All Travel World

Where Can You Go On Holiday Without Going Broke?

Posted on 17. Jan, 2012 by blogger.

If you didn’t manage to get away from it all over Christmas and are now thoroughly fed up of cold weather or have the back-to-work blues, what better time is there to book a holiday?  But so soon after Christmas, it’s hard to find something affordable.  Or is it?

Here are our suggestions for affordable destinations.  Some cost very little to get to, whilst others are very cheap when you get there. 

1.  Tunisia

This was wiped off many people’s holiday-destination wish-lists last year when the country went through a major revolution.  The previous regime is now toppled and the country is getting back to normal, and is rather desperate for tourist money.  A cynical person who doesn’t mind taking advantage of these circumstances can therefore get a real bargain. 

It takes three hours to get there and at this time of year it’s nice and warm (not too hot).   When you’re there, the exchange rate is favouring the pound so you can get a lot for your money including cheap accommodation, food and drink. 

Visit the souks (markets), thalassotherapy spas, historical Carthage and even some Roman ruins.  Or just laze on the beach, it’s your call.

1. Fuerteventura

The low Airline Passenger Duty fares (for destinations of 2,000 miles or fewer) make it possible to get genuinely cheap flights to this fantastic winter sun destination (you’ll pay just £13 tax per ticket, compared with, say £65 per ticket on flights a bit further to Egypt and beyond).   You can’t go wrong with Fuerteventura for sandy beaches, water sports (like surfing and diving) and despite being a popular destination for Brits it has held onto its local dishes which are worth tucking into.

1. Budapest

There are loads of great offers on accommodation here at the moment, with many hotels offering ‘buy three nights get a fourth free’ and similar.  Many even offer promotional deals such as free or reduced-cost entry to a local thermal spa, and offer good deals on the ‘Budapest Card’ which offers free rides on public transport, and reduced costs for guided tours and various tourist attractions. 

1. Skiing in Bulgaria

One of the cheapest places to enjoy a skiing holiday is at Bansko in Bulgaria.  At around £100 for a night in a hotel, a one-day ski pass, hiring of skis, dinner and a beer, it works out as the most affordable ski break around just now. 

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a beautiful city, right by the sea, and is a fabulously cheap destination.  Loads of markets and museums to enjoy and beaches aplenty. 

Shop around for your bargain holiday this year.  And remember, there’s nothing more depressing than paying for a holiday you’ve already had, so don’t go into debt to get away, just choose somewhere you can afford now.

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Amazing Alaska

Posted on 13. Jan, 2012 by blogger.

Alaska is a land of extraordinary beauty you just won’t see elsewhere.   Many people choose to visit it by taking a cruise, whilst others dare to get a bit closer to nature and take a road trip from Anchorage, camping out or staying in hotels and maybe taking a day-cruise or two.  The latter is certainly the cheaper option, but many prefer it more because of the freedom it gives to explore and visit this state at your own pace. 

The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and late-August, when it has the most light it ever gets (the sun stays up until past 10pm and rises well before what we would consider ‘dawn’ in the UK).   It’s also quite mild, temperature-wise, though rain is a distinct possibility.  Since their tourist season is so limited (few people want to visit in Winter when daylight is so restricted), prices can be high even if you opt for the road-trip.

As far as eating is concerned, if you’re on a cruise then you’ll be catered for.  If you want to eat locally then there is no better place to dine on smoked salmon and fresh halibut.  Of course, you’re in America, so there are also plenty of fast-food restaurants to turn to if you choose.

If you choose to visit Anchorage before you set off for exploration of the wilderness of Alaska, then you’ll find that it caters well for tourists.  There are plenty of museums, there’s a zoo and it’s possible to take a day-trip cruise to Portage glacier too.

From Anchorage, visit the Denali National Park, which is accessible by car to a certain point (13 miles in) and after that you have to take the shuttle bus – and you need to book seats for that at least three weeks in advance.  That’s one of the joys of independent travelling, though!  The shuttle bus can take you on round-trips to see the most spectacular scenery – for example, the Wonder Lake trip is 11 hours and there are enough mountains, lakes and wildlife to keep you riveted for the entire time; for instance, you’ll see moose, arctic foxes, caribou and bears.  Oh my!

If you opt for a cruise instead, you still get the pleasure of seeing all those animals, sun in the middle of the night,  glaciers, national parks and picturesque scenery.  Being at sea also gives you the opportunity to see killer whales, humpback whales, otters, eagles and seabirds, and sea lions.  There is normally a wildlife/ornithology expert on board to give you plenty of information about what you are seeing, which is a real bonus of choosing a cruise.   And if you’re not enthralled with the wildlife, the glaciers and icebergs will certainly hold your attention – sometimes great sheets of ice drop into the sea in a process called ‘calving’.

Many cruises offer excursions by helicopter to enable you to hike on the surface of the glacial ice beds, or to allow you to go kayaking around the icebergs. 

However you choose to see Alaska, you’ll be sure to have an amazing experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

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Love Lanzarote!

Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by blogger.

Just about everyone you meet these days who is heading off to warmer shores this Winter is going to the same destination: Lanzarote. It’s easy to picture a small island positively heaving with sun-starved Brits staggering off planes and forming an orderly queue to the beach.

It’s a lovely temperature at this time of year, around 21C, and just four hours on a plane will get you there, so you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy summery sun.

Once you’re there, there are some ninety-odd beaches to choose from around the island, and plenty of good hotels to stay in. Since it’s so popular with the UK tourist market, most people speak English and if you want egg and chips then you shall have it! There are ways and means of escaping the crowd and sampling a bit of local culture and food, though, so don’t write Lanzarote off as a Blackpool with sun. Try some of these tourist attractions:

1. Timanfaya Volcano Park
Easily the best tourist attraction on the island, this park was formed from an enormously-long volcanic eruption in the 1700s. Take a coach tour around the park to see all the bizarre terrain in all its glory.
2. The Cactus Garden
Located in Guatiza, this former quarry has been developed to house more than a thousand different types of cacti.
3. Mirador Del Rio
This is a simply amazing viewpoint, located on one of the highest points of the island and affording a spectacular vista across La Graciosa, Montana Clara and Alegranza.
4. Jameos Del Agua
This is a six kilometre-long lava tube, long-since collapsed, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year because it is now a subterranean auditorium. Inside are tropical gardens, a restaurant, a bar and an underground lagoon home to native blind albino crabs. There’s also a swimming pool (though it’s only for use by the King of Spain…) and an underground concert hall.
5. Cesar Manrique Foundation
This is a house built by the eponymous Cesar Manrique. What’s special about it is that it was built to be integrated into five volcanic bubbles. It really is a wonder of architecture.

Visit Lanzarote for warmth, and do your best to escape the rest of the UK who will be travelling with you by heading to these destinations away from the beaches – or just sit back and enjoy your egg and chips.

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Make 2011 The Best New Year’s Eve Ever!

Posted on 29. Dec, 2011 by blogger.

Where do you want to spend New Year?

It’s not too late to book a getaway if you want to see in the New Year in style, or simply escape the January blues that can bite you hard after your Christmas break.

Where should you choose? Here are some of our suggestions.

For parties, head to Espanola Way in Miami, where few tourists tread but where locals head for a night to remember. Or head to Prague for a cut-price deal on accommodation and entertainment and enjoy the fireworks at midnight before going on to hit the local club scene. Rio is the place to be if you want a beach party to remember, or to share the party with two million party-goers in Copacabana.

Closer to home, head to Scotland for Hogmanay! Nowhere takes New Year celebrations so seriously; watch the fireworks whilst enjoying a dram of whiskey on the banks of Loch Lomand.

If you want to retreat from all the gaiety and stress of Christmas and just want to get away from it all, head to the Isle of Mull. Rent a cottage with close friends and enjoy a quiet break away from the fast pace of civilisation.

Or take a relaxing cruise around the islands in Vietnam; have dinner on deck with a barbecue and cocktails and raise a glass to the New Year.

Closer to home, head to the Peak District for a quiet getaway in a private cottage with your closest friends or just your other half. Enjoy a bracing walk in the hills and good pub grub in the evening before cuddling up in front of the fire together.

If you want to try something a bit different than quaffing large amounts of booze and kissing strangers on the stroke of midnight, head off to Allendale to experience their Pagan traditions, or to Wales to watch the locals carry a Mari (horse skull) on a long pole from house to house, ending in the town square at midnight.

Whatever you decide to do in your New Year, make sure it’s somewhere that you’ll remember for the rest of the year. Make it different and make it representative of what you want to be doing for the rest of the year!

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Why You Should Visit Tanzania

Posted on 22. Dec, 2011 by blogger.

If you’re thinking of visiting Africa, consider Tanzania as your first port of call. It has the world’s largest free-standing mountain, and has an incredible range of wildlife to observe and even interact with.

Here are some reasons why you might want to choose to visit Tanzania:

1.Wildlife and nature safaris:

Visit the country’s national park or any of the game reserves to see wildlife in its natural state. Lions, African Hunting Dogs, wildebeest, zebras and chimpanzees. If it’s chimpanzees that you really want to see, you can take a trekking safari to the Mahale mountains in the south-west.

2. Climb Kilimanjaro:

This is the big one, the mountain that most serious mountaineers want to conquer. There are several routes, and even beginners can make some sort of ascent if they choose a route suited to their level of ability. Professional guides are available to hire if you want to get all the way to the top, but that’s not recommended unless you’re an experienced climber.

3. Enjoy a Beach Holiday

Tanzania’s geography includes several islands in the Indian Ocean, giving you the opportunity to have a few lazy days on a glorious, sun-soaked beach. Fewer than one million tourists arrive in Tanzania each year, which means that you are usually sure of a bit of privacy when you want to relax. Snorkelling and diving will give you the opportunity to explore the beauty of the reefs.

4. Have a go at Eco-Tourism

If you want to experience Africa as a country rather than just as a holiday destination, then you can seek out accommodation built by locals who use the income from your stay to support their local community to become self-sufficient. For example, there are Maasi tribes that offer these experiences, and there are also eco-holidays available on Chumbe island (with actual mud-huts).

5. Experience history

Tanzania was once a great undiscovered wonder to the likes of Livingstone and other explorers. Imagine yourself back in those times, or learn more about the slave trade and its effects.

Explore more of this beautiful, underrated country for yourself, it will prove to be the holiday of a lifetime.

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Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by blogger.

Cape Verde is a cluster of tiny islands off the coast of Africa, which are becoming known as the ‘new Canary Islands’ to sun-seeking travellers. The islands have lots to offer tourists, from mountainous greenery, watersports and amazing white, sandy beaches, and are an ideal destination for those of us trying to find warmth in these dark, winger months. So, for the ultimate in beach holidays, why not head out there this year?

 Here is a summary of what each island has to offer, so you can choose where you want to stay or visit.

1. Sal This is the island on which most tourists arrive, since it is where the international airport is located. You can choose to stay right where you are, since the island has plenty to offer in terms of crystal-clear water, amazingly soft, white, sandy beaches and easy access to any of the other islands if you want a change of scenery for the day.

2. Boa Vista This island is the closest of the Cape Verde islands to the African continent. It is quieter than Sal and less developed because fewer tourists tend to stay here than they do at their point of arrival in Sal. However, if you want somewhere a bit more quiet and peaceful then this is the island for you. It offers 55km of beautiful sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing and reading those books you never have time for at home. You could even get lucky and catch sight of whales (December to February) or turtles (June to September), too. It has little by way of night-life, and only a few places to eat, but if you want quiet relaxation then you can’t beat it. Watersports, particularly windsurfing, are very popular here.

3. Santiago This is the largest of the islands, mountainous and green, and holds the Cape Verde capital, Praia. It’s the best place to go if you want live music, festivals and markets, and a real taste of Africa. There are still plenty of sandy beaches here, and hiking is also popular up the mountains that are volcanic (though dormant) as is birdwatching.

4. Sao Vicente This is the cultural hub of the islands, where many writers, musicians and artists choose to reside. It has a vibrant social scene and its capital, Mindelo, has fabulous night-life on offer. Its architecture owes much to early British colonialism. There are plenty of beaches here, too – the best for sand and clear waters being Foya Branca, and the best for swimming being Baia das Gatas (which has a natural lagoon).

Choose any of the islands and you’ll be certain of a relaxing, warm beach holiday. You can take day-trips to some of the smaller islands like Santa Antao or Fogo if you like. Discover for yourselves why so many people are turning to Cape Verde for their winter sun!

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What to See and Do in New York Right Now

Posted on 10. Dec, 2011 by blogger.

New York is somewhere you really have to visit at least once in your life. If you do get the opportunity to go, then these are the highlights we would recommend that you see when you’re there.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters

   The Cloisters is a museum and gardens highlighting the beauty of medieval European architecture and is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (known locally as ‘the Met’). A ticket to one will give you access to both that day. Similarly, if you buy a ticket to enter the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Manhattan, you’ll get entry to the MoMA in Queens too, valid for use once during the following thirty days.

2. Ground Zero Memorial

   It’s free to visit, but you’ll need a visitor’s pass, available to book online in advance. One of the most important events of modern history, this represents a sea-change in modern politics and warfare and is a place to reflect, and remember.

3. Rockefeller Center

The centre is named after the philanthropist and frightfully wealthy JD Rockefeller and is a complex of paintings, sculptures, gardens and murals depicting the progress of Mankind. Tours are available and are worth taking, led as they are by historians who can take you through all the complex and give you the information in an interesting, sometimes humorous talk.

1. ‘Taste of Harlem’ Food Tours

   Harlem is home to soul food, Caribbean food, Italian food and West African food: where better than to take a tour to experience all these flavours and cooking styles – or to try a ‘chicken and waffles’ combo… yes, really.

2. Tours of Ellis Island

   Ellis Island was the gateway for travellers from foreign lands arriving in their new home, America. Tour guides are available, led by historians who can enlighten you as to America’s history of immigration, and of the stories behind some of those immigrants. You should also have a look at the Wall of Honor, which is where lists of some seven hundred thousand immigrants’ names are written.

3. Winterfest

   This is held at the Central Park Zoo, between 2^nd and 17^th December, where you can see the resident polar bears and penguins (not normally accustomed to being on the same continent) playing out. There are spectacular light displays when it gets dark, too.

4. The Great Designers, Part One

   If fashion is your thing, visit between 29^th November 2011 and 8^th May 2012 to see the first of a two-part exhibition with pieces from over fifty works by names like Prada, Chanel and Dior.

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Is Israel For You?

Posted on 02. Dec, 2011 by blogger.

Think of Israel and you may well think of suicide bombs, threats from Iran and a near state of war. It’s been a hotbed of religious unrest and discord for centuries as Christians, Muslims and Jews have fought for control and ownership of some of the most holy land in the world.

But behind the headlines is a country filled with fascinating cities, relics and monuments that many people just want to see first-hand, whether they have faith or are merely interested in seeing history up close.

For all the fighting and terrorism, the tourist hotspots remain relatively unscathed. None of the threat is aimed at tourists and the locals welcome the business.

Israel has much to offer that you won’t see in any other country. Biblical ruins, World War Two memorials, and crusader fortresses interspersed with vibrant city culture make Israel a unique part of the world and well worth a visit.

Visit Tel Aviv if you want a truly cosmopolitan city with a thriving café culture along the waterfront promenade. Or drive for about an hour up the coast to Akko, a fortress city dating back to the Seventh Century: the original Crusader city (that was developed having been seized from the Arabs) is underneath the city that was built upon by the Muslims who had retaken it back in the Thirteenth Century.

Or try water sports on the Sea of Galilee, if that doesn’t seem too sacrilegious.

If you want to see more recent history in horrifying clarity, visit Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem – the Holocaust Memorial. The modern Jewish state was created as a result of the atrocities carried out at that time of year, and the museum is a testament to all the suffering that ultimately led to the Jewish people returning to the Holy Land.

Many people – particularly students – go to Israel to go to work at a Kibbutz. Kibbutz communities in Israel represent a rural, back-to-basics way of life that appeals to many wishing to experience an alternative to commercial Western life. Working with the land is central to the Kibbutz movement and those who wish to join in can expect rewarding, hard work and a sense of great achievement. Kibbutz communities are very much in the minority in Israel (only about 1.5% of the population live and work in them), making them even more of a unique experience that many will want to try. You can volunteer on one of the thirty or so Kibbutzim for a period of two months to six months. They will be a truly memorable part of your personal history if you do.

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Perfect Puerto Rico

Posted on 25. Nov, 2011 by blogger.

Puerto Rico is one of those exotic locations you may dream of visiting one day. If you do ever get there, you’ll want to know what to do there. Here are some ideas to get you started, and some information about this beautiful part of the world.

Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by about 35 miles wide, located east of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea. The languages spoken on the island are Spanish (¾ of the population) and English (¼). In all tourist areas, English is widely spoken.

If you want to, you can spend your entire holiday lazing on one of the many, white, sandy beaches that Puerto Rico has to offer. But if you’re interested in seeing a bit more that the country has to offer then try these:

1.Camuy Caves. These are located in the Río Camuy Cave Park and is the largest system in the world. You can take a guided tour through part of the system, down some 600 feet below sea level to see an underground river. Or you can take an ‘eco-excursion’ and rappel down into a cave, mud-slide, body raft and free jump down there. Not for the faint-hearted!

2. Castillo de San Felipe del Morro. Located in Old San Juan, this castle used to defend Puerto Rico and its shipping route for centuries (it dates from the 1500s). It is a citadel on six levels and ancient features like cannons pointing out to sea can still be seen, as well as alterations made during the Second World War to reinforce its battlements.

3. El Yunque. This is the only tropical rainforest in US territory. Two hours from the capital (San Juan) this mountainous part of the island covered in greenery and trees is spectacular to walk and hike amongst. Expect to see fabulous, tropical waterfalls to swim beneath.

4. Vieques Biobay. This is an amazing experience. You kayak through the water to the Vieques Island and Mosquito Bay at night. It is best experienced on a moonless night, because you can see the bioluminescence in the water far better. Your oars will glow in the water; fish glow where they swim; and if you have a dip in the warm water, you’ll glow too!

5. Culebrita. This is one of the tiny islands that make up the region surrounding Puerto Rico and is classed as part of the island. The main reason for visiting it is Flamenco Beach and to experience peaceful isolation and unspoilt terrain. There’s a lighthouse there, but not much else so take lunch with you if you visit (you’ll need to hire a boat or take a water taxi to get there). Take your snorkelling kit too as the water is beautifully clear and you’ll get to see all the aquatic life on offer with perfect clarity. Or visit Turtle Beach (‘Playa Tortuga’) to see turtles nesting or the baby turtles hatching and heading off for the sea.

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