As a girl I remember watching a film called The Song Of Bernadette starring a young Jennifer Jones and co-starring Vincent Price. It told the moving true story of Bernadette Soubirous from Lourdes, who saw the apparition of The Virgin Mary in the Grotto Massabielle.

An estimated five million people a year travel to Lourdes from all over the world to visit the site of these apparitions and so can you through Reader Travel.

I am now able to offer an exciting new trip with Omega Holidays which incorporates a mini-cruise to Bilbao.

The date of departure is September 5 for seven days and the price of £299.95 per person includes coach travel to and from Portsmouth, three nights on P&O's The Pride of Bilbao in a standard inside cabin with air-conditioning and private facilities (outside cabins are available for a supplement); three nights' hotel accommodation in Lourdes in a twin/double bedded room on a half-board basis; return coach transfer from the Port of Bilbao to Lourdes and the services of an Omega Overseas Tour Manager.

As Reader Travel manager, I am always on the look-out for something a little bit different for my customers.

As well as the Lourdes trip, Omega Holidays also has a night flight from Leeds Bradford Airport to see the Northern Lights and a two-day break to Southern Turkey to view the Solar Eclipse.

Enjoy a wonderful journey through the stars on Tuesday, November 29 in a quest to see one of the most spectacular natural phenomena known to man. A guest astronomer will give an illustrated pre-flight presentation before acting as your guide to see the Northern Lights. The flight, which lasts approximately three hours, costs £129.95 per person and please note that a passport is not necessary, although some form of picture identification is required such as a driving licence.

On Wednesday, March 29, 2006 the moon's shadow will sweep a broad band across the globe on a path starting in Brazil. By the time it reaches Southern Turkey the total eclipse is expected to last for up to three minutes and 44 seconds.

Southern Turkey is usually blessed with many hours of spring sunshine and so the chances of having clear skies for you to view the eclipse are high.

This two day break departing on March 28 with Omega costs from £349.95 per person and includes return flights from Manchester to Antalya, airport transfers in Turkey; overnight accommodation in a 4/5 star hotel with dinner, lunch and buffet breakfast; after-dinner presentation by a guest astronomer and eclipse-viewing safety glasses.

If you want a trip with a difference, perhaps for a birthday gift or surprise anniversary treat, then these new products with Omega Holidays should suit you perfectly.

Telephone me on 01904 567123 to make a booking or 01904 567124 to receive a brochure.

Updated: 09:00 Saturday, June 04, 2005