Kenya begins rebuilding of international airport

President Uhuru Kenyatta has commissioned the construction of a new 55.5 billion Kenya Shillings terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that will give the airport an extra handling capacity of 20 million passengers annually and enhance its status as a world-class regional hub.
Construction of the state-of-the-art facility will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by 2017.
JKIA was built to handle 2.5 million passengers annually but over 6.5 million passengers use the airport each year.
The location was significantly damaged by fire earlier this year when an electrical fault caused a blaze in the international terminal. 
The new terminal will be able to accommodate 3,133 international passengers, 2,403 transiting passengers and 845 domestic passengers in a typical peak hour, boosting the airport’s capacity to 20 million a year.
Speaking at the ceremony Kenyatta said that the terminal will usher in a new era in African aviation.
“This facility will enhance our efforts to uplift the living standards of the Kenyan people through business opportunities and foster national and regional socio-economic integration and development. It will open up Kenya to the world and stand as a testament of our openness to global partnerships,” he said.
Spanning 178,000 square meters, the terminal will feature 50 international and ten domestic check-in points, 32 contact and eight remote gates, an associated apron with 45 stands and linking taxiways, a railway terminal, a bus park and street lighting.
The terminal design will be environmentally sustainable and certified by the World Green Building Council.
Construction of the new terminal will be jointly carried out by two Chinese companies, Anhui Civil Engineering Group and China Aero-Technology Engineering International Engineering Corporation.
The new terminal is part of long term plans to expand and modernise JKIA.
Future developments include the construction of terminal four, an interim terminal, the redesign of terminals one, two and three, a second runway and remote bussing gates.

Anantara opens in Africa with Mozambique property

Thirty kilometres east of mainland Mozambique on Africa’s east coast, the Bazaruto Archipelago of protected national park islands lie scattered across the turquoise Indian Ocean.
On the largest of these tropical islands, covering 12,000 hectares, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa has just become the brand’s first property in Africa and Mozambique Anantara’s eighth country.
The resort formerly operated as the award-winning Indigo Bay Resort & Spa, which Minor Hotel Group, Anantara’s owning company, took over management of earlier this year, with the intention to rebrand to Anantara.
Anantara Bazaruto Island is located a 15 minute flight from Vilanculos Airport on the mainland, which connects to Johannesburg with a direct two hour flight. This short flight provides Anantara guests with their first glimpse of the breath taking scenery that awaits.
Designed in natural harmony with surroundings of lush vegetation and translucent ocean, the resort offers a boutique collection of 44 villas, ranging in size from 90 to 330 sqm, with a choice of garden and shoreline panoramas. 
Made from indigenous reed, soft fringed thatch and wood, the rustic appeal is balanced by understated luxury and seamlessly integrated modern amenities. 
Four poster beds are dressed with white mosquito drapes, luxurious bathrooms feature sunken tubs and exotic outdoor showers, and living spaces offer comfy elegance.
Outside, some villas offer a living sala complete with hammock to relax in, along with a plunge pool and a veranda where guests can enjoy the sunshine or dine alfresco.
Offering the pinnacle of island indulgence, the Anantara Pool Villa affords exclusive seclusion and unrivalled ocean views, and is the perfect sanctuary for families and friends to share, thanks to a private driveway and entrance, two generously sized en-suite bedrooms, spacious lounge and dining areas both inside and out, as well as a pool and Jacuzzi.
Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Anantara owner Minor Hotel Group, commented: “The addition of Anantara Bazaruto Island as our first Anantara in Africa is a significant milestone for the brand and one that we are very excited about.
“We are currently exploring other opportunities in Africa, both with our partners and independently, and for sure we are looking to further develop the Anantara brand on the continent.”
Days at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa can be lazy and relaxing or adventurous. 
With a dedicated family pool, younger guests may splash about to their heart’s content, and couples seeking peace and tranquillity can retreat to the adults-only pool.
A children’s entertainment room, fitness centre, tennis, volleyball and golf course extend the leisure possibilities. 
The 1,300 square metre Anantara Spa features five treatment rooms, relaxation areas and a health bar, as well as specialist hydro facilities including a wet room, hydrotherapy pool and rhassoul chamber. 
The diverse menu offers western treatments and ancient rituals from across Africa and Asia, as well as extended spa journeys, all performed by expert therapists.

England land tough group in FIFA World Cup 2012 draw

England face a daunting start to their FIFA World Cup campaign having been drawn in Group D alongside Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy.
Holders Spain have been drawn in Group B against beaten finalists from 2010 the Netherlands, with Chile, Australia completing the line-up.
The draw took plane in the upmarket coastal resort town of Costa do Sauipe in the province of Bahia, Brazil, approximately 56 miles from the host city of Salvador.
The balls were drawn by famous players from previous tournament, including England’s 1966 hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst, France’s Zinedine Zidane, Brazil’s Cafu and Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro.
Zidane was kind to France, with his national side drawn alongside Switzerland, Ecuador, and Honduras in Group E.
Group F is composed of Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria, while Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA complete Group G.
There are 12 stadiums pencilled in to host matches next summer, with locations from the Amazon basin in the north to the banks of the River Guaiba in the south gearing up for the arrival of the world’s best players and hundreds of thousands of supporters.
Hosts Brazil will open the tournament and have been drawn alongside Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon in Group A.
Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan meanwhile make up Group C.
The draw is completed by Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea in Group H.
England’s first game is against Italy in Manaus on June 14th, with kick-off at 02:00, while the tournament kicks off on June 12th with hosts Brazil against Croatia.

Avis expands network in Laos and Cambodia

Avis Car Rental has selected a licensee to launch car rental operations in Laos and Cambodia. Avis Car Rental will officially enter both markets with the opening of airport and city facilities in Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane in Laos; and Phnom Penh and Siam Reap in Cambodia.
“Strengthening our global position remains a high priority as we seek to drive sustained, profitable growth,” said Patric Siniscalchi, president, Latin America/Asia-Pacific, Avis Budget Group. “Our licensee agreement with RMA Group will allow us to expand our global footprint and help to ensure that we are well-positioned to realize the growth potential of the Avis brand in each country.”
The new Avis facilities will serve local and international customers with a “one-stop” mobility solution. Residents and visitors will benefit from Avis’ world-class products and services, including a wide range of well-maintained, late-model vehicles, short- and long-term rentals, personal and corporate car leasing programs, premium chauffeur and transfer services and outstanding customer service. Customers will be able to book reservations at http://www.avis.com over the course of this month as locations open.
“RMA is uniquely positioned to facilitate Avis Car Rental’s plan for growth,” Kevin Whitcraft, chief executive officer, RMA Group. “We have long-established vehicle sales and distribution infrastructures in Cambodia and Laos, and we are the partner of choice to some of the world’s largest retail franchises in the Asia-Pacific region. RMA is ready to support the enhancement of Avis’ global position as a leader in its sector, and will do so by providing best-in-class service in these two countries.”
Avis’ legacy in Asia can be traced back to 1970, when the Company opened its first location in Hong Kong. Operations in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan followed. Operations have grown steadily throughout the region ever since, including Avis’ leading presence in China, which began in 2002. Avis now has approximately 300 rental locations in Asia.

New appointment for Travelport

Travelport has appointed Michael van der Ende as Head of OTA for the Middle East, Africa and India, further reinforcing the Company’s commitment to the region’s booming online travel trade.
Michael joins Travelport from dnata Travel (part of the Emirates Group) where he held the position of B2C Manager. He brings a wealth of experience from the OTA sector having held senior positions in Europe with lastminute.com and Opodo. In his new role, Michael takes on the responsibility of overseeing and driving Travelport’s online business across the region, as the local travel industry increasingly seeks to establish its online presence. 
“The online travel industry in the Middle East, Africa and India is growing at an unprecedented rate which presents a major opportunity for an innovative, technologically advanced and future-focussed company such as Travelport,” said Michael. “With our global expertise and customer-focussed technology solutions, Travelport has a lot to offer both traditional travel agencies looking to take their next step into the online space and the global and regional online travel agencies looking to increase their footprints in these emerging economies. I look forward to leading this transformation in my new role.”
In 2014, Michael’s key focus will be on delivering Travelport’s robust online strategy, which is based on increasing revenue from OTA business in MEA and in India and on championing regional online customer agenda. In order to achieve this, Travelport will next year further strengthen its OTA-focussed management structure and continue to provide consultancy and hands-on support to online agencies to support their individual growth plans.

TAM opens up southern Brazil with new flights

With the addition of more flights to seven cities in the southern region of Brazil, TAM offers visiting international travellers more options with frequent connectivity.
The additional flights to Curitiba, Londrina, Foz do Iguacu, Joinville, Navegantes / Itajaí, Florianópolis and Porto Alegre have been added to the just under 800 daily flights by the leading Brazilian airline, connecting 42 destinations throughout Brazil.
Starting in December, TAM will add a fifth daily direct flight between Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro / Galeão.
The schedule will allow more options for international connections to and from Europe or America. Another new route for southern Brazil is the exclusive, non-stop flight between Joinville and Sao Paulo / Guarulhos announced earlier this year.
From Monday to Saturday, the route mainly serves the corporate segment of the industrial region of Joinville, the second largest city for metal fabrication in Brazil, and offers better options to connect domestically and internationally.
TAM has also decided to increase the frequency from two to three daily direct flights between Porto Alegre and Brasilia and one more on the route between Florianopolis and Rio de Janeiro / Galeão, thus reaching the six flights per week.
Passengers also have exclusive options like direct flights between Curitiba and Salvador and a flight that connects Foz do Iguaçu and São Paulo / Congonhas, both offered every day of the week.

Record visitor numbers for World Travel Market

World Travel Market experienced a five per cent increase in participants with the event opening its doors to more than 50,000 delegates over the four days.
All visitor groups experienced growth, according to unaudited figures, with the WTM Buyers’ Club seeing an eight per cent increase.
This increase in senior buyers at WTM 2013 will see the event facilitate more than £2 billion in industry deals.
Other visitor group increases include trade visitors (up five per cent), international media (up four per cent) and exhibitor personnel (up two per cent) compared to WTM 2012.
The Monday of WTM is an exhibitor invite-only day with the aim of allowing exhibitors to hold discussions and negotiations with those buyers that they want to conduct business with.
The first day of WTM 2013 was a resounding success with invite-only visitor attendance up 12 per cent on last year’s event to almost 9,000.
The Monday morning Speed Networking session was phenomenally well attended with a record number of both exhibitors and WTM Buyers’ Club members discussing business deals before the exhibition floor opened.
Tuesday November 5th saw 18,292 visitors come to WTM, a seven per cent increase on the second day of last year’s event.
Tuesday is the busiest day of WTM as it is the first day the event is open to the whole industry following on from the exhibitor-invite only policy on the Monday.

New report highlights importance of tourism to UK

England’s central role in driving the future growth of tourism in the UK has been outlined in a new report released today from Deloitte ‘Tourism: jobs and growth’. 
Worth £106 billion and supporting 2.6 million jobs, English tourism is the driving nation behind an industry that has grown faster than manufacturing, construction and retail.
The tourism economy in England accounts for 8.8 per cent of England’s GDP and 9.4 per cent of employment.
Both the value of the sector and employment levels have grown in recent years, outperforming the wider economy which further demonstrates the resilience of the industry during times of economic strain.
For the first time, this report provides analysis for London and the rest of England separately highlighting the importance of the industry throughout the whole of England.
Outside of the capital tourism is worth £70 billion and supports 1.9 million jobs demonstrating that the sector is vital to the economic health of much of the country.
The capital clearly has world-wide appeal and for many international visitors London will be their first and sometimes only port of call.
The report demonstrates the massive opportunity the rest of England has to use the international draw of London to inspire inbound visitors, both leisure and business, to explore destinations outside of London, and maximise the opportunity provided by England’s excellent network of regional ports of entry.

Priceline enhances mobile search functionality

Priceline.com has revealed a new beta version of its iPad app that brings travel exploration, research and booking capabilities together in one app. 
The latest innovation in mobile travel app technology, priceline.com’s new Explore functionality unhinges travel aspirations and empowers consumers to uncover new popular priceline.com destinations around the world, while comparing prices, reducing the need to research and book travel at different times in different places.  For the first time, priceline.com travelers can search for flights and access real-time pricing without defining a specific destination. 
Powered by Travelport Flex Explore search technology, Explore enhances priceline.com’s existing iPad app, which has been a featured Travel app in Apple’s iTunes store.  The application presents an easy-to-navigate graphical map of the world and an expansive range of inspirational search capabilities to narrow down the ideal destination and desired travel experience. 
“We’re committed to helping our valued customer priceline.com inspire their travellers and delighted to work with them to provide consumers with great search functionality,” said Kurt Ekert, chief commercial officer, Travelport.
“Travelport initiatives are all founded on one underlying principle: to provide the most informed travel choice. Choice inspires and liberates travellers to search, book and enjoy travel in new ways.  Priceline.com Explore epitomises what Travelport is bringing to the global travel industry through increased search capabilities, customisation and control. This is what we aspire to do for all travel service providers to help them compete and prosper.” Added Ekert.

Sabre inks deal with Russian carrier

Sabre has signed a new, multi-year technology agreement with Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second-largest carrier, to retail its fares and ancillaries in the Sabre global distribution system. The largest of its kind, Sabre’s travel marketplace connects buyers and sellers of all kind of travel.
The deal means more than 370,000 travel agents connected to Sabre in more than 130 countries will continue to have access to the airline’s fares, schedules, inventory and soon its ancillary products.
Hamish Broom, Sabre’s director of supplier commerce in EMEA, said: “This deal is great news for travel agents because Transaero is one of the region’s fastest growing carriers flying to a number of key business and leisure travel destinations.
“Sabre has made significant investments in new technology to evolve our global marketplace for suppliers to maximize retailing opportunities. Combining more sales and revenue opportunities for suppliers with more choices for consumers and the travel agents who serve them is beneficial for everyone in the chain.”
Roman Vdovenko, deputy head of commercial department for Transaero Airlines, said: “The signing of a new agreement between Transaero Airlines and Sabre is a significant step in our long-term cooperation. Sabre’s top-notch technology is easy to work with and Sabre’s travel marketplace provides for more successful sales of our services all around the world.  Sabre will be an important channel for us as the airline continues to grow, develop new products and enhance customer services.”

Ritz-Carlton hotel opens in Aruba

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba has opened its doors on the island’s pristine Palm Beach, marking the hotel group’s sixth luxury resort in the exclusive Caribbean & Mexico portfolio.
The property features 320 guestrooms, including 55 suites, with private balconies and sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Two Ritz-Carlton suites deliver panoramic oceanfront views with outdoor showers, while the expansive Club Lounge sits atop the building on the seventh floor with 34 rooms and an endless array of cuisine, beverages and personal service.
“We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Aruba, a unique island paradise in the Caribbean known for its beautiful sun-kissed beaches, arid landscape and diverse cultural heritage which can be found no place else,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
“Our Ritz-Carlton customers have long awaited this luxury property and we are confident The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba will help to put this destination on the map for luxury travelers and further enhance the memorable travel experiences available for guests from around the world,” he added.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa will be the largest on the island revealing a 15,000 square foot tranquil oasis complemented by 13 intimate treatment rooms, salon, boutique and a variety of naturally-influenced indigenous services. Signature island-inspired treatments incorporate the natural elements of Sky, Water, Earth and Fire, infused with locally grown ingredients native to the island of aloe, coconut and cactus, all enhanced by the healing components of herbs and rich earth minerals.
The hotel’s culinary offerings display a selection of four savory fine dining experiences that reflect Aruba’s oceanfront backdrop coupled with authentic dishes and rich flavors. Madero Argentinian Grill features an assortment of specialty cocktails, light bites and poolside seating overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Solanio offers an all-day trattoria with outdoor terrace seating or dramatic open-air kitchen views, Les Crustaces pays homage to impeccably prepared seafood in a fine dining setting, while hand-crafted cocktails and flavorful small bites are presented at Divi Bar & Lounge, the resort’s lobby lounge bar named for Aruba’s wind swept Divi Divi trees unique to Oranjestad and the island.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba introduces exceptional meeting, corporate retreat, and special event space with a selection of indoor and outdoor venues, including a 7,500 square foot ballroom divisible into three salons, three meeting rooms and a selection of outdoor locations, including poolside decks, manicured lawns and a beachside reception area. The beach resort also features a 24-hour 15,000 square foot vibrant casino in an island paradise paired with an assortment of casino games ranging from traditional table favorites to over 300 slot machines.

Cathay Pacific names new chief operating officer

Cathay Pacific Airways has revealed that Rupert Hogg will take up the position of Chief Operating Officer in the airline with effect from March 2014. Mr Hogg will at the same time become a Director of Cathay Pacific.
Mr Hogg takes over in the role from Ivan Chu, who, as announced in August 2013, will become Cathay Pacific’s Chief Executive. The current Chief Executive, John Slosar, will succeed Christopher Pratt as Chairman of the airline, John Swire & Sons, Swire Pacific, Swire Properties and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering.
Mr Hogg, aged 51, is currently Director Sales & Marketing – a position he took up in August 2010 with responsibility for Cathay Pacific Group’s sales and marketing activities worldwide. From 2008 to 2010 he was Director Cargo, overseeing all aspects of the Group’s cargo business including operations, marketing and sales.
Mr Hogg joined John Swire & Sons in 1986 and worked with Cathay Pacific from 1988 to 1997 in a variety of management positions, both in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
From 2002 to 2008, Mr Hogg was Managing Director of James Finlay Limited - a wholly owned subsidiary of John Swire & Sons Limited. James Finlay is the holding company of a group engaged in substantial tea and horticultural businesses. From 1998 to 2002, Mr Hogg held management positions in the Swire group in Australia.

Ashes cricket: last-minute packages

Spend New Years Eve in Sydney watching the fireworks over Harbour Bridge before taking in the fifth and final Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground. A ten-day holiday starts from £3,349 per person and includes return flights from London Heathrow with China Southern and nine nights’ accommodation at the four-star Adina Apartments in Sydney. Valid for departures on December 29.

Or, spend Christmas in Melbourne, taking in the Ashes by day and the trendy restaurants and culture by night. An 11-day holiday starts from £2,649 per person, including return flight with Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow, and 10 nights at the three-star Quality Batmans Hill, Melbourne. Valid for departures on December 22.

See Austravel (0800 988 4834; www.austravel.com), which also has a number of flexible packages for each of the Tests and is still able to request tickets for all levels.

The Sporting Traveller

A Melbourne & Sydney ‘Classic Ashes’, Sydney Test + Reef, and “Flexi Ashes Hotel and Ticket packages” are still available through The Sporting Traveller until November 29.

Ryanair announces 12 new Stansted routes

From next year the low cost airline will fly from Stansted to Basel, in Switzerland; Bordeaux and Brive, in France; Bucharest, the capital of Romania; Comiso, in Sicily; Dortmund, in Germany; Lisbon, in Portugal; Osijek in Croatia; Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro; Prague, in the Czech Republic; Rabat in Morocco, and Skelleftea, in Sweden.

The new routes mean that Ryanair will fly to 126 destinations from Stansted. Frequencies range from four flights weekly to Skelleftea, Osijek , Podgorica, Comiso and Brive, to 28 weekly flights to Lisbon.

The airline also announced that it will increase frequencies and improve scheduling on 17 existing routes, taking weekly flight numbers on those routes from 430 to 600. The changes mean up to 1.3 million additional Ryanair passengers will pass through Stansted per year. These changes include increasing flights to Barcelona from 28 to 56 weekly, to Rhodes from four to six weekly, and to Rome from 42 to 56 weekly.

Ryanair coincided the announcement with the release of 100,000 seats on sale on existing routes from £14.99 for travel in January and February 2014. These tickets are available for booking until midnight on Monday November 25.

In an attempt to improve customer service and its public image, Ryanair recently redesigned its website and simplified its online booking process. The company now claims the number of necessary clicks to purchase a ticket has been reduced from 17 to five.

TripAdvisor names best all-inclusive resorts for 2013

The world top three were named as the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, on Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, in Cuba, and The Beloved Hotel, in Cancun, Mexico.

Half of Europe’s top ten Travellers' Choice resorts are in Turkey, with the best named as the Voyage Belek Golf & Spa. The top non-Turkish resorts were the Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort, in Bagno Vignoni, Italy (number two) and Louis Ledra Beach, in Paphos, Cyprus (number four).

One guest at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Mexico said: “Every aspect of our stay was extraordinary: food, service, beautiful beach. Quiet enough to relax but stimulating enough not to get bored.”

Built in neo-Renaissance style, the resort has a 9,800 sq ft (3,000 square metres) spa, three swimming pools, extensive golf facilities and PADI diving courses.

Europe's best all-inclusive: Voyage Belek Golf & Spa
The Voyage Belek Golf & Spa was praised for its “great staff, wonderful food or exceptional restaurants.” Half of the resort is tailored for families and the other half is for adults. The 104-hectare golf course has a 3,300 sq ft (1,010 square metre) putting green, and the resorts dining facilities include ten restaurants and a pastry shop.
Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated all-inclusive resorts on TripAdvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of millions of travellers worldwide. The average nightly rate of award-winning resorts was approximately £300.
Barbara Messing, TripAdvisor's chief marketing officer, said: "“For those considering a no-hassle stay that provides the convenience of having almost everything you need on property and included in the price, travellers suggest these amazing properties.”
Telegraph Travel's review of Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort found the resort to have excellent food: "Breakfast encompasses everything from Nutella-stuffed crepes, to freshly made omelettes to fresh fruit. You can even squeeze it yourself to make your favourite juice. Lunch is a traditional Italian three-course affair, with simple but delicious offerings of homemade pasta, grilled fish or meat and a variety of cold dishes, including bruschetta." The spa also offered " a mind-boggling variety of treatments for the novice spa-goer."
In January TripAdvisor announced its Travellers’ Choice Awards for Hotels, which saw Rudding Park Hotel, in Harrogate, top the list of the best 25 UK properties. When she reviewed it, Telegraph Travel hotel expert Fiona Duncan said the service was especially good: "The committed General Manager and Hotel Manger have worked together since Rudding Park’s inception as a hotel, and staff put the guest first and deliver service with a smile."
Last year TripAdvisor was banned from claiming that its hotel and restaurant reviews were real, following a four month investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority, which found that “non-genuine content” may appear on the site.

 All-inclusive Cuba: the Royalton Cayo Santa Maria
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice best all-inclusive resorts: world
1. Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
2. Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba
3. The Beloved Hotel, Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico
4. Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica
5. Excellence Playa Mujeres, Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico
6. Le Blanc Spa Resort, Cancun, Mexico
7. Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
8. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Playa Maroma, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
9. The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
10. Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Don Pablo Collection, Bahia de Samana, Samana Province, Dominican Republic
 
Spain's best all-inclusive: the Iberostar Anthelia
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice best all-inclusive resorts: Europe
1. Voyage Belek Golf & Spa, Belek, Turkey
2. Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort, Bagno Vignoni, Italy
3. Club Med Palmiye, Kemer, Turkey
4. Louis Ledra Beach, Paphos, Cyprus
5. Iberostar Anthelia, Playa de Fanabe, Spain
6. Club Med Kemer, Kemer, Turkey
7. Liberty Hotels Lara, Antalya, Turkey
8. Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa, Porto Santo Island, Portugal
9. Oceania Club, Nea Moudania, Greece
10. Marmaris Imperial Hotel, Marmaris, Turkey

Holiday deals, new tours and offers

Travellers in search of winter sun but unenthusiastic about flying long distances could be in luck. Thomas Cook is now offering seven nights' at the four-star Sentido H10 White Suites in Lanzarote from £325 per person. Flying with Thomas Cook from London Gatwick on December 12, guests will be provided with half-board accommodation. December temperatures in Tenerife can reach an average of 72F (22C) so conditions should be pleasant. For more info visit thomascook.com.
Christmas in French farmhouse chalet

The luxury Chalet Rêves de Montagne in Samoëns in Haute-Savoie, France, opened its doors last December after two years of restoration. The farmhouse dates back to 1746 and sleeps 14 people. Four course dinners are prepared by a professional chef and fine wines are available to accompany. The chalet also boasts a 360 degree open fire in its large living area and an outdoor hot tube.

The chalet is available at a 20 per cent discount for Christmas week (December 21-28) at £8,945. The price includes seven nights' half board (with wine) accommodation, transfers from Geneva and transport to the nearby slopes of the Grand Massif ski area. For more info visit revesdemontagne.com.
Isle of Wight in Winter
The Hambrough on the south coast of the Isle of Wight has a 3-for-2 deal. There are seven guest rooms to choose from at the gourmet bolthole in Ventnor – six with sea views, and a restaurant overlooking Ventnor Bay. Departing on December 10, a three-night break now costs from £180pp (two sharing; normally from £255pp), including B&B accommodation and Wightlink car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington. See Wightlink (www.wightlink.co.uk) or call 0871 376 0013

Sweden's Treehotel

Set just outside the small village of Harads, 60km south of the Arctic Circle, the Treehotel is a high-design, back-to-nature retreat.
WEXAS Travel is offering a four-night itinerary from £1,795 per person (claiming savings of up to £540 per couple). Price based on two people sharing and includes return international flights, airport transfers, 2X nights at Elite Hotel Lulea, snowmobile safari to pack ice fields, 2X nights at Treehotel in UFO and dog sledging tour. See www.wexas.com or call 0207 838 5892
Paris and Brussels in winter
Eurostar is offering 25,000 return tickets to Paris, Lille and Brussels from £54 per person, saving £15 on the regular fare. Bookings must be for groups of two to four passengers and must be made between November 21 and December 2, for travel between January 6 and February 12, 2014. You can also book return seats in Standard Premier from £159 per person, also for groups of two to four travellers. Bookings on eurostar.com.
Dartmoor for New Year
Tallet House has a spectacular setting on the edge of Lustleigh in the Dartmoor National Park. The 17th century thatched cottage, with mullioned windows and open fire, sleeps four and now costs £784 for Christmas and New Year rental weeks - a reduction of 20 per cent (helpfulholidays.com); ref A201.
Christmas on the canals
Britain's canals make a peaceful refuge from the hubub of Christmas and many narrow boats now have multi fuel stoves for cosy evenings afloat. Drifters (drifters.co.uk) canal boat hire is offering Telegraph readers £100 off the cost of a week's hire, or £75 off a short break over Christmas or New Year on any size of boat with a multi-fuel stove; book by November 30. A six-berth boat from Bath is £995 for a week with the discount and £690 for a short break; two-berth boats at Great Haywood in Staffordshire from £795/£555.

KOH SAMUI – from £1195pp
Until December 9 save up to 30 per cent at the 5-star Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa in Koh Samui.
Prices start from £1,195 per person, based on two adults sharing for 7 nights on a bed and breakfast basis, including return flights with Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow.
See letsgo2.com or tel: 0208 329 2855.
Late deals for Cornwall and Devon
A five night break over Christmas or New Year in a choice of cosy, stone cottages, many complete with wood burners and log fires has been reduced by £100 when booked by November 30.
See www.wheelfarmcottages.co.uk or call 0800 247 1445
Florida discount
Travel specialists American Sky are offering savings of up to £100 per person on holidays to Florida.American Sky are offering a seven night stay at the five star Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida for £619 - saving up to £100 – for departures November 20 until December 13 2013. See www.americansky.co.uk or call 0843 636 4509.
Cruise
Spend Christmas in New York and cruise in style on board the Queen Mary 2 (inside cabin) from £899pp ( Southampton to New York). Departing December 15 2013, prices include a four-night four-star New York hotel stay, full board, a seven-night cruise and a return flight to the UK. See 0800 840 5809; imaginecruising.co.uk
Save almost £1,000 on a 10-night spring sailing around the Adriatic on-board the all-inclusive, ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Price includes beverages as well as Champagne, fine dining in speciality restaurants and up to 29 complimentary shore excursions. From £2,999 per person (deluxe balcony suite) deaprting in April. 0800 980 4708; sixstarcruises.co.uk

Escape to the coast for Christmas
Fed up with hosting the family over Christmas? Spread the load by renting a holiday house, so everyone can share the responsibility. There is a 30 per cent reduction on the rental cost of Broad Downs Barn near Salcombe in Devon over Christmas week. This five star, gold award property sleeps up to 14, has a large dining table and a wood-burning stove and now costs £2,000 for the week, based on 14 sharing (01548 843773; coastandcountry.co.uk/cottage-details/BROAD).
Luxury ski holiday in Whistler
Ski Solutions is offering a saving of £410 per person on a seven-night, room-only stay at the five star Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, Canada. The price is £1,475 per person based on two adults sharing and includes flights from Heathrow to Vancouver on March 29, 2014, and transfers. Book before November 15 at skisolutions.com.
New safari adventure in New Zealand
Discover the World has launched a 4X4 safari experience in New Zealand exploring the more remote areas of the Central Otago area of the South Island. The trip is a five night off road adventure starting and ending in Queenstown using Landrover Defenders. The prices includes use of a modern Landrover Defender 4WD vehicle (full insurance & petrol included), expert guide, two nights' luxury accommodation in Queenstown pre and post tour, three nights' boutique accommodation on tour, all meals, all activities and pre-tour briefing.

From £1690 per person if you book by December 31 (including a saving of 15 per cent). Call 01737 214 291 or visit Discover the World.
Flights are extra and usually start from around £1250 per person in economy with Air New Zealand.

Ryanair unveils simpler website

The site had previously been criticised for making arduous demands of customers by forcing them to click through a raft of options before purchasing a ticket.

Now it claims the process has been reduced from 17 necessary clicks to five, due to the removal of many of the “ancillary” products previously offered.

A Telegraph Travel investigation in July revealed that the old process required users to opt-out of purchasing priority boarding, text message confirmation, sightseeing bus tours, airport transfers, Ryanair-branded cabin bags, RyanairTalk phone cards, and car hire.

They also had to manually decline the opportunity to take part in the airline’s “Play to win your trip for free” game. Our report found 20 clicks were required to book a flight.
A quick test on the new site this morning revealed the process now takes a minimum of ten clicks from the first "book now" button and an average time of 5 minutes. The only optional extra which requires input is for travel insurance. “Don’t insure me” must be selected from a drop-down list before continuing.
The homepage of the new website went live on Friday and has a smarter, pared-down look, with the garish yellow replaced by plain white. The flashing banners of the previous site have also been banished and the “Recapture” code – which you were previously required to enter to prove you’re human – had already been scrapped.
It is the first phase in the site’s development which will also see the introduction of a ‘My Ryanair’ feature from the end of December. Customers will be able to create a profile and store their personal and credit card details on the site, meaning they won’t have to re-enter these details when they book, reducing booking time further.
Passengers will also be encouraged to use social networking sites to “share the fare” they found with family and friends.
Other changes on the way include mobile boarding passes – an issue for customers who took the opportunity to grill Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, during a live Q&A on Twitter last month.
A survey of 7,400 readers by Telegraph Travel last year revealed that 95 per cent of voters preferred allocated seating when given the choice, although only 35 per cent said they would pay for the service.
Ryanair also has plans for a relaunched app, tailored country websites and a new mobile site.
At the start of November, the airline issued its second profit warning in two months, causing shares to plummet by 11.5 percent. In contrast, its low-cost rival easyJet today announced that its profits are up 50 per cent.

Airport security campaign: The high price of safety

Travellers faced with drawn out and often degrading security checks at Britain’s airports are beginning to question the effectiveness of the measures in place. As part of Telegraph Travel's Fair Deal for Travellers campaign, Nigel Richardson outlines some demands for some common sense 

 

A touch-screen facility has been installed in terminals at Heathrow airport, just at the point where departing passengers emerge airside from the security checks. “How was your security experience today?” asks a sign (implying a transatlantic inflection that is guaranteed to fray nerves even further). Below the sign are four buttons with which to register your response, ranging from green with a smiley face to red with a glum one.

You might as well ask someone to rate an enema. Airport security procedures are tedious, stressful and often demeaning (six years ago, a research scientist measuring the physiological stress levels of passengers at Heathrow claimed they were on a par with those experienced by fighter pilots and riot police).

The question is, do they do any good? Emily Maitlis, the Newsnight presenter, is doubtful. In a recent newspaper article she described her frustration at being carted off and questioned by Special Branch after “explosive traces” – probably hand cream – had been found on the handle of her carry-on luggage.

The point of screening procedures at airports is being called into question not only by experienced and sceptical travellers such as Maitlis. The security experts are pitching in too. “I’m not sure airport security has ever stopped anybody from doing anything, anywhere,” is a statement all the more startling for coming from the lips of Chris Yates, the former aviation security editor at the specialist publisher IHS Jane’s (which produces, inter alia, Jane’s Defence Weekly), and now a respected consultant on international security issues.

“[Aviation] is a sexy, glamorous industry,” Yates told me. “At the end of the day, if a terrorist wants to make a statement, targeting an aircraft is one of the ways to guarantee global attention immediately.”
No one would seriously challenge such a statement. Yet some of the methods deployed to combat this threat, and the excessively literal way in which rules are interpreted by some security staff, are coming under increasing scrutiny – not least by readers of this newspaper, judging from the views on security screening at airports we solicited through the Telegraph Travel website (for some egregious examples of overzealous screening, see “It’s security, stupid”, below).
This wasn’t a scientific survey. A spokesman for the Department for Transport, which issues security regulations for airports in Britain, told me that “the overwhelming majority of passengers say they are happy with security checks at airports” and that the measures in place “are a proportionate response to threat levels”. But we believe our findings reflect widespread dissatisfaction among airline passengers, and show that pressure is building for radical changes.
“The whole issue of airport security is nothing but theatre; to be seen to be doing something,” wrote one reader, while another reckoned “airport security in the UK is a joke. I went through Heathrow not long ago and it was like some kind of village fair with huge crowds and half a dozen staff shouting out instructions.”

The security procedures at our premier airport, through which 70 million passengers passed in 2012, attract a “could do much better” verdict from the public, not just here but across the world. In the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2013 – based on more than 12 million questionnaires completed by passengers in nearly 400 airports worldwide – LHR came top for shopping, but only 18th (out of more than 200) in the “Best Airport Security Processing” category (Copenhagen was top, cited for its short waiting times and the courtesy, efficiency and language skills of its staff).
On the plus side, at least Heathrow doesn’t charge passengers for the privilege of having their cabin baggage and their person scanned. Bristol airport charges £5 for use of a “dedicated priority security channel”, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool levy £3 for a similar service and passengers prepared to pay £3 at Luton can jump to the front of the security queue. Nor does the lucrative side of security end there; 11 airports in Britain sell plastic bags in which to display liquids, gels and aerosols, charging anything from 50p for two bags to £1 for four.
All could take a leaf out of Gatwick’s book. Not only are its bags free of charge, but it recently introduced family assistance lanes that are attracting plaudits. London City airport, likewise, is receiving good reviews for the speed at which it processes both departing and arriving passengers. And at Dallas/Fort Worth international airport, they have gone down the chill-out room route and installed “mood lighting” at one checkpoint – paid for by a local hotel group and an advertising agency, in the hope of putting passengers in a better frame of mind for airside shopping.
Such beacons of good practice do exist, but the current system is simply “not sustainable as traffic continues to grow”, according to a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade body serving the airline industry. Not only are security costs rising sharply – now nearly £5  billion a year globally, borne by airlines, airports and passengers – but pressure is building in the terminals. Before 9/11 the average security checkpoint processed 350 passengers per hour; today the figure is less than 150 and falling.
No one is feeling the squeeze more than the elderly. Surely an 80-year-old woman with hearing difficulties, bent double with osteoporosis, poses no threat and should be waved through? Yet there is no flexibility in the system that would allow this (again, see “It’s security, stupid”). The complaint that the screening process is “humiliating and degrading” is common among all age groups, while one reader questioned the whole premise: “I have long felt that delays caused by going through airport security are an artificial creation to make us feel more under threat than we actually are.”

Airport security campaign: Five key steps

Nigel Richardson, in his article "Airport security campaign: The high price of safety", outlines why airport security measures are excessive. As part of Telegraph Travel's Fair Deal for Travellers campaign, he outlines some demands for some common sense, as follows:

Five steps to better airport security

Relax security thresholds for passengers aged under 12 and over 75, and the infirm.

Make more use of existing information on passengers.
Introduce a “trusted traveller” scheme.
Drop the requirement to remove belts and shoes (except when threat levels are high).
Exercise far more discretion, courtesy and common sense.
Telegraph Travel has identified 10 key areas where the industry is failing British holidaymakers. Our Fair Deal for Travellers campaign will address these issues, putting pressure on travel companies to reconsider their policies, and showing you how to avoid the pitfalls.
Ten things we would change in travel
1. Air passenger duty
2. Costly rail
3. Hotel charges
4. Holiday protection
5 Single supplements
6. Unfair fares
7. Airport misery
8. In-flight niggles
9. Hotel reviews
10 Cruise tipping

Writing awards for Telegraph Travel

At the awards held by Aito, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, several Telegraph Travel contributors were mentioned.

For “Venezuela: piranha fishing in the Orinoco Delta”, a piece which offered some vivid new insights into the busy network of canals flowing through the delta, Alasdair Baverstock won the Young Travel Writer of the Year Award.

One of the judges of this award, a celebration of new travel writing talent, said “you can feel the rum go down and the mosquitoes come out”; another said “it brought back memories and made me think back to my own stunning trips down the Orinoco”.

Peter Hughes, a long-standing contributor to the Telegraph Travel titles and a two-time winner of the overall Aito Travel Writer of the Year Award, came second in the overall Travel Writer of the Year category with his elegant “Turkey by gulet: sailing in the company of the ancients”, an article in which he discovered that gulet cruising isn’t just for the young and those who don’t mind roughing it.

The Aito judges agreed with Hughes that “a mix of seductive Aegean islands and the promise of a little earnest archaeology was irresistible”.
For her blog about travels in Morocco, Lizzie Porter, a new recruit to the team, was shortlisted in what was a new category in the Aito awards: the Travel Blogger of the Year.
On a voyage taking in the archaeological treasures of Turkey and the Dodecanese, Peter Hughes finds that gulet cruising isn’t just for the young and those who don’t mind roughing it .

Cheaper flights if All Blacks thrash England

Air New Zealand has promised to knock £20 off the price of all flights from Britain to the Antipodean nation every time a Kiwi touches down.

The discounts, which will be limited to £100, will be activated after the game, which kicks off at Twickenham at 2.30pm on Saturday, and will be valid until midnight.

With New Zealand the firm favourites to win, their potential victory could provide some consolation for rugby fans considering a long-haul holiday. The last time England hosted the All Blacks, however, the home side was victorious, winning 38-21. New Zealand did manage to score three tries, however, which would have meant a £60 discount if the offer was made last autumn.

It is not the first time an airline has used a sporting occasion to offer promotional discounts on its fares. In 2009, Britain Airways and Qantas launched a promotion based on the first innings totals on both England and Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lords.
The two carriers sold 425 seats on flights Down Under for just £215 after England scored 425 in the first innings, and then bowled out Australia for 215.
Air New Zealand flies from Heathrow to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
It is known for its innovative interior design – it pioneered the “cuddle class” seats that allow economy class passengers to lie down flat – and its fun safety videos, the most recent of which featured the adventurer Bear Grylls.

New travel writing award launched

The Thwaites Wainwright Prize for Nature and Travel Writing will run for the first time in 2014.

Organised by Frances Lincoln, a company that publishes Alfred Wainwright's books, it sets out to “reward the best writing on [Britain's] outdoors and nature”.

Submissions for the prize can be narrative or illustrated non-fiction and will be open to writers from around the world.

However, the main focus of the book must be the British countryside.
A £5,000 will be awarded to the writer of the winning book.
The judging panel will be chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds, a former director-general of The National Trust, and will feature representatives from Countryfile Magazine, Stanfords, The Wainwright Society and The National Trust.
Andrew Dunn of Frances Lincoln said: “Alfred Wainwright's books have inspired generations of walkers, and shown countless readers a new way to see the British landscape.
“We are proud to announce The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature & Travel Writing, recognising new books which will become classics of nature and travel writing in their turn.”
Submissions can be made at www.agile-ideas.com/wainwright. The prize has a closing date of January 13, 2014.
Following the announcement of a shortlist in April 2014 at The London Book Fair, the winner will be revealed in London on May 8, 2014.

The British Airways solution to bland airline food

At a time when airlines are battling it out over passenger seat width and excess baggage fees, British Airways (BA) has turned its attention to another key challenge of the airline industry – bland airline food, a result of dry cabin conditions and high-altitude pressure that appear to suck the flavours out of food.

The British carrier has found the answer in a not-so-secret Japanese ingredient called umami, known as the “fifth basic sense” alongside sweet, sour, salty and bitter, the Wall Street Journal reports. First discovered in Japan by the scientist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908, the distinct taste was found to be the key savoury factor in various foods including tomatoes, meat, Parmesan cheese and other foods.

Over the past year, BA has reworked its airline menu to incorporate more umami-rich dishes to help counter the bitterness found in food served at high altitudes, according to new studies carried out by British Airways and the Leatherhead Food Research. Cold temperatures, grey cabin lighting and high stress levels were also found to dull passengers’ tastes of food, according to the study.

BA’s new tasting menu, devised by the five-star Langham hotel in London, for first-class cabins in the Airbus A380 super jumbo jets features new recipes targeting high-altitude dining, including pork belly and pork cheek with lime and lemon grass sauce as well as heritage carrot, pak choi and peach.

The ‘umami factor’ was introduced to BA by Heston Blumenthal, the chef known for his experimental and scientific approach to food, following an episode on his Channel 4 series Heston’s Mission Impossible where he attempted to serve food made from scratch to passengers at 35,000 ft.

"You can't load more salt but you can definitely up the umami," he said on his show.
The airline has also been upping the fruit content in their white wines and minimising the bitterness in their red wines (said to be magnified at high altitudes). It has also installed steam ovens in its first-class cabins which help to heat bread without hardening it.
BA has also worked with the English tea brand Twinings to create the blend of its Kenya, Assam and High Ceylon teas that would taste best at high altitudes.
Airline meals are an important element of the on-board experience for long-haul flights as well as business and first class cabins where passengers’ expectations are higher than other classes given the prices they pay.
As well as the food quality, passengers are also concerned about price. New research this summer revealed that airlines charge up to 2,600 per cent more than supermarkets for in-flight food and drink. Budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair were singled out for applying the biggest mark-ups
Last year, a study suggested Ryanair passengers could find themselves paying more for snacks on board the plane than for the flight itself.

Sri Lanka slowly adjusts to life in the fast lane

It’s good to be reminded that people can see the same thing differently. Travelling by bus through Sri Lanka, I questioned my neighbour, a fiftysomething named Vincent, about the ubiquity of Food City, a Tesco Metro-style retailer whose resistance-is-futile slogan “On your way home” is sprouting up on roadsides across the country. I thought we might discuss how big brands have come to dominate the high street, but for Vincent the growth of Sri Lankan convenience stores has had a deeper social impact. “Nowadays,” he sighed, “our women get food from the supermarket instead of tilling the land.” I hadn’t quite expected the shops’ proliferation to prompt that grievance, but some change, we agreed, was good.

Change is everywhere in Sri Lanka. Wildly beautiful, the country emerged from civil war in 2009 and is now re-establishing itself as a tourist destination. Alongside the supermarkets, new leisure facilities, improved roads and upmarket hotels and resorts are being developed around the country. Some 114,000 Britons visited in 2012 and, with British Airways having restarted flights in April 2013, after a 15-year cessation, that number looks likely to increase.

We were travelling to Galle on the southern tip of Sri Lanka which, owing to the construction of a new motorway, is now about 90 minutes’ drive from the capital, Colombo, rather than more than three hours. The city was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and fell into Dutch hands in 1640. To defend their prize, they promptly erected a bastioned stone wall around the peninsula of Galle and it is that 128-acre fortified settlement and Unesco World Heritage Site, Galle Fort, that most visitors are drawn to today.

My base there was to be the Galle Fort Hotel, a former gem merchant’s mansion. With its small number of rooms overlooking a central, colonnaded courtyard with a pool and a garden flush with blossom, the boutique property is one of Sri Lanka’s loveliest hotels, and one of sleepy Galle’s liveliest. Its terrace bar is a popular spot for sundowners and it was there that I chatted to the hotel’s manager, Oliver, previously of the London borough of Hackney.
He was one of a number of expats I met who have settled in the town, almost all of whom were burnt-out professionals slowly being ameliorated by the languid pace of local life. They all affirmed that knots of stress and strain are swiftly untangled here, and I’m inclined to agree.

 Galle, now only a 90-minute drive from Colombo thanks to a new motorway
During the day I joined other travellers in unhurried walks along the ramparts, past temples, churches and mosques; jewellery shops and galleries; impromptu cricket matches; and family gatherings held on the narrow crescent of sand that skirts the walls. Each muggy evening, the fort enters a state of slumber and I wandered happily and alone past sun-blotched colonial buildings and family homes with the doors left open. Dinner was invariably fresh seafood eaten in one of the rooftop restaurants, perched just high enough to see the Indian Ocean shimmering beyond the old stone fortifications. Lazy days spent ambling aimlessly reminded me of stress-free months I’d spent backpacking around Asia without an itinerary, but here there was more comfort and sophistication, together with the distinct feeling that locals haven’t become jaded by an incessant stream of travellers.
But there are distractions and attractions to be experienced outside of the fort’s walls. Whale- and dolphin-watching tours depart from Mirissa Harbour, some 40 minutes from Galle, with blue whales commonly seen between December and April. The journey there and back provides a rush as well. Driving around Galle is truly terrifying, with motorists recklessly overtaking and undertaking at speed and buses using their bulk to edge tuk-tuks and cycles off the road. If you’re going any distance by car, hire the services of a driver rather than take the wheel yourself.
A relatively stress-free 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from Galle, the beach resort of Unawatuna is another popular stop for long-term travellers and surfers who lay down roots in a collection of relaxed and occasionally ramshackle guesthouses and dine under moonlight at tables planted in the sand. It’s a world away from The Fortress, an imposing resort that is also a few miles away and is, like Galle Fort, barricaded by towering stone walls.
Opened in 2007, the beachside property has been built to dazzle. Directly by the beach, its standard rooms are sprawling and sophisticated, its split-level suites feature indoor plunge pools and its residence rooms go one better with cantilevered infinity-edge pools and 24-hour butler service. The beautifully finished accommodation, excellent cuisine and efficient service should be enough to tempt holidaymakers ready to move on from the top-end destinations in Thailand and Dubai. I’m not convinced that some of its attributes enhance its appeal, however. The hotel was criticised for selling a $14,500 (£9,000) dessert, which it claimed to be the world’s most expensive. The chocolate and champagne concoction was served with a gemstone on the side.

 The beach at Unawatuna
And controversy of another kind remains an issue for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. As world leaders convene in the country for the Commonwealth summit this weekend, Human Rights Watch has drawn attention to the 5,676 “outstanding cases” of disappearances in Sri Lanka and its Prevention of Terrorism Act, which allows anyone to be jailed without charge or trial for up to 18 months. The organisation’s Asia director, Brad Adams, advises visitors to keep those issues in mind: “Ask people lots of questions… This is a real country with real problems, so talk to people to give something back.”
Neville de Silvia, Sri Lanka’s deputy high commissioner in Britain, says: “Despite the continued criticism of Sri Lanka by a section of the media and some organisations, the British public at large… are discerning people who are quite capable of assessing these allegations and dismissing the unfounded and uncorroborated.”
Whatever the issues surrounding travelling to Sri Lanka may be, the people I met were unfailingly happy to see tourists return and expect many more in future. The hotels and resorts being built throughout the country are testament to that. Travellers keen to discover the island’s unsullied beauty and languorous charm before the crowds arrive should hurry.
Getting there
British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com) flies three times a week from Gatwick to Sri Lanka, via the Maldives. Prices start from £575 return, including taxes and charges.
Staying there
Double rooms at Galle Fort Hotel (0094 91 223 2870; galleforthotel.com) start at $200 (£125); double rooms at The Fortress (91 438 9400; thefortress.lk) start at $350 (£220).
Beyond Galle
Galle may be a go-to destination for a laid-back break, but Sri Lanka’s remarkable geographical diversity means all manner of adventures are on offer elsewhere in the country. The mountainside town of Nuwara Eliya in central Sri Lanka is surrounded by verdant tea plantations; the sheer rock fortress of Sigiriya soars, Uluru-like, above the vast plains of the Matale district, and a vertiginous climb reveals ancient ruins and staircases at its 590ft peak; the old capital Kandy bristles with palaces and temples (one of which allegedly contains the Buddha’s tooth); while the present capital Colombo is slowly drawing tourists by opening luxury hotels and converting colonial relics into chic restaurants and boutiques.
Is it safe?
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against joining any political gathering or rally in Sri Lanka but hasn’t issued any other travel restrictions. Locals I met were friendly and appreciated tourists’ contribution to the local and national economy. I felt safe and welcome at all points. For updates on travelling to Sri Lanka, see gov.uk/government/world/sri-lanka.
Travelling sensitively
No-go regions during the civil war, the north and east of Sri Lanka are opening up to tourists. Controversy has surrounded the development of army-run holiday homes in the lagoon of Nanthi Kadal in the north, where the UN estimates tens of thousands of civilians were killed. Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch advises tourists against staying in properties owned either directly or indirectly by senior figures in the military and government.

Holiday deals, new tours and offers

This article contains deals and offers sent to, but not checked or recommended by, Telegraph Travel. Offers are subject to availability. This file is updated regularly with the most recent posts at the top.

Update: Tuesday November 12, 17.10

Escape to the coast for Christmas

Fed up with hosting the family over Christmas? Spread the load by renting a holiday house, so everyone can share the responsibility. There is a 30 per cent reduction on the rental cost of Broad Downs Barn near Salcombe in Devon over Christmas week. This five star, gold award property sleeps up to 14, has a large dining table and a wood-burning stove and now costs £2,000 for the week, based on 14 sharing (01548 843773; coastandcountry.co.uk/cottage-details/BROAD).

Luxuxy ski holiday in Whistler
Ski Solutions is offering a saving of £410 per person on a seven-night, room-only stay at the five star Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, Canada. The price is £1,475 per person based on two adults sharing and includes flights from Heathrow to Vancouver on March 29, 2014, and transfers. Book before November 15 at skisolutions.com.
Update: Tuesday November 12, 09.46
Discounted flights
easyJet's seat sale ends at midnight tonight. There is up to 20 per cent off 250,000 seats for travel from December 4 2013 to March 31 2014 (easyjet.com).
Be waited on by Angela Hartnett
On November 18 and 19 only, celebrity chef Angela Hartnett will not only be cooking Lime Wood guests' food - in the Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant, with head chef Luke Holder - but she'll also be serving it to their tables, and coming round for feedback. She will also answer questions about the various plates' provenance. A night at Lime Wood (02380 287177, limewoodhotel.co.uk) on either day costs from £255 per room, including full use of the spa.
Update: Tuesday November 12, 09.37
New safari adventure in New Zealand
Discover the World has launched a 4X4 safari experience in New Zealand exploring the more remote areas of the Central Otago area of the South Island. The trip is a five night off road adventure starting and ending in Queenstown using Landrover Defenders. The prices includes use of a modern Landrover Defender 4WD vehicle (full insurance & petrol included), expert guide, two nights' luxury accommodation in Queenstown pre and post tour, three nights' boutique accommodation on tour, all meals, all activities and pre-tour briefing. From £1690 per person based on two travelling together. Valid for all departures until April 10 2014.

 Flights are extra and usually start from around £1250 per person in economy with Air New Zealand. From £1690 per person. Book by December 31 and save 15 per cent. Call 01737 214 291 or visit Discover the World.
Walk in the Bard's footsteps
To commemorate the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth in 2014, the UK walking holiday operator Celtic Trails (01291 689774; celtic-trails.com) is to introduce, next year, a self-guided walking trail in the footsteps of the Bard. Known as Shakespeare’s Way, it stretches from his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon to Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s Bankside, where walkers can watch a performance of one of his plays. Walkers will travel between eight and 14 miles per day along footpaths, bridleways and tow paths, as well as some minor roads. Celtic Trails offers a 7-night / 6-day Shakespeare’s Way walking holiday from Stratford to Oxford over 58 miles from £535pp based on two sharing including B&B accommodation, walking pack, book of Shakespeare Sonnets, and optional ticket for the Globe (extra cost). A 9-night / 8-day trip from Oxford to London over 88 miles costs from £775pp.
Discounts on Caribbean holidays
Tropical Sky (0843 249 5361; tropicalsky.co.uk) is offering a seven night stay at the three star Turtle Beach by rex resorts in Tobago for £799 pp – saving £210 – for departures between now and December 10, when booked by December 10.
Part of the Rex Resorts family, Turtle Beach takes its name from its private beach which sees leatherback turtles nesting and all rooms are sea-facing, meaning you’ll wake up to stunning vistas of the shoreline.
The price is based on two adults sharing a standard sea-facing room on an all-inclusive basis and includes return flights from London Gatwick, and transfers.
Update: Monday, November 11, 16.42
Broads by narrowboat
Waterways Holidays is launching what it claims to be the first narrowboat available for hire on the Norfolk Broads, "where motor cruisers or sailing yachts are the traditional options". The 40-foot vessel 'Whisper' can be hired from £599 per week. See www.waterwaysholidays.com
Underwater accommodation
Safari Consultants, the luxury specialist, is offering packages to Pemba Island, Zanzibar, that feature stays in the Manta Resort's new underwater room. Guests will begin with a trip to Kenya's Masai Mara - where they will sleep under the stars - before heading for the beach resort. 'Sub Ocean and Stars Safari' - from £5,760 per person. See www.safari-consultants.com
New flights to Budapest
Jet2.com has launched a new route from East Midlands Airport to Budapest, with fares starting from £38 one-way. See Jet2.com.
Adventures in comfort
G Adventures has expanded its range of "Comfort" trips - for those seeking adventure and luxury accommodation - for 2014. Included is an overnight houseboat in Botswana, a historic heritage home in India, design suites in Argentina and a jungle lodge in Borneo. See www.gadventures.co.uk 

 
Australia deals
Three deals from Austravel (0800 988 4834; austravel.com)
1. A 10 day motorhome package around Melbourne and Victoria from just £895 per person. The package includes return international flights from London Heathrow with Royal Brunei and nine nights Apollo motorhome. The offer includes a saving of £290 per couple, based on selected travel in March 2014. Book by 26 November.
2. An 11-day holiday that takes in the Ghan rail journey as well as Adelaide, Alice Springs, a Rock and Canyon Camping Tour, as well as Darwin from £2,495 per person and a saving of £850 per couple. Price based on selected departures in March 2014. Perth and its beaches from £1,145
3. A nine-day self-drive holiday to Perth from £1,145 per person, including a saving of £455 per couple. The price includes return international flights with Qatar Airways, two nights accommodation at the three star Comfort Inn Perth City, as well as six nights accommodation at the four star Seashells Mandurah, with seven days car hire. Price based on selected departures May 1-10, 2014 and must be booked by November 19 2013.
Marrakesh savings
Save 20 per cent on a last-minute break in Marrakesh at the boutique hotel El Fenn (00212 524 44 1210; www.el-fenn.com). From €324 per person based on two sharing (saving €81pp), including three nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and afternoon tea . Flights and transfers not included. Departure November 25.
US for less
American Sky (americansky.co.uk; 0843 636 4509) is offering savings up to £200 per person on holidays to the USA. A seven-night stay taking in the iconic destinations of Las Vegas and San Francisco from £979 – saving £200 – for departures from January 1 until March 31 2014, when booked by November 30 2013. See www.americansky.co.uk or call 0843 636 4509.
St Lucia discount
The Landings, a family-friendly beachfront resort in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, is offering up to 40 per cent off all of its suites in 2014. See The Landings web site
W/C November 4
Low-cost flight sale
EasyJet is offering 20 per cent off 250,000 seats for travel between December 4 and March 31. The sale ends at midnight on Tuesday, November 12. See www.easyjet.com.
Dog-friendly Cornish self-catering
Boutique Retreats (01872 553 491, boutique-retreats.co.uk) has added Arhan's House, in St Agnes, Cornwall, to its portfolio. Sleeping six, the property has wraparound decking and full-height windows, and welcomes dogs. Prices are from £900 for a long weekend in winter to £2,502 for a week in summer.
St Lucia savings
Bailey Robinson (01488 689700; baileyrobinson.com) has seven nights at The BodyHoliday resort on St Lucia from £1,775 per person, based on two adults travelling, all-inclusive, including international British Airways flights (London Gatwick to St Lucia), transfers and a variety of seven customised treatments at the wellness spa staying in a Luxury Room (a saving from £800 per person).
New Barbados resort
Sandals (0800 597 0002, sandals.co.uk) today opens its Sandals Barbados resort, a 10-acre property with 280 rooms and suites. Prices start at £1,299pp for travel dates May – June 2014. Price includes all inclusive accommodation, return flights from London or Manchester and resort transfers
Australia flights from £499
STA Travel is offering return flights from London Heathrow to Melbourne from £499 per person. From today (November 6) until 5pm Friday November 8. Call 0333 321 0099 or visit an STA store (see http://www.statravel.co.uk/find-a-branch.htm).
Mexico adventure
Access Trips has launched a new seven-day trip to Mexico, combining mountain biking in the Sierra Madre mountain range with surfing lessons on the Pacific coast. The first tour departs on December 15. See www.accesstrips.com/sports/mexico-mtb 

 
Flights to Phuket
The first direct flights from Britain to Phuket have taken off. The Thomson Airways service from Gatwick uses the technologically advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The flights will operate once a week. See www.thomsonfly.com
Capital wines
Central London's only fully-functioning winery will open its doors next week. Visitors to London Cru can attend monthly supper clubs with some of the city's best chefs, take a tour of the premises, or even create their own wine. See www.londoncru.co.uk.
Direct to Manila
Philippine Airlines has returned to Europe for the first time in 15 years with a new service from Manila to Heathrow. The airline will operate the route five times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. See www1.philippineairlines.com 

 
London's Threadneedles Hotel is offering an exclusive package of a one-night stay and entry for two to the Cheapside Hoard: London’s Lost Jewels exhibition at The Museum of London. Priced from £265, the offer includes breakfast and is based on two sharing a room. See www.hotelthreadneedles.co.uk or call 020 7657 8080
Austravel is offering an 11-day Western Australia motorhome holiday from £899 per person (saving of £345 per couple). The holiday includes a one night stay at the three star Ibis Hotel Perth followed by Apollo motorhome hire for 10 days. Also includes return flights from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways. Based on selected departures in May 2014. Book by November 19. See www.austravel.com or call 0800 988 4834
The adventure tour operator Exodus has launched 12 new cultural adventure holidays in its brochure for 2014/15. New destinations include northern Namibia, Angola and Bangladesh. See www.exodus.co.uk; or call 0845 863 9601.
Small ship cruise company, ‘The Majestic Line’, is offering their 2014 cruises at 2013 prices until November 15. Cruise itineraries specialise in sailing out of Oban to explore Argyll and the Hebrides. See www.themajesticline.co.uk or call 01369 707951.
Hayes & Jarvis is offering an all inclusive holiday to the Dominican Republic from £995 per person, (savings £340). Departing on December 11, this offer includes a seven night stay at the four star Occidental Grand Punta Cana hotel, transfers and return flights from London Gatwick to the Dominican Republic with British Airways. See www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk or call 01293 735831.
Ryanair is offering 'Monday Madness' fares from £14.99 on a 100,000 seats across 1,000 of its European routes for travel on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in December and January. The sale begins midnight tonight (October 28) and must be booked before midnight October 31. See ryanair.com or call 0871 246 0000.
Dive Worldwide is offering a diving break to the reefs, turquoise waters and pristine beaches of Maldives, in the Noonu Atoll. Stay at the luxury 5-star Zitahli Resort. From £3,370 per person based on two sharing (saving £800 per person), including flights, seven nights’ half board accommodation, six boat dives with tanks and weights. Valid for travel in November 2013. Winter offer includes upgrade from b & b to half board and "stay seven nights, pay for six" deal. See www.diveworldwide.com or call 0845 1306980.
Rainbow Tours is offering £620 off a seven-night trip incorporating three nights at the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda and four nights on a big five safari at the Sanctuary Kusini in Tanzania. Now £4,280 per person, between November 1 and December 15. See www.rainbowtours.co.uk or call 020 7666 1250.
W/C October 21
High Mountain Holidays (01993 775540, highmountain.co.uk) is offering 20 per cent off all remaining chalets and apartments for the opening week of the ski season, from 14- 21 December 2013. There is also 25 per cent off ski passes for that week.
Lime Wood hotel (023 80287177, limewood.co.uk) in the New Forest has opened two forest cottages and a forest cabin in its grounds, built using natural materials and housing snug log fires. Prices start from £650 per night available from October 2013.
Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk, 020 7666 1244) is launching two new World War II focused holidays - "Journey through the Soviet Hero Cities" and the "History of Stalingrad" departing on September 20 and September 27 2014 respectively. The small group tours take in some of the conurbations named as "Hero Cities" after the Second World War, in recognition of their bravery during some of the conflict's fiercest and cruellest battles.
Bailey Robinson (01488 689700, baileyrobinson.com) is offering a new driving tour from Chile to Argentina, taking in Patagonian highlights such as the Torres del Paine mountain range and Mount Fitzroy. There are self-drive and guided options available. Prices for a seven-night stay start at £3,950 pp (two sharing) or £5,150 pp including international flights.
Flight Centre is running a flash sale offering return flights to Hong Kong departing from London Heathrow and Manchester from £399 per person including all taxes and fees. See flightcentre.co.uk/flashsale or call 0844 499 9285
LD Lines is launching a new ferry service from Poole to Santander in northern Spain. It will start on November 3 with fares from £399 return (for two passengers in a cabin, plus car). See ldlines.co.uk 

 
The Ampersand Hotel, "spurred by reports of the demise of the printed word", is running a series of events in its library. Throughout October and November, guests at the South Kensington hotel can enjoy readings from authors. See www.ampersandhotel.com
Hoseasons has unveiled a new collection of luxury boating holidays. "Starboard" will take to the water next year, with boats sleeping from two to eight guests. See www.hoseasons.co.uk for more information.
easyJet will launch 10 new routes next year. Travellers at Gatwick will be able to visit Newcastle, Brittany, Paris and Jersey; those at Belfast will be able to head for Bordeaux and Jersey; Edinburgh fliers will be visit Heraklion and Bodrum; while Split (pictured below) and Kos will be within reach of those at Glasgow. See www.easyJet.com
Great Escapes is offering three nights for the price of two at several hotels in Ghent and Bruges. The two cities are billed at "perfect for a Christmas market break". See GreatEscapes.co.uk 

 
Inghams is offering seven nights in ski-in/ski-out, self-catering accommodation in the Alpine resort of Avoriaz, France, from £299 per person, a saving of £156 per person. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and transfers. Flights from other airports are available at an additional cost. For more information visit inghams.co.uk or call 01483 791 114.
Wild Frontiers has launched 14 new tours for 2014, including 'Kyrgyzstan Explorer'. This 15-day tour includes the spectacular Son Kul Lake, the old silk-route caravanserai of Tash Rabat, eagle-hunting demonstrations and stays in traditional yurts. Departs 10 Aug 2014, cost £1,625 pp ex. flights (wildfrontierstravel.com; 020 7736 3968).
Viator is offering an exclusive chance to rub shoulders with Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, the 'real owners' of Downtown Abbey, on a half-day trip to Highclere Castle from London on November 5. Guests will arrive for champagne and hors d'oeuvres and explore the elaborate rooms where the ITV series is filmed. Dress is formal, naturally - men are asked to wear suits, and women are asked to wear cocktail dresses. Costs from £199 per person, including coach transfers from London, and proceeds will go to the Nembury Cancer Trust. Book with Viator.com
Song Saa Private Island Resort in Cambodia is offering 25 per cent off all-inclusive four, eight and 12 night stays between November 1 and December 15. The resort is located across the two private isles of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong in Cambodia’s undiscovered Koh Rong archipelago and comprises 27 private villas. Discounted rates start at £750 per villa per night on a double-occupancy full-board basis. This includes all meals and drinks, laundry, minibar, speedboat transfers from Sihanoukville and most activities and excursions (00 855 236 860 360; songsaa.com).
Tropical Sky is offering an all-inclusive week from £1,579 per person at the four-star Turtle Beach Hotel in Barbados during the Dream Cup tennis tournament featuring Andy Murray. The price includes return flight from Gatwick and is valid departures on November 28. Must by booked by November 20. See tropicalsky.co.uk or call 0843 249 5361.
Ski Solutions is offering a free lift pass per person for holidays in Chamonix, France, as well as savings of up to £100 per person on selected dates in February and March next year, if booked by October 31. See skisolutions.com or call 020 7471 7749.
MyFerryLink is offering 2000 Dover-Calais tickets from £19 each way for a car and up to nine passengers. The deal is available on selected crossings between now and December 18 2013 (myferrylink.com, 0844 2482100)
I-escape is offering 50% discount on 20 hotels when you book by October 31 for bookings up to end September 2014. Eg a 5-night stay at La Locanda delle Donne Monache in Italy is now available from £132.50 per person for five nights. See www.i-escape.com/fifty
Sovereign Luxury Travel is offering a saving of up to £1,204 per couple on a seven-night stay at the five star Reid’s Palace in Madeira, with prices from £1,099 per person. Departing on November 4 2013, the trip includes two free nights if booked before October 31. See sovereign.com or call 0843 770 4526
Intrepid Travel is offering adventure-seekers the opportunity to accompany Tim Jarvis, the expedition leader who recreated Shackleton's escape from Antarctica voyage, on a special trip to the Arctic in June 2014. Departing Longbearyen on June 9, the 12-day voyage is on the Spitsbergen Explorer. See intrepidtravel.com
Aurora Travel have launched their brochure for 2014, which includes one tour with overnight stays in both the Treehotel and the ICEHOTEL in Sweden. From £2,795 per person including flights (London), transfers, seven nights accommodation (including a night in a snow room), most meals, activities and warm clothing. Departs January-March 2014. See theaurorazone.com 

 
Wexas Travel is offering 13 nights for the price of 10 for its 'South Africa – New Cape, Wine, Garden Route & Safari' tour. Prices from £1,999. See www.wexas.com
Qatar Airways have a four-day promotion to destinations including South Africa, Australia, Myanmar and India. Promotion fares are for travel until June 19 Highlight fares include Goa from £525, Melbourne from £775. From Manchester, there are flights to Oman from £415 amd Cape Town from £550. See qatarairways.com/uk/en/offers/4-day-promotion.page
On the Beach are offering a one-week holiday to Morocco staying at the 4* Golden Beach Hotel. Price includes return flights on November 14 and seven nights’ accommodation on a b & b basis. See www.onthebeach.co.uk or call 0871 474 3000.
Citalia is offering a saving of up to £78 per person on a three-night holiday to Florence. The holiday starts from £235 per person and includes a 15 per cent early booking discount, one free night, return flights from London Gatwick with Easyjet and a three-night stay at the three star Palazzo dal Borgo on a b & b basis. Price based on departures December 8, 2013. See citalia.com or call 0843 770 4443.
Expert Africa points out that Zambia is likely to introduce VAT on tourist-related products in January and suggests now would be a good time to book its Oribi Safari, a 12-night safari in Zambia's South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, following part of the route that David Livingstone took when he journeyed through the area. Currently from £6,414. See expertafrica.com or call 020 8232 9777.
Also in Africa, Gecko is offering almost £400 off its Animals Like You tour. The trip to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda goes for 15 days, departs December 15, and is now available from £1296 per person, down from £1690. See geckosadventures.com/trips/gamg
Hayes & Jarvis (01293 735831; hayesandjarvis.co.uk) is offering a seven night holiday to Mexico with prices from £899 per person, with savings of £471pp. Departing on December 5, 2013, this deal includes a week at the five star Dreams Tulum on an all inclusive basis. This offer includes transfers, return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways.