2009 brings a new era of travel. Time spent getting away from it all, whilst getting the very best value and highest return for your holiday spend, has never been more important.

With 23 years experience in tailoring bespoke travel itineraries, no-one is more aware of this need than luxury tour operator Scott Dunn. Offering extensive destination knowledge, creative itineraries, security and support, and the very best service, Scott Dunn guarantees spectacular travel experiences at excellent value for money.

Here, Andrew Dunn of Scott Dunn offers a selection of his top tips for hot destinations, stylish new properties and key travel trends for 2009:

Hot trends � Voluntourism: give something back without giving up your holiday - help care for orphans at The Mother Teresa Home in Agra, India, as part of Scott Dunn�s 'Golden Triangle' tour, or spend a day teaching English in Nepal. Or travel to China and look after pandas in the Shaanxi Rare Wild Animals Rescue Centre, two hours drive outside Xian towards the Qinling Mountains.

� Family adventure: having children is just the beginning of the adventure, and Scott Dunn is officially launching its own team of dedicated family holiday experts, which will specialise in organising holidays for families with babies as young as four months, as well soft adventure trips for older children and teenagers. Be it Brazil, Galapagos or Australia, the team will organise holidays the whole family will remember. This follows hot on the heels of the new OurSpace children�s club at Anahita, Mauritius, independently run by Scott Dunn.

Destinations � Turkey - best value: the outlook for the British pound remains relatively positive against the Turkish Lira, in comparison to Eurozone destinations, and this is the latest hot destination to hit Scott Dunn�s portfolio. Guests can stay at the Mardan Palace in Antalya, Kempinski in Bodrum and the Four Seasons in Istanbul, and take advantage of the favourable exchange rate shopping for trinkets at one of the fantastic markets.

� South Africa - on the sporting agenda: combine a passion for football with a South African safari � book this year for travel in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup. Soak up the atmosphere of the games, before immersing yourself in the peace and tranquillity of the African plains with a wildlife and safari break.

New properties � Kilindi - out of Africa: for Africa fanatics there is Zanzibar�s new luxury eco-lodge, Kilindi. Designed by the architect who created Chongwe River House in Zambia and Shompole in Kenya, Kilindi boasts the same trademark contemporary style with a touch of the African bush.

� Six Senses Latitude Laamu is set to open in the Maldives in mid-2009 � an eco-luxury property on the privately-owned Olhuveli Island in the Laamu Atoll. It combines the �ber-luxurious accommodation and premium service that the Maldives is renowned for, with eco-friendly experience and strong support of the local community.

� Sarieta, Mallorca: catch some summer sun at Scott Dunn�s latest villa, a new three-bedroom, ultra-contemporary barn conversion a short distance from Pollenca in Mallorca. Perfect for a family of four or five, Sarieta comes complete with the services of a Scott Dunn chef, host and a nanny, to keep the children entertained so that parents can relax.

� Evason Ma'in Hot Springs & Spa, Jordan: opening early in the year, this new spa hotel lies in an oasis, 264 meters below sea level, next to the therapeutic Ma�in hot spring waterfall, and is the perfect base for visiting this fascinating destination.

� Pine Cliffs, Algarve: surrounded by pine trees and overlooking a glorious sandy beach, Pine Cliffs is an ideal family destination, and the property returns to Scott Dunn�s portfolio for the summer of 2009. There is a section of the resort that is exclusively for Scott Dunn and its Guests. One of the units within the Scott Dunn area has been allocated for the children�s club. The club is for toddlers from 8 months up to teenagers of 13 years. All Scott Dunn childcare specialists are qualified and then trained again by the Scott Dunn team. Activities range from visits to the local water park and bike rides, to sand castle competitions and pizza baking. For further detail on Scott Dunn call 020 8682 5000 or visit www.scottdunn.com

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Notes for editors: Scott Dunn specialises in tailor-made travel to Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, India & Arabia, Latin America and Oceans & Islands worldwide; it operates 30 luxury ski chalets in the Alps and 16 villas across the Mediterranean, plus an OurSpace children�s club at Anahita in Mauritius.

Eight expert teams craft unique holiday experiences to suit individual requirements, with the very best local expertise and most creative itineraries in the business. Guests book their holidays safe in the knowledge that not only are they ATOL protected and a member of AITO, but that Scott Dunn�s understanding and know-how will give them the very best experience they can buy.

Media enquiries: For further information, brochures or images, contact Kim Atkins or Laura Gray at Wild Card on 020 7257 6470 or kim.atkins@wildcard.co.uk