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'Bluebird Effect' Boosts Lake District Tourism
The pulling power of Donald Campbell’s famous jet hydroplane Bluebird has made the village of Coniston one of this year’s hottest Lake District destinations says Cumbria Tourism Visitor numbers to Coniston’s Ruskin Museum have rocketed to record levels since the iconic craft, which crashed on Coniston Water in January 1967, returned to its spiritual home.
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Asia
Khao Lak – A Slice of Authentic Thailand
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Chef Hopkins at one of Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort's master cooking classes
“I love this place because there aren’t too many Brits, there’s not an English breakfast in sight and it is still very much ‘authentic Thailand.’” Angela** who was holidaying with her husband and two young children, didn’t pull her punches. After all she ran a 500-student dance school in London: clearly organisation was her middle name and she knew exactly what she wanted from a vacation.
1:00 AM 20th April 2024
holidays
Foodies Given Green Light To Visit Cumberland
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
A new campaign showcasing Cumberland’s food and drink businesses has launched. Cumbria Tourism is working with Cumberland Council’s Destination Management team to run a new three-month campaign which aims to shine a light on hospitality businesses from small producers, family run cafes and fish and chip shops, through to fine dining restaurants, breweries and distilleries.
1:00 AM 19th April 2024
Asia
New Jewel In India's Well-Studded Crown
Radisson Hotel Group has announced the debut of its luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, in India with the opening of Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront Srinagar.
1:00 AM 15th April 2024
Asia
Bangkok’s Hidden Gems - A Three Hotel Journey
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
The huge reclining Buddha at Wat Pho also known as Wat Chetuphon
Thailand’s capital boasts countless ‘big attractions’ but move away from the well-beaten track and you will find some hidden gems: how to extract venom from a snake for example (do not try at home!) and the story of Jim Thompson, the US millionaire who disappeared without a trace leaving behind one of the biggest brands in the world!
1:00 AM 13th April 2024
Europe
Stays In Harmony With Nature
They say that reconnecting with nature is the best way to restore life’s balance in favour of ‘leisure over labour’. So, look no further than Western Norway where you can spend the night with the ocean as your nearest neighbour. Panoramahyttene at Sandhåland (Karmøy) is not only ready to welcome its first guests, but also promises a breathtaking backdrop.
1:16 AM 6th April 2024
Europe
Jet2 Strengthens Its Bulgaria Offering
Jet2holidays is expanding its offering to Bulgaria this Summer with the addition of package holidays to the popular resort of Sozopol. The European country has proved popular with holidaymakers thanks to its purse-friendly appeal, prompting the UK’s largest tour operator to respond with tours to the ancient seaside town.
1:00 AM 30th March 2024
Europe
Theme Park ‘Oscar’ For Swedish Attraction
Sweden’s premier theme park, Liseberg, has beaten the Americans at their own game, winning an LA industry ‘Oscar’ in recognition of its high standards of excellence and achievement. Opened in 1923, Liseberg is an amusement park located in Gothenburg and, with around three million visitors a year, is Scandinavia’s largest attraction of its type.
1:00 AM 27th March 2024
Deals
Euro Train Shuttle March Discounts
The rapid ‘Chunnel’ service to France, LeShuttle, is offering 20% off* Day Trip and Short Stay Saver tickets when you book before 24th March. The popular cross-channel service takes just 35 minutes to transport vehicles and their passengers under the Channel from Folkestone to Calais.
1:00 AM 13th March 2024
Europe
Serbian First As Hotel Brand Launches In Belgrade
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Radisson RED Belgrade has opened its doors as a new upscale lifestyle hotel, marking the debut of the Radisson RED brand in Southeast Europe. Located on Takovska Street near the House of the National Assembly in Serbia’s capital, Radisson RED Belgrade offers a unique blend of tradition and contemporary style, following a complete renovation and rebranding of the existing hotel building.
1:00 AM 11th March 2024
Weekend
Tallinn – Mediaeval City and Steven’s Domain!
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Edinburgh boasts its Greyfriars Bobby legend – the dog that guarded its dead master’s grave for 14 years – and Japan’s equivalent is Hachiko, immortalised outside Shibuya Station, but none of them can steal a march on Tallinn’s Instagram superstar: Steven the Seagull!
1:00 AM 9th March 2024
Americas
Shiver Me Timbers! What A (Mexican) Deal!
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
HolidayPirates have got a 52% saving on a 7 night all-inclusive stay at the beautiful 5* Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico with return flights from Manchester and checked bags for £878. The best-value departure date available is 18th March but other dates also available.
10:11 AM 5th March 2024
Weekend
In The Soup In Tartu
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Tartu: European City of Culture
“You might want to turn the roaming off on your phone,” said our Estonian host, Herling Mesi, as we sped across frozen Lake Peipsi at Varnja, just a short car ride from the centre of Tartu. “The Russian border’s only 15km away,” she continued, “right in the centre of the lake, and even though we are only 3km from the shore, Russian telecom may pick up your phone signal.
1:00 AM 2nd March 2024
holidays
Kids Go Free In Cornwall
A Cornwall hotel has introduced a ‘Children Should Be Seen (And Not Paid For) package to coincide with the Easter holidays. The St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa, in Trebetherick, near Rock and Polzeath, already has a dedicated kids club with its unique Mini Moritz programme of daily activities.
1:00 AM 28th February 2024
holidays
East Coast ‘Light Night’ Set For Encore Tonight
Light Night, the dazzling spectacle that captivated the east coast last year, makes its 2024 debut tonight, marking the second year running that large swathes of Scarborough, Bridlington and Whitby will hit the limelight!
1:00 AM 26th February 2024
holidays
Haven Holiday Parks Go Solar With £18m Investment
Leading UK holiday park operator, Haven, has announced plans to invest £18m in energy saving measures across 39 of its 41 parks. The investment, to be completed by June this year, will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of more than three million guests and the 25,000 holiday homeowners who visit Haven’s parks.
1:00 AM 24th February 2024
Africa
No Valentine? It Doesn’t Matter, Solo Travel Is Booming
Many couples will be enjoying a romantic Valentine getaway today, however, having a partner isn’t essential when it comes to travel. Taking a solo holiday, or “soliday”, is the latest travel trend that has been increasing in popularity over recent years.
1:00 AM 14th February 2024
Weekend
Princess And The Verbier Magic Carpet!
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
"Are you OK?" said the Frenchman to his daughter as she skied down the nursery slope at Les Esserts in Verbier, Switzerland. "Oui," said the tiny tot moving a dummy to the side of her mouth so that she could reply. Shortly afterwards a tantrum followed as the child, rolling on the ground in the freezing snow, demanded to be carried back to the top of the slope!
1:00 AM 10th February 2024
Europe
Bach To The Future – Leipzig Style
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Welcome to The Bach Museum
Master mason Malecki walked into St Thomas Church, Leipzig on 28th July 1949 and uttered those immortal words to church Superintendent Heinrich Schumann: “Hello there, Superintendent.
1:00 AM 26th January 2024
Europe
Galway Invites ‘Bucket List’ Consideration!
Dubbed “Ireland’s most charming city” by the New York Times, Galway is extending a welcome to all and sundry this year as it prepares to host the Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF). Renowned for curating extraordinary experiences, organisers are promising a exceptional multidisciplinary program between July 15 and July 28.
12:00 AM 13th January 2024
holidays
ATOL Campaign Urges Holidaymaker Caution
ATOL, the financial protection scheme run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, is reminding those booking a holiday in the first month of this year, to check their trip is financially protected by ATOL before taking the plunge.
12:00 AM 8th January 2024
Africa
Cruising – The New Ambition
If the people you meet onboard ship, as much as the ports you visit, are a measure of a cruise line’s overall quality, then Ambassador has to sit alongside many of its more expensive counterparts.
12:00 AM 5th January 2024
Africa
Grandma’s Wisdom And Globetrotting In 2024
Group Travel Editor for the P.ublished.com Media Titles, Phil Hopkins, takes a brief look back at 2023 and overviews where he’ll be visiting in the first quarter of 2024. So, sit back and take some inspiration from our very own resident globetrotter!
1:00 AM 2nd January 2024
holidays
Sustainable Hotel Scheme Gets Green Light
Jet2holidays has launched a new hotel labelling scheme, meaning customers and independent travel agents can now choose from a collection of certified sustainable hotels that meet Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Recognised standards.
10:24 PM 30th December 2023
Europe
A Winter Wonderland Italian Style
Hilton Lake Como is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The beautiful lakeside hotel is offering guests a sackful of seasonal experiences to celebrate the festive season with, giving them the chance to enjoy both the lake and the nearby atmospheric lakeside villages which transform themselves into enchanting, fairy-tale hamlets.
12:00 AM 22nd December 2023
Europe
Diamond Deal To Turkey For Adept Gamers
Jet2holidays has launched ‘Smashing Through the Snow’, a very merry online competition giving travellers the opportunity to win one of 13 festive holidays. Between now and Christmas Day customers have a daily chance and just 30 seconds, in which to smash through Santa’s presents and amass as many points as possible, avoiding point deducting ‘coal’ on the way!
12:00 AM 20th December 2023
Europe
Unspoilt Island Gets First Boutique Hotel – 2024
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Launching in Q2 2024, Odera, will be the first luxury boutique hotel of its kind on the unspoilt Greek island of Tinos. Sitting in a secluded bay with a private beach amongst the island’s dramatic landscape, the hotel will comprise 77 rooms and pool suites, an expansive spa and private beach club.
12:00 AM 18th December 2023
Europe
Norway’s Chilled Approach To Life!
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
The ladies from Voss ice bathe every week throughout the winter. Photo: Åsmund Aarsand.
Floating saunas and refreshing winter bathing have become a hot trend in several places in Fjord Norway. But did you know that the traditional Norwegian Christmas bath has a history of over 100 years? In recent years, more and more people have become interested in ice bathing in Fjord Norway, as a refreshing physical challenge and an enjoyable and social happening.
12:00 AM 15th December 2023
Europe
Manchester Airport Reignites Stuttgart Link
German airline Eurowings has confirmed that it will operate direct flights from Manchester to Stuttgart starting spring 2024. The new service will operate four days a week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday) on an Airbus A319, with fares starting from £39.99pp one way. The inaugural flight will be on 6th May 2024.
12:00 AM 14th December 2023
holidays
Boating Joy Among The Dunes
If the chance to ‘borrow’ a superyacht or, perhaps something a little smaller, appeals, then the leading boat rental and yacht charter marketplace in the UK – Borrow a Boat - is on a mission to promote one of the world’s up and coming destinations: the sandy shores of Dubai and its UAE neighbours!
12:00 AM 12th December 2023
Europe
As SYMIple As That!
The Greek destination of Symi has been added to Jet2’s flight roster out of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) starting next summer. Holidaymakers will be able to access the new destination from LBA between 6th April and 31st October via Rhodes Airport. There will be up to four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) operating during peak periods.
12:00 AM 8th December 2023
holidays
Adventure ‘Training’ Holidays - Swim, Run, Cycle
Leading open-water swimming company TriSwim is redefining the landscape of adventure holidays with the launch of TriSwim Escapes. The series of holidays claim to go beyond traditional training retreats by presenting an immersive experience that provides comprehensive swim, run, and cycle adventures, enabling guests to connect with communities and immerse themselves in local life.
12:00 AM 30th November 2023
holidays
Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen
Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, has entered Jet2’s destination list for the first time, this winter, as flights to Europe’s Christmas markets take off. The brand is celebrating its biggest ever Christmas Markets programme which include destinations such as Vienna, Prague, Krakow, Berlin and Budapest.
12:00 AM 28th November 2023
holidays
ATOL Urges Black Friday Caution
Photo: CardMapr.nl on www.unsplash.com
Ahead of Black Friday later this week, consumers are being urged to be on their guard against travel deals that seem too good to be true.
12:00 AM 22nd November 2023
holidays
Unique Partnership Opens Up Middle East Tourism
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Raki Phillips (L) with Dr Hashil Obaid Al Mahrouqi of OMRAN
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collectively initiate and pursue cross-destination tourism promotion.
11:05 AM 14th November 2023
holidays
Ski Business Opens First Northern Hub In The Lakes
Maison Sport Group, which owns and runs ski lesson booking platform Maison Sport, and international ski school Supreme, is opening its inaugural Northern office in the Lake District. The London headquartered company has strategically chosen the town of Staveley, Cumbria for its first office in the North of England.
1:02 AM 6th November 2023
holidays
Airport Parking Tips
Every day tens of thousands of passengers fly into and out of Manchester Airport, and many of them travel to and from the airport by car. There are an equal number that end up gnashing their teeth at the prospect of a hefty ‘charge’ when they’ve already spent a small fortune on a holiday. So, shop smart when it comes to parking the wheels.
1:00 AM 4th November 2023
Africa
Morocco Direct From LBA
Scheduled flights to Morocco out of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), are to be launched by Jet2 next year. The UK’s largest tour operator and third largest airline - jet2 and Jet2holidays - will operate year-round to the sunshine destination of Agadir, located on Morocco’s west coast, The exclusive LBA route launches next October.
1:00 AM 28th October 2023
Deals
Jet2 Winter Sale
Holidaymakers can warm up their winter for less as Jet2holidays launches its seasonal sale with up to £50 per person off all winter 23/24 holidays from November 2023 to January 2024. The sale also includes 10% off flights with Jet2.com throughout November, December and January.
12:00 AM 23rd October 2023
holidays
Make Sure Your Holiday’s ATOL Protected – Warning!
Positive levels of bookings this autumn are expected to drive holiday reservations back to pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures from the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme.
12:00 AM 18th October 2023
holidays
Daish’s Holidays Strengthens Scarborough Management Team
Independent family-owned coach holiday group, Daish’s Holidays has strengthened the management team at its Esplanade Hotel in Scarborough with three new appointments. The new recruits have more than 40 years’ hospitality experience between them, including global experience in Egypt, Italy and India. Joe Devassy joins as general manager and will oversee a 36-strong team at the 73-bed hotel.
12:00 AM 11th October 2023
Europe
Driving To Your French Ski Resort
Europe offers some of the best ski resorts in the world including one of this year's hottest ski destinations: La Clusaz, one of the best kept secrets in the French Alps. So why not book that trip, load up the car with all the family or a group of friends, hit the road and LeShuttle will whisk you across the channel from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes?
7:15 AM 9th October 2023
holidays
Bon Voyage To French Bed Bugs!
Photo: Morgan Lane on www.unsplash.com
As Paris continues to battle its bed bug infestation, advice is at hand to put paid to the activities of any determined critters eager to cross the Channel! The French capital is preparing to welcome visitors to the 2024 Summer Olympics, however, footage has gone viral of bugs not just on beds but on public transport, in cinemas and hospitals.
7:46 AM 3rd October 2023
Africa
Ultimate Predatory Fishing Adventure Launches In Africa
David Micallef, leader of The Tribal Fishing Experience with his catch on the Nile.
A bespoke predatory fishing adventure trip has been launched giving British fishing fanatics the once in a lifetime opportunity to cast their rods into the waters of the River Nile.
1:00 AM 2nd October 2023
Europe
Sunny Cyprus To Blow Away The Autumn Chills?
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
Ever considered Cyprus as a late-summer/autumn destination? With temperatures still high enough for sunbathing and the sea still warm, it's a great short-haul destination for those who want sun and stuff to do!
1:00 AM 30th September 2023
Cruising
Acropolis Tourist Limits Present New Opportunity
The recent implementation of visitor number limits at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece – designed to mitigate the negative aspects of tourism – could present an opportunity for people to get their ‘Greek Experience’ from other parts of the country. That’s the message from yachting holiday specialist, HELM, who include holidays to Greek islands within their portfolio.
1:00 AM 16th September 2023
Europe
Jet2 Promises Balearic Boost In 2024
Jet2holidays has added Formentera in Spain to its Summer 2024 programme from Leeds Bradford airport, giving customers the opportunity to experience laid-back luxury on the quaint Balearic island. The expansion means that the brand will operate to well over 550 beach and city resorts, across 60 destinations in Summer 24, from its 11 UK airports.
12:00 AM 14th September 2023
Europe
Sustainably Driven Destination Gets New Property
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has opened its first property in Greece. The luxury resort – Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navareiono, is nestled amidst a breathtaking landscape in Navarino Bay, affording unparalleled views of the historic bay and the lush Messinian countryside.
1:00 AM 31st August 2023
Weekend
Verbier - Melting Your Heart In Summer
When you spot Welsh Bass baritone, Bryn Terfel queuing his way through Geneva customs en-route to one of Switzerland’s most famous ski resorts, with little more than sheet music and a robust overnight bag, questions must be asked!
1:00 AM 12th August 2023
Americas
Hooked On Michigan
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
You know that the entrepreneurial spirit of a region is in full flight when the Roman Catholic church gets in on the act by growing its own grapevines to produce altar wine!
1:00 AM 7th August 2023
Europe
Jet2 – Latest From Greek Inferno Island
Jet2.com has continued to operate ‘empty plane’ rescue flights in a bid to bring stranded tourists back from fire-strewn Rhodes in Greece where wild fires have been raging for days. At the last count at least 20 flights to the UK from Rhodes – a combination of repatriation flights and scheduled flights - have continued to meet demand.
9:45 PM 30th July 2023
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