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Virgin Atlantic
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Rating:
10
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Founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic is now one of the UK’s largest long-haul airlines. Flights depart daily from Heathrow and Gatwick to over 20 worldwide destinations including the USA, Caribbean, Africa, India and the Far East. Their Flying Club enables you to earn air miles on almost all flights including full fare Economy class. Virgin Atlantic regularly wins awards for business and leisure travel, including those for Best Long Haul Airline, and Best Transatlantic Airline, and has received numerous awards for their innovative in-flight entertainment, which includes individual seatback TVs with a choice of at least 8 channels. Flying Upper Class enables you to experience their award-winning Upper Class suite, which boasts an on-board bar area, and the largest fully flat bed offered in business class by any airline. Virgin Atlantic provide a great in-flight experience and excellent customer service.
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Hotels.com offer over 17 000 properties in over 400 cities across North America, Europe, The Caribbean and Asia. They specialise in providing accommodation during sold-out periods. Their website is packed with special offers and packages. They have a huge range of types of packages, including family or golf breaks, romantic trips and gay travel. They even offer a road trip feature where you input a zip code and the maximum number of hours you want to travel, and an optional direction of travel and it will suggest places to stay with information about each one.
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Bridge the World
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Rating:
8
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Bridge the World offer niche, tailor-made, flexible travel, at an affordable price. For holidays, round the world trips, honeymoons, retirement trips and long-haul short breaks. They specialise in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Southern Africa and the Middle East, although they offer holidays to other destinations as well. They also offer 'intrepid travel' trips for those who want to get off the beaten track and experience a country and its culture and history. Customer service is their number one priority.
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Magellans International Travel
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Rating:
8
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Magellans are The leading source of travel supplies in America. They really offer a one stop shop for all of your travel needs. The huge range includes appliances, clothing, luggage, maps, photography, packing aids, toiletries and picnic gear.
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Responsible Travel
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Rating:
7
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Go trekking in Nepal, a self-drive tour or safari in South Africa, a Nile cruise, a honeymoon in Victoria Falls or Mauritius, or a holiday in Kenya, the Far East, or South America. Whatever you decide, you'll have the freedom to explore the country at your own pace allowing you to stop and visit places which interest you.
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Despite the best efforts of the power to its north, the
sun still shines on Cuba. It's the Caribbean's largest and
least commercialized island and one of the world's last
bastions of communism. The island's relative political isolation
has prevented it from being overrun by tourists, and locals
are sincerely friendly to those who do venture in - even
blockade runners from the US get a warm welcome! The Helms-Burton
Act has allowed Cuba to find its place in the post-Soviet
world gradually, without the sudden destabilizing shock
of mass consumer tourism from the United States. It's only
a matter of time before American-imposed travel and trade
barriers fall. No doubt millions will come when flights
from Miami resume. Clearly, the time to go is now.
Although you can't quite hear the colonial architecture
peeling in the streets, even Cuba's larger towns are pretty
relaxed. The most frenetic it gets is in the middle of an
enthusiastic chachachá, and the loudest it gets is
behind one of the huge finned American cars chugging the
streets. If you want it even quieter, Cuba's backcountry
and beaches are perfect chillout destinations for hikers,
swimmers, cyclers, spelunkers or those who just want to
smoke a fine cigar under a palm tree.
Cuba has undergone a transformation since it first opened
its doors to global tourism after almost three decades of
isolation. Most noteworthy has been the rapid growth in
private accommodation, the extensive network of casas particulares
allowing the independent traveller the opportunity, not
only to experience life more as it is lived by the average
Cubano, but also to explore corners of the country that
had previously been inaccessible or off-limits. Good news
for the tourist is the growing choice of resorts and the
number of new or refurbished hotels that are opening in
towns across the country. While eco-tourism is still in
its infancy and much of the island’s extraordinary
natural beauty remains to be discovered, the government
is already making strides in the right direction
Cuba really can offer something for all types of travellers
and holiday makers. Whether you are looking for a picture
perfect paradise with palm trees shading the pure white
sand beaches and blue lagoons, or for an interesting baptism
into a culture moulded by its unique history and political
climate, next time you draft up your short list of vacations...
make sure Cuba is on it.
VITAL STATISTICS:
• Full country name: Republic
of Cuba
• Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
• Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
• Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
• Area: total: 110,860 sq km
• Land: 110,860 sq km
• Land boundaries: 29 km
• Water: 0 sq km
• Population: 11 million
• Capital city: Havana (pop 2,200,000)
• People: 60% Spanish descent, 22% mixed-race, 11%
African descent, 1% Chinese
• Language: Spanish
• Religion: 47% Catholic, 4% Protestant, 2% Santería
(many Catholics also practice Santería
• Government: Communist republic
• Head of State: Fidel Castro
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Pioneers of the online travel experience, Travelocity remains the most popular travel site on the world
wide web today and is now the sixth largest travel agency in the US. Wherever your destination, whatever your requirements Travelocity provides the solution
by incorporating what is probably the best flight search engine available. Like all leading travel sites, it doesn't stop there with a wealth of information
and other travel facilities including hotel reservations, car hire, vacation packages, insurance... Without doubt the best travel site bar none.
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A highly polished travel site which has established itself as a leading internet travel company. Expedia
offers an extensive list of flight options and searches making it easy to find the right flight at a budget to suit.Of course, like all good travel sites
they don't just provide flights but also offer a whole host of travel amenities including car hire, hotels, holidays, insurance... Quite simply one of the
best.
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Great value rooms across the UK. All rooms offer king size bed, en-suite bathroom, tv and coffee/tea making facilities making your stay simple and pleasant. Each Travelodge is normally situated to good travel links and other local amenities such as bars and restaurants. If you are looking for a nice simple place to put your head down for the night then you can't beat Travelodge for quality and good value.
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Lunn Poly is a leading travel retailer, offering holidays from the UK’s major tour operators. They offer
a huge range of UK and overseas holidays including cruises, flights, ski holidays, city breaks and sun holidays. Their website has special offers which are
exclusively available online, and plenty of late deals to choose from. The website also offers online auctions where you can bid on Thomson late deal
package holidays from £1. They have a high level of customer service and excellent value for money. Booking online is easy, and can be done in 5 simple
steps.
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The Met Office has to be the most comprehensive website for UK weather. It shows regularly updated weather warnings for the UK and offers a 5-day forecast for most towns. This website is a great place for UK statistics, with charts showing average temperatures, rainfall, hours of sunshine and even number of days of air frost for each month for regional weather stations. World weather forecasts and past weather statistics are available with detailed information on world climate for countries, major cities and holiday destinations. A 5-day UV index, shipping forecasts, satellite information, rainfall animation and a UK 4 week forecast are available. A great website for those wanting more detailed information and statistics.
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Weather Channel
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Rating:
10
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The Weather Channel is a great place to get general information and statistics about the climate of your holiday destination, or even for where you live at any time of the year. It gives average monthly temperatures and rainfall, and you can even look at the actual dates that you expect to travel to see the average temperatures for those dates, and sunrise and sunset times. There are 10-day forecasts for most UK towns.
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Holiday Autos are part of LastMinute.com and they are the world's largest leisure car rental broker with 4000 locations throughout the UK and worldwide. This means that they are able to offer low prices from the best rental companies, and they offer a price tracker promise where they check their prices against their main competitiors to offer the lowest priced fully inclusive deals. Check out their website for the latest offers!
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Direct Holidays
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Rating:
10
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Direct Holidays is the UK and Ireland's leading tour operator for direct sell holidays. By selling direct they are able to cut out travel agents commission and pass the saving on to the customer. For added convenience, they fly from main and local UK airports. They have a huge range of late deals and special offers on their website.
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Expedia give you access to the same information as a high street travel agent, enabling you to choose and plan your travel. They offer great deals on holiday packages, flights, hotels, car hire and city breaks. The website is packed with detailed information on destinations and you can view photos of hotels and read reviews before making your choice. Loads of special offers online, including late deals and even discounted holidays from regional UK airports
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Simply Travel are specialists in providing villa and hotel holidays off the beaten track. The properties are hand-picked and full of character, offering an alternative to mass-marketed package holidays for those who want more from their holiday than a nice tan! The quality accommodation ranges from simple to luxurious and you can even select a 'wandering' option so you get the chance to tour the island/area and stay in a selection of hotels.
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Simply Travel aim to offer something for those who want something a little different from mass-marketed package holidays. They carefully select quality accommodation in destinations off the beaten track. All properties are full of character and range from charmingly simple to luxurious. For those who want to explore more of an island or area, you can select the 'wandering' option which enables you to tour the area whilst staying in a carefully hand-picked selection of hotels across the region. Great destination guides to help you pick the right location.
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With over 160 years experience in the travel business, Thomas Cook are one of the UK's largest and most trusted travel companies. Now you can buy your currency online with 0% commission and a price beat guarantee for added peace of mind. Free delivery to your door within 24 hours of receiving payment via a fully insured delivery service is included, or you can choose to collect your currency from a local store.
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Thomas Cook are a trusted, leading UK travel company with over 160 years experience. They offer great deals on skiing packages to over 60 resorts throughout Europe, USA and Canada. Great savings can be made by booking your holiday online. Resort guides are available with the latest snow reports.
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Superbreak specialise in short breaks and simple hotel requirements e.g. stopovers, business travel, throughout the UK. For 2-5 star accommodation, whether you are looking for a city or countryside location, Superbreak has access to 1000s of hotels ensuring they will meet your requirements. With real time availability you can book up to and including the day of departure, with a simple online booking process. Last minute offers and special deals are always available online.
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Airtours.co.uk
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Rating:
10
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For the best holiday deals online it really is hard to be beat Airtours, one of the UK's leading tour operators! You can choose from 1000s of holiday deals to all the popular destinations and many more exotic places plus cruises, skiing and flights. There are many exclusive online discounts and of course children and infants can travel for free! Whatever you do... make sure you check Airtours for your next holiday.
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Last Minute.com are the definitive internet travel and lifestyle company. With so much more than just
booking flights online, you really could organise your whole life with Last Minute.com!! They offer a multitude of special deals and as the name suggests
last minute options. Add to this a highly sophisticated search and booking system, Last Minute.com have created a site that truly is a delight to use.
Without doubt one of the best travel sites online and it would appear they keep getting better and better...
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Established in 1998, ebookers.com specialise in discount airfares for mid and long haul flights.
They have an extensive range of special offers always available from the homepage with a fast, efficient flight search engine. Of course, they offer much
more than simply air travel with sections for car hire, hotel bookings, travel insurance and holiday packages.
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Thomson Holidays
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Rating:
9
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Thomson holidays aim to offer you the perfect holiday. If they are unable to sort a problem while
you are away, they offer a moneyback guarantee for peace of mind. Thomson has an excellent reputation, and is committed to providing honest information and
publishes the opinions of past holidaymakers to help you find the right holiday for you. More customers come back to Thomson and they win more awards from
travel agents than any other holiday company. Thomson offer great deals on beach holidays, skiing, cruises, city breaks, lakes and mountain holidays, and
even the perfect wedding in the sun. The website has lots of special offers, online savings and late deals.
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Holidays Uncovered
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Rating:
9
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Holidays Uncovered offers you the chance to read reviews about package holidays to 250 leading
destinations. It is a comprehensive website with over 25 000 reviews of package holidays in over 2000 hotels written by real holidaymakers who have had first
hand experience. Packed with useful tips, the reviews offer a fascinating and invaluable insight into the both the accommodation and the area. Discover
which day trips and sites are worth visiting, and which restaurants and beaches are recommended. Read through the reviews before booking a holiday to find
which hotel or apartments best suits you. Packed with useful tips, you can find out plenty of information about the area.
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Columbus Travel Insurance
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Rating:
9
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Columbus Direct are leading travel insurers. By selling directly to the public they are
able to offer savings of up to 60% in commissions. In addition to the usual travel policies they offer specialist policies for the regular business
traveller and a Lifestyle policy which enables you to mark your possessions and register them, enabling them to be identified and returned promptly if found.
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Lloyds TSB Insurance
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Rating:
9
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Lloyds TSB offer travel insurance with a saving of 9% when you book online. Benefits include a free advice line before you travel to help with any travel queries for example inoculations or visa requirements, or information about climate and other local information.
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Alpha Rooms.com
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Rating:
9
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Alpha Rooms offer you the chance to book accommodation from a huge selection of 15 000 discounted villas and hotels across the world. The website has special offers and late deals for both popular holiday resorts and worldwide city breaks.
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With Eurostar you can travel from London or Ashford in Kent to over 100 destinations across Europe. Direct services run to Brussels, Lille, Disneyland Paris and Calais. They also offer a seasonal ski service direct to the French Alps. There is a loyalty programme available for frequent travellers, offering benefits such as reduced check-in time and earning points when you travel, which can be redeemed for Eurostar travel or other rewards. The website includes special offers on train journeys and hotel city breaks.
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National Express
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Rating:
9
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National Express carries more than 12 million passengers to 1200 destinations across Britain. They offer regular services to airports, and destinations include cities in Europe and Ireland. Students, the over 50’s and young people aged 16-25 can save 30% on fares by purchasing a coachcard. Amazing special offers are often available online, with fares from as little as £1! Points are earned through booking online.
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