Spring Summer 2007 Newsletter from Preferential Travel Insurance
Holiday Ideas for this Spring and Summer
From a fantastic new hotel concept to an exclusive reader offer, here are a few of our holiday ideas available at the moment...
EXCLUSIVE PREFERENTIAL WORLD READER OFFER
Any members interested in visiting the stunning island of Corsica should take a look at specialist villa operator, Voyages Ilena, which has introduced a new Corsican villa to its portfolio. ‘U Sole’ (ref 0942), is set in the village of Lumio, which is just 15 minutes drive from Calvi and all its beaches. The villa has three bedrooms, one of which is accessed from the outside and has its own ensuite shower room (so ideal for grandparents who may wish to be slightly separate from the rest of the family). Prices are based on six people sharing for one week range from £589 to £959 per person including flights from Gatwick, two hire cars and seven nights self catering at the villa. Voyages Ilena is offering Preferential World readers an exclusive offer of a £150 discount per holiday (ie – whole rental of the villa) if they quote ‘Preferential World.’
This offer is subject to availability. For bookings, brochures, or to take up the offer, call Voyages Ilena www.voyagesilena.co.uk on 020 7924 4440
GRIEG IS THE WORD. . .
The Life, Work and Music of Edvard Grieg - £1845pp - This year marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg, and a special cruise will take place departing on 18 August to mark the occasion. The itinerary begins in his hometown of Bergen, before traveling to Kirkenes, right up by the Russian border, with daily lectures and piano recitals - the perfect accompaniment to the tumbling waterfalls and towering peaks the ship passes on the voyage north. Prices for this voyage start from £1845 per person based on two sharing a twin cabin. This includes return flights between London Heathrow and Bergen/Oslo and domestic flight Kirkenes/Oslo, all taxes and service charges, six nights accommodation on the MS Trollfjord on a full board basis, one night in Oslo and one night in Bergen on a bed and breakfast basis, transfers and services of an onboard lecturer. Hurtigruten, the new name for Norwegian Coastal Voyage - 020 8846 2666 www.hurtigruten.co.uk
REVOLUTIONARY NEW HOTEL CONCEPT
YOTEL will open its first two hotels inside the terminal buildings of London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports this spring. The YOTEL concept uses the language of airline travel and offers a business class experience. At London Heathrow, a 40- cabin YOTEL will open within Terminal 4, while at London Gatwick, a 50-cabin YOTEL will open within the South Terminal building. YOTEL was created by Yo! Founder Simon Woodroffe and YOTEL CEO Gerard Greene. The idea was conceived by Simon after he was upgraded into first-class on a flight. He decided to translate the language of luxury airline travel and Japanese capsule hotels into a small but luxurious cabin.
The ‘cabins’ are 10m2 and feature double beds with luxury bedding, techno walls, sophisticated “mood” lighting, pull down desks, monsoon shower, flat screen TV with surround sound stereo system, a choice of hundreds of downloadable movies, wi-fi access, eat-in grazing menu and web booking facilities. Cabins will be bookable in blocks of four hours enabling delayed and transfer passengers to relax privately in a hotel environment. In addition, passengers leaving on those early morning flights can stay the night before and check in online from the comfort of their rooms. Automated check in and check out does away with the need for customers to stand in frustrating queues at the reception counter in the mornings.
Prices for a Standard cabin will range from £25 for four hours to £40 overnight, while a Premium cabin will cost £40 for four hours, £80 overnight. www.yotel.com
My Holidays... by Linda Larman
Linda Larman is a member of Preferential’s Contact Team,based in Southend.
She talks to us about her holiday and short break memories,dream holidays and short break plans for the future...
On my last holiday I went to...Rhodes. It was my first visit to Greek Islands. We stayed in a hotel built ona mountainside around 2 km from Lindos. I like to stay in peaceful locations just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas and this was very peaceful indeed. The steps from the hotel gardens lead down to a beautiful beach. Whilst there, I visited various towns and the two favourites for me were Lindos itself and Rhodes Old Town. As you approach Lindos it looks so pretty as it is built on a hill and is full of brilliant white houses with the ancient ruins of the Acropolis right at the top. You can climb to the top but I decided to take the Donkey Taxi . Donkeys are the only means of transport in Lindos (unless you have a motorbike). It was a scary ride, but it was well worth it as the views from the top are spectacular. Rhodes has the contrast of the Old and New towns, but I much preferred the Old town which is surrounded by ancient walls and is steeped in history.”
My all time favourite holiday destination is...All my travel has been in Europe including Spain, Cyprus, The Canaries and Balearics but I would say my favourite location so far is Lagos in Portugal. Again I stayed in a small exclusive hotel in the hills which had beautiful views. A car was a necessity here and Lagos town was only five minutes away as was the harbour. It was a nice central location for exploring Portugal. It’s the only place I’ve been to that I would consider returning to.
My short breaks are spent...visiting family in the North East which I tend to do at least twice a year. My favourite short break in Europe was in Menton in the South of France near the Italian border. It was a five day break which we organised ourself over the internet. We visited Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo, my favourite being Monte Carlo. We would normally hire a car on holiday, but its more beneficial here to use public transport and the buses are very frequent and comfortable. It was great to see up close the Formula One Racing Circuit. It’s amazing how they reach those speeds around the streets of Monaco!
My dream holiday destination anywhere in the world is...Australia Australia starting off in Sydney. I would like to experience a few months there to see what life is like on the other side of the world. So I'll have to wait until I retire to do so!
On my next holiday I am planning to go to... Turkey. I've never been there before but I’ve heard good reports from friends so I'll give it a try. Going to a country you’ve never visited before always adds to the excitement of the trip. I’m still looking for that special place that has all the ingredients I'm looking for, who knows this might be it!
VIVA
Las Vegas is unequalled for sheer visual impact. Glittering and glamorous, the city is an intriguing mix of the intimate and imposing. Stroll through the streets of ancient Rome, relax in lush Polynesian gardens, ride gondolas on the Grande Canal or walk the path of the ancient Egyptians and marvel at the scale and theatrical complexity of this ever changing city.
Las Vegas is an increasingly luxurious destination where indulgence and extravagence reign. Be papmpered in luxury spas, appreciate fine cuisine from world-renowned chefs, remember the Rat Pack and try your luck in the lavish casinos.
Commanding architecture, whimisical themes and the freedom to do what you want, make Las Vegas an irresistable adult playground.
Entertainment Capital of the World
Las Vegas has been associated with glamourous entertainment for decades and earned it's title as the 'Entertainment Capital of the World' long ago. Todya visitors are still dazzled by the sequin-clad showgirls and sophisticated lounge acts, but also enjoy an unparalleled variety of productions shows, comedy revues, magic acts, superstar concert headliners and travelling Broadway performances. With nightclubs and ultra loungs in abundance, you'll be entertained until dawn.
Dining Las Vegas Style
Once known for it's all-you-can-eat buffets, Las Vegas has transformed itself into a cullinary destination. Dining options include cuisine from every part of the world, with price tags the vary as much as the menus.
High-end eateries are all the rage and Las Vegas hotels have recruited some of the top chefs in the world to open and run restaurants that have earned AAA Five-Diamond rating: Picasso at the Bellagio and Renoir at The Mirage and celebrity chefs continue to make wave-and history-in Las Vegas.
Wine Connoisseurs can toast the many restaurants that have received honours for their extensive and exquisite wine lists. Aureole at Mandalay Bay became one of only 87 restaurants worldwide to receive the 'Grand Award', Wine Spectator magazine's highest honour.
Culinary and wine critics have discovered what visitors have long known: Las Vegas is a diner's paradise. And with prices to fit everyone's budget, it's no wonder why the dining scene has taken centre stage in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Neon to Nature
Everyone is drawn to the lights and excitement of Las Vegas but too few are aware of the wonders of Mother Nature that surround them. The spirit of cowboys, Indians, outlaws and pioneers lives on in Nevada. Outstanding recreational opportunities, offering real rough and ready excitement, take place against a backdrop of jaw- dropping scenery. Rugged mountains, brilliantly coloured rock canyons and deep desert valleys offer stunning scenery and a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities. The region’s favourable climate makes outdoor activity an attractive option year-round.
Nearby Natural Attractions
MOUNT CHARLESTON is just 35 miles from Las Vegas at an elevation of 11,918 feet. An average of 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is a perfect retreat for skiing, hiking and horseback riding.
THE GRAND CANYON lies approximately 300 miles from Las Vegas and can be reached by an exhilarating 40 minute helicopter flight. Over millions of years, the Colorado River carved this natural wonder that is one mile deep and 277 miles long.
RED ROCK CANYON is just 15 miles west of Las Vegas. It is a stunningly scenic area of scarlet rock formations and desert open to the public year-round, Red Rock Canyon is home to feral horses, wild burros, bighorn sheep, coyotes and an enormous variety of desert plant life.
Climate
The climate in Nevada is arid with abundant sunshine, light rainfall and snow. The Mojave Desert is North America's hottest desert and receives less than 10cm of rain per year. Temperatures vary enormously with location and season. Daytime maximums average over 100°F (38°C) in July and August, and night-time minimums drop below freezing in December and January.
For visitors to Las Vegas, the mid-Summer heat is intense but all of the hotels, indoor attractions, shopping and restaurants are comfortably air-conditioned and resorts feature lavish outdoor pools.
Ideal times to visit are between April-May and September-October.
For more information
www.visitlasvegas.co.uk
Free tourist information packs on Las Vegas and Nevada are available by calling
0870 523 8832
