‘SUPER HOLIDAY’ AT GEMINI PARK
Joining the ranks of members who have already been so delighted with Seasons latest Turkish resort that they wrote and told us about it are Paul and Patricia Kent, of Bury St. Edmonds:
‘Dear Seasons - we have just returned from a super holiday at the spanking brand-new Gemini Park accommodation in Turkey -  a lovely spacious corner-unit apartment, from
which we were lucky enough to have both morning and evening sunshine. Whilst there were the inevitable ‘teething problems’ of such a new venture (we were there for the Official Opening week), these have been sorted and we would recommend other Seasons owners to savour the tasty Turkish food, soak up the sunshine and friendly atmosphere of the Turkish people (many restaurants offer a free mini-bus service to and from your accommodation), laze around the attractive pool area, swim, and also enjoy the good humour and hard work of all the staff at Gemini Park. In particular, we would like to express our thanks to Steve for his cheerful helpfulness (in spite of difficult personal circumstances) and for arranging a special meal to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary on 13th May and to Seasons for the Official Opening Turkish buffet evening. Maxi-Tours run several good door-to-door excursion trips which can be booked from reception at Gemini Park.  We thoroughly enjoyed our trips with an excellent guide, Kadir, to Bafa Lake (exploring ancient ruins, seeing true Turkish village life, lunch, boat trip etc); to Pamukkale (the ‘cotton castle’ as they call it) to view the amazing white spectacle caused by hot thermal spring water cascading over the rocks creating the dramatic scenery, and also to swim in the thermal water of Cleopatra’s pool.  There are many more trips to enjoy – you’re spoilt for choice as to what to do when! Boat trips are numerous from Altinkum - day trips offering inclusive lunch, swimming from boat, relaxing etc - great fun. Do relax and - Turkish style - ‘go with the flow’, Seasons members and give Gemini Park a try.’

OTE TIMESHARE SURVEY REVEALS ‘SHOCKING’ NEW STATISTICS
The Organisation for Timeshare in Europe’s  (OTE) first survey of UK owners (almost 15,000 individuals) uncovers one of the most shocking timeshare secrets ever: overwhelmingly UK owners are happy with their timeshare purchase, view it as their primary holiday choice, and more often than not prefer it to the other wide range of holidays they take each year!

• 75% of UK timeshare owners (a total of almost 500,000 households) are pleased with their decision to buy timeshare (of which 17% thought it was one of the best decisions they have made)
• 72% of owners would recommend timeshare to a friend, proving that timeshare’s best sales force is its ‘silent army’ of current owners
• 68% say timeshare is good value when compared with other holidays
• 83% say the standard of timeshare is better than equivalent self catering holidays
• 72% say timeshare offers more flexible holiday choices than hotels do
• 64% like the benefit of ownership in a superior location with great views

The ‘Timeshare Unveiled’ Survey was released at OTE’s UK Seminar in Manchester on June 9th , which was attended by 100 leading members of the UK timeshare industry.  The survey is a ‘warts and all’ look at UK timeshare owners’ attitudes towards their timeshare, as well as taking a glimpse at how timeshare stacks up against other mainstream holidays.  Findings demonstrate emphatically that UK owners are happy with their purchase (75%), and 7 out of 10 would recommend it to other people.

Our thanks go to the many Seasons members who entered the survey via this newsletter earlier this year.

MEET BURN PARK’S LATEST ARRIVAL
'My name’s Rhyanna and I was born at Burn Park on May 10th, very early in the morning.  By the time I had found my sea legs, Mr and Mrs O'Neil, the McGuirk family and Mr and  Mrs Shepherd and their son Lewis had arrived to see me.  They had been so kind to my Mum all week - keeping a close eye on my arrival and laughing about boiling water and ripping up towels to help with my delivery!  James McGuirk will always be my special friend because he was the very first one to visit me but I would like to thank them all for being so kind and I look forward to seeing them next time they visit Burn Park.'

VISITING BURN PARK DURING JULY OR AUGUST THIS YEAR?
If you are planning to go to Cornwall, popular Manager Gill Kaye would like to hear if you are interested in a great new money-saving option – which is especially good value for families:

‘For the main holiday season of July and August at Burn Park, our restaurant is considering a half board option for our guests at a cost of £120 per head for seven nights, including Full English Breakfast and a Three Course Evening Meal.  Children from four to 11 years will be half price and under four years will eat free.  
The same half board option will also be available to our weekend and mid-week guests.

However, before we embark upon this new venture, we need to know how many visitors will be interested in taking up the option, to make sure it is viable.   You can either pay in full on arrival at the resort, or, if you wish, you can start paying for your half-board NOW in two or three instalments, so that when you arrive at Burn Park for your holiday, your meals will already be paid for!

To let Gill have your comments, please click here

‘FANTASTIC WEEK’ IN ALTINKUM
Okay, so you would expect Seasons’ International Sales Manager to be enthusiastic about a new resort.  But we’ve seldom heard Drew Murdoch waxing so lyrical as he does here about his recent visit to Turkey:

Well, what a fantastic experience that was.  Honestly, if you haven’t been to Gemini Park, you don’t know what you’re missing: stunning sunsets, fantastic food, fabulous sunshine, friendly locals, the best hagglers in the world and some great new friends.

It began with a party and finished with a party, what a week! First we had a 70th Birthday celebration, Mr Desmond Barber (above), a long standing Seasons member.

Picture shows: Rosie next to Chris front left with Laura on her lap, and Caitlyn front row third from right

Then Seasons International Entertainment Manager, Ricky Francis did a fantastic outdoor poolside performance (above) from 9.30pm through to the wee small hours and ended up with some of our members celebrating another fantastic Gemini surprise.

In the restaurant, the team are committed to great service and great dishes, both Turkish and British.  Extra choices include a one kilo fresh lobster extravaganza (enough for two) at £40 on request. Fresh sea bass or sea bream and many other specials can be had at 24 hours notice. All in all, I am looking forward to returning, and the dancing Turkish waiter…. well….. come and see for yourself!

£25 WINNING LETTER
YOU’RE NEVER ALONE AT CLUB TAHITI
When Vikki Olveston of Bristol decided to go it alone to Lanzarote with two young children, she found she needn’t have worried about feeling lonely.  So don’t hesitate, just get on the plane and go for it!:

‘I recently embarked on my first holiday alone with my two younger children, Rosie and Caitlyn.  It was a last minute to Lanzarote in half term. My partner was busy at work and my eldest daughter at school, but I needed a rest.  It was a daunting experience with a six and 10 year old, especially keeping them amused at the airport - luckily the restaurant was open

I chose Lanzarote as I have been there a couple of times before, and always had a really good rest, and a fantastic time.  The management and staff are always helpful and entertainment excellent - I was not to be let down this time.  It was great to see some old faces at the Pool Bar, and the Cajun chicken roll as tasty as ever.  Even though I was on my own, at no time did I feel awkward.  I met a lot of lovely people who I hope to meet again in the future.  Melissa, our rep was excellent, Chris the entertainments manager was brilliant with kids and adults alike, and worked hard all week to ensure that everyone was kept amused.  Ricky Francis, watch out - this man is worthy of your crown! 
I would like to extend a special thanks to other guests that I met and who looked after me, making my holiday one that I will not forget. Especially Paula and her family from Shopshire, Steve, Mary and family from Carlisle, Linda and Kirk, Rachel and Laura from Milton Keynes, Charlotte from Milton Keynes and to my quiz partner in crime, Lindsey from Cornwall, her husband Greg and son Joe.  To everyone I met during that week and to all of the staff, thank you for turning a potentially lonely experience into one where I take away very fond memories, and an experience I would willing repeat (I am already planning next year!)’
 
‘WE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE’
We love to hear about member’s holidays and what greater compliment can you pay than the following report?  Thanks to Elsie & Chris Arrowsmith of Port Talbot for their wholehearted appreciation of their recent trip to Lanzarote:

‘We have just returned home from Club Tahiti. What a fantastic holiday! We enjoyed the resort from the time we arrived until we left. All the staff gave 100% and made sure we had a good time. Cannot thank the staff enough for giving so much of their time to all the members and guests. The accommodation is very clean and the welcome pack was very much appreciated.  Melissa was there to greet us on arrival and checked throughout the week to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. Thanks to all the team for making a much-needed holiday 'Fantastic'!’

THE 'LOST' SAT NAV SYSTEM!
Yet again we are delighted to report that resort staff went that extra mile (pardon the pun) to return what is perhaps the last object you would ever expect to be lost! Let Chris Turnbull, of Abermule, Montgomery, tell his tale:

‘Dear Sirs – I write to thank you for your assistance in the safe return of my satellite navigation system, which I inadvertently left behind after my recent visit to stay at your resort.  The parcel arrived this morning safe and sound and as a great relief to me. Enclosed are two 20 Euro notes. One is a refund of your postage cost and the other is by way of thanks for the member of your housekeeping staff honest enough to hand in a valuable piece of equipment. I would be grateful if you would pass on the note to the appropriate member of staff with my thanks.  Once again, many thanks for your assistance.’

BEST SEASONS HOLIDAY EVER
What a pleasure it was to hear from Rosemarie and John Stevenson, of Weston-super-Mare, telling us how three members of Seasons’ staff combined to make all the difference to their Algarve trip:

‘Dear Seasons - my wife and I had a fortnight’s holiday in May at Alpinus. To say it was our best Seasons holiday during our eight years membership would be a gross understatement.  And it was due to in no small measure to three people who work there: Clayton Dower, John Jenkins and Lorraine Orford.  I have no idea what their rank or standing is within the complex staff, I do know however, that between them, these people made our two weeks a truly memorable event.  What did they do you might ask? I’ll tell you what. They were there! All the time, it seemed to us. They were helpful, caring, patient and good listeners.  They were in fact just what’s needed to make a good holiday into a really fabulous two weeks.  If one didn’t know, the others did. If none of them knew, they instantly found someone who did. Thank you and see you soon.’

GOLF ETIQUETTE AT BRUNSTON CASTLE GOLF COURSE
We are sorry to have to report that, although most Seasons visitors abide by the strict laws of golf etiquette, some problems have recently been experienced by the Manager and professional at the Brunston Castle Clubhouse.  This is a championship 18 hole golf course and not a ‘knock around’ chip and putt course.  So would all Seasons members wishing to play please note the following, in order to avoid any embarrassment:

1. No trainers, golf shoes only.
2. No jeans.
3. No shorts, except dress shorts.
4. No football tops.
5. No collarless shirts.
6. One set of clubs per person, no sharing of clubs.
7. Golf Buggies do not go out when the course is wet.
8. All golf to be booked through Brunston Castle Reception, where tee times will be booked and ticket given.
9. No handicap certificate is required, but players must be able to demonstrate that they can play to a certain standard.

WE LOVE KNOCKTOPHER ABBEY
We quite often hear from members that Eire-based Seasons resort manager, Derek Boyd, has contributed to their enjoyment of their holiday in the beautiful Irish countryside.  And Terry and Rita Enright, from Wokingham in Berkshire are no exception:

‘Just to say that not long ago, we and two friends enjoyed a most wonderful week at Knocktopher Abbey.  We were for the second year, blessed with fantastic weather, the gorse was bright yellow and the scenery was out of this world. Everyone, including the manager, Derek, was friendly, willing and full of enthusiasm to make sure we had a peaceful time.  We played golf at three different, lushly green and well-manicured courses and it only cost us 100.00 Euros each for the lot.  We'd like to return for a third time, maybe next year.  Many thanks seasons, we love it there.’

WHITBARROW FROM THE AIR
You will recall that in the May issue of eNews, we announced that Whitbarrow Village’s Assistant Manageress, Alison Watson celebrated 10 years service at the resort.  But what we didn’t know then was that she was also given a surprise flight in a microlight. 

The flight took me up to 6,000 feet,’ she reported later.  ‘I could look down on fabulous views of the North lake District and the visibility was good enough to see the Isle of Man to the west and Snowdonia to the South, not to mention the whole of the Lake District.  And here’s what Whitbarrow looks like from the air.’
 
MIRISSA UPDATE
Jane Thompson has once again been out to Sri Lanka and sent us some pictures of the latest reconstruction progress, as she thought they might be interesting for Seasons members. She reports that a new project manager is now in charge and the work is being being completed very professionally, with the participation and help of many of the local people.  The picture shows progress on the new community centre, for the construction of which Seasons Holidays plc donated £16,000.

SEASONS IMPORTANT EMAIL ADDRESSES

• To make bookings at any of Seasons owned or affiliated resorts, or to book value for money Seasons midweek or weekend breaks, and for any general enquiries about your membership, simply email reservations@seasonsholidays.com
• For advice on every aspect of your holiday, with all tickets fully ATOL protected through our association with Vacation Travel Seasons Travel Club email travelclub@seasonsholidays.com. The Travel Club online enquiry/booking service is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. For more details click here.
• Generous offers are always available for friends and relations of members to come and experience Seasons for themselves - plus incentives for members! For the current special offers email referrals@seasonsholidays.com
• If any members wish to contact Seasons Owners Consultative Committee email mail@socc.org.uk

BACK ISSUES OF eNEWS
Members wishing to read previous issues of Seasons eNews Update should visit www.seasonsholidays.com, go to the Members page and click on ‘Members News’.

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