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    Quark Expeditions Announces Sizzling Summer Specials—Up to 30% Off, Plus Solo Deals!

    Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, announces hot summer promotions for polar explorers—up to 30% discounts on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, plus new solo traveler deals.“For those that act fast, this is an incredible opportunity to explore for less with the best team in the polar regions,” said Thomas Lennartz, Vice President of Sales for Quark Expeditions. “And for our solo travelers, removing single supplements in Antarctica makes our extraordinary adventures even more enticing.”For a limited time, guests can book at up to a 30% discount across any sailing season: Arctic escapes this summer, Antarctic expeditions next winter, and all itineraries in 2024 or 2025. Solo travelers on select Antarctica voyages—including the legendary Emperor Penguin Quest to Snow Hill—can save up to $20,000 by booking now with no single-occupancy premium.
    Together with these summer specials, regular offers are always available—an additional 5% discount for guests combining back-to-back voyages, an immediate 10% off when paying in full at time of booking and, for all repeat explorers with the company, a further 5% discount for life as a member of the Shackleton Club.
    To learn more and book the adventure of a lifetime, visit the Quark Expeditions website’s Featured Deals page. https://www.quarkexpeditions.com/offers/featured-deals

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    The New Delta Vacations Makes it Easier for SkyMiles Members to Book Vacations

    Delta SkyMiles® Members can now get even more out of a dream trip with Delta Vacations thanks to major program enhancements that begin today:
    Increased Value: Miles are now worth at least 15% more when put toward any Delta Vacations destination, at any time. This means SkyMiles Members can get more vacation value for their miles than ever before.More Rewards: When booking Delta Vacations packages, SkyMiles Members can now earn more miles and MQDs than ever before*. Additionally, Members can use their miles to cover all or a portion of the vacation package, including hotels, transportation and activities/excursions.Better Booking Experience: Delta Vacations has a new booking experience making it easier for customers, on any device, to find and book the right vacation package for their needs. Delta Vacations allows travelers to choose from flights, hotels, rides and activities all over the world, all in one place.“We believe the whole point of earning miles is to go on a bucket-list vacation, and we are dedicated to making it easier than ever for SkyMiles Members to earn, book and plan the trips of their dreams,” said Kama Winters, President of Delta Vacations.
    Delta Vacations is just one more reason for Delta customers to become SkyMiles Members. The SkyMiles Program is free to join, allows travelers to earn and use miles that don’t expire, and continues to lead the industry with benefits like free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights and the ability to earn miles beyond the flight with customer-favorite brands.
    For more information, visit: www.delta.com/vacations

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    World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, Trades Track for Tackle

    Usain St. Leo Bolt, renowned as the world’s fastest man, traded his racing lanes for the resplendent deep sea waves off Cabo San Lucas on an extraordinary fishing trip.The Jamaican sprinter embarked on an exhilarating deep-sea fishing escapade, adding yet another string to his bow of vast athleticism. Under the seasoned guidance of local experts, Bolt skillfully reeled in a stunning haul of four striped marlins.
    The day’s thrill reached its zenith when Bolt engaged in a breathtaking duel with a majestic blue marlin. Despite a grueling struggle, the fish sadly didn’t survive. Acknowledging the sanctity of marine life, Bolt and Tag Cabo Sportfishing crew decided to responsibly harvest the creature, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices even in recreational pursuits.
    The idyllic waters of Cabo San Lucas bore witness to an extraordinary day as the world’s fastest man showcased his love for the sport, alongside his beloved wife. This adventure not only demonstrated the diverse talents of Bolt but also highlighted the unique, thrilling experiences the Cabo region has to offer.
    As Bolt continues to captivate the world with his talents and charisma, his venture into the heart of Cabo’s adventurous landscape exemplifies the region’s wide array of exhilarating experiences. From speed on the track to strength on the sea, Bolt’s deep-sea quest underlines the enchanting allure of Cabo.
    Tag Cabo Sportfishing stands as Cabo’s premier deep-sea fishing company, renowned for its exceptional services and commitment to sustainable fishing practices. Their aim is to provide unforgettable, ethical, and conservation-minded sportfishing experiences to all their clients.ADVERTISEMENT

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    Budget-Friendly European Journeys: Trains Beat Planes for Flight-Free Summer Vacations

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    Budget-Friendly European Journeys: Trains Beat Planes for Flight-Free Summer Vacations

    European rail has become the preferred alternative for holidaymakers who want to avoid airports with all their hassles, delays, and costs.
    It’s not just better for our planet. You can save money by taking the train.
    As a Which? research suggests families can save money on travel by choosing sleeper trains instead of short-haul flights.
    Consumer advocacy group says a family of four can save up to PS100 (EUR115), if they travel by sleeper train.
    Families with more children can save up to PS250 (EUR287).ADVERTISEMENTHere are some ways to save money on your holiday.
    What sleeper trains routes can you save money on?Which? analyzed the costs of three European sleeper routes and two UK routes.
    They compared, for the European routes of Paris to Vienna, Brussels Vienna and London Berlin, the price of a private compartment during the first week in August with the cost of the cheapest flight plus a night of accommodation.
    Nightjet is Europe’s biggest sleeper train operator.
    A couple could save money on these services by flying. A couple with up to four children is better off taking the train.
    “Groups of four could save PS94, while a bigger group could reduce their holiday bill by a whopping PS267,” Which? concluded.
    The ticket for the London to Berlin Sleeper Route, operated by European Sleeper, is slightly more expensive than both a flight plus a night of accommodation.
    Rory Boland is the editor of Which? Travel acknowledged that the price of travel is still a barrier to eco-friendly travel.
    “While new sleeper train routes have launched across Europe, fares are prohibitive for many travellers,” he mentioned.
    “Our research found solo travellers and couples would have to pay significantly more to choose the train over the plane. But the good news is that there are savings to be made for families and larger groups who can share train compartments.”
    In the UK, sleeper trains cost about the same as flights
    There are two sleeper trains in the UK: GWR Night Riviera, which runs from London Paddington Station to Penzance and Caledonian Express, which runs from London Euston Station to the Highlands.
    Cornwall’s sleeper services cost the same as a flight. Railcard holders get a discount around PS50 (EUR57.50) The passengers can also use a free surfboard or bicycle.
    A family of six or four would pay the same amount for a Caledonian Sleeper, a luxurious option that is well-known.
    What is the environmental impact of flying?By avoiding air travel, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
    The average person in the Democratic Republic of Congo emits about 242kg of CO2 per year.
    Trains traveling along the same route emit around 32kg CO2 per person, which is a reduction of seven times the emissions from flights.
    UK domestic flights emit more CO2 than rail. By rail, a trip from London to Aberdeen emits only 50kg CO2 per person. However, by air the amount is more than doubled to 119kg.
    Rail revival and ‘slow travel’Rail travel offers a great alternative to flying, with no security lines, more relaxed baggage restrictions and stunning views.
    It’s also less likely that you will be stranded due to a flight cancellation at the last minute or a long delay. This can ruin even the best-planned vacation.
    There are many ways to view Europe from a train’s window. With over 200,000km of rail in Europe, you can see the continent from a variety of angles.

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    How to Spend 7 Action Packed Days in the Algarve

    For those that like to pack as much as possible into their holiday and enjoy a thrill or two, Algarve Tourism has come up with their top list of adrenaline-fueled activities, that will have your pulse racing and your family and friends talking about their experiences for years to come.With a golden coastline stretching over 200 kms, caves and grottos to explore and great surf breaks, the region is the perfect backdrop for kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and surfing. Whilst inland, tracks that weave their way through almond groves and white-washed villages up to the mountainous region of Monchique, are great for off-road adventures.
    After a busy week of activities, there is nowhere better to relax than on one of the 85 Blue Flag beaches, for which the Algarve receives annual accolades.
    Off Road Buggy TourAre you prepared for the ride of your life? Well your ticket to an unforgettable off-road adventure awaits you. With Extremo Ambiente, you’ll embark on an exciting off-road tour on a Polaris RZR vehicle that will take you around the amazing landscapes of the Algarve, while zooming through dirt roads, hills and rivers.
    Cost: £140 for 2 people www.extremoambiente.pt
      2.  Jet Ski TourADVERTISEMENTIf you’re looking for an exciting way to get to know the Algarve coast and visit the magnificent caves, there’s no better way to do it than with a Jet Ski tour.
    Feel the adrenaline rush through your veins as you cruise the crystal-clear waters of the coast on your high speed water scooter.
    This unique experience will allow you to see a completely different side of the Algarve. And for those that like cruising around the coast in a calmer fashion, they can choose a slower ride as a family or couples outing.
    Cost: 3 hour rentals from £190 per adult. Rental with skipper for one hour and 30 mins from £196 per adult www.royalnautic.pt
      3.  Tandem Sky Dive
    Securely harnessed to your qualified tandem skydiving instructor you will experience the thrill and excitement of freefall whilst enjoying some of the most spectacular and incredible views of the Algarve. The activity is open to any one over 16 years old* even if you have never jumped before.
    * Parental consent required for 16/17 year olds.
    Thrill seekers can choose from different packages, including a choice of jumping from 10,000 or 15,000ft in a tandem.
    Costs from £153 per person. www.skydivealgarve.com
    Mountain BikingFor those who prefer exploring new destinations by pedal power, the Algarve offers some diverse scenery, from rugged mountain tops to the dazzling Atlantic coast, passing through the typical Algarve’s barrocal. Popular routes are Via Algarviana, an inland route connecting Alcoutim in the far east to Cabo de São Vicente in the far west that consists of rural paths across the mountains and valleys that will allow you to see the great variety of fauna and flora of this region and to immerse into the local culture of rural villages. On the west coast the Rota Vicentina has many popular routes that provide sweeping views of the Atlantic.
    Routes can be planned using the Tourism’s website www.portuguesetrails.com.
    For guided daily bike tours visit www.algarvebikeholidays.com. Daily tours cost £47 and include the bike, helmet, guide and Insurance. Mountain bike rental is £23 per day.
    Open Top Jeep Tour– Best of the WestTo see a completely different side to the Algarve, a guided tour in an open-top jeep in the Natural Park of Costa Vicentina in the south west of the region, is a must. Expect magnificent beaches, rocky coastlines, breathtaking views, fishermen’s villages, paleontological sites, historical insights, and soaring birds.
    Cost: £81 per person. Visit hw.geographic-algarve.com
      6.  Surfing
    With its emerald waters and waves, the Algarve reigns as one of Europe’s greatest surfing playgrounds. 
    If you want to break a wave or two, Freeride Surf School in Sagres, the most south-western point in Portugal, is the perfect choice for your surf holiday.
    From group lessons to private lessons or surf guides, the surf school has the best team of professionals for surfers at any skill level.
    With lessons running from March to December, surfers can pick from either one- day packages to six day lessons.
    Costs start from £55 per person for a day and from £153 per person for 3 days.
    www.frsurf.com
      7. Kayaking/Cave exploration
    This breath-taking guided Kayak tour in Ponta De Piedade navigates you through a labyrinth of caves, arches, rock formations and secret beaches, allowing you to discover the beauty of the Portuguese coastline at sea level.
    And you’ll be free to soak in all the beauty as an experienced guide gives you the necessary tips and techniques to navigate your kayak safely through the caves.
    Over the course of two hours and 15 minutes, kayakers will travel a distance of 10 kilometres, which is equivalent to 5.4 nautical miles.
    Cost: £35 per person for adults and children. Minimum age 6 yrs. www.bluefleet.pt/en/experiences/kayak-grotto-tour/

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    APT and Travelmarvel launch new agent incentive competition

    APT & Travelmarvel will be giving one lucky travel agent a year’s worth of food shopping for them and their household with a new ‘Win a Year’s Food Shopping’ competition, launching today.
    It couldn’t be simpler to enter.
    Agents just need to subscribe to APT’s trade emails here before December 14th, or in person at any of the trade events that APT will be exhibiting at throughout the year, and they will be automatically entered into the draw.
    With food prices continuing to rise, the average annual spend on food shopping in the UK is now £4,125.
    APT will support the lucky winner by covering these household costs for a full year, giving them a total prize of £4,200 in Love2Shop vouchers, valid to spend at Sainsbury’s, ASDA or Morrisons.
    These will be delivered in 12 monthly instalments of £350 throughout 2024.
    The lucky winner will be selected at random on December 15th.
    Once subscribed to APT’s informative trade emails, agents will benefit from learning about new incentives, fam trip opportunities, product launches, training, key events and more.
    Brad Bennetts, APT & Travelmarvel head of sales & business development, said: “With the cost-of-living crisis, times are tough out there, so we wanted to come up with a new way to support our valued agent partners, creating a trade campaign that was exciting but also genuinely meaningful.
    “By covering the cost of their household food shopping each month for a whole year, our ambition is to reduce the pressure of rising costs for one lucky winner for a whole year.
    “I wish everyone the best of luck – get subscribing today!”

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    Meet HEAT: American’s tool to manage through summer storms

    Airline operations are carefully planned and orchestrated, and a reliable operation is one that’s constantly moving. Because when an airline stops, it means our aircraft and crews stop — and importantly, it means our customers stop. It means it can become increasingly more difficult to return to normal operations.
    American Airlines has developed cutting-edge technology that keeps customers moving when severe weather impacts our larger hubs. The Hub Efficiency Analytics Tool (HEAT) dynamically moves our flight schedules around to ensure that customers, crews and aircraft keep moving when weather threatens to disrupt our schedule.
    Developed in-house at American, HEAT optimizes data about weather, how full our flights are, customer connections, and gate availability, as well as any air traffic control or crew constraints. Then, an advanced algorithm weighs this data and shifts arrivals and departures around at the hub. The incredible experts at our Integrated Operations Center (IOC) — the nerve center of our operation — use HEAT to help us avoid the most severe weather impacts and keep our operation running, while getting customers on their way faster during severe weather.
    “HEAT is an innovative tool and part of our irregular operations playbook that will only get smarter with use,” said Timothy Niznik, American’s director of IOC Analytics. “Each time we run HEAT, we analyze the results, and incorporate those findings so we can continue to improve the strategies and technology that help keep our operation moving.”
    Since its initial deployment last year, HEAT has prevented nearly 1,000 flight cancellations across our network.ADVERTISEMENT“HEAT allows me to optimize our flight timing in inclement weather to provide a better experience for our customers and crews — it’s a game changer,” said Bob Shirley, an American dispatcher, air traffic control coordinator and a member of the team who developed the tool.

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    Leave your Kindle or tablet at home – because the book is back on holiday

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    Leave your Kindle or tablet at home – because the book is back on holiday

    Researchers from easyJet Holidays, surveyed the nation’s holidaymakers – and revealed a staggering 87% insist a real book is better on holiday than any form of tech.The research was commissioned to celebrate the operator’s new partnership with WHSmith, the global travel retailer, curating a ‘Perfect Summer Reads’ edit for jetsetters. The partnership will see the list promoted in 140 WHSmith stores, which will be co-branded with easyJet holidays, based in UK airports and train stations.
    77% of Brits maintain they always read a real book on holiday, with 56% saying it is one of the only times they take a proper break from looking at a screen.
    More than a third (35%) even love the smell of a book, while 24% said a device doesn’t have the same aesthetic as the front cover of a novel. What’s more, almost a quarter (22%) reckon holding a book makes them appear more cultured, while 11% of modern Brits deem old-school hard copy books as retro and hip.
    One in ten (10%) like that other people can see what they’re reading, in fact, 79% think that a holiday isn’t a real holiday without a book to read. Amazingly, almost half (49%) read more books on holiday than they do for the rest of the year.
    Feeling more relaxed (74%), having fewer distractions (54%) and not worrying about work (23%) are reasons why we read more on our holidays.ADVERTISEMENTTo help readers choose their perfect holiday narrative, easyJet Holidays and WHSmith Travel have curated a selection of spine-tingling summer page turners, guaranteed to elevate any holiday, with an objective to showcase a diverse range of authors. From gritty crime dramas and coming of age stories, to laugh-out-loud fiction and inspiring essays and poetry, the ‘Perfect Summer Reads’ edit will be available across WHSmith Travel stores in large airports and rail locations in the UK:
    The Bullet That Missed – Richard OsmanHoney & Spice – Bolu BabalolaThe Boys from Biloxi – John GrishamIt Starts With Us – Colleen HooverGreenlights – Matthew McConaugheyYoung Mungo – Douglas StuartLessons in Chemistry – Bonnie GarmusThe Escape Artist – Jonathan FreedlandAct of Oblivion – Robert HarrisUndoctored – Adam KayTrespasses – Louise KennedyThe Whale Tattoo – Jon RansomTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle ZevinYou made A Fool of Death with your Beauty – Akwaeke EmeziQueer Life, Queer Love: The Second Anthology
    Mike Roberts, Senior Books Buyer, WHSmith Travel, said: “We’ve loved working with easyJet Holidays to curate this selection of Perfect Summer Reads. There really is something for everyone; the edit includes some of the big summer blockbusters we know our customers are going to love, and an eclectic selection of diverse titles, authors and genres. So wherever you’re journey takes you this summer, you can pick up a guaranteed good read to enjoy on your travels.”
    Chris Brown, Head of Marketing at easyJet Holidays, who commissioned the survey commented: “Books and holidays have always gone hand-in-hand. Whether it’s saving a particular novel for a holiday read, or grabbing that last-minute bestseller from the airport WHSmith, books help make a holiday relaxing. For those who aren’t usually avid readers at home, it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in something special. That’s why we’re extremely pleased to have partnered with WHSmith, to curate the ultimate list of perfect summer reads, showcasing a diverse range of authors, to help you elevate all our customers’ holiday experiences.”
    Almost one in five (19%) say the best place to read a book is on a sun lounger, while 16% prefer to sit under the shade of a tree.
    While 27% have even come up with the plot for their own novel while whiling away the hours on holiday, yet a forgetful 32% have left their book at home and been forced to read something random from the hotel library.
    An honest 49% judge fellow holidaymakers on their beach reads, while 71% believe you can tell a lot about a person by the book they’re reading.
    51% of Brits purchase their holiday book at the airport, while 47% are more organised and purchase them online before they jet off to sunnier climes.

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