Half Term Holiday hunters look to Last Minute holidays for a deal.
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closed) Holidaymakers are still determined to find last minute holidays before Winter officially kicks in, says holiday website www.holidayholiday.co.uk.
According to their stats, 46% of visiting holiday consumers in the last week have searched Holiday Holiday for a holiday in October, picking popular hot destinations such as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. A large percentage of those are looking for a cheap deal for October half term holidays, due to start in approx. 4 weeks time.
Marketing Director Emma Healey commented “With British Summer time ‘officially’ over on the 25th October, which falls at the start of the half term holidays week, lots of people are shopping around trying to find a last minute holiday. As we move into the Winter holidays season in the next couple of months, we expect the trend for last minute holidays for package holidays to continue.”
The Winter season in the travel industry is traditionally the start of November to the end of March, when destinations such as the Caribbean, Egypt and the Canary Islands become popular. Ski and Cruise bookings are also popular during this time, as ski resorts start to open and Cruisers look to the next year to book ahead for new cruise ship itineraries as well as that last minute bargain cruise deal.
For Half Term Holiday hunters, the Government backed “Every Lesson Counts” initiative, a joint initiative with ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and the FTO (Federation of Tour Operators) to aim to reduce the levels of school absence, has encouraged tour operators and travel agents alike to try even harder to find value added holidays within the school holidays.
In relation to this “those looking for half term holidays will benefit from a site like holiday holiday” says Emma as “we have hundreds of knowledgeable travel agents advertising, all in one place, updating their holiday offers on a daily basis. If you are looking for a deal in the half term week then searching the website and speaking to one of the many ABTA bonded travel agents on the site will enable you to challenge them to put their expertise to the test to find you a really good holiday deal”.
River cruises keep on rolling on the Danube
Posted September 24, 2009 , comments closed- Doing Europe sans backpacks
- Radosa private club and the origin of the art of travel
- Tourism both in and out of Russia hit hard by crisis
- New guidebooks for the love of Slovenia
- Russian outbound tourism strong as ever
- UK cruise market is on an upswing
- Tour operators: “Ageing Europeans are financially independent, and eager to travel”
- Mobile travel services - debut at ITB Berlin
By
Lori Rackl |
Sep 24, 2009
DANUBE RIVER — It looked like a picture out of my high school German textbook: A perfect, suntanned family frolicking in the shallows of the Danube. They stopped their splashing and laughing to wave at our river boat as we sailed by.
A little further along the waterway, I jealously watched from the boat’s top deck as a stream of cyclists pedaled on the river banks, with the emerald grapevines of Austria’s Wachau Valley as a backdrop. In the fast-flowing water of Europe’s second longest river, a fly fisherman cast his line.
“There’s so much scenery, so much to look at,” said Joan Bell of west suburban River Forest. Bell and her husband, Ray, were on Viking River Cruises’ 15-day Grand European Tour, traveling from Budapest to Amsterdam via three rivers.
“If I was on a regular cruise,” Ray chimed in, “I’d be in the middle of the ocean surrounded by nothing but water.”
The Bells had cruised before, but this was their first experience with river cruising, that rare sector of the struggling travel industry that’s experiencing a growth spurt — at least on the international stage.
While the modest fleet of U.S. river boats continues to dwindle, major operators in Europe, Asia and Egypt keep churning out new ships and itineraries. (One exception is the German company Peter Deilmann Cruises, which is pulling out of the river cruise business next month.) Both Avalon and AMA Waterways launched a pair of new river boats this year. Uniworld recently debuted the newest member of its family, River Beatrice, on the Danube, and its all-suite River Tosca hits the Nile next week.
Viking, the world’s largest river cruise company, introduced the 189-passenger Viking Legend this summer. The Legend is the largest — and greenest — of Viking’s 21 vessel fleet. The diesel-electric hybrid engine uses about 20 percent less fuel than comparable diesel-only ships.
I got the chance last month to spend a few days aboard the Legend as it made its way along 1,100 miles of the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, passing through 67 locks and under 260-plus bridges, some so low we had to duck our heads.
Time constraints meant I could only do the Danube portion of the Grand European Tour, which stopped in a total of five countries, four capitals and myriad smaller towns.
“This was the most efficient way to see a lot of countries I hadn’t seen before,” said Joan Prims, a retired stockbroker from west suburban Hinsdale. “You can avoid long drives and flights, and you don’t have to keep packing and unpacking.”
Prims is in her 70s. So were a lot of passengers on this trip, where the relaxed pace and length of the journey — a little over two weeks — seemed to appeal primarily to older retirees.
I knew going in (read: dreaded) that as a freshly minted 40-year-old, I’d be one of the youngest people on board. Sure enough, our daily walking tours ashore had more canes than a sugar plantation. But I soon eased into the slower rhythm of things.
Rather than visit every church in medieval Regensburg, I was content to spend a few hours strolling around the well-preserved German village and linger over a weissbier and plate of finger sausages in the shadow of one of Europe’s oldest stone bridges.
Instead of museum hopping in Vienna, I sat back in an air-conditioned motor coach and watched the stunning baroque buildings pass by, listening as our guide explained that many Viennese specialties actually came from other places. Wiener schnitzel? Thank Milan, Italy. Apple strudel? The dough hailed from the Turks. Ditto for Vienna’s famous coffee.
Over the years, I’ve cruised on ships with 10 times as many passengers and never got to know a one of them. River cruises are much more social. Most have a communal, open seating dining format (Legend’s smallest table seated six), so they’re ideal for meeting new people. I imagine that makes them not so ideal for a romantic getaway. Although one evening I did sit next to a couple of honeymooners from Lakeland, Florida. He was 92; his bride, 85.
“Zo you’re zee ones in zee cabin next door making zo much noise,” joked a Frenchman at our table. (The vast majority of Legend passengers came from the United States. All of the ship’s staff members — except the German captain — spoke English.)
The average riverboat holds roughly 100 to 200 passengers, making them far more intimate than your typical cruise ship. The tradeoff is you won’t get all the amenities, entertainment and dining options that come with a bigger boat.
I had a mini panic attack when I discovered the Legend didn’t have a gym — not even a tiny room with a couple pieces of exercise equipment. This ended up being more of a blessing, because we often docked steps away from jogging paths that led me through scenery I’d never see on a treadmill.
The relatively small size of river cruisers like the Legend are also their biggest asset. These boats are tiny enough to get prime parking spots alongside historic city centers, meaning you can walk off the ship and into town without waiting in long lines to be tendered ashore. Other pluses: Seasickness isn’t an issue and daily sightseeing excursions are included in the price.
“I had this grand life plan,” said Prims, the retired stockbroker from Hinsdale, as we sat in the Legend’s lounge. “I’d visit exotic Third World countries in my 50s, Europe in my 60s and finish the U.S. in my 70s.
“Well, I got very behind schedule,” the 77-year-old added, “and this has been a great way to catch up.”
Cairo Islamic monuments and tourist attractions launched
Posted September 18, 2009 , comments closed- Tourists dead and injured in Cairo bazaar terror attack
- Old monastery sparks rift between monks and Bedouins
- Audio guides to be introduced in Egypt Museum
- Archaeological cachette found in Egypt
- Egyptian desert tourism promotion goes full blast
- Largest ancient garrison found in Egypt’s eastern Delta
- Restoration pending for hanging church about to fall
- Pyramid pit reveals ancient remains and gold
By
Hazel Heyer, eTN Staff Writer |
Sep 18, 2009
On September 17, five Islamic monuments were officially inaugurated in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area of Cairo. The Al-Imam mosque, the Al-Laythmosque, the Al-Set Meska mosque, the Ali Labib house and the well zone of Youssef at the Salah El-Din Citadel have all been undergoing restoration work, which cost around LE 9.5 million. These monuments including the first phase construction of the new lighting system of the Salah El-Din Citadel were inaugurated at the ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Salah El-Din Citadel.
Dr. Zahi Hawass, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Dr. Hamdi Zaqzouq, the Minister of Endowment, and Cairo Governor Abdel Azim Waziri inaugurated the special ceremony along with top governmental officials.
The restoration of these important historical edifices is a part of the Supreme Council of Antiquities’ dedication to preserve Egypt’s Islamic heritage.
The most outstanding restoration-conversion attraction, amid the decrepit villages of the Egyptian capital unfamiliar to visitors, one extremely ambitious project has been undertaken with the creation of a vast, green open space in a once run-down area of Cairo. Interestingly since the project was started, another dimension has been added –a rehabilitation of the surrounding residential district called Darb Al Ahmar, so impoverished it needed the Aga Khan to give it a facelift.
For years, tourists have long been kept off the area by the virtually unofficial wasteland or rubbish dump lying alongside the derelict eastern rim of old Cairo’s medieval city walls. From its early beginnings as the massive wastebasket to a gigantic mountain pile of dirt, it ended up obscuring residents’ views of the fortress wall and pretty minarets nearby through the years. It has become, in a sense, irreverent that it lies beside the walled old cemetery known as the City Of the Dead, where scores of homeless Cairenes have found shelter in tombs housing urns of the more-privileged.
In 2004, on the metropolis shared by the living and the dead, where dust, debris and garbage have collected through the millennium, arose a $45 million project the Aga Khan Development Network designed to complete in 7 years to uplift the destitute.
Four years after unexplained shoveling, digging and earth-moving the contractors were doing much to the perplexity of locals, the project finally took shape. Out of the barren 30-hectare Darassa Hills came a lush, green park overlooking Cairo’s Islamic city. It would bring hundreds of jobs, a place for the busy Cairenes to de-stress, open views of the Citadel never there before; notwithstanding, give people hope in a hometown that had never produced them profits.
Opened to the public end on a trial basis, it welcomed the first guests. Once the city built in ancient times by the Fatimids and named Al Quahire or the victorious, the previous 20 percent devoted to open space now had tourists flocking to it. From Easter till end of September, for about 5 and a half weeks, the park construction concentrated on the finer details of what would become an interesting rehab site inaugurated September 17 during a special event at the Citadel.
Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay Delivers Service and More – Real Life Review
Posted September 11, 2009 , comments closedLast weekend my husband and I celebrated his birthday by making the quick drive from San Francisco to stay as guests of the legendary Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California. They were gracious enough to provide us with a room and valet parking, as well as access to the Club Lounge, at no charge, so that we could experience the wonders of the property.
It was a delightful 16 hour getaway that we would repeat every weekend if possible. Let me tell you, they earned that fabulous reputation! Gorgeous location, luxurious amenities, and that so-well-known Ritz Carlton service equal a pretty fabulous hotel experience.
If you can celebrate your birthday at the Ritz, do it!
The Arrival
We drove down the long driveway leading to the property, stopping at a gatehouse to give our name to a friendly guard. She responded, “Well, Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln!” and ushered us up to the valets, mostly cute young boys dressed in plus fours, i.e. old timey-golf outfits. Nice touch for a property that boasts two golf courses overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
At the front desk my husband was once again wished a happy birthday — by three different Ritz Carlton staffers – and we were offered glasses of wine from the tasting they were doing in the lobby. Delightful!
Balloons + feather beds = a great night’s rest!
The Room
Our room was a decent size, with a king-sized bed made all the more cozy with a feather bed and dreamy Egyptian cotton linens. The giant HD flatscreen tv was housed in a built in hutch, which also contained the honor bar (Cashews: $11) and a stunning “personal wine cellar” with several bottles of real wine. Seriously, Gary Vanynerchuk would have whole-heartedly approved of this hotel! They even offer wine classes!
The in-room wine cellar.
Making the room all the more festive were the balloons and birthday cake that greeted our arrival, along with a nice note welcoming us.
“Look, they even put a Leo on the cake, for my sign,” my husband joked.
“That’s the Ritz logo,” I replied, rolling my eyes at him. “But yeah, they do seem that good with the details.”
The view from our room: golf, bluff and Pacific Ocean
The Ritz Carlton Club
I wrote about the incredible Ritz Carlton Club lounge when I stayed at the Dearborn Michigan Ritz. Note: you always want to get a room with Club Level access. Always.
Best way to start a weekend? With champagne and pate en croute!
This lounge was even better than the one in Dearborn, and we made full use of it. We were welcomed by the very friendly concierge, Carmen, who asked for our room number, wished my husband a happy birthday (seriously) and then gave a tour of the lounge.
There are five different food presentations each day. This pre-dinner one included areas with a bar (wine, champagne, name brand booze), a charcuterie and cheese spread, chicken and carmelized fig hors d’oeuvres, six giant glass jars of cookies, an espresso/mocha maker (regular and decaf), and a broad variety of soft drinks including sodas, juices and multiple types of bottled waters.
We only meant to get a glass of champagne and a snack, but everything was so delicious, and the view of the golf course, bluffs and Pacific Ocean were so beautiful that we wound up hanging out for about 45 minutes. And we went back for dessert, later that evening!
Chocolate covered marshmallows and brandy!
As usual, I kept an eye out to see how other people (a.k.a. the paying guests) were treated, and the lounge was a great spot for spying. During this first visit I saw Carmen being incredibly gracious to everyone who came in, and the other staff members being polite and efficient. Someone even went down to the lobby store and brought back a bottle of Tylenol for a guest!
The Ocean Walk and Terrace
The late afternoon was so beautiful that we finally forced ourselves to leave the lounge and take a walk around the property. There is a paved walkway shared by golf carts, guests and several local dog walkers. We strolled along the perfectly manicured golf course and walked down a quick set of steps to a sheltered beach packed with people enjoying the unusually warm Northern California end of summer day.
Then we back to the Terrace in time to hear the bagpipe player.
Bagpiper at sunset with hot chocolate bar behind him!
We were lucky enough to score a pair of chairs with a great view of everything. We plunked ourselves down, ordered signature Vodka Lime Rickeys, and waited for the sunset show. Faintly at first, and then growing louder, we heard the the strains of the bagpipe, which isn’t a soothing instrument, but it certainly lends an air of distinction to the proceedings. The kilt-wearing player did several songs, entertaining the crowd of families, couples, two bridal parties and several dogs for about 30 minutes, until the sun went down.
Signature lime rickeys at sunset!
Then staffers lit the two giant fire pits and started serving hot chocolates. With booze if you want it.
So. Awesome.
The Other Important Stuff
The perfect bathroom!
- I didn’t have a chance to tour any other rooms, but I know that next time I visit I want to get one of the Terrace Fire Pit Rooms. Just like the name implies, you’re on the ground level and have a personal fire pit right outside your room.
- The bathroom was perfect. Almost as big as the room, white marble, Bulgari white tea soaps. The toilet was in a little room with a door, good for privacy. Water-efficient rain showerhead, nice terry robes. Great light, including one of those terrifying magnified makeup mirrors with a built in light.
- When it gets cold, the staff brings blankets out for people sitting on the terrace around the fire pit.
- The spa is right by the Terrace, so right after you finish your massage, or workout you can wander out in your robe, have a drink, and contemplate the ocean.
- Weddings! We saw two while we were there and those were some happy brides — and even happier guests!
- Don’t bother washing your car before you go. It’s outdoor parking and your car will be covered with dew in the morning.
Completing Luxor project sites And Giza Pyramid
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a comment- First Lady Mubarak gains ground in Luxor
- Pyramid pit reveals ancient remains and gold
- Necropolis in Luxor yields 18th Dynasty tomb, mummies and figurines
- Lebanese antiquities smuggler nabbed in Egypt
- Another pyramid found in Egypt–the Queen’s Pyramid at Saqqara
- Egypt unveils pharaoh boat attraction
- US State Department sharply criticizes Israel for travel restrictions on tourists
- America's Cup 2010 to be held in Ras Al Khaimah
By
Hazel Heyer, eTN Staff Writer |
Aug 21, 2009
On August 17, Egypt’s Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Dr. Zahi Hawass and Dr. Samir Farag, head of the Luxor Supreme Council (LSC), marked the completion of several development projects at different archaeological sites on Luxor’s western and eastern banks.
Other ongoing projects they both oversee total a budget of Egyptian Pounds 127 million. These include the restoration of Abul Hagag El-Loxori Mosque, moving the entrance of Luxor temple, the development of the area around Deir el-Baheri Temple (Hatchepsut’s Temple), the restoration of Howard Carter’s rest house with a view to turning it into a museum, and the installation of a new lighting system in the Valley of the Kings.
The Abul Hagag Mosque was built in 1286 to commemorate the Sunni Sheikh Abul Hagag. The passage of time had taken its toll on the mosque’s walls and foundations. Cracks had spread all over its walls and water from the Mayda’a water fountain had leaked into its foundations. Restoration work, which lasted for 14 months and cost LE 13.4 million has now been carried out. It was to return the mosque to its original glory. The cracks have now been removed; the foundations consolidated, and the water fountain renovated. The mosque’s open court has been developed, and a fire alarm system has been installed. The mosque’s dome has been renovated as well, along with the Pharaonic columns re-used in 1286 to construct the mosque.
The entrance to Luxor Temple has been altered. This project cost LE 7.260 million and lasted 18 months. Furthermore, the area around Deir el-Baheri has been improved over the past 15 months at a cost of LE 9.850 million. The enhancement entailed the removal of all unlicensed vendors from around the temple who would encroach on the safe zone protecting the monument. The government also opened an official visitor’s center, a cafeteria, a bookstore and 52 bazaars as well as repaved all roads leading to the temple.
The Carter Rest-House, used as the residence of Howard Carter during his excavations at the Valley of the Kings in the early 1990’s, has been restored and developed into a museum displaying the tools and instruments used by Carter during his excavations. The project costs LE 1.121 million and lasted for four months. This will open in the future.
Finally, work has concluded with the installation of a new lighting system in the Valley of the Kings. This new system will be tested.
In a separate development, Hawass announced forming an archaeological committee composed of archaeologists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and Egyptian universities. They are to meet next week to discuss the accuracy of a recent study claiming to pinpoint the exact date of construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The committee will discuss with Dr. Abdel Halim Noureddin, Professor of Ancient Egyptian Language at Cairo University, member of the committee previously formed by the Giza Governor, General Sayed Abdel Aziz, whose claim to fame was specifically dating the construction of the Great Pyramid - thus marking the date as national holiday.
Hawass said the committee will release a scientific report which will be submitted to the Permanent Committee of the SCA for approval. “Determining the exact day of building the Great Pyramid is of national pride and a very important scientific matter which must be accurately studied and discussed in order to reach the exact day,” said Hawass. He later sent a letter to the Giza governor asking him not to declare the 23rd of August as the National Giza Governorate Day, but the day the Great Pyramid was completed in ancient history.
(1.00 EGP = 0.180359 USD)