January 2009 >

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club Travel Club opens it doors to Yorkshire Members

February 2009 >

In association with ITC Sports a number of members enjoyed trips to the Caribbean to watch England take on the West Indies.
Those of us who joined the Platinum Cruise on board Silversea's Silver Shadow, after a shaky start due to snow closing Heathrow Airport, had a wonderful cruise looked after by  the fabulous Italian crew and in the company of celebrities including David Gower,
Ian Botham, Ainsley Harriott and several others, beautifully hosted by Paul Allott.  We began our cruise in Miami and once everyone was on board set sail for Kingston, Jamaica. As Silver Shadow was the first cruise ship to dock in Kingston for 6 years we were
given a wonderful welcome and the steel band on the quayside really made you feel you'd landed in the Caribbean and were immediately in the party mood. The police outriders who escorted us to and from Sabina Park made you feel you were an
extra in a film as it was pretty exciting to be driven through red lights and all the traffic moved out of the way to let us through.

You will all have followed the cricket so will know how it all ended up so other than to say that watching cricket in the Caribbean
is a unique experience I won't talk about that. What I will talk about is the truly amazing hospitality organised for lunch and tea
by ITC and the Silver Shadow crew. When we walked into the marquee on the first day we could have been at a wedding.

The tables were adorned with beautiful linen, silver cutlery, fine china and the most gorgeous tropical flower arrangements.
The barbeque was delicious, the sweets to die for and the flowing champagne and wine caused many of us to miss the
beginning of the afternoon sessions.

We set sail for Ocho Rios a couple of days later having thoroughly enjoyed our first taste of cricket, ITC style!
From there on the cruise went by in a glorious mix of sunny days on beautiful Caribbean Islands, fabulous dinners with our
new friends, quizzes in the afternoon with the delightful Bruno, truly a one off and the best cruise director you'll ever meet.
Then there was the cooking demonstrations with Ainsley Harriott and David Gower which were great fun and the cricket
seminars given by David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Darren Gough, Allan Lamb, Christopher Martin-Jenkins, Derek Underwood,
Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff. Another treat was having the hilarious comedian Vince Earl on board who had us in
stitches every time we met him. I'll never forget his comment as we got in the bus to leave for the airport,
''thank God that's over, it was rubbish'' and we all just fell about. A really gifted comic and thoroughly nice man too.
I mustn't forget Mike D'abo, former singer with Manfred Mann. Again a lovely man who entertained us on many evenings
on the piano and singing lots of his hits and songs he wrote for other people too.

This was the first ITC tour we have been on and will certainly have been the first of many more I hope.
When first looking at the brochure we thought it pretty expensive but such a unique holiday which we couldn't have bought
from anyone else. Having been on the Platinum Cruise I have to say, and most people on board would say the same, that it
was fantastic value for money. The attention to even the smallest detail and the constant presence of Jonathan Bellamy and
other ITC staff to sort out any problems meant that we all had the best holiday ever. The next cricket tour will be to South
Africa this coming winter and I strongly urge anyone thinking about going to go with the 'experts' and be certain of a
perfect and memorable holiday.

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March 2009 >

PRE-SEASON TO ABU DHABI

On Tuesday 17th March a small group of Yorkshire Members set off from Manchester Airport to Abu Dhabi to watch Yorkshire
take part in the Pro-Arch Trophy against Lancashire, Surrey, Middlesex, Essex and a UAE team. As this was the first tour I had organised by myself, I set off with some trepidation, not least because we were all strangers.

We all met up at the Etihad desk, wondering what everyone looked like and straight away everyone began chatting. As we all
had a love of cricket in common that immediately gave us all a common interest and was a good ice-breaker. After check in we
spent a couple of hours in an airport lounge having drinks, nibbles a getting to know each other. There were 3 couples a
5 solo men. Two had agreed to share a room to save paying a single supplement and along with Derek who was also in their
hotel got along like a house on fire and became dubbed 'the 3 musketeers''. We were scattered between 4 hotels so on
cricket days transport to and from the Sheik Zayed Stadium became a bit tricky, particularly as most taxi drivers had never
heard of it despite it being an 18000 capacity state of the art stadium in the middle of the desert! Journey's took between
30 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the driver you had but we certainly saw a lot of the area.

We went to the cricket 3 times and as they were 2.30 starts it meant that we had the mornings to ourselves and then went
to the game as the sun was going down although it was hot all the time. Perfect! Hospitality was provided by Arabian
Cricket and the food was delicious and plentiful.

The icing on the cake for all of us was a visit on Monday 23rd March to the player's hotel, the Jebel Ali Golf and Spa Resort
just outside Dubai. We had a mini bus and were lucky to be joined by Adam Lyth (who scored 100), his parents and
delightful girlfriend. When we arrived we were met by Martyn Moxon and Stewart Regan and taken to meet the players.
We had drinks and were able to chat to and have photographs with all of them and spent a really enjoyable and
memorable couple of hours.

We were all grateful to them for sparing the time and it certainly was the highlight for everyone. Afterwards we went for an
Indian meal in the hotel before our drive back down to Abu Dhabi.

The last 2 days were spent on the beach, round the pool or exploring Abu Dhabi. The 3 Musketeers went up to Dubai for the
day to do some sightseeing.

We set off home on Thursday 26th March, leaving behind Irene and Alan who decided to have a few more days in the sun,
all firm friends and hoping to meet up again next year in Dubai but probably will all keep in touch. With only a 7 hour flight
and guaranteed sunshine Abu Dhabi is a perfect destination.

Click Here To View Some Photographs / Images >

CUSTOMERS REVIEW >

Hi Sue,

What a fantastic experience! Not really knowing what to expect, the 8 days were full of new memories. 
Well organised, the cricket and free days went smoothly.
The cricket was of a competitive standard, played in an amazing floodlit stadium. A perfect venue for
pre-season training under guaranteed blue skies.
Our days off enabled us to go sightseeing, shopping in the Malls or relaxing on the excellent beaches.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are amazing cities still rising from the desert. Unforgettable!
One highlight of the trip was an evening with the players at their hotel. We were able to share
our experiences and discuss hopes for the coming season.I've decided I like it hot!

Thanks once again Sue, I am glad I changed my mind and decided to go!
Just seen the green turf appearing at Headingley on Look North.

Best wishes to u and Steve.......M 

April 2009 >

This will be a busy month as we are putting the finishing touches to the itineraries for the tests in South Africa and getting
together brochures. The tours will be organised by ITC Sports and will be hosted by a range of celebrities from the cricket
world.If you only take one holiday in the next 12 months I highly recommend that you consider one of these which will
offer unrivalled experiences and wonderful hospitality. More information will be available at our Travel Event in May


May 2009 >

2009 - 2010 TRAVEL EVENT SHOW

Come along to our Travel Event in the Long Room at Headingley on Saturday 16th May 2009
and find about more about our Travel club and what we have planned this year.

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MONACO GRAND PRIX 21st to 28th May 2009 HOSTED BY MURRAY WALKER

For all fans of Formula 1, ITC Sports have now reduced the price of their 7 night fully all-inclusive cruise on
board Silversea's Silver Wind to £3595 per person including flights from London and offering $500 per
person on board credit. It is also available on a cruise-only basis for £3100. Please ring for a brochure.