Leisure Travel e-Newsletter - Summer 2008

Congratulations to Leonard Karens of London E1, who won our eNews subscribers' prize in our 2008 2nd 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 3rd Quarter 2008

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!

Medway Leisure Travel, Holiday Photography Competition

Medway Leisure Travel is calling all budding photographers to take part in our exciting travel photography competition which is set to run throughout the summer! The winner will receive an enlarged framed copy of their picture to treasure forever.

All you have to do is send in snaps from this years holiday or even your favourite and most exciting holiday ever, and we will then upload them onto our ‘Horizons Gallery’ which can be found on our website. Here you will find some of our staff’s recent holiday pictures to provide inspiration!

We have 4 unique categories to choose from with the best of each category going in to be put forward as the winning picture! The Judges, who will be all the staff of Medway Travel, will make their decision on criteria including interest, technical competence, attractiveness and fun. 

1. Cultural Horizons – Lifestyle, people, culture
2. Wild Horizons – Landscape, wildlife, adventure
3. Loving Horizons – Celebration, romance, escape, friendship
4. View to the Horizon – Any place, anywhere, anytime

The deadline for your photos is 10th October 2008 and the winner will be decided by 30th October.

Please send your pictures along with your name, contact details, where the photograph was taken and who (if anyone) features in the picture to astra@medwaytravel.co.uk   (digital) or send them in to:

Picture your Horizons
Medway Leisure Travel
Brecon House
16 Albion Place
Maidstone
Kent  ME14 5DZ

if they are hard copy.

Good luck!

 

British cruisers are heading north

The Baltic has overtaken Alaska to become the world’s third most popular cruising destination after the Mediterranean and Caribbean, according to a recent report.

Some 2.3 million people from all over the world cruised the Baltic in 2006, an increase of 13% on the previous year, which makes it the world’s fastest-growing cruise market.

More than 54,000 of those cruisers were from the UK, up from just 15,000 in 1997. Add in cruises to the Norwegian fjords and the number of Britons choosing to cruise in northern Europe rises to more than 120,000.
Cruisers in the Baltic visit leading Scandinavian cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Tallinn and St Petersburg. The latter is the jewel in the Baltic’s crown, where most ships stay at least two days because there is so much for passengers to see.

Those who opt for the fjords get to see the giant landscapes along the Norwegian coast, often visiting Iceland as well, and go on excursions up mountains and glaciers, to admire the views. The Baltic’s growing popularity is largely down to its reputation for high service, health and safety standards.

The Cruise Baltic partnership

The Baltic region has been given a massive boost by a partnership of 10 countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden – and 44 ports and tourist boards, that was created in 2004.

The variety of destinations and attractions on offer appeals to cruisers who have ‘done’ the Med and Caribbean and are looking for something different.

They should be prepared to forego guaranteed sun in their quest, though - there can be hot summer days, but the weather in the Baltic can be as unpredictable as that of the UK.

People return even if they have cruised there before. Even if you been to some of the destinations, there will still be many exciting cities to explore, and for British cruisers, a top selling point is the option to cruise to the Baltic from UK ports, avoiding the need to fly. Alternatively, flights times to Scandinavia are short for those who don’t fancy cruising the North Sea, and flying there can save up to three days to the length of the holiday.

Please contact our cruise specialists, Stephen or Astra, for more information on these or any other cruise ideas for which you may wish to have professional advice.

Hebridean expands Scotland and Norway cruises for 2009

Ten new cruises have been added by Hebridean International Cruises as part of its 2009 schedule for the ship Hebridean Princess. The all-inclusive small-ship company has introduced nine new sailings around the Highland and islands of Scotland and an additional sailing in the Norwegian fjords.

The 49-passenger vessel will visit 33 Scottish islands next year in its 20th anniversary season. The itineraries are between four and nine nights’ duration, mainly departing from Oban. The additional Norway voyage departs from Bergen next July for seven nights and includes mountain walking excursions.

Another cruise combining walking tours covers the remote areas of the west coast of North Harris in the Outer Hebrides, departing from Oban on May 14, 2009. A visit to the Loch Harport Oyster Farm on Skye and a cookery demonstration by Lady Claire MacDonald at the Kinloch Lodge Hotel near Kyle of Lochalsh feature as part of a May ‘Across the Isles to Tiree’ departure. Prices start at £3,620 per person for seven nights departing on May 7.

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If you would like expert advice on the choice of the best cruise for you and your party, before making the big decision, do contact our cruise specialists - Stephen or Astra.

 

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

US Tennis Open, New York        25th August - 7th September

Wimbledon all over again! Nadal, Federer and Murray will meet and compete once more, this time in Flushing Meadows. Does a tennis lover need a more tempting reason to visit this amazing city?

La Tomatina, Bunol        27th August

Ever seen pictures of this event, and wondered wherever it is? La Tomatina takes place every year within the tiny village near Valencia in Spain. The 9000 inhabitants find their population quadrupled as thousands of visitors arrive for the largest tomato fight in the world.

Hermanus Whale Festival        24th – 28th September

Enjoy springtime in South Africa and join celebrations to welcome the return of the Southern Right whales. Hermanus, renowned as one of the best whale watching destinations in the world, celebrates the arrival with the ‘Welcome the Whales Wave’ – a 5km long human chain of over 5000 people, lining the cliffs of Walker Bay.

International Oyster Festival, Galway       25th – 28TH September

Starting back in 1954 with just 34 visitors, this event to celebrate the oyster now attracts visitors in their thousands to this Irish city. Four fun filled days and nights include the Oyster Open Championships, the Mardi Gras party and the Oyster Festival Gala Ball.

National Day Fireworks, Hong Kong        1st October

The celebration to mark the founding of the People’s Republic of China is marked in spectacular style in Hong Kong, with an amazing pyrotechnic display in Victoria Harbour. Complete with display boats and floating lauching pads, and set against one of the most famous backdrops in the world, this is a sight to be seen.

Halloween, New York        31st October

31st October is a major event across the USA and nowhere more so than in the Big Apple. A great parade takes place in downtown Manhattan, making it the largest celebration in the world and the only large night parade in the country.

Diwali, India        7th – 11th November   

Five continuous days of celebration across the country mark this most important Hindu Festival.  The Festival of Lights, taking place on the 3rd day, is the major day, when presents are given, local people light their houses with candles, and fireworks abound.

Ellerslie International Flower Show, Auckland      14th – 18th November

Visitors to New Zealand may be keen to see this event. Inspired by Chelsea, it is the largest plant and flower show in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bandol Wine Festival, France        7th December

Each year on the first Sunday in December, this Mediterranean port is invaded with thousands of wine enthusiasts. A Festive atmosphere is in the air as both consumers and professionals meet to savour the new wines of the season.

Christmas Markets        December

It’s that time again! Why not celebrate with a short break to one of our European cities. From Basle to Berlin, or from Paris to Prague, there are destinations galore to explore at this Festive time of year.

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We have not listed travel arrangements, as there are often countless options available, and of course, we can build them in to a longer holiday for you, if you wish. So, Please contact us about any events in which you are interested, and we will research the most best itinerary to match your requirements.

The main attraction of the Macatoo safari is the joy of riding good horses over superb country, with just about every landscape dotted with game. The riding is varied, sometimes quietly walking, stalking big game and admiring the bird life, sometimes cantering through the water-meadows alongside galloping giraffe and lechwe.

The 4x4s are used for night drives, spotting the nocturnal species and for close up photography of kills and predators. When the water levels permit, we also go out in boats to put another perspective on the game.

The following is a letter we received recently from our contact in Macatoo, which we feel sure will give you a flavour of the excitement to be had on such a safari holiday:

Letter from Macatoo

Refurbishment

Macatoo has undergone a facelift over the past few months. Still in keeping with our tradition of comfort, we have adopted a completely fresh look in camp. In the mess tent, we have restocked our library and created a home from home with a huge, new leather sofa for those of you wishing to enjoy your G & T after a long ride.

The tents are now equipped with 100% cotton linen and towels. We have also bought new duvets in preparation for those chilly African nights. For the endless, sunny African days, we have extended our pool deck and bought some very comfortable, locally produced sun loungers.

Rare Rhino Sightings

Sekongo couldn't believe his eyes when he came across two rhinos on a ride a couple of weeks ago. He dashed back to camp to collect as many witnesses as he could (as well as a camera!) and went back to where he first found them. He was able to track them for an hour and a half before finally finding them and managing to get some pictures. We believe that this is the first photo ever taken of rhinos from horseback in Botswana or certainly since the days of Livingstone! 5 days later, some guests spotted them again when leaving the airstrip.

Horses

The new horses have all settled in well and are all chomping at the bit at the prospect of the new flood! The longer term boys are shining up their gum boots and getting set for a fun and wet season!

Great Game

As well as adding rhino to our sightings, we have been seeing huge herds of buffalo and exceptionally large breeding herds of elephants almost on a daily basis. We have also had regular sightings of leopard, even a sighting of a mother and cub seen from our boat.

Our resident hippos are thoroughly enjoying wallowing in our high floods this year. Most evenings, the lions are providing evening entertainment with their magnificent roars from behind camp.

High Flood Levels

The flood this year is exceptional. Unlike most years, last year’s flood did not dry up which has meant that the new flood has caused the landscape to change dramatically bringing with it new channels and new molapos (or floodplains).

Record Breaking!

Macatoo would like to thank Roger Nutland who came for his 29th trip to Macatoo this year. Roger was accompanied by Mike Hellens, who is only on his 21st trip and what a trip we had!

We very much look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon and would like to thank you all for all your continued friendship and support.

From

The staff and horses of Macatoo

PS
Our safari team is inspired each day by the beautiful surroundings to provide the best safari experience possible for our guests. We are enormously privileged to have a huge unspoilt wilderness in which to run our safaris. The Okavango Delta is an intriguing phenomena, with ever changing landscapes due to the seasonal flood waters coming through from Angola. The movement of the game, the dramatic seasonal changes in the flora and the varying interests of our guests ensures that no two safaris are the same, each one is unique.

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Please contact our consultants for more details and for travel arrangements. They will be delighted to advise you on this or any other safari or African holiday ideas you may have in mind.

A government scheme to persuade holidaymakers to list their details online in case of emergencies during foreign trips has attracted 54,000 registrations in six weeks.

The programme was launched in mid-May, ahead of the busy holiday season and shortly after the major earthquake in the China.

It was created so that British citizens can be easily traced in the event of a natural disaster or during civil unrest overseas. The scheme was triggered after a survey found that two-thirds of people do not know where family members are staying when on holiday.

Locate was initially launched as a tool for holidaymakers and business travellers, but it has since emerged that a large number of those registering are ex-pats or long-term residents in foreign countries.

The high number of registrations has coincided with increased threats to UK nationals in Zimbabwe and recent FCO advice for visitors to Saudi Arabia.

For any readers who may wish to make use of this service, click here to access the relevant page of the FCO website Locate.

In this regular article, we aim each month to whet your appitite for a destination you may not previously thought of going, but might enjoy an outstanding holiday and have a truly memorable experience.

In this month's selection are; 

Conrad Maldives - The Lonely Luxury Getaway

The Conrad Maldives is a five star deluxe resort located on the Rangali Island in Maldives – 90 km from the Male International Airport. The hotel provides easy access for travellers on a sea plane and good conveyance services like supper shuttles and courtesy buses.

Nestled among the picturesque landscapes of Maldives, the resort is surrounded by captivating islands, soothing coral reefs and quiet lagoons. The all-glass undersea restaurant, the magnificent Beach Villas overlooking the Indian Ocean and the spa along with its glass covered treatment rooms, are amongst the proudest possessions of Conrad Maldives. The resort has excelled in fine hospitable services for its guests along with a good stock of facilities and amenities.

There is one more reason for thousands of couples around the world to visit Conrad Maldives. If your dream is to get married in a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, then Conrad is the best choice. They also have the best wedding package for a true getaway marriage. This includes:

1. Spa Treatments for the bride
2. Back & shoulder massage for the groom
3. 3 tier cake and Personalized wedding menu
4. Wedding CD, framed colour certificate and congratulation card
5. DVD video or PAL system

The Conrad Maldives brings for you some of the best gastronomical options in their seven fantastic restaurants. They even claim to have ten thousand wine bottles and seven hundred labels from various parts of the world.

Ithaa, the famous undersea restaurant will serve you exotic Maldives cuisine, and the dramatic ambiance of the eatery below the waves will simply leave you breathless. The atoll Market nearby will offer you some exquisite dishes.  On the other hand, the Sunset Grill serves you some of the finest meals along with good beverage options. Get excellent spa facilities in the Spa retreat and don’t miss the delectable dishes at the Mandhoo restaurant.

If you wish to spend a romantic evening with a good glass of sparkling cocktail, the Rangali and Vilu bars are waiting for you. Get the best wines along with tasty cheese items in the cozy bars offered by the resort. From here you can proceed towards the luxurious spa that will offer you special spa programs along with therapies, spa treatment rooms, dining and accommodation, and outstanding facilities to exercise.

As for the accommodation, Conrad Maldives boasts of fifty best water villas along with seventy nine exotic beach villas and twenty one spa water villas. The Beach villas offered by the resort overlook the captivating views of the Indian Ocean and provide additional features like private terrace, a nice outdoor garden-bathroom and unique Maldivian decor.

Conrad Maldives provides some of the best snorkelling experiences. Get your gear ready, jump onto a Dhoni at sunrise and invade the privacy of sea turtles, sharks and maybe a manta ray too.

Enjoy some of the best trips like Glass-bottomed boat trip, DreamIsland Trip, Dhoni Sunset Cruise, Luxury Sunset Cruise, Lucky Dolphin Trip and lots more.

Puerto Rico – Coconut Palms Inn, Rincon

During the Winter season, Rincon is at its most popular. During the Summer season, local tourists travel from the big cities for weekend and holiday stays.

While the language of Puerto Rico is Spanish, many in Rincon speak English. It helps to know at least the two phrases: por favor and gracias. It is also good to learn the Spanish names of your favourite drinks and dishes.

The temperature averages 82 degrees, F. (28 degrees, C.). The evening temperatures can be cooler in the winter months, especially in the hills. The summer daytime temperatures can be higher, so we highly recommend that your accommodation has air conditioning. Dress as you would for Miami Beach. On some Winter nights, a light sweater or jacket may be required.

Coconut Palms Inn (on the beach) is a tropical garden inn on a wide sandy beach on the very western tip of Puerto Rico. We can offer 1 BR studios and 1,2,3 & 4 bedroom/bath apartments that are fully equipped and feature AC, colour cable TV, maid & laundry service. The tropical garden has hammocks, fish pond, garden jacuzzi for 8, 2 aviaries full of tropical birds, dining & lounging patios.

The white sand beach stretches into the beautiful, crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Rates are inexpensive, starting at some £40 to £150 per night, depending on size of unit and number of people.

Most evenings you can enjoy the most spectacular sunsets.

Puerto Rico is a Free Associated State and part of the U.S. Territories and Possessions. What this convoluted political lingo means is that when you are in Puerto Rico, you are in U.S. territory and your hosts are American Citizens. You will be required to meet U.S. passport and visa requirements. Several countries have Consulates in the capital city, San Juan.

Try Coconut Palms Inn - on the beach for the most relaxing get away vacation ever!

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There are many other great places mentioned in a similar section  on our website, so if you are still looking for inspiration, please click here.

Do ask our consultants for more details of these venues or any others - world wide - before you decide on your next holiday destination. They will be only too pleased to discuss your ideas and research alternatives for you.

 

 

 

The $1.5 billion Atlantis - The Palm, located at the head of The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, is on schedule to open on September 24.

Jim Boocher, president of development at Kerzner International, managers of Atlantis, said the difference between Atlantis and other hotels was that it was a "destination hotel", not simply a holiday hotel.

Atlantis has 1,539 rooms spread between the East and West towers. There are a total of 150 suites, including two presidential suites and 35 regal suites.

Average prices start at around around 225 per night. A connecting bridge between the two towers is the 924-sqm Bridge Suite, which costs just £12,500 a night.

Sol Kerzner, chairman and chief executive of Kerzner International, said Atlantis was "all about the ocean".

A 17-hectare Aquaventure waterpark will feature the tallest freefall slide in the Middle East. Within the development, Dolphin Bay will be home to 28 dolphins brought to Dubai from the Solomon Islands.

Whilst the Atlantis will certainly provide a memorable holiday, we at Meday Travel, do not recommend it for those on a limited budget or who enjoy unsophisticated natural holiday destinations!

If you love horses, you will definitely be dreaming about luxury equestrian tours. Equestrian tours are the best ways to practice a fascinating sport and at the same time interact with different culture and habitats. Imagine the rhythmic clip-clop of your horse’s hooves and smell of leather as you explore the untamed mountains, castle ruins, and unspoilt beaches on such tours. With options ranging from a sprinkling of horseback rides to exclusively equestrian safaris, these meticulously equipped equestrian hotspots have become rider’s paradise and are brimming with life.

Here are some best Equestrian safari tours that are always ready to offer its guests enough riding options and polo playing opportunities:

Micato Horseback Safaris, Africa

Africa is always apt for horse riding experience. These equestrian safari tours are custom designed with options ranging from a sprinkling of horseback rides to scenery–saturated equestrian safari. Some of the best places for horse back game gazing in East Africa include Lewa Downs, Singita, and Grumeti.

Explora en Patagonia, Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

This national park in Chile has been owned by a serious equestrian. Explora infused with gaucho influences, offers its guest enough riding options to fill an entire horse centric week.

The Gleneagles, Perth shire, Scotland

The sprawling equestrian school at Gleneagles that has been equipped meticulously for every conceivable discipline of horsemanship, offers posh riding holidays with other extra-curricular activities like spa going, biking, loch-hopping and dignitary–spotting.

Great wall ride and polo package, China

Sitting at the base of the Great wall, you will find an equestrian centre-cum-polo ground where you can participate in the sport of kings. If luck favours,  you may also find enough opportunity to play with China’s Jordanian Ambassador.

The Aravalli Hill rides, Ghanerao safari Tours, Rajasthan

Through this safari you can easily trot out your best maharaja impression. Even at times, you can easily trot through or can take daily rides through nature sanctuaries and tribal villages. The conversion of forts, palaces and rawals into classic heritage hotels is enough to add some feelings of majesty to your fascinating and adventurous tour.

 

 

Loire valley, France

Loire valley is a glorious example of conspicuous consumption. Filled with century old, outsized wealth displaying chateaux, this valley can be considered as having brazen beauty. Even the blend of sunflower fields, vineyards, rolling hills and forests are sure to welcome you and to offer you enough riding options through the available equestrian safaris.

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Let our consultants advise you on the best equestrian holiday to suit you, your interests and horsemanship skills.

Statistics released recently as part of the ‘Are You Ready?’ campaign run by leading independent travel agency consortium, Advantage Travel Centres, show that whilst over half of travellers (54%) are buying their holidays online, a significant proportion (31%) are crying out for more help about where to go and what to see and do when on holiday.

The research also reveals that almost 80% of UK holidaymakers say booking with a travel agent is the best way to ensure a trouble-free trip. Not un-naturally, we at Medway Leisure Travel regard this as good news since it reinforces the value of the role of the travel agent!

Significantly, a staggering 30% of those who booked via the internet, admit they had paid more for the holiday than expected with 5% paying up to £300 more than they initially intended – quashing the belief that the best deals are to be had online.

Advantage Travel Centres chief executive John McEwan, said: “Traditional travel agents have seen increasing numbers of people turn to the web to book their holidays, but it’s not the holy grail of bargains. Good independent travel agents have access to a far wider variety of holiday products than you’ll ever be offered in a typical web search. And added to that, you are dealing with experts who are trained to answer any query you might have to make sure your trip goes without a hitch. Agents can tailor-make a holiday exactly to your requirements. Most importantly, travellers have peace of mind, knowing their purchase is financially protected.”

The survey also reveals that a total of 36% of travellers had seen a holiday ruined by either bad weather or illness. While agents can’t guarantee clients wont suffer from unforeseen events, their expert advice before departure is a great way to avoid many common pitfalls.

Meanwhile, the “Are You Ready?” survey shows that 22% of those aged 16-29 (the age group most likely to book online) have fallen foul of airlines’ excess baggage rules, compared with 12% across the general population. 

Other findings include:

1. A brave (stupid?) 12% of holidaymakers never take out insurance when travelling.
2. Heading abroad is relatively risk free, with 89% of travellers never having been robbed or attacked overseas. However, the report reveals these dangers are disproportionately higher for the 60-plus age group (15% attacked/robbed at least once compared to 8% of general population).
3. Lost luggage has affected 13% of air travellers with 23% of people from London having lost some.
4. People living in Greater London are the most travelled, with 78% having been overseas at least once in the last two years. A lucky 33% have taken four or more trips in that time.
5. 4% say they have travelled without the required inoculations because they were unaware of the requirements.

So,let us advise you on your all-important holiday arrangements – why take risks with this big investment?

A poll of more than 2,000 people found that 80% of Britons are not willing to give up their summer break, in spite of widespread fears over the adverse impact UK fuel and price rises may have on holiday trends,

Family arguments will prove to be a bigger holiday challenge than rising prices for many, an American Express Travellers Cheques poll found.

Around two in three holidaymakers (65%) have fallen out with their family or companions before their aircraft even takes off - and it is young travellers that have the most arguments before reaching the airport.

Most families and couples have had more than three arguments, according to the survey. Young travellers are the most argumentative (average of four arguments), whereas the over 55 traveller is the most chilled out (average of 3.1 arguments).

Whilst men are most likely to lose their temper about the amount their partner tries to cram into their suitcases (53%), there were a range of common causes of holiday friction:

1. How much is being packed into suitcases         48%
2. Getting to the airport on time                         40%
3. Whether we can afford to go on holiday           29%

In addition to planning their holiday, most families then added to their argument tally at the airport with the five key causes of friction including:

1. Needing the toilet on the way to the airport       17%
2. Finding a place to park                                   13%
3. Finding the right check-in desk                        13%

In spite of all this apparent disharmony, most of us still look forward to our holidays and look back on them with pleasure!

We at Medway Travel hope all our readers have had, or are about to have, a very happy holiday.

Travelodge is infusing its bed linen with a variety of aromas that research has identified as being helpful in sending guests off to sleep.

The budget hotel chain, which has been responsible for such inventions as the mobile hotel room in the past, is now testing the concept at a selection of its hotels.

Sheets will smell of “reminiscents” – scents that remind guests of happy and comforting memories. These scents have been created following a “Senses Census” of 5000 people, which asked them which aromas relaxed them the most.

Top of the charts was the sea, which evokes holiday memories and helps those who live by on the coast.  Other smells Travelodge will be using are freshly cut grass (a reminder of summer), baby powder (a reminder of guests’ children), apple pie (home) and chocolate (a pick-me-up for women, apparently).

Travelodge sleep director Leigh McCarron said: “We have explored the power of smell because it has a greater ability to raise an emotion of well being within an individual, in contrast to seeing a picture or hearing a voice. Interestingly the Senses Census identified the top smells that would help Brits to drop off to sleep easily, are scents associated with partners, children, home and holidays rather than the traditional scents of lavender and vanilla”.

Other smells people identified as ideal relaxers were vapour rub and  curry.

Who knows, perhaps the next logical step will be to inject less pleasing smells into the air conditioning, in the morning, to help guests to wake up?