The Sarojin is celebrating Easter and the Songkran Thai New Year festivities by introducing a special new Spa and Dine package as well as free nights, incorporating some ‘R & R’ at the award-winning Pathways Spa with a completely unique sumptuous dining experience. Why not take advantage of the Easter break to escape to a rare oasis for relaxation…and indulge yourself with some TLC for a completely rejuvenated, new you!

The newly introduced six-night package includes two relaxing and rejuvenating spa experiences at The Sarojin’s Pathways Spa, a private spectacular seafood barbeque and two complimentary nights for an extra Easter treat. Start the New Year with a 90 minute Oriental Massage, a deeply therapeutic treatment perfect to relax the body and boost the psyche. Designed to rejuvenate the body and the mind, this massage with oils will send you to another dimension of relaxation. Then indulge in the ultimate Luxurious Relaxation Spa, a five and a half hour pampering sensation. Choose from five of your favourite treatments including Issarn foot massage, choice of body treatment, aromatic healing bath, body massage and facial treatment, rounded off with a spa cuisine lunch.

Finally, boost your energy levels and recharge with a romantic, private seafood barbeque at a location of your choice, perhaps on the white sand shores of the Andaman Sea or pool pavilion islands, or in your own private thai sala served just for 2.

The special Easter six night Spa and Dine package costs from THB 90,725 / approx GBP 1,711 for two people and includes: six nights luxurious accommodation for two persons sharing, a la carte breakfast with sparkling wine, return airport transfers from/to Phuket Airport by private car with refreshments and cold towels, one 90 Royal Oriental spa massage per person, one 5.5 hour Luxurious Relaxation Spa per person, one private seafood barbecue dining experience in a private dining location of choice (dining locations include the secluded white sand shores of the Andaman Sea, pool pavilion islands, or in guests own in-residence Thai sala). This is valid 6 March – 19 April 2010. Visit between 20 April – 31 October 2010 and enjoy a further saving, paying from THB 61,326 / approx GBP 1,150 for two people.

Songkran, Thai New Year, falls on 13th April and is a time for cleaning and renewal….So, if some of your western New Year resolutions have begun to ebb, where better to renew them than at Pathways Spa, a secluded haven offering views out across the estuary and the soothing sounds of the Andaman Sea. Ranked by ‘Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ as one of the world’s favourite overseas hotel spas, Pathways blends together the ancient physical and spiritual healing of spa.

With the Special Bonus Nights Offer all guests who stay between 6 March and 19 April 2010 enjoy 1 additional night free when staying 2 nights, 2 additional nights free when staying 4 nights or 3 additional nights free when staying 6 nights. From THB 15,000 / approx GBP 283 per room per night inclusive of taxes based on 2 persons sharing, valid between 6 March – 19 April 2010.

Between 20 April and 31 October 2010 the Special Bonus Nights Offer includes a complimentary a la carte breakfast with sparkling wine plus extra nights: stay a minimum of 2 nights and receive the same number of nights again free. Stay 2 nights and receive 2 additional nights free, stay 3 nights and receive 3 additional nights free, stay 4 nights and receive 4 additional nights free…stay 10 nights and receive 10 additional nights free, etc. From THB 13,500 / approx GBP 255 per room per night inclusive of taxes based on 2 persons sharing 20 April – 31 October 2010.

Set on 11km of secluded, white sand beach in Khao Lak, The Sarojin affords an overwhelming sense of personal, soul soothing, peace and relaxation. The Sarojin’s 56 spacious guest residences nestle within a 10-acre tropical garden, blending harmoniously with nature. Inspired by the mythical Lady Sarojin, daughter of a Thai nobleman renowned for his household’s warmth and graciousness, The Sarojin is the perfect spot to indulge yourself after lent, with fantastic food, outstanding service and the ultimate personal concierge. A team of personal guides and the elegant and inspired “imagineer” delight in creating very tailor made experiences and adventures ‘just for two’. The Sarojin has received numerous awards reinforcing its position as a world-class resort, including the “World Luxury Romantic Hotel” World Luxury Hotel Awards 2009 and 2007, “Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel” World Travel Awards 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2009 and 2008.

Visit www.sarojin.com for more information.

Cure ‘Blue Monday’ with a hop across the Solent to the isle of wight

The Christmas turkey is long since gone, the long heralded ‘big chill’ is well underway and the New Year’s resolutions have all bitten the dust. Yes, Blue Monday – Monday 25th January – is just around the corner. Described by psychologists as the most depressing day of the year, Blue Monday is when most people are expected to rant, rave, whine and cry more than any other time. Leading cross-Solent ferry operator, Wightlink (0871 376 0013 www.wightlink.co.uk) suggests banishing any gloomy thoughts with a getaway to the sub-tropical south coast of the isle of wight, where the climate is milder, and has come up with a trio of suggestions, all under £100 for a one-night ferry-inclusive stay.

Enjoy a romantic getaway in one of the seven exclusive rooms at The Hambrough, a smart boutique hotel facing the sea in Ventnor. For the ultimate Blue Monday break, stay in one of the most luxurious rooms with a large balcony boasting 180 degree views of Ventnor Bay and the coastline. Departing on Monday 25th January, an overnight stay at The Hambrough costs from £93 per person including breakfast and Wightlink ferry crossings.

Alternatively, stay at The Wellington Hotel in Ventnor, which also offers views over the bay from its sea view rooms. The modern, minimalist hotel is a triumph of designer-style meets isle of wight quirkiness and is ideal for curing any lingering post-Christmas blues. An overnight stay in a super deluxe room, with balcony, at The Wellington Hotel on Monday 25th January costs from £77 per person including breakfast and Wightlink ferry crossings.

For the ultimate rural retreat, Blue Monday sufferers should head slightly inland to Gotten Manor. Located in deepest countryside in a sheltered hollow at the foot of St Catherine’s Down, its rooms are traditionally decorated with polished wooden floors and individual touches – fresh flowers, candles, and flowing muslin drapes around huge claw foot iron baths. A one-night B&B break at Gotten Manor on Monday 25th January costs from £60.50 per person including Wightlink ferry crossings.

Why not banish those January blues at Fishmore Hall in Ludlow, Shropshire this winter by taking advantage of their fabulous buy one get one free offer on any dinner, bed and breakfast package.

Throughout January, Fishmore Hall will be offering everyone the opportunity to get over the indulgence of Christmas and New Year and start 2010 with two revitalising getaways for the price of one.

Located in the heart of the foodie hotspot of Ludlow the privately owned Georgian Boutique hotel offers guests a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of country walks on the doorstep, the perfect setting to start the New Year in style.

With stunning views across the beautiful snowy Shropshire countryside the hotel offers guests 15 intimate contemporary-styled bedrooms all with superb bathrooms. The hotel also features an award winning restaurant which prides itself on featuring seasonal, locally – sourced produce.

Fishmore Hall’s January sale offers guests a choice of any bed and breakfast or dinner bed and breakfast packages and must be taken on consecutive dates.

The price of a standard double, bed and breakfast room starts from £140. A standard double room with dinner bed and breakfast starts from £230.

A New Year should create a new and exciting you, so let Activity Wales help you on your way. Bring along your friends or family and enjoy a fun weekend!
Your 4 star self-catering property is located in the popular Ivy Tower Village that is set in the delightful, historic village of St Florence, perfectly positioned, only a few miles from Tenby’s award winning beaches and fine restaurants and Manorbier, with its fine Norman castle and picture postcard sandy beach.

The activities include the Crystal Maze and Ten Pin Bowling that is perfect to compete in teams! Then, enjoy a day at the local country sports where you can test your aim at laser clays, pistol shooting followed by whizzing around on the go karts!

At the end of John Wyndham’s 1950s classic sci-fi novel The Day of the Triffids, shown on BBC TV over the New Year, the hero and heroine make their escape from the UK mainland and its man-eating plants to the safety of a new world colony on the isle of wight. Half a century after the publication of the post-apocalyptic novel, the Island remains a safe haven for endangered flora and fauna and a holiday playground for the eco-orientated. Wightlink’s free, downloadable Rare Plant Trail guide is one way to check out the safe locations for wildlife and its Green Getaways eco-holiday hideaways provide rural accommodation close to the wild.

WHAT TO SEE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT:

ENDANGERED CREATURES: the red squirrel is undoubtedly the most famous of many rare fauna that have sheltered on the isle of wight, safe from mainland predators. Others include the retiring dormouse, the water vole, the vulnerable Glanville Fritillary, an orange and brown chequered butterfly that has virtually disappeared from the UK and 12 of 15 British bat species – including the nationally rare Bechstein’s Bat.

RARE FLORA: Extra-ordinary plants like the Early Gentian, Toothwort and Narrow-leaved Lungwort are hidden away on the isle of wight – and Wightlink’s Rare Plant Trail blows the whistle on where to find them. The guide traces a route around the isle of wight to spotlight 20 of the UK’s most noteworthy plants in garden collections, nature reserves and wild Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some close to extinction on the UK mainland, the plants featured range from some of the country’s largest trees to its tiniest flowering species. Many were chosen because they encourage rare wildlife, like the endangered red squirrel and dormouse and a tremendous variety of rare birds, insects and butterflies.

TWITCHERS: should flock to the isle of wight to see rare birds like the Corn Bunting (indigenous at south coast Whale Chine), the Dartford warbler, Nightjar, Water Rail and a host of Little Egrets. The Island’s top bird sanctuary is, unquestionably, the national nature reserve of Newtown Estuary, a north coast paradise for migrating birds like the Golden Plover and Great Crested Grebe.

WHERE TO STAY:

GOTTEN MANOR: Couples can stay in deepest countryside at his romantic stone manor house, located in a sheltered hollow at the foot of St. Catherine’s Down in the south of the island with only cows for neighbours. There are footpaths in all directions, a woodland copse with bats, badgers and buzzards within the grounds and the beaches of south coast Wight are just a few miles distance.

Three-night Wightlink Green Getaway ferry-inclusive weekend packages are available in February priced at £160 per person (arriving 5th, 12th, 19th or 26th February) or in May at £165 per person (arriving 7th, 14th or 28th May). All dates include car ferry crossings from either Portsmouth or Lymington.

MERSLEY FARM: Families can stay on the isle of wight’s famous Garlic Farm in one of six cottages created from traditional outbuildings around Mersley Farm in the Island’s rural heartland. Kiln Cottage faces the Downs and offers two spacious bedrooms as well as kitchen, dining area and living room. The surrounding area is ideal cycling and walking territory, and guests benefit from free WiFi internet access, use of a tennis court, and easy access to beaches and famous resort towns, including Sandown and Shanklin. However, the highlight is the onsite Garlic Farm shop – a great place to find fresh local produce and sample a diverse range of garlic products including elephant garlic, smoked garlic, pickles, relish, and even garlic honey! It is also a haven for wildlife including tame red squirrels.

Departing on 19th February, a three-night Wightlink Green Getaways holiday in Kiln Cottage, Mersley Farm costs £260 for a family of four – or £65 per person including self-catering accommodation and return car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington. Alternatively a three-night break in May (starting 21st May) costs £400 for four people – or £100 per person.

If your New Year resolution is ‘to keep fit and active’, don’t keep your resolutions to yourself – make it a family action plan!

All those mince pies, turkey and chocolates – and too many hours spent watching Christmas films and playing new computer games could well have piled the pounds on your kids as well, so now’s the time to factor fitness into their new year plans too.

Haven Holidays are running Fun & Fitness breaks at its UK family holiday parks on selected dates in 2010. These NEW breaks feature fun exercise and activities for under 5’s – with Wake and Shake sessions, Water Confidence sessions in the pool with instructors trained by the Swimming Teachers Association; Mini-Fencing, Tri-golf and Mini Archery. And children’s favourite Rory the Tiger will be championing Sporty Rory’s Sports Day (make sure you’ve trained up for the parents race!).

Haven’s Learn2Swim programme helped 40,000 people learn to swim in 2009 and this year it’s free at all the parks!

Special appearances will be made by two British Gymnastic Champions and Olympic hopefuls – Keziah Gore and Francesca Jones – at selected parks and dates (check the brochure or the website for details). Children will be able to see the gymnasts perform close up, talk to them for hints and tips….and there’s a Letterland Treasure Hunt with a free gift from Letterland as well!

Regular tot-friendly entertainment on the agenda of all the fun & Fitness breaks includes Annabel’s Creative Kitchen, Little Cubs Kids’ club sessions and character shows on stage with Rory the Tiger and friends.

These breaks are aimed at parents with toddlers so no need to despair and apologise as your little one runs around – they’re encouraged to let off steam! And, when the tinies have finally given up in exhaustion you can always let them drop off to sleep in their buggies whilst you enjoy the evening shows – you won’t be the only family with a sleeping toddler out past bedtime!

But if you’re keen to keep your child fit and active all year round then make sure your local pre-school has signed up to Haven’s Fun & Fitness giveaway scheme that gives them FREE sports equipment worth up to £250. Pre-schools simply register on www.havenfunfitness.com and encourage parents to pledge their support on the website. If 70% of parents sign up the school receives a pack of sports equipment – and if all the parents sign up they receive a bonus item as well. Easy – you don’t even have to make a purchase or collect vouchers!

Four night Fun & Fitness breaks take place at all 35 Haven parks in 2010 on Monday 19th April, Monday 28th June and Monday 27th September and Monday 11th October. Prices start from less than £200 for a family of four including all the extra activities.

With the new year less than a week old, the Polish city of Cz?stochowa is getting ready for the opening concert of Chopin 2010.

The next 12 months will be a celebration of the composer Frederic Chopin, as Poland honours his genius with concerts, events, educational programmes, exhibitions and workshops. This year marks Chopin’s bi-centenary and would have been his 200th birthday.

The inaugural concert of Chopin 2010 in Cz?stochowa – famous for its Black Madonna – gets underway at 7pm on Friday 15 January with a performance of Chopin’s music by the Cz?stochowa Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.

Just half an hour later the Warsaw Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra will strike up a chord as the capital pays its own homage to one of Poland’s favourite sons.

Acting Director of the Polish National Tourist Office Bogdan Becla said: “Poland is a wonderful country to visit at any time, but this year it will be extra special as the whole county honours the world-renowned Chopin. His talent and creativity certainly echo down the ages, and what better way to celebrate the man and his music than by joining the celebrations in his native Poland?”

A new decade of new destinations, enter the era of the philanthropic holidays in the places that need your money the most…

As we begin the New Year, the word ‘recession’ lingers within our vocabulary, and while its effects have been mostly devastating, its impact on travel trends has been enlightening.

In its latest Travelnomics report, Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading price comparison site, explores these new trends by encouraging economic stimulus through travel for the world’s top ten worst hit economies.

“There’s no doubt we haven’t quite shaken off the impact of the recession, and while there are various negative aspects we can point to, believe it or not, there are some positives too,” says Nadine Hallak, spokesperson for Cheapflights.co.uk

“Tighter budgets have given rise to new destinations adding intrepid flavour to the travel repertoire, and what better way to distribute your holiday budget than to stimulate another country’s economy while experiencing an entirely new culture,” adds Hallak.

The hot list for 2010 includes:

1) Latvia 61% up
2) Estonia 62% up
3) Lithuania 75% up
4) Iceland 3% down
5) Singapore 22% up
6) Venezuela 7% down
7) Jamaica 2% up
Ireland 44% up
9) Ukraine 16% down
10) Seychelles 45% up

*Statistics generated by Cheapflights.co.uk based on a comparison of search for last six months in 2009 against the same period in 2008
**List of countries issued by Forbes Magazine from the article ‘The World’s Hardest-Hit Economies’

It seems that travellers are swapping Spain’s Balearics for Eastern Europe’s Baltics for travel in the New Year with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania taking the lead in the popularity stakes. Experience luxury for less in Estonia’s Hotel Olumpia with its unique sauna, enjoy a royal visit to Latvia’s Rundale Palace nicknamed ‘Versailles of the Baltics’, or head to Nida on the Curonian Spit for more of a bohemian break. With such a broad offering, it’s no wonder these countries are climbing in popularity.

For those who prefer to cast their net further afield, the sunny shores of the Seychelles and the exotic reaches of Singapore might be more to your taste. Or for a familiar experience closer to home, Ireland is also proving to be a massive draw for travellers in 2010.
For more information by destination including inflation rates, currency, and percentage of economic downfall, view the full Travelnomcis report.

As the New Year approaches, thoughts are turning to booking a summer holiday in search of some fun in the sun in Summer 2010. Leading holiday companies, Thomson and First Choice are advising people to book early to secure the best deals, and in order to help people bag an even better bargain, have today launched a range of money-saving offers, including thousands of free child places , discounts of up to £200 per booking, low deposits and great savings.

‘We are offering some fantastic deals for those who want to secure their summer holiday now,’ says Dermot Blastland, Managing Director of TUI Travel UK & Ireland. ‘There will be less chance to grab a last-minute deal nearer the summer so if you want to get yourself a bargain and ensure you have the best choice in holiday, now is the best time to book. There are great deals on offer for early bookings with low booking deposits to enable customers to take advantage of guaranteeing a summer holiday for the best price.’

For a dream Thomson holiday, prices start from £769 per couple for a seven night holiday in Tenerife staying at the brand new 5T Sensatori Tenerife on a full board plus basis, departing from London Gatwick on 4th May 2010, or family holidays packed with fun from First Choice start from £1386 for two adults and two children staying for seven nights at the 4 Sun Holiday Village Costa del Sol on a self catering basis, departing from London Gatwick on 16th May 2010, and includes accommodation, flights, transfers and all taxes and surcharges.

Lancaster House Hotel, in Lancashire, is launching an exclusive new January break designed to help people detox after the traditional excesses of the festive season.

Unlike the many run-of-the-mill “healthy breaks”, this 2-night stay includes a consultation with a leading Nutritional Therapist, Sarah Garton, who will give each guest tailor-made dietary advice and a nutritional guide to take home with them.

Working with the hotel’s head chef, Sarah Garton has also created bespoke dinner and breakfast menus that will kick off the guests’ detox programmes, without compromising on the quality and taste of the meals.
The break also includes a one-to-one fitness assessment in which guests receive a detailed exercise programme to compliment their new diet.

Lancaster House Manager Tim Bell says:
“Christmas always involves a little over-indulgence and often a hotel getaway means people end up breaking a few of those important New Year’s resolutions.

We can offer our guests the best of both worlds. They can come and stay with us and enjoy this special service without compromising that all-important feeling of relaxation one needs when taking a hotel break
They can also leave inspired to keep those healthy targets on track. And we don’t use any of those cruel “boot-camp” approaches to getting healthier either!”
Guests will also have free use of the hotels leisure facilities onsite, which include an outdoor hot-tub, sauna, steam room, indoor pool as well as a state of the art gymnasium with the latest fitness equipment.

The New Year detox breaks will run on selected dates from 3rd January until the 30th of January 2010 and prices including dinner, B&B, a nutritional consultation, a detox diet programme and fitness assessment start from £80 per person. The fitness session and nutritional consultation must be reserved when booking.