Global Travel News

Not just the home of its eponymous university – the oldest in Britain, Oxford offers an enormous variety of historic, cultural and contemporary attractions. A visit to the city, which dates back to Saxon times, is a trip into the brains of a nation. Tour the hallowed halls of the university and follow in the footsteps of Prime Ministers, poets and the one and only Harry Potter.

You likely already know that several scenes from the Harry Potter movies were shot here, and you can actually visit some of the locations. For instance, you can get a guided tour of Oxford University’s Bodleian Library – which will be familiar to fans as Hogwarts Library.

Oxford is well worth a visit and not just to the city itself, but to attractions, towns and villages close by.

Here are ten things to do in Oxford:

Explore the historic buildings of Oxford University
Don’t miss a visit to Oxford’s historic university buildings. Many are centuries old and have seen many famous figures pass through their doors, from Hugh Grant to T.S. Eliot. Take a tour, see the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Great Hall at Christ Church, and visit the Bodleian Library. No matter what part of the university you visit you will be surrounded by a wealth of beauty, history and knowledge!

Punting on the river
Become part of the Oxford idyll with a punt on the river, that’s steering a flat bottomed boat with a pole! It’s a great way to spend a sunny day, and lets you really absorb the Oxford atmosphere in a very traditional way. If you don’t feel like punting yourself, you can hire a professional punter to take you on a tour. The river winds through past many of the historic colleges of Oxford University,

The Ashmolean Museum
Visit the oldest public museum in Britain, and the first purpose-built public museum in the world: the Ashmolean. Its collection began with the donation of a cabinet of curiosities in 1677 which supposedly contained such wonders as ‘the hand of a mermaid’ and ‘a human bone weighing 42 lbs’. The collection now includes art and antiquities from across the world, from the Italian renaissance to 17th century Japan, Ancient Egypt and Greece to modern art.

Walking tours
If you prefer exploring on your own two feet, set off on one of the city’s walking tours, either guided, or using a map from the visitor centre. You can even pick a theme for your tour like science, stained glass, pubs, film locations, or ‘Alice in Wonderland’ which has literary links all over the city!

Parks and gardens
Oxford is full of beautiful green spaces that are perfect for walking or picnics. Head to the Oxford Botanic Garden, the great green expanse of South Park, or some of the colleges themselves: Worcester College has a lake, and Christ Church College has a whole meadow!

High tea
Take traditional afternoon tea in one of Britain’s most historic cities and The Randolph Hotel is definitely a good place to start! Afternoon tea at The Randolph is a tradition in Oxford, and it is well-known for the delicious treats you’ll be served. Be sure to try the homemade scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream!

Tolkien’s favourite pub
Enjoy a pint in the favourite pub of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien, famous authors of the Narnia stories and the Lord of The Rings, among other things. The Eagle and Child pub was their old haunt, so a great place to go if you’re looking for inspiration!

Visit Oxford Castle Unlocked
Dating back to Saxon times, or the 7th century AD, St George’s Tower at Oxford Castle is the city’s oldest building. Venture underground and explore the 900-year-old crypt, take a tour of the prison and then the castle itself for a day of spooky fun.

Farmers Markets and Bicester Village
Whether you’re a fan of farmers’ markets, luxury goods, art, or antiques Oxford has it. Head out to one of the weekly farmers’ markets and you’ll find some great fresh produce, or take a trip outside the city to Bicester Village where you’ll find all the top designer brands at discounted prices.

Go on a cycling tour
Oxford is famously a cycling city, and you’re no doubt familiar with classical depictions of Oxford students whizzing to lectures on bikes. For visitors, there are plenty of cycling tours to choose from. In a 2-hour tour you’ll get to see the pedestrianised central parts of the city that no bus will show you, along with beautiful trails along the river, between the colleges and beyond.

Not far away...

About a 20 minute drive from Oxford is Blenheim Palace. Famously known as ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace,’ Blenheim is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The incredible, awe-inspiring palace has so much to offer, including a giant hedge maze and butterfly house, you’ll probably end up spending the entire day there.

Getting there
Oxford is just 45 miles from Heathrow Airport travellers can choose to drive (a little over an hour by car) take a bus from the airport or from Victoria Station. National Express services from Stansted Airport also serve Oxford, taking just under two hours.

And finally a quote from William Butler Yeats

“I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is all like an opera.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

At first glance Brighton may seem like a typical British seaside town – but even in a short visit to this quirky, appealing resort you’ll discover plenty to see and do. Brighton has no shortage of attractions: The iconic Brighton Pier of course, and the opulent, Indian-inspired Brighton Pavilion – a palace built in the 1700s by a young Prince (later King) George as a decadent retreat from his London lifestyle. There are interesting museums and art, a beautiful beach, excellent restaurants, and plenty of pubs to relax and quench your thirst after an afternoon of shopping in the boho boutiques of the Lanes. Brighton Pride is hugely popular and is just one of the attractions for LGBT visitors.

Tours and Sightseeing

A variety of tours help visitors to really get to see Brighton and the surrounding areas.

Walking Tours – From Blue Badge Guides to ghosts & chocolate walks put your best foot forward and discover just how easy it is to explore Brighton and Hove on foot.

Cycling Tours – Guided cycling tours are a great way to see the wider city limits and even out into the stunning countryside of the South Downs National Park home to the dramatic Seven Sisters cliffs and some of southern England’s most charming villages

Scenic Flights – Take to the skies for a bird’s eye view and see the city from a new angle.

British Airways i360 – the 162 m observation tower on the seafront will give you 360 degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and the English Channel

Brighton Greets – Join a Greet with a local resident and get the insider’s view of the city.

Restaurants and Dining

Brighton & Hove recently won the Gold Award at the Sustainable Food Places Award. The award is designed to recognise and celebrate the success of those places taking a joined up, holistic approach to food and that are achieving significant positive change on a range of key food issues.

There are hundreds of dining options in Brighton. Whether it’s a romantic meal for two, or a friends get-together finding the perfect place to eat is easy. Being by the sea there are plenty of seafood restaurants and ice cream parlours. The city is also famous for its wide selection of vegetarian restaurants. Brighton offers fine dining as well as laid-back bistros and its proximity to acres of fertile countryside lends itself to tasty local produce.

Visitors will also find some fabulous cafes, bars (serving killer cocktails) and pubs with real ales and craft beers. Brighton’s café culture is hard to beat and perfect for a spot of people watching whilst enjoying a coffee and a slice of cake.

Check out some of the local some local beverages. Sussex vineyards produce fine sparkling wines that are rivalling Champagne, there are plenty of Brighton based microbreweries and Brighton even has its very own Brighton Gin! Cheers!

LGBT Brighton

There is plenty to see and do in Brighton for LGBT visitors. In August the locally loved and nationally acclaimed Brighton Pride is a celebration of all that is great about the city and its LGBT community.

Also in summer, is the Eyes Wide Open Queer Film Festival, and the Duke of York’s & Dukes at the Komedia cinemas both hold regular Queer film nights.

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus is a stalwart of the Brighton & Hove choir scene and they regularly put on performances.

Bent Double is Brighton Komedia’s monthly and irreverent LGBT comedy night hosted by the hilarious Zoe Lyons.

The Marlborough pub is a popular lesbian haunt and the accompanying theatre has a focus on queer performance.

LGBT Walking Tours

Only in Brighton offers a unique ‘Piers & Queers’ walking tour of the city, which provides an entertaining look at the characters of Brighton over the last 200 years from an LGBT perspective. Walks run regularly throughout the Brighton Fringe (May), plus private walks are also available on demand.

LGBT Public Art & Sculpture

Brighton & Hove has a number of public art and sculpture pieces that celebrate LGBT life, including the UK’s only permanent AIDS memorial sculpture.

‘Kissing Policemen’ – Banksy Wall Art Painted on the side of the Prince Albert pub on Trafalgar Street (just below Brighton Station) is one of Brighton’s most famous pieces of public art. The original has recently been removed and sold to a private collector, but a permanent copy remains at the site behind a perspex sheet.

The Kissing Wall – Brighton Seafront – This striking ‘wall’ on the promenade near Brighton Palace Pier consists of a large sheet of blue metal punctured with thousands of holes. When viewed from certain angles light penetrates through the holes and reveals images of local people kissing – of all ages and sexualities.

AIDS Memorial Sculpture – New Steine Gardens – Standing 4 metres high, this dramatic bronze sculpture by artist Romany Mark Bruce depicts two intertwined figures soaring towards the sky. The sculpture forms a shadow in the shape of a red ribbon; the international symbol for HIV/AIDS awareness.

Getting there

Brighton is just a 30-minute rail journey from Gatwick Airport. There are also direct trains from London Victoria (one hour) and London Blackfriars (one hour 15 minutes), and regular rail connections with cities along the south coast of England.

We’ve just touched on all Brighton has to offer – to learn about its “quirky side” check HERE.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The city of York has known everything from Roman rule to life as a Viking capital. In medieval times it was also England’s bastion against attacks from the Scots. It’s varied and colourful history is ubiquitous and makes a visit to this ancient city a wonderful experience. Every visit should include both a visit to the gothic York Minster, one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful cathedrals, along with a step back into the Middle Ages with a walk through the overhanging timber-framed houses and traditional shopfronts of The Shambles, which was named Britain’s most picturesque street.

You really need at least a couple of days to get the full flavour of York. It’s a captivating city. To walk the streets, or stop at a pub for a pint after taking in the sights and just absorb the history and atmosphere, is an awesome experience.

Here are just some of sights and attractions of York:

1. Get a gargoyle’s-eye view
Thrusting up from York’s maze of ancient streets are the 3 towers of York Minster, the largest gothic building in Britain. The cathedral you see today was begun in 1220, took around 250 years to finish and is now widely considered to be one of Europe’s finest medieval buildings. Highlights include some of the oldest and most beautiful stained-glass windows in Britain (the East Window is the largest area of medieval stained glass in a single window in the world) and the crypt containing some of the original 11th-century church. But it’s the heady 275-step hike to the top of the Central Tower that’s the real show-stopper here. Catch your breath and take in the gargoyle’s-eye view of Yorkshire spread out below just as breathless visitors have done for the last 600 years.

2. Go back in time at a Victorian prison
If you’ve ever wondered what life might have been like 200 years ago, York Castle Museum can enlighten you. Experience the sights and sounds of 18th-century York on a wonderfully recreated Victorian street before exploring the museum’s other social history exhibits, covering topics from World War I to 1960s’ pop culture. The museum is housed in a former prison but gets its name from the fact it stands on the site of a castle built by William the Conqueror. Located in central York, entry is free with a York Pass.

3. Go trainspotting
The awesome scale, slick lines and steam-powered appeal of the locomotives housed at the National Railway Museum are enough to turn even the coolest observer into a fervent trainspotter. The vast treasures in the cavernous halls include the only Bullet Train outside Japan, Queen Victoria’s ‘palace on wheels’ and the achingly beautiful Duchess of Hamilton, a 1930s art deco triumph of design and engineering. Open every day, entry is free.

4. Visit one of the world’s greatest mansions
Named ‘One of the World’s Top Ten Greatest Mansions and Grand Houses’ by Lonely Planet, Castle Howard is definitely worth the short bus journey from York city. Like stumbling on to the set of a period drama, the magnificent 18th-century mansion, set amid lush gardens and rolling hills, has been the backdrop to many a film and costumed TV show including Brideshead Revisited and more recently it doubled as Clyvedon Castle in the popular Bridgerton series. There’s much to explore here, along with its movie-star past; after marvelling at the dramatic interiors and world-renowned art collection, you can wander the acres of parkland dotted with lakes and temples, leaving time for tea and cake in the quaint café. Entry is free with a York Pass.

5. See, hear and smell a Viking settlement
Buckle up for a rollicking journey back through time to the days when raiders from the north had colonised 10th-century York. See, hear and even smell a Viking settlement complete with blacksmith, bedrooms and a historically accurate Viking toilet. Jorvik Viking Centre is a fine mix of history and fun that brings some of the astonishingly well-preserved objects excavated from beneath the city to life. If you fancy a more hands-on approach to history, don’t miss DIG, the attraction that lets you play archaeologist.

6. Enjoy a traditional high tea
You’ve climbed the central tower of York Minster, you’ve been wowed by the steam behemoths at the National Railway Museum and you may even have seen a genuine Viking lavatory. So, by now you’ve probably earned a cup of tea. And the place to have it has to be Betty’s Tea Rooms, a Yorkshire institution serving delicious pastries, cakes and restorative tea in gorgeous surroundings unchanged since the 1930s. Decked out by the same craftsmen who fitted out the Queen Mary ocean liner, a cup of tea here is a luxurious experience not to be missed.

7. Taste your way through chocolate history
One of York’s newer attractions is also its sweetest. Chocolate has been made in the city for 300 years and York was once home to 2 of the world’s big chocolate brands – Rowntree’s and Terry’s. Iconic chocs from Aero to Smarties and the mighty Kit Kat began life here so it’s a fine place to learn about the chocolate-making process from bean to bar. At Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story you’ll taste your way through chocolate history, discover generations of confectionery secrets and end your tour in the Chocolate Bar to enjoy such extravagances as an All Day Chocolate Breakfast and an Ultimate Chocolate Fondue.

8. Ramble down The Shambles
Lying at the heart of a warren of old, twisting lanes is The Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. Its origins are so old it was once mentioned in the Doomsday Book, while the overhanging timber-framed houses that still stand today are a remarkable reminder of the city’s past. Now the picturesque buildings are filled with quaint cafes and shops selling everything from sweets to handmade soaps.

9. Hear terrifying tales of Roman York
Like a good fright? At the York Dungeon expect to jump with fear and be reduced to laughter as you hear terrifying tales of the city’s gruesome past. With York’s history of Viking invasions, witches, and the plague, there’s many gory legends to tell, and you’ll meet some of the area’s most despicable characters as you are led through a series of scenes in the immersive live action show.

10. Walk England’s best medieval walls
Our favourite free thing to do in York. Circling the city centre, York’s medieval walls are the most complete in the whole of England. You’ll get fantastic views over the picturesque River Ouse and the city itself so don’t forget to bring your camera.

Getting there
York is in the north of England, in the county of Yorkshire. It’s about 2 hours by train from London or an hour and a quarter from Manchester.

Find out more about the city of York.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sunwing, in partnership with leading luggage and handbag retailer, Bentley, has announced the donation of more than 250 new and gently used books and backpacks to the children of Concepción Bona School in the Dominican Republic.

This comes as a result of the successful back-to-school initiative spearheaded by Sunwing and Bentley in August 2021 to support children in destinations throughout the Caribbean that have been negatively impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Donations were collected in select Bentley retail stores across Quebec and Ontario.

“We are grateful to Bentley for their continued partnership with Sunwing and ongoing support of educational initiatives in destination,” said Samantha Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer at Sunwing.

“The local communities in the Dominican Republic rely heavily on the tourism industry for educational and employment opportunities, and the last two years have meant the need for more support. Sunwing and Bentley have collaborated to donate useful resources to local schoolchildren in support of their educational development at a critical time.”

Along with their English teacher and school principal, 25 students from Concepción Bona School were invited to the all inclusive Royalton Splash Punta Cana to collect the donations for their class and school, and enjoy the amenities on property for a day of fun. To celebrate the occasion, the students were joined by Sandrine Giry of Bentley, Sunwing Experiences and Nexus Tours representatives, Royalton Luxury Resorts’ Executive Team including Stefano Sturni, General Manager, Royalton Splash Punta Cana, Juan Tunon, Regional Director of Operations, Spanish Caribbean and Lucia Grullón, Regional Commercial Director for the Dominican Republic, and the hotel brand’s Talent and Culture Managers and Sustainable Tourism Coordinator.
“We are thrilled to have collectively donated more than 250 books and backpacks to schoolchildren in the Dominican Republic,” said Sandrine Giry, Vice President of Buying and Merchandising at Bentley. “It was a pleasure to be on the ground with Sunwing in Punta Cana this month to see first-hand how we, with the support of our customers, have been able to make a positive contribution to the community.”

The donated books and backpacks were flown to Punta Cana on board Sunwing Airlines at no cost, while Sunwing Experiences was instrumental in ensuring a seamless delivery to Royalton Splash Punta Cana.

As part of an ongoing commitment to give back to the local communities, the Royalton Luxury Resorts Executive Team hosts free English classes each week at Concepción Bona School for 376 students in grades four through six, helping to enrich their lives and jumpstart a new generation of tourism professionals.

The efforts of the hotel brand further reinforce the work of Sunwing’s Flying Start program, which aims to ensure that students in destinations that Sunwing serves are provided with the tools and building blocks needed for a successful education. Sunwing’s Flying Start initiative was established in 2018 and to date has supported educational programs in Jamaica, Tobago, Antigua and the Dominican Republic.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Eurail, the company behind the popular Eurail and Interrail Passes, has a new look, featuring a visual identity designed to pay tribute to its heritage while embracing what’s to come for rail travel.

Introduced in 1959 and 1972 respectively, the Eurail or Interrail Pass (for non-European and European citizens respectively), are available to travellers of all ages for use on an expansive network of train and ferry connections to travel in and between up to 33 countries.

The new design project is a partnership between Eurail and their Amsterdam-based brand agency, Fitzroy; and is an extension of work they have completed together since 2020 which includes an updated brand and creative strategy.

“The final design product is a true embodiment of the brand’s essence – capturing the curiosity to travel with a Eurail or Interrail Pass,” says Eurail.

Eurail’s products have been built on decades of brand-name recognition for the Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass, with “Eurailing” and “Interrailing” even becoming verbs in their own right.

With the launch of the new design, the company says it is striving to build visual recognition alongside product recognition to bolster the impact of its marketing activities and remain unique in a highly competitive travel landscape.
Importantly, the design is meant to meet the current demands of marketing in a digital-first age and to remain top of mind and relevant in the highly competitive European travel market.

Since 2020, Eurail has offered a Mobile Pass alongside its traditional paper Pass and it is clearly a product Eurail audiences have an appetite for – given that now over 92% of Pass sales via Eurail.com and Interrail.eu are for a mobile Pass.

Eurail and Interrail Passes are available via the Eurail.com and Interrail.eu web shops, as well as via an extensive network of trusted distribution partners worldwide. Eurail B.V. is owned by over 35 European railway and ferry companies, and is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Borders are opening to fully vaccinated travellers in Asia; Virtuoso is heading for Montreal; San Diego has a new theme park; Fort Lauderdale launched mlearning; and the Jamaica Tourist Board has a new BDM for Quebec and eastern Canada.

NEWS

With Canadians eligible to enter Korea again visa-free starting April 1, the Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) office in Canada says it will be restarting FAM trips, co-promotions, webinars, and more in support of the trade’s Korea products. Canadian passport holders entering for leisure purposes will be granted entry to Korea for up to 180 days, the same as it was prior to the pandemic; however, travellers entering Korea will be required to complete a variety of new steps to gain entry including PCR testing within 48 hours of departure. See the website for full details.

Tourisme Montréal and its partners have announced that the 2023 Virtuoso Symposium will take place in Montréal from May 15 to 21. This event brings together more than 400 local and international delegates annually for four days to meet and discuss the luxury travel sector, while discovering the host destination.

Toronto travellers have a new testing option on their way to Pearson airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), Switch Health and Metrolinx have collaborated to open at facility at Union Station, located in the UPStairs lounge on the second floor above the UP Express platform. Appointments must be booked ahead, and antigen results are available within and hour, enabling customers to do their test and have the result by the time they get to the airport. PCR tests can also be booked with same or next day results.

BORDERS

Starting May 1, New Zealand will open its borders to Canadians and others, moving forward its previously announced date in October.

Vietnam has scrapped quarantine and other travel restrictions for foreign visitors, effective immediately. Visitors entering the Southeast Asian country only need to show a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival.

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours before their arrival in Cambodia.

Similarly, visitors vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need a test before travelling to Thailand starting April 1. However, they will still need to take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and a self-administered rapid antigen test on the fifth day in the country.

Indonesia has lifted all quarantine requirements for overseas visitors entering the country, although foreign tourists are still required to have a negative PCR test before entering the country. This month, Indonesia also lifted the negative COVID-19 test result as a requirement for domestic flights.

Not to be left out, Malaysia is also set to welcome back international travellers for the first time after nearly two years of COVID-19 pandemic-related closures beginning April 1. Fully vaccinated travellers will not be subject to quarantine and are only required to take the COVID-19 RT-PCR test two days before departure and undergo professionally administered RTK-Ag within 24 hours upon arrival in Malaysia.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

The Canadian Tulip Festival is returning to Ottawa’s Commissioners Park again this year from May 13-23, with the event set to celebrate its 70th anniversary. More than 300,000 flowers – a legacy of the ‘Gift of Tulips’ from the grateful Netherlands to all Canadians after World War II – will bloom over one kilometer of strolling parkland on the shores of Dow’s Lake in Ottawa.

AIR

Meal service on Air Transat has been enhanced in both Club and Economy Class on certain flight segments, says the airline. For flights of more than three hours, Club Class passengers will now be able to choose between the “breakfast” or “lunch and dinner” hot meal offer, depending on the departure time of their flight. For departures starting May 1, passengers travelling in Club Class can pre-order their meal up to 72 hours before departure. On flights to and from Europe, a choice of two complimentary hot meals will be offered to Economy Class passengers.

Air France reports that its Canada-Paris summer schedule will include up to 49 flights a week including a daily flight between Vancouver and Paris. This ups the airline’s number of weekly flights out of Vancouver by two, while overall departures from Canada will be up 27% compared to summer 2019. Effective March 27, passengers will fly between Vancouver and Paris aboard B777-200s and a new Air France service from Quebec City also starts May 17, joining Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton gateways.

Ultra low-cost carrier Lynx Air has announced a major expansion out of the Toronto region this summer, adding four new destinations and five new routes to its network. Travellers will have access to Lynx flights out of both Toronto Pearson Airport and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, with six destinations across the country to choose from: Halifax, St. John’s, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. By the end of July, the airline will be flying 92 flights per week in and out of the Toronto area with more than 17,000 seats per week.

DEALS

The St. Patrick’s Day season is being celebrated by Collette with savings through March 29 on 19 tours to Ireland and the UK available through March 29. Clients can save up to 15% off with offer code CASTLE22. Travel dates are May 1 to Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022.

Through March 31, Viking is offering special savings plus airfare from US$599 on all 2022 and ‘23 departures of its “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” river cruise itinerary in Europe.

Canadians can save up to 45% off Club Med packages through October. Additionally, clients may be eligible to receive free room upgrades, no single supplement, flexible cancellations, and free stays for children four and under. Some blackout dates apply.

TOURS

On March 31, the Andean Explorer, the first luxury train in South America, will ride the rails once again after a brief hiatus. The rail trip is designed to connect guests with the nature of the Peruvian Andes while travelling through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. The luxury train traverses one of the highest train routes on earth and travels from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca via the dazzling white city of Arequipa. Along the way, guests experience floating islands, fascinating archaeological sites, majestic natural wonders, and ancient kingdoms.

Connecting with nature might not be the first thing one associates with visiting West Hollywood, but locals know that Los Angeles is bursting with scenic trails and spectacular views. Each month, one of the most iconic venues in Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory, offers an hour-long sunset hike that starts and ends on the Observatory’s West Terrace and covers about a kilometre. It’s also an excellent spot to see the Hollywood sign! Or, one can get an up-close and personal look at the Hollywood Sign with Bikes and Hikes LA. This 5.6-km. hike ends right under the sign, the closest you can get.

HOTELS

Hilton is set to debut in the Galapagos Islands with signing of the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton (photo), a 21-room boutique estate nestled among one of the world’s most distinctive island ecosystems. The property on Santa Cruz is expected to convert to Hilton by July, representing the first international hotel brand name with a presence in the destination. Sustainability is at the epicentre of the hotel’s ethos and woven into the hotel’s operations, engagement with guests and the community.

In the Osterbro neighbourhood of Copenhagen, the new Villa Canada will allow guests to book the whole former Canadian embassy for parties or a stay in extreme luxury.

RESORTS

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has relaunched its Maui Academy – a seasonal program designed to be a modern ‘edu-(vac)ation,’ replete with complimentary activities aimed at educating the resort’s young guests on Hawaii’s remarkable culture and landscape. Through hands-on learning and vivid storytelling, the program, which returns through April 11 and again in July and August, is designed to foster a genuine connection to Hawaii for young people that will last for years.

High-end Excellence Resorts says it will invest over US$50 million to upgrade the premises and enhance the amenities of its all eight of its resorts in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay. Among the projects will be building 12 additional units at Excellence Oyster Bay in Jamaica, almost tripling its current offering to a total of 17 villas once completed. The new villas, like the original five at the property, will feature over 140 sq. m. of living space, a garden with a jacuzzi, a shaded porch, an outdoor lounge area with a pool, and a private stretch of beach.

CRUISE

The new Category+ program from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises allows guests to bid on potential stateroom upgrades ahead of departure. Clients will be invited to browse staterooms and suites still available on their cruise in a higher category than they originally booked, and then place an offer. Bids may be placed on multiple available staterooms to increase upgrade chances, but guests will only pay for their upgrade if it is accepted. Once an offer is either accepted or declined, the guest will be notified via email and immediately charged the amount of their offered bid. Travel advisors will also receive commission on that additional amount. Bids may be cancelled or modified up to five days prior to departure provided an acceptance has not already been made, and Uniworld will notify guests of acceptance no less than three days prior to departure.

The new 386-guest ‘Viking Mississippi’ was “floated out” in Louisiana earlier this month, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in June 2022, the Viking vessel will sail voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

The first Sesame Street theme park on the West Coast (and second in the US overall) opened March 26. Featuring Big Bird’s Beach, Oscar’s Rotten Rafts, and Cookie-Monster towers, the year-round, 6.5-hectare Sesame Place San Diego theme park is located just south of the city of San Diego and is the first theme park in nine years opened by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

EDUCATION

Visit Lauderdale has launched Lauderdale Loyalist, a new interactive mLearning (mobile learning) training and sales experience for travel advisors. Already available online, Lauderdale Loyalist supports destination learning requirements and serves as an ongoing sales enhancement resource through a series of interactive learning modules including an introduction to Greater Fort Lauderdale and central themes including nature, arts and culture, and LGBT+. Available online, the program can be accessed via the App store or online at https://www.lauderdaleloyalist.com

EVENTS

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will host its inaugural Global Youth Tourism Summit (GYTS) in Sorrento, Italy, from June 27 to July 3, giving children and youth from every global region a platform to share their vision and hopes for the travel and tourism sector as it works to fulfil its potential as a driver of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations and convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), reports that registration is open for its 2022 Annual Convention – to be held in Toronto. A first for the city, the event will be held July 19-21 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Information can be found HERE.

PEOPLE

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in Canada has added Anne Palardy to the team as Business Development Manager for Québec and Eastern Canada. The travel industry veteran joins JTB from Sandos Hotels & Resorts, where she served as a BDM in eastern Canada. She has also worked in roles with Transat, Air Canada, Tourisme Montérégie, and CAA Québec. The trilingual Palardy is based in Montreal and replaces Louise Paquette, who recently retired after 26 years with the JTB. She can be reached at apalardy@visitjamaica.com .

DESTINATIONS

For eight seasons Game of Thrones was filmed at the Linen Mills Studio near Belfast, Northern Ireland. Now that production has ceased, the studio has been turned into a permanent attraction called The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, featuring artifacts ranging from design drawings to displays of the intricate costumes, the armoury containing thousands of unique weapons, examples of the special effects makeup, and interactive displays of how many of the special effects were created. Visitors can also see entire sets, such as the Winterfell Great Hall.

Starting this spring 2022, Knuthenborg Safaripark in Denmark will offer guests the opportunity to spend the night in Camp Zov Trigra, located in Europe’s biggest tiger forest. Believed to be only one of two such experiences in the world, guests will find only a window between them and the great cats, providing a unique insight into their lives. The Camp also offers various safari-stays that provide the opportunity to wake up to pensioned circus elephants, monkeys, giraffes, and other safari animals. Glamping tends can be booked on their website.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News