Simpson Travel, the independent, luxury specialist tour operator, has introduced its new collection for 2015.  Described as the 'most original yet', it features a handpicked selection of villas and country houses, tasteful apartments and Simpson hotels in Greece, Corsica, Turkey and Mallorca. New properties, which are exclusive to Simpson, include Napoleon's former residence in Bonifacio; Casa Theodora, a romantic 16th century palazzo in the Corsican mountains; Avithos Beach Estate, a new boutique Simpson hotel in Kefalonia and a superb new 'Simpson Secret' property – Crusoe's Cottage – on the tiny island of Anti Paxos.

Also new to the programme in Corsica are some superb fully serviced villas near Calvi in the North of the island, the luxurious Villa Santa Giulia, Villa Palombaggia and Les Lofts de Palombaggia in the South as well as a group of seven apartments just a few minutes' walk from the white sands of Pinarello Beach.  In Turkey, there is a new 'Simpson Secret' property, Patara; some stylish country houses close to the coast; chic contemporary villas overlooking Kalamar Bay and the outstandingly positioned Villas Askim, right beside the sea at Söğüt on the Bozburun Peninsula.   Mallorca also features some new properties, including two immaculate new seafront apartments on the beautiful beach at Playa de Muro.

Commenting, Graham Simpson, Chairman, Simpson Travel, says 'As each year passes, properties with genuine character and unique appeal become harder to find.  So we are especially pleased that this collection is not only our most comprehensive, it is also our most original.  At Simpson Travel, we are renowned for our 'road less travelled' approach to creating holidays.  All our properties have been painstakingly researched for the quality of the experience they offer, whether this is due to their setting, their character or, in the case of our hotels, their individual and personal service.     I'm delighted that our 2015 programme exemplifies this approach, with some truly unique villas and hotels ranging from simple beachside cottages to historic palazzos and luxurious fully serviced villas.'

For 2015, Simpson Travel has also increased its British Airways charter service, with flights which are exclusively chartered by Simpson now operating to Corfu, Dalaman and Figari in southern Corsica.  With 80% of Simpson's flights being operated by BA, 90% have convenient weekend departure slots, allowing clients to maximise their holiday time.

Highlights of the properties and destinations being featured are as follows:

Casa Theodora, Corsica:

This quirky property, named in honour of an eccentric visionary, Theodore von Neuhoff, who proclaimed himself King of Corsica in 1736, is a boutique, 16th century palazzo, tucked away in the picturesque hilltop village of Muro in the Balagne.  Offering the excellent personal service that comes with a Simpson Hotel, Casa Theodora is brimming with original charm – with gilded, barrel-vaulted ceilings and lavish frescos. There are just seven suites, a small indoor pool hidden in the original wine cellar and a pretty garden terrace. Breakfasts are served each morning, and supper is included on two nights, allowing guests to explore the restaurants in the surrounding villages.  The region offers superb walking, riding or mountain biking for those feeling fit enough as well as artists' workshops and vineyards to visit and mountain streams to bathe in.

Villa Santa Giulia, Corsica

This stylish 4 bedroom villa is one of the few truly top of the range properties on the island.  Combining extraordinary space and light with a highly sought after position overlooking the bay of Santa Giuila, it offers the best of local modern architecture with convenient access to the finest holiday facilities on the island.   Porto Vecchio is just ten minutes drive away, whilst the water sports, bars and beach restaurants of Santa Giulia beach are eight minutes away.

Apartment Napoleon, Bonifacio, Corsica

Located in the heart of Bonifacio citadel, this stylish apartment, with its spacious roof terrace and glorious sea views, served as Napoleon's lodgings during 1793, whilst he served in the Volontaires Corses.  Once inside, the sense of history is palpable, the dim hallway and ancient steep staircase giving no hint of the chic pied a terre which lies at the top of the stairs. The charming shops, cafés and restaurants of the old town are literally on the doorstep, whilst many of the most iconic beaches of southern Corsica are within an easy drive.

Crusoe's Cottage, Anti Paxos

Crusoe's Cottage is the latest addition to the 'Simpson Secret' collection – properties that Simpson feature that are earmarked for their particularly off the beaten track location which have a special quality – be it style, tradition or elegance. 

Located a 20 minute boat trip from Paxos, Anti Paxos is a tiny island at just 12 square kilometres, with four tavernas, no proper roads and no shops.  Those in search of an island escape need look no further.   With white sand beaches reminiscent of the Caribbean and a translucent turquoise sea, this is an idyllic island hideaway.  Whilst the villa isn't traditionally luxurious, it has all the important creature comforts – quality linen, a contemporary kitchen and seriously comfy beds.  It also has a small private plunge pool on the terrace for cooling off or sipping a decadent aperitif.  This newly built open plan bolthole is set just 50 metres from the water's edge with sublime sea views and a 30 second stroll to a tiny swimming bay. 

 Avithos Beach Estate, Kefalonia

In an amazing beachside location, this private estate is the newest addition to the Simpson Hotels portfolio.  Exclusive to Simpson guests, it will combine the space and flexibility of its apartments with a delicious daily breakfast service.  With just six suites and two apartments, it also has a beautiful pool, a private tennis court and wonderful sea views.  The beach, which is one of Kefalonia's best, is only a few minutes walk away and has gentle shelving sands, making it an ideal choice for families.   With beachside tavernas a short walk away and nearby Lassi or Argostoli with its waterfront restaurants, lively town square and pretty shopping streets a few minutes drive, there is also plenty of interest to explore across the island.

Villa Askim, Turkey

Set in a breathtaking position, at the far end of the picturesque fishing village of Söğüt, Villa Askim is right on its own little section of beach.  With two bedrooms, a private pool and a separate children's pool, it is an idyllic location for a holiday for families and couples alike.  Söğüt is ideally placed to explore the unspoilt Bozburun peninsula and the village has lovely fresh fish restaurants within a short walk.

Simpson Secret Patara

This spacious one bedroom villa is a quintessential Simpson Secret property.  Located close to the unspoilt Patara Beach, which has a protected status due to it being a nesting ground for logger head turtles, it is in the unique position of offering views of both the beach itself as well as the archaeological site of Roman gates and Greek amphitheatres for which Patara is known.   Gorgeous sunsets can be enjoyed in complete privacy from the terrace and the interiors are tastefully designed with many quirky individual features.  This is the perfect romantic retreat for two in a dramatic and beautiful location.

Apartment la Arana and Vormar Beach Apartment, Playa de Muro, Mallorca

Two superb new apartments have been introduced for 2015 on this blue flag certified beach, which is one of the most sought after on the island.  Set in a small complex of apartments literally right on the beach, Apartment La Arana has one bedroom whilst Voramar Beach apartment has two.  Both are immaculately furnished, with light, fresh interiors, and huge windows overlooking the seafront.   The attractive towns of Pollenca and Alcudia are close by, and restaurants are within an easy walk.  Seaside holidays don't get much more stylish than this.

To see the full collection, please visit www.simpsontravel.com and for bookings call 0845 322 8767 or visit www.simpsontravel.com.

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For further media information, please contact:

Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com or Anthea Yabsley – 0208 578 6777 or email anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Simpson Travel was established in 2003, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Chairman Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it was built up to be one of the best respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service.

In Simpson, he has recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually selected properties, expertise of each destination, a highly knowledgeable team of staff and excellent representatives in resort. Clients booking with Simpson can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday will have been created with their needs in mind, with each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements. They can also rest assured that they will be really well looked after by the excellent representatives on hand in each resort.

In Greece, destinations for villas and hotels include Corfu; Paxos; Anti Paxos, Kefalonia; Ithaca; Lefkada; Meganissi, Zakynthos; Sivota; Skopelos; Samos and Crete. In Turkey, there is a choice of villas and some hotels in Akakya; the Bozburun Peninsula; Dalyan; Fethiye and Faralya; Kaya Valley; Kalkan; Islamlar, Kaş and Çirali. In Mallorca, choose from villas in Pollença; Puerto Pollença; Fornalutx and Sóller, whilst in Corsica, there are properties in Porto Vecchio; Bonifacio; The Valinco; The West Coast; Calvi and The Balagne; St Florent and Cap Corse, as well as the private island of Cavallo.