Airline & Holiday Information

Archive for the ‘City Guides’ Category

Notorious as being one of the most laid back capitals of Europe, Amsterdam has much to offer in the way of culture, history, the arts, and good food.  Most major airlines fly to Schiphol airport, which is around 18 kilometres south-west of the city centre, and trains run directly to the centre every few minutes.  Navigating Amsterdam is easy, as most Dutch natives speak superb English.  Many of the city’s signs are in English as well as Dutch, as are menus in all restaurants.

It has to be said that most visitors do want to take a peek at the notorious Red Light District, where prostitutes do quite literally sit in windows gesturing to passers by.  If you are not brave enough to venture in on your own, official tours are led by ex-prostitutes, the proceeds from which fund a charity which helps women find new work.  Another local activity that is illegal in many other countries can be found in the ‘coffee shops.’  Patrons of these establishments may relax and enjoy mellow music while smoking marijuana.

Amsterdam has historical and cultural attractions as well.  Anne Frank’s House, where visitors can climb the steep staircase to the secret cramped attic rooms where the famous teenager hid during World War II, is a popular destination.  The Rijksmuseum has a huge collection of art to enjoy, as does the Stedelijk Museum, which features a large collection of impressionist and pop art work.  Rembrandt’s House is also in Amsterdam, so there is no shortage of tourist venues in this famous city.

Bad Oeynhausen, near Hanover, is the perfect spot for a relaxing break that combines a wide range of therapeutic natural treatments with stunning scenery.  Since Roman times, people have experienced the hot, health-giving and rejuvenating natural springs here.  Nowadays, apart from taking advantage of the waters, there are a lot of other things to do in Bad Oeynhausen.

The Spa Gardens sit at the heart of the town, with thermal spring water bubbling out of the ground at 31 degrees C, and the gardens themselves are modelled on the classical English country style.

Do not miss the famous World Climate Avenue in the Aqua Magica Park.  The beautiful orchid house and associated gardens are centred on the site of the spectacular Regional Garden Show of 2000, and the colours and smells are breathtaking.

Motoring enthusiasts come to visit the Oldtimer Museum with its extensive collection of classic cars, with pride of place going to a 1919 Model T Ford, and you can get someone to photograph you in the back seat of the Kaiser’s car.

Cycling along the nearby Mittelland Canal is hugely popular, taking you past many historic sites on its East-West route, and Hamlyn also close by has a Pied Piper Tour to enjoy.

There are open-air plays and a kite festival, as well as many other things going on in this cheerful and historic city.  If you are looking for a healthy break with lots of activities for all the family, you cannot beat Bad Oeynhausen.

Oxford is one of the most popular destinations for city breaks amongst both UK and overseas tourists.  Home of the oldest University in the English-speaking world, the stunning architecture throughout this historic city draws in guests all the year round.  Information on a variety of walking and bus tours is available at the Tourist Information Office on Broad Street.  Oxford also offers shopping, museums, riverside walks and the arts are in abundance.

Holidaymakers who travel in by car should be aware of the notorious one way system, as they may not end up where they planned on their first circuit.  Park and rides are a sensible, inexpensive option for day visitors.  Travellers should verify beforehand whether their accommodation has plenty of parking, as offsite parking may well increase their overall expenditure by a considerable amount.

Travelling in by train is a good option, as the station stands about one kilometre west of the city centre.  The Oxford Tube, a coach service which runs every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day to and from London, takes travellers to Gloucester Green, right in the city centre.

Visitors can also try their hand at punting while in Oxford.  Punts are traditional flat-bottomed boats rather like gondolas, but moved with a long pole rather than an oar.  These boats have been popular in the Thames since the 1860’s with both students and romantic visitors.  Punts can be hired at Magdalen Bridge and Cherwell Boathouse.

Famed for its architecture, history, culture and cuisine, Barcelona is one of the finest cities in Europe.  Classical but with a distinctly modern edge, the city attracts thousands of tourists a year and is one of the best places in Europe to take a long weekend or city break.  Barcelona is also remarkably easy to get to, with both regular and low-cost flights run daily to the city from most of the UK’s international airports.

Perhaps the most well known and visually stunning aspect of Barcelona is the architecture of Antonio Gaudi, which is spread throughout the city.  Extravagant and wonderfully colourful, Gaudi’s influence is felt throughout Barcelona and can be seen in both regular buildings and monuments.  Perhaps the two most famous creations of the architect are the Park Guell, a colourful park full of mosaic creatures in the heart of the city, and the world famous Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s still incomplete masterpiece of a church which dominates the nearby cityscape.

Elsewhere in Barcelona, the city’s zoo and aquarium are amongst the best in the world, while sports fans can revel in a tour of Barcelona FC’s huge Nou Camp Stadium.  There are also numerous art galleries, including a world famous gallery focussing on the works of Picasso, and the Las Ramblas street market.

In the evenings, there are a huge variety bars and restaurants to choose from, providing dining options ranging from a quiet street restaurant in the Gothic quarter to ultra modern international cuisine in one of the redeveloped areas of the city.

Holidaymakers who want a holiday that is different from the traditional tourist experience can find what they are looking for in Beja, a small city in Portugal.  With only 22,000 people, Beja is a hidden holiday destination with lots of fun attractions and beautiful sights to see.

Lying in the far south of Portugal, Beja has been influenced by its Portuguese culture as well as Muslim culture, since it was under Muslim rule for 500 years.  As a result of the fighting that took place in Beja, the city is now focused around an enormous castle that was built to protect the city against intruders.  The castle is 40 meters high, making it the highest keep in Portugal.  It is a bit of a trek to climb to the top of the castle keep, but those who do are rewarded with a lovely view of the entire city and the surrounding plains.  Just next to the castle is St. Amaro’s, an ancient church that is older than even the castle.

The fact that Beja is not visited by thousands of holiday goers has allowed it to remain an historic and quaint city, without undergoing massive change.  The Museum da Rainha D Leonor is another site of the city, and it holds the city’s artefacts.  The building that hosts the museum is a 15th century Gothic convent, so it is a wonderful sight in and of itself.

Tourists who visit Beja are bound to have a relaxing holiday, enjoying a hidden Portuguese city that very few have even heard of.

Bologna, Italy’s second largest historic centre, provides holidaymakers a blend of medieval, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture and artwork to enjoy.  It also boasts Europe’s oldest university.

Holidaymakers that go to Bologna should take note of the city’s Roman layout; the city follows a basic grid layout that is reminiscent of its Roman roots.  The city once had 200 towers, although only two now remain.  They are very popular holiday attractions.  The Garisenda tower and the Asinelli tower offer a way for visitors to travel to the top and get a breathtaking view of the city.

The Piazza Maggiore is an attraction that holiday goers should make a point of visiting.  It is at the centre of Bologna, and it’s a beautiful city square that is lined with restaurants and shops.  It also houses the Palazzo Comunale, which is a gallery that shows artwork from old Bolognese artists.

While at the Piazza Maggiore, holiday goers should also stop into the Basilica of San Petronio.  It is the largest landmark in the square, and it’s known as the fifth largest church in the world.  It has a large sundial and has a large, intimidating facade.

Those who want to enjoy some delicious food on holiday will love Bologna.  Bologna is known for its wheat, dairy, and wine, so it has many delicious dishes for holidaymakers to try.  It is known as the food capital of Italy.

Bologna provides a well-rounded holiday experience, from history and culture to fine dining and wine.  Holidaymakers are sure to enjoy this large Italian city.

As the romantic capital of the world, at least according to Parisians, luxury holidays in Paris are great not only for lovers and honeymooning couples but for anyone with a taste for style and adventure.  Paris has a long history and contains some of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and what’s more they are all fairly close to one another.  You spend less time travelling between the sights and are left with more time to enjoy the distinctive and characteristic Parisian cafe life and easy pace.

With a luxury holiday in Paris you’ll stay at one of the city’s top hotels, with exquisite food and drink,  and superior service.  After a tiring day seeing the sights and doing some shopping, take in a show in the evening and return exhausted but happy to a spacious suite, and get room service to bring up a couple of glasses of champagne to round off the perfect day.

There are many things to see and do in Paris, and once you’ve ticked off Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, take a trip to Versailles or stroll around the Tuilleries for a few hours, or head for the Champs Elysses for some of the best designer label shopping available in any city.

Luxury holidays in Paris will see all your needs taken care of so that you can concentrate on enjoying all that this fabulous city has to offer.

Barcelona is one of the Spanish cities that holidaymakers always visit when in Spain.  It is the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain, as well as being the second largest city in the country.  It is considered a Global City due to its economic importance, and contribution to the arts, education, and tourism.

Barcelona is rich in history, entertainment, and culture.  One of the main tourist attractions in the city is the Sagrada Familia.  This enormous church was built by Antoni Gaudi, one of Spain’s most famous architects.  Sagrada Familia, which means “sacred family”, was never finished due to the Spanish Civil War.  Visitors can tour the church, see the crypt where Gaudi was buried, and explore the museum portion of the church.  A tower in the church allows visitors to experience a panoramic view over all of Barcelona.

Visitors that travel to Barcelona should visit the Magic Fountain.  It is a series of fountains that start at the top of a hill, and extend all the way to the bottom.  Using filtered electrical light, the shows put on at the Magic Fountain use a wide range of colours and visual effects.  These light shows only take place in the summer.

Palau Nacional is a beautiful part of Barcelona’s urban landscape.  It was built in 1929, and contains the National Art Museum of Catalonia within its walls.  Palau Nacional has an esplanade that provides exceptional views of the city.  The museum displays Gothic artwork as well as artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Although these are some of Barcelona’s most popular attractions, there are many other activities and attractions to experience in this cosmopolitan city.

As the biggest and most incredibly bustling of Turkey’s cities, Istanbul sprawls across the borders of two continents and is packed with some of the most breathtakingly beautiful and historic buildings in the world.

Luxury Istanbul holidays will see you settling into a hotel such as the magnificent Pera Palas which overlooks the Bosporus, and in which many famous names such as Agatha Christie, Greta Garbo and Mata Hari have resided.  There are a number of rooms full of their memorabilia, and the whole building is fairly drenched in history.  The main dining room is lit by one of the biggest crystal chandeliers in the world and has been used as a period movie set on many occasions.

Istanbul was, as Byzantium, capital of the great Byzantine Empire for about a thousand years and later became capital of the Ottoman Empire.  Its attractions include the Blue Mosque with its famous glazed Iznik tiles, the Haghia Sophia museum which was once the greatest church in Christendom, the Dolmabahce Palace and Topkapi Palace standing on Seraglio Point and overlooking the Sea of Marmara.  These were homes to the Turkish Sultans and have displays of priceless artifacts such as jewel-encrusted daggers and one of the biggest diamonds in the world.

Visit the packed bazaars, markets and modern shopping malls in this incomparable city which combines the best of East and West, and sip lemon tea from a glass whilst watching the ferries come and go across the Marmara Sea.

Luxury holidays in Istanbul is the perfect introduction to an exhausting but endlessly fascinating city.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and as such has a rich history.  It is also a wonderful destination for tourists and many visit each year.  Take a look at the city and you will come to the conclusion that Vienna has been able to find a fine balance between tradition and modern innovation.  The emergence of technology has not damaged much of the rich culture that Vienna has.  An example of this is the presence of modern hip-hop music venues, contrasting with concert halls where you can enjoy the Mozart classics.  There are several new cutting edge cafes, clubs and restaurants that offer perfect relaxation points for local residents as well as international visitors.

The coexistence of old and new is perfectly illustrated by the ultra modern Museum Quarter district.  This is home to Vienna’s largest facade and some of the best contemporary museum architecture in Europe.  While in the city, take time to visit the famous Hofburg Imperial Palace that has lavish and stylish apartments as well as the Lipizzaner stallions.  Mimic the ancient times by taking a horse drawn tour of the city to St Stephan’s Cathedral, one of the city’s major landmarks.

Morning in Vienna is reserved for shopping and sightseeing.  One of the most frequented shopping markets in the city is the Naschmarkt, which provides plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to Austria’s finest cheeses.  There are also numerous shopping malls and restaurants all around the city.

The city has a wonderful transportation network that consists of well maintained roads, trains and airports. Ensuring that you will not have any problems moving from one tourist spot to another.