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The 2012 season is in full swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool!

Thrill-seeking rides, high dives and first birthdays are just a few of the attractions in store for the rest of the year.

Wow Weekends have been welcoming early thrill-seekers and there are more special offers available to everyone right throughout the season viawww.pleasurebeachresort.com

There are even more attractions at Pleasure Beach this year.

While London is gearing up for the Olympics, the 42-acre park will be welcoming its own special troupe of Mexican Olympic high divers as part its new attractions.

La Quebrada will be bringing their unique show to the park in July at a purpose built arena in the shadow of the Big One.

Their performances have wowed audiences around the world with death-defying high dives from heights of up to 25 metres (81 feet), combining comedy, fire and Olympic dives. They will perform their first dive on July 16 through the season until September 2.

Closer to ground level a birthday celebration is being planned for SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends as they celebrateNickelodeon Land’s first birthday on May 4.

Opened by Baywatch star David Hasselhoff last year, the £10.3m investment has been a huge hit with all age groups. It has 12 amazing rides including SpongeBob’s Splash Bash and Dora’s World Voyage plus many more.

When the rest of the park closes at 5pm, Nickelodeon Land will stay open until 7pm and wristbands for the attraction will be just £10 from 3pm on the day with a cake cutting ceremony at 4.30pm. First birthday Nickelodeon Land wristbands are available online at www.pleasurebeachresort.com

Hot Ice will celebrate its 75th production in 2012 when Entice will be skating its way on to the ice.

With more than 30 skating stars from around the world, Entice will feature over 400 stunning costumes to mesmerising music, lasers and pyrotechnic effects.

Hot Ice scooped “Best Show” at the Big E award in Las Vegas, a glitzy ceremony that recognises all that’s great in the world of big productions.

A jaw-dropping illusion of the senses is promised with world-class performers taking to the ice for the show, which premieres on July 4, with matinee performances at 2.30pm, and evening shows at 7.30pm.

Also this year Pleasure Beach will see one of its most famous rides be treated to a transformation. The Revolution, the iconic looping rollercoaster, will go all industrial for a stunning new look.

Pleasure Beach managing director Amanda Thompson OBE said: “2012 is already going to be a memorable year with the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee taking place. At Pleasure Beach we have our very own celebrations.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming the high divers to the park and I am sure they will be a huge success.

“Celebrating Nickelodeon Land’s first birthday will be fun and we are looking forward to the rest of 2012 being a huge success.”

People born on February 29^th may only get a birthday once every four years, but discount hotels specialist LateRooms.com has a special present for them this year in the shape of a generous discount. Anyone born on 29^th February who books aroom on their birthday will get 29% off their hotel booking through the site.

“Leapers” (those born on February 29^th) will be able to take their pick from over 50,000 properties on the LateRooms.com website including luxury 5 starhotels, cosy B&Bs and chic city apartments. The discount will apply to any booking made, with proof of birthday required to validate the booking.Customers will be able to make their booking online, then simply email a confirmation of their booking along with proof of their birth date to leapyear@laterooms.com to receive their 29% discount.

Whether it’s a lady hoping she will be lucky on her Leap Year proposal to her boyfriend, or a birthday treat for the once every four year celebration, LateRooms.com will have February 29^thbirthday boys and girls leaping for joy. The site is expecting customers to take full advantage of the deal and flock to the site to book some special rooms for spring.

Lynda Matthews, OfflineMarketing Manager at LateRooms.com commented: “We wanted to give people born on the special day of February 29^th a real treat for the 2012 leap year, as their birthday is missing from calendars most of the time! We are really excited to be offering them this great discount, and hope Leapers everywhere will takeadvantage of the 29% to look for some different types of accommodation and enjoy a relaxing hotel stay.”

Spain continues to hold on to the crown for the most popular Easter holiday destination for Brits, according to data from Carhiremarket.com on car hire bookings. For the period 31st March to 15th April, a huge 35% of UK holiday makershiring a car through carhiremarket.com have booked to jet off to Spain’s sun, sea, sand and some of Europe’s most beautiful scenic drives.

Other destinations listed in the top ten compiled by leading car hire comparison sitecarhiremarket.com include the European destinations of Italy, Cyprus and Portugal. However in contrast to Easter 2011, countries outside of Europe have seen a surprising decline in popularity. Last year the USA was the second favourite destination for Brits, whereas in 2012 they came in 9thposition, just slightly ahead of Australia which came in 10th position.

With many Brits seemingly looking to stay close to home this Easter, Andrew Shorrock, Product Manager at leading car rental price comparison site carhiremarket.com, comments:“With the recession biting, but holiday makers still wanting to beat the new year blues and book trips away, hiring a car close to home in Europe is a cost effective way to explore new destinations and popular scenic drives. A hire car in Barcelona could cost as little as £6 a day and until the end of February, there is up to 42% off car hire in several Spanish locations withcarhiremarket.com in conjunction with Alamo.”

Carhiremarket.com has put together its top three Spanish scenic routes in light of the country’s continued popularity for a spring getaway:

1.    Picos de Europa
Described as one of the greatest drives in Europe, the picturesque mountains of Picos de Europa are a must see if you are visiting northern Spain with a hire car. The national park boasts beautiful lakes and rivers amongst the snow-capped mountains as well as historic market towns and villages. Take several days to do this famous drive and you’ll have time to stop and admire some of the fantastic views in the region.

2.    Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos
Situated in southern Spain, this scenic drive is often described as one of the most beautiful in Spain. It’s famous for its iconic bright white houses and historic buildings and the peaceful road will lead you through many small unspoilt towns and villages. The route, boasting some fantastic places to stop for a bite to eat, starts at the town of Arcos de la Frontera and ends at Castellar de la Frontera.

3.    Santander to Oviedo
If traveling to the diverse landscape of northern Spain, the coastal drive between the attractive towns of Santander and Ovideo make for a stunning route. If stopping in both towns on your journey, the medieval cathedrals are worth a visit and the coastline will provide you with some perfect photographic opportunities with the gorgeous sea views and rugged terrain

For more information on car hire and for top holiday destinations visitwww.carhiremarket.com

Go red and help keep your child healthy with the power of tart ‘super-fruit’ cherry juice.
Cherrygood, the UK’s leading cherry juice drink, is now available in a smaller ready-to-go size. Cherry Burst is a triple pack of 200ml cartons of Cherrygood – just perfect for slipping into a child’s lunchbox.
Tart cherries are regularly in the news for their many health benefits. The juice is great for children as well as adults and has been shown to aid sleep, keep muscles healthy and boost immunity.
Cherry Burst is available exclusively in Morrisons stores and costs £1.35 but will be on promotion throughout March with a 30p saving. Each carton counts as one of your Five-A-Day.
John Heseltine, the founder of Cherrygood, says: ‘Mums have been telling us how much their children love drinking Cherrygood for breakfast and that they would love a smaller version to pop in their lunchboxes. We listened and created Cherry Burst.
‘All the goodness and flavour of wonderful real cherries are packed into each carton making it an easy way for children to get one of their Five-A-Day.
‘Cherry Burst is not just for children though. We’ve already discovered that lots of dads are tucking them into their briefcases to drink at work as an alternative to tea and coffee and mums are taking them to the gym to rehydrate after exercise.’
Cherry Burst is the latest addition to the Cherrygood family. There are now four drinks in the range – Cherry Burst, Cherrygood Premium Cherry, Cherrygood Original and Cherrygood Light. Cherrygood Original and Light both cost £1.50 and are available in all major supermarkets. Cherrygood Premium Cherry, the UK’s first chilled cherry juice, costs £2.29 and was launched last year. www.cherrygood.com
WHY TART CHERRY JUICE IS GREAT FOR CHILDREN
• It helps your children sleep. Tart cherries contain melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Scientists at Northumbria University showed that drinking tart Montmorency cherry juice can boost levels of melatonin and increase sleep time by 25 minutes.
• Keeps muscles healthy. Research show that drinking tart cherry juice can speed muscle recovery after exercise – so its perfect for sporty children
• Each carton of Cherry Burst counts as one of your child’s Five-A-Day.
• Montmorency cherries are also a rich source of powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and help boost immunity.
• Contains essential nutrients. Cherries are a good source of vitamin A and also contain fibre.

Unexpected Travel Insurance Claims revealed by Essential Travel

Don’t be caught short – diarrhea claim tops £23,000

A surprising number of travellers continue to risk jetting off to far away shores without insurance despite the costly potential consequences. Leading travel insurance, airport parking and hotels provider, Essential Travel, reveals details of weird and woeful claims from UK holidaymakers to highlight the avoidable financial damage our unpredictable bodies and an absence of cover can put us through.

1.     A bill of £23,000 medical expenses for a bad bout of Dehli Belly would have been more than a pain in the bum for one poor traveller had he not invested in insurance.

2.     The unlucky gent struck by lightening in South Africa fortunately won’t be struck twice as his insurance covered his medical costs of over £5,000.

3.     A Brit got more than he bargained for while gobbling down his steak. Luckily he won’t be choking on his medical bill of over £5,000 as his Essential Travel insurance meant that he didn’t bite off more than he could chew.

4.     They say local grappa tastes like rocket fuel but one traveller in Turkey took that a bit too literally when they accidentally drank gasoline, resulting in a hangover to the tune of over a £1,000.

5.     A real life slip of the tongue almost ended in disaster in Turkey when one lady swallowed her tongue after an almighty sneeze. The £1,000 bill covered by her insurance wasn’t to be sniffed at.

6.     A plucky young traveller in Mexico suffering from chicken pox managed to avoid the seven-year itch – probably the length of time it would have taken her to repay the £20,400 in medical fees had she been without cover.

7.     Getting a sun tan is one thing, but a medical bill for £2,550 to treat sunburn would certainly have left one traveller with scars if she’d forgotten to take out travel insurance.

8.     Having insurance took the sting out of the £4,800 medical bill one gent in the Dominican Republic suffered after receiving a nasty insect bite

9.     Another traveller in Indonesia saved himself from going ape at a medical bill of over £1,000 following a monkey bite

10.  The bill could have been worse than the bite for one individual who suffered  a nasty dog attack while in South Africa. Thankfully he’d invested in travel insurance, which paid his £6,000 medical costs.

Stuart Bensusan says:

“I think many people looking at some of our highest claim costs – and some of the reasons for them – will be extremely surprised.

“Some of the cases may raise a smile, but there’s a serious side too.  In addition to the £23,000 Delhi Belly case mentioned above we’ve also seen payouts of £89,359 on bleeding lesions, £69,699 spent on Cellulitis in Canada and £59,135 on a bank injury in the USA.  These were serious medical conditions not just requiring financial help but also the support and logistical assistance that our insurance provided for.

“When you put this in to the context of a single trip policy costing from as little as £6.94 it really does highlight the unnecessary risk that people travelling uninsured may be subjecting themselves to.”

If you go down to the woods today be sure of a big surprise. In the enchanting New Forest, B&B landladies are fighting back against budget hotels and the rules, regulations, hairnets and pinnies which some perceive as their traditional image.

A recent YouGov report on the bicycles market reveals the scale of concern regarding road safety amongst cyclists and UK consumers. One in three UK consumers believe that cyclists are the cause of many problems for drivers (33%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, only 1 in 5 cyclists are of the same mind.

Meanwhile, a considerable bugbear for cyclists is drivers’ purported disregard for designated cycle lanes – an issue that is not a major concern for the population as a whole. 52% of cyclists agree with the statement, ‘too many cars and lorries ignore the cycle lanes/park on the cycle lanes’, whereas only 26% of UK consumers agree with this view.

However, there are areas of common ground between cyclists and UK consumers – 81% of cyclists agree with the statement, ‘cyclists have a responsibility to respect cars and lorriesand vice versa’, while two thirds of UK consumers similarly acknowledge the responsibilities of cyclists and drivers alike.

In addition to this, ‘drink cycling’ is as much of a concern for cyclists as it is for UK consumers, with 59% of UK consumers and 60% of UK cyclists agreeing with the statement: ‘cycling under the influence of alcohol is as bad as drink driving’.

Total sample size was 2114 UK adults aged 16+. Fieldwork was undertaken 5^th - 7^th December 2011.

Blackpool Zoo is offering loved up ladies from Lancashire and beyond the chance to take advantage of the leap year and propose in style.

There will be four chances to pop the question throughout the 29th February and hopeful romantics can choose to either brave an audience of 250 animal lovers at the end of the zoo’s famous sea lion display or opt for the more private setting of the beautiful Lemur Wood.

To be in with a chance of being selected you should email Judith.rothwell@blackpoolzoo.org.uk and explain why Blackpool Zoo is the perfect location for a leap year proposal.

Jude Rothwell, PR and Marketing Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “We wanted to offer our visitors a unique way to pop the question to their loved one and as we are in a leap year we’ve extended the chance to ladies on the 29^th.

“We have already had one proposal celebration this year after local man Simon Etheridge took the opportunity and asked his girlfriend to marry him at the end of the sea lion display on Valentine’s Day.

“After getting the answer he was hoping for he is now looking forward to moving into a new home with his bride to be Sharlene Davies.

“We wish them all the luck in the world and we are looking forward to toasting more happy couples very soon!”

Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, set on the rugged Ayrshire coastline inScotland, is the perfect place to spend Easter with a plethora of family-friendly activities to suit every age and some fun new additions for 2012 that children will love. Home to the iconic Ailsa Course, Turnberry offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play world class golf and perfect their game whilst their families enjoy the spa facilities, Little Turnberry Farm, Wee Explorers crèche and playroom and a host of family dining options.

With a dedicated Easter activity programme that includes Easter Egg Hunts, “Splash Time” in the hotel pool, pitch ‘n’ putt competitions and a range of outdoor activities including horse riding, fishing, and archery, children will be kept amused and stimulated allowing parents to slip away to experience the luxury facilities available at the resort.

New for this year, children and families can also enjoy meeting two young alpacas at the Little Turnberry Farm and will be able to bottle feed the farm’s newest arrival – a baby calf.  The Waterfowl Sanctuary is another new addition and provides families with the unique opportunity to see ducks and geese in their natural habitat. The resort will also be showcasing some beautiful Clydesdale horses performing work displays which will give visitors an insight into how they were once used for traditional farming before the modern day powerful tractor.

As well as all the new additions at the Little Turnberry Farm, the resort also boasts The Wee Explorers Club, a crèche and playroom that is stocked full of games and toys to feed imaginations. Parents can take advantage of two hours of complimentary childcare per day at the crèche, leaving their children to take part in dressing up, arts and crafts, games and story times while they relax and unwind in the luxurious surroundings of the resort.

Turnberry is pleased to announce some fantastic value-added offers and specials in time for the holidays. Anyone staying in a classic bedroom can book a second room for half price (for children up to the age of 16 years-old) and all meals and soft drinks are complimentary for children when dining with their parents.

Classic bedrooms start from £200 per night for midweek stays.

For additional information and to reserve, please call Turnberry Reservations on 01655 333 991 or emailturnberry.reservations@luxurycollection.com

Shoppers were given a fright today as they stepped into a lift at Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth, London. When the doors opened, they were only inches away from plummeting down a bottomless lift shaft. Or at least that is what it seemed…

The experiment was set-up to test the fear-factor of the British public in preparation for the launch of Alton Towers Resort’s scariest attraction yet – Nemesis Sub-Terra, opening on 24th March. Combining terrifying and immersive elements  the spine-chilling experience starts in a lift that takes you deep underground beneath Alton Towers Resort, where a system of hidden and darkened caves has been uncovered.

Unsuspecting shoppers were fooled by a 3D illusion on the floor of the lift. One shopper said “A deep, dark lift shaft is not what you expect to see on your average trip to the shops! It gave me a bit of a fright, but I quickly realised the joke was on me! I then had a laugh watching other people’s reactions a they walked past”

Katherine Duckworth, head of consumer marketing at Alton Towers Resort, said, “Nemesis Sub-Terra is by far the most terrifying of our attractions to date and we really wanted to test the limits of the British public to see if they could cope with what it has in store. When creating the illusion inside the lift we considered some our most common fears including heights, darkness and claustrophobia that are also a core part of the new attraction. The reactions of the public were fascinating and we can’t wait to see what happens when people come and experience the new attraction for the first time.”

Alton Towers Resort has created Britain’s most psychologically thrilling experience by combining the scariest elements of a theme park with the most common fears of the public.
Opening on 24 March, and unlike anything seen before in the UK, Nemesis Sub-Terra is based upon the back-story of the original Nemesis rollercoaster, which opened at the Alton Towers Resort in 1994. Even the bravest of thrill seekers in Britain will struggle to keep their cool as the fear of the unknown creeps up on them and they realise their worst nightmare underground!

Poll shows Brits seek wild-and-wandering rather than fly-and-flop

(Monday, 13^th February 2012) With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and leap-year proposals only a few weeks away, romance, marriage and honeymooning are on a lot of people’s minds.

However, it seems that the traditional fly-n-flop honeymoon is on the way out: a recent poll* of travellers revealed only 12% would opt for a beach break after their wedding, with 81% saying they’d use the excuse to take the adventurous trip of a lifetime, according to newly launched Unique Honeymoons magazine who also name their predictions for honeymoon hotspots for 2012.

The new publication, which is just out, is dedicated to those newlyweds who want more adventure from their honeymooning, providing much-needed inspiration and practical information.

Says editor, Sarah Baxter, “Most people assume couples just want to collapse on a pretty beach for two weeks. However, our poll showed this is far from the truth with most Brits looking for unique and adventurous ways to start married life.”

“We have had to wade through the oil slick of spa hotels and petal baths to uncover experiences that will really deliver on this new trend. So that’s a no to Caribbean all-inclusives and yes please to floating tents in Cambodia or Swedish treehotels.”

Despite the economic doom and gloom only 3% of people said they would go on a budget break and spend their money on the big day itself, and just 4% would opt for a mini-moon, too short on time to take a more indulgent break.

With this is mind Unique Honeymoons has named where it thinks will be thehoneymoon hotspots for 2012:

1. Tanzania – Combine the undeniably dreamy beaches of Zanzibar with the 2 million wildebeest charging across the Serengeti and a climb up Kilimanjaro

2.  Burma – The hottest honeymoon spot for 2012: this newly opening nation offers culture, temples, lake-side lodges and wedding blessings from Buddhist monks

3. Borneo – Exotic jungle, spicy food, orang-utans, glorious (and great value) boutique hotels, with perfect beaches too

4. Namibia – The best place to board a hot-air balloon, for dawn desert views and a champagne breakfast

5. Japan – Embrace the tradition of ‘hadaka no tsukiai’ (naked companionship) in a steamy hot spring

6. Ikaria, Greece – This isle sees a fraction of the visitors of nearby Santorini, but the seaside sunsets are just as good, and the tavernas half the price

7.  Western Australia – A new flying safari around the Kimberley (from April 2012) will take newlyweds to the region’s remotest Outback

8. Lake District – A wild swim in the remote waters of Langstrath Beck will elevate mood and libido

9. Argentina – Learn to tango in Buenos Aires, stay in wine lodges around Mendoza and camp out in the wilds of Patagonia

10. Kyrgyzstan – For a honeymoon with bragging rights, cosy up in a lakeside yurt and ride across the Central Asian plains

The magazine is packed full of ideas for every price range from the £100 honeymoon to trips that really blow the budget – such as hiring your own palace, castle or classic sports car.

There is an indispensable month-by-month calendar of the best places to go and when – for example, enjoy New Zealand’s outdoor playground in January; witness spring festivals and parades in Prague in April or track mountain gorillas in Uganda in July.

And finally the feature, ‘Where to Stay’, helps couples hunt down the very best retreats chosen either for their location – miles from anywhere for some real ‘us’ time, or for their amazing levels of decadence and indulgence. Also recommended are the more unusual, including caravans, lighthouses, tents, caves and even a cleverly converted 1950’s fire truck.

Unique Honeymoons is on sale now, priced at £7.99 and also has a companion websitewww.UniqueHoneymoonIdeas.com

-Celebrities and royalty go head to head in the nation’s affections-

Valentine’s Day has already got pulses racing across the UK, as LateRooms.com reveals the celebrities the nation dreams of waking up next to on the most romantic morning of the year. The discount hotels specialist found that Essex lad Mark Wright and royal bachelor Prince Harry both polled the same percentage of votes, both being chosen by one in five women, dividing the country’s desires. British men however, wish they could wake up next to a Kent-born curvy pin-up rather than upper class beauties this February 14th: with almost a third voting for Kelly Brook above both Pippa and Kate Middleton in their fantasy sleepovers.

The Top 4 Male celebrities Britain would like to wake up next to this Valentine’s Day:

Mark Wright – 19%

Prince Harry – 19%

Harry Judd – 13%

Harry Styles – 3%

Other – 46%

The Top 4 Female celebrities Britain would like to wake up next to this Valentine’s Day:

Kelly Brook – 28%

Kate Middleton – 19%

Pippa Middleton – 18%

Carol Vorderman – 6%

Other – 29%

Britain’s men certainly preferred a curvier bedmate on the whole in 2012, with votes also coming in for new mum Beyonce and Nigella Lawson, as well as some more unusual choices including funny-woman Jo Brand and the original Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher.

Down to earth tastes rather than high society selections were not only reflected in a choice of bed companion, but also in choice of gift for Valentine’s Day. 37% of romantics are budgeting to spend between £30 and £100, planning a hotel stay with dinner as the perfect gift, while keeping costs sensible. The nation is however splashing out more on Valentine’s Day 2012, with only 26% of people this year keeping their belts tightened, compared to a massive 50% in 2011 who spent less than £30 on a simple card or flowers option.

“It was certainly interesting to find out who Britain would most like to wake up next to on Valentine’s day, especially to see such different types of people such as Mark Wright and Prince Harry go head to head,” commented Lynda Matthews, Offline Marketing Manager at LateRooms.com. “Even though people may not want to go “high society” in their gift selection this year, LateRooms.com have got a range of romantic and luxurious hotels at fantastic prices, which will keep both partner and bank balance happy.”

Countries recently wracked by earthquakes, tsunamis and political unrest were the winners in this year’s travel awards, voted for by the readers of Wanderlust magazine, the bible for independently minded travelers.

Japan came out as number one in the Top Country category this year with a satisfaction rating of 97%, with travellers undeterred by last year’s devastating tsunami. New Zealand, hit by earthquakes in 2011 came in third place, while Burma, ruled by military junta, came fourth.

Cambodia and Rwanda, only now emerging from genocidal pasts, also featured in the top 10. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, known for its policy of ‘gross national happiness’, came in second, bringing some tranquility to the list.

“If done responsibly, visiting countries after a disaster can be hugely beneficial for them. I really hope these results are indicative of support these areas will receive from travellers as they get back on their feet,’ commented Lyn Hughes, editor in chief at Wanderlust.

A total of 183 countries were nominated by almost 3000 readers who voted. The Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and Chad all received nominations in the Top Country category showing just how widely travelled the Wanderlust readers are.

The deserts of Sudan, icy wastes of Greenland and barren steppes of Mongolia may seem unlikely holiday destinations, but they soon could be according the results in the Emerging Destination category. Adventure tour operators are already adding these countries to their programmes.

Lyn Hughes continued:  “The travel map is rapidly changing and our readers are certainly ahead of the crowd voting for some really unlikely destinations in the ‘emerging’ category. I totally agree with Sudan at top place in this category. I was lucky enough to discover this first hand last year and experience its warm welcome, layers of history and few tourists. With more pyramids than Egypt it is a one to watch for the future especially as South Sudan opens up too.”

A new category added to the awards this year was Top UK City and in the year in which the Olympics come to the capital, it seems fitting that the top spot went to London with almost three times the amount of votes than Edinburgh in second place and Bath in third.

However despite London’s triumph in the UK category it could do little to affect Luang Prabang’s (Laos) winning streak as it retained the top spot in the Top City category for another year (97% rating), closely followed by Japan’s cultural centre, Kyoto.

Over 1000 cities were nominated and four of the top five cities were in Asia, while out of five European cities in the top ten, Siena ranked the highest. Colombia’s stunning Cartagena was the only city outside Europe or Asia to rank in the top ten, coming in at seventh place.

As reflected in 2011 and 2010, this year’s results confirm that websites continue to beat guidebooks in terms of customer satisfaction, and by a growing margin – with a gap of 17% between the leading guidebook (Dorling Kindersley – 79%) and website (mountainkingdoms.com – 96%).

In the Top Tour Operator category, Audley Travel was voted number one and also scooped second place in the websites.  Several new entries made the top 10 tour operators this year including Mountain Kingdoms, Journey Latin America and Ramblers Worldwide.

In the category of Top TV programme the BBC’s Frozen Planet series with David Attenborough was the overwhelming favourite, while the presenter’s series on Madagascar from earlier in the year was also ranked highly.  BBC Radio 4’s lively Saturday morning show, Excess Baggage, presented by Sandi Toksvig and John McCarthy won the Top Radio Show.

In the aviation categories, the Asian airlines and airports swept the board once again. Singapore Airlines was voted Top Airline for the fourth year running, while alongside firm favourites such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, new entrants into the top 10 included Jet Airways and Asiana Airlines.

In line with Bhutan’s rise to second in the Top Country category, the country’s tiny airport at Paro ranked a surprise joint first alongside Singapore’s Changi Airport – the winner of the Top Airport for the last 10 years.

Closer to home London City ranked top for UK Airports with a satisfaction rating of 87%, closely followed by last year’s winner, Southampton.  While Heathrow was not ranked among the top 10, voting showed that if Terminal 5 were to be listed as an airport in its own right, it would have come out on top.

Full results of the Travel Awards will appear online at www.wanderlust.co.uk/travelawards and will then feature in the April edition of Wanderlust on sale on the 22^nd March 2012 £3.60.

Cherrygood, the UK’s leading cherry juice drink, is now available in a smaller ready-to-go size.
Cherry Burst, primarily aimed at children, will launch in Morrisons stores across the country next week as a triple pack of 200ml cartons. Each carton counts as one of your Five-A-Day. In addition to children it is also hoped Cherry Burst will appeal to the adult lunchbox market.
The packs will sell at RRP £1.35 and will be on promotion throughout March with a 30p saving.
John Heseltine, the founder of Cherrygood, says: ‘Mums have been telling us how much their children love drinking Cherrygood for breakfast and that they would love a smaller version to pop in their lunchboxes. We listened and created Cherry Burst.
‘All the goodness and flavour of wonderful real cherries are packed into each carton making it an easy way for children to get one of their Five-A-Day.
‘Cherry Burst is not just for children though. We’ve already discovered that lots of dads are tucking them into their briefcases to drink at work as an alternative to tea and coffee and mums are taking them to the gym to rehydrate after exercise.’
Cherry Burst is the latest addition to the Cherrygood family. There are now four drinks in the range – Cherry Burst, Cherrygood Premium Cherry, Cherrygood Original and Cherrygood Light. Cherrygood Original and Light both cost £1.50 and are available in all major supermarkets. Cherrygood Premium Cherry, the UK’s first chilled cherry juice, costs £2.29 and was launched last year.
Montmorency tart cherries are regularly in the news because of their amazing health benefits which include improving the quality of sleep and speeding muscle recovery after exercise.
Fans of Cherrygood include Elton John, who requested Cherrygood at his annual Winter Ball to help create the ‘Red Carpet’ signature cocktail inspired by legendary shoe designer Christian Louboutin.
www.cherrygood.com
CHERRY FACTS
Montmorency cherries are one of nature’s rich sources of powerful antioxidants. Drinking Cherrygood may help ease the pain of arthritis, gout, reduce risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, cherries contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the ageing process.
Northumbria University research revealed that volunteers who drank tart Montmorency cherry juice received a significant boost to their levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. On average, their total sleep time increased by 25 minutes and their “sleep efficiency”, a global measure of sleep quality, increased by five to six per cent.

Yesterday, Universal Orlando Resort revealed details about a wide range of all-new exciting guest experiences that will open across the destination this year.

We’ve created a web-based video so you can share this exciting news with your audience, as well as provide an inside look at each new experience. Click here to view this video.

The new experiences will begin debuting in February and include:

• A new Blue Man Group show – opening in February
• HD enhancements and more to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – experience in March
• Universal’s Superstar Parade – a new interactive parade experience featuring characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit animated film, “Hop,” Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants that is opening in spring
• Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular – a new night-time show that will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all projected on cutting-edge waterfall screens – and opening this spring
• The highly-anticipated 3-D attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, which is opening this summer

For more information about these and other new experiences opening at Universal Orlando Resort this year, visit http://media.universalorlando.com.

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Europ Assistance explains the must-know key difference between annual and single-trip cover

Frequent travellers who want to take advantage of annual multi-trip travel insurance, which gives them peace of mind for a full 12 months, should make sure they pick the right start date for their policy, cautions leading travel assistance firm Europ Assistance.

Unlike a single trip policy, which is usually bought at the same time as the holiday and, as its name implies, covers a specific trip, an annual policy provides cover for a specific time period and allows for multiple trips. Wise travellers will make sure that their annual policy starts the day that they first make a financial commitment for a trip, not the first day of the first trip. As with a motor or house insurance policy: there is a specific start and finish date for cover.

When you are asked for a policy start date, make sure you provide the date from which you are exposed to potential losses, and not the date you go on the first trip of the year.

“It is a false economy to try and eke out a few weeks extra cover at the end of the year by delaying your policy start date,” advises Europ Assistance director Peter Dingle. “If anything happens to cause you to cancel your trip, then your loss will only be covered if your policy start date precedes the incident.”

Of course, you must also be sure to disclose any pre-existing medical problems. You may incur a higher premium, but it is just not worth the risk of finding that you have no cover when you fall ill overseas. If you develop a medical condition during the year, do contact the insurers to see if your policy remains valid.

The main thing to remember is that you really should take time to read your policy documents. Unless you have been told otherwise, there is a 14-day cooling off period, giving you time to check the policy, contact the insurer to raise any queries and, should you so choose for any reason whatsoever, cancel the policy in return for a refund.

“Often people spend just a few minutes buying a policy online, basing their decision on price only. Reading the policy to make sure it matches your and your family’s needs can be time very well spent,” says Mr Dingle.

HouseTrip.com lists five rentals perfect for Valentine romance

LONDON, UK – January 23, 2011: What’s your loved one’s ideal gift for Valentine’s Day? Why not combine their gorgeous gift of choice with a holiday for a perfectly romantic package? With over 61,000 flats to choose from in over 7,000 destinations, HouseTrip.com has a selection of flats that take traditional Valentine gifts to the next level. Take a look at these five options to see which one your other half might fall head over heels for[1]:

1. A CHOCOLATEY TREAT IN BRUSSELS FROM £71/NIGHT

When the traditional heart-shaped box just isn’t enough, combine those truffles with a trip away to the European chocolate capital of Brussels. HouseTrip.com offers rooms in the Belgian Chocolate bedroom of a private apartment from just £71/night. Decorated in elegant shades of brown, you’ll feel deliciously cozy as you explore the European capital from your conveniently located flat. The room features a double bed and is pet-friendly if you can’t leave the critters at home. To book go to: http://www.housetrip.com/en/holiday-apartments/brussels-belgian-chocolate

2. A PERFUMED GETAWAY TO PARIS FROM £494/NIGHT

Is your partner a fan of perfume? Then look no further than the home that was the original headquarters of famed Parisian perfume company, L’Artisan Parfumeur, exclusively available from HouseTrip.com. Beautifully restored by the current owners, this four-bedroom property is located in the heart of Montparnasse and accommodates up to seven people from £494/night. The property even features a signature scent – a perfume created by L’Artisan Parfumeur to commemorate its original base. http://www.housetrip.com/en/holiday-apartments/paris-maison-atelier-classee-proche-luxembourg-185m2

3. A FLORAL TREAT IN LISBON FROM £20/NIGHT

Everyone loves getting a bouquet of flowers, but who needs a bunch of carnations from a roadside petrol station when you can jet away to Lisbon to stay at HouseTrip.com’s Flower Power apartment from just £20/night? This intimate, yet funky studio is located next to the Praca das Flores (the leafy garden that gives this apartment its name) and can accommodate up to 3 people. Book today at: http://www.housetrip.com/en/holiday-apartments/lisbon-flower-power-studio-for-three-next-to-bairro-alto

4. SPARKLING DIAMONDS IN MAYRHOFEN FROM £178/NIGHT

Diamonds are forever, right? Well the memories of a stay in Mayrhofen will certainly stick after a holiday to the Diamond apartment located next to the ski-lifts in the Austrian resort of Mayrhofen. Up to six people can comfortably sleep in this three-bedroom, 75m2 apartment less than 100 m away from the main shopping street. Enjoy schnapps on the sunny southwest-facing balcony from just £178/night with HouseTrip.com. Book at: http://www.housetrip.com/en/holiday-apartments/mayrhofen-diamond-75m2-with-balcony-next-to-the-ski-lift

5. A SEXY GETAWAY TO AMSTERDAM FROM £133/NIGHT

Giving gifts may be nice, but when it comes to romance – why go out looking for the perfect item when you can stay in and enjoy something, ahem, more personal? Who better to stay with than Xaviera Hollander, the notorious writer of the 70s hit book, The Happy Hooker? Xaviera is now a happy hotelier offering her Bohemian rooms to global travellers in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam from just £124/night via HouseTrip.com. Book via: http://www.housetrip.com/en/holiday-apartments/amsterdam-xaviera-hollander-happy-house-david-bedroom

Had enough of sappy soft toys and ill-fitting underwear? This Valentine’s Day, why not give the ultimate romantic gift – quality time.