glasgow joined the likes of Sydney, Seattle and Vancouver with the launch of a seaplane service operating from the heart of the city centre. Tourists are now able to fly to Oban in Scotland’s spectacular West Highlands in approximately 24 minutes – as opposed to two and a half hours by car.
The service – the only regular seaplane flights operating from the centre of a European city – is a major new attraction for visitors to Glasgow, allowing them to comfortably enjoy a return day trip into the Highlands.

HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES CONFIRMED AS PATRON OF SECOND BRITISH TOURISM WEEK
HRH The Prince of Wales has confirmed that he will once again be the Patron of British Tourism Week to be held from 10 to 18 March 2008

RYANAIR TO INTRODUCE CHARGES FOR AIRPORT CHECK-IN
Ryanair will charge an extra £2 per person for passengers who check in at the airport.

The charge, which used to be for online check-in, has now been switched to airport check-in in order to encourage more passengers to check in online.
However, the online check-in is only available to passengers travelling with just hand luggage. As well as avoiding the additional £2 charge, these passengers automatically get priority boarding.

TRAINS SYSTEM DEVELOPS IN EUROPE
Seven European high speed train operators are creating Railteam to provide faster journey times across Western Europe.and if a traveller misses a connection because of a late running service, Railteam will ensure they can board the next train, irrespective of the ticket type they have.

Participants in Railteam are: Eurostar UK, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, SNCB, NS Hispeed, ÖBB, SBB and subsidiaries Thalys, Lyria and Alleo.

A new distribution system that will allow international travellers to find prices, make bookings, pay, and receive their ticket from any distributor of European rail in one transaction. The new system will go live in 2009

EUROSTAR ANDTHE DUTCH CONNECTION
Eurostar services from London Waterloo and Ashford International travel to Brussels up to 10 times a day. Regular and reliable connections can be made from Brussels to cities and towns all over The Netherlands.
High speed to the city centre.
Travelling from the UK to the Netherlands is not only much cheaper than you would think, you can also be there quicker than you would expect.
High speed Thalys trains travel from Brussels to Amsterdam in under 3 hours and InterCity trains can whisk you to Maastricht in under an hour and a half. The journey from London Waterloo to Brussels takes under 2 ½ hours, meaning you can leave the UK at lunchtime and be in the Netherlands by dinner time.
Prices from the UK to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague or Schiphol airport start at £73 return and include a high speed Eurostar to Paris and a connecting high speed Thalys train to your destination.
A Eurostar ticket which includes FREE travel on InterCity and local trains to any Dutch station (within 24 hours of arriving in Brussels) costs as little as £69. To book call Rail Europe on 08708 304 934 and ask for a Eurostar ticket to any Dutch Station.
For more information visit http://www.raileurope.co.uk
or call 08708 304 934
USA COAST TO COAST RAIL - 2008
Great Rail Journeys, the UK's market leader for escorted rail holidays.
is to offer a 21-day touring odyssey by rail across the whole of the USA - taking in the country's immense diversity.
Travelling mainly in the comfort of Amtrak double-deck Superliner trains from coast to coast - New York to San Francisco - the itinerary also includes stopovers in cities such as Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles together with historic train journeys, plus - new for next year - a visit to the island of Alcatraz.

Other highlights of the tour include:

§ A scenic journey along the route of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad into the Rocky Mountains
§ Travelling on the Durango and Silverton Railroad through the remote wilderness of the National Forest
§ Journey on the Capitol Limited over the Allegheny Mountains into Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
§ Overnight journey on the California Zephyr through Indiana and Nebraska
§ Utah's Monument Valley
§ Travel in vintage carriages on the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the Canyon
§ Overnight stay onboard the RMS Queen Mary, together with tour of the ship
§ Journey on the Coast Starlight along the scenic Pacific coast shoreline
§ City tours of New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco

Available with a wide choice of departure dates between 2 April and 22 October 2008, prices lead-in at £2450 per person, twin-share, inclusive of return London flights (outward to New York, returning from San Francisco), rail and coach travel, 19 nights' accommodation (16 room-only hotel, three overnight train with all meals), excursions as per itinerary, transfers and luggage handling in the USA, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Reservations: 01904 521 980, http://www.GreatRail.com

INLAND WATERWAYS NETWORK OF FRANCE
Crown Blue Line and Connoisseur have developed a partnership with Maison de la France with a dedicated boating holidays section on franceguide.com

The inland waterways network of France offers visitors a way to see the country from a different perspective. Travelling by boat allows the freedom to stop off at any point along the way to visit places that may often be missed by non-boaters.

No licence is required. After a detailed briefing from the base staff on the day of arrival, thousands of people try boating in France for the first time each year. Holidays can be adapted according to interests - discovering local architecture, relaxing in local cafes and restaurants, cycling along the tow paths, or simply relaxing on the sun deck with a book.
http://uk.franceguide.com/home.html?NodeID=827
HOSTELS ON FACEBOOK
A NEW APPLICATION FOR BACKPACKERS
Hostels on Facebook gives travellers access to more than 9,000 hostels around the world and they can make instant reservations with no booking fee!
Now at last it is possible with the launch of Hostels on the hugely popular social networking site Facebook. It finally gets to grips with the people element by integrating friends’ hostel bookings into their information online so that their friends can check where they’ll be and organise to meet up with them
Finding the application is easy by going to Facebook (www.facebook.com) and searching for Hostels. Facebook users simply add the application and can drag the ‘green hostels’ icon further up their application list or go direct with this URL: http://apps.facebook.com/hostels

UK – CANADA , FLIGHT BONANZA
Scottish airline Globespan, long established in the UK – Canada market, has introduced daily flights to Toronto from Stansted. With Air Transat joining Air Canada and British Airways at Heathrow, plus Air Transat, Globespan themselves and Zoom now firmly ensconced at Gatwick, 2007 looks like breaking all passenger records between Britain and Canada.
and Vancouver.
Gatwick has daily flights to Toronto; Glasgow will build up to a six-day a week service while Gatwick and Manchester will fly three times each week.
The full list of airports offering weekly flyglobespan flights to Toronto is: Belfast, Birmingham, Doncaster, Dublin, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Exeter, Liverpool, Newcastle and Shannon.

GPS CITY GUIDE
Paris in your pocket - new GPS city guide available from Allo France
Visitors to Paris who don't want to carry around heavy guidebooks can now pre-book the latest in GPS technology, the TAO palm-size city guide, from Allo France. TAOcity has a detailed touch-screen map specially designed for on-foot use and features all streets, with six zoom levels making it easy for anyone to find their exact bearings. The map is interactive and displays places of interest near the user's location.
It also features a listing for hundreds of restaurants, bars, shops and must-see places, together with an audio guide - in English - for more than 700 historic sites, plus a route-planner for the Metro.
TAOcity can be pre-booked on www.allofrance.co.uk or by calling 0870 240 5903. Rental price is £12.50 for one day, £19.50 for two days and £25 for thre

BURGUNDY EYE
ON LINE GUIDE TO BURGUNDY IN FRANCE
Burgundy Eye [http://www.burgundyeye.com] travel magazine covers wines, accommodation, restaurants, attractions and activities.
Irishman David Cogan and his Burgundy-born wife Laurence have created an internet travel magazine and guide with nearly 7000 pages of information for visitors to the area. Operated by Nabu Media Ltd, the guide provides honest, in-depth reviews. 7000 directory entries on the website are open for review by visitors and residents. The French language version of the guide is called Vision Bourgogne [http://www.visionbourgogne.com].

NEW INTERRAIL PASS
The New Interrail pass for European residents has arrived! No more zones, the new pass is valid throughout Europe, or for individual European countries.
Available to adults & young persons alike, there is also a 1st class Adult only version RailChoice can advise on the new pass, and the pass can be bought online at http://www.railchoice.co.uk/interrail_global.html

Questions should be directed to the telephone no. +44208701657300, open Monday to Friday from 09:30 till 17:30, or via email to interrail@railchoice.co.uk

EVENTS

ARKANSAS FESTIVAL

Experience the life of our forefathers at the Pocahontas Heritage Festival. The festival will be held at locations throughout Pocahontas on Sept. 28-30. The three-day event will feature a ladies' tea, Civil War battle enactments, antique tractor tour and show, quilt show, farm toy show, quilting demonstration, clogging, Bluegrass music festival and Southern Heritage Ball. For more information, call (870) 892-4056 or visit http://www.randolphcomuseum.org.

HOT AIR BALLOONS FESTIVAL IN FERRARA, EMILIA-ROMAGNA,
21-30 SEPTEMBER 07

The Ferrara Balloons Festival is one of the biggest in Europe and this year more than 30 Italian and European crews will take part in the event with their multi-coloured hot-air balloons. They will fill the sky over the magnificent Renaissance city of Ferrara, the Po Delta and the lush Parco Urbani. The public is encouraged to fly on tethered balloons or to try parachute jumping. At night the hot air balloons will be lit and will fly in the “Night Glow” show.
More info at: www.ferraraterraeacqua.it/balloon

47TH INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW IN GENOA, 6-14 OCTOBER 07
The Genoa boat show is regarded as one of the most important in the world . There will be a large marina and a wide range of marketable goods, boats (more than 2200, of which more than 400 in the water), accessories, clothing, meetings, sport activities and entertainment. More info at: http://www.fiera.ge.it/salone_nautico
SWISS GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 15-16TH 2007
In a charming wine village in the heart of the Geneva countryside called Mandement, this two-day event, held annually in September, includes a parade, and offers the opportunity to sample local specialties including a large selection of Geneva wines.
http://www.russin.ch

TAKE THE WATERBUS TO DORDRECHT
The Waterbus is not just a functional mode of transport; it is also an excellent way to explore the southern part of Zuid-Holland. In this specially designed catamaran, you can comfortably criss-cross the waters between Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ridderkerk, Krimpen aan de Lek, Kinderdijk and other towns and villages.
A day ticket for the Waterbus gets you an inexpensive day out on the water. You can travel as often as you like between Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht, Papendrecht, the Biesbosch, Sliedrecht, Rotterdam, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Ridderkerk and Alblasserdam. You can also take your bike with you for free. Why not interrupt your trip for a cup of coffee on a terrace, a visit to a museum, a cycle ride, a walk through a town or lunch?
You can also visit the historic Vesting3hoek to see Slot Loevestein and Gorinchem. They share 600 years of history and represent the final piece in one of the best preserved defensive lines of the Netherlands: the (New) Holland Water Line.

For a complete list of routes and more information about the Waterbus, visit http://www.waterbus.nl
3NT CITY CRUISE BREAK TO STAVANGER FROM £79
Experience a short summer hotel cruise break to Stavanger in Norway and enjoy a unique maritime experience with a taste of the city.
You get a full 24 hours to explore Stavanger before returning to the ship for your cruise back home.

The real highlights of this trip are the city break, the scenery and the onboard cruise experience, and all from only £79 per person. (normally £108pp).
To book a City Cruise Break to Stavanger go to http://www.dfds.co.uk or call 0871 522 9955
THE GREAT RIVER JOURNEY -
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NORTH AMERICA!
An exciting new river cruise has been added to Canadian Sky’s portfolio. The first of its kind in North America, The Great River Journey combines a unique cruise on the Yukon River with luxury lodge accommodation, offering an insight into the famous Klondike gold rush and paddle-wheeler eras.
A collaboration of four First Nations, The Great River Journey has unique access to many cultural activities, people and sites. Small groups will travel in their own 38ft riverboat with a pilot and an experienced local guide, taking in Northern Canada’s most spectacular scenery. Travelling 350 miles through the heart of the Yukon wilderness, it passes through the beautiful ‘Thirty Mile’ section of the legendary Yukon River.

Famous for its twisting canyons, swift waters and ever-shifting sand bars, the Thirty Mile stretch was a constant challenge for the captains of the historic paddle-wheelers who plied the Yukon following the Klondike gold rush in 1897. Consequently, many ships were wrecked on its shoals and rocks, of which some remnants are still visible.

Guests can view these wrecks en-route and may spot wildlife such as muskrat, beaver, coyote, mink, bald and golden eagle, and black and rare grizzly bear as well as visit many of the historical attractions and abandoned settlements of the gold rush era.

The riverboats have specially designed hulls so that they handle well in both rivers and lakes. A carpeted passenger area includes 10 comfortable reclining seats with excellent leg room and a see-through tinted lexan dome for air circulation and photo opportunities.

Accommodation is provided in small, private, remotely situated lodge facilities, Upper Labarge Lodge at Lake Laberge, Homestead Lodge at Pelly Farm and Wilderness Outpost at Coffee Creek, in addition to heritage accommodation in Dawson City. Each designed and themed to harmonize with and accentuate the unique wilderness and historical aspects of the surrounding area.

The nine-night cruise costs from £4,599 per person. Valid for departures from 1 June 2008, the price includes scheduled flights from London Heathrow, resort transfers, experienced guides and accommodation on a full board basis in various lodges. A one-hour floatplane excursion over the Yukon River is also included. For further information contact (http://www.canadiansky.co.uk / 0870 904 0930)

TOUR FRANCE WITH Ze BUS

Ze Bus is a new concept giving backpackers and independent travellers the possibility of going by bus through the West of France on a hop on hop off basis.
You buy a bus ticket valid from June to October and you can travel at your own leisure.

Ze Bus travels twice a week through over 35 towns including touristic sites such as Mont Saint Michel, the châteaux of the Loire and the landing beaches. It will also include the best beaches and the best spots for surfing such as Lacanau, Hossegor and Biarritz, the best natural sites such as the Pyla dune, the standing stones of Carnac, the Bordeaux vineyards and some of the best summer festivals such as the Vieilles Charrues in Brittany or the Francofolies in La Rochelle.
You can stop wherever you want for as long as you want.
Ze Bus stops in the different towns between 15 minutes and 2h30mn and will take you right to the sites.
Ze full tour ticket costs 299€, Ze Western tour ticket 199€ and Ze wine and surf tour ticket 99€.
For more information, log on www.ze-bus.com
SONOMA COUNTY GRAPE CAMP,

September 24 – 26, 2007, is the perfect opportunity for food aficionados to experience the 2007 harvest up-close and hands-on. Campers will harvest grapes, blend their own wine, and experience the wine and food that make the Sonoma Wine Country famous For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 800-576-6662
NORTHERN LIGHTS STEAL THE SHOW
IN BC’S NORTH:
For an illuminated showcase of what Mother Nature is truly capable of, point your compass north…waaay north. While BC houses a bounty of settings rife for the avid outdoorsman, and plenty of out-of-doors play for all, one should not forgo the opportunity to simply sit back and take in the wonder of their locale’s natural surrounds. And at Northern Rockies Lodge, situated on the shores of Muncho Lake in the northernmost peaks of the Rocky Mountains, just such an opportunity is at its zenith from now until October…showing nightly. Keep in mind, however, that there’s much more beyond the luminosity, thanks to the diversity of wildlife that make their home in the province’s largest provincial park and protected area, the nearby Muskwa Kechika. Moose, Stone sheep, buffalo and even mountain goats are housed here in their natural habitat. And nearby Liard Hot Spring (just a short jaunt north) offers up an outing to unwind in yet another natural setting. Guests can indulge in the fall flavours from the lodge’s Outpost Cabin, or take on a multi-day “Safari” package to Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park or Wokkpash Provincial Park – featuring some hearty hiking and fabulous opportunities to spot a critter or two. And further into the flurry-filled months, vantages to view wildlife and simply take it all in are available from the property’s main lodge. For now, the resort’s comfy setting along the shores of Muncho Lake sets the scene for lounging amid an aurora borealis-induced glow. Settle in for the show…and look to the skies. http://www.northern-rockies-lodge.com
USA COAST TO COAST RAIL - 2008
Great Rail Journeys, the UK's market leader for escorted rail holidays.
is to offer a 21-day touring odyssey by rail across the whole of the USA - taking in the country's immense diversity.
Travelling mainly in the comfort of Amtrak double-deck Superliner trains from coast to coast - New York to San Francisco - the itinerary also includes stopovers in cities such as Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles together with historic train journeys, plus - new for next year - a visit to the island of Alcatraz.

Other highlights of the tour include:

§ A scenic journey along the route of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad into the Rocky Mountains
§ Travelling on the Durango and Silverton Railroad through the remote wilderness of the National Forest
§ Journey on the Capitol Limited over the Allegheny Mountains into Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
§ Overnight journey on the California Zephyr through Indiana and Nebraska
§ Utah's Monument Valley
§ Travel in vintage carriages on the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the Canyon
§ Overnight stay onboard the RMS Queen Mary, together with tour of the ship
§ Journey on the Coast Starlight along the scenic Pacific coast shoreline
§ City tours of New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco

Available with a wide choice of departure dates between 2 April and 22 October 2008, prices lead-in at £2450 per person, twin-share, inclusive of return London flights (outward to New York, returning from San Francisco), rail and coach travel, 19 nights' accommodation (16 room-only hotel, three overnight train with all meals), excursions as per itinerary, transfers and luggage handling in the USA, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Reservations: 01904 521 980, http://www.GreatRail.com

SPEND IT BRITS” STORE 170 MILLIONS OF POUNDS WORTH OF FOREIGN CURRENCY IN THEIR DRAWERS
A staggering 170 millions of pounds worth of foreign currency lies dormant in people’s drawers across the country, according to a recent survey carried out by online travel and leisure giant lastminute.com.

With more Britons than ever taking several breaks a year, it would seem many are now choosing to hang on to their currency rather than exchange it upon their return. This not only means they have spending money to hand, but also saves them paying the often pricey exchange rates and commissions.

An amazing four out of ten people polled told lastminute.com they have up to £35 in Euros lying at the bottom of their sock drawer, whilst 11% revealed they had more than £35 worth of Euros. However, the weakness of the dollar means that holiday makers are not hanging on to them as much, with only 11% surveyed hanging on to between 1 and 50 dollars and 14% keeping more than fifty dollars. Almost 20% of lastminute.com’s customers also collect other lesser used currencies such as the Moroccan Dirham and the Thai Baht as these are also considered as souvenirs.

BOOKMARK
	Summer 2007 Edition 42.