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W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 / 1 4
plus...I S T A N B U L G A M B I A C A N A R Y I S L A N D S L A S V E G A S M A L T A P A R I S
Hit the slopes
Check out our ultimate
guide to the snow
on page 64
The great escape
From classic cars to beautiful beaches,
Cuba is the perfect winter retreat
TC_01_Cover_FINAL_J.indd 1TC_01_Cover_FINAL_J.indd 1 17/10/2013 17:1117/10/2013 17:11
MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS
J A M A I C A S A I N T L U C I A A N T I G U A B A H A M A S G R E N A D A
T H A N A N Y O T H E R R E S O R T S O N T H E P L A N E T
No.00000 Sandals.indd 2No.00000 Sandals.indd 2 18/10/2013 17:0918/10/2013 17:09
*Free for certifi ed divers ^At selected resorts
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort
YOUR AWARDWINNING SANDALS HOLIDAY
INCLUDES…
TO BOOK THE WORLD’S LEADINGALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS
Call 0800 742 742 | Visit sandals.co.ukSee your local travel agent
• Anytime Dining in up to 15 gourmet restaurants
• Unique Suites including Love Nest Suites
• Unlimited Premium Brand drinks
• Water sports including unlimited Scuba Diving*
• Land sports including unlimited Golf^
• Stay at One, Play at Any Sandals Resort
• English Guild Trained Personal Butlers
• Private Islands^
• The Caribbean’s Best Beaches
• The Caribbean Family-Owned Company
• Tips & Taxes included
• Free Wifi ^
DID YOU
KNOW?
YOU CAN FLY DIRECT
FROM
MAN
CHESTER TO JAM
AICA,
SAINT LUCIA & AN
TIGUA W
ITH THOM
AS COOK
FOLLOW US ON
No.00000 Sandals.indd 3No.00000 Sandals.indd 3 18/10/2013 17:0918/10/2013 17:09
Swiss movement, English heart
Swiss made / Self-winding automatic movement / 38 hr power reserve / Marine grade stainless steel case / Uni-directional bezel / 300m (1000ft) water resistance / 4.0mm Anti-reflective sapphire crystal / SuperLuminovaTM indexes, bezel marker and hands / High density rubber strap / Bracelet, NATO and leather versions also available / Diameter: 42mm / Calibre: Sellita SW200-1 / 5 year movement guarantee
Showroom at NO.1 PARK STREET, Maidenhead. To arrange a personal appointment, call +44 (0)1628 763040
100012 Christopher Ward.indd 1100012 Christopher Ward.indd 1 21/10/2013 15:5121/10/2013 15:51
N O V / D E C / J A N 2 0 1 3 - 1 4
Tuck into Istanbul’s tasty
street food
Insider Guide: The GambiaWe lift the lid on this tiny West
African nation, which is also
known as the smiling coast
Street FeastFor the best foodie experience
in Istanbul, you can’t beat
the Turkish delights that
you’ll fi nd on the street
Which Way to the Snow?The ski season is here, but
where will you go? From ice
driving in Sweden to Italian
ski safaris, our indispensable
guide has got it all covered
Snapshots of CubaWe take a photographic tour
of this Caribbean island from
its classic cars to cigars and
everything in between
A-Z of WellbeingWhether you prefer cutting-
edge fi xes or back-to-basic
retreats, fi nd out how and
where to feel your best for 2014
A Place in the SunWhy the Canary Islands are
giving the Spanish Costas a run
for their money when it comes
to buying a holiday home
47
54
64
72
83
88
F E A T U R E S
N O V . D E C . J A N 05Photography: Rahel Weiss
conontentsconontentscontents
(page 54)
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06 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Editor
Anisha Patel
Art Director
Julia Murray
Picture Editor
Julia Holmes
Sub Editors
Simon Berkovitch
Kirsten Foster
Production Manager
Antonia Ferraro
Publisher
Chris Davies
+44 (0)207 749 6285
Advertising
Sales Executives
German Marin
George Hughes
Ben Strowger
Sales Recruitment
Executive Creative Director
Michael Keating
Editorial Director
Andrew Humphreys
Publishing Director
Simon Leslie
Chief Executive
Jeffrey O’Rourke
Chief Operating Officer
Hugh Godsal
For Thomas Cook
Bernadette Fitzsimons
Louise Dixon
Samantha Townshend
Charlotte Aldridge
Craig Smith
Reprographics
KFR Pre-Press Ltd
Ink, 141-143 Shoreditch
High Street, London E1 6JE
Editorial +44 (0)20 7749 6265,
Sales +44 (0)20 7613 8779
Editorial opinions expressed in
the magazine are not necessarily
those of Thomas Cook. Though we
strive for accuracy, Ink and Thomas
Cook cannot accept responsibility
for information, such as prices and
product availability, that may
be subject to change.
W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 / 1 4
plus...I S T A N B U L G A M B I A C A N A R Y I S L A N D S L A S V E G A S M A L T A P A R I S
Hit the slopes
Check out our ultimate
guide to the snow
on page 64
The great escape
From classic cars to beautiful beaches,
Cuba is the perfect winter retreat
TC_01_Cover_FINAL_J.indd 1 17/10/2013 09:44
12 The Big FiveSecret entrances, jazz bands
and killer cocktails – go retro
with our pick of speakeasy bars
15 Star GuideMake for Malta to follow in the
footsteps of pop princess Rita Ora
16 EssentialsOur snug winter warmers are
guaranteed to help you beat
those winter blues
18 BeautyGo glam for the party season with
these fab new onboard beauty buys
21 TrendJoin the #socialwave at the world’s
first Twitter hotel in Majorca
23 TechWe put Apple’s colourful new
iPhone 5c to the travel test
24 ChallengeWill our fearless writer tough it out
at Bear Grylls’ Survival Academy?
26 ActionGet the ultimate adrenaline rush
with winter surfing and space travel
29 The Big QuestionCould you tackle Sin City after 60?
30 DesignFour of our favourite cities get
the graphic treatment
N E W S
Unleash your inner
action hero (page 24)
Three things we learned this issue...SweeteatsCrostata (a tart)
could be the
oldest Italian
dessert and
was used in
pagan rituals.
Tweet tweet There’s a hotel in
Majorca where
you can tweet to
get your minibar
restocked.
Cool runningsYou can drive a
Porsche 911 at
60mph on a frozen
lake in Åre Sweden.
99 The ChecklistWe round up our favourite hotels,
restaurants and places to get active
around the network this season
111 THOMAS COOK NEWS
115 WELLBEING IN THE AIR
119 OUR FLEET
120 ROUTE MAP
122 THE LAST WORDSaint Lucia by Thomas Cook’s reps
32 Cheap ThrillsA penny saving guide to Paris
34 FoodItalian food gets a rustic makeover
as the cucina povera – or peasant
kitchen – trend heats up
36 DrinkProsecco, Champagne or cava?
We dissect these popular party
tipples to find out what really
makes them stand apart
38 InterviewTV presenter Christine Bleakley
reveals why she loves Italy, but
hates all those wedding rumours
42 In FocusExplore Bombay’s exciting food
scene through the lens of travel
photographer Helen Cathcart
Photography: Tim E White
Thanks to the new CleanPrint process, this magazine has a silver lining. Literally.
n9worldtechnology.com
TC_05_Contents_page_SJ_J.indd 6TC_05_Contents_page_SJ_J.indd 6 17/10/2013 15:5117/10/2013 15:51
No.97433 Xanadu.indd 1No.97433 Xanadu.indd 1 11/10/2013 14:1411/10/2013 14:14
A very warm welcome on board this Thomas Cook Airlines flight. There is a great deal of choice in the travel industry and we are delighted you have chosen to travel with us. We also know how important your holiday is and
our crew is looking forward to taking very good care of you! You may have seen that we recently changed the branding of the Thomas Cook
Group – retiring the blue globe and replacing it with our very own ‘sunny heart’. This is the very first time that all of our great brands (inside and outside the UK) have been united in this way. It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to reveal the scale of our Group and to demonstrate our values – delivering trusted, personal and innovative service. As time goes by you will be seeing more of our sunny heart. I hope that you too like the colours and that they get you thinking of the sunny days and happy holidays that we all look forward to and enjoy so much.
The original Mr Cook formed our great business 172 years ago. He recognised how amazing travel is, largely because of the way it makes people feel. So much has changed since he embarked on his very first package tour, but some things remain the same. Today we are still inspiring personal journeys as the trusted pioneer in global travel and Let’s go! sums this all up.
Some of the first people you’ll meet when you land will be from our fantastic local resort team. Our welcoming representatives are the most knowledgeable and experienced people you could hope to meet. They will lavish care on you and be there whenever you need them, even if you may have already checked out resort information online.
If you’re returning home, I hope you have happy memories and are feeling relaxed, recharged and ready to take on ‘real life’ once more. Your feedback really does help us to improve our holidays and services so we’d love to hear about your experiences. Please do email us at [email protected] or take the time to complete the Customer Service Questionnaire that you will be offered during the flight.
It’s said that there’s no better way to beat the post-holiday blues than by planning your next break. You can start the cycle of excitement now, taking inspiration from this edition of Travel; or when you get home, from our experienced teams in our 800 shops nationwide; our call centres; and our exciting online travel service at thomascook.com.
Thank you for trusting us with your important holiday plans. We’re very proud to play a part in making this time special for you and your travel companions. I hope your memories last a very long time. So, until next time, Let’s go! and have an enjoyable trip.
Kind regards,
Harriet Green Group Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Cook Group plc
Dear holidaymaker
from Thomas Cookwelcome
08 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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No.92508 Farclose.indd 1No.92508 Farclose.indd 1 14/10/2013 13:5714/10/2013 13:57
Right on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean Sea.
Discover the new Family Club, a package especially designed for all the family to enjoy a fantastic holiday. Every member of the family will discover their own concept of fun.
Carretera Bávaro, km 1 | Punta Cana | Dominican Republic T (1) 809 686 5797 | [email protected]
No.00000 Barcelo House Ad.indd 1No.00000 Barcelo House Ad.indd 1 09/10/2013 10:0409/10/2013 10:04
T H E B I G C H I L L
If this little fella looks a bit cold, that’s because unlike his
tropical cousins, he lives in Japan’s Jigokudani Yaen-koen
National Park in Nagano, where temperatures hit well below
freezing in winter. But these Japanese macaques – or snow
monkeys – have found a novel way to keep warm that even
you would approve of: taking a relaxing dip in the park’s onsen
– or natural hot springs. The park itself celebrates its 50th
anniversary in 2014 and January is the best time of year to see
these remarkably human-like creatures hitting the hot tub.
BE THERE… Travel to Japan with thomascooktours.com
N O V E M B E R D E C E M B E R J A N U A R Y
featuring:
SPEAKEASY BARS
RITA ORA’S MALTA
TWITTER HOTELS
WINTER WARMERS
ITALIAN FOOD
VEGAS AFTER 60
CHRISTINE BLEAKLEY
N O V . D E C . J A N 11Words: Anisha Patel. Photography: Ben Torode
Wish you were
here?
DeparturesWhat’s taking off in the world of travel
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Words: Anisha Patel
D E P A R T U R E S
Secret entrances, Jazz Age nostalgia and killer cocktails
– what’s not to love about a speakeasy bar? And with the 80th anniversary of the end of Prohibition in the US in
December, there’s even more reason to kick up your heels
at one of these clandestine drinking dens
Goingunder
ground
L O N D O N With Jazz Age-inspired bands, devilishly dark corners and a menu that’s divided
into pre-Prohibition and post-war drinks, The Nightjar isn’t a mere speakeasy-style bar – it could well and truly be from the
1920s. Its modern, experimental cocktails would even make Heston Blumenthal
proud: think green coffee bean infusions mixed with sake, green tea, buckwheat rice syrup and alfalfa. Book a table to avoid disappointment, as this place is
even rammed on a Monday. (129 City Road, barnightjar.com)
S I N G A P O R EAs with many Prohibition bars, you’ll need a password to gain entry to this
Chinatown institution. (Fret not – you can obtain it easily next door at Keong
Saik Snacks.) Enter through a mirrored bookshelf and you’ll find a bar made of riveted copper flanked by bow-tied
bartenders making playful, if not potent, drinks. Expect High Ti rum cocktails
in teapots and the Shrub-A-Dun-Dun – a gin, vermouth and cloudy apple cocktail served in a mini bathtub, complete with
a rubber duck. (47 Keong Saik Road)
No.
No.
No.
No.No.
12 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
o.
P A R I S This secret boudoir-style lounge doesn’t
have a drinks menu, but that doesn’t matter, because the bar team here
has a near-encyclopedic knowledge of cocktails and will whip up whatever
you want in a flash. A popular spot with Paris’ well-heeled fashion crowds, the
plush, crimson décor reflects the venue’s racy past as a pole dancing club. It’s also
open until the small hours, Monday to Saturday, so it’s the perfect place to wrap up your big night out in The City
of Light. (29 rue Vineuse)
N E W Y O R K Arguably the mac daddy of speakeasy-
style bars, the East Village’s PDT – which appropriately stands for ‘Please Don’t
Tell’ – is entered through a vintage phone box in the neighbouring Crif Dogs hotdog shop (hungry punters, take note: you can order food from Crif’s kitchen). Relax in
one of the leather booths and enjoy one of iconic mixologist Jim Meehan’s creations – bacon-infused bourbon sweetened with
maple syrup, anyone? Look out for the impressive taxidermy strewn throughout the lounge, especially the bear in the hat.
(113 St Marks Place, pdtnyc.com)
M O S C O W Don’t be fooled by the small, grubby noodle bar when you rock up to this address. Once you peek through the
velvet curtain and descend into the dark cellar, you’ll soon discover that it’s home
to Russian restaurateur Arkday Novikov’s slick new playground where – come the weekend – live music and Champagne
absinthe cocktails entertain the trendiest young Muscovites. There’s a strict ‘face
control’ policy that a lot of Moscow’s clubs are notorious for, so look sharp –
or be prepared to be turned away. (20/1 Petrovka, mendeleevbar.ru)
T H E B I G F I V E
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Disney Magic
Even moremagical in 2014The Disney Magic returns to sail theMediterranean Sea in 2014 and thisyear it's even better than before, havingundergone a major re-imagination.There are fantastic new kids clubs,a more magnificent lobby atrium,Senses Spa & Salon for adults andD-Lounge family nightclub not tomention the brand new AquaDunk,a must-do for the thrill-seekers!
If you fancy venturing further afieldwhy not discover an unforgettablecruise to The Bahamas or The Caribbeanfrom Port Canaveral, Florida.Whichever you choose, you’re oncourse for an enchanted voyage filledwith lifelong family memories.
Ships’ Registry;The Bahamas © Disney
Now sailing fromVenice and
Barcelona in 2014Overnight stay included on
some Venice sailings.
AquaDunk Marvel's Avengers Academy
Palo Senses Spa & Salon
Pop into your local Thomas Cook l Call 0800 032 1748 quote CS140
to Thomascook.com
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N O V . D E C . J A N 15Words: Anisha Patel. Illustration: Pablo Lobato
“I’m so hot right now!”
D E P A R T U R E S
Singer Rita Ora helped the Mediterranean island go pop this summer at the Isle of MTV festival. Here’s how you can create your own superstar break
S TA R G U I D E
How we do (Malta)
I f Malta ever wanted to shun its reputation of being a haven for just the older crowds, then Rita Ora’s appearance at this
year’s Isle of MTV (isleofmtv.com) festival – and relentless Instagramming that followed – will surely help the country do just this.
The free annual concert is now in its seventh year and Rita rocked the night alongside Jessie J and Rudimental in front of a 50,000-strong crowd. Partying comes
as second nature to this lady, who had a hit with How We Do (Party), so Malta’s open-air club Gianpula (gianpula.com) in Rabat would be the perfect post-gig stomping ground for an Ibiza-style blow out: DJs like Tiësto, Paul Oakenfold, Faithless and even Rita’s new beau, Calvin Harris, have all graced the decks here.
It wasn’t long before Rita and her entourage were posing beachside after checking into Valletta’s Excelsior Grand
Hotel (hotels4u.com). Not only does it boast an amazing seafront location with views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel island, but it also has A-List
credentials, having hosted Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas.As Rita’s now rubbing shoulders with
the big guns – aside from her ‘wifey’, model Cara Delevingne, Rita counts the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna as pals – she’d
need an A-list dining venue. The de Mondion at the Xara Palace Hotel (Misrah il-Kunsill, +356 21 450 560, demondion.com) in Mdina is a favourite of Brad Pitt, who took both Jennifer Aniston and Angelina
Jolie-Pitt (separately, of course) when he was filming on the island. With candlelit outdoor seating, gourmet seafood dishes and fine wines, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic night out if she returned with Calvin Harris.
The London girl’s bold style has caught the eye of brands like DKNY and Rimmel, so she’d be in fashion heaven in the Sliema shopping district, often described as Malta’s ‘West End’. We’d put money on Rita making a beeline for Topshop (Tower Road, topshop.com): not only is she a big fan of the high-street chain, but rumour has it that she and her BFF Cara are to design a collection for them.
Finally, the Hot Right Now star loves flaunting her flawless bikini body, so after a few hundred ab crunches, pick out your hottest piece of swimwear – Rita opted for the TOMBOY collection from Filles À Papa – and head to nearby island Comino’s Blue Lagoon for some serious social media snapping. Famed for its dazzling cyan waters, it’s also got plenty of star appeal – Madonna shot scenes for the Guy Ritchie-directed Swept Away here in 2002.
BE THERE… Book your star break in Malta with
thomascook.com
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16 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Close
1. Odyssey women’s cardigan, £110, Edwin (edwin-europe.com); 2. Stripy lambswool loop scarf (as part of set with texting gloves), £95, ScotlandShop (scotlandshop.com); 3. Red knitted hot water bottle cover, £10, The Contemporary Home (notonthehighstreet.com); 4. ‘Winter is Coming’ drawstring knitting bag, £13.75, Kelly Connor Designs
(notonthehighstreet.com); 5. Satchel, £650, Etre Shop (etreshop.com); 6. Gold Disco beanie, £150, Madeleine Thompson (madeleine-thompson.com); 7. Fortuny canapé assortment, £150 (pack of four), L’Objet (harrods.com); 8. Cashmere socks, £35, Johnstons of Elgin (johnstonscashmere.com); 9. Caz women’s boots, £115, Pointer (pointerfootwear.com);
10. Lansen watch, £140, TRIWA (triwa.com); 11. Personalised hottie cover, £44, Clova Knits (notonthehighstreet.com); 12. Cable knit cardigan, £349, MA.STRUM (mastrum.com)
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E S S E N T I A L S
personalise
this too!You can
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N O V . D E C . J A N 17Photography: Pixeleyes
knit Banish those winter blues with these stylish and cosy warmers
D E P A R T U R E S
13. Plectrum Spirit of Union men’s wool jumper, £125, Ben Sherman (bensherman.com); 14. Marshmallow Hot Chocolate, £12.50, Fortnum & Mason (fortnumandmason.com); 15. Great British Teddy Bear Knit Kit, £16, Gift Horse Knit Kits (notonthehighstreet.com); 16. Crochet leather driving gloves, £100, Farrell (farrell.com); 17. Beginner snood knit
kit, £50, Toft (thetoftalpacashop.co.uk); 18. Large leather tan satchel, £89.99, ClaireaBella (toxicfox.co.uk/claireabella); 19. Cinnamon star biscuits (pack of nine), £5, Konditor & Cook (konditorandcook.com); 20. Grey marl chunky scarf, £75, Farrell (farrell.com); 21. Plattan headphones, £50, Urbanears (conranshop.co.uk); 22. 25 Year-old Whisky, £146,
Knockando (alexanderandjames.com); 23. Rockwool women’s jacket, £245, Penfield (penfield.com); 24. Orange cashmere socks, £42, ScotlandShop (scotlandshop.com).
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18 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L Words: Anisha Patel
D E P A R T U R E S
All made upSurvive the party season with these glam beauty bag buys
GET YOURS… All products are available to buy on board, see Emporium magazine for more information
1. MicroCell
Shellfix Polish
£20
The beauty world went crazy for the revolutionary two-week shellac manicure when it hit our shores in 2010, but MicroCell’s easy two-step set helps you get salon-perfect nails at home without the need for a UV lamp. The result? A gorgeous manicure that will be chip-free from Christmas party kick-off to New Year’s Eve.
3. YSL Extremely for
Eyes Eyeshadow Palette
£49.50
This trendy YSL eyeshadow palette tackles two trends in one: the 10 shimmering shades will help you recreate all the hottest looks from the autumn/winter ’13 runways, from Jason Wu’s purple lids to Roberto Cavalli’s smoky eyes. And the on-trend electric blue case can be used as a stylish purse once you’re done.
5. Clinique CC Cream
£22.50
If you liked the beauty balm (BB cream), then you’ll love the next generation of alphabet creams. Clinique CC Cream – it stands for colour corrector – fixes those pesky skin irregularities and blends seamlessly into your skin to help reveal its natural radiance. Perfect for hiding the effects of the night before, the morning after.
4. Benefit’s They’re
Real! Mascara
£16.50
Long, luxurious lashes are a staple for the party season. The clumps that come with most mascaras? Not so much. The special brush in Benefit’s bestselling mascara boosts length and volume, as well as curling, lifting and separating lashes without clumping. You’ll be left with lashes so intense that even you won’t believe they’re real.
2. L’Oréal Shine
Caresse Trio
£18
Get runway-worthy lips with this fab trio. Hailed as the next generation in lip colour, they combine the texture and shine of a lipgloss with the long wear of a stain. You could opt for classic nude lips with the soft pink Romy or go more creative and copy Marni’s catwalk look by fading scarlet Juliet into fuchsia Eve.
1
2
3
4
5
B E A U T Y
Ten trendy
shades
inside
5. Clinique CC Cream
£22.50
If you liked the beauty
enefit’s They’re
! Mascara
0
it’s The
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LONGER, STRONGER NAILS IN JUST 4 WEEKS*
AVAILABLE ON THIS FLIGHT
RENUNAIL STRENGTHENER rescue & repair
RENUNAIL NOURISHING OIL hydrate & sooth
* Many of our customers have reported longer stronger nails in just 4 weeks
by
DRLEWINNS.CO.UK
2013
No.97882 - Meda Pharmaceuticals 1pp.indd 1No.97882 - Meda Pharmaceuticals 1pp.indd 1 17/10/2013 15:0717/10/2013 15:07
Made in the U.K
No.93976 Burns PEt.indd 1No.93976 Burns PEt.indd 1 30/09/2013 15:2330/09/2013 15:23
N O V . D E C . J A N 21Words: Christopher Beanland
D E P A R T U R E S
Majorca welcomed the world’s first Twitter hotel
this year, but is it the start of something new or just a gimmick? We get the
lowdown (hashtags and all) from a social media
addict who has ridden Sol Wave House’s #socialwave
Tweet dreams
@ChrisBeanland: Absolutely. You can tweet people then arrange to meet them at the bar and order poolside drinks using Twitter too. And it's a great talking point to chat to others about, especially the Spanish – did you know a massive 85% of them use Twitter on their holidays? And we thought us Brits were total internet-addicts…
S TA R T H E R E
@ChrisBeanland: You’re encouraged to tweet other guests, share photos and interact using the hashtag #socialwave. It’s all about connecting guests with the hotel and each other. I wanted to know the breakfast times, for example, so I tweeted the front desk and they replied.
TC Travel: What’s the coolest thing you could do at the hotel using Twitter?
@ChrisBeanland: Too many cool things. If you’ve run out of San Miguels and feel like lazing on your balcony, you don’t have to pick up the phone. You just use the #fillmyfridge hashtag to get your minibar restocked. Down at the actual bar, you can buy a Twitter-themed blue mojito to go with your tapas. And if you need a screen break, you can do a different kind of surfing on the blue ‘Flow Wave’ machines on the terrace that simulate rips, and are tons of fun to ride.
TC Travel: Did it help you meet lots of people out there?
TC Travel: We heard there’s something called a Twitter Party Suite. #tellusmore…
@ChrisBeanland: Someone’s been keeping up with their news feed! The suite sleeps four and they load it with blue balloons, blue Twitter bird-shaped sweets and a bottle of Cava (what else?). You also get various discounts and VIP sunbeds out on the terrace.
TC Travel: And what about the Twitter concierge?
@ChrisBeanland: If you’re staying in the Party Suite you can use the #partysuite hashtag to summon the concierge’s assistance day or night. They’ll book tickets to BCM for you if you want to party, advise on a cool private beach club nearby or organise a taxi into Palma if you want to experience some old town action.
@ChrisBeanland: It has to be. We’re already obsessed with looking at TripAdvisor reviews and Instagramming pics of ourselves looking tanned when we’re away. Hotels can’t stop getting interactive – the DoubleTree chain has launched its own Youtube channel called DTour (youtube.com/user/doubletreehotels/dtour) and the W Hotel in New York recently showcased an exhibition of Instagram photos. We all carry our phones round and love to tweet – and if the hotels have free wi-fi, it makes it simple.
TC Travel: What’s this Twitter hotel experience all about?
@ChrisBeanland: In 140 characters? “It’s about being sociable. The Sol Wave Hotel in Calvia, Majorca, has embraced Twitter to make your stay #awesome not #awkward! LOLS-ahoy.” Phew. But seriously, it puts the ‘fun’ back into functionality, a quirky little idea which makes this already cool hotel stand out from the Magaluf crowd by offering a unique edge.
TC Travel: How did it help enhance your holiday experience @SolWaveHouse?
TC Travel: Do you think that this is the start of a new trend?
BE THERE… Travel to Majorca and stay at the Sol Wave House with thomascook.com
T R E N D
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Use apps, check maps and upload snaps with a day’s worth of data in Europe for £1.99Ready to go on every ø phone. Just keep your data roaming switched on when you land.
Search ‘ø Travel’
Internet-enabled phones. 15 MB daily allowance. To choose standard alternative tariff, text NOTRAVEL to 23336. Excludes selected countries. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk/terms for details.
No.93781 Telefonica O2 1pp.indd 1No.93781 Telefonica O2 1pp.indd 1 22/07/2013 11:4522/07/2013 11:45
N O V . D E C . J A N 23Words: Kate Solomon
Which one will you
pick?
D E P A R T U R E S
The new colourful and more affordable iPhone 5c range may look pretty, but how does it really fare
as an upgrade from its predecessors?
GET YOURS… The iPhone 5c is available to buy now from £469, handset only, from store.apple.com/uk. Prices on contract may vary.
Plastic fantasticThose cheery casings
are more than just eye
candy. The lacquered
polycarbonate shell won’t
scratch as easily as its
metal-finish predecessors
and can take more knocks
when you’re out
and about.
Live like a localFind out how the locals
live by downloading the
same apps as they do.
The iPhone 5c’s App
Store shows you which
apps are the most popular
in your immediate area –
the perfect aid for helping
you to uncover hidden
gems and local secrets
when you’re exploring
your holiday destination.
Get snap happy With the iPhone 5c, you
can capture your trip
highlights in quick-draw
burst mode so you won’t
miss any action shots.
The front-facing camera
has also been built for
low-light shooting so
FaceTime video calls
home will be brighter
and clearer than ever.
Back it upPhoto Stream will
automatically upload
your iPhone 5c photos
to the Cloud once you
connect to your hotel’s
Wi-Fi network, so even
if something happens
to your phone, your
memories will be safe
and sound.
The expert opinionGareth Beavis, phones and tablets editor at TechRadar says…
“The iPhone 5c is a great phone for travellers as it offers localised app choices and a quality camera for decent holiday snaps. Plus the plastic casing means you’ll feel much safer slinging it into your travel bag!”
Apple’s amazing
technicolour dream phones
Zone in The world clock has
always shown you what
time it is wherever you
are in the world, but now
it’ll let you know how
many hours ahead or
behind home is. No more
accidental 5am phone
calls disturbing the folks
back home to let them
know you landed safely.
T E C H N O L O G Y
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24 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L Words: Dean Slogash. Photography: Tim E White
Grin and Bear it
from an instructor on a 24-hour survival skill course designed by Bear Grylls, a snake-eater and alligator-puncher famous for toughing it out in the world’s most hostile environments. Me? I get lost on my way home from work.
So why exactly was I taking this abuse at 6:30am? Inspired by the Hunger Games trilogy – with second instalment Catching Fire out on 11 November – I decided to see
if I too could tough it in the wild, just like Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.
On arriving at New Abbot station the night before, our group had been met by Scott and Dave Pearce, another colleague of Grylls. Like Scott, Dave has an illustrious background in the SAS and Royal Marine Commandos. The guys were here to welcome us and takes us to the moorlands of Exmoor. And what a unique welcome it was: they told us to expect no electricity or running water… before handing over three dead rabbits and informing the group we were making dinner.
After some of the queasiest cooking preparation I have ever undertaken (and some intrepid foraging for stinging nettles using an axe), we eventually found ourselves tucking into a surprisingly hearty rabbit stew around a crackling fire. Midway though dinner, Scott treated us to an extra course of
This issue, we send our Action Man writer on a mission to brave Bear Grylls’ 24-hour Survival Academy, where eating wormsafter dinner and walking off cliffs is all in a day’s work
NAME: ACTION MANMISSION: SURVIVE THE GREAT OUTDOORSTIME: 24 HOURS
C H A L L E N G E
“T rainers and shorts! Out of bed! What do you think this is? A five-star hotel? Exercises outside in five minutes!”
Unfortunately for sleepyheads, there’s no snooze button on Scott Heffield, as he barks his orders into our group’s snoring faces…
Scott’s isn’t the most gentle of wake-up calls, but it’s something you should expect
CAN’T WE JUST TAKE THE LIFT?
OUR HERO SETS UP CAMP IN THE WILDERNESS...
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N O V . D E C . J A N 25
our destination, Scott and Dave inspired complete confidence in the activity we were about to undertake – which was just as well, really, as it was walking off a cliff.
At the top of a sheer drop, we listened attentively to their safety instructions. When the time came, we abseiled the cliff face using traditional rappelling, a tandem rappel and reverse rappel techniques. The latter is face-first, straight down. It was an experience that morphed from sheer terror to pure elation the nearer I was to the ground. We shouted encouragement to one another as we navigated round the rocks.
As well as abseiling, other important outdoor skills we learned included learning how to light fires and build a shelter using tarpaulins and some rope.
Fittingly, as our day came to an end, the Exmoor cloud began to dissipate and we
‘toffee shards’. This innocent sounding treat turned out to be mealworms cooked in toffee – although we were also given the option of eating them without toffee and alive. I stuck with the first, less wriggly option, which tasted both nutty and unexpectedly pleasant.
Early o’clock the next day, warming up for exercises, the sky was not only dark grey, but it had also dropped several thousand feet and was cloaked around us. Welcome to Exmoor, where the enigmatic morning weather is right out of a Gothic drama.
Dave led us through our intense exercises. Strangely, I really enjoyed them. Their energy and enthusiasm (read: shouting) pulled us through and, before we knew it, we were back next to a fire, wide awake and ready for our next challenge.
After a breakfast of army rations, we set off for our next task. When we reached
were treated to golden rays puncturing the gunmetal-grey sky. Despite the fear, the pain and the worms – in fact, it’s precisely because of them – we had all not only survived, but also had a great time in the process and developed a sincere camaraderie between us.
And that’s not all. If Hunger Games ever becomes a reality and I find myself in a post-apocalyptic society where a highly advanced metropolis exercises political control over the rest of the nation via a televised survival game, I’m definitely prepared.
DO IT… Our writer experienced the Bear Grylls
Survival Academy’s 24-hour course in Exmoor,
but the 24-hour adult and 24-hour family courses
take place on private land in Surrey. You can also
try a five-day adult course in Scotland and a
three-day adult course in Exmoor. To find out
more, visit beargryllssurvivalacademy.com
or call +44 (0) 1483 424 438
MISSION COMPLETE. PHEW!
WHO BURNT THE TOAST?
TIME FOR DINNER...
RUNNING THROUGH CLOUDS: NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS
D E P A R T U R E S
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Winter surfi ng
requires thick neoprene!
Devon-based pro surfer and team rider for Tiki Surf Andrew Cotton tells us why he’s swapping his tropical boardshorts for thermals to tackle the winter surf
Waves of winter
26 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L Words: Anisha Patel. Photo: Getty
As official travel partner for most of the top English
and Scottish Premier Leagues, Thomas Cook Sport
(thomascooksport.com) not only gets you to the best
matches, it can also take care of your accommodation.
Save now, go laterHoliday maths that makes sense
59p 134days£79.06=
Save on your daily pack of crisps and save enough money to see Everton vs Cardiff City on 1 March 2014, with a one-night stay in a hotel.
With Richard Branson’s
Virgin Galactic set to blast
off in 2014, offering the first
commercial space flights,
we crunch the numbers of
space travel
6 minutes The time passengers will
feel weightless for during
the flight.
2.5 hoursThe approximate total
length of the flight.
110kmThe maximum altitude
SpaceShipTwo will reach.
640 tickets had been sold
by August 2013.
500Ashton Kutcher became
the 500th future astronaut
to sign up in March 2012.
His fellow celebrity space
travellers include Justin
Bieber, Stephen Hawking
and Brangelina.
$250,000The price per ticket to
fly (as of May 2013).
$200mThe amount spent so
far on constructing
Spaceport America, Virgin
Galactic’s purpose-built
facility in New Mexico.
BE THERE…
Experience zero gravity yourself and travel to space with
Virgin Galactic through elegantresorts.co.uk
SPACE RACE
I used to believe that if you wanted good, big surf you
had to go to far-flung places like Hawaii and Australia. But now the North Atlantic is the focus for all big wave surfers, claiming three of the top five biggest waves ridden last year. Surfing in cold water adds to the rush and is seen by experienced surfers as ‘roughing it’. Most of these territories are closer to home than their Pacific counterparts, which means they’re cheaper to get to. Here are my top three winter surf spots:
I R E L A N D
Sligo’s Mullaghmore Head
is renowned as one of the
biggest wave spots in the
world. Waves here can reach
15-18 metres high and wide.
This desolate, rugged, wild
landscape is the perfect
destination in January or
February. Last winter people
even came over from Hawaii
to catch the waves!
N O RWAY
Norway is the natural
progression for people who’ve
been winter surfing for a
while and want to go to the
next extreme. The Stavanger
region is where surf culture
began here, but further north,
Unstad in the Lofoten Islands is
the jewel in Norway’s surfing
crown. You get really good
Arctic swells here.
P O R T U G A L
A deep underwater canyon off the coastal
town of Nazaré helps create monster waves
from storms in the North Atlantic. In 2011,
I towed out Garrett McNamara on a jetski into
a 24-metre-high wave and he set the world
record for the biggest wave ever surfed. The
Portuguese island of Madeira is also a great
surf spot in late September and early October
when you can catch the hurricane swells.
BE THERE… Travel to Norway, Portugal and
Madeira with thomascook.com
A C T I O N
D E P A R T U R E S
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N O V . D E C . J A N 29Words: James Bartlett
In the new film Last Vegas, a group of retired friends go to Sin City for one last hurrah. But in a city famed for excess and astronomical hangovers...
T H E B I G Q U E S T I O N
other cheeky thrills at Cirque du Soleil’s burlesque show Zumanity (cirquedusoleil.com) instead.
If that leaves you a little hot under the collar or wheezy, take a seat at Breathe
bar at Stratosphere (stratospherehotel.com) and sample some of the best stuff on tap – pure oxygen. The mask
may feel a little odd at first, but once you’ve sampled the O2 – it comes in fruit
flavours if you don’t want to take it straight – you should be ready for a late night… well, until after 10pm at least.
Fighting an inevitable next-day hangover? It might help to know that there are bigger relics in town than you. On your way out of Sin City, stop off at the Neon Museum
(neonmuseum.org). You’ll recognise the vintage Stardust and Sahara hotel signs among the 150 classics scattered around their ‘Boneyard’. You won’t feel so antique after that.
Vegas after 60? Easy. Why not show the brat pack how to party like the Rat Pack.
BE THERE… Travel to Las Vegas
with thomascook.com
Can you do Vegas aft er 60?
r cheeotheresque burle
com inste) f thatIflar ocollar at ba
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may feyou’ve s
flavours– you shouuntil after u
FightingIt might hrelics in toof Sin City
W e don’t blame you if the thought of Sin City conjures up images of decadent pool parties, superstar DJs and the hedonism
of The Hangover. But there’s a surprising new Wolfpack in town – and it’s more silver fox than young buck. In the new comedy Last Vegas (out now), Billy (Michael Douglas)celebrates his later-in-life bachelor party in Vegas with his three pals (played by Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline). But just how much fun can you really have here when you’re more hip replacement than hipster?
The days of Sinatra and swing might be gone, but old school Vegas has never been more cool, especially in the Downtown area. Start by strutting your stuff at the Fremont Street Experience (vegasexperience.com), home to such classic hotels as the Golden Nugget, Binion’s and El Cortez – the casino that mobster Bugsy Siegel bought before he opened the Flamingo on the Strip.
If you’ve struck lucky on the tables, the Strip is the perfect place to splash your cash and give that low-cholesterol diet a break. Why not treat you and your pals to super-sized steaks at Dinner in the Sky (dinnerintheskylv.com)? A 22-seater dining table dangles from a crane 55 metres above the city, giving you a spectacular view of the Strip’s fireworks, fountains and even Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon.
The Strip is now renowned as a playground for shiny young reality TV stars (think Jersey Shore and The Hills), especially at risqué hotel pool parties. But if you don’t quite feel up to mixing it with bikini-babes, or have only wistful memories when you see the bulging biceps of the frat boy pool rats, then step out of the sun and dust off your bifocals for
The days of Sinatra and swing might
be gone, but old school Vegas
has never been more cool
D E P A R T U R E S
y, stop of(neorecoand the arou won
Venot shparty
BE T
with th
of Sin City
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Text in the cityOnline mag Show Us Your Type brings together typography and travel with its graphic design editions based around the world’s most exciting cities. We caught up with four designers to find out what inspired them
to create these cool posters from our favourite hot spots
1 2
30 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
D E S I G N
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3. London by...
Pablo Vinagre (29) Based in: Brighton, UK
“I tried to represent London avoiding the typical tourist places and focusing instead on what the people that actually live there do. The main things you find are local shops and restaurants, bicycles, the underground and the nightlife.” (pabloand.co)
1. Hong Kong by...
Emily Eldridge (31)Based in: Hong Kong
“I was inspired by the hairstyles of Hong Kong schoolgirls: they always seem to have such a cute and interesting look. I wanted to reflect Hong Kong’s teen girl culture – which frequently takes its trend inspiration from Japan.”(emilyeldridge.com)
4. New York by...
Jaume Osman (33)Based in: Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
“New York is a great city and even though I have never been, I was inspired by what I have seen in the movies and on television,like Spider-Man, Marilyn Monroe and the people from the Bronx.” (jaumeosman.com)
2. Moscow by...
Daniel Requena (28)Based in: Barcelona, Spain
“I’ve never visited Moscow, but I’m inspired by St. Basil’s Cathedral, the traditional costumes and the famous ballet. I wanted to capture them in a geometric illustration and colours inspired by the Constructivism movement.” (cargocollective.com/danielrequena)
N O V . D E C . J A N 31
SEE IT… Show Us Your Type is currently accepting submissions for Las Vegas until 23 March 2014. Visit showusyourtype.com for more information.
3 4
D E P A R T U R E S
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32 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
We all love a great Groupon deal back home, but if only there was a way to reap the benefits of massive savings when you’re on
holiday? Enter Bownty (bownty.com). It collects over 2,500 deals from the Spanish, Italian, German and French versions of sites
such as Groupon, LivingSocial and Wowcher and compares the best deals in your resort – from Barcelona to Bologna.
Budget breakfast€2.80: Rub shoulders with a crowd
of Parisian coffee aficionados on
their way to work at Cafés San José.
A decent coffee and croissant will
cost you under £2.50. The price
even includes a smile from the waiter.
(30 rue des Petits Champs)
Glad rags and handbagsFrom €2: Head to Kilo Shop to add a
vintage Parisian twist to your holiday
wardrobe. It boasts a pay-by-weight
policy (starting at €20 for a kilo of
clothes), two locations (in Le Marais
and Saint-Germain) and thousands of
items to choose from. (kilo-shop.fr)
Glamorous indie rock & rollFree: Indie music-lovers should pull
on their smartest retro threads and
squeeze into the achingly hip La
Fabrique Balades Sonores record
store. Here, you'll find a cool crowd
of Parisian hipsters checking out the
tiny shop’s free weekly concerts from
new underground acts. (1 Avenue
Trudaine, baladessonores.com)
Sunday cultureFree: Sunday may be the day of rest,
but in Paris, it’s best to keep it free
for a serious culture fix. On the first
Sunday of each month, access to The
Louvre (louvre.fr), Centre Pompidou
(centrepompidou.fr) and Musée
d'Orsay (musee-orsay.fr) is free.
A room with a viewFree: Forget about traipsing up
the Eiffel Tower and head to chic
department store Le Printemps.
Also a popular location for fashion
shoots, its Maison & Beauté section’s
rooftop terrace affords a stunning
360° view of Paris. (printemps.fr)
Cocktail hourCocktails €12, snacks from €3:Expect reasonably priced Mexican
street food and killer margaritas at
Candelaria, a hot and happening
drinking den that’s open seven
days a week. (52 Rue de Saintonge,
candelariaparis.com)
A sweet treat€11: Le Loir dans la Théière (3 Rue
des Rosiers) is a teatime favourite. The
cosy café is home to the yummiest
lemon meringue tart in town, a
feel-good therapy in its own right.
A hot drink and a generous-sized
dessert will set you back £9.25.
Show time€9: Rainy days are not uncommon
in Paris. Thankfully the recently-
reopened Le Louxur cinema is the
perfect sanctuary. The neo-Egyptian
décor (think pillars, papyrus motifs
and pharaohs’ heads) will transport
you back to 1920s Paris while
you feast your eyes on a modern
movie. (170 Boulevard de Magenta,
cinemalouxor.fr)
A taste of Algeria €8.50: Chez Mamane may be small,
but that doesn’t stop the gregarious
chef and owner Taibi ‘Mamane’
Abderrahmane preparing the best
couscous this side of Morocco.
Rock up early or be prepared for a
wait. (27 Rue des Cinq Diamants).
Golden oldiesFrom €10: Eva Pritsky Bar-Brocante
is a bric-à-brac store and bistro – and
the best place to rummage for retro
pieces and mingle with Parisian artists.
Everything is for sale, including the
chairs you sit on. A glass of wine is €4,
and you can pick up a vintage cafetière
for €10. (5 Rue d’Eupatoria).
Words: Lauriane Gepner
T H R I F T Y T R A V E L
Super saverOur top tip for being a frugal but clever traveller? Bownty.com
You’ll have even more of a reason to say “J’adore Paris” with our penny saving guide to the French capital
a
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GFo
s
F
s
o
t
n
T
€0
€0
€11
€9
€8.50
€12
€2
€0
€2.80
Cheap thrills
BE THERE… Book your Eurostar tickets to Paris with thomascook.com
€10
D E P A R T U R E S
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No.86538 Alizonne.indd 1No.86538 Alizonne.indd 1 16/10/2013 17:5816/10/2013 17:58
A recipe even
older than tiramisu
Simply ItalianWhen you think of Italian food, pizza, pasta and prosciutto might come to mind, but a new wave of restaurants are rediscovering the country’s cucina povera – or ‘peasant kitchen’ – movement. Born of lean times and using cheap ingredients, dishes are robust, rustic and rich in flavour. Mattia Antonioni, head chef at London’s Paesan, takes us on a regional tour with these four irresistibly delicious plates…
34 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
F O O D
1 2
3
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N O V . D E C . J A N 35Photography: Tim E White
1. Crostata of plum jam “This tart is baked using a really good quality fruit jam, and the pastry is made with butter and flavoured with lemon zest and vanilla pod. It’s possibly the oldest Italian dessert – the tart was used as a gift in pagan rituals in the Bay of Naples.” 2. Bollito misto“This northern Italian stew consists of various cuts of beef, capon [a rooster] and cotechino sausage. It’s gently simmered for two to three hours, and usually served with salsa verde or mostarda di frutta [candied fruit].” 3. Stufato di lepre“This recipe takes inspiration from one of my favourite Umbrian recipes: a slow-cooked hare stew with chickpeas, which is warming on a winter’s day. We also add saffron for a little twist.”
4. Pappa al pomodoro“This Tuscan soup is a great way of using up a glut of tomatoes or an excess of bread. Some people say that it’s a bit too solid to call a soup, but it’s a delicious dish and very easy to make.”
TRY IT… at Paesan, 2 Exmouth
Market, London, +44 (0)20
7837 7139, paesanlondon.com
BE THERE… Travel to Italy with
thomascook.com
4
Try these dishes with a bottle of 2011
Sangiovese Dell’Umbria
The Perfect Match
D E P A R T U R E S
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3'0"3'6"4'0"4'6"
5'0"
5'6"6'0"
6'6"
36 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L Words: Anisha Patel. Illustrations: Andrea Manzati
The Usual Suspects
Bubbles last longer by
chilling flutes to
between 3-5•c
2. Mont Marçal Brut Reserva (£29/£18)Our award-winning house
reserva is refreshingly dry
with aromas of stone fruit
and lemongrass. This
cava is aged for around
15 months after the second
fermentation process.
Spotlight on cavaThe Spanish fizz is brushing off its reputation as a cheap bubbly and having a bit of a moment on the drinks scene, with dedicated bars opening across Europe and the USA. Rafael de Souza, head bartender at London’s Copa de Cava – the UK’s first dedicated cava bar – picks three of his favourite bottles:
2. MReseOur a
reser
with
and l
cava
15 m
ferme
1. Vilarnau Brut
(£23.50 at the bar/£12.50 takeaway)This cava has been aged
for at least 12 months in
a cellar. It’s vibrant, crisp
and very easy to drink, with
white flower aromas and
fresh green apple flavours.
T H E G R A P E S
Macabeu, Parellada, Xarel.lo
T H E M E T H O D
Like Champagne, the second
fermentation takes place in the bottle
(in Spain it’s called método tradicional).
A true cava is made in the same way
as Champagne, but just uses different
grape varieties.
TA S T E T E S T
Cava has a lighter, somewhat fruitier taste,
thanks to the warmer climate in Spain.
T R Y I T W I T H …
Sautéed Galician green peppers
£-££
T H E G R A P E S
Glera
T H E M E T H O D
Prosecco is made using a process
called Charmat, where the gas or fizz is
added in the secondary fermentation
process in steel vats, as opposed to
occurring naturally in the bottle.
TA S T E T E S T
Drier, fresher and lighter than
Champagne, it also packs more bubbles
in a bottle.
T R Y I T W I T H …
Figs and prosciutto
£-££
3. Gramona Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2007 (£39/£24)A gran reserva cava is
aged for a minimum of 30
months. This is one of our
bestsellers, with a full and
supple aroma of white fruit
and a hint of brioche.
A good fizz is a must for the party season, but just how well do youknow your bubbles? Pick your guilty pleasure from this line-up
TRY IT… Copa de Cava at Camino, 33 Blackfriars Lane, London, +44 (0)207 125 0930, cava.co.uk
T H E G R A P E S
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or
Pinot Meunier
T H E M E T H O D
To qualify as Champagne, it not only
has to be made in the region, but it
has to follow the traditional méthode
champenoise, where the second
fermentation takes place within the
bottle to produce the bubbles.
TA S T E T E S T
Champagne is known for its rich
taste and complex aromas.
T R Y I T W I T H …
Oysters
££-£££
D R I N K
BBB
chchchchbbbb
c
0 0 1 5 3 8 8 0 4 6 2 0 9 8 9
C H A M PAG N EBIRTHPLACE CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
0 0 1 5 3 6 5 8 8 9 2 0 9 8 9C AVA
BIRTHPLACE PENEDÈS, SPAIN
0 0 1 5 3 6 5 8 8 9 2 0 9 8 9
P R O S E CCOBIRTHPLACE VENETO, ITALY
D E P A R T U R E S
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Mediterranean holidays by P&O CruisesP&O Cruises holidays discovering the Med are a great way to get more from your time away. More sights, scenery and time to explore! By flying out to join Ventura in Genoa or Venice you’re assured of a particularly port-rich itinerary. And with the sights of Italy, the Greek islands, the French Riviera and the Dalmatian coast to choose from, your holiday is sure to span incredible cities, beaches and resorts.
A new day, a new destinationGet ready for the sights and sounds of some truly iconic destinations - you could explore up to four in just seven days. Perhaps you’ll visit buzzing Barcelona; the beaches and medieval Old Town of Corfu; the sparkling waterways and crumbling facades of Venice; or the ancient walls of Dubrovnik. And if you’d like to delve a little deeper into the local culture and sights, you can opt to combine your cruise with a day or more stay in Venice and Genoa if they’re your start and end destinations. So there you have it, six destinations in one holiday! There’s the option too of stays in Nice and Milan, both are within easy reach of Genoa. If you’d like a longer holiday then we also offer a 14 night option visiting nine destinations.
There’s no better way to travelThe beauty of cruising the Med is that travelling between places is just as pleasurable as the destinations themselves. From dining on fabulous fusion cuisine from Atul Kochhar to splashing about in the pool or catching a West End style show, Ventura is the ultimate travel companion. A large family-friendly ship, she offers every comfort you would expect from a luxury hotel including pools, a spa, great restaurants, stylish bars and children’s clubs. Plus incredible ocean view rooms!
Why choose P&O Cruises?P&O Cruises can offer you a great value holiday, with the highest quality dining, entertainment, children’s clubs and accommodation all included. Tailored to British tastes, you can explore the world with all the comforts of home and surroundings that provide a real sense of luxury. P&O Cruises is a trusted, well-established cruise line and is the proud winner of the 2013 Travel Weekly Globe Award for ‘Favourite Cruise Company 2013’, as voted by readers of the Daily Mail for six years running.
It could take you six holidays to visit the Med’s finest destinations…
…OR IT COULD JUST TAKE ONE
Venice
Rome
Spa treatments on board
Barcelona
ABTA No.V8764
to Thomascook.com/cruisePop into your local Thomas Cook | Call 0800 032 1748
No.00000 P and O.indd 1No.00000 P and O.indd 1 15/10/2013 11:0915/10/2013 11:09
38 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Christine BleakleyThe Northern Irish TV presenter on grown-up holidays, being Frank Lampard’s photographer and all those wedding rumours
Out of office
I N T E R V I E W
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T R AV E L
C V
My first holiday...
from Northern Ireland
was in Scotland. I was
eight or nine and we
spent 10 days driving
around the beautiful
Scottish lakes and ended
up in Edinburgh.
The next trip I
want to do…
is North America. I’ve
been to Canada a few
times and I actually
would love to go
back and do North
America properly.
My favourite city
of all time…
if I had to choose and I’m
allowed two, it would be
London and Edinburgh.
I get very excited being
in both of them.
The one thing I
always travel with…
is a little mobile charger
that I keep in my handbag.
Frank bought it for me
about four years ago and
it’s saved me a few times.
I get enough power to at
least let my mum know I
have landed safely.
My number one
travel tip…
if you are travelling with
children – which I have
been doing in recent years
with Frank – is preparing
to keep them occupied.
I always have enough bits
of paper and a pen for
them to draw with.
N O V . D E C . J A N 39
I am excellent at taking photos of Frank [Lampard, her fiancé]. Football is so massive worldwide that we
could be sitting in a random little place in the middle of America and we have people coming up and going: “Lampard, Lampard, can I have your autograph?” And then I’m the official photographer, obviously, because they don’t give a damn about me. (Laughs) I know how to work all camera phones.
I try my best to go to all the Chelsea home games. And, yes, I’ve been known to join the fans and sing ‘Super Frankie Lampard’ occasionally. When I met Frank, I knew football, but it wasn’t my life and I didn’t care who won that weekend. Obviously things changed very quickly and now I go to the matches with his dad. You become a fan.
There are so many lies about our wedding. I was in the back of a black cab recently and the driver looked in the mirror and said: “You don’t have to tell me. I know about the wedding.” I said: “Really that’s interesting, what do you know?” He rhymed off the date and the place and said: “My sister’s friend’s husband’s wife works here.” I can cope with silly lies about where we’re getting married, because you get that all the time. But I do get annoyed when you are being painted as a prima donna. For instance, there’s a story that Frank and I love this one place so much, but it was already booked, so we paid the bride and groom’s mortgage off so that they would move their date. We also apparently built an Italian restaurant on the side of a place because I wanted genuine Italian food. I have no idea where they get these stories from! It paints you as a person that you are the opposite of.
We have a short window for holidays. Frank has three and a half weeks off in June and we make the most of that time. Frank likes the sun and likes to head off
somewhere totally different. For the past few holidays we’ve gone to America, to the West Coast. When Frank happens to have the rare day or two off during the year, we’ll go to Cornwall or the Cotswolds. We love green fields, old country houses and history, so that is always part of how we choose where we will go.
Frank has come back to Ireland with me quite a few times. For me, it’s home and it is just a slightly different pace of life. I never went abroad until I was 19 years old. I never did the family holiday thing in Spain. We always holidayed in the UK and I still get a little kick out of that. We have Frank’s girls quite a bit and I also want them to enjoy where they are being brought up, so I have taken them back to Ireland as well.
The most romantic place I’ve been is Lake Como in Italy. It’s really beautiful and peaceful. We found a little island in the middle of the lake with a tiny restaurant at the top. The setting was just unbelievable and we had a beautiful afternoon there. I love stumbling across places like that: I get a real kick out of it. I have an appreciation for seeing more as I get older. When I was 19 or 20 and I went on my first girly holiday, I just wanted to lie about on a beach. I need more from a holiday than that now I am in my 30s.
Wearing medieval clothes is a real experience. The idea behind my new show Off the Beaten Track is to go to little places throughout the UK that have become forgotten about because we hit our motorways and go straight to the cities. These small villages have these incredible cultural traditions that I didn’t know about. For one episode, I got dressed in medieval clothes and went on a little boat on the lake around Whittington Castle [in Shropshire]. When I’m 70 and look back at things I’ve done, that will rate as one of the more bizarre days.
SEE IT… Off the Beaten Track, presented by
Christine, starts on ITV1 in November
Words: Pierre de Villiers. Photography: BBC Pictures
D E P A R T U R E S
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No.99572 Governor Amwaj.indd 1No.99572 Governor Amwaj.indd 1 17/10/2013 15:3317/10/2013 15:33
Built where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Aegean, the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is the second hotel in Europe to be nominated a 'Hilton Worldwide Resort'. A 10-minute drive from Dalaman airport and a mere 10-minute walk from Sarigerme Village, the Hilton Dalaman is set in an ideal location that blends seamlessly and respectfully with nature.
At Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme, the dining options are designed with you in mind. Start the day with a hearty breakfast or nutritious light bite, savour innovative dishes prepared with only the freshest ingredients or simply relax with a cup of coffee in the hotel lounge. From business brunches to pre-dinner drinks and everything in between, the options
are catered especially for you. When it comes to downtime, you can
relax on the pristine, private beach or choose from seven outdoor and three indoor pools. Admire the spectacular mountain and Mediterranean Sea views from the comfort of your guest room or upgrade to a deluxe room to enjoy direct access to the pool.
Revitalise your body and mind with a treatment at the sumptuous spa, which features a relaxing sauna, steam room and whirlpool. If you're feeling active, why not re-energise with a range of water sports or try a game of tennis, squash or beach volleyball?
You can also experience a culinary adventure at one of the hotel's 23
fantastic restaurants and bars. Sample a taste of the Far East in Tao, savour authentic Turkish food in A La Turca and choose from the finest Italian cuisine in Alize. For fresh seafood and Champagne, head to Glitter, or sip cocktails and take in stunning sea views from the rooftop bar Rouge.
Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is proud to be a family hotel and offers fun for all ages, like Kidz Paradise, a club that boasts plenty of activities that give children and teens the opportunity to meet people their own age – and parents a carefree night on the town.Finding the perfect hotel isn’t about luck.
It’s simply about knowing the right place
to look. Welcome to a real holiday!
The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa has all the stunning views,fabulous dining and energetic entertainment for a perfect break
Turkey’s Unspoiled Gem
P R O M O T I O N
N O V . D E C . J A N 41
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Spice world
Words and photography: Helen Cathcart
In the upcoming Mr Todiwala’s Bombay, celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwalarevisits the childhood hometown that cultivated his love for food.
Travel photographer Helen Cathcart gives us a sneak peak into the beautiful pictures she took to accompany the recipe book
42 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
I N F O C U S
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N O V . D E C . J A N 43
T H A L I T I M E
“This tasty thali – a traditional meal made up of a selection of small dishes – was inspired by a vegetarian restaurant in Kalbadevi called Thackers.”
T H E S H Y G I R L“I saw this girl outside Cyrus’ house in Bandra West. She was on her way to Mount Mary church. I asked if I could take her picture and she was really embarrassed – she wouldn’t take her hand away from her mouth.”
D E P A R T U R E S
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44 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
G R E AT B A L L S O F F I R E “We shot these batata vada back in London for the book, but they’re a really popular snack in Mumbai. They’re spicy fried balls of potato and served with a
delicious chilli sauce. We picked up the old Bollywood programmes from the bustling Chor Bazaar.”
B I R D S O N T H E B E A C H“This family seemed to live around this boat on Chowpatty Beach, sorting out coconut shells into piles. There always seemed to be a congregation of pigeons in this area and I was lucky enough to catch them just as they were circling the sky.”
Batata vada, spicy fried balls of potato, are a popular snack
in Mumbai
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TO M A R K E T, TO M A R K E T“Khar Market in the centre of the city is a great place to visit, because it’s really off the tourist maps. This woman was cleaning and sorting fish to sell that day. All the market sellers were very excited to have their photo taken as they don’t meet a lot of tourists.”
N O V . D E C . J A N 45
GET IT… Mr Todiwala’s
Bombay: Recipes and Memories
from India (£25, Hardie Grant
Books) by Cyrus Todiwala,
photography by Helen Cathcart,
is available to buy now
D E P A R T U R E S
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No.98799 Patronato de Turismo Fuerteventura 1pp.indd 1No.98799 Patronato de Turismo Fuerteventura 1pp.indd 1 03/10/2013 14:2803/10/2013 14:28
N O V . D E C . J A N 47
The GambiaIt’s not just the sweeping beaches that define this tiny
West African country. Friendly locals, wonderful wildlife and year-round sun all help The Gambia
earn its nickname as the smiling coast
T he Gambia may be one of the smallest countries in Africa but it’s got a big heart. Nestled between northern and southern Senegal, it is known as West Africa’s ‘smiling coast’ thanks to the famed friendliness of its locals. But it’s not just the people who are
warm – the climate over the winter months is beautifully balmy, making The Gambia a perfect holiday destination for those in search of winter sun.
If you just want to relax, the sweeping beaches of the coastal area, with their fine sands and blue waters, are a great place to unwind with an iced drink. But for the more adventurous, trips upriver and into the forests and wetlands offer the opportunity to experience the nature of rural Gambia and a more traditional way of life. We take a tour of the smiling coast.
Words: Edward Shepherd
The Insider Guide
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48 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
WildlifeF I V E TO S N A P
Crocodiles
Hippos
Baboons
Green vervet monkeys
Purple glossy starlings
The Gambia is the
smallest country
on the continental
mainland of Africa
with a population of
approximately
1.8 million people.
DID YOU
KNOW?
The busiest stretch of sand runs between Senegambia and Kotu. Local boys and girls flock to the latter every Sunday afternoon to play football or listen to music, generating a lively vibe which is plenty of fun on a warm evening. The beach at Fajara, further to the north, is a bit less lively and also offers a picturesque view from its rust-red cliffs. It’s the ideal place to take in a spectacular sunset or enjoy a relaxing early evening stroll. To completely escape, head south towards Bijilo and beyond, where the beaches are wider, cleaner and considerably quieter. Here, you’ll need to choose your spot carefully if you don’t want a long walk to get refreshments.
C H I L L O U T
Let’s go to the beach
AS SEEN ON SCREEN
Nigeria’s booming film industry (‘Nollywood’) has begun to turn its cameras onto
The Gambia. Most recently, fantasy adventure The Mirror Boy was filmed there, the
story of an African-British youth’s magical journey through the land of his forefathers.
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Golf The Fajara Club (Atlantic Boulevard, +220 449 5456) has an 18-hole course. The greens may look a little scorched and the bleating of a nearby goat might disturb your putt, but it’s more than serviceable for a round of golf.
Horse Riding Locals offer horse rides on the beach, which are particularly enjoyable in the cool of the early evening. Aim to pay about half what you are asked for, but don’t drive too hard a bargain.
Tennis If it’s not too hot, try the Fajara Club for a brisk game of tennis. You can cool down after the
game in the swimming pool, or with some drinks in the bar.
Bike Rides Head down the road towards Kombo Beach, opposite the junction to Kotu on the Bertil Harding Highway, to hire bikes by the hour and explore the nearby trails. Prices vary, but the quoted cost is always negotiable.
Water sports Why not try some water sports while staying on the coast? Hire jet-skis and wakeboards at Gambia Water Sports Centre at Denton Bridge on the road to Banjul (+220 777 3777). Watch out for those rip tides, though!
N O V . D E C . J A N 49
DID YOU KNOW?The extraordinary stone circles of
Senegambia are designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
JulBrew
Brewed and bottled in
the country, it comes in a standard and export
variety
Groundnuts
The perfect companion to
an evening of beer and
kora music – as well as The
Gambia’s main export
H O M E G R OW N
STA R S
d
O M E G R OW N
STA R S
B R I N G I T B AC K
The tourist markets all sell the usual suspects: wooden carvings, masks, baskets and so on. If you want something a little more unique, why not get yourself some clothes made? Head to Serrekunda market and buy material for 25-300 dalasi (45p-£5.30) per metre, depending on quality. Then go to one of the local tailors and get it made up into a shirt or dress. It is best to bring a picture of something in the style you want copied (as long as it’s not fiendishly complicated). Skill levels vary, but Bas at Bakau market is good and reliable and can usually turn jobs around in one to two days (+220 782 2071). It’s best to call ahead before you go and collect your clothes, though. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for adjustments – they can be made while you wait.
Horsing around on
the beach
G E T AC T I V E
Crank up your energy levels (or not) for these awesome activities
T H E G A M B I A
Photos: Alamy, Getty
Jaliba Kuyateh
A virtuoso of the kora (a
West African instrument
with 21 strings) and
international musician
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Nanga def? How are you?
Naka suba si? How is the morning?
Jama rek Peace only
(in response to the
preceding greetings)
50 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
W R E ST L I N G
Fight clubTraditional wrestling is hugely popular in The Gambia. Unlike its Western equivalent, it’s a fascinating blend of fighting, drumming, dancing and spirituality that adds up to an intoxicating sensory experience.
Its roots lie in the ‘village champion’ tradition, where local disputes would be settled in the fighting arena. It’s now developed into a fully-fledged sport which has retained a mystical element: each fighter is draped in charms or jujus which they believe will give them extra strength and protect them from sorcery.
Regular tournaments take place at various locations, including Serrekunda East and Serrekunda West sports pitches, but contact local promoter Musa at Sanchaba United Gym to find out more (+220 712 3074).
Say it right Greetings are very important in The Gambia. No conversation can begin without exchanging pleasantries.
Here are some useful greetings in the local Wolof language. A little goes a long way!
If you have a taste for adventure, The Gambia has plenty to offer the intrepid explorer with its waterways, wetlands and forests. There are plenty of nature trails around the coastal area, but you’ll need a sturdy pair of trainers at the very least.
The wilderness lies further upriver, where development is sparser and life is still lived the traditional way. Take the opportunity to see
chimpanzees in their natural habitat at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project several hours upriver in the River Gambia National Park (Kuntaur, +220 686 8826). The project’s lodge and safari tents are a perfect mix of wilderness and comfort, and the riverside setting is breathtaking. You can take boat trips and go nature-walking, so why not stay a night before returning to your beachside hotel?
There are opportunities to charter a boat for the day. Beginners can try their luck creek fishing at the mouth of the river, whereas more experienced anglers can head out to sea for barracuda, tuna and dorado.
But if you are more of a landlubber, you can always try birdwatching with Tijan ‘The Birdman’ Kanteh (+220 722 6482) at Abuko Nature Reserve, about 30 minutes from Senegambia.
T H E G R E AT O U T D O O R S
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Below are the
daytime peak
temperature areas
around Banjul and
the coast. It can
get much hotter
up-country!
HOT SPOT
34°C
32°C
32°C
31°C
31°C
MARCH
FEBRUARY
NOVEMBER
JANUARY
DECEMBER
N O V . D E C . J A N 51
LO C A L LY S O U R C E D
Our favourite Gambian dish is benachin, a delicious rice-based dish made with herbs, spices, vegetables and freshly-caught fish. Don’t miss trying yassa, a spicy, thick marinade made from lemon juice, pepper, mustard and onions, which is served with fish or chicken. If you want something a bit heavier, domoda is the way to go. Usually made with beef, it is served in a really thick, dark red peanut sauce with rice and is more than satisfying.
There aren’t many local restaurants serving Gambian food, but a good one is the Boss Lady restaurant (Kotu Stream Road).
You can also try the roadside chop shops. They are basic, but the food is made fresh each day and it’s worth a try for an authentic Gambian dining experience.
Your best bet is to wangle an invite to a Gambian’s home. Be prepared to eat from a communal food bowl using your fingers – but right hand only, though!
Start your evening off
at the bar of the low-key Leybato
Hotel. Sit out on the beachside
terrace to take advantage of the
fine view as the sun sets. There’s
also a decent menu if you get
peckish. (Fajara, +220 449
7186, leybatohotel.com)
A bit more upmarket,
Bakau Guest House is another
great spot to watch the colourful
pirogues come in with the day’s
catch. It also does refreshing
cocktails – we recommend the
daiquiris. (Bakau, +220 770 1711,
bakauguesthouse.co.uk)
The Paparazzi nightclub
gets jumping around midnight,
Monday to Saturday, when
it’s packed with young locals
dancing to Afrobeat, hip hop
and pop. Expect a lively
atmosphere! (Senegambia,
clubpaparazzigm.com)
T H R E E ST E P S TO G A M B I A A F T E R DA R K
21.00 00.00
Photos: Gregor O’Gorman, Getty, Stockfood
18.00
T H E G A M B I A
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G U I N E A - B I S S A U
T H E G A M B I A
S E N E G A L
River Gambia
52 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
FO R L I T T L E M O N K E YS
If your kids want to get up close to cute monkeys and beautiful birds without having to go out on a full-on expedition, take them to Bijilo Forest Park, located adjacent to the Senegambia tourist area. For a modest entrance fee of 30 delasi per person (around 50p), you can explore this nature reserve and feed its green vervet and red colobus monkeys.
For much of the
population, the
Gambian weekend
is three days long
and begins on a
Thursday.
DID YOU
KNOW?
BEST FOR FAMILIES
The large Senegambia Beach Hotel is set right by Kololi beach and offers an array of activities to keep every member of the family happy, including mini golf, tennis, water polo and even vulture feeding!
BE THERE… All hotels are available to book through thomascook.com
B E ST FO R LU X U RY
Sheraton Gambia Resort & Spa is The Gambia’s most exclusive hotel. It offers all the luxury touches you need for a five-star holiday, such as a tranquil spa, private balconies and oceanfront dining. Conveniently, it’s also just a 10-minute drive from Banjul airport.
BEST FOR A BUDGET
If you’re after an affordable bed in a fantastic location, you can’t go wrong with Palma Rima Hotel. As well as being conveniently located near Kololi Beach and Bikilo Forest Park, it also has friendly staff, a large pool and a great view of the beach at dusk.
Where to stay
Calendar
T H E G A M B I A
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The Snowman™ returnsAs one of Britain's most-loved characters comes back to our screens in The Snowman™
and The Snowdog on Channel 4, we speak to the film's producer, Camilla Deakin
Why did you decide to make a sequel to the original film?It was the 30th anniversary of the first Snowman film and also the 30th anniversary of Channel 4, so we thought it would be lovely to celebrate this by making a sequel. What techniques did you use to animate it?The film is made in a traditional way, entirely hand-drawn and hand-coloured, which means we used around 5,000 pencils and 200,000 pieces of paper in the process! Can you summarise what happens in the film?On a snowy winter’s day, a young boy finds a box containing a hat, scarf and some coal, hidden under the floorboards of his bedroom – it’s a snowman-making kit! He builds a snowman and, with a little spare snow, a snowdog. That night, they come to life and take him on a magical adventure to Lapland where they meet Father Christmas and a whole host of other characters.
Why does The Snowman take the boy to Lapland?There is the annual snowmen and women’s downhill race taking place and The Snowman thinks it would be fun to enter.
Was it daunting taking responsibility for such a well-loved character?Making a sequel to The Snowman was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and naturally we were very conscious of being true to the original. Luckily Raymond Briggs loved what we did and gave us his full support. How has the audience responded to the film?The audience response has been amazing, with over 11 million people watching the film on Channel 4 over last Christmas week and more than 1 million playing The Snowman and The Snowdog game. We’ve been sent letters and drawings from children who loved the film and masses of people were talking about it on social media. We’ve really been blown away by how much everyone seems to have loved it.
The Snowman and The Snowdog flies on to the shelves of all good retailers this Christmas with a huge array of products, including a beautifully published book by Puffin and a first-ever release of the DVD by Universal, while the film is due to air on Channel 4 again over the Christmas period.
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC FOR YOURSELFFollow in The Snowman's footsteps with Thomas Cook, with one of our unforgettable holiday packages to Lapland. Choose from exciting day trips, magical three-night short breaks or action-packed excursions through this winter wonderland.
For more information, visit thomascook.com/holidays/lapland-breaks/
P R O M O T I O NP R O M O T I O N
N O V . D E C . J A N 53
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54 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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N O V . D E C . J A N 55
Words: Tuba Şatana, istanbulfood.com
Photos: Rahel Weiss
Istanbul’s food scene is thriving. And according to local blogger
Tuba Şatana, a passionate defender of the city’s food heroes,
the real Turkish delights are found on the streets
I S T A N B U L
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56 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
dazzling market places, imperial mosques and sparkling waterfronts, the seductive smells that waft from the unpretentious carts, cafés and restaurants are all the result of good home cooking and recipes that have been passed down through generations. And best of all, it’s cheap: most dishes and snacks come in under the £5 mark.
You can’t walk two metres in the city without running into a cart selling simit. It’s the ultimate street food, loved by all and consumed at every hour of the day. Although Istanbul is scattered with lots of red carts serving the circular baked bread topped with sesame seeds, every neighbourhood has its own simit bakery, which provides the carts with their fill.
Simitçisi (47/A Mumhane Caddesi) is run by a family from Tokat, and provides simit to the street carts in the nearby Karaköy area. They also specialize in çatal – which literally
translates to fork, because of its shape – a savoury dough flavoured with mahlep (an aromatic wild cherry pit powder used in baking) and other spices, and sprinkled with Nigella seeds (black cumin). It crumbles in your mouth and is totally moreish. They’re both about 1 Lira (31p) per piece, and make a great souvenir to take home with you.
Once a thriving port city, Karaköy is now an upcoming borough that does glitz and grit in equal measure. Home to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and hip boutiques, it’s become a hub for foodies. You can find
acclaimed high-end restaurants like Karaköy Lokantasi (37A Kemankeş Caddesi), Lokanta Maya (35A Kemankeş Caddesi) and Ca’d’Oro (11 Bankalar Caddesi) here.
But in the midst of the architecture and design offices that have sprung up in recent years sits the hole-in-the-wall Beşaltı Kirvem Tantuni (35/B Mumhane Caddesi). Housed in the ruins of a former Orthodox church, it specialises in tantuni (6 Lira/£1.87), which is a bit like a Turkish burrito. The usta (chef) spoons strips of beef cooked with chilli peppers and cumin onto flat lavaş bread, topped with tomatoes, onions and parsley, served with a side of chilli pickles, mint, parsley and a lemon wedge. The trick is to squeeze a little drop of lemon juice on the meat to kickstart the flavours.
Some of my personal favourite stalls lie north of Karaköy in the Beyoğlu district, which is like the Soho of Istanbul. Just
off the bustling Taksim Square, you’ll find Kızılkayalar (6 Sıraselviler Caddesi, Beyoğlu). Don’t be put off by the sign that reads ‘wet burger’ or islak burger: this snack is legendary, and at less than £1 (3 Lira) a pop, it’s deliciously cheap. The moist patties are hot, garlicky and, as the name suggests, sloppy – this is because the burger is doused in an oily, garlic and tomato-based sauce before being placed in a glass-lined ‘steam bath’, not too dissimilar to a hammam. It’s best served steaming hot, and every bite is guaranteed to satisfy. The wet burger is also
You’ll often hear Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, described as a bit of a melting pot, where East meets
West, thanks to its Armenian, Greek, Judeo-Hispanic and Anatolian roots. And it’s no different when it comes to the city’s food. Combining the rich and varied flavours of its past, influences come from the Ottomans and Persians, as well as Asian and Middle Eastern countries. If there’s one place to sample the best of Turkey’s cuisine, it’s Istanbul.
Where terms like ‘locally sourced’ and ‘farm-to-fork’ may be recent buzz words in the European dining scene, in Istanbul, it’s been a way of life for generations: local
“Istanbul’s ‘wet burgers’are moist, garlicky, sloppy… and guaranteed to satisfy”
farmers and fishermen deliver their fresh produce direct to the restaurants and food carts, and everyone cooks with local, seasonal and superb quality ingredients.
It’s no doubt helped spur the fine dining scene over the past decade. As well as homegrown talent, internationally acclaimed chefs like Tom Aikens, Peter Gordon and Hiroki Takemura are all stamping their culinary mark on the city. But for me, Istanbul’s sizzling street food is the real star of the show, and where the heart and soul of Turkish cooking lies. Found dotted between
I S T A N B U L
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ABOVE AND RIGHT: Strong Turkish tea is the perfect accompaniment to simit (right and on opening page), perhaps Istanbul’s favourite street snack: a circular baked bread topped with sesame seeds
BELOW AND LEFT: Istanbul’s street food
vendors pride themselves on using the freshest
local, seasonalingredients and cook
their wares to order
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58 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
“The original köft erecipe has been feeding hungry Istanbulers for
more than 25 years”
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N O V . D E C . J A N 59
known as a bit of a local hangover cure and is a popular late night snack.
Another great stop for meaty goodness is Sabırtaşı İçli Köfte (in front of building 112 İstiklal Caddesi) on Beyoğlu’s main drag. A dimly-lit cart sits outside the restaurant with an army of pointed, egg-shaped golden parcels called içli köfte (4 Lira/£1.25 per köfte). The fried bulgur balls are stuffed with meat, walnuts, onions, black pepper, parsley and chilli flakes. The original owner Ali Topçuoğlu – we used to call him Ali Baba – was one of the first people that I met on Istanbul’s food scene. I remember him standing outside the restaurant in his white apron serving the içli köfte prepared by his wife out of a special pot that he designed
himself. After his death, his sons took over, but they still serve the delicious original recipe that’s been feeding hungry Istanbulers for more than 25 years.
A vegetarian version of the içli köfte can be found at Hüseyin Usta’s çiğ köfte cart, which travels between Beyoğlu’s Tünel, Galata and Asmalımescit areas after 4pm every day. Hüseyin is from the gourmet Turkish city of Gaziantep in the south east – which is renowned for its kebabs – and has been preparing these flavour-packed snacks for over 30 years. The bulgur wheat based patty is made from Hüseyin’s secret mix of red pepper paste, parsley, onions and spices, and is wrapped in either a crisp lettuce leaf or lavaş flatbread. His small cart also carries
accompanying heaps of fresh green leaves, parsley, mint and lemon. If you like spicy food, say yes to the dark chilli sauce – it’s made from isot, an oily, almost black, dried red pepper, which adds heat and an instant smoky flavour to the çiğ köfte (1.50-3 Lira/46p-94p each).
Wherever you go in the city, there are two things that you have to pick up. The first is grilled chestnuts. Come autumn and winter, the city’s dark streets are filled with romantically lit stalls lingering among the mesmerising smell of charcoal and chestnuts. Pick up a small paper bag (prices start at about 4 Lira/£1.24 per 100g) and enjoy the floury sweet treats while walking through the city’s backstreets.
LEFT AND BELOW: Making içli köft e by hand: a crust of kneaded bulgur wheat seasoned with tomato is fi lled with minced beef,onions, walnuts, herbs andspices, then deep-fried to adelicious golden brown
I S T A N B U L
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N O V . D E C . J A N 61
The other must-try is the fresh fruit juice from stands that you’ll find in almost every corner of Istanbul, especially in the Galata, Sultanahmet and Taksim areas. We’re a country that’s spoilt for choice when it comes to fruit, and each stand has its own mixtures of juices, including pomegranate, orange, apple and carrot. The most popular mix is pomegranate and orange: sweet, sour and strong all at the same time. If you’re going to go for the pure pomegranate juice, be careful. It has a very strong taste, and if you have it on an empty stomach it may lower your blood pressure and leave you in a bit of a spin! The price per cup ranges from 1-5 Lira (31p-£1.57), depending on the size and your choice of fruits.
Any Turkish person will tell you that we’re a nation obsessed with kokoreç, a sandwich that’s filled with lamb’s intestines wrapped around sweetbreads and suet that’s been meticulously grilled over hot charcoal – definitely one for the more adventurous palates. At Kral Kokoreç (54 Büyük Postane Caddesi, Eminönü), the usta cuts a large slice of meat, chops it on a big wooden board and then places it on a hotplate back on the charcoal to melt the fat inside even more. The meat is then simply stuffed into half a loaf of Turkish bread, sprinkled with some thyme and, if desired, chilli flakes. (7-12 Lira/£2.19-£3.76).
The Eminönü peninsula itself is steeped in history and has a thriving street food scene on the waterfront by the ferry docks.
Finally, I can’t talk about Istanbul’s street food without mentioning pide döner.
“The thick pide is stuff ed with meat and topped with
tangy sumac, onions and tomatoes”
Istanbulers are crazy for fresh pomegranate and orangejuice. Beware, though –pomegranate juice on an empty stomach can lower your blood pressure! Below left : Kızılkayalar’s ‘wet’ burger
I S T A N B U L
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62 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
G OBook a city break to Istanbul with
city break specialists Cresta Holidays.
Visit your local Thomas Cook store,
call +44 (0)844 800 7019 or visit
crestaholidays.co.uk.
S TAYSleep just a stomach rumble away from the city’s fresh
juice and kebab hotspots in Istanbul’s ancient Sultanahmet
district. Choose from the elegant four-star Antis, with its
rooftop terrace, or the cosy, friendly three-star Diva’s Hotel.
Both can be booked at thomascook.com.
D I D YO U K N O W. . .Under the Ottoman
Empire, Istanbul was
renowned for having
more than 1,400
public toilets?
Looking just like the late-night snack that most Brits are accustomed to, the fat, meaty kebabs sweat on rotating spits before being served on a flatbread with salad. But don’t be deceived by appearances: the quality is much better than anything back home.
Sitting among Sultanahmet’s famous sites of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Byzantine Hippodrome is Dönerci Şahin Usta (7 Nuruosmaniye Kılıççılar Sk), an unassuming little spot that’s been serving one of the meanest döners in Istanbul since 1969. They dish up their beef döner in a special, freshly-baked flatbread called tırnaklı pide. The thick pide is stuffed with the meat kebab and topped with tangy sumac, onions and tomatoes, then folded into two. It makes the perfect snack after perusing the nearby Grand Bazaar, and is best enjoyed with a glass of ayran, a diluted, salty yogurt drink. The proof of just how good this place is can be seen by the line in front of its window when it opens for lunch. But once the döner’s done, the restaurant closes, so make sure you get there early.
So now you know where to go and what to eat, all you have to do is work up an appetite and find a way to squeeze all these delicious delights into your trip.
Istanbul’s red simit carts are found all over the city at all hours of the day.Above: Dönerci Şahin Usta’s döner in itsspecially baked pide
I S T A N B U L
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Other activitiesThere are a lot of things you could do to while away the time in Sweden: knitting, sitting down, eating meatballs… But for the ultimate thrill why not try driving a Porsche 911 at 60mph around an ice racetrack on a frozen lake? Not quite Formula 1, maybe, but it’s certainly formula fun. (icedriver.com)
Highest slope
1274M
64 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or ski bunny when it comes to hitting the slopes, our ultimate snow guide is guaranteed to keep everyone happy all season long, both on and off the piste
Illustrations: Julia Murray
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A s an alternative to the same old Alpine resorts, why not try doing the snow season
Swedish style? Up in the north of Scandinavia you can indulge in saunas, stylish design and snowmobile adventures through magical frozen forests. It all adds up to a mystical winter holiday experience that’ll linger in your memory for years to come.
Late March:
Sweden has
experienced
very cold
temperatures
in March in
recent years
– good news
for ski bunnies
looking for
European
snow late in
the season.
Words: Christopher Beanland
Vital Statistics:
Snowfall:
69CM
Maximum temp:
3˚C
Distance from airport:
136KM››TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
Ski runs:
12 39 39 10
WHEN TO GO
WHICH WAY TO THE SNOW?
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ÅRE CHOKLADFABRIK
The Åre Chokladfabrik
(chocolate factory)
and shop sits at the
foot of the mountain
in Åre. Founded by
three friends in 1991,
the factory produces
9 million chocs each
year, all made by
hand out of natural
ingredients.
DID YOU
KNOW?
The vibe in Åre is like a smaller version of downtown Stockholm, with a beautiful mountain in the backyard. Great skiing for all levels, including some challenging backcountry descents JACOB WESTER, CHAMPION FREESKIER AND BRAND REP FOR OAKLEY, STOCKHOLM
Totally off pisteSwallow your British pride, peel off and get naked in the sauna. The nude sauna experience is central to Scandinavian culture – so breathe deeply, pour water on those coals and heat yourself up. After sweating out your toxins (which is very good for you), it’s time to plunge into a freezing cold nearby lake.
N O V . D E C . J A N 65
S K I
Where to stayBrunkulla Apartmentsneilson.co.uk
Brunkulla is homely enough to make you feel settled and toasty after a hard day’s skiing – think cute and cosy apartments with open-plan kitchens and underfloor heating. But they also boast all the Scandi style you’d expect from the country that gave us Ikea.
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Totally off pisteTrainspotters will be in their element at Banff’s handsome railway station, which is now a protected historic monument oozing the glories of the past. The station is a stop on the famous Trans-Canada Line that takes you west to Vancouver or East to Toronto. It’s one of the most picturesque and enjoyable railway rides on the planet. (Lynx Street, rockymountaineer.com).
66 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Elk roam extensively
around Banff and
you’re bound to see
one. Don’t get too
close though: male elk
can weigh up 450kg.
You can enjoy the sight
(and sound – they ‘talk’
to each other all the
time) better from a
safe distance.
DID YOU
KNOW?
How’s it going?
Highest slope
2730M
The powder is great because it’s so deep. Also, you have all the
trees around you and it’s the length and extent of the runs that makes
boarding here so exciting BEN FISHER, GLASGOW, AMATEUR SNOWBOARDER
Vital Statistics:
Snowfall:
66CM
Maximum temp:
2˚C
Distance from airport:
128KM››CALGARY
Ski runs:
23 39 0 38
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C ross the Atlantic to Canada for a winter holiday that will knock your socks off . Banff is beautiful
and the relaxed Canadian mindset will entrance you from day one. With everyone speaking English, it’ll feel like a home away from home. Plus the spectacular Rockies are a skier’s paradise of forests and pistes perched on the sides of dramatic mountain ranges.
April:
The powder
builds up later
in the season
and Banff ’s
late snow
record makes
it the perfect
choice for
Easter skiing.
WHEN TO GO
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N O V . D E C . J A N 67
S K I
Other activitiesHeliskiing is a once in a lifetime thrill and Banff is just the place to make your ultimate virgin run dream come true. The helipad of Purcell Heliskiing is in Golden, an easy 90-minute drive from Banff. They’ve been doing this for 40 years so you’ll be in experienced hands. (438 Lafontaine Rd, purcellheliskiing.com)
Where to stayFairmont Banff Springsneilson.co.uk
Celebrating its 125th birthday this year, the Fairmont is the grand old dame of Banff. This majestic palace looks more like a fairytale castle than the Tyrolean chalets you’re probably used to. Nestled next to the River Bow, just outside town, it offers unparalleled luxury, five-star service and easy access to the lifts that’ll take you up to Banff’s “Champagne powder” runs.
Top three celeb spots
Alec Baldwin
Alicia Silverstone
Susan Sarandon
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January-February:
The fi rst months of the year are when
Méribel is at its busiest and best. The
village really comes alive aft er dark.
Vital Statistics:
Where to stayLes Ravines Apartmentsneilson.co.uk
Well-appointed apartments in a cute-looking Alpine building with chic interiors that are typically French and typically homely. You can get up the mountain easily then have somewhere snug to chill-out in after a day’s exertion on the slopes.
The nearby airport at
Courchevel starred in
the James Bond film
GoldenEye and is
one of the most
dangerous airports
in the world, with a
runway that slopes
upwards by 18%!
Don’t worry – your
Thomas Cook plane
won’t be landing there
as it’s too big for the
short runway.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Snowfall:
95CM
Maximum temp:
5˚C
Distance from airport:
135KM Ski runs:
21 33 35 11››GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
There’s a fi erce après-ski off ering across town. You can come straight off the slopes and grab two-for-one beers and cocktails to get the party started
GEORGE CAMP, AMATEUR SKIER, LONDON
Highest slope
2952M
S tylish and attractive, Méribel is where image-conscious skiers
go to pose in trendy bars after a day on the slopes. It’s also one of the world’s top skiing areas and has hosted many international downhill competitions on its demanding, pristine runs.
The partiesIbiza Rocks the Snow – a spin-off from the White Isle’s
summer Ibiza Rocks events – takes Méribel over for three separate weeks in December, February and April for a techno and indie fest. Think hot-tub parties, gigs and huge DJ shows. (ibizarocksthesnow.com)
Other activitiesTry a day’s speed riding in Méribel. This crazy adrenaline rush involves strapping a parachute to you and skiing
off a mountain. You can get up to 90mph, so you need to take lessons first! Magic Méribel will teach you for £210. (magic-meribel.com)
Totally off pisteBar Au Vin (Route du Centre) right in the centre of town, is a tiny wine-crate-lined bar serving over 90 wines – and you can try many of them on special wine tasting evenings.
68 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Top three celeb spots
Posh & Becks
Will & Kate
Emma Watson
WHEN TO GO
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S K I
When you buy a drink
in friendly mountain
restaurants, they’ll
serve you a free
fuel-injecting big
bowl of homemade
pasta to see you
through an afternoon
skiing on the slopes.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Highest slope
3342M
Vital Statistics: Mid January
The snow is the best and the temperatures
are the coldest, so the skiing will be about
as good as it gets.
Where to staySporthotel Arabbaneilson.co.uk
Arabba’s main hotel is bang in the centre of the action, allowing you the easiest access to the lifts and to the après-ski action once you’ve come down in the evening. The hotel boasts a wealth of facilities including a gym, pool and spa.
Snowfall:
58CM
Maximum temp:
-5˚C
Distance from airport:
163KM Ski runs:
0 33 60 7››VENICE, ITALY
N O V . D E C . J A N 69
WHEN TO GO
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A rabba is one of the highest resorts in the Dolomites, with
snow-sure, north-facing slopes and the Sella Ronda circuit – the gateway to over 1,000km of groomed pistes. You couldn’t pick a better resort if your winter holiday is all about the skiing and boarding. Arabba ski resort itself is a small village with an excellent range of accommodation and a relaxed pace of life.
Other activitiesDiscover the beauty of the Dolomites on an incredible six-day ski safari. Aimed at confident red-run skiers, you’ll spend each day with an experienced ski instructor guiding you through some of the most iconic mountains and valleys in the Dolomites, staying in traditional mountain refugios (on-mountain hotels). You’ll be first on the slopes in
the morning, so you can carve out your tracks in the virgin snow. (neilson.co.uk)
Totally off pisteSince 2009 the Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage site and are considered some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The Marmolada Glacier is the (literal) icing on top of this geological cake.
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There are over 30 Wi-Fi
hotspots on the slopes
around Saalbach – so
you can check your
email or post photos to
Facebook or Instagram
straight from the piste
to make your mates
back home jealous
as hell.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Late December:
Enjoy the festivities in this chocolate box
resort, with tree-lined skiing and little
mountain huts serving you a warming drink.
Where to stayAlpin Resort Sport and Spaneilson.co.uk
Located just 200m from the Schattberg X-Press gondola, this modern hotel places a special emphasis on food and service. You can also choose an all-inclusive package to enjoy the stylish bar and elegant restaurant at any time during the day.
Vital Statistics:
Snowfall:
65CM
Maximum temp:
1.5˚C
Distance from airport:
84KM Ski runs:
0 45 48 7››SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Highest slope
2095M
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S aalbach and nearby Hinterglemm offer easy access to the large,
well-linked area known as the Ski Circus. With over 200km of runs, Saalbach is perfect for keen intermediates, while beginners will probably favour the more gentle slopes of Hinterglemm.
Other activitiesThere’s a fun 3km toboggan run in Reiterkogel, not far from
the centre of Saalbach. You rent a sled for £5 and slip and slide your way to the bottom of the mountain. Guaranteed to be a favourite with the kids. Totally off pisteCheck out the quirky modern architecture on top of the nearby Kitzbuheler Horn mountain: a huge TV tower from the 1960s that looks like a rocket. The cable car ride
up there is a joy and there’s a great restaurant at the summit.(kitzbueheler-horn.com)
The partiesSnowbombing is the king of the Alpine music festivals. It takes place in pretty nearby Mayrhofen from 7-12 April 2014 and is the place to go to party. Last year Kasabian, Example and Carl Cox headlined. (snowbombing.com)
70 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
WHEN TO GO
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S K I
DID YOU
KNOW?
N O V . D E C . J A N 71
Mid-March:
The snow has fallen, the pistes are
well groomed and the wide uncluttered
runs are a joy to ski.
There are thousands of
beautiful churches and
monasteries all over
Bulgaria. Their cute
mushroom domes and
gold décor make them
stand out. There are
huge ones to visit in
the nearby capital city,
Sofia. Or a delightful
Lilliputian-sized one
in Borovet, near the
Iceberg Hotel.
Vital Statistics:
Snowfall:
45CM
Maximum temp:
4˚C
Distance from airport:
70KM Ski runs:
20 20 50 10››SOFIA, BULGARIA
Where to stayHotel Festa Winter Palaceneilson.co.uk
At the bottom of the Rila slopes, the five-star Festa Winter Palace lives up to its name thanks to elegant marble interiors and grand architecture. It also offers luxurious accommodation and first-class service. Explore the mountains then enjoy the spa or relax in one the hotel’s stylish bars.
Highest slope
2560M
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T his bustling resort sits amid pine forests within
the Rila Mountains and is particularly suited to beginners, intermediates and families. This is a much cheaper place than the Alps, so you can get great value ski packages. There are excellent English-speaking ski schools and wide, tree-lined slopes. Going out is also very good value for money with a good selection of restaurants and bars providing a whole range of tasty local dishes.
Other activitiesNo one ever tells you just how much hard work skiing can be. So if your thighs feel like rods of iron after a week of non-stop downhill action, let the snowmobile take the strain. Snowmobiling in Bulgaria is the perfect way to rest tired muscles – you can actually sit down and explore the kind of dramatic forests and slopes that will leave you breathless. You’ll spy deer and birds of prey
and feel marvellously cut off from modern society. Plus, for petrolheads, you get the sheer visceral “pedal to the metal” thrill of piloting this crazy, overpowered machine. (bansko-adventures.com)
Totally off pisteThe seven Rila Lakes are the most picturesque part of the entire country and going to look at them on a day trip will leave you spellbound at how beautiful Bulgaria can be.
WHEN TO GO
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72 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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N O V . D E C . J A N 73
From cigars to classic cars and beyond, discover why the Caribbean’s largest island is one of the most fascinating, friendly and colourful places on Earth
CUBASnapshots of
Words: Ian Henderson Photos: Mark Read, Tim E White and Greg Funnell
C U B A
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74 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
J O I N T H E C LU B
You’ve probably heard the music of Old Havana’s Buena Vista Social Club (buenavistasocialclub.com), one of Cuba’s most successful exports after rum. It’s renowned for producing some of the country’s best musical talents, but everywhere you go you’ll hear traditional salsa, rumba and bolero. Catch the stars of more modern music styles like Cuban hip hop (check out Doble Filo) and reggaeton, in clubs like Havana’s Don Cangrejo, Lounge Bar and La Madriguera. Or stay old school at one of the island’s Casas de la Trova – one of the best is in Santiago de Cuba – to hear trova, traditional ballads accompanied by guitar. Relive pre-Revolutionary Cuba at Tropicana Cabaret – an unmissable piece of Havana history.
Everyone thinks they know Cuba: cigars, Cadillacs, Che Guevara. For once, all the clichés are true – in a good way, of
course. The streets really are filled with vast American cars last imported in 1959. Their drivers really do smoke huge cigars as they cruise past posters of the stern heroes of the Revolution. But that’s only a very small part of the whole picture.
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. There’s a whole world to see beyond the crumbling splendour of Havana – Spanish colonial architecture gems like the town of Trinidad; mountains and swamps begging to be explored; and a coastline strewn with white sand beaches – from Varadero and Cayo Coco in the north to Holguín in the southeast, described by Christopher Columbus as “the most beautiful country human eyes had ever seen”. But don’t just take his word for it. Here, we uncover the best the island has to offer, from its most famous exports to the completely unexpected, through a series of stunning photos.
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N O V . D E C . J A N 75
B AC K S T R E E T B OYS
Like the classic cars you’ll find everywhere across the island, much of what makes Cuba unique comes from a determined rejection of capitalism by the Communist government. Baseball has been played here since 1860 and became a symbol of national pride after the Revolution. The Cuban National Series – the domestic amateur league – is fervently followed, with each region having its own team, such as the Bloodhounds of Holguín, the Matanzas Crocodiles or the Blue Lions of Havana. You can see its future hopefuls, like these youngsters pictured here in Trinidad, practising on the beaches, in the fields or in the back streets all over the country.
C U B A
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76 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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N O V . D E C . J A N 77
G I D DY U P
The Spanish first introduced horses to Cuba centuries ago and vaqueros (cowboys) have been riding them ever since. Travelling along Cuba’s mostly empty roads, you’ll often see cowboys trotting along on their way to or from work. There are hundreds of rodeo arenas all over the country. The biggest is Havana’s Lenin Park, but the rodeos in Ciego de Ávila – a day trip from both Santa Clara and Cayo Coco – are particularly renowned, as the province’s team has won the national rodeo championship at the Rancho Boyeros Agricultural Fair in Havana five times. It’s a great day out: part rodeo, part bullfight (though the bulls live to run another day) and part circus. There are even clowns, whose main job is to distract the cattle.
C ATC H O F T H E DAY
The Malecón is the great esplanade and sea wall that runs along the coast in Havana. It’s the place to be at sunset for musicians, lovers, strollers and fishermen. Walking it takes you from Old Havana, once the busiest port in the Americas, past decaying mansions and revolutionary monuments. Writer Ernest Hemingway made it his home (you can still visit his villa, Finca Vigía, kept perfectly just as he left it in San Francisco de Paula) and was inspired to write his novel The Old Man and the Sea by the Cuban fishermen. You can also visit Cojimar, where the film of the book was made, and enjoy a mojito or two at Hemingway’s favourite Havana bar, La Floridita (floridita-cuba.com).
C U B A
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A senseShades of green and blue. Vitality. Energy. A source of inspiration. A gift for the soul. A sense of nature at the Meliá Cuba hotels in Holguín.
Holguín
HOLGUÍN
PARADISUS I SOL HOTELS MELIACUBA.COM
of nature
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N O V . D E C . J A N 79
S M O K I N ’ H OT
There’s no denying that cigars are one of the defining symbols of Cuba. Even if you don’t smoke, they make a great souvenir, along with a bottle of Havana Club – which is still made from the island’s sugar cane in Santa Cruz del Norte. Cuba’s climate is perfect for growing the finest tobacco, and the farmers are experts at picking and precisely grading the leaves. You’ll find plantations in the heart of the island, but you’ll need to go to Havana to visit one of the state-owned factories. Seeing the skill of the cigar-makers makes it worth the trip alone. Seated at worn benches in richly tobacco-scented rooms, they take different leaves for the inside and the wrapper, and roll them to just the right firmness before they cut and gum the end leaves in perfect semicircles. It’s all done by feel and eye – and the antiquated machines that check the cigars (by sucking on them as if they were being smoked) rarely find a fault.
C U B A
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80 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
L I F E ’ S A B E AC H
Cuba is a photographer’s paradise. The light of the Caribbean sun makes colours seem more vivid, and the backdrops of palm trees, Spanish architecture and deep blue sea and sky make every picture powerful. And then of course there’s the beaches, which are every inch postcard-perfect tropical paradises. With so much coastline, there’s plenty to go around too. The best beaches face the steady breezes and surf of the north coast. Varadero is probably the finest (all 36km of it), while the quieter, more isolated cayos like Cayo Coco or the ones around Guardalavaca in Holguín offer white sand, warm water and excellent diving. New luxury hotels are being built by the Meliã chain all over the island, like Holguín’s Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort & Spa (thomascook.com), and it would be a sin not to spend a week or two lazing in the sunshine.
G OThomas Cook flies to Holguín, Varadero
and Cayo Coco year-round from select UK
airports. For more information, call +44
(0)844 412 5966 or visit thomascook.com.
For more information, visit travel2cuba.co.uk.
S TAYWhy not make the most of the city and beach with a twin-
centre stay? Start off at the stylish and cosmopolitan Meliã
Cohiba to explore Havana’s best bits before heading for the
sandy shores of Varadero’s Paradisus Resort for some well-
deserved R’n’R (book both through thomascook.com).
D I D YO U K N O W…… that the Republic
of Cuba encompasses
more than 4,000 islands
and cays as well as the
main island?
C U B A
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N O V . D E C . J A N 83
wellbeingWant to embrace the “New Year – New You” philosophy? From cutting-edge laser fixes to back-to-nature retreats (and everything in
between), we’ve tracked down the latest – and quirkiest – wellbeing trends that will have you looking and feeling your best for 2014
Words: Tabitha Lasley Illustrations: Andrew Lyons
of
az
B / bBrotoxIt seems it’s not just ladies
who care about their physical
appearance: in 2012, 10% of
cosmetic procedures in the
US were performed on men
according to the American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery. The American Society of
Plastic Surgeons found the use of
Botox by men shot up by 258%
between 2000 and 2010. In the
UAE, 47% of cosmetic surgery
patients are men.
C / cCapriCapri is already the first port
of call for A-listers knocking
their pins into shape: Gwyneth
Paltrow, Julia Roberts and Kim
Cattrall have all walked the ice
corridor at the island’s famous
Leg School (Capri Palace Hotel &
Spa, elegantresorts.co.uk). Now
they can get their cheekbones
back while they’re about it.
Super-facialist Sarah Chapman
– whose clients include Naomi
Watts and Jemma Kidd – has
taken up residence at the spa,
her first foray outside London.
toA / aAl frescoSpas are all about ‘green
therapy’: think massages in the
garden, open-air or ‘floating’
treatment rooms and yoga on
the beach. This year’s most
trending retreat? The tree
house. Make sure you pick one
with adult trimmings, such as
a Champagne-filled fridge.
Chewton Glen (chewtonglen.
com) in Hampshire has tree
house accommodation where
you can have your treatments
before relaxing in a hot tub on
the terrace. Bliss.
D / dDigital Detox This time last year, trend spotters
were diagnosing us with PVS
(phantom vibration syndrome –
the belief your phone’s going
all the time). Luckily there’s a
cure: the digital detox. Stressed
Silicon Valley employees are
heading to the California
woods for Camp Grounded
(thedigitaldetox.org), an
off-the-network retreat, where
they surrender laptops, phones
and real names at the door.
W E L L B E I N G
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84 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
F / fFlexitarianism Otherwise known as demi-
vegetarianism. At London
restaurant Grain Store (Granary
Square, 1-3 Stable Street,
grainstore.com) vegetables get
a starring role – and meat and
fish only have a walk-on part.
The hot new diet? VB6 (or Vegan
Before 6pm). Created by food
critic Mark Bittman, the diet
cuts out animal products before
dinner. Like the 5:2 Diet craze
before it, you only have to exercise
your willpower part-time, so it’s
(relatively) easy to stick to.
H / hHammams Bathhouses are back in vogue, and Morocco is having its moment, with hammams and rhassoul (cleansing clay) treatments never more popular. Or you could go Russian and book into a banya sauna (try a traditional birch twig massage before, to get the circulation going). How about a Roman spin on it? The 21st-century take on these ancient hothouses includes red wine soaks and ‘bathing coaches’ to pour on olive oil. Travel to Morocco with thomascook.com.
G / gGenetics Is telomere analysis the most cutting-
edge treatment around? Telomeres
are protective pieces of DNA that sit
on the ends of our chromosomes.
Therapists at the Sha Wellness Clinic
in Alicante, Spain (shawellnessclinic.
com) can analyse your telomeres
and use the results to prescribe a
personalised anti-aging programme
of acupuncture, lymphatic drainage
and hydrocolon therapy. Fly to
Alicante with thomascook.com.
E / eEmotions First came emotional cellulite: the
belief that orange peel skin is the
result of stored anger, with some
experts recommending therapy
rather than body brushing to treat
it. Now the new kid on the block is
the Emotional Freedom Technique
– a fast-acting combination of
acupressure and counselling. It’s
being touted as a therapy that
aids everything from weight loss
to stopping smoking. Lily Allen
apparently uses EFT to help her
lose weight. Madonna is also a fan
of the technique. Try it at Harrods
with nutritionist Yvonne McMeel.
(urbanretreat.co.uk)
Photos: Rex
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J / jJuveniles Spas used to be grown-up affairs –
not any more. Retreats now offer all
sorts of tween-friendly treatments,
such as coco-chocolate massages,
ice cream manicures, temporary
tattoos and make-up lessons.
N O V . D E C . J A N 85
Switch off at sunset
in IbizaK / kKajal Chanel, Clarins and Rimmel have
all launched Indian-inspired
make-up ranges, featuring kajal
(a pigment-rich kohl pencil worn
by Indian women). Go for Clarins’
intense violet Crayon Kohl Platinum
(£17, clarins.co.uk) over boring
black, or Rimmel’s creamy shade of
taupe (£3.99, rimmellondon.com).
L / lLasersBotox is being nudged off the radar
by the new generation of lasers.
Unlike injectables, which simply
freeze muscles while doing little to
improve actual skin tone, Intense
Pulsed Light (IPL) sessions stimulate
collagen production, helping
cultivate a smooth complexion.
M / mMindful Massage The new ‘mindful massage’
combines traditional techniques
with guided meditation. The
result? Clients so relaxed they
slide off the treatment table.
N / nNature Deficit Disorder The remedy to this hypothetical
occupational hazard of city living?
‘Earthing’ – getting in touch with
the Earth by making contact with its
electron-rich elements. It’s actually
easier than it sounds – all you need
to do is walk around barefoot. Save
the flip-flops for the beach, then.
I / iIbiza Going to Ibiza to detox may sound counterintuitive, but the north end of the island is pin-drop quiet – the perfect place to get centred. Gisele Bündchen, Kylie Minogue and Elle Macpherson love the spa at luxurious Atzaró (Ctra. Sant Joan KM 15, atzaro.com), where a rejuvenating experience could comprise anything from a Balinese facial and acupressure massages to the 80-minute ‘Atzaró de Luxe’ – a combination of Swedish, Thai and Shiatsu massages with reiki and reflexology. Staying at a villa? Call in Ibiza Balance (ibiza-balance.com), a team of therapists who bring their treatments to your door. Fly to Ibiza with thomascook.com.
W E L L B E I N G
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86 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
O / oOud Pound for pound, more precious
than gold, this rich heartwood is
the base for most Arabian perfumes
and is now trending in Western
blends, such as Tom Ford’s Private
Blend Oud Wood (£140 for 50ml,
selfridges.com) and Jo Malone’s
Oud & Bergamot Cologne (£100
for 100ml, jomalone.co.uk). Our
favourite? Terry de Gunzburg’s
Terryfic Oud Eau de Parfum (£135
for 100ml, selfridges.com)
P / pPurityUnlikely as it sounds, Sin City’s MGM Grand (thomascook.com) could be the most virtuous hotel around: air is purified and infused with aromatherapy oils; Vitamin C showers neutralise chlorine, wake-up lighting reverses jetlag, and LED nightlights illuminate without disturbing melatonin levels.
Q / qQuick Fixes No time to book a facial? Slap on
a treatment pad: an individually
wrapped mask soaked with spa-
grade product. Every big beauty
line is doing them now, but the
pick of the bunch remains Wei. Its
Gingko Leaf Repairing Pads (£55
for six, spacenk.com) are drenched
in Chinese herbs and hyaluronic
acid, and can even be used inflight.
R / rReverse OmbreWe’ve had two years of ‘recession
hair’ (aka the grown-out ombre dip-
dye). Now comes the reverse ombre:
brightly bleached roots and lengths,
with darker tips, in any colourway.
S / sSwitched-off Skincare Skin is in protective mode during the
day, but regenerates itself at night.
Increasingly, skincare lines are taking
advantage of this window, with
products that kick in during sleep
to leave you looking luminous first
thing. This Works (thisworks.com)
has launched a brace of bedtime
potions: No Wrinkles Midnight
Moisture (£46), a night cream with
shea butter, jojoba and evening
primrose oil; and Deep Sleep Pillow
Spray (£16), infused with lavender.
Sarah Chapman’s brand new
Overnight Body Treatment (£49,
sarahchapman.net) works the same
magic for the décolletage as her
Overnight Facial did for the face.
T / tTuscany Tuscany isn’t the first place you’d think of for a healthy holiday, but Castello di Casole (elegantresorts.co.uk) is a spa break like no other. Forget self-abnegation and sunrise Pilates: diet is a dirty word here – dinner is likely to feature pheasant from the estate. Wildlife-spotting with a guide is all the exercise you’ll need, and treatments at the Essere Spa come with wine: go for the Vintner’s Vibrance; an aromatherapy massage, followed by a pedicure, and a glass of the hotel’s own ‘C’ vintage.
with darker tips, in any colourway.
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N O V . D E C . J A N 87
U / uUgi Introducing Ugi (pronounced ‘you-
gee’), hailed as 2013’s kettlebell.
It squishes like a beanbag, resists
like a stress ball and has a simple,
attractive design. Barefoot
participants heave it around for
cut abs, improved endurance and
a general sense of wellbeing. The
best bit? You can pack a full body
workout into a 30-minute session.
V / vVolcanicIf you can tear yourself away from the caldera-view infinity pool at Santorini’s San Antonio hotel (thomascook.com), it’s worth making a beeline for the Volcanic Spa Suite. Set in a cave, its treatments and therapies make the most of local ingredients, including volcanic stones and minerals found on the island.
W / wWeekends Make space on the shelf for some
weekend wonders with products
designed for your downtime.
Chanel’s Le Weekend de Chanel
(£72, selfridges.com) is a renewing
and replenishing serum that preps
your skin for the week ahead.
X / xXXX Blogging Already famous for the practically
painless XXX wax, the Ministry of
Waxing (ministryofwaxing.com)
is set to get even hotter when its
Bloggers Lounge launches this
autumn at their new Islington
salon. Bloggers can make use of
the super-fast connection to blog,
tweet and Instagram beauty news,
while customers will be able to book
themselves in for treatments using
the store’s online system.
Y / yYoga-on-Sea Standup paddleboarding (SUP)
– yoga performed on a floating
board – packs twice the punch of
a landlocked class, because of the
water’s destabilising effect. Take
a class in Florida with Sobe Surf
(sobesurf.com), in the birthplace of
sea-stretching, Miami, or Orlando.
Fly to Orlando with thomascook.com.
Z / zZzzzzzz Trendspotter Marian Salzman has
been telling us for ages that sleep
is the new sex. And spas are finally
catching up. Resorts now offer
sleep diagnostic clinics, blackout
blinds and herbal massages before
bed. High-end hotels provide
everything from ‘relaxation
coaches’ (concierges who select
the most soothing spa treatments
and book you in ahead of arrival)
to in-room sleep programmes that
broadcast soporific sounds and
images to ensure you get your full
eight hours. The Hospes Maricel
(hospes.com) in Majorca runs a
personalised sleep programme:
a Sleep Guide takes your medical
history, monitors your sleep, then
prescribes a soporific diet, exercise
and massage plan.
BE THERE… Book your wellbeing break at thomascook.com
Get a massage
with a view
W E L L B E I N G
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88 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Words: Andrea Montgomery Photos: Tim E White
Looking to invest in your dream holiday home? We discover why house hunters are swapping the Spanish Costas for the Canaries when
it comes to buying affordable and stylish properties abroad
A Place in the Sun
This could be the view from your terrace if you splash out on an exclusive – but great value – villa inbeautiful Gran Canaria (see page 93)
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N O V . D E C . J A N 89
C A N A R Y I S L A N D S
With year-round sunshine, breathtaking volcanic landscapes and long stretches of golden sand, it’s easy to see why the Canary Islands are a top holiday spot for Brits. But the Spanish economic downturn has also made it an ideal place to invest in a holiday home, as UK house prices soar and the crisis drags its feet into 2014. Mainland Spain has traditionally attracted Europe’s second-home buyers, but many are now giving the Costas a wide berth in favour of the more southerly and subtropical Canary Islands, where bargains are waiting to be snapped up.
With the help of property market pros, and people who’ve chosen to call the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria home, we find out what it’s really like to live on an island in the sun.
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A F F O R D A B L EPrice: €274,000 (£232,242)Location: La Carabela,
Playa Blanca
Description: This
detached, two-to-
three-bedroom
house comes with
two bathrooms, two
lounges and a garden
with a private pool.
S P L A S H O U TPrice: €449,000 (£380,470)Location: Puerto
del Carmen
Description: This
three-bedroom villa
features en suite
bathrooms, a spacious
living area and a large
private pool with
poolside bar.The
pro
per
ty
por
tfol
io
T he most northerly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is renowned for its dramatic volcanic
landscape. Less populated and urbanised than some of the Canaries, Lanzarote’s development has largely been kept in synch with the environment, thanks to the efforts of the island’s world-renowned architect, César Manrique. Housing is uniformly white, low-rise and constructed using local materials, giving the island a quasi North African beauty.
Most British incomers settling on the island – young families relocating and mature couples looking to escape the winter – choose to live around the southern coastal resort developments of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca, with their palm-lined promenades, where they’re just
a short drive along near-empty roads away from just about anywhere else on the island for lunch.
THE EXPERT’S OPINION
Alan and Trisha Harper took over the Playa Blanca office of the Estupendo (grupoestupendo.com) group of estate agents seven years ago and in that time have seen business boom. Lanzarote’s house prices have always been at the top end of the market, but the worldwide economic crisis has taken its toll.
“Prices are around 25% lower now than pre-crisis,” explains Trisha. “They seem to be stabilising – we’re seeing a steadier picture, so they probably will start to rise, but we don’t expect them to get to the inflated levels they were at before the recession hit.”
THE RESIDENTS’ OPINION
Chatting to 41-year-old John Beckley and Hellen Le Fevre (44), reveals it was Lanzarote’s secure environment for their children, 9-year-old Gabrielle and Vincent, 5, that was the main attraction of living on the island.
“It’s just so safe here,” says Hellen. John agrees: “Everyone is so friendly and there’s a real community feel wherever you go. Everyone knows everyone else.”
John and Hellen have been living on Lanzarote for the past 18 months and currently live in the east coast resort of Costa Teguise, where John is Marketing Manager at Sands Beach Resort.
Lanzarote’s year-round sunshine and low rainfall are ideal for residents who love an active, healthy lifestyle. As we chat poolside at the beautiful Hotel Princesa Yaiza in Playa Blanca, John reveals he’s feeling the effects of running the Yaiza Extreme race that day. “It’s a long time since I last ran 10km!” he laughs. “There are sporting events almost every weekend here, and big annual events like Ironman. The island is great for windsurfing, cycling… just about every sport.”
Lanzarote
90 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
gru
po
est
up
en
do
.co
m
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Ref. 700 TAHICHEMANRIQUE-DESIGNED UNIQUE PROPERTY3 separate villas surrounding a lagoon-style pool
PRICE: 1.200.000€
Ref 397 PLAYA BLANCADETACHED, FABULOUS SEA VIEWS3 bedrooms, gorgeous Pool
PRICE: 415.000€
Ref. 214 PLAYA BLANCAPRICED TO SELL2 bedroom house in a complex with shared pool
PRICE: 145.000€
The largest Estate Agency in Playa Blanca
We sell: Playa Blanca´s largest property portfolio. We rent: Over 4000 holidaymakers visit our rental villas each year.We build: Buying a plot? We turn your plans into reality.We manage: Your property and your rental clients in safe hands.
"We can help you find your dream house in Lanzarote..."
www.optimaestate.com / [email protected]: +34 620 803 510 Phone: +34 928 519 383 / +44 203 1500 528
If you are thinking of buying, Optima Estate is your total solution partner
Find us:OptimaEstateLanzarote
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Gran Canaria
N O V . D E C . J A N 93
THE RESIDENTS’ OPINION
Alex Bramwell (34) and his partner, Laura Leyshon (33), set up home in the capital of Las Palmas. Alex is a photographer and Laura teaches English as a second language. They have a two-and-a-half-year-old son, Ben, and baby Thomas, who arrived in August.
The weather and the great beaches make living in Gran Canaria so attractive to Laura. The low cost of living also makes a big difference to quality of life. “Ben is in nursery now,” Laura explains. “He loves it and it only costs €220 (£186) a month for five hours a day, that’s about €2 (£1.69) an hour. Plus we go out to eat a couple of times a week, maybe even a lunchtime too,” she says. “I don’t think we’d do that if we lived in the UK.”
Alex and Laura are currently buying a house in the Agaete valley, where property is cheaper than in the city, but the life is still social: “There’s a little bar on the square where it’s €1.50 (£1.27) for a cubata (rum and coke),” Alex grins. “And the whole town meets in the square on a Friday night!”
C A N A R Y I S L A N D S
M ore cosmopolitan than Lanzarote, Gran Canaria’s magnificently unspoilt green, mountainous interior
and the infectious charm of its ebullient capital city Las Palmas proves there’s much more to this island than just the sun-soaked beaches and vibrant nightlife of its southern and western coastline. The recently completed GC1 motorway whisks arrivals from the international airport to settlements from Maspalomas to Puerto Rico in less than an hour. Fronting onto surreal sand dunes and boutique-lined marinas shimmering with yachts, these resorts are where the majority of Gran Canaria’s incomers choose to buy or rent properties.
THE EXPERT’S OPINION
Marketing director Ramón Sánchez Bruhn has been involved in the family business of Inmobiliaria Cárdenas
(cardenas-grancanaria.com) on Gran Canaria for the past 12 years. Last year the firm had their best sales year since their establishment in 1980 – but only in the south of the island where non-residents are buying properties for cash or for minimal mortgages.
“This is a buyer’s market,” explains Ramón. “Holiday home buyers are snapping up property in the popular resorts of Puerto Rico, Arguineguín, Mogán and Maspalomas at 25% less than they would have paid three or four years ago. As a result, we are seeing the average age of buyers dropping to 40-plus, as people invest now in a holiday home that will become their retirement home in years to come.”
But Ramón’s advice to buyers is not to dawdle. “We’ve seen prices reach rock bottom and they will start to rise again,” he says. “With limited coastal land available to build on, demand will soon start to swing the balance the other way.”
A F F O R D A B L EPrice: €165,000 (£139,716)Location: Arguineguín (10 mins
from Maspalomas)
Description: This
new-build flat has one
bedroom and one
bathroom. It benefits
from a terrace with
sea views.
S P L A S H O U TPrice: €485,000 (£410,778)Location: El Salobre
Golf (10-minute drive
from Maspalomas)
Description: Near an
18-hole golf course, this
four-bed villa comes
with three bathrooms,
terrace, garden and
private pool. The
pro
per
ty
por
tfol
io
ca
rde
na
s-g
ran
ca
na
ria
.co
m
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94 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
G OThomas Cook flies to the Canary Islands year-
round from select UK airports. Visit thomascook.
com. For hassle-free travel to Gatwick Airport,
visit gatwickexpress.co.uk. Explore the islands
in a hire car from Avis (avis.co.uk)
S TAYWant to visit the islands before you take out a mortgage?
Check into Lanzarote’s Princesa Yaiza (thomascook.com), a
five-star retreat with all the luxury trimmings in Playa Blanca.
Over in Gran Canaria, Barceló Margaritas (thomascook.com) is
conveniently located on the popular Playa del Inglés beach.
D I D YO U K N O W. . .The inaugural VII Bienal
ArteLanzarote 2013 will take place
in November with multidisciplinary
exhibitions of renowned European
artists (centrosturisticos.com)?
C A N A R Y I S L A N D S
TenerifeTenerife, the largest and most populous of the Canary Islands, is a favourite of British ex-pats and, according to Paul Lennox, director of Crossley, Morfitt & Lennox (cmltenerife.com), the market is optimistic and buoyant.
But like many places around the world, one buyer’s fortune is coming at the price of a seller’s misery. Paul tells of a property listed on his website that started out at €1.2 million (£1 million). The price is now at a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ level – just €370,000 (£313,351), in an attempt to sell before the bank takes possession.
“The majority of properties that have been repossessed are on offer at ridiculous prices,” Paul explains. “You can get a two-bed apartment for €45,000 (£38,114) in areas where the average buyer wouldn’t be interested in investing, but a well-positioned property still demands a good price,” he asserts. “Coastal, ocean front, one-bedroom apartments can still see prices of €150,000 (£127,052) upwards in complexes such as Parque Santiago in Playa de Las Americas. Along the coast in Costa Adeje, La Caleta, one-bedrooms are available for €145,000 (£122,811) including garage space. The 2006 price was €165,000 (£139,751).”
Mortgages are available, subject to status, but Paul advises caution as banks are reluctant to lend for fear of falling foul of new European banking rules. His advice is simple: “The best property buys are going to be in areas that you wouldn’t normally buy in.”
FuerteventuraLeading estate agent John Goldacre, managing director of GoldAcre Estates (goldacreestates.com) also had one of his strongest years to date on Fuerteventura, and believes there has never been a better time to acquire a property in the Canaries.
“On bank repossessions, we’re seeing a price reduction of up to 50% on pre-crisis prices and on other properties, we’re looking at 30%-35% savings. At the moment you can buy a one-bedroom apartment on a golf course for as little as €59,500 (£50,400), while a three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with roof terrace is from €84,000 (£71,156).”
John is seeing buyers from across Europe close deals on holiday homes for families, second homes for empty-nesters and dream retirement homes for new pensioners in the island’s popular sun traps of Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable, Jandía, Gran Tarajal, Costa Calma and El Cotillo. John feels that property prices are unlikely to fall further, but he also has a word of caution for buyers, particularly if they’re looking for a mortgage: “You must add 10-12% to the purchase price of any property you see to cover taxes, lawyers, land registry fees and notary fees. Mortgages are available, subject to status, up to around 80% of the purchase price.”
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No.99485 Centros de Arte Cultura.indd 1No.99485 Centros de Arte Cultura.indd 1 21/10/2013 11:5921/10/2013 11:59
Thinning hair can be a nightmare for both men and women. It can make you look less attractive, and also lead to disadvantages within your career and limit you in your partner choice. It can lead to depression, loss of self-confidence and even identity change.Scientists at Oxford promise to make this a thing of the past. Their pill, TRX2, has only been on the market since 2011, but is on the verge of becoming Europe’s best- selling hair treatment. TRX2 is based on organic compounds, works far better than existing treatments and has no side effects whatsoever.
“Your hair will look much bigger; it becomes heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair,” says Oxford Biolabs CEO Dr Thomas Whitfield.
Hair treatments often promise a lot without
delivering, but TRX2 is backed by cutting-edge science and has been thoroughly tested. According to a study, TRX2 works for 87% of men and women.
The results can be impressive – the average hair thickness increases 22.5% after nine months and 38.7% after 18 months. Start TRX2 as early as possible in order to increase the chances of fully recovering your hair.TRX2 is suitable for men and women of all ages. The crystalline white capsules come in a brown glass bottle, which is sufficient for one month of treatment and costs approximately €49. The manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee if ordered via TRX2’s official website, and ships worldwide.www.trx2.com , [email protected]
Oxford Biolabs Ltd,
Worried about thinning hair?
Your hair becomes much heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair
How a new pill can boost your hair and self-confidence
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ORDER VIA WWW.TRX2.COM AND USE THE COUPON CODE ‘ TRAVEL’ TO RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE 5% DISCOUNT
P R O M O T I O N
N O V . D E C . J A N 97
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Set in lush tropical gardens on the doorstep of
the golden sands of Playa Dorada, this 400-room
family-friendly resort does luxury and functionality
in equal measure, which keeps the regulars coming
back for more.
Highlights: With six swimming pools, two of
which are huge, you won’t struggle to find a sun
lounger. You’ll also be spoilt for choice at the
Thalasso Centre and Spa, where more than 50
individual rooms are available for therapeutic and
beauty treatments – try the underwater seawater
jet and the seaweed wrap for an indulgent treat.
If you only have one night: Make a dinner
reservation at the award-winning, gourmet Isla de
Lobos restaurant and tuck into local dishes such as
black suckling pig or tuna on grilled watermelon,
while admiring the lights of Fuerteventura
twinkling in the distance.
Location, location, location: The buzzing
Marina Rubicon and town centre is just a short
stroll away, while you can reach the dramatic
landscape of Timanfaya National Park in around
30 minutes.
BE THERE… Book a stay with thomascook.com
The best places to sleep, eat and play around the network
T H E
Words: Anisha Patel
01
Checklist
Sleep
N O V . D E C . J A N 99
Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel ResortPrincesa Yaiza Suite Hotel ResortP L AYA B L A N C A , L A N Z A R OT E
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No squabbling for towel
space then?
Cobblers CoveCobblers CoveS T P E T E R , B A R B A D O S
This boutique property is all about understated luxury and, unlike its bold
and brash Platinum Coast neighbours, this is not the place to see or be
seen, but rather completely escape. As well as being just one of six Relais
& Chateaux hotels in the Caribbean, it has plenty of British charm,
with an intimate English country house style and daily afternoon tea.
Highlights: Sipping a rum punch on your private terrace overlooking the
luscious hibiscus-filled garden; oceanfront dinners of freshly caught local
fish accompanied by papaya and watermelon salsa; and really getting
away from it all – there are no televisions or clocks in the 40 guest suites.
If you only have one night: Plump for the Camelot suite for oodles
of space and a private rooftop terrace and plunge pool. Perfect for
those on a romantic break.
Location, location, location: It may be tucked away on a secluded
white-sand beach, but Cobblers Cove is close to Speightstown’s shops
and marina for when you’re ready to hit the town.
BE THERE… Book a stay with elegantresorts.co.uk
BlueBay Grand BlueBay Grand EsmeraldaEsmeraldaP L AYA D E L C A R M E N , M E X I C O
Flanked on one side by the jungle
and mangroves, and a private
beachfront on the other, this
expansive 979-room resort in the
popular Playa del Carmen area can
more than cater for the desires of
all its guests: there are seven dining
options, a 2,500-square-metre spa
to chill out in and buggies are on hand
to transport you around the hotel.
Highlights: Super speedy check-
in and the friendly staff, who go
above and beyond to make your
stay enjoyable; and the Mexican
restaurant Don Isi.
If you only have one night:
Go for the VIP package to enjoy
exclusive comforts like access to
a private beach, a pillow menu and
private concierge.
Location, location, location:
The bars, shops and restaurants of
Playa del Carmen are nearby, while
excursions to Tulum’s Mayan ruins
and Xcaret archeological park can be
done in a day trip.
BE THERE… Book a stay with
thomascook.com
“We’ve been to LykiaWorld Ölü Deniz, Turkey
for six years running! It has 19 different pools, its
own water park, lots of restaurants in the resort
and its own private beach. Excellent!”
Rachel Weatherley, Kent
“Gran Bahia Principe Esmeralda in the
Dominican Republic had five-star service
from check-in to check-out that we could not
fault. A jewel in Thomas Cook’s portfolio!”
Chris Schofield, Leeds
“Carda Beach Hotel in Kos is the most
beautiful place to relax. Amazing pools,
gorgeous food and best of all, it felt
like we were the only people there.”
Samantha Moakes, Nottingham
Got a hotel that you want to shout about? Check out facebook.com/thomascook for a chance to get your rave in the next issue of Travel
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Your shoutHotel raves from our readers via Facebook
100 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
C H E C K L I S T
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Tenerife´s best kept secretCosta Adeje, Tenerife
Find hotel details of Adrian Hoteles in the Thomas Cook brochure
www.adrianhoteles.com
At any of the Adrian Hoteles you will enjoy a very attentive and personalised service, heated swimming pools, high quality gastronomy and first class facilities.
Jardines de Nivaria is one of the most luxurious
hotels in the South of Tenerife. Located on the
beachfront in the exclusive area of Fañabe,
this five star hotel has mantained a
distinguished atmosphere without losing the
warm and close contact it has with its guests.
Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel is the ideal
holiday hotel for families, couples and
those who are looking for quality in a
privileged and friendly environment.
This small boutique hotel, in colonial
style, indulges guests in an intense
experience of rest, harmony and
peace.
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T H E
Raw, rustic and just a little
bit retro
Artisan Kitchen and BarArtisan Kitchen and BarM A N C H E S T E R
This slick new player in Manchester’s up-and-coming Spinningfields district is a lofty
space serving up no-fuss food: think artist’s warehouse studio meets seriously cool
gastropub that’s raw, rustic and has a touch of retro. The chefs in the semi-open
kitchen churn out creative dishes with interesting twists: our favourites were the sticky
pork ribs with chilli and garlic, which were gloriously meaty, tangy and delicious, and
the sweet baby scallops cooked in a delicately flavoured curry butter with cauliflower.
The wood-fired pizzas come with experimental toppings (lamb doner kebab
anyone?), but make sure you leave space for a sweet treat from the ice cream parlour.
With flavours like salted caramel, gingerbread and raspberry pavlova, you’ll want a
scoop of every single one.
BE THERE… Avenue North, 18-22 Bridge St, +44 (0)161 832 4181, artisan.uk.com
The Tabloid RestaurantThe Tabloid RestaurantS L I E M A , M A LTA
Traditional Mediterranean fare meets good
company at the Palace Hotel’s Tabloid Restaurant. Themed evenings
provide a wealth of variety – from fish nights to traditional Maltese cuisine
evenings, with menus changing daily according to the market’s best
produce. Tuck into choice cuts and succulent, fresh seafood, but if you want
to try the chef’s highlights, go for the peppered swordfish carpaccio. And
to finish the night off, an evening tipple at the adjacent Talk of Town Café is
the way to go. Stop by on Friday for its APEROCHIC event where you can
chill out to good vibes, sample smooth cocktails and treat yourself to a
well-deserved massage or manicure.
BE THERE… The Palace Hotel, High Street, +356 21 333 444,
thepalacemalta.com. Fly to Malta with thomascook.com
Pizzaria La NotiziaPizzaria La NotiziaN A P L E S , I TA LY
With its simple wooden furniture and typical art
on the walls, La Notizia may seem like any other
Naples pizza spot. But try its signature Margherita
and you’ll get why for nearly 20 years global
gourmands have been returning to this piccola
pizzeria in the upscale Posillipo neighbourhood.
Using techniques perfected over 300 years,
third generation pizzaiolo Enzo Coccia artfully
assembles each of his hand-stretched pies before
sliding them into the 460-degree, wood-burning
oven for just 60 seconds. The result? Finely
balanced, feather-light pizzas of lightly blistered
crusts, vibrant tomato sauce, patches of gently
melted fior di latte (mozzarella made from cow's
milk) and fresh basil – at just €6 a pop.
BE THERE… Via Caravaggio 53/55, +39 081
714 2155, pizzarialanotizia.com. Fly to Naples
with thomascook.com
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02EatChecklist
N O V . D E C . J A N 103Words: Erin Florino, Anisha Patel and Stephanie Yip
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T H E
Checklist
Words: Anisha Patel104 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Stay and SailStay and SailG R E E C E
You might think that yachting around the Med is an activity reserved for the likes of
Jay-Z and Beyoncé, but with Neilson you can hop around the Greek Islands just like
a celebrity, without having to part with a small fortune. And with its Stay and Sail
package, you can spend a week ashore to learn the ropes (pun intended) at their
gorgeous, recently-refurbished beach club in Sivota, before spending a second
week steering your very own flotilla around the Ionian Sea, visiting islands such as
Paxos, the smallest of the Ionian Islands, and the quiet hidden corners of Corfu.
BE THERE… Book a stay and sail package with neilson.co.uk
Go ApeGo ApeVA R I O U S
LO C AT I O N S , U K
If you’re looking for a fun family day out, look no
further than Go Ape. Perfect for kids and those
who are still kids at heart, its award-winning forest
‘playgrounds’ are strewn with Tarzan swings,
treetop walkways, zip lines and obstacle courses
that are perfect for all fitness levels. And if you’re
scared of heights, don’t fear. Eleven of the 29
centres now offer Forest Segway Experiences for
£30, where you can enjoy an hour’s safari around
the forests on terra firma.
BE THERE… Find your nearest adventure park
by visiting goape.co.uk
Bikini BootcampBikini BootcampI B I Z A
It seems that all the stars are turning to beach
boot camps to help them shift those extra pounds
while on holiday – and now you too can get an
A-list body thanks to the No 1 Bootcamp Ibiza,
which is based near Cala Benirrás. A firm but fun
fitness team are on hand to whip you into shape
with a series of 7am runs, boxing classes, hiking
in the mountains, circuit training on the beach
and workouts by the pool. It may sound tough,
but the proof is in the results – just look at the
beach bodies of former bootcampers like TOWIE’s
Lucy Mecklenburgh, Made in Chelsea’s Spencer
Matthews and Tamzin Outhwaite for inspiration.
BE THERE… Visit no1bootcamp.com for more
information. Fly to Ibiza with thomascook.com
01
02Play
Where to enjoy the great outdoors this season
03
Sail away
without needing
an A-list salary
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+34 902 205 902
HG Hoteleswww.hghoteles.com
MENORCA Ap. HG Jardín de MenorcaAp. HG Cala Llonga
TENERIFE Ap. HG Tenerife Sur Ap. HG Cristian Sur
LANZAROTE Ap. HG Lomo BlancoAp. HG Guacimeta
LA MOLINA Hotel & Spa HG La Molina ****
FORMIGAL Hotel & Spa HG Alto Aragón ****
SIERRA NEVADA Hotel HG Maribel ***
CERLERHotel & Spa HG Cerler ***
Taking its name from the golden sand that surrounds it, this fab resort is located
beaches on the splendid Turkish coast.
It offers two main swimming pools and a slide
variety of local and international food and drink choices, and activities day and night, led
by its welcoming and professional staff –
everything you need for the perfect family getaway.
HOTEL ESRA FAMILY SUITE DIDIM
+90 256 813 7383 | [email protected]
www.esraotel.com
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Taste the differenceYou're on holiday – treat yourself to a slap-up meal at any of these fab restaurants
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2.RESTAURANT TAGORORGRAN CANARIA
For a dining experience with a difference, head to the evergreen Barranco de Guayadeque valley, in the south-east of the island, where you'll find this wonderful cave-restaurant, surrounded by a protected natural landscape of immense beauty. Constructed using traditional methods in the heart of the mountain, the restaurant offers a wide variety of traditional Canarian classics and the finest freshly grilled meat.
+34 928 172 013
21 Montana Las Tierras
3. TRATTORIA MASAL ALANZAROTE
Italy meets India at this unique eatery, located on the main street of Puerto del Carmen, only a few metres from the sea and the casino. Here, it all starts with the careful selection of high-quality ingredients and culminates in a superb menu offering the finest traditional dishes from each cuisine, plus original creations which promise a fusion of flavours that you've never tasted before. Open daily from noon to 11.30pm. Present your boarding pass to receive a free drink.
+34 928 072 626
41 Avenida de Las Playas
1. J&A 'SGOA
Such is the quality and authenticity of the food at this first-rate Italian restaurant in Goa, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy, were it not for the swaying coconut palms and whisper of the Arabian Sea in the distance. Winner of four consecutive Times Food Awards for Best Italian Cuisine; a charming colonial cottage, lush tropical gardens and live music every Friday makes this the perfect setting for a romantic occasion or romantic dinner.
+91 98231 39488
italyingoa.com
4. L A BRASATENERIFE
Nestled just outside of the tourist bustle that defines the south of the island, this rustic venue was born out of the desire to make a home characterised by the smell of coal and warmth of burning wood. Chef and owner Indalecio Martín serves up a variety of quality meat dishes, from steak to Spanish classics, accompanied by the contents of an excellent wine cellar. Meanwhile, in the dining room, Pilar Gutierrez and her team stand out with their first-class service.
+34 922 720 622
371 Ctra Guaza a Buzanada
P R O M O T I O N
106 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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7. LA TABERNA DEL CAPITANFUERTEVENTURA Locals and tourists alike love this friendly bar and restaurant, where three distinct environments cater for your whole evening. Fantastic tapas and other typical dishes from Spanish cuisine are served in the large indoor restaurant, while all the most important sporting events are shown in the bar. A magnificent shaded terrace provides a great place to socialise or enjoy a special occasion – with the bar experts in organising your party.
+34 928 163 723
Calle Alcalde Juan Evora Suarez
8. QUINT INSLANZAROTE
Refined food in a marvellous location – Quintins in Puerto del Carmen brings the splendour of the French and European dining scene to Lanzarote. The team here are very proud of the quality of the food, and it's little wonder with everything freshly made, using raw ingredients bought daily at the local market, by chef Joseph Coralie – who trained in numerous first-rate Parisian restaurants – and his team. Open Monday to Saturday, from 7pm to 10.30pm.
+34 928 515 755
quintins-restaurant.com
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5. REID 'S PAL ACEMADEIRA
The island's only member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this Orient-Express-run hotel has been a standard bearer for luxury getways for more than a century. Opened in 1891 by William Reid, a Scotsman, it quickly became an appealing destination for savvy travellers, with noble families and famous guests filling its comfortable rooms from the beginning. Still pampering discerning travellers, a visit to the Reid's Palace is not just a holiday but an experience in itself.
+351 291 717 171
reidspalace.com
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6. DR F ISH & BAR H2OFUERTEVENTURA
Complete your visit to the island's first-ever fish spa – which is unique in finishing every fish pedicure with a free foot massage, and follows strict hygiene rules – with a relaxing fruit smoothie, coffee or ice-cold beer at Chillout Bar H2O next-door. Known for the great atmosphere, affordable prices and peaceful terrace, the bar – and Dr Fish – is located in the plaza behind the Shell station, at the end of Corralejo's high street.
facebook.com/fishspaboutique
facebook.com/H2oBarCafe
P R O M O T I O N
N O V . D E C . J A N 107
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Hot HotelsAll year round, these top hotels offer the best in elegance, comfort and luxury
D-RESORT GRAND AZUR MARMARISMagnificent beaches, crystal-clear waters and picturesque hilly landscapes make Marmaris one of Europe's finest holiday destinations. So, when visiting, make sure you also stay in one of Europe's finest hotels: the five-star D-Resort Grand Azur, renowned for its first-class hospitality and extensive range of unforgettable sporting and leisure activities, and recipient of the Thomas Cook Marque of Excellence from 2009 to 2012.
The hotel is brilliantly located in an enviable spot right on the beach and is
only a short distance from the centre of town, which is easily accessed by minibus, taxi or simply by walking. Inside, it houses 324 stylish and spacious rooms and suites, all of which are newly renovated and come with a good-sized balcony. Contemporary touches such as air-conditioning, satellite TV, a safety box and a minibar come as standard.
Outside of the rooms, the resort offers plenty to do, boasting a well-equipped gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, floodlit tennis courts and watersports facilities on the beach. A dedicated children's pool and
daily entertainment activities ensure there's something for the whole family. Meanwhile, the fabulous Azur Spa contains a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and solarium, and also offers a range of massage and health treatments to leave you feeling like a new person.
When it comes to food, guests can enjoy the generous buffets and live music of the Palmiye Restaurant, or sit down to a romantic, à la carte meal in the elegant Steak & Bar Restaurant, which looks out across the sea. Lunch and delicious international cocktails are also available at the resort’s beachside bar – perfect after a busy morning
soaking up the sun! For those mixing pleasure
with business, the hotel's meeting and conference facilities are second-to-none, featuring two large meeting rooms and a 390m2 grand hall. And where could be better for after-meeting cocktails and relaxed social events than the hotel's elegant outdoor terraces?
Cumhuriyet Bul. No:17
Marmaris
+90 252 417 40 50
www.dresortgrandazur.com.tr
Outdoor pool
Standard sea view room
View from the resort
P R O M O T I O N
108 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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GRAND ROTANA RESORT & SPA SHARM EL-SHEIKH
If you're yearning for a luxurious vacation marked by a refreshing sea breeze, then this is one hotel that should definitely be at the top of your list.
Located on the beautiful shores of Sharm el-Sheikh, the five-star Grand Rotana Resort & Spa offers direct sea views and a 450m stretch of majestic private beach. On top of that, should you not fancy a dip in the open water, the hotel also boasts a stunning 3,600m2 swimming pool and an open-air Jacuzzi infinity pool overlooking the Red Sea and Tiran Island.
Inside, the hotel contains 526 well-equipped accommodation options, comprising rooms, suites and elegant royal villas, the latter of which come with their own private pool, making this the perfect option for families.
The hotel's world-class restaurants are set to take you on a culinary tour of the world, with mouthwatering specialities from Egypt, Italy and the Far East all available in their own authentic surroundings. Choose the All-Inclusive Formula or the special Ultra All-Inclusive Formula meal plans before you travel to get access to all three à la carte venues in addition to a lavish international buffet restaurant that's open all day. Alternatively, take it easy with a snack or ice cream while relaxing on the beach or round the pool.
Then, top off your vacation in style with a professional spa treatment at Zen, notable for its dedication to privacy and its highly trained staff, or with a special candlelit dinner in one of the private beach cabanas.
+20 100 004 5035
rotana.com
P R O M O T I O N
N O V . D E C . J A N 109
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1. GRAND HYATT GOAGOA
Named as one of the Best New Hotels of the World by Condé Nast Traveler (US) in 2012, this enchanting resort is set by the calm waters of Bambolim Bay in northern Goa, with a design inspired by the grandeur of 17th-century Indo-Portuguese palaces.
Its award-winning restaurants and superb bars offer a range of promotions throughout the week, including Karaoke Night on Tuesdays, Ladies Night on Wednesdays, Seafood Night Market on Thursdays and Arabian Barbeque Night on Fridays. Groovy Night on Saturdays lets you dance
all night long, before you sit down to Sunday's champagne brunch.
The Shamana Spa provides the ultimate in wellness and relaxation, while, if you like adventure, the resort's superb Aquasail Sailing Center – the only such facility at a five-star resort in India – offers a fab day on the water.
Come December, every celebration is planned for you, from Bebo’s Kids Party on 14 December to Christmas Eve dinner and brunch, while a Moulin Rouge-themed New Year's Eve Party is to be followed by a New Year’s Day brunch.
+91 832 301 1234
goa.grand.hyatt.com
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3. CLUB TURAN PRINCE WORLD ANTALYA
Located in one of the Med'smost beautiful cities, this fab resort offers five-star service at the point where Side's warm sands meet the sea. Modern rooms and a lush green garden create a homey environment from which guests can enjoy the exquisite blue flag beach, aquapark, fun park, a mini club and one of the area's largest entertainment centres, while the professional staff work hard to uphold the principles of Turkish hospitality.
+90 242 748 7260
turanprince.com.tr
2. BITEZ GARDEN L IFE HOTEL & SU ITESBODRUM
Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and fascinating historical sites, Bitez is the perfect location for those seeking a peaceful getaway. Here, a modern interior design with a minimalist feel is complemented by delightful mandarin gardens throughout the grounds, while the friendly atmosphere is certain to appeal to families, couples and groups looking for that little bit extra from their holiday.
+90 252 363 98 70
bitezgardenlife.com
P R O M O T I O N
110 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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T H O M A S C O O K N E W S
Catch up with the latest news from around the globe
Looking Back…
to the FutureThe Thomas Cook Children’s Charity has been making dreams come true for sick and
disadvantaged children since 2009. Thanks to the generosity of customers and employees of Thomas Cook, it has raised more than £4.4 million and helped over 190 great causes.
Last year your donations helped 84 causes across the UK, including more than 138,000 sick and disadvantaged children in the areas of education, equipment, health, holidays and sport.
The largest grant awarded was to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK registered charity supporting young people with cancer. The funds were used to install a media booth into the Teenage Cancer Trust unit within University College London Hospitals, which was officially opened by Sarah, Duchess of York in April 2012 and treats patients aged from 13- to 24-years-old.
The smallest grant was awarded to purchase a ‘dry suit’ to allow a young child to be able to go swimming.
In the last edition of Travel, you were introduced to Onyx, the black labrador sponsored through Dogs for the Disabled (pictured above left), and the charity promised to update you on her progress. She has been partnered with a 10-year-old girl and, although at the time of writing they have only been together for a short
time, the bond that has already developed between them is fantastic. The charity hopes to be able to bring you further news as their partnership develops.
The Children’s Charity is embarking on a new project very soon with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Thanks to generous donations, the radiology department at the hospital will soon be transformed into something very futuristic. A meeting is being held to gain the thoughts and views of parents, nurses and most importantly the patients! The charity doesn’t want to give too much away at the moment, but you can rest assured that it will be maximising the space available!
The Children’s Charity continues to work with Sport England, Happy Days, Together for Short Lives, Just a Drop and WheelPower. In September 2013, around 160 young
disabled people arrived at Stoke Mandeville Stadium for the WheelPower National Junior Games. Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement and an appropriate venue for the games, which enable young people aged between 11 and 18 to ‘have a go’ at sport (pictured above right). The children all had an amazing time and the Children’s Charity was proud to be supporting this fun event for the second year running.
N O V . D E C . J A N 111Photo: Roger Bool
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T H O M A S C O O K N E W S
04G R A N C A N A R I A
P R E M I U M
Gran Canaria’s interior is home to
many hidden treasures, and this tour
focuses on indulging your palate in
a practically non-stop culinary tour
of the island. You’ll get the chance
to taste Arucas rum, flavoursome
Canarian tomatoes, artisan local
bread and native olive oil, as well
as the small Canarian potatoes with
spicy mojo sauce. There’s also time
for a little light exercise in some of the
picturesque mountain villages.
Catch up with the latest news from around the globe
112 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
Label L veThomas Cook wants to keep holiday destinations special so that you can continue to enjoy them today and for years to come.
One of the best ways to appreciate a destination is by experiencing the local culture, trying traditional food and drink, meeting local people and learning more about local ways of life.
In 2013, Thomas Cook introduced ‘Local Label’ events. The ‘Local Label’ helps promotes excursions that value the importance of local traditions and cultures, and recognises local businesses who really go the extra mile to play their part in using and promoting local products and ensuring a thriving destination environment and economy.
Thomas Cook currently has 35 Local Label events across 22 destinations and plans to have at least one of these events in every destination that it flies to. Here are some highlights to look out for in a resort near you…
01 M A H M YA I N
H U R G H A DA , E GY P T
Mahmya is an environmentally
friendly eco-tourist destination in
the National Park of Giftun Island,
where guests can enjoy white
sandy beaches, clear blue waters,
unrivalled open reef and snorkelling.
To help protect the coral reef
systems, guest numbers are closely
monitored and boats moor offshore,
offering a viable eco-tourism option
for the local community and visitors
to the Red Sea.
021 0 0 % M AYA N ,
M E X I CO
This unique event gives guests the
opportunity to spend time with
a real Mayan community in their
village near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Reserve. With a guide, you can take
a small boat ride into the reserve
before jumping into the river to cool
off and float about. The money raised
helps the villagers with farm supplies
and advice from an organic expert,
showing them how best to cultivate
the land to get the most from it.
03 L A N Z A R OT E
E CO TO U R
This tour celebrates Lanzarote’s noble
winemaking heritage with a visit to
the El Grifo wine museum and the
oldest grapevines in the Canaries,
and includes a chance to sample
the local Lanzarote wine. Then take
a scenic drive through the volcano
park to arrive at the Aloe Vera factory,
where you can learn about the great
therapeutic and curative properties
of this local plant. The products make
a great gifts to take home.
At a glance:
22,600customers
35 Local Labels
in
reaching around
70 100,000
destinations
in the first two months of operation
Local Labels are planned next year, reaching customers
22
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Hear them laugh. See them have fun.. Invite them to dream. Thhere’s nothing
better whenn you are with your familyy. At Costa Daurada we caan make your
dreams come true. Places where the yooungest members of the fammily can travel
back in time and enjoy history: the Roman Tarraco, medieval castles, the
Cistercian moonasteries of Santes Creus and Poblet, and the modernnista architec-
tural heritagee. Come to Costa Daurada ffor an unforgettable holidayy. Come to the
place where dreams are born. www.costadaurada.infoVisit us on
Follow us on:
No.00000 Costa Dorada.indd 1No.00000 Costa Dorada.indd 1 22/10/2013 10:3322/10/2013 10:33
WE
IGHT
LOSS CHALLEN
GE
What do you have to lose?
Didn’t think there was a fun way to lose weight?
Herbalife’s Weight Loss Challenge’s run all across the UK and Ireland and offer a fun way to achieve your goals and a healthier lifestyle with long lasting results! Over a 12-week course, gain the knowledge and confidence, for healthy lasting weight loss.
Weight Loss Challenge participants can expect:
Visit
* If you are one of the top achievers in your Challenge * Figures based on average participant numbers of 17 in a challenge and an average weight loss achieved of 10lbs per participant. Based on data from over 2379 completed Challenges, as of October 2013.
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S P E C I A L R E Q U I R E M E N TS
Hopefully, we already know about your special requirements e.g. a dietary request or if you require a wheelchair. If not, and this is an outbound flight, please advise a member of the cabin crew so that they can make arrangements for your return journey.
S L E E P A N D S E AT B E LTS
If you’re planning to sleep during the flight, we recommend you fasten your seatbelt so the cabin crew don’t have to wake you should the Captain need to turn on the “fasten seatbelt” sign. We recommend that you keep your seatbelt fastened at all times while seated.
N O S M O K I N G
In line with international policy, all our flights are non-smoking. It is an offence to smoke on board, and the use of electronic cigarettes is forbidden. Please refrain from smoking for the comfort and safety of passengers and crew.
A P P R O P R I AT E AT T I R E
Customers with inappropriate attire (including anything with offensive slogans, text or images) will not be permitted to travel at check-in or at the point of boarding the aircraft unless a change of clothes is possible. Footwear must be worn on the aircraft.
Thomas Cook aims to make your flight comfortable and relaxing. Simply follow these tips and exercises to ensure that you arrive at your destination feeling great
Wellbeing in the air
Jet lag occurs when our biological
clocks are disrupted by flying across
time zones. This can affect sleep,
appetite and bodily functions, but by
making a few simple adjustments you
can reduce the symptoms.
INFLIGHTDuring the flight, avoid drinking too
much alcohol and caffeine, drink
plenty of water and try to
eat light meals.
ON ARRIVALWhen you arrive, go out in the
daylight as soon as possible. Try to
adapt to the local bedtime on your
first night. Relax as much as possible
for the first few days – a catnap
between 3pm and 5pm will help give
you an energy boost.
How to beat jet lag:
an reduce the symptomsYO U N G C H I L D R E N
The cabin crew will do their utmost to make everyone feel as comfortable and welcome as possible during the flight. If you are travelling with young children, just ask if you need any milk or infant meals to be heated. Baby-changing facilities are available on all our aircraft – again, just ask your crew for the location nearest to your seat.
LO ST P R O P E R T Y
We ask all customers to take a few moments at the end of the flight to ensure that they have all their personal possessions with them, carefully checking the seat pocket, floor area and overhead lockers before leaving the aircraft. In the unlikely event that you do believe you have left an item on board the aircraft, please note that any items found are handed over to the Lost Property office at the destination airport. For security reasons, items found are not returned to the UK.
A LCO H O L CO N S U M P T I O N
Alcohol consumed on board an aircraft has a greater and faster effect than on the ground. Passengers are therefore not permitted to consume alcohol they have brought with them or from the onboard duty-free service. Only drinks purchased from our onboard bars can be consumed. Thomas Cook Airlines reserves the right to refuse to carry passengers who do not comply with this rule. No alcohol will be served to anyone under the age of 18 or to intoxicated passengers.
T H O M A S C O O K W E L L B E I N G
Tips for keeping healthy on your travels
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Inflight exercisesHumans aren’t designed to sit in one position for long, so to promote blood circulation we recommend the following exercises. Try them while seated and remember that even the smallest movements help with blood circulation.
The use of radios is strictly prohibited. Mobile telephones, with the exception of those with a “flight safe” mode, should be switched off at all times on board the aircraft. Phones with a “flight safe” mode should have this activated before you switch your phone off for take off.
Personal CD, DVD, MP3 and MiniDisc players may be used, but only when the seatbelt sign is switched off.
Wireless devices such as PDAs, laptop computers, electronic games and E-readers may only be used onboard if the wireless function is disabled and again, may only be used while the seatbelt sign is off.
Electronicequipment Technology moves at such a fast pace that you may be confused about what electronic equipment you can and can’t use on board. To help you, we have the following guidelines.
1 Take a large breath in through the nose. Slowly exhale through the mouth. Repeat
a maximum of four times.
2 Sitting upright, turn your head slowly to look over one shoulder. Now slowly turn
to the other side. Repeat five times.
1 Loosen or remove your footwear. Arch the soles of both feet and curl your toes
10 times.
2 Straighten your legs, slightly lift your feet off the floor and pump both ankles
forwards and backwards about 20 times.
3 Tense and relax your thigh muscles about 10 times.
4 March your feet on the spot 10 times, alternating between the heel and the
ball of your foot.
LOW E R B O DY
3 Slowly rotate your shoulders backwards. Repeat this exercise five times.
4 Raise one arm above your head and stretch upwards. Repeat with the other arm.
5 Transfer your weight evenly between each buttock.
5 Clench your buttock muscles together 10 times.
6 If queuing for the toilet, try rocking backwards and forwards, heel to toe
and back.
7 Upon landing, gently stretch your body to get ready for movement.
8 If you are travelling on a long-haul flight, try to move around the cabin
every couple of hours.
U P P E R B O DY
Simple as ABC To feel your best in the air, remember:
Alcohol Alcohol should be consumed only in moderation. For each glass of alcohol, drink two glasses of water. Try to drink at least a pint of water every three hours.
Baggy clothes
Baggy clothes are best in the air. Try not to wear any tight-fitting clothing, loosen top buttons, belts and shoelaces and remove tight socks. We do, however, ask that your dress remains respectable throughout the flight.
Circulation
Circulation of blood is helped if you try not to cross your legs or ankles for long periods of time. Elastic support socks or stockings may help, but they must be measured by your doctor or pharmacist. Our recommended exercises will also help blood circulation, but if you feel any discomfort when performing them, then please stop.
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YOUR HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Never leave your key where someone can note
your room number
Do not leave your window open, especially if your
room is on the ground floor or has a balcony
Remember to lock your room door, even when you
are inside the room
Balcony Children should NEVER be left unsupervised
on balconies
Do not climb or stand on balcony furniture.
Keep all furniture away from the balcony wall/railings
Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony
or railings
Bathroom Take care in bathrooms as condensation and water spray
can make surfaces slippery and bath or floor mats may not
be provided
Do not use mains electrical appliances near
to water
Cooking Never leave cookers unattended while they are
in use
Ensure all cooking appliances are switched off
when leaving your apartment or when retiring at night
Never leave shopping or other items on the cooker
On arrival at your accommodation Familiarise yourself with all escape routes and locate the
nearest fire exit to your room
Do a practice walk of the nearest escape route
from your room
Study the fire instruction notice displayed in
your room
Identify the method of raising the alarm on discovering
a fire
Ensure that all smoking materials are safely extinguished,
and do not smoke in bed
If a fire occurs Evacuate the room/area immediately. Do not stop to
collect personal belongings
Close any doors behind you
Raise the alarm
Proceed to an assembly point outside and well clear of
the building
If you cannot leave your room, close all doors,
put wet towels or clothes around the door seals
and shout for help from the window or telephone reception
Glass windows and doors Be aware that glass doors and windows may not
necessarily be equipped with toughened glass. Caution
should be taken at all times
Take extra care in bright sunlight as it may not be
obvious whether the window/door is open or closed
Lifts Children should not use any lift unaccompanied
Not all lifts have internal doors. When using this type of
lift, stand well back from the exposed wall as there is no
protection from the lift shaft when the car is in motion
In the event of a fire, use the staircase, not the lift
Poolside safety/out and about Every pool is different, but most hotels and apartments
do not employ lifeguards, so please supervise any young
members of your party
Familiarise yourself with the layout of the pool to identify
the deep and shallow areas before use
Ensure that children use the toilet BEFORE entering the
pool and take regular toilet breaks throughout the day. In the
event of a faecal accident in or around the pool, please
report it immediately, as this will assist the hotel
management in ensuring the highest level of pool hygiene
Shower before entering the pool
Do not swim (or allow children to swim) if suffering from
an upset stomach
Do not change nappies at the poolside
Young children and babies must wear appropriate
swimwear such as rubber-lined swimming trunks. Swimming
in nappies and nude bathing are unacceptable
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and
changing nappies
Have fun, but avoid unruly behaviour. Observe pool
rules and information signs at all times
Pool surrounds can be very slippery – do not run around
them
Do not swim immediately after a meal, and never swim
when you have been drinking alcohol
When jumping or diving into the pool, check the water
depth first and never dive from the deck side into water less
than 1.5m deep
Do not jump or dive from any raised features or from
poolside furniture
Do not use the pool after dark or when closed, even if it
has underwater lights
In the event of an emergency, know how to call for help
B E AC H
Spot the dangers Check out the beach when you arrive
Take care when bathing and swimming
Be aware of dangerous rip currents and strong tides
Do not swim near or dive from rocks, piers, breakwaters
and coral
Take safety advice Swim where there are lifeguards on patrol and take their
advice
Look out for information – warning flags and signs – and
adhere to them at all times
Never swim where a sign says not to, for example zoned
areas for high-speed vehicles such as jet boats or jet skis
Don’t go alone Never swim alone – make sure there are other
people around
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times
Never swim at night, after drinking alcohol or on a full
stomach
Learn how to help If you see someone in difficulty, tell somebody,
preferably a lifeguard if there is one nearby
Find out what to do in an emergency, such as calling
the local coastguard or equivalent
Sun safety Avoid sunbathing during the hottest time of day
Apply high-factor sunscreen, and re-apply frequently
Never expose babies to the sun and always take extra
care with children
Remember it is possible to burn in the shade,
when it is cloudy and while swimming
At the first sign of burning get out of the sun immediately
Always drink plenty of water
D R I V I N G O N H O L I DAY
Check the vehicle is roadworthy and familiarise yourself
with all controls before use, as they may differ from cars in
the UK and Ireland
Check that the car-hire insurance cover you take out
provides adequate cover for the driver and all
the passengers
Always wear a seatbelt
Familiarise yourself with local traffic laws
Pay particular attention when at junctions and
roundabouts
Always carry emergency breakdown telephone numbers
Always carry a spare set of spectacles (required
by law in Spain)
NEVER drink and drive
Stick to well-travelled and well-lit roads
We advise against the independent hiring of mopeds,
motorbikes, quad bikes and jet skis
Pedestrians Be vigilant at all times. Familiarise yourself with the
direction of traffic
Be aware that in some countries traffic is not required
to stop at pedestrian crossings
S E RV I C E S O F LO C A L V E N D O R S
In many holiday resorts you may find that services, such
as henna tattoos, are available from places like street
vendors. Although not recommended by Thomas Cook, if
you choose to have a tattoo done or use the services of a
local vendor, we would advise you to do so with caution.
In the case of tattoos, ensure you ask for a test application
before any larger-scale tattoos are applied. If you have any
pre-existing skin conditions, check with the vendor before
agreeing to any application.
G E N E R A L
If you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes to
complete the emergency contact details in the back of
your passport
Keep important documents in your hotel safe
Be aware of who is around you. Pickpockets and
opportunists will target anyone
Don’t leave your common sense at the hotel. Don’t lose
sight of your drink, don’t walk around by yourself, avoid
dark places and don’t take unnecessary risks
Look after yourself and your friends
If hiring a car/scooter/quad bike, ask yourself whether
you have adequate insurance
Do not leave belongings unattended (in cars, restaurants,
hotel lobby, etc.)
Don’t sign anything until you seek advice from experts.
The chances of winning a luxury holiday anywhere in the
world just by scratching a card in the middle of the street, for
example, are very remote
Find contact details for your local embassy, in case of
emergency, at fco.gov.uk
Be aware that the laws and customs of the country you’re
visiting may be different from home. Read up on
country-specific advice at fco.gov.uk/travel
Health & safety while abroad
T H O M A S C O O K W E L L B E I N G
Tips for keeping healthy on your travels
N O V . D E C . J A N 117
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Before you leave the plane
Please refer to the section on the right and below to
check whether or not you need to complete the white
form (if you are a UK or EU citizen and have filled
in an ESTA form online which was approved, you
are not required to complete this form). All other
passengers must fill in the Immigration Visa and
Customs forms, which will be handed out by the
cabin crew during the flight. You are legally obliged
to fill them in – please make sure they’re correctly
completed or you may face delays at Immigration. If
you do make any mistakes, please ask for a new form.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need
a white Immigration form. A customs declaration
form will need to be filled out in addition to any
Immigration/ESTA forms. We’ve put together
some tips (below) to help you avoid the most
common mistakes.
Exceptions
You DO NOT need to complete an Immigration
form if you are:
A US citizen
A Canadian citizen
A UK or EU citizen holding a valid ESTA
A new immigrant
F I L L I N G I N YO U R FO R M S
DO:
Take your time
Write in capital letters, using a pen
Write in the space below the questions and fill in
every line. When asked for your address, if you are a
visitor to the US, then print the name of your hotel.
If on a fly-drive holiday and unsure where you will
be staying on your first night, then give one of the
following addresses:
Sanford – Thomas Cook, 1650 Sand Lake Road,
Suite 300, Orlando, FL32809
OR
Las Vegas – Thomas Cook, 5030 Paradise Road,
Suite C214, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
Sign and date the back of your Customs
Declaration form
Double-check your forms
Ask cabin crew if you have any queries
DO NOT:
Cross anything out. If you make a mistake, ask
for a new form and start again
W H I T E FO R M : A R R I VA L A N D D E PA R T U R E R E CO R D
B LU E FO R M : C U STO M S D E C L A R AT I O N FO R M
Complete this form if:
» You are NOT a US citizen
AND
» You hold a valid US Visa
AND
» Your final destination is the United States OR you
are passing through the US to your final destination
Please complete items 1-13 on the Arrival record
and items 14-17 on the Departure record. Keep the
Departure record until you leave the US.
You must fill in the Customs Declaration form before
you arrive in the US. One form per household is
required.
specimen
specimen
specimen
specimen
specimen
Flying in and out of the United States
I M M I G R A T I O N C U S T O M S
118 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
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Total passengers: 321/325
Wing-span: 60.3m
Length: 58.38m
Number in fleet: 5
Maximum take-off weight: 230,000kg
Maximum cruising speed: 520mph
Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 772B Series
Total passengers: 215/220
Wing-span: 34.1m
Length: 43.69m
Number in fleet: 5
Maximum take-off weight: 89,000kg
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph
Engines: 2 CFM 56-5B3
A I R B U S A 32 1 - 2 0 0
Total passengers: 180
Wing-span: 34.1m
Length: 37.57m
Number in fleet: 3
Maximum take-off weight: 77,000kg
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph
Engines: CFM International CFM 56-5B4
Total passengers: 326
Wing-span: 47.57m
Length: 54.94m
Number in fleet: 3
Maximum take-off weight: 184,612kg
Maximum cruising speed: 530mph
Engines: 2 General Electric CF6-80C2
B O E I N G 767-3 0 0
Thomas Cook operates over 30 aircraft to Europe and the rest of the world from the UK
A I R B U S A 3 3 0 - 2 0 0
A I R B U S A 3 2 0 - 2 0 0
Total passengers: 280
Wing-span: 38.05m
Length: 54.43m
Number in fleet: 2
Maximum take-off weight: 117,934kg
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph
Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4
B O E I N G 757-3 0 0
T H O M A S C O O K F L E E T
N O V . D E C . J A N 119
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ORLANDO
U SA
M E X I COVARADERO
LAS VEGAS
CAYO COCO
HOLGUIN
MONTEGO BAY
CANCUN
PUNTA CANA
BRIDGETOWN
J A M A I C A
D O M I N I C A N R E P U B L I CC U B A
Thomas Cook flies to the following amazing destinations:U K D E P A R T U R E A I R P O R T S
PAC I F I C O C E A NB A R B A D O S
AT L A N T I C
O C E A N
C A N A DA
1 Glasgow2 Newcastle3 Belfast4 Manchester5 East Midlands6 Birmingham
7 Cardiff8 Bristol9 London Stansted
10 London Gatwick11 Aberdeen
Norwich13 Doncaster14 Edinburgh15 Exeter
K E Y
S U M M E R O N LY
W I N T E R O N LY
Y E A R - R O U N D
ANTIGUA
ST. LUCIA
120 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
12
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LARNACAMALTAENFIDHA
1
11
2
4
56
87
12
9
10
3
FUNCHAL
FUERTEVENTURA
LAS PALMAS
BANJUL
SOFIA
M A D E I R A
15
T H E G A M B I A
T U N I S I A
E GY P T
S PA I NP O R T U G A L
GERMANY
B U LG A R I A
T U R K E Y
C Y P R U S
BA
LTIC
SE
A
ALICANTE
LLEIDA-ALGUAIRE
ROVANIEMI
KITTILÄ
PALMA
ALMERIA
BURGAS
13
CORFU
14
HERAKLION
IBIZA IZMIR
KALAMATA
KEFALONIA
ZANTE
LIMNOS
PREVEZA
REUS
SANTORINI
SWITZERLAND
F I N L A N D
ANTALYA
BODRUMSKIATHOS
SHARM EL SHEIKHHURGHADA
INNSBRUCK
GENEVA
GRENOBLE
SALZBURG
TURIN
RHODESPAPHOS
ITALY
C A N A RY I S L A N D S
I N D I A
GOA
N O R T H
S E A
M E D I T E R R A N E A N S E A
NAPLES
ARRECIFE
TENERIFE
F R A N C E
DJERBA
T H O M A S C O O K R O U T E S
Where will you fly to next?
MAHON
N O V . D E C . J A N 121
12
MONASTIR
GENOVA
VENICE
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Illustration: MUTI
T H E L A S T W O R D
Thomas Cook rep Sandra Joseph gives us the insider scoop on her resort
BE THERE… Travel to Saint Lucia with thomascook.com
My Saint Lucia
122 T H O M A S C O O K T R A V E L
T R A V E L G U R U
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Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain / www.loroparque.com / www.facebook.com/loroparque
THIS WINTER, THE “MUST DO” VISIT IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
LORO PARQUE,THE MOST FUN ANIMAL EXPERIENCEDURING YOUR HOLIDAYS
ituated in Puerto de la Cruz, this wonderful Park has developed over the years into one of the biggest attractions of the Canary Islands. Currently, it is home to a wide range of animal species such as gorillas, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, a fabulous aquarium and six amazing orcas, which delight everyone who dares to watch them.
FASCINATING SECRETS AND SURPRISING CURIOSITIESThe Discovery Tour explores the fascinating world behind the scenes and reveals the most precious secrets of the animals during a unique visit. Throughout the tour, the friendly guides explain interesting details and anecdotes about the animals, as well as the technology of the facilities and the complex equipment that makes this park work. These tours are available every day in six different languages and will turn your trip into an unforgettable experience.
SIAM PARK, THE MOST STUNNING WATER PARK ON EARTHiam Park, the new water park in Tenerife is already
established as one of the best water parks in the world. With its incredible scenery inspired by traditional Thai architecture and exuberant vegetation, from the first moment you enter, you know it is going to be an extraordinary day. Tropical scenery, impressive gardens and an exquisite oriental architecture turn this tourist attraction into a unique place where the whole family has their own space for fun, adventure, excitement and adrenalin.
The perfect adventure to enjoy this winter with the family.
Kinnaree: A unique concept ever seen in water parks.
Relax or extreme adrenaline?It´s your choice, you just have to decide.
S
S
The #1 Theme park in Spain, #2 in Europe and #10 in the world
Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain / www.siampark.net / www.facebook.com/siampark
NEWSKinnaree and Sawasdee, a real injection of fun and adventure for the whole family. Kinnaree 213 metres of excitement, diversity and intensity, is a mega slide that connects three experiences into one. Sawasdee is the new children’s zone offering inexhaustible fun. The perfect adventure to enjoy this winter with the family.
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