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Wild, Wild Coast
Stretching from Blanes, some 45 miles north of Barcelona, right up to the French border at Portbou is Spain’s legendary Costa Brava, or Wild Coast. Part of the distinctive Catalonia region, the Costa Brava was one of the first Spanish coastlines developed for mass tourism in the 1950s.
While this oft-maligned area is best known for the seemingly brash resort of Lloret de Mar, much of the coastline, especially the north, remains dotted with fishing villages, pine forested coves (calas), sheer cliffs and pristine beaches.
Why Costa Brava?
With Girona Airport only 19 miles from Lloret de Mar and other resorts, the Costa Brava has benefited from quicker, easier access over the years.
The Costa Brava region received another boost in March when its most famous chef, Ferran Adria of El Bulli restaurant, was announced as the new face of Spanish tourism.
Costa Brava’s Boom Town
Whatever your views on it, Lloret de Mar is Costa Brava’s mainstream crowd-pleaser. Built-up and touristy it may be, but it is a resort that delivers. Its plethora of bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels attract young families and 18-30 clubbers, and theme parks such as WaterWorld, Arbre Aventura and Gnomo Park have become firm favourites.
This stretch of the Costa is also renowned for the botanical gardens of Santa Clotilde, Pinya de Rosa and Marimurtra between Lloret and Blanes, further south. Blanes itself, a former fishing village turned tourist boom town, offers holidaymakers a good range of accommodation and dining options.
Past Lloret lies the beach resort of Tossa de Mar. Although significantly developed, its medieval walls and turrets attract holidaymakers seeking a Spanish feel without compromising on amenities.
Approaching Tossa de Mar by boat is an attraction in itself, as its Vila Vela (old town) unfolds on the shoreline. North of here are the lively beach resorts of Sant Feliu de Guixols and Platja d’Aro, second only to Lloret, with numerous family attractions, such as the AquaDiver waterpark and Magic Park fairground.
Northern Costa Brava
It is after the resort town and yachting harbour of Palamós that the coastline takes on a more low-key demeanour. It’s worth detouring inland to the scenic town of Palafrugell (two miles from the coast) and the ancient Greek ruins at Empúries.
Palafrugell is also a good base for exploring the neighbouring beaches – for example, Calella, Llafranc and picturesque Tamariu – all lapped by the Costa’s deep blue waters. The medieval village of Pals is also nearby, as is Begur with its 10th-century castle.
One of the towns in this northern stretch making its mark on the tourist map is L’Estartit. It is a fully developed holiday resort but is renowned for its nature activities, such as coastal trails past the dunes and marshes of birdwatchers’ paradise Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park and the traffic-free ‘greenways’, former railway tracks converted into cycle routes.
L’Estartit’s proximity to the marine paradise of the Medes Islands is another plus. Last year, they were designated an official Marine Reserve and feature some of the Mediterranean’s best diving.
Further north, unique settings such as the Bay of Roses offer more spectacular coastline, dotted with attractions such as medieval Castello d’Empuries and Roses itself, a thriving holiday destination. Roses is best known for the El Bulli restaurant, located by Cala Montjoi beach, while the Aqua Brava water park has one of Europe’s biggest wave pools.
The fishing village of Cadaqués, once Salvador Dali’s home, remains an escape for peaceseekers during the off-season – its bohemian vibe a result of its artistic community.
Around this peninsula is the spectacular Cap de Creus Nature Preserve, one of Spain’s most diverse nature parks, home to many rare birds.
During the winter, monster waves make for picturesque scenes. On the north side of the peninsula is the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, set 500 metres above the fishing village of El Port de Selva with panoramic ocean views.
And the rest…
Although inland, one of the region’s highlights is the town of Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dali and home to the Dali Museum and a lively café-lined rambla.
The city of Girona is also worth a wander with its historic Jewish quarter, cobbled streets and impressive cathedral.
Golfers can choose from 10 championship golf courses, two of the finest being TorreMirona Golf and Spa Resort and Club Golf d’Aro-Mas Nou at Platja d’Aro, one of the Costa’s oldest courses.
An increasing number of hotels offer full-service spas, such as Spa Terraza in Roses and Wellness and Spa Institut GEM in Lloret, part of the Guitart spa resort group.
Catalan cuisine is also renowned. El Bulli and El Celler de Can Roca (in Girona) received three Michelin stars in 2009, taking the region’s total to 18 stars for 13 restaurants.
For lighter wallets, seafood is especially good value especially in the smaller coastal towns. Wine connoisseurs can enjoy the vineyards (bodegas) in the south-central Empordà wine region.
Book the best Costa Brava holidays with Barrhead Travel! Call one our friendly consultants now on 0871 226 2673 or visit online at www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your Costa Brava holiday today!
Friday, 14 May 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Barrhead Travel's Destination of the Week: Atlantic Canada
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Feast on The East
In the face of stiff competition from big-draw cities such as Montreal and Toronto, and the Rockies and Vancouver out west - not to mention the US states across the border such as New England and New York - Canada's rugged Atlantic coastline has remained stubbornly off the mainstream radar for UK tourists.
In a bid to rewrite the rulebook, the country's four eastern provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador have joined forces, teaming up as one destination, Atlantic Canada, to boost the region's profile in the UK.
It also has some spectacular scenery; expansive Atlantic beaches; excellent whale and wildlife-watching opportunities; open roads, ripe for exploring on a flydrive; an old-fashioned pace of life; great lobster fishing (and eating, of course); harbour towns full of welcoming locals; and accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfasts, cabins and resort hotels to houseboats and lighthouses.
Here's a brief breakdown of what each of the four provinces has to offer.
Nova Scotia
Wherever you are in Nova Scotia, the ocean is no more than half an hour away. This is a province of stunning seascapes, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. The Cabot Trail, on Cape Breton Island, is one of the world's most scenic drives. Cape Breton is also known for its wildlife, folk art, traditional music and warm nightlife.
Driving is the opposite of hassle and navigating is dead easy. When not at the wheel (or in the saddle of a motorbike!), you will be tempted to explore Nova Scotia's national parks on foot, or take to the water in a boat or sea kayak.
Halifax, the province's capital and gateway city has excellent museums and heritage sites, as well as great dining options aplenty. In fact, Nova Scotia has a surprising abundance of mouth-watering treats, from blueberries and maple syrup, to locally-caught lobster and homegrown wines.
New Brunswick
When it comes to outstanding natural beauty, The Bay of Fundy is hard to beat. Every day 100 billion tonnes of seawater roll into the bay, giving it the world's highest tides. In the summer, you can expect to share the shoreline with tens of thousands of birds, as well as passing pods of whales.
Other holiday highlights include kayaking through the soaring Hopewell Rocks and getting up-close and personal with your first humpback whale.
New Brunswick also has hundreds of miles of beaches, and some of the warmest salt water north of Virginia. Kouchibouguac National Park's miles of sand dunes make it a magnet for birdwatchers (the park is home to the endangered piping plover as well as North America's second-largest tern colony) as well as spotters of grey and harbour seals.
Inland from its dramatic coastline, New Brunswick is renowned for its colourful fall foliage. There are also eight cities to stroll around, including Fredericton, which holds an annual jazz festival.
Newfoundland and Labrador
St John's, Newfoundland is less than five hours from the UK, so you can catch a lunchtime flight and arrive in time for a lobster dinner! After exploring St John's, you will want to move on to Gros Morne National Park.
Here you can go hiking or kayaking, or take a boat trip through the fjords to spot breaching whales (July and August), dolphins and porpoises, or maybe even glimpse the odd iceberg drifting south.
Canada's newest national park, Torngat Mountains, offers insights into local Inuit culture. At the Inuit base camp, visitors can chat with tribal elders as well as experience traditional activities such as fishing for char, walking on the tundra and storytelling.
Beyond the parks, the region's coastal towns have great charm and some great characters.
Prince Edward Island
In a part of the world that's not exactly hectic, Prince Edward Island is known for its gentle pace of life. People come here for the endless beaches and luxury resorts, but most of all to unwind.
Popular activities include beachcombing, cycling, a round of golf at one of the island's 30 courses, exploring Prince Edward Island National Park, holistic spa treatments and fine dining.
To enjoy the very freshest lobster, take a fishing trip to catch and then cook your own king of crustaceans. Alternatively just get together with locals at a beach clambake.
The island's capital, Charlottetown, makes a perfect base and has a historic boutique hotel, The Great George, that's handy for the city's shopping, theatre district, and tranquil waterfront.
For more information on Atlantic Canada or for any of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Phone us now on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your holiday to Atlantic Canada today!
Feast on The East
In the face of stiff competition from big-draw cities such as Montreal and Toronto, and the Rockies and Vancouver out west - not to mention the US states across the border such as New England and New York - Canada's rugged Atlantic coastline has remained stubbornly off the mainstream radar for UK tourists.
In a bid to rewrite the rulebook, the country's four eastern provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador have joined forces, teaming up as one destination, Atlantic Canada, to boost the region's profile in the UK.
It also has some spectacular scenery; expansive Atlantic beaches; excellent whale and wildlife-watching opportunities; open roads, ripe for exploring on a flydrive; an old-fashioned pace of life; great lobster fishing (and eating, of course); harbour towns full of welcoming locals; and accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfasts, cabins and resort hotels to houseboats and lighthouses.
Here's a brief breakdown of what each of the four provinces has to offer.
Nova Scotia
Wherever you are in Nova Scotia, the ocean is no more than half an hour away. This is a province of stunning seascapes, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. The Cabot Trail, on Cape Breton Island, is one of the world's most scenic drives. Cape Breton is also known for its wildlife, folk art, traditional music and warm nightlife.
Driving is the opposite of hassle and navigating is dead easy. When not at the wheel (or in the saddle of a motorbike!), you will be tempted to explore Nova Scotia's national parks on foot, or take to the water in a boat or sea kayak.
Halifax, the province's capital and gateway city has excellent museums and heritage sites, as well as great dining options aplenty. In fact, Nova Scotia has a surprising abundance of mouth-watering treats, from blueberries and maple syrup, to locally-caught lobster and homegrown wines.
New Brunswick
When it comes to outstanding natural beauty, The Bay of Fundy is hard to beat. Every day 100 billion tonnes of seawater roll into the bay, giving it the world's highest tides. In the summer, you can expect to share the shoreline with tens of thousands of birds, as well as passing pods of whales.
Other holiday highlights include kayaking through the soaring Hopewell Rocks and getting up-close and personal with your first humpback whale.
New Brunswick also has hundreds of miles of beaches, and some of the warmest salt water north of Virginia. Kouchibouguac National Park's miles of sand dunes make it a magnet for birdwatchers (the park is home to the endangered piping plover as well as North America's second-largest tern colony) as well as spotters of grey and harbour seals.
Inland from its dramatic coastline, New Brunswick is renowned for its colourful fall foliage. There are also eight cities to stroll around, including Fredericton, which holds an annual jazz festival.
Newfoundland and Labrador
St John's, Newfoundland is less than five hours from the UK, so you can catch a lunchtime flight and arrive in time for a lobster dinner! After exploring St John's, you will want to move on to Gros Morne National Park.
Here you can go hiking or kayaking, or take a boat trip through the fjords to spot breaching whales (July and August), dolphins and porpoises, or maybe even glimpse the odd iceberg drifting south.
Canada's newest national park, Torngat Mountains, offers insights into local Inuit culture. At the Inuit base camp, visitors can chat with tribal elders as well as experience traditional activities such as fishing for char, walking on the tundra and storytelling.
Beyond the parks, the region's coastal towns have great charm and some great characters.
Prince Edward Island
In a part of the world that's not exactly hectic, Prince Edward Island is known for its gentle pace of life. People come here for the endless beaches and luxury resorts, but most of all to unwind.
Popular activities include beachcombing, cycling, a round of golf at one of the island's 30 courses, exploring Prince Edward Island National Park, holistic spa treatments and fine dining.
To enjoy the very freshest lobster, take a fishing trip to catch and then cook your own king of crustaceans. Alternatively just get together with locals at a beach clambake.
The island's capital, Charlottetown, makes a perfect base and has a historic boutique hotel, The Great George, that's handy for the city's shopping, theatre district, and tranquil waterfront.
For more information on Atlantic Canada or for any of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Phone us now on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your holiday to Atlantic Canada today!
Thursday, 6 May 2010
BARRHEAD TRAVEL AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES HELP CHARITY DONATIONS SOAR
- Travel firm helps out at Dunfermline fundraising event -
Barrhead Travel in partnership with Continental Airlines helped Dunfermline-based Mary Leishman Foundation raise over £20,000 at a fundraising dinner held last month.
Scotland’s largest independent travel agency, with a branch located beside Tesco at Duloch Park, teamed up with Continental Airlines to donate a prize of a trip to New York for the raffle during the event held in Dunfermline’s Glen Pavillion. Continental provided 2 return tickets from Edinburgh and Barrhead Travel donated four nights’ accommodation in New York.
The Ball was organised by the Mary Leishman Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to raise funds for deserving causes throughout Scotland.
Set up in 2009 by Dunfermline’s director of football Jim Leishman in memory of his wife, the Foundation supports charities, organisations and individuals throughout Scotland
Jim said: “Mary was a big inspiration to everyone she met and brought boundless enthusiasm to everything she did. Mary's closest friends and I decided the best way to celebrate her life would be to carry her legacy on by creating a charitable foundation in her name.
“The Mary Leishman Foundation aims to “Encourage Potential and Ease Distress”
Barrhead Travel chief executive Sharon Munro said: “The Mary Leishman Foundation provides vital support to charities throughout Scotland and Barrhead Travel is committed to supporting such deserving causes. We were delighted to be able to donate a prize to the raffle and help the Foundation raise such a significant amount of money on the night.”
Tom Sneddon, Continental Airlines’ Sales Manager Scotland, said: “We welcome the opportunity to show our support for the local community and to contribute to such a worthy cause.”
Visit Barrhead Travel's website today at: www.barrheadtravel.co.uk
Barrhead Travel in partnership with Continental Airlines helped Dunfermline-based Mary Leishman Foundation raise over £20,000 at a fundraising dinner held last month.
Scotland’s largest independent travel agency, with a branch located beside Tesco at Duloch Park, teamed up with Continental Airlines to donate a prize of a trip to New York for the raffle during the event held in Dunfermline’s Glen Pavillion. Continental provided 2 return tickets from Edinburgh and Barrhead Travel donated four nights’ accommodation in New York.
The Ball was organised by the Mary Leishman Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to raise funds for deserving causes throughout Scotland.
Set up in 2009 by Dunfermline’s director of football Jim Leishman in memory of his wife, the Foundation supports charities, organisations and individuals throughout Scotland
Jim said: “Mary was a big inspiration to everyone she met and brought boundless enthusiasm to everything she did. Mary's closest friends and I decided the best way to celebrate her life would be to carry her legacy on by creating a charitable foundation in her name.
“The Mary Leishman Foundation aims to “Encourage Potential and Ease Distress”
Barrhead Travel chief executive Sharon Munro said: “The Mary Leishman Foundation provides vital support to charities throughout Scotland and Barrhead Travel is committed to supporting such deserving causes. We were delighted to be able to donate a prize to the raffle and help the Foundation raise such a significant amount of money on the night.”
Tom Sneddon, Continental Airlines’ Sales Manager Scotland, said: “We welcome the opportunity to show our support for the local community and to contribute to such a worthy cause.”
Visit Barrhead Travel's website today at: www.barrheadtravel.co.uk
How to Save Money on Business Travel
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON BUSINESS TRAVEL
Louisa Livingston, Business Travel Consultant at UK Travel Agent of the Year, Barrhead Travel
Trying to organise your own business travel can be a false economy - your time is valuable and can probably be better utilised in your own field. Business travel agents are very experienced in finding the best deal in the travel arena, so if your job requires regular travel, it will save you both time and money to use a reputable agent.
Agents have the technology required to quickly compare all suitable fares and carriers, including no frills airlines. The time it would take to search all the no frills carriers as well as airlines such as British Airways and KLM would be a huge amount of work for those out with the travel business, but not for agents.
Business Travel agents and travel management centres can also provide their customers with online booking tool solutions, where they have the option of self booking, or simply checking flights and costs before passing the actual reservation onto their agent. The fees charged by the agent are reduced to reflect this. It's easy to get carried away and waste a lot of time checking prices yourself online, but with a good online tool and the travel agent's expertise, you can get the job done quickly and get back to doing what you do best.
Travel agents have huge bargaining power with travel suppliers, so there are potentially savings to be had through the deals they can strike due to their buying in bulk, resulting in negotiated lower fares and rates.
It's easy to assume that low cost carriers are always cheaper, but it's not always the case, particularly if you are booking close to your departure date, so it makes sense to check prices against scheduled airlines as well. And obstacles such as getting to and from inconvenient airports should be taken into account as well, along with the price of buying food and drink as opposed to full service carriers.
Book early wherever possible, to take advantage of the best prices in most areas of travel. If there's a chance you may have to cancel or change, weigh up whether the cancellation fees are worth paying rather than taking the chance of a higher fare nearer the departure date. It sounds simple, but it's amazing how many people don't read the small print regarding a hotel or airline's cancellation policy, before they buy. You may have to pay out a large amount because the booking is non changeable and non refundable.
Consider overnight flights, which will save on the cost of accommodation. Again, you'll have to weigh up whether you would rather be refreshed after a night in a hotel, or save money by travelling instead. Or take early flights out and late flights back wherever possible – that way, on a 2 day trip, you'll save on a night's accommodation cost.
Wherever possible, schedule meetings during off peak times – you'll generally benefit from cheaper travel prices and accommodation. Conference rooms, for example, will be cheaper when the schools are on holiday.
Taxis can be very expensive, especially from airports, so try to use rail services instead. Many cities have excellent airport rail connections into the centre of town, representing savings on the standard taxi fare. These include Amsterdam, Oslo, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Alternatively, use local taxi companies, rather than expensive airport ones. The company you are visiting may have a reputable one they can put you in touch with. Some airlines, such as Emirates, offer free chauffeur cars to and from the airport if you are travelling in Business or First class, so check what you're entitled to before you commit to a carrier.
Take into account that car hire runs in 24 hour blocks, so make sure you return the car in plenty of time, as dropping the car off just an hour later can result in another day's cost, adding a hefty whack to your bill. And fill up the car before returning it – car rental companies generally charge a huge premium if you don't.
Earn points when you travel by joining airline, hotel and car hire loyalty schemes, and use these companies wherever possible to clock up miles quickly. Points can mean freebies such as upgrades or free travel that are very worthwhile.
Sometimes, it's actually cheaper to stay on the executive floor of a hotel, as the complimentary food and drink can outweigh the difference in room rate.
Fly via a European hub – you'll pay less because the airlines want to encourage you to use them so that they have the traffic to feed into their longhaul network. Direct flights generally cost more – for a few hours of extra travel time, you could save hundreds of pounds. Weigh up whether the extra time you would gain from flying direct outweighs the additional fare cost. Choose less obvious carriers who have to try harder to gain business, like Middle Eastern airlines who can have fabulous service and great prices, but might not be an obvious choice for a trip to the Far East or Australia.
For more info visit Barrhead Travel's specialist business travel website, www.businesstravelsolutions.com
Louisa Livingston, Business Travel Consultant at UK Travel Agent of the Year, Barrhead Travel
Trying to organise your own business travel can be a false economy - your time is valuable and can probably be better utilised in your own field. Business travel agents are very experienced in finding the best deal in the travel arena, so if your job requires regular travel, it will save you both time and money to use a reputable agent.
Agents have the technology required to quickly compare all suitable fares and carriers, including no frills airlines. The time it would take to search all the no frills carriers as well as airlines such as British Airways and KLM would be a huge amount of work for those out with the travel business, but not for agents.
Business Travel agents and travel management centres can also provide their customers with online booking tool solutions, where they have the option of self booking, or simply checking flights and costs before passing the actual reservation onto their agent. The fees charged by the agent are reduced to reflect this. It's easy to get carried away and waste a lot of time checking prices yourself online, but with a good online tool and the travel agent's expertise, you can get the job done quickly and get back to doing what you do best.
Travel agents have huge bargaining power with travel suppliers, so there are potentially savings to be had through the deals they can strike due to their buying in bulk, resulting in negotiated lower fares and rates.
It's easy to assume that low cost carriers are always cheaper, but it's not always the case, particularly if you are booking close to your departure date, so it makes sense to check prices against scheduled airlines as well. And obstacles such as getting to and from inconvenient airports should be taken into account as well, along with the price of buying food and drink as opposed to full service carriers.
Book early wherever possible, to take advantage of the best prices in most areas of travel. If there's a chance you may have to cancel or change, weigh up whether the cancellation fees are worth paying rather than taking the chance of a higher fare nearer the departure date. It sounds simple, but it's amazing how many people don't read the small print regarding a hotel or airline's cancellation policy, before they buy. You may have to pay out a large amount because the booking is non changeable and non refundable.
Consider overnight flights, which will save on the cost of accommodation. Again, you'll have to weigh up whether you would rather be refreshed after a night in a hotel, or save money by travelling instead. Or take early flights out and late flights back wherever possible – that way, on a 2 day trip, you'll save on a night's accommodation cost.
Wherever possible, schedule meetings during off peak times – you'll generally benefit from cheaper travel prices and accommodation. Conference rooms, for example, will be cheaper when the schools are on holiday.
Taxis can be very expensive, especially from airports, so try to use rail services instead. Many cities have excellent airport rail connections into the centre of town, representing savings on the standard taxi fare. These include Amsterdam, Oslo, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Alternatively, use local taxi companies, rather than expensive airport ones. The company you are visiting may have a reputable one they can put you in touch with. Some airlines, such as Emirates, offer free chauffeur cars to and from the airport if you are travelling in Business or First class, so check what you're entitled to before you commit to a carrier.
Take into account that car hire runs in 24 hour blocks, so make sure you return the car in plenty of time, as dropping the car off just an hour later can result in another day's cost, adding a hefty whack to your bill. And fill up the car before returning it – car rental companies generally charge a huge premium if you don't.
Earn points when you travel by joining airline, hotel and car hire loyalty schemes, and use these companies wherever possible to clock up miles quickly. Points can mean freebies such as upgrades or free travel that are very worthwhile.
Sometimes, it's actually cheaper to stay on the executive floor of a hotel, as the complimentary food and drink can outweigh the difference in room rate.
Fly via a European hub – you'll pay less because the airlines want to encourage you to use them so that they have the traffic to feed into their longhaul network. Direct flights generally cost more – for a few hours of extra travel time, you could save hundreds of pounds. Weigh up whether the extra time you would gain from flying direct outweighs the additional fare cost. Choose less obvious carriers who have to try harder to gain business, like Middle Eastern airlines who can have fabulous service and great prices, but might not be an obvious choice for a trip to the Far East or Australia.
For more info visit Barrhead Travel's specialist business travel website, www.businesstravelsolutions.com
Barrhead Travel - Top UK Travel Employer 2010
BARRHEAD TRAVEL IS THE TOP UK TRAVEL EMPLOYER FOR 2010
- Scots firm named number one in national survey –
Scotland's largest independent travel agency, Barrhead Travel, has been named the UK’s best travel employer in an independent survey published this week.
The company was one of just 10 Scottish organisations to be recognised on the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 list, which recognises dynamic, effective and highly-engaged workplaces. It was also the only UK travel agency to make it in to the top 100.
Launched in 2000, the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For celebrates firms who value their staff and provide a positive working environment. Employees are asked to answer a comprehensive questionnaire on 8 clearly-defined areas including Leadership, Wellbeing, My Manager, My Team, Fair Deal, Giving Something Back, My Company and Personal Growth.
Barrhead Travel scored especially high in the My Team and My Manager categories. The firm ranked 8th out of the 100 companies for how staff felt about one another and was judged to be in the top 10 based on employee feedback of managers.
Barrhead Travel chief executive, Sharon Munro, said: “I am delighted, but not surprised, by the positive responses we had from our employees. Barrhead Travel has always been a company that works hard and plays hard and I'm really pleased that our emphasis on teamwork, motivation and reward is working. Our philosophy is that if we look after our employees, they in turn will look after our customers”.
The organisation also scored highly in the Wellbeing category with 82% of staff reporting their stress levels were low, and 77% saying their home life was not affected by work.
A key contributor to Barrhead Travel’s success in the poll was the firm’s in-house training department with 81% of employees stating they felt they could make a valuable contribution to the success of the firm.
Sharon said: “We believe that it is vital to commit to training and development, as well as improving skills, it motivates and develops our staff and keeps them moving forward.
“We also place great emphasis on external supplier training, and send as many of our employees as possible on trips to familiarise themselves with new products and destinations. I believe the results we've seen are a direct response to the effort we have put into this area.”
Barrhead Travel has set its sights on expansion in the coming year. The firm already has a substantial presence in Scotland with branches in all major cities including Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh and has aspirations to extend operations south of the border. This energy and ambition is echoed in the attitude of the firm’s employees with 83% stating they are excited about where the company is going, a score that was 4th highest in the Top 100.
Visit our website now at www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk
- Scots firm named number one in national survey –
Scotland's largest independent travel agency, Barrhead Travel, has been named the UK’s best travel employer in an independent survey published this week.
The company was one of just 10 Scottish organisations to be recognised on the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 list, which recognises dynamic, effective and highly-engaged workplaces. It was also the only UK travel agency to make it in to the top 100.
Launched in 2000, the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For celebrates firms who value their staff and provide a positive working environment. Employees are asked to answer a comprehensive questionnaire on 8 clearly-defined areas including Leadership, Wellbeing, My Manager, My Team, Fair Deal, Giving Something Back, My Company and Personal Growth.
Barrhead Travel scored especially high in the My Team and My Manager categories. The firm ranked 8th out of the 100 companies for how staff felt about one another and was judged to be in the top 10 based on employee feedback of managers.
Barrhead Travel chief executive, Sharon Munro, said: “I am delighted, but not surprised, by the positive responses we had from our employees. Barrhead Travel has always been a company that works hard and plays hard and I'm really pleased that our emphasis on teamwork, motivation and reward is working. Our philosophy is that if we look after our employees, they in turn will look after our customers”.
The organisation also scored highly in the Wellbeing category with 82% of staff reporting their stress levels were low, and 77% saying their home life was not affected by work.
A key contributor to Barrhead Travel’s success in the poll was the firm’s in-house training department with 81% of employees stating they felt they could make a valuable contribution to the success of the firm.
Sharon said: “We believe that it is vital to commit to training and development, as well as improving skills, it motivates and develops our staff and keeps them moving forward.
“We also place great emphasis on external supplier training, and send as many of our employees as possible on trips to familiarise themselves with new products and destinations. I believe the results we've seen are a direct response to the effort we have put into this area.”
Barrhead Travel has set its sights on expansion in the coming year. The firm already has a substantial presence in Scotland with branches in all major cities including Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh and has aspirations to extend operations south of the border. This energy and ambition is echoed in the attitude of the firm’s employees with 83% stating they are excited about where the company is going, a score that was 4th highest in the Top 100.
Visit our website now at www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk
Friday, 9 April 2010
Barrhead Travel Destinations of the Week!
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This week's destinations are hot, hot, hot:
Tune In To Tunisia
Outside the eurozone but is just a short flight away – not much farther than the Balearics – Tunisia offers great value for money. A favourable exchange rate with the dinar means it’s cheap too.
Its 450 miles of clean, white, sandy beaches are lapped by the Mediterranean. For those who want more than beach-time, there are ancient ruins, desert adventures, golf courses and sumptuous spas.
Tunis
The capital is a bustling city with a pretty medina, souks and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. It is close to the ruins of Carthage and the gorgeous village of Sidi Bou Said. This white-walled, blue-shuttered, flower-filled town was once the haunt of artists but is now popular with tourists, who come to sip mint tea and watch the world go by.
You can stay in Tunis or Sidi Bou Said for a city-break type holiday, or can compromise by staying in Gammarth, a beach resort nearby.
Gammarth is home to The Residence, one of Tunisia’s most upmarket hotels. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride (£3) from Sidi Bou Said or a 30-minute ride (£6) from Tunis, giving you the option of sightseeing or going out for dinner while retaining the best facets of a relaxing beach holiday.
Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet
Hammamet is where beach tourism in Tunisia began. It has a lovely old medina with a castle by the sea, and a choice of hotels from the top end of the market to the bottom.
The mostly low-rise properties front the big, wide, sandy beaches that are particularly fine, even by Tunisian standards, and the resort is full of lemon trees and bougainvillea. There’s a good range of bars and restaurants, and it has a traditionally Tunisian feel.
Neighbouring Yasmine Hammamet is a newer, purpose-built development with a marina and wide boulevards filled with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. It has a much more European feel than Old Hammamet. Both resorts have good upmarket options and are great for couples, though families can enjoy the resorts too.
Yasmine Hammamet also has Carthageland, a children’s theme park, as well as a casino.
Sousse and Port el Kantaoui
White beaches stretch down the coast for the six miles between Sousse and Port el Kantaoui, so staying in one of the hotels in between means clients can make the most of both resorts.
Sousse is an old town with a stunning 9th-century fortress, a good museum, and busy souks and cafes, bars and shops.
Port el Kantaoui offers more in terms of entertainment and nightlife than any other Tunisian resort. It was purpose-built 25 years ago as a copy of Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol for the yachting set.
Nowadays it has a well-rooted feel, with pretty Moorish architecture and lots of facilities in a compact area. These two present one of Tunisia’s livelier options and can suit young couples and families.
Monastir
Monastir has an interesting old town with a large fortress housing a museum and a fishing port. There is also a new marina and the hotels are set away from the centre on the beach.
Djerba
The quietest and most relaxing place in Tunisia – bar the desert! This island is suited to couples and honeymooners looking to kick back in one of the lovely upmarket hotels, surrounded by swaying palm trees.
Visitors can slowly explore the white Moorish buildings and small squares of the town of Houmt Souk, and check out the Berber villages in the island’s interior.
Hot Hot Hot
There is a buzz about the Caribbean at the moment, despite the recession, and this is thanks to new flights and sustained investment.
A major factor in the region’s success is that it never goes out of fashion, it’s dependable and that’s what people are looking for in the current economic climate. People know that they can get good quality accommodation, service and food. The Caribbean does luxury incredibly well, too. It has an informal charm you can’t get elsewhere. The range of luxury products and services available is on the up.
We can offer clients private transfers and Antigua now has an exclusive VIP lounge service on departure for British Airways passengers. Clients bypass the main terminal completely and get driven out to the aircraft – a service previously reserved for government ministers and private jet passengers.
Another of the region’s strengths lies in the depth of its offering, with lots of product aimed at the budget-conscious. We have definitely seen the return of the all-inclusive. Families looking for some sun are keen to know the full cost of a holiday up front and all-inclusive lets them do just that. It is also a week of luxury where travellers can have one more pina colada or an hour of yachting without having to worry about the costs.
Developments of note in the latter include the 10-bedroom boutique Atlantis Hotel, which opened its doors at the end of 2009. A former 19th-century grand private home, the colonial-style property is situated in the beautiful Tent Bay area and boasts an opulent and historic feel.
In the air
Caribbean destinations don’t get much hotter than Jamaica right now.
On the accommodation front, the iconic Goldeneye estate will reopen in October after extensive refurbishment. The Island Outpost property boasts beach cottages and villas on the former ocean-front home of James Bond author Ian Fleming. In Ocho Rios, Sandal’s all-inclusive, all-suite resort, Royal Plantation, has introduced a personal butler service for all guests.
Since new flights started to St Kitts and Nevis early last year, these lesser-known islands are set to increase in popularity in 2010, they are ideal for clients already familiar with the Caribbean.
Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are well known, but the quiet charm of the plantation house accommodation in St Kitts and Nevis, with their verandas looking out across the hillsides, offer a unique experience and colonial charm.
Another island set to benefit from more flights is Grenada. On March 28, flights will increase to twice-weekly. The island’s Kalinago Beach Resort, with 29-beachfront rooms is set on Grenada’s most popular and picturesque beach, Morne Rouge Bay.
On the ground
Meanwhile, over in St Vincent, the 1,200-room Buccament Bay resort is due to open in July. Its facilities are set to include a casino, a performing arts academy with workshops and masterclasses for children and adults, and a Pat Cash tennis academy.
The exclusive Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands, featured by Caribtours, has also introduced butler service, plus beach service for guests. The pool has been upgraded, too, and new Ayurvedic treatments and iridology (studying the eye to gauge a person’s state of health and wellbeing) have been added to the spa menu at this island resort.
Dancing in the Streets
The lift doors open and three devils with oiled chests, curved horns and gold hotpants get in. It’s a bit of a squeeze – they’re burly chaps, and there are six ladies in sparkly bikinis with huge feathered headdresses it is Carnival Tuesday, and everyone on the island is here to party. So three devils, six go-go girls and one bewildered tourist is par for the course.
Disregard Rio and let there be no mention of New Orleans. Ask any islander where the real Carnival happens, and they’ll tell you that it’s right here in one of the Caribbean’s southernmost islands. There’s nothing quite like being in Port of Spain for this captivating riot of colour and noise. The country goes into unofficial shutdown over Carnival, because no one wants to miss the party – and Trinidadians know better than most how to throw a party.
The five days of carnival
It’s said that there are only two seasons in Trinidad: Carnival, and getting ready for Carnival. Serious preparations start as soon as Christmas finishes, and there are plenty of parties or ‘fetes’ in the week or so preceding Carnival, most notably one held every year by cricketer Brian Lara.
Fittingly for Trinidad’s most famous son, his huge mansion sits on top of the tallest hill in the capital, Port of Spain. Out front there are bars and food stalls and a large sound stage – it’s like a mini festival and everyone is in their finest. Anyone can buy tickets to attend.
The main events really begin to ramp up on the Friday before Carnival Tuesday. Friday night sees the soca Monarch competition. The fast, thudding beat of soca music is the heartbeat of Carnival, the driver that keeps people dancing in the streets for two solid days.
Visitors can watch live or head to a bar with a big screen to hear a few of the tunes that will be blasting out from the sound-systems on Monday and Tuesday.
Saturday night is all about the music too – but the more traditional steel pan. Bands from all over Trinidad and Tobago practise all year for the Panorama Finals, held in the Grandstand at Queen’s Park Savannah in the centre of Port of Spain. It’s a magical event – performers young and old are fired up and the sound of hundreds of pans played together is thrilling. Get there early to get a seat close to the stage.
Sunday brings Dimanche Gras, and the competition to see who will be crowned King and Queen of Carnival. Again held in the Savannah grandstand, all the bands that will march or ‘play mas’ (meaning play masquerade) in the main parade submit contenders, dressed in vast, complex costumes. There are a number of intricately designed, themed costumes that make Trinidad’s Carnival unique. It’s fascinating to visit a ‘mas camp’ and see how the costumes are made – on kitchen tables and in the backyards of houses by volunteers, surrounded by sequins, feathers, cardboard and even metals such as copper.
Monday is when Carnival proper begins. You get up at 3am, dressed in your oldest clothes, all ready to play j’ouvert. The game stems from the days of indentured labour, when the only time slaves could celebrate was the early hours. Then they dressed up to mock their masters, now, j’ouvert bands march through the streets throwing mud, paint and oil at one another. It’s great fun, and a good way to get involved in Carnival without the cost or commitment of playing mas itself.
Monday afternoon sees a kind of practice-run for Tuesday’s main parade. Most marchers will wear at least part of their costume.
Tuesday is the big day, and it starts at 9am. The bands, in full costume and accompanied by floats carrying steel pan bands or DJs blasting out soca tunes, move around the Carnival route.
You can have reserved seating in a stand with a roof next to the judges – the best seats in the house, bookable for $50. You can see perfectly and could pop down to the street side for the full atmosphere.
The music is so loud that it’s a good idea to bring earplugs, and make sure you don’t forget cameras and batteries. It’s a photographer’s paradise: thousands of people in colourful costumes dancing in the street.
Whether you play or watch, it’s an awesome spectacle, utterly infectious fun, and a definite contender for the ‘Best Show on Earth’ title.
For all of your holiday needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Call now on 0871 226 2673 or visit us on www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and book your next holiday today!
This week's destinations are hot, hot, hot:
Tune In To Tunisia
Outside the eurozone but is just a short flight away – not much farther than the Balearics – Tunisia offers great value for money. A favourable exchange rate with the dinar means it’s cheap too.
Its 450 miles of clean, white, sandy beaches are lapped by the Mediterranean. For those who want more than beach-time, there are ancient ruins, desert adventures, golf courses and sumptuous spas.
Tunis
The capital is a bustling city with a pretty medina, souks and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. It is close to the ruins of Carthage and the gorgeous village of Sidi Bou Said. This white-walled, blue-shuttered, flower-filled town was once the haunt of artists but is now popular with tourists, who come to sip mint tea and watch the world go by.
You can stay in Tunis or Sidi Bou Said for a city-break type holiday, or can compromise by staying in Gammarth, a beach resort nearby.
Gammarth is home to The Residence, one of Tunisia’s most upmarket hotels. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride (£3) from Sidi Bou Said or a 30-minute ride (£6) from Tunis, giving you the option of sightseeing or going out for dinner while retaining the best facets of a relaxing beach holiday.
Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet
Hammamet is where beach tourism in Tunisia began. It has a lovely old medina with a castle by the sea, and a choice of hotels from the top end of the market to the bottom.
The mostly low-rise properties front the big, wide, sandy beaches that are particularly fine, even by Tunisian standards, and the resort is full of lemon trees and bougainvillea. There’s a good range of bars and restaurants, and it has a traditionally Tunisian feel.
Neighbouring Yasmine Hammamet is a newer, purpose-built development with a marina and wide boulevards filled with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. It has a much more European feel than Old Hammamet. Both resorts have good upmarket options and are great for couples, though families can enjoy the resorts too.
Yasmine Hammamet also has Carthageland, a children’s theme park, as well as a casino.
Sousse and Port el Kantaoui
White beaches stretch down the coast for the six miles between Sousse and Port el Kantaoui, so staying in one of the hotels in between means clients can make the most of both resorts.
Sousse is an old town with a stunning 9th-century fortress, a good museum, and busy souks and cafes, bars and shops.
Port el Kantaoui offers more in terms of entertainment and nightlife than any other Tunisian resort. It was purpose-built 25 years ago as a copy of Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol for the yachting set.
Nowadays it has a well-rooted feel, with pretty Moorish architecture and lots of facilities in a compact area. These two present one of Tunisia’s livelier options and can suit young couples and families.
Monastir
Monastir has an interesting old town with a large fortress housing a museum and a fishing port. There is also a new marina and the hotels are set away from the centre on the beach.
Djerba
The quietest and most relaxing place in Tunisia – bar the desert! This island is suited to couples and honeymooners looking to kick back in one of the lovely upmarket hotels, surrounded by swaying palm trees.
Visitors can slowly explore the white Moorish buildings and small squares of the town of Houmt Souk, and check out the Berber villages in the island’s interior.
Hot Hot Hot
There is a buzz about the Caribbean at the moment, despite the recession, and this is thanks to new flights and sustained investment.
A major factor in the region’s success is that it never goes out of fashion, it’s dependable and that’s what people are looking for in the current economic climate. People know that they can get good quality accommodation, service and food. The Caribbean does luxury incredibly well, too. It has an informal charm you can’t get elsewhere. The range of luxury products and services available is on the up.
We can offer clients private transfers and Antigua now has an exclusive VIP lounge service on departure for British Airways passengers. Clients bypass the main terminal completely and get driven out to the aircraft – a service previously reserved for government ministers and private jet passengers.
Another of the region’s strengths lies in the depth of its offering, with lots of product aimed at the budget-conscious. We have definitely seen the return of the all-inclusive. Families looking for some sun are keen to know the full cost of a holiday up front and all-inclusive lets them do just that. It is also a week of luxury where travellers can have one more pina colada or an hour of yachting without having to worry about the costs.
Developments of note in the latter include the 10-bedroom boutique Atlantis Hotel, which opened its doors at the end of 2009. A former 19th-century grand private home, the colonial-style property is situated in the beautiful Tent Bay area and boasts an opulent and historic feel.
In the air
Caribbean destinations don’t get much hotter than Jamaica right now.
On the accommodation front, the iconic Goldeneye estate will reopen in October after extensive refurbishment. The Island Outpost property boasts beach cottages and villas on the former ocean-front home of James Bond author Ian Fleming. In Ocho Rios, Sandal’s all-inclusive, all-suite resort, Royal Plantation, has introduced a personal butler service for all guests.
Since new flights started to St Kitts and Nevis early last year, these lesser-known islands are set to increase in popularity in 2010, they are ideal for clients already familiar with the Caribbean.
Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are well known, but the quiet charm of the plantation house accommodation in St Kitts and Nevis, with their verandas looking out across the hillsides, offer a unique experience and colonial charm.
Another island set to benefit from more flights is Grenada. On March 28, flights will increase to twice-weekly. The island’s Kalinago Beach Resort, with 29-beachfront rooms is set on Grenada’s most popular and picturesque beach, Morne Rouge Bay.
On the ground
Meanwhile, over in St Vincent, the 1,200-room Buccament Bay resort is due to open in July. Its facilities are set to include a casino, a performing arts academy with workshops and masterclasses for children and adults, and a Pat Cash tennis academy.
The exclusive Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands, featured by Caribtours, has also introduced butler service, plus beach service for guests. The pool has been upgraded, too, and new Ayurvedic treatments and iridology (studying the eye to gauge a person’s state of health and wellbeing) have been added to the spa menu at this island resort.
Dancing in the Streets
The lift doors open and three devils with oiled chests, curved horns and gold hotpants get in. It’s a bit of a squeeze – they’re burly chaps, and there are six ladies in sparkly bikinis with huge feathered headdresses it is Carnival Tuesday, and everyone on the island is here to party. So three devils, six go-go girls and one bewildered tourist is par for the course.
Disregard Rio and let there be no mention of New Orleans. Ask any islander where the real Carnival happens, and they’ll tell you that it’s right here in one of the Caribbean’s southernmost islands. There’s nothing quite like being in Port of Spain for this captivating riot of colour and noise. The country goes into unofficial shutdown over Carnival, because no one wants to miss the party – and Trinidadians know better than most how to throw a party.
The five days of carnival
It’s said that there are only two seasons in Trinidad: Carnival, and getting ready for Carnival. Serious preparations start as soon as Christmas finishes, and there are plenty of parties or ‘fetes’ in the week or so preceding Carnival, most notably one held every year by cricketer Brian Lara.
Fittingly for Trinidad’s most famous son, his huge mansion sits on top of the tallest hill in the capital, Port of Spain. Out front there are bars and food stalls and a large sound stage – it’s like a mini festival and everyone is in their finest. Anyone can buy tickets to attend.
The main events really begin to ramp up on the Friday before Carnival Tuesday. Friday night sees the soca Monarch competition. The fast, thudding beat of soca music is the heartbeat of Carnival, the driver that keeps people dancing in the streets for two solid days.
Visitors can watch live or head to a bar with a big screen to hear a few of the tunes that will be blasting out from the sound-systems on Monday and Tuesday.
Saturday night is all about the music too – but the more traditional steel pan. Bands from all over Trinidad and Tobago practise all year for the Panorama Finals, held in the Grandstand at Queen’s Park Savannah in the centre of Port of Spain. It’s a magical event – performers young and old are fired up and the sound of hundreds of pans played together is thrilling. Get there early to get a seat close to the stage.
Sunday brings Dimanche Gras, and the competition to see who will be crowned King and Queen of Carnival. Again held in the Savannah grandstand, all the bands that will march or ‘play mas’ (meaning play masquerade) in the main parade submit contenders, dressed in vast, complex costumes. There are a number of intricately designed, themed costumes that make Trinidad’s Carnival unique. It’s fascinating to visit a ‘mas camp’ and see how the costumes are made – on kitchen tables and in the backyards of houses by volunteers, surrounded by sequins, feathers, cardboard and even metals such as copper.
Monday is when Carnival proper begins. You get up at 3am, dressed in your oldest clothes, all ready to play j’ouvert. The game stems from the days of indentured labour, when the only time slaves could celebrate was the early hours. Then they dressed up to mock their masters, now, j’ouvert bands march through the streets throwing mud, paint and oil at one another. It’s great fun, and a good way to get involved in Carnival without the cost or commitment of playing mas itself.
Monday afternoon sees a kind of practice-run for Tuesday’s main parade. Most marchers will wear at least part of their costume.
Tuesday is the big day, and it starts at 9am. The bands, in full costume and accompanied by floats carrying steel pan bands or DJs blasting out soca tunes, move around the Carnival route.
You can have reserved seating in a stand with a roof next to the judges – the best seats in the house, bookable for $50. You can see perfectly and could pop down to the street side for the full atmosphere.
The music is so loud that it’s a good idea to bring earplugs, and make sure you don’t forget cameras and batteries. It’s a photographer’s paradise: thousands of people in colourful costumes dancing in the street.
Whether you play or watch, it’s an awesome spectacle, utterly infectious fun, and a definite contender for the ‘Best Show on Earth’ title.
For all of your holiday needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Call now on 0871 226 2673 or visit us on www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and book your next holiday today!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Latest Barrhead News: Azura has arrived!
~
It's official, P&O's amazing new Azura has arrived in Southampton this morning.
Travelmole reported:
Slate grey skies greeted P&O Cruises' new ship Azura as it sailed into its home port of Southampton for the first time this morning.
The seventh vessel in the British line's fleet was greeted by managing director Carol Marlow as it arrived with a fire tug streaming water high into the air.
The 3,100-passenger Azura sailed to the UK from the Italian shipyard where it was built.
Carnival UK CEO David Dingle was transferred on board as the giant ship gently slipped into the Solent before docking in the port.
Many sightseers were up early to greet the 115,000-ton superliner on its arrival.
A series of on board events for travel agents are planned ahead of the formal naming ceremony by former ballet star Darcey Bussell on Saturday in front of a VIP audience of more than 1,200.
The line's executives will be hoping for better weather than today for the ceremony which is to be held on deck on Saturday evening.
Azura, which has a crew of 1,200, then departs on Monday for its 16-night maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.
The ship features the first single cabins on a P&O Cruises ship. There are 18 solo cabins, 12 of which have outside views.
Of the 1,557 cabins, 910 have balconies and 440 are inside.
The ship also has a giant outdoor cinema screen - the first on a P&O Cruises's ship - together with an spa area on deck.
The Barrhead Cruise team have been looking forward to Azura's launch for some time, and we're not the only ones. Here's an article from the Telegraph last week:
In the next few days, the world’s newest ship, Azura from P&O Cruises, sets sail from Southampton for the first time. With interesting destinations in store, and a host of memorable experiences on board, passengers are in for a real treat.
Among the dazzling features on board are 11 restaurants and eating areas plus 12 places to drink; four pools; a gym and two spas including The Retreat, an outdoor haven of relaxation; a state-of-theart theatre and alfresco cinema and two show lounges featuring live entertainment.
“I never fail to catch my breath when I see a new ship for the first time, and Azura is going to be incredible,” says her captain, Keith Dowds. “We have a great crew and I know everyone is going to do everything they can to exceed all our passengers’ expectations.”
Having teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, Sindhu, the ship’s Indian fine dining restaurant, will be a culinary delight for the senses. “Sindhu means meeting place, and that’s what my delicious cuisine represents: Indian food with a British twist. It’s a place to come with your loved ones, linger and enjoy the food,” says Atul.
Olly Smith, the effervescent TV wine expert, is another honorary crew member, with his on board restaurant, The Glass House. “I’ve been scouring the planet for the top 32 tipples with which to tantalise your taste buds and I’m really chuffed with the results,” beams Olly. “I’ve also been blending the signature house wine for Azura with some of the best wine makers in the world. As well as offering terrific value it will also be utterly delicious.”
Olly has also been devising a cocktail menu for Azura’s Planet Bar, where patrons can marvel at video footage of the world's greatest natural and man-made wonders, including Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, on a 20-metre floor-to-ceiling video wall.
Another P&O Cruises first is SeaScreen, an alfresco cinema screen suspended above Azura’s sparkling Aqua Pool, where passengers can watch the latest blockbuster or family favourite, concerts and sporting events, while reclining under the stars.
Azura’s 800-seat Playhouse theatre will feature West End-quality entertainment with show-stopping numbers from the great musicals. “Azura also has a superb teak dance floor in her three-deck-high Atrium, where passengers will be invited to try a cheeky cha-cha-cha, or a waltz.
“We’ve planned a fantastic programme of entertainment, from classical performers to cabaret and celebrity guest speakers, and there will be theme nights ranging from a Last Night of the Proms to the Oscars,” says the ship’s cruise director Neil Oliver.
Also on deck is The Retreat, a wonderful outdoor spa area where, after you’ve been massaged and pampered, you can go swimming in the pool or just lie in the sun.
“Azura is going to be a fabulous experience combining P&O Cruises quality of service with a superb choice of facilities,” says P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow. “She is the next exciting chapter in P&O Cruises illustrious history - whose roots can be tracked back over 170 years.”
All of Azura's amazing sailings are available now from the Barrhead Travel Cruise team. Call free now on 0800 093 0622 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/cruises and book your Azura voyage today!
It's official, P&O's amazing new Azura has arrived in Southampton this morning.
Travelmole reported:
Slate grey skies greeted P&O Cruises' new ship Azura as it sailed into its home port of Southampton for the first time this morning.
The seventh vessel in the British line's fleet was greeted by managing director Carol Marlow as it arrived with a fire tug streaming water high into the air.
The 3,100-passenger Azura sailed to the UK from the Italian shipyard where it was built.
Carnival UK CEO David Dingle was transferred on board as the giant ship gently slipped into the Solent before docking in the port.
Many sightseers were up early to greet the 115,000-ton superliner on its arrival.
A series of on board events for travel agents are planned ahead of the formal naming ceremony by former ballet star Darcey Bussell on Saturday in front of a VIP audience of more than 1,200.
The line's executives will be hoping for better weather than today for the ceremony which is to be held on deck on Saturday evening.
Azura, which has a crew of 1,200, then departs on Monday for its 16-night maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.
The ship features the first single cabins on a P&O Cruises ship. There are 18 solo cabins, 12 of which have outside views.
Of the 1,557 cabins, 910 have balconies and 440 are inside.
The ship also has a giant outdoor cinema screen - the first on a P&O Cruises's ship - together with an spa area on deck.
The Barrhead Cruise team have been looking forward to Azura's launch for some time, and we're not the only ones. Here's an article from the Telegraph last week:
In the next few days, the world’s newest ship, Azura from P&O Cruises, sets sail from Southampton for the first time. With interesting destinations in store, and a host of memorable experiences on board, passengers are in for a real treat.
Among the dazzling features on board are 11 restaurants and eating areas plus 12 places to drink; four pools; a gym and two spas including The Retreat, an outdoor haven of relaxation; a state-of-theart theatre and alfresco cinema and two show lounges featuring live entertainment.
“I never fail to catch my breath when I see a new ship for the first time, and Azura is going to be incredible,” says her captain, Keith Dowds. “We have a great crew and I know everyone is going to do everything they can to exceed all our passengers’ expectations.”
Having teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, Sindhu, the ship’s Indian fine dining restaurant, will be a culinary delight for the senses. “Sindhu means meeting place, and that’s what my delicious cuisine represents: Indian food with a British twist. It’s a place to come with your loved ones, linger and enjoy the food,” says Atul.
Olly Smith, the effervescent TV wine expert, is another honorary crew member, with his on board restaurant, The Glass House. “I’ve been scouring the planet for the top 32 tipples with which to tantalise your taste buds and I’m really chuffed with the results,” beams Olly. “I’ve also been blending the signature house wine for Azura with some of the best wine makers in the world. As well as offering terrific value it will also be utterly delicious.”
Olly has also been devising a cocktail menu for Azura’s Planet Bar, where patrons can marvel at video footage of the world's greatest natural and man-made wonders, including Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, on a 20-metre floor-to-ceiling video wall.
Another P&O Cruises first is SeaScreen, an alfresco cinema screen suspended above Azura’s sparkling Aqua Pool, where passengers can watch the latest blockbuster or family favourite, concerts and sporting events, while reclining under the stars.
Azura’s 800-seat Playhouse theatre will feature West End-quality entertainment with show-stopping numbers from the great musicals. “Azura also has a superb teak dance floor in her three-deck-high Atrium, where passengers will be invited to try a cheeky cha-cha-cha, or a waltz.
“We’ve planned a fantastic programme of entertainment, from classical performers to cabaret and celebrity guest speakers, and there will be theme nights ranging from a Last Night of the Proms to the Oscars,” says the ship’s cruise director Neil Oliver.
Also on deck is The Retreat, a wonderful outdoor spa area where, after you’ve been massaged and pampered, you can go swimming in the pool or just lie in the sun.
“Azura is going to be a fabulous experience combining P&O Cruises quality of service with a superb choice of facilities,” says P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow. “She is the next exciting chapter in P&O Cruises illustrious history - whose roots can be tracked back over 170 years.”
All of Azura's amazing sailings are available now from the Barrhead Travel Cruise team. Call free now on 0800 093 0622 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/cruises and book your Azura voyage today!
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