Destination News - Europe.

Oct 25, 2009

British tourist attractions such as the Roman spa at Bath received more visitors this summer than last, as penny-wise Britons spent their holidays at home, an industry body said on Tuesday. British tourists are likely to stay put next summer as well, after the country's foremost museums, cathedrals, gardens and zoos welcomed 3.4 percent more visitors between May and August 2009 than a year earlier, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) said. Oct 21, 2009

With the spread of the swine flu, traveling internationally can be a concern. Travelers need to research on the country they are visiting and note the swine flu status. The Centers for Disease Control Web site has a travelerOs health section, so travelers can look up what vaccines they might need. When travelling internationally, the CDC recommends that all recommended vaccinations be completed before travelling. The only required vaccination is for yellow fever, and this is only when visiting areas in Africa and South America. Also, those traveling to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj need a meningococcal vaccination. According to an announcement on the CDC Web site, international travelers may soon have to undergo flu screenings when arriving in another country. However, the Web site states that the U.S. is not screening travelers coming to the U.S. or going to another country as of yet. It is recommended that people with the swine flu not travel. Mexico appears to be safer for travel now, since the CDC and U.S. Department of State Web sites donOt have new travel warnings issued for Mexico. Oct 20, 2009

AMA Waterways

Christmas Time Cruise, from Prague to Budapest, with Christmas market visits in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Vienna. Departures are available November 20, December 13 and 25, 2009. Oct 20, 2009

AMA Waterways

Christmas Wonderland, from Amsterdam to Paris, featuring Christmas markets in Frankfurt, Cologne, and Dsseldorf. Departures are available November 18, December 2, 12 (with special host AMAWATERWAYS sales executive Doris Pak) and December 16, 2009. Oct 20, 2009

AMA Waterways

Romantic Danube, from Prague to Budapest, in the colorful springtime. Departures are available April 10 and 14, 2010. Oct 20, 2009

AMA Waterways

EuropeOs Heartland Cruise, beginning with a land program in Prague, followed by a 7-night cruise from Nuremberg to Trier and a post-cruise land program in Paris. Departure set for November 12, 2009, with special host AMAWATERWAYS executive VP of sales, Kristin Karst. Promotion also available for November 3, 2010 departure (reverse itinerary). Oct 20, 2009

Bordeaux

Jean-Francois Janoueix and Jean-Michel Cazes have more in common than producing wine. They share a passion for old limestone and are banking on tourism to revive Bordeaux's crumbling cottages and dying villages. Over time, as big properties were bought out and small vintners and estate workers left old abodes for modern suburbia, the picturesque villages and vineyard homes of one of France's prime wine regions were left abandoned. "The villages need to be reborn," said Janoueix, owner of 17 wine estates, including Chateau Haut Sarpe near Saint-Emilion, 28 miles east of Bordeaux. "The great wine estates don't care about these modest homes, but they are the markers of the past. When we demolish them, we gain a few vines but lose a whole piece of the past." Determined to keep the rural heritage alive, Janoueix is personally financing renovation of the rustic hamlet of Sarpe at the gates of his estate. "I want it to have the atmosphere of the past," he said as a mason meticulously restored a nearby facade. Oct 23, 2009

Croatia

Halloween fans searching for the perfect break this month may want to consider Croatia, where a pumpkin festival will be held on October 30th and 31st. The first Bundevdani - which translates as Pumpkin Day - is set for the city of Bjelovar, reports the Croatian Times. Highlights of the two-day event will include pumpkin carving and the cooking of numerous pumpkin-based dishes. Festival-goers can even bring their own pumpkin along, with the biggest and most beautiful winning their owner a 500 kunas (GBP60) prize. Oct 22, 2009

Cyprus

Cyprus tourist arrivals plunged 10.7 percent in the first nine months of 2009, the government statistical office reported on Friday, bringing more bad news to the recession-hit economy. The recession in Europe is now biting hard on the Mediterranean holiday island with the tourism-reliant economy expected to contract by 0.5 percent this year. Between January and September, 1.75 million tourist arrivals were recorded, compared with 1.96 million in the year-earlier period. In September alone, arrivals were 276,178 as against 305,348 in September 2008 -- a sizeable year-on-year decline of 9.6 percent. There was a hefty 20.1 percent decline in arrivals from Russia, but a lower 7.2 percent dip from Britain, the island's largest source of holidaymakers. The government estimates that arrivals will be down 10 percent for 2009 as a whole. To help ease the crisis, Cypriots were urged to holiday at home with subsidised hotel stays for lower income groups. Oct 19, 2009

England, Ireland

CIE Tours launched its 2010 vacation program with 11 escorted tours to Britain including seven escorted tours that combine Britain with Ireland. The new vacations are described in "Ireland & Britain, with Italy and European River Cruising 2010," a new 92-page brochure and on the CIE Tours website. CIE's 2010 program offers four proven seller tours of Britain, ranging in duration from six to 12 days, such as English & Scottish Discovery, Scottish Isles and Glens, and Scottish Dream, and Taste of Scotland. In addition, there are seven established tours that combine Britain with Ireland including the unique Scots Irish Tour, a 12-day vacation that pairs Scotland with Northern Ireland. In addition, there are six other combination-tours in this category, ranging in duration from 10 to 15 days -British & Irish Grandeur, British & Irish Voyager, Irish & British Focus, British & Irish Delight, Scottish & Irish Dream, and Taste of Scotland & Ireland. For more information, call 800-CIE-TOUR, or visit www.cietours.com. Oct 21, 2009

Europe

Trafalgar launched its 2010 Europe & Britain summer vacations with a free companion air offer. Clients who book and pay in full by Dec. 30 can take advantage of free companion airfare (plus tax up to $190) to Europe on air-inclusive summer vacations. Alternatively, clients may choose savings up to $1,090 per couple on Europe land vacations with Trafalgar's 7.5 percent Early Payment Discount when summer tours booked and paid in full by Dec. 30. Trafalgar's vacations always include first class hotel accommodations; luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship; many meals; daily sightseeing and optional excursions with expert local guides; and the personal concierge services of tour directors. Trafalgar Tours was established in 1947 and has 62 years of experience providing vacations to Europe, Britain, U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America and China. For more information and reservations, agents can contact Trafalgar at 800-854-0103 or visit www.trafalgartours.com. Oct 21, 2009

Europe

Contiki Holidays is rewarding early-bird buyers with its European Summer Preview Sale, through which the company is matching the $200 deposits of all European Summer vacations booked by Oct. 29. The sale applies to Contiki's wide range of European travel packages and events for 18- to 35-year-old travelers, including museum tours, concert festivals, countryside bike treks, historical sightseeing or partying till the wee hours while Greek island hopping. When taking advantage of the European Summer Preview Sale, customers must mention promo code PREU9TU05 to redeem the discount. The sale pertains to European travel packages of eight days or longer and must be listed in the Summer 2010-11 Contiki brochure. For more details on the European Summer Preview Sale, visit www.contiki.com/pages/918. Oct 20, 2009

Iceland

Icelandair is offering its Golden Circle Getaway package, including airfare, hotel and tour in Iceland from $489. From Boston and New York, the package is priced at $489 per person double occupancy. From Seattle, it's priced at $499. Extra nights for doubles are $45, for singles are $69. To qualify, packages must be booked by Oct. 22 for travel Nov. 5 to Dec. 15. Prices may be higher on certain departure dates. Best dates for travel, based on two nights, as of Oct 22 (subject to change), from Seattle, Nov. 10 to Dec 8; and from Boston, Nov. 11 to Dec. 10. New York departures are available at higher rates. Prices may be higher during Thanksgiving week. The itinerary is as follows. Day 1 -- Afternoon departure from Boston, New York, or Seattle on Icelandair, with complimentary soft drinks and in-seat entertainment. Meals and head sets are available for purchase, or bring your own. Day 2 -- Morning arrival in Iceland. On your own, transfer to Icelandair Hotel Loftleidir, the only hotel in Iceland that guarantees check in for North American arrivals (starting around 9 a.m.). Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast buffet, a great way to greet the morning in Iceland. The rest of the day is open for your own activities. Day 3 -- Breakfast at hotel. Be in the hotel lobby at 8 a.m. for departure on the Golden Circle Classic tour. Start by visiting Nesjavellir, a powerful geothermal area in the scenic landscape of Lake ingvallavatn. Here is where the city of Reykjavik gets much of its unique geothermal energy for heat, hot water and power. Next, visit Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament was founded in the year 930 A.D. Continue to the beautiful Gullfoss, considered by some to be the loveliest waterfall in Iceland. The journey continues to the spouting hot springs of Geysir and Strokkur. Return to Reykjavik around 5 p.m. Day 4 -- Breakfast at hotel. The morning open for your own activities, then transfer to Keflavik airport for flight back to North America. Oct 28, 2009

Icelandair

Icelandair is offering its Golden Circle Getaway package, including airfare, hotel and tour in Iceland from $489. From Boston and New York, the package is priced at $489 per person double occupancy. From Seattle, it's priced at $499. Extra nights for doubles are $45, for singles are $69. To qualify, packages must be booked by Oct. 22 for travel Nov. 5 to Dec. 15. Prices may be higher on certain departure dates. Best dates for travel, based on two nights, as of Oct 22 (subject to change), from Seattle, Nov. 10 to Dec 8; and from Boston, Nov. 11 to Dec. 10. New York departures are available at higher rates. Prices may be higher during Thanksgiving week. Oct 22, 2009

Italy

Bookings of any of Gusty Women TravelOs 2010 Italy tours by Dec. 18 will save up to $200 per person. A leading operator of experiential tours for women, Gutsy Women Travel offers a comprehensive Italy Program that takes ladies throughout the country exploring its cuisines, wines, regional specialties, iconic sights and off-the beaten-path treasures. The program includes: Eight-day Montecatini -- Super Tuscany plus Cinque Terre travels through the Tuscan countryside and the cities of Florence and Bologna. From a home base in the renowned spa town of Montecatini, the group will journey to Siena, Pisa, Modena, the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Lucca and the quaint Ligurian villages of Cinque Terre. Trip highlights include a visit to a traditional farm that produces wine and extra virgin olive oil, sightseeing in the city of Florence, a walking tour of Lucca and Pisa and lunch at the famed Hotel Brunelleschi, which is mentioned in OThe Da Vinci Code.O Departures in 2010 are March 21, May 23 and Oct. 24. The tour is priced from $2,199 per person, double occupancy, for bookings made by Dec. 18. Single supplement is $500. Bookings made after Dec. 18 are priced from $2,399. Oct 22, 2009

Italy

Context, organizer of educational walking tours in the cultural capitals of Europe and the U.S., unveiled a new component of its OMade in FlorenceO program, centered on the traditions of local craftsmanship in Florence, Italy. OSaper Fare: Artisan Traditions of FlorenceO explores family-run artisan workshops in the maze of medieval streets surrounding the Duomo. The walk, in the company of an urban crafts historian, not only highlights the technical skill and know-how (saper fare) of these artisans, but also underlines their symbolic presence as bastions of traditional craftsmanship in a historic center otherwise dedicated to modern tourism. As with all of ContextOs Florence programs, Saper Fare will be led by experts in social history, local crafts, and Florentine culture. Groups are limited to six people and run weekly on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (65 euros per person). Private groups can be scheduled on request (330 euro flat fee). Both walks in the Made in Florence program raise funds for ContextOs local sustainable tourism project, a co-op scholarship program at a local trade school that brings students into workshops to serve as apprentices. ContextOs sustainable tourism program recently won an OUrban AdventuresO prize in National GeographicOs Geotourism Challenge 2009. Founded by National Geographic writer Paul Bennett and graphic designer Lani Bevacqua, Context is a network of English-speaking scholars and professionals -- including art historians, writers, architects and gastronomes -- who organize and lead didactic walking seminars in several world cities, including Florence, Rome, Venice, Naples, Paris, London, New York, Istanbul, and Philadelphia. Travel + Leisure has named Context one of the top European tour companies for its innovative approach to travel and the depth of its programs. For more information, visit www.contexttravel.com. Oct 20, 2009

Madrid

The Madrid Tourism Board named five New York University film students who will have six days to create short films that capture their first impressions of the region of Madrid. The students have been granted the chance to share their vision with the world in a whirlwind short film competition launched by the Madrid board of tourism, called OMadrid Dares You.O The five students -- Fred Guerrier, Mykwain Gainey, Neil Orman, Rashaad Ernesto Green and Marie Dvorakova -- were selected among a group of Kanbar Institute of Film and TV students currently carrying out their thesis at the world-renowned Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. The students left for Madrid on Oct. 22 and upon arrival will have only 72 hours to conceive and shoot the films and 72 hours to edit them before returning to New York. The winning film, which will be selected by a panel of jurists that includes critically acclaimed independent Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia, would be used in Turismo MadridOs upcoming advertising and media relations campaign in the US, including presentation to different film festivals and private viewings at collaborating institutions. The creator of the winning film, which will be announced in New York on Nov. 19, will also receive a prize of $4,400. The campaign is also designed to promote Madrid as a destination for film production. Home to 70 percent of all Spanish film development, Madrid is working hard to develop relationships with the international film community, opening its doors to different markets by promoting the regionOs cultural interest and as a location for film projects. For more information, visit www.turismomadrid.es. Oct 23, 2009

Odysseys Unlimited

Odysseys Unlimited, a specialist in value-priced small group travel, in 2010 is offering 31 tours spanning 47 countries in Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia & the Far East, the Americas and Australia & the South Pacific. Odysseys Unlimited's small groups (just 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed) move nimbly through the world smelling, tasting, seeing, and feeling the vibe of different cultures as they meet with, cook with, dine with, drink with, sing with, and dance with local peoples. Odysseys Unlimited's guests travel on elephant-back through the bush in Victoria Falls, on rickshaw through the alleys (hutongs) of Beijing, and on bicycle through Kyoto's Imperial Palace and the Gion district, gathering place for the geishas. No matter the country or the continent, Odysseys Unlimited delivers a small group experience featuring insightful sightseeing, expert tour guiding, bespoke activities, all transportation, porterage, most meals and superior first class and deluxe accommodations. The same price is guaranteed for all guests (repeat guests save $100 to $200 on each trip) and deposits are fully refundable (outside of 95 days). The tours are value priced with no hidden costs (gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, porters and drivers are all included). For more information, call 888-370-6765, ext. 700, or visit www.odysseys-unlimited.com. Oct 21, 2009

Spain

TourCrafters is offering a five-day/four-night air-land package to Bilbao, Spain, priced from $915. The package, which is valid Nov. 1 to March 31, includes roundtrip air from New York; the fuel surcharge; four nights' accommodation in the NH Deusto, a centrally located three-star hotel; daily buffet breakfast; service charges; and taxes. (The same deal in the four-star Villa de Bilbao starts at $999, and prices are higher for departures Dec. 13 to 25.) Also included in the package is a Wine Day -- an excursion to the celebrated Rioja wine region with a one-day car rental, maps and driving directions, guided visits to two wine cellars, a wine tasting and a three-course lunch with Rioja wine and coffee. That leaves plenty of time to enjoy Bilbao's attractions: Gehry's titanium-clad Guggenheim, the Santiago Calatrava-designed Zubizuri Bridge, the Norman Foster-designed Metro, the Fine Arts Museum, the 14th century gothic cathedral and the medieval Old Town called Casco Viejo, not to mention the many enticing Basque restaurants and bars that serve pintxos (the Basque answer to tapas) and affordable Spanish wines. Air fare add-ons for other departure cities are $25 for Boston; $50 for Washington, D.C.; $112 for Miami, Chicago and Houston; $161 for Atlanta; and $217 for Los Angeles and San Francisco. All prices are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability and do not include airport taxes, which are not included in the quoted price because they are subject to change. Reservations must be paid for within 72 hours of booking. For more information, call 800-482-5995 or visit www.tourcrafters.com. Oct 20, 2009

Spain

Spain's government Friday said it had approved up to EUR600 million in loans for the country's ailing commercial airline industry. The government said the development ministry will provide the loans between 2010 and 2012 to finance airlines with liquidity problems and "avoid possible restructuring or bankruptcies." Most of Spain's airlines are operating at a loss since recession hit the country earlier this year, reducing demand for air travel and squeezing an industry which expanded routes and frequencies during Spain's economic boom. Spanish travel company Grupo Marsans said earlier this month it was looking to sell its airline Air Comet because of losses at the airline. Other major airlines based in Spain are its flag carrier Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA, Spanair and Vueling Airlines SA. Oct 19, 2009

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is poised for tremendous growth in the medical tourism industry. OThe United Kingdom, like the United States has both inbound and outbound medical tourism. Both the inbound and outbound patient flows will continue to increase with the improved levels patient access to healthcare information. We are thrilled to have the leading medical tourism players from the United Kingdom at our annual conference in Los Angeles this year,O said Renee-Marie Stephano, President of the Medical Tourism Association. Also looking forward to this big event is a leading online portal serving patients in the US and UK. "The Medical Tourism Congress is a must attend event if you're serious about medical tourism. No other event brings together the decision makers from over 800 organizations committed to the tremendous growth we're seeing in the medical tourism market. At AllMedicalTourism.com, we ensure that healthcare providers grow the volume of international patients they receive, by outsourcing their patient acquisition marketing to us. Last month alone we referred over 7,500 patients to 38 countries, and we're very excited about meeting with more provider dedicated to medical tourism and helping them to grow their market share," said Rob Passmore of AllMedicalTourism.comOs United Kingdom Office. http://www.allmedicaltourism.com/ Oct 19, 2009

Uniworld

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has a limited-time free air offer in conjunction with a variety of 2010 European river cruises. Travelers fly for free from New York to Europe, with airline fuel surcharges, and government taxes and fees included. The offer is available on 2010 Europe river cruises including OGrand European DiscoveryO from Basel to Vienna, OEastern Europe ExplorerO from Vienna to Bucharest, OGrand European ExplorerO from Basel to Bucharest, OParis and the Heart of EuropeO from Paris to Vienna, and OParis and Grand European WaterwaysO from Paris to Bucharest. These river cruises range from 16 to 32 days, and showcase many of Europe's grand cities, including Paris, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest. To take advantage of the free air offer, pay in full at time of booking by Oct. 31. This offer can be combined with UniworldOs early-booking discount for an additional savings of up to $600 per couple. A Uniworld river cruise includes river-view staterooms; all meals onboard with complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks served with dinner; shore excursions hosted by English-speaking local guides; services of a professionally trained cruise manager; and all transfers on arrival and departure days. For more information, call 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com. Oct 21, 2009

Vienna

Sachertorte. Magnificent palaces. Splendid museums. When Phillip Kalantirsky had his fill of Vienna the Opulent, he stayed on for a taste of Vienna Noir - in a walking tour built around the cult film "The Third Man." Kalantirsky's fascination with the film - set and partly shot in postwar Vienna - is shared by many. Six decades after "The Third Man" premiered in London in September 1949, tourists from around the world pound the Austrian capital's pavements - and even slip into its sewers - to see where the much-acclaimed motion picture was set. Fans can choose from the walking tour or the underground tour, visit a museum devoted to the movie, or even watch it in a theater. Starring Orson Welles, the film tells the story of Holly Martins, a naive and broke American writer who investigates what appears to be the mysterious death of his old friend, Harry Lime, in a Vienna replete with rubble and racketeers, divided into zones run by the Western allies and the Soviet Union. Oct 21, 2009

ZZ AirGuide 091026

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