The Great West Way

A new bookable, multi-modal touring route from London to Bristol, designed to bring more tourism to the region, has been declared open. The Great West Way was declared officially open November 5 at the world’s biggest travel trade show, World Travel Market.

Funded by the UK Government’s Discover England Fund, this new bookable touring route encompasses a 500-mile network of road, rail, river, canal and paths from London to Bristol and has been brought to market by over 300 local tourism businesses and 23 Official Tour Operators.

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Never get lost again

MAPS.ME for Android presents an innovative way for you to stay informed when you're on the move. Whether you're doing a cross-country tour by car, out cycling or just having a stroll around a city you're not familiar with, this simple app serves as an invaluable utility to help you get to where you're going. 

It comes with offline maps of thousands of cities across some 200 countries so that you don't need to keep spending money on mobile data when you're out and about. There's nothing missing either, thanks to the fact that the maps are always kept up to date. The latest edition also adds more rapid transit plans, so that you now have subway routes and more for well over 100 cities around the globe. Customize and bookmark your maps and access them offline.

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A new best friend in France

FRENCH self-drive tour company, France Just For You, has partnered up with Insidr and is now including a smartphone in their self-drive tour travel packs. Previously, travelers had reported high international roaming fees from their cellphone providers and no access to GPS on their phones, so these customized smartphones have provided the solution.

Travelers can pick up their Insidr smartphone from Charles de Gaulle international airport in Paris, or #France Just For You can ship it to the accommodation at the first stop on their travelers’ itinerary. At the end of their trip, travelers only need to place it in the pre-paid addressed envelope provided and post it back. As one traveler put it, having the Insidr smartphone was ‘like having a new best friend in France’.

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Travel and tour the world

FOLLOWING the current trend of peer-to-peer user experience platforms, Tourme allows travelers to connect with local experts for a memorable and personalized experience no matter where they are in the world.

Tourme began as a dream: a father-daughter quest for pineapple picking farms in Maui that became a blockbuster-script-worthy adventure. With the help of a friendly local, the duo not only found their pineapples, but shared an experience that would live in their hearts forever. It was this memory that sparked the idea for the peer-to-peer touring platform, Tourme.

From the sandy beaches of Lahaina to the drawing room floor, the vision for Tourme eventually led to a fully realized #travel #app and website with 10,000 potential tour guides in 150 countries around the world.

Tourme offers 4 types of tours to help travelers find the right guide for their next adventure. Take a bar crawl through Barcelona, learn to Salsa in Santo Domingo, or pick pineapples in Hawaii; with Tourme, it's up to you. Available to download now in the App Store and Google Play.

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Adventure ready in Eucador

WINNER of the 2017 “Motorcycle Tour Operator of the Year” award from Luxury Travel Guide, Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental is the country’s first motorcycle tour operator. Working with local, professional guides they design and outfit tours for adventure enthusiasts who wish to explore #Ecuador on two wheels.

Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental, the most experienced #motorcycle #tour operator in Ecuador and provider of the most extensive fleet of rental motorcycles in South America, announced today that it is adding four new motorcycles from the Italian manufacturer SWM to its fleet. The two models selected – the RS 650R and the Gran Milano 440 - will add even more riding options for those seeking that rare combination of off-road / on-road excitement that has put Ecuador on the adventure-riding map.

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Globe Travel Awards reveals awards for touring and adventure in 2018

THE increasing importance of the touring and #adventure sector to the #travel trade has been reflected with a new Globe Travel Awards category for best adventure operator.

The category will celebrate the growth of adventure travel, alongside other awards crowning the best in class in mainstream and premium escorted touring.

To make the categories clearer, the Best Activity & Adventure Operator award has been renamed Best Operator for Activities, honouring suppliers that specialise in activities including skiing, cycling, walking and water sports.



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Off to Rio?

HEADING to Rio for Olympic Games? The Latin American Travel Association offers these insider tips for visitors:

Best places to stay for Olympic excitement 

·        Copacabana district, famous for its three-mile beach, offers the chance to catch some of the Olympic highlights including beach volley ball, triathlons, marathons, and ocean swimming.

·        Ipanema, in southern Rio, will host the Olympic debut of rugby sevens.

·        Santa Teresa is Rio’s artistic hub on Santa Teresa Hill. Known for its winding, narrow streets, it’s a great spot to enjoy the city's creative side and gastronomy.

·        The Lapa district, known for its lively cultural scene and its concentration of bars and restaurants, should be on every Rio revellers list.

Where to head for a day trip

Two-and-a-half hours east of Rio, Buzios is an upscale fishing port with great restaurants, boutiques, and villas. It rose to fame after a visit in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot. Idea for snorkelling

Secret Rio

·        Tour operator Trailfinders suggests heading to Morro de Dois Irmaos, an iconic mountain at the end of Leblon Beach for a 40 minute hike to the top offering panoramic views of Rio.

·        The Brazil Tourist Board says the tropical forest of Floresta da Tijuca is a secret spot in Rio that deserves to be discovered by tourists.

·        For traditional food, travel company Chimu Adventures advises visitors to head to Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa, a bar known for its local cuisine.

·        For peace and tranquillity, travel company Jacada Travel recommends Parque Lage. It’s completely off the tourist radar. For a secluded beach, try the tranquil Praia Vermelha in the Urca district next to Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Where to shop

·        Every first Saturday of the month the Rio Antigo Fair takes place in Rua do Lavradio, with hundreds of stalls lining the street. Handicraft market Feira de Sao Cristovao takes place in the Luiz Gonzaga Centre in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood.

·        Rio Sul in Botafogo was the first shopping mall to be built in Rio de Janeiro. It’s close to the city's main tourist spots.

·        Barra Shopping is located in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood in Rio with more than 600 shops.

·        The Leblon shopping centre has top-name Brazilian and international brands, plus good restaurants and a cinema.

How to avoid the games

August and September are the best times to visit the Amazon Rainforest as the water level in the Amazon River is highest and the weather is mild and clear.

·        For a relaxed break, Trailfinders suggests Natal, Olinda or Recife in the North-East of Brazil offering a more local feel, great beaches, and authentic cuisine. South of Rio, Florianopolis has more of a European feel with good beaches and a chilled out vibe.

·        ChimuAdventures recommends travellers head to Trancoso in Bahia, or Jericoacoara in Ceara where the weather will be warm and the beaches almost  empty.

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When in Adelaide …

THE three-hour Feast On Foot food and street art tour takes in the sights of #Adelaide while sampling the city’s most mouthwatering food. Departing Saturdays at 10am, the tours start from the Stag Hotel, one of Adelaide’s oldest pubs, and from there walkers will experience everything from Middle Eastern snacks to gourmet chocolate to dumplings.

See Adelaide offers half and full day tours that explore the city and surrounding areas, including Glenelg, the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Barossa. Half day tours with morning departures give visitors the option of including a leisurely afternoon in the historic township of Hahndorf, while those choosing afternoon tours can have dinner in Glenelg or a Temptation Sailing Twilight cruise.

Down To Earth offers 90-minute, easy-paced walking expeditions that bring to life the stories of Adelaide’s heritage and culture. There are six tours to choose: Around the Square; East End Escapade; Cultural Caper; Stately Swagger; Grand Mansions and Sub-divisions; Hills, Squares & Parklands.

Adelaide Sightseeing gives sports lovers a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Adelaide Oval. Other new tours for the 2015/16 season include Adelaide’s South Coast and McLaren Vale Tour which explores the city’s southern coastline before visiting the McLaren Vale wine region for tastings.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46018453@N06/10082703583">Port Noarlunga Street Scene #dailyshoot #Adelaide</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/29530712@N06/8252607250">brighton-201212-01</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/48557354@N03/13553449105">ID: AA-1406</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Intent on a good time?

WITH the appetite for camping continuing to grow well beyond the UK, the publishers of Cool Camping have updated their European edition.

The new edition of Cool Camping Europe, to be published on May 28, features 100 of the best camping and glamping sites across 12 countries in Europe, from Portugal to Slovenia.



The guide features traditional tent and campervan camping alongside a mix of glamping options including the best yurts, tipis, safari tents, and domes throughout Europe.

Cool Camping: Europe (2nd edition), Punk Publishing, £18.95.

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Picture Credit: Glamping-Kirwee Wagonstay by Samuel ETIENNE - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

L'Hermione sets sail … again!

HERE’S some history ...

... In March 1780, France's Marquis de Lafayette set sail aboard L'Hermione, his aim being (albeit somewhat late in the day) to assist George Washington and his 13 rebellious English colonies in their fight for American independence … the principle being that any enemy of England was a friend of France! 

More than two centuries later, a replica of the ship has been built by enthusiasts in France who began the re-enactment last month (April) of its voyage across the Atlantic.

The replicated frigate began its Atlantic crossing from Port-des-Barques in south-western France, heading for Yorktown, Virginia. 

From there, it will begin a two-month tour of the eastern US and Canadian seaboards, calling at 12 ports including New York, Newport, and Boston.

www.hermione2015.com

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Picture Credit: L'Hermione by Rossel de Cercy; Logo courtesy hermione2015.com

New views of America's Great Outdoors

BRAND USA has launched a new site – The United States of Great Outdoors – that highlights outdoor travel destinations and experiences across the country. 

Content includes stories, photography, and videos that focus on adventure, nature and family travel, plus features such as 10 Incredible Selfie Spots across the USA, and trip ideas. 

New articles and video content will be added to the site on a weekly basis. 

‘Spotlighting the magnificent terrain, diverse environments, and natural wonders across our land provides international travellers with a window to some of the most iconic locations in the US,’ said Chris Thompson at Brand USA.

The site The United States of Great Outdoors is available in eight languages and can be found at outdoors.discoveramerica.com.

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Picture Credit: "Wallabout Bay, Brooklyn, USA" by Sankarshansen (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons; "Break!, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska" by Caitlin Marr via Wikimedia Commons; "Amicalola-Falls Main Dawsonville-GA" by TCR-III - Own work via Wikimedia Commons.

Best bushwalking in Oz

NEW SOUTH WALES is Australia's most popular bushwalking region, with more than 5.5 million visitors trekking on the state's bushwalk trails, according to Destination NSW. 

 

More than a third of all travellers in Australia who undertake a bushwalk choose NSW, and more than one in six of all holiday trips in NSW involve bushwalking. 

More than half of all holiday trips to NSW involve a nature-based activity.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase attributes the popularity of NSW bushwalks to the state's diverse natural environment ....

.... ‘NSW has some of the greatest single and multi-day walks in the world. In NSW you can hike up Australia's highest mountain, walk in rainforests, along pristine coastal tracks, and through World Heritage-listed national parks. With more than 820 national parks and reserves, and more than over 1,200 miles of coastline, NSW is the ultimate bushwalking destination.’

The Australian autumn marks the start of the bushwalking season for many, with cooler weather and long sunny days.

http://bushwalkingaustralia.org

http://short-walks.com.au/category/new-south-wales

http://www.australia.com/en/places/nsw.html

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Picture Credit: 'Bushwalking in the rain at Kosciuszko National Park' by Michael Jordan via Wikimedia Commons; 'Maitland Bay, NSW by Alex Proimos from Sydney via Wikimedia Commons

Rules of the road … across Europe

AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS (APH) has produced a guide for UK holidaymakers highlighting the different driving rules and regulations – including maximum speed limits and fines, and equipment and paperwork that drivers must carry – in 20 European countries.

Speed limits on European motorways was found to vary significantly, ranging from 62mph in Cyprus and Latvia to 80mph in Austria, France, and Greece.

Germany imposes no maximum speed limit on motorways, although an 80mph top speed is ‘recommended’ on some autobahns.

Denmark, Finland, and Sweden inflict varying speed limits on all roads, so drivers are urged to pay particular attention to road signs.

All 20 countries surveyed have on-the-spot fines, with countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Poland, requiring drivers to make an immediate cash deposit towards fines. 

Countries such as Cyprus, Greece, and Sweden are not allowed to collect any money from on-the-spot fines and instead ask drivers to pay their fines at a later date. It is advised that drivers carry both cash and/or a payment card when driving abroad, as some countries such as Portugal have portable ATM machines in traffic police vehicles for immediate payment of any driving infraction.

UK and American drivers should also be aware that compulsory car equipment varies according to country. Nine out of the 20 countries researched require drivers to carry a reflective jacket in the car at all times, but France is the only country in Europe that requires drivers to carry a breathalyzer kit inside their vehicle.


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Picture Credit: "Fareskilt 45" by Statens Vegvesen via Wikimedia Commons.

UK and Ireland’s best road trips revealed

CONTINENTAL TYRES has published a guide to what it says are 12 of the best road trips in the UK and Ireland.
They include …

· Bealach Na Ba (pictured at top) – Wester Ross.

· The Wild Atlantic Way (at right) – Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, and Cork.

· Buttertubs Pass – Yorkshire.

· The Evo Triangle (at left) – Denbighshire, Conwy, and Gwynedd.

· A686 from Penrith to Haydon Bridge – Cumbria and Northumberland.

· The Snake Pass – Cheshire and Yorkshire.

· The Wicklow Mountains (at right) – Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford, and Dublin.

· Abergwesyn Pass – Powys. 

· Black Mountain Pass – Powys and Monmouthshire.

www.ContientalRoadTrip.com

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Picture Credit: "Bealach na Ba Pano" by Stefan Krause, Germany - Own work via Wikimedia Commons; "Wild Atlantic, Co. Mayo" by Robert Bone via Wikimedia Commons; Courtesy GoHoliday

Hotels team up for 4-night get-away offer ...

THE Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and Seaham Hall – a boutique hotel near Durham – have joined together to give guests a luxury driving experience get-away. 

The four-day driving tour package offers holidaymakers an opportunity to experience the very best of the north of England.

Guests can start their luxury break at either hotel, where they stay for two nights. 

They will be given a picnic basket to set them on their way for the second half of the journey, where they get to spend two nights at the other hotel.

Charles Merchie, general manager at The Feversham Arms: ‘We are in some of the most beautiful scenery in England, yet more often than not people don’t get to see this, as they come for a short break, and head straight back. The drive up to Durham, through the Yorkshire Moors is stunning.'

Guests will have access to spa facilities at both hotels, and the offer includes tickets to two local attractions, Castle Howard - pictured above - and The Beamish Museum, the world famous museum which tells the story of the people of North East England during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. Pictured at right is the 'Dentistry' display at the museum.

Find out more at www.fevershamarmshotel.com and www.seaham-hall.co.uk 

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Picture Credit: Courtesy fevershamarmshotel.com and seaham-hall.co.uk; "CastleHoward-LakeSide" by chris 論 - Own work via Wikimedia Commons; "Dentistry, Beamish Museum" by Immanuel Giel (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons