Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘Travel Destinations’ Category

Some fascinating prehistoric sites can be visited in Northern Ireland. Like Stonehenge in England, these sites draw in many intrigued tourists eager to learn more about Northern Ireland’s distant past.

The Giant’s Ring, located at Ballynahatty near Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, is a huge earthwork circle or ‘henge’ monument. Near the centre lies a tomb composed of five upright stones and a capstone. If staying in Belfast city, a day trip to the Giant’s Ring makes for a very interesting experience. Admission to the site is free and the gates open at 10.00am (closing hours are variable depending upon the season).

Another of Northern Ireland’s prehistoric sites can be found eight and a half miles northwest of Cookstown in County Tyrone. The Beaghmore site is home to seven stone circles and numerous cairns dating from the Neolithic era. The exact purpose of the stones is still not fully understood, adding to the sense of mystery surrounding the site. The Beaghmore stone circles are always open to the public and admission is free. While in this part of Northern Ireland, the nearby Sperrin Mountains are also well worth a visit.

The Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex in County Londonderry is yet another fascinating prehistoric site. The monuments, tombs, cairns and stone circles of Ballygroll date from 4000 to 1000BC. The entire site is set within a pre-bog field system situated on Slievegore Hill. The complex is easily visited from the city of Derry. Again, admission is free and the site is always open to the public.

Whilst others flock to Spain and Portugal, the canny golfer looks to France for a relaxing break, enjoying the culture, scenery and gastronomy of our neighbours across the Channel. You can either book with a specialist company offering golf packages, or create your own custom holiday, perhaps renting an idyllic French gite or holiday cottage. This way you can tailor activities to suit everyone in your party, combining golf with beach activities, horse riding, walking, and sightseeing.

Many of France’s golf courses are in glorious settings, beautifully kept, undiscovered and free from crowds. Green fees aren’t cheap, but special offers and discount vouchers can help keep it affordable. It pays to do some research in advance. There are several regions which are perfect for a French golfing holiday. In Brittany, just a short hop across the Channel, there are golf courses on rocky shorelines, set in ancient forests and beside lakes. The area is brimming with history and character, with lots to see and do.

Northern France, also easily accessible from the UK, boasts some superb courses in an area known for its gastronomic delights, the cultural centre of Lille, and pretty seaside resorts such as Deauville and St Omer. In the southwest, you can combine your golfing holiday with the attractions of Bordeaux and Biarritz where the fairways are set amidst pine trees and sandy beaches, surrounded by famous vineyards. On the Mediterranean coast, you’ll find pristine courses near the glamorous resorts of Cannes, Nice and Montpellier.

Moscow and St Petersburg may be the most popular tourist destinations in Russia, but the city of Omsk is fast becoming a more widely recognised attraction. Omsk is located in south-western Siberia and is the administrative and industrial centre of the region. Despite its development, the city has preserved its fascinating history and culture.

Visitors to Omsk are spoilt for choice as far as sights are concerned. Lyubinsky Avenue (also known as Lenin Street) is one of the city’s main thoroughfares and provides an interesting mix of architectural styles. The old buildings of the Merchants Row (the Gostiny Dvor), the Drama Theatre and the lavish Dormition Cathedral are all to be found in and around this area.

The Omsk Museum of Fine Arts and the Pushkin Library are two more cultural highlights, as is the traditional and spectacular Omsk Circus. On warm summer days, the sandy banks of the Irtysh River become a prime spot for people watching. The opportunity to sunbathe on a beach in Siberia is one that shouldn’t be missed.

The area around Omsk also provides more adventurous outdoor activities. The forests and tundra are ideal for trekking and cross-country skiing, both of which can easily be arranged in the smaller towns outside Omsk or within the city itself.

Omsk can be reached by air from most of Russia’s major cities. Both branches of the Trans-Siberian railway pass through the city, making Omsk an ideal stop-off point for travellers on Russia’s most famous train line.

Cruises don’t have to mean weeks and weeks at sea. Most cruise companies, including Carnival, Thomson, Costa and P&O offer what are known as mini cruises.

Mini cruises are perfect for anyone wanting to just sample the cruising life or for those just looking for a short break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You will have the luxury and benefits of a full cruise, just shorter in length.

Usually, mini cruises last around two to four days, but they can be as long as a week. Most short cruises will depart from a port in the United Kingdom, while those lasting for up to seven days may require you to fly to an international port and meet the cruise liner there. Usually, mini cruises involve Mediterranean itineraries.

You will be offered exactly the same service, on a mini cruise that you would expect to find on a full length one. Meals are included in the package, as are gyms, spas, entertainment and all the usual activities. You can also join any shore excursions that may be taking place at the various ports of call.

Mini cruises are a great way to get a taste for what a full length cruise is like, this may be your first time and if you aren’t sure it’s for you a mini cruise is perfect to get your feet just wet enough to decide whether it’s your type of holiday.

With its various historical influences and owners, the island of Malta is a fascinating mix of Mediterranean cultures. Malta has been ruled by a number of nations during its fascinating history, creating a unique blend of architectural styles and cultural traditions. Exploring all that Malta has to offer will certainly keep visitors intrigued and entertained, while the beaches provide a perfect place to relax.

Malta’s small capital, Valletta, is a real historical gem. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city and its massive fortifications look over the Grand Harbour below. The narrow backstreets are ripe for exploration, while the main square bustles with activity. The Hypogeum, meanwhile, is the island’s most impressive historical structure. This prehistoric underground necropolis still baffles experts with its many mysteries. Due to its age and importance, only 80 tourists are allowed to enter per day. Be sure to book in advance in order to see this incredible temple.

Malta’s rich Mediterranean history is complemented by some equally spectacular beaches. Ghadira Bay is the island’s most popular spot, especially with families. There is always space on this large stretch of sand backed by cafes and restaurants, and the water is perfect for swimming and parasailing. For greater tranquillity, head west to Gnejna Bay. The beach here is popular with locals but never gets overcrowded.

Getting to Malta is not difficult. Regular ferries connect the island with Italy, the fastest being the catamaran service to and from Sicily. Malta’s International Airport, meanwhile, is well connected with the rest of Europe and North Africa.

Saudi Arabia has long been seen as a closed country where westerners did not go. It is still to a certain extent viewed as something of a forbidden place that does not take kindly to foreigners. Things have started to change slightly during recent years and for those who do venture into the country there are some amazing yet not widely known sites to visit.

Madain Saleh is a place where many ancient peoples came together via trading caravans, pilgrim routes, armies and explorers. Its Temples of the Nabataeans are carved from stone. These were carved by the same craftsmen that built the temples at Petra in Jordan, although they are nowhere near as spectacular.

The north of Saudi Arabia has a number of pre-Islamic sites including those at Al-Ula and the standing stones of Rajajil 25 kilometres from Sakaka, which tourists rarely get permission to visit.  Relics of the Hejaz railway and various forts stand as a reminder of times gone by when trade caravans and groups of pilgrims passed through here every day. The area around Hejaz, which means ‘barrier’ and refers to the escarpment that separates the area from the rest of the country, is the most cosmopolitan in all Saudi Arabia.  This is because of the variety of traders and travellers who have come through the area and have left their mark.

The Hejaz area is an excellent place to spend some time exploring as it is bordered by the Red Sea in the north, and mountains to the south. It also contains the old town of Jeddah which has secrets of its own to reveal and with an abundance of cheap flights available to Saudi Arabia now has never been a better time to visit.

Costa Cruises is a trusted provider of cruise holidays to a plethora of destinations worldwide. Choose from a number of itineraries based around such destinations as the Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands, Canada and United States, Eastern Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean, Far East, the Grand Orient, Indian Ocean and Mauritius, Middle East, Northern Capitals, Norwegian Fjords and Highlands, South America, Transatlantic, Western Caribbean and Western Mediterranean.

Costa Cruises offers a variety of cruises and cruise and stay holidays tailored to suit the needs of every traveller, on a fantastic fleet of well equipped and luxurious liners.

Families can enjoy a relaxing cruise holiday together safe in the knowledge that the needs of both parents and children will be well catered to.  The Costa Kids programme is open to children aged between three and 17 and offers a programme of activity and entertainment to keep youngsters occupied at sea, including arts and crafts, sports, games and parties. Run by qualified staff, the Costa Kids programme allows parents to enjoy a bit of well earned alone time safe in the knowledge that their children are well taken care of.

Costa Cruises are also a great option for couples, offering an exciting opportunity to share a wealth of experiences. As well as discovering new and interesting cruise destinations, couples will be able to bond while enjoying a variety of activities from fine dining to relaxing on deck – the stress free cruising travel style will free up time for couples to simply spend some quality time together.

Skiing is the most popular sport in Austria and professional Austrian skiers rank amongst the best in the world. Many people, when they think of Austria, think of cosy Alpine villages and snowy mountain trails. The reality does live up to the hype. For skiers Austria is a wonderful land of old-world chalet villages, lift-linked ski areas, rustic wood-panelled restaurants, mountain huts and exceptional après ski and nightlife. Skiing holidays in Austria can make for a truly memorable holiday.

Whist some might say that Switzerland is more efficient, France more sophisticated and the cuisine of Italy is hard to beat, all agree that for friendliness Austria is the best. Austria is renowned for its after skiing tea times, schnapps on the slopes and late night partying.

The Austrian Alps have three main chains; the High Alps, the Northern Limestone Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps. In the Northern Limestone Alps you will find many natural valleys and resorts such as St. Anton, Lech, Ischgl and Kitzbuhl. The High Alps starts with the Oetzal resorts of Obergurgl and Solden and runs to Innsbruck, Zell am See and Kaprun. The Southern Limestone Alps are on the border with Italy and Slovenia.

Mountain elevation is lower in Austria than in France, Switzerland or Western Italy, but as the winters get colder the further east you travel in the Alps Austria still gets plenty of snow. However, skiers are advised to check snow conditions before planning their vacation if they intend to travel in early winter or spring. High season in Austria is the Christmas to New Year period and February to March. Low season is before Christmas, January after the New Year and late March through to closing in April.

Search on the internet for Ski Holidays Austria to compare packages and prices.

London Heathrow airport is the biggest in the United Kingdom.  It is located just 15 miles from central London and is easily reached via the M4 and M25 motorways.  The airport now has five terminals and offers flights to and from all four corners of the world.  It is linked to the London Underground and overland rail services so is an ideal starting point for tourists.

Tourists have a vast number of hotels to choose from at Heathrow and there are several major tourist attractions within easy travelling distance. Legoland is situated at Windsor and makes a fun day out for all the family.  There are rides, shows and Lego interactive building challenges to stretch the imagination.

Ascot Racecourse has several race meetings each year and in June each year Royal Ascot offers several days of racing, royalty and celebrity spotting.  For those who enjoy rubbing shoulders with the upper classes, Windsor Castle is another popular destination for tourists.  The castle is one of the Queen’s official residences and dates back over a thousand years.  It is home to St George’s Chapel, where a number of royal weddings have taken place. Visitors can also view the Castle’s State Apartments.

For sports enthusiasts, Sunningdale and Wentworth golf clubs are close to the airport.  There is also The Guards Polo club which is one of the largest in Europe.  A large number of members are actually non-players and matches take place most weekends during the summer months in Windsor Great Park.

If you are taking your first cruise, it is important to be aware of what will need to be organised for your trip. Cruise holidays involve a little more than simply turning up at the ship and being whisked away on your voyage; there are several arrangements that will need to be made before you set sail.

Booking flights to the departure destination is, of course, the first thing you should look at. Many cruise deals offer packages, which include the cost of return flights in the price, but if you opted to fly separately, it will be well worth your while looking for the best deals, especially if you are going on a long-haul flight. It is also vital that you give yourself plenty of time between the flight arrival and the cruise departure. You should also allow for any potential delays.

Some cruise companies provide transport from the airport to the pier, but the majority will require that you book at least 14 days in advance. They can also look after your baggage, taking it right from the airport to the ship, but it will be your responsibility to ensure that this is done. If arranging your own transport to the pier, porters are nearly always on hand to take your luggage.

Another area that requires attention is the documentation for the trip. As well as tickets it is essential that you have a valid passport that will be accepted at each port of your cruise and stay holiday. Depending on the countries being visited, you may also need to obtain one or more visas.