Missoula’s natural attractions...

Missoula’s charm lies in its forested, lush surroundings, and is the reason why it is called “Garden City.”  It is at the helm of cultural and community innovations in Montana, U.S.A. The University of Montana is located in Missoula and there is a saying that when the students leave each year, the tourists arrive. It is a very popular destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway for cheap holidays.

Natural attractions

Missoula is surrounded by forests and is three hours away from Glacier National Park.  West of the city is Yellowstone National Park, which is three and a half hours away. The rivers around Missoula provide excellent fishing grounds and fly fishermen from around the world come to Missoula to fish in its rivers. Hiking, horseback riding and biking trails are popular along Kim Williams Trail and the Crazy Canyon trailhead in nearby Patte Canyon. Missoula largest indoor shopping mall is also a favourite destination. So too are the unique stores and boutiques downtown. Visitors are also drawn to Missoula’s attractions, which provide venues for great outdoor fun.

Great places to visit in the UK...

Although many people choose to holiday abroad there are many sights in the UK that are well worth visiting. In fact the UK has so much to see that you could spend many years just exploring the country and still have even more to see and do.

Visit Windsor Castle, which is a medieval castle and a royal residence – the castle has its very own 15th century chapel.  Windsor is the oldest inhabited castle in the world as well as being the longest occupied castle in Europe. Although it is still a royal residence certain part of the castle are open to the public and at 11am on selected dates the traditional changing of the guard takes place.

In Wales there is the stunning Snowdon Mountain range. This area is located in north Wales and forms the Snowdonia national park that covers 823 square miles. It is the third largest national park in the UK behind the Peak and Lake Districts. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales at 3,560 feet and there are various routes that can be taken to reach its summit. For those who do not feel up to hiking up to the summit there is a narrow gauge traction steam train that can take you up and down the mountain.

Other tourist sights across the country include Hadrian’s Wall, which runs from Carlisle in the west to Wallsend in the east. There are the Roman Baths and the Pump Room in the City of Bath and Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon to explore as well. In Scotland there is Loch Ness, where you can try to find the infamous ‘Nessie’ monster, and the impressive Edinburgh Castle to visit in the capital city.

The north coast of Northern Ireland is home to the stunning Giant’s Causeway, which was formed by volcanic eruptions.

Summer holiday hot spot: Fuerteventura...

The Canary Islands are a popular destination for British tourists seeking sun, sea and sand. Every year thousands flock to the collection of volcanic islands and one in particular is always popular; sunny Fuerteventura.

Places to stay

The first hotel on the island was built in 1965 and heralded the start of this island becoming a must visit tourist destination. Resorts on Fuerteventura popular with British tourists are Corralejo, Jandia and Costa Caleta. There are a wide variety of different hotels in Fuerteventura which line the golden sand beaches of these resorts with a selection of all-inclusive, bed and breakfast options as well as self-catering.

Food and drink

Each resort offers a fantastic selection cuisine including local delicacies and meals based around fresh fish, meat and vegetables; you can also find typical resort food of pasta, pizza and for those who aren’t so adventurous British cuisine.

You won’t be short of lively nightlife either with a great selection of bars and clubs to suit all age groups. You can choose from traditional Spanish Tapas bars perfect for a relaxing drink before dinner before moving on to more lively clubs.

What to do

Fuerteventura is the beach capital of the Canary Islands so as you can imagine there are plenty of activities around the beaches such as surfing, windsurfing, water sports and snorkelling. Moving away from the beaches you can explore the stunning volcanic scenery, or visit the Betancuria Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography which offers a great insight into the islands ancient history.

Shopping is also on many people’s lists when visiting Fuerteventura with plenty of places to splash the cash in the islands resorts. Plus you can enjoy a lower sales tax than mainland Spain. You can find everything from branded clothing, shoes, jewellery and perfumes to locally made crafts.

Getting there

Fuerteventura is just a little over four hours flying time from the UK, with frequent flights from the UK’s main airports and some smaller local ones. You can easily find great offers for holidays to Fuerteventura from Hays Travel including flights, transfers and accommodation.

Imagine Cruising – the place to find all your cr...

Imagine Cruising is a website that makes cruising possible for everyone. The website offers many services helpful to those looking to take a cruise, including good cruise deals and last minute cruises.

Cruises are easy to book through Imagine Cruising. The last minute cruises section has a range of locations, cruise ship companies and itineraries to choose from. You are not forced to choose a cruise you will not love, even though booking at the last minute. Last minute cruises through Imagine Cruising include destinations like the Canaries (sailing from the United Kingdom), the Atlantic coast, Norway, the Mediterranean and the Panama Canal and Alaska.

Imagine Cruising also offers deals on cruises booked in advance. The service includes cruises all over the world. With Imagine Cruising’s helpful ranking system, travellers can see ratings from 1 to 6 stars for all the cruise packages offered. This is just one of the tools that helps cruise goers make an informed decision about their cruise holiday.

Other features of the website include cruise alerts and travel updates to help cruisers stay on top of the latest news.

A tourists guide to Belgium...

Belgium sits between Germany, France and Holland, on the North Sea coast and covers an area of over 30,000 km2. The country has a population of around 11 million and its capital is Brussels.

Modern Belgium is actually made up of three distinct, independent states. Wallonia is oriented towards the French language and tradition. The people of Flanders, the Flemish state, speak Dutch, while German is spoken in the Germanic state, which is centred on Brussels. The Brussels area has a population of approximately one million people. In spite of the obvious cultural differences, the people of Belgium live in harmony.

From the point of view of religious beliefs there are Anglicans, Muslims, Jews and Roman Catholics, but it is generally regarded as a secular community. One of the cultural highlights of Belgium is its fondness for parades. Most of these are religion-based, like the Holy Blood Procession, which dates back to the 13th century, but there are also modern celebrations, such as the Brussels Pride gay and lesbian parade. Art and architecture are integral to the culture of the country and a good starting point for exploring the historic sights is the ‘Grand Place’, in the very centre of Brussels.

Kings Cross hotels perfectly placed to enjoy all L...

If you are keen to explore the many delights that London has to give the seasoned traveller, then you will be impressed with the standard of the Kings Cross hotels available in the modern 21st century London.  With an abundance of high calibre concerts and theatre productions being performed daily in the West End, Kings Cross hotels are ideally situated to put you in the centre of the hustle and bustle of London nightlife.  Attractions on offer within a tube journey of all London bed and breakfast premises include the renowned Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  If you are looking for somewhere to stay on a short break in London then the many London bed and breakfasts dotted around the city give you the option to travel across this great capital city over a long weekend and dive right into the culture that gives London its rich cosmopolitan reputation.  By day the streets are dotted with high end shops, malls and markets whilst at night the city offers a diverse collection of bars, clubs and restaurants that will satisfy all. 

London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, has been transformed in recent years and the London bed and breakfasts on offer are an example of how the city has changed from a working class port to a rich and vibrant city that gives the visitor a break to remember.  The attractions in London do not just include the indoor types; there are also several open spaces which are ideally located near to all of the London bed and breakfast hotels dotted around the city.

A guide to the architecture of Malaga...

As Malaga has a warm Mediterranean climate, it is a year round tourist destination. While the distinctive architecture of the city can be enjoyed at any time, many visitors who are there to explore the ancient buildings prefer to do so during the comparatively cool months, when the streets are not so crowded.

The fourteenth century castle of Gibralfaro provides visitors with a fantastic view of the city and the Port of Gibralfaro. Tourists can tour the castle ramparts, even getting a view into the local bullring. The castle also has its own museum.

The Cathedral of Malaga dates back to the Renaissance, with construction taking around 200 years before reaching its present stage of completion. The South Tower is still unfinished, causing the locals to nickname the Cathedral La Manquita, “the one-armed lady”. The building of the cathedral was impeded by a chronic shortage of funds and as construction was started and stopped many times, visitors will notice a variety of architectural styles.

Tourists with an interest in the history of Malaga should be sure to find time to visit the eleventh-century citadel, Alcazaba. The citadel, which is situated next door to an ancient Roman theatre, is Andalucia’s most famous fortress and contains a comprehensive archaeological museum. Inside the fortress are dwellings that were built between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.

Visitors have a lot of history to experience in Malaga and the perfect weather and the welcoming attitude of the locals make it one of the finest tourist destinations in the world.

Fun things to do on a cruise at no extra cost...

Imagine cruising to your favourite destinations without any cash in your pockets. You have food, accommodation and in most cases entertainment taken care of by your cruise 2012 fare.  There are various fun activities you can be part of on cruises even without spending a penny.

On board shows are excellent and range from musicals to theatre.  You can dance or laugh your heart out and avoid being bored.  Similarly, if the artists invite you on stage, go for it as you might just discover a new talent.

There are fantastic views of the sea from a cruise ship, which you can experience while on the deck.  During the day, you could sun bathe until you get a perfect tan.  On the other hand, catching a cool breeze as you meditate about the beauty of nature in the evenings can be relaxing and rejuvenating.

Many cruise ships provide numerous on board lectures, experts lecture on various topics, giving you a chance to learn something new.

Distributing call cards to newfound friends is also a great way to keep your social life growing while at sea.  The cards bear your name and cabin number so your new friends can catch up with you to chat.

If you are travelling with a spouse, having a candlelit dinner in your cabin is another great idea.  Room service is included in your cruise fare and all you have to do is order. Free fun on cruises is unlimited if you look carefully.

Explore the USA by motorhome...

When you’re visiting a country as big as the USA, you’re never going to be able to see everything in one trip.  There’s no point trying, therefore, it’s far better to adopt a more relaxed attitude and take your time.  One approach is to hit the open road in a motorhome, and family holidays spent touring the USA and Canada this way have grown in popularity in recent years.

The USA is famous for its wide open spaces and feeling of freedom, and you can really get a sense of this travelling across the country’s extensive network of freeways.  There’ll be plenty for the children to see along the way, and opportunities to stop and enjoy numerous tourist attractions, while the journey itself doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.  In fact, the latest motorhomes are well-appointed with modern conveniences including proper beds, fully equipped kitchens and bedrooms, and up-to-date entertainment facilities if the children want a break from all that scenery.

The beauty of touring by motorhome is that you can set your own pace, and travel, eat and rest whenever you want.  Motorhomes also come in a variety of sizes typically designed for between three and eight people.  There’s a good selection of holiday companies operating in North America from various locations who can make the necessary arrangements to get you started, and many offer pre-planned routes that holidaymakers can follow.  The more adventurous can just head off into the distance, of course, and see where it takes them.

Planning a trip to London...

Perhaps you have always wanted to see London, but now you are wondering how to prepare for your trip.  Choosing where to stay, knowing what to pack and deciding what to see, are all important steps before heading off on your London holiday.

The weather is unpredictable, even in summer it can be nice and sunny one moment and raining the next.  Pack light, but be sure to take essential clothing for all types of weather. This could include a coat or even an umbrella for those soggy days. Take comfortable shoes for all the walking and sightseeing you will be doing.

London is home to many attractions, from museums to stunning architecture featured on its hotels and buildings. Planning where to stay starts with deciding what areas you intend visiting. Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are always popular with tourists. If you are familiar with the area and want to skip the tourist attractions, try popular shopping destinations, such as Oxford Street.

Now that you have an idea of what you would like to see, you can decide where in London you want to stay. Bed and breakfasts or a nice hotel offer long-term stays in a variety of locations, all a short ride or walk away from your destination. The Bed and breakfast London offers tend to be in more private settings, with charming, cosy rooms. Hotels cater to groups of all sizes and offer all the amenities you cold possibly require.

For those who want to travel to different parts of London during their stay, hostels might be a possibility. Hostels charge low fees per night and most people stay only a day or two before moving on. There is a choice of locations and price ranges, depending on the amenities you expect to find in your perfect home away from home.