Family holidays on the Turkish Aegean Coast
> Posted by channel in Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Travel Tips
The Aegean coast is a fantastic family holiday destination, an inexpensive area of Turkey I offers a wealth of resorts that cater well to family needs as well a staggering amount of historical sites and places of interest. The climate is also very pleasing and like many Mediterranean areas it has warm and wet winters and tantastic hot summers for lounging around the pool or enjoying the glorious white sandy beaches and turquoise blue Aegean Sea.
What many people look for in their family holidays is an opportunity to get away from what usually is dreary UK weather, spend time relaxing with each other but also experience new things which is exactly what this area of Turkey provides. There are three international airports which service the region; Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Bodrum Airport, and Dalaman Airport with flights from most UK airports which means the region is easily accessible from the UK.
Popular Aegean resorts:
Bodrum
Has made a name for itself as Turkeys foremost chic seaside resort, it is guarded by two perfect bays which enclose a noble crusader castle and a cosmopolitan town with plenty of swanky restaurants and exclusive clubs.
Fethiye
You will find a vast wealth of history here in Fethiye as it was built on the ruins of an ancient city with age-old stone sarcophagi in its streets and gardens and rock-hewn tombs in a cliff above the town which makes for a great backdrop to an energetic town with an active harbour and great nightlife.
Antalya
Known as the “capital” of the Turquoise Coast there is plenty to keep you busy here with a charming old quarter surrounding its Roman harbour and plenty of history which is mixed with the cities modern influences. Antalya also has great access to surrounding resorts such as the popular Belek and Side.
Marmaris
If you’re looking for an affordable family holiday to Turkey then Marmaris might be the destination for you, the town has everything on offer from great excursions and activities to great family dining and entertainment.
Picture courtesy of astique
read comments (0)The Mayan Riviera, Land of Beauty and Adventure
> Posted by channel in Travel Destinations, Travel Guides
Visitors to the Mayan Riviera are captivated by the ecological splendour of the beaches, tropical forests, and plant and animal life, while also enchanted by the hospitality and charm of the people and the places along the coast.
There are abundant choices for whatever kind of holiday you desire along this breath-taking coastline. All-inclusive resorts are plentiful around Cancun and Playa del Carmen and range from economical to luxury lodging depending upon your budget.
For those looking for a more rugged experience, palapas (thatch-roofed huts) dot the beaches further south towards Tulum and can be rented for a smaller fee. There is also the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve at the southernmost point of the Mayan Riviera. This UNESCO world heritage site hosts thousands of diverse species and can accommodate visitors in romantic and private cabins.
Getting to the Mayan Riviera is easy, with direct flights to Cancun from all over Europe. Cars can easily be rented and the roads along the Mayan Riviera are easily navigable. Alternately, most resorts, hotels, and even hostels will gladly arrange for your transport to and from the airport.
Cottonwood, Arizona is a wonderful place to visit. This city, located in northern Arizona, is less expensive than Sedona, but has much the same charm and easy accessibility to interesting things to do and places to see. During your holiday in Cottonwood, you are sure to enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the gorgeous sunsets.
Jerome, Sedona and the Grand Canyon are all within driving distance of Cottonwood. Jerome is a ghost town that is well worth taking time to explore and some say that they feel the presence of ghosts here, while others report that they do not feel anything out of the ordinary. You will only find out by paying the town a visit yourself.
Sedona has lots of boutiques to browse, many of which sell unique artwork and jewellery crafted by local artists, including Native Americans.
The Grand Canyon is a beautiful sight to see and is regarded as being one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. If you are feeling a little adventurous you can take either a donkey ride to the bottom of the canyon or hike it on foot.
Matters of security and safety always come to mind when you think of travelling. However, this should not scare you from planning a perfect holiday at sea. You can still find those affordable last minute cruises and be sure that you will be safe and secure.
The first thing that happens when you get on board is that you go through a rigorous safety drill. This prepares you on how to act in case the vessel is sinking, flooding or breaking. After every 24 hours, you learn how to secure lifejackets and to engage the lifeboats.
Similarly, cruise liners restrict the right of entry into the operation rooms of the ship. This is in order to prevent passengers from interfering with the normal manoeuvring of the vessel. Warnings appear on the operations room doors to keep you away. Most ships are fitted with surveillance cameras, which record the goings on in the passages and public areas.
It is also mandatory to be checked by the cruise’s security personnel when boarding the ship at departing points or ports of call. In fact, you are required to carry a photo id that authorises you to cruise on the vessel. The card also bears your details. The cruise crew checks these anytime the passengers go on and off the ship.
Other safety measures have to do with health matters. Cruise liners must have facilities that allow for cleaner air in the ships and good lighting. These are requirements mandated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to prevent infections and accidents respectively.
Being prepared for the admission process and security procedures will ensure an enjoyable and smooth journey on your cruise ship of choice.
The natural beauty of Austria in wintertime is well known, and this is why ski holidays in the country have become quite popular. Several different areas of the country are suitable for such a holiday.
For those skiers who are not at the professional level, Alpbach is a good place to start. This ski resort is located in the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the western part of the country. Snowboarders are also welcome here, and there is a half pipe for those who want to test the boundaries of their skill.
Another popular ski resort in Tyrol is the Arlberg Ski Area. This is a resort for more experienced skiers, with excellent slopes. The visually striking mountains help to make skiing here an unforgettable experience.
Filzmoos is a ski resort located in Salzburg, amid the Dachstein and Bischofsmütze mountains. This resort has the bonus of often being sparsely crowded, which means that visitors get more ski time. There are slopes here to suit skiers of all levels. There are also many activities at Filzmoos for the non-skier, which helps to make it an ideal destination for families.
Travellers looking for a skiing holiday in Austria that is not too far from the frills of the city should look into Igls, which is located just a stone’s throw away from Innsbruck. At this resort, the Patscherkofel Mountain can be skied. There is a small smattering of slopes at Igls, and they are most suitable for intermediate skiers.
The coastline of Croatia is famous for its dramatic rocky outcrops and wild beauty, which have remained unspoiled despite years of tourism. There are quiet coves, uninhabited islands, primitive fishing villages and unspoiled landscape that will enchant every visitor.
The islands of Kornati, Jabuka and Brusnik have unique geological features; others have interesting bays and inlets for visitors to explore. There are many beautiful beaches, like Zlatni rat on the island of Brac and the beach at Brela, near the city of Makarska.
The island of Hvar presents a natural setting that will entice lovers of quietly beautiful landscape and explorers of rugged terrain. It also presents a choice of luxury resorts or budget accommodation.
Dubrovnik is an historic city originally built by Venetian settlers. While it has many places for tourists to explore, it can also serve as a base for travelling to islands in the region.
Split, which is Croatia’s second largest city, has many wonderful historic features, such as the 1,700 year-old Diocletian’s Palace. Visitors to Split will find the city is also dedicated to numerous cultural pursuits.
Last minute cruises – getting a great deal
> Posted by channel in Cruise Advice and Tips, Cruise Locations, Travel Tips
For the adventurous holidaymaker, looking for a cheap getaway, last minute cruises can bring some great deals. Cruise lines want all their cabins full and when a passenger cancels their reservation, the company offers a discount to try and fill the cabin.
Searching for deals on last minutes cruises takes some time. While cancellations do occur, they are not frequent and plenty of other deal seekers are waiting to snap up a cheap holiday. Finding a good deal on a cruise you want, with the type of cabin you want, takes some time and patience as you dig through lists of last minute cruise availabilities.
The easiest way to book a last minute cruise is to start checking cruise companies’ websites or travel agent’s websites 30 to 90 days before the cruise is scheduled to leave. Travel agent websites show tickets for numerous cruise lines and are the fastest way to find a deal. Often they have a special page or section of the website dedicated to last minute cruises.
When booking your last minute cruise, be flexible. The choice of destinations whether it be Caribbean Cruises or Indian Ocean cruises and available cabins will be limited and you will not have first pick, like those who booked in advance. If you do not see a good deal, wait for more offers to appear, rather than booking cheap cruises you do not really want. Be sure to check the type of cabin, the length of the cruise and reviews of the cruise line before making your final booking.
Finding last minute cruises at affordable prices takes some work, but it will pay off when you find your dream cruise on sale. For those who simply want a nice holiday and do not care about staying in a specific cabin or making advanced restaurant reservations, last minute cruise deals can prove very rewarding.
New York City is full of things to do and places to see. Regardless of whether you want to spend your holiday enjoying the lively and diverse nightlife, browsing world-renowned museums, watching a Broadway show or learning about America’s history, you are sure to find plenty to do during your stay in this amazing city.
While there are numerous clubs in New York that only liven up when the sun sets, many visitors prefer to enjoy their holidays during the day and get their beauty sleep at night. If this is the case with you, you will not be disappointed with your options. You might choose to join the audience of the TV show ‘Good Morning America’ in the morning, visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the afternoon and end the day with a Broadway play.
New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world. As a result, there is a vast range of cuisine available. Absolutely every type of ethnic food you can imagine is readily available in New York, including Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Brazilian, French, Italian, Chinese and Mediterranean.
If you are able to be in New York for New Year’s Eve, you are in store for a unique experience. Times Square hosts a huge party every year and people from all over the world travel there to enjoy a New Year’s Eve holiday, watch the ball drop and have a great time at one of the biggest parties in the world. Even if you do not normally enjoy loud clubs and boisterous nightlife, you are sure to enjoy being a part of this annual celebration.
San Diego, California, is a beautiful city to visit on holiday. Whether travelling alone, as a family or with a group of friends, you will find plenty to do in San Diego.
Anyone who enjoys seeing wild animals will want to take time to visit the San Diego Zoo and Walt Disney’s Wild Animal Park. San Diego Zoo is regarded as one of the best, not only in the United States, but also in the world. Hundreds of different species of animals can be seen at this remarkable zoo. Walt Disney’s Wild Animal Park follows the concept of the zoo by housing its animals in man-made habitats that are as similar to the wild as possible.
The beaches in San Diego are stunning, offering visitors who enjoy the outdoors a wonderful opportunity to tan in the sun, build a sandcastle, swim in the Pacific Ocean and go surfing and boogie boarding. If you travel during the winter it will be too cold to comfortably enjoy the water, but do not let that stop you from enjoying the beach and strolling along the boardwalk. Many of the shops and boutiques on the boardwalk remain open, even during the winter, providing a great opportunity for a little retail therapy.
Spending the day exploring San Diego is sure to make you hungry, so it is fortunate that there are lots of great restaurants to check out in the downtown area of the city. Regardless of what type of food you enjoy, you are sure to find something to suit your taste.
The Roman Splendour of Tarragona
> Posted by channel in Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Travel Tips
Visitors to the Spanish region of Catalonia should include a trip to Tarragona as part of their holiday. Barcelona may be the capital and most famous city in Catalonia, but Tarragona has just as much to offer, particularly for those interested in history.
Tarragona is a coastal town to the south of Barcelona, and travelling by train takes around one hour and 15 minutes, with a similar journey time by car. Like its northern neighbour, there is no shortage of hotels and restaurants to suit most pockets, and both have well-maintained beaches, making them popular summer destinations. There is also a wealth of historical landmarks, and Tarragona, in particular, is ideal for short breaks as most of the attractions can be found in the historic old town. With a population of around 140,000, the city has an intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
Perhaps the most impressive attraction in Tarragona is the Roman ruins. The Romans called the city Tarraco, and the buildings that have survived now form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the amphitheatre, the Praetorium tower and adjoining circus, two forums or plazas, and the city walls. All are within easy walking distance of each other with excellent information points. There are several more Roman sites nearby including Les Ferreres Aqueduct, a famous aqueduct known as Devil’s Bridge.
Tarragona Cathedral sits at the top of the old town, while the Museum of Modern Art and the Casa Castellarnau Museum, a famous nobleman’s residence from the Middle Ages, are also nearby. At the centre of the old town is the main square, Plaça de la Font, with a wide selection of restaurants, while a stroll along the Rambla Nova leads to Balcó del Mediterrani, a wrought iron balcony with a commanding view of the Mediterranean below.
With numerous culture activities and festivals, from re-enactments of gladiatorial games to open-air concerts, there is no shortage of things to do in Tarragona.