Push the boat out and sail Croatia with Neilson

ACTIVE HOLIDAYS FOR 2005

Croatia’s spectacular Dalmatian coastline is rapidly becoming THE place to sail with more than a thousand tiny islands to explore, enchanting hidden coves, steady winds suitable for sailors of all abilities and beautiful Mediterranean weather. Neilson’s ‘Active’ brochure for 2005 launches this week and as a result of Croatia’s tremendous popularity in 2004 - Neilson Active Holidays have more than doubled it’s fleet of yachts in the area and extended it’s shore-based capacity on the island of Korcula.

Neilson’s ‘Active’ base in Lumbarda on Korcula, provides the ultimate island escape for those seeking a unique shore-based holiday or a combination of a week ashore and a week afloat on the yachts. Guests can either learn to sail a yacht (it takes just 4 days with Neilson’s team of RYA instructors) or indulge in a range of dinghy sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking and scuba-diving activities. In line with all Neilson ‘Active’ holidays, guests staying at the Lumbarda centre can take advantage of the extensive range of top quality equipment and RYA tuition with fully qualified instructors – all of which is included in the holiday cost.

For those looking to sail the Dalmatian region – a range of the latest and most spacious yachts designed by Beneteau will be available for flotilla, villa- flotilla and charter holidays in Croatia and 2 week flotilla routes have now been developed to include the impressive and historic cities of both Split and Dubrovnik for keen sailors.

In addition to expansion in Croatia, there’s a whole host of other exciting developments included in the Neilson ‘Active’ brochure for 2005.

More for kids – Junior Rippers and Youth Squad

Kids clubs have been fine tuned and extended in Turkey and Greece to include active options for children up to 13 years old. Junior Rippers is a club for 8 - 13 year old thrill-seekers. Based in the Bitez in Turkey and Vassiliki in Greece, two of Neilson’s finest windsurfing locations, Junior Rippers will provide keen youngsters with the chance to try new moves, gain RYA qualifications, get blasting in the harness and of course have a great time!

Enthusiastic young dinghy racers can also grab a piece of the action in the ‘Youth Squad’ which is based at Neilson’s advanced dinghy sailing centre in Porto Heli, Greece.

A range of kids clubs are available for those aged from 4months up to 13 years. The majority of the clubs are free and all take advantage of Neilson position as leading active holiday operator with a range of activities available for it’s younger guests – both on and off the water.

The Caribbean – Back on track Neilson's Caribbean centre in Grenada is back in the brochure and will reopen in May following months of repair and refurbishment work to the Neilson centre and across the island over the winter - following the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. (Neilson customers donated £4,000 to those effected by the damage earlier in the year).

Regional flights

Regional flying is also added for the first time from Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh into Bodrum, Turkey.

Stylish brochure design

In line with the re-design of all Neilson brochures, the brochure information and pricing panels have been designed to make navigation easier for all customers. The introduction pages are all very clear, concise and can be utilised to research the perfect active holiday as per ability levels and holiday preferences.

Sample package with Neilson Active Holidays

Prices start from £389 per person for an active holiday to Bitez in Turkey. Prices include return flights, resort transfers, accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, full use of all windsurfing, dinghy sailing and mountain equipment with RYA tuition and bike guiding services. Children under 14 years old get a 20 per cent discount off the adult price.

Call Neilson on 0870 9099 099 or visit www.neilson.com