Travel GuidesLondon propelled into Lonely Planet’s list of best value destinations The plunging pound has propelled London into Lonely Planet’s top ten list of the world’s best value destinations. The trouble is that prospective inbound visitors are still not aware that London and the UK now offer great value for those spending other currencies, according to UKinbound. Charleston, South Carolina, voted Conde Nast Traveler favourite South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism has announced that one of its coastal cities, Charleston, has been voted second favourite in Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s Readers' Choice Survey for 2009 (US edition). Travellers fight it out win Taiwan’s ‘Best Trip in the World’ Taiwan fans have just one week left to vote for their favourite teams taking part in the country’s ‘Best Trip in the World’ competition. Take a virtual tour of Marrakech “Visit Marrakech from the comfort of your seat” - this is the message that the Moroccan National Tourist Office, the Regional Tourism Council and the local trade professionals are sending out to reach a varied and diverse audience in order to encourage them to rediscover Marrakech, the leading tourist destination via a new advertising campaign. Holidaymakers advised “don’t bring it back” When we’re in an exotic location, it can be fun to scour interesting markets and unusual shops for unique gourmet items that could transform your dinner at home, or make a fantastic and unusual gift for a friend. Rail Europe launches French train bookings From Wednesday 14 October ’09, French trains running on the new winter timetable will go on sale. The timetable change from summer to winter schedules takes place on Sunday 13 December ’09. Iron Age secrets uncovered in Denmark With the summertime crowds dispersed and the landscape bathed in the season’s last warm rays, autumn is the perfect time to visit northern Denmark. In particular, Aalborg (the country’s northernmost city) makes a wonderful base for a relaxed break at this time of year. Gay Tourist Office set to open in London this month The Gay Tourist Office will be the first and only, dedicated, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender visitor centre in London, serving as a vital resource for London's LGBT residents. The office is set to open on 22nd October 2009. Cooking schools and gourmet retreats in South Australia South Australia (southaustralia.com) is a gourmand’s dream offering an abundance of first class eateries, food and wine trails, markets bustling with fresh local produce and numerous cooking schools offering the opportunity of being tutored by top Australian chefs, a few of which are highlighted here. Frankfurt – A city of contrasts Frankfurt am Main, the bustling metropolis in the heart of Europe, is known throughout the world for its exciting and unusual contrasts. Discover exceptional value in Denmark this Autumn Everybody knows that school holidays and half-term breaks are the most expensive times of the year to travel, with prices peaking accordingly during these periods. Italy confirmed as top destination for UK tourists Italy is once again a winner in the preferences of British tourists this year. Italy was already awarded first place in the Conde’ Nast Traveller Travel Awards 2009 as “Favourite country in the world” last month and now Italy has won top place at the prestigious Sunday Times Travel Magazine Travel Awards 2009 in the category “Favourite European Country for a longer holiday”, with Greece and Spain in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. New countryside guide highlights Slovenia’s rural attractions The Slovenian Tourist Board has produced a new ‘Friendly Countryside’ guide to showcase how tourists can make the most of the country’s beautiful nature and rural hospitality. Sri Lanka’s popularity soars amongst UK travellers Despite the global recession, Sri Lanka has reported a 16.9 per cent increase in August 2009 arrivals from the UK compared to the same period last year. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau unveils new website The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau has announced the unveiling of its redesigned, easy-to-navigate Web site - 800poconos.com. Grenada doubles sales team as BA increases flights The Grenada Board of Tourism has doubled its travel trade sales team in the UK & Ireland following the appointment of Suzanne Mason as their second Sales Manager. Suzanne moves to the UK from Grenada where she was marketing officer with the Grenada Board of Tourism. 10 reasons to visit Samoa Samoa is located in the heart of Polynesia and is often referred to as 'The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific'. The Samoan islands offer lush green rugged landscapes, deserted beaches, pristine turquoise waters and a fascinating culture to explore. New ways to see the Northern Lights in 2010 The Northern Lights may be as old as the earth but in 2010 there are four new ways to discover this awe inspiring phenomenon. Chase it down or wait for it to find you, these are experiences for couples and families alike. Increased demand prompts change to Irish Ferries winter schedule Irish Ferries has announced that it will be maintaining its twice-daily Dublin Swift return sailings (crossing time one hour 49 minutes) between Holyhead and Dublin through until 5 January 2010 . Tickets go on sale for new European high speed line The long awaited high speed line between Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne will open on 13 December 2009 and tickets are now on sale through Rail Europe. Oklahoma's living history is just a click away Living history is now just a click away as Cherokee Nation’s Cultural Tourism Department launches its new Web site functionality features with the ability to book tours online, research Cherokee Nation history and visit notable locations all at CherokeeTourismOK.com. Like food? Love Tallinn Estonia’s colourful, pocket-sized capital is fast becoming a culinary centre for food lovers. Restaurants specialising in a new, modern style of Estonian cooking now proliferate and 4* and 5* hotels, spas and manor houses with award winning chefs and restaurants can easily be found. Set sail for the Falkland Islands Visiting the Falklands via cruise ship or expedition vessel allows passengers unrivalled access to penguins, the rare black-browed albatross and elephant seals, among hundreds of other species that reside on the 770-plus islands that make up the Falklands archipelago. Bermuda provides a style solution for male office workers Britain’s busy male office workers should learn to keep cool at work by taking off their trousers and wearing shorts instead - but not just any shorts. When two become one in idyllic Saint Lucia Saint Lucia has become one of the hottest destinations for couples to tie the knot or spend an unforgettable honeymoon experience. Geotourism makes its mark on Portugal Geotourism - tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place,its environment, its culture and the well-being of its residents - is becoming an increasingly popular holiday choice for many European tourists. Destination Frankfurt for young Brits Cheerful people, varied architecture, efficient public transport and clean streets impressed 15 British pupils on this year’s “Discover Germany!” trip. Brits battle post holiday blues Stressed-out Britons feel day-to-day life is routine and a grind, according to new research released today. Discover Stockholm with a mobile guide Stockholm is the first tourist city in the world that can offer tourists their own audio guide on a memory card for mobile phones. The memory card which was recently launched includes audio guides at 56 of the best sights in Stockholm. Experience Regensburg’s history the modern way Regensburg visitors can now explore the city’s historical treasures and modern shopping streets using a Segway. North East shares secrets of its friendly reputation What makes Geordies and the people of North East England so friendly and easygoing? Think Cheryl Cole, Ant and Dec or the late Sir Bobby Robson. The people of North East England are known for being down to earth, easygoing and passionate about life. Copenhagen offers the best of past and present Your kids have grown up and flown the nest and you feel now is the moment to spend some time on yourself. So why not bring a friend or partner and have a great weekend in the Danish capital Copenhagen? Football fever hits Hungary Debrecen is a pretty Hungarian town best known for its annual Flower Carnival and thermal baths; but now it is also becoming known for its up and coming football team - DVSC-TEVA (dvsc.hu/helyek/eng) - who will meet Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League this month and again in November, the first Hungarian side since 1995/96 to play in the group stage. Insurance tips for gap year travellers Preferential travel insurance has put together a list of essential top tips for when you are embarking on your gap year travels. September – A great month to visit Glasgow A major new centre for the arts and creativity will open in Glasgow on 12 September, heralding a new chapter in the city’s cultural life and offering visitors the opportunity to participate in, view and buy a wide variety of art all under one roof. ‘Satpack’ steers South African travel in a new direction Travelling around South Africa has just got easier – and safer – thanks to an innovative twist on the traditional self-drive holiday, known as ‘satpacking’. Staycation no more? Millions of Britons chose to stay in the UK this summer and forego their annual summer holiday abroad. If you’re one of the many people that chose to stay put this year, are you happy with the choice you made or have you been left feeling a tad short-changed? Ten foodie reasons to visit Guernsey The elusive Ormer, Hechet home-made ice-cream, Guernsey gâche (fruit bread), yellow butter and cream, local crab salad, the traditional 'bean jar' and much more - 10 tasty reasons to visit Guernsey. A new guide to Centre Hills area of Montserrat A new guide to the Centre Hills area of Montserrat has just been launched. The 140-page full colour book provides an insight to the unique flora and fauna that can be found in Montserrat, including the endemic Montserrat Oriole. Singapore continues to reign as top meeting city Singapore consolidates its position as the world’s preferred business events destination by clinching the top spot in the “Top International Meeting City” category in the Union of International Associations (UIA) 2008 Global Rankings for the second consecutive year. Competition winners celebrate ‘Independents Day’ An ‘Independents’ Day’ event to promote Royal Leamington Spa as the home of the ‘independent retailer’ took place last month and was organised by BID Leamington. Planning a trip to the US? DiscoverAmerica.com DiscoverAmerica.com is celebrating its first year as the Official Travel and Tourism Website of the United States by announcing a slate of content upgrades, site enhancements and money-saving deals to help travellers plan trips to the USA. Lithuania amongst least expensive in Europe Results of the latest price survey by Eurostat show that Lithuania is on the list of the Top 10 least expensive countries in Europe. Make sure you’re covered before travelling this summer Multitrip.com is warning consumers to check that their travel insurance policy is adequate for their needs such as Redundancy, Swine Flu and Airline Failure. One of the most important aspects of travel insurance is cover in respect of Medical Cover. Gran Canaria appeals to ‘medical tourists’ The Spanish Island of Gran Canaria, just off the coast of Morocco, is fast establishing itself as one of Europe’s leading wellness and medical tourism destinations, offering world class facilities and technology to treat a vast range of ailments at an affordable cost. Top UK surf beaches for Autumn Autumn – not summer – is the time to hit the beach as the UK enters prime surfing season. The beaches of California, Hawaii and Australia have long pounded to the beat of ocean waves, but surfing is far from a preserve of these palm-fringed shores. Feel the wind in your hair this fall Whether it's on your bike, by foot or by bus, the dramatic fall foliage of Washington DC’s parks, gardens and open spaces provides a fantastic backdrop from which to enjoy this stunning city. Kauai named Hawaii’s ‘No 1 Island’ The Kauai Visitors Bureau today announced that Travel + Leisure magazine has named Kauai the fourth-best island in the world and island-rich Hawaii’s No 1 island. US tourists miss out on discounted London dining American visitors to the UK are wasting hundreds of dollars when eating out because they don't know about the restaurant voucher code money-saving craze that's sweeping Britain, which could save them up to 50% at top restaurants. Mind the gap With more than 430,000 school leavers and graduates preparing to jet off for a gap year adventure, the UK’s leading travel extras provider EssentialTravel.co.uk offers advice on how to avoid ‘doing a Jamie’. Bridge the gap with a working holiday in Australia In 2008 record numbers of school-leavers deferred their university place for 12 months, with 33,717 students preferring to take a gap year rather than hit the books. BBC Coast showcases Norway’s spectacular shoreline The BBC’s critically acclaimed series ‘Coast’ has visited Norway to explore Europe’s longest shoreline for a programme which aired last night on BBC Two. Southern Discoveries sponsors Fiordland’s new sanctuary Southern Discoveries has announced a sponsorship project that will see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain become a sanctuary for native species. Macau grows in popularity for meetings and events Recently released global statistics show that Macau is growing in popularity as a MICE destination, in spite of current market conditions. In 2008, the total number of events held in Macau was 1,240, up by 5.35% on 2007. Portsmouth – the place to be this Christmas This year Portsmouth is bringing out the festive cheer with a whole range of exciting events to get everyone in that feel-good Christmassy mood. Taipei to host International Travel Fair Taipei’s annual International Travel Fair will commence at the Taipei World Trade Centre this October and will give more than 60 countries the opportunity to showcase what they have to offer. Set sail this autumn with Stena Line Stena Line has launched a great value Autumn fare to Ireland on its five Irish Sea routes. Customers can save up to 25 per cent with fares starting from only £69* single for car and driver. Iconic Greyhound coaches launch in the UK The UK’s largest transport operator, FirstGroup has launched Greyhound coach services which will see the iconic American brand operating in the UK for the first time in its 95 year history. Philippines tourism defies downturn Philippines tourism continues to buck the worldwide economic downturn with tourist arrivals increasing by 16.5 per cent for the first six months of this year compared to last year, according to a Department of Tourism (DoT) survey. Delicious Danish dining in Copenhagen The cooking of Denmark and the Nordic region as a whole is growing in stature internationally. Danish chefs are experts in exploiting the wonderful natural resources of their area. New cookery project promotes life skills in local youths Twelve Queenstown youths have been chosen to take part in a cookery project that will introduce them to the hospitality industry with a view to building a career in hospitality. Romantic restaurants in South Australia South Australia (southaustralia.com) offers a wealth of diverse dining experiences. The following restaurants offer guests a particularly romantic dining option, combining great locations with excellent wines. It’s Bridling versus Madrid for top destination status Tourism representatives from Bridlington and Madrid engaged in a passionate debate earlier this month, with the aim of finding out which is the best holiday destination, Spanish capital city Madrid, or Yorkshire’s very own Bridlington! Atlantic expedition spreads word of climate change In the next 100 years the Atlantic sea level is set to rise by up to 1 meter, affecting thousands of coastal inhabitants in the UK alone. In response to this, a group of British explorers are set to visit 31 countries to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change, having just completed a tour of UK schools. How to get the perfect UK summer holiday Take 6 days of sunshine, 4 ice creams, 2 BBQ’s, 2 trips to the seaside and 2 to the zoo and what do you have? The perfect British summer holiday! Enjoy all things artistic in Denmark From the wildlife paintings of Johannes Larsen to the modern design classic that are Kristian Vedel’s carved wooden birds, Denmark has produced a great many acclaimed artists over the centuries. Tirol launches new website for wheelchair users Despite its mountainous terrain the Austrian Tirol is one of Europes most wheel chair friendly destinations and has set up a new website detailing activities and accommodation that cater specifically for the less able - Easyaccess.tirol.at. Cape Verde goes green Strange as it may seem for an archipelago of sandy islands submerged in constant sunshine off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde as its name suggests is going green. |