Thomas Cook launches new destinations for Summer 2018

THOMAS Cook has launched its summer 2018 programme for Bristol Airport, with an exciting range of new destinations to choose from. These include the Preveza in Greece and Hurghada in Egypt, both of these routes are exclusive to Thomas Cook from Bristol, in addition Bourgas in Bulgaria and Gerona on Spain’s Costa Brava, Kos and Paphos have been added to the programme.

As well as new destinations, Thomas Cook is offering customers three new own-brand hotels to choose from including new smartline and Sunconnect resorts. In addition, Thomas Cook Airlines is introducing eleven additional flight routes from Bristol Airport, both to existing destinations and to new destinations.

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The happening place to be

INDABA, Africa’s top travel show will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from 16 to 18 May 2017.

Speaking at the launch, South African Tourism chief executive Sisa Ntshona told media and guests that tourism had the potential to be the new “gold” that could steer African economies to new heights – and boost the continent’s share of global tourism significantly beyond its current 5% level.

“All signs point to Africa being the next tourism frontier,” he said. “The continent as a whole reported an 8% surge in international arrivals in 2016, with Sub-Saharan Africa increasing by 11% and South Africa by a massive 13%. Last year, we broke records to reach 10 million international tourists coming to South Africa.

“These figures far exceed the global increase in international arrivals of 3.9% overall. So Africa is definitely the happening place to be, with vast untapped tourism potential that could buoy the greater African economy and contribute its prosperity.”

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Japan: Island getaways

BEACH holidays may not spring to mind when you think of #Japan, but it is after all an archipelago made up of nearly 7,000 islands. Island getaways feature heavily in the new tours, from Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island, to the tropical Ogasawara Islands, known as the Galapagos of Japan, and Okinawa, Japan’s southern #beach resort #paradise.

The perfect add-on to any tour of Japan an island retreat to Japan’s southern resort paradise of Okinawa. Domestic flights from Tokyo or Osaka, accommodation, and daily breakfasts are all included, leaving you free to focus on what matters - relaxing, relaxing, and more relaxing.

Called the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa was a separate kingdom until the 17th century, so it also has plenty to offer in the way of cultural, historical and gastronomic delights, making it a hugely interesting destination for everyone - not just beach-goers. Take time out from topping up your tan to visit unusual and eye-opening historical and cultural sights such as Chinese-influenced Shuri Castle, tropical landscape garden Shikinaen, and Tamaudun Mausoleum, built for the Ryukyuan royal family in the 16th century.

www.japantravel-centre.com

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Picture Credit: 71453924@N00/14901363991 panorama: Dragon Lady, Zamami via photopin

Breakfast like a Queen

LUXURY private hire venue, Borthwick Castle has launched the world’s most expensive porridge exclusively for guests staying in April.

Chef Derek Johnstone has taken the Scottish staple to new levels and given it an extravagant twist to reflect the surroundings and décor of the castle.

The rich porridge is made from organic spelt and king crab, flavoured with Dom Perignon champagne and saffron, then topped with white Alba truffle and sea urchins, Beluga caviar is served on the side, for added luxuriance. Each dish costs £200 per serving with an additional cost of £150 per 25g of caviar.

Johnstone said: ‘The inspiration for this recipe comes from the sumptuous surroundings of Borthwick Castle and in particular The Great Hall, where Mary Queen of Scots was once entertained. As a Scotsman, I wanted to take the most traditional of Scottish delicacies to the next level and create something to wow even our wealthiest guests, using the finest global ingredients.”

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Picture Credit: By Peter van der Wielen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30225602

Easy Reserve celebrates 10 years in business

EASY Reserve is an online holiday rental company based in Ireland, with support offices in Italy and the United States, that, since its foundation in 2007, has continued to expand and grow.

Today, it offers tens of thousands of vacation rental accommodations all over the globe through its several vacation rental websites, including, www.easyreserve.com, www.italy-villas.com, www.tuscany-villas.it and www.holidayhomesprovence.com, which are translated into multiple languages including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch and Danish.

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What a catch . . .

FISHING #vacation website fishlodges.com recently listed their 100th fishing lodge in the Pacific Northwest (North America). The major milestone comes as the site is gearing up to expand beyond the Pacific Northwest for a portion of the next 100 #fishing lodge listings. Having started with Alaska and BC, where the majority of features lodges are located, the site has already started signing up lodges in Washington, Oregon, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

"The idea behind fishlodges.com-consolidating key information from lodge websites into a searchable database and making it easily accessible-has been a popular since day one" states "Chief Navigator" Eric Embacher. "Our website traffic growth has validated the execution of this idea, and this in turn has proven popular with lodge owners, who increasingly want to list with us."

fishlodges.com.

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Quirks and Curiosities on the Railway

FOLLOWING its success in 2010 even more weird and wonderful railway oddities will be on display this year, ranging from vertical-boilered steam locomotives, through bizarre internal combustion powered locos, to the unique wind-powered Spooner's Boat.

According to FR General Manager Paul Lewin, "The first Quirks was one of the most popular events we've ever put on and this promises to be the fun event of 2017. We are lining up a large number of special trains in the way that only the Ffestiniog can and having more unusual stock on site will really add to the fun. This Bank Holiday promises to have something for everyone as we showcase all the little things that make the railway special.

The event runs from April 28 to May 1 over the Bank Holiday weekend and tickets are available from www.festrail.co.uk

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Picture Credit: By Peter Trimming from Croydon, England - Steam 150: '1863 and All That', CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32059811