Newsletter

Spring 2009

We did not post a newsletter last December – except on our website www.thetravellersclub.com - which alarmed those who do not use a computer, and was probably missed by others who do! Sadly, the times do not favour travel: we know that many of our members face a shrinking income, and the fall of the £ pound makes tours more expensive. But we all need a break, some cultural revival & possibly some winter sun! So we are offering a smaller programme than usual, focussing on favourite destinations & some that still offer good value for money: the £ is still quite strong in, for example, Hungary, India, Turkey, Morocco & we have looked for good rates at hotels elsewhere. Members have suggested several very interesting, but ambitious (and rather costly) tours - to China, Egypt, Indonesia, but we will leave them for more favourable times. In the short run why not enjoy a day in the English countryside in the new South Downs National Park at our Summer Party on 28 June?
 
Last November we had an excellent tour to Jordan & Syria, exploring a broad sweep of ancient & modern history. In January Jill & I travelled with a group to South India, enjoying wonderful weather, warm hospitality and all the fascination of that area. Our run of good luck continues in the game reserves where most of us saw two leopards, as well as wild elephants, huge wild cattle & many other animals & birds. John & Karen Osborne have just returned from another very successful tour to Iran - a tour that was fully booked months in advance, as are the next two in October 2009 & April 2010.  But John has kindly agreed to lead another Iran tour in October 2010. As I write, Anthony Earl is leading a small group to discover the pleasures of Milan & Lake Garda. A large number of individuals and small groups of friends have travelled on our tailor-made tours in Cambodia, India, Turkey, Syria over the winter & spring: they have all reported on the success & enjoyment of their holidays.

There are some interesting suggestions for new tours listed overleaf.  Please return the reply slip to let us know which tours may interest you and we will send a detailed tour description as soon as possible. Among them are tours by a new tour leader, warmly introduced to us by Serena Quartermaine: Mary Hawkins is an experienced art historian who has led many Art History tours for the Open University and other organisations. Mary offers: VENICE IN WINTER 30 November- 4 December 2009 at the very comfortable Metropole Hotel a short walk from St Mark’s, visiting familiar & less familiar sites, with optional evening concerts & also TUSCANY & UMBRIA in March 2010.

Don’t forget that we tailor-make tours for individuals, couples, families or groups of friends, or even larger groups from clubs or societies. Several DFAS branches ask us to plan their shorter tours in Europe. We are always interested to know of your ideas, so please don’t hesitate to suggest destinations, hotels, places to visit and places to avoid. If you have moved, or there is any mistake in your name and address, or you would prefer not to receive further information about The Travellers’ Club, please tell us.  It will be very helpful if you can show our information to all your friends and invite them, or better still bring them to the barbecue on Sunday 28 June. We rely almost entirely on ‘word of mouth’ to spread the news about The Travellers’ Club, so please help us wherever, or whenever you can. Our next event is

THE GRAND SUMMER GARDEN PARTY & BARBECUE

at Halnaker Park Cottage on Sunday 28 June from 12 noon. Everyone is invited. Come to meet many of our tour leaders and fellow travellers, friends old and new. We always promise a warm sunny day, with old roses in bloom (we hope! – the warm spring has started them blooming in May!), the swimming pool ‘invitingly warm’. We hope that everyone who has been on a trip or may be thinking of joining one will come, and you are certainly welcome to bring family and friends of any age. The day is free*, of course, but please bring contributions to the barbecue (to cook & eat), and items to share at the bar & buffet. Don't forget towels for swimming, garden chairs or rugs, plates and glasses. Bring photos to show old friends and to astonish but not alarm potential travellers! PLEASE mount some photos on a display board
*This year we are welcoming Kings World Trust for Children, a charity for poor children in South India. The founder, Colin Wagstaff, will say a few words about the charity and there will be some literature and a collection. Please give generously.
The event of the year - not to be missed.                                                  

We look forward to seeing you

With best wishes