Late Availability on Kilimanjaro Treks

Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the truely magnificent sights of Africa - an almost perfectly shaped volcano rising sheer from Tanzania's northeastern plains. Snowcapped and not yet extinct, at 5896m (19343ft) it's the highest peak on the continent.

If you relish a challenge then an ascent of this splendid mountain will provide you with an experience you'll never forget.

The Adventure Company currently have late availability on two Mt Kilimanjaro treks..

Rongai Route
You’ll see fewer other climbers on this less trekked route giving you a real sense of discovery away from the crowds. As the only route with views of the Masai lands you’ll have the best chance of seeing wildlife including monkey, buffalo and elephant. This is a fully supported six-day camping trip and offers the most ‘gradual’ ascent of Kili.

• Gradual ascent
• Porter assisted camping
• Wildlife viewing
• A less demanding route to Kilimanjaro’s summit

Dates: 10 Oct 08 - 19 Oct 08
Price: £1,399

Find out more...

Machame Route
Get off the beaten track on the tougher Machame climb. This is a fully supported six-day camping trip through a remote wilderness area, with great access to the remaining glaciers and the western breach. You’ll enjoy inspirational views of Kibo Peak, the eternal icefields, and Kili’s scree-covered dome… before the ultimate achievement of summit morning!

• Sweeping views
• Challenging Trek
• Diversity of scenery
• Stunning camping trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit

Dates: 10 Oct 08 - 19 Oct 08
Price: £1,399

Find out More...

For more information and to book either click on the links above or call the Adventure Company on 0845 609 0838 (Open 7 days a week)

Orient Express Train Holidays

Orient Express Trains are a by-word for classic, luxury travel. This famous travel group operate five luxury tourist trains and a river cruiser in amazing destinations across Europe, Asia and South America. The most famous is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express which travels to a variety of locations across Europe. If you want to experience the golden age of luxury rail travel and discover exotic new locations then a holiday on the Orient Express will provide you with the holiday of your lifetime.

The routes covered by Orient Express trains include:

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
A travel experience like no other, in the style of a bygone era. The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will transport you to the most exciting cities in Europe including Venice, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, Vienna and Rome.

British Pullman, United Kingdom
Experience a day excursion or short break from London and other cities to some of the UK's most spectacular destinations. The vintage carriages of the British Pullman echo the golden age of rail travel. Superbly comfortable carriages make this the perfect way to travel.

Northern Belle, United Kingdom
The Northern Belle harks back to the days of the original Pullman "Belle" trains of the 1930s. Trips offered include day, weekend and Grand Tours in immaculate carriages, with ornate interiors and superb food. Departures are available from towns and cities throughout the UK.

The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
The Royal Scotsman runs on a selection of one to seven night journeys. The routes allow you to experience the majesty of the Scottish Highlands, ever-changing landscapes of sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs of Scotland from the comfort of your luxury train.

Eastern & Oriental Express, South East Asia
The Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers in luxury between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Your journey will see you travel through dense rainforests and towering mountains past golden temples, rubber plantations and remote towns and villages.

PeruRail, Peru
This South American railway is widely recognised as not only one of the highest rail journeys on the planet, but also as one of the world's most scenic railway service. If you want the ultimate way to travel to the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, then you simply have to travel aboard the Hiram Bingham luxury train.

• Visit the Orient Express Website
• See more train holidays on the Inspiring Holidays website
  

Going Green

Over recent years, green issues and the principles of sustainability have become much more mainstream. Governments, businesses and individuals are increasingly seeing the need to act in a way that provides a balance between the environment and commercial pressures. Tourism, as a key economic driver in the world economy, has its part to play. That is where the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) comes in.

The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. Businesses that join the scheme are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more.

Businesses that meet the required standard, receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement. The current network of members is comprised of a wide range of business types, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, corporate offices and others.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme website has details and links to its members, partners and destinations. There is also information on the criteria, case studies, news, and background to the scheme.

Look out for Green Tourism Business Scheme members on the Inspiring Holidays website

Early Booking Offers From Crystal Ski Holidays

2 for 1 lift passes
In all club hotels and chalets. Book your Crystal holiday before 30th September in a chalet or club hotel and get 2 adult area lift passes for the price of 1! Available in Austria, France, Italy, Andorra and Switzerland. Terms and conditions apply.

Free childcare
Free Pepi Penguin creche or Whizz Kids club place per booking, for departures in January or March. One free creche or kids club place (constitutes six half day sessions) per booking on departures to resorts with childcare facilities in January or March when booked before 31st October. If full day care is required, then you must pre-book and pay for the extra half days. Available on a first-come first-served basis & subject to availability.

Extra free places for groups
Groups of 8 and over travelling in January will receive an extra free place. Receive one extra free group place for all January departures. Book before 22nd October.

Ski packs
Fantastic special offers, including 2 for 1 lift passes, equipment and ski hire. Free 6 day, local lift passes for full fare paying adults staying in Club Hotels for 7 nights, departing on 14th/15th or 21st/22nd March. Subject to availability on a first come - first served basis.

Introduce a friend
When one of your holiday party pre-books one of our First Time packages, you can claim £100 off your holiday. Valid on departures in Jan & March. Available for bookings made up to 15th October, travelling in January and March. One beginner only per each full paying guest receives £100 discount off their booking. The beginner has to be a complete beginner and book a First Time package.

Ski Holidays on www.inspiringholidays.com
Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, USA

Ski & Snowboard Offers from Neilson

Here's a selection of the current online ski holiday offers from Neilson. These offers are available until the 25th Sept so you'll need to move quickly to snap them up.

Skiing in Italy only £325pp!
Top Apartments - Passo Tonale, Italy.
Price from £325pp (Includes flights, transfers, & 7 night self catering apts.)
Depart: 31/01/09
BOOK ONLINE

Luxury Chalet Service £499pp
Treat yourself to our Super Service chalet for indulgent extras.
Only £499pp, at Chalet Chardonnet du Lac, Tignes, France.
BOOK ONLINE

Christmas 08 Save £200
Vemdalen, Sweden. Fully catered chalet at Christmas.
Depart: 20/12/09
BOOK ONLINE

Austria Ski holiday Save £250!
Hotel Austria - Hinterglemm, Austria
From £389pp (Includes flights, transfers, & HB hotel.)
Depart: 24/01/09
BOOK ONLINE

All Inclusive Ski Holiday in Romania £409pp
At Hotel Bradul.
From £409pp! (Includes flights, transfers, HB hotel, FREE BAR, lift pass, equipment, ski/board tuition.)
BOOK ONLINE

Lift Passes in Norway only £1!
Forest Chalet, Geilo, Norway
From £539pp includes £1 lift pass.
Depart: 8/02/08
BOOK ONLINE

The savings quoted above are per couple unless otherwise stated. Neilson holds the right to withdraw these offers at any time.

About Neilson
Neilson have been around for around 25 years. They started as two separate companies, one providing top-end ski holidays and the other taking people sailing in Greece. For around two decades they became better and better at putting together holidays, one company doing fun things in the snow, the other having adventures in the Med. Then, in 1999, Thomas Cook, who owned both companies, decided that it would make sense for us to join together. That was when the famous orange logo appeared, and Neilson as we know it came into existence.

Ski Holidays on www.inspiringholidays.com
Andorra Austria Bulgaria Canada Finland France Italy Norway Romania Sweden Switzerland USA

Portugal Walks Joins Inspiring Holidays

The latest holiday provider to add their holidays to the Inspiring Holidays website is Portugal Walks.

They offer a variety of guided and independent walks on the Portugese mainland and also Madeira and the Azores.

Portugal Walks was started in 1998 by Dr Julie Statham who has travelled extensively throughout Portugal and its islands. Julie is regarded as quite an authority on Portugese walking holidays having authored two books on the subject - 'Walking in the Algarve' (Cicerone Press) and 'Algarve - Let's Walk' (VIP press).

Portugal is a unique country due to its position as the westernmost country of mainland Europe. The country itself is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east.

Portugal Walks offers tours to all parts of this historic and fascinating country. Their walking tours have been developed to show you the very best countryside, which varies so much from region to region.

None of the tours is particularly strenuous because they want you to enjoy your holiday and have time to visit the beautiful towns and villages or sites of special interest within each area. The landscapes of Portugal are second to none and they constantly change from north to south, east to west.

Throw in its famous islands of Madeira and the Azores Archipelago with their own unique variety of scenery and you have the most perfect walking locations.

To find out more about Portugal Walks walking holidays click on the link below:

• Algarve - Cork Oaks to Orange Groves Self Guided Walking Holiday with Portugal Walks
• Mountain Top to Cliff Top - Self Guided Walking Holiday with Portugal Walks
• Magical Madeira - Self-Guided Walking Holiday with Portugal Walks
• Discovering Madeira - Self-Guided Walking Holiday with Portugal Walks
• Serra De Sintra Self-Guided Walking Holiday With Portugal Walks
• Douro - Walking, Wine And Port Self-Guided Walking Holiday With Portugal Walks
• Camino Portugues To Santiago De Compostela Walking Holiday With Portugal Walks

Book Now For Your Christmas Market Holiday

If you really want to experience some festive spirit this winter then take a short hop across the Channel to a traditional Christmas Market. You can stock up on Christmas presents and enjoy some wonderful local hospitality. Travelsphere have a number of Christmas Market holidays available this year. See below for details or telephone 0845 358 2368

Lille Christmas Market & Bruges
Four days from £169 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Paris Christmas Shopping including a tour of Paris
Four days from £169 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Brussels By Eurostar (Belgian Christmas Markets) - Train Holiday
Visit the Christmas markets of Brussels, Bruges and Liège by Eurostar from: £229

Reims Christmas Market & Champagne
Four days from £209 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Hamelin Christmas Market
Six days from £289 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Hamburg & Bremen Christmas Markets
Six days from £289 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Luxembourg & Trier Christmas Markets
Four days from £189 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Krakow Christmas Market
Four days from £379 - fly from Gatwick or from you local airport

Nancy & Colmar Christmas Markets
Four days from £179 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Prague Christmas Market
Four days from £399. Half Board.

Normandy Christmas Markets
Four days from £189 - by coach from departure points nationwide

Contact Travelsphere on 0845 358 2368 for details of all these holidays

For more information on Christmas Markets visit http://christmasmarkets.wordpress.com/

Late Availability Offers

Here's a selection of late availability offers from some of our holiday providers. Remember, you'll have to move quickly because when they're gone, they're gone...

A Peruvian Adventure - 13 days from £2394
Departs: 29th October
Holiday Provider: Page & Moy
Bookings: Online or Tel: 0845 3582639

Travel by mountain railway to the ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu, fly over the vast and enigmatic Nazca Lines, shop for colourful textiles in a bustling Andean market, sail on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, discover Inca gold in Lima and explore ancient temples and Spanish colonial churches.

Spirit of Cuba - 16 days from £1829
Departs: 15th October
Holiday Provider: Page & Moy
Bookings: Online or Tel: 0845 3582639

Take an unforgettable journey across Cuba from Old Havana, where classic American cars and horse-drawn carriages are equally at home… through the bizarre yet breathtaking landscape of the Vinales Valley to the colonial splendour of Trinidad and Santiago… then relax on a soft white sandy beach and swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

CMA Awards - The Oscars of Country Music 2008 - 6 days from £989
Departs: 9th November
Holiday Provider: Travelsphere
Bookings: Online or Tel: 0845 3582638

Travelsphere are once again delighted to bring you the EXCLUSIVE opportunity to attend the 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards ceremony in Nashville. This star-studded event, billed as ‘Country Music’s Biggest Night™’, is attended by everyone who is anyone in country music, and is broadcast live across America.

Turkey Activity Week - 8 days from £649
Departs: 19th Sept & 10th Oct
Holiday Provider: The Adventure Company
Bookings: Online or Tel: 0845 609 0838

Paddle sea kayaks over the remains of the sunken city of Kekova, then later dive at one of the best sites in the Med on an exhilarating SCUBA experience. Also includes mountain-biking & river-rafting.

Walk the Levadas of Madeira - 8 days from £479
Departs: 27th Sept & 11th Oct
Holiday Provider: The Adventure Company
Bookings: Online or Tel: 0845 609 0838

Explore the ingenious water irrigation systems called levadas. Following the natural contours, the early settlers brought water down from the highest area to their sugar plantations using these man-made channels. The finale is an ascent of Pico do Arieiro for sunrise and a dramatic traverse to the highest point in Madeira, Pico Ruivo (1862m)