Discover the very best holidays of 2009 - where our customers have been, and where they are planning to go in 2010!

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100	Mallorca Of all the Spanish islands, Mallorca will always be a favourite. Only a couple of hours from the UK, it is small and easy enough to hire a car and explore the beautiful scenery and coastline in the west of the island. There is much to do away from the coast such as the superb Caves of Drac, the weekly Inca market, excellent walking in the North of the island and idyllic villages in the west such as Deya. Less well known is the fact that Mallorca has the largest maze in Europe at Playa de Muro. And Parc Natural de S'Albufera is a wetland area on Lake Grande with superb bird watching. There are several delightful places to stay in Mallorca. One of our favourites is the family owned Bon Sol in Illetas. There is a wonderful atmosphere, great friendly service and the building is full of character. At the bottom of the steps is an oasis of gardens and waterfalls that lead down to a small sandy cove. (see picture) Another gem is Illa D'Or in Puerto Pollensa with a magnificent setting on the bay, and just a short walk to the cafes and restaurants of the resort. It has a small beach in front of the hotel and is sheltered by pine trees. There is a traditional atmosphere but yet has modern facilities such as the health club and in the evening there is live music and shows.
99	Spa breaks in Montenegro Like its neighbour Croatia, Montenegro has miles of pristine shores and is a very economical place to enjoy good quality food in excellent restaurants. It has Southern Europe's most spectacular fjord, glacial lakes, deep canyons and little coves all waiting to be explored. The canyon of the Tara River which is easily accessible is the 2nd deepest in the world! One of the newest hotels is the Avala, just a short walk from the old city of Budva, with a state of the art spa and is set directly on the beach. A popular twin centre combination is a week here plus a week near Dubrovnik in Croatia.
98	Stay in a Luxury Lodge in the UK Over the last few decade or so many lodges and parks around the UK have dramatically upgraded their accommodation, and many of these now have contemporary furnishings and decor with special touches like hot tubs on the patio. One example is Oakwood Lodges (pictured) near York. It is a small collection of stylish lodges only 20 minutes drive away from the centre of York, but yet set in stunning scenery. The private outdoor decking area has a hot tub with great views over the small lake or across the lush green meadows. Bikes are available to hire, and there are local nature reserves to explore. In the evening there are many friendly pubs close by.
97	Disneyland Paris If you are wanting somewhere all the family will love then Disneyland Paris is the place for you! Filled with magic and excitement in a place where fantasy becomes reality, there is so much to do you'll be spoilt for choice. Some of the highlights in the Disneyland Park include: · Meet the Disney characters · Have breakfast with Mickey · Disney Characters' Express (some truly memorable moments with the Disney Characters) · Take a visit to Sleeping Beauty's Castle · Watch the characters sing and dance in the "Disney's Once Upon A Dream" parade. · Be a part of the "Honey, I Shrunk The Audience" 3D show. · Rides for the little ones such as Peter Pans Flight and Dumbo the flying elephant · "It's a small world" (the gentle, musical cruise around the world) · Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (your mission: become a space ranger and save the toys) · Space Mountain: Mission 2 (the space-ride that blasts you off to the edge of the universe) - Pirates of the Caribbean (the swashbuckling cruise into villainous territory) · Big Thunder Mountain (the perilous ride on a runaway mine train) · Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (the adventurous ride that loops and loops... really fast!) The fun doesn't stop there as next door to the Disneyland Park you also have the Walt Disney Studios. Here are some of exciting things you can do: · Meet and greet with a famous Disney star · New: See Stitch live · Animagique (the show where Donald opens the vault and Disney classics come to life on stage) · Art of Disney Animation (the authentic show-tour through the history of Disney) · CineMagique (the show where a movie comes to life before your star-studded eyes) · Ride on the Magic Carpet Ride · Cars Race Rally (the crazy spin-out that'll get your engines revving) · Sing and Dance along with the students of High School Musical · Studio Tram Tour · Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular · New: Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror (the drop that feels faster than the speed of gravity) · Crush's Coaster (the wild, wide-eyed ride through the wonders and dangers of ocean life) · Rock n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith And much more! A bonus is that Disneyland Paris is so easy to get to as the Eurostar now offers a direct service from London St Pancras to Disneyland Paris, taking approx 4 hours. If you're staying long enough why not hop on the train and have lunch in Paris? This really will be an unforgettable experience...
96	Cycling Holidays We recently counted at least 64 cycling holidays currently available ranging from very leisurely rides through France to more challenging routes through Morocco. All the tours are graded and include vehicle support where your luggage is transferred from point to point for you, and are a great way to meet other people and keep fit on holiday. But equally, they are a great way to see a destination as you pick up the little characteristics of a country that you'd easily miss travelling by road. A typical group size is from about 12 - 20 people. Here are a few examples of some of the trips currently available: - 10 days in Germany and Austria, along the Danube, fairly easy, from £1159 including flights and breakfast each day - 8 days in Burgundy, France, including the historic Canal de Bourgogne and quiet back roads past fortified villages, chateaux & abbeys, average grade cycling, from £867 including flights including breakfast each day - 15 days in Kerala India, peddling through the backwaters, cycling through tea & spice plantations, and searching for elephants before relaxing on Kerala's golden beaches, average grade cycling, from £1499 including flights including breakfast most days and a few other meals - 8 days cycling and cruising in Croatia, from £1123 including flights including breakfast each day plus some other meals - 12 days in South Africa, riding Table Mountain, past rugged coastlines and the rolling winelands of the Western Cape, average grade cycling, from £1720 including flights and some meals For full information about cycling holidays and tours available, please contact us.
95	Family adventure holidays Many families are put off going to places like Kenya and Namibia because of uncertainty about travelling with children, but one solution is to go on a special family tour where you will be travelling with other families. We have over 150 tours around the globe dedicated to families, and some are even specially designed for teenagers or single parent families. Here's a taste of some of the tours available: - 10 day family adventure in Morocco, including Berber villages of the High Atlas, the white washed walls of Essaouira and the magical city of Marrakech, from £679 per person - 8 day family holiday in the Azores (pictured), including volcanoes & hot springs on Sao Miguel Island, dolphin and whale spotting, and viewing caves & ancient lava flows, from £1295 per person - Blue Cruise 8 day family holiday in Turkey, visiting little inhabited islands & enchanting harbours, from £830 per person - Have "Tea with the Monkeys" in Kenya, 13 days from £2350 per person on this trip around Kenya with time to relax in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean - See the Orang Utans in Borneo, 13 days from £1780 per person including wildlife and relaxation as well as a visit to see the orang utans For more details of these and other family holidays please contact us.
94	Bargain breaks to Croatia There are several reasons why Croatia has become more popular recently, first because although it is within the Euro zone, it is a very cheap place to get good quality food in local restaurants, and second because of the lovely new hotels becoming available. Some of our favourite hotels are down to their wonderful location, for example the Liburna Hotel in Korcula (picture) is set in a stunning position by the water's edge, just a short walk from the old town of Korcula on the island of Korcula, and you'll enjoy wonderful views across the bay from your room or the terraces. Another great resort is Cavtat which is a delightful seaside town not far from Dubrovnik with a good selection of cheap good quality restaurants, pebble beaches and warm, clear water, and lots of pavement cafes and bars which come alive in the evening. Wherever you stay, it is worth visiting the old city of Dubrovnik, which is said to be the most perfectly preserved medieval city in the world. It is surrounded by huge walls which were started in the 11tth century, and is home to churches, monasteries, palaces, marble paved squares and cobbled streets. If you are staying on one of the islands then there are regular boat services from your resort to Dubrovnik.
93	Walking Holidays We currently have no less than 179 walking and trekking holidays on offer ranging from gentle walks to more difficult treks up Everest! They are all graded for the level of effort required and the level of comfort of the accommodation. You will travel in small groups, plus a tour leader, guide and porters depending on the location. Here are a few of the more popular walks and treks: - 16 day adventure in Nepal including relaxation at the end, (moderate to strenuous), from £1530 including flights - 16 day adventure in Argentina and Chile, one of the world's classic treks, (easy), from £2750 including flights - 15 day adventure in Morocco, experiencing the wilderness of the High Atlas mountains, (moderate to strenuous), from £765 including flights - 8 day adventure visiting undiscovered and unspoiled Greek Islands, (easy), from £849 including flights - 8 day adventure in Slovenia, walking past beautiful blue glacial lakes fed by rivers from the Alps, (easy), from £849 including flights For full details of these and all the other walking holidays available, please contact us.
92	An escorted tour of Italy, with less packing and unpacking This 9 night tour takes a different approach to the sightseeing itinerary: instead of constantly moving hotels, you will only stay at two hotels, 4 nights in one and 5 nights in the other. All the sightseeing is done as half or full day trips from your base. There is the added advantage that there is no problem if you prefer to miss one of the excursions. The tour takes you to the heel of Italy, some of the highlights being Gallipoli for its atmospheric Old Town, the baroque architecture of Leece which is known as the Florence of the South, and the stunning coast where you can visit lovely beaches, grottoes, and little coves. But for many the top attraction is the visit to Alberobello to see the beehive style Trulli houses. As you wander through the town many Trulli owners are happy to welcome you inside. We have 14 similar tours throughout Europe plus 22 others around the world in places such as Namibia, Jordan and Turkey.
91	Holidays for Single Travellers with NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT The biggest complaint from single travellers has always been the single supplement, which at times can make a good value holiday become just too expensive. Now there are many tours where you pay no single supplement at all, and where all other travellers are travelling alone too. We have tours in 21 European countries, plus America, Canada, and 20 other destinations around the world such as Kenya, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Peru. All these tours come with an experienced tour manager, and there is a welcome drink at the beginning of the holiday and a farewell get together at the end. Another question we are asked a lot is about the room type. On these tours, you will get a proper double room for sole occupancy, not a tiny room at the back of the hotel!
90	Venice Our most popular European city break destination. Even arriving is romantic as you sail down the Grand Canal in a water taxi. The key when choosing a hotel is location, with some delightful 3* and 4* options within walking distance of St. Mark's Square and Rialto Bridge. The price of cappuccinos in St. Marks's Square is legendary (and correct!) but the best bit of going to Venice is to wander around the city, getting lost, crossing bridges, and generally taking it all in. That's not to say a gondola ride is tacky, it is a highlight of any trip as you glide effortlessly around the maze of canals. The Basilica Di San Marco is the most famous of Venice's churches and cathedrals and its greatest attraction. A boat ride away is Venice Lido which has a surprisingly good beach and plenty of cafes and restaurants to savour before your boat back to Venice.
89	Drive and cruise the Norwegian Fjords This is a unique trip where you fly to the pretty UNESCO listed town of Bergen and spend a few days driving through the dramatic scenery. You will see Sognefjord, the longest fjord in the world, and enjoy an impressive rail journey high up in the mountains. Then you'll pass a mighty waterfall before boarding your ship for the voyage north to the remote and fascinating port of Kirkenes. Your cruise north lasts 7 days, when you'll cross the Arctic Circle, visit the most northerly point in Europe and enjoy a whole variety of optional excursions. When you arrive in Kirkenes, either fly back to Oslo or Bergen, or, if you are travelling between January and March, for something truly unique, why not spend a night in the Snow Hotel, built out of snow each year with spacious and illuminated snow suites decorated with snow sculptures. In the evening, sit around a blazing open fire with a warming drink. One special way to get home is to fly back to Bergen and then take one of Europe's most breathtaking rail journeys across the roof of Norway to reach Oslo, before flying home from there. You can add a few extra nights in Oslo if you wish. Along the journey there are several optional excursions available such as bird watching safaris, snowmobile rides, husky adventures, polar history walks, dog sledding, Viking themed day trips, glacier adventures and much more. ** If you would like to see a DVD of this journey or similar trips then please come of visit us and we will happily play it for you.
88	Luxor, Egypt We are frequently asked for destination ideas for places that are relatively cheap and that would guarantee a bit of winter sun. One place that stands out for good deals and an even better climate is Luxor, in Egypt. Luxor stands on the shores of the River Nile and is surrounded by world class temples, monuments and history. On the West Bank of the Nile is the Valley of the Kings, housing the tombs of the Pharaohs including Ramases the Great and Tutankhamen. Luxor itself is a quiet town with a good selection of cafes, restaurants and local shops. You can enjoy a stroll along the Nile, an early morning balloon ride or take a ride in a traditional wooden sailing boat called a felucca. In the evening there is a spectacular light and sound show at the Temple of Karnak. One option is to stay in Luxor - there are plenty of superb and atmospheric hotels along the shores of the Nile, while the other option is a Nile cruise. Most are 7 night durations with one or two doing a four night trip. When the cruise reaches Aswan you'll see the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and the Philae Temple, while on some you have the option of going to Abu Simbel and seeing two of the greatest temples in the world. Finally, for a twin or multi centre holiday you could combine Luxor with Cairo (i would suggest either 2 or 3 nights) and/or the Red Sea (El Gouna is the nicest resort on he nearest coast).
87	Weekend in Prague Prague is one of the top European city break destinations. In the old town is a delightful maze of narrow streets where you can browse the shops or stop for a drink in one of the pavement cafes or restaurants. You'll often hear music playing as you watch the world go by. One of the best sights is the Astronomical Clock mounted on the Southern wall of the Old Town Hall. Cross Charles Bridge which is over 650 years old and head across the river to the Prague Castle, and find yourself among pretty squares, boutique shops and little cafes. The castle itself is the biggest ancient castle in the world, built in the 9th century. We suggest a hotel either in or around the old town, or one on the other side of the river near Prague Castle. Wherever you stay though, it's a relatively cheap city to enjoy good meals and a range of attractions.
86	Elephant trekking in Bali There is a wonderful lodge 20 minutes away from the artists capital of Bali, Ubud, where you can touch, feed and ride an elephant through the tropical jungles of Bali. It is a unique experience that doesn't stop when you check in. The rooms feature timber elephant footed carved beds, and have elephant inspired amenities in the bathroom. As well as elephant treks, you can also go mountain biking and river rafting. And the lodge is only 20 minutes from delightful Ubud. A stay here makes a great twin centre holiday with one of the beach hotels in the South of Bali - please call us for some recommendations.
85	A Weekend in Rome Rome remains one of our top city break destinations, and as usual we advise customers to stay somewhere fairly central - there are many good 3* and 4* hotels close to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Indeed if you throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, then you'll return to Rome! One of my favourite attractions is the Colosseum - at night it is particularly impressive, and the stories of fighting gladiators and of people being thrown into the lion's den are amazing and haunting. In its heyday, there were 50,000 spectators inside. The Vatican is just over the other side of the River Tiber, and you can view the 10,000 square feet of ceiling painted by Michelangelo, which took three years to complete. The Pope usually gives a public audience on Wednesdays, but you should organise your visit in advance to be sure of getting in. If you visit Rome over Easter then be part of the crowds in St. Peter's Square as Easter mass is said. And finally as in all Italy, nothing is better than finding a cosy outdoor restaurant and watching the world go by with a good meal and a bottle of Chianti wine!
84	Go on a Motorhome tour For the ultimate freedom on holiday hire a motorhome and never have to worry about packing and unpacking every night. Nor do you have to plan every day before you go, just ride the open roads and stay in your favourite locations for as long as you wish. They are available in Canada such as with Canadream (pictured), USA and New Zealand and come in a variety of sizes. Inside, there will be a variety of fixtures such as stove, fridge, microwave, toilet, shower. Usually all the kitchen utensils, linen and bedding are included. And with some rentals you can hire extra items such as outdoor tables and chairs so you can put the kettle on and enjoy an outdoor picnic in a beautiful setting. If you're still not sure then why not hire your motorhome for just part of your holiday. For example in New Zealand travel around South Island in a motorhome where there are fantastically scenic locations to wake up in, but maybe in North Island stay in hotels and hire a car.
83	The journey from Nashville to Memphis to New Orleans Your trip starts in Nashville Tennessee, the capital of country and western music. Here you can visit the Country Music Hall of Fame or even take a tour of country music star's homes, while in the evening get a ticket to Nashville's number one attraction, the Grand Ole Opry show where Elvis used to sing to the crowds. Memphis, the home of the Blues is only a three hour drive from Nashville and the place to be is Beale Street with its atmospheric music and dance venues plus numerous restaurants and bars. You can pay a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley and even get to see some fun items from Elvis's personal wardrobe. Take a Mississippi riverboat tour or visit one of the many museums or quirky shops. Your final part of the trip is the journey to New Orleans, a vibrant melting pot of cultures and home to wonderful historic neighbourhoods such as the French Quarter with its wrought-iron balconies, restaurants and fascinating art galleries. Its music is everything from jazz, gospel and blues, and you can listen to the wonderful sounds of live New Orleans music in the many French Quarter courtyards. One of the best excursions is a cruise on an authentic Mississippi Paddle Steamer, and for an alternative water experience you can take the all-weather swamp boat for a trip into the wild-life rich swamps and bayous of Louisiana. This trip can easily be done as a tailor made self drive itinerary, but we also have a selection of escorted tours that do a similar route. And if you want to travel independently but don't want to drive, then you can use Amtrak, the excellent train system. Just call us and we'll put something together for you.
82	A small boutique hotel by Lake Bled, Slovenia Lake Bled is a beautiful emerald green lake in a fairytale setting in Slovenia. It is surrounded by mountains and houses a 9th century church on an islet with a medieval castle perched on a rocky cliff. If you're looking for good value accommodation then Pension Mlino is a traditional guesthouse of great character on the shores of Lake Bled. It has wonderful views over the lake to St. Mary’s Island and Bled Castle. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed and guests are made to feel welcome by friendly and attentive staff. And a feature of Pension Mlino is its reputation for delicious, home-cooked cuisine and its extensive wine list. The reason for coming here is the incredible setting but there is also quite a bit to do. Take the pleasant 15 minutes lakeside walk to Bled village with its shops, restaurants and bars. Or enjoy a serene boat ride to the middle of the lake and visit the little church, while there are walking and hiking trails for the more energetic.
81	Visiting a Christmas Market If you're looking for a special place to buy your Christmas presents then why not enjoy a weekend in one of the atmospheric Christmas markets around Europe? There is a huge choice of destinations such as Lille and Brussels if you prefer to get the train (book at least 3 months in advance to get the best rates), while Germany has some of the best markets in cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt. Other great places to come include the delightful old town of Bruges which has a magical setting in winter, the Trivoli Gardens in Copenhagen with its fairytale lights and Christmas tree, and the beautiful old town of Prague (pictured). You'll find the city transformed into a winter wonderland with brightly decorated wooden huts selling local handicrafts, hot food and mulled wine. The huge Christmas tree draped in a blaze of light completes the setting.

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Welcome!
Come and talk to us face to face about your holiday plans.

Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm     65 Station Road     Letchworth Garden City     Hertfordshire     SG6 3BJ   01462 677 111         holidays@onyourtravels.co.uk