Browsing the brochures
This is the time of year when many companies bring out new brochures. Here is a selection that may prove useful.
Inntravel's new Inn-Active Summer 2002 brochure has several new holidays, including walking in New England from inn to inn, a city break to Boston, self-guided walks in the hills and vineyards of La Rioja and new walks in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. For a brochure, call 01653 629010, inntravel.co.uk.
Travelscene (020-8424 9648, travelscene.co.uk) is introducing self-catering apartment breaks in four of its bestselling city destinations - Amsterdam, Bruges, Lisbon and Prague. The apartments have been renovated from existing townhouses. Prices start at £307pp in Prague, £241 in Amsterdam and £301 in Lisbon. The idea allows independent travellers to use local shops and markets.
Exodus (020-8675 5550, exodus.co.uk) has launched 11 new biking holidays in its Biking Adventures brochure. They include an eight-day tour of Burgundy from £699, 18 days in New Zealand's South Island from £2,285 and 14 days off road in Nepal from £1,495.
Opera specialist JMB Travel (01905 830099, jmb-travel.co.uk) offers 40 different cities where more than 100 different productions will be performed. There are four new escorted tours, with a long weekend of music and sightseeing in Budapest, from May 16 for £704pp, including performances of Madame Butterfly and Tannhauser.
Discover the World (01737 218802, discover-the-world.co.uk) has a new brochure of wildlife holidays, including a 17-night tour of Costa Rica led by TV wildlife presenter Nick Baker, which costs from £2,995.
West Country Cottages (01626 333678, westcountrycottages.co.uk) has more than 300 cottages in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, including Riversbrink, in Boscaste, Cornwall, which sleeps four and costs from £132 to £339 per week, depending on season.
The annual "discounting" by some of the big tour operators has begun with Cosmos (0870 9084299, cosmos-holidays.co.uk) launching the third edition of its Summer Sun and All-Inclusive brochures with up to 50% off the previously declared prices. They are offering a no-surcharge guarantee once customers have paid their deposits.
Norwegain Cruise Line (0800 181560, uk.ncl.com) has launched its second edition, featuring lower prices and early-booking discounts. Nine nights in the Caribbean costs from £999pp.
Malaga bound
GB Airways (01293 664239, gbairways.com) is adding a fourth daily flight from London to Malaga from March 31. Prices start at £154 return.
Berlitz updates
Berlitz has brought out new editions of many of its pocket guides including those to Milan, Berlin, Crete, Budapest, Ireland, Egypt and Los Angeles. Most are priced at £4.95, but Australia costs £6.95.
Currency call
As the Euro is introduced into 12 European countries on January 1, Age Concern is calling on people to donate their unused foreign currency to their Fight the Freeze Foreign Coin Appeal. For details see fightthefreeze.org.uk.
