Rome Is The Top European Choice For UK City Break Travellers

Rome is Europe’s most popular city break destination according to users of online travel agency www.citybreaks-direct.co.uk

The extensive television coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II last year is credited as one reason for Rome’s renewed popularity ahead of other city break destinations.

"We have been monitoring the search terms customers use when they visit the site, as well as the actual bookings and Rome is the European city that heads the list.” Says Paul Reeve of Citybreaks-Direct.

Demand for Roman holidays is higher than for Amsterdam, Dublin and Prague - previously the top choices. Venice was the most popular Italian city for Citybreaks-direct customers in 2005.

This upsurge of interest is welcome news for the Italian capital. Over eight million Euros was spent by the Roman authorities to enable the city to cope with the unexpected extra visitors and concern was raised that the city had been left “in the red”.

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Da Vinci Code Film Inspiring City Breakers to Pick Paris

The intense publicity for “The Da Vinci Code” film is helping Paris regain its position as number one European city break choice for UK travellers.

Paris has historically been the most visited European city, but the introduction of new routes to cities such as Rome, Prague and Barcelona from airports all around the UK led to a drop in visitors to the French capital.

However, www.citybreaks-direct.co.uk (Citybreaks Dash Direct) have seen a steady rise in bookings for Paris since hype for the film gathered pace at the start of this year. It is thought that clues to “The Da Vinci Code” hidden in the architecture of Paris are inspiring large number of British holidaymakers to choose Paris.

Paul Reeve of Citybreaks-Direct says: “Paris has been the number one European citybreak choice for as long as I can remember, but over the last couple of years it has been overtaken by Prague, followed closely by Dublin, Rome & Barcelona.”

“We have been monitoring booking and the searches entered by visitors to our site and in the last few months searches for Paris have reached their highest levels for some time – this coincides with hype about the film release intensifying.”

Online booking empowers business travellers

The growth in the online travel market is encouraging staff to organise their own business travel, rather than have to turn to a PA for assistance.

Research by Visa Europe found that over 50% of employees are now organising their own travel and 48% of companies said that more staff are involved in purchasing travel services than previously.

Over two thirds of companies said they favour online travel booking as it is easier to shop around for the best deals and save money in the process.

Spain Set To Be Top Summer Sun Location

An early of analysis of bookings and web searches by online travel specialists Holidays-Direct, shows that Spain has regained its crown as the top European summer sun destination for UK travellers, ahead of Turkey.

Holiday deals for Mainland Spain are getting the biggest hits on http://www.holidays-direct.co.uk and bookings are up on 2005 aleady.

Paul Reeve of Holidays-Direct says: “On assessing confirmed bookings we see Spain is the destination of choice, ahead of other countries.

“The phrases that visitors to our site are searching for also point to Spain being the top country as it features in a huge number of searches.

“When people search for Spain it is usually alongside other phrases, such as “sun deal” or “bargain holiday” .

“Spain is definitely established in the consumers’ minds as a value-for-money destination for families where you’re guaranteed to get good weather.”

Holidays-Direct offer deals for a wide variety of Spanish resorts including, Fuengirola, Lloret de Mar and Cap Salou.

Leicester Couple's Tsunami Appeal

A Leicester couple are showing their gratitude to the Sri Lankan boatmen who helped save their lives when they were caught up in the Indian Ocean Tsunami, by re-visiting the area with donations for the families who have been displaced and left homeless by the disaster.

At Christmas Tony and Sue Wright returned to Negombo in Sri Lanka to donate hundreds of pounds raised by friends and colleagues in the UK over the previous 12 months.

The money that Tony and Sue collected was used to buy pairs of shoes for every child in the refugee camp at Negombo.

Tony, who booked both trips to Sri Lanka through Holidays-Direct said: “We were so grateful to the people who helped us and for the excellent way they treated us that we really wanted to do something to say thank you and to give something back to the area.”

Holidays-Direct has also donated £100 to the couple to take with them on their next planned trip out to Sri Lanka.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to Tony and Sue’s Sri Lanka appeal can contact them on 0116 229 0578.

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Off piste skiing resort with a difference

Built in the middle of scorching Arabian desert, Dubai's newest tourist destination is something of a paradox. The Ski Dubai indoor skiing centre is a $272 million dollar masterpiece. Spanning the length of three football pitches and boasting real snow, the centre is built inside one of Dubai's mammoth shopping malls, allowing passing shoppers to watch in amazement as people in winter clothes have snowball fights on the other side of the glass panels.

But if feeling the fresh air on your face as you sail down the mountainside is more your idea of a real skiing trip then look no further than Ski-Direct. With a range of European, American and Canadian resorts on offer, it will be cheaper than flying to an Arabian country for your icy thrills!

über-cool city breaks

As far as city breaks go, you can't get much cooler than Reykjavik. Retaining a refreshingly unique image (no international chains and homogenised style here) Reykjavik is increasingly recognised as one of the hippest spots in Europe for nightlife, culture and just pure cool.

The food is resourceful at best with Icelanders adapting to their harsh climate by making sure NOTHING goes to waste - I really do mean nothing - puffin, rotten shark and sheep testicles are all fair game.

The nightlife is legendary; with beer only becoming legal in 1986 the Icelanders have taken the notion of 'playing catch-up' to the extreme and devote much time to downing the stuff. Although you may find that the bars do not get going til midnight with locals choosing to get warmed up at home first (hardly surprising when you consider that a pint can set you back £5...)

If Cosmopolitan stuff is not your thing then visit the renowned Blue Lagoon - an area of natural geothermal pools with apparent health-giving properties. The Laugardalslaug complex also makes the most of natural phenomena with outdoor water slides, hot tubs and jacuzzis.

Cheap cruises not on Queen's birthday wish-list

The Queen has commissioned the Hebridean Princess to celebrate her 80th birthday in style with a cruise around the Western Isles of Scotland. She has turned down the chance of a Caribbean holiday in favour of the wilder Scottish coastline she loves, but is rumoured to be forking out £125,000 of her private fortune for the privilege.

Luxury cruises are no longer merely the domain of the very rich and very famous however with a raft of cheap cruises, and christmas cruises now available.

Booking cruise holidays easier than flying

With the holiday season nearly upon us, airport workers have already begun striking, posing imminent misery for thousands of travellers.

Why not have a change from the usual seasonal rush and treat yourself to a luxury Cruise holiday? The travelling hassle is removed (you live on your transport) there are no marauding crowds to contend with, duty free becomes a pleasant shopping experience rather than a panic-fuelled scrum, and, most importantly of all, you don't need to drag your luggage anywhere - bliss.

Make the most of your holidays with last minute travel bargains

A recent study has found that £627 million worth of paid holiday is wasted by workers not taking the time they are entitled to. With three out of five Brits missing out on holidays as they feel too stressed or busy, we are rapidly turning into a nation of workaholics. Yet top specialists claim missing holidays is actually counter-productive as workaholics are more prone to stress and so take off more time sick.

If you are one of the many Brits that have left it late to book your holiday and need to cram in 2 relaxing weeks before Christmas, fear not. Holidays-Direct have a huge range of last minute travel bargains to snap up, including all inclusive holiday packages to help you really unwind and make the most of your valuable leisure time.

Bargain skiing holidays for the New Year

A week on the slopes is just the thing to clear your head (and shift a few extra pounds) after the excesses of Christmas, and there are some great snow deals now available online.

Two for one lift passes and amazing buy one get one free holiday deals are just a couple of examples of the kind of bargains you can expect to find for a great New Year break.

Search cruise packages from comfort of own home

Searching for a cruise should be fun, but it can be time consuming with so many to choose from. Cruise Bargains has a great selection of cruise packages from top lines, and because they are all in one place and all on the internet, you can surf for the best cruise deal from the comfort of your own home.

And booking your cruise package couldn't be easier, simply call the dedicated helpline for advice and easy booking.

Goa holidays on beach for Christmas

Get away from the rain this winter with a fantastic Goa holiday. If Christmas on the beach sounds tempting then how about an all inclusive holiday package? Not only will you not have the in-laws to contend with, but there will be no cooking or washing-up either!

And the best bit? The price: bargain package holidays are already up for grabs this Christmas so pack up your troubles (and your flip-flops) and book a fantastic, totally self-indulgent winter holiday deal!

Booking ski holkidays the sensible way

February half-term is traditionally one of the busiest weeks for ski resorts in France, but with perfect weather conditions almost guaranteed it is hard to resist the temptation. So why not beat the crowds and head a bit further afield for your annual piste-fix? Ski resorts in Switzerland and Spain also offer great conditions, the same manageable flight times, but without the queues and the crowds to cramp your style.

Weekend breaks

With only 7 shopping weekends left until Christmas a weekend break away from manic UK town centres could prove a welcome respite from the hectic run-up to Christmas. Travel Call breaks offer custom-built short breaks to the top ten city break destinations in the World, and all at affordable prices.

Cheap cruise holidays

Co-op cruise lines are now offering cheap cruise holidays. With both last minute and early booking deals available you can book now for a Christmas cruise or a special summer holiday to look forward to!

New York City sightseeing tour

The home of shopping, New York really comes alive in the run up to Christmas, and what better way to get you in the festive spirit then by treating yourself and your family to a New York City sightseeing tour?

Without the stress of getting lost you can enjoy all that the hectic city has to offer safe in the knowledge that you won't miss out anything. Why not book a helicopter ride for the most fantastic views of the city and a trip that you will never forget?

Caribbean cruise ships

What could be more luxurious than a Christmas spent on a Caribbean cruise? Take an exotic break away from it all this year on a luxury cruise ship; booking ships couldn't be more easy so call Travel Call Cruise for discount p o cruises.

Skiing holidays all the range

Traditionally the preserve of the very rich, skiing and other winter sports are fast becoming a favourite across the board.
With the availability of bargain skiing holidays and increased profile of skiing events, (including the Tour de France style competition planned for 2007) there is a much wider mix of tourists enjoying a winter holiday on the piste.

African Cruise Bargains

As the weather gets colder now is the time to treat yourself to an exotic break. As the epitome of luxury and relaxation, cruises are the ideal way to get away form it all before the mad Christmas season begins.

Why not try an African cruise; bargains are still available on all major lines so check out some great offers online.