BA have said that if the strikes go ahead then 60% of passengers booked to fly during the first strike between the 20^th and 22^nd March would not be affected as they have recruited 6,000 volunteers to minimise the effects of the walk out. However it will be the domestic UK flights that will be worst hit with only 30% of short haul flights going ahead in comparison to 60% of long haul flights.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has finally stepped in and expressed his disapproval of the BA walk out saying that he hoped the ‘deplorable strikes were called off’.

For more information on the BA strike situation follow this link to the FT article http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b45c9196-309c-11df-a24b-00144feabdc0.html

The suppliers are as follows;

Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

AUSTRALIA

* QUALIA – A luxurious retreat in the stunning Whitsunday Islands

* SAFFIRE LODGE – Pristine wilderness escape in Tasmania

NEW ZEALAND

* NAVIGATE – A portfolio of unique boutique retreats around New Zealand

TAHITI AND HER ISLANDS

* INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS TAHITI, MOOREA AND BORA BORA – Four beautiful resorts in the last paradise on earth

FIJI

* TOKORIKI ISLAND (IN CONJUNCTION WITH AIR PACIFIC) – A truly romantic Fijian retreat

COOK ISLANDS

* TOURISM BOARD – Our favourite honeymoon retreats – Little Polynesian, Royale Takitumu Villas, Pacific Resort Aitutaki and Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa

The Indian Ocean

MAURITIUS

* THE RESIDENCE - Colonial elegance with private butlers by the Indian Ocean

THE MALDIVES

* BAROS & VELASSARU – Chic, luxury overwater villas and crystal-clear lagoons

SEYCHELLES

* BANYAN TREE SEYCHELLES – Idyllic, private pool villas and unspoiled beaches

The Caribbean

CAYMAN ISLANDS

* TOURISM BOARD – The other side of the Caribbean…

The Middle East

DUBAI

* MADINAT JUMEIRAH, BURJ AL ARAB & JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL – The ultimate in glamour and glitz from the Jumeirah Hotel group

Asia

THAILAND

* RASANANDA – Chic private pool villas on unspoilt Koh Phangan island

* PIMALAI – An elegant and luxurious hideaway on Koh Lanta island

* SIX SENSES HIDEAWAY YAO NOI – Barefoot paradise in Phang Nga Bay

BALI

* THE SAMAYA (SEMINYAK & UBUD) – Stylish private pool villas on Seminyak beach and in the lush hills of Ubud

MALYASIA & BALI

* PANGKOR LAUT RESORT (Malaysia), TANJONG JARA (Malaysia), & SPA VILLAGE RESORT TEMBOK BALI (Bali) – Intimate coastal getaways from YTL Hotels

Africa

SOUTH AFRICA & MOZAMBIQUE

* GARONGA (South Africa) & MATEMO, MEDJUMBE & INDIGO BAY (Rani Resorts, Mozambique) – The very best of Out-of-Africa honeymoons

SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE

* CAPE GRACE & VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL – Two of southern Africa’s ultimate destination hotels

ZANZIBAR

* PALMS, BREEZES & BARAZA – The best choices on the beautiful and exotic spice island

KENYA

* OL SEKI, NAIBOR, OLARRO & SHOMPOLE – A portfolio of unique, chic and romantic safari lodges

SOUTH AFRICA

* SIMBAMILI, PEZULA, GROOTBOS & FOUR ROSMEAD – A collection of four very different, but equally romantic retreats in South Africa

The classes are held at the National Trust office just outside George Town, Grand Cayman, on the second Wednesday of each month with hands-on instruction by some of the island’s true veterans of ‘Old Caymanian’ cooking.  These include local farmers and small producers and their wives; a bakery shop owner; Denise’s father Seth ‘Boosie’ Arch, a local chef and historic restoration expert, and Erica’s grandmother Sylvia, herself an acclaimed cook and seamstress.

Denise’s pupils learn to cook traditional Caymanian dishes such as cassava or pawpaw heavy cake, custard topped corn bread, bread pudding, duff, Christmas stew beef, fish and fritters, fish  or conch stew, chicken and dumplings, fried land crab or lobster, and local bush teas.

Denise says: “The cooking classes provide an opportunity for everyone to taste and learn how to cook real Caymanian dishes.  While much of Caymanian history and local dishes are influenced by British and African ancestry, dishes have evolved as locals have incorporated their home grown ingredients and the abundance of seafood from the surrounding Caribbean Sea.”

Traditionally, conch, Caribbean spiny lobsters, sea turtles and whelks were often used in dishes frequented locals’ dining tables.  Today there are strict marine regulations in place to protect these precious reserves of sea life with fishing stringently controlled. The turtle – the national dish – is a protected species and can only be sourced from the Cayman Turtle Farm although it is still available on most restaurant menus.

While over 150 restaurants in the Cayman Islands all offer an excellent selection of dining from beach bars and local cafes to fine French to Italian and Japanese, the authentic Caymanian way of cooking has become harder to find in modern homes.

Denise Bodden continues:  “Well known local Cayman cooks are often asked to come and demonstrate their personal recipes alongside our Caymanian regulars. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands strives to preserve authentic Caymanian cuisine by demonstrating good taste can always be in fashion!”

The classes cost CI$20 per person for non-members of the National Trust (approx £15). For information and bookings email dbodden@nationaltrust.org.ky or call + 1 (345) 749 1123 or 1126.

For holidays to the Cayman Islands, call Turquoise Holidays on 01494 678400 or visit www.turquoisehoildays.co.uk

For more information about the Cayman Islands, call the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism on 020 7491 7771 or visit www.caymanislands.co.uk.

For more information on the National Trust visit www.nationaltrust.org.ky

Copy-right free images are available from www.fotoseeker.com

The pristine white sand, warm turquoise waters and stunning natural backdrop of the Cayman Islands provide a setting fit for any bride, whether her dream is for a flower-decked white wedding ceremony on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, surrounded by friends and family, or an intimate barefoot marriage on Little Cayman.

With the Cayman Islands being justly regarded as among the friendliest and most welcoming of any Caribbean destination, couples planning a wedding can rest assured that they will have little to worry about other than last minute nerves.  Grand Cayman and its Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, all have wedding planners at hand from the outset to ensure that the big day runs without a hitch.  For those who would like to inject a little Caymanian culture into their wedding, couples are able to marry at many of the islands heritage spots including the peaceful and colourful Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, or the national historic site of Pedro St. James, with superb views over the Caribbean sea. The more traditionally-hearted can choose from a quaint church wedding, a secluded beach ceremony or the luxurious surroundings of a five star resort.  For a wedding with a twist, and for those who are a little more adventurous, the bride and groom can wed aboard a catamaran or even underwater, while diving among the islands’ pristine coral reefs.

With the wedding ceremony itself over, an escape to somewhere luxurious and secluded is of paramount importance, the Cayman Islands’ sun-bleached white beaches, warm sunshine and turquoise sea make it the perfect exotic retreat.  The islands are somewhere to both relax and explore together, whether it be on a beach enjoying the beautiful and tranquil surroundings or discovering the Caribbean Sea’s underwater paradise.  The surrounding sea averages a warm 26 degrees centigrade and the Cayman Islands offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Couples can learn to dive together, explore the infamous Stingray City (unique to the Cayman Islands), or discover one of the shipwrecks that are dotted around the coastline.

Newlyweds have plenty of accommodation options on the three islands, from luxurious hotels to beach hideaways.  The Ritz-Carlton on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach comes complete with the first ever La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, two restaurants, a tennis centre by Nick Bollettieri and a Greg Norman designed nine-hole golf course.  For couples that prefer somewhere more secluded and intimate, the Southern Cross Club is located right on the beach on the southern shore of Little Cayman, 40 minutes from Grand Cayman by plane; yet a world away in every other respect.  The resort has just eight individual bungalows on the beach as well as a traditional Caymanian restaurant serving an abundance of the island’s freshest fish.

With world-class diving, luxury resorts, candle lit restaurants, sun-drenched beaches and a year round tropical climate, it is hard to beat the Cayman Islands for a romantic escape for any couple yearning to step away from daily life and spend a little quality time together.

Images of the Cayman Islands are available to download, free of charge and copyright from www.fotoseeker.com

For further information on the Cayman Islands please visit the official UK dedicated website at www.caymanislands.co.uk or call the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism on their main switchboard number ++44 (0) 20 7491 7771

The direct four-times-weekly British Airways service flies into Grand Cayman from London Heathrow, and the easy and efficient nature of the Caymanian people is obvious from the moment of arrival at the Owen Roberts International Airport.

Self-drive is the most sensible way for families to get around Grand Cayman, with several car rental companies within a short stroll of the arrivals hall. Driving is on the left hand side, and the roads are well maintained and clearly marked. Across the majority of the islands, the maximum speed limit is 30mph.

Seven Mile Beach is just a 15-minute drive from the airport, and it is in one of the resorts that line the beach, ranging from self-catering to five star luxury, that most visitors with families choose to make their base. Possibly one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, Seven Mile Beach provides miles of wide, soft white sand, lapped by warm, shallow waters.

Many resorts have direct access to the beach, with others just a short stroll away.  The newly opened five star Caribbean Club is perfect for families and groups of friends with children, as each spacious apartment has three ensuite bedrooms, and huge kitchen/dining and living areas, with all the facilities you would expect from a hotel, as well as a stunning pool and beachfront location. Cafes, restaurants supermarkets and water sports facilities are all close by.  A notable absence of beach sellers and hawkers means that families can relax and enjoy the surroundings, without unnecessary hassle or disturbance. There are also a number of excellent accommodations to be found dotted around the island.

There are over 100 beachfront private villas to rent around the Cayman Islands for those families that like to be entirely self contained with the added luxury of a private pool. Many have gardens with tennis courts and jungle gyms, and the kitchens can be fully stocked with food and supplies ranging from nappies to baked beans, fresh fruit and meat prior to arrival, through Cayman Shoppers.

Elsewhere on Grand Cayman, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park provides acres of stunning colourful floral grounds, with an abundance of trees, shrubs and plants, both indigenous to Cayman and from elsewhere.  The park is roamed by the prehistoric looking Blue Iguana – rare, but thankfully growing in numbers due to the Blue Iguana Recovery programme. Children will delight in their dragon-like appearance, and with no fear of their two legged voyeurs, the Blue Iguanas put on a proud display.

The turtle, after which the Cayman Islands were originally named, can also be seen up close at Boatswain’s Beach. Having helped save the species from extinction, it is now home to 16,000 green turtles, a snorkel lagoon, nature trail and a typical Caymanian street with craft stores.

The Butterfly Farm, one of the few in the Caribbean, is also a family favourite. Here children step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe. They can observe the life cycle from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly and even witness new butterflies emerging from the chrysalis and taking their first flight.

Cayman is renowned for its marine life, and children from as young as four can enjoy snorkelling off the beaches, with stunning coral reefs and brightly coloured fish just yards from the shore. There are a variety of glass bottomed boats and submersibles, perfect for families wanting to explore the underwater world and view the pristine coral reefs and marine life without any need to get wet.

Stingray City is one of the Caribbean’s top wildlife attractions and a natural phenomenon that will have children and adults alike shrieking in delight. Wild but friendly stingrays gather on a shallow sandbank of the coast of Grand Cayman and happily and safely interact with human visitors.

There are several programmes that aim to teach and engage children in a fun way about the importance of respecting and caring for the environment, both on land and under water. The Ritz-Carlton’s Ambassador of the Environment programme, designed by Jean Michel Cousteau, is one such programme. Children and teens from four to eighteen can participate in morning, afternoon or evening programmes that entertain and educate about nature and the Caymanian culture, with walks and trails on beaches, through woodlands and mangroves, swimming, snorkelling and much more.

The Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park is a fantastic day out for confident youngsters and teenagers. Skating lessons and camps are available for children, and the spectacular freestanding wave machine creates a wave ranging from three to 11 feet in height making it exciting and safe for beginners through to veteran surfers.

Eating out ‘en famille’ in Cayman is a joy. There are innumerable restaurants and cafes dotted around the island, serving local Caymanian fare, children’s favourites, fresh seafood, as well as international cuisine of the highest standard. Even the fussiest child will find a dish to please, and those in self-catering accommodation will find shopping in the local shops and supermarkets a speedy and satisfactory experience.

A visit to the Sister Islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac is a very special experience, although the rugged and unsophisticated nature of both makes staying on either more suited to older children and adults. However few will fail to have their imagination caught by arriving on a dusty airstrip on Little Cayman, and a day trip will certainly enhance any holiday experience.

The overwhelming impression of Cayman is one of a tropical island that exudes quality and friendliness, combined with pristine beaches and attractions that will make any family holiday a resounding success, and a holiday scrapbook to be proud of at school.

Contact Turquoise Holidayas on www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk or call Johanna Bromiley on  01494 678400 to find out about a family holiday in the Cayman Islands.

Images of the Cayman Islands are available to download, free of charge and copyright from www.fotoseeker.com

For further information on the Cayman Islands please visit the official UK dedicated website at www.caymanislands.co.uk or call the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism on their main switchboard number ++44 (0) 20 7491 7771

The photo is a View of Rasananda on Phangan Island, Thailand

As well as champagne, cocktails and manicures there will also be a chance to WIN A HONEYMOON to Mauritius for all those who turn up on the night.

We would love to see you there so give us a call.

Here at Garonga we really intend to make your Honeymoon something so special, which of course it is!

When you arrive in your room, there waiting to be consumed/celebrated, is a small bottle of Bubbly to get you in the mood.

Over your stay just consider an open air Bush Bath (decorated with candles and lamps) following your afternoon Game Drive, followed by a Private Dinner on the lower deck – nothing can be more romantic, although you may beg to differ.

Going up one notch in the ladder how about a sleep out in the Bush up on a tree Platform Deck.  You will be totally on your own!  You are 25 minutes away from the camp in the most idyllic location looking down on to the whole Reserve and with the Mountains as a back drop.  You also overlook a waterhole from where the animals do sometimes come and drink.  The format is: you get dropped off there on your afternoon Safari, and before it gets dark, so you can see what is around you.  The beds are made up under a large mosquito net. On the main deck, one step below, is the dining deck which is much larger.  Your table is all set up.  The Guide will then set up the dinner and show you where all the food is kept and leave you to have a fantastic dinner on your own in the Bush.  You select which drinks you want before departing from the Camp.  This is then brought with you.  The deck is lighted with paraffin lamps and you also have a torch and a radio for “Just in Case”.  You are then left alone to your own devices by the Guide and he will collect you in the morning on the Game Drive.  Obviously if it rains or you feel uncomfortable then the Guide will come and collect you  ……… it will take 25 minutes!

This is a truly magical experience and something to recount to your Grandchildren!

That’s not all.  Imagine a lunch picnic up in a tree with big cushions to lie on and a gorgeous picnic hamper and drinks there waiting for you.  It is right next to the main Camp and so you walk down there escorted.  Quite often you will see animals, small and large around there as it is close to the waterhole.

It’s still not all!  Last, but by no means least, how about a relaxing massage from Charlene (I was sacked from this due to my hairy legs!).  We also offer a 45 minute massage each.  It is well worth having and such a relaxing experience.  It could change your life forever.

That is it!  All the above complimentary to you for wishing you a great Honeymoon at Garonga!

Of course there is more to Garonga as well such as the delicious food, great Game drives or walks and you can also even sleep in.  Do what you like!

Dress:

We are still in Summer and it can rain now and again.  We do have a same day laundry service (complimentary of course) and so you don’t have to bring loads with you.

Day Time:  Shorts, soft cotton shirts or T shirts, sandals, flip flops or walk bear foot as we have really cooling stone floors in the main lounge.  We have a great swimming pool so don’t forget the “Cozzie” – it’s not heated but a really refreshing temperature for those hot days and nights.  Swim day or night, in between meals, during meals – whenever you like.

Afternoon/Evening:  There is the occasional mozzie that strays into our Camp and so best to spray before the afternoon Game drive and before dinner.  Wear pretty much the same as during the day or the Kikois we put on the end of the beds.  For those more concerned with mozzies, then long sleeve shirts, and cotton trousers.  They will still get you!  So spray up.

Dinner: We are very casual.

Safari:

Please wear neutral colours:  no whites or reds or anything too bright.  Shorts and a short sleeved shirt and sandals are fine IF you are not walking.  If you intend to walk then good trainers or walking shoes are needed.

Extra:  Sometimes we get caught out and so bring a fleece/jersey for early morning and late afternoons (and particularly in Winter).  Waterproof jacket would be very handy – we do have them for safaris but they are quite cumbersome.  Certainly a hat, sunglasses and loads of the Amber Nectar Sun Cream.

I think that just about covers it.  We really look forward to welcoming you on your Honeymoon which no doubt will have been fantastically organized for you by Turquoise Holidays.

Our record for Honeymooners is 100% – no divorces or separations yet!  In fact we have many proposing and getting married as well or coming back to renew their vows some years later.

Go well!!

Best wishes

Bernie.

To plan a trip to Garonga please call one of our Africa specialists on 01494 678400. For more information about the camp then please click on the link below:

http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/southafrica/accomodation/safari_lodges/garonga_safari_camp

Listen out for a promotion with Jazz FM, find out about the latest dive venture with the sinking of the USS Kittiwake and introducing the ‘Cayman Islands’ City Racing Challenge in the Isle of Wight. Most importantly, pick up this Saturday’s Daily Telegraph to get your hands on their brilliant Cayman Islands supplement and the chance to enter a competition to win a holiday!

Make sure you read…The Daily Telegraph, Saturday 27^th February for the Ultimate Guide to the Cayman Islands

Look out for the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 27^th February and the 16 page colour guide to Cayman packed full of the most in-depth and compelling recommendations on visiting all three islands. Written by some of the UK’s most respected travel writers, each one an expert in his or her field and each one equally passionate about the Cayman Islands, you simply won’t find more authoritative, up to date information or inspirational ideas anywhere. Find out about planning a wedding or honeymoon, family holiday tips, learning to dive, or how and where to cook and eat like the locals. Plus it will also carry a chance to win a fabulous holiday to the islands!

Visit http://tq-ne.ws/H

‘Wilsons World’ brought to you by the Cayman Islands

Fed up with the coldest winter for decades? Regardless of the weather, spring begins on the 10^th March, thanks to the Cayman Islands, and runs right through to summer but only if you tune your radio in to Jazz FM, which will be bringing some Caribbean sunshine right into the heart of your home. Every Wednesday at 6 pm, Wilson’s World, an hour long show on the nation’s favourite jazz programme, will brought to you by the Cayman Islands. As well as an hour of great music you will hear lots of colourful snippets of information about the other side of the Caribbean, along with personal stories from those who live there, and you will have the chance to win a taste of the Cayman Islands too.

US Submarine Rescue Vessel to create first dive site of its kind in Grand Cayman

There is much excitement surrounding the sinking of the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue vessel, due to be sunk off Grand Cayman in summer 2010 to create an artificial reef. The vessel has undergone a deep cleaning process to remove all environmentally harmful materials. Although a Russian warship was sunk just off Cayman Brac ten years ago, this is the first time that a US vessel has been sold to a foreign country for this purpose and comes after five years of delicate negotiations. The USS Kittiwake will be just 15 feet from the surface meaning she will provide many decades of enjoyment for divers and snorkelers alike and provide a huge boost to the long-term protection of Cayman’s acclaimed marine environment.

Learn to cook … Cayman-Style!

The National Trust of the Cayman Islands has commenced cookery classes to teach budding Caribbean cooks how to create delicious traditional dishes such as pawpaw heavy cake, custard topped corn bread, Christmas beef stew, fish and fritters, conch stew and fried land crab or lobster.  Historically, due to the availability of fish, conch, Caribbean spiny lobsters, sea turtles and whelks, these dishes were everyday occurrences on dining tables with beef being a delicacy at Christmas time.  While many restaurants on Cayman offer an excellent selection of international dishes, the authentic Caymanian way of cooking has become a precious skill. The cooking classes are held on the second Wednesday of every month, costing US$25.00 per person.

Visit: http://tq-ne.ws/ww

Cayman Islands raise a toast

Seven Fathoms Rum is the first rum to be made only in the Cayman Islands and is matured using a very unique process. Barrels are placed seven fathoms beneath the surface of Cayman’s crystal clear waters and the rum is matured purely by the wave motion of the Caribbean Sea. This exclusive yet premium rum company has found a habitat here with an intriguing profile of humidity and temperature, unparalleled on land and a process that massages the barrels of rum with a care and consistency that even the most diligent of distillers would fail to mimic.

All agents that complete the Cayman Islands Academy training programme during the month of March will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a bottle of Seven Fathoms Rum. This exclusive spirit is not yet available in the UK and has a deliciously smooth flavour making it perfect for cocktails or drinking over ice.

Visit http://tq-ne.ws/lN to take part in the competition!

Cayman Islands to sponsor City Racing Challenge

The Cayman Islands will be sponsoring the first ever City Racing Challenge where companies from across the city of London and Canary Wharf will compete on the water in state of the art Laser SB3s. There are four different regattas held across four separate weekends: Insurance and Asset Management (9^th to 11^th April), Legal (30^th April to 2^nd May), Banking (25^th to 27^th June), and IT (9^th to 11^th July). The finals will take place from the 17^th to 19^th September.

Visit http://tq-ne.ws/Wr

Join us at a Cayman Uncovered event!

A number of evening training events are being organised in the next coming months, if you would like to learn more and sign up to receive an invitation, please call 020 7491 6961 or email Emma Ford eford@caymanislands.ky to register.  These evenings will be educational and fun including a delicious Caribbean buffet. We hope you can join us. We will be organising other events throughout the year so watch this space. Upcoming locations include:

If you would like to book a holiday to the Cayman Islands then please call 01494 678 400 or visit our website http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/

Eastbourne

Leicester

Northampton

Blackpool

Isle of Man