14 January 2009 - Great Escapes - Press Office

The short break specialist Great Escapes releases its new-look Spring / Summer 2009 brochure to the media this week.

Offering holidays based largely in Northern France and Belgium, highlights of the new programme include:

New to programme: Château d'Audrieu
New to the Great Escapes programme this year is Château d'Audrieu. This opulent 18th century château is set in 100 acres of Normandy parkland between Bayeux and Caen. With period features throughout, a gastronomic restaurant, beautiful gardens and a swimming pool for the warmer months, the property more than complements the wider Châteaux and Manor Houses portfolio offered by Great Escapes.

Arras and Normandy
Originally presented as the ‘Battlefields’, Great Escapes now highlights Arras and Normandy as individual destinations in their own right. The historical town of Arras, less than an hour from Calais, boasts excellent market squares and rolling countryside, whereas Normandy offers rugged coastal landscapes, as well as being home to Calvados, Camembert and Cidre.
New Ferry Service to be featured: P&O Hull – Zeebrugge
New for 2009, Great Escapes is offering the P&O ferry service Hull – Zeebrugge.
This opens up Belgium, particularly Bruges, for holidaymakers in the North of the UK, and is in fact the only North Sea route operating outside the south east.
New: Hotel du Parc in Hardelot
The coastal region of Hardelot has a reputation for attracting the wealthier French holidaymaker and the 3* Hotel du Parc is nestled amidst the pines - a character feature of this area - and is only a short drive from the beach. Onsite facilities include tennis courts and a swimming pool. The well-known golf courses of Hardelot are just a five minute drive away, and the towns of Boulogne sur Mer and Le Touquet are also within easy reach.
Additional short breaks within the new brochure include the Champagne & Wine Regions, Gastronomic Chateaux Breaks and DisneylandÒ Resort Paris. Great Escapes’ breaks offer excellent value with complimentary extras a frequent addition, including free 3rd or 4th nights, champagne, chocolates, guidebooks and visitor passes. This season, prices start from as little as £47 per person for one night at the 2* Hotel Le Windsor in Le Touquet.

For latest offers, additional hotel choices, worldwide flight packages (in conjunction with a division of Expedia) and UK & European Cottage holidays (through a link to Cottages4you), please visit www.greatescapes.co.uk.
Great Escapes has been organising short breaks for nearly 30 years and offers its customers financial protection through its AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) and ABTA (The Travel Association) membership. Brochures can be ordered by calling Great Escapes Reservations on 0845 330 2089.