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Barceló UK is offering guests the chance to enjoy free stays at some of its fantastic four star hotels this August!

Guests staying at the Barceló Basingstoke Country Hotel,
Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel,
Barcelo Daventry Hotel or the
Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel, will get their accommodation free when they pay for just breakfast and dinner.*

Pick your favourite location and enjoy the benefits of our summer offer

* Barceló Basingstoke Country Hotel in Hampshire UK is a delightful woodland hotel ideally located for exploring Hampshire and the south of England.
* Extremely easy to get to, Barceló Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire is a great destination for business or leisure. There’s so much to see and do in the local area, and you won’t have to travel far to enjoy it all.
* Surrounded by pretty Northamptonshire villages and towns and centrally located in Daventry, this hotel is just off the M1 and close to the M40. Barceló Daventry Hotel in Northamptonshire UK is spacious and modern offering comfortable rooms and a great location.
* Barceló Cardiff Angel Hotel in Wales has stood the test of time and been a favourite in Cardiff long before it became the capital, so it’s a great place to be to explore the whole of this vibrant city.

These fantastic four star hotels are ideally located – perfect for exploring the local surroundings, soaking up the history, sights and attractions, or simply putting your feet up to relax. Holidaying at home has never been better!

Guests can also enjoy complimentary use of the hotels’ fantastic facilities including excellent health and leisure clubs and children’s games rooms.

Barceló UK has 21 luxury 4 star hotels throughout Britain, from traditional coastal and country retreats to vibrant town and city getaways, from Scotland to Torquay. Relax and discover some fascinating areas of the country. Stay in beautiful four-star hotels where your comfort, enjoyment and indulgence are our priority.

Other Health, Spa and Leisure offers

Barceló UK has some fabulous health and leisure facilities, which are free for you to use during your stay and are ideal for relaxing tired legs or building up your appetite! If you’re feeling energetic, there’s plenty of cardiovascular and resistance equipment to keep you occupied, or you could just lay back in a bubbling spa pool or hot sauna, or take a leisurely swim in the heated pool. Whether you are looking for total relaxation, or an unrivalled range of treatments our luxury health & beauty spas provide the perfect retreat.

Treat yourself or someone special to a Barceló Spa Day at the hotel of your choice. Your day of pampering includes 3 hours worth of treatments, a light lunch, bathrobe and slippers, and full use of the Health Club, all from only £99 per person.

Other Family Hotel Offers

Stay all-inclusive at
Barcelo Torquay Imperial Hotel
Forget those hidden extras and enjoy a fantastic 5 or 7 night all inclusive break at the Barceló Torquay Imperial 4 star Hotel.

Your all inclusive package includes your accommodation in a Premium bedroom, all meals, drinks, entertainment and discounted attraction tickets, plus up to 2 children (aged 15 & under) stay FREE!*
Your all inclusive meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with your meals you’ll be offered our house wines , beers, soft drinks and water

Stay, Play & Explore in Leicestershire
Enjoy a one night break at
Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel with all the family for only £99 per room! This fantastic rate includes family tickets to 3 local attractions!

P&O Cruises is famous for its quality of dining and choice of fine dining restaurants on its fleet of ships. It works with three iconic British chefs, each of whom have restaurants on board and who travel regularly to uphold the quality, meet and entertain the passengers as well as holding question and answer sessions, book signings, demonstrations and exclusive cookery sessions.

Gary Rhodes has Oriana Rhodes and Arcadian Rhodes – fine dining restaurants on Oriana and Arcadia.

Marco Pierre White has the Mediterranean restaurant and al fresco terrace, The White Room on Ventura as well as the authentic French brasseries, Cafe Bordeaux on Aurora and Cafe Jardin on Oceana

Michelin starred Indian chef Atul Kochhar has Sindhu on P&O Cruises newest ship, Azura serving the finest Asian-fusion cuisine for which he has won great acclaim.

As part of the P&O Cruises Early Booking Spectacular, passengers booking on one of the following cruises in 2011 on which the chefs will be travelling, could be in with a chance to win a voucher for £150 to dine at selected Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar restaurants across the UK, including Rhodes 24, The Yew Tree and Benares.

For further details see www.pocruises.co.uk/cruiseanddine.

Gary Rhodes travel dates:

* Oriana cruise no.X106. May 3 Western Mediterranean
* Oriana cruise no. X115. Sep 4 Spain, Portugal & France
* Arcadia cruise no J102 March 29 Western Mediterranean
* Arcadia cruise no J106. July 21 Spitsbergen & Fjords

Marco Pierre White travel dates:

* Ventura cruise no N107 March 27 Western Mediterranean
* Aurora cruise no R107 June 20 Central Mediterranean
* Oceana cruise no E119 July 23 Western Mediterranean
* Ventura cruise no N123 Sep 3 Western Mediterranean
* Oceana cruise no E130 Nov 9 Canary Islands

Atul Kochhar travel dates:

* Azura cruise no A111 May 12 2011 Central Mediterranean
* Azura cruise no A115 July 3 2011 Baltic
* Azura cruise no A121 September 18 2011 Spain, Portugal, Morocco
* Azura cruise no A125 November 11 2011 Caribbean

Participating restaurants are:

Marco Pierre White

Marco Pierre White at The Yew Tree, Newbury
Marco Pierre White at Wheeler’s of St James, London

Atul Kochhar

Benares, Berkeley Square, London
Vatika, Wickham Vineyard, Hampshire

Gary Rhodes

Rhodes Twenty Four, Tower 42, London
Rhodes W1, Great Cumberland Place, London
Rhodes South, Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Dorset

There is a rare chance to see some very cute baby owlets at the United Kingdom’s The Lost Gardens of Heligan over the next few weeks, on its brand new family Summer Wildlife Activity Trail.

The Heligan wildlife team have discovered three gorgeous barn owl chicks have been born in one of its nest boxes. As part of Heligan’s pioneering Wildlife Project, the chicks are now on camera in their nest and visitors will be able to watch them LIVE from the special Horsemoor hide.

The owlets are an exciting highlight on the new Heligan Summer Wildlife Activity Trail which invites kids to ‘Go Wild’ this August and is free to all family groups. It is being launched to encourage families and young visitors to get involved with the fascinating world of wildlife waiting to be discovered in the gardens and estate of Heligan.

“Heligan in the Summer is magical, and we wanted to give children in particular the chance to interact with wildlife and discover some of the pioneering work we do with Nature, through doing the Trail,” said Peter Stafford, MD of The Lost Gardens of Heligan. “Seeing the baby owls is the perfect way for kids to experience Mother Nature in action and learn how exciting wildlife can be.”

The barn owls’ story began in April, with a fight over a barn owl nest box sited on the edge of Horsemoor Wood. The box was fought over by a pair of barn owls and a pair of jackdaws both trying to use the box to nest in. The jackdaws won and successfully raised a chick. The barn owls however were not to be deterred and went off to find another purpose built barn owl box to use at Heligan.

Once the owls were settled a camera was placed outside to monitor their activity. Last week, under the supervision of world famous naturalist, broadcaster and conservation officer for the Hawk and Owl trust, Chris Sperring, Heligan installed cameras inside the barn owl nest box. The chicks were ringed by the barn owl trust and it is thought they are now around five weeks old.

The Heligan wildlife team, visitors and online Heligan wildlife followers are eagerly waiting to see if the chicks will successfully fledge in around three or four weeks.

Pictures from the nest box are being broadcast on Heligan’s dedicated wildlife web page heliganwild.com.

Toronto, Canada - Butterfield & Robinson, the leading luxury active travel company, today announced three new trips in the heart of Europe: Berlin to Dresden Biking, Vienna to Budapest Biking and Dalmatian Coast Biking. These build off the success of B&R’s popular Prague to Vienna Biking. Butterfield & Robinson has done some exceptional European biking over the years, but the routes in Eastern Europe rank among the best.

“We are seeing a trend towards interest in biking and walking in the more undiscovered corners of Europe like Hungary.” says George Butterfield, founder of Butterfield & Robinson. “B&R’s biking trip in Austria and the Czech Republic led the recovery in 2010, echoing a growing interest in the wines and cultures of these regions.”

Berlin to Dresden Biking New!
This bike journey combines the reinvigorated cities of the former East Germany and the tranquil countryside that connects them. Beginning in Berlin, one of Europe’s most intoxicating and bike-friendly cities; the trip delves next into the Spree forest then meanders onwards to wine country’s quiet bike paths dotted with castles. Pedal along the river Elbe with views of the stunningly restored Baroque city of Dresden—a city that has literally risen from the ashes, and our final destination.

6 days/ 5 nights • US $5,795 per person • Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Dalmatian Coast Biking New
Exploring Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast aboard a private Turkish-style gulet is without a doubt the best way to experience arguably the finest scenery in Europe. Avoid the public ferries and complicated schedules! Access hidden swimming coves, a yacht-only restaurant and pedal quiet seaside roads. By day travellers discover villages with rustic stone cottages, Venetian villas and fields of aromatic thyme and lavender fields then each night retreat to luxury accommodation aboard a private gulet moored in a secluded harbour.

8 days/ 7 nights • From US$11,995 per person • Jul, Sep, Oct

Prague to Vienna Biking
A journey between the great capitals of Prague and Vienna is a trip back in time. In Bohemia, pedal through the breadbasket of the Czech Republic, past castles and churches, lush forests and winding rivers. Crossing over into Austria, we enter the UNESCO protected Wachau, where wine has been cultivated for some 1,000 years. We follow the lazy Danube through vineyards and villages, appreciate Baroque architecture and taste world-class wines. Arriving in the Imperial City of Vienna by week’s end, we enjoy an appropriately regal finale. (Also offered as a family trip for ages 12 and older.)

7 days/ 6 nights • From US$5,995 per person • May, Jun, Aug, Sep

Vienna to Budapest Biking New!
Butterfield & Robinson has done some exceptional European biking over the years, but Hungary’s ranks among the best—from flat cycling paths alongside Lake Balaton to the spectacular road of the Badacsony wine region. United for centuries under the Hapsburgs, Vienna and Budapest stand for the vastly different histories of their respective countries. Austria is a land of iconic images: grand opera, flawless farmland, and hills alive with the sound of music. Hungary on the other hand offers the quiet understated authenticity—farmers with horse-drawn carts tugging on their caps to say hello, old women with head scarves pushing their bikes through the markets, and hunters whispering to their dogs before they flush the partridges—all can be seen while cycling on this B&R trip.

6 days/ 5 nights • US $5,995 per person • Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep