Love is in the air....

Valentines Special Offer........Cornish Holiday Lodges known for family self catering holidays in Cornwall and relaxing breaks. If you are planning a fabulous family holiday in Cornwall, a luxury rural retreat, a romantic get away or self catering holidays for a sightseeing adventure, you have certainly come to the right place!

Treat your loved one to a romantic break away - any 2 nights in February for 2 people only £250  ( not applicable during half term). Check as conditions may apply but Book it quick!  www.cornishholidaylodges.co.uk

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Record year for Israel tourism

Tourism to Israel is on the increase, according to figures published by the government in Jerusalem. A record 3.54 million tourists went there last year.

                              

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Robots get ready for battle

IT'S A battle for the survival of the fittest Dalek next half term at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, Somerset. Robots from all over Britain will be trundling towards the museum for an all-out battle to grind, slam and crush the opposition.
The event – April 16 and 17 – is being organized by Robo Challenge whose expertise in building robots is seen on TV's The Gadget Show. Many participants of the television show will compete with their mechanical warriors behind the bullet proof Robo Challenge Arena.
There will also be robot building workshops (spaces are limited, so register early on the day). If you ever wanted to know what it would be like to be a roboteer, then this is the perfect opportunity. This unique experience teaches the participants how robots work, and is suitable for ages seven and above.

Log on to www.fleetairarm.com for full details.

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Travel matters …

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” – Truman Capote

Record tourism for Spain

Spain welcomed in excess of 60.6 million international tourists in 2013, a 5.6 percent year-on-year increase. Spending by foreign visitors in Spain also reached record highs, with a total in excess of €59 billion/£48.6 billion in 2013, up 9.6 percent year-on-year.

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LOVE FEBRUARY

THE PERFECT ROMANTIC GETAWAY

GoHoliday brings you this SPECIAL offer from Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa - do you not just Love February - 

1st – 28th February, 2014

One night from £99.00 per person per night
Including 3 course dinner in the Sands Rosetted Restaurant, accommodation, full Cornish breakfast.
Bottle Cornish Pink Camel Valley Bubbles and red rose in room on arrival .

Two nights' from £175 per person
Including 3 course dinner in the Sands Rosetted Restaurant, accommodation, full Cornish breakfast.
Bottle Cornish Pink Camel Valley Bubbles and red rose in room on arrival.

All offers are based on two people sharing a room and include dinner, accommodation and a full Cornish breakfast.

Sea view, superior and deluxe room supplements apply. All offers subject to availability. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. 
To book please call Reception on +44 (0) 1736 795311. 

http://www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk/html/love-february.html

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Pleasure Island

Activity Island.

From abseiling to kite boarding, coasteering to blo-karting or kayaking to sky diving, Jersey can keep you busy with more than 30 different activities. Highlights include.

Pleasure Island click here

Jersey Gems

Island Walking.

THE ISLAND might have been made for walkers. Its ideal for slow strolls across the sands, energetic cliff top hikes and rambles on woodland trials.

Jersey Gems click here

New flights to Barcelona

Ryanair is introducing a three-times weekly summer service from Leeds-Bradford airport to Girona Barcelona, serving the Costa Brava region in Spain. Flights starts on April 1 and run through to October.

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More go to Goa

The Indian state of Goa has recorded a positive start to the year, with government statistics revealing the tourism hotspot had 12 percent more visitors – domestic and foreign – in 2013 than in 2012. International tourist arrivals were up by more than nine percent.

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Let’s party in Italy!

Heading to Italy this spring? These are some of the country’s most popular carnivals:

CARNIVAL OF VENICE
Venice – 15 February –  4 March
www.carnevale.venezia.it

CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO
Viareggio – 16,23 February & 2,4,9 March
www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

CARNIVALE DEI FIGLI DI BOCCO
Castiglion Fibocchi - Arezzo –  21 April  and 27 April
www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.it

CARNIVAL OF ACIREALE (Sicily)
Acireale - Catania – 15 February – 4 March
www.carnevaleacireale.com

CARNIVAL OF PUTIGNANO
Putignano in Puglia, 23 February. & 2,4,9 March
www.carnevalediputignano.it

CARNIVAL OF FANO
16, 23 February & 2 March
www.carnevaledifano.eu

CARNIVAL OF ARCO
Arco in Lake Garda – Trentino, 21,23 February & 1,2 March
 www.carnevalarco.com

CARNIVAL OF MUGGIA
Muggia, Trieste, 5 March
www.carnevaldemuja.com

CARNIVAL OF BAGOLINO
Bagolino , near Lake Idro (Brescia), 2 & 4 March
www.bagolino.net

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Where Life's a Beach

Cornwall is rightly famed for its magnificent sandy beaches, and one of the best in the country - and in England - is at Carbis Bay on the North Cornish Coast, a mile or so from St. Ives.

Where life's a beach click here

A world on the move …

INTERNATIONAL tourist arrivals grew by five percent last year, reaching a record 1.087 million arrivals, according to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) count.  Despite economic problems, international tourism results were well above expectations, with an additional 52 million international tourists travelling in 2013.

Demand for international tourism was strongest for destinations in Asia and the Pacific (up six percent), Africa (also up six percent) and Europe (up five percent).

The leading sub-regions were South-East Asia (up ten percent), Central and Eastern Europe (up seven percent), Southern and Mediterranean Europe (up six percent) and North Africa (up six percent).

“Tourism has been among the few sectors generating positive news for many economies,” said UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai.

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Award for Gatwick

Gatwick Airport has been named Best UK Airport for the second consecutive year at the 2014 Business Travel Awards.

Gatwick faced competition to retain the title from the likes of London City Airport, Heathrow, and Southampton Airport, but were ultimately crowned winners by a 14-strong judging panel including journalists and travel industry specialists.

The judges said Gatwick “was an airport that had re-invented itself.” They said they were “impressed with the wide-ranging improvements and with the way it is engaging with the corporate market, as well as adopting a pro-active approach with airlines about new routes. With plenty of innovation, it is a worthy winner.”

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Travel matters …

“California's a wonderful place to live - if you happen to be an orange.” – Author Unknown

Head west with Lonely Planet

Books from Lonely Planet … This month, the 3rd edition of Devon & Cornwall (£13.99) and the 5th edition of Wales (£14.99) will be published, with up to-date information for travellers. The guides feature new walking, cycling and driving tours.

The latest Devon & Cornwall guide provides complete coverage of the South West's most popular regions, with features on beaches, outdoor activities, food and drink, historic sites, seaside villages, gardens and moors.

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Last chance to see steam giants

Calling all steam train buffs … In July 1938, LNER A4 Pacific Mallard took the world steam engine speed record. To celebrate the 75th anniversary, the National Railway Museum gathered the last six A4's in the world, including two from North America.

The last chance to see them together happens at the museum’s display area in Shildon, County Durham, from February 15 to 23.  

 

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these prime examples of British steam engineering, including the record-holding Mallard.

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Golfers vote for La Manga

The five-star La Manga Club in Murcia in southern Spain has been named as the best golf resort in Spain for the third successive year. The venue was the overwhelming choice of the readers of UK magazine Today's Golfer to win the top consumer travel award.

The club will open a new Leadbetter Academy – the only such facility on mainland Spain – later this month.

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Strontian Holiday Cottages - Welcome!

Go Holiday Villas and Cottages welcomes Strontian Holiday Cottages to the website. Strontian Holiday Cottages are part of the Ben View Hotel, Ardnamurchan, Argyll … a corner of Scotland renowned for its stunning scenic wilderness.The breath-taking backdrop is the 2,700 feet Ben Resipole. There are superb views to Ben Garbhein, Loch Sunart and the Morvern Hills. Golden eagles, buzzards, sparrowhawks, pine martens and red deer are commonly seen. If you're lucky, you might even spot the elusive Scottish Wildcat. Ardnamurchan is one of Scotland's best-kept secrets – it’s a haven for walkers and a paradise for geologists and wildlife watchers.

Go Holiday - NewsFlash

UK back on track for Australia

Tourism Australia is attributing the 4.5 percent increase in the overall number of visitors arriving in Australia from the UK, for the year ending November 2013, to a range of factors including the British & Irish Lions Tour and Ashes series.

The UK remains Australia’s most valuable international leisure market in terms of total spend, with UK leisure visitors’ annual total spend reaching the AUD$2.4 billion (£1.28 billion) mark – 15 percent of the total spend for all inbound leisure visitors to Australia.

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Croatia smashes 2013 UK visitor target

Croatia welcomed more than 409,000 British holidaymakers in 2013, up by 23 percent on the previous year. The number of visitors from the Irish Republic increased by 31 percent.

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Stay safe in Thailand

HEADING for a holiday in Thailand, but worried about strikes and political protests and the 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces announced by the Thai government? Fear not, says Thai Airways, which has told travellers that the country remains safe for tourists.

Well, they would say that!

Wit Kitchathorn, Thai Airways International general manager, UK & Ireland, said: “Thai Airways wishes to reassure passengers travelling to Bangkok that Thailand’s capital remains a safe place to travel. Our advice would be to avoid any areas where protests are taking place. Thai is still operating a normal service throughout the demonstrations, but we do suggest to passengers that they arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at least four hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.”

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has said Brits should take extra care and avoid all protests, political gatherings, demonstrations and marches while in Thailand.

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Brits head south while winter’s at its peak

A new flight search analysis made by momondo.co.uk shows sunny destinations are amongst Brits’ favourites for travel this January.

The top 20 destinations from all London airports this month:

1. New York
2. Bangkok
3. Orlando
4. Johannesburg
5. Copenhagen
6. Los Angeles
7. Lisbon
8. Sydney
9. Dubai
10. Istanbul
11. Paris
12. Rio de Janeiro
13. Miami
14. Manila
15. Barcelona
16. Hong Kong
17. Las Vegas
18. Singapore
19. Rome
20. Malaga


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Holidaymakers spoilt for choice this year...

Paul Havenhand, Head of Travel at the Post Office, said: “The fall in the value of the lira should make Marmaris and other Turkish resorts very attractive to bargain hunters.  Not only have prices fallen this year but they are now 29 per cent cheaper than two years ago.”

Mr Havenhand added: “Holidaymakers will be spoilt for choice this year with better value-for-money in most destinations worldwide.  To cash in on this, UK tourists should do their homework before booking to find out where the pound is worth most and where resort costs are low. They can check out resort prices at www.postoffice.co.uk/worldwidecosts and then change sufficient travel cash to cover the cost of those tourist items, especially meals.”

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Highland highlights

Mountains, forests, moors, wildlife and whisky – Robin McKelvie samples the charms of Britain’s largest national park

The Scottish Highlands boast such a large tract of often inaccessible, often wild and always utterly scenic landscapes that it can be hard to choose where to visit. The Cairngorms National Park helpfully solves the problem … it has all the best parts of the Highlands rolled into one easily navigable whole.

Click to read more
http://govillasandcottages.co.uk/summer2013/#44

London set for tourism record

A RECORD number of tourists visited England’s capital between July and September last year, the latest set of tourism figures from the International Passenger Survey show.

For the first time in its history, the city is on course to welcome more than 16 million overseas visitors in one year.

During the first nine months of 2013, London had 12.8 million visitors, up by 12 percent on the same period in 2012.

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Some likely World-trends for 2014

Post Office Travel Money (www.postoffice.co.uk/worldwidecosts) tips Burma, Qatar and the Philippines as emerging destinations to watch.  Burma is opening up to tourism with a rash of escorted tours designed to lead the way for more adventurous tourists and the re-introduction of direct flights from Heathrow to Manila should also help to stimulate demand for the Philippines.  A year-on-year growth of 44 per cent in sales of the Philippino piso suggests that this move is already underway.  In the luxury market, Qatar is tipped for success for the third year running after sales of the riyal grew a further 31 per cent in 2013. 

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Places in the sun for tying the knot

Destination wedding site MarryAbroad.co.uk has analyzed its 2013 visitor statistics to find the UK regions in which people were more likely to choose getting married overseas.

Of the site’s UK visitors, 87 percent came from England, with a large 27 percent of English visitors coming from London. London-based engaged couples planning to marry abroad, appeared to prefer European wedding destinations, finding the site’s Italy and Spain pages most popular.

MarryAbroad.co.uk also rated their most popular wedding destinations by page visit for 2013. Greece was number one and Italy number two in the list – both for a second year running. France moved up the Top 10 list to be third most popular.

MarryAbroad’s top countries for overseas weddings in 2013: Greece, Italy, France, Spain.  Seychelles, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Canada.

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Isle of Wight highlights

Alison Gray and family enjoyed a family holiday on the Isle of Wight. These are her top tips:

• Blackgang Chine is a family theme park and was at the top  of our list of favourite things to do.  There are large rides suitable for older kids and adults, and a wealth or magical, fantasy lands suitable for everyone young at heart.

• Carisbrooke Castle is a ‘proper’ castle with an intact keep and gatehouse.  Charles I was kept prisoner there. The views from the keep and curtain wall are spectacular.

• Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s holiday retreat.
A wonderful chance to nosey into royal history.

• Alum Bay and the Needles lighthouse … lots to see here, but the excessive payment for attractions works on a complicated voucher system,  so be prepared!

• We visited the beach every day, and were spoilt for choice.  Compton Chine and Ventnor were our favourite sandy spots with Freshwater offering more pebbly fun.  Colwell Bay and Ryde are also fantastic beaches.

• We’d recommend the Isle of Wight to everyone as a staycation must!



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Direct flights to Mykonos & Santorini

British Airways is set launch direct summer flights from London Heathrow to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. There will also be twice-weekly direct flights to Malaga and Oporto and Faro in Portugal.

Until now, most flights to Mykonos and Santorini have meant a change of planes in Athens.

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Brits take the road to danger

MOST British drivers taking their car abroad are probably breaking local motoring laws thanks to their ignorance of the rules of the road in Europe, according to the ColinAppleyard.com car chain.

Many British drivers are not only unaware of speed limits on foreign roads, but also of other vital regulations such as mandatory safety equipment.

The company’s survey found that:

• 98% of drivers didn't know laws  in France and Spain require drivers to carry a spare bulb kit
• 94% didn't know that you have to carry a breathalyser kit whilst driving in France
• 82%did not know local speed limits, or were unable to convert them into miles per hour
• 18% didn't know that hi-viz jackets are required in some European countries in case of roadside breakdowns
• 6% were unaware that a GB sticker or a "Europlate" number plate with the UK flag is compulsory
• 1% of those surveyed didn't know that when in Europe, you drive on the right.

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Click here for a National Trail

A new National Trails website is packed with maps and information about the 2,500 miles of some of the best walking, riding and cycling experiences in England and Wales. There is something to suit everyone: from short walks to a 630 mile long-distance coastal trek.

The site uses high quality mapping – thanks to support from the Ordnance Survey – showing the trails in great detail, plus nearby attractions such as castles, churches, parks and museums.

Liz Newton, Natural England’s Access and Engagement Director, said: “Our countryside is inspirational – this web site will help more people to discover it.”

www.nationaltrail.co.uk

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New planes for Island hoppers

Tired of overcrowded ferries and the scramble for the last spot of shade? From April 2014, Hellenic Seaplanes (www.hellenic-seaplanes.com) offer new island routes, cutting travel times from hours – even days, in some cases – to minutes.

Hellenic Seaplanes will operate its first ten routes in 19-seater Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft from mainland hubs in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Volos – with further island hubs in Crete, Santorini, Kos, and Mylos. These are travel game-changers; bringing out-of-the-way islands such as Patmos and Skopelos within easy reach.

Suited to rugged coasts and islands, they operate safely in high winds when ferries links are often cancelled.
 
By the end of 2014, they plan to establish a hundred hydrodromes, or floating piers, around the coastlines of Greece.

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We’ll spend more on travel, say Brits

Confidence among UK consumers could be returning. Research suggests that almost two-thirds of Brits intend to increase the amount they will spend on holidays this year.

On average they will up their travel spending by 14 percent compared to last year, and eight percent will be doubling their 2013 vacation spend, according to  Diffusion’s 2014 Consumer Travel Trends report.

In further positive news, more than one in six (17 percent) plan to increase the number of holidays they have, one in eight (12.5 percent) are looking to travel further afield, and one in ten will book a multi-centre trip. However, the ‘fly and flop’ remains a staple part of British travel plans, with almost 19 percent intending to book a beach holiday.

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Turkey moves to online tourist visas

Travellers to Turkey will have to apply for an e-visa online prior to departure from mid-April, says the Association of British Travel Agents. The new system replaces the current procedure which allows visitors to buy visas – £10 in cash – at airports on arrival in Turkey.

Said ABTA in a statement: “We are concerned that consumers, particularly those who have not booked through ABTA members, might not be aware of the new requirement and might as a consequence be refused entry to Turkey.”

All visitors to Turkey from April 11th 2014 will be required to purchase their entry visa – which is essentially tourist tax – via the Turkish government’s website.

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Thousands struggle to see the stones

THERE are two ancient mysteries surrounding one of England’s most well-known tourism gems: Stonehenge. The first is what it was built and used for. The second is why the brilliant minds of those charged with looking after it haven’t been able to come up with an acceptable method of allowing people to see it while ensuring the site is protected.

The latest attempt involves English Heritage’s new £27 million visitor centre, from which  Land Rovers haul three carriages containing a total of 45 tourists – many of whom have been waiting in line for 90 minutes  – on a ten-minute drive to the stones. It’s said that the visitor centre has to stop selling tickets when wind and rain – inconveniently coming from the wrong direction – forces staff to close the ticket booths.

And to add insult to injury, the price of adult tickets has risen from £8 to £14.95 … to pay for the £27 million visitor centre. The resulting entirely understandable anger has led to a torrent of complaints on Trip Advisor.

If this is how the system is performing in December and January, what will it be like when half of the planet’s population heads for Stonehenge this summer?

David Kernek – Go Holiday editor

Portsmouth remembers

Throughout 2014 Portsmouth will be commemorating both the First World War centenary and 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, with a large programme of special events and exhibitions. Known for its maritime heritage extending back some 800 years, the waterfront city is also home to the Royal Marines Museum, which will be celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Marines formation back in 1664.

The Portsmouth 2014 commemorations will be officially launched with a flag raising ceremony in Guildhall Square on Commonwealth Day, March 10. Portsmouth City Museum will be staging an exhibition, Lest We Forget, in its ground floor gallery from June to November displaying First World War artefacts and archive material from its collections. I

For more details about events and local attractions, call the Portsmouth Visitor Information Service on 023 9282 6722 or e-mail vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, or log on to www.visitportsmouth.co.uk.

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New museum For Cotswolds

A new museum will open in the Cotswold village of Broadway.  Situated in a 17th-century house - The Tudor House - renovated in a year-long project, the Ashmolean Museum Broadway will display a selection of objects and works of art from Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. It will be operated as an independent museum open to the public six days a week.

 Tudor House was built in 1659–60 as a coaching inn.  Over the centuries, the building has been adapted and extended and has functioned at various times as a school, private residence, and most recently as an antiques shop.

The top-floor of the building will be devoted to temporary exhibitions drawn from the Ashmolean’s collections and for the use of local groups and contemporary artists.  The first exhibition will open in May with work from the Ashmolean collection by John Singer

Sargent, as part of the Broadway Arts Festival.

www.ashmoleanbroadway.org

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Sterling boost for UK tourists.

YOU might not have noticed it, but the pound in your pocket is getting stronger, at least when measured against 33 foreign currencies, says Post Office Money.

The Post Office’s foreign exchange people have identified ten holiday hotspots for 2014, based on factors including currency performance, new flights, low resort costs and the strength of sterling. 

They are: Bali, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

Prices have fallen by up to 32 percent in 70 pecent of the resorts and cities surveyed worldwide. The plunge in the value of Turkish lira low means tourists will pay 19 per cent less in resorts there.

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In a Europe-wide comparison carried out by the online service Flight Stats, Germanwings has been ranked second out of all airlines evaluated for punctuality.

A Spanish airline with a punctuality rate of 92.73 percent managed to pip Germanwings to first place. Germanwings scored 91.6 percent.

Go Holiday news

Welcome to Go Holiday

Welcome to Go Holiday

Times are tough but we still need holidays, and the self-catering sector is well-placed to offer budget-conscious travelers not only the flexibility that hotels can rarely provide, but also price tags that are more attractive than ever.