March Newsletter

Extraordinary Choice, Experience and Service
22 New Street, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BT
www.dandgtravel.co.uk
01491 575511
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
March is always a busy month for us. Those Clients who haven’t already booked their holidays are
now looking in earnest.
The most popular European destination this year appears to be Italy. Clients who have in the past
taken holidays in Cyprus, Greece and Spain are now looking at Italy in earnest. Italy used to be a very
big favourite but the popularity seemed to wane from the mid-eighties. This year has been a bit of a
revelation. In the newsletter I will present some excellent offers at resorts that have already proved
popular and some exciting different ones.
I have been a bit busy on local radio of late. A while back I was asked on to BBC Radio Oxford for a
holiday interview and more recently I have been asked onto Radio Marlow to do a Travel show, in
January and February, I have given information on holidays in general and in particular last month in
depth information on Lapland. Lapland has, all of a sudden, become a VERY popular destination.
Young friends of mine, Ross & Hannah, are currently touring across South America. They have been
away since and due back in July. Whilst I do not necessarily advocate the form of travel they take nor
their chosen accommodation I thought you may be interested in the places they have been and the
activities they have been involved in. Hannah is writing a blog and I will include a few pages at the
end of the Newsletter and in the future.
Finally – Easter is not far off now – some super short break destinations for you to consider.
I do hope that some of the offers within this Newsletter prove to be of interest to you and please
........ whatever your travel needs ..... Darren and I are here to help and advise – we have YEARS!! of
experience in the travel industry and have firsthand knowledge of most destinations.
Best Regards
Gillian
gillian@dandgtravel.co.uk
LUXURY LATES
Offers for March, April and May
CYPRUS
Limassol - Le Meridien Hotel 5*
£1169 per person (save £296 per couple)
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Departing 25 . March from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
B & B basis.
Paphos – Almyra 5*
7 nights
Offer price - rom £798 per person
nd
Departing 2 May from Gatwick
Includes early booking discount and complimentary half
board
7 nights
CANARY ISLANDS
Lanzarote - Hotel Valcon 5*
£749 per person (save £224 per couple)
th
Departing 10 . April from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
B & B basis.
Lanzarote - Hotel Princesa Yaiza
7 nights
Offer price - from £939 per adult and £564 per child
nd
Departing 2 May from Gatwick
7 nights
Includes early booking offer (book by 31 March)
st
Price based on suite sharing – booking by 31 March
Tenerife – Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque 5*
£1329 per person (save £916 per couple)
Departing 21st. March from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
B & B basis.
Gran Canaria – Grand Hotel Residencia 5*
7 nights
£1899 per person (save £280 per couple)
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Departing 16 . April from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
B & B basis.
7 nights
LUXURY LATES continued
MADEIRA
Reids Palace 5*
offer price of £1659 per person
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Departing 29 . March from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
B & B basis.
7 nights
Quinto Perestrella Heritage House 4*
offer price of £669 per person
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Departing 29 . March from Gatwick.
B & B basis.
7 nights
EGYPT
Baron Palms Resort 5*
£1499 per person (saving£378 per couple)
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Departing 8 . April from Gatwick.
Private taxi transfers.
ALL INCLUSIVE
7 nights
CRETE
St Nicholas Bay 5*
Offer price - from £988 per person
nd
Departing 2 May from Gatwick.
7 nights
st
Complimentary HB included - Booking by 31 March
MALLORCA
Grand Palace De Muro
Offer price - from £799 per person
nd
Departing 2 May from Gatwick.
st
Booking by 31 . March.
Offer includes 7 nights for price of 6
CROATIA
Bluesun Bonaca – Brac Island
Offer price - from £519 per adult and £237 per child
nd
Departing 2 May from Gatwick.
st
Booking by 31 . March. 7 nights
Offer price based on family room share
ALL INCLUSIVE
ITALY
PUGLIA
5* MASSERIA TORRE MAIZZA - Situated just 1.5kms from the sea, the Masseria Torre Maizza is
set in a large estate with ancient olive trees, fields and crops. Dating back to
the 16th Century the Masseria has been and continues to be a working ‘farm’,
producing herbs, fruit and vegetables. The old buildings of the original farm
have now been converted, retaining many original features, but with all the
modern amenities expected of a 5* hotel. A charming place to stay, infused
with authentic cuisine and produce of the area. A smaller style property with
just 26 rooms/suites.
Prices from £1449 per person – 7 nights. British Airways flights from London.
B & B basis.
Special children’s Easter offer - Prices for a family of 4 sharing a Deluxe room
(2 adults and 2 children under 12years old) for 3 nights = £3865 , including
flights, car hire, 3 nights B&B over Easter, Easter lunch and access to the spa for the adults. There
are plenty of kids activities including Easter egg painting, Easter egg hunts and outdoor activities.
5* MASSERIA TORRE COCCARO
Located just outside of the town of Savelletri, about three kilometres from the
sea and a ten-minute drive to the town of Fasano in Puglia, the Masseria Torre
Coccaro is a pretty hotel in the heart of the countryside. Surrounded by olive
groves and fig trees. The Masseria Torre Coccaro hotel has the perfect balance
of modernity and rustic simplicity. The grounds are quite unique and there is
plenty to explore. The building that houses the majority of bedrooms is very
new, yet it blends in perfectly with its surroundings. Another feature of the
Masseria Torre Coccaro hotel is the small underground spa set in a natural
cave complete with an indoor pool, Turkish bath, fitness room, massage and
treatments. The hotel has its own private beach area about three kilometres
away, where there is also a fish restaurant and sushi bar. Guests can also rent
the hotel’s private motorised yacht and crew for day-trips along the coast. The
Masseria Torre Coccaro superbly captures the character of an old masseria but
still remains a comfortable and quality hotel.
Prices from £1429 per person – 7 nights. British Airways flights from London.
B & B basis. Hire car included.
Special children’s Easter offer - There are special 3 night Easter packages for
families with reduced rates for children under 12 and infants from 0 -3 years
old stay for free + there is a huge range of activities at the Coccaro Beach Club and for a minimum
stay of 4 nights the beach club is free for children up to 12 years old. Easter egg painting, pottery
courses, Easter egg hunts and plenty of outdoor activities including beach activities.
ITALY continued
AMALFI COAST
5* GRAND HOTEL COCUMELLA
The gracious Grand Hotel Cocumella is situated in its own tranquil and
beautiful park in Sant’Agnello, just a 20 minute walk from Sorrento's lively
centre. Set in the leafy and well tended gardens are a lovely swimming pool
surrounded by terraces, and a tennis court. The atmosphere of the hotel is
traditional, historic and elegant and almost no two rooms are alike in size,
even if they are in the same category.
The Grand Hotel Cocumella also has its own man-made beach which is
reached by a lift in the gardens; this is exclusively for guests' use, and
deckchairs, umbrellas and bathing cabins are provided. A unique asset of the
Grand Hotel Cocumella is its magnificent fully crewed ship, which provides
the opportunity for guests to go on sailing excursions for the day.
Prices from £1259 per person – 7 nights. British Airways flights from
London. B & B basis. Hire car included.
Offer – 4 nights for the price of 3 throughout April and 7 nights for price of 6 from 15th. May to
30th. September (August excluded) Prices from £675 per person for 4 nights in April, including
scheduled flights to Naples with BA, private car transfers and accommodation with breakfast in a
standard double room.
SICILY
5* MAZZARO SEA PALACE
Situated on its own private beach overlooking the sea at Taormina Mare, the
Mazzarò Sea Palace offers warm hospitality and comfort in a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
The 88 rooms and suites are all elegantly furnished and there are suites
which can accommodate families and some even have their own private
plunge pools.
The hotel prides itself on its service; whether you wish to take an excursion
to Etna, play a round of golf at the Etna Golf Resort, or enjoy the water
sports on the beach the staff are there to ensure your stay is as relaxing as
possible.
The recently opened HYD’OR Wellness Centre, situated in the sister hotel,
The Atlantis Bay, just next door offers a range of Ayurveda treatments for
the face and body. There is also a fully equipped gym for the more energetic
and a fine swimming pool overlooking the sea.
This is a truly relaxing hotel for couples and families alike, perfectly situated
for a beach holiday, but with the added bonus of being close to the
fascinating sites of Taormina.
Offer – 7 nights for the price of 6 or 4 for the price of 3 - 24/3 to 25/5 and
22/9 to 9/11 2012 and for all bookings made before 30th April for travel
outside of August there is a 15% reduction on hotel room rates.
Prices from £875pp for 4 nights including scheduled flights with BA, car hire and accommodation
in a Classic Double room BB.
ITALY continued
SICILY continued
5* SAN DOMENICO PALACE
Set amid magnificent gardens, bursting with a multitude of colours and
scents. Jasmine and bougainvillaea, lemons and oranges abound, palms grow
in a variety of sizes and shapes, the flower beds are an array of whites,
yellows, pinks and purples. The San Domenico Palace is situated in the heart
of Taormina, yet perched on the hill-side in a way that allows wonderful
views of the coast below. Converted into a hotel in 1896 by a Catanian
nobleman, the historic atmosphere created by the vaulted ceilings,
courtyards and cloisters remains and the rooms are traditionally but
comfortably furnished. We offer a choice of rooms at the San Domenico
Palace, from those with views of the cloisters or town to junior suites with
sea view
Prices from £1499 per person – 7 nights. British Airways flights from
London. B & B basis. Hire car included.
Offer – 7 nights for the price of 6 for stays between and 5/4 and 7/10 2012
5* IMPERIALE TAORMINA
Located in the heart of the historic centre of Taormina, this beautiful hotel
was originally built in the early 1900’s. It has recently been completely
renovated and re-opened in 2009.
The 63 rooms are arranged over 6 floors and nearly all the rooms have superb
views of the Bay of Naxos and the Greco-Roman amphitheatre. All the rooms
are elegantly furnished with luxurious fabrics and rosewood doors and
panelling.
There is an exclusive spa with Carita and Decleor treatment rooms, a Finnish
sauna and a Turkish bath. If you find choosing the right treatment for you
there is even a Spa Tapas menu, which gives you a sample of what the
treatments can offer. There is a striking outdoor swimming pool with a
comfortable terrace and magnificent sea views. The pool bar is informal and
relaxing and serves lunchtime snacks and aperitifs.
The hotel is more than happy to organise many activities such as golf, tennis
and sailing and has its own shuttle bus to the beaches in the bay of Naxos,
where it can arrange numerous water sports activities at the many local
beach clubs.
Prices from £1475 per person – 7 nights. British Airways flights from London.
car included.
Offer – 7 nights for the price of 6 for stays between and 5/4 and 7/10 2012
B & B basis. Hire
A NOVEL WAY TO EXPLORE ITALY
JOURNEY BY TRAIN
A selection of destinations by train. Giving you the chance to travel across both France and
Italy taking in the beautiful countryside in the comfortable surroundings of your first class
rail service.
LAKE GARDA & GARDONE RIVIERA
Departing from St. Pancras station on Eurostar. Overnight stay in Paris. Onward journey by
train through the French countryside, across the Alps into Italy passing through Turin before
arriving in Milan for a coach journey to Lake Garda.
Staying at the Grand Hotel on the banks of Gardone Riviera. Visits include
to Venice, Isola del Garda and Verona. Train journey back is via
Switzerland, through the Rhone Valley.
The journey takes you to the shores of Lake Geneva via Lausanne and Dijon
with a stay overnight at the Mercure Dijon Clemenceau.
Your final train journey is from Dijon to Paris to collect the Eurostar for
your onward final destination – home at St. Pancras.
10 day tour from £1655 pp
GRAND TOUR OF ITALY
Experience the very essence of Italy on this rail holiday as we compare the Eternal City of
Rome, graceful Renaissance Florence and romantic Venice, with the flower-strewn beauty
of the Tuscan countryside. A truly spectacular tour of Italy!
Eurostar journey from St. Pancras to Paris. Overnight stay in Paris. Onward
journey to Milan in First Class on TGV. Quick change over
on to the train to Rome. Staying at the Massimo
D’Azegloe Hotel for the first 4 nights of your holiday.
From here you will move on to Florence, via first class
train, for a few days.
Staying at the wonderful Hotel Santa Maria Novella
which is ideally located for all the attractions .....
and then it’s on to Venice, staying at the Hotel Sant’
Elena from where you can explore this amazing city at
ease.
Finally you will move on to Turin for one night, staying at
the ATA Concord and then it’s tame for the train journey
back to London – via Paris.
13 day tour from £2375 pp
SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT FOR THE FAMILY THIS YEAR!?
MALDIVES
Cocoa Island (Darren has very fortunately stayed here and just loved it )
A beautiful, small private island with unusually designed 5*
accommodation of the very highest quality.
The ultimate luxury resort for those seeking rich, warm waters, beautiful
corals and peaceful holiday with great service and facilities.
7 nights B & B plus special offer of additional 2 nights free (further details
on request)
Departure on 3rd. August with flights from London Heathrow. Water sports
facilities. Dive centre. Speedboat transfers included.
£2649 pp adults ....... Child Price £1229
MAURITIUS
Sugar Beach
This plantation-style resort is located on the West coast of Mauritius,
over 500m of sandy beaches and covering more than 12 hectares
landscaped gardens. It’s located approx. 35 km from commercial centres
of Port Louis and Curepipe, and the Marlin Fishing Clubs of Black River.
The transfer time from the airport is approx. 1 hr
Water sports and scuba diving. Tennis and Badminton courts.
Sunkids club for younger children and Sungeneration club for the
teenagers ...... Access to two local golf clubs
7 nights half board
Departure on 31st. August from Heathrow
£2099 pp adults ....... Child Price £979
TURKEY
Bodrum
5 * Kefaluka Resort commands stunning views of the Aegean Sea and
surrounding hills of Turgutreis. The ultra all-inclusive programme offers
excellent accommodation, dining and activities.
Kid's club and aqua park, where chutes and slides provide hours of fun.
The fantastic spa and beauty centre offers a haven of relaxation and
allows you to immerse yourself into a world of pampering.
7 nights A I in family room
Departure on 20th. August from Gatwick
Price for 2 adults and one child - £3399
SOUTH AMERICA – Hannah’s blog
Central America - a spicy tale from Mexico to Panama.
Mexico
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After six months from the time of booking, we finally arrived in Mexico City on the 25 of October 2011. Our
prior judgment of Mexico City was that it would be teeming with people, congestion and tainted with
pollution, however we were both pleasantly surprised. Once dumping our bags at our hostel we wandered
around the city, instead of every new sidewalk overflowing with rubbish as we
expected, they were instead overflowing with police and security guards, guarding
everything from banks to bakeries! (This was soon to be an on-going theme throughout
Central America’s capital cities). Every alley we passed overflowed with street markets
selling everything you can think of, from plasma televisions to fluffy robotic rabbits to
chilly/salt covered fruits. The food stalls were what attracted, and kept us living off
street food for the entire stretch of Central America, the fruits were colourful and the
tacos were hot! Often the street food has been more flavoursome (and much cheaper)
than any restaurant we have been in, therefore every time we arrived at a new city
from here on, we dedicated the first day to a “food day” eating every interesting edible
thing we could find, which consequently has been some of our favourite days. We
carried on in true tourist style around Mexico City visiting Cathedrals, Museum’s, Parks and riding on the
subway which was 6p a ticket! However we soon got itchy feet and wanted to
move on, as it didn’t feel like we were quite travelling yet (probably more down
to the fact that all our clothes were new and clean and we had accidently
booked the matrimonial sweet in our hostel!)
The Mexican people are exactly what you’d expect them to be like, the women
are beautiful with long jet black hair in no particular style and have a dark
caramel complexion, the men are rotund and have adopted the fashion of
rolling up their T-shirts to show off who can get the biggest belly. Everyone
permanently has either a taco/fried food in hand or is drinking out of a plastic
bag filled with natural fruit juice or coke. The clothes here resemble what you would wear if you were
fourteen, jeans with diamantes down the side and tight t-shirts with American slogans and crude phrases on
them - needless to say there was no blending in here.
We took our first overnight bus ride to the city of Oaxaca (pronounced Wa-hacka). Oaxaca is vibrant,
colonial and laid back so it was already a good change of pace from Mexico City. We were in Oaxaca
during “ Day of the Dead” similar to Halloween, except it has a religious background that hasn’t been
overrun by sweets and chocolate….yet! It is a festival where locals celebrate friends and family members
who have passed away. People congregate by the graves of the deceased, bringing with them food and
wine, singing and sharing memories…..with the occasion child dressed as a pumpkin jumping up and down
on a tomb!
Just outside of Oaxaca, 3200 metres above sea level are a few remote villages based in the mountains.
Instead of taking an organised tour around these, we decided that we could do it alone (….well Ross
decided!). We left our rucksacks at our hostel and took a jerky second
class bus ride up the mountain, two hours later arriving at the first
community. The road ended here so we started our first
5km hike to the next village, the sun was hot and we
both felt the affect of the altitude, but the view over the
mountains was incredible and kept us lifting our feet.
Once we arrived, we really felt like we were in the
middle of nowhere, the village seemed deserted and
had an undisturbed feel about it. Even the locals had
seemed to desert the place, it really looked like a
tumble-weed would roll on by at any given moment. However with a stroke of luck we found somewhere to
stay, which we were pretty sure was a room of an abandoned school. Feeling like we needed to find some sort
of existence we set off to the next village, this time an 8km walk. The trail was mountainous and I soon
regretted not trying on my hiking boots beforehand. Within an hour of avoiding the phrase “I told you so” from
Ross, I gave in and reluctantly let Ross cut off the end of my new boots with a pen knife (I think I regretted
more wearing luminous green festival socks that day). The next village was pretty much the same, with small
shacks bordered with small plots of crops and vegetables, but again no people! Realising that the walk had
taken a lot longer than expected we soon had to turn back to arrive at the first village in total darkness. That
night we spent in the abandoned mountain village was eerie, like the setting of a scary movie, dogs barked
throughout the night, and the open windows crashed against the walls of the school all night long- needless to
say Ross slept like a baby and I was imagining scenes from the Blare Witch Project!
Next stop was an eight hour bus ride to the coast. Puerto Escondido is a lazy beach town, occupied by sun
worshippers and surfers, all seeming to have entered the competition of who can get the
longest dreadlocks! This was a place to relax and watch the world go by, which Ross and I
managed to do one day before we got restless and wanted to move on. We took a short
‘Collectivo’ (a truck that picks up workmen) to the smaller village called Mazunte to see if
we could see a bit more of the “real” Mexico, however it was even lazier than
Escondido!! Nevertheless all was worth it as we went on a tour that night with two other
fidgety travellers to watch thousands of sea turtles hatch from their eggs, a truly
memorable experience as the four of us stood alone on the beach under the stars with
tiny turtles wiggling across our toes to reach the sea shore, I felt like we were in a David
Attenborough documentary!!
After we had soaked up the sun, sea and sand, we took a few collectivo’s and a twelve hour bus ride to San
Cristobal. San Cristobal is set up in a gorgeous highland valley surrounded by pine
forests. The city itself has a real colonial feel, with cobbled streets and markets where
original Mexican customs are still going strong. Of course not missing out on our “food
day”, we wandered the streets gorging on the traditional fiery tacos,
quesadias (a deep fried fajita with cheese filling) and sopas (a pizza style
dish using tortillas as a base). Even the desserts here have the option of
having a chilli on top! That night at Hostel “Rossco’s” (can’t think why we
chose it??) we met Matt, a comical camp Canadian who along with the rest of the hostel sat round
the fire, drinking the first of many “boxed wines”, playing games into the night and introducing the
game ‘Spoons’. The next few days were full of excursions. Ross, Matt and I went to visit the
Sumidero Canyon, a narrow river with 1km high cliff face on each side. We also went to Chiflon
Waterfall (once again over 1 km high), we went to the top to stand on a platform underneath the
pressure of the cascade and after getting drenched on the walk down I stepped into a huge pile of
wet cement…..shoes number two ruined!!
Along with Matt and three lively Irish guys, we got the hot six hour collectivo to Palenque. We
came here to visit the first of the many Mayan ruins scattered around Central America. Palenque is a small
town situation in the jungle, the reason why it exists is purely because of the ruins. We stayed in a small shack
a few minutes’ walk from the ruins, surrounded by the dense jungle with resident howler monkeys that
seemed to be having a constant argument of who was the loudest. That night we sat out in the jungle drinking
and playing card games listening to the sounds of the jungle wondering if the
ruins could top this! The Mayan ruins are made up of temples and pyramids
that are scattered around the jungle all aligned in connection with the
constellations, forming a community. The biggest temples were used to
worship the Gods and make human sacrifices of prisoners, virgins and
children, luckily none of us were all three! We had to stay in Palenque longer
than expected as I had to get my final Rabies Vaccination - the only word I can
use for the hospital was ‘grim’! The floor was filthy and thick with watery mud
and most of the walls were half painted and half stained….let’s just say I will never complain about the NHS
again!
To finish off our time In Palenque and Mexico we went on a tour of local waterfalls with a lively English couple
living in Ibiza. We spent a beautiful day swimming in the warm waterfalls, swinging across the pools on ropes
and swings and exploring behind the cascades (of course with a corona or two). This is when the first mishap of
the trip happened! Ross decided it would be a good idea to hang our bag high in a tree next to the waterfall
while we swam (Katie and I were lying on the rocks imitating mermaids at this point!). The bag slipped off the
tree and fell into the water with all our belongings including passports, camera’s and our hard-drive inside.
Luckily Andrew was a good swimmer, as he kindly swam against the currents and got to the bag before it could
be completely submerged! Items were still intact apart from the camera which is now a bit temperamental
and we have to shake it to try and make the flash work! Oops
NEXT MONTH - GUATEMALA