European Collection 2007
The new European collection from Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk) features for the first time a split in the selection by air and coach into two separate brochures. Collectively, the selection features its biggest choice to Europe, with 172 great value holidays, 35 of which are brand new in 30 European countries. Prices start from just £99 for a weekend break by coach to Wimbledon over the finals weekend, rising to £1,395 for an unforgettable 11-day adventure by train travelling through Austria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia Montenegro and Croatia.
The brochures offer a lovely mix of walking, cycling, river cruising and activity based holidays. There is also a popular selection of touring options, short breaks, holiday’s by train and resort based ideas. Itineraries continue to be flexible offering a choice of pre-bookable excursions, extend your stay options, upgraded hotels, flight options on coaching holidays, included extras, add-ons, evening meal deals, special departures to festivals and events, plus more regional flight options than ever before.
Quirky Departures… by air
Nice Carnival, March 3. Pg 10.
Madeira Flower festival, April 20. Pg 64.
Road of the Kasbahs – Sahara Dunes at Merzouga. Pg 80.
New ideas by air…
France
The South of France by train. 7-days from £649. Pg 9.
Côte d’Azur & Monte Carlo. 4-days from £399. Pg 10.
The Adriatic & Italy
Croatia featuring Venice & Dubrovnik. 10-days from £769. Pg 17.
Croatia & Montenegro. 8-days from £699. Pg 19
Dalmatian Coast Express. 11-days from £1395. Page 20.
The Italian Dolomites. 8-days from £449. Pg 27.
Gardens of the Italian Lakes. 8-days from £579. Pg 30.
Lake Bolsena and the delights of Umbria. 8-days from £499. Pg 31
Italian Riviera & Lake Garda. 11-days from £599. Pg 50.
Island of Ischia. 8-days from £549. Pg 84.
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands. 8-days from £599. Pg 56.
Aspects of Sicily. 8-days from £579. Pg 56.
Greece
Athens to Halkidiki. 8-days from £649. Pg 61.
Spain
Benidorm House Party. 8-days from £399. Pg 70.
Spain’s Sherry Coast. 8-days from £559. Pg 76.
Central Europe
Tracks of the Glacier Express. 8-days from £699. Pg 81.
Carinthian Lakes. 8-days from £549. Pg 85.
Austria – Salzburgerland region. 8-days from £489. Pg 86.
River Cruise along the Danube. 8-days from £699. Pg 87.
Finland
Land of the Midnight Sun. 8-days from £995. Pg 94.
Eastern Europe,
Budapest & Lake Balaton. 7-days from 499. Pg 101.
Lake Bled. 8-days from £549. Pg 104.
Discover Bulgaria. 8-days from £599. Pg 106.
Cruising
Rome & A Mediterranean Cruise. 10 nights from £845. Pg 107.
Croatia & Montenegro. 8-days from £699. Pg 19.
Seven nights’ half-board. 3-nights Montenegro, overnight in the mountain resort of Zabljak and three nights Dubrovnik.
Itinerary: In the last two years, Croatia has become the ‘hot’ destination on everyone lips. Washed by the sparkling waters of the Adriatic sea, Croatia has some of the most beautiful coastline in Europe. In contrast, the stunning scenery, rugged mountains and pine forests of neighbouring Montenegro remain relatively undiscovered.
Highlights: Opportunity to visit the famous island resort of Sveti Stefan – a hideaway retreat for the rich and famous. A boat cruise to the beautiful Elaphite Islands to visit the three largest, Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud.
Departures: May, June, September, October.
Lake Bolsena and the delights of Umbria. 8-days from £499. Pg 31.
Accommodation: Seven nights half-board on Lake Bolseno.
Itinerary: Located on the Tuscany/Umbria border, Lake Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Italy and one of the country’s most attractive regions - famed for its beautiful flora, woods and groves. In Umbria, visits are made to the capital, Perugia, and the smaller historical hilltop towns including Todi, Spoleto and Narni, where you can see the remains of the largest Roman bridge ever constructed.
Highlights: A full day tour of Rome, taking in all the famous sights and a visit to the medieval fortress town of Orvieto – home to one of Italy’s finest Gothic cathedrals and the Papal Palace.
Departures: May, June, August, September, October.
Lake Bled. 8-days from £549. Pg 104.
Accommodation: Seven nights half-board in Lake Bled.
Itinerary: Lake Bled is the pride of Slovenia and one of the most picturesque locations in Europe, boasting the lovely St. Maria Island, cliff-top Bled castle and sheltered by the impressive Julian Alps.
Highlights: A tour to the dramatic Vintgar Gorge, carved by the River Radovna and enclosed by steep slopes and deep forests – at its heart is the spectacular cascade of the Sum Waterfall. Visit to the capital Ljubljana, where you can discover the baroque old town with its bridges, churches, palaces, open squares, pavement cafes, plus take time at the colourful open-air market around St Nicholas Cathedral.
Departures: May, June, September, October.
Quirky Departures… by coach
Rhine in Flames. September. Pg 44.
South Bohemia. Pg 65.
New ideas by coach…
France
Château de Montvillargenne & Paris. 4-days from £199. Pg 11.
Mont St. Michel & the Normandy Coast. 4-days from £179. Pg 14.
La Rochelle & the Atlantic Coast. 7 & 10 day options from £319. Pg 18.
The Loire Valley & Paris. 5-days from £229. Pg 19.
Strasbourg & the Alsace. 5-days from £219. Pg 20.
Lake Annecy House Party. 7 & 10 day options. Pg 21.
Northern Europe
Valkenburg Weekend. 4-days from £179. Pg 25.
A Taste of Belgium. 4-days from £159. Pg 27.
Ostend House Party. 4-days from £149. Pg 28.
From Donegal to the Giant’s Causeway. 8-days from £399. Pg 31.
Italy
Lake Lugano. 7-days from £299. Pg 38.
Central Europe
From the Danube to the Rhine. 10-days from £459. Pg 55.
Switzerland & Austria. 10-days from £499. Pg 60.
Heart of Switzerland. 7-days from £369. Pg 62.
Château de Montvillargenne & Paris. 4-days from £199. Pg 11.
Accommodation: Three nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Itinerary: Treat that special person in your life to a weekend break at the historic 4-star Château de Montvillargenne, a former residence of the Rothschild family, standing in a beautiful 15 acre park in the heart of the Chantilly forest.
Highlights: A included trip to the lovely market town of Chantilly – famous for its long association with horse racing and home to the largest equestrian training centre in the world, plus a Paris city tour by day and night.
Departures: February, March, June.
Press Information: Andrea Mason. Tel: 01858 410 018. E:
amason@travelsphere.co.uk.