Latest News from our Partners

Veloso Tours offers a choice of expedition cruises in South America. Discover Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with expert local naturalists or explore the mighty Amazon River in Brazil, Peru or Ecuador aboard luxurious custom-built river ships.
Why not journey to Earth’s last un-spoilt continent in Antarctica or take an invigorating coastal cruise around Tierra del Fuego?
You can cruise through the Chile’s spectacular North Ice Field sailing up close to awe-inspiring glaciers or take a tour to China including a cruise on the Yangtze River.

Save up to 10% on selected 2019 holidays with Shearings Holidays’ Black Friday sale AND enjoy some exclusive extras. For example, a 3-day Amsterdam mini-cruise now costs from just £89 pp B&B; a 4-day coast and country break in Windermere costs from just £95 pp half board! A 9-day Dolomites Discovery costs from just £369.55 pp half board. River Cruises, Air Holidays, Self-Drive and Worldwide Holidays also reduced. Book by midnight 28th November.

Silver travellers who are keen to minimise their impact on the environment will love this NEW 20-day Green Kiwi tour from Discover the World. Staying in eco-friendly accommodation and driving a hybrid low-emission rental car, you’ll explore stunning landscapes and secluded bays. You’ll also enjoy amazing wildlife on whale watching and penguin spotting tours and have the chance to take part in eco-focused hands on experiences such as planting a tree.

Our partner First Class Holidays has just launched a super competition to WIN a holiday for two people to New Zealand worth £6,999 per couple. This 13-day South Island Spectacular escorted tour includes return flights, accommodation and many meals, a trip on the TranzAlpine Railway, a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, a cruise on the Milford Sound (pictured below) and tours of Dunedin and Christchurch. It’s free to enter. Competition closes 30 November 2018.

If you love Thailand but find your favourite places are becoming too touristy, take a look at Selective Asia’s collection. Their new 12-day tailor-made tour An Insider’s Thailand takes you off the beaten track to places like Fang, described by the team as “like Thailand was 20 years ago”. Meet remote minority tribes and trek deep into unspoilt national parks; visit ancient temples, get up close to Asian elephants and generally be wowed by the natural beauty of the north.

The return of “I’m a Celebrity…Get me out of here!” with a line up of several silver travellers puts Australia in the spotlight. The series is filmed in the Springbrook National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 100 miles south of Brisbane near the Gold Coast. You too can visit this area with Australian Sky as part of an escorted tour or tailor made self-drive adventure. They are currently offering £525 pp off selected dates for their 12-night East Coast Islands and Rainforest Tour which explores the Gold Coast and visits the Great Barrier Reef.

Book before 30 November 2018 and save £75 pp on all self-guided Bordeaux, Loire and Provence cycling tours with BSpoke Tours. Their new easy-grade Bordeaux City & Beach Break takes you to the historic city and the beautiful Arcachon Bay. The beautiful sandy beaches, delicious fresh seafood and an excellent network of cycle routes make this one of France’s best kept cycling secrets. For a more challenging experience, their 7 day Road Cycling in Provence self-guided tour takes you through wide valleys, small mountain ranges and gorges. Silver Travellers also get a 5% disount on all bookings.

Explore’s Beyond collection includes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Mongolian Eagle Festval and the Siberian Altai. This 15-day tour takes you on the ancient North Silk Road through the stunning Siberian Altai Mountains and across into Mongolia where you spend two nights with an Eagle Hunter family before attending the local Eagle Hunter Festival. The Explore Beyond collection also includes a range of other one-off events and festivals away from the usual tourist landmarks and events.

With just 6 weeks to go until Christmas, there’s still time to plan your escape (or recovery) from the stress and hard work that often accompanies this time of year. Celebrate Christmas, “Twixtmas” or New Year at one of HF Holidays’ 18 country houses across the UK from Glen Coe to the Isle of Wight, costing from just £399 pp. Enjoy walking in beautiful winter scenery, delicious festive fare and a celebratory atmosphere surrounded by like-minded guests with dancing, seasonal quizzes, carols and celebrations. Click here for details.

Are you a solo traveller wondering where to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Solos Holidays invite you to join them on a seven or 14-night winter sun holiday in beautiful Kyrenia, North Cyprus (departs 21st December 2018).
The group will stay in a fantastic four-star hotel, set amid spacious, tranquil gardens and just a brief walk from the historic harbour and its wide range of shops, bars and restaurants.
Highlights include Christmas and New Year’s Eve gala meals with your new solo friends, plus an array of optional tours to choose from. Click here for full details.

Gain an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Highclere Castle on Saturday 6 April. Home to the Carnarvon family since 1679, the castle recently played host again to the cast of Downton Abbey for the recording of the new Downton Abbey film to be released next September. Visit Royal Windsor en-route to the Castle. Price from £199 pp departing 5 April 2019 includes return coach travel, 2 nights’ B&B and both visits. Save 5% on prices when you call 0333 234 2010 to book and quote code 5STA. Click here for full details of tour.

Christmas has started early at Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hampshire’s south coast with Tinsel and Turkey Breaks to get you in the mood throughout November and December. As an example, a 2-night Big Baubles Weekend starting 7 December costs from just £105 pp half board and a 3-night Turkey & Tinsel Festive Spectacular starting 17 December costs from just £125 pp. half board with half price drinks. Check out all their November and December dates, grab a partner or a group of friends and enjoy a fun-filled time.

Bhutan – a place time forgot and where happiness is a national priority. Many of you were entranced by our silver traveller Solange Hando’s recent account of her visit to Bhutan and asked about guided tours of this magical Himalayan kingdom. Our partner G Adventures has some great discounts on Bhutan tours including £330 off their 10-day Classic Bhutan Adventure, departing 11 March 2019 and costing from £1,869 pp. One of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world, Bhutan’s traditional culture is strictly protected and visitors carefully regulated. As G Adventures says, the opportunity to experience Bhutan isn’t a vacation, it’s a privilege.

Enjoy a perfect winter escape and save £50 off your first booking with Artisan Travel. Their offers include the chance to tailor-make a 7-night visit to Ruka in Finland from just £725 pp including flights, transfers, accommodation, guided activities, and cold weather clothing. Personalise your holiday from the list of exciting adventures such as snowmobile, husky or reindeer sleigh rides, snow shoe adventures, visits to reindeer farms.

Combine hiking through stunning scenery with gourmet meals and fine wines with our partner Hedonistic Hiking – Gourmet Guided Walking Tours. They specialise in small group escorted hiking holidays ranging from a gentle stroll through Tuscan and Piedmontese vineyards to a slightly more strenuous tour of three of the Italian Lakes. For 2019, they have increased their selection of challenging level 5 walks with the inclusion of a spectacular Mountains of Piedmont tour which takes hikers through larch and beech woods, past abandoned stone hamlets and across alpine meadows and streams. Al fresco picnics and gourmet dinners are all part of the deal.

Dreaming of white sandy beaches and turquoise seas? Tropical Sky has some great offers in St. Lucia right now including savings of up to £2,500 pp at the All-Inclusive Serenity at Coconut Bay. Now from £2,179 pp with flights, enjoy your own private plunge pool and personal butler! Alternatively save uo to
£800 pp at the 5* Rendezvous all-inclusive couples only resort right on a gorgeous, fully-serviced beach so you’re only ever a wave away from your next cocktail. Other fabulous offers include 7 nights all-inclusive at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa from just £1,239 pp. T&Cs apply – prices correct at time of posting.

Book a villa holiday with CV Villas during November 2018 for travel before 31 December 2019 and get FREE car hire Their fabulous luxury villa collection includes the stunning Casa di Mari private suite for 2 in Santorini, the delightful Casa del Cavaliere in Tuscany that sleeps 4 and the amazingly located Quinta Matilde in the Douro Valley that sleeps up to 8 people. T&C’s apply. Call 0207 261 5499 to book your villa and take advantage of this offer.

Travelling gently along our historic inland waterways is a lovely way to holiday as a couple, a group of friends, or extended family. Set your own pace as you cruise at a leisurely speed, enjoying the countryside, spotting wildlife, and mooring up at waterside pubs, villages and towns along the way. Our Steve enjoyed a lovely holiday on the Union Canal, cruising from Falkirk to Edinburgh. Read about his journey here and then order ABC Boathire’s 2019 brochure here or view it online.

Our partner GuernseyTravel.com have just added two great new offers to our website:
A Christmas in Guernsey package with 4 nights half-board accommodation, traditional Christmas lunch buffet, trip to Herm island on Boxing day & full entertainment programme!
An Island Hopping package with 5 nights B&B, return travel, Herm ferry, Sark ferry, Cycle hire in Sark and lunch! Available May – September 2019.

Patrick Millar, Marketing Manager at Kirker Holidays says that one travel trend for 2019 is the search for city breaks that avoid the crowds. In Kirker Holidays’ collection they seek out characterful hotels in charming smaller cities such as Montpelier, Salamanca and Lucca, in addition to popular destinations such as Paris, Barcelona and Venice. They can also advise on quieter times to travel and provide insider tips to take you off the beaten path. For example, a three-night trip to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, staying at the four-star Hotel Rector, costs from £698 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), accommodation with breakfast, private car transfers and Kirker Concierge Service. Phone Kirker on 020 7593 2283.