The Easter period is always a popular time for a few days away. This year, Easter at the start (April 2 – April 5) when hopefully Spring will have had a chance to set in and the weather warmed up. For families, the Easter School Holidays means plenty of time to enjoy some of the amazing destinations and attractions the UK has to offer. Short break specialist, Superbreak (www.superbreak.com) has a range of excellent packages available over the Easter period for couples and families alike!

FAMILIES

Outdoor family fun in Wales – £349 per family of four. From orienteering and archery, to laser clay shooting and a special junior Rangers club for the kids, there is enough tranquil or adrenaline filled activities at the Bluestone holiday park to keep everyone entertained, whatever their age. Set in 500 acres of natural splendor, largely within the renowned Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bluestone is a new generation holiday village and comprises of 182 stylish, comfortable timber lodges set around a private village boasting a pub, restaurants, wine bar, shops and a superb holistic spa – all for the exclusive use of staying guests. Visitors to Bluestone can also make a splash at the amazing Blue Lagoon waterpark, work up a sweat at the state-of-the-art Landsker Sports Club, or choose from a wide array of activities both on and off-site. Under 12’s can try their first Off Road Safari or learn how to build shelters in Bushcraft with the rest of the family. Under 6’s can try a Princess & Pirates party or a Teddy Bears picnic. Priced from £349 per family of four staying in a lodge on a self catering basis for three nights arriving 2 April.

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate at Cadbury World – from £187 per family of four – Everyone loves Easter Eggs at Easter so why not go one further with a chocolate themed day out at Cadbury World in Birmingham. With hands-on fun, interactive zones and the chance to get close to real liquid Cadbury chocolate this really is a better day in, than most days out. Packages are priced from £187 per family of four includes two night’s accommodation at the three star Jurys Inn Birmingham (two adults and two children sharing a room) and a one day entry pass to Cadbury World. Breakfast is included for the adults, children pay locally. Valid Friday to Sunday in April.

Animal Magic in Hertfordshire – £138 per family of four – Take the kids to Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire and get up close and personal with tigers, lions, monkeys, zebras, reptiles, birds and camels. What makes Paradise unique is the fact you can touch and feed many of the animals. Paradise is widely regarded as the most interactive zoo in the UK. A family of four can stay one night at the four star Marriott Cheshunt, just two miles from the park from just £138. Price includes breakfast for the adults, children pay locally and entrance to the park for the family. Based on 2 or 3 April arrivals.
COUPLES

Love Never Dies theatre night in London – from £149pp – Come to London this Easter and enjoy a night out at the theatre seeing Andrew Lloyd Webbers latest show that has just opened, Love Never Dies which continues the story of the Phantom of The Opera 10 years on. Packages cost from £149 per person staying one night at the newly opened four star Pestana Hotel Chelsea Bridge including breakfast and a top priced ticket to see Love Never Die. Valid on Friday 2 April. Saturday 3 April also available at £156pp. Based on two sharing.

Chill out with a three night trip to Chester – £125pp – Combine a trip to this historic city of Chester with a relaxing stay at the four star Mollington Banastre Hotel. Located just one and a half miles from the city itself, the hotel has a choice of restaurants, the elegant Garden Room or the relaxed Brasserie, both offering excellent cuisine and good service. Other facilities include a leisure club with swimming pool, gym, squash court, aerobic studio and beauty spa. A stay costs from just £125per person including full breakfast. Valid for a arrivals on 2 April and based on two sharing.

For more information and bookings call Superbreak 01904 644455
or visit www.superbreak.com

Festival fever creates May-hem in brighton

Britain’s favourite city-by-the-sea has staked its claim as the UK’s number one festival destination. This coming May brighton & Hove is gearing up for the greatest event line-up it has seen.

With a cornucopia of culture, comedy and creativity, brighton & Hove plays host to 100 yachts, 300 concerts, 1,000 caped crusaders, 1,000 artists, 1,200 live performances and 2,500 Minis.

“This year marks yet another landmark for our burgeoning festival scene.” David Smith, Councillor for Culture, Recreation & Tourism at brighton & Hove City Council. “The sheer volume and range of events on offer is set to eclipse all that has gone before, making brighton & Hove the only place to be in May.”

May in a snapshot:

brighton Festival, 1 – 23 May 2010
Legendary musician and producer Brian Eno Guest curates this year’s festival. Featuring a three week, action packed schedule including 175 live events, ranging from art installations to premieres, exclusive performances and free outdoor activities.
For more information visit www.brightonfestival.org or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

brighton Festival Fringe 1 – 23 May 2010
With this year’s outdoor events running on solar power, England’s largest open access arts festival returns with over 700 events, showcasing the UK’s finest established and undiscovered acts. This year’s festival kicks off with a range of free outdoor performances over the May Day bank holiday weekend.
For more information visit www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

Artists Open Houses, every weekend in May 2010
The first weekend of May welcomes the arrival of Artists Open Houses. More than 1,000 local artists will throw open their doors to the general public, exhibiting work from the comfort of their own home.
For information visit www.aoh.org.uk or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

The Great Escape Festival, 13-15 May 2010
Experience three days of pure musical heaven, as the UK’s most eclectic mix of live music gets underway. With 350 new, local and international artists playing at 30 of the city’s most exclusive venues.
For information visit www.escapegreat.com or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

Superheroes Run, 16 May 2010
With a world record at stake, for the most superheroes in one place at the same time, the 1,000 caped crusaders pit their wits against each other with a race along the famous seafront.
For information visit www.heroesrun.org.uk or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

London to brighton Mini Run, 16 May 2010
The 25th anniversary of the London to brighton Mini Run will see 2,500 Minis make the 55 mile pilgrimage from London’s Crystal Palace Park to Madeira Drive on brighton’s seafront.
For information visit www.london-to-brighton.co.uk or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

Royal Escape Race, 28 May 2010
As the largest offshore race on the South Coast, outside of the Solent, 100 monohull yachts head out on the high sea for the 67 mile race from brighton’s Palace Pier to Fécamp on France’s Normandy coast.
For information visit www.royalescaperace.co.uk or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

For information on events in brighton throughout May, contact Carl Steer at Rooster PR or log on to www.visitbrighton.com.

Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” announced a new route from Edinburgh to Vilnius (Lithuania), commencing 28 of March.

“The “Star1 Airlines” decision to launch direct flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius will definitely help to attract more tourists from Scotland to Lithuania. We are happy to cooperate with them marketing Lithuania to the Scottish travel trade and travel writers.” – states Augusta Jaudegyte, the Director of Lithuanian National Tourism Office in the UK.

“Our constantly expanding market share and growing passenger flow enables “Star1 Airlines” to establish itself as the only Lithuanian low-cost airline and further develop new routes and services. We believe that low fares of flights combined with the high quality of service and individual attention to each client offers us a strong competitive position”, Martynas Laivys, the head of the company said.

The airline does not charge for luggage – one suitcase not exceeding 20 kg will be carried free of charge. “This is particularly important to our customers who travel for business or leisure purposes. Free luggage and flight check-in are some of our advantages which bring down the costs for each traveller”, says the head of “Star1 Airlines”.

“Star1 Airlines” will launch its regular flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius from 28 March on Thursdays and Sundays (as of May 7 – on Fridays and Sundays). Fares to Edinburgh including all fees start from just 99 litas (£25). For booking, visit www.star1.aero or call +44 1293 874 986.
Apart from Edinburgh, “Star1 Airlines” also operates direct flights from Vilnius to London (Stansted), Milan (Malpensa) and restores summer season flights to Dublin and Girona (Barcelona).

Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” belongs to the Star Team Group of companies which also owns a tour operator “Star1 Holidays”. During the first six months of operations, the company has carried nearly 66 thousand of passengers in its scheduled and charter flights, while the period’s turnover amounted to 28 million litas.

The Dorchester Spa, London’s most distinguished destination spa, will be celebrating Father’s Day with a special offer for June 2010. Throughout the month, Fathers booked for a ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ treatment by Aromatherapy Associates will receive a complimentary Aromatherapy Associates ‘De-Stress Muscle Gel’ to continue the treatment benefits at home.

The ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ is a deeply restorative body treatment for the sports enthusiast or overworked father to help relieve tight, stressed limbs by dispersing the build-up of lactic acid. Swedish and cross muscle-fibre massage, stretching and draining techniques, are used in combination with highly therapeutic essential oil blends for deeper, longer lasting results. The Aromatherapy Associates ‘De-Stress Muscle Gel’ used during treatment contains essential oils of black pepper, rosemary and ginger for their stimulating benefits to the circulation providing a warm, soothing effect to help relieve muscular aches and tension.

The Dorchester Spa’s Aromatherapy Associates ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ is available as a 55 minute treatment priced at £110, or as 1 hour 25 minute treatment priced at £155. Gift certificates can be purchased on line or direct with The Dorchester Spa reception; the perfect Father’s Day gift.

For reservations and further information, please contact The Dorchester Spa on +44 20 7319 7109 or email spa@thedorchester.com. To see the Spa Treatment Menu, please visit www.thedorchester.com.

LOVE NEVER DIES OPENS 9 MARCH
Superbreak offers packages to see the continuing story of The Phantom of the Opera

ON 9 March, the most eagerly awaited new musical of the last twenty years has its World Premiere at London’s Adelphi theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new show ‘LOVE NEVER DIES’ continues the stories of the principal characters of The Phantom of the Opera, The Phantom, Christine Daae and Raoul ten years after The Phantom’s mysterious disappearance from the Paris Opera House. Short break specialist, Superbreak (www.superbreak.com) has packages available from as little as £89pp.

The show tells the story of Christine Daaé, who accepts an offer to come to America and perform at New York’s fabulous new playground of the world – Coney Island. Christine arrives in New York with her husband Raoul and their son Gustave. She soon discovers the identity of the anonymous impresario who has lured her from France to sing. Love Never Dies is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue… in which music and memory can play cruel tricks… and The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, love never dies!

The Phantom of the Opera, the most successful musical in history, has been enjoyed by over 100,000,000 theatre-goers around the world since it opened in London at her Majesty’s Theatre on the 9th of October 1986.
THREE PACKAGE – £89pp – staying one night at the three star President Hotel on Russell Square including breakfast and a upper circle ticket to see Love Never Die. Valid any day of the week in April 2010 and based on two sharing.
FOUR PACKAGE- £161.50pp – staying one night at the four star Pestana Hotel Chelsea Bridge including breakfast and a top priced ticket to see Love Never Die. Valid at weekends in April 2010 and based on two sharing.
For more information or to book call Superbreak on 0871 222 3055
or log onto www.superbreak.com

ZURICH, March 2010 – The Swissôtel Métropole Geneva is now being run by a new General Manager, Swiss born Stefan Winistoerfer. Winistoerfer is no stranger to the luxury hotel on Lake Geneva, having already worked in various different positions there.

Stefan Winistoerfer brings more than 12 years of experience at Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, especially in the Food & Beverage sector, to his new position. He began his hotel career in 1997 as the Operation Coordinator Meetings & Events at Swissôtel Zurich before taking on the role of Food & Beverage Manager at Swissôtel Métropole Geneva and at Swissôtel The Howard, London. He then moved back to Swissôtel Geneva and took over as the manager of the Hôtel Du Parc des Eaux-Vives Restaurant. From 2007 to date, Stefan Winistoerfer has been working as the Director of Operations at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul, a Leading Hotel of the World. S. Winistoerfer graduated from the Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern (Swiss hotel management school, Lucerne) and the General Manager Program at Cornell University.

The Swissôtel Métropole Geneva provides 127 guest rooms, including 16 suites, and is located right on the shores of Lake Geneva in the heart of the finance and business centre of the city. There is a great variety of museums, galleries and places to go shopping nearby and the old town is just a short walk away. Le Grand Quai restaurant with its inventive French cuisine in a contemporary decor caters for the guests’ culinary needs and the trendy “Mirror Bar” has become a must for a local and international clientèle alike. A business centre, a fitness centre, seven conference and banqueting rooms – all with daylight lighting – plus two roof terraces with wonderful views over Lake Geneva round off the experience.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay in the capital this Easter holiday at a discounted price. Guoman Hotels is offering 50% off at its collection of four luxury four and five-star centrally located hotels: Charing Cross, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Tower.

All hotels are perfectly located allowing guests to explore the sites of London with Charing Cross minutes away from theatre land, The Cumberland a stone’s throw away from the array of shops on oxford Street, The Royal Horseguards for sites including the London Eye and Houses of Parliament and The Tower for amazing views of Tower Bridge and St. Katherine’s dock.

Prices start from just £75 per room per night and are based on two adults sharing a double/twin room, on a room only basis. Rates are subject to availability at the time of booking. Offer is valid for bookings made before 18 April 2010 for stays between 26 March 2010 and 18 April 2010, including the bank holiday Easter weekend.

Visit www.guoman.com/eastersale or to make a booking simply contact the reservations office on 087 1971 1790.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, what better gift for long-suffering mums than a Luxury Included® family holiday in the Caribbean? A holiday at Beaches Resorts ensures that the individual needs of each family member are met so that everybody has a fantastic time away and mum has a break as well!

Beaches Resorts offer non-stop enjoyment for every member of the family – from the youngest to the youngest at heart. Expertly trained caregivers provide enriching, entertaining experiences for five different age levels, allowing parents to relax in the knowledge that their children are in safe hands. Tots, toddlers and tiny ones can meet their favourite Sesame Street characters, and older children can explore their creativity at the Crayola Art Camps. Meanwhile tweens and teens will delight in the very latest games at the cutting edge XBOX 360® Game Garage; get their adrenaline pumping at the Pirates Island Waterpark; spin and mix to their heart’s content at the state-of-the-art Scratch DJ Academy; and enjoy the pulse-pounding tunes at Liquid at Beaches, a happening nightclub of their own.

A Luxury Included® holiday at Beaches Resorts truly promises unforgettable family fun beneath the Caribbean sun, and of course parents are not overlooked. Whilst the kids are off having the time of their lives, adults can recline on the beach or by the pool, or enjoy the endless land and water sports on offer including windsurfing, kayaking, volleyball, and even scuba diving. Alternatively, for the ultimate in relaxation, pay a trip to the Red Lane® Spa which has an array of services and treatments inspired by the Caribbean.

Accommodations at Beaches are incredibly luxurious, with top suites offering separate kids rooms complete with their own XBOX 360® consoles, and Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering. Dining options are endless with up to 16 restaurants per resort, offering everything from Teppanyaki to Tex Mex, and even a ‘Kids Grille’ where children can help themselves to burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream and “mock”tails throughout the day! Plus with all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California’s legendary Beringer® Vineyards, guests are truly spoiled.

Seven nights staying at Beaches Sandy Bay costs from £3,988 for a family of four travelling in September 2010. Price is based on two adults & two children aged 2-15 years sharing a Deluxe Oceanside room and includes return flights from London, transfers and Luxury Included® accommodation. Prices are subject to availability. Book by 30th April 2010.

To book or for more information call 0800 597 0001 or visit www.beachesresorts.co.uk

Head to London this Easter for an eventful Easter family ‘staycation’ at Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton. From 1 to 18 April, the quirky 5-star hotel in the heart of the West End, is offering enticing accommodation and dining packages, where kids stay and eat for free!

From £368, based on a two night stay throughout the school holiday period, two adults and one child can enjoy an exciting central London mini break including full English breakfast, a 3-course dinner on one of the nights, a selection of chocolate Easter eggs and a complimentary upgrade to an Executive Room, upon availability. To make the package especially attractive to parents, kids stay and eat for free! (roll-away bed provided for children).

In-house guests on Easter Sunday can also attend free family movie screenings in the hotel’s private cinema, or dine on a sumptuous festive brunch for an additional £40 per adult and £25 per child, including welcome drink. For a little more family fun, Sanook Spa’s heated swimming pool and sauna is complimentary to guests throughout their stay, and mum or dad can even sneak off to enjoy the 1.5 hour Easter Mocha Magic spa experience, which includes an espresso body polish and full body hot cocoa butter massage along with a cup of espresso, hot chocolate or Mocha for £100!

Located in the heart of London’s shopping and entertainment district, close to iconic stores such as Liberty, Hamleys and the plethora of retail havens on Regent Street and oxford Street, the quirky yet luxurious Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton is the ideal base from which to explore the city’s many sights. Visit London Zoo, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and the many live theatre shows within a 10 minute underground journey of the hotel. Treat the kids to an action packed Easter break in the city at the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton, to book please contact the hotel directly on +44 0207 297 5555 or email reservations@courthouse-hotel.com

Rick Stein: www.rickstein.com

The Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf has been voted the traveller’s choice for Best London Hotel ,  according to reviews left by customers on leading accommodation website Hotels.com.

The study, based on the analysis of independent reviews posted on Hotels.com by customers who have stayed at the  hotels, found that with an average rating of 9.2 out of 10, the Edwardian New Providence Wharf clearly hit the  spot with visitors to the capital city – receiving praise from the majority of guests for its ‘great service’ and  ‘friendly staff’.

With over 150 superior or deluxe rooms, each individually designed with unique art, 16 suites, and a fabulous  penthouse with views up and down the river, The Radisson Edwardian at New Providence Wharf has been a welcome  addition to London’s Docklands since it opened in 2008.

With 79%* of holidaymakers admitting they are most likely to base their choice of hotel on the experiences and  recommendations of fellow travellers posted online, customer ratings are becoming increasingly important to hotels  in attracting new guests.

Stay at London’s Best Hotel
The four-star Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf, located in Canary Wharf is ideally located for the O2  arena. This hotel includes a health spa, gym, and fantastic views of the River Thames and the City of London. The  hotel’s restaurant, Azura, serves a traditional British menu.