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Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category

With seven beaches to enjoy, Barcelona is an ideal choice for a seaside holiday.  The city has so much else to offer, however, that many visitors go nowhere near the sea.  The airport is only 12 kilometres from the centre, and a low cost train and the A1 Aerobus run regularly throughout the day.  The city also has an underground metro system which is fairly easy to navigate.  Holidaymakers who plan to rely on the metro system can buy a T-1 ticket which is valid for ten rides.

Many visitors to Barcelona say the food is the highlight of the trip.  Tapas Bars are a great choice for dinner, where diners can order a selection of hot and cold snacks to literally fill the table top and share leisurely throughout the evening..  Octopus is a popular Barcelona favourite, as are traditional dishes such as tortilla Española, a Spanish omelette, and patatas bravas, potatoes spiced with paprika in olive oil.  Some of Spain’s best sparkling wines also come from the region.

Barcelona also offers a wide variety of shops for holidaymakers.  The El Born district is made up of fashion boutiques, and Passeig de Gracia and Avinguda Diagonal also contain a number of shops to occupy the day.

One of Barcelona’s most famous buildings is La Sagrada Familia, a stunning building designed by the well known architect Antoni Gaudi.  Work has been ongoing on this building since 1882 and is not due to be completed until approximately 2020.  The Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s outdoor masterpieces and is filled with architectural surprises.  The Picasso museum houses over 3000 works by the artist, and is very popular with tourists.

Eight hours south of Beijing by train is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pingyao.  It is the largest completely walled-in, fully functioning town in the world with many of the original old buildings still standing. 

This was once the ancient financial hub of China, though know it feels as if you are very much walking on the set of a Kung Fu movie. 

Accommodation in Pingyao is like taking a wonderful, romantic step back in time.  Beautiful, traditional Chinese courtyard guesthouses abound here, giving holidaymakers a sense of total immersion in this living memorial to China’s rich past and amazing culture.

Tourists can buy one ticket that allows admission to all the main tourist attractions, such as the museum and bell tower that dominates the town centre in a diminutive way.

The financial museum is well worth a trip, with much of its original fixtures and fittings still intact.  Alternatively, a marvellous way to get round and get lost in the town’s traditional narrow streets is to hire a bicycle for the day and explore it on your own terms.  Like everywhere else in China, the food here is delicious.  Standards are high across the board in pretty much all the restaurants.  There is much to feast on here, for both famished stomachs and hungry eyes eager to catch a glimpse of the past in a speedily modernising China.

The winter months can usually be classified as ‘miserable’ in most parts of the UK, with wet and windy weather sure to make people long for a sunny getaway.  It is no surprise then that this period coincides with the most popular time for holidaymakers to climb aboard a Caribbean cruise ship.

With a climate that is normally sunny and mild, a break in the Caribbean is the perfect way to get rid of the winter blues.  Stopping off at some of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations on the way, a Caribbean cruise is many holidays rolled into one.  Prime locations like Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados and St Lucia set the scene for a relaxing break from the hectic situations at home and open up a world of exciting cultures ready for exploring.

Caribbean culture is a heavily influenced by African, European and Native American cultures, making it truly unique.  It encompasses music, dance, food and traditions not showcased anywhere else in the world.  There are a whole host of carnivals and festivals to indulge in for holidaymakers, with each island offering something different.

Cruise ships now feature a multitude of onboard entertainment in addition to any activities on the islands, and with huge pools, discos, cinemas and comedy and music performances, the activities on the ship may be just as appealing as the adventures off it.

The Caribbean offers both peaceful tranquillity and unbridled excitement in a unique setting, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. If you fancy a Caribbean cruise holiday, then there are a wide range of cruise deals available online, so you should be able to find something to fit your budget.

Floating in the Mediterranean Sea, Ibiza is one of the Spanish Balearic Islands.  Despite being better known throughout the world for its hedonistic party scene, Ibiza is also rich in terms of its natural beauty and its cultural heritage.  To begin to appreciate the latter, Old Town is the best place to start.  A drawbridge allows visitors to enter Dalt Vila, or ‘High Town’, and from there onto the Palza de Vila, which spreads out into an array of cobblestoned streets, lined with gift shops and galleries.  Amazing panoramas of the surrounding region can be obtained from the battlements, which have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Artefacts dating back to 7BC can be found in the Museo  Arqueològic and the Museo Monografico del Puig de Molins is thought to house the biggest European collection of Punic art.  Other landmarks include the 20th century Homenaje a los Corsarios and the statues of General Vara de Rey and Guillem de Montgrí.

In order to relax before a big night out, boat rides are available in the Marina Botafoch or you can dine on fresh seafood in the district of Sa Penya.  Most people travel here, however, for the party atmosphere Ibiza is so renowned for.  Calle de la Virgen is particularly well known for its lively ambiance.  Partygoers can find some of the biggest club names, including Pacha, Privilege, and Amnesia.  Despite the festive atmosphere, Ibiza retains a relaxed Spanish as well as festive feel and those wishing to scratch below the clubbing surface will not be disappointed.

This is one of the few remaining islands in Thailand that retain the easy chilled vibe that attracted backpackers to the country in the first place.  Situated on the Andaman coast on the west of the country, Koh Lanta boasts some of the best beaches Thailand has to offer, not at the mercy of drastic tides, with warm, clear blue water all day long.

Koh Lanta is home to a large Muslim community and, as such, the sale of alcohol in some restaurants is restricted, the result of which is a chilled vibe bereft of hard core partiers – perfect if you have come to retreat on a quiet island for a couple of weeks to be at one with the sea. 

Additionally, Koh Lanta has not succumbed to the development boom, and the community ensures that strict building regulations are enforced, so the romantic image of a few huts on the beach is still true here.

If it is possible to tear yourself away from the lure of the beach, heading down to the old town is definitely worth the trek in a tuk tuk, up hill and down dale.  This is still very much a functioning fishing village but the Chinese influence is apparent.  A charming little town, and a little off the tourist track, this is one of the ever-decreasing gems in the unstoppable tourism machine that is Thailand.

The Festival de Cannes is drawing to a close and soon the ‘A’ List celebrities will be swanning off home after pedalling their latest project at the world famous film festival. Cannes is famously know as a super glamorous destination on the French Rivera, along with Saint Tropez and Monaco, however when the film festival is in town it sets itself apart from the other places and becomes the ‘it’ place to be.

Yachts line the marina and not a night goes by when some fabulous party or another is being thrown on board. It may be hard to imagine for us mere mortals living like this, however you can sample a bit of the highlife yourself, without having to splash the cash with a cruise holiday. France features highly on many of the itineraries of most of the major cruise lines, with the opportunity to sail round the Cote de Azure and stopping off in ports such as Toulon, Cannes, Marseille and Villefranche. It’s all about experiencing little tasters of the high life when you dock in these ports, as well as onboard your cruise ship.

When you take a Mediterranean cruise holiday, France isn’t the only port of call you stop off at all sorts of diverse countries where you can explore a huge range of different cultures, which is why it’s the most popular cruise destinations for British travellers.  You can soak up the sights in Spain including famous attractions in ports such as Palma, Majorca and Barcelona. As well as indulge in the history of Italy and Greece, with ease as you visit top tourist sites including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Going on holiday to Asia can be a very rewarding experience if you have never been to the region.  The numerous attractions, diverse cultures, and the white sand beaches are just a few elements that make this part of the world worthy of exploration.  At the very least, a holiday in Asia will reward your with memories that will last a lifetime.  Here are six reasons why you should consider going on holiday in Asia.

1) The currency exchange rate works in the tourists’ favour here, so you will have a little more flexibility with your budget.

2) The majority of the tours and travel packages are reasonably priced and will fit into most budgets, while the different holiday accommodation rentals are reasonably priced.

3) China and India provide the international traveller with a great scope of world history, while many of the landmarks are considered as being wonders of the world.

4) For the best beach holidays, Southeast Asia is your best option.  Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand are renowned for having the most pristine beaches in the world.

5) If you’re travelling with children, consider visiting Hong Kong, as they have just opened a Disneyland there.  You’ll also enjoy the Cantonese cuisine and the shopping venues.

6) Taiwan is another excellent choice for an Asian holiday destination.  The natural beauty of the surrounding areas results from the abundance of forests, mountains, and rivers that you will find no matter where you are exploring.

York is a major city in the north of England, with a great number of historic attractions that draw tourists from across the world during the summer season.  It is also a dynamic modern city that has everything to offer the modern tourist looking for a combination of cultural heritage combined with full amenities.

Both within the city itself and around the outskirts, there are many choices of accommodation to choose from.  These include family-run bed and breakfasts as well as grand hotels, and your choice will depend on personal preference.  Increasing numbers of visitors to York are opting for self-catering holiday apartments and villas to allow them to make their own catering arrangements and itineraries.

The big attractions of York are situated mainly in the area of the Old City, delimited by impressive white walls that are 600 years old but still in excellent condition.  A walk around the ramparts is one of the attractions here, and in fact you can see everything of interest on foot.

York Minster dominates the city even now, and if you want a panoramic view of the whole region you cannot do better than climb one of its impressive twin towers.  Just a stone’s throw from there is the Shambles, and you will see why it is called that as soon as you enter this maze of narrow alleyways that was obviously constructed before anyone had thought of town planning.

The Jorvik Viking Centre is a must-see with its displays of Viking life when they ruled York a millennium ago.

York skyline with York Minster

Picture courtesy of andyspictures

The Mediterranean has long been a favourite holiday destination for thousands of tourists.  The area benefits from one of the best climates in Europe and is home to many well-known attractions, including such cities as Rome, Athens, Cairo and Jerusalem, islands like Crete and Rhodes and popular beach resorts in Spain, Italy and Turkey.  There are many different types of Mediterranean cruises and cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean, P&O and Princess Cruises, each of which can offer a different holiday package depending on your taste and budget.

A popular type of Mediterranean cruise is the city stop tour.  The cruise ship sails around the Mediterranean, with the chance every one or two days to stop at a new city.  In Athens, Greece, visitors can travel to the Acropolis, the ruined city dating back to Greek antiquity.  In Barcelona, Spain, the Olympic Stadium and Spanish village as well as a lively social scene are the main attractions.  Nice, France, is renowned for its weather, high-end shops and entertainment as well as the chance to spot some of the world’s most famous people. 

Venice, Italy, has plenty of attractive historic buildings to admire, and is built on a series of small islands crisscrossed by canals and open water vistas.  Cairo, Egypt, is home to the Pyramids, grand mosques and an historic city centre that welcomes visitors all year round.  Jerusalem, Israel, is one of the oldest cities in the world and a place of pilgrimage for many people all around the world.

The best part of a cruise holiday is that you can easily visit the destinations above without having to worry about getting yourself there and food and accommodation when there as it is all provided for.

Nothing spells adventure, excitement, and mystery like an African safari holiday.  The thought of seeing untamed animals such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, lions, wildebeests, or zebras gathering at their favourite watering hole or roaming the vast plains, is sure to send chills up and down your spine.  Here are a few steps to take when planning your African holiday adventure:

Decide whether you are going to travel with just your spouse or with children – if children are going to be included, they should be at least six years old so they can enjoy the experience.

Consider your accommodation options – there are African safari packages available ranging from the all-inclusive to the very basic.  You have numerous options.  What would you prefer – a camping vacation or a luxury lodge on the Serengeti? The choice is up to you and your budget.

Decide when you are going on holiday as well as for how long – remember that most of Africa is situated to the south of the Equator, so the summers there can be very hot.  The warmest months are March through to August.  Conversely, the winters are exceptionally mild and pleasant.

Think about the purpose of your vacation – what is the focus of your holiday? Is it camping and hiking, a family holiday, a photographic adventure, or a romantic getaway?

Determine what your budget can handle – are you looking for luxury, cheap, or something in between? Search the internet initially to help you determine your destination and what you want to spend.  Just avoid getting with the 3.2 million possibilities for ‘African safari’ that result when you conduct that search on Google.