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The Thomson Lakes blog waves goodbye
Yes it's true, the Thomson Lakes blog won't be featuring any new material from this point on. However, we will be leaving the blog in place so you can continue to enjoy the archive of articles that our team has written over the past 12 months.
If you have any questions about any of the destinations featured in any of our articles or about any of our summer holidays please visit the Thomson Lakes website.
Getting ready for summer 2012
Hello,
Hoping everybody has had a pleasant Christmas and New Year. Spring will soon be around the corner, and before we know it, summer will be here.
We're getting set up for the summer season ahead, and we'll be posting again more frequently here from April 2012.
So pop a note in your diary to come and pay us a visit again in the Spring time!
And if you've yet to book your summer break, visit us at www.thomsonlakes.co.uk for some inspiration. If you book before the 31st January you could save £100 off your holiday cost.
See you soon,
Jon, Amy and the Thomson Lakes Social Media Team.
Summer holidays in Europe for 2012 - Thomson Lakes' new brochure launches today
Today is the launch day for the main edition of next summer’s Thomson Lakes & Mountains brochure featuring over 75 resorts in nine countries and holidays to scenic lakes, tranquil mountains, historic cities, beautiful coastlines and Platinum hotel holidays for a bit of luxury.
Thomson double their number of Discovery packages
For next summer, Thomson offers more than double the number of Discovery packages in the new brochure. Each package is different, but they all include a selection of excursions, activities and other added value such as free drinks and packed lunches. For example: Kranjska Gora Discovery includes excursions to the Julian Alps, Bled, Bohinj, a guided evening walk and a chairlift ride; the Lake Como Discovery includes excursions to St Moritz on the Bernina Express, Milan, Lake Orta and Stresa. Other new packages are Treasures of Italy, Bavaria, Seefeld, Scheffau and Mayrhofen Discovery.
Mediterranean cruising to Italy, Greece and Montenegro
Also new for 2012 is the ‘Italy, Greece and Montenegro Cruise’, a ten night’s trip starting with a two-night stay in Venice, followed by the cruise on MSC Armonia from Venice to Ancona to Corfu, Santorini, Pireus & Athens, Kefalonia, Montenegro and back to Venice.
New tour of Europe's Glaciers by rail
New in Switzerland is the ‘Glaciers of Europe’ tour, a ten or eleven night’s independent train tour taking in three of Europe’s best mountains including three-day regional travel passes in each resort: Grindelwald (Eiger and Jungfraujoch); Zermatt (Matterhorn); Chamonix (Aiguille du Midi).
More all-inclusive value to choose from
Thomson also adds two hotels to its all-inclusive range: the 4* Hotel Antonius in Kaprun with prices from £595 and the 4* Hotel Kaiser in Tirol in Scheffau with prices from £755.
New short breaks and city escapes
Short breaks to the cities of Venice and Verona in Italy and Berne in Switzerland are also new. Those cities can be visited as a mini break staying three or four nights or as a part of a twin centre combined with another resort in the respective country.
New resorts on offer
The new resorts in the brochure are: Reith in Tirol, a traditional little village near Alpbach in Austria; the coastal resorts of Lovran and Poreč in Croatia; Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc in France; Lake Levico in Italy with its famous therapeutic waters and natural health spa and Weggis near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, a charming, peaceful village at the foot of Mount Rigi with Europe’s first cogwheel railway.
Free walking escort services in nine European resorts
Thomson continues to offer a free walking escort service in nine resorts, free child places at selected accommodation on every departure date and family value child prices from just £179 are on offer to underline the importance of being a family friendly specialist.
Early booking offer with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
Free room upgrade in selected properties – save up to £168 per couple (book by 9 Nov).
Prices start from £339 per person for 7 nights’ self catering at the four-star Bella Italia Apartments in Peschiera on Lake Garda departing on May 5, 2012 from Gatwick including airport transfers.
Download a copy of the new brochure to see the full range of holidays on offer.
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Sneak preview - what's new with Thomson Lakes & Mountains for summer 2012
The brand new Thomson Lakes & Mountains brochure for summer 2012 is at the printers as we speak, and there's a whole range of new places, tours and packages to choose from including:
Lake Levico in Italy
Poreč in Croatia
New Discovery Packages
Cruise through Italy, Greece & Montenegro
Short Breaks in Italy
New Glaciers of Europe Tour
32 new hotels
And from 13th October, you'll be able to pick up a copy of the brochure from your local travel agent, order a copy online to be delivered by post, or download the pages you need straight to your inbox.
Lake Levico
Levico, on the edge of the theraputic lake of the same name, offers more than just rest and recuperation. It's a great base with which to get out and explore the local area, being located close to the north of Lake Garda in the foothills of the Dolomites. There is also a good public bus to the nearby city of Trento (20km away), and if you want to explore on foot rather than on 4 wheels, Levico is well known for its many walking trails in the surrounding Dolomite mountains.
You will also be able to combine a stay on Lake Levico with one of Italy's other destinations - perhaps a cultural city like Verona or Venice, or a week on Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.
Why visit Lake Levico?
Warm lake waters are ideal for lake swimming
Perfect for some rest and relaxation
Numerous rambling routes to explore, including to WW1 forts, or into the mountains
Theraputic and beauty treatments at the Imperial Grand Hotel
Poreč, Croatia
The number one holiday resort in Istria, this old town with narrow stone cobbled streets dates back to Roman times. As the sun sets, the town comes to life, whilst during the day the lure of the small surrounding coves will be hard to resist. There are numerous walks to try - the walk towards Zelena Laguna will reward you with some spectacular views. It's also possible to combine a stay in Poreč with another destination in Slovenia on a twin centre holiday.
Reasons to explore Istria and Poreč, Croatia
On the UNESCO World Heriatge list, Poreč's old town is a must-do
Crystal clear waters, ideal for lazy swimming and snorkelling
Beautiful walking along the 'lungomare' sea front paths
Country-hop over the waters to Venice
Discovery Packages - great value ways to explore Europe
Thomson Lakes & Mountains have also added to their range of Discovery Packages. Including several excursions within your holiday price, there are now options in Kranjska Gora; Slovenia, Lake Como; Italy, Ruhpolding; Germany, Mayrhofen; Scheffau and Seefeld, Austria as well as a new option for Lake Garda customers - the Treasures of Italy Discovery, which includes days out to Mantova, Verona and a tour around the lake.
Why choose a Discovery Package?
Get the variety of a tour without having to move hotels
A range of excursions included departing from the hotel
Days out are included in the holiday price, making it easy to budget
Glaciers of Europe Tour, Switzerland & France
This brand new tour takes you to the three most iconic mountain towns in the Alps. You'll visit the Jungfraujoch in Grindelwald, The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Zermatt and Mont Blanc in Chamonix. Travel is by train between the resorts, with regional passes covering the mountain trains and lifts included in all three resorts. With plenty of free time to explore the mountains in each destination, this is a great tour for independent and adventurous travellers. Tours are for 10 or 11 nights, with return flights from the Uk to Geneva.
Why the Glaciers of Europe is a winner
Exploration included - regional passes for mountain trains and lifts in all 3 resorts
See Europe's tallest mountain, Mont Blanc
Two seasons in one holiday - visit the land of the eternal snow at Jungfraujoch
Photo opportunities galore, with views across to Switzerland's most famous mountain - the Matterhorn
Flexibility - depart on Wednesdays or Saturdays throughout the summer
Short Breaks in Italy
If you're not able to get away for a week-long holiday, then help is now at hand. From next summer Thomson Lakes and Mountains will have a selection of 3 and 4 night breaks to a range of destinations in Italy. Choose from Bardolino, Garda, Gardone, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lazize, Limone, Maderno, Malcesine, Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Verona, and Venice.
Short break inspiration
See the world famous Verona Opera
Take a well-earned spa break in Sirmone
Enjoy a long weekend amidst the stunning scenery of Lake Como
Escape to Malcesine to explore the walking trails of Monte Baldo
Italy, Greece & Montenegro Cruise
How about a couple of nights in the Romantic city of Venice before setting sail to explore the Greek islands, Athens, and finishing off with a tour around the walled town of Kotor in minuscule Montenegro? This new cruise gets underway in 2012 and there's also the option to add a 5 night stay in Sirmione to the end of the cruise, totting up to a 14 night holiday in total.
Why cruise Italy, Greece & Montenegro?
Wake up in a different place every day - your floating hotel travels as you sleep
See the world famous Rialto Bridge and St Marks' Square
Visit the emerald island of Corfu and volcanic Santorini
Explore the island of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Kefalonia
Visit the historical cradle of civilisation, Athens
Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor, Montenegro
Even more hotels to choose from - 32 hotels added
Lastly, there's now even more choice across Europe with us - a bumper number of hotels have been added to our portfolio for Summer 2012. This includes the addition of 18 new Thomson Platinum hotels across Austria, and a whole host of hotels across many of the resorts of Lake Garda, such as the highly-rated Villa Mulino in Garda (pictured opposite).
All these new additions to the Summer 2012 portfolio will be available to book from October 13th, so now's the time to start thinking about where sparks your imagination for your next summer holiday.
This post was written by Amy Fletcher, Online Content Executive for Thomson Lakes & Mountains.
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Wine tasting on Lake Garda
On our recent photoshoot in Lake Garda, Italy I learnt how famous the Verona region was for its wine.
Some of the most famous wines from the region include Bardolino with its light red wine, produced with the same grape varieties of Valpolicella, but also the white Custoza and, in the southern area, Lugana, which has become more popular in Italy and abroad.
We visited Selva Capuzza, a family run winery a short drive from Garda, to the south of the lake - not far from Dezenzano. It happened to be harvest season, so many of the grape varieties were ripe and being picked. Having tasted a few it’s easy to see why the wines from Selva Capuzza are so accessible for all and not to mention delicious!
We tasted three varieties on our visit; San Martino della Battaglia Doc Campo del Soglio, Lugana San Vigilio and Garda Classico Rosso Dunant.
San Martino della Battaglia Doc Campo del Soglio
The founders of the vineyard were instrumental in reviving and saving this small appellation from disappearing.They are also working to bring it to national and subsequently international attention. Produced from the indigenous Tocai grape (no relation to the Tokaj of Hungary) it produces delicate and slightly aromatic white wines, with a hint of pineapple on the nose – to perfectly compliment the most delicate courses.
Lugana San Vigilio
This wine is a classic Lugana in its most traditional interpretation: it isdelicate, floral and fruit driven with delicate palate and lingering, fresh finish. Produced from the local grape Trebbiano di Lugana (locally called Turbiana) this lively, quaffable white wine shows the character of the grape in its easiest to drink version.
Garda Classico Rosso Dunant
Produced from the traditional blend of Groppello, Marzemino, Sangiovese and Barbera this Rosso is the classic red wine of the Garda Lake. This easy drinking red wine offers an exuberant red fruit character with soft and round palate balanced by the lively acidity.It is a testament of how a light red wine can be enjoyable across summer months.We tried it with grilled meats including salami, pork rib and beef fillet – a real treat.
Not only were all the wines so delicious, they are also sold at very reasonable prices starting at 6.50 Euros for such outstanding quality and the perfect setting to spend a day – this is a 'must-do' day for anyone visiting the region.
Taking a wine tour
It's simple to visit a local vineyard during your holiday on Lake Garda - there are several wine tours organised to local vineyards dotted around the lake. In the south of the lake you can discover Bardolino and Lugana wines as I did, while to the north of the lake there are the many smaller family-run cantinas of the mountainous Trentino region, producing wines such as Pinot Grigio and Pinot Nero.
In fact, an added 'bonus' of the Trentino Alto Adige region is the chance to try grappa (made from fermented grape skins). Although this small region only produces 1% of Italy's wine, it produces 10% of its grappa. And no wonder, grappa has excellent warming qualities when you live in the mountains!
Bardolino Wine Festival 2011
From Thursday 29th to September to Monday 3rd October, the lakefront in Bardolino puts on a fantastic show which attracts people from across Italy and beyond. The 82nd Festa dell'Uva e del Vino 'festival of the grape and of wine' celebrates the harvest of the grapes and allows the community (and vistors) to sample the latest Bardolino vintage from the local cantinas.
The event's finale is a 15 minute long firework display late in the evening on the Sunday evening.
Take a stroll along the lake side with your glass (readily supplied in a handy carrying pouch) and sample local wines and produce from the many stalls, all at very reasonable prices. Along the way you can enjoy live music and soak up the atmosphere - this really is Italy at its best.
For more information on the Bardolino Wine Festival 2011 please www.bardolinotop.it. You can also download a multi-lingual programme for the festival here.
This post was written by Julia Mullinger, Brand Manager for Thomson Lakes & Mountains.
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Behind the lens; our late summer trip to Italy & Austria
September can be a great time to visit much of Europe. From the Italian lakes to the Austrian mountains, hotels, restaurants and resorts in general tend to be quieter, the weather can be perfect (especially for those not wanting blistering heat) and there is still plenty going on within a few miles of a large number of lakeside or hill top towns and villages.
Our team recently visited a number of Austrian and Italian resorts for a photo shoot ahead of our 2012 brochures being produced.
This is our team's experience of a late summer trip through the eyes of Sarah, a Product Manager for Thomson Lakes.
The first day
After a full day of travel to Austria we headed straight out to the town centre of Kitzbühel, there was a small summer festival that had just finished and so there was a fantastic atmosphere and some beautiful traditional dress! As we were on a photography shoot this was the perfect place to start and, as we had a jam packed schedule, we decided that after getting a few interesting post festival shots, it was best to head for the hotel where we were staying and get ready for tomorrow.
To see where we were staying visit our Hotel Hofer page.
Due to Austrian weather being a little unpredictable at this time of year (Italy is, on average, 4 or 5 degrees warmer than Austria in September) we decided that it was best to try and get as much in when we had a good day as we physically could. We set off on Sunday morning to head up to Ruhpolding in Bavaria as the locals were having their annual St George’s day festival.
This festival dates back to the 16th Century and it attracts over 8,000 visitors every year. 180 horses are lovingly dressed with spectacular head dresses and some with carriages which have beautiful sculptures which represent the different churches. Just before the procession started we were getting pictures of our models chatting to the locals and joining in the festivities (which involves drinking beer before midday).
The procession was finished by 12 noon and that's when the locals really start to celebrate! The street is closed to traffic all day and the locals and visitors fill the streets drinking beer, chatting and listening to the local brass bands. Strange as it may sound, unfortunately for us the sun had some out. This meant we had to drive back over the border and head to or next location.
Above: the rolling hills near Zell am See, Austria
Zell am See is a beautiful Austrian town sitting on the edge of a lake and the foot of a mountain. Once we got there we headed straight for lunch at Crazy Daisy, this is a very popular restaurant due to its great food and fantastic terrace! We then headed up to the top of the Schmittenhohe Mountain (nearly 2,000m) to get some pictures of the stunning views, although the weather was sunny when you looked over at the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier there was a big black cloud heading our way.
It was also 3pm and the last lift down was at 5pm and I didn’t think it was a good idea to take a 3 hour walk down the mountain with a suitcase on wheels and flip flops. We got straight on with getting the pictures of the couples enjoying the views and having a wander around. We got some great pictures before having to head back down, catching the last lift just as the wind was picking up.
It had been a long day and we had certainly covered the miles but it wasn’t over yet. As soon as we got back to the hotel it was a quick change before having dinner in the hotel and heading straight out for pictures in the next location; St Johann. However the weather had other ideas! The black cloud that was looming in Zell am See had followed us to Kitzbühel and the heavens opened. We then decided that taking pictures of models enjoying drinks in the rain wasn’t the most attractive picture that people wanted to see when potentially booking a holiday.
Above: reviewing the photos of the views of Zell am See
The next day when I woke up and looked out of my window, which normally showed a beautiful view of the Hannenkahm (famous ski mountain), all I could see were rain clouds. This really was bad luck. So we decided that it was best to head to Italy a day early and come back to Austria later in the week when the weather looked better. We made a call to the Kingston office and set straight off on our 4 hour drive.
10 minutes later we had a call telling us that the hotel in Italy was fully booked and we had to turn around and go back. We then decided that we would spend most of the day eating, which is one of the luxuries that, when in this part of the world, you really can't fail to take advantage of. Naturally we headed straight for a cake shop; Austrian cakes are delicious and, because we were at altitude, there are no calories! Perfect. We then drove up Rosi am Sonnberg for a traditional lunch. As we drove up the winding mountain road and got higher and higher we knew we were about to enjoy a spectacular view. It didn't disappoint.
When we arrived the waitresses were dressed in dirndl’s and were more than happy to join in with the photos. We ordered a Tiroler Gröst’l and Kasespatzle which are two traditional dishes which are served in frying pans (which we used as props) and then we all got to enjoy the food. The owner of the restaurant and hotel is a famous Austrian folk singer called Rosi Schipflinger, and there were many pictures on the walls which showed other famous faces that had visited this beautiful place including Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasslehof, Boris Becker and many more...
As it was still raining we took part in something that everyone should do if it's their first time to Austria; a traditional Tyrolean dance evening. Café Rainer in Fugen hosts the evening every Monday and it was full of people looking to dance the night away. Some of the dancers travel from as far away as Japan and it's easy to see why they enjoy their job so much! Lots of fun dancing, stomping, thigh slapping and skirt spinning. One of the photo shoot models also enjoyed taking part in one of the dances in which the Austrian men fought for her affection. Although she was very embarrassed we all enjoyed it.
Above: Behind the lens. Despite a day or two of rain on our trip, September sun creates perfect light for a photo shoot
It was a great end to a jam packed 2 days in Austria. The next morning we set off at 6.30am to Italy and, after a 4 hour drive, we were straight on with the shoot! With beautiful blue skies and the spectacular lake in the background we got some great pictures photos which members of our facebook page or followers of our twitter feed will see very soon.
This blog post was written by Sarah McGee, Assistant Product Manager at Thomson Lakes.
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Autumn means Austria's Almbetreib - bringing down the cattle for winter
With Autumn leaves beginning to fall, thoughts turn to winter. Soon the alpine pastures of Austria will be blanketed in snow, so the cattle and other livestock that have been happily grazing all summer will be brought down to the barns in the valley for the winter.
Almbetreib is an annual festival across Austria, and translates to mean the driving down of the cows from the alpine pastures. Depending on the height of the Alm and the weather conditions these take place in Austrian farming communities from mid September to mid October.
This has been an important festival in the farming calendar for many hundreds of years and celebrates the end of a successful summer season.
Cows are usually the most important animals on an alpine farm (before pigs, sheep, goats and poultry) because their milk is the most valuable of the farm produce. Therefore cows which have produced a good amount of milk over the summer are adorned with garlands of flowers and trinkets as a display of their productivity.
Traditionally the cow which has produced the most milk wears a white garland, the second best wears a yellow garland and the lead cow of the herd wears a red garland and a wreath. Decorative bells on thick leather collars are also worn by the cows. If for some reason a farmer has not had a successful season (maybe some cows were lost over the summer) then the cows in the herd will not be decorated.
The Almabtriebs are a great chance for visitors to Austria to join the locals in a true Austrian festival. The day starts early for the farmers - either collecting the cows from the higher alms by truck or walking the cows from the lower pastures into town (with the beer & schnapps drinking also starting from sunrise!)
Most villages set up bars in the street with BBQs and local specialities to await the procession of the cows through the village centre (usually around 11am) and the party continues long after the cows are tucked up in their barns! It is a noisy day of traditional music, clanging bells, yodelling farmers and mooing cows but a fantastic atmosphere and a great way to see in the autumn.
Some more popular Almbetreib events coming up are:
17th September 2011
Brixen in Thale
Ischgl
Kirchberg in Tirol
Pertisau
St Anton in Arlberg
24th September 2011
Soll
Westendorf
Zell am Ziller
Hopfgarten
Fulpmes
Auffach
1st October 2011
St Wolfgang
Mayrhofen
For a full list of dates of the Almbetreib festivals across Austria for 2011, see the Almbetreib calendar (external link in German)
This post was written by Helen Brook and Sarah McGhee from the Thomson Lakes & Mountains Austria team.
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Norway; a country of many wonders [Part 2]
In our first Norway; a country of many wonders post the Thomson Lakes and Mountains team look at Norwegian town life and the stunning scenery provided by its waterfalls and lakes. Part 2 covers the Vikings, the climate and weather as well as the mythical trolls said to inhabit the isolated mountains.
Trolls
Let's start with Norse mythology and the trolls said to inhabit the isolated mountains, rocks, and caves across Norway's rugged landscapes. They, according to legend, can live together and are rarely described as helpful or friendly.
Stories about trolls are now commonplace across Norway with plenty of references to them across the country. Tales tell us that trolls tend to be old, strong, but slow and very dim-witted creatures, which will eat young children but turn to stone upon contact with sunlight.
The most famous of which is probably the Norwegian fairytale about Three Billy Goats Gruff crossing the bridge and outwitting the troll living underneath it?
Above: an outcrop of rock which resembles the profile of a face.
For me, coming to Norway can be like stepping into Tolkien’s fantasy world...with a little bit of imagination you will see strange creatures in the scenery from mountain cliffs and formations of rocks to fire and waterfalls.
Above: It won't just be in the great outdoors you'll find the odd troll or two.
A seafaring country, the Vikings and the Norwegian Fjords
Norway is known for its coastline and its fjords and, along with its treacherous countryside, it is almost impossible to build roads, which forced Norwegians to build boats.
Early Norwegian boat building lies with the Vikings who travelled the seas in their much feared longboats around 1,000 years ago.
Nowadays, travelling around the fjords on comfortable and modern ferries and catamarans is an unforgettable experience and is enjoyed by millions each year. The most popular fjords to visit are the Geirangerfjord and Romsdalsfjord in the Møre & Romsdal area of north west Norway, the Aurlandsfjord, Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord in Sogn & Fjordane (just north of central western Norway), the Hardangerfjord in Hordaland (central western Norway) and the Lysefjord in Rogaland (the southern region of Norway).
Norway's climate; temperate summers, snow and ice
From October to April (and sometimes May) snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures are a fact of life in western Norway. It just isn't an option to allow the weather to call a halt to daily life. Norwegians simply put winter tyres on their cars, chains on their trucks, throw a shovel in the boot for emergency dig-outs, and wear sensible boots and clothes for half the year.
They get on with work and school as usual, using the snow for fun at weekends. And don't think the snow disappears in summer! Snow and glacial ice cover many mountain tops the whole year round and you will find frozen lakes till the middle of July.
Above: Go on then; one more scenic shot of the waterfalls. This is the famous Seven Sisters waterfall.
So there you have it. Plenty of great reasons why a visit to Norway should be on your list of destinations to visit in 2011/12.
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Written by Katarina Hanzalikova, member of the Thomson Lakes and Mountains Norway team.
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Norway; a country of many wonders [Part 1]
In the first of two blog posts, one of our Norwegian team members takes a look at what makes Norway so special and why it's considered a must visit destination and one of the most spectacular scenic destinations in the world.
So what exactly does make Norway so beautiful and unforgettable?
In short, waterfalls, mountains, lakes and fjords, the largest glacier in continental Europe (Jostedalsbreen), the midnight sun, the northern lights, Norwegian small town charm, friendly people, mountains sharply rising from the sea, trolls hiding behind every tree… all this and more.
Beautiful Towns
A great example is the city of Bergen, dating back to the 11th century, which lies on the west coast of Norway. Bryggen, the old merchant quarter of Bergen, is the only preserved business district from the Hanseatic period though it's been ravaged by fires many times throughout its history due to many of the buildings being built, and then rebuilt, by wood.
Despite this the feel to the area has not been lost with winding narrow streets, bustling shops and offices as well as a successful arts and crafts scene.
Above: the view across to Bryggen
Norway – a country of waterfalls
I tend to think of Norway as being so beautiful that the whole country could've easily been a national park. The world famous fjords feature many of the finest waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters, and the water from melting ice makes glacial waterfalls which are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Above: Briksdal waterfall
Above: The Hornindal lake which, at a depth of 514m, is the deepest lake in Europe
For more photos and images visit the Thomson Lakes and Mountains Norway Flickr set.
Read part 2: Norway; a country of many wonders [Part 2]
Written by Katarina Hanzalikova, member of the Thomson Lakes and Mountains Norway team.
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Thomson Lakes photo shoot - get involved
Above: the evening sunset over Lake Garda.
The Thomson team are heading off to Austria and Italy next weekend for a photoshoot which will result (keeping fingers crossed for good weather) in some stunning new photography for the Thomson Lakes & Mountains website, and in future brochures.
The team will be shooting in Austria from Saturday until Tuesday, before moving on to Lake Garda in Italy until September 10th.
We'll be reporting throughout the week from behind the scenes of the shoots, bringing you news on where the shoot will be, and some of the secrets of how a Thomson photoshoot runs.
Above: Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian Lakes at over 30 miles in length.
Are you on holiday with us next week? If so, would you like to be involved in the photo shoot? There may be an opportunity for you! Follow our blog, join us on facebook or speak to the Thomson in-resort team for all the latest on where the shoot will be next. Who knows, you may even find your photo on our website or in our brochures!
Above: The small town of Zell am See sits on the west bank of the Zeller See lake just over an hour south of Salazburg.
And if you don't fancy being in front of the camera, then you can still get involved. We are keen for suggestions on your favourite spots from your favourite hotels and resorts that are deserving of a place in our brochure.
Which locations make your top 10 list? Do you have a favourite lakeside evening stroll? Perhaps you know a secret sunbathing spot or have a suggestion for an eatery that epitomises all that's great about Austrian cuisine? We'd love to know the places that make these countries among your favourite holiday destinations.
Above: Lake Garda and the surrounding countryside is one of the best places in Italy to eat and drink Al Fresco.
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Save 8% off your 2012 Lakes & Mountains holiday
To celebrate this August Bank Holiday weekend, we're delighted to offer an exclusive 8% discount.
This is valid on selected Thomson Lakes and Mountains holidays departing in May or June 2012 to Austria, Italy, Germany & Slovenia.
Claiming your discount
Browse for your holiday on our website: thomsonlakes.co.uk
Call 0871 230 8181 quoting DKTG to receive the discount. Calls to 0870 and 0871 numbers cost 10p per minute plus network extras.
Terms and conditions:
Only valid on European holidays of 7 nights or more using Thomson Airways flights to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Verona.
Only valid on holidays departing in May or June 2012.
Not valid on holidays to Lakes Maggiore or Como via Milan or to Slovenia via Ljubljana.
Not available on flight only, accommodation only, self drive breaks or on any holidays using scheduled or low cost flights.
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer including but not limited to group discounts.
This offer is available for new bookings only and is subject to availability and change.
Offer ends 4th September 2011
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Top 5 walks in Chamonix - our staff pick their favourites
Chamonix isn’t just a great French ski resort, it’s an amazing place in summer too. In fact, more people visit Chamonix in the summer than during the ski season. Why? Well, there's plenty of outdoor activities available, but almost certainly one of the highlights on Chamonix in summer is the walking. We polled the Thomson Lakes staff in our Chamonix office to find their top 5 walks in the valley.
1. The Grand Balcon Nord
This is a firm favourite, and you can make it as easy or as difficult as you like. For the easier version, take the cable car up to the Plan d’Aiguille and follow the Balcon Nord to Montenvers and the Mer De Glace. The views are stunning and whilst the estimated time for the walk is around 2 hours, you’ll want to stop every few minutes to take some pictures. At Montenvers you can stop for a drink before either catching the train back or if your legs are still steady than you can walk back. If you have a Mont Blanc Multipass then both the lift and the train are covered.
If you want to make it harder, try walking up to the Plan d’Aiguille via the Cascade de Dard - You’ll enjoy the views much more knowing all the extra work you put in to get there! (Allow a minimum 5 hours for the extended walk)
2. Aiguilette des Posettes
Use the bus (free with your guest card*) to Le Tour. From the car park head up to the ridge and over the Col de Balme for some great views of Vallorcine and the Emosson Dam, before heading back down under the lifts. You can always use some of the lifts to make it easier, but as the whole walk takes around 4 hours, there’s no need to rush, just enjoy the views. Head back to Chamonix on the bus.
Above: view from Le Tour
Above: View from the Aiguille des Posettes, Le Tour
3. Chamonix – Parc Merlet – Refuge Bel Achat - Brévent
This gives great views over the valley with optional highlights if you stop off at the animal park (think marmottes and chamois) or lunch at either the refuge or at Brévent. You’ll definitely need your walking poles as it’s uphill most of the way, but my dad loved it so much when he came out to visit he did it twice in the same week! You’ll need a lift pass for the return down from Brévent and allow 4 hours plus for the walk (more if you visit the park). There is an additional charge for the animal park.
Above: View down to Chamonix from Brévent
4. Gorges de Diosaz
If you prefer something a little flatter but equally picturesque take the train to Servoz (free with your guest card*) to visit the Gorges de Diosaz. The route is relatively flat through the gorge, with some steps. The gorge is at its most impressive after a rainfall, and the water flow is restricted for hydro power during June and September so check the restrictions before you set out. The return trip takes around an hour and a half but it’s quite shaded so perfect for cooling down on a hot day.
5. Chalet Floria
This is a great starter walk if you’re a bit daunted by the mountains. The views are still fabulous though - you are rewarded with a great view across the valley. If you time it right, you can see the Montenvers tram snaking up towards the Mer de Glace on the opposite side of the valley. The ascent takes around 45 minutes, so if you fancy extending you walk on the descent follow the signs for Le Praz or Argentiere along the Petit Balcon Sud and either return along the valley floor or take the bus and the train back.
*You'll be provided with a guest card through your hotel in Chamonix. A Chamonix Mont-Blanc Multipass is also available, which includes access to the Aiguille du Midi cable car (including the summit), Montenvers railway (for the Mer du Glace), Flégère, Brévent and Tour cable-cars and Mont-Blanc tramway. A consecutive 6 day pass costs apx. £92 per adult.
Thomson Lakes and Mountains offer holidays to Chamonix throughout the summer, and have a busy office in Chamonix year-round.
By Beverley Phillips, Thomson Lakes & Mountains Reservations, Chamonix.
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A beginners' guide to food in Italy
If you are visiting Italy, then chances are one of the things you'll be looking forward to is the food and wine. Italy claims to produce the world's best food. And who can forget the claims that the Mediterranean diet, with all that fresh produce and lashings of olive oil boosts your longeivity. Reason enough, I think, to throughly investigate all that Italian cuisine has to offer.
Not only are the the sumptuous meals, in fact the whole day revolves around eating and drinking. The day isn't complete without going for coffee, aperitivi and enjoying a little after dinner drink.
If you're a novice in Italy, it can all be a little daunting - so here's a beginners' guide to get you through those first few days:
Where do I start?
I remember when I first went to work in Italy in 2004 and really began to discover what Italian food was all about. The first thing I learnt was that there's much more to food in Italy that the frequently exported and much replicated pasta and pizza. I was throughly confused by the menu (only in Italian) and the whole meal experience when I first ate out at a restaurant on Lake Garda. For anybody who's feeling a little unsure, we'll be taking a quick run through the different courses on the menu a little later in this post.
But before we get on to meals, there is another great Italian tradition to experience - the before dinner 'aperitivi'
'Aperitivi'
Italians eat late in the evening, often after 9 or 10pm. This makes it a long time since 'Pranzo' (lunch) until the evening meal 'Cena'. Taking a stroll as the sun sets and the day's work is done is the ideal solution. This is the time and place to see and be seen - relaxing in a bar enjoying an aperitivi.
Aperitivi consists of refreshing drinks such as 'spritz aperol' which is a bitter, Campari-like drink mixed wth prosecco, or with white wine and soda water, popular in Northern Italy. Others may opt for a birra (beer), or a simple Prosecco. Many bars provide complementary snacks with drinks, incuding olives, open sandwiches, crisps, nuts, small slices of pizza, pickles or cheese. Usually aperitivi is served between 3.00pm and 6.00pm. After a substantial lunch, a few slices of pizza at aperitivi time can make for a great value dinner!
But then of course, you'd be missing out on all the delicious cuisine to try with the evening meal..
Italian Meals
An Italian menu is a lengthy affair - with 4 courses to enjoy:
'Antipasti'
This literally translates as 'before the meal' and is usually a plate of cold meats, seafoods and cold vegetable dishes such as aubergines or courgettes grilled with garlic and herbs. Generally this is ordered for the group, and is ideal for sharing. Often this is great way to sample the most local of dishes - often the local meats and cheeses feature on the menu here. If the full number of courses seems too much, often an antipasto and a primo make a nice combination, and it's fine to order just one or two courses if that's what you prefer.
'Primi Piatti'
The 'first plate', or 'primo', consists of a pasta, risotto, or soup dish. This is often a smaller portion size than what we would expect in the UK, mainly as we tend to eat pasta etc. as a main course. There is still plenty to come if you are following the Italian convention, so don't worry, you won't be going hungry! A typical dish around Lake Garda include ravioli stuffed with pumpkin and topped with a simple sage and butter sauce. Delicious. Over in Lombardia, risotto is very popular, with the creamy 'Risotto Milanese' well worth a try.
'Secondi piatti'
This roughly equates to what the British would describe as a 'main course'; the meat or fish course. The meat is generally served alone, perhaps with a sauce or garnish, but without vegetables. Vegetables or salads are ordered separately and can be found on the menu under 'Contorni'. This is usually a limited choice of salad, green or mixed vegetables, and potatoes. Some typical dishes are trout straight from Lake Garda, 'Cotoletta alla Milanese', which is a breaded veal or chicken, or 'tagliata di manzo', which is grilled steak served with rocket and parmasan cheese. Another favourite across Italy is 'spaghetti allo scoglio' (pictured at top) - a huge seafood feast of fresh mussels, lobster, prawns, squid, fresh tomatoes, garlic and piles of spaghetti. It's so simple, but absolutely delicious and is definitely one of my favourite dishes.
'Dolci'
This is the dessert course, where there is usually a choice of fresh fruit, or sometimes simply ice cream with fruit salad. There are also more substantial desserts on offer, including 'zuppa inglese' (English Soup), which is in fact, trifle, and the world famous tiramisu. This literally translates from Italian as 'pull me up' - and no doubt the coffee and Amaretto will have the desired effect!
Following dolci comes the digestivi.
'Digestivi'
Often restaurants will offer a complementary shot of the local digestivi, such as 'grappa' for you to try. This is made from fermented grape skins, a bi-product of the wine making process. There are a variety of grappas to try - from those that are a pure, clear powerful shot, to a sweeter variety, akin to syrup and flavoured with blueberries, or other fruits.
Another favourite to try is limoncello. Although this drink originated in Sorrento, it is now popular all over Italy - a sweet lemony liqueur.
You can also try the bittersweet Montenegro, or 'Zucca', which is rhubarb and pumpkin flavour.
Then of course, there is the coffee. Drunk after dinner, or indeed, at any time of the day - 'Il caffè ' is a staple part of Italian life.
Coffee culture
It's time to forget your latte and flat whites, here's the rundown of coffee Italian style:
Caffè / espresso - a short, strong shot of black coffee. The staple shot from which all other coffees are produced. For a double shot, ask for a 'doppio'
Caffè macchiato / expresso macchiato - macchiato means 'spotted'. Here your expresso is spotted with a little dollop of foamed milk
Latte macchiato - the closest thing in Italy to a latte as we know it in the UK. Here milk is heated up in a long glass, with a shot of expresso added to it, to create the 'spot' on top
Cappuccino - the classic Italian drink in the mornings with breakfast - real Italians would never drink cappucino after 11am! This drink is an expresso topped with densely foamed milk. There is an art to a good cappucino - the smaller the bubbles and the more foamy the milk, the better.
Americano - if you like black coffee, then order an Americano. This is an expresso topped up with hot water. Most cafès will also add hot milk on the side too, so it's a good option if you are looking for something not too milky, and not too strong.
Of course, there are countless other variations of coffee once alcohol gets involved. A Caffè Correctto is a 'corrected coffee' - put right by adding a shot of grappa to an expresso. This is often drunk by gentlemen popping in for a quick chat and coffee with their friends during the day.
In the mountains, there are a whole number of coffee and advocaat type mixtures to keep away the chill in the winter. My personal favourite is a calimero - an expresso coffee mixed with warmed 'vov' or advocaat, a shot of rum, and topped with cream.
Delicious.
Post by Amy Fletcher
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Lake Garda set for Guinness World Record this weekend
In Italy, 15th August is the biggest public holiday of the year, known as 'Ferragusto'. This weekend, this festival, known as the 'Night of San Lorenzo' will be taking place nationwide - one of the biggest celebrations in the Italian calendar.
The Big Night of the Stars under a full moon
This Ferragusto weekend on Lake Garda, the towns all around the lake will be hosting 'La Grande Notte delle Stelle' - (The Big Night of Stars) on Saturday 13th August. This co-ordinated festa will be taking place around the lake, with boats cruising musicians and entertainment from one place to the next. Whilst on the lake shore, the party atmosphere continues as families and people of all ages celebrate the summertime.
25 towns all over the lake will be participating, with the main squares in each municipality rolling out food stalls, bars, entertainment, music and dancing from 6.00pm.
There will also be live radio broadcast of the event from a Navigarda ferry. The boat will be cruising around each of the 25 towns during the evening, equipped with musical stages and Italian celebrities such as Enrico Ruggeri,Paola Turci and Absolute Zero making an appearance and performing for the crowds lined up in the towns around the lake.
The evening will be broadcast across Italy on the national radio station R101.
You will be able to listen online here
The world's biggest firework display
The crescendo of the evening, and the reason for all this excitement comes to fruition at the moment the clock strikes midnight. Co-ordinated by radio, all the towns around Lake Garda will set off fireworks at the same time, making this one of the largest fireworks festivals in Italy!
It's such a big event that this year, the organisers are attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest firework display.
The fireworks will be seen right across the lake from one shore to another, with explosions and sparkles illuminating the sky under the full moon for a full ten minutes.
Find out more
If you're keen to see the fireworks, get down on to the lake front in plenty of time to secure a good spot, as usually the event very well attended. Many families take a picnic and relax down on the lake shore for the evening.
Want more information on what's happening in your resort during the Grande Notte delle Stelle?
See your Thomson representative in resort
See the itinerary for your resort (external link, Italian)
Follow our resort teams on twitter
Wherever you are around Lake Garda, it's certainly worth setting your watches and glancing down to the lake shore at midnight tomorrow.
You won't be disappointed.
More about holidays to Lake Garda
Other firework displays on Lake Garda
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Win a DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thomson Lakes Photo Competition
Thomson Lakes & Mountains have teamed up with Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Travel for our first ever Thomson Lakes photo competition.
The rules are simple. Send us your best photo from your travels in Austria, Switzerland or Italy. Should it make our favourite top 10, it will be posted on the Thomson Lakes facebook page where the community will vote to decide the winner in each of the categories.
Three categories - three chances to win:
There's a category for each country, so enter your most dazzling photo taken in the following three locations:
Italy
Austria
Switzerland
How do I enter?
All you need to do is send us your chosen photo(s) to: [email protected]
Please include:
Your full name
Title of photo and location
Date photo taken
Category for entry (Italy / Austria / Switzerland)
Photos need to be at least 1MB in size.
We'll then take the 10 best photos from each of the three categories and publish them on our facebook wall.
We're looking for something that is going to capture the imagination of others; after all the winning photo will be decided by the entry that gets the most likes/votes via the Thomson Lakes facebook page.
What's the prize?
There's one prize for each category - an Eyewitness Travel Guide for Italy, Austria and Switzerland from the world's bestselling travel guide publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel.
From much-loved books and ebooks to ground-breaking apps and the award-winning traveldk.com, you're bound to be inspired with DK.
What's the closing date?
You have one week to send your photos in. The deadline is Sunday 14th August at 23.59
We'll then be publishing the top photos with voting taking place over the following week, with the winner being announced at 12 midday on Monday 22nd August.
How do I win?
Once we publish the photos, we'll be asking the Thomson Lakes facebook community to like the photo that they think should win based on how unique, creative and inspirational the photo entries are.
What are the T&Cs?
1) Only one entry per person is permitted for each of the three categories.
2) By sending Thomson Lakes your photo, you are happy for the photo to be used in the remainder of this competition, including publication to facebook, flickr and twitter
3) The photos must be either taken by yourself or feature you in the photo. No professional entries are allowed.
4) By submitting your entry into the competition you confirm that you have permission from anyone else who features in the photo
5) Employees of TUI Ski are not eligible to enter the competition.
Good luck!
Need some inspiration? Visit our Highlights of Europe photos on Flickr
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UPDATE: MONDAY 8TH AUG 2.00pm
Our email systems are now working correctly so entries can now be submitted.
We'd like to thank you for your patience over the last few days. In order to allow everybody who wishes to enter the chance to do so, we've now extended the deadline for photos to be submitted until 23.59 on Sunday 14th August, with online voting closing and the winner now being announced on Monday 22nd August at 12 midday.
Thank you once again for your understanding.
St Johann's Knödel Fest celebrates 30 years
Arguably the highlight of the year in St Johann in Tirol is the annual dumpling festival or Knödel Fest.
Thousands of people from miles around come for this rather unusual celebration of the humble dumpling, with traditional dress, music, dancing and of course a few pints of the local beer thrown in..!
'The longest dumpling table in the world' is the proud boast of the festival organisers. And when you get there you realise why - a 300 metre long table stretching from the outskirts the town trails its way right through into the main square.
Along the way you will find 5 different music groups, 15 different dumpling makers, 22 different dumpling varieties - of which over 25,000 will be consumed throughout the day!
The festival itself is very easy to navigate - you'll receive a guidebook when you arrive, which details the location of each stall, and most importantly, the flavour of dumpling they are making. Amongst the varieties there are the standard bread dumplings in mushroom sauce, to bacon, cheese and salami dumplings. And for those with a sweet tooth - why not treat yourself to the vanilla and chocolate flavour, or try Café Rainer's famous Andreas Hofer dumpling!
No dumpling festival is complete without music, dancing and refreshments. The 5 different bands play on each of the stages and rotate every 30 minutes, meaning you don't have to. Pick your spot on the giant table and you and your friends can set up base and stay there for the afternoon!
The local Huber Bräu brewery make sure that all the beer stalls are well stocked throughout the day, and 1 dumpling per 2 beers is the perfect ratio for pacing yourself throughout the day!
All the locals will come dressed in their lederhosen and dirndls, making for a very traditional Austrian atmosphere. There are also traditional Austrian dancing displays in the main square. The festival has a superb, friendly atmosphere - expect the best of Austrian hospitality and you won't be at all disappointed. The Knödel Fest is a fantastic way to spend a day, quite unlike any other you will have experienced.
The 30th Anniversary dumpling festival weekend takes place in St Johann in Tirol from Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th September, with the main event from 1pm Saturday 24th September.
By Neil Lodge - Austria Product Manager
More information www.knoedelfest.at
Holidays in Austria with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
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Head to the Tirol for an authentic Austrian summer
The Tirol region of Austria is known as an activities paradise that offers mountain biking, white water rafting, canyoning, hiking, walking, cycling and climbing. Along with the modern, high energy sports lie ancient traditions and festivals celebrating mountain life.
This makes it the ideal place for a mixture of fun activities and relaxation in the unspoilt outdoors.
Here's what's taking place over the summer:
Almabtrieb - a bovine 'homecoming'
Experience a hundred year old Tirolean tradition throughout September and early October across many resorts in the Tirol. Herds of cows and sheep are brought down from the high summer pastures to their farms in the valley where they spend most of the winter. This tradition is accompanied by colourful celebrations with locals in traditional costumes, the animals decorated in ribbons and headdresses and rural villages full of market stalls selling local produce.
For further information about the cattle drive visit: www.tirol.at
Tirol’s upcoming events - don't miss out!
Saab Harakiri Mountain Run
This is the next major event taking place in the centre of Mayrhofen on 31 July 2011. The best mountain runners in the world will be meeting at the Sternplatz for the 3rd Harakiri Mountain Run. The race starts at 10am and is famous for featuring a staggering gradient of up to 41% in Astegg (just outside Mayrhofen) up to the top of the Penken mountain. Visitors can watch the spectacle from the top of the Penken Mountain, reached by a 10 minute cable car ride with the Penken gondola.
For further information about the race visit: www.mayrhofen-harakiri.com
Holidays in Mayrhofen with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
A real hiking holiday
Another major highlight for nature and outdoor lovers is the Karwendel hike taking place on 28 August 2011. The legendary long hike features through some of the best scenery in the Austrian Alps from Seefeld to Pertisau at Lake Achensee. Walkers, runners and hikers climb over 2200m in altitude through the stunning Karwendel region. The park’s primeval forests, wild rivers and great biodiversity is Tirol’s largest nature reserve. The awareness and protection of which is one of the event’s main aims.
Find out more information on: www.karwendelmarsch.info
Holidays in Seefeld with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
Ischgl's Mountain bike marathon
Ischgl is known as one of Europe’s most action packed holiday destinations, offering a wide range of sport activities. Today, Ischgl is a tourist hub with an international reputation.
The next highlight of the season is the 17th Ischgl Ironbike on 6 August 2011. Each summer the mountain bike scene meets up in Ischgl for the Iron bike marathon. Attracting European and World Champions, the winner of one of the hardest mountain bike races across the Alps will be looking at prize money of €20,000.
For further information visit www.ischgl.com.
Holidays in Ischgl with Thomson Lake & Mountains
Road racing - Sölden's gruelling cross-border marathon
The holiday destination Sölden, the main town of the Ötztal area, has developed into an internationally renowned sports and training centre. On 28 August 2011 the Radmarathon Sölden will take place. This bike marathon covers 238 km across Italy and the Austrian Tirol and over 5,500 vertical metres of altitude – it is one of the toughest road bike races in the world with approximately 4,000 participants. Cyclists will ride the highest mountain roads in this challege. To find out more about the marathon:
www.oetztaler-radmarathon.com and www.solden.com
Holidays in the Ötztal Valley with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
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