Flying to Belfast for a long weekend...

With cheap flights to Dublin and flights to Belfast so convenient these days, now is a great time to take a break in the Emerald Isle and experience some of Ireland’s great attractions.

Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, is putting all its energies into attracting more tourists following the Troubles, and it certainly has plenty to offer.

Belfast’s charms, and the core of its attraction, lie in its rich Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Many of the surviving buildings from those times have been converted into beautiful galleries and museums housing international collections, whilst others have transformed themselves into trendy bars, cafes and restaurants.

Belfast is becoming increasingly popular across Europe and Britain as an ideal city break destination, as visitors are being lured back to an important and vibrant city that is just emerging from years of civil unrest and still bears the scars of the Troubles. The people are lively and friendly, and know that they are helping build a brighter future.

Belfast has a central place in Irish history, and anyone coming here will enjoy an increased understanding of Ireland and its history as well as enjoying its shopping and vibrant night life.

The city’s pivotal role in shipbuilding and intimate relationship with the sea is exemplified by the huge dry dock, the biggest of its kind in the world, and the Waterfront Complex with its numerous pubs and shops. The Titanic passenger liner was built here, but hopefully Belfast’s troubles and disasters are finally at an end.

The Wonders of Red Sea Cruises...

Most of us have seen numerous photographs of the magnificent Egyptian Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, the tomb of Tutankhamen, the eerily beautiful lost city of Petra in Jordan, and the gleaming towers of glass and steel soaring from the arid desert landscapes of Dubai. Now, thanks to cruise operators like Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises, you can directly experience not just one but several of these spellbinding wonders in the same cruise holiday. All of these companies run superb Red Sea cruises.

To take just two examples, the fabulous Brilliance of the Seas will be your ship if you opt for Royal Caribbean’s Dubai cruise holidays – 13 decks of state of the art technology and design, with glass elevators facing the sea and a thirteen storey glass Centrum, this ship boasts the unrivalled Golden Anchor Service standard. You’ll visit spectacular locations like Dubai itself, Muscat, Oman, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. Thomson’s Red Sea cruises include ports of call at Aqaba in Jordan, with its gorgeous beaches and crystal clear sea (you’ll be able to see Petra, an entire city carved into limestone rock by the ancients, from here). Other sights include; Egypt’s Safaga, built on the 4,000 year-old city of Thebes and gateway to the legendary Valley of the Kings, which includes the tombs of Tutankhamen and Ramses II, and Port Said, from where you can behold the mesmerising Pyramids.

Red Sea cruises bring a dimension of awe and wonderment to the cruise experience, which it’ll be difficult to find anywhere else on earth. And with cruise deals perennially on offer, which can be especially good if you take a chance on last minute cruises, you’ll be pleasantly haunted by your memories of this stunning region.

Perfect family skiing...

Forget those massive ski resorts when you are next planning your family ski holiday to France, choose the friendly ski resort of Belle Plagne, where you can get all the advantages of a small, relaxed, atmospheric, family-friendly skiing and boarding destination in the French Alps that benefits from the facilities of the substantial La Plagne resort, of which it is a part, but without the latter’s sprawling modern architecture and hustle and bustle. La Plagne comprises six high-altitude resorts, including Belle Plagne at 2,500m, and four village resorts. Belle Plagne is an ideal base from which to explore Paradiski, the linked ski areas of La Plagne and Les Arcs, offering 425km of pistes and 141 lifts.

There are 50 miles of cross-country slopes, the nursery slopes are a good size, there are six children’s snow play areas and 16 jardin d’enfants, and access is easy and efficient, which matters a lot if you are lugging your kids’ gear, as well as your own and you don’t need a car, either. There are loads of friendly mountain restaurants and plenty to keep the kids occupied so if it’s novelty you’re after, take the kids on an overnight adventure at Mon Village Igloo, a new venture comprising six igloos a short distance from La Plagne village where you can dine on regional dishes or even stay the night. Don’t forget your thermals.

Understanding Bari...

Traditionally Bari has been better known as an exit destination from Italy rather than a tourist destination, but this is an image the city officials have been trying to shed for the past couple of decades, and their perseverance has slowly been paying off. In recent years this coastal city has begun filling with tourists looking not only to use the port as a means of travel to other destinations across the Adriatic, but also for the architecture and history that Bari itself can provide.

The duration of your stay will largely dictate the accommodation for your trip. Short-term visits are better suited to bed and breakfasts, while week-long stays are more suited to renting villas along the coast to take in the world-famous Adriatic scenery and weather. Considering Bari is the second most important city economically in southern Italy after Naples, not just for its port but also for its university, and is the entry point to the Puglia region of Italy with its many famous wines and olive oil, there is enough here to keep a traveller busy for weeks at a time. And if several weeks in a row are something that cannot be accomplished in a single trip, there are dozens of reasons to come back for several different visits.

Whether it is the nightlife district near the Swabian Castle or the old town with its many Roman ruins and buildings like the Basilica of St. Nicholas or the Cathedral of San Sabino, or the shopping promenade along the sea, Bari is a modern Italian hub of activity, and one that should definitely not be missed.

Flying to Palma de Mallorca...

Palma is the main city on the island of Majorca in the Mediterranean. Palma is the capital of what are known as the Balearic Islands. Palma has a population of around 400,000 people. The majority of Majorca’s population live in Palma and its directly surrounding areas.

Majorca, of course, is a particularly popular holiday destination for thousands of travellers each year. The climate on the island is sunny and dry for most of the year, with a relative coolness on the beaches.

Palma is served by Palma de Mallorca Airport, which is some ten kilometres outside of Palma. Due to the popularity of Majorca as a holiday destination, this island airport is one of the top five largest airports in all of Spain, competing with Madrid and Barcelona in terms of passenger numbers. Cheap flights to Palma are very common from across Europe. In the UK, most major cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow offer regular cheap flights to Palma. Prices for flights to Palma tend to be highly competitive, especially in the peak season from June – August, as the high numbers of passengers seeking to holiday on Majorca influence airlines to drive down their prices and offer cheap deals, promotions or package holidays.

The nearby island of Minorca, also part of the Balearic Islands, does not have as much air travel. Travellers wishing to visit would be well advised to take advantage of the cheap flights to Palma, thereafter travelling the short distance to Minorca.

City guide to Milan...

Milan has always been considered one of the most historic and wealthiest cities in Europe.  Its global reputation for being the European capital of design and fashion is what the city is renowned for.  Some of the most influential fashion designers in the world have named Milan their home and you will quickly discover why. You will most likely be amazed at how cost-effective visiting this beautiful city can be.

However, there is so much more to this city than meets the eye.  Aside from the architecture, the cuisine, the culture, and the history, Milan has much more to offer the international traveller.  Another aspect that is oftentimes overlooked regarding the city of Milan is that it is revered as the fashion capital of the world.  Additionally, the city has a population of over 1.3 million residents so be prepared to experience a lot of crowds and traffic when you are on holiday there.

Once again, whenever you are discussing a holiday or vacation to Italy, you have to consider one of the numerous countryside villas that the country is renowned for.  Some are located on the outskirts of the city while others are further out into the rural areas.  In any event, renting a villa provides you with a more peaceful setting than staying in one of the reputable luxury hotels located in the heart of the city.  Don’t forget that Milan is also known for being the gateway to skiing holidays, and there are a number of ski resorts located within striking distance of the city.

Take a Cruise on the Biggest Cruise Ship in the Wo...

What weighs 225,000 tonnes, measures 1,187 feet long and carries 6,296 passengers? Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Oasis of the Seas, that’s what – the largest cruise liner ever built and quite probably the most expensive (it cost £800 million to build). This leviathan of a vessel features a football-pitch-sized open space called ‘Central Park’, which has its very own micro-climate, and is overlooked by 254 of the ship’s cabins, each of which have their own balconies. There’s a unique ‘roving’ bar called Rising Tide which literally moves between three of the 16 decks, an enormous AquaTheatre (modelled on the Amphitheatre of Ancient Greece) which doubles as the biggest floating pool on the seas by day and a spectacular aqua show venue by night. There are 24 restaurants, a casino, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, an ice rink and a full-sized carousel. And if you’re a little on the claustrophobic side (provided you have the means, of course) you can travel throughout your cruise holidays in a loft style apartment cabin.

The Oasis of the Seas is likely to maintain its claim to the title of biggest ship in the world for some time to come. As yet, competitors like Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruises, have yet to breach the 5,000 passenger level. But one thing is certain: all the cruise lines are seeking to attract families and younger travellers with the bigger vessels in their fleets especially, most of which come crammed with magnificent facilities and activities. Tempting cruise deals are available on all if you book at the right moment, and with vessels of this calibre, you’re never, ever going to be bored whilst you’re aboard.

Start to think about that chalet holiday...

It’s never too early to begin to think about booking another ski chalet holiday, the sooner you do it the better choice you will have. If you are a large party you have distinct advantages over single pairs, your ski holiday specialist can find you a chalet now that could just take your group alone. Think of the advantages of having all your friends together at a chalet and taking advantage of all that it can offer the fun, the quiz nights and party time all the time!

Chalet skiing holidays have grown over the years and now are as big as or probably bigger than the traditional hotel skiing holiday and there is good reason for it. A quality catered chalet skiing holiday in France can be seen as a home from home experience, you will find a genuine warm welcome from your hosts in all chalets.  Talking to your skiing holiday specialist early will enable them to arrange everything on a chalet ski holiday and you can be assured that you will find a friendly and comfortable environment taking care and attention to detail but still understanding that your relaxation and privacy are essential to a stress free holiday.

Venice City Guide...

Venice is a top travel destination in Italy, having beautiful scenery, many tourist attractions and countless activities available.  Well known as a romantic destination, its small streets are free of traffic, and are excellent for tourists and travellers on foot.  Its winding canals and friendly gondoliers make Venice an exquisite travel destination, both for the novelty of the craft, as well as the unique experience of city travel by boat. 

Realistically, it’s more appropriate to consider Venice as 117 bodies of land surrounding 150 canals, rather than the traditional island surrounded by water.  As such, public transportation is largely by gondola or on foot.  It’s important to note however that this type of transportation can quickly become expensive, not unlike a taxi in a major metropolitan area.  It’s a good idea for travellers to plot their routes first, and then ride the gondola at the end of the day after they’ve become tired, and the sun begins to set.

As far as accommodation is concerned, there is a wide variety of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and apartment listings.  From 1 star to 5 star rated, there is lodging to be found for any holiday budget in Venice.  Location is typically irrelevant to pricing in Venice, however locations close to the railway station should be considered by travellers with little alternative transportation.

All in all Venice is a well supported tourist city and the canals and gondolas are world famous, as is the architecture.

Island Hopping in the United Kingdom...

There is a certain thrill in finding a great price on an airline ticket. With a little bit of planning and foresight, you will soon be winging your way to your favourite destination without crying over a depleted bank account. It is even better when you’re planning a short trip between England, Ireland and Scotland.

Let’s look at local travel in and out of Manchester Airport. Manchester Airport is the third largest airport in the United Kingdom and serves as a major hub for destinations all over the world. It is also one of the favourites for people travelling from Manchester to Aberdeen, Manchester to Edinburgh, Manchester to Belfast and all flights to Manchester.

If you’re planning a flight to Belfast, check out bmibaby for the best prices. For cheap flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen, look at British Airways, Flybe and bmi.

Also, keep an eye out for airfare wars, which offer cheap flights and are often reported in the newspaper and by the media. You can also look for promotions from established airlines and the new start-up companies that want your business. Make sure you ask if the stated fare is the lowest price possible, and explore all your options with the airline agent. Ask about stand-by fares, night flights and advance booking discounts.

A good rule of thumb when island hopping around the United Kingdom is to stay with the same airline during the trip, to take advantage of round-trip or connecting fare discounts.