Travel Explorer Magazine Issue 3
RB Collection's luxury travel & lifestyle magazine returns for it's 3rd issue for Autumn/Winter 2017. Written 'in-house' by RB Collection's award-winning travel experts; this issue includes interviews with Gladstone Small, RB's MD Alan plus reports from Sicily, Sweden and news from Latin America, the Caribbean & the Canary Islands.
RB Collection's luxury travel & lifestyle magazine returns for it's 3rd issue for Autumn/Winter 2017. Written 'in-house' by RB Collection's award-winning travel experts; this issue includes interviews with Gladstone Small, RB's MD Alan plus reports from Sicily, Sweden and news from Latin America, the Caribbean & the Canary Islands.
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TRAVEL EXPLORER<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 03| Autumn / Winter 2017
Photo: Husky Dogs at the ICEHOTEL, Sweden. Taken by Mr Jackson, February 2017.<br />
EDITORS<br />
Oliver & Nathan<br />
Directors, RB Collection<br />
Many thanks to everyone who took part in our magazine survey earlier this year, it was fantastic<br />
to hear you have enjoyed our first two issues. You requested more articles from our team of<br />
travel experts, so we are pleased to tell you this issue includes even more personal reports<br />
from our latest travel adventures. We hope you enjoy the result! There’s also the chance to<br />
win a luxurious journey onboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham in Peru, see page 45 for details.<br />
We look forward to creating your next holiday memories.<br />
CREDITS<br />
Andrew Youngson<br />
From north-east Scotland, Andrew worked as a<br />
features writer for the Press and Journal and is<br />
now based in London working for Imperial College<br />
London.<br />
Kirsty Taylor<br />
Last year, Kirsty celebrated her 15th anniversary<br />
with the company. Who else could be in a better<br />
position to oversee quality control of our projects.<br />
Robbie Sinclair<br />
Fashion Editor for WGSN (the world’s largest fashion<br />
forecaster), Robbie helps keep our magazine<br />
looking smart and on trend.<br />
Special thanks:<br />
Arthur Price & Co Ltd, Belmond, Classic Collection<br />
Holidays, David Wickers, Gladstone Small, Great<br />
Rail Journeys, ITC Luxury <strong>Travel</strong>, Kirker Holidays,<br />
Oceania, Philip Bland, Prestige Holidays, Regent<br />
Seven Seas Cruises, Safari Consultants, Silversea,<br />
Sunvil & Viking Cruises.<br />
Published by:<br />
RB Collection<br />
2 Boley Park Centre<br />
Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9XU<br />
01543 258631<br />
vip@rbcollection.com<br />
www.rbcollection.com<br />
www.icehotels.co.uk<br />
www.jordanholidays.co.uk<br />
www.sportseventstravel.co.uk<br />
Facebook/rbcollectionuk<br />
Instagram: @rb_collectionpix<br />
Twitter: @rb_collection<br />
Front cover photo: Northern Lights over Norway,<br />
courtesy of Hurtigruten, see page 18.<br />
RB Collection Ltd has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information<br />
contained in this magazine is accurate on the stated date of<br />
publication or last modification. It is possible that the information may<br />
be out of date, incomplete or the opinion of the author. It is advisable<br />
that you verify any information from this magazine before relying on it.<br />
RB Collection Ltd accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error<br />
or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information and<br />
material contained in this magazine or any site you may access through<br />
this magazine. Materials contained on this magazine are subject to copyright<br />
and other proprietary rights.<br />
Copyright © 2017 RB Collection Ltd.
5 16<br />
24 30 38<br />
Photo: Asaf Kliger<br />
CONTENTS<br />
5<br />
10<br />
16<br />
22<br />
OUR TRAVELS<br />
Hear about our award-winning<br />
teams’ latest travels and future<br />
planned trips.<br />
TRAVEL STYLE<br />
An update on this season’s travel<br />
trends and some handy gadgets &<br />
gizmos for good measure.<br />
SPORTS<br />
We re-launch our sports brand<br />
with an exciting collection of<br />
upcoming events.<br />
SICILY<br />
Kirsty reports on her visit to the<br />
Italian island for the first time with<br />
her daughter.<br />
24<br />
30<br />
38<br />
45<br />
ICEHOTEL<br />
Read how you can now sleep<br />
year-round at Sweden’s worldfamous<br />
hotel and the new options<br />
available to you.<br />
LIFE IN TRAVEL<br />
A trip down memory lane with<br />
our MD, Alan, as we celebrate our<br />
most successful year to date.<br />
GLADSTONE<br />
Andrew Youngson interviews<br />
Gladstone Small about his own<br />
travels as he looks ahead to hosting<br />
a special trip to the Ashes.<br />
WIN<br />
A once in a lifetime opportunity<br />
to win a trip on the luxurious<br />
Belmond Hiram Bingham train.
Imperial Jewels of China<br />
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journey like no other at a price you can’t afford to miss.<br />
Imperial Jewels of China<br />
15 Days, 11 Guided Tours<br />
Departing March - November 2018<br />
Shanghai, Wuhan, Jingzhou, Wu Gorge,<br />
Shibaozhai, Chongqing, Xian, Beijing<br />
What’s included:<br />
• Return scheduled flights from the UK, fly from a choice<br />
of up to 14 regional airports at no extra cost<br />
• 7 days on board in a stateroom with a veranda<br />
• 2 nights in Shanghai, 2 nights in Xian, 3 nights in Beijing<br />
• 11 guided tours, including 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites<br />
• Included meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners<br />
featuring regional specialities<br />
• Specially selected house wine, beer and soft drinks<br />
with lunch and dinner on board<br />
• Free tea and coffee any time on board<br />
• All port charges, government taxes and overseas transfers<br />
• No surcharges guaranteed once your deposit is paid<br />
Offer ends 31 October 2017<br />
To book call RB Collection on 01543 258631<br />
*Price based on E cat cabin 1 April 2018 departure. Prices and availability are correct at the time of<br />
going to print but are subject to change. From prices are per person based on two people sharing the<br />
lowest available stateroom grade on selected 2018 departure dates. From prices shown include early<br />
booking discount. Prices are valid until 31st October 2017. Single supplements apply. Offers can be<br />
withdrawn at any time. For ful terms and conditions visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.
OUR TRAVELS<br />
Our recent and future travels; ensuring we bring you the best knowledge and advice when booking with us.<br />
Nathan visited Croatia for the first time with his wife and little<br />
Harry, staying at the 5* Sun Gardens Resort, a 20-minute<br />
drive or 40-minute scenic boat trip from Dubrovnik’s historic<br />
old town. Set in the picturesque quiet village of Orasac<br />
on the Dalmatian Coast, this modern resort is a great alternative<br />
to some of the more built up Mediterranean resorts.<br />
The scenery here is simply stunning and the standards very<br />
high, with a good range of accommodations including larger<br />
residences for families. The hotel has great child facilities<br />
without being over the top and the area lends itself very well<br />
to day trips, including a boat trip around the Elaphiti Islands.<br />
Game of Thrones fans may be interested to know there are<br />
now specific tours of the area showcasing filming locations.<br />
Kirsty (pictured below) inspected three 5* luxury resorts in<br />
Crete; Elounda Peninsula, Elounda Mare and Porto Elounda.<br />
Each were very different but all offer extensive facilities for a<br />
summer or autumn holiday. One of the interesting features<br />
was a dine-around service between the three resorts which<br />
widened the choice of restaurants to eight in total. Kirsty’s<br />
favourite room was the two-bedroom suite with private pool<br />
at the Porto Elounda, very exclusive indeed and perfect for a<br />
special romantic holiday.<br />
Nathan also visited Portugal where he toured the newly<br />
opened Anantara Vilamoura Resort, another great option for<br />
a luxury family holiday. Located near Vilamoura, the resort<br />
also features an 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary<br />
Arnold Palmer.<br />
Nicola re-lived her childhood love for the Sound of Music as<br />
she visited Austria, experiencing the Alps in all their springtime<br />
glory. Railways, electric bikes, stunning lakes and panoramic<br />
mountain top views were on the agenda. Based in St<br />
Wolfgang, Nicola inspected a number of hotels we work with<br />
Nuria returned to her homeland, this time taking a quick<br />
tour of Majorca as she inspected a range of hotels offering<br />
wellness and spa facilities. The highlight was Hotel Cap Rocat,<br />
a former military fortress in the southwest of Majorca in<br />
Cala Blava, just ten minutes along the coast from Palma. This<br />
stunning luxury hotel is truly magnificent. It offers wonderful<br />
views and a real away-from-the-crowd experience in<br />
pure exclusivity on the island.<br />
Oliver took a driving tour of California in the spring and<br />
visited San Diego for the first time. The drive from Los Angeles<br />
down the coast was a highlight of the trip, calling in<br />
at Laguna, Newport and Huntington Beaches. Oliver enjoyed<br />
sampling the vibrant food scene in San Diego and explored<br />
the city’s Gass Lamp district where he stayed.<br />
and sampled the local cuisine. Do let Nicola know if you are<br />
interested in visiting this beautiful part of Europe.<br />
Sam sampled both Economy and Business Class on-board<br />
Qatar Airways’ new 787-Dreamliner on a trip to Doha. This<br />
new stop-over destination offers onward connections to<br />
Australasia, Africa and Asia, bringing more exciting destinations<br />
closer from regional airports such as Birmingham and<br />
Manchester.<br />
We have a few more inspection trips coming up before the<br />
end of the year to continue expanding our services to you.<br />
Sam will take part in a cultural tour of Sri Lanka whilst Kirsty<br />
will visit Vienna for the first time to inspect a few hotels as<br />
well as experience the city’s famous galleries and museums.<br />
Oliver will travel around Myanmar/Burma and Clare is flying<br />
to Tenerife. All our travels have you in mind as we collect<br />
local hints and tips to ensure we can make the perfect arrangements<br />
and create the best possible holiday memories.<br />
Photos: Left: Austrian Alps by Nicola. Above: Kirsty in Elounda, Crete.<br />
5 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER<br />
We are very excited to reveal this wonderful image as the winner of our 2016 <strong>Travel</strong> Photograph of the<br />
Year Award. We invited all of our clients to vote for their favourite and the winner was unanimous. Thanks<br />
to everyone who voted and many congratulations to Helen Merrill, our winner. We asked Helen to tell us<br />
a little more about the photograph...<br />
‘The photo was taken on the top of the Aiguille de Midi, I was really lucky to get the photo as the weather<br />
was quite cloudy on the tops and suddenly the clouds cleared for a short time, during which I managed<br />
to get this shot leaning out (safely) over a barrier! It was a stunning view and was fantastic to see the<br />
climbers walking on the precarious slopes. Not long after the clouds and mist came back in and the view<br />
was gone! The trip up the Aiguille du Midi was definitely a highlight of the trip. The holiday was amazing,<br />
we walked every day, breath taking scenery, fantastic hotel and my 12-year-old son has just had to do a<br />
geography project on his favourite place in the world and he chose Chamonix because of the fantastic<br />
holiday we had there! So definitely a memorable week, and would love to go back.’<br />
Congratulations again to Helen, who is the recipient of a £250 RB Holiday Voucher for the winning photo.<br />
Send in your entries for our 2017 competition to vip@rbcollection.com.<br />
6 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
7 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
2017 PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION<br />
Here’s a small selecti0n of some of the entries received so far this year in our photo competition plus a couple of snaps<br />
from the RB team on their worldwide travels...<br />
Above photograph by: Alan’s eldest son James during his trip to Chengdu, China in March ‘17. Of course family are excluded from<br />
winning but we wanted to share the wonderful shot with you.<br />
Right-hand page: From top left: Gorilla in Uganda (Mrs Clark, June ‘17), Sam with his new friend in Doha, Qatar (May ‘17), Nicola in<br />
the Austrian Alps ( June ‘17) & aerial acrobats rehearsing in Abu Dhabi (Mr Tandy, Feb 17).<br />
8 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
HOW TO ENTER<br />
Enter your favourite holiday snaps for the chance to win a £250 RB Holiday Voucher! We accept two photographs from<br />
each trip you book with us during the year. Simply email them to your travel consultant or vip@rbcollection.com before<br />
31st December 2017. You can view the entries so far at Facebook.com/rbcollectionuk - good luck!<br />
9 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
TRAVEL STYLE<br />
Fashion writer and designer Robbie Sinclair highlights the key travel essentials for this season...<br />
“Must have, easy use tech items help enhance your holiday experience with IPhone lens add-ons and constellation<br />
apps. Textured beach cover-up dresses work wonders in white and look perfect with statement sandals. Sunset pink<br />
is one of the latest men’s shirt trends and can be worn with chinos and shorts. Stay fresh on board with rich face oils<br />
that keep aeroplane dry skin at bay!”<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
10 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
1. IPhone Core Lens Set, £99.99, Olloclip<br />
2. Beach cover up, £540, Ermanno Scervino<br />
3. Portable Bluetooth speaker, £200, B&O Play<br />
4. Suede sandals, £19.99, Zara<br />
5. ‘The Couple Next Door’ by Shari Lapina, £7.99<br />
6. Lightweight [in-flight] facial oil, £38, Kiehl’s<br />
7. Pattern shirt, £395, Issey Miyake Men<br />
8. Jacquard pattern bath towel, £14.99, H&M<br />
9. Linen scarf, £35, & Other Stories<br />
10. Zip currency case, £195, Smythson<br />
11. Pocket collection cologne, £145, Comme Des Garcons<br />
12. Night Sky, Free, iCandi Apps / App Store<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9 10<br />
11<br />
12<br />
11 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS<br />
Written by Nicola<br />
From new exhibitions to Christmas markets, operas to music themed<br />
cruises; there are so many options available to you. Our team has curated<br />
their favourites and we hope you find them of interest.<br />
MUSIC & OPERA EVENTS TO PRE-BOOK<br />
Let us get you organised for some of the more popular events. Here are our<br />
travel experts top suggestions...<br />
MUSIC THEMED CRUISE<br />
ANDREA BOCELLI, TUSCANY 2018<br />
NEW YORK OPERA SPECIAL<br />
This 15-night cruise from Liverpool onboard<br />
Black Watch features the Sacconi<br />
Quartet as well as guitar and piano private<br />
group recitals. During midsummer<br />
days you can cruise up the spectacular<br />
Norwegian coast, past the Seven Sisters’<br />
Mountain range and the North Cape as far<br />
as the Arctic outpost of Spitsbergen.<br />
From £3,125pp, departing 27th June 2018.<br />
12 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER<br />
For a number of years we have been<br />
promoting packages to see Andrea Bocelli<br />
perform in his hometown of Lajatico<br />
in Tuscany, Italy. Each year the event<br />
sells out and we highly recommend preregistering<br />
and booking early. Packages<br />
range from escorted group tours,<br />
short breaks and self-drive trips. Visit<br />
rbcollection.com/andreabocelli for details.<br />
This three night break to New York<br />
includes sought after tickets for Mozart’s<br />
Le Nozze di Figaro at the legendary Met<br />
starring Ailyn Perez. Enjoy world-class art<br />
and museums; from MOMA and the Frick<br />
Collection to Renzo Piano’s new Whitney<br />
Museum of American Art.<br />
From £1,549 per person including flights,<br />
private transfers, 4* hotel & opera tickets.
SHORT BREAK TOP TIPS<br />
VIENNA<br />
Vienna is always at the top of the ‘mustvisit’<br />
list for discerning travellers. The<br />
city has an unrivalled collection of worldclass<br />
cultural attractions; opera and<br />
ballet almost every night at the famous<br />
State Opera, concerts at the historic<br />
Musikverein, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, the<br />
Spanish Riding School, and an array of<br />
excellent museums and galleries. From<br />
17th October the Kunsthistorisches<br />
Museum, the jewel in Vienna’s crown,<br />
hosts a major new Rubens exhibition,<br />
making this the perfect time to visit.<br />
Entrance tickets can be arranged for RB<br />
clients through our R.Bespoke Concierge<br />
service. The service can also take care of<br />
your restaurant reservations, guided tours<br />
and special hotel requests. Kirsty will be<br />
visiting Vienna this year so do enquire for<br />
first-hand knowledge and advice.<br />
THE HAGUE<br />
The spotlight has been on Amsterdam<br />
for the last few years, as the major<br />
refurbishments of the city’s museums<br />
continue to attract visitors. Recently<br />
however, the charming and genteel city<br />
of The Hague has become the preferred<br />
choice of many discerning travellers<br />
who want world-class art and excellent<br />
restaurants but fewer crowds. The<br />
Mauritshuis is a ‘must-see’ treasure trove<br />
of Dutch Masters including Vermeer<br />
paintings, some of which never leave the<br />
gallery. Entrance tickets can be arranged<br />
via our concierge service. Meanwhile, the<br />
nearby Gemeente Museum is marking<br />
the centenary of the birth of the De Stijl<br />
movement with a new exhibition devoted<br />
to Mondrian (until 24 September).<br />
LUCCA<br />
One of Tuscany’s most beautifully<br />
preserved hill towns, Lucca, remains<br />
largely undiscovered by tourists. Its<br />
medieval walls conceal elegant churches,<br />
renaissance architecture and one of the<br />
most charming small hotels in Italy. No.15<br />
Santori opened this spring in a former<br />
aristocratic residence dating from the 15th<br />
century. Many original features have been<br />
preserved in the renovation resulting in a<br />
delightful hotel with the atmosphere of an<br />
elegant private home. For those looking to<br />
discover a new Italian city, a few days in<br />
Lucca is the perfect autumn short break.<br />
Enjoy a Puccini concert in the composer’s<br />
home town, authentic Tuscan cooking<br />
lessons, or day trips to nearby Pisa, Siena<br />
and San Gimignano.<br />
CHRISTMAS CULTURAL TOURS<br />
For those who relish the opportunity<br />
to escape over the festive season, a<br />
Christmas holiday can be the perfect<br />
solution, and we have access to a range of<br />
expert-led cultural tours departing over<br />
Christmas this year. Destinations include<br />
Venice and Rome, where you can enjoy<br />
the great art and architecture in relative<br />
tranquillity. We also recommend Vienna<br />
and Dresden, where traditional Christmas<br />
Markets combine with world-class opera<br />
and ballet performances. Also, the Black<br />
Forest spa town of Baden-Baden, where<br />
you can stay at the palatial Brenners<br />
Park Hotel & Spa (5* Deluxe), and attend<br />
performances by the visiting Mariinsky<br />
Ballet.<br />
TWO-CENTRE SHORT BREAKS<br />
Why not combine two destinations in one<br />
short break to maximise your time away?<br />
A number of popular destinations can be<br />
combined, using rail travel for between<br />
cities. Popular options in Italy for example<br />
include Venice & Verona, and Rome &<br />
Florence.<br />
FREE VIP LOUNGE ACCESS<br />
Mention this magazine when you make a<br />
new 2017 booking to any of the hotels or<br />
destinations in this issue before 30/11/17 to<br />
receive complimentary VIP lounge access<br />
at your departure airport where available,<br />
conditions apply. Visit rbcollection.com/<br />
travelexplorer for more details.<br />
13 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
INTO THE WILD<br />
Written by Nathan<br />
As Nathan, Oliver and Alan have all discovered; a safari holiday is<br />
like no other. Whether a first-timer or seasoned safari-goer, we are<br />
here to recommend the most suitable experience for you.<br />
NEWS FROM THE SAFARI WORLD<br />
New openings, a new flight and a new safari experience...<br />
EXCITING NEW OPENINGS<br />
Due to be finished later this year are two<br />
exciting new properties from Asilia, a<br />
brand well known in East Africa. They<br />
are offering a new level of comfort in the<br />
Selous Game Reserve with Roho ya Selous<br />
and Ruaha National Park with Jabali<br />
Ridge. Our colleagues are due to visit<br />
them just after opening so do contact us if<br />
you would like to learn more.<br />
NEW ZANZIBAR FLIGHT<br />
Relaxing by the beach at the end of a<br />
thrilling safari adventure can be just the<br />
tonic. Safarilink have started a new flight<br />
from Wilson to Zanzibar (four days a week)<br />
to help make this twin-centre holiday<br />
combination that little bit easier. Fly<br />
from the Masai Mara to Zanzibar in just<br />
one day, avoiding the previously required<br />
overnight in Nairobi or Stone Town.<br />
TRACK BLACK RHINOS...ON FOOT!<br />
For the really adventurous, how about<br />
tracking Black Rhino on foot! This<br />
amazing experience is available in East<br />
Africa and is most definitely one for the<br />
avid safari goer. Offered by Saruni Rhino<br />
in Kenya, which opened in February. You<br />
can stay in one of two elegant ‘bandas’<br />
(open stone cottages), the perfect base for<br />
the ultimate thrill of a lifetime.<br />
14 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
MANAGING A BUSH CAMP<br />
Darren & Emma Geary from Kicheche<br />
Bush Camp give us a little insight into<br />
managing a safari holiday experience.<br />
What inspired you to get into the world of<br />
safari holidays?<br />
We originally moved to the Kenyan coast<br />
for beach life but on our days off from our<br />
restaurant, when the rest of our friends<br />
headed to the beach, Darren and I would<br />
pack up our not-so-trusty Land Rover<br />
and head west to the Shimba Hills or<br />
Tsavo National Parks, feeling much more<br />
at home amongst the thorn bushes than<br />
the palm trees. To save on fuel and car<br />
repairs, we decided to apply for work in<br />
the bush. Kicheche Camps took a chance<br />
on hiring us, something for which we’re<br />
grateful on a daily basis and several years<br />
later we’re still here.<br />
What role does food play in your safari<br />
experience?<br />
Our head chef, Charles Munyao, says the<br />
kitchen is the ‘engine of the camp’ and I<br />
couldn’t put it better myself. Shouting out<br />
“LION!” every time they see a beige rock<br />
can be tiring for guests so it’s essential<br />
that their energy is replenished. A<br />
common comment that I hear from our<br />
guests is that it’s so lovely to eat outside<br />
and I agree. Munching on a sundried<br />
tomato and chickpea frittata in the shade<br />
of a tree, exchanging stories with your<br />
guide whilst nearby zebra and elephants<br />
all munch on their grassy breakfast is one<br />
of the simple delights of life.<br />
How do you create the perfect dining<br />
experience on safari?<br />
We enjoy hearing about our guests day over<br />
mealtimes and hope to augment that with<br />
delicious, fresh food and good company.<br />
If the local lions, the Moniko pride, are<br />
being cooperative we arrange for them<br />
to roar at 8pm precisely as everyone sits<br />
down for dinner, it creates afrisson of<br />
danger around the table. We work hard to<br />
provide a range of international cuisine<br />
with an African twist.<br />
What is the biggest challenge providing<br />
such cuisine in a remote location?<br />
There are the obvious logistic challenges<br />
in getting our supplies to camp; we’re<br />
300km from the nearest supermarket.<br />
However, we have a small vegetable<br />
garden in camp which provides some<br />
of our leafy salads, we share this with a<br />
porcupine couple who meet for romantic<br />
liaisons behind the watering can. We<br />
know this thanks to a borrowed motiondetector<br />
camera which we set up to find<br />
out what was digging up the beetroot,<br />
although we were all a little ashamed of<br />
our gross invasion of privacy when we<br />
realised what we’d filmed! Specific dietary<br />
requirements seem to be increasingly<br />
common but present no problems to our<br />
skilled chefs, provided we have advance<br />
notice to enable us to get some of the<br />
more exotic items.<br />
What is your most memorable safari<br />
experience?<br />
After Darren and I had been managing<br />
the camp for a couple of weeks we took<br />
ourselves on a well-deserved (in our<br />
minds) game drive to explore the 30,000<br />
acre Olare Motorogi conservancy for the<br />
very first time. After twenty minutes or<br />
so we were thrilled to come across a male<br />
cheetah who had just killed a wildebeest<br />
by a river. Glad of the chance to prove<br />
to our guides that we too knew a thing<br />
or two about game spotting, Darren got<br />
on the VHF radio to announce the good<br />
news to an impressed audience of guides<br />
and guests alike. The proud moment was<br />
ruined when one of the guides, Patrick<br />
Koriata, asked where were we exactly?<br />
After a twenty-minute explanation in<br />
English and shame-ravaged Swahili, we<br />
were very glad to see Patrick’s green Land<br />
Cruiser appear over the brow of the hill,<br />
entirely due to his skill in interpreting<br />
our desperate descriptions of green trees,<br />
watery rivers and a beige rock that we<br />
originally thought was a lion.<br />
Speak to Nathan who has visited Kicheche<br />
himself on 01543 258631.
OUR SPORTS BRAND IS BACK<br />
Written by Alan<br />
Sport events have always been of interest to me and I am pleased<br />
the team have agreed to bring back our sports brand. Here’s a quick<br />
sample of what we can offer. Read more online via our specialist<br />
website SportsEvents<strong>Travel</strong>.co.uk.<br />
Sports Events <strong>Travel</strong><br />
ABU DHABI F1 GRAND PRIX<br />
The final Formula One Grand Prix of the<br />
season is sure to be a thrilling one. It<br />
takes place in the evening on the ultramodern<br />
Yas Island circuit and is a great<br />
opportunity for some winter-sunshine<br />
if members of the family would prefer to<br />
avoid the motor-racing.<br />
4 nights from £1,449 per person<br />
Including flights, hotel & circuit transfers,<br />
5* hotel & F1 GP Grandstand ticket.<br />
THE ASHES SERIES<br />
At the time of going to print we were<br />
still able to offer packages down under<br />
to witness England take on Australia<br />
in what is for many the highlight of the<br />
cricket calendar. Choose from a range of<br />
packages, some featuring Gladstone Small<br />
as your host (read more on page 38).<br />
Packages from £2,249pp up to £13,785pp<br />
depending which option you choose. Visit<br />
sportseventstravel.co.uk for details.<br />
US MASTERS<br />
Enjoy the exciting and historic US Masters<br />
in true style. We offer bespoke trips with<br />
a selection of hotels both in and around<br />
Augusta, along with hospitality and<br />
guaranteed match tickets. We can also<br />
integrate the event into a longer holiday if<br />
you would like to explore this, or another<br />
area of the USA as part of your holiday. Ask<br />
for details.<br />
16 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
OUR SPORTS SERVICE<br />
We first launched our Sports Events<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> brand over 10 years ago and it<br />
was a great success. We arranged many<br />
trips to F1 Grand Prix events all over the<br />
world as well as trips to the Cricket in the<br />
Caribbean, Rugby Sevens and European<br />
football. We are excited to bring it back<br />
and look forward to once again creating<br />
the perfect sporting event trip for you.<br />
PASSION<br />
As an organisation, we have huge passion<br />
for sports. I have been racing cars since<br />
I was 17 years old and many Monday<br />
mornings are spent reporting to the team<br />
about my escapades at the weekend. As a<br />
family business, we embrace each other’s<br />
passions and are excited to once again<br />
be arranging these trips. Not all of the<br />
RB team know their wicket from their<br />
hairpin, so we have dedicated experts to<br />
handle different enquires in order to help<br />
create the perfect trip for you.<br />
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS<br />
We have continued to build all-important<br />
contacts with sports events specialists<br />
around the world to ensure you have the<br />
best possible experience. From ticket<br />
suppliers, to hospitality venues, hoteliers<br />
and airlines. We pride ourselves on<br />
offering the best service to you and are<br />
confident this will help enhance your trip<br />
to it’s fullist potential.<br />
FLEXIBILITY<br />
Whilst certain elements of packages we<br />
promote may be set, most of them are<br />
fully flexible in terms of when you fly,<br />
where you stay and how long you are away<br />
for. We appreciate the increase in busy<br />
lifestyles nowadays and will adapt our<br />
service to suit you wherever possible.<br />
COMBINE A HOLIDAY<br />
Time is precious, so why not combine a<br />
sports event with a holiday. For example,<br />
this works very well for the Cricket in<br />
the Caribbean or the Ashes in Australia.<br />
However, there are also less obvious<br />
options, such as the Spanish F1 Grand Prix<br />
where you could enjoy some pre-or postevent<br />
time in Barcelona, or further up the<br />
coast in the beautiful town of Begur on the<br />
Costa Brava. With our unique flexibility,<br />
knowledge and expertise plus access to<br />
our portfolio of leisure holidays built up<br />
over the last 32 years; we are in a strong<br />
position to maximise your time away.<br />
OUR TOP TIPS<br />
1. Book early: For more popular events<br />
like the F1 Grand Prix there will rarely<br />
be a last-minute deal. Don’t end up<br />
compromising and confirm your space<br />
and grandstand ticket early.<br />
2. Be flexible: If you haven’t booked well<br />
in advance, having a little flexibility on<br />
your departure date or airport can really<br />
help ensure you get value for money and a<br />
great experience.<br />
3. Create a priority list: What’s more<br />
important; location, or the facilities in the<br />
hotel? Prioritise your requirements, often<br />
a little compromise may be necessary<br />
when cities start to get booked up.<br />
4. Will you go back? Will this be a once<br />
in a lifetime opportunity for you? If so, is<br />
it worth investing a little extra in the trip<br />
to get that perfect grandstand seat, or to<br />
enjoy the destination a little longer?<br />
For examples of what we can offer visit<br />
sportseventstravel.co.uk or call us on 01543<br />
258631 to discuss your plans further.<br />
17 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
ANCHORS AWAY<br />
Written by Clare<br />
River and ocean cruise lines continue to innovate with new ships,<br />
itineraries and on-board experiences. Clare takes a look at some of<br />
the latest developments on offer to you.<br />
SILVER CLOUD: EXPEDITION<br />
Silversea are refitting Silver Cloud, which<br />
is due to be re-launched in November<br />
2017, claiming it will be the ‘most<br />
luxurious expedition ship’. The hull will<br />
be strengthened for navigating Polar<br />
waters and the ship will take part in 29<br />
voyages, including 11 in Antarctica, 8 in<br />
the Arctic as well as sailings through the<br />
Panama Canal. She will spend Christmas<br />
in the Falkland Islands and offers culinary<br />
itineraries in Europe & South America.<br />
REGENT: BOOK UP TO 2020!<br />
Regent Seven Seas Cruises reveal their<br />
newest and most luxurious Cruise Atlas,<br />
detailing voyages from January 2018<br />
to April 2020. Featuring over 110 new<br />
itineraries and 16 new stunning ports of<br />
call, including Australian Islands, Iceland<br />
and the Norwegian Fjords. We have visited<br />
some of the Regent ships so do ask<br />
for further details including our tips on<br />
which is the most suitable ship for you.<br />
NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISES<br />
Hurtigruten are offering a select number<br />
of fly-cruises from local airports around<br />
the UK including Birmingham, to see the<br />
Northern Lights this winter. They also offer<br />
a ‘Northern Lights Promise’ whereby if<br />
you don’t see them they will offer a complimentary<br />
voyage to return! 12 day cruises<br />
including flights from local airports, full<br />
board and transfers from £1,193pp (outside<br />
cabins from an additional £100pp).<br />
18 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
CRUISE NEWS<br />
OCEAN CRUISING<br />
Crystal Cruises are refurbishing both<br />
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity<br />
with new penthouses and penthouse<br />
suites, updated dining options and reimagined<br />
public spaces. Technology<br />
will play a key role in the project too<br />
with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout<br />
the ships and a new guest portal called<br />
‘CrystalConnect’. Crystal are also offering<br />
a Christmas departure on 22nd December<br />
for 16 nights from Cape Town visiting<br />
Maputo, Richards Bay, Durban, East<br />
London, Port Elizabeth, Walvis Bay and<br />
Luderitz. ‘Big Five’ safaris are offered in<br />
South Africa and Mozambique. Seabourn<br />
have booked some very special guest<br />
speakers including Grant Harrol, ‘The<br />
Royal Butler’ and Jeffrey Archer who will<br />
all join specially selected departures in<br />
2018. Sir Tim Rice is another of their<br />
special guests. In addition, his production<br />
show is currently playing fleet-wide on all<br />
Seabourn ships.<br />
Oceania are well known for their emphasis<br />
on cuisine and have developed a special<br />
vegan menu for guests, offering over 250<br />
plant-based drinks and dishes to choose<br />
from. The new options will be available<br />
fleet-wide. Oceania have also responded<br />
to demand for holidays to Cuba by<br />
scheduling 10 sailings that visit the island<br />
in 2018 on-board their newest ship, the<br />
684-passenger Sirena.<br />
Better known for their coastal voyages,<br />
Hurtigruten’s MS Fram has a series of<br />
voyages in North East Canada in April<br />
2018 from New York to Halifax (9 days<br />
from £2,445pp). The same ship will also<br />
sail from Miami to Costa Rica visiting<br />
Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and<br />
Panama (16 days from £2,552pp).<br />
RIVER CRUISES<br />
Uniworld’s newest river boat, the Joie de<br />
Vivre, has to be the most glamorous to<br />
set sail. Joan Collins was aptly chosen to<br />
launch her earlier this year with opulently<br />
decorated staterooms and suites. The<br />
attention to detail and interior design is<br />
just phenomenal. Oozing character, Joie<br />
de Vivre has set a new standard in river<br />
cruising (view more photos at rbcollection.<br />
com/blog). Departures from Paris mean<br />
no flights are necessary as transport by<br />
Eurostar can be arranged.<br />
Viking have relaunched their Ukraine<br />
river cruise on the Odessa. The cruise<br />
travels along the ancient and splendid<br />
trade route lined with rich cultural<br />
treasures, onion-domed churches and<br />
rural folkways that recall the days of<br />
Vikings, Tatars and Cossacks (10 nights<br />
from £3,395pp including flights).<br />
COASTAL SAILING & YACHT HOLIDAYS<br />
With over a thousand islands off the<br />
coast of Croatia it is easy to see why<br />
coastal sailing or luxury yacht holidays<br />
are increasing in popularity. We have a<br />
fantastic new yacht to book onto (read<br />
more on page 43).<br />
The Greek islands lend themselves well to<br />
sailing and yachting; Crystal’s Esprit (62<br />
cabins) was based in the Mediterranean<br />
this summer and moves to the Caribbean<br />
for the winter, allowing access to smaller<br />
islands. Ritz Carlton (pictured left)<br />
have reacted to the trend too with the<br />
announcement of three lavish yachts<br />
coming into service in 2019 (pre-register<br />
with us now).<br />
Finally, in 2018 Tauck are launching a<br />
new Cuba itinerary on the three-masted<br />
yacht, Le Ponant. You can explore the<br />
coast between Havana and Santiago with<br />
the chance to visit Ernest Hemmingway’s<br />
former winter home, meet artists and<br />
dine with Cuban families.<br />
19 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
LATIN AMERICA<br />
Written by Sam & Oliver<br />
Full of colour and life, Latin America continues to be one of our most<br />
popular regions of the world. Oliver & Sam have visited themselves<br />
and bring you a selection of news to whet your appetite.<br />
NEW OPENINGS...<br />
There’s always something exciting in Central & South America, here are<br />
our top picks...<br />
AWASI IGUAZÚ, ARGENTINA<br />
BELMOND ANDEAN EXPLORER<br />
NEW KEMPINSKI, CUBA<br />
Located just 15 minutes from the world’s<br />
largest waterfalls, Awasi’s new Relais &<br />
Chateaux 12-room lodge is set to open<br />
at the end of 2017. Situated on the banks<br />
of the Iguazú River, each villa will be<br />
assigned with a private guide and 4WD,<br />
allowing guests to explore at their own<br />
pace, visiting where they want, when they<br />
want, and for however long they want.<br />
20 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER<br />
Belmond’s second train in Peru and South<br />
America’s first luxury sleeper train; this<br />
exciting new service connects Cusco<br />
with Lake Titicaca and Arequipa for Colca<br />
Canyon. Fresh designs reflective of the<br />
Peruvian colourful culture provide fun yet<br />
luxurious surroundings for this famous<br />
journey through Peru.<br />
The Kempinski is a really impressive new<br />
property in Havana. Very comfortable<br />
and with a roof top pool with stunning<br />
views. Taking accommodation in Cuba to<br />
another level! 4 nights in a Deluxe room<br />
at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La<br />
Habana with flights from London, private<br />
transfers and private tour of the city by<br />
classic American car from £1,495 per<br />
person.
LATIN THOUGHTS...<br />
There’s no doubt, Latin America is one of<br />
the most exciting regions of the world to<br />
visit, as Sam found out when he toured<br />
Costa Rica last year. Oliver loved the<br />
region so much he has returned twice and<br />
now has Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos<br />
Islands under his belt. LATA (Latin<br />
America <strong>Travel</strong> Association) reported an<br />
increase of 5% in visitor numbers in March<br />
2017 compared to the same period in 2016.<br />
This shows that visitor numbers are on<br />
the rise from the UK despite uncertain<br />
times.<br />
Their research pin pointed a number of<br />
destinations that had particular growth<br />
including Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica,<br />
Chile and Argentina.<br />
Many of our clients return too after<br />
they fall in love with the vast array of<br />
experiences and opportunities on offer.<br />
Here we report on some news from the<br />
region and hear from a client why they<br />
loved their trip to Cuba so much.<br />
ARGENTINA REMOVES TOURIST VAT<br />
One of the drawbacks of travelling to<br />
South America has often been cost. It is<br />
interesting therefore to note visitors to<br />
Argentina are now exempt from VAT, a<br />
real benefit for our clients that can see<br />
savings of up to 21% in the cost of lodging<br />
and breakfast.<br />
COLOMBIA<br />
Avianca’s direct service to Bogota in<br />
Colombia has made this emerging<br />
tourism destination easier to access.<br />
Operated by their new 787-Dreamliners,<br />
both Business and Economy Class is<br />
offered. Luxury hoteliers are also keeping<br />
up with increased demand to visit the<br />
country with Four Seasons now present in<br />
Bogota. Tourism infrastructure is still in<br />
its infancy, however there are a selection<br />
of escorted group tours, and private tours<br />
are also offered. For example, we have a<br />
13-day escorted group tour from £1,995pp<br />
including flights, accommodation and<br />
comprehensive tour programme.<br />
PERU<br />
From 1st July this year, the use of an<br />
official Machu Picchu Tour guide or<br />
licensed tour guide when visiting the site<br />
became compulsory. Machu Picchu is one<br />
of Peru’s most important tourist sites,<br />
attracting millions of visitors every year.<br />
The aim of the new system is to regulate<br />
the flow of travellers entering the site and<br />
help to preserve the authenticity of this<br />
national treasure.<br />
An exciting new Tree House in Peruvian<br />
Amazon (pictured above) is now open,<br />
located at the confluence of the serene<br />
and protected Yarapa and Cumaceba<br />
rivers near the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.<br />
These unique accommodations allow<br />
guests to become part of the rainforest<br />
from an entirely new perspective and<br />
you’ll never forget the experience of<br />
watching monkeys and birds at eye level.<br />
Every morning you’ll wake up to a safari of<br />
animal life before you even get out of bed.<br />
Equipped with the usual comforts found<br />
on the ground, you will most definitely be<br />
in for a once in a lifetime experience.<br />
CLIENT REVIEW: CUBA<br />
Our visit to Cuba was fascinating. We<br />
were able to experience the authentic<br />
side of the country. Our tour leader<br />
who had excellent contacts was able to<br />
bring us behind the scenes experiences<br />
of culture, art and music, and to enjoy<br />
fine meals in hard-to-book restaurants.<br />
The contrast between cosmopolitan<br />
Havana and colonial Trinidad and the<br />
sugar plantations was eye-opening and<br />
fascinating. The hacienda-like simple<br />
accommodation in Trinidad was an oasis<br />
of calm. All in all, a wonderful experience.<br />
RB Collection always covers all the bases<br />
and addresses every detail to make sure<br />
that a tour is going to be of the highest<br />
standards. Mr Crawshaw, June 2017.<br />
Contact us to plan and book your holiday<br />
to Latin America on 01543 258631.
TRIED & TESTED:<br />
SICILY<br />
Written by Kirsty, our Italy expert<br />
After falling in love with Italy several years ago, I decided<br />
to expand my knowledge and passion for the country last<br />
year with a trip to Sicily. This was an extra special trip<br />
for me as it was to celebrate my 15th year anniversary at<br />
RB Collection.<br />
I’ve heard so many people remark that if you haven’t<br />
seen Sicily, then you haven’t seen Italy. I decided I had<br />
to go and discover this for myself, as the Italy I’ve seen<br />
so far has been pretty amazing! My daughter Freya and I<br />
decided to travel at the end of October. This turned out<br />
to be a fantastic time to go as the resort of Taormina,<br />
where we were based, was less crowded and the weather<br />
was perfect for exploring the town and surrounding<br />
areas.<br />
Upon our arrival, we were transferred to The Ashbee<br />
Hotel by a private chauffeur car; what a wonderful way<br />
to begin our special trip. Our driver was extremely<br />
knowledgeable and passionate about his home country,<br />
providing hints and tips along the way.<br />
After checking into the hotel and admiring our lovely<br />
room, complete with a multi coloured-light changing<br />
Jacuzzi bath (which my daughter thought was amazing),<br />
we were eager to go out and discover Taormina. Founded<br />
in the 4th century BC, Taormina is perched on a hillside<br />
on the east coast of Sicily. I had built a picture in my mind<br />
of how the town would look, but I have to say it exceeded<br />
all of my expectations. The main pedestrianised street,<br />
Corso Umberto, stretches the whole length of the resort,<br />
and has a huge variety of shops and restaurants. What<br />
impressed me the most was the stunning historic<br />
architecture and the vast array of little streets and<br />
alleyways, all of which were just begging to be explored.<br />
In the centre of Corso Umberto is Belvedere Square,<br />
here we found a variety of artists and musicians which<br />
all added to the ambience of the town. However, what<br />
really made my heart melt was the viewpoint, from here<br />
we got our first glimpse of magnificent Mount Etna.<br />
Within my first hour of arriving, I was already beginning<br />
to understand the comments made by so many visitors<br />
before me; Sicily really is something special!<br />
As a surprise for my daughter, I had pre-booked tickets<br />
for us to attend a typical Italian opera performance on<br />
our first evening in Sicily. Even if you are not particularly<br />
into operatic music, I would highly recommend people<br />
of all ages to experience this in order to sample a real<br />
flavour of Italy. Held in the Cine Teatro San Giorgio,<br />
located behind the much photographed church of San<br />
Giuseppe, we were treated to some of the most popular<br />
Italian arias, from Madame Butterfly, La Traviata and La<br />
Boheme. During the interval we sipped prosecco (orange<br />
juice for Freya!) on the outdoor terrace and admired the<br />
evening lights of Taormina. It was a fantastic way to<br />
spend our first evening.<br />
Our next hotel stop was the the world renowned<br />
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. From the moment we<br />
stepped out of the car, until the moment we left, we were<br />
treated like royalty. The hotel exudes Italian elegance,<br />
with a service that is second to none. I’m lucky to have<br />
visited and stayed at some amazing properties in Italy,<br />
but having stepped onto the terrace of the Timeo, I<br />
immediately knew that this was going to be my favourite<br />
experience yet. It’s not very often I’m lost for words, but<br />
WOW! The view of Mount Etna is one I will never forget;<br />
simply stunning. Our room had a wonderful balcony<br />
with amazing Etna views. To sit and watch steam and<br />
smoke rising from Etna at dusk from the comfort of your<br />
own beautiful hotel room really is breath taking. The<br />
Grand Hotel Timeo is located in the heart of Taormina,<br />
directly in front of the impressive Greek amphitheatre,<br />
and really does have the best location in the resort, if not<br />
the whole of Sicily.<br />
We spent a couple of hours discovering the amplitheatre<br />
which dates back to the third century BC, and has<br />
astounding views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.<br />
Used mostly for classical plays and concerts, it is thought<br />
that the Romans re-constructed the theatre in the 2nd<br />
century, when it was used for gladiator contests.<br />
Of course, one of the other main attractions of Italy is the<br />
cuisine, and Sicily certainly didn’t disappoint. Taormina<br />
has a huge choice of restaurants from traditional to<br />
contemporary, and I can honestly say I didn’t have one<br />
bad meal whilst there. I wanted to eat like the locals as<br />
much as possible, so I did a little research before my trip<br />
and found a couple of hidden gems. A speciality of Sicily<br />
is arancini, which on first glance looks quite similar to<br />
a scotch egg, albeit with a more conical shape. Inside it<br />
is filled with rice, ragu, cheese and peas, and we often<br />
saw the locals eating them whilst on the go; an extremely<br />
tasty and very filling fast food! Another Sicilian speciality<br />
my daughter and I were eager to sample was granita,<br />
specifically at Bam Bar. This came top of the list of<br />
establishments to savour the delicious dessert, and is<br />
even visited by famous sports and film stars.<br />
22 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
View more photos from Kirsty’s Sicily trip on our Instagram: @rb_collectionpix<br />
There are two areas of Taormina, the picturesque<br />
hilltop town and Taormina Mare which is located by the<br />
sea with a small selection of hotels and restaurants, and<br />
beautiful pebbly beaches with crystal clear water. One<br />
of the most popular beaches is located at the extremely<br />
picturesque Isola Bella. Translated into English this<br />
means the beautiful island, also known as the Pearl of<br />
the Ionian Sea, it once housed a private property, but is<br />
now a nature reserve open to visitors.<br />
We spent the final two nights of our holiday at Belmond<br />
Villa Sant’Andrea, sister property to the Timeo. Located<br />
on the seafront at Taormina Mare, it has a more casual<br />
feel, albeit in a very luxurious way. The small but perfectly<br />
formed infinity pool had the most beautiful views of the<br />
beach and sea. A perfect place for rest and relaxation<br />
away from the hustle and bustle of the town. During<br />
summer months, guests can enjoy a complimentary<br />
boat trip around the surrounding coastline, giving<br />
fantastic views from the water of Taormina cascading<br />
down the hillside. It’s a perfect choice for families as the<br />
property has a small kids club, beautiful gardens and a<br />
private area of beach to play on.<br />
There’s so much to see and do in Taormina, but having<br />
admired the stunning views of Mount Etna from afar,<br />
we decided to take a trip out of town to get a closer look<br />
at this world-famous site. The tallest Volcano in Europe,<br />
standing at an impressive 10’922 feet, it is almost always<br />
active. There are numerous vineyards and orchards in<br />
the vicinity, and many visitors to Sicily like to combine<br />
a trip to Etna with a visit to a vineyard to sample the<br />
fantastic local wines on offer. From the base of Etna, we<br />
took a cable car ride to a higher vantage point, and were<br />
surprised at just how many people were trekking up the<br />
volcano. I have to say, I was much happier to make this<br />
journey in the comfort of a cable car! Having heard so<br />
much about Etna over the years, and watching various<br />
documentaries, it really was a fascinating feeling to<br />
actually be stood on the volcanic landscape in person<br />
and take in the magnificent views. What surprised me<br />
most about my visit here was the number of ladybirds.<br />
Apparently they like to warm themselves on the volcanic<br />
rocks!<br />
Having spent five wonderful nights in one area of Sicily<br />
with so much to see and do, Taormina felt like the perfect<br />
location to experience our first taste of this fantastic<br />
island. Since my trip, our Managing Director Alan, has<br />
explored the west and southern coast of Sicily, visiting<br />
numerous archaeological and historic sites. Hearing his<br />
feedback has only fuelled my desire to visit ‘Bella Sicilia’<br />
again and I look forward to arranging your special trip<br />
there too.<br />
SICILY FACTS<br />
Flight time: around 3.5 hours<br />
Fly direct from: Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham &<br />
Bristol (to Catania – for holidays to Taormina) & Gatwick,<br />
Heathrow and Stansted (to Palermo, the capital).<br />
Accommodation: Ranges from world-class luxury hotels<br />
to smaller boutique properties<br />
When to go: April and October are slightly cooler but<br />
perfect months for sightseeing. May to September are<br />
best for warm weather and sunshine, and the most<br />
popular times to visit.<br />
What not to miss: Greek amphitheatre, a night at the<br />
opera, delicious granita and the cable car ride up Etna.<br />
Contact Kirsty to book your holiday to Sicily on 01543<br />
258631 or email vip@rbcollection.com.<br />
23 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
TRIED & TESTED: ICEHOTEL<br />
Written by Oliver & Robbie<br />
For nearly 15 years we have operated the specialist<br />
website www.icehotels.co.uk, promoting holidays to the<br />
world-famous ICEHOTEL. It has been a fun venture for<br />
us and in true Swedish style there are always new and<br />
interesting developments. For example, you can now<br />
sleep on ice all year round; yes you read correctly! Enjoy<br />
the beautiful Swedish scenery in summer and autumn,<br />
a lovely time to combine the hotel with Sweden’s other<br />
famous and quirky property, the Tree Hotel. Here is my<br />
ultimate guide to help you make the most of your trip.<br />
SLEEP ON ICE: ALL-YEAR ROUND!<br />
ICEHOTEL 365 opened in November 2016 and<br />
experienced its first summer season this year. Built in<br />
typical Scandinavian style to make use of green solar<br />
power, the inside of the building is kept below zero so<br />
you can have the experience of sleeping on ice even in<br />
the summer. The building houses rooms built entirely of<br />
ice including beautiful Art Suites, the Ice Bar and larger<br />
Deluxe Suites with their own private bathroom, some<br />
with a sauna too! The real attraction to this year-round<br />
experience is seeing the area in a completely different<br />
light; literally we mean lots of light! The Midnight Sun<br />
is a big attraction in June and July. As there is no snow<br />
on the roads it lends itself well to a driving holiday too,<br />
giving a little more freedom and time to witness the jawdropping<br />
scenery such as Lake Torneträsk and the River<br />
Torne itself where the ICEHOTEL is located. There is also<br />
a great selection of summer & autumn activities such<br />
as river rafting, fishing, an adventure park, wilderness<br />
dinner and a local spa is also open all-year round to help<br />
relax and make the most of your time away.<br />
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN THE SUMMER ?!<br />
Due to the location of the ICEHOTEL, the Northern<br />
Lights safaris begin at the end of August and into the<br />
autumn, which means you are able to visit without the<br />
freezing snow.<br />
GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY<br />
There is no denying Sweden is not a cheap destination<br />
to visit. Visiting in the autumn offers excellent value<br />
for money with savings of up to 35% compared with the<br />
main winter season (mid December to April).<br />
DON’T FANCY THE ‘ON-ICE’ EXPERIENCE?<br />
Some couples, groups or families are a little suspicious<br />
about the ‘sleeping on ice’ experience. In the past, I<br />
have booked the warm accommodation for the client in<br />
addition to the cold room. They then have the option to<br />
retreat back to the comfort of their chalet or hotel room<br />
should they wish.<br />
I can truly say, a visit to the<br />
ICEHOTEL was one of the<br />
most memorable experiences<br />
of my travel career<br />
TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP<br />
1. Be flexible - the hotel sells out well in advance,<br />
especially for Christmas, New Year, Valentines and<br />
February half term. The more flexible you can be on<br />
your departure date the better chance of getting value<br />
for money and availability<br />
2. Just go with it - when I visited I did feel a little out of<br />
my comfort zone. It wasn’t the typical holiday we would<br />
choose and so we just had to go with it. However, looking<br />
back now it was one of the most memorable trips of my<br />
life!<br />
3. Pre-book your activities - We have a variety of<br />
packages to choose from, but all the holidays can be<br />
tailor made. There are a lot of activities and excursions<br />
so I like to discuss your personal interests with you and<br />
can then advise accordingly. They do fill up though early<br />
so I don’t suggest you leave it to the last minute to book<br />
them.<br />
4. Upgrade to an Art Suite - It isn’t going to be the<br />
cheapest holiday you ever book, so in the grand scheme<br />
of things a little extra is worth it and will go a long way.<br />
For example, when upgrading from an Ice Room to an Art<br />
Suite. The latter are all individually designed and every<br />
suite is amazing in its own right! Note that the yearround<br />
building only houses Art Suites as a minimum.<br />
5. Get to know your camera - Due to the cold<br />
temperatures it can be tricky to get that perfect photo.<br />
Invest in some camera classes and get to know your<br />
equipment before you go. Or, book onto the Northern<br />
Lights Photography tour when you are there for local<br />
expert advice.<br />
24 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
Photo credits: From top left to right: Fishing with the Northern Lights (Tomas Jönsson), Art Suite (Asaf Kliger), Sauna (Asaf Kliger). Bottom row from left: Husky Dogs (Martin Smedsén), Wedding in<br />
Jukkasjarvi (Paulina Holmgren), Robert & Charlotte Coleman, two of our clients who got engaged at the ICEHOTEL, Midnight Sun over ICEHOTEL 365 (Asaf Kliger).<br />
EXAMPLE PACKAGES<br />
Autumn Northern Lights Break<br />
Visit the ICEHOTEL before the main winter season<br />
begins for reduced rates and a special Northern Lights<br />
Safari included to experience this natural phenomenon.<br />
From £649 per person<br />
Early Bird Winter Special<br />
Book early and take advantage of lower rates. We have<br />
included our favourite two excursions: the Northern<br />
Lights Snowmobile and 4hr Trap Line Husky Dog<br />
excursion where you get to learn to drive your own<br />
sleigh.<br />
From £1,268 per person<br />
Tree Hotel & Ice Hotel Break<br />
Combine two of Sweden’s most popular and unique<br />
places to stay on this special twin-centre package.<br />
Experience the quirky Tree Hotel where you could stay<br />
in a UFO, giant Birds Nest or another unique tree house,<br />
then travel to the Ice Hotel by train to sleep on Ice.<br />
From £1,299 per person<br />
Inclusions & conditions<br />
All packages are based on 2 people sharing and include flights<br />
from London, return airport transfers, 3 nights accommodation<br />
with 1 night in an Ice Room and 2 nights in warm accommodation<br />
(or for the Tree & Ice package; 1 night in the Tree Hotel, 1 night<br />
in an Ice Room and 1 night in warm accommodation), with the<br />
activities specified. Prices are to be used as an example and are<br />
subject to change depending on availability. Our advice is to<br />
book as early as possible.<br />
TESTIMONIALS<br />
I approached a few companies regarding a trip to the<br />
Ice Hotel. RB Collection’s response was by far the most<br />
comprehensive and everything had already been thought of<br />
and most importantly included in the quote. Speaking with<br />
Oliver, it was clear he has 1st hand experience of the hotel<br />
and what it offers.<br />
Mr Buchannen, May 2017<br />
It was so different to anything which we have experienced<br />
as we normally visit warm destinations. The Ice Hotel was<br />
fabulous and the sculptures were amazing. Everything was<br />
well organised, all of the trips that we booked were worth<br />
doing. Good service and prompt responses.<br />
Mrs Rowell, March 2017<br />
Very impressed. Everything was excellent. Many thanks to<br />
Oliver for arranging all of the trip. A fantastic experience<br />
and would certainly recommend RB Collection to everyone.<br />
Don’t be reluctant about anything, try it all. I met people<br />
there who were apprehensive…give it a go, you may enjoy<br />
it (I did).<br />
Mr Snowdon, March 2017<br />
The whole thing was excellent! This was a holiday we’d<br />
talked about doing for the last ten years – a real ‘bucket list’<br />
event – so thanks to Oliver and the team for making it so<br />
special. Overall, the service was very prompt and efficient –<br />
particularly given the bespoke nature of the itinerary.<br />
Mr Jackson, March 2017<br />
25 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
NEWS: CARIBBEAN CALLING<br />
Written by: Nathan<br />
Photograph: Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla<br />
I am a big fan of the Caribbean and it’s always exciting when there are<br />
new developments as it’s such a well-loved destination with our clients.<br />
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“Finally, there’s an easier<br />
way to access the stunning<br />
island of Anguilla.”<br />
Nathan<br />
ANGUILLA<br />
I was pleased to see a new flight<br />
connection to Anguilla in the British West<br />
Indies. I visited the island last year and in<br />
my opinion it’s one of the more exclusive<br />
parts of the Caribbean. The island is<br />
known for its casual atmosphere with no<br />
building taller than the islands highest<br />
tree, pristine white sandy beaches and<br />
luxurious accommodations. It has always<br />
been one of the more difficult islands to<br />
access, however there is a new connection<br />
via Antigua twice a day on Monday’s and<br />
Friday’s until March 2018. This makes<br />
it much easier to fly to Anguilla and also<br />
allows for you to combine the two islands<br />
for a twin-centre holiday experience.<br />
There is also exciting news on the island<br />
itself as Four Seasons took over the<br />
operation of the Viceroy. I visited this<br />
unique resort last year and was really<br />
impressed by the modern design which<br />
blends well with its location. 7 nights from<br />
£3,449pp.<br />
Belmond has announced their purchase<br />
of Cap Juluca, one of the islands most<br />
prestigious hotels. They have invested<br />
$121m in the property and if the rest of the<br />
Belmond portfolio is anything to go by, an<br />
emphasis will be placed on character and<br />
personality to create unique experiences<br />
and memories for your stay on the island.<br />
Located on one of the best beaches in the<br />
world, this exclusive property features<br />
low rise Moroccan architecture, superb<br />
beachfront accommodation and great<br />
dining options. 7 nights from £2,195pp.<br />
Belmond also has a property on St Martin<br />
(Belmond La Samanna) which would<br />
make for a great twin-centre option<br />
with Anguilla. 7-day twin-centre from<br />
£3,229pp.<br />
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS<br />
Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British<br />
Virgin Islands has re-opened after an<br />
extensive 18-month refurbishment.<br />
Situated just beyond a colourful barrier<br />
reef, lapped by gentle blue waters, with<br />
a staff to guest ratio of three to one, this<br />
resort rewards its discerning guests with<br />
an instantaneous retreat from their fastpaced<br />
lives. It’s an unmatched Caribbean<br />
getaway offering fine dining as well as<br />
beautifully appointed rooms, suites and<br />
villas, all within a few steps of the beach. 7<br />
nights from £2,565pp.<br />
ST LUCIA<br />
One of the more scenic islands in the<br />
Caribbean with plenty to keep the the<br />
most restless busy, St Lucia is now home<br />
to one of Elegant Hotels’ first hotels<br />
outside of Barbados. The Landings Resort<br />
& Spa is uniquely centred around a 60-<br />
slip private yacht harbour. It’s a perfect<br />
spot to explore the island by boat - Oliver<br />
has visited a number of times and highly<br />
recommends a coastal trip to see worldfamous<br />
movie filming spots from the<br />
likes of Dr Dolittle and more recently, the<br />
Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The<br />
island is also home to a drive in Volcano<br />
as well as banana plantations waiting to<br />
be toured - plenty to keep you occupied!<br />
7 nights from £1,472pp.<br />
ANTIGUA<br />
Elegant Hotels’ second property outside<br />
of Barbados is due to open by the end of<br />
the year. Hodges Bay by Elegant Hotels is<br />
a major new beachfront development for<br />
the island. 7 nights from £2,295pp.<br />
The iconic luxury resort of Curtain<br />
Bluff in Antigua, has been closed since<br />
May and will re-open their doors on<br />
28 October 2017 following an exciting<br />
US$13-million top-to-toe renovation<br />
which guests will love … from the new<br />
check-in experience through to the<br />
stunning new lounge, restaurant and bar.<br />
The fabulous contemporary design will<br />
include new tiles, beautiful furnishings<br />
and fabrics, stylish lighting; all in tune<br />
with the relaxed luxury that Curtain Bluff<br />
has always provided over many decades.<br />
This upgrade along with refurbished<br />
accommodation delivers a superb worldclass<br />
resort with amazing all-inclusive<br />
value. Book Curtain Bluff with us before<br />
9th December for certain dates up to<br />
16th December 2017 and receive a 15%<br />
reduction off accommodation rates. 7<br />
nights from £2,697pp.<br />
BARBADOS<br />
The much-loved Treasure Beach hotel<br />
has been acquired by Elegant Hotels who<br />
plan to complete a full makeover, turning<br />
the property into an adult only hotel with<br />
an emphasis on a high quality culinary<br />
offering. 7 nights from £1,282pp.<br />
GRENADA<br />
Mount Cinnamon has eight new fabulous<br />
one bedroom Cinnamon Suites, each<br />
offering 500 square foot of living space.<br />
Adorned with stunning sea views that<br />
complement the Caribbean palette or<br />
warm beige tones accented by azure and<br />
cerulean blues. The suites include a large<br />
seating area with sofa, king size bed,<br />
bathroom and spacious outdoor balcony.<br />
7 nights from £1,409pp.<br />
To plan and book your holiday to the<br />
Caribbean contact us on 01543 258631 or<br />
email vip@rbcollection.com.<br />
Prices include flights from London, private return airport<br />
transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation, conditions apply.<br />
27 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
THE LESSER KNOWN CANARY ISLANDS<br />
Words: Lisa<br />
Photograph: La Gomera<br />
The Canary Islands continue to be one of the most popular choices for winter-sun holidays. Tenerife, Gran<br />
Canaria and Lanzarote are top of the list for most visitors, however there are two other options away from<br />
the main resorts that offer a different style of Canary Island experience. Lisa takes a look at La Gomera & La<br />
Palma and explains more...<br />
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LA PALMA<br />
Home to dramatic scenery, this is most<br />
definitely a hidden gem in the Canary<br />
Islands and is the greenest of them all.<br />
Traditional Hacienda accommodations<br />
ooze character and personality. The<br />
island is a World Biosphere Reserve and<br />
home to 19 naturally protected areas<br />
including waterfalls, volcanic craters, salt<br />
pans and lush pine forests. The island<br />
also has mountains adorned with forests,<br />
lunar style volcanic landscapes, fertile<br />
valleys, black sand beaches and dramatic<br />
cliff-edged coastlines. All of these natural<br />
wonders contrast with the quaint sleepy<br />
villages and picturesque towns.<br />
The Capital; Santa Cruz de la Palma is a<br />
lovely seaside town steeped in history<br />
with a mix of modern and traditional<br />
architecture. Visitors can enjoy the<br />
fortress, churches, museums and a lifesize<br />
replica of Columbus’ ship, the Santa<br />
Maria. In the centre of the town is the<br />
impressive Plaza de Espana which is<br />
home to a Renaissance style church, the<br />
striking 16th century town hall and wellpreserved<br />
manor houses. Take one of<br />
the walking loops and browse cafes, the<br />
local market and stroll down the cobbled<br />
pedestrianised shopping street.<br />
If you enjoy flora and fauna you should<br />
head to the evergreen laurel woods of Los<br />
Tiles. These woods are one of the most<br />
important natural areas in the Canaries<br />
and it was the original World Biosphere<br />
Reserve on the island.<br />
A great way to see the island is by boat.<br />
Take a tour from the port at Tazacorte<br />
and visit the fascinating volcanic Cueva<br />
Bonitaonce (a former Pirate hideaway)<br />
and the beautiful beach at Playa de la Veta.<br />
There is also the chance to see dolphins,<br />
whales, and sometimes even tortoise and<br />
flying fish along the way.<br />
The island is also a great place to relax<br />
with around 50 beaches and coves that<br />
you can explore. The most popular are<br />
centred around Playa de los Cancajos,<br />
Puerto Naos and Tazacorte.<br />
How to get there: Direct flights from<br />
Manchester & London.<br />
Accommodations: We have access to<br />
three wonderful 3, 4 & 5* properties to<br />
choose from. Two are Haciendas and one<br />
is a Parador. All have a real charm and the<br />
5* option is adult-only.<br />
Example package: 7 nights staying at the<br />
4* Parador de la Palma with breakfast<br />
and a complimentary room upgrade,<br />
departing 4th February 2018 with flights<br />
from London and private resort transfers<br />
from £599 per person.<br />
LA GOMERA<br />
Described as the most relaxing Canary<br />
Island, La Gomera lies to the west of<br />
Tenerife. It is home to beautiful small<br />
villages, picturesque terraced valleys,<br />
sweeping mountains which hug the<br />
coastline and dramatic cliffs. The dense<br />
forests are home to beautiful cedar<br />
groves; it’s a truly beautiful island full of<br />
natural colour and life.<br />
In the interior of the island there are<br />
dramatic steep valleys that cut through<br />
mountain ranges. They are spectacularly<br />
beautiful and make for a thrilling car<br />
journey, although not for the fainthearted<br />
with a selection of infamous<br />
hairpin bends!<br />
The protected Parque Nacional de<br />
Garajonay lies in the centre of the island<br />
and is home to lush flora and fauna and<br />
provides wonderful walking trails. The<br />
island is less than 13 miles from north<br />
to south, yet over a third of the land is<br />
protected by UNESCO. As a result of the<br />
dramatic terrain, the island has some<br />
quirky and quaint customs such as an old<br />
whistling language that is used by locals to<br />
communicate over the huge valleys.<br />
No visit is complete to La Gomera<br />
without browsing San Sebastián, a town<br />
made famous for being a stopover for<br />
Christopher Columbus on his way to the<br />
new world. There are a host of pleasant<br />
cafés, restaurants and sights to see, the<br />
ideal location for those wanting to relax.<br />
The town’s most significant monument is<br />
Torre del Conde where it is said that the<br />
wife of Count Hernán Peraza took refuge<br />
after her husband was killed. Plaza de las<br />
Américas is the main square and home to<br />
a pavement mosaic which shows the route<br />
of Columbus’ voyage.<br />
The little town of Valle Gran Rey is known<br />
for its gorge that has been terraced and<br />
planted with fruit and vegetables. The<br />
town boasts a black-sand beach, lined<br />
with a few bars and restaurants. Valle<br />
Gray Rey is great for visitors looking to<br />
relax on the beach on La Gomera holidays.<br />
How to get there: Access by ferry via<br />
Tenerife, perfect for a twin-centre trip.<br />
Accommodation: We have two properties<br />
to choose from; the well-known Jardin<br />
Tecina and the traditional Parador Conde<br />
de la Gomera. You will find a heavy<br />
emphasis on cuisine on the island and both<br />
properties offer excellent restaurants.<br />
Example package: 7 nights staying at<br />
the 4* Parador Conde de la Gomera with<br />
breakfast, departing 12th January 2018<br />
with flights from Birmingham and private<br />
resort transfers from £899 per person.<br />
29 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
THE MECHANICS OF A<br />
LIFE IN TRAVEL<br />
Words by Andrew Youngson<br />
A careful eye for detail and a fatherly approach to leadership have been Alan’s keys to success<br />
in the travel industry. Andrew Youngson met the man at the head of RB Collection to discuss<br />
his career milestones.<br />
“I would never say I’m in love with travel”.<br />
These are not words I expected to hear from Alan.<br />
When I was invited to interview the man who has<br />
dedicated nearly 50 years to the travel industry,<br />
helping literally thousands of holidaymakers find the<br />
perfect breaks, I expected him to be passionate about<br />
travel above all else.<br />
But in all honesty, how he feels about travel is<br />
secondary to his passion for motorsports. In fact,<br />
his first job was as an apprentice mechanic, a route<br />
he initially chose instead of following his father and<br />
brother’s footsteps into travel.<br />
However, when it became clear a lifelong career<br />
in motor cars wasn’t on the cards for Alan, he was<br />
convinced by his father to step over into the family<br />
line of work. And so it was he started his training as<br />
a travel agent.<br />
“I remember Father saying, ‘it’s a suit and pen job,<br />
remember, not a boiler suit and spanner job’,” Alan<br />
said.<br />
Okay, I asked Alan. If travel hasn’t been your number<br />
one love, what the heck has motivated you all these<br />
years? There is no way this has just been a day job.<br />
(Everything around me, from the warmth of Alan’s<br />
team, to the welcoming decor of the Lichfield office<br />
and retail area, suggested otherwise. This has clearly<br />
been a passion project).<br />
“But I have always wanted to do a job that works<br />
correctly,” he explained.<br />
And that’s when it clicked. Alan Broad: the mechanic<br />
at heart who is passionate about doing something<br />
right.<br />
From his early days learning the travel trade in<br />
branches across the Midlands during the package<br />
holiday boom, Alan is now the figurehead of a luxury<br />
travel consultancy that creates bespoke dream<br />
holiday experiences.<br />
The years between have thrown a number of<br />
challenges his way, as the industry has ebbed, flowed<br />
and morphed in tune to economic change and<br />
clients’ taste for travel. But through it all, Alan and his<br />
business have stood firm.<br />
A passion for travel alone wouldn’t have helped him<br />
weather the storm. Boiler suit on and spanner in<br />
hand, Alan has made sure that the machine has kept<br />
on running.<br />
But how did he build his successful travel business,<br />
who has he invited on the journey, and where is he<br />
going?<br />
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN<br />
The travel industry which Alan’s father, Raymond,<br />
established himself in 1936 is a far, far cry from<br />
the one Alan has made his career in. Operating out<br />
of Alan’s grandfather’s iron mongers, Raymond<br />
handwrote coach tickets, primarily selling to working<br />
class clients looking to holiday around England.<br />
When Alan followed suit into travel, he forged his own<br />
apprenticeship in the industry by dotting around a<br />
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selection of the 12 travel shops owned by his father,<br />
beginning at Tudor <strong>Travel</strong> in Beeches Walk, West<br />
Midlands. From here, it was off to Birmingham<br />
and beyond. His patch during those first few years<br />
was diverse. He had to quickly learn the different<br />
characters of the people, and how best to sell to them.<br />
“Sutton was quite posh, Birmingham was business<br />
people, Erdington was all dealt with in cash, and<br />
Wylde Green was in the middle,” he explained. “It was<br />
a 20-mile radius, but each place was different.”<br />
Even during these early days in travel – in the 70s and<br />
80s – when package holidays were all the rage (“pile<br />
them high, sell them cheap”, Alan shook his head), the<br />
technology was still light years away from the form<br />
and function of the modern travel agency.<br />
“It was totally different to what it is today. Then it was<br />
more like a booking office. You even had to handwrite<br />
all the air tickets,” Alan said.<br />
Not that everyone minded though.<br />
1936: Alan’s Father Raymond begins his<br />
family’s first steps in the travel industry –<br />
selling coach tickets from his father’s ironmongers<br />
on Birmingham Road, Wylde Green.<br />
1969: Alan follows his father Raymond’s<br />
footsteps into travel – working in a selection<br />
of his father’s 12 travel shops around the<br />
Midlands.<br />
“Older clients particularly loved that. To get them to<br />
use an e-ticket today can sometimes be challenging,<br />
because it’s such a different set up now compared to<br />
the era they started travelling in.”<br />
The lifestyles of clients have always been changing<br />
too, something Alan can personally attest to. In 1972,<br />
he was treated by his father to a luxury trip around<br />
Malta, a major destination for his father’s company<br />
at that time. He took his then-girlfriend (and future<br />
wife) Cheryl with him for the trip. She had been<br />
working as his brother Robert’s secretary and they<br />
had hit it off right away.<br />
Alan and Cheryl couldn’t have asked for a more<br />
romantic first outing, from the heat of the Maltese<br />
sun, to the beautiful hotel they were staying in, the<br />
Golden Sands, a luxurious resort run by a close<br />
supplier of Raymond’s, Mr Fenwick.<br />
But when it came to the bedroom arrangement, the<br />
set-up wasn’t quite what Alan had in mind for his<br />
Mediterranean romance with Cheryl. “Father had<br />
arranged for two rooms because we weren’t married,”<br />
he laughed.<br />
1977: Raymond retires and sells all 12<br />
branches to Pickfords <strong>Travel</strong> – Alan and his<br />
brothers, Robert and Michael, are guaranteed<br />
jobs with Pickfords for at least five<br />
years.<br />
1982: Robert and Michael establish new<br />
family travel company. Alan stays on at<br />
Pickfords.<br />
But what Raymond hadn’t factored in was the fact that<br />
sneaky Alan convinced the staff at Golden Sands to<br />
bring two single beds together in one of the rooms. As<br />
the sun would rise each morning, Alan would retreat<br />
from Cheryl’s sea view room, back to his own room<br />
which enjoyed a view over the car park. His host and<br />
father were none the wiser. Romance found a way!<br />
This funny anecdote, Alan explained, chimed with the<br />
changing values he was also responding to as a travel<br />
agent. When he would book young lovebirds on their<br />
first trips together, he would often try to find clever<br />
ways to help his clients sit together on planes or share<br />
hotel rooms. The travel industry played a significant<br />
role in ringing the changes.<br />
1985: Alan joins his brothers (Michael, left<br />
and Robert, front) in the new family venture,<br />
opening the Lichfield branch on Boley Park<br />
where it remains today.<br />
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1998: The company becomes an AITO<br />
Specialist <strong>Travel</strong> Agent, an exclusive club of<br />
the UK’s leading independent travel agents.<br />
Oliver would later become Chairman of the<br />
group in 2010.<br />
1999: Alan’s son Oliver joins the company,<br />
leading the way into the internet model of<br />
the travel agency.<br />
2001: Nathan Collins joins RB, moving the<br />
business towards selling based on the individual<br />
passions of its team.<br />
THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE<br />
Through the decades there have been other major<br />
innovations for Alan and his team to grapple with. In<br />
particular, the digital revolution.<br />
“People said the internet would kill the travel agent,<br />
but we used it,” he said.<br />
“We got in at the start. It’s all about foresight and<br />
trying to see what will happen next. When we first<br />
opened, we relied on our knowledge of the local<br />
population. But thanks to the change in technology,<br />
we’ve opened ourselves up to the world.”<br />
The internet opened up new opportunities for<br />
the business: new ways to promote its holiday<br />
experiences; to find new suppliers to work and build<br />
relationships with; and to open up an international<br />
client base.<br />
Alan’s son, Oliver, spearheaded the move into the<br />
digital realm when he joined the business in the late<br />
1990’s. Fresh from a university degree in marketing,<br />
plus experience working for Buckingham Palace and<br />
TV <strong>Travel</strong> Shop, Oliver was brimming with ideas<br />
about how to guide the company into the 21st century.<br />
2007: RB wins an impressive hat-trick at the<br />
Agency Achievement Awards taking home:<br />
Luxury <strong>Travel</strong> Agent of the Year; Small Central<br />
England <strong>Travel</strong> Agent of the Year; Small<br />
High Street <strong>Travel</strong> Agent of the Year in the<br />
UK.<br />
2010: Alan appoints Oliver & Nathan as<br />
Directors to share the responsibility of modernising<br />
the company.<br />
2015: RB wins Silver in the Best Independent<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> Agent in the UK at the British <strong>Travel</strong><br />
Awards, the Oscars of the travel industry.<br />
A few years later Nathan Collins joined the company,<br />
fresh from his own training in the industry. Together,<br />
Oliver and Nathan would eventually take the helm of<br />
the growing business, but in the meantime focused<br />
on the matter at hand; navigating uncertain waters in<br />
an ever-changing industry.<br />
“If I was to be in the business, we needed to do<br />
something new. This started the next chapter of the<br />
organisation,” Oliver chimed in.<br />
And Alan, proud father and astute businessman, was<br />
happy to see how far the internet rabbit hole went.<br />
Indeed this proved to be a great decision, opening<br />
doors to new opportunities across the board.<br />
But through it all, the local population remained<br />
vital to RB. Not just the local marketplace, but in<br />
the company’s pride of place. By listening closely to<br />
the local clients through the years, as well as their<br />
internet client base, Alan and the team have been<br />
quick to respond to trends as they appear.<br />
Among those changes was RB’s departure from the<br />
package holiday market in the early 2000s.<br />
2016: RB Collection experiences its most<br />
successful year in its 32nd year of trading.<br />
“Growing travel agents such as Co-op, and the heavy<br />
discounting they did was a challenge,” Alan said. “But<br />
if we had carried on focusing on the package market<br />
like the others still do, we wouldn’t be here. We had<br />
to change.”<br />
The natural future for the company, Alan and his team<br />
decided, was to specialise. Specifically, specialising in<br />
luxury. RB may not have always been able to beat the<br />
Co-ops and Thomson’s of the industry in terms of<br />
price or pure volume of bookings, but they definitely<br />
could compete on quality.<br />
33 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
And so, Alan moved the team towards what it is today, a<br />
consultancy specialising in luxury and specialist travel<br />
for clients looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.<br />
This change of focus redefined the way RB worked. For<br />
one, to offer clients the perfect holiday, the quality of<br />
the suppliers needed to be absolutely assured.<br />
“In the early days, it was about giving the tour operators<br />
what they wanted, which was volume of bookings. But<br />
now we are in control and selling what we want. We’re<br />
choosing our own suppliers. The agent now in this era<br />
is in the driving seat,” Alan said.<br />
PASSION PROJECT<br />
This shift in the balance has allowed RB to change how<br />
it sells – based on the passions of its team.<br />
“We started to get staff to sell what they really liked.<br />
What they were passionate about,” Alan explained.<br />
“It meant that people like me who were into motor<br />
sports would then sell experiences based on that. We<br />
were narrowing the market, but using our individual<br />
passions. I always put staff on to their strengths. It’s<br />
horses for courses.”<br />
With a team of dedicated salesmen and women led<br />
by Alan, Oliver and fellow director Nathan – the latter<br />
who was particularly instrumental to this new model<br />
of selling based on passion – RB can safely say they<br />
offer what so few travel companies do: attention to<br />
detail, and time for the client.<br />
Which leads to the most recent of all changes: a slowing<br />
of the internet market, and the return of retail.<br />
Oliver explained: “From the early 2000s, people<br />
have used the internet model of travel a lot, but it<br />
hasn’t always worked for them. This seems to have<br />
led to internet fatigue. Clients have experienced<br />
disappointments with their own internet booking,<br />
and are now looking for value and getting it done<br />
right. They have the money, and simply don’t want the<br />
hassle.”<br />
More and more, people are coming back to book their<br />
holidays in person. And businesses like RB have their<br />
doors wide open to them.<br />
So what, above all, are people looking for in a luxury holiday<br />
right now, I asked?<br />
“Peace of mind. Security. Trust,” Alan said.<br />
FAMILY TIES<br />
“When we opened the Lichfield agency in 1985, Oliver was<br />
four years old,” Alan reminisced.<br />
“One day, we lost him from the house, but he showed up in<br />
the shop. The whole estate was a building site, but he had<br />
just crossed the road and walked in. He said, ‘I’m alright. I<br />
looked left and right’.”<br />
“We always joked about it and what it really meant,” Oliver<br />
added. “Did I want to get away from home, or was it that I<br />
wanted to get an early start in the travel industry?”<br />
Family has always been a defining feature of RB. From the<br />
very beginnings of the company in the late 1970s, when Alan<br />
joined his brothers in the venture, to today’s set up with<br />
Alan’s youngest son, Oliver.<br />
Alan’s late wife Cheryl was in many ways the backbone<br />
of the company. From her early days as secretary for<br />
the family’s travel business, she became the company’s<br />
linchpin, running everything behind the scenes.<br />
Cheryl’s legacy lives on today in the way the word ‘family’<br />
underpins everything RB is about. As its figurehead, Alan is<br />
carrying that legacy forward.<br />
Alan added: “We have a modern family set-up at RB, you<br />
don’t have to be in the blood line to be involved.”<br />
Nathan Collins worked his way from frontline sales to<br />
Director and works alongside Oliver taking the business<br />
into the next chapter. The longest team member after<br />
Alan is Kirsty Taylor who celebrated her 16th year with the<br />
company this year, keeping a careful eye over the aftersales<br />
side of the business.<br />
“He’s a very supportive boss,” Nathan told me later, away<br />
from Alan’s earshot. “He’s open minded. Always encourages<br />
us to try something new. He really does see the business as<br />
an extension of the family. He sees the team as part of the<br />
family structure, so he wants to teach and nurture them.”<br />
“Alan’s the all-seeing eye. He knows the right and<br />
wrong way of doing things. His skill is noticing if<br />
something is right or wrong,”<br />
34 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
And like the father at the head of the dinner table, Alan<br />
is ever watchful over his family. His parental style of<br />
leadership has meant affording his family the freedom to<br />
grow.<br />
From the family archive...<br />
“There’s always a balance to every argument. People like<br />
Oliver and Nathan have really brought us into the new era.<br />
I’ve always been supportive of the team. I’ve always had a<br />
‘let’s give it a go’ attitude,” he said.<br />
RB has a team of eight looking after their clients’ every<br />
need. On the front line in the retail area are some fresh<br />
faces who have joined during the past 18 months; Sam,<br />
Nicola and Clare plus Lisa who has been with the company<br />
for nearly eight years. Behind the scenes, Nuria takes<br />
care of the finer details on clients’ bookings in the newer<br />
‘Luxury Concierge’ role.<br />
“Our team has great personalities and many years’<br />
experience in the industry. Our clients enjoy a good<br />
rapport with them and it makes for a positive working<br />
environment,” Alan added.<br />
But his leadership style has also been built on traditional<br />
business acumen, and his passion for mechanics.<br />
“Alan’s the all-seeing eye. He knows the right and wrong<br />
way of doing things. His skill is noticing if something is<br />
right or wrong,” Kirsty commented.<br />
“It’s just the same as motorsport,” Alan added. “I was racing<br />
last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I was the<br />
same with our mechanic. We needed the same attention to<br />
detail. You’ve got to be able to deal with the worst possible<br />
scenario.”<br />
So, if preparation is key, what does the future hold?<br />
Retirement isn’t really a word that is used in RB, neither<br />
by Alan, nor the team around him. While Directors Oliver<br />
and Nathan will take on more responsibility as the future<br />
approaches, Alan will still be on hand to offer guidance.<br />
The team’s primary focus is on safeguarding the future of<br />
the business, from further solidifying relationships with<br />
suppliers, to continuing to develop their extra-valueapproach<br />
to creating holiday experiences they are taking,<br />
such as in their luxury concierge service.<br />
Unbeknown to Alan, we delved into his family photo albumns to select<br />
some fun snaps from over the years...<br />
From top left to right: Alan (left) with twin Michael getting to work at an<br />
early age cleaning their Father, Raymond’s Rover around 1950. A cheeky<br />
Alan having his school photo taken at Green Lanes Primary, Wylde Green.<br />
Celebrating his first win in a Porsche Carrera, 1974 at Oulton Park. Cheryl<br />
surprised her husband with a steamtrain driving experience at Severn<br />
Valley Railway for his 50th in 1998. Alan’s father Raymond on the beach<br />
at Llwyngwril, Wales, 1981 with grandchildren James behind and Oliver<br />
infront. Cheryl & Alan in Mauritius in August 2008 for their eldest son<br />
James’s wedding to Amanda. Botton right: Alan & Cheryl with son James<br />
(front deckchair) and friends in Corfu, 1977.<br />
Alan will likely spend less time in the office, and perhaps<br />
a little more on the race circuit, but this is the most<br />
retirement will ever mean for him. This father won’t turn<br />
his back on his family.<br />
“It’s his passion to walk through these doors every day,”<br />
Nathan said.<br />
Alan stopped and thought for a second. A grin began to<br />
form on his face.<br />
“Someone’s got to keep an eye on the kids,” he laughed.<br />
35 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
TRIBUTE: JOHN PRICE OBE<br />
Words by Nathan<br />
Earlier this year we sadly lost not just a client of ours,<br />
but a good friend. A well-established businessman<br />
who held travel in high regard, Oliver & I had the<br />
pleasure of interviewing John Price OBE in November<br />
2013. As a tribute and with the kind permission of Mrs<br />
Price, we wanted to re-print it for you to enjoy.<br />
John had a fun and sometimes wicked sense of<br />
humour and a very quick wit. The office would always<br />
light up upon his arrival and the RB team would enjoy<br />
hearing about his latest escapades. Even up until our<br />
last meeting, John would insist on telling us all a little<br />
story which would guarantee to bring a smile to our<br />
faces.<br />
What makes the story even more humbling is that<br />
John was with Alan right from the start. Arthur Price<br />
of England joined forces with RB for the launch of the<br />
company in 1985 and continued to support our family<br />
business right up until he passed in April of this year.<br />
There is no doubt he will be missed. We are all<br />
however thankful for being part of his life and his<br />
many, exciting travelling adventures. With these in<br />
mind, we take a trip down memory lane and hear<br />
from the adventurer himself.<br />
Original interview held in November 2013<br />
An international businessman, John steered cutlery<br />
makers Arthur Price of England to great success<br />
during his career and today the company continues<br />
to hold not one, but two Royal Warrants, both<br />
established originally by John back in 1977 from the<br />
Queen and subsequently in 1988 by the Prince of<br />
Wales.<br />
We have arranged some wonderful holidays all over<br />
the world for you since 1985, how did your passion<br />
for travel begin?<br />
My first big trip was to Western Australia as part of<br />
a small group of dignitaries sent to advise on the<br />
planning of new towns and cities. The flight onboard<br />
a Super Constellation required not one but four stops<br />
to refuel!<br />
The following year I was chosen to represent the UK in<br />
Moscow at the British Trade & Industrial Exhibition<br />
which was a real eye opener. I flew on Aeroflot which<br />
back then was heavily dependent on sellotape! We put<br />
down in Warsaw to refuel and never thought we would<br />
ever get back up again. I saw Lenin & Stalin lying in<br />
state side by side, and wondered how, every morning<br />
the radio would blare out the Russian anthem like<br />
clockwork at dawn even though I had turned it off the<br />
night before! I also experienced talking numerous<br />
times in small huddled groups knowing full well<br />
whatever our conversations contained was being<br />
listened to in some form or another. For a young man<br />
at that time, these two trips were eye openers that<br />
sparked my enthusiasm for travel.<br />
36 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
You were involved with the opening of our office in<br />
1985, tell us more...<br />
At the time, British Caledonian was the second<br />
largest airline flying out of the UK and we provided<br />
the cutlery onboard. I persuaded BCAL to use Alan &<br />
Robert’s new travel agency in Lichfield as the venue<br />
to launch a competition to win a holiday. It was a<br />
wonderful event with the famous ‘Caledonian Girls’<br />
in attendance. It really helped put RB on the map and<br />
I was more than happy to help the young company get<br />
started.<br />
Which of your many holidays stand out from the<br />
rest?<br />
Several trips are most memorable, but they are all so<br />
different. We arrived at Petra in Jordan at the same<br />
time as the Pope, there wasn’t much room for the<br />
both of us so we moved on. Walking the Great Wall<br />
of China, viewing the historic sites of Syria, Machu<br />
Picchu in Peru and Agra where I must return as the<br />
Taj Mahal was covered in a little too much fog at the<br />
time!<br />
Top: Alan (left) with Mr Price (right) on the opening day of our retail<br />
agency on Boley Park Lichfield, 1st April1985. Bottom left, Mr & Mrs<br />
Price attending our garden party in June, 2013. Bottom right: Mr<br />
Price gives an entertaining speech at our 30th Anniversary dinner<br />
on 8th July 2015.<br />
Having experienced service the world over, it is<br />
humbling for us that you keep coming back to RB<br />
Collection after 29 years, tell us why?<br />
I wouldn’t come back if it were not for the complete<br />
and utter understanding of what would suit me.<br />
Sometimes I may make a suggestion and you are quick<br />
to suggest it may not be right for me. Other times you<br />
suggest something I would never of thought of. It is<br />
this honesty, and complete understanding of my taste<br />
that I respect and why I come back for more again<br />
and again.<br />
Where are you travelling to next and is there<br />
anywhere left you want to visit?<br />
I am 84 years old and visually impaired, but together<br />
with Susan we can still experience the world together.<br />
I have always enjoyed the convenience of travelling by<br />
cruise ship. I sailed on one of the final sailings of both<br />
the Queen Mary and the QE2 calling into Madeira.<br />
Our next cruise will be with Regent Seven Seas to<br />
Argentina and Brazil.<br />
Many thanks to Mrs Price for giving permission to re-print<br />
this interview.<br />
37 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
“IT’S THE PUREST OF THE GAME”<br />
Ahead of welcoming guests on a special Ashes tour offered by RB Collection, English<br />
cricket legend Gladstone Small speaks to Andrew Youngson about his love of travel,<br />
Australia, and the game.<br />
This winter, RB Collection are offering a special tour of<br />
Australia, following the Ashes Series 2017-18 from start<br />
to finish. From the tropical climes of Brisbane, to the<br />
spectacular cityscape of Sydney, guests will experience<br />
the excitement of the most famous cricket contest in the<br />
world, while also delving into the beauty of Australia’s<br />
sights, culture and cuisine.<br />
Leading the tour is a former England fast bowler and<br />
Ashes winner, Gladstone Small. The Brit with Barbadian<br />
roots is loved on both sides of the UK-Australia divide,<br />
with his jovial demeanour making him the ideal commentator<br />
for the sport.<br />
When he returns to Australia this winter, Gladstone will<br />
be the official tour guide for guests joining this special<br />
Ashes tour experience; a role he has happily fulfilled in<br />
previous years.<br />
Hi Gladstone. Tell me, what exactly does your role involve<br />
on the tour?<br />
As an ex-player, my role is to offer our guests some insights<br />
into the game, its history and also how it is to experience<br />
the Ashes from the player’s perspective.<br />
At what points are you with the group through the trip?<br />
Oh, I’m with my group all the time; on the bus, on the<br />
plane, in the hotels, in the bar, having breakfast and dinner.<br />
And at the cricket I sit in the stand with them.<br />
Sounds busy but fun.<br />
I still love the game of cricket, you see, and particularly<br />
test match cricket. So when I go abroad on these trips, I<br />
have a seat in the stand with my group and we watch it<br />
all together. That for me is a real pleasure and joy.<br />
Why do you especially love test match cricket?<br />
Because it’s the purest form of the game. All games are<br />
important, but it’s the one element of the game where<br />
the true quality of the player comes through. You get<br />
tested on all aspects of your game, from your technique,<br />
to your temperament, your fitness and weaknesses. Everything<br />
gets exposed.<br />
The length of the game means you need to have a special<br />
approach to last the full five days. That’s why it’s called a<br />
‘test match’, because it really is a test of every aspect of<br />
your game.<br />
It’s long days for the spectators too, especially with all<br />
that hospitality! What’s your top tip for those people<br />
joining your tour?<br />
Well it’s a test for them too. (Laughs). You know, it’s hot<br />
weather, and you can get thirsty and lulled into drinking<br />
too much of the amber nectar. That’s when you see people<br />
dozing off at 3pm in the afternoon. So, you do have<br />
to pace yourself. Though on these tours we always try to<br />
get seats in the shade, so it’s fine.<br />
Australia itself is a big draw for people joining the tour.<br />
Do you like going back there?<br />
I love Australia. As much as they do like to think they give<br />
the English a hard time, deep down there’s a lot of respect<br />
for the English. There’s a great sporting culture in<br />
Australia, and they are really up for this contest.<br />
At the same time, it’s a great place beyond just the sport.<br />
The cities are all different, it’s such a massive country.<br />
You start in Brisbane where it’s very tropical, then it’s<br />
on to Perth where it’s very Mediterranean. Then in Melbourne<br />
you can have winter and summer all in one day.<br />
So, when you throw the cricket in with all this, it’s a really<br />
good mix.<br />
These kinds of tours are a great way to get a flavour of a<br />
new destination, such as visiting Ayers Rock, and visit-<br />
38 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
ing the wineries. It’s a great way to discover faraway<br />
places but in a sporting and convivial context.<br />
You sound like you enjoy travelling.<br />
Yes, I love travelling. And sport has really given me<br />
the opportunity to do it. I mean, I’ve been going to<br />
Australia since 1980 when I did my first cricket tour. I<br />
was an 18-year-old boy, a pup, when we toured all of<br />
Australasia. That gave me a taste for the touring life,<br />
being with a bunch of guys all on one mission.<br />
I played for 20 seasons – 20 years – and in that time<br />
I probably only had two or three winters in England.<br />
I’ve always loved going abroad and playing, so now<br />
these holiday tours are part of that. The group that<br />
I’m with, everyone is included and we make sure everyone’s<br />
having a good time. So even though I’m not<br />
playing, it’s a great way for me to carry on in this tradition.<br />
And it’s a good time of year to get away from<br />
England, frankly!<br />
What are your top tips for dealing with the long-haul<br />
flight to Australia?<br />
A good book, hopefully there’s a couple of nice films<br />
to watch, and also a couple of some really good wines<br />
to help make it more pleasurable.<br />
What kind of wine would you hope was on the menu?<br />
A good Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis, and a nice Merlot<br />
or Malbec. Just as long as it’s a nice drink, it doesn’t<br />
have to be too posh.<br />
What kind of food do you enjoy eating in Australia?<br />
Oh, fish. Lots of fresh fish.<br />
So go on then, tell me what it’s actually like to play<br />
in the Ashes.<br />
Because of the history of it, it is a nerve-wracking experience,<br />
but at the same time you’ve just got to say to<br />
yourself, ‘look, it’s just a game of cricket’. Initially, the<br />
noise, hullabaloo and fanfare grabs you, particularly<br />
for the young players.<br />
When you walk on the field to represent your country,<br />
you know the biggest battle as an Englishman is<br />
against the Australians, and vice versa. So you know<br />
it’s going to be really, really intense. It’s a real highlight<br />
to play in one of these series.<br />
39 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
What’s your abiding memory of the 4th test of the 86-<br />
87 Ashes where you were named Man of the Match?<br />
Well we just had the biggest party that you can have legally.<br />
(Laughs). I mean I was in a team with the likes of<br />
Mike Gatting, David Gower, Phil Edmonds, Graham Dilley<br />
– some really wonderful cricketers, but lovely people<br />
as well, who played hard on the field but enjoyed<br />
themselves off it too.<br />
At that stage, England hadn’t won a series in Australia<br />
for a while. I was called into the test match in Melbourne<br />
only half-an-hour before the game started. It<br />
was just my first tour. But I was able to contribute to<br />
what put us two-nil up in play. To be able to contribute<br />
in that environment is something that will always be up<br />
there for me.<br />
I can only imagine what went through your mind when<br />
you were called on to play in the match at such short<br />
notice.<br />
Luckily it wasn’t the night before because I wouldn’t<br />
have slept with all of that going through my mind. I<br />
didn’t have time. So it was just a matter of saying to myself,<br />
‘okay, here we go, let’s get on with it’.<br />
Of course you get butterflies and your palms are sweaty,<br />
and the noise from the 70,000 people in the crowd is<br />
scary. But once you’ve started, you collect your thoughts<br />
and just play a game of cricket. You do what you’re<br />
trained to do, and your natural instincts take over.<br />
Do you meet with old rivals when you’re back in Australia?<br />
Yes, I get to meet the guys I’ve played against, the likes<br />
of Merv Hughes, Dean Jones, Tom Hogan and Allan Border.<br />
We can’t beat each other up anymore, so we have a<br />
beer, a laugh, reminisce, and play a game of golf.<br />
In terms of travel in general, if you could be anywhere<br />
in the world right now, where would you be and why?<br />
Although I played for England my whole career, I was<br />
born in Barbados and that place has a real attachment<br />
for me. Also, these days, golf is my passion, so anywhere<br />
that there’s a stunningly beautiful golf course with nice<br />
weather that I can wear shorts and a t-shirt for a few<br />
days, that’ll do me.<br />
people who also played for England, such as Bob Willis,<br />
Dennis Amiss, David Brown, and international players<br />
like Brian Lara, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.<br />
So a lot of fond memories. In fact, anywhere I am in<br />
the world and hear ‘Gladys’ I know they are a Warwickshire<br />
supporter because that’s what they used to call me<br />
when I played there.<br />
Looking back at your career, and life in general, what<br />
are you most proud of?<br />
The thing I am most proud of? Well my love of cricket<br />
was handed down to me by my grandad. I don’t have<br />
many pictures in my house of me playing cricket, but<br />
the one picture I look at regularly, which will always<br />
bring a tear to my eye, is my grandad standing in his<br />
sugarcane field in Barbados and he’s wearing my England<br />
cap and sweater from the 1990 tour I did to the<br />
Caribbean. To see the guy who gave me the love of this<br />
wonderful sport was a really proud moment.<br />
That’s so lovely. Lastly, what message do you have for<br />
the group that will be joining you on the Ashes tour?<br />
I look forward to meeting you! It’s all about meeting fun,<br />
like-minded people and going to a wonderful country<br />
together. So just make sure you come away having had<br />
a good experience and having made some new friends.<br />
Tour details:<br />
The Ashes 2017-18 tours runs from 23 November 2017<br />
to 8 January 2018. The tour follows the whole series,<br />
including matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne<br />
and Sydney. Packages start at £3,445pp.<br />
View example packages at SportsEvents<strong>Travel</strong>.co.uk. Plan<br />
your trip with RB Collection on 01543 258631 or email<br />
vip@rbcollection.com.<br />
Last year, one of our Directors had the pleasure of meeting<br />
Gladstone at Birmingham Cricket Ground. Here are Nathan &<br />
Gladstone pictured together at the Qatar Airways event.<br />
What would be your dream course to play on?<br />
That’s a tough question. Maybe somewhere in Scotland,<br />
that’s a stunning place, or Pebble Beach on the Monterey<br />
peninsula in California. But then in Melbourne you<br />
have the Sandbelt area which has a couple of really great<br />
courses too, so hopefully I’ll be able to take some money<br />
off Merv Hughes on those courses. (Laughs).<br />
Ha! I love that. You say it’s all friendly reminiscing<br />
with your old rivals, but I bet it all comes out on the<br />
course when you’re playing together.<br />
You better believe it. You don’t want to lose to those<br />
guys, no matter what.<br />
You know, a lot of your career was in Warwickshire,<br />
near to RB Collection’s heartland. Do you have fond<br />
memories of your time there?<br />
Absolutely. I played at Warwickshire for 20 years. I had<br />
a terrific time with some great people – cricketers and<br />
people – through my 20 years there. And alongside<br />
40 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
THE FINEST CUTLERY & TABLEWARE<br />
We join together with fellow local, family business Arthur Price for a very special offer for our readers<br />
Arranging quality holidays and offering a superior service is someting we have in common<br />
with fellow Lichfield based family business Arthur Price of England.<br />
They continue to supply quality cutlery to some of the world’s most luxurious cruise<br />
ships and of course the Royal Family. We wish only the best for our clients and have<br />
teamed up with Arthur Price to offer you a special reduction on purchases at their factory<br />
shop on Boley Park, Lichfield.<br />
15% OFF<br />
Simply bring this copy of <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Explorer</strong><br />
with you before 31/12/2017 to qualify for<br />
this special reduction on purchase. Not to be<br />
used in conjunction with any offer or<br />
promotion, coupon or discount.<br />
Arthur Price Factory Shop<br />
Britannia Way, Lichfield,<br />
Staffordshire, WS14 9UY<br />
Tel: 01543 267324
“As we passed the Elafiti islands I reflected on our time at sea; including<br />
our wonderful swimming stops and dolphin sightings!”<br />
42 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
THE NEW DALMATIAN CRUISING ADVENTURE<br />
Words: Emma Wilson<br />
Sally practically threw herself at me as she rushed<br />
on deck. “Crikey – just made it - both on board and<br />
booking this cruise” she blurted. In the next few days<br />
we bonded over coffee on the gorgeous upper deck<br />
of the Agape Rose. She told me that she had only just<br />
managed to book the last cabin six months ago and<br />
warned that she was always late!<br />
It’s easy to see why this cruise is a hit. It starts in Trogir<br />
on a Saturday, thereby avoiding the packed port of<br />
Split. Trogir is a beautiful walled city under UNESCO<br />
protection and is just a short cruise from Split.<br />
Soon after departure, Matija, our charming cruise<br />
manager explained the choice of excursions. The island<br />
of Vis had long been a mystery for me so I immediately<br />
signed up for that.<br />
The Agape Rose is the newest vessel cruising the<br />
Dalmatian coast and islands. It launched in late May<br />
and is small enough to be able to dock in hidden, tiny<br />
coves. Elegant yet unfussy with 18 air conditioned<br />
spacious cabins, proper en suite bathrooms and with<br />
a maximum of 38 guests, comfort was assured. Lunch<br />
was usually a fresh Mediterranean affair served buffet<br />
style.<br />
As Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and islands are now one<br />
of the most popular holiday spots in Europe, a casual<br />
cruise like mine (preferably experienced in May, June,<br />
September or October) is the best way to see more<br />
destination and fewer crowds.<br />
Our first stop was the Krka National Park. A boardwalk<br />
led us through woods and past glittering waterfalls<br />
where we swam under the sparkling cascades.<br />
That evening we docked at Sibenik and I noticed anxious<br />
expressions among my fellow travellers as the<br />
less attractive side of Communist architecture glided<br />
into view. Parts of the waterfront have not received<br />
the makeover as other places have, but to me, these<br />
glimpses of the past are part of “the difference”. The<br />
old town of Sibenik is exquisite with narrow streets,<br />
stone churches and the UNESCO listed 10th Century<br />
Cathedral of St James with its 71 sculptures.<br />
Next day Split beckoned and since it wasn’t Saturday,<br />
we docked right opposite the entrance to Diocletian’s<br />
Palace. I’m sure it is no accident that the Roman Emperor<br />
chose this beautiful spot for his retirement<br />
home. Both the old town and the palace are also now<br />
under UNESCO protection.<br />
On the island of Hvar, we wandered across the honey<br />
coloured square, home to Europe’s oldest public<br />
theatre (1612) and then past St Stephen’s cathedral.<br />
On Brac we stopped at Pusisca to visit one of the few<br />
remaining stonemasonry schools in Europe. The island<br />
of Korcula and her herring bone pattern streets<br />
came next and on Mljet we heard tales of the nymph<br />
Calypso who captured Odysseus and held him there<br />
for seven years.<br />
Vis was the highlight for me. An island and town of<br />
the same name, which due to its strategic military<br />
zone status was off limits to visitors from the end of<br />
World War Two until 1989. My tour took in tunnels,<br />
gun emplacements, rocket launch sites, barracks for<br />
5,000 soldiers and the old grass runway airfield (built<br />
by the RAF and where returning British veterans still<br />
play cricket). The former tiny airport building is now<br />
a wine bar and the sign says, “wine bar – aerodrom”.<br />
Wow.<br />
On our last day, we headed for the forever famous, albeit<br />
a little overcrowded, Dubrovnik. She is still lovely<br />
though despite the crowds and I still managed to walk<br />
the mighty two-kilometre-long ramparts.<br />
As we passed the Elafiti islands I reflected on our time<br />
at sea; including our wonderful swimming stops and<br />
dolphin sightings! I had coffee with our captain who<br />
shared some secrets about this coast. Now, where’s<br />
my 2018 diary? My new friend Sally might want to<br />
come and do it all over again.<br />
Example package<br />
- Return flights from London (ask about others)<br />
- Return airport / port transfers<br />
- 7 nights on the Agape Rose<br />
- Welcome drink and snack<br />
- Half Board (breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 3 dinners)<br />
- Complimentary daily tea & coffee<br />
- Complimentary daily fresh fruit<br />
- Complimentary afternoon snack<br />
- Cruise Manager<br />
- Free Wi/Fi on board<br />
7 nights from £1,135 per person (based on 2 sharing)<br />
Advance Booking Special<br />
Save up to £80 per person when booking with us before<br />
31/12/17 - quote ‘RB Collection <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Explorer</strong>’.<br />
Call us on 01543 258631 to book.<br />
Price subject to availability, terms & conditions.<br />
43 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
THE MOST INCLUSIVE<br />
LUXURY EXPERIENCE<br />
FEATURED DESTINATION - ASIA<br />
OLD MEETS NEW IN THE FASCINATING<br />
HUTONG NEIGHBOURHOODS OF BEIJING<br />
Hutongs are the last remaining<br />
traditional villages of Beijing<br />
where winding alleys are lined<br />
with courtyard homes. For<br />
visitors, that means endless<br />
fascination in watching<br />
everyday activities, such as<br />
grandmothers doing the<br />
grocery shopping at a local<br />
wet market, housewives sitting<br />
around to gossip or children<br />
kicking a ball on their way<br />
to school. You might see<br />
locals walking the streets in<br />
their pyjamas on their way<br />
to brush their teeth in the<br />
public bathrooms (life is still<br />
very much communal here)<br />
in the mornings, or teenagers<br />
gathering to flirt over a snack at<br />
a street food stall after school.<br />
In the hutongs, community<br />
is truly everything and<br />
the relationships between<br />
neighbours are often tighter<br />
than family bonds.<br />
by Terry Ward, <strong>Travel</strong> Writer<br />
History of Hutongs<br />
Beijing’s original hutongs date<br />
to the 13th century and were<br />
mostly built during the Yuan<br />
(1206-1341), Ming (1368-1628)<br />
and Qing dynasties (1644-<br />
1908). The grey brick structures<br />
are just one-story high and<br />
quadrangle in shape, with<br />
several houses surrounding an<br />
interior courtyard. When the<br />
hutongs were originally built,<br />
family life within retained a<br />
strong sense of privacy behind<br />
the brick walls of individual<br />
homes (often shared by several<br />
families), while public life<br />
played out in plain view in the<br />
courtyards and narrow alleys<br />
connecting the hutongs.<br />
And while hutong areas are<br />
quickly disappearing due to<br />
Beijing’s frenetic construction<br />
rate, life continues much as it<br />
has in the past to this day.<br />
featured SAILING<br />
HONG KONG TO SHANGHAI<br />
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13 MAR 2019 | 15 NIGHTS<br />
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•<br />
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SHANGHAI<br />
TAIPEI (KEELUNG)<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
• •<br />
• •<br />
KAOHSIUNG<br />
• SEOUL (INCHEON)<br />
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ISHIGAKI (SAKISHIMA ISLANDS)<br />
Regent Seven Seas Cruises ® offers the MOST inclusive luxury experience, where everything is included;<br />
return flights and transfers, unlimited shore excursions, all fine dining and beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi and even gratuities and<br />
service charges - without exception, without compromise. Our four ultra-luxury, all-suite ships carry no more than 750 guests<br />
and with an enviable staff-to-guest ratio, there’s no better way to explore Asia.<br />
44 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER TO BOOK CONTACT RB COLLECTION ON 01543 258 631
WIN: LUXURY PERU EXPERIENCE<br />
We are excited to give you the chance to win a trip on one of the world’s most luxurious train journeys in Peru,<br />
on-board the wonderful Belmond Hiram Bingham.<br />
By Oliver, our Peru expert<br />
Peru has a special place in my heart as one of the most interesting<br />
and vibrant countries I have ever visited. Steeped in<br />
history and culture it has some of the world’s most famous<br />
archaeological sites to explore. I was lucky enough to stay<br />
at the wonderful Belmond Hotel Monastario in Cusco and<br />
also visit Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. The latter sits at the entrance<br />
to Machu Picchu allowing early entrance for guests to<br />
the site to avoid the crowds.<br />
What struck me was Belmond’s aim to reflect the local surroundings,<br />
and respect the country’s traditions and culture.<br />
Since my visit, Belmond have developed their presence in<br />
Peru with the opening of more authentic and luxurious hotels<br />
in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and more recently the Colca<br />
Canyon. This year they launched their first overnight sleeper<br />
train, Belmond Andean <strong>Explorer</strong> which travels from Cusco<br />
to Puno for Lake Titicaca and then to Arequipa.<br />
passing significant points of interest pointed out to us by our<br />
hosts. The food on-board and accompanying local entertainment<br />
made for a lifelong memory I will keep with me forever.<br />
In celebration of all the Peruvian developments, we can now<br />
orchestrate an itinerary to include many of the Belmond experiences<br />
and I am really excited that we are giving you the<br />
chance to experience the Belmond Hiram Bingham for yourself.<br />
This is a wonderful opportunity to integrate the journey<br />
into your own Peru adventure. See details below of how to<br />
enter.<br />
As we aim to offer a superior, personalised VIP service, I invite<br />
you to contact me to discuss and plan your tour of Peru.<br />
Whether that be joining an escorted group tour or creating<br />
the perfect tailor made itinerary. It is truly a great country and<br />
one which I am sure you can tell I am very passionate about.<br />
During my tour of Peru I also thoroughly enjoyed a journey<br />
on the Belmond Hiram Bingham, their luxury passenger<br />
train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes for our visit to Machu<br />
Picchu. This was most definitely one of the highlights of the<br />
trip for me. We were entertained in a pure, luxurious style as<br />
we meandered through the valleys to our final destination,<br />
How to enter<br />
For every overseas flight inclusive holiday you make with RB<br />
Collection between 15th September and 31st December 2017<br />
you will receive one entry into the competition, receive an additional<br />
entry for every Belmond experience booked. You can<br />
also enter by answering the following question:<br />
1) What is the name of Belmond’s new luxury sleeper train?<br />
a) Belmond Hiram Bingham<br />
b) Belmond Andean <strong>Explorer</strong><br />
c) Belmond Northern Belle<br />
Enter at www.rbcollection.com/belmond or send your entry<br />
with your contact details to us (address on page 2).<br />
Full terms and conditions can be found at:<br />
rbcollection.com/belmond.<br />
Explore Peru: rbcollection.com/peru.<br />
45 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
Why I love Australia...<br />
David Wickers, <strong>Travel</strong> Editor for Good Housekeeping<br />
The statistics speak for themselves. More than 700,000<br />
Brits travel to Australia every year. Those who have yet to<br />
go, regularly put it at the top of their wish list of places<br />
they most want to see, and more than half of those who<br />
have been once will go again.<br />
I’m not surprised. Draw up a list of all the ingredients<br />
that make the perfect holiday and you’ll find them all in<br />
glorious abundance Down Under.<br />
Let’s start with beaches which are so deeply engrained<br />
in the Aussie culture. The country has more than 7000 at<br />
the official count, from wild and surf pounded, to gently<br />
lapped shores where the waves would barely tickle a<br />
toddler. Whatever time of year you choose to visit you<br />
can find beaches basking in the very best weather. As<br />
well as beside the sea, there are wonders under the<br />
surface. Whether snorkelling or diving on the Great<br />
Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland or Ningaloo<br />
Reef north of Perth; mostly famously home to the whale<br />
shark, the gentle giant of the ocean.<br />
Australia is one of the most scenically diverse countries<br />
on earth. Take a turn inland from the coast and you can<br />
experience the immense, fire-coloured Outback, where<br />
remarkable land forms loom, million acre cattle stations<br />
shimmer in the heat haze and the occasional township,<br />
whose populations may number less than the fingers<br />
of your hand, show up on the horizon for no apparent<br />
reason. And this searing, cinder dry inhospitable world<br />
is also home to the world’s oldest surviving culture, with<br />
Aboriginal rock art dating back more than 40 millennia.<br />
Other directions will lead you to World Heritage listed<br />
rainforests, the oldest on the planet, or to the temperate<br />
wilderness of Tasmania.<br />
Australia’s wild wonders stand in sharp contrast to its<br />
world class cities, with their designer stores, galleries,<br />
museums, sophisticated restaurants and luxurious<br />
hotels. Sydney, wrapped around its harbour with two<br />
of travel’s most iconic sights, the Opera House and<br />
Harbour Bridge, is one of the most handsome cities<br />
in the world. But each city, from Perth in the west to<br />
Darwin in the North, Brisbane in the northeast and both<br />
Adelaide and Melbourne in the south, though lacking in<br />
Sydney’s instant photogenic charisma, has its appeal –<br />
and its passionate devotees.<br />
Just to whet your appetite a little more, I must just<br />
mention the food and wine. So amazing is the produce<br />
that everyone’s a foodie Down Under, with none of the<br />
familiar class barriers you sometimes find at home.<br />
You’ll also want to visit some of the vineyards whose<br />
wines have even knocked the French viticulturists<br />
off the prize-winners’ plinths. When, for example, an<br />
Aussie refers to a ‘top drop’ he or she will really know<br />
what they’re talking about. Even more remarkable is that<br />
the vineyards of, the Margaret River, now referred to as<br />
the ‘Bordeaux of the New World’, had not a single vine<br />
sprouting from its soil until the 1960s<br />
Even in some of the most remote locations on the planet,<br />
in the middle of million acre cattle stations, in faraway<br />
swathes of rainforest and castaway Crusoe islands,<br />
you can find yourself utterly pampered in world class<br />
properties. No matter how high the standards you have<br />
come to expect from travels in other parts of the world,<br />
you’ll find them met, and in many cases often exceeded,<br />
in Australia.<br />
Not bad for a country where we Brits were once<br />
dispatched as a punishment!<br />
DAVID’S TOP SIX GREAT THINGS TO DO DOWN<br />
UNDER<br />
1. Spend the night in a swag in the Outback<br />
2. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge<br />
3. Hop across to Kangaroo Island, home of a menagerie<br />
of wildlife, some to be seen nowhere else on earth. It’s<br />
the Galapagos of Down Under.<br />
4. Take a surfing lesson.<br />
5. Cross Australia on either the legendary Ghan, from<br />
the top to the toe, Darwin to Adelaide via Alice Springs,<br />
or the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney, a 2700 mile<br />
journey.<br />
6. Drive along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, one of the<br />
world’s most scenic drives taking in the Twelve Apostles.<br />
For 17 years David was the chief <strong>Travel</strong> Correspondent<br />
on The Sunday Times, and on three occasions was voted<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> Writer of the Year. As a result of his first-hand<br />
experiences, including extensive travel throughout North<br />
America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New<br />
Zealand and the South Pacific, he is in a unique position to<br />
know what it takes to create the perfect holiday experience.<br />
We work closely with David and his team to offer a unique<br />
experience to our clients for holidays to Australia, contact<br />
us for further details.<br />
46 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER
A PERSONAL TOUCH<br />
With less than 300 suites, Silver Muse is the<br />
epitome of Silversea excellence. A small,<br />
intimate ship with uncompromised levels of<br />
service, comfort, design and accommodation,<br />
she offers tailor-made experiences to last<br />
a lifetime.<br />
06 February 2018, 10 days<br />
BUENOS AIRES TO RIO DE JANEIRO<br />
Silver Muse<br />
VISTA SUITE FROM £4,500pp<br />
OUTDOOR LIVING<br />
From tranquil niches and observation areas to<br />
an unprecedented spacious pool deck, outdoor<br />
lounges and three open-air restaurants, our<br />
tailor-made outdoor spaces have been<br />
conceived so that time spent aboard is most<br />
definitely, time well spent.<br />
29 May 2018, 7 days<br />
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME) TO VENICE<br />
Silver Muse<br />
VISTA SUITE FROM £4,100pp<br />
01 July 2018, 7 days<br />
BARCELONA TO MONTE CARLO<br />
Silver Muse<br />
VISTA SUITE FROM £4,300pp<br />
CULINARY EXCELLENCE<br />
Soak up the ambience and award-winning<br />
gastronomic pedigree of what is surely the<br />
most comprehensive dining experience at sea.<br />
Eight superb restaurants mean more choice<br />
than ever while our unrivalled culinary<br />
excellence raises the bar in offshore dining.<br />
Fares shown are cruise-only, in Pound Sterling, per guest,<br />
based on double-occupancy in lowest suite category<br />
available. Fares are capacity controlled and subject to<br />
change at any time without notice. Additional restrictions<br />
may apply. All fares, savings, offers, itineraries, voyage<br />
highlights, excursions and programmes are subject to<br />
change without notice. Visit Silversea.com for complete<br />
Terms and Conditions.<br />
To discover more about Silver Muse’s exciting itineraries or<br />
to book call RB Collection on 01543 258631
DISCOVER THE<br />
Canadian Rockies<br />
by Rocky Mountaineer<br />
2018 PRE- AND POST-CRUISE LAND TOUR<br />
Discover the dramatic scenery and lush green valleys of<br />
the Canadian West, including the majestic snow-capped<br />
peaks of the Canadian Rockies and the incredible wonders<br />
of Banff and Vancouver, on this unique five-day land tour.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> in the comfort of the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer,<br />
an award-winning train that brings you an ever-changing<br />
and astounding panorama of snow-capped mountains, river<br />
canyons, glaciers, meadows and forests.<br />
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER GOLD LEAF TOUR AND CRUISE FROM £5,727 *<br />
*<br />
BASED ON 11 NIGHTS WITH FLIGHTS DEPARTING FROM LONDON 8 TH JUN 2018 IN A VERANDA STATEROOM. ADDITIONAL DATES AVAILABLE.<br />
HIGHLIGHTS:<br />
• Luxurious two-day rail travel experience aboard the Gold Leaf Service<br />
Rocky Mountaineer, an award-winning train with Michelin-starred chefs,<br />
including gourmet meals, beverages, wine and cheese, service and more<br />
• Guided half-day exploration of Banff, including the dramatic Bow Falls<br />
and the popular Banff Gondola, which offers stunning views of six<br />
incredible mountain ranges<br />
• Pre-Cruise Land Tour includes an exciting half-day tour of North<br />
Vancouver, including the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge<br />
• Post-Cruise Land Tour includes tickets to the Vancouver Lookout Tower,<br />
which offers panoramic views of the city, Burrard Inlet and the North<br />
Shore Mountains<br />
• 4 nights at iconic hotel properties<br />
*Subject to changes and availability. Complete Terms & Conditions on OceaniaCruises.com. E&EOE.<br />
48 | RB COLLECTION | TRAVEL EXPLORER<br />
BOOK WITH RB COLLECTION ON 01543 258631