Star Clippers: King of the sea

Who: Mabelie Bruijns

What: Press trip with the Royal Clipper

Where: Amalfi & Sorrento coast (Italy)

When: May 2012

Star Clippers is a cruise shipping company, but they don’t offer just any cruises: they sail! Star Clippers has three vessels in their fleet: the Star Clipper and its identical sister the Star Flyer, both four masters and the king of the sea: the Royal Clipper. This is the only sailing five master worldwide and we were so luck y to join a sailing cruise from Rome- Rome. The three ships in the Star Clippers fleet are modern, high-tech, re-creations of the classic clipper sailing ships that dominated the oceans of the world in the 19^th century. Today they offer passengers comfortable, crewed sailing on traditional clipper ships, built to uncompromising yacht safety, with the luxurious surroundings of a private yacht.

And that’s what we have experienced! Although the weather could have been better, we sailed along the coast of Italy and visited the idyllic village Ponza, Sorrento and Amalfi coast, famous for its lemons and limoncello liquor.

We were surprised by the service of the crew, the quality of the food (every day an extensive buffet for breakfast/lunch and a la carte for dinner) but most of all by the relaxed and informal atmosphere on board among the guests. The Royal Clipper can host 270 passengers at the most, so it gets never crowded. The staff knows you by name and after only one day the bartender knew my favorite drink. This feels like home but with the advantage to see the beauty of the Aeolian Islands and Sicily as well.

Tip: visit the lemon orchids of the Family Massa who produce the best Limoncello liquor of the world: Villa Massa and have a tasting.

Tip 2: Hire your own convertible to drive along the Amalfi coast and visit Positano.

Got curious? Look at: www.starclippers.com for more information.

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Authentic & Traditional Oman



Who: Marthe van Leeuwen
What: Press trip Oman
Where: Oman
When: 9th until 15th of October 2011

WOW! Is this also Oman!? I’ve visited the country numerous of times and each time Oman continues to surprise me. For this press trip the theme was markets & traditions. During a whole week we could literarily get a taste of the authentic and traditional Oman. We travelled at least 1400 kilometer, from the desert to the green Jebal Akhdar and from the camel markets in Sinaw to the goat market in Nizwa and white sand beaches and tropical wadis. But it has to be said: every kilometer was worth wile!

Boat sailing on the sea… 
Since the theme of the press trip is traditional Oman what better fit than a cruise on the sea with a huge dhow? The authentic dhows are traditional wooden sailing ships that people used to travel on to China, India and even Zanzibar and Egypt. After a city tour in Muscat we sail in style with a dhow to the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa for lunch. The trip is short but still an unforgettable experience to sail along the coast of Oman in this splendid ship. The perfect start for an incredible week!

Fairytales do exist 
If you think fairytales only exist in books, you’re definitely wrong! What a beautiful camp, we literarily travel back in time and experience the fairytale from 1001 nights at first hand. The tents camp is set up in a traditional way met authentic tents royally richly provided with colored cloths and pillows. There’s no electricity in the tent so everything is romantically lid up with candles and oil lamps. If you want to relax, the desert is the place to be because there’s no reach for your mobile phone let alone internet. If you still want contact with the populated world then you will need to look for a high dune and hope you have reach. 

Green, greener, most green
Yes, I’m still talkin about Oman, more known as a sandbox among most people! Maybe hard to believe but Oman is incredibly green. Today a trip to Jebal Akhdar is on our planning. Translated it means “the Green Mountain”. The way up is on a well maintained road but still a 4WD is a must. The way goes incredibly upright and without a 4WD and a powerful motor you simply won’t make it. Once you reach the top at 2100 meter you have an incredible view of the mountains. On the Jebal Akhdar it’s only 25 degrees but this serves as a refreshing cool off after the 40 degrees we endured in the desert earlier during the trip. We visit the mountain Al Ayn where we all enjoy a short walk. What a peace but also what a green landscape. We walk between the plantations and have a view on a enormous waterfall. You would almost think we ended up in a different country because this part was very green and wet. And once again we meet the Omani, who are yet again very friendly and always in for a talk while drinking a cup of Kahwa (coffee flavored with cardamom).

Marthe’s tip:
The Al Hajar mountain is the spine of Oman. The tops reach at least 3000 meter high and come with spectacular views. The ultimate experience would be a night in the mountains of Oman! Do take a 4WD because only then will you see the beautiful and intact parts of Oman.

For more information about Oman visit http://www.visitoman.nl/

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Lisbon: a true delight for all your senses

Who: Jocelina Paixao Fortes

What: Christmas, culinary, shopping press trip to Lisbon

Where: Lisbon

When: November 2011

During my studies I had the pleasure of studying in Lisbon. After two years I was glad to re-visit the Portuguese city I love so much during a Christmas – Culinary press trip. For this occasion Turismo Lisboa invited journalists from all countries who represent the region in their country so we had a great mix of Spanish, French, Belgian and Dutch journalists. With our excellent guide Carmo Botelho as our leader I knew from the beginning we would enjoy our stay during the press trip!

‘Bom apetite’

The Portuguese cuisine is very rich and during this trip I was amazed at how diverse it really is. Everybody knows fish, especially cod, is a main ingredient in many Portuguese (Christmas) dishes but did you know that duck and octopus are also culinary delicacies Portuguese people enjoy? ‘Arroz de pato’ (rice with duck) and ‘Polvo’ (octopus) prepared in several, delicious ways are specialties that are a ‘must-taste’ during a trip to Lisbon. People with a sweet tooth will take delight in the Bolo Rei and Broas that are a true Christmas tradition. At the most antique bakery in Lisbon ‘Confeitaria Nacional’ you can taste the best Bolo Rei in town. Founded in 1829 the son of the founder introduced this French recipe in Portugal. From then on the cake Bolo Rei became a yearly culinary tradition that is eaten from Christmas until Three Kings day (January 6). Broas are delicious cookies made with almonds, sweet potato or sweet herb.

Christmas shopping in Lisbon

Recently named one of the best 10 cities to shop in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital is a true shopping paradise for all fashionistas. In the Portuguese capital you will find four shopping malls (Colombo, Vasco da Gama, el Corte Ingles and Dolce Vita) and in Baixa and Chiado, one of coziest neighborhoods in Lisbon, you will find tons of shops such as Bershka, Stradivarius, Mango and Blanco. If you live in North Europe you will really enjoy shopping at these Spanish shops as they are at least 20% cheaper in prize! If you’re still looking for the perfect Christmas gift in Chiado you will find several authentic and international shops. Near the Terreiro do Paço plaza you can buy handmade jewelry, leather and decorative objects made of recycled materials. For a true Lisbon souvenir I would recommend the Lisbon shop at the new meeting point Patio da Galé on Terreiro do Paço plaza.

Jocelina’s tip:

At restaurant Faz Figura try the ‘Polvo em crosta de milho’ (octopus with corn flour crust). Although many of the journalist were wary about tasting this Portuguese delicacy everybody loved it! It didn’t have that gooey feel that everybody threated. It actually tasted like ‘meat’ and some even said it tasted like turkey. Aproveita!

For more information on Lisbon visit http://www.visitlisboa.com/

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Valle d’Aosta: a real hidden treasure!

Who: Mincke Pijpers

What: A culinary press trip through Valle d’Aosta.

Where: Valle d’Aosta, Italy

When: September, 2011

The Autumn is the perfect timing for a short break to the Italian region Valle d’Aosta. For those looking for an authentic place, wishing to step literally in a ‘warm bath’ when it comes to hospitality and who appreciate a good farmer’s meal, will find happiness and more in Valle d’Aosta. This region – hidden between France, Switserland and Italy – is really a hidden treasure! This valley has all ingredients to spend a great holiday. During my trip and the first acquaintance for the journalists with this region, I noticed that people are really pleasantly surprised by the offer of Valle d’Aosta.

The main ingredients of our trip? Food, food, food but also, castles, wine, hiking, shopping. Being here, feels so ‘healthy’ with full of fresh and healthy mountain air. No stress, relax, eat, sleep, hike, enjoy. Remarkable is the friendliness of the people speaking both Italian and French. There is a very kind and friendly atmosphere and people open up immediately towards visitors. During our program we visited two of the ‘food festivals’ in the region. If you really want to stroll among locals, this is a must do! Cheese and salami everywhere, although we also visited the Apple Festival in Antey and the “Marché au Fort” in Fort Bard.

Mincke’s tip: Valle d’Aosta can easily be reached by car but is also accessible via a low cost carrier such as Easy Jet to Geneva. At only 1.5 – 2 hours drive you are discovering Valle d’Aosta, away from hectic, daily life!

Discover more Valle d’Aosta via http://www.visitaosta.nl/

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Our Clients

During the last couple of years AVIAREPS Tourism has gained a lot of experience in organizing numerous events for tourism clients. Every year our agency organizes multiple events, gatherings and/or road shows for her clients.

Air Arabia Caribbean Tourism Organization Curaçao
Egypt
Graubünden
Kroatië
Las Vegas
Lisbon
Mediaworkshop
Norway
Norfolk Line
Oman
P&O Ferries
Star Clippers
Thailand
Thüringen
Trentino
Turkey
Verkiezing Reisbureau van het Jaar
Valle d'Aosta
Visit Sweden
Wales

Visit our website for a complete overview of our clients

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Publication: Reizen Magazine - Lisbon

Reizen Magazine is a monthly travel magazine that informs its readers about the many destinations that they can visit. The journalists of the magazine discovered Lisbon with a local and tell us all about the new places they discovered in the city!

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Company Profile

AVIAREPS Tourism: a full-service communication consultancy agency that works primarily for companies in tourism. It advises and supports these clients with all their communication requirements, core areas being marketing, public relations and representation.

A total of more than fifteen employees focus on a single objective: implementing effective communication projects for clients.

For more information visit the Aviareps Tourism website

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