Wednesday 29 July 2009

Latest Beachclub Holiday Offers from Neilson

Beautiful unspoilt locations, sunshine, clear warm water, fantastic clubs for children and all of your favourite activities. Whether your priority is to spend maximum time on the water or on the bikes, enjoy the perfect family holiday or just relax and be pampered, Neilson have something to suit you.

There will never be any pressure to join in or be active. It's your holiday - you set the pace. There is always a great deal of flexibility allowing you to do whatever you want, when you want. You can sail in the morning, play tennis in the afternoon, cycle in the early evening or just dabble when the mood takes you.


If you are more at home relaxing in breathtaking scenery, soaking up the sun on the beach or by refreshing pools with a good book our hotels are just perfect. The choice is yours!

For more information visit the Neilson Website

Latest Beachclub Offers from Neilson
7 night Summer holidays save up to £270 per person!

Egypt - Dahab
4* Hilton Dahab
20.09.09
£674pp
Flying from Manchester


3* Coralia Club
11.10.09
Save £200pp - £559pp
Flying from London Gatwick

Greece - Porto Heli
3* Nautica Bay
03.10.09
Save £95pp - From £510pp
Flying from London Heathrow
3* Nautica Bay
03.10.09
Save £125pp - From £480pp

Flying from London Stanstead

What's included on a Beachclub week?
FREE sailing tuition worth up to £300
FREE windsurfing tuition worth up to £300
FREE mountain biking worth up to £150
FREE Childrens Clubs*
FREE evening childcare**
Flights, accommodation, meal options (bed & breakfast/half board - dependent on accommodation)

Beachclubs - The new name for Neilson's classic ‘Active’ Holidays
Anyone who's enjoyed one of our Active holidays over the years will tell you about the exciting sailing, windsurfing and mountain biking they’ve experienced.

Our inclusive, progressive and friendly tuition programme will put you on the right tack, providing the highest levels of tuition and a full range of inclusive RYA courses.

We work closely with the management of our friendly hotels so you can enjoy their unique local hospitality, while a range of board options offers you maximum flexibility and nights out discovering local village life.

Your children will rave about the time they've spent in our children's clubs - from toddlers, to windsurfer dudes and dinghy racing supremos - they are guaranteed to have an excellent time learning new skills.

Active holidays may have a new name, but they still offer the same laid-back atmosphere, dedicated professional tuition and unique local hotels.

Neilson Beachclubs can be found in Dahab, Vassiliki and Porto Heli.

For more information visit the Neilson Website

Neilson Beachplus Holiday Offers this Autumn

Neilson Beachplus Clubs give a great all round luxury beach experience - with good quality accommodation; exclusive to Neilson, a fantastic choice of healthy local cuisine and loads of inclusive activities to choose from.

You will be able to relax as hard as you like, taking your pick of waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, tennis and mountain biking or kick back and relax at one of our many fitness and wellbeing classes.
Tuition by our qualified instructors is based around taster sessions and technique classes, perfect for those who just want to dabble or beginner to intermediate watersports enthusiasts.


Meanwhile, your little ones are kept stimulated all day long at our excellent children’s clubs.

There’s really something for everyone on a Beachplus holiday. The only thing to watch out for is having to re-adjust to life back home.

Neilson Beachplus clubs can be found in Lemnos, Lesvos, Halkidiki, Sivota, Teos and Ortakent.

For more information visit the Neilson Website

Neilson Beachplus Offers this Autumn
7 night Summer holidays - save up to £200 per person!

Flying from London Gatwick

Turkey - Teos
4* Club Teos
03.10.09: Save £125pp - Price from £475pp
10.10.09: Save £150pp - Price from £455pp

Greece - Sivota
4* The Retreat
11.10.09
Save £175pp - Price from £425pp

Greece - Lesvos
4* The Aeolian Village
03.10.09
Save £200pp - Price from £469pp

Greece - Lemnos
4* Portomyrina Palace
03.10.09
Save £150pp - Price from £555pp

Flying from Manchester

Greece - Halkidiki
4* The Anastasia
19.09.09
Save £125pp - Price from £520pp

Greece - Lesvos
4* The Aeolian Village
26.09.09
Save £100pp - Price from £629pp

What's included on a Beachplus week?
FREE sailing tuition worth up to £300
FREE windsurfing tuition worth up to £300
FREE waterskiing, & wakeboarding worth up to £200
FREE tennis tuition worth up to £100
FREE mountain biking worth up to £150
FREE Childrens Clubs*
FREE evening childcare**
Meals (club board), flights, transfers, and accommodation

For more information visit the Neilson Website

Friday 24 July 2009

Learn to Clay Pigeon Shoot

Clay Pigeon Shooting for Beginners Short Break with Warner Leisure Hotels.

Here is a superb opportunity to acquire the basics of clay pigeon shooting, a sport that will test and improve your hand-eye co-ordination, and perhaps launch you on the way to a new pursuit.

You will be part of a small group under the expert tuition of a highly experienced tutor on a days course which embraces safety aspects, gun handling stance and eye dominance and how to bag a brace or two of birds - albeit of the artificial kind! You'll learn about shotguns and cartridges and how to shoot a moving target.

The price of the lessons includes the use of all safety equipment, shotguns and cartridges, but make sure to bring suitable outside clothing.

If your taster of clay pigeon shooting whets your appetite for clay pigeon shooting (which, of course, are disc rather than bird shaped!) you'll find plenty of opportunities to do so. It's a strongly supported sport: the UK's Clay Pigeon Shooting Association has an active membership of approximately 25,000 participating at all shooting levels at 450 affiliated and registered grounds around the country. from farm and syndicate shoots through to national, registered and International competitions.

It's also an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.

Clay Pigeon Shooting is available at Thoresby Hall


For more information visit the Warner Leisure Hotels website

Wine Appreciation Short Break


Wine Appreciation Short Breaks with Warner Leisure Hotels. Around the world of wine in three days

There are now so many wonderful wines available from all around the world, that selecting the best for quality and value - as well as the perfect wine for each occasion - seems harder each year. No longer! This wine appreciation experience will improve and develop your knowledge of grape varieties as well as regional (and even vineyard) variations from country to country.

Over three four-hour sessions, you'll start at the beginning - the history of wine - and go through to how modern wines are created. Along the way, of course, there will be ample opportunities to sample a wide variety of wines under the expert guidance of a sommelier.

The first day concludes with tasting New World wines. Opening with some examples of light, crisp white wines, we'll take you on a vinery tour through smooth, velvety Chilean varieties to powerful, vibrant Australian reds. The journey will encompass Argentina, America, Chile, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Day Two starts with a history of French wines, covering the 'Granddaddies' of grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay) before launching into a tasting of Old World wines including mellow, buttery and silky Sauvignon Blancs and the intense yet subtle St. Emillion Merlot grape. This day's journey includes Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

No appreciation course would be complete without a close examination of champagnes, which we cover on day three, as well as some sumptuous dessert wines, intriguing wine varieties (e.g. white Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and Rioja) and wines from lesser-known regions.It's the wine journey of a lifetime!

Wine appreciation short Breaks are available at Thoresby Hall.

Visit the Warner Leisure Hotels website for more information

Learn to Photograph Wildlife Short Break

Learn to Photograph Wildlife on a Short Break with Warner Leisure Hotels.

If you have bought yourself a digital camera that you wish you could operate to its full potential and really make the most of its technical ability, then this break is for you. Not only will you learn the basics of using a digital camera; you will then have the opportunity to apply your new-found expertise by capturing some wonderful wildlife scenes with the help of our expert.
During 3 sessions, an experienced local photographer will take you through the basics of using a digital camera and then take you out around the hotel's magnificent grounds where you can practise what you have learnt.
If ever there was a place to inspire you to take wonderful images it's at Cricket St Thomas. First of all there's the opportunity to roam the vast gardens designed by Capability Brown. Did you know that the second Lord Bridgeport spent £250,000 laying out the grounds and gardens? Now 200 hundred years later, you can enjoy the results of his investment!
There are flowers, shrubs and vistas aplenty to photograph here. But then you can really push the boat out and get close to nature in the raw by visiting the Wildlife Park and taking images of the fabulous array of birds and animals there - many of which are rare and even endangered.
All you have to do is bring along your own cameras, batteries and chargers. You will go away with knowledge, confidence and tips to enable you to get the very best results - having had a brilliant break getting close up and personal with nature.
Wildlife Photography Course is available at Cricket St Thomas, Somerset on the 24th August.


Learn Salsa With Warner Leisure Hotels

Learn to Dance Salsa on a Warner Leisure Hotels short break. Salsa is one of the fastest growing dance crazes and so enjoyable to do - an exhilarating fusion of Caribbean steps, South American music and African rhythms - reinterpreted in New York and now enthusiastically enjoyed all over the world.

So why not put on your dancing shoes and join expert dance tutors as they take you through some of the slinkiest and sexiest moves on the dance floor. If you've got any sense of rhythm, this is the dance for you - and no, you don't have to be super fit!
The workshops - 2x 2-hour sessions - will help you take your first steps with confidence within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Teaching will be undertaken in achievable stages that will build into a basic routine that can be easily repeated.
If you're wondering, while the Salsa is usually a partner dance, there are recognised solo steps and some forms are danced in groups of couples, with frequent exchanges of partner.
Salsa can be danced to a wide range of music styles - the beat behind the music is what matters, and the tempo can range from slow at about 120 beats per minute to its fastest at around 180 beats per minute. The partners usually occupy a fixed area of the dance floor, rotating around one another and exchanging places.
And the name? Well, Salsa is Spanish for sauce - so say no more!
Salsa Short Breaks are available at a variety of Warner Leisure Hotels around the UK.

Yacht Charter from Dartmouth or Plymouth

Yacht Charter from Dartmouth or Plymouth, South Devon. Save 10% on all bookings made before 31st July*.

What could be better than sailing around the South West coast at your leisure, dropping anchor at secluded coves, pretty harbours, estuaries, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and visiting interesting historical sights. For the more adventurous you can venture further afield to the Channel Islands, The Isles of Scilly or even France!

- A luxury 46ft yacht, sleeps 6 (or 4 if skippered).
- Depart from either Dartmouth or Plymouth.
- Available skippered or bare boat.
- Visit a different destination every day.
- Contemporary Italian styled interior.
- A unique opportunity to enjoy your holiday, not just by the water, but on the water!
Your Yacht
Knightime is a one year old, Oceanis 46ft yacht that is available either skippered or bareboat with experienced crews. It is available to depart from either Dartmouth or Plymouth and offers you the freedom to truly explore the South West coastline or, time and weather permitting, venture further afield to the Channel Islands, The Isles of Scilly or even France!
What could be better than sailing around the South West coast at your leisure, dropping anchor at secluded coves, pretty harbours, estuaries, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and visiting interesting historical sights. Along the way there are many fantastic restaurants to tempt you with the days catch and a refreshing glass of something chilled. Novice or expert, we are sure this will be a holiday to remember!
The use of the dinghy & outboard is included in the cost of the charter and wet weather gear can be provided at an extra cost if required.
Prices shown online are for bare boat only.
*Terms and conditions: Offer is valid on bookings of 7 nights or more made before 31st July 2009. Promotional code 'KNIGHT10' must be used when booking either online or over the phone to claim the discount. This offer can be withdrawn at any time. Cannot be used with any other offer or discount.
Specifications
Engines
Yanmar 75hp diesel engine Bow Thruster.
5x Batteries, charged by engine alternator and shorepower charger.
1500w invertor fitted.
Eberspacher diesel cabin heating system.
Sails and Spars
Aluminium mast and boom.
In-mast furling mainsail & furling genoa, controlled from the cockpit.
Electric halyard winch.
Deck Equipment
Anchor with chain and warp.
1000w electric windlass.
Stainless steel pulpit, pushpit, stanchions and guard wires.
Teak cockpit and cockpit cushions.
Sprayhood.
Swim platform with deck shower & ladder.
Outboard motor
Fenders and warps.
Navigational Equipment
2x Helm compasses.
Raymarine ST60 speed/log/depth and wind speed/direction instruments on port helm, multifunction ST60 repeater on starboard helm.
Raymarine E80 Multifunction GPS/ Chartplotter.
Charts, almanac & pilot guides.
Raymarine Ray 49E VHF radio.
Raymarine PC interface.
Raymarine ST6002 autopilot.
AIS (Automatic Identification System).
Navtex.
Stereo radio CD player with saloon and cockpit speakers.
Safety equipment
Fully Coded to meet Marine Coastguard Agency Regulations
Bilge pumps.
8 man life raft.
Gas operated lifejackets.
Terms and conditions
Bare boat yacht charter includes full safety briefing, safety equipment, and insurance. Relevant paperwork must be produced before charter commences eg: RYA Coastal Skipper (practical) minimum or Yachtmaster Offshore.
Handover/return
The charter will commence boarding at 4.00pm, unless otherwise notified, on the first day of your holiday and end at 10.00am on the last. The yacht must be returned to either Dartmouth or Plymouth in clean state and with a full tank of fuel.
Security & Damage Deposit
£1,500 by cleared funds returned, less deductions returned usually 14 days after charter.
Bad Weather
In the event of severe weather being forecast for the duration of the proposed charter period, we reserve the right to reschedule the charter. We will reschedule the charter for within three months of the original booking.
No refund will be given should severe weather occur and no refund will be given should the rescheduled charter take place in a less expensive charter period. We reserve the right to limit the permitted cruising area should severe weather be forecast.
Living
- Saloon has seating around a polished wooden drop leaf table to port, there is additional seating opposite.
- The saloon has a 32" TV with a digital aerial.
- Stereo radio CD player with saloon and cockpit speakers.
- The Navigation station is to starboard and has a forward facing chart table and the switch panel.
Kitchen
- The galley is to port aft of the saloon, it has a double stainless steel sink with hot/cold pressurized water supply, a four burner gas stove with oven and grill, a microwave oven, two fridges and plenty of storage.
Sleeping
- Just aft of the bow is a large private fore cabin with double berth accommodation.
- An en-suite head with an electric flush marine w.c. and a hand basin and hot/cold showerhead in separate cubicle (electric shower drain in sole). Hanging lockers.
- There are two large aft cabins both providing double berth accommodation and the starboard cabin has a private access to the main head.
Bathroom
- The main head is to starboard, it has a marine w.c. and a hand basin with separate hot/cold showerhead cubicle.
- An en-suite head to the fore cabin with an electric flush marine w.c. and a hand basin and hot/cold showerhead in separate cubicle (electric shower drain in sole). Hanging lockers.
Outside
- The glorious ocean is both port and starboard, fwd and aft.
- Drop anchor is a secluded cove and take a well earned dip in the sea
- Cruise around the coastline and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
- Enjoy a new destination every day!

Fantastic offer on Spa Breaks at Thoresby Hall

Fantastic offer on Spa Breaks at Thoresby Hall. Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa makes the perfect getaway for a truly relaxing spa break, set in acres of rolling parklands on the edge of Sherwood Forest.

The hotel is an 18th century Grade I listed house combining gracious rooms with fine dining, with a choice of 3 restaurants and superb entertainment. Great features include a Victorian rose garden and inspiring period architecture.

Warner Leisure Hotels currently have a fantastic offer on Spa Breaks at Thoresby Hall. Save up to £320 per room - Book any Spa break and recieve a £10 voucher per person! Book a spa break online before Wednesday 29th July and recieve £10* per person Spa Voucher to redeem against any treatment, package or product while on your spa break.

Your Spa break will include:
• Ambassador accommodation (upgrades available if desired)
• Daytime activities
• Evening entertainment
• Full English breakfast and 3 course evening meal
• Use of our leisure facilities, swimming pool and gym
• Rhassoul mud bathing treatment
• Plus additional spa facilities dependant on break chosen, see below for further detail

Spa savings are available on ALL 2009 Spa breaks, these include:
• 2 night midweek Spa breaks from £199pp
• 2 night weekend Spa breaks from £225pp
• 3 night weekend Spa breaks from £262pp

2 Night Midweek Spa Breaks - SAVE UP TO £132* per room
Mon to Wed or Wed to Fri
2 night spa breaks include these extra facilities:

- 1 x Spa Experience session (3 hour session)
- Choice of a ESPA facial or massage (55 mins) on a midweek break
- FREE £10 per person Spa Voucher!

2 Night Weekend Spa Breaks - SAVE UP TO £212 per room*
Breaks run from Fri to Sun
2 night weekend breaks include these extra treatments:

- 1 x Spa Experience session (3 hour session)
- Choice of manicure or pedicure (45mins)
- FREE £10 per person Spa Voucher

3 Night Weekend Spa Breaks - SAVE UP TO £320* per room
Breaks run from Fri to Mon
3 night spa breaks include these extra treatments:

- 2 x Spa Experience sessions (3 hour sessions)
- Choice of a Manicure or Pedicure (45 mins)
- FREE £10 per person Spa Voucher

Hurry, availability is selling fast!

Visit the Warner Leisure Hotels website for more information

*Vouchers will be available on arrival at the hotel

Friday 3 July 2009

Yacht Holiday Offers - Peloponnese

Yacht Holiday Offers - Peloponnese 7 night flotillas from GBP478pp with Neilson.

The Peloponnese offers great sailing with an unspoilt stunning coastline to explore. The winds are very reliable with lighter breezes in the morning and steady force 3 and 4 breezes in the afternoon.

Our sailing area based around Porto Heli is a great base from which to explore the bustling tourist islands of Spetses and Hydra to the east and south east.

The Argolic Peninsula, studded with ancient ruins divides the eastern Saronic gulf from the western Argolic Gulf. Steeped in history, this fascinating part of Greece is a great sailing area with a stunning, unspoilt coastline waiting to be explored.

Our cruising area based around Porto Heli offers a good contrast in sailing. On the eastern coastline of the Peloponnese there are many secluded harbours and anchorages, as well as the historical towns of Mycenae, Epidavros and Navplion. Whilst the islands of Poros, Spetses and Hydra are some of the most popular destinations for yachts in Greece.

Poros only a few hundred metres off the Peloponnese coast was the home of Poseidon and a few remains of the Temple of Poseidon can still be seen. Just off the southern tip of the Peninsula is Spetses, much of which is covered with pine trees planted in the 19th century; the island is a hideaway for many visiting Athenians, giving it a stylish air. Tucked away at the top of the Argolic Gulf is Navplion, once the first capital of modern Greece, dominated by a Venetian citadel, which on a clear day affords views back down the Argolic Gulf to Porto Heli and Spetses.

South of Spetses, the Peloponnese is a great place to enjoy scenic, uncrowded sailing.The villages visited offer charming shoreside restaurants and an unbeatable welcome to all of our flotillas. The furthest point visited by our flotillas (conditions permitting) is Monemvasia. A medieval, Byzantine and Venetian fortress town perched on a distinctively shaped headland. The town is a must see, with a jumble of cobbled streets and stunning views over the sea. From your own yacht it’s very easy to imagine how it must have felt to try and invade these impressive fortifications. Monemvasia’s nickname is the Gibraltar of the East.

With slightly higher winds than the Ionian, mile upon mile of contrasting scenery, unspoilt harbours and anchorages, together with many places of great historical significance, the Peloponnese offers a sailing experience that should not be missed.

Special Offers on Peloponnese Sailing Holidays with Neilson

Fly from London Heathrow
03.10.09 - Beneteau 361 - £483pp

Fly from London Gatwick
10.10.09 - Dufour 34 - £747pp
10.10.09 - Beneteau 361 - £677pp

Fly from London Stanstead
26.09.09 - Beneteau 331 - £478pp

To find out more visit the Neilson Website


Yacht Holiday Offers - Southern Ionian


Yacht Holiday Offers - Southern Ionian 7 night flotillas from GBP449pp with Neilson.
The Ionian is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Mediterranean with gentle breezes and a scattering of picturesque islands and sheltered harbours offering the perfect introduction to sailing.
The Southern Ionian is ideal for the less experienced sailor due to its sheltered waters and generally shorter routes, whilst the Northern Ionian offers more adventurous sailing with longer passages, less crowded waters and steady breezes.
Special Offers on Neilson Southern Ionian Yacht Holidays
Fly from London Gatwick
27.09.09 - Moody S31 - £449pp
20.09.09 - Beneteau 331 - £440pp
11.10.09 - Dufour 325 - £410pp
Fly from Manchester
27.09.09 - Moody S31 - £449pp
27.09.09 - Dufour 325 - £454pp