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City Cruises sails for Christmas and New Year’s Eve Sightseeing operator City Cruises has unveiled its festive party packages for London, York and Poole.


‘Sail with Santa’ on the Thames


offers the chance to meet Santa as he swaps his sleigh for a boat. The Thames Christmas Party Lunch Cruise and Thames Christmas Party Dinner Cruise can cater for groups of four to 200 people, and pass landmarks such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge. City Cruises is the only company


to operate on Christmas Day itself, so guests can experience the Thames at its calmest. The Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise offers dining, sightseeing and festive carols. The parties continue into 2019,


Scotland’s hot, thanks to Outlander


Scotland has emerged as this year’s ‘hot spot’ for inbound groups, says London-based destination management company AC Group. One contributing factor is Outlander, the US TV drama, which has attracted huge audiences overseas. Set in 18th-century Scotland, at the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Rebellion, it combines historical drama with time travel and shots of Scotland’s landscapes. Nick Pope, head of product


development at AC Group, said: “We are seeing requests for Outlander-themed tours pouring in from overseas markets ranging from Australia and Brazil to – of course – the US. “Clients want to combine


visits to Outlander filming locations such as Glen Coe and Doune Castle with flashpoints of the actual Jacobite Rebellion such as Culloden Moor. actours.co.uk


24 TravelGBI | October 2018


Win a City Cruises Christmas Party for up to 10 guests


as the New Year’s Eve packages offer guests a prime position for London’s famous fireworks. ◗ City Cruises York and Poole have their own schedule of festive cruises for the 2018 Christmas season. The City Cruises York Santa


Experience on the River Ouse features a grotto beneath the


Lendal Bridge, while the Christmas Party Nights Afloat Cruise has Christmas songs and a BBQ buffet. City Cruises Poole’s Christmas Cruises depart from Poole Quay, and feature ‘Sail with Santa Poole Cruise’ and the ‘Christmas Party Cruise’. citycruises.co.uk


Kent mining museum to open next March The museum is offering a


A museum will open in Kent in March, celebrating the story of energy in the county, from coal mining to sustainable energy. Built on the site of Kent’s


last working coal mine in Betteshanger Park, the Kent Mining Museum will feature displays that will educate visitors about how coal was discovered and mined, and the day-to- day lives of the miners and the communities that surrounded them.


National Memorial Arboretum in festive swing


Groups visiting Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum for festive lunches will be entertained by live music from the Antonio Socci Jive and Swing Band. The three-course Christmas lunches include welcome drinks before guests are seated in a festive dining space in the Arboretum’s new events building, Aspects. Available on December 5, 12 and 19, the lunches are from £29 per person.


variety of experiences including: meet a miner; lunch with the curator; history talks; guided walks; and guided coach tours of the East Kent Coalfield. Entry and coach parking are free. The museum is set within


250 acres of parkland, and Betteshanger Park features activities such as archery, cycling, an obstacle course and geocaching. betteshanger-park.co.uk


T&Cs: Cruise date options will be supplied upon closure of the competition and


subject to availability. The Lunch and Dinner Cruise departs Westminster Pier for four hours daily at either 1pm or 7pm.


To enter, visit travelgbi.com/ news/competitions


This December win a City Cruises Christmas Party Dinner or Lunch sailing for you and nine colleagues or friends. You’ll weave through central London, passing many of the capital’s famous landmarks, including Big Ben and Tower Bridge, while dining on a


three-course festive meal with wine and welcome drink.


WIN!


Carols by candlelight


Other events include a Christmas food and gift fair and holly wreath-making workshops (December 1-2), Illuminated


Arboretum (December 12-21) and Carols by Candlelight on December 22 in Heroes’ Square. thenma.org.uk


travelgbi.com


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