AIR FRANCE
AND COSTA CROCIERE signed an agreement to coordinate their
schedules and boost the number of seats on Air France flights
reserved for Costa cruise passengers. Costa Crociere is Air
France's top partner for air-inclusive cruise packages, while Air
France is Costa's principal airline in terms of revenue and number
of passengers. In 2007 Air France flights will account for more
than 20% of Costa's air transport budget.
SWISS
DELUXE HOTELS, which represents 36 five-star hotels in
Switzerland, reported a strong 2006-07 winter season despite
lackluster snowfalls. An internal survey of member hotels showed
that, on average, the number of overnight stays increased by more
than 10% compared with the previous year. Several properties, such
as the Gstaad Palace, Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa and the
Suvretta House in St. Moritz, recorded their best seasons ever.
City hotels such as the Palace Luzern, the Eden au Lac and Baur au
Lac in Zurich and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhone in Geneva,
also posted strong seasons.
RAIL
EUROPE unveiled commissionable Web-only fares, saving as
much as 10% off prices at the company's call center. The fares are
available on all rail passes, point-to-point rail tickets and city
transport/tour products for travel throughout Europe and the U.K.,
including best-sellers like Eurail Passes, France Railpasses,
Eurostar tickets and Paris Visite. Agent commission on European
rail products starts at 5%for electronic bookings. To book the
rates, visit http://agent.raileurope.com.
TRAFALGAR created a nine-night Greek Island
Hopper itinerary that includes three nights each in Athens, Mykonos
and Santorini. Highlights include a walking tour of the Acropolis,
the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch in Athens. The land price
starts at $1,665 per person, double, including accommodations,
buffet breakfast daily, two dinners, transportation by
air-conditioned coach and high-speed express ferry and the services
of a tour director. Also available is a new Express Check-In
service that enables passengers to complete tour registration forms
in advance online at www.trafalgar.com.
INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS trimmed $2,000
per person from its Aug. 11 voyage to Croatia and the Dalmatian
Coast if booked by June 30. The voyage features seven nights aboard
the 34-guest Callisto and three hotel nights in Plitvice Lakes
National Park and in Zagreb. The trip is priced from $5,998 to
$7,998 per person with the discount. Prices include accommodations,
most meals, local transportation, guides and group transfers.
International air fare also is available through International
Expeditions. For details, visit www.IEtravel.com.
Europe
Editor: Felicity Long
Phone: (781) 659-1301
[email protected]
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