Alcudia Late Deal Holiday Launch
Travel website alcudiaholidays.org.uk have released a number of late deal summer holiday offers to a range of hotels and apartments in Alcudia Majorca.
These deals are in partnership with tour operator Direct Holidays and offer fantastic prices on holidays to this popular resort in the north of Majorca.
Alucdiaholidays.org.uk offers a wide range of information about this resort as well as reviews, videos and images of accomodation within the port and old town.
Current last minute deals to Alcudia deals to the the Alcudia Pins, Club Mac, Astoria Playa and Bahia Del Alcudia.
Now is a great time to book a Majorcan holiday bargain.
Free Trial with iknow-Uk
Online marketing company iknow-uk.com is offering accommodation providers a free trial to promote their business on their award winning website.
The one month free trial will allow accommodation owners from around the UK to upload pictures, information, availability, rates and links to their accommodation profile page so visitors to iknow-uk are fully informed of what is available when they plan their trip or holiday.
Property owners will have full control of the content featured on iknow-uk’s website and can change, amend or add information at their own leisure.
The company is renowned for its success in helping accommodation owners obtain the best search results and as a result, more customers coming through the door.
A well-known and trusted site with both accommodation owners and holiday makers, the site features thousands of properties across the UK, ranging from bed and breakfasts and guests houses to self catering cottages and hotels.
In 2008, the company helped over 2,000 hospitality customers beat the credit crunch by keeping them ahead of their competition. The site in 2008 alone received seven million visitors by the end of October, bringing them two million up from 2007.
The company has seen over 90 per cent of their clients renew their contracts each month due to the success they have seen since registering with the site.
So how does it all work?
iknow-uk is the UK’s fastest growing accommodation listing website, which allows anyone who owns their property within the UK to advertise their accommodation on the website.
The site offers property owners the platform to advertise their website and property details to people wishing to stay across a range of towns, cities and villages in the UK.
The consultancy aims to provide an advertising tool for clients to feature their properties on the website to enhance business and attract potential visitors to their property.
Features of the site include a comprehensive control panel that allows clients to edit and refine all aspects of their online advertising. Clients may add photos and captions to their profile page to obtain the best results when advertising their properties.
Guidance is situated throughout the site provided by iknow-uk, to ensure clients get maximum potential from the website.
A key feature to the online consultancy site is the ability to show potential visitors direct access online to when the client’s property is available. The page has been set up to display a calendar, which summarises the availability of the property and not individual rooms.
The iknow-uk website also features a last minute category whereby clients who opt to use the calendar feature, will see their properties placed in the last minute directory for guests wishing to find a quick getaway or last minute deal.
Links can also be made direct to the clients’ website through iknow-uk.com.
Marcus Simmons, Managing Director at iknow-uk Ltd, said, "The Internet is changing the way people find and book accommodation. Hotel, B&B and other accommodation owners have to learn quickly how to benefit from the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
“Most importantly we deliver results! This is demonstrated by over 90 per cent of our customers renewing each year because of the exceptional results they achieve over their 12 month subscription."
The website is split into 10 different sub websites each representing different areas of the UK.
For example, if you have accommodation to rent in York, you can register your York hotels or other types of accommodation online at iknow-yorkshire.co.uk and complete a profile all about the property, its location and attractions nearby.
The advantage of having the sub websites is so visitors looking for a holiday can easily find the information they are looking for without any fuss or confusion. For example, a person looking for Harrogate hotels does not require or need information about accommodation in the South of England and having the separate sites enables people to happily search for exactly what they are looking for without any hassle.
A great feature of the iknow-uk website is the extensive information about tourist attractions and places to visit within each region.
For example if you own accommodation within the Yorkshire region whether it be York hotels or Harrogate hotels, you can inform your prospective guests about the location of your accommodation and transport links to and from it. This is a key advertising tool for online marketing as you are able to sell your property based on its whereabouts in the city or town. For example if you have accommodation near York’s race course it would be to your advantage to post information about its whereabouts on the website.
A great advantage to having your own profile on iknow-uk is that you can tell people the exact requirements of staying at your accommodation so there are no surprises upon arrival.
The teams at each of the sub websites have come up with a wide list of categories for you to place yourself in, so people looking for accommodation can narrow their search to find what is right for them.
For example if you have lots of hotels and each of them caters for stag and hen parties, you can situate your property into this category on the website lists.
END
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-yorkshire.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com.
The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The companies main internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Escape To Egypt This Summer With Panorama Holidays
For a family friendly, all inclusive holiday with a difference, Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera offers the perfect get-away. Sharm el Sheikh is the area’s most famous resort, winning over holidaymakers year after year thanks to its choice of high quality accommodation and host of outdoor activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling.
With average temperatures of around 39°C and 10 hours of sunlight per day, Egypt offers all the luxury of a long-haul destination with only a 5 hour 45 minute flight time. Long regarded as a snorkeller’s paradise, Sharm el Sheikh has some of the finest beaches and coral reefs in the world, in particular Naama Bay, which is renowned as the diving capital of the region.
It’s not just its seafront that offers a world of discovery, with Egypt’s stunning pyramids, temples and bazaars providing a magical insight into this oldest of civilizations. And once back in resort, the kids clubs and entertainment programmes available in the majority of hotels will ensure the whole family is kept entertained.
To help you enjoy Egypt, Panorama is offering free board basis upgrades for departures on 9th and 16th July in the following accommodation
3+ star Kahramana Hotel on bed & breakfast - free upgrade to half board or all inclusive
4 star Hilton Sharm Hotel on bed & breakfast basis – free upgrade to half board
3+ star Crowne Plaza Hotel on bed & breakfast basis – free upgrade to half board
Panorama Holidays – 7 & 14 night stays in Sharm El Sheikh from €639 per person
Staying in the 3 star Hotel El Hayat Sharm Resort in Nabq Bay, all inclusive, Dublin – 23rd July 2009 – 7 Nights - €739 per person
Staying in the 4 star Hotel Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort in Hadaba, bed and breakfast, Dublin – 09th July 2009 – 7 Nights / 14 Nights - €659 / €975 per person
Staying in the 3 star Kahramana Hotel in Naama Bay, all inclusive, Dublin – 16th July 2009 - 7 Nights - €639
To book call 0818 20 20 20, log on to www.panoramaholidays.ie or visit your nearest travel agent
All holidays based on 2 adults sharing unless stated otherwise. Prices inclusive of accommodation return flights, transfers and all taxes and charges. Correct at the time of issue however subject to change and availability.
Your Trusted Checklist for Moving Abroad with Robinsons
With recent reports from the World Wide Web showing that many Brits are searching online for properties to buy abroad, Robinsons removals company have come up with a checklist for you to keep as your bible throughout your journey to your final destination abroad.
The results revealed that throughout May 2009 Spain was noted as the country with the most searches for buying property abroad, with the destination accounting for 30.53 per cent of all searches.
In fact Spain is becoming such a popular place to move, Primelocation.com have noted searches for Spanish properties increase by 27 per cent in the previous 12 months.
Robinsons keep a keen eye on what is going on in the emigration world and know exactly what they are talking about when it comes to moving abroad, wherever your destination may be.
From Italy to New Zealand, international movers are never left in the dark as Robinsons overseas removals company have all the information you need to make your move fast and efficient.
The Big Countdown to moving day
When you are looking to move home there is always an endless list of things to do and organise.
To make sure you don’t miss a thing, Robinsons have come up with a list for you to stick by for up to 6 weeks before the big moving day.
Keep it in a safe place or on the fridge (until it is moved out!), abide by it and you can’t go far wrong!
5-6 weeks before moving
- Check that your passports and visas are valid
- Check whether any permits are required e.g. for residency, work or vehicles
- Check your travel documents and tickets
- Collate all your personal documents e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates and medical records
- Advise your solicitor, bank, doctor, dentist, insurance company, building society
- Cancel subscriptions to clubs and magazines
- Notify Schools
3-4 weeks before moving
- Complete the Robinsons insurance form
- Dispose of the items you don't want to take
- Supply a contact number in the UK for after you have moved
- Supply your overseas contact address and phone number
- Ask for final accounts for gas, water and electricity
- Complete all outstanding credit agreements
- Cancel all rental agreements
- Run down stocks of food and drink
- Confirm your removal date with Robinsons
1-2 weeks before moving abroad
- Arrange for mail to be forwarded
- Clean garden tools, bicycles, etc
- Arrange care for children and pets on moving day
- Arrange for mains services to be disconnected
- Advise your newsagent and milkman and pay their final accounts
- Empty lockers at school and work
- Return or retrieve any items on loan
- Drain fuel from motor mowers
- Dispose of plants and perishable food
1-2 days before moving abroad
- Separate all personal items which are to travel with you e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, currency, clothing, etc
- Disconnect, clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to take
- Arrange with neighbours to leave sufficient parking space for the removal vehicle
On Moving Day
- Remain on hand in case the packers have any questions
- Check all rooms, cupboards, walls, loft, garage and shed to make sure nothing has been left behind.
With Robinsons, international movers can be assured that their belongings are in safe hands, with a team of specialist packing and distributing experts on hand to ensure the efficient and smooth delivery of your products to their final destination.
If you are looking to move your office abroad, Robinsons deal with office removals to make sure your goods arrive in one piece.
For more information about their products and services visit Robinsons removals company today.
END
Notes to Editors
Established in 1895, Robinsons International has been a leading provider of quality moving and storage services in the UK, Europe and internationally for well over a century
Robinsons is the leading international removals company in the UK, providing a variety of moving and storage services for over 100 years.
Follow in Nana’s Royle Family Footsteps With A 10-Day Adriatic Cruise
Following news that the former Royle Family actress Liz Smith (AKA ‘Nana’) will be filmed by the BBC embarking on her first "proper holiday" – a 10 night Adriatic cruise - Cruise Thomas Cook has some great deals to help you brush off your sea legs and follow suit this summer.
At the age of 87, Liz Smith's Summer Cruise will be shown as part of BBC4's forthcoming Grey Expectations series, a season of shows dedicated to understanding life's twilight years.
And viewers will be in for a visual treat as the Adriatic Sea, with its limestone sea floor, is reportedly one of the clearest seas in the world. Situated between the eastern coast of Italy and western coasts of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a cruise along the Adriatic is the ideal retreat for complete rest and relaxation.
Its Croatian coast is home to one of the largest archipelagos in the Mediterranean, featuring over 1,200 islands – some uninhabited - and offering spectacular views, beautiful Mediterranean towns and a variety of cultural heritage.
Although only a small distance from its Adriatic neighbour, the Italian coast is a million miles away from Croatia’s crystal clear waters and rocky coastline. Featuring marshes and lagoons as a result of its low shore, Italy’s Adriatic shoreline boasts plenty of famous cities to keep holidaymakers entertained including, Venice, Trieste and Rimini.
Marc Bennett, Director of Cruise Thomas Cook, comments; "Cruises are ideal for people who, like ‘Nana’, are looking for a once in a lifetime holiday that packs in loads of destinations, or who want to meet like-minded people while soaking up new corners of the world.
“Adriatic Cruises are a great way to combine relaxing on the unspoilt islands of Croatia with visits to the more well-known cities of Italy – attracting a wide-range of holidaymakers looking for a cultural cruising experience not too far from home."
Cruise Thomas Cook - 10 night Adriatic Cruise from £739 per person
Cruising with RCCL’s Splendour of the Seas to Venice, Dubrovnik, Cagliari, Malaga, Seville and Lisbon. Price based on inside cabin and includes return flights from London Heathrow - departing 21st November 2009.
0800 916 6070, www.cruisethomascook.com or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Cruise Thomas Cook - 7 night Adriatic Cruise from £949 per person
Cruising with Costa Cruises’ Costa Victoria to Venice, Ancona, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Dubrovnik and Venice. Price based on inside cabin and includes return flights from London Gatwick - departing 29th August 2009.
0800 916 6070, www.cruisethomascook.com or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Cruise Thomas Cook - 7 night Adriatic Cruise from £1,079 per person
Cruising with RCCL’s Splendour of the Seas to Venice, Split (Croatia), Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon and Venice. Price based on inside cabin and includes return flights from London Heathrow - departing 19th September 2009.
0800 916 6070, www.cruisethomascook.com or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Free Parking in London
A new venture that enables drivers visiting London to park for free has just been launched. The mobile phone facility offered by Freetopark.co.uk is an SMS text based service, which allows the user to find totally free parking within walking distance of London tube stations. This service means drivers no longer have to worry about where they are going to park in London. They can avoid paying the high costs of the London Congestion charge, long stay parking fees and not worry about being ticketed and towed from controlled parking zones.
All drivers need to do is text the word “parking” plus the name of a tube station to 80039 and by return, they receive a text giving you the names of 3 roads with the postcode for each road. The roads are all within an approximate 5 minute walk of the station, some slightly further, but all within a 10 minute distance. The text costs £1.50 plus normal network charges. Visit www.freetopark.co.uk for further details on how to the service works.
MD Mark Flyss comments ‘We all suffer as drivers with increasingly high meter charges, the inconvenience of finding spaces and more often needing to pay for them by mobile phone, the massive increase of controlled parking zones, and over efficient parking wardens who will penalise a driver within moments of a penalty being due. All these issues are putting a huge burden on drivers in these recessionary times.
Our idea is twofold – let drivers park easily and for free and also utilise the tube service, which will help keep traffic levels down in London, helping to alleviate the congestion and pollution levels in the city. Although we are concentrated on London tube network at the moment, we are working on increasing our database of free locations near other popular locations and in other major cities with a view to rolling out the concept into other areas, building a free parking network for drivers who are tired of being taken advantage of by Councils and private parking companies”
---- ENDS ----
Notes to editors:
Free To Park is a wholly owned by Cheap and easy parking Ltd, set up to assist drivers who are looking for somewhere cheap and easy to park; by helping them avoid the pitfalls of driving into towns and cities – the congestion charge (London), wheel clampers, parking tickets and vehicle removers will be a thing of the past.
The Cheap and Easy Parking Ltd. business partners bring over 20 years experience of the outdoor advertising industry, in addition to 10 years creative experience with website development and design, thereby ensuring www.freetopark.co.uk will help deliver an easy parking experience.
Press release issued by Free To Park.co.uk
Contact Mark Flyss on 07973 538930,
or email: info@freetopark.co.uk
or visit: www.freetopark.co.uk
Low price Easter deals in Blackpool to continue into the summer with iknow-uk
Blackpool enjoyed a massive boom in tourism over the Easter break, with thousands of UK families flocking to the seaside resort for a weekend break away and staying in Blackpool hotels giving the seaside resort a boost.
The boost was so big that hoteliers in the region are set to continue to offer similar deals throughout the summer months, hoping to bring visitors back to the seaside resort.
Iknow-northwest.co.uk, who feature hundreds of different types of accommodation in the Blackpool region, saw bookings for the seaside resort sore, as many travellers flocked to the North West to save money during the dreary credit crunch.
The UK’s fastest growing accommodation listing website also saw many visitors take advantage of the deals offered on the site, many booking well in advance to make full use of the Easter break.
And with the British weather lending a hand, many tourists made full use of the attractions at Blackpool resort, with bookings at Blackpool Pleasure Beach up a fifth from Easter 2008.
The Pleasure Beach has already seen a massive boost in sales from the beginning of this year with a spokesperson for the Pleasure Beach saying, "The Pleasure Beach has enjoyed a good Easter weekend.
"Thousands of families have been taking advantage of the good weather we have been having and visited the park. We have had a very encouraging start to the year as advanced sales are up 20 per cent year to date compared with last season."
With so many businesses across Blackpool offering a variety of deals for travellers to the seaside resort, Blackpool bed and breakfasts are jumping on board and offering packages at cheaper prices over the summer season.
Generally, the summer months sees hotels boost their rates in a bid to bag the most money over the summer season. This year, in the height of the credit crunch, hoteliers on Iknow-northwest.co.uk have the traveller in mind, by keeping their prices at an all time low to suite people with a smaller budget.
Counc Maxine Callow, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration at Blackpool Council, said she was delighted the resort had been so busy. "People are finding it really expensive to go abroad because of the poor exchange rate on the euro. Blackpool has always been good value for money and now we have the quality as well.
"Hopefully everyone who came for the Easter weekend has had a good experience and will go home and tell their friends and neighbours that things are improving in Blackpool."
Iknow-northwest.co.uk is an online marketing consultancy, which acts as a platform for hotel owners to promote their businesses and offers. Visitors to the site can see an array of accommodation ranging from budget priced rooms to top notch properties across great locations in Blackpool area.
A variety of Blackpool accommodation properties are included on the site , including, hotels, Blackpool B&B apartments, guest houses, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, holiday parks, holiday flats and apartments, Blackpool self catering, for guests to enjoy their break away in Blackpool and from the dreary credit crunch.
Many of the properties to rent on the website are situated within close region to many of the tourist attractions, which all saw a massive boost in sales over the Easter weekend.
Michael Williams, operations director for Leisure Parcs, said, "Easter has been a very encouraging start to the season with all our sites doing well. The Tower was busy all weekend with families, but our biggest boost has been with the new golf attraction. We had to open earlier to cope with demand. It's been a very good weekend for Blackpool."
The Sandcastle WaterPark has also seen visitor numbers double over the Easter break. Manager, John Child said, "We have been extremely busy; in fact we probably are double in figures of what we were last year. Blackpool is proving to the rest of the country that we can bounce back and we have the attractions to do so. Let's hope this continues for the rest of the season."
The British weather in recent weeks has been picking up with many of us across the UK seeing a sunny and cloud free Easter weekend. With predictions that the summer sun will be even hotter, holidays in Blackpool are set to sore. A spokesman for Blackpool Tourism said, "The weather has helped bring in hundreds more families to the resort and we are delighted with the response. Even at night the Promenade has been very busy, which is great to see. We hope this will be a pre-cursor for the rest of the season."
With the tourism trade set to boom, Iknow-northwest.co.uk offer the perfect platform for businesses to feature their properties online to drum up more business over the coming months.
The website, last year, helped over 2,500 hospitality customers on their website staying one step ahead of their competition. The website also received 7 million visitors by the end of October, almost 2 million up from 2007.
Visitors to the site have the luxury of accessing a variety of accommodation to rent within one location, knowing they are looking at some of the best deals on the market for summer 2009.
With so much to see and do in Blackpool, travellers are clocking on to what is on offer in the current recession and businesses are already on the ball in providing the right deals for your holiday through Iknow-northwest.co.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-Northwest.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com. The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The companies main internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Elegant Resorts to reinforce their luxury leadership position with new website
Elegant Resorts, the leading luxury travel company, today announced the launch of their new website – www.elegantresorts.co.uk – to go live on May 21st. Effortlessly stylish, and in keeping with the company’s distinctive brand using stunning photography against a black background, it is more informative and indepth than its previous website and has some excellent new, user-friendly, lifestyle features. It will leave the visitor in no doubt that Elegant Resorts is the leader in luxury holidays.
With clients frequently searching for certain types of holidays as well as specific hotels, the new ‘lifestyle’ feature enables luxury travellers to find the right type of holiday for them, whether it is Golf or Spa, Family or Honeymoon, Sailing or even trips into Space. Lifestyle types can then be easily filtered with a choice of continent or country. Customers will always be able to see how many properties are in their selection and the site will also prompt with other suggested destinations that might be relevant to the search, or offer good alternatives to consider.
Elegant Resorts are acutely aware that the luxury traveller is time precious so in addition to these lifestyle features, www.elegantresorts.co.uk also utilises innovative large drop menus and prominent contact details to ensure the visitor can find what they are looking for quickly. There is also a ‘Quick Quote’ facility that allows anyone who doesn’t have the time to spend online to very quickly brief one of Elegant Resorts’ luxury travel consultants so that they can do the research on the client’s behalf.
The essence of luxury travel is in the detail, so as well as a handpicked selection of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, the site will also offer great depth of information. From what the Tree House Kids Club at Sandy Lane has to offer or the square footage of their room; to how many bathrooms their suite might have or perhaps what views can be enjoyed from a specific restaurant – the site has easily locatable answers to the most detailed of questions.
Commenting on the launch of the site, Nathan Philpot, Managing Director, Elegant Resorts, says: “The new site has been built around our client’s feedback. We know our clients are busy people and they need to be able to easily book their holiday and source the information they require on line. They tend to use our luxury consultants as their very own travel P.A. so the site needed to reflect that. It’s intuitive, it has depth and of course, as one would expect from Elegant Resorts – it’s ‘effortlessly stylish’”.
For further media information, please contact Sarah Bolam at Elegant Resorts on 07754 458519 or email sarah.bolam@elegantresorts.co.uk
Iknow-UK – UK citizens opting for short break bookings during 2009
The UK travel industry has tracked a record growth of short break bookings during 2009. UK airline bmibaby have reported that bookings for breaks of less than four days are up by more than 20 per cent year on year, between January to April 2009, in comparison to the same period in 2008.
The most popular destinations for short breaks between January to April 2009 are Edinburgh from East Midlands and Cardiff Airport, Amsterdam from Birmingham International Airport and Belfast from Manchester Airport.
Julian Carr, commercial director, bmibaby, said,
“We have seen a sharp increase in bookings for trips of less than four days this year. Fifty three per cent of our bookings between January and April 2009 are from people taking short trips, compared to just thirty one per cent in the same period in 2008.
“More passengers are booking shorter breaks, for business or leisure purposes. People are not prepared to give up the all important weekend break, and business travelers are migrating towards the low cost travel option.”
With so many people looking to take a short break within the UK this year, the low cost airline is encouraging travelers to book their accommodation early to avoid disappointment during peak traveling times. With so many landlords increasing the rate per night and competition rife over the summer months, travelers don’t know where to start when planning a short break away this summer.
However help is at hand with Iknow-uk an online marketing consultancy who have thousands of different types of accommodation featured on their website. The website is split according to each area across the UK, with each site focusing on just one part of the UK to ensure that maximum coverage is achieved.
The company’s main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Why choose IKnow-UK
Iknow-UK has a range of different features to help you find the perfect accommodation for your trip.
Whether you are looking for Devon hotels, such as Torquay hotels, or Weston Super Mare hotels, Iknow-UK is the best place to book your short break and we have a list of reasons why.
Wide choice available
The site features over 2,500 different types of accommodation on each of the individual advertising sites ranging from B&B’s to Holiday Cottages.
If you are planning a trip to the Northwest and are looking for that perfect accommodation for you and your fellow travelers, Iknow-northwest.co.uk can help narrow that long search for you.
With a variety of places to visit in the North West region, Iknow-UK have categorised each location to help you find accommodation close to where you need to be.
With Blackpool hotels, Liverpool hotels, Manchester hotels and Chester hotels, guests can browse through the wide selection available at their own leisure and convenience.
The website is fast, easy to use, comprehensive and informative for the customer to locate their perfect property to stay.
The advanced search engine on the site allows visitors to categorise exactly what they are looking for when staying at a property.
Guests can search under locations, types of accommodation, type, price and speciality. This ensures that the customer gets the best deal from the service and exactly what they are looking for.
Tourist Information Given
Each of the websites at Iknow-UK features tourist information in the area, allowing travelers to plan their trip with activities and days out to suit their wishes and desires.
If your short break takes you up to the Scottish highlands, iknow-scotland.co.uk cover all the main cities as well as surrounding areas on their website with a wide range of Scotland hotels for you to visit.
From Edinburgh hotels to Glasgow hotels, the website hosts a variety of information about the location of each of the properties, including what attractions nearby and transport links.
For instance, if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing trip to Scotland, iknow-scotland can direct you to a wide range of holiday cottages in Scotland which are tranquil, away from the hustle and bustle and perfect retreat after a long week at work.
Full information about all accommodation available
Each different type of accommodation comes with a detailed description of what the place is like, where it is close to, what they do and don’t accept as well as pictures for you to look at, of in and outside the property.
A key feature to the Iknow-UK websites is the availability calendar situated on each of the property listings.
The calendar summarises the availability of the property to allow guests quicker and accessible information when booking their short break. For example a trip to Cardiff may find you wondering where the best places are to visit, which suit your needs and requirements.
If it’s a fun packed night in the city, or a quiet break by the sea, there is a wide selection of Wales hotels available across the country.
Whether you are looking for Cardiff hotels or Llandudno hotels visit iknow-wales.co.uk to see what all the fuss is about and whether there is accommodation available for the week you plan to travel.
A great platform to feature your property
If you are a landlord and own a property across the UK, Iknow-UK.com may be the best platform for you to advertise your business.
If you own Lake District Hotels you can advertise your property on iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk. The website can categorise your property whether it is a Keswick hotels or Windermere hotels so visitors can pin point your exact location when booking their trip.
Trusted site to advertise your accommodation
Iknow-UK has had over 20,000,000 visitors to their site and 2,000 very happy customers.
The site wants each one of the customers to succeed and provides helpful hints to improve your listing. They have friendly staff that are always on hand to help you get the most out of your advertising.
On top of this, advertisers are full in control of the content and targeting. Changes can be made to the advertisement at no cost to you and can be done at any time.
If you have a property to promote, visit iknow-devon.co.uk for further information about how to advertise your property on their website. The website features a variety of properties across various locations, including Newquay hotels, St Ives hotels and Cornwall hotels.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-Northwest.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com. The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The companies main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Weetwood Hall – a place for team players
Part of the Weetwood estate includes the Weetwood Playing Fields which are also owned by the University of Leeds and have some of the most up to date sporting facilities in the region.
Peter Chubb, General Manager of Weetwood Hall hotel in Leeds says “the portfolio of sport and physical activity adds an exciting and innovative dimension to what is available at Weetwood Hall for teams, clubs, associations and sporting organisations”.
The location of the playing fields adjacent to leeds hotel Weetwood Hall is ideal as it provides the services of the hotel to unwind after strenuous exertion and the conference centre when you need to combine work in the classroom with training on the pitch, without any transport concerns.
Facilities include a county standard cricket pitch; the square is maintained by Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Tiger Turf and sand dressed hockey pitches, state of the art 3G artificial football pitch, county standard rugby pitch and over 100 acres available for an extensive range of sporting activity.
The Weetwood Playing Fields is home to England Hockey (North) and is also one of only six MCC Cricketing Centres of Excellence in England and Wales.
Dr. Sue Jacklin who is the Assistant Director of Sport & Physical Activity at the University of Leeds said “this partnership allows athletes and coaches to hone physical fitness, develop technical and tactical expertise, review strategy and have the opportunity to relax and unwind, all on one site”.
This may be of particular interest for clubs who have fixtures in Leeds, sporting associations who regularly meet and especially for performance excellence camps that are looking for combined residential and sporting facilities. Weetwood hall is also popular as a wedding venue in Leeds with its impressive 17th Century Manor House, refined decor and beautiful grounds is an ideal location to hold your wedding reception to make your special day perfect.
Ends
For further information contact:
Katja Pandza, Sales & Marketing Executive
Tel direct line: 0113 388 5790 Katja.pandza@weetwood.co.uk
Information for editors:
Weetwood Hall website www.weetwood.co.uk/sport
Picture 1: Weetwood Hall Conference Centre & Hotel
Picture 2: Weetwood playing field Cricket
Picture 3: Weetwood playing fields
Thomas Cook’s Travel Guide To This Years Eurovision Hopefuls
The 54th Eurovision Song Contest will be coming to our TV screens from Russia on Saturday 16th May. With no Terry Wogan to entertain through the questionable judging and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber leading the British crusade to win over our European neighbours, Thomas Cook takes a look at what Eurovision’s top performing countries* have to offer – aside from cheesy pop acts.
Russia
The 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will come from Russia with love. Appropriately, this year’s hosts are the leaders of the Eurovision pack, finishing in the top three a total of five times since the start of the Millennium.
But Russia has much more to offer than its Euro-conquering crooners, with its capital Moscow combining the hustle and bustle of a modern capital with ancient monasteries and cathedrals that recall its colourful history. At the heart of the city’s culture, the Kremlin is now home to one of the biggest museums in the world, offering a one-stop shop to Moscow’s past.
Alternatively, head to Russia’s former capital St. Petersburg where you’ll find glittering spires and baroque palaces spanning across its 40 islands, earning it the name of Venice of the North. Consequently, St Petersburg has a more European feel to it than its Eastern neighbour, with edgy art galleries, underground clubs and cosmopolitan dining attracting increasing numbers of visitors each year.
Thomas Cook Signature - 3 nights in Russia from £509 per person
Staying at the 3 star Dostoevsky Hotel in Moscow on bed & breakfast, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways – departing between 01 – 31 July 2009 0844 871 6650, www.tcsignature.co.uk or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Greece
Greece was the first country to pick an artist for the 2009 Eurovision, selecting its entry almost a year ago. Achieving a top ten placing in the past five years, Greece is a good bet for success in Russia.
Greece is also a good bet this summer, with plenty to keep everyone from culture vultures to wine enthusiasts entertained. Skopelos, the island made famous by Mamma Mia, is as breathtaking in real life as it is in the movies. From stunning scenery thanks to the island’s steep cliffs and pebbly coves, to cultural havens in the form of tiny chapels and churches scattered across the island, Skopelos offers a cultural feast fit for a Greek Goddess.
For sun, sea and sand, the white sandy beaches of Zakynthos are some of the best in Greece, offering a retreat away from the tourist hotspots. Head to the beaches of Mavratzis or St Nicholas in Vasilikos for a coastline of coves and turquoise seas set against pine clad hills. Alternatively, Laganas beach in Zante is ideal for nature lovers wanting to watch the protected loggerhead turtles, who call it home.
Manos - nights in Zakynthos from £365 per person
Staying at the 3 star Pallas Hotel in Laganas on bed & breakfast, Manchester – 31 May 2009
0844 879 8200, www.manos.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Sweden
The home of Eurovision’s most famous winners, ABBA, Sweden is one of the contest’s most successful countries, having won it four times, and reached the top five a total of 18 times.
Its capital Stockholm is built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest preserved mediaeval city centres, earning it a reputation as one of the most beautiful European cities, with its trendy bars and chic hotels, attracting a lively crowd.
Mixed in with the modern Scandinavian architecture, is Stockholm’s historical centre, Old Town (Gamla Stan), home to the Royal Palace and Swedish Parliament as well as cobbled streets full of cosmopolitan cafes and shops.
If visiting Sweden in winter, Stockholm’s Ice Hotel is a must for a unique experience at this hotel that is built each year from snow and ice taken from the local River Torne.
Cresta Holidays - 3 nights in Sweden from £339 per person
Staying at the 4 star Nordic Sea Hotel in Stockholm on bed & breakfast, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways – departing between 01 - 31 July 2009.
0844 800 7020, www.crestaholidays.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Ukraine
Making its Eurovision debut in 2003, Ukraine has shot to the top of Europe’s favourite pop-fest, taking the top two spots three times as well as the number one spot in 2004.
Although not the most likely holiday spot, Ukraine is starting to make its mark on the tourist trail having hosted the Eurovision song contest in 2005 and been chosen to co-host the European Football Championships in 2012.
Founded 1,500 years ago, Ukraine’s capital city of Kiev boasts stunning architecture, with its cathedrals, opera house, and palaces a reminder of its past. Independence Square meanwhile stands as a symbol for the start of Ukraine’s break from communism and is well worth a visit.
Kiev’s oldest street, Andriyivsky Uzviz, is the place to go for outdoor fairs, festivals and concerts. Art galleries, shops and studios make this street the best area to shop for Ukrainian crafts and art works - and the perfect place for good value gifts to take back home.
Flexibletrips – 4 nights in Ukraine from £399 per person
Staying at the 3 star Rus Hotel in Kiev on bed & breakfast, flying from Luton with Wizz Air – 03rd June 2009. 0870 160 9192 or log on to www.flexibletrips.com
Turkey
Eurovision stalwarts since first appearing in 1975, Turkey didn’t achieve any considerable success until the late 1990s, coming into their own in 2000 with a first place spot in 2003.
Aside from its Eurovision escapades, Turkey has regularly scored top marks with holidaymakers, thanks to its mix of golden beaches, ancient history and colourful bazaars.
Olu Deniz is ideal for beach lovers with its white sand beach and blue lagoon now designated as a National Park. If relaxing on a beach isn’t enough, then head to Dalyan for its famous mud baths, sulphur springs and Turkish baths.
For a cultural take on Turkey, the Aegean coast plays host to a range of ancient sights, including the limestone waterfall at Pamukkale in Turunc, the preserved ruins at Ephesus or Altinkum’s Temple of Apollo.
Thomas Cook - 7 nights in Turkey from £400 per person
Staying at the 4 star Kervansaray Resort in Bodrum on all inclusive, Glasgow – 30 May 2009
0844 412 5970, www.thomascook.com, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
All holidays based on 2 adults sharing unless stated otherwise. Optional supplements may be applicable at the time of booking. Correct at the time of issue however subject to change.
Lake District still a popular resort for that perfect break away
The Lake District, Windermere is still proving a popular location for short breaks and family holidays for residents of the UK.
As the current recession drives people to stay at home, Iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk has noticed an increasing interest in people wishing to rent Windermere accommodation over the spring and summer months.
With this rising interest, Windermere hotels and Windermere bed and breakfast will see a boost in their sales and their rooms fully booked.
And to make sure that landlords are receiving full advertisement of their property, iknow-lakedistrict has the perfect platform for landlords to feature their property including all its features, with pictures of the accommodation included.
Visitors to the site have the luxury of accessing a variety of accommodation to rent within one location, knowing that they are looking at some of the best deals on the market for summer 2009.
Customers looking to rent a property in Windermere
Whatever your reasoning for traveling to Windermere, iknow-lakedistrict don’t disappoint and keep customers coming back for more.
The online rental property site offers its visitors a platform to access an array of accommodation in Windermere, ranging from budget priced rooms to top-notch Windermere accommodation across great locations in and surrounding the area.
Guests to the site can expect to see a variety of properties such as; Windermere hotels, Windermere b&b, guest houses, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, holiday parks, holiday flats and apartments, to accommodate for all guests wishing to get away to the Lake District for a well-deserved break away from the draining credit crunch.
On top of this, the website is fast, easy to use, comprehensive and informative for every customer to locate their perfect property to stay.
The advanced search engine on the site also allows visitors to categorise exactly what they are looking for when staying at a property. Guests can search under locations, types of accommodation, type, price and speciality. This ensures that the customer gets the best deal from the service and exactly what they are looking for.
The website also features tourist information in the area, allowing customers to plan their trip with activities and days out to suit their wishes and desires.
Marcus Simmons, Managing Director iknow-uk ltd, said, "We constantly work to improve the effectiveness of Internet advertising with iknow-uk both in terms of attracting more site visitors and also converting those visitors into enquiries and bookings.
“The control panel has many features which allow customers to refine their listing including an online availability calendar which enables site visitors to conduct site-wide availability checks and narrow down their search by area, price and property type."
Landlords looking to rent their property in Windermere
Iknow-lakedistrict is the UK’s fastest growing accommodation listing website, which allows anyone who owns their property within the Lake District to advertise their accommodation on the website.
The site offers property owners the platform to advertise their website to people wishing to stay in the Windermere area.
The consultancy aims to provide an advertising tool for clients to feature their properties on the website to enhance business and attract potential visitors to their property.
Features of the site include a comprehensive control panel that allows clients to edit and refine all aspects of their online advertising. Clients may add photos and captions to their profile page to obtain the best results when advertising their properties.
Guidance is situated throughout the site, provided by iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, to ensure clients use the maximum potential the website has to offer. A key feature to the online consultancy site is the ability to show potential visitors direct access online to when the client’s property is available.
The page has been set up to display a calendar, which summarises the availability of the property and not individual rooms.
Iknow-lakesdistrict website also features a last minute category whereby clients who opt to use the calendar feature, will see their properties be placed in the last minute directory for guests wishing to find a quick getaway or last minute deal.
Links can also be made direct to the clients’ website through iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk.
Simmons said, "The internet is changing the way people find and book accommodation. Hotel, B&B and other accommodation owners have to learn quickly how to benefit from the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
“Most importantly we deliver results! This is demonstrated by over 90 per cent of our customers renewing each year because of the exceptional results they achieve over their 12 month subscription."
Whatever your traveling to Windermere for iknow-lakedistrict can help
Windermere have a range of beautiful attractions and fun activities for you and all the family. Whatever your reasoning for traveling to the beautiful Lake District, iknow-lakedistrict can offer you a wide range of advice about locations, attractions and the history of the village.
If you are looking to travel with the children and want fun-filled activities, guests can visit the Brockhole Visitors Centre Boat trips, which features an array of shops, numerous exhibitions and a children’s adventure playground, perfect for all the family.
If a quiet trip is what you are looking for, visiting Lake Windermere for a spot of fishing in a relaxing and tranquil environment can be the perfect experience for you and your fellow travellers to experience the sights and sounds of traditional Lake Windermere.
With so much to see and do in Windermere from now into the near future, visit the iknow-lakedistrict website to find about the latest offers on Windermere accommodation and book your trip to the beautiful resort to see what all the fuss is about.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com.
The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The company’s main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Iknow-northwest.co.uk sees UK seaside resort soar as Blackpool accommodation and Blackpool tourism booms
Iknow-northwest.co.uk has seen a growing interest in renting accommodation in Blackpool, as UK people race to the seaside resort for a well-deserved holiday. And the rise in Blackpool tourism is only expected to grow more as people flock to the North West to enjoy British summer weather.
With the tourism trade set to boom, Iknow-northwest.co.uk offers the perfect platform for businesses to feature their properties online to drum up more business over the coming months.
With so much to see and do in Blackpool, travellers are clocking on to what is on offer in the current recession and businesses are already on the ball in providing the right deals for your holiday through Iknow-northwest.co.uk.
The website, last year, helped over 2,500 hospitality customers on their website, staying one step ahead of their competition. The website also received 7 million visitors by the end of October, almost 2 million up from 2007.
Visitors to the site have the luxury of accessing a variety of accommodation to rent within one location, knowing that they are looking at some of the best deals on the market for summer 2009.
Customers looking to rent a property in Blackpool
The marketing company also offers visitors to its site, a platform to access an array of properties, ranging from budget priced rooms to top-notch Blackpool accommodation across great locations in the Blackpool area.
The online marketing consultancy host a variety of different properties on their website such as; Blackpool hotels, Blackpool b&b, guest houses, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, holiday parks, holiday flats and apartments, to accommodate for all guests wishing to get away to Blackpool for a much deserved break away from the draining credit crunch.
The website is fast, easy to use, comprehensive and informative for the customer to locate their perfect property to stay. The advanced search engine on the site allows visitors to categorise exactly what they are looking for when staying at a property. Guests can search under locations, types of accommodation, type, price and speciality. This ensures that the customer gets the best deal from the service and exactly what they are looking for.
The website also features tourist information in the area, allowing customers to plan their trip with activities and days out to suit their wishes and desires.
"We constantly work to improve the effectiveness of Internet advertising with iknow-uk both in terms of attracting more site visitors and also converting those visitors into enquiries and bookings,” said Simmons.
“The control panel has many features which allow customers to refine their listing including an online availability calendar which enables site visitors to conduct site-wide availability checks and narrow down their search by area, price and property type."
Whether business or pleasure, Blackpool has loads to offer
Whatever your reasons for visiting Blackpool, Iknow-Northwest offer a range of Blackpool accommodation across all areas of Blackpool, whether you are looking for a Blackpool bed and breakfast to stay with your partner, Blackpool hotels for you and your family or whether you are traveling to Blackpool for business.
The website is dedicated to offering customers information about the location of the Blackpool accommodation, and what is in and around the area. That way, you can make sure that you book the perfect property to suit your need and requirements.
Landlords looking to rent their property in Blackpool
Iknow-northwest is the UK’s fastest growing accommodation listing website, which allows anyone who owns their property within the North West to advertise their accommodation on the website.
The site offers property owners the platform to advertise their website to people wishing to stay in the Blackpool area.
The consultancy aims to provide an advertising tool for clients to feature their properties on the website to enhance business and attract potential visitors to their property.
Features of the site include a comprehensive control panel that allows clients to edit and refine all aspects of their online advertising. Clients may add photos and captions to their profile page to obtain the best results when advertising their properties.
Guidance is situated throughout the site, provided by iknow-Northwest.co.uk, to ensure clients use the maximum potential the website has to offer.
A key feature to the online consultancy site is the ability to show potential visitors direct access online to when the client’s property is available.
The page has been set up to display a calendar, which summarises the availability of the property and not individual rooms.
Iknow-Northwest website also features a last minute category whereby clients who opt to use the calendar feature, will see their properties be placed in the last minute directory for guests wishing to find a quick getaway or last minute deal.
Links can also be made direct to the clients’ website through iknow-northwest.co.uk.
Marcus Simmons, Managing Director iknow-uk ltd, said, "The internet is changing the way people find and book accommodation. Hotel, B&B and other accommodation owners have to learn quickly how to benefit from the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
“Most importantly we deliver results! This is demonstrated by over 90 per cent of our customers renewing each year because of the exceptional results they achieve over their 12 month subscription."
With so much to see and do in Blackpool from now into the near future, visit the Iknow-northwest website to find about the latest offers on Blackpool accommodation and book your trip to the seaside resort to see what all the fuss is about.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-Northwest.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com. The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The company’s main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Bank a bank holiday bargain
Monday 4th May marks the start of the UK’s summer Bank Holiday season, and although we all welcome the ‘free’ days off, we’re still lagging far behind our European counterparts in terms of the number of Bank Holidays we get.
With a general election not far away, rumours are rife that a new Bank Holiday could prove an easy vote-puller for the government. And if Thomas Cook’s 2008 petition for a free day is anything to go by, Gordon Brown could attract the support of over half a million people who backed the travel giant’s holiday campaign last year.
“Since the last Bank Holiday was introduced in 1978, the lives of Britons’ have been transformed – the pace of work has increased and many of us are working longer hours,” commented Pete Constanti, CEO of Mainstream Travel at Thomas Cook.
“Following the public success of our ‘Vote for a free day’ campaign, we still believe there is a strong case for the Government to recognise the public support for a new Bank Holiday. Over thirty years is a long time to wait and with news that MPs will be enjoying a 12-week holiday this summer, surely one extra day off is not an unreasonable request.”
Bank Holiday Holidays
While we wait for decisions to be made over an extra Bank Holiday, why not make the most of those we already have, with the following great deals available over Bank Holiday weekends in 2009:
Airtours - 7 nights in Turkey from £290 per person
Staying at the 4 star Batihan Hotel in Kusadasi on bed & breakfast, Manchester – 2nd May 2009
0844 871 6636, www.airtours.co.uk or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Thomas Cook - 7 nights in Kos from £320 per person
Staying at the 4 star Kipriotis Village Resort Hotel in Kos Town on all inclusive, Gatwick – 2nd May 2009
0844 412 5970, www.thomascook.com, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Sunset - 7 nights in Majorca from £399 per person
Staying at the 3* Majorca Beach Hotel in Magaluf on half board, London Gatwick – 25th May 2009 0844 412 5970, www.thomascook.com, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Panorama - 7 nights in Tunisia from £325 per person
Staying at the 4 star Miramar Hammamet Hotel in Hammamet on half board, Glasgow – 24th May 2009
0844 879 8200, www.panoramaholidays.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Thomas Cook - 7 nights in Fuerteventura from £349 per person [based on 3 sharing]
Staying at the 3 star Broncemar Beach in Costa Caleta on self catering, London Gatwick – 29th August 2009
0844 879 8200, www.manos.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Airtours - 14 nights in Lanzarote from £510 per person
Staying at the 3 star Oceana Apartments in Costa Teguise on self catering, Manchester – 30th August 2009
0844 871 6636, www.airtours.co.uk or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
All holidays based on 2 adults sharing unless stated otherwise. Optional supplements may be applicable at the time of booking. Correct at the time of issue however subject to change.
Blackpool Hotels – Launch of the Blackpool Hotels Comparison Site
Blackpool Hotels - Short Press Release for Hotels in Blackpool.
The launched Blackpool Hotels comparison site has proved to be a big massive hit for travellers and tourists searching for holiday accommodation in and around Blackpool. Only selected tourists and holiday makers were issued with an invited before the site was launched to the public.
Within the first hour of its launch, the hotel comparison site received over 1,500 invitees searching for that cheap bargain accommodation in the Lancashire area. Over 1,300 hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses were quickly viewed by the upcoming visitors.
The main features for the hotel directory include:
- Browse all or a few of the hotels listed.
- Advanced search, which will allow users to view hotels in Blackpool with up to 75% off their room price.
- Hotel facilities, which allows users to view the hotel and to see if the facilities are what are required.
- Read guest reviews
Hotel owners in Blackpool can also submit their hotel to the directory and allow users to review their hotel.
As the Easter term proved to be a massive hit with the weather truely showing the hotest the UK has had within years, Blackpool was full with tourists whom enjoyed many of the attractions such as the Pleasure Beach and Tower.
Notes to Editors
Norbreck Castle is part of the Britannia Hotels chain. The hotels comparison site is now viewable to all the public, since becoming a massive hit with the selected invitees.
Broadcaster finds a ‘real gem’ in the Lancashire Hills – Clough Bottom Cottages
Radio 2 DJ, Stuart Maconie found a real gem in the heart of the Ribble Valley, during his stay at the award-winning luxury holiday cottages at Clough Bottom Farm. Maconie gave an outstanding review of the organic farm cottages, praising the warm welcome he received upon arrival.
His stay at Clough Bottom Farm is part of a campaign by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, (NWDA) to promote tourism in England’s Northwest region.
Titled, ‘Stuart’s Short Stories for Short Breaks,’ the campaign takes him around the North West to discover traditional and modern places to stay within the region; with Clough Bottom Farm Cottages as one of his stops along the way.
Throughout his trip through the North West, Maconie kept a travel diary of his experiences, focusing on city culture and the regions outstanding sites.
His experiences are available online at www.stuartsstories.co.uk, through podcasts and articles, and have been published in a paperback travel guide which can be ordered through the website.
An extract from his book, about Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, said, “On entering the lovingly converted stone-built building, I was greeted by the sight of a welcome hamper stocked with local produce including organic Lancashire cheese, Bowland milk, Tea Bread made on the farm, jam and chutney made with fruit picked from the trees around the farm and fair-trade tea and coffee.”
Maconie stayed at one of the three beautifully appointed luxury self catering cottages, situated within the heart of the beautiful Ribble Valley.
The three 4 Star holiday cottages, The Coach House, Saddle Barn and Woodcutter’s Cottage have all been individually designed and furnished with antiques and elegant fabrics. Packed with original features, each cottage is beautifully appointed and equipped with every modern facility. Sleeping from 4 – 14 (when all booked together), the cottages provide a warm and welcoming home from home environment.
While staying at the self catering holiday cottages, Maconie was impressed with the thoughtful touches owners Harry and Jane Backhouse provide, in the shape of breakfast hampers and seasonal ready meals, made with farm and locally-sourced produce. Commenting, “And to make your stay even more relaxing, the proprietors will even prepare a home cooked meal and have it waiting in the fridge for you when you arrive. You can even order a Lancashire Breakfast Hamper too; now that I did take advantage of.”
The Lancashire Breakfast Hamper can be pre ordered prior to arrival, for guests to enjoy a traditional breakfast within their self catering holiday cottage. The hamper features a variety of organic products, including, local dry cured bacon and sausage, Lancashire black pudding, bottle of pressed apple juice, organic free range eggs, loaf of home-baked bread and Clough Bottom ‘Rise and Shine’ muesli. Guests can also pre order seasonal ready meals, which are left in the fridge for guests to cook themselves.
Jane Backhouse said, “We are delighted Stuart enjoyed his stay at Clough Bottom Farm Cottages and are thrilled to have been included in this unique travel guide.
“We pride ourselves on providing not just superb accommodation, but a truly memorable holiday experience. From the homemade and locally-sourced produce we include in our hampers and ready meals, to the wildlife diaries and ‘Things to Do’ ideas we provide for exploring – our guests soon become captivated by Clough Bottom and this stunning part of rural Lancashire.”
Stuart Maconie, radio DJ, TV presenter, journalist and author, said, “If this campaign helps people to see the North West as the wonderful place that it is, then I’m pleased to be able to help.”
Stuart Maconie’s book on short trips in the North West can be purchased online at www.stuartsstories.co.uk where you can read the extract about Clough Bottom Farm as the opening paragraph to life in the Ribble valley.
Notes to Editors
Clough Bottom
Situated in The Forest of Bowland – an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in rural Lancashire, Clough Bottom Farm is a 360 acre organic working farm that has successfully blended traditional diversification with a conservation-minded, more sustainable approach to life and business.
Owners Harry and Jane Backhouse ensure each of their varying ventures is underpinned by a strong environmental conscience. From the rearing of their organic beef herd, thriving tree nursery business and award-winning holiday cottages, to the production of 10kg organic beef boxes and the provision of high-tech management training courses, everything they do is driven by a desire to safeguard the environment for future generations.
To book one of the four star holiday cottages at Clough Bottom, or to find out more about their trees and shrubs or organic beef, visit www.cloughbottom.co.uk or call 01254 826285.
Stuart Maconie
Stuart Maconie is a TV and radio presenter, journalist, columnist and author. His most recent book, Pies and Prejudice, was one of 2008’s top selling paperbacks. He co-hosts the Radcliffe and Maconie show on BBC Radio Two every Monday –Thursday evenings.
Finca Cortesin: New realms of Andalucian luxury
Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa opened in October 2008. Set in the unspoilt Andalucian hinterland near Sotogrande and Marbella, this new 67-suite property offers an elegant holiday experience for the sophisticated traveler. The hotel, golf course and spa aim to set a new benchmark for luxury both on the Costa del Sol and in Spain as a whole.
The most significant resort development in the area in recent years, the Finca Cortesin required an investment of more than 700 million Euros. The resort covers an area of 300,000 square meters and more than 530 acres of land including a signature 18 hole golf course, spacious green areas and terraces as well as two outdoor and one indoor pool.
“Our goal was to create a luxurious resort that would outshine every conventional five-star resort here in Andalusia in terms of magnitude, premium service, classy design and grandeur. Finca Cortesin even exceeds our ambitions”, says Javier Reviriego, General Manager of Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa.
Designed by the renowned architects Roger Torras and Ignacio Sierra, the hotel is inspired and influenced by the architecture of traditional Spanish fincas, giving the impression that it was built more than 100 years ago. With its red clay tiles and whitewashed walls it perfectly blends into the Mediterranean landscape of Andalusia. The interior of the hotel features a Moorish inspired cloister with hand-carved ceilings and floors that includes a unique traditional flowing fountain. The space has been fine-tuned by specialists from the Alhambra, the famous Moorish palace and UNESCO World heritage site in Granada. The spacious rooms, hallways and public areas are nobly furnished with marble, antiques, goblins and decorations originating from Spanish, Portuguese, French and Belgian monarchial castles, monasteries and stately homes. Interior designers Duarte Pinto Coelho and Ana and Cristina Calderon ensure the property exudes flair and individual style.
The hotel offers 67 spacious suits. Each suite is a minimum of 95 square metres whilst the all-marble bathrooms are upward of 27 square metres. A number of the suites have their own private pool and terrace with clear views of the Mediterranean, the golf course or the property’s extensive gardens. The resort also features a 2,200 square metre Zen-inspired spa with numerous treatment rooms, a 25 metre heated indoor pool, thermal suites, saunas steam baths and the only snow cabin in Spain.
The signature 18-hole golf course has been developed by Cabell Robinson and is home to the Volvo World Match Play Championships, which is being hosted at Finca Cortesin from 2009 onwards. With a length of 6,804 meters and the highest maintenance standards possible, the championship golf course is considered one of the most challenging in Europe. The golf course opened in October 2006 but has quickly become a rising star and is already considered a ‘classic Spanish course’ by golfers around the world.
Guests and gourmets can indulge in any of the three restaurants. Renowned Dutch chef Schilo Can Coevorden masterminds inventive dishes and draws on his experience at numerous Michelin-starred restaurants around the world including The College Hotel in Amsterdam. The signature ‘Schilo’ restaurant serves an unusual fusion of Moorish and Asian cuisine drawing heavily on local produce. ‘El Jardin’ offers a taste of Spain whilst the pool bar serves light Andalucian dishes and tapas.
Finca Cortesin is located 1,5 kilometers from the beach near the little town of Casares, one of the most picturesque and authentic villages in Andalusia, 40 minutes west of Malaga and only 20 minutes from Gibraltar Airport.
Room rates start at around 325 Euros per night at double occupancy.
For more information about Finca Cortesin and hotel bookings, please go to www.fincacortesin.com.
Hells Kitchen star invites P&O Cruises passengers into ‘heaven’s’ kitchen
If you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen! And into the relaxed and informal environment of a private cooking and tasting session with ITV Hell's Kitchen star, Marco Pierre White.
The renowned chef will be travelling on board P&O Cruises superliner Ventura at various dates throughout the year and will be offering the chance for passengers to get up close and personal.
Marco will be delivering private cookery sessions to groups of up to eight adults and children in one of the ships galleys. The interactive sessions will involve participants joining Marco as he creates a three-course feast and taste the finished dishes. Marco will also answer questions about the meal being prepared or any related cooking questions.
Marco Pierre White said "For me it is all about passing on the knowledge I have and about using good ingredients to create simple and flavoursome dishes. Passengers will have the chance to get involved with the thought process behind the construction of the dishes I produce as well as getting to taste the finished article. These private cooking sessions are a first for me and I can't wait to get on board to start cooking."
The Marco Pierre White Heavens Kitchen sessions will cost £75 per adult and £35 per child and are bookable on the following cruises*.
N911 - departing Friday 8th May 2009
N916 - departing Friday 3rd July 2009
N923 - departing Friday 25th September 2009
more information or to book a P&O Cruises holiday visit
www.pocruises.co.uk.
Marco has his first restaurant at sea on board Ventura. The White Room
provides passengers with panoramic views and the option of dining under the stars in the evening. Sample dishes include salad of chicory and pear with Gorgonzola cheese, fillet of Turbot with citrus fruits, and fresh fruits in Prosecco jelly with passion fruit syrup.
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Notes to editors
*Limited spaces are available on each cruise.
Thomas Cook’s Holiday Cost of Living survey shows that overseas holidays are still great value
Thomas Cook’s annual Holiday Cost of Living 2009 survey once again highlights that daily prices in many resorts abroad are still significantly cheaper than staying in the UK, even against the backdrop of a stronger Euro against the Pound.
With continued pressure on consumer’s disposable income, the research, launched today, also shows that some destinations abroad are more cost effective to travel to than taking train journeys within the UK.
To help holidaymakers with budgeting, the survey provides prices of daily holiday essentials in 16 popular tourist destinations worldwide. Taking all holiday expenses into consideration can help you manage your complete holiday budget so that you get the most for your money.
The survey highlights that the majority of best value destinations for daily expenditure are long and mid-haul non-Euro destinations, where the pound goes further. The cheapest destination by far continues to be Goa, where a cup of coffee is more than 10 times cheaper than in the UK. Holidaymakers to Cuba will also enjoy bargain prices.
The favourable exchange rates of North African destinations such as Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco make them great value destinations, as is the Eastern Med favourite, Turkey.
Despite being in the Eurozone, prices in destinations such as mainland Spain, Majorca and Cyprus will still be cheaper than the UK. With a three-course meal costing on average just £11.50 in Spain, this is still a fantastic value for money holiday hotspot.
Thomas Cook’s top 10 value destinations are:
|
COUNTRY - TOTAL DAILY EXPENDITURE* |
A BEER IN BAR |
COFFEE IN RESTAURANT |
3 COURSE MEAL
|
|
UK - £48.51 |
£3.20 |
£2.15 |
£22.15 |
|
Goa - £14.10 |
0.70 |
0.20 |
7.00 |
|
Cuba - £30.75 |
1.90 |
1.00 |
15.00 |
|
Tunisia - £33.05 |
1.57 |
1.30 |
18.42 |
|
Turkey - £33.74 |
2.20 |
1.30 |
13.50 |
|
Egypt - £34.01 |
3.75 |
4.00 |
12.50 |
|
Bulgaria - £34.60 |
1.20 |
1.50 |
14.00 |
|
Mainland Spain - £34.66 |
1.45 |
1.29 |
11.50 |
|
Morocco - £36.17 |
3.00 |
1.20 |
22.00 |
|
Majorca - £42.50 |
2.50 |
1.50 |
20.00 |
|
Cyprus - £45.38 |
2.23 |
1.96 |
18.75 |
For some, it is the perceived cost of a holiday abroad that might be off-putting. With some clever destination choices and savvy budgeting, a holiday abroad can be easily achieved this summer. Our research shows that it is not always as expensive as you might think:
HOLIDAY ABROAD - FLIGHTS, TRANSFERS AND ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED**
Bristol – Palma, Majorca – 4*, 10 nights on 25 April £145 per person
Gatwick – Izmir, Turkey – 4*, 7 nights on 6 May £149 per person
Manchester – Almeria, Spain - 3*, 7 nights on 7 May £149 per person
UK HOLIDAY TRAIN TRAVEL – OFF PEAK, OPEN RETURN TRAVEL ONLY, NO ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED
Birmingham – Newquay on 2 May £122 per person
Newcastle - Brighton on 25 April £123.50 per person
Bristol – Edinburgh on 25 April £132.30 per person
Pete Constanti, CEO of Mainstream Travel at Thomas Cook, said: “There are some fantastic value for money deals available at Thomas Cook on both holidays and foreign exchange. If you’re still looking to book, speak to our agents and they will be able to advise on what hot deals we have, what destinations will fit your budget and what costs will be like in resort. If you are on a tight budget, consider an all-inclusive option, this will mean that you’ve paid for food, drinks and some activities in advance.
“Other ways to get value for money include shortening your holiday, we have a range of 10- and 11-night holidays, if 14 nights is over your budget. Once you get into resort, speak to your rep, they’ll know of all the latest special offers and discounts available.
Constanti concluded: “The most important thing is to plan your money, so speak to our experts in our foreign exchange bureau as they’ll be able to offer valuable advice, and research your destination before you go.”
With all-inclusive bookings the bill must be settled 12 weeks in advance, which gives enough time to save up some spending money. Most resorts host fascinating excursions like island tours and family daytrips, so it is important to take enough foreign currency for these treats.
Make sure you also take currency for local specialties too, as they will be much cheaper abroad than at home. For instance, Turkey is renowned for its rugs, while the Egyptians are famous for their scents and spices.
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*Prices for a beer, a glass of wine, a three course meal, a can of coke, a large bottle of water, a UK newspaper, an ice cream, a packet of cigarettes and a five mile taxi ride were compared.
** Details of holidays quoted in table are:
Thomas Cook – Palma, Majorca – 10 nights at the 4 star Cala Azul Esmerelda on self catering, based on 4 sharing, costs from £145 per person. Bristol – 25 April 09
Call 0844 412 5970, log on to www.thomascook.com or visit your local Thomas Cook or Going Places
Thomas Cook – Izmir, Turkey – 7 nights at the 4 star Paloma Rina Apartments on self catering, based on 4 sharing, costs from £149 per person. Gatwick – 6 May 09
Call 0844 412 5970, log on to www.thomascook.com or visit your local Thomas Cook or Going Places
Airtours – Almeria, Spain - 7 nights at the 3 star Apartments Golf Centre on self catering, based on 4 sharing, costs from £149 per person. Manchester – 7 May 09
Call 0844 871 6636, log on to www.airtours.co.uk or visit your local Thomas Cook or Going Places
About Thomas Cook UK & Ireland:
Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is the second largest leisure travel group in the UK with around 19,000 employees. The company operates a fleet of 43 aircraft, has a network of more than 800 high street stores (Thomas Cook and Going Places), leading websites (www.thomascook.com and www.airtours.co.uk), its own television channel Thomas Cook TV (Sky channel 655) and some of the world's favourite travel brands.
These brands include Airtours, Club 18-30, Cresta, CruiseThomasCook, Direct Holidays, Flexibletrips, flythomascook.com, Manos, Neilson, Panorama, Style Holidays, Sunset, Sunworld Holidays, Swiss Travel Service, Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook Signature, Thomas Cook Sport, Tradewinds, www.hotels4u.com and Elegant Resorts.
The company’s airline, Thomas Cook Airlines flies from various regional airports to destinations worldwide.
Thomas Cook offers a range of financial services, including foreign exchange at competitive rates, the Thomas Cook Credit Card in conjunction with Barclays Bank, the cash passport and a wide range of travel insurance policies. It is the only major travel company to be FSA regulated for its travel insurance, which is underwritten by AXA. The company also owns White Horse Insurance Ireland Ltd.
Thomas Cook also has a leading publishing division, and currently has more than 150 guidebooks and publications on offer.
Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is part of Thomas Cook Group plc (www.thomascookgroup.com).
Once in a lifetime experiences are a ’shore’ thing
Ever dreamt of driving a sleek Ferrari around the streets of Rome or soaring over glaciers in a helicopter? Well now the dream can become a reality with the range of 89 new shore excursions being offered by P&O Cruises in 2009.
Designed to meet and exceed the needs of new and more adventurous cruise passengers, the programme offers a range of 'must do' activities and experiences on land, sea and in the air.
P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: "This new range of shore excursions offers new and returning passengers the chance to experience something completely extraordinary during their holiday.
"We can now offer them a choice of experiences that simply would not be possible on any other type of holiday. In a two week Mediterranean cruise they could have a private viewing of St Mark's Basilica, handpick a diamond, go kayaking, cook an authentic French crepe and learn to flamenco dance."
Highlights of the shore excursion programme are:
- Driving a Ferrari F430 through the streets of Rome from the port of Civitavecchia
- Stunning helicopter trip over the New York skyline
- Visit to Breton Strawberry farm and experience the art of crepe making, from the port of Brest
- Kayaking on the tranquil Eidfjord lake
- Sea plane sightseeing flight over Bergen
For more information on any P&O Cruises holidays, destinations and shore excursions, visit www.pocruises.co.uk, call 0845 3 555 333 or see your local travel agent.
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About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises has been operating cruise ships for more than 170 years and combines innovation, professionalism and unrivalled experience on its fleet of six ships dedicated to the British market. Building on this wealth of knowledge and experience, Ventura was launched in April 2008 and will be followed by Azura in 2010. P&O Cruises offers passengers the most stylish and contemporary holidays afloat with destinations including the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and round the world cruises.
For further enquiries please contact:
Michele Andjel, michele.andjel@pocruises.com 023 8065 6653 / 07730 732 072
Kate Rist, kate.rist@pocruises.com 023 8065 6652 / 07730 732 065
Lorraine Bryant, lorraine.bryant@pocruises.com, 023 8065 6650 / 07917 520144
Lorraine Bryant
Public Relations Executive
P&O Cruises
Email lorraine.bryant@pocruises.com
Tel 02380 656650
Mob 07917 520144