Opodo is launching an interactive microsite specifically for city breaks in a bid to give customers a real sense of being able to explore a destination before they go. Designed in-house to support Opodo’s brand positioning of ‘Travel Inspiration’, the new site is intended to appeal to the senses.

Customers can simply roll their mouse over the page to experience the sights and sounds of ten of the UK’s most popular city break destinations.  Hear the blaring of taxis in New York, the bubbling waters of the Budapest Baths or the gentle rush of the wind through the windmills of Amsterdam. See the steam rising from sizzling tapas or watch the bee buzzing around Rome’s Botanical Gardens. Each city page includes tips and quotes from other travellers on things to do and places to visit.  From quirky facts (25,000 bikes end up in Amsterdam canals every year) to informative tips ($10 to hire a bike in Central Park) these unique guides are designed to capture the true feel of a city. 

General travel information about visas, airports and temperature is also included and once inspired, customers can choose whether to book flights and hotels separately, or combine and save with Opodo’s own dynamic packaging solution.  Offers and fares are constantly updated and a section on ‘Experiences and Sightseeing’ enables customers to plan activities and book them before they go. 

“Our aim was to steer away from the traditional, objective travel-guide style of destination content and instead give customers a real taste of what a city is like,” commented Tanya Lidstone, Head of User Experience at Opodo. “We really wanted people to be able to explore the page as well as the destination.  As an innovative online travel company our aim is not only to sell the hotel, flight or activity but also to sell the experience of what it is like to visit these cities.”

Launching with the top ten UK city break destinations visited by Opodo customers (New York, Budapest, Barcelona, Prague, Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Paris, Venice and Istanbul) further destinations will be incorporated over time and the concept rolled out across the other European Opodo sites.
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