Latest Travel News & Updates
Cyprus Economy
Over the past few days, Cyprus has featured heavily in news bulletins following a decision by the Cypriot Government to implement measures to protect its banking sector. We are in regular contact with our local office in Cyprus and can confirm that holidays are not being affected and all hotels, shops and tavernas are operating is usual. The foreign office advise that banks are due to remain closed until Thursday 21 March* and, as such, suggest those travelling to Cyprus take different forms of payment (such as pounds, euros, credit/debit cards) to ensure access to adequate funds. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Cyprus and so most items can be purchased using cards. We are in contact with customers due to travel in the next few days and will advise accordingly should the situation change.
*Updated 20/03/2013 at 13:42
We have been advised that banks are due to remain closed until Tuesday 26 March
An Airline for Precision Performance and Timing
Sunvil and GIC The Villa Collection customers flying from Gatwick on the routes detailed below will benefit in 2013 from flights on Germania, the (new to the UK) full-service airline chartered for our wide range of Greek island and mainland holiday destinations in 2013.
Featuring full catering (with hot meal service) plus a 20 kg baggage allowance and pre-allocated seating, Sunvil MD Noel Josephides says: “Sunvil Group clients will enjoy all the old-fashioned frills - much-missed by customers in this no-frills age of mediocrity - on a modern 737-700 aircraft. Everything is included in the price – there are no unwelcome extras to pay. Germania offers top-quality service and an impressive on-time performance record. We’re delighted to be able to offer this new high-quality service for summer 2013.”
Routes operated by Germania on behalf of Sunvil / GIC start from 19 May and are from Gatwick to:
Corfu (Monday) - Chania, Crete (Tuesday) - Samos (Thursday) - Lemnos (Thursday) - Skiathos (Friday) - Volos (Friday) - Kefalonia (Saturday) - Prevesa (Sunday) - Kalamata (Sunday)
New Stoupa Programme in Greek Peloponnese
- PLUS MORE ACCOMMODATION ON KEFALONIA
Sunvil Holidays has contracted the majority of Greek Options’ former Stoupa programme (in the Mani region of the southern Peloponnese) and a selection of well-located properties in Fiscardo and Assos on Kefalonia
Following the recent retirement of the owners of Greek Options, we sent our contracting team into both Stoupa and Kefalonia in late October and are pleased to say that we secured a wide range of new properties for our 2013 Real Greece programme for 2013.
Says Noel Josephides, MD of Sunvil: “We haven’t simply taken over Greek Options’ programme in its entirety; we’ve been very selective. Sunvil had long wanted a programme in Stoupa, which is a very attractive resort with two sandy beaches and a beautiful mountain backdrop in the southern Peloponnese, so this was an opportunity we couldn’t miss and we had to act quickly. We’ve taken on a range of villas with pool and apartments in Stoupa.
“We’ve also acquired some very well-located accommodation in fashionable Fiscardo and the attractive resort of Assos on Kefalonia which is well-suited to our programme.
“It made a lot of sense – Greek Options shared our flights into Kalamata (Peloponnese) and Kefalonia. Taking on these properties has enabled us to reduce our transfer prices to both locations because of our increased capacity. This will help considerably in a marketplace where good quality linked with good value for money is rare and thus a much-sought-after commodity.
“This step further cements Sunvil’s position as a pre-eminent provider of good-quality accommodation and as the major specialist player in the Greek market from the UK.”
Lead-in prices in Stoupa with Sunvil Holidays start at £558 pp* (two sharing), including Sunday flights, transfers and accommodation.
Denied Boarding Regulation
(EU 261/2004)
Recent legislation has confirmed that the above regulation, EU261/2004 may be applied retrospectively and the obligation to pay any relevant compensation applies to the operating air carrier, i.e. the airline concerned. It does not apply to the tour operator.
Therefore, any claim for compensation should be made direct to the airline with which you travelled.
Please note, however, that there is no automatic right to compensation under the Denied Boarding Regulation and, as such, there is no guarantee that the airline will pay you any compensation. The airline’s liability to you under the Denied Boarding Regulation is dependant on a number of factors, which will be considered by the airline when making any decision about compensation. If you are not happy with any decision made by the airline in this regard, you will need to raise this with the airline direct.
We trust that the above explanation clarifies the situation. Further information on this matter may be found at www.caa.co.uk/passengerrights.
Alonissos Marathon 9 September 2012
It was the 7th Multi Terrain Marathon this weekend in Alonissos. There was a 30k run, 10k run and a 10k walk . About 50 people entered the 10k walk including our two representatives Julia and Dinah. They completed the walk in 2 1/2 hours and were the first group of walkers back. Sunvil client Mr Dent finished the 10 k run in 47 minutes and came 8th and the first Brit home - Well done to all who took part!
Costa Rica Earthquake 5 September 2012
Contacts in San Jose have confirmed that whilst buildings rattled across the country - there have been no reports of major damage to buildings or fatalities so far. The buildings tend to be very robust due to the strict construction guidelines. There have been some minor landslides across the country. The Parador hotel located close to Manuel Antonio National Park (Pacific coast) has also reported they are operating normally. Liberia airport in the west of the country is also functioning normally. Communications on some mobile networks are currently down. If you need any further information please contact Sunvil Traveller on 020 8758 4774.
July - Make Holidays Greener Month Round-Up
Throughout July Sunvil Holidays has been supporting Make Holidays Greener Month, a consumer awareness campaign, led by the Travel Foundation, which aimed to increase the local benefits of our holidays - find out how we contributed
Sunvil supports Make Holidays Greener Month
July sees the launch of Make Holidays Greener Month, a consumer awareness campaign, led by the Travel Foundation, which aims to increase the local benefits of our holidays. This theme is close to our hearts at Sunvil Holidays, and we are proud to support the event.
Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend Opening Hours
Sunvil Holidays will be open for Greece and Cyprus reservations this bank holiday weekend:
- Saturday 9.00 - 16.30
- Sunday 11.00 - 15.00
- Monday 11.00 - 14.00
- Tuesday 11.00 - 15.00
Please call our Greece team on 020 8758 4758
For any other enquiries please contact us and we will reply as soon as possible: Enquiry Form
Admire Azorean horticulture at Hampton Court Palace
Sunvil Discovery and Azores Tourism join forces to host The Azorean Garden at this summer’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
This year, Azores Tourism will host a garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (3-8 July) in association with specialist tour operator Sunvil Discovery. The Azorean Garden will be located in the new World of Gardens area, within which four destinations from across the globe will be represented – the Azores, Jordan, St Petersburg and Switzerland. Of all these destinations, the Azores is perhaps the least well-known, and the RHS show will provide the perfect opportunity for keen horticulturists and travellers alike to find out more about this unique archipelago.
Sunvil’s Edwardian riverboat, the Genevieve, joins the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
On Sunday, 3rd June, Sunvil Holidays’ 98-year-old riverboat, the Genevieve, will join a thousand other vessels, including the Royal Barge, for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant – why not celebrate a special occasion on board this vintage motor launch with a group of friends?
A small part of one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the Thames, the 40-foot vintage motor launch Genevieve (www.vintagethamescharters.com) will make the historic journey from Battersea to Tower Bridge in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 60-year reign. The thousand-strong procession will include riverboats of all shapes and sizes, including rowboats, sailboats, steam vessels and wooden launches, and will be enhanced by music barges and a floating belfry which will signal to riverside churches to chime their bells as the pageant meanders along the Thames.
Greece Elections
Our clients are understandably confused by the current situation in Greece and how it will affect their holiday or the holiday they intend to book.
There are many rumours as to what will happen if Greece leaves the euro and some absolutely hilarious scenarios painted in some of the media. It is still our opinion that Greece will not leave and that the elections to be held sometime between the 10th and the 17th June will re-enforce this fact.
If, finally, Greece does leave the euro, then this can only be to the benefit of the visitor because any euro notes will increase in value vis-à-vis the Drachma, if, in fact, Greece reverts to its old currency.
Sunvil acquires Planet Holidays – a marriage of two specialists
Sunvil Holidays is pleased to announce that it has purchased Planet Holidays Limited, the wedding and luxury hotel operator.
Says Noel Josephides, Managing Director of Sunvil: “One of the growth areas in the travel industry has been the arrangement of weddings overseas. Until now, Sunvil has simply passed on to specialists the many enquiries it receives from clients wishing to tie the knot whilst on holiday because it didn’t have the right technical expertise to handle weddings. Planet was the first tour operator to recognise the potential of this market and still remains one of the true specialists in this field. The two companies are, I believe, a perfect match."
Sunvil rolls up its sleeves for Climate Week – both at home (in the office) and abroad
Sunvil is joining in Britain’s biggest climate change campaign with a range of green ideas for travelling abroad – and it’s taking action in its offices, too . . .Culminating in a week of activities, Climate Week showcases practical solutions from every sector of society. Sunvil actively supports this initiative – both in its wide range of holiday ideas and via a number of in-office ideas through which its staff can get behind the campaign.
The Greece Economic Crisis 2012
Greece has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. However, despite the country's current economic difficulties, the fundamentals of a holiday here remain unchanged - a warm sun, some of the cleanest seas in the Med. (Greece boasted 379 Blue Flag beaches in 2010, second only to Spain), unspoiled nature and scenery, a simple island life-style, and some of the friendliest locals you could meet. Tourism is essential to Greece's future growth and everyone involved will do their very best to ensure their foreign guests have a holiday to remember.
Please visit the 'Greece is Changing' website for information about Greece's efforts to recover from economic difficulties.
The photograph was taken on Friday 17th February 2012 and shows Livadia on Tilos.
Flights to Greece - change in carrier
Sunvil flights to Greece previously advertised to operate with Tor Air will now be operated by Small Planet Airlines.
We have been in dialogue with Tor Air since December, when their operating licence was withdrawn and, initially, we were confident that following a restructure, they would be in a position to reinstate the licence in good time for the summer season.
However, we now feel that we can no longer wait for the airline to restructure and regain its licence and, as such, have taken the decision to move our flying programme to a different carrier.
The aircraft due to operate our flights was being leased by Tor Air from an airline called Small Planet Airlines. To make the transition as easy as possible and to avoid any disruption to flight timings, it has been decided that our flights will now be operated by Small Planet Airlines. As an airline, they operate a fleet of 10 aircraft around Europe and currently have bases in Lithuania, Poland, Italy and the UK. We have used Small Planet on several Sunvil routes over the past few years and they are well known to us.
If you have booked to travel on one of our Tor Air flights, the details of your flight remain unchanged, save a change in three letter code from OAI to LLC. All timings remain as per your confirmation invoice.
Small Planet has a website giving details of the airline which can be found at http://www.smallplanet.aero. Please note, all Small Planet flights booked through Sunvil include, 20kg of hold baggage and a hot meal service on-board, as part of the holiday package.
For existing bookings, any pre-flight extras such as, Extra Leg room seats or seat selection will remain as confirmed by Tor Air. We will arrange for the airline to send out a new confirmation in the next few weeks.
Details of how to make new pre-flight bookings with Small Planet will be published on this website once the procedure has been finalised.
Please be assured that, as a fully bonded tour operator, every aspect of your holiday is covered.
Sunvil event at Strawberry Hill House a success
Sunvil and its sister companies Expert Africa and GIC The Villa Collection invited clients and friends to spend an inspiring day at the newly-renovated historic Gothic castle to learn about the destinations it offers.
Along with travel experts from the tourist boards for Sweden, Cyprus, Greece, the Alentejo (Portugal) and Central America, Sunvil’s expert teams were dotted around Strawberry Hill House on Saturday 19 November – in the Great Parlour, the Library and the Little Parlour – ready to provide fascinating travel ideas and chat through all kinds of holiday ideas. The sun shone and the day was a resounding success – around 200 clients and members of the general public attended. A generous prize draw – featuring a range of holidays to Sunvil destinations – took place on the day.
Meet the Travel Experts - Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham
Meet the Travel Experts - Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham – Saturday, 19th November, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The leaves are falling and autumn is here, after a disappointing UK summer. We’re all starting to think of next year’s holidays... and there’s nothing like chatting to experts face-to-face to help plan holidays that suit you to perfection.
Greek Air Traffic Control strike action
Updated 13 September: Thursday 15 September, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2011. We have been advised of potential industrial action called by members of the Greek Air Traffic Controllers union on Thursday 15 September from 14:00 until 18:00 local time, and from 03:00 local time on Saturday 17 September until 03:00 local time on Monday 19 September.
There is no clear certainty on the expected strength of the strike action and we are hopeful that it will be called off before Thursday.
However if the action goes ahead it will cause significant disruption to our flying programme and as such we advise customers to check back on the website for regular updates.
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Updated 14 September: We have been advised that the proposed strike action on Thursday (15) has been cancelled and await news on the other proposed dates.
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Updated 16 September: All proposed strike action has been cancelled
Destinations Show, 2-5 February 2012
Sunvil Discovery (stand E65) and Sunvil Traveller (stand LA27) will be exhibiting at the Destinations Show at Earls Court, 2-5 February. If you'd like to make an appointment with a Latin America or Europe specialist please email sales@sunvil.co.uk
Read more about the Destinations Show
