THE RISKS OF ‘DIY’ HOLIDAYS
Holidaymakers who book flights and accommodation with different suppliers are not covered under any ABTA or ATOL bonding and risk loosing all or some of their money if one of the suppliers fail and risk being stranded abroad. The recent Zoom Airlines and XL Leisure failures highlighted how many people who booked flights and then separately booked accommodation ran into difficulties with more expensive alternative flights, new flight times which did not match their original itinerary, being unable to book new flights and the consequential loss and disappointment of not reaching their holiday accommodation, and curtailing holidays to arrange new flights home.
Booking an entire holiday with an ABTA agent who will use an ATOL protected supplier stops consumers from loosing money or being stranded abroad. If the travel company goes bankrupt the CAA through the supplier will refund the cost of the holiday and manage the repatriation of customers back to the UK.
Booking with a credit card - BEWARE - this does not mean full protection since it will only cover the element that has been lost, not others bought separately.
Booking an entire holiday with one travel company does not mean that consumers have to compromise flexibility for protection. As a fully bonded ABTA member Oundle Travel only use ATOL proctected suppliers, all our suppliers offer both packages and ‘Tailor Made’ options allowing the customer to book just ground arrangements or flights and build their own tailored break. Travel Agents can offer unbiased, independent and very often personal advice based on many years of experience.
A word of advice if you are looking to buy a holiday on line or are searching the internet, check that the company you are considering are not just a ‘Virtual Company’ and are able to offer honest, impartial advice with back up if things go wrong. If it looks to good to be true, it usually is !
Travel News
The Orient Express & Oundle Travel
We are pleased to be able to offer an exclusive selection of Day Excursions on the Orient Express for 2009. For sheer variety, class and pure romance nothing beats a day out on the Orient Express. The best of British heritage awaits. You decide where to go; we take car of everything else. Be assured that once on board, the care continues at every stage of your journey. Greeted with champagne and canapes see the best of Britain, Ascot and Cowes, stately homes, castles, lakes ruins and gardens; historic cities and ancient university towns. The elegance, grace and calm of railway travel with enhance your experience so you can sit back and relax and enjoy every moment for this very special journey…..
Our Selection of Trips follows, but please contact us for more dates and full
details 01832 273600
ORIENT EXPRESS
Valentines Day Lunch ~ Saturday 14th January 2009 ~ £325.00 pp
Valentines Day Dinner ~ Saturday 14th January 2009 ~ £275.00 pp
Sunday Brunch ~ Sunday 1st March 2009 ~ £160.00 pp
Mothers Day Lunch ~ Sunday 22nd March 2009 ~ £235.00 pp
Cornish Weekend ~ Padstow ~ Friday 24th April 2009 ~ £880.00 pp
Beaulieu ~ Friday 1st May ~ £275.00 pp
Tenterden Vineyards ~ 13 May 2009 ~ £275.00 pp
Longleat ~ 3rd June 2009 ~ £330.00 pp
RHS Tatton Park Flower Show ~ 23 June 2009 ~ £345.00 pp
For the second half of the year from July to December 2009 - Please contact us on 01832 273600.
Travel News, UK NEWS
NEW TOUR !
THE SOLAR ECLIPSE CHINA 22 JULY 2009
A once in a lifetime experience to view the longest total eclipse of the 21st Century on the 22 July 2009 with Oundle Travel.
A total eclipse of the sun in one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. As the earth slips into the moon’s shadow, the sky darkens and an eerie twilight covers the land. Experience the total solar eclipse as well as enjoy a one week itinerary in and around the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. These tours will also visit the ancient capital of Hangzhou and the beautiful garden city of Suzhou. These tours are accompanied by top astronomy authors Dr Stuart Clark & Dr Paul Parsons who will be with the tours in Hangzhou to share their knowledge and experience at the excitement builds before the big event.
Departure on or around 19 July 2009
Eclipse & Shanghai Spectacular - 8 Days £1690.00
Eclipse & Eastern China - 9 days £1760.00
Eclipse & Glories of China - 15 days £2390.00
Prices include flights from London Heathrow. We can also arrange ‘land only’ packages if you would prefer to book your own flights. For full itineraries please contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600.
Special Offers
NEW ESCORTED TOUR !!
DISCOVER MONTENEGRO
From our base in the charming seaside resort of Budva, discover the scenic delights of Montenegro. This little-known gem is nestled between Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Mediterranean coast. Relax on the beautiful beaches and then explore the exclusive resort of Sveti Stefan, the lovely old port of Dubrovnik in neighbouring Croatia or the nearby treasures of Albania.
A comprehensive 8 day tour staying at the Slovenska Palace on half board, an optional upgrade to the 4* Mediteran is also available offering that little bit of extra comfort and service with a private beach. The tour includes an orientation walk in Becici & Budva old town and is fully escorted. COMPLIMENTARY HALF BOARD is also included.
From £644.00 per person based on a departing 14 June 2009.
ALSO NEW FOR 2009…
CLASSIC ANDALUCIA
A fully escorted 8 day tour which will visit Granada and the Alhambra Palace, Ronda’s Gorge, Cordoba & Seville. We base the tour in Antequera, a lovely market town featuring the 4* Hotel Antequera, exquisitely decorated throughout and set just a 20 minute walk from the centre of this beautiful medieval town. Optional excursions to Malaga and the Picasso Musuem are also available.
From £784.00 per person based on departing 27 April 2009.
Special Offers
Weddings Abroad
Here at Oundle Travel we specialise in Weddings Abroad, providing an exceptional service ensuring every aspect of your dream day is organised and your dream destination is perfect. We feature some of the most romantic and stunning destinations in the world, so if you would like to take your vows on a tropical palm fringed beach in The Maldives or in a Safari Lodge in Botswana, the team here in Oundle understand how important you day is and will ensure every part of it is taken care of. We have been arranging wedding abroad for over 20 years.
When you enquire about an overseas wedding with us, one of our travel consultants will personally guide you through and provide you with information on the destination you would like to get married in. In most of the destinations we feature worldwide our weddings are arranged with wedding co-ordinators in resort, who will help you through the legal process and will be on hand to make sure your special day exceeds your expectations.
We have a wide choice of award winning brochures, offering individual, tailor made weddings abroad. We offer an appointment system for couples wishing to discuss their wedding at leisure in relaxed surroundings.
General
Rosewood Resorts is to spend $26 million on the renovation of the luxury caribbean resort of Jumby Bay, this will be due for completion in mid 2009. The resdesign will focus on accommodation, a new luxury spa, together with an oceanfront infinity pool.
Travel News
A quote from Seth Godin, Entrepeneur…..
A recession is the biggest opportunity you’ve ever had. It’s the biggest opportunity of your life-time. It’s during a recession that great brands are built. Just go through the history books and look at when Google developed, right after the dotcom meltdown. Many of the great companies of our time sprouted when everyone said the world was coming to an end and the economy was in the shredder. The opportunity is there to create real value and real change.
General
The greatest pleasures in life are free or at least good value when the doom and gloom of January and the British winter hits home. But is there’s one pleasure we know our customers will not forgo, is a great holiday. Back in October when the ‘credit crunch’ had grabbed every newspaper headline Conde Naste Traveller commissioned a survey with The Future Laboratory conducted a survey into the future of travel. And, from the many interesting results, one trend stood out, readers were adamant that it will be business (and pleasure) as usual in 2009 and their much needed time away - while cost is significant, it was only a fourth consideration behind accommodation, location and most importantly the weather !!!!
General
Sandy Lane ~ Barbados
After being closed for a month long refurbishment in September this stunning hotel now has a fresh new look for the winter season. Considerable improvments have been made to the public areas, while the spa now boasts products by luxury French brand Anne Semonin and a glitzy new ‘razul’ ~ A traditional Arabian steam room/mud bath !
Look out for off season availability and special offers after Easter 2009.
Travel News
Oundle Travel recommend a weekend country break at the luxury Four Seasons in Hampshire. The impeccable service and informal elegance of the Four Seasons brand have been brought down the road from London to rural Hampshire where 111 rooms and 22 suites have been installed in a refurbished and extended Georgian Manor house on a beautiful 500 acre estate. The rooms are traditional in style but furnished with hi-tech amenities and large bathrooms. Dining options include a formal French restaurant and a cafe with a menu for the health conscious..
The X Factor is a Spa housed in the former stable block with indoor/outdoor swimming pool, a steam room, cafe, fitness studio and 15 treatment rooms. Guests can also go horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, play tennis golf or croquet, try falconry or simply explore the surrounding countryside. Please contact Oundle Travel for prices and availability.
Travel Recommendations, UK NEWS
