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Ski
Pippa’s
Ski Report
With snow beginning to fall across the glaciers
of Europe, it's that exciting time to dust off the
skis and think about booking the next trip.
For Autumn skiing in Europe, the glacier at
Tignes has reopened and the remaining
Espace Killy opens 1st December. Obergurgl
and Hochgurgl in Austria have 3 new
gondolas and a new ski run and are offering
white weeks in early December, whereby the
tour operator guarantees skiing – if not on the
main piste they will transport you up to the
glacier at no extra cost. Saas Fee in
Switzerland is another great early autumn ski
venue with glacier skiing and also cycling,
walking and tennis still available in the resort.
Lapland is becoming very
popular as a winter
destination and many resorts
offer downhill skiing as well
as an array of other winter
activities such as
snowmobiling, horse drawn
and husky dog sled rides,
cross country skiing and ice
skating. A great choice if you
don't want to ski every day.
Venturing further afield, North America has
such a variety of resorts, from family ones
such as Breckenridge USA, Big White and Sun
Peaks Canada with great childcare, lessons
and cruising runs, to ones with extreme
terrain for the powderhounds. Banff and Lake
Louise in the Banff National Park, while not
offering ski in ski out, offer stunning scenery
and a chance to spot moose or elk or have a
dip in the hot springs. For something
completely different see Pippa’s report on
page 3 on Humber Valley in Newfoundland.
Adventurous skiers can even lap up the culture
of Japan, which is becoming increasingly
popular due to their huge amounts of soft,
fluffy snow, and even India can now offer
exciting potential in the Himalayas.
As we speak, Pippa is
off to Whistler for a
spot of pre Christmas
piste bashing.
For all skiing reservations contact
Pippa on 01428 658777 or
email pippa@haslemeretravel.co.uk
Haslemere Travel Ltd.
2/4 Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2HR
Tel: 01428 658777 Fax: 01428 651415
Email: experience@haslemeretravel.co.uk
www.haslemeretravel.co.uk
AUTUMN 2007
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Cambodia
The Wonders of Angkor Wat & Beyond
Two views of Canada
Newfoundland & the Rockies
Seville
Tapas & Flamenco in the
Andalucian Capital
Istanbul
The Crossroads of Asia
Prague
A glittering Skyline of Gothic Spires
Shanghai
From Dynasties to Modern Chic
Maldives
Hammocks and Barefoot Luxury
Caribbean
Spice and Culture
Special River Cruise
supplement
Scenic & cultural
experiences at a
leisurely pace
The Greatest Travel Experience
01428 658777 The Greatest Travel Experience www.haslemeretravel.co.uk
01428 658777 The Greatest Travel Experience www.haslemeretravel.co.uk

Cambodia Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
Adventure to some is
visiting new countries,
meeting new people,
experiencing new
cultures, discovering
new worlds and
fulfilling new ambitions.
Adventure can be white water rafting,
bungee jumping, glacier skiing or snow
boarding. It can be flycamping or a
walking safari in the African bush,
watching white spirit bears in British
Columbia, sailing down the Nile and
visiting 4000 year old historical temples.
It can be exploring the Antarctic from a
discovery ship, visiting the Terracotta
Army in Xian or viewing Shanghai from
the Cloud9 on the 87th floor in the
Grand Hyatt Hotel.
This year our clients have visited some
Family
Adventure
Pure Shores
special destinations,
Cambodia, Vietnam, Borneo,
Peru, The Galapagos, Zanzibar,
Cape Verde, and the Arctic
Circle, and we have renewed
our knowledge of many
equally interesting corners of
the world, which you can
read about in this latest issue
of Pure Shores.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
have now been joined by the Seven
Wonders of the Modern World. In the
Wildlife Kingdom the Big Five have been
joined by the Little Five.
The world is now so small and your
choice is so large; although the 193
sovereign states can’t all be visited,
adventure can be discovered and
experienced far and wide and almost
Ski
Welcome
Romance
Culture
anywhere you choose. Don’t resist that
urge to step outside your comfort zone,
just call us at Haslemere Travel and talk
to the experts.
Exclusive
Cruises
Safari
My first visit to Cambodia included a short
stop in Bangkok, in sweltering heat and
humidity, but fascinating nonetheless.
Bangkok is a fun city, with plenty to see and
do, and Pat Pong night market is not to be
missed for bargains and people watching.
A spot of Temple viewing, Wat Pho, the
largest in Bangkok, with its enormous
reclining Gold Buddha, the Grand Palace, and
Wat Phra Kaew with its Emerald Buddha, was
all we had time for before flying on to Phnom
Penh, and the real purpose of this journey.
After our first experience of Cambodian
bureaucracy, requiring a large team for
visa authorisation before immigration, it
wasn’t long before we were touring the
Capital, checking in at our city centre hotel
and off again to see the mighty Mekong
River, for a sunset cruise and meander along
the waterfront.
Our next stop was to Cheong Ek (The
Killing Fields), a very disturbing reminder
of this grim episode in Cambodia’s recent
history, and on to the Tuol Sleng Genocide
Museum, The Pol Pot Prison, where
paintings are now on display by an artist
who was one of only 4 survivors.
The next day was more cheerful, with a visit to
the Royal Palace, with its famous Silver Pagoda.
On to the National Museum, with many
prehistoric remains, our very knowledgeable
guide made this a very interesting experience,
before moving on to the Russian Market,
famous for its coloured silks.
Next stop was to Siem Reap, and the home of
Angkor Wat, one of the Wonders of the World.
This area needs at least 3 days to cover
Cambodia
properly, with over 300 square kilometres,
and the temples of 9c Roluos, East Mebon,
Banteai Srei, Ta Prohm, Pre Rup, Angkor
Wat and Angkor Thom and the Mighty Bayon
to explore.
A cruise on Lake Tonle Sap and its floating
village is a relaxing and attractive way to
reminisce and soak up all the wonders of
these quite stunning monuments, many of
which were only discovered by chance by an
intrepid French explorer.
This journey was made even more memorable,
travelling with a small like minded group of
fellow travellers, expertly escorted by Explore
Worldwide, whose 26 years of expertise blends
adventure and exploration, with enjoyment
and camaraderie; I would highly recommend
this style of travel,
and will be
repeating the
experience as soon
as time permits.
How much would it cost?
An escorted 10 day tour (2 – 4 star
accommodation)
from £1200.00 pp ATOL 2595
www.haslemeretravel.co.uk
For a great Cambodian experience, call Susie or Andrew on: 01428 658777

Canada
Canada
Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
Rockies Experience
Newfoundland
Humber Valley in Newfoundland, Canada, is
just a 5 hour charter flight from London – a
beautiful, scenic and peaceful area of
Canada. The drive from the airport is just
20 minutes, and the resort itself stretches
along the banks of the Humber Valley for a
couple of kilometres. Accommodation is in
lovely 3 to 6 bedroomed chalets with full
decking, most with an outside hot tub, the
perfect place to unwind after an active day.
The Club House, down by the river, is the
hub of the resort with a casual restaurant
for all the meals you don’t feel like cooking,
a relaxing spa with a wonderful array of
treatments. It is also the centre for a
myriad of activities for all ages and for both
summer and winter. In my short time there
I tried my hand at fly fishing, horse riding,
river rafting and jet boating! The list of
other activities is endless: from hobie cat
sailing, kayaking, mountain & quad biking
to caving and nature walks and yoga; and
for the golfer a very scenic course.
Winter brings an added dimension of
snow shoeing and snow mobiling or even
dog sledging: it also brings many feet of
snow to Marble Mountain, just a 10
minute drive from the resort. This is a
family orientated resort with the car park
right by the main lodge housing the
restaurant and ski hire shop.
There are a variety of
runs for beginners up
to advanced, so this is
definitely a mountain to
keep everyone happy.
I was very impressed by all it has to offer
and would love to go back in the winter to
try the skiing and see if
the moose we saw
wandering around
our chalet is a
regular visitor!
How much would it cost?
Including flights and accommodation
from £500.00 pp ATOL 2146
Banff, Canada’s first National Park and our first
stop, is renowned for its towering peaks, prehistoric
glaciers and canyons; on arrival we
were whisked straight up Sulphur Mountain,
where ice was already forming on the
decking and the wind soon blew away any
cobwebs left over from our 9 hour flight into
Calgary. Banff Springs, Johnston Falls, Two
Jack, Johnston Lake and Minnewanka (Lake of
Evil Spirit) with stunning falls, narrow
walkways and glacier riding all contributed to
this magical Rockies experience, even if it
was already snowing and visibility was poor.
On to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies”,
from where we set out on the scenic drive to
Jasper, a spectacular centre for such a variety
of activities, with hiking, trekking,and skiing in
addition to the magnificent wildlife
opportunities for sightings of grizzly bears, elk
and mountain lions. In winter horse drawn
sledges and skating can also be added to the
list of popular activities on Lake Louise.
From the Columbia Icefield we took the
snocoach onto the Athabasca Glacier, before
moving on to Jasper, again a great centre for
many activities, and the start of the The
Rocky Mountaineer, Fraser Discovery route to
Whistler. This is one of the very finest railway
experiences in the world; a special and
relaxed travel experience, with Red and Gold
Leaf classes, the respective prices provide a
varying standard and content of the food,
service and facilities, and all with the chance
to see and even photograph wildlife en route.
Disembarking in Whistler, currently preparing
itself for the 2010 Winter Olympics, we soon
realised what a wonderful resort this has
become for both winter sports and active
summer enthusiasts, with activities and
attractions to appeal to all, in addition to a
buzzy town centre with bars, restaurants,
boutiques and nightlife. Visit the local dump
for the chance to sight brown bears, or for
the more energetic Blackcomb or Whistler
Mountain provide great opportunities for
walkers,mountain bikers, zip trekking, forest
flying or ATV drives.
Whistler is also linked with the vibrant and
cosmopolitan city of Vancouver by the
Whistler Mountaineer, a fun and leisurely
way to appreciate the sights along this
remarkable and diverse land, not forgetting
the chance to do some whale watching off
Vancouver Island.
A lovely and attractive
country that should appeal
to everyone looking for
stunning scenery, fine
hotels, delicious food and
very hospitable people.
This journey was just the tip of the iceberg,
but other recent visits by Pippa, Susie and
Andrew can help you to make the most of
this adventurous land.
How much would it cost?
2 day westbound Rocky Mountaineer
from £295.00 pp (Red Leaf)
from £590.00 pp (Gold leaf) ATOL 5421
For a great North American experience, call Pippa on: 01428 658777
For a great wildlife experience, call Susie or Andrew on: 01428 658777

Greek Islands Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
Spain
Turkey
Meandering
Mykonos
Mykonos, in the heart of the Cyclades, is
one of the “trendiest” islands in Greece,
with boutique hotels and restaurants to
match – even Nobu has opened a branch of
its upmarket Matsuhisa at the Belvedere
Hotel on the edge of Mykonos town. If
shopping is your passion then every
designer label is available here, many with
their own flagship stores.
Mykonos’s best known land mark is probably
the row of windmills just above its Little
Venice area where the houses and
restaurants abut the open seas – if you can
get a table on the waters edge make the
most of it as these are some of the most
prized seats on the island!
But this is still Greece despite its high spend
appearance: alongside the trendy names are
traditional shops and restaurants, pensions
and ouzories in and out of town. A ten minute
bus journey will take you over to Ornos Bay
with one of the islands best beaches with
bars and tavernas all providing, at a charge,
sun loungers and shades. The swimming is
safe here and in the heat of the
summer cooling breezes should keep
the temperatures down. Ornos is also
the place for one of Greece’s best kept
secrets, the privately owned Kivotos
Club Hotel – a realisation of a one man’s
passion which he and his family maintain
– no suite is the same – antiques and
whacky objets d’art from around the world
juxtaposed with ancient Greek statues, tiffany
lamps and cool, cool fabrics.
Dining on the upper terrace
watching the lights of the
fishing boats twinkling in
the distance is a dream and
the food is some of the
best on the island.
Mrs M who stayed recently at Kivotos had
a truly wonderful
holiday – “it had
everything we
wanted so we never
left the hotel”
How much would it cost?
For a week at Kivotos b&b inc scheduled
flights & transfers
Seville
The Moorish Alcazar Palace and the
magnificent Cathedral & Giralda are at the
very heart of the oldest part of Seville with
its alleyways that twist and turn with
numerous tapas bars & restaurants vying for
your trade by day or night. After a morning
visiting the Alcazar and the cathedral a glass
of fino and a few tapas at la Giralda opposite
the cathedral and in the shade of the plain
trees brings a brief respite before your
afternoon’s sight seeing – perhaps a visit to
the Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de
Espana, a magnificent building dedicated to
all the Spanish provinces, commissioned for
the Iberico
American
Exhibition in
the 1929.
Another must during a visit
to this part of Spain is a
visit to a Flamenco
evening…
We found a
real gem of a
hotel in the
heart of the
old quarter
of Seville,
the Hospes
las Casas
del Rey de Baeza. A peaceful oasis
hideaway from the heat and bustle of this
magnificent Andalucian capital city; with just
41 rooms built around courtyards and
balconies bedecked with trailing
bougainvillaea and geraniums you can be
assured of a warm welcome and a
comfortable stay. Another gem, with just six
rooms, is the Corral del Rey
(under the same
ownership as
the Hacienda
San Rafael)
a very
comfortable,
cutting edge
hotel in the middle of the old city.
How much would it cost?
For 3 nights b&b at the Cases del Rey de
Baeza
from £499.00 pp
At the Corral del Rey
Sample the exotic
Istanbul
Istanbul could well be the new “hot”
destination and I certainly thought it was an
excellent choice for a weekend or midweek
stay at any time of year: for those seeking an
exotic and vibrant destination, positioned at the
crossroads of Europe and Asia, a unique link
between East and West, past and present. Visits
to the Blue Mosque, the Aghia Sophia, Topkapi
Palace and shopping in the Grand Bazaar is all
so convenient as these major attractions are
located very close together in
the old part of the city.
There is an excellent
range of hotels from
luxury brand names
like Kempinski and
Four Seasons to
simple ottoman style.
How much would it cost?
For 3 nights b&b in a 5 star hotel inc
flights and transfers
The recently completed Noah’s Villa right over
the water is the ultimate for honeymooners!
from £871.00 pp ATOL 2881
from £620.00 pp ATOL 2450
from £499.00 pp ATOL 5236
For a great Greek experience, call Andrew or Tina on: 01428 658777
For a great Moorish experience, call Pippa or Andrew on: 01428 658777

China
Cruising China’s mighty
Yangtze river
A booming economy, the Beijing Olympics in
2008, World Expo in 2010 and home to the
world’s largest engineering project, the
Yangtze dam, few cannot have noticed that
China today regularly makes front page news.
Diary date
Wednesday 21st November 2007
Peter Deilmann River
& Ocean Cruises
An informal presentation on the
excellent 5 star European river
cruises will take place in the
Georgian House Hotel in Haslemere
at 1130 hrs.
If you would like to attend – there
is no charge – please call
Haslemere Travel on
01428 658777 to reserve your
place(s) or email:
cruise@haslemeretravel.co.uk
Escorted Cruise 2008
Join us on our escorted Danube
cruise departing 25 October 2008 –
a 7 night 5-star river cruise to
include Vienna & Budapest
For Bridge Enthusiasts 2009
Do you play bridge? Please let us
know if you would like further
details on our planned Spring 2009
European bridge river cruise.
To register your interest please call
Terry on 01428 658777
or email
terry@haslemeretravel.co.uk
Any itinerary to China in my opinion, should
include at least 3 nights on a Yangtze river
cruise to provide a relaxing interlude in
between visits to the modern cities of Beijing
and Shanghai, the Great Wall and the
Terracotta Army at Xian.
This classic river journey takes you from
Chongqing to Wuhan, passing at a leisurely
pace through the dramatic three gorges
region with their towering sheer cliffs,
riverside villages and towns – making for an
unforgettable experience. A visit to the new
dam site is also one of the highlights and
with completion due in 2009, when the water
level will rise to its maximum new level, this
is the time to view the gorges in all their
present glory.
Two companies we would recommend are
Viking River Cruises who operate a variety of
extensive tours including cruises from 5 – 9
nights duration on board their impressive 5
star vessels, the Viking Century Star and Sun.
Alternatively, for that extra exclusiveness,
Abercrombie & Kent’s new 5 star vessel the
Yangtze Explorer accommodating 180
passengers is due to be launched in April
2008, and will offer guests the style and
ambience of a discreet exclusive club, with
service, entertainment, food and on board
facilities to match.
If you would like to receive further
details on any of the above options
or wish to investigate alternative
possibilities for travel to China,
please give us a call on
01428 658777 or email us at
cruise@haslemeretravel.co.uk
Yachting
Not Cruising
An overnight stay on a Sea Dream Yacht was
too good an opportunity to be missed, with
just 55 couples and with a crew of 95, you
can just imagine the truly wonderful service
on board this small all inclusive luxury ship.
A casual and relaxing atmosphere pervades,
and services on board include a water sports
marina, golf simulator, mountain bikes, a fully
certified Thai spa as well as a well equipped
gym. Casual outdoor dining, dependent on the
weather, is a sumptuous experience.
A voyage on Sea Dream, whether in the
Caribbean or South America in the winter or
the Mediterranean in the summer, will allow
you the chance to experience some of the
loveliest harbours and
secluded coves in the
world that the large
cruise ships are
unable to reach.
Haslemere Travel Ltd.
2/4 Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2HR
Tel: 01428 658777 Fax: 01428 651415
Email: experience@haslemeretravel.co.uk
Welcome to our first travel supplement
dedicated to river cruising, with the
occasional lapse into the world of
discovery and small ships.
Personal preferences and individual
circumstances can dictate whether the most
suitable choice for your next seagoing holiday is
to be on the Queen Victoria or the Minerva, the
Crystal Symphony or the Hebridean Spirit for the
high seas, Sunboat !V, or the Road to Mandalay,
MS Casanova or the Yangtze Explorer for a very
different experience on the rivers and inland
waterways of the world.
Small ships and river boats have the advantage
of mooring up against harbour quays, close to
little seaside villages, often well away from big
cities and tourist masses; they also have the
attraction of interesting itineraries that take in
spectacular scenery, historic monuments, and
local cultures.
Our cruising expertise is fathomless, but our
personal pleasure is to choose the most suitable
adventure and experience for every occasion.
Prague and the
Treasures of Saxony
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, I could not
resist venturing back to the former East Germany to
see how life has changed since my last visit in 1998.
A large part of my background has been involved
promoting river cruising, but I had never had an
opportunity to cruise with the renowned Peter
Deilmann River Cruises; with high expectations of
this 5 star product, I need not have worried, from
the moment I stepped on board the MS Katherina
von Bora in Prague, I just knew that everything
would be wonderful.
After settling in to my comfortable cabin, we were
invited to the Captain’s welcome reception to meet
the crew, who turned out to be the best that I have
ever experienced, prior to our first sumptuous meal,
a splendid 7 course gourmet feast, this was the start
of seven days of gastronomic bliss with each course
presented as a work of art.
Over the next 7 days, my fellow passengers, just 63
out of a maximum of 80, and I were to enjoy the
splendours of Prague, before leisurely cruising north
west through the Czech
Republic and into Germany,
passing the extraordinary
Sandstone rock formations of
Little Switzerland before
arriving in Dresden.
This “Florence of the North”
has once again been proudly
restored to former glories,
and the 2 nights spent moored here allowed us the
necessary time to explore and savour the cultural
and architectural delights of the City. On to Meissen,
Dresden’s near neighbour, with it’s lovely castle
district and world renowned porcelain, Wittenberg,
home to Martin Luther and Magdeburg, which has
successfully blended architecture old and new.
Our final destination was Potsdam, the nearest
mooring place to Berlin, and both of these are
worthy of another and longer visit to enjoy the
many outstanding attractions that they offer.
For a fascinating introduction to a European cultural
experience with a difference, and at a relaxed
pace, I can’t recommend this river cruise holiday
highly enough.
For more information call Mike on 01428 658777 or
email mike@haslemeretravel.co.uk
www.haslemeretravel.co.uk 01428 658777 The Greatest Travel Experience www.haslemeretravel.co.uk

Exclusive Interview with Haslemere Travel’s Cruise Expert
Worldwide River Cruising
An interview with Mike
Flanagan, Haslemere Travel’s
Cruise Expert, who has spent
the last 20 years in the river
cruise market.
Q What was your first river
cruise experience?
A
I first stepped aboard a river cruise ship
back in September 1981, briefly joining a
special interest ‘Floating Wine Seminar’
cruise along the Rhine. Whilst river cruising
was then a still relatively new concept, I
could see the enormous potential and yet I
had no idea how fast river cruising would
develop and mature into what today has
become a thriving and exciting sector of the
cruise industry.
In those days, if you wanted a river cruise,
the choices were effectively limited to the
Rhine, Danube, Nile and Mississippi. Today,
the list is too numerous to feature here.
Suffice it to say that if a river is large enough
for safe navigation, then there is a good
chance there is now a river cruise programme
operating on it.
Q What is the attraction?
A I believe a river cruise is the most
relaxing and rewarding way to discover the
scenic and cultural heart of a country, all at a
leisurely pace travelling in style and comfort
with usually no more than one hundred and
fifty fellow travellers, as the ever changing
scenery passes you by. Combine this with
excellent on board service, superb cuisine,
fascinating ports of call, and only packing and
unpacking once, you have a recipe for a
memorable holiday experience.
Q Who does river cruising
appeal to?
A
I am not keen on pigeon holing products
too definitively, however, there is no question
that if you are a discerning traveller, enjoy
mixing with like minded guests, wish to be
scenically and culturally stimulated and enjoy
a multi destination holiday, then I am
confident river cruising will appeal to you.
Q What would be your
recommendation for first time
river cruisers?
A
A cruise combining the Middle Rhine with
the Moselle is hard to beat and for a scenic
cultural experience consider the classic
Danube cruise from Passau in Germany to
Budapest. This not only offers stunning
scenery through the Wachau valley but also
includes visits to the cultural gems of Vienna,
Budapest and lesser known Bratislava.
However, the Elbe cruise offering Prague,
Dresden, Meissen and Wittenberg runs it a
close second in my view.
Q What other destinations
are there?
A
In Europe, two popular cruises are to be
found on the French rivers Seine and Rhône
and they have the benefit of also being easily
reached from the UK by air or by rail.
Portugal’s Douro and Russia’s St Petersburg to
Moscow cruise are also increasingly capturing
people’s imagination. In the United States,
excellent cruises can be enjoyed on the
Mississippi, the Hudson and the
Columbia/Snake.
To discuss your next River Cruise experience, call Mike on: 01428 658777
Travelling east, exploring the treasures of
Egypt’s Nile is an amazing cruise experience
and China’s Yangtze offers a rewarding and
fascinating insight into the life and culture of
this vibrant fast changing country.
For the even more adventurous, there are
also exciting cruises to be found on
Myanmar’s Irrawaddy, the Mekong in
Vietnam/Cambodia, India’s Brahmaputra and
Australia’s Murray.
Q Are there any Special
Interest Tours?
A
River cruising lends itself perfectly to
special interest tours where both on board
and shore programmes can be comfortably
combined. Themes that work particularly well
include Music (Classical), Food & Wine, Art &
History and Bridge. These are often created by
the cruise companies themselves, however it
is often possible to tailor make itineraries for
special interest or group organisers.
Q What else would you
recommend for non ocean
going cruisers?
A
There are a number of additional cruise
options that whilst they would not be
regarded specifically as a river cruise, share
a close product synergy. Examples are
coastal/lakes cruises such as Alaska’s Inside
Passage, Norway’s Coastal Voyage, America’s
Great Lakes and European Luxury hotel
barging – an exceptional product catering for
as few as 6 guests which make them ideal
for family charters.
Q How can one find out more?
A If you would like to find out more about
river cruising, the options available, or
perhaps the idea of joining or organising a
special interest or group tour, I would be
delighted to hear from you. You are welcome
to call me on 01428 658777 or email:
mike@haslemeretravel.co.uk or indeed visit
our offices here in Haslemere for further
discussion if preferred.
3 nights in Cairo – 7 nights on the
luxurious Sunboat III – final night Cairo
The first three nights at the beginning of your
holiday are spent in Cairo, with tours to the
Egyptian Antiquities Museum, medieval Cairo,
the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, Memphis, Sakkara
and last but by no means least, the Pyramids
at Giza and the Solar Boat Museum.
On board this delightful
ship, you will visit some of
the ancient world’s most
impressive sites.
Including the Temples of Philae and Isis in
Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, the East and
West banks in Luxor, Nagaa Hammadi, Abydos
and Dendarah.
Further options are available including a visit
to Abu Simbel and opportunities to extend
your stay in Luxor or one of the Red Sea
resorts, at the Oberoi at Hurghada or the Four
Seasons in Sharm el Sheikh. Sunboat III is one
of the smallest, most comfortable and
River Cruises AUTUMN 2007
Exploring Hidden Egypt
in style with Abercrombie & Kent
elegant river boats on the Nile, with its own
private berth. With just 18 ensuite cabins and
facilities which include a plunge pool and
library. All meals, excursions and most drinks
are included and a fully
qualified Egyptologist
accompanies the cruise.
How much would it cost?
Nile in Style
from £1500.00 pp ATOL 2881
For a great Cruise experience, call Tina or Terry on: 01428 658777

Prague
Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
China
Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
with its historical memories of
German and Russian occupation, the
birth place of Franz Kafka in the
Jewish Quarter, with the old Jewish
cemetery nearby – a chilling epitaph
of the history of the Jewish ghetto
and the oldest synagogue in Europe.
Shanghai Traditional living
alongside modern sophistication
Prague
Prague has all the ingredients for a magical
weekend: castles, palaces, cobbled streets,
the Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava River
towards St Vitus Cathedral, the fairy tale
Castle high up on the hill overlooking the
city with its glittering skyline of gothic
spires; Old Town Square home to the 13th
Century Old Town Hall with its famous
astronomical clock and hourly appearance of
the apostles; the regular buzz of market
stalls, musicians and opera performers
promoting concerts in every church and
public building. The National Museum
proudly presides over Wenceslas Square,
Prague is now a
buzzy and lively city,
with fine restaurants and
bars down every alleyway,
one which is so narrow
that it requires traffic
lights to allow pedestrians
to squeeze through in
single file.
A good variety of character hotels, modern
and minimalistic, grand and historic, either
in the old town, over the bridge into Mala
Strana or up near the Castle.
We stayed at the contemporary Maximilian,
within a short stroll of the Old Town Square,
its façade belies the modern furnishing and
décor, great breakfasts served until late
morning, honesty bar and free pastries
throughout the day, wifi and floating
wellness centre; great value and top service
in an excellent location.
Allow yourself an extra day, and find time
for a trip on a river barge to get a real feel
of the old and new quarters, or a visit to the
countryside – a
Bohemian Crystal
factory, Anton
Dvorak’s birthplace,
Karlstein and
Konopiste Castles.
How much would it cost?
For 3 nights b&b (no transfers)
from £275.00 pp ATOL 749
3 nights at the Maximilian b&b inc flights
and private transfers
from £490.00 pp ATOL 2450
Shanghai’s roots may go back some 5
thousand years, but it is since 1996 that the
most spectacular changes have taken place.
From your window in one of the many
modern high rise hotels you are constantly
reminded that last week this was just
farmland! To get to grips with the extent of
the building plan that was conceived 11
years ago, you must visit the Urban Planning
Museum on People’s Square, with its full
scale model of downtown Shanghai covering
a radius of 5 miles from the centre – much of
it has already been completed in anticipation
of next year’s Olympic Games and World
Expo in 2010.
Parts of the historic centre are left, the
French and International concessions
representing most of what has been
preserved together
with the Jade
Buddha Temple,
the Yu Gardens
and surrounding
area and the
amazing contents
in the ultra
modern Shanghai Museum. Modern Shanghai
represents the future and aspiration of China:
with 17 million inhabitants, a thriving
international business community, an ever
expanding airport linked to the city by a high
speed train, the Maglev, that covers 36 miles
in 7 minutes, and a large cruise port ready
for the growth of seagoing holidays along
China’s eastern seaboard.
International hotel groups vying to be the
tallest and smartest in this label conscious
city: shopping malls are everywhere
sporting the very top names in designer
ware, all competing hard to have the most
prestigious and most expensive square
footage of retail space – but even amongst
all these you will be chased by the hordes
of street hawkers with their fake Rolex
watches and local souvenirs.
You must treat Shanghai as
either a destination in its
own right with shopping,
gourmet food and first
class hotels, or use it as a
springboard along with
Beijing as the contrast
between old and new.
The Great Wall of China, Xian and its
Terracotta Army, Chongqing and the mighty
Yangtse, the mysterious beauty of Guilin, the
magic of Lhasa and Tibet and the Great
Silk Route, now
competing
with the
new world.
How much would it cost?
A five star luxury private 3 centre tour
from £2666.00 pp ATOL 2881
A 23 day escorted tour in 3 – 4 star
accommodation
from £2450.00 pp ATOL 132
For a great Continental experience, call Andrew or Pippa on: 01428 658777
For a great Oriental experience, call Andrew or Di on: 01428 658777

The Maldives
Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
Caribbean Pure Shores AUTUMN 2007
Sandy footprints in the
Maldives
My vision of the Maldives is of small, white
sand islands surrounded by clear blue seas
teaming with fish… when we approached
our first island it was even better than I
had imagined!
Our flight with Sri Lankan airlines was
excellent and the onboard service was very
gracious. Once on ground we were quickly
transferred to the quayside where a large,
sleek speedboat was waiting to transfer us to
our first island. We visited 8 in all, each with
its own characteristics, even an entire island
to yourselves with a young couple to look
after your every whim.
Some of the islands have pools, others are so
tiny that the beach can be feet from the
entrance of your room. There is one constant,
however, brilliant snorkelling and scuba
diving: sometimes there is a house reef so
you can snorkel from the beach and other
places you need a short boat transfer, but
wherever you go there is a myriad of fish, I
was lucky enough to have manta rays and
reef sharks around me as I drifted along in
the current. Some of the islands are big
enough for tennis courts, while some have
only one restaurant and a walk around the
island may only take 10 minutes. Some are
great for families and others really romantic
and perfect for honeymooners. Unfortunately
you can not get married in the Maldives but
you can have a blessing – or get married in
Sri Lanka and honeymoon in the Maldives!
I loved the Huvafen Fushi with its barefoot,
laid back, luxury feel; you really didn’t need
shoes. The underwater spa is lovely and
makes you feel as though you are having
treatments in an aquarium. It has a great
house reef for snorkelling and scattered
around the resort are lovely nooks and
crannies for relaxing. There is an infinity pool
lit with tiny sparkling lights at night, a
wonderful place to have your table set up for
a dinner a deux – very romantic. The beach
rooms with
their own pools
are splendid and
the water
bungalows,
complete with day
beds and plunge
pools, have
stunning views over
the sea or lagoon.
You can sit and watch the
reef sharks swimming
under the decking and the
one-bedroom water
bungalow even has a glass
floor for viewing from the
comfort of your room.
The service is excellent and discreet and I
would love to spend time here.
I am usually a mountain person but I
thoroughly enjoyed the Maldives and really
felt that you could chill out there. Hammocks
and day beds are featured highly around all
the resorts and the “sand on
the floor bars and
restaurants” really
means a luxury
barefoot holiday.
How much would it cost?
A week at Huvafen Fushi b&b inc flights
and transfers
from £2200.00 pp ATOL 6094
Experience the real
Caribbean
Behind the high profile hotels and beaches of
the main islands, lies a vibrant and colourful
variety of people, cultures, wildlife and leisure
facilities almost unmatched anywhere else
in the world.
If the carnivals, music
festivals, sailing weeks and
regattas provide the
razzmatazz and oompha,
it’s the smiling faces and
friendly hospitality that set
the relaxed ambience, and
the creole influence that
adds the spice.
From over 7000 islands, islets, reefs and cays,
some of which are only small enough for a
sunshade and a picnic basket, there are some
real gems that are well worth the onward
flight connection to get away from the regular
holidaymakers; Anguilla and Barbuda with
their stunning beaches, St Kitts and Nevis
with their plantation inns, St Barts with its
French cuisine, British Virgin Islands and
Grenadines with their island resorts.
Di and Gemma have just returned from
repeat visits, Di to Jamaica to see the
beautiful Jamaica Inn and Round Hill
properties, and Gemma to Barbados, Grenada
and St Lucia, visiting our old favourites,
Cobblers Cove, Calabash and Eastwinds.
The secret is to choose the island and the
hotel that match your personal preferences,
with style, facilities, activities, pace of life
and natural
surroundings all
contributing in
equal share to the
right decision.
The choice is yours
but the help and
advice should come
from a true Caribbean expert with extensive
experience and enormous passion for this area.
Call Gemma on 01428 658777, just returned
to the Haslemere Travel team after
7 years with
Caribtours
in London.
For a great Indian Ocean experience, call Pippa on: 01428 658777
For a great Caribbean experience, call Gemma on: 01428 658777