Travel Agent Low Cost Deals to Introduce W&O Travel holidays to Itinerary

Manchester-based travel agent Low Cost Deals has announced that it will soon be introducing a range of holidays from travel company W&O Travel to their itinerary.

Previously known as “Kids in the Med”, W&O Travel offer tailor-made holidays for the more discernable traveller, with each of their resorts rated at four stars or above.

W&O Travel specialise in luxury family holidays in over 150 countries, providing onsite children’s entertainment, as well as the little extras that make a holiday special. Whether it’s a summer holiday in Europe, a skiing break in North America, or a more exotic destination like the Caribbean or the Far East, W&O Travel provide holidays to suit every type of traveller.

Brendan Clancy of Low Cost Deals, said: “We think the range of holidays from W&O Travel will appeal to our customer base who are used to the high standards associated with our other leading holiday brands like Club Med, Kuoni and Mark Warner.”

Club Med is one of the world’s premier all-inclusive holiday providers. With around 80 luxurious holiday villages all over the world, from the Caribbean to the French Alps, these holidays cater for both sun-seekers and skiing enthusiasts.

Aspen Travel are fully ATOL and ABTA bonded, and hold a number of awards for their service, including the Advantage Leisure Agent of the Year 2009, North West England & North Wales Travel Agent of the year 2009 and Online Leisure Agent of the year for 2008.

For more information about any of these holidays and resorts, or to book a holiday of your own, visit the Low Cost Deals website at our website : http://www.lowcostdeals.co.uk/

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Club Med celebrates it’s 60th birthday

Renowned holiday company Club Med is celebrating its 60th birthday this year, and to mark the occasion, Low Cost Deals are offering a number of savings on Club Med holidays for Summer 2010.

Club Med is one of the world’s premier all-inclusive holiday providers. The first Club Med resort opened in 1950 on the Spanish resort island of Mallorca, and now there are over 80 destinations in idyllic locations all over the world.

From the Caribbean to the French Alps, these holidays cater for both sun-seekers and skiing enthusiasts.

2010 is set to be a big year for Club Med, with a number of now resorts opening, as well as the redevelopment of some existing ones.

Club Med Kani in the Maldives will soon have its own dedicated 5-Trident space. This unique space will cater for the resort’s very exclusive guests who enjoy luxury, personal service, premium amenities, quiet and privacy while still enjoying the spirit of a Club Med conference.

Meanwhile, Club Med’s first Chinese Resort is set to open its doors this winter. Yabuli, located in the north-east of the country, is China’s leading ski resort and is set to attract a whole new clientele to Club Med.

2010 is certainly set to be an exciting year for Club Med, and you could be a part of it. If you book your Club Med holiday with Low Cost Deals before the end of February, for a departure date between 1st May and 24th October 2010, you could enjoy savings of up to £200 per adult, and up to £100 per child.

Low Cost Deals is the online home of Aspen Travel, who are fully ATOL and ABTA bonded, and hold a number of awards for their service, including the Advantage Leisure Agent of the Year 2009, North West England & North Wales Travel Agent of the year 2009 and Online Leisure Agent of the year for 2008.

Abu Dhabi favourite for the first Middle East Club Med holiday resort

Abu Dhabi are believed to be winning the race for the first Club Med holiday resort in the Middle East.

Bosses of the luxury all-inclusive resorts are thought to favour the United Arab Emirates capital ahead of Dubai as it has a lot more beachfront.

With 80 resorts in 40 countries around the world, Club Med is one of the most popular holiday resorts for families and couples, attracting over 1.2 million guests last year.

A second Middle Eastern Club Med resort in Salalah, on the south coast of Oman, is set to open in 2012.

Brendan Clancy, CEO of holiday firm Low Cost Deals, who specialise in Club Med holidays, said: “It would be fantastic to have another Club Med resort in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is a place where luxury and style are infused with the traditional values of hospitality and respect, all of which will suit Club Med customers.

“The superb weather, tranquil beaches, lush oases, vibrant city life, and a mixture of culture and traditions, all come together with the Club Med all-inclusive product to create a holiday experience like no other. “

Low Cost Deals is the online home of Aspen Travel, and is one of the UK’s leading holiday websites, offering a wide range of holidays with Club Med to all corners of the globe.

Aspen Travel are fully ATOL and ABTA bonded, and hold a number of awards for their service, including the Advantage Leisure Agent of the Year 2009, North West England & North Wales Travel Agent of the year 2009 and Online Leisure Agent of the year for 2008.

Hit the Slopes this Winter with a Mark Warner Ski Holiday from Low Cost Deals

As the winter season draws in, many people will be escaping the rainy shores of Britain and heading to the Alpine slopes for a skiing vacation. With travel agent Low Cost Deals running a number of special offers on Mark Warner ski holidays to the French Alps, starting from just £499 per person, it is not too late to join them.

Mark Warner ski holidays allow you to experience a fantastic winter sports holiday in some of the world’s greatest destinations. With high quality hotels and all the little extras that make your holiday special, a Mark Warner ski holiday gives you a chance to enjoy a short break in the snow.

Here are just some of the late deals available from Low Cost Deals for Mark Warner skiing breaks:

• Chalethotel Hauts de Tovière from £499
An excellent location in the centre of Tignes, this spacious yet quirky chalethotel is just a short ski to the Chaudanne and Paquis lifts and nursery slopes.

• Chalethotel Moris from £499
Situated right in the centre of Val d’Isere, the Chalethotel Moris is above the resort’s most popular bar and live music venue. It’s also just across the road from the Solaise and Bellevarde lifts and ski schools. Everything you need is right on your doorstep.

• Chalethotel Christina from £449
A great place for families, the Christina is large and welcoming. It has a laid back atmosphere with plenty of convivial spaces for socialising and the location is knockout. The Christina is right next to the slopes, directly opposite the lifts and about 150 metres from the ski school meeting place. So you can ski out and ski home again and then enjoy a bit of apres-ski at Scotty’s Bar & Restaurant right next door.

• Chalethotel Cygnaski – £545
Chalethotel Cygnaski is just minutes from the centre of Val d’Isere. Access to the slopes is simple, with a short bus ride to the La Daille lifts in one direction and the Le Fornet lifts and nursery slopes in the other.

• Chalethotel Le Val dIsère – £686
Right in the centre of Val d’Isere, lounging against a mountain, chalethotel Le Val d’Isere is perfectly positioned for just about everything. It’s within walking distance of the main Solaise and Bellevarde lifts and it’s only minutes from the ski school. This hotel has been newly refurbished, with modern bathrooms, beautifully decorated bedrooms with flat screen TVs installed, and the public areas and restaurant have been updated also.

• Chalethotel Dahu – £545
If you like to stay in the heart of the action then the Chalethotel Dahu is perfect. The ski school is a couple of minutes walk away and the Forum Centre, with bowling alley, skating rink and climbing wall. Plus it’s just 100m from the Croisette lift station. The Dahu is friendly and inviting; with its open plan lounge bar on the first floor full of comfortable sofas and soft lights, it feels wonderfully welcoming at the end of a long day on the slopes.

All prices shown are per person, for seven nights, departing on 13th December from airports across Britain.

Spice Lands of Kerala

My decision to visit the Spice Lands of Kerala with Cox & Kings was a visit into the unknown in some ways but one which was to prove to be a trip of a lifetime….

From the moment I stepped off the plane to saying my goodbyes to an India Sunset, every moment & experience I had will stay with me forever.

I couldn’t possible put into words what an amazing experience my trip was with Cox & Kings, so as the old saying goes a picture speaks a thousand words & of the 900+ pictures I took, I hope I have captured every aspect of my holiday. Thankfully for you I have edited my pictures down to a more manageable number!
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Top ten Club Med summer destinations

Low Cost Deals have announced the most popular Club Med summer destinations amongst their customers.

The luxurious holiday villages have proved firm favourites with both families and couples alike, with each location boasting an array of first class facilities. From the wide range of sporting activities (both on land and in the water) to the relaxing spas and sumptuous restaurants, Club Med’s purpose built resorts make for the perfect summer getaway.

The “all inclusive” nature of these resorts has seen Club Med’s popularity soar despite the economic downturn. Once the customers arrive at their Club Med village, they need not spend another penny as all food, drink and entertainment is included in the booking price. And this growth is set to continue well into the winter season, as Club Med have reported a significant rise in bookings for their all-inclusive ski resorts this year.

Here are Low Cost Deals’ top ten Club Med ( http://www.lowcostdeals.co.uk/clubmed/offers.asp ) summer destinations;

1. Palmiye – Turkey
Palmiye is Low Cost Deals’ most popular Club Med destination, in fact it was completely sold out for the 2009 summer season. And it’s not difficult to see why, with its comfortable bungalows and picturesque grounds, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Taurus mountains.

2. Kamarina – Sicily
One of the first villages to be built in Europe, Kamarina is also Club Med’s largest resort. The beautiful architecture and narrow paved streets are designed to replicate a traditional Sicilian village, which makes for a charming holiday environment. Families can relax by one of Kamarina’s three swimming pools, including the largest pool of any Club Med resort, and a heated pool inside the hotel. There’s also Hobie cat sailing for the more adventurous.

3. Hammamet – Tunisia
Sitting in the Gulf of Hammamet, the strong local culture is evident all around this Club Med village, from the mouth-watering cuisine to the vibrant and colourful bungalows. Guests can go sailing in a catamaran, or relax in the on-site spa, before taking an evening stroll along the 300-metre beach that lines the resort.

4. Gregolimano – Greece
This recently refurbished village on the island of Evia is famous for its sandy white beaches and deep blue Aegean waters. After a long of day of waterskiing and tennis, the poolside bar is perfect for winding down and enjoying the cool evening breeze.

5. Beldi – Turkey
Situated in the “Turkish Riviera”, Beldi is surrounded by exotic bays and historic attractions. While the kids master the tightrope at Circus School, adults can relax with a massage or a Turkish bath in the cooling shade of the nearby pine grove.

6. Kemer – Turkey
Located near the Turkish town of Antalya, the site for this Club Med village was discovered just 30 years ago. As a result, the natural, untamed surroundings give Kemer an exotic and laid-back atmosphere. Why not dance away the afternoons at Salsa classes, then show off your new moves at the open-air disco in the evenings.

7. Da Balaia – Portugal
This Club Med village in the Algarve is the perfect destination for a golfing getaway, with more than 15 courses nearby to add to the resort’s own putting green. But if golf isn’t your game, then you can always sample the specialist Moroccan cuisine whilst absorbing the spectacular ocean views that Da Balaia’s cliff-top setting provides.

8. Punta Cana – Dominican Republic
Club Med bring their traditional Mediterranean vibes to the Caribbean with their Punta Cana resort. The village utilises local colours and materials to produce vibrant surroundings, which has proved to be a hit with holidaymakers.

9. Kani – Maldives
This idyllic resort in the Indian Ocean is a scuba diver’s paradise. The village also boasts unique accommodation with their “Suites on Stilts”, built into the sea itself, making this the perfect getaway for couples and honeymooners.

10. La Plantation d’ Albion – Mauritius
The jewel in Club Med’s crown, this newly-opened 5-trident village is the height of luxury. Framed by bright white beaches on the island’s western coast, its exotic surroundings and make it the perfect destination for both families and newlyweds.

Club Med Bodrum Palmiye

Liz in the Club Med Bodrum Palmiye Sitting Area

Club Med Bodrum Palmiye is outside of Izmir, on the Bodrum peninsula in Turkey

Club Med Bodrum Palmiye is newly refurbished Resort lies on a hill clad with umbrella pines.

Club Med Bodrum Palmiye is a 4-Trident Resort and its new decor combines Mediterranean art de vivre with contemporary comfort. Its spacious rooms are a tasteful rendering of bright local colour, while the Resort’s centre has been extended, to cater equally for privacy and lively entertainment. The restaurants have all been redesigned. Well catered for they have tables for 2, 4, 6 and 8.
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Karen’s taste of China on a Wendy Wu Tour

A usual day on a Wendy Wu Tour in China’s capital as Karen takes in Tiananmen Square, the summer palace and an acrobatics show.

08:00
After a long but smooth flight from the UK we check into our hotel. I take a shower and then make my way down to the breakfast area to see what delights there are at the breakfast buffet. The inclusion of rice reminds me I am in China.

09:00
Meet our guide Emmanuel who takes a register – an experience I’ve not had since being at convent school. Emmanuel is not his real but the Chinese like to pick a European name as guests sometimes find it difficult to pronounce their Chinese name. We set off in our minibus to Tiananmen Square. This is the largest square of its kind in the world and there’s a huge picture of Chairman Mao presiding over it.
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Karen’s Club Med Kamarina Adventure!

Kamarina is a Club Med 3 trident village in Sicily. Kamarina is Club Med’s largest village and thats a fact!

My husband and I Arrived at new airport at Catania, which is a very modern airport with a few shops and eateries. The Club Med Rep was waiting with a sign so it was easy to locate him. He escorted us to our coach which would transfer us to the Club Med Kamarina Village. The Coaches were all air conditioned and the seats reclined all way back which made the two hour journey quite pleasant! On arrival at the Club Med Kamarina Village the Club Med Rep explains the set up in the various languages.

The Club Med Kamarina Village is a predominantly a French resort. Every guest is given a Club Med cloth wristband to wear so you do not have to buy anything within the resort! The only things that are at extra cost are the items on sale in the boutique on site which I must say have some lovely handbags! The other thing at extra cost is the Club Med Spa which I did go to and found very relaxing.
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Sardinia with Sardatur Holidays

South Sardinia is always degrees hotter than the north. Sardatur Holidays are a specialist tour operator who only feature Sardinia in their product.  Sardinia is beautiful it has many beaches with crystal waters and mountains. They are a small company with only 5 people working for them.  They are able to guarantee almost anything for clients as they have a great relationship with all the hotels in Sardinia so whether it be inter connecting or rooms close to the beach etc.  The season starts from May and finishes in October most hotels close in the winter and open in the middle of May.
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