Give a little it'll mean a lot

ACACIA Africa is asking all of its travellers who are finishing their tour in Cape Town to open their hearts and their backpacks and consider donating to SAVE. The SAVE Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation that works to enrich, educate, and empower various township and settlement communities, every donation going to families affected by the shack fires in the Dunoon and Morning Star housing areas on the outskirts of South Africa's Mother City.

Sabine Behrmann, Cape Town Manager, at Acacia Africa, comments, “So far we have donated 20 camping mattresses, in excess of 30 pillows and an assortment of kitchen equipment including pots, utensils, serving bowls. Our tour leaders let clients on our southbound tours finishing in #CapeTown know that if they wish to donate their sleeping bags, pillows or other personal items (clothes, flash lights, books etc) they should simply leave them on the truck after checking into the lodge in Cape Town. We then pass them on to the SAVE Foundation who see that these items get to the needy."

While there's no better time to put the word out, the fires are frequent, so Acacia #Africa is hoping travellers will continue to give what they can over the festive season and beyond.

Sabine Behrmann, comments, "These families are often left with nothing at all so every donation goes a long way to helping them get back on their feet, and no matter how small, travellers will be making a very real impact on these people's lives."


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Solar Eclipse on Pitcairn Island

THE Pitcairn Islands are a group of four islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that comprise the last remaining British Overseas Territory in the Pacific. Only Pitcairn Island, the second largest, is inhabited. Located halfway between New Zealand and Peru, with a lush and fertile climate, Pitcairn has a colourful history. 

Following their application to be a Dark Sky Sanctuary and recently announced new shipping service, Pitcairn Islands Tourism has today launched an exclusive tour to celebrate the Total Solar Eclipse which will pass over the Pitcairn Islands in July 2019. 

The 18-night/19-day tour includes 11 days cruising around the remote Pitcairn Islands, the world’s 3rd largest marine reserve, visiting UNESCO World Heritage listed Henderson Island, Oeno Island to view the Solar Eclipse and a 4 day stay on Pitcairn Island, home of the descendants of the HMAV Bounty mutineers since 1790. Pre and post stopovers in Tahiti are also included. This once in a lifetime opportunity is only available to 10 guests and is being escorted by distinguished astronomer, Emeritus Professor John Hearnshaw from New Zealand’s University of Canterbury.

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Barrier Free Travel

ENABLE Holidays, the leading tour operator for wheelchair-users and holidaymakers with limited mobility, has unveiled its new accessible holidays brochure for 2018.  The all-new collection includes more holiday types than ever before to cater for the ever-changing needs and aspirations of disabled tourists. 

For the bold adventurer, there are exotic tours (some of which are escorted) to Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, South Africa, India and Vietnam. For lovers of European culture and the good things in life, there’s the opportunity for wine-tasting experiences in France, Italy and Spain. And for holidaymakers looking for a little privacy in an oasis of tranquillity, Enable Holidays has added even more adapted villas across the Mediterranean, Aegean, Canary Islands and Florida.

The entire collection now extends to more than 500 personally audited accessible holidays in over 50 destinations, across 12 different types of holiday.

Lynne Kirby, managing director of Enable Holidays, believes that limited mobility shouldn’t mean limited choice: ‘’ All holidaymakers should have the opportunity to book and enjoy their ideal holiday, adventure or experience – barrier free.

‘’Our job is to source and deliver the widest range of tailor-made holidays to meet the needs of disabled tourists. It’s certainly not the easiest sector of the travel market to specialise in, but we like to do things right; and it’s extremely rewarding to see things come together for changing lives and making dreams come true.’’



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Explore East Africa

AFRICA is becoming an increasing popular tourist #destination and those who love nature and wildlife love to explore this amazing continent. However, East #Africa is still unexplored by many African safari lovers and Augustine Tours is bringing these beautiful destinations within reach.

The most popular tour offered by Augustine Tours Limited is an exciting seven-day trip to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. The trip will take these tourists to the hills, parks, lakes and other historical, natural and cultural destinations of these amazing African destinations. 

The company also arranges trips to Tanzania and Kenya, which are already some of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. 


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Nominated for the award of Best Escorted Adventure Holiday Company

THE British Travel Awards are considered the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the travel industry. Acacia Africa has been nominated for the award of Best Escorted Adventure Holiday Company in the prestigious 2018 British Travel Awards (BTAs).

An adventure travel specialist, Acacia #Africa has offices in London and South Africa, the tour operator’s portfolio of over 100 budget-friendly itineraries including Overland Tours, Small Group #Safaris, Short Safaris & Treks and City Breaks & Short Stays. Acacia's award-winning guides are dedicated to making sure everyone enjoys their time on the continent - students, couples, families and senior travellers booking with the specialist.


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Chile and Argentina 2019 Solar Eclipse

SELECT Latin America has launched a new five-day ‘Chile & Argentina 2019 Eclipse’ tour which will take place during the next total solar eclipse visible in Chile in July 2019. 

The holiday includes travelling to La Serena, the Elqui valley, Limari Valley, the Cruz Sure and La Silla observatories, as well as visiting the port city of Coquimbo which boasts some of the clearest skies in Chile. The trip is priced from £3,113 per person excluding flights.

www.selectlatinamerica.com

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Over the rainbow

THE Vinicunca Mountain, also known as the Rainbow Mountain, is no longer a secret tucked in the central Andes of #Peru. It has become an alternative attraction to the famed Machu Picchu citadel, and nowadays you can find day tours to visit this geological wonder. In fact, it’s becoming one of the top activities to do while in Cusco.

Locals say that the Rainbow Mountain used to be covered in glaciers that melted due to global warming, thus its late touristic discovery. The minerals in the Rainbow Mountain caused the sandstones to acquire a red rust-like color that contrasts the yellow, maroon and turquoise stripes, caused by the presence of other minerals combined with weathering; truly a geological wonder.

The Rainbow Mountain is now more accessible than ever thanks to http://RainbowMountain.Center, where you can book a day trip that leaves from Cusco early in the morning and arrives four hours later to the towns of Chilca or Japura situated at the bottom of the mountain. From there you’ll hike five miles for about two or three hours until you reach the peak. It sounds easy, but it’s actually challenging due to the elevation (17,000 feet).

Getting to the top of the Rainbow mountain involves a steep hike that could be extremely challenging for individuals who are not fully acclimatized to the altitude. It’s recommended you spend at least a couple of days in Cusco prior to the excursion.

Horse rentals and muleteers are also available for travelers not wanting to hike in high altitude. Locals rent horses to take you and your gear up and down covering 98% of the entire trek. There are 2 very steep sections that everyone has to hike on their own for about 10 minutes each in order to protect the horses from exhaustion.

Once you reach the Rainbow Mountain, the most scenic view is to trek to the top of the opposing mountain in order to take the classic Rainbow Mountain picture that is currently so popular in social media. From this summit, you can see the entire Red Valley below. Venturing into the Red Valley below makes you feel as if you are in a completely different planet as the vibrant red and yellow rocks and multi-color sediments create a truly unique environment unlike any other on planet earth.

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Tour on Two Wheels

SPICEROADS Cycle Tours is excited to announce a new 6-day/5-night tour in Japan: "Kyushu Onsen to Onsen." A fantastic ride from Fukuoka to the Kunisaki Peninsula, this tour features plenty of onsens, rugged volcanic scenery, and cultural sites spanning hundreds of years of Japanese history.

Many overlook this remote corner of Kyushu, but those who make the journey will discover unspoilt nature alongside some of the most undisturbed pawā spotto (spiritual places) in all of #Japan.

This moderate #cycling tour totals 237 kms within 4 full cycling days and is suitable for all reasonably fit cyclists. Roads are all tarmac and in good condition. The tour features full vehicle support; an air-conditioned bus follows the tour for the entire journey. However, the route is point-to-point and cycling the full riding distances provides more opportunities for cultural experiences.

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Picture Credit: Vallausa 56946749@N00/30317208325 Fukuoka 016 via photopin.

Ride to Remember in Thailand

#ANZAC Day is held in #Thailand on 25 April every year. The day of remembrance honors fallen Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces POWs who served and lost their lives in Thailand. A dawn ceremony is held at Hellfire Pass, where many POWs succumbed during the construction of the Death Railway, followed by a ceremony at the POW cemetery in the city of Kanchanaburi.

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours is excited to announce a new once-a-year tour "ANZAC Ride to Remembrance" in Kanchanaburi, Thailand which takes riders through the history and beautifully varied scenery of Kanchanaburi Province.

A moderate tour with a total of 118 kms within 3 days and one half day of cycling is a mixture of wide, hard-packed dirt trails, single track and smooth tarmac - cycling off the beaten trail through jungle, teak plantations and farming villages . Aimed at the reasonably fit rider, however, the air-conditioned support van is always close at hand.

Some highlights of the trip include visiting the famed WWII sites such as Bridge Over The River Kwai and the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway.  Participating in the ANZAC ceremonies: the dawn ceremony at Hellfire Pass and the wreath laying ceremony at Don Rak War Cemetery and visiting Lawa Cave to see stalactites and stalagmites in many unique formations.

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Picture Credit: shaguarxkr 17746744@N08/27931414690 DSC_9472 via photopin

Heritage Travel

SOPHIA'S Travel is an award-winning travel agency and travel consulting service specializing in Jewish heritage travel, food & wine, and cultural travel, especially in Western and Eastern Europe, and the republics for the former Soviet Union.

Winner of the 2016 Travvy Gold Award for Best Small Retail Travel Agency, they have announced a new Cultural and Culinary Tour to Georgia and Armenia, with a special emphasis on Jewish heritage. The tour will visit Georgia for 10 days / 9 nights, May 27-June 5, 2017, with an optional overland extension to Armenia for 5 days / 4 nights, June 5-9, 2017.

According to the travel industry website TravelPulse, "Heritage Travel is the 'Next Big Thing'." For Sophia Kulich, a Jew, who emigrated from the former Soviet Union, Jewish heritage has been her passion.

www.sophiastravel.com

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Picture Credit:By Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48814947

Khasab Sea Tours

KHASAB Sea Tours, one of the oldest travel agencys in Khasab,Oman operate trips for Cruise Ship passengers docking in Khasab. Khasab Musandam is famous for its natural beauty & dolphins which can be seen during the dhow cruise tours there are also tours of the historical city including Khasab fort.

Khasab is a destination for hundreds of Cruise Ships every year from Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom & many other countries. Cruise Ships in Khasab for 2016/2017 are MSC Fantasia, Vision of the Seas, Celebrity Constellation, Mein Schiff-3, Norwegian Star, Costa Pacifica to name but a few.

Khasab Sea Tours provide free pickup & drop off services to the dhow cruise terminal for dhow cruise trips. They also operate Musandam trips:

Musandam dhow cruise tours: dhow cruise to Khasab Musandam Fjords with dolphin watching, swimming and snorkeling.

Mountain safari: mountain safari to top of the mountains with amazing views not to be missed.

City tour: tour of historical city of Khasab.

http://www.kstoman.com

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Picture Credit: Khasab Sea Tours

The Hidden Jewels of Northern Peru

THE ultimate voyage of discovery away from the crowds of Machu Picchu. 

Developed by Amazing Peru and Beyond through experience gained in previous tours, the Hidden Jewels of Northern #Peru includes local expert guides, private transport in luxury 4 x 4 vehicles and boutique hotels across this seldom visited part of the country.

The unique journey visits the archaeological sites of the Moche, Mochica, Sipan and Sicán cultures in private service and is now available to all through Amazing Peru and Beyond.

Amazing Peru & Beyond is the pioneer of luxury tailor-made travel services throughout Peru and Latin America. 

www.amazingperu.com

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Picture Credit: 43714545@N06/20133076268 Huaca El Brujo (Cao Viejo), ceremonial precinct and tomb of the Lady of Cao, Moche, around 450 CE (7) via photopin.com

The Jewels of Persia by bicycle

THE Jewels of Persia by Bicycle is a 15 day, moderately challenging cycling tour that takes travelers along a beautiful route through Central Iran, exploring the country's cultural heartland and visiting key historical sites.

Organised by specialist bicycle tour operator SpiceRoads based in Bangkok who offer tours on two wheels for the casual sightseer to performance road cyclist, and range from half­-day sightseeing excursions to 30-day multi-­country odysseys.

"Iran is an exciting destination that has much to offer curious travelers. Exploring the country by bicycle is the perfect way to discover its rich culture and warm people. SpiceRoads is committed to providing our riders with top quality cycling tours and travel experiences, so we're proud to announce Iran as our 30th destination," says Daniel Moylan, GM of SpiceRoads Cycle Tours.

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Picture Credit: 72241436@N00/28947763485 Have a Good Day.  Mashhad, Iran via photopin.com

Newmarket stables tour

DISCOVER #NEWMARKET has organized an exclusive Champion Trainer tour with trainer John Gosden at Dalham Hall Stud on July 18.  
The behind-the-scenes tour will include a morning on the gallops with Mr Gosden –who has won more than 2,500 races around the world – followed by a meeting with the recently-retired Derby and Arc winner, Golden Horn.

Sam Bullard, director of Stallions at Dalham Hall commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome people to see Golden Horn at Dalham Hall on what will be an outstanding opportunity for any racing enthusiast.’

Places on the tour are limited and cost £150 per person. Contact the Discover Newmarket Team on 01638 675509 or book through the website www.discovernewmarket.co.uk


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Picture Credit: By Alarnsen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia 40165192

Whisky Co. launches bespoke Scotland tours

#WHISKY #TOURISM in #Scotland is big business, with some 120 active distilleries, 40 more in the pipeline and visitor numbers reaching upwards of 1.5 million a year. But there are few services providing a personal connection between whisky tourists and the distilleries.

With the industry looking to find new ways to encourage whisky tourism in Scotland, PR manager Kirsty MacGeoch has created a link between the distilleries and visitors, with the launch of Whisky Co. in Edinburgh. It creates itineraries individually suited to guests’ requirements and books all aspects of their trip from transfers to tastings … with a focus on luxury.

‘Whisky is a huge Scottish success story, but there’s a missing link between the distilleries and the whisky lovers coming to visit,’ says Ms. MacGeoch. ‘Everyone has a different taste when it comes to whisky and it’s the same when it comes to holidays. Whisky Co. stands for Whisky Connections, as that’s exactly what we do, provide that connection between the distilleries and the tourists. 

‘I’ve always felt there wasn’t a luxury, personalized service available to the public that offered something special to visitors. Whisky Co. is here to do that, by providing extra-special whisky experiences based on exactly what the customer wants, rather than providing just another pre-packaged whisky holiday. 

‘I wanted to share my knowledge of Scotch and Scotland with the world to ensure visitors get the best out of what our country and its wonderful whisky have to offer.’

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Picture Credit: 32280754@N05/27758397432 Edinburgh Castle via photopin.com, 37845599@N07/5010330004 Haggis & Whiskey in Dunedin via photopin.com

Book in for the history of modern travel

PACKAGE #holidays … Adventure tours … Thomas Cook … Thomson … Benidorm. Club 18-30 … Coach tours … City breaks. You name it – we've done it. We've been there and lived to tell the tale. Dave Richardson – a freelance journalist who has been writing about the travel business for over 40 years – reveals all in his book Let's Go – A History of Package Holidays and Escorted Tours (£14.99). 

It tells the story of the travel business from the 1850s to the present day. Featuring anecdotes, word-of-mouth accounts from the people who made it happen and archive images, the book brings the story up-to-date by looking at how we take our holidays today and the threats that could force tour operators out of business.

Noel Josephides, chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents, writes in the foreword:

‘What brings the book alive is the fact that Dave has lived through many of the years he describes and can write from personal experience of the many colourful characters that have shaped the travel sector. This book enables us to see travel through the eyes of those who were actively involved in creation of the dream.’

The book can be ordered online at www.historyofpackagetours.co.uk.

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