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Virgin’s NY club sets right mood


Virgin Atlantic’s new 10,000sq ft Clubhouse at New York JFK International Airport is inspired by the theme ‘Understatedly Uptown, Unmistakably New York’, with a number of different spaces to cater for passengers’ differing moods. Amenities include the Central Park Lounge, which resembles a private members club centred on a cocktail bar. The Entertainment Zone features a


billiards table and an ‘intimate sunken’ area known as The Snug. Other sections include The Den; the first Clubhouse Spa outside of London; the Talking Lounge, which has a VIP area; The Brasserie (although food can be ordered from anywhere in the Clubhouse); shower and bathroom facilities; and The Quiet Lounge. Virgin Atlantic flies three times a day


to New York JFK International Airport, plus twice-daily to Newark Liberty International Airport where a new Newark Clubhouse will be added soon. www.virginatlantic.com


Book for advance close encounters


Agents can now book in advance behind-the-scenes adventures such as getting-up close and personal with a penguin, hand-feeding giraffes or taking a dip with a beluga at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and at Discovery Cove in Florida. The Behind The Scenes Tour Backstage Pass at SeaWorld gives guests closer access than ever before to the heart and philosophy of the attraction – marine conservation – with a 90-minute tour starting at SeaWorld’s Animal Rehabilitation Centre, where guests see and learn about the rescued manatees and sea turtles. The Beluga Interaction Programme (pictured) focuses on education and personal animal interaction at Wild Arctic in SeaWorld Orlando. Participants learn about the mysterious beluga whales, then change into wet suits and get into the water under the supervision of the animal care staff. The 30-minute Serengeti Safari tour


takes guests and a guide around a 65-acre Serengeti Plain on an open-


truck, getting close to a range of free- roaming African animals and providing the chance to hand-feed giraffes. Sea Venture is an underwater walking


tour at Discovery Cove. Wearing dive helmets, guests come face to fins with venomous lion-fish and sharks (safely behind massive panoramic windows). The attraction is designed as a


comfortable and safe introduction to diving for the whole family. SeaWorld’s exclusive Elite VIP Tour, with a personal tour guide, allows


Coast to coast with Vacations to America Vacations to America now offers


fly-drive, escorted and tailor-made tours to all 50 USA states. Seven key regions feature in the operator’s new brochure and on its website: New England, Great Lakes and the North East, South, Florida, California, West and ‘rest of the USA and Canada’. The 11-night Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains tour starts in


Washington DC and continues to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains before culminating in Ashville and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. The tour leads in at £1,585pp (two sharing), including return flights, car hire and driving directions, maps and guide books. The seven-night America’s


Canyonlands tour includes three of


the country’s best-known canyons, across Arizona, Utah and Nevada – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion – off-road adventures to explore areas that are hidden from most visitors, a private dinner cruise on Lake Powell and a 30-minute flight over sculpted landscapes to see Rainbow Bridge, the world’s largest natural arch. The trip starts in Phoenix and ends


in Las Vegas and includes all accommodation, flights, a ‘flightseeing’ tour, 17 meals and airport transfers. It costs from £2,995pp (two sharing). Managing Director Richard Wimms


said: “Travel agents much prefer having all 50 States in one bigger brochure. “We pay agents commission on


everything, including on full flight prices, theme park tickets and all those extras that make the holiday just right for the client, such as chauffeur airport transfers, airport parking and hotels, welcome grocery packs and barbecue hire,” he added. www.vacationstoamerica.com


Titan’s top 50


Titan’s second-edition USA & Canada brochure features a collection of more than 50 travel adventures across North America. The 16-day California and the Golden West tour, which is included for the 25th straight year, starts at £1,395pp. Agents can request a stock of


Titan USA and Canada second- edition brochures from www.titanagents.co.uk


www.sellinglonghaul.com • April 2012 19


private groups to sail past the crowds with queue-jump access on thrill-rides Manta, Kraken and Journey to Atlantic. They will also receive the full VIP


treatment with reserved seating at SeaWorld’s shows Blue Horizons, Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island and the killer whale Shamus Show, One Ocean The best-value tickets for visiting


SeaWorld Parks is the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package (£164pp) and the Three-Park Ticket (from £82pp). www.seaworldparksagents.co.uk


STEVE HARTRIDGE


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