Leisure Travel e-Newsletter - Nov. 2007

Every quarter we draw a winning name. The odds are miles better than winning the lottery (and cost you nothing!), so anyone who has not already done so, now is the time to subscribed to our free e-Newsletter, and be in with a chance of winning the subscribers' prize draw for the 4th quarter 2007.

The voucher certificate will have a value of £100, redeemable against any form of holiday booking (combination of travel and accommodation) made through us to the value of £500 or more, and will be valid for a period of 18 months from the date of issue. It will be transferable, providing the winner advises Medway Travel of the name of the eventual recipient.

From a City break to a Cruise, from an all-inclusive package to a tailored holiday, the choice is yours. Just take a look at the Leisure section of our website to see the massive range of outstanding holidays on offer. Our team of consultants is highly qualified to research and advise on all aspects of your trip.

The chances of your being the lucky winner in the next 12 months are better than 1 in 500, so the very best of luck!

British Airways has now standardised minimum check-in times from Heathrow and Gatwick

The check-in time for all flights from the two London airports is 45 minutes The decision was made "to ease (passengers') journey through the airport and provide a consistent check-in time".

Online check-in will continue to close 60 minutes before departure.

Check-in times for flights from all other airports, both UK and worldwide, remain unchanged.

For our readers who like adventure and travelling to the areas of the world less known to mass tourism, the following new definitions of the diplomatic language used by the FCO may be particularly useful.

Travel Advice is one of the most important public services which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office delivers and is designed to help British travellers to make informed decisions about travelling abroad.

It is therefore kept under regular review to ensure that the information it provides remains of the highest quality. Following feedback from British travellers and tour operators about Travel Advice, the FCO have identified areas where they could improve the language they use to explain the nature of the terrorist threat. They are now introducing four generic threat descriptors, intended to clarify the scale of the terrorist threat to the travelling public.

1. "A high threat from terrorism" means a high level of known terrorist activity.
2. "A general threat from terrorism" means some level of known terrorist activity.
3. "An underlying threat from terrorism" means a low level of known terrorist activity.
4. "A low threat from terrorism" means no or very limited known terrorist activity.

Naturally, the description used to describe the terrorist threat will change from time to time, for any given location, so we would advise keeping an eye on your holiday destination close to time of departure, should you have any reason to doubt its being sufficiently safe.

New Short Break Adventure Cruises

SPECIALIST cruise operator, Hurtigruten, has created a new programme dedicated to growing the short break adventure cruise market.  This has been made possible by the launch of the first direct flight by Norwegian from Stansted into Tromsø, Northern Norway, so it's now easier to cross the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights.

More activity-based short breaks will be available from three to seven nights, linked to the traditional Norwegian coastal voyage service and prices are now from just £395 per person.

New itineraries include a three night voyage to the very far north of Norway to the North Cape and beyond, a trip that includes an overnight hotel stay in the majestic Lofoten Islands plus a longer seven night Tromso - Kirkenes - Tromso itinerary with an ice hotel stay, two nights in Tromso and the chance to spend longer on land and enjoy a range of winter activities.

In addition, the new flight will support existing itineraries with the operator able to pass on better prices and accessibility to its customers. Customers will no longer have to fly via Copenhagen or Oslo to reach Tromsø, giving more time in the destination.

The twice weekly flight on a Tuesday and Saturday starts on 8 December and provides easier access to the Arctic north, which is where a wide range of winter activities can be enjoyed such as snowmobiling and dog sledging.

Northern Lights Voyage start from £395 per person including direct return flights, full half board on the ship, transfers and taxes, for 3 nights.

Contact our Leisure Travel consultants for details of this and the many adventure holidays of all types that we can tailor to your exact needs

Silversea acquires adventure ship

Silversea Cruises has purchased small expedition ship, World Discoverer, which will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it enters service with the four-ship luxury line in spring 2008.  

World Discoverer will accommodate around 140 guests (reduced from current 175), in ocean-view cabins, including Owner's Suites, Grand Suites, and 12 yet-unnamed suites that will be similar to the line's popular Silver Suites offering a "club-like ambiance".

The 6,072-ton vessel has a strengthened hull appropriate for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote regions, including Antarctica. 

Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre said: "We're very excited about this acquisition, as it means we'll be able to further tap that segment of the luxury travel market that is adventure driven.

"We have been looking into this segment for quite some time. When we were informed about the opportunity to buy World Discoverer, we took immediate action in a matter of days. We believe that exploration cruises can combine extremely well with an utterly exclusive product. We will be unveiling more details about World Discoverer, including the new name, in the next few weeks, when all the elements of the project will be finalised". 

 ---------------------------

You may like to view the Cruise section on our website for other ideas or alternatively, our cruise specialists, Stephen and Astra, will be pleased to hear from you and happy to talk you through the cruise opportunities best suited to your interests and wishes. It is a complicated market with an enormous range of choices, so expert guidance really can pay off!

 

Interest in travel to lesser know parts of eastern Europe has been sparked off by the latest Michael Palin TV series,  'Michael Palin's New Europe', which began this autumn. 

The original 'Palin Effect' occurred in 2004 when the comedian and travel presenter's television series 'Himalaya with Michael Palin' lead to a "dramatic increase" in travel to Asia's spectacular mountain region

Michael Palin really gets under the skin of a country; travelling on local transport, staying in traditional accommodation and generally doing what the locals do.

If you would enjoy a home-cooked meal with a local Transylvanian family or a Balkan adventure where you join pilgrims on their journey to a monastery built into the side of a rock face in Montenegro, for example, we have access to these and any number of similar holiday adventures.

We are sure you will fondly remember your adventure for years to come, so do contact our specialist consultants who will be delighted to discuss your ideas and make them come true.

Some readers may already know that we have on our website a page entitled "Worldwide Leisure Events", to give surfers information about some of the most famous, interesting and fun events happening in the coming 6 to 9 months, one or more of which you may wish to incorporate into your next holiday.

We have extracted the following examples to give you a flavour, but strongly suggest you click here to see much more!

Prague Opera, Ballet and Concerts                                       December

Famous for its opera and classical music, Prague is home to an extensive collection of concerts throughout December. Why not  enjoy a Festive break, savour the atmosphere of the Christmas Market, and celebrate the season with one of the many performances.

Annual Noel Night, Detroit                                                 1st December

Looking to make the most of your visit to Detroit. Include 1st December in your stay, and enjoy a host of complimentary entertainment. During this annual event, over 30 cultural events are offered free of charge - from horse- drawn carriage rides to a selection of dance and musical performances.

Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival, Bruges                            Until 13th January

Held in the city's train station square, this magical event showcases around 40 professional ice sculptors as they form their creations from 3000 kilos of ice and 400 tons of snow. Available  to see from 23rd November, but with so much to do before Christmas, why not visit the beautiful sights of Bruges in the New Year.

Winter Restaurant Week in New York                              29th Jan - 2nd February

It's here again. One of two events a year, when some of the best restauranteurs of the city offer their lunches and dinners at highly discounted rates. What better time could there be to visit?

Monte Carlo Historic Car Rally                                           1st - 6th February

Famed for its Grand Prix, Monte Carlo has another little gem to offer. Now in its 11th year, the Historic Car Rally offers a showcase of pre - 1980's sporting cars. Starting in Valence, via Gap, the race finishes with a formal welcome in this beautiful Monaco city. 

Fiesta de San Medir, Barcelona                                         Early March

Colourful parades of horses and carriages adorn the district of Gracia in honour of Santo Emeterio. Be at Calle Grande de Gracia around 8pm, and collect the showers of sweets as they are thrown from the carriages from the crowd.

Snow and Symphony, St Moritz                                         March - April 2008

Add a little music to your skiing? Snow and Symphony is a series of classical music events held during these months. In all, around 20 performances by renowned artists will be taking place in this popular resort.

Expo Pisa                                                                            March - April

Looking for the latest trends for the home or the garden? Interested in what's new in the food world? Keen to see a wide range of demonstrations and exhibitions? Then this could be the event for you.

Cannes Film Festival                                                          14th - 15th May

Founded in 1939, this is one of the oldest and  most prestigious film festivals in the world. Held at the Palais des Festivals in this renowned resort, this offers the ultimate hotspot for celebrity spotting.

Gourmet Festival, Capetown                                              15th - 17th May

Attracting over 50,000 food and wine enthusiasts, and hosting a selection of celebrity chefs, this event is Africa's premier celebration of food, and a must if you are a visitor to Capetown.

------------------------- 

We have  not listed travel arrangements as there are often countless options available. Please contact us about those above in which you may be interested, and we will research the most suitable for your requirements.

Ryanair is to run 150 additional routes next summer compared with this year.

The airline has put 40 million seats on sale via its website together with a 'lowest price guarantee'.

The lowest fares are claimed to be cut by 50%.

CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Next summer, Ryanair passengers will enjoy a record 40,000,000 seats on 556 routes at unbeatable prices. That is 150 routes more than last year and more than 200,000 low fare seats every single day of the summer.

"From London, passengers will enjoy Ryanair's lowest fares on 113 routes, as we bring back summer favourites like Almeria, Brest, Genova, Pula and Rodez.

"To celebrate the release of our biggest ever summer schedule we are slashing 50% off our lowest fares."

Our consultants always check on no frills flights as we have the best available real-time access to all the world's budget airlines, their routes and fares. This enables us to be sure to offer you the lowest no frills fares at the time of assisting you, and saves you a lot of research time and frustration!

So do contact us - it's well worth our modest transaction fee, and we take off you the responsibility of getting it right!

Visitors to Japan will soon have to have their fingerprints and photograph taken when entering the country. All foreign nationals will be subjected to the security measures from November 23 this year.

At present only the US requires visitors to scan their fingerprints when entering the country, a move designed to tighten security following the 9/11 attacks. The Japanese embassy says it is following suit in order to "identify persons considered to pose security risks, such as terrorists, and persons travelling with passports that are not their own."

All foreign nationals over the age of 16 (with the exception of certain permanent residents and those performing diplomatic or official duties) will be asked to place the index fingers of both hands on a digital fingerprint reader, before having their photograph taken. Anyone refusing to submit to the new regulations will be refused entry.

In the US the two-finger scan takes around ten seconds per traveller, which might not seem like much but soon mounts up when there is a queue of people waiting to pass through immigration. The US government is due to change to a ten-finger scan from March next year, which will increase the process to around 13 seconds, but according to the US embassy will eliminate inconsistencies and false readings.

 

One-in-three (33%) of UK adults would support new taxes on air fares if the money raised were used to offset the environmental damage caused by flights, according to new research.

In addition, 19% of UK adults say they are already taking, or will in future take, more holidays in the UK in response to environmental concerns.

Yet despite this apparent high level of eco-consciousness, the majority of people are still unwilling to sacrifice foreign breaks to reduce their carbon footprint.

More than half (59%) of those polled said they would still not consider switching overseas holidays to UK breaks.

In total, less than 20% of UK adults claim they have reduced the total amount of air travel they do in response to environmental concerns.

It would appear that while many more UK adults are aware of the environmental damage that air travel can do, and are willing to pay to offset the damage created by flights, they are not prepared to stop flying or to give up the travel opportunities that this form of transport offers.

Medway Travel plans soon to have a system allowing our consultants to advise on the approximate carbon foot-print of any particular flight.

Christmas Markets in Oslo

THE Christmas Markets of Oslo are rapidly becoming favourites among city break tourists from all over Europe.
The Christmas Fair at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is the largest pre-Christmas event in Oslo, and is very popular among both tourists and locals. To make it a full day experience, the Christmas fair consists of three parts: 

1. The market, where salesmen and women in more than 100 old-fashioned stalls sell homemade items like crafts, Christmas decorations and treats.
2. The old houses, moved from different parts of Norway to form the Open Air Museum, are all decorated according to the traditions of the initial inhabitants.
3. Finally there is the entertainment programme. Experience concerts in the museum's church, Santa's Workshop where the children can assist or try some folk dancing or wrap up for a magical horse and sledge ride.

For the first time this year, the 29th of November 2007 will see the City Hall Plaza in Oslo transformed into a winter wonderland. Surrounded by the majestic Akershus Fortress and Castle, Aker Brygge and the Oslo Fjord, the plaza will be decorated by snowy hills, Christmas trees, and stalls offering traditional Norwegian handicrafts, delicacies, foods and decorations. Every evening during the days before Christmas shows and concerts for both children and adults will light up the winter sky.

At Bogstad Manor Christmas is celebrated with all facilities open to the public. The main building is decorated for the festivities according to old tradition. The tables are laid, all the candles on the glittering candelabra are lit and the polished copper, brass and pewter are shining in the old kitchen. The house smells of Christmas baking, which can be bought from the museum shop.

For this, or any other Christmas trip you may have in mind, ask our consultants to do the research for you, leaving you more time to enjoy the run-up to the festive season.

Have you thought of giving Medway Travel gift vouchers as a Christmas gift, this year? It will provide the lucky recipient with a world of opportunities to think about and the enjoyment of anticipating and remembering a trip they may not have been able to consider. Ask our consultants for details

Enjoy Italy from coast to coast

From the intricate and detailed waterways of Venice, to the Mediterranean paradise of the Amalfi Coast, see the very best of Italy on a memorable tour we can arrange for you.

Spend three nights in Rome, enjoying all the highlights of this historic city before heading to the Amalfi Coast for another three night stay to explore the charming and relaxed scenic seaside towns of the region. Then top off your holiday with two nights each in Florence and Venice.

Highlights can include:

1. Rome, where you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour including views of the Forum, Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, plus visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

2. Then head south where you'll see the famous abbey in Montecassino; visit the excavations of the ancient Greek Temples in Paestum; take a trip to the Isle of Capri which includes orientation with views of the Faraglioni Rocks and visits the famous 'Piazzetta', and you'll also take a funicular to Capri town; experience a spectacular Amalfi coastal drive, as well as orientation of the town of Amalfi including the Romanesque church; take a guided tour of the excavations at Pompeii, then see the Abbey at Monte Cassino and stop at the Commonwealth War Cemetery.

You'll then head north to enjoy some of Italy's other magnificent sites and cities, including romantic Florence, with a sightseeing tour featuring Signoria Square, the Baptistry and visits the Santa Croce Basilica;

 

3. Stop in the village of Greve for a wine-tasting of some of the region's most popular wines;

 

4. Spend two nights in Venice where you'll take a canal cruise including views of the Bridge of Sighs and Doges Palace, as well as see St Mark's Basilica and Bell-Tower and witness the art of Murano glass blowing.

 

This holiday would include scenic drives into the Apennine Mountains, across the Mediterranean, along the spectacular Amalfi drive, through the Umbrian hills and into the hills of the Chianti and across the Po Delta.

------------------------------- 

We can tailor a multitude of tours (whether guided or not) in many areas of the World, to suit your particular interests and wishes, so do discuss your ideas with our consultants. They will be pleased to help you put together the holiday of a lifetime.

 

This project - claimed to be largest and most complex civil engineering project ever undertaken in the Middle East - will create a waterway flowing inland from Dubai Waterfront, passing to the east of the new Dubai World Central International Airport before turning back towards Palm Jumeirah.

Plans for the construction of the 75km-long man-made waterway in Dubai have been unveiled at a cost of $11 billion.

The Arabian Canal will be up to 150 metres wide and six metres deep and be able to handle boats up to 40 metres long.

The project will take around three years to complete, with work due to start in December. 

The construction company selected for the task, has said it will involve digging and moving more than a million cubic metres of earth - enough to fill 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools - every day!

The project is planned to create life in the desert. It will be a globally-recognised landmark destination for UAE residents and visitors, with public spaces for leisure and community events as well as a number of mixed-use developments, in addition to the waterway itself.

The project will involve marinas, residential communities and business centres serving more than one million people, according to the company.

It is being designed to be a focal point for Dubai's cultural attractions and community events.

Dubai will surely continue to be an exciting place to visit, so contact us for suggestions as to how you can experience it for yourself.