eNewsWire

French ski accommodation specialist P&V is offering up to 30% off its Latitudes Hotels in the French Alps, leading to savings of over £500 on selected properties between 14th March – 11th April 2009.

The Latitudes Hotels are centrally located in some of France’s top ski resorts including Arc 1800, Val D’Isère and Courchevel. All offer ski-in, ski-out facilities and many feature swimming pools and spa facilities.

All prices quoted are for a double room, sleeping up to two adults, for seven nights and do not include flights or transfers. The offers are valid on bookings made up to seven days before arrival. For more information, please visit: http://www.pv-holidays.com or call 0870 026 7144. Read more…

The school holidays can be a deceptively expensive time for families to travel abroad – particularly as flight and accommodation prices can rise during the peak seasons.

Those travelling with The Adventure Company will find budgeting for a summer getaway easier since family trips are only scheduled during school holidays, with a wide range of inclusions in the price such as meals, activities and local payments.

Families can also take advantage of a special offer where the second child goes half price on selected trips. This offer is available when booked on a land-only (flight exclusive) basis, although the Adventure Company can organise flights too. Travel must completed by 30th September 2009, so this offer is great for the Summer school holidays.

For more information visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/special-offers.aspx

To help make the family holiday decision even easier, The Adventure Company has calculated its top five value-for-money family trips for summer 2009. These are: Read more…

Contrary to the barrage of headlines suggesting that the travel industry is in trouble and UK citizens are planning stay at home this year, unwilling or unable to spend money on a holiday. Staysure’s sales figures for annual multi-trip (AMT) policies suggest their customers will not only be travelling but intend to take several trips over the next 12 months.

It is generally assumed that over 50s by definition are better off financially than the younger generation, with fewer financial commitments and no dependents therefore able to ride out the current financial hiatus. As an over 50s insurance specialist the majority of Staysure’s client base are senior citizens, therefore sales figures serve as an accurate barometer for this particular sector of the market.

Regular travellers are fully aware of the advantage of choosing annual travel insurance as opposed to covering each trip with an individual single policy but savings will only be realised if taking more than two trips throughout the year. Staysure can confirm that this generation not only has the means but also the inclination to continue travelling throughout 2009. Sales of annual multi-trip travel insurance policies in December 2008 saw 300% increase on the number of policies sold in December 2007. Read more…

Grand Hotel Reykjavik is one of the newest additions to the Reykjavik hotels scene, and also the biggest hotel in Iceland. Grand Hotel mixes modern décor with old fashioned good service.

Grand Hotel Reykjavik is a first class hotel and a leading Reykjavik conference centre, ideal for business visitors, conference guests and discerning tourists. The attractive newly built tower offers 209 of the hotel’s 314 rooms.

Accommodation at the four-star Grand Hotel is of the highest standard: clean, comfortable and uncomplicated, with all the expected amenities, including safe, bath, wireless internet and satellite television.

With 24-hour room service, the laundry and dry cleaning service, as well as the comfortable furnishings and satellite TV; guests will feel very comfortable in their rooms.

The Grand Hotel Reykjavik also boasts an excellent restaurant, where hotel guests enjoy a ten percent discount. The Brasserie Grand offers superb international and Icelandic cuisine – a real treat whether for a four course meal, or simply a quick bite.

Reykjavik Hotels owns the Grand Hotel Reykjavik, which has stunning views and is situated next to the city’s biggest recreation area – home to the zoo, ice rink, national stadium and botanical gardens, among others.

Reykjavik Hotels is a respected group of three of Reykjavik’s best-known hotels; each with unique character and style, but operated to the best international standards.

Grand Hotel Reykjavik also has the accolade of being among Iceland’s biggest conference venues. With 14 conference rooms seating 6 to 450 people, Grand Hotel can cater for almost any conference or event.

Whether staying in Iceland for work or pleasure, guests always appreciate the superb Grand Spa, opened in November 2007. The exclusive spa fitness centre has trainers on hand to help at every turn; and the spa area itself includes sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, with the option of professional massage a constant temptation. As hotel guests get discounted entry to the Grand Spa, the temptation usually proves irresistible.

For further information on the Grand Hotel Reykjavik, or to book conferences or accommodation, visit www.grand.is

Renting a car in Iceland can be perilously expensive, and the roads are not always suitable for squeezing more than one person into a tiny hatchback. Sometimes you just need something a little bigger; but I never seem to be able to afford it.

Luckily I have some ingenious friends – or should I say friends with burglar alarmed wallets – who always know where the best deals are to be had. These people have actually had me waiting out on the dockside at six in the morning waiting to “save money on fish”. It’s sensible practice of course, but still it takes a special type of person.

In this instance though, they did me proud. Reykjavik Rent a Car is a small Iceland car rental company which I would probably never have heard about on my own.

Not only does Reykjavik Rent a Car offer brand new heavy duty 4×4s for less than some of their bigger rivals offer a Volkswagen Polo, but they are also genuinely decent people with whom it was a pleasure to do business.

Having secured the car for a few days, it was time to put it through its paces. My sister was visiting Iceland from Brazil, where she works with Amazon River Dolphins in some conservation programme. Not a lot of snow in Brazil.

My sister is mad about skiing, and she was almost scarily excited about coming over here and trying out the Blafjoll ski slopes near Reykjavik. But the Icelandic weather rarely plays ball, and had decided that we were not to be blessed with snow.

This is where Reykjavik Rent a Car came in: we decided to drive around Iceland to the far north-western town of Isafjordur – a place where the snowy mountains demand to be noticed almost as much as Bjork wearing a swan and screaming “It’s oh so quiet!” at the top of her voice. We were sure there would be snow on the slopes up there.

Driving Iceland’s Westfjords in the winter is a hair-raising experience. The gravel roads are generally covered in a thick layer of ice as they navigate hairpin turns and sheer cliff drops. The views are spectacular and a confident driver in a trustworthy vehicle can really have a LOT of fun. Anybody else would surely suffer some sort of panic attack.

It is perhaps telling of my lack of skiing ability that this story should have focused so heavily on the journey up there – but we did find plenty of snow and my sister did get her fill of the piste before heading back to the sweaty tropics. Mission accomplished – thanks to Reykjavik Rent a Car.

For more information or to book a low price rental car in Iceland, visit www.reykjavikrentacar.is

Key trekking destinations are more popular than ever, according to specialist operators, The Adventure Company.

Bookings to both Nepal and Morocco are almost 10 per cent ahead of the same time last year, showing that active travellers are the most determined to stride on with their holiday plans says the company.

Trekking trips to the Mera Peak Trek in Nepal and Winter Toubkal in Morocco are currently the best sellers.

‘More people than ever are travelling to Nepal and nearly 500 have already booked trips for 2009, proving that unique long haul destinations are not being ruled out despite the economic situation at the moment.’ says Nicky MacFarlane, product director from The Adventure Company

‘We have found from customer feedback that our trekking holidays are exceptional value for money, due to their relatively low costs and all inclusive nature.’ Read more…

Tour operator The Adventure Company is expanding its selection of Galapagos Island tours in preparation for what it predicts will be next year’s travel hot spot.

“The popularity of South America has grown hugely in the past few years, making it the most-booked region in our Worldwide Adventures brochure” comments Claire Wilson, Managing Director “In 2009, we are predicting the ‘Darwin effect’ will encourage more visitors to Ecuador and could see the Galapagos Islands join Machu Picchu at the top of the continent’s ‘must-visit’ list.”

The Galapagos Islands are likely to benefit from increased exposure in 2009, celebrating two important anniversaries for Charles Darwin. As well as the 200th anniversary of his birth, 2009 is also the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. Additionally, 2009 marks 50 years since the creation of the Galapagos National Park, Darwin’s most famous research destination, while Ecuador will also celebrate the Bicentennial of its Independence with a year of cultural and artistic activities planned in Quito. Read more…

Reykjavik Rent a Car has introduced winter special offers on top of existing off-season prices!

It is widely known that Iceland offers amazing sites and natural wonders visited mainly in summer. Not so many tourists however think about exploring this northern island in winter when the spectacular waterfalls, glaciers or geyser take on a whole new appearance.

Visitors can now book their cars with 15 percent reduction on prices for reservations of seven days or more.

The cars are equipped with all gear necessary for travelling in winter conditions, slippery roads and off road terrain. Besides that, customers are offered additional extras such as GPS navigation, child seats or fuel cans.

Reykjavik Rent a Car offers high performance cars such as Ford, Jeep or BMW – cars that inspire a feeling of security in the middle of nowhere. Travellers will feel safe on slippery roads as well as riding on a layer of snow.

Apart from 4×4 cars, Reykjavik Rent a Car also offers small environmentally friendlier cars for easy transportation in cities, which qualify for free parking places in Reykjavik because of their low emissions.

The company can either pick customers up at Keflavik International Airport or deliver the selected car to hotels in Reykjavik.

For more information visit the company website at www.reykjavikrentacar.is.

Despite the melting glaciers, and because of the melting Icelandic krona, the good people at Icelandic Mountain Guides are confident they can continue to entice foreign tourists up onto the ice to experience wild Iceland in ever increasing numbers.

The Glaciers are open – contrary to the word on the streets! “I heard the glaciers are closing down because of the rain,” is something the Icelandic Mountain Guides often hear. And it is true of course: Global Warming as well as the rain will without doubt put an end to many glaciers on the earth some time in the future. But that is some centuries away … at least one!

The most successful Icelandic Mountain Guides glacier walks are operated throughout the whole year. Furthermore, during rain showers or soon after a heavy rain on the glacier it gets its deep blue crystal like appearance that glaciers are so well known for; but which cannot be described in mere words.

“Just three times over the past two months have we had to cancel these most popular walks to the glacier tong of Solheimajokull because of high winds. But some rain showers are only in our favour!” one of the mountain guides jokes.

As the glaciers are melting, it is clear there may only be a century or two left to come to Iceland and see them. And with the rate of the Icelandic krona seemingly melting like a glacier in Florida, now might just be the time.

After being known to many as one of the most expensive destinations in Northern Europe Iceland became one of the most affordable destinations overnight. This means not only the beer is cheaper but also everything Iceland is best known for i.e. pristine nature and adventure comparable to none.

Now when it’s about 40 percent cheaper to stay in one of the top hotels in Reykjavik it is much more appealing for visitors to do something they’ll never forget.

According to the website of The Evening Standard in UK, “Experts are expecting a mini-tourist boom to the Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon and glaciers in the wake of massively reduced prices.”

But this might not last for long, so if you’ve been in doubt… don’t hesitate and let the Icelandic Mountain Guides lead you through some of the most thrilling destinations in Iceland. www.mountainguides.is

Reykjavik Rent a Car is currently offering cars from as little as 3,900 ISK per day (£40).

A car hire company in Iceland has slashed its rates by around two-thirds in time for the winter season.

Reykjavik Rent a Car is offering large 4×4 vehicles, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer, for as little as 8,900 ISK ($76, £46, €58) per day. This is a reduction of just under 70%, down from the summer rate of 24,900 ISK ($206, £132, €164).

The hire car company’s Smart Car now costs 3,900 ISK per day ($32, £21, €26). The environmentally-friendly car is eligible for free parking in Reykjavik because of its low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.
Reykjavik Rent a Car specialises in high performance cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Jeep and Ford; all available with automatic gearboxes and bigger engine power which is often needed in the remote rural areas of Iceland.

All hire cars are equipped with a range of useful extras often needed in rural Iceland, such as GPS navigation, roof boxes, fuel cans, child seats and other accessories.

The company offers to pick their customers up at Keflavik International Airport or deliver to any Reykjavik hotel.

Visit the company website for more information on cheap car hire in Reykjavik.