Accommodation Areas in Ho Chi Minh City...

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City ranges from the budget to classy hotels, which tend to be grouped in areas like Dong Khoi, Ben Thanh Market and the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao.  Each area has unique characteristics.  Most hotels in Vietnam quote their rates in American Dollars and they usually include breakfast.

Dong Khoi Area

Dong Khoi is actually just a street, but hotel booking sites often refer to it as an area.  Dong Khoi Street runs right down to the busy Saigon River.  This area is home to the more expensive hotels.  It is also crammed with boutique shops and many restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese food and Western favourites.  It is a relatively safe area for walking as there are traffic restrictions, so crossing the road is easier than in the rest of Vietnam.  Popular hotels in this area include the Sheraton Hotel, Hotel Majestic Saigon, the Caravelle, The Rex and Duxton Hotel Saigon.

Ben Thanh Market Area

Busy during the day, the area around the Ben Thanh market is quieter in the evening.  Small family run cafes and coffee shops are plentiful and so are the street food vendors.  It is close to many of the key Ho Chi Minh City attractions and within walking distance to Dong Khoi Street and the shopping centres.  Some hotels in this area include Lan Lan 1 Hotel, A&EM Le Prince Hotel with cheaper options such as Hoang Lien Hotel, Hong Hac Hotel.

Pham Ngu Lao Area

Pham Ngu Lao Street and surrounding areas is commonly known as the backpacker district because of the number of backpackers who choose to stay there.  Hotels are generally inexpensive here.  This area has numerous cafes, popular bars, dozens of shops and several places to book tours.  The hotels are generally on the cheap side, but prices can go up to mid-range.  Some hotels include Saigon Backpackers Hostel, Duna Hotel and Halo Guesthouse.

Top Hotels for Luxury Trips to Grenada...

Planning a visit to Grenada is certainly not for the cash-strapped, and a visit to the picturesque and bustling country is sure to be an unforgettable experience.  Experience exotic sites, tastes and smells during luxurious Grenada holidays and stay in one of the many highly rated resorts on the islands for posh amenities and upscale service.   This nutmeg and spice scented untouched paradise has a few resorts in a class of their own.  One excellent option for luxury tourists to Grenada is the Calabash Hotel.

A solid 5 star resort offering a relaxed and intimate ambiance and exclusive elegance, this resort caters to every whim and desire.  Offering private relaxation and intimacy, service and attention, guests can greet sunrise and relax on their private terraces eating gourmet-cooked breakfasts prepared by their personal maid.   Lounge in a private en-suite Whirlpool bath in one of the 30 designer suites that face towards opulent surroundings – either the warm and inviting sea or intricately manicured gardens.

The Heaven & Earth Spa is appropriately titled; guests here are surrounded by the lush and earthy greenery of the surrounding hilltop whilst being transported to heaven inside through one of the impressively decadent spa menu.  Treatments and therapies here holistically link body, spirit and mind and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

The tiny paradise of Grenada itself leaves much to be discovered and there is no better time to do this than while staying at the Calabash Hotel.   Tours and treks of volcanic crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and trekking trails are ready to be explored.  Natural activities meet manmade entertainment in the number of bars, restaurants and eateries that compliment and surround the exotic landscape.

Onsite dining possibilities at the Calabash Hotel include sumptuous choices and dedicated personalised service.   A personal breakfast is served en-suite, along with a mid-morning refresher or fruit plate served personally at guests’ private beach perch.  The Calabash serves lunch at its beach restaurant and late afternoon canapés en-suite, as an appetite tickler for dinner.   Guests enjoy dinner in the beautiful paradise-like gardens of Rhodes restaurants, along with refreshing cocktails.

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.

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.

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.

Escape to the Caribbean in Luxury – Charteri...

Out of the many ways to begin Caribbean holidays, none is more luxurious than chartering a private plane to arrive at a destination.  Islands all over the Caribbean accommodate private charters in international airports.  When planning for luxury Caribbean holidays, consider arranging a private jet to the islands for an upscale holiday.  Here are some advantages for going private.

Timing and Dates

Booking private charters allows travellers to select the dates and times when the flight will depart and return, so travellers will not be subject to the schedules of commercial airlines.  Changes in dates and times are very easy to make, with no penalties.

Arrive into Small Airports

Most commercial flights can only depart from and fly to major airports.  Private charters can operate in smaller Caribbean airports to begin holidays closer to intimate resorts or private islands, without arranging transfers and wasting time.

Inter-Island Hopping

Hop between islands in smaller chartered planes and explore the coves and cays of smaller private islands during Caribbean luxury holidays.  Escape from the crowds for an entire retreat or only a few hours.

Eliminate Travelling Inconveniences

Escape customs lines and get preferred departure service by chartering aircraft.  Arrive only a few minutes prior to departure and be cleared quickly and easily at your destination.