Ho Chi Minh City is organised into several districts (rather like suburbs) and the majority of travellers head for District One, which is where there are numerous hotels.  Within this location, the city has a distinct area in which the majority of hotels can be found.

If you are looking for a classy hotel, head for the area around Don Khoi Street.  This is the street that leads from the Cathedral to the Saigon River and there are numerous hotels to choose from in this area.

Those on a budget and want plenty of life after dark are recommended to search around Pham Ngu Lao Street, which is commonly referred to as the ‘backpacker district’.  Hotel options are plentiful and cheap.

Another affordable area, but with plenty of mid-priced options too, is around the Ben Thanh Market, which has lots of hotels and some good shopping and dining options at the same time.

All of these areas are in District One and are close to one another.  In each area there are excellent dining options, although the higher priced restaurants are around Don Khoi Street. 

Street food is very popular in Vietnam and it is more readily found around Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao.  It is incredibly cheap and diners usually sit on small plastic stalls in the street to enjoy their meal.

Magic Kingdom 

Located in the Magic Kingdom theme park, Main Street U.S.A, it is often the first stop when exploring Disneyland.  This busy street is awash with colour, entertainment and attractions including the Disneyland Railroad and Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, featuring songs from several Disney movies and musicals.  At the end of Main Street is the iconic Cinderella Castle. Built in 1971, the majestic castle is the centrepiece of Disneyland with lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table being the chief attraction.  Magic Kingdom also has Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland and Adventureland. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

Arguably the most exciting and engaging of the theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a trip back in time through all of Disney’s movie magic.  From Mary Poppins’ carousel horse to Indiana Jones’ Epic Stunt Spectacular Show, Hollywood Studios hosts a variety of cinematic shows and rides. The most famous of the rides is aptly titled ‘The Great Movie Ride’ and showcases decades of Disney Cinema.

The city became the primary destination of the entire population of Millerton in 1872. The entire population of Millerton moved to the railroad line and built the town of Fresno.  Located in the heart of San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is also called the “Garden of the Sun” because of its rich agricultural industry. Some of the largest wineries in the United States can be found in Fresno
 
Ash Tree

The name Fresno originates from the Spanish word for ash tree.  When the people of Millerton transferred to Fresno, there were many ash trees in the valley. Today, sprawling farms and expansive orchards dominate Fresno’s landscape.

Fresno serves as the entry point to three popular natural parks.  A mountain range to the east is called the Sierra Nevada. To the northeast is the Sierra National Forest, 1.3 million acres of rugged mountain terrain.  At the upper edge of the Sierra National Forest is the famous Yosemite National Park. Such a pivotal location has made Fresno a frequent destination among hikers and mountaineers. Fresno also has many cultural sites and a unique location that appeals to nature lovers.

Austria and Switzerland are both considered ideal locations for cheap holidays for winter sports because of the abundant snowfall in the Alps, which covers approximately 75% of the country and is particularly prominent in regions such as Tyrol, Salzburg, and Carinthia.

The most visited city in Austria is Vienna, which is located in the north-eastern region of Lower Austria. A favourite tourist activity in Vienna is visiting the restaurants and cafés which populate the city. The veal cutlet dish known as Weiner Schnitzel is something many visitors wish to try, but Vienna is probably most renowned for its dessert specialities including hot apple strudel and sweet dumplings filled with fruit. Vienna is also famous for the quality of its coffee and is one of the few capital cities in the world to boast its own local vineyards producing fine vintages of wine.

Any shopping trip to New York would not be complete without a stroll down Madison Avenue.  High fashion brand names such as Prada, DKNY, Chanel and Hermes line the streets here, which is also a block over from Central Park should you need a rest.

Fifth Avenue is where the top department stores such as Bergdorf are located, and make sure you take in the famous Tiffany’s jewellery store, even if just to window shop.  Fifth Avenue is also the home of the Empire State Building, where the 86th floor observatory offers a wide panorama over the city day and night.

If there are children to buy for, make sure you swing by FAO Schwarz; its two enormous floors of toys include many unique mini stores, such as one where you can create your own Barbie, as well as exclusive cuddly animals and bears from the likes of famous manufacturers Steiff.

For a change of scene, try SoHo, a pretty outdoor mall with cobblestone streets, which has everything from outdoor artists’ stands with one off pieces to boutiques offering everything from home ware to shoes.

End your quick shopping break to New York with a cocktail at the Waldorf Astoria, before a short overnight hop home – although you might need to buy a larger suitcase.

Italy is home to the great cities of Rome, Venice and Florence and has some of the most delectable food in the world.  Book a tour and travel to all three cities.  Start your tour in Rome and visit authentic Italian food markets, bakeries and gourmet boutiques.  Taste some of the best wines in Rome and sample the most delicious pizza in the country.  Travel to Florence and go on a food lovers walking tour.  Not only will you enjoy local cuisine, but you will also get the opportunity to shop for local delicacies like olive oil, cheese and balsamic vinegar.  The best part of the tour is lunch at a locally owned family-run trattoria.  Bring your appetite as the owners of this delightful restaurant will not let you leave until you are full and content. 

Venice has a few different food tours for you to consider.  You can walk and eat your way through the city and sample delicious seafood, or go on a restaurant tour.

If you want to do more than eat, consider taking a cooking class.  Tuscany has some wonderful week-long holidays that will teach you how to make your own pasta and the most delicious pizza that you will ever eat.

Now for the first time, since John F Kennedy declared “We choose the moon”, there is a commercial space program beginning that’s designed to put the average person who wants to boldly go where few have gone before amongst the stars.

Virgin Galactic was founded by Sir Richard Branson in March 1999 with the single vision of bringing commercial space flight to the world.  After spending five years developing a vehicle that could make multiple space flights safely, Branson’s company was awarded the Ansari X prize, a $10m fund to further develop a commercial space flight program.  In 2009 Virgin Galactic unveiled Eve to a packed hanger in the Mojave Desert and announced the start of the test flight program prior to commercial operations.

Seats on a Virgin Galactic flight start at $200,000. Once you have made a deposit of $20,000, you will have access to all development forums conducted by Sir Richard Branson.  You’ll also be invited to attend the unveiling of all major milestones up to your own flight.

Prospective astronauts will come to Spaceport America where they will undergo three days of training in which they will learn how to be comfortable in zero, micro and macro gravity situations, as well as basic emergency response procedures.  Team bonding will be an important element.

Virgin Galactic has developed a unique air launch procedure that excludes all the risks associated with ground launching.  Once launched, the craft accelerates to supersonic speed and astronauts orbit the Earth within seconds.  It also requires less fuel, making commercial space flights the cleanest intergalactic endeavour yet.

Once in space, commercial astronauts will enjoy room to float in the zero gravity environment and large windows will give them panoramic and unrivalled views of the Earth.

Virgin Galactic anticipates the cost of commercial space flight will reduce drastically as time goes on and hopes to welcome many more people to the dawn of a new space age.

The breadth of variation is what adds to the country’s charm. Old boulevards and the sloping Alps simply make France a desired holiday retreat. Many who visit France will begin their holidays in Paris. Considered one of the world’s greatest cities, Paris offers great cuisine, world renowned shopping and of course, many famous sites including the Eiffel Tower.

Strasbourg is another beautiful city in France. Situated along the German border, this magnificent city has a strong German influence that only adds to its charm. This city is home to the country’s only national theatre, outside of Paris that is. Strasbourg also hosts two exciting international music festivals each year that draw thousands to the area.

Strasbourg is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site, which is the Grande Ile, is located in the south western part of the island. When touring Strasbourg, don’t miss out on the city’s greatest landmark, the Cathedral Notre Dame.

Wine enthusiasts will no doubt want to head off to the well-known Bordeaux region of France in search of some world-renowned grapes. Aside from famous wine, there lies a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive 18th century centre is a restored building that only accents this magnificent Bordeaux part of the country. This region of France is beyond magical and makes for a perfect romantic holiday.

The ancient port of Dubrovnik lies on the Adriatic Sea, at the southern tip of Croatia.  Referred to as ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’, it is a place of Mediterranean charm and history.

Getting There

Dubrovnik airport is situated 20km south of the city and receives flights from several different UK airlines. Dubrovnik is also a popular stopping place for cruise ships.  The Old Town is pedestrianised and therefore easy to explore on foot.

Things To Do

Explore the architecture and history of the Old Town.  Visit the Gothic Renaissance Sponza Palace or the imposing Fort Lovrijenac, which stands guard over the city.  If you have the energy, take a walk around the city walls that historically protected Dubrovnik from invaders and enjoy a great view of the Old Town by taking a cable care directly to the city heights.

For shopping, cafes, and nightlife the Stradun is an excellent location.  This is the central thoroughfare through old Dubrovnik where you will find plenty of entertainment.

Lapad Beach is a short trip from the Old Town.  This popular pebble beach is a good place to swim and enjoy the sun. Served by a strip of cafés and bars, it has everything you need for a day at the beach.  Boat trips are also available to explore the nearby waters.  The tranquil island of Lokrum can be reached by a short ferry trip.

Where To Stay

Reflecting its status as a high quality resort, Dubrovnik boasts a number of luxury hotels.  Budget accommodation is also available, with apartment and private villa rentals being very popular.

You are spoilt for things to see and do in this bustling Mediterranean Spanish city.  Famous for the Art Nouveau architecture of Antonio Gaudi, the stunning Sagradi Familia Cathedral makes it onto the itinerary of most visitors.  Barcelona also has a world famous football team with a global army of fans.  You can take guided tours around Camp Nou, the legendary football ground of Barcelona FC.  If art is your passion, the Picasso Museum is worth a visit, where you will find almost four thousand of the great Spanish painter’s works.

The city’s close proximity to the sea guarantees the freshest seafood available.  Barcelona’s restaurants cater for all palates and budgets, offering a choice of international and regional cuisine.  As a popular travel destination, a large number of hotels provide accommodation, ranging from budget hostels to five star luxury hotels.

Flights to Barcelona from the UK take two to three hours arriving at either Girona or Reus airport.

For travelling around the city, a clean and efficient Metro service is available.  This is especially pleasant to use in summer when temperatures are high.  Good buses and cheap taxis are also available, but as many parts of central Barcelona are pedestrianised, exploring on foot could be a better way of seeing the sights.