Holiday News - Archive 2003 (page 1)

Treats in Thailand

Thailand is a fabulous holiday destination with a kaleidoscope of cultures, religions, cuisine and scenery but it hasn't traditionally been an obvious choice for a self book villa holiday.

But it is now. For besides the usual hotels and beach bungalows there's a growing number of villas and apartments available to rent direct. Newly formed Thailand Retreats first spotted the gap in the market on the paradise island of Koh Samui. Villa owner Maggie Saout hired out her villa when she didn't need it – and discovered a huge demand for luxury self catering accommodation.

Thailand Retreats was set up to find similar privately owned properties on the island and now has a wide portfolio to offer families, honeymooners, watersports enthusiasts and golfers. Villas are available in Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Chachawengsao and in what Maggie calls 'the uniquely cultural' northeast towns of Udan Thani and Loei.

The cost per week ranges from £680 for a stunning villa sleeping 10 in the north east of Thailand to a luxurious villa which sleeps 6 overlooking the Gulf of Siam in Koh Samui, at £1050.

And if you're travelling all that way to enjoy the delights of Thailand, why not spend a few days in Bangkok as a contrast to beautiful beaches and scenery? The city is vibrant and fun, and the freedom of apartment style city living makes it even easier to get to those markets before everyone else. Try staying in a luxurious city centre serviced apartment, close to the park and within easy reach of shops and attractions.

For further information search in our Long Haul section.

Stopping over with Mickey

Eurostar is offering passengers the chance to stop for a break at Disneyland Paris before travelling onwards by high speed TGV train. You can now book direct to Marne-la-Vallée from Waterloo or Ashford, spend a day at Disneyland or Walt Disney Studios Park, stay at a Disney hotel and pick up a TGV the next morning to take you to Avignon, Bordeaux, Poitiers or wherever you're heading.

Eurostar trains and TGVs use the same Disney station so the changeover couldn't be easier, says Eurostar. To find out more visit www.Eurostar.com, phone 08705 186186 or visit Eurostar's new travel centre at Waterloo International terminal.

Cultured Coimbra

The fact that our own Liverpool is to be the European City of Culture in 2008, may lead some of you to consider visiting the current holder of the title – Coimbra in Portugal.

Once the country's capital in the 12th and 13th centuries, this domed and towered university city, not unlike Oxford, is picturesquely placed on the Mondego river.

The upper town (the Alta) still has cobbled streets and is reached through an arch in part of an ancient city wall. One of the oldest in Europe, the university perches at a high point with splendid views. Just as in Liverpool, bars, eateries and a lively buzz complement the culture. Well worth a visit, by all accounts.

---

Shorts

'NOW' AT LUTON ...
NOW is a soon to be launched airline with an individual pricing policy. Every seat on each flight is the same price – every passenger pays the same. There are seasonal variations, for example, from March to May the one way fare to Rome is £55 + £5 tax, rising by £5 to £60 + tax for June, July and August and decreasing by £5 in December, January and February. It's more than the lowest price of some budget airlines but it's reassuring to know the price does not go up the later you book. Prices are worked out on a zone system – a bit like the tube. Destinations include Ibiza, Rome, Valencia, Tenerife and Lisbon. You can register on their website now, to be sure you are informed as soon as the filghts are available.
Website: www.now-airlines.com

TAXI!
If you don't want to get straight off the plane and into a hire car, you can now choose a prebooked taxi option to get you to your villa. Holiday Taxis claim they cover virtually every major holiday resort in the Mediterranean and are currently extending their range to include destinations such as Florida.
Website: www.holidaytaxis.com

BE PREPARED
No one really wants to contemplate being ill while they're abroad but it's nice to know that, should you need help when next in Spain, there's a booklet you could take to the local pharmacist, doctor or nurse to make communication that much easier.

The thirty-two page booklet, called What Should I Do? – Spanish Health Phrase Book, has, in addition to health-related phrases with phonetic pronunciations, body diagrams to help pinpoint the problem. The booklet costs £2.99 including p&p and is available from RTFB Publishing, Building 2, Shamrock Quay, Southampton SO14 5QL. Tel: 023 8022 9041
Website: www.whatshouldido.com

---