Some months ago I wrote on this page about a visit I made to . I was therefore very saddened on Monday with the events that happened in . Of the many places I visited in Egypt, Luxor was my favourite. Here you can believe Egypt to be the cradle of civilisation. It is full of and surrounded by so many wonders, it epitomises Egypt. The Egyptians were so friendly and welcoming that I hope very much Monday's atrocity will never happen again and they will welcome back the tourists their economy so desperately needs.
CELEBRATE YOUR 60s with Sabena. From November 14th to March 31st Sabena are giving great discounts on 14 routes on their scheduled services. Sabena celebrated 50 years of business with Ireland this year. Routes covered by the promotion include £189, £222, Luxembourg £199 and £183. All flights will be via Brussels, where the minimum connecting time has been reduced to 30 minutes. Minimum stay is one Saturday night and maximum stay one month. One free change permitted. Further information from Sabena on 01 844 5454, or your local travel agent.
THE WORLD TRAVEL MARKET (WTM) was on in this week and was attended by over 150 national tourist organisations and around 5,000 exhibitors showed their services and products. Over the next few weeks I will feature some of the products and ideas from WTM.
"THERE WAS music in the air and success in all the wide horizon," said Mark Twain on the era of 1880-1912, known as the "Gilded Age" and "Gilded Age" seems an appropriate name for an opera tour company. They organise tailor-made itineraries to all the best opera in America, including the Met in New York, the Lyric of Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC Opera. The tours can also include distinctive accommodation, fine cuisine and backstage tours. More details from Clive Holt, 1 Hither Green, Badsey, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 5UP or 00 44 1386 830190.
ANOTHER PERSON I met, Doreen Moore, arranges self-catering accommodation around Florida's Gulf coast which includes, Clearwater St Petersburg. With over 300 homes, condos and apartments from economy to luxury, she has something to suit everyone, whether you want a penthouse directly on the beach or a quaint cottage. There are 34 golf courses in the area to play, 28 miles of beaches and 361 days of sunshine a year. For the active, chose from water sports, such as deep sea fishing, jet skiing, para-sailing, snorkelling and lots more. You can contact her at 13030 Gulf Boulevard, Madeira Beach, Florida 33708, tel: 00 1 813 393 2534 or email trs@trsinc.com.
RACKING YOUR brains for suitable ideas for Christmas presents? Irish Family Holidays come to the rescue with their gift vouchers in units of £25 which can be used in a wide selection of family-run hotels throughout Ireland. Phone Ann on 045 867 307 and she can solve your Christmas headache.
