Wren Elite Travel

Weddings abroad - a credit crunch solution for a perfect marriage!

According to You & Your Wedding magazine, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is as much as £20,000 (though I thought it was more!), compared with as little as £6,500 to have your wedding abroad - meaning that as the credit crunch bites, getting married abroad provides the perfect solution for an affordable option - a delicious wedding in beautiful surroundings, at a fraction of the cost of in the UK.

And new research from Mintel says that an estimated 51,300 weddings of UK lovebirds now take place overseas weddings - a massive 43% increase since 2003, and amounting to one in six British couples. These couples are deciding instead on a wedding with sun, sea, sand )or even jungle!) and far less chance of rain, as well as getting far more value for money and their honeymoon included in the bundle!

From beach ceremonies in the Caribbean to 'snow weddings' in Lapland, or from saying 'I do' at the top of Cape Town's Table Mountain or to an underwater wedding in Bali, couples also have far more choice for something a little different on their special day. As the credit crunch bites and recession looms, this could be the perfect cost-saving measure for couples who are determined to have the wedding day that they have always dreamed of.

To discuss your wedding (or honeymoon) abroad, please call Wren EliteTravel on 0845 475 0342 or e-mail enquiries@wrenelitetravel.co.uk. Alternatively FILL IN OUR ON LINE ENQUIRY FORM BY CLICKING HERE!

Australia and the movie: see Wren Elite Travel's destination special

To be released on Boxing Day this year in the UK, Australia the movie presents a fabulous opportunity to not only watch a great epic romantic adventure, but also to find out more about this fascinating country, and the birthplace of Nicole Kidman who stars in the film.

So, thought I'd point you in the direction of the main Wren Elite Travel website, where I have compiled a destination special with the help of Tourism Australia. This special represents pages of information detailing many different aspects of Australia, such as the Outback experience, romantic Australia, the Aboriginal experience, Australian journeys, and adventurous Australia.

I hope you enjoy it!

Book for the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play now!

 
Don't wait another 10 years for the Passion Play - book now!

Occurring only once a decade, the Oberammergau Passion Play is due to be performed again during 2010, when thousands of people from all over the world will flock to see it staged in the small and picturesque village of Oberammergau in Germany, where it is still acted as part of a long-standing tradition. A sell-out and very special occasion, now is the time to reserve your place on a tour if you are hoping to be part of this epic depiction of Christ's final passion.

Since 1634, the inhabitants of the Bavarian village of Oberammergau have performed the seven-hour long Passion Play every 10 years, and it is an event which now attracts worldwide attention with overwhelming demand. For those who wishing to experience it, there are a number of excellent tour operators such as Dertour, Page & Moy, Leger and Trafalgar which can cater for you, and will be your best chance to get a ticket.

Absolutely unbeatable Valentine's in New York deal for Feb 2009!

If you're looking to give your partner a spectacular time next Valentine's, you could do much worse than book this incredible New York City 3-night deal, which includes a wealth of fabulous treats such as a Big Apple helicopter ride and a private airport transfer to the hotel in a stretch limo!

And that's not forgetting tickets to see a hugely acclaimed Broadway musical such as Mamma Mia, a shopping expedition to an outlet mall with transport and discount vouchers included, a City Bus tour with a visit to the Statue of Liberty, and a romantic New York dinner cruise for two on World Yacht!

Astoundingly, this 3 night break to New York over Valentine's weekend, to include all of the above plus flights and room-only accommodation in a 3* star hotel can be had for a mere £899 per person!

You can find all the details on the Wren Elite Travel website, and I've also included them below for ease!

Bales Worldwide add the destinations of Madagascar and Rwanda to their holidays

Bales Worldwide are branching out and adding even more to their African portfolio for 2009! Now, you can book holidays to the lost continent of Madagascar or get to see the gorillas of Rwanda with everyone's favourite trusty and dependable tour operator.

In Madagascar, you can choose from the Dancing Lemurs & Turquoise Seas trip, or the Land of the Lemur tour. In Rwanda, the Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas trek acts as a perfect extension to an Kenyan holiday. Read more about these holidays below, and find full details on Wren Elite Travel.

Sandals 25% discount offer ends today!

Last chance to get 25% off Sandals Resorts for holidays up to 26th Dec 2008!

If you were thinking of a last minute November or December holiday with Sandals in the Caribbean, today is your last chance to receive 25% off the cost for selected resorts!

'Luxury Included®' Sandals Resorts are a fabulous luxury experience, and well worth every penny you pay to be totally spoilt and get so much in the price of your holiday - from windsurfing tuition to champagne breakfasts, the price you pay is exactly that.

Find out more about the 25% offer and then to book or check availability on 'Luxury Included®' Sandals Resorts, please call Wren EliteTravel on 0845 475 0342 or e-mail enquiries@wrenelitetravel.co.uk. Alternatively FILL IN OUR ON LINE ENQUIRY FORM BY CLICKING HERE!

(You must travel before the 26th December 2008!).

Top tips on managing your money for travel

If you're a seasoned traveller, you have probably pretty much got it sussed when it comes to down to 'what's what' with your travel money, such as how to stay safe with it and protect against fraud.

But, I think everyone can learn something new, so here are a few 'top tips on managing your travel money' (some slightly adapted from the Foreign Office website) which could help you when you next go on holiday or even travel for business:

Abu Dhabi tourism event in Manchester - the henna was good!

I was at an Abu Dhabi tourism event in Manchester a couple of weeks ago, held at The Lowry Hotel (where I have stayed a couple of times and highly recommend!). I was hoping to significantly learn a lot more about the United Arab Emirates capital, which often falls under the shadow of Dubai. However, to be perfectly honest, I did not come away with that much additional information.

Some of the tourism events that travel agents can attend are excellent, with a wealth of information and learning to be had on the destination or the offerings within it, but this was not one of them, sadly.

Updated page on Wren Elite Travel main website for travel features

I've have just updated the Features & Community page on the main website. There is still a lot of development work to take place here, but I thought you might be interested in reading a small selection of travel features that I've written in the past in my work as a journalist, while I get that page together.

I'll add more - though it's hard to remember where they all are! - and will be writing fresh articles specifically designed for the website, as soon as I have some time placed aside for that. Hope you enjoy them!

Travel blogs worth their salt (according to The Telegraph)

At the weekend, The Telegraph featured an article called The World's Best Travel Blogs, and listed 25 blogs (that is 'web logs', or a type of on-line journal like this, for those who don't know) in a number of categories that were viewed by the author as worth checking out by the traveller, as a source of information or reviews or whatever else.

It was encouraging to see that a blog I write for (other than my own, of course!), A Luxury Travel Blog, made the grade in Best for Luxury, as well as Darren Cronian's much-acclaimed consumer-focused site Travel-Rants in Best for Practical Advice.

Epicurious came out as Best for Foodies, although I think there are a number of food and dining related blogs that are as equally excellent out there - and as valuable a resource that Trip Advisor is, it's not a blog, yet is featured in the article.