Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

South Africa is a country rich with natural wonders, from the diverse wildlife to the natural heritage sites and wild parklands and expansive gardens. For example, Kruger National Park in South Africa has two million hectares of land, and here you can spot lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, rhinos and buffalos. Family lodgings, self-catering camping options and even luxury honeymoon accommodation are available all year round, with guided or self-drive jeep tours. You can even trek on horse or take in the majestic landscape from a hot air balloon!

There are hundreds of stunning nature reserves all over this beautiful country. South Africa is also home to the largest baobab tree in the world – at six thousand years old, it is 22 metres high and 47 metres in circumference! With both mountainous and desert landscapes to thrill and inspire visitors, South Africa has the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal, the magnificent Palace of the Lost City at Rustenburg, the bustling port of Durban, the Table Mountain backdrop of eclectic Cape Town (the most popular international tourist destination) and the buzzing vibe of Johannesburg (the largest and wealthiest city, but not the country’s capital).

South Africa is also home to some of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites in the world. Cape Town has numerous attractions, from the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium and more than 25 beaches across False Bay, the West Coast and Atlantic Seaboard. Accommodation is plentiful across a range of regions and resorts, from rustic B&Bs and rental apartments to deluxe hotels.

Australia is the perfect holiday destination for those who love the great outdoors of course, but it is also a country that offers plenty for visitors interested in history, art and culture. With numerous museums and galleries, Australia provides its visitors with the opportunity to explore the country’s history. Melbourne, the country’s capital city, offers a great deal in the world of culture and is a popular tourist destination.

Australia is home to the Sydney Opera House, which is one of the most popular performing art centres in the world. The centre consists of several theatres, a studio, playhouse, a concert hall and rooms that are suitable for small and large events. The centre is worth a visit for those looking for an attraction that offers a variety of entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy a light snack or main meal in one of the centre’s cafes or restaurants. Those who are unable to attend one of the performances at the Sydney Opera House may wish to catch a glimpse of the centre’s stunning architecture, which looks particularly impressive at night.

For those looking for a place to relax, it is worth visiting Western Australia, which has wonderful sandy beaches. The area also offers stunning scenery and is home to Karijini National Park, which is known for its beautiful waterfalls. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes located in the area.

Australia is also the perfect holiday destination for those who love wildlife. There are many opportunities to see the local wildlife in Western Australia, particularly in Albany. Albany is a popular tourist destination and is known for its stunning coastline, which has a variety of beautiful beaches that are ideal for those looking for a relaxing location in the area.

When you think about cruise holidays you probably initially think of holidays that are intended for couples to enjoy, or perhaps even families.  Indeed there are many different types of cruises available that are designed to suit different people.

As such you can also book a cruise to go on by yourself.  You don’t have to be part of a couple to go on a cruise, and there are some cruise holidays that are especially designed for singles only.

This opens up the opportunity of cruising to other destinations to everyone.  The fact that everyone on board is single means you have a chance to make new friendships as you settle into life on board.

You can, of course, quite happily spend time exploring various ports you call into on your own as well.  But it is good to know that there are lots of other people on board who have also elected to have a break on their own.  Regardless of whether you are going to meet new people or just to get away from cruise holidays that are packed with families, you can have a great time.

Singles holidays like this also travel to various parts of the world.  No matter where you would like to travel to you can look forward to taking the exact cruise you have always wanted. Some people think being single precludes them from enjoying cruise holidays.  But as you can see nothing could be further from the truth.

Berlin is a city with an interesting history; it is well worth a visit either for a short break or for a longer holiday. Flights to Berlin are easily booked online or through a travel agent. Cheap flights to Berlin can be found via a quick search of the internet. Online bookings often have added discounts, which can make an already cheap flight even kinder to the wallet.

Of all the things to do in Berlin, some are very touristy and some are slightly off the beaten track.  When you do visit the city there are several sites that are not to be missed. The Berlin Wall was famously demolished in 1990, a symbol of the end of the Cold War. The wall itself separated East from West Berlin, the East side being under communist control. A small portion of the wall still exists and there are various segments that have been restored for historical purposes. There is now a museum where the infamous Checkpoint Charlie once stood.

Panoramic views of the city can be found in several places, including Panoramapunkt in Potsdamer Platz where Europe’s fastest elevator will whisk you to the viewing platform above. Cross Hill in Victoriapark will also reveal the city sights and the architecture of both East and West Berlin, and is worth a leisurely stroll.

Make time for coffee and cake at one of Berlin’s many cafes, as this is one of the best-loved traditions in the city. Fresh pastries can be enjoyed on terraces and at street tables that allow you to watch the world go by in a lovely relaxing environment.

In the green heart of central Italy lies Umbria, the emerald jewel in Italy’s crown. This is a land of saints and painters; with 70% of Umbria still wooded and three quarters of the landscape classed as hills or mountains it is the perfect landscape for explorers. Villa rental in the area offers the ideal way to discover this magical part of Italy.

Developments and the property boom have led to a rediscovery of rural Umbria, a quiet tourist destination not over populated with the commercialism of other tourist centres around Italy. Many old farmhouses, tobacco towers, monasteries and barns have been converted for villa rental use. Travellers will discover an array of old stone buildings with exposed oak beams that look out across vast vineyards, olive groves and the Apennine Mountains available.

Umbria boosts some of Christianity’s big names when it comes to saints; Frances, Clare, Benedict and Rita were all born and lived here. Towns like Assisi and Perugia are synonymous with these preachers as are the artists who came to paint them.  The Renaissance is very much a part of Umbria; Raphael, Perugino, Giotto and della Francesco all worked in the cities and hill towns of the region and many of their frescoes are still evident.

Even around the small towns of Orvieto, Terni and Spolleto you will find plenty of villas to rent, lovely properties that make excellent bases from which to see the sights, sample the cuisine and taste the local wine. Natural wonders like Marmore Waterfall and Lake Trasimeno are excellent destinations and Umbria’s national parks are well laid out, protected areas of perfect beauty.

Tignes and Val d’Isère share a huge area of slopes known as L’espace Killy. Locally, Tignes’ biggest asset is the Grande Motte – and the runs from, as well as on, the glacier. The underground funicular from Val Claret whizzes you up to over 3000m in seven minutes. Fast chairs and gondolas get you up the mountain from most parts of the ski resort. Recent investment has added more fast chairs higher up too, but a few key slow ones remain that could do with being upgraded.

The main lifts towards Val d’Isère are efficient: a high-capacity gondola from Le Lac to Tovière, and a fast chair with covers from Val Claret to Col de Fresse. You can head back to Tignes from either: the return from Tovière to Tignes-le-Lac is via a steep black run but there are easier blue runs to Val Claret.

There are some serious challenges for the expert skier, Tignes has converted six of its black runs into ‘naturides’, which means they are never groomed, but they are marked, patrolled and avalanche protected. The intermediate skier is well catered for and for keen intermediate piste-bashers the Espace Killy is one of the top three or four areas in the world. For the inexperienced skier there are suitable areas, but for a beginner you would be better off in the Val d’Isere resort.

Occasionally there are rumours in the travel industry of fantastic cruise deals, but online searches fail to reveal any details. 

Sometimes cruise lines have a number of cabins left unsold before a sailing, which will be sold at heavily discounted prices. However, they will not publicly advertise these deals. The only way to find them is to join the e-mail list of a travel agency specialising in cruises.

Look for agencies that are preferred sellers for particular cruise lines, and if you receive an e-mail about low rates, do respond. Sometimes this will simply be a gimmick, but at other times you may get a very good deal on a cruise.

These deals are for last-minute cruises and only available for a limited time, so you will need to book quickly and be able to make travel arrangements at short notice. Also, be prepared to accept that the cabin you get may be the one that other passengers have complained about.

Travel agencies buy group space on cruises well in advance of the cruise date. The travel agency often pay a deposit, and as they work hard to establish a good relationship with the cruise line. They are often given a lower price, typically 10 to 40 percent less than the standard price. These savings are passed on to their customers. These deals are available to those who can book early, preferably more than 90 days prior to sailing. To take advantage of these cruise deals, you need to know your travel agent, so they can tell you if it is a good price, or if the price is likely to go lower closer to sailing. However, you can cancel or change your booking at a later date without incurring high penalties.

Holiday travel to Syria requires a few more steps in obtaining proper visas and paperwork. If you have a flight to Damascus in your itinerary, here is what you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Flights to Damascus land at the Damascus International Airport, which is located 35 km south east of the capital city. The airports are served by Syrian Arab Airlines, with British Airways and bmi being the two major airlines from European countries.

Citizens of Arab countries are not required to have visas; however, almost every other traveller must have an entry visa. The process of obtaining a visa can be expensive and time-consuming. The most efficient way is to visit the Syrian embassy in your home country. Some individuals may wait and hope that they can get a valid visa by travelling first to Turkey and applying for one there.

To enter Syria, you will need a letter from your consulate stating that your home country has no objection to your travel to Syria. This correspondence is referred to as a “letter of recommendation”. Your visa must have a signature and two stamps, or else it will be declared invalid and the traveller will not be allowed to disembark.  It must also be in its original blue arrival form.

There can be no evidence of travel to Israel, whether it is a passport stamp, packaging with Hebrew labelling, or if the flight to Damascus comes from any country bordering Israel. These travellers are denied entry into Syria.

Prague’s airport, Ruzyne, is situated about 17 km north-west of Prague (about a 30-minute car journey), and is the Czech Republic’s only international airport, serving 11 million passengers every year.

The centre of Prague is relatively easy navigate, and most sight-seeing can be done in a day, either by foot or using the trams. There is also a funicular railway, and river cruises are available, as many of the sights are located along the banks of the Vlatva River. The city has become increasingly and consistently popular over recent years, and is the perfect destination for a weekend break. In 1992, the centre of Prague (which totals over 2,000 acres) was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) connects the two opposite banks of Vltava River, and the city centre is spread over five areas on both sides. On one side is the Stare Mesto and Old Town Square and the Nove Mesto (New Town, known as Wenceslas Square). Across the bridge is the Mala Strana and Castle District, where you will find the famous Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad). Prague has a selection of low-cost holiday apartments and reasonably-priced hotels situated on both sides of the river. Staying in local accommodation means you only need a weekend to take in all the major sights that the Prague experience has to offer. Although the charm of the region, the delectable local beer and the welcoming atmosphere may make you want to stay much longer!

Apart from the stunning castle, situated on top of a hill overlooking the city below, there are numerous other attractions, including the two impressive Bridge Towers, the Old Town Hall Tower and the magnificent Klementinum with its astronomical clock tower. Art-noveau-style Municipal House is the largest concert hall in Prague – and this unique Eastern European country certainly loves its music concerts and theatre performances.

Offering visitors a unique insight in to Eastern European life and its history, with quirky architecture (Baroque, Gothic and Rococo), quaint churches, winding cobblestone streets and a friendly ambience, Prague is justifiably one of Europe’s top city destinations with couples and families alike.

When looking for ski holidays France is an ideal choice. It is located within easy reach of most European destinations which also makes it easy to access from worldwide. Chamonix ski resort is the largest and the oldest ski resort in the country. It is one of the most popular places for skiers to enjoy their ski holiday. France has many such resorts catering for this market.
Located in the Chamonix Valley, overlooked by the highest mountain in the Alps mountain range, Mont Blanc, Chamonix ski resort offers excellent ski conditions for all levels of experience from intermediate to off-piste. 

Skiing in France, especially in a resort such as Chamonix used to be regarded just for the elite, but with the introduction of low cost airlines, there are many bargain ski deals to be found, and a quick search of the internet brings so much choice there is bound to be something to suit everyone.

Although Chamonix has plenty of slopes for strong skiers and those that enjoy extreme sports such as snowboarding, there are also slopes for the beginners and families too. Chamonix is also an ideal place for groups of holiday makers, even if some of the party do not like to ski. The resort offers so many activities for the non skier that everyone will love their ski holiday; France has much to offer for all age groups.

Non skier activities include swimming and tennis, and for the more adventurous there is mountaineering, ice climbing and even dog sledding. Chamonix truly is the ideal ski holiday destination, and if looking for a ski holiday, France is a top choice.