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.

Around Europe By Train...

If flying holds no attraction for you, why not let the train take the strain?  There are a multitude of fascinating destinations now easily reachable by fast train from London, whether direct on Eurostar or via a quick change.

The most obvious train destination from London is Paris, a mere 135 minutes away by Eurostar from St Pancras station.  However, that’s not the only place Eurostar can whisk you away to – Brussels can be reached in around 2 hours, whilst Lille is around 80 minutes away, both by direct train.  In the winter months, go skiing by train, using the direct services to Moutiers, Aime-La-Plagne and Bourg St Maurice.

Brussels offers a wide range of historic sights, including the impressive City Hall with its hundreds of sculptures on the front as well as the Gothic tower topped by the Archangel Gabriel.  Enjoy a classic moules frites and local beer in one of the many pretty squares which dot the city, and then walk it off with a gentle tour; the city centre is easily navigable by foot.

Lille, the historic capital of Flanders, has a very different ambience, having changed hands many times over the centuries.  A colourful, friendly city with a strong cultural aspect, visitors can enjoy many outside spaces, a riverside tramway and an abundance of characterful street markets.  The streets display a wide range of architectural styles with a distinct Flemish influence, and the large Christmas market held every year is a major attraction.

Changing trains in Paris gives you access to the TGV system, which runs fast services to a wide variety of destinations across Europe, including Dijon, Zurich, even Munich and Frankfurt.  Changing trains is often simply a matter of walking across a platform, and tickets can easily be bought in advance.  So next time, why not swap the plane for the train?

Affordable Holidays For Everyone...

These days everyone is looking for ways to save money, and if you are in desperate need of a holiday, but have no idea how you will be able to afford it, think again.  Hostels in the US for example have changed quite a bit over the past few years, and it is not just backpackers and students who are bunking up for the night.  In the UK the Youth Hostel association provides excellent accommodation for those on a budget. 

What To Expect And What Not To Expect

Dorm rooms are the common denominator when it comes to hostel lodging.  You can expect to share a common area and bathrooms.  The kitchen is shared by other guests, as is the laundry area if there is one.  You can expect to pay about £10.00 a night for your accommodation, but do not expect room service or a chocolate on your pillow.  The hostel usually includes a common area where you are free to socialise with other guests.  Some upmarket facilities include bars, desks and internet access.  Pillows and linens are also included.  It is not unusual for a hostel to offer private suites for an additional cost.

What You Should Bring To A Hostel

Although most facilities will provide you with linens it does not hurt to bring your own.  Hostels do not have maid service and if you want to be sure that the sheets have been washed carry yours with you.  Bring a pair of flip flops for the shower and your toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner. Make sure that your suitcase has a padlock, remember you might be sharing your room with complete strangers.

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.

Travel Guide to the Caribbean...

Although the Caribbean Sea is a fairly compact area in comparison to the world’s oceans, the region is far from uniform. The weather can vary greatly from island to island depending on their location and the direction of prevailing winds in addition to geological factors such as mountain chains. While Aruba, for example, boasts a desert climate featuring a variety of cactus species, Puerto Rico is both cooler and more tropical.

The islands also differ greatly in terms of their culture and language. Europeans settled the Caribbean during the great ages of exploration and colonization when many nations competed for power over the region. As a result, some islands are French-speaking to this day, while others use Spanish, English, and even Dutch as their official language. In each case, the native styles of dress and cuisine have blended over time with those of the colonizing country to produce a unique culture found nowhere else on earth.

Getting to the Caribbean

The larger islands have airports served by major airlines, while smaller ones can only be reached by ferries or by taking a flight on a smaller, regional airline. Many people, however, reach the Caribbean on large cruise ships that whisk them away from the UK and allow them to travel in comfort to the New World. Cruise ship travel is actually ideal for a region such as the Caribbean because travellers can have one “home base” that takes them to island after island, freeing them from the necessity of finding their own way from, for example, Jamaica to the Bahamas.

New York: Art and History Sites...

No holiday to the United States is truly complete without a few days spent in New York City. Located along the Atlantic coast, New York is the biggest city in the country in terms of population as well as being the financial capital of the nation.

A City of Art and Architecture

Originally named after James, Duke of York in the 1660s, New York is today home to several world-famous museums that house some of the greatest art treasures in the world. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the foremost of these. Like major museums in Europe, it can take several full days to even begin to appreciate the vast collection at the Met, which includes an entire Egyptian temple rescued from the rising waters of the Nile.

Many tourists also make time to see the noted architecture of the Empire State Building, the site of King Kong’s famous skyscraper scenes. The Guggenheim Museum, housed in a building designed by noted American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is also very popular.

Attractions in New York Harbour

Most people associate New York with the island of Manhattan, though that is just one of the five boroughs making up the city. From Manhattan, tourists can easily catch a boat to tour the famous harbour. Popular destinations out on the water include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The statue site includes a ground-floor museum explaining its history and construction, but the largest attraction for most people is the staircase that traces the interior. The climb to reach the viewing platform located in Lady Liberty’s head is not strenuous, mainly because the line moves at a moderate pace that allows people to rest as much as they move.

Ellis Island was the location where most immigrants to the United States entered the country during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Guided tours are available to showcase the facilities and their role in shaping U.S. culture and society.

Plan A Spa Holiday For Relaxation And Rejuvenation...

There is nothing better than spoiling yourself, and if you have never had a massage, you do not know what you are missing.  Day spa’s are all over the world and if you have been neglecting yourself take some time to recharge your run-down batteries.

One of the most well-known destinations for a spa holiday is the island of Bali.  Indulge in a traditional Balinese massage, or book a relaxing facial.  Everyone needs to detoxify, and if you have been feeling sluggish you would welcome a body wrap or scrub.

Calistoga is in the San Francisco Bay area and is known for the natural hot springs that are found in the area of this quaint little town.  Have a soak or grab your partner and enjoy a relaxing couple’s mud bath.

Wherever you spend your holidays there is bound to be a day spa, and if you have never had the pleasure of spoiling yourself, now is the time.

Imagine Cruising…...

Imagine cruising down the Nile, around the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic – the possibilities are endless, hampered only by one’s own imagination.  A cruise and stay holiday is truly the experience of a lifetime and even if one were to choose for example a Caribbean cruise two years in a row, those cruises would not be the same.  Everything about each cruise is unique and cannot be repeated.  Not only the destinations change but sights and sounds do too and if one was to return year upon year each stop-off would be as fresh and new as it was the first time.

Imagine cruising on honeymoon.  How much more romantic could it be – days in the sun and evenings under the stars – a perfect start to your new life together?

Imagine cruising in celebration of that special anniversary.  What better way to have fun on your special day than to spend it en route to the Bahamas, the fjords or the Greek islands?

Imagine cruising with the whole family.  With so many on-board activities even the most energetic children cannot become bored and for the older ones, there are poolside activities and games by the score – more than enough to keep your teenager occupied and happy that they did come on holiday with Mum and Dad after all!

Imagine cruising after working really hard all year. A cruise is the perfect place to forget the rat race, the daily commute, the targets, the customers, the stress and the strain – take it easy and relax doing a lot or doing nothing at all.  On a cruise your time is your own – wristwatch optional.

Imagine cruising after graduation.  What better way to celebrate your entry into your chosen profession than a few days or weeks of utter relaxation?  Gym, sports, pools, Jacuzzi and spa are on tap as well as some terrific destinations and luxurious living.  Why say no?