spiegal

Just to let all the people who have been calling us that our web site is now up and running. www.tptours.co.uk Thanks and best wishes

Some of you may be aware that in my guise of TRAVEL PLUS TOURS I was in both Slovenia and Croatia this week looking and planning my tours. I took the not inconsiderable drive to GRONICA and the new Croatia track just opened there last year. It was bad drive on snow and ice but my goodness what a worthwhile visit. The Stadium is difficult to find but it is possibly the most modern,well apointed,brilliantly designed tailor made Speedway stadium in Europe. it has been built to a very high detailed specification,totally for Speedway. Modern spacious seating and standing with loads of excellent viewing, and no expense spared on either teh spectator comforts or a hugely impressive pits area. It is absolutely modern,only the best quality workmanship and truly it is a lesson to anyone planning a new stadium. We shall without doubt be including this on our Krsko weekend..with a new city base close to both tracks..and i can promise that everyone will be delighted with their visit here.we have completed a great deal and the family are looking forward to their first ever British fans to visit. The family Pavlik (apologies if i have spelt this incorrectly) have spent huge monies to build this superb venue and are to be congratulated on their efforts. A cold,snowy day,but worth every mile to see such a wonderful achievement and stadium. Bloody cold tho !!! JAMES EASTER

Guden Tag. Greetings. has anyone either in Uk or in Germany a composite list of fixtures for GERMANY 2006 please. Mainly interested in Speedway League or major individuals but also major Long Track as well. Have not been in that lovely country watching racing for many a year and plan a visit this comings eason. Regards

Greetings Anyone out in Cyberland got any news/dates/etc on fixtures in HUNGARY in 2006. Mainly interested in August if possible. Seasonal greetings JAMES EASTER

I just looked at the hotel link suggested. absolutely agree, that is a very good modern,clean,efficient,pleasant hotel with good restaurants and bar and staff who are helpful and professional. Situated in teh very centre square near to everything, it is indeed an ideal base for all clients. And that is the one we have booked !!!!!!

I suggest you read my article again. Daugavpils is a traditional city, of that there is no doubt.Anyone going there will certainly find it interesting. I was trying to highlight the qualities of RIGA which is truly a beautiful and modern city As for teh hotels there are indeed several of varying standards. i am purely going on what I would be personally happy with for my clients. As for the road....I just do not think it would be good sense for anyone without local knowledge to attempt teh road especially at night as to my experience it was scary.If they wish to go by rail that is indeed a good regular efficient service. The stadium is centrally situated and easy to locate You pays ya money and takes ya choice

The only matter really certain is that teh weather in DAUGAVPILS will be bloody warmer in September than the last 2 days. It certainly was an eye opener. The really nice part was seeing an old friend from my days as USA/Aussie manager when he was with teh Ruskies. Nice compact all seating 6.500 capacity stadium. Forget 3hrs by car. Its a terrible road from RIGA with loads of russian lorries. Main road is just about ok but huge potholes everywhere. The town is a very old Soviet style place. Only 1 decent hotel,that is now booked out. In fact it is very new only 6 months old right in the city centre. RIGA on teh other hand is a mixture of PRAGUE/BERLIN/AMSTERDAM...what a place. Worth the visit alone, superb hotels, superb buildings and huge river. The night life...very "cosmopolitan"!!! Booze and food very cheap. It would be childish to suggest that Daugavpils is easy to get to...the problem is hotels.The older ones really are a hark back to the 1960's Soviet style.. and getting back by say rail is possible but I for one would not want to drive it again. thus we have changed all our pre-concieved planning. Cannot recommend LATVIA highly enough,but concentrate on RIGA A very full 2 days Nice welcoming people and the bossman at the stadium has got us some of the best seats. Brochure out in early january

For those interested I am out in SLOVENIA this Thursday. We will as usual be taking in the GP PLUS the meeting at teh new track on Sunday afternoon. It is is quite a hike from both ZAGREB and Ljubliana but that's why we are taking care (as always) to plan it well We are thinking of a totally new base for 2006,a lovely city between both KRSKO and GORICAN. Should be a goodly weekend especiallyas the hotel looks real quality. Last 2 years the KRSKO meeting was 100% full on our tours. 2006 Brochure...with some real surprises...out just after the red nosed geezer makes a mess of my fireplace. Regards THE EASTER BUNNY

Can somebody please advise when the 2006 Polish League fixtures are available Many thanks SPIEGAL

That is what stress and pressure does for you ! I meant BYDGOSZCZ. Anyhow they are now sold. Thanks and apologies JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS

We have a client who cannot travel. Thus we have 4 WROCLAW stadium tickets (seats ) at £50.00 each if anyone is interested ? please contact me if we can help you or them. Regards JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS 01473.217838

It is traditional that LONIGO start at this time. also teh sun sets right over teh 3rd bend so you cannot see anything going down teh back straight when racing. Sun stops play...Unsusual but true

Those who are travelling to LONIGO under their own steam should be warned that the meeting will now start at 2100hrs (9.00pm) That will mean an effective Midnight departure from the Track...if you're lucky. Mr Gianinni has also arranged one of his "special" Firework display's which will add about an extra 15 minutes to the proceedings. Trust thsi helps

Just in case anyone out there is interested. We have just managed to obtain extra rooms in the LAKE GARDA area for our TRAVEL PLUS TOURS departure. I know that we have many people who have called making the enquiry but until this week we were full. Departures available froM STANSTED (about 6 seats)..HEATHROW (about 10 seats) MANCHESTER (About 6 seats). It si a very full tour and in PEAK SEASON around the Lakes. Best wishes JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS

Spoke with Travel Plus Tours yesterday and they appear to be very,very full on the LONIGO Tour. Bookings above 150 already. The girl told me that hotels in and around the area are still peak season and difficult to get. They have had to increase capacity 3 times and now only have 15 rooms left. Possible extra rooms may become available but by no means certain. Also KSKRO is virtually full, but loads space on Sweden tours

For those who may have taken the gamble on cheapo seats to POLSKI for the GP events...sorry but AIR POLONIA has gone WHIZZO..BUST..BANG In my opinion this is the 2nd of many this year...so be very, very careful Some of the stories we get of hotels losing payments, double bookings, excess payments etc..from those who have quite rightly exercised their use of the "net"...just be careful...you are not covered. We pay a lot if money for protection of your money...it is money wel invested in my opinion Any problems you can always ring JAMEs EASTER (01473) 217838l

just called TRAVEL PLUS TOURS and been advised that the 2 capitals is full, but they are trying to get a bigger bus and more ferry cabins. also the LONIGO tour is getting very full as are BYDGOSZCZ and KRSKO. Rumours of a 2006/07 Aussie tour as the Bossman has been out in both NZ and aussie doing some business. Good brochure I think

You may be interested to know but in the first 24 hrs of teh brochure the 2 Countries Tour sold out 25% of capacity. LONIGO also took 20 bookings..that's 25% capacity Friday phone booking enquiries exceded 100..a record.

Of course just doing just that causes no problems. it is just when any individual or organsisation advertises in any way something taht could be deemed as an organised package Doing your own thing between friends is no problem and is exactly the correct way to do it. It is when bookings/individuals are "solicitation" for want of a better word occurs. You simply would not believe what a minefield this is. Try going along to any Airline...including the "cheapos" with a group asking for seats. It was just meant as advice to help any well meaning soul who possibly did not realsie what a risk they were taking.

Maybe you think that this is a joke situation.As someone who is involved in the law I can tell you it is far from that !! Last month a similar situation occured with a guy who was organising a group of footie fans to a UEFA match. He got together 20 persons and then scarpered with the dosh. Imagine 20 people on an internet organised group going to WROCLAW GP on AIR POLONIA. Money paid,Airline goes bust. Who pays the refund ?? I can tell you that Trading standards are currently looking at Overseas coach holidays organised by "certain" clubs,footie,rugby,motor racing etc.etc. There is apparently absolutely no bonding whatsoever and the "men with clip boards" are none to impressed. In their opinion such a holiday constitutes "a package" even though it's by coach, As such it must be bonded or it is illegal.It will not be too long before they start banging on the doors of Supporters clubs First offence is £5000 fine..second offence is a suspended sentence. If you have any doubts ask your local Trading Standards or Travel Agent

Just a word of warning. be very,very careful before you produce or advertise in any way..including the internet.. any inclusive holiday overseas using flights if you do NOt have an ATOL licence. Any 2 parts of flight/transfer..inc car hire../hotel constitutes a package. Any such construction is now totally illegal and punishable by inprisonment. I am not beinga killjoy, by all means do what you want, but before you attempt this just remember these words of advice. Trading Standards take a very, very dim view as it is open to abuse from many factors.

I can assure you that KSKRO is a pig to get to. there are virtually no travel links from Ljubliana...there is only 1 Taxi in the Town itself..and if you stay in Zagreb you have to cross a border. The town of KSKRO is small and uninteresting and Speedway is the only sport. You would be far better off travelling to a major city and hiring a car. However Ljubliana has a conference the weekend of the GP and most hotels are sold out. Zagreb is a lovely city with plenty going on Sorry to be negative..but that is the score. By the way Malilla is even worse to reach and get rooms. I was there last week and it is 200kms plus from Stockholm..but the area is lovely if you like pine trees.

I can assure you that we are working hard on next years brochure...in fact very, very hard Our ICE RACING BROCHURE has been out for 2 months and MOSCOW is totally sold out. ASSEN is alive 50% full and freezing as well. Our main brochure will be in teh SPEEDWAY STAR on week of 5th January 2005 with the usual marvellous cacophony of tours. I cannot imagine why we are not available as there is always somebody in the office....(01473) 217838....e mail suffolktravel@aol.com As for a web page....we do need a RELIABLE YOUNG WHIZZ KID who may like to earn some dosh...please contact JAMES EASTER on the above very best wishes JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS 11 HIGH STREET IPSWICH

Can you please advise how to purchase the Video or DVD of the series. I read in Backtrack that there is a DVD covering all the tapes...is this correct ? Please advise costs and where to purchase. Many thanks SPIEGAL