Channel 4 is making a new series about tourism and they are looking for UK holidaymakers who take full board or all-inclusive holidays every year but would be interested in trying a holiday with a difference. As well as staying in a luxurious resort, you’ll also experience the local culture, meeting and getting to know the local people who help make your all inclusive holiday so memorable.

To be considered for the series you, and 3 of your friends, relatives or colleagues, need to be available to travel abroad for 10 days between October and December 2010.

If you are up for a challenging travel experience and fit the criteria (minimum age is 12) you can email greatholidayescape@betty.co.uk for an application form.

It would seem French travellers have become tired of standard package holidays and are looking for something with a bit moor ‘oomph’.

French company Ultime Realite have started to offer ‘kidnapping breaks’ (we kid you not). Enthusiastic ‘customers’ can pay 900 euros a pop to be randomly abducted at any time on a pre-arranged day or week and then be bound and gagged and held against their will for 4 or 10 hours, depending on their preferred option.

The company are receiving numerous enquiries a day for their packages, which also include manhunter packages, smuggling experiences and even (we’re not making this up) autopsy related ‘extreme’ days. For more details (or if you just want to check that we’re not fibbing) visit http://www.ultimerealite.fr. The site’s not in English though so you need to be able to speak French as well as being a bit odd.

Greece and Turkey are both considered to be fantastic value for money destinations that see cheap package holiday fans return year after year to get a bargain break in the sun.  Seventeen percent of the Greek economy is based on tourism and there were fears that Greece adopting the Euro would have a negative impact on that, fears which so far have not become reality.

However one issue that does effect Greece but not so much Turkey is the lack of All Inclusive hotels which have become so popular with holidaymakers looking to mitigate against the poor value of the pound. Many travellers book all inclusive holidays as a way to save on their spending money when they arrive; to pay for all your food and drink in advance means you’re not going to be paying the extra £5-£10 extra on each meal that the exchange rate may have cost you.

This is where Turkey comes into its own; not only do they have a huge selection of all inclusive hotels, but it is also a destination that has traditionaly always offered fantastic value for money. So there you have it, for All Inclusive try Turkey. If  self catering holidays are still more your thing then Greece is still hard to beat.

If you’re a fan of Co-op Travel take a look and see if your profile pic makes it onto our new improved home page…

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Top 10 Destinations For Valentines Day

There are lots of ways to show your nearest and dearest how much you love them on Valentine’s Day. But rather than settling for a box of chocolates and a card, why not think about taking them away for the weekend to one of the most popular and romantic spots in the world?

Here are ten of the best for you to consider – and some of the things you can do while you are there.

1. Paris

Paris is a classic Valentine’s Day destination. You can book flights out to Paris or take the Eurostar, but however you get there you’ll find plenty to do once you arrive.

For example ticket prices to go up the Eiffel Tower range from 4.50 Euros to 13 Euros, depending on whether you want to walk up or get the lift. The most expensive ticket takes you right to the top as well, at which point you will get the best view of all.

Paris City Breaks

Paris Destination Guide

2. Venice

This is the place which offers romantic gondola rides – and you can use them to help you explore the city too. Private rides just for the two of you can be booked costing anything from 60 Euros upwards, so make sure you find room for this in your budget.

You can also see the Bridge of Sighs – and if you are planning on popping the question this year, what better place to do it than this? Last minute savings are available from some airlines on return flights to Venice as well, so you can still save money and have a great weekend abroad.

Venice City Breaks

Venice Destination Guide

3. Rome

Rome is packed with ancient sights and plenty of modern romantic hotels as well. Make sure you stay somewhere central so you are close to all the main attractions such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

Don’t miss the Trevi fountain either, in which you should throw a coin if you want to come back to Rome in the future. Flying to Rome from London usually takes about two and a half hours, so you can be in this romantic and ancient city sooner than you think.

Rome City Breaks

Rome Destination Guide

4. New York

This is the ultimate luxury romantic weekend for two if you want to head further afield. Flight times vary but the approximately seven hour flight is well worth it. New York boasts lots of romantic activities you can try together – not to mention shopping for jewellery to commemorate the special day of course.

Central Park is repeatedly said to be one of New York’s most romantic spots – and if you are on a budget you can visit for free as well. And why not book tickets to go ice skating at the Rockefeller Centre?

New York City Breaks

New York Destination Guide

5. London

If your budget doesn’t permit you to go abroad, London has just as much to offer as many European cities. You can fly into Gatwick or Heathrow and travel into the capital from there, or book tickets on a train arriving into one of the major stations in the city.

For those on a budget consider booking last minute availability tickets for one of the top West End shows. Theatre weekends are particularly popular anyway and give you the chance to enjoy a pre-theatre meal at a top London restaurant as well.

6. Lake District

Would you prefer the idea of getting away from it all instead of heading to a big city? The Lake District is one of the top choices for doing this. There are plenty of romantic hotels near Lake Windermere to stay in, and a three day break is easy to arrange.

The best bet is to travel by car as you will be able to visit many of the villages in the Lake District area. You will also find plenty of hotels offering four poster beds and a wonderful view over the Lake District itself, but there is cheaper accommodation available as well.

Cheap Hotels

7. Prague

Prague is located in the Czech Republic and it provides a great alternative to the more obvious romantic cities in Europe. Much of the city is very romantic in nature, not least the Old Town. Head for the cobbled streets and indulge in a luxurious coffee while you soak up the sights.

With flights and accommodation available from around £100 per person upwards for a three night break, you can see it is possible to enjoy a romantic break here at a reasonable cost as well.

Prague City Breaks

Prague Destination Guide

8. Florence

Florence offers a different view of Italy to the one offered by Rome. More centrally located than Rome, it offers many romantic ideas for things to do during a weekend break.

Explore the Boboli gardens which date from the 16th century and offer peace and quiet for strolling hand in hand. You should also be sure to enjoy a horse and carriage ride together on Valentine’s Day itself. This private ride offers the best and most romantic way to arrive at your chosen gourmet restaurant for a gourmet meal to celebrate the occasion.

9. Barcelona

Montjuic Mountain is one of the best venues to head for if you want to treat your loved one to a romantic meal in Barcelona. With amazing views and superb food, it’s no wonder some people head here to pop the question.

Stay near Sant Felip Neri if you can, as this is reckoned to be the most romantic spot in Barcelona. Peaceful, stunning and the perfect place to enjoy some time together, it may not be the easiest place to find. But it is worth persevering.

The flight time from London to Barcelona is around two hours as well, so you can see it’s possible to be in the heart of Spain in a very short time indeed.

Barcelona City Breaks

Barcelona Destination Guide

10. Bruges

If you want to stay a bit closer to home but still enjoy the best the continent has to offer, head for Bruges. There are lots of romantic hotels to choose from here, but Die Swaene is a particular favourite among those looking for some romance.

Cars are somewhat limited in Bruges because of its size. This means you can enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride with your loved one without being surrounded by cars at the same time. Don’t miss the Lake of Love either, or the many canal boats that will take you around the canals of the city.

You can enjoy a swift journey on Eurostar that requires just one change of trains en route in Brussels. You will be in Bruges in less than three and a half hours.

As you can see there are plenty of options when it comes to booking a Valentine’s Day break. And if you turn it into a long weekend every single one of these destinations can be a short holiday you’ll never forget. To get travel advice, quotes and availability on these or any destinations call one of experienced travel advisors today on 01922 700007.
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