Travel News June 2014


UPDA 5TE from Belfast.


Belfast cruise embarkation port T


HE world of cruising is coming closer’ to the Northern Ireland cruisers with two exciting cruise itineraries in August and September


Learn to swim at Falcon’s Swim Academies


City Airport funds new safety surface


THE third annual National Learn to Swim Day held recently was established to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim.


And local tour operator Falcon Holidays says the ideal opportunity for children to combine their family holiday with learning, improving their technique and gaining confidence in the water is through the Falcon Swim Academy available at its Holiday Villages.


According to the tour operator, thousands of young children over the years have learned to swim while on their annual family sun holiday.


Charlotte Brenner, Marketing Manager, Falcon Holidays, says: “Falcon’s Swim Academy provides our young holidaymakers with the ideal opportunity to make the most out of their time in the swimming pool while on holiday. Children spend so many hours in the swimming pool each day so combined with swimming lessons they are getting to put what they learnt into practice immediately. And, with parents around the poolside it is a great way for them to get involved with their kids learning to swim”.


Falcon offers these expert-run Swim Academies at its Holiday Villages where all instructors are qualified lifeguards and ASA or equivalent, and qualified swimming teachers. From Swim a Song for babies and pre-schoolers to Rookie Lifeguard training where 9-15 year olds can learn all the serious stuff, like lifesaving skills, there are lessons for all. Falcon’s summer programme features nine Holiday Village where Swim Academy’s are available to book in advance. Check out the Holiday Village Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh. This large, well-equipped hotel enjoys a beachfront location, has a fabulous range of restaurants, spacious pools and a spa and fitness centre on-site.


Make sure there’s ATOL protection says the CAA


THE Civil Aviation Authority has published on its website a list of European companies that are selling holidays in the UK without ATOL protection.


It is warning consumers that if they book with any of the operators on the list they should check how they are protected. The CAA said the list would be updated on a regular basis.


The CAA is warning that not all the companies on its list have provide information about the protection they offer and that some of the protection is limited.


"If your holiday is not ATOL protected, the CAA will not be able to assist you and you will need to deal with the protection authority of that European country." It warns consumers that if they book with a firm based outside the European Economic Area that goes bust, they might have to find and pay for flights home, they might have to pay again for their accommodation, and there could be delays in getting refunds, which might be limited.


Cover up or else, Palma bikini wearers warned


COVER up or else. That's the message to tourists this summer from the city of Palma on the popular holiday island of Majorca.


The city council is threatening to fine tourists who walk the streets in beachwear this summer. The council is planning to introduce the fines, of up to £500, following complaints by restaurant and bar owners of semi-clad clients turning up to be served, at the end of May.


Alvaro Gijon, the mayor of Palma, said that the aim of the new laws was to regulate good behaviour for tourists and residents with the aim of preserving 'harmony and civility'.


New wedding packages


THOMAS Cook is to offer new wedding packages at seven of its exclusive SENTIDO resorts in Cyprus, Crete, Rhodes and Turkey.


They're featured in its new overseas Weddings brochure, which combines Thomas Cook and Thomas Cook Signature products into one portfolio.


Market research company Mintel is predicting that one in five couples will marry abroad by 2015 and Thomas Cook has also included wedding packages at family-friendly hotels.


Sailing on board the 880-guest Boudicca, passengers will have the opportunity, for the second year in a row, to embark on a Fred. Olsen cruise from Belfast without having to take an flight or long ferry crossing to reach the ship. Boudicca will be offering an eight-night ‘Norwegian Fjords with Shetland’ cruise’, departing August 29 and a 10-night ‘Morocco, Spain & Portugal’ cruise, leaving on Sept 6, 2014. Fred. Olsen’s connections with the seafaring city of Belfast run deep; the Fred. Olsen group of companies includes Fred. Olsen Energy, which comprises Offshore Drilling and Engineering & Fabrication, owner of the Harland & Wolff Shipyard, where RMS Titanic was built. Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is looking forward to its second cruise season from Belfast this summer. We are offering local people the chance to take a cruise with us to


two very different destinations: the Norwegian fjords – Fred. Olsen’s historic homeland – with Shetland, and Morocco, Spain and Portugal, for an exotic, sunshine break.


“Our research has shown that Norway is the Number One itinerary chosen by those who have never cruised before, so why not make this year your chance to start your ‘cruise career’ with Fred. Olsen!”


Joe O’Neill, Commercial Director of Belfast Harbour, said: “In recent years, Belfast’s popularity as a port of call for cruise ships has reached record levels. However, we are delighted that our efforts in working with the team at Fred. Olsen to develop Belfast as a port of embarkation means that local people will once again have the opportunity to begin their cruise holiday direct from Belfast Harbour.”


The eight night ‘Norwegian Fjords with Shetland’ cruise’ calls first of all in Olden, Norway, then continues on to Flåm the best way to see this spectacular village and surrounding scenery is on the Flåm Railway, which climbs over 20km, in and out of mountains and past waterfalls, including the


magnificent Kjosfossen waterfall.


Norway’s Bergen is famed for its fish market and colourful half-timbered houses; the town has many nooks and crannies waiting to be explored. Edvard Grieg lived here, so the Troldhaugen Museum is devoted to his life and work.


The final stop is at Lerwick in the Shetland Isles, which has a delightful mix of modern shops and historic buildings. Prices for this cruise start from £1,079 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and taxes. The first stop on the 10-night ‘Morocco, Spain & Portugal’ cruise will be Oporto at the mouth of the River Douro.Boudicca then continues to Lisbon; spread over seven hills on the north of the River Tagus, this lively capital boasts a delightful mix of palaces, churches, castles and bridges. After a stop at Tangier, giving guests a taste of Moroccan life, the next port of call is Vigo in Spain. Prices for this cruise start from £949 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44