Tag: holidays

Decathlon helps parents save on kids activities over half term

  • UK first Rentals service allows customers to rent kayaks, paddleboards, bikes and much more at a fraction of their price
  • Rentals encourages people to take up sport without commitment after research finds costs stop one in four Brits from trying something new

Decathlon is the first major retailer to launch sports rentals across all UK stores. The rental service will encourage more people to try out a new sport without the financial commitment of having to buy all the gear first.

Products from bikes and kayaks for weekend getaways to stand up paddle boards and tennis rackets for family playtime can all be rented via the new service. Paddleboards and kayaks can be hired for £30 a day whilst tennis rackets are £10, with all rentals being 50 percent off on the second day.

Decathlon Rentals aims to make the joy of sports more accessible to people by allowing them to pick up something new at a fraction of the retail price. For example, eBikes available in the service cost £899.99 to buy, but can be rented for just £45/day. Decathlon is committing over £1m of products to the scheme in 2023 alone.

The cost of living continues to impact sport and fitness participation across the UK with new research from Decathlon finding that one in four (28 per cent) of Brits are keen to take up a new sport but the cost of doing so is holding them back.

Rentals can be ordered online and collected in store just an hour later – they can also be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance to allow for any weather changes. Making the service the perfect option for weekend getaways which continue to grow in popularity since the cost of living crisis. New research from Decathlon found that a third of Brits (33 per cent) are more likely to holiday in the UK this year to save money.

Decathlon’s Rental platform is the latest development within their growing circular offering. Decathlon already offers repairs and maintenance on a range of products, refurbishment and resale of goods and product recycling, with more in the pipeline for later this year.

The rental service, which is powered by circular commerce platform Rentle, has been rolled out across all UK stores following a successful trial at four stores, where customers found that the offering allowed them to stay active without investing in new kit whilst overcoming common obstacles like a lack of storage at home.

Chris Allen, sustainability leader at Decathlon UK, comments: “Despite having the appetite to try sports, committing to the cost of buying gear is one of the biggest barriers to people taking up something new.

“Rentals gives customers across the UK the opportunity to overcome this challenge by discovering the joy of different activities at an affordable price and in a sustainable way. We are proud to be the first business to offer nationwide rentals and this is a positive step forward for sustainable sports retail.”

Decathlon Rentals are available online with collection at all stores nationwide from today. For more information, visit: www.decathlon.co.uk/rentals.

Savings of 20% on guided tours of the UK & Ireland from Rabbie’s

Explore the best of the UK and Ireland on tours departing in February and March

Enjoy 20% off guided tours across the UK and Ireland in February and March from award-winning, small-group tour specialist Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com).

Many miss the spectacular sights and sounds that the winter months have to offer. Plan a new adventure in February and March and discover the underappreciated wonders of the UK and Ireland, such as the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye and the wild Causeway Route on the coast of Ireland.  

Save 20% on tours departing in February and March across UK and Ireland departure points, when using the promo code SAVE20. Highlights include:

Three-day The Isle of Skye

Journey through unforgettable landscapes, charming villages and mighty castles on a roundtrip from Edinburgh. Visit historic Scottish landmarks such as Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and Doune Castle before reaching the mountain pass of Glencoe, famed for its wild beauty.

Be amazed by the incredible Eilean Donan Castle before enjoying a day on the Isle of Skye. On this majestic isle, travel north to the Trotternish Ridge, home to the geological wonders of the Old Man or Stoor and Kilt Rock, or learn of the isle’s legends and clan culture at Dunvegan Castle, the 13th-century home of Clan MacLeod.

Take in views of Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail after travelling through Cullin Hills and attempt to spot Britain’s best monster, Nessie, at Loch Ness.

Join Rabbie’s Three-day The Isle of Skye from Edinburgh from £160 per person (was £199 per person), based on a 22 February 2023 departure.

Three-day Discover Northern Ireland

Towering mountains, unforgettable legends and a fascinating history are all waiting to be uncovered in Northern Ireland during this tour which departs from Dublin.

Take in a city tour of Belfast before exploring the majesty of the 19th-century estate of Mount Stewart and its world-famous gardens. Chart the winding and wild Causeway Coastal Route before stepping foot in the land of titans at Giant’s Causeway – a location where myths and legends and geological fact collide.

Ride on a ferry across the ‘Narrows’ of Strangford Loch and pass into a land of fiction at Castle Ward, also known as Winterfell from Game of Thrones. Follow the holy course of St Patrick to the Down Cathedral before concluding with an incredible drive into the Mourne Mountains.

Join Rabbie’s Three-day 3-day Discover Northern Ireland from Dublin from €272 per person (was €339 per person), based on a 23 February 2023 departure.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.

Save on unforgettable cruises with direct flights throughout Europe this year with Scenic

Direct flights available from Scotland airports

Cruise operator Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours is bringing the joys of the world even closer to home for travellers from Scotland in 2023, with direct flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow offered across its range of European sailings (www.scenic.co.uk).

This remarkable deal – which guarantees departures on full-service airlines rather than budget carriers – meaning local holidaymakers are never far from the blooming tulips of the Netherlands. The best of Europe is only a short stop away with Scenic.

Book by 28 February to save up to £2,300 per couple and enjoy a taste of the line’s famous five-star luxury from the off, with FREE business class flights and private door to door transfers.

Highlights for 2023 include:

8 Day Windmills, Tulips and Belgian Delights

Irresistibly joyful, the Netherlands in bloom is a sight to savour. Sailing on a roundtrip from Amsterdam, the first port of call is the dynamic, international city of Rotterdam, the architectural capital of the Netherlands.

If preferrable, guests can decide to instead visit the picturesque town of Kinderdijk, famed for its iconic Dutch windmills. Walk the charming streets of Veere and visit the diamond capital of the world in the beautiful city of Antwerp.

Be transported back in time at the Netherlands Open Air Museum, home to historic houses, farms and windmills, or visit the Gardens of Appeltern, which is home to 200 colourful model gardens. In Amsterdam, conclude your unforgettable voyage with a memorable visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, which is home to over seven million flowering bulbs. This voyage calls in at Dordrecht, Veere, Antwerp, Arnhem and Hoorn. Prices start from £2,435 per person based on a 5 April 2023 departure date.

Scenic’s river cruises are truly all-inclusive, meaning guests can leave their wallet in a safe place and relax, knowing everything is taken care of. Flights, transfers, fine dining experiences, premium branded beverages and once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions are all included in the price.

For more information or to book, call 0808 301 8277, visit www.scenic.co.uk, or contact your local travel agent.

Travellers will pay double for car hire in some holiday hotspots this Easter compared with pre-pandemic, Which? research finds

The cost of renting a car on holiday this Easter is 72 per cent more expensive on average than the same period in 2019, according to new Which? research.

Which? examined data supplied by car hire broker Zest Car Rental for over 5,000 rentals in nine popular holiday destinations including Spain, France and the US, and found that seven out of nine destinations the consumer champion examined have seen weekly increases of over £100.

Cyprus has seen the most dramatic price rises, with the average daily rental rate more than doubling this year when compared with before the pandemic. A seven-day rental would now set holidaymakers back £248, up 112 per cent on pre-pandemic rates. Portugal and Greece were not far behind, with increases of 99 and 97 per cent respectively.

The USA was by far the most expensive country, with holidaymakers shelling out £537 per week on average, adding £239 onto the cost of a holiday compared with 2019.

Despite seeing the smallest price increases overall, at 25 per cent, France nonetheless emerged as one of the pricier regions to rent a car, with a week’s rental costing £364 on average.

In the face of widespread vehicle shortages, the cost of car hire rose hugely last year. While companies have now had an opportunity to begin restocking fleets that were sold off during the height of the pandemic, rates have not dropped as much as might have been anticipated, instead settling far higher than travellers were accustomed to pre-pandemic. 

Demand remains extremely high this year, contributing to increased costs. Zest Car Rental reports that advance bookings are up 132 per cent compared to the same point last year. 

Rental firms are also facing increased staffing and insurance costs, while cars themselves are also becoming more expensive – estimates by Zest suggest that the cost of purchasing a Fiat Panda, one of the smallest typical cars in a rental fleet, now costs around £5,000 more on average than in 2019.

Jo Rhodes, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel, said: “High demand combined with a shortage of rental vehicles means prices across Europe and the US are still incredibly high compared with before the pandemic. 

“Shop around and book in advance to lock in the most competitive rates, especially during peak periods. Use recommended companies, or small local firms endorsed by a trusted broker, and always be wary of ‘too good to be true’ prices.  

“Paying in advance, if you can, often works out cheaper overall and helps secure your booking. We also recommend taking out third-party insurance before you travel; in the past, we’ve found hire companies selling inferior policies at the desk at marked up prices.”  

Enjoy 10% Savings on Guided Tours Across Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

For a limited time only, award-winning, small-group tour specialist, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com), are offering a 10% saving for tours in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. 

Rabbie’s mini-coach tours travel on mini-coaches and stay in hand-picked accommodation. Thanks to Rabbie’s expert drivers and guides, guests travel beyond the guidebooks, off the beaten map and on the trodden track, with every new trial uncovering the hidden gems of Europe’s finest destinations.

Guests can get 10% off of tours departing in April in Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland with the promo code EUAPRIL10 when booking before 14 February 2023.

Highlights include:

6-day The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer

This 6-day tour takes a roundtrip from Milan, visiting the beautiful Italian lakes and the impressive peaks of the Swiss Alps. Gain the best views of the shimmering Italian lakes with boat rides on the stunning Lake Como and the azure-blue Lake Maggoire. Ride into the heart of the Swiss Alps and face the imposing and iconic Matterhorn and journey to the mountain’s ‘base camp’.

Meet aspiring mountaineers and revel in an unforgettable view of a seemingly insurmountable mountain. Journey back in time with a visit to Chillon Castle, a mighty fortress that sits on the expansive shores of Lake Geneva before walking the trails of 72 waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen.

Conclude the adventure in the town of Bellinzona, a fortress town that once stood guide to the North of Italy, now a beautiful UNESCO World-Heritage site.

Join Rabbie’s Six-Day The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer from Milan from €2,119 per person based on a 24 April 2023 departure.

6-day The Charms or Portugal & North West Spain

Journey to the edge of ancient Europe to discover the hidden gems of Portugal and the treasures of Spain on this 6-day tour. Soak up Portuguese history in the cities of Óbidos and Coimbra.

In Óbidos, walk quaint streets and navigate the imposing walls of the Moorish Castle before, in Coimbra, exploring the city’s 13th-century university, which is one of the oldest in the world. Next, select between indulging in the cuisine and cathedrals of Porto, or journeying through the heart of the Duoro valley before enjoying an evening rich with performances of Fado, Portugal’s live, emotionally-resonant music.

Summit Mount Espinho, by staircase or by elevator, to visit the famous neoclassical church atop the mountain before visiting Guimarãe, the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ and a famous UNESCO World-Heritage sight. Notorious for shipwrecks, ‘the Coast of Death’ is waiting to be driven along and admired before travelling to the ‘End of the World’ at Cape Finisterre, which offers incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Be transported back to Roman times in Lugo and Las Médula; complete with city wall defences. Marvel at the golden landmarks of Salamanca’s Old Town and visit the home of Spanish royalty, El Escorial.

Join Rabbie’s Six-day The Charms or Portugal & North West Spain from Lisbon from €1,959 per person based on a 17 April 2023 departure.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.

World Animal Protection reveals the travel company culprits STILL exploiting wildlife

Companies like TUI Musement, GetYourGuide, Trip.com, AttractionTickets.com and Jet2holidays are STILL, exploiting wildlife for profit despite 84%1 of UK citizens who believe that tour operators should not sell activities that cause wild animals suffering, according to a report by World Animal Protection.

Elephant riding, selfies with tiger cubs and swimming with dolphins were some of the cruel wildlife activities on offer by these travel brands, according to the Real Responsible Traveller report.

The study reviewed 9 leading travel companies on their commitment to animal welfare and wildlife friendly tourism with the aim to help holiday makers plan a wildlife friendly holiday.

Thousands of wild animals every year are forced to perform for tourist entertainment or be subjects for tourist “experiences” that are incredibly unnatural and stressful for them.

This skeletal baby elephant was forced to “rave” to music, “play” musical instruments, and perform tricks, all for tourists’ entertainment at Phuket Zoo in Thailand. Despite a global campaign to free him, he died after his back legs snapped beneath him.

For example, elephants in entertainment are captured in the wild or born into captivity and taken from their mothers at an early age. They are then subjected to violent training regimes causing huge physical and psychological harm.

Dolphins used for entertainment are mostly bred in captivity, (although some are still captured from the wild) and kept in barren tanks a tiny fraction of their natural home range which creates huge distress for these wonderful animals.

Travelling responsibly means never including captive wildlife entertainment or experiences on your itinerary and refusing to book your holiday with travel companies which may claim to offer responsible, sustainable travel, while continuing to profit from wild animal exploitation.

The report also shows the travel companies who have made significant, positive steps for wildlife over recent years including Airbnb, and Booking.com. Expedia has improved in some areas, having stopped selling captive dolphin entertainment in 2021.  

Katheryn Wise, World Animal Protection, Wildlife Campaign Manager, said: “Holiday makers have made it clear; they don’t want tour operators selling animal suffering, but the reality is, suffering is still being sold under the guise of entertainment.

“Who you book your holiday with matters. TUI Musement, Jet2holidays, GetYourGuide Trip.com and Attraction Tickets.com are STILL exploiting captive wild animals.

“World Animal Protection is urging responsible travellers to join us in challenging these companies to do better for animals. Real responsible travellers have the power to act and create lasting change for wild animals by refusing to support companies that still treat wild animals as commodities who they can exploit for profit.

“For more information on how you can make a difference visit our Real Responsible Travel Page at www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/real-responsible-traveller.

“We are also urging the UK government to take action by passing the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill, which sees its second parliamentary reading take place on February 3rd. This important bill intends to stop the sale and advertising of activities abroad which involve low standards of welfare for animals.”

The Real Responsible Traveller report builds on World Animal Protection’s 2020 Tracking the Travel Industry report, which assessed Airbnb, AttractionTickets.com, Booking.com, DER Touristik, Expedia, Flight Centre, GetYourGuide, Klook,  The Travel Corporation, Viator, Trip.com and TUI Musement.    

World Animal Protection commissioned the University of Surrey who independently analysed the public commitments travel companies have, and haven’t, made.    

Companies were scored across four key areas:     

  1. Commitment: Availability and quality of published animal welfare policies and how applicable they are to all their brands
  2. Targets and performance: Availability and scope of published time bound targets and reports on progress towards meeting animal welfare commitments
  3. Changing industry supply: Availability and quality of engagement with suppliers and the overall industry, to implement wildlife-friendly changes
  4. Changing consumer demand: Availability and quality of educational animal welfare content and tools to empower consumers to make wildlife-friendly travel choices
They are cruelly trained, chained, abused and exposed to frequent interactions with tourists, loud noises and constant camera flashes. This is no life for a tiger, and why we’re calling on Thai authorities to introduce a breeding ban of captive tigers in Thailand and for better welfare standards for tigers in entertainment venues. In the picture: Tigers spend the day chained for tourist photos. The teeth of this one had also been clipped.

World Animal Protection then checked to see if they offered any of the five “animal attractions”:    

  • Elephant rides, feeding and washing  
  • Feeding or petting primates
  • Selfies, shows, petting or walking with big cats  
  • Swimming with captive dolphins and dolphin shows
  • The sale of any interactive “experiences” involving any captive wild animals (including for example sea lions, crocodiles and alligators)

For more information about industry best practices and how holidaymakers can make their concerns known to the travel companies click here.

Free drinks or door-to-door transfers on selected 2023 sailings from Rosyth with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests free door-to-door transfers or an all inclusive drinks package on a selection of 2023 itineraries from Rosyth, with sailings starting from £1,099 per person.

Running from 6th September to 31st October inclusive, guests booking a selected cruise of 16-nights of less can enjoy a free all inclusive drinks package, or, for selected cruises of 17-nights or more, guests will benefit from free door-to-door transfers for up to 200 UK mainland miles to the port.

A variety of hand-crafted itineraries are featured in the offer, with chances to experience some of the cultural traditions of Spain and Portugal, witness the midnight sun in rugged and remote Spitsbergen or discover Scandinavia’s Viking heritage.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are really proud of our hand-crafted itineraries, and our Journey Planners curate each cruise specially to make sure we are visiting at the best time of year and exploring beyond the typical tourist trails.

“Whether that’s venturing to see the midnight sun in rugged and remote Spitsbergen, cruising into the heart of the breath-taking Norwegian fjords or experiencing the world-famous Kiel Week Regatta in a scenic sailing to Germany, I am sure there will be a cruise to tempt you.

“We know these added value packages mean a great deal to our guests. With a drinks package, you can relax in one of our bars or lounges with your favourite tipple as you recharge after a day of exploring ashore.

“All of our cruises set sail from a regional UK port, meaning you can enjoy a stress-free check-in, avoiding long queues and delays and with the option of door-to-door transfers included on selected 2023 cruises, our guests can start to relax and enjoy their holiday from the moment they leave their front doors.”

Marquee Bar Gin

Highlights included within this offer are:

Balmoral’s 10-night L2315 ‘German Cities with Kiel Week Regatta’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 22nd June 2023. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy a free all inclusive drinks package when booked by 31st October 2022 inclusive.
Itinerary: Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland – Frederica, Denmark – Kiel, Germany (overnight port) – Warnemünde, Germany – Sassnitz, Germany – Kiel Canal Transit, Germany – Hamburg, Germany (overnight port) – Bremen, Germany – Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland
For more details: Visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/maritime-germany-l2315

Balmoral’s17-night L2316 ‘Experience the Traditions of Spain & Portugal’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 2nd July 2023. Prices start from £2,599 per person. Enjoy free door-to-door transfers when booked by 31st October 2022 inclusive.
Itinerary: Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland – Leixões (for Oporto), Portugal – Málaga, Spain – Cartagena, Spain – Valencia, Spain – Mahon (Menorca), Spain – Cádiz, Spain – Cruise mouth of River Tagus, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Vigo, Spain – Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland

For more details: Visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/spanish-and-portuguese-traditions-l2316

Balmoral’s15-night L2317 ‘Rugged & Remote Spitsbergen with the Midnight Sun’ cruise, departing from Rosyth (Edinburgh) on 19th July 2023. Prices start from 2,799 per person. Enjoy a free all inclusive drinks package when booked by 31st October 2022 inclusive.
Itinerary: Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland – Åndalsnes, Norway – Cruise Nærøysundet, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Seven Sister Mountain Range, Norway – Cruising Trollfjord, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Cruising by Djevelen Tanngard, Norway – Tromsø, Norway – Honningsvåg, Norway – Cruise North Cape, Norway – Cruise by Bear Island, Norway – Pyramiden, Norway – Cruise by Nordenskiöldbreen, Norway – Cruising Tempelfjorden, Norway – Longyearbyen, Norway – Sortland, Vesterålen, Norway – Cruising by Black Glacier, Norway – Cruising Nordfjorden, Meloy, Norway – Kristiansund, Norway – Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland
For more details: Visitwww.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/spitsbergen-with-the-midnight-sun-l2317

Balmoral’s nine-night L2320 ‘Discover Scandinavia’s Viking Heritage’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 16th August 2023. Prices start from £1,399 per person. Enjoy a free all inclusive drinks package when booked by 31st October 2022 inclusive.
Itinerary: Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland – Aalborg, Denmark – Cruising Limfjorden, Denmark – Hundsted, Denmark – Cruising by the Olsen Family Home, Norway – Cruising Oslofjord, Norway – Oslo, Norway – Cruising Hidrasund & Strandsfjorden, Norway – Stavanger, Norway – Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland – Cruising by Lindisfarne & Bamburgh Castle, United Kingdom – Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland
For more details: Visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/scandinavias-viking-heritage-l2320

For further information, visit fredolsencruises.com. Book online, call our Reservations team on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent

Summer holiday booked? Is water safety on your packing list?

With school summer holidays under way for families across the UK, many of us will be counting down the days until we step on a plane for potentially the first time since pre-covid. However, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is asking families if they are up to date on their water safety knowledge.

The charity fears that we will see more tragedies overseas in the coming months, as we have seen in previous years, as families head abroad to enjoy the sun, sea and swimming pools. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “Every year during the summer we see a sharp rise in the number of accidental drownings not only in the UK but also with UK citizens abroad.

“Unfortunately we have already this year seen a number of drownings of both adults and children who were enjoying their holiday abroad and we do not want to see any more over the summer period.

“We understand how exciting a summer holiday can be but we want to ensure that families long awaited trips do not turn to the unimaginable for all of the wrong reasons. We are encouraging families to ensure that they take responsibility for their own water safety and enjoy their time on holiday but be safe whilst doing so.”

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s advice is clear, that those preparing for their summer holidays should ensure the following simple tips are understood by all members of the family:

  1. You are your family’s lifeguard – Lifeguard standards differ outside of the UK and Ireland. Always supervise children and keep them within arms’ length.
  2. Do your research – check the safety arrangements of any water-based activities and if there is lifeguard cover at the pool/beach and know what to do and who to call in an emergency.
  3. Do not use inflatables in open water – Inflatable dinghies or lilos are a well-known hazard – each year there are a high number of incidents where people on inflatables are blown out to sea. 
  4. Make sure the whole family can swim and knows basic water safety – visit www.rlss.org.uk to take their free, online Lifesaver Lifechanger toolkit.
  5. Check bathing sites for hazards, check the safest places to swim and always read the signs – find out what local warning signs and flags mean.

Lee continued: “We want to help families enjoy water safely with our summer water safety information.

“We truly believe that people can be equipped with the right knowledge around water safety, and as a result we won’t need to see the fatalities we currently are seeing with accidental drownings both in the UK and abroad.”

For further water safety information visit the RLSS UK website – www.rlss.org.uk.

ECHO Trails gets off the ground

Project seeks to showcase east Cowal (Argyll) historic landmarks

The ECHO (East Cowal Heritage Outdoors) Trails project, a network of landmarks and walking trails encompassing the shores of Holy Loch, Loch Eck, Loch Long and Loch Goil, has been officially launched after a two-year delay due to Covid-19.

Representatives from Forestry & Land Scotland, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the AITC (Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative), Dunoon Area Alliance, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Bookpoint Dunoon gathered recently at Historic Kilmun to celebrate the launch.

The ECHO Trails incorporates ten key landmarks around the east Cowal peninsula, including Puck’s Glen, Benmore Botanic Garden and the beach at Ardentinny, as well as a number of places of interest that reflect the rich heritage and notable, historic personalities associated with this small corner of Argyll.

Funding for the project has come from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Bookpoint Dunoon, HES and the Culture and Business Fund Scotland.

Jenni Minto, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute, commented: “Cowal is such a beautiful part of the world, rich in landmarks and history, so anything that can be done to help showcase this should be encouraged and the ECHO trails project does just that!”

Ciorsdan Taylor, AITC Community Engagement Agent for Cowal, commented: “The ECHO Trails are a wonderful way of showcasing the interesting heritage and landmarks we have here in Cowal and there are many of them to see.

“The AITC is very glad to be supporting and promoting this great resource within Cowal and we hope that many visitors to the area and local people will use it for many years to come.”

Dinah McDonald, owner of the Bookpoint bookshop in Dunoon, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this fascinating project which will enable so many more people to explore and appreciate the amazing heritage of this peaceful corner of Argyll.

“Stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and a historical heritage going back over 3000 years, it feels like the heritage of Scotland all in one small area.”

Rob Wilkinson, appointed co-ordinator for the project earlier this year, commented: “The ECHO Trails builds on the great work of Robin Patel carried out before the arrival of the coronavirus and seeks to create an identity for this part of the world in much the same way as the Secret Coast and the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail around Dumbarton and Helensburgh.

“Links have been established with a number of community-focused organisations and individuals and we will soon be appointing a “Friends of the ECHO Trails” committee to determine the future direction of the project. There is so much potential when it comes to building a vibrant community network”.

Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at HES, said: “We’re pleased to support this project as part of our Organisational Support Fund. The ECHO Trail is a fantastic way to encourage visitors to explore the history and heritage of East Cowal.”

Steve Gillen of Forestry & Land Scotland said: “It’s fantastic  to see this project finally coming to fruition after so much hard work by the ECHO team over the past few years.

“It is a great opportunity to highlight the number and variety of destinations in the area, and to promote and encourage responsible public access across them.”

The ECHO Trails project will be linking up with the Cowal Open Studios network to showcase the work of local artists on the 24th and 25th September at Historic Kilmun to coincide with the COS open studios weekend (23rd to 26th September).

For more information please visit www.echotrails.org. A free app “ECHO Trails” is also available for download.

echo-trails-leafletDownload

Celebrate National Travel Agent Day  

The benefits of booking with a Travel Agent and the myths dispelled 

Today, Friday, 22nd July, marks National Travel Agent Day. Across the UK and Ireland more than 3,700 travel agents and over 11,000 homeworkers will be celebrating this trusted profession dating back to the early 1800s. 

Launched during the pandemic by adventure travel company Intrepid, National Travel Agent Day was conceived as a way of gaining support and recognition for the industry during a turbulent period of trading and restrictions.  

Today, with the onset of the cost-of-living crisis and the continuing ‘travel chaos’ headlines, the day continues to mark the great service travel agents deliver to UK consumers as more and more people recognise the many benefits of booking with their local agent.  

A recent impact survey* conducted by The Advantage Travel Partnership showed of the 94% of respondents who are seeing an increase in new customers, 30% reported these new customers fall into the 35–44-year-old age bracket, with 33% of new customers aged between 45-54 and 15% over 60. 

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO, The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “As the biggest Travel Agency partnership in the UK, today we stand shoulder to shoulder with all the travel agents across the UK who have had to manage their way through an incredibly tough few years.   

“While the challenges continue, as an industry we face the future with optimism. Travel and holidays remain on the top of the priority list for many millions of Brits and there continues to be a huge post-pandemic, pent-up demand for travel, even though the market is currently hampered by the significant disruption we’re experiencing. 

“Nonetheless, in a world that is becoming increasingly uncertain, booking with a travel agent is still the best way to travel as they offer such extensive support and peace of mind, should the unexpected happen.” 

Travel agents have played a key role on the UK’s high streets and local communities for many years, with Thomas Cook widely credited as being the first travel agent, back in 1841. 

Today, they continue to provide a valuable service to consumers the world over and is a sector that constantly reinvents itself, with many agents now offering both a shop and online proposition to make it more convenient for consumers.  

10 myth-busting reasons to book with a Travel Agent 

  • Travel agents are true professionals who are trained in understanding the broad-ranging world of travel, from train travel to cruising, from package holidays to solo tours – there’s nothing they won’t explore for their clients.  
  • Travel agents can navigate complex booking processes, so you don’t have to – from ensuring international flights connect, to planning detailed itineraries to far-flung destinations.   
  • Travel agents can tailor packages to suit their customers, always planning what is right for each individual.   
  • Travel agents can support customers with changes to bookings when the unexpected happens; they will go above and beyond to provide help in any circumstances – from in-destination travel restrictions to flight disruption.  
  • Travel agents will always find you the best deal for your holiday. With access to many thousands of competitive offers across a wide range of holidays and travel products, travel agents have access to an overview of the entire travel ecosystem. 
  • Travel agents have constantly evolved with the times, with most agents now having both a shop-based and online offering giving consumers the opportunity to book through the most convenient channel. 
  • Booking with a travel agent is not more expensive. Travel agents have access to preferential rates that consumers won’t find online and with 700 branches, Advantage members have access to competitive pricing.  
  • Independent travel agents have access to a wide range of tour operators meaning consumers will get a breadth of choice when it comes to choosing their holiday and can offer unbiased advice.  
  • Travel Agents can provide all the information that you need, from visa information to vaccination advice, from weather in resort to places to visit whilst on holiday. 
  • Travel agents are seeing an influx of new consumers across all age demographics benefiting from the peace of mind that comes with booking through a travel agent.  

To find your local agent, supported by The Advantage Travel Partnership, visit: The Advantage Travel Partnership.