The Travel Den - Let us Make Your Dream Holiday Become a Reality

09/09/2026

HOT OFF THE PRESS

How about great winter cruise with MSC Cruises?
MSC Virtuosa's final Southampton departure on the 7th November 2026 sailing, a superb 9-night Cruise & Fly itinerary sailing from Southampton and finishing in Barcelona, with flights available back to London Gatwick and Heathrow (just waiting to hear about flights to Southampton for those who will have driven to the port) still has availability.

With fares from just £599pp, the sailing offers exceptional value, including 7 ports of call in 9 nights, which is quite rare for a repositioning cruise.

Itinerary Highlights
• Southampton
• La Coruna
• Cadiz
• Malaga
• Alicante
• Palma de Mallorca
• Marseille
• Barcelona (fly home)

Lead Price, 9 Nights from £599pp
🥂 Premium Extra Drinks Package from £850pp

Interested? Don't wait too long to decide as deals like this sell fast. Contact us: email [email protected] or call us (office hours): 01923 947074

all subject to availability at time of booking

offer posted 09 Sept '26

08/09/2026

Contact us if you recognise these symptoms 😜

08/09/2026

We are often asked by our clients for suggestions of hotels, based on their locations. Grecotel Hotels, with hotels located in Greece, have just sent us the following really useful information, outlining where their hotels are situated. Grecotel is a chain I have no hesitation recommending to my clients, having personally stayed in a few of them. For further information on these hotels and other around the globe, please contact us via email: [email protected] or call 01923 947074 (office hours only please).

FOR ADULT GETAWAYS

MYKONOS BLU - PSAROU BEACH
Set on beautiful Psarou Beach, this exclusive escape is perfect for couples and friends, just a 60-second walk from Nammos.

EVA PALACE - CORFU
A peaceful retreat on the Kommeno Peninsula, complete with an adults-only sunbathing deck for uninterrupted Mediterranean relaxation.

CARAMEL - CRETE
A charming boutique retreat for clients seeking peace and privacy, surrounded by beautiful scenery and a relaxed Cretan atmosphere.

WATERPARK ADVENTURES

LUX®ME COSTA BOTANICA - CORFU
Where water, adventure and the great outdoors come together. With thrilling slides, little ones’ splash areas and a huge lazy river, there’s fun for every age.

CRETA PALACE - CRETE
The classic Grecotel resort experience, reimagined for 2026. A brand-new waterpark adds even more fun, perfect for older children.

MARINE PALACE & AQUA PARK
A family favourite with the Kingdom of Poseidon Aquapark, packed with thrilling slides, splash-filled play areas and imaginative water attractions.

TOWN AT YOUR DOORSTEP

FILOXENIA KALAMATA - PELOPONNESE
A 20-minute stroll along the promenade brings you to Kalamata Harbour, with the vibrant city centre just beyond. Discover charming shops, local restaurants and lively nightlife.

PLAZA BEACH HOUSE - CRETE
A 20–30-minute stroll along the beachfront brings you to Rethymno, with charming streets, local shops and restaurants waiting to be explored.

A BOUTIQUE ESCAPE

CARAMEL - CRETE
Intimate, elegant and distinctive, with just 67 suites and villas. A boutique retreat combining character, personalised service and all the luxuries of Grecotel.

MANDOLA ROSA - PELOPONNESE
A hidden gem in the Peloponnese, with just 52 suites and villas. For an unforgettable arrival, why not arrive by speedboat from Zante?

ROOM-TO-POOL LIVING

AMIRANDES - CRETE
The ultimate in private poolside living, with exceptional villas and residences designed around water, space and effortless summer days.

LUX®ME WHITE - CRETE
The perfect choice for privacy, with swim-up rooms, private villas and an impressive choice of shared and private pools.

MYKONOS BLU - MYKONOS
An exceptional setting with 101 rooms, three sharing pools and 19 private pools, perfect for a stylish Mykonos escape.

AN ICONIC SETTING

THE DOLLI® AT ACROPOLIS - ATHENS
For those who want Athens at their feet, with ancient history, culture, gastronomy and the energy of the city right outside the door.

CAPE SOUNIO - ATHENS RIVIERA
An unforgettable setting beneath the Temple of Poseidon, where exceptional gastronomy meets spectacular Athenian Riviera sunsets.

THE ROC CLUB - ATHENS RIVIERA
A chic escape in Vouliagmeni, combining laid-back luxury and effortless style in one of Athens’ most exclusive seaside neighbourhoods.

CORFU IMPERIAL - KOMMENO PENINSULA
Set on an exclusive private peninsula, with the feel of a private island in one of Corfu’s most beautiful and iconic locations.

Let The Travel Den Make Your Dream Holiday Become a Reality

thetravelden.co.uk

07/09/2026

Not looking forward to winter and thinking about getting away, without spending a fortune? How about a cruise?

Just in:

🛳️ Celebrity Infinity 14th November 2026 🛳️
🌞12 Night Madeira, Canaries, Morocco 🌞
✈️Flights from LGW✈️
🔥From £778 pp inc. Flights!!🔥

subject to availability at time of booking

Contact us for further information - tel: 01923 947074 or email [email protected]

06/08/2026

Always wanted to experience European Christmas markets? Touring on a river cruise is the BEST way!

Contact us for further instructions on the two itineraries mentioned below as well as many others we can suggest.

Email [email protected]

Valid until Wednesday 12th August 2026 - subject to availability at time of booking

Offer 1

🎄 DEAL OF THE WEEK! 🎄

🚢 6-Day Danube's Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets River Cruise
📅 Departure: 16 December 2026
💷 Now only £1,349pp (Was £1,449pp)

✈️ Flights available from:
• Birmingham
• Dublin
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester

✨ Your festive cruise includes:
🍷 FREE all-inclusive drinks package
🛏️ 5 nights aboard a five-star river cruise
🍽️ Full board dining
🚌 Return flights & transfers
🗺️ 7 included guided experiences
☕ Complimentary tea & coffee
📶 Free Wi-Fi
👨‍✈️ Expert Cruise Director & Cruise Host
⚓ All port charges & additional taxes
🧳 20kg+ checked luggage

🎅 Experience the magic of Christmas along the Danube:
✨ Explore the imperial capitals of Budapest, Vienna & Bratislava on guided tours.
🎄 Wander through enchanting Yuletide Markets filled with festive lights, handcrafted gifts, Glühwein and seasonal treats.
❄️ Relax as stunning winter scenery drifts by along the Danube.
🎻 Enjoy a live classical music recital on board your beautifully decorated river cruise.
🎁 Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit!

Offer 2

🥂 DEAL OF THE WEEK! 🥂

🎆 6-Day New Year on the Rhine River Cruise
📅 Departure: 29 December 2026
💷 Now from just £1,749pp

✈️ Travel options available from:
• Birmingham Airport
• London Gatwick Airport
• London Heathrow Airport
• London Stansted Airport
• Manchester Airport
🚄 Or travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras

✨ Your New Year getaway includes:
🍷 FREE all-inclusive drinks package
🛏️ 5 nights aboard a five-star river cruise
🍽️ Full board, including a spectacular New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and New Year's Day Brunch
🚌 Return flights or Eurostar & transfers
🗺️ 7 included experiences
☕ Complimentary tea & coffee
📶 Free Wi-Fi
👨‍✈️ Expert Cruise Director & Cruise Host
🧳 Checked luggage included
⚓ All additional taxes

🌍 Highlights of your festive cruise:
✨ Cruise through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge to the charming w**e village of Rüdesheim
✨ Discover Frankfurt on a guided tour with time to explore at your leisure
✨ Visit historic Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet
✨ Explore Cologne's picturesque Old Town and magnificent cathedral
🎻 Celebrate New Year's Eve in style with a gala dinner, live classical music, midnight drinks & canapés as you welcome 2027 on board!
🎉 Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable Rhine river cruise!

05/08/2026

It’s receiving thanks like this that reinforces why I love helping clients plan and organise their holidays - this has been a pretty unique enquiry as the family are getting together to celebrate the patriarch of the family’s 95 birthday here in the UK.

To help our clients, both nonagenarians, I hired a car to enable them to inspect the initial hotel they were interested in. This visit was invaluable as, whilst on paper the hotel looked ideal, when there we all agreed the area where the rooms would be was too far from the main building and hotel’s leisure facilities. They then looked at another hotel I thought would be suitable, and we booked the accommodation accordingly.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the family decided this hotel would no longer suit their needs, and decided they wanted to stay in a local hotel they know very well.

I know the family dynamics and, thinking back to the original brief, didn’t think where they suggesting would ‘fit the bill’. Fortuitously, I was able to secure accommodation and private dining rooms in another hotel I know, and explained to the clients why I thought this would be a better option. It is a beautiful country house hotel, it has a pool, a games room, peacocks in the gardens and other facilities to not only keep the kids happy but the adults too, so they would be able to entertain themselves in the hotel, versus the other hotel which has none of these things on offer.

Below is the Google Review we just received:

A huge shout out and enormous thanks to The Travel Den and specifically Denise Lederman! 3 months ago Denise planned and pulled together an amazing family holiday. She planned for 18 people aged 95 years down to 11 months, coming from home and abroad and made sure it suited us all.... Then 6 weeks before planned trip we had to ask her to change it up completely. Which she did, with a smile, generosity of spirit, professionalism, and efficiency! All the while stopping us from booking the wrong venue because I was panicking! She's thought of everything and planned to the last detail! Thanks Denise, you're amazing!

13/07/2026

For all cruise lovers this might be of interest to you

Oceania Cruises is retiring the Nautica in late 2027 by completely transforming and rebranding it as the Oceania Aurelia. The ship will undergo extensive renovations to reduce capacity to under 500 passengers and add more suites to cater exclusively to long-duration grand voyages and world cruises.

While the transformation will result in a brand new ship experience, it marks the end of the current Nautica identity.

Final Farewell Season: The ship will undergo a UK-based charter and final farewell voyages out of Southampton in the summer of 2027. The ship's final cruises in its current form will conclude in October 2027

Interested in sailing on Nautica before she is rebranded? Contact us for further information
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01923 947074 (office hours only please)

10/07/2026

We are often ask what the benefits are of booking a package (a holiday with flights originating from the UK) which is covered by ATOL, versus booking everything independently.

Earlier today I received a message from a client of ours who is currently abroad, having just come off a cruise and they had transferred & checked into the 4 star hotel they were due to stay in for the next three nights.

They sent us photos of the room they were in, which showed broken glass on the wardrobe door as well as wooden furniture that was in the need of a polish and in a despicable state . They also mentioned that although they had gone down to reception to ask if they could change the room, they were greeted with a shrug of the shoulders and totally ignored. The hotel was chosen by the clients for its location.

I immediately contacted the tour operator that I had made the booking through, and between us we found two alternative hotels that had availability and in the same area. I called the client, discussed both hotels with them and they decided on the one they wanted to stay in. As it was too late for us to book them a transfer to the new hotel, I advised them to grab a taxi. And that their transfers to the airport on departure will be amended.

I am delighted to be able to say that the hotel they are now staying in they have reported as being delightful and a total contrast in the level of service at the reception desk.

…..and the benefit of having booked through the tour operator is that none of this has cost the client a penny!!!
They will be reimbursed for the transfer that they have paid for themselves and the tour operator is covering any difference in cost between the original booking and the new hotel.

….and the benefit of booking through us? Hopefully the above is answer enough! We are not only here to help plan and book your holiday but in the event of a rare and unforeseen situation such as the above, we will ensure (where possible) to resolve the problem as soon as possible. The resolution to the above took 40 minutes from our clients first contacting us to them receiving their new hotel voucher, which gave them just enough time to finish their lunch at a nearby restaurant!

Contact us to discuss your next holiday:
Email [email protected]
Or call 01923 947074 (office hours only please)

Let The Travel Den Make Your Dream Holiday Become a Reality
Thetravelden.co.uk


The Travel Den is an independent travel agency based in Elstree - we plan and book your holidays, cruises, city breaks and more.

02/07/2026

Have you ever wondered where The Travel Den sends their clients to?
This chart shows where clients we have booked holidays for since April are travelling to…. how about adding your dream destination to the list or, maybe, you can see somewhere you would love to visit and haven’t yet been?
Contact us for help planning your next holiday, irrespective where in the world you are travelling to.
Email [email protected]
Or call 01923 947074 (office hours only please)

Let The Travel Den make your Dream Holiday Become a Reality
Thetravelden.co.uk

19/06/2026

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for several destinations in the region, including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and no longer advises against all but essential travel.

This is positive news for those planning trips and provides greater confidence for future travel arrangements.

If you have any questions about an upcoming booking or are considering travel to these destinations, please get in touch - our email is [email protected] or call 01923 947074 during office hours.