Time for three travel treats
1 Israeli strictly-orthodox political party (4) 4 Fool about to declare in tests (6) 9 Anglo-jewish gold medal winner in the 1924 Olympic Games (6,8) 11 Digital extremity (9) 12 “It’s true — honestly!” (Yiddish — variant spelling) (5) 13 “May he be magnified” — traditional hymn (Hebrew) (6) 15 “Oh Dear” (Yiddish — lit. ‘I have pain’) (3,2,3) 17 Mixed up (Yiddish) (8) 18 Sheepish crowds (6) 21 The number “nine” (Hebrew) (5) 22 “Be healthy” (Yiddish) (3,6) 24 Rabbi of Maidenhead synagogue and author of Thejewsofengland (8,6) 25 Biblical heroine — Job to follow her? (6) 26 Worker hurt back in part of industrial Germany (4) 2 Cut down by 50 per cent (5) 3 Orthodox woman’s wig (Yiddish — variant spelling) (6) 4 The King of Shinar (Gen. 14:1) (8) 5 An idiot, a poor slob (Yiddish) (9) 6 “This Day is Honoured” — Shabbat song (Hebrew) (3,3,8) 7 Change end of story — that’s tricky (6) 8 These aren’t gross sins? Possibly (14) 10 The number “10” (Hebrew) (4) 14 Oholiab’s father (Ex. 38:23) (9) 16 Mystic kabbalistic commentary on the Tanakh (Hebrew = splendour) (3,5) 17 Gallery gets thanks, and French backing (4) 19 Locating one in smart surroundings (6) 20 One guilty of 8 Down needing to atone (6) 23 Adam’s grandson was 365 years old (Gen. 5:23) (5)
The World Horticultural Expo
Venlo, Netherlands Various options
From eight to 22 days This expo is perfect for flower lovers. The Floriade only happens once every 10 years and will be bursting into life in 2012. The 66hectare park showcases the world’s best flowers, plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. There are more than 100 gardens and pavilions, including Villa Flora, Europe’s biggest indoor flower show. The five themed worlds are separated by woods.
The spectacle of acrobatics and world music performed by artists from distant lands is their trump card.
From £1,875 per person (twin-share)
Return flights from a selection of 15 UK airports; accommodation in staterooms on a luxury river cruise ship; all meals as well as local wines with dinner; all sightseeing excursions; airport-ship transfers; all port charges, tipping and taxes.
A supplement may apply for no-fly rail options. These are available on selected cruises .
APT, 0845 604 0792, www.aptouring.co.uk/cruising
Turkey September 3
Six days Many admire the amazing lunar-like landscapes and troglodyte houses but few really explore the sites and understand the history behind the bizarre landscape. Archaeological specialist operator, Peter Sommer Travels, has a new tour led by a Cappadocia specialist expert guide.
You’ll also discover the fascinating historical and geographical sites in the area, and there’s an optional hot air balloon ride to admire it from above. Stroll through the magnificent Red Valley, visit Kaymakli, one of the best preserved subterranean cities, hike along the base of the Ihlara valley visiting hidden Byzantine churches carved out of the canyon’s cliff walls and admire the rock-cut churches at UNESCO world heritage site at Göreme open air museum.
From £1,375 per person (two sharing)
‘Exploring Cappadocia’ includes five nights’ boutique hotel accommodation, most meals, transfers, all entrance fees, optional hot air balloon ride and expert guiding.
Flights Peter Sommer Travels 01600 888 220, www.petersommer.com
(from Las Vegas) USA June
Seven nights There is no easier or better way to get to grips with the Grand Canyon than to fly over it. This package from Tour America Direct includes a “Grand Celebration” helicopter tour so you get to fly over the astonishing Hoover Dam, which holds back the vast body of water that is Lake Mead, before flying over the Grand Canyon, to see Guano and Eagle points, the home of the Skywalk.
You get to land in the Canyon to enjoy a champagne picnic lunch and take a short walk around it to discover it on foot. The trip lasts 90 minutes, including the time spent on the ground. From £1,239 per person
Return flights from London Gatwick to Las Vegas, accommodation on a room-only basis, twin share, at the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel (a newly opened beach club whose pool has been voted the best in Las Vegas) right on the Strip. The helicopter trip is included too as are the transfers from and back to your hotel.
Meals Tour America Direct, 0845 319 4266, www.touramericadirect.co.uk