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Archive for the ‘Travel Guides’ Category

Saudi Arabia receives many visitors each year but most of these are connected to pilgrimages to Mecca or are businessmen; not many tourists visit this country.  Cities and larger towns such as the capital Riyadh are modern, busy places, but much of the Saudi tradition, religious history and culture are kept away from foreign eyes.

Riyadh has some truly fabulous hotels and a number of breathtaking architectural sites including the Al Faisaliah golden geodesic dome that towers above the surrounding buildings. The dome is on top of the Al Faisaliah Towers and contains a restaurant. After dining here patrons may smoke in the opulent comfort of the city’s very first cigar lounge that offers a range of imported tobaccos. The observation deck at the top of the tower is 240 metres high and takes just 25 seconds to reach in the express lift.

Sightseeing for tourists is not easy and this has to be done on organised trips that are generally over priced, but days out at Dir’aiyah the ruined 15th century capital of Saudi Arabia and a visit to the world’s biggest camel market are worth paying for.

Jeddah is a tourist site and its seaside front feels a bit like a British seaside resort but this is a place that is mostly visited by Saudi Arabia’s own internal holidaymakers.

In general Saudi Arabia, at the very heart of the Arab world, is not a very safe place for uninformed westerners to visit and anyone planning a trip here needs to be well organised and well informed.

Sailing around the globe with 14 ships bearing the Italian flag, Costa Cruises is one of the bigger companies that offer the luxuries of the Italian cruising experience. Operating across the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, South America, the Middle East, Northern Europe, and South East Asia, they offer a very rewarding experience to those who wish to partake of a memorable Italian style journey.

Costa Cruises can even personalise the excursions that you want. They offer customers one-of-a-kind tours of historic sites and awe-inspiring ports. Three levels of entertainment – easy, moderate, and hard – are given as choices for the shore excursion. The excursions vary from natural and cultural tours to sports- oriented ones. Each is designed to suit the requirements of the individual traveller, making the experience onshore as memorable and as rewarding as that found onboard.

People searching for fine world cuisine are not disappointed with what is offered by Costa Cruises. They cater to the needs of individuals by giving many options for dining, be it a casual meal or a formal dining experience at a Costa Cruise Gala Dinner –not to be missed.

And the pampering doesn’t end there. Costa Cruises even goes the extra mile by giving assistance through a personal cruise planner.

With the individual services they offer and their attention to every luxurious detail imaginable, you are sure to discover the world and have a very enjoyable cruise holiday with Costa Cruises.

Edinburgh is a Scottish city with a very long history and like all old sites it has its share of ghost stories. Well, more than its share of ghosts by some reports. The best way to find out is to take a city ghost tour, and of course the late night ones are the scariest and the best.

The friendly guides for these tours make it all seem so real that you will be feeling quite frightened of what, or who, might come out of an alleyway, or cellar.  Edinburgh Castle is a favourite place for ghost hunting and there have been many reports of the ‘tunnel piper’ who was originally sent to explore the tunnels beneath the castle and sadly disappeared. He is often heard playing his phantom pipes.

Then there is the headless drummer who only plays his drums in times of trouble, and the ghost dog that wanders aimlessly around the castle dog cemetery, apparently unaware that it is dead.

The dungeons in the castle are haunted by some of the tortured souls who were imprisoned there over hundreds of years. The presence of something very strange has been proved to exist in the castle. An experiment was set up when a group of people who knew nothing of the castle’s history sensed ‘something’ in areas known to be haunted, much more frequently than they did in other areas of the building.  Whatever those people sensed, it was certainly something very strange.

There are ghost hunter tours available in other areas of the city and it is a very enjoyable way to learn something of its interesting and often turbulent history, but certainly not for those who are of a nervous disposition.

Hiring a holiday villa in Turkey is a good option for anyone looking to do something a bit different for his or her summer holiday.  Villas in Turkey are situated in a great holiday location, the country has sun for much of the year, and there are plenty of activities to keep holidaymakers happy for the duration of their stay.

Villas in Turkey to rent are located all over the country, and you will be able to find one near to the nightclubs, or further away from the hustle and bustle in the quieter countryside.  Most of the villas in Turkey come with their own private swimming pool; you can have your own pool at your disposal with complete privacy.

Many of the holiday villas in Turkey come equipped with all the trappings of modern living to make your stay more comfortable.   You should be prepared to cook your own meals throughout your stay, although you are of course free to eat out at local restaurants if you prefer. 

Most people choose to hire a villa in Turkey for either one or two weeks, however you are free to rent one for as long as you like.  If you have a larger group of people you will find it much cheaper as you can split the cost between you.  You will be able to find a villa in Turkey that is suitable for your needs, however you will need to shop around first to find a good deal and a property that is ideal for your purposes.

When you are looking for the best pricing on ski holidays, it pays to shop around. The Internet makes it simple to check out offerings from a number of different resorts. You can take the time you need to find the right one for your needs and budget, at a time that is convenient for you.

If you are in the initial stages of looking for ski deals, you will want to investigate a few different possibilities before making a final decision. The wonderful thing about looking at ski resort packages is that you can do so at any time of the day or night. Web sites are open for business on a 24-hour-a-day basis, and you can start the process to gather the information you need at any time.

A good strategy when you are looking for information about ski holidays is to make a note of the names and URLs of the web sites that interest you. Otherwise, you may not remember the name of the sites you have seen. It’s also a good idea to make a note of the types of accommodation available and other amenities the resort offers. 

You will also want to write down the pricing offered for the time you are thinking of getting away. If you have some flexibility in your travel plans, you may be able to take advantage of specials being offered by your favoured resort. Get organised and keep careful notes of your research to ensure you get the best deal on ski holidays.

Some still believe that Northern Ireland is a dangerous place to visit.  But the facts say to the contrary, so don’t rule out a visit to this beautiful land.  Since the Good Friday agreement in the 1990s the six counties of Northern Ireland definitely feel normal again.  And for the tourist this means a visit poses no threat to life and limb from terrorists.

These days, crossing the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland has become much less difficult.  There are no longer soldiers everywhere and border posts. Other changes when you cross the border are only visible in the colour of the post boxes, the currency used, or the measurements displayed, such as speed limits in miles per hour instead of kilometres.

Some things to watch for while travelling through Northern Ireland are signs along the roadside displaying security warnings or indicating controlled areas.  These should be heeded at all times. If you are flagged down by the police to stop, please do so and act calmly. There is also no consumption of alcohol allowed in any outside public areas. The currency in Northern Ireland is the same as the rest of the UK – pounds sterling.

Some other things to look for are the obvious signs of segregation among the residents of Northern Ireland.  It is not a cause for worry if you see these signs, but it is always best to make yourself aware of what they might mean.  If you see blue-white-red colours or flags, these are loyalist areas.  Green-white-orange colours represent the Republican areas.  Lastly it would be wise not to display colours of either party on your clothing or in souvenir pins, etc.  Although the province is now as safe as most other parts of the UK there are still some sensitive issues and you should take the trouble to find out what these are before you visit.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, has been continuously inhabited since ancient times. It is famous for its vast expanse of square, flat-roofed houses coloured in light shades, causing it to shimmer in the sun, an effect from which it takes its nickname of the White City. As in Istanbul and Rome, the business of modern life goes on with the backdrop of ancient ruins and the chaos of kebab stalls, coffee shops, bazaars and bustling crowds; Amman has the flavour of the ancient orient about it.

With cheap flights to Amman readily available at the click of a mouse, it’s an ideal time to visit this spectacular and friendly city, and experience something straight out of the Arabian Nights.

Known in the Bible as the city of the Ammonites, Amman has experienced Roman, Byzantine and Moslem Umayyad rule.  The impressive ruins of the great amphitheatre, the Byzantine church on the Citadel and the spectacular Al-Qasr complex bear witness to this fact.

With Amman being quite a small city, access to the tourist attractions is easy on foot or by taxi. There are a number of museums devoted to local folklore and the fine arts, and two great mosques, which are certainly worth a visit.

There are many modern hotels as well as small pensions in the city. A wide range of traditional food is on offer at the numerous restaurants and smaller dining establishments, catering for all tastes. Jordanians are extremely friendly and always happy to help if you get lost or have trouble deciding where to eat.

For an introduction to the Middle East, there’s no better place to start than Amman.

The passage tomb complex of Newgrange is a must-see destination for anyone interested in the ancient history of Ireland. The prehistoric site is over 5,000 years old, making Newgrange older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

The Newgrange mound covers an area of approximately one acre. The mound is surrounded by large stones, some of which are engraved with decorative megalithic art and designs. The most intriguing part of Newgrange, however, is the 19m long passage that leads deep into the mound itself. At the end of the passage is a cross-shaped chamber in the heart of the complex.

The exact historical purpose of Newgrange is still a subject of debate, although it is commonly believe that the chamber served as both a tomb and a calendar. During the winter solstice sunrise both the chamber and the passage are illuminated by the rising sun. This spectacular event lasts for less than twenty minutes, making witnessing the illumination a real privilege.

Visitors to Ireland who wish to see the solstice event at Newgrange must enter a lottery. Application forms are available from the nearby visitor centre but places are very limited. The event is re-enacted daily using lighting within the tomb, so visitors can still experience a simulated version of the winter solstice.

Newgrange is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations. The complex cannot be entered directly; guided tours must be joined from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. The centre is located near the village of Donore, County Meath, and is well signposted. Opening hours are generally between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Choosing a cruise holiday for the first time can be a daunting experience. Choosing an operator and deciding on a destination can seem an impossible task to those unfamiliar with cruises.

But with such a wealth of choice available there is no reason why any holidaymaker should be unable to find a cruise that suits their needs. A good place to start your search for a cruise is by investigating the operators on offer; visit the websites of companies such as P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises and Thomson Cruises to explore the sort of atmosphere and activities available onboard their boats.

Younger travellers may enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a Carnival Cruise, while traditionalists might opt for a package from Princess Cruises – choosing the operator that best suits your needs is the key to finding the cruise for you. Families might want to check what is on offer on board for youngsters, while couples might like to consider the option of an adults-only cruise.

Once the operator has been chosen the next step is to select the perfect itinerary.  While cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean have traditionally proved popular, packages such as Red Sea cruises, Baltic cruises and Far East cruises are more modern favourites offering the option to explore various ports in each destination.

Choosing a cruise is a big responsibility so it is important to find the right one for your group. Online forums and customer reviews can give a valuable insight into the reality of each cruise operator and destination.

Due to the distance, skiing in Canada is always going to be more expensive than a budget skiing break in Europe. However, skiing in Canada can be more affordable if you choose cheaper self-catering accommodation, stay in locations that are further from the slopes and travel during the low season. Even top resorts such as Whistler can be enjoyed if you are prepared to compromise on the timing of your trip and accommodation.

Last minute ski deals are a good way of saving money so if you are flexible about dates and can travel at a moment’s notice then checking travel websites for budget packages is a good idea. April is the best time to pick up a budget ski holiday in Canada as it is the time when many hotels have made big cuts in their prices. Conditions at the resorts will still be good and the skies will be sunny, but the prices will be much lower.

Another tip for cheap skiing in Canada is to choose one of the less well known resorts such as Castle Mountain in Alberta. Castle Mountain is generally in the shadow of the Alberta big names such as Lake Louise and Sunshine Village, but skiers can ride the Canadian Rockies for less at this resort. A day ticket gives access to chutes, steeps and demanding bowls down Castle’s 2,833 foot vertical, all covered with dry Rocky Mountain powder.

Tremblant in Montreal is another good choice for a budget ski holiday. Many of the resorts, even the top names such as Kicking Horse Resort, often offer ski and stay packages including free nights or free lift tickets so it is worth checking all the deals on offer.