Leisure Travel e-Newsletter - Oct 07

Congratulations to Mike Conolly of Kent College Canterbury, who won our eNews subscribers' prize in our 2007 3rd Quarter draw. Every quarter we draw a winning name. The odds are much better than winning the lottery, so anyone who has not subscribed to our free eNews, now is the time to 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 (combination of travel and accommodation) booking 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. We have a massive range of outstanding holidays to offer and a team of consultants 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!

A recent survey of 1,800 travellers has found 70% intend to fly this autumn.

Among British travellers the figure rose to 90%, according to the annual autumn survey.

"Despite, or maybe because of, the terrible summer weather, many of us will be taking a break this autumn," said a spokesman.

A quarter will take a romantic getaway and 43% want sun and sand this autumn. The top choices for European city breaks among British travellers were London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Dublin.

Viewing the autumn foliage is on the itinerary for 37% of worldwide travellers, and 42% of Americans but only 20% of British.

More than half of respondents (52%) believe the greatest incentive to travel in the autumn is because there are fewer tourists and crowds.

But 35% said they were more drawn by reduced rates on accommodation and transportation.

If you are tempted to follow suit, do contact us for advice on where to go for the holiday experience you are looking for, and we will ensure you get best value from your budget.  

 

THE intimate place to stay in Marrakesh

A citadel constructed by Sultan Yacoub El Mansour in the 12th century to protect his palace, Maison Mnabha in Marrakesh's historic Kasbah, is a gem in a city of contrasts.

The Kasbah remains a royal quarter of palaces and monuments. One of its best known residents was Yves Saint Laurent, who set a precedent with the taste and flair with which he decorated his house. Artists, writers and actors subsequently established themselves in the old city. The Hermés family and Jean-Paul Gaultier keep houses here to this day.

Maison Mnabha was bought by its present owners (two brothers; one of them, Dr. Peter Dyer, holds a PhD on the Kasbah and is a fountain of local knowledge) in the early 1990s and painstakingly renovated. It was one of the few properties in the medina to have retained its original decorative features. Separated from the now-defunct women's quarters, the hotel's salon was used for the reception of guests by the house's original owners, who were members of the ruling elite at the Sultan's court.

The aim of the current owners at Maison Mnabha is to conserve the original features of the house and create a comfortable and calm family-run environment. Guests tend to be people searching for cultural pursuits away from the sterility of oversized five-star hotels; many are female, either travelling on their own, or in small groups. Although most hotel staff in Marrakesh speak only French and Arabic, those at Maison Mnabha communicate in a variety of languages.

The decoration of the formal rooms (four doubles/twin and one single) at Maison Mnabha reflects a traditional palace architecture that developed independently of neighbouring influences. Ceramic mosaics, carved stucco and painted wood have been integrated into an overall surface design rich in colour and bold in conception. The 17th to 19th-century decoration here is characteristic of the palace style but intimate and domestic in scale.

The upper patio, terraces (which offer views of a minaret-studded horizon and the Atlas Mountains) and bedrooms have been remodelled to synthesise traditional Moroccan elements with those of Southeast Asian (Buddha heads, Laotian silks) and African design. Antiques, collected by the owners over many years, are everywhere. In terms of value for money, attention to detail, cultural interest and personalised service, there is no better place to stay in Marrakesh.

Let us arrange a trip to Morocco for you, to include this wonderful experience - and many others!

 

Luxury in Hawaii

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is part of the master-planned 865-acre Hualalai Resort located on one-half mile of sandy beach along the North Kona Coast of the Island of Hawaii. The 243-room hotel comprises 36 low-rise ocean view bungalows and was named "Number 1 Hotel in Hawaii" by Travel + Leisure. The resort also received the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award for the tenth consecutive year.

Based on architectural styles in Hawaii from the mid 1900s, the design of the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is faithful to the location. Its low profile, bungalow-style buildings, and meandering walkways make it feel more like home than a hotel.

Elements of nature originally found in the area are a part of the design - lava rock is used in walls that curve throughout the property and enclose the signature outdoor showers. More than 800 coconut trees tower over layers of plants, trees, and flowers that are native to the environment. Most flowering plants are consciously white - to create an elegant and calming feeling.

Guest room interiors take their influence from the environment as well. Bamboo, thatch, and slate connect the structures to earth. Fabrics are earth tones. Rooms and suites are set in five crescents, all offering ocean views. One crescent sits behind the 18th green of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Hualalai Golf Course. Each of the other four bungalow crescents embraces a water feature.

The resort boasts five distinct swimming pools - Sea Shell pool, a free-form infinity edged pool with adjacent sand-bottomed kids pool; Beach Tree pool, a traditional rectangular pool of multi-hued blue tiles surrounded by a wooden deck; Palm Grove pool, an adults-only oval pool; the spa's lap pool; and King's Pond. Historic anchialine pools once used for aquaculture inspired King's Pond, a 1.8 million gallon lava rock snorkeling "aquarium" is carved out of ancient rock formations and home to more than 4,000 tropical fish including four Spotted Eagle Rays.

An array of pool services at Beach Tree and Sea Shell pools are a treat - sunglass cleaning, Evian spritz, fruit kabobs, cold oshi-boris, flavored iced water, cucumber slices, a pre-loaded iPods for use while at the pools, and a lending library.

Dining options include the resort's signature beachfront Pahu i'a (aquarium) restaurant. A centerpiece of the restaurant's lobby is a salt-water aquarium teeming with tropical sea life. Just south along the oceanfront pathway is Beach Tree Bar & Grill where lighter fare and a more casual atmosphere can be found. On Saturdays, enjoy Surf, Sand, & Stars - a barbecue buffet on the beach - complete with star gazing and s'more-making. Wednesday night features Italian specialties. The Hualalai Grille by Alan Wong features the latest developments in Hawaii Regional Cuisine.

The award-winning Hualalai Sports Club & Spa offers a selection of massage and body treatments, wellness programs, cardio-vascular equipment, exercise classes, steam and sauna, cold plunge pools, lap pool, climbing wall, three gyms, sand volleyball court, half basketball court, and weights. Outdoor massage hale (huts) surrounded by trickling waterfalls bring the "outside in," allowing nature to play a role in the relaxation and healing process. Nearby is Hualalai Tennis Club, an eight-court facility.

Home of the PGA TOUR Champions Tour MasterCard Championship (January 18 - 20, 2008), the Jack Nicklaus Signature Hualalai Golf Course has a nine-acre driving range with 27,000 square foot short game practice area, and complimentary clinics with the pros.

A highlight of the resort is an island art collection that spans from 1775 to the present. The collection is based on Hawaiian themes, and quite often uses indigenous materials. The 1,100-square foot cultural interpretive center and its staff share the spirit of the land and people through exhibits, hands-on interactive programs, and personal knowledge.

For this and many other luxury holiday ideas, please do contact our expert team of consultants who are waiting to advise you on the very best places to go for the experience of a life-time.

 

Ever keen to offer our clients the best and widest choice of travel services, we are pleased to announce our association with two specialists in youth and student travel.

Over the years, Medway Travel has worked with over 50 independent schools, arranging travel for individuals and groups attending educational exhibitions and courses. We have also organised a number of very successful student trips, and now intend to expand this even further.

In the past, it has sometimes been necessary to refer some student travel enquiries to the Student Travel Association, their policy conditions designed specifically to suit school requirements, and their prices often better than we could ever hope to obtain. The good news is that we have now signed an agreement with  Dragoman Overland, who are part of this organisation, giving us access to an exceptional range of youth holidays, at their competitive prices. In addition, we have close ties with a further operator, Explore, who are specialists in adventure and discovery travel, and who offer a programme and brochure solely for school groups.

In conjunction with these two highly respected companies, we now have a host of itineraries to all corners of the world. From the cultural sights of Egypt or Turkey to the rainforests of South America, and from the wildlife of Africa to the remote lands of the Himalayas, there really is something to suit almost everyone!

We have always been happy to plan itineraries to individual needs – that hasn’t changed – we just have a much wider choice for you to consider. For more information, or if you have a particular request, please contact the Leisure Groups Team, who will be delighted to assist you personally

 

Think small for that Alaska cruise

 

While most attention focuses on the newest and biggest cruise liners, Creative Cruising is suggesting some-thing totally different............small ships that carry only 78- to 120-passengers and are operated by a family-owned company that has been doing so for sixty years.

These cruises are aboard the ships of Cruise West that at around just 100 tonnes can get so up-close to the craggy shorelines and wildlife that guests feel they can almost reach out and touch them. They also can call in at small intimate harbours and with so few passengers, little villages and towns visited aren't overwhelmed.

Cruise West has cruise-only itineraries in 2008 from 3 to 12 nights from around £1000pp twin-share, and cruise-and-tour from 7 to 15 nights from £1800pp twin-share, including Early Book discounts of up to £650pp if booked and paid through Creative Cruising by December 7 this year.  Air is additional.

Prices include all onboard dining and port charges with cruise-only packages, and dining, port charges, luxury coaches, hotels, transfers sightseeing, entries and some meals with cruise-and-tour packages. Dress aboard is casual, and informal mealtimes feature a wide mix of local and international dishes. 

Depending on itineraries chosen, highlights can include Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage, Prince William Sound, Whales & Wilderness, all main Alaskan gold-rush and other coastal port towns, and the Denali National Park.

Do consult one of our cruise specials, Stephen and Astra for more details of these and thousands of other cruises we will be pleased to advise you about.

P&O Cruises' Arcadia to run first world cruise

P&O Cruises' ship Arcadia is to make its first round the world sailing in 2009 instead of older vessel Artemis.

The adults-only vessel, launched two years ago, will run a 101-night cruise concentrating on the Middle East, India, the Orient and Australia. New ports of call include Nagasaki in Japan, Xingang for tours to Beijing or the Great Wall and Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Prices start at £8,999.

Arcadia is one of three of the line's fleet to offer world cruises in two years' time. Between the trio of ships, 71 destinations in 34 countries will be visited. Prices start at £89 per person per night on Arcadia.

A 45% early booking discount is available and bookings made before November 30 will receive double on board credit, up to £500 per person on Aurora and Oriana and £750 per person on Arcadia.

Aurora will sail on a 93-night eastbound circumnavigation of the globe, featuring more calls than before in New Zealand including new port Tauranga. Other new ports of call are East London in South Africa, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and Townsville in Australia. Prices start at £8,599.

Oriana will sail for 82 nights on a westbound world cruise departing on January 8, 2009. Destinations such as Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore are coupled with more unusual, ports of call such as Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Oriana will also transit both Panama and Suez Canals.  Prices start at £7,899.

Line voyages range from 36 to 65 nights in duration and are priced from £3,949. A one-night stay in Auckland starts at £99 and a three-night stay in Sydney from £249.

Head of brand marketing Philip Price said: "A world voyage is the most indulgent and leisurely way to see the world. We are finding that they are increasingly popular with people who did not have a gap year earlier in life and now have the inclination and time to do so, but in a little more comfort and style."

New pole to pole itinerary

Hurtigruten has launched a new 'Pole to Pole' itinerary on board MS Fram, the newest member of the cruise lines fleet. This extraordinary 66 day trip will visit 17 countries and call at 44 ports as the ship travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and passengers will experience some of the diverse cultures and traditions from the northern Atlantic and Caribbean through to the southern extremes of the Pacific.

The trip departs Reykjavik on 18 September and ends on 24 November 2007 - a journey of a lifetime covering some 14,000km of water. This trip follows in the footsteps of mariners from both northern and southern hemispheres as the ship travels to some of the most historically important ports on the planet. Highlights will include Iceland, Scotland, New York, sailing the Panama Canal, South America, the Chilean Fjords and Antarctica. There will also be regular lecturers from the onboard expedition team during the trip.

Prices lead in at £10,395 per person to include 66 night's full board accommodation on the ship, one night's b/b accommodation in Santiago, flight from Ushuaia to Santiago. Flights to Reykjavik and returning from Santiago to UK are additional. Based on two sharing.

Our cruise specialists will be delighted to discuss and advise you about this amazing trip.

No-frills airline, flyMonarch.com, is to charge passengers for all hold baggage on its scheduled flights.

From November 1, it will charge £3.99 per checked in bag each way for passengers who pre-book online, or £10 for passengers who pay at the airport.

Hold baggage can also be pre-booked via the flyMonarch.com call centre at a cost of £8 per bag per one-way flight.

Managing director Liz Savage, said: "It is now common practice amongst airlines to charge those customers who elect to take hold baggage and by doing this we will be able to keep our flight prices low.

"Since the launch of our online check-in service earlier this year, there has been a notable reduction in the amount of hold baggage carried on our flights. Passengers are preferring to minimise the time spent in queues at the airport, opting to check in from home and by-passing the fast bag-drop desks at the airports by travelling with hand luggage only."

Hand baggage allowance is one carry-on bag per person up to 10kg in weight and within the standard DFT dimensions, 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

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!

Sablon Nights, Brussels                            29th November - 1st December

Soak up the Christmas atmosphere, during this 3 day festival. Enjoy the glittering lights of one of the most beautiful areas in Brussels, from the cosy comfort of a horse-drawn carriage, as you are taken to the city's antiques quarter. Once there you can browse, shop, view the art galleries - or even make a purchase - taste the city's renowned chocolate or sample some of the complimentary wines and champagnes.

Hennessey Gold Cup, Newbury            30th November - 1st December

Whether a horse racing fan, or interested in a few days away, this classic racing event provides a timely pre-Christmas getaway. For advance tickets or accommodation, just give us a call.

Lights of Christmas Music Festival, Budapest                December

Why not combine the Christmas shopping with a little culture this year. Besides enticing visitors to its Christmas markets, Budapest also offers a welcome to its Advent and Christmas concerts. Held in Matthias Church, one of the city's most beautiful, these can be enjoyed every Saturday during December and for 4 days after Christmas Day. 

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.

Putignano Carnival, Italy                       26th December - 28th February

Famous for its parade of papier-mache floats, this carnival is not only the longest but one of the oldest in the world. Combine with a Christmas break or make time for a trip in the New Year.

Snow and Ice Scupture 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 January - 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?

Viareggio Carnival                                                           1st - 28th February

Enjoy a break to Italy, and witness the country's most spectacular carnival, famous for its incredible papier-mache  puppets. On set dates during the event, huge floats parade through the town, with firework displays marking an amazing end to the days.

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 to the crowd.

Elephant Festival, Jaipur                                                   21st March

Held every year, this unique Indian event celebrates the country's elegant animals, as they parade, race, play polo, and even compete with men in tug of war competitions. An event not to be missed.

 ------------------------------

We have not listed travel arrangements as there are often countless options available. If you are interested in any of the above events, please contact us and we will research the most suitable for your requirements.

East Midlands Airport plans to generate 10% of its energy through wind turbines.

The airport plans to install four turbines by next spring as part of an objective to make airport site operations carbon neutral by 2012.

The 31.5-metre high wind turbines will be installed away from the runway and other functional areas to ensure operational safety, according to the airport.

Advice has been sought from safety assessment company Qinetiq and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the safety of the plans ahead of the planning process.

Airport managing director Penny Coates said: "In addition to our plans to install turbines, we have increased the proportion of our energy that comes from renewable sources this year to 20%.

"We have already introduced a number of new environmental measures such as our on site recycling facility and our "green" pier.

"The turbines will be a welcome addition to our suite of environmental measures and I hope that this initiative is something which the community and indeed the East Midlands region can feel proud of."

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure wildlife trip into the heart of safari land. Oh, and our close cousins, the mountain gorillas, might stop for a chat.

It had rained for days and the cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, were blanketed in mist. Majestic old-growth trees and volcanoes towering over 14,000 feet filled the landscape. Finally, we got a break in the weather. A steep hike through extremely dense vegetation of bamboo and vine forests took us to where the mountain gorillas had been spotted the day before. Luck was with us. The 'Susa group' moved into a clearing in the jungle. The morning fog had burned off under the rising sun, providing much needed natural light for photography. The 38 critically endangered primates surrounding us were going about their daily business: resting, socialising, grooming, foraging, knuckle-walking, climbing, swinging, playing, sun-basking, beating their chests and tending to their infants.

As my guide and I manoeuvred through the Susa group, I was struck by the massive physique and facial expressions of a male at home in its appetising realm of leaves, shoots and stems. Silverbacks are the largest of the apes. Weighing in at about 180kg and typically over 11 years of age, dominant males have an arm span of about two metres, and large canine teeth. A cluster of thoughts – of power, authority, intelligence, mystery – filled my mind as the silverback knuckle-walked toward us, supporting the weight of its back with its curved fingers.

Would it charge? Possible, but doubtful. This group of wild yet gentle mountain gorillas had been habituated for tourism and therefore accepted peaceful visits from humans. With no room or time to move away (as per park guidelines) my guide made a hand gesture to remain still, crouch down and look at the ground, avoiding eye contact with the male, which could be mistaken as an act of aggression. It soon became apparent that the mammoth mountain gorilla had wandered over simply to investigate our presence. Just a few feet away it paused and looked us over, maintaining a smug yet inquisitive look on its face. Satisfied, the gorilla nonchalantly wandered off to an adjacent area to feed on a patch of wild celery, roots and flowers.

Exhilarated, I moved on to the main group, reloading my camera. My focus turned to a two-week-old baby restlessly crawling over its mother and exploring its surroundings. Its insatiable curiosity brought its attention toward me. When our eyes met I pressed the shutter on my camera, resulting in an image I am very proud of.

The Susa gorilla family is the largest 'tourist group' in the national park. Each day eight ecotourists are permitted to spend one hour with this group of highly endangered mammals. Four groups of gorillas in the park have been habituated for tourism and are opened to a maximum of 32 tourists for a time-limited visitation. The four groups are stable families and are easy to visit. Trackers continuously monitor the movements of the gorilla groups. For this reason there is a very good chance of seeing the assigned gorilla family group on any given visit to Volcanoes National Park.

Given Rwanda's geographically small size and large population (approaching 10 million), it is incredible that the park and gorillas exist at all. The former is located amid some of the most fertile grazing and agricultural lands in the country, and encroaching human activities threaten its existence. The last three decades have been characterised by a cruel and unstable history. It is the genocide of the last decade that first comes to mind when people mention Rwanda.

What really struck me during my travels in the country is how fast Rwanda has recovered from its recent history. One feels very safe and secure walking the streets here, even during the darkness of night in the heart of the capital city, Kigali. It's a ray of hope for this region of Africa, especially given Rwanda's proximity to the Congo and Burundi, where civil unrest continues.

Our consultants will be happy to advise you on opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience, and will be pleased to construct a trip especially to take account of your particular interests, so please do contact us.

Home to some of the world's greatest historic testaments to human endeavour, including the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors, China is making history once again. To add to its ancient attractions, it is creating futuristic cityscapes in great cities such as Shanghai. The past and the future sit together in fascinating relief, while elsewhere your customers will find the eternal treasures of the country's beautiful rivers and mountains.

Historical Man-Made Wonders

The Great Wall of China needs no introduction, but it's just one of the country's many spectacular man-made attractions. In Xian, the tomb of the Terracotta Warriors, discovered by chance in the '70s, is amazing: there are over 8,000, each with a different face. The sheer size of Beijing's Tiananmen Square has to be seen to be believed, and from there your customers can visit the beautiful Forbidden City.

Arts and Culture

The tradition of ceramic-making dates back thousands of years in China, and there is a fabulous collection in the excellent Shanghai Museum. In Beijing, view some of the enormous collection in the Art Museum. Learn the famous sayings of the great thinker, Confucius, and enjoy China's festivals such as the Lantern Festival in late winter, when the towns and villages are illuminated by thousands of paper lanterns.

Natural Wonders

China is an enormous country, and its landscapes come on a big, impressive scale. On the mighty Li River, cruise down the gentle waters, past soaring peaks revered by the Chinese as spiritual places. There are mysterious caves to discover and beautiful mountain waterfalls that will remind them of traditional Chinese artworks. In the mountains of Tibet, it's like being on the rooftop of the world.

Chinese Food

There are as many cuisines in China as there are regions, though there are 3 main styles. Sichuan is famous for its hot and spicy dishes, using chillies. Northern-style dishes utilise steamed bread and pancakes instead of rice, and pickled vegetables for the cold winters. Southern cooking involves classic, light stir-fry dishes made from a vast array of ingredients.

Old Meets New

When we think of China, we may think of historic tombs and palaces, but there is another China rapidly developing into a thrusting 21st-century power, and nowhere is this more visible than in Shanghai. Have the camera ready to snap the futuristic, space-age buildings of the new commercial district, Pudong. Yet just around the corner, there are streets of quaint old houses.

Shopping

Find some exotic and unusual things to bring home as souvenirs, including ceramic s, paintings, stone rubbings, embroideries, jade carvings and batiks. In cities, look out for 'friendship stores' designed for tourists. Elsewhere beware of counterfeit goods - shop accompanied by a guide, or stick with larger department stores. In Beijing and Shanghai, there is an incredible variety of contemporary malls.

----------------------------

We can tailor-make a trip to the Far East for you and advise you on any one of a multitude of specialist tours of the great sights of China, so do contact us to discuss your ideas.

EasyJet has launched a 'green' campaign which recommends that Air Passenger Duty is replaced with a tax based on aircraft types and distance travelled.

It says taking this approach will ensure that airlines would be encouraged to operate the most environmentally-efficient aircraft.

It has released its plans, along with a report on the environmental impact of air travel, to encourage "UK politicians to adopt a more intelligent approach to air travel".

It has taken full-colour full-page advertising in selected national newspapers throughout the Party Conference season and will broadcast environmental messages to its passengers on the backs of aircraft seats from early this month.

Its report, called 'Towards greener skies: the surprising truth about flying and the environment', claims that:

1. aviation CO2 accounts for about 1.6% of global greenhouse gases
2. today's aircraft are typically 70% cleaner and 75% quieter than their 1960s counterparts
3. successive improvements in aviation technology could make flying 50% cleaner than today's aircraft within 10 years and 75% cleaner by 2050
4. easyJet passengers produce 95.7g of CO2 per kilometre: which is less than the average family car (around 160g CO2 per kilometre), less than Virgin's Voyager trains (112g of CO2 per passenger kilometre), and less than the Toyota Prius (104g of CO2 per passenger kilometre)
5. low-cost airline growth is not "out of control" – rather the industry has substituted for less environmentally-efficient airlines over the last 10 years and the average rate of growth is broadly unchanged over the last 20 years at 5.5%
6. high-speed rail is only a realistic option for those living in or around London.

The airline says APD nets around £2.4 billion for the taxman annually, but does not reflect the emissions of a flight. "Approximately 40% of UK aviation activity is exempt (freight, private jets and transfer passengers) – APD taxes families, but not private jets," says its report.

"APD is flat rate so a passenger going to Marrakech pays the same as one going to Melbourne. Individual passengers pay the same whether they chose to fly on a clean aircraft or a dirty aircraft."

Chief executive Andy Harrison, added: "The time has come to scrap APD in its current form and replace it with a "polluter tax" that has at its heart a very simple notion – those that fly on airlines that pollute less, like easyJet, should pay less.

"We should all demand a more intelligent approach to flying. Politicians must incentivise consumers to take the greener option when it is available – this means discouraging the use of dirty, old aircraft from our skies; getting the right tax regime in place to reward cleaner behaviour; being realistic about the value of aviation and resisting the temptation to advocate alternatives when no such alternatives exist."

Medway Travel agrees with the above and would encourage our readers to lobby their MPs accordingly.

In this section we bring you some of our outstanding offers that are currently available. If any of these are of interest, or have given you food for thought, please do contact our specialist consultants. They will be delighted to assist you and have a vast selection of other tempting alternatives to help you to choose from.

New Year in Las Vegas
 

5 nights in this fabulous city from just £699
Start the New Year with some fun!

Departures 28th December:

3* Riviera Hotel and Casino from £699
4* Luxor Hotel and Casino from £899
5* Wynn Las Vegas from £1195

All prices include return direct flights with Virgin Atlantic, and include all airport taxes and fuel surcharges.
Price per person based on 2 sharing accommodation.

Swap England's winter weather for some Seychelles sun

4* Coco de Mer from £1331

A beautiful hotel with modern facilities, and  friendly atmosphere, in a beautiful tropical setting.
Includes 7 nights accommodation with breakfast, and flights with Qatar Airways via Doha.

Valid for departures  from 1st - 29th February 2008.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa from £1917

This secluded resort on the island of Mahe combines barefoot luxury, with first class facilities, quality service, and a wide range of activities.

Includes 7 nights accommodation with breakfast, and return flights with Emirates via Dubai.

Valid for departures  from 1st - 31st January 2008.

Prices per person based on twin share.

Christmas party with a difference

Undecided what to do for the office party, or where to go with your friends?

We may have the answer with a luxury short break to Spain, 16th - 18th December.

For just £2400 per table of 10, you can enjoy:
2 nights relaxing  and partying at the 5* Hyatt Regency La Manga.
Daily Buffet Breakfast
3 course festive dinner including beverages
Pre-dinner cocktails
Full entertainment package including band and DJ
Golf, Spa, Tennis facilities on-site (additional cost)

Flights and  transfers available from £80 per person.

Take a  break in France

Looking for a few days away - look no further than these French properties- all offering 4 nights for the price of 3.

Hotel aux Armes de Champagne - 4 nights from £328 per person

In the heart of the Champagne region, amid the beautiful scenery of the Marne Valley, this hotel is within reach of nearby Chalons, Reims and Epernay.

Valid for stays until 31st December.

Manoir du Lys - 4 nights from £252 per person 

This Normandy property can be found close to the lace making towns of Alencon and Argentan, and the spa resort of Bagnoles de L'orne.

Valid for stays until 23rd December.

Chateau de Brelidy - 4 nights from £246 per person

Set in Brittany near to the towns of Perros-Guirec and Tregastal, this property is surrounded by scenic farming countryside.

Valid for stays from 1st October - 23rd December

Please contact us for more information, and details of ferries and Eurotunnel.

-----------------------------------

These holidays offer just a snapshot of the vast range of holidays available around the world, so please contact Stephen, Sue, Astra or James  for your own personal choice.

It’s been mooted for years, but in American – where else – a company says its flying car could be ready by the end of this year!

The M400 Skycar, made by Moller International in California, will apparently use propulsion similar to that of a Harrier jump jet and is capable of a swift 375mph.

Moller says that Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis et al, can have all the aerodynamics in the world, but they are useless if stuck in traffic jams.

 Skycar can rise above the madding crowd, but what if it really takes off and we simply replicate ground based congestion with queues of batmobiles 10,000ft high?

And what of emissions and other environmental issues?

It will be interesting to see whether this project gets off the ground – whoops - apologies, no pun intended!