Read all about the News and Views from our Partners

Introducing APT’s three new shining stars…
The Travelmarvel Polaris, Capella and Vega are APT’s brand-new river ships making a splash on Europe’s waterways in 2021.
Their newest fleet brings you a cruise with state-of-the-art facilities – offering stellar choice, superior comfort and marvellous value.
APT holidays are award-winning, all-inclusive luxury from start to finish. Their fleet, suites, service and dining are everything you could expect from five-star travel and their Signature Experiences will introduce you to a side of every destination you won’t get with anyone else.
Discover more on their website here.

Whilst we all currently have some time to dream Somak has put together a collection of stunning destinations to your radar to consider booking for when we are all able to travel again! If you are a wildlife lover and want a little bit of adventure theyhighly recommend a Kenyan safari! It is the best way to tick off seeing the magnificent ‘big five’ from your bucket list! Their suggestions include India where many first time visitors choose the ‘Golden Triangle’, which is made up of Agra, Delhi, and Jaipur, plus a bit of Rajasthan added on, if time permits. Read the full article here and add your favourites to your wishlist.

Until the time is right to travel again, Travelsphere are offering inspirational stories and experiences to reflect upon our wonderful world. Their Ambassador, broadcaster and presenter Penny Smith, provides her top 5 reasons to choose a guided holiday. Their article top 5 filming locations outlines some of the famous filming locations you can visit during a Travelsphere escorted tour., including some amazing Scottish locations for Harry Potter. See all their articles here.

G Adventures has introduced a series of virtual walking tours hosted by local guides. In their first tour, local Chief Experience Officer Stefano introduces us to Florence, Italy. Using Google Maps and photos, CEOs will “walk” viewers around their location, sharing insider secrets, history and travel tips. Upcoming walks include Antigua in Guatemala, Buenos Aires, Cape Town and Hanoi, so stay tuned!

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection have a 2021 CENTRAL EUROPE, FRANCE, ITALY, PORTUGAL & SPAIN, RUSSIA when you book by 30 June 2020. Flights or Eurostar are included.
For their long haul destinations you not only get the 10% Early Booking Discount but also will receive a free one way Business Class upgrade too!
Uniworld offer a Premium all-inclusive experience including fights, five-star destination inspired cuisine, unlimited drinks including premium spirits and fine wines and a choice of daily excursions and their ships are justifiably renowned for their luxurious décor and outstanding service.
Full details about the cruises and destinations can be found on the offers pages of their website here.

As a way of saying thank you, our partner Simpson Travel are offering complimentary holidays to 10 of our heroic NHS staff and care workers, to be taken in 2021. To nominate your hero, please read the instructions and send your email to [email protected] by 30 June 2020. Winners will be chosen at random. They say, ‘We wish we could offer a holiday to all those whose names we receive, but from all of us at Simpson Travel we would like to say a very heartfelt thank you; we appreciate everything you do’.

Our partner Travel for the Arts has a magical selection of musical treats lined up for Autumn/Winter. Their collection includes Glorious Glyndebourne where you can enjoy Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Mozart’s Die Entführung and Beethoven’s Fidelio; and wonderful Wexford Festival where this year’s offerings include three new productions: Karl Goldmark’s Ein Wintermärchen, based on Shakespeare’s play A Winter’s Tale; Le Songe d’une nuit d’été, a fantasy about Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I by Ambroise Thomas, best known for his operas Mignon and Hamlet; and Alfredo Catalani’s Edmea, conducted by the rising star Francesco Cilluffo.
Learn more and request your brochure here

Scenic UK’s 2021 Europe River Cruise Preview Collection is now on sale
Join them in 2021 to explore the grand waterways of Europe in truly inclusive luxury and – if you book by 30 April 2020 you can enjoy your 2021 cruise at a 2020 price plus FREE private door-to-door chauffeur driven transfers plus save a guaranteed £250 per person.
There are seven iconic European rivers to choose from on journeys of discovery and relaxation, meandering through Europe’s enchanting waterways.
Admire the ever-changing scenery and cruise right into the heart of world famous cities and some of Europe’s most picturesque towns and villages. Whether it’s a waltz down the blue Danube, sailing the romantic rivers of France or soaking up the sun as you meander along Portugal’s Douro – 2021 awaits.
Plus, enjoy an early payment discount of £125 per person on all 2021 itineraries paid in full before 31 October 2020.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages is offering the opportunity to explore the best of our beautiful British Isles in 2021. Sail Round Britain on board Marco Polo from Hull or Magellan from Newcastle in May or on board CMV’s new flagship Amy Johnson from London Tilbury in July, fares are available from £844pp, including the current Buy One Get One Free offer.
Cabins are selling fast for a 10-night Grand British Isles Discovery voyage on board CMV’s new flagship Amy Johnson sailing from London Tilbury 12 July 2021, Marco Polo’s British Isles Discovery sailing from Hull 30 May 2021 on an 11-night voyage and Magellan’s Round Britain adventure sailing from Newcastle 30 May 2021 on an 11-night exploration.
Full details are on the CMV website and can be found by following this link

Whilst we will all be in need of a holiday once isolation ends, our NHS workers will be even more in need of a break. TransIndus are inviting you to nominate an NHS Hero you think is most deserving of a holiday to win a Once-in-a-Lifetime Luxury Trip for Two to India worth £5000. Visit their website to complete the nomination form and check terms & conditions. Nominations must be received by 31 May 2020.

Star Clippers have announce the release of their brand-new 2021/22 preview brochure to provide you with travel inspiration.
Winter highlights include Star Flyer & Royal Clipper’s famous Caribbean island-hopping itineraries – a perfect winter escape that very few places can compete with.
Intrepid travellers can explore South East Asia on board Star Clipper, sailing to some of the most glorious, untouched destinations on earth. You can book your Star Clippers’ sailing as far ahead as March 2022.
Remember you can book now to take advantage of Star Clippers’ Early Booking Discount and save up to 20%*. Plus, if you’re a repeat passenger you’ll receive a further 5% discount!

If a walking holiday in Cornwall is top of your list for when lockdown ends, have a look at HF Holidays collection of walks from Chy Morvah. Set in St Ives, this coastal country house has been refurbished and is looking forward to welcoming guests again. As well as 38 bedrooms, Chy Morvah has a large main lounge with panoramic views across St Ives Bay and a dining room that boasts similar mouth-watering views. To keep you entertained there’s a garden in which to enjoy the hazy pinky glow that falls on this seaside sanctuary every evening. Beyond the house, the Cornish Coast is the gateway to exploring the area, with easy access to St Michael’s Mount, the pretty fishing village of Mousehole, the beaches and cliffs of north Cornwall and the rugged cliffs of Land’s End. There’s even the option of an evening adventure to the Minack Theatre.

While it seems travelling is on hold for the time being, it is the perfect time to think about and plan for future travels and what better place to head than the wide open spaces of Canada? Frontier Canada is open and taking bookings for 2021, and there are even some great offers to be had. To make your dream holiday to Canada a reality – whether that be seeing grizzly bears in their natural habitat, riding the Rocky Mountaineer or maybe a coastal fly-drive – contact the experts at Frontier Canada, safe in the knowledge that your future holiday is protected even in these uncertain times.

Here’s a great way to spend a bit of time today with a cup of coffee or a glass of something you like.
2021 is Noble Caledonia’s 30th anniversary year and to mark the occasion they have just released the following new British Isles brochure featuring a huge variety of small ship cruises around the UK.
Take a look at these inspiring itineraries and make 2021 the year you become better acquainted with the treasures of the British Isles.
Enjoy by following this link!

Holland America Line know its important to dream during these challenging times…
As a result you can now plan ahead and receive up to $2,300 in extras on cruises later this year and on 2021 and 2022 voyages.
These include free drinks, gratuities, dining package and Wifi for suites
They look forward to welcoming you onboard in the future!

Fancy a cruise along the most picturesque stretches of the Thames? Our partner GN Holidays & Voyages offer a unique experience aboard the African Queen visiting Goring on Thames, Wallingford, location for filming of Midsummer Murders; Mapledurham the filming location for the Eagle has landed, Miss Marple and Sharpe; Caversham, Sonning and Henley on Thames. Highlights are lunch at a riverside restaurant, a show and dinner at Sonning dinner theatre and a guided walk through Mapledurham which is not open to the general public.
The African Queen sleeps up to 12 guests and owners, husband and wife team Bonny and Andy, serve delicious cuisine including a Cape Malay dinner and a south African Braai BBQ while regaling you with tales of the river. Sailing dates available through to October 2021.

Rediscover France with CV Villa’s new destination guide. Easily accessible by train, car or plane, a French villa holiday combines the relaxation with the cultured; experience outstanding views, see extraordinary icons, and discover medieval hilltop histories with a world-class gourmet food scene. Each one of their French villas is unique, with a style and individuality that reflects each different region. Drink in sensational sea views in Corsica, indulge in a sun-kissed private pool in the Côte d’Azur and stay near gorgeous medieval market towns in the Dordogne valley. Browse their collection and start planning your next escape.

As a great family holiday, and not wanting to leave anyone out, ABC Canal Boat Holidays even let your first pet go for free plus they now offer free Wi-Fi on all of their boats.
ABC Boat Hire have some great 2021 holidays and short breaks from 3 or 4 days, mid-week or a weekend to a full week or longer along Britain’s canals and waterways.
There are a whole selection of boarding points from Scotland to the midlands all easy to get to.

Saga Holidays has a 35% Early Booking Discount on its newly released 2021 cruise brochure featuring 39 all-inclusive itineraries on boutique sister ships Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure sailing from April to December. Best of all, every new cruise includes a selection of complimentary sightseeing excursions too, delivering Saga’s best-ever value.
New itineraries on the all-balcony boutique ships feature the USA and Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Baltic, the British Isles, summer and winter in Norway, the Canary Islands and the Med. Some cruises also feature up to three overnight stays, giving guests the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the culture of cities such as Athens, Boston, St Petersburg and Oslo.
The sailings are all backed by Saga’s reassuring Cruise Price Promise too. This means customers can plan their 2021 cruise ahead, and book with confidence knowing that if Saga ever reduces the price at a later date, they will receive the value of the saving back.
New-to-Saga cruise guests can also enjoy the ‘Love your first cruise’ money back guarantee as standard.

Whilst we may not be able to go on holiday right now, that doesn’t stop us from looking back at fond memories from previous trips. Alfa Travel are keeping the holiday spirit alive with their new Alfa Travel Community Group on Facebook. Many customers have already joined and been sharing their holiday memories and pictures. Alfa will pick their favourites and show them every Friday. If you haven’t joined yet then you can find the group via this link. Alfa Travel say they look forward to welcoming you back on board and in their hotels later in the year!