Newsletter

Spring 2010

We have been very slow to revise our old newsletter but, with the arrival of some Spring-like weather and the news of some interesting tours that have taken place and are planned for the future, the time has come to announce our new programme for the rest of this year and for 2011. Things have been looking up at the Travellers’ Club: the Icelandic volcano dust has dispersed just in time for our tours to Iran and Hungary; during the autumn and winter most of the planned group tours went ahead and quite a number of private tours that we planned for couples or groups of friends have all been completed – all resulting in warm messages of appreciation.

John Osborne’s Iran tour last October was another great success and messages have come from widely scattered travellers to say how much they enjoyed it. Iran continues to be one of our most popular destination as John’s tours fill up far in advance despite the adverse publicity Iran receives here in the West. David Nash at Prestige Holidays has to work extremely hard to get the visas, but our travellers to Iran had to go the embassy to give their fingerprints! Anthony Earl always designs very interesting and unusual tours that attract a loyal following; sadly his trip to Alsace & the lands of the Rhine last September was cancelled but is offered again next year. On a more positive front, he recently returned with a small group from Venice & the Veneto, and his tour to Hungary in May is completely full. He travels to Puglia in Italy’s deep south in September - a lovely trip for which there are still vacancies! Please look at the website www.thetravellersclub.com – tours in 2010, or ask for details. In October there was a very successful tour to Jordan & Syria which was supported by quite a large component from Australia. In November we had one of our most enjoyable tours in South Morocco with a large group of 19 very jolly people in perfect warm sunny weather! We had our favourite guide, Omar, and the varied itinerary included some very charming small hotels.

 In February we had a lovely trip to Rajasthan, which we extended to the Foothills of the Himalayas into March. We stayed at some newly discovered charming small forts and palaces converted into ‘boutique’ hotels – the curious fashionable word. The weather in India was perfect: and even Shimla (old Simla of the Raj) with its clear views of snow-capped Himalayan ranges, was warm and sunny every day! I can’t help this emphasis on lovely weather abroad when remembering our winter at home. Do look at our programme and join us in Sri Lanka, or South India or Rajasthan not only for the rich cultural experiences, but to avoid those winter blues! Several tailor-made tours for families or friends have visited various parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tunisia & Cyprus and more are planned for Burma, Syria, Istanbul, Malta & Morocco.

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 13 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 13 June from 12 noon. Everyone is invited. Come to meet tour leaders and fellow travellers, friends old and new. We always promise a warm sunny day, with old roses in bloom, 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 to exhibit in the barn.  The event of the year - not to be missed.                                                       

We look forward to seeing you
With best wishes