Barrhead Travel's legendary Club 18-30 Night is back!
Come along to our Glasgow Superstore at 85 Oswald Street next Thursday, 25th February, between 6 and 9pm for your chance to win a FREE Club 18-30 holiday for 2! You'll be able to meet Club 18-30 reps and discover this year's hottest and most hyped destinations. We'll also have Vanessa from Galaxy Scotland's morning show in store and on the decks and there'll be some fantastic Club 18-30 exclusive offers that you won't find anywhere else.
Barrhead Travel's big Club 18-30 Night ... Don't miss it!
All our latest event news is www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/Events
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Barrhead Travel at the SECC Holiday Show this weekend!
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It's that time of year again! This weekend from Friday to Sunday sees the 2010 Holiday Show at Glasgow's SECC. As ever, Barrhead Travel will be on hand to offer visitors expert advice and the best holiday deals. And we've got exclusive free tickets for the show!
The Holiday Show offers you the chance to see the world and consult with experts before making this year's all-important holiday decisions.
With exhibitors ranging from tour operators and travel agents to airlines, tourist information organisations and places of interest there truly is something for every one.
The show will also feature a vast range of exotic long-haul destinations, specialist UK and European short-break locations, Travel Talk Theatres with guest presenters, direct access to airline representatives and a packed programme of fun activities to ensure a great day out for all the family.
With Scotland's largest booking agent Barrhead Travel you will also be able to save by booking directly at the show. In addition, there is a new Barrhead Travel Travel Talk Theatre with talks and presentations taking place all day long from companies such as;
NCL, Complete Cruise Solution, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Prestige, Trinidad & Tobago Tourism, MSC Cruises, Paradise Park Hotel, World of Discovery / Universal, Gold Medal, Silverseas / Barbados Tourist Board, Tourism British Columbia/Travel Alberta/Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Quantas Holidays & Kuoni.
The Travel Talks Theatre will give visitors the chance to listen first hand to experts who will be sharing their travel insights and ideas and answering questions about specific holiday destinations.
And let's not forget the kids! There is a programme of fun activities for children such as face painting, Marco the Clown plus Punch and Judy, as well as sand pits to play in and deck chairs to relax in (Mum and Dad might be grateful for those too).
The Holiday & Travel Show Glasgow SECC
Dates:
12 - 14 February 2010
Opening Times:
10 am – 5 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Pop in to your nearest Barrhead Travel branch any time this week to pick up exclusive free tickets for the show! Call on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk for more info!
It's that time of year again! This weekend from Friday to Sunday sees the 2010 Holiday Show at Glasgow's SECC. As ever, Barrhead Travel will be on hand to offer visitors expert advice and the best holiday deals. And we've got exclusive free tickets for the show!
The Holiday Show offers you the chance to see the world and consult with experts before making this year's all-important holiday decisions.
With exhibitors ranging from tour operators and travel agents to airlines, tourist information organisations and places of interest there truly is something for every one.
The show will also feature a vast range of exotic long-haul destinations, specialist UK and European short-break locations, Travel Talk Theatres with guest presenters, direct access to airline representatives and a packed programme of fun activities to ensure a great day out for all the family.
With Scotland's largest booking agent Barrhead Travel you will also be able to save by booking directly at the show. In addition, there is a new Barrhead Travel Travel Talk Theatre with talks and presentations taking place all day long from companies such as;
NCL, Complete Cruise Solution, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Prestige, Trinidad & Tobago Tourism, MSC Cruises, Paradise Park Hotel, World of Discovery / Universal, Gold Medal, Silverseas / Barbados Tourist Board, Tourism British Columbia/Travel Alberta/Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Quantas Holidays & Kuoni.
The Travel Talks Theatre will give visitors the chance to listen first hand to experts who will be sharing their travel insights and ideas and answering questions about specific holiday destinations.
And let's not forget the kids! There is a programme of fun activities for children such as face painting, Marco the Clown plus Punch and Judy, as well as sand pits to play in and deck chairs to relax in (Mum and Dad might be grateful for those too).
The Holiday & Travel Show Glasgow SECC
Dates:
12 - 14 February 2010
Opening Times:
10 am – 5 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Pop in to your nearest Barrhead Travel branch any time this week to pick up exclusive free tickets for the show! Call on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk for more info!
Monday, 8 February 2010
Barrhead Travel are recruiting!
We're looking for new people to join up for all areas of our business. We have vacancies in our existing stores and in new branches opening soon in: East Kilbride, Inverness, Glasgow Fort, Ayr and Prestwick!
Come and work for the largest independent Travel Agent in Scotland and one of the Top 10 in the UK. We're a successful and expanding business and are constantly seeking self-motivated sales people to join our existing team.
Call our recruitment team today on 0871 226 8682, e-mail us at recruitment(at)barrheadtravel.com or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/jobs to apply online now!
What are you waiting for?
Come and work for the largest independent Travel Agent in Scotland and one of the Top 10 in the UK. We're a successful and expanding business and are constantly seeking self-motivated sales people to join our existing team.
Call our recruitment team today on 0871 226 8682, e-mail us at recruitment(at)barrheadtravel.com or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/jobs to apply online now!
What are you waiting for?
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Barrhead Travel Destinations of the Week.
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Hello and welcome to another of our Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week features! This week we look at a number of idyllic spots in the Indian Ocean and also at some of the best family holiday destinations in Europe and beyond.
Mission Possible
Many visitors to the Indian Ocean region want nothing more than an idyllic beach and a pampering spa. But there’s plenty here to keep adrenalin junkies happy too.
Maldives & Seychelles
Although holidays in the Maldives are usually reserved for pampered honeymoon indulgence, one extreme sport is taking off at the region’s resorts. Kitesurfing is the latest craze to emerge and it offers thrill-seekers the chance to use wind power to reach speeds up to 50mph on a kite board – the fastest way to sail on the water.
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, teetering on the edge of the Maldives archipelago and exposed to the necessary winds, introduced the sport to the islands in 2001. Despite the extreme tag no experience is required; there’s plenty of space for beginners and seasoned experts to fly across the water.
Kuredo Island Resort, located in Lhaviyani Atoll, 80 miles north of Male’s international airport, also offers kitesurfing and wakeboarding at its watersports centre. Instructors give free introductory lessons to help tourists get the bug.
The sport is also developing in the Seychelles, and is now offered alongside other adventures such as swimming with 40ft whale sharks.
Sample price: Seven nights at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort from £1,349 per person half-board including return flights. Kitesurfing costs around $55 for a day’s equipment hire and $80 for a day’s instruction.
India
For tourists interested in high-altitude, high-octane activities, the Himalayas in India offer the perfect playground with a variety of thrills available. For keen climbers, the Stok Kangri mountain, a beast whose peak exceeds 6,000m, with challenges including a number of steep cliff climbs at high altitude and long treks. Visitors acclimatise by first visiting the remote villages of Ladakh above the Indus Valley.
We also offer a gruelling mountain bike escapade – a chance for enthusiasts to teeter across two of the highest passes in the world, cycling from Manali to Leh in the Ladakh region. Only the toughest thighs will conquer the winding roads of the western Himalaya, close to the borders of China and Tibet. Tourists will be expected to cover at least 40 miles every day, 50% of which is on craggy paths. While the climate will be warm during the day, the tour group has to huddle together at night when temperatures drop to -4C.
Sample price: The Manali to Leh ride (18 days’ half-board) costs from £1,799. Flights are included, bike hire is £145. The Stok Kangri climb costs £1,899, including accommodation and flights.
Mauritius
One way to see the island’s java deer and wild boar is on a quad bike tour. The three-hour tour encourages thrill-seekers to get muddy while touring the L’Etoile & Ferny Reserve on four wheels. This is a 3,500-hectare estate, found off the beaten track in the eastern part of Mauritius.
Or head south to the Saint Felix sugar estate where visitors are offered an unusual way to experience impressive views of banana plantations and waterfalls. Take part in a trek with a twist – the trail includes 11 zip lines that let you shuttle from tree to tree 30m up, only stopping midway for a bracing freshwater swim.
Sample price: The zip line experience costs £88 for a full day, and the quad bike tour is priced at £131 per person.
Sri Lanka
Perhaps you fancy a bit of speleology in Sri Lanka? To the uninitiated, this means cave exploration into 500 million years of history, squeezing through dark nooks in complete darkness with only a head torch to guide you.
Eco Team Sri Lanka offers pot-holing tours in Waulpane Cave, where amateurs and experts can explore the “cave of bats”. This is home to thousands of the cave’s namesakes and luminous fish lurking beneath an 80ft underground waterfall.
White-water rafting holidays are also on the rise and Eco Team offers a white-knuckle adventure into the shooting rapids of the Kelani river in Kithulgala, west Sri Lanka. Also known as the wet-zone rainforest and one of the dampest places in the country, this is a real test for hardy explorers. In between rapids, check out the location where much of Oscar-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed, before braving the larger grade five rapids of the Kelani gorges. Before the river run, a briefing is given on paddling techniques and “man overboard” procedures.
Sample price: A seven-day white-water rafting experience in Kithulgala costs £365 per person including half-board hotel/camping accommodation. Caving in Waulpane is also available and costs £90 per day.
Mum and Dad Are Happy Too
This year sees a raft of new beach resorts. Here are some which have the most to offer to the family market.
Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort and Spa, Turkey
Located on its own stretch of beach where the Dalaman River meets the sea, the Hilton Golf Resort and Spa is an excellent hotel for an active family holiday. The hotel boasts seven outdoor and three indoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a water sports centre where guests can learn to windsurf, jet-ski, wake board and dive. Children will love the dedicated Kidz Club and the Aqua Park filled with water slides. Out of the water, one of the main attractions for this hotel will be the 18-hole golf course and nine-hole golf academy, due for completion in 2010. Nearby attractions include hot springs and nesting turtle sites.
Sample price: A week for a family of four in the first week of July, all-inclusive, from £3,189 including flights.
Hotel Villas Resort, Sardinia
The resort offers good family accommodation in the form of two-bedroom suites with their own living room and spacious terrace. Helpful services include pushchair hire and babysitting, as well as room service and a laundry service. Excursions around the island such as boat trips, horse-riding and quad safaris have real family appeal, as does the hotel pool. The beach of Castiadas is 500m from the hotel and can be reached by complimentary golf buggy shuttle. The beach is wide, white and sandy, gently shelving into the sea. There is a semi-private area for hotel guests with parasols and sun loungers for hire. The hotel is less than a mile from the popular Costa Rei resort and 45 miles from Cagliari airport.
Sample price: A seven-night stay in early July from £2,773 for a family of four half-board, including car hire but excluding flights.
Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, Sicily
This new Rocco Forte Collection property is situated on the south-west coast of Sicily. The luxurious hotel is set in a valley of olive groves near the small town of Verdura, an hour away from Palermo airport. Many of its rooms open right on to the pebble beach. The hotel, which opened at the end of July 2009, is strongly courting the family market, with an introductory family offer of 50% off the interconnecting room and free or discounted lunches for children. Pool and beach areas are supervised at all times. There’s a kids-only pool and range of activities that end each day with a turn-down service complete with bedtime milk, cookies and a storyteller. For teenagers, there's a hangout area and opportunity to try sailing, tennis, windsurfing and golf.
Sample price: A seven-night stay from £11,705 per family. Price is based on two adults sharing a junior suite and two children under 12 in an adjoining deluxe room on a B&B basis. Includes flights and transfers.
Hesperia Lanzarote, Canaries
The newly-opened Hesperia Lanzarote is a great option for a family holiday in the Canaries. The five-star hotel boasts a spa treatment centre, four pools and gym. It also has an on-site dive centre which is particularly family-friendly. The hotel provides free cots for babies aged up to two years, and children aged 2-12 can have an extra bed in the room for an additional charge. Adjoining rooms are available on request.
Sample price: Seven nights from £3,082 for a family of four (B&B) including flights in July 2010.
Eleon Grand Resort & Spa, Zante
The five-star all-inclusive Eleon Grand Resort & Spa in Zante opens this May. Facilities include three freshwater pools, tennis courts, a spa and a dive centre. Young tots will be happy for hours in "aqua land" with water slides and kids' pools, plus there'll be a daily animation programme. The 174 rooms are set out in low-rise buildings around the pool.
Sample price: Seven nights at this hotel for £679 per adult, £259 for the first child and £505 for the second child, with flights, in peak season.
Movenpick Resort and Marine Spa, Tunisia
Located on the shoreline of Sousse, the resort is a short drive from Habib Bourguiba Monastir airport. The hotel has 618 rooms and six different restaurants. As well as direct access to the beach, children can play in the four pools and make the most of the tennis, beach volley, camel riding and water activities available. Parasols are available on the beach and lifeguards are always on duty. The resort opens in spring 2010.
Sample price: Seven nights all-inclusive from £779 per adult and £415 for the first child, including flights.
Real Marina Hotel and Spa, Algarve
A short drive from Faro airport, this resort is set to open in May 2010. The hotel is not on the beachfront but the new marina currently under construction will offer leisure facilities. The east coast's renowned beaches are a short boat ride away, but children will have their own swimming pool at the hotel and the Realito Kids Club promises to keep them entertained for hours.
Sample price: A classic room with a sea view starts from €298 per person for a double and a suite with a sea view starts from €596 per person in high season.
Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco
This summer will be the first full season for the five-star Mazagan Beach Resort, 55 miles south of Casablanca. The Kerzner resort has three different kids' clubs. The Baby Club is for tots over three months. The Kidz Club (ages 3-11) has its own pool. For 12s and over, The Rush Club offers sports, films and nightly discos. Horse riding is also available. The spa, casino and golf courses will appeal to parents, and there are eight restaurants.
Sample price: Four nights' B&B from £885 per adult and £320 for the first child under 11, with flights.
For more information or to book to go to any of these tempting travel destinations contact one of our expert consultants now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your next holiday today!
Hello and welcome to another of our Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week features! This week we look at a number of idyllic spots in the Indian Ocean and also at some of the best family holiday destinations in Europe and beyond.
Mission Possible
Many visitors to the Indian Ocean region want nothing more than an idyllic beach and a pampering spa. But there’s plenty here to keep adrenalin junkies happy too.
Maldives & Seychelles
Although holidays in the Maldives are usually reserved for pampered honeymoon indulgence, one extreme sport is taking off at the region’s resorts. Kitesurfing is the latest craze to emerge and it offers thrill-seekers the chance to use wind power to reach speeds up to 50mph on a kite board – the fastest way to sail on the water.
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, teetering on the edge of the Maldives archipelago and exposed to the necessary winds, introduced the sport to the islands in 2001. Despite the extreme tag no experience is required; there’s plenty of space for beginners and seasoned experts to fly across the water.
Kuredo Island Resort, located in Lhaviyani Atoll, 80 miles north of Male’s international airport, also offers kitesurfing and wakeboarding at its watersports centre. Instructors give free introductory lessons to help tourists get the bug.
The sport is also developing in the Seychelles, and is now offered alongside other adventures such as swimming with 40ft whale sharks.
Sample price: Seven nights at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort from £1,349 per person half-board including return flights. Kitesurfing costs around $55 for a day’s equipment hire and $80 for a day’s instruction.
India
For tourists interested in high-altitude, high-octane activities, the Himalayas in India offer the perfect playground with a variety of thrills available. For keen climbers, the Stok Kangri mountain, a beast whose peak exceeds 6,000m, with challenges including a number of steep cliff climbs at high altitude and long treks. Visitors acclimatise by first visiting the remote villages of Ladakh above the Indus Valley.
We also offer a gruelling mountain bike escapade – a chance for enthusiasts to teeter across two of the highest passes in the world, cycling from Manali to Leh in the Ladakh region. Only the toughest thighs will conquer the winding roads of the western Himalaya, close to the borders of China and Tibet. Tourists will be expected to cover at least 40 miles every day, 50% of which is on craggy paths. While the climate will be warm during the day, the tour group has to huddle together at night when temperatures drop to -4C.
Sample price: The Manali to Leh ride (18 days’ half-board) costs from £1,799. Flights are included, bike hire is £145. The Stok Kangri climb costs £1,899, including accommodation and flights.
Mauritius
One way to see the island’s java deer and wild boar is on a quad bike tour. The three-hour tour encourages thrill-seekers to get muddy while touring the L’Etoile & Ferny Reserve on four wheels. This is a 3,500-hectare estate, found off the beaten track in the eastern part of Mauritius.
Or head south to the Saint Felix sugar estate where visitors are offered an unusual way to experience impressive views of banana plantations and waterfalls. Take part in a trek with a twist – the trail includes 11 zip lines that let you shuttle from tree to tree 30m up, only stopping midway for a bracing freshwater swim.
Sample price: The zip line experience costs £88 for a full day, and the quad bike tour is priced at £131 per person.
Sri Lanka
Perhaps you fancy a bit of speleology in Sri Lanka? To the uninitiated, this means cave exploration into 500 million years of history, squeezing through dark nooks in complete darkness with only a head torch to guide you.
Eco Team Sri Lanka offers pot-holing tours in Waulpane Cave, where amateurs and experts can explore the “cave of bats”. This is home to thousands of the cave’s namesakes and luminous fish lurking beneath an 80ft underground waterfall.
White-water rafting holidays are also on the rise and Eco Team offers a white-knuckle adventure into the shooting rapids of the Kelani river in Kithulgala, west Sri Lanka. Also known as the wet-zone rainforest and one of the dampest places in the country, this is a real test for hardy explorers. In between rapids, check out the location where much of Oscar-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed, before braving the larger grade five rapids of the Kelani gorges. Before the river run, a briefing is given on paddling techniques and “man overboard” procedures.
Sample price: A seven-day white-water rafting experience in Kithulgala costs £365 per person including half-board hotel/camping accommodation. Caving in Waulpane is also available and costs £90 per day.
Mum and Dad Are Happy Too
This year sees a raft of new beach resorts. Here are some which have the most to offer to the family market.
Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort and Spa, Turkey
Located on its own stretch of beach where the Dalaman River meets the sea, the Hilton Golf Resort and Spa is an excellent hotel for an active family holiday. The hotel boasts seven outdoor and three indoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a water sports centre where guests can learn to windsurf, jet-ski, wake board and dive. Children will love the dedicated Kidz Club and the Aqua Park filled with water slides. Out of the water, one of the main attractions for this hotel will be the 18-hole golf course and nine-hole golf academy, due for completion in 2010. Nearby attractions include hot springs and nesting turtle sites.
Sample price: A week for a family of four in the first week of July, all-inclusive, from £3,189 including flights.
Hotel Villas Resort, Sardinia
The resort offers good family accommodation in the form of two-bedroom suites with their own living room and spacious terrace. Helpful services include pushchair hire and babysitting, as well as room service and a laundry service. Excursions around the island such as boat trips, horse-riding and quad safaris have real family appeal, as does the hotel pool. The beach of Castiadas is 500m from the hotel and can be reached by complimentary golf buggy shuttle. The beach is wide, white and sandy, gently shelving into the sea. There is a semi-private area for hotel guests with parasols and sun loungers for hire. The hotel is less than a mile from the popular Costa Rei resort and 45 miles from Cagliari airport.
Sample price: A seven-night stay in early July from £2,773 for a family of four half-board, including car hire but excluding flights.
Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, Sicily
This new Rocco Forte Collection property is situated on the south-west coast of Sicily. The luxurious hotel is set in a valley of olive groves near the small town of Verdura, an hour away from Palermo airport. Many of its rooms open right on to the pebble beach. The hotel, which opened at the end of July 2009, is strongly courting the family market, with an introductory family offer of 50% off the interconnecting room and free or discounted lunches for children. Pool and beach areas are supervised at all times. There’s a kids-only pool and range of activities that end each day with a turn-down service complete with bedtime milk, cookies and a storyteller. For teenagers, there's a hangout area and opportunity to try sailing, tennis, windsurfing and golf.
Sample price: A seven-night stay from £11,705 per family. Price is based on two adults sharing a junior suite and two children under 12 in an adjoining deluxe room on a B&B basis. Includes flights and transfers.
Hesperia Lanzarote, Canaries
The newly-opened Hesperia Lanzarote is a great option for a family holiday in the Canaries. The five-star hotel boasts a spa treatment centre, four pools and gym. It also has an on-site dive centre which is particularly family-friendly. The hotel provides free cots for babies aged up to two years, and children aged 2-12 can have an extra bed in the room for an additional charge. Adjoining rooms are available on request.
Sample price: Seven nights from £3,082 for a family of four (B&B) including flights in July 2010.
Eleon Grand Resort & Spa, Zante
The five-star all-inclusive Eleon Grand Resort & Spa in Zante opens this May. Facilities include three freshwater pools, tennis courts, a spa and a dive centre. Young tots will be happy for hours in "aqua land" with water slides and kids' pools, plus there'll be a daily animation programme. The 174 rooms are set out in low-rise buildings around the pool.
Sample price: Seven nights at this hotel for £679 per adult, £259 for the first child and £505 for the second child, with flights, in peak season.
Movenpick Resort and Marine Spa, Tunisia
Located on the shoreline of Sousse, the resort is a short drive from Habib Bourguiba Monastir airport. The hotel has 618 rooms and six different restaurants. As well as direct access to the beach, children can play in the four pools and make the most of the tennis, beach volley, camel riding and water activities available. Parasols are available on the beach and lifeguards are always on duty. The resort opens in spring 2010.
Sample price: Seven nights all-inclusive from £779 per adult and £415 for the first child, including flights.
Real Marina Hotel and Spa, Algarve
A short drive from Faro airport, this resort is set to open in May 2010. The hotel is not on the beachfront but the new marina currently under construction will offer leisure facilities. The east coast's renowned beaches are a short boat ride away, but children will have their own swimming pool at the hotel and the Realito Kids Club promises to keep them entertained for hours.
Sample price: A classic room with a sea view starts from €298 per person for a double and a suite with a sea view starts from €596 per person in high season.
Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco
This summer will be the first full season for the five-star Mazagan Beach Resort, 55 miles south of Casablanca. The Kerzner resort has three different kids' clubs. The Baby Club is for tots over three months. The Kidz Club (ages 3-11) has its own pool. For 12s and over, The Rush Club offers sports, films and nightly discos. Horse riding is also available. The spa, casino and golf courses will appeal to parents, and there are eight restaurants.
Sample price: Four nights' B&B from £885 per adult and £320 for the first child under 11, with flights.
For more information or to book to go to any of these tempting travel destinations contact one of our expert consultants now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your next holiday today!
Friday, 22 January 2010
Cruise Weekend at Barrhead Travel
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Ahoy!
It's CRUISE WEEKEND this weekend at Barrhead Travel with Exclusive Offers, Huge Price Reductions and Fantastic Cruise Holidays to be had!
Come along to our Glasgow Superstore to meet cruise experts from Royal Caribbean, NCL, Thomson Cruises and more or call any of our branches and speak to our own expert, friendly consultants to get some of the very best cruise offers on the market!
It's Cruise Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at Barrhead Travel ... Don't miss the boat!
More info @ http://www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/events/
Ahoy!
It's CRUISE WEEKEND this weekend at Barrhead Travel with Exclusive Offers, Huge Price Reductions and Fantastic Cruise Holidays to be had!
Come along to our Glasgow Superstore to meet cruise experts from Royal Caribbean, NCL, Thomson Cruises and more or call any of our branches and speak to our own expert, friendly consultants to get some of the very best cruise offers on the market!
It's Cruise Weekend this Saturday and Sunday at Barrhead Travel ... Don't miss the boat!
More info @ http://www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/events/
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week: Mayan Mexico
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A question often heard in Mexico and Central America is, “Whatever happened to the Mayans?” They are surely one of the most hyped-up of all the ancient civilisations, with Mel Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto stoking the myth that the Mayans were a bloodthirsty race. What is for sure is that the highly advanced Mayan civilisation went into sudden decline around 1200 AD, when great stone cities such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal were abandoned.
But the Mayans didn’t simply disappear (or fly off to the moon as some fantasists believe). They melted away into the jungle, and you can meet their descendants today all over the region including the Yucatan peninsula in the south-east of Mexico. This is where Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum (near the major resort of Cancun) and other lesser known Mayan sites are located, and many more are believed to be still covered by dense jungle. While these sites are the focal points of a Yucatan tour, there’s much else to see – and opportunities to meet modern-day Mayans.
Many still live in traditional thatched huts with earthen floors, sleeping in hammocks just like hundreds of years ago. Don Antonio, is a little old man who shows visitors around a traditional hut at Sotuta de Peon, a hacienda (country estate) an hour’s drive from the Yucatan state capital, Merida. Don Antonio spent his working life cultivating sisal, a spiky plant used in basket and carpet manufacture until man-made fibres replaced it. Sisal was a lucrative trade, and you can see the 19th-century luxury home of the estate owners before touring the fields in a horse-drawn tram. He is cheerful and down-to-earth, and says (in Mayan) that he still lives in a hut, cooking simple corn-based meals in a stone pot.
Many visitors are keen to make a spiritual connection with the Mayans, and this has created a new industry of Mayan-themed spas. You can also seek refuge from the tropical heat and swim in underground lakes called cenotes, which ancient Mayans believed were the gateway to the underworld. Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum are now major tourist attractions, with Uxmal running a cheesy sound-and-light show and Chichen Itza being so popular you can no longer climb the pyramid. But you still marvel at the mathematical precision with which the pyramid was built, without use of the wheel or metal tools. Much is still being excavated, and a new area opens to visitors this year.
Ek Balam (Black Jaguar in Mayan), roughly halfway between Merida and Cancun, is a relatively unknown ancient city excavated as recently as 1987. Here you can still scramble up the pyramid to admire the intricate carvings, and many of the mounds in the jungle surrounding you are believed to hide pyramids as impressive as this one. Alfonso Morales, an expert archaeologist working for ground handler Catherwood Travels, offers private and group tours of the Mayan world. He cheerfully debunks some of the myths that have grown up around the Mayans, such as their love for chopping people’s heads off. No headless skeletons have been found. Alfonso also reveals that he has to employ guards to watch the guards who mind the excavations, such is the lure for bounty hunters.
Another place to meet the Mayans is the old town of Izamal (Mist from Heaven in Mayan), where all the buildings in the centre are a deep shade of yellow. It has a pyramid, and you can watch traditional jewellery makers at work. Fortunately the Mayans are still going strong, but get off the beaten track to discover them properly.
Set off on your Mayan adventure today by contacting Barrhead Travel. Call one of our friendly consultants on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk
A question often heard in Mexico and Central America is, “Whatever happened to the Mayans?” They are surely one of the most hyped-up of all the ancient civilisations, with Mel Gibson’s 2006 film Apocalypto stoking the myth that the Mayans were a bloodthirsty race. What is for sure is that the highly advanced Mayan civilisation went into sudden decline around 1200 AD, when great stone cities such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal were abandoned.
But the Mayans didn’t simply disappear (or fly off to the moon as some fantasists believe). They melted away into the jungle, and you can meet their descendants today all over the region including the Yucatan peninsula in the south-east of Mexico. This is where Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum (near the major resort of Cancun) and other lesser known Mayan sites are located, and many more are believed to be still covered by dense jungle. While these sites are the focal points of a Yucatan tour, there’s much else to see – and opportunities to meet modern-day Mayans.
Many still live in traditional thatched huts with earthen floors, sleeping in hammocks just like hundreds of years ago. Don Antonio, is a little old man who shows visitors around a traditional hut at Sotuta de Peon, a hacienda (country estate) an hour’s drive from the Yucatan state capital, Merida. Don Antonio spent his working life cultivating sisal, a spiky plant used in basket and carpet manufacture until man-made fibres replaced it. Sisal was a lucrative trade, and you can see the 19th-century luxury home of the estate owners before touring the fields in a horse-drawn tram. He is cheerful and down-to-earth, and says (in Mayan) that he still lives in a hut, cooking simple corn-based meals in a stone pot.
Many visitors are keen to make a spiritual connection with the Mayans, and this has created a new industry of Mayan-themed spas. You can also seek refuge from the tropical heat and swim in underground lakes called cenotes, which ancient Mayans believed were the gateway to the underworld. Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum are now major tourist attractions, with Uxmal running a cheesy sound-and-light show and Chichen Itza being so popular you can no longer climb the pyramid. But you still marvel at the mathematical precision with which the pyramid was built, without use of the wheel or metal tools. Much is still being excavated, and a new area opens to visitors this year.
Ek Balam (Black Jaguar in Mayan), roughly halfway between Merida and Cancun, is a relatively unknown ancient city excavated as recently as 1987. Here you can still scramble up the pyramid to admire the intricate carvings, and many of the mounds in the jungle surrounding you are believed to hide pyramids as impressive as this one. Alfonso Morales, an expert archaeologist working for ground handler Catherwood Travels, offers private and group tours of the Mayan world. He cheerfully debunks some of the myths that have grown up around the Mayans, such as their love for chopping people’s heads off. No headless skeletons have been found. Alfonso also reveals that he has to employ guards to watch the guards who mind the excavations, such is the lure for bounty hunters.
Another place to meet the Mayans is the old town of Izamal (Mist from Heaven in Mayan), where all the buildings in the centre are a deep shade of yellow. It has a pyramid, and you can watch traditional jewellery makers at work. Fortunately the Mayans are still going strong, but get off the beaten track to discover them properly.
Set off on your Mayan adventure today by contacting Barrhead Travel. Call one of our friendly consultants on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
New Seabourn Luxury Yacht on sale at Barrhead Travel
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Barrhead Travel's Latest Cruise News
SEABOURN’S NEXT YACHT WILL BE NAMED SEABOURN QUEST
Luxury Line’s Third Intimate Cruising Vessel Set to Launch in 2011
The Yachts of Seabourn has announced that Seabourn Quest will be the name given to its newest vessel. Poised to become the third of three new ultra-luxury yachts launched by the award-winning, small-ship cruise line in as many years, Seabourn Quest will launch in June 2011.
Seabourn Quest will be the third iteration of the sleek and widely admired design that first appeared on Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, hailed as a “game-changer for the luxury segment.” The second sister ship, Seabourn Sojourn, launches in June 2010 in London. Together, the three new vessels represent a capacity increase of over 200 percent for the line in a three-year period – underlining the company’s confidence in a burgeoning demand for ultra-luxury cruising. At 32,000 GRT and carrying just 450 guests each, the three new Seabourn yachts are the smallest cruising vessels being built by any major cruise company, in keeping with the line’s strategy of offering guests highly personalised service in a relaxed, sociable and luxurious environment.
“The selection of the name Seabourn Quest completes the triad of names we chose for these three new vessels,” noted Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO. “Taken together, we believe that Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest represent the passion for adventure and discovery that spurs our guests’ desire to travel in Seabourn style.”
The three new Seabourn yachts join another trio of small, 208-guest ultra-luxury vessels already in the fleet: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. All offer Seabourn’s award-winning combination of all-suite accommodations, personalised service, superb cuisine and exceptional itineraries in the world’s most desirable destinations. Innovative onboard features on the new yachts include Seabourn Square, which replaces the traditional reception lobby with a comfortable, relaxed, club-like room that combines a library, internet café and a discreet guest services centre with a social lounge and konditerei-style coffee bar. The 11,400 square-foot, indoor/outdoor spa facility is the largest on any luxury vessel. Four dining venues, six bars and lounges and a wide range of open decks and terraces provide venues to suit every mood, from sociable to secluded.
With its expanded fleet, The Yachts of Seabourn is able to offer travellers an array of new itineraries throughout the year, including year-round sailings in Asia aboard Seabourn Pride, exploring Vietnam, Thailand, China, Korea and Japan. The new vessels will continue to offer popular itineraries such as Europe, the Mediterranean and the Americas, and will also add annual World Cruises to the line’s offerings.
To book call Barrhead Travel now on 0800 093 0622, visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk or visit our specialist cruise website www.cruisedirect.co.uk and start planning your luxury Seabourn cruise with Barrhead Travel today!
Barrhead Travel's Latest Cruise News
SEABOURN’S NEXT YACHT WILL BE NAMED SEABOURN QUEST
Luxury Line’s Third Intimate Cruising Vessel Set to Launch in 2011
The Yachts of Seabourn has announced that Seabourn Quest will be the name given to its newest vessel. Poised to become the third of three new ultra-luxury yachts launched by the award-winning, small-ship cruise line in as many years, Seabourn Quest will launch in June 2011.
Seabourn Quest will be the third iteration of the sleek and widely admired design that first appeared on Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, hailed as a “game-changer for the luxury segment.” The second sister ship, Seabourn Sojourn, launches in June 2010 in London. Together, the three new vessels represent a capacity increase of over 200 percent for the line in a three-year period – underlining the company’s confidence in a burgeoning demand for ultra-luxury cruising. At 32,000 GRT and carrying just 450 guests each, the three new Seabourn yachts are the smallest cruising vessels being built by any major cruise company, in keeping with the line’s strategy of offering guests highly personalised service in a relaxed, sociable and luxurious environment.
“The selection of the name Seabourn Quest completes the triad of names we chose for these three new vessels,” noted Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO. “Taken together, we believe that Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest represent the passion for adventure and discovery that spurs our guests’ desire to travel in Seabourn style.”
The three new Seabourn yachts join another trio of small, 208-guest ultra-luxury vessels already in the fleet: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. All offer Seabourn’s award-winning combination of all-suite accommodations, personalised service, superb cuisine and exceptional itineraries in the world’s most desirable destinations. Innovative onboard features on the new yachts include Seabourn Square, which replaces the traditional reception lobby with a comfortable, relaxed, club-like room that combines a library, internet café and a discreet guest services centre with a social lounge and konditerei-style coffee bar. The 11,400 square-foot, indoor/outdoor spa facility is the largest on any luxury vessel. Four dining venues, six bars and lounges and a wide range of open decks and terraces provide venues to suit every mood, from sociable to secluded.
With its expanded fleet, The Yachts of Seabourn is able to offer travellers an array of new itineraries throughout the year, including year-round sailings in Asia aboard Seabourn Pride, exploring Vietnam, Thailand, China, Korea and Japan. The new vessels will continue to offer popular itineraries such as Europe, the Mediterranean and the Americas, and will also add annual World Cruises to the line’s offerings.
To book call Barrhead Travel now on 0800 093 0622, visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk or visit our specialist cruise website www.cruisedirect.co.uk and start planning your luxury Seabourn cruise with Barrhead Travel today!
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