Holiday & Travel

As the Original Murder Mystery Weekend marks its 35 year anniversary in 2016, it has seen 126 complex plots and over 10,000 murders, as well as being credited with kick-starting the murder mystery phenomenon which is now enjoyed globally. Invented in 1981 by Joy Swift MBE, the original murder mystery weekend has satisfied more than 150,000 guests.

January 2016 kicks off a year-long celebration of the National Park Service and its centennial anniversary as natural areas, historic monuments and other sites across the U.S. prepare to celebrate the occasion, which officially takes place Aug. 25, 2016. In Arkansas, events and activities will occur all year to commemorate the centennial.

The Channel Islands Heritage Festival from 25 March to 10 May 2016 will celebrate a group of small islands with a big history, offering five weeks of family friendly events and activities across Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark. The 2016 edition will take a maritime focus, honouring the Islands' timeless relationship with their coastline and the seas, where children and adults alike can explore significant coastal sites, become immersed in centuries' old seafaring stories and experience naval traditions across the archipelago.

Turtle hatching remains an experience to be remembered in Seychelles - last week it was guests at the Constance Lemuria of Praslin who enjoyed this amazing experience. Constance Lemuria Seychelles has been working on strict conservation measures at the resort of Praslin and tourists recently were all treated to an experience that will be remembered as hundreds and hundreds of baby turtles made their way to the sea under the watchful eye of wardens.

Budapest Airport has announced that home-based carrier, Wizz Air, will be launching its 46^th destination from the Hungarian gateway this summer. Supporting the advancement of the capital city airport, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) has confirmed it will commence three routes during S16, adding another 880 weekly seats to the Budapest market. Enhancing existing links to the Northwest of the UK, Wizz Air will be starting a twice-weekly link to Liverpool from 23 March.

Condé Nast Traveler editors recently named two Red Carnation Hotel Collection properties among their absolute favorite 150 hotels in their prestigious “Gold List 2016.” This list sets the gold standard for international hotels, resorts and cruise lines – spanning six continents and 47 countries – and every included property must first be voted into the 2015 “Readers' Choice Awards.”

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birthday and the region's link to some of the country's best known authors, Linthwaite, a luxury country hotel in the Lake District, is launching a Creative Writing Break. The spectacular landscape of the Lake District has been a huge influence on some of England's best-known writers including Beatrix Potter, who lived most of her adult life there, writing many books including 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'.

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the San Francisco Travel Association with a Gold Adrian Award for the redesign of their website, www.sanfrancisco.travel,  in the 59th annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious global travel marketing competition. This year's contest was one of the most competitive in history, garnering more than 1,300 entries from around the world, with entries judged by distinguished executives from all sectors of the industry.

Over the course of 2016, Heathrow will be celebrating a number of key moments with colleagues, passengers and the local community to mark 70 years since Heathrow officially became a commercial airport. 31st May is the official date of Heathrow’s birthday – marking 70 years since the then newly named London Airport officially opened for civilian aviation.

The 27th Indian Ocean Swimming Festival kicked off on Reunion Island and ran until the end of the year, with the last competitions taking place on December 31.  The first day ended with the French Olympic duet synchronized swimming - eighth in the world championship in 2015 – at the synchronized swimming gala. In preparation for the Olympic Games, Margaux Christian Auge and Laura were accompanied in the pool by various clubs from the island, namely the Aquanautes, Western Sirens, West Swimming Meeting, and the Sainte-Marie Aquatic Club.

It is that time of year when we make our resolutions, most of which are about being better people.  Award winning luxury tour operator Hands Up Holidays is at hand to help you realise your resolutions to both be better, and do better in 2016. Hands Up Holidays has inspiring luxury travel ideas for families, couples and solo travellers to get 2016 off on the right footing, give back and help those less fortunate.

Tourists visiting Jerusalem in Israel this year are getting a treat for Christmas. The city’s Young Men’s Christian Association is decked out every year with lights and Christmas decorations, but this year, the YMCA has really outdone itself. A huge planted tree with colored lanterns stands out in front of the impressive building, located opposite the historical King David Hotel. Inside the halls of the YMCA a number of Christmas bazars have been opened, with sweets and decorations being sold by smiling people in silly festive hats.

At a recent press conference presided over by Guam Governor Mr. Eddie Baza Calvo, Dusit International CEO Mr Chanin Donavanik and Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager Mr. Jon Nathan Denight, the Dusit Thani Guam Resort officially opened its doors to a new wave of visitors to the island.  The launch of the Guam Convention Centre heralds a new era for tourism in Guam as the hotel works with stakeholders to promote the island as a first-class destination for both business and leisure travellers alike.