Jetsettersblog

Ever wondered what happens when you combine the power of travel with the potential of microfinance?

Chris Baker did.

An American public school teacher and graduate of Yale University is combining two long time passions –high altitude trekking and microfinance– with the launch of a new social start-up: OneSeed Expeditions.

Based on the simple, but powerful idea that travel can have a meaningful impact, OneSeed aims to change the way people think about travel and its impact.

With their pilot program launching in Nepal, OneSeed explores the world and invests in people.

“The model is pretty simple,” says OneSeed’s founder. “We take an existing revenue stream–in this case adventure travel–and utilize it to extend financial services to entrepreneurs in need of capital. You trek to base camp. A local woman launches or expands her business. OneSeed empowers the individual traveler to have a real impact in the places they explore.”

OneSeed will harness the power of travel to provide capital to individual entrepreneurs throughout the world by investing ten percent of revenue in trusted microfinance banks in the communities they serve. First expeditions depart in February 2012.

Macau is fast becoming one of Asia’s most exciting destinations. Indeed, according to the PATA Annual Tourism Monitor 2011, in 2010 Macau became Asia’s third most popular destination after registering nearly 25,000,000 international visitors. The excitement continues to build in the months ahead with a series of spectacular festivals and events. Come and see for yourself why this fascinating little destination is pulling in the crowds…

23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest (10th, 12th, 17th and 24th September and 1st October 2011)

Anyone planning a holiday in Asia this autumn should not miss one of the world’s largest fireworks contests. With a long history in the firecracker industry, Macau will take centre stage in the magical world of fireworks this September. Representing the United Kingdom, MLE Pyrotechnics Limited is scheduled to take part in the contest on 12th September. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest first started in 1989 with only five participating teams but now, 22 years on, the event has grown significantly and doubled the number of international competitors.

http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/documents/img/Fireworks_program_2011.jpg

1st Anniversary of “The House of Dancing Water” (17 September 2011)

After a hugely successful first year, “The House of Dancing Water” at City of Dreams, Macau will be celebrating its 1st Anniversary this September. Set in a state-of-the-art venue, the spectacle makes use of a specially-designed 270-degree theatre and a commercial pool filled with 3.7 million gallons of water. The impressive show was created by world class director, Franco Dragone and features acrobats, members of the Tanzanian group Pyramid, motorcycle stuntmen and many other talented performers. Book tickets now for an unforgettable evening! www.thehouseofdancingwater.com

25th Macau International Music Festival (7th October – 5th November 2011)

Macau’s 2011 annual music festival will be bigger than ever, as it celebrates its silver jubilee with a month-long programme of entertainment. Amongst other highlights, the festival will open on 7th October 2011, with the spectacular pop-rock show “Fame: The Musical”.

Throughout the festival, world-class international artists will showcase their musical talents, along with several local groups. New this year is the Beach Rock Concert on 1st November and the month-long festival showcases a variety of musical genres from rock concerts to opera and classical music, as well as folk music, traditional Chinese and jazz performances – a total of 34 performances running from 7th October to 5th November 2011.

As in previous years, several historical sites around Macau will provide the venues for the shows: giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of Macau’s finest attractions, including: St Dominic’s Church, Dom Pedro V Theatre, Mandarin’s House and Hac Sa Beach.

Please visit the following website for further information and a complete programme of events:

www.icm.gov.mo/fimm/25/en/

58th Macau Grand Prix (17 – 20 November 2011)

The eagerly anticipated Macau Grand Prix will see international teams compete for the winning title in this well-established Formula 3 motor race.

Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on 17th and 18th November and the races will take place on 19th and 20th. Grand Stand tickets for the racing days cost from 450MOP.

Visitors can also take the opportunity to visit the Grand Prix Museum and learn about past victories in Macau, including those of racing stars such as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Entrance to the museum is free.

www.gp.macau.grandprix.gov.mo

Meliá Hotels International launched an online gifts catalogue for the members of its loyalty programs — “mas” and “mas amigos.” This new concept for exchanging points has been developed together with its new partner rewards aravato services, with whom the company envisions an improvement of the benefits of its programs, a flexible and personalized response to reward the loyalty of its clients.

The members of the “mas” program can access the catalogue through their account via the program’s web page, www.mymasonline.com, where they will discover a variety of products offered in different categories — kids, home and living, travel and accessories, sports and leisure, and electronics and entertainment. Furthermore, members will have the possibility of carrying out their orders by combining their “mas” rewards points with cash, always in a secure online environment. The new gifts catalogue is available in Spanish, German and English, making the delivery of their orders to different countries possible — Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Holland and United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.melia.com

Stretch Your Ski Legs -

For experienced skiers who want to hone their technique, VIP SKI’s new pre-season ski courses in Val d’Isère are a must! Ski operator VIP SKI has teamed up with experts H.A.T and T.D.C to offer two early season ski courses in the famous French resort this winter. So if you’re keen to improve avalanche awareness and to manage the risks to have more fun off piste; or master effortless carving on sheet ice, these December workshops are the answer.

Skiers can choose from two and a half days intensive advanced ski guiding with H.A.T (Henry’s Avalanche Talk), joined by VIP SKI’s Andy Sturt, or a five day all terrain and performance clinic with TDC, both in Val d’Isère. Be the envy of all your friends this winter and learn the tricks and tips from the experts pre-season.

H.A.T Advanced Guiding Courses

Join Andy Sturt, VIP SKI’s Managing Director on the mountain for two and a half days of advanced ski guiding and mountain safety with Henry’s Avalanche Talk. H.A.T’s philosophy is “Ride Hard, Ride Safe!” – they teach skiers how to manage risks on the mountain and have fun at the same time. Two sessions will be running in December 2011.

Session 1: Sunday 4th – Wednesday 7th December 2011

5th December Full day guiding and evening talk with Henry Schniewind

6th December Full day guiding with Henry Schniewind

7th December Half day guiding with Andreas Bjorklund

Priced at £449pp

Session 2: Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th December 2011

9th December Full day guiding and evening talk with Henry Schniewind

10th December Full day guiding with Henry Schniewind

11th December Half day guiding with Henry Schniewind

Priced at £499pp

Single supplement charged at £100. Prices include 3 night’s chalet board accommodation at the newly refurbished Aspen Lodge. Flights and transfers not included. Maximum group size 6 people. Off piste equipment will be provided as required (transceiver, probe, shovel etc). Prices are £349 and £399 respectively for companions not joining the course.

TDC All Terrain & Performance Clinics

TDC are passionate about helping people really improve their skiing in an enjoyable, relaxed environment. Their programmes are adapted to fit the goals of the individuals and the conditions on the day. There will be two five day clinics this December, running from Sunday 4th – Thursday 8th December & Sunday 11th – Thursday 15th December 2011.

With the choice to opt for clinics in the morning from 9am – 12 noon; or in the afternoon from 1pm – 4pm, and catering to a choice of three ability levels (Development – for strong red run skiers, Development Plus – for strong red run/capable black run skiers and Challenge – for strong black run skiers), these clinics are priced at £250 per person and will take groups of up to 8 individuals.

Full clinic sample programmes for all levels available here: http://www.vip-chalets.com/_assets/pdfs/TDC_Early_Season_Clinics_Sample_Programmes.pdf

For guests pre-booking the TDC clinic, VIP SKI will offer a £100 discount per person on accommodation at Bellevarde Lodge from the 4th or 11th December.

VIP SKI (0844 557 3119; www.vip-chalets.com) offers 7 nights at Bellevarde Lodge from £499 per person from 4th December and from £649 per person from 11th December, based on 2 sharing, including catered accommodation. Price excludes transfers and flights.

For more information about VIP SKI ring 0844 557 3119 or visit www.vip-chalets.com

Hong Kong will be celebrating Halloween with a month-long series of events known as Hong Kong Halloween Treats.

Holidaymakers in Hong Kong can celebrate Halloween in spooky style with Hong Kong Halloween Treats, a series of events taking place in the city.

Beginning on September 22nd 2011, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is helping to organise various themed promotions, parties and attractions running up to Halloween itself on October 31st.

Over the course of the event, visitors will be able to take part in street celebrations and fancy-dress parties, while shops, bars and restaurants will all be providing special offers.

Meanwhile, popular tourist destinations including Hong Kong Disneyland, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Ocean Park, Avenue of Stars and Lan Kwai Fong have all confirmed that they will be joining in with the Halloween festivities.

For example, Hong Kong Disneyland will be running a promotion called Haunted Halloween, during which park opening hours will be extended to 23:00 local time for night-time fun.

Meanwhile, Madame Tussauds will provide guests with an opportunity to experience an interactive tour of Dr Frankenstein’s lab, featuring a combination of wax monsters and live performers.

Parents and their families will be able to find a wide variety of Hong Kong hotels at AsiaRooms.com, including the Kings De Nathan.

Find out more about this event at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/halloween/eng/overview.html

WITH NEW ITINERARIES TO SOUTH KOREA AND THROUGHOUT INDO-CHINA

The world’s longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Far East brochure for 2012 featuring a comprehensive programme of escorted group tours and private tailor-made travel to China, Japan, Mongolia and Southeast Asia. New for 2012 are new river journeys in Southeast Asia, two private itineraries to Cambodia, a private tour of South Korea and enhanced itineraries to China and Bhutan.

Having relaunched tours to Burma in October 2010, The Golden Land of Burma has become the best-selling group tour in the Far East brochure. Yaow Butwisate-Lok, Cox & Kings’ Far East product manager says, “We are delighted that our programme to Burma has been so well received and it has sold so well in its first year. The country is rich in history and culture yet relatively untouched by tourism. Now is definitely the time to visit, while you can still see the exquisite temples and other sites with very few others around. Our itineraries showcase the country’s highlights but our specialist tour consultants can arrange any other private tailor-made trip”.

The escorted group tour, The Golden Land of Burma p70, is a 13 day / 10 night escorted group tour priced from £2,495 per person. The price includes international flights from London via Bangkok with Thai Airways, guided excursions as specified, transfers and accommodation with breakfast daily.

Indochina has continued to be the best-selling region in the Far East, with the four group tours, Grand Tour of Indochina, Spirit of Vietnam, Golden Land of Burma and Ancient Kingdoms of South-east Asia, accounting for 25% of all of the brochure’s group tour sales. Butwisate-Lok says, “Indochina is an exciting region, which has a mix of cultures, landscapes, religions and traditions. It offers great value for money, fascinating cities and character hotels that maintain their luxury and offer unrivalled service”. Four new river cruises have been added to the 2012 brochure including Burma’s Irrawaddy, the Mekong in Vietnam, north-east Thailand or Laos. The Grand Tour of Indo-China p50 will now include a stay near the Mekong delta and boat trips to see floating markets and local life on the Mekong. The 21-day / 18-night tour is priced from £4,295 per person.

NEW: COLOURS OF CAMBODIA p76. This new 16-day / 13-night itinerary travels beyond Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh and visits the remote temples of Kor Ker and Beng Melea, charming Battambang, and explores the mangroves and jungles of the Cardamom mountains in the south-west. The private journey is priced from £3,495 per person, which includes flights from London with Malaysia Airlines, accommodation with breakfast daily and other meals as specified, transfers and guided excursions.

NEW: SUPERIOR AND LUXURY DEPARTURES FOR CHINA EXPERIENCE p14. This ever-popular 11-day / 9-night tour now has superior and luxury options, featuring separate departures based on either 4-star or 5-star hotels. The price is from £2,095 per person for the superior departures and £2,695 per person for the luxury alternative. The tour includes Beijing and Xian, as well as picturesque Guilin and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Superior departures were introduced in 2011 for China: The Grand Tour and bookings increased by 30% compared with 2010. It is predicted that similar increases will occur for China Experience by introducing luxury departures.

There is a growing trend across all of the Cox & Kings’ products to travel independently and the 2012 Far East brochure features additional tailor-made pages giving ideas for those wanting to explore beyond the main tourist trails. Butwisate-Lok says, “In China particularly, clients want to get away from the main tourist areas as they realise there is more to see than beyond the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. Our suggestions provide inspiration for enhancing tailor-made itineraries by allowing clients to explore lesser-known areas away from the crowds but staying in accommodation that matches their budget. There is a comprehensive range of private itineraries to China covering the Silk Road region of west China, imperial eastern China, the central heartlands, and fabled Shangri-La in the south west”.

NEW: WONDERS OF SOUTH KOREA p44. Cox & Kings’ new private journey combines South Korea’s iconic sights and contrasting cultures. The itinerary begins in Seoul, where the old meets new, and journeys through rural Songnisan and Gyeongju to see the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom. The 9-day / 7-night is priced from £2,195 per person and includes flights from London with Korean Air, private transfers, guided excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily and most lunches.

Please see www.coxandkings.co.uk/far-east for the full programme to the Far East.

Ancient Egypt Tours in association with TV Chef,Author and Food Archaeologist Alan Coxon, launch a 10-day fully escorted Cultural Food Tour of Egypt.

Alan will be on hand throughout this extraordinary tour of Ancient Egypt, looking at the very ingredients that made this country the power and force of the ancient world “Food” !.

This luxurious tour takes in the sights, sounds and smells without compromise , and aims to stimulate all the senses in a relaxed, fun and enjoyable manner.

The itinerary aims to cover all aspects of food, ancient recipes , ingredients and of course, award winning museums, incredible architecture and stunning diverse scenery.

This itinerary aims to offer a Taste of the past with memories for the future !!

© Ancient Egypt Tours

Tour dates :

March 16-25
&
April 20-29, 2012

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Friday: Arrival & Welcome to Egypt
You will be welcomed upon arrival at Cairo airport. Transfer to Mena House, a beautiful Arabic style historic hotel at the foot of the Pyramids. It has a 19th century 9-hole golf course which might be appreciated by some of our guests.

DAY 2 Saturday: Great Pyramids, Saqqara
Morning meeting, welcoming our guest and presenting the itinerary.
Visit of the Pyramids and the Sphinx. A ride through the countryside takes us to Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis. Here we find the Step Pyramid of king Djoser and we can enter the Pyramid of Pharaoh Teti. Once inside we see that the walls are covered with pyramid texts. The giant mastaba of Mereruka is of special interest to us because of the exquisite reliefs of Mereruka’s daily life in ancient Egypt. We see bread, beer, wine, fowl, Nile fish and cattle.

DAY 3 Sunday: Egyptian Museum, Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Visit of the Egyptian Museum, the treasure house of Ancient Egypt with the famous golden mask of the boy-king Tutankhamun. Lunch at the Arabic atmosphere Naguib Mahfouz café/restaurant (the famous award winning writer of the Cairo trilogy)for excellent local food. This restaurant is in the historic Khan el Khalili area. After lunch we visit the Khan el Khalili bazaar dating back to the 14th century. It is an immense conglomeration of markets and little shops offering gold, silver, brass work, belly-dance costumes and a special section for herbs and spices. Here we have a chance to practice our bargain skills and enjoy a tea at Fishawy, the coffeeshop with antique mirrors which for the last 200 years has been continuously open 24 hours a day.

DAY 4 Monday: Flight to Aswan, embarkation Cruise Boat
Transfer to the airport. Morning flight to Aswan at the southern border, the gateway to Nubia. Transfer to the cruise ship. Lunch on board. During the afternoon we sail on the Nile with a felucca, a traditional sailing boat, and visit the lushly green botanical island.
During the evening our guests can stroll on the ‘souk’, the Nubian market, famous for its superb spices, herbs, dates etc. The markets and shops are open till about 11 pm.

During the cruise, while the boat is sailing, there will be time for lectures and/or demonstrations of food preparation either in the restaurant or in the salon.

DAY 5 Tuesday: Obelisk, High Dam Nasser Lake, Temple of Isis
During the morning we see a giant unfinished obelisk, abandoned by the stonemasons because of a flaw appeared in the rock. It would have been the heaviest single piece of stone ever fashioned. A motorboat takes us to the small island of Algilkia with the sacred temple of the great mother goddess Isis.

The cruise boat leaves Aswan and sails to Kom Ombo with the double temple of Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder. Mummified crocodiles from the nearby necropolis can be seen in the small Hathor sanctuary. Another interesting feature are the hieroglyphs of surgical instruments.
The boat sails to Edfu.

DAY 6 Wednesday: Temple of Horus
By calesh, a horse-drawn carriage we visit the temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. This is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt. There are numerous reliefs, including a depiction of the Feast of the Beautiful Meeting, the annual reunion of the god Horus and Hathor, the cow-headed goddess of love.
During the afternoon the boat reaches Luxor. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Opportunity to visit the local market, the exquisite Luxor Museum or enjoy high tea at the Victorian Winter Palace (no shorts, no slippers).

DAY 7 Thursday: Royal Tombs, Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak temples, Luxor Temple
During the early morning we enter Royal tombs in Valley of the Kings hidden in the Desert Mountains. This is followed by a visit to the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Food was presented to the spirits of the deceased and as a daily offering in the temples appeasing the gods and goddesses. Offering food was a way to connect the worlds of the living, the afterlife and the gods.

On the east bank of the Nile we find the temples of the gods. Upon entering the temple complex of Karnak an overwhelming feeling emerges from the sight of giant columns representing papyrus stalks which together with the first mount rose out of the primeval waters. Successive pharaohs expanded the temple complex over a 2000 year period. Important features are the Hypostyle Hall, two of the largest granite obelisks ever erected, the imposing scarab representing the young sun god Kephera and the Sacred Lake which served the priests for their daily purification rites.

Karnak was connected with the Temple of Luxor by a ceremonial avenue lined with Sphinxes. Parts of this avenue is still intact.

The magnificent Temple of Luxor is at the heart of ancient Thebes. Upon entering the temple visitors are welcomed by two giant statues of Ramses the Great. This temple was dedicated to the fertility god Amun-Min, his wife Mut and their son the Moon God Khonsu. The inner walls feature details of the lives of the pharaohs. Evidence that the temple was once being used as a Christian sanctuary can be seen on the colorful Christian murals and the mosque of the local saint Abu El Haggag, built on the wall of the temple, makes this site an ongoing place of worship.

During the afternoon transfer to the Red Sea to enjoy a few days of relaxation and explore the fascinating underwater world. Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel 5*.

DAY 8 Friday: RED SEA
Relaxation and hands-on experience at the beach.

DAY 9 Saturday: RED SEA
As above.
Optional sea safari.

During the evening flight Hurghada-Cairo. Transfer to Le Meridian Heliopolis.

DAY 10 Sunday
Transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Accommodation in Double Room : 2175 Euro
Single Room Supplément : 610 Euro

Included in the price are the following services :

ACCOMMODATION
3 nights in the Oberoi Mena House 5* (Cairo), Garden section, including incl. Buffet Breakfast
3 nights / 4 days Luxury Nile Cruise 5* (Aswan to Luxor) full board from lunch on first day till breakfast on last day of cruise
2 nights at Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel 5* (Red Sea Hurghada), incl. Buffet Breakfast
1 night at Le Méridien Heliopolis 5* (Cairo near the airport), incl. Buffet Breakfast

EXCURSIONS
Including transfers, entrance fees, English speaking Egyptologist
Great Pyramids & Sphinx
Saqqara
Egyptian Museum
Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Felucca sailing on the Nile, visit Botanical Island
Obelisk
Temple of the goddess Isis
Temple of Kom Ombo
Temple of the god Horus
Valley of the Kings
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Temples of Karnak
Temple of Luxor

In addition to the historical sightseeing: Alan’s Ancient Egyptian food lessons during the tour.

OTHER SERVICES
Meet & assist at the airports
Two Domestic Flights : Cairo/Aswan & Hurghada/Cairo
Luggage handling
Transfers in airconditioned van / coach
Current VAT taxes

Not included are :
Intercontinental flights
Entry to the Great Pyramids and Mummy Room in the Museum. Extra tickets are available on the spot.
Extra excursion to Abu Simbel by air during the morning of day 4. Currently 225 Euro per person incl. Flights Aswan/Abu Simbel, entrance fee, guide, transfers
Entry visa, to be obtained upon arrival at Cairo airport (15 Euro)

For Booking and Inquiries of the tours ANCIENT EGYPT TOURS :
www.egypt-tours.org

info@egypt-tours.org

Alan Coxon
www.alancoxon.com
UK + 44 (0 ) 1386 830299
info@alancoxon.com

NEW: Delighted to announce that I have just been awarded “The Maitrise Escoffier award 2010″
Winner of the iTQi Superior Taste Award (Brussels)2010
Winner of the Anuga Taste Innovation award 2009 ( Germany )
Winner of the coveted Gold Award ,Excellence in food and drink Award (UK)
Winner of the Innovative product of the year award (UK)
Winner of the best potato recipe of the world (Peru)
Winner of the Midlands Innovation award of the year 2009 (UK)
Finalist for Britain`s Development chef of the year (UK)
Finalist for Midlands Business person of the year award 2010 (UK)
NEW : Finalist for exporter of the year award 2011
Member of the Academy of culinary arts, Member of Guild of Food Writers, Member of the Association culinaire, Master chef of Great Britain, Winner of 5 gold awards for Fat sculpture ,Voted within the top 10 favourite BBC TV Chef presenters in a worldwide poll .Member of the International Travel Writers Alliance, Worcestershire Ambassador, Kentucky Colonel .
Judge of the iTQi ( international Taste and Quality institute awards) (Brussels) 2010, Judge of the international hotel awards (USA )2009 .Judge of the “Legacy of Taste” “Best Chinese restaurant of the year 2010 award”.

MIDDLE EAST SPECIALIST COX & KINGS LAUNCHES PROGRAMME FOR 2012, WITH A NEW GROUP TOUR TO KYRGYZSTAN AND IN-DEPTH EGYPT AND JORDAN ITINERARIES

The world’s longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Middle East brochure for 2012, featuring a comprehensive programme of escorted group tours and private tailor-made travel to the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Gulf. New for 2012 is Kyrgyzstan, with an escorted group tour and private itineraries, a new Nile cruise, and twin centre suggestions combining Dubai or Oman with the Indian Ocean or South Africa.

Peter Hilton, Cox & Kings’ Middle East product manager says, “After a turbulent year for the Middle East product, we are seeing a surge in new enquiries for destinations such as Jordan and Egypt. We actually saw a 17% increase in bookings for our Splendour of Jordan tour in July 2011 compared with 2010. Cox & Kings provides one of the most complete programmes to the Middle East. We have the experience, knowledge and expertise both in our London office and on the ground to arrange an itinerary perfectly suited to clients’ exact requirements. There’s very little we can’t arrange”.

NEW: EGYPT: SONESTA CLASSIC NILE CRUISE p18 This classic Egyptian itinerary combines a stay in one of Cairo’s finest character hotels with a relaxing seven-night cruise on the elegant Sonesta Moon Goddess. Sonesta Classic Nile Cruise is an 11-day / 10-night escorted group or private tour priced from £1,775 per person including international flights with bmi, transfers, guided excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily and full board on the cruise. Private transfers and a private English-speaking guide in Cairo can be arranged for an additional £95 per person.

JORDAN p57 Cox & Kings’ bestselling group tour to Jordan has 42 departures scheduled to run in 2012, with prices comparable to this year. Despite the downturn in bookings for 2011, Cox & Kings is confident that numbers will return. Hilton says, “The political situation in Jordan has been largely unaffected by the uprisings that have occurred elsewhere. Jordan is a safe, welcoming and cosmopolitan country with a wealth of historic sites to attract visitors. This is an excellent time to go when popular sites such as Petra will be less crowded”.

The 8-day / 7-night Splendours of Jordan group tour is priced from £1,425 per person including flights with Royal Jordanian Airlines, transfers, excursions, accommodation at Marriott hotels throughout with breakfast daily and other meals as specified.

NEW: COLOURS OF KYRGYZSTAN p88 Due to an increase in interest to Central Asia, Cox & Kings is expanding its portfolio to offer group and private tours to Kyrgyzstan in 2012. From the white peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and the deep blue of Lake Issyk-Kul to the striking red cliffs of Djety-Oguz and the green gorge of Ala-Archa, this new tour explores some of the Kyrgyzstan’s most colourful highlights in one of Central Asia’s most picturesque countries. The 9-day / 7-night Colours of Kyrgyzstan escorted tour is priced from £1,895 per person and includes international flight with bmi, transfers, excursions and half board accommodation with dinners as specified.

NEW: TWIN CENTRES p98 The 2012 brochure has a dedicated section for combining the Persian Gulf with exotic destinations in Africa and the Indian Ocean. The Persian Gulf has some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, famed for their style and opulance. For a complete contrast, Cox & Kings has designed some twin centre holidays to combine the Gulf with the unspoilt island of Zanzibar, magical Cape Town or the tropical islands of the Maldives, Seychelles or Sri Lanka. A 12-day / 10-night twin centre holiday combining three nights at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai with seven nights at Tamassa, Mauritius is priced from £2,145 per person. Alternatively, a 12-day / 10-night twin centre holiday with three nights at the Chedi, Muscat and seven nights at Cocoa Island in the Maldives is priced from £2,695 per person.

Please see www.coxandkings.co.uk/middle-east for the full programme to the Middle East.

For more information or images, or to request a copy of the brochure, please contact Katie Parsons on 020 7808 5694 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

Ends: 15 August 2011

RESERVATIONS: 0207 873 5000 / www.coxandkings.co.uk

PRESS INFORMATION: KATIE PARSONS

PRESS OFFICE: 020 7808 5694 / katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

TWITTER: Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/coxandkingsuk

Stapleford Park invites guests to celebrate Christmas in rural luxury. What better place to spend the festive season than a home over 600 years old with open fires, deep welcoming sofas and views from every room of its 500 acres of parkland and lakes.

Stapleford Park is offering guests a three-night ‘Christmas Celebration’ starting from £750 per person. With all the preparation taken care of, Stapleford is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a traditional, festive, country Christmas.

Visitors will be welcomed on Christmas Eve with a glass of mulled wine on arrival. After checking in afternoon tea will be served and local carol singers will sing by the two storey Christmas Tree.

On Christmas Day the smell of mince pies wafting upwards will tempt guests down the main staircase lined with a Christmas teddy bear on each step – a Stapleford Park tradition.

Father Christmas will visit Stapleford Park mid-morning with a gift for everybody before a traditional Christmas lunch is served.

A ‘playroom’ is set aside with games and entertainment for all children to play in during their stay. A light buffet dinner will be served in the evening for those that can still be tempted with Christmas fare.

Boxing Day can be as active or as lazy as the guests choose. For those preferring to relax indoors the pool, sauna and spa will help guests to make the most of their Christmas Break, whilst a work out in the Technogym will help tone-up after any festive indulgence.

Two-night Christmas breaks are also available.

Stapleford Park – New Year Party

Stapleford Park will also be offering visitors the opportunity to welcome in the New Year at the country estate. A two-night ‘escape’ has been created for guests to see in 2012 at Stapleford Park starting from £600 per person.

To see our full Christmas brochure please click here.

For reservations please call 01572 787 019, email reservations@stapleford.co.uk  or visit www.staplefordpark.com

Notes to Editors Prices given include all meals, entertainment and presents but not beverages.Stapleford Park is a 55 bedroomed country house hotel and estate located in Leicestershire.Prices given are for a House room.Children staying and sharing adults’ rooms will be charged at the following rates0 – 3 years complimentary4 – 16 years from £300

Children staying in their own rooms will receive a 25% discount off the three-day break.

About Stapleford Park

Set in 500 acres of woods, parkland and beautiful gardens, Stapleford Park is one of England’s finest stately homes offering guests an irresistible combination of informal luxury and the best of the English countryside. Each of the 55 bedrooms have been individually designed and reflect the style of their creators; renowned names such as Mulberry, David Hicks, Sanderson, and Crabtree and Evelyn. Guests can also indulge in a game of golf or in a number of country pursuits including, archery, falconry and shooting.

Following the success of Think Sicily’s A Portrait of Sicily App guide for iPhone and iPad, Think Puglia has now released an App guide to Puglia.

In our earliest geography lessons we all learn that Puglia is the heel of Italy’s boot, but how much else do you know about this fascinating region? Well, there’s no better way of extending your knowledge than by downloading A Portrait of Puglia onto your iPhone or iPad!

Think Puglia, whose top-of-the-range holiday rental portfolio includes luxury masserie, hi-spec trulli restorations and sea-front villas with pools, created A Portrait of Puglia as a natural extension to its comprehensive on-line guide. Easy-to-read, accessible and informative, it offers a stimulating overview of everything that’s best about this lovely region.

The App’s many full-screen photos and engagingly written texts, all produced by the Think Puglia team, enable visitors to make the most of Puglia’s beautiful towns, experience the region’s many cultural festivals, organise activities that kids will love, mug up on a little history and choose restaurants for authentic, delicious meals.

Huw Beaugié, Managing Director and founder of The Thinking Traveller announced the launch of A Portrait of Puglia as, “another first for The Thinking Traveller. For a small, independent, specialist tour operator to offer such a comprehensive destination guide as an App is unique. And it’s not just our clients who benefit: we’re happy to share our knowledge and enthusiasm for Puglia with anyone planning a holiday there. All they need is an iPhone or an iPad and they can download their very own complimentary copy. Thousands of travellers have already downloaded our guide to Sicily and we hope that a Portrait of Puglia will prove just as popular and useful.”

So, whether you’re already in Puglia and in need of a personal pocket guide or are still in the planning stages, get a complimentary copy of A Portrait of Puglia and all the essentials for a memorable holiday in Puglia will be at your fingertips!

A Portrait of Puglia is available free from iTunes.