Kirker Holidays' Short Breaks brochure 2013 - new destinations, hotels and holiday experiences

Jan. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- When summer seems as far away as it does right now, there’s only one solution. Book a restorative short break to one of Europe’s classic cities or further afield. Featuring numerous new destinations and a plethora of new hotels for 2013, Kirker Holidays’ latest short breaks brochure is sure to inspire a much-needed escape.

With over 25 years’ experience of creating sublime tailor-made itineraries for its discerning clientele, Kirker promises all the essential ingredients for a relaxing few days away. Flying from a wide range of regional airports to destinations across Europe (including Russia), North Africa & the Middle East, as well as Cuba and New York, packages include accommodation with breakfast, private transfers, Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing, and the services of the Kirker Concierge to book expert local guides, opera tickets or a table for dinner, as required.

New destinations for 2013...

In Scandinavia:

•   ALTA: Clear skies and a northerly latitude make the small Norwegian town of Alta a prime location for potential Northern Lights viewings during the winter months. Travel in summer, and long daylight hours combine with a mild climate to provide superb sightseeing conditions. Three nights from £768 pp*.

•   OSLO: A wonderful collection of galleries and museums await the short break visitor to Norway’s vibrant capital, whilst gastronomes will delight in its growing number of Michelin-starred restaurants and thriving café culture. Three nights from £898 pp*.

•   TROMSØ: Experience your own mini Polar adventure in the city long regarded as a ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. Dog-sledding, snowmobiling and Northern Lights spotting are just a few of the winter activities on offer, whilst a programme of summer concerts and festivals make this a warm-weather short break option, too. Three nights from £749 pp*.

•   TRONDHEIM: Direct flights from the UK have opened up this buzzing university city for Scandinavian short break enthusiasts, where the mediaeval Nidaros Cathedral, the open-air Sverresborg Trondelag Folkemuseum and Bryggen’s distinctive wooden warehouses and buildings are all must-see sights. Three nights from £738 pp*.

•   Norwegian Coastal Voyages: With Hurtigruten, known world-wide for its fleet of 11 vessels that depart from the historic Hanseatic port of Bergen to Kirkenes, deep within the Arctic Circle on the Russian border. Of particular appeal to discerning travellers keen to explore Norway’s coastline and wildlife as part of a tailor-made itinerary, a six-night holiday costs from £1,575 pp (two sharing) including return flights (London), private transfers, four nights on board and two nights in Tromsø.

Plus...

•   BERN: Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage Site as its old town centre, ornate fountains, narrow cobbled streets and 15th century vaulted arcades, the oft-overlooked Swiss capital also offers mediaeval history, fascinating museums and pretty green spaces in abundance. Three nights from £1,368 pp*.

•   INNSBRUCK: Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and home to three of the most important historical buildings in Austria (the former Imperial residence of the Habsburgs, the Baroque Hofburg Palace and the 16th century Gothic Imperial Church), Innsbruck’s appeal as both a winter and a summer short break destination cannot be over stated. Three nights from £659 pp*.

•   INTERLAKEN: Rail enthusiasts, lake lovers and those who simply relish being surrounded by stunning natural vistas will find an immediate affinity with Interlaken. Enjoy a paddle steamer excursion trip on Lakes Thun or Brienz, explore the extensive network of hiking trails or take the rack railway to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Three nights from £976 pp*.

•   MONTREUX: Set on the shores of Lake Geneva in a sheltered bay and surrounded by vineyards, Montreux’s renowned annual Jazz Festival is just one of many reasons to visit this sublime Swiss resort. Three nights from £998 pp*.

Also new, and featured in Kirker’s dedicated FRANCE 2013 brochure, are: Arles, Beaune, Corsica, Dijon, Épernay, the Loire Valley, Marseille, Mont St Michel, Montpelier, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Nîmes, Orange, Rouen, St. Malo, Strasbourg, The Camargue & Vougeot.

New hotels for 2013...

Renowned for its carefully-chosen accommodation, ranging from characterful three-star, family-run guest houses to five-star deluxe hotels, Kirker is adept in matching clients’ tastes and budget to the property that will suit them best. Joining its collection this year are several new hotels, including:

•   CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE: Reside at the five-star deluxe Atlantic in Hamburg (three nights from £849 pp*); enjoy delightful riverside views at Lucerne’s Des Balances boutique hotel (three nights from £998 pp*);  dine overlooking Lake Geneva at the four-star deluxe Angleterre & Résidence in Lausanne (three nights from £785 pp*); and explore Vienna from the newly-opened, five-star deluxe Ritz-Carlton (three nights from £976 pp*).

•   FRANCE: Among the many hotels joining Kirker’s French collection are the five-star deluxe Le Bristol in Paris (three nights from £1,659 pp*), the four-star deluxe Châteaux La Chenevière in Bayeux (three nights from £869 pp*), the atmospheric three-star superior Villa Rivoli in Nice (three nights from £498 pp*) and, overlooking the Luberon mountains in Provence, the four-star deluxe La Bastide de Capelongue (three nights from £698 pp*).

•   IRELAND: Minutes from the breathtaking south coast and just 20 miles from Cork, Ballyamaloe House is a superior country house hotel offering wonderful hospitality, seasonal dishes created from local produce and activities ranging from cookery courses to tennis and golf. Three nights from £698 pp*.

•   MOROCCO: Discerning travellers who can tear themselves away from Marrakech will be justly rewarded by rustic Berber-style design and exceptional mountain views at the newly-opened Le Village Du Toubkal (four-star), near Imlil. Three nights from £648 pp*.

•   PORTUGAL: Formerly the home of a 17th century noble family, Vivenda Miranda (four-star deluxe) is now an intimate and peaceful boutique hotel, close to the Algarve’s Praia do Mos beach. Three nights from £489 pp*.

•   SPAIN: Perched imperiously on the cliffs high above the fishing village of Port Soller in Mallorca, the newly-opened Jumeirah Hotel (five-star deluxe) offers top-drawer luxury for pleasure-seekers. Three nights from £698 pp*.

•   RUSSIA: Due to open this spring, the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace in St. Petersburg promises fine dining from around the world, luxurious spa treatments and spacious marble-clad bedrooms (three nights from £1,389 pp*).

*Prices are based on two sharing and include flights (London), private transfers or hire car, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes & Kirker Concierge service.

New experiences for 2013...

Kirker has added the Danube Express to its Central & Eastern Europe programme for 2013. Journey in comfort on board this private train, enjoying attentive yet informal service, scenic day-time travel and en-route stops for sightseeing. Trips cost from £3,998 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), private transfers, three nights’ full board on the Danube Express (deluxe compartment), three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast, and a full sightseeing itinerary.

For more details, call Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2283 or visit http://www.kirkerholidays.com.  

Ends / 18 January 2013        

Press:  Contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.