Sir Richard Branson?s Virgin Holidays is offering a new vacation package to Bermuda and New York for UK visitors.

The package is called the ?Citys and Islands? concept and whisks British visitors off for three days in New York followed by a week of relaxation in Bermuda.

Virgin Holidays offers the New York and Bermuda holidays from ?1,229 per person or $2,328.

They also have a package which includes accommodation.

One package offers three nights? stay at the Renaissance Hotel, in Times Square and a seven-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Coco Reef with scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to New York, onward flights to Bermuda and Island transfers for a total cost of ?1,599 per person or $2,951.71.

Ken Bennett of the English newspaper the Sunday Mercury wrote about his experience of the new Virgin Holidays package this week.

And the celebrity of our very own Johnny Barnes featured strongly in his story.

Bermudians apparently called Johnny Barnes ?The Greeter? and there was ?panic on this laid-back island if he?s ever missing from his voluntary post.

The local newspaper and radio station have to explain that he?ll be back tomorrow?.

The story continued to say ?at the luxurious, recently-opened Coco Reef Hotel at Elbow Beach, it is tempting to enjoy a leisurely lunch, swim a few lengths and take your favourite paperback to lounge on the sandy beach?.

The local fish chowder and wahoo steaks were recommended as were St. George?s and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Mr. Bennett mentioned to his readers in Birmingham they may acquire a free information pack on Bermuda by contacting the Department of Bermuda either by phone or online.