Celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela

AN award-winning agency established in 1987, named "Top Travel Specialist" for 19 consecutive years by Conde Nast Traveler, and recognized consistently by Forbes as well as other prestigious publications. Tully Luxury Travel designs life-enriching travel experiences for a global clientele, curated with the utmost attention to detail. Priding itself in its philanthropic and conservation initiatives which encourages how one can always travel with a purpose and make a difference.

In December, Mary Jean Tully, Founder and CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, proudly supported Giants of #Africa, the not-for-profit co-founded by Toronto Raptors president, Masai Ujiri, with the purchase of an exclusive and unique work of art. The painting titled "Madiba" by artist Ajiri Ujiri, was showcased at the annual Giants of Africa fundraiser, "Mandela 100", celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela. 

As 2018 would have marked Mandela's 100th birthday, Tully was honored to celebrate the icon's profound international impact. A devoted philanthropist, Tully is passionate about Africa and actively supports various causes to raise awareness for positive change, globally.


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Pink Tea in China

CONRAD MACAO Introduces “Pink Inspired Afternoon Tea” to raise funds for breast cancer awareness campaign.

Conrad Macao Cotai Central, #China is undergoing a pink transformation for its ‘PINK Inspired’ campaign this October. From October, 1-31, the hotel will offer its guests a series of PINK experiences and collectibles in support of Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s Pink Revolution, an annual campaign that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research. 

As a Diamond sponsor of the campaign for the fourth successive year, Conrad Macao has pledged to donate a portion of its proceeds, including those from the “PINK Inspired Afternoon Tea”, to the fund.

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Picture Credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Hotels ramp up prices on RWC match days

WITH only days to go until the 2015 #RugbyWorldCup (RWC) is hosted in England and Wales, hotel search website trivago.co.uk has analyzed hotel prices and availability in the host cities. 

A hotel stay on a match night will cost an average of £261 (184 percent above the average of £92 in 2014), with prices increasing for each match in each city.

The largest increase was found in Cardiff, where a hotel room on October 17 – the day of a Quarter Final at the Millennium Stadium – could cost £1,018.

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Fly Away Bride

WITH many UK couples looking for reliable weather and lower wedding costs, the trend for getting #marriedabroad is increasing. Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) is hoping to assist Fly Away Brides to plan ahead with a comprehensive guide which compares airline policies for transporting wedding dresses and cakes abroad. 

The research compares guidelines across 15 major airlines including easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, and Thomson Airways, and highlights policies for carrying dresses as hand baggage and hold luggage. The guide also highlights the airline regulations relating to how the dress needs to be packed and whether any additional baggage options are available.

All of the 15 airlines in the study were found to allow wedding dresses to be transported as hand luggage, although 14 of the airlines offer no additional baggage allowance for the bride. Couples who have booked a wedding package through Thomas Cook are entitled to 11kgs hand luggage spread across two bags for each person travelling, instead of the usual policy of 6kgs in one bag.

When it comes to packing wedding dresses, airlines such as Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, and US Airways recommend that it is packed in a foldable garment bag to reduce creases and damage during the flight. Virgin Atlantic require the dress to be packed in a separate suitcase marked 'fragile wedding garments' if it is to travel in the hold.

Brides travelling with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic can ask for their dress to be hung in a wardrobe storage area if space is available. Ryanair will go one step further, allowing passengers to book an additional seat for their dress for the duration of the flight. They must pay the full ticket price for the seat occupied.

Three of the 15 airlines compared in the survey, including Aer Lingus, easyJet, and Flybe allow passengers to bring their wedding cakes onboard. For those travelling with Aer Lingus, there is the option of checking the cake in or carrying it as hand luggage, while easyJet says they must be carried only as hand luggage.

Travellers flying with Flybe and opting for a traditional Scottish wedding abroad should be aware that the kilt pin and sgian gubh (sock knife) can be carried only as checked luggage … for obvious security reasons. 

The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website … www.aph.com/weddingdresses

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Record number of pensioners using travel websites

WELL-OFF UK pensioners made 35 million visits to travel websites in the past year, driving record growth, according to Experian’s Hitwise tool.

The number of visits to travel sites rose to 920 million in May, up from 906 million in the same month last year. This suggested that over-65s are becoming better off, e technologically aware, and keen to #travel.

San Francisco tops the ten more desired destinations so-called #silversurfers wish to visit, followed by France, mainland Spain, Ireland, Tenerife, Majorca, New York, Dubai, and Amsterdam.

Giles Longhurst, general manager, consumer insights, at Experian Marketing Services, said: ‘It’s interesting to see that those in the retired bracket are playing such a significant role in boosting online activity in the travel sector.

‘Silver surfers are defying stereotypes about those in later life using the internet and technology. They are also likely to be taking advantage of their extra disposable income. Having paid off their mortgages and downsized their homes, many over 65s are taking advantage of the added freedom they have found and are enjoying a very active retirement – including plenty of overseas travel.’

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Foreign cardholders exempt from daily €60 Greek ATM limit

MARKETING GREECE has published a statement saying people planning to visit #Greece in the coming days and weeks should be aware that the daily €60 (£42.50) ATM withdrawal limit at Greek banks does not apply to withdrawals made with credit and debit cards issued abroad,. The daily withdrawal limits for these remain unchanged.

Visitors would, therefore, be able to use their cards as they would during any other visit to Greece, either at ATMs or through transactions at hotels and shops and for services.

In a statement on June 29, Greece’s tourism ministry said:

“The measures the Greek government has imposed, limiting the movement of capital within the country, do not affect those who wish to make cash withdrawals from ATMs or carry out bank transactions with debit and credit cards that have been issued abroad. 

“It should be noted that the country has ample fuel supplies and access to the products and services required to ensure that visitors to Greece’s urban centres, rural areas and islands fully enjoy their stay.”

The British Government’s advice for visitors is to take extra cash just in case they find ATMs empty or closed, or shops and restaurants unwilling to accept card payments.

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Tips for safe driving … in France

#FRANCE is a beautiful country in which to drive but, says Swinton Insurance, be sure to remember these six tips:

1. Foot off the gas – The French take speeding very seriously and speed limits are implemented rigorously. Carrying speed detecting devices is illegal, too, so switch off your SAT NAV alerts or you could lose your licence and your car. 
2. Cruise, don’t booze – Forget having a drink if you’re intending to get behind the wheel. French laws are much stricter than those in Britain … so much so that you will be expected to carry your own breathalyzer. 
3. Be smart – Obey the rules of the road and enjoy your break in peace, but commit a traffic violation and, be warned, you could face an on-the-spot of fine of up to €375 (£268). If you are fined, make sure you get an official receipt. 
4. Calling for help – Use the bright orange telephone boxes that are dotted along the motorway and toll roads (roughly every 2KM/1.2 miles) to contact the local breakdown recovery service. 
5. Carry a hi-vis jacket – Most UK drivers will find this odd, but when in France you must carry a high visibility jacket in the car – and not in the boot – in case you need to leave your vehicle at any point. Also make sure you have a warning triangle. 
6. Right is right – It seems obvious, but remember that people drive on the right-hand side of the road in France, as they do in rest of continental Europe. Keep your eyes peeled for where traffic is coming from, and approach junctions with caution. 

What if things go wrong? Here are some phrases that might come in handy in an emergency:

• Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous Anglais? 
• I am lost! – Je suis perdu! 
• Can you send me a mechanic / breakdown van? – Pouvez-vous m’envoyez quelqu’un / une dépanneuse? 
• My engine has overheated – Le moteur a surchauffé. 
• I have lost my car keys - J’ai perdu mes clés de voiture 
• My engine doesn’t sound right – Mon moteur fait un drôle de bruit 
• I have a flat battery – Ma batterie est à plat 
• Car – voiture 
• I’m out of fuel – J’ai plus d’essence 
• My brakes aren’t working properly – J’ai un problème de freins 
• I have a flat tyre – J’ai un pneu à plat/ J’ai un pneu crevé 
• I’ve put the wrong fuel in my car – Je me suis trompé de carburant/ d’essence 

For more about the rules and regs of driving in France – and to download a guide to take with you – go to http://www.swinton.co.uk/car-insurance/guides/driving-abroad/france/

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Car hire in Spain? Beware those hidden extra €s

HOLIDAYMAKERS renting cars in #Spain this summer need to be most on their guard for ‘sneaky tactics’ used by suppliers, says car hire broker Economy Car Hire, which has identified six ways in which consumers could be caught out.

They are:

• Admin fees: Some suppliers offer what's known as a ‘full-full' policy, but slap on an admin charge. This means you when you collect the car it has a full tank and you must return it with a full tank. When you return the car, you get a refund for the tank, minus the admin charge which is typically €25-€40 (£18.40-£29.50). 

• Credit card charges: You're told to pay for extras such as a satnav or child car seat in sterling at a very poor exchange rate.

• Pre-existing damage: You're made liable for damage which was already on the car when you collected it.

• Diesel surcharge: You're hit with a €10-€15 (£7.35-£11) surcharge when you're given a diesel car, even though you didn't ask for one.

• Sealed agreements: You sign your rental agreement digitally and the printed copy is handed over in a sealed envelope, so you only spot any nasty surprises when it's too late.

• Insurance hard sell: You're pressured take out local cover, even though you bought it before travelling.

The firm also highlights tactics used in other countries, such as the UK, US, France, Turkey, Italy, and South Africa which range from charging for damage that was already on the car through to ‘out of hours’ vehicle collection fees.

Economy Car Hire managing director, Rory Sexton, said: ‘Dirty tricks are more prevalent in certain countries than others, with customers reporting fewer issues in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Switzerland. 

If you are going somewhere where sneaky tactics are often used, make sure you scrutinize the terms of their booking in advance, and read the rental contract carefully when collecting the car. It's always a good idea to book through a broker in the UK which will provide the protection of UK consumer law.’

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Vacation time? Guard your ID!

HOLIDAYMAKERS who used to worry about their homes being burglarized now face a greater threat while travelling: #identitytheft. The increased use of social media, public WiFi networks, ATM machines and mobile devices by families on holiday in the US and abroad have made them prime targets for cybercrime. A free Summer Vacation Guide to Identity Security is now available, offering safety tips for protecting devices, data, and identities.

‘Anyone – adult or child - who uses a computer, tablet or mobile device on a plane, in a hotel room or in a cyber cafe can be a victim of #cybercrime,’ says cybersecurity expert Morgan Wright.

Wright, a former law enforcement officer who has advised the US departments of Justice, Defence and Homeland Security on cybersecurity strategies created the guide in response to an internet safety threat report that reveals a dramatic rise in identity theft, digital extortion, and data corruption.

Among the guide's do's and don'ts are how to identify and avoid:

· Bluetooth and WiFi vulnerabilities

· Social media and mobile app risks

· Malware and ransomware attacks

· Credit card, online banking and ATM scams

Wright recommends that families read the guide prior to leaving on vacation in order to implement some of its recommendations from their secure home internet networks. Then, he suggests packing it along with their travel itineraries as a reminder of cyber safety precautions when on the road.

Copies of his guide can be obtained at www.scribd.com/doc/266503798/Summer-Vacation-Guide-to-Identity-Security

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Jet.2.com to take action against unruly passengers

JET2.COM has promised to take action to curb disruptive and offensive behaviour on its flights following a rise in the number of such incidents.

Action will be taken to stop unacceptable behaviour including racist abuse, threatening conduct towards passengers and staff, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Measures taken to combat such behaviour will include police prosecution, refusal to board, flight diversion, and flight ban for life.

The airline reported that it had imposed a lifetime ban on a man who it said was ‘consuming illicit alcohol, using intimidating language and threatening behaviour’ on a flight to Alicante from Leeds Bradford Airport

‘Due to a passenger’s unacceptable behaviour onboard, the pilot diverted the flight to Toulouse where the disruptive man was handed over to the police authorities and the remaining travellers continued on to Alicante,’ said Phil Ward, managing director of jet2.com, who added that the passenger might now face prosecution.

‘Jet2.com is a holiday airline,’ said Mr Ward. ‘We will not allow our customers’ holidays to be upset by an individual’s obnoxious behaviour. We will not hesitate to prosecute individuals where necessary.”

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Ulster in drive for Australian tourists

AUSTRALIA offers significant potential for tourism to Northern Ireland, according to a new Tourism Ireland strategy. 

The three-year strategy for growth sets out ambitious targets which will see the number of Australian visitors grow by +20% by the end of 2017.

#Australia is the third most important market for tourism to Northern Ireland (after mainland Britain and the United States) in terms of visitor numbers and revenue.

The strategy highlights key factors working in Ulster’s favour: 

· Recent strong performance: since 2010, visitors from Australia to the island of #Ireland have grown by more than 40%; in 2014, more than 180,000 Australians visited the #island of Ireland. One-third of all Australian visitors include Northern Ireland in their itinerary.

· Strong cultural affinity: Ireland and Australia have many things in common, including language, heritage, sense of humour, love of sport … and both drive on the left.

· Improved air access: there are twice-daily, one-stop flights now available between Australia and Ireland (via the Middle East). Australians who are visiting Great Britain and mainland Europe can also use excellent connecting flights to Belfast.

· Australians are highly prized visitors; they travel throughout the year, stay longer (on average 12 nights), spend more (approximately £760 – almost double the average visitor spend), and like to get off the beaten track – so are more likely than other nationalities to tour rural areas.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: ‘Australia has performed well for #tourism to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland in recent years and the future is undoubtedly bright. We believe this is a market of considerable potential over the coming years – given that these high-spending visitors travel right throughout the year and enjoy getting off the beaten track.’

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Picture Credit: Shrove Beach Oct 07 by NorthernCounties - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Scrabo Tower near Newtownards (3) - geograph.org.uk - 775719 by Albert Bridge. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Hospitality body wants tax cut from new UK government

THE UK’s new government should cut tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) to 5%, according to the British Hospitality Association.

Said chief executive Ufi Ibrahim: ‘Our top agenda item for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor is to cut tourism VAT to 5%, which could massively boost jobs, bring billions of new revenue to the Treasury, and directly improve the livelihoods of people in struggling communities across the UK.

‘Let's hope consumers are the winners in the final result, and can look forward to the benefits of an increasingly healthy economy.’

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France, Italy, Spain, UK praised for accessible tourism

A STUDY on the supply of accessible tourism services in European Union states points to a general lack of provision for visitors with access needs.

The study – funded by the European Parliament – found that more than three million tourism businesses are not able to cater adequately to the accessibility market. 

The countries with the greatest numbers of accessible services are France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. These countries, says the EU, have invested not only in adapting and building accessible infrastructure but also in developing staff training schemes focusing on disability awareness and accessibility as part of customer service training. This, in turn, helps to give customers the confidence to travel with greater security, knowing that their needs will be met.

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Picture Credit: Una delle più belle by Carlo grifone - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Big wheel wheelchair for on the beach by MigGroningen - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons