The action has already begun with the 16th Canary Islands International Music Festival, the only classical Music Festival held during winter in Europe. This year, performances are being held at the spectacular Auditorio de Tenerife – the stunning opera house designed by Santiago Calatrava – and continue through to 7 February, www.festivaldecanarias.com.

Preparations are already underway for the Tenerife Carnival and from 12 – 21 February, Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, hosts one of the largest and most vibrant musical extravaganzas in the world. Rivaling Rio in its splendour, size and glamour, highlights include the election of the Carnival Queen having already taken place on the 10th February, street parades and the dramatic performance of the famous sardine’s funeral, “el Entierro de la Sardina,” where a huge paper fish is set alight.
Some €30,000 was pledge by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation to ensure the event continues its international acclaim for one of the biggest carnivals in world, with most of the funds used to host media from international publications. Minister of Tourism responsible for promoting the Tenerife Carnival, Jose Manuel Bermudez, said “the effort we are making to hold the carnival, bringing all these journalists, ensuring it continues to attract international exposure and presence externally, is because it continues to be one of the best celebrated calendar events in Europe.”

With Spring the tempo changes to rap, and on 27 March one of the world’s top rap artists, 50 Cent, will be performing live in Santa Cruz. On 30 April Tenerife tops the international music circuit once again when pop diva, Whitney Houston, will take centre stage in Santa Cruz for what is the only Spanish date on her World Tour. Both artistes are sure to provide dazzling performances, following in the footsteps of previous live performances on the island by music icons, Elton John and Rod Stewart.

As the year draws to a close and in celebration of the Christmas Season on 25 December, the island hosts a concert by the Tenerife Orchestra Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica de Tenerife. This year’s concert will be held in the city of Santa Cruz where visitors will enjoy a musical celebration together with lights, fireworks and events, www.ost.es.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean Tenerife is only four hours flight from the United Kingdom and served by several airline carriers from multiple airports across the UK and Ireland. Its year-round warm and temperate climate, delightful beaches, contrasting regions of north and south and famous Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, make it one of the most popular short haul destinations for UK visitors and an ideal holiday destination.

Say Bon Voyage to Stressful Holidays with DFDS Seaways

This summer make the most of your free time and enjoy your holiday with minimal travel stress. With cruise ferries travelling daily from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and three or four times a week from Harwich to Esbjerg, DFDS Seaways will do the travelling for you so that you can take your mind off the journey and set sail for Europe, carefree.

If you are setting off for your holidays from the North of England, the Midlands or Scotland, think about the time and energy saved by not having to drive to the south coast to enjoy Europe.

Don’t get stuck in motorway queues heading down to Dover, instead take miles off your journey and save pounds worth of fuel too by sailing with DFDS Seaways from Newcastle to Amsterdam. For example if you live in Newcastle and you want to get to Cologne in Germany, you will save 419 miles of driving if you take the DFDS Seaways’ ferry to Amsterdam and drive from there, compared to driving to Dover and then to Cologne from Calais.

Meanwhile, if you’re heading off to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, or northern Germany, DFDS Seaways provides the only ferry route to Scandinavia via its Harwich – Esbjerg route to Denmark.

Forget long check-in queues at airports, baggage restrictions and stressful waiting in departure lounges, as your holiday begins the moment you drive onboard. Simply pack up the car with everything you need, drive onboard and unwind. You can even travel with your tent, campervan or caravan and explore European or Scandinavian campsites and the great outdoors.

You can also easily bring your four legged furry friend with you on your trip thanks to DFDS Seaways’ DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). Animals covered under DFDS Seaways’ DEFRA accreditation include dogs, cats and ferrets; however DFDS Seaways will allow you to travel with other pets including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats and tortoises. So you can take the whole family with you on holiday.

When you arrive in Holland or Denmark you have easy access to the rest of Europe. From the DFDS Seaways’ port in Holland you can get to Germany in 88 miles, Belgium in 85 miles, drive to France in 175 miles or travel beyond.

So after a relaxing crossing you can arrive refreshed, ready to enjoy a drive on the scenic roads of Northern Europe. Sail from Harwich to Esbjerg and from there it’s an easy drive through Denmark, 150 miles to northern Germany and 210 miles to Sweden. You can also travel onto Copenhagen and take the DFDS Seaways’ ferry to Oslo for access into Norway and central Sweden.

On a DFDS Seaways’ cruise ferry there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Check out the shops, various restaurants, bars, live entertainment and on routes from Newcastle a casino and cinemas. Perhaps go on-deck and embrace the sea air.

There is so much to see and do, if you are travelling as a family there are even activities and clubs for the children to keep them occupied.

Prices are from £139 for a car and two passengers or £169 for a car and 4 passengers travelling Newcastle to Holland, one way, and from £232 one way for 2 people plus car and £252 for 4 people travelling to Denmark.

DFDS Seaways also offers a wide range of holiday and short break options including activity holidays at Center Parcs Europe and Sunparks, breaks to a number of fantastic European cities and events, as well as cottage holidays, and much more.

Mastercrafts, a six week series filmed in Dorset, starts on 12 February on BBC2, and follows three hopefuls in their search for the perfect traditional craft for them.

Here in The National Forest you can train under master woodsman Peter Wood in his woodland workshop Greenwood Days. Under his expert guidance, novices and keen amateurs can learn pole lathe turning, Windsor chair making, how to make your own long bow and learn to fire it, steam and tar a coracle, weave a willow basket or bend a hazel hurdle on courses lasting from one to eight days.

If Ray Mears’ bushcraft survival skills are more to your taste, there are three survival schools based in The National Forest. Forage for wild food, collect rain water from leaves, twist twine out of tree roots or filter water through socks lined with moss and wood ash. Build a snug shelter in the woods and watch the stars come out.

Or you can volunteer with BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and learn dry stone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing and other countryside skills. It’s a great way to meet people, have fun and get fit at the same time.

See more about Forest experiences on The National Forest website at
www.nationalforest.org/visit/thingstodo/experience.php
 For Peter Wood’s Greenwood Days courses: www.greenwooddays.co.uk
Survival schools in The National Forest:
Survival School: 0871 222 7304
Woodland Survival Crafts: www.woodlandsurvivalcrafts.com
Woodland Ways: www.woodland-ways.co.uk
BTCV: 01530 277855 www.btcv.co.uk

RELIVE THE MIDDLE AGES IN SPAIN…
Caliphs And Knights – Cordoba and Segura (8 days)

An idyllic area little known outside Spain, this inspiring guided walking tour takes you back to the Middle Ages, where you can relive the 13th Century in Andalusia.

Explore the historic towns and picturesque villages of eastern Andalusia, dominated by the castles of the knights of Santiago. A central focus of the tour is in Cordoba city, with its unique mosque-cathedral, the castle with its magnificent water-gardens, the picturesque Jewish quarter and the Potro square which captured the imagination of Cervantes.

On foot discover the landscapes of two superb Natural Parks, the Subbética Cordobesa and the Sierras of Cazorla and Segura (the biggest in Spain and one of Europe’s largest).
Price: £850 per person
Departs: Seven departure dates between February and December 2010

LAKE COMO AND MORE…
Italian Lakes Walk (8 days)

The great lakes of northern Italy have been a popular holiday destination since Roman times.

This weeklong self-guided walking programme takes in the highlights of Lake Como and Lake Lugano: away from the affluent holiday centres there is a feast of walking trails exploring the forested valleys, mountaintops and traditional villages, which have retained their unique character. Still used today by the local people, the old tracks offer exceptional views, while with accommodation provided in small, family-run hotels, there is ample opportunity to experience excellent regional cuisine, allowing a complete appreciation of this beautiful area.
Price: £790 per person
Departs: Daily to 31 October 2010

DISCOVER THE LANDSCAPES THAT INSPIRED BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA…
Transylvania Castles and Mountains (6 days)
Launches: 8 May

The legends of Transylvania are an enticing reason to explore some of Romania’s most stunning mountain landscapes and soak up its unique culture.

Offering one of the best ridge walks in Europe, the dramatic Piatra Craiului (meaning ‘royal stone’) rises sharply from the forests and plains below, with exceptional views along a series of gorges and ridgetops.

The Bucegi mountains are home to a diverse range of landscapes from pine and beech forests to flower laden meadows and high limestone cliffs – and it is also where you can find Bran Castle, connected through folklore to the fictitious character, Dracula!
Price: £420 per person
Departs: Daily from 8 May to 10 October 2010

TAKE IN THE VERY BEST OF SOUTHERN ITALY…
Southern Italy Volcano Trail (11 days)
Launches: 8 May

The best of southern Italy… the wonder of Pompeii, the summit of Mount Vesuvius, the stunning Amalfi coastline, the bustling city of Naples… and this is only the beginning!

Follow the volcano trail to the Aeolian Islands and combine relaxing moments on stark black beaches with exhilarating ascents to the active craters of Volcano and Stromboli. Concluding in Sicily, at Mount Etna, one of the world’s most famous active volcanoes -with evidence of past eruptions clearly evident in the unusual landscape on its flanks- there will be time to explore the seaside town of Taormina, with its ancient Greek theatre and typical Sicilian atmosphere.
Price: £1,590 per person
Departs: Seven departure dates between May and October 2010

MONT BLANC FOR ALL THE FAMILY…
Mont Blanc Family Walk – France To Italy (7 days)
Launches: 4 July

Few walks in the world offer the incredible views and high alpine vistas found on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Guided along mountain trails, this relaxed itinerary starts in the Chamonix Valley and provides awesome views of Mont Blanc with overnight stays in high mountain huts.

Carrying only a day pack, mules will transport your bags and supplies and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the small villages along the way, stay in local refuges and gîtes and feast on French and Italian cuisine.

The itinerary is suitable for active children from age 7 and up and provides an exhilarating alpine walk with unforgettable vistas around every bend.

Price: £605 (Adult), £445 (Child)
Departs: Every Sunday in July and August 2010

Quoted prices are inclusive of accommodation, most meals, equipment rental, experienced mountain 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.

For bookings and more information please go to www.UTracks.com  or call 0845 241 7599

Your bunk house accommodation offers a comfortable stay with onsite BBQ area or sample one of the popular pubs and eateries in the locality.

With a range of activities, we have something for everyone! Whizz around on a go-karting grand prix – the winners get a trophy and bottle of bubbly!

In addition, get dirty with a session of Quad Biking and enjoy the challenges that Paintballing has to offer.

Cost
Two nights bunk house accommodation including a full cooked breakfast and all activities – From £169 per person

Holidaying with pre-school children? Visit one of Eurocamp’s 11 Petit Paradis parcs:

Sporting free, helpful extras to keep all the family happy on holiday, these super toddler-friendly parcs feature baby-safe pitches, decking gates, bed rails and safe play areas.

On top of the extras which help make things easy for mum and dad, there’s also plenty to keep toddlers occupied; each Petit Paradis parc has a children’s pool plus free Mini Fun Station clubs, offering a host of activities for youngsters aged 1 – 4, with some even featuring free Tumble Tots and swimming lessons. And to lighten the load, parents can also pickup free equipment on arrival, including cots, high chairs, and baby baths.

Holidaymakers can choose from a selection of European destinations with Petit Paradis parcs, with nine French locations across Brittany, Dordogne, Vendée, Loire and Languedoc, plus two additional parcs, one in Spain’s Costa Brava and one along Italy’s Venetian Coast.

A seven night stay at Eurocamp’s St. Avit Loisirs, a Petit Paradis parc in the Dordogne, arriving on 4 June 2010, staying in a 2 Bed Superior which sleeps up to 7, will cost just £390 for the whole family, accommodation only.

Holidaying as a couple? Be one of the first to experience Eurocamp’s new parc in Sardinia:

Hand-picked for its truly unspoilt location, Eurocamp’s new Bella Sardinia parc is surrounded by a beautiful pine forest and the wonderful Arenas beach, which runs alongside the parc and is famed for its stunning sea turtles and attractive pink flamingos.

There’s also a great selection of on-parc facilities with bicycle hire, two swimming pools, restaurant including a pizzeria, snack-bar, take-away and a small supermarket for those who prefer to dine ‘al fresco’.

A seven night break at Eurocamp’s Bella Sardinia parc, arriving 12 June 2010, costs just £441 per party, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Superior’ mobile home (sleeps up to 7 people), accommodation only.

Ferry crossings, fly drive packages, rail travel and overnight stops – at hotels or parcs en route – can also be arranged through Eurocamp at a supplement.

For further information on Eurocamp, please call

0844 406 0552

or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk

Learn-to-Sail, Flotilla, Bareboat, Villa-Flotilla

Sunvil Sailing run yachting holidays off Lefkas island in the Greek Ionian Sea with a choice of accommodation either on board the boat or shore-based in a hotel, villa or apartment. They specialise in learn-to-sail weeks with certification but also offer flotilla, bareboat charter, individually tailored villa-flotilla packages and day boat hire.

The Greek sailing holidays run from early May to end October; holidaymakers can charter their own yacht with or without tuition, while singles, couples and parties too small to skipper their own boat can take advantage of Sunvil’s share-a-yacht weeks. New this year will be tuition yachts for single parents plus their children.

Learn-to-Sail Weeks

Sunvil’s learn-to-sail holidays in the Greek Ionian Sea are suitable for the complete novice as well as those with a little sailing experience or whose knowledge has lapsed; courses cater for singles, couples, groups of friends and families with youngsters from nine years upwards (under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult).

Accommodation is either live-aboard or shore-based while the superb coastal scenery, warm sheltered waters and favourable wind conditions provide a safe and pleasant location in which to learn new boating skills.

Tuition follows an internationally recognised syllabus; novices will aim for the Crew Certificate (for 12 years and over), while the more advanced can work towards a Skipper Certificate qualifying them for non-tidal coastal waters (for 16 years and over). Youngsters between 9 and 12 years can gain an Introduction to Yachting Certificate.

Live-Aboard Packages: For those choosing to live-aboard, the tuition yachts form the lead boats in a small flotilla, which departs from Sunvil’s base at Nidri.

Holidaymakers share their yacht with the instructor as it cruises around the stunning coastal islands; itineraries vary taking in islands such as Ithaca, Kephalonia, Kastos, Kalomos and Meganissi. Days are spent literally learning the ropes along with boating and navigational skills, while the flotilla moors up at a different harbour every evening for a relaxing and social dinner ashore in a local restaurant.

Six and eight berth yachts are used for the learn-to-sail programmes with between four and six students to one instructor.

Prices start from £717 per person per week based on two sharing a cabin to include return flights from London Gatwick to Prevesa, transfers, live-aboard accommodation and tuition.

There is a single cabin supplement from £100pppw and a £70 on-site contribution towards the on-board kitty to cover a welcome starter pack with some light refreshments and expenses such as yacht damage waiver, fuel, mooring fees, certification, etc. This rises to £110 for a two-week cruise.

Shore-Based Yacht Training Courses: First time sailors, families and groups where not everybody wishes to learn-to-sail or those who simply prefer the extra comforts of hotel, villa or apartment, can take the shore-based accommodation option.

They can then book as many two-day sailing modules as they wish with instruction. On non-sailing days guests can simply relax by the pool, try some watersports, go horse riding or hire a car and drive along the coast or explore inland.

One week’s stay at the Hotel Armonia in Nidri, B&B for two sharing a sea view room is priced from £549pp to include flights from London Gatwick and transfers in Greece. The learn-to-sail is additional – guests can buy the two-day course modules at £110 each based on a minimum of two people per yacht, plus £20pp on-site to cover certification, log-books and yacht fuel.

Other Options

In addition, Sunvil Sailing offer flotilla holidays in Greece for those with relevant qualifications to charter their own yacht. By trying to keep to around eight boats, the flotilla can moor overnight at some of the smaller, more attractive ports and form a sociable group for dinner at a local taverna or hotel. Prices start from £559pppw dependent on the size of yacht, number in the party and time of year plus an on-site contribution to cover yacht damage waiver, port documentation, etc.

They also have a limited number of yachts from 27 to 46ft available for bareboat charter for qualified/experienced sailors to sail independently outside the normal flotilla area.

Other options include skippered charter for holidaymakers wishing to relax just occasionally lending a hand when necessary, and day boat hire for shore-based holidaymakers.

Sunvil Sailing can also put together custom made packages with variations for individuals, couples or small groups to provide the perfect combination of live-aboard sailing, tuition and shore-based accommodation to suit all levels from experienced skippers to complete novices.

Sample Packages: A fortnight’s holiday for two with the first week on a shared tuition yacht and the second aboard their own 30ft boat as part of a flotilla would start from £950pp.

And a family or party of four with the first week on their own tuition yacht and the second in a two-bedroom self-catering apartment at the Hotel Armonia, Nidri would be from £790pp.

Malta, Turkey and Croatia Bareboat and Skippered Charter

This year Sunvil Sailing is offering bareboat and skippered charter in Turkey, Croatia and Malta from April to November. A vast selection of monohull and multihull craft are available to suit and can be packaged with flights and transfers; individual quotations on request.

The Maltese programme will operate from the Manoel Island Marina at Gzira while in Turkey the yachts are based at the modern marina at Yalikavak on the scenic coast around 10 miles from Bodrum and just 23 miles from the airport. Holidaymakers chartering a yacht in Turkey will also be able to cruise the long chain of picturesque Greek Dodecanese islands which hug the coastline. In Croatia they sail from the village of Kastela, which is about 15 minutes transfer from Split airport on the Central Dalmatian Coast. There is also the option of a second week in a hotel at all three destinations.

For further details contact Sunvil Sailing on Telephone: 0208 758 4780, email sailing@sunvil.co.uk  or visit www.sunvilsailing.co.uk

If you can’t make it to South Africa, then Keycamp’s European destinations provide a great value substitute, allowing fans to enjoy sunny weather, top-class football and soak up a fantastic atmosphere with supporters from all over Europe. With football face painting, flag making, themed games and family soccer tournaments at selected parcs, it promises to be more fun than jostling for space at your local.

A great result at Le Littoral – Seven nights from just £372 per party
Situated next to a pretty cove and just minutes away from the Vendée’s famous sandy beaches, Keycamp’s Le Littoral is just one of the parc’s offering special football evenings during the World Cup. Non-footie fans will appreciate the array of superb facilities including four swimming pools with chutes and slides, basketball, tennis, cycling, karting and a climbing wall.

Seven nights from 11 June for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Supernova mobile home will cost from just £372, accommodation only, which includes an early booking discount of 10%, available on bookings made before 24 February 2010. Ferry crossings or fly-drive packages are available through Keycamp at a supplement.

Perfect match at La Paillotte – Seven nights from just £632 per person

Overlooking Lake Soustons, Keycamp’s La Paillotte in Gascony offers a stunning location to sit back, relax and enjoy some world-class football. With a five-pool waterpark, cycling, fishing and free canoe hire available on-parc, there’s also plenty to do in between games.

Seven nights from 30 June for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Villanova mobile home will cost £632, accommodation only, which includes an early booking discount of 10%, available on bookings made before 24 February 2010. Ferry crossings or fly-drive packages are available through Keycamp at a supplement.

Free football training for your mini-soccer stars
To celebrate the ‘beautiful game’ this summer, Keycamp has also extended its Soccer Station training sessions for 5 – 16 year olds at four of its parcs, and what’s more it will be offering unlimited free sessions between 20 June and 11 July, a saving of up to £25 per child.

Run by FA qualified coaches, Soccer Station is open to children of all abilities from dazzling dribblers to those just looking for a kick-about – perfect for budding Rooneys or Ronaldos to hone their own footie skills.

For further information, or to book, call Keycamp on 0844 406 0319 or visit www.keycamp.co.uk

The 2010 South Devon Holiday Guide highlights the region’s impressive environmental credentials, together with its glorious natural playgrounds of coast and countryside, and the numerous attractions and activities that may be enjoyed across the region. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of South Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

In excess of two-thirds of South Devon is protected either by the AONB or as part of the spectacular Dartmoor National Park. What’s more, eight new cultural trails have been introduced, making it the perfect destination for walking, cycling, horse riding and wildlife spotting holidays.

Since it is said to have more ‘green’ businesses than anywhere else in the UK and has established the Green Tourism Business Scheme, holidaymakers can be sure that their visit will have minimal impact on the county’s breathtaking environment.

With a coastline amongst the most spectacular in the South West, complete with over 90 miles of the South West Coast Path, plus safe, award winning beaches, many of them such as Bigbury, Salcombe and Teignmouth offering popular water sports activities for all the family, South Devon’s natural allure is plain to see.

And, if that wasn’t sufficient, 180 miles of pretty country lanes wind through hilly agricultural land leading to picturesque hamlets, villages and towns, 13 of which are historic market towns.

Among them are the former wool trade centre of Buckfastleigh and Bovey Tracey, a cob and Dartmoor granite-built town which is home to the internationally famous gallery of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen.

Beyond the sea and the rolling countryside, the formidable heather clad moors stretch into the distance, with unique granite tors rising almost 2,000 feet above sea level. These provide stunning panoramic views from their tops over the dramatic landscape, with its famous Dartmoor Ponies and prehistoric archaeological settlements.

Other attractions include a model village, several National Trust properties such as Agatha Christie’s holiday retreat Greenway, adventure parks and several steam railways.

There are also some fine English Heritage castles, including Totnes, one of the best surviving examples of an early Norman motte and bailey castle.

For animal lovers, there are farms, a zoo, sanctuaries and wildlife centres, and even a hospital for hedgehogs!

Whatever the time of year, there’s always a show or special event to enjoy, with options ranging from conservative to quirky, among them an Easter Egg Hunt, an air show, a walking festival, orange rolling, an apple pie festival and worm charming!

With milder winters than anywhere else in the UK, combined with long, warm autumns, South Devon is a perfect holiday destination all year round.

To obtain a copy of the 2001 South Devon guide, complete with map, events listing and information about accommodation and attractions call the South Devon holiday line on 01626 215674 or request online at www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

The Rockwell Hotel, Kensington has teamed up with The Essential, one of London’s leading style consultancies, to offer exclusive personal shopping and styling packages for visitors to London.

The ‘London fashion’ package offers an insiders guide to fashion in the Capital as well as chance to revamp a tired wardrobe and pick up personal styling tips for life. For those looking to discover hidden shopping gems, up-to-the-minute fashion, edgy independent boutiques, high street bargains, vintage treasures, secret samples sales; a whole new look or a one-off outlet – The Rockwell ‘London fashion’ package is the ticket in.

Since opening in 2006, The Rockwell’s home-from-home stylish interiors have attracted a raft of London’s favourite fashion faces from Jasmine Guinness to Jade Jagger whilst Armani have been known to make it their base during London Fashion Week. This buzzing backdrop makes the ideal setting for fashion lovers looking for the inside step on the current London Fashion scene.

The Essential is run by stylist’s Anna Sandler and Saga Widen who have 16 years experience as stylists in London with a raft of high-profile clients from actors, BBC dramas, music videos and films – including Emilia Fox, James McAvoy, Silent Witness, We are Scientists, London Boulevard and a Town called Eureka – amongst others. As a result Anna and Saga offer a key into the hottest boutiques and neighbourhoods in London.

The ‘London fashion’ package, priced at £374 inc VAT, (or £187 per person if shared by two friends) includes:

• A four-hour personalised styling session with either Anna or Saga. The Essential will contact guests in advance to find out exactly what they are looking for from their session – be it a general revamp, styling for a special occasion or a new work wardrobe.

They will take into account the guest’s budget, shape, style and colouring before planning a personalised shopping experience across London.

• Follow up report from The Essential with styling tips and recommended brands.
• One night’s accommodation with breakfast in a double room at The Rockwell Hotel, Kensington.

Ideal for anyone looking to get the inside step on the ever changing fashion mecca that is London, the ‘London fashion’ package is a truly a one-off opportunity to experience a personally-tailored city shopping adventure.

The ‘London fashion’ package is only available be telephone through The Rockwell Hotel on +44 207 244 2000.

www.therockwell.com  / www.the-essentialstylists.com