British Airways strike revoked

After putting at risk the Christmas holidays for thousands of travellers, it finally seems that British Airways cabin crew will no longer go on the 12 days strike previously announced. A court injunction forbid the action on the grounds of illegal voting procedure in deciding for the strike. According to the court, many of the workers within BA’s unions Unite placed their votes even though having previously taken voluntary redundancy and being no longer formally involved in British Airways.

Despite the comforting news for passengers, the issue within the air flight company seems far from resolved. The dispute between the management and the unions generated over plans of important reductions in staff as well as introduction of substantial and unfavourable changes in contract for cabin crew. Following the workers’ discontent, the unions had announced a strike from December the 22nd to January the 2nd which would have obviously meant enormous losses for the airline company, given the high season for the travelling industry.

In fact, workers taking part to strike action were calculated to be around 13,500 members which would have left most of BA air fleet to the ground. BA, however, did suffers losses from the turmoil created in the last days, as shares went down by more than 2%.

After the court’s decision, the two parties in question seems to still be set on controversial positions. British Airways declared the planned strike is part of an “old-style trade union militancy” which in no way can contribute to re-establishing the company’s profitability. On the other hand, Unite spokesperson said the court’s decision came as a disgrace to democracy and warned as well that the threat of industrial action is not over as BA employees are apparently planning to take a new ballot.

EasyJet CEO quitting his post

After four years as easyJet chief executive, Andy Harrison, is announcing he is stepping down from his post. This is the fifth resignation from the company's management board, following the latest from Chairman Sir Colin Chandler earlier in April. Before him, easyJet saw its finance director, commercial director, communications director and procurement director all leaving the board over the last twelve months.

Although Harrison declared he is quitting “in order to find new challenges”, the reason for his departure is viewed by many to be in the long-running dispute with EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The disagreement which has quickly become a public battle over the last year concerned the company's expansion plan and fleet growth promoted by the executive board.

This latter involved the future addition of 109 Aibus aircrafts by 2012 which would represent a 50% increase of the existing fleet. Sir Stelios has repeatedly adverted what he sees as an incautious plan, given the severe implications the recession has had within the airline industry. On the other hand, Harrison's response was to point out the high penalties that easyJet would have to incur when cancelling orders for financing the purchase of new planes.

In the meantime, the series of executive managers leaving the board has already had negative effects on easyJet's shares, which have dropped 2.7 per cent in value, as investors have seen the turbulence in the company's management board to be a potential reason for under performance in the short term.

Ski Christmas Holidays in Val d’Isère

French Alps have numerous ski holiday resorts that see returning and new coming visitors every year, with peaks during winter holidays or for the Christmas break.

A very attractive destination for Christmas ski holidays is certainly Val-d’Isère, a commune in the Savoie department which earlier this year has hosted the World Ski Championships 2009. Val d’Isère is part, together with close commune Tignes, of what is known as the “Espace Killy”, the perfect ski paradise area with more than 180 miles of ski pistes of all types and levels and more than 250 acres of off-piste.

The resort is structured in about seven small villages, including the old town of Val d’Isère, and has built over the years an up market reputation for ski holidays which is attracting ski lovers from everywhere.

It is a mix of natural conditions and technical infrastructures that make Val-d’Isère the ideal ski spot. The high altitude leaves little space for disappointment of finding runs without snow, whereas the extensive number of lift-served off slope runs together with a wide offer of ski courses and packaged holiday deals are all factors which make this location highly recommendable.

The resort is not only well known for its natural winter beauty but for the lively buzz of after-ski activities as well. The place has many polished shops as well as bars and restaurants filled with people until early hours in the morning.

Nonetheless, Val-d’Isère is also a very popular option for family ski holidays because of facilities and tailored packages offered. Family ski passes are a good deal to save money, whereas ski schools and instructors are particularly attentive to groups of young learners. Also, many chalets offer ad-hoc menus for children and buses are running regularly around the resort, allowing skiers with children to explore at ease off hand runs as well.

Christmas market in Basel

From November 26 to December 23, 2009, Basel will be opening its doors in preparation for Christmas. Basel Christmas market is located at Barfüsserplatz and is the Christmas City of Europe. No other European location can beat Basel for its Christmas market.

Basel has a long tradition of celebrating Christmas the way they do. Many tourists gather at Basel every November to December to celebrate Christmas. Basel is by far the best looking city in Switzerland during this time of the year. Not only will you enjoy Basel’s fine Christmas decorations but the markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg and Colmar are just an hour’s worth of drive away so you can also visit them.

So, what should you expect on your travel to Basel during this season? You won’t just find the most traditional and largest Christmas market in all of Switzerland but you’ll also love the illuminated streets and Christmas music. Some of the top of the line shops for Christmas decorations and giveaways are also found here. You would surely love listening to Christmas songs and melodies sung by choirs and singers on the several concerts and you will surely feel the Christmas season while you’re here.

It is definitely incomparable. You will never find any place in the world that celebrates Christmas the same as in Basel. Christmas celebrated here is truly one of a kind.

Space travelling

Tourism extended to space but this destination is still expensive and the "operator" is only the Russian Space Agency for the time being. For US 20-30 million the tourists will embark on a Soyuz spacecraft and can admire the Blue Planet from a distance.

The suborbital space tourism is more affordable and is viewed as a money making activity by companies such as Space Adventures, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin or Starchaser. The package would include a few minutes of weightlessness, a view of twinkle-free stars and a panorama of the Earth curve and all would cost around USD 200,000.

Virgin Galactic intends to send tourists to space (and bring them back) for the initial seat price for $200,000 but the prices is believed to decrease to USD 20,000 eventually. So far around 200 tourists have booked their holiday into space. Next time your friens tell you they go on holiday to the Dead Sea, take it with a pinch of salt and keep an eye on their Facebook photos.

Your holiday starts here

When buying your groceries, in order to get the best prices you go to the supermarket because you have a wide range of products to choose from and you can get the best deals.

The same thing should happen when you book your holiday or flight: you should be able to compare and select the most convenient packages. Travelgrove.com is a meta search engine which offers you the benefits of a travel online supermarket: search for your hotel according to location, amenities, name or price before booking. Once you are happy with all these aspects you can book your room. For a cruise vacation all you have to do is select the cruise line, the length of your cruise, a destination of your choice and the month and a couple of seconds later you can book the cruise of your dreams.

The website also highlights the hot deals of the day and will lead you into the temptation of discovering new places.

For vacation packages, Travelgrove offers you the opportunity to search recommended sites like Opodo, Expedia or Lastminute and compare the prices. If you do not know much about a destination, visit the "Travel guides" section of the site to read about it. For travel tips access the website forum and interact with other users who share their experiences or who might need your help or recommendation.

Trip or treat - Halloween holiday

If you want to feel that your holiday is sending shivers down your spine, a trip to Transylvania is the right thing to do (Halloween is almost here anyway).
You can land either in the heart of Transylvania (an airport of choice could be Cluj Napoca or Targu Mures) or in Bucharest then start your trip armed with a cross and some garlic.

Targu Mures is closer to Sighisoara, the place where Vlad The Impaler (aka Dracula) was born. The town also has a nice medieval citadel and legends say that you can find there the house of the last hangman (who used to work in the citadel) which recently has been restored and turned into a peaceful (and hopefully not haunted) library. Not far from Targu Mures there is the village of Bezid - it has a huge lake which entirely covered the village - all the inhabitants had to leave their houses and move. You can still see the drowned houses under the water and the church steeple sticking out of the waters.

Your next holiday stop should be Sighisoara - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of its famous residents was Vlad Dracu. The citadel built in the 12th century includes the house where it is believed that Vlad Dracu was born, a Weapon Museum and a torture chamber. For a bit of a Gothic peace head up to the Church on the Hill by climbing the Covered Staircase (there are around 300 stairs to climb).

From Sighisoara head south and after about 120 km you will reach Bran where you can visit Dracula's Castle in Bran (built in the 13th century). You can go to a Halloween party (which are organised mainly for tourists since most locals do not have much time to party, being too busy and tired with agricultural work) or buy some souvenirs (Dracula mugs, Matryoshka dolls which are not at all Transylvanian and strong plum brandy called palinca).

If you survive Halloween night you can head south to Bucharest and visit the Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world.

Holiday in Albufeira

Albufeira is now far from the poor image it once had as a fishing village devastated by earthquakes and that is mostly because of the tourist boom to the resort. It is the most popular resort of Portugal, visited by thousands of tourists every year. You’d love the golden beaches here as well as the sandy coves which are very appealing. If you are in Albufeira than have a walk on the beach from The Fisherman's Beach to Oura. You will surely enjoy the sunset, the ocean and the rocky scenery.

Albufeira has a lot to offer and you’ll surely find something to enjoy here even if you are a single traveller or on a family holiday. The Old Town of Albufeira retains its old charm with slim cobbled streets and old buildings and squares. On many houses you will find painted ceramic tiles with the name of the family living there, so a house facade like a bathroom wall should not take you by surprise in the Old Town. Street or square names are also painted on ceramic tiles.

You will also find some modern buildings like hotels with swimming pools or commercial centres (note also the escalator or the lift, pictured, which will take you to The Fisherman's Beach if you want to avoid the traditional stairs).

For an active nightlife check out “The Strip” and you’ll party the night away with different clubs, bars, café’s and restaurants. It’s not just for the young crowd; old crowd can also visit the Strip and have some fun while enjoying dinner and live music. While in Albufeira you should try the local cataplana, chicken piri-piri or bacalhau (fried cod) with a glass of green wine (the menu says it's green, but actually it looks like white wine). If you are not happy with the local food you always have the alternative of an English breakfast or fish and chips lunch.

Discover Philippines through Bohol

Bohol is a province island in the Philippines in the region Central Visayas which attract tourists because of its beaches and resorts. The most famous beach in Bohol is Alona Beach, with white and fine sands, perfect to watch dolphins playing in the sunset.

Bohol's attractions are the clear waters and white sandy beaches, the Chocolate Hills, old churches, historic towers and an interesting fauna (the tarsier, the butterflies at the Conservation Centre) and flora (explore the Mahogany Forest). The province is also known as the "cave country" with about 30 caves (or boho) which you can explore during your stay in Bohol.

Best time to go to Bohol is during the northeast monsoon season around November to April. From May up to July, expect more humidity and warmth.

The city that has it all: Bologna

If you want to go to a place with a rich history feeling surrounding you then Bologna is the right destination for you. They have a medieval centre where you get to find lots of beautiful churches and interesting buildings (in Baroque or Renaissance style). There are great museums around the city centre you might be interested in or you might want to visit oldest university in the Western world.

The best time for a holiday in Bologna is the summer (around July to August) and you can enjoy their great nightlife especially in Parco Cavaioni where there are open air disco nights.

Aside from the great construction and sceneries, Bologna is also a great place where you could try delicious food. You should try the tortellini. Bolognese pasta originated here so get ready to eat the best pasta dish you have ever had. Also try the special salamis or the special hams that are common sight in Bologna.

Whatever your reason to visit Bologna, you will definitely enjoy your stay in this city.

Relaxing holiday in Menorca

Menorca (or Minorca) is one of the Balearic Islands, the little sister of Majorca and it is the perfect spot for a relaxing holiday in the sun. It’s the best place to go if you want a peaceful retreat. Partygoers will find Menorca a bit too boring but for those who want to get away from it all and just have some peaceful time then Menorca is the perfect island!

Menorca has many great beaches on its coastline such as: Punta Prima, Cales Coves or Cala en Porter.

The natural beauty of the island truly brings you back to the times when everything was so simple yet so amazing. To make your holiday arrangements you can pick a low cost holiday to Menorca from hundreds of offers out there.

In Menorca you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes in different small restaurants. You won’t get anything frozen here as they only serve fresh sea food. You’d love the lobsters! Es Pla is where King Juan Carlos I would go to have his lobsters. Yes, you can also try the same lobsters he enjoyed as you order the caldereta de langosta. If you don’t fancy that then try a delicious paella.

One thing you should also try in Minorca is a glass of pomada (which is Mao gin with lemon) or formatge the Mao (a local cheese).

La Tomatina in Valencia

The last Wednesday of August is a day of fun in Bunol, a town near Valencia (Spain) as the La Tomatina Festival is being held on that day. Thousands of people flock to Bunol from around the world to take part in the battle of tomatoes where thousands and thousands of ripe tomatoes are thrown around the town that leaves the street filled with tomato rot.

It’s not just a tomato throwing activity although it is its highlight but it’s also a fun activity with parades and dancing with great music and fireworks too! Before the tomato fight, there is a contest for paella cooking.

Bunol has a population of around 9,000 but during the La Tomatina Festival, the number of people in this town balloons to over 30,000 people. Of course with the sudden increase of people coming here, the hotels and inns could not accommodate the visitors which are why many would come and stay at Valencia which is just a bus ride away from Bunol.

It is indeed a fun activity and it’s a harmless fight of tomatoes that can still hurt you especially if thrown at a far distance so be warned and wear the necessary protection. Rotten tomatoes stink too but it’s a lot more fun that way. The La Tomatina Festival had been featured in travel shows worldwide several times already and it’s a pride of Valencia, Spain.

Philippines Barrio Fiesta in London

Every year, the Filipino community in London celebrates the Philippines Barrio Fiesta or Philippine town Festival in London and this year it will be held on July 18 to 19 at Lampton Park in Hounslow, London.

This year is a very special one as it marks the 25th year anniversary of the said celebration in London and it’s expected to also be the biggest Barrio Fiesta yet where many Filipinos and Brits would come to attend and they are expecting at least 80,000 people to come and celebrate this special celebration.

The Philippines Barrio Fiesta would be like any other barrio fiestas in the Philippines where there are lots of local foods being served to just about anybody who would come and celebrate with them. Houses are usually open to everyone to come and eat their served foods to celebrate their town fiesta. If you come and celebrate at Lampton Park this July 18 to 19, expect lots of pork barbecues as well as some delicious Filipino dishes such as adobo (chicken or pork in soy sauce), kare-kare (curry) and pancit (noodles). Also, make sure you try some of Filipinos dried foods such as tuyo “dry fish”.

Once you have taken part to this festival you can’t really compare the way Filipinos celebrate as it’s filled with sharing and laughter.

Arts and sports in Florence

The capital city of Tuscany has a lot to offer to the visitor. From art to history, Florence is a fascinating city. The artistic heritage of the city is impressive. You can find here works by Giotto, Andrea Pisano, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

The buildings in Florence are amazing: Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, monasteries and cloisters. The richness in art can cause the Stendhal syndrome for first time visitors.

If you are more an active type, why not try Calcio Storico (historic football)? It is a traditional sport seen as the forerunner of soccer but actually the calcio storico resembles rugby. Its origins are in the Middle Ages when noblemen were amusing themselves playing in impressive costumes. Nowadays a temporary arena is built in Piazza di Santa Croce and there are four teams: blue, white, red and green (coming from different quarters of Florence).

The restaurants in Florence base their meals on meat because the local cuisine is of peasant traditions. Try the antipasti crostini toscani, a ribollita soup and a bistecca alla fiorentina all served with olive oil which is produced in Tuscany.

Places to see in Florence:
Santa maria del Fiore Cathedral - the fourth biggest cathedral in Europe.
Casa di Dante - the house where Dante grew up and which was rebuilt in 1910 and became a museum to Dante.
Palazzo Piti is a Renaissance palace on the south bank of Arno river. The palace has a huge collection of paintings, jewelry and precious objects. In the 18th century the building was used as a power base by Napoleon and after that it was the royal palace of the united Italy.

The way we travel and tweet about it

The latest incident of an airline crashing into Hudson River has shown a couple of achievements – among them is how technology spreads news like wildfire. Aside from the obvious news that the pilots and the rest of the crew never had serious training for this incident, photos and updates regarding the passengers were circulating online via Twitter before any major news network picked up the news.

For those unfamiliar, Twitter is regarded as the next generation blogging platform. Instead of the usual blogs, Twitter will only allow you to post up to 140 characters. This form of blogging is called “micro-blogging” and the post could be implemented from practically everywhere especially from your mobile phone. Photos could also be posted as well to the same account directly from mobile phones.

Twitter is now being adopted by practically everyone especially well known personalities in certain industries and travel is not exempted. Visit three or four websites owned by travel industry personalities and be sure that one of them is already “Twittering”. You can follow their updates from your own Twitter account. From their tips you can get real time updates on travel deals, news about the travel industry or simply their reaction on certain travel news. The best part of Twitter is that you can also react to their posts and the author of the posts should be able to see them in real time as well.

Adopt the latest in blogging technology. Twitter and other micro-blogging tools will help you get in touch with as many people as possible which could greatly help your knowledge about the travel industry.

Watching whales and dolphins

In Whakatane, New Zealand, you can come and swim with the dolphins or watch the beautiful and gigantic whales. It’s a lot of fun and even kids would surely enjoy this amazing adventure. It surely is a kind of experience that you will never ever forget. Lots of tourists flock Whakatane just to have this experience. There are boat rides regularly that you can book so you can set sail with no worries.

Don’t forget to take pictures or home videos while you enjoy being in the company of the kind dolphins and friendly whales. If you don’t want to swim with the whales and you just want to see them, you can just stay in the boat and watch them go near the boat to greet you. Yes, these whales and dolphins don’t fear humans as they are well protected in Whakatane. You could even touch them or feed them as long as you are well supervised by experienced crewmembers.

Snorkel together with the dolphins. Lots of people fly from faraway places to Whakatane just to have this experience. Sure there are other places in the world that lets you swim with dolphins but none can compare to Whakatane. You can also meet their friendly whales such as Minke, Orca, Finn and Pilot whales.

Whales and dolphins may be the star but seals can also be seen during the duration of your trip. Ocean birds would also be flying on top of you, waiting for some food to nibble so make sure you bring some for these flying friends too.

Hello Philippines, Mabuhay!

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 beautiful islands and its capital is Manila that is located on Luzon Island. The Philippines is mostly a Catholic country but the lower region, Mindanao, is mostly a land for the Muslims.

There are lots of tourist attractions around the Philippines and one of their best tourist attractions is none other than the Boracay beach. It’s located in Panay Island in the Visayas and many tourists come here to enjoy the beach, party and bask in the sun while enjoying their super clear water and powdery white sand.

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol are really a must-see. Over 1,700 small hills are spread in a 20 square mile land and are covered with green grass that during the dry season, it turns brown thus it looks likes chocolate.

The Mayon Volcano is the perfect coned volcano in Luzon. The Taal Volcano in Tagaytay is also quite popular because it’s a volcano within a volcano or a volcanic island. If that is not easy to understand, just visit it and see for yourself what it means. You will love it.

The tropical climate in the Philippines lures lots of tourists especially during winter season. It’s usually warm in the Philippines and tourists just love that.

The secret of Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru and the centre of almost everything in the country. For that reason, it’s no wonder why the city have a good number of museums, churches and other historical structures that will surely entertain any tourist. The city even has an archeological site which proves the area has been inhabited as early as year 500.

But with all the structural and archeological finds in the city, there is a little known reason among seasoned travellers for visiting this beautiful city: Islas Palomino.

This beautiful island is accessible through Callao which is one of the ports of the city. A quick boat ride from this port will lead you to this enchanted and well protected island. Of course, Islas Palomino has a beautiful golden sanded beach but that’s not really the reason why this island stands out. This island will get you closer to sea lions, Guanay cormorants and other sea creatures. You can walk towards the sea lions and have a closer look on their activities. In fact, you are even allowed to go out and swim with the sea lions – an experience not allowed in other areas in the country.

Take time to visit this small but remarkable island of Lima. It will take you away from civilization and get you closer to nature. You don’t even have to spend too much since the island is very close from the port. A day in the island will ensure lasting memories of the city.

Spear-fishing in Sicily

Sicily is also known for fishing and they export sardines and tuna and Sicily has lots of fishing ports. To name just a few of its important ports: Messina, Mazara del Vallo or Augusta.

Sicily is really one of the best places to go for spear-fishing. It’s one of the most popular attractions of Sicily and many come here to go spear-fishing but spear-fishing is not for the amateur swimmers and divers. In Sicily, in order to spearfish you need to dive down and pursue these big fish such as the delicious tuna that’s the favourite creature to spearfish here. Unfortunately, with the growing interest in spearfishing and other forms of fishing, the fish population in Sicily is declining.

Spear-fishing is fun and can be very addictive but you must know that this is also a dangerous sport. Yeah, fishing is really exciting especially when there’s danger behind it but you got to be cautious as the danger here is definitely real. Barracudas abound and they can kill you if you’re not careful. Just as what they say, if you get to spear-fish successfully here, you definitely deserve your catch.

Macau - gambling paradise made in China

Macau is known to be the Asian version of Las Vegas. There are hotels and casinos everywhere! Many Asians come here to gamble and it’s more active at night than during the day time but of course, casinos never close so some casino gamblers stay in the casino for days without ever leaving in the hopes that they’d win big.

Of course Macau is not just a gambling paradise. A matter of fact, Macau was a very peaceful city decades ago and in just a few years everything around it had changed into this gambling paradise. Macau is still rich in different attractions that you’ll love. Make sure you travel around Macau by foot as that’s the best way to explore every inch of the place. You won’t really get lost here as it’s easy to find your way around.

There are lots of churches and temples around Macau as well as some old buildings. Make sure you check out the Bodhisatta Avalokitesvara statue that is just next to the Sands Casino. It looks like a European statue despite resting in a Chinese land. Macau tower also offers you a fantastic view and sports so do check that out as well.

Just like any other Chinese city, in Macau you’d enjoy street foods too. They have exquisite taste and it’s fun to taste their delicacies here. You may not like all of them but for sure you’d find some you’d want. Also, Macau is just a ferry away from Hong Kong so if you want to see Hong Kong you won’t have difficulty going there at all and you can come back whenever you want to.

Larnaca holiday deals

You’ll not only enjoy the sunny skies of Larnaca but you’ll definitely love the beautiful sandy beaches and the deep sea that’s just perfect for diving (if you are a risk-taker) or just enjoy boating around. This is said to be a favourite destination for tourists or travellers who own yachts.

Enjoy the ocean view as you sip some coffee in the coffee shops near the beaches. Aside from that, Larnaca has several tourist attractions that are really worth checking out such as the ancient city ruins that you can still visit after thousands of years. In The Old Testament Larnaca is known as Kition so it’s just great to come to this place and say you’ve been to a biblical place!

The Ancient Kition is still found in the north western side of Larnaca where some of its ruins are still featured. 5 temples from the 13th century BC are still visible and you can come and have your picture taking there. The Palm Tree Promenade is a perfect place for a walk in the afternoon or for a short coffee break in one of the cafes facing the beach. Take the time to relax and enjoy your holiday.

Family holiday in Toulouse

Planning a trip with your family? Why not going to Toulouse in France? The place is believed to be the perfect holiday place for kids and adults alike. There are lots of great sites here that will surely make your kids enjoy and learn from at the same time. If you love to take pictures, check out the Canal du Midi which is really breath taking. Kids will enjoy the various adventures that await them in Toulouse while you could teach them how to appreciate and learn from its history.

The St. Sernin’s Basilica is well known for tourists and many come here just to check out this Romanesque church as well as to pray. Many devotees come here each year. It was constructed way back in the 12th century and up until now it enjoys its status being the striking building of Tolouse.

The main attraction in Tolouse is definitely the Capitole. You’d be impressed by its architectural design and pink color! Another cathedral that is frequented by tourists is the La Cathedrale Saint-Etienne that’s been built 5 centuries ago.

It’s best to travel Tolouse with tour guides so you could see everything that Tolouse, France has to offer. You’ll get entertaining, fun yet wholesome activities in Tolouse so you don’t need to worry about your kids.

Mexico struggles to attract tourists

The travel industry of Mexico would rather forget the year 2009. The country’s first challenge is on recession which led to massive job losses in many countries which has greatly affected travel. As a country that relies on tourism, it’s big blow to their economy if economic troubles prevented people to travel.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg as Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) began in to affect many locals in Mexico. This form of deadly flu began spreading to other countries affecting hundreds and killing a few people in the process. Some countries even issued a travel ban in Mexico to protect its citizens. This is considered worst compared to recession as this has become a fatal condition if the person is not healthy to deal with the deadly virus. Even though its neighbour and main customer (US) has lifted the ban as of May 15, tourists are still scared.

Reservations on resorts, hotels and other properties in Mexico dropped by 25% and the cities that were in the headlines during the outbreak experienced up to 40% drop in reservation.

The Mexican government has already addressed the problems related to this deadly virus. Resorts and hotels are already safe especially on popular beach destinations in the country. But even with the said preventive measures, some tourists are not convinced.

That is why a daring tourist will really enjoy Mexico since air transportation and reservation cost has dropped up to 50% when booked directly. Travel websites have also noted a drop in fees which is a perfect opportunity for an affordable vacation for seasoned travelers.

Travel Foundation: Make Travel Greener

Make Travel Greener is a campaign that was launched by the Travel Foundation and they aim that through this campaign they will be able to enlighten and educate up to 10,000 trade members to fully understand the green issues by end of 2009.

The Travel Greener campaign is just worth 30 minutes of your time. It’s a training and test session and several members of the Travel group had already signed up and they took the tests.

ABTA promises to promote the quiz to their members and will make it a part of their Accredited Travel Professional Programme where their agents could then be able to just download their certificates online.

The chief executive of Travel Foundatin, Ms. Sue Hurdle also said that “There are still a lot of people in our industry who do not know much about responsible travel. This is the biggest educational campaign we have ever launched. But it only takes a tea break to complete."

The foundation believes that this test will help the staff to respond to the questions of their customers about the environmental awareness that is rapidly growing today since the problem with global warming is on the rise and the effects is already felt.

It would be great to share this test to everyone you know and it should be passed around to as many companies and people as possible so that everybody would learn about responsible and ethical tourism.

Red Sea for divers

The Red Sea is one of the most known destinations in the world. The Red Sea is a 365-day destination as the weather here is perfect all the time. You’d enjoy the awesome beach with the shoreline going for several miles. The Red Sea is also known for its great coral reefs and they have one of few best reefs in the world!

The Red Sea is a premier diving destination and you can reach the Red Sea from Europe at a not-so-expensive rate that many Europeans usually choose the Red Sea for their vacations. The prices here are reasonable and its tropical climate lures more tourists. Several of the popular resorts here are packed with tourists such as the Sharm el Sheikh and the Hurghada and a lot of divers stay in these resorts. Marsa Alam is a bit far south and is the perfect resort for those who wants a bit of solitude and doesn’t want a jam-packed tourist resort but it is not as highly developed as the 2 most popular resorts but it’s worth it for those who just wants to relax and enjoy the beach and its reefs.

The Red Sea is indeed the best place for diving enthusiasts as you wouldn’t find any better variant of marine life than here. You would also feel great knowing that you’ve been to a place that was actually mentioned in the Bible where Moses is said to have crossed the Egyptians away from the Pharaoh.

Hidden beaches of Crete

It’s already a fact that the beautiful Crete Island in Greece features some of the best beaches in the world. But they could be crowded especially during the summer months in Europe.

But even with the crowd in the island, you can still get away from them all and enjoy the island with very few tourists in sight. There are still beaches and small islands in Crete that offers privacy with breathtaking view.

First is the Red Beach. Although it’s a little bit challenging to get there since a little bit of hiking is required, the uniqueness of the beach will soothe your weary feet. The beach is located near Matala Beach which could be your point of arrival if you’re going to the Red Beach by boat.

The second hidden secret of Crete Island is the Grameno Beach. This beach is divided into three and they all offer a scenic view. Highly recommended is the center wherein the sands are finer compared to the other two. There are a few taverns there so you might want to bring food or water.

The Preveli Beach is a highly recommended for everyone who wants privacy. It’s a very breathtaking beach that almost resembles a lagoon. Instead of fine white sand, pebbles dominate the shore but they don’t really hurt the feet. Just wear flip-flops especially when the sun is up.

You can enjoy privacy in Crete Island although it’s full of tourists every year. A little hike from the popular beaches in the island could lead you to its hidden wonders.

Hotels go green

Aside from providing excellent service, a wide variety of amenities and world class food, hotel chains are increasing their efforts to be environmentally conscious. The main reason for these hotels to be environmentally conscious is not only saving the environment but also in cutting costs. With recession affecting travel, any means necessary to save are being implemented.

Here are the top hotels that made drastic changes to go green:

Marriot: Earning the distinction as the first LEED-Certified hotel chain, the bulbs in their hotel chains worldwide now use CFL instead of the traditional bulbs. Their water consumption has also lowered due to low-flow water equipments.

Motel 6: the “greenest” move of the hotel chain is to add occupancy sensors in the room. These sensors monitor the presence of the guest to adjust the heaters. One of their hotels in Dallas now features solar-powered water heater.

Starwood: the hotel chain is slowly changing their appliances with energy-star certifications. The carpets are even made with recycled materials. If you drive a hybrid to any of their hotels, you’ll enjoy VIP parking privileges.

Hilton: although Hilton is a little bit delayed compared to other hotel chains in environmental awareness, they are already rolling out plans in cutting waste. Their European chains are now aggressively reducing water consumption by 10% and plans for further implementation in US are slowly implemented.

These hotels are also using recycled materials in some of their products. For example, Marriot and Hyatt are now using recycled materials in their containers and key cards. As they make drastic changes to their hotels to improve the experience of their guests, they are also trying to save the environment as much as they can.

Pearls and bargains in Tahiti

Papeete is the French Polynesian capital and it is known to be the urban centre of French Polynesia. If you travel anywhere in French Polynesia, you’d be transported first to Papeete before you could reach your other destinations so it’s best to spend at least a day or two here and enjoy their beautiful archipelago.

Check out the market in Papeete, maybe you’ll find something that interests you. Ask for bargains when you can so you can get great purchases at drop down prices! There are several museums in Papeete too that showcase their rich heritage. The Museum of Tahiti is the most famous because of its cultural collections. The Tahitian black pearl is kept in the Tahiti Perles Centre and it’s really worth a visit because it’s a very rare type of pearl and they keep it here as an ultimate treasure.

Of course there are other things you can do here but mostly you’ll enjoy sightseeing and art appreciation. There are many art galleries here that your eyes would feel sore! Craft shops are plenty as well as they have brilliant crafters in Papeete.

If you like to enjoy the beach then there are many water activities that await you. They have different watersports activities such as wakeboarding, parasailing and many more. Bain Lot is a popular beach resort in Papeete and many come here to bask in the sun, enjoy the clear water and just have a lot of fun.

You will surely enjoy your stay in Papeete so next time you go to French Polynesia, make sure you drop by Papeete.

Holidays in Charming Sardinia

For a perfect holiday in Sardinia, before getting there you should stop and visit CharmingSardinia.com and plan the details of your holiday. Choose your accommodation from a selection of luxury hotels, far from the madding crowd of tourists. Even if you are a fussy traveller, you will find the 3, 4 or 5-star hotel suitable for you. Breakfast on a terrace facing a turquoise sea, private swimming pool and butler at your service are just a few of the luxury services you will find in the luxury hotels of this beautiful location.

If this is not enough for you and you want to be pampered more, choose a spa hotel. Your body will be taken care of, so that you can relax and enjoy your time on the island. The many baby clubs in the area will take care of your children if you have a family holiday. Thalassotherapy, massage and various treatments will make you forget about the stressful working year you had.

For golf players, Sardinia has the best golf courses along sandy beaches, surrounded by green nature: Pevero Golf Club or Tanka Golf Club are only two of the many golf courses in Sardinia.
For some quality time with your family or friends a cruise around the island is the right thing. Cruise around Sardinia on a sailship, a yacht or a catamaran.

At the end of an exciting day in Sardinia, take your time and enjoy a delicious meal or a cup of Italian coffee. CharmingSardinia recommends you a wide range of lounges, bars and restaurants: Aqua Lounge, Antico Caffe 1855, Ristorante Hibiscus or Ristorante Trattoria Balbacana.
You can book online on www.CharmingSardinia.com and they will offer you the best options for your holiday as well as 24/7 on spot assistance.

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It's Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan

Starting May 2 and ending on May 9, 2009 is the Tulip Time Festival that is celebrated in Holland, Michigan. For this year, they’d be celebrating their 80th year! The Tulip time Festival is indeed a unique and brilliant festival where you’ll see brilliant displays of up to 6 million tulips! Yes, 6 million tulips are used to celebrate this Dutch festival.

By May 1, they would already be kicking off the festival and there will be fireworks display to welcome the Tulip Time Festival. This festival is not just a display of tulips but it will also have 3 amazing parades, some big name entertainers will also be celebrating with you, there will be the Dutch Dance Performers and there are lots of awesome events such as outdoor concerts, Dutch market, some variety shows, music shows, children’s events and many more! It’s a fun festival and you shouldn’t miss it. The Dutch knows the importance of this festival and they make sure they get to have a lot of fun on this week long celebration.

Since it’s their 80th year of celebration, expect a more fun-filled and amazing celebration as it is indeed a special year. They will also be going Green so that’s something that everybody should follow so that we could help save our only planet.

Don’t forget to bring your entire family when you come to celebrate this festival. Mom, dad, and the kids will surely be having an awesome time. Kids have lots of activities to do where they could win awesome prizes and have lots of fun as well.

Top 3 ski resorts in the world

So you are saying that summer is nearly here, so why do you need to worry about ski resorts? Check out and bookmark for future reference our Global Travel new top 3 ski resorts in the world.

First is Aspen in Colorado. If you are looking for a place to ski with the rich and famous, then this is the place you want to be. This is a place that has terrain for all ski levels and has some of the best accommodations that you are ever going to find at a ski resort (great hotels - Sky Hotel, Hyatt Grand). Although this is a place that is a bit expensive, it is well worth every penny that you pay.

Next head over to San Cassiano and stay at Rosa Alpina or Dolomiti Wellness Hotel situated in Italy. This is one of the world's first ski resorts and it is still going strong. The area does have a very stylish feel to it, and this is what a lot of people want when shelling out money to go on a ski trip. However, if you are looking for the best snow and best slopes, then you can not go wrong here either. That is because these slopes served as host for the 1956 Olympic Games. That gives you an idea of just how great this place is.

Last, but not least, head on over to Mont Tremblant, Quebec. During the winter there is no place in the world that has better snow and better slopes than Canada. This is a skier's paradise, and it has been since back in 1939.

If you are lucky, you will still find some snow in these resorts, so grab your ski gear and enjoy the slopes!

Start your holiday to Alaska with a cruise

If you are thinking about travelling to Alaska, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, you need to find a region of Alaska that you want to go to. Each of the regions provide a different opportunity for you. There are places that are great for hiking and others great for fishing. There are even areas that are perfect for just camping.

You can taste Alaska by going on a cruise there. Thus you will cover more areas and later on you can return to the place you liked the most.

A cruise will provide a flexible schedule that allows you to spend time in each area and you will be happy you chose to do so.

Overall, Alaska is a place that you will just love to visit, and you are sure to come back over and over again. Just keep in mind that Alaska does get very cold in the winter, so most people choose to travel there during the summer.

If you need some ideas of places to visit in Alaska try some of these locations: Anchorage Museum of Art, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, and the Independence Mine. These all offer something different but fun to do. Also, do not forget to stop by the zoo in Anchorage as well. Here you are going to find a lot of animals that are native to Alaska, so you will see some animals that you normally would not see at a zoo. However, that is half the fun of going.

Holiday to Georgia on your mind

When travelling to the United States, or if you already live there, you should know that there are a number of great spots to check out. However, one of the best places you can go is Georgia. It will not be a problem getting to this area since the Atlanta Airport, one of the busiest in the world, is located right in Georgia.

A must see in Georgia is actually located right outside Atlanta, and it is known as The Stone Mountain. Here you can come to see amazing light shows that get thrown up right on the side of the mountain. You an also take a ride all the way to the top in an airlift. While going up the side of the mountain, you will be able to look upon the carvings that are done right into the mountain. You can also choose to walk to the top if you are into hiking.

Next, be sure to visit the famous Georgia Aquarium and the Atlanta Zoo. People come from all over the world to see the amazing animals that they have in these places.

Of course, you can not leave without stopping by to see soft drink mega giant Coca Cola, which is located right in the Heart of Georgia as well. You can stop in to see the “World of Coca Cola” museum and their headquarters where you can try different drinks that they offer to all parts of the world. Some of which you have heard of before, and some you have not. So it is worth visiting it.

Win a cruise in Europe

Sail away from the credit crunch aboard River Cloud (or River Cloud II). Enter the competition and you could win a luxury 7-day cruise worth £3,000. The luxury river yachts will take you along European rivers through Holland and Belgium.

As any journey is an experience, this cruise will prove to offer you plenty of experiences. You will visit Amsterdam and its museums, art galleries, gardens and diamond workshops will keep you busy.

Next point on your jouney will be Schiedam and then you can choose to visit Hague. The River Cloud will then take you to Antwerp where you can visit various art galleries and the house where Rubens lived. The organisers of this cruise will offe you an optional excursion in Bruge. The old part of the city is a UNESCO Heritage site and it is worth visiting. Your yacht will take you next day to Gouda which will impres your senses with its Gothic town hall, Renaissance buildings and of course, Gouda cheese which you can sample in the central market place.

Being a roundtrip cruise, you will return to Amsterdam. Take your time to discover more of this city, stroll along its canals or rent some bicycles, enjoy you holiday and the fact that the best cruises in life are free.

Holidays in San Juan

Staying in San Juan for one day is not enough if you’re looking to enjoy the best of the city. Besides, it took you hours to fly there, so take your time and enjoy the place.

Although it’s only a part of Puerto Rico, San Juan has a variety of districts offering the best of both worlds – the modern amenities to ensure comfort for any traveller but with historical flair that would educate at the same time.

You don’t even have to spend a lot of time travelling in Puerto Rico to get to San Juan. The international airport of Puerto Rico is located in Isla Verde, one of the districts of San Juan. If you love the beach, you might not even get out of this district since numerous resorts are virtually minutes away from the airport. Aside from Isla Verde, the district of El Condado should also have beautiful beaches with family friendly resorts.

But San Juan is more than golden sanded beaches; the city is also an important part of Puerto Rico’s history. Visit the Old San Juan district to see the historical structures that was built during the 1500s. You don’t need to have a tour guide to visit them all. The district is only ten blocks but will transport you to the very early years of Puerto Rico.

Keep in mind that San Juan is a tropical city and a well known tourist destination. Always be on your most comfortable clothing and always wear sun block to avoid exhaustion during your tours. The city is generally affordable especially on guest houses but be sure to reserve in advance to avoid frustration in accommodation.
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Sailing in Marmaris

Mountain slopes and a natural bay is what makes Marmaris special. It’s a resort town on Mediterranean coast but it’s probably the most Europe-influenced place in all of Turkey. Many people come to Marmaris every year to enjoy their lifestyle, a great vacation and of course shopping!

The Marmaris town is the best chosen base for sailing on the Mediterranean and because there are private yachts here, there is the modern marina to cater to them. The place is not all about water, they have an extreme kind of shopping experience here. Extreme because it’s not up for everybody’s liking. If you are patient, despite the touting from vendors, you could actually get good bargains. Don’t be ashamed to ask for a discounted price, if you want it cheap you got to play it hard here.

If you want to buy ceramics, some leather, carpets or jewelry, the Marmaris market would be great for purchasing these at a cheap price. The Carsi Market has over 200 shops and they also have a flea market that’s open every day.

Enjoy the Marmaris nightlife on Bar Street where there are several nightclubs and many bars that open until 4 in the morning. There are beachfront clubs too such as the Vagabundo where you’ll be delighted to see their staffs dancing on their counters.

Marmaris have local and international dishes served on their restaurants. You’ll find different delicacies that are cheap or are quite expensive. It depends on your choice, you’ll find a lot of choices at their restaurants.

A holiday in Jamaica

Jamaica is not all about reggae but of course it’s a great part of it. There are lots of places to go in Jamaica and what make it a great place to visit is its people. They are such a fun group of people and you’ll surely meet new friends here.

In Jamaica you’ll enjoy their beautiful island paradise and it’s flocked with tourists not just this century but for many centuries! Here you’ll see the most beautiful sunset as it sparks from the sky and is reflected by its crystal clear water and white sandy beach.

Jamaica used to be visited by the privileged before but now you don’t need to be rich and mighty to enjoy Jamaica. The north and west coastlines of the island is flocked by tourists with accommodating yet not so expensive resorts and hotels.

You might think that Jamaica can’t possibly cope up with the millions of tourists but it does. It did not spoil Jamaica despite its commercialization. After all, that’s what people came here for and if they can’t maintain the beauty of the island then people would stop coming and jobs would be scarce.

Unfortunately, the people living in such a rich island are mostly really poor. Without the tourists, most of them would just starve as they have been dependent on these tourists. It’s a good thing that they get their income from their tourism but it can be irritating to the tourists sometimes. Locals can get pushy especially the vendors. And also, there are illegal taxi cabs with no license and tourists usually hate it when drivers insist that they ride with him. There are some crimes too so better keep your valuables safe from those hungry hands.

Holidays in Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada is the most visited destination in the Mediterranean. Here you’ll find the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, crystal clear waters and fine sandy beaches.

Costa Dorada is a great place for a holiday. Bring your entire family or hang out with your friends in the beach resorts, chill out in a bar by the beach or play golf.

At Tarragona, you’re in for some treats. There you’ll find several historical ruins as well as several museums: the Roman ruins of Tarraco, The Roman Aqueduct and the Gothic cathedral.

What’s great about Costa Dorada is of course its climate. Enjoy the Mediterranean climate with temperatures ranging from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius during summer while during August it could peak to 34 degrees Celsius. It’s indeed warm here during day.

Costa Dorada is a great place for all tastes: its water or natural parks, beaches, bars or museums will provide a great holiday.

Let Mozart take you along the Danube

Celebrate the coming of spring in Europe, along the Danube. This spring brings a fresh and irresistible offer for those who want to make the most of Europe with a minimum of effort: a 7-day cruise on the Danube. The departure date is in May and the first port of call is Passau. Along this cruise you will be able to assist to free onboard lectures held by Alan Titchmarsh who is a novelist, broadcaster, journalist and gardener.

The cities you will visit during this cruise are: Passau, Durnstein, Vienna, Budapest and Esztergon in case you would want to leave the rivercruiser Mozart, which is a luxury ship. There will be two gala dinners included in the cruise price, a cocktail party and five shore excursions. The ship provides he perfect environment for relaxation: indoor pool, comfortable cabins, wellness area, spacious decks and sophisticated lounges and bars.

The price of the cruise includes free flights (worth £299) from Birmingham, Manchester or London and airport transfers.

Arabia Travel Market for the hottest deals

Have you ever thought of having one thousand and one holiday nights? As this kind of holiday would be longer than any gap year in the Gregorian calendar it would be impossible to skip school or work for so much time. Besides just think what the hotel bill would look like.

You can live your fairy-tale holiday in less time, the spirit of your holiday is important. You need one resource for this: Arabia Travel Market. It has all the destinations you can dream of: Dubai, Qatar, Morocco, Egypt or Kuwait. You can travel through the desert, ski in the middle of it or go shopping. Discover history, traditions, culture and people. Mix with the crowds in the bazaars and bargain for quality souvenirs.

Arabia Travel Market brings you the best flight deals, accommodation (from fancy hotels where you have a butler at your service to hostels for backpackers), car hire or guided tours. For example the best fares as per the day of this post start from £205 for a return flight to Tunis and 5 nights in a 5* hotel in the Emirate of Fujairah start from £499.

Must-see spots in South America

When travelling to South America, there are a number of things you want to check out. After all, there are a ton of great cities in this area and make sure that you hit the best cities first. We are going to talk about the top cities that are a must-see when in South America.

First, head to Rio de Janeiro. This is a wonderful city and it is very historical. For many travellers, this is the highlight of their trip. The good news is that this is a very friendly tourist zone of South America, and it has a lot of great beaches as well. Many people know this area for having the big giant Jesus statue that sits high on Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Next you can head over to La Paz, which is the capital city of Bolivia. This is the highest capital city in the world, and it lies in some very impressive snow capped mountains. The great thing about this place is that is has a great mix of both traditional and modern life. They have a lot of great shops over there and it really is the forgotten city when it comes to tourists. However, if you visit this place, you will see that people are going to start, once again, visiting this forgotten gem and you will meet tourists from various countries.

Another city to visit is Cuzco. Now, this city is famous for its ruins. In fact, it has the Sun Temple, as well as the Lost City of the Incas. This is a great place for people who really want to see the heart of South America.

Past and present in Hastings

Hastings is a Borough in East Sussex, England. This place had been known for its history that dates back in 1066 with the battle between the Saxons and the Normans. It was at Hastings that King Harold Godwinson was defeated by the duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror. Because of its great history, many tourists go here and see what Hastings is all about and what it can offer today.

Hastings is known for its fishing industry because it does not have a natural harbour. There are old net shops in the Old Town where going there feels like you’re walking back in time. These very old net shops are still being used by fishermen today.

In the Old Town they celebrate the Seafood and Wine Festival as well as the Old Town Week by August. There are several festivals held in Hastings and they celebrate the beer festival and they also have the Hastings week which makes a procession of torches and of beach bonfires and fireworks.

Since it’s well-known for its fishing industry, it’s no question that you can find several marine activities here. There’s the Blue Reef Aquarium as well as the Shipwreck Museum where you can find an awesome display of marine life and the museum displays actual ship wrecks and the artefacts discovered from them.

If you love everything about the sea, visiting Hastings is a must. You’ll enjoy the beach, the lifestyle and the rich history as you can actually walk where the famous explorers and conquerors used to walk back at their time.

It is good to know that every summer there is a festival taking place there: Hastings Beer and Music Festival.

Holiday in Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, a place which is worth visiting. Probably you have this idea that Casablanca is a place where couples go because of its romantic ambiance and all that as depicted in the classic movie with the title “Casablanca” but in fact, there’s nothing too romantic about this place at all. You can compare it to any other city and won’t see anything better in terms of that. So, why was the movie so romantic when the city is not? Probably because Casablanca the movie was not shot in Casablanca at all but in fact, it was just shot in Florida.

However, if you want to visit Casablanca, here's what you can see there: Hassan II Mosque is just one of the city's attractions. If you like the nightlife and shopping then this is a great place to go as well. It’s a typical industrialized and commercialized city but still it can’t compare to the neighbouring city of Marrakesh and Fez but nonetheless, it’s worth checking out to get some good purchases.

If you’re already in Casablanca, go to Place Mohammed V is the centre square of Casablanca and it’s a nice looking architecture which is known as Mauresque and Ain Diab has several nice beach clubs and resorts but you need to have a good budget for your trip here as it can be quite expensive.

A visit to Shanghai

When talking about great places to travel, there are some which seem to get overshadowed. Sometimes it's nice to think outside the box, and go to a new area. One of the best places to go is Shanghai in China. Not only does Shanghai have a past that goes back almost five thousand years, it's also one of the most modern cities of today. People travel from all over the world to see this city and what it has become.

The city of Shanghai is pretty much divided in half by the Huangpu River. On the west side of that river you are going to find a lot of ancient buildings and temples. You are also going to find a lot of other things that seem to be grand tourist spots. Since a lot of travellers come to this area of Shanghai, it's pretty common to see a lot of luxury hotels there as well.

On the east side of the river, although not as much of a tourist spot, you can see a glimpse of what the future has in store for Shanghai. This area seems to be the financial district of Shanghai and the main catalyst for why the city keeps on growing.

There are tons of landmarks that you have to see when in Shanghai. The first one is the Jin Mao Tower. This pretty much translates into the Golden Prosperity. This tower stands 420.5 meters in the sky and has over 88 stories that the public can visit. Floors 89 - 93 are floors that are not allowed to have visitors.

Alicante - the place to be

There are many places in the world to visit, but Alicante Spain has to be one of the best. This is a big time tourist area of Spain, and once you get here, you will understand why. There is so much to see and do here that you will have to make many trips to this area to get it all done. Today we are going to talk about some of the things you may want to check out when you are in the area.

First of all, the Santa Barbara Castle is a must see when you are in Alicante. It is an amazing site to see, and it's right next to a beach. The beaches around this area are sandy and soft. Thus, it's the prefect place to relax after a long day of sight seeing. If you can get a hotel by the beach, then you are in luck. It's nice to get a room on the top floor and leave your window open as you sleep. The sounds of the waves will put you out in no time.

While walking the streets of Alicante it is going to be hard to go home empty handed. They have a lot of great souvenir stalls located all over. After all, this is a tourist town. Most people end up leaving with a commemorative plate of General Franco.

When you are done shopping, it will be time to get a bite to eat. There are a ton of great sea front restaurants that you can eat at for under €10. Most of the restaurants in this area serve three course meals, so the price is well worth it. You may even want to visit one of the local Irish pubs to help wash down that nice three course meal.

Travel to beautiful Italy

“When the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie… That’s amore.” Doesn’t this song just remind you of Italy? Or eating pasta and pizza which almost always is linked to Italy? But is all this just what Italy has to offer? Italians may have one of the best food in the world but this beautiful country has a lot more to give other than that.

Italy is one of the best vacation spots in the world especially if you want to immerse yourself with lots of activities and be amazed with its sights or if you simply want to delight yourself with its charm and beauty.

One of the must see or must do activity in this country are its festivals. From the truffles festival to the delightful grape harvest, Italy can amuse you and make your stay one of the most memorable ones.

If you’re a nature lover or if you just love to see enchanting sceneries, visit Italy in the springtime when all the flowers are in bloom. And for sports or adventure lovers, Italy during the winter season is great since you can go snowboarding and skiing or you can just enjoy the view of the Alps while riding the ski lift.

Exploring Italy is best done with your feet and your eyes. Walk around the city and discover cute little shops that hold a different treasure for every individual. Of course your visit wouldn’t be complete without a little shopping trip and since Italy can be a little on the expensive side, your walking will be quite beneficial as you may stumble upon a couple of street markets where you can bargain for some souvenirs.

Italy is a great destination place for you and your family. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even pick up a few Italian words to impress your friends when you get back from your wonderful trip.

Yachting in St. Lucia

When it comes to a vacation in the Caribbean, there is only one place that should come to mind. This is, of course, St. Lucia. This is a very popular spot that is full of all kinds of resorts and luxury villas. The main thing to note about St. Lucia is that there are a lot of activities that you can take part in on this island. Not only that, but this seems to be one of the cheaper places to visit in the Caribbean.

Before we get into the activities that you will want to check out, we have to talk about all the things there are to do in the city. First of all, they have a lot of restaurants and shops to visit. Most of these places are located pretty close to all the best resorts. Inside the resorts you are going to find all the things that you need to enjoy your vacation, including a pool and a babysitter. St. Lucia is one of the few places that can actually cater to everyone's needs.

Now, the main reason why people travel all the way to St. Lucia is not for the great hotels, but for all the great stuff you can do here. Some of the best things that you can do involve being in the water or at least out on the water. Deep sea fishing is a big sport here, as well as diving and yachting. For other people, the night life is what brings them to this area. Here you can find all the best clubs and all the best bands. There is no lack of great things to do in St. Lucia after the sun sets.

Aim high: holiday in Nepal

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world but many tourists go here every year because this is where you will find the famous Mt. Everest. It’s one of the ultimate dream of a mountain climber to climb this famous and deadly icy mountain. Many have died here but many have reached the highest part of the world successfully and made it all the way down as well.

Believe it or not, the people here are living and surviving at just $2 per day wages. Yes, that’s just $2 per day and over 80% of the population here only earns that much. Think about relocating here after retirement? Your money will definitely go a long way!

You can enjoy their lifestyle and traditions here. Their culture is fascinating and you’d be amazed at how friendly their locals are. They will treat you like family and they’d even offer you their finest because you are considered as a guest even if they don’t really have a clue who you are.

As of the moment, travelling to Nepal is a bit risky. There is even a travel warning from the Department of State in the U.S. because of the security situation in Nepal. It is best to let the commotion cease first before you decide on visiting Nepal or climbing the Mt. Everest.

But whenever you get to visit Nepal, you’ll be amazed at their picturesque destinations here such as Pokhara where you can enjoy the beautiful Mountain View as well as the beautiful lakeside view. It’s peaceful here and you can also have some trekking expeditions here as well.