Editorial
Welcome to our fifth issue of Guilded News, the bulletin which connects the talented writers, photographers, bloggers, vloggers and broadcasters from across the UK (and the wider world) that makes the BGTW what it is, with travel editors, PR and tourist boards – and vice versa.
This quarter has been a momentous one for the Guild with our spectacular Gala Dinner held at the beautiful Bloomsbury Ballroom, where the winners of both our Members’ Excellence Awards and International Tourism Awards were announced. Click on the appropriate hyperlink to discover the lucky souls.
Guilded News also allows editors, PR and tourist boards to inform BGTW members of the type of content they will look favourably towards, as well as their current projects. This issue we have added a new ‘nuggets of news’ section which gives our sponsors and partners the opportunity to reach our members.
We also are taking the opportunity to update you all with the latest news from the Guild itself. If you don’t wish to read all that then just click on the hyperlinks below to leap to the section that interests you most.
Guilded News is broken down into the following sections:
- News from the BGTW Board:
- Nuggets of News from our Sponsors
- News From BGTW Members
- Industry News
I hope you find Guilded News a great networking tool. This is an evolving project – more of that next year – that needs your cooperation. So, if you have any suggestions for how future issues of Guilded News should look, please email me at [email protected].
Mark Bibby Jackson
Director of Communications – The British Guild of Travel Writers
News from the BGTW Board
BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2024
A huge thank you goes out to all the sponsors and partners of our BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2024. With their help to make our event possible, it was a smash hit: a great Gatsby-style mix of glitz, glamour, fabulous entertainment and food, all enjoyed with travel industry friends at The Bloomsbury Ballroom, London.
The generous support of our partners began with the red carpet excitement thanks to BGTW friends at Discover Newport & Rhode Island, New England, who graced the ballroom’s entrance with a vintage Rolls-Royce, starting the evening in style. More red carpet treatment followed inside with a vintage photo booth courtesy of I Love New York, a sparkling champagne reception with Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina, and sumptuous three-course sit-down dinner thanks to Discover Long Island.
We would like to thank all of this year’s partners for making the event so special: Discover Long Island, Explore Charleston & Discover South Carolina, New York State, Discover Newport & Rhode Island, New England, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Visit Scotland, Tourism Gran Canaria, Visit Houston, Tourism Nova Scotia, Travel Switzerland, Cinnamon Hotels, Anguilla Tourist Board, ANTOR, Visit Isle of Man, and made Tourism Marketing.
We raised a good amount for the event and to award our members with prizes for their excellence as well as hosting over 40 of our members as invited guests. We also raised over £3,500 for the Family Holiday Charity with super raffle prizes.
Special thanks also to our BGTW Great Gatsby aka talented actor James Cartwright and his companion Daisy (real name Sally) who were a great selling point and amped up the fun factor.
More details and event images here.
BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2025
The 2025 BGTW Gala Dinner promises to be a spectacular one.
Next year sees the 65th Anniversary of the British Guild of Travel Writers and we will celebrate in style with you. It will be held on Monday November 3, 2025, the eve of WTM.
This year we went back to the Roaring 20s with our Great Gatsby theme. Next year? You’ll have to wait for a little bit longer for the latest news.
If you want to confirm your attendance, tickets will go on sale in early April. So watch this space and make sure you’ll be at the great occasion!
For sponsorship enquiries for 2025 please contact Renate Ruge.
Nuggets of News from our Sponsors
- Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
- Gran Canaria
- Tourism Nova Scotia
- Visit Scotland
- Visit Isle of Man
- Explore Charleston
- Travel Switzerland
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism welcomes new Business Development Manager for the UK & Europe
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism is pleased to welcome Joanna Walding as Business Development Manager for the UK & Europe for the destination.
A results-driven marketing strategist, Joanna has a track record of driving arrivals and revenue growth for destinations. She has a deep understanding of consumer travel behaviour and industry marketing trends.
Joanna is open to meeting with travel writers interested in learning more about the tri-island British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands.
Gran Canaria
Sand Art Nativity Sculpture in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Xmas on the beach in Gran Canaria? Yes, please!
If your readers are lucky enough to spend Festive Season in Gran Canaria, on the beach and at 24ºC, they will not miss the Xmas spirit at all, with Gran Canaria’s biggest nativity sculpture – more than 1,000m2 in size! The impressive sand art Belen de Arena in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria opens from 29th of November to 7th January. It will be the19th year of its celebration, with international sand sculptors creating a range of traditional Christmas scenes with a lot of effort and incredible result! And the Xmas Tree is just there as well, plus Santa Clause can be seen often on the beach greeting happy visitors.
Located on Las Canteras Beach, by La Puntilla. Entrance is free. From 9am to 10pm.
#GranCanaria #SoMuchToLiveFor
Tourism Nova Scotia
There are a number of new openings / tours for 2025. Here is one of them:
NEW Opening: Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness
Down a dirt road, resting above the solitude of the shores of Bay of Fundy, Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness combines an authentic Nordic experience with the best Nova Scotia has to offer, whole-heartedly aligning with the natural elements of the Annapolis Valley’s North Mountain and the changing tides of the world-famous Bay.
From the pools or fire bowl seating, you can see Cape Split to the East and Isle d’Haute to the West. You can smell the salt air in the trees. You can hear the water hitting the shore in the acoustics of the Mountain. You can feel the tide changing. At the end of your stay, you feel the change.
Visit Scotland
From Vicki Miller, VisitScotland Chief Executive Officer:
We are excited to continue to support the British Guild of Travel Writers to showcase Scotland as a must-visit destination and the vital role of the visitor economy.
For 2025, our focus is on highlighting diverse travel options for all budgets, connecting with global audiences and encouraging year-round and regional exploration in line with our responsible tourism goals.
With a reimagined landmark castle reopening, Glasgow marking a historic anniversary, and Scotland’s first surfing resort promising epic waves and adventures, check out the latest news in our What’s New for 2025 update.
Visit Isle of Man
Extraordinary Isle celebrates the authenticity and uniqueness of the stunning island, translating rich history and traditions, beautiful landscape and diverse range of wildlife into a source of inspiration to promote the island as a destination that is always in season.
We open our doors, and welcome the world to discover the Isle of Man as a destination to relax, be refreshed, explore, learn and most of all, be inspired and connected with nature.
‘Our Ordinary, Your Extraordinary’
The many things in our everyday life that are exceptional. Our people, our landscape, history and culture, an unexplored land, a UNESCO Biosphere nation!
The Isle of Man is a special place, a hidden gem in the Irish Sea.
An island that is big enough to explore, yet small enough to know. Where our 1000 year old culture and traditions entwine the past and the present. It’s this unique blend that makes this Isle, extraordinary.
Explore Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina: What’s Coming in 2025
Charleston, South Carolina, has long been celebrated for its historic charm, cobblestone streets, and world-class cuisine, making it one of the most sought-after destinations in the United States.
But as we look ahead to 2025, the city is on the brink of a remarkable transformation in its luxury offerings, blending its rich past with bold, modern innovations.
As the city continues to capture the world’s attention, it’s not just preserving its legacy—it’s raising the bar, offering visitors and locals alike a fresh take on Southern hospitality.
At the forefront of this elevation of the luxury hospitality landscape is Beemok Hospitality Collection (BHC), a visionary group committed to enriching the Charleston community, known for its current collection including the renowned The Charleston Place, a landmark in the heart of historic downtown Charleston; Sorelle, a multi-level Italian restaurant concept; The Riviera Theater, a revitalized iconic entertainment venue; and Credit One Stadium, a world-class venue for sports and entertainment.
With the goal of building a portfolio of interconnected hospitality and entertainment experiences, they will be expanding Charleston’s Luxury offerings in 2025 by providing additional waterfront access downtown with the new luxury hotel, The Cooper, and by creating a community greenspace for all to gather with the new American Gardens.
Travel Switzerland
The best way to discover Switzerland
Switzerland possesses not only the densest public transport network in the world but also one of the most popular ones. Some 29,000 kilometres of rail, road and waterway cover the country like a finely woven network. Comfortable and punctual connections promise a hassle-free onward journey – from any airport or border station or from neighbouring countries. Connections are always assured: Even as high up as 3,800 metres a.s.l., public transport services are coordinated to perfection. The Swiss Travel System offers travellers from abroad the possibility to discover excursion destinations, mountains, lakes and more than 500 museums with one single ticket: the Swiss Travel Pass.
Switzerland’s panorama train routes (such as the Golden Pass Express and Bernina Express) are among the most beautiful rail routes in the world. They are part of the country’s heritage and history. They pass through the most majestic mountain scenery, idyllic valleys and villages; along crystal-clear lakes and ice-blue glaciers. Their privileged passengers enjoy stunning scenic splendours and superior travel comfort. The panorama trains of Switzerland embrace happy harmony between high-tech and heavenly nature. It’s a captivating combination which never fails to fascinate.
Part of the network is also the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, which merges all panoramic lines into one breathtaking route. Year-round, this train ride of 1,280 kilometres leads from the most charming Swiss cities to Alpine hotspots, through UNESCO World Heritage Sites and past world-famous sights and landmarks.
For more information visit our Media & Trade website: www.travelswitzerland.com
News From BGTW Members
Featured members: Anna Richards, Rashmi Narayan, Carlton Reid, Petra Shepherd, Penny Watson, Robin McKelvie, Anthony Lambert, James Lowen, Marian Jones, Mark Bibby Jackson, Rudolf Abraham, Stuart Forster, Laura McVeigh, Ros Belford, Caroline Mills, Diana Jarvis, Ross Clarke, Sonya Barlow
My debut guidebook, Paddling France for Bradt Guides, won Guide of the Year at the Travel Media Awards. It has been a busy month for trips (all in France, quelle surprise!), and recent projects have taken me to the Auvergne, Corsica, Paris, Cognac and Le Poitou.
London-based award-winning travel journalist, guidebook author and public speaker with a passion for stories on gastronomy, history, sustainability, adventure and the drinks industry. Mainly focus on North America and South Asia, but always ready to head anywhere in the world for a great feature. This December, I’ll be in India for four weeks, specifically Bangalore where I’m from and where my family lives. I will be road tripping across the southern states as well, so if any editors are interested in stories on the regal architecture in Mysore, food history (we are very different from what people understand as Indian food, not much naan consumed here) or indigenous arts and culture in this part of India, please email me on [email protected]. Thank you!
Carlton Reid — now mostly writing on tech for WIRED.com — is taking to Kickstarter for his glossy photo-rich guidebook “A History of Britain in 100 Cycle Rides.” His three previous Kickstarter projects were all over-funded.
I have also been shortlisted for a category in Travel Photographer of the Year 2024.
Petra will be joining a gastronomy and wine press trip to Cyprus this November and spending New Year in Andalucia. Petra loves local culture and festivals and is particularly excited to be attending The Paro Tshechu Festival in Bhutan in April next year and the carnival in The Dominican Republic in February. Other confirmed trips in 2025 include skiing and winter activities in Gstaad in January and perhaps not quite so glamorous ! but just as fun, attending The Travel Connection Group’s Media Getaway in Bradford.
Petra contributes to Silver Travel Advisor, The Travel Magazine, The Bespoke Black Book, TripReporter, Go Eat Do, Your Holiday and Cruise Magazine and Travel Matters . She is particularly interested in getting of the beaten track, adventure travel, ski and the 50 + market and any group press trips. Next year Petra hopes also to contribute to Beau Monde Traveller, SOLO Travel and Globetrotter Magazine.
Penny Watson is based in Bali, Indonesia. She has recently moved from the beachside hot spot of Canggu/Pererenan to Sibang, near the spiritual hub of Ubud. She has the low-down on Bali’s wellness, F&B, accommodation and tourism and welcomes relevant commissions.
Robin has been writing up recent trips to Italy, Spain and around Scotland for outlets such as The Telegraph, the i Paper and The Herald, as well as for his weekly travel page in the Sunday National. A voyage to Antarctica beckons in December with Swan Hellenic, with 2025 kicking off with returns to Lanzarote and Paris. Robin is interested in small group press trips or individual trips for later in 2025.
Recent visits to Switzerland, Italy, the Rhine and Canada. Currently working on a commissioned book on worldwide railway journeys, and 2025 plans include visits to Norway, Italy and Canada for rail-related commissions but very open to writing about other aspects!
I write about the nexus between wildlife, travel and conservation.After books published this year about France and Spain, and travel articles featuring in The Telegraph, BBC Countryfile, BBC Wildlife and Bird Watching, Feb 2025 sees the publication of my next two books – about South America’s Pantanal (Bradt Guides) and Iberia (Bloomsbury). I am now freer to take wildlife- or sustainability-focused press trips and travel commissions – with a particular interest in South/Central America, Africa and Europe.
My specialism is Paris and the Île de France. I’ll be making frequent research trips in 2025, searching out stories from the past and reviewing new openings and events in pieces for Bonjour Paris, France Today and The Good Life France. I speak fluent French and enjoy truffling up fascinating extras from history books and people I get chatting to in queues. I also run the podcast City Breaks, offering travellers plenty of historical and cultural background to inform their visit to European cities. 13 cities covered in depth so far, including London, Berlin, Seville, Florence and Edinburgh. Commissions welcome!
BGTW Director of Communications Mark Bibby Jackson has started a new life as a YouTube Presenter. You can follow the #HairyTraveller on the Travel Begins at 40 YouTube channel. Mark is looking for destinations – and pubs – to feature in the series. The first videos filmed in Shrewsbury are currently online.
October saw Rudolf return to Prokletije – aka the Accursed Mountains – on the border between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, working on a new edition of his guidebook to the epic Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Recent trips have also taken him to Slovenia (Vipava Valley, Goriška brda and the Karst), Nantes, the Dordogne Valley and Naples. He has just finished writing a brand new guide to Slovenia for Bradt, contributed a sizeable chunk to the new DK Eyewitness Top 10 Montenegro, and has written features for Guardian Labs, Lonely Planet, The Great Outdoors, The Times, Tonic, Wanderlust and World’s 50 Best.
Stuart Forster is a freelance travel writer, journalist, editor and photographer. Based in North East England, Stuart is keen to hear from PRs and representatives of tourist boards, attractions and hotels with a view to planning press trips in 2025. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss ideas and opportunities.
Irish polyglot, novelist and travel writer, living in the Mediterranean.
Recently published: Lonely Planet (Spain and Mallorca Guides), Irish Times, Independent. Currently writing for DK Eyewitness.
Also currently writing (+photography) on Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, UK and Scandinavia, alongside a collection of travel writing and new novel.
Happy to connect to editors/PRs/tourist boards – especially on green/slow/sustainable travel.
A creative writing adventure deep into the heart of Salina, the tiny Sicilian Island that became home to Course Instructor Ros Belford, author of “Children of the Volcano.” At the heart of the workshop is the belief that creativity is joyous, and that playing with words and ideas is good for the soul. Participants will experience inspiring landscapes, erupting volcanoes, and magnificent seas and observe and participate in village life. Writing prompts and riffs on beaches, in cafes, sitting on a wall, or in the crater of a volcano will inspire participants to look, write, create and think freely.
Program Title: Children of the Volcano / Salina Island. Writing Workshop Base Location: Salina Island, Sicily (Italy) Accommodations: La Salina Borgo di Mare / www.lasalinahotel.com
Spring 2025: April 29th – May 10th, 2025 / #11 Nights + #12 Days • Sign-up Deadline: March 15th, 2025. Fall Dates: October 14th – October 25th, 2025 / #11 Nights + #12 Days • Sign-up Deadline: September 1st, 2025
As a camping and campervan expert, Caroline has stayed at more than 120 different campsites and dedicated campervan overnight stops so far this year in the UK, Isle of Man, Portugal, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. Caroline is author of Camping Road Trips UK (BGTW Travel Guide Book of the Year 2023) and Camping Road Trips France & Germany (Bradt). Hence, any camping or road trip content required, please do get in touch. The 3rd edition of Slow Travel The Cotswolds (Bradt) was also published earlier this year; Caroline lives in the Cotswolds.
I’m a photographer and writer with a focus on nature and sustainability looking for commercial tourism photography opportunities as well as story ideas to pitch to the broadsheets and travel mags. Recent commissions include overland from Margate to Marrakech, camping with the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit in South Africa and overland to Tunisia.
As a Spain and Wales specialist, I’m always looking for stories, new openings, ideas and press trips in those countries. Also happy to hear about food and wine travel more broadly around the world. With a background in high-end travel (I’m a former editor for British Airways and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group), I’m open to all an any editorial commissions or freelance gigs.
Sonya Barlow (new member of the BGTW) hosted the closing keynote interviewing Comedian Katherine Ryan on travel trends, rawdogging and resilience at WTM 2024 London. Here are the 5 lessons learnt from the chat.
Exclusive interview with Villa Resorts Maldives – Sonya Barlow sits down with Director of PR in Villa Resorts Maldives to discuss culture, confidence and community in the Maldives plus the best places to stay and things to see.
Industry News
Vietnam Airlines, Discover Larnaka, The Algarve Tourism Bureau, Visit Sweden, East Anglia, Jamaica Tourist Board, Briggate Travel, Solos Holidays, Amilla Maldives, The Pavilions Hotels and Resorts, Stay in a Pub, Stoke on Trent centenary, Derby’s transformation, Le Boat
Airline updates
National flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has returned to daily flight frequencies from London Heathrow to Vietnam this winter, with daily nonstop services to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City resuming on 28 October 2024. The APEX five star-rated airline will operate four flights per week to Hanoi and three per week to Ho Chi Minh City, all on next-gen Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners.
The flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, with onward connections via Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to multiple destinations throughout Vietnam, Asia, and Australasia. Press release and images
Tourist Board Updates
Discover Larnaka Tourism Board’s quarterly seasonal newsletters plus the annual diary of events; take a virtual tour of the Honey Villages, city and seafront, as well as the museums; indulge in fun for all the family not least listening to the talking statues; experience authentic gastronomy as you also taste the locally produced wines; don’t miss out on the UNESCO listed heritage sites or the historic religious monuments; immerse yourself in the free guided walks and find time to bird watch too; dive into the sea and take in plenty of underwater treasures or go local with an agrotourism stay!
Take Me to the Beach
And the ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’ 2024 goes to… The Algarve in southern Portugal, awarded for the third time at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
The beautiful 200km coastline boasts over 100 beaches including 86 Blue Flag beaches including 13 rated ‘Zero Pollution’, according to sustainability association ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável. There are 47 accessible beaches like Alvor, a long, blue flag beach perfect for families while Albufeira’s golden Praia da Falésia was named best beach in the world in the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2024.
Algarve Tourism Bureau President André Gomes said: “We’re lucky to have a broad variety of beaches from small coves backed by colourful limestone cliffs to long, sandy beaches. The west coast beaches in the protected Vicentina Natural Park are incredibly scenic, uncrowded and a go-to destination for surfers.” With 300 days of sun per year, the Algarve’s beaches are calling.
Sweden becomes first country in the world to apply for Trademark.
Sweden is making a bold (and slightly cheeky) move to trademark its name. The home of cinnamon buns, fika, lagom and flat-packed furniture has applied to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to protect its name from international duplicates. Visit Sweden has decided it’s time to step in and help tourists avoid holiday blunders, so no one packs for the Swedish lakes and forests, only to find themselves in a far-off town with the same name but none of the Scandi charm and is calling on people around the world to support its application via an online petition. Press images & videos YouTube
East Anglia is one of thirty locations Lonely Planet have revealed as the must-visit places around the world to see in 2025 – and the only one in the UK.
The global travel authority’s Best in Travel Hotlist of Trending Destinations is always an eagerly-anticipated moment for the industry, with East Anglia highlighted as one of ten of the world’s best regions to visit in the New Year, alongside ten cities and ten countries.
Visit East of England is happy to facilitate press trips – email to arrange.
Jamaica has welcomed a record number of UK visitors
Jamaica has achieved record-breaking visitor numbers from the UK, with a 14% increase in arrivals during the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, reaffirming its status as the Caribbean’s top destination for UK travellers. More information can be found in the release here.
New developments
Jamaica introduced several luxury hotel openings, including Princess Resorts and Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle. This year also featured the launch of cultural initiatives such as the Artisan Village Falmouth celebrating local talent and businesses. More information can be found in the release here.
For further news, please visit our newsroom here and for images click here.
Travel / tour operator updates
Norfolk based Briggate Travel launches bespoke journeys that don’t cost the earth
When launching the innovative new tour operator Briggate Travel founders Robin Russell-Pavier and Robert Courtney had a simple ethos, knowledge, sustainability and a desire to go beyond the ordinary. They appeal to experienced travellers with a sense of adventure who are looking for luxury of experience. Adventure comes in many ways from walking safaris, nature treks, and wildlife interaction to exploring the Cape by vintage sidecar.
Their expertise comes not only from a lifelong passion for travel but also through working in senior roles in the travel industry. What makes Briggate Travel so special is Robin and Robert’s in-depth firsthand familiarity with the destinations they specialise in.
Their knowledge of Africa’s tourism, including its many game reserves is extensive. Think driving a vintage Land Rover on your Kenya safari, glamping under the stars or a road trip through South Africa, Namibia or taking in the magic of Botswana’s unique desert and delta combination, together with exciting walking safaris in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The pair have an intuitive feeling for Japan’s special appeal and gentle charms, they show the land beyond the cherry blossom. Who could not be excited by the culture, flora, fauna and birds of exotic Papua New Guinea? Add to this is their ‘no-one size fits all’ philosophy and a very personal approach to working with each client to craft a bespoke journey.
Solo Travellers are an important group in Briggate Travel’s remit, with safari destinations, such as Zambia offering lodges that offer single supplement waivers for solo travellers.
Families seeking a soft-adventure holiday are introduced to family-friendly lodges and safaris in areas which are malaria-free such as Madikwe, in South Africa or KwaZulu-Natal. Plus the South Africa glamping holidays are ideal for families.
Robin and Robert also realise that you don’t have to forgo air travel entirely to be a more eco-minded traveller. There have been considerable developments in the commercial aviation industry that will only continue to advance. Airlines are now switching to more sustainable fuels, investing in electric jet research, or offering carbon offsets, which all adds up to a greener future for aviation.
Solos Holidays has range of new discovery tours Solos Holidays for 2025.
Solos Holidays’ new **Legends & Landscapes of Romania** tour offers solo travellers the chance to uncover Romania’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Highlights include Bucharest’s Old Town, Peleș Castle, and the legendary Bran Castle. Guests will explore the Carpathian Mountains, traditional Transylvanian villages, and the Zărnești Bear Sanctuary, with walking tours of Bucharest, Sibiu, and Brașov. Departing 4 May 2025, this seven-night tour costs from £1,874 pp, including flights, a twin room for sole use, guided tours, most meals, and a Solos Tour Leader.
Hotel / resort updates
Throughout December and January, alluring natural island resort Amilla Maldives will encourage guests to embrace wellness for mind and body with its latest specialist wellbeing residences. Trauma-informed holistic life coach, physiotherapist and healer, Umana Noordeen, and Osho disciple and holistic healer, Pallavi Sawant, will offer guests a range of therapies aimed at balancing physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Umana and Pallavi will host their individual residencies at Amilla’s tranquil Javvu Spa, providing guests with a myriad personalised wellbeing therapies, treatments and programmes, from Somatic Intelligence Sessions to Osho Dynamic Meditation. Press release and images
The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts
Embracing the cooler, calmer time of year, boutique luxury hotel group The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has launched a suite of new offers, Pavilions Pulse, inviting guests to discover its European and Asian destinations at a deeper level. In Europe, guests can unearth the hidden historical highlights of Rome, swap Amsterdam’s canals for a countryside tour, and taste Madrid’s top traditional tapas. Those heading further afield can experience cultural immersions in Bali or Phuket, or majestic hiking and helping local communities in the Himalayas. Press release and images
Stay in a Pub is a carefully curated collection of over 1,600 boutique pubs with rooms and traditional coaching inns. We can help provide ‘Best for’ collections such as Dog Friendly, Family Friendly, Gastro Pubs, Romantic Breaks, With EV Charging, Walking, Cycling, Golf, Near the Coast and many more. We can also arrange press trips and introductions.
Other updates
Save the date for a Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Celebration Weekend…
Stoke-on-Trent is inviting residents and visitors alike to ‘save the date’ for the Centenary Celebration Weekend. When King George V declared Stoke-on-Trent a city on 5 June 1925, it was a move that helped to make Stoke-on-Trent a global name. Honouring the city’s rich history, vibrant culture and identity, for three days in June, the current city council is calling on everyone to celebrate a city built on clay and coal. Celebrations and special events will take place in the city throughout the coming year – with one major highlight being The Centenary Celebration ‘Weekend’, which begins on Thursday 5, 2025, and will reach its peak over the weekend of 7 and 8 June. Saturday 7 June has been earmarked as a day of celebration, processions, street theatre and other events.
Derby on the cusp of becoming a ‘new’ UK citybreak destination for 2025
Derby’s continuing transformation may have gone under the radar so far, but the fact that there has already been around £4.48bn worth of investment in the city’s infrastructure since 2011 – with a further £2.6bn already earmarked for future development – helps to flag-up why it’s going to be a “new” UK shortbreak destination in 2025. The opening, in Spring, of both a new-look Market Hall and its massive new Becketwell Live venue (projected to attract an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby city centre annually) provide some of the evidence of this.
Le Boat is elevating self-drive boating with its new Liberty model, launching in 2025 as part of a £100 million fleet investment with Groupe Beneteau. Designed for ultimate comfort, Liberty features a memory foam double bed, ensuite cabins, air conditioning, panoramic windows, and a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and Nespresso machine.
Le Boat is also developing electric boats in partnership with Delphia to further innovate. Prices for a week aboard Liberty start from £2,000, offering a luxurious and eco-conscious way to explore Europe’s waterways.
