Newsletter August 2007

If you’re reading this on Sunday, wish me luck as right about now I will be dragging myself around the docklands on my inaugural/testimonial triathlon!

Personal training aside, this month we’ve been working on another new video to add to our collection, this time in the Spanish resort of Cerler. This is one of our Sociable Ski holidays, and a bit of a family favourite, so you might spot me and my brother hurtling down the slopes. I personally love this video as it captures the spirit of the trip perfectly.

For some time now we’ve been working towards becoming members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators – and we can finally confirm ourselves as the new kids on the block. We’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our commitment to responsible tourism through this prestigious and organisation.

And finally a brief word for a member of our own team. You may or may not know Sarah, our head of operations. Sarah works immensely hard behind the scenes, making sure your holidays are smooth and problem-free. If you’re a regular traveller with us, and don’t know Sarah, well I can only suggest that it’s testament to the quality of her work that she’s so invisible.

Read on, enjoy and keep in mind that we have plenty of fresh ideas for holidays over the next few months. If you want to talk to one of us, just call us on 0845 22 55 058 (+44 1273 676712 from outside the UK). We’re here from 9am-7pm weekdays. We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter but if you would like to unsubscribe, just click on the link on the bottom of this page.

All the best,

Thomas Power

Sociable Ski Week

Watch our latest video

Next season sees the third year of our Sociable Ski Week. As ever, this is about enjoying relaxed skiing in good company at the uncrowded, unpretentious resort of Cerler in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Cerler is enchantingly known as the ‘hidden valley’ as access is limited to one road through a winding gorge. When you get there, the ski slopes are quiet and spacious and there’s none of the frenetic energy or long queues that characterise so many Alpine resorts.

All levels of skiers can enjoy the 71km of skiable runs on 60 pistes, served by 18 queue less lifts – or if you’ve never clutched a ski pole or buckled yourself to a snowboard, Jaime, your experienced guide, can give you all the tuition you need.

Guests stay in a small and stylish family-run hotel in the heart of the old village of Cerler. The building itself is a charming old stone farmhouse with comfortable ensuite rooms. In the evening you can sit out on the balcony, watch the sun descend over the piste with a glass of Rioja and wind down from your day. Alternatively, the local area caters for all tastes morning, noon and night, both for night owls and gastronomes.

We also offer family holidays to the same resort in Cerler. Read what Fiona Macleod, a journalist from the Independent made of it all last year.

Antarctica – IAATO membership

Following the IAATO annual meeting, we’re delighted to announce ourselves as associate members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators).

This organisation promotes safe and environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic, based on some startling tourist statistics (now more than 20,000 tourists visit the Antarctic every year). The IAATO was founded in 1991 as recognition of the potential environmental impact of these regular visitors.

So what does this mean for Pura? Well, as an IAATO member, we’ve committed ourselves to the IAATO guidelines which range from allowing only sensible numbers of people ashore at one time, to providing contingency and emergency medical evacuation plans.

Environmentally speaking, IAATO sets the standards – even the boat we work with, Antarctic Dream, and our guides, are certified members, combining expertise with an intimate knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna.

The IAATO promotes a greater worldwide understanding and protection of the Antarctic – striving to leave it as pristine and as majestic for future generations as it is today.

To find out more about IAATO guidelines see: www.iaato.org

See our full range of holidays to Antarctica at: www.pura-aventura.com/antarctica_holidays

Autumn Spanish Breaks

Active Spain: Picos Adventure

Enjoy a relaxed, varied and fun week away in the beautiful Picos de Europa with nights spent in a charming small hotel nestled deep in the peaceful valley. In the daytime you can explore the Picos – one of Europe’s most beautiful secrets – with your own guide and private transport. The robust and tasty local food will give you all the energy and drive you need for active days spent in the great outdoors.

Active Spain: Picos Adventure Weekend

Pack your bags for an action-packed weekend away, with activities that are about as varied as the Picos de Europa mountains themselves. Hike past high mountain peaks, bike along the rugged coastline, canyon down steep gorges, canoe past villages – all with expert guidance and in breathtaking scenery.

Rustle up the adventurer in you, and prepare to get down and dirty – but without sacrificing the comforts of a decent bed and delicious meals at the end of the day. What better way to spend a weekend?

Walk Spain: Rioja Vineyard Trail

Enjoy Rioja’s scenery, wine and fine food on this luxurious and inclusive guided holiday. We’ve found that walking is quite simply the ideal way to experience La Rioja’s beauty and stunning variety, and it’s never a chore to work up an appetite for some of Spain’s finest food. For connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike, the wine tasting course is an enjoyable way to develop your appreciation for wine – under the guise of education.

All thanks to Sarah!

Sarah is our head of operations and in charge of making sure that all flights, guides, hotels, transport, meals, activities and excursions are booked, tracked, paid for, confirmed and then re-confirmed. Our hands-on approach to organisation means we prefer to deal direct with suppliers rather than agencies, so for Sarah, this means handling heaps of detailed information, day in and day out.

Before we extract the violins however, let’s make it clear that Sarah has been organising holidays from an early age. With an eye for detail, a pile of brochures, a region and a budget, she would regularly draw up a shortlist for the family holiday. For Sarah, brochures, maps and atlases were favoured over the usual teen magazines, so the passion for travel and organising has been slowly but persistently weaving its magic.

Sarah is a totally invaluble member of the Pura team and we’d like to extend our thanks and appreciation of her hard work! Masterchef* will have to be for another lifetime, Sarah!

• We nearly lost Sarah to Masterchef at one point, although fortunately for us, her pesto sauce was such a ‘miss’ that the tasting chef spat it out. Close call…

The 7 New Wonders of the World

The New Seven Wonders of the World were recently announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal – and we’re delighted to see that three of the New Seven Wonders of the World are to be found on ‘our patch’. Let us help steer you away from the crowds and give you a sense of the real culture and history behind these awe-inspiring sights:

Machu Picchu in Peru
Christ Redeemer in Brazil
Chichén Itzá, Mexico
The Great Wall, China
Petra, Jordan
The Roman Colosseum, Italy
The Taj Mahal, India
The New Seven Wonders of the World were announced in Lisbon, appropriately on 7th July 2007 (07.07.07!).