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Latest Travel News & Updates
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.
Admire Azorean horticulture at Hampton Court Palace
Sunvil Discovery is delighted to announce that it will be joining the Azores Tourist Board on its ‘Azorean Garden’ stand at this summer’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (3-8 July). This will be a unique opportunity for visitors to marvel at the archipelago’s varied flora and fauna without even leaving the UK. For anyone whose appetite is whetted by the show, a seven-night B&B stay at the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden – which overlooks the breathtaking botanical gardens at Furnas – costs from £831 pp (two sharing) in July, including flights (Gatwick) and transfers.
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. ******************************************************* 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. ******************************************************* 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.ukRead more about the Destinations Show
Scandinavia Show 2011
Come along to the Scandinavia Show and meet the Sunvil Discovery team to discuss holidays in Sweden, Norway or the Faroe Islands - 8-9 October at London's Earls Court.Email discovery@sunvil.co.uk if you'd like to arrange an appointment to discuss your holiday plans with our destination specialists. Read more about the Scandinavia Show
AITO Travel Expo, 12 October 2011
Sunvil and sister company GIC The Villa Collection will be exhibiting at the AITO Travel Expo on 12 October.This is an opportunity to meet us for one-to-one advice and ideas on our tailor made holidays.The Expo starts at 6pm - 8.30pm at the Science Museum, London, with free entry, a glass of wine on arrival and prizes to be won throughout the evening. Find out how to Register
Phones Down
Our main phonelines are currently down, during this time please call us on 0208 847 4748 or 0208 560 9889 or email us with any enquiries. For Latin America please email: traveller@sunvil.co.uk. For Portugal,Madeira, Azores,Scandinavia, Italy and Sicily please email: discovery@sunvil.co.uk. For Greece and Cyprus please email: holidays@sunvil.co.uk. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Cyprus Munitions Blast
There has been an explosion in the early hours of the morning (0300 GMT) at a naval base in Zygi (South Cyprus in between Larnaca and Limassol).
Travelling to Gatwick Delays
Due to a burst water main and subsequent landslide between East Croydon and Gatwick there are no train services between the two. Current predictions are that it is a 3 hour train journey between central London and Gatwick.For up to date information regarding the trains please see the National Rail website.There are also knock on effects and heavy congestion on other train routes and the surrounding road network.We advise that clients leave plenty of time to travel.There is no indication as to how long these disruptions will last.
Phones Down
Our phonelines are currently down, during this time please email us with any enquiries. For Latin America please email: traveller@sunvil.co.uk. For Portugal,Madeira, Azores,Scandinavia, Italy and Sicily please email: discovery@sunvil.co.uk. For Greece and Cyprus please email: holidays@sunvil.co.uk. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Sunvil nominated in the British Travel Awards
Voting for the British Travel Awards has opened and Sunvil and some of its family members have been shortlisted for a number of categories - find out how to vote
UK Border Control Strikes
We have been advised that The Public and Commercial Services Union has called a one-day strike which will begin on the evening of Wednesday 29 June and end at midnight on Thursday 30 June. This will impact on the UK Border Agency. This could cause additional queuing at UK Border Control. Please take this into consideration when planning your onward journey from the airport.
The Greek Economic Crisis - Will it affect my holiday?
We have fielded a number of calls recently from clients nervous about how the current Greek economic woes will affect their holiday. The simple answer is that we doubt very much you will notice any change. A country in economic difficulties is not like a company or person in the same situation. Even in the worst-case scenario – which would mean Greece defaulting on its sovereign debt (the nation-state equivalent of bankruptcy) – life will carry on. The Greek people’s personal circumstances will doubtless be adversely affected with higher taxes and public sector cuts (sounds familiar!) but this should not impact visitors.
UK Trade Union Strike 30/06/11
We are aware of the situation and are monitoring its impact on the airports & immigration etc. We do not expect major disruption to services and will keep passengers & the website updated
