Travelling to Morocco...

Morocco in North Africa is an excellent destination for travellers who are looking for a different kind of holiday experience.  Some of the cities, such as Marrakesh, are famous for their markets, while the areas outside of the cities offer the opportunity to enjoy an array of desert and mountain scenery.

Places to visit

When visiting Morocco, you will find that there are a number of great destinations that have their own unique character and charm.  Casablanca is an ideal place to see beautiful Islamic architecture, while Marrakesh is home to an extensive marketplace where you will find an amazing assortment of local items and handicrafts at good prices.  Essaouira is a fishing port located on the Atlantic coast that offers long sandy beaches and enchanting views.

Outdoor attractions

A visit to Morocco wouldn’t be truly complete without experiencing some of the outdoor attractions on offer.  Camel rides in the Sahara Desert offer a taste of the exotic, while if you are more suited to cooler temperatures, the Atlas Mountains are ideal for hiking.  Jebel Toubkal is the highest peak, and presents a worthy challenge to even experienced mountaineers.  You will want to consider visiting the Berber villages in the area to learn more about their traditional culture.

Practical tips

There are a few things that travellers should keep in mind when visiting Morocco.  In the past, tourists have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous tour guides, and today tour guides are not allowed to operate without government certification; travellers are cautioned to only hire guides through their hotels or government tourist offices. 

Because Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country with fairly conservative values, women should dress modestly.  That being said, unpleasant incidents involving locals and Westerners are very rare, and Moroccans are, in general, very friendly and accommodating people.

Finding a Holiday Apartment in Sydney...

If you have decided to take a holiday to Sydney, Australia, it may be a good idea to consider a self-catering apartment accommodation option.  Holiday apartments offer travellers a comfortable, often very cost effective place to stay, with minimal hassles.  However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you look for such a rental.

Advantages of staying in Sydney

There are many things to see and do in Sydney, and it is usually not difficult find a holiday apartment option close to the attractions you are most interested in visiting.  A rental on the harbour will provide you with a great view of the water, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House.  You may also want to consider a holiday apartment rental on Bondi Beach, which will provide easy access to water sports.  The Taronga Zoo, Hyde Park, and the Royal Botanical Gardens are also close to many rental options.  If you are interested in the active nightlife, consider renting a holiday apartment near Oxford Street.

Holiday apartment features

Most holiday apartments are located in or near Sydney’s city centre, and provide excellent access to Sydney’s fine public transport options.  The more intimate apartments are designed for two, while larger options can accommodate groups or families of four or five.  In addition to standard amenities like air conditioning and television, you will also enjoy a separate living area.  Many of these apartments also have full kitchen facilities.  You may also have a separate dining area inside your apartment.  Apartments designed for multiple guests frequently have sofa beds in the living areas.

A Short Guide to New Zealand...

New Zealand is known for its unique beauty and varied landscapes; you can see snow-capped mountain peaks, lush forests, and beaches with beautiful golden sand.  New Zealand’s unique beauty has made it the location for many feature films, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  This country has a culture that includes several different European influences, as well as the indigenous Maori culture.  Visitors to this unique and beautiful country are never at a loss for things to see and do.

Attractions

The Abel Tasman National Park is one of the most popular attractions New Zealand has to offer.  This park has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.  The Tonga Island Marine Reserve adjoins part of the park.

Travellers are often surprised to learn that New Zealand is home to one of the most impressive glaciers in the world, the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.  This impressive natural wonder should certainly be on your list of things to see.

If you want to enjoy an excellent sea experience, be sure to visit Kaikoura, a town on the eastern coast of the South Island.  Kaikoura offers some of the most amazing whale and dolphin watching opportunities in the world.

Cities

New Zealand’s cities are home to a diverse and fascinating assortment of experiences for travellers.

Home to over 30% of New Zealand’s population, Auckland is the largest city in the country.  Known as the “City of Sails”, Auckland is home to more yachts per capita than any other city in the world, and is a great destination for travellers interested in boating and fishing.  The city is also home to many historical and cultural attractions, as well as some of the country’s finest entertainment and nightlife venues.

Wellington is the place to visit if you are interested in learning more about the filming of the Lord of the Rings, or any of the other films made in the country.  The city is home to New Zealand’s film industry, and has been nicknamed Wellywood.

Christchurch is another city that should be on your list of places to see.  This city is home to a number of well known and fascinating historical sites, including the famous Anglican cathedral that the city is named after.

The Best Ways to See Croatia...

There are many ways to travel around Croatia, depending on how much of a hurry you are in. The bus network will take you to all parts of the country, allowing you to enjoy the delights of even the smallest villages and the company of the local citizens. The buses also provide an excellent service within urban areas.

The second most popular transport service is the railway network. The service itself is great, but not quite as extensive as the buses. The railway network serves inland regions rather than the coastal areas, with Zagreb as the hub.

Croatia has seen some major improvements in its road system, with motorways connecting the city of Zagreb to Split, Pula, Zadar, Rijeka and Varazdin. The main Adriatic highway connects Dubrovnik and Rijeka and goes through some magnificent scenery.

If you hire a car, you need to be sure that you are allowed to travel to your planned destinations. There are complicated laws involving the driving, dropping off and returning of hire cars. Petrol and diesel are readily available all over Croatia and you will find the locals willing to lend a hand if you have any difficulties on the road.

If you enjoy the water, there are many ferries and boats to take you to any port in the region. They tend to sail close to the coast, taking in Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik. There are also many ferry services operating between all the inhabited islands. If the urge takes you, you can travel by ferry from Croatia to Italy, but not to Greece or other neighbouring countries.

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.