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Holidays for People with a Hearing Loss

Has being hard of hearing restricted your enjoyment of holidays? Now you can travel in the company of people who understand hearing difficulties.

Many people who have a hearing loss hesitate to go on an ordinary package holiday but would welcome the opportunity to travel in the company of others who know what it is like to be deaf.

Hearing Concern LINK offers such opportunities. Not only will you be with fellow-guests who understand your difficulties, but you will also have assistance from a person skilled in helping hearing-impaired people to communicate.

• How the project works

These holidays are intended for adults with impaired hearing whose main mode of communication is speech (not sign language). At some point on the outward journey, members of a party will be joined by a person skilled in communicating with deaf people (usually a lipspeaker).

There are no age limits on the tours advertised in this brochure, but they are offered subject to minimum numbers taking part.

Demand is increasing as more people find out about these unique groups.

The programme of assisted leisure breaks is to be continued and expanded to allow us to cater for increased numbers. However, the total number of places will still be small relative to the potential need. If you are willing to share, please tell us (single rooms are always in short supply). Remember, too, that you can bring a ‘hearing’ relative or friend!

• Where we are going

In 2009 we are introducing some new destinations (in the UK and abroad) and also returning to some favourite spots. We have sought out value-for-money deals with a number of well-established, bonded companies. Each trip has its own documentation, so please be specific in your requests (it is too wasteful to send everything to everyone. What follows therefore is just a brief summary of each offer.

UK Holidays - all with communication support

Oban, Iona and the Isle of Mull - May

This coach holiday (7 days) is based at the Art Deco Regent Hotel in Oban, on Scotland’s west coast, and includes two full-day excursions. You can be picked up at many points in South Central and Eastern England and there’s no night travel. A highlight for many will be the visit to Iona, where St Columba landed in 563 and founded a monastery, but the tour also takes in Glencoe, Fort William and Loch Lomond. Half board is provided in Oban. Ask for the full itinerary. Price £479 (single supplement £65). Departure date 17 May 2009. Tour operated by award-winning Crusader Holidays. Discount available if you join at the hotel.

Constable Country and Suffolk - July

Featuring miles of unspoilt coastline and enchanting towns like Lavenham, Long Melford and Bury St Edmunds, this tour is an ideal choice for a 5-day break. You enjoy 4 nights half-board at the 4* Holiday Inn, in a quiet setting near Colchester. Hotel facilities include a spa and beauty treatments are available. Visits include John Constable’s birthplace, East Bergholt, Flatford Mill, Dedham, Aldebugh and Southwold. Price £315 (single supplement £60. Departs from Crusader joining points on 6 July 2009. Or you can make your own way to the hotel and get a discount.

Country Gardens of Lincolnshire - July

This 5-day break is based at the County Hotel, Skegness, and mixes a seaside location with (guided) visits to the Lincolnshire Wolds and Fens, including (among others) Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding (enclosed formal gardens next to the River Welland); Harrington Hall and the Springfield Festival Gardens. The price of £275 (no single supp.) includes half-board and the services of a Grand UK tour manager. Joining points throughout South Central and South East England (or discount if you go direct to the hotel). Departs 20 July.

Scarborough Singles Break – 5 days, September

Single rooms for everyone! Based at the famous Grand Hotel, overlooking the South Bay, this short break includes half-board and excursions (3) to Filey, Flamborough Head, Beverley and Whitby. All bedrooms have private facilities. Depart 14 September. Price £259 – no supplement but you will need to book early. See previous item for joining points and discount option. Grand UK holidays are for persons aged 55 or over.

Guernsey:- Depart 28 September for 4 nights.

We shall be paying a return visit to the delightful Atlantique Hotel (Perelle Bay) – book your own flight or ferry (as in 2006). Please ask for full details.

Continental Holidays All with communication support

Portugal – Vilamoura, Algarve - 28 Feb-7 March 2009

Stay in this fashionable resort at the 4-star Vila Gale Marina Hotel (sister hotel of the one praised by those who went to Tavira a few years ago). This superb hotel faces the marina and is close to the beach. We have opted for b&b so that you are free to dine at the hotel or in the town. An indoor pool provides year-round swimming. British Airways flight from Gatwick at 10.50, return landing 18.10 (Birmingham and Manchester flights also available). Our price from Gatwick is £419 sharing, £559 single occupancy. From Birmingham £414/£554. Manchester £422/£562.

Amsterdam 16-19 March 2009

A sequel to our popular Paris break last August, this will appeal particularly to art lovers. It features a visit to The Colours of the Night, a special exhibition at the Van Gogh museum dedicated to the painter’s interpretations of the twilight and dark, a recurrent theme throughout his career. Taking centre stage will be the celebrated Starry Night, on loan from New York. Travel is by Eurostar-Brussels, then inter-city train. There will be plenty of free time and you stay for 3 nights (buffet breakfast) at the 3* Avenue Hotel. Price £287 (single supp. £50). NB: You must book quickly to avoid a possible increase in train fares.

Croatia Cavtat 17-24 April 2009

Another chance (for those who missed out last year) to sample the charms of the Dubrovnik Riviera. This time we stay at the Hotel Albatros (part of the Iberostar group) in Cavtat, close to Dubrovnik. You get a sea-view room for 7 nights half-board and convenient scheduled flights from Gatwick with Croatia Airlines, all for £459 sharing, or £569 for sole use of a double room. Depart Gatwick at 16.35, get back at 15.45. Take your pick from a number of great optional excursions. NB: There are good train or coach links to Gatwick from towns all over the country.

Valkenburg Netherlands 1-4 May 2009

Something different! A satisfying short break by coach to the “three countries” region, close to the borders of Belgium and Germany. You stay 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Monopole in Valkenburg, a popular resort town. No overnight travel. A full-day excursion to the old town of Monschau, deep in the Eifel region of Germany, is included. Half board.

Price £239 (single room supplement £45). Numerous Crusader joining points in East Anglia, South Central and South East England.

Switzerland by air 7 days from 7 September

This is one for lakes and mountains enthusiasts! We fly to Geneva from several airports and stay 6 nights (b&b) at the 3* Hotel Roc et Neige in Chateau d’Oex, a lovely resort set between the Bernese Oberland and Lake Geneva (and once the home of Hollywood star David Niven). Evening meals can be taken at the hotel or in the town. An included excursion takes you to Gruyeres, Montreux and the Chateau Chillon. Choice of airport determines package price: £389 from Bristol or Liverpool; Gatwick or East Midlands (£399) or Luton (£379). Single supplement £48. Detailed brochure on request.

Provence by Eurostar/TGV 10 September

With a 12.57 departure from St Pancras International (and one change of train) you reach your hotel in Aix en Provence the same evening for a great 6-day holiday which includes visits to Arles, The Camargue National Park, Avignon and more. Our price of £499 includes all travel and 5 nights b&b. Please ask for the 4-page brochure which you need to appreciate just how good this package from Riviera Travel is. Single room supplement is £85.

Krakow City Break 4 days from 18 September

The city of Chopin and Pope John-Paul II – and Royal capital of Poland for 500 years – Krakow is renowned for its architectural and artistic gems. Our price includes 3 nights b&b at a central hotel, airport transfers, guided tours of the city and castle and one excursion. Fly from Gatwick at 12.55, return landing 17.20; or from Newcastle (out at 14.00, return 17.35).. Price from either airport is £379. Single supplement £63. Please ask for the full 4-page itinerary. Times are provisional at this stage.

• Reminders

You can make big savings on most of these leisure breaks by bringing a relative or friend to share a room. That person need not be hearing-impaired. Please be specific about where you wish to go when requesting further information.

We may add further departures to some of the destinations shown above if there is sufficient demand. We may also offer some new destinations. So if you cannot travel at the times listed, to a particular place, it is worth informing me that you are interested in that place. We welcome suggestions for the future too.

Profoundly deaf persons who depend on sign language should be aware that BSL support is not provided on these holidays. At present we can only cater for those whose preferred means of communication is speech.

• Contact

If you are interested, please contact Philip Barron at:

4 Anselm Close, Croydon CR0 5LY

Email: philbarron@waitrose.com

Tel: 020 8680 2229

Fax: 020 8680 2815.

Please specify the destinations that interest you as each holiday has separate documentation.

Apply early if you need a single room.

Please remember to include your postal address so that we can send you the information.

Early application is advised, as all offers are time-limited. If you don’t find what you want immediately, remember that new offers will become available during the year and you can register to receive our Travel Updates.

• Frequently asked questions

Are there any age limits?

No, unless otherwise stated. If you have mobility problems, please advise us at time of booking.

Can I bring a ‘hearing’ friend?

Certainly. Relatives and friends are very welcome.

Why is it important to respond quickly to our offers?

Because we reserve rooms and coach and/or flight seats for a limited period. Any not taken up will be released by a date agreed with the tour operator, after which your chance of getting a place will be much reduced.

How can I find out about future holidays?

Please contact philbarron@waitrose.com or visit the website at regular intervals.