Jetsettersblog

Speed dating: tick. Online dating: tick. Painful evening next to only other single person at so-called friend’s dinner party: tick. All sound terrifyingly familiar? How about coasteering, sea kayaking and surfing your way to romance instead?

This Valentine’s weekend, Pembrokeshire-based activity provider and five star eco lodge Preseli Venture is launching Adventurous Encounters, a singles adventure weekend with a difference.

There won’t be any forced speed dating here – just a chance to have a laugh and enjoy some exhilarating activities along the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline with like-minded adventure seekers. And you never know, you might meet the guy/girl of your dreams…

Sophie Hurst, Preseli Venture’s General Manager, says: “We have many examples from our 21 years in business of our adventure events leading to guests forging lifelong friendships and even love! We hope that single people out there will enjoy the shared experiences and camaraderie – or ‘hwyl’ – of the adventures and resulting natural endorphin high, and make meaningful and lasting friendships.”

Isla Johnston, 29, is a postgraduate officer at Bath University. In April 2008, she was shattered and fed up with London, so booked an adrenaline-packed weekend at Preseli Venture. But it wasn’t just leaping off cliffs that made her heart beat faster: also staying at the lodge was fellow adventurer Mark Holmes, a 32-year-old quantity surveyor.

“A weekend at Preseli Venture was exactly what I needed,” says Isla. “There was lots of banter, and everyone chatted around a bonfire till the small hours. On the final morning, Mark knocked on my door. He seemed a bit sheepish and nervously presented a piece of paper. He’d scribbled his e-mail address on a bar receipt – I still keep that receipt in my purse today.”

Isla took the plunge and e-mailed Mark. After two years of long-distance love between Cardiff and London, the couple moved in together and now live in Bristol. In 2012, they plan to return to Preseli Venture for their four-year anniversary.

So instead of glowering at your colleague’s oversized bunch of roses or hanging around desperately for the postie this February, fling yourself off cliffs whilst coasteering, kayak into hidden caves, surf the Pembrokeshire waves and stargaze from a moonlit beach. It has to be better than a three-minute conversation with Roger from Croydon.

The Valentine’s weekend takes place from 10-12 February 2012 and costs £215 for accommodation, all meals, adventure activities, instruction and equipment.

Preseli Venture is also running mid-week Adventurous Encounters singles adventure holidays from 11-15 June 2012 and 3-7 September 2012. These five-day breaks cost £509.

For more information or to book, visit www.preseliventure.co.uk , e-mail info@preseliventure.co.uk  or call 01348 837 709.

Quality Villas presents a stunning hacienda style villa within 10 miles of St Tropez, owned by famed interior designer Linda Barker – replete with her trademark cool and sophisticated style.

2011 saw a boom for Quality Villas in the St Tropez region. With bookings already up 25% on 2011, this family owned company urges customers to book fast to secure their favourite house. With its first 9 week booking for St Tropez, this region looks on course to continue the 2011 trend.

Margaret Rees, owner of Quality Villas says ” LInda Barker has chosen a villa in a fabulous location. St Tropez itself and the allure of the coast is well known, but what people don’t tend to know until their first visit to the area is that hilltop villages and stunning forests add to the backdrop of this dazzling town – vineyards aplenty.. and Villa Libellule is in the middle of this region.”

Linda Barker has created a cool oasis in the heart of this region – oversized moroccan lamps surround the riad-style courtyard swimming pool, crisp linens, a hint of stylish shabby chic mixed with influences from local antique markets, wow pieces such as the enormous chandeliers – and a sunset deck with stunning views of the valley below- ideal for an aperitif or yoga!

http://www.qualityvillas.com/st-tropez-var/la-mole/villa-libellule

6 ensuite bedrooms, sleeping 12
£6465 – £11695 per week

For more villas in this region as well as the rest of France, visit www.qualityvillas.com.

To book a Quality Villas please contact:
Quality Villas Italy, France, Morocco, Ski
www.qualityvillas.com
01442 870 055
info@qualityvillas.com

The Quality portfolio:

Quality Unearthed
Unique, Boutique abodes
www.qualityunearthed.com
01348 830 922
info@qualityunearthed.co.uk

Quality Cottages Wales
www.qualitycottages.com
01348 837 871
reserve@qualitycottages.co.uk

with Taber Holidays

Spending the night in an ice hotel is not something you get the opportunity to do very often, and for those adventurous at heart, this truly unforgettable experience has just been made easier with a great new offer from Taber Holidays. The specialist tour operator to Scandinavia is offering five per cent off the brochure price of their three-night break to Alta, Norway, which includes a night at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, if you book and travel before the end of March. This takes the price to £1,043pp.

Situated high above the Arctic Circle, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is an enviable location by the edge of the Altafjord, with the magnificent mountain plateau, Finnmarksvidda, to the other side. Made entirely from snow and ice, the hotel is built at the start of each season and melts away again as soon as the temperatures start to warm. It was constructed for the 13th time this year.

As well as housing a number of guest rooms, the hotel is also home to an ice chapel, ice gallery, sculptures and its very own ice bar complete with glasses. The temperature inside is kept at a constant temperature just below freezing, and guests are given a thermal sleeping bag to keep them toasty during the night as they sleep upon their bed made of ice.

Alta and the Igloo Hotel – From £1,043pp (Was £1,098pp) – This three-night break is priced from £1,043 per person to include flights, transfers and accommodation (including one night at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel). Based on two sharing. Price valid if you book and travel before the end of March.

For more information call Taber Holidays on 01274 875 199 or see
http://www.taberhols.co.uk/holiday/alta-and-the-igloo-hotel

Spend Easter a little differently this year with a break in South Devon. Coast & Country Cottages have a fabulous choice of over 425 self-catering holiday cottages ranging from luxury country houses to chic waterside apartments, sleeping 2-12. Book a holiday and spend sunny afternoons exploring rock pools, or taking long walks along the unspoilt sandy beaches and coastal paths in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit the maritime town of Dartmouth and browse the boutique shops, or head to the popular sailing town of Salcombe and give some watersports a whirl! With countless all weather family attractions and places of historical and natural interest, there is plenty for visitors of all ages to enjoy! Choose a property with Coast & Country Cottages, and spend Easter in style this year. Visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk or call 01548 843773 for more information.

Broadsands, Thurlestone (sleeps 12)
This elegant country house is the perfect place to spend Easter with all the family. Situated in the heart of the South Devon countryside, this Five Star Gold VisitBritain awarded house offers luxury spacious accommodation for all the family, including a magnificent drawing room complete with mini grand piano, a stylish contemporary kitchen and exquisite orangery, large formal dining room, bar and games room. Enjoy pursuits such as sandcastle building or kite flying on the unspoilt sandy beach, just a two minute walk away. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, entertain the children for hours with a fun Easter egg hunt! Easter weeks commencing 31st March and 7th April are £3250.

1 At the Beach, Torcross (sleeps 6)
Apartment 1 At The Beach is a very spacious and particularly well presented ground floor apartment with a private terrace and superb sea views across Start Bay. Stylish and contemporary, this VisitBritain Five Star Gold awarded property is just a few yards from the beach, village pub, cafes and restaurants. Why not enjoy a game of beach cricket on the seaside, or take a short walk through the village to the unique freshwater lake Slapton Ley, and build up an appetite for Easter lunch! The historic maritime town of Dartmouth is a short drive away, with its boutique shops, restaurants and art galleries. The weeks commencing 31st March and 7th April are £775.

Osprey House, Thurlestone (sleeps
Osprey House provides luxury VisitBritain Five Star Gold awarded accommodation for a family or group of friends. New for 2012, this spacious house is within a small development of new properties on the edge of Thurlestone village. Enjoy a family meal on Easter Sunday in the contemporary dining room, and take in the beautiful views across country fields and a wetland conservation area. The whole family can watch the many species of bird in their natural habitat, including the ospreys! With so much room, both internally and externally, the family can hunt for their Easter Eggs, whatever the weather. The pub, village stores/post office and challenging 18-hole links golf course are around half a mile away. The beaches and coast path are also within easy reach. The weeks commencing 30th March and 6th April are £971.

21 Dart Marina, Dartmouth (sleeps 4)
This beautiful apartment is within the exclusive Dart Marina development and is situated on the edge of the River Dart. The apartment is VisitBritain Five Star Gold awarded and has an internal ‘Juilet’ style balcony, as well as sumptuous, luxury furnishings. Why not enjoy some delicious locally made hot cross buns in the comfort of your spacious holiday home, whilst admiring the picturesque river views. Guests can also enjoy the use of the luxury facilities of the Dart Marina Health Spa. Walk along the picturesque waterfront into Dartmouth and enjoy a champagne breakfast at Café Alfresco, or a delicious meal at the award winning restaurant The Seahorse. The weeks commencing 30th March and 6th April are £1325.

Hamilton Grand, overlooking the Old Course in St Andrews, is the second most photographed building in the world of golf after the R&A headquarters.

It is undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment by The Kohler Company, owners of five red star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa – and on Wednesday 1st February, it will be crowned with a dome, restoring a missing part of its original Victorian grandeur.

The original dome was replaced after a fire in 1976 with a fibreglass replica. The new dome – made in Scotland – is a lead-clad timber frame weighing 3.5 tonnes, true to the original structure.

Helen Parker, Director of Sales for the Old Course Hotel and Hamilton Grand says: “This is a key milestone in the restoration of Hamilton Grand. We are incredibly proud to be the guardians of such an iconic building – and to see the dome back in place will be an exciting day in the property’s amazing history.”

Launched in 1895 as The Grand Hotel, it was the height of luxury – the first building in Scotland to have a pneumatic elevator running between floors as well as hot and cold running water in every bathroom. It set the benchmark for the ultimate in hospitality.

The Second World War saw the Air Ministry requisition the Hotel, transforming the landmark into training headquarters for the Royal Air Force. It then served St Andrews University for more than half a century before the Kohler Co. bought the property and announced their restoration plans.

It is being transformed into a collection of 26 homes of distinction – two, three and four bedroom apartments together with a private residents’ lounge and function suite as well as a new, stylish restaurant and bar that is set to become a firm favourite of those visiting golf’s mecca.

“Our goal is to restore Hamilton Grand and create a dwelling that will make the people of St. Andrews proud,” said Debbie Taylor, President – Hospitality and Real Estate Group, Kohler Co. “We have been honoured to work with community members throughout this process.”

“Hamilton Grand is a unique real estate opportunity for those who want to own a home in the birthplace of golf and a premier destination that is rich in history – the holy grail of golf,” said Taylor. “We are looking forward to restoring the building using our restoration expertise, and returning a piece of Scottish history to its landmark status.”

Titan Travel (0800 988 5858, www.titantravel.co.uk), the award-winning tour operator, has unveiled its second edition Worldwide brochure with more than half of the 153 itineraries featured at lower prices than in the first edition of the brochure and in some cases with savings of up to £300 per person for bookings made before 31 January 2012.

Commenting on the news Dan Whitehouse, Marketing Director said “At Titan we never compromised on quality for our clients and have been able to produce these genuine discounts as a result of renegotiating costs with our suppliers. In fact in some cases we have actually upgraded a number of our services including the choice of hotels in New York, Venice and Rome”.

In addition the operator has introduced a number features to add flexibility for clients to tailor make elements of their trip. For example on North American tours there is now an optional ‘meal plans’ element for breakfasts to be booked and paid for in advance and flight upgrades to be added. They can also suggests extra hotel nights, available stopovers, airport lounge access whatever class a client chooses to fly and can extend dates or change flights for clients visiting friends and family.

These changes are the next stage in the rebranded brochure that first appeared in August 2011 having undergone a major re-design to create more compelling imagery with a unique series of visual montages on the introductory pages of each continent or region.

However the brochure still offers the finest selection of escorted tours, cruises and short breaks to all four corners of the globe and North America retains its wide choice of holidays with some of the best discounted offers.

These include a saving of £300 per person on the 11-day ‘Rocky Mountain Railtour’ that departs on 21 August, which was originally £3,095 and is now reduced to £2,795 per person. This snapshot of the best of western Canada includes the opportunity to see the snow-capped Canadian Rockies and dramatic Columbia ice fields with an included Ice Explorer ride to one of the highest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. In addition there is the chance to explore Vancouver before boarding the unique Rocky Mountaineer train for a 2-day adventure to Jasper with the tour reaching its final destination on Calgary. There are departures throughout the year with discounts on departures in May, June, August and September.

Meanwhile in South America there are savings of up to £280 per person on the 14-day ‘Footsteps of the Incas’ tour which has been reduced from £3,375 to £3095 per person departing on 13 January 2013. This spectacular tour includes a full day Orient-Express -operated rail journey from Puno to Cuzco, which is often not included by other operators; a visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu and the chance to see Colca Canyon which is renowned for the Andean Condors that choose to nest there. There are departures in May, September, October and November 2012 and January 2013.

More savings can be found in the southern Africa where the 15-day ‘Namibian Discovery’ tour has savings of up to £200 per person on 27th September departure, this originally cost £3,695 and is now £3,495 per person when booked before 31 January 2012. The unique and starkly beautiful desert landscape of Namibia’s deep red dunes produces a dramatic backdrop to a tour like no other with game drives in Etosha National park and the chance to see one of the largest collections of rock paintings and engravings in Africa at Twyfelfontein. There are five departures from March 2012 to April 2012.

Closer the home a large number of European escorted tours feature savings of up to £100 per person. These include the 10-day ‘Classic Croatia – Star of the Adriatic’ tour that travels from Venice to Dubrovnik with a well-balanced itinerary without long driving distances. There’s a stay in the rarely featured city of Zagreb and 2 nights in the pretty coastal resort of Opatija made famous as the holiday resort since the 19th century by European aristocracy and famous artist including Puccini, Chekhov and James Joyce. The tour features eight departures from May to September 2012 with prices now reduced from £1,595 to £1,495 per person on 4th September 2012.

For details on these and other tours call Titan Travel on 0800 988 5858 or visit the website www.titantravel.co.uk

Brochure For 2012
Titan Travel (0800 988 5867, www.titantravel.co.uk/elegantrivercruises ) has unveiled the third edition of its 2012 programme of award-winning river cruises for independent travellers with four new combination cruises and a savings of up to £1000 per person for bookings made by 29th February 2012.

The programme is operated in partnership with Uniworld (the market-leading river cruise company) and offers a world class collection of upmarket cruise options on Uniworld’s fleet of floating boutique-style hotels to some of the grandest and most scenic waterways of Europe, Russia, Egypt and Indochina.

In addition to the new itineraries the brochure also highlights an expanded choice of shore excursions in significant ports of call, plus the opportunity for passengers to ‘Go Active’ or take a ‘Gentle Walking Tour’ and discover their various destinations on foot or by bike.

As might be expected from an Elegant River Cruise, every itinerary features fabulously well-appointed river cruisers, offering comfortable staterooms, sumptuous cuisine and first-class entertainment. Along with a full programme of shore excursions and the services of knowledgeable, English-speaking guides, every passenger receives the VIP Home Departure Service, a door-to-door transfer service that takes them from their own home to join the start of their holiday wherever they live in the UK, including Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. In addition, early-booking discounts are available on every single cruise, providing even better value for money for those customers reserving their holidays in good time.

The brochure features a total of 26 luxurious river cruise as well as five Festive Christmas river cruise itineraries to see the Christmas markets at places along the Rhine, Danube and in Paris. Prices start from £1,799pp (including a saving of £200pp if booked before 29 February 2012) for an 8-day Danube Festive markets cruise from Budapest to Passau on three departures in November and December 2012.

The four new combination cruises provide a brand new opportunity to link itineraries for the ultimate river cruise holiday crossing the entire continent of Europe from Paris and Amsterdam to Vienna and Bucharest or even on to Istanbul. There are epic voyages of up to 32-days in duration and spectacular savings for early bookers with up to £1000 per person off the 18-day ‘Paris to the Heart of Europe’ cruise when booked by 29th February 2012. Starting with three-days sightseeing in Paris before setting sail along four of Europe’s most beautiful rivers – the Moselle, Rhine, Main and Danube the cruise takes in the scenery and experiences the celebrated food and wine of each region. There’s even the chance to take a horse drawn ride through the Bavarian Forest. The tour costs £3,579 per person (including the £1000pp saving when booked by 29 February 2012) and comprises flights, 3 nights hotel accommodation in Paris and 14 nights full board cruise accommodation on the River Princess plus shore excursions, transfers and the VIP Home Departure Service for a smooth journey to and from the airport.

Alternatively, following in the footsteps of the great European travellers such as Patrick Leigh Fermor, who took his epic journey in 1933-34 from the Hook of Holland, as he called it, to what he insisted on calling Constantinople (Istanbul). A similar ‘Grand European River Voyage’ takes travellers on a remarkable 27-day journey from Amsterdam to Istanbul travelling through 10 countries and seven capitals and countless treasures in between. From colourful Amsterdam to exotic Istanbul the journey takes in UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Bamberg and the Wachau Valley and the crooked streets of Miltenberg, with the opportunity to sail through the famous Iron Gates, the gorge that forms the natural border between Romania and Serbia on the Danube River. The cruise costs from £6,099 per person (which includes a £500pp saving for bookings before 29 February 2012) with 5 departures between May and October 2012. Cost includes, flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions and the VIP Home Departure Service.

Further afield there’s a £1000pp saving on the new ‘Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong’ cruise for departures on 5th September and 8th December 2012. The 17-day cruise follows the Mekong, Indochina’s longest river along its navigable lower reaches between Thailand and Laos and on downstream through Cambodia and Vietnam, taking in each of these countries’ most distinctive attractions, starting with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (the famous underground passageways used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War) and a chance to meet a wartime veteran. Other memories of a turbulent past can be found in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, where the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum commemorates the terrible atrocities that took place under the violent reign of the Khmer Rouge regime. On a lighter note, other highlights of the 17-day itinerary include visits to peaceful Buddhist monasteries, floating markets and ancient temple complexes, with the undisputed high point being a tour of Angkor Wat, the mysterious, jungle-shrouded temples that are today protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Departures are available from September 2012 through to March 2013 on Uniworld’s new River Saigon with prices from £4,139 pp (which includes a £1000 pp saving when booked by 29th February 2012).

For details or to book call Titan Travel on 0800 988 5867 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk/elegantrivercruises

VisitGuernsey is gearing up for the beginning of its tourism season with a number of exciting and varied events…

2012 sees the return of the biennial Victor Hugo International Music Festival (16-21 July), showcasing some of classical music’s biggest talents as well as its brightest rising stars. The festival takes its name from one of the Island’s best known residents of all time, for it was whilst in Guernsey that Victor Hugo was inspired to write and publish some of his most famous works including Les Misérables.

This year will also see the return of The Guernsey Literary Festival [13-16 September] and The Guernsey Music Festival [23-24 June] after their successful launches in 2011, and the third Guernsey Photography Festival [24 May - 22 June], which is fast becoming a major event on the European photography calendar. But whatever your passion – walking, wildlife, music, literature, comedy, food (or even scarecrows and sheep racing!) – Guernsey has something to inspire you in 2012.

This wide range of festivals and events demonstrates the best that the Island has to offer – its literary heritage, rich and sometimes dark history, unique Norman-French dialect, and quirky folklore – and it is this unique culture which makes Guernsey feel very different to the UK, despite being just an hour’s flight away.

Highlights on Guernsey’s 2012 event calendar include:

Easter Festival of Living History
Friday 6 – Monday 9 April
The Island’s rich and sometimes turbulent history is brought to life with the Guernsey History in Action Company’s vivid storytelling and performances at Castle Cornet. Costumed characters, musical acts and family activities give the festival something for everyone, with tickets valid throughout the weekend.
http://www.museum.guernsey.net

Spring Floral Guernsey Festival
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 April
Experience Guernsey’s natural beauty springing into life. Whether you’re an expert gardener or floral beginner, there are walks, talks and lectures available when the Island’s wildflowers are at their vibrant best, filling the hedges and fields.
http://www.floralguernsey.gg

Healthspan Spring Walking Week
Saturday 5 – Sunday 13 May
From wildlife and folklore, to history and heroes; explore on foot Guernsey’s coastline, countryside, the bustling town of St Peter Port as well as lesser-known parishes. Taking between two hours and half a day, walks are categorised to suit all abilities, with expert guides on hand to tell the tales of the Island’s fascinating history, culture and people.
http://www.visitguernsey.com

Liberation Day
Wednesday 9 May
This historic day marks Guernsey’s annual celebration of freedom and liberation from the occupying German forces in 1945. The pageantry of the Liberation Celebrations Cavalcade will be an integral part of the day’s celebrations, while the Liberation Firework Extravaganza will bring the day to a spectacular conclusion.
http://www.visitguernsey.com

Guernsey Photography Festival
Thursday 24 May – Friday 22 June
Now in its third year, this month long photo-fest is comprised of indoor and outdoor exhibitions featuring work by world-renowned photographers, as well as a multitude of community activities, competitions, workshops, talks and seminars for all ages and abilities.
http://www.guernseyphotographyfestival.com

Guernsey Festival of Comedy
Friday 25 May – Saturday 2 June
Come and have a giggle with the Guernsey Festival of Comedy. Nine days of laughter will feature cutting edge stand-up from UK and international comedians, comedy club evenings, classic film comedy, open mic nights and Edinburgh Festival previews.
http://www.happyguernsey.com/

Guernsey Music Festival
Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June
Returning to Guernsey after its successful launch last year, which saw it short-listed for Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards, the music and cultural two-day festival will take place at The Rabbit Warren and include more than 80 well known and high profile acts.
http://guernseyfestival.gg/

Guernsey in Bloom
Sunday 1 – Sunday 15 July
Take a wander around winding lanes and public spaces festooned with vibrant floral displays as parishes compete to represent the Island in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom competition. And you only have to glance at Guernsey’s hedges and fields to know the 2012 theme of ‘Wild about Wildflowers’ is absolutely perfect for the Island!
http://www.floralguernsey.gg/

Victor Hugo International Music Festival
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 July
St Peter Port comes alive with classical music when this biennial festival returns with performances from the world’s leading classical performers and brightest new stars. The event takes its name from one of the Island’s best known residents, for it was in Guernsey that Victor Hugo was inspired to write and publish some of his most successful works.
http://www.vhfestival.com/

Sark Sheep Racing
Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July
A hugely popular and quirky event: a day at the races, Sark style. Just like Ascot, even down to the hats, but here sheep are the stars rather than horses – complete with their teddy-
bear jockeys, they race over a set course, providing fantastic fun for all the family.
http://www.sark.info

Torteval Scarecrow Festival
Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 August
Take a wander around the parish of Torteval, where the countryside is taken over by a motley crew of scarecrows – some traditional, many quirky or topical. Pick your favourite – they come in all shapes, styles and sizes! – whilst taking in the area’s natural beauty. An event that gets more and more popular every year.
http://www.visitguernsey.com

Healthspan Autumn Walking Week
Saturday 8 – Sunday 16 September
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or serious hike, this is a great week to discover hidden paths and tracks around Guernsey with the help of accredited guides who will share their wealth of Island knowledge. From nature trails and countryside rambles to coastal walks along a rugged coast-line and historic tours of St Peter Port…
http://www.visitguernsey.com

Guernsey Literary Festival
Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 September
This book-themed weekend returns for a second year to explore Guernsey’s rich tradition for literature, folklore and history through writing, reading, prose and poetry. Venues across the island will stage exciting events for book fans of all ages and interests.
http://www.arts.gg/index.php/guernsey-literary-festival/

Autumn Floral Guernsey Festival
Saturday 29 September – Sunday 7 October
Whether you’re a dedicated horticulturalist or a budding beginner, the flora and fauna on offer on Guernsey at this time of year never fails to inspire. Explore the autumnal shades of the Island through various tours of open gardens, guided walks, lectures and workshops.
http://www.floralguernsey.gg

Tennerfest
Monday 1 October – Sunday 11 November
Now in its 15th year of providing gastronomic delights at fantastic prices. Starting from the 1st October, diners on Guernsey can look forward to six weeks of outstanding menus created from the wealth of local produce, all starting from £10. Cafés, gastro pubs, seafood restaurants, Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants, as well as the more traditional hotel restaurants take part every year to tease the taste buds.
http://www.tennerfest.com

NEW! Britain in Bloom Awards
Saturday 6 October
Guernsey may only measure 25 square miles but it is bursting with natural beauty, which is why it is honoured to host the awards night for the RHS Britain in Bloom competition 2012, the UK’s largest horticultural campaign which involves more than 1,000 communities each year.
http://www.floralguernsey.gg

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NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Guernsey is connected directly with nine UK airports and three UK ports:

- London Gatwick: Aurigny www.aurigny.com, Flybe www.flybe.com
- London Stansted: Aurigny
- Manchester: Aurigny
- Birmingham: Flybe
- East Midlands: Aurigny
- Bristol: Aurigny
- Exeter: Flybe
- Norwich: Flybe (Summer only)
- Southampton: Flybe, Blue Islands www.blueislands.com
- Poole: Condor Ferries www.condorferries.co.uk
- Weymouth: Condor Ferries
- Portsmouth: Condor Ferries

Skiers head to the slopes following recent heavy snowfall in the Alps

Snow has been falling in the Alps for over a month now, so conditions are excellent for skiing with some resorts in Austria reporting up to 6 metres of snow. If you still haven’t had your share of skiing this year, book a late ski holiday now and take advantage of some great deals on apartments and chalets in the Alps. HomeAway.co.uk, the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, offers access to a great range of private holiday lets available to rent at a discounted rate.

Opting for private ski accommodation rather than a hotel can enhance your holiday experience. The added space and privacy allows you to truly relax after a hard day on the slopes, and with the low cost per head of a private ski chalet or apartment you can indulge yourself with affordable luxury. Whether you’re looking for a budget bargain in Austria, a large apartment in Switzerland or a luxury chalet in France, HomeAway.co.uk has something for every taste and budget.

So, head to the slopes now to experience one of the snowiest winters in decades and book one of the properties below or browse HomeAway.co.uk for over 47,000 ski holiday rentals worldwide.

Prices quoted are per property per week for the ski season and after discount. All properties still had good availability at the time of going to press.

AUSTRIA
Modern chalet with mountain and lake views, Salzkammergut
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12. £650 per week
Special Offer: 35% off until end of March
This is a beautiful chalet in an elevated position in the small hamlet of Ried on the outskirts of St Wolfgang. Skiing at the nearby Postalm a 20 minute drive is ideal for the beginner and intermediate with skiing for the more experienced being 30 minutes away. The property has balconies on two levels with access from three bedrooms which afford views of the lake and Austrian Alps.
The chalet sleeps 10, but can accommodate up to 13. There is a large kitchen/diner and a spacious lounge complete with a large flat screen television, satellite TV and a state of the art games console.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p431713

SWITZERLAND
Superb ski in/ski out Swiss apartment in Portes du Soleil
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £822 per week
Special Offer: 25% off per week (available w/c 21st and 28th January)
The apartment is located in a newly developed building, the Sundance. It is light, modern, well equipped and attractive with extensive use of modern pine and with spectacular views of the Les Dents du Midi from all rooms. It has laminated floors, wooden ceilings and whitewashed walls. There are three large windows looking out to the mountains and there is a balcony running the full length of the apartment. Les Crosets boasts a multitude of lifts, a ski school, a dedicated snowboard park and a number of nice restaurants, shops and bars. You can ski into France in minutes or stay in the Swiss area.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p68678

AUSTRIA
Penthouse apartment with breathtaking views in the centre of Zell am See
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. £1,409 per week
Special Offer: 15% off until end of March
This is a duplex penthouse apartment, furnished to a very high standard and with a large balcony with breathtaking mountain and lake views. There is parking for one car in the basement. The property is located in the centre of Zell am See within walking distance of ski lifts, restaurants and shopping.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p90619

FRANCE
Stunning chalet with sauna, hot tub and panoramic windows in Chamonix
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £3,207 per week
Special Offer: 20% off in January
This is a charming holiday chalet with wonderful panoramic views of Mont Blanc in Chamonix. The relaxing living room with a central fireplace connects with the dining area and opens out onto a terrace and balcony. The wooden gable end of the house has been replaced with glass to offer wonderful panoramic views of Mont Blanc. The four bedrooms are all en suite and the bedroom up on the second floor has a French copper bath with wonderful views from the top of the chalet. In the garden there is a wood fired hot tub as well as an amazing sauna.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p820545

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About HomeAway.co.uk
Founded in 1996 and part of HomeAway Inc., HomeAway.co.uk is the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, listing over 250,000 self-catering properties worldwide. The site provides a simple, cost-effective way for holiday home owners and managers to market their property and manage bookings, with unrivalled worldwide exposure for a fixed annual fee. For holidaymakers, HomeAway.co.uk offers the best choice of any UK website.

About HomeAway, Inc.
HomeAway is the world leader of the online holiday rentals market, representing over 625,000 property listings across more than 145 countries. The company has contributed significantly to the popularity of the holiday rentals industry, making it easier than ever for both owners to advertise and profit from their second homes and for millions of holidaymakers to find the perfect holiday rental. HomeAway operates sites in 11 European countries and the market-leading sites in the USA and Brazil.

With three children of his own, Nick Munday, knows all about the challenges of finding the perfect family holiday. ‘It’s not a question of finding a hotel which is just child-friendly, but finding a hotel which offers a great experience for the whole family.’ Munday, Managing Director of Classic Collection Holidays, was speaking at the launch of his West Sussex-based tour operator’s new 68-page dedicated family brochure featuring no fewer than 53 hotels in Spain, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Madeira, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt and Bermuda.

Noting the difficulties that families have, Munday added ‘Families worry that if they are the only family at a hotel their children will be an annoyance to other residents. Finding other families is important as much for the adults’ peace of mind as well as children finding other youngsters. Room types are important as interconnecting rooms allow privacy for the parents but a degree of control over the children, and dining arrangements are key too. Young children can be difficult with food, so a hotel that offers a healthy compromise between fine dining and chicken nuggets, with a dining room that opens early, is ideal.’

Munday admits to having been somewhat reticent to stress the family angle in Classic’s main brochures as so many of the operator’s properties are geared towards couples, but finds it increasingly difficult to ignore what is a healthy and growing area of the market.

‘Our new brochure is a very useful selling tool allowing travel agents and customers alike to find the most suitable hotels for families in one place. Research shows that families shop around more than any other market sector, are far more discerning and have much more specific holiday criteria. Such customers spend a significant amount of money on a holiday and want as much information as possible. Agents benefit from the enhanced commission that comes from securing higher value bookings from their most discerning customers.

Easy reference panels on each hotel page of the new brochure highlight family facilities at each hotel. Many of the featured hotels offer complimentary or reduced rate rooms where children share a room and reduced meal supplements for younger members of the family.

Classic also gives complimentary inflatable car booster seats (RRP £29.99) to all children aged 4 to11 years who are booked to travel with the operator.

Prices are instantly available for holidays including direct flights from more than 20 UK departure airports. Classic Collection Holidays’ reservations team members are easily able to give quotations for business class seats on scheduled flights and room upgrades to sea views, junior suites and suites as well as advice and recommendations about children’s clubs, babysitting services, the best child prices and the availability of guaranteed interconnecting rooms.

Seven night bed 7 breakfast prices at the Don Carlos Leisure Resort and Spa on the Costa del Sol start from £794 per adult and £269 per child in April 2012 including return flights and private transfers.

For further information call Classic Collection Holidays on FREEPHONE 0800 008 7288 or visit www.classic-collection.co.uk. The new Family brochures can be ordered directly from www.classic-collection.co.uk/brochures  or from BP via VTX or www.trade-gate.co.uk