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travel<br />
Thomas Cook<br />
November/December/January <strong>2011</strong>/12<br />
ALONG CAME A<br />
SPIDER<br />
Exploring Italy’s Amalfi Coast<br />
in a vintage Alfa Romeo<br />
TUNISIA<br />
The Star Wars<br />
fans saving Luke<br />
Skywalker’s home<br />
Your<br />
essential<br />
guide to<br />
MADEIRA<br />
ALICANTE<br />
“The best paella<br />
in the world” –<br />
Spain’s top chef
L U X U R Y<br />
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madeira<br />
love at first sight.<br />
BODY. MIND. MADEIRA.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID CROOKES, SHE WEARS SHIRT FROM COMPTE DE CORTONIERES, SCARF FROM RALPH LAUREN,<br />
SUNGLASSES FROM PAUL SMITH. HE WEARS SHIRT FROM TOMMY HILFIGER, SHORTS FROM BURKMAN BROS<br />
travel<br />
Thomas Cook<br />
November/December/January <strong>2011</strong>/12<br />
ALONG CAME A<br />
ALICANTE<br />
SPIDER<br />
Exploring Italy’s Amalfi Coast<br />
in a vintage Alfa Romeo<br />
TUNISIA<br />
The Star Wars<br />
fans saving Luke<br />
Skywalker’s home<br />
Your<br />
essential<br />
guide to<br />
MADEIRA<br />
“The best paella<br />
in the world” –<br />
Spain’s top chef<br />
001 COVERv6.indd 1 18/10/<strong>2011</strong> 10:01<br />
Editor<br />
Ginny Cumming<br />
Art Director<br />
Christos Hannides<br />
Deputy Editor<br />
Anisha Patel<br />
Picture Editor<br />
Patrick Llewellyn<br />
Sub Editor<br />
Simon Berkovitch<br />
Production Manager<br />
Antonia Ferraro<br />
Group Publisher<br />
Stuart Wass<br />
Advertising<br />
Sales Executives<br />
Danni Wallace, Alex da Silva,<br />
Junior Lewis, Tom Greenleaf<br />
India representation<br />
Aninda Mondal<br />
Maxposure Media Group<br />
Aninda@maxposure.in<br />
+91 9811 422 340<br />
Sales recruitment<br />
joinus@ink-global.com<br />
Executive Creative<br />
Director<br />
Michael Keating<br />
Deputy Editorial Director<br />
Andrew Humphreys<br />
Publishing Director<br />
Simon Leslie<br />
Chief Executive<br />
Jeffrey O’Rourke<br />
Chief Operating Officer<br />
Hugh Godsal<br />
For Thomas Cook<br />
Julie Diggle, Peter Watts<br />
Reprographics<br />
KFR Pre-Press Ltd<br />
Logistics<br />
Goferslogistics.com<br />
Ink, 141-143 Shoreditch<br />
High Street, London E1 6JE<br />
Editorial +44 (0)20 7749 6265,<br />
thomascook.ed@ink-global.com<br />
Sales +44 (0)20 7613 8779<br />
Editorial opinions expressed<br />
in the magazine are not<br />
necessarily those of Thomas<br />
Cook. Though we strive for<br />
accuracy, Ink and Thomas<br />
Cook cannot accept<br />
responsibility for information,<br />
such as prices and product<br />
availability, that may<br />
be subject to change.<br />
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
WELCOME<br />
Ever since I watched the movie<br />
Only You in 1994 I’ve harboured a<br />
not-so-secret desire to visit Positano<br />
on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. My overriding<br />
memory of the film is the scene when<br />
Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei<br />
arrive at the hillside town in a convertible<br />
red Ferrari. It’s like every holiday fantasy<br />
rolled into one – mind-blowing location,<br />
amazing car, Robert Downey Jr. – so the<br />
chance to do our own road trip in this<br />
part of the world (for a photo shoot to<br />
accompany the story starting on page 40) was just too good to be true. We swapped the Ferrari from<br />
the film for another classic Italian – a vintage red Alfa Romeo (above) – but glam car or not, this is a<br />
drive that everyone should take at least once in their life.<br />
Continuing with the movie theme, another travel must – for Star Wars devotees at least – is a<br />
trip to Tunisia, where many scenes from the films were shot. As fans gear up to celebrate the 35th<br />
anniversary of the first Star Wars movie, we meet some hardcore Star Warriors (page 84) who have<br />
banded together to save some of the film’s iconic sets.<br />
Finally, if there’s one thing that can help make a good holiday great, it’s the food – and if you’re<br />
after the best food in Spain, the place to go is Alicante (page 62). But don’t just take our word for<br />
it: the man singing Alicante’s praises is no less than Ferran Adrià – considered by many to be the<br />
greatest chef in the world.<br />
Happy travels,<br />
Ginny Cumming<br />
Editor<br />
GRAHAM<br />
LITTLE<br />
Graham is a<br />
freelance writer<br />
and broadcaster.<br />
He presents for<br />
Sky Sports and BBC Northern<br />
Ireland, and has just begun to<br />
report for The One Show. The<br />
born traveller steps on the gas<br />
for our cover story, Road Trip<br />
Italia, on page 40.<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
CHRIS<br />
TERRY<br />
Portrait and food<br />
photographer Chris<br />
has snapped highprofile<br />
chefs from<br />
Jamie Oliver to James Martin,<br />
and his work has taken him<br />
around the globe. We dispatch<br />
him to Alicante to shoot our<br />
food feature on page 62 and<br />
feast on the world’s best paella.<br />
PIERRE<br />
DE VILLIERS<br />
Film buff Pierre has<br />
interviewed stars<br />
like Russell Crowe,<br />
Natalie Portman<br />
and Eva Green for the Evening<br />
Standard, The Daily Mail and<br />
heat magazine, among others.<br />
He meets a Star Wars fan on a<br />
quest to save the film’s original<br />
set in Tunisia, on page 84.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
5
CONTENTS<br />
DEPARTURES<br />
The latest in travel and celeb<br />
trends, from retro fashion<br />
to 2012’s hippest holidays<br />
09 WISH YOU WERE HERE<br />
The reopening of Egypt’s<br />
Death on the Nile hotel<br />
10 BIG PICTURE<br />
Take a fantastic voyage<br />
across the Sahara<br />
12 STATS<br />
Offbeat Olympics trivia to<br />
get you ready for 2012<br />
15 INTERVIEW<br />
Colin Firth talks fame, that<br />
Oscar and driving sheep<br />
17 FOOD<br />
Sink your teeth into the<br />
greatest French bakeries<br />
18 ADVENTURE<br />
Celebrate the centenary of<br />
the great South Pole race<br />
21 KIDS<br />
London’s Harry Potter<br />
studio tour is sheer magic<br />
22 STAR GUIDES<br />
Peter Andre’s guide to<br />
Sharm el Sheikh<br />
25 CELEBRITY<br />
Beyoncé’s new babies: a film,<br />
a fragrance... and a baby!<br />
26 STYLE<br />
Get the 1930s look, as<br />
seen in Madonna flick W.E.<br />
28 TRIED AND TESTED<br />
Nadine Baggott on the<br />
new onboard beauty treats<br />
30 TRENDS<br />
How will we live in 2012?<br />
Our expert panel tells all.<br />
6 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
40<br />
INSIDER GUIDE<br />
Where to eat, sleep and play<br />
in Thomas Cook destinations<br />
33 INSIDER GUIDE:<br />
MADIERA, PORTUGAL<br />
The lowdown on Thomas<br />
Cook’s hot Madeira route<br />
FEATURES<br />
The hottest – and coolest<br />
– holiday ideas revealed<br />
40 COVER STORY<br />
ROAD TRIP ITALIA<br />
Cruising Italy’s stunning<br />
Amalfi Coast in a vintage<br />
Alfa Romeo<br />
54 SPA SECRETS<br />
Spa and beauty bloggers<br />
divulge their favourite<br />
places for pampering<br />
62 THE REIGN IN SPAIN<br />
When it comes to the best<br />
food in the country, Alicante<br />
is king of the castello<br />
74 ACTION MAN<br />
Go “extreme” on<br />
Gran Canaria with a<br />
bespoke pentathlon<br />
84 FEEL THE FORCE<br />
Journey to a galaxy far, far<br />
away with a tour of Star<br />
Wars locations in Tunisia<br />
92 NORTHERN EXPOSURE<br />
Forget the Alps – Finland,<br />
Norway and Sweden offer<br />
a compelling alternative<br />
92<br />
ONBOARD<br />
What’s new from Thomas<br />
Cook and inflight info<br />
103 THOMAS COOK NEWS<br />
107 WELLBEING IN THE AIR<br />
110 IMMIGRATION<br />
AND CUSTOMS<br />
111 OUR FLEET<br />
112 ROUTE MAP<br />
ENTERTAIN<br />
Inflight movies, TV and audio<br />
115<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID CROOKES
designbyicon.com<br />
V i s i t E l G o u n a , R e d S e a , E g y p t<br />
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PHOTOGRAPHY STAR STOCK<br />
Despite the<br />
modern makeover,<br />
the terrace of<br />
the former Old<br />
Cataract hotel<br />
retains the<br />
same luxurious,<br />
colonial charm<br />
that was seen in<br />
the movie Death on<br />
the Nile (below)<br />
Departures<br />
What’s taking off in the world of travel<br />
The Nile’s grand dame<br />
enjoys another close-up<br />
WISH<br />
YOU WERE<br />
HERE<br />
IT MAY SIT IN ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE,<br />
downstream from the mighty pyramids, but the former<br />
Old Cataract hotel is a star attraction in its own<br />
right. Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, it has welcomed<br />
everyone from Winston Churchill to Agatha Christie – whose<br />
novel-turned-film Death on the Nile was partly shot at the hotel.<br />
But like any true icon, it knows the power of reinvention. So, after<br />
three years of renovations and a new name, Sofitel Legend, the<br />
palatial property is back to its big screen best, with a sensitively<br />
updated interior boasting a contemporary new Nile Wing and a<br />
decadent spa. Book now at thomascook.com.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
9
10 Thomas Cook Travel
LONELY PLANET<br />
Departures<br />
Fantastic voyages<br />
BIG<br />
PICTURE<br />
STRETCHING FROM THE RED SEA<br />
on Africa’s east coast all the way to<br />
Morocco in the west, the Sahara<br />
Desert surely epitomises the<br />
landscape of epic travel, as seen in this stunning<br />
shot of a camel train passing over the desert’s<br />
lofty, sunset-coloured Air Mountains in Agadez,<br />
Niger. But the journey doesn't stop there. This is<br />
just one of a series of incredible voyages from<br />
around the world that has been captured by<br />
Lonely Planet in the aptly titled Great Journeys<br />
(£29.99, shop.lonelyplanet.com, out now). And<br />
with those new year’s resolutions to think about,<br />
there’s never been a better time to plan that<br />
once-in-a-lifetime adventure.<br />
Book your own unforgettable trip with<br />
thomascooktours.com<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
11
Departures<br />
STATS<br />
187<br />
The number of days the<br />
1908 London Olympics<br />
ran for. They started<br />
in April and didn’t end<br />
until October.<br />
12 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Rings of truth: the Olympics in numbers<br />
Random, unexpected and bizarre Olympic facts<br />
to celebrate the upcoming 2012 Games in London<br />
490<br />
The year (BC) a Greek soldier<br />
called Pheidippides ran<br />
roughly 40km from Marathon<br />
to Athens to report the<br />
Greeks’ success in a battle<br />
with invading Persians... and<br />
then dropped dead. The fi rst<br />
marathon was run in his honour<br />
at the fi rst modern Olympic<br />
Games, in Athens in 1896.<br />
12 SECONDS<br />
The time barrier cracked by Poland's Stella Walsh<br />
357<br />
The number of football<br />
pitches it would take to fill<br />
the 2012 Olympic Park.<br />
(Stanislawa Walasiewicz) in the women’s 100m final<br />
at the 1932 LA Games. The only problem? When “she”<br />
became the innocent victim in a 1980 robbery attempt,<br />
the autopsy found “Stella the Fella” to be a man!<br />
SEVENTEEN<br />
The number of dogs trimmed<br />
in what must surely rate as the<br />
weirdest Olympic event ever:<br />
poodle-clipping. Held in 1900<br />
(and only in 1900, needless to<br />
say), the gold medal was won by<br />
a farmer’s wife, who managed to<br />
clip 17 poodles in two hours.<br />
1908 & 1948<br />
The years in which the<br />
UK U capital was host city<br />
for f previous Olympics. In<br />
2012, 2 London will become<br />
the t first city in history to<br />
host h the Olympic Games<br />
three t times.<br />
FOUR BILLION<br />
The estimated global audience set to watch the opening<br />
ceremony of the London Games on 27 July 2012.<br />
The crazylong<br />
time a<br />
11 Greco-Roman<br />
HOURS wrestling<br />
match<br />
lasted at the<br />
Stockholm Games in 1912.<br />
Russian Martin Klein was<br />
eventually victorious over<br />
Finn Alfred Asikainen, but<br />
Klein was so exhausted<br />
he had to forfeit the<br />
championship match and<br />
settle for the silver medal.<br />
776<br />
The year (BC)<br />
the very fi rst<br />
recorded<br />
Ancient Olympic Games took<br />
place. The event was a 190m<br />
sprint, won by a man called<br />
Coroebus from the Greek city<br />
state of Elis. His occupation?<br />
A humble baker!<br />
3 Gold medals<br />
won by Jamaica<br />
in the 28 years<br />
leading up to the<br />
2008 Games. In<br />
just six days in<br />
Beijing, Usain<br />
Bolt won three.<br />
For more information, contact the London 2012 team on +44 (0)844 800 2012 or visit thomascooklondon2012.com
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WORDS PIERRE DE VILLIERS. PHOTOGRAPHY WIREIMAGE<br />
Five minutes with... Colin Firth<br />
SINCE GIVING MILLIONS OF<br />
women heart palpitations<br />
INTERVIEW<br />
in 1995 as Mr Darcy in the<br />
BBC’s adaptation of Jane<br />
Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth<br />
has become one of the most in-demand<br />
actors in the world, moving seamlessly<br />
from comedy (Bridget Jones’s Diary,<br />
Love Actually), to musicals (Mamma<br />
Mia!) and powerful dramas (A Single<br />
Man, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).<br />
Firth’s hard work paid off in <strong>2011</strong><br />
when he was crowned Best Actor at the<br />
Oscars for his unforgettable portrayal<br />
of King George VI in The King’s Speech.<br />
As he sits down to chat, the actor is still<br />
clearly taking stock of what it means to<br />
have a little golden man in his life…<br />
So, where do you keep your Oscar?<br />
It travels. It gets shown to the first<br />
person willing to take a look, whether<br />
that’s my friends or my kids’ friends.<br />
It’s been in relatives’ houses and at<br />
the kids’ school. It travels around and<br />
doesn’t spend much time at home at<br />
the moment.<br />
Do you feel more powerful now?<br />
Well, one of my sons did point out that I<br />
The English Patient (1996)<br />
Location: The cast of the Oscar-winning<br />
period drama clocked up a few air miles,<br />
travelling to Rome, Venice, Pienza, in<br />
Tuscany, and several locations in Tunisia.<br />
Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)<br />
Location: As you’d expect from a film<br />
about Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer,<br />
the Netherlands feature heavily in this<br />
movie, with Amsterdam and Delft both<br />
used as backdrops. Some scenes were<br />
also shot in Belgium and Luxembourg.<br />
was not even the most influential person<br />
in my own household, let alone anywhere<br />
else. So I’ve not seen a huge amount of<br />
difference spilling into the personal life.<br />
You were given the Freedom of<br />
the City of London, which means<br />
you can now drive sheep across<br />
London Bridge if you wanted.<br />
[Laughs] In that sense I am infinitely<br />
more powerful. Nobody can stop me<br />
with the sheep now. Just try.<br />
What is it like living your life in the<br />
media spotlight?<br />
There are moments I feel very conscious<br />
that there are means to find out things<br />
about you, but I take comfort in the fact<br />
that there is very little of interest there.<br />
You can find out what I shop for, that<br />
sort of thing. I do feel a little dull when it<br />
comes to secrets.<br />
Still, there must be some ridiculous<br />
internet rumours about you?<br />
Yes, there are some extraordinary things.<br />
Some of it may be true and I have just<br />
forgotten. I once took a quiz on myself,<br />
about my favourite colours, books I’ve<br />
read and so on. I failed miserably.<br />
ON LOCATION<br />
Get destination inspiration from Colin’s celluloid CV<br />
Mamma Mia! (2008)<br />
Location: Most of the filming of the<br />
Abba-inspired blockbuster took place<br />
on the small island of Skopelos and<br />
the seaside hamlet of Damouchari, in<br />
the Pelion area of Greece.<br />
A Single Man (2010)<br />
Location: California formed the perfect<br />
backdrop to Tom Ford’s box office smash.<br />
LA, the Ambassador College in Pasadena,<br />
Glendale and the Vasquez Rocks Natural<br />
Area Park can all be spotted in the film.<br />
Departures<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
15
PHOTOGRAPHY YOKO INOUE<br />
CAFÉ<br />
POUCHKINE ,<br />
FOOD<br />
PARIS<br />
“The Parisian<br />
outpost of this famous<br />
Moscow restaurant creates<br />
pastries that are Russian<br />
inspired, but based on French<br />
techniques. Try the choux<br />
pastry Paris-Brest, which has a<br />
dulce de leche filling instead of<br />
a praline centre.” Ground Floor<br />
Printemps Mode, Boulevard<br />
Haussmann, +33 1 42 82 43 31<br />
LE FARINOMAN FOU,<br />
AIX-EN-PROVENCE<br />
“The guy who runs this place<br />
is a real bread geek and dubs<br />
himself the ‘mad flour man’,<br />
which is what the name of the<br />
shop translates to. He bakes<br />
some of the best artisan<br />
French breads, changing the<br />
line-up daily. I like to pick up<br />
a choco sourire (a croissantshaped<br />
bread filled with<br />
chocolate).” 5 rue Mignet,<br />
fradettefarinomanfou.net<br />
JACQUES GENIN,<br />
PARIS<br />
“This chocolatier-turnedpastry<br />
chef is renowned for<br />
his divine caramels, but his<br />
loft-style shop has a line of<br />
classic French pastries, with<br />
everything from éclairs to<br />
millefeuille, that are equally<br />
as delicious. I love sinking<br />
into one of the comfortable<br />
armchairs in the tea salon.”<br />
133 rue de Turenne, 3rd,<br />
+33 1 45 77 29 01<br />
Departures<br />
Parisian food blogger Clotilde Dusoulier reveals<br />
her favourite French bakeries<br />
AU PAIN DE MON<br />
GRAND-PÈRE,<br />
GÉRARDMER<br />
“My highlight of visiting my<br />
parents' holiday home in this<br />
lakeside village in the eastern<br />
Vosges mountain range is this<br />
beautiful family-run bakery.<br />
They bake big, rustic, countrystyle<br />
loaves with well-milled<br />
flour. I usually buy one and<br />
freeze it in quarters.”<br />
1 rue François Mitterrand,<br />
+33 3 29 63 03 64<br />
All sweet treats featured can be found in The Art of French Baking by Ginette Mathiot (Phaidon, £24.95, out now). For more inspiration,<br />
read chocolateandzucchini.com, a blog written by the book's consulting editor, Clotilde.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
17
Departures<br />
18 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Celebrate the centenary of the great<br />
race to the South Pole<br />
WHEN ROBERT<br />
Falcon Scott and<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
his men arrived at<br />
the South Pole in<br />
January 1912 to find that the rival<br />
team – led by Norwegian Roald<br />
Amundsen – had beaten them<br />
by over a month, the British<br />
explorer wrote in his diary:<br />
“Great God! This is an awful place.”<br />
With frostbite and -30°C<br />
wind chill to contend with – not<br />
to mention the fact that he lost<br />
that great race 100 years ago<br />
– it's no wonder Scott's review<br />
was less than glowing.<br />
But there’s no denying the<br />
dramatic, desolate beauty of<br />
Antarctica, or why the appeal<br />
of this icy wilderness endures.<br />
For a start, it has less annual<br />
precipitation than the UK and<br />
is technically a desert, albeit a<br />
rather frosty one. Then there’s<br />
the brilliant wildlife – from<br />
humpback whales, orcas,<br />
fur seals and a whopping 17<br />
species of penguins. Polar hero<br />
Amundsen (pictured) would have<br />
encountered these creatures<br />
after sailing the exploration ship<br />
Fram around the Falkland Islands<br />
and Cape Horn, before traversing<br />
the White Continent's glaciers<br />
and peaks on husky-driven<br />
sledges to finish in pole position.<br />
You could mark the centenary<br />
of Amundsen's expedition to<br />
the South Pole by taking part in<br />
a similarly challenging Antarctic<br />
ski or ice marathon. Or, better<br />
still, take in the breathtaking<br />
landscape on the comfort of<br />
a cruise ship. Hurtigruten’s<br />
very own ms Fram will sail a<br />
17-day voyage through the<br />
Chilean fjords and Antarctic<br />
Peninsula, with special onboard<br />
celebrations on 14 December<br />
to mark the centennial, on<br />
4 December (departing from<br />
Buenos Aires). Like Amundsen,<br />
it's guaranteed to be a winner.<br />
See cruisethomascook.com<br />
for more information<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY ALAMY
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A new studio tour provides an<br />
inside look at some of the most<br />
famous sets in movie history<br />
MUGGLES, REJOICE.<br />
Opening on 31<br />
March, the new<br />
Warner Bros.<br />
Studio Tour London – The<br />
Making of Harry Potter is set<br />
to take passionate Potterites<br />
on to the sets of the most<br />
successful film series of all time.<br />
Covering more than<br />
13,900m2 KIDS<br />
, the walking tour<br />
encompasses hundreds of<br />
props, costumes, animatronics<br />
and sets from all eight Harry<br />
Potter films. Unlike The<br />
Wizarding World of Harry<br />
Potter theme park in Orlando,<br />
the London attraction features<br />
actual sets from the films,<br />
so visitors get to experience<br />
things exactly as the cast did<br />
during filming.<br />
It’s a quite extraordinary<br />
glimpse behind the scenes, and<br />
Thomas Cook Travel was lucky<br />
enough to get a sneak peek at<br />
the studio in Leavesden, near<br />
Watford Junction, while it was<br />
still under construction. It’s<br />
Cars Land<br />
DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA<br />
ADVENTURE, CALIFORNIA<br />
With new rides including the<br />
headline attraction, Radiator<br />
Springs Racers, Cars Land will<br />
recreate the fictional town of<br />
Radiator Springs from Pixar’s<br />
two Cars movies. disneyland.<br />
disney.go.com/disneyscalifornia-adventure<br />
WORDS GINNY CUMMING. PHOTOGRAPHY ALLSTAR Wild about Harry<br />
safe to say that Harry Potter<br />
devotees – and indeed film<br />
fans in general – are going to<br />
love this place.<br />
Two enormous sound<br />
stages will house sets –<br />
including Hogwarts’ Great Hall,<br />
Dumbledore’s office and the<br />
truly colossal Ministry of Magic<br />
– and countless props such<br />
as the Sorting Hat, Mad-Eye<br />
Moody’s trunk and three blue<br />
Ford Anglias. “They represent<br />
some of the 15 cars we had to<br />
make the movie,” explains<br />
John Richardson, special<br />
effects supervisor on all of<br />
the Harry Potter movies. He is<br />
just one of the many talented<br />
artists and SFX wizards (ahem)<br />
working on the tour after<br />
spending more than a decade<br />
on the films.<br />
In the Weasley kitchen, a<br />
self-washing frying pan and<br />
a cauldron that stirs itself<br />
are two of the props that<br />
visitors can work themselves,<br />
with just a wave of a hand or<br />
Under the Sea: Journey of<br />
The Little Mermaid<br />
FANTASYLAND, WALT<br />
DISNEY WORLD, ORLANDO,<br />
FLORIDA<br />
This lavish new ride based on<br />
The Little Mermaid is part of<br />
the largest expansion in Magic<br />
Kingdom history that will nearly<br />
double the size of Fantasyland.<br />
disneyworld.disney.go.com<br />
Uncover<br />
the secrets<br />
behind the boy<br />
wizard’s magical<br />
powers on<br />
the fantastic<br />
studio tour<br />
a flick of a wand. There’s no<br />
post-production CGI trickery<br />
here, says Michael Finney<br />
from Thinkwell, Warner Bros.’<br />
creative partner in this studio<br />
tour: “It’s amazing how many<br />
of the effects in the films are<br />
actually mechanical.” The<br />
Creature Effects workshop<br />
Despicable Me<br />
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO<br />
RESORT, FLORIDA<br />
Based on 2010’s animated<br />
blockbuster (pictured above<br />
left), this fun family ride is<br />
set to make Despicable Me<br />
the first film from Universal<br />
Pictures to be transformed<br />
into a theme park experience.<br />
universalorlando.com<br />
Departures<br />
features more mechanical<br />
marvels, like Buckbeak the<br />
Hippogriff, Aragog the giant<br />
spider and Fawkes the phoenix<br />
to name but a few.<br />
There’s really only one word<br />
for it: magic.<br />
Tickets are on sale now at<br />
wbstudiotour.co.uk.<br />
TAKE A RIDE<br />
Start planning your next family holiday to the USA. These<br />
fun new rides and theme parks are all set to open in 2012<br />
Transformers: The Ride–3D<br />
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS<br />
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA<br />
The most ambitious ride<br />
ever created by Universal<br />
Studios Hollywood will<br />
feature sophisticated special<br />
effects and one of the most<br />
elaborate flight simulator<br />
ride systems to date.<br />
universalstudioshollywood.com<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
21
Departures<br />
STAR<br />
GUIDES<br />
22 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Peter Andre’s guide to…<br />
Sharm El Shiekh<br />
1.SOHO SQUARE<br />
Peter chose the Red Sea<br />
resort – where his ex Katie Price ice<br />
incidentally honeymooned<br />
with her ex, Alex Reid – for one ne<br />
of his first performances of<br />
Perfect Night at this buzzing g<br />
entertainment hub. It boasts an<br />
ice rink, tenpin bowling alley and<br />
Ice Bar. Plus if Peter wanted to<br />
test his dance moves off stage, ge,<br />
the Pangaea nightclub should ld<br />
do the trick (soho-sharm.com). m).<br />
Book an all-inclusive stay at t<br />
the Savoy Sharm through<br />
Thomas Cook and you’ll have e<br />
access to most of the à la<br />
carte restaurants and bars.<br />
The Ice Bar at Soho<br />
Square in Sharm el Sheikh<br />
2.CLEOPARK<br />
Keeping Junior, Princess Tiaamii mii<br />
and stepson Harvey entertained ed<br />
is a top priority for the Dad of f<br />
the Year. And since the Andre e<br />
clan love making a splash, this his<br />
Ancient Egypt-themed water<br />
park in Naama Bay is perfect<br />
(cleopark.net). There are black<br />
hole and kamikaze slides, as well<br />
as a kids’ pool area to keep cool<br />
in the Egyptian heat. Entry to the<br />
park is included for Thomas Cook<br />
guests staying at Hilton Sharm<br />
Dreams (thomascook.com).<br />
3.RAS MOHAMMED<br />
MARINE NATIONAL<br />
PARK<br />
Peter and the kids could enjoy<br />
a day snorkelling amongst<br />
the colourful coral reefs of<br />
this renowned marine reserve<br />
on the southern extreme of<br />
the Sinai Peninsula, which<br />
should bring a whole new<br />
meaning to Finding Nemo.<br />
There’s even a mangrove<br />
channel, which is safe enough<br />
for the little ones to swim in.<br />
The best way to<br />
experience the<br />
Sinai Desert is in<br />
a hot air balloon<br />
4.CAIRO AND<br />
THE PYRAMIDS<br />
If the self-confessed geek<br />
wanted to take a cultural break<br />
from the beach, he could take<br />
a day trip to Cairo to visit the<br />
Pyramids of Giza and soak up<br />
the history of the pharaohs.<br />
5.HOT AIR<br />
BALLOON RIDE<br />
Peter could bring along his very<br />
own Mysterious Girl Angela<br />
Mogridge – who he’s apparently<br />
dating – and impress her with<br />
a romantic hot air balloon ride<br />
over the Nile and Sinai Desert.<br />
Perhaps serenade her with his<br />
rendition of A Whole New World<br />
to really add to the mood?<br />
Swim with the<br />
colourful fish<br />
at Ras Mohammed<br />
national park<br />
PHOTOLIBRARY, GETTY
FETAL ATTRACTION<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY Beyoncé: once, twice, three times... a baby?<br />
Departures<br />
A new fragrance called Pulse. A lead role in the movie<br />
A Star is Born. And her first child on the way with<br />
husband Jay-Z. When it comes to this bootylicious babe,<br />
there’s definitely a theme emerging. We take a look at<br />
the potted history of her three new "babies"<br />
Beyoncé<br />
marries rapper<br />
Jay-Z on 4 April,<br />
2008 in<br />
New York.<br />
In the movie<br />
she’ll play a<br />
rising starlet<br />
who falls for an<br />
alcoholic, hasbeen<br />
rock star.<br />
Almost three years<br />
later, at the Video Music<br />
Awards in August <strong>2011</strong>,<br />
she announces she’s five<br />
months pregnant.<br />
Beyoncé herself is modelling her career on La<br />
Streisand: “Barbra Streisand, that's the career model<br />
for me, I want to be like her,” the pop diva told the Los<br />
Angeles Times. “She is just the ultimate.”<br />
Beyoncé's not the only<br />
person Barbra's inspired.<br />
A creative director at<br />
Gucci – and massive Babs<br />
fan – gave Gucci Guilty its<br />
name after listening to the<br />
Streisand song of the same<br />
name. And the inspiration<br />
for the fragrance's ad? The<br />
1976 movie poster for – you<br />
guessed it – A Star Is Born!<br />
The news is quickly tweeted<br />
by millions of Twitter users,<br />
breaking the record for “most<br />
tweets per second recorded<br />
for a single event”.<br />
The unborn baby<br />
even has its own<br />
Twitter account!<br />
(http://twitter.com/#/<br />
BeyJayFetus)<br />
The announcement means her collaboration with Clint Eastwood on<br />
a new musical version of A Star Is Born will have to wait until after her<br />
own little star is born (it’s due in February 2012). Oh, the irony!<br />
The most recent<br />
version of the film,<br />
released in 1976,<br />
starred Barbra<br />
Streisand, who won<br />
an Oscar for the theme<br />
tune, Evergreen,<br />
but the song was<br />
actually more of a hit<br />
than the movie!<br />
Eastwood’s film will be the<br />
fourth version of the story,<br />
which was first made as a drama<br />
in 1937, starring Janet Gaynor. It<br />
was nominated for seven Oscars<br />
and won an honorary Academy<br />
Award for its use of Technicolor,<br />
which was then in its infancy.<br />
It truly became legendary when<br />
it was remade as a musical in<br />
1954, starring Judy Garland.<br />
The film garnered six Oscar<br />
nominations and is regularly<br />
voted as one of the greatest<br />
musicals of all time.<br />
Speaking of perfume, in September <strong>2011</strong>, Beyoncé launches Pulse. As well as creating<br />
the fragrance – which is dedicated to her favourite flower, the orchid – she helped<br />
design the bottle, which she says was inspired by her mother. Aw.<br />
Get Beyoncé's star quality with her new fragrance, Pulse. Check out page 15 of Shop! magazine<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
25
STYLE<br />
26 Thomas Th Tho Th Tho T ho oomas<br />
mas ma mas ma mas as a Co Cook Co Cook ok o Tra Tr Tra Tr Travel ra vel ve vel ve vel ve v<br />
Travel in 1930s style with elegant fashions<br />
inspired by Madonna's new film W.E.<br />
Vintage 1930s fitted itted<br />
jacket, £200, 0,<br />
Rokit (rokit.co.uk) o.uk)<br />
Prince of Wales<br />
check tie, Alexander<br />
McQueen, £125<br />
(mrporter.com)<br />
Paris Derby shoes,<br />
£255, Church’s<br />
(johnlewis.com)<br />
Andrea Riseborough<br />
and James D’Arcy<br />
(as Wallis Simpson<br />
and Edward VIII)<br />
capture the<br />
elegance of the<br />
era in W.E.<br />
Chain cufflinks, £19.50,<br />
Marks & Spencer;<br />
(marksandspencer.com)
STYLING: NATASHA COWAN<br />
Paris dress,<br />
£120, Monsoon<br />
(monsoon.co.uk)<br />
Silver leopard<br />
cuff, £65, Rosie<br />
Fox (rosiefox.com)<br />
Burnez tux,<br />
£499, Ted Baker<br />
(tedbaker.com)<br />
Vintage crystal cappette<br />
hair accessory, £19.99,<br />
Rosie Fox (rosiefox.com)<br />
Departures Dep<br />
Charlie Bamboo satin<br />
bag with brooch,<br />
£140, Wilbur & Gussie<br />
(wilburandgussie.com)<br />
Crochet-backed<br />
traditional driving<br />
glove, £25, Dents<br />
(dents.co.uk)<br />
Crystal gemstone<br />
clip-earrings, £176,<br />
Mawi (mawi.co.uk)<br />
Suede brogue shoe<br />
boot, £139, Jigsaw<br />
(jigsaw-online.com)<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
27
Departures eparture<br />
SUPERDRY STEEL<br />
Nadine says: The latest men’s scent<br />
from the cool Brit brand is armed with<br />
invitingly fresh and spicy aromatic notes.<br />
You can buy it on board before everyone<br />
back home – I hear that there’s a waiting<br />
list at Harrods!<br />
Albert says: I’m a fan of the T-shirts,<br />
and – thankfully – this is just as cool.<br />
Onboard price: £31<br />
28 Thomas Cook<br />
ok k Tra Tr TTravel vel<br />
MARC JACOBS<br />
OH, LOLA!<br />
DIESEL LOVERDOSE<br />
Nadine says: This is a must-have for anyone<br />
seeking a holiday romance. Aside from the<br />
sensual star anise and mandarin notes, it also<br />
contains a molecule that is said to stimulate<br />
the part of the brain that controls lust.<br />
Amy says: On a night out at a few bars,<br />
this musky scent proved that it certainly can<br />
boost pulling power.<br />
Onboard price: £38<br />
BEAUTY<br />
Nadine says: The king of NYC<br />
fashion has once again created<br />
a seductive, floral fragrance in a<br />
fabulous bottle. With fruity notes,<br />
this is a perfect match for the sun.<br />
Amy says: Bright, summery and<br />
brilliant for the day. If only the flower<br />
lid could be used as a hair accessory!<br />
Onboard price: £30<br />
Tried<br />
& tested<br />
THE EXPERT<br />
NADINE<br />
BAGGOTT IS<br />
THE BEAUTY<br />
PRESENTER<br />
ON ITV1’S THIS MORNING<br />
AND HEALTH AND BEAUTY<br />
DIRECTOR AT HELLO!<br />
OUR READERS’ PANEL<br />
Amy Dennis,<br />
27, London<br />
Albert Dujardin,<br />
36, Liverpool<br />
THESE<br />
PRODUCTS ARE<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
BUY ONBOARD.<br />
FOR DETAILS SEE<br />
OUR NEW SHOP!<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
RALPH LAUREN<br />
THE BIG PONY COLLECTION<br />
Nadine says: Perfect for the picky man, this<br />
set features all of the bestselling Big Pony<br />
collection, including the zesty Sporty (1),<br />
which is lime- and grapefruit-based, and<br />
the chocolate and musk Seductive (2),<br />
ideal for those balmy holiday evenings.<br />
Albert says: You can’t go wrong with<br />
Ralph Lauren for cool scents and this pick<br />
‘n’ mix has something to suit every mood.<br />
Onboard price: £25<br />
CREDIT: CRE CCCCCCC RE DIT DITT DIT ITT IT ITTT IT IT: : :: :::::::::::: XXXXXXXXX<br />
X XXX XX X XX X XX<br />
XX X XX X XX
Departures<br />
TRENDS<br />
Futures<br />
exchange<br />
How will<br />
we live in<br />
2012? We ask<br />
a panel of<br />
leading trend<br />
analysts to<br />
give us their<br />
forecasts<br />
for the<br />
coming year…<br />
MARIAN<br />
SALZMAN<br />
Ten years ago,<br />
futurist Marian<br />
Salzman foresaw the<br />
rise of the “metrosexual”.<br />
Since then, she’s predicted<br />
that sleep would become<br />
the new sex. See more<br />
trend predictions for 2012<br />
at mariansalzman.com.<br />
“We’ll see a renewed interest in<br />
‘ethnic tourism’. It’s kind of the<br />
anti-luxury trip because very<br />
few people’s roots incorporate<br />
much glamour. It will be much<br />
more of an earthy experience,<br />
all about ethnic cooking, and if<br />
there’s anything ‘high culture’<br />
about, it will be craft.<br />
“Look for 2012 to be the<br />
beginning of an era where<br />
notions of time are divided<br />
differently. We all know<br />
‘millennials’ (people born<br />
post-1980) have very different<br />
views about the work/life<br />
balance. They will turn the<br />
traditional workday on its<br />
ear – the traditional ‘agrarian’<br />
workday will be upended by the<br />
30 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
digital generation’s ability to<br />
work anywhere, anytime.<br />
“Next year welcomes a fullon<br />
push for TV on the internet.<br />
YouTube is going to launch<br />
scheduled programming in<br />
2012, with shows on everything<br />
from fashion to sports. Look<br />
out for Google TV as well, sure<br />
to define the realm of the<br />
couch potato the world over.<br />
Then there’s new show Pan Am<br />
(pictured) It’s really going to<br />
glorify air travel. It’s going to<br />
make all of us really anxious to<br />
get back on an aeroplane and<br />
go someplace.”<br />
MARTIN<br />
LINDSTROM<br />
Brand oracle<br />
Martin Lindstrom<br />
has the ear of every<br />
major corporation from<br />
Lego to McDonalds.<br />
His book Brandwashed<br />
(Kogan Page) is published<br />
this January.<br />
“We’re simply not present<br />
anymore – we sit at dinner<br />
checking our messages,<br />
ignoring the people we’re<br />
physically with. But in 2012<br />
people will wake up and start<br />
working against that. They’re<br />
going to start choosing<br />
destinations because their<br />
BlackBerries and iPhones<br />
won’t work in that place. In<br />
fact, that will be part of the<br />
destination’s promotion.<br />
“People will spend more<br />
time exploring unknown cities<br />
in Eastern Europe, which will<br />
be marketed as untouched<br />
and unspoilt. A lot of places in<br />
Eastern Europe have not been<br />
renovated for some time; when<br />
you go there you’ll get a sense<br />
that this is the real thing.”<br />
LI<br />
EDELKOORT<br />
Named by i-D as<br />
one of the most<br />
influential trend spotters<br />
in the world, Li Edelkoort<br />
publishes View on Colour,<br />
a magazine that predicts<br />
the year’s most important<br />
shades and materials. She<br />
shares more travel trends<br />
at trendtablet.com.<br />
“I think there’s a trend towards<br />
mountain summer holidays;<br />
to experience fresh air,<br />
unspoilt nature and fresh lakes<br />
– where there’s less danger<br />
of pollution than in seas.<br />
“Yellow will be the new<br />
pink. Yellow and gold are the<br />
colours of optimism and<br />
they uplift even in dark<br />
periods. This trend will start<br />
slowly, but you’ll see it in<br />
fashion, interiors, sometimes<br />
even exteriors.<br />
“Many people I know are<br />
buying very small islands in<br />
lakes and rivers. They’re not<br />
rich – just ordinary people<br />
buying a piece of land to<br />
secure a bit of peace. Values<br />
of travel are changing and<br />
everything is going in the<br />
same direction – the quest<br />
for calm and authenticity.”<br />
WORDS TABITHA LASLEY. PHOTOGRAPHY HEATHER JOHNSON, PLANET PHOTOS
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ILLUSTRATION: MARTIN HAAKE<br />
INSIDER GUIDE<br />
The best places to eat, sleep and play in Thomas Cook<br />
destinations. This issue, Madeira, Portugal<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
33
Treasured island<br />
Forget the beach. This<br />
unadulterated island’s<br />
handsome coastline,<br />
lush green peaks and<br />
subtropical climate<br />
are the real jewels in<br />
Portugal’s crown, says<br />
Anisha Patel<br />
Photography Tim White<br />
N A WORLD WHERE BLING COSMETIC<br />
enhancements are all the rage, you<br />
I might say that Madeira is something of<br />
a refreshing natural beauty – more Heidi<br />
Klum than Heidi Montag. You’ll see proof of it all over<br />
the tiny island that sits pretty in the gleaming North<br />
Atlantic, just 650km off the shores of Morocco.<br />
Sure, the south coast has been struck by the tourist<br />
wand in and around the capital Funchal, but much of the<br />
island remains untouched and, in villages like Câmara de<br />
Lobos, life goes on as it has done for centuries.<br />
Like the Canary Islands, Madeira owes its stunning<br />
landscape to its volcanic origins. The varied, verdant<br />
hillsides can be carpeted with three storey UNESCOprotected<br />
Laurissilva (laurel) forests on one end, while<br />
tropical flowers, banana plantations and palm trees<br />
thrive on the other, and the dramatic coastline is a<br />
rugged, but handsome, jumble of rock pools, sheer<br />
basalt cliffs and pebbled coves. It’s so breathtaking<br />
that it doesn’t even matter that there are no golden<br />
stretches of sand – you have to go to sister island<br />
Porto Santo for that – but the lack of parasols and sun<br />
loungers only adds to Madeira’s charm.<br />
Throw in subtropical sunshine, cliffside restaurants<br />
serving fresh seafood and the chilled-out pace of island<br />
life, and you have yourself an exotic holiday without<br />
having to venture far – the flight time from the UK is just<br />
under four hours. No wonder local golden boy Cristiano<br />
Ronaldo makes a yearly pilgrimage back to seriously<br />
unwind. Let’s see what fuels his love affair…<br />
34 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Check into one of Madeira’s quaint<br />
quintas – old country houses that<br />
have been converted into boutique<br />
beds – for a refreshing change<br />
from the high-rise hotels you find in<br />
most holiday havens.<br />
On the outskirts of Funchal and<br />
surrounded by a stunning botanical<br />
garden, the five-star Quinta Jardins<br />
do Lago is the perfect luxury haven<br />
from which to explore the island.<br />
The former 18th-century Madeiran<br />
home is filled with antique furniture,<br />
and even if you don’t splash out on<br />
a suite, the standard doubles and<br />
superior rooms are just as elegant.<br />
Another option down the road is<br />
Quinta da Bela Vista, where you’ll<br />
find similarly opulent rooms, suites<br />
and public areas decked out with<br />
16th-century antiques.<br />
For a stylish hotel that won’t<br />
break the bank, Melia Madeira<br />
Mare ticks all the design boxes.<br />
Set on Funchal’s lively waterfront<br />
promenade, it’s all about oceanfront<br />
views, cavernous contemporary<br />
rooms and a slick spa. All hotels are<br />
available through Thomas Cook.
GET OUTDOORS<br />
Almost any point on the coastline<br />
will give you superb views of the<br />
Atlantic, but to really get a sense<br />
of the island’s topography you have<br />
to head inland – and high up.<br />
Follow the trails alongside the<br />
famous levadas – a series of<br />
irrigation channels that criss-cross<br />
the island – that take you to view<br />
points where you can see the deep,<br />
pine-clad valleys. The walk from<br />
Ribeiro Frio to Balcões is both<br />
breathtaking and manageable.<br />
Madeira, Portugal Insider guide<br />
But for the ultimate on-top-ofthe-world<br />
feeling, you can’t beat<br />
the trail from Achada do Teixeira to<br />
the highest point on the island, Pico<br />
Ruivo (1,862m). Set your alarm<br />
clock for sunrise and you’ll not only<br />
get the trail to yourself, but you’ll<br />
also enjoy a spectacular view of<br />
the sun bleeding into the night sky<br />
behind a blanket of clouds. Boots<br />
or trainers are a must – flip-flops<br />
won’t cut it on this jagged terrain.<br />
Thankfully, if your fitness levels<br />
aren’t up to scratch, you can also<br />
explore the interior on anything<br />
from mountain bikes to jeep safaris.<br />
Clockwise from<br />
left: Take in<br />
the stunning<br />
coastal view<br />
from Quinta<br />
do Furão’s<br />
grounds; enjoy<br />
a stress-free<br />
cable car<br />
ride to Monte<br />
and relax in<br />
the Palace’s<br />
lush Tropical<br />
Gardens<br />
MUST-SEE<br />
Take an amble around Funchal’s<br />
centre, admiring the 16th-century<br />
architecture, mosaic pavements<br />
and cobbled side roads lined with<br />
old shops. Foodies should head<br />
to the art deco market hall (Mercado<br />
dos Lavradores) and sample its<br />
exotic fruits like pineapple bananas<br />
(yes, you read that correctly).<br />
Walk east along the palm-fringed<br />
seafront promenade and take<br />
the cable car ride to Monte for<br />
panoramic views from the steps of<br />
the twin-towered church and Monte<br />
Palace Tropical Gardens. The real<br />
fun here is taking a toboggan ride<br />
back down, as locals push you on a<br />
surprisingly nail-biting ride.<br />
Watch fishermen drying gata<br />
(dogfish) on lines among their<br />
boats in Câmara de Lobos, before<br />
trying the local rum drink, poncha.<br />
The lively É Prá Poncha (Rua da<br />
Carreira) also serves a cheeky<br />
version with passion fruit.<br />
And proving Madeira also packs<br />
a cultural punch, Casa das Mudas<br />
Centro das Artes (centrodasartes.<br />
com) in Calheta is a labyrinth of<br />
Neolithic-style grey buildings<br />
housing international art exhibitions<br />
that change every six months.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
35
Insider guide Madeira, Portugal<br />
LOCAL DINING<br />
“Locally sourced, seasonal produce”<br />
may be buzzwords with the likes of<br />
Jamie Oliver, but it’s a way of life<br />
here. Quinta do Furão’s (Santana,<br />
+351 291 570 100) restaurant uses<br />
vegetables grown onsite, serving<br />
them up with freshly caught fish,<br />
like the ubiquitous espada (black<br />
scabbard). Call ahead to book a<br />
table on the terrace, which has<br />
fantastic views of Porto Santo.<br />
Portuguese-influenced dishes<br />
like espetada – grilled beef skewers<br />
marinated in garlic – served with<br />
deep-fried cornmeal, are also<br />
popular. Try it at Faísca (São Roque<br />
do Faial, +351 291 575 634), the<br />
perfect refuelling stop at the end of<br />
the Ribeiro Frio–Balcões walk.<br />
And don’t leave without picking<br />
up some of Madeira’s sherry-like<br />
wine at The Old Blandy Wine Lodge<br />
in Funchal (28 Avenida Arriaga).<br />
A tour and tasting is just 5.<br />
36 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Clockwise from<br />
top right:<br />
Make some<br />
waves on a<br />
dolphin- and<br />
whale-watching<br />
boat trip;<br />
succulent<br />
fruit at<br />
Funchal’s<br />
market hall;<br />
lunch is<br />
served – a<br />
tasty local<br />
tuna dish<br />
THE HOT TABLES<br />
Fish export is big business, and<br />
the big fish (after Ronaldo, of<br />
course) is tuna, which even travels to<br />
sushi-loving Japan. Sample it grilled,<br />
alongside cod and squid, at Corale<br />
Restaurante (Praça da Autonomia,<br />
+351 291 098 284) in Câmara de<br />
Lobos for under 10 a head.<br />
But if you really want to follow the<br />
trendsetters, head to rice restaurant<br />
Riso (274 Rua de Santa Maria, +351<br />
291 280 360) in Funchal’s Old Town.<br />
The risotto with asparagus, scallops<br />
and hazelnut pesto is delicious. The<br />
cliff side restaurant at Estalagem da<br />
Ponta do Sol also serves dishes with<br />
a contemporary flair (Caminho do<br />
Passo, +351 291 970 200).<br />
BY THE SEASIDE<br />
If you still have a craving for<br />
unspoilt beaches, you can take the<br />
two-and-a-half hour ferry ride from<br />
Funchal to Porto Santo. It’s easy<br />
to see why Christopher Columbus<br />
settled here: the island boasts a<br />
9km stretch of untouched, golden<br />
sands that is made for kicking back.<br />
You can also enjoy the Atlantic<br />
from the main island on a whale-<br />
and dolphin-watching boat trip.<br />
Patience is a virtue – as is a wellpadded<br />
derrière – for the bumpy<br />
two-hour ride, but it’s worth it to see<br />
sperm whales and pods of dolphins<br />
splashing in the steely blue waters.<br />
(75 Rota dos Cetáceos, Avenida<br />
Arriaga, rota-dos-cetaceos.pt).
PRINT. DIGITAL. MOBILE.<br />
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READ YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL<br />
AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES<br />
AS AN ON-THE-GO APP<br />
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THIS TRIP WAS COURTESY OF THE MADEIRA PROMOTION BUREAU.<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ISLAND, PLEASE VISIT VISITMADEIRA.PT<br />
AFTER DARK<br />
Proving that the island is hipper<br />
than ever, the über-chic rooftop<br />
pool bar at the Vine Hotel (27-A<br />
Rua dos Aranhas, hotelthevine.com)<br />
is great for a sundowner, with<br />
stunning views of Funchal creeping<br />
up the hillside. If you’re going late<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
For more information about Madeira, visit your<br />
local Thomas Cook or Going Places store, call<br />
+44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit thomascook.com<br />
Madeira, Portugal Insider guide<br />
into the night, try Venda Velha (170<br />
Rua de Santa Maria) in the trendy<br />
Old Town, where you can sample<br />
poncha in every flavour from<br />
blueberry to tomato, or Sneakers<br />
Delight (7 Rua da Alfãndega), an<br />
offshoot of the shoe boutiquecum-bar<br />
in Lisbon’s trendy Bairro<br />
Alto district, where Funchal’s<br />
in-crowd migrates at the weekend.<br />
Clockwise from<br />
top left: Say<br />
cheers at the<br />
Old Blandy Wine<br />
Lodge, Funchal;<br />
the triangular<br />
houses of<br />
Santana; stroll<br />
awhile on<br />
Funchal’s mosaic<br />
pavements; the<br />
mighty Pico<br />
Ruivo at dawn<br />
WHAT TO KNOW<br />
MORE INFORMATION<br />
Thomas Cook Publishing has two guides that cover the island:<br />
Traveller Guides Madeira, £9.99, and the abridged HotSpots, £4.99 9<br />
(pictured). See thomascookpublishing.com for more details.<br />
Hiring a car is essential to explore<br />
the island’s interior. But don’t worry<br />
about scrabbling around to find<br />
Wi-Fi signals to download maps:<br />
Madeira was recently found to be<br />
one of the islands with the best<br />
Wi-Fi coverage in the world. TC<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
39
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
40 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Road Trip Italia<br />
Words Graham Little Photography David Crookes
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
This page: the Amalfi<br />
Coast’s winding roads<br />
are the ideal place<br />
to put a vintage<br />
sports car though<br />
its paces. Opposite<br />
page: the approach to<br />
glorious Positano<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
41
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
T WASN’T THE MOST AUSPICIOUS<br />
I of starts to a road trip – I couldn’t<br />
find the seat belt in my car. The guy<br />
handing over the keys, Gert, smiled<br />
benignly at the poor, mollycoddled<br />
child of the British Nanny State<br />
sitting in the car below him.<br />
“She hasn’t got one,” he replied.<br />
“There are no securities in this car.<br />
Don’t worry, she is great, just give<br />
her plenty of gas.”<br />
“She” was an Alfa Romeo Giulia<br />
Spider Veloce hired from classic car<br />
travel company, Nostalgic Vintage<br />
Car Travel, or just plain Giulia, to her<br />
friends. For a day motoring along<br />
Italy’s world famous Amalfi Coast, I<br />
42 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
was her Romeo, though at first we<br />
weren’t so much star-crossed lovers<br />
as culturally challenged strangers.<br />
For starters, Giulia’s steering<br />
wheel is on the wrong side. Then,<br />
as I pulled out onto the road for<br />
the first time, I discovered that<br />
Giulia’s brakes didn’t work. Or<br />
rather, they do work but not in the<br />
same way as any car I’ve driven in<br />
the past 16 years. Her middle pedal<br />
has to be jumped on and squeezed<br />
hard until it almost touches the<br />
floor. Even then, Giulia only slows<br />
down gracefully.<br />
Coping with this requires a<br />
soothsayer’s anticipation of danger,<br />
This page: on the Amalfi Coast road. She wears shirt<br />
from Comptoir des Cotonniers, scarf from Ralph Lauren,<br />
sunglasses from Paul Smith; he wears shirt from Tommy<br />
Hilfiger, shorts from Burkman Bros. Opposite page:<br />
Positano, as captured in a million postcards<br />
which would be fine anywhere except<br />
Italy. Italian driving is governed by<br />
nerve, cheek and lightning reflexes.<br />
Drivers must behave like they are<br />
part of a pack. Travel fast and close<br />
to the other wildebeest and you’ll be<br />
okay, but a moment’s hesitation at a<br />
junction, a slight sign of weakness<br />
or betrayal of your inexperience, and<br />
you’re history. It needs an excellent<br />
working relationship between man<br />
and vehicle, which takes time to<br />
develop, and the middle of hectic<br />
Pompeii was not the place for us<br />
to get to know each other.<br />
I pulled off the main road to<br />
get my bearings and a breather.
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
43
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
44 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
This page: She wears<br />
dress from Despi,<br />
sunglasses from Jimmy<br />
Choo. He wears shirt<br />
from Polo Ralph Lauren,<br />
singlet from Top Man,<br />
sunglasses from Police<br />
Opposite page,<br />
clockwise from top<br />
left: dramatic views<br />
are revealed around<br />
every corner; shopping<br />
at Assunta’s roadside<br />
lemon stall on the road<br />
to Positano (she wears<br />
top from Kat Allihop at<br />
Anthropologie, bikini<br />
bottoms from Sumarie,<br />
sunglasses from Cutler<br />
and Cross, bangles from<br />
Anthropologie, bag from<br />
Oasis. He wears t-shirt<br />
from Jasper Conran at<br />
Debenhams, denim shorts<br />
from Mango); the long<br />
and winding road along<br />
the coast; some of the<br />
local produce for sale<br />
at Assunta’s
ITALY<br />
Thomas Cook Travel Travel 45
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
The Amalfi coastline<br />
is dotted with ancient<br />
towns and villages that<br />
cling precariously to<br />
the vertiginous cliffs<br />
The men who fi rst settled a 50km stretch<br />
of sheer rock sliding into the sea<br />
set new standards of belligerence<br />
46 Thomas Cook Travel
Two young men sitting in the<br />
shade of a tree started clicking<br />
suggestively and pointing at<br />
Giulia. “Bellissimo,” they exclaimed<br />
at us, followed by a flurry of Italian<br />
that was clearly a gratuitous<br />
declaration of passion for my little<br />
red Spider. I smiled proudly as we<br />
headed back into the maelstrom.<br />
At the next set of lights an old man<br />
outside a café began shouting and<br />
blowing kisses. I had to get Giulia<br />
out of the city before someone<br />
pinched her bottom.<br />
Halfway along the main road<br />
between Pompeii and Salerno a<br />
mountain pass takes you high<br />
up into the hills and down again<br />
to Ravello, an ancient town on<br />
a spectacular site overlooking<br />
the Amalfi Coast. Giulia purred<br />
enthusiastically as I let her have<br />
as much ‘gas’ as I dared on the<br />
narrow, winding road. I soon<br />
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
got the hang of driving on the<br />
wrong side, wrestling a steering<br />
wheel without power assistance<br />
and braking without electronic<br />
input. And you know what? It<br />
is proper driving. It is driving<br />
without distraction. No radio, no<br />
flashing lights, no nonsense. Just<br />
a beautiful, sleek vehicle of natural<br />
beauty and curves and no make-up.<br />
We meandered down to Ravello in<br />
style. Like every other settlement<br />
Left: Browsing for holiday mementos. She wears shirt from<br />
Amber Sakai, shorts from Paul and Joe’s Sister, sunglasses<br />
from Paul Smith. Below: Coffee break on the coast. She<br />
wears shirt and sunglasses from Paul Smith, trousers from<br />
Tommy Hilfiger. He wears shirt and sunglasses from Ralph<br />
Lauren, trousers from Tommy Hilfiger; photographed at<br />
Ristorante Al Palazzo (ristorantealpalazzo.it)<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
47
Mar Hotel Alimuri Spa<br />
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Mar Ma Mar r Hotel Ho Hote te t l Alimuri, Al A im imur ur uri, i, located loc oc ocat at a ed in one on one e of of o the he h most mos os o t beautiful be beau au auti ti t fu f l bays ba b ys y of f the th the e<br />
Sorrento So S rr rren en ento to Peninsula Pen en enin in i su sula la is s unique un uniq iq ique ue for or o its ts style, sty ty tyle le l , panoramic pa pano no nora ra r mi m c position, po p si s ti tion on o , private pr p iv ivat at ate<br />
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The Th T e Hotel Ho Hote te tel l Sea Se Sea Club Cl Club ub Conca Con on onca ca Azzurra Azz zz z ur u ra on the th the e Sorrento So Sorr rr rren en ento to t Coast Coa oa o st s is s situated si s tu t at a ed<br />
in in a natural nat at a ur ural al bay ay nestled nes es estl tl t ed into int nt n o the th the e cliffs cl clif if iffs fs where whe he here re the he lush lus us ush green gr gree ee een n vegetation ve v ge geta ta tati ti tion on<br />
meets me m et ets s the th t e blue bl b ue sea ea e of f the th the e mediterranean. me m di dite te t rr r an a ea ean. n. n This Th This is exclusive exc xc xclu lu lusi si s ve resort res es esor or o t facing fa faci ci c ng<br />
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whilst wh w il i st still sti ti till ll l being bei ei eing ng within wit it ithi hi hin easy ea easy sy reach rea ea each ch c of f Sorrento So Sorr rr rren en ento to t town tow ow o n centre. ce c nt n re re.<br />
www.gto-hotels.com Neapolitan Riviera, Italy - both bookable through
overlooking the Amalfi Coast, it<br />
balances precariously on the side<br />
of a mountain. Cars aren’t allowed<br />
into the serene old town, not even<br />
beautiful red Giulia Spiders; they<br />
have to be parked before the tunnel<br />
that cuts through the rock and into<br />
the old piazza.<br />
It’s a great place to stop in any<br />
case; there’s a little restaurant and<br />
café before the tunnel that surely<br />
has one of the most spectacular<br />
settings in Italy, with a large<br />
terrace overlooking the yachts<br />
moored in the bay in front of Maiori<br />
town. They serve paninis named<br />
after towns on the coast, and<br />
excellent coffee.<br />
I felt completely sophisticated<br />
and continental by this stage. At<br />
lunch, sitting in the sun gazing<br />
out at blue seas and bluer skies, I<br />
caught myself dabbing the corners<br />
of my mouth with a handkerchief.<br />
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
This page: bruschetta and beautiful views at<br />
Ristorante Da Costantino (dacostantino.it). She wears<br />
shirt from Paul Smith, earrings from Anthropologie.<br />
He wears shirt and belt from Paul Smith<br />
I have never done that before in my<br />
life, as I usually employ the back of<br />
the sleeve for such maintenance. I<br />
swaggered lazily (an oxymoron of a<br />
movement except when performed<br />
by Italians) back to Giulia, and we<br />
set off down the hill to Amalfi.<br />
Minutes later, with sunglasses<br />
on, black hair fluttering in the<br />
breeze, stomach full of panini<br />
and gelato and driving a classic<br />
convertible Alfa Romeo along the<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
49
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
most famous road in the country,<br />
I was the most Italian person this<br />
side of Berlusconi. Of course, it<br />
couldn’t last. I took off my shirt,<br />
thus regrettably exposing myself<br />
immediately as an Irish tourist in a<br />
hire car. But hey, it was 30 degrees!<br />
The Amalfi Coast road has more<br />
twists than Rapunzel’s plaits. And<br />
with Giulia’s lack of power steering<br />
or brakes it was taking my full<br />
concentration and strength to keep<br />
us on that road. Although driving<br />
the Amalfi Coast regularly features<br />
on lists of the best things to do<br />
before you die, I discovered that<br />
you can either look at the scenery,<br />
or you can drive. You can’t do both.<br />
50 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Well, you can, but only if you want<br />
driving the Amalfi coast to be the<br />
final thing you do before you die,<br />
rather than one of the things you<br />
do before you die.<br />
It is a monumentally stupid<br />
place for a road or a construction<br />
of any kind. The men who first<br />
settled a 50km stretch of sheer<br />
rock sliding into the sea set new<br />
standards of belligerence. The road<br />
is quite literally carved out of the<br />
jagged mountainside, and snakes<br />
along halfway up betwixt sea and<br />
sky. There are few places to stop,<br />
more bends than a David Beckham<br />
free-kick session, and to be quite<br />
honest it’s not the most relaxing of<br />
Left: an icy Italian treat. She wears swimsuit from Sumarie.<br />
Above and opposite: the beach at Positano.<br />
journeys. Giulia didn’t like it, and<br />
at one stage farted in protest as<br />
I gave her too much gas with the<br />
clutch still engaged.<br />
Positano is a special place, and<br />
one of the highlights of the Amalfi<br />
Coast. Like all of the towns along<br />
the famous stretch of coastline it’s<br />
well below the road and almost<br />
completely devoid of parking<br />
spaces, so my advice is to drive the<br />
road and tick that box, and then<br />
return by boat to visit the town<br />
properly. Above the beach, sloping,<br />
narrow streets are festooned with<br />
the colour of flowers and art,<br />
and scented by cooking. Visitors<br />
walk round like Scooby Doo,
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
51
AMALFI COAST, ITALY<br />
hypnotised by the smell of food<br />
wafting through the air.<br />
A re-visit by boat also provides<br />
a true appreciation first of the<br />
pure insanity of even building on<br />
the Amalfi Coast, and then of the<br />
incredible power of fashion, which<br />
turned this inhospitable rock face into<br />
a legendary place to see and be seen.<br />
And if you’re interested in<br />
being seen, there is only one way<br />
to travel. The Giulia Spider will<br />
invariably be the smallest car on the<br />
road, but if you’re driving one in<br />
Italy, everyone will notice, trust me.<br />
It’s like turning up at a pool party<br />
with Sophia Loren on your arm.<br />
Except Giulia has aged better. TC<br />
COAST WITH THE MOST<br />
Fly in to Naples and<br />
take the scenic route to<br />
the Amalfi Coast, making<br />
sure not to miss:<br />
NAPLES<br />
The bustling, third-largest city in Italy<br />
is renowned the world over for its art,<br />
architecture and cuisine – it’s the<br />
birthplace of pizza, after all.<br />
POMPEII<br />
A trip to Naples just isn’t complete<br />
without a visit to the eerie ruins of<br />
the city of Pompeii. We can thank<br />
Mount Vesuvius for this snapshot of<br />
the Roman Empire at its height, and<br />
although the volcano hasn’t erupted<br />
since 1944, it still dominates the<br />
landscape of the Bay of Naples.<br />
CAPRI<br />
Catch the ferry or hydrofoil from<br />
Naples, Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi<br />
and set sail for Capri, a popular tourist<br />
destination since the 50s. The island is<br />
steeped in history, but also has plenty<br />
of contemporary appeal – it’s host to<br />
an International Film Festival in late<br />
December every year.<br />
52 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
The classic ingredients for an Italian<br />
long lunch: sublime food, great wine<br />
and stunning views. All three are in<br />
abundance on the terrace restaurant at<br />
the four-star Mar Hotel Alimuri Spa, in<br />
a picturesque bay in Meta di Sorrento<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Hilton Sorrento Palace<br />
This area of Italy is all about views. Many<br />
hotels look out over the Mediterranean or the<br />
Tyrrhenian Sea, but that is just miles and miles<br />
of beautiful but boring blue ocean and sky.<br />
The Hilton Sorrento Palace (thomascook.com),<br />
however, has the ubiquitous sea views out<br />
over the Bay of Naples and across to Mount<br />
Vesuvius as standard, but its site in the hills<br />
above Sorrento delivers additional views over<br />
the ancient port town.<br />
With spacious suites and balconies,<br />
deciding how to divide your time between<br />
your room,and the dazzling, four-tiered<br />
pool – again with stunning views over the<br />
bay – is the only challenging thing about<br />
staying here. Oh, and deciding what to eat in a<br />
restaurant that showcases the region’s finest<br />
produce, including buffalo mozzarella, pasta,<br />
limoncello and red wine. Our tip? Try them all.<br />
Photographer David Crookes; Art Director<br />
Christos Hannides; Assistant Photographer<br />
Nicola Jackson; Production Ginny Cumming;<br />
Stylist Nino Bauti; Hair & Make-up James<br />
Butterfield @ IHA using Laura Mercier, Bumble<br />
and Bumble; Models Katrine D @ First Model<br />
Management & John Mason @ MOT Models.<br />
For more about Italy visit your local<br />
Thomas Cook or Going Places store, call<br />
+44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit thomascook.com<br />
For your own road trip along the Amalfi<br />
Coast in a classic Alfa Romeo Spider,<br />
contact Nostalgic Vintage Car Travel<br />
(nostalgic.eu). Alternatively, you can book<br />
a hire car with Avis. Call +44 (0)8445<br />
810159 or visit avis.com<br />
Sea Club Conca Azzurra<br />
The exquisite location of the four-star Sea<br />
Club Conca Azzurra (thomascook.com) is what<br />
makes this place truly special. Nestled in an<br />
attractive natural bay just 4km from the centre<br />
of Sorrento in Massa Lubrense, it’s the perfect<br />
starting point for a day trip to Pompeii, Mount<br />
Vesuvius or one of the many other nearby<br />
cultural sites. But mostly it’s the perfect place<br />
to just relax and take advantage of the private<br />
beach, the sea water swimming pools and the<br />
resort’s bars and restaurants.<br />
The main restaurant offers à la carte<br />
dining, but it’s the thrice-weekly buffet on<br />
the terrace that’s not to be missed. With live<br />
music, a stunning setting and the heady aroma<br />
of barbecued seafood wafting on the warm<br />
Mediterranean breezes, you’ll be hard-pushed<br />
to find a more relaxed or enjoyable dining<br />
experience in this beautiful part of the world.<br />
FOR HASSLE-FREE TRANSFERS TO GATWICK AND STANSTED AIRPORTS, BOOK YOUR TICKETS<br />
AT GATWICKEXPRESS.COM AND STANSTEDEXPRESS.COM (RESPECTIVELY)
HEALTH WELLNESS<br />
Spa secrets<br />
From celeb-favourite macrobiotics and fish<br />
pedicures to firming caviar facials and<br />
sleep therapy, seven online spa-ficionados<br />
reveal the heavenly sanctuaries that will<br />
make all your pampering dreams come true<br />
1<br />
54 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
SHA WELLNESS CLINIC,<br />
ALICANTE, SPAIN<br />
The expert: Susan D’Arcy, founder, spa-confidential.com<br />
HAVING EXPERIENCED A<br />
Nightingale excrement facial<br />
in Tokyo and an underwater<br />
massage in the Maldives –<br />
all in the name of research – Susan<br />
started her own blog dedicated to<br />
spa-ing last summer.<br />
“Modern macrobiotics came to my<br />
attention when Madonna became its<br />
glowing poster girl, but my interest<br />
waned when I found out how brown<br />
the diet was (brown rice, brown miso<br />
soup, brown lentils). That was until I<br />
found SHA Wellness Clinic, Europe’s<br />
first macrobiotic destination spa.<br />
“A minimalist palace with sleek<br />
white lines – how hospitals might<br />
look if Lady Gaga was in charge –<br />
I felt better the moment I stepped<br />
onto its ultra-glam rooftop<br />
playground, dotted with infinity<br />
pools, muslin-draped cabanas and<br />
sun-dappled views of the Med. The<br />
chef has worked in Michelin-starred<br />
kitchens, so mealtimes are a delight.<br />
And the only brown dish I had was a<br />
yummy chocolate dessert – actually<br />
healthy because it was made<br />
without sugar or dairy. This is as<br />
close to dying and going to heaven<br />
as a spa holiday gets. I even lost<br />
a few pounds. Stick to the stricter<br />
menu and you can lose more.<br />
“The spa has everything from<br />
flotation tanks to oxygen bars where<br />
you can recharge with a shot of the<br />
pure stuff. In the words of Madonna,<br />
a weekend here will definitely leave<br />
you feeling shiny and new.”<br />
Visit shawellnessclinic.com to book a<br />
treatment at the spa
SPA BLOGGING<br />
Enjoy the ultimate<br />
chill-out in the<br />
SHA’s rooftop<br />
infinity pool,<br />
soaking up a grand<br />
view of the<br />
Sierra de Bernia<br />
mountain range<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
55
SHISEIDO SPA AT THE FOUR SEASONS,<br />
3 LIMASSOL, CYPRUS<br />
The expert: Catherine Beattie, editor, spawellbeing.com<br />
With more than 20 years’<br />
experience reviewing spas<br />
for the likes of The Sunday<br />
Times, Catherine started her<br />
blog to share her pearls of wisdom.<br />
“Cyprus is a spa haven, but my<br />
favourite is the Shiseido Spa at the<br />
Four Seasons Limassol, a five-star<br />
resort with two excellent spas.<br />
“If you want to play it safe, the<br />
hotel’s Thalasso spa offers the usual<br />
hot stone massages and body wraps.<br />
But the Shiseido Spa is the real star.<br />
It focuses on holistic Japanese<br />
Now this is what<br />
we call a book<br />
at bedtime.<br />
Below: The spa’s<br />
showstopping<br />
mosaic-tiled<br />
swimming pool<br />
methods aimed at balancing the<br />
flow of qi, the body’s energy force,<br />
and the Shiseido Qi method body<br />
massages combine shiatsu with<br />
Western techniques.<br />
“Spa pros will love the new Royal<br />
Thai massage, which works on the<br />
body’s energy lines (sen), before being<br />
stretched into contortionist positions.<br />
It’s like a yoga workout, but without<br />
the effort!”<br />
Book at stay at the Four Seasons<br />
through thomasscook.com<br />
HEALTH WELLNESS<br />
KALLIMA SPA,<br />
2 LONDON SYON<br />
PARK, UK<br />
The expert: Neily Alimohamadi, editor,<br />
cheriecity.co.uk<br />
Neily dreamed up her beauty<br />
blog to share hidden gems<br />
that aren’t in guidebooks.<br />
Like Cheryl Cole, she loves<br />
Anne Sémonin treatments.<br />
“Named after a rare butterfly,<br />
Kallima Spa’s philosophy is based<br />
on achieving desired results with<br />
bespoke treatments. After a brief<br />
consultation with a therapist, I chose<br />
a radiance-boosting Anne Sémonin<br />
facial and head and shoulder rub to<br />
melt away my upper body stress.<br />
“Anne Sémonin treatments are a<br />
tailor-made blend of minerals and<br />
essential oils, expertly mixed in<br />
front of you. My therapist applied<br />
gauze to work the products into my<br />
skin and used Express Radiance Ice<br />
Cubes to instantly revive my eyes.<br />
I left feeling deeply relaxed, supple<br />
and rejuvenated, especially after a<br />
lovely walk through the spectacular<br />
grounds of the stately Syon Park.”<br />
Book a stay at London Syon Park<br />
through thomascook.com or go to<br />
londonsyonpark.com to book a day visit<br />
Shiseido Spa’s<br />
impressive entrance<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
57
HEALTH WELLNESS<br />
4<br />
58 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
THE SPA BY OCCO<br />
AT RADISSON BLU<br />
RESORT & SPA,<br />
DUBROVNIK SUN GARDENS,<br />
CROATIA<br />
The expert: Ally Pyle, editor-in-chief,<br />
glam.co.uk<br />
As a former features editor<br />
for vogue.com, Ally is a pro<br />
on luxury travel. She joined<br />
the UK arm of the Glam<br />
websites to write about travel,<br />
fashion, beauty and, of course,<br />
the ultimate indulgence – spas.<br />
“If you can tear yourself away from<br />
the poolside piña coladas, a visit<br />
to The Spa by OCCO at Dubrovnik<br />
Sun Gardens – a five-star resort on<br />
Croatia’s Adriatic Coast – is a must.<br />
Just launched in August, this is the<br />
flagship spa for OCCO, a Croatianborn<br />
brand inspired by the Dalmatian<br />
Coast and Adriatic Sea. All OCCO<br />
products – which are hot property<br />
at Harrods and Harvey Nichols –<br />
incorporate natural, local ingredients<br />
such as plants, flowers, herbs and<br />
minerals from the salt-tinged coastal<br />
cliffs to the sun-ripened citrus groves<br />
that surround the area.<br />
“The treatments are also divine.<br />
Unwind like<br />
a celeb on<br />
Ego‘s deck<br />
The terrace of<br />
the Spa by OCCO<br />
at Radisson Blu.<br />
Below: The spa’s<br />
products are<br />
inspired by its<br />
Adriatic Sea setting<br />
The Awakening Lemon Ginger<br />
Body Wrap packs a punch with an<br />
olive polish and a zesty citrus and<br />
warm spice body wrap, while the<br />
Smoothing Cypress Leaf Leg and<br />
Tummy Treatment, which firms<br />
cellulite and smooths skin tone, will<br />
help you to your bikini body.<br />
“Finish off your day by sinking<br />
into one of the canopied sun beds or<br />
linen couches on the spa’s vast wraparound<br />
terrace while the sun sets<br />
over the Adriatic. True bliss.”<br />
Book a stay at Radisson Blu Resort and<br />
Spa through thomascook.com<br />
ANESIS AT EGO SPA,<br />
5 SAN ANTONIO, IBIZA<br />
The expert: Hayley, founder,<br />
londonbeautyqueen.com<br />
What started as a hobby is<br />
now a fully-fledged passion<br />
for this beauty expert.<br />
She covers spa reviews as<br />
well as fashion, celebs and trends.<br />
“Fish pedicures may no longer be<br />
revolutionary. If fact, they are as<br />
readily available as a Starbucks<br />
Frappuccino nowadays. But a visit to<br />
Anesis at Ego spa in Ibiza is truly fab<br />
compared to the dingy or über-public<br />
spas that offer this treatment.<br />
“Anesis – which is an offshoot of<br />
the celeb-favourite London branch<br />
that’s visited by the likes of Sarah<br />
Harding and Tulisa from The X<br />
Factor – is situated in the buzzing<br />
San Antonio and it has the feel of a<br />
trendy bar – think soft dance tunes,<br />
bright lights and subtle luxury.<br />
“Not only can you get a top-notch<br />
Piscean pedicure here – Turkish<br />
Garra Rufa fish nibble your feet,<br />
releasing an enzyme that softens<br />
your skin for baby-soft tootsies – but<br />
you can get a range of treatments<br />
to get you ready for a big night out.<br />
Try a file and polish for feet that are<br />
made for killer party heels, make an<br />
appointment with the ultra-glam HD<br />
Brows (used by The Saturdays) or<br />
just relax with a full body massage.”<br />
Visit anesis.uk.com/ego to book a<br />
treatment at the spa
THE ART OF ENTERTAINING KIDS<br />
AS WELL AS PARENTS !<br />
MARVELOUS<br />
MARMARIS<br />
Julian Club Hotel is the perfect choice for holiday<br />
pleasure. We have included all the fun and leisure<br />
for your family to enjoy a memorable holiday in<br />
marvelous Marmaris. In addition to all day long<br />
entertainment activities, your little ones will love<br />
the kids club & waterslides. Great food, great reat servi service v ce<br />
great times, great holidays !<br />
Julian Forest is the perfect holiday escape for the<br />
whole family. With breathtaking Icmeler scenery<br />
round the clock activities for both big and small<br />
kids clubs and waterslides. The highest quality in<br />
a’ la carte half board dining and luxurious Julian<br />
Forest Suites. A Turkish oasis in a beautiful resort.<br />
We work exclusively with ith prestigious ti i UK tour operators.<br />
T : +90 (252) 417 2330 | info@julianhotels.com | www.julianhotels.com | Marmaris - Turkiye
THE SPA AT THE<br />
6 RITZ-CARLTON,<br />
NAPLES, FLORIDA, USA<br />
The expert: Kara Williams,<br />
chief spa reviewer, thespagals.com<br />
With possibly the best job<br />
title in the world, Kara<br />
travels far and wide across<br />
the USA and Mexico to track<br />
down the best body lotions and<br />
Brazilian Peels for her blog.<br />
“Situated among mangroves and<br />
cypress trees on Florida’s serene<br />
Gulf Coast, The Ritz-Carlton’s spa<br />
screams exclusivity. The treatments,<br />
hot whirlpools, cold plunges,<br />
Enjoy a<br />
post-treatment<br />
sundowner at The<br />
Ritz-Carlton’s<br />
restaurant<br />
saunas and steam rooms and<br />
outdoor mineral pool are available<br />
to hotel guests only.<br />
“The sheer size of the spa means<br />
that you won’t have trouble finding<br />
somewhere to cocoon yourself, from<br />
the outdoor spa deck to the comfy<br />
conservatory with a full tea menu.<br />
“The treatments are holistic, with<br />
an aim to heal the mind, body and<br />
spirit – so it’s not just all about<br />
pampering, but rather a focus on<br />
overall wellbeing. I love the sublime<br />
Signature Massage (on a heated<br />
table with a choice of aromatherapy<br />
oils), but on my next visit I’d like to<br />
try the Craniosacral therapy (said<br />
to improve misaligned bones and<br />
restore their proper position). They<br />
also have a Drift to Sleep therapy<br />
designed to help guests completely<br />
let go of physical and mental stress<br />
and encourage a deep slumber. It<br />
consists of a lavender body scrub,<br />
an aromatic milk bath and a body<br />
massage. Therapists then suggest a<br />
30-minute power nap. My eyelids are<br />
getting heavy as I think about it.”<br />
Book a stay at The Ritz-Carlton through<br />
elegantresorts.co.uk<br />
HEALTH WELLNESS<br />
Blue sky, golden sand<br />
and pampering perfection<br />
at The Westin Resort and<br />
Spa, Los Cabos<br />
THE WESTIN<br />
7 RESORT & SPA,<br />
LOS CABOS, MEXICO<br />
The expert: Jann Bailey,<br />
spagirl007.blogspot.com<br />
Jann believes that you don’t<br />
need to spend a fortune to<br />
feel good. Her blog covers<br />
everything from affordable<br />
aromatherapy to DIY spa treatments.<br />
“I’m a bit biased towards this spa<br />
because I got married here, but it<br />
more than earns its serenity stripes.<br />
Located on the Baja Peninsula, where<br />
the craggy desert meets the stunning<br />
Sea of Cortez, The Westin Resort &<br />
Spa is the perfect haven for helping<br />
you reach your pampering nirvana.<br />
“My spa motto is ‘relax, rejuvenate<br />
and restore’, and this spa ticks those<br />
boxes (and more). The luxury Caviar<br />
Facial is my favourite, and at $161<br />
(£100) for an indulgent 80 minutes,<br />
it won’t punish your purse. Caviar<br />
helps the skin’s elasticity and makes<br />
it firmer. I’m convincing my husband<br />
to take a second honeymoon.” TC<br />
Book at stay at The Westin Resort and<br />
Spa through thomascook.com<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
61
ALICANTE<br />
The reign<br />
in Spain<br />
Where do you go for the best food in Spain,<br />
now that El Bulli has closed its doors?<br />
According to Mr Bulli himself,<br />
Ferran Adrià, Alicante is king<br />
DRIVING WEST FROM ALICANTE<br />
towards the twin towns of Elda-<br />
Petrer I’m starting to doubt<br />
whether this province really is, as I’ve<br />
been assured, the garden of Spain. The<br />
year-round sunshine, which makes the<br />
beaches of nearby Benidorm and Santa<br />
Pola so popular, has cracked the soil and<br />
bleached the earth bone dry. The only<br />
real colour comes from the setting sun,<br />
turning the limestone mountains first<br />
a glorious orange and then pink. We’re<br />
here, though, because many respected<br />
authorities say that the province of<br />
Alicante is the best place in Spain, not<br />
just for growing food, but for eating it.<br />
At first glance this claim might seem<br />
absurd. The rainy town of San Sebastian,<br />
hundreds of miles to the north, is where<br />
you find the largest cluster of Spain’s<br />
many Michelin stars. And El Bulli, the<br />
“best restaurant in the world” from<br />
62 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Words Trevor Baker Photography Chris Terry<br />
2006 to 2009, according to Restaurant<br />
magazine’s industry poll, was also located<br />
far north of here, next to Barcelona,<br />
before closing to the public in <strong>2011</strong>. It<br />
would seem obvious that Catalonia and<br />
the Basque Country have the greatest<br />
claim to be Spain’s culinary capitals.<br />
El Bulli’s legendary chef Ferran Adrià,<br />
however, disagrees. He recently told<br />
his biographer, American food writer<br />
Colman Andrews: “The province of<br />
Alicante is where you eat the best in<br />
Spain. It has the best products in the<br />
country, especially the seafood.”<br />
This is one reason we’re driving 30km<br />
west of the sea to visit a fish restaurant.<br />
The respected Spanish restaurant guide<br />
Lo Mejor de la Gastronomía – The Best<br />
in Food, which is actually based in<br />
San Sebastian, has included La Sirena<br />
(14 Avda de Madrid, Petrer, +34 965 371 718)<br />
as one of the best fish restaurants in
Delicious paella at<br />
La Taberna del Gourmet.<br />
Top right: Alicante’s<br />
succulent prawns are a must.<br />
Right: tuna with a modern<br />
twist at La Sirena<br />
ALICANTE<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
63
“Misafir” means more than “guest”<br />
T: +90 (252) 417 1470<br />
E: info@emrehotels.com<br />
www.emrehotels.com<br />
www.facebook.com/EmreHotels<br />
Th e team of chefs bring a perfect harmony between delicate fl avours and design. With its perfect<br />
mix of French cuisine, Mediterranean tones and vibrant creativity, Restaurant Casa del Maco is one<br />
of the most recognised in the region. Th is is supported by a talented, young and friendly team,<br />
which makes your visit an experience.<br />
Th e owners Hannes Galle and Barbara De Vooght are more than happy to welcome you for a<br />
relaxing lunch on the sun-drenched terrace or for a romantic and gastronomic evening.<br />
CASA DEL MACO - Pou Roig 15, 03720 Benissa (Alicante)<br />
(km170 on the N332 between Calpe and Benissa)<br />
T. +34 965 73 28 42 / +34 699 069 926 | www.casadelmaco.com<br />
Turks have been known for their hospitality for<br />
ages. According to our traditions, the moment you<br />
walk into our house, you become our “Misafi r”<br />
(Pronunciation: measaphir – Meaning: guest).<br />
We do our utmost for your comfort, pleasure<br />
and happiness. Being a host means sharing<br />
and helping, being a host means joy for us…<br />
Emre Beach Hotel and Emre Hotel are two<br />
joined facilities in Marmaris, a lovely town of<br />
the South Aegean only 3km to the city centre<br />
and 85 km to Dalaman Airport. They are ideal<br />
for and mostly preferred by guests wishing to<br />
spend a peaceful vacation by the sea. Away<br />
from the noisy animation activities and other<br />
distractions, yet a 10 min walking distance to<br />
Uzunyalı bars, you can spend a quality vacation.<br />
Restaurant Casa del Maco is seated at the foot of the<br />
Sierra Bernia and is surrounded by coniferous forest<br />
and vineyards, olive and almond trees, overlooking<br />
the blue of the Mediteranean sea. It is located in<br />
a Spanish fi nca from the 18th century, carefully<br />
restored with respect for the indigenous architecture<br />
and decorated with attention to detail.
MARI<br />
CARMEN<br />
Clockwise from top:<br />
The Castle of Santa Bárbara,<br />
viewed from Alicante city’s<br />
Old Quarter; a taste of La<br />
Sirena’s tasting menu,<br />
with chef Mari Carmen Vélez<br />
working her culinary magic<br />
ALICANTE<br />
Spain, particularly praising its arroz a<br />
banda con gambitas (rice in a seafood<br />
broth with prawns).<br />
La Sirena is run by chef Mari Carmen<br />
Vélez, who’s regularly included in lists<br />
of women making waves in the macho<br />
world of Mediterranean cuisine, along<br />
with fellow Alicante chefs María José<br />
San Román at Monastrell (7 Rafael<br />
Altamira, Alicante, +34 965 146 575,<br />
monastrell.com) in the city centre, and<br />
Susi Díaz at La Finca in nearby Elche<br />
(1–7 Partida de Perleta, Elche, +34 965<br />
456 007, lafinca.es). For all the acclaim,<br />
however, La Sirena has retained a<br />
family atmosphere.<br />
Vélez says she learnt about seafood<br />
from her fisherman grandfather but,<br />
when the tasting menu arrives, you<br />
could never call it salt-of-the-earth<br />
peasant food. It does include some<br />
time-honoured classics, like grilled red<br />
prawns (so succulent that the waiter has<br />
to bring another tablecloth to cope with<br />
the spillage), but it’s also full of her own<br />
unique touches. The Galician octopus<br />
comes with an exquisite depth-charge of<br />
pepper and the tuna has a gorgeously<br />
tender meatiness beneath a costra (crust)<br />
of spices. This mixture of the old and<br />
the new, it turns out, is the hallmark of<br />
Alicante’s best chefs.<br />
Just around the corner from La Sirena<br />
another of Spain’s culinary superstars,<br />
pastry chef Paco Torreblanca, has a<br />
shop – Pastelería Totel (103 Avenida<br />
José Martínez González, Elda, +34 965<br />
388 224, torreblanca.net) – that must<br />
dent the fish restaurant’s dessert sales.<br />
Torreblanca became a household name in<br />
Spain in 2004 when he made the wedding<br />
cake for heir to the throne Prince Felipe<br />
and his bride Letizia. He’s since become<br />
known as the “Ferran Adrià of chocolate”<br />
and his gleaming, almost futuristically<br />
minimalist shop includes tarts and cakes<br />
that look like works of art, with their<br />
sculpted wings of fruit.<br />
The same fruit looks almost as<br />
succulent when I visit Alicante’s<br />
enormous Mercado Central the next<br />
morning. In most cities such an elegant,<br />
modernist building would be a church or<br />
a town hall, but here it’s a cheerfully<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
65
ALICANTE<br />
rowdy market, devoted to the best<br />
produce that the region has to offer.<br />
The city itself is also home to some<br />
of Spain’s best restaurants, such as<br />
Nou Manolin (3 Calle Villegas, +34 965<br />
200 368, noumanolin.com), an Alicante<br />
institution. Built on the site of muchloved<br />
local poet Gabriel Miró’s old house<br />
66 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Clockwise from top left: a<br />
sample of Paco Torreblanca’s<br />
inspired confectionery<br />
creations; the man himself,<br />
“the Ferran Adrià of<br />
chocolate”; La Taberna del<br />
Gourmet has been named Spain’s<br />
best tapas bar. Opposite page:<br />
The grand Mercado Central,<br />
where you’ll find the<br />
region’s freshest produce,<br />
from fruit to fish<br />
it’s the kind of place where simplicity<br />
is more important than innovation.<br />
However, when Ferran Adrià’s staff was<br />
tasked with drawing up a list of the<br />
city’s most cutting-edge establishments<br />
for him to visit, he immediately<br />
corrected them when they dared to omit<br />
Nou Manolin. “I couldn’t pass through<br />
Alicante without dining there,” he<br />
said. “There are few places that are so<br />
Mediterranean and so modern.”<br />
It’s probably more the case that the<br />
modern world has caught up with<br />
what Nou Manolin has been doing for<br />
more than 30 years. They’ve always<br />
been based on the principle of local<br />
food, lovingly prepared, which is now<br />
the hallmark of many of the world’s<br />
trendiest restaurants. The acorn-fed ham<br />
and the local specialty, mojama (salted<br />
tuna), are both delicious.<br />
The same is true of another local<br />
staple, paella – or simply arroz (rice) as<br />
it’s more commonly known in Alicante –<br />
at the nearby Monastrell restaurant<br />
(7 Rafael Altamira, Alicante, +34 965 146<br />
575, monastrell.com). Chef María José<br />
San Román’s expertise with rice is such<br />
that, when she visited the White House<br />
in 2009, after attending a Washington<br />
paella festival, she was asked to give<br />
a private class to Obama’s chefs. She<br />
showed them how she produces sofrito –<br />
the sumptuous stock, usually made from<br />
tomatoes and onions – which forms the<br />
basis of paella. Her own specialty, made<br />
with local artichokes, is particularly<br />
acclaimed in Alicante.<br />
“The food here has always been good, but<br />
we’ve only recently started to realise that<br />
it’s good,” she says when I visit Monastrell.<br />
In 2009 her tapas bar, La Taberna<br />
del Gourmet (10 Calle San Fernando,<br />
Alicante, +34 965 204 233,<br />
latabernadelgourmet.com), was named<br />
as the best in Spain by Lo Mejor de la<br />
Gastronomía and the freshness and<br />
vitality of the food are the perfect match<br />
for this lively port. San Román says that<br />
the great thing about her city is that<br />
it’s at a crossroads of different cuisines.<br />
There are the famous cocidos (stews) of<br />
the interior, the seafood of the fishing<br />
villages, the soupy paellas of the north
ALICANTE<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
67
ALICANTE<br />
and the arroz a banda (“abandoned<br />
rice” – rice cooked with seafood that is<br />
then removed and served separately) of<br />
Alicante itself.<br />
This variety makes where to go next a<br />
difficult decision. We could stay in town<br />
and eat examples of everything that the<br />
province has to offer. However, Ferran<br />
Adrià says that a restaurant called Paco<br />
Gandia (2 Calle San Francisco, Pinoso,<br />
+34 965 478 023, pacogandia.com),<br />
an hour’s drive away to the west, does<br />
“the best paella in the world”. And Colman<br />
Andrews, says that L’Escaleta in the<br />
north of the province (205 Pujada Estació<br />
Nord, Cocentaina, +34 965 592 100,<br />
68 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Clockwise from top left: Nou<br />
Manolin’s dishes, like this<br />
divine red mullet, come with<br />
the highest recommendation<br />
– that of Ferran Adrià<br />
himself; a dramatic<br />
view of the fountain at<br />
Alicante city’s marina; at<br />
Monastrell, chef María José<br />
San Román’s way with paella<br />
is legendary<br />
lescaleta.com) served him, “Some of the<br />
most original and sure-handed modern<br />
Spanish food I’ve ever had.”<br />
But in the end the most obvious choice<br />
is Quique Dacosta’s eponymous<br />
restaurant in the seaside town of Denia<br />
(Carretera les Marinas, Km. 3, 1 Calle<br />
Rascassa, Denia, +34 965 784 179,<br />
quiquedacosta.es), halfway between<br />
Alicante and Valencia, where the terrain<br />
changes and becomes lush and fertile,<br />
dotted with beautiful orange groves.<br />
This was the first restaurant that Adrià<br />
himself went to after closing El Bulli and<br />
it represents the next wave of Spain’s<br />
avant-garde cuisine.
Barceló Jandía Resort, Fuerteventura<br />
Situated in the south of the island and overlooking the spectacular<br />
Jandía beach, it offers families and couples a wide selection of<br />
services and activities to enjoy their holidays to the full.<br />
Find out more at www.barcelo.com or call +34 928 546 500.<br />
CANARY ISLANDS<br />
FUERTEVENTURA<br />
Barceló Corralejo Bay<br />
Barceló Castillo Beach Resort<br />
Barceló Puerto Castillo<br />
Barceló Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa<br />
Barceló Jandía Mar<br />
Barceló Jandía Playa<br />
Barceló Jandía Club Premium<br />
LANZAROTE<br />
Barceló Lanzarote Resort<br />
Barceló La Galea<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
Barceló Margaritas<br />
TENERIFE<br />
Barceló Santiago<br />
Barceló Varadero<br />
MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE
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From top: From preparation to<br />
presentation, exceptional detail is<br />
paid to the food at Quique Dacosta;<br />
brandy being reduced for seafood<br />
consommé at the eponymous restaurant<br />
ALICANTE<br />
When the appetisers arrive they’re set<br />
before me in a way that mimics the<br />
setting, a conservatory in a beautifully<br />
light and colourful garden. There’s a<br />
basil leaf coated with cinnamon, a shoot<br />
of the sweet South American plant<br />
Stevia rebaudiana emerging from some<br />
rocks, and a snail glistening behind a<br />
small cup of delicious hazelnut oil. It’s<br />
gloriously odd. Even the more familiar<br />
choices don’t taste like I expect, and yet,<br />
for all the presentational finesse, it’s<br />
the flavours that are king. Like María<br />
José San Román, Dacosta emphasises<br />
the importance of Alicante’s produce.<br />
“A chef can make a good meal out of<br />
anything,” he says. “If you give Rafa<br />
Nadal a stick he’ll still be able to hit the<br />
tennis ball. But he’ll play a lot better<br />
with a racquet!”<br />
Respected food critics from the likes<br />
of The New York Times have mentioned<br />
Quique Dacosta as one of the potential<br />
heirs to Ferran Adrià, but he’s also an<br />
heir to the traditions of this region. His<br />
father-in-law, who founded a restaurant<br />
here, might not recognise much of what<br />
he’s doing but he’d appreciate the quality<br />
of the local ingredients.<br />
Almost everything that I’ve eaten,<br />
not just at Quique Dacosta but<br />
throughout this trip, even the exotic<br />
Stevia rebaudiana, was grown, fished<br />
or farmed within greater Alicante. It’s a<br />
tribute to the variety, not just of food but<br />
of terrain and culture, which is on offer<br />
beyond the resorts of Benidorm and<br />
Santa Pola. For years Alicante has been<br />
like a secret garden, hiding in the long<br />
shadow cast by its own glorious beaches.<br />
Thanks to Ferran Adrià and others it’s<br />
not just the restaurants that are at last<br />
coming into the light. TC<br />
For more about Alicante visit your local<br />
Thomas Cook or Going Places store, call<br />
+44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit thomascook.com<br />
Chris stayed at the Meliá Alicante<br />
(thomascook.com ), in the heart of the city on<br />
Postiguet beach, just a stone’s throw from the<br />
gorgeous marina. Doubles start at £76.57<br />
a night. For hassle-free travel along the<br />
Costa Blanca, book a hire car with Avis.<br />
Call +44 (0)8445 810159 or visit avis.com<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
71
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Turkish temptations<br />
An all-inclusive escape at a Marti hotel on<br />
the spectacular Turquoise Coast – it’s the<br />
ultimate setting for holiday bliss<br />
TURKEY’S SOUTHwestern<br />
coastline<br />
stretching from the<br />
Mediterranean to the Aegean<br />
is steeped in both ancient<br />
history and modern culture.<br />
This vast outdoor museum<br />
(the Greeks, Romans and<br />
Ottomans have all left their<br />
mark) is also home to idyllic<br />
beaches that are surrounded<br />
by pine- and olive-clad hills.<br />
Its bustling towns are filled<br />
with chic boutiques and<br />
charming local restaurants.<br />
To top it off, Turkey’s<br />
enviable climate means that<br />
beyond the peak summer<br />
months, spring and autumn<br />
are ideal times to visit. So, all<br />
that remains is choosing a<br />
place to stay…<br />
MARTI RESORT HOTEL<br />
IÇMELER BAY, MARMARIS<br />
Situated near the Marti La<br />
Perla Hotel, the Marti Resort<br />
Hotel is a modern, five-star<br />
A series of pools<br />
leads down to<br />
the beach at the<br />
Marti Resort Hotel<br />
hotel built around a series<br />
of pools. Set in beautifully<br />
manicured botanical gardens,<br />
it boasts its own contemporary<br />
spa and private stretch of<br />
beach. There’s also a selection<br />
of restaurants within the resort<br />
featuring French, Italian and<br />
Aegean cuisine.<br />
MARTI LA PERLA<br />
HOTEL<br />
IÇMELER BAY, MARMARIS<br />
Situated in the popular resort<br />
of Içmeler, Marti La Perla Hotel<br />
has a restaurant, bar, spa and<br />
expansive pool, and is just a<br />
stone’s throw from the beach.<br />
In addition to standard guest<br />
rooms, those with children<br />
in tow are well catered for<br />
with large family rooms and a<br />
selection of suites.<br />
When you want to explore<br />
beyond the resort, the popular<br />
town of Marmaris with its<br />
shops, bars and restaurants is<br />
a short taxi ride away.<br />
MARTI MYRA HOTEL<br />
TEKIROVA, ANTALYA<br />
Set on its own stretch of<br />
pristine (Blue Flag) beachfront<br />
and surrounded by verdant<br />
pine forests, Marti Myra<br />
Hotel is a holiday paradise.<br />
Couples after an intimate<br />
getaway can take their pick<br />
from a selection of 12 suites,<br />
while families are equally well<br />
catered for with 545 guest<br />
rooms and several kids’ clubs<br />
Promotion<br />
Sleep in style:<br />
a newly renovated<br />
deluxe room at<br />
Marti Resort Hotel<br />
and play areas. Should you<br />
fancy time out from lazing<br />
by the pool or on the beach,<br />
then there are tennis courts,<br />
saunas, Turkish baths and a<br />
disco all at your disposal.<br />
For more information call:<br />
Martı Resort Hotel: +90 252<br />
455 3387 Marti La Perla<br />
Hotel: +90 252 455 3440<br />
Martı Myra Hotel: +90 242<br />
821 5000 or visit marti.com.tr
Action man<br />
Want more out of your Gran Canaria holiday than<br />
soaking up the rays on the island’s beautiful beaches?<br />
Fitness fans and adrenaline junkies take note: writer<br />
Matthew Hirtes’ bespoke pentathlon – hiking, mountain<br />
biking, paragliding, kayaking and the wild card of the<br />
“shepherd’s leap” – will give you the golden opportunity<br />
to return home with much more than a lovely tan…<br />
74 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
The view of West<br />
Gran Canaria from the<br />
Central Mountains
PHOTOGRAPHY CORBIS, GETTY<br />
HIKING’S AN EXTREME SPORT<br />
in Gran Canaria. Well, it is if<br />
my first trekking experience here is<br />
anything to go by. Trusty rucksack<br />
nestling into my back, I’m making<br />
headway to the isolated beach of<br />
Güi-güi, an unspoiled treasure on<br />
the west of the island. Initially, the<br />
lights from neighbouring Tenerife<br />
act as guiding beacons. But with<br />
night closing in, the lower I hike,<br />
the less visible they become. At<br />
least I’m armed with a torch –<br />
which chooses this exact moment<br />
to give up the ghost.<br />
Torchless and despairing of<br />
ever reaching Güi-güi, I begin<br />
chanting a gentle mantra: “Please<br />
be near.” But as I start causing<br />
mini-avalanches with my slipping<br />
and sliding, the chant gets louder,<br />
almost building to a manic roar<br />
that could be heard all the way to<br />
Tenerife. After much trudging, I<br />
land in a crumpled heap next to<br />
a fabulous ruin overlooking the<br />
beach, relieved and exhilarated.<br />
I may be tired, but I’m basking in a<br />
sense of achievement that you just<br />
Roque Nublo (“Rock in the<br />
Clouds”) and the smaller<br />
El Fraile (“The Friar”)<br />
don’t get from topping up your tan,<br />
flat on your back. I’ve ticked off the<br />
first of my five challenges – hiking,<br />
mountain biking, paragliding,<br />
kayaking and the mysterious<br />
“shepherd’s leap” – to experience<br />
Gran Canaria the extreme way,<br />
earning my “man of action” stripes.<br />
The next time, I’m much better<br />
prepared – or at least my guide,<br />
Roger Bradley, is. Rambling Roger<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
The island’s incredible<br />
topography makes for<br />
world-class cycling and<br />
mountain biking<br />
and I are walking his short Artenara<br />
circle, a two-hour trip in and<br />
around Artenara, Gran Canaria’s<br />
loftiest village at 1,270m above<br />
sea level, found just under 60km<br />
north of Playa del Inglés. Heading<br />
off the beaten trek, a clearing<br />
opens out into a natural mirador<br />
(viewing point). From here it’s easy<br />
to make out the mighty Roque<br />
Nublo (Rock in the Clouds) – the<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
77
GRAN CANARIA<br />
island’s most iconic landmark; a<br />
gargantuan natural monolith – and<br />
the beautifully preserved Tamadaba<br />
pine forest. It’s an unforgettable<br />
view – to see it with your own eyes,<br />
visit ramblingroger.com to book a<br />
guided tour or to order his essential<br />
25 Great Hikes – Don’t Leave Gran<br />
Canaria Without Seeing It, available<br />
as a book, CD or PDF.<br />
I return, on bike, to Artenara<br />
with photographer pal Marcos,<br />
a keen mountain-biker – and not<br />
just to pay tribute to the Virgin of<br />
the Little Cave, the patron saint<br />
of Gran Canaria’s cyclists, at the<br />
Ermita de la Virgen de La Cuevita,<br />
a beautiful chapel cut into the cliff<br />
face 400m above the centre of the<br />
village. Artenara boasts plenty of<br />
caminos reales (royal roads), just as<br />
popular if travelling on two wheels<br />
rather than two feet. Marcos takes<br />
me on the 10km route connecting<br />
Arucas to Teror’s Pico de Osorio in<br />
the north of the island – helpfully<br />
78 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
pointing out caves that can be used<br />
for shelter in the (unlikely) event of<br />
a downpour.<br />
The island’s off-road trails offer<br />
boneshakers galore. In central Gran<br />
Canaria, inhale the scent of fresh<br />
pine as you whizz down serpentine<br />
tracks. As Gran Canaria is like<br />
a miniature continent (with its<br />
distinct climate), you’ll be able to<br />
switch landscape backgrounds as<br />
you would screensavers. Head south<br />
to San Bartolomé and follow the<br />
volcanic craters which lead to Risco<br />
Blanco (White Cliff). Cycle Gran<br />
Canaria (cyclegrancanaria.com),<br />
run by retired Irish mountain bike<br />
pro Raymond Leddy, offers a range<br />
of guided rides, handily accessible<br />
from its Maspalomas base.<br />
Before Gran Canaria became a<br />
tourist hotspot, residents relied<br />
on agriculture to earn a living.<br />
The island’s goatherds and<br />
shepherds came up with a novel<br />
way to cross the ravines which<br />
The need to negotiate<br />
tricky terrain gave<br />
rise to the spectacular<br />
“shepherd’s leap”<br />
dominate the landscape – the salto<br />
de pastor (“shepherd’s leap”). You<br />
take a long wooden pole known<br />
as a lanza or garrote and then<br />
add metal tips (regatóns) to the<br />
end for extra grip. Imagine polevaulting<br />
– the technique involved<br />
is not dissimilar. I’m keen to<br />
have an afternoon session – with<br />
Victor from Mojo Picon Aventura<br />
(mojopiconaventura.com) – but my<br />
heart’s in my mouth when I attempt<br />
the dead-drop which is essentially<br />
a leap of faith: you jump and then<br />
jam your garrote on the rapidly<br />
approaching ground below your<br />
feet before sliding down the pole<br />
like a firefighter or lap dancer.<br />
From its practical origins, the<br />
shepherd’s leap has developed into a<br />
sport – think parkour with a stick –<br />
with regular competitive events held<br />
across the Canaries. But despite<br />
Victor’s excellent tuition, I still<br />
reckon I’d be more likely to pick up<br />
the wooden spoon prize than the<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY ALAMY
e CORDIAL<br />
www.cordialcanarias.com<br />
Call center: Tel.: +34 928 143 393 info@cordialcanarias.com<br />
Fax: +34 928 148 736 reservas@cordialcanarias.com
PHOTOGRAPHY ALAMY<br />
Sunset on Las<br />
Canteras, “one of<br />
the world’s great<br />
urban beaches”<br />
gold medal. Note to self: eat more<br />
gofio – the toasted cornmeal which<br />
is reputed to be the secret ingredient<br />
behind your average Canarian’s<br />
Herculean strength.<br />
Below, a crowd gathers on one<br />
of the world’s great urban beaches<br />
– Las Palmas’ 2.8km stretch of<br />
golden-brown sand, Las Canteras<br />
– their necks arched skywards.<br />
What’s caught their collective<br />
eye? Is it a bird? Is it a plane?<br />
No, it’s a paragliding tourist, an<br />
almost guaranteed sight on this<br />
beach. I opt instead for a tandem<br />
parachute jump with my seasoned<br />
pro of an instructor, Juan Cano<br />
(parapentegrancanaria.com). After<br />
fitting what feels like the lightest<br />
backpack I’ve ever worn, I’m more<br />
strapped in than Houdini, but<br />
Juan ensures me that I won’t feel<br />
restricted when we take off from<br />
the airstrip in Los Giles above<br />
Las Arenas shopping centre (also<br />
known as Centro Comercial, or CC<br />
for short).<br />
What a flight of freedom it turns<br />
out to be. Señor Cano is carrying<br />
both the canoply – in layman’s<br />
terms, an inflated kite – and doing<br />
the steering. It’s only my second<br />
“taxi” ride in which I fear for my<br />
life – the first was in the rough<br />
and ready San José part of Las<br />
Palmas, when I realised the man<br />
behind the wheel was drunk – but<br />
my apprehension quickly subsides:<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
Juan’s close enough for me to smell<br />
he hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol<br />
and his reassuring manner kicks<br />
my premonition of plummeting like<br />
a rock into touch. After a smooth<br />
landing in the Plaza de la Música<br />
next to Las Palmas’ iconic concert<br />
hall, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus,<br />
we’re enjoying a restorative cubata<br />
(rum and coke) in the square’s<br />
Marea Baja (Plaza de la Musica,<br />
tel: +34 666 54 73 77).<br />
If you want more from water<br />
sports than just splashing about<br />
in the sea, there’s always kayaking.<br />
I get in touch with Canaria Ventura<br />
(canariaventura.com), which<br />
organises kayak hire – and not<br />
just for team-building exercises<br />
– in the Presas de Chira y de las<br />
Niñas reservoirs. I plump for the<br />
postcard-pretty Presa de Chira,<br />
also a popular carp-fishing<br />
destination (canarycarpcrew.net),<br />
850m above sea level.<br />
Having canoed with my children<br />
in Devon, I’m used to capsizing.<br />
But with no offspring to blame this<br />
time, I can only acknowledge my<br />
complete ineptitude with a twobladed<br />
paddle in hand. Indeed, I<br />
enter the drink so many times,<br />
I’m nicknamed Perro de Presa –<br />
The Reservoir Dog. Although the<br />
temperature of the water is a more<br />
agreeable than England’s southwest,<br />
a warm-up mug of hot coffee<br />
still timbers my shivers while I<br />
contemplate my next adventure.<br />
But for now, having hiked my way<br />
to the Rock in the Clouds, cycled<br />
past volcanic craters, taken the<br />
shepherd’s leap, flown like a eagle<br />
and ended up in the water enough<br />
times to grow gills, I’ve completed<br />
this personal pentathlon. I reckon<br />
I’ve well and truly earned the title<br />
of Gran Canaria’s Action Man, not<br />
Reservoir Dog. TC<br />
For more about Gran Canaria visit your<br />
local Thomas Cook or Going Places store,<br />
call +44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit<br />
thomascook.com<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
81
Promotion<br />
1 2<br />
3<br />
1 CHILIS<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
Chilis restaurant is the best<br />
Mexican eatery on the island.<br />
The food is all homemade and<br />
freshly cooked using quality<br />
ingredients, with tasty tacos,<br />
salads, guacamole, nachos,<br />
quesadillas, flautas, burritos,<br />
chimichangas and the famous<br />
chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas<br />
on the menu. Wash down the<br />
delicious food with a yummy<br />
margarita, a range of tequilas,<br />
beer or Spanish wine.<br />
Open 6pm–1am.<br />
17 Avenida Tenerife,<br />
Hotel Koka, Playa del Inglés,<br />
+34 928 770 047<br />
Canary Island restaurant highlights<br />
Get set for sun, sea views and spectacular food<br />
2 RESTAURANT BALI<br />
GRAN CANARIA<br />
This charming Indonesian<br />
restaurant is the place to go<br />
for quality cuisine. Whether<br />
you take a seat on the terrace<br />
for an amazing view or in the<br />
comfortable dining room,<br />
the vibrant tasting menu and<br />
the excellent wine list won’t<br />
disappoint. Present your<br />
Thomas Cook boarding pass<br />
to receive a complimentary<br />
welcome drink with your meal.<br />
2 Calle Mar Mediterraneo,<br />
Centro Comercial Oasis<br />
Boulevard (second floor),<br />
Maspalomas, +34 928 143 375,<br />
restaurantebali.com<br />
4<br />
3 RESTAURANTE<br />
MAGNOLIA<br />
TENERIFE<br />
Restaurante Magnolia ticks all<br />
the quality dining boxes: think<br />
exquisite culinary offerings,<br />
excellent service and a cosy,<br />
relaxed atmosphere. The<br />
changing menu incorporates<br />
the best seasonal produce and<br />
features delicious specialties<br />
from several regions around<br />
the island. Ask the waiters for<br />
daily specials and personal<br />
recommendations.<br />
Avenida Marqués de<br />
Villanueva del Prado, Puerto<br />
de la Cruz, +34 922 385 614,<br />
magnoliaelpayes.com<br />
4 LA VACA AZUL<br />
FUERTEVENTURA<br />
Bag a table on La Vaca Azul’s<br />
top-level terrace for the best<br />
views over El Cotillo bay and an<br />
unforgettable meal. The chef,<br />
who worked in the UK for three<br />
years, has created a delicious<br />
menu that includes paella,<br />
tapas and freshly caught fish<br />
that’s grilled to perfection.<br />
And it’s even becoming a<br />
cultural stop in its own right:<br />
the restaurant showcases an<br />
imaginative exhibition by<br />
local German photographer<br />
Jo Hammer.<br />
9 Calle Requena, La Oliva,<br />
+34 928 538 685
5<br />
7<br />
5 AMURA<br />
RESTAURANT<br />
LANZAROTE<br />
Situated in a charming,<br />
colonial-style house right in<br />
front of the marina, Amura<br />
Restaurant offers gorgeous<br />
views of the harbour and its<br />
superyachts. The fine menu<br />
uses the freshest ingredients<br />
and draws on the culinary<br />
expertise of its top chefs, so<br />
it’s no wonder the restaurant<br />
comes highly recommended<br />
by the top Michelin and Repsol<br />
food guides.<br />
Urbanización Puerto Calero,<br />
Yaiza 35570, Lanzarote,<br />
+34 928 513 181<br />
6 RESTAURANTE<br />
MESÓN CASTELLANO<br />
TENERIFE<br />
Mesón Castellano captures<br />
that authentic Spanish wining<br />
and dining experience that you<br />
probably had in mind when you<br />
booked your Tenerife holiday.<br />
Get stuck into the finest Ibérico<br />
and Serrano hams, paellas<br />
and shellfish while indulging<br />
in the island’s best selection<br />
of Spanish wines. Enjoy a free<br />
sorbet with your meal when<br />
you mention Thomas Cook<br />
Travel magazine.<br />
38-40 Playa de las<br />
Américas, Arona, +34 922 796<br />
305, mesoncastellano.com<br />
6<br />
8<br />
7 SUGAR RESTAURANT<br />
AND BAR<br />
FUERTEVENTURA<br />
Uniting the best of British<br />
and Caribbean cuisines,<br />
this restaurant-cum-bar is<br />
known for its tasty dishes,<br />
cool cocktails and cosy<br />
atmosphere. There are also<br />
great entertainment nights,<br />
from Wednesday barbecues<br />
and Thursday’s ‘Thomas Cook<br />
Big Party’ night to flamenco<br />
shows on Fridays and mojito<br />
parties every Saturday.<br />
8 Calle Francisco Berrier,<br />
Centro Comercial la Cupula,<br />
Caleta de Fuste,<br />
+34 661 798 080<br />
Promotion<br />
8 AZURE<br />
LANZAROTE<br />
Enjoying the best spot on<br />
Puerto Calero’s luxury marina,<br />
Azure restaurant’s mouthwatering<br />
menu will leave you<br />
wanting to come back for more.<br />
As well as offering gorgeous<br />
views, a relaxed ambience<br />
and exemplary service, it’s the<br />
perfect food stop at any time<br />
of the day, serving everything<br />
from quick snacks and lunches<br />
to gourmet dining come<br />
nightfall – just make sure you<br />
save room for the cheesecake!<br />
Puerto Calero Marina,<br />
+34 928 849 675,<br />
restaurantazure.com
TUNISIA<br />
Feel<br />
Force<br />
the<br />
Journey to a galaxy far, far<br />
away with a tour of Tunisia’s<br />
classic Star Wars locations<br />
Words Pierre de Villiers<br />
AMONG STAR WARS FANS<br />
it is affectionately known as<br />
‘The Igloo’. Home to the<br />
young Luke Skywalker, the white,<br />
domed structure was built by<br />
director George Lucas during the<br />
filming of his space saga at the<br />
heart of the desolately beautiful<br />
Chott el Jerid salt lake in Tunisia.<br />
It is an important piece of movie<br />
history, a fascinating film location<br />
and, to the consternation of scores<br />
of light-sabre owners who visit the<br />
building every year, in a real state<br />
of disrepair.<br />
Having noticed The Igloo slowly<br />
disappearing in the hot desert sun,<br />
Mark Dermul, on one of his frequent<br />
visits to the many Star Wars sights<br />
in Tunisia, had an idea. What if he<br />
launched a campaign to raise<br />
enough money for fans of George<br />
Lucas’s space opera to travel to the<br />
prized chunk of memorabilia<br />
– officially named the Lars<br />
Homestead after Luke’s adoptive<br />
Tatooine family – and renovate it?<br />
What followed underlines just how<br />
much Tunisia and its Star Wars film<br />
locations mean to fans.<br />
84 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
CREDIT: PHOTOGRAPHY XXXXXXXXX RONALD GRANT ARCHIVE
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX<br />
TUNISIA<br />
Luke Skywalker<br />
(Mark Hamill) on the<br />
Chott el Jerid salt flats<br />
in Tunisia during the<br />
1976 filming of Star Wars<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
85
TUNISIA<br />
Fans (one dressed as a stormtrooper),<br />
at “The Igloo”, Luke’s home in Star<br />
Wars, now a pilgrimage site for<br />
devotees of the movie. Right: Director<br />
George Lucas with C-3PO in the same<br />
location in the 70s<br />
“The reaction I got from fans was<br />
just phenomenal,” says Dermul,<br />
who runs tours to Star Wars<br />
locations in Tunisia. “Hundreds of<br />
people donated and within 10<br />
months we had the US$10,000<br />
needed to restore the Lars<br />
Homestead, which should take<br />
about a week. We are planning to<br />
return to Tunisia some time early<br />
in 2012 with a crew of six people<br />
and start working. It has really<br />
been a fan-driven campaign.”<br />
The initiative will not only benefit<br />
Star Wars fans but also the<br />
Tunisian economy, with Dermul<br />
86 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
agreeing with authorities to use<br />
local building materials – The Igloo<br />
is made out of plaster, wood and<br />
chicken wire – and labourers for<br />
the project. In addition to getting<br />
support from the Tunisian<br />
government, the fans also received<br />
the thumbs up from the man who<br />
put The Igloo in the desert in the<br />
first place.<br />
“George Lucas is very much<br />
aware of what we are doing and has<br />
been very supportive,” enthuses<br />
Dermul. “Lucasfilm explained that<br />
they can’t get involved financially<br />
because that would create a<br />
The ancient mud grain<br />
stores of Medenine feature<br />
in The Phantom Menace<br />
precedent and every fan with an<br />
idea would come knocking on their<br />
door. They gave us the thumbs up<br />
to go ahead, though, and gave us<br />
some images to use on promotional<br />
material. They are very excited to<br />
see fans so committed.”<br />
The passion Star Wars fans<br />
harbour for The Igloo, and the<br />
Chott el Jerid salt lake, does indeed<br />
run deep. This has been Luke<br />
Skywalker’s home since 1976 when<br />
George Lucas first erected the<br />
Lars Homestead for the original<br />
Star Wars. That particular<br />
structure was, in 1999, replaced<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY ABSOLUTE FILM, AMAR GROVER / JOHN WARBURTON-LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Who’s got the map?<br />
R2-D2, C-3PO, Princess<br />
Padmé and the future<br />
Darth Vader discuss<br />
how they’re going to<br />
navigate the searing<br />
Tunisian desert<br />
Tunisia is a treasure trove when it comes to<br />
quality Star Wars locations, with amazing<br />
sights scattered throughout the country<br />
with the current building in the<br />
exact same spot for prequel Attack<br />
of the Clones. For many, The Igloo<br />
is one of their earliest Star Wars<br />
memories and represents why they<br />
fell in love with the films in the<br />
first place.<br />
“For me The Igloo and the salt lake<br />
is the Holy Grail if you are a Star<br />
Wars fan,” says Dermal. “It is so<br />
remote that you have to remind<br />
yourself that you are not on Tatooine<br />
but in a Tunisian desert. Fans come<br />
from all over the world because Star<br />
Wars is a very important part of<br />
their life. When they get the<br />
opportunity to visit the actual<br />
locations where it was shot, they<br />
often jump around like schoolkids.<br />
In the past we have been at the Lars<br />
Homestead at sunset and we play<br />
some of the film’s soundtrack and<br />
you just get goosebumps. Some<br />
people actually start to cry because<br />
it is so emotional.”<br />
Fellow campaigner Mark Cox loves<br />
The Igloo so much he decided to get<br />
married in front of it last year.<br />
“It was like a Jedi wedding with<br />
Star Wars vows and we were<br />
surrounded by other fans,” he<br />
recalls. “Me and my wife thought<br />
it was the perfect place to go<br />
because it is the most poignant of<br />
all the Star Wars sights,” he<br />
explains. “It is featured in some of<br />
the best scenes, like the sunset with<br />
the two suns. To us it seemed like<br />
the most private idyllic place to be.<br />
And to make it even better we got<br />
to see a lot of other Star Wars<br />
locations on the trip as well.”<br />
As Cox and his Tatooine bride<br />
can attest, Tunisia is a treasure<br />
trove of quality Star Wars locations,<br />
with amazing sights scattered<br />
throughout the country. A fan<br />
favourite is the Hotel Sidi Driss in<br />
Matmata, which served as the<br />
interior of the Lars Homestead in<br />
TUNISIA<br />
the first Star Wars. The hotel is<br />
open all year and has five “pits”<br />
(caves hollowed out from the rock)<br />
– four of which have rooms and<br />
the fifth of which, the Star Wars<br />
pit, is a restaurant.<br />
“It is almost unchanged from the<br />
movies and to walk around the<br />
place and sleep there in a<br />
subterranean room is thrilling,”<br />
says another Star Wars campaigner,<br />
Terry Cooper. “It is something that<br />
only an avid fan of the movies<br />
would really appreciate.”<br />
The Chott el Gharsa salt lake in<br />
the west of Tunisia also offers rich<br />
pickings. Ong Djemel (Camel Head<br />
Rock) overlooks the area where, in<br />
The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul<br />
launches his hunt for the Naboo<br />
Royal Ship and where the pod-race<br />
takes place. The area is famous for<br />
the yardangs – protruding bits of<br />
rock – which acted as a backdrop to<br />
the desert standoff between Darth<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
87
TUNISIA<br />
Maul and Qui-Gon, while the Mos<br />
Espa set is also nearby.<br />
Sidi Bouhel, outside the western<br />
city of Tozeur, is nicknamed “Star<br />
Wars Canyon” by Lucasfilm and is<br />
where the Jawas capture R2-D2 and<br />
where Luke meets Obi-Wan Kenobi<br />
for the first time. In Medenine, in<br />
the east of Tunisia, a Berber fortress,<br />
or ksar, acted as a backdrop for<br />
Anakin’s home in the prequels.<br />
Tataouine, also in southern Tunisia,<br />
gave its name to Luke Skywalker’s<br />
planet, while the Isle of Djerba is<br />
home to Chalmun’s Cantina (once a<br />
traditional Berber bakery in Ajim),<br />
Obi-Wan’s hut (just north of Ajim)<br />
and the spot where Luke and<br />
Obi-Wan enter the Mos Eisley<br />
spaceport (Sidi Jemour). Tunisia is<br />
like Graceland for Star Wars fans.<br />
“Tunisia will, I think, be forever<br />
linked to Star Wars mythology,”<br />
says Cooper. “Regardless of the<br />
new technologies used to create<br />
exotic space locations, the simple<br />
practicality of a desert and these<br />
strange buildings is an amazingly<br />
effective way to immerse yourself<br />
in the mythology. And the best<br />
thing is it’s so inexpensive to just<br />
go there and walk around. No<br />
theme parks, no merchandise shop,<br />
no salesmen. Just untouched, iconic<br />
scenery as far as the eye can see.”<br />
And nowhere is that truer than<br />
Chott el Jerid.<br />
“It’s far more than just a film<br />
location,” says Dermul. “The Igloo<br />
brings strangers together who become<br />
instant friends because we speak one<br />
common language which is Star Wars.<br />
That’s why it’s so important that we<br />
make sure it will be around for future<br />
generations of fans.” TC<br />
Thomas Cook offers a tour of Tunisia’s<br />
classic Star Wars locations with the Sahara<br />
Explorer excursion, bookable direct with your<br />
Thomas Cook representative when in resort<br />
For more about Tunisia visit your local<br />
Thomas Cook or Going Places store,<br />
call +44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit<br />
thomascook.com<br />
88 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
LIGHTS, CAMEL, ACTION!<br />
The Star Wars saga is not the<br />
only iconic movie to be filmed<br />
in Tunisia. Check out these<br />
dune-busting classics<br />
Raiders of the Lost Ark<br />
Some of Indiana Jones’s greatest moments were shot in Tunisia, with the<br />
country doubling for Egypt. The Cairo street scenes were filmed in Kairouan,<br />
while Indy threatens to take out the Ark with a bazooka at the Sidi Bouhel<br />
ravine to the east of Tozeur.<br />
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX
CREDIT: ABSOLUTE PHOTOGRAPHY XXXXXXXXX FILM RONALD ARCHIVE, GRANT ALAMY ARCHIVE, ALAMY<br />
Monty Python’s Life of Brian<br />
TUNISIA<br />
The Tunisian Port of Monastir played home<br />
to Monty Python’s naughty boy with a<br />
Messiah complex, with most of the filming<br />
taking place in the Ribat, the imposing<br />
fortified monastery dating back to 797.<br />
The Kasbah at Sousse, a major city west<br />
of Monastir, was used as the city walls,<br />
while the Roman theatre at Carthage<br />
doubled for the Jerusalem Colosseum.<br />
The English Patient<br />
Anthony Minghella’s Oscar-baiting period<br />
drama might be set in Italy and Egypt,<br />
but was filmed throughout Tunisia. Tunis<br />
doubled for 1940s Cairo, coastal Sfax<br />
was used as the city’s medina, while the<br />
invasion of Tobruk was shot at the port<br />
of El Mahdia. The desert camp of Count<br />
Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) was filmed in the<br />
desert near Nefta in the west of Tunisia,<br />
and the cave where Katharine Clifton<br />
(Kristin Scott Thomas) dies is near Tozeur.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
89
THINKING OF A MEDITERRANEAN DESTINATION<br />
FOR A ROUND OF GOLF?<br />
Tunisia today is rapidly gaining reputation for being one of The Mediterranean’s foremost golfing destinations. Designed in<br />
1990 by American architect Ronald Fream, Yasmine Valley offers superb weather conditions year round with a friendly<br />
and relaxed atmosphere. Yasmine has an 18-hole, 71-par course with Twin lakes and steep greens even experienced golfers<br />
will find their skills put to the test.<br />
In addition Yasmine Valley features a nine holes Executive/Academy course with holes ranging from 75 meters to 155<br />
meters. Its interesting design makes it a real challenge not only to advanced players but also to novice golfers. The double<br />
ended 300 meter driving range offers either from large grass hitting areas or from designated Astroturf mats. To compliment<br />
this fine practice area there are 3 putting greens and chipping areas.<br />
Driver’s, the main restaurant, offers an international menu with Tunisian Fusion elements. Relax and enjoy views<br />
overlooking the first tee as well as green number 9 from the panoramic Sunset terrace.<br />
RESERVATIONS: Mrs Mouna Bchir - email: booking@golfyasmine.com – phone: +216 72227001
1<br />
3<br />
1 BLUE MARINE<br />
RESORT & SPA<br />
CRETE, GREECE<br />
Blue Marine Resort and Spa is<br />
a five-star hotel overlooking<br />
Cretan waters. It offers chic<br />
rooms, most of them with a<br />
sea view, and all fully equipped<br />
for a wonderfully indulgent<br />
holiday. Luxury facilities<br />
include two outdoor pools, one<br />
indoor pool and two excellent<br />
restaurants. The spa is also<br />
decadent, making Blue Marine<br />
the perfect place to revive the<br />
body and mind.<br />
Ammoudara, Agios<br />
Nikolaos, +30 284 109 1300,<br />
bluemarinehotel.gr<br />
2 BITZARO<br />
GRANDE HOTEL<br />
ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE<br />
This bright, modern property<br />
offers stylish accommodation<br />
in a prime location on the<br />
outskirts of Kalamaki. Families<br />
and couples will enjoy the wide<br />
range of top-class facilities, as<br />
well as the convenient location<br />
near local points of interest.<br />
And while you’re soaking up the<br />
sunshine, why not try out the<br />
tasty refreshments and snacks<br />
from the pool bar to keep you<br />
going until the evening?<br />
Kalamaki, Zante Zakynthos,<br />
+30 269 504 2294,<br />
bitzarohotels.gr<br />
4<br />
Haute hideaways<br />
3 CORTIJO EL SOTILLO<br />
SAN JOSÉ, SPAIN<br />
Part of the El Romeral farm<br />
run by Grupo Playas y Cortijos,<br />
Cortijo el Sotillo offers 17km<br />
of pristine beach and inland<br />
areas that are part of the<br />
natural reserve. The 18thcentury<br />
hotel has been<br />
restored with care, drawing<br />
on regional architecture and<br />
Níjar ceramics, and has 25<br />
bright, spacious rooms with<br />
private terraces. Generous<br />
amenities include a billiards<br />
room, pool and playground.<br />
Crta. Entrada San José,<br />
Almería, +34 950 611 100,<br />
cortijoelsotillo.es<br />
Promotion<br />
Escape the winter and head for one of these luxury hotels<br />
2<br />
4 SUNRISE RESORT<br />
HOTEL<br />
LESBOS, GREECE<br />
A modern and inviting resort,<br />
the Sunrise Resort Hotel is<br />
close to the attractions of the<br />
historical town of Molyvos.<br />
It boasts a tempting pool,<br />
indulgent bar and spectacular<br />
views of the Aegean Sea.<br />
You can spend tranquil days<br />
relaxing around the azure<br />
swimming pool, sipping a<br />
drink from the poolside bar<br />
or simply soaking up the<br />
delightful atmosphere of<br />
idyllic Lesbos island.<br />
Molyvos, +30 225 307 1713,<br />
sunrisehotel-lesvos.com
WINTER FUN<br />
One of the many highlights<br />
of a trip to Rovaniemi in<br />
Finland: a husky-drawn<br />
sleigh ride<br />
92 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX<br />
WINTER FUN<br />
Northern exposure<br />
Whether you’re a downhill whizz ready to tackle<br />
the black runs or a gentle explorer of the nursery<br />
slopes, the Nordic countries offer a compelling<br />
alternative to the Alps. Roger Norum discovers<br />
fine pistes, family fun and great après-ski in<br />
Finland, Norway and Sweden<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
93
The perfect spot<br />
for feeling like a star.<br />
<br />
<br />
Fabulous beaches, crystal-clear waters and settings that will quite simply take your<br />
breath away. Our hotels are located in some of the world’s most outstanding beauty<br />
spots. Unique locations that are ideal for relaxation and the chance to bask on some<br />
of the world’s most spectacular beaches. A luxury only within reach of the stars<br />
Stars like you.
CREDIT: XXXXXXXXX<br />
Hemsedal’s dramatic mountain<br />
landscape has helped it<br />
gain a reputation as<br />
“The Scandinavian Alps”<br />
Beitostølen, Norway<br />
Where: Several hours north west of Oslo,<br />
just outside Jotunheimen National Park.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport: Fagernes.<br />
Best for: With its quiet trails, zero<br />
queues and great mountainside<br />
accommodation, Beitostølen is perfect<br />
for relaxing on the slopes instead of<br />
zooming down them.<br />
Who goes: Adventurous families who<br />
fancy activities such as dogsledding,<br />
snowmobiling and cross-country skiing;<br />
Jeremy Clarkson, who recently filmed<br />
an episode of Top Gear there.<br />
Don’t miss: An exhilarating trip down<br />
the side of the mountain on an inflatable<br />
raft – a favourite local activity.<br />
Best digs: Mountainside Radisson<br />
Blu Resort Beitostølen (neilson.co.uk)<br />
melds sleek contemporary Scandinavian<br />
and traditional Norwegian design, and<br />
has been awarded best ski hotel in<br />
Norway for six years running by the<br />
World Travel Awards.<br />
Best eats: American-themed restaurant<br />
Huset (+47 90 94 05 00) serves excellent<br />
steak and spare ribs, and is also known<br />
for hosting one of Beitostølen’s best<br />
après-ski scenes.<br />
Best souvenir: Specialty Norwegian<br />
liquor aquavit is best priced at Fagernes<br />
Airport’s duty free shop.<br />
Hemsedal, Norway<br />
WINTER FUN<br />
Where: Halfway between Bergen and<br />
Oslo at the base of some of Scandinavia’s<br />
tallest mountains.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport:<br />
Fagernes.<br />
Best for: As Norway’s most popular<br />
ski destination, the “Scandinavian Alps”<br />
are ideal for downhill, snowboarders<br />
and telemark skiers.<br />
Who goes: Both beginner and<br />
intermediate skiers; Marcus Patric<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
95
WINTER FUN<br />
Snowboarding in Norway is<br />
an extrovert’s paradise<br />
and Gavin Henson began 2010’s series<br />
of 71 Degrees North here.<br />
Don’t miss: More than six miles<br />
(10km) of lit cross-country trails.<br />
Use TracTrac GPS-based technology<br />
(tractrac.com) to locate freshly prepared<br />
ski paths.<br />
Best digs: The swankiest place to stay<br />
is Skogstad Hotell (neilson.co.uk),<br />
a recently renovated 1905 farmhouse<br />
outfitted with boutique furnishings.<br />
Best eats: Visit the 1870s coaching inn<br />
Fausko Skysstasjon (Tuv, +47 32 05 51<br />
00) for five-course gourmet meals of<br />
reindeer, grouse and rakfisk (salted<br />
and fermented trout).<br />
Best souvenir: A classic, hand-knit<br />
Norwegian sweater from Dale of Norway<br />
(dale.no), the country’s most respected<br />
traditional clothing brand.<br />
96 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
WHILE YOU’RE<br />
THERE, DON’T MISS<br />
THE CHANCE TO:<br />
GO ICE CLIMBING<br />
Explore Scandinavia’s<br />
frozen beauty by hiking<br />
over a glacier arm or icedover<br />
waterfall in Hemsedal<br />
(norgesguidene.no) or Åre<br />
(jope.se). No special training<br />
or equipment is required.<br />
Book in-resort with<br />
Neilson, neilson.co.uk<br />
Geilo, Norway<br />
Where: A diminutive mountain village<br />
halfway along the scenic Oslo-Bergen<br />
railway line.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport:<br />
Fagernes.<br />
Best for: Late season (and late evening)<br />
skiing – into late April and well past<br />
eight in the evening.<br />
Who goes: Families with children,<br />
thanks to activities that include<br />
sledging slopes, treasure hunts,<br />
cross-country ski orienteering and ski<br />
schools – plus an excellent terrain park<br />
for boarders and skiers. Queen Sonja<br />
of Norway herself received her ski<br />
instructor’s certificate in Geilo.<br />
Don’t miss: The IceMusic Festival<br />
(3-5 February, icefestival.no) features
WINTER FUN<br />
a stage, venue and even instruments all<br />
constructed out of snow and ice.<br />
Best digs: Possibly Norway’s most<br />
famous resort is Dr Holms Hotel<br />
(neilson.co.uk), whose elegant,<br />
romantic rooms are kitted out with<br />
original art and antique furnishings.<br />
Best eats: Hallingstuene (56 Geilovegen,<br />
+47 32 09 12 50), decorated in the style<br />
of a traditional local cottage, is Geilo’s<br />
most upmarket restaurant. Traditional<br />
meets modern here – reindeer carpaccio<br />
and marinated mountain trout, anyone?<br />
Best souvenir: A kicksled – they’re<br />
typically Norwegian, and Geilo hosts<br />
the Kicksled World Championship.<br />
Rovaniemi, Finland<br />
Where: A few miles south of the Arctic<br />
Circle in Finnish Lapland.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport:<br />
Rovaniemi.<br />
Best for: Skiers who also want a shot<br />
of nomadic Sámi culture – and anyone<br />
who cares to tee off on the ice of the<br />
Kemijoki river (arcticgolf.fi).<br />
Who goes: Young couples with a sense of<br />
adventure; Finnish alpine skier Tanja<br />
Poutiainen trained here and it’s also a<br />
favourite with F1 driver Mika Häkkinen.<br />
Don’t miss: Walk down the Arktikum<br />
museum’s 172m-long central corridor<br />
to explore exhibits on Sámi crafts and<br />
costumes (4 Pohjoisranta, arktikum.fi).<br />
Best digs: The city’s poshest stay is the<br />
recently renovated Santa Claus Hotel<br />
(thomascook.com), whose divine Santa<br />
suite has its own sauna and Jacuzzi.<br />
Best eats: Nili (20 Valtakatu, +358<br />
400 369 669) is great for sampling<br />
Arctic specialties. Sink your teeth into<br />
sautéed reindeer, bear tenderloin,<br />
breast of snowgrouse and chargrilled<br />
Lapland trout.<br />
Best souvenir: A multipurpose knife<br />
from the Marttiini Old Knife Factory<br />
(32 Vartiokatu, marttiini.fi), Finland’s<br />
top blade-makers, in the business<br />
since 1928.<br />
98 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
WHILE YOU’RE<br />
THERE, DON’T MISS<br />
THE CHANCE TO:<br />
GO TO SANTA<br />
CLAUS’S VILLAGE<br />
Just north of the Arctic<br />
Circle at Rovaniemi,<br />
visit Santa’s log cabin<br />
(santaclausvillage.info), for<br />
photos with Father Christmas<br />
and sleigh rides, and learn<br />
to bake gingerbread men at<br />
the nearby theme park.<br />
GO ON A HUSKY<br />
SLEIGH RIDE<br />
Experience the call of the<br />
wild with Siberian huskies on<br />
a safari through a tundra<br />
landscape that’s home to<br />
brown bears, lynx and elk.<br />
The northern latitudes of<br />
Kittilä and Rovaniemi are<br />
ideal (huskypoint.fi).<br />
GO SNOWSHOEING<br />
Clump your way across a<br />
starkly beautiful landscape<br />
and let the cobalt-blue<br />
light put you in a dreamlike<br />
state with a hike in Geilo<br />
(hovestott.no) or Kittilä<br />
(harriniva.fi).<br />
Kittilä, Finland<br />
Where: Smack in the middle of Finnish<br />
Lapland, nearly a hundred miles north<br />
of the Arctic Circle.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport: Kittilä.<br />
Best for: More than 60 ski slopes and<br />
330km of cross-country trails make<br />
the Levi ski centre (levi.fi) perfect for<br />
challenging workouts.<br />
Who goes: Snowboarding fanatics, who<br />
can often be found hitting Ylläs resort<br />
(yllas.fi) as early as October.<br />
Don’t miss: A snowmobile trip through<br />
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park or out<br />
to Lainio Snow Village (snowvillage.fi)<br />
for its snow sculptures and snow hotel.<br />
Best digs: The buzzing Sokos Levi’s 200<br />
rooms are the last word in local luxury,<br />
tastefully decorated in a range of cosy<br />
colours from autumn russets to summer<br />
blues (thomascook.com).<br />
Best eats: Cosy Árran (3 Hissitie, +358<br />
16 64 18 88) serves traditional Sámi<br />
dishes such as creamy smoked reindeer<br />
soup with chanterelle mushrooms.<br />
Best souvenir: Hand-woven, traditional<br />
wool mittens or a cap made from goatskin<br />
and reindeer fur, made by local Sámi.<br />
Vemdalen, Sweden<br />
Where: North east of central Sweden’s<br />
Sånfjället National Park.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport:<br />
Åre-Östersund.<br />
Best for: A ski centre featuring four<br />
areas for kids, plus an award-winning<br />
ski school, making it one of<br />
Scandinavia’s best places for a<br />
family-friendly holiday.<br />
Who goes: Families and couples looking<br />
to take it easy.<br />
Don’t miss: Specialist ski classes that<br />
cover carving, moguls, telemark<br />
skiing and how to survive off-piste;<br />
the newly opened six-seater Grizzly<br />
Express, Scandinavia’s fastest chairlift.<br />
Best digs: Neilson Chalet Backengarden<br />
(neilson.co.uk) is a modern two-storey<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY PER ERIKSSON / TRIGGER AB
It’s small and quiet, but<br />
Vemdalen in Sweden is also a<br />
mecca for specialist skiers<br />
Off-the-beaten-track Vemdalen<br />
is north of central Sweden’s<br />
Sånfjället National Park
WINTER FUN<br />
cottage that oozes Scandinavian charm,<br />
with an open fireplace and communal sauna.<br />
Best eats: Set at Vemdalen’s main ski<br />
area, the cosy, informal Hildings Krog<br />
(40 Österlängatan, +46 68 43 13 30)<br />
serves delicious cordon bleu venison.<br />
Best souvenir: Pick up some smoked,<br />
vacuum-packed reindeer (or moose) at<br />
any of the provisions shops in town.<br />
Åre, Sweden<br />
Where: High in the mountains near the<br />
Swedish-Norwegian border.<br />
Nearest Thomas Cook airport:<br />
Åre-Östersund.<br />
Best for: With 30 lifts, 53 slopes and<br />
100+ miles of marked paths, this is the<br />
best carving north of the Alps. Åre was<br />
named the world’s best ski resort by<br />
Condé Nast Traveller in 2008.<br />
Who goes: Downhill experts,<br />
snowboarders, winter-loving families<br />
and anyone wanting a break from<br />
French and Italian resorts.<br />
100 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
WHILE YOU’RE<br />
THERE, DON’T MISS<br />
THE CHANCE TO:<br />
SEE THE<br />
NORTHERN LIGHTS<br />
Witness one of the planet’s<br />
greatest natural shows.<br />
Come winter, the heavens<br />
in this beautiful part of<br />
the world glow with the<br />
Aurora Borealis (Northern<br />
Lights, pictured) – bright,<br />
fiery tapestries of amber<br />
and hazel light. For a<br />
truly unforgettable travel<br />
experience, the Northern<br />
Lights are best viewed<br />
between the months of<br />
September and April. Take<br />
a Northern Lights Voyage<br />
with Neilson Adventures,<br />
flights included. Visit<br />
neilsonadventures.co.uk<br />
Don’t miss: The thrilling zipline course,<br />
dog sledding, ice climbing, snowmobile<br />
safaris and a visit to the Tännforsen<br />
frozen waterfall (prebook through<br />
neilson.co.uk).<br />
Best digs: The swanky Tott Hotel<br />
(neilson.co.uk) features a full-service spa<br />
and pool, plus lake view.<br />
Best eats: Åre’s most unique dining<br />
experience can be found at Karolinen<br />
(Åre, +46 647 32090, karolinen.se),<br />
where the three-course menu includes<br />
local reindeer and moose, all served on<br />
hot stones. You can even arrange to be<br />
collected by dogsled or snowmobile from<br />
Åre or Åre Björnen.<br />
Best souvenir: A bottle of oak<br />
barrel schnapps, distilled in<br />
Buustamons Fjällgård’s basement,<br />
will help bring those Scandinavian<br />
memories flooding back. TC<br />
For winter breaks in Finland, go to<br />
thomascook.com. For the best ski deals in Norway<br />
and Sweden, get the latest Neilson brochure or<br />
visit neilson.co.uk for more information
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Thomas Cook Travel Ltd, Thomas Cook Retail Ltd, Thomas Cook Tour Operations Ltd, Thomas Cook Scheduled Tour Operations Ltd and Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd are all<br />
Appointed Representatives of White Horse Insurance Ireland Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Thomas Cook travel insurance is<br />
underwritten by White Horse Insurance Ireland Limited. Thomas Cook Registered Offi ce: The Thomas Cook Business Park, Coningsby Road, Peterborough PE3 8SB. Company<br />
registration nos. 7397858, 102630, 3772199, 960252 & 2012379. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded.
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oca el Mar is located in Costa Maya,“ewel”<br />
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ALL FOR A<br />
GOOD CAUSE<br />
The Thomas Cook<br />
Children’s Charity has<br />
been busy over the past<br />
few months making<br />
dreams come true for<br />
sick and disadvantaged<br />
children. The Charity is<br />
on track to raise around<br />
£1 million this year and<br />
that’s thanks to you, the<br />
valued customer. If you’d<br />
like to help out, simply<br />
hand any leftover holiday<br />
money to a member of<br />
your cabin crew on your<br />
return flight. Here are a<br />
few updates on some of<br />
the projects that have<br />
been made possible by<br />
your donations.<br />
CHILDREN’S<br />
CHARITY JOINS<br />
SOCIAL MEDIA<br />
PLATFORMS<br />
You can now keep up<br />
to date with how the<br />
Children’s Charity is<br />
continuing to make<br />
dreams come true for<br />
sick and disadvantaged<br />
children by following<br />
us on Twitter (@<br />
TCCcharity) or by<br />
searching for the<br />
“Thomas Cook Children’s<br />
Charity” group on<br />
Facebook and clicking<br />
the “Like” button.<br />
THOMAS COOK NEWS<br />
Catch up with the latest from news from around the globe<br />
Thomas Cook Children’s Charity helps<br />
create a sporting legacy for London 2012<br />
THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT LONDON<br />
2012 will take its place in history<br />
UK<br />
with some incredible sporting<br />
achievements next year. But it’s<br />
so much more than the events that will take<br />
place between 27 July and 9 September 2012.<br />
Many projects are already underway to ensure<br />
that the Games will leave a lasting legacy of<br />
benefits in culture, sport and volunteering,<br />
not just in London, but across the UK. And<br />
the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity wants to<br />
ensure that it plays a key role in delivering that<br />
legacy, following Thomas Cook UK and Ireland’s<br />
exclusive partnership with the London 2012<br />
Olympic and Paralympic Games.<br />
The new collaboration between Sport England<br />
(the English Sports Council) and the Charity<br />
will help fund projects that will deliver improved<br />
sporting opportunities for disadvantaged young<br />
people across England. It will work alongside the<br />
Inspired Facilities fund, part of Sport England’s<br />
Places, People, Play programme, which focuses<br />
on making it easier for local communities and<br />
volunteer groups to improve and refurbish<br />
sports clubs or transform non-sporting venues<br />
into modern sporting facilities. Inspired Facilities<br />
is investing £50 million of National Lottery<br />
funding in up to 1,000 community sports<br />
projects between now and 2012, and this will be<br />
given a further boost with up to £500,000 of<br />
funds from the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.<br />
Any community or voluntary organisation<br />
can apply for grants to help with projects as<br />
complex as building a brand new sporting venue<br />
to as simple as buying new footballs and goal<br />
posts to replace worn-out equipment. Whatever<br />
the scale of the project, Sport England has<br />
designed the programme to be as simple and<br />
accessible as possible.<br />
For more information about this fantastic<br />
project or how to<br />
apply for funds for<br />
your local community,<br />
please visit<br />
sportengland.org/<br />
inspiredfacilities.<br />
Flights of fantasy for sick children<br />
AFTER READING ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S<br />
Charity on board a Thomas Cook Airlines<br />
flight, Lifelites made an application to the<br />
Children’s Charity for funds to purchase flight<br />
simulator software for 10 of its children’s<br />
hospices during 2010. Due to the nature of<br />
most of the children’s illnesses, many families<br />
are unable to enjoy a holiday. But through<br />
this virtual travel experience, the children can<br />
experience what it’s like to fly a plane through<br />
advanced technology.<br />
The project was such a hit with the children<br />
that the Trustees for the Charity agreed to fund<br />
equipment in a further 14 hospices during <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
For more information about the great work that<br />
Lifelites does, visit lifelites.org.<br />
CRUISE CONTROL<br />
A member of<br />
Thomas Cook<br />
staff tests<br />
out the hi-tech<br />
flight simulator<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
103
THOMAS COOK NEWS<br />
LENDING A HAND<br />
IN SPANISH<br />
THOMAS COOK STAFF IN<br />
Palma, Majorca, have been<br />
helping local children’s charity<br />
Ames by asking hoteliers to<br />
donate bed linen, blankets and<br />
towels to its three centres for<br />
children who are unable to stay<br />
with their own families, including<br />
children that arrive from<br />
Senegal and Mali with no family<br />
or luggage. The Charity also<br />
provided funding for a new mini<br />
bus for the children.<br />
GET IN TOUCH<br />
If you know of a child or group<br />
of children you think may<br />
benefit from funding, please get<br />
in touch with Maxine Harper,<br />
Charitable Operations Manager,<br />
Thomas Cook Children’s Charity,<br />
Drake Building, Thomas Cook<br />
Business Park, Coningsby Road,<br />
Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8AB.<br />
Thank you for your support.<br />
HERE TO HELP<br />
AT THOMAS COOK WE<br />
believe our future as a<br />
business depends on the<br />
health and prosperity of the<br />
communities in which we<br />
operate, both at home and in<br />
those countries where our<br />
customers take holidays.<br />
In the past few months we<br />
have supported volunteering<br />
activities undertaken by a<br />
number of our employees,<br />
not only because we want<br />
to support the needs of<br />
local communities, but also<br />
because we recognise the<br />
personal benefits our people<br />
gain from carrying out<br />
voluntary activities.<br />
104 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
It’s easy being green<br />
“Make Holidays Greener” week<br />
was launched by the Travel<br />
Foundation and takes place<br />
annually in July. Holidaymakers<br />
and Thomas Cook employees<br />
are encouraged to take part in<br />
environmental or social activities<br />
in resort destinations. The great<br />
thing about the activities is that<br />
they’re now available all season,<br />
so the benefits are long-lasting<br />
and Thomas Cook guests have<br />
something new to do on holiday.<br />
SAVING SEALIFE<br />
Launched in July <strong>2011</strong> to<br />
celebrate “Make Holidays<br />
Greener” week, Finding Shades<br />
has become a regular fun-filled<br />
family day out at Majorca’s<br />
Palma Aquarium. Enjoy all the<br />
fun of the aquarium, plus<br />
entertainment and games<br />
from KidsWORLD staff<br />
and mascots like Shades<br />
the Shark (above), who<br />
In <strong>2011</strong>, cabin crew members<br />
from our Birmingham airport<br />
base delivered much-needed<br />
stationery and gifts to a<br />
school in the Gambia.<br />
Supported by businesses<br />
in Birmingham and the<br />
Thomas Cook oversees team<br />
based in the Gambia, it was<br />
a huge success and greatly<br />
welcomed by the children<br />
in the Gambia (pictured).<br />
Back at home, and in August<br />
members of the cabin crew<br />
training and recruitment<br />
team spent an entire day at a<br />
housing unit for young mothers<br />
and children, close to our head<br />
office. They decorated a room<br />
runs “green” activities, from<br />
treasure hunting to recycling<br />
relays. You can also learn about<br />
the “Save the Tuna” campaign<br />
and sign the petition to stop<br />
over-fishing of the endangered<br />
blue fin tuna. Palma Aquarium<br />
plays a huge role in the<br />
conservation of marine species<br />
and their natural environment<br />
by spreading awareness<br />
among the general public.<br />
See your KidsWORLD<br />
representatives in resort<br />
for further details on how<br />
to join Shades at the<br />
Palma Aquarium fun day.<br />
for one of the tenants, before<br />
talking to other tenants about<br />
the rewarding and exciting<br />
careers available in the travel<br />
and tourism industry.<br />
Earlier, in spring <strong>2011</strong>, our<br />
airline finance department<br />
joined forces with other UK<br />
businesses to take part in a<br />
conservation challenge set<br />
up by Business in the<br />
Community (one of The<br />
Prince’s Charities, a group of<br />
not-for-profit organisations of<br />
which The Prince of Wales<br />
is President). By removing<br />
invasive non-native species<br />
and creating habitat piles to<br />
benefit small mammals and<br />
ITALIAN<br />
TASTE-TEST<br />
Another regular feature of<br />
“Make Holidays Greener” week<br />
is the olive oil tasting event<br />
at the Gargiulo olive press in<br />
Sorrento. Combining modern<br />
methods with century-old<br />
traditions, Gargiulo produces<br />
some of the tastiest olive<br />
and truffle oils. The miniature<br />
bottles (below) make excellent<br />
souvenirs and gifts, and will<br />
enable you to create a taste<br />
of Sorrento back at home. See<br />
your local resort representative<br />
for further details.<br />
insects, they helped restore<br />
elements of the eco-system in<br />
local parkland.<br />
The positive feedback<br />
received from people who<br />
have benefited from all these<br />
activities confirms that our<br />
contributions do make a real<br />
impact. And the big smiles<br />
from our staff confirm that<br />
volunteering is definitely good<br />
for them, too!
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Finding it hard to think<br />
about anything else?<br />
There you are trying to enjoy life at the ballet, the theatre,<br />
the cinema or your child’s school play. But all you can<br />
think about is your urgent need to get to a toilet.<br />
You may be suffering from an overactive bladder but you<br />
are not alone. Over 5 million people in the UK have the<br />
same problem. Luckily there are medications and other<br />
treatment options available from your doctor that will<br />
help your bladder.<br />
For more information and advice to help you talk<br />
to your doctor call our confidential helpline on:<br />
0800 044 3541<br />
Request your free copy of Pathway to Success,<br />
a step-by-step booklet that describes overactive<br />
bladder in more detail and offers useful tips and<br />
advice on the help that is available.<br />
Call the freephone helpline number or visit:<br />
www.bladderproblem.co.uk<br />
Alternatively, please write to Beechwood House Publishing Ltd,<br />
FREEPOST RM1151, Beechwood House, 2-3 Commercial Way,<br />
Christy Close, Southfield, Basildon, Essex SS15 6BR<br />
A patient awareness<br />
campaign sponsored by<br />
Registered Charity<br />
Number: 1085095<br />
VES11284UK / June <strong>2011</strong>
Wellbeing in the air<br />
Thomas Cook aims to make your flight<br />
comfortable and relaxing. Simply follow<br />
these tips and exercises to ensure you<br />
arrive at your destination feeling great<br />
Special requirements<br />
Hopefully, we already know about your<br />
special requirements, such as wheelchair<br />
assistance or dietary requests. If not, and<br />
this is an outbound fl ight, please advise a<br />
member of the cabin crew so that they can<br />
make appropriate arrangements for your<br />
return journey.<br />
Sleep and seatbelts<br />
If you’re planning to sleep during the fl ight,<br />
we recommend you fasten your seatbelt<br />
so the cabin crew don’t have to wake you<br />
should the Captain need to turn on the<br />
“fasten seatbelt” sign. We recommend that<br />
you keep your seatbelt fastened at all times<br />
while seated.<br />
THOMAS COOK WELLBEING<br />
No Smoking<br />
In line with international policy, all our<br />
fl ights are non-smoking. It is an offence<br />
to smoke onboard. We ask that you refrain<br />
from smoking for the comfort and safety<br />
of passengers and crew.<br />
Young children<br />
The cabin crew will do their utmost to<br />
make everyone feel as comfortable and<br />
welcome as possible during the fl ight.<br />
If you are travelling with young children,<br />
just ask if you need any milk or infant<br />
meals to be heated. Baby-changing<br />
facilities are available on all our aircraft –<br />
again, just ask your crew for the location<br />
nearest to your seat.<br />
HOW TO BEAT JET LAG:<br />
Jet lag occurs when our biological<br />
clocks are disrupted by flying across<br />
time zones. This can affect sleep,<br />
appetite and bodily functions, but by<br />
making a few simple adjustments you<br />
can reduce the symptoms.<br />
INFLIGHT<br />
During the flight, avoid drinking too much<br />
alcohol and caffeine, drink plenty of<br />
water and try to eat light meals.<br />
ON ARRIVAL<br />
When you arrive, go out in the daylight<br />
as soon as possible. Try to adapt to the<br />
local bedtime on your first night. Relax as<br />
much as possible for the first few days –<br />
a catnap between 3pm and 5pm will help<br />
give you an energy boost.<br />
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107
THOMAS COOK WELLBEING<br />
Electronic<br />
equipment<br />
Technology moves at<br />
such a fast pace that<br />
you may be confused<br />
about what electronic<br />
equipment you can and<br />
can’t use onboard. To<br />
help you, we have the<br />
following guidelines.<br />
The use of radios is strictly prohibited.<br />
Mobile telephones, with the exception of<br />
those with a “flight safe” mode, should be<br />
switched off at all times on board the<br />
aircraft. Phones with a “flight safe” mode<br />
should have this activated before you<br />
switch your phone off for take off.<br />
Personal CD, DVD, MP3 and MiniDisc<br />
players may be used, but only when the<br />
seatbelt sign is switched off.<br />
Wireless devices such as PDAs, laptop<br />
computers, electronic games and E-readers,<br />
may only be used onboard if the wireless<br />
function is disabled and again, may only be<br />
used while the seatbelt sign is off.<br />
Simple as ABC<br />
To feel your best in<br />
the air, remember:<br />
Alcohol<br />
Alcohol should be consumed only in<br />
moderation. For each glass of alcohol, drink<br />
two glasses of water. Try to drink at least a<br />
pint of water every three hours.<br />
Baggy<br />
Baggy clothes are best in the air. Try not<br />
to wear any tight-fitting clothing, loosen<br />
top buttons, belts and shoelaces and<br />
remove tight socks. We do, however, ask<br />
that your dress remains respectable<br />
throughout the flight.<br />
Circulation<br />
Circulation of blood is helped if you try<br />
not to cross your legs or ankles for long<br />
periods of time. Elastic support socks<br />
or stockings may help, but they must be<br />
measured by your doctor or pharmacist. Our<br />
recommended exercises will also help blood<br />
circulation, but if you feel any discomfort<br />
when performing them, then please stop.<br />
108 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
Inflight exercise<br />
Humans aren’t designed to sit in one position<br />
for long, so to promote blood circulation<br />
we recommend the following exercises. Try<br />
them while seated and remember that even the<br />
smallest movements help with blood circulation.<br />
UPPER BODY<br />
1 Take a large breath in through the<br />
nose. Slowly exhale through the mouth.<br />
Repeat a maximum of four times.<br />
2 Sitting upright, turn your head<br />
slowly to look over one shoulder. Now<br />
slowly turn to the other side. Repeat<br />
five times.<br />
LOWER BODY<br />
1 Loosen or remove your footwear. Arch<br />
the soles of both feet and curl your<br />
toes 10 times.<br />
2 Straighten your legs, slightly lift<br />
your feet off the floor and pump both<br />
ankles forwards and backwards about<br />
20 times.<br />
3 Tense and relax your thigh muscles<br />
about 10 times.<br />
4 March your feet on the spot 10 times,<br />
alternating between the heel and the<br />
ball of your foot.<br />
3 Slowly rotate your shoulders<br />
backwards. Repeat this exercise<br />
five times.<br />
4 Raise one arm above your head and<br />
stretch upwards. Repeat with the<br />
other arm.<br />
5 Transfer your weight evenly between<br />
each buttock.<br />
5 Clench your buttock muscles together<br />
10 times.<br />
6 If queuing for the toilet, try<br />
rocking backwards and forwards, heel to<br />
toe and back.<br />
7 Upon landing, gently stretch your<br />
body to get ready for movement.<br />
8 If you are travelling on a long-haul<br />
flight, try to move around the cabin<br />
every couple of hours.
Health & safety while abroad<br />
Your Holiday Accommodation<br />
Never leave your key where someone can note your<br />
room number<br />
Do not leave your window open, especially if your<br />
room is on the ground floor or has a balcony<br />
Remember to lock your room door, even when you<br />
are inside the room<br />
Balcony<br />
Children should NEVER be left unsupervised<br />
on balconies<br />
Do not climb or stand on balcony furniture.<br />
Keep all furniture away from the balcony wall/railings<br />
Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony<br />
or railings<br />
Bathroom<br />
Take care in bathrooms as condensation and water<br />
spray can make surfaces slippery and bath or floor<br />
mats may not be provided<br />
Do not use mains electrical appliances near<br />
to water<br />
Cooking<br />
Never leave cookers unattended while they are<br />
in use<br />
Ensure all cooking appliances are switched off<br />
when leaving your apartment or when retiring at night<br />
Never leave shopping or other items on the cooker<br />
On arrival at your accommodation<br />
Familiarise yourself with all escape routes and<br />
locate the nearest fire exit to your room<br />
Do a practice walk of the nearest escape route<br />
from your room<br />
Study the fire instruction notice displayed in<br />
your room<br />
Identify the method of raising the alarm on<br />
discovering a fire<br />
Ensure that all smoking materials are safely<br />
extinguished, and do not smoke in bed<br />
If a fire occurs<br />
Evacuate the room/area immediately. Do not stop<br />
to collect personal belongings<br />
Close any doors behind you<br />
Raise the alarm<br />
Proceed to an assembly point outside and well clear<br />
of the building<br />
If you cannot leave your room, close all doors,<br />
put wet towels or clothes around the door seals<br />
and shout for help from the window or telephone<br />
reception<br />
Glass windows and doors<br />
Be aware that glass doors and windows may not<br />
necessarily be equipped with toughened glass.<br />
Caution should be taken at all times<br />
Take extra care in bright sunlight as it may not be<br />
obvious whether the window/door is open or closed<br />
Lifts<br />
Children should not use any lift unaccompanied<br />
Not all lifts have internal doors. When using this<br />
type of lift, stand well back from the exposed wall as<br />
there is no protection from the lift shaft when the car<br />
is in motion<br />
In the event of a fire, use the staircase,<br />
not the lift<br />
THOMAS COOK WELLBEING<br />
Poolside safety/out and about<br />
Every pool is different, but most hotels and<br />
apartments do not employ lifeguards, so please<br />
supervise any young members of your party<br />
Familiarise yourself with the layout of the pool to<br />
identify the deep and shallow areas before use<br />
Ensure that children use the toilet BEFORE entering<br />
the pool and take regular toilet breaks throughout the<br />
day. In the event of a faecal accident in or around the<br />
pool, please report it immediately, as this will assist the<br />
hotel management in ensuring the highest level of<br />
pool hygiene<br />
Shower before entering the pool<br />
Do not swim (or allow children to swim) if suffering<br />
from an upset stomach<br />
Do not change nappies at the poolside<br />
Young children and babies must wear appropriate<br />
swimwear such as rubber-lined swimming trunks.<br />
Swimming in nappies and nude bathing are<br />
unacceptable<br />
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet<br />
and changing nappies<br />
Have fun, but avoid unruly behaviour. Observe pool<br />
rules and information signs at all times<br />
Pool surrounds can be very slippery – do not run<br />
around them<br />
Do not swim immediately after a meal, and never<br />
swim when you have been drinking alcohol<br />
When jumping or diving into the pool, check the<br />
water depth first and never dive from the deck side<br />
into water less than 1.5m deep<br />
Do not jump or dive from any raised features or<br />
from poolside furniture<br />
Do not use the pool after dark or when closed, even<br />
if it has underwater lights<br />
In the event of an emergency, know how to call<br />
for help<br />
BEACH<br />
1) Spot the dangers<br />
Check out the beach when you arrive<br />
Take care when bathing and swimming<br />
Be aware of dangerous rip currents and strong tides<br />
Do not swim near or dive from rocks, piers,<br />
breakwaters and coral<br />
2) Take safety advice<br />
Swim where there are lifeguards on patrol and take<br />
their advice<br />
Look out for information – warning flags and signs<br />
– and adhere to them at all times<br />
Never swim where a sign says not to, for example<br />
zoned areas for high-speed vehicles such as jet boats<br />
or jet skis<br />
3) Don’t go alone<br />
Never swim alone – make sure there are other<br />
people around<br />
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times<br />
Never swim at night, after drinking alcohol or on a<br />
full stomach<br />
4) Learn how to help<br />
If you see someone in difficulty, tell somebody,<br />
preferably a lifeguard if there is one nearby<br />
Find out what to do in an emergency, such as calling<br />
the local coastguard or equivalent<br />
5) Sun safety<br />
Avoid sunbathing during the hottest time of day<br />
Apply high-factor sunscreen, and re-apply frequently<br />
Never expose babies to the sun and always take<br />
extra care with children<br />
Remember it is possible to burn in the shade, when<br />
it is cloudy and while swimming<br />
At the first sign of burning get out of the sun<br />
immediately<br />
Always drink plenty of water<br />
DRIVING ON HOLIDAY<br />
Check the vehicle is roadworthy and familiarise<br />
yourself with all controls before use, as they may differ<br />
from cars in the UK and Ireland<br />
Check that the car-hire insurance cover you take<br />
out provides adequate cover for the driver and all the<br />
passengers<br />
Always wear a seatbelt<br />
Familiarise yourself with local traffic laws<br />
Pay particular attention when at junctions and<br />
roundabouts<br />
Always carry emergency breakdown telephone<br />
numbers<br />
Always carry a spare set of spectacles (required by<br />
law in Spain)<br />
NEVER drink and drive<br />
Stick to well-travelled and well-lit roads<br />
We advise against the independent hiring of<br />
mopeds, motorbikes, quad bikes and jet skis<br />
Pedestrians<br />
Be vigilant at all times. Familiarise yourself with the<br />
direction of traffic<br />
Be aware that in some countries traffic is not<br />
required to stop at pedestrian crossings<br />
SERVICES OF<br />
LOCAL VENDORS<br />
In many holiday resorts you may find that services,<br />
such as henna tattoos, are available from places<br />
like street vendors. Although not recommended by<br />
Thomas Cook, if you choose to have a tattoo done or<br />
use the services of a local vendor, we would advise you<br />
to do so with caution. In the case of tattoos, ensure<br />
you ask for a test application before any larger-scale<br />
tattoos are applied. If you have any pre-existing skin<br />
conditions, check with the vendor before agreeing to<br />
any application.<br />
GENERAL<br />
If you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes<br />
to complete the emergency contact details in the<br />
back of your passport<br />
Keep important documents in your hotel safe<br />
Be aware of who is around you. Pickpockets and<br />
opportunists will target anyone<br />
Don’t leave your common sense at the hotel. Don’t<br />
lose sight of your drink, don’t walk around by yourself,<br />
avoid dark places and don’t take unnecessary risks<br />
Look after yourself and your friends<br />
If hiring a car/scooter/quad bike, ask yourself<br />
whether you have adequate insurance<br />
Do not leave belongings unattended (in cars,<br />
restaurants, hotel lobby etc)<br />
Don’t sign anything until you seek advice from<br />
experts. The chances of winning a luxury holiday<br />
anywhere in the world just by scratching a card in the<br />
middle of the street, for example, are very remote<br />
Find contact details for your local embassy, in case<br />
of emergency, at fco.gov.uk<br />
Be aware that the laws and customs of the country<br />
you’re visiting may be different from home. Read up<br />
on country-specific advice at fco.gov.uk/travel<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
109
IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS<br />
Flying in and out of the United States<br />
Before you leave the plane<br />
You must fill in the Immigration Visa and<br />
Customs forms, which will be handed out<br />
by the cabin crew during the flight. You’re<br />
legally obliged to fill them in – please make<br />
sure they’re correctly completed or you may<br />
face delays at Immigration. If you do make<br />
any mistakes, please ask for a new form.<br />
These forms are completed in addition to<br />
the ESTA forms completed online.<br />
Which forms do I need?<br />
Depending on your circumstances, you will<br />
either need a white or green Immigration<br />
form, plus a Customs Declaration form.<br />
We’ve put together some tips (below) to help<br />
you avoid the most common mistakes.<br />
Exceptions<br />
You DO NOT need to complete an<br />
Immigration form if you are:<br />
A US citizen<br />
A Canadian citizen<br />
A Green Card holder<br />
A new immigrant<br />
FILLING IN YOUR FORMS<br />
DO:<br />
Take your time<br />
Write in capital letters, using a pen<br />
Write in the space below the questions<br />
and fill in every line. When asked for your<br />
address, if you are a visitor to the US, then<br />
print the name of your hotel. If on a fly-drive<br />
holiday and unsure where you will be staying<br />
on your first night, then give one of the<br />
following addresses:<br />
Sanford – Thomas Cook, 1,650 Sand Lake<br />
Road, Suite 300, Orlando, FL32809<br />
OR<br />
Las Vegas – Thomas Cook, 5,030 Paradise<br />
Road, Suite C214, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119<br />
Sign and date the back of your Customs<br />
Declaration form<br />
Double-check your forms<br />
Ask cabin crew if you have any queries<br />
DO NOT:<br />
Cross anything out. If you make a mistake,<br />
ask for a new form and start again<br />
110 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
WHITE FORM: ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE RECORD<br />
specimen<br />
specimen<br />
specimen<br />
Complete this form if:<br />
» You are NOT a US citizen<br />
AND<br />
» You hold a valid US Visa<br />
AND<br />
» Your final destination is the United States OR you are<br />
passing through the US to your final destination<br />
Please complete items 1-13 on the Arrival record<br />
and items 14-17 on the Departure record. Keep the<br />
Departure record until you leave the US<br />
BLUE FORM: CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM<br />
specimen<br />
specimen<br />
You must fill in the Customs Declaration form before you<br />
arrive in the US. One form per household is required.
THOMAS COOK FLEET<br />
Thomas Cook operates over 30 aircraft to Europe<br />
and the rest of the world from the UK<br />
AIRBUS A330-200<br />
Total passengers: 325 and 354<br />
Wing-span: 60.3m<br />
Length: 58.38m<br />
Number in fleet: 4<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 233,000kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 520mph<br />
Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 772B Series<br />
BOEING 767-300<br />
Total passengers: 326<br />
Wing-span: 47.57m<br />
Length: 54.94m<br />
Number in fleet: 2<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 184,612kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 530mph<br />
Engines: 2 General Electric CF6-80C2<br />
BOEING 757-200<br />
Total passengers: 235<br />
Wing-span: 38.05m<br />
Length: 47.32m<br />
Number in fleet: 17<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 113,398kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph<br />
Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4<br />
AIRBUS A321-200<br />
Total passengers: 220<br />
Wing-span: 34.1m<br />
Length: 43.69m<br />
Number in fleet: 4<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 89,000kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph<br />
Engines: 2 CFM 56-5B3<br />
AIRBUS A320-200<br />
Total passengers: 180<br />
Wing-span: 34.1m<br />
Length: 37.57m<br />
Number in fleet: 6<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 77,000kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph<br />
Engines: 2 International Aero Engines V2500 Series or CFM<br />
International CFM 56-5B4<br />
BOEING 757-300<br />
Total passengers: 280<br />
Wing-span: 38.05m<br />
Length: 54.43m<br />
Number in fleet: 2<br />
Maximum take-off weight: 117,934kg<br />
Maximum cruising speed: 500mph<br />
Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4<br />
BUY YOUR OWN<br />
PLANE ONBOARD!<br />
Thomas Cook model aircraft<br />
are available to buy onboard<br />
for £8.50 each. See Shop!<br />
magazine<br />
g<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
111
A selection of the many<br />
destinations the airline flies to:<br />
1 Glasgow<br />
2 Newcastle<br />
3 Belfast<br />
4 Leeds Bradford<br />
5 Manchester<br />
112 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
UK DEPARTURE AIRPORTS<br />
6 East Midlands<br />
7 Birmingham<br />
8 Cardiff<br />
9 Bristol<br />
10 London Stansted<br />
CANADA<br />
LAS VEGAS<br />
USA<br />
MEXICO<br />
PACIFIC OCEAN<br />
11 London Gatwick<br />
12 Aberdeen<br />
13 Norwich<br />
CANCUN<br />
SANFORD<br />
VARADERO<br />
CAYO COCO<br />
CUBA HOLGUIN<br />
MONTEGO BAY<br />
PUERTO PLATA<br />
PUNTA CANA<br />
JAMAICA DOMINICAN<br />
REPUBLIC<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
BRIDGETOWN<br />
BARBADOS
MADEIRA<br />
FUNCHAL<br />
ARRECIFE<br />
TENERIFE FUERTEVENUTRA<br />
LAS PALMAS<br />
CANARY<br />
ISLANDS<br />
CAPE<br />
VERDE<br />
BANJUL<br />
THE GAMBIA<br />
OCEAN<br />
BOA VISTA<br />
3<br />
1<br />
12<br />
2<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
13<br />
8<br />
9 10<br />
11<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
FRANCE<br />
GRENOBLE<br />
GERMANY<br />
GENEVA<br />
TURIN<br />
ITALY<br />
LLEIDA-ALGUAIRE<br />
PORTUGAL SPAIN<br />
PALMA<br />
ALICANTE<br />
FARO MALAGA<br />
ENFIDHA<br />
TUNISIA<br />
SALZBURG<br />
INNSBRUCK<br />
BALTIC SEA<br />
MALTA<br />
BODRUM<br />
THOMAS COOK ROUTES<br />
BULGARIA<br />
SOFIA<br />
DALAMAN<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
KITTILÄ<br />
ROVANIEMI<br />
PAPHOS LARNACA<br />
CYPRUS<br />
EGYPT<br />
HURGHADA<br />
LUXOR<br />
TURKEY<br />
ANTALYA<br />
SHARM EL SHEIKH<br />
GOA<br />
INDIA<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
113
Thomas Cook<br />
Launches Xbox<br />
Partnership<br />
Kinect for Xbox 360 is a revolution in controller<br />
free gaming experiences for the whole family.<br />
Imagine controlling games with a wave of your<br />
hand or the sound of your voice, well that’s just<br />
the start of the fun with this healthy new gaming<br />
experience where all you need to do to take part<br />
is get up off the sun bed and start moving!<br />
Thomas Cook FamilyWORLD, Airtours Sunstar and all<br />
KidsWORLD EXTRA Hotels will be brought to life in<br />
extraordinary new ways, in Summer 2012 as every club will<br />
feature fantastic Xbox Kinect gaming events based around the<br />
exciting new Kinect for Xbox 360.<br />
no gadgets, no gizmos,<br />
just you, Jump in!<br />
Escapades EDGE<br />
Escapades launches its partnership with Xbox by<br />
introducing Xbox Kinect Party Events. Have a<br />
dance off with Dance Central 2 or challenge your<br />
mates on Kinect Sports two in all of our Escapades<br />
Edge hotels throughout Summer 2012.<br />
.
Entertain<br />
Inflight movies, TV and audio<br />
116<br />
116<br />
The return of the pack<br />
The boys are back in town, but can<br />
they handle the heat in Thailand?<br />
117<br />
121<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
115
Personal seatback > Movies TV<br />
ONLY AVAILABLE ON SELECTED FLIGHTS<br />
MAIN<br />
MOVIE<br />
116 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES<br />
Adventure | 137 mins | Cert 12A | Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush<br />
Our favourite haphazard pirate is back for the<br />
fourth installment of Disney's action-packed<br />
saga, and this time, Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp)<br />
really has his work cut out. After crossing paths<br />
with a mysterious old flame/rival, Angelica<br />
(Cruz), he’s lured onto the Queen Anne's<br />
Revenge ship only to find himself imprisoned by<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS<br />
Romantic Comedy | 98 mins |<br />
Cert 15<br />
Fall in love with Paris in this<br />
charming Woody Allen-directed<br />
comedy about a young writer<br />
(Owen Wilson) who becomes<br />
disillusioned with his life after<br />
moving to the City of Light,<br />
only to find that the grass isn't<br />
greener on the other side.<br />
Also stars Rachel McAdams.<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
CAPTAIN AMERICA:<br />
THE FIRST AVENGER<br />
Action | 124 mins | Cert 12A<br />
The top superhero blockbuster<br />
of the summer sees a timid<br />
US army soldier go from zero<br />
to hero after taking part in<br />
an experimental programme<br />
that gives him super-human<br />
powers as Captain America.<br />
Enter the villain, Red Skull, who<br />
the new vigilante must defeat.<br />
Blackbeard, the wickedest pirate on the seven<br />
seas. While fighting off zombies and mermaids,<br />
Captain Jack is forced to seek out the legendary<br />
Fountain of Youth or face death. With another<br />
brilliant performance by Depp and a cameo<br />
from Keith Richards, this wacky but witty series<br />
doesn’t look like it will end any time soon.<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
THE HANGOVER PART II<br />
Comedy | 102 mins | Cert 15<br />
Ruder, cruder and funnier that<br />
the first morning-after-thenight-before<br />
affair, the “wolf<br />
pack” reunites in Thailand<br />
for Stu’s wedding and, you<br />
guessed it, bachelor party. Still<br />
scarred by memories of Vegas,<br />
Stu is determined to keep it<br />
low-key, but of course, things<br />
don’t quite go to plan.<br />
MOVIE PLUS<br />
HARRY POTTER AND THE<br />
DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2<br />
Fantasy/Family | 130 mins |<br />
Cert 12A<br />
It’s hard to believe that it’s<br />
been 10 years since the first<br />
magical outing, and this<br />
nail-biting finale does the<br />
much-loved film series justice.<br />
Harry, Ron and Hermione are<br />
on a frantic quest to destroy<br />
the last of the Horcruxes in<br />
a bid to finally defeat Lord<br />
Voldemort. But will Harry have<br />
to make the ultimate sacrifice?<br />
FAMILY CHOICE<br />
CARS 2<br />
Animation | 112 mins | Cert U<br />
Racing legend Lightning<br />
McQueen (Owen Wilson) is<br />
back and determined to win<br />
the first-ever World Grand<br />
Prix. But that’s until he gets<br />
distracted by his wayward<br />
sidekick Mater, who becomes<br />
involved in an adventurous<br />
spy mission that takes them<br />
both from Japan to Europe.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL MOVIES AND PROGRAMMING PLAYED ON THE OVERHEAD SCREENS HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR<br />
SUITABILITY. ON THE PERSONAL SEATBACK TV, HOWEVER, VIEWER DISCRETION MAY BE REQUIRED AS SOME PROGRAMMING<br />
MAY CONTAIN SEX, VIOLENCE OR STRONG LANGUAGE.<br />
COMEDY<br />
MODERN FAMILY (30 mins)<br />
Cameron makes a shocking<br />
discovery writing a book, Claire<br />
plays peacemaker with Haley<br />
and Alex, and Phil avoids the<br />
mayhem with a day at a spa.<br />
HOW I MET YOUR<br />
MOTHER (30 mins)<br />
Desperate to get a date with<br />
Robin, Ted ends up throwing a<br />
series of parties, after she fails<br />
to show up to the first few.<br />
How I Met<br />
Your Mother<br />
PEEP SHOW (30 mins)<br />
Mark thinks he’s found “the<br />
one” after being set up with<br />
Jeremy’s friend, but will a spate<br />
of burglaries help convince her<br />
that he’s “the one” for her?<br />
FAWLTY TOWERS (30 mins)<br />
Basil’s patience is tested<br />
when a demanding woman<br />
with a bad hearing aid is<br />
disappointed with the lack of<br />
wildebeest outside her window.<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
TOP GEAR (60 mins)<br />
Richard is in South Africa<br />
testing an extravagant<br />
Hummer, while Jeremy<br />
celebrates the Jaguar<br />
E-Type’s 50th birthday.<br />
GRAND DESIGNS (50 mins)<br />
Two architects attempt<br />
to build England’s first<br />
subterranean, eco-friendly<br />
home in the Cotswolds.<br />
MUSIC<br />
WALL-TO-WALL<br />
MUSIC VIDEOS<br />
(120 mins)<br />
KIDS<br />
MR. BEAN ANIMATION<br />
(11 mins)<br />
Mr. Bean has difficulty<br />
shrugging off a mime artist<br />
after being followed home<br />
from the park.<br />
> Outbound from the UK<br />
FUTURAMA (20 mins)<br />
Bender becomes the pharoah<br />
of an Egyptian planet and<br />
keeps his friends as slaves.<br />
Take That<br />
THE SIMPSONS (20 mins)<br />
When Bart’s short film, Angry<br />
Dad, becomes an awardwinning<br />
hit, Homer hogs the<br />
spotlight, to his son’s dismay.<br />
MALCOLM IN THE<br />
MIDDLE (30 mins)<br />
Hal becomes the coach of<br />
Dewey’s soccer team, but<br />
ends up resorting to desperate<br />
measures to inspire the boys.<br />
PREMIUM<br />
YOU’LL NEED THESE!<br />
Headsets are available for £2.50. They come with<br />
an adjustable socket so you can use them at home.<br />
TAKE THAT: LOOK BACK,<br />
DON’T STARE (60 mins)<br />
This intimate, fly-on-the-wall<br />
documentary follows Britain’s<br />
most successful boy band<br />
as they reunite with Robbie<br />
Williams ahead of their<br />
exciting tour.<br />
ARCTIC WITH BRUCE<br />
PERRY (60 mins)<br />
The intrepid explorer travels<br />
to America’s last great<br />
wilderness, Alaska, where<br />
he meets locals, fishes for<br />
salmon, dives for gold and<br />
witnesses the ancient Inupiaq<br />
tradition of whale hunting.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
117
Personal seatback > Movies TV<br />
ONLY AVAILABLE ON SELECTED FLIGHTS<br />
MAIN<br />
MOVIE<br />
118 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS<br />
Action/Adventure | 131 mins | Cert 12A | James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Kevin Bacon<br />
Before they became mortal enemies, Professor X<br />
and Magneto were Charles Xavier (McAvoy) and<br />
Erik Lehnsherr (Fassbender). In this prequel to<br />
the epic X-Men franchise, directed by Matthew<br />
Vaughn (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass), the world is<br />
heading towards nuclear destruction as the Cold<br />
War is in full swing. While an evil team led by<br />
former Nazi geneticist Sebastian Shaw (Bacon)<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS<br />
Family | 112 mins | Cert PG<br />
When hard-hearted property<br />
mogul Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey)<br />
finds his Manhattan home<br />
overrun by penguins left to<br />
him by his late father, his world<br />
is turned upside down. But<br />
inevitably, it’s not long before<br />
his grinch-like ways are curbed<br />
and he starts to grow rather<br />
fond of his flightless friends.<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
SUPER 8<br />
Sci-Fi | 112 mins | Cert 12A<br />
This exciting and utterly<br />
charming film, produced by<br />
Steven Speilberg and set in<br />
1979, sees a group of young<br />
friends in Ohio witness a pickup<br />
truck derailing a high-speed train<br />
while shooting their own zombie<br />
film. But when residents start to<br />
mysteriously disappear, it turns<br />
out the event was no accident.<br />
attempts to ignite World War III, Charles and Erik<br />
form a team of righteous mutants determined to<br />
save the planet. But in the process of stopping<br />
Shaw, the leaders clash, and so the pair divide:<br />
The X-Men are formed by Professor X to fight<br />
for good against Magneto’s Brotherhood.<br />
Reminiscent of JJ Abrams’ Star Trek reboot, the<br />
fifth X-Men is action at its best.<br />
ADDITIONAL MOVIE<br />
TRANSFORMERS:<br />
DARK OF THE MOON<br />
Action | 150 mins | Cert 12A<br />
Michael Bay’s third robot flick<br />
sees the interstellar war<br />
between the Autobots (the<br />
good guys) and Decepticons<br />
(the bad guys) explode after<br />
they discover a Cybertronian<br />
spacecraft hidden on the<br />
moon. Stars Shia LaBeouf and<br />
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.<br />
MOVIE PLUS<br />
THE TREE OF LIFE<br />
Drama | 138 mins | Cert 12A<br />
Winner of the Palme d’Or at<br />
<strong>2011</strong>’s Cannes Film Festival,<br />
this Terrence Malick-directed<br />
drama looks at a 1950s<br />
Midwestern American family<br />
who are struggling with the<br />
loss of their teenage son, and<br />
the strained relationship that<br />
evolves between the father<br />
and the eldest son, Jack, after<br />
an existential journey that<br />
disillusions his adult years.<br />
Stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.<br />
FAMILY CHOICE<br />
THE SMURFS<br />
Animation | 103 mins | Cert U<br />
When an evil wizard chases<br />
the Smurfs out of their village,<br />
they find themselves in a very<br />
strange land: New York City.<br />
While trying to escape the<br />
sorcerer and find their way<br />
home, the blue tinkers end<br />
up teaching a workaholic an<br />
important, if not predictable,<br />
lesson about friendship.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL MOVIES AND PROGRAMMING PLAYED ON THE OVERHEAD SCREENS HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR SUITABILITY.<br />
ON THE PERSONAL SEATBACK TV, HOWEVER, VIEWER DISCRETION MAY BE REQUIRED AS SOME PROGRAMMING MAY CONTAIN SEX,<br />
VIOLENCE OR STRONG LANGUAGE.<br />
COMEDY<br />
GAVIN AND STACEY<br />
(30 mins)<br />
Preparations for Nessa and<br />
Dave’s wedding are in full swing,<br />
while Stacey has big news for<br />
Gavin. Meanwhile, Bryn and<br />
Jason put a big secret to bed.<br />
HOW I MET YOUR<br />
MOTHER (30 mins)<br />
After Ted drives Barney to the<br />
airport to pick up girls, the pair<br />
end up getting arrested<br />
in Philadelphia.<br />
GLEE (50 mins)<br />
Gwyneth Paltrow stars as<br />
a subsitute teacher for Mr.<br />
Schuester and is an instant hit<br />
with the glee club. Meanwhile,<br />
Sue’s filling in for Principal<br />
Figgins and of course, lets the<br />
power go to her head.<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
KIMBERLEY WALSH:<br />
BLUE JEAN GIRL (50 mins)<br />
The Girls Aloud star travels from<br />
San Francisco and LA to New<br />
York to trace the origins and<br />
Glee<br />
history of the wardrobe staple -<br />
the humble pair of jeans.<br />
JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE<br />
MEALS (30 mins)<br />
The Naked Chef rustles up a<br />
delicious Indian-style steak<br />
accompanied with naan bread<br />
and a spinach and paneer<br />
salad in just half an hour.<br />
LATER, WITH JOOLS<br />
HOLLAND (40 mins)<br />
Jools plays host to R’n’B singer<br />
R Kelly, Californian rock band<br />
Young the Giant, electro-pop<br />
group Metronomy and pop-<br />
starlet-of-the-moment, Adele.<br />
MUSIC<br />
WALL-TO-WALL MUSIC<br />
VIDEOS (120 mins)<br />
KIDS<br />
MR. BEAN ANIMATION<br />
(11 mins)<br />
Noticing that his house is a<br />
mess, Mr. Bean looks at his<br />
calendar and decides it is<br />
time for a spring clean.<br />
Jamie Oliver<br />
FUTURAMA (20 mins)<br />
Fry and the head of Spock,<br />
actor Leonard Nimoy, travel<br />
to planet Omega 3 on a<br />
dramatic hunt to retrieve all<br />
79 episodes of Star Trek.<br />
THE SIMPSONS (20 mins)<br />
Bored with his commute to the<br />
power plant, Homer decides<br />
to once again take the easy<br />
way out by making himself<br />
clinically obese so he can<br />
work from home.<br />
MALCOLM IN THE<br />
MIDDLE (30 mins)<br />
Hating life at military school,<br />
Francis legally emancipates<br />
himself so he can move to<br />
Alaska and become a logger,<br />
> Inbound from the UK<br />
which doesn’t go down well<br />
with his family.<br />
PREMIUM<br />
YOU’LL NEED THESE!<br />
Headsets are available for £2.50. They come with<br />
an adjustable socket so you can use them at home.<br />
MADAGASCAR<br />
(60 mins)<br />
Presented by the legendary<br />
Sir David Attenborough,<br />
this insightful documentary<br />
reveals the most bizarre and<br />
fascinating aspects of nature<br />
in Madagascar.<br />
BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL:<br />
BARACK OBAMA (60 mins)<br />
Documenting the life of<br />
Barack Obama prior to his<br />
presidency in 2008, with<br />
exclusive interviews from his<br />
family members.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
119
ONLY AVAILABLE ON SELECTED FLIGHTS<br />
OUTBOUND FROM THE UK<br />
MAIN MOVIE<br />
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:<br />
ON STRANGER TIDES<br />
Adventure | 137 mins | Cert 12A | Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz<br />
Captain Jack Sparrow is back and this time, he must fight off<br />
zombies and mermaids and seek out the legendary Fountain<br />
of Youth - or face death by the evil pirate Blackbeard.<br />
INBOUND TO THE UK<br />
MAIN MOVIE<br />
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS<br />
Action/Adventure | 131 mins | Cert 12A | James<br />
McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Kevin Bacon<br />
The exciting prequel to the popular franchise shows how<br />
Professor X and Magneto went from friends to mortal foes<br />
when the world was threatened by nuclear destruction.<br />
RADIO<br />
Channel 1<br />
BPM<br />
Right Back (Anton Firtich Dub)<br />
Yuri Kane<br />
Time of Your Life (Club Mix)<br />
Cosmic Culture<br />
Without You (12” Mix) Dogzilla<br />
Anthem (feat. Eric Lumiere)<br />
Filo Peri<br />
Channel 2<br />
CHART CHECK<br />
California King Bed Rihanna<br />
Glad You Came The Wanted<br />
The Lazy Song Bruno Mars<br />
Hitz (Wretch 32 remix)<br />
Chase Status<br />
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)<br />
Katy Perry<br />
Channel 3<br />
CLASSICAL MASTERS<br />
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988:<br />
I. Aria Johann Sebastian Bach<br />
Serenade In E Major, Op. 22: II.<br />
Tempo Di Valse<br />
Antonín Dvorák<br />
Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III<br />
Richard Wagner<br />
Mandolin Concerto In C Major,<br />
RV 425: I. Allegro<br />
Antonio Vivaldi<br />
Channel 4<br />
EASY LISTENING<br />
New York (Radio Edit)<br />
Paloma Faith<br />
Coming Up Easy Paolo Nutini<br />
Jar of Hearts Christina Perri<br />
Lucky (Remastered Version)<br />
Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz<br />
New Slang The Shins<br />
Channel 5<br />
PLANET ROCK<br />
Oh Very Young Cat Stevens<br />
Bohemian Rhapsody Queen<br />
Fire Jimi Hendrix<br />
Remedy The Black Crowes<br />
A selection of TV programmes will be played from:<br />
Modern Family<br />
Phil avoids the family<br />
mayhem with a spa day.<br />
Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals<br />
The Naked Chef rustles up<br />
a delicious Indian meal.<br />
Later, with Jools Holland<br />
Live performances from<br />
R’n’B star R Kelly and Adele.<br />
A selection of TV programmes will be played from:<br />
Fawlty Towers<br />
Basil’s patience is tested by<br />
a demanding guest.<br />
How I Met Your Mother<br />
Ted and Barney try to pick up<br />
girls at the airport and fail.<br />
Top Gear<br />
Jeremy celebrates the Jaguar<br />
E-Type’s 50th birthday.<br />
Big Log Robert Plant<br />
Channel 6<br />
KIDS<br />
Enjoy favourite songs<br />
from Hannah Montana, Jonas<br />
Brothers, Justin Bieber and<br />
The Cheetah Girls<br />
Channel 7<br />
ARTIST IN DEPTH:<br />
BILLY JOEL<br />
With hits such as Piano Man,<br />
Uptown Girl, We Didn’t Start<br />
The Fire, Just the Way You Are,<br />
New York State Of Mind and<br />
Say Goodbye To Hollywood<br />
Channel 8<br />
JAZZ CLUB<br />
Hello Dolly Louis Armstrong<br />
I Let A Song Go Out of My<br />
Heart Ella Fitzgerald<br />
21st Century Kid Jamie Cullum<br />
Under the Cherry Tree<br />
Dave Stapleton Quintet<br />
The Wave Kirk Whalum<br />
Mainscreen & audio<br />
Gavin and Stacey<br />
Dave and Nessa prepare<br />
for their big day.<br />
Mr. Bean Animation<br />
Mr. Bean has difficulty<br />
shrugging off a mime artist.<br />
The Simpsons<br />
Bart’s short film, Angry Dad,<br />
becomes a huge hit.<br />
Grand Designs<br />
Can the team build England’s<br />
first underground, eco home?<br />
Futurama<br />
Fry is on a hunt to retrieve all<br />
the episodes of Star Trek.<br />
Malcolm in the Middle<br />
Francis legally emancipates<br />
himself and moves to Alaska.<br />
YOU’LL<br />
NEED<br />
THESE!<br />
Headsets<br />
are<br />
available<br />
for £2.50.<br />
They come<br />
with an<br />
adjustable<br />
socket so<br />
you can<br />
use them<br />
at home.<br />
Thomas Cook Travel<br />
121
ARCHIVE<br />
122 Thomas Cook Travel<br />
The year is… 1967<br />
Forget North America for the ultimate<br />
road trip. As this Thomas Cook brochure<br />
from the 60s shows, there were – and still<br />
are – plenty of scenic routes to explore<br />
on four wheels closer to home. Promoting<br />
motoring holidays in Austria, Spain and the<br />
Italian Riviera, it was as much about the<br />
journey as it was about the destination.<br />
Why not add some va-va-voom to your next<br />
holiday and take inspiration from our very<br />
own Italian road trip cover story on page 40?
UNITED<br />
in everything we do<br />
Do you have the ambition to be<br />
the face of Thomas Cook?<br />
If so, then this is your opportunity to go all out in one of our fantastic Overseas roles.<br />
With the sort of personality and professionalism that leaves a lasting impression on our<br />
customers from the moment they step off the plane to the time you wish them goodbye,<br />
this is your chance to be the welcoming face of one of the most popular companies in<br />
the business for the 2012 season.<br />
It will be hard work. You’ll need to be constantly on your toes and committed to delivering<br />
the very best in customer service. But we’ll train you, incentivise you and of course,<br />
you’ll be the type of person who enjoys the challenge of selling events. Or maybe you’ll<br />
have the experience to be a success in one of our specialist roles, as a KidsWorld Rep,<br />
a Soccer Rep, a Street Cheer Rep or an Entertainer? Whichever position suits you, if you<br />
can handle the long hours, you could find yourself in a beautiful location enjoying a truly<br />
unique working experience.<br />
Visit our website to find out more about the wide variety of Overseas roles we offer.<br />
www.areyouthomascook.net
of<br />
Wellness<br />
Wake up the senses. Spaces for relaxation in an atmosphere that<br />
renews the spirit. Experience new sensations. Wellness, another of<br />
the senses of Cuba you can enjoy in many of the Sol Melia hotels<br />
with programs specially designed to live new experiences in serene<br />
and luxurious Spas.<br />
VARADERO Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa I Padisus<br />
Varadero Resort & Spa I CAYOS Meliá Cayo Santa María I HOLGUÍN<br />
Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa<br />
Makes Sense<br />
www.solmeliacuba.com<br />
Cuba with all the Senses