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Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category

The Algarve on Portugal’s southern shore offers its visitors wonderful weather and fantastic beaches.  It is also a favourite spot for golfers from all over Europe.  The Algarve boasts some top class golf courses, and, for anyone wanting to play their favourite sport in the delightful Algarvian surroundings, golfing holidays.  These usually last from three to 14 days, and are easy to arrange.
 
Golfing holiday packages on the Algarve can include hotel rooms.  Or alternatively, if you have already arranged accommodation, there are specialist golf holiday companies who will arrange tee times to ensure you get as much time as possible out on the course.

Depending on the type of package booked, car hire may be included.  This will ensure that you will be able to visit as many of the region’s courses as possible during your stay.  However, if you prefer not to have to drive during your golfing holiday, transfers can be arranged between the airport, hotel and golf courses.

The cost of taking a set of golf clubs on a flight can be very expensive, so you may instead find it more convenient, as well more economical, to hire clubs on the Algarve.  Some golf holiday specialist companies offer this facility.

Discount fees for courses throughout the region can also be arranged, as well entry to local golf competitions.  Additionally, for those wanting to improve their game, the golfing holiday packages can also include golf tuition.

Everyone likes to go on holiday, although the type of holidays people like to take vary, you’ve got; beach holidays, action holidays, cruise holidays, city holidays and historical holidays and probably quite a few more different types of holidays! One thing most holiday-makers have in common though is at the moment getting the best value for money from their holidays, in a time where it is beginning to be quite expensive to take a break away.

I quite like championing cruise holiday to travellers who may not have considered that as a holiday option before, a lot of people don’t. Although cruises have started to become quite popular over the last couple of year and not just with older travellers, the younger generations and families are now looking to cruises for their holidays. This is because there is so much scope when taking a cruise holiday and they cover pretty much all bases when it comes to the type of holiday that you’re looking for. 

You can enjoy beach holidays with plenty of stops at exotic locations that offer white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, like the Caribbean, Florida or Mexico. If city breaks are more your thing and you want to explore Europe, then there are plenty of coastal cities which Mediterranean cruises stop off at which are steeped in history and culture. You can also look at going further afield and explore the Far East as well as Australia and New Zealand for a once in a lifetime holiday.

Even exotic destinations don’t have to break the bank, there are a lot of options available online that can help you get a great cruise deal, so you’re not having to spend a fortune. Many liners have great standard room, which may not be as big as their suites but they can fit the bill, especially if you want to get out and enjoy your ports of call or whatever the liner offers on board.

Warsaw is Poland’s capital, and one of the country’s oldest cities. A large portion of the city dates back to medieval times. The airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, and travellers can easily get transportation to hotels from the airport. Buses and trams are popular forms of transportation. The city is also ideal for travel via hired car.

The Centrum area of Warsaw is where interesting attractions are likely to be found. The Old Town has some especially beautiful buildings that have existed for hundreds of years. The Royal Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Poland. Special exhibitions are sometimes hosted here. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays homage to Poles who gave their lives for their country. The Jewish Quarter offers a good look at how Warsaw’s Jews lived for many years. Here, visitors will see the Nożyk Synagogue, which is the only Orthodox synagogue still in the city.

In addition to some independent shops that mainly cater to locals, most of the shopping in Warsaw is in the form of larger European chain stores. Many items can be found at Carrefour or Tesco. There are also several shopping malls in the city. These malls keep late hours and may have bowling alleys or cinemas in addition to shops and restaurants.

Warsaw offers quality food for decent prices. The Śródmieście district has several inexpensive kebab shops. The kebabs are quite tasty. There are also several favourite fast food chains represented. These include McDonald’s, Subway, and Burger King.

Scarborough is a gem of a seaside town and well worth exploring, but many people may never venture beyond to discover some interesting villages not far away.

The village of Brompton-by-Sawdon, just eight miles away, is a pretty Yorkshire village with some fascinating history. Brompton Hall, which is now a special school, was once the home of George Cayley, who designed a glider that he then flew in Brompton Dale. Cayley is not well known generally, even though amongst engineers he is known as the ‘Father of Aviation’. Richard Branson recently flew a replica of Cayley’s glider in Brompton Dale, inviting young school children along to watch.

Brompton also has a beautiful, ancient church, where William Wordsworth married Mary Hutchinson in 1802.

Travel a little further along the A170 away from Scarborough and you come to Thornton-le-Dale, which was dubbed one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire in the 1920s and is still very attractive today, having avoided becoming over developed, or over ‘touristy’ in spite of its accolade. It is a small town with ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottages and a pretty beck runs alongside the road. The town still has local butchers’ and greengrocers’ shops, and it can almost seem to come from a different era.

Pickering is a few miles further on – a bustling market town with an ancient church that has mediaeval paintings on the wall. This is the starting point for a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where steam trains travel between rural villages in the moors.

It can be quite hard to choose the right cruise holiday for your family, especially if you have a couple of kids all different ages. Some cruise ships are designed for families with younger children in mind; however these may not offer much entertainment for older kids or teenagers, who can be quite hard to please. Add to the mix different destinations available and itineraries you could be heading to world war three. So be for you start looking for cruise deals this summer make sure you do your homework on what the ships offer for you and your family.

Many of the new cruise ships have been designed with families in mind, rather than the older ships which tend just to be adapted for the purpose, so on newer ships you’re more likely to find entertainment to suit all ages, even for us adults. The top ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas packs plenty in from babies and young children right through teenagers and young adults to the old timers. It’s not just entertainment on newer ships which has been designed with families in mind, but also the accommodation. Family rooms are the new rooms on board many new ships and they offer plenty of space, as well as privacy for when you need it.

Destinations are important too, really young children probably won’t get much out of long factual excursion’s, but probably would if you docked somewhere that has a beach, a break from the boat can be needed for both parents and children. Teenagers on the other hand can be very hard to please many people have found Caribbean cruise holidays for those traveling with ‘young adults’. The Caribbean is a great exotic destination and while in port you will find many activities for your teens and the whole family to enjoy, such as water sports or horseback riding, not to mention catching rays on the golden beaches.

A round the world cruise holiday is defiantly a once in a lifetime trip for many and probably one of the best ways to see ‘the world’. Visiting the far flung corners of the world in un-rivalled luxury, on board massive cruise ships, which have pretty much everything you may need for such a long voyage. With swimming pools, casinos and numerous gourmet restaurants to choose from as well as many more activities for day and night, I am sure you won’t be short of anything to do and that’s not even including all the wonderful places you will get to see.

There are a couple of cruise lines which offer fantastic round the world cruises; Classic cruise line Cunard, with their regal ships off a high standard of luxury travel which offers plenty of traditions from the cruising heyday. P&O Cruises also offer round the world trips, their cruise ships might not be as regal as Cunard’s but they do offer high standards for all customers as well as a wide range of entertainment to suit any age group. Fred. Olsen like P&O offer a modern way of cruising with state of the art ships offering a wide range of services.

With a round the world cruise holiday you will be following in the footsteps of great explorers who conquered the sea’s many hundreds of years ago, obviously in much, much better conditions than they did. You will wake up each morning to a new horizon with new places to explore all without any hassle or worry about how to get there. There are not many holidays you can take, that will take you to all for corners of the world with such ease, plus cruise holidays round the world can be real value for money, especially if you take in how much it would cost to travel by air or land.

So really there is no reason not to take a round the world cruise, just make sure you have someone to water you plants for the next few months!

Uluru – known to most of the world by its colonial moniker, Ayer’s Rock – is the iconic symbol of Australia, and among the most sacred sites of the Aboriginal people.  Uluru is its traditional name.  Situated right in the centre of Australia, this red giant is 350 metres high, and it is nine kilometres around the base.  It has captivated humans for thousands of years, and continues to do so.

It is a good 800 kilometre round trip from Alice Springs – the nearest large town – to Uluru, and once you leave those town limits, there is almost nothing but you, ruler straight roads, one right turn and the desert.  There are a couple of roadhouses where you should be sure to fill up with petrol – nobody wants to run out of fuel in those parts – but that’s all the civilization you will encounter until you get to the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where Uluru is located. 

When you start to notice Uluru looming on the horizon, however, you will instantly feel rejuvenated and know that your long drive was well worth it.

The best times to view Uluru are at sunrise and sunset.  One of the qualities that fascinate people most about this geological wonder is how different it seems to appear in differing light, so it is best to view it at both these times, if you can. 

It is possible, depending on weather conditions, to take a number of guided walks and get up close and personal with the big rock; it is also possible to walk to the top, although the Aboriginal people prefer visitors not do so. 

Ayres Rock

Picture courtesy of terencewilquin

Even though the country has undergone mass modern improvements, The Republic of Cuba still remains as two distinct places. Veering away from tourist areas and heading into the authentic parts of the cities will give you the old Al Capone era experience. There is also modern Cuba that is filled to capacity with high-end resorts, shopping and pristine beaches.

The archipelago is situated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and belongs to the municipality of the Isle of Youth. Its 4,195 inlets take up approximately 110,000 square kilometres of space. Although the weather is always seasonally pleasant, July and August bring the hottest temperatures, while May through October bring the most rain. 

Two popular holiday destinations in Cuba are the cities of Havana and Trinidad. Both have undergone massive restoration efforts during the last decade, yet they remain time-warped in their 50-year-old revolution. Even though the country may give seasoned tourists a bit of a culture shock, it is still worth a visit.

A tour through the major cities of Cuba may have you feeling like you have stepped back in time, however, tourist accommodation at local resorts are very modern. These holiday retreats allow visitors to indulge in sparkling waters, thick jungle forests, magnificent coastlines, endless beaches and a lot of interesting history. Local history is particularly prevalent in Old Havana. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is where some of the country’s most preserved colonial buildings can be found.

Cuba

Picture courtesy of twicepix

Coming from the west, China is an assault on your senses, in the best way possible.  Visitors are guaranteed a crazy and wonderful adventure in this incredible country.  In the 20th century, much of ancient Chinese architecture was destroyed, but it is home to some incredible historic sites that are well preserved. 

The most iconic symbol of China, the Great Wall, has to be on your ‘things to do before you die’ list – it is simply incredible.  Trips to lesser-travelled parts of the wall are not for the faint hearted as a great deal of it is in a state of disrepair, and will require climbing at points.  However, once you reach those watch towers and look out, it is all worth it.

Great Wall of China

Picture courtesy of matt512

A more recent discovery of ancient Chinese history may just rival the Great Wall of China for marvelling at the ingenuity of humanity.  The great Terracotta Warriors found in the 1970s near Xi’an had been completely forgotten over the mists of time, and it is believed the 7,000 or so excavated figures in this massive site are the tip of the iceberg in terms of what still lies underground. 

Further inland yet again from Xi’an is Chengdu, home of the great symbol of China, the Great Panda.  These beautiful creatures are endangered but visitors are able to go to the Panda Breeding Centre here, and if you are willing to part with your cash, can even have a photograph taken with an incredibly cute baby. 

Wherever your journey takes you in China, you are bound to have an unforgettable time, and the treasures that this country holds will stay with you forever.

The summer holidays are just around the corner, but don’t worry if you haven’t got anything booked yet, there are still some great cruise deals available for this summer so you still can get your break away. Cruise holidays are no longer seen for the upper classes or the retired in fact they have become cool and affordable for many families.

If you looking for a week long summer holiday for the family the a cruise around the Mediterranean will be just up your street, you get to experience the great summer weather of the Med, which is what always attracts families during the summer months. You also get the same service as you would staying on dry land, with immaculate rooms, great dining options and of course pools to lounge around. Not only that you can also experience great tasters of the Med stopping off in many different ports. There are a great number of family orientated cruise line which offer trips to the Med; Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises Island Cruises and many, many more.

If the Med isn’t for you and you fancy experiencing something a bit different to what you have done in the past and are looking to explore new places then you could look at taking a Baltic cruise, the Baltic isn’t what many people think of for a summer holiday however, you do get exceptionally good weather in this region and a Baltic cruise is a great way to see the development of modern Europe. On a Baltic cruise holiday you get the same experiences as a Mediterranean holiday, just different ports to explore and a move away from the Med culture that is tailored to British travellers. The Baltic is a great destination for those eager to explore and learn and there are a number of cruise line who offer trips to this destination; Thomson Cruises, Cunard, P&O, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean to name but a few.