Travel deals, tips, insider news and comment by 101 Holidays editors, Mark Hodson and David Wickers
Holiday details: self-drive short break in Iceland, staying at the Hotel Budir on the edge of a sweeping bay with the Snaefellsjokull glacier as backdrop. Located in the auroral zone away from light pollution, this is a top spot for views of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
Price: £508 pp for 4 nights half-board (4th night free) including gourmet a la carte dining each evening and a 4WD. Flights extra (approx £184 pp).
Dates: November 2010 – March 2011
Book with: Discover the World
Holiday details: a rare chance to book a late deal on an Arctic cruise with prices cut by 50%. Spend 8 nights on board the M/S Expedition sailing around Spitsbergen in the Arctic Circle. The largest of the Svalbard archipelago islands, Spitsbergen combines superb coastal scenery with adventure activities and the chance to spot wildlife such as polar bear and walrus.
Price: from £1,280 pp (normally £2,559 pp) based on 2 sharing a twin cabin, on an all-inclusive basis, including the services of an experienced Expedition Leader and transfers. Excluding flights.
Dates: departures July 14, 22, 30 and August 7, 15, 2010.
Book with: Discover The World
Several companies recommended by 101 Holidays have been scooping up awards in the past few days.
Congratulations to Gilpin Lodge in the Lake District, which was named Small Hotel of the Year in the Northwest Tourism Awards 2009. On the same night, the hotel’s chef Russell Ploughman had his 3 rosettes confirmed at the AA Awards. Earlier this year the hotel was named winner of the 2009 Cumbria Tourism Awards.
Hats off to Peak Retreats which was named Best Ski Company in the Guardian and Observer Travel Awards last weekend.
Other 101 recommended companies picking up awards include Eurostar (best train company), Rainbow Tours (best small tour operator), Trailfinders (best large tour operator and best large short breaks operator) and Discover the World (best brochure).
