The Sacred Lake of Reeds...

Over 12,000 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca forms the border between Bolivia and Peru.  Fed by five rivers and connecting several Bolivian and Peruvian towns along the shoreline, the lake is held sacred by both nations and the native people continue to live peacefully by the tranquil waters of the lake.

Native Peoples

Lake Titicaca has several islands that are home to the regions indigenous tribes.  The important islands include the Uros Islands, home to reed gatherers Suriqui, the last bastion of boat makers, the Amantaní, home to shepherds and agriculturists, the Taquilea home to the artisans and finally the islands of the sun and the moon – Isla del Sol and Isla del Luna.  Most islands are inhabited, although there is a lack of modern conveniences so visitors who intend to stay overnight often carry their supplies with them.

Reed Boats

The Uru and Suriqui people are considered the last practitioners of the tradition of building reed boats from Totora reeds.  These reeds grow quickly and even form small islets that last about three decades before they sink to the bottom of the lake.  Today, visitors may see the gathering of reeds and the construction of boats that are used for fishing and travel across the lake. 

The Angsana Spa and Resort, Bangalore...

Nestled amidst the lap of nature, on the outskirts of Bangalore, the Angsana Spa and Resort is the perfect getaway to rejuvenate and pamper a tired and stressed mind, body and soul.  The spacious grounds of the resort houses an array of beautifully equipped suites and rooms resplendent in their cheering and refreshing essence.

The recreational facilities available at the spa are diverse in and have something to suit everyone’s tastes. Be it the fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi or the rejuvenation of the holistic ayurvedic therapies, every aspect of the resort has been developed with the absolute well-being and comfort of the guests in mind.

The spa sessions at the Angana have a therapeutic quality that has a calming effect on the senses; as a result an individual feels calm, serene and at peace with the world.  The exotic oils chosen for the massages derive their fragrance from flowers like frangipani, jasmine and rosemary amongst others. As expert hands deftly knead the tension away from the muscles, one actually experiences a higher level of bliss, relaxation and tranquillity. The resort has a daily buffet for both lunch and dinner. The menu is carefully chosen and each dish prepared with the best of local and imported ingredients.

The Angsana Spa and Resort is conveniently located and therefore easily accessible.  The Bangalore Airport is just 45 kilometres away and the shopping district is a mere 24 kilometres away.  Therefore, its location is such that one is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet not completely cut off.  Hence, the guests get to enjoy the finer points of both city life and the countryside at this sprawling spa and resort complex.

A stay at the Angsana Spa and Resort in Bangalore is a charming and delightful experience indeed, one that will leave you feeling restored in body, mind and spirit.

The Best Family Cruise Ships...

Taking a family holiday in the form of a cruise is an exciting way to try something different. It is important for parents to do some research into different cruise lines, ships and destinations before making a final decision. Although the initial thought of a week at sea may sound exciting, the kids in the family may grow restless if there are not good entertainment programmes available for them.

There are several famous cruise lines that have great programmes for kids. These programmes can prove extremely beneficial to both parents and children. Not only do some of them offer to take care of children under the age of three for free, they also offer great hands-on programmes. Many of these interaction programmes can be found specifically on family themed cruise ships. These particular programmes promote fun through learning via arts and crafts and science experiments. Young children will be overwhelmed with the numerous activities courtesy of Fisher Price and Crayola, while the older kids can participate in events such as toga parties, computer stations, rock climbing walls, video arcades, ice skating and rollerblading.

Of course there are other famous cruise lines that cater to families with children who range from the ages of 4 to 12 years, but almost anyone of any age will appreciate a family themed cruise. Kids on a family cruise are treated to numerous activities and entertainment. There are also a great many pools, interactive games and theatres to enjoy. Most cruise lines also have a nursery for children under the age of four years.

Finding great family cruise deals is easy as there are many ships that also cater to teens by offering them a mix of educational and entertaining activities that include trivia challenges, scavenger hunts, teen discos, video games, arts and crafts and a video wall. Younger kids can also participate in a number of great activities such as sing alongs, bingo and colouring contests.

Ski Holidays in Switzerland...

Switzerland is a premier ski holiday destination.  Located in the heart of the Alps, mountains cover more than 60% of the country and there are more than 100 peaks that are at least 4,000 metres high.  A ski holiday in Switzerland will provide some of the most awesome ski runs to be found anywhere in the world as well as trendy ski resorts, classic vistas, and beautiful scenery. 

Although in the past a ski holiday in Switzerland was regarded as one of the more expensive options, the currently favourable exchange rate and a number of excellent deals from some of the major resorts is making Switzerland an affordable and popular ski holiday destination for travellers from the UK.  Most of the Swiss resorts will allow children eight or nine years of age or younger to stay free of charge with their parents; this makes Switzerland ideal for family ski holidays.

There are a number of resorts in the country that offer a wide variety of accommodation options, and runs that will appeal to skiers ranging from the complete beginner to the accomplished expert; St Moritz alone offers more than 350 kilometres of snow covered slopes (or piste) and nearly 230 runs. 

Snowboarding is also very popular in Switzerland, with several of the larger resorts offering downhill runs, board parks, and enormous half-pipes for the enthusiastic snowboarder.
 
Travelling from the United Kingdom to Switzerland is easy.  Visitors can fly to the airports in Sion, Berne, or Zurich – all of which are about a two hour flight from most major city airports in the UK including those in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester.  Once the traveller has landed in Switzerland they will find that there is a good system of taxi, train, and bus transport that will get them to the resorts quickly and efficiently.  Visitors who hire a car will find a good, well marked road network to get them to their ski holiday destination.

A Beijing Break...

A holiday to the Chinese capital, Beijing, offers a fascinating insight into the history of this ancient country, as well as supplying all the comforts of a large modern city.

A number of operators run direct flights from London, which takes around 11 hours to reach Beijing.  Once there, an excellent bus service runs regularly into the city itself.  Alternatively, take a taxi, remembering to ask the driver to use the meter.

Top of many people’s must see list will be the Forbidden City, the ancient Chinese Imperial Palace, which lies at the heart of Beijing.  Built mainly in the 15th century, the complex of 980 buildings surrounded by a high wall offers an unparalleled view into the life of the Chinese Royal Dynasties until the early 20th Century.  Very close by is  BeiHai Park, one of the oldest and best preserved Imperial Gardens, parts of which date back 1,000 years.

Beijing cuisine often features a number of small dishes, such as rice balls and spare ribs, with a local speciality being Beijing Duck, which is slow roasted and served with pancakes.  The dish remains popular with locals and tourists alike; QuanJude, the largest roast duck restaurant in Beijing, can feed 5,000 people a day.

Accommodation is plentiful and varied, with all the major hotel chains present as well as short-term apartments and budget options such as youth hostels.  Tourists will need to arrange a visa to enter China before they travel, but these are easily obtainable.

Win The Race to Book Olympic Accommodation...

The Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in London between 27th July and 12th August 2012. If you are planning a visit to the city of London, what better time than to coincide with this exciting global sporting event?

Many of the sporting events will be taking place in the Olympic Village which is located south of the river Thames in the Stratford area of London. Specially constructed stadiums and arenas have been erected.

Other areas of London will be hosting certain sports, such as the beach volleyball competition which will take place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall and marathon athletics events which will run through Hyde Park. Various sporting events are scattered over the capital and wider areas of the United Kingdom.

Accommodation will be in great demand during the Olympic Games so visitors planning a visit to London during this time should plan well in advance. London bed and breakfast deals during the Olympics will be widely available but make sure you reserve your room early. Olympic organisers stress that London boasts over 100,000 hotel beds, so everyone should be sure of a warm welcome.

Holiday Cruises – Great for the Whole Family...

Holiday cruises are a great way to see foreign shores and enjoy on board luxury.  An increasing number of cruises are now on offer for the public, and they can be booked through travel agents or online.

For those who have never cruised before, the thought of staying on a ship is particularly exciting.  The typical hotel or holiday apartment is replaced by a spacious cabin.  Additionally, cruise ships have excellent facilities for you to enjoy whilst you are on board.  A cruise is also a great way to meet new people and have a lot of fun.
 
The ship will have all the facilities that you would in expect in a land based resort.  There are restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, spas and fitness centres, swimming pools, casinos and even ice skating rinks.  Additionally, there are activities geared especially towards children and teenagers.

Holiday cruises are renowned for their catering.  People can choose to dine in the ship’s restaurant or to have a snack in one the on board cafes.  Usually the variety of food available is phenomenal.

Holiday cruise deals can be enjoyed anywhere in the world.  There are often shore excursions for when the ship pulls into port.  You may decide to go on one of the organised tours, or, if time permits, hire a car and spread your wings further in the place you have docked.

Some packages included return flights to the port from which you embark.  Free parking is often included for those arriving at the port by car.

Winter in South Africa...

As a holiday destination for those looking for winter sun, South Africa is hard to beat.

A direct flight from London to Cape Town takes around 12 hours, but one key advantage South Africa has over many other winter sun destinations is the time change – the country is just two hours ahead of GMT in the winter, meaning no jet lag.

Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, South Africa has the answer.  As a romantic honeymoon destination, a tour of the famous winelands around Cape Town followed by a week or so on safari in the Kruger National Park is a popular combination.  There are many small guest houses dotted around the various wine routes, or why not stay on in a winery itself – many offer luxurious rooms, aimed at couples – usually with wine tastings and gastronomic food on offer too.

A safari adventure in South Africa offers opportunities to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo) and visitors can choose from a wide range of accommodation, from simple lodges to five star residences.  Enjoy dawn game-drives followed by al fresco breakfasts, or even guided walks to uncover some of the smaller, lesser-known park residents.

A self-drive tour of the Garden Route, a string of natural beauty sites along the south east coast, allows visitors to linger at spectacular settings such as the beautiful peninsula at Mossel Bay, the limestone Cango Caves at Oudshoorn, and the many trails where dolphins and even whales can be spotted.

The more adventurous visitor will find plenty of opportunities for getting the adrenaline pumping, including white water rafting, bungy jumping, zip wire canopy tours or even swimming with sharks.  From a quiet evening over a sumptuous meal to trek walking in the bush, South Africa has it all.

A City Break in Sofia...

Sofia is fast becoming a captivating new European city destination, carrying influences from nearby Macedonia, Greece, Hungary and Romania.  Entirely different from other Bulgarian destinations, famous for cheap booze and visited mainly by British tourists, Sofia has more culture and a distinct cosmopolitan feel, where Bulgarians themselves come to holiday away from the quiet countryside.

The city has an impressive backdrop of the Vitosha Mountain range that can be reached by a stair lift a short drive away or simply be admired from a distance.  Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is another beautiful sight, as are the freshwater spring baths, or the beautiful Borisofa Gardens.  The architecture around the town certainly has a Soviet look, but the neo-classical influences cannot be denied, with cobbled stones, lion statues and great stone plinths.

Sofia is a great place to have cheap holidays, and once you are there you will not need much spending money either, especially if you consume the local beers, the delicious Bulgarian wines or the rather potent rakia.  Dishes to try include Shopska salad made with feta cheese, or a sach, which is a baked casserole, or if you are on the run, a banitsa – filo pastry filled with feta cheese.  Ice-cream parlours and cake shops are also popular features.

There is a great pick of clubs, whether you enjoy pop music, rock, or the sound of Bulgarian pop-folk, Chalga.  Sofia is also home to theatres and concert halls, so ask at the local information centre to see what is on offer in your preferred language.

Accommodation is varied and you can rent a simple room in the centre with a shared bathroom for as little as 20 pounds.  Finding your way about can be tricky, as most of the street signs and maps are in Cyrillic but if you approach a friendly-looking local then you are sure to get pointed in the right direction.  Try to avoid taxi-drivers since it is much easier and cheaper to stick to the tram, but be sure to buy then stamp your ticket before you travel.

Barbados – a luxury destination...

The easternmost island of the Caribbean, Barbados is a perfect luxury holiday destination for couples, families or the single traveller. The Platinum Coast on the western side boasts fine, sandy beaches and lavish resorts, clear aquamarine waters with temperatures of 21-27°C, luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants, catering for every taste.

Barbados holidays offer more than relaxing beach getaways, and the quieter east coast brings an opportunity to discover some dramatic scenery or seek out a few exclusive hideaways.  With its many world-class hotels, Barbados is a major venue for weddings and honeymooning couples, making the island a destination of choice for a luxury holiday.

Barbados has a proud British heritage, reflected in the island culture, influenced by the local renowned Bajan hospitality.

Barbados Holiday Choices

The many Barbados holidays available will appeal to discerning travellers; adventure such as water sports, diving or deep-sea fishing, kite or wind surfing. Barbados is the place to relax, whether on a section of the island’s 70 miles of pristine beach or by the hotel pool soaking up the sun, with a traditional rum cocktail.
 
Leisure Activities Include:
 
•    Golf at one of five courses including the Royal Westmoreland and Barbados championship course. 
•    Snorkelling the coral reefs.
•    Experience swimming with turtles.
•    Island cruises.
•    Inland activities include zip-lining, cave exploration and 4×4 excursions.
•    Spa and pamper.

Barbados Features:

•    Platinum Coast.
•    Soup Bowl Bay for diving.
•    St Lawrence for bars and restaurants.
•    Historical colonial buildings.