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Ski holidays in Norway are very special experiences. Strandafjellet in the Sunnmøre Alps boasts 24km of slopes and overlooks Hjørundfjord, which is quaint and pretty. Here the terrain is off-piste. There is a vertical drop of 1,200 metres and runs of up to 5km.

Hemsedal has a picturesque mountain location in the Hallingdal Valley. This resort has become Norway’s first choice among snowboard and ski destinations. In the whole of Europe, its snowfall levels are one of the highest and also the most consistent. The local, charming alpine village has an easy, relaxed atmosphere and is nestled within an unspoilt and natural setting.

In the heart of Scandinavia, Trysil is one of the largest ski areas in Norway and has lovely natural surroundings which are just great for ski holidays. There are 64 runs on Trysil Mountain, so the skiing is excellent and there are slopes to suit everyone from the novice skier to the expert. In this lovely resort there are great facilities for families, for example lots of activities are available and there are three areas catering for children. The children’s activities combine learning and play in secure surroundings. They are able to develop skiing skills, practicing balance and motor abilities, and build their strength and levels of endurance via challenging and fun activities.

Lillehammer has great skiing at the Hafjell Alpine Centre and provides excellent activities. During the winter it offers a wide variety of special shops and wonderful restaurants. There is a long standing tradition of winter sports here and this is one of Norway’s most renowned and established resorts.

Most African safaris will consist of adventure filled stopovers in national parks and trendy campsites which are great for viewing the diverse wildlife to be found on the continent.  However, Africa also offers a great deal of insight into human history, and into the origins of our species.  Visiting the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa allows the visitor to go back in time and imagine living the life of a pre-humanoid in the green and beautiful landscape to be found in this incredible part of the world. 

The Cradle of Humankind can be found roughly 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa.  It covers an expanse of about 474 square kilometres.  The area comprises caves, mines, and lakes and contains some of the oldest and most astounding fossils in the world.  Scientists and researchers are still busily trying to unearth the many secrets that are hidden within the borders of this amazing area.  A few of the most important things that have been found here include:
 
•    The complete skull of a pre-humanoid – nicknamed Mrs. Ples – thought to be around 2.15 million years old.
•    Stone tools that are thought to be over a million years old, found in Cooper’s Cave.
•    Signs of the first use of controlled fires by humankind.
•    An extinct leopard and zebra lair at Plover’s Lake.
•    Four and a half million year old animal fossils that were discovered at Bolt’s Farm.  These are the oldest fossils in this area.
Safaris and guided tours of the Cradle of Humankind originating in Johannesburg are widely available, and make a unique and fascinating addition to any holiday in South Africa. 

The land of the steel drum is an often overlooked Caribbean nation for tourists, but offers an upbeat and vibrant modern culture while boasting some spectacular natural and man-made sites as well as world class entertainment.   Trinidad and Tobago is a wonderfully exciting place for Caribbean holidays, especially during Carnival time, when it transforms into the party central of the entire Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago offers a few luxury accommodation options for guests looking for upscale stays.

Villas of Stonehaven

Situated in breath-taking Tobago, overlooking unspoiled rainforest and hills and a protected bird sanctuary, and only a few minutes from the sea, these spacious villas cover 3,700 square feet.  Each of the 14 villas have private pools, 500 foot verandas, and on-site Clubhouse and bars for light dining, romantic drinks and premium Caribbean cocktails.  Deep-sea fishing, golf, and guided rainforest hikes are available on site.

VLH Tobago Golf Resort and Spa

Also situated in private and lush Tobago, this resort overlooks the Tobago plantations as well as an 18-hole PGA designed golf course.  A full service spa and 4,000 square foot ballroom means there is plenty of space to entertain guests.  Exquisite dining is directly on site at a selection of fine restaurants.

If you’ve already decided that your next holiday will be a cruise you have made a good start. Now all that you will need to do is choose an interesting destination. There are several simple ways to help when it comes to choosing a cruise destination.

If you don’t already have a dream destination in mind, you may want to take the opportunity to apply a little practicality to your cruise. If you are open to travel times and destination, there is no better time to look for cruise deals. There is a wide range of cruise packages to consider; from short 3-day getaways to weeklong luxury cruises. Keep in mind that more popular cruise routes can be cheaper than exotic ones. 

If you’re planning a summer cruise, it is a great time to see Europe. Most European cruises are offered during the summer months while other destinations such as Alaska, are only offered during the summer months for obvious reasons. If you are planning a spring or autumn cruise, consider heading to the Panama Canal. If you’re open to taking a cruise at any time of the year, Asia, Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations are offered all year round.

Also, consider your own personal interests when looking for a cruise destination. Holidaymakers who love to shop and hit the beaches tend to pick Caribbean destinations for the best beaches and outlet shopping opportunities. Even though many places in Europe have beautiful beaches and great shopping, a European cruise will offer more opportunities to experience history, arts and culture, especially among the Greek Islands that are peppered with ancient archaeological sites.

Ski holidays with the kids can be a lot of fun for the whole family. There are lots of activities that will keep the young ones entertained for days on end, giving the grown ups some time to have some fun on their own.  However, before you go ahead with making plans to take your children with you on your next trip, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

Are your little ones ready to try something new?  All kids are different, so there is no golden age at which they will be ready to learn to ski. The most important thing is that they are enthusiastic about the prospect.

Do they know what to expect?  Spend as time as you can before you go, preparing them and getting them used to the idea. Talk to them, show them some videos, and introduce them to their equipment at home. This will go a long way to satisfying their curiosity and building the anticipation.

Think about what may happen when you get to the resort. Is your child enthusiastic and committed enough to go for the lessons they will need?  If not, it could ruin the holiday for everyone. If you don’t think they are ready you may have to think about leaving them with Grandma, or consider a different type of holiday altogether.

You do want your kids to enjoy ski holidays with you though, and it is a great way for the whole family to have fun. Just make sure they are ready and you will be setting your family up for years of great memories.

If you are looking to get as close to paradise on Earth as is possible when it comes to holiday destinations, you can do no better than the Hawaiian Islands.
 
Maui is called the ‘Magic Isle’, and is one of the most popular destinations in Hawaii for visitors from the UK.  Maui offers glorious scenery, a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

The Island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and there is a staggering diversity of landscapes available on the “Big Island”.  These include deserts, verdant rain forests, snow-capped volcanoes, and black sand beaches.
 
The Island of Oahu offers many peaceful natural settings, and is also the perfect place to catch some waves with a surfboard, and dance the night away in the main town of Waikiki. 

Kauai is delightfully unspoiled and offers the visitor beaches, stunning waterfalls, plummeting valleys, and soaring peaks. 

Accommodation in Hawaii can range from a world class 5-star hotel to a delightful little house on the beach, and from a self-catering apartment to a luxury villa.  The warm sunshine, sensational scenery, and fresh air will certainly help to make any holiday in Hawaii one to remember.

With a slightly cooler summer than either Florence or Rome, Venice is still deliciously warm, generally between 25oC and 31oC. Rain falls during the summer months, usually in the form of short, sudden thunderstorms. These quick showers help to clear the humidity from the air, often making a night’s sleep easier and more pleasant.

Sitting under the stars on a summer’s night in Venice is one of the most romantic and beautiful things in the world. The warm temperature combined with the quiet lapping of water and views of Venice’s famous lagoon and Grand Canal give the city an atmosphere that is not to be rivalled.

Venice has the world’s highest number of grand master pieces of artwork per square kilometre. With architectural wonders like the Basilica di San Marco this is a city of inspiration. However, it is not really designed for relaxation and today it is still packed full of artisans of all kinds; wander down the back alleyways or calli, to marvel at shoemakers hammering out beautiful genuine Venetian styled masterpieces, smell the scent of fantastic four-star Italian gourmet cooking and see the work of hundreds of hopeful artists.

Combined with the influx of tourists that come to see the sights during the summer months, the temperatures can make touring Venice a tiring experience. However, some of the city’s best and most famous festivals take place during the hotter months; the Venice Film Festival erupts during the end of August, when many famous celebrities can be spotted. Similarly, the wonderful ‘Festa del Redentore’, the Feast of Christ the Redeemer, takes place in July and is one of Venice’s best festivals. See the fireworks, cheer at the gondola races and enjoy the summery weather.

The cheapest and most convenient way of getting around Venice is by waterbus. Of course, this also enables tourists to take in the fantastic architecture of the city and is one of the most pleasant ways of getting around the city.

The Federal Republic of Germany consists of more than a dozen different states and offers tourists many choices of destination.  Of these, several cities are particularly prominent and attract many visitors, who enjoy cheap holidays there each year.

Berlin

Berlin is the capital of the reunified Germany.  Today, tourists can walk the route of the Berlin Wall and visit the ‘Museum Island’ area, home to the enormous Pergamon Museum, best known for its collection of ancient art from Greece and the Middle East.  Located nearby is the Alte Nationalgalerie, which showcases a collection of 19th century German painting. 

Cologne

At one point, much of Germany was under Roman control.  This history is evident in Cologne, which is home to some significant archaeological sites.  Also of interest in Cologne is the enormous cathedral that dominates the landscape and the Romanesque churches that dot the city.

Hamburg

The second largest city in the country, Hamburg is renowned for the tolerant, liberal culture of its red light district.  In addition, tourists today can visit the Kaiserkeller to see where the Beatles performed before being catapulted to fame. 

Munich

The capital city of Bavaria, this was the site of Hitler’s ill-fated attempt to take over Germany by force.  Now, Bavaria is best known for the extensive Oktoberfest held each year where tourists can sample a huge variety of German beers and enjoy a taste of authentic Bavarian culture.  Munich is also considered a gateway city for visitors who wish to go on and explore the Alps.

Nuremberg

This city is famous the world over for being the site of the trials against the Nazi party officials after their nation had been defeated in World War II.  To this day, tourists can see the party rally grounds where the Nazi faithful gathered during the years of the Third Reich, but Nuremberg also offers much older sites such as the Kaiserburg Castle, a Gothic structure that has been reconstructed along with much of the old part of the city.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands as well as its largest city.  Since Holland was of key importance during the artistic flourishing of the Northern Renaissance, Amsterdam today is a place where tourists can visit museums celebrating some of the finest art the Dutch nation has ever produced.

The Rijksmuseum

The first place many tourists visit is the vast Rijksmuseum.  Located near ‘Museum Square’, this museum dedicates itself to preserving and displaying key elements of Dutch art history as well as interpreting that history for the benefit of visitors.  Over a million works are included in the museum’s permanent collection, including key paintings by the great masters: Rembrandt, van Ruisdael, and Vermeer.  Also on display are thousands of objects of decorative art, a category that encompasses not just textiles and statuary, but also everyday objects such as expensive antique dinnerware.  Children may be particularly interested in the large dollhouses that are included amongst the museum’s priceless treasures. 

The Van Gogh Museum

The famous post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh was born in Holland.  To commemorate his life and works, the Van Gogh Museum, also located in Museum Square, displays some of his most significant paintings including the celebrated Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, which is among the most valuable works of art in the world. 

History Museums in Amsterdam

However, there is more to Amsterdam than great art.  Tourists can also visit historical museums, several of which concentrate on events during the 20th century.  The most famous historical site in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, where Anne and her family hid for several years during the Nazi occupation of her country.  Another site of great interest to those familiar with World War II history is the Verzetmuseum, which tells the story of the Dutch Resistance during the war.

Hong Kong may sound like an exotic, unreachable destination, but with non-stop flights taking around 12 hours, it has become a popular destination for travellers wanting to experience something different.

Having been a British Colony for many years, Hong Kong offers a unique mix of Chinese traditions and lifestyle mixed with British and European influences.  The main language is Cantonese, but many signs, menus and directions also appear in English, with visitors having little difficulty in finding their way around.

The iconic image of Hong Kong Island is the Peak, a summit which lies within a national park, and can be reached by the Peak Tram.  The tram climbs some 373 metres at such a steep angle, nearby buildings look as if they are leaning.  From the top, visitors can enjoy an amazing panorama across the Island and down to Victoria Bay.

Another unmissable Hong Kong tradition is crossing the harbour by Star Ferry, especially at night, when a magnificent light show is played out on more than 40 of Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers.

Those wanting to retreat from the city for a while may be surprised by the nearness of some beautiful sandy beaches; Lamma Island, for example, is just 30 minutes away by ferry and is home to several.  Meanwhile on Lantau Island, visitors can climb the 240 steps to the feet of the Big Buddha, which stands some 34 metres tall.

By contrast, Lantau Island is also home to Hong Kong Disneyland, opened in 2005, and there is also a large water park – Ocean Park – suitable for all the family.  Happy Valley racecourse on the island itself holds regular meetings and is a cultural institution in itself, whilst the night markets of Kowloon provide a fascinating evening’s entertainment.