Holiday & Travel

On the back of a year which saw Cologne Bonn Airport record more than double the European average in passenger growth traffic, the German airport has kick-started 2017 with the announcement of its first new airline partner of the year. Launching its inaugural route from Cologne Bonn, Stobart Air, operated by Flybe will be commencing a six times weekly service to London Southend from 1 May.

New Year, New YouThe best way to get a New Year Resolution off to a strong start could be with a health break in Pembrokeshire. With fabulous deals on cottages, luxury treatments and a wealth of coast to explore, a refreshing break is waiting for you. Their Coastal Concierge service allows guests to enjoy a range of treatments including private yoga sessions, relaxing massages and even a consultation with a trained nutritionist to develop a plan to make the most of their diet, all in the comfort of their holiday cottage in the stunning surroundings of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Since launching 3G inflight connectivity one year ago, AeroMobile has revealed a 160 percent increase in inflight data usage year on year. Now with over half of its airline partners connected to the 3G network, AeroMobile has revealed a significant uptake of mobile data usage by holidaymakers and business travellers throughout 2016. Whether tweeting, texting, emailing, calling or messaging, passengers are staying connected to the world on the ground while on their travels.

Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica officially opened its doors to the first guests of the wellness resort. Located on a private and serene beach in the upscale Ironshore neighborhood, Zoëtry Montego Bay brings the Endless Privileges® experience, where everything is included, to the island of Jamaica. The 49-suite boutique haven is just steps away from the Caribbean Sea and a 5-minute drive from Sangster International Airport.

Sunscape Bávaro Beach Punta Cana officially opened its doors to the first guests of the family-friendly resort. Stacey and Matt Lavigne, along with their daughter Debbie were greeted by resort staff and participated in the resort's official ribbon cutting ceremony. Ideally located in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic on El Cortecito beach, Sunscape Bávaro Beach is just 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport and only 45 minutes from La Romana.

There's a lot to look forward to in Maine in 2017. Adding to the list of the tried and true that makes Maine such a special place are a plethora of new places to dine, stay, play and explore. Maine's first organic distillery opened in 2016 and that fall, Split Rock Distillery opened a tasting room in Newcastle. Split Rock handcrafts their spirits using organic grains, fruits and sugars and draws waters from the purest and cleanest estuary in the Northeast—the Damariscotta River.

The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa has celebrated the completion of the first phase of a two-phase renovation. In a perfect start to the new year, guests will be greeted with a fresh new look and feel in the lobby, with wood plank flooring and a bright, natural colour palette. The redesign of the Catboat lobby bar has created the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail with friends whilst enjoying panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and an expanded freshwater pool with swim-up bar offers breathtaking vistas of the stunning Seven Mile Beach.

Club Med is the world’s only chain of all-inclusive resorts dedicated to Green Globe certification of all properties. Almost three quarters of all Club Med Villages have been certified and last year 14 resorts have attained Green Globe Gold Membership. From Mauritius to Malaysia, Tunisia to Turkey, Morocco, The Caribbean and at home in France, these Gold Member Villages have had their sustainable operations certified for five consecutive years.

Wendy Wu Tours has launched its largest ever selection of offers this January – offering customers the incredible opportunity to upgrade to a fully-flat in-flight bed for free when booking a tour to Asia. “It's very exciting to be able to offer customers this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel in Business or First Class on our tours to Asia. We pride ourselves on offering great value, fully inclusive experiences and combined with exceptional service, these are the key reasons customers choose to travel with us” said Wendy Wu, Founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

Award winning ethical luxury family travel specialist Hands Up Holidays has trips for families to travel and give back and help those less fortunate. And with Hands Up Holidays, all trips are 100% tailor-made to enable travelers to create their ideal ethical luxury family trip that changes lives…not just their own.

What better time than the advent of the New Year to get outside and challenge yourself, your friends and even your family to do something different and enjoy the great outdoors? The Team at Coppermines have put together a list of our top challenging  events … there are things to test and things to enjoy… after all it isn't just about the pain… it's about the taking part too.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada had proudly announced that after their fifth consecutive year of Green Globe recertification, the resort has been rewarded with Gold Membership.The resort now joins an esteemed 79 other members globally, ranks 6th in the Caribbean region and the 1st in Pure Grenada. Owner, Arnold D. Hopkin said, “Since 2003 our resort has been committed to practicing sustainable initiatives. We are honored to have been re-certified by Green Globe and a recipient of their GOLD award."

Located in Seminyak's upmarket Oberoi district, Villa Lulito offers two things. Firstly, a tropical urban escape within easy reach of many unique Bali experiences and secondly, a chic exclusivity to discerning traveller. The villa provides a perfect base for an intimate dinner or before painting the town red. This stylish white-on-white residence with a chic nautical theme and palpable colonial twist is only a short stroll from the beach, world-class restaurants, cool cafes, trendy boutiques and swanky spas.

When the presents have been opened, the crackers pulled and the turkey eaten – we can feel a little bit blue heading into January, so this year why not beat the post-Christmas comedown with an Italian break – where the festive celebrations last until 6th January. On 6th January, Italy commemorates the 12th day of Christmas. Epiphany celebrations include a procession in Vatican City, Milan and Florence, and living nativities are common across the country.

More than 11 and a half million Brits are planning a holiday in the UK over the Christmas and New Year period according to a VisitEngland survey. VisitEngland’s Christmas Trip Tracker Survey reveals that 11.7 million Brits (23% of the adult population) are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this Christmas and New Year, with 9.7 million people (19%) planning an overnight trip in England. 

Icelandic low-cost airline WOW air has announced plans to increase the number of flights from London to popular Canadian destinations Toronto & Montreal to a daily service this spring. From 1 May 2017, the airline will fly daily from London Gatwick to Toronto Pearson International Airport and from 13 June 2017 to Montréal–Trudeau Airport, via Reykjavik.