Latest client feedback

We just got back from our Australian adventure yesterday and just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and the B&W team for organising such a superb vacation for us.

We covered so much Australian ground in such a short space of time but we never felt rushed and the itinerary worked perfectly. All the accommodation was great and we were particularly impressed with the trips you organised. Each one
was brilliant, with really informed guides, tiny groups (in fact we were the only ones at Sydney Harbour) and exceptionally good quality food, drink and transport (particularly the Synergy reef trip which was truly fabulous).

Thanks once again, it was a trip of a lifetime. JS

Fancy Christmas and New Year in Australia?

Escape our winter with a perfect 2 week break Downunder. YES there is still availability for flights and accommodation (even in Sydney for New Year) as long as you can be flexible with your dates and not expect to fly home in the first few days of January.

We have a suggested 2 week package from £3140 per person for departures from 10 – 23 December or from £2940 for departures from 24 – 31 December 2008.

The package includes international flights into Melbourne and out of Sydney with domestic flights up to the Whitsunday Islands, all private transfers and 4 star accommodation including 3 nights in Melbourne at the Crown Promenade, 5 nights at the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island, 4 nights at the Amora Jamison in Sydney and 2 nights at Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains, we’ve also included a small group tour along the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne and 3 days car hire in the Blue Mountains.

Of course this is purely a suggestion and our consultants would be happy to create a tailor-made itinerary suited to your plans.

Don’t hesitate to call 020 7483 6555 or email sales@bridgeandwickers.com to check availability for your dates.

Emirates News

Another one of our preferred airlines is Emirates - they fly to lots of gateway destinations in Australia & New Zealand, have some excellent fares including regular companion fares in business class and depart from various points around the UK including Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester as well as Heathrow and Gatwick.

On December 1 2008, London will join the elite by being the second destination served by Emirates’ A380 airbus.

The new London to Dubai route is being introduced at this time of year to capitalise on the traffic boom from the UK in the run up to the festive season.

The aircraft configuration will entail 14 private suites in First Class, 76 flat bed seats in Business Class, and 399 seats in Economy Class.

Emirates has invested heavily in onboard features to ensure that its A380s are the finest, most comfortable in the sky.

The jewel in the aircraft’s crown is without a doubt the First Class Shower Spa, two fully equipped bathrooms in its First Class cabins, including shower facilities.

Passengers will also notice a difference in the Economy Class cabin, most notably the straight walls which give the impression of increased spaciousness. This feature, combined with the advanced mood lighting system and noticeably quieter cabin, works to combat the effects of jetlag.

If you would like some more information on flying Down Under with Emirates, please contact us online or call us on 020 7483 6555

Qantas A380...coming soon!

Qantas has confirmed the start of services by the Airbus A380 superjumbo in the new year. Flights from Heathrow will start on January 17 to Sydney via Singapore.

The delivery of the airline’s third A380 will see Qantas operate three return flights a week with the double deck aircraft.

Regional general manager UK, Ireland, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Stephen Thompson, said: “For our customers travelling to both Singapore and beyond to Australia, the A380 means extra space and comfort in every class.

“Qantas offers an all new suite in first class and a fully flat Skybed sleeper seat in business class.

“The aircraft features a 32 seat Premium Economy cabin and an all new the Economy Class seat featuring a sliding base that moves with the seat back to create a more comfortable, ergonomically tested position to aid sleep.”

He added: “In addition to giving us the opportunity to reinvent our product, this revolutionary new aircraft offered capacity and operating savings, as well as environmental improvements.”

The aircraft will offer passengers more than 100 on demand films, 350 television selections, 500 audio CDs, 30 PC-style games, and a selection of audio books, language tutorials, destination information, business education and radio channels.

If you are interested in being amongst the first to try out Qantas' new aircraft, please contact us with your holiday plans.

Down Under comes out on top again

Interesting news reports on the e-tid.com, a travel industry website who say that Australia has been crowned the world’s top country brand for the third consecutive year in the latest Country Brand Index (CBI).

Canada comes out second and the US third, followed by Italy, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, UK, Japan and Sweden.

The CBI is a study of 2,700 international business and leisure travellers from nine countries.

It examines how countries are branded and ranked according to key criteria and identifies emerging global trends in travel.

In the category ‘best brand to extend a business trip’, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland are the top three, while Canada, Spain and Denmark are the top three in the ‘best country brand for families’ category.

Bridge & Wickers couldn't agree more with all of the above, especially with regard to travel to Australia, New Zealand and Canada!

Take a look at our website for suggestions on how we can tailor-make your perfect holiday....and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest long-haul destinations and news.

Luxury Travel Fair

Come and see us at the Conde Nast Traveller's Luxury Travel Fair.

Bridge & Wickers has a stand (D82) at the show, to be held at London's Olympia from November 6th to 9th, and we'd love to meet you there.

We'd also be more than happy to send you a VIP invitation, entitling you to complimentary entry to the event for two - just send us an email to events@bridgeandwickers.com

Latest Client Feedback

Here's some recent feedback the directors received from another very happy client reporting back on their recent trip to Canada.

"I can certainly see why your business has been voted in the top 10 in the country! My wife and I have recently returned from a fabulous trip to Canada that was organised through your immensely patient and skilled member of staff Ajanta South. From the very first moment that I contacted B&W via a Google search I was impressed, but when this turned into actually the planning and booking process, I had never experienced service to that level. Ajanta would take my calls, make changes and alterations, search for better prices, give me feedback from her own experiences and always be willing to see how she could help. The details of the trip were very clearly laid out in emailed itineraries with great links to attractions and accommodation along the way. She suggested things that we would never have thought of - such as Sea plane transfers - which completely changed the holiday and made it one of the best we have ever had.

Our holiday had everything in it - the weather was stunning with blue sky and abnormally high temps each day (thanks for arranging that!). We saw bears, whales, seals, sea lions, elk and even fed eagles! The scenery was stunning and the people so friendly. Our only issue now is how to edit down the 2500 pictures that we took! Digital cameras have a lot to answer for...

Overall I cannot express our gratitude and delight in using B&W enough. You are good at the essential stuff and excel at the critical non essentials that make the difference and give your business a definite usp over other tour operators I have used. An example being the welcome home letter and copy of 'The Week' which was a really nice touch.

My wife and I will certainly be using you again in the future for holidays to Canada and New Zealand and I would have no reservation in recommending you to colleagues and friends. In fact I have already told at least 5 friends about the service we received. We would like to wish you and your great team every success in these difficult times". A Stevenson.

If you'd like to see an example of the type of trip that we can organise for you in Canada, or indeed to any of our preferred destinations, please take a look at our website and sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep up to date with what we're doing at Bridge & Wickers and request one of our award-winning brochures.