Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category
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.
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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.
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