Korea is a great destination for that touring holiday with a difference or as an alternative stopover en route to Australasia, The Pacific or other Asian cities.
With the sterling value plunging against other holiday currencies, Korea remains one of the few places in the world where the pound has retained its value. As well as competitive hotel and flight prices there are plenty of shopping bargains to be had - antiques in Insadong market, electrical goods in Yongsan and fashionable designer brands in the myriad shopping malls.
After successfully hosting the 1988 Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and Asian Games in 2002 and being shortlisted among the final three contenders for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, Korea continues its rise as a venue for major international sporting events by hosting its first F1 Grand Prix in 2010.
2009 also sees Korea playing host to other major sporting and cultural events, including the World Biathlon Championships in February, The Lotus Lantern Festival in April, the World B Boy/Brake Dancing Championships in May, The World Taekwondo Expo and the World Choir Championships in July and the World Archery Championships in September.
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Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Weddings Abroad - What you need to know!
Busy brides dreaming of their big day don’t want to be trawling through paperwork. But even more unthinkable is the possibility of a legal hitch preventing the ceremony from going ahead. The information below is relevant to UK passport holders but please remember to check with your travel agent, tour operators, tourist boards and the UK embassies of each country to make sure there haven’t been recent changes.
The Basics
Every destination will require both the bride and groom to have:
A full 10-year valid passport with more than six months remaining before expiry.
Full birth certificates.
If divorced, the decree absolute.
If widowed, the marriage and death certificates of the deceased spouse.
Deed poll proof of any name change.
Adoption certificate if relevant.
Most destinations will require original documents or certified copies. Check whether photocopies are also necessary.
Other Common Documents
Certificates of No Impediment
The bride and groom need one each and they can be obtained from the local registry office. They usually take around a month to issue and cost about £30. They are generally regarded as being valid for six months from the date of issue. They are required in Aruba, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Lapland, Malta and Turkey.
Single Status Statutory Declaration
Each person who has never been married will need one of these, stamped and certified by a solicitor no more than three months before the return date of travel, in destinations including Antigua, the Bahamas, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Lapland, Kenya, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka.
Europe
Cyprus
Anyone wishing to get married in Cyprus must apply in person on their arrival to the marriage office in the municipality of their choice. Tour operators often help guests apply, and most choose to apply for the more expensive special licence (€282), which allows them to marry after three working days in the resort. Couples also need an affidavit stating a range of personal details, issued and stamped by a solicitor. Two witnesses are required, who must bring their passports. Couples can have civil or religious ceremonies.
Greece
Exact requirements vary from island to island so it’s best to check with your travel agent or the tour operator you book through. Many islands require copies of the couple’s passports, certified by a solicitor and documents should be legalised by the Foreign Office. Most also ask for copies of the documents translated into Greek by a translator approved by the Greek embassy in London, and some islands need them to be sent to the embassy for checking prior to the wedding.
Italy
The minimum residency period before a wedding can take place varies between four and seven days in different parts of Italy. Two witnesses are need and should bring their passports. Previously married brides must have been divorced or widowed for 300 days or more before the ceremony. Local charges may apply and documents may need to be translated into Italian.
Lapland
Documentation needs to be certified by the FCO and passports also need to be certified by a solicitor.
Malta
Minimum stay prior to the ceremony is two days. Forms RZ1 (Publication of Banns) and RZ2 (Declaration of Oath) must be completed no more than three months before return date of travel. These are issued by the Maltese government and must also be certified by a solicitor, as must a third party affidavit confirming the single status of both people. A government tax of approximately €90 is payable on weddings. For more information contact the marriage registry office in Valetta.
Turkey
A marriage licence is needed and can be applied for locally after ones day’s residency. The couple should take eight passport photos each with them. All documents must be translated at the British consulate and bride and groom may need to get a medical report or blood test locally as a formality. These will all incur extra costs.
Caribbean
Antigua
Documentation needs to be approved by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St John’s and a marriage application completed. Wedding ceremonies are conducted by the registrar or by a civil marriage officer, and must take place between 8am and 6pm
Aruba
Couples must hold a ceremony at the Civil Town House, but can also hold an additional ceremony at the beach, resort, on a boat etc. Two witnesses are required.
The Bahamas
A special licence taking 24 hours to process must be applied for from the Registrar General’s Office, Nassau and Freeport, or the Commissioner’s Office, Out Islands. All documents must be notarised by a solicitor.
Barbados
A marriage licence must be obtained in person from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Two witnesses are needed, plus valid return tickets.
Cuba
Some documents may need to be translated into Spanish by a translator approved by the Cuban embassy. All documents must be legalised by the FCO and then validated by the Cuban consulate in London prior to the wedding.
Dominican Republic
All documents must be legalised by the FCO, translated into Spanish and legalised by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, from which clients will also need a tourist card.
Jamaica
If an application for a marriage licence is made in advance, couples can get married 24 hours after arrival. Arrangements can be made through hotels and operators or directly through the Ministry of National Security and Justice.
St Lucia
There is no residency policy in St Lucia so couples can marry hours after they arrive. A solicitor needs to apply for a marriage licence – this can be arranged by hotels and operators.
Long Haul
Kenya
A special marriage licence can be applied for with a minimum residency of three days. Written parental consent is needed if the bride and groom are under 21, which must be stamped by a solicitor.
Mexico
All documents must be translated into Spanish, certified by a Spanish-speaking lawyer and legalised by the FCO. Bride and groom will need a blood test at a Mexican hospital before the wedding and four witnesses are required.
Sri Lanka
During some public holidays alcohol can’t be served in hotels, so check in advance.
Thailand
Couples who want to jet straight to the beach can only have a blessing; to legally marry, you have to spend about four days in Bangkok. Most operators will guide you through the process which involves visits to the British embassy and the Thai district registry office to make applications and sign papers before moving on to the wedding location.
USA
Issuing marriage licences in the US requires just one visit to the local county court office where it is usually issued immediately and can be used straight away. The cost varies from state to state.
Are you considering getting married abroad or have you already done so? Share your comments with us below.
The Basics
Every destination will require both the bride and groom to have:
A full 10-year valid passport with more than six months remaining before expiry.
Full birth certificates.
If divorced, the decree absolute.
If widowed, the marriage and death certificates of the deceased spouse.
Deed poll proof of any name change.
Adoption certificate if relevant.
Most destinations will require original documents or certified copies. Check whether photocopies are also necessary.
Other Common Documents
Certificates of No Impediment
The bride and groom need one each and they can be obtained from the local registry office. They usually take around a month to issue and cost about £30. They are generally regarded as being valid for six months from the date of issue. They are required in Aruba, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Lapland, Malta and Turkey.
Single Status Statutory Declaration
Each person who has never been married will need one of these, stamped and certified by a solicitor no more than three months before the return date of travel, in destinations including Antigua, the Bahamas, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Lapland, Kenya, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka.
Europe
Cyprus
Anyone wishing to get married in Cyprus must apply in person on their arrival to the marriage office in the municipality of their choice. Tour operators often help guests apply, and most choose to apply for the more expensive special licence (€282), which allows them to marry after three working days in the resort. Couples also need an affidavit stating a range of personal details, issued and stamped by a solicitor. Two witnesses are required, who must bring their passports. Couples can have civil or religious ceremonies.
Greece
Exact requirements vary from island to island so it’s best to check with your travel agent or the tour operator you book through. Many islands require copies of the couple’s passports, certified by a solicitor and documents should be legalised by the Foreign Office. Most also ask for copies of the documents translated into Greek by a translator approved by the Greek embassy in London, and some islands need them to be sent to the embassy for checking prior to the wedding.
Italy
The minimum residency period before a wedding can take place varies between four and seven days in different parts of Italy. Two witnesses are need and should bring their passports. Previously married brides must have been divorced or widowed for 300 days or more before the ceremony. Local charges may apply and documents may need to be translated into Italian.
Lapland
Documentation needs to be certified by the FCO and passports also need to be certified by a solicitor.
Malta
Minimum stay prior to the ceremony is two days. Forms RZ1 (Publication of Banns) and RZ2 (Declaration of Oath) must be completed no more than three months before return date of travel. These are issued by the Maltese government and must also be certified by a solicitor, as must a third party affidavit confirming the single status of both people. A government tax of approximately €90 is payable on weddings. For more information contact the marriage registry office in Valetta.
Turkey
A marriage licence is needed and can be applied for locally after ones day’s residency. The couple should take eight passport photos each with them. All documents must be translated at the British consulate and bride and groom may need to get a medical report or blood test locally as a formality. These will all incur extra costs.
Caribbean
Antigua
Documentation needs to be approved by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St John’s and a marriage application completed. Wedding ceremonies are conducted by the registrar or by a civil marriage officer, and must take place between 8am and 6pm
Aruba
Couples must hold a ceremony at the Civil Town House, but can also hold an additional ceremony at the beach, resort, on a boat etc. Two witnesses are required.
The Bahamas
A special licence taking 24 hours to process must be applied for from the Registrar General’s Office, Nassau and Freeport, or the Commissioner’s Office, Out Islands. All documents must be notarised by a solicitor.
Barbados
A marriage licence must be obtained in person from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Two witnesses are needed, plus valid return tickets.
Cuba
Some documents may need to be translated into Spanish by a translator approved by the Cuban embassy. All documents must be legalised by the FCO and then validated by the Cuban consulate in London prior to the wedding.
Dominican Republic
All documents must be legalised by the FCO, translated into Spanish and legalised by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, from which clients will also need a tourist card.
Jamaica
If an application for a marriage licence is made in advance, couples can get married 24 hours after arrival. Arrangements can be made through hotels and operators or directly through the Ministry of National Security and Justice.
St Lucia
There is no residency policy in St Lucia so couples can marry hours after they arrive. A solicitor needs to apply for a marriage licence – this can be arranged by hotels and operators.
Long Haul
Kenya
A special marriage licence can be applied for with a minimum residency of three days. Written parental consent is needed if the bride and groom are under 21, which must be stamped by a solicitor.
Mexico
All documents must be translated into Spanish, certified by a Spanish-speaking lawyer and legalised by the FCO. Bride and groom will need a blood test at a Mexican hospital before the wedding and four witnesses are required.
Sri Lanka
During some public holidays alcohol can’t be served in hotels, so check in advance.
Thailand
Couples who want to jet straight to the beach can only have a blessing; to legally marry, you have to spend about four days in Bangkok. Most operators will guide you through the process which involves visits to the British embassy and the Thai district registry office to make applications and sign papers before moving on to the wedding location.
USA
Issuing marriage licences in the US requires just one visit to the local county court office where it is usually issued immediately and can be used straight away. The cost varies from state to state.
Are you considering getting married abroad or have you already done so? Share your comments with us below.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Package Holidays Undergo a Makeover!
Some package holiday destinations are undergoing an image makeover in a bid to shake off negative perceptions.
Benidorm
People who have never been love to knock the largest beach resort in Europe, and their prejudices may have been reinforced by the comedy TV series Benidorm starring Johnny Vegas. But the Benidorm Tourist Board says bookings have been boosted by the series and visitors have seen major re-investment encouraging them to return time after time.
The Costa Blanca resort appeals mainly to families in summer and older clients at other times. It attracts about 1.5 million Brits every year – and the Spanish come in even larger numbers.
Benidorm’s two main beaches, Levante and Poniente, are kept very clean and are floodlit at night. Most of the seafront is pedestrianised. Major investment in theme parks has created Terra Mitica. Aqualandia, Terra Natura and Mundomar.
The most recent developments are two new five-star hotels, and golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Hotel Barcelo Asia Gardens was opened in July 2008 wit Balinese architecture and the Villaitana resort is in the Sierra Cortina hills above Benidorm.
Despite the high-rise, Benidorm was planned carefully. There’s even a proposal it should be nominated as a World Heritage Site to represent the mass tourism industry.
Magaluf
This resort in the Bay of Palma in Majorca is synonymous with cheap package holidays and bar crawls, and attracts mainly families and young people on a budget. A 20-mile promenade now links the main resorts in the Calvia region, which include Magaluf, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa, Pegurea, Illetas and Portals Nous.
The FTO, now merged with ABTA, is working with the Calvia region on its Travelife Sustainability System. This encourages hotels to respect the environment and involve local people as much as possible. Chris Thompson, the FTO’s head of responsible tourism, says: “We are hoping that Majorca will become the flagship Travelife destination and pave the way for the introduction of the system throughout the Balearics and mainland Spain. This will send a clear message to popular destinations everywhere that we want to introduce the Travelife Sustainability System as the tool of choice for British operators.
Torremolinos
The Costa del Sol is now heavily urbanised all the way from Malaga to Marbella, but its largest mass-market resort has improved its facilities and positioned itself as the gateway to the region. Most hotels have been refurbished and example being the four-star Cervantes which has a new rooftop swimming pool which is covered in winter.
A new promenade, direct rail link from Malaga airport and a new lift linking the resort centre to the beach make Torremolinos more appealing. With the help of the Andalucian Tourist Board, Torremolinos is heavily promoted as a great base to see places of interest such as Granada and Seville, or to play golf.
As it is close to the airport and only a short flight from the UK it is appealing for the elderly during the winter and families in the summer.
Malta
Malta has a limited number of sandy beaches to attract families and the generation who served here during the Second World War has died off, meaning the island had to diversify. It’s largest resort, Sliema, has built a promenade and is a good base for sightseeing in nearby Valletta, the capital.
The major developments are close to Sliema in St Julian’s, Paceville and St Georges Bay, where most of the hotels are five-star. Paceville is the top spot for nightlife in Malta, while St Julian’s still has a fishing fleet despite major hotel development. St Georges Bay is quieter but with easy access to nightlife.
St Julian’s has had a lot of investment in the past 10 years, and St Georges Bay has had a major overhaul with the creation of its own sandy beach. These resorts now appeal to a broader base of people looking for a more cosmopolitan feel.
Golden Sands
Bulgaria’s main beach resorts were built by the Communist regime in the 1960’s with ugly concrete blocks designed for workers’ holidays. Many of the ugly blocks remain in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, but otherwise these resorts have been transformed.
The beach at Golden Sands is beautiful and it now has some of the finest hotels in the region, such as the Melia Hermitage, a huge five-star hotel with every facility you could dream of.
Recently a new water park was built, the Aquapolis. New golf courses are also a significant addition to tourism in Bulgaria. Quality is now on a par with Mediterranean resorts, at much lower prices. Bulgaria should sell out this year because of high prices in the eurozone.
Post your comments below:
Benidorm
People who have never been love to knock the largest beach resort in Europe, and their prejudices may have been reinforced by the comedy TV series Benidorm starring Johnny Vegas. But the Benidorm Tourist Board says bookings have been boosted by the series and visitors have seen major re-investment encouraging them to return time after time.
The Costa Blanca resort appeals mainly to families in summer and older clients at other times. It attracts about 1.5 million Brits every year – and the Spanish come in even larger numbers.
Benidorm’s two main beaches, Levante and Poniente, are kept very clean and are floodlit at night. Most of the seafront is pedestrianised. Major investment in theme parks has created Terra Mitica. Aqualandia, Terra Natura and Mundomar.
The most recent developments are two new five-star hotels, and golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Hotel Barcelo Asia Gardens was opened in July 2008 wit Balinese architecture and the Villaitana resort is in the Sierra Cortina hills above Benidorm.
Despite the high-rise, Benidorm was planned carefully. There’s even a proposal it should be nominated as a World Heritage Site to represent the mass tourism industry.
Magaluf
This resort in the Bay of Palma in Majorca is synonymous with cheap package holidays and bar crawls, and attracts mainly families and young people on a budget. A 20-mile promenade now links the main resorts in the Calvia region, which include Magaluf, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa, Pegurea, Illetas and Portals Nous.
The FTO, now merged with ABTA, is working with the Calvia region on its Travelife Sustainability System. This encourages hotels to respect the environment and involve local people as much as possible. Chris Thompson, the FTO’s head of responsible tourism, says: “We are hoping that Majorca will become the flagship Travelife destination and pave the way for the introduction of the system throughout the Balearics and mainland Spain. This will send a clear message to popular destinations everywhere that we want to introduce the Travelife Sustainability System as the tool of choice for British operators.
Torremolinos
The Costa del Sol is now heavily urbanised all the way from Malaga to Marbella, but its largest mass-market resort has improved its facilities and positioned itself as the gateway to the region. Most hotels have been refurbished and example being the four-star Cervantes which has a new rooftop swimming pool which is covered in winter.
A new promenade, direct rail link from Malaga airport and a new lift linking the resort centre to the beach make Torremolinos more appealing. With the help of the Andalucian Tourist Board, Torremolinos is heavily promoted as a great base to see places of interest such as Granada and Seville, or to play golf.
As it is close to the airport and only a short flight from the UK it is appealing for the elderly during the winter and families in the summer.
Malta
Malta has a limited number of sandy beaches to attract families and the generation who served here during the Second World War has died off, meaning the island had to diversify. It’s largest resort, Sliema, has built a promenade and is a good base for sightseeing in nearby Valletta, the capital.
The major developments are close to Sliema in St Julian’s, Paceville and St Georges Bay, where most of the hotels are five-star. Paceville is the top spot for nightlife in Malta, while St Julian’s still has a fishing fleet despite major hotel development. St Georges Bay is quieter but with easy access to nightlife.
St Julian’s has had a lot of investment in the past 10 years, and St Georges Bay has had a major overhaul with the creation of its own sandy beach. These resorts now appeal to a broader base of people looking for a more cosmopolitan feel.
Golden Sands
Bulgaria’s main beach resorts were built by the Communist regime in the 1960’s with ugly concrete blocks designed for workers’ holidays. Many of the ugly blocks remain in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, but otherwise these resorts have been transformed.
The beach at Golden Sands is beautiful and it now has some of the finest hotels in the region, such as the Melia Hermitage, a huge five-star hotel with every facility you could dream of.
Recently a new water park was built, the Aquapolis. New golf courses are also a significant addition to tourism in Bulgaria. Quality is now on a par with Mediterranean resorts, at much lower prices. Bulgaria should sell out this year because of high prices in the eurozone.
Post your comments below:
Monday, 2 February 2009
Costa Del Sol
Costa Del Sol
Located in its own microclimate with 325 days of sunshine, the Malaga coastline’s western most resort of Estepona has successfully combined tourism with tastefulness on the Costa Del Sol.
Backed by the Sierra Bermeja mountains and 50 miles from Malaga, Estepona is far from popular Costa spots such as Torremolinos and Benalmadena – one reason why it has retained its authentic Spanish town feel. By choosing to develop upscale apartments and five-star hotels such as the Kempinksi, Las Dunas and the Crowne Plaza, Estepona has generally attracted a wealthier clientele and local property companies are still developing luxury apartments, many overlooking golf courses.
But golfers are not the only happy folk in this region. The resort has 13 miles of coastline and three Blue Flag beaches, including the coves of Playa del Cristo, the town’s La Rada beach and the well-known Costa Natura nudist beach in nearby Arroyo Vaquero.
Spa hotels attract those looking to wind down, while boutique hotels and apartments cater for luxury travellers. The mountains offer numerous walking trails.
Estepona’s old town is a white-washed affair with cobbled streets, a historic clock tower and the flower filled Plaza de los Flores. Wet of town is the Blue Flag marina and its lively Sunday market.
Lesser known spots in the area include the Roman sulphur baths of Manilva village and the Sierra Bermeja mountain trail from Estepona to the highest peak, Los Reales, at 1500 metres. Shoppers will find exclusive stores and an infinity pool at Estepona’s beachside Laguna Village complex, while a 15 minute drive away is the shopping haven of Puerto Banus with its yacht-strewn marina (one of 38 in Andalusia).
Next door is Marbella, the “capital” of the Costa del Sol, with its luxury hotels, high-end restaurants and the colourful old town, while foodies will be at home in the Moorish mountain village Benahavis, know locally as the dining room of the Costa del Sol.
Located in its own microclimate with 325 days of sunshine, the Malaga coastline’s western most resort of Estepona has successfully combined tourism with tastefulness on the Costa Del Sol.
Backed by the Sierra Bermeja mountains and 50 miles from Malaga, Estepona is far from popular Costa spots such as Torremolinos and Benalmadena – one reason why it has retained its authentic Spanish town feel. By choosing to develop upscale apartments and five-star hotels such as the Kempinksi, Las Dunas and the Crowne Plaza, Estepona has generally attracted a wealthier clientele and local property companies are still developing luxury apartments, many overlooking golf courses.
But golfers are not the only happy folk in this region. The resort has 13 miles of coastline and three Blue Flag beaches, including the coves of Playa del Cristo, the town’s La Rada beach and the well-known Costa Natura nudist beach in nearby Arroyo Vaquero.
Spa hotels attract those looking to wind down, while boutique hotels and apartments cater for luxury travellers. The mountains offer numerous walking trails.
Estepona’s old town is a white-washed affair with cobbled streets, a historic clock tower and the flower filled Plaza de los Flores. Wet of town is the Blue Flag marina and its lively Sunday market.
Lesser known spots in the area include the Roman sulphur baths of Manilva village and the Sierra Bermeja mountain trail from Estepona to the highest peak, Los Reales, at 1500 metres. Shoppers will find exclusive stores and an infinity pool at Estepona’s beachside Laguna Village complex, while a 15 minute drive away is the shopping haven of Puerto Banus with its yacht-strewn marina (one of 38 in Andalusia).
Next door is Marbella, the “capital” of the Costa del Sol, with its luxury hotels, high-end restaurants and the colourful old town, while foodies will be at home in the Moorish mountain village Benahavis, know locally as the dining room of the Costa del Sol.
What to Do?
At Selwo Aventura, Estepona’s wildlife park, 2000 animals roam its 100 hectares in a semi-free state in specially designed natural habitats, easily explored on foot or in all-terrain vehicles. There’s even accommodation in its two “villages”, Watu and Massai. Equally adventurous is the Bahia Water Park in Algeciras with its slides, flumes and water chutes.
Alternatively, the old mountain railway to Ronda provides spectacular views not visible by car and takes in tiny villages with Victorian stations, waterfalls, cork forests and lakes. Ronda itself is a dramatically located Moorish village, famous for its El Tajo gorge spanned by the 18th century bridge. Other villages worth visiting are Istan and Ojen.
Heading south, surfers haven Tarifa offers year round whale and dolphin watching. The Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals runs daily excursions.
Gibraltar is also a wildlife hotspot. Most famous for the Barbary Apes, Europe’s only wild and free-living primates, the upper rock also attracts rare birds and, in spring and autumn, migrating birds, eagles, buzzards and vultures. The Alameda public gardens house and educational wildlife park, rehabilitating illegally captured wild animals.
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