Many cities try to lay claim to the title 'America's most haunted', but New Orleans can give any of them a run for their money. Beyond the incomparable cuisine, historical must-sees, musical high notes and never-ending nightlife, the Big Easy also has plenty to send a delicious shiver running down any visitor's spine.
A ghost tour around the beautifully picturesque French Quarter conjures up local legends of gruesome ghouls and weaves the fascinating history of the city into the plot.
The dead are pretty visible in New Orleans - they have to be, or they'd float away. In the 18th century, when the inhabitants tried to inter their loved ones beneath the ground, the high water table meant they simple rose back up again. So the graves are built above ground, forming real cities of the dead. Visitors can pace these streets on a cemetery tour.
St Louis Cemetery No 1 on Rampart Street is the oldest existing example, dating back to 1789. The architecture of the graves illustrates the cultural melting pot of the city, with French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese styles evident. One of the graves belongs to the famed voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
The tour ends with a visit to a voodoo temple to meet a voodoo priestess, which is far less intimidating than one might expect. Priestess Miriam looked like any other middle-aged lady and rambles vaguely, but kindly before showing off the temple.
If you are expecting heaps of bones and lashings of chicken blood you’ll be disappointed - instead you’re lead into a dim room filled with a mish-mash of objects and artefacts, many related to religions from all over the world. There's even a gift shop.
For a real supernatural thrill, then travel there during Halloween. Second only to Carnival in the party time pecking order, you wouldn't be surprised if the dead really did come out to join the fun.
Spooky floats parade along the streets and many revellers dress the part in elaborate costumes, with local bars offering prizes for the best. As well as balls and parties, there are also family events where kids can have a go at cookie decorating and pumpkin painting. The Voodoo Experience music festival also falls around Halloween - this year, acts included Lenny Kravitz and Eminem.
Other Reasons to Visit New Orleans
Carnival
The world's biggest street party lasts for nearly a week, with different 'krews' organising parades of elaborate floats through the city. Outside Mardi Gras season, visitors should go to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. It's surreal and exciting to wander through this huge workshop where floats are made and stored. Visitors can try on costumes and sample a slice of traditional king cake.
Food and drink
Not just a cultural but also a culinary melting pot, New Orleans cuisine brings together influences as broad as French, Spanish, African and the Deep South itself.
For the best of Creole and Cajun cooking - with a musical accompaniment – try a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters.
You can sit out on the picturesque terrace, trying specialities such as gumbo, jambalaya and turtle soup. Local desserts are mouth-watering too, from Bananas Foster to beignets, the local doughnuts dusted with sugar that are best enjoyed with a cafe au lait.
Music
Home to legends such as Louis Armstrong, New Orleans is called the birthplace of jazz. Music is everywhere, from the raucous bars of Bourbon Street and trendy clubs on Frenchmen Street to historic venues such as Preservation Hall. Perhaps take a jazz dinner cruise on a traditional paddle steamer such as the Natchez.
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Monday, 7 December 2009
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Israel Spa Breaks
At 417 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and 10 times as salty as the Mediterranean – making it impossible for even non-swimmers to sink.
It is also a natural spa destination in every sense of the word, as the water and gooey black mud used in spa treatments are packed with feel-good minerals, including 12 that are not found in any other sea or ocean in the world.
In the past British visitors went for a dip in the Dead Sea as a novel addition to their holiday, but operators report that visitors are becoming more aware of Israel as a spa destination in its own right, with some booking dedicated spa packages of up to four nights.
Almost every hotel in Israel that opens, or has been renovated, includes a spa. Even three-star properties are including some spa facilities.
Israel is a relatively small country - it only takes seven hours to drive north to south and only one hour from east to west at its shortest point - it's easy for visitors to go on excursions to the Dead Sea, which can be pre-booked. Day trips are offered from Tel Aviv, a three-hour drive away, Jerusalem, just two hours away, and from the country's Red Sea resort, Eilat.
Public spas such as the one at Ein Gedi are popular; the last decade has seen huge growth in spas at mid to high-end hotels.
Many can be found at Ein Bekok, a good base for those who want to stay in the region for a relaxing spa break coupled with some sightseeing.
In addition to traditional spas with Dead Sea water pools, there are Asian-themed spas, offering holistic therapies for the mind, body and soul, and sporty spas that provide a combination of treatments and exercise. Spa menus range from indulgent beauty treatments, such as honey aroma moisture treatments and milk baths, to Dead Sea mud facials and body wraps.
Other notable spas include the Mineralia spa at Le Méridien Dead Sea in Ein Bekok. The extensive spa is said to be the largest in the Middle East, with 25 treatment rooms, two Dead Sea water pools and two large swimming pools. It offers a variety of dedicated packages, ranging from one to 11 days.
Currently, British visitors holidaying in Eilat have to connect in Tel Aviv but this winter Isrotel is launching charter return flights from Luton to Eilat between December 13 and April 12, 2010. The new Isrotel Sun Express flights can be combined with seven or 15 night stays at any Isrotel property in Eilat and clients wanting to visit the Dead Sea can book a seven-day package at its newest hotel, the Isrotel Dead Sea Resort and Spa on a half-board basis, including transfers to and from Eilat.
Page and Moy and singles holiday specialist Just You include a visit to the Dead Sea as part of their Holyland tour packages and other operators, including Superstar and Longwood, offer Dead Sea excursions. Superstar has a trip to the Dead Sea from Eilat for £70 per person and from Tel Aviv for £55. Longwood has a weekly day trip from Eilat to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa from £70 and daily excursions from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from around £43.
Israel is being featured for the first time in Kirker Holidays' latest North Africa and Middle East brochure. The brochure dedicates a double page to Israel and includes Dead Sea packages. Kirker can also tailor-make short break.
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It is also a natural spa destination in every sense of the word, as the water and gooey black mud used in spa treatments are packed with feel-good minerals, including 12 that are not found in any other sea or ocean in the world.
In the past British visitors went for a dip in the Dead Sea as a novel addition to their holiday, but operators report that visitors are becoming more aware of Israel as a spa destination in its own right, with some booking dedicated spa packages of up to four nights.
Almost every hotel in Israel that opens, or has been renovated, includes a spa. Even three-star properties are including some spa facilities.
Israel is a relatively small country - it only takes seven hours to drive north to south and only one hour from east to west at its shortest point - it's easy for visitors to go on excursions to the Dead Sea, which can be pre-booked. Day trips are offered from Tel Aviv, a three-hour drive away, Jerusalem, just two hours away, and from the country's Red Sea resort, Eilat.
Public spas such as the one at Ein Gedi are popular; the last decade has seen huge growth in spas at mid to high-end hotels.
Many can be found at Ein Bekok, a good base for those who want to stay in the region for a relaxing spa break coupled with some sightseeing.
In addition to traditional spas with Dead Sea water pools, there are Asian-themed spas, offering holistic therapies for the mind, body and soul, and sporty spas that provide a combination of treatments and exercise. Spa menus range from indulgent beauty treatments, such as honey aroma moisture treatments and milk baths, to Dead Sea mud facials and body wraps.
Other notable spas include the Mineralia spa at Le Méridien Dead Sea in Ein Bekok. The extensive spa is said to be the largest in the Middle East, with 25 treatment rooms, two Dead Sea water pools and two large swimming pools. It offers a variety of dedicated packages, ranging from one to 11 days.
Currently, British visitors holidaying in Eilat have to connect in Tel Aviv but this winter Isrotel is launching charter return flights from Luton to Eilat between December 13 and April 12, 2010. The new Isrotel Sun Express flights can be combined with seven or 15 night stays at any Isrotel property in Eilat and clients wanting to visit the Dead Sea can book a seven-day package at its newest hotel, the Isrotel Dead Sea Resort and Spa on a half-board basis, including transfers to and from Eilat.
Page and Moy and singles holiday specialist Just You include a visit to the Dead Sea as part of their Holyland tour packages and other operators, including Superstar and Longwood, offer Dead Sea excursions. Superstar has a trip to the Dead Sea from Eilat for £70 per person and from Tel Aviv for £55. Longwood has a weekly day trip from Eilat to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa from £70 and daily excursions from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from around £43.
Israel is being featured for the first time in Kirker Holidays' latest North Africa and Middle East brochure. The brochure dedicates a double page to Israel and includes Dead Sea packages. Kirker can also tailor-make short break.
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Thursday, 26 November 2009
Dubai is on top of the World!
The eyes of the world will once again focus on Dubai on 4 January 2010 as the emirate unveils its latest landmark and high-profile addition to its iconic skyline: Burj Dubai.
Standing at over 818 metres, the tower is the world’s tallest building, almost 200 metres ahead of its nearest completed competitor – and yet another symbol of Dubai’s architectural pre-eminence. With over 160 storeys, Burj Dubai has the most floors in any building anywhere in the world.
Burj Dubai has broken records at almost every stage of its development, and when it opens at the beginning of 2010 the tower will set a new benchmark around the world. Keen to add to Dubai’s impressive portfolio of landmark hospitality and residential developments, Burj Dubai includes a series of projects that form the Downtown Burj Dubai area spanning some 500 acres that already incorporates two malls, five hotels, office and residential towers. Burj Dubai will also feature one of the world’s highest public observation decks. At The Top - located on Level 124 - will not only offer visitors sweeping vistas of Dubai, but will also highlight the history and evolution of Dubai and Burj Dubai.
At the heart of the Burj Dubai tower will be the world’s first Armani hotel, scheduled to open in early 2010. Standing at over 40,000 square metres, this flagship project will include a fleet of hotel rooms and 144 luxury residences, all exquisitely furnished with pieces from the Armani Casa range.
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Standing at over 818 metres, the tower is the world’s tallest building, almost 200 metres ahead of its nearest completed competitor – and yet another symbol of Dubai’s architectural pre-eminence. With over 160 storeys, Burj Dubai has the most floors in any building anywhere in the world.
Burj Dubai has broken records at almost every stage of its development, and when it opens at the beginning of 2010 the tower will set a new benchmark around the world. Keen to add to Dubai’s impressive portfolio of landmark hospitality and residential developments, Burj Dubai includes a series of projects that form the Downtown Burj Dubai area spanning some 500 acres that already incorporates two malls, five hotels, office and residential towers. Burj Dubai will also feature one of the world’s highest public observation decks. At The Top - located on Level 124 - will not only offer visitors sweeping vistas of Dubai, but will also highlight the history and evolution of Dubai and Burj Dubai.
At the heart of the Burj Dubai tower will be the world’s first Armani hotel, scheduled to open in early 2010. Standing at over 40,000 square metres, this flagship project will include a fleet of hotel rooms and 144 luxury residences, all exquisitely furnished with pieces from the Armani Casa range.
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Friday, 6 November 2009
Singapore
Singapore’s tourism industry is reaping the benefits of massive infrastructure investment which shows little sign of easing despite the global downturn.
Several major projects have contributed to the “greening” of Singapore, developing the Garden City in an ecologically friendly way.
Families
Lonely Planet’s latest Travel with Children guide ranks Singapore one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit with youngsters, and the top in Asia Pacific.
The best way to get your bearings is to hop on the Singapore Flyer. Launched last year, the observation wheel soars 165 metres above the ground – 30 metres taller than the London Eye. The Flyer provides views across the city to the islands of Indonesia.
Older kids – and parents – should visit the Marina Barrage, which has won architectural and environmental awards since opening a year ago. This impressive engineering feat provides the country’s first city reservoir and doubles as a venue for all kinds of watersports from boating to windsurfing. In 2010 it will stage the rowing and canoeing competitions in the Youth Olympic Games.
Families can dine at the Marina Barrage’s waterfront eateries or enjoy a picnic on the Green Roof, see the art installations and splash around at the courtyard’s water playground.
Nature lovers
The Marina Bay area is undergoing major redevelopment, which includes the creation of three waterfront gardens.
The largest will be the Gardens at Marina South, designed “to encapsulate colour, vibrancy and sustainability” next to the country’s first integrated resort at Marina Bay Sands. The first phase of the gardens development is due for completion next year.
Meanwhile, a novel new way of getting next to nature and enjoying Singapore’s flora and fauna is to trek at treetop level along the Southern Ridges walking trail. Nine kilometres of green spaces are linked by trails and connection bridges spanning the Mount Faber, Telok Blangah, Kent Ridge and West Coast parks. Walkers enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest and may glimpse squirrels, sunbirds or white-crested thrush.
The recently-opened Sentosa Nature Discovery Gallery aims to turn children into “nature detectives”, providing colourful exhibits and interactive attractions based around the island’s birds, insects and natural habitats.
Active types
Among several soft adventure attractions to open this year is Xtreme Skateboard @ East Coast, Singapore’s first international-standard skate board park. New on Sentosa Island is the Megazip Adventure Park, offering 450 metre zip-wire rides over the jungle and sea.
Due to open at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach this month is Singapore’s first facility for surfers. The Wave House is a music, entertainment and retail complex with a centre producing giant man-made waves for waterborne thrill seekers. Also planned nearby are the country’s first sky-diving simulator and the Azzura Hydro Sports Centre for boating and watersports.
Shopaholics
Seven million visitors a year stroll along Orchard Road, picking up top fashions and jewellery from more than 100 shops and boutiques.
Private and public investment totalling £700 million is being pumped into the area and this year alone has seen the opening of three new malls and glitzy new facades added to existing buildings.
The Orchard Road rejuvenation scheme also includes the installation of atmospheric street lighting.
Sports fans
Singapore enjoyed a valuable tourism boost by staging its first Formula One Grand Prix last year, and followed it up with the second this year. Another full programme of music and cultural events, in addition to motor-racing, is being planned for 2010.
Accommodation
The newest hotel is the Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island, which opened earlier this year and incorporates a lavishly restored colonial building with a stylish new extension. Set amid contemporary sculpture gardens, the hotel has 111 rooms, suites and garden villas. Typical rates start from £500 room-only next January.
Due to open early in 2010 is the Marina Bay Sands development, which will offer 2,600 rooms and suites, an ArtScience Museum, Las Vegas-style gaming, theatres, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and bars.
Four nights at the Marina Bay Sands with breakfast between April 1 and July 6 starts from £1,055 per person including flights and transfers.
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Several major projects have contributed to the “greening” of Singapore, developing the Garden City in an ecologically friendly way.
Families
Lonely Planet’s latest Travel with Children guide ranks Singapore one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit with youngsters, and the top in Asia Pacific.
The best way to get your bearings is to hop on the Singapore Flyer. Launched last year, the observation wheel soars 165 metres above the ground – 30 metres taller than the London Eye. The Flyer provides views across the city to the islands of Indonesia.
Older kids – and parents – should visit the Marina Barrage, which has won architectural and environmental awards since opening a year ago. This impressive engineering feat provides the country’s first city reservoir and doubles as a venue for all kinds of watersports from boating to windsurfing. In 2010 it will stage the rowing and canoeing competitions in the Youth Olympic Games.
Families can dine at the Marina Barrage’s waterfront eateries or enjoy a picnic on the Green Roof, see the art installations and splash around at the courtyard’s water playground.
Nature lovers
The Marina Bay area is undergoing major redevelopment, which includes the creation of three waterfront gardens.
The largest will be the Gardens at Marina South, designed “to encapsulate colour, vibrancy and sustainability” next to the country’s first integrated resort at Marina Bay Sands. The first phase of the gardens development is due for completion next year.
Meanwhile, a novel new way of getting next to nature and enjoying Singapore’s flora and fauna is to trek at treetop level along the Southern Ridges walking trail. Nine kilometres of green spaces are linked by trails and connection bridges spanning the Mount Faber, Telok Blangah, Kent Ridge and West Coast parks. Walkers enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest and may glimpse squirrels, sunbirds or white-crested thrush.
The recently-opened Sentosa Nature Discovery Gallery aims to turn children into “nature detectives”, providing colourful exhibits and interactive attractions based around the island’s birds, insects and natural habitats.
Active types
Among several soft adventure attractions to open this year is Xtreme Skateboard @ East Coast, Singapore’s first international-standard skate board park. New on Sentosa Island is the Megazip Adventure Park, offering 450 metre zip-wire rides over the jungle and sea.
Due to open at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach this month is Singapore’s first facility for surfers. The Wave House is a music, entertainment and retail complex with a centre producing giant man-made waves for waterborne thrill seekers. Also planned nearby are the country’s first sky-diving simulator and the Azzura Hydro Sports Centre for boating and watersports.
Shopaholics
Seven million visitors a year stroll along Orchard Road, picking up top fashions and jewellery from more than 100 shops and boutiques.
Private and public investment totalling £700 million is being pumped into the area and this year alone has seen the opening of three new malls and glitzy new facades added to existing buildings.
The Orchard Road rejuvenation scheme also includes the installation of atmospheric street lighting.
Sports fans
Singapore enjoyed a valuable tourism boost by staging its first Formula One Grand Prix last year, and followed it up with the second this year. Another full programme of music and cultural events, in addition to motor-racing, is being planned for 2010.
Accommodation
The newest hotel is the Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island, which opened earlier this year and incorporates a lavishly restored colonial building with a stylish new extension. Set amid contemporary sculpture gardens, the hotel has 111 rooms, suites and garden villas. Typical rates start from £500 room-only next January.
Due to open early in 2010 is the Marina Bay Sands development, which will offer 2,600 rooms and suites, an ArtScience Museum, Las Vegas-style gaming, theatres, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and bars.
Four nights at the Marina Bay Sands with breakfast between April 1 and July 6 starts from £1,055 per person including flights and transfers.
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Monday, 2 November 2009
Far East
Head east, young man. That’s the advice from the Post Office, whose latest Long Haul Holiday Report claims that the Far East offers “unbeatable value” for this winter.
The survey highlights Thailand as the long-haul destination where spending money is likely to go furthest. Bali and Malaysia are close contenders.
The Post Office says all three holiday spots are “significantly cheaper” than any of Europe’s winter sun options.
And while all three destinations boast a variety of established beach resorts, there are plenty of up-and-coming alternatives or you to consider too.
Phuket
This winter promises bargains galore for holidaymakers to Thailand, package prices are up to 25% lower than a year ago. A vast array of special offers is available at just about every hotel. Promotions include free extra nights, free meals, and free accommodation for children.
One week’s bed and breakfast at the three-star Patong Beach Hotel costs from £285.
Khao Lak
It has unspoilt beaches and is away from the madness of Phuket. It is close to the Similan Islands for scuba diving and Khao Sok for wildlife-spotting and jungle trips. La Flora Resort is recommended for beach lovers. It is right on the beach and is a well-priced smaller, boutique-type property.
One week’s bed and breakfast at La Flora costs £1,175 from Heathrow on November 18.
Bali
An increase in Bali bookings means several operators are looking beyond the popular resorts of Kuta , Nusa Dua and Sanur in the south of the island this winter. On the east coast, Alila Manggis is a beautiful property. It’s just a short drive from the unspoilt cultural village of Candi Dasa. Seminyak, north of Kuta, is recommended for visitors looking for more vibrant nightlife. It’s only just up and coming for British holidaymakers but is very well established in the Australian market, which means it has lots of trendy bars and restaurants.
One week’s bed and breakfast from £1,089 at Alila Manggis and £1,289 at the luxury Anatara Seminyak. Both prices include Malaysia Airlines flights from Heathrow.
Langkawi
Renowned for luxury accommodation, Langkawi is less developed than Malaysia’s other main holiday island, Penang. It has fantastic, white sandy beaches nestled beneath rolling mountains. It also has mysterious caves and pockets of virgin rainforests dating back millions of years. The Holiday Villa Beach Resort and Spa is a perfect winter pick, with its own private beach. The hotel has snorkelling and diving facilities, allowing guests to explore the colourful reefs.
One week on a room-only basis at the Holiday Villa Beach Resort from £939 for Heathrow departures before November 27.
Hoi An
Vietnam boasts several emerging beach resorts. Destinations such as Nha Trang and Phan Thiet have been boosted by international chains including Novotel and luxury brand Evason.
Hoi An is a good choice for visitors looking to do more than just sunbathe. As well as an excellent sandy beach, it boasts a picturesque old town that has been designated a World Heritage site by Unesco.
There is lots of local culture to enjoy, from historic buildings to intriguing craft shops, street markets and excellent restaurants.
Hoi An has grown in popularity as access has got easier. The nearby city of Danang is served by flights from Bangkok and Singapore.
The resort is also a good base for visiting other cities in central Vietnam, including historic Hue.
Bed and breakfast rates start at £20 per person per night at the Hoi An Trails Resort.
Post your comments below:
The survey highlights Thailand as the long-haul destination where spending money is likely to go furthest. Bali and Malaysia are close contenders.
The Post Office says all three holiday spots are “significantly cheaper” than any of Europe’s winter sun options.
And while all three destinations boast a variety of established beach resorts, there are plenty of up-and-coming alternatives or you to consider too.
Phuket
This winter promises bargains galore for holidaymakers to Thailand, package prices are up to 25% lower than a year ago. A vast array of special offers is available at just about every hotel. Promotions include free extra nights, free meals, and free accommodation for children.
One week’s bed and breakfast at the three-star Patong Beach Hotel costs from £285.
Khao Lak
It has unspoilt beaches and is away from the madness of Phuket. It is close to the Similan Islands for scuba diving and Khao Sok for wildlife-spotting and jungle trips. La Flora Resort is recommended for beach lovers. It is right on the beach and is a well-priced smaller, boutique-type property.
One week’s bed and breakfast at La Flora costs £1,175 from Heathrow on November 18.
Bali
An increase in Bali bookings means several operators are looking beyond the popular resorts of Kuta , Nusa Dua and Sanur in the south of the island this winter. On the east coast, Alila Manggis is a beautiful property. It’s just a short drive from the unspoilt cultural village of Candi Dasa. Seminyak, north of Kuta, is recommended for visitors looking for more vibrant nightlife. It’s only just up and coming for British holidaymakers but is very well established in the Australian market, which means it has lots of trendy bars and restaurants.
One week’s bed and breakfast from £1,089 at Alila Manggis and £1,289 at the luxury Anatara Seminyak. Both prices include Malaysia Airlines flights from Heathrow.
Langkawi
Renowned for luxury accommodation, Langkawi is less developed than Malaysia’s other main holiday island, Penang. It has fantastic, white sandy beaches nestled beneath rolling mountains. It also has mysterious caves and pockets of virgin rainforests dating back millions of years. The Holiday Villa Beach Resort and Spa is a perfect winter pick, with its own private beach. The hotel has snorkelling and diving facilities, allowing guests to explore the colourful reefs.
One week on a room-only basis at the Holiday Villa Beach Resort from £939 for Heathrow departures before November 27.
Hoi An
Vietnam boasts several emerging beach resorts. Destinations such as Nha Trang and Phan Thiet have been boosted by international chains including Novotel and luxury brand Evason.
Hoi An is a good choice for visitors looking to do more than just sunbathe. As well as an excellent sandy beach, it boasts a picturesque old town that has been designated a World Heritage site by Unesco.
There is lots of local culture to enjoy, from historic buildings to intriguing craft shops, street markets and excellent restaurants.
Hoi An has grown in popularity as access has got easier. The nearby city of Danang is served by flights from Bangkok and Singapore.
The resort is also a good base for visiting other cities in central Vietnam, including historic Hue.
Bed and breakfast rates start at £20 per person per night at the Hoi An Trails Resort.
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Thursday, 29 October 2009
New Zealand
From rivers and caves to volcanoes and forests, there’s no shortage of stunning landscapes to explore in New Zealand.
Whale-watching in Kaikoura
The waters off Kaikoura in the South Island are so rich in a diversity of marine life that they have earned the reputation of being New Zealand’s “Natural Marineland”.
A boat trip around this marine paradise is extremely popular and offers an enviable opportunity to see giant sperm whales, migratory humpbank whales, orca, hector dolphins and dusky dolphins in their natural environment. You could try including Kaikoura in a full-day tour from Christchurch, including a visit to a winery.
Cape Reinga
Known as “the meeting place of the oceans”, Cape Reinga, in the Northland Region near the Bay of Islands, is where the Tasman Sea crashes into the Pacific Ocean.
Located on the northern tip of New Zealand, this is where the Maoris believe their spirits depart for their ancestral homeland of Hawaiiki.
An 11-hour air-conditioned coach tour from Auckland to Cape Reinga includes a drive along the rugged sands of Ninety Mile Beach, which is flanked by the Aupouri Forest. Gigantic sand dunes and stunning scenery make this a trip to remember.
Rotorua: Mitai/Rainbow Springs Night-time Combo
Spiritual home to the Maori, Rotorua is the ideal place for people seeking to learn more about New Zealand’s origins.
This cultural excursion enables visitors to meet the descendants of the local tribe of Te Arawa, hear their tribal stories and myths and enjoy an authentic and intimate Maori experience.
A visit to their ancient village in the magical forest, together with a feast of traditional and contemporary cuisine is included.
This is followed by a nocturnal visit to the spectacular wildlife park at Rainbow Springs – a must for people keen to see kiwis and other wildlife in their natural environment.
A Rotorua Sightseeing Combo pass means visitors can make the most of the wide range of other activities available in this region.
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Described by Rudyard Kipling as “the eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound set in the spectacular Fiordland national park in the south-west corner of the South Island, is a huge draw for visitors from all over the world.
A two-and-half-hour nature cruise through the crystal-clear waters of Milford Sound provides visitors with breathtaking views of the stunning waterfalls, ancient rainforest, varied wildlife and majestic mountains, including Mitre Peak, one of the most photographed natural landmarks in New Zealand. An unforgettable experience!
Glacier Walk
Of the 140 glaciers that flow from the Southern Alps, only two penetrate as far as the lower rainforests, reaching just 250m above sea level.
The largest one, Fox Glacier, carves an impressive path through the mountains and a half-day guided walk here gives a real taste of this spectacular, natural phenomenon.
This half-day trip ends in the middle of the glacier where there are spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier. Mountain gear is provided, and visitors will need a reasonable level of fitness to take part.
For the more adventurous visitor, helicopter flights and overnight guided treks staying in alpine huts are also available.
Post your comments below:
Whale-watching in Kaikoura
The waters off Kaikoura in the South Island are so rich in a diversity of marine life that they have earned the reputation of being New Zealand’s “Natural Marineland”.
A boat trip around this marine paradise is extremely popular and offers an enviable opportunity to see giant sperm whales, migratory humpbank whales, orca, hector dolphins and dusky dolphins in their natural environment. You could try including Kaikoura in a full-day tour from Christchurch, including a visit to a winery.
Cape Reinga
Known as “the meeting place of the oceans”, Cape Reinga, in the Northland Region near the Bay of Islands, is where the Tasman Sea crashes into the Pacific Ocean.
Located on the northern tip of New Zealand, this is where the Maoris believe their spirits depart for their ancestral homeland of Hawaiiki.
An 11-hour air-conditioned coach tour from Auckland to Cape Reinga includes a drive along the rugged sands of Ninety Mile Beach, which is flanked by the Aupouri Forest. Gigantic sand dunes and stunning scenery make this a trip to remember.
Rotorua: Mitai/Rainbow Springs Night-time Combo
Spiritual home to the Maori, Rotorua is the ideal place for people seeking to learn more about New Zealand’s origins.
This cultural excursion enables visitors to meet the descendants of the local tribe of Te Arawa, hear their tribal stories and myths and enjoy an authentic and intimate Maori experience.
A visit to their ancient village in the magical forest, together with a feast of traditional and contemporary cuisine is included.
This is followed by a nocturnal visit to the spectacular wildlife park at Rainbow Springs – a must for people keen to see kiwis and other wildlife in their natural environment.
A Rotorua Sightseeing Combo pass means visitors can make the most of the wide range of other activities available in this region.
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Described by Rudyard Kipling as “the eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound set in the spectacular Fiordland national park in the south-west corner of the South Island, is a huge draw for visitors from all over the world.
A two-and-half-hour nature cruise through the crystal-clear waters of Milford Sound provides visitors with breathtaking views of the stunning waterfalls, ancient rainforest, varied wildlife and majestic mountains, including Mitre Peak, one of the most photographed natural landmarks in New Zealand. An unforgettable experience!
Glacier Walk
Of the 140 glaciers that flow from the Southern Alps, only two penetrate as far as the lower rainforests, reaching just 250m above sea level.
The largest one, Fox Glacier, carves an impressive path through the mountains and a half-day guided walk here gives a real taste of this spectacular, natural phenomenon.
This half-day trip ends in the middle of the glacier where there are spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier. Mountain gear is provided, and visitors will need a reasonable level of fitness to take part.
For the more adventurous visitor, helicopter flights and overnight guided treks staying in alpine huts are also available.
Post your comments below:
Friday, 23 October 2009
Finland
Nestled between Norway's famous fjords and the eastern reaches of Russia, Finland has a relatively low profile as a tourist destination for the UK. It's best known for its winter Lapland product, yet there's much more to recommend it.
It's a beautiful country of 180,000 islands and even more lakes. The pretty cities of Helsinki, Turku and Tampere have many sights, and it's the home of Santa, Nokia and the sauna. Plus, most Finns speak English, so it's easy to get around.
The lion's share of Finland's tourists arrive in winter, flocking to the northern area known as Lapland. While Lapland technically spans areas of Norway, Sweden and Russia too, Finland has become synonymous with these winter breaks, and the tourist facilities are most developed there.
The Father Christmas experience is a huge selling point. Families can fly there for as little as a day to meet the big man in red, take a sleigh ride and have a go at some snowy pursuits. A special Santa Claus village with an office for the man himself, a toy factory manned by elves and an exhibition explaining his secrets - like how he fits down chimneys and visits everyone in the world in a single night. Facilities are extensive, but these areas are likely to be crowded.
Smaller, specialist operators such as Specialised Tours and Scantours choose quieter options such as Harriniva, where Santa may be played by the school teacher and the elves by local kids, making the whole experience more amateur, but infinitely more Finnish.
Temperatures can drop as low as -30C, but it's usually about -15C in January (the coldest month). It is recommended that you bring plenty of layers, thermals and thick socks, although most hotels and operators will provide outerwear and boots.
There are many other activities on offer in Lapland, including snow-shoeing, reindeer sleigh rides, husky dog-sledding and snow-mobiling - or visitors can just join in a good old-fashioned snowball fight.
The atmosphere in the wilderness is really special, and Finland offers a wonderful range of activities. Christmas, New Year and February half term are really popular, and clients need to book four to six months ahead.
The magic of the Northern Lights can be seen, but to have the best chance of spotting the aurora borealis, you should travel in September, October, February and March.
Ski is a big market for the Finnish winter - particularly for beginners, with many resorts offering gentle runs. Send clients to Yllas, Saariselkä, Levi or Ruka. The new resort of Salla offers learn-to-ski and board packages.
Beyond the Lapland winter product, however, Finland isn't really known at all. This anonymity goes some way to explaining why tourists choose the fjords of Norway, Sweden's pretty Stockholm or Iceland's glaciers and thermal pools instead but Finland has plenty to offer.
It's a land of lakes and the midnight sun in summer. It's unbelievably beautiful, much flatter than either Norway or Sweden, and there are lakes and forests as far as the eye can see.
Finland's summer gateway is the capital Helsinki, a city-break destination in its own right. Located on a peninsula that stretches into the Baltic Sea, its charms are particularly lovely in summer as the sun glints off the water late into the night. It's a pocket-sized city, with only 565,000 inhabitants, but it was the European Capital of Culture in 2000, and there are many museums and galleries.
Senate Square is home to the green and white Lutheran cathedral, and the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress - set across six islands and built by the Swedes in the 1700s during the conflict between Scandinavia and Russia - is accessible by ferry from Market Square.
Architecture and design are important to the Finns, and 20th-century Finnish architectural guru Alvar Aalto left his mark on the city. There are also many ultra-modern public buildings, such as the National Opera House and the Kiasma contemporary art museum.
However, Finland in summer doesn't begin and end with Helsinki.
The old capital, Turku, hosts many music festivals in summer, and is home to Moomin World. Visitors access this island theme park, dedicated to the classic fictional children's characters, across a causeway from nearby town Nanntali.
Tampere, Finland's second city, is the gateway to its lake district where steamers spend all day chugging through the country's most stunning lakeside scenery - just make sure you don't forget your mosquito repellent.
Summer is also crayfish season, and visitors can go on fishing trips and cook their own catch, or simply visit a restaurant and feast on boiled crayfish washed down with vodka. Particularly adventurous tourists can track brown bears near the Russian border.
Lapland has plenty to offer too. The sun never sets and tourists can get active hiking, white-water rafting, cycling, canoeing and salmon fishing.
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Monday, 12 October 2009
Follow the X-Factor to Dubai with Travel Creator
The X – Factor relocated to Dubai this weekend with a group finalists jetting in to audition for Danni Minogue and big sister Kylie in the hope of securing a place in the final three.
In the shows, broadcast on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October, the six finalists in the female under 25s category arrived at Dubai’s awe inspiring Atlantis, The Palm Resort to audition for not just one, but two Minogues as Danni’s older sister Kylie made an appearance to give her younger sibling a helping hand with her decision making.
The Xtra Factor’s hosts Dermot O’Leary and Holly Willoughby also made the trip and took time out of the busy filming schedule to take a dip with the dolphins in the resort’s Dolphin Bay, a lagoon where guests can get to know these beautiful creatures up close.
In addition to swimming with dolphins, guests at Atlantis can enjoy the resort’s very own Aquaventure water park, or wander the underwater halls and tunnels of the Lost Chambers and marvel at over 65,000 marine animals swimming in the placid waters. Add to this 17 restaurants, lounges and bars, serving a wide range of cuisine from around the world and it’s evident that their really is something for the whole family at Atlantis, The Palm.
Travel Creator (a division of Barrhead Travel, based in Glasgow) has partnered with Gold Medal Travel, the UK’s number one operator to Dubai to give you the chance to follow in the footsteps of Danni Minogue and the X Factor team by taking a trip to Dubai’s luxurious Atlantis, The Palm Resort.
Travel Creator & Barrhead Travel is offering a 5 nights bed and breakfast for a family of four at Atlantis, The Palm for only £789 per adult and £729 per child. The price includes return flights with Emirates from Glasgow and all pre payable taxes. Valid for departures from 23 October to 9 December 2009 – Must book by 31 October 2009.
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Tuesday, 6 October 2009
The Nile, Egypt
Luxor is home to almost a third of the world's archaeological treasures, and the legendary Nile separates its east and west banks.
In addition to being a major stop on Egypt's historical and Pharaonic circuit, Luxor is the launch pad for scores of Nile cruises. Among its highlights are the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Karnak and Luxor temples, and the Winter Palace hotel, where Agatha Christie sought inspiration for Death on the Nile.
A typical itinerary heads south to Aswan, taking in the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and Abu Simbel.
Refurbishments and infrastructure developments are boosting Luxor's product offering, and the pound's strength in this non-eurozone destination, coupled with some keenly priced packages, means affordable luxury for visitors this winter. Add-ons include hot air balloon rides, tours to the West Bank and the Karnak Sound and Light Show.
The seven-night Nile Cruise is now on sale with various styles of cruise, including the new five-star Royal Viking, the most luxurious in the fleet. A week in early December leads in at £899 full board.
Efforts to 'beautify' Luxor are well under way. An impressive, tree-studded, white-tiled plaza flanks the new visitor centre at Luxor Temple, and the much-maligned New Winter Palace building, an eyesore that has marred Luxor's waterfront for decades, has finally been torn down and grassed over.
Most Egypt specialists agree that the most dramatic impact will come from the creation of a new marina, five and a half miles south of Luxor City, to house the burgeoning number of cruise boats that currently clog the waterfront of the east bank.
As a result, diesel fumes will be banished from town and the move will also pave the way for a much wider corniche. The riverside strip will be lined with cafes and restaurants that afford fantastic views of the sunset over the west bank. The completion date is set for 2010.
With one five-star property re-opened following a major facelift, and the ink still wet on a new Four Seasons, Luxor's accommodation offering is on course for a long overdue shake-up.
InterContinental Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Kempinksi Hotels are all rumoured to be interested, but leading the charge is Hilton, with a $45 million refurbishment of its Nile-front property at Karnak.
With restaurants, infinity pools and alfresco bars spilling on to 170 metres of prime Nile frontage, and a world-class spa to boot, the newly refurbished Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa is the city's first true luxury offering. Guests can even book rooms with their own private spa suites.
Post your comments below:
In addition to being a major stop on Egypt's historical and Pharaonic circuit, Luxor is the launch pad for scores of Nile cruises. Among its highlights are the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Karnak and Luxor temples, and the Winter Palace hotel, where Agatha Christie sought inspiration for Death on the Nile.
A typical itinerary heads south to Aswan, taking in the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and Abu Simbel.
Refurbishments and infrastructure developments are boosting Luxor's product offering, and the pound's strength in this non-eurozone destination, coupled with some keenly priced packages, means affordable luxury for visitors this winter. Add-ons include hot air balloon rides, tours to the West Bank and the Karnak Sound and Light Show.
The seven-night Nile Cruise is now on sale with various styles of cruise, including the new five-star Royal Viking, the most luxurious in the fleet. A week in early December leads in at £899 full board.
Efforts to 'beautify' Luxor are well under way. An impressive, tree-studded, white-tiled plaza flanks the new visitor centre at Luxor Temple, and the much-maligned New Winter Palace building, an eyesore that has marred Luxor's waterfront for decades, has finally been torn down and grassed over.
Most Egypt specialists agree that the most dramatic impact will come from the creation of a new marina, five and a half miles south of Luxor City, to house the burgeoning number of cruise boats that currently clog the waterfront of the east bank.
As a result, diesel fumes will be banished from town and the move will also pave the way for a much wider corniche. The riverside strip will be lined with cafes and restaurants that afford fantastic views of the sunset over the west bank. The completion date is set for 2010.
With one five-star property re-opened following a major facelift, and the ink still wet on a new Four Seasons, Luxor's accommodation offering is on course for a long overdue shake-up.
InterContinental Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Kempinksi Hotels are all rumoured to be interested, but leading the charge is Hilton, with a $45 million refurbishment of its Nile-front property at Karnak.
With restaurants, infinity pools and alfresco bars spilling on to 170 metres of prime Nile frontage, and a world-class spa to boot, the newly refurbished Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa is the city's first true luxury offering. Guests can even book rooms with their own private spa suites.
Post your comments below:
Thursday, 24 September 2009
China
For many, travel to China is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. To explore the Forbidden City, home to Chinese emperors over the centuries; to gaze in awe at an entire army of Terracotta Warriors; and to walk proudly on a Great Wall that stretches for over 4,000 miles. For others, it is the allure of the adorable pandas that is the main attraction to China. Yet these amazing experiences are only the first steps in discovering this fascinating land.
China is a land of beauty with its poetic landscapes around Guilin, dramatic gorges along the Yangtze and the striking alpine scenery in Nine Villages Valley. The physical contrasts are great, from vast mountain ranges to forest wildernesses and arid deserts. There is man-made beauty too, in the traditional Chinese gardens of Suzhou, the picturesque West Lake in Hangzhou and the numerous exquisite temples scattered across the country.
For the more adventurous, there is the opportunity to travel along the ancient Silk Road or venture overland into mystical Tibet and explore parts of China rarely visited by westerners. In these remote places, the people and their culture are a world away from the rest of China.
Following a proud history spanning 5,000 years, China’s importance in the world continues to grow as it emerges as an economic superpower of the 21st century. Nowhere can this be better witnessed than in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. With its towering skyscrapers, designer shops and vibrant nightlife, it represents the pinnacle of modern China.
China is a land with endless opportunities to offer the enthusiastic traveller. It is a destination that inspires and fascinates with its historic sights, diverse landscapes and rich culture. Yet beyond these great wonders, the most enduring memory is often the charm of the Chinese themselves.
China is surely a country that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit. We can also offer a wide range of fully inclusive escorted tours to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos. See for yourself the spectacular scenery, ancient monuments, amazing history and colourful culture offered by these remarkable lands.
Why not plan something extraordinary today?
Post your comments below:
China is a land of beauty with its poetic landscapes around Guilin, dramatic gorges along the Yangtze and the striking alpine scenery in Nine Villages Valley. The physical contrasts are great, from vast mountain ranges to forest wildernesses and arid deserts. There is man-made beauty too, in the traditional Chinese gardens of Suzhou, the picturesque West Lake in Hangzhou and the numerous exquisite temples scattered across the country.
For the more adventurous, there is the opportunity to travel along the ancient Silk Road or venture overland into mystical Tibet and explore parts of China rarely visited by westerners. In these remote places, the people and their culture are a world away from the rest of China.
Following a proud history spanning 5,000 years, China’s importance in the world continues to grow as it emerges as an economic superpower of the 21st century. Nowhere can this be better witnessed than in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. With its towering skyscrapers, designer shops and vibrant nightlife, it represents the pinnacle of modern China.
China is a land with endless opportunities to offer the enthusiastic traveller. It is a destination that inspires and fascinates with its historic sights, diverse landscapes and rich culture. Yet beyond these great wonders, the most enduring memory is often the charm of the Chinese themselves.
China is surely a country that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit. We can also offer a wide range of fully inclusive escorted tours to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos. See for yourself the spectacular scenery, ancient monuments, amazing history and colourful culture offered by these remarkable lands.
Why not plan something extraordinary today?
Post your comments below:
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
City Break Festivals
City Break - Festivals
Sightseeing is all well and good, but there is nothing like a festival to make a city come alive. Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Munich for the beer festival, or to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year and you will guarantee sights and sounds that are as authentic as they are unforgettable.
Here are a few of the world’s best festivals that are perfect to build a city break around.
Venice Carnival – 06-16 February 2010
Venice is an atmospheric city at any time of the year, but there is nothing more likely to induce a delicious thrill down the spine of any visitor than the sight of an ornately-costumed figure, their face obscured by a mask, disappearing over one of the city’s curved bridges.
The Venice Carnival became a massive draw in the 17th century, but it was banned when the Venetian Republic fell in 1797. Revived in the 1980s, it has once again become a spectacular sight for visitors.
The streets are filled with parades of costumed characters wearing the famous Venetian masks and in the evening there are masked balls to attend. There is a programme of free events in St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area. Visitors are welcome to dress up, or they can simply spectate.
Chinese New Year, Hong Kong – 14 February 2010
Though many cities such as San Francisco, Vancouver and London hold vigorous celebrations ringing in the Lunar New Year, there is nothing like being in Hong Kong.
Visitors can see the famous lion dances, where drums, gongs and cymbals accompany acrobats as they leap around in the large, brightly coloured costumes.
Locals pick up sprays of peach blossom, narcissi and peonies (symbolising good luck and prosperity) at the huge flower market in Victoria Park and crowds gather to watch the massive fireworks display from the east Tsim Shat sui waterfront and on The Peak.
In 2010, the Lunar New Year falls on Valentine’s Day.
New Orleans Mardi Gras – 16 February 2010
Fat Tuesday is the time for The Big Easy’s biggest party. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations are famed the world over, with colourful parades and hedonistic late night partying. The last five days running up to Fat Tuesday is when the celebrations hit a climax.
The parades are organised by carnival krewes, who ride on the floats in incredible costumes throwing gifts into the crowd. Many tourists head for the famous French Quarter and Bourbon Street, but remember none of the parades pass through this area any more due to the narrow streets. Major parades pass along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street.
St Patrick’s Day in Dublin – 17 March 2010
The home of the craic is the place to be for St Patrick’s Day and for the five days preceding it, when Dublin comes alive with events that are all part of the festival.
Many visitors are more than happy to spend most of their time quaffing Guinness in Temple Bar, or celeb spotting in The Clarence, the hotel owned by Bono. But this is just a fraction of what’s on offer. There is a parade, comedy, dance and drama performances and a huge funfair.
Calgary Stampede – 9-18 July 2010
Any budding John Waynes should go to Alberta’s largest city for the most famous rodeo on earth. The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day celebration of traditional cowboy skills, with a rodeo and wagon races, plus fairground stalls, shows, concerts and First Nation exhibitions.
The rodeo consists of six major events: bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping. Most tourists who attend get in the mood by dressing up, like the local attendees, in full western attire. What better excuse for anyone who has ever wanted to don a 10 gallon hat and boots with spurs?
La Tomatina, Bunyol, Spain – 25 August 2010
This is a food festival with a difference; well, more of a food fight than a gourmet experience. For most of the year, Bunyol is just a small, industrial town 25 miles outside Valencia, but on the last Wednesday in August it is literally painted red – with tomatoes.
Nearly 140 tons of tomatoes are trucked into the centre of town at the Plaza del Pueblo, and vast crowds of Spaniards and tourists gather to hurl tomatoes at one another in the streets.
In the days surrounding the tomato throwing, there are parades, music, dancing and fireworks.
Visitors should stay in Valencia – there are regular trains to Bunyol, so it easy to take a day trip to La Tomatina while enjoying a city break in Valencia.
Munich Oktoberfest – 19 September to 04 October
A sure-fire winner with any hop-loving person is a trip to the beautiful baroque city of Munich during the annual beer festival, known locally as Wiesn.
The tents serve beer in litre glasses, accompanies by traditional Bavarian food and traditional oom-pah brass band music. The German costumes of Dirndl for ladies and Lederhosen for gents are widely worn and are sold in many shops. There are also rides, roundabouts and sweet stands. Most clubs and bars open late and run after Wiesn parties.
Christmas at Tivoli, Copenhagen – 20 November to 30 December
For Christmas nostalgia you can’t beat the Danish capital and its old-world pleasure gardens. Tivoli Gardens is full of fairground rides, from old-fashioned carousels and dragon boats on the lake, to heart-stopping roller coasters and drop towers. There is also a pantomime theatre and concert hall.
In the festive season, the whole park comes alive with trees full of fairy lights, skating on the lake and a miniature village with market stalls.
While in Copenhagen check out the fairytale like castle Rosenborg Slot and take a harbour tour so you can see the best of the city by boat.
Post your comments below:
Sightseeing is all well and good, but there is nothing like a festival to make a city come alive. Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Munich for the beer festival, or to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year and you will guarantee sights and sounds that are as authentic as they are unforgettable.
Here are a few of the world’s best festivals that are perfect to build a city break around.
Venice Carnival – 06-16 February 2010
Venice is an atmospheric city at any time of the year, but there is nothing more likely to induce a delicious thrill down the spine of any visitor than the sight of an ornately-costumed figure, their face obscured by a mask, disappearing over one of the city’s curved bridges.
The Venice Carnival became a massive draw in the 17th century, but it was banned when the Venetian Republic fell in 1797. Revived in the 1980s, it has once again become a spectacular sight for visitors.
The streets are filled with parades of costumed characters wearing the famous Venetian masks and in the evening there are masked balls to attend. There is a programme of free events in St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area. Visitors are welcome to dress up, or they can simply spectate.
Chinese New Year, Hong Kong – 14 February 2010
Though many cities such as San Francisco, Vancouver and London hold vigorous celebrations ringing in the Lunar New Year, there is nothing like being in Hong Kong.
Visitors can see the famous lion dances, where drums, gongs and cymbals accompany acrobats as they leap around in the large, brightly coloured costumes.
Locals pick up sprays of peach blossom, narcissi and peonies (symbolising good luck and prosperity) at the huge flower market in Victoria Park and crowds gather to watch the massive fireworks display from the east Tsim Shat sui waterfront and on The Peak.
In 2010, the Lunar New Year falls on Valentine’s Day.
New Orleans Mardi Gras – 16 February 2010
Fat Tuesday is the time for The Big Easy’s biggest party. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations are famed the world over, with colourful parades and hedonistic late night partying. The last five days running up to Fat Tuesday is when the celebrations hit a climax.
The parades are organised by carnival krewes, who ride on the floats in incredible costumes throwing gifts into the crowd. Many tourists head for the famous French Quarter and Bourbon Street, but remember none of the parades pass through this area any more due to the narrow streets. Major parades pass along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street.
St Patrick’s Day in Dublin – 17 March 2010
The home of the craic is the place to be for St Patrick’s Day and for the five days preceding it, when Dublin comes alive with events that are all part of the festival.
Many visitors are more than happy to spend most of their time quaffing Guinness in Temple Bar, or celeb spotting in The Clarence, the hotel owned by Bono. But this is just a fraction of what’s on offer. There is a parade, comedy, dance and drama performances and a huge funfair.
Calgary Stampede – 9-18 July 2010
Any budding John Waynes should go to Alberta’s largest city for the most famous rodeo on earth. The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day celebration of traditional cowboy skills, with a rodeo and wagon races, plus fairground stalls, shows, concerts and First Nation exhibitions.
The rodeo consists of six major events: bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping. Most tourists who attend get in the mood by dressing up, like the local attendees, in full western attire. What better excuse for anyone who has ever wanted to don a 10 gallon hat and boots with spurs?
La Tomatina, Bunyol, Spain – 25 August 2010
This is a food festival with a difference; well, more of a food fight than a gourmet experience. For most of the year, Bunyol is just a small, industrial town 25 miles outside Valencia, but on the last Wednesday in August it is literally painted red – with tomatoes.
Nearly 140 tons of tomatoes are trucked into the centre of town at the Plaza del Pueblo, and vast crowds of Spaniards and tourists gather to hurl tomatoes at one another in the streets.
In the days surrounding the tomato throwing, there are parades, music, dancing and fireworks.
Visitors should stay in Valencia – there are regular trains to Bunyol, so it easy to take a day trip to La Tomatina while enjoying a city break in Valencia.
Munich Oktoberfest – 19 September to 04 October
A sure-fire winner with any hop-loving person is a trip to the beautiful baroque city of Munich during the annual beer festival, known locally as Wiesn.
The tents serve beer in litre glasses, accompanies by traditional Bavarian food and traditional oom-pah brass band music. The German costumes of Dirndl for ladies and Lederhosen for gents are widely worn and are sold in many shops. There are also rides, roundabouts and sweet stands. Most clubs and bars open late and run after Wiesn parties.
Christmas at Tivoli, Copenhagen – 20 November to 30 December
For Christmas nostalgia you can’t beat the Danish capital and its old-world pleasure gardens. Tivoli Gardens is full of fairground rides, from old-fashioned carousels and dragon boats on the lake, to heart-stopping roller coasters and drop towers. There is also a pantomime theatre and concert hall.
In the festive season, the whole park comes alive with trees full of fairy lights, skating on the lake and a miniature village with market stalls.
While in Copenhagen check out the fairytale like castle Rosenborg Slot and take a harbour tour so you can see the best of the city by boat.
Post your comments below:
Friday, 4 September 2009
Restricted Mobility Passengers
Various bits of legislation introduced in Britain and the EU over the last two years has improved the way airlines and airports handle passengers with special needs.
Airlines are not allowed to deny disabled passengers the right to fly unless they have demonstrable logistical issues with the type of aircraft, configuration and crew available, for example an airline is allowed to refuse bookings on a narrow-bodied aircraft for someone requiring wheelchair assistance if they already had ten such passengers on the same flight.
Assistance through the airport and the door of the aircraft is now the responsibility of the airport operator, not the airline. Generally speaking, airlines send automated messages to the airports with details of all their special needs passengers 24 hours before the flight. For this reason, airlines require passengers who need assistance to make themselves known 48 hours in advance of travel. They can make arrangements for last-minute travel but simply turning up at the airport and demanding a wheelchair absolves the airline and airport of any responsibility.
This seems an eminently sensible piece of legislation because it resolves the issue of who arranges the wheelchair assistance and it puts the onus on the passenger to ensure they give their airline proper notification.
When you book a flight on nearly any airline website, you will see a box asking if you require assistance. Obviously, it is best that the request is made when you book because you will then have a record and the airline should have no excuse for not passing on the information.
Unfortunately, there have been problems with some inclusive tour operators either not gathering the information in the first place or not passing it on in the correct way. ABTA has been forced to remind its members to amend their booking systems to allow for this.
Post your comments below:
Airlines are not allowed to deny disabled passengers the right to fly unless they have demonstrable logistical issues with the type of aircraft, configuration and crew available, for example an airline is allowed to refuse bookings on a narrow-bodied aircraft for someone requiring wheelchair assistance if they already had ten such passengers on the same flight.
Assistance through the airport and the door of the aircraft is now the responsibility of the airport operator, not the airline. Generally speaking, airlines send automated messages to the airports with details of all their special needs passengers 24 hours before the flight. For this reason, airlines require passengers who need assistance to make themselves known 48 hours in advance of travel. They can make arrangements for last-minute travel but simply turning up at the airport and demanding a wheelchair absolves the airline and airport of any responsibility.
This seems an eminently sensible piece of legislation because it resolves the issue of who arranges the wheelchair assistance and it puts the onus on the passenger to ensure they give their airline proper notification.
When you book a flight on nearly any airline website, you will see a box asking if you require assistance. Obviously, it is best that the request is made when you book because you will then have a record and the airline should have no excuse for not passing on the information.
Unfortunately, there have been problems with some inclusive tour operators either not gathering the information in the first place or not passing it on in the correct way. ABTA has been forced to remind its members to amend their booking systems to allow for this.
Post your comments below:
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Cards and Foreign Currency
Charges made by banks for using credit cards overseas for both purchases and cash withdrawals have been increasing for some time. We have long recommended the Caxton FX pre-paid currency cards, which are a much more economical way of spending cash abroad.
They have just become rather better value because the company no longer makes any charge for using ATMs. You load your card at the best possible rate (always better than rates obtainable from other exchange organisations) and spend it without any further charge.
A client inadvertently discovered just how competitive Caxton cards are when he was in Paris and, by mistake, used his Caxton Dollar card to withdraw Euros from a machine. This is definitely not how to use the cards, because you end up paying to convert into dollars and then from Dollars to Euros – plus, if you use the card in a different currency, an exchange fee is levied. While he was annoyed at his mistake, he later discovered the whole process had cost slightly less than all the extras Barclays added to a similar transaction on his sterling Visa debit card!
Post your comments below:
They have just become rather better value because the company no longer makes any charge for using ATMs. You load your card at the best possible rate (always better than rates obtainable from other exchange organisations) and spend it without any further charge.
A client inadvertently discovered just how competitive Caxton cards are when he was in Paris and, by mistake, used his Caxton Dollar card to withdraw Euros from a machine. This is definitely not how to use the cards, because you end up paying to convert into dollars and then from Dollars to Euros – plus, if you use the card in a different currency, an exchange fee is levied. While he was annoyed at his mistake, he later discovered the whole process had cost slightly less than all the extras Barclays added to a similar transaction on his sterling Visa debit card!
Post your comments below:
Monday, 31 August 2009
The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes
North America is a perennial chart-topper with the British market. While first-timers may head straight to the tourist hot spots, for those who want to explore further afield the Great Lakes region is a rewarding alternative.
Clustered around lakes Superior, Erie, Michigan and Huron in the northeast of the country, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are home to some of the US's most iconic attractions. The gateway to the region is Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which is serviced by daily.
There are also plenty of fun ways to get around. The region is well connected to the Amtrak rail network, or clients can opt for an RV motorhome, rent a Harley or go for a classic fly-drive package.
Here's a guide to some of the best attractions the region has to offer:
Cleveland, Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Arguably the best music attraction in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more like going to a party than visiting a museum. The floors of this visually spectacular building are an extravaganza of memorabilia, movies, music and interactive exhibits.
Watch a home game
Cleveland's Downtown area is awash with stadiums, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. Whatever time of year you visit, there's bound to be either a baseball, ice hockey, basketball or football match that you can pre-book tickets for.
Playhouse Square
Cleveland's theatre district is second only to New York in the number of productions staged each year. Seats, however, cost a fraction of what they would in the Big Apple.
Where to stay
The recently renovated Ritz-Carlton is contemporary, elegant and the des res of Downtown.
Sandusky, Ohio
This area is Lake Erie's waterfront playground, where the white-sand beach is backed by thrill rides.
Cedar Point
With 17 roller coasters - that's more than any other amusement park in the world - Cedar Point is the place for adrenaline junkies to get their fix. Dragster is the scariest. It launches you 420ft, reaching a speed of 120mph in just four seconds. There are rides and playgrounds for tots and little kids, too, with the new Planet Snoopy proving a big hit.
Where to stay:
Castaway Bay, a hotel resort with its own water park, or Lighthouse Point, which offers luxury cabins on the shorefront next to Cedar Point, and has an RV camper village.
Detroit, Michigan
Known as motor city because it was where car-manufacturing moguls such as Henry Ford founded their empires, Detroit also lends its nickname to one of the most successful record labels of all-time: Motown. In recent years, the city has made huge strides in shedding its gritty reputation with a major facelift for the Downtown area and the addition of a pedestrianised waterfront. However, it's still advisable to drive or take a cab rather than walk when exploring at night.
The Henry Ford Museum
Feast your eyes on an enviable display of auto eye-candy, which includes the last Model T Ford ever built and the first Mustang to come off the production line. Henry was also an avid collector of vintage Americana, also displayed.
The Motown Museum
This pint-sized building produced big names such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Gladys Knight. A tour takes you behind the scenes and then into Studio A where all the hits were recorded - and where visitors get a chance to take the mic.
MotorCity Casino
Retro-style neon, glitz and glamour - this is the place to see and be seen. Listen to the Motown-style bands on stage and the chink of quarter coins being dropped into the slot machines at an alarming rate.
Where to stay
The Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Centre is right on the waterfront with sweeping views across to Canada.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
This museum, right next to the track, charts the rise of the Indy 500 race - held here each May - alongside a collection of early sports cars. At certain times of the year, you can do three laps of the circuit behind the wheel of a genuine Indy car.
Eiteljorg Museum
A collection of Native American and Western art interspersed with historical artefacts that tell the tale of the Wild West era.
Where to stay
The Hampton Inn is comfortable and convenient.
Chicago, Illinois
The ultimate metropolis of the Great Lakes region and the home of Blues music, Chicago is a walkable city bursting with energy.
Millennium Park
Take a stroll around its contemporary sculptures and fountains, shop at the exclusive boutiques and department stores on the Magnificent Mile, and board a river cruise to marvel at the city's skyscrapers. At the end of the day head for a bird's-eye view of it all from the Sears Tower.
Where to stay
Park Hyatt Chicago has luxury rooms, pool, spa and gym overlooking the cityscape and is within walking distance of the major attractions. Essex Inn has floor-to-ceiling windows and a swimming pool in a glass atrium.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Harley-Davidson Museum
Visitors get to swoon at the racing, business and pleasure incarnations of these sought-after 'iron horses'. Just as much fun is admiring those parked outside by the Harley-Davidson fans who see visiting the museum, which opened last year, as a pilgrimage.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Looks good on the outside and is filled with treasures on the inside. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava's design has wings that flap at noon.
Festivals Park
Nicknamed the City of Festivals, there are back-to-back events held at Milwaukee's open-air exhibition space on the shores of Lake Michigan throughout the summer. These include Pride and Summerfest - the largest music festival on the planet, with 11 stages and 700 entertainers.
On the waterfront
Walk or cycle along the lake, through the parks and to the beach where you can watch volleyball matches or top up your tan.
Where to stay
The Iron Horse is a newly opened, luxury, minimalist, boutique property with a motorbike theme, a fantastic restaurant and a lively bar.
California
The coastal drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most thrilling in the US. The 485-mile Pacific Coast Highway is full of contrasts, with frenetic cities and sleepy villages, long stretches of open road and twisting turns, and rugged cliffs and white sandy beaches.
And while the words 'green' and 'road trip' don't usually go together, in California, where green consciousness takes centre stage, it is possible to blend the two, from travelling in a hybrid car to staying in the wide range of eco-friendly hotels on offer.
Days 1-3: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Why?
Just five miles from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica feels like a world away from the smog-filled air and frenzied traffic in the city.
Where to stay
The Hotel Shangri-la Santa Monica, right opposite the beach and a two-minute walk from the lively Third Street Promenade, has just reopened after a $30 million refurbishment. This striking art deco property has a South Beach-style party vibe, and its monochrome cabanas are drawing in all kinds of LA luvvies.
Another feature of the hotel's new look is a raft of green practices. For example, the hotel only uses organic cleaning products, and toiletries come in recycled packaging.
What to do
Spend a day shopping on the pedestrianised Third Street Promenade, and stroll among well-heeled Angelenos up Montana Avenue, or hit the beach.
Days 3-5: Santa Barbara
Why?
An easy 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, this chilled-out beach town is a great spot to wind down from the big city. With perpetually blue skies, days are well spent relaxing on the beach or exploring the trendy boutiques on State Street. For something more upscale, admire the seven-figure mansions at nearby Montecito, home to Oprah Winfrey.
Where to stay
The Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore, offers elegant luxury with a conscience. Behind the Biltmore's perfectly manicured grounds and Spanish-style cottages are a host of stringent green policies enforced by a dedicated 'green team' of staff.
Everything from glass to paper is recycled, old towels and sheets are donated to a homeless shelter, and the resort tracks its energy usage each week. Guests also use the Coral Casino Club, a 1930s-style beach club where it is easy to imagine golden-age Hollywood starlets sipping cocktails.
What to do
Leave the car behind and embark on the Red Tile walking tour, which takes in the County Courthouse, Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Or hop on the open-air electric shuttle on State Street for just 25c.
Days 6-7: The 17-mile drive from Carmel to Monterey
Why?
The famous 17-mile drive from the coastal village of Carmel to Monterey offers breathtaking ocean views and passes through exclusive neighbourhoods, sea lion viewing spots and golf courses.
Where to stay
The nautical-themed Captain's Inn is a friendly bed and breakfast near Monterey with a strong green ethos. As well as all the basics, the hotel staff have been helping to clean up a two-mile stretch of highway.
What to do
Take some time to wander aimlessly around Carmel's impossibly cute shops to see if you can catch sight of Clint Eastwood, who was mayor here from 1986-88.
Days 7-8: Big Sur
Why?
Located 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is well worth the hair-raising drive around narrow bends and steep cliffs. Without any village centre, Big Sur consists of luxury hotels, art galleries and restaurants dotted among the trees, just off the road.
Where to stay?
The exclusive Post Ranch Inn offers guests the chance to feel close to nature without leaving luxury behind. The Inn, which produces its own pollution-free electricity thanks to recently installed solar panels, consists of a string of wood-and-glass lodges built into the cliffside with spectacular views.
What to do
A first port of call should be the Big Sur Bakery, an informal alternative to the Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar. The place is known for its woodfired pizza, but make sure you save room for its gooey chocolate chip cookies. For great views with your food, check out the Nepenthe restaurant.
Days 8-10: San Francisco
Why?
With its wonderful mishmash of cultures, San Francisco has a distinctive character and charm that makes it an exhilarating final stop on a US road trip.
Where to stay
The iconic Fairmont San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill, the highest peak in the city. Dating back to 1906, the hotel is steeped in history, and photographs of celebrity and royal guests line the walls.
The hotel is embracing eco-conscious travellers by offering an 'eco-chic' suite. Designed by eco-designer Kelly LaPlante, the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite has been created with organic and recyclable materials, and guests are offered a green specialist tour guide and complimentary use of a hybrid Lexus car.
What to do
A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a boat trip to the imposing Alcatraz prison. For an overview of the city, try Mr Toad’s Tours in eco-friendly propane- powered 1930s cars.
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North America is a perennial chart-topper with the British market. While first-timers may head straight to the tourist hot spots, for those who want to explore further afield the Great Lakes region is a rewarding alternative.
Clustered around lakes Superior, Erie, Michigan and Huron in the northeast of the country, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are home to some of the US's most iconic attractions. The gateway to the region is Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which is serviced by daily.
There are also plenty of fun ways to get around. The region is well connected to the Amtrak rail network, or clients can opt for an RV motorhome, rent a Harley or go for a classic fly-drive package.
Here's a guide to some of the best attractions the region has to offer:
Cleveland, Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Arguably the best music attraction in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more like going to a party than visiting a museum. The floors of this visually spectacular building are an extravaganza of memorabilia, movies, music and interactive exhibits.
Watch a home game
Cleveland's Downtown area is awash with stadiums, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. Whatever time of year you visit, there's bound to be either a baseball, ice hockey, basketball or football match that you can pre-book tickets for.
Playhouse Square
Cleveland's theatre district is second only to New York in the number of productions staged each year. Seats, however, cost a fraction of what they would in the Big Apple.
Where to stay
The recently renovated Ritz-Carlton is contemporary, elegant and the des res of Downtown.
Sandusky, Ohio
This area is Lake Erie's waterfront playground, where the white-sand beach is backed by thrill rides.
Cedar Point
With 17 roller coasters - that's more than any other amusement park in the world - Cedar Point is the place for adrenaline junkies to get their fix. Dragster is the scariest. It launches you 420ft, reaching a speed of 120mph in just four seconds. There are rides and playgrounds for tots and little kids, too, with the new Planet Snoopy proving a big hit.
Where to stay:
Castaway Bay, a hotel resort with its own water park, or Lighthouse Point, which offers luxury cabins on the shorefront next to Cedar Point, and has an RV camper village.
Detroit, Michigan
Known as motor city because it was where car-manufacturing moguls such as Henry Ford founded their empires, Detroit also lends its nickname to one of the most successful record labels of all-time: Motown. In recent years, the city has made huge strides in shedding its gritty reputation with a major facelift for the Downtown area and the addition of a pedestrianised waterfront. However, it's still advisable to drive or take a cab rather than walk when exploring at night.
The Henry Ford Museum
Feast your eyes on an enviable display of auto eye-candy, which includes the last Model T Ford ever built and the first Mustang to come off the production line. Henry was also an avid collector of vintage Americana, also displayed.
The Motown Museum
This pint-sized building produced big names such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Gladys Knight. A tour takes you behind the scenes and then into Studio A where all the hits were recorded - and where visitors get a chance to take the mic.
MotorCity Casino
Retro-style neon, glitz and glamour - this is the place to see and be seen. Listen to the Motown-style bands on stage and the chink of quarter coins being dropped into the slot machines at an alarming rate.
Where to stay
The Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Centre is right on the waterfront with sweeping views across to Canada.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
This museum, right next to the track, charts the rise of the Indy 500 race - held here each May - alongside a collection of early sports cars. At certain times of the year, you can do three laps of the circuit behind the wheel of a genuine Indy car.
Eiteljorg Museum
A collection of Native American and Western art interspersed with historical artefacts that tell the tale of the Wild West era.
Where to stay
The Hampton Inn is comfortable and convenient.
Chicago, Illinois
The ultimate metropolis of the Great Lakes region and the home of Blues music, Chicago is a walkable city bursting with energy.
Millennium Park
Take a stroll around its contemporary sculptures and fountains, shop at the exclusive boutiques and department stores on the Magnificent Mile, and board a river cruise to marvel at the city's skyscrapers. At the end of the day head for a bird's-eye view of it all from the Sears Tower.
Where to stay
Park Hyatt Chicago has luxury rooms, pool, spa and gym overlooking the cityscape and is within walking distance of the major attractions. Essex Inn has floor-to-ceiling windows and a swimming pool in a glass atrium.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Harley-Davidson Museum
Visitors get to swoon at the racing, business and pleasure incarnations of these sought-after 'iron horses'. Just as much fun is admiring those parked outside by the Harley-Davidson fans who see visiting the museum, which opened last year, as a pilgrimage.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Looks good on the outside and is filled with treasures on the inside. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava's design has wings that flap at noon.
Festivals Park
Nicknamed the City of Festivals, there are back-to-back events held at Milwaukee's open-air exhibition space on the shores of Lake Michigan throughout the summer. These include Pride and Summerfest - the largest music festival on the planet, with 11 stages and 700 entertainers.
On the waterfront
Walk or cycle along the lake, through the parks and to the beach where you can watch volleyball matches or top up your tan.
Where to stay
The Iron Horse is a newly opened, luxury, minimalist, boutique property with a motorbike theme, a fantastic restaurant and a lively bar.
California
The coastal drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most thrilling in the US. The 485-mile Pacific Coast Highway is full of contrasts, with frenetic cities and sleepy villages, long stretches of open road and twisting turns, and rugged cliffs and white sandy beaches.
And while the words 'green' and 'road trip' don't usually go together, in California, where green consciousness takes centre stage, it is possible to blend the two, from travelling in a hybrid car to staying in the wide range of eco-friendly hotels on offer.
Days 1-3: Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Why?
Just five miles from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica feels like a world away from the smog-filled air and frenzied traffic in the city.
Where to stay
The Hotel Shangri-la Santa Monica, right opposite the beach and a two-minute walk from the lively Third Street Promenade, has just reopened after a $30 million refurbishment. This striking art deco property has a South Beach-style party vibe, and its monochrome cabanas are drawing in all kinds of LA luvvies.
Another feature of the hotel's new look is a raft of green practices. For example, the hotel only uses organic cleaning products, and toiletries come in recycled packaging.
What to do
Spend a day shopping on the pedestrianised Third Street Promenade, and stroll among well-heeled Angelenos up Montana Avenue, or hit the beach.
Days 3-5: Santa Barbara
Why?
An easy 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, this chilled-out beach town is a great spot to wind down from the big city. With perpetually blue skies, days are well spent relaxing on the beach or exploring the trendy boutiques on State Street. For something more upscale, admire the seven-figure mansions at nearby Montecito, home to Oprah Winfrey.
Where to stay
The Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore, offers elegant luxury with a conscience. Behind the Biltmore's perfectly manicured grounds and Spanish-style cottages are a host of stringent green policies enforced by a dedicated 'green team' of staff.
Everything from glass to paper is recycled, old towels and sheets are donated to a homeless shelter, and the resort tracks its energy usage each week. Guests also use the Coral Casino Club, a 1930s-style beach club where it is easy to imagine golden-age Hollywood starlets sipping cocktails.
What to do
Leave the car behind and embark on the Red Tile walking tour, which takes in the County Courthouse, Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Or hop on the open-air electric shuttle on State Street for just 25c.
Days 6-7: The 17-mile drive from Carmel to Monterey
Why?
The famous 17-mile drive from the coastal village of Carmel to Monterey offers breathtaking ocean views and passes through exclusive neighbourhoods, sea lion viewing spots and golf courses.
Where to stay
The nautical-themed Captain's Inn is a friendly bed and breakfast near Monterey with a strong green ethos. As well as all the basics, the hotel staff have been helping to clean up a two-mile stretch of highway.
What to do
Take some time to wander aimlessly around Carmel's impossibly cute shops to see if you can catch sight of Clint Eastwood, who was mayor here from 1986-88.
Days 7-8: Big Sur
Why?
Located 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is well worth the hair-raising drive around narrow bends and steep cliffs. Without any village centre, Big Sur consists of luxury hotels, art galleries and restaurants dotted among the trees, just off the road.
Where to stay?
The exclusive Post Ranch Inn offers guests the chance to feel close to nature without leaving luxury behind. The Inn, which produces its own pollution-free electricity thanks to recently installed solar panels, consists of a string of wood-and-glass lodges built into the cliffside with spectacular views.
What to do
A first port of call should be the Big Sur Bakery, an informal alternative to the Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar. The place is known for its woodfired pizza, but make sure you save room for its gooey chocolate chip cookies. For great views with your food, check out the Nepenthe restaurant.
Days 8-10: San Francisco
Why?
With its wonderful mishmash of cultures, San Francisco has a distinctive character and charm that makes it an exhilarating final stop on a US road trip.
Where to stay
The iconic Fairmont San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill, the highest peak in the city. Dating back to 1906, the hotel is steeped in history, and photographs of celebrity and royal guests line the walls.
The hotel is embracing eco-conscious travellers by offering an 'eco-chic' suite. Designed by eco-designer Kelly LaPlante, the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite has been created with organic and recyclable materials, and guests are offered a green specialist tour guide and complimentary use of a hybrid Lexus car.
What to do
A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a boat trip to the imposing Alcatraz prison. For an overview of the city, try Mr Toad’s Tours in eco-friendly propane- powered 1930s cars.
Post your comments below:
Monday, 24 August 2009
Cyprus
Cyprus
While accommodation in some European countries doesn’t always live up to UK standards, Cyprus is a class act. Luxury spa resorts, boutique properties and upmarket villas with pools have replaced a glut of mid market hotels.
The island was recently awarded its highest ever number of Blue Flag beaches – 53 in total – and rated top spot in Europe for bathing in water by the European Commission and European Environmental Agency Commission.
Cyprus has always offered a quality product. In recent years, the choice of upmarket hotels has increased, both in the five-star category and with new boutique hotels. There is a continual programme of investment by hotels to improve their facilities, particularly with the introduction of state-of-the-art spas.
Cyprus is the home of meze, which means visitors can try a bit of everything in one meal. Dish after dish of tasty morsels will appear on the table – sometimes up to 30 of them – and then it’s time to start feasting.
Olives, salad and fresh bread are first to arrive, with dips such as taramasalata and garlicky skordalia. Then expect octopus in red wine, snails in tomato sauce, and pork delicacy zalatina, accompanied by pickled cauliflower and lemon-dressed greens. Leave room for kalamari, sardines, grilled halloumi cheese and meatballs, smoked sausage and moussaka. It’s not over – there are still souvlakia, kleftiko and grilled chicken to come. For anyone who miraculously still has room dessert is generally some fresh fruit and syrup-soaked pastries.
You can find meze in any local taverna, but for a whole holiday filled with typical Cypriot flavour, book into a traditional stone house.
There are few more distinctive backdrops than Paphos Castle. This imposing building sits at the edge of the harbour, its stout walls descending into the bay. Built, captured and rebuilt many times throughout history, it’s been used as a fortress, a prison and even as a salt warehouse during the British occupation. These days one of its more decorative purposes is as the backdrop to the annual open-air cultural festival.
This year, the Aphrodite Festival runs from September 4-6 and visitors can sit outside as dusk falls and listen to an opera. The National Opera of Sofia will perform Lakme by French composer Leo Delibes, which tells the story of the doomed 19th century love affair between and English army officer and the daughter of an Indian Brahmin. British listeners may recognise the melody of one of the most famous arias from British Airways’ advertisements.
Stretching across much of the southwest of inland Cyprus, the Troodos Mountains are a stunning range of peaks. Pine-scented paths meander through river valleys and past quiet villages. A trek along one of the many well-marked routes is a peaceful respite from the lively tourist areas on the coast, and the chance to visit some of the many Byzantine churches and monasteries that nestle on the mountains. Some are tiny, no more than four walls and a dome; others are large structures with ornate frescoes, glowing with gold leaf.
Four main trails cover the area: one following the slopes of Mount Olympus, the highest peak, another circling the Chionistra summit, the last two leading to a series of waterfalls, and the fourth up to a spectacular viewpoint.
Even those with no equestrian experience will enjoy a day at a donkey farm. Donkey rides are widely available across the island, but the tours bookable through Argonaftis come highly recommended. These are designed to be fun for all the family and operate out of two locations, one near Paphos, the other not far from Ayia Napa. The donkeys are well treated, so kids won’t be upset by skeletal creatures covered in mange.
The day begins with a few snacks and a tour of the animal park to meet the donkeys, alongside the other waifs and strays who’ve been taken in, including goats, pigs, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, turtles, ostriches, and monkeys. Then it’s time to saddle up and get riding. There’s a demonstration first, before everyone is allocated a donkey according to their size. Donkey’s have strong personalities, and the slow, sometimes tangential journey past countryside and churches is often full of hilarity.
Afterwards, adults can relax with a glass of wine as the kids rush off excitedly to groom the donkeys and put them to bed. After a boozy barbecue, it’s time for some traditional dancing – a real taste of Cypriot village life.
Archaeological evidence suggests the Cypriots have been making wine for the last 6,000 year, so they’ve had plenty of time to get it right. Vineyards are everywhere in the southwest, sitting on the sunny lower slopes of the Troodos massif. The island’s main red varieties are Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko and Mavro, plus a white grape called Xynisteri. The two latter are combined to make the famous Commandaria, a sweet wine that is one of the oldest in the world.
There are plenty of opportunities to sample Cypriot wines, from village shops where staff are happy to offer tastes, to wineries and the vineyards themselves. The Cypriot tourist board publishes a guide to wine routes, so visitors can hire a car and explore, with groups of wine villages easily accessible from the Paphos and Limassol areas. There’s a wine museum in Erimi, and visitors to the villages of Omodos and Laneia can see vast ancient wine presses, which fill entire rooms of the old stone houses.
For a really wine-soaked experience, travel during the annual Limassol wine festival. Staged in the municipal gardens along the seafront there are stalls, tavernas, fountains, music – and let’s not forget the free wine. This years’ festival runs from August 28 to September 6.
With 485 miles of coastline, the sea is never far away when you’re on the island of Cyprus. For those who want action and adventure, it’s possible to waterski, windsurf, snorkel, canoe, jet-ski and sail – or simply swim. Sea temperatures are in the 20Cs from April right through to November. For paddling with a panorama, swim off the coast by Aphrodite’s Rock where, legend has it, the goddess of love rose out of the sea.
The sea is central to more relaxing pursuits, too. Cyprus is noted for its luxury hotels, many of which have extensive spas. In among the wide range of treatments on offer, most offer thalassotherapy options, where mineral-rich seawater and seaweed are used to tone and revitalise body and skin, often improving circulation. From mud baths to hydro-massage and aromatherapy to algae wraps, there are sea-related treatments to suit just about anyone.
Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort features the only indoor / outdoor thalassotherapy spa in Europe. The spa at Aphrodite Hills offers Greco-Roman style thermae bathing rituals and a whole host of signature packages, from short, two-hour options up to five day programmes for spa-obsessives. At Ayii Anargyri Spa Resort, a mineral-rich spring running down the hillside is channelled into the spa and used for treatments.
While accommodation in some European countries doesn’t always live up to UK standards, Cyprus is a class act. Luxury spa resorts, boutique properties and upmarket villas with pools have replaced a glut of mid market hotels.
The island was recently awarded its highest ever number of Blue Flag beaches – 53 in total – and rated top spot in Europe for bathing in water by the European Commission and European Environmental Agency Commission.
Cyprus has always offered a quality product. In recent years, the choice of upmarket hotels has increased, both in the five-star category and with new boutique hotels. There is a continual programme of investment by hotels to improve their facilities, particularly with the introduction of state-of-the-art spas.
Cyprus is the home of meze, which means visitors can try a bit of everything in one meal. Dish after dish of tasty morsels will appear on the table – sometimes up to 30 of them – and then it’s time to start feasting.
Olives, salad and fresh bread are first to arrive, with dips such as taramasalata and garlicky skordalia. Then expect octopus in red wine, snails in tomato sauce, and pork delicacy zalatina, accompanied by pickled cauliflower and lemon-dressed greens. Leave room for kalamari, sardines, grilled halloumi cheese and meatballs, smoked sausage and moussaka. It’s not over – there are still souvlakia, kleftiko and grilled chicken to come. For anyone who miraculously still has room dessert is generally some fresh fruit and syrup-soaked pastries.
You can find meze in any local taverna, but for a whole holiday filled with typical Cypriot flavour, book into a traditional stone house.
There are few more distinctive backdrops than Paphos Castle. This imposing building sits at the edge of the harbour, its stout walls descending into the bay. Built, captured and rebuilt many times throughout history, it’s been used as a fortress, a prison and even as a salt warehouse during the British occupation. These days one of its more decorative purposes is as the backdrop to the annual open-air cultural festival.
This year, the Aphrodite Festival runs from September 4-6 and visitors can sit outside as dusk falls and listen to an opera. The National Opera of Sofia will perform Lakme by French composer Leo Delibes, which tells the story of the doomed 19th century love affair between and English army officer and the daughter of an Indian Brahmin. British listeners may recognise the melody of one of the most famous arias from British Airways’ advertisements.
Stretching across much of the southwest of inland Cyprus, the Troodos Mountains are a stunning range of peaks. Pine-scented paths meander through river valleys and past quiet villages. A trek along one of the many well-marked routes is a peaceful respite from the lively tourist areas on the coast, and the chance to visit some of the many Byzantine churches and monasteries that nestle on the mountains. Some are tiny, no more than four walls and a dome; others are large structures with ornate frescoes, glowing with gold leaf.
Four main trails cover the area: one following the slopes of Mount Olympus, the highest peak, another circling the Chionistra summit, the last two leading to a series of waterfalls, and the fourth up to a spectacular viewpoint.
Even those with no equestrian experience will enjoy a day at a donkey farm. Donkey rides are widely available across the island, but the tours bookable through Argonaftis come highly recommended. These are designed to be fun for all the family and operate out of two locations, one near Paphos, the other not far from Ayia Napa. The donkeys are well treated, so kids won’t be upset by skeletal creatures covered in mange.
The day begins with a few snacks and a tour of the animal park to meet the donkeys, alongside the other waifs and strays who’ve been taken in, including goats, pigs, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, turtles, ostriches, and monkeys. Then it’s time to saddle up and get riding. There’s a demonstration first, before everyone is allocated a donkey according to their size. Donkey’s have strong personalities, and the slow, sometimes tangential journey past countryside and churches is often full of hilarity.
Afterwards, adults can relax with a glass of wine as the kids rush off excitedly to groom the donkeys and put them to bed. After a boozy barbecue, it’s time for some traditional dancing – a real taste of Cypriot village life.
Archaeological evidence suggests the Cypriots have been making wine for the last 6,000 year, so they’ve had plenty of time to get it right. Vineyards are everywhere in the southwest, sitting on the sunny lower slopes of the Troodos massif. The island’s main red varieties are Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko and Mavro, plus a white grape called Xynisteri. The two latter are combined to make the famous Commandaria, a sweet wine that is one of the oldest in the world.
There are plenty of opportunities to sample Cypriot wines, from village shops where staff are happy to offer tastes, to wineries and the vineyards themselves. The Cypriot tourist board publishes a guide to wine routes, so visitors can hire a car and explore, with groups of wine villages easily accessible from the Paphos and Limassol areas. There’s a wine museum in Erimi, and visitors to the villages of Omodos and Laneia can see vast ancient wine presses, which fill entire rooms of the old stone houses.
For a really wine-soaked experience, travel during the annual Limassol wine festival. Staged in the municipal gardens along the seafront there are stalls, tavernas, fountains, music – and let’s not forget the free wine. This years’ festival runs from August 28 to September 6.
With 485 miles of coastline, the sea is never far away when you’re on the island of Cyprus. For those who want action and adventure, it’s possible to waterski, windsurf, snorkel, canoe, jet-ski and sail – or simply swim. Sea temperatures are in the 20Cs from April right through to November. For paddling with a panorama, swim off the coast by Aphrodite’s Rock where, legend has it, the goddess of love rose out of the sea.
The sea is central to more relaxing pursuits, too. Cyprus is noted for its luxury hotels, many of which have extensive spas. In among the wide range of treatments on offer, most offer thalassotherapy options, where mineral-rich seawater and seaweed are used to tone and revitalise body and skin, often improving circulation. From mud baths to hydro-massage and aromatherapy to algae wraps, there are sea-related treatments to suit just about anyone.
Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort features the only indoor / outdoor thalassotherapy spa in Europe. The spa at Aphrodite Hills offers Greco-Roman style thermae bathing rituals and a whole host of signature packages, from short, two-hour options up to five day programmes for spa-obsessives. At Ayii Anargyri Spa Resort, a mineral-rich spring running down the hillside is channelled into the spa and used for treatments.
Post your comments below:
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Philadelphia - Tax Free Shopping!
With daily non stop flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham and Summer departures from Glasgow, Philadelphia is a fantastic destination for a city break. Alternatively if you are travelling onwards, with flights to over 230 destinations including the popular holiday hotspots of Orlando and Las Vegas, Philadelphia is a great “gateway” to the USA and ideal for a few nights stay.
As the second largest city on the east coast of the United States, Philadelphia is dynamic and full of big city excitement and still maintains the small town charm and history that will capture your imagination.
Known throughout the world for the founding of the United States, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, two of the most treasured monuments celebrating American freedom.
Philadelphia boasts a wealth of cultural and historic attractions and an abundance of exciting dining and nightlife options, making the city a must visit destination!
From South Street to Rittenhouse Row and Jewellers’ Row, Philadelphia is a shopper’s paradise. The city offers incredible shopping complexes and one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Get more than you bargained for in the historic heart of the USA and see how much you can save!
You’ll save hundreds of $$$ on tax-free clothing and shoes!
Post your comments below.
As the second largest city on the east coast of the United States, Philadelphia is dynamic and full of big city excitement and still maintains the small town charm and history that will capture your imagination.
Known throughout the world for the founding of the United States, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, two of the most treasured monuments celebrating American freedom.
Philadelphia boasts a wealth of cultural and historic attractions and an abundance of exciting dining and nightlife options, making the city a must visit destination!
From South Street to Rittenhouse Row and Jewellers’ Row, Philadelphia is a shopper’s paradise. The city offers incredible shopping complexes and one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Get more than you bargained for in the historic heart of the USA and see how much you can save!
You’ll save hundreds of $$$ on tax-free clothing and shoes!
Post your comments below.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
The Balearics
The Balearics
With the spotlight firmly focused on up and coming non euro destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, it’s easy to forget the huge and enduring popularity of Spain.
The balmy climate and beautiful beaches of the Balearic Islands are still a big draw and they remain some of the most popular destinations for the British market. Last year, nearly 3.4 million Brits visited the Balearics, and that level has remained stable over the last decade.
Hoteliers are dropping prices, there are fabulous special offers and customers can expect the same next year. It’s not just the hotels; restaurants also know they can’t expect Brits to pay too highly, so visitors will find plenty of meal deals.
Majorca
Package tourism on the largest of the Balearics started in 1952 and Brits have been flocking there ever since. Majorca is the most versatile destination you can think of, in terms of the different types of resort. There’s a constant investment, which keeps standards high.
It’s a year round destination with something for families, older couples, the young and lively, as well as the high end of the market. The classic beach break is still available; Alcudia is very family focused and Magaluf and Palma Nova are great for younger more boisterous groups.
The city of Palma has developed into a lovely city break location, with its sun-warmed sandstone offering a contrast to the dramatic Gothic architecture. Visitors can lose themselves wandering around the historic city centre, indulge in a spot of shopping, then retreat to a bar for a cocktail or some tapas as the sun sets over the bay.
The Tramuntanta mountain range that runs up Majorca’s backbone, provides great terrain for walkers and cyclists in the cooler shoulder season, and a quiet rural retreat in summer.
On the east coast the Arta Caves is a network of fascinating caverns nearly 50 metres above the sea. The island has 19 golf courses and a wealth of spa product, with a well-established tradition of luxury hotels. The first deluxe hotel, the Gran Hotel in Palma, opened in 1903, and is now a cultural centre.
Menorca
Majorca’s quieter little sister has its own distinctive charm – not least its beaches, which number more than Majorca’s and Ibiza’s put together.
Perhaps surprisingly, considering an annual average of 2,712 hours of sunshine, the island is very green, with beautiful rolling fields. Menorca was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1993, with the S’Albufera d’es Grau national park, a bird-filled wetland, at its heart.
There’s plenty for history buffs, too, with the oldest preserved building in Europe, the Naveta des Tudons, among other archaeological treasures.
The capital, Mao, which has a large harbour popular with cruise ships, and the former capital, the small and picturesque Ciutadella, are both worth a visit for a spot of sightseeing and to indulge in the café culture.
Easy-going and laid-back, the island’s resorts tend to be low-rise, and the family market is particularly strong. However, it also has much to offer couples and groups looking for a more peaceful break. You won’t find big hotels in Menorca. Everything has a real Spanish feel. It’s great for chilling out.
Ibiza
The island’s reputation as superclub central isn’t unearned; it’s still one of the best places for those who want to dance all night. The south, particularly San Antonio, is the palce for those who yearn for the hedonistic party scene. Most of the large clubs are in San Antonio or Ibiza Town, or on the road that connects the two.
However, as many tourists are discovering, there’s much more to Ibiza. Hippy communities flocked here in the 1960s and there are still hippy markets and a general anything goes, tolerant, tie dyed sort of atmosphere.
Ibiza Town, though it has its fair share of party potential, is an absolutely stunning walled city, with winding streets inside the sun-kissed fortress walls and a glitzy marina, where millionaires’ yachts moor up. It’s a wonderful place to wander, or visit a museum or gallery, before hitting the restaurants and bars.
There are plenty of family-friendly areas, particularly Playa d’en Bossa, which has large family hotels and a theme park called Fiestaland.
The north of the island is much quieter, full of forested hills and secluded bays. There are plenty of accommodation options, or it’s easy to explore with a hire car from a busier resort.
For pretty beaches head to Benirras or Cala Xuclar, or turn inland and visit historic hamlets such as Balafia, where you can see the beautifully simple white-walled Ibizan houses and churches that inspired architects such as La Corbusier. Luxury is a developing market in Ibiza, which has a rash of chic, high-end hotels.
Formentera
The kind of expansive white beaches and warm, clean, azure sea you might expect from the Caribbean can be found much closer to home in Formentera. This small, tranquil island is just south of Ibiza, where visitors need to fly into before taking a boat across.
Formentera is a place to escape to – there aren’t many inhabitants and it’s easy to get around by bike. It’s great for those who want to do nothing in its quiet resorts, but also for those who like to explore unspoilt landscapes. The latter can visit La Mola, to see the dramatic cliff face and lighthouse, see ancient megalithic villages in the Barbaria area, or take a boat trip to Espalmador for a mud bath in the lagoon.
Castilla y Leon
Despite being the largest region in Spain, Castilla y Leon, which comprises the former kingdoms of Castilla (Old Castile) and Leon, is often overlooked by UK travellers.
The region, to the north of Madrid, is home to over half of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can explore more than 200 castles, almost 400 museums and 11 cathedrals, not to mention Salamanca’s charming Plaza Mayor, the Roman aqueduct in Sergovia and the historic walled city of Avila, while the food is so good it makes buttons pop off.
And if all that gastronomy and culture doesn’t sate your appetite, the region is also home to 21 ski resorts, 38 golf courses and wonderful walking trails.
Urban Delights / Green & Gothic
One of Europe’s greenest cities, by the River Arlanzon and overlooked by its castle, is the instantly appealing Burgos. After entering the impressive Gate of Santa Maria, the highlight is the steeple-strewn 13th century Gothic cathedral, also the final resting place of the medieval fighter El Cid.
In the perfectly preserved old quarter, it’s not unusual to see pilgrims on the Route to Santiago. The riverside Paseo del Espolon is a great way to soak up Burgos’ relaxed river town feel.
Hidden Gems
A couple of hours southwest, by the River Pisuerga in the Ribera del Duero wine region, is Valladolid. The highlights being the cathedral, Church of San Pablo and university façade. Spain aficionados may experience a sense of déjà vu upon entering Plaza Mayor, as its arcaded design has inspired many of the country’s other squares, most notably Madrid’s and Salamanca’s.
Piece de Resistance
Salamanca is the liveliest, most cosmopolitan hub of Castilla y Leon, home to Europe’s oldest surviving university and the beautiful Baroque-style arcaded Plaza Mayor, lined with restaurant terraces.
There are two cathedrals, the old and new, which are joined to each other. Both are appropriately elaborate, but look closely at the 18th century façade and you’ll find an astronaut and a demon with an ice cream – added by 20th century restorers with a sense of humour. The distinctive golden hue of the historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is best appreciated from atop the cathedral tower.
Castles & Aqueducts
The walled city of Segovia is a heart capturing sort of place, its Roman aqueduct towering over the entrance. At the other end is the Alcazar de Segovia, a turreted, blue-roofed castle fortress on a rocky hillock, supposedly inspiring Disney’s Cinderella castle (the resemblance is uncanny).
Walking through the historic Jewish quarter, past the majestic cathedral and Moorish architecture, is a reminder of how these culture, Jewish, Muslim and Christain, have shaped the city.
Just outside Segovia is the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. The sumptuous interior is fascinating, but its gardens and fountains, commissioned by Philip V, the King of Spain in the 18th century, to recapture his childhood at the French court, are the real highlight.
Medieval Magic
Save the best until last? Perhaps. It’s like stepping back in time in Avila, the entire medieval walled city is a World Heritage Site. It’s 1.6 mile long walls, Spain’s best conserved, are the world’s largest floodlit monument.
From the Cuatro Postes (Four Posts) monument, views over the city and Gothic cathedral satisfy the appetite of even the most jaded traveller.
Gastro Giants
Castilla y Leon takes its food seriously. At Segovia’s family-run Meson de Candidio, situated by the aqueduct since 1786, dining is positively ceremonial. The speciality, cochinillo, legs splayed post-roasting, is “introduced” to the diners by the host who demonstrates its tenderness by slicing it using a plate edge. The restaurant also specialises in Castillian white bean and pork soup, and punch cake, a liqueur-soaked marzipan sponge.
At the Meson del Cid in Burgos, the speciality is lechazo, roast suckling lamb. Hanging hams are a familiar sight, especially in Salamanca, which produces 60% of Spain’s Iberian cured jamon. Other dishes worth a try include the spicy sausage, farinato, and hornazo Salmantino – a chorizo, pork, ham and egg pie.
Valladolid is home to the region’s newest Michelin-starred restaurants, Ramiro’s. Set in the Science Museum building, the 10th floor restaurant overlooks the River Pisuerga and serves up morsels of gourmet cuisine, such as mussel soup and ice cream made at the table.
Wine Growers
Nine of the region’s wines hold a Designation of Origin. Castilla y Leon is renowned for its fresh, fruity whites from the Verdejo grape. In Rueda, close to Valladolid, the Yllera family co-own the Grupo Yllera winery. Individual and group visits/tastings can be booked in advance. Nearby is their former winery, located above a 14th century underground cellar. The 0.6 mile tunnel is now used to store sparkling and reserve wines and there is a huge dining room for private parties.
With the spotlight firmly focused on up and coming non euro destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, it’s easy to forget the huge and enduring popularity of Spain.
The balmy climate and beautiful beaches of the Balearic Islands are still a big draw and they remain some of the most popular destinations for the British market. Last year, nearly 3.4 million Brits visited the Balearics, and that level has remained stable over the last decade.
Hoteliers are dropping prices, there are fabulous special offers and customers can expect the same next year. It’s not just the hotels; restaurants also know they can’t expect Brits to pay too highly, so visitors will find plenty of meal deals.
Majorca
Package tourism on the largest of the Balearics started in 1952 and Brits have been flocking there ever since. Majorca is the most versatile destination you can think of, in terms of the different types of resort. There’s a constant investment, which keeps standards high.
It’s a year round destination with something for families, older couples, the young and lively, as well as the high end of the market. The classic beach break is still available; Alcudia is very family focused and Magaluf and Palma Nova are great for younger more boisterous groups.
The city of Palma has developed into a lovely city break location, with its sun-warmed sandstone offering a contrast to the dramatic Gothic architecture. Visitors can lose themselves wandering around the historic city centre, indulge in a spot of shopping, then retreat to a bar for a cocktail or some tapas as the sun sets over the bay.
The Tramuntanta mountain range that runs up Majorca’s backbone, provides great terrain for walkers and cyclists in the cooler shoulder season, and a quiet rural retreat in summer.
On the east coast the Arta Caves is a network of fascinating caverns nearly 50 metres above the sea. The island has 19 golf courses and a wealth of spa product, with a well-established tradition of luxury hotels. The first deluxe hotel, the Gran Hotel in Palma, opened in 1903, and is now a cultural centre.
Menorca
Majorca’s quieter little sister has its own distinctive charm – not least its beaches, which number more than Majorca’s and Ibiza’s put together.
Perhaps surprisingly, considering an annual average of 2,712 hours of sunshine, the island is very green, with beautiful rolling fields. Menorca was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1993, with the S’Albufera d’es Grau national park, a bird-filled wetland, at its heart.
There’s plenty for history buffs, too, with the oldest preserved building in Europe, the Naveta des Tudons, among other archaeological treasures.
The capital, Mao, which has a large harbour popular with cruise ships, and the former capital, the small and picturesque Ciutadella, are both worth a visit for a spot of sightseeing and to indulge in the café culture.
Easy-going and laid-back, the island’s resorts tend to be low-rise, and the family market is particularly strong. However, it also has much to offer couples and groups looking for a more peaceful break. You won’t find big hotels in Menorca. Everything has a real Spanish feel. It’s great for chilling out.
Ibiza
The island’s reputation as superclub central isn’t unearned; it’s still one of the best places for those who want to dance all night. The south, particularly San Antonio, is the palce for those who yearn for the hedonistic party scene. Most of the large clubs are in San Antonio or Ibiza Town, or on the road that connects the two.
However, as many tourists are discovering, there’s much more to Ibiza. Hippy communities flocked here in the 1960s and there are still hippy markets and a general anything goes, tolerant, tie dyed sort of atmosphere.
Ibiza Town, though it has its fair share of party potential, is an absolutely stunning walled city, with winding streets inside the sun-kissed fortress walls and a glitzy marina, where millionaires’ yachts moor up. It’s a wonderful place to wander, or visit a museum or gallery, before hitting the restaurants and bars.
There are plenty of family-friendly areas, particularly Playa d’en Bossa, which has large family hotels and a theme park called Fiestaland.
The north of the island is much quieter, full of forested hills and secluded bays. There are plenty of accommodation options, or it’s easy to explore with a hire car from a busier resort.
For pretty beaches head to Benirras or Cala Xuclar, or turn inland and visit historic hamlets such as Balafia, where you can see the beautifully simple white-walled Ibizan houses and churches that inspired architects such as La Corbusier. Luxury is a developing market in Ibiza, which has a rash of chic, high-end hotels.
Formentera
The kind of expansive white beaches and warm, clean, azure sea you might expect from the Caribbean can be found much closer to home in Formentera. This small, tranquil island is just south of Ibiza, where visitors need to fly into before taking a boat across.
Formentera is a place to escape to – there aren’t many inhabitants and it’s easy to get around by bike. It’s great for those who want to do nothing in its quiet resorts, but also for those who like to explore unspoilt landscapes. The latter can visit La Mola, to see the dramatic cliff face and lighthouse, see ancient megalithic villages in the Barbaria area, or take a boat trip to Espalmador for a mud bath in the lagoon.
Castilla y Leon
Despite being the largest region in Spain, Castilla y Leon, which comprises the former kingdoms of Castilla (Old Castile) and Leon, is often overlooked by UK travellers.
The region, to the north of Madrid, is home to over half of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can explore more than 200 castles, almost 400 museums and 11 cathedrals, not to mention Salamanca’s charming Plaza Mayor, the Roman aqueduct in Sergovia and the historic walled city of Avila, while the food is so good it makes buttons pop off.
And if all that gastronomy and culture doesn’t sate your appetite, the region is also home to 21 ski resorts, 38 golf courses and wonderful walking trails.
Urban Delights / Green & Gothic
One of Europe’s greenest cities, by the River Arlanzon and overlooked by its castle, is the instantly appealing Burgos. After entering the impressive Gate of Santa Maria, the highlight is the steeple-strewn 13th century Gothic cathedral, also the final resting place of the medieval fighter El Cid.
In the perfectly preserved old quarter, it’s not unusual to see pilgrims on the Route to Santiago. The riverside Paseo del Espolon is a great way to soak up Burgos’ relaxed river town feel.
Hidden Gems
A couple of hours southwest, by the River Pisuerga in the Ribera del Duero wine region, is Valladolid. The highlights being the cathedral, Church of San Pablo and university façade. Spain aficionados may experience a sense of déjà vu upon entering Plaza Mayor, as its arcaded design has inspired many of the country’s other squares, most notably Madrid’s and Salamanca’s.
Piece de Resistance
Salamanca is the liveliest, most cosmopolitan hub of Castilla y Leon, home to Europe’s oldest surviving university and the beautiful Baroque-style arcaded Plaza Mayor, lined with restaurant terraces.
There are two cathedrals, the old and new, which are joined to each other. Both are appropriately elaborate, but look closely at the 18th century façade and you’ll find an astronaut and a demon with an ice cream – added by 20th century restorers with a sense of humour. The distinctive golden hue of the historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is best appreciated from atop the cathedral tower.
Castles & Aqueducts
The walled city of Segovia is a heart capturing sort of place, its Roman aqueduct towering over the entrance. At the other end is the Alcazar de Segovia, a turreted, blue-roofed castle fortress on a rocky hillock, supposedly inspiring Disney’s Cinderella castle (the resemblance is uncanny).
Walking through the historic Jewish quarter, past the majestic cathedral and Moorish architecture, is a reminder of how these culture, Jewish, Muslim and Christain, have shaped the city.
Just outside Segovia is the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. The sumptuous interior is fascinating, but its gardens and fountains, commissioned by Philip V, the King of Spain in the 18th century, to recapture his childhood at the French court, are the real highlight.
Medieval Magic
Save the best until last? Perhaps. It’s like stepping back in time in Avila, the entire medieval walled city is a World Heritage Site. It’s 1.6 mile long walls, Spain’s best conserved, are the world’s largest floodlit monument.
From the Cuatro Postes (Four Posts) monument, views over the city and Gothic cathedral satisfy the appetite of even the most jaded traveller.
Gastro Giants
Castilla y Leon takes its food seriously. At Segovia’s family-run Meson de Candidio, situated by the aqueduct since 1786, dining is positively ceremonial. The speciality, cochinillo, legs splayed post-roasting, is “introduced” to the diners by the host who demonstrates its tenderness by slicing it using a plate edge. The restaurant also specialises in Castillian white bean and pork soup, and punch cake, a liqueur-soaked marzipan sponge.
At the Meson del Cid in Burgos, the speciality is lechazo, roast suckling lamb. Hanging hams are a familiar sight, especially in Salamanca, which produces 60% of Spain’s Iberian cured jamon. Other dishes worth a try include the spicy sausage, farinato, and hornazo Salmantino – a chorizo, pork, ham and egg pie.
Valladolid is home to the region’s newest Michelin-starred restaurants, Ramiro’s. Set in the Science Museum building, the 10th floor restaurant overlooks the River Pisuerga and serves up morsels of gourmet cuisine, such as mussel soup and ice cream made at the table.
Wine Growers
Nine of the region’s wines hold a Designation of Origin. Castilla y Leon is renowned for its fresh, fruity whites from the Verdejo grape. In Rueda, close to Valladolid, the Yllera family co-own the Grupo Yllera winery. Individual and group visits/tastings can be booked in advance. Nearby is their former winery, located above a 14th century underground cellar. The 0.6 mile tunnel is now used to store sparkling and reserve wines and there is a huge dining room for private parties.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Asian Adventures
Asian Adventures
From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, Asia is packed with iconic sights. However, the wealth of different cultures and languages that make the continent so interesting can also render it a little daunting to some holidaymakers, making it suitable for the escorted tour market.
Operators suggest that this is a great time to book the Far East, with generous airline and hotel offers available in response to the economic problems affecting pricing for 2010.
Offers are incredible, especially for Thailand. We've never seen such good value for the Far East. Free nights are being offered in high season and these deals are following through in to 2010. The offers aren't only for the late bookers, but for those booking well in advance, too.
What's New?
Vietnam
Its programme includes a nine-night Highlights of Vietnam tour, and in Hanoi visitors can pass the silent sentries and enter the imposing Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, before moving on to the Halong Bay for a boat trip among the limestone islands.
Borneo
An eight-day Borneo Adventure tour includes a three-night stay at Kota Kinabalu and a tour around Sarawak, where visitors can take a longboat ride, trek in forests and learn to shoot a blowpipe.
China
A tour for 2010 based in Beijing. Despite staying in one hotel for the eight nights, there'll be plenty to do and see, including the Great Wall, Peking Opera, the pandas at Beijing Zoo and rickshaw tours.
Japan
Scenic Japan tour is a bite-sized six-day trip, visiting the bustling cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, Mount Fuji and cruising on Lake Ashi. It costs from £731 per person, excluding flights.
A 14-day Japan Unmasked tour encompassing traditional and hidden highlights. To keep costs down, the tour uses the bullet train and offers flexible dining options so visitors can pick up noodles, soups and bento boxes from as little as £3. The tour costs from £1,350, including accommodation, transport and guides, but excluding flights.
India
A trip to Dharamsala gain an audience with the Dalai Lama. Little Lhasa is home to the Tibetan government in exile and visitors can see a Tibetan opera, visit a school and explore the nearby mountains. The 16-day trip includes a visit to the Golden Temple at Amritsar and the Pragpur World Heritage Village, and costs £1,699, including flights
Alternatives to Thailand
When you are looking for a beach holiday in Southeast Asia, there's a lot more to it than suggesting the well-trodden sandy tracks and thatched bungalows of Thailand. Here are just a few of the many great options on offer in the region.
Bali, Indonesia
Why it's special: Bali is the only Hindu enclave in a large Muslim archipelago. The volcanic island brims with indigenous charm, from the hill town of Ubud and its stunning temples, to the palm-fringed beaches of Sanur. The destination has a long list of devotees, and it is not difficult to see why.
Bali is proving very popular this summer as it is the high season there and offers great value for money. It has shown huge growth in the past two years and is still going strong. Go to Bali this summer, as the resorts are increasing their rates massively next year.
Who should travel: Those willing to travel a long way from Heathrow - after all, it is south of the equator. So it works well for people who are into culture and surf lovers, while honeymooners will like Ubud. It is also excellent value for money.
Where to stay and why: For those who prefer a village atmosphere and a flavour of the 'old' Bali, choose Sanur, for more sophistication head for Nusa Dua. Visitors should visit the mountains with a side trip to Ubud and Candi Dasa for a taste of Balinese culture.
Sample package: The Griya Santrian hotel at Sanur. This friendly, unpretentious hotel is a collection of low-rise, Balinese-style cottages." A seven-night, room-only stay here in November costs £799 per person flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Langkawi, Malaysia
Why it's special: This destination - an island in the Andaman Sea - can compete with Thailand's Koh Samui in terms of exclusivity and sandy beaches. Some of the luxury hotels here are secluded hideaways with beautiful tropical gardens.
Who should travel: Sold as an exclusive destination, Langkawi works well with honeymooners and professional couples looking for an island that has a great seascape and top-notch hotels.
Where to stay and why: Many of Langkawi's properties have great beachfront locations and are close to thick mangrove forests. You can trek into these and see famous brown eagles soaring overhead or explore the vast caves and crashing waterfalls.
Sample package: Seven nights at the five-star Tanjung Rhu Resort from £1,749 per person. Price includes bed-and-breakfast accommodation, return flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Central Vietnam
Why is it special: An excellent mix of ancient culture in Hoi An and great beaches at Danang, combined with excellent properties offering cutting-edge luxury and spas, not to mention mouth-watering Vietnamese food.
The city of Hoi An has good weather during British summer months so it works well for late departures.
Who should travel: Visitors who love culture and who want to be pampered, as well as spa lovers. The Vietnamese culture is as exotic as Thailand's.
Where to stay and why: The Nam Hai for its beaches and proximity to Hoi An, or the Six Senses Ana Mandara for its secluded, rustic beauty.
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Why it's special: Tropical, abundant rainforest soaring up to the craggy heights of Mount Kinabulu - the scenery here is breathtaking, not to mention the wildlife with orangutan sanctuaries, turtles and tropical fish - the diving off the east coast is some of the best in the world. Borneo offers even more than Thailand in terms of wildlife.
Who should travel: Those who love wildlife and scenery but also want a bit of pampering. A three-hour flight east of Kuala Lumpur, Sabah has superb beaches, a few high-quality resorts and tremendous soft adventure appeal. Weather-wise, it's a lush mountainous island so rainfall can be short and heavy year round, although the months May to September will usually see mainly bright sunny days.
Where to stay and why: The Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort or the Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa. A serene beachside retreat just minutes from busy Kota Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru Resort offers a range of engaging activities.
Cebu, Philippines
Why it's special: The Philippines and especially Cebu provides a natural treasure chest of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, bustling towns, spectacular scenery and an exotic mix of Eastern, American and European cultures, with some of the friendliest people in the region.
Who should travel: The Philippines is great for diving and Manila for shopping. English is one of the official languages so it is easy to be understood wherever you go. In that respect it is suited to older couples who don't mind travelling the long distance and those with a family.
Where to stay and why: Shangri-La's Mactan Resort is the country's premier five-star beach resort set in vast tropical gardens, on its own sandy spot by the Visayan Sea. The entire Ocean Wing has been refurbished; there is also the Signature CHI spa. It is one of the largest appointed spas in Asia - each treatment takes place in a private villa.
Post your comments below:
From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, Asia is packed with iconic sights. However, the wealth of different cultures and languages that make the continent so interesting can also render it a little daunting to some holidaymakers, making it suitable for the escorted tour market.
Operators suggest that this is a great time to book the Far East, with generous airline and hotel offers available in response to the economic problems affecting pricing for 2010.
Offers are incredible, especially for Thailand. We've never seen such good value for the Far East. Free nights are being offered in high season and these deals are following through in to 2010. The offers aren't only for the late bookers, but for those booking well in advance, too.
What's New?
Vietnam
Its programme includes a nine-night Highlights of Vietnam tour, and in Hanoi visitors can pass the silent sentries and enter the imposing Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, before moving on to the Halong Bay for a boat trip among the limestone islands.
Borneo
An eight-day Borneo Adventure tour includes a three-night stay at Kota Kinabalu and a tour around Sarawak, where visitors can take a longboat ride, trek in forests and learn to shoot a blowpipe.
China
A tour for 2010 based in Beijing. Despite staying in one hotel for the eight nights, there'll be plenty to do and see, including the Great Wall, Peking Opera, the pandas at Beijing Zoo and rickshaw tours.
Japan
Scenic Japan tour is a bite-sized six-day trip, visiting the bustling cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, Mount Fuji and cruising on Lake Ashi. It costs from £731 per person, excluding flights.
A 14-day Japan Unmasked tour encompassing traditional and hidden highlights. To keep costs down, the tour uses the bullet train and offers flexible dining options so visitors can pick up noodles, soups and bento boxes from as little as £3. The tour costs from £1,350, including accommodation, transport and guides, but excluding flights.
India
A trip to Dharamsala gain an audience with the Dalai Lama. Little Lhasa is home to the Tibetan government in exile and visitors can see a Tibetan opera, visit a school and explore the nearby mountains. The 16-day trip includes a visit to the Golden Temple at Amritsar and the Pragpur World Heritage Village, and costs £1,699, including flights
Alternatives to Thailand
When you are looking for a beach holiday in Southeast Asia, there's a lot more to it than suggesting the well-trodden sandy tracks and thatched bungalows of Thailand. Here are just a few of the many great options on offer in the region.
Bali, Indonesia
Why it's special: Bali is the only Hindu enclave in a large Muslim archipelago. The volcanic island brims with indigenous charm, from the hill town of Ubud and its stunning temples, to the palm-fringed beaches of Sanur. The destination has a long list of devotees, and it is not difficult to see why.
Bali is proving very popular this summer as it is the high season there and offers great value for money. It has shown huge growth in the past two years and is still going strong. Go to Bali this summer, as the resorts are increasing their rates massively next year.
Who should travel: Those willing to travel a long way from Heathrow - after all, it is south of the equator. So it works well for people who are into culture and surf lovers, while honeymooners will like Ubud. It is also excellent value for money.
Where to stay and why: For those who prefer a village atmosphere and a flavour of the 'old' Bali, choose Sanur, for more sophistication head for Nusa Dua. Visitors should visit the mountains with a side trip to Ubud and Candi Dasa for a taste of Balinese culture.
Sample package: The Griya Santrian hotel at Sanur. This friendly, unpretentious hotel is a collection of low-rise, Balinese-style cottages." A seven-night, room-only stay here in November costs £799 per person flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Langkawi, Malaysia
Why it's special: This destination - an island in the Andaman Sea - can compete with Thailand's Koh Samui in terms of exclusivity and sandy beaches. Some of the luxury hotels here are secluded hideaways with beautiful tropical gardens.
Who should travel: Sold as an exclusive destination, Langkawi works well with honeymooners and professional couples looking for an island that has a great seascape and top-notch hotels.
Where to stay and why: Many of Langkawi's properties have great beachfront locations and are close to thick mangrove forests. You can trek into these and see famous brown eagles soaring overhead or explore the vast caves and crashing waterfalls.
Sample package: Seven nights at the five-star Tanjung Rhu Resort from £1,749 per person. Price includes bed-and-breakfast accommodation, return flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Central Vietnam
Why is it special: An excellent mix of ancient culture in Hoi An and great beaches at Danang, combined with excellent properties offering cutting-edge luxury and spas, not to mention mouth-watering Vietnamese food.
The city of Hoi An has good weather during British summer months so it works well for late departures.
Who should travel: Visitors who love culture and who want to be pampered, as well as spa lovers. The Vietnamese culture is as exotic as Thailand's.
Where to stay and why: The Nam Hai for its beaches and proximity to Hoi An, or the Six Senses Ana Mandara for its secluded, rustic beauty.
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Why it's special: Tropical, abundant rainforest soaring up to the craggy heights of Mount Kinabulu - the scenery here is breathtaking, not to mention the wildlife with orangutan sanctuaries, turtles and tropical fish - the diving off the east coast is some of the best in the world. Borneo offers even more than Thailand in terms of wildlife.
Who should travel: Those who love wildlife and scenery but also want a bit of pampering. A three-hour flight east of Kuala Lumpur, Sabah has superb beaches, a few high-quality resorts and tremendous soft adventure appeal. Weather-wise, it's a lush mountainous island so rainfall can be short and heavy year round, although the months May to September will usually see mainly bright sunny days.
Where to stay and why: The Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort or the Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa. A serene beachside retreat just minutes from busy Kota Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru Resort offers a range of engaging activities.
Cebu, Philippines
Why it's special: The Philippines and especially Cebu provides a natural treasure chest of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, bustling towns, spectacular scenery and an exotic mix of Eastern, American and European cultures, with some of the friendliest people in the region.
Who should travel: The Philippines is great for diving and Manila for shopping. English is one of the official languages so it is easy to be understood wherever you go. In that respect it is suited to older couples who don't mind travelling the long distance and those with a family.
Where to stay and why: Shangri-La's Mactan Resort is the country's premier five-star beach resort set in vast tropical gardens, on its own sandy spot by the Visayan Sea. The entire Ocean Wing has been refurbished; there is also the Signature CHI spa. It is one of the largest appointed spas in Asia - each treatment takes place in a private villa.
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Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is enjoying a surge of popularity, thanks to its status as Barack Obama's birthplace. But there are plenty of other reasons to visit.
America's 50th state has never been popular with British tourists. Perhaps "the British are just wary after what happened to Captain James Cook", says Chris Ayres in Condé Nast Traveller (he was killed on his second visit, then disembowelled and roasted according to the funerary rituals in practice at the time). More likely it's because there are no direct flights, pushing the total travel time to over 12 hours. But don't let that put you off – Hawaii is well worth making the effort for.
What you will get from your holiday very much depends on where you stay. Surf lovers should head to the North Shore of Oahu, which plays host to the 'Triple Crown of Surfing'. Every December the world's best surfers gather to ride waves that "arrive unbroken from Alaska and tower up to 50 feet", says Ayres. If you would prefer a beach with gentler waves, then holiday on Kailua Beach. President Obama, Justin Timberlake and Harrison Ford have all rented houses here.
Those who want to combine beautiful beaches with top-notch shopping will love Waikiki, on the other side of Oahu. Here you will find Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, and the Ala Moana Centre, the world's largest open-air mall. Waikiki is also home to one of Hawaii's best hotels – the Halekulani. The hotel dates from 1883 and is well worth paying a bit extra for. "Full marks for the white-on-white décor, the faultless service, the luxurious touches (such as a packed breakfast-to-go for early flights) and the widescreen ocean views," says Ayres.
If you prefer your holidays to have a slight air of danger to them, then a stay at Volcano House should fit the bill. This hotel is situated within the Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii island – known locally as the Big Island. The park is also home to two of Hawaii's main active volcanoes – Mauna Loa, which last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea, which has been spewing lava continuously since 1983. This is nature made easy, you can drive around the crater of Kilauea and see it from the comfort of your room at Volcano House.
If you want to see the stomping grounds of America's 44th president, then it's back to Oahu and the city of Honolulu where Obama spent his early years. Resident Obama expert Mitch Berger (www.hikingoahuhawaii.com) runs Obama tours (for $40 per person), showing you where his school basketball team ate, the Baskin Robbins where he had his first high-school job, and the hospital where he was born.
Whatever you've done with your Hawaiian holiday, though, end it on Maui. The paradise isle is perfect for a few days lounging around on the beach before you fly home. The Grand Wailea Resort on Maui has enough swimming pools and sun loungers to keep any lazy holiday-maker happy.
Hawaii is enjoying a surge of popularity, thanks to its status as Barack Obama's birthplace. But there are plenty of other reasons to visit.
America's 50th state has never been popular with British tourists. Perhaps "the British are just wary after what happened to Captain James Cook", says Chris Ayres in Condé Nast Traveller (he was killed on his second visit, then disembowelled and roasted according to the funerary rituals in practice at the time). More likely it's because there are no direct flights, pushing the total travel time to over 12 hours. But don't let that put you off – Hawaii is well worth making the effort for.
What you will get from your holiday very much depends on where you stay. Surf lovers should head to the North Shore of Oahu, which plays host to the 'Triple Crown of Surfing'. Every December the world's best surfers gather to ride waves that "arrive unbroken from Alaska and tower up to 50 feet", says Ayres. If you would prefer a beach with gentler waves, then holiday on Kailua Beach. President Obama, Justin Timberlake and Harrison Ford have all rented houses here.
Those who want to combine beautiful beaches with top-notch shopping will love Waikiki, on the other side of Oahu. Here you will find Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, and the Ala Moana Centre, the world's largest open-air mall. Waikiki is also home to one of Hawaii's best hotels – the Halekulani. The hotel dates from 1883 and is well worth paying a bit extra for. "Full marks for the white-on-white décor, the faultless service, the luxurious touches (such as a packed breakfast-to-go for early flights) and the widescreen ocean views," says Ayres.
If you prefer your holidays to have a slight air of danger to them, then a stay at Volcano House should fit the bill. This hotel is situated within the Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii island – known locally as the Big Island. The park is also home to two of Hawaii's main active volcanoes – Mauna Loa, which last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea, which has been spewing lava continuously since 1983. This is nature made easy, you can drive around the crater of Kilauea and see it from the comfort of your room at Volcano House.
If you want to see the stomping grounds of America's 44th president, then it's back to Oahu and the city of Honolulu where Obama spent his early years. Resident Obama expert Mitch Berger (www.hikingoahuhawaii.com) runs Obama tours (for $40 per person), showing you where his school basketball team ate, the Baskin Robbins where he had his first high-school job, and the hospital where he was born.
Whatever you've done with your Hawaiian holiday, though, end it on Maui. The paradise isle is perfect for a few days lounging around on the beach before you fly home. The Grand Wailea Resort on Maui has enough swimming pools and sun loungers to keep any lazy holiday-maker happy.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Bridging the Gap Year
Australia and New Zealand are seeing an increase in Brits arriving on gap years. School-leavers and graduates are travelling or taking working holidays while they wait for job prospects to improve back home, and they’re being joined by credit crunch casualties with redundancy payouts large enough to backpack in style. Other gapers have been encouraged, and even incentivised, by cash-strapped employers to delay starting new jobs or take sabbaticals.
Most travellers will be dreading the long flight Down Under so it’s always worth suggesting a stopover to break the journey in Asia, the Middle East, the US, South Africa or South America. The average stopover is just a few days but if someone is going away for a year they might want to do a South East Asia tour, which can be very reasonable. For brief stopovers remember the time saved by pre-booking city tours and experiences. You can even book different stopovers for outbound and return journeys.
Gappers are often reluctant to pre book accommodation but hostel hunting is the last thing you’ll feel like when you arrive, jet-lagged in an unfamiliar city. At least book the first two nights for example en-suite rooms in Sydney and Auckland start from £28 per person. Hotel or apartment vouchers like go Koala, Go Kiwi, Choice and Golden Chain are great for travellers wanting flexibility they cover a range of gradings. Remember, at peak times like New Year in Sydney and in some remote locations, pre-booked accommodation is a must.
Experienced travellers choose to pre-book organised tours for a number of very good reasons, whether it be safety, companionship, convenience, or they realise that there is no way they would ever be able to see and do so much on their own. Remember that the price includes accommodation, food, entry fees and activities. While tours of classic highlights are popular, group travel can most benefit those heading off the beaten track. Western Australia, for instance, particularly the route from Broome to Darwin is almost impossible to do effectively and affordably by yourself.
Experiences and excursions can help make your trip special. Advance booking avoids disappointment; highlights like Sydney Bridge Climb fill up early, while excursions may only depart on certain days. Pre-booking can also save cash, the best prices are often found at home pre-departure. Flexible options include Sightsee “n” Save gives you tokens you can redeem against any of their day tours. Each excursion has a value in tokens so you can use them however you choose. Experiences, excursions and even learn-to-dive packages make good presents.
Itinerary planning for Australasia can be daunting. For instance, operators’ self-drive tours have been planned to give the best travel/sightseeing balance. Availability is also an issue and it is recommend pre-booking motorhomes and campervans for New Zealand’s high season. Internal flight passes offer both value and flexibility and, if plans change, the end date can often be altered cheaply. Coach passes such as Greyhound Australia’s (priced in kilometres or days) and New Zealand’s Inter-City Coachlines’ (priced by hours) are good value. All passes allow a lot of flexibility, with as little as 12 hours notice required for onward reservations. Iconic train routes such as Australia’s Ghan or New Zealand’s TranzAlpine are best pre-booked.
Voluntourism can give a great focus to a gap year. Hands Up Holidays’ Australasia options include helping Aboriginal rangers to conserve turtles in Queensland and protecting penguins in New Zealand’s Catlins. It is important to pre-book volunteering because, to maximise its effectiveness, considerable planning and preparation has to be done, especially in matching skills and interests, so that volunteers can truly make a positive impact.
Australia’s Got It All
With some of the biggest airfare bargains for years and Australia just released on DVD, there’s never been a better time for travellers to experience the exciting possibilities waiting for them in Oz.
Made by acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann, the epic romance Australia has become the second-highest grossing Australian film of all time – after Crocodile Dundee - and is now available for the small screen. So it’s only natural that it will tempt some travellers into going on a journey of their own, discovering some of Australia’s natural, romantic, adventure and Aboriginal heritage on an outback adventure.
Where To Go:
Travellers can experience Australia’s outback and its most famous landmark with a stay at Longitude 131°, the tented camp in the shadow of Uluru.
Also in the Northern Territory, travellers can escape the world at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge in Garig Gunak Barlu national park on the Cobourg Peninsula in Arnhem Land.
For an experience of a lifetime, they can take the legendary Ghan train from Darwin to Adelaide, or just drift across the outback in a hot-air balloon to appreciate its beauty.
For a romantic twist on Melbourne, couples can stay overnight on a luxury yacht with Nautical B&B’s. Or Melbourne Wine Tours can whisk couples away in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce to the cellar doors of boutique wineries.
For something more rustic, check out the new purpose-built walking lodge(complete with soothing foot spas) from tour operator Bothfeet a specialist in the Great Ocean Road.
In New South Wales, check out Boutique Wildlife Tours to create exciting personalised tours to the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and beyond, or try a walking tour with The Coast Track, offering journeys through Royal National Park, staying in comfy tents with gourmet cuisine along the way. Book ahead now for one of the country’s most anticipated new openings, Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa set in 4,000 acres of the Blue Mountains, later this year.
Beach-lovers will find all they need in Queensland, but to see it from on high, you can’t beat a trip with GBR Helicopters over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and on to a tropical breakfast in a rainforest setting near Cairns. For travellers who want to forget about the outside world then stay at Double Island in Tropical North Queensland, a desert island near palm Cove, or the authentic island paradise at Wilson Island, where there are just six tents, all looking out at pristine reef.
Award winning Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is an amazing experience, rooted in nature and modern luxury. The island is Australia’s answer to the Galapagos so the 21 architecturally outstanding rooms at Southern Ocean Lodge are highly sought after. Unique South Australia experiences are also on offer at The Louise, a little vineyard retreat in the Barossa Valley; guests can even head to the Penfolds winery to blend their own wine. To see the state from above air safaris are available from Chinta Tours. Another must is the Flinders Ranges, where Bookabee Tours offers indigenous cultural experiences.
A big focus of the Australia movie was life in Western Australia, a state that’s packed with diverse ways to escape, from rugged outback to gentle beach life and spa retreats. The hot topic this month is the opening of Pinctada at Cable Beach, which is set to be an idyllically-located five-star resort. For something more low-key, it’s worth a visit to lovely little Injidup Spa Retreat, which offers just 10 rooms on Injidup Bay. To see more of that coastline, a cruise with Orion Expedition Cruises of the Kimberley is a must and to really rejuvenate and have the surfing experience of a lifetime, what about Samudra Yoga and Surf Retreats.
Tasmania is Australia’s wild and wonderful island state, packed with adventure and scenery to knock the socks off. One way to experience it is to hire out Eagle’s Nest II (near Cradle Mountain) with its eight, individually decorated rooms. Tasmania has plenty of ideas for combining luxury accommodation with activities, from fly fishing to private air charters. But in Tassie, it all comes back to scenery, such as the spectacular Tarkine, the largest temperate rainforest in the southern hemisphere, and the three passionate guys behind Tarkine Trails know how to put together an unforgettable experience.
Post your comments below:
Most travellers will be dreading the long flight Down Under so it’s always worth suggesting a stopover to break the journey in Asia, the Middle East, the US, South Africa or South America. The average stopover is just a few days but if someone is going away for a year they might want to do a South East Asia tour, which can be very reasonable. For brief stopovers remember the time saved by pre-booking city tours and experiences. You can even book different stopovers for outbound and return journeys.
Gappers are often reluctant to pre book accommodation but hostel hunting is the last thing you’ll feel like when you arrive, jet-lagged in an unfamiliar city. At least book the first two nights for example en-suite rooms in Sydney and Auckland start from £28 per person. Hotel or apartment vouchers like go Koala, Go Kiwi, Choice and Golden Chain are great for travellers wanting flexibility they cover a range of gradings. Remember, at peak times like New Year in Sydney and in some remote locations, pre-booked accommodation is a must.
Experienced travellers choose to pre-book organised tours for a number of very good reasons, whether it be safety, companionship, convenience, or they realise that there is no way they would ever be able to see and do so much on their own. Remember that the price includes accommodation, food, entry fees and activities. While tours of classic highlights are popular, group travel can most benefit those heading off the beaten track. Western Australia, for instance, particularly the route from Broome to Darwin is almost impossible to do effectively and affordably by yourself.
Experiences and excursions can help make your trip special. Advance booking avoids disappointment; highlights like Sydney Bridge Climb fill up early, while excursions may only depart on certain days. Pre-booking can also save cash, the best prices are often found at home pre-departure. Flexible options include Sightsee “n” Save gives you tokens you can redeem against any of their day tours. Each excursion has a value in tokens so you can use them however you choose. Experiences, excursions and even learn-to-dive packages make good presents.
Itinerary planning for Australasia can be daunting. For instance, operators’ self-drive tours have been planned to give the best travel/sightseeing balance. Availability is also an issue and it is recommend pre-booking motorhomes and campervans for New Zealand’s high season. Internal flight passes offer both value and flexibility and, if plans change, the end date can often be altered cheaply. Coach passes such as Greyhound Australia’s (priced in kilometres or days) and New Zealand’s Inter-City Coachlines’ (priced by hours) are good value. All passes allow a lot of flexibility, with as little as 12 hours notice required for onward reservations. Iconic train routes such as Australia’s Ghan or New Zealand’s TranzAlpine are best pre-booked.
Voluntourism can give a great focus to a gap year. Hands Up Holidays’ Australasia options include helping Aboriginal rangers to conserve turtles in Queensland and protecting penguins in New Zealand’s Catlins. It is important to pre-book volunteering because, to maximise its effectiveness, considerable planning and preparation has to be done, especially in matching skills and interests, so that volunteers can truly make a positive impact.
Australia’s Got It All
With some of the biggest airfare bargains for years and Australia just released on DVD, there’s never been a better time for travellers to experience the exciting possibilities waiting for them in Oz.
Made by acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann, the epic romance Australia has become the second-highest grossing Australian film of all time – after Crocodile Dundee - and is now available for the small screen. So it’s only natural that it will tempt some travellers into going on a journey of their own, discovering some of Australia’s natural, romantic, adventure and Aboriginal heritage on an outback adventure.
Where To Go:
Travellers can experience Australia’s outback and its most famous landmark with a stay at Longitude 131°, the tented camp in the shadow of Uluru.
Also in the Northern Territory, travellers can escape the world at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge in Garig Gunak Barlu national park on the Cobourg Peninsula in Arnhem Land.
For an experience of a lifetime, they can take the legendary Ghan train from Darwin to Adelaide, or just drift across the outback in a hot-air balloon to appreciate its beauty.
For a romantic twist on Melbourne, couples can stay overnight on a luxury yacht with Nautical B&B’s. Or Melbourne Wine Tours can whisk couples away in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce to the cellar doors of boutique wineries.
For something more rustic, check out the new purpose-built walking lodge(complete with soothing foot spas) from tour operator Bothfeet a specialist in the Great Ocean Road.
In New South Wales, check out Boutique Wildlife Tours to create exciting personalised tours to the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and beyond, or try a walking tour with The Coast Track, offering journeys through Royal National Park, staying in comfy tents with gourmet cuisine along the way. Book ahead now for one of the country’s most anticipated new openings, Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa set in 4,000 acres of the Blue Mountains, later this year.
Beach-lovers will find all they need in Queensland, but to see it from on high, you can’t beat a trip with GBR Helicopters over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and on to a tropical breakfast in a rainforest setting near Cairns. For travellers who want to forget about the outside world then stay at Double Island in Tropical North Queensland, a desert island near palm Cove, or the authentic island paradise at Wilson Island, where there are just six tents, all looking out at pristine reef.
Award winning Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is an amazing experience, rooted in nature and modern luxury. The island is Australia’s answer to the Galapagos so the 21 architecturally outstanding rooms at Southern Ocean Lodge are highly sought after. Unique South Australia experiences are also on offer at The Louise, a little vineyard retreat in the Barossa Valley; guests can even head to the Penfolds winery to blend their own wine. To see the state from above air safaris are available from Chinta Tours. Another must is the Flinders Ranges, where Bookabee Tours offers indigenous cultural experiences.
A big focus of the Australia movie was life in Western Australia, a state that’s packed with diverse ways to escape, from rugged outback to gentle beach life and spa retreats. The hot topic this month is the opening of Pinctada at Cable Beach, which is set to be an idyllically-located five-star resort. For something more low-key, it’s worth a visit to lovely little Injidup Spa Retreat, which offers just 10 rooms on Injidup Bay. To see more of that coastline, a cruise with Orion Expedition Cruises of the Kimberley is a must and to really rejuvenate and have the surfing experience of a lifetime, what about Samudra Yoga and Surf Retreats.
Tasmania is Australia’s wild and wonderful island state, packed with adventure and scenery to knock the socks off. One way to experience it is to hire out Eagle’s Nest II (near Cradle Mountain) with its eight, individually decorated rooms. Tasmania has plenty of ideas for combining luxury accommodation with activities, from fly fishing to private air charters. But in Tassie, it all comes back to scenery, such as the spectacular Tarkine, the largest temperate rainforest in the southern hemisphere, and the three passionate guys behind Tarkine Trails know how to put together an unforgettable experience.
Post your comments below:
Monday, 6 April 2009
Caribbean Islands ideal for weddings on a budget
As average UK wedding costs soar to £20,000, Caribbean resorts are bending over backwards to appeal to cash-strapped couples. Here’s a guide to the best freebies on offer.
Almond Resorts in St Lucia and Barbados
Free “Wedding in Paradise” package on bookings of seven nights in a deluxe or higher room. Includes government and registrar fees, ceremony, cake and champagne. A superior “Wedding in Heaven” package is free on 10 night stays in a deluxe room. Weddings otherwise cost £399.
Coconut Bay, St Lucia
A “luxury wedding package” costing $695 is free on stays of 10+ nights in an upgraded room. The “bride stays free” when 10 adults book in May/June or November until 15 December. Other dates are eligible when more adults book.
Couples Resort, Jamaica. A complimentary wedding package includes wedding coordinator, minister, wine, cake, massages and “Just Married” t-shirts.
Elegant Hotels, Barbados
At Colony Club Hotel, a $901 “Ultimate Wedding” package is free when three or more rooms are booked for a week. At Turtle Beach, a $850 Ultimate Wedding is free on stays of 10 plus nights in an Ocean View Junior Suite or higher. Tamarind Cove offers free wedding packages on seven-night bookings in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room or higher.
Elite Island Resorts
Galley Bay in Antigua offers a free wedding on stays of 12 nights in a deluxe room or above. Palm Island Resort in The Grenadines offers a free wedding on stays of 13 nights.
LaSource, Grenada
Offers free weddings year-round on seven night stays. Includes licence, legal fees, reception and a special table at dinner. Wedding guests get 10% discount on accommodation when staying seven nights. Honeymooners receive sparkling wine, fresh fruit and flowers and a couples massage.
Occidental Hotels & Resorts
Free weddings at various Allegro and Occidental properties when a minimum number of rooms are booked. At Royal Hideaway Playacar, weddings are free on bookings of a duplex suite for seven nights. Many wedding bookings qualify the bride and groom for a free anniversary return trip.
Rex Resorts
Offers free “Hibiscus” weddings at all properties when a group of 10 people book a seven night stay. Couples staying 14 nights are also eligible for Hibiscus package. The package includes wedding coordinator; flowers, legal fees and cake.
Ritz-Carlton
Free weddings when 25 rooms are booked on a “Reconnect” package (accommodation plus breakfast and resort credit) for three nights. Valid between May 1 and December 20 at Ritz-Carlton properties in Cancun, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St Thomas and San Juan.
Rose Hall, Jamaica
The Rose Hall Resort and Spa – A Hilton Resort is offering free weddings to guests booking 14 nights in an Oceanview room with most UK tour operators.
Sandals Resorts
Complimentary “WeddingMoons” on stays of six nights in a concierge or butler service category. Includes location, dinner for the couple, photograph, cake and consultant.
SuperclubsGrand Lido resorts offer a complimentary Lido Nuptials package with wedding planner, cake, minister, license, and flowers. Breezes Resorts offer a complimentary “Dream Wedding”. Brides receive a 20% discount on any other bookings if travelling within six months of their wedding day.
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Almond Resorts in St Lucia and Barbados
Free “Wedding in Paradise” package on bookings of seven nights in a deluxe or higher room. Includes government and registrar fees, ceremony, cake and champagne. A superior “Wedding in Heaven” package is free on 10 night stays in a deluxe room. Weddings otherwise cost £399.
Coconut Bay, St Lucia
A “luxury wedding package” costing $695 is free on stays of 10+ nights in an upgraded room. The “bride stays free” when 10 adults book in May/June or November until 15 December. Other dates are eligible when more adults book.
Couples Resort, Jamaica. A complimentary wedding package includes wedding coordinator, minister, wine, cake, massages and “Just Married” t-shirts.
Elegant Hotels, Barbados
At Colony Club Hotel, a $901 “Ultimate Wedding” package is free when three or more rooms are booked for a week. At Turtle Beach, a $850 Ultimate Wedding is free on stays of 10 plus nights in an Ocean View Junior Suite or higher. Tamarind Cove offers free wedding packages on seven-night bookings in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room or higher.
Elite Island Resorts
Galley Bay in Antigua offers a free wedding on stays of 12 nights in a deluxe room or above. Palm Island Resort in The Grenadines offers a free wedding on stays of 13 nights.
LaSource, Grenada
Offers free weddings year-round on seven night stays. Includes licence, legal fees, reception and a special table at dinner. Wedding guests get 10% discount on accommodation when staying seven nights. Honeymooners receive sparkling wine, fresh fruit and flowers and a couples massage.
Occidental Hotels & Resorts
Free weddings at various Allegro and Occidental properties when a minimum number of rooms are booked. At Royal Hideaway Playacar, weddings are free on bookings of a duplex suite for seven nights. Many wedding bookings qualify the bride and groom for a free anniversary return trip.
Rex Resorts
Offers free “Hibiscus” weddings at all properties when a group of 10 people book a seven night stay. Couples staying 14 nights are also eligible for Hibiscus package. The package includes wedding coordinator; flowers, legal fees and cake.
Ritz-Carlton
Free weddings when 25 rooms are booked on a “Reconnect” package (accommodation plus breakfast and resort credit) for three nights. Valid between May 1 and December 20 at Ritz-Carlton properties in Cancun, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St Thomas and San Juan.
Rose Hall, Jamaica
The Rose Hall Resort and Spa – A Hilton Resort is offering free weddings to guests booking 14 nights in an Oceanview room with most UK tour operators.
Sandals Resorts
Complimentary “WeddingMoons” on stays of six nights in a concierge or butler service category. Includes location, dinner for the couple, photograph, cake and consultant.
SuperclubsGrand Lido resorts offer a complimentary Lido Nuptials package with wedding planner, cake, minister, license, and flowers. Breezes Resorts offer a complimentary “Dream Wedding”. Brides receive a 20% discount on any other bookings if travelling within six months of their wedding day.
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