Escorted Holidays Collection November 2015 to August 2016

Transcription

Escorted Holidays
Collection November 2015
to August 2016
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Distinct an
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holiday ar you!
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airport
ESCORTED HOLIDAYS
As one of our customers told us recently ‘I hope you will continue to
provide holidays for customers who are looking for something that little
bit different, away from the usual tourist trails.’ 2016 sees our sixteenth
anniversary and we have always tried to provide really interesting
holidays from regional airports at value for money prices to places
other tour operators do not go. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we
ignore great cities, landmarks and heritage sites - we combine them
with other elements which really reveal the true character and beauty
of the area. So, when we take our customers to Rome, we also show
them the Gran Sasso National Park and the medieval villages of the
Abruzzo and le Marche; from Prague, you visit Queen Victoria’s beloved
German castle and Edward VII’s favourite spa resort; after Athens
you tour around the Gulf of Corinth and take a train ride through the
Vouraikos Gorge; combine Barcelona with a trip high into the Pyrenees
or a visit to mysterious Rennes-le Chateau. And when our holidays are
not touring around, we still make sure there are included visits which
add that extra touch. From the sand dunes of Isla Canela, you visit the
martian landscape of the Rio Tinto Mines; during a stay on the Italian
Riviera, of course we’ll take you to Monte Carlo, but you’re also just a
short drive away from the fascinating, hillside village of Dolceacqua; on
Spain’s Costa Dorada you can visit the beautiful wetlands of the Ebro
Delta and the Gaudi Centre museum in Reus.
Our multi-centre touring holidays are fully escorted by our
knowledgeable Tour Directors who live and work in the countries
visited and are, we believe, the best in the business. On our single
centre holidays you will be well cared for by equally knowledgeable
local resort representatives. We hope you enjoy browsing through our
brochure and are sure you will find something that will appeal to you. If
you do – give us a call on 0116 279 3929 – this will also be a different
experience. No hanging around listening to a series of options, no
‘please wait for the next available operator’ – a real person will answer
you straight away! Once you have made your booking you will have
peace of mind in knowing that your money is safe as all our holidays
are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY: Holidays are of a 7 night duration, but if you
would like to spend longer in warmer climes there is the option of
an extra week’s relaxation in Crete, Cyprus, Andalucia, Catalonia, the
Algarve, Tenerife and Lanzarote.
FLY DIRECT FROM LOCAL AIRPORTS: We offer holidays flying from
over 20 airports across the UK – the vast majority are direct flights.
More and more of our customers are using our range of regional flights
to meet up with friends and relatives from other parts of the UK on our
holidays – if you would like us to send a brochure to a friend, just ask
... or they can download one at www.preferredts.com.
GROUP TRAVEL: Group discounts are available from as few as 10
paying passengers. Exclusive departures are also available. Please
contact us on 0116 279 3929 or e-mail [email protected] for
further details.
SIGN UP online for our occasional e-mailshots – just select e-mail sign
up at www.preferredts.com and add your e-mail address!
READING LIST: Our website www.preferredts.com has a reading list,
mostly light reading, suggested by previous travellers and related to
the destinations we offer. Please e-mail [email protected] if there
is something you think we should add to it.
Index
3
Cyprus - Aphrodite's Ancient Isle
18
The Tuscan Coast, Lucca & Florence
4
Tenerife - Islands of Contrasts
19
Bordighera - the Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo
5
Lanzarote & Fuerteventura
20
Isle of Elba, Siena & the Medieval Cities of Tuscany
6
Roman Tarragona, Gaudi's Reus & the Ebro Delta
21
Apulia & Royal Caserta
7
Carcassonne, Cathar Country & Catalonia
22
La Bella Italia - le Marche, Abruzzo & Rome
8
Bordeaux, San Sebastian & the Basque Country
23
The Slovenian Alps, Lake Bled, Trieste & Venice
9
France, Spain, Andorra & the Pyrenees
24
Krakow, Zakopane & the High Tatras
10
Western Andalucia - Isla Canela, Rio Tinto & the Guadiana River 25
Best of the Baltics
11
Seville, Mijas & Ronda
26
Berlin, Potsdam & the Harz Mountains
12
Salamanca, Madrid, Avila & Segovia
27
Weimar, Royal Germany & Prague
13
Andalucia's Eastern Coast, Granada & Almeria
28
Athens, Delphi & the Vouraikos Gorge
14
A Week on the Algarve
29
A Week in Crete - No Single Supplement
15
The Islands & Gardens of Lake Maggiore
30
Landscapes of the Ancient Isle of Crete
16
Lake Iseo & the Camonica Valley
31
General information
17
The Cinque Terre, Portofino & the Italian Lakes
32
About Us
We have negotiated no single supplements on selected dates for some holidays.
But make your booking quickly as availability is limited and spaces always sell out very fast.
HOW TO BOOK MADE EASY
RESERVATIONS HOTLINE: 0116 279 3929
(Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri & 9am-1pm Sat)
We suggest you check availability and make a provisional booking before sending your booking form. Call our reservations hotline on 0116 279 3929 or e-mail
[email protected]. Then complete the booking form and return it with the deposit payment of £125 per person (or full balance if applicable) plus insurance
premium if required to Preferred Travel Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth, Leicester, LE8 0HS. Please make cheques payable to Preferred Travel Services.
2 | www.preferredts.com
Please refer to the enclosed ‘Dates and Flight Information’ for details of departure dates, prices and flights.
No single
supplement
November &
February
8 days from £749
November, February & March
Cyprus - Aphrodite’s Ancient Isle
An ancient land of mystery, legend, beauty, and love: especially in and around Paphos, your holiday base. On the west coast
of the Akamas Peninsula, Paphos was the island’s capital for 600 years and its visible archaeological legacy has led to the
whole town being placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Effectively parts of the town serve as an open-air museum, with
remarkable mosaics, vaults and caves, the Pillar of St. Paul, the ancient theatre, the Tombs of the Kings and a Roman Agora
are all amongst the sights to see. The area is steeped in Greek myth and legend. The goddess Aphrodite rose from the sea
foam near Paphos and took pity on Pygmalion by bringing to life his statue of the beautiful Galatea – their son was Paphos.
• 7 nights hb in Paphos • Paphos orientation walk • Excursion to Nicosia
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Paphos, transfer to your hotel in Kato Paphos (20
minutes away) where seven nights half board accommodation has
been reserved for you.
Cyprus has a long and varied history. At the crossroads of three
continents, Cyprus was a stopping off point for Crusaders and has been
ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Franks, Venetians, Turks and British.
Day Two: Paphos orientation walk: your morning walk starts and
finishes at the hotel, and will give you your bearings not only in the
geography of Paphos, but also its history. You will walk along the sea
front, and pass the ruins of an early Christian basilica en route to the
harbour. Here you will be able to visit the archaeological area (entrance
fee included) with its Roman mosaics. You return to the hotel via the
lighthouse and the Christian catacomb of Solomoni.
Days Three to Seven: In resort in Paphos, with free time to explore
the town and its historic sites and also time to relax and enjoy the
hotel’s facilities. One day is dedicated to the included excursion to
Nicosia, the full day giving you a real taste of this fascinating and
charming city.
In the heart of Nicosia is the old city surrounded by walls dating back to
the 16th century. Enclosed in this are countless museums, churches,
monuments, sites of historic interest, narrow streets overlooked by
the balconies of old houses and squares surrounded by cafes, shops
and tavernas. The included tour of the city will take you along the
dividing Green Line and allow you to see the major sights including the
Famagusta Gate and the Archbishop’s Palace. Also whilst in Nicosia
there will be visits to St. John’s Cathedral and the Byzantine Museum,
and time in the picturesque old quarter and shopping centre of Laiki
Yitonia.
There are other excursions available, into the Troodos Mountains and
to the Bath of Aphrodite (a grotto pool where the goddess is said to
have bathed before her marriage).
Dancing and Bowls: together with the sister hotels nearby, the hotel
has dance leaders and bowling coordinators who will assist with
tuition and, on request, organise events for guests of all abilities. Lawn
Bowls rinks (there are 20 rinks, indoor and outdoor, all on synthetic
surfaces). A charge (currently 5 euros) is made per session (includes
equipment).
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to the airport for your return
flight.
YOUR HOTEL
ATHENA BEACH HOTEL HHHH Superior, Paphos (seven nights)
The Athena Beach Hotel has recently been fully refurbished and provides
superb accommodation right on the beach, in Kato Paphos, with good
access to the town centre. There are lovely spacious gardens, 2 freshwater
outdoor swimming pools, 1 indoor heated pool, 3 restaurants offering buffet
and a la carte options (half-board includes dining in the buffet restaurant),
bars, and spacious lounges and terraces. Bedrooms have bath, shower and
wc, satellite tv, fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, and private
balcony or terrace. There is also a spa and health club with gym offering a
full range of treatments (charges apply). The hotel also provides resident
dance leaders with complimentary dance classes, 18 outdoor and 6 indoor
bowls rinks, floodlit tennis courts and mini golf – charges apply to rental of
equipment and some facilities. (www.athena-cbh.com)
Extend your holiday – extra week available in our hotel in Cyprus.
A WALKING HOLIDAY is also available from this hotel. Please ask for a copy
of our Walking Holidays brochure or download one at preferredts.com.
www.preferredts.com | 3
8 days from £669
£549
November & March
Tenerife - Islands of Contrasts
There are a host of reasons for visiting Tenerife – the largest of the Canaries, which the classicists rightly called ‘the Fortunate
Isles’. Fortunate, too, in having such a wonderful winter and spring climate for visitors from the freezing north! An island of
contrasts – the miles of sun-drenched coastline surround Spain’s highest mountain (over 12000 ft), Mount Teide. Accessible
by cable car and often snow-capped, the desolate volcanic slopes within Teide’s National Park are a world away from the
tropical vegetation of the green Orotava valley, and the botanical gardens below. You stay in the north part of the island where
the traditional villages and the University town of La Laguna have a totally different feel to the commercial concreted resorts
of the south – and the lush, tropical landscape with banana plantations also contrasts with the arid terrain of the south.
• 7 nights hb on Tenerife • Excursions to La Laguna, the Botanic Garden and Orotava Valley, and Mount Teide
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Tenerife, transfer to your hotel (about one hour
away) for seven nights half board accommodation.
Your holiday base is close to Puerto de la Cruz (with its agreeable
and historical maritime area) and to the verdant Orotava valley, whose
eponymous town boasts the attractive mansions of families who made
their fortune trading with the New World – and then spent fortunes
building fine houses and churches in their home town to show how
successful they were!
Tenerife still has undiscovered corners, like Garachico, out to the west.
Garachico is a typical Canarian village, whose harbour was filled in by
a lava flow in the 18th century – since when, as you stroll the shady
square, you get the impression that, frankly, not a lot has changed! Also
within easy reach is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with Calatrava’s futuristic
new ship-shaped auditorium and a pleasant old quarter: beyond the
town lie the spectacular Anaga mountains.
Days Two to Seven: In resort with three included excursions.
Mount Teide: you will have a scenic drive on Mount Teide, with a stop
to explore the volcanic landscape of the Ucanca plain, and the chance
to take the cable car up the mountain (cost of cable car approx. 22E).
La Laguna: an included excursion will take you to San Cristobal de la
Laguna (to give it its full name). The fine Canarian Mansions scattered
through the town offer the visitor their bright facades and impressive
woodwork, which conceal cool patios and shady gardens. One of them
houses the “Museum of the History of Tenerife” – well worth a look.
This university town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since
1999; its layout, that of the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town,
served as a model for many towns in the Americas.
The Botanic Garden, with Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava and
its valley. You will see, with a knowledgeable guide, the “Jardin de
Aclimatisación” of La Orotava – the Botanic Garden founded by Royal
Decree in 1788 to house the plants being brought from the New World
by the ‘Discoverers’ who (Columbus included) used Tenerife as a
jumping-off point for their epic voyages. The garden’s role was as a
trial ground for plants and trees that would be of important medical or
economic benefit to Spain as a whole. Designed to a geometric plan, it
has a particularly impressive collection of trees, including date palms
and fig trees, as well as an enormous oriental plane tree (platanus
orientalis), at the base of which the garden’s founder planted a box
of coins and documents. There are also good collections of agave,
hibiscus, orchids, poinsettia and jacaranda. This day will also include a
visit to Orotava town and an orientation of Puerto de la Cruz.
A further, optional excursion will also be available to Santa Cruz de
Tenerife.
flight.
YOUR HOTEL
DIVERHOTEL TENERIFE SPA AND GARDEN HHHH,
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (seven nights)
The hotel stands on the edge of Puerto de la Cruz, a 25 minute walk to
the seaside promenade (free courtesy bus 6 days a week during the day).
There are views to Mount Teide, the sea, and the Orotava valley from the
hotel’s extensive tropical gardens (1500sqm). Rooms have bath/shower,
wc, hairdryer, satellite tv, safety deposit box (charge applies), minibar, and
balcony or terrace. There is an outdoor pool, spa (charges apply), lounge
area, poolside bar, entertainment programme, buffet restaurant, and lounge
area (limited free wifi). Prices are based on standard rooms. Rooms with a
view of Mount Teide are available at a supplement.
(www.playasenator.com/en/hoteles/playacanaria)
Please note: this is a new itinerary and a different hotel for 2016. For
details regarding the departure in November 2015 please enquire or
view www.preferredts.com/pdfs/xbte.pdf.
Extend your holiday – extra week available in our hotel in Tenerife.
8 days from £779
£549
November, March & May
Lanzarote & Fuerteventura
The entire island of Lanzarote is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it contains no less than 13 ‘protected areas’ including a Spanish
National Park - Timanfaya, where Raquel Welch was memorably filmed in ‘One Million Years BC’. As your base we have chosen Playa
Blanca, a quieter resort in the extreme south of the island, close to the Papagayo nature reserve. The artist Cesar Manrique left an
indelible mark on the island, not just in the artistic heritage, but in his (and his followers’) dedication to maintaining the unique
landscapes of his island and opposition to tasteless over-development. As you explore Lanzarote, you will see that hi-rise building
has been avoided, that the traditional rural architecture with its white buildings and striking green paintwork has been respected, and
above all that the island’s extraordinary landscapes have been maintained unblemished. And all of this in a year round warm climate.
• 7 (or 14) nights hb in the H10 Lanzarote Princess in Playa Blanca • Included excursion to Fuerteventura •
Included sightseeing excursion around Manrique’s Lanzarote • Excursion to southern Lanzarote
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Lanzarote, transfer to your hotel for seven nights
half board accommodation. Transfer time 40 minutes.
Days Two to Seven: In Playa Blanca, with three included
excursions, two within Lanzarote and one to the neighbouring island
of Fuerteventura.
Our chosen resort of Playa Blanca is quieter than most of the island’s
resorts, yet has every amenity. A particular feature is the long
promenade which runs close to the harbour, passing the stunning new
upmarket development of Marina Rubicon and continuing out towards
Papagayo. There are good island bus services, allowing you to get
around by public transport if you wish.
Manrique’s Lanzarote: your included excursion takes you to see
different aspects of Manrique’s Isle, such as Teguise - the old inland
capital, Bateria del Rio, and the artist’s stunning Cactus Garden. Cacti
were important to the island: to this day there are fields of prickly pear
cactus – this was grown to harvest cochineal beetles and the brilliant
red dye they produce, one of the main industries of the island until the
19th century.
across the island is stunning.
flight.
YOUR HOTEL
H10 LANZAROTE PRINCESS HHHH, Playa Blanca (seven nights)
Located in Playa Blanca just a short walk to the promenade, the hotel has
been recently refurbished. It has two restaurants, two bars and a coffee
bar. There are two swimming pools, minigolf and tennis court. Free wifi in
the lobby. Bedrooms have bath, hairdryer, terrace or balcony, fridge and flat
screen tv. Standard rooms have garden or mountain view; superior rooms
with pool or sea view are available at a supplement. (www.h10hotels.com)
Extend your holiday – extra week available in Playa Blanca.
The excursion in the south of Lanzarote includes a range of unlikely
scenery. You will see the pretty white painted village of Yaiza, the
coastal salt-pans of Janubio, and the cliffs near El Golfo. Then you
drive amid the unique scenery of the Volcanoes Natural Park, and
finish in the unusual vineyards of La Geria, where man’s ingenuity has
made vines thrive in a hostile setting.
Fuerteventura: your third excursion begins with a 20 minute walk
(taxis are available) to the harbour where you catch the ferry to
Corralejo, Fuerteventura. It is a 35 minute crossing, please keep an
eye out for pods of dolphins which are frequently seen here. Just south
of Corralejo is the natural park area of Las Dunas, an enormous sandy
area similar to the Sahara Desert. Amongst other stops, you will also
visit the island’s former capital, Betancuria. The scenery as you travel
No single
supplement
March
8 days from £619
March & May
Roman Tarragona, Gaudi’s Reus & the Ebro Delta
A week in a four-star hotel on the Catalan coast, with three varied and interesting excursions to show you different aspects
of Catalonia from your comfortable holiday base – this is the recipe for this holiday. Catalonia has an incredibly rich
variety of landscapes. As well as sandy beaches, such as the wide, sandy one in front of your hotel, there are mountains,
vineyards, rivers and amazing wetlands all waiting to be discovered. As is one of the world’s great cities, Barcelona easily accessible by train, with half-hourly departures.
• 7 nights hb on the Catalan coast, wine included with dinner • Excursion to Montserrat and Sitges
• Excursion to the Ebro Delta and Gaudi’s Reus • Full day excursion to Roman Tarragona • Entrance fees to
the Ebro Ecomuseum, the Reus Gaudi Centre and the Tarragona Archaeology Museum
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Reus or Barcelona. Transfer to your hotel, just under
an hour away. Seven nights half board accommodation is reserved for
you.
Days Two to Seven: In resort with three included excursions.
The Ebro Delta and Gaudi’s Reus: the Ebro Delta, an hour and a half
away, is one of Europe’s most attractive and delicately balanced wildlife sanctuaries. The day begins with a short presentation at the Eco
Museum in Deltebre, with an explanation of the relationship between
man, agriculture and wildlife of the area. The Delta covers an area
of 123.5 square miles. The area around Deltebre is totally flat and in
stark contrast to the rest of hilly Catalonia. Much of the marshy area
is covered by waterlogged rice fields which support the local fauna.
There are vast areas of beaches, dunes, reeded lagoons and riverside
woods. Over the year, between 50,000 and 100,000 birds of 300
species (more than half the species in Europe) visit the Delta including
a variety of ducks and herons, grebe, short-eared owls and flamingos.
On the return journey we will make a stop in Gaudi’s home city of
Reus, with an included visit to the Gaudi Centre where you will learn
something of the great modernist architect’s work. 150 miles today.
Montserrat: just an hour away, Montserrat is one of Spain’s most
spectacular sights, with its astonishing rock formations, monastery,
and fabulous views of the Llobregat Valley: Montserrat has been a
major destination for pilgrims through the centuries. The basilica,
home of the famous ‘Black Madonna’, dates from the 16th century and
(subject to confirmation) you will be able to hear the boys’ choir sing
in the church. You could also go up to the nature area on the funicular
railway to explore the walking trails. On the return journey we make a
stop in the modernist resort of Sitges. 110 miles today.
Roman Tarragona: just 20 miles away, Tarragona was the capital of
the Province of Northern Spain and home to the Emperor Augustus – a
temple in his honour stood on the site of the current cathedral. You
will spend the morning in the old city in the company of an expert
guide, visit the archaeology museum, and see the amphitheatre,
the circus maximus, the forum, and pretty streets and squares as you
stroll through the medieval centre. You will also have free time for
lunch, and to explore the market area and new Rambla area with its
statue of the ‘Castell’, the ‘Human Tower’.
Day Eight: Departure to the airport for your flight home.
YOUR HOTEL
NUBAHOTEL HHHH, Coma-Ruga (seven nights)
The hotel has been completely refurbished and stands close to the broad
sandy beach. This unspoilt resort is quiet out of season, rather busier at
weekends. A reasonable selection of shops, bars and restaurants is about
10 minutes walk (700m) away, and the railway station with half-hourly
departures to Barcelona is about 15 minutes walk. There is also a local bus
service to the nearby county town of El Vendrell, birthplace of Pablo Casals:
his villa, now an interesting museum, is within walking distance of the hotel.
The hotel has a spa centre (a reasonable extra charge applies), restaurant,
bar, lounge, and outdoor pool. Rooms, which all have balcony, also have 2
queen size beds, bathroom with hairdryer, phone, air-conditioning/heating,
satellite LCD tv, and safety deposit box (charge applies). Free wifi in public
areas. (www.nubahotelcomarruga.com)
Extend your holiday - extra week available in Catalonia.
No single
supplement
APRIL
8 days from £689
April, May & June
Carcassonne, Cathar Country & Catalonia
The ramparts of Carcassonne, the mystery of Rennes-le-Château, the surrealism of Dalì’s Theatre Museum, combined
with a visit to modernist Barcelona, and stays in unspoilt locations on the Catalan coast and in a pleasant spa town in
the hills of Roussillon - this is a holiday to one of the most scenic parts of the Mediterranean. The area is also fabulously
rich in history, legend and stunning castles. Discover the land of the heretical Cathars and solve the mystery of Rennes le
Chateau – inspiration for Dan Brown’s da Vinci Code.
• 3 nights hb in Spanish Catalonia, 4 nights hb in the Roussillon area of France • Visits to Rennes-leChâteau, Carcassonne, The Dalì Museum in Figueres, and Barcelona
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Catalonia. On arrival, transfer to your hotel on the
Catalan coast for two nights half board accommodation. Transfer time
50 minutes.
Day TWO: Optional half day excursion to the Roman city of Tarragona
where you can see the amphitheatre, port and beach and stroll through
the medieval centre. Under the Romans, Tarragona was the capital of
the Province of Northern Spain and home to the Emperor Augustus – a
Temple in his honour stood on the site of the current Cathedral. Your
excursion includes a walk with expert guide.
Day Three: Today you depart for France. En route you will stop in
Dalì’s home town of Figueras with its surreal (in the truest sense!)
theatre-museum (entrance included). The Dalì Museum, with its
luminous-egg façade, seems to want to stretch your mind even before
you enter! From there you proceed to your hotel in Amelie-les-Bains,
for four nights half board accommodation. Distance today is 156 miles,
mainly motorway.
Day Four: Full-day included excursion to Carcassonne and Rennesle- Château. Although a longish day, it is packed with interest. You start
with a scenic drive past two spectacular Cathar castles – Puilaurens,
perched high above the valley, and Quéribus, whose rocky spur saw
the last stand of the Cathars in 1255. In Rennes-le-Château you will
see the church, presbytery, villa, tower and grounds built by the priest,
Abbé Sauniere, at the end of the 19th century. You will discover the true
extent of the mystery that has spawned so many books and several tv
programmes. You will not be the first to try and solve the mystery – a
byelaw had to be passed to stop unauthorised digging in the village by
treasure-hunters!
You continue to Carcassonne for lunch (not included), and a free
afternoon in the most spectacular walled city on earth. A UNESCO
Heritage site, the cité is a remarkable defensive structure with
barbican, dry moat, outer and inner walls, inaccessible watch-towers,
posterns, loopholes and arrow slits. The last part of your circular route
is motorway, and you arrive back at the hotel at approx 1830. Total
today is just under 200 miles.
Days Five and Six: There is an optional half day excursion to the
walled village of Prats de Mollo, just 12 miles up the Vallespir valley,
on the side of Mount Canigou. There is also an optional excursion to
nearby Perpignan, the capital of the Roussillon, and to the artists’
resort of Collioure. A port since Roman times, many crusades to the
Holy Land set off from here, and reproductions of works by artists who
painted in Collioure (Matisse and Dérain in particular) will be found on
the quaysides.
Day Seven: Today you return to the Costa Dorada for your last night,
again on a half board basis. En route there is a short tour of, and free
time to explore, the exciting city of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia.
Distance today is similar to Day Three, approx 160 miles..
flight.
YOUR HOTELS
NUBAHOTEL HHHH, Coma-Ruga, Costa Dorada (first two and last nights)
See page 6 for hotel description.
HOTEL DE LA REINE AMELIE HHH, Amélie-les-Bains (four nights)
Four nights are spent in the Hotel de la Reine Amélie in the Vallespir
Valley. Situated close to the River Tech, Amélie is a spa town 19 miles
from the coast and surrounded by pleasant mountain scenery. The hotel
has a bar, lounge area, restaurant, free wifi, and comfortable bedrooms
with private bath/shower, wc, tv and phone. Some have a balcony too.
(www.reineamelie.com)
We have prepared some brief historical notes about Rennes-le-Chateau
and Carcassonne. These are available online at www.preferredts.com/
brochures/camhist.pdf or on request.
A WALKING HOLIDAY is also available from these hotels. Please ask for a
copy of our Walking Holidays brochure or download one at preferredts.com.
8 days from £829
May & July
Bordeaux, San Sebastian & the Basque Country
The vineyards of Bordeaux, the rich scenery and geology of the Basque coastline, the gorgeous beaches of San Sebastian,
a scenic rail trip on the historic Rhune railway, a visit to the Pyrenean town of St Jean Pied du Port, starting point for many
of the Pilgrims on the Way to Santiago de Compostela: these are just some of the treats in store.
• 3 nights bb in or near Bordeaux • 4 nights hb in the Basque country • Visits to San Sebastian, Hendaye,
St Jean de Luz • Trip on the Rhune Pyrenean Train
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Bordeaux, transfer to your hotel for two nights bed and breakfast
accommodation.
Bordeaux: long a mercantile city, Bordeaux has on three brief occasions been
France’s capital. Over the past 15 years it has been impressively restored, and the
city now shows off its classical and neoclassical architecture to good effect – so
much so that most of the city centre is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The riverside quays are pleasant places to stroll. Bordeaux has longstanding links
with our history too – Aquitaine was under English control for 300 years, until 1453.
Large quantities of wine were exported to Britain – a trade which continues to this
day!
Days Two: Included half day walking tour of old Bordeaux. The rest of the day is
free.
Day Three: Today you travel south across the Landes towards the spectacular
coastline of the Basque Country. You make a stop in St Jean de Luz, and then take
the fine coast road to Hendaye – geologists find this coast fascinating. You cross
into Spain by boat (weather permitting), over the Bidassoa River to Hondarribia,
with its picturesque old town. You then continue to Zarautz, just outside San
Sebastian, where you spend four nights on a half board basis (163 miles today,
mainly motorway).
The Basque Country, straddling France and Spain, offers mountains, cliffs, beaches,
and a unique culture, ranging across sport (pelota has various forms, including jai
alai, reputedly the fastest sport in the world), music, cuisine, religion, clothing and
language (supposedly Europe’s oldest, and certainly its most distinct): in short, all
aspects of a Basque’s life are Basque rather than Spanish or French.
Zarautz: just 12 miles outside San Sebastian lies Zarautz, a pleasant seaside resort
with a fine old quarter and good narrow-gauge train line to San Sebastian. There are
two museums, and a good range of shops, bars, and restaurants - both in town and
close to what is the the Basque country’s largest beach. There is a pleasant coastal
walk to the west of town.
Days Four to Six: Free in Zarautz. There is an included day’s visit to nearby
San Sebastian, and there are also optional excursions to Pamplona, and along the
spectacular Basque coastline west of your resort.
San Sebastian or Donostia in the Basque language, enjoys a truly privileged situation.
Dominated by Monte Urgull, the superb old town and the three fine beaches offer the
visitor every amenity including chic shops and welcoming sidrerias – cider houses.
The local txakoli white wine is pleasant too.
Pamplona, the capital of Navarre, is famed worldwide for the ‘Running of the Bulls’,
featured by Hemingway in ‘The Sun Also Rises.’ You will be able to walk the bulls’
route to the bullring, but the town’s focal point is the Plaza del Castillo, near to which
lies the former Jewish Quarter and the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria. Part of the
old city wall is still intact, and the Museum of Navarre is worth a visit too. Pamplona
is 54 motorway miles away.
The Coast West of Zarautz, towards Bilbao, is spectacular. You pass the txakoli
vineyards and fishing villages such as Getaria, sheltered by El Raton (Mouse Island).
You travel as far as Guernica (40 miles from Zarautz), where the Basque Parliament
used to meet under the Tree of Gernika. The town was heavily bombed during the
Civil War – Picasso’s painting immortalised the suffering caused by war. The original
now hangs in Madrid, but a tapestry copy adorns the walls of the UN HQ in New York.
Day Seven: You leave Zarautz and travel into the Pyrenees, firstly to catch the
pretty wood-panelled ‘Petit Train de la Rhune’ - a rack railway which takes you up to
an altitude of 900m, with great views towards the coast. If for any reason the train
is not operating, an alternative visit will be provided. You continue to the old walled
town of St Jean Pied de Port, the starting point for many pilgrims on their way to
Santiago de Compostela. After your time here, you rejoin the coach to travel towards
Bordeaux for one night’s bed and breakfast accommodation. 217 miles today.
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to the airport for your return flight.
YOUR HOTELS
QUALITY HOTEL
HHH, Bordeaux Ste Catherine, Bordeaux (first two
and last nights)
The hotel is situated in the pedestrian centre. The hotel has a bar/lounge,
complimentary wi-fi and is air conditioned. Bedrooms have bathroom, flat
screen tv, telephone and minibar. (www.qualityhotelbordeauxcentre.com).
HOTEL ZARAUZ HHH, Zarautz (four nights)
The centrally-situated and comfortably-appointed Hotel Zarauz is close to
the beach (150m) and railway station (250m). The 75 bedrooms have bath
and wc, telephone, heating, hairdryer, and free wifi. There is a restaurant,
bar, lift and lounge. (www.hotelzarauz.com)
8 days from £679
May & June
France, Spain, Andorra & the Pyrenees
This holiday is a magical cocktail of stunning mountain scenery in three countries, with a never-to-be-forgotten ride on
the Little Yellow Train through the French Pyrenees. You spend four nights in Andorra, close to the French border of this
picturesque principality, set high amid the peaks of the Pyrenees.
• 2 nights hb Costa Dorada, 4 nights hb in the High Pyrenees, 1 night bb in Barcelona • Scenic Journey on
the Little Yellow Train • Orientation tour of Barcelona • Visit to Montserrat
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Reus or Barcelona, transfer to your hotel on the Costa
Dorada for two nights half board accommodation. Transfer time is just
under an hour.
Day Two: Free day in resort.
Day Three: Today you travel into the mountains towards Andorra, stopping
en route at Montserrat with its spectacular rock formations, and monastery,
founded in the 10th century. From there you travel through the Catalan
countryside via the little towns of Calaf and Ponts, into the High Pyrenees
and your hotel in the mountain village of Soldeu, where you have four nights
half board accommodation. Soldeu is a scenic mountain village, with a few
shops, bars and restaurants. There is a cable car, which normally operates
from July to September, and serves Europe’s highest golf course (9 holes,
2590 metres up, cable car access only). Guest tickets and club hire are
available to members of golf clubs who are visiting from elsewhere.
Days Four to Six: At leisure in resort with an included excursion on the
Petit Train Jaune, and the chance to join two further optional excursions.
The Little Yellow Train was built to link the upper valley of the Têt and
the pretty Cerdanya plateau with France - the area only became French
following the 17th century ‘Treaty of the Pyrenees.’ Indeed, its colours are
this of the Catalan flag.
From the pretty resort of Font Romeu you will climb towards France’s highest
conventional railway Station (Bolquère, 5310ft) before, during the 25 mile
trip along the metric gauge track, dropping 4000ft down to the picturesque
ramparted town of Villefranche de Conflent. En route you will travel over
the spectacular Sejourné viaduct, and the Gisclard suspension bridge, 260ft
above the river below. The journey is timed to take 1 hour 40 minutes, but
that might depend on how many request stops the driver makes!
You will also stop in Montlouis, France’s highest fortified town and, like
Villefranche, on the UNESCO World Heritage List for works of Louis XIV’s
engineer, Sebastien de Vauban.
Villefranche is 57 miles from Soldeu; depending on operating schedules,
you may have an earlyish start this morning, but it’s well worth it! If for
any reason the train is not operating, we shall travel to Montlouis and
Villefranche by road.
Our optional excursions are to ‘The Three Valleys of Andorra’, taking in
the nature area of the North Valley, the village of Ordino, and Andorra-la-
Vella, the Principality’s capital; and to the wooded Ariège Valley of France,
taking in the pretty spa town of Ax-les-Thermes and historic Foix, whose
spectacular castle was never conquered. We also visit Labouiche, just
outside Foix, to take a boat trip on Europe’s longest navigable underground
river, which has hewn a spectacular course through the hills. There are
quite a few steps in the access to the river. Foix is 53 miles from Soldeu.
Day Seven: Today, we leave Andorra to journey south to Barcelona, Spain’s
second largest city and the capital of Catalonia for one night’s bed and
breakfast accommodation. See Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Church and Park
Guell, wander down Las Ramblas, or explore the attractive squares and
narrow lanes with their speciality shops.
Day Eight: Free time until you depart for the airport for your flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
NUBAHOTEL HHHH, Coma-Ruga (first two nights)
See page 6 for hotel description.
SPORT HOTEL HHHH, Soldeu (four nights)
Four nights are spent in the Sport Hotel in the village of Soldeu, Andorra. This
attractive hotel is built in the local style, featuring natural wood and local stone.
Rooms have bath/shower and wc, hairdryer, satellite tv, and phone. There is a
comfortable bar, lounge with free wifi, and restaurant serving excellent food, as
well as an outdoor pool (weather dependent). Soldeu village has a few shops
and bars, a reasonable bus service to town, and excellent walking right from
the hotel. The Sport and Sport Village Hotels are on opposite sides of the road,
with a tunnel link between them. The hotels have separate reception and bars
but on some dates only one restaurant may be open. There is a spa within the
complex, available at extra cost. (www.sporthotels.ad – click on Sport Hotel).
HOTEL PERE IV HHHH, Barcelona (last night)
The hotel is situated in the Poble Nou district, midway between the lively
Olympic port area and the Sagrada Familia. It is a 25 minute walk to the old
quarter or 3 stops on the Metro. The hotel has a spa area, lounge bar and
restaurant - other bars and restaurants are close by. Bedrooms have bath/
shower and wc, tv with satellite channels, free wifi, and safety deposit box.
(www.salleshotels.com).
8 days from £709
May
Western Andalucia - Isla Canela, Rio Tinto & the Guadiana River
This holiday has the perfect balance of relaxation beside the dunes along Spain’s Atlantic coast and on the banks of the
Guadiana river and scenic sightseeing jam-packed with historical and cultural interest. Your holiday base is the 4* Playamarina
Hotel on Punta del Moral on Isla Canela in Spain, just over the Portuguese border. From here you visit the beautiful coastline
of the Donana Natural Park, enjoy the fascinating Columbus sites and the stunning scenery of the British Rio Tinto mines and
have a lazy day on a boat sailing up the River Guadiana which marks the border between Spain and Portugal.
• 7 nights hb in a 4* hotel on Isla Canela • One included spa entrance • Full day excursion to the Rio Tinto mines
with train ride • Full day excursion to the Columbus sites and El Rocio • Boat cruise on the Guadiana River
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Faro in Portugal and transfer to your hotel on Isla Canela in
Spain for seven nights half board accommodation. The transfer takes around an
hour, but you have to put your watches on an hour when you cross the Guadiana
which is the border.
Days Two to Seven: In resort with three included excursions. There is plenty
to do in your free time. The front of the hotel looks across to the thriving fishing
village and marina of Punta del Moral. You can have a pleasant stroll around the
harbour or take a little ferry ride across to Isla Cristina. The rear of the hotel backs
on to the promenade from where there are wooden boardwalks across the dunes
to the beach and the sea. Walking past the inviting chiringuito (beach bar) might
be difficult! There is a frequent bus service which makes the 5 mile journey to
Ayamonte on the Guadiana river. Ayamonte is a bustling ‘frontier’ town with a
compact old centre, marina and port. The ‘frontier’ is the river and for under 3
euros you can get a return ferry across to the pretty town of Vila Real de San
Antonio in Portugal. If you can find the time, a complimentary 1 ½ hour circuit of
the hotel’s extensive spa facilities is included for you!
The first included excursion is to La Rabida Monastery, Caravelle Wharf and El
Rocio. Just over an hour to the east of your hotel lies the monastery of La Rabida,
where Columbus stayed with the monks before his voyage to the New World in
1492. The King and Queen of Spain had rejected his request for funding to seek a
westward route to China, but with the intercession of the monks (who were to get
a percentage!), funding was granted…and the rest, as they say, is history. Nearby
lies Caravelle Wharf, with full size replicas of Columbus’ three ships – the Pinto,
the Nina, and the Santa Maria (entrance fee included). All are much smaller than
you might expect – but they actually travelled across the Atlantic in 1992, for the
500th anniversary. You then travel to the strange town of El Rocio, which seems
like something out of the Tex-Mex West, with clapboard houses, sand covered
squares and avenues and rails to tie your horse to! But this is no tourist movie set
- in fact it is a major pilgrimage site, and lies at the edge of the Donana Natural
Park. There is free time for a late lunch here before returning to your hotel.
Another included excursion takes you to the unique landscape and ecosystem
that are the Rio Tinto mines. There has been mining in the hills 80 miles northeast of Isla Canela for over 5000 years. In the museum in the town of Rio Tinto
there is an excellent re-creation of the Roman mine. There is British influence in
many parts of Spain but nowhere as pronounced than in this remote corner of
Day Eight: Transfer back to Faro Airport for your flight home. You can put your
watch back an hour after crossing the river.
Andalucia. The pinnacle of mining in the area began in 1873 with the arrival of
the British Rio Tinto Mining Company Ltd who paid £3.68 million for the rights to
exploit the disused copper mines. The company employed up to 20,000 men, laid
300km of rail track, built houses for employees and management, a protestant
church and a Social Club which had a cricket team and introduced football to
Spain. The museum is housed in the company’s hospital and its offices are now
the town hall. Highlight of the tour is the rail journey through the open cast mines
where you’ll see an amazing ‘Martian’ landscape with the red (bright red!) Rio
Tinto river running through it. (NB the train is accessed down a long flight of
steps – no ramp).
You really chill out and relax on your third excursion – a boat ride up the Guadiana
river. The boat leaves from Ayamonte and poodles upstream through the soporific
scenery of the gentle hills of the Guadiana valley. The captain might stop in
Portugal on the left – then again, it might be Spain on the right – either way, you’ll
have the chance to enjoy the hospitality of one of the riparian communities. The
return to your hotel will be by coach.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL PLAYAMARINA SPA HHHH, Punta del Moral, Isla Canela
(seven nights)
An excellent hotel in a quiet position located between the beach and the
marina on Punta del Moral. The hotel has a buffet restaurant with show
cooking, indoor and outdoor pool. There is also a spa (a free 1 ½ circuit
is included for you), bar and entertainment on most evenings. Rooms
have bath with shower over and separate shower and wc, hairdryer,
LCD tv, air-conditioning, ceiling fan and safe (chargeable), terrace
or balcony. Free Wi-Fi in reception (30 mins) – chargeable in room.
(www.playasenator.com/en/hoteles/playamarina/)
Extend your holiday – extra week available in Isla Canela
8 days from £599
March, April, May & June
Seville, Mijas & Ronda
This superb value holiday gives you the chance to relax in a pretty white-painted village overlooking the Costa del Sol and
enjoy some of the wonders of Andalucia. Five nights are spent in delightful Mijas Pueblo, and two in magical Seville. In
winter, spring and early summer, southern Spain is warm and sunny, though the stifling temperatures of high summer are
still some time away – this is the perfect time to take in some of the remarkable sights of Andalucia.
• 5 nights hb Mijas, 2 nights bb Seville • Visits to Ronda, Marbella and glitzy Puerto Banus
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Malaga. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Mijas (approx. 30
minutes) for four nights half board accommodation.
Mijas: The white painted centre of Mijas still has the look of an old Andalucian
village. The old village has now grown into a small town with all facilities
and good transport connections. Why not stroll and enjoy the views from the
Muralla Gardens at the top of the village where there are superb views over
the Mediterranean, linger over a quiet drink on one of the old town squares, or
browse in the artists’ studios and craft shops? The folk museum is well worth a
visit as is the new Contemporary Arts Centre showcasing Picasso’s ceramics as
well as some of his paintings and works by Dali, Braque and Miro.
Days Two to Four: Free in Mijas, with an included half day excursion just
down the road to see the plush resort of Marbella and the billionaire’s marina of
Puerto Banus. Marbella, although one of Europe’s most chic resorts, retains an
attractive 15th century old-town with narrow streets leading off its picturesque
plazas. Puerto Banus on the other hand is unapologetically brash where the
gliteratti park their Ferraris next to their yachts and then do a little shopping in
the designer stores. At least window shopping is free!
There is also the chance to join an optional excursion to the ‘British Corner’,
Gibraltar, one of the ‘Pillars of Hercules’. British since 1704, ‘Gib’ has a
fascinating history, to which the Siege Tunnels bear witness. The rock is home
to the natural site of St Michael’s Cave, and to the Barbary apes who are the
colony’s symbol of freedom. Also easily accessible is Picasso’s home city of
Malaga, with an impressive new museum featuring the work of its most famous
son.
Day Five: Today the transfer to Seville is just under three hours. There will be
an included orientation tour of the city on arrival, with a stop in the pretty Triana
district, the traditional cradle of Flamenco, prior to check-in to your hotel for two
nights bed and breakfast accommodation. 146 miles today.
Seville, in a splendid location on the Guadalquivir River, is a lively city and
the capital of Flamenco. Wandering through the narrow streets you will soon
understand how Seville inspired Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.
Be sure to sample the excellent tapas in Seville - the tour is accompanied by a
bilingual Tour Director, who will assist with booking nearby reasonably priced
restaurants, if required.
Day Six: There are two optional excursions during your stay in Seville. The first
is a morning walking tour with a local guide, with entrance to the cathedral,
Columbus’ last resting place. The other excursion features an evening trip to a
Flamenco show.
Day Seven: Today you leave Seville and drive to Ronda. The spectacular 600ft
deep Tajo Gorge is spanned by the spectacular Puente Nuevo (new bridge).
The city’s bull ring in the ‘’new’’ town is 230 years old, about the same age
as the new bridge! You will have free time for sightseeing in this interesting,
atmospheric and dramatic city. After lunch (not included), you continue through
the scenic Sierra to Mijas for your last night’s accommodation, again on a half
board basis. 140 miles today.
Day Eight: Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL TRH HHHH, Mijas (first four and last nights)
This hotel enjoys an excellent location close to town (5 minutes walk away),
but set amid palms and pines in the rolling landscapes of the Sierra as well.
Built in Andalucian style, the hotel has a bar, buffet restaurant, outdoor pool
and spacious gardens and terraces. Rooms have bath/shower, wc, satellite
TV, direct dial phone, safety deposit box, internet connection and hairdryer.
(www.trhhoteles.com)
TRYP SEVILLA MACARENA HHHH, Seville (two nights)
The hotel is next to the old city walls opposite the Parliament and close
to the river and the historic centre. Bedrooms have bath/shower and wc,
hairdryer, tv with satellite channels, free wifi, and safety deposit box. There
is a restaurant and a sports-themed bar offering snacks. (www.melia.com)
8 days from £739
May
Salamanca, Madrid, Avila & Segovia
This fascinating holiday in western Spain is topped and tailed by a stay in Spain’s vibrant capital – Madrid. In between
you stay in one of the most beautiful cities in Spain - Salamanca whose magnificent 18th century Plaza Mayor takes the
breath away. From here you visit Ciudad Rodrigo, a fortified city whose old walls still bear the scars of Wellington’s siege
in 1812. Over the border in Portugal, you will find Almeida – a walled garrison town in a time warp from the Peninsular
War. But city walls do not come any bigger or better than the 11th century ramparts of Avila – 1½ miles in circumference,
90 towers and nearly 2500 battlements! All this and a trip to the World Heritage City of Segovia too!
• 3 nights bb in Madrid • 4 nights bb in Salamanca • Visits to Avila and Segovia • Visit to Almeida in
Portugal • Walking tours of Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Madrid and transfer to your hotel for two nights bed
and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: Free in Madrid with its Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, Cibeles
Fountain and Plaza Mayor. Your Tour Director will take those who wish
for an orientation walk in the old town. Others may wish to visit one of
Madrid’s major art galleries, such as the Prado.
Day Three: Depart for Salamanca stopping en route in Avila. The city
walls of Avila are 40 ft high and 10 ft thick and are made to look all the
more dramatic by the high sierras in the background. At over 3,500 ft,
Avila is Spain’s highest provincial capital. The largest round turret in the
wall forms part of its cathedral. Inside the walls you will find a mixture
of medieval squares and fine 18th century buildings and plenty of cafes
and restaurants. Arrival in Salamanca will be in the afternoon and today’s
mileage is 128. Four nights bed and breakfast are spent in Salamanca.
Days Four to Six: In Salamanca. The focal point of this ancient University
City and its thousands of students is the magnificent Plaza Mayor whose
splendid arcades are decorated with medallions of the Kings of Spain
and other dignitaries, including Wellington. Other places to look out for
are the old cathedral dating from 1140 and the ‘new’ cathedral begun in
1513! Also the Casa de las Conchas – a 16th century palace adorned with
stone carvings of scallop shells. All the fine old buildings are intricately
decorated – your task is to find the frog and the astronaut – all will be
explained during a guided walking tour!
One day is devoted to an excursion to Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. Ciudad
Rodrigo is packed with impressive Renaissance churches, convents and
palaces as well as older architecture built to defend the city against the
Moors. In the Peninsular Wars it was sieged first by the French in 1810
and then again by Wellington in 1812. Seemingly, little has changed since
then and Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe would recognize the little streets of its
centre. Wellington was made Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo despite his soldiers’
sacking of the city. Our walking tour will normally include the Palacio de
los Aguila where all the top brass including Ney, Massena and Wellington
stayed there at one time or other. Almeida is an incredible place – a
preserved garrison in the shape of a 12-pointed star with bastions, a huge
moat and false doors to trick attackers. As well as the intact barracks and
billets there are huge underground casemates which are being restored.
The French were only able to capture it in 1810 when a lucky shell ignited
the magazine killing 500 soldiers. A year later the British could only take
it by a month-long blockade, and then only after the French soldiers had
already slipped away in the night. Today’s mileage is 163.
There will also be an optional excursion to the historic city of Zamora, just
40 miles north of Salamanca on the banks of the River Douro.
Day Seven: Today you return to Madrid via Segovia – UNESCO listed along
with its magnificent Roman aqueduct. An enormous Gothic Cathedral,
Romanesque Alcazar and enthralling Jewish quarter await you! After free
time in Segovia it is time to return to Madrid for your last night on a bed
and breakfast basis. 156 miles today.
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to the airport and your return
flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL FLORIDA NORTE
HHHH, Madrid (first two and last nights)
The first two and last night of your holiday are spent in the Hotel Florida
Norte, opposite the new Principe Pio Shopping centre and metro station,
just a short walk from the Royal Palace and Don Quixote’s statue at Plaza
de Espana. The hotel is quite large, with nearly 400 rooms, all of which have
bath/shower and wc, hairdryer, radio, tv with satellite channels, telephone
and safety deposit box (chargeable). The hotel has a large lobby area/
lounge with free wifi, restaurant, coffee shop, shops, lifts and hairdresser.
(www.celuisma.com)
HOTEL CATALONIA PLAZA MAYOR
HHH, Salamanca (four nights)
Just 150 yards from the Plaza Mayor, the bedrooms in this refurbished hotel
have bathroom, flat screen satellite tv, free internet access (WiFi), hairdryer,
direct dial telephone with direct line. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and
fitness centre. (www.hoteles-catalonia.com)
8 days from £579
November, February to June
Andalucia’s Eastern Coast – Granada & Almeria
Granada was the last city to be re-conquered by the Catholic Kings in 1492 and Spain’s Moorish legacy is nowhere more
evident than in Granada and its province. On this holiday, not only will you visit Spain’s greatest palace, the Alhambra in
Granada, but also the city of Almeria. Your base is the coastal city of Almunecar. This is a city whose Phoenician, Roman
and Moorish past is still much in evidence. The wonderful sub-tropical climate will help you enjoy the city’s rich artistic
and cultural heritage as well as the pretty historic centre. In and around Almunecar the sierras plunge spectacularly into
the sea and you will find no less than 25 beaches and coves within the boundary of the municipality.
• 7 nights hb in Almunecar • Visit to Granada and the Alhambra • Tour along the Costa Tropical to Almeria
• 1 entrance free of charge to the hotel’s spa centre
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Malaga and transfer to your hotel (55 miles) in Almunecar
on the beach east of the city for seven nights half board accommodation.
Days Two to Seven: During your stay there are two included full day
excursions. The first is to the wonderful city of Granada just 45 miles away.
From Almunecar you take the spectacular old road to Granada along the
tropical valley of the Rio Verde passing avocado, custard apple and mango
plantations. The next section crossing the sierra is spectacular. But there
is surely no more spectacular setting than the city of Granada whose
extraordinary Alhambra complex is dominated by the snow-capped peaks
of the Sierra Nevada. A local guide will ensure you make the most of your
visit of the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens. As well as visiting the
complex with its richly decorated palaces and luxuriant gardens, you will
also have plenty of time to see some of the city’s other attractions such
as the cathedral and the old Moorish quarter of Albaicin, now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site together with the Alhambra and the Generalife. Return
to Almunecar is via the new motorway. The second excursion is a trip along
the east coast to see the ancient city of Almeria and (80 miles away by
motorway). Almeria also has Phoenician and Roman origins and one of the
greatest citadels ever built by the Moors as well as an unusual fortified
cathedral constructed as defence against pirate attacks. The whitewashed
walls of the old town have the unmistakable Al-Andalus atmosphere.
The rest of your time is free to enjoy Almunecar. You can visit the Arab
fortress built on top of a Roman castle or stroll through the delightful
botanical gardens of Majuelo Park where there is a huge collection of
tropical and subtropical plants, bushes and trees as well as the remains
of the Roman fish-salting pits. Other attractions include the exotic bird
park and the network of defensive towers built by the Moors and later
strengthened in the 18th century as defence against British raids. Or just
stroll through the busy commercial district in the old centre where you can
admire the city’s monuments – look out for the plaque dedicated to Laurie
Lee who spent time here during and after the Civil War. There will also
be the chance to join an optional excursion to Nerja with its magnificent
Balcon de Europa and its nearby famous caves - an enormous cavern
reminiscent of an underground cathedral featuring stalactites, stalagmites
and wonderful rock formations and the white-painted, hill-top village of
Frigiliana.
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to the airport and your return flight.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL BAHIA TROPICAL
HHHH, Taramay, Almunecar (seven nights)
The hotel is situated on the small Pozuelo beach in Taramay on the eastern
edge of Almunecar, 3 km from the city centre. There is a frequent, cheap
bus service to town if you do not want to take the extremely pleasant
walk along the seafront. Its spacious rooms all have bath and wc, minibar,
balcony or terrace, satellite tv, safe (chargeable) and hairdryer. The
restaurant serves buffet style food and there is a bar with entertainment on
some nights. The hotel has a large outdoor pool and a spa. One entrance
to the spa is included during your stay (one hour use to include active
pool with water massages, sauna, Turkish bath, pediluvium and sensation
shower). Health and body treatments are also available at extra cost.
(www.hotelbahiatropical.com)
Extend your holiday – extra week available in Taramay.
8 days from £799
May
A Week on the Algarve
A relaxing week in an excellent hotel amid the beauty of the Algarve is the recipe for this Portuguese holiday. You will
discover not just the spectacular coastline, but also the unspoilt countryside of the hinterland, with historic sites such as
Silves, the former Moorish capital of the Algarve, with its Roman Bridge and 16th century church. Your resort, Armação
de Pêra, boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, with pretty coves and a panorama of brightly coloured
fishing boats. Your base is the 4-star Holiday Inn (formerly Hotel Garbe), right on the beach.
• 7 nights hb in the 4* Holiday Inn on the beach at Armação de Pêra • 3 included guided excursions visiting
Portimao, Silves, Cape St Vincent and Lagos
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Faro and transfer to your hotel in Armação de
Pêra, just 45 minutes away from the airport. Seven nights half board
accommodation is reserved for you.
YOUR HOTEL
Days Two to Seven: In resort with three included excursions:
Armação de Pêra (seven nights)
Your first excursion (half-day) is an orientation tour, showing you the
coast to the west of your resort. After a photo stop at the impressive
Algar Seco rock formations, you continue to the pretty fishing village
of Carvoiero (coffee stop) and the town and beach resort of Portimao.
The second excursion takes you inland, into the rolling countryside,
where you will also stop in one of the Algarve’s most picturesque
villages, Alte, and in the former Moorish stronghold of Silves. Alte
stands at the foot of the Serra do Calderao, with white houses
clustered in the narrow streets around the church. There are natural
springs, too, with a series of little waterfalls, grassy banks, and a
much-painted bridge over the stream. Silves is bigger than Alte, but
no less pretty, beautifully set under its well-preserved Moorish castle
and its cathedral, and on the Arade River.
THE HOLIDAY INN ALGARVE (formerly the Hotel Garbe) HHHH,
This well-appointed 4* hotel commands a prime position with a stunning
panoramic view of the bay of Armação de Pêra, within strolling distance
of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Its facilities include a restaurant
serving buffet-style meals, lounge, bar, free wifi in reception and swimming
pool. To the side of the hotel there is the Raj Indian Restaurant, which also
has superb sea views. Rooms are equipped with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer,
direct dial telephone, individually controlled air-conditioning, safe, minibar,
tea and coffee making facilities and satellite tv. Entertainment is also
provided on certain evenings. (www.hialgarve.com)
Extend your holiday – extra week available on the Algarve.
Your other included trip is to the Algarve’s Wild West, Cape St Vincent,
the south-west extremity of Portugal, and with its 75m high cliffs,
a major landmark for Atlantic shipping. The area is rich in birdlife.
Nearby is the village of Sagres, popular with surfers, with a fort,
lighthouse and good beaches. Today you will also visit Lagos, a town
which is closely associated with Henry the Navigator, and was the
starting port of many Portuguese voyages of discovery in the 15th
and 16th centuries.
flight.
8 days from £899
May
The Islands & Gardens of Lake Maggiore
This holiday includes a week on Lago Maggiore, Italy’s second largest lake, which stretches north from Lombardy and up
into Switzerland. It lies, sheltered, on the south side of the Alps, making for a mild climate and consequent lush vegetation.
Famed gardens feature Mediterranean and exotic flora, including azaleas, rhododendrons and camelias.
• 7 nights hb Lake Maggiore • Full day excursion by boat to the Borromean Islands • Excursion by boat to
Captain McEacharn’s fabulous Villa Taranto garden • Excursion to Lake Orta
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Milan, transfer to your Lake Maggiore Hotel
for seven nights half board accommodation. Transfer times from
Malpensa, LInate and Bergamo are 45 minutes, 1 ¼ hours and 1 ¾
hours respectively.
Days Two to Seven: These are spent on Lago Maggiore, where
beautiful villas line the shores. Our hotel is in Stresa, the lake’s main
resort, half way up the lake and from where boats and steamers
frequently traverse the lake from the landing quay close to the hotel.
The lakeside promenade near the hotel allows for a pleasant stroll to
the pretty town centre - around the main Piazza there is a good range
of shops, bars, and restaurants. As long as it is operating, you will
have the chance to travel high onto Mount Mottarone by cable car –
fabulous views!
We have included three excursions during your stay.
1. The Borromean Islands. Your first excursion features Lake
Maggiore’s three best known islands, which lie in the bay, a short way
from the shore. Your first island Isola Madre, ‘Mother Island’, has an
impressive villa and gardens with towering palm trees – the tallest in
Italy. You then have free time for lunch on the pleasant quays of Isola
dei Pescatori, the ‘Fishermen’s Island. It is a very short crossing to Isola
Bella, the ‘Beautiful Island’, with its 17th-century palace – you are
following in the holiday footsteps of Goethe, Byron, Stendhal, Wagner
and Hemingway! The formal gardens, patrolled by peacocks, contain
plants from all over the world. Entrance fees and Guide Service on both
Isola Madre and Isola Bella are included.
3. Lake Orta. A relaxing afternoon to one of the most beautiful lakes
in Europe: Lake Orta. Surrounded by lush woodland Orta really is a
hidden secret. There is free time to stroll and admire the quaint
cobbled streets of Orta S. Giulio and for taking a coffee at a café in
the picturesque lakeside piazza. There is also the opportunity for a
boat ride to the enchanting S. Giulio’s Island, where you can visit the
12th century Basilica and crypt of S. Giulio (ferry not included). The
afternoon continues through the scenic countryside of the Vergante
Hills and along the southern tip of Lake Maggiore and the towering
statue of S. Carlo Borromeo, said to be the largest in the world, with
panoramic views of the lake.
There are also optional coach excursions available to Macugnaga and
Monte Rosa, and the cathedral city of Milan.
Day Eight: Free time until you depart for the airport for your flight
home.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL MILAN SPERANZA AU LAC HHHH, Stresa (seven nights)
This four-star hotel is in two adjacent buildings in the centre of Stresa,
overlooking the lake and opposite the boat station. The Speranza has a
pleasant street-front café while the Milan houses the hotel restaurant. All
rooms have bath or shower, wc, hairdryer and satellite tv. Lake view rooms
are available at a supplement. Milan Sperenza guests have use of the
swimming pool at the nearby Hotel Regina Palace. (www.milansperanza.it)
2. The Villa Taranto Botanic Garden. You take the boat across the
bay to Pallanza. Although supposedly created as an ‘English’ garden,
Villa Taranto’s heritage is very much Scottish – its creator, Captain
McEacharn, was a proud Scot: the Taranto name comes from one of
his Macdonald ancestors, who was given the title ’Duke of Taranto’ by
Napoleon and whose father sped ‘over the sea to Skye’ with Bonnie
Prince Charlie! The entrance to the garden is through ‘Conifer Alley’.
Highlights include the water gardens, the Dahlia Garden and the
herbarium and the fine terraces.
8 days from £849
June
Lake Iseo & the Camonica Valley
At 15 miles long, it is smaller than its more famous neighbours but just as perfectly-formed! Nestling amid the scenic
mountains at the gorgeous northern end of the lake is the resort of Lovere. There is a full day out on the lake to visit the
appropriately named Monte Isola, ‘Mountain Island’ – Italy’s largest lake-island, which rises a full 420m above Iseo’s
shimmering waters. On another full day excursion, you can enjoy the alpine scenery of the Camonica valley from your train
window, visiting the pretty towns of Edolo and Pisogne which is home to famous prehistoric rock carvings.
• 7 nights hb in Lovere, Lake Iseo • Boat Trip down the lake, with time to explore Monte Isola • Full day
excursion in the Camonica valley by boat, train and coach
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Bergamo or Malpensa Airports. Transfer to
your resort of Lovere (40 minutes from Bergamo, 90 minutes from
Malpensa).
Lovere: Set on a bay of Lake Iseo, with a semi-circle of mountains
behind, the setting is wonderful. A member of ‘I Borghi Piu Belli
d’Italia’, ‘Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages’, this pretty little town of 5000
people has Italian-style arcaded streets, but with Swiss-style wooden
overhanging roofs. Along the lakeside are grand old palaces, a modern
yachting marina and a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
Climbing up into the old town, you are soon in an old-fashioned Italy
of shady squares and ancient church towers. There is good public
transport for getting around on local buses and a boat service which
links Lovere with Pisogne (15 minutes trip), which has a railway station
on the line between Brescia and Edolo.
Days Two to Seven: At leisure in resort with two included excursions.
The first is a full day cruise on the lake. In the morning you sail south
calling at the little lakeside villages, right down to Iseo town at the
southern end where there is free time for lunch. Retracing its wake,
the boat calls in at Monte Isola where you have a little time to explore.
Monte Isola is also in the list of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, but there
are in fact 2000 inhabitants in the islands several villages and hamlets.
The ‘island mountain’ reaches 420m above the lake (600m above sea
level), with a fortress on top. You then cruise back to Lovere.
The second included excursion takes you on a full day tour of the
beautiful Camonica valley, by train, coach and boat! You depart by
coach to the Naquane Archaeological Park, 20 miles away. Please
note there is a walk on cobbles mainly uphill from the bus parking
place to the entrance of the Park. Your guide will show the highlights of
the pre-historic rock art of animals and people dating from the stone
age through to the Roman period before you continue to Edolo. Edolo,
the ‘Granite Village’ at the top of the valley, is set amid mountains
reaching 3300m. You have time to stroll the medieval town centre
and have lunch here before taking the train back down the valley to
Pisogne. In Pisogne you visit the medieval tower in the main square
and the church of Santa Maria della Neve. Referred to as the ‘poor
man’s Sistine Chapel’, the church has wonderful frescoes painted by
Romanino between 1532 and 1534. You also have free time in Pisogne
before taking the 15 minute ferry trip back to Lovere.
Optional excursions, including a scenic trip to St Moritz aboard the
Bernina Express Train and a coach trip to Bergamo’s magnificent Citta
Alta and the mountain village of Clusone in the Valle Seriana, will also
be available.
Day Eight: Free time until your departure to the airport. Depending
on flight times, there may be time for a spot of last-minute shopping
en route.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL LOVERE
HHHH, Lovere, Lake Iseo (seven nights)
This newly-refurbished hotel has 55 rooms. Standard rooms have private
bath or shower, wc, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, satellite tv and
minibar. Classic rooms with balcony and Superior rooms with balcony and
partial lake view are available at supplements. The hotel has a restaurant,
bar, gym, and terraces with view of the lake. There is also a spa area
(charges apply) with indoor pool, Sauna, Turkish Bath, Hydrojet, etc.
(www.hotellovere.it)
8 days from £899
June
This Italian holiday takes you to the millionaires’ haunts of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure and the spectacular
landscapes of the Cinque Terre and Lake Maggiore, perhaps the most impressive of Italy’s sparkling lakes. Along the way
you will travel on the picturesque ‘Three Valleys Railway’ into the heart of Columbus’ maritime city of Genoa, and visit
Pavia, a medieval city with a Visconti castle, and whose cathedral boasts one of Italy’s largest domes. While in Santa
Margherita, you will enjoy a boat trip to Portofino and a train journey through the Cinque Terre.
• 3 nights hb Lake Maggiore, 4 nights hb in Santa Margherita Ligure • Visits to Portofino, the Cinque Terre,
Genoa and Pavia • Journey on the historic Three Valleys Railway
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Milan, transfer to your hotel on Lake Maggiore for
two nights half board accommodation. Transfer times from Malpensa,
Linate and Bergamo are 30 minutes, 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes
respectively.
Day Two: Free day to explore Lake Maggiore. Why not take a boat trip
on the lake?
Day Three: Today you travel south to the Riviera di Levante. Your first
stop is Vercelli, an historic town surrounded by paddy-fields (its rice
is exported worldwide). You then continue south to Casella, north of
Genoa, arriving after lunch to board the ‘Three Valleys Train’. Since 1929
the red and white carriages of this narrow gauge service has linked
Columbus’ home city with the villages and valleys of its hinterland. The
trip down to the city takes about an hour, and there are excellent views
of the coastline. In Genoa you will see something of the restored port
and old city centre before you complete your journey by coach to the
chic resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, where you spend four nights on
a half board basis.
by the train from Santa Margherita (the station is 600m from the hotel).
The ‘Five Lands’ are about an hour away, and comprise the unspoilt
traffic-free villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and
Riomaggiore, which nestle in tiny coves, set below the ingeniously
terraced vineyards that, together with the fishing, gave the area its
livelihood.
Day Seven: You leave Santa Margherita and travel north, following
a slightly different route to take in the cathedral city of Pavia. Pavia
rivalled Milan as the capital of the Lombard kings until the 11th century,
but was then ruled variously by Austrians, Spanish and French. There
were 100 medieval towers, just two remain – but there is still plenty to
see! La Certosa, a notable Renaissance monastery, lies just to the North
of the city. You arrive at Lake Maggiore in the afternoon, for one night,
again on a half board basis. Total today 152 miles, mainly motorway.
flight.
Santa Margherita lies in a sheltered bay, close to Portofino. Its harbour
is home to many luxury yachts. The journey today is 135 miles.
YOUR HOTELS
Days Four to Six: In Santa Margherita with included excursions by
boat to Portofino (half day) and by train to the Spectacular Cinque Terre
(full day).
last nights)
HOTEL MILAN SPERANZA AU LAC HHHH, Stresa (first two and
The hotel description is on page 15.
HOTEL JOLANDA HHH, Santa Margherita Ligure (four nights)
Portofino: like the millionaires, you travel to the world’s most beautiful
harbour by boat (15 minute trip) from the landing stage just 500m
from your hotel. Portofino’s colourful hotchpotch of fishermen’s houses
embraces its harbour and the luxury craft of the nearby villa-owners –
Portofino is the select retreat of Italy’s powerful! Above the harbour is
Brown’s Castle, and there are good views from the church. You can see
why Disney copied it – the original is stunning!
The Hotel Jolanda is ideally located in a quiet street in the heart of Santa
Margherita, just 200 yards from the pedestrianised town centre. The
boat stop and railway station are 8-10 minutes walk away. Rooms are
comfortably furnished with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer, minibar, safety box,
and satellite tv. There is a garden area, fitness room, safe, spa area and wifi
(charges apply to the last two). (www.hoteljolanda.it)
Cinque Terre: the spectacular coastline, hills and villages landscapes
of the Cinque Terre are UNESCO listed and within the National Park,
where the mountains drop almost vertically into the sea. You will travel
8 days from £799
May
The Tuscan Coast, Lucca & Florence
The Versilia Coast is a favourite holiday destination of Italy’s rich and famous. Your holiday base, Marina di Pietrasanta,
has excellent beaches and a backdrop of the Apuan Alps. Your holiday includes three contrasting excursions: to the mighty
Florence of Dante, Boccaccio and Machiavelli; to the stunningly beautiful ‘Gulf of Poets’ of Byron and Shelley; and a circular
trip by coach and rail through the Apuan Alps and Serchio valley, with an afternoon in the wonderful walled city of Lucca.
• 7 nights hb Marina di Pietrasanta, on the Versilian coast • Excursion to Florence • Excursion to the scenic
Gulf of Poets • Train trip through the Apuan Alps with a visit to Lucca
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Pisa and a short transfer to your hotel for seven
nights half board accommodation in Marina di Pietrasanta.
Marina di Pietrasanta: the more modern beach resort is 3km from the
old town of Pietrasanta, and has shops, bars, restaurants and pier.
The resort centre is 700m from your hotel, and there is a regular bus
service which stops near the hotel to Viareggio and beyond.
Days Two to Seven: At leisure on the coast, with three included
excursions. You have an included full day trip to Florence where your
guide will show you some of the masterpieces including the Cathedral,
Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Croce – where Galileo insisted to the
end that the earth moved around the sun, rather than vice-versa. You
will also have free time for shopping and sightseeing, or you can spend
your time in the Uffizi gallery. Florence is 68 miles away: you will cover
the last few miles by local train to get right into the city centre.
The second trip takes you into the nearby Apuan Alps – the ‘marble
mountains’ – and Lucca. You take the motorway to Aulla (32 miles),
where there is time to explore, before catching the train down the
valley to the exquisite walled town of Lucca (journey time 2 hours).
In Lucca there is free time for lunch, and then a guided walking tour
of the main sights. In the late afternoon, you travel back to your hotel
by coach (25 minutes). Please note that if for any reason the train is
not operating, the excursion will concentrate on Lucca rather than the
valley.
There is also the chance to join an optional excursion to Torre del Lago
Puccini, just half an hour south of your resort. Puccini called this area
“paradise” - he converted an old watchtower by the lake to a villa, now
a museum: the town has added ‘Puccini’ to its name in his honour.
Day Eight: Transfer to Pisa airport and your flight home.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL JOSEPH HHH, Marina di Pietrasanta (seven nights)
The Hotel Joseph, recently-refurbished, offers spacious lounge areas, lift,
bar, restaurant, terraces, and outdoor pool area with terrace and fine views
of the Versilia Coast. There is a wellness centre, with treatments available
(charges apply). Bedrooms are in two adjacent buildings, and have shower,
wc, safety deposit box, fridge, and wifi. Twin rooms also have balcony.
(www.hoteljoseph.net)
The other included excursion takes you 40 minutes north to the azure
‘Gulf of Poets’, a glorious bay of verdant hills and colourful coastal
villages, of ancient towns huddled around and beneath their castle.
It is a coast rich in history, art, wildlife: the ‘Gulf of Poets’ so named
because so many writers came and sang its praises – Dante and
Petrarch, George Sand and D. H. Lawrence, Byron and Shelley (who
died while sailing from Livorno to the Gulf). You travel by coach to
Lerici, on the east side of the Gulf (23 miles), but return boat tickets
will be provided for the crossing to Portovenere, the ‘Port of Venus’ on
the other side (weather permitting).
8 days from £769
April, May & June
Bordighera - the Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo
The sun-seeking British of the 19th century left their mark all along the Riviera but perhaps nowhere more so than in the
Italian town of Bordighera – famous for its perfect climate, seafront promenade, and palm trees. It was also a favourite
resort of Claude Monet who stayed ten weeks here and painted thirty five landscapes in Bordighera and the neighbouring
hills. Just a few miles along the coast we find two more popular British haunts – Monte Carlo and Nice.
• 7 nights hb in Bordighera • Excursion to Taggia and San Remo • Excursion to Monte Carlo • Excursion to
Dolceacqua • Walking tour of Bordighera
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Nice and transfer to your hotel (45-minutes) in
Bordighera for seven nights half board accommodation.
Bordighera is a pleasant, typically Ligurian seaside town with a superb
pedestrianized promenade. Walking through the town you become
aware of its British connection with signs to the Museo Biblioteca
Bicknell or to the Giardini Lowe. These are echoes of a past when
British visitors outnumbered the locals by 3 to 2 and had their own
Anglican church, tennis club, theatre, weekly newspaper, banks and
shops. As well as for its idyllic scenery and climate, Bordighera is noted
for the palm trees along the Lungomare (Promenade) from which the
Vatican selects its palms for Palm Sunday.
Also available will be an optional excursion to the Villa Rothschild, with
its superb gardens, and Nice, with its famous ‘Promenade des Anglais’.
You travel along the spectacular lower corniche passing Beaulieu to
the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap-Ferrat. The Italianate,
pink-coloured property is luxuriously furnished, has splendid sea views
and is encircled by no less than nine splendid gardens, each following
a different theme. After your visit, you continue to Nice for lunch and
free time, returning to the hotel via the even more spectacular middle
corniche in the late afternoon.
Days Two to Seven: On Day 2 there is a late morning walking
tour pointing out the highlights of the town including Villa Regina
Margherita. Free in resort with three included excursions.
Other days: Free to enjoy the delights of Bordighera as others have
done in the past. Your hotel is handily situated for the station, with
services to Ventimiglia, and to San Remo and beyond. On Thursday
there is a market on the seafront near the hotel. There are also local
bus services.
The first included excursion will be to Taggia, another example of a
Ligurian old town, and San Remo, the ‘Pearl of the Riviera of Flowers’,
with its old centre, impressive villas and pleasant market area.
Day Eight: Free time until you depart for the airport. Dependent on
traffic conditions and flight timings, there may be time for some lastminute shopping in Nice en route.
The second included excursion will be to Monte Carlo. No holiday to
the Riviera would be complete without a visit to the Principality of
Monaco. This little country is divided into four areas, only one of which
is truly ‘Monte Carlo’, with its plush hotels and fin-de-siecle Casino (try
and break the bank if you wish, but we don’t recommend it!). Along the
harbour-side, where the Grand Prix cars race each May, are yachts of
incredible opulence; and on the rock above is the Palace where Grace
Kelly lived with Prince Rainier and where they still ‘change the guard’
daily. There is also the Jardin Exotique (entrance not included) where
the 2400 hours of yearly sunshine allow exotic plants and cacti to
flourish, and also a fine Oceanographic Museum.
The third included excursion is to the Nervia Valley. You drive through
Camporosso, a pretty village, and stop in medieval Dolceaqua,
dominated by the Dorias’ Castle. The bridge, over the Nervia river,
was painted by Monet in 1884. You will visit the ‘Visionarium’ – it will
surprise you, we promise! You continue up the valley to Pigna, a pretty
mountain village.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL PARIGI HHHH, Bordighera (seven nights)
This comfortable hotel is family-run and stands right on the seafront
promenade, just a short stroll from the town centre. Rooms have flatscreen
tv with satellite channels, air-conditioning, private bath or shower, wc and
hairdryer. Although the railway line passes 20 metres behind the hotel,
there are very few trains overnight and in any case rooms are doubleglazed. The holiday price is based on hill view rooms. Side and full sea view
rooms are available at a supplement. (www.hotelparigi.com). Free one hour
session in the hotel wellness centre.
8 days from £799
May
Napoleon was famously banished to Elba – and what an extremely nice place to be exiled to! He was there for 300 days.
You spend three nights there before returning from exile to enjoy some of the most scenic landscapes and unspoiled,
walled cities anywhere! We focus on some of the less-discovered Tuscan cities, but you will also have time to visit mighty
Florence - easily accessible from your mainland base – too.
• 3 nights hb on Napoleon’s Isle of Elba • 4 nights bb Tuscany (1 Livorno, 3 Prato) • Visits to Siena and
Volterra • Walking tour of Prato • 2 sightseeing excursions on Elba, with entrance to Napoleon’s Villa Martino
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Pisa. There is a short transfer to Livorno, Tuscany’s
second city, which has a Medici Fortress and mercantile ‘Little Venice’
area, for one nights bed and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: After breakfast, depart Livorno and head inland to Volterra, 45
miles away, an ancient walled town on a hilltop dominating the rolling
Tuscan countryside, with medieval and Renaissance buildings, Roman
theatre, forum and baths. D.H. Lawrence called Volterra ‘an inland island’;
it has a unique atmosphere and the popular vampire novel ‘New Moon’
(part of the Twilight Saga) was set here – and you can see why!
In the afternoon, you leave Volterra and drive to Piombino, 55 miles away,
to board the roll-on, roll-off ferry to Elba, less than 10 miles offshore – the
crossing takes just under an hour.
You continue the short distance to the pretty harbour and resort of Marciana
Marina for 3 nights half board accommodation. Marciana Marina enjoys a
superb setting beside its pebble beach, backed by Monte Capanne, which
rises to over 3000ft.
Days Three and Four: While in Marciana Marina you have two included
excursions:
1 – Half day circular tour of western Elba, including a scenic drive around
the coast, passing through Zanca, Pomonte and Cavoli to Marino di Campo.
2 – Full day tour of eastern Elba, featuring Lacona, Porto Azzurro,
Napoleon’s Villa at San Martino, with time in Portoferraio, Elba’s main
town, which has a scenic harbour setting below its historic hilltop fortress.
Day Five: Today you leave Elba and return to mainland Tuscany. A stop
is made in Siena before continuing to the walled city of Prato where you
spend three nights on bed and breakfast basis (total today 150 miles).
Siena is best known as the city of the Palio Horse race, when the districts
of the city compete in a spectacular bareback horse race – the horse can
win for its district even if riderless at the finish! The race takes place on
the spectacular, shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, betopped by the 100m
high bell tower of the graceful Palazzo Publico. St Catherine of Siena is,
with St Francis, one of Italy’s two patron saints – her head was supposedly
smuggled out of Rome and is stored in the church of St Dominic. Don’t
miss the cathedral, one of Italy’s most stunning Gothic churches.
Prato is just 10 miles from Florence (frequent train services take 25
minutes) and is historic in its own right. Although Prato is an important
modern centre for textiles, the old town within the walls is a world apart –
a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the real Italy. Your hotel is just a few steps
from the town walls, so it’s easy to explore.
Days Six and Seven: There is an included half day walking tour of the
old city of Prato. After the tour, your Tour Director will accompany those
who wish to the equally impressive nearby city of Pistoia, where once
again the old city is close to the station and has a lovely cathedral square.
On the other day, again, your Tour Director will accompany those who
wish to Florence – arrival by train is at the conveniently central Santa
Maria Novella Station, close to the cathedral. The train journey time to
both Pistoia and Florence is approx. 20 minutes and the current fare is 5
euros return.
Day Eight: Free time until your transfer to airport and your flight home.
Depending on flight times, there may be time for some last minute
shopping/sightseeing en route.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL GRAN DUCA HHHH, Livorno (one night)
The first night is spent at the Gran Duca in the centre of Livorno, overlooking
the harbour and just 100m from the Port. It has a restaurant and there
are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. Rooms are air-conditioned with
bath/shower, wc, tv and fridge. (www.granduca.it)
HOTEL TAMERICI HHHH, Marciana Marina, Elba (three nights)
Three nights are spent at the comfortable Hotel Tamerici, in Marciana
Marina, which has lounge bar, restaurant, terraces, garden area, and
outdoor pool. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have telephone, air
conditioning, satellite tv, safety deposit, fridge, balcony or terrace, wifi,
hairdryer, shower and wc. The harbour and village centre are 800m away
down a quiet road. (www.tamerici.it)
ART HOTEL MILANO HHHH, Prato (three nights)
The hotel is very handily situated close to medieval centre (the magnificent
13th century Palazzo Pretorio re-opened in late 2013 after a 20-year
restoration) the other side of the river to the train station. The hotel
has a lobby bar and breakfast room. Bedrooms have air conditioning,
direct dial phone, hairdryer, free wi-fi connection, safe, digital tv.
(www.arthotel-milano.it)
8 days from £899
May
Apulia & Royal Caserta
Venture into the southern Adriatic region of Apulia on the heel of Italy and you will be well rewarded in terms of the natural
beauty of the landscapes and the richness of the heritage of a varied history. This holiday includes visits to no less than
five UNESCO World Heritage sites, all very different in character – the conical ‘trulli’ homes of Alberobello, the ancient stone
‘sassi’ houses of the Matera ravines, the Swabian castle of Castel del Monte, Santa Sofia in Benevento, and the Royal Palace
at Caserta. As well as staying in Caserta itself you also spend time in Bisceglie on the coast in Apulia. Travelling between the
two gives you the opportunity to see the Roman town of Benevento and to enjoy the countryside of the southern Apennines.
• 3 nights hb Caserta, 4 nights hb Bisceglie • Walking tour of Caserta and entrance to the Royal Palace
• Excursion to Trani and Castel del Monte • Visits to Alberobello, Matera and Benevento
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Naples. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Caserta (30
minutes approx) for one nights half board accommodation.
Day TWO: Depart for Bisceglie. Crossing the Apennines, your main stop
today is in the pleasant town of Benevento. It has a compact centre and
enjoyed prominence during three main periods, each of which left its mark
on the town. The Romans left Trajan’s Arch, and Caracalla’s theatre; after
the Romans, the Longobards left the cloistered church of Santa Sofia.
Benevento then became part of the Papal States and this period leaves us
two fine basilicas, Madonna delle Grazie and Saint Bartholomew.
In the afternoon, you continue into Apulia along the motorway, stretches of
which are very scenic as it wends its way through the southern Italian hills
as far as the Adriatic. 141 miles today. Four nights are spent in Bisceglie on
a half board basis.
Days THREE TO FIVE: In Bisceglie with two included excursions. A full day
excursion includes visits to Apulia’s capital city, Bari, with its 12th century
cathedral of St Nicholas, a major destination for both Orthodox and Roman
Catholic pilgrimages. Nicholas’ relics were moved here from Turkey in the
11th century. Also called Nicholas the Wonderworker, he was known for
his generous giving and lends his name to the Santa Claus tradition. You
continue to Alberobello, into one of the most unusual landscapes you will
ever see, that of the trulli. These circular white houses have conical slate
roofs and are built without mortar – some say this was done so they could
be easily demolished and rebuilt if the tax collector was coming! In any
event, the thick walls help keep them cool in summer, warm in winter; they
are often decorated with planetary symbols. 122 miles today.
There is also a shorter but equally fascinating included tour to Trani and
Frederick II’s Castel del Monte. Its geometry is perfect: it consists of eight
octagonal towers around two rectangles which form another octagon – the
‘golden ratio’ is ever-present as are the magic numbers of Fibonacci – the
Pisa mathematician who visited Frederick’s court. If these ring ‘da Vinci
Code’ bells, then why not add that Frederick (excommunicated twice and
a Crusader) and his castle have also been linked with the Arthurian legend
and the Holy Grail! Trani is a particularly pleasant maritime town with a fine
cathedral and old quarter right on the azure sea. This was a crusaders’ port
and the Knights Templar built a church here. 50 miles today.
DAY SIX Today you begin to head back towards Naples taking a different
road through Apulia. You go first to Matera, just outside Apulia in
neighbouring Basilicata. In the ravines which cut starkly through the town
are the primitive ‘sassi’ (stone) houses in which half the town’s populace
lived until the 1950’s, when they were forcibly moved to more modern
housing. The suffering of the malaria-ridden, starving people of the ‘sassi’
was immortalised in Carlo Levi’s ‘Christ stopped at Eboli’. From there you
head back to Caserta, passing by Potenza and Salerno, for two nights on a
half board basis. 225 miles today.
DAY SEVEN: Included Caserta walking tour with entrance to the Royal
Palace and its lovely gardens. Known as the Italian Versailles, the palace
has 1,200 rooms and is probably the largest royal palace in the world. It has
been used as a set for several movies, including two of the Star Wars films.
Outside, you can explore the park and formal English garden, with several
impressive water features.
Day eight: Free time till your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL EUROPA HHHH, Caserta (first and last two nights)
The hotel is centrally situated close to the pedestrian shopping area
and just 200m from the Royal Palace. The hotel has a small lounge bar,
breakfast room and fitness room. Bedrooms are air conditioned and
have shower, minibar and tv. Dinner is taken in a nearby restaurant.
(www.hoteleuropacaserta.com)
HOTEL SALSELLO HHHH, Bisceglie (four nights)
The Hotel Salsello is on the sea in the resort area of Bisceglie, approx 1.5
miles from the town centre. It consists of two adjacent buildings – one
of them houses a bar area as well as the restaurant where your evening
meal is taken. The main building includes the bar, lounge/reception area,
breakfast room, and 49 modern, comfortable bedrooms with ensuite
facilities, minibar, direct dial phone, internet, tv including pay/satellite
channels, and air conditioning. (www.hotelsalsello.it)
8 days from £879
May
La Bella Italia - le Marche, Abruzzo & Rome
Off the beaten track in Italy, enjoying unspoilt villages and rolling countryside from a comfortable coastal base…this is the
focus of this visit to La Bella Italia. You will see unspoilt, typically Italian, towns and villages, some of which are officially
among ‘I borghi piu belli d’Italia’, Italy’s most beautiful villages, but not over-run by tourist flows – places to stroll and take
your time to enjoy. Add to this a couple of nights in eternal Rome, where there is always something to visit or revisit and
this will make for a memorable Italian holiday. You will travel right across the spine of Italy – the Italian peninsula is only
100 miles wide most of its length – so along the way there is some superb mountain scenery, too.
• 1 night bb Ostia, 4 nights hb in Alba Adriatica, on the Marche-Abruzzo border, 2 nights bb central Rome
• Visits to Amatrice, Offida and Ascoli Piceno • Guided tour of Rome.
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Rome and short transfer to your hotel in Ostia for one night
bed and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: You head across the Apennines along the comfortable motorway.
It’s a spectacular ride as you approach l’Aquila – the route passes through the
Gran Sasso National Park, home to bears, wolves and eagles. Your main stop
today is at Amatrice, on the Lazio-Abruzzo border, close to the Laga Mountains.
Amatrice is a town typical of those in this area with an interesting main street,
shady squares and two fine churches – St Augustine (13th century) and the
cathedral of St Francis (14th). More than that, however, this is the home of
Spaghetti alla Amatriciana, a dish that has travelled the world – it would be
rude not to try it for lunch today! After free time to explore you continue down
to the Adriatic – again with super views – arriving at your hotel in Alba Adriatica
late afternoon for four nights half board accommodation. 172 miles today.
Alba Adriatica is famed for its beach, shaded by pines, but also has an old
centre and, with its 10,000 inhabitants, all services are available. The blue sea,
green pines and long seafront promenade, are set against the green rolling
countryside which is the hallmark of this region.
Days Three to Five: In Alba Adriatica with two included excursions, to Offida
and Ascoli Piceno, and to nearby Tortoreto Alto and Civitella del Tronto.
Ascoli is set in the hills, close to two national parks. Its historic centre bears
witness to a chequered past: an important Roman centre on the Via Salaria
(the salt road), it was ravaged by the Goths and came under Lombard rule,
that of the Malatestas and Sforzas, and was then part of the Papal States. The
grey marble of the main palaces and squares is quite unusual. Its Renaissance
Piazza del Populo is considered one of Italy’s finest. Offida takes its name from
‘Oppidum’, a ‘fortified town’ in Latin, and stands amid an impressive set of
walls. By tradition it is a town of lace-making – there is a monument to this
effect. There is an impressive theatre and collegiate church, and an unusual
triangular central square. It is on the list of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, being
set amidst the rolling hills of the landscapes.
At just 227m above sea level, Tortoreto Alto is not actually as ‘alto’ as all that.
But high enough to have superb views not just of the countryside but also down
to the sea. It is a village of narrow alleys and shady squares, untouched by time.
Civitella del Tronto is another member of the ‘Beautiful Villages’ list. It nestles
under its hilltop fortress (which is fortunately accessed by an escalator!). The
fortress was the northern bulwark of the Kingdom of Naples, on its border with
the Papal States, and was one of Europe’s largest. Once again there are superb
views of the countryside.
An optional trip to historic Macerata & the impressive abbey of San Claudio al
Chienti will also be offered.
Day Six: You leave the coast and take the direct route to Rome, 130 motorway
miles away for two nights bed and breakfast accommodation. On arrival,
you have an included half day city tour by coach with official guide, taking
in the Roman Forum, the Capitoline Hill, the enormous monument to Vittorio
Emmanuele and St Peter’s Basilica, among others. After checking into your
hotel, the city is yours to enjoy! Your Tour Director will take those who wish for
a walk to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain – don’t forget to throw in a
coin to make sure you come back!
Day Seven: Free in Rome. In the morning your Tour Director will accompany
those who wish, again by public transport, to the Vatican City. Similarly, in the
evening he will accompany those who wish to Piazza Navona and arrange
dinner nearby if required.
Day Eight: Departure to the airport for your return flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL OSTIA ANTICA PARK HHH, Ostia (one night)
The first night of your holiday is spent at this new hotel, which has 80
en-suite rooms with telephone, satellite tv and minibar. The hotel
has lift, bar, restaurant and a garden with patio. It is located on the
outskirts of Ostia, with a frequent public bus service to the town centre.
(www.ostiaanticapark.it)
HOTEL MERIPOL HHHH, Alba Adriatica (four nights)
Four nights are spent in this excellent hotel overlooking the pines and sandy
beach of the Adriatic, where the Muscella family will make you feel very
welcome. The hotel has spacious lounge (Wi-Fi available), bar, breakfast
room, restaurant serving a wide range of Italian and international dishes,
terraces, garden, outdoor pool, and comfortable bedrooms with balcony,
safe, minibar, hairdryer, bath or shower and wc. (www.hotelmeripol.it)
HOTEL GIOBERTI HHHH, Rome (two nights)
The hotel is situated near to Termini station and the Basilica of Santa Maria
Maggiore. A metro stop is close by. There is a breakfast room, lounge, and
bar area. Bedrooms have bath/shower, wc, satellite tv, safety deposit box,
and internet access (chargeable). (www.hotelgioberti.it)
8 days from £799
May
A tasty combination of Italian cities and coast with the mountains of the Julian Alps in Slovenia. The coast comes in the shape
of the long sandy beaches of Lido di Jesolo . Two Italian port cities – the first is Venice, queen of the Adriatic, and the second is
Trieste, perhaps not as Italian as you might think as it was the major maritime hub for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Kranjska
Gora is your mountain home for a few days – at 2500ft rising to over 9000ft in the Alps near the Austrian and Italian borders.
• 3 nights hb on the Venetian coast, 4 nights hb in the Slovenian Alps • Included excursions to Lake Bled
and to the Carinthian lakes in Austria • Visits to Venice, James Joyce’s Trieste and Udine
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Venice or Treviso airports. Transfer to your hotel (40
minutes from Venice airport, one hour from Treviso) for two nights half board
accommodation in Lido di Jesolo, a resort town with 10 miles of beach.
Day Two: After breakfast, you set off for a full day excursion to nearby
Venice. There is a 40-minute coach transfer to Punta Sabbioni for the scenic
boat trip across the lagoon – you arrive close to Piazza San Marco. After a
walking tour with local guide, you will have time to explore the world’s most
romantic city, the city of canals and islands. You return to your hotel, again
by boat and coach, in time for dinner.
Day Three: Today you drive east towards the border with the former
Yugoslavia. Your main stop today is Trieste, once the major port of the
Habsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire. While the maritime republic of Venice
was the most important sea-trading centre of late medieval Europe,
Trieste’s docks and dock yards were the outlet to the sea for the mighty
Austrian Empire until WWI. After WWII, it was carved up between Italy and
Yugoslavia, the main city being Italian. The wide avenues, squares and
baroque buildings date from the early 18th century. Your entry into Trieste is
an unusual one: a 25-minute ride on the hybrid tram and funicular railway
from Vila Opicina, which descends 326m, with great views as it goes,
and arrives right in the heart of the old city of fine buildings and spacious
squares. You will have a guided tour of the town – have your photo taken
with the statue of James Joyce (who lived, wrote and drank here for 10
years) – and visit the ornate, beautiful Miramare Castle, seat of Maximilian
from the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and with stunning sea views
– as its name would suggest. You cross into Slovenia and head for the
mountain resort of Kranjska Gora in the Upper Sava Valley, for four nights
half board accommodation. 218 miles today.
Days Four to Six: Free in Kranjska Gora to enjoy the dazzlingly beautiful
valley with two included excursions.
The first excursion is to Lake Bled and the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana
(or, if you prefer, spend the whole day at Lake Bled). Just half an hour away
from Kranjska Gora is the shimmering magic of the lake. You can spend
the whole day visiting the famous castle and the very pretty 15th century
church on Bled Island and relaxing. Or, after time for a coffee and a stroll
you can continue to Slovenia’s capital, with its town hall, cathedral, castle,
parks and old quarter. Ljubljana was a Habsburg city, and evidence of this
period can be seen in its skyline although many buildings were destroyed
in the earthquake of 1895. Nowadays the architecture is a pleasant blend
of Baroque, Art Nouveau and the wonderful buildings and bridges of Jože
Plecnik. After a walking tour and boat ride through the city, you have free
time until you return to Lake Bled and thence to Kranjska Gora. 120 miles
return to Ljubljana, 50 miles return to Lake Bled.
The second excursion is over the border to the Austrian region of Carinthia a land of azure lakes, set before a backdrop of alpine splendour and unspoilt
towns and villages. You will see three lakes – Faakersee, Ossiachersee,
and Worthersee, where you will have time to explore the lakeside town of
Velden. 74 miles today.
Day Seven: Today you leave Slovenia for Italy. You cross the border and
head to Udine, an interesting city with a long history. A Roman city in origin,
it stands at a crossroads of languages and cultures: a mix of Italian, Slav and
German elements, with a castle and stunning, marble, Romanesque Duomo.
From there you continue back to Lido di Jesolo for one nights half board
accommodation. 153 miles today.
Day Eight: Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL SALUS HHHH, Lido di Jesolo (first two and last nights)
The hotel is a two minute walk from the beach and has a bar, restaurant
and lounge and an outdoor pool. Bedrooms have air-conditioning,
satellite tv, minibar, and a bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
(www.hotelsalus.com)
HOTEL KOMPAS HHHH, Kranjska Gora (four nights)
The hotel lies 200 yards from the village centre. It has a restaurant,
lounge, bar, garden, indoor pool, and comfortable modern bedrooms
with cable tv, phone, safety deposit box, hairdryer, and bath/shower
and wc. There is also a spa (charges apply). The hotel is part of the HIT
hotel group and guests are welcome to avail themselves of the facilities
of nearby sister hotels including the wellness centre (charges apply).
(www.hitholidays-kg.si/Accommodation/Hotel-Kompas)
8 days from £739
June
Krakow, Zakopane & the High Tatras
Two of Poland’s most spectacular sites, Krakow and Zakopane, are brought together in this holiday of contrasts. The
medieval university city of Krakow, for centuries Poland’s capital, is combined with Zakopane, Poland’s highest city, set
amidst the spectacular Tatra Mountains.
• 3 nights bb in Krakow, 4 nights bb in Zakopane • Walking tours of both cities • Spectacular raft journey
through the Dunajec gorge, in the Pieninski National Park
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Krakow, short transfer to your hotel in Krakow for
three nights bed and breakfast accommodation.
Days Two and Three: Free in Krakow with an included half-day
walking tour. Krakow is a very special place to visit. With over a
thousand years of history, it is Poland’s cultural capital and is, of course,
on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the Middle Ages, Krakow’s walls
had 55 defensive towers. The 14th century main gate survives and is
the starting point of the ‘Royal Road’, which ends at Wawel Castle, and
passes by the Town Square, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Czartoryski
Museum. They claim the museum contains fragments from the grave
of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the chair Shakespeare sat on to write
about them!
Krakow is also a university city – the Jagiellonian, one of Europe’s
oldest, dates from 1364 and boasts many illustrious alumni including
Karol Józef Wojtyła – better known to us as Pope John Paul II.
You can also join an optional excursion to nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine
and Auschwitz. Salt has been mined at Wieliczka since the 13th century.
The result of centuries of mining is a huge network of underground
passages, corridors and chambers whose crowning jewel is Kinga’s
Chapel, 600ft underground and carved entirely out of rock salt – even
the chandeliers are made of salt! From 14th June 1940 until January
1945, Auschwitz Concentration Camp was the site of some of the worst
atrocities of WWII. The visit includes a film showing the liberation of
the camp and the chance to see the infamous Death wall, the national
memorials and the cells where the inmates were held. Over 1.1 million
people are thought to have died at Auschwitz and the visit is both
moving and thought provoking.
Day Four: Today you travel to Zakopane. It may only be 63 miles from
Krakow by road, but you spend 2-3 hours rafting gently through the
stunning scenery of the Dunajec River Gorge, in the Pieninski National
Park. Two hours from Krakow lies the village of Sromowce, on the
Slovakian border, where you embark your rafts, which are operated
by experienced raftsmen wearing traditional local costume. The gentle
Dunajec River offers sightseeing as you go – you will see the 13th
century Red Monastery and the gorge itself, with its spectacular
limestone cliffs and rock formations. You disembark in the spa town
of Szczawnica, and after some free time, continue to Zakopane
(35 miles), arriving late afternoon for four nights bed and breakfast
accommodation.
Days Five to Seven: Free in Zakopane, with an included walking
tour. Zakopane lies in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, a mountain
range that many people believe to be among the most beautiful in the
world. The scenery is spectacular and the mountains impressive – they
were shaped by glacial erosion, which helps to explain the magnificent
peaks, lakes and valleys. The Tatra National Park was created in 1955
and hosts abundant flora and fauna, including bears and golden eagles.
You can also join an optional excursion across the border into Slovakia,
Poland’s southern neighbour. You go to Stary Smokovec, from where a
cable car leaves for the mountain town of Hrebienok, 4000ft up and site
of several waterfalls.
Day Eight: Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Depending on
your flight time you may have time for some last minute shopping in
Krakow. Please note: throughout the tour you are on a bed and breakfast
basis. There is a wide variety of lunch and dinner options available in
all price ranges in Krakow and Zakopane and the other places you visit.
Your Tour Director will be happy to assist and point you in the right
direction.
YOUR HOTELS
Hotel Wyspianski HHH, Krakow (three nights)
The hotel is named after the famous Polish artist, poet and playwright,
Stanislaw Wyspianski, who once lived in a house at the site of the hotel. It
is located right in the centre of Krakow, the proverbial stone’s throw from
the main square. Rooms are fully equipped with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer,
satellite tv, telephone and radio. There is also a restaurant and a bar. (www.
hotel-wyspianski.pl)
HOTEL WERSAL HHH, Zakopane (four nights)
The hotel is located in a quiet, yet central, area of Zakopane. It has
42 rooms with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer, satellite tv, radio and
telephone. There is a restaurant offering both traditional Polish
and international cuisine and a bar serving hot and cold drinks.
(www.hotelwersal.pl)
8 days from £749
May
The Best of the Baltics - Riga, Tallinn & National Parks of Latvia & Estonia
Being 1 ½ times the size of the Benelux countries, Latvia and Estonia have a combined population of under four million, so there is
lots of space for the ‘great outdoors’, much beloved by the locals. This holiday includes a visit to a National Park in both countries.
But where there’s a coast there is trade and the Baltic gives us two of Europe’s most vibrant and colourful capitals. Riga and
Tallinn have a history of being open to the outside world – both were members of the great Hanseatic League, channels for trade
between Eastern and Western Europe, from the 13th century. There’s also the chance to hop across the Baltic to visit Helsinki.
• 3 nights bb Riga, 4 nights Tallin (1 hb and 3 bb) • Visit to the resort of Parnu • Visit to Sigulda, in the Gauja National Park,
with lunch • Walking tours of Riga and Tallinn • Excursion to Lahemaa National Park, with entrance to Palmse Manor
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Riga, Latvia. Transfer to your hotel (20 minutes) for one
nights bed and breakfast accommodation. Riga is a city of contrasts. While
there are hints of WWII damage and Soviet restoration, the UNESCO-protected
Old Riga with fine buildings and a maze of cobbled streets and squares remind
us of its medieval origins and its concentration of art nouveau architecture is
unique. Don’t miss the 13th-century Dome cathedral, the biggest Church in
the Baltics, or the Blackheads’ house, where the tradition of the Christmas
tree supposedly originated – they covered a tree in flowers and then burned
it, thankfully that part didn’t catch on! Nearby is the art nouveau centre,
with no less than 750 flamboyant twentieth-century buildings, more than
anywhere else, festooned with goddesses and griffins, gargoyles and goblins,
plants and flowers – many the creation of Mikhail Eisenstein, father of the
great cinematographer, Sergei.
Day TWO: Morning half-day walking tour of old Riga. After free time for
lunch, you have a scenic drive through the Art Nouveau district of Riga before
departing for Tallinn, Estonia, for four nights accommodation. Dinner in the
hotel is included this evening. 190 miles today.
Tallinn: Whereas Riga has a slightly post-Communist feel to it, Tallinn – for all
that it has its superbly pretty old town – feels much more Western. There is
some enormous Russian-built architecture, but the modern business district
seems almost American in its embrace of capitalism, and the Estonians
certainly feel closer to Finland and the west than to anywhere else. Finland,
after all, is just a couple of hours across the Gulf – the Gulf that featured the
sailing during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Tallinn’s Old Town lies within the city walls, and is an atmospheric place to
stroll. Old merchant houses line the medieval cobbled streets, and hidden
courtyards and impressive churches abound. Not far outside the old town
are some very interesting museums: the futuristic Kumu Art Museum, the
Ethnographic Open Air Museum, with an interesting collection of old cottages
relocated from elsewhere in Estonia, and the impressive new Seaplane
Museum, located in an enormous old Russian hangar. There is also a small
KGB museum, located on the 23rd floor of the old Soviet Hotel – a floor which
officially did not exist, but from where the KGB could keep a close eye on all
the foreign guests!
Days Three To Five: At leisure in Tallinn with two included excursions. One
is a half day city tour of Tallinn, partly by coach and partly on foot through
the old town. The other is a full day excursion to Lahemaa. An hour away
eastwards along the northern Baltic coast towards Russia, the Lahemaa
National Park (the first in the Soviet Union when it was designated in 1971)
boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, as well as fine coastal and rural
landscapes. You will also visit Palmse Manor, with its large estate and varied
attractions.
Two optional excursions are also available. Museums of Tallinn: a half day tour,
including transportation, to visit The Kumu Art Museum and the impressive
new seaplane museum. Helsinki: Finland’s capital is just two hours across
the water. Helsinki has a long waterfront, and indeed the whole city seems
to hover around a series of water-features – lakes, bays and inlets. There
are several interesting museums and some impressive art-nouveau buildings.
You will have a walking tour and free time to explore as well.
Day Six: Depart Tallinn for a coffee-stop at Parnu, a pleasant seaside town
with a pedestrian main street. Continue into Latvia and into the pine-forested
Gauja National Park, arriving at Sigulda in time for lunch (included). You will
visit the medieval castle of Sigulda - basically a ruin, but with nice views of
the park – before proceeding to the fairytale red-brick castle of Turaida, which
has not just excellent views but also an interesting range of attractions in
the castle grounds. You continue back to Riga for two nights bed and buffet
breakfast accommodation. 230 miles today.
Day SEVEN: Free in Riga.
Day Eight: Free time until you depart for the airport and your return flight
home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL RADISSON BLU DAUGAVA HHHH, Riga (first and last two
nights)
This refurbished hotel stands river-side, just across the ‘stone bridge’
from the old town centre. The hotel has coffee shop, bar, lifts, wifi, gym,
indoor pool and spa (charges may apply) and comfortable bedrooms with
tv (satellite channels), minibar, safe, air-conditioning, hairdryer and bath or
shower and wc. (www.radissonblu.com/hotel-riga)
HOTEL CLARION EUROOPA HHHH, Tallinn (four nights)
This modern hotel is situated right on the water, close to the port and
to the modern town centre. The hotel has coffee shop, bar, gym, sauna
and comfortable bedrooms with tv with satellite, minibar, safe, wifi, airconditioning, hairdryer and bath or shower and wc. (www.euroopa.ee)
Both hotels have coffee shops. However there are many nearby restaurants
to suit all budgets and English is widely spoken. Naturally, your Tour Director
will provide assistance if required.
8 days from £849
June, July & August
Berlin, Potsdam & the Harz Mountains
The scenery and geology of the Harz Mountains, the medieval history amid the half-timbered houses of Goslar and
Quedlinburg, the ‘iron curtain’ history of East Germany and Berlin, and the stunning new capital city that is emerging! What
a combination – but it doesn’t stop there! You have to add in the splendour of the imperial city of Potsdam, and a steam train
ride to the Brocken, the highest point of the Harz mountains, to begin to grasp the picture of this unique holiday.
• 3 nights bb Berlin, 3 nights hb in Goslar, 1 night bb Potsdam • Sightseeing tour of Berlin • Walking tour of
Goslar • Journey on the Brocken steam railway • Tour of Potsdam • Visits to Wittenberg and Quedlinburg
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Berlin, short transfer to your hotel for three nights bed
and breakfast accommodation. Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg
Gate and Jesse Owens’ Olympic Stadium spring immediately to mind,
but this is also a thriving, newly European capital city with emblematic
buildings such as the new Bundestag – well worth a visit! Berlin is
also home to some of the best museums around – all conveniently
clustered together on Museum Island – such as the marvellous Museum
of Antiquities and the recently re-opened Neues Museum, with its
wonderful Egyptology Collection.
Days Two and Three: There is an half day city sightseeing tour. The
rest of your time is free for you to explore the city and visit some of the
wonderful museums. Your Tour Director will assist with plans.
Day Four: You leave Berlin and travel through the former East Germany
to Wittenberg where, in 1517, Luther famously nailed his “95 Theses’’ to
the door of the Castle Church - challenging the teachings of the Church
and the authority of the Pope.
Today you also stop in picturesque Quedlinburg (like Wittenberg, also on
the UNESCO World Heritage list), a maze of cobbled streets and quaint
fairy-tale houses, overlooked by its 16th century castle, before continuing
to Goslar for three nights half board accommodation. 190 miles today.
Goslar is also on the UNESCO World Heritage list, thanks to its old town
of decorated half-timbered houses, and was an important seat of the
Holy Roman Empire - the Imperial Palace was founded in 1040, but
reconstructed in the 19th century.
Days Five and Six: You are free in Goslar with an included walking tour
of Goslar, and an included excursion to the Brocken.
The included excursion is a real treat - a trip into the beautiful Harz
Mountains (with a steam train ride!) from pretty Wernigerode, with its old
town and fine castle, to the top of the Brocken, the 1142 metre mountain
where (apparently!) witches convene every Walpurgisnacht riding on
broomsticks and goats! More modern interest is found in the Cold War.
The old border passed just west of the Brocken and it was a no-go area
for decades, giving rise to the ‘green belt’ landscape you see today.
The summit housed the world’s first television tower built to broadcast
the 1936 Olympics. Both the Stasi and the Soviet military had listening
posts there. If the train is not available on these dates, for any reason, an
alternative will be arranged.
There will also be an optional half day excursion into the Western part
of the Harz.
Day Seven: You leave the Harz and travel to Potsdam for a sightseeing
tour of the city. The lakes and rivers contrast beautifully with the numerous
palaces and castles – such as the Cecilienhof (which hosted the 1945
conference where the United States, Russia and Britain decided on the
post-war future of Germany) and the UNESCO-listed Sanssouci Palace,
in its enormous park. The walled-off “Forbidden City”, with its Russian
villas, was once controlled by the KGB, and gives an insight into Cold
War Potsdam. One nights bed and breakfast accommodation has been
reserved for you in Potsdam. 155 miles today.
flight.
YOUR HOTELS
LEONARDO HOTEL BERLIN CITY WEST HHHH, Berlin (three nights)
This hotel has a super location in a quiet residential area with excellent
access to all parts of the city – there is a metro stop just around the corner.
The hotel has a bar/lounge area, lift and comfortable bedrooms with full
facilities. (www.leonardo-hotels.com)
HOTEL KAISERWORTH HHHH, Goslar (three nights)
There has been a hotel here for over 500 years. Steeped in tradition with
a unique ambience, the hotel has a fine location on the ancient Market
Square. There is a bar and a café with a terrace on the square. Bedrooms
have bath or bath with shower, wc, tv, hairdryer. Wifi is free throughout the
hotel. (www.kaiserworth.de)
MERCURE HOTEL HHHH, Potsdam (last night)
The Mercure Hotel Potsdam offers 210 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms
with shower, wc, hairdryer, tv, phone, safety deposit box, and minibar.
There is bar, restaurant and free wifi in reception. It is located in the city
centre, right by the wharf and 200m from the main train station. Sanssouci
and all the major sights of Potsdam are 5-20 minutes walk away.
(www.mercure.com)
8 days from £799
June & July
Weimar, Royal Germany & Prague
Castles, palaces and medieval landmarks galore! This holiday takes you to the beautiful cities of the duchy of Saxe-Coburg
and Gotha – the name of the Royal House we now know as Windsor. As well as a visit to Queen Victoria’s much-loved castle,
Rosenau in Coburg, you enjoy the marvellous medieval towns of Erfurt, Eisenach and Gotha. Your base in Germany is the
attractive historic capital, Weimar and you also stay in the wonderful city of Prague. Travelling between the two, you call in at
Dresden and Marienbad, a favourite haunt of King Edward VII.
• 3 nights bb Prague, 4 nights hb Weimar • Walking tour of Weimar • Visits to Ehrenburg and Rosenau
Castles in Coburg • Visit to Eisenach, Gotha and Erfurt • Visits to Dresden and Marienbad • Tour of Prague
PROGRAMME
Day One: Direct flight to Prague, short transfer to your hotel for two nights bed
and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: Half day city tour of Prague. ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, Prague has
unmistakable panoramas - the baroque statues on the Charles Bridge, the
castle, the embankment along the Vltava River. As well as the views to enjoy,
there are historic cafes and traditional pubs, charming shopping streets, parks
and gardens.
Day Three: Today you leave the Czech Republic and travel to Weimar, stopping
en route in Dresden where you will have free time for lunch and marvel at
the regeneration of the city after its obliteration in WWII. You then continue to
Weimar for four nights half-board. Total today 220 miles, mainly motorway.
Days Four: Morning walking tour of Weimar. Weimar was once the political
centre of Germany and has always been its cultural capital. The arts flourished
here in the 18th century and Weimar was home to Goethe and Schiller whose
statues are in front of the National Theatre. Later, Liszt, Richard Strauss, and
Kandinsky would all have strong connections with the city. Many buildings are
UNESCO listed either for Classical or Bauhaus architecture. The afternoon is
free to further explore Weimar. There is an optional excursion in the afternoon
to the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial, 6 ½ miles from Weimar.
Days Five and Six: In Weimar with two included excursions. The first is a
trip south through the Thuringian forest to Coburg – Prince Albert was born in
Schloss Rosenau just outside the town. Queen Victoria would famously note in
her diary about Rosenau ‘If I were not who I am, I would have my real home
here.” As well as Rosenau, you visit the lavish Ehrenburg Palace in the centre
of the town where rooms were specially furnished for the Queen, including a
flushing toilet from England! Victoria’s parents were married in the palace’s
Hall of Giants. After some free time in Coburg, you return to Weimar. (175
miles today).
The second excursion parades the glory and charm of three nearby towns. First
stop is Eisenach, birthplace of JS Bach. The delightful old town is dominated
by the gigantic Wartburg – probably Germany’s most famous castle and where
Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. The second stop
is Gotha which has another royal connection. George III’s mother was born
here. Augusta is considered as the founder of Kew Gardens and her influence
can be seen in the magnificent English-style gardens of the Schlosspark next
to Germany’s largest early-baroque castle, Friedenstein. The final stop of
this magical tour is Erfurt, the regional capital. At the heart of the beautifully
restored old town is the Merchants’ Bridge which has timber houses all along
its 120m span. An ancient university town, Erfurt attracted many scholars
including Martin Luther. Goethe was summoned to meet Napoleon here during
the 1808 Erfurt Congress which included Tsar Nicholas I and various members
of European aristocracy. 110 miles today.
Day Seven: Today you return to Prague for your last night on a bed and
breakfast basis. The main stop today is Marianske Lazne, known as Marienbad
until its German speaking population was expelled in 1945. Surrounded by
the mountains of the Slavkov Forest, the heyday for this famous spa town
was the turn of the last century when a regular visitor was King Edward VII.
The August visits of the socialite monarch would be the highlight of the spa
season. Wandering around the splendid colonnades, fountains, spa parks and
buildings, it isn’t difficult to imagine those days. 225 miles today.
Day eight: Free time until departure for the airport and your flight home.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL BELVEDERE HHHH, Prague (first two and last nights)
The hotel is located near the city centre next to the National Gallery and
close to Letna Park. There is a tram stop in front of the hotel and a metro
station nearby. Rooms have satellite flat screen TV, free wifi, minibar, tea
and coffee making facilities, bath or shower, wc and hairdryer. The hotel
has a lobby bar and a restaurant. (www.hotelbelvedereprague.cz)
HOTEL LEONARDO HHHH, Weimar (four nights)
The hotel is situated opposite the beautiful Ilm Park (landscaped by Goethe)
and a pleasant 20 minute walk to the city centre. There is a bistro and bar and
facilities in the Health Club (swimming pool, whirl pool, and fitness corner) is
included (charge for the sauna). Bedrooms have air conditioning, telephone, flat
screen satellite TV, wifi (charges apply) and bath/shower and hairdryer. (www.
leonardo-hotels.com)
8 days from £819
May
Athens, Delphi & the Vouraikos Gorge
The cradle of civilisation needs little introduction. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Delphi and its Oracle are familiar names to
all. But this unusual holiday itinerary includes not just the UNESCO-listed classical sites of antiquity, but also some features of
a more modern Greece. The modern Athens Olympics left a legacy of a vastly improved and car-free historic centre where the
wonderful new Acropolis museum will delight you. Another highlight, we are sure, will be a trip on the newly reopened Vouraikos
Gorge Train – this spectacular narrow gauge railway will take you 2000 feet up Mount Helmos, with spectacular views as you go.
• 2 nights bb Athens, 2 nights hb Nafpaktos (Gulf of Corinth), 3 nights hb Tolo (Peloponnese) • Guided visits of
Athens & Delphi • Excursion on the Vouraikos Gorge Train • Entrance fees (Acropolis, Delphi, Cave of the Lakes)
PROGRAMME
Day One: Direct flight to Athens, short transfer to your hotel for two nights
bed and breakfast accommodation.
Day Two: Included half day guided sightseeing tour of Athens, with
entrance to the Acropolis and to the Acropolis Museum. You will also see
the main sites of ancient and modern Athens, including the Parthenon,
Constitution Square, the Temple of Zeus and the Panathinaikon stadium
where the first modern Olympic Games took place.
Day Three: Today you leave Athens and travel north-west to Delphi for
a guided visit of the site and of the museum. From the sixth to fourth
centuries B.C. pilgrims – including Alexander the Great - flocked to Delphi
to listen to the Oracles, who supposedly spoke for the god Apollo. The
temples of Apollo and Athena are the highlights of the ancient site, but the
archaeological museum is wonderful, too. After free time for lunch, you
continue to Nafpaktos for two nights half board accommodation. Nafpaktos
is a small, fortified port and resort town on the Gulf of Corinth and has a
long history involving, among others, Ancient Athenians, Turks, Albanians,
and Venetians. However, it may be better known to you by its Italian name,
Lepanto, as the site of a major naval battle between Christians and Turks in
the 16th century. 173 miles today.
Day Four: Included orientation in Nafpaktos with a short drive up to the
castle for the stunning views and a short walking tour of the port. There is
the chance to join an optional excursion to Olympia, home to the ancient
world’s biggest sporting event. The official games started in 776 B.C., and
for 1000 years, warring states forgot their arguments and downed weapons
to compete in a festival featuring horse and chariot racing, wrestling, as
well as athletics events. In the early evening, there will be a fun lesson in
Greek cookery; and this evening’s menu will feature some of the dishes
shown to you.
Day Five: Leaving Nafpaktos, you cross the Gulf of Corinth on the gracefully
spectacular 9500ft Rio-Antirio bridge – one of the world’s longest cablestayed bridges. Your destination is Diakofto village, where you board the
rack-and-pinion Vouraikos Gorge Train. This is one of the most impressive
train trips we know: the narrow-gauge track runs right through the river
gorge, climbing 2500 feet up Mount Helmos to the mountain village of
Kalavrita. After time to explore Kalavrita village, you continue down the
other side of the mountain, but still with great views, towards the beautiful
‘Cave of the Lakes’ where there are 13 lagoons as well as stalactites and
stalagmites to see. You continue to the seaside town of Tolo for 3 nights,
again on a half board basis. You travel 149 miles today, including the
section by train.
Days Six and Seven: Free days to relax and enjoy Tolo. Tolo, on the
Argolikos Gulf, is a pleasant fishing village and beach resort, whose success
is based also on its proximity to ancient sites such as Nafplion, just 7 miles
away. Although the settlement is relatively modern, Tolo is mentioned by
Homer and was colonised by Byzantines and Venetians. In the resort you
will find a wide range of amenities including harbour (boat trips may be
available), shops, bars and restaurants. There is also the chance to join two
optional excursions. The first is to Mycenae with the tomb of Agamemnon
and the famous Lion’s gate, and Epidaurus and its marvelous theatre. The
second is to Corinth, the Nemea winery, and Napflion a picturesque town
with a castle and the first capital of modern Greece.
Day Eight: Today you leave Tolo and travel to Athens, 107 miles away, for
your flight home. Depending on flight timings, there will be some free time
in the historic Plaka area of Athens en route.
YOUR HOTELS
HOTEL GOLDEN AGE HHHH, Athens (two nights)
This recently renovated hotel is conveniently located for access
to both ancient and modern Athens. Rooms have bath or shower,
hairdryer, satellite tv, free wifi, safety deposit box, aircon, and minibar.
There is a lounge bar and buffet restaurant where breakfast is taken.
(www.hotelgoldenage.com)
HOTEL NAFPAKTOS HHH, Nafpaktos (two nights)
This hotel is close to the sea, the castle and to the bars and restaurants of
the resort. There is a breakfast room with terrace. Bedrooms have balcony,
shower, safety deposit, hairdryer, tv, and fridge. Free wifi throughout the
hotel including bedrooms. (www.hotelnafpaktos.gr)
HOTEL KING MINOS HHHH, Tolo (3 nights)
The hotel is on a hill overlooking the town and has a pool, restaurant,
lounge and bar. Bedrooms have tv with satellite channels, hairdryer, small
fridge, bath or shower. Free wifi throughout the hotel including bedrooms.
(www.minoanhotels.gr)
8 days from £849
May
A Week in Crete - No Single Supplement
This is a truly ‘laid-back’ holiday in Crete but with just the right amount of included visits to give you a flavour of what this
‘fabulous’ island, steeped as it is in Greek Mythology and ancient history, has to offer. From your holiday base in Kato Gouves
you have two included day tours allowing you to really discover the wonderful history of the oldest civilisation in Europe and
the truly beautiful landscapes of this island. The Minoan Palace of Knossos, the open-air museum at Lychnostatis, wine tasting,
an introduction to Cretan cooking – these are just a few of the highlights for you to enjoy. And when you’re not appreciating the
magnificent Cretan countryside there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the facilities of your four star hotel in Kato Gouves.
• 7 nights hb in Kato Gouves in double rooms for single occupancy • Tour of Northern Crete countryside
• Traditional Crete and cooking excursion
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Heraklion, short transfer to your hotel for seven nights
half board accommodation in the resort of Kato Gouves.
Days Two to Seven: Free in Gouves with two included tours.
The Northern Crete Countryside. An excursion with a visit to Knossos and
wine-tasting! During this tour you will be taken back 4.000 years to the
time of the oldest civilisation in Europe. The Minoan Palace of Knossos,
centre of the Minoan Civilisation, will leave you breathless as you wonder
over the technology and facilities of that period. Then experience a
wonderful drive through the island’s hilly countryside where the olive
groves, orchards and vineyards have changed little since Minoan times,
before arriving at a local wine producer to learn about wine making and
taste local wines. There is free time for lunch and to see the day to day
life in the traditional village of Skalani. 44 miles today.
Traditional Crete and cooking! After breakfast you visit the open-air
museum at Lychnostatis which offers an insight into authentic Cretan
life. In a guided tour you will marvel at Cretan architecture and the old
traditional life style. You can stroll in the gardens and admire the fruit
trees and the bright coloured flowers. You then travel to a mountain
village for an introduction to Cretan cooking and learn to prepare some
Cretan specialties in the local style. As a reward for your efforts lunch is
included today! If you prefer to leave all your cooking skills at home and
not participate in the cooking workshop, the surroundings are ideal for
walking or a sit-down in a coffee house in the village and meet the locals.
32 miles today.
As well as the included tours there will be a full-day optional tour
showcasing the history, culture and way of life, both in the mountains
and along the coast. You drive west to the village Tylissos where a short
walk leads to the excavations of the Minoan settlement with beautiful
views over the vineyards to the mountains. After a guided tour here, you
continue by coach 2500ft up the slope of Mt. Psiloritis to the market town
of Anogia for a short visit. Next stop is the Sfedoni Cave. A guided walking
tour (270m) in this impressive cave reveals countless stalagmites and
stalactites with a variety of shapes and colours in the labyrinthine
chambers of the cave. Driving down the mountains to the coast, your last
stop is in the village Fodele. The painter El Greco was born here in 1541.
The village is shaded by high plane trees and you will see locals selling
their home made handicrafts and oranges from the nearby groves.
Another optional tour takes you to Southern Crete and the outskirts of
Mount Ida. In the village Assites you discover an ancient technique,
while in Gortys, the Roman capital and stepping stone between East
and West, you see the famous law stones and the amphitheatre. In the
coastal village of Matala, once the place to be for hippies, you may enjoy
a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea or a leisurely Cretan lunch at a
beach tavern. On the way back you have a visit to the tranquil Kalivianni
nunnery.
Day Eight: Free time until departure for the airport and your flight home.
YOUR HOTEL
THE LAVRIS HOTEL HHHH, Kato Gouves (seven nights)
The Lavris Hotel features a bar, cosy lounge with television, restaurant, and
a room for reading, playing cards or table games. Outside are two fresh
water swimming pools with sun beds and one indoor pool, a pool bar, a
snack bar/ tavern and a minimarket. Your comfortable room is in one of the
2 storey units and has a shower or bath and toilet. Rooms have telephone,
hairdryer, safe (extra charge), internet (extra charge), television, minifridge,
air-conditioning and a balcony or terrace. Views vary - some have sea view,
others pool view or garden view. The hotel is approx. 500m from the beach.
There is a bus stop 150m. away, and it is 5 minutes walking to the village
centre. The picturesque old village Gouves is approx. 1 mile walking. (www.
lavrishotels.com – see Bungalows)
Extend your holiday – extra week at the Lavris Hotel.
8 days from £889
May
Landscapes of the Ancient Isle of Crete
The stunningly beautiful Bay of Mirabello, with the town of Elounda and the island of Spinalonga, will be familiar as the spectacular
setting of ‘Who pays the Ferryman?’ and, more recently, Victoria Hislop’s novel ‘The Island’. But Cretan landscapes are much
more than that – with olive groves, vines, sandy beaches, spectacular mountains and picturesque fishing harbours, all carrying
tales of a fascinating history and offering, just as importantly, warm hospitality. Crete, specifically Knossos, is home to Europe’s
oldest civilization, that of the Minoans. Subsequently Romans, Venetians and Turks are an important part of Cretan tradition,
too. This two-centre holiday will show you a wide variety of scenery and visits, and all within very reasonable travel distances.
• 4 nights hb in Kato Gouves, 3 nights hb in Rethymnon • Excursion to Elounda, on the Gulf of Mirabello,
with boat trip and entrance to Spinalonga island • Visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos • Visit to Heraklion
• Excursion to Southern Crete including Preveli Monastery, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Argiroupolis, and Lake
Kournos
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Heraklion. 20-minute transfer to your hotel four
nights half board accommodation. Your base is the village of Kato
Gouves, a smallish, quiet resort with hotels, tavernas and reasonable
shopping facilities. The pace of life is slower, however, than in the
island’s major resorts.
Days Two to Four: At leisure with an included excursion to the Gulf
of Mirabello.
The Gulf of Mirabello: this fabulous day begins with a trip through a
spectacular ravine to the village of Kritsa, a whitewashed mountain
village with brightly-coloured doors and shutters, famous for its woven
handicrafts and its Byzantine church. You continue to Elounda, a quiet
fishing village sheltered within the calm azure of the Gulf of Mirabello.
There is a short walking tour of Elounda in which you will see evidence
of previous occupation of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines,
Venetians and Ottomans. There is also a 20-minute boat trip across
to ramparted Spinalonga island, a former lepers’ colony. On the return
journey you make a stop in Aghios Nikolaos, with its lake and harbour
views. 72 miles today. There is also the chance to join an optional
excursion to Mount Dicti and the attractive Lassithi plateau, birthplace
of Zeus, and home to small monasteries and artisanal villages.
Day Five: Today you leave for Rethymnon in the west. On the way you
will visit Knossos and Crete’s capital city, Heraklion.
In Knossos you visit the Minoan Palace, taking you back 4000 years
to appreciate the sophistication and technologies of Europe’s oldest
civilisation. Crete’s capital, Heraklion, is a colourful, lively city, where
you will be shown the city walls, the Venetian harbour, Saint Titus’
Byzantine church and the famed Morosini fountain in Lions’ Square.
You also visit the Archaeological Museum, with its unique collection
of Minoan relics. Then it’s on further west to your holiday base in
Rethymnon for three nights half board accommodation. 69 miles today.
Days Six and Seven: At leisure in Rethymnon, with an included
excursion to explore the varied landscapes of the south of the island.
Rethymnon has a pleasant beach and resort area, but by contrast
with your first centre, is quite a large town, with 40000 inhabitants,
including a sizeable student population. It has an impressive Venetian
fortress and harbour, and some interesting museums.
Your excursion to Southern Crete begins with a drive to Preveli
monastery, which overlooks the Libyan Sea. You can enjoy the
impressive Kourtaliotiko Gorge, green forests and landscapes scattered
with tiny white villages. Back towards the North, you visit Argiroupolis
village which was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Lapa and has
pretty springs and waterfalls, as well as ancient mosaics. You will also
visit Lake Kournas, set amid olive groves and against the backdrop of
the White Mountains. 70 miles today.
There is also the chance to join an optional excursion to Chania, with
its walled Venetian Harbour, old town and interesting market area.
Day Eight: Free time until your departure for the airport, just over an
hour away. Depending on flight timings, there may be time for some
last-minute sightseeing en route.
YOUR HOTELS
THE LAVRIS HOTEL HHHH, Kato Gouves (four nights)
The description of the hotel is on page 29.
THEARTEMIS PALACE HOTEL HHHH, Rethymnon (three nights)
The hotel is close to the town’s long sandy beach and boulevard, and 20
minutes on foot from the Old Town of Rethymnon. It consists of 175 wellappointed and recently renovated rooms. All the rooms are equipped with
satellite tv, direct dial telephone, refrigerator, safety deposit box, bath/
shower, wc and hairdryer. The restaurant offers a variety of Greek and
international specialities. (www.theartemis.gr)
Extend your holiday – extra week available.
General Information
ITINERARIES AND HOTELS: Accommodation has been reserved in the hotels
mentioned, but we do reserve the right to substitute similar hotels should circumstances
dictate. Please note that at the discretion of the hotels (and their view of the local
climate), lido and pool areas, as well as air-conditioning, may not be operational, and
hotels’ charging policies for access to spas, safety deposits, wifi, etc are always subject
to change. Half board normally includes evening dinner and breakfast. We make group
bookings in hotels. In some hotels this will mean a set menu at dinner with no choice,
so please make sure we are aware of any special dietary requirements. Where house
wine is included with dinner, this will be limited in colour, type and quantity by the hotel!
Please refer to Clause 19 of our Booking Conditions for further information regarding
hotels. Hotel check-in times are usually between 2pm and 3pm, check-out times
between 10am and 12 noon on the day of departure. However, times do vary. Therefore,
if you check-in immediately after a night flight this would normally count as one night’s
accommodation. Similarly if your return flight is at night you will normally be required
to vacate your room in the morning prior to leaving for the airport later on. Day rooms
are subject to availability/cost and should be arranged locally with the hotel. The order
of visits described may be subject to change. Where a train or boat journey features in
a programme the journey will be made by road if, for any reason, the train or boat is
not operating. Optional excursions operate at extra cost and are subject to minimum
numbers. Changes may be made to the particulars in this brochure at any time.
MOBILITY: Please note that in order to get the most from your visits to many of the
attractions mentioned, reasonable amounts of walking will be necessary. The terrain
of archaeological sites may be uneven, and scenic hill towns are....hilly! Please refer to
Clause 12 of our booking conditions.
EXTENDED STAYS: Where it is possible to extend your holiday and have an extra week,
all excursions are planned to take place during the first week. Please note that in some
cases during the second week an emergency contact number will be given in lieu of the
services of a local representative. Naturally, your return airport transfer will be arranged
for you.
PRICES: These are subject to change - please see Clause 3 of our Booking Conditions.
However, once we have confirmed your booking, your holiday price is guaranteed. Please
note that optional excursions, porterage, drinks with main meals and travel insurance
are not normally included in the holiday price. In some places tourist taxes are being
introduced, which are paid in resort by hotel guests. These are not included in the holiday
price and will have to be paid by you directly to the hotel. We shall let you know if such
taxes apply when you book or as soon as we become aware if they are introduced after
you booked.
PAYMENTS BY CREDIT CARD: Please note that balance or part balance payments by
credit card are subject to a charge of 2% of the payment being made. No charges apply
to payments by cheque, debit card, bank transfer, or where full payment is made at the
time of booking.
CUSTOMER CARE: Our customers have all the assurance of booking an ATOL protected
holiday from a tour operator which cares about its customers. You can read comments
from some of the customers our staff looked after so well during the ash crisis in the
spring and during the strikes in France and Spain in the autumn of 2010 at www.
preferredts.com. If your homeward flight is disrupted, we will get you home as soon as
possible. If the airline has not made arrangements for accommodation and meals we
shall do so. Please note that in order to offer this service we rely on your cooperation in
dealing with claims for reimbursement from the airline concerned. Please see clause 18
for our general policy on flight cancellations and delays.
FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Obviously the departure dates of our holidays are set and
as advertised. Occasionally extra dates will be added due to demand – please look at
our website www.preferredts.com or call us. If you wish to combine two holidays into a
longer break, or e.g. stay behind in your destination country to visit friends, we will try to
assist and arrange special flight arrangements. Please note that for bookings including
special flight arrangements there will be an administration fee of £15 per person, and
the deposit payment (non-refundable) will be £250 per person.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND TRAVEL ADVICE: There are no compulsory
health requirements for the countries we visit. For up to date UK government
health and travel advice please visit www.dh.gov.uk/ travellers (020 7210
4850) or check with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic for advice.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up-to-date travel advice at
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD (EHIC):The EHIC replaced the old E111
in 2006. Your EHIC lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for
free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed to allow you to continue your stay
until your planned return. The card is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not
cover any private medical healthcare or costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts,
being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. Therefore, it is important to
have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Most insurers now insist
you hold an EHIC. The EHIC is valid in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
The EEA is a free trade zone between countries of the European Union (EU), Iceland,
Norway and Liechtenstein. The regulations on access to healthcare in the EEA also
apply in Switzerland. Applying for an EHIC is free of charge. You can apply online at
www.ehic.org.uk or by phoning the automated service on 0300 3301350.
PASSPORTS/VISAS: Full British passport required. No visa requirements for UK citizens.
Nationals of other countries should consult the appropriate authorities. For visits to
countries in the EU, passports must be valid on the day of return, but you should give
yourself some leeway. Furthermore, requirements for countries outside the EU vary
so we suggest you have 6 months validity from the date of your return to cover all
eventualities. Please call us if you would like information about a specific country. You
must have a passport for travel to/from the UK. In case your passport is lost or stolen
overseas, a photocopy of the photograph page will be of help in obtaining an emergency
passport from the Consulate for return travel. Make sure you are insured for the costs
of obtaining an emergency passport. These will be the application fees but may also
include expensive transport costs getting to/from the Consulate.
YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION: All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays
in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay
you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to
ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed
on it. Please see Clause 14 of our booking conditions for further information or
for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to:
www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate.
DATA PROTECTION: Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the
personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal
and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be
provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as
required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking
companies. If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection
may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your
information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any
sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/
religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers,
whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this
booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.) Full
details of our data protection policy are available upon request. We may also send you from
time to time details of our other products and services and/or those of our newspaper and
carefully selected third parties which may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive
such information please indicate this in the space provided on the booking form or call us.
These holidays are operated by High Concepts Ltd t/a Preferred Travel Services, 41 High
Street, Kibworth, Leicester. LE8 0HS. Tel: 0116 2793929. Fax: 0116 2793214. mail@
preferredts.com. www.preferredts.com. Registered in England No. 4000185. ABTA
Membership No. W3692. Atol Protected 5537.
Reservations hotline: 0116 279 3929
September 2015
ABOUT US: Preferred Travel Services is an award winning,
independently owned, friendly company whose two directors share
more than 60 years of travel industry experience and all this is put to
use in designing holidays which have just the right balance of included
visits and free time to explore on your own. 2016 is the sixteenth
year Preferred Travel Services has produced an Escorted Holidays
Collection. Whichever holiday you choose, you’ll still have time to visit
cities and places of interest in some of Europe’s most picturesque
countryside and beauty spots in the company of like-minded travellers
from all over the UK. Here are just a few comments from some
customers who have travelled with us recently.
My wife and I have just returned from your Berlin and the Harz Mountains
holiday. We had a lovely holiday…… Daniel, our tour leader, is the
best leader we have experienced in many years travelling with various
companies. Mr & Mrs M, Staffs
Having returned from a Preferred Travel Holiday, La Bella Italia, I would
like to say what an excellent, well-planned holiday it was……. The
highlight of the holiday was the range of towns and villages visited some lovely old, medieval fortified towns and villages, the outstanding
one being Ascoli Piceno, a wonderful, picturesque old town, with plenty
to see. Mr & Mrs T, Sunderland
We have just returned from our week’s holiday in Crete. We felt compelled
to let you know how much our holiday was enhanced by the quality of
our guide. Joanna had an extraordinary breadth of knowledge and a
wonderful gift for story-telling. Mr & Mrs E, East Sussex
Our guide Pauline was excellent. She has embraced the Italian culture
and enjoyed imparting her knowledge. She made everyone feel very
special and nothing was too much trouble. Mrs C, West Midlands (Lake
Maggiore)
Third time doing this holiday and as before thoroughly enjoyable. Manuel
is an excellent Tour Director. Mr & Mrs S, East Lothian (Eastern Andalucia)
Thea is the best tour guide - exceptional qualities. Caring, superbly
organised, looked after everyone. Extremely knowledgeable. Made
sure the holiday included all the places that individual members of the
party wanted to see. Great sense of fun. She made our holiday. Wellpaced holiday enabling us to take in the major ancient sites and varied
landscapes of this part of Greece. Ticked off so many places on our
‘bucket list’. Thank you PTS for another super holiday. Mr & Mrs M, North
Yorks (Athens, Delphi & Vouraikos Gorge)
We think this is our 4th holiday with PTS each time everything has been
wonderful and this is no exception, made memorable by our wonderful
Tour Director. Mr & Mrs H, Glamorgan (Western Andalucia)
HOW TO BOOK MADE EASY
RESERVATIONS HOTLINE: 0116 279 3929
(Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri & 9am-1pm Sat)
Escorted Holidays
November 2015 to August 2016
Dates, Prices and Flight Information
0116 279 3929
www.preferredts.com
Prices
Prices shown are per person sharing a twin or double-bedded room. Supplements, including single room supplements, are shown
for each holiday. The deposit for each holiday is £125 per person (please refer to How to Book). Insurance premiums are £39.95 per
person under the age of 80 (double premium 80-85) for holidays up to 10 days. Premiums for other durations are available on request.
Flights
We list all the airports available for each holiday. So if you have friends in other parts of the country who want to join you, you can
check which is the best airport for them. We are even able to arrange for a friend travelling from a different airport to share a twin/
double room with you for the holiday! Just ask us. Please note that while all airports are listed, by no means all of them will be used on
the same date. Transfers to your hotel on arrival will be arranged by coach, minivan or car as appropriate. In the tables which follow for
each holiday, ‘Dep’ times are departure times from the UK airport and ‘Rtn’ times are when you land back.
Flight Details
Airlines and timings are subject to change. Please refer to Clause 6 of the Booking Conditions. Our brochures are printed some time in
advance and, in some cases, before the airline has published its timetable. In these cases timings shown are based on experience of
previous years. While latest known flight timings will be given at the time of booking these can change. Sometimes an airline will add
a new route: when possible, we may add this to our programme. Sometimes routes are withdrawn, in which case we will adjust our
programme and offer alternatives if possible. In-flight meals are not included. Where airlines charge separately for checked baggage,
carriage of one suitcase per person is included in the holiday price. Precise information on baggage allowances will be sent with your
travel documents 10-14 days before departure along with your boarding passes for those airlines where we have checked you in
on-line. Seating policies vary from airline to airline. In most cases seats are pre-allocated which cannot be changed. Therefore, if you
have any seating preferences (including guaranteed seats together), it is important that you mark these in the Special Requests part
of the booking form, or, because in many cases we perform online check-in on your behalf, at least four weeks before your departure
date. We shall tell you if your preferences can be accommodated and at what extra cost, if any.
HOW TO BOOK MADE EASY - RESERVATIONS HOTLINE: 0116 279 3929
Images in the colour brochure appear courtesy of Turespana; Fototeca ENIT; Distretto Turistico dei Laghi-Stresa (VB); Foto Archivo Agencia in Liguria; Foto Archivo Provincia di Imperia – Riviera dei Fiori; Tourism
Department of Lassithi; MDLF/R – CAST; Turismo de Portugal; Toma Babovic/Thüringer Tourismus GmbH; Turismo y Deporte de Andalucia; GNTB; Visit Poland; VisitCyprus; Rafael Lopez-Monne; Ed Dale; www.
slovenia.info; www.visitandorra.com; Miquel Angel Torro/Turismo Costa del Sol/www.visitacostadelsol.com
Cyprus – Aphrodite’s Ancient Isle
Newcastle
(brochure page 3)
Holiday Code: 7BCY
Q Paphos
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Birmingham
18-Nov-15
Wed
Thomson
1025
2110
£759
02-Mar-16
Wed
Thomson
1025
2110
£759
18-Nov-15
Wed
Easyjet
0800
1820
£759
24-Feb-16
Wed
Easyjet
0800
1820
£749
02-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
0800
1820
£759
18-Nov-15
Wed
Thomson
1000
2040
£759
02-Mar-16
Wed
Thomson
1000
2040
£759
Bristol
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Exeter
Gatwick
18-Nov-15
Wed
Easyjet
1055
2155
£759
24-Feb-16
Wed
Easyjet
1055
2155
£749
02-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1055
2155
£759
18-Nov-15
Wed
Thomson
0910
2005
£759
02-Mar-16
Wed
Thomson
0910
2005
£759
18-Nov-15
Wed
Thomson
0840
1910
£759
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomas Cook
0930
2000
£769
11-Mar-16
Fri
Thomas Cook
0930
2000
£669
Prestwick
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
0615
1610
£669
Southend
07-Nov-15*
Sat
Easyjet
0800
1740
£769
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
1140
2120
£669
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomas Cook
1105
2105
£769
11-Mar-16
Fri
Ryanair
0615
1555
£669
Stansted
* The hotel in November is the Quinta Park Suites
Supplements per person:
Single room £150
Panoramic with sea view per week £70
Extra week in a single £460
Extra week in a twin/double
£310
Supplements per person: diver Hotel Tenerife Spa & Garden in March
Single room £80
Mount Teide view per week £42
£240
Lanzarote & Fuerteventura (brochure page 5)
Holiday Code: 7BLA
24-Feb-16
Wed
Easyjet
0710
1720
£749
Q Arrecife
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
02-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
0710
1720
£759
Belfast Int
06-Mar-16
Sun
Thomas Cook
0905
1855
£849
Glasgow
02-Mar-16
Wed
Thomson
0930
2110
£759
15-May-16
Sun
Thomas Cook
0905
1855
£799
Luton
18-Nov-15
Wed
Easyjet
1120
2130
£759
08-Nov-15
Sun
Monarch
0600
1510
£849
24-Feb-16
Wed
Easyjet
1120
2130
£749
06-Mar-16
Sun
Monarch
0600
1510
£849
02-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1120
2130
£759
15-May-16
Sun
Monarch
0600
1510
£799
18-Nov-15
Wed
Easyjet
1230
2300
£759
08-Nov-15
Sun
Thomas Cook
1415
2325
£849
24-Feb-16
Wed
Easyjet
1230
2300
£749
06-Mar-16
Sun
Thomas Cook
1415
2325
£849
02-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1230
2300
£759
18-Nov-15
Wed
Thomson
1000
2055
£759
15-May-16
Sun
Thomas Cook
1415
2325
£799
02-Mar-16
Wed
Thomson
1000
2055
£759
08-Nov-15
Sun
Aer Lingus
1330
2325
£849
18-Nov-15
Wed
Ryanair
1025
1000
£759
06-Mar-16
Sun
Aer Lingus
1300
2225
£849
24-Feb-16
Wed
Ryanair
1025
1000
£749
15-May-16
Sun
Aer Lingus
1300
2225
£799
02-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
1025
1000
£759
08-Nov-15
Sun
Jet2
1000
1950
£869
06-Mar-16
Sun
Jet2
1000
1950
£889
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
1000
1950
£839
08-Nov-15
Sun
Ryanair
1210
1145
£849
06-Mar-16
Sun
Jet2
0900
1930
£889
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
0900
1930
£839
Exeter
08-Nov-15
Sun
Thomson
0840
1730
£849
Gatwick
08-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0740
1645
£849
Manchester
Newcastle
Stansted
Single room November & February
£0
Single room March£100
Extra week in a twin/double £350
Birmingham
Bristol
Dublin
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Tenerife – Islands of Contrasts (brochure page 4)
Holiday Code: 7BTE
Q Tenerife
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen
12-Mar-16
Sat
Thomson
1355
1255
£789
06-Mar-16
Sun
Easyjet
0740
1645
£849
Belfast Int
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Jet2
0840
1915
£789
15-May-16
Sun
Easyjet
0740
1645
£799
11-Mar-16
Fri
Thomas Cook
0905
1935
£669
08-Nov-15
Sun
Thomas Cook
0920
1915
£869
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Monarch
0730
1705
£769
06-Mar-16
Sun
Jet2
0925
1950
£889
11-Mar-16
Fri
Monarch
0730
1705
£669
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
0925
1950
£839
Bournemouth
11-Mar-16
Fri
Thomson
0900
1820
£689
08-Nov-15
Sun
Jet2
0900
1905
£849
Bristol
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomson
1100
2035
£709
06-Mar-16
Sun
Jet2
0900
1905
£889
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
1335
2250
£669
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
0900
1905
£839
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomson
1030
1955
£769
08-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1615
£849
11-Mar-16
Fri
Thomson
1030
1955
£689
06-Mar-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1615
£849
15-May-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1615
£799
Birmingham
Cardiff
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
Doncaster-Sheffield
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomson
1420
0020
£769
Dublin
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Ryanair
1420
2345
£769
08-Nov-15
Sun
Ryanair
0630
1530
£849
11-Mar-16
Fri
Ryanair
1420
2345
£669
06-Mar-16
Sun
Ryanair
0830
1755
£849
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Ryanair
1335
2300
£769
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0830
1755
£799
11-Mar-16
Fri
Ryanair
1335
2310
£669
08-Nov-15
Sun
Jet2
0900
1910
£869
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Easyjet
1240
2310
£769
06-Mar-16
Sun
Monarch
0600
1535
£849
11-Mar-16
Fri
Easyjet
1240
2310
£669
15-May-16
Sun
Monarch
0600
1535
£799
Exeter
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomson
0725
1645
£769
08-Nov-15
Sun
Jet2
0915
1915
£869
Gatwick
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Easyjet
0800
2320
£769
06-Mar-16
Sun
Jet2
0915
1925
£889
11-Mar-16
Fri
Easyjet
1350
2320
£669
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
0915
1925
£839
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Thomas Cook
1020
2110
£769
Prestwick
09-Nov-15
Mon
Ryanair
1400
2330
£849
Stansted
08-Nov-15
Sun
Ryanair
0710
1620
£849
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Glasgow
11-Mar-16
Fri
Thomson
1035
2105
£689
Leeds-Bradford
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Monarch
1435
0040
£769
06-Mar-16
Sun
Ryanair
0710
1620
£849
11-Mar-16
Fri
Jet2
0615
1620
£709
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0710
1620
£799
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Monarch
0600
1535
£769
11-Mar-16
Fri
Monarch
0600
1535
£669
06-Nov-15*
Fri
Monarch
0615
1610
£769
11-Mar-16
Fri
Monarch
0615
1610
£669
Luton
Manchester
2
Glasgow
Single room £160
Superior room per week
£112 (on request - twin/double rooms only)
Extra week in a single November
£500
Extra week in a single March £540
Extra week in a single May £470
Extra week in a twin/double November
£340
Extra week in a twin/double March
£380
Extra week in a twin/double May £310
Roman Tarragona, Gaudi’s Reus & the Ebro Delta
(brochure page 6)
Dublin
Holiday Code: 7RTE
10-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
0615
1210
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1505
1425
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1505
1425
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
0935
1500
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
0935
0900
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0935
1500
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0935
1500
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
0630
1255
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0620
1245
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0620
1245
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Easyjet
1305
1225
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
1150
1230
£689
Q Barcelona
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
16-Mar-16
Wed
British Airways
0905
1625
£739
18-May-16
Wed
British Airways
0905
1625
£759
16-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1010
1600
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1010
1600
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
0845
1405
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0845
1405
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1035
1530
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1035
1530
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
0935
1500
£619
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1800
£699
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0935
1500
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1800
£719
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
0630
1255
£619
10-Apr-16
Sun
Jet2
0745
1400
£729
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0630
1255
£639
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0735
1400
£739
16-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
1305
1225
£619
16-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0735
1400
£759
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1305
1225
£639
06-Apr-16
Wed
British Airways
1345
1315
£729
£659
10-Apr-16
Sun
British Airways
1430
1300
£729
Belfast Int
Birmingham
Bristol
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
17-Mar-16
19-May-16
Heathrow
16-Mar-16
18-May-16
17-Mar-16
Leeds-Bradford
19-May-16
Liverpool
16-Mar-16
18-May-16
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Prestwick
Southend
Stansted
Thu
Heathrow
Thu
Jet2
0735
1400
£679
19-May-16
Thu
British Airways
1430
1745
£739
Wed
British Airways
1345
1315
£659
16-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1430
1745
£759
Wed
British Airways
1345
1315
£679
10-Apr-16
Sun
Monarch
1500
2040
£689
Thu
Jet2
0900
1300
£659
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0700
1300
£739
£679
16-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0700
1300
£759
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
1735
2205
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0715
1300
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1230
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1230
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Easyjet
0700
1200
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
1020
1205
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1210
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1210
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
0620
1150
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
0625
1150
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0625
1200
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0625
1200
£719
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0700
2245
£689
Thu
Wed
Wed
Jet2
Ryanair
Ryanair
0700
1735
1735
1300
2205
2205
£619
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Easyjet
0700
1200
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0700
1200
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
0620
1150
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Monarch
1645
2250
£639
17-Mar-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£619
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
1730
2340
£619
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1730
2340
£639
17-Mar-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£619
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£639
16-Mar-16
Wed
Ryanair
1245
1530
£619
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£699
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1245
1530
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
1730
2340
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
1730
2340
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1730
2340
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1730
2340
£719
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
1745
2215
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
1245
1530
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
1245
1520
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0815
1530
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0815
1530
£719
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Prestwick
£0
£120
£400
£280
Q Barcelona
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
06-Apr-16
Wed
British Airways
0905
1625
£809
10-Apr-16
Sun
British Airways
1105
1745
£809
19-May-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£819
16-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£839
19-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1310
1230
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1310
1230
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Easyjet
1010
1600
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0710
1255
£689
06-Apr-16
Wed
Ryanair
0845
1405
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Monarch
1645
2235
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0650
1240
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
0650
1240
£719
06-Apr-16
Wed
Easyjet
1035
1530
£689
10-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1215
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1035
1530
£699
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1035
1530
£719
Bristol
Glasgow
1400
Holiday Code: 7CAM
Birmingham
Gatwick
0735
Carcassonne, Cathar Country & Catalonia (brochure page 7)
Belfast Int
Edinburgh
Jet2
** via Heathrow
Single room March
Single room May
Extra week in a single Extra week in a twin/double
Belfast City
East Midlands
Southend
Stansted
** via Heathrow
Single room April£0
Single room (other dates) £120
3
Bordeaux, San Sebastian & the Basque Country (brochure page 8)
Holiday Code: 7BSB
Q Bordeaux
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Bristol
24-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1330
1705
£829
05-Jul-16
Tue
Easyjet
1330
1705
£869
24-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1600
2100
£829
05-Jul-16
Tue
Ryanair
1600
2100
£869
24-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1145
1525
£829
05-Jul-16
Tue
Easyjet
1145
1525
£869
24-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1045
1445
£829
05-Jul-16
Tue
Easyjet
1045
1445
£869
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Liverpool
Western Andalucia – Isla Canela, Rio Tinto & the
Guadiana River (brochure page 10)
Holiday Code: 7ISL
Q Faro
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Belfast Int
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1705
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1705
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1705
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1355
2045
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1355
2045
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1355
2045
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1615
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1615
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1030
1615
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Flybe
0605
1205
£709
Birmingham
Single room £160
France, Spain, Andorra & the Pyrenees (brochure page 9)
Bristol
Holiday Code: 7PYR
Q Barcelona
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
05-May-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£799
09-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£819
05-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1310
1230
£679
12-May-16
Thu
Flybe
0605
1205
£719
09-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1310
1230
£699
19-May-16
Thu
Flybe
0605
1205
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1305
1950
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1305
1950
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1305
1950
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
1550
2205
£749
Belfast City
Birmingham
Bristol
Dublin
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
Heathrow
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Prestwick
Southend
Stansted
Cardiff
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0650
1240
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
0650
1240
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1035
1530
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1035
1530
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1505
1425
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1505
1425
£699
12-May-16
Thu
Jet2
1550
2205
£759
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
1550
2205
£769
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0830
1550
£749
12-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0830
1550
£759
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0830
1550
£769
05-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0735
1335
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0935
1500
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0935
1500
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0620
1245
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0620
1245
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1800
£679
Dublin
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Exeter
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1800
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0735
1400
£719
12-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0735
1335
£739
09-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0735
1400
£739
19-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0735
1335
£749
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1440
2110
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1440
2110
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1440
2110
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0840
1630
£749
05-May-16
Thu
British Airways
1430
1745
£719
09-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1430
1745
£739
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0700
1300
£719
09-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0700
1300
£739
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1230
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1230
£699
12-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0840
1630
£759
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0840
1630
£769
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1400
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1400
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1400
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0935
1550
£709
Thu
Easyjet
0935
1550
£719
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1210
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0705
1210
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0625
1200
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0625
1200
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1350
1935
£699
Gatwick
Glasgow
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1730
2340
£679
12-May-16
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1730
2340
£699
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0935
1550
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0640
1320
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0640
1320
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0640
1320
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1410
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1410
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0710
1410
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0725
1435
£729
12-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0725
1435
£739
19-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0725
1435
£749
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1745
2245
£699
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0815
1530
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0815
1530
£699
** via Heathrow
Single room £120
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
4
Southampton
Southend
05-May-16
Flybe
1500
2100
31-Oct-15
Sat
Jet2
0700
1655
£619
05-Mar-16
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£639
23-Apr-16
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£649
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1645
2335
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1645
2335
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0600
1225
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0600
1225
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Easyjet
1540
2005
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0720
2005
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0720
2005
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1500
2135
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
1500
2135
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1405
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£599
Price
23-Apr-16
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1515
2225
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
1515
2225
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£599
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Flybe
1500
2100
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Flybe
1500
2100
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0635
2240
£709
12-May-16
Stansted
Thu
Thu
Easyjet
0635
2240
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0635
2240
£729
05-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0710
1850
£709
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0710
1850
£719
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0710
1850
£729
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
Luton
Single room £140
£260
Sea view per week (on request)
£50
Seville, Mijas & Ronda (brochure page 11)
Manchester
Holiday Code: 7SMR
Q Malaga
Belfast Int
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Bristol
Cardiff
Dublin
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
1455
1415
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
1455
1415
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0845
1520
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0845
1520
£649
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£599
31-Oct-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£609
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1000
1600
£599
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0710
1410
£679
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1000
1600
£609
16-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0710
1410
£689
19-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0700
1355
£639
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0630
1335
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
0700
1355
£649
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0630
1335
£649
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1005
0940
£599
19-May-16
Thu
Flybe
0650
1250
£639
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1005
0940
£609
16-Jun-16
Thu
Flybe
0650
1250
£649
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1025
1635
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1025
1635
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£599
Newcastle
Prestwick
Southampton
Southend
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0845
0820
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0845
0820
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£609
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0605
1205
£639
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0610
1230
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0605
1205
£649
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0610
1230
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1955
1140
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1955
1140
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Ryanair
0710
1400
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
0745
1400
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
0745
1400
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
0700
1410
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
0700
1410
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Ryanair
0645
2145
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1520
2145
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1520
2145
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0640
1310
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0640
1310
£649
05-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1640
2355
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1640
2355
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1640
2355
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1640
2355
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Monarch
0810
2250
£599
05-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0935
1305
£599
23-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0935
1305
£609
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0800
1835
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0800
1835
£649
31-Oct-15
Sat
Easyjet
1030
1745
£599
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1655
0005
£639
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1655
0005
£649
Stansted
Single room £140
5
Salamanca, Madrid, Avila & Segovia (brochure page 12)
East Midlands
Holiday Code: 7MSA
Q Madrid
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
18-May-16
Wed
British Airways
1100
1745
£859
Bristol
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1755
2300
£739
Dublin
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0645
2240
£739
Edinburgh
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1235
1905
£739
Gatwick
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1215
1750
£739
Heathrow
18-May-16
Wed
British Airways
1510
1210
£779
Liverpool
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1645
2220
£739
Luton
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1300
1830
£739
Manchester
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1745
2235
£739
Newcastle
18-May-16
Wed
British Airways
1150
1600
£859
Stansted
18-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0825
1505
£739
** via Heathrow
Single room£150
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Andalucia’s Eastern Coast, Granada & Almeria
(brochure page 13)
Holiday Code: 7GAE
Sat
Ryanair
0645
1305
£589
14-Nov-15
Sat
Ryanair
0645
1305
£579
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
1520
2145
£579
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1520
2145
£599
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1520
2145
£609
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0640
1310
£639
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0640
1310
£649
08-Nov-15
Sun
Norwegian
1050
1015
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Jet2
0900
1620
£599
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
1640
2355
£579
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1640
2355
£599
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1640
2355
£609
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1640
2355
£639
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1640
2355
£649
07-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
1240
1930
£589
14-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
1620
2250
£579
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
0935
1305
£579
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0935
1305
£599
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0935
1305
£609
Q Malaga
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0800
1835
£639
Belfast Int
08-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0645
1355
£589
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0800
1835
£649
15-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0645
1355
£579
07-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
1030
1745
£589
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
1455
1415
£579
15-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1420
£579
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
1455
1415
£599
28-Feb-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1420
£579
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
1455
1415
£609
13-Mar-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1420
£599
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0845
1520
£639
17-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0705
1420
£609
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0845
1520
£649
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1655
0005
£639
07-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£589
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1655
0005
£649
14-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£579
07-Nov-15
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£609
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
1000
1600
£579
14-Nov-15
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£599
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1000
1600
£599
27-Feb-16
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£619
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1000
1600
£609
12-Mar-16
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£639
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
0700
1355
£639
16-Apr-16
Sat
Jet2
1000
1655
£649
09-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
0700
1355
£649
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1645
2335
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
1005
0940
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
1645
2335
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
1005
0940
£599
08-Nov-15
Sun
Easyjet
0700
1345
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
1005
0940
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0845
0820
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Ryanair
0845
0820
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0630
1305
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0600
1225
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0600
1225
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
1540
2005
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0600
1205
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
1540
2005
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0605
1205
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
0720
2005
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0605
1205
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0720
2005
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0720
2005
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Vueling
1010
0935
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1500
2135
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
1500
2135
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1405
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Vueling
1010
0930
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Monarch
0700
1405
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Vueling
1955
1140
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Vueling
1955
1140
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Ryanair
0710
1400
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Monarch
0700
1400
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Ryanair
0710
1400
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Monarch
1515
2225
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
0745
1400
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Monarch
1515
2225
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
0745
1400
£599
07-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£589
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
0745
1400
£609
14-Nov-15
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£579
12-May-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
0700
1410
£639
27-Feb-16
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£579
09-Jun-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
0700
1410
£649
12-Mar-16
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£599
16-Apr-16
Sat
Easyjet
0635
1345
£609
12-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0710
1410
£679
09-Jun-16
Thu
Jet2
0710
1410
£689
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Bristol
Cardiff
Dublin
6
07-Nov-15
Glasgow
Leeds-Bradford
Liverpool
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Prestwick
08-Nov-15
Sun
Ryanair
1640
2350
£589
15-Nov-15
Sun
Ryanair
1640
2350
£579
28-Feb-16
Sun
Ryanair
1640
2350
£579
13-Mar-16
Southend
1640
2350
£599
Sun
Ryanair
1640
2350
£609
12-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0630
1335
£639
Thu
Ryanair
0630
1335
£649
12-May-16
Thu
Flybe
0650
1250
£639
09-Jun-16
Thu
Flybe
0650
1250
£649
28-Feb-16
Sun
Easyjet
0635
1255
£579
13-Mar-16
Sun
Easyjet
0635
1255
£599
17-Apr-16
12-May-16
09-Jun-16
Stansted
Ryanair
17-Apr-16
09-Jun-16
Southampton
Sun
07-Nov-15
Sun
Thu
Thu
Sat
Easyjet
Easyjet
Easyjet
Ryanair
0635
1025
1025
0720
1255
1635
1635
1350
£609
£639
£649
£589
14-Nov-15
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£579
27-Feb-16
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£579
12-Mar-16
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£599
16-Apr-16
Sat
Ryanair
0720
1350
£609
12-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0610
1230
£639
09-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0610
1230
£649
The Islands & Gardens of Lake Maggiore (brochure page 15)
Holiday Code: 7MAG
Q Milan Malpensa
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Aberdeen**
17-May-16
Tue
British Airways
1105
1745
Price
£1,019
Birmingham
17-May-16
Tue
Flybe
0700
1155
£899
Bristol*
17-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1810
1745
£949
Cardiff
17-May-16
Tue
Flybe
1005
1450
£899
Dublin*
17-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
0615
1145
£949
East Midlands*
17-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1200
1650
£949
Edinburgh
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1245
1215
£899
Gatwick
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1305
1930
£899
Glasgow
18-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0950
0920
£899
Heathrow
17-May-16
Tue
British Airways
1505
1235
£939
Luton
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1820
2245
£899
Manchester*
17-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1340
1840
£949
Newcastle**
17-May-16
Tue
British Airways
1200
1600
£1,019
Stansted*
17-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1240
1535
£949
** via Heathrow
* to Milan Bergamo
Single room £140
Lake view
£77 (twin/double rooms only)
Single room £120
Extra week in a single November, February, March
£330
Extra week in a single other dates £365
Extra week in a twin/double November, February, March £210
Extra week in a twin/double other dates £245
A Week on the Algarve (brochure page 14)
Holiday Code: 7BAA
Q Faro
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Belfast Int
04-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1030
1705
£799
Birmingham
04-May-16
Wed
Monarch
0610
1245
£799
Bournemouth
04-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1710
1645
£799
Bristol
04-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0705
1255
£799
Doncaster-Sheffield
05-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0830
1540
£819
Dublin
04-May-16
Wed
Aer Lingus
0620
1250
£799
East Midlands
04-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0830
1445
£799
Edinburgh
04-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1145
1120
£799
Q Milan Bergamo
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Exeter
05-May-16
Thu
Thomson
0735
1335
£799
Bristol
18-Jun-16
Sat
Ryanair
1240
1215
£849
Gatwick
04-May-16
Wed
Monarch
0610
1250
£799
Dublin
17-Jun-16
Fri
Ryanair
0615
1145
£849
Glasgow
05-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0840
1630
£839
£849
Leeds-Bradford
04-May-16
Wed
Monarch
1655
2345
£799
Liverpool
04-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0935
1550
£799
Luton
04-May-16
Wed
Monarch
0650
1330
£799
Manchester
04-May-16
Wed
Monarch
0710
1410
£799
Newcastle
04-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1610
2300
£799
Prestwick
04-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0720
1410
£799
Southampton
04-May-16
Wed
Flybe
1410
2015
£799
Southend
04-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0635
1245
£799
Stansted
04-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1915
1850
£799
Single room £100
Sea view per week
£90 (twin/double rooms only)
£330
Lake Iseo & the Camonica Valley (brochure page 16)
Holiday Code: 7ISE
Price
East Midlands
18-Jun-16
Sat
Ryanair
1200
1650
Edinburgh*
17-Jun-16
Fri
Easyjet
1245
1215
£849
Glasgow*
18-Jun-16
Sat
Easyjet
1650
1620
£849
Manchester
17-Jun-16
Fri
Ryanair
1340
1840
£849
Stansted
17-Jun-16
Fri
Ryanair
1240
1535
£849
*to Milan Malpensa
Single room Classic room with Balcony Superior room with balcony (partial lake view) £140 (standard only)
£49
£84
(brochure page 17)
Holiday Code: 7PCT
Q Milan Malpensa
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
21-Jun-16
Tue
British Airways
1105
1745
£1,019
Birmingham
21-Jun-16
Tue
Flybe
0700
1155
£899
Bristol*
21-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1810
1745
£949
Cardiff
21-Jun-16
Tue
Flybe
1005
1450
£899
Dublin*
21-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
0615
1145
£949
East Midlands*
21-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1200
1650
£949
Edinburgh
21-Jun-16
Tue
Easyjet
1245
1215
£899
Gatwick
21-Jun-16
Tue
Easyjet
1305
1930
£899
Heathrow
21-Jun-16
Tue
British Airways
1505
1235
£939
Luton
21-Jun-16
Tue
Easyjet
1820
2245
£899
Manchester*
21-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1340
1840
£949
Newcastle**
21-Jun-16
Tue
British Airways
1200
1600
£1,019
Stansted*
21-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1240
1535
£949
** via Heathrow
* to Milan Bergamo
Supplements per person: Single room £120
Lake view on Maggiore (twin/double rooms only)
£33
7
The Tuscan Coast, Lucca & Florence (brochure page 18)
Holiday Code: 7TUF
Q Pisa
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Bristol
10-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1750
2250
£799
Dublin
11-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1225
1200
£799
East Midlands
10-May-16
Tue
Ryanair
1120
1625
£799
Edinburgh
11-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1600
1535
£799
Gatwick
11-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
1435
1930
£799
Heathrow
11-May-16
Wed
British Airways
0850
1430
£839
Leeds-Bradford
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1455
1430
£839
Luton
11-May-16
Wed
Easyjet
0635
1135
£799
Gatwick
Heathrow
Leeds-Bradford
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£769
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£839
18-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1440
1430
£809
25-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1440
1430
£819
16-May-16
Mon
British Airways
1440
1430
£829
13-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1440
1430
£869
20-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1440
1430
£879
18-Apr-16
Mon
Jet2
1045
1615
£809
Manchester
11-May-16
Wed
Jet2
0830
1415
£839
Newcastle
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1415
2010
£839
25-Apr-16
Mon
Jet2
1045
1615
£819
Prestwick
11-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
0835
1425
£799
16-May-16
Mon
Jet2
1045
1615
£829
Stansted
11-May-16
Wed
Ryanair
1445
1420
£799
13-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1045
1615
£869
20-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1045
1615
£879
18-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1800
2300
£769
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1800
2300
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
1800
2300
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1800
2300
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1800
2300
£839
18-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£769
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0730
1200
£839
18-Apr-16
Mon
Jet2
1500
2030
£809
25-Apr-16
Mon
Jet2
1500
2030
£819
16-May-16
Mon
Jet2
1500
2030
£829
13-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1500
2030
£869
20-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1500
2030
£879
18-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1200
1945
£889
25-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1200
1945
£899
16-May-16
Mon
British Airways
1200
1945
£909
13-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1200
1945
£949
20-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1200
1945
£959
18-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1430
1915
£769
Single room £100
Liverpool
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle**
Bordighera – the Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo
(brochure page 19)
Holiday Code: 7BIR
Stansted
Q Nice
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1430
1915
£779
Aberdeen**
18-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1105
1745
£889
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
1430
1915
£789
25-Apr-16
Mon
British Airways
1105
1745
£899
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1430
1915
£829
16-May-16
Mon
British Airways
1105
1745
£909
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1430
1915
£839
13-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1105
1745
£949
Birmingham
Bristol
Dublin
Edinburgh
8
18-Apr-16
20-Jun-16
Mon
British Airways
1105
1745
£959
16-May-16
Mon
Monarch
1555
2105
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Monarch
1555
2105
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Monarch
1555
2105
£839
18-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1245
1725
£769
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
1245
1725
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
1245
1725
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1245
1725
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
1245
1725
£839
£769
18-Apr-16
Mon
Ryanair
1720
2300
25-Apr-16
Mon
Ryanair
1720
2300
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Ryanair
1720
2300
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Ryanair
1720
2300
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Ryanair
1720
2300
£839
18-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
0700
1245
£769
25-Apr-16
Mon
Easyjet
0700
1245
£779
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0700
1245
£789
13-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0700
1245
£829
20-Jun-16
Mon
Easyjet
0700
1245
£839
**via Heathrow
Supplements per person: Single room £100
Side sea view £45 (twin/double rooms only)
Front sea view £70
(brochure page 20)
Holiday Code: 7ELB
Q Pisa
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Dublin
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1225
1200
£799
Edinburgh
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1600
1535
£799
Gatwick
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
1435
1930
£799
Heathrow
19-May-16
Thu
British Airways
0850
1430
£839
Luton
19-May-16
Thu
Easyjet
0635
1135
£799
Manchester
19-May-16
Thu
Jet2
0830
1415
£839
Prestwick
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
0835
1425
£799
Stansted
19-May-16
Thu
Ryanair
1445
1420
£799
Single room £140
Apulia & Royal Caserta (brochure page 21)
Holiday Code: 7PUC
Q Naples
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Birmingham
16-May-16
Mon
Thomson
0605
Bristol
16-May-16
Mon
Thomson
0605
Dublin
15-May-16
Sun*
Aer Lingus
0625
Krakow, Zakopane & the High Tatras (brochure page 24)
Holiday Code: 7KZT
Q Krakow
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Belfast Int
28-Jun-16
Tue
Easyjet
1005
1610
£739
Edinburgh
28-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1520
2115
£739
Gatwick
28-Jun-16
Tue
Easyjet
0920
1445
£739
Leeds-Bradford
28-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
1715
1240
£739
Stansted
28-Jun-16
Tue
Ryanair
0845
2320
£739
Single room £160
Best of the Baltic (brochure page 25)
Holiday Code: 7RTL
Q Riga
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Doncaster-Sheffield
21-May-16
Sat*
Wizzair
2030
2000
£749
Dublin
22-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
1655
2345
£749
Price
Gatwick
22-May-16
Sun
Air Baltic
1805
1720
£749
1245
£979
Glasgow
22-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
1630
2220
£749
1250
£979
Leeds-Bradford
22-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0640
1245
£749
1345
£899
Luton
22-May-16
Sun
Wizzair
1400
2000
£749
21-May-16
Sat*
Ryanair
1710
2315
£749
22-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0625
1215
£749
Rtn
East Midlands
16-May-16
Mon
Thomson
0600
1245
£979
Manchester
Edinburgh
15-May-16
Sun*
Easyjet
0600
1350
£899
Stansted
Gatwick
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0600
1155
£899
Leeds-Bradford
16-May-16
Mon
Monarch
0730
1440
£899
Liverpool
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0620
1255
£899
Luton
16-May-16
Mon
Monarch
0700
1355
£899
Manchester
16-May-16
Mon
Monarch
1725
0035
£899
Stansted
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0610
1210
£899
*Sunday departures spend the first two and last night in Caserta
Single room £100
La Bella Italia – le Marche, Abruzzo & Rome
* Saturday departures spend the first two and last nights in Riga
Supplements per person: Single room£200
Berlin, Potsdam & the Harz Mountains (brochure page 26)
Holiday Code: 7BHA
Q Berlin Schoenfeld
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
16-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£1,009
21-Jul-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£989
18-Aug-16
Thu
British Airways
1105
1745
£969
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1750
£889
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1750
£869
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1305
1750
£849
16-Jun-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1405
1935
£889
Bristol
(brochure page 22)
Holiday Code: 7BEL
Q Rome Fiumicino
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
15-May-16
Sun
British Airways
0830
1745
£999
Belfast Int
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
1545
2310
£919
21-Jul-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1405
1935
£869
Birmingham
15-May-16
Sun
Monarch
1625
2300
£879
18-Aug-16
Thu
Aer Lingus
1405
1935
£849
Bristol
15-May-16
Sun
Easyjet
1210
1805
£879
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1405
1910
£889
East Midlands*
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
1650
2245
£879
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1405
1910
£869
Edinburgh*
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0625
1315
£879
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1405
1910
£849
Gatwick
15-May-16
Sun
Easyjet
0910
1855
£879
Glasgow
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
1445
2205
£919
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1010
1925
£889
Heathrow
15-May-16
Sun
British Airways
1245
1325
£919
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1010
1925
£869
Luton
15-May-16
Sun
Monarch
1515
2145
£879
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1010
1925
£849
Manchester*
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0630
1235
£879
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1020
1535
£889
Newcastle
15-May-16
Sun
Jet2
0745
1500
£919
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1020
1535
£869
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1020
1535
£849
16-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1535
1320
£929
21-Jul-16
Thu
British Airways
1535
1320
£909
18-Aug-16
Thu
British Airways
1535
1320
£889
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1810
2300
£889
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1810
2300
£869
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1810
2300
£849
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
1330
1750
£889
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
1330
1750
£869
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
1330
1750
£849
16-Jun-16
Thu
Easyjet
0700
1140
£889
Stansted*
15-May-16
Sun
Ryanair
0840
1540
Dublin
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
£879
Heathrow*
**via Heathrow * to Rome Ciampino
Liverpool
(brochure page 23)
Holiday Code: 7VTS
Luton
Q Venice
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Bristol*
16-May-16
Mon
Ryanair
1135
1630
£799
Dublin*
16-May-16
Mon
Aer Lingus
0720
1330
£799
East Midlands*
16-May-16
Mon
Ryanair
1215
1705
£799
21-Jul-16
Thu
Easyjet
0700
1140
£869
Edinburgh
16-May-16
Mon
Jet2
0800
1415
£839
18-Aug-16
Thu
Easyjet
0700
1140
£849
Gatwick
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0840
1325
£799
16-Jun-16
Thu
British Airways
1150
1605
£1,009
Heathrow
16-May-16
Mon
British Airways
0855
1450
£839
21-Jul-16
Thu
British Airways
1150
1605
£989
£839
18-Aug-16
Thu
British Airways
1150
1605
£969
Leeds-Bradford
16-May-16
Mon
Jet2
0715
1300
Luton
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
0855
1450
£799
Manchester
16-May-16
Mon
Jet2
0730
1315
£839
Southend
16-May-16
Mon
Easyjet
1810
2240
£799
Stansted*
16-May-16
Mon
Ryanair
0620
2340
£799
Manchester
Newcastle**
* to Berlin Tegel
** to Berlin Tegel via Heathrow
*to Treviso
Single room £100
9
Weimar, Royal Germany & Prague (brochure page 27)
A Week in Crete – No Single Supplement (brochure page 29)
Holiday Code: 7RGP
Holiday Code: 7SHE
Q Prague
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Q Heraklion
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
26-Jun-16
Sun
British Airways
1250
1745
£959
Belfast Int
10-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
0700
1705
£849
10-Jul-16
Sun
British Airways
1250
1745
£939
Bristol
10-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
1840
2340
£849
31-Jul-16
Sun
British Airways
1250
1745
£919
27-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1525
2115
£879
Cardiff
10-May-16
Tue
Thomson
1215
2210
£869
11-Jul-16
Mon
Jet2
1525
2115
£859
East Midlands
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
1930
£889
01-Aug-16
Mon
Jet2
1525
2115
£839
Edinburgh
10-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1525
0110
£849
26-Jun-16
Sun
Easyjet
1825
2305
£839
Gatwick
10-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1645
0125
£849
10-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1825
2305
£819
Glasgow
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
2010
£889
Leeds-Bradford
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
0855
1840
£889
Belfast Int*
Bristol
Dublin
East Midlands*
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
Heathrow
Leeds-Bradford
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle*
Stansted
31-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1825
2305
£799
26-Jun-16
Sun
Ryanair
1440
2010
£839
Manchester
10-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1345
2245
£849
10-Jul-16
Sun
Ryanair
1440
2010
£819
Newcastle
10-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1030
2015
£889
31-Jul-16
Sun
Ryanair
1440
2010
£799
27-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1640
2150
£879
11-Jul-16
Mon
Jet2
1640
2150
£859
01-Aug-16
Mon
Jet2
1640
2150
£839
26-Jun-16
Sun
Easyjet
0730
1240
£839
10-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
0730
1240
£819
Q Heraklion
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
31-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
0730
1240
£799
Belfast Int
03-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
0700
1705
£889
26-Jun-16
Sun
Easyjet
0855
2255
£839
10-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
0855
2255
£819
17-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
0700
1705
£899
31-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
0855
2255
£799
Birmingham
17-May-16
Tue
Monarch
1420
2335
£899
26-Jun-16
Sun
Jet2
1635
2220
£879
Bristol
03-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
1840
2340
£889
10-Jul-16
Sun
Jet2
1635
2220
£859
17-May-16
Tue
Thomas Cook
1840
2340
£899
31-Jul-16
Sun
Jet2
1635
2220
£839
03-May-16
Tue
Thomson
1215
2210
£909
26-Jun-16
Sun
British Airways
1625
1440
£879
17-May-16
Tue
Thomson
1215
2210
£919
10-Jul-16
Sun
British Airways
1625
1440
£859
31-Jul-16
Sun
British Airways
1625
1440
£839
03-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
1930
£929
26-Jun-16
Sun
Jet2
1730
2230
£879
17-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
1930
£939
10-Jul-16
Sun
Jet2
1730
2230
£859
03-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1525
0110
£889
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1525
0110
£899
03-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1645
0125
£889
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1645
0125
£899
03-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
2010
£929
17-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1000
2010
£939
03-May-16
Tue
Jet2
0855
1840
£929
17-May-16
Tue
Jet2
0855
1840
£939
03-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1345
2245
£889
17-May-16
Tue
Easyjet
1345
2245
£899
03-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1030
2015
£929
17-May-16
Tue
Jet2
1030
2015
£939
31-Jul-16
Sun
Jet2
1730
2230
£839
26-Jun-16
Sun
WIZZ AIR
1230
2045
£839
10-Jul-16
Sun
WIZZ AIR
1230
2045
£819
31-Jul-16
Sun
WIZZ AIR
1230
2045
£799
26-Jun-16
Sun
Easyjet
1805
1735
£839
10-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1805
1735
£819
31-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1805
1735
£799
27-Jun-16
Mon
Jet2
1515
2035
£879
11-Jul-16
Mon
Jet2
1515
2035
£859
01-Aug-16
Mon
Jet2
1515
2035
£839
26-Jun-16
Sun
Easyjet
1300
2235
£839
10-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1300
2235
£819
31-Jul-16
Sun
Easyjet
1300
2235
£799
**via Heathrow * Monday departures spend the first and last two nights in Prague
Athens, Delphi & the Vouraikos Gorge (brochure page 28)
Holiday Code: 7ATH
Q Athens
Date
Day
Airline
Dep
Rtn
Price
Aberdeen**
17-Apr-16
Sun
British Airways
1105
1950
£939
£819
Edinburgh
17-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0710
1615
Gatwick
17-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0545
1355
£819
Heathrow
17-Apr-16
Sun
British Airways
1350
1530
£859
£819
Manchester
17-Apr-16
Sun
Easyjet
0630
1505
Newcastle**
17-Apr-16
Sun
British Airways
0605
1945
£939
Stansted
17-Apr-16
Sun
Ryanair
0845
1755
£819
**via Heathrow
10
Single room £0
Extra week
£350
Landscapes of the Ancient Isle of Crete (brochure page 30)
Holiday Code: 7HER
Cardiff
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Gatwick
Glasgow
Leeds-Bradford
Manchester
Newcastle
Single room £110
Extra week in a twin/double £300
Travel Insurance for bookings taken up to 31 DECEMBER 2015
This information is subject to change without notice.
Travel insurance is a vital aspect to booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen
circumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday. It is important that you purchase travel
insurance that properly covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time
that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance from Travel
& General Insurance Services Limited. Should you decide not to purchase our insurance, you must
provide us with details of your alternative insurance with your final payment.
The schedule of the cover opposite sets out a summary of the cover provided by our insurance.
Preferred Travel Services is an Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Services
Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details of which can be
found at www.fca.gov.uk or by calling 0845 606 1234.
THIS SUMMARY APPLIES TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTY YEARS AT THE DATE OF
DEPARTURE.
Premiums for persons under the age of 80 years at the time of departure are shown elsewhere in the
brochure. Persons between 80 and 85 years will be charged double the premium AND must contact
Healthcheck on 0844 826 2711. We regret cover is not available to persons aged over 85 years at the
date of departure.
These details are correct as at 3 August 2015 and are subject to change without notice. As cover
under the Cancellation section commences immediately the holiday booking has been confirmed, no
refund in premium can be allowed. In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your holiday, any
insurance premiums paid to Preferred Travel Services will automatically be refunded. However, we
cannot refund premiums paid to other insurers. If you have arranged your own insurance please check
that the premium will be refunded in the event of cancellation by us.
Walking Holidays. Please check with your insurer if in doubt. Our travel insurance covers you for group
walks up to an altitude of 3000m. Some insurers have lower limits – usually 2000m. Our "Walking in the
Pyrenees" goes up to 2570m and “Walking in Tenerife” is up to 2550m. If you decide to walk separately
from our group, or if you have not taken out our insurance please ensure your cover is valid.
Single trip policy Schedule of Standard Cover
Section
A
B
C
D
Important declaration
An insurance policy can only provide cover in respect of an event/occurrence which is sudden,
unforeseen and beyond your reasonable control. Any facts known to you, which could possibly
result in you having to make a claim, must be disclosed otherwise you may not be covered. In
addition, anyone named under the policy must have read and understood the following relating to
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions which are defined as:
a) Any respiratory condition (relating to the lungs or breathing), heart condition, stroke, Crohn’s disease,
epilepsy, allergy, or cancer for which you (or any other person not necessarily travelling but upon
whom travel depends such as a Close Relative) have ever received treatment (including surgery,
tests or investigations by your doctor or a consultant/specialist, or prescribed drugs/medication).
b) Any Medical Condition for which you (or any other person not necessarily travelling but upon
whom travel depends such as a Close Relative) have received surgery, in-patient treatment or
investigations in a hospital or clinic within the last twelve months, or prescribed drugs/medication.
Sum insured per person
Excess per person
Cancellation and
curtailment charges
Up to £5,000
£50*
Medical Expenses
Up to £5,000,000
£50
In Patient Benefit
£500
Nil
Criminal Injuries Benefit
£5,000
Nil
Personal Accident –
disability
£25,000
Nil
Death
£10,000
Nil
Delayed Departure or
Arrival, or
£100
Nil
Cancellation due to
Delayed Departure
£5,000
Nil
Hi-jack of Aircraft, train
or sea vessel
£3,000
Nil
Failure of Transport
£1,000
Nil
Missed Connection
£1,000
Nil
Personal Effects
single item limit £400)
(Valuables limited to
£500 in total)
£2,500
£50
E
Money
£500
£50
Tickets
£1,000
£50
Passport or Visas
£250
£50
Temporary Loss of
Baggage
£100
Nil
F
Personal Liability
£2,000,000
£250
G
Legal Expenses
£15,000
Nil
* Cancellation excess for loss of deposit on air holidays is nil. Cancellation excess for UK trips of three days or less is nil.
1. Do you or a Close Relative have a Pre-existing Medical Condition?
2. Have you or a Close Relative received a terminal prognosis for any medical condition?
3. Are you or a Close Relative aware of a medical condition but have not received a formal diagnosis?
4. Are you or a Close Relative on a waiting list or have the knowledge of the need for surgery in a
hospital?
5. Are you aware of any circumstances that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim on
this policy?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, are in any doubt or are between the ages of 80 and
85 you must call Healthcheck in confidence on: 0844 826 2711. The medical screening helpline may be
contacted between 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday and 10.00 to 16.00 on Saturdays. Healthcheck
will confirm whether or not cover is available for the condition. An additional premium may be payable.
A policy document that fully defines the cover, conditions and exclusions will be sent to you with your
booking confirmation. When you receive your policy, please take the time to read it carefully to ensure
you understand what is and what is not covered, and that all activities that you may wish to participate
in are included. If it does not meet your requirements, please return the policy, proof of premium and
any other relevant documents to us within 14 days of receipt and we will refund the premium in full,
provided you have not travelled or made a claim.
Failure to comply with the terms & conditions of the policy may result in cover being restricted.
BOOKING CONDITIONS FOR NOVEMBER 2015 TO AUGUST 2016 SEASON
These Booking Conditions and the information in the brochure
form the basis of your contract with Preferred Travel Services
(‘we’ and ‘us’). ‘You’ means the person making the booking
(including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date).
1.Your contract – when you make a booking you guarantee that you
have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party
the terms of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon
as we send our confirmation invoice. This contract is made on the
terms of these booking conditions, which are governed by English
Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts. You may however,
choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if
you wish to do so.
2. Payment – in order to confirm your holiday, the appropriate
deposit must be paid at the time of booking. The balance of the
holiday cost must be received by the Balance Due Date. The
Balance Due Date is 8 weeks before departure for Group A Holidays
(holidays by air), 6 weeks before departure for Group B Holidays
(holidays by coach of more than 4 days duration) and 4 weeks
before departure for Group C Holidays (holidays by coach of 4
days or less). If you are booking after that date full payment must
accompany your booking form. Reminders are not sent. If we do
not receive payments due in full, on time, we reserve the right to
treat your booking as cancelled by you. In this case the cancellation
charges in clause 5 will be payable.
3. Your holiday price – we reserve the right to alter the prices of
any of the holidays shown in our brochure. You will be advised
of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before
your contract is confirmed. The price of your travel arrangements
was calculated using exchange rates quoted in the Financial Times
Guide to World Currencies on 03/06/15 in relation to the following
currencies: £1 = Euro 1.36. The price of your travel arrangements
is fully guaranteed and will not be subject to any surcharges.
4. Changes by you – if, after our confirmation invoice has been
issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way,
for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will
do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be
possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing
from the person who made the booking. You will be asked to pay an
administration charge of £15 per person, and any further cost we
incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that these costs
could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are
made and you should contact us as soon as possible.
Note: Certain travel arrangements (eg. Air Tickets) may not be
changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration
request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part
of the arrangements.
5. Cancellation by you – should you or a member of your party
need to cancel the holiday once it has been confirmed, you must
immediately advise us in writing. Notice of cancellation is only
effective when it is received in writing at our offices (see Date
Received in the table below). As we incur costs from the time we
confirm your booking the following cancellation charges will be
payable (excluding insurance premiums, which are non-refundable).
Date Received
Group A
Group B
Group C
More than 56 days loss of deposit loss of deposit loss of deposit
More than 42 days
50%
56-29 days
50%
loss of deposi loss of deposit
50%
loss of deposit
42-29 days
50%
50%
loss of deposit
More than 28 days
50%
50%
loss of deposit
28-8 days
75%
75%
75%
7 days or less
100%
100%
100%
Please see clause 2 for definitions of Group A, B and C. The Date
Received is the number of days before the departure date of the
holiday we receive your cancellation in writing. Should one of the
members of your party cancel who is sharing a double/twin room,
the relevant single room supplement will become payable and
added to your holiday cost.
6. If We Change or Cancel Your Holiday – As we plan your holiday
arrangements many months in advance we may occasionally
have to make changes or cancel your booking and we reserve the
right to do so at any time. Changes If we make a major change to
your holiday, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible
if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of
either accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of
alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us if
available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a
lower value), or cancelling your holiday and receiving a full refund of
all monies paid. In some cases we will also pay compensation (see
below). These options don’t apply for minor changes. Examples
of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights
which reduce your stay in resort by less than 12 hours, changes to
aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same or
higher standard, changes of carriers. Please note that carriers such
as airlines used in the brochure are subject to change. Cancellation
We will not cancel your travel arrangements after the Balance
Due Date (see clause 2), except for reasons of force majeure or
failure by you to pay the final balance. We may cancel your holiday
before this date if, e.g., the minimum number of clients required
for a particular travel arrangement is not reached. If your holiday
is cancelled you can either have a refund of all monies paid or
accept an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable
standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference
if the alternative is of a lower value).In some cases we will pay
compensation (see below). If we cancel your travel arrangements
for any reason we will not be responsible for reimbursement of
any costs you have incurred with third parties including, but not
limited to, insurance premiums, car parking, hotel accommodation,
currency etc. Compensation If we cancel or make a major change
we will pay compensation as detailed below except where the major
change or cancellation arises due to reasons of force majeure. The
compensation that we offer does not exclude you from claiming
more if you are entitled to do so.
Number of days before departure
Compensation for each
we advise you of cancellation
full fare paying Customer
or significant alteration
Group A Group B Group C
More than 56 days
Nil
Nil
Nil
56-43 days
£10
Nil
Nil
42-29 days
£20
£10
Nil
28-15 days
£30
£15
£10
14-0 days
£40
£20
£15
Please see Clause 2 definitions of Group A, B and C.
Force Majeure: We will not pay you compensation if we have to
cancel or change your travel arrangements in any way because
of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control.
These can include, for example, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist
activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire,
adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics, unavoidable
technical problems with transport. We regret we cannot pay any
expenses, costs or losses incurred by you as a result of any change
or cancellation. No compensation is payable for minor changes. Very
rarely, we may be forced by “force majeure” to change or terminate
your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your
time away. This is extremely unlikely but in this situation, we regret
we will be unable to make refunds (unless we obtain any refunds
from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs
or expenses you incur as a result. Compensation is not payable if we
have not received full payment from you by the Balance Due Date.
7. Our Liability to you – (a) We make every effort to ensure that
all arrangements are made correctly and efficiently. We accept
responsibility if any of the services which we have agreed to provide
for you as part of our contract with you prove deficient or not of
a reasonable standard. We also accept responsibility for what our
employees, agents, suppliers and sub-contractors do or do not do
(providing they were at the time carrying out work authorised by us)
except for death, personal injury or illness results (dealt with below).
This acceptance of responsibility is, however, subject to force
majeure and the other terms of these Booking Conditions.
(b) Subject to these Booking Conditions, we accept responsibility
should you or any member of your party suffer death, personal
injury, illness, loss or damage as a result of any failure to perform or
improper performance of any part of our contract with you by any of
our employees, agents, suppliers or sub-contractors (providing they
were at the time carrying out work authorised by us) except in the
following situations. We will not be liable where any failure to perform
or improper performance was due to:- the act(s) and/or omission(s)
of the person(s) affected; or those of a third party not connected
with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or
unavoidable or an event which either ourselves or the supplier of the
service(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided even with
all due care.
(c) It is a condition of the acceptance of liability set out in clauses 8(a)
and 8(b) of these Booking Conditions that you notify us in accordance
with the terms of clause 9 of any claim made by you or any member
of your party. Any person(s) to whom any payment is made (and their
parent or guardian if that person is under 18 years of age) must assign
to ourselves or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any
third party in connection with the claim. You must provide us and our
insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require.
(d) In all cases, we limit the maximum amount we may have to pay
you and/or any member of your party for any or all claims or parts
of claims which involve, air, sea, rail or road carriers and/or hotel
keepers and other services they provide as if we were carriers/hotel
keepers within the applicable international conventions (eg., Warsaw
Convention as amended for travel by air, Athens Convention for
travel by sea). Therefore for all claims which result from international
carriage, compensation will only be paid for those conditions where
the carriers concerned would be obliged to pay compensation at
the relevant international convention were a claim made against
that carrier in that particular situation. You must give credit for all
payments received from the carrier or other suppliers.
(e) This clause 7 is intended to set out our obligations to you as a
tour operator in the light of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and
Package Tours Regulations 1992. Please note, we regret we cannot
make any payment to you or any member of your party if the person
concerned is not entitled to one from us under these Regulations.
8. Prompt assistance in resort – If the contract we have with you
is not performed or is improperly performed as a result of failures
attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the
services, or as a result of failures due to unusual and unforeseeable
circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could
not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an
event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not
foresee or forestall, and you suffer an injury or other material loss,
we will offer you such prompt assistance as is reasonable in the
circumstances.
9. Complaints and problems – If you have a problem during your
holiday, please inform the relevant supplier (e.g. your hotelier) and
our resort representative immediately who will endeavour to put
things right. If your complaint is not resolved locally, please follow
this up within 28 days of your return home by writing by post to our
Customer Services Department giving your booking reference and all
other relevant information. Please keep your letter concise and to the
point. This will assist us to quickly identify your concerns and speed
up our response to you.
It is strongly recommended that you communicate any complaint to
the supplier of the services in question as well as to our representative
without delay and complete a report form whilst in resort. If you fail
to follow this simple procedure we will have been deprived of the
opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were
in resort and this may affect your rights under this contract. We are
a Member of ABTA, membership number W3692. We are obliged to
maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.
We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of
disputes arising out of this contract. The scheme is arranged by ABTA
and administered independently. It is a simple and inexpensive method
of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you for
costs. The upper limit on claims is £5,000 per person and £25,000
per booking form. The scheme doesn’t apply to claims which are
solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. It
can however deal with claims which include an element of minor injury
or illness subject to a limit of £1,500 on the amount the arbitrator can
award per person in respect of this element. Your request for arbitration
must be received by ABTA within eighteen months of the date of return
from holiday. For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA
Mediation Procedure and we have the option to agree to mediation.
Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving
disputes can be found on www.abta.com.
10. Behaviour – when you book with us, you accept responsibility for
any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full
payment for any such damage or loss must be paid direct at the time
to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If you fail
to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including
legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions.
We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our
opinion or in the opinion of any other person in authority, you or any
member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely
to cause danger, annoyance or distress to any third party or damage
to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the
holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s)
concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other
service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s)
including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made
and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of
the termination.
11. Conditions of suppliers – many of the services which make up
your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers
provide these services in accordance with their own terms and
conditions. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude
the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable
International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms
and conditions are available on request from ourselves or the supplier
concerned.
12. Special requests and medical problems – if you have a request,
you must advise us at time of booking and clearly note it on your
booking form. Although we will try to pass any reasonable requests
on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any
request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a
breach of contract; we cannot accept any booking which is specified
to be conditional on the fulfillment of a particular request. All such
bookings will be treated as standard bookings subject to the above
provisions on special requests. If you or a member of your party has
a medical problem/disability which may affect your holiday, please
tell us before you book so that we can advise accordingly, also, you
must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. Please note
that to get the best out of your visit to certain places may involve
walking on inclines, through cobbled streets etc. If we feel unable to
accommodate the needs of the person concerned, or reasonably feel
that the enjoyment of other travellers may be prejudiced, we reserve
the right to decline/cancel their reservation. We regret we cannot
accept any bookings from wheelchair users unless travelling with
a companion able and willing to take responsibility when boarding
coaches, trains etc and on excursions. If this proves not to be the
case at the start of or during your holiday, we shall assist in making
arrangements for your immediate return to the UK at your own cost
and we shall not pay compensation or make any refund in respect
holiday curtailment. Our representatives, guides, coach drivers etc.
are not permitted to offer physical assistance.
13. Passports, visas and health requirements. Your specific
passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements
are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant
Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if
you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport,
visa or immigration requirements.
Information on health is contained in a leaflet (Health Advice for
Travellers) available from local Department of Health offices and most
Post Offices. For holidays outside the UK you should have a European
Health Insurance Card prior to departure. It is your responsibility
to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel and
health documents before departure. The Foreign & Commonwealth
Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your holiday
destination. You are advised to check this information on the internet
under the address http://www.fco.gov.uk/
14. Your Financial Protection – We provide full financial protection
for our package holidays. For flight-based holidays this is through our
Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 5537. When you buy an ATOL
protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive
an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where
you can get information on what this means for you and who to
contact if things go wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your
ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL
Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither
we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an
alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have
bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree
to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder
will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money
outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative
ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not
be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you
will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your
credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified
on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed
(or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or
otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel
Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the
ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit
you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have
or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the
services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your
credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such
claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has
paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.
When you buy a package holiday that doesn’t include a flight,
protection is provided by way of a bond held by ABTA.
15. Brochure Accuracy – the information and prices shown in this
brochure may have changed by the time you come to book. Whilst
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the brochure and prices
at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You
must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday
(including the price) with us at the time of booking. This brochure
is our sole responsibility. It is not issued on behalf of and does not
commit any other organisation/ carriers whose services are featured.
16. Safety standards – please note, it is the requirements and
standards of the country in which any services which make up your
holiday are provided which apply to those services and not those of
the UK. As a general rule, these requirements and standards will not
be the same as the UK and may sometimes be lower.
17. Brochure Information & Timings – all timings given are for
general guidance only and are subject to change. Please note that
changes to flight departure times which reduce your stay in resort by
less than 12 hours are not major changes for the purposes of clause
6. We reserve the right to withdraw coach departure points shown
on the booking form and to add departure points outside your local
area. Precise timings, pick-up routes, hotel name, intended order of
excursions/visits and joining instructions will be sent with your tickets
approximately ten days before departure. You are asked to remember
that very occasionally resort or other facilities may be withdrawn
for maintenance or other reasons beyond our control, such as
the sudden onset of adverse weather conditions. In these unusual
circumstances we shall bear no resulting liability. Please note: the
duration/number of days shown in the brochure includes the days of
departure and return. Any photographs/ illustrations contained in this
brochure are purely representative of the type of places visited, and
do not necessarily depict your exact accommodation/destination.
18. Flight Delays and Flights – While we shall try to assist in
every way to minimise the effects of any delays we do not accept
liability for any delays which occur. Where a delay does occur we
shall consult with the airline concerned regarding the provision
of appropriate refreshments. Some protection is afforded by our
recommended travel insurance. Under EU law you have rights in
some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your
airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights.
Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will
also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such
cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically
entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a
refund and/or compensation from us is set out in clause 6. If any
payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by
the airline will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does
not comply with these rules you should complain to the CAA online
at www.caa.co.uk. For assistance by phone call 020 7453 6888.
Please note that very occasionally an airline may add a touchdown
en route. In this case a flight with an intermediate stop not involving
a change of aircraft is still considered a direct flight.
19. Hotel Ratings, Bedrooms and Meals. We are required by law to
state the star rating of hotels. All star ratings stated are those given
by the authorities of the country concerned and are an indication only
of relative standards. Actual standards can vary between hotels of
the same category. Similarly, as the basis for star ratings varies from
country to country, hotels with the same rating but in different countries
may not be of the same standard. Facilities in single rooms may differ
from double rooms. Hotels charge a supplement for single rooms even
where there is only one single bed as the costs of the upkeep of the
room is the same, regardless of how many people occupy it. Triple
rooms may consist of a double bed and bed-settee or folding bed. Our
aim of providing holidays with interesting and unusual itineraries takes
us to places away from mass-market tourism. In some cases, where
dinner is included, it may be on a fixed menu basis with no choice as
opposed to buffet style. Please notify us of any dietary requirements.
Depending on flight timings, dinner may consist of a cold plate on
arrival at the hotel if the kitchens are closed.
20. Websites – We are not responsible for the contents of websites
of hotels or other suppliers and tourist boards etc. included in this
brochure. Their contents do not form part of our contract with you
nor can they be construed as representations by us.
Preferred Travel Services
is a Trading Name of High Concepts Limited.
Reg. in England No. 4000185.
Reg. Office: Christopher House, 94B London Road,
Leicester LE2 0QS.
ATOL 5537 ABTA No. W3692
Issued September 2015
Preferred Travel ServicesBooking Form
W3692
Lead Passenger (who must sign this form
in the PAYMENTS section):
To make a provisional booking please refer to the How to Book section enclosed
with the brochure. Then COMPLETE THIS BOOKING FORM IN BLOCK
CAPITALS and return it with deposit payment or full payment (plus insurance if
applicable) to Preferred Travel Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp,
Leicester, LE8 0HS. Cheques should be made payable to Preferred Travel Services.
Title................................................................................
Holiday Title.........................................................................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
....................................................................................................HOLIDAY
Passenger details
Exactly as written on the Passport.
Please use BLOCK CAPITALS
Surname......................................................................
Address........................................................................
........................................................................................
CODE....................................
Provisional Booking No.........................................................................................................
Departure Airport........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................
dd / mm / yy PRICE £.......................................................
DEPARTURE DATE ...............................................
..........................................Postcode...........................
Tel. day.........................................................................
NUMBER OF ROOMS
Twin/doubles............Triples/Family............... Singles (supplement applies)..............
Mobile...........................................................................
Emergency contact Tel.......................................
Email.............................................................................
Date of birth .........................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy Expiry date ....................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Passenger 2:
Title................................................................................
please refer to Departure Dates and Prices
SPECIAL REQUESTS (not guaranteed). You may also wish to advise us
here of any special needs so that we can inform the hotel and/or transport
company.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
HOLIDAY EXTRAS TO BOOK if applicable (please refer to Departure Dates and Prices)
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
Surname......................................................................
INSURANCE
If not taking our insurance:
Date of birth .........................................................
Your Insurer.....................................................................................................................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Policy No.................................................... 24 hr emergency No........................................................
Forenames..................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
PAYMENT ENCLOSED WITH THIS BOOKING (please refer to How to Book)
Issuing Country.........................................................
Deposit£...................................
Passenger 3:
Full Payment (including supplements and extras if applicable)£...................................
Title................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
Surname......................................................................
Date of birth .........................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Passenger 4:
Title................................................................................
Insurance premiums
£...................................
TOTAL £...................................
Please make your cheque/postal order payable to Preferred Travel Services.
In signing I have read and accept all details in the booking conditions and do
so on behalf of all those named under Passenger Details
dd / mm / yy
Signed..................................................................................................... Date
...............................................
IN WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOU SEE THIS HOLIDAY
ADVERTISED?
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
THANK YOU FOR BOOKING
Surname......................................................................
Date of birth ........................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Office use only
£
BN
ASB
Issue No.
Passport No................................................................
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS FOR CREDIT/DEBIT
CARD PAYMENTS – we accept Maestro, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Visa
Card Type................................................... Valid from............................. Expires..................................
Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code
(shown on the reverse side of your card, after your signature)........................................
Card No.
Nationality...................................................................
Please charge my account the sum of £...................................
Card holder’s name if different from the Lead Passenger’s name
................................................................................................................................................................................
Card holder’s signature............................................................................................................................
Please note balance or part balance payments by credit card are subject to a charge equal to 2% of the payment being made.
Preferred Travel ServicesBooking Form
W3692
Lead Passenger (who must sign this form
in the PAYMENTS section):
To make a provisional booking please refer to the How to Book section enclosed
with the brochure. Then COMPLETE THIS BOOKING FORM IN BLOCK
CAPITALS and return it with deposit payment or full payment (plus insurance if
applicable) to Preferred Travel Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp,
Leicester, LE8 0HS. Cheques should be made payable to Preferred Travel Services.
Title................................................................................
Holiday Title.........................................................................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
....................................................................................................HOLIDAY
Passenger details
Exactly as written on the Passport.
Please use BLOCK CAPITALS
Surname......................................................................
Address........................................................................
........................................................................................
CODE....................................
Provisional Booking No.........................................................................................................
Departure Airport........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................
dd / mm / yy PRICE £.......................................................
DEPARTURE DATE ...............................................
..........................................Postcode...........................
Tel. day.........................................................................
NUMBER OF ROOMS
Twin/doubles............Triples/Family............... Singles (supplement applies)..............
Mobile...........................................................................
Emergency contact Tel.......................................
Email.............................................................................
Date of birth .........................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Passenger 2:
Title................................................................................
please refer to Departure Dates and Prices
SPECIAL REQUESTS (not guaranteed). You may also wish to advise us
here of any special needs so that we can inform the hotel and/or transport
company.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
HOLIDAY EXTRAS TO BOOK if applicable (please refer to Departure Dates and Prices)
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
Surname......................................................................
INSURANCE
If not taking our insurance:
Date of birth .........................................................
Your Insurer.....................................................................................................................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Policy No.................................................... 24 hr emergency No........................................................
Forenames..................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
PAYMENT ENCLOSED WITH THIS BOOKING (please refer to How to Book)
Issuing Country.........................................................
Deposit£...................................
Passenger 3:
Full Payment (including supplements and extras if applicable)£...................................
Title................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
Surname......................................................................
Date of birth .........................................................
Nationality...................................................................
Passport No................................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Passenger 4:
Title................................................................................
Insurance premiums
£...................................
TOTAL £...................................
Please make your cheque/postal order payable to Preferred Travel Services.
In signing I have read and accept all details in the booking conditions and do
so on behalf of all those named under Passenger Details
dd / mm / yy
Signed..................................................................................................... Date
...............................................
IN WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOU SEE THIS HOLIDAY
ADVERTISED?
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Forenames..................................................................
THANK YOU FOR BOOKING
Surname......................................................................
Date of birth ........................................................
dd / mm / yy
Issue Date ....................
Issuing Country.........................................................
Office use only
£
BN
ASB
Issue No.
Passport No................................................................
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS FOR CREDIT/DEBIT
CARD PAYMENTS – we accept Maestro, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Visa
Card Type................................................... Valid from............................. Expires..................................
Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code
(shown on the reverse side of your card, after your signature)........................................
Card No.
Nationality...................................................................
Please charge my account the sum of £...................................
Card holder’s name if different from the Lead Passenger’s name
................................................................................................................................................................................
Card holder’s signature............................................................................................................................
Please note balance or part balance payments by credit card are subject to a charge equal to 2% of the payment being made.

Escorted Holidays Collection November 2015 to August 2016

Transcription

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