Kirker Holidays expands its Short Breaks selection for 2012

Dec. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Specialist tour operator for discerning travellers, Kirker Holidays, has launched the 2012 edition of its popular Short Breaks brochure, including a number of new destinations.

IN FRANCE: Kirker adds Burgundy, Brittany, Normandy and the West Coast:

• Wine lovers will relish the four-star superior Château de Gilly in Vougeot, the heart of Burgundy’s Grand Cru area, with its own gastronomic restaurant and brasserie. Three nights from £558 pp*.

• In Brittany, chose from Cancale, Dinard, the Côte de Granit Rose and the mild southern coast, or create a multi-centre self-drive itinerary that explores the entire region. Three nights at the three-star superior Le Lodge Kerisper, in the picturesque fishing port of La Trinité sur Mer, are from £598 pp*.

• The glamorous beach town of Deauville is one of several options in Normandy. Alternatively, head to the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur or wander the historic cobbled streets of Bayeux, where three nights at the four-star deluxe Villa Lara are from £648 pp*.

• Boasting some of France’s best beaches and a temperate climate, the West Coast is perfect for year-round short breaks. Stay close to the Spanish border in stylish Biarritz, enjoy traditional Basque hospitality in St Jean-de-Luz or relax on the spectacular Ile de Ré, where three nights at the luxury private Villa Clarisse townhouse are from £569 pp*.

IN BELGIUM: Small but beautifully formed, the city of Ghent is a joy to discover on foot. Eminently suitable for short breakers seeking cultural enrichment, Ghent’s impressive artistic credentials include ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Flemish Opera, one of Europe’s leading companies. Stay at the four-star deluxe canal-side Harmony hotel from £498 pp*.

IN PORTUGAL: Joining Lisbon, Madeira, Oporto and Evora in Kirker’s Portuguese programme next year is The Algarve. Superb for winter sun as well as spring and autumn breaks, Kirker’s chosen accommodation in the area includes the four-star Vila Monte, a privately-owned Relais & Châteaux property with impressive spa and golf facilities, where three nights are from £658 pp*.

IN TURKEY: Rich in history and abundant in sunshine, Turkey’s Lycian Coast offers a wonderful year-round climate and cultural opportunities galore:

• Sample delicious local seafood in Fethiye, where three nights at the four-star superior Ece Saray hotel are from £648 pp*, or explore the authentic and fascinating old town of Antalya, where three nights in the traditional Ottoman Tuvana inn are from £669 pp*.

• Head west to the Aegean Coast where some of Turkey’s most spectacular ancient sites await, including the Roman cities of Pergamum and Ephesus, as well as the modern city of Izmir and coastal resorts offering sunshine and warm seas as late as November. Three nights at Nisanyan, a boutique country inn close to Ephesus, are from £698 pp*.

• Also new for 2012 is Cappadocia, where Kirker clients have a choice of two unforgettable properties – the luxurious Cappadocia Cave Resort (four-star deluxe) and the four-star superior Anatolian Houses, offering 40 suites set amongst the iconic ‘fairy chimneys’. Price on request.

IN GREECE: Popular with Athens’ high society and just two and a half hours from the mainland, Spetses is dotted with pretty secluded beaches and virtually car free. Stay at the five-star Poseidonion Grand, a superbly-restored Belle Époque property with spectacular views. Three nights from £749 pp*.

IN CROATIA: Expanding its Croatia selection beyond Dubrovnik, Kirker has added a number of new destinations for next year that are equally delightful as short breaks or as part of a multi-centre itinerary:

• Centred around a beautiful harbour of white stone plazas and wonderful seafood restaurants, the island of Hvar offers vineyards, olive groves and unspoilt coastline in abundance. Kirker’s choice of accommodation includes the three-star Riva, awarded best boutique hotel in Croatia for the past three years (World Travel Awards). Price on request.

• Superb as a short break for anyone with an interest in history, architecture or food, the city of Split is spot-on for island hoppers looking to combine a few days on the mainland with visits to Brac, Vis and Hvar. Just a five-minute walk from Split’s old town, the privately-owned four-star superior Marmonte hotel offers personal service and views of St Duje’s Cathedral. Price on request.

• City break enthusiasts will enjoy a two-centre itinerary melding Budapest with the Croatian city of Zagreb, where cobbled streets, colourful markets and superb museums and galleries await. Stay at the five-star deluxe Hotel Regent Esplanade, an impressive Art Nouveau property with large summer terrace that becomes a picturesque ice rink in winter. Price on request.

• Standing on a promontory, Zadar is the historical centre of Dalmatia. Not to be missed are the 9th Century St. Donatus Church and the large Roman Forum, making this an interesting addition to any tailor-made Croatian itinerary.

IN THE UK:  Kirker has added The Royal Scotsman to its UK programme. Choose from an array of tempting rail itineraries that range from a two-night ‘Highland Journey’ to a seven-night ‘Grand North Western Journey’ that includes the Spean Bridge, Wemyss Bridge (for the Isle of Bute), Dunkfeld (for Glamis Castle) and much more. Also featured in Kirker’s Scottish selection for 2012 are the world-famous five-star deluxe Gleneagles Hotel (two nights from £296 pp*) and the five-star Cameron House on the shores of Loch Lomond, where two nights are from £156 pp*.

*Non-UK prices are based on two sharing and include accommodation with breakfast, return flights or Eurostar/rail travel, private hotel transfers and Kirker’s unique guide notes. Kirker’s Concierge service can also arrange extra touches to make a special trip even more memorable, including booking opera and ballet tickets for world-class performances, making restaurant reservations and organising private tours with an expert English-speaking guide. UK prices include accommodation with breakfast and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Also new for 2012, Kirker has added appealing extras to several of its classic city breaks. In Paris, a 48-hour Museum Pass grants clients access to over 60 sites including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and Château de Versailles, while visitors to Vienna now receive a Masterticket with guaranteed entrance to the Leopold Museum and the Kunsthistoriches Museum, both of which hold special exhibitions next year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Gustav Klimt’s birth. Italophiles will appreciate the inclusion of complimentary tickets to either the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel or the Villa Borghese whilst on a short break in Rome, or in Venice – where Kirker clients can now choose between a visit to either the Doge’s Palace, the Guggenheim or the Accademia Gallery.

Kirker’s latest Short Breaks brochure is also abundant in special offers, such as free nights and complimentary room upgrades. New offers are added all the time, and Kirker advises its clients to keep in touch with its expert sales team to check for the latest special arrangements.

To book a Kirker short break, call 020 7593 2283 or visit http://www.kirkerholidays.com.

Ends
14 December 2011

Press: Please contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.
At Kirker, contact Ted Wake on 020 7593 2281 or email ted.wake@kirkerholidays.com.

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