Aug 20th, 2011
by multilingual.
A holiday through the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast of Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer train is a great way to see this magnificent country.
Train travel in western Canada is not commonplace, given the distances between towns and the forbidding landscape of rocks, mountains and rivers. However, the Rocky Mountaineer operates several routes that depart from Vancouver or Calgary and pass through Banff, Jasper, Kamloops and Whistler. The train makes overnight stops and offers day trips to extend your holiday in the Rockies with helicopter tours, excursions onto the Columbia ice fields and sightseeing in Banff.
The train routes take you through constantly changing terrain, as the rainforest of the coastal plain gives way to the dry canyons of the Fraser River valley and the desert-like ranch-lands of the Thompson region. As the train creeps into the Rockies you will glimpse splendid views of rough mountain terrain, churning rivers and streams and alpine fields full of wildflowers. You are likely to see wildlife including bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and deer as the train passes through seemingly untouched wilderness.
The towns of Kamloops, Jasper and Banff, along with quaint mountain villages, have much to offer during your overnight stays, including fine dining, sightseeing and shopping. Kamloops and Whistler have numerous golf courses, art galleries and museums, as well as impressive restaurants serving a range of local and international dishes.
International flights operate from London to Calgary and Vancouver.
Posted in: Air Travel, Holidays, Travel Destinations, Travel Tips.
Aug 18th, 2011
by multilingual.
From the rugged splendour of towering glaciers to the historical sites of the long ago gold rush, one of the best ways to explore Alaska in depth is on a cruise tour.
There is little that compares to a firsthand sighting of a mother polar bear and her cubs, or hearing the thundering crack of an ancient glacier as it crashes into the sea below, or visiting a coastal port sprung from an early frontier boomtown. Alaska is America’s last great frontier with millions of hectares filled with frozen tundra, exotic wildlife, national parklands, lush forests and snow-capped mountains.
The best way to experience Alaska is through one of two types of cruises. Take an Inside Passage tour, passing through Vancouver, Canada with its mountainous glaciers into southeast Alaskan ports, combining the pleasures of a cruise holiday with land interior expeditions into Denali National Park, the Canadian Rockies or the Yukon gold rush country. Land travel is part of the cruise deals and guests are ferried to the interior in glass-domed railcars or deluxe motor coaches.
The other option is the Gulf of Alaska cruise, also offering a hybrid tour of land and water. Princess Cruises offers a Voyage of the Glaciers tour. Southbound sailings spotlight Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier while northbound passages cruise past Sawyer Glacier and College Fjord. Cruise lines offer land tours of Juneau, Skagway Gateway to the Klondikes or Glacier Bay National Park.
For greater value, plan the land tour before embarking on the cruise portion of the holiday for major savings. These are also the most popular packages, so plan to book early.
Posted in: Cruise Holidays, Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Travel Tips.
Aug 16th, 2011
by multilingual.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, as well as the largest city in the region. Its total metropolitan area is made up of nearly 500,000 people. It is a city with many historical buildings and sites, and the residents are quite welcoming of travellers. Several flights originating from the UK arrive at George Best Belfast City Airport on a daily basis. It is also easy and convenient to arrive by ferry from the UK.
Many people decide to use a tour to see what Belfast has to offer. The Belfast Welcome Centre is a good place to visit, as they have information on current tours available. There are several places to see that are important to experience either as part of a guided tour or individually. City Hall has beautiful British architecture, and the square outside is a popular gathering place.
There are a number of fine museums and galleries to visit as well, including Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast Print Workshop and Gallery, and the Ulster Museum. Many visitors choose to visit the Irish Language Cultural Centre, which is a good place to meet local people.
Belfast has several excellent places to shop in that are also favoured by locals. Dublin Road and College Street both have a variety of interesting, independent shops. Travellers interested in markets can visit St. George’s Market or Smithfield Market. Book enthusiasts will want to visit No Alibis before leaving.
There are also several restaurants in a variety of price ranges worth visiting. The Loaf Cafe serves all three meals, and helps support the local community. Visit Maggie May’s for truly authentic Irish food.
Posted in: Air Travel, City Guide, Travel Destinations, Travel Guides.
Aug 14th, 2011
by multilingual.
If you have been thinking about ski holidays 2012 could be the year for you to enjoy your best skiing season yet. By booking early you can make sure you secure your spot on any one of the world’s most popular slopes.
Start thinking now about what you want from your holiday and make sure you have a stress free break. Ensure that you thoroughly review all your options and check out the ratings for each resort. Make sure the resort you choose has all the facilities and comforts you require.
Try to buy your ski lift passes prior to arriving at your destination. Discounts are commonly offered on pre-booked passes. If you can, plan your trip for during the week. This will mean that you will miss all the weekend traffic and you will find the slopes less crowded that they normally would be.
Mountains are separated into different trails. You need to choose your trail based on your skill level. If you are a beginner stick to the learning slopes and avoid the black trails that are reserved for the expert skiers. It is important to think about the sorts of trails available when choosing from one of the many ski holidays 2012 has to offer. If you are skiing for the first time, or are a relative novice, you will want to avoid those resorts that are geared up for more practiced skiers.
No matter where or when you choose to go on a skiing break, always look out for any holiday packages that might be on offer. Packages often include discounts that you just cannot get if you book independently.
Posted in: Holidays, Ski Holidays, Travel Tips.
Aug 11th, 2011
by multilingual.
A cottage in the countryside? An apartment by the sea? A ski lodge in the mountains? A chateau in the wine country? All these are options when considering how to make the best possible holiday in any part of the world.
Self-catering accommodation is an ideal way to have a relaxed, stress-free holiday, especially if there is a large group of family or friends to be accommodated. From romantic one-bedroom apartments tucked away in a little-known corner of a country, to huge houses that can take 20 or more people, the self-catering market has something for everyone.
Self-catering gives the advantage of the freedom to decide what to do, where to go and when to do it. Costs can be kept down by cooking at the property, all of which come with everything needed for cooking and serving delicious meals. It is often much more relaxing to prepare meals when away from the daily grind. There are new ingredients to discover, new recipes to explore, enjoyable conversation with family helpers and friends in the kitchen and, usually, a glass or two of wine to help ease things along!
Booking self-catering accommodation can be done through special online sites, or by contacting owners directly. Many owners now advertise their properties on specific sites, which allow for personal contact and can lead to a long-term relationship between owner and renter. Many people return to the same place time and time again, a sign that high quality services are being delivered to appreciative visitors.
Posted in: Holidays, Travel Guides, Travel Tips.
Aug 6th, 2011
by multilingual.
Cruises come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate the tastes of every holiday traveller. However, for the person who enjoys the voyage itself rather than exploring many different ports of call, their best cruise deals will be with a transatlantic sailing.
Most of the ships in use for transatlantic cruises are seasonally repositioned to locations where demand for cruise ships is high in the local tourist season. Due to this, many cheap cruises can be booked on transatlantic cruises offering low prices for a seasonal repositioning ship.
Some of the ocean liner companies offer transatlantic cruises up to six times a year, but the majority of companies offer these cruises only twice a year. Most ships travel from Europe to the Caribbean in the autumn and return to Europe in the spring months.
Transatlantic cruises are often theme-based events and the cruises may be dedicated to food and wine, Big Band era, jazz, political issues or how-to-seminars. It is a marvellous opportunity to spend anywhere from six to 16 days travelling across the Atlantic while enjoying a major hobby or interest.
However, one can expect the same impeccable service and refined atmosphere from the majestic ocean liners that passengers received back in the golden days of travel. Even the smallest cabin is beautifully appointed and the staff are courteous and prompt as they meet the needs of the passengers.
If one needs to book a flight to arrive at a port of call, the recommendation of the cruise lines is to arrive one to two days before departure. In fact, most cruise lines offer attractive pre-cruise packages for their passengers’ convenience.
Posted in: Cruise Holidays, Holidays, Travel Guides, Travel Tips.
Aug 3rd, 2011
by multilingual.
Kenyan safaris are lovely ways to see wildlife that would normally be seen only in a zoo. These safaris, which sometimes also include neighbouring Tanzania, are quite exciting. Many people wonder if these types of trips are ideal for family travel. While there is quite a bit of travelling time involved, holiday goers will find that the experience is worth it.
One of the advantages of these tours is that they include knowledgeable local guides. These guides will meet the safari party at the Nairobi airport. They have experience with tourists of all ages, so they can help prepare children for the holiday by answering their questions.
The locations commonly included in a safari are some of the most beautiful in the world. The Masai Mara offers fascinating natural and cultural opportunities, as it is run by the Masai tribe. The tribe members still live the way that they have lived for thousands of years. This can be a literal living history lesson for children. Tourists will be able to see countless wildebeest migrating, as well as numerous lions, cheetahs and leopards.
Another popular destination on a safari that appeals to all ages is Nakuru National Park. One of its main attractions is the large flocks of flamingos that gather around the lake. Numerous other colourful bird species can be found here as well. There are also rhinos, giraffes, and water buffalo here.
Many safaris also include a trip into Tanzania to see the Serengeti. It is home to a wildebeest migration route that allows visitors to see over one million animals passing through. This migration can be safely viewed from a hot air balloon.
Posted in: Air Travel, Holidays, Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Travel Tips.
Jul 28th, 2011
by multilingual.
The Perhentian Islands – Pulua Perhentian Kecil (the small island) and Pulua Perhentian Besar (the big island) – are situated off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and are easily accessible from Thailand. If you are looking for the ultimate relaxing getaway, you can’t go far wrong with this place. Fine, white sand beaches fringed with impossibly enormous palm trees lead to the crystal clear blue waters of the South China Sea. The natural beauty to be found in the Perhentian Islands gives the South Pacific a run for its money.
However, for most travellers the real beauty of this place is what lies beneath the water’s surface. The Perhentian Islands are an international diving hotspot, and have earned this reputation fairly and squarely. Divers are pretty much guaranteed to find green turtles swimming with them as they explore this undersea paradise, and the diversity of the underwater inhabitants of this area is simply beyond belief. Those who prefer to stay closer to the surface and snorkel will derive just as much pleasure from the colourful spectacle of life bobbing just below the surface. However, this sub-aquatic wonderland does not contain the only notable wildlife in these parts. On land keep your eye out for the majestic monitor lizards; you may just be lucky enough to watch them take a midday swim in the sea.
If you are looking for a holiday that is as wonderful beneath the surface as it is on dry land, you can’t go far wrong with this coupling of beautiful islands!
Posted in: Air Travel, Holidays, Travel Destinations, Travel Tips.
Jul 26th, 2011
by multilingual.
Generally billed as the ‘holiday of a lifetime’, a cruise is seen as the ultimate in indulgent getaways. Cruises tend to be expensive holidays, which is why it’s worth taking time to consider whether this type of holiday is right for you before you hand over your hard-earned cash.
When you do your research, the first thing you’ll notice is that there is a wide variety of different cruises on offer. From three day European river cruises to week-long jaunts to the Mediterranean to four month around-the-world journeys, cruises offer a dramatic variety of destinations that will stoke the typical Brit’s sense of adventure.
Cruise Holidays can be ideal since they save you the trouble of packing and unpacking, help you avoid the hassle of airports and keep away the jetlag as you visit a fascinating array of destinations. Once you’ve embarked, you’re on the trip of a lifetime. Fantastic shopping, mouth-watering cuisine, panoramic views of the ocean, interesting games and stunning performances: this is what you get!
However, cruises may not be for everyone. There are plenty of people who are uncomfortable with the idea of a cruise for a variety of reasons. If you’re worried about being on the sea and getting claustrophobic or even bored, you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. For although you’re at sea, you’ve so much to see and do that time will fly by and you’ll be disembarking before you know it.
In the end, taking a cruise is like having any other holiday, only better! Do your research well and pick a cruise that suits you, and soon you’ll be embarking on the holiday of a lifetime.
Posted in: Cruise Holidays, Holidays, Travel Guides, Travel Tips.
Jul 24th, 2011
by multilingual.
Tourists to Madeira’s main town of Funchal will find a more relaxed, leisurely pace of life than is often expected from a capital city. Situated on Madeira’s south coast, Funchal is traditionally popular with more mature travellers and walking enthusiasts looking for a scenic break from their everyday life.
Since Madeira enjoys a low ratio of tourists to the local population, it provides the perfect opportunity to have your dream holiday off the beaten track and increases your chances of soaking up the real Portuguese island culture.
Renowned for its Levada (mini-canal) walks, Funchal has long been a popular destination for walkers eager to soak up Madeira’s unique nature and colourful scenery up close. Reid’s Hotel, established in 1894 and frequented by Sir Winston Churchill, is famous for serving exquisite afternoon teas and providing a retreat from the bright, midday sun.
If you’re daring, you can opt for a cable car trip from Funchal to Monte, and catch the stunning panoramic views. For adventure travellers, this is followed by a toboggan ride in a wicker basket along the narrow and cobbled streets as you head back down at high speed!
Moonlit dolphin and whale-watching trips are abundant if you wish to end your day in a more leisurely mode of transport. Remember, no holiday in Madeira is complete without a trip to one of the island’s famous fortified wine museums.
The island is easy to reach from the UK, with several low cost flights running from major airports. Be warned, though, as landing in Funchal is not for the faint hearted: There’s just one small band of concrete that separates the runway from the sea!
Posted in: Air Travel, Holidays, Travel Destinations, Travel Guides.
