Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

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.

The Mediterranean is an area which is steeped in history. Wander through cobblestone streets, admire historic castles and majestic cathedrals, or be inspired by its art and literature, the Mediterranean has something for everyone.

The warm waters of the Mediterranean surround some of the world’s greatest holiday destinations. Chic harbours, historic cities and beautiful beaches can all be enjoyed on a Mediterranean cruise. Western Mediterranean cruises visit ports in Portugal, France, Italy and Spain. The fascinating antiquities of Cairo, Marrakech and Tunis in North Africa may also be included. Visit the smart seaside resorts of St. Tropez or Monte Carlo, marvel at the ancient wonders of Rome, or enjoy the flamboyant, spirited Barcelona with its quirky architecture designed by Antoni Gaudi.

Central Mediterranean cruises visit the Adriatic, which has some of the most beautiful coastline in the Mediterranean. Visit the historic cities of Slovenia, Montenegro and Croatia. Many cruises include the Greek Islands of Cephalonia and Corfu, as well as the wonders of Venice. Visit the beautiful walled city of Dubrovnik or the incredible Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Wander through the maze of passages and canals that make Venice unique. Unwind on the beautiful beaches of Corfu and Cephalonia, enjoy a drink at a local taverna, or wander through the winding streets of Greek villages.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises travel around the stunning Greek coastline visiting its many islands. Sun-drenched beaches, ancient treasures and dramatic shorelines make for a memorable holiday. Other cruises visit Malta, Turkey, Cyprus and the Black Sea coastal resorts. Visit the wonders of Athens, or Malta, with its fascinating World War II sites, and churches. Explore Istanbul, and cruise through the Dardanelles on route to the Black Sea port of Yalta. Synagogues, minarets, mosques, and the golden domes of the Orthodox churches slip by as cultures converge.

All of the major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Carnival Cruises offer Mediterranean cruises.

The ski resorts of Italy are perhaps not as famous as those in Austria, Switzerland or Germany but Alpine skiing in Italy definitely has a charm all its own. Should you choose the South Tyrol region, there is a definite German flavour to the resorts, while over in Aosta Valley the slopes have a French feel to them. The skiing meanwhile still remains very Italian.

There are apartments to rent that offer the option of summer skiing, all year round snowboarding and border free, snowshoe trails into duty free zones high in the mountains. The one thing you are always assured of at northern Italian apartment resorts is the usual high quality food, full-bodied wines and a friendly welcome.

Turin, the host for the 2006 Winter Olympics, is an excellent starting point; it is in close proximity to the mountains, the Italian-French border, and the Susa Valley which has resorts like Bardonecchia and the very popular Sestiere skiing destinations. At 2035 metres Sistiere has an ice rink, cross-country skiing and slopes supported by ski lifts.

Further north and into the Aosta Valley you are heading into traditional mountain ski terrain; here you will find the breathtaking splendour of the Monte Rosa, the Gran Paradiso and the Matterhorn all towering above you. Nestling in to the foothills of Monte Blanc is the elegant Courmayeur resort with its ice rink, cable cars and ski lifts to the slopes.

The Dolomites in the northeast also offer excellent slopes for the winter sport enthusiast and the resorts of Madonna di Campiglio and Cortona d’Amprezzo are superb locations worth considering.

If you are looking for a good reason to book cheap flights to Israel, look no further than Tel Aviv. The White City section, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, combines a unique concentration of modern buildings blended in with the old, and as the richest city in the entire country and home to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, there is really no reason to book cheap flights to any other major city in the Middle East, because there is more than enough going on in Tel Aviv to keep you busy for weeks; if you can spare the time of course.

The northern section of the city is the wealthiest district and sites such as Hayarkon Park and Israel’s Museum can easily keep a visitor occupied for quite some time. The city centre is described as the heart of Tel Aviv and contains most of the major tourist attractions and shopping areas. This is the modern Tel Aviv that everyone can appreciate, regardless of which country they have taken a cheap flight from.

The southern section is the original district that contains the first neighbourhoods built in the early 20th century and while it is considered the poorer district it is continually evolving. The Jaffa section contains one of the oldest ports in the world, detailed in various religious manuscripts over the years as the place where Jonah started his journey. Andromeda was tied to the rock as a sacrifice to the sea monster and this is where Peter the Apostle received his famous vision.

A certain kind of inverted snobbery has emerged in response to the growing popularity of cruise holidays. Once thought to be the exclusive preserve of the wealthy they’ve more recently been derided by travel writers like Arthur Frommer, somewhat dyspeptically, as an inauthentic way to travel. But if you’re looking for some serious fun as well as some serious relaxation, and you’d like to see some glorious sights that a standard resort holiday just can’t deliver, it’s time to start exploring the many cruise deals on offer perennially from big operators like Thomson Cruises, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruises (to name but a few).

If your inner killjoy tells you that you’ll be bored or sea-sick (or both), ignore it and take a serious look at what’s on offer. For example, on board Royal Caribbean Cruises’ gargantuan ‘Oasis of the Seas’, as with many of the larger vessels, you can relax with a spa treatment after working out in the gym, ride a carousel with the kids, climb a rock wall, have a round of golf and take a whirl on a superb surf simulator. Then you could go shopping in an onboard high street – all before you take in a live Broadway musical or comedy show, watch or take part in a karaoke evening and dine in a range of restaurants to suit every taste (and budget).

Sea sickness is largely a myth – modern ships, from the modest to the extravagantly huge, are equipped with very effective stabilisers. And if you really worry about this, why not begin your cruise experience with one of the many river cruises now available?

When you take advantage of the many flights to Berlin you’ll be letting yourself in for a real treat. Berlin is one of Europe’s premier cultural capitals, and has a fascinating past, infamous in the 20th century for being divided down the middle by the notorious Berlin Wall between the East and West parts of the city.

Nowadays, Berlin has left all that behind, and is a world-class city that offers a great deal to the most demanding visitor. The population is multicultural and cosmopolitan, and the city is full of international eateries serving up not only German but also Vietnamese, Turkish and Russian cuisines amongst many others.

Berlin also features many acres of parkland in addition to its multitude of museums, theatres, art galleries and vibrant nightlife, so there really is, as the cliché goes, something for everyone here. 

Berlin is a modern city with a youthful and positive outlook, whilst at the same time refusing to ignore the old and troubling wartime memories that it has to live with. So as well as the socialising and fun of the Berlin Bike Tour and the day-trips to Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace you can take the more sombre Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Walking Tour.

To really get into the spirit of Berlin you could not do better than to visit Charlottenburg Palace, where you can take a tour of this magnificent Hohenzollern residence and listen to the Berlin Residence Orchestra playing exquisite baroque and other music.

Once upon a time, if you said you were off to Lanzarote or Tenerife, people would assume that you would be staying in a cramped, soulless resort complex on a bargain basement package holiday, drinking beer in an English pub, shoulder to shoulder with fellow sunburnt Brits. Cheap holidays are still plentiful and great value for money, but standards have risen and there’s now also a wide range of upmarket accommodation, away from the crowds.

With their arid, volcanic landscape, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria have an unusual natural beauty as well as a sunny climate. Although the well-known resorts are very busy with tourists, these big islands still have nature reserves, fishing ports and banana plantations. If you venture further afield than the imported sands of Tenerife’s Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, or Lanzarote’s Puerto del Carmen, you’ll find peaceful holiday villas away from the crowds. The smaller islands of La Gomera and La Palma have forested mountain interiors which are perfect for exploring.

The appeal of these islands continues because there is something for everyone, from resort apartments to secluded villas and rural cabins. All tastes are catered for, with lively bars and clubs and idyllic unspoilt countryside, plus a whole range of activities. Also, Fuerteventura is a mecca for windsurfers with its strong prevailing winds.  At about 4 ½ hours flying time from the UK, and with a choice of budget airlines offering deals, the Canary Islands are very easily reached.

If staying in a private holiday villa while in Italy is high on your list of priorities as a traveller, there is no better place than Turin for your extended stay in the country. Nestled in the shadows of the Alps as they dominate the skyline of the Piedmont region, Turin contains literally dozens of villas to choose from, including the more famous tourist attractions such as the 17th century Royal Palace or the Savoy Residences. There are also a variety of other sights to see, such as the Villa la Tesoreria, the Giardini Reali di Torino, or the Royal Gardens of Turin.

In addition to the picturesque countryside filled with mountains, forests, valleys, gardens, hidden Italian villages and more, Turin is also a major industrial centre for Italy, functioning as the headquarters of Fiat as well as for various factories where modules for the International Space Station were built. The University of Turin is also headquartered in the city, ranked as one of the best universities in Italy, as well as one of the oldest.

Bear in mind that Turin is not a budget destination. During the summer months this is one of Italy’s favourite mountain retreats for both foreigners and locals alike, and during the winter months this is one of the premier ski resorts in the country. As such, most of the accommodation is comparable with resort prices around the world, especially when it comes to renting villas for the duration of your trip. As long as your pockets can handle a little extra stretching, Turin is the perfect place for a vacation, regardless if your stay is during the winter or summer months.