As clients turn their attention towards winter-sun holidays, the “somewhere hot” enquiries are just around the corner. Here is a guide to the temperatures they can expect in December, depending on how far they want to fly. Dave Richardson reports:

Up to six hours:

Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Gambia and Cape Verde

Except for Cyprus, you are pretty well guaranteed sunbathing weather in these destinations. Egypt and the Cape Verde Islands have made big gains over the past few years. Temperatures of about 23C can be expected in the Egyptian Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Taba Heights and Makadi Bay.
Longwood features Aqaba in Jordan and Eilat in Israel, and has added Makadi Bay for this winter. It will not be running regular flights to Eilat this winter except for one Christmas departure. The operator serves Eilat via Tel Aviv, Israel’s Mediterranean city resort where temperatures are a little lower at about 20C.

Marketing manager Tara Bradberry says: “The Red Sea enjoys pleasant temperatures in winter, which is great for exploring the historical sites. Winter is also a good season for golf and diving.” Egypt’s Red Sea resorts are popular for Tui. The group is continuing its charter programme to the resort of Marsa Matruh on the Mediterranean coast, which it introduced in March. Thomson is the top operator to the Cape Verde Islands, while Serenity Holidays operates the Cape Verde Experience and Gambia Experience brands. The flight time to both is six hours – Gambia is in west Africa and Cape Verde about 300 miles offshore.

“Cape Verde is an ideal winter-sun destination and a place of great contrasts, as each of the 10 islands offers a slightly different experience,” says Serenity. “It reflects an exotic blend of African, Brazilian and Portuguese cultures, and the beaches are among the best in the world.” Temperatures reach about 27C on the islands and 31C in Gambia, where Serenity is enjoying more demand for luxury holidays. This winter, it is offering two-centre options using its own charters.

Cyprus might seem tame by comparison at about 18C, but the island appeals to people seeking a more familiar destination. Photis Lambrianides, commercial director of Olympic Holidays, says: “It generally has about six hours of sunshine a day. Rain is infrequent and it’s certainly warm enough to eat outside.”



Up to four hours:
 
Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Madeira, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey

We’re now getting more into the sunbathing comfort zone for December. The Canary Islands have traditionally dominated the market with temperatures of about 20C but often windy conditions. It is a similar story in Madeira. Malta is in the 12-15C range with less wind but more rain, whereas Morocco and Tunisia are more reliable at about 19C. Jody Clapham, Cosmos product manager for the Canaries, says: “The Canaries can’t help but come top of everyone’s list for winter sun because of the wide range of flying.” Thomas Cook now operates year-round to Antalya in Turkey. The operator expects Dalaman and Bodrum to be popular new resorts this winter. Temperatures average about  15C.

You don’t necessarily need a beach for winter sun, and Prestige Holidays marketing manager Nicky Shafe recommends Marrakech in Morocco (19C). “Marrakech is so exciting, so different from Europe and little more than three hours away,” she says. “It’s a perfect short-break destination to explore the souks, indulge in some wonderful spa treatments and enjoy the beautiful warm weather, As it’s a non-euro destination, it’s good value.” Vanda Bauer, head of marketing at Classic Collection, recommends Morocco’s coastal resorts, where temperatures are similar. “Our most popular hotel is the five-star Sofitel Essaouira Medina & Spa just outside the old city walls, perfect for discovering Morocco’s most charismatic coastal town,” she says.


Up to three hours:

Costa Del Sol, Costa Blanca, Majorca and the Algarve

The Costa del Sol is your best bet if you want it warm enough for sunbathing. Temperatures reach 18C, although 15C is more likely and it could be windy. Similar conditions can be expected on the Algarve. The Costa Blanca is more sheltered and Benidorm averages 16C with little wind. Majorca should be a comfortable 12-15C, but can be wet. You can’t guarantee winter sun in any of these destinations. Think warm weather rather than hot, which is ideal for sightseeing. The bigger resorts have more going on, with Benidorm having strong appeal to the over-60s. Cosmos is planning a winter programme to Majorca with three flights a week on Monarch from Gatwick and Manchester. But details have yet to be finalised. The operator will use hotels in Palma and nearby resorts that stay open in winter.

Latest Information On Collapse Of Kiss Flights - 18/08/2010 - 16:00hrs

London-based travel company Flight Options Limited, trading principally as Kiss Flights, ceased trading this evening, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has stepped in to protect holidaymakers.

The CAA estimates that around 13,000 people are currently overseas – all of them will be able to complete their holidays and return to the UK thanks to the CAA’s ATOL protection.

Around 60,000 people have forward bookings with the company and will be able to claim a full refund for the ATOL-protected elements of their holiday from the CAA. Because the company has failed at the height of summer, the CAA is also putting in place arrangements to allow people to travel out on their holidays for the next 24 hours, to minimise confusion and protect passengers.

Flight Options sold charter flights to Mediterranean destinations, under ATOL 4233 mainly through travel agents. The CAA will be arranging repatriation for all Flight Options customers in line with the scheduled end of their holiday.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers with flights leaving the UK before 1800 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010

These flights will operate as planned, and passengers should go to the airport and check in as normal.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers who are currently overseas
The CAA will ensure that ATOL-protected customers are able to fly home as planned; they should therefore arrive at the airport in time to check-in for their flights home as normal.

In order for customers to determine whether they are ATOL protected or not, they should check that they booked a flight with Flight Options / Kiss Flights. To do this, customers should check the invoice/receipt received at the time the booking was made and paid for.

The company sold only a very small number of package holidays, consequently, in most cases, ATOL protects only the flight element of their holiday. Accommodation booked independently with other firms is not effected by the failure.

Advice for Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers with forward bookings after 1800 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010
Flight Options / Kiss Flights customers are financially protected under ATOL 4233 and should not travel on booked holidays after 18:00 BST on Wednesday 18 August 2010 but instead should make a claim for a refund from the CAA.

Customers who booked through Flight Options / Kiss Flights should seek advice from their travel agents about alternative travel arrangements.

Contact Details
More information about the claims process is available on the CAA’s website: www.atol.org.uk

After 22:00 this evening (17/08/2010) ATOL-protected Flight Options customers who are currently abroad and experiencing difficulties should contact the CAA for more information on 0044 161 444 5811. Those with forward bookings requiring general advice about refunds under the ATOL scheme should go to the CAA website or can contact the CAA on 0844 571 7262.

For more media information journalists can contact the CAA press office on 020 7453 6030.

Notes to editors
Flight Options traded under the following names:
Africa Options
America Options
Canada Options
Caribbean Options
Dubai Options
Elgouna Options
Elgouna Villas and Apartments
Flight Options
Florida Options
Florida Owners Club
Golf Options
Holidayops.com
Kiss Flights
Kiss Holidays
Orlando Villas Direct
Sportops.com
Travel Options Direct
Travelplus

ATOL (short for Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) is managed by the CAA and gives comprehensive protection from losing money or being stranded abroad to over 26 million people in the UK who buy air holidays and flights from tour operators each year. It is by far the largest travel protection scheme in the UK, and the only one for flights and air holidays sold by tour operators.

All tour operators selling flights and air holidays must hold a licence from the CAA. If a Licence holder fails, the CAA is responsible for ensuring customers are either repatriated to the UK or receive a refund of payments made.

Repatriation costs and refunds are met by the Air Travel Trust Fund, the funds of which come from a £2.50 per person contribution, called the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC), each licence holder is required to make when it accepts a booking under its ATOL. In some circumstances a licence holder will have also provided a bond, which is used in the first instance to protect customers.

Further information about ATOL is available on the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

Latest Information On Collapse Of Kiss Flights

The boss of Kiss Flights has spoken of his devastation at the seat only operator’s failure.
Gary Ash, the chief executive of Flight Options which traded as Kiss Flights, blamed the seat-only operator’s demise on a combination of the ash cloud, ongoing problems with the banks and the decision by certain companies to put the firm on their non-insured lists.
He said: “I am absolutely devastated by this unfortunate turn of events. Over the past nine months we have been fighting in a very difficult travel market.
“However, recent developments have made it impossible to continue the operation of the companies.

“The effect of the volcanic ash was devastating, when the banks were in trouble the government bailed them out but when the tour operators had to cope with the enforced closure of the skies and the expensive cost of repatriation the government did not help.
“The demise of Goldtrail has cost us dearly as we have had to assume responsibility for a large number of unsold seats.
“On top of poor yields and very late booking trends, our fate was sealed by actions implemented by Hays Travel and CBG Insurance Brokers when putting Kiss Flights on their non-insured list.

“This caused negative publicity on Kiss Flights and resulted in a massive 50% reduction in bookings, thus leaving us heavily exposed and unable to recover.”
Travel Weekly understands Flight Options was asked to pledge millions of pounds’ worth of assets to obtain risk insurance for the next trading period, but was unable or unwilling to provide this.

He added the company’s last annual results filed for the year ending October 31, 2009, revealed Kiss Flights had made an operating profit of £500,000.

for customers wanting to re-book there flights please click the link below:
 
 Click Here To Re-Book Your Kiss Flights

The popularity of Turkey as a holiday destination continues to grow.

Unlike the Euro the Turkish lira has hardly gained any strength against the pound, but yet prices for the tourist continue to rise and the number of visitors to turkey also continue to rise A typical shopping basket for tourists has risen by 44 per cent in Turkey over the past year, with the cost of a meal out at about £55 for two.
Away from tourist restaurants and you will find prices are far lower.
If you afford bigger resorts and tourist areas you will find eating and drink in turkey much cheapr. The sort of all-inclusive packages offered by the big tour operators, at large resort hotels with in-house sports, entertainments and children’s clubs, often appeal to families because they make budgeting easier. But they limit your choice to the bigger resorts such as Bodrum, Kusadasi, Gumbet, Side, Fetiyhe and Olu Deniz, where prices are higher. Bookthistrip.co.uk recognise this so before you rush to book one of these, check out the flight and hotel search on bookthistrip.co.uk website where you will find great deals to less commercialised resorts like Belek and the side which are upmarket and littered with 4 &5 star hotels. We feature over 20 resorts so your sure to find the turkisnh resort that appeals to you. As an alternative to Bodrum, you might wish to consider at the fishing port  resort of Yalikavak, where there are  good beaches,  a more relaxed atmosphere and cheaper restaurants and bars.

Goldtrail ceased trading 16/07/2010

Goldtrail Travel Limited – ATOL 4684

Goldtrail Travel Limited t/a Goldtrail Holidays, Goldtrail Travel and Sunmar has ceased trading. There will be no further outbound flying and passengers

Passengers overseas

Goldtrail passengers overseas on flight inclusive holidays will be repatriated back to the UK.
All inbound flying from Turkey and Greece will operate as scheduled over the weekend, and up to and including Monday 19 July 2010. Passengers who are due to return to the UK are advised to go to the airport as originally scheduled
Detailed information relating to inbound flights from Tuesday 20 July 2010 will be posted onto this page as soon as they become available.
Passengers who are overseas and require assistance can telephone the CAA helpline on 0044 203 441 0846

Forward Bookings

Passengers who have flight inclusive bookings with Goldtrail are advised to contact their travel agent in the first instance.
Details on how passengers may be able to claim a refund, and a claim form will be posted onto this site by Monday 19 July 2010
Passengers with forward bookings can telephone the CAA helpline on 0844 856 2585 although we are dealing with a high number of calls at present and people are advised not to call unless the query is urgent

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