Welcome to Richmond's
Summer 2008 programme!
At Richmond, our aim is to give you a holiday where you can be fully refreshed:
mentally, physically and spiritually.
We believe it is the presence of God at the centre of our holiday operation that makes the difference. We know what a benefit it is to be surrounded by like-minded people, in an environment which is safe for all. Safe for families, those travelling by themselves and anyone who is looking for a high quality and hassle free holiday.
Through our staff teams, leaders and other guests we hope you will find a fellowship that will make your holiday one of the highlights of your year! Whether it’s sailing out on the blue seas of the Mediterranean, relaxing on the beaches or enjoying the local surroundings, our holidays are about getting together with Christian friends, enjoying God’s creation and building your faith.
We take great pride in the standard of our hotels all of which are chosen with comfort, safety and location as top priorities. Our beach locations in Greece are amongst the best in Europe for natural beauty, clean waters and great watersports conditions. We also offer a wide variety of specialist weeks where you can join a group of others for walking, painting or even dancing.
Great Value
A Richmond holiday is packed with added extras! Our resort teams provide a whole range of activities many of which are completely free. From walks to windsurfing or from painting to pedalos, you’ll find so much included in a Richmond holiday.
A number of secular companies provide ‘club-type’ watersports holidays similar to ours, but without any of the Christian fellowship and teaching of course. If you compare prices, you will find that we are around 25% cheaper than any of them!
Choose your own travel
Our holidays are priced as accommodation only. Flights are not included in these prices. This leaves you free to choose how to travel to the resort. With so many budget airlines and cheap charter flights these days, we are certain this will result in lower costs for you as well as greater choice.
Included in the Price of your Holiday
•Twin or double rooms with full private facilities
• Half board
• Children’s clubs as shown
• Evening entertainment programme
• Local tourist taxes
• Watersports in our Samos Resort
• The services of our Christian leadership team in the resort
• Daily times of praise, worship and Bible teaching
• The Richmond resort staff team
Not included
• Any travel costs
• Optional excursions and powered watersports
• Certain evening entertainments
• Bar purchases, including drinks with meals
• Tea and coffee after lunch and dinner
• Personal travel insurance
Holidays for everyone
Richmond holidays are designed for all ages and all types of people. You can join in with everything or sit back and watch the action from a safe distance. Whatever your style, you’ll be sure to relax in the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
One of the strengths of a Richmond Holiday is that there is so much to choose from! You can set your own pace; there's no pressure to join in anything if you don't want to, but if you do want to try something or visit somewhere, we will make it easy for you.
Single Travellers
If you're travelling on your own, you can be sure that you will be well looked after. The resort teams will welcome you in and you will soon meet others at dinnertime, in the meetings or around the pool. To help we can arrange a suitable room share in certain resorts to keep costs down, or single rooms may be available if you prefer. Our single room supplements are heavily subsidised at low season.
Families
We aim to provide the ideal family holiday, creating an atmosphere where families can come away and enjoy their holidays together. Our children’s clubs operate at appropriate times of year and provide a safe, fun and Christian led environment for ages 4 - 17. Because the children are so well looked after, parents can relax, enjoy the windsurfing and sailing or simply some uninterrupted time. Our children’s programme is free to join although some activities may carry a small charge.
Children
Children
Richmond's Cool Club provides the opportunity for your children to enjoy their own independence, away from their parents in a safe and friendly environment with Christian leaders. Children can get to know each other and have fun together and make great friend during the holiday.
In the mornings, when children are full of energy and excitement, they can do fun activities, games and crafts together. In the afternoon they will be able to show you everything they have done in the mornings before they meet for a children’s afternoon tea and enjoy a time of Bible study, where they continue to learn about the Bible and how they can apply it to their everyday lives.
During the adults' evening meal, the children can watch a video supervised by staff members. The club usually operates six days each week and parental help is requested for some activities and at children’s tea.
Please note: we won't be able to provide any special Cool Club activities for under 4s or crèche facilities, and special needs children should be accompanied by an adult.
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We understand that during the holidays your teenagers will need their own space and activities. Our Teens Workers have a passion for youth work, and will ensure that not only are your teenagers given one of the most memorable holidays ever, but also that they are having fun in a safe environment.
During the mornings there is the opportunity to take part in activities or just hang out with new friends. In the evenings we explore what it means to live ifor Christ a teenager today. Then, there is plenty of evening fun both on site and around the local town.
Child discounts
We offer great discounts for children under 12 and under 18, as much as half price. See the resort price table for details of these.
Single parents
Up to 2 children under 12 can enjoy a half price place if sharing a room with just one single parent. This offer is available on all departures between 1st June and 5th July in our Greek resort of Samos.
For further information on any aspect of our Summer programme, please call our sales team on 020 3004 2661 or you can email us at info@richmond-holidays.com
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UK Activity 
Camps
(11 - 17s)
Kids looking for something different this summer?
We are delighted to be adding "Sportzone" and "Showtime" - two outstanding UK 'Teen' camps - to our portfolio of quality Christian holidays for summer 2008!
Click here for details
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Richmond
Cool Club
Awesome friends
Great fun
Good teaching
Watersports
Be it for sailing, windsurfing, or simply messing around on the water, you'll find Samos the perfect holiday destination.
We've stocked our resort with a wide range of equipment and facilities for all levels of skill, and staffed it with fully qualified and experienced instructors who are both friendly and encouraging.
[see details of our fleet here]
Best of all, aside from RYA courses, nearly everything on offer is completely free of charge! So, you'll find plenty of opportunities to try something new or embrace the skills you already have.
New for 2008
day sailing on a yacht with a qualified skipper!
RYA Training Centre
Visit our RYA listing here (external website)
Our waterfront at the Zefiros Beach Hotel is an accredited RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training centre. This means you will have access to expert tuition, and can know that our equipment and safety standards are of the highest level and professionalism - and independently assessed.
Lessons
We offer a variety of courses from beginner to advanced, subject to a modest additional fee; taster sessions, refresher courses, and full RYA courses (subject to inspection), in sailing, windsurfing and power boating. The Mediterranean is a lovely place to learn with the sun shining on the warm water and during your holiday you will find there is plenty of time to practice new skills; with a safety boat always close to hand you will find your confidence quickly grows.
Courses we teach are the following:
Fees are payable in Euros on resort (prices given below are the approximate sterling equivalents). Courses are usually four 2-hour lessons over three days, although this can be flexible and discussed with the WaterFront Manager. All courses run by fully qualified RYA Instructors.
| Adult sailing scheme | |
| RYA Sailing Level 1and 2 | £80 |
| RYA Youth Sailing stages 1,2,3 and 4 (ages 6-14) | £65 |
| Sailing with spinnakers | £80 |
| Seamanship skills | £80 |
| Start racing | £80 |
| Windsurfing - Adult scheme | £80 |
| RYA Start Windsurfing | £80 |
| RYA intermediate non-planing Windsurfing | £80 |
| Windsurfing - Youth scheme | £65 |
| Powerboat Scheme | |
| RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 | £110 |
| RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 (combined) | £150 |
If you are staying for 2 weeks, take two courses
i.e. level 1 followed by level 2
All courses can be reserved when you book your holiday, or in resort on arrival, subject to availability. Also available in resort are a series of non-RYA shorter lessons which can be booked in resort on the first evening.
Clinics
In addition we can also provide specific tuition for particular techniques for sailing and windsurfing. Details and prices to be advised on resort.
For children
There is plenty for the young to do on the water; from starting to move up the youth schemes in sailing or windsurfing, to taking out the canoes with a group of friends, or going for a ride with an adult.
For parents
During July and August the children’s clubs keep the young entertained all morning creating the perfect time for you to get on the water. Lessons can be arranged for mornings only, just speak to the Waterfront Manager to explain your family’s needs and they will do their best to accommodate you.
For the more mature
Whilst you may wonder why you had not already tried it, it’s never too late to have a go! At all our centres you can learn for yourself, or just have a ride with some one else at the helm. Whatever your age or ability the staff will find a way to get you on the water.
What to bring?
Very little, if you have a swimming costume you will be fine! However, we recommend you wear shoes in the water. Sailing gloves and a wet suit are useful at the beginning and end of the season. Most importantly bring any RYA qualifications you have already so we can update your logbook.
Free Watersports!
Excursions
All our resorts offer a programme of varied and interesting excursions, and full details will be available on arrival in the resort. We'll set aside time at the start of your week to outline all the options available, so that you can plan to make the most of your time.
A typical excursion programme will include guided full and half day coach tours, walking trips, jeep safaris and, in summer, boat trips if appropriate.
Some of our excursions are exclusive to us, while in other cases we may join up with other tour operators to keep prices down for you.
Please see the relevant brochure for a preview of the excursions available in each resort and typical prices that apply.
