How to choose your Canadian ski resort...

Canada is famous for its winter holidays, including those at its legendary ski resorts, such as Whistler and Banff.  While these two are considered amongst the best, with good reason, there are also many other ski resorts offering great deals, and with less traffic more skiing fun can be had.  It is up to you whether you go in for the big resorts or want more room on the slopes for yourself.

Whistler, situated in Vancouver, offers something for every skier, with terrain ranging from mild to wild.  Many other winter activities are to be had here, and there is a range of accommodation from small budget to large.

Big White Ski Resort, Sun Peaks and Silver Star are all very family friendly resorts with terrain to suit early beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers.  The more family friendly holiday spots have little, however, for the avid professional.

Kicking Horse, near the town of Golden, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, east of Silver Star and close to Revelstoke on the other hand, are every snowboarder and expert skier’s dream, with mighty slopes and offering cat and heli skiing facilities.

With a great currency exchange, particularly for those from the US, UK and Europe, Canadian skiing holidays are cheaper than ever, offering budget friendly accommodation in all areas.  Banff and Whistler provide relatively expensive lodges. Big White, Sun Peaks and Silver Star offer great value for money, while Kicking Horse and Revelstoke offer even better value.

Picture: ines saraiva

Thailand: the land of sunshine smiles...

Thailand should be on any discerning tourist’s list of countries to visit.  The people are friendly, the food is terrific and the beaches are second to none.  Thailand is an enigma: you will love and hate some things at the same time, but you will find yourself constantly being drawn back to the land of sunshine smiles.

The majority of visitors arrive at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.  From there, downtown Bangkok is easily accessible.  Ensure that the taxi driver has his meter turned on before he heads off: some of them are notorious for trying to con money out of unsuspecting tourists, and be aware that driving in Thailand tends to be a little more reckless than it is in the UK! 

Places of Interest

Tourists flock to the old town area of Bangkok to see the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and to take a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River to visit the Temple of Dawn and the floating market.

Siam-Ratchadamri is one of the biggest shopping districts in the city and visitors can buy all their souvenirs as well as many useful gadgets or clothes for themselves.  There are a number of top hotels in this area too, which means that tourists do not have to tackle the Bangkok traffic each time they venture out to shop.

Phuket

After a few days in Thailand, why not take a short plane ride to Phuket?  It only takes one hour, and flights are frequent.  Spend a few days on the beach soaking up the sun before trying any of the myriad activities on offer.  The nightlife is extremely hedonistic, but the friendliness of the locals will keep you wanting to go back.

Although the completely different culture in Thailand may seem strange initially, you are sure to fall in love with the place – and be bowled over by the friendliness of the Thai people.

Picture: Shelby PDX

Beach holidays in Tasmania...

Tasmania has some of the finest beaches in the world. Though there are stunning stretches of sand all over the state, some of the best are located down the east coast of the island.

Attractions

Wineglass Bay, in Freycinet National Park, is listed as one of the top ten beaches in the world. With the whitest sand you can imagine and pink granite mountains rising straight up from the sea, there is little wonder it is such a popular beach holiday destination.

The beaches of Bicheno are awash with wildlife. Look out for the large groups of fairy penguins that come ashore every night. They can best be seen by taking an organised tour.

For visitors looking for a more extreme and adventurous holiday, Tasmania offers some of the best and biggest waves to be found anywhere on the planet. Travelling to Shipstern Bluff, in the south, will see you carrying your surf board on a 7km bush walk in a World Heritage area, before emerging onto one of the state’s most dangerous and famous surfing beaches.

Places to stay

Many of the coastal towns in Tasmania offer quaint bed and breakfasts, chain hotels and caravan parks. There are also numerous holiday homes to rent; ranging from small lodgings for two to larger properties, perfect for families or groups of friends.

Climate

Tasmania is famed for its changeable climate, so visitors should be prepared to pack light layers. The average maximum temperature on the coast, in summer, is 21°C, while the winter months average a maximum of 12°C.

Picture: p medved

Singapore: Sling some cocktails...

Singapore is located just north of the equator and on more than a few days of the year it certainly feels like it. However, July and August see some of the cooler days, if you can call 30 degrees cool.  Being equatorial, of course, means that the climate rarely fluctuates beyond a few degrees. 

The residents of this country, which is made up of 63 islands, live in a society relatively free from crime.  Holidaymakers also testify to the cleanliness of the country where it is forbidden by law to chew gum, let alone spit it on the streets.

Travel

Due to its small size, visitors can easily navigate around the islands.  The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRS (Light Rail Transit) systems work tirelessly to convey passengers from one destination to another.  Private car ownership is expensive and discouraged by the government, so taxi prices are extremely cheap and tourists can opt for an over-ground rather than underground mode of transportation.

Sightseeing Spots

Little India and Chinatown are favourites, as are Orchard Road, Riverside, Marina Bay and Sentosa.  Orchard Road is the main shopping street; Riverside is the old colonial area and is filled with statues, theatres, restaurants and clubs.  Marina bay is the newest part of the main island and it features shopping malls as well as the Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its distinctive three towers and spectacular boat-like roof.  Sentosa is a separate island and is home to Universal Studios.

Accommodation

Although Marina Bay attracts visitors with a penchant for more luxurious surroundings, backpackers on a tight budget often head for the cheaper areas such as Balestier, Newton or Novena.  Wherever you decide to stay, you will surely enjoy your time in Singapore – especially if you ensure you leave some time at the end of the day for a refreshing cocktail.

Picture courtesy of Small

Luxury family holidays from ITC Classics...

Starting a family doesn’t mean facing restrictions on where you can go when it comes to booking luxury holidays from ITC.

As the company who pioneered luxury travel in the UK in the 1970s, ITC has provided luxury for almost 40 years, and is well aware that the desire to escape on a holiday of a lifetime doesn’t disappear after a family has come along.

As a family-run business, ITC knows what it means to be a family, and family values form part of the company philosophy.

Full range of destinations

Luxury family holidays from ITC are a range of bespoke holidays personally tailored for the family.  The extensive list of destinations starts close at home and includes Portugal’s Algarve, Paphos in Cyprus and Crete, continuing to the most exotic corners of the globe.  Such destinations and arrangements allow the entire family to escape to sun-drenched places such as Madeira, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi, Antigua and Grenada.

Whichever holiday destination is chosen, pleasant azure seas, lush gardens, shady palm trees and an exceptionally well-maintained hotel, with a wealth of exclusive facilities for its private guests, will be guaranteed.

Activities for everyone

There are children’s clubs available at all luxury resorts, which means family activities don’t just mean the kids tagging along with mum and dad. Luxury family holidays from ITC, mean mum can really relax at the spa knowing the kids are safe and occupied.  Facilities for the family’s more energetic members include watersports, tennis courts and golf courses, all just a few steps from the family’s own suite.

Cruises: a world of adventure at your feet...

Finding the latest offers on cruise holidays can be a confusing, with a dizzying array of destinations, operators and themes on offer.  Every brochure looks like a dream trip so choosing the right one to suit your requirements is imperative.

See the world

For the ultimate experience, a round the world cruise is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  These offer the opportunity to experience a huge number of cultures, set foot on every continent and experience some of the most luxurious liners available.

Every inch of the exquisite ships designed for these trips has been designed with guests’ entertainment and comfort in mind to ensure that the voyage is unforgettable.   

A taste of home

For those who value a uniquely British culture, including in their holidays, a number of operators have ships which are specifically designed to suit these tastes.  The newly renovated Thomson Dream or P&O’s Ventura, for example, cater primarily for UK passengers.

Family first

Cruises are proving an increasingly popular option with families, particularly those with teenage children.  They afford the children with a degree of independence as they are extremely well catered for; with swimming pools, games and clubs for all ages on board.  The parents, too, can enjoy themselves and be content in the knowledge that the children are safe within the ship and with its trained staff.

Short breaks

Cruising is not just for longer holidays.  For those who have not tried a cruise before, short European breaks are an excellent way to get to know a ship and try all of the facilities it has to offer.  There are a variety of options available throughout the year, including extremely popular breaks to European Christmas markets which run right up until Christmas.

The options available when choosing a cruise are no fewer than any holiday on land, so consider what would make your dream trip and there is bound to be a ship to fulfil it.

Visiting the gold rush town of Ballarat...

Ballarat is situated on the western plains of Victoria, in Australia. It is one of the country’s few densely populated urban areas that are not located on the coast. The city began as a sheep station, but when gold was discovered nearby, in 1851, the region quickly became home to 20,000 people.

Ballarat is the site of the 1854 Eureka Rebellion, in which gold miners violently protested against the introduction of a miner’s licence. The rebellion is said to be the beginning of democratic government in Australia. The Eureka flag was flown at the Eureka Stockade, where 22 miners were killed in a battle with British colonial forces. The actual flag is on display at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.

Ballarat Fine Art Gallery was established in 1884 and displays major collections of Australian art. Artists represented in the gallery’s collections include Rupert Bunny, William Dobell, Norman Lindsay, Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Boyd.

In the suburb of Golden Point, tourists might wish to visit the Sovereign Hill museum, which is devoted to the gold rush. The open air museum features replica gold rush era buildings; members of staff wearing period costume are on duty to answer questions. Sovereign Hill also has a wildlife park featuring crocodiles, snakes, kangaroos, lizards and turtles.

Visitors to Ballarat can also explore Lake Wendouree, an artificial lake that plays host to sporting events, festivals and recreational activities. The lake was created from a swamp that was dammed during the gold rush.

Ballarat is approximately an hour and a half from Melbourne on the Western Freeway or by train from Southern Cross station.

Where to go on your next holiday...

If you’ve seen the great animals of Africa on safari, skied the French Alps and experienced the staggering scale and grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef, you may be struggling to find inspiration for your next major trip abroad. 

If something relaxing appeals, Maldives luxury holidays are the obvious choice.  These islands are about as close to paradise as it’s possible to get, and accommodation in this area of the world is simply stunning.  There are almost two thousand islands in the Maldives, and many small ones are privately owned by luxury hotels.  Guests stay in beach huts that are dotted around the tiny islands, and many of the wooden huts even stretch out into the sea on stilts.

Staying on such a small yet beautiful island makes it almost impossible not to relax.  If you do need more activity, the waters surrounding the islands are teeming with life, and you can take a dip in the warm sea whenever you please. 

Coral reefs are plentiful, and the Maldives is the perfect place to learn how to scuba dive.  Beginners and experienced scuba divers alike will be amazed by the incredible diversity of marine life that is thriving just below the surface of the water.  You can even achieve qualifications if you wish to become a competent scuba diver during your time on the islands. 

Maldives holidays are luxurious affairs, and the country can offer some of the most peaceful trips on the planet.  If you like exclusivity and unbelievable beauty, the Maldives will suit you well.

Saigon – a modern city phenomenon...

From above, Saigon looks like an ants nest, alive with the 5 million motorbikes zipping about the streets of the city at every hour of the day; however, it is not just the transport that is moving.  Ho Chi Minh City (the government’s official name) is an example of change, enterprise and progress within this communist country.  The development of the city’s commerce cannot be ignored and the energy is addictive to anyone that visits.  This dynamic city really is like no other and those lucky enough to explore it are in for a real treat.

The combination of such diverseness makes the city incredibly interesting to travel through. Ancient pagodas sit next to gourmet restaurants, which lay aside small alleys with wooden shops selling everything from chickens to silk.  Street food and Pho (noodle soup and the national dish) stalls lay everywhere and the city’s entry into the 21st century shines through with towering skyscrapers, international hotels and huge western style shopping malls dotted about the city centre.

The tranquil Nan Lian Garden of Kowloon...

The Nan Lian Garden is three and a half hectares of traditional Chinese Garden located at Diamond Hill, Kowloon.  The garden is managed by the Chi Lin Nunnery, a Buddhist monastery which is across the street from the garden, and is home to approximately 60 nuns.  Both properties were built in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty.

With the mountains of Kowloon Peak, Temple Hill, Tate’s Cairn and Lion Rock in the background, and sound barriers blocking traffic noise, Nan Lian Garden is a quiet paradise of ornamental gateways, water features, pavilions, and terraces. 

A breathtaking feature of the garden is Xiang Hai Xuan, which catches the delightful scents from nearby orange-jasmine and osmanthus trees.  The Blue Pond, containing water features populated with koi, is close to Xiang Hai Xuan, and worth a visit.

The Chi Lin Nunnery features lotus ponds, Buddhist relics and statues of many divinities.  The buildings in the nunnery were constructed using yellow cedar which was carved in China so that the pieces fit together like a jigsaw.  Together, Nan Lian Garden and the Chi Lin Nunnery provide visitors with a relaxing and edifying afternoon’s sightseeing.