Jetsettersblog

LUTON, ENGLAND– Award-winning leisure airline Monarch is boosting its services to the Eastern Med this summer, with the launch of new scheduled flights to Bodrum in Turkey and the Greek island of Corfu from May. Find cheap flights now via www.monarch.co.uk with fares starting from only GBP68.99 one way including all taxes and charges.

The new Eastern Med flights will also be joined by a host of additional services to some of Monarch’s key European hotspots across the Balearic and Canary Islands plus Cyprus.

The new and additional flights for summer 2011 include:
- *NEW* Luton – Corfu – 3 flights per week (launches 23 May)

- *NEW* Gatwick – Bodrum – 2 flights per week (launches 23 May)

- *NEW* Manchester – Bodrum – 2 flights per week (launches 02 May)

- *NEW* Birmingham – Bodrum – 2 flights per week (launches 23 May)

- Gatwick – Palma – 1 additional flight per week

- Gatwick – Tenerife – 1 additional flight per week

- Gatwick – Paphos – 3 additional flights per week

– Manchester – Larnaca – 1 additional flight per week

- Manchester – Paphos – 1 additional flight per week

- Manchester – Tenerife – 1 additional flight per week

Commenting on the new and additional flights this summer, Managing Director of Monarch Airlines, Kevin George, said, “Customer response to the 135,000 additional seats that were added into Monarch’s summer flying schedule last month has been fantastic and we have continued to see demand for our services grow.

It’s great therefore that we have been able to respond to this demand further by boosting our Eastern Med programme with the introduction of new flights to Corfu and Bodrum, as well as strengthen schedules on a number of our core sunshine routes.

Particularly pleasing is the addition of extra flights to Paphos from Gatwick and Manchester, which are not scheduled to start operating until May, but are already selling strongly.”

Monarch operates scheduled cheap flights to Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports. In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch also offers a great range of products and services both on the ground and inflight, including affordable all inclusive holidays and other package deals.

All customers are allocated a seat at check-in but for those wishing to select where in the cabin they sit to ensure that families and groups are seated together, seats can be pre-booked from GBP4.99 per one-way flight. For customers looking for added comfort, extra legroom seats are also available offering up to six inches of extra space from only GBP14.99.

Customers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues at the airport and take advantage of online check-in, which is available between 18 days and 4.5 hours prior to departure. With a great range of tasty hot and cold meals that can be pre-booked or purchased onboard from only GBP3.00, flying with Monarch really couldn’t be simpler.

In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance.

For further information or to book Monarch flights,

Accommodation in a 12th century German castle, a mountain top chalet in the Swiss Alps and a waterfront hotel on a Croatian island are all included in Topdeck’s summer 2011 European trips, which commence in April.

Unique accommodation is not often associated with 18-39s touring, however Topdeck’s 2011 program demonstrates that youth touring has changed considerably in recent years.

“Just like most of Generation Y, Topdeck’s passengers appreciate the experience of good quality, authentic accommodation, especially if it is sometimes a bit quirky. Topdeck firmly believes that outstanding accommodation can make the difference between a good holiday and a great one,” said Lance Batty, Director – Global Sales and Strategy, Topdeck.

Topdeck’s EuroHotel trips through the Swiss Alps stay in a traditional, alpine hotel on the slopes of Mount Rigi. Its position among fields of cows wearing traditional Swiss cowbells, with sweeping views of Lake Lucerne provides the quintessential Swiss experience.

On Pag Island in Croatia, guests enjoy the waterfront Hotel Loza, a short distance from Zrce beach, famous for its 24 hour nightclubs on the beach throughout the summer.
In Amsterdam, EuroHotel trips stay on a luxurious floating hotel, the Botel on the River Ij. Its central location enables guests to easily explore the city on foot, by tram or bike.

Overlooking the Rhine Valley town of Bacharach in Germany, the historic 16th century Stahleck Castle is well-equipped for Topdeck’s 21st century guests with Internet access, a bistro and cafe.

In Austria’s Tyrol region, Pension Mountain High is a postcard-perfect chalet, complete with window boxes of cascading petunias in summer and spectacular views across the Wilder Kaiser mountain range.

Topdeck’s base in Tuscany, Camping Girasole in Chianti offers several swimming pools, a fully equipped gymnasium and health spa, laundry, Internet cafe, three restaurants, pizzeria and bar, all surrounded by vineyards and within easy reach of Florence and Sienna.

Topdeck’s 22 day Europe Uncovered trip visits 12 countries. It includes accommodation at Mt Rigi chalet and Hotel Loza among others. The trip starts from and return to London, with weekly departures from April to September, 2011. Priced from £1945, it includes all transport, hotel accommodation, many meals, sightseeing tours, an experienced Trip Leader and many activities exclusive to Topdeck, such as a bicycle tour of Amsterdam and gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In 2011 Topdeck will offer 92 different European trips across its EuroHotel, EuroClub, Euro Camping and Explorer trip styles, each catering for different accommodation preferences and budgets. Twenty trips are new for 2011. To request a brochure visit www.topdeck.travel or call 0208 987 3300.

Topdeck is 100% Australian-owned. It is a leading operator of holidays for 18 to 39 year old travellers, throughout Europe, Egypt, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Fuel and air prices continue to rise dramatically, but with this great Trafalgar deal, you can still save on a European vacation this summer! Depending on your travel plans, save up to $700 per couple.*

Book a 2011 Trafalgar Europe summer guided vacation by April 29 and travel by October 31 to take advantage of Trafalgar’s incredible savings!

Length of Vacation Air-inclusive Savings Land-only Savings

12 days or more $700 per couple (11EUR350) $450 per couple (11EUR225)

11 days or less $600 per couple (11EUR300) $300 per couple (11EUR150)

Offers end April 29, 2011. There really is no better time to book than NOW!

Here are some great Trafalgar 2011 Europe Vacations:

Italian Concerto – 12 Days. Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast and mysterious Pompeii await you with this At Leisure Vacation! Magical Venice is also effortlessly beautiful with its many canals, and Florence is the perfect chance for art aficionados to see Michelangelo’s David.

In Rome, marvel at the Forum, Circus Maximus, Sistine Chapel and mighty Colosseum. Itinerary includes Rome, Monte Cassino, Amalfi, Isle of Capri, Pompeii, Florence, Ferrara, and Venice. Priced from $2799 (before savings) land only, based on double occupancy.

Ultimate France – 11 days. Experience France’s glittering capital, Paris, before traveling south on this unforgettable At Leisure tour of France. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a family-run winery, explore stylish Nice, visit a famous Monte Carlo casino and saunter about Lyon’s and Marseille’s streets before returning to Paris, the ‘city of lights.’

Itinerary includes Fontainebleau, Lyon, Avignon, Menerbes, Aix en Provence, Nice, Monaco, Cassis, Marseille, Arles, Camargue, and Paris.

Priced from $2899 (before savings) land only, based on double occupancy.

Irish Experience – 12 Days. Experience the Emerald Isle as you visit both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Magnificent sights include the impressive basalt columns of the Giants Causeway, Galway Bay, the Antrim Coast and the Lake District, before exploring the coveted cities of Belfast, Dublin, Londonderry, Omagh and Limerick.

Itinerary includes Dublin, Downpatrick, Belfast, Giants Causeway, Londonderry Derry, Omagh, Belleek, Kylemore, Limerick, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Waterford, Kilkenny, and Kildare.

Priced from $2175 (before savings) land only, based on double occupancy.

About Trafalgar

For over 60 years Trafalgar has been using their knowledge and expertise to design unforgettable guided vacations that offer authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences connecting travelers to stunning worldwide destinations.

Trafalgar’s vacations include First Class hotel accommodations, luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship, outstanding cuisine, daily included sightseeing and optional excursions, both with expert local guides, and the personal concierge services of Trafalgar’s Tour Directors, who share their insider’s view and reveal hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks.

Trafalgar takes care of all the details so you can enjoy must-see classic treasures, unique local experiences, and the flexibility to explore each destination in-depth.

Discover the world of Trafalgar and “rediscover the romance of travel.TM”

Trafalgar was established in 1947 and provides exceptional worldwide vacations to Europe, Britain, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America and China.

Trafalgar, as part of The Travel Corporation, is now committed to using 100% recycled paper for the body of all its brochures. Trafalgar believes the small difference in feel and appearance is worth the huge difference this makes to the environment.

For more information and reservations, see your Travel Agent or call (866) 544-4434 or visit www.trafalgartours.com . Brochures can be ordered online at www.trafalgartours.com.

2007 to 2010: Winner, Best International Tour Operator, Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards
2010: Winner, Best Tour Operator, Europe, TravelAge West WAVE Awards
2010: Winner, Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award for “The Experience” DVD

A small selection of ideas for summer 2011, plus news and late offers for ski

SUMMER 2011 NEWS

The Vendée’s vélo routes. The Vendée has invested heavily in cycle tracks and the region can now be explored in full from the saddle, along more than 1000km of designated routes.

Almost 300km of tracks run along the coast, taking in marshland, dunes and beaches. A unique attraction of the region is the Vélo Rail, where families can swap their bikes for a cart which they pedal along 10km of disused rail track through the Vendée countryside. Stay at Le Bois Masson in St Jean De Monts.

This large and lively holiday village has entertainment for children and adults, indoor and outdoor swimming, free children’s clubs and even a spa for post-cycling stress relief.

A seven-night stay from 13 August starts from as little as £948 for a family in a two-bedroom holiday home, a saving of £202. Daniel Johnson Siblu PR Manager daniel.johnson@siblu.com

Beautiful Burgundy in the Spring Aboard a Luxury Hotel Barge Would you like the perfect Spring break to cheer you up after this miserable

British winter? Why not be really pampered aboard a fully-crewed luxury hotel barge on the waterways of Burgundy?

Gourmet cuisine, fine wines, visits to places like Auxerre, Noyers, Vezelay and Dijon, plus private wine tastings. European Waterways are currently offering £500 off per cabin on some of their hotel barges cruising this wonderful region of France during April and May.
Tel: 01784 482439 www.gobarging.com  Email: chris@gobarging.com

SKI OFFERS & NEWS

Ski resorts with fresh snow! Book a holiday in Courchevel, La Tania or Val d’Isere from £619 on 27th February. http://www.leski.com/index/info/SPECIAL_OFFERS/215

£299 (saving £30): Skiing in Three Valleys, France – is the revised price of a seven-night break – six full days’ skiing – in Meribel departing 05 March with Skiweekends.com. Includes return overnight luxury coach travel (from London Victoria, Thurrock, Maidstone, Folkestone), five nights’ half-board at the Club Hotel Verseau in Brides les Bains and the services of resident Skiweekends.com reps. Applies to telephone bookings only. 08444 06 06 00, www.skiweekends.com

One of the best winter event in Savoie Mont Blanc – Second edition of the Winter X Games Europe in Tignes 16 to 18 March 2011
Over 125 male and female athletes from across the globe will converge on Tignes for three days’ worth of exciting competition: superPipe, skiing and snowboarding Slopestyle

All the bars in Tignes will be buzzing with activities organized by the event’s partners from morning to night.

The whole event, including all the entertainment, is free of charge.

http://xgames.tignes.net/en

Enjoy luxury holidays and get some really good prices with SKI COLLECTION http://www.skicollection.co.uk/Ski/Tignes.htm

www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

Spring Skiing in Serre Chevalier from £97pp/wk

For excellent snow conditions, fantastic tree skiing and crystal blue skies, head to Serre Chevalier. Lagrange Holidays (www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk  ) is offering 28% off two bedroom apartments 12/03-30/04 at Le Hameau de Rocher Blanc, a high-standard chalet complex with indoor heated swimming pool and spa facilities, max. 200m from the ski lifts.

Prices start at £97pp/wk accommodation-only for the week commencing 26/03, based on six sharing.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels will add properties in France and Germany to its loyalty programme ‘M&C Loyalty Club’. Loyalty members will then be eligible to claim points for stays at the Millennium Hotel Paris Opéra, Millennium Hotel Paris Charles De Gaulle and Copthorne Hotel, Hannover in Germany.

The M&C Loyalty Club is proving popular since its launch last year. Membership to the club is based on three tiers – Classic, Gold and Diamond, where members earn points to redeem against complimentary stays and a range of lifestyle benefits.

To mark the addition of these hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels is offering all existing members, and new members who join the club – its first ever double points promotion when staying at any of its hotels in the UK, France and Germany during March.

Mark Halliday, VP of Sales & Marketing- Europe, commented: “We are pleased to now include hotels in France and Germany into our Loyalty Club. As part of ongoing efforts to recognise and value guests, we hope that many of them will take advantage of our first double points promotion.”

For more information on the M&C Loyalty Club, visit

www.mncloyalty.com

Terms & Conditions apply.

The Camping and Caravanning Club wants to get the nation smiling again!

That’s why during National Camping and Caravanning Week 2011 (May 30 to June 5), the Club is urging people to encourage family and friends to experience and enjoy the great outdoors on the night of the ‘Big Pitch’ camp out on Saturday, June 4.

Director General Robert Louden will be camping during NCCW and said: “Camping means different things to different people. But whether you consider it an adventure, hobby or lifestyle, camping is the key to happiness and we believe it makes people richer in mind, body and soul.

“Whether it’s in your garden or on one of the many campsites around the UK, get together with friends and family for a night under the stars, and help put a smile on everyone’s faces.”

To coincide with NCCW and the ‘Big Pitch’, the Club is giving away 1,500 free nights (1,000 on Club Sites and 500 on Forest Holiday Caravan & Camping Sites) with the lucky winners being selected before being issued with a voucher to use on certain sites on selected dates between May 31 and July 21, 2011.

The offer is open to members and non-members and people can register from today (February 22) until May 6.

For further information, including terms and conditions, as well as regular updates visit www.nccw.co.uk

For further media information or images, please contact:
Jon Dale, 024 7647 5204, 07748 936464  jon.dale@thefriendlyclub.co.uk
  Kim Blythe, 024 7647 5224, 07951 153074, kim.blythe@thefriendlyclub.co.u k

Editorial Notes:

1. The Camping and Caravanning Club is 110-years-old and is the largest and oldest Club in the world for all forms of camping. It has 109 award-winning sites throughout the UK and, through a partnership with the Forestry Commission, now runs and manages a further 20 Forest Holidays Caravan & Camping Touring Sites.

2. www.newtocamping.co.uk  was launched on Monday, May 18, 2009 and incorporates all forms of outdoor holidays.

3. NCCW is now into its 11th year and has become an integral part of the industry’s events calendar.

4. National awards include:

• Midlands CIPR PRide Awards 2010 Gold Winner – New to Camping (not-for-profit)

• Midlands CIPR PRide Awards 2010 Silver Winner – New to Camping (consumer relations)

• Loo of the Year 2010 – National Category Award Winner (Holiday Parks) – Skye Club Site (Scotland)

• David Bellamy Conservation Award 2011 – Delamere Forest Club Site (Gold)

• David Bellamy Conservation Award 2011 – Corfe Castle Club Site (Gold)

• David Bellamy Conservation Award 2011 – Oban Club Site (Gold)

• David Bellamy Conservation Award 2011 – Chipping Norton (Silver)

• Which Motorhome Sites of the Year 2011- Dunbar Club Site

• Practical Motorhome 2010 Top 50 Sites Regional Winner – Hereford Club Site

• Caravan/Motor Caravan 2010 Top 101 Sites Winner – Sandringham Club Site

• AA Campsite of the Year Heart of England 2010 – Teversal Club Site

• Loo of the Year 2009 – Family Friendly Facilities Overall Trophy Winner

• Loo of the Year 2009 – Individual Category National Award Winner (England)

• Loo of the Year 2009 – Family Friendly National Award Winner (England)

• Loo of the Year 2009 – Individual Attendant Team National Award Winner (Glencoe Club Site – Scotland)

• Loo of the Year 2009 – ‘Champions League’ – Standards of Excellence

• Loo of the Year 2009 – National Category Award Winner (Holiday Parks) – Teversal Club Site (England)

• Loo of the Year 2009 – National Category Award Winner (Holiday Parks) – Dunbar Club Site (Scotland)

Join the Big Pitch!

BRISTOL -: Spring fever is set to reach an all time high in Bristol as the city braces itself for a line-up of events and celebrations over the Easter break and royal wedding bank holiday weekend.

Bristol will play host to a series of activities throughout April that will capture the mood of locals and visitors in the city, all looking to celebrate what will become a milestone month in history.

BRISTOL-MADE PIES – Bristol’s popular pie-making company, Pieminister, is launching two new pies to commemorate the royal wedding. The limited edition Kate & Wills pie is made with British beef, wine, bacon, pearl onions, mushrooms and a dash of brandy and will be available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.

The Royal Pear pie features poached pears, rum and Fairtrade chocolate and will be available in selected Waitrose Stores and online at Ocado. Both pies will also be available through independent food shops and Pieminister outlets in Bristol, Oxford, London and Trentham as online at www.pieminister.co.uk from March until the start of May.

GARDEN PARTY AND VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA – Two of Bristol’s best known hotels are celebrating the royal wedding in style. Hotel du Vin will host a Vintage Royal Afternoon Tea on the day Prince William ties the knot with Kate Middleton.

The royal wedding will be screened live, providing the perfect backdrop to an afternoon tea served on the finest vintage china. The following day on Saturday 30th April, a Garden Party will take place in the hotel’s Courtyard with a jazz band playing in the background whilst Pimms, cucumber sandwiches and scones are served.

Bristol Marriot Royal hotel is also offering afternoon tea for guests looking to watch the wedding in surroundings with royal connections, including a Jubilee memorial statue of Queen Victoria which stands in the driveway by the main entrance into the hotel.

ANTICS MODEL SHOP LAUNCH MEMORABILIA – Visitors to Bristol over the Easter and royal wedding weekends can take away a souvenir of the big day from Antics which is selling a collection of limited edition commemorative model cars. Included in the range is a model double-decker bus and Mini Cooper with details of the royal wedding featured across the models.

AT-BRISTOL – At-Bristol, the hands-on science centre and educational charity, will not only boast a new exhibition in time for Easter, but will also be celebrating the royal wedding by opening its doors free of charge to any visitors named William or Kate.

On the 29 April, At-Bristol is offering all Williams and Kates free entry into the attraction which features over 300 exhibits including the new ‘All About Us’ experience. Visitors of all ages can enjoy looking at their veins with Vein Viewer, see how high they can jump with High Speed Camera and even learn about digestion by feeding a skeleton with the Digestive Run.

There is also a Boggling Brain show and a new Live Lab area where visitors can carry out real experiments including live dissections. The popular Planetarium will also be open for visitors to star gaze during the spring night sky show.
For more information on At-Bristol, visit www.at-bristol.org.uk  or call Bookings on: 0845 345 3344.

BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS – Throughout 2011, Bristol Zoo Gardens is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a line-up of activities and events.

Over Easter, visitors can discover famous Bristolian people and places in the zoo’s Easter holiday scratch card trail called ‘Where’s that to?’ The trail runs from Saturday 9th April to Tuesday 3rd May.

The zoo also features a new meerkat exhibit which boasts plenty of space for the 13 African slender tailed meerkats. Main highlights of the new exhibit include undercover viewing areas, a viewing dome and a tunnel for visitors to get up-close to the animals at eye-level.

For more information about visiting Bristol Zoo Gardens, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk  or contact 0117 974 7300.

THE BRISTOL HIPPODROME – A trip to the theatre during Easter will guarantee musical entertainment for all the family as this year’s production of Hairspray takes centre stage from 12th April. In Hairspray, Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – to dance. For more information about at The Bristol Hippodrome, visit www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk  or contact 0117 302 3310.

BRISTOL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY – Over the Easter weekend, fans of photography and wildlife can indulge both passions at the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Full of visually stunning and thought-provoking images, children and adults alike will be in awe of the beauty, drama and variety of nature displayed throughout the exhibition which is free to all to enjoy.

For more information about Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, visit www.bristol.gov.uk or contact 0117 922 3571.

SHOP, DINE AND BE ENTERTAINED UNDER ONE ROOF – Cabot Circus in Bristol is the place to be for friends, couples and families looking to indulge in retail therapy over the Easter break.

The shopping centre, which boasts the South West’s only Harvey Nichols and a fantastic range of al fresco dining options, also features a Showcase Cinema de Lux with 13 screens and 3,000 seats, offering Bristol’s cinemagoers an experience that’s unrivalled in both size and luxury.

BRUNEL’S ss GREAT BRITAIN – Visitors can step back in time in the Dockyard Museum to see, hear, touch, and smell, what life was like for Victorian passengers and crew on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain.

Admission allows for free unlimited return visits for a year to this multi award-winning visitor attraction. New for 2011 is the Visitor Centre and Brunel Institute.

For more information about visiting Brunel’s ss Great Britain, visit www.ssgreatbritain.org  or contact 0117 926 0680.

For a full list of activities and events taking place in Bristol, log on to www.VisitBristol.co.uk

Visitors can also contact Bristol’s tourist information centre on 0906 711 2191 (calls charged at 50p per minute plus network extras) or email ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk

French Riviera on Foot 8 days
Launch: February
This self-guided trip explores the relaxed charm of this eternally panoramic part of Provence. Follow paths to hilltops and across plateaus, taking in the sweeping views to the coast and beyond. Visit Gourdon, rated the most beautiful village in France, explore the tunnels of the Gorges du Loup, and be enchanted by Vence with its lovely setting, colourful flowers and markets, which have inspired many famous artists, painters and sculptors such as Matisse and Dufy.
Price: £770 per person

Crete: Mountains and Coast 8 days
Launch: May

Explore the southwest coast of Crete, with its spectacular White Mountains, deep gorges and coastal trails that lead visitors to charming fishing villages and quiet beaches, accessible only by boat. Packed with highlights such as a walk through Samaria, the largest gorge in Europe, the self-guided trip will appeal to lovers of coastal landscapes, history and traditional Greek culture. Whilst the focus is on walking, there is ample time to swim at unspoilt beaches and explore picturesque coastal villages.
Price: £650 per person

The Francigena Way 9 days
Launch: March

From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1,900km ‘Francigena Way’ dates back to the 11th Century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. This trip takes in the section of the trail from Orvieto in Umbria through the region of Lazio to Rome, passing by ancient relics and hill top towns.
Price: £850 per person

Best of Algarve 8 days
Launch: March

The Algarve has long been known for its picturesque beaches, lively towns and laid back lifestyle – but away from the tourist centres there is a huge interior that sees very few visitors and a spectacular coastline that remains unspoilt! This self-guided walking route offers a wide variety of walking terrain, from mountains and cliff tops to valleys and coastal ridges.

En route visitors can view the wonderful diverse flora and fauna and experience first hand the friendliness of the local people.
Price: £690 per person

Highlights of the Pyrenees 8 days
Launch: May

The Pyrenees mountain range is home to some of the most remote and interesting hiking terrain in Europe.

Based in the traditional village of Bareges, visitors will discover the numerous trails through the Pyrenees National Park, including to the famous ‘Cirque de Gavarnie’, Pont d’ Espagne and the Vignemale. In the company of a qualified mountain guide, hikers will discover the history, language and culture of the region as well as the geology and birdlife.

These guided walks range from introductory (on ‘gentle’ weeks) to more demanding (‘intermediate’ weeks), on alternate weeks throughout the walking season.
Price: £790 per person

Mount Olympus Walk 8 days
Launch: May

Mount Olympus’ high summits are allegedly saturated by the nectar of the ancient Greek gods and is also known as the seat of Zeus. This ancient image of the infamous peak, with its uncounted natural treasures is protected by the Mt. Olympus National Park. Trekking to the various peaks of the mountain, experiencing the spectacular views and absorbing the vast legacy of ancient civilizations on the high mountain plateaus is the essence of this rewarding guided walking holiday.
Price: £850 per person

To order UTracks’ new brochure for 2011 please call 0845 241 7599 or go to www.UTracks.com  Quoted prices are inclusive of accommodation, most meals, equipment rental, experienced guides, luggage transfers between hotels (where applicable) and clear maps with images. Flights from the UK are not included but can be booked on request.

PureItaly offers a selection of charming villas and holiday homes set in the most beautiful regions of Italy

Boasting a blend of delicious food, beautiful landscapes and cultural attractions, Tuscany is classic Italy. The cities of art of Pisa, Siena and Florence – birthplace of the Renaissance – with their rich culture draw millions of visitors to the region every year; whereas the stone farmhouses set amongst the softly rolling hills of the Chianti area, planted with cypress trees, exert an irresistible attraction on eminent personalities and international celebrities.

Lesser known than the neighboring region of Tuscany, the small, centrally located Umbria region is also steeped in centuries of history and offers a wealth of culinary, cultural and historical attractions.

Known also as the “green heart of Italy”, Umbria is a favourite destination for art lovers looking for relaxing holidays.
Tuscany has been capturing the hearts and minds of travellers for hundreds of years. From Goethe to Stendhal, from Sting to Michael Douglas, the list of writers and celebrities, past and present, who have chosen Tuscany as their favourite holiday destination, is long.

The impressive cities of art, the outstanding landscape beauty, the mild climate and the excellent quality of life make this region an irresistible holiday destination.

Tuscany is so firmly lodged in the British national consciousness that the most popular areas of Tuscany have become known as “Chiantishire”. No one can help falling in love with this region, with its softly rolling hills – planted with the slim cypress trees that give the landscape its characteristic appearance – its towns and villages world famous for their art and architecture.
Let PureItaly tempt you to a luxury holiday in the most beautiful places Tuscany and Umbria have to offer.

Casale Cortese in Umbria

The so called casali represent the typical, local architecture in Umbria and in Tuscany. PureItaly offers a selection of charming farmhouses such as Casale Cortese in Umbria. This dwelling retains the authentic, rustic architecture but adding modern comforts and practical functionality. With its lovely garden and private swimming pool it is the ideal retreat for anyone seeking relaxation.

L’Abbazia in Tuscany, close to San Gimignano

In Tuscany, just a stone’s throw away from San Gimignano, the beautiful country house L’Abbazia is a former farm built by the Olivetan monks. It offers a large garden, a swimming pool and spectacular views over the countryside. Rolling hills surround the house in neat rows of vines, cypresses and olive groves stretching out as far as the eye can see, creating a fantastic natural setting with the charming old town centre of San Gimignano standing out in the background. Accurately restored and converted into seven beautiful apartments this farmhouse has been decorated with care and simple rustic elegance in traditional Tuscan style.

Casale Valdera in Tuscany

Another beautiful farmhouse with private swimming pool in the heart of the green Tuscan countryside is Casale Valdera set in the vicinity of the ancient village of Ghizzano.

Surrounded by cultivated fields and woodlands, it is part of a wide estate set in 260 hectares of olive groves and vineyards. Dating back to the 19th century, this old dwelling still retains its original character with thick walls, terracotta floors, select antiques and coordinated fabrics.

Moreover it is an ideal starting point for exploring the Tuscan cities full of art of Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra.

Pure Italy

PureItaly presents high-quality accommodation for your Italian trip. Its catalogue offers a large number of exclusive villas and charming holiday homes for vacations by the sea or in the country in fascinating regions such as Veneto, Tuscany, Sicily, Umbria and Latium.

For a city holiday and short trips there is a selection of beautiful apartments in the central historical settings of Venice, Florence, Rome, Syracuse and Taormina.

The PureItaly team is ready and waiting to prepare your holiday right down to the last detail and to help you plan your trip with personal and individual advice before, during and after the holiday.

Pure Italy GmbH
Reinhardtstr. 6
D – 10117 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 280 45 469
Fax +49 30 612 84 384
info@pureitaly.com
www.pureitaly.com

The AA Five Red Star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, has teamed up with Kingsbarns Golf Links to create the Ultimate Scotland Golf Package for challenging play on some of the best inland and links courses in the world.

The package includes a three-night stay at Gleneagles, full Scottish breakfast daily, two rounds of golf at Gleneagles, one round of golf at Kingsbarns Golf Links, full use of The Club leisure facilities and all taxes. It’s priced from £835 per person double occupancy and is valid from May 1 to Sept. 30.

Gleneagles is home to three of the finest inland courses in the world — The PGA Centenary (host to the 2014 Ryder Cup matches), the challenging King’s Course and the picturesque Queen’s Course. Playing over the immaculate greens and fairways provides views of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

The courses were the inspiration of two of the world’s most famous golfers — James Braid, five-time winner of The Open, who designed the King’s and Queen’s courses, and Jack Nicklaus, who created the PGA Centenary Course (formerly named the Monarch’s). A traditional Scottish links course, Kingsbarns stretches along two miles of spectacular coastline and offers views of the sea from every hole. The course is a co-host to the Dunhill Links.

A member of Virtuoso, The Leading Hotels of the World, and Connoisseurs Scotland, Gleneagles is a five-star hotel set in 850 acres in Perthshire, Scotland.

In addition to world-class golfing facilities, Gleneagles is known for its ESPA destination spa, Scotland’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant (Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles), and exceptional sporting opportunities at the world-famous Shooting School, the Equestrian School (featuring one of Europe’s most impressive riding centers), the British School of Falconry (for an opportunity to fly Harris hawks), and the Gundog School (the first of its kind in the world).

Gleneagles is located one hour from Glasgow or Edinburgh, both of which are easily accessible from various U.S. gateways.

For more information, call 866-463-8734, email

resort.sales@gleneagles.com  

or visit www.gleneagles.com