Perfect combination - Truffles and Wine

WESTERN Australia’s truffle season is upon us and we wanted to put the region’s newest 4-day truffle hunting and wine travel package on your radar. Available now through the end of August, this gourmet experience takes place in Margaret River – the heart of Western Australia’s most unique food and wine destination. 

The Margaret River region boasts over 120 wineries and is also home to stunning beaches along the Indian Ocean. During the hunts, travelers can meander through an enchanting canopy of truffle trees with the companionship of highly trained truffle dogs in search of the rare and delicious Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum). 

These exclusive truffle hunts are a must for foodies and those who want the ‘farm-to-plate’ experience in one of the world’s premium Black Truffle regions, and are only held on The Truffle & Wine Co.’s farm in Manjimup, Western #Australia. It is one of the few truffières in the world that allow a select number of people each year to participate in the rare privilege of a #trufflehunting experience.

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Visit the Ecuadorian Amazon with explorer Benedict Allen

NEW for 2018, Steppes Travel has launched an exclusive ‘Wildlife and Communities’ experience travelling to the Ecuadorian #Amazon with British explorer Benedict Allen. The adventurer will guide guests on a ten-day holiday into the #rainforest on the luxury boat Anakonda, sharing stories of his adventures in three informal lectures. Highlights of the trip include canoeing down the Amazon River in the UNESCO listed Yasuni National Park, and meeting indigenous tribal communities to learn about local culture.  

www.steppestravel.com

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Elusive and Exclusive travelers head to New Zealand

THE world’s High Net-Worth Individuals are setting their sights on New Zealand.
They’re an elusive – and exclusive – group of travellers who have the ability to travel wherever and whenever they want, and more and more are choosing #NewZealand as their retreat of choice.

“Attracting people who have the ability to #travel anywhere in the world can be challenging and it is an extremely competitive market. New Zealand has been a secret hideaway for some of the world’s wealthiest and now we have so much more to offer this market with exclusive accommodation and #luxury activities. We are somewhat of an R&R bolthole for billionaires,” says Lisa Gardiner, Tourism New Zealand’s Manager Premium and Business Events.

In the year to March 2017, premium market spend recorded by Luxury Lodges of New Zealand over the 2016-17 summer period was up 46% on the previous year.

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Simpson Travel acquires two villa specialists

LUXURY operator Simpson Travel has bought two villa companies, French experts Dominique’s Villas and Italian operator Cottages to Castles. The move follows the acquisition of Exclusive Escapes earlier this year, which included a number of properties in Turkey. 

The Cottages to Castles programme will continue to operate as a stand-alone brand with its own website for 2016.

Simpson Travel managing director, Graham Simpson, said: ‘We are delighted to announce these two new acquisitions. Since our launch in 2003, Simpson Travel has continued to grow and we have a high volume of repeat clients who we know will welcome these new destinations.

As a company, our ethos is firmly grounded in offering quality service and a diverse choice of properties to our clients. Dominique’s Villas and Cottages to Castles have similarly high levels of product and core brand values of excellent customer service, as well as a strong sense of heritage, and as such are an ideal match.

The former Exclusive Escapes properties are featured in Simpson’s Turkey 2016 portfolio, while a new France programme will be introduced this month.

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Travel firms collapse

1. Exclusive Escapes 


THE managing director of Turkey specialist Exclusive Escapes has cited ‘two challenging years’ after the company ceased trading with immediate effect. The luxury operator, based in Richmond, Surrey, also traded as Hidden Turkey and sold villa and hotel packages.

More than 2,000 holidaymakers are being assisted by the Air Travel Organizers Licensing (ATOL) protection scheme following the failure.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was working with hoteliers and airlines to enable 500 Exclusive Escapes customers already abroad to complete their holidays and travel back to the UK as planned.

Exclusive Escapes MD, Andrew Lee, said: ‘Our immediate thoughts and sympathies lie with the many loyal guests, wonderful hoteliers, property owners, and suppliers who are affected, in addition to our loyal team in Turkey and the UK. It’s no secret that 2015 has been one of the toughest years to date for tourism in Turkey, largely due to the country’s geo-political situation. This comes on the back of two challenging years of trading. 

‘Exclusive Escapes performed well compared to the general market, but the two months following the atrocity in Tunisia, and then Turkey joining the coalition against ISIS together with ensuing events, have had a considerable impact on the market which have sadly proved unmanageable.’

The company had 1,750 ATOL-protected customers with forward bookings. They will get full refunds.

David Clover, head of crisis management at ATOL, said: ‘The collapse of Exclusive Escapes is a timely reminder of why holidaymakers should make sure their holiday is ATOL protected and that they receive an ATOL certificate as soon as they’ve booked their trips. As a result of the ATOL protection scheme, customers of this business have the peace of mind that they will be able to complete their holidays and return home, or get a full refund. If you are looking for a bargain air holiday at the end of summer sales, it is essential to check to make sure you will get ATOL protection and receive an ATOL certificate before you hand over any money.’
 
2. Flight-only specialist Fone N Fly

The company, which operated the website fonenfly.co.uk, was based in Ealing, London, and offered flights worldwide. It failed on August 18 with 132 customers abroad and 226 forward bookings, accounting for 450 clients, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Airlines should honour tickets for those clients currently overseas, said a CAA spokesman. But the CAA has advised clients overseas to contact their airline before travel to check their return ticket is still valid.

If it has been cancelled by the airline, customers are advised to book a reasonably-priced ticket and apply for a refund on their return via their airline, and if unsuccessful, contact the CAA.

Clients who booked by credit card should contact their card issuers, which will process refunds.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57509161@N00/5984426652">Kigu Suitcase</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)