G Adventures Launches New 2012 Festival Trips.

 Halloween in Transylvania, Truffle Hunting in Croatia and California's Best Microbreweries, Burgers and Food Trucks provide a hauntingly tasty selection of tours for travellers looking to do something different with their holiday this year. These three new festival-based trips have been developed exclusively by G Adventures and added to the company’s ‘Limited Edition’ programme of one-off annual experiences offered in 2012.

California's Best Microbreweries, Burgers and Food Trucks  Food trucks are all the rage with the hipster set and on this quirky tour of the US travellers will also be able to experience some of the world's best brews at the California Beer Festival, and discover regional gastronomic treats at local microbreweries.  Departing on September 12 this eight-day trip from San Francisco to San Diego is priced from US$1649 per person sharing.

Croatia Truffle Festival On this foodie adventure travellers will go on a hunt for truffles with a local truffle hunter and his dog near the Motovun woods where the largest truffle in the world (at 1.3kg!) was found in 2000. They will then attend the annual Truffle Days Festival in the medieval hilltop villages of Istria.  This five-day trip is priced from US$849 per person sharing, departing on October 24 and travelling from Rijeka to Rijeka.

Halloween in Transylvania  A week in the land of Dracula including a Halloween party at Hunyad Castle, which played host to the paranormal television programme Most Haunted Live.  A seven-day trip from Bucharest to Bucharest departing October 29 is priced from US$1199 per person sharing.

Other festivals in this year’s Limited Edition line-up include:

·         Inti Raymi Festival -  A three-day Cuzco to Cuzco trip departing on June 23 is priced from US$429 per person sharing.

·         Running of the Bulls -  An eight-day trip from Barcelona to Bilbao, departing on July 7 is priced from US$1999 per person sharing.

·         Oktoberfest –  A five-day trip in Munich departing September 3 is priced from US$1199 per person sharing..

·         Mexico Day of the Dead in Oaxaca –  A seven-day trip from Oaxaca to Oaxaca is priced from US$949 per person sharing, departing on October 28.

For more information contact Development Promotions Tel: 011 442 0822  www.devprom.co.za

Luxury French Cruise Line Reveals Name of Brand New Ship...

Luxury French cruise line , Compagnie Du Ponant, will welcome a sleek new ship, Le Soleal,  into its fleet in July 2013.

By naming the new ship Le Soleal, Du Ponant not only makes an obvious connection with its other two ships, L’Austral and Le Boreal, but also emphasizes the “Soft Expedition” aspect of their itineraries.  The name Le Soleal combines two of the company’s most powerful symbols, le soleil (French for sun) and “ the one who leads the way.”

With the same elegant contours as her two sister ships, Le Soleal,  also boasts five-star accommodation in the 132 staterooms and suites with a sophisticated design, offering the same level of comfort as a private yacht.

Stable and quiet, Le Soleal, is designed to navigate safely in the most extreme regions;  plus this human-sized vessel is permitted access to the most outstanding sites around the globe where larger ships can’t even get close.

For more information contact Development Promotions Tel: (011) 442 0822  www.devprom.co.za

Tourism Ireland South Africa joins the Facebook and Twitter Legions...

Following on Tourism Ireland’s renowned social media hyperactivity at head office level, Tourism Ireland SA has now launched its own local Facebook and Twitter sites.

 

“We feel that South Africa is fast catching up with the rest of the world in terms of usership of these social media channels,”  says Gail Gilbert, Product Manager for Tourism Ireland SA.   

 

“They provide an excellent forum in which to engage both consumer and trade and to provide regular updated news and information on Ireland.”

 

Become a fan on Facebook TourismIrelandSA or follow us @gotoirelandSA.

G Adventure in National Geographic's "Fifty Tours of a Lifetime"

G Adventures’ Thai Sailing Adventure – Koh Samui to Koh Samui – has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for 2012.

National Geographic referred to the Thai Sailing Adventures  as “an antidote to the average”.   

The “50 Tours of a Lifetime” are culled from thousands of tours worldwide.  The magazine’s executive editor, Norie Quintos, announced the award to the winning operators “for creating trips that have the power to change lives – the lives of the traveler as well as the residents of the destinations.”

 

This is the thirteenth time that G Adventures has been given recognition by National Geographic Traveller Magazine .

G Adventures is represented in South Africa by Development Promotions Tel: 011 442 0822 www.devprom.co.za

G Adventures introduces West Africa Sailings on board M/S Expedition.

Exploring multiple countries in West Africa has become easier as 

G Adventures announces its first sailing programme in the region aboard the M/S Expedition.

The cruises enable travellers to discover this underexplored area of the continent with ease, while uncovering West Africa’s unique and varied historical, cultural and natural landscapes in comfort and style.

Passengers can choose from three itineraries that visit more than 10 African nations in April 2013. 

G Adventures is recognised for trailblazing up-and-coming destinations and the new expeditions are among the first of their kind in the region, with ports of call including Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Cameroon and Togo. 

The programme is ideal for expedition cruise enthusiasts seeking fresh experiences. It will also appeal to those who have not sailed before and want the convenience of experiencing West Africa by sea instead of land.

The 140-passenger M/S Expedition features large cabins equipped with en-suite bathrooms and windows, providing an exceptionally spacious and comfortable experience for all guests.

For more information contact Development Promotions Tel: 011 442 0822 www.devprom.co.za

Innovative Compagnie Du Ponant...

Innovative, luxury yacht operator Compagnie duPonant is constantly introducing new product to enhance its service and its experience.

Already in the first quarter of 2012 Du Ponant has produced a new brochure focusing fully on the Adriatic. Du Ponant’s newest luxury yacht L’Austral, offers her 264 privileleged guests the Dalmatian Coast, one of the Mediterranean’s most striking and fascinating regions, stretching like a long white ribbon.from the north to the south coast of Croatia.  For this summer season Du Ponant  has created a selection of carefully planned  itineraries to explore Croatia at their guests’ own pace.

Another innovation introduced by Du Ponant in 2012 is Butler Service on board sister ships L’Austral and Le Boreal.  Reserved exclusively for its most discerning passengers traveling in one of the 13 Suites on Deck 6 the Butler Service provides a privileged point of contact  who responds to every whim quickly and efficiently.

The latest announcement from Compagnie du Ponant  is that it will build a “latest generation”  yacht (132 staterooms and suites) at the Italian Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. Sistership to Le Boreal and L’Austral , the new vessel will join the fleet in June 2013.

The fleet of the world’s only French cruise line currently comprises 5 yachts of character all flying the French flag.

Compagnie Du Ponant is represented by Development Promotions in South Africa, feel free to contact us on 011 442 0822 for any questions.

European Waterways purchases a new Luxury Hotel Barge...

Luxury hotel barge operator, European Waterways, is in the process of purchasing a new barge, Panache, for the 2012 season.

The 12-passenger barge boasts spacious public areas and 6 large double or twin suites. There are large panoramic windows in the salon and the vessel is fitted out in the traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings. A large sundeck and spa pool complete the picture.

In April/May Panache will operate the circular “Tulip Cruises” visiting the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, the world-famous Delft pottery and the cheese centre of Gouda. She will then reposition to cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin from Nancy to Strasbourg in Alsace Lorraine with its unique mix of French and German cultures, picturesque hamlets and wonderful white wines.

European Waterways now operates a total of 21 luxury hotel barges throughout Europe. Its main thrust is in France with 14 vessels positioned there. It also has barges in Scotland, Ireland, England, Italy, Germany and Holland.

7-Day cruises include all meals, shore excursions, wine with lunch and dinner as well as an open bar of beers, spirits and liqueurs. The barges are ideal for private charter by a group of friends or for a special family occasion.

For more information contact Development Promotions Tel: 011 442 0822 http://www.devprom.co.za/