Read all about the News and Views from our Partners

As Sir David Attenborough’s TV series ‘Perfect Planet’ showcases our world’s wonderful wildlife, why not plan your next holiday around an escape into nature? The experts Frontier Travel – Tailor made holidays can put together a perfect wildlife itinerary from viewing Polar Bears on the tundra in Churchill with Frontiers North to whale watching and grizzly bear viewing on a coastal rainforest safari. Book with confidence thanks to the flexibility of their Covid-19 Policy and book early for later 2021/2022 to ensure you get the holiday you really want. See their full range of wildlife holidays in Canada here.

Congratulations to our partner Sally’s Cottages who won silver in the 2020 British Travel Awards for Best UK Cottage Holiday Company. This continues a successful run of wins that has seen Sally Fielding, owner and founder of the family-run business, leap into Derwentwater to celebrate.

The company was set up by Sally in 2003 with just one holiday cottage sub-let from a neighbour. Today it is the largest independent self-catering cottage company in Cumbria with around 500 holiday cottages and providing work for hundreds of local people. “Local businesses in Cumbria show time and time again that the county is a big player on the national stage,” continues Sally, “and we’re so happy to be a small part of that.”

Taking place 15 and 16 January 2021, this exciting show offers 8 different presentations from the destination experts at Wendy Wu Tours, including travelling solo. Discover the inside track on where to go, what to see and what to do in some of the most exciting destinations for 2021 and beyond. Discover the iconic must-see destinations and the hidden gems, the cultural highlights and the unmissable experiences.They also have some fabulous exclusive offers for attendees.
After each presentation you’ll have the chance to visit our virtual stand and talk to their experts, who’ll be on hand to answer any of your questions.
Attendance is FREE but places are limited so don’t miss out. Sign up here for just one or all eight – the choice is yours.

Thinking of travelling by train for your next holiday? Our friends at Railbookers are running a series of free webinars to show you their range of rail holidays at home and abroad and answer any questions you might have.
These begin on 12 January (10 am or 2 pm) with their Top 5 No Fly Holidays for 2021. Whether it’s winding through the Swiss Alps, passing the Italian Lakes, taking in the Scottish Highlands or arriving into one of Europe’s historic cities the view is ever changing. Subsequent webinars include:
19 or 21 January – Luxury Rail Experiences with Railbookers (10am, 2pm or 5pm)
26 or 28 January – Switzerland, Italy and Beyond : Our Top 5 Holidays (10am, 2pm or 5pm)

Andiamo! (Let’s Go!) This new free magazine from Citalia offers some wonderful inspiration for your next Italian holiday. Articles include:
James Bond in Italy – 007’s most scenic settings
An insider’s guide to Amalfi
Undiscovered Italy – the road less travelled
Rail travel in Italy
Citalia’s pick of Blue Flag Beaches

Read your copy here.

Whether you have an existing booking or want to plan ahead and book a holiday for this year (or beyond), your money is safe with Forest Holidays. Should anything change due to COVID-19, you’re covered by their booking promise flexible solutions – and their CleanAssure+ system is in action for extra peace of mind.
Escape to a place where your playground is the forest, and your backdrop is a starry sky. Choose from 11 beautiful UK locations and plan your next holiday today. Maybe choose a springtime getaway when the forest is bursting into life? Or the lazy, hazy days of summer when you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and views from your hot tub. Book by midnight 11 January 2021 and receive a 10% discount with code ‘IMAGINE’.

With the Covid Vaccination being administered in various locations across the country our partner Driving Miss Daisy UK would be delighted to help you travel safely to and from your appointment. They have enhanced hygiene protocols in place for their drivers, all of whom are police checked, First Aid trained and able to cater for customers with a range of mobility needs. To find out if there is a Driving Miss Daisy service near you, contact them on 0333 014 6211.

With no boat shows running over this winter, we’re delighted to sponsor Seafarer Sailing Holidays virtual Not the London Boat Show running from Monday 11th to Saturday 16th January 2021. This is a great opportunity to get all the information you need to prepare for the perfect sailing holiday in 2021 or beyond.
The show will contain many different events and sessions throughout the week which are all completely free and designed to give you as close as possible to the experience of the now-deceased London Boat Show from the comfort of your own home. There’s a chance to talk to one of their experienced team via zoom to chat through exactly what you’re looking for in a holiday.
They will also be offering two amazing holiday prizes during the show and you can enter both of them from now till Saturday 16th January with the prize draw for this and some other competitions taking place on the final Saturday evening

Enjoy a North American road trip for less in 2021 with Freedom Destinations. They’ve dropped the price on several of their most popular self drive packages, including:
Sunshine States – tour the Californian coast and National Parks, then fly to Florida.
Gems of the Northeast – enjoy a round trip from New York to Boston, including Niagara Falls.
Canyon Explorer – discover the natural beauty of the National Parks of the Western United States.
Old Southern Heritage – immerse yourself in Southern hospitality on a tour of the Deep South.

There are more routes on their website or they can plan a self-drive holiday just for you – including flights, car hire, hotels and any extras – with full ATOL protection.

Welcome in 2021 by booking a luxury beach break with Sovereign Luxury Travel and enjoy £150 discount per booking plus lower deposits when you book by 31 January 2021. Use their luxury holiday finder tool to find your perfect escape.

For example, the Maldives takes you to a world of private islands made up of footprint free, white sand beaches fringed with glistening azure waters. With one hotel per island, it’s the ideal holiday sanctuary for a romantic getaway.

Closer to home, holidays in Madeira are packed full of beautiful natural sights, from its rugged cliffs leading down to the sparkling ocean to manicured botanic gardens full of native trees and flowers. The mountains are perfect for those wanting to explore Portugal’s natural landscapes, while the capital cosmopolitan Funchal is home to upmarket bars, restaurants and shops.

In the spirit of the festive season, book a small ship cruising adventure with St Hilda Sea Adventures by 31 January 2021 and you’ll receive a 10% discount on any cruise booking. Their cruises, among the breathtakingly beautiful islands, sea lochs and mountains of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are truly unforgettable adventures for all ages.

The magical Scottish seas are full of wildlife both above and below the waves. You can fish, swim, dive, set lobster pots and sail the sea and its lochs and marvel at the dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, otters, sea eagles, myriads of sea birds and the occasional whale. Each day is as action packed or as relaxing as you please.

Their three, small cruise ships are St Hilda (maximum 6 passengers), Seahorse II (maximum 11 passengers) and Gemini Explorer (maximum 7 passengers). St Hilda is a traditional, wooden ex-Tall Ship. Seahorse II is an ex-Norwegian Ferry. Gemini Explorer is an ex-Cruising Lifeboat.

Save up to 40% in June 2021 with our award-winning partner Eurocamp. Enjoy a much-needed early summer break at one of their spacious parcs in lovely coastal and country locations across Europe and book for just £99 deposit per party.

As an example of the excellent value Eurocamp provide, you can enjoy a week in a 2-bed Air-Conditioned Classic home in Bella Austria from as little as £170.10 per party departing 12 June 2021.

Book with peace of mind knowing that Eurocamp have been operating for over 40 years and this year have won two awards voted for by the British Public: the Silver Travel Advisor Award for Best Self Catering Company and the British Travel Awards for Best Camping & Mobile Holiday Company (Large).

Experience the British Isles and our neighbours from a new perspective with Tradewind Voyages voyages aboard the magnificent Golden Horizon sailing from the UK in 2021 including Scotland & England Explorer, the Wonders of Iceland and Midnight Sun in the Arctic. Book for up to 14 nights before 28/02/21 & save £100 on a Cabin, £200 on a Balcony and £300, on a Suite. Book for over 14 nights before 28/02/21 & Save £200 on a Cabin, £400 on a Balcony and £600 on a Suite. See all the 9 voyages here. Offer commences Monday 21 December 2020.

If you’re looking for something exciting and different for your travels next year, take a look at our partner Travel Editions’ NEW Tours Preview 2021: collection of special interest tours at home and abroad. Their brochure is packed full of fascinating Art/History Tours, Culinary Tours, Garden & Flower Tours, Music Tours, Rail Tours, and Walking Tours. With popular tours including Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany and Agatha Christie on the English Riviera there is something to suit every taste.

The winter edition of The Hebridean Times is now available to view online. The latest issue is filled with all the latest news from our partner Hebridean Island Cruises, including the expansion of their fleet with the acquisition of MV Lord of the Glens.
With all sailings paused until early 2021, they share new health protocols for when they take to the seas again. With enhanced health and safety measures you will still be able to enjoy the holiday you dreamed of.
Captain Heaton gives us an insight as to what on board life has been like during lockdown with only a skeleton crew, and a number of guests have shared the creative ways in which they have been keeping alive their fond memories of Hebridean cruises.
Their cruise focus features Historic Houses and Castles of the Clyde and their new 2021 European River Cruises offer two enticing itineraries on the romantic Rhine and tranquil Moselle, with the opportunity to combine the two into a stunning, extended Grand Voyage through the heart of Europe.

If you’re looking for a last-minute December break, HF Holidays have just released some new dates. Four of their UK houses in the Cotswolds, the Northern Lake District, the Southern Yorkshire Dales and Dorset Coast are currently open and welcoming guests for some wonderful pre-Christmas walking with savings of up to £125 pp.
They are also opening 11 of their UK country houses over the festive period, so if you fancy getting away for Christmas, New Year or the period in between, they still have some availability on selected dates.
Of course, with all their open houses they will continue to abide by all government law and guidelines; for the most up to date information on all the adaptations they have made, please see our Travel Advice Page. Please be advised that as a responsible organisation and in consideration of other guests, their leaders and their house teams, they are unable to welcome guests who reside in a Tier 3 restricted area to their country houses.

Our partner Celebrity Cruises launches NEW 2022 Bermuda and Northeast Atlantic sailings. Celebrity Summit will take travellers throughout the Atlantic Ocean in luxurious style in 2022, as she visits a range of popular destinations including the pink beaches of Bermuda and the historic city of Charleston; Canada and the New England coast; and Greenland and Iceland – two of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
Celebrity Summit was recently part of a $500 million fleetwide revolution. In addition to newly designed staterooms and onboard spa, Celebrity Summit now features The Retreat®, Celebrity Cruises’ ultimate luxury offering for suite guests featuring stunning accommodations; a private restaurant, lounge and sundeck; and exclusive amenities including a dedicated concierge service for an unparalleled holiday at sea.
Because Celebrity believes holidays should be effortless from the start, Wi-Fi, drinks and tips are now ‘Always Included SM’ in a Celebrity cruise purchase, bringing that wonderful feeling of ‘everything is taken care of’ to life. In addition, the line’s “Cruise with Confidence” programme provides flexible cancellations and best price guarantees.

Exciting news – Cycling for Softies have added Puglia and Sardinia to their collection of gentle cycling holidays in Italy, France and the UK.
On their 7-night Puglia by e-bike tour you’ll:
Visit 3 UNESCO heritage sites: Matera, Alberobello and Lecce.
Stay in a traditional Trullo, an iconic cone-roofed building.
Enjoy the deep red wines of the Salento region – or the crisp whites of Locorotondo.
During a week exploring Northern Sardinia by e-bike, you’ll:
Cycle dramatic coastlines, quiet coves, secret beaches of Costa Smeralda.
Ride through the Valle della Luna.
Explore fascinating historic sites, stretching back to the Nuralgic period.
Cycling for softies
Enjoy excellent local food and wine.

Set on a lush hillside on the north east coast of Paxos, a 20-minute stroll from the waterfront village of Lakka, the Thymari adults-only hotel comprises five, beautifully restored, stone-built houses, built from the remains of an ancient hamlet. Each villa with private pool is attractively spaced to offer plenty of privacy within the expansive grounds and linked by little pathways that meander down through communal gardens to the sea. The villas offer a choice of one or two bedrooms, with each having an independent living area, kitchenette, terrace, and private pool – most of which are heated. Exquisite breakfasts and a choice of lunch or dinner are included daily, each one beautifully prepared by the hotel chef and can be taken outside on the elegant hotel terrace with views across to the Greek mainland. Tempted? This fabulous collection is selling out fast with prices starting from £1,077 pp including flights, transfers, car hire, and HB accommodation. Learn more about Simpson hotels here.

This offer applies to new bookings made on selected sailings before 2nd February 2021 with more than 120 cruises included for 2021 and 2022, to destinations including the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and the Caribbean, and with durations from five to 30 nights. Departures include:
Braemar’s five-night M2118 Delights of Devon & Cornwall cruise, departing from Southampton 29th July 2021 from £799 per person + a free drinks package upgrade or up to £100 per person to spend on board.
Balmoral’s six-night L2127 Spellbinding Fjords of Norway cruise, departing from Newcastle 29th August 2021. Prices start from £949 per person + free drinks package upgrade or up to £120 per person to spend on board.
Bolette’s 12-night T2114 Icelandic Wonders & Wildlife cruise, departing from Dover on 3rd June 2021 from £1,799 per person + free drinks package upgrade or up to £240 per person to spend on board.
Borealis’ 24-night S2121 A"malfi Coast & Italian Riviera":https://www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/amalfi-coast-tuscany-and-italian-riviera-s2121 cruise, departing from Liverpool on 2nd September 2021 from £3,699 per person + free drinks package upgrade or up to £480 per person to spend on board.