Holiday with baby made easy with Powder Byrne

Travelling with small tots can be daunting, especially if its that all important first trip abroad together as a family. But rest assured, here at Powder Byrne we put our 25 years experience into practice and make your holiday with us child's play. Under 2's also travel free with PB when staying in their parents room!

BEFORE YOU GO

Our team in London have intimate knowledge of all our resorts so can pinpoint exactly where they think you're family will feel at home. Our aim is to strike a balance between relaxation for you and the right facilities for little ones too. Once you've booked, there is the opportunity to speak to the crèche manager in resort to chat informally about any worries you may have and discuss routines etc. Similarly, we have a pre-purchasing service for all of those baby essentials you don't want to pack to bring with you. Simply order them before you go and we'll have them ready and waiting in resort.

RESORTS THAT CATER FOR FAMILIES

All our hotels are family friendly and have been hand picked to deliver exactly what we believe families require when travelling abroad. Many have short flight times from the UK and equally short transfer times once you arrive, so travel with babies and toddlers is as stress free as possible. Reid's Palace in Madeira for example is our top pick for September sunshine breaks - with a flight time of under 3 hours from the UK to Funchal and a mere 15 minute transfer to this beautiful hotel

EXPERT TEAMS IN RESORT - FOR YOU

Our teams in resort are what sets a Powder Byrne holiday apart from anything else you're likely to  experience. From meeting you at the airport and helping you get checked in once you arrive at the hotel, our team has a nothing is too much trouble ethos that means your holiday begins as soon as you set foot off the plane.

 EXPERT TEAMS IN RESORT - FOR THE KIDS

We believe happy kids have happy parents, which is why we continually strive to improve our children's programmes to suit the families that travel with us. Tiny tots age 4 months to 3 years will be in their element in the pb crèche as our fully qualified crèche managers lead a varied programme. With a 'home from home' environment and friendly nannies who follow a regular routine, allowing youngsters to settle in quickly, you'll be confident your little one is the very best of hands.

CALL US TODAY - 020 8246 5300

Call us today and we can start helping you plan the perfect escape with your tiny tot.
September Offers at Reid's Palace - Complimentary upgrade to half board throughout September!

Latest News from Mallorca...

The Mallorca Powder Byrne team have been on the island for nearly a month and it has all been agreed that the island and its friendly locals are wonderful hosts.

2010 is the first year Powder Byrne has worked with the renowned Formentor Hotel and it is certainly showing why it has such an excellent reputation. The trip into the hotel is breathtaking, with stunning mountain top views over the neighbouring Puerto Pollenca and roads likened to that of the St Bernard Pass.

There are an array of activities on offer at the Formentor and in neighbouring towns, from traditional water sports such as sailing and kayaking, through to the more extreme such as kite surfing. For the more sedate option, Mallorca’s wine region is situated just half an hour from the hotel with many of the vineyards offering tours and more importantly tasting!

The Powder Byrne team are very much looking forward to welcoming you all to this beautiful island.

 

Summer Late Availability - It's not too late!

		Summer 2010

	ORIGINAL SKIING	BEACH RESORTS	AIR AND SPACE	PB EVENTS	LATE AVAILABILITY
	Summer holidays are fast approaching, but don't worry if you haven't booked your perfect family holiday yet as we still have availability in our fantastic summer resorts. As always, if you want to discuss any of the availability below for your family please don't hesitate to give us a call.
			PENHA LONGA, PORTUGAL • Luxurious Sixth Senses Spa • Full range of kids programmes PRICES Executive Suite from £1,333 pp (July) Forest View Double from £915 pp (August) FIND OUT MORE
			FORMENTOR, MALLORCA • Beautiful secluded beach • Top water sports resort PRICES Mountain View Double from £1,593 pp (August) FIND OUT MORE
			BIODOLA, ELBA • Tennis lovers and water sports heaven • Fine Italian cuisine PRICES Classic Double from £1,889 pp (August) FIND OUT MORE

		(C) POWDER BYRNE INTERNATIONAL 2007.
	Registered in England and Wales No 1915566 ~ Registered Office: Fairfax House, 15 Fulwood Place, London WC1V 6AY ATOL 2763 ~ ABTA V4890 ~ IATA 91253735

Mountains, Sea, Eating and Tennis in Elba

Mountains, Sea, Eating and Tennis

A very good afternoon from sunny Elba from the Powder Byrne team. We have already had a very busy half term break when we hosted a very successful Graeme Le Saux football camp. Book early for next year's event as it's very popular.

Looking forward now to the rest of the summer we as a team are really looking forward to welcoming back those of you that have been before and those of you about to discover why Elba and the Hermitage / Biodola are held in such high regard by everyone that comes to our little piece of paradise.

There is no shortage of activities to partake in whilst you are here, how about a trip up Monte Carpane the highest point on the island at 1018m it gives fantastic views across the island and across to the mainland and Corsica. The ride up in the open cable car is also fun too! See the picture above for what you can expect.

The water sports at the hotel are many and varied. We have some special rates for our guests. So if messing about on the water is your thing let the guys in the office know and they will be only to happy to book a slot for some windsurfing, sailing, motorboat hire, sea kayak or a speed boat to a local restaurant. Indeed there is now an option to get a speed boat to the mainland as part of your transfer! Exclusive prices for our guest can be seen on this PDF document.

Food here is one of the big attractions there are some great places to eat at lunch both in the hotel and within walking distance along the beach from the hotels. If you wish to forego your evening meal and eat out we have found a few new places that have been given excellent reviews by guests here at half term. Try Le Viste in Portoferraio on its own secluded bay. There is also Lucciola on the beach in Marina di Campo. There are still the old favourites of Tahiti, Osterica and Da Lucianos to explore too. Just ask Russ to book you a table!

Having indulged in all that fantastic food you might want to do little exercise! Why not book a tennis lesson with our own LTA tennis pro. He will not only be teaching the children during the Scallywags and TheZone programmes but will be available to improve the adults game too. You again can pre book through the office in London or contact Russ on arrival.

Well that's all for now, once again the team are looking forward to seeing you all shortly.
Regards
Russ Cooper
Resort Manager

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Changes to our client loyalty scheme

The current Powder Byrne loyalty scheme will come to an end on 15th July 2010. We therefore encourage you to make full use of any loyalty points you may not have used before this date.

Why not take this opportunity to give our team a call and discuss your ski plans for this coming winter, as points can be redeemed for discounts against ski passes, our unique childrens ski programmes and ski instruction to name just a few options.

Alternatively, if you’re craving some summer sun we’ve got some great new properties to tempt you, including the Penha Longa Resort in Portugal and Reid’s Palace in Madeira, where points can be redeemed for summer kids programmes, spa treatments, baby sitting and more.

Points earned from previous holidays can be redeemed against current bookings travelling later this summer or next winter, providing you redeem your loyalty points before the 15th July.

For full details on your loyalty points account and how to redeem any outstanding points, log into My PB via our website www.powderbyrne.com, follow this link or give us a call on 020 8246 5300.

Latest News from Tunisia...

With May half term rapidly approaching, the weather is a bit erratic but better now than next week, when I have been assured it will be “beautiful everyday miss”!?!  A strong breeze has been keeping everyone on their toes….literally….chasing after escaped sun hats and errant bookmarkers!

The hotel is it’s usual beautiful, cool, tranquil, calming self and looking forward to some Powder Byrne action in a few days time.  We have some great programmes for the children, including visiting the aquarium and horse riding for the older ones.  For you, there are plenty of Tunisian sights to be seen within very easy reach of the hotel, such as Sidi Bou Said and The Medinas. 

For the active ones amongst you, there is the hotel golf academy and we also have our tennis coach.  Having played professionally for five years and qualified as a Development Coach through the LTA, he knows a LOT about the game and is on hand to bring out the Roger Federer’s or Serena Williams’s in you!  In time for  Wimbledon 2010?  We shall see!

So given that the UK heatwave is well and truly over, it’s a very good thing you are heading this way.  The team are eagerly awaiting your arrival at the weekend so have safe journeys and we’ll see you at the airport!

Team Tunisia

Reed’s-Powder Byrne Ski Academy Season Round-Up

The Reed’s-Powder Byrne Ski Academy continues to go from strength to strength, with another highly successful season for all the teams. Read on for the full season round-up…

The Reed’s-Powder Byrne Ski Academy rounded off a memorable year in great style at the inaugural British Schools’ Indoor Championships, held at the Chill Factore in Manchester. Reed’s found themselves up against some stiff opposition from the top schools in the UK, including Millfield, Cowbridge and current UK plastic champions St.Albans. Reed’s were able to field 2 strong and experienced teams

The Reed’s B team were led into second place in the team competition by an outstanding performance from Dan Absalom, who proved to be the fastest skier on the day, ably supported by George Harris, James Sieber and Seb Huff.

The Reed’s A team had Jack Gower blasting his way to the second fastest combined time of the day and with Jamie Reid, Roy Steudle and Jack Breton all securing top 9 finishes, the title of National Indoor Champions was secured.

The year had not started quite so well as the skiers tried to adapt to the different demands of racing on plastic on a balmy day in September. Fielding an unprecedented 5 teams, including a Senior girls quartet, all but the junior boys B team qualified for the National finals at Rossendale where there were two 4th places and a 7th for the boys teams with the girls coming home in 5th place. In the Open Championships we fared better with the boys A team taking silver medals, the boys B moved up to 5th and the unlucky girls missing out on 3rd place by the narrowest of margins. The plastic race season ended at the British Championships at Pontypool in Wales where the strength in depth of skiing highlighted by Reed’s being the only school with 3 teams at the National Finals. The boys teams performed at the top of their game with highly creditable 3rd and 6th places whilst an individual bronze medal for Katie Willis proved the highlight as the girls just missed out again finishing in 4th place.

The annual International Schoolgirls’ races in Flaine saw the Reed’s girls take 3rd place in both the team slalom and giant slalom events. They will be back next season with a bigger and stronger line up.

The boys were missing some big names for their British Schoolboys’ races in Meiringen due to a clash with “A” level exams. This gave a chance to a young team unregistered under 14 novices – and they took their chance coming home with gold medals as both the Children’s team and Unregistered team champions. The senior 4 continued their dominance of the event and were lead home in both the Parallel team slalom and overall team Championships by Roy Steudle and Luke Steyn with two gold, one silver and one bronze medal between them. I’m sure this unprecedented winning of all four team events at the Schoolboys’ races will remain a unique achievement.

All in all a great season!!!

Download 2009-2010 Role of honour

For more information on the Reed's-Powder Byrne Ski Academy, visit the Reed's School Website Here.

New Resorts and Kids Summer Sports

		Holiday Ideas Summer 2010

	ORIGINAL SKIING	BEACH RESORTS	AIR AND SPACE	PB EVENTS	LATE AVAILABILITY
			This summer we are launching new programmes that will inspire your kids, teach them new skills and keep them active in a safe, fun environment.   Take our NEW tennis sessions with our own LTA accredited tennis coaches available across all our summer resorts. Based on the LTA traffic light system for junior tennis, it will offer focused group session, within the Scallywags and TheZone programmes, and 1-2-1 coaching for kids and adults too.   What about the PB Golf Academy, available in Penha Longa, Portugal and The Residence, Tunisia, where kids will receive instruction and structured play with our local Pros.
	TheZone, our unique programme for 9 – 12 year olds provides a fantastic array of organised water sports action throughout the week. Kids will explore a huge range of action sports including sailing, wakeboarding, water skiing, Scuba and mountain biking in a carefully designed programme overseen by our hand picked staff.   Try Elba where we can organise your PADI Scuba certificate, or Formentor, Mallorca, with it’s superb sailing centre right on the beach.     Don’t forget – all our kids programmes have extended evening activities on selected nights during the week, meaning you can enjoy even more quality time together.

		(C) POWDER BYRNE INTERNATIONAL 2007.
	Registered in England and Wales No 1915566 ~ Registered Office: Fairfax House, 15 Fulwood Place, London WC1V 6AY ATOL 2763 ~ ABTA V4890 ~ IATA 91253735

Honestly, it's no fun being a five-star castaway

When disaster strikes, there's a lot to be said for package holidays, suggests Judith Woods.
 
By Judith Woods
Telegraph.co.uk
21 Apr 2010 

Read Original Article Here

Before I begin my tale of sun-kissed, five-star luxury hell, let me say that if I heard about my palm-tree'd, Prada-heeled plight, I wouldn't have much sympathy either.

All the same, here at The Residence, Tunis, we are growing restive in our gilded cage, as motes of ash fall into our G&Ts and the hotel bills creep inexorably upwards. In an attempt to cut costs, I'm cramming the children with biscuits and restricting myself to a single meal a day, but as it's the breakfast buffet, I'm piling on the pounds as I stuff my hamster cheeks with crêpes au chocolat, hummus, cheese, smoked salmon and, oddly, apple crumble.

On the plus side, my knowledge of geography is expanding by the hour as we devise ever more insane routes back to Blighty: right, that's 23 hours by boat to Marseilles (standing room only), then we'll buy an old banger, hammer up the autoroute, ditch it – keys in the ignition – at Calais, then languish for a week waiting for a ferry.

Or what about an 11pm flight to Milan, a 16-hour coach journey to Spain, and then the week-long wait in a traffic jam seven miles from the coast? As the French women top up their tans and suck on Gauloises until their cheekbones pop, we Brits are – of course! – holding endless meetings by the pool. Someone is whistling the theme to The Great Escape, there's crazy talk of private jets and chartering camels. It's a truly peculiar experience being so maudlin-and-discontented in such idyllic surroundings. No wonder Lottery winners hit the skids; paradise palls when there's no end in sight.

Fortunately, we have travelled to North Africa with an upmarket family holiday firm whose resort manager, Angus, is a Gentleman Trooper with the Westminster Dragoons and the epitome of British pluck. One minute he's helping a client put the finishing touches to a £2.5 million property deal in Asia, the next fetching athlete's foot cream from the pharmacy.

The other guests enviously follow him with their eyes, like dogs watching a sausage. They are independent travellers, cut adrift and left to their fate, without anyone to make those endless phone calls to British Airways. A non-package family leave for the airport, against Angus's advice, and arrive back 12 hours later, hot, bothered and desperate to rebook their room.

We live in precarious times and the lesson to be learnt – if there is one – is that there's a lot to be said for package holidays, previously regarded as the preserve of the supine. Sometimes, expertise is worth paying for – and it's far shrewder to let someone else do the legwork.

Update from Zermatt...

Quick update from the Swiss Alps...

Well, the sun is still shining in Zermatt!  The village has been a balmy 15c so we have been enjoying lunch al fresco... Peak Week staff have arrived safely last night and are now undergoing training in preparation for the rush on Sunday...Snow forecast on Friday so fingers crossed you'll be greeted by lots of it when you arrive in resort...!!

Thats all for now!

The PB Zermatt Team