A stay with John, Paul, George & Ringo

MILLENNIUM HOTELS AND RESORTS (MHR) has bought a Beatles-inspired hotel in Liverpool's increasingly popular Cavern Quarter.

Housed in the 19th century Grade II listed Central Buildings and adjacent to the iconic #CavernClub, the hotel has 110 bedrooms.

CEO of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Aloysius Lee said: ‘#Liverpool is a leading tourist destination that continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It maintains its prominent stance by investing in an array of forward-thinking regeneration projects, while firmly retaining its #Beatles legacy.

‘Being the only one of its kind, the Hard Days Night Hotel offers a Beatles experience like no-other and we are confident that our guests, particularly from countries including China, USA, Canada, and Europe, will be excited by the choice of this latest acquisition.’

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: This might be the very best hotel in Liverpool, if not England, but I’d rather spend the night on a bench in the docks than check in to a shrine to the Beatles. Such was the North-South divide, there was only one band worthy of the name for Baby-Boomers raised in London: The Rolling Stones. Many of us dismissed the Beatles as a mere pop group … and do so to this day!

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Ulster’s white knuckle walk re-opens

A CLIFF FACE walk in County Antrim, #Northern Ireland, designed and built more than a century ago has been re-opened to the public.

The #Gobbinscoastalpath in #Islandmagee was the brainchild of Irish railway engineer Berkley Deane Wise. It opened in 1902 and soon became famous as a white knuckle walk. Edwardian-era visitors were able to have close encounters with waves and wildlife.

The path, which is carved into black basalt cliffs, was an engineering triumph: it's connected by a network of walkways and bridges, the most iconic of which was a tubular bridge. Post-war austerity meant decline for the 1.5 mile walkway; it was closed to the public in the 1950s.

A £7.5 million restoration project began in 2013, replacing bridges, hand rails, and constructing a new visitors centre.

Before starting the walk, visitors are given a safety briefing and a hard hat in the visitors centre.

The walk is described as strenuous and is not suitable for everyone. No-one under the height of 3’ 9” will be allowed to take the walk, and visitors with cardiac, respiratory, asthmatic, or joint conditions are urged not to attempt it.

Groups of 10 to 15 will be guided along the bridges which cling to the cliff face just feet above the sea. The route allows visitors to see coastal birds such as Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes up close. It's also possible to spot porpoises off the coast.

Tours should be booked in advance and the costs are £8.50 for adults, concessions £6, and a family rate of £23.

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Upgrade for Darwin’s Frances Bay waterfront

DARWIN’S Frances Bay basin – also known as the Duckpond – is to be turned into a waterfront precinct for tourists, locals, and boaties.

Northern Government chief minister Adam Giles said the area presented a golden opportunity for an imaginative, mixed-use re-development which would draw in visitors to the overlooked waterfront location.

‘We’ve seen fabulous waterfront developments occur around #Darwin and I believe there’s a great opportunity to rejuvenate #Frances Bay,’ Mr Giles said. ‘The Duckpond is the heart of our commercial fishing industry and we want to keep it that way.

Auckland and Hobart have turned their fishing ports into attractive harbourside destinations, where visitors can enjoy a drink, meal, or catch a cruise. Darwin can do the same.’

The city council’s city centre master plan envisages an improved marina in the area.

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India extends e-Tourist visa scheme

#INDIA’S government has extended its e-Tourist visa scheme to a further 36 countries, making a total of 113.

The additional countries include the UK, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

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British Airways connects Glasgow with Salzburg

BRITISH AIRWAYS (BA) is to start a direct weekly winter service to #Salzburg, #Austria, from #Glasgow in December.

It’s the first time that BA has offered Scots a direct route to Salzburg, with its Alpine setting and baroque architecture. It was the backdrop to The Sound of Music, and the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Phyllis Stuart, British Airways’ manager at Glasgow Airport said: ‘Salzburg is one of Europe’s great tourist destinations and offers something for everyone, from those wanting to explore the rich musical and cultural heritage of the city, with its links to Mozart and to those whose focus is on the ski resorts a short distance.

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They’re there to help

#MALTA’S tourism authority (MTA) has trained and employed a team of students whose job is to assist holidaymakers. 

Armed with tablets loaded with location maps and information about places of interest, they are there to answer tourists’ questions and to approach tourists and offer assistance when it is thought necessary.

They are covering, initially, the main tourist sites in #Valletta, the Sliema Ferries, #Mdina, and St George’s Bay in St Julian's.

The MTA’s chief executive Paul Bugeja said: ‘This is one of the initiatives we are taking in direct support of tourists visiting our islands. We are combining the personal contact together with technology, always with the intention of providing the best possible service.’

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Art on show in Devon

DEVON OPEN STUDIOS (September 5-20) is rare opportunity to meet artists in their studios in some of the most beautiful and unexplored parts of the county. Much of their work is for sale, and many demonstrate and give talks during the 16-day programme, sponsored by the West Country letting agency Helpful Holidays.

More than 200 artists working across the county – in painting and printmaking, ceramics and textiles, sculpture, jewellery, and photography – will welcome guests into their workspaces.

For the free guide and details of all the artists taking part, go to www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk/application/workfiles/resources/low%20res%20DAN%20Guide%202015%20final.pdf – or get one from libraries and tourist information centres in Devon.

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New Zealand passes 3 million visitors mark

THE number of overseas visitors to #NewZealand passed the three million mark for the first time in the year ending July, driven by a surge in arrivals from China and Australia.

The government’s statistics agency said the number of visitors was up by seven percent year-on-year to a record 3,002,982. They spent a total of NZ$8.7 billion (£3.7 billion), up by 28 percent on the previous 12 months.

#Tourism was directly responsible for 94,100 jobs within the industry and supported a further 72,700.

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Saga promises ‘best ever’ UK and Ireland cruise

SAGA #CRUISES has launched what it claims will be the best ever cruise around Britain and Ireland … from the Jurassic Coast to the Scottish Highlands.  

The 14-night cruise aboard the #SagaSapphire will start from Dover, Kent, on August 18 next year.

The cruise is priced from £2,972, which includes a UK travel package to and from Dover, all meals and entertainment, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free Wi-Fi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount of £53 when passengers have their own insurance.

The Saga Sapphire carries a maximum of 720 passengers.

Key highlights will include calls at Poole, Guernsey, Cobh and Kill begs (Ireland), and in Scotland: Hollyhock, Kirkwall in the Orkneys, and Inver Gordon.

Prices are based on two people sharing an R grade cabin.

www.saga.co.uk

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Europe under canvas

PITCHUP.COM flags up European holiday destinations for the perfect holiday under canvas:

Croatia: #Camping Village Poljana is the place for a stress-free holiday. On the island of Lošinj in unspoilt surroundings, guests can explore the beauty of the archipelago and enjoy views of the island by hiking, mountain biking, or sailing. The campsite has a full range of facilities including restaurant, café-bar, children’s playground, entertainment, and different sports. Pitches start from £13.31 a night for two. 

www.pitchup.com/campsites/croatia/kvarner/primorje-gorski-kotar/mali-losinj/camping-village-poljana

France: Camping Les Ecureuils is in La Bernerie en Retz on Brittany’s Atlantic coast. Facilities include a heated pool, Jacuzzi, paddling pool, waterslide and sun deck, and an entertainment team organizes activities for children. For grown- ups there’s Zumba, power yoga, aquagym, and bootcamp. For evening entertainment, there’s live concerts, bingo, and themed disco and karaoke nights. Pitches start at £11.51 a night for two. 

www.pitchup.com/campsites/france/pays-de-la-loire/loire-atlantique/la-bernerie-en-retz/camping-les-ecureuils

Spain: Camping La Garrofa is on a sheltered corner of the beach in La Garrofa, a few miles from Almería. There are spacious pitches supplied with optional electric hook-up, plus a bar and restaurant. Pitchup.com offers pitches from £13.67 a night for two.

www.pitchup.com/campsites/spain/andalucia/almeria/almeria/camping-la-garrofa 

Italy: Campeggio Mare Blu is a few steps from a white sand beach and has playground, ping pong tables, pétanque court, free WiFi, a swimming pool, and a large solarium. For a taste of Italy, meals are served at the pizzeria-restaurant. £19.42 per night for two. 

www.pitchup.com/campsites/italy/marche/pesaro-urbino/fano/campeggio-mare-blu

Portugal: Camping Valverde is near nature reserve, Praia da Luz, and Lagos. The site has large marked out pitches, most of them under the shade of trees. Amenities include a swimming pool, a multi-sport field, tennis courts, free WiFi, a playground, six shower blocks, a mini market, a self-service and takeaway restaurant, a snack bar, and convenience store. From £18.27 a night for two. 

www.pitchup.com/campsites/portugal/faro/lagos/lagos/camping-valverde

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Premium Paris

VACATION rentals provider LuxuryVilla.com is now offering private #luxury #apartments in some of the best locations in #Paris. The apartments have views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and the Champs Elysees.

Samuel Cohen, CEO of LuxuryVilla.com, says: ‘Our Paris vacation properties are perfect for couples who want to get away from it all and live luxuriously in one of the most famous cities in the world. Whether they're doing the tango on the Seine, listening to blues in the oldest jazz club in Paris, or eating in a sidewalk café, couples will love the endless adventure that the city has to offer.’

The company also manages holiday rentals in the US and Jamaica.

www.luxuryvilla.com

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BA offers free flights for kids during Rugby World Cup

CHILDREN under 12 will be able to fly #free from Heathrow to Newcastle and Leeds Bradford on British Airways (BA) flights during the #RugbyWorldCup.

The deal is available until November 1 to cover the duration of the event, making it easier for families to get to matches at St James’ Park, Elland Road, and Twickenham.

The #KidsFlyFree initiative follows the cut in Air Passenger Duty (APD) for under-12s from May and an extension of the tax cut to under-16s from May 2016

Dale Keller, chairman of the Fair Tax on Flying campaign, said: ‘This initiative is a great example of the benefit a cut in APD for children has brought to families across the country. The UK still has the highest air travel tax in the world – it is a barrier to boosting our tourism industry and a burden on hardworking families taking a well-deserved holiday.

‘The government should follow BA’s and Heathrow’s lead and put consumers first by further cutting this damaging tax.’

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Norwegian launches ski flights from UK

Low-cost airline Norwegian has signed a deal that will provide more destinations for UK thrill seekers hoping to hit the #ski slopes this winter.

The airline has signed new agreements with three tour operators in the UK: Nielson Travel, Balkan Holidays, and #Skiworld. Norwegian will provide charter flights from London Gatwick for travellers heading top ski destinations in France, Spain, and Bulgaria during the winter season.

Meanwhile, Scandinavians seeking winter sun will benefit from Norwegian charter flights to the Canary Islands.

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Picture Credit: "Skiing at Attitash" by Attitashmountain - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Found – the man who settled Virginia

THE remains of the four leaders of Jamestown – the first permanent and successful English colony in #America – have been discovered in the historic Virginia settlement.

The find was made in the burial grounds of a 16th century church in Jamestown by archaeologists from the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation at Historic Jamestowne and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

The identification of the remains unearths new information about the colony, the role of religion, and the lives of the leaders, who were: The Reverend Robert Hunt, who arrived with the first settlers and was the first Church of England Minister at Jamestown; Captain Gabriel Archer, who was involved in much of the in-fighting that characterized the colony's early years; Sir Ferdinando Wainman, a kinsman of the colony’s governor, Lord De La Warr, and who was put in charge of the colony's horse troops; and Captain William West, who was killed in fighting against native Americans in 1610.

‘The presence of the artefacts and the location of the graves in the church's most sacred space, the chancel, both indicate the high status of the four men and their importance to the early history of the Jamestown venture,’ says Dr William Kelso, Director of Archaeology at Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation.

Historic Jamestowne, the archaeology site where these discoveries were made, is open to the public and provides visitors with the chance to talk to the archaeologists and to learn more about the colony.

To find out more about Historic Jamestowne, visit www.historicjamestowne.org

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Spanish airport workers set for September strikes

A SERIES of #strikes has been called by Spanish airport workers over four days in September. The action is expected to affect airports in #Madrid, #Barcelona, #Alicante, #Malaga, and #Majorca from next Friday.

The airport handlers are due to walk out in the peak morning and evening periods on September 4, 11, 18, and 25.

The Workers’ Commission Union, one of the three unions involved, warned that easyJet and Vueling would be the airlines most affected.

The threatened stoppages – from 4.30am to 7.30am and 7.30pm to 9.30pm – are being blamed on a decision by handling firm Menzies Aviation Iberica to postpone a collective bargaining agreement.

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New in Nevis

THE newly-opened Paradise Beach Nevis is the only beachfront villa resort on the #Caribbean island of #Nevis. 

Stays start from just US$850 (£547) per night plus taxes and service charge for a family of four, including concierge and on-call butler services.

The concierge can organize activities including mountain biking, rainforest hikes with a local guide, kayaking, horse riding, scuba diving, tennis, and day trips to the neighbouring islands of St Kitts, St Barts, Anguilla, and St Martin.

The privately-owned resort has seven two-, three-, four-bedroom Indonesian- inspired thatched villas which have plunge pools and gourmet kitchens.

Nevis – at just 36 square miles – prides itself on being unmarred by modern trappings, with no fast food outlets, coffee shop chains, or casinos.

There are direct flights from the UK to St Kitts with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic via Antigua. Alternatively, guests can travel to St Maarten with KLM from Amsterdam or Air France from Paris and connect to St Kitts via Winair.

*Nevis has a population of approximately 12,000, English is the official language, and the currencies used are the US and East Caribbean dollars.

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Rugby World Cup worth almost £1 billion in tourist spending

TRAVEL search engine GoEuro.co.uk has calculated that the 2015 #RugbyWorldCup (September 18-October 31) will generate almost £1 billion for the transport and tourism industry. 

The UK will host 20 teams, more than 440,000 international visitors, and 2.2 million Brits in 11 cities. London will be the biggest winner, with 17 matches earning the city more than £197 million in transport, accommodation, merchandise, and food and drink spending.

The calculation excludes the cost of match tickets in the host cities, which are: London, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Gloucester, Exeter, Milton Keynes, and Brighton.

www.goeuro.co.uk

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Fare offer to the Far East

TO promote its latest UK route, #Cathay Pacific is offering discount fares to #Vietnam and the #Philippines from Manchester from £519, and #Australia from £569. 

The fares can be booked from August 22 until midnight on September 30.

The fares are available on Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class tickets from Manchester Airport.

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Boost for Iran as FCO relaxes travel warning

BRITAIN’S Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) move to relax its advice on travel to #Iran is expected to lead to increased interest from adventure holidaymakers. 

Advice against travel has been lifted for most parts of Iran, says the FCO. It still advises against travel to the areas of Iran bordering Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan but has downgraded its previous guidance to avoid all but essential travel.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Our policy is to recommend against travel to an area when we judge that the risk is unacceptably high. We consider that continues to be the case for specific areas of Iran, notably along Iran's borders with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

‘But we believe that in other areas the risk has changed, in part due to decreased hostility under President Rouhani's government.’

#IntrepidTravel has already seen UK bookings double to the country since Iran's historic deal to close its nuclear facilities was agreed in July 14.

UK managing director, Michael Edwards, said: ‘We consistently get fantastic feedback from our Iran tours – the ancient ruins, incredible architecture, and especially the warm and friendly Iranian people. However, the FCO advice has always been a barrier for many people who wanted to travel to Iran.’

He described the relaxing of FCO travel advice as being a ‘massive boost’ for tourism to the country. ‘It will make insurance easier to obtain and ensure more people feel comfortable travelling to this fascinating country. The key is to get there now before the country is well and truly on the tourism map.”

The introduction of an electronic visa would be the final step to opening up tourism to Iran, he said, because UK citizens must currently travel to Dublin or Paris to get visas.

Intrepid plans 23 departures on its Iran Adventure trip next year, up from 21 this year.in 2015. The 16-day tour starts from £1,765 per person, including accommodation, selected meals, ground transport, and a local leader.

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Travel Quotes . . .

“Adventure is worthwhile.” – Aesop

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Beware … Vikings in Falmouth!

OPEN this summer at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth is the Dragon's Den, an interactive Vikings and dragons play zone. Youngsters can explore the world of Viking myths, monsters, and legends with games, dress as a Viking, and take on the giant magnetic Viking picture puzzle. There's also the Vile Vikings trail on which they find out about the aromas of the Viking age.

There will also be a number of favourites returning for the summer, including crabbing from the museum's pontoon. Weather and tides permitting, crabbing sessions take place every day until September 2.

www.nmmc.co.uk

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Stay – and learn – on a farm

#FARMSTAYUK has launched a collection of ‘learn to....’ breaks on working farms. From pig-keeping and smallholding courses to dog training and terrain driving breaks in a 4x4, the holidays teach guests much of what there is to know about rural life ... and provide self-catering accommodation.

Here are a few examples …

Head to Kirkwood Cottages in South-West Scotland and combine a working farm experience with the opportunity to learn off-road driving at the farm’s Terrain Driving Skills sessions. There are seven self-catering holiday cottages on the 600-acre estate. 

www.farmstay.co.uk/self-catering/dumfries-and-galloway-lockerbie-kirkwood-cottages-1696

Aspiring pig keepers should look no further than Smallicombe Farm in Devon, whose Pig Keeping courses offer an opportunity to learn more about caring for these majestic farmyard animals.  

www.farmstay.co.uk/self-catering/devon-colyton-smallicombe-farm-1273

Located in Looe, Cornwall, Polean Farm is offering Dog Training holidays to guests who bring their pets with them. The three one-hour tailored sessions include everything from agility training to pet obedience, after which you can see if the hard-work has paid off at the golden sandy beaches just two miles away. The cottages have been newly-renovated 18th century barns. 

www.farmstay.co.uk/self-catering/cornwall-looe-polean-farm-cottages-1931

For the budding smallholder, Cwmcrwth Farm in Carmarthenshire offers a Smallholding Experience, providing guests with the chance to learn the ins and outs of being a smallholder before taking the plunge. Farmer Rob and his wife Fiona teach all there is to know about growing your own and life on the farm at this traditional Welsh smallholding just outside Llandeilo in the Towy Valley. Guests are able to combine the course with a stay at one of the farm’s converted barn cottages.   

www.farmstay.co.uk/self-catering/carmarthenshire-llandeilo-cwmcrwth-farm-1676

In the heart of ‘kite’ country in Powys, Wales, is Nannerth Country Holidays, with 4-star cottages on a 200-acre hill farm and offering a Bird of Prey Falconry Experience. Guests can learn everything there is to know about the ancient art of falconry from a team of professionals showing how it’s done and putting their skills to the test by flying a Harris Hawk. 

www.farmstay.co.uk/self-catering/powys-rhayader-nannerth-country-holidays-175 

Farm Stay UK is the Britain’s only farmer-owned tourism consortium, offering 1,000 rural accommodation options for those looking for an authentic countryside break. It has a wide range of choices, from farmhouse B&Bs to cottages, and converted barns and water mills to wood cabins.

 www.farmstay.co.uk

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35557234@N07/5967531483">Mud Bath</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/93911830@N06/8608406972">Farrowing Crates</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/27560056@N03/2628627013">Harley having fun</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/15923063@N00/9264602609">Reaching Consensus</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/40686262@N05/6063242799">Hawk</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Interhome expands French network

INTERHOME, the Swiss specialist in holiday homes, has expanded its service network, with two new regional agencies. 

They are in Carnac (Southern Brittany) and Saint Aygulf (French Riviera). 

The agency now has 60 offices, 31 of which are in France. Customers can complete all the check-in and check-out formalities, as well as get advice from staff on local events and activities.

It manages 33,000 vacation properties in more than 30 countries.

www.interhome.co.uk

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34920308@N07/6873312392">Villefranche-sur-Mer</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

BA coins it for art

BRITISH AIRWAYS (BA) has created what is believed to be the world's biggest piece of ‘money art’ using a combination of ten, five, two and one penny coins to promote its fares and prices for flights and holidays. 

Six hundred thousand coins were taken from a London bank vault to the airline's Heathrow engineering base, where a team created a giant mural depicting the Statue of Liberty on an aircraft hangar floor.

The artwork measured 33ft by 26ft and took seven members of the BA team six hours to create as they laid the coins out by hand. The money weighed 53.6cwt.

Sara Dunham, British Airways' head of marketing, retail and direct, said: ‘We've decided to re-create an iconic image from one of our most popular destinations to celebrate the Big British Airways Take Off. We offer a great range of fares and holiday packages which will allow our customers to bank plenty of money to spend on their holidays’’

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Picture Credit: British Airways

Wizz Air heads for Kosice

#WIZZAIR is to start twice-weekly flights from Bristol Airport to Kosice, #Slovakia, in October.

This follows the introduction of Sofia, Bulgaria, to Wizz Air’s schedule from the West Country airport. The addition of the Kosice flight brings the total number of Wizz Air destinations to three from Bristol – Katowice (Poland), Sofia, and Kosice.

Peter Downes, head of Aviation Development at Bristol Airport, said: ‘Wizz Air is opening up new, previously unserved markets for passengers in the South West and Wales. As a previous European Capital of Culture, and serving as a gateway to six UNESCO world heritage sites, Kosice is one of the hidden gems of Eastern Europe.’

Kosice is the second largest city in Slovakia after the capital, Bratislava.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46145615@N02/14071871535">Paneláky. Post-communist landcape</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

The luxury collection

A TOUR operator offering #privatevillas, villa resorts, and #privateislands to UK clients has launched operations.

The Villa Collection – established by tourism industry veterans Andrea Lovering and Gemma Lewis – handles luxury villas in locations including Barbados, St Lucia, Anguilla, and Antigua.

#Luxury properties in the Hamptons, Miami, and New York are coming on stream, and a range of Indian Ocean & Middle East destinations will also be available. Clients can currently book directly with the company, but plans are in place to begin working with travel agents.

‘The brand and our product offering has been carefully designed and selected with the target market in mind,’ says Ms Lewis. ‘We will be offering a highly personalized service to our clients and sharing our knowledge and experience to ensure our customers stay in the perfect villa and destination for them.’

Ms Lovering adds: ‘Many people initially assume private villas are more expensive than hotels, but villa rates often work out more affordable per person and clients enjoy privacy and space that a hotel cannot offer. We also offer villa resorts which combine both resort facilities with villa accommodation, and for ultimate luxury and privacy, we feature a range of private islands.’

www.thevillacollection.co.uk

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28402582@N07/8806746124">Beach patio</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)