Travel Business Pages » Holiday Destinations

Hilton set to expand in UK and Europe

Alan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:10:04 +0000

‘Hospitality’ is a word that has gradually become synonymous with the variety of public accommodations, dining and entertainment commonly provided by hotels, from the simplest to the most lavish. Hilton Worldwide is an undisputed leader in the hospitality field, and they have just announced another significant expansion project in the UK and Europe.

Hilton expects to open more than 20 new properties in the UK over the next several years, with one in Lincoln scheduled by the end of this year and two in St George’s Park, Burton on Trent, by the end of 2012. The careers of about 1,900 hotel employees will be ‘safeguarded’ with the conversion of ten existing hotels to the Hilton brand, and around 1,500 hospitality careers will be launched with the new ones.

The company is also supporting the government’s Get Britain Working campaign with its apprenticeship programme, which provides on-the-job training combined with college-based courses. 60 young British chefs-in-training have already been recruited into the twelve month course at Hilton’s Chef Apprenticeship Academy.

There are many options and career opportunities in the hospitality industry, and Hilton says they mean to attract and retain the best of the best. Sales and marketing, finance, procurement, human resources, management and many other fields are all part of the Hilton Worldwide team; apprenticeships and Hilton’s online e-learning programme (more than 2,000 courses in 18 languages) are on offer to qualified candidates.

Russia, Germany, Poland and Turkey are also targeted as major growth areas, and hundreds of job and career opportunities will be opening up in those countries in the next two or three years. Hilton’s VP of

human resources for Europe said that the company is recruiting candidates who are highly motivated, and may have diverse backgrounds in fields that are transferable to the hospitality industry.

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Top 7 Most Romantic UK Destinations

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:24:57 +0000

Looking for ideas for a romantic break? The UK is filled with charming holiday locations, whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a lovers’ retreat, the list is endless. Reserve a Sykes Cottage and spend your mornings lying in and perhaps when the sun sets, explore one of these top seven romantic destinations.

1. Bath

Just a short trip from London, Bath is a city built on romance and wonder. Featuring estates settled on lush, rolling green lands, bubbling hot springs and historic Roman architecture, this is one weekend destination that you won’t want to miss. Just take your loved one along and let yourselves get swept away in its ambiance.

2. Warwick Castle

Prove to your significant other that chivalry is indeed alive with a weekend break to Warwick Castle. This castle’s history spans ten centuries–that’s a lot of romance and relationships. Take a tour of the moats and dungeons and reignite your true love.

3. Liverpool

If you and your partner both enjoy eclectic outings, Liverpool is the place to go. The city may be fast-paced, but don’t be afraid to take it in slowly, winding through the theatres, halls and cathedrals while walking hand-in-hand with your special someone.

4. Whitby

This small town will either make you dream of love by the sea or an eternal gothic romance. Its competing fame as a beautiful coastal setting and the location of Stoker’s infinitely famous ‘Dracula’ both spin visions of deep intimacy. Indulge yourself and your other half with a cottage getaway to find out which theme suites you best. Many couples have often stayed at popular coastal cottages overlooking the Whitby bay which provides some truly captivating scenes.

5. Tannaghmore

Located in Northern Ireland, Tannaghmore Gardens is elegant in its simplicity, especially for lovers who are content to enjoy each other’s presence in a serene setting. Tour the gardens and farmland here on a lazy afternoon or walk down to the Kissing Gate, where it is said that couples who smooch will wed in a year’s time.

6. Gretna Green

If you’re the spontaneous type, the southern Scottish village of Gretna Green could be the perfect place to take the leap. This small town has earned its reputation as the eloping capital of the United Kingdom, so be careful before you invite your honey on this spur-of-the-moment holiday. However, if you’re sincerely thinking of tying the knot, the traditional blacksmith culture will be a nice backdrop for your nuptials.

7. The Cotswolds

This cluster of small towns is characterised by green pastures and old world charm. If you are searching for a short holiday that will render you without distractions, come to one of these small villages.

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Corfu, Greece: Paradise

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:34:34 +0000

Taking a holiday in Corfu can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. The island itself is connected to the ancient Greeks through mythology. It is said that the Greek god Poseidon fell in love with a nymph, whom he abducted and brought to the island and named it after her. Today it is a beautiful place to vacation, for both locals and people visiting from miles away.

Corfu is an island with a long and interesting history. It was mentioned earliest thousands of years ago in ancient Greek writings, and is sometimes thought to be the island that was described in Homer’s Odyssey. Although mythology seems to be closely tied with the island, Corfu has actually also had a long and violent history of battle. Many of the battles fought here were naval, due to the fact that Corfu was, in fact, an island and supplied vessels. During World War I, Corfu served as a “safe island” for Serbians fleeing the German forces.

Today, Corfu is as interesting and diverse as Athens itself. There are many ancient buildings and sites of old battles on the island. Not only is it full of history, but it is also a relaxing and beautiful place to visit. Here are some of the top places to visit while you are in the area:

• Trailriders Horse Trekking. Horses do the island justice. They are a relaxing, natural way of transportation through the beautiful vegetation and back trails of Corfu. You and you entire family will enjoy exploring the island the old fashioned way.
• Paleokastritsa. It is a beach, a religious site and a historic site all rolled into one. The beautiful coastline will amaze you. The cliffs on the side of the hills are very steep, making the accommodations literally a part of the landscaping. The water is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are several small inlets and bays that you can also explore. The roads are very narrow and often crowded, but be patient. It is well worth the journey.
• Mirtiotissa Beach. Looking for a beach that is secluded and quiet? This beach is perfect for you. Mirtiotissa is also a very clean beach. There is no trash. Keep in mind that there isn’t any parking directly near the beach, so you will need to park a small distance away.
• Kassiopi. This is a pleasant village to visit on Corfu. Everything is quaint and distinctly Grecian, from the restaurants to the boutique hotels and shops that dot the shore. It’s a nice place to visit for the day.
• Sissi’s Palace. This historic site is a beautiful example of ancient Greek architecture. There are several fine displays inside the building, through which you can tour, as well as many preserved statues. Don’t miss out!
• Old Fort. Ancient ruins are the name of the game here. Visit here and check out the amazing ancient edifice.

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Why London is the Place to Stay

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:01:52 +0000

An Advertising Feature

When it comes to finding an attractive city break, London is almost always the top of the list. This fabulous capital city offers a vast range of hotels and establishments which are suitable to all needs and preferences. Regardless of the purpose of your visit, there is always a great location available for you. But why is London such a hotspot for visitors? And what can you expect to find in London hotels.

As a capital city London prides itself on offering diversity and variety along its streets. It is for this reason that it has become such a popular destination to both international tourists and local residents. The range of activities means that there is plenty of choice for visitors, making London an ideal place to stay for people who are looking for variety and enjoyment.

Culture

London is known for its multicultural society. The city itself offers a whole host of cultural activities that celebrate the British heritage and provide stimulating educational activities which are also enjoyable.

Art museums are always a popular attraction for culture lovers and in London the number of prestigious galleries is immense. The National Art Gallery provides a fantastic experience to those interested in artwork from previous periods whilst the Tate Modern offers a more contemporary look at the art world.

Museums are another common feature of the London landscape with the National History Museum, RAF Museum, Imperial War Museum, British Museum, Bank of England Museum and Science Museum featuring amongst a large number of such establishments.

Entertainment

When it comes to Entertainment, London has some of the best options available. More traditional options such as visiting the Royal Opera House feature alongside more modern attractions, such as the London Dungeons. The more recently erected London Eye is a great place to experience the full view of London whilst witnessing the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is a great way to keep children entertained.

Shopping

London is famous for its varied shopping experiences and with such a large area you are never very far from the shops. There are a number of different styles of shopping centre available, catering to different tastes. The Westfield Centre is one of the biggest on offer and boasts an impressive range of high-street and high-end shops. Other areas such as Camden and Covent Garden offer different and more unique experiences

Hotels in London

With all this on offer many people choose to stay in London for a number of days, hoping to experience as much of the vibrant city as possible. London hotels are elegant and stylish establishments that aim to enhance your visit to the capital. Priding themselves on offering luxury and comfort, you will find a great range of services on offer in every hotel. London is a centre of activity and so its hotels are designed to offer peace and tranquillity away from the busy streets.

With centralised locations, a London hotel offers a great base from which to explore this amazingly diverse city, providing elegance and comfort in an area of activity and excitement.

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Best Travel Guides – Guide to the Guides

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:14:21 +0000

An Advertising Feature

When travelling to a new location, whether for business or pleasure it’s great to prepare for the trip with some reading especially if you have a long flight time to fill. So before you fly off to your next destination why not check out three of the most popular travel publishers with this Guide to the Guides?

DK (Dorling-Kindersley)

The non-fiction publishers, particularly well known for their encyclopaedias and children’s educational volumes, produce attractive and colourful guides for over 100 destinations packed with maps, floor plans and pictures along with all the essential travel tips.

The Eyewitness Travel Guide books have more pages for reading in the in the hotel room, complete with longer more detailed features.

Broken down into the destination regions, dozens of top ten guides to take you to the best the area has to offer, from hotels, to tourist attractions to restaurants, to shops and much more. A handy size for taking out and about.

AA (Automobile Association)

As well as the more obvious driving maps and atlases, The AA publishes worldwide guides in various formats all colour-coded:

Countrywide “KeyGuides”, broken down into regions and with a built in Atlas.
Countrywide, regional or city “Spiral Guides” pocket-sized with easy to follow walks and tours.
City and Regional “Essential Guides” with a selection of the best things to see and do in great detail.
“City Packs” are pocket sized with plastic covers and a handy removable fold-out map.
“City Map and Mini Guide” – a comprehensive map on one side and on the reverse, concise essential travellers information.

Lonely Planet

Known for its commitment to the independent traveller to some of the most challenging locations at low prices, Lonely Planet produce 500 comprehensive travel guides for 195 countries, with insider tips and value for money recommendations.

Trip Guide – great for road trip itineraries across countries.
Discover Guide – Full colour, showing highlights of countries or cities for people with less time to see their destination.
Region Guide – Very detailed in-depth guide across diverse regions of bordering countries.
Country Guide – Fully comprehensive guide for anyone wanting to know a country inside out, regardless of the trips planned.
Encounter guide – Pocket-sized and compact with concise accessible information.
Shoestring guide – Detailed guide across a wide region to help stretch cash and elongate you travel to see all you can in the time available.
City Guide – intimate reviews and recommendations to get to know the city you visit like a local.

Whichever guide you pick make sure you get one well before you travel. They are very well-researched and offer unbiased reviews on hotels, restaurants and excursions, and knowing your destination before you book accommodation can save time, money and disappointment. All the guides on the market have essential information about the people, laws and culture of the countries and cities, which helps make your trip efficient, enjoyable and safe.

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Greece and Spain are back or holidaymakers minds

Alan — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:05:22 +0000

The latest quarterly data released from Experian Hitwise confirms that there has been a positive resurgence in the holiday hotspots of Greece and Spain. Figures for the period January to April show that between them, the two countries have six of the fastest selling destinations. This period covers the political unrest in the formerly high flying Egypt, and shows that the star performer of the last few years Turkey has slowed down considerably.

This report has also confirmed feedback from various tour operators that exchange rates and APD has hit Australia hard, with a decline in flight searches of 33%. The US, on the other hand, is faring very will, with one of the most popular searches being ‘flights to New York’. Ryanair’s fortunes have improved greatly, turning a decline last quarter into this quarter’s fastest moving carrier.

On a year to year comparison, the bookings through travel agencies were down 6.7%, cruises were down 7.2% and holiday car hire dropped by a hefty 20.2%. Only accommodation and destination showed an increase, up by 1.22%.

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Best Travel Deals for Amsterdam

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:21:04 +0000

An Advertising Feature

Planning Ahead

If you plan to visit Amsterdam in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that you first do your homework. To find cheap Amsterdam flights you will have to compare what is available on the Internet. There are numerous price comparison websites where you can get a list of quotes within a minute or two.

The same goes for car hire. Rather than wait until you arrive at the Amsterdam airport to rent a car, compare car hire options before you leave. Most of the time you will be able to get a better deal this way.

Amsterdam Accommodation

If you are on a budget, one of the many hostels in Amsterdam will no doubt appeal to you. Many of them provide dormitory accommodation complete with a breakfast, at rock bottom prices.

Business travellers will probably prefer to stay in the city centre, close to where most head offices are situated. There are a number of upmarket options in this area, including all the major chain groups, as well as some independent boutique hotels.

Families will save a lot of money if they go for one of the self-catering apartments that can be found all over the city centre and even beyond. Not only are these cheaper per person than hotel rooms, but since you can prepare your own meals, you can also save on the cost of dining out.

What to Do and See

One of the first things many visitors to Amsterdam do is go on a canal tour. This makes sense, because it gives you a good overall view of the city. An interesting alternative is to explore the city by bicycle.

Nobody should leave Amsterdam without bringing a visit to the Netherlands’ biggest museum, the Rijksmuseum. This is where you will find works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer. There is also a beautiful collection of dollhouses dating back to that period, as well as Delftware.

The Van Gogh Museum is a must-see for fans of this artist’s work. It houses no less than 200 paintings and 550 sketches, as well as numerous letters the artist wrote.

Begijnhof is a delightful garden in the heart of Amsterdam. It is surrounded by a collection of restored old houses, among them the oldest house in Amsterdam. The nuns of yesteryear have now been replaced by little old ladies enjoying the fresh air.

Eating and Nightlife

Visiting one of the many Brown Cafes in Amsterdam is a great way of experiencing the local culture. This is where many locals go for a drink or something to eat. They are often quite small and rather cramped, but the ambiance is certainly unique. Best of all: everything is very affordable.

Amsterdam’s Red Light District, Walletjies Straat, is famous (or some would call it notorious) all over the world. You don’t need to become a client to appreciate the ambiance of this area with its bored-looking girls flaunting their assets, blue-movie theatres and unique “souvenir” shops.

Weather

Amsterdam has a typical Northern European climate. To truly appreciate the city, arrive in late spring or summer, the best time to appreciate the canals, the sidewalk cafes and the thousands of Dutch residents on their bicycles.

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Bahrain blacklisted as travel destination

Alan — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:05:22 +0000

With the increase in dangerous interactions between police and protesters, followed by the Saudi military promising to provide assistance, the Foreign Office has issued warnings to British citizens advising them not to travel to Bahrain.

With the National Guard from Saudi Arabia on the cusp of stepping in to provide assistance, UK officials are strongly advising that people of the UK stay in the UK for now.

In a current statement, the FCO announced, “Due to the threat the recent protests pose, the reports of protesters setting up road blocks, clashes between the police and protesters, and the country being on the verge of having the Saudi National Guard enter for support, we would like to warn British nationals who happen to already be in Bahrain to remain home.

“It is more certain there will be higher severity of violence in the next outbreaks. If you must travel to or within the country, try to sustain your security consciousness. This is especially important on the larger roads and in public locations. Particularly, you should stay away from the demonstrations and crowds of people in general.”

The past month as seen no rest to the protests, in which people are calling for the abdication of the monarchy.

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York’s Annual Tourism Awards – 53 Businesses Make It To the Shortlist

Alan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:16:51 +0000

The finalists for the York Tourism Awards of 2011 have been announced by Visit York. There are 53 finalists in 13 categories, as listed below. The York Racecourse will be the venue for a very formal awards ceremony on April 6th, where an independent panel of judges will reveal those chosen after short-listing from the 53.

This is an Oscar-like ceremony recognizing achievements in the tourism industry, and is in its 14th year. Adam Tomlinson of BBC Radio York will mc the event, while many local businesses will sponsor it. Anything above and beyond the call of duty in the tourim sector will be recognized.

The most prestigious award, which the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, currently enjoys, is York Ambassador. Who that will be this year is a top secret affair. No one will know until the Awards banquet.

A new addition to the program will be the People’s Choice Awards, allowing the audience to select their choice for best in York tourism.

Gillian Cruddas MBE, Chief Executive of Visit York said,

“We feel it is important to acknowledge and reward exemplary customer service in York. Winning a prestigious York Tourism Award is highly regarded by the city’s tourism businesses and these awards are the highlight of the year for York’s tourism industry. By rewarding good practice, we are working to continually drive up standards and ensure visitors have a quality experience in York.’

The finalists are as follows:

Hotel of the Year

Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa

The Grange Hotel

Hotel du Vin

Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

York Marriott Hotel

Guest Accommodation of the Year

Carlton House

Low Penhowe

Monkgate Guest House

Warrens Guest House

Self Catering/Caravan Park of the Year

The Dovecote Barns

The Riverside York

Robin Hood Caravan Park

St Peter’s Grove Apartment

York City Apartments

Pub/Bar of the Year

The Black Swan Inn

Evil Eye Lounge

House of the Trembling Madness

The Living Room

The Snickleway Inn

The Three Tuns

Taste of York Award

Café Harlequin

The Grange Hotel

Melton’s Restaurant

York Racecourse

York & Scarborough Business Tourism Award

Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough

Raven Hall Hotel, Ravenscar

The Royal York Hotel

York Conferences, University of York

York Marriott Hotel

Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000 visitors)

Complete Yorkshire

The Ice Factor

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens & Nurseries

York Pullman Bus Company

Yorkshire Lavender

Visitor Attraction of the Year (50,000 visitors & over)

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

York Dungeon

York Maze

York Racecourse 2010 Race Season

The Yorkshire Museum

Outstanding Customer Service Award

Hotel Chocolat

Robin Hood Caravan Park

The Santa Team – Yorkboat

York Venues, York Museums Trust

York Science Park Ltd Customer Service Assistants

Employee of the Year Award

Rebecca Hardcastle, Dean Court Hotel

Daren Wilkinson, Holiday Inn

Mike Cushing, The Living Room

Julia Betteridge, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

James Borrow, Xing Smoothies

David Long, York Marriott Hotel

Marketing Campaign of the Year

York Food & Drink Festival

York Maze Halloween

York Theatre Royal

York Tourism Ambassador

To be confirmed at the Awards Ceremony

People’s Choice Award

Shortlist to be announced soon

Tickets to the Visit York Tourism Awards event are now on sale priced at £39 + VAT – to register businesses are asked to visit www.visityork.org/awards ;

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Pontin’s is back

Alan — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:17:39 +0000

Pontin’s the holiday camp company now has a future again after its administrators were able to find a buyer for the firm that will preserve jobs for its staff of about 850 people. The holiday camp company went into administration back in November of last year and was sold off to the Britannia Hotel Group this week which also owns the Liverpool Adelphi hotel.

Britannia owner Alex Langsam, stated that they are very excited about their plans for Pontin’s and they will be working full force at bringing the company back while still keeping the company’s heritage alive for family’s to continue to enjoy.

Although administrators KPMG were looking for a buyer over the last few months, the holiday sites all stayed open. There are five sites in all: Suffolk’s Pakefield, Somerset’s Brean Sands, Merseyside’s Southport, Sussex’s Camber Sands, and Denbighshire’s Prestatyn.

KPMG reported that the company went into administration in November due to the fact that the company had run out of cash due to a lack of bookings that fell over the course of last year which was a surprise as most of the holiday companies in the UK saw a boost in bookings as people choose to take holidays within the country instead of heading abroad due to tightened budgets.

Joint administrator of the sale and restructuring director at KPMG, Rob Croxen, stated that the business was able to attract a great deal of interest from many different investors and they were pleased to hand it off to Britannia given the holiday company’s long solid track record.

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