If the 61st Cannes Film Festival, which takes place from 14 to 25 May 2008, gets you thinking about a silver-screen escape, try these holiday ideas from The Travel PR Company.
If you would like any further information, call Ian Bradley, Julia Farish, Karen Carpenter, Sarah Belcher, Richard Mellor, Rob Looker or Polly Tracey on 020 8891 4440 or email initial.surname@travelpr.co.uk.
Farrell is a hit In (beautiful) Bruges, from £134 pp with VFB
In Bruges, a brilliant new film starring the fanatically fancied Colin Farrell, is about to further fortify the city's reputation as Europe's most magical, medieval, mini metropolis. Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes and Clémence Poésy all play a part in this highly-praised film about two Irish contract killers being forced to live the lives of tourists amid the canals and cobbled streets of the Belgian city, and finding themselves in bizarre encounters with locals. VFB Holidays is currently offering short breaks to Bruges from just £134 pp, based on two sharing and including two nights' B&B accommodation and either Eurostar or Eurotunnel self-drive travel. Call AITO* member VFB Holidays on 01452 716 831 (www.vfbholidays.co.uk).
Hollywood's hidden treasure - The Whitsundays from £1,605 pp with All Ways Pacific
When Hollywood film-makers failed to find the setting they sought for their latest blockbuster, it was the Whitsundays that saved the day. These idyllic islands at the heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef became the location for Fool's Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson (released in the UK on 18 April), after plans to shoot in the Caribbean were shelved. With stunning scenery, a year-round tropical climate and activities on offer that include some of the best diving and sailing in Australia, there are plenty of reasons for the rest of us to head to the wonderful Whitsundays. A ten-night holiday costs from £1,605 pp (two sharing), including return flights (Heathrow) into Proserpine and out of Hamilton Island, five nights' B&B in an ocean view room on Airlie Beach, five nights' B&B in a palm terrace room on Hamilton Island, and ferry transfers between both locations. Price valid for travel until 15 June. Call AITO* member All Ways Pacific on 0845 126 2380 (www.all-ways.co.uk).
Enjoy La Vie en Rose first hand in Monaco from £216 pp
One of the highlights of last year's Cannes Film Festival and one of the most successful films of 2007 - La Vie en Rose - is being brought to life at the Columbus Hotel in Monaco, half an hour's drive from Cannes. The contemporary hotel is creating a Spring Menu featuring seasonal produce and spring flowers entitled La Vie en Rose (life in pink.) Le Brasserie, the hotel's excellent restaurant, has an exquisite terrace overlooking the Princess Grace Rose Garden - a perfect spot to kick back and enjoy great food in the sunshine. Be sure to try the Princess Grace cocktail, a subtle blend of champagne and rose syrup, named after the silver screen legend. Two nights' B&B at the Columbus Hotel is from €270 (approx £216) pp. Go to www.visitmonaco.com for more details. Flights from London City with Air France (www.airfrance.co.uk) are from £109 pp return incl. taxes.
Film Festival full? Do the Cannes-can in Paris - from £814 pp with Kirker Holidays
Cannes can be crammed at this time of year so settle instead for a chic city break in the French capital, home to the celebrated Folies Bergère and much more. The location for many memorable movies in recent years, including Amelie, The Bourne Identity and The Da Vinci Code, Paris is the perfect place to enjoy screen siren-style pampering. Stay at the deluxe five-star Balzac hotel, close to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, where each of the sumptuously-decorated bedrooms comes with a complimentary butler service, and feast like a film star at its three-star Michelin restaurant, Pierre Gaugin. A two-night stay costs from £814 pp (two sharing) including return flights (Heathrow/Manchester) or first class Eurostar, private car transfers to/from the hotel, two nights' B&B in a superior room, a Seine river cruise, a carnet of 10 metro/bus tickets per person and Kirker's guide notes to restaurants and sightseeing. Kirker clients also receive a complimentary bottle of champagne in their room and - until 20 August - a deluxe room upgrade, subject to availability. Call AITO* member Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2288 (www.kirkerholidays.com).
Live the sweet life in Rome, from £643 pp with Sunvil Discovery
It's an oldie but a goodie...Rome is the beautiful and evocative setting for the 1960s classic La Dolce Vita, where its most famous scene sees actress Anita Ekberg splashing about in the Trevi Fountain, one of the city's most iconic sights. The Eternal City cannot fail to impress and excite with its history, beauty and hot shopping. Stay at the four-star, contemporary-designed Hotel Capo d'Africa near the Colosseum. Housed within a 19th century town house, the property has a rooftop breakfast room and a comfortable bar for reflecting on the day's discoveries. The price of a three-night stay is from £643 pp (sharing a superior room) on a B&B basis, and includes return flights from Heathrow to Rome with Alitalia. Call AITO* member Sunvil Discovery on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).
Die Another Day indeed - see Iceland first with Icelandair flights from £169 pp return incl. taxes
The natural beauty of Iceland means the country is a blank canvas for film directors, including Lee Tamahori who used an iced-covered Lake Jokullsarlon to film the memorable car chase scenes of the 2002 James Bond favourite Die Another Day. Filled with icebergs from the Vatnajokull Glacier, the lake is a stunning sight all year round. Open your eyes to Iceland's inspiring landscapes and visit with Icelandair which offers return flights from Heathrow from £169 pp including taxes. Call Icelandair on 0870 787 4020 (www.icelandair.co.uk).
Babel and Berber life: four nights in Morocco from £560 pp
Follow in sandy film star footsteps by visiting southern Morocco this winter. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett filmed their scenes from 2006 movie Babel in and around Ouarzazate - and now you can sample remote Berber life too. All around lies some of the Sahara's most spectacular scenery: dense gorges, palm groves and dozens of Kasbahs. Four nights' half-board in May at the Riad Salam costs from £560 pp, including flights (Heathrow) and private transfers. Call The Best of Morocco on
0845 026 4588 (www.realmorocco.com).
Stealing Beauty - one week in Tuscany from £293 pp with Real Holidays
In Bernardo Bertolucci's 1996 rites-of-passage romance Stealing Beauty, the innocence and beauty of Liv Tyler's virginal teen is matched only by Tuscany's languorous, sprawling countryside. Cypress-tree avenues zigzag up dusty brown hills, leafy, lone farmhouses broil in balmy sun, truffles hide in woodland and olive groves climb up valleys. In just such a serene setting is Villa Gonzola, near the towns of Chiusi and Montalcino. A restored farmhouse sleeping up to 10, it comes with a pool, classic Tuscan decor and splendid isolation. A week's self-catering costs from £293 pp, based on the maximum of 10 sharing. Flights and car hire extra. Call Real Holidays on 020 7359 3938 (www.realholidays.co.uk).
Spend the summer like a star - West Sweden coastal stays from £90 pppn
Visit the beautiful islands once favoured by Ingrid Bergman, one of Sweden's most famous actresses, on the west coast of Sweden. Bergman spent her summers at Dannholmen in the Fjallbacka archipelago and the green cabin there still belongs to the family. Stay at Stora Hotellet in Fjallbacka and visit the bust of the three-time Oscar winner which has been placed in the small square in the centre of town, and take boat trips into the archipelago. At Stora Hotellet you can travel around the world in 23 rooms - each has been decorated and named in honour of explorers and famous ports around the world. For weekend stays in May, a double room costs from 1,055 SEK (£90) pppn including a welcome drink, three course dinner and breakfast. To book visit www.storahotellet-fjallbacka.se. For more information about West Sweden visit www.westsweden.com.
A festival of travel with AITO
The Association of Independent Tour Operators' (AITO) 140 members offer an unrivalled collection of star holidays in which to get active, relax and have fun. Visit the website www.aito.co.uk and sign up to the e-newsletter to find out about new members and receive a raft of inspirational holiday ideas.
Get advice from the stars of the show - AITO Specialist Travel Agents
AITO Specialist Travel Agents are the A-listers when it comes to considered and professional advice on how to find your ideal break. With agencies across the country, find your nearest travel agent star by logging on to www.aitoagents.com, or call 020 8744 9271.
*AITO is the Association of Independent Tour Operators: 140 independent and specialist travel companies providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas that cover every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO can be assured of 100% financial security, high-quality holidays and excellent personal service. Visit www.aito.co.uk for further information.
For further information: call Ian Bradley, Julia Farish, Karen Carpenter, Sarah Belcher, Richard Mellor, Rob Looker or Polly Tracey at The Travel PR Company on
020 8891 4440 or email initial.surname@travelpr.co.uk.
Best regards
Rob Looker
Travel PR
Tel: 44 (0)20 8891 4440
Fax: 44 (0)20 8891 6033
Email: r.looker@travelpr.co.uk
Web: www.travelpr.co.uk
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