Travel Western Daily Press 24 September 2013

1W

DP-E01-S3

Cast off for a little Italian luxury

Western Daily Press, Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Tr a v e l

WESTERN DAILY PRESS TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 2013 TRAVEL 3WDP-E01-S32 TRAVEL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 2013 WESTERN DAILY PRESS WDP-E01-S3

A break fromtradition withday trip giftsBarry Island is a relativelyshort jaunt over the Severncrossing and down the M4 tojust past Cardiff. But it’s ac-quired national recognitionthanks to the huge success ofthe Gavin & Stacey TV sit-com.

So, if you’re a fan, why nottake a trip and wallow in thiswonderful show by going to see“wh at ’s occurring” in BarryIsland in this Gavin & StaceyTour for Two with Dave’sC o a ch e s.

Take a seat on the originalvehicle used by Dave in the TVshow as you visit numerouslocations including Stacey’shome and the church whereNessa nearly gets married.

See the amusement arcadewhere Nessa works while youenjoy a range of discountsfrom several vendors on theBarry Island seafront. Don’tforget your camera, as therewill be plenty of photo oppor-t u n i t i e s.

On arrival at the meetinglocation in Barry Island, youwill be greeted by your guidebefore embarking on a three

hour tour of the area. You’ll beshown round Gwen andStacey’s home by the realowner of the property (avail-able only on weekends), and goinside the church where Neil ischristened and where Vanessa‘Shanessa’ Jenkins almost getsmarried to ‘Dave Coaches’.

See where Nessa works as amime artist and stop off at thecaravan where Nessa and Davel ive.

Yo u ’ll receive a 20 per centdiscount on hot food pur-chased at Boofy’s during thetour (opening hours depend-ent on season) and be in with achance to win a prize with aGavin & Stacey quiz along thew ay.

Like Dave, maybe you rateyourself a good driver.

Then why not book yourselfon to our challenging 4x4 driv-ing experience?

This course is both fun andserious skills acquisition allrolled into one. Your instruct-or will soon have you drivingoff-road like an expert, andyo u ’ll certainly regard 4WDvehicles with new respect inf u t u re.

Or how about going off-roadand up a tree? You can with GoApe, the multi-award winningTree Top forest adventure.

Head to one of the 28 UKforest adventures for two tothree hours in the trees, takingon Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings,Rope Ladders and a variety ofHigh-Wire Crossings, all set inthe UK’s most beautiful wood-l a n d s.

Yo u ’ll be kitted out with har-nesses, pulleys and Karabin-ers, provided with a detailedsafety brief with training andthen let loose into the forestcanopy to roam free. Life is somuch more fun when you’rejumping off a tree top platforminto a cargo net.

The hit BBC series Gavin & Staceywas partly set in Barry – and thistour shows you where

If you’re hankering after morethan a smattering of snow thisChristmas, consider a trip toGermany, for some real festives p a rk l e.

Christmas spent in a hotel isincreasing in popularity, andthis trip to Hanover and theAlps

Enjoy a warm festive wel-come, and all the modern com-forts and amenities, at a four-star, lakeside hotel in historicHanover. See delightful,Unesco-listed towns, the ex-quisite peaks and valleys of theHarz Mountains, and theRenaissance wonders of thePied Piper’s Hamelin, for awonderful Christmas to re-m e m b e r.

Travelling by comfortablecoach, you’ll leave the localarea today to make your way tothe Channel port. You’ll con-tinue on to your overnighthotel, where dinner will beserved upon arrival.

Continue on into Germany’sbeautiful Lower Saxonyregion, making a visit to thelegendary town of Hamelin, of“Pied Piper” fame. You’ll havethe opportunity to visit thebeautiful Christmas Marketset amongst the old town’smaze of half-timbered houses.

Yo u ’ll continue on to Han-over and the Courtyard Hoteloverlooking beautifulMaschsee, on the southernreaches of the city. Enjoydinner in the hotel this even-ing.

Spend another day travel-ling through the beautifulwintry landscape of the HarzMountains National Park,yo u ’ll visit spectacular Goslar.Unesco-listed, it was oncerichly endowed by silvermining and boasts a gloriouscentral Markt and the stun-ning Kaiserpfalz – E u ro p e ’slargest Romanesque palace.

A Christmas Forest of beau-tiful spruce trees, and anotherChristmas market – one of themost traditional in Germany –add to the fairy-tale scene.

Yo u ’ll also visit Wernigerode,with its famous hunting lodgeand its chocolate-box houses,during this memorable Christ-mas Eve tour.

On Christmas Day itself,take a tour of Hanover, with itslovingly restored Altstadt, itsbaroque Herrenhausen Gar-dens and its connections withthe British throne. Thenreturn to the hotel to enjoy arelaxing day, with a specialfestive dinner accompanied bymusic. Perhaps take the op-portunity to burn off a fewcalories with a stroll along theM a s ch s e e ’s promenade.

The nearby city of Bremen,setting for the Grimm Broth-ers’ tale of the Town Musiciansoffers an ideal destination for atour, should you fancy it.

The return journey will takeyou back through Germany toa comfortable overnight hotel,where dinner will be served,before boarding the coach thenext day top continue to theChannel port, and home, intime to make the most of theNew Year.

If Germany is not to yourfancy, then how about Christ-mas on the picturesque shoresof Italy’s largest and most spec-tacular lake, its waters backedby the wooded slopes of craggymountains and fringed by styl-ish, elegant resorts, complet-ing a perfect picture-postcardscene that has drawn visitorsfor the last hundred years.

Historic Trento, in theshadow of Monte Bondone, ishome to a variety of atmo-spheric Christmas Markets –perfect for last-minute Christ-mas shopping.

And nearby “fair Verona“,the historic backdrop for thetragic tale of Juliet and herRo m e o , is home to the operaseason held yearly in itsRoman amphitheatre.

No trip to Lake Garda wouldbe complete without visitingVenice, one of the world’s mostbeautiful cities, and perhapseven more so in the winter.

Add some sparkle toyour Christmas trip

From Christmas markets to sightssuch as the new town hall, and thewonder of the Harz mountains inwinter, Hanover has plenty for thefestive season. Or try a visit toVenice after Christmas Day on theshore of Lake GardaGive someone the gift of going wild in the forest with a trip to a Go Ape centre

Christmas Presents

Call us on 0844 472 4583Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

QuoteBRS

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline, other operators may vary. Experiences are subject to availability. Any applicable discounts have already been deducted. Postage not included, starts from £2.49. For further terms, please contact Acorne Plc. Acorne is wholly independent of dmg::media and Local World. When you respond,dmg::media, Local World and their Travel partners may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

GAVIN AND STACEY TOURfor Two with Dave’s Coaches

INTRODUCTORY OFF ROAD DRIVING4x4 challenge

TREE TOP ADVENTURE FOR TWO WITH GO APE“Arrrh-a-arrrh-a-arrrhhhh!”

TV favourite

£46for two people

all terrain

£139for one person

woodland fun

£64for two people

Price includes: • Find out ‘what’s occurring’ in Barry Island! • 3 hourtour with professional guide aboard Dave’s original vehicle from the TVshow • Your chance to win a prize with a Gavin and Stacey quiz alongthe way • Visit numerous locations including Stacey’s home and Nessa’samusement arcade • Cancellation indemnity •

Price includes: • Tackle side slopes, steep inclines and rutted tracksin this challenging 4x4 driving experience • Learn to drive off-roadlike an expert in a small group • 45 minutes to 1 hour - training froma qualified instructor and hands-on driving • Choice of 24 locationsacross the UK • Cancellation Indemnity

Price includes: • Multi-award winning Tree Top forest adventure inbeautiful woodlands • Choice of 28 beautiful woodland locations • Twoto three hour adventure - Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings, Rope Ladders andHigh-Wire Crossings • Full safety briefing and kit hire • CancellationIndemnity

A wide range of other experiences available

Christmas

Call us on 0844 472 4655 Quote WDP Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/wdpCalls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When yourespond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

FAIRY-TALE GERMAN CHRISTMASDeparting 22 December 2013

CHRISTMAS IN LAKE GARDADeparting 22 December 2013

Join us for a Christmas to remember on a festive holiday thatcombines a stay in a welcoming four-star Hanover hotel withsome delightful, picture-postcard towns and villages in thebeautiful Harz Mountains.Price includes:• Return coach travel and Channel crossings• Two nights’ en route hotel half-board accommodation• Four nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-starCourtyard by Marriott Hotel, Hanover

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus• Welcome drink• Visits to Hamelin, Hanover, Goslar and the Harz Mountains• The services of a tour manager

Join us for an unforgettable festive-tide holiday on thepicturesque shores of Italy’s largest and most spectacular lake.Price includes:• Return flights to Italy from London Gatwick and Luton• Five nights’ half-board accommodation at the three-star RoyalHotel Riva del Garda (upgrade to the four-star Hotel SavoyPalace available for a supplement)

• Christmas Day Dinner• A gift from Santa Claus and entertainment on Christmas Day• Return airport to hotel transfers• One suitcase allowance per person• The services of a tour manager

7 days from

£689per person

6 days from

£645per person


A break fromtradition withday trip giftsBarry Island is a relativelyshort jaunt over the Severncrossing and down the M4 tojust past Cardiff. But it’s ac-quired national recognitionthanks to the huge success ofthe Gavin & Stacey TV sit-com.

So, if you’re a fan, why nottake a trip and wallow in thiswonderful show by going to see“wh at ’s occurring” in BarryIsland in this Gavin & StaceyTour for Two with Dave’sC o a ch e s.

Take a seat on the originalvehicle used by Dave in the TVshow as you visit numerouslocations including Stacey’shome and the church whereNessa nearly gets married.

See the amusement arcadewhere Nessa works while youenjoy a range of discountsfrom several vendors on theBarry Island seafront. Don’tforget your camera, as therewill be plenty of photo oppor-t u n i t i e s.

On arrival at the meetinglocation in Barry Island, youwill be greeted by your guidebefore embarking on a three

hour tour of the area. You’ll beshown round Gwen andStacey’s home by the realowner of the property (avail-able only on weekends), and goinside the church where Neil ischristened and where Vanessa‘Shanessa’ Jenkins almost getsmarried to ‘Dave Coaches’.

See where Nessa works as amime artist and stop off at thecaravan where Nessa and Davel ive.

Yo u ’ll receive a 20 per centdiscount on hot food pur-chased at Boofy’s during thetour (opening hours depend-ent on season) and be in with achance to win a prize with aGavin & Stacey quiz along thew ay.

Like Dave, maybe you rateyourself a good driver.

Then why not book yourselfon to our challenging 4x4 driv-ing experience?

This course is both fun andserious skills acquisition allrolled into one. Your instruct-or will soon have you drivingoff-road like an expert, andyo u ’ll certainly regard 4WDvehicles with new respect inf u t u re.

Or how about going off-roadand up a tree? You can with GoApe, the multi-award winningTree Top forest adventure.

Head to one of the 28 UKforest adventures for two tothree hours in the trees, takingon Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings,Rope Ladders and a variety ofHigh-Wire Crossings, all set inthe UK’s most beautiful wood-l a n d s.

Yo u ’ll be kitted out with har-nesses, pulleys and Karabin-ers, provided with a detailedsafety brief with training andthen let loose into the forestcanopy to roam free. Life is somuch more fun when you’rejumping off a tree top platforminto a cargo net.

The hit BBC series Gavin & Staceywas partly set in Barry – and thistour shows you where

If you’re hankering after morethan a smattering of snow thisChristmas, consider a trip toGermany, for some real festives p a rk l e.

Christmas spent in a hotel isincreasing in popularity, andthis trip to Hanover and theAlps

Enjoy a warm festive wel-come, and all the modern com-forts and amenities, at a four-star, lakeside hotel in historicHanover. See delightful,Unesco-listed towns, the ex-quisite peaks and valleys of theHarz Mountains, and theRenaissance wonders of thePied Piper’s Hamelin, for awonderful Christmas to re-m e m b e r.

Travelling by comfortablecoach, you’ll leave the localarea today to make your way tothe Channel port. You’ll con-tinue on to your overnighthotel, where dinner will beserved upon arrival.

Continue on into Germany’sbeautiful Lower Saxonyregion, making a visit to thelegendary town of Hamelin, of“Pied Piper” fame. You’ll havethe opportunity to visit thebeautiful Christmas Marketset amongst the old town’smaze of half-timbered houses.

Yo u ’ll continue on to Han-over and the Courtyard Hoteloverlooking beautifulMaschsee, on the southernreaches of the city. Enjoydinner in the hotel this even-ing.

Spend another day travel-ling through the beautifulwintry landscape of the HarzMountains National Park,yo u ’ll visit spectacular Goslar.Unesco-listed, it was oncerichly endowed by silvermining and boasts a gloriouscentral Markt and the stun-ning Kaiserpfalz – E u ro p e ’slargest Romanesque palace.

A Christmas Forest of beau-tiful spruce trees, and anotherChristmas market – one of themost traditional in Germany –add to the fairy-tale scene.

Yo u ’ll also visit Wernigerode,with its famous hunting lodgeand its chocolate-box houses,during this memorable Christ-mas Eve tour.

On Christmas Day itself,take a tour of Hanover, with itslovingly restored Altstadt, itsbaroque Herrenhausen Gar-dens and its connections withthe British throne. Thenreturn to the hotel to enjoy arelaxing day, with a specialfestive dinner accompanied bymusic. Perhaps take the op-portunity to burn off a fewcalories with a stroll along theM a s ch s e e ’s promenade.

The nearby city of Bremen,setting for the Grimm Broth-ers’ tale of the Town Musiciansoffers an ideal destination for atour, should you fancy it.

The return journey will takeyou back through Germany toa comfortable overnight hotel,where dinner will be served,before boarding the coach thenext day top continue to theChannel port, and home, intime to make the most of theNew Year.

If Germany is not to yourfancy, then how about Christ-mas on the picturesque shoresof Italy’s largest and most spec-tacular lake, its waters backedby the wooded slopes of craggymountains and fringed by styl-ish, elegant resorts, complet-ing a perfect picture-postcardscene that has drawn visitorsfor the last hundred years.

Historic Trento, in theshadow of Monte Bondone, ishome to a variety of atmo-spheric Christmas Markets –perfect for last-minute Christ-mas shopping.

And nearby “fair Verona“,the historic backdrop for thetragic tale of Juliet and herRo m e o , is home to the operaseason held yearly in itsRoman amphitheatre.

No trip to Lake Garda wouldbe complete without visitingVenice, one of the world’s mostbeautiful cities, and perhapseven more so in the winter.

Add some sparkle toyour Christmas trip

From Christmas markets to sightssuch as the new town hall, and thewonder of the Harz mountains inwinter, Hanover has plenty for thefestive season. Or try a visit toVenice after Christmas Day on theshore of Lake GardaGive someone the gift of going wild in the forest with a trip to a Go Ape centre

Christmas Presents

Call us on 0844 472 4583Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

QuoteBRS

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline, other operators may vary. Experiences are subject to availability. Any applicable discounts have already been deducted. Postage not included, starts from £2.49. For further terms, please contact Acorne Plc. Acorne is wholly independent of dmg::media and Local World. When you respond,dmg::media, Local World and their Travel partners may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

GAVIN AND STACEY TOURfor Two with Dave’s Coaches

INTRODUCTORY OFF ROAD DRIVING4x4 challenge

TREE TOP ADVENTURE FOR TWO WITH GO APE“Arrrh-a-arrrh-a-arrrhhhh!”

TV favourite

£46for two people

all terrain

£139for one person

woodland fun

£64for two people

Price includes: • Find out ‘what’s occurring’ in Barry Island! • 3 hourtour with professional guide aboard Dave’s original vehicle from the TVshow • Your chance to win a prize with a Gavin and Stacey quiz alongthe way • Visit numerous locations including Stacey’s home and Nessa’samusement arcade • Cancellation indemnity •

Price includes: • Tackle side slopes, steep inclines and rutted tracksin this challenging 4x4 driving experience • Learn to drive off-roadlike an expert in a small group • 45 minutes to 1 hour - training froma qualified instructor and hands-on driving • Choice of 24 locationsacross the UK • Cancellation Indemnity

Price includes: • Multi-award winning Tree Top forest adventure inbeautiful woodlands • Choice of 28 beautiful woodland locations • Twoto three hour adventure - Zip Wires, Tarzan Swings, Rope Ladders andHigh-Wire Crossings • Full safety briefing and kit hire • CancellationIndemnity

A wide range of other experiences available

Christmas

Call us on 0844 472 4655 Quote WDP Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/wdpCalls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When yourespond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

FAIRY-TALE GERMAN CHRISTMASDeparting 22 December 2013

CHRISTMAS IN LAKE GARDADeparting 22 December 2013

Join us for a Christmas to remember on a festive holiday thatcombines a stay in a welcoming four-star Hanover hotel withsome delightful, picture-postcard towns and villages in thebeautiful Harz Mountains.Price includes:• Return coach travel and Channel crossings• Two nights’ en route hotel half-board accommodation• Four nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-starCourtyard by Marriott Hotel, Hanover

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus• Welcome drink• Visits to Hamelin, Hanover, Goslar and the Harz Mountains• The services of a tour manager

Join us for an unforgettable festive-tide holiday on thepicturesque shores of Italy’s largest and most spectacular lake.Price includes:• Return flights to Italy from London Gatwick and Luton• Five nights’ half-board accommodation at the three-star RoyalHotel Riva del Garda (upgrade to the four-star Hotel SavoyPalace available for a supplement)

• Christmas Day Dinner• A gift from Santa Claus and entertainment on Christmas Day• Return airport to hotel transfers• One suitcase allowance per person• The services of a tour manager

7 days from

£689per person

6 days from

£645per person


Cruising may be the fastestgrowing sector of the travelindustry – with more than 1.7million Britons taking a cruiseevery year – but that doesn’tmean the big cruise companiesare happy just floating along;they are working hard to keeptheir customers keen.

National Cruise Week, run-ning until Sunday, is the primeexample of this, with somegreat special offers being pro-moted for trips in 2014.

Apulia, Lecce and Vieste, arethree destinations which don’timmediately spring to mindwhen it comes to visitingI t a ly.

Which is why they fit per-fectly into our UndiscoveredItaly eight-day trip on Page 7.

Apulia is one of the mostfertile regions of Italy, produ-cing more olive oil than therest of the country combined,along with most of its fish, 80per cent of Europe’s pasta andmore wine than Germany.

This productivity and theresultant wealth has attractedattention from a host of en-vious invaders throughout his-tory, with all leaving remark-ably evident footprints.

It is this which makes Apuliadelightfully different. It wascolonised by the ancientGreeks in the 8th century BC;then came the Romans, thenthe Byzantines, followed by theSaracens, the Normans, theSpanish and the Bourbons. Itfinally became Italian in 1861.

Here in the deep, south-eastof Italy, nature and history arepowerful influences.

The locals still winkcheekily at authority and therelaxed and communal way oflife is in harmony with thesunny dry climate. There re-mains a deep rooted and his-toric suspicion of rule fromafar, engendering a relaxed at-mosphere perfect for ‘g ettingaway from it all’ so why notjoin us and explore this hiddeng em.

Everyone, on the other handhas heard of Rome, but ourfive-day ancient and baroquethemed visit gives it a differente m p h a s i s.

Rome was, is, and probablyalways will be, one of thewo rl d ’s most compelling cities,with probably more to see herethan in any other capital onEarth, boasting an uninter-rupted recorded history for up-wards of 2,500 years.

Or you can visit Florence,I t a ly ’s finest renaissance cityand enjoy the rural charm ofT u s c a ny.

The region embodies muchthat Italy is famous for, pos-sessing more historical monu-ments than any other country,let alone province, on Earth.Its cities, Florence – a r g u ablythe finest city of the Renais-sance – Siena and Pisa, togeth-er with smaller towns and me-dieval villages such as Luccaand San Gimignano, house

some of the world’s finestartistic treasures.

Combine this with thehaunting beauty of the coun-tryside, an enviable climate,one of the world’s greatcuisines, and of course, withthe Italians themselves, andyou have all the ingredients fora superb holiday.

Or how about the more dra-matic scenery of the Italianlakes and mountains?

We have a trip which takes inLake Como, St Moritz and theBernina Express, one ofE u ro p e ’s most scenic trainjourneys through the SwissA l p s.

And the good news is you canfly from Bristol.

Alternatively you can visitLake Garda, Venice andVerona, flying from LondonG at w i ck .

Once there, enjoy the spec-tacular scenery of the Italianlakes and Venice, one of themost unique cities on earth onour escorted tour.

If you fancy going furtherafield, there are savings to behad, too. Hurtigruten reckonspassengers could save £3,000with an early discount of 30 percent on Antarctica voyages in2014. Another, Holland Amer-ica, has savings of up to £1,500on European and the Far East.

Andrew Davies, of Telford-based agency GoCruise, urgespeople to make the most ofthese fantastic early bookings– particularly families who areconfined to certain dates ofschool holidays, or those whowant to be away for Christmasand New Year. He points outthat in 2013, many companiesoffered big discounts to fillships up ahead of their de-parture: “But my hunch is thatsupply and demand in cruisingis gradually finding a balance.So while some discounts weremassive this year, the marginwill come down in 2014.”

It may be strange thinking isthat ‘late deals’ always meanbetter value. But with cruises,it clearly isn’t the case.

Director of Cruise Nation,Stephen Boardman, agrees: “Ifyou see an offer in Cruise Weekwhere the price looks good, I’dadvise you to book now.”

A popular Cruise Nationpackage for May-September2014 has four days in Hawaii,seven on an Alaska cruise, anAmtrak train journey fromSeattle to Los Angeles and thereturn flight from LA, startingat £1,599 for an inside cabin.

North London-based JetlineCruises also specialises inbuilding general holiday pack-ages around a cruise. In CruiseWeek, it is promoting a 13-night package from £1,339,with three nights in Las Vegas,a two-night Grand Canyonranch holiday, three nights inBeverly Hills and a four-nightmini-cruise to the MexicanRiviera, available fromNovember until April 2014.

Cruising toan even betterdeal this week

Take advantage of our cruise offers over the page and others that are around for National Cruise Week, with destinations including Lake Garda, above,and, clockwise from below left, the sights of Florence, the majesty of Antarctica, the history of Rome, beaches of Apulia, Italy, such as that at Torredell'Orso, and even Los Angeles

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices are from, per person, based on two people sharing, are applicable to selected departure dates and may have been rounded up or down to the nearest pound. Any applicable discounts have alreadybeen deducted. These holidays and included excursions are subject to availability. Single rooms and regional departures are also subject to availability and a supplement may apply. Prices and holidays are subject to availability and change, some holidays are subject to minimum passenger numbers. Terms and conditions apply.Holidays are operated by various suppliers which are ABTA and/or ATOL bonded where applicable. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receivesuch offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

Call us on0844 472 4545

Or visit uswww.bristolep.diamondhols.co.uk

QuoteBS

Spend this Christmas relaxing in a Mediterranean style resort without having to jet off abroad! Our 5 day break takesyou to the English Riviera, renowned for its signature palm trees and exceptionally mild climate, where everythingis arranged for the perfect Christmas. From our base in the beautiful resort of Torquay you can enjoy a range ofincluded excursions, along with a host of festive fun in our hotel.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • Four nights’ stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• Sherry reception and Bucks Fizz reception • Traditional Christmas Lunch • Two afternoon cream teas • Entertainment onthree evenings • Free time to relax and explore Torquay • Visits to Exmouth, Paignton, Dartmouth and Buckfast AbbeyRiver Exe Cruise with mulled wine and mince pies

CHRISTMAS IN TORQUAYDeparting 23 December 2013 from Bristol

5 days from

£379per person

We invite you to join us on this fantastic two day break visiting one of the country’s most famous Christmas marketsand one of Europe’s leading indoor shopping centre. Not just any old market, Lincoln is a unique festive experience- a time when choirs, bands, carol singers and performers mingle amongst brightly coloured stalls filled with uniquegifts and fayre. Set in a cobbled square in the shadow of the majestic 11th century Cathedral, the Norman Castle andtimber framed buildings, it makes the task of Christmas shopping a real pleasure; and with a visit to MeadowhallShopping Centre also included, you will find everything you need for friends and family this Christmas.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• Visit to Meadowhall Shopping Centre • Visit to Lincoln Christmas Market

LINCOLN CHRISTMAS MARKETDeparting 7 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£100per person

The St Nicholas Fayre is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK. Held each year in the heart of York,this beautiful city comes alive with bustling stalls offering a wealth of gifts, crafts, food and drink, whilst all aroundyou the smell of roasting chestnuts and the angelic voices of carol singers fills the air. With a visit to the delightfulsmall Yorkshire village of Haworth also included, this memorable weekend of Yuletide cheer will put you in the verybest of festive moods. So join us as we step back in time, and re-live the run up to Christmas as depicted in thosefabulous Victorian style Christmas cards!

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One-night stay with three-course evening meal and cooked breakfast• Visits to York St Nicholas Fayre and Haworth

YORK ST NICHOLAS FAYREDeparting 30 November 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£100per person

Allow us to transport you to shopping heaven and back as we spend two days visiting the best parts of Manchesterfor some retail therapy. On our first day we visit one of the biggest shopping centres in the whole of Europe, thesuperb Trafford Centre, which houses all the major high street department stores, along with a 20-screen UCI cinemacomplex and innumerable food outlets and restaurants. On our second day you can browse twinkling stalls and soakup the wonderful atmosphere in Manchester when it comes alive with its Christmas Markets, which are consideredamongst the best in the UK and Europe.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night bed and cooked breakfast • Visit to the Trafford Centre• Free time in Manchester

MANCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKETS & THE TRAFFORD CENTREDeparting 23 November 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£85per person

The music of Christmas time would not be complete without that of renowned composer and conductor John Rutter.Join him as he brings together the beautiful voices of the choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to raise the roofof the Royal Albert Hall with a glittering selection of Christmas carols, choral pieces and orchestral works. With thechance to visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland as well, this is a wonderful opportunity to get into the Christmasspirit.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• A ticket to John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration Concert at The Royal Albert Hall • Visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

JOHN RUTTER’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONDeparting 12 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£109per person

New for 2013, this 2 day break takes you to ‘The Loveliest Castle in the World’ at a time when it is adorned withChristmas decorations, with the addition of a traditional Christmas Market. Leeds Castle enjoys a picturesquelocation, on a natural lake surrounded by 500 acres of parkland, and is full of history and heritage. During ourvisit you can browse the Christmas stalls which sell a delightful range of gifts as well as explore the magnificentstate rooms and enjoy the festive decor, whilst taking a glimpse into the castles fascinating past. We also visit thebeautiful medieval city of Canterbury when it hosts its own quaint Christmas Market. All in all this is the perfectopportunity to get into the Christmas spirit.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One-night stay with three-course evening meal and cooked breakfast• Visit to Canterbury • Entrance to Leeds Castle and Grounds

LEEDS CASTLE CHRISTMAS FAIR AND CANTERBURY MARKETSDeparting 7 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£119per person

Christmas


Cruising may be the fastestgrowing sector of the travelindustry – with more than 1.7million Britons taking a cruiseevery year – but that doesn’tmean the big cruise companiesare happy just floating along;they are working hard to keeptheir customers keen.

National Cruise Week, run-ning until Sunday, is the primeexample of this, with somegreat special offers being pro-moted for trips in 2014.

Apulia, Lecce and Vieste, arethree destinations which don’timmediately spring to mindwhen it comes to visitingI t a ly.

Which is why they fit per-fectly into our UndiscoveredItaly eight-day trip on Page 7.

Apulia is one of the mostfertile regions of Italy, produ-cing more olive oil than therest of the country combined,along with most of its fish, 80per cent of Europe’s pasta andmore wine than Germany.

This productivity and theresultant wealth has attractedattention from a host of en-vious invaders throughout his-tory, with all leaving remark-ably evident footprints.

It is this which makes Apuliadelightfully different. It wascolonised by the ancientGreeks in the 8th century BC;then came the Romans, thenthe Byzantines, followed by theSaracens, the Normans, theSpanish and the Bourbons. Itfinally became Italian in 1861.

Here in the deep, south-eastof Italy, nature and history arepowerful influences.

The locals still winkcheekily at authority and therelaxed and communal way oflife is in harmony with thesunny dry climate. There re-mains a deep rooted and his-toric suspicion of rule fromafar, engendering a relaxed at-mosphere perfect for ‘g ettingaway from it all’ so why notjoin us and explore this hiddeng em.

Everyone, on the other handhas heard of Rome, but ourfive-day ancient and baroquethemed visit gives it a differente m p h a s i s.

Rome was, is, and probablyalways will be, one of thewo rl d ’s most compelling cities,with probably more to see herethan in any other capital onEarth, boasting an uninter-rupted recorded history for up-wards of 2,500 years.

Or you can visit Florence,I t a ly ’s finest renaissance cityand enjoy the rural charm ofT u s c a ny.

The region embodies muchthat Italy is famous for, pos-sessing more historical monu-ments than any other country,let alone province, on Earth.Its cities, Florence – a r g u ablythe finest city of the Renais-sance – Siena and Pisa, togeth-er with smaller towns and me-dieval villages such as Luccaand San Gimignano, house

some of the world’s finestartistic treasures.

Combine this with thehaunting beauty of the coun-tryside, an enviable climate,one of the world’s greatcuisines, and of course, withthe Italians themselves, andyou have all the ingredients fora superb holiday.

Or how about the more dra-matic scenery of the Italianlakes and mountains?

We have a trip which takes inLake Como, St Moritz and theBernina Express, one ofE u ro p e ’s most scenic trainjourneys through the SwissA l p s.

And the good news is you canfly from Bristol.

Alternatively you can visitLake Garda, Venice andVerona, flying from LondonG at w i ck .

Once there, enjoy the spec-tacular scenery of the Italianlakes and Venice, one of themost unique cities on earth onour escorted tour.

If you fancy going furtherafield, there are savings to behad, too. Hurtigruten reckonspassengers could save £3,000with an early discount of 30 percent on Antarctica voyages in2014. Another, Holland Amer-ica, has savings of up to £1,500on European and the Far East.

Andrew Davies, of Telford-based agency GoCruise, urgespeople to make the most ofthese fantastic early bookings– particularly families who areconfined to certain dates ofschool holidays, or those whowant to be away for Christmasand New Year. He points outthat in 2013, many companiesoffered big discounts to fillships up ahead of their de-parture: “But my hunch is thatsupply and demand in cruisingis gradually finding a balance.So while some discounts weremassive this year, the marginwill come down in 2014.”

It may be strange thinking isthat ‘late deals’ always meanbetter value. But with cruises,it clearly isn’t the case.

Director of Cruise Nation,Stephen Boardman, agrees: “Ifyou see an offer in Cruise Weekwhere the price looks good, I’dadvise you to book now.”

A popular Cruise Nationpackage for May-September2014 has four days in Hawaii,seven on an Alaska cruise, anAmtrak train journey fromSeattle to Los Angeles and thereturn flight from LA, startingat £1,599 for an inside cabin.

North London-based JetlineCruises also specialises inbuilding general holiday pack-ages around a cruise. In CruiseWeek, it is promoting a 13-night package from £1,339,with three nights in Las Vegas,a two-night Grand Canyonranch holiday, three nights inBeverly Hills and a four-nightmini-cruise to the MexicanRiviera, available fromNovember until April 2014.

Cruising toan even betterdeal this week

Take advantage of our cruise offers over the page and others that are around for National Cruise Week, with destinations including Lake Garda, above,and, clockwise from below left, the sights of Florence, the majesty of Antarctica, the history of Rome, beaches of Apulia, Italy, such as that at Torredell'Orso, and even Los Angeles

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices are from, per person, based on two people sharing, are applicable to selected departure dates and may have been rounded up or down to the nearest pound. Any applicable discounts have alreadybeen deducted. These holidays and included excursions are subject to availability. Single rooms and regional departures are also subject to availability and a supplement may apply. Prices and holidays are subject to availability and change, some holidays are subject to minimum passenger numbers. Terms and conditions apply.Holidays are operated by various suppliers which are ABTA and/or ATOL bonded where applicable. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receivesuch offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

Call us on0844 472 4545

Or visit uswww.bristolep.diamondhols.co.uk

QuoteBS

Spend this Christmas relaxing in a Mediterranean style resort without having to jet off abroad! Our 5 day break takesyou to the English Riviera, renowned for its signature palm trees and exceptionally mild climate, where everythingis arranged for the perfect Christmas. From our base in the beautiful resort of Torquay you can enjoy a range ofincluded excursions, along with a host of festive fun in our hotel.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • Four nights’ stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• Sherry reception and Bucks Fizz reception • Traditional Christmas Lunch • Two afternoon cream teas • Entertainment onthree evenings • Free time to relax and explore Torquay • Visits to Exmouth, Paignton, Dartmouth and Buckfast AbbeyRiver Exe Cruise with mulled wine and mince pies

CHRISTMAS IN TORQUAYDeparting 23 December 2013 from Bristol

5 days from

£379per person

We invite you to join us on this fantastic two day break visiting one of the country’s most famous Christmas marketsand one of Europe’s leading indoor shopping centre. Not just any old market, Lincoln is a unique festive experience- a time when choirs, bands, carol singers and performers mingle amongst brightly coloured stalls filled with uniquegifts and fayre. Set in a cobbled square in the shadow of the majestic 11th century Cathedral, the Norman Castle andtimber framed buildings, it makes the task of Christmas shopping a real pleasure; and with a visit to MeadowhallShopping Centre also included, you will find everything you need for friends and family this Christmas.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• Visit to Meadowhall Shopping Centre • Visit to Lincoln Christmas Market

LINCOLN CHRISTMAS MARKETDeparting 7 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£100per person

The St Nicholas Fayre is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK. Held each year in the heart of York,this beautiful city comes alive with bustling stalls offering a wealth of gifts, crafts, food and drink, whilst all aroundyou the smell of roasting chestnuts and the angelic voices of carol singers fills the air. With a visit to the delightfulsmall Yorkshire village of Haworth also included, this memorable weekend of Yuletide cheer will put you in the verybest of festive moods. So join us as we step back in time, and re-live the run up to Christmas as depicted in thosefabulous Victorian style Christmas cards!

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One-night stay with three-course evening meal and cooked breakfast• Visits to York St Nicholas Fayre and Haworth

YORK ST NICHOLAS FAYREDeparting 30 November 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£100per person

Allow us to transport you to shopping heaven and back as we spend two days visiting the best parts of Manchesterfor some retail therapy. On our first day we visit one of the biggest shopping centres in the whole of Europe, thesuperb Trafford Centre, which houses all the major high street department stores, along with a 20-screen UCI cinemacomplex and innumerable food outlets and restaurants. On our second day you can browse twinkling stalls and soakup the wonderful atmosphere in Manchester when it comes alive with its Christmas Markets, which are consideredamongst the best in the UK and Europe.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night bed and cooked breakfast • Visit to the Trafford Centre• Free time in Manchester

MANCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKETS & THE TRAFFORD CENTREDeparting 23 November 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£85per person

The music of Christmas time would not be complete without that of renowned composer and conductor John Rutter.Join him as he brings together the beautiful voices of the choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to raise the roofof the Royal Albert Hall with a glittering selection of Christmas carols, choral pieces and orchestral works. With thechance to visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland as well, this is a wonderful opportunity to get into the Christmasspirit.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One night stay with three course evening meal & cooked breakfast• A ticket to John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration Concert at The Royal Albert Hall • Visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

JOHN RUTTER’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONDeparting 12 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£109per person

New for 2013, this 2 day break takes you to ‘The Loveliest Castle in the World’ at a time when it is adorned withChristmas decorations, with the addition of a traditional Christmas Market. Leeds Castle enjoys a picturesquelocation, on a natural lake surrounded by 500 acres of parkland, and is full of history and heritage. During ourvisit you can browse the Christmas stalls which sell a delightful range of gifts as well as explore the magnificentstate rooms and enjoy the festive decor, whilst taking a glimpse into the castles fascinating past. We also visit thebeautiful medieval city of Canterbury when it hosts its own quaint Christmas Market. All in all this is the perfectopportunity to get into the Christmas spirit.

The price includes:• Private coach travel from your local area • One-night stay with three-course evening meal and cooked breakfast• Visit to Canterbury • Entrance to Leeds Castle and Grounds

LEEDS CASTLE CHRISTMAS FAIR AND CANTERBURY MARKETSDeparting 7 December 2013 from Bristol

2 days from

£119per person

Christmas


Call us on 0844 472 4557 Mon - Fri 9am-9pm / Sat 9am-5pm / Sunday 10am-6pm Expiry date 11 October 2013NORB2309Quote

Cruising

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices “from” act as an indication only and are per person based on 2 sharing a room, subject to availability. Offers do not include transfers, travel insurance or in-flight meals. Where local country hotel taxes are charged, theseare payable locally and not included in the price advertised. The image used is for illustration purposes only and does not reflect your actual holiday experience. Please note departures on 30 November, 27 December, 19 February, 27 March - Madeira port of call will be replaced with Tenerife. Offers do not include transfers, gratuities or shore excursions.Hotel rating is that of the supplier and may not be the official rating. * Up to $75 dollars on board spend is per stateroom for selected 2013/2014 sailings. Discretionary service charge applies for speciality restaurants and selected entertainment. Luggage allowance may vary, please check at the time of booking The above package holidays are fulfilled byHoliday Gems Ltd, agent number S6886 and ATOL number 3973 (Global Travel Group Ltd), whose booking conditions apply. Hotel rating is that of the supplier and may not be the official rating. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time. Travel restrictions, conditions and credit/debit card surcharges apply. Please ask at the time of booking for fulldetails. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Full balance is due 14 weeks prior to departure. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will notgive your details to other companies without your permission.

10 nights from

£539per person

MOROCCO & CANARIES CRUISE

Prices fromNovember 2013December 2013February 2014March 2014April 2014

InsideStateroom

£559£539£659£649£939

OutsideStateroom

£599£579£709£699£1079

BalconyStateroom

£699£659£799£799£1199

Discover cruising with this wonderful winter cruise around Spain and the Canary Islands. Enjoy the cultural city of Barcelona with a one night pre cruise stay at acentrally located hotel; visit the Olympic Stadium and the Sagrada Familia, before you embark Norwegian Spirit on this wonderful wintersun cruise. As you cruise fromport to port along stunning coastlines, Norwegian Spirit has plenty to keep you entertained day and night with exciting nightclubs, award-winning restaurants, agrand casino, swimming pools, a pampering spa and so much more

Day 1 – BarcelonaEnjoy 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in the cultural cityof Barcelona the second largest city in Spain afterMadrid and the capital of Catalonia and is home toone of the most famous boulevards in the world - LaRambla.

Day 2 – Embarkation Norwegian SpiritAfter breakfast you will still have time before youboard your cruise to enjoy Barcelona. Visit some ofGaudi’s famous architectural works’ including ParkGuell and the Segrada Familia or watch the famousdancing fountains. Wander down the famous LasRamblas, marvel at Gaudi’s architecture or simplyenjoy the culture in a pavement cafe.

Day 3 Relaxing day at SeaSpend a day at sea and really soak up yoursurroundings on board your ultimate cruise.Decadence and complete comfort is available via themany services and facilities you will have the chanceto experience.

Day 4 – Casablanca, MoroccoJust like the famous film, a visit to the city ofCasablanca could be the beginning of a beautifulfriendship. Stroll around its Moorish architecture andwhitewashed buildings and see the magnificentHassan II mosque.

Day 5 – Relaxing day at SeaRelax on-board Norwegian Sprit as you cruise toMadeira.

Day 6 – Funchal (Madeira)Funchal has been an Atlantic stop-off since the daysof the Portuguese navigators, who called here forwater before the long voyage west. Today, you’remore likely to be topping up with a glass of Madeirawine before setting off to explore the beautifulBotanical Gardens, the sheer sea cliffs and themountainous interior with its lush valleys andterraced hillsides.

Day 7 – Arrecife LanzaroteHome to lunar landscapes and charming villages, thevolcanic island of Lanzarote explodes with life. Relaxin beach resorts like Puerto Carmen and experiencethe volcanic terrain of Timanfaya National Park's FireMountains.

Day 8 – At SeaSpend time sunbathing on the sun deck under theclear skies, enjoy a cocktail or two aboard yourfloating home, whatever your preference, now is thetime to lap it up.

Day 9- Granada (Malaga)Stopping off at Granada in Malaga allows you tospend time exploring the magnificent AlhambraPalace for its Moorish art and grand designs. This isthe highlight of the vacation attracting over twomillion visitors per year. Guided tours throughoutGranada are an excellent way to really get into theheart of this amazing region.

Day 10 - At SeaStill time to enjoy the wide choice of facilitiesonboard Norwegian Spirit.

Day 11- BarcelonaDisembark Norwegian Spirit for your return flighthome to the UK or ask about extending your stay inBarcelona.

Includesupto

$75onboard

spend*

Cruise ship facilities & amenities

• 17 Dining Choices• 10 Bars & Lounges• Casino• Library& Reading Room• Nightclub• Swimming Pool• 1 Children’s pool• 4 Hot Tubs• Spa & Fitness Centre• Children Clubs• Theatre• Golf Driving Nets• Hairdresser and Beauty Salon• Jogging & Walking Track

Our price includes:

• Return flights from Bristol Airport to Barcelona• Luggage allowance, flight and port tax• 9 nights full board on Norwegian Spirit• 1 night stay in Barcelona hotel with breakfast• Up to $75 on board spend per stateroom

Call us on 0844 472 4605 Or visit uswww.bririviera.co.ukQuoteBRI Request a brochure online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/brochures

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices are from, per person, based on two people sharing a twin room unless stated otherwise, and are applicable to selected departure dates. These holidays and included excursions are subject to availability. Singlerooms available at a supplement. Some visa costs and local departure taxes may not be included. Prices and holidays are subject to availability and change, some holidays are subject to minimum passenger numbers. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Holidays organised by and are subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel,New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected, a company wholly independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive suchoffers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

La Dolce VitaROME - ANCIENT & BAROQUESelected departures in November 2013and April to November 2014

Price includes:• Return flights to Rome from Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester or Birmingham,other regional airports are available

• Four nights’ bed and breakfast in a centrally located four-star hotel• Guided tours of Rome (Baroque and Ancient)• Timed visit to the Villa Borghese• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

With an uninterrupted recorded history of more than 2,500 years, no other city seems tohave managed to combine a heritage of classical antiquities and medieval buildings - fromRenaissance palaces to intricate Baroque piazzas – quite as well as Rome. The grandeur ofthe Colosseum and the Vatican, the magnificence of St. Peter’s, the fine collection of art andartefacts stored in the Villa Borghese, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, the TreviFountain and flamboyant Baroque buildings – the list is endless. Combine all this with world-class cuisine and the Italian lifestyle and you have an unbeatable destination for a tour.

5 days from

£549per person

FLORENCE AND TUSCANYSelected departures October 2013and April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, East Midlands or Manchester,other regional airports available

• Seven nights bed and breakfast staying in three-starsuperior and four-star hotels, including four dinners

• Stay in central Florence and the enchanting medievaltown of Volterra

• Guided tour of Florence – pearl of the Renaissance• Reserved, timed visit to the Uffizi, one of the finest artgalleries in the world

• Visit to San Gimignano• Guided tour of Siena, one of the finest medieval cities• Visit to Pisa – home of the leaning tower• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

For the first three nights you will stay in central Florencewhere you will enjoy a guided tour and a reserved, timedentry to the Uffizi art gallery. Pisa and Lucca are the nextdestinations before spending three nights in Volterra,with its stunning views over the Tuscan countryside. Wealso visit medieval San Gimignano and Siena. Tuscany isone of Europe’s most alluring regions, a charming mix ofRenaissance cities, vineyards, olive groves, spectacularancient castles and beautiful hill towns, oozing charm.

8 days from

£859per person

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, Birmingham or East Midlands,other airports available

• Seven nights half-board, staying in four-star accommodation• Visit to St Moritz in the heart of the Swiss Alps• Travel on the stunning Bernina Express, one of the world’smost spectacular railway journeys

• Visit to Lake Maggiore and Lugano• Guided tour of medieval Bergamo• Lake cruise to stunning Bellagio, acknowledged as one ofthe most beautiful villages in Italy

• Private visit to the enchanting Villa del Balbianello andits memorable gardens

• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

On this wonderfully varied tour we explore Lake Como,one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, plus somestunning icons of northern Italy and Switzerland: theamazing Lakes of Maggiore and Lugano, the majesticAlps surrounding St Moritz and a fantastic rail journey onthe Bernina Express.

APULIA, LECCE & VIESTESelected departures April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from London Gatwick• Seven nights four-star accommodation with breakfastand dinner

• Guided tour of Lecce• Visit to Alberobello, home to the unique ‘trulli’ houses• Guided tour of Matera, the amazing cave village andUNESCO world heritage site

• Visit to Bari’s old town, once home to ancient Greeks,Saracens and Normans

• Visit to Castel del Monte, one of Italy’s finest medieval castles• Stay in ancient Vieste’s delightful old town• Drive along the Gargano coast• Tour the beautiful national park and Crusader church ofMonte St Angelo, where the Archangel St Michael appeared


8 days from

£799per person

Colonised by the ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC; thencame the Romans, Byzantines followed by the Saracens,Normans, Spanish and Bourbons before finally becomingItalian in 1861. See some of the most fascinating cities,villages, unusual sights and scenery that you will findanywhere and most importantly it remains genuinely unspoilt.

8 days from

£879per person

LAKE GARDA, VENICE & VERONASelected departures October 2013and April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, Manchester or Birmingham,other airports available

• Seven nights in a choice of excellent quality three orfour-star hotels with breakfast and dinner

• Tour of beautiful Lake Garda – Italy’s largest lake• Guided sightseeing tour of Verona - the city of Romeoand Juliet

• Tour of the Dolomites - with their dramatic alpine scenery• Guided sightseeing tour of Venice, perhaps the mostunique city on earth


This tour is a wonderful blend of some of the finest sightsin northern Italy. Firstly Lake Garda, where waves lapgently on the shingle shoreline, with its background of thesnow-capped Dolomite mountains; then Venice, a uniquecity full of cultural delights such as the Doge’s Palace,St. Mark’s Basilica and the Grand Canal; lastly, Verona,one of the most romantic cities you will ever find and soappropriate as the setting for Romeo and Juliet.

8 days from

£619per person

LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THEBERNINA EXPRESSSelected departures October 2013 andApril to October 2014


Call us on 0844 472 4557 Mon - Fri 9am-9pm / Sat 9am-5pm / Sunday 10am-6pm Expiry date 11 October 2013NORB2309Quote

Cruising

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices “from” act as an indication only and are per person based on 2 sharing a room, subject to availability. Offers do not include transfers, travel insurance or in-flight meals. Where local country hotel taxes are charged, theseare payable locally and not included in the price advertised. The image used is for illustration purposes only and does not reflect your actual holiday experience. Please note departures on 30 November, 27 December, 19 February, 27 March - Madeira port of call will be replaced with Tenerife. Offers do not include transfers, gratuities or shore excursions.Hotel rating is that of the supplier and may not be the official rating. * Up to $75 dollars on board spend is per stateroom for selected 2013/2014 sailings. Discretionary service charge applies for speciality restaurants and selected entertainment. Luggage allowance may vary, please check at the time of booking The above package holidays are fulfilled byHoliday Gems Ltd, agent number S6886 and ATOL number 3973 (Global Travel Group Ltd), whose booking conditions apply. Hotel rating is that of the supplier and may not be the official rating. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time. Travel restrictions, conditions and credit/debit card surcharges apply. Please ask at the time of booking for fulldetails. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Full balance is due 14 weeks prior to departure. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will notgive your details to other companies without your permission.

10 nights from

£539per person

MOROCCO & CANARIES CRUISE

Prices fromNovember 2013December 2013February 2014March 2014April 2014

InsideStateroom

£559£539£659£649£939

OutsideStateroom

£599£579£709£699£1079

BalconyStateroom

£699£659£799£799£1199

Discover cruising with this wonderful winter cruise around Spain and the Canary Islands. Enjoy the cultural city of Barcelona with a one night pre cruise stay at acentrally located hotel; visit the Olympic Stadium and the Sagrada Familia, before you embark Norwegian Spirit on this wonderful wintersun cruise. As you cruise fromport to port along stunning coastlines, Norwegian Spirit has plenty to keep you entertained day and night with exciting nightclubs, award-winning restaurants, agrand casino, swimming pools, a pampering spa and so much more

Day 1 – BarcelonaEnjoy 1 night pre cruise hotel stay in the cultural cityof Barcelona the second largest city in Spain afterMadrid and the capital of Catalonia and is home toone of the most famous boulevards in the world - LaRambla.

Day 2 – Embarkation Norwegian SpiritAfter breakfast you will still have time before youboard your cruise to enjoy Barcelona. Visit some ofGaudi’s famous architectural works’ including ParkGuell and the Segrada Familia or watch the famousdancing fountains. Wander down the famous LasRamblas, marvel at Gaudi’s architecture or simplyenjoy the culture in a pavement cafe.

Day 3 Relaxing day at SeaSpend a day at sea and really soak up yoursurroundings on board your ultimate cruise.Decadence and complete comfort is available via themany services and facilities you will have the chanceto experience.

Day 4 – Casablanca, MoroccoJust like the famous film, a visit to the city ofCasablanca could be the beginning of a beautifulfriendship. Stroll around its Moorish architecture andwhitewashed buildings and see the magnificentHassan II mosque.

Day 5 – Relaxing day at SeaRelax on-board Norwegian Sprit as you cruise toMadeira.

Day 6 – Funchal (Madeira)Funchal has been an Atlantic stop-off since the daysof the Portuguese navigators, who called here forwater before the long voyage west. Today, you’remore likely to be topping up with a glass of Madeirawine before setting off to explore the beautifulBotanical Gardens, the sheer sea cliffs and themountainous interior with its lush valleys andterraced hillsides.

Day 7 – Arrecife LanzaroteHome to lunar landscapes and charming villages, thevolcanic island of Lanzarote explodes with life. Relaxin beach resorts like Puerto Carmen and experiencethe volcanic terrain of Timanfaya National Park's FireMountains.

Day 8 – At SeaSpend time sunbathing on the sun deck under theclear skies, enjoy a cocktail or two aboard yourfloating home, whatever your preference, now is thetime to lap it up.

Day 9- Granada (Malaga)Stopping off at Granada in Malaga allows you tospend time exploring the magnificent AlhambraPalace for its Moorish art and grand designs. This isthe highlight of the vacation attracting over twomillion visitors per year. Guided tours throughoutGranada are an excellent way to really get into theheart of this amazing region.

Day 10 - At SeaStill time to enjoy the wide choice of facilitiesonboard Norwegian Spirit.

Day 11- BarcelonaDisembark Norwegian Spirit for your return flighthome to the UK or ask about extending your stay inBarcelona.

Includesupto

$75onboard

spend*

Cruise ship facilities & amenities

• 17 Dining Choices• 10 Bars & Lounges• Casino• Library& Reading Room• Nightclub• Swimming Pool• 1 Children’s pool• 4 Hot Tubs• Spa & Fitness Centre• Children Clubs• Theatre• Golf Driving Nets• Hairdresser and Beauty Salon• Jogging & Walking Track

Our price includes:

• Return flights from Bristol Airport to Barcelona• Luggage allowance, flight and port tax• 9 nights full board on Norwegian Spirit• 1 night stay in Barcelona hotel with breakfast• Up to $75 on board spend per stateroom

Call us on 0844 472 4605 Or visit uswww.bririviera.co.ukQuoteBRI Request a brochure online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/brochures

Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices are from, per person, based on two people sharing a twin room unless stated otherwise, and are applicable to selected departure dates. These holidays and included excursions are subject to availability. Singlerooms available at a supplement. Some visa costs and local departure taxes may not be included. Prices and holidays are subject to availability and change, some holidays are subject to minimum passenger numbers. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Holidays organised by and are subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel,New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected, a company wholly independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive suchoffers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

La Dolce VitaROME - ANCIENT & BAROQUESelected departures in November 2013and April to November 2014

Price includes:• Return flights to Rome from Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester or Birmingham,other regional airports are available

• Four nights’ bed and breakfast in a centrally located four-star hotel• Guided tours of Rome (Baroque and Ancient)• Timed visit to the Villa Borghese• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

With an uninterrupted recorded history of more than 2,500 years, no other city seems tohave managed to combine a heritage of classical antiquities and medieval buildings - fromRenaissance palaces to intricate Baroque piazzas – quite as well as Rome. The grandeur ofthe Colosseum and the Vatican, the magnificence of St. Peter’s, the fine collection of art andartefacts stored in the Villa Borghese, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, the TreviFountain and flamboyant Baroque buildings – the list is endless. Combine all this with world-class cuisine and the Italian lifestyle and you have an unbeatable destination for a tour.

5 days from

£549per person

FLORENCE AND TUSCANYSelected departures October 2013and April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, East Midlands or Manchester,other regional airports available

• Seven nights bed and breakfast staying in three-starsuperior and four-star hotels, including four dinners

• Stay in central Florence and the enchanting medievaltown of Volterra

• Guided tour of Florence – pearl of the Renaissance• Reserved, timed visit to the Uffizi, one of the finest artgalleries in the world

• Visit to San Gimignano• Guided tour of Siena, one of the finest medieval cities• Visit to Pisa – home of the leaning tower• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

For the first three nights you will stay in central Florencewhere you will enjoy a guided tour and a reserved, timedentry to the Uffizi art gallery. Pisa and Lucca are the nextdestinations before spending three nights in Volterra,with its stunning views over the Tuscan countryside. Wealso visit medieval San Gimignano and Siena. Tuscany isone of Europe’s most alluring regions, a charming mix ofRenaissance cities, vineyards, olive groves, spectacularancient castles and beautiful hill towns, oozing charm.

8 days from

£859per person

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, Birmingham or East Midlands,other airports available

• Seven nights half-board, staying in four-star accommodation• Visit to St Moritz in the heart of the Swiss Alps• Travel on the stunning Bernina Express, one of the world’smost spectacular railway journeys

• Visit to Lake Maggiore and Lugano• Guided tour of medieval Bergamo• Lake cruise to stunning Bellagio, acknowledged as one ofthe most beautiful villages in Italy

• Private visit to the enchanting Villa del Balbianello andits memorable gardens


On this wonderfully varied tour we explore Lake Como,one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, plus somestunning icons of northern Italy and Switzerland: theamazing Lakes of Maggiore and Lugano, the majesticAlps surrounding St Moritz and a fantastic rail journey onthe Bernina Express.

APULIA, LECCE & VIESTESelected departures April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from London Gatwick• Seven nights four-star accommodation with breakfastand dinner

• Guided tour of Lecce• Visit to Alberobello, home to the unique ‘trulli’ houses• Guided tour of Matera, the amazing cave village andUNESCO world heritage site

• Visit to Bari’s old town, once home to ancient Greeks,Saracens and Normans

• Visit to Castel del Monte, one of Italy’s finest medieval castles• Stay in ancient Vieste’s delightful old town• Drive along the Gargano coast• Tour the beautiful national park and Crusader church ofMonte St Angelo, where the Archangel St Michael appeared


8 days from

£799per person

Colonised by the ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC; thencame the Romans, Byzantines followed by the Saracens,Normans, Spanish and Bourbons before finally becomingItalian in 1861. See some of the most fascinating cities,villages, unusual sights and scenery that you will findanywhere and most importantly it remains genuinely unspoilt.

8 days from

£879per person

LAKE GARDA, VENICE & VERONASelected departures October 2013and April to October 2014

Price includes:• Return flights from Bristol, Manchester or Birmingham,other airports available

• Seven nights in a choice of excellent quality three orfour-star hotels with breakfast and dinner

• Tour of beautiful Lake Garda – Italy’s largest lake• Guided sightseeing tour of Verona - the city of Romeoand Juliet

• Tour of the Dolomites - with their dramatic alpine scenery• Guided sightseeing tour of Venice, perhaps the mostunique city on earth


This tour is a wonderful blend of some of the finest sightsin northern Italy. Firstly Lake Garda, where waves lapgently on the shingle shoreline, with its background of thesnow-capped Dolomite mountains; then Venice, a uniquecity full of cultural delights such as the Doge’s Palace,St. Mark’s Basilica and the Grand Canal; lastly, Verona,one of the most romantic cities you will ever find and soappropriate as the setting for Romeo and Juliet.

8 days from

£619per person

LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THEBERNINA EXPRESSSelected departures October 2013 andApril to October 2014

8 TRAVEL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 2013 WESTERN DAILY PRESS WDP-E01-S3

First-time cruiser JenniferPegler raises her glass to awine-themed trip around Europe

It was about six months ago, ata friend’s dinner party, when Iexposed myself as a wine ig-noramus. Conversation wasflowing far more easily thanthe cheap bottle of plonk I’dpicked up, when I made theembarrassing admission thatLambrini was my favouritechoice of tipple and I couldn’tname a French wine.

So when the opportunityarose to join a wine-themedcruise around Europe, Ijumped at the chance to soakup some knowledge, alongwith a few fine vintages alongthe way.

As first-timers, my husbandand I weren’t quite sure whatto expect, but as soon as we setfoot on the 694-personAzamara Quest, we werestruck by her luxury and op-u l e n c e.

By the time she pulled out ofa grey Southampton, we hadalready found the Windowsbar, a place that became ourfavourite hangout. The attent-ive Indonesian bar managerMetz mixed us some cocktailsfrom the complimentarymenu to toast our journey.

As is standard on mostcruises, food was included inour package, but unusually, sowas a large selection of al-cohol.

No sooner were our drinksfinished than Metz was askingif we wanted more – andalready knew our names, eventhough we hadn’t told him. Infact, throughout our staynearly every member of staffgreeted us with “hello Mr andMrs Pegler” as they passed.

It was indicative of the fault-less service we would exper-ience throughout our 12-nightjourney through St Peter Portin Guernsey, Bordeaux, StJean de Luz, in the south ofFrance, Bilbao, Lisbon andending in Seville.

Smaller than the averageliner, the Quest can dock muchcloser to the heart of destin-ations, stopping at less-visitedports. There are no giant shop-ping centres, cinemas or bowl-ing alleys on board, and fewfamilies with young children –the cruises are aimed atmature members of societyseeking considerable luxury.

Another plus point wasovernight stays at many of thestops, giving you time to ex-perience a place. I was alsorelieved to discover the boatoperates a relaxed dress code.

After a calm night’s sailingwe woke up in Guernsey’s cap-ital, St Peter Port. The bust-ling, shop-lined cobbledstreets, decked with bunting,have an unmistakably Gallicfeel.

That evening, we had thechoice of eating in the formalDiscoveries restaurant, withits fine dining five-course of-fering; or the Windows Cafe, abuffet-style, more casualplace, which had a themedmenu from around the world.

There are also two specialityrestaurants: Prime C, special-ising in steak, and seafoodeatery Aqualina. You pay a

supplement for the specialitydining, but in return you getfood rivalling the top restaur-ants and first-class servicefrom extra-attentive waiters.

Our next stop was Bor-deaux, and excitement wasbuilding among for the‘Azamazing Evening’, aFrench-themed cocktail partyat an 18th century formerstock exchange, Palais de laB o u r s e.

French waiters welcomedus with a selection of there gion’s finest wines, andchefs prepared crepes andwaffles in homage to there gion’s gastronomy.

A French singer paid tributeto the likes of Edith Piaf andcan-can girls took to the stage,as we sipped our wine.

It was just the start of ourexploration of Bordeaux’s cul-ture. The following day we

were booked on a tour of thefamous wine estate ChateauMargaux, one of the manytours Azamara offers to give ataste of each stop.

The coach meanderedthrough rolling vineyards toChateau Giscours, one of theMargaux estate’s premier cruproducers. Charismatic guideHelen greeted us at the grandhouse and took us through thehistory of the vineyard, whichdates back to the 14th century,and the unique growing con-ditions of the region.

After a tour of the cellarsand a look at the distillationvats, we finally got to the tast-ing. She coached us to swill the2002 red, smelling for scentswe might recognise – ber ries,coriander and grass – and fi-nally I rolled it across mytongue; it was beautiful.

The memories of the cheap

claret that scarred me duringmy student days were replacedwith something in its ownleague. Never again would Iignorantly say I don’t likeFrench wine.

While the Azamazing Even-ing and vineyard experienceof Bordeaux were highlights ofthe cruise, they didn’t over-shadow the rest of our jour-n e y.

We travelled along theFrench coast to St Jean de Luz,situated in the shadow of thePyrenees and lined withgolden sandy beaches. Here wetook the opportunity to swimand sunbathe as it was theonly stop on the journey thatwould allow that holidaybeach action.

A short stop in Bilbao al-lowed us just enough time toexperience the show-stoppingGuggenheim Museum, thenafter a day at sea we eventuallypulled into Lisbon.

We passed restaurantsselling sardines, and touristshops filled with locally-madetiles, as we climbed steps toreach a viewing platform inthe Alfama district.

As we stood high above theterracotta roofs of houses, wecould see the Azamara Questin all her glory. Tourists posedto have their photos takenagainst the backdrop; we feltso privileged to be staying onsuch an impressive vessel.

Our journey into Seville,down the relatively narrowGuadalquivir River, alsodemonstrated the advantageof travelling on a smaller,vessel and locals looked on inamaz ement.

Strolling along streetsframed by orange trees, wedrooled over various tapasbars, each spraying mist fromtheir awnings to cool downtheir roasting patrons. Wec o u l d n’t resist stopping for aglass of Rioja and some Iberi-an cured ham.

We finished our journey byvisiting Catedral de SantaMaria de la Sede, where Chris-topher Columbus is buried (orparts of him are, at least).

He discovered the NewWorld, while we had been vis-iting the Old, and we couldn’thave chosen a more luxuriousand relaxing way to do it thanon the Azamara Quest.

Travel factsJennifer Pegler was a guest ofAzamara Club Cruises(w w w. a z a m a ra cl u b -c ru i s e s. c o. u k ; 0844 493 4016)who offer the Azamara Jour-ney on a 14-night Food AndWine Fly/Cruise from £3,018per person (based on two shar-ing an interior stateroom).

Price includes return flightfrom London Heathrow, trans-fers and a 14-night cruise de-parting from Southamptonand calling at St. Peter Port(Channel Islands), Nantes(Loire Valley, France), Bor-deaux (France), St. Jean deLuz (France), Bilbao (Spain)and Porto (Portugal), beforearriving into Lisbon (Por-tugal) for the flight home. Thecruise also includes selecteddrinks and meals. Price basedon August 20, 2014 departure.

A taste of luxury on vineyard cruise

The pool deck on Azamara Quest cruise ship, which took Jennifer Pegler down the French Atlantic coast, stopping in the vineyards of Bordeaux, before atrip to Bilbao, below left, and up the Guadalquivir River into Seville. An early stop in St Peter Port, Guernsey, was an easy introduction to the Gallic feel

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Travel Western Daily Press 24 September 2013