travel bulletin luxury supplement 2013

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LUXURYHOLIDAYS

All About

August 2013

Your one-stop guideto all the latest news and developments

in Luxury Holidays

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Talking to agents and operators about how the luxury market isperforming this year, all of the feedback has been upbeat, andthe same message keeps on coming through loud and clear.

Your clients, it seems, are still watching the pennies, but they don’treally want to compromise on their love of luxury holidays, but at thesame time want a bang for their buck.

Hotels and operators are stepping up to the challenge with value-added offers, extra nights, full-board for half-board prices, freeexcursions, spa treatments, the list goes on.

But the role of the agent must never be underestimated as you are keyto getting those bookings, and knowledge really is power in the luxurymarket. Your clients are usually well informed about what they want,but your job is to give them the right advice so you must make sure youknow what’s around.

This is where Travel Bulletin’s All About Luxury Holidayssupplement is indispensable.

For this year, we catch up on what’s new from all the operators (pages4-7) and in Hotel hotline( pages 8-10), we find out about some of thenew hotel openings all over the world.

In our For agents section, there is a round-up on fam trips andincentives from the luxury operators, before we move into the first mainfeature of the supplement – luxury rail travel (pages 12-14),

Then we have introduced a new section called Agent’s corner (page15) where we speak to an agent about their experience of selling luxuryholidays. Kicking off this series is Travel Counsellor Jack Leaf.

Exploration tours (pages 16-18) is our second main feature andfocuses on the more undiscovered destinations that luxury bespokeoperators are including for 2014.

Hope you enjoy and I look forward to receiving any feedback on thesupplement.

Angela CroninSupplements editor

All About Luxury Holidays3

EDITOR’S NOTE

Published byLower Ground Floor, University House,

11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EXTel: 020-7834 6661

Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin

Email: [email protected]/Layout: Genaro Santos & Lee Telot

Printed by: Bishops PrintersCover Picture: Velassaru Maldives

ISSN: 0956-2419

CONTENTS

Hotel Hotline - 8

What’s New - 4

For Agents - 11

Agent’s Corner - 15

Explorer Holidays - 16

Luxury Rail Travel - 12

All About

LUXURYHOLIDAYS


The reopening of Marrakesh's legendary La Mamounia has led other luxury hotel chains to open properties in and around the city

4

LUXURY NEWS

All About Luxury Holidays

Luxury clients might make you work hard for yourmoney, but it’s guaranteed to be worth all the hardeffort in terms of satisfaction and good commission.

Prestige Holidays chairman John Dixon says in theoperator’s 25-year history, its five-star hotels have always soldbest, whatever destination that it is, from traditional holidayfavourites such as the Canary Islands to newer destinationssuch as Croatia and Sicily.

“Luxury clients are demanding but that is good,” saysDixon. “They are clear about what they want – sometimes ingreat detail.

“For example, a family who booked a 10-day stay at theRosewood Tuckers Point in Bermuda asked us to pre-book achauffer-driven car to be at the hotel at particular times onmost days of their stay."

So with that in mind, make sure you flick through oursnapshot of What’s new from the luxury operators for 2014;some have launched theirs, while others are still tweaking them– it’s all about the attention to detail!

Classic Collection Holidays The upmarket specialist has boosted its programme toMorocco for winter 2013 and summer 2014 with the additionof three of the latest luxury hotels to open in and aroundMarrakesh.

These include: the Taj Palace Marrakesh, which is 30minutes outside of Marrakech with prices from £849; the five-star Mosaic Palais Aziza & Spa in Marrakech’s Palmeraie, fivemiles from Marrakesh medina with prices from £607; and theDelano in the heart of the Hivernage area in Marrakech’s newtown, which owes its chic exterior to the Guggenheim withprices from £421.

All prices are for three nights in June 2014 and are perperson based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis,including flights and transfers.

Sales for Morocco for winter 2013/14 are 30% up year on

What’s new

The plethora of new, luxuriously chic hotels

in Marrakesh are leading a resurgence in

demand for the Moroccan city – but that’s

not the only destination that’s big for 2014

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year, which Joanne Colchester, purchasing manager forMorocco puts down to the reopening of the legendary LaMamounia, which led to Marrakech “rediscovering its styleand a large number of aspirational hotel groups, both big andsmall, moved in to offer luxury products.

“Raffles and Park Hyatt both have projects in developmentas Marrakech’s appeal to well-heeled types on short stays seemsundiminished.”

Cox and KingsThe luxury bespoke specialist is reintroducing tours toKashmir for the first time in 25 years.

The decision to add the destination has been prompted by achange in travel advice from the Foreign and CommonwealthOffice last year, along with signs of investment andinfrastructure improvements to the region.

The nine-day Srinagar: Heart of the Kashmir Valley tourleads in at £2,395 per person and includes a two-night stay ina traditional Kashmir houseboat and a traditional ‘shikara’cruise across the Dal Lake to explore narrow canals andwaterways.

The operator is also featuring a new mobile luxury tentedcamp in Ladakh, which will open up travel to some of themore remote regions in India.

The Chamba Camp, Thiksey in Ladakh, the first of thecamps to open, will be in the shadow of Thiksey Monastery.Activities will include boat trips on the Indus River, local pologames, walking, picnics and bird watching. A ten-day itinerary,including five nights’ full board at the camp, starts from £3,595per person including flights, transfers, excursions andaccommodation with breakfast daily.

The tent will then move on to Kotwara, near Lucknow, tolearn about Awadhi cuisine and Sufi Music.

Cox and Kings has also introduced self-drive holidays toOman, following growing demand for the destination.

The cost of petrol is around 20p per litre and most of theroad signs are in English, which makes independent road travelaffordable and appealing. A nine-day drive journey starts from£1,575 per person including six days’ car hire.

Meanwhile, new tours to Gambia and Senegal, Ghana andRepublic of Congo have been launched for 2014.

These include the 10-day Rivers of West Africa, 11-dayColours of Ghana and the 10-day Rainforest Safari tour in theCongo.

Insight VacationsThe escorted tours specialist has expanded its collection ofluxury Gold tours in the US and Canada.

The operator’s new USA and Canada programme for2014/15 features 10 Gold luxury and 14 premium escortedjourneys

The 2014/15 programme includes several new hotels such asthe Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, the waterfront Hyatt RegencySavannah and the Stanley Hotel located in Estes Park,Colorado which inspired Stephen King’s The Shining after hevisited the hotel with his wife.

The Gold itineraries for 2014/2015 include the 14-dayRhythms and Flavours of America, which travels throughIllinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana withprices from £3,375 per person on departures from March 30-October 26, 2014.

The eight-day Icons of the American Heartland begins in

Zambia safari specialist Norman Carr Safaris has just

opened a brand new ‘wildly luxurious’ camp, Chinzombo.

Designed by the team behind North Island in the Seychelles

and Vumbura Plains Camp in Botswana, Chinzombo is the

first of its kind in Zambia, combining bush style with

modern structures to blend into the surrounding ancient

treelined riverbank.

The camp comprises of six villas, with one designed for

families. All villas have private pools and Wi-Fi in each villa.

There’s a large bar/dining area and fire pit overlooking a

curve of the Luangwa River with private access by boat from

South Luangwa National Park.

New lodge


LUXURY NEWS


Chicago and travels South along Route 66through Illinois, Missouri, Indiana andKentucky, finishing in Tennessee. Pricesstart at £1,975 per person and departuresare available from October 13, 2013-October 26, 2014.

KuoniThe luxury operator has added a numberof new properties to its 2014 brochure.

These include: the iconic La Mamounia,Marrakech; Palais Namasker, Marrakechand the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai.

Also new is Viceroy, Bali, where Eat,Pray,Love was filmed. It is set on the outskirts of Ubud and has just25 villas and the award-winning CasCades Restaurant servingFrench cuisine with an Asian twist. Yoga, rice-paddy treks andriver rafting are available.

The Naka Island in Thailand has also been introduced and isa secluded hideaway of barefoot luxury with 67 all-pool villasand private open-air sunken bathtub and steam shower.

ITC ClassicsThe luxury operator is celebrating its 40th birthday next year bychartering small, luxury cruise ship SeaDream I to follow the

England cricket team on their tour of the West Indies in March.The cruise will visit Antigua, St Barths, Barbados, Tobago

Cays, Mayreau, Petit St Vincent, St Lucia and Martinique withprices from £10,385 based on two people sharing a yacht clubstateroom including flights, transfers, 13 nights’accommodation, all meals and drinks on board and crickettickets for each T20 match.

SovereignThe luxury operator has launched its new-look 2014 brochurefeaturing 250 properties in 19 destinations.

The new Chinzombo camp in Zambia comprises six luxury villas

LUXURY NEWS

0800 008 7288www.classic-collection.co.uk

AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOLIDAYS PRIVATE TOURS & TWIN CENTRES

MoroccoMagical



LUXURY NEWS

Sovereign has introduced three new all-inclusive options to itsLuxury Collection including: Insotel Punta Prima PrestigeSuites & Spa in Minorca; the Riu Palace Oasis in Gran Canaria;and Kurumba Maldives. Savings of £364 on seven nights B&Bat the five-star Kurumba Maldives are available with prices from£1,719 per person on departures February 2, 2014 departures.

Also new is the boutique, 20-room Dar Rhizlane inMarrakesh, Morocco with prices for seven nights’ bed andbreakfast from £929 per person, based on departures on January11, 2014.

The Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome is new to thecollection along with the Villa Cortine Palace in Lake Garda.

Cosmos Tours & Cruises The escorted tours specialist has just launched its 2014 ‘Selectby Globus’ luxury tours on a selection of itineraries in NorthAmerica.

The Select by Globus brand features centrally-located, hand-picked, luxury hotels, deluxe coaches, complimentarydoor-to-door private transfers to and from home to the chosenUK departure airport (within a 75 mile radius), breakfast eachday, many lunches and dinners. Itineraries include the 16-dayParks & Canyons Spectacular and 14-day Eastern USA andCanada Discovery from £2355 per person.

Taber HolidaysThe Scandinavia specialist has added a luxury four-night breakin Norway.

The Lyngen Lodge and the Lyngen Alps adventure is wellsuited to couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Situated in secluded woodland overlooking the snow-cappedLyngen Alps and waters of the Lyngenfjord, the lodge providesboutique accommodation with top quality cuisine, catering forjust 18 guests.

A number of optional excursions are available includingsnowshoeing, dog sledding, a sea safari, where you may get thechance to spot dolphins, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

Prices start at £1,468 per person and include flights, transfers,car hire with unlimited mileage, three nights at Lyngen Lodgeon a full board basis and one night at the Rica Ishavshotell inTromsø with breakfast. Based on two sharing. Departs daily fromOctober 1, 2013 to February 26, 2014.

Demand for all-inclusive packages has prompted Sovereign to add Kurumba in the Maldives to its Luxury Collection

Lisa James is a travel journalist who also works

as an Independent Travel Expert. Here she

gives her thoughts on the luxury market

“The problem with finding a client with their

ideal ‘luxury’ holiday is that the term itself is so

hard to define.

Ask 10 different people and if you’re lucky,

you’ll get 10 different answers. More likely, you’ll get a vague

answer along the lines of: “Well, er … I don’t know, really … we

just want something …you know …‘lux-ur-i-ous’.”

This isn’t a new problem. A few years ago, I was talking to

Seamus Conlon, former managing director of Airtours, who had

just become MD of Cruise.co.uk.

He hit the nail on the head when he said that, for some clients,

a Thomson cruise was deemed a ‘luxury’, while for others it

would be something much more upmarket. So it’s all about

getting to know your client.

Of course, it’s not just the accommodation itself, but all other

elements that combine to create the perfect getaway. Recently, I

sourced three options for a honeymoon couple – all dynamically

packaged because they wanted an 11-night holiday.

All three holidays would have been absolutely perfect for them

but what swung it was the fact British Airways had a special

deal on one of the routes – business class on the way out for little

more than the economy price.

There were only two seats left! I relayed this information to

the bride-to-be and she snapped my hand off. She’s not flown

business class before and she can’t wait.

Sometimes you find the perfect luxury holiday, but it’s the

little things beyond your control that are frustrating, such as

when a hotel can’t guarantee a double bed.

For something as special as a honeymoon or anniversary, this

is key and, while the hotel says it will do its best (and usually

does), I’ve been on tenterhooks waiting to see if they will honour

the request, or whether I’ll get a phone call in the middle of the

night from a couple wanting me to sort it out.

No matter how great the facilities, how stunning the scenery

or how fabulous the food, if you’re hunkering down in single beds

every night, it rather takes the edge off your ‘luxury’ holiday.

I’ve got a honeymoon couple flying out in a fortnight to Crete.

I have requested a double bed and I really hope they get it

because, having dealt with the bride regularly since January, I

know she’ll be straight on the phone if not.

So, who would I recommend? The Centara properties in

Thailand, Beachcomber in the Indian Ocean and Sandals in the

Caribbean, all offer ‘affordable luxury’. And yes, Seamus is

correct – many people do see cruises as the height of luxury.

Closer to home, Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Italy, is only two years

old, but it’s a great option for a luxurious family or couples’

holiday. Guests can choose from luxurious hotel rooms; your own

townhouse with stunning views from their trendy roof terrace or

– if you can blow the budget – one of the secluded private villas

with own pool. Similarly, Martinhal Resort, in Sagres, the

Algarve, is a five-star resort made up of hotel rooms, village

houses and luxury villas – another great option for families.

‘Defining luxury is a challenge’


MaldivesNew resort brand, Atmosphere, will embarkon its first-ever venture in November.

Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives is thebrand’s first venture and will be the newestresort on Kanifushi Island, located in theremote Lhaviyani Atoll, 30 minutes byseaplane from Male.

Officially opening its doors on November1, the five-star resort offers a mile ofuninterrupted, white sandy beaches, aturquoise lagoon and a natural coral reef.Rooms with a view? The property will have150 sunset-view detached villas with fourcategories to choose from including thesunset beach villa, junior suites with anadditional lounge area, interconnectingfamily villas and pool villas with largeverandas and private pools.

All villas have open-air bathrooms, privateoutdoor areas, internet access and a range ofhi-tech amenities.Facilities: Leisure facilities include the AkiriSpa and the resort’s PADI licensed divecentre. International dining options such asAsian Fusion Cuisine are available.Anything else? Atmosphere KanifushiMaldives is offering a premium all-inclusiveplan – Platinum Plus. This includes allmeals, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholicbeverages, twice daily replenishment of the

in-villa minibars, excursions, activities, livemusical performances, access to the resort’ssports complex and an à la carte diningexperience.How much? Destinology offers seven nights’all-inclusive at Atmosphere KanifushiMaldives from £2,199 per person – includingtwo free nights, flights and seaplane transfers.

SeychellesHotel group JA Resorts and Hotels isopening a private 10-villa luxury beachretreat in the Seychelles next month – its firstoutside of Dubai.

The five-star Enchanted Island Resort islocated in the National Marine Park and only15 minutes by boat from Mahe.Rooms with a view? The boutique resort ishome to eight one-bedroom private poolvillas and two two-bedroom EnchantedSignature Villas, all of which reflect theisland’s traditional Creole-Seychelloisarchitecture.

Each villa features a private infinity pool,walkway to the beach, outdoor rain shower,French bathtub, four-poster king size bed,LED screen with satellite channels, DVDplayer, iPod docking station andcomplimentary wifi. Facilities: Guests can indulge themselves inthe Serena Spa, which overlooks the Indian

Ocean along with an Adam and Eve’ coupletreatment suite, two other individualtreatment pavilions each have their ownprivate steam room, shower andterrace. There’s a gym, yoga classes, holistictherapies and complimentary use ofsnorkelling equipment and kayaks. TheBounty Restaurant overlooks the resort’smain swimming pool and there’s also theCastaway Bar.How much? Prices start at £1,804 for aprivate pool villa that sleeps two with flightswith Emirates from £710.

Dominican RepublicAMResorts is poised to open an adults-onlyproperty in the Dominican Republic inNovember.

The Breathless Punta Cana Resort andSpa will be located in the Uvero Alto regionof Punta Cana.Rooms with a view? The resort will have 750suites with private balconies or terracesoverlooking the sea, pools or gardens. Guestswho opt for the more luxury offering in theshape of the Xhale club will have enhancedconcierge services.Facilities: There will be a number ofrestaurants for guests to choose from with a lacarte and buffet options. Other facilitiesinclude bars, dance clubs, spa, gym, theatrewith live performances, gala parties, movieson the beach, windsurfing, kayaking,snorkeling, paddle boats, tennis, biking tours,fitness classes and poolside scuba classes.How much? Prices lead in at £81 per nightper person as part of the hotel’s introductoryoffer.

KenyaA new luxury beach retreat has opened onWatamu Beach in one of Kenya’s NationalMarine Reserves on Watamu Beach

The boutique hotel of Medina Palms isdesigned to be eco-friendly and itscontemporary Swahili design symbolises thespace and light of the Kenya coast, with hugeairy accommodation dressed in coolcontemporary neutral shades, billowingfabrics and locally crafted furniture. Rooms with views? The Medina Palms takesits design from Moroccan medinas. Suitesand villas range from one to five bedrooms,all with kitchens, lounges and verandas, setwithin tropical gardens with matureindigenous trees and four swimming poolswith interconnecting water channels,

8All About Luxury Holidays

Hotel hotline

Boutique is the name of the game this year, with lots of

small but beautiful properties opening all over the world

NEW RESORTS

Velassaru Maldives will have three new room categories from November 1

S03 TB Luxury 2013 Hotel Hotline_Layout 1 09/08/2013 15:47

cascades and waterfalls. The suites on the topfloor have their own inner courtyards, there’sa four-bedroomed, oceanfront villa and arooftop plunge pool.Facilities: Guests can expect to enjoy a fusionof North African and Asian cuisine with lotsof seafood at the Amandina Restaurant, andenjoy post-dinner drinks in the Star Loungeor Chill Out Bar. There’s also the Sakina Spaand Fitness Studio and Tribe water sportscentre. Guests have access to a private beacharea as well as the powder white sands ofWatamu National Marine Reserve beyond.Suites and Villas range from one to fivebedrooms, all with kitchen, lounge andveranda, set within tropical gardens withmature indigenous trees and four swimmingpools with interconnecting water channels,cascades and waterfalls. How much? Red Savannah offers sevennights’ bed and breakfast at Medina Palmsfrom £1,880 per person, includinginternational and domestic flights in Kenyaand transfers.

A new lodge has opened in Hwange, just a few hours’ drive from Victoria. Elephant’s

Eye lodge is comprised of eight tented chalets that all face the waterhole, and there is a

guide on site to walk clients to and from communal areas and chalets. Hwange holds one

of the largest elephant populations in the world.

The Layana Resort in Koh Lanta has introduced a two-bedroom pool villa. The new

addition brings the total number of rooms/suites at the hotel to 51.

The villa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and dining room, private lounge and

outdoor swimming pool, which is the largest in Koh Lanta. The resort has a spa,

restaurant, two bars, library and an infinity pool with Jacuzzi.

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam will be opening next month.

Six 17th and 18th-century townhouses along Herengracht are being converted to make

this new property. There is also a converted vault in the basement that has been turned

into a bar.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa will be opening in spring next year. Spa Village Bath will be

the only hotel in the UK to house its own natural thermal spa within historical settings.

Velassaru Maldives has introduced three new room categories. These include beach villas

with pools, ocean water bungalows with pools and lagoon water bungalows with pools.

These new additions will be available to book from November 1.

News in brief

NEW RESORTS


INCENTIVES/FAM TRIPS

Fam tripsFunway Holidays is offering agents a chance to win a place on one oftwo fam trips, one to Mexico and the other to the Dominican Republic.The Mexico trip departs on the September 22 from Gatwick toCancun with British Airways, staying at an AMResorts property for afour-night duration.

The Dominican Republic trip departs on the September 18th fromGatwick to Punta Cana with British Airways, followed by four nights atan AMResorts property.

Agents do not need to make any booking, all they need to do iscomplete a quiz by August 31 which can be found herehttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NJNRMNV. The winner will beselected at random and informed on Monday September 9.

For more information regarding the fam trip competition, [email protected].

To coincide with this FAM trip competition, Funway Holidays isoffering up to 30% off holidays to Mexico and the DominicanRepublic when booked by August 31 and for travel between October 3and 10, with prices starting from only £989 per person. For further details go to www.funway4agents.co.uk

Cox and Kings is offering agents the chance to win a place on a luxurytour of Peru. The incentive launches in September. The operator is alsolooking at hosting around five to six luxury fams for agents next year.For more details, go tohttps://online.coxandkings.co.uk/AgentSite2009/login.aspx

Incentives Funway Holidays has launched an incentive that allows agents to earntax free money on each Funway booking made to the USA,Mexico, Caribbean (Sandals), Middle East & Far East.

The agent will be provided with a VISA Debit Cardand for every Funway booking they make, moneywill be added to the card, for example,bookings made online viaFunway4Agents.co.uk get £10loaded on their card,bookings madevia the

Funway reservation team on 0844 557 0626 will get £5. Additionalcash incentives will run throughout the year, which will also be addedon to the card.For more information and full terms and conditions go towww.funway.trucash.com

Caribtours has introduced an agent of the month awardThe winner can be selected for anything from introducing newbusiness, being a top booker for the month or just simply going aboveand beyond the call of duty for a client.

Prizes that are up for grabs include fam trips, Kindles, luxury spatreatment and theatre tickets.

Other incentives include a £50 Capital Bonds voucher for anybooking made for travel before September 30. To claim your voucher,email [email protected]

An additional incentive includes any booking made to Barbados byAugust 31 will be entered into a draw to win a place on Caribtours’Barbados fam trip departing on October 6.

RoadshowsWendy Wu Tours will be embarking onits 2013 agent roadshow tour of theUK visiting 10 UK locations fromSeptember 10 to October 1.

The roadshows willbegin in Manchester.

For agentsThere are fam trips, incentives and road-

shows in the pipeline for autumn and beyond


S04 TB Luxury 2013 Train Travel_Layout 1 09/08/2013 15:50

12

LUXURY RAIL TRAVEL


Holidaying by train seems such acivilised way to travel, and on aluxury one really raises the bar in

every single way.We are all familiar with the well-known

routes such as the Trans-Siberian railway andthe London to Venice Orient Expressexperience, but there are plenty of otherjourneys all over the world to choose from thatcan satisfy a client who has a taste for the goodthings in life but also has a sense of adventureand is happy to pay for it.

And like cruising, the most important thingabout selling rail journeys is to make sure youfind the right itinerary for your client – and asthere are many to choose from, it’s best tomake sure you know what’s out there.

Tony Bryne, national sales manager, GreatRail Journeys says luxury train holidays areselling well. “As more agents specialise in theluxury market, customers are also demandingluxury rail travel to go with it. They arelooking for something with a sense ofadventure, but they want to travel in style inthe most luxurious train available.

“Agents need to familiarise themselves withthe luxury train market because their customerbase is very knowledgeable and do a lot ofresearch, so it’s important for agents to be onestep ahead.

As regards to what is selling well at themoment, Byrne says: “The Trans-Siberian

Express continues to sell well and agents whohave customers interested in Russia will alsobe interested in our new Russian andNorthern Lights tour.”

Simon Pielow, managing director of LuxuryTrain Club and World Train Travel agreeswith Byrne that luxury train travel is big thisyear despite the economy.

“We have noticed that a number of keymarkets are selling well,” says Peilow.

“Women solo travellers like luxury trains asthey are safe and sociable, but they are alsopopular with couples and empty-nesters.

“And travellers who like high-end oceancruises, also understand the benefits of railcruising,”.

“Agents need a lot of easily accessible andaccurate information for clients to help securethe booking too,” Pielow adds.

So to help you stay one step ahead, we havea round-up of journeys to look out for over thenext year.

EuropeLuxury rail travel is synonomous with theOrient Express; people just can’t help think ofthe two together.

For a taste of this ultimately, indulgentexperience that won’t break the bank, manyfirst-timers try out a day trip on the sister trainto the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, theBritish Pullman.

And this year, travellers will be in for a treatwhen Michelin-starred chef and restaurateurRaymond Blanc hosts a dinner on the train aspart of a series of pop-up dinners on board.

Blanc will create a seven-course menu,accompanied by the sommelier’s choice offine wines, that will be served to 100 guests.

The train leaves London Victoria at 7pm onNovember 16, champagne and canapés areserved as guests board the train. Throughoutthe evening, Blanc will be spending time withguests.

Blanc will also host a dinner on sister train,the Northern Belle, departing fromManchester on November 2.How much? Dinner with Raymond Blanccosts £495 per person.Not many people consider seeing the sights ofnorthern Spain from the comfort of a luxurytrain, but that’s exactly what ElTranscantábrico Clásico does.

This Spanish rail tour takes guests eitherfrom Santiago de Compostela, which hasbeen the destination for more than 1,000 yearsof the world-famous St James Way, El Caminode Santiago, to León, or from León toSantiago de Compostela.

Northern Spain is a beautiful, lush greenarea to journey through with mountain peaks,the shores of the Bay of Biscay and a strongsense of history culture and gastronomy –think Galician seafood, rich Cantabrian meatdishes and Asturian cider. How much? The Luxury Train Club featuresthe seven-day journey from £2,220 per person.

Great Rail Journeys has introduced a new 17-day Russia and Northern Lights tour that givesguests the opportunity to spend Christmasand new year exploring Russia's beautifultowns and cities.

The journey begins in London and headsto Berlin, Warsaw and then on to Moscow forChristmas Eve before venturing out toValdimar, Suzdal, Veliky Ustyug and Arkhangel.

The next stop is the Arctic Circle andMurmansk to see some northern lights activitybefore heading to St Petersburg for New Year’sEve. The last two days of the experience arespent in Helsinki.How much? This 17 day tour is priced from£7,795 per person.

AfricaLuxury rail travel in Africa is very much allabout the itineraries that Rovos Rail has tooffer – and there’s quite a few.

Bumper tobumper luxury

It seems that luxury train travel is back in fashion aspeople relive the golden age of train travel in style –and lots of scope for agents to sell the itineraries

Luxury rail travel is back in vogue in a big way – and it’s

easy to see why



From a two-night Cape Town Journey to a28-day Cape Town and Cairo Journey and allthe others in between, there’s an itinerary tosuit most travellers’ desires.

For 2014, an extra day has been added tothe Victoria Falls Journey, making it a three-night itinerary including a visit to the HwangeNational Reserve in Zimbabwe. An additionalnine-day Namibia Safari has also beenintroduced with the first departure on 8 April.

The ultimate experience has to be the 28-day Cairo Journey that journeys from CapeTown to the Victoria Falls, then on toZanzibar, Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater,the Serengeti, Entebbe in Uganda.

The journey then follows the Nilenorthwards to Khartoum in the Sudan and onto Abu Simbel in Egypt, Lake Nasser, Luxorand finally Cairo.How much? Prices for the 28-day journeystart at £31,946.

AsiaTo celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2013, theEastern & Oriental Express train has teamedup with La Residence Phou Vao hotel inLuang Praban in Laos to create a special four-night ‘rail and relaxation’ experience called theJourney to Royal Laos

Departing Bangkok, the train heads nort-east through the Thai countryside along asingle railway track.

The journey visits the Khao Yai Hills to tastethe ‘new latitude’ Thai wines, the UNESCOsite of Phimai in Thailand and crosses theFriendship Bridge over the Mekong River tothe Laos capital of Vientiane, for a full day’ssightseeing.

The journey then takes guests to LaResidence Phou Vao for a two-night stay.Owned and operated by Orient-Express, thehotel is situated in Luang Prabang, thecountry’s ex-royal capital and a UNESCOWorld Heritage site.How much? The four night/five day Journeyto Royal Laos package costs from £2,500 perperson.

Maharaja’s ExpressWhen it launched back in 2010, theMaharajas’ Express really set its sights highwhen it came to luxury rail travel in India withdouble beds and bathtubs available in thesuites and the standard cabins; and claimingto have the largest rail cabins in their categoryin the world.

There is a bar carriage, and observation

carriage with its own bar, games tables andclub armchairs, as well as two fine diningrestaurants that seat 42 people each.

The train’s presidential suite is to die forwith two bedrooms, two bathrooms and aliving/dining room with a dedicated butler.

The Express runs five itineraries: from thefour-day Treasures of India tour to the eight-day Indian Splendour that takes passengersfrom the city of Delhi to Mumbai, via thebeauty of Agra and Jaipur, Ranthambore,Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Balasinor.How much? The eight-day Indian Panoramajourney from Delhi through Jaipur toLucknow, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri,Agra, Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho, andVaransi costs from £16,100 in the presidentialsuite.

The AmericasThe Rocky Mountaineer is one of the world’sgreat rail journeys when it comes to landscapesas it passes through the glacier-fed lakes,majestic mountains and ferocious rivers ofCanada.

The luxury train specialist has three mainroutes – Canadian Rockies, the Whistler Seato Sky Climb and the Rail and Alaska Cruisewhich combines a few days on a HollandAmerica Line cruise.

The journeys range from one day to 16 sowork well as part of an overall holiday toCanada or a stand-alone experience.

The two-day journey visits Vancouver, LakeLouse and Calgary, where the 16-day Coast toCoast crosses Canada from the Atlantic Coastto the Pacific.How much? Insight Vacations offers a 15-dayTrans Canada Odyssey which journeys fromVancouver, to Victoria, before travelling alongthe scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler.The journey continues through thespectacular Banff National Park, motoring

along the incredible Icefields Parkway toJasper National park, before hopping on theRocky Mountaineer to spend days travellingthrough the Rockies.

The 15-day tour costs from £4,320 perperson.

If you have a client keen to travel to SouthAmerica, maybe you should get them toconsider the Tren Crucero in Ecuador.

Steam locomotives from the start of the20th century operate this four-day servicewhich rides across Ecuador’s Andes from theheights of Quito, through the Avenue ofVolcanoes (10 in total, one still active),Cotopaxi National Park and down toGuayaquil on the coast. The journey alsooperates in reverse.How much? The four-day journey costs from£650 per person and this price is valid untilDecember 31.

AustraliaFor an authentic Australian adventure thatdoesn’t involve venturing on foot or horsebackinto the Outback, look no further than theGhan.

Operating since 1929, the three-dayjourney offers an insight into the Outbacklandscape between Darwin, Alice Springs andAdelaide.

Passengers can choose to depart fromDarwin or Adelaide, but whichever directionthey travel, they are guaranteed to pass by the540-million-year-old Flinders Ranges as thetrain heads towards Alice Springs.

Excursions that are available include ridinga camel and seeing the ancient mysteries ofNitmiluk Gorge in Katherine.How much? The three-day Adelaide toDarwin service runs weekly all year roundand prices lead in at £889 for a day/nighterseat.

LUXURY RAIL TRAVEL

The Eastern and Oriental Express operates a number of different journeys across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Laos


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Brochure requests: www.trade-gate.co.uk ABTA No.V0531 COSMOS HOLIDAYS LTD

simply elite Encompasses hotels selected for their high standards and range of first class facilities, presenting affordable luxury with a sprinkling of sophistication.

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family elite A range of hotels offering great locations and exceptional facilities for families from kids’ clubs and entertainment to child friendly restaurants and family rooms.

all inclusive elite All inclusive elite hotels provide the perfect getaway where you can really relax knowing that just about everything is covered in the price of your holiday.

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“Thinking outside of the box, beingoriginal or at least different – that’s mykey to success in selling any holiday

arrangement. It’s no good going head to head with a

mass-market operator; it’s more aboutestablishing a strong rapport with my clientsand excellent industry relationships. Long-standing client loyalty means I’m their firstport of call, so if I work enthusiastically,quickly and efficiently, my conversion rateproves the business is clearly there to be had.

That’s then enhanced on virtually everybooking when I contact hoteliers andsuppliers to let them know I’ve made thebooking and to see what added value might beapplied. This comes from years of networking,primarily in the evenings at industry events, soI’ve invested a great deal of my time.

I usually ask my clients if there’s anythingthey’d like to request which might enhancetheir overall enjoyment, or indeed asksuppliers if there’s anything I should considerto enhance the client’s experience such as pre-booking spas, excursions etc.

I’m often asked what I sell most of. Well,truthfully, I sell what someone wants – withinreason. By that I mean if they phone and say

they want to go to South Africa and theSeychelles, then that’s what I’m selling. If theywant a bespoke tour of Peru and theGalapagos Islands, then that’s what I’mselling. Sometimes, a client asks forinspiration, a week in Europe but where?Often they know exactly what they want andthey need to know they’re speaking tosomeone who knows the product, who quitepossibly has experienced it themselves first-hand, and who can provide an attractiveproposal. Sometimes I have to tell them whytheir idea might not work or how to adapt it –perhaps wrong time of year, or I’d like torecommend another hotel, or they’re trying toinclude too much – and they come to meagain and again for that expertise anddedication.

A lot of agents despair about the internet.By operating my business from an office in myhome, how could I do so without the internet?It’s time for agents to stop moaning about theinternet and embrace it. Some travel agentssay don’t lead clients to a website, they’ll bookdirect, but my clients are not so stupid thatthey can’t find this information themselves andthey appreciate me providing exactly thoselinks for quick reference. And it saves endless

time of cutting and pasting and duplicatingwhat’s already there.

Availability is a key factor too – of me, notthe holiday. My clients know they can contactme at almost any time – that cannot be said ofstreet-based agents, even those who areupscale.

I attended an event recently and confessedto a group of agents that this can sometimes bestressful because how can I switch-off? One ofthe agents remarked that a regular client hademailed her on a Saturday morning and shehadn’t known about the problem untilMonday morning. I’m perhaps to the otherextreme undertaking to do things and makinga rod for my own back. But would I have itany other way?”

‘Successis allabout goodrelationships’Agent’s corner is a new feature where we offer one agent the

opportunity to talk about what has made their business

successful. Kicking off the first one is Jack Leaf, who has

been a travel counsellor for five years. Some 75% of his

bookings are for luxury holidays, and here, he shares his

secrets of selling success with us


AGENT’S CORNER

Clients booking luxury holidays like to know they can contact you at any time, says Jack

Jack's most expensive package that hehas put together was £175,000

“The most expensivepackage I’ve ever put

together was for £175,000for a celebrity who took their

entourage to Kenya”

S05 TB Luxury 2013 Question Time_Layout 1 09/08/2013 15:49

16

EXPLORER HOLIDAYS


Luxury can mean different things to different people. And foryour clients who feel that luxury is indulging their sense ofadventure and exploring parts of the world that only a small

number of people have had the pleasure of doing as opposed to 24-hour butler service, then here are some tours to whet their appetite.

And by the way, having a taste for adventure doesn’t mean you haveto compromise on luxury, does it?

BotswanaHave you been on safari and seen the big five and more from the backof a 4x4, but the thought of a really authentic, up-close-and-personalexperience would tempt you go back?

Well, look no further than Ranch Rider’s horse-riding safaris atBotswana.

The tours take guests out into the wilderness on horseback to offerthem a different perspective on the wildlife in the country.

Visitors fly into the Okavango Delta from Maun and a 4x4 vehicleand jet boat takes them into Botswana’s backcountry to the luxuryMacatoo Camp, which is based on the western side of this natural oasis.

Okavango Delta is the lifeblood of the Kalahari desert and theanimals flock to the waters, so guests can expect to see lions, giraffeswading through the reed-filled waters or spy hippos frolicking in thewaters from their luxury tents. Buffalo, wild dog, antelope and a hostof smaller animals including genets, monkeys and bush babies alsolay claim to this wilderness.

Accommodation is in eight luxury en-suite safari tents on raisedwooden platforms overlooking floodplains and a new,tented honeymoon suite complete with a bath on a raised platformand a larger private deck for an intimate private dining experience.How much? Ranch Rider offers seven nights from £2,520 per personincluding accommodation, meals, drinks, ranch activities and game

Time to explore

From Sudan to Peru, explorer tour

specialists are leaving no stone unturned in the

quest to find the next undiscovered destinationRanch Rider offers a range of glamping safaris in Botswana, of-

fering guests the chance to see the country on horseback

BERMUDAHome to pink sands, turquoise waters, colonial charm,

and temperatures averaging 29o

C from April to October

Call 0800 008 7288www.classic-collection.co.uk

In only 7 hours

S06 TB Luxury 2013 Exploration_Layout 1 09/08/2013 15:57


EXPLORER HOLIDAYS

rides/drives. Return flights from London lead in at £929 per personand charter flights to camp an additional £165 per person each wayfrom Maun.

UgandaUganda specialist Premier Safari is not your ordinary safari toursoperator. Oh no. If you fancy yourself as an amateur explorer, thenPremier Safari has the itineraries for you.

It has an Explorer in Residence programme, which offers a rangeof tours led by explorer, author, anthropologist and fellow of the RoyalGeographic Society, Julian Monroe Fisher.

In January, Premier Safari is running a tour to mark the 150thanniversary of explorer Sir Samuel Baker’s initial exploration ofUganda.

The seven-day tour will follow in the footsteps of the great Britishexplorer and head into Murchison Falls National Park in Ugandaalong the trail of Sir Samuel’s initial exploration of the country. Thediversity of the country is demonstrated in this park with thickwoodland to the south and tropical jungle around Mount Rabongo,which means the diversity of wildlife is impressive.

The tour heads to the home of the Albert and Victoria Nile and takesvisitors on a water safari up the White Nile, which will give the amateurexplorers the opportunity to see the Nile’s beauty and varied wildlife.How much? Prices lead in at £2,941 for the seven-day tour whichincludes accommodation in two of Murchison Falls National Park’slodges on the banks of the Nile with some of the best wildlife viewingin Uganda. The tour starts on January 7, 2014 and there are only sixplaces available.

ItalyFed up with the old, run-of-the-mill ski breaks? Fancy going a bit offpiste for a little taste of adventure?

Then check out the Ski Safaris in the Dolomite Mountains, whichencompass the Dolomiti Superski region, linking 12 different resortsfeaturing 750 miles of pistes.

Ski safaris encourage skiers to ski from valley to valley in the dayand enjoy the hospitality of an alpine inn in the evening, so skiers willhave the opportunity to visit 12 ski resorts in less than a week if theychoose to.

The programme began last winter with two itineraries; the trips thiswinter expand to six new routes, including a gourmet-focused tripfeaturing meals from Michelin-starred chefs in the huts and a family-friendly option.How much? Dolomite Mountains’ eight-day Ultimate Ski Safariincluding mountain guides, half-board accommodation and luggagetransfers costs from £2,300 per person.

SudanNot many people will know this but Sudan has more pyramids thanEgypt, and while the destination is still relatively undiscovered andslightly mysterious, it is a great place to explore before the crowdsarrive. And help is at hand in the shape of the Italian TourismCompany.

The operator has been doing desert expeditions and archaeologicaltours in northern Sudan since the 1980s. In 2000, the operator builta small 20-room boutique hotel near the holy mountain Jebel Barkaland a tented camp in the desert, overlooking the pyramids of Meroe.The camp has 20 tents all with their only private bathrooms.

The operator has a number of escorted tours, but it’s most popularis the nine-day Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs.

This tour starts in Khartoum with a visit to the ArchaeologicalMuseum, which houses two temples rescued by UNESCO. The tourthen heads to Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan to see theMahdi’s Tomb from outside and the Khalifa’s House Museum.

Day three, the explorers head to the Jebel Barkal mountains to visitthe El Kurru Tombs and the Petrified Forest, followed by a visit to theKarima Market, a cruise on the Nile, a picnic in the oases and a visitto the Nuri Necropolis on day four.

An overnight in the operator’s Meroe Permanent camp overlookingthe pyramids follows with a visit to the royal Necropolis and the royalcity of Meroe.

The tour concludes with excursions to Naga and Mussawarattemples before returning to the capital Khartoum.How much? The nine-day Kingdom of the Pharoahs tour leads in at£1,862 and includes accommodation, tours, tickets for museums andarchaelogical sites, some meals, transport, guide and transfers. Flightsand visas are not included.

Sri LankaThe Private Travel Company has the perfect luxury tour for clientswho want to immerse themselves in the landscape, heritage andculture of Sri Lanka.

The seven-night Serene Sri Lanka tour visits the mist-covered teaplantations at Nuwara Eliya, the 5th-century rock fortress Sigiriya thatrises 200 metres above the jungle and the former capital of Sri Lanka,Polonnaruwa.

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is also on the agenda as wellas the 1st-century Dambulla Cave Temple, which is a complex of fivecaves that includes the largest area of cave paintings in the world.

Secret Compass offers tours through Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor.

The Italian Tourism Companyhas its own boutique hotel,Nubian Rest-House in Karimawhere guests stay for a nightor two on their escorted toursof the country

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The journey also visits Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankankings, and visits Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.How much? Seven nights from £2,319 per person based on twoadults sharing, including breakfast, flights, a guide and entrance feesto all attractions.

CongoOdzala National Park in Congo is one of Africa’s oldest parks and hasAfrica’s densest population of western lowland gorillas, as well ascentral Africa’s highest density of chimpanzees, with significantpopulations of forest elephant too.

However, only 50 tourists visited Odzala in 2011 due to lack ofinfrastructure and decent lodges/camps. Since then, two new lodgeshave been built in the heart of this park, which enable small groups toview the gorillas and other wildlife.

Wildlife Worldwide has introduced Congo this year and the twonew camps. Lango Camp is on the edge of the savannah andoverlooks a large forest clearing that attracts elephants, forest buffalos,antelopes and spotted hyenas.

The other camp, Ngaga faces the forest canopy and is the epicentreof a population of gorillas who are known to walk right under theLodge’s raised platforms.How much? A nine-day Great Ape Encounter in the Congo costsfrom £5,995 with flights, day and night game drives, guided walks,boat trips, catch-and-release fishing, gorilla tracking, birding walksand game-viewing from hides.

ZambiaBased in the northern part of the South Luangwa National Park,Complete Remote Africa Safaris is offering expeditions to some of themost remote parts of northern Zambia.

The safari specialist has three authentic safari camps – each withsix en-suite chalets – and its own six-seater Cesna 210 aircraft whichtransports guests between each camp.

The operator’s 10-night Zambia Safari combines three nights ateach camp and gives keen explorers the chance to experience thewilderness of North and South Luangwa, renowned for sightings oflion, leopard and wild dog.

There is also the opportunity to discover the wonders ofBangweulu Swamps with endangered shoebills and black lechwe

along with an overnight trip to Kasanka National Park to experiencethe migration of eight million fruit bats between the Congo andKasanka.How much? Prices lead in at £4,160 per person including all meals,drinks and safari activites. Flights not included.

PeruFor your clients who love combining their passion for food withholidays, why don’t you suggest they consider an Andes Gourmet tourfrom High Lives Holidays?

The 13-day taste-inspired travels through Peru and Bolivia toindulge food-lovers’ passions for the region’s cooking and culturewhile exploring this region in style.

The tour starts off in the heart of the Andes food capital of Limabefore heading on up to Cusco, Macchu Picchu and the SacredValley that once fed the Inca empire.

The mountains of La Paz then beckon for a mix of the old and newworld and the spectacular Uyuni salt flats.

Along the way, guests will learn to cook iconic dishes, dine at thebest tables and meet some of the chefs spearheading the region’scuisine revolution such as Gaston Acurio of Astrid and Gaston andEmilio Macias of Amaramar.How much? Prices start at £7,000 per person for the 13-day AndesGourmet tour with High Lives Holidays.

Go off piste with Ski Safaris in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains during the day and enjoy meals cooked by Michelin-star chefs by night

18

EXPLORER HOLIDAYS


Expedition specialist Secret Compass is looking to start working

with agents following the launch of its new-look website.

The operator specialises in leading exploratory expeditions to

many of the world's most remote regions, and offers bespoke

tours as well as package itineraries.

Some of the specialist’s most popular tours include the Wakhan

Corridor of Afghanistan, the Yemeni island and protected

UNESCO site of Socotra, the live volcanic area of Kamchatka in

Siberia and the secret peaks of Kurdistan, Iraq.

Secret Compass welcomes enquiries from agents and is willing to

discuss commission-based partnerships.

Prices for its 12-day Hajhir Mountains, Socotra tour lead in at

£2,599.

For agents


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