Follow the X-Factor to Dubai with Travel Creator

The X – Factor relocated to Dubai this weekend with a group finalists jetting in to audition for Danni Minogue and big sister Kylie in the hope of securing a place in the final three.

In the shows, broadcast on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October, the six finalists in the female under 25s category arrived at Dubai’s awe inspiring Atlantis, The Palm Resort to audition for not just one, but two Minogues as Danni’s older sister Kylie made an appearance to give her younger sibling a helping hand with her decision making.

The Xtra Factor’s hosts Dermot O’Leary and Holly Willoughby also made the trip and took time out of the busy filming schedule to take a dip with the dolphins in the resort’s Dolphin Bay, a lagoon where guests can get to know these beautiful creatures up close.

In addition to swimming with dolphins, guests at Atlantis can enjoy the resort’s very own Aquaventure water park, or wander the underwater halls and tunnels of the Lost Chambers and marvel at over 65,000 marine animals swimming in the placid waters. Add to this 17 restaurants, lounges and bars, serving a wide range of cuisine from around the world and it’s evident that their really is something for the whole family at Atlantis, The Palm.

Travel Creator (a division of Barrhead Travel, based in Glasgow) has partnered with Gold Medal Travel, the UK’s number one operator to Dubai to give you the chance to follow in the footsteps of Danni Minogue and the X Factor team by taking a trip to Dubai’s luxurious Atlantis, The Palm Resort.

Travel Creator & Barrhead Travel is offering a 5 nights bed and breakfast for a family of four at Atlantis, The Palm for only £789 per adult and £729 per child. The price includes return flights with Emirates from Glasgow and all pre payable taxes. Valid for departures from 23 October to 9 December 2009 – Must book by 31 October 2009.

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The Nile, Egypt

Luxor is home to almost a third of the world's archaeological treasures, and the legendary Nile separates its east and west banks.

In addition to being a major stop on Egypt's historical and Pharaonic circuit, Luxor is the launch pad for scores of Nile cruises. Among its highlights are the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Karnak and Luxor temples, and the Winter Palace hotel, where Agatha Christie sought inspiration for Death on the Nile.

A typical itinerary heads south to Aswan, taking in the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and Abu Simbel.

Refurbishments and infrastructure developments are boosting Luxor's product offering, and the pound's strength in this non-eurozone destination, coupled with some keenly priced packages, means affordable luxury for visitors this winter. Add-ons include hot air balloon rides, tours to the West Bank and the Karnak Sound and Light Show.

The seven-night Nile Cruise is now on sale with various styles of cruise, including the new five-star Royal Viking, the most luxurious in the fleet. A week in early December leads in at £899 full board.

Efforts to 'beautify' Luxor are well under way. An impressive, tree-studded, white-tiled plaza flanks the new visitor centre at Luxor Temple, and the much-maligned New Winter Palace building, an eyesore that has marred Luxor's waterfront for decades, has finally been torn down and grassed over.

Most Egypt specialists agree that the most dramatic impact will come from the creation of a new marina, five and a half miles south of Luxor City, to house the burgeoning number of cruise boats that currently clog the waterfront of the east bank.

As a result, diesel fumes will be banished from town and the move will also pave the way for a much wider corniche. The riverside strip will be lined with cafes and restaurants that afford fantastic views of the sunset over the west bank. The completion date is set for 2010.

With one five-star property re-opened following a major facelift, and the ink still wet on a new Four Seasons, Luxor's accommodation offering is on course for a long overdue shake-up.

InterContinental Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Kempinksi Hotels are all rumoured to be interested, but leading the charge is Hilton, with a $45 million refurbishment of its Nile-front property at Karnak.

With restaurants, infinity pools and alfresco bars spilling on to 170 metres of prime Nile frontage, and a world-class spa to boot, the newly refurbished Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa is the city's first true luxury offering. Guests can even book rooms with their own private spa suites.

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China

For many, travel to China is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. To explore the Forbidden City, home to Chinese emperors over the centuries; to gaze in awe at an entire army of Terracotta Warriors; and to walk proudly on a Great Wall that stretches for over 4,000 miles. For others, it is the allure of the adorable pandas that is the main attraction to China. Yet these amazing experiences are only the first steps in discovering this fascinating land.

China is a land of beauty with its poetic landscapes around Guilin, dramatic gorges along the Yangtze and the striking alpine scenery in Nine Villages Valley. The physical contrasts are great, from vast mountain ranges to forest wildernesses and arid deserts. There is man-made beauty too, in the traditional Chinese gardens of Suzhou, the picturesque West Lake in Hangzhou and the numerous exquisite temples scattered across the country.

For the more adventurous, there is the opportunity to travel along the ancient Silk Road or venture overland into mystical Tibet and explore parts of China rarely visited by westerners. In these remote places, the people and their culture are a world away from the rest of China.

Following a proud history spanning 5,000 years, China’s importance in the world continues to grow as it emerges as an economic superpower of the 21st century. Nowhere can this be better witnessed than in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. With its towering skyscrapers, designer shops and vibrant nightlife, it represents the pinnacle of modern China.

China is a land with endless opportunities to offer the enthusiastic traveller. It is a destination that inspires and fascinates with its historic sights, diverse landscapes and rich culture. Yet beyond these great wonders, the most enduring memory is often the charm of the Chinese themselves.

China is surely a country that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit. We can also offer a wide range of fully inclusive escorted tours to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos. See for yourself the spectacular scenery, ancient monuments, amazing history and colourful culture offered by these remarkable lands.

Why not plan something extraordinary today?

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City Break Festivals

City Break - Festivals

Sightseeing is all well and good, but there is nothing like a festival to make a city come alive. Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Munich for the beer festival, or to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year and you will guarantee sights and sounds that are as authentic as they are unforgettable.

Here are a few of the world’s best festivals that are perfect to build a city break around.

Venice Carnival – 06-16 February 2010

Venice is an atmospheric city at any time of the year, but there is nothing more likely to induce a delicious thrill down the spine of any visitor than the sight of an ornately-costumed figure, their face obscured by a mask, disappearing over one of the city’s curved bridges.

The Venice Carnival became a massive draw in the 17th century, but it was banned when the Venetian Republic fell in 1797. Revived in the 1980s, it has once again become a spectacular sight for visitors.

The streets are filled with parades of costumed characters wearing the famous Venetian masks and in the evening there are masked balls to attend. There is a programme of free events in St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area. Visitors are welcome to dress up, or they can simply spectate.

Chinese New Year, Hong Kong – 14 February 2010

Though many cities such as San Francisco, Vancouver and London hold vigorous celebrations ringing in the Lunar New Year, there is nothing like being in Hong Kong.

Visitors can see the famous lion dances, where drums, gongs and cymbals accompany acrobats as they leap around in the large, brightly coloured costumes.

Locals pick up sprays of peach blossom, narcissi and peonies (symbolising good luck and prosperity) at the huge flower market in Victoria Park and crowds gather to watch the massive fireworks display from the east Tsim Shat sui waterfront and on The Peak.

In 2010, the Lunar New Year falls on Valentine’s Day.

New Orleans Mardi Gras – 16 February 2010

Fat Tuesday is the time for The Big Easy’s biggest party. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations are famed the world over, with colourful parades and hedonistic late night partying. The last five days running up to Fat Tuesday is when the celebrations hit a climax.

The parades are organised by carnival krewes, who ride on the floats in incredible costumes throwing gifts into the crowd. Many tourists head for the famous French Quarter and Bourbon Street, but remember none of the parades pass through this area any more due to the narrow streets. Major parades pass along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street.

St Patrick’s Day in Dublin – 17 March 2010

The home of the craic is the place to be for St Patrick’s Day and for the five days preceding it, when Dublin comes alive with events that are all part of the festival.

Many visitors are more than happy to spend most of their time quaffing Guinness in Temple Bar, or celeb spotting in The Clarence, the hotel owned by Bono. But this is just a fraction of what’s on offer. There is a parade, comedy, dance and drama performances and a huge funfair.

Calgary Stampede – 9-18 July 2010

Any budding John Waynes should go to Alberta’s largest city for the most famous rodeo on earth. The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day celebration of traditional cowboy skills, with a rodeo and wagon races, plus fairground stalls, shows, concerts and First Nation exhibitions.

The rodeo consists of six major events: bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping. Most tourists who attend get in the mood by dressing up, like the local attendees, in full western attire. What better excuse for anyone who has ever wanted to don a 10 gallon hat and boots with spurs?

La Tomatina, Bunyol, Spain – 25 August 2010

This is a food festival with a difference; well, more of a food fight than a gourmet experience. For most of the year, Bunyol is just a small, industrial town 25 miles outside Valencia, but on the last Wednesday in August it is literally painted red – with tomatoes.

Nearly 140 tons of tomatoes are trucked into the centre of town at the Plaza del Pueblo, and vast crowds of Spaniards and tourists gather to hurl tomatoes at one another in the streets.

In the days surrounding the tomato throwing, there are parades, music, dancing and fireworks.

Visitors should stay in Valencia – there are regular trains to Bunyol, so it easy to take a day trip to La Tomatina while enjoying a city break in Valencia.

Munich Oktoberfest – 19 September to 04 October

A sure-fire winner with any hop-loving person is a trip to the beautiful baroque city of Munich during the annual beer festival, known locally as Wiesn.

The tents serve beer in litre glasses, accompanies by traditional Bavarian food and traditional oom-pah brass band music. The German costumes of Dirndl for ladies and Lederhosen for gents are widely worn and are sold in many shops. There are also rides, roundabouts and sweet stands. Most clubs and bars open late and run after Wiesn parties.

Christmas at Tivoli, Copenhagen – 20 November to 30 December

For Christmas nostalgia you can’t beat the Danish capital and its old-world pleasure gardens. Tivoli Gardens is full of fairground rides, from old-fashioned carousels and dragon boats on the lake, to heart-stopping roller coasters and drop towers. There is also a pantomime theatre and concert hall.

In the festive season, the whole park comes alive with trees full of fairy lights, skating on the lake and a miniature village with market stalls.

While in Copenhagen check out the fairytale like castle Rosenborg Slot and take a harbour tour so you can see the best of the city by boat.

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Restricted Mobility Passengers

Various bits of legislation introduced in Britain and the EU over the last two years has improved the way airlines and airports handle passengers with special needs.

Airlines are not allowed to deny disabled passengers the right to fly unless they have demonstrable logistical issues with the type of aircraft, configuration and crew available, for example an airline is allowed to refuse bookings on a narrow-bodied aircraft for someone requiring wheelchair assistance if they already had ten such passengers on the same flight.
Assistance through the airport and the door of the aircraft is now the responsibility of the airport operator, not the airline. Generally speaking, airlines send automated messages to the airports with details of all their special needs passengers 24 hours before the flight. For this reason, airlines require passengers who need assistance to make themselves known 48 hours in advance of travel. They can make arrangements for last-minute travel but simply turning up at the airport and demanding a wheelchair absolves the airline and airport of any responsibility.

This seems an eminently sensible piece of legislation because it resolves the issue of who arranges the wheelchair assistance and it puts the onus on the passenger to ensure they give their airline proper notification.

When you book a flight on nearly any airline website, you will see a box asking if you require assistance. Obviously, it is best that the request is made when you book because you will then have a record and the airline should have no excuse for not passing on the information.

Unfortunately, there have been problems with some inclusive tour operators either not gathering the information in the first place or not passing it on in the correct way. ABTA has been forced to remind its members to amend their booking systems to allow for this.

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Cards and Foreign Currency

Charges made by banks for using credit cards overseas for both purchases and cash withdrawals have been increasing for some time. We have long recommended the Caxton FX pre-paid currency cards, which are a much more economical way of spending cash abroad.

They have just become rather better value because the company no longer makes any charge for using ATMs. You load your card at the best possible rate (always better than rates obtainable from other exchange organisations) and spend it without any further charge.

A client inadvertently discovered just how competitive Caxton cards are when he was in Paris and, by mistake, used his Caxton Dollar card to withdraw Euros from a machine. This is definitely not how to use the cards, because you end up paying to convert into dollars and then from Dollars to Euros – plus, if you use the card in a different currency, an exchange fee is levied. While he was annoyed at his mistake, he later discovered the whole process had cost slightly less than all the extras Barclays added to a similar transaction on his sterling Visa debit card!

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The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes

North America is a perennial chart-topper with the British market. While first-timers may head straight to the tourist hot spots, for those who want to explore further afield the Great Lakes region is a rewarding alternative.

Clustered around lakes Superior, Erie, Michigan and Huron in the northeast of the country, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are home to some of the US's most iconic attractions. The gateway to the region is Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which is serviced by daily.

There are also plenty of fun ways to get around. The region is well connected to the Amtrak rail network, or clients can opt for an RV motorhome, rent a Harley or go for a classic fly-drive package.

Here's a guide to some of the best attractions the region has to offer:

Cleveland, Ohio

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Arguably the best music attraction in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more like going to a party than visiting a museum. The floors of this visually spectacular building are an extravaganza of memorabilia, movies, music and interactive exhibits.

Watch a home game
Cleveland's Downtown area is awash with stadiums, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. Whatever time of year you visit, there's bound to be either a baseball, ice hockey, basketball or football match that you can pre-book tickets for.

Playhouse Square
Cleveland's theatre district is second only to New York in the number of productions staged each year. Seats, however, cost a fraction of what they would in the Big Apple.

Where to stay
The recently renovated Ritz-Carlton is contemporary, elegant and the des res of Downtown.

Sandusky, Ohio

This area is Lake Erie's waterfront playground, where the white-sand beach is backed by thrill rides.

Cedar Point
With 17 roller coasters - that's more than any other amusement park in the world - Cedar Point is the place for adrenaline junkies to get their fix. Dragster is the scariest. It launches you 420ft, reaching a speed of 120mph in just four seconds. There are rides and playgrounds for tots and little kids, too, with the new Planet Snoopy proving a big hit.

Where to stay:
Castaway Bay, a hotel resort with its own water park, or Lighthouse Point, which offers luxury cabins on the shorefront next to Cedar Point, and has an RV camper village.

Detroit, Michigan

Known as motor city because it was where car-manufacturing moguls such as Henry Ford founded their empires, Detroit also lends its nickname to one of the most successful record labels of all-time: Motown. In recent years, the city has made huge strides in shedding its gritty reputation with a major facelift for the Downtown area and the addition of a pedestrianised waterfront. However, it's still advisable to drive or take a cab rather than walk when exploring at night.

The Henry Ford Museum
Feast your eyes on an enviable display of auto eye-candy, which includes the last Model T Ford ever built and the first Mustang to come off the production line. Henry was also an avid collector of vintage Americana, also displayed.

The Motown Museum
This pint-sized building produced big names such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Gladys Knight. A tour takes you behind the scenes and then into Studio A where all the hits were recorded - and where visitors get a chance to take the mic.

MotorCity Casino
Retro-style neon, glitz and glamour - this is the place to see and be seen. Listen to the Motown-style bands on stage and the chink of quarter coins being dropped into the slot machines at an alarming rate.

Where to stay
The Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Centre is right on the waterfront with sweeping views across to Canada.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
This museum, right next to the track, charts the rise of the Indy 500 race - held here each May - alongside a collection of early sports cars. At certain times of the year, you can do three laps of the circuit behind the wheel of a genuine Indy car.

Eiteljorg Museum
A collection of Native American and Western art interspersed with historical artefacts that tell the tale of the Wild West era.

Where to stay
The Hampton Inn is comfortable and convenient.

Chicago, Illinois

The ultimate metropolis of the Great Lakes region and the home of Blues music, Chicago is a walkable city bursting with energy.

Millennium Park
Take a stroll around its contemporary sculptures and fountains, shop at the exclusive boutiques and department stores on the Magnificent Mile, and board a river cruise to marvel at the city's skyscrapers. At the end of the day head for a bird's-eye view of it all from the Sears Tower.

Where to stay
Park Hyatt Chicago has luxury rooms, pool, spa and gym overlooking the cityscape and is within walking distance of the major attractions. Essex Inn has floor-to-ceiling windows and a swimming pool in a glass atrium.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Harley-Davidson Museum
Visitors get to swoon at the racing, business and pleasure incarnations of these sought-after 'iron horses'. Just as much fun is admiring those parked outside by the Harley-Davidson fans who see visiting the museum, which opened last year, as a pilgrimage.

Milwaukee Art Museum
Looks good on the outside and is filled with treasures on the inside. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava's design has wings that flap at noon.

Festivals Park
Nicknamed the City of Festivals, there are back-to-back events held at Milwaukee's open-air exhibition space on the shores of Lake Michigan throughout the summer. These include Pride and Summerfest - the largest music festival on the planet, with 11 stages and 700 entertainers.

On the waterfront
Walk or cycle along the lake, through the parks and to the beach where you can watch volleyball matches or top up your tan.

Where to stay
The Iron Horse is a newly opened, luxury, minimalist, boutique property with a motorbike theme, a fantastic restaurant and a lively bar.

California

The coastal drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most thrilling in the US. The 485-mile Pacific Coast Highway is full of contrasts, with frenetic cities and sleepy villages, long stretches of open road and twisting turns, and rugged cliffs and white sandy beaches.

And while the words 'green' and 'road trip' don't usually go together, in California, where green consciousness takes centre stage, it is possible to blend the two, from travelling in a hybrid car to staying in the wide range of eco-friendly hotels on offer.

Days 1-3: Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Why?
Just five miles from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica feels like a world away from the smog-filled air and frenzied traffic in the city.

Where to stay
The Hotel Shangri-la Santa Monica, right opposite the beach and a two-minute walk from the lively Third Street Promenade, has just reopened after a $30 million refurbishment. This striking art deco property has a South Beach-style party vibe, and its monochrome cabanas are drawing in all kinds of LA luvvies.

Another feature of the hotel's new look is a raft of green practices. For example, the hotel only uses organic cleaning products, and toiletries come in recycled packaging.

What to do
Spend a day shopping on the pedestrianised Third Street Promenade, and stroll among well-heeled Angelenos up Montana Avenue, or hit the beach.

Days 3-5: Santa Barbara

Why?
An easy 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, this chilled-out beach town is a great spot to wind down from the big city. With perpetually blue skies, days are well spent relaxing on the beach or exploring the trendy boutiques on State Street. For something more upscale, admire the seven-figure mansions at nearby Montecito, home to Oprah Winfrey.

Where to stay
The Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore, offers elegant luxury with a conscience. Behind the Biltmore's perfectly manicured grounds and Spanish-style cottages are a host of stringent green policies enforced by a dedicated 'green team' of staff.

Everything from glass to paper is recycled, old towels and sheets are donated to a homeless shelter, and the resort tracks its energy usage each week. Guests also use the Coral Casino Club, a 1930s-style beach club where it is easy to imagine golden-age Hollywood starlets sipping cocktails.

What to do
Leave the car behind and embark on the Red Tile walking tour, which takes in the County Courthouse, Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Or hop on the open-air electric shuttle on State Street for just 25c.

Days 6-7: The 17-mile drive from Carmel to Monterey

Why?
The famous 17-mile drive from the coastal village of Carmel to Monterey offers breathtaking ocean views and passes through exclusive neighbourhoods, sea lion viewing spots and golf courses.

Where to stay
The nautical-themed Captain's Inn is a friendly bed and breakfast near Monterey with a strong green ethos. As well as all the basics, the hotel staff have been helping to clean up a two-mile stretch of highway.

What to do
Take some time to wander aimlessly around Carmel's impossibly cute shops to see if you can catch sight of Clint Eastwood, who was mayor here from 1986-88.

Days 7-8: Big Sur

Why?
Located 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is well worth the hair-raising drive around narrow bends and steep cliffs. Without any village centre, Big Sur consists of luxury hotels, art galleries and restaurants dotted among the trees, just off the road.

Where to stay?
The exclusive Post Ranch Inn offers guests the chance to feel close to nature without leaving luxury behind. The Inn, which produces its own pollution-free electricity thanks to recently installed solar panels, consists of a string of wood-and-glass lodges built into the cliffside with spectacular views.

What to do
A first port of call should be the Big Sur Bakery, an informal alternative to the Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar. The place is known for its woodfired pizza, but make sure you save room for its gooey chocolate chip cookies. For great views with your food, check out the Nepenthe restaurant.

Days 8-10: San Francisco

Why?
With its wonderful mishmash of cultures, San Francisco has a distinctive character and charm that makes it an exhilarating final stop on a US road trip.

Where to stay
The iconic Fairmont San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill, the highest peak in the city. Dating back to 1906, the hotel is steeped in history, and photographs of celebrity and royal guests line the walls.

The hotel is embracing eco-conscious travellers by offering an 'eco-chic' suite. Designed by eco-designer Kelly LaPlante, the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite has been created with organic and recyclable materials, and guests are offered a green specialist tour guide and complimentary use of a hybrid Lexus car.

What to do
A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a boat trip to the imposing Alcatraz prison. For an overview of the city, try Mr Toad’s Tours in eco-friendly propane- powered 1930s cars.

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