Travel Places

Escape the freezing weather and grey skies of the UK and head for the island of Lanzarote.  Where the sun is shining and visitors are basking in warm weather.

Lanzarote is as far south as you can get and still – technically speaking – be within the administrative confines of the European Union.  Although in reality it is located much closer to Africa than Spain.  Either way though this has been a Spanish territory since the early 1400´s and has all the familiar customs and cuisine of the mainland.

Tourists have been visiting the island since package holidays first took off here in the 1970´s and Lanzarote today expects to welcome around 1.4 million visitors during the course of 2009.  A reasonable performance given the impact of the credit crunch and the weak state of sterling over the last twelve months.

Many visitors will be staying in one of the hundreds of villas in Lanzarote that are available for rent.  As around half of all tourists opt for private rental accommodation.  With the remainder staying in hotels or Lanzarote holiday apartments.

During the winter months tourists are best advised to head for the southern most resort on the island –  Playa Blanca.  Which translates as white beach in Spanish – as the resort is named after the small white sand beach which still lies at its heart.

Playa Blanca during the winter months enjoys better weather than the other two main resorts on the island of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.  Making it the best possible choice for anyone in search of winter sun.  There’s also an excellent selection of holiday villas in Playa Blanca available for rent. Many of which are owned by British and or Irish investors – so overcoming any language barrier when booking.

Playa Blanca is located further from the airport than the other resorts but the transfer time is still only forty minuets.  And on the upside it is located closer to the islands main visitor attraction – the breathtaking Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Within the resort itself there are three great beaches – Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada.  Whilst just a fifteen minute walk from the resort centre are the incredible beaches and coves of Papagayo.  An all natural beach lover’s paradise that is widely regarded as one of the finest and most picturesque stretches of sand in the whole of the Canary Islands.

The popular holiday island of Mallorca is one of the most visited destinations in Europe.  Welcoming well over six million tourists a year – the bulk of them from the UK, Germany and mainland Spain.  Thanks to the fact that the island offers a winning combination of breathtaking beaches, fantastic scenery and a wide selection of different holiday destinations.  With over 20 resorts to choose from.

Mallorca is also easy to reach from mainland Europe and is well served by all of the leading low cost airlines from key markets such s the UK.  With a flight time of just under two and half hours.

First time visitors should note that the island is very much a game of two halves though.  As the south is still snynomous with package tourism – epitomised by the bars and discos of resorts such as Magaluf.  Whilst the north is cooler and more sophisticated.  Home to ancient former Roman settlements such as Pollensa and some of the best quality holiday villas in Mallorca.  Many of which have been built using the local honey coloured stone.

So which is the ideal resort in Mallorca for you?

Alcudia
Alcudia is the largest resort on the island’s north coast.  It’s popularity sealed by the fact that it is also home to the biggest beach on the island – a huge stretch of sand which extends for around 8km. 

As a result Alcudia is very popular with families looking to escape the fleshpots of the south.  A reputation enhanced further by the fact that the beach here shelves gently into the sea – making it ideal for young children.

Cala DÓr
Cala d’Or is relatively modern resort situated on the island’s east coast – around a one hour transfer time from the main airport at Palma.  Emerging from it´s former shell as traditional fishing village during he 1970´s to become the modern resort of today.

The centre of the town is pedestrianised which makes it very pleasant to stroll around come nightfall.  Whilst during the day the action revolves around one of the seven beaches in the resort.  Head for the marina at Cala Llonga for a really atmospheric meal out.

Puerto Pollensa
One of the north’s more chi chi resorts Puerto Pollensa is the close coastal cousin to the town of Pollensa.  A former Roman settlement that boasts a host of picturesque squares and quiet cobbled streets.  And is a popular destination with families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts.

Located on the Red Sea, Hurghada is a very popular beach destination in Egypt. It has the twin advantages of having excellent weather, and easy accessibility to much of Europe.

The resort really started growing in the 1980s when scores of tourists from countries such as Russia and Germany and other Eastern Europe countries began arriving there for short holidays as part of inexpensive package tours.

Seeing its growing popularity an excellent airport has been built, which caters to flights from all over, and now there over 200 hotels in the city.

The city extends about 36 kilometers along the seashore and does not go too deep inside the Egyptian desert. It’s prime attraction for all those who gather here are its beautiful beaches and the aquatic sports which are easily available all around. All the hotels and resort villages have made arrangements for sports such as snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving for their guests. The warm blue waters of the Red Sea are home to marine life of immense variety, and the divers are presented with the vision of beautiful underwater coral gardens.

The city is divided into three regions – El Sakala {or Sheraton Road as it is normally known as}, El Dahar and Promenade.  El Sakala is the main centre of the town with all the markets and excellent fish restaurants. From here you can walk to the Marina, where the best bars and nightclubs and restaurants are located.

The Promenade is another great place to go to – a 5 km. long marina, with clean walkways and innumerable shops.

If you are looking for a beachside resort, with a lot of the local culture and ambiance still within it, then you should spend some time at Hurghada in Egypt.

Cyprus is the Mediterranean’s third largest island and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It has over 2.5 million tourists every year, and tourism remains one of it’s biggest money spinners.

Despite Cyprus’s troubled history and it’s ongoing dispute with Turkey over Northern Cyprus, it still remains one of the most peaceful island resorts in the world. The Mediterranean here is warm and inviting, and the beaches are clean and range from the quiet ones in the western peninsula to the lively ones on the east coast.

Cyprus is situated at the crossroads of three continents and it has an amalgamation of cultures from the European to the Asian and the Middle Eastern.

How to get here:

You can either fly to Limassol or take a cruise ship to this island. You can also take the overnight cruises from Port Said in Egypt or from the ports in Europe.

Where do we stay:

You have the options of five star luxury resorts or reasonable priced budget hotels which offer you all inclusive packages, where all meals and drinks are a part of the total package.

What do we do here:

Your choice of activity depends on your energy level. If you like visiting local sites have a look at the Tombs of the Kings or drink the nectar from Aphrodite’s Cave. If you are longing for a period of rest and relaxation, just sit back at one of the many beaches and for a short while forget all your troubles.

The Cypriots believe that once you have been here, you will be beckoned back again and again by this lovely island. Hence do visit us, and let us prove how true this adage is.

Costa Teguise may be the smallest of Lanzarote´s three main holiday resorts.  But it still offers visitors loads to do.  Along with some excellent accommodation, great beaches and a laid back and relaxed atmosphere.

Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for over forty years.  Ever since General Franco started to loosen the ties in order to generate some much need foreign currency and to shore up his crumbling economy.  Factors which lead to the rapid emergence of Spain as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

Lanzarote and the other six islands that make up the Canaries were also beneficiaries of this policy.  And by the end of the 1980´s Lanzarote – the fourth largest of the islands – was welcoming over 2 million foreign tourists every year.

During this period Costa Teguise was created as the islands upmarket resort.  Anchored by the flagship Hotel Gran Melia Salinas and the Pueblo Marinero.  Both of which were designed by the ubiquitous island born artist Cesar Manrique.  Who oversaw much of the modern tourist development on Lanzarote.

Indeed it was Manrique´s idea to create a coastal sister to the island former capital of Teguise.  Which is located around 5km away.  Whilst also developing a more upmarket alternative to the main resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Which specialised in offering good value budget breaks at this time.

Manrique´s resort was to include sweeping avenues and an airy open feel.  All located around the excellent beaches which line the coastline of the resort.  The largest of which is Playa Cucharas.  Along with the well appointed beach at Playa Flamingo and the smaller stretch of sand at Playa Jablillo.  Which is ideal for diving and snorkelling as it is enclosed by a barrier of huge volcanic rocks.

During the 1980´s Costa Teguise boomed – successfully attracting well heeled visitors from across Scandinavia and Northern Europe.  However this was not to last.  As Costa Teguise lost its sheen during the 1990´s thanks to the creation of a new resort in the south of the island – Playa Blanca.  Which boasted a better microclimate – making it a more obvious choice for anyone planning their holidays in Lanzarote during the winter months.

Either way Costa Teguise till remains an attractive option for visitors today.  As the resort boasts one of the few five star hotels in Lanzarote in the form of the impressive Gran Melia Salinas hotel.  Whilst there’s also a fine of selection holiday villas in Costa Teguise for visitors to choose from.

How do we describe this very unique city?

Unlike any city in the United States, it has a character completely its own and totally impossible to replicate. Living on 43 hills and managing to survive despite living right above the San Andreas fault, Frisco lives a tenuous but fiercely independent existence. It is inhabited by flower children and free thinkers and a conglomerate of nationalities, and also with sea lions and clanging cable cars that seem to be a relic of bygone eras, but manage to get you to your destination  and streets that seem to be falling into the ocean, but just keep rolling up and down endlessly.

What should we do in San Francisco:

The possibilities are endless, but first to get an overall view of the city, take a cable car ride through this distinctive city. Try the F market line, which moves from the Market to the Fisherman’s Wharf, the best antique cable cars run on this line.

Take a trip to Alcatraz. A daunting prospect when you think of the residents of this rock, but it is a very interesting tour.

Take a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge. You may dispute whether it is the most stunning suspension bridge ever, but you cannot fail to enjoy the vistas that it presents.

Fisherman’s Wharf, highly overpriced and very touristy, it is at least worth a wander around. It is better to get to Pier 39, and eat there, the waterfront restaurant there serves better food.

Shop in the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market. Follow the locals, and specially on a Saturday go to this market, where farmers sell their special home grown, organic fresh produce and where you can pick up mouth watering cheeses, pastries and chocolates. Go for a picnic at the Breezy Baker Beach or the China Beach and enjoy all this fresh food.

What’s the weather like in San Francisco:

If you are looking for balmy “California” weather, you are in for a surprise. The evenings can be chilly, once the proverbial fog rolls in, and during the afternoon the temperatures can range between 55F and 70F. Be prepared with your layers of clothing, since the temperatures can drop very suddenly.

Where should we go to eat:

Now, this is where you will be really spoilt for choice. San Franciscans pride themselves on being gourmets and on the variety of cuisines available in their city. For Chinese food head to Chinatown, if you are looking for Italian food go to the North Beach, if Asian food is your choice head to Richmond and the best Latin food is available in the Mission District. As in any metropolis, the prices range from the luxurious to the economical, but you will enjoy every morsel of it.

How do we go around the city:

If you re adventurous and have the stamina for it, hire a bicycle. You will notice that for many residents it is their primary means of travel. The other less interesting options are the customary bus and trams and trains.

A region with a split personality, Lake Tahoe is situated with one foot in California and one in Nevada. It carries the traits of both regions. On one side we have the high voltage Reno, with its casinos and bargain hotels and big time entertainment, on the other side we have the tranquil lake, low key water sports in summer and winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding and ice skating.

Lake Tahoe is located 6225 feet above sea level in the Sierra Nevada. Renowned for its crystal clear waters, it is one of the most popular destinations in California and Nevada.

When to go to Lake Tahoe:
Actually that depends on what you are planning to do there. In winter the ski resorts offer all kind so winter sports. In summer you have the choice of boating, hiking and camping, and also the option of just sitting back and relaxing in the splendour of this beautiful area.

Where to go in Lake Tahoe:
As we have said earlier, it is totally up to your personal choices. Go up to Reno, and enjoy high voltage entertainment; drive along the 72 mile road that skirts the lake, takes you up into the mountains and also through the commercial areas; travel in the Gondola in Heavenly Valley, a great 12 minute ride.

The best reason to go there:
Dinner by the lake, you have a choice of multi cuisines and different budgets, or you can even carry a picnic basket with you. Peace and tranquillity, a good wine and some good food, what more do you need?

One of the oddest shaped islands in the world, Sulawesi seems to be made of spindly arms and legs. On the map it looks like a half built spider, but on the land it is a very beautiful part of Indonesia. Occasionally wracked by ethnic tension, the island has been calm for some time now, and North Sulawesi has generally been without incidents.

Here are some of our recommendations of where to go and what to do once you get there.

Pulau Bunaken:
Believed by many to be the world’s best diving area, this small island has over 300 species of coral and 3000 types of fish on view for the avid diver and snorkeler.  This mariner’s paradise is easily accessible from the town of Manado, where you have flights coming in from Singapore.

Tana Toraja:
The elaborate funeral ceremonies of this island, have become something of a tourist attraction. A fascinating cultural hub, it is a combination of unspoilt villages, some unique architecture and also the cultural traditions of a proud tribe.

Togean Islands:
Indonesia has some fabulous beaches, and this is one of the most beautiful ones there. They are not easy to reach, but once you get there, time just seems to come to standstill. The facilities are simple, but adequate for a laidback holiday.

Marine National Park:
This park extends up to 170 km of the coast of over 42 islands, many of them encompassed by coral reefs. Take a slow boat ride around this area, and once again, just let time slip by, and sail around some of Indonesia’s most beautiful islands.

There are lots of different accommodation options for anyone planning a holiday in Lanzarote. Encompassing everything from a Mongolian Yurt on an eco farm in the north of the island through to luxury five star hotel accommodation in the south. With plenty of other interesting choices in-between.

Anyone seeking to really get away from it all should book themselves a week stay at Finca de Arrieta, which located right by the beach in this unspoiled small scale seaside resort located in the north of the island. This former farm covers some 30,000 square metres and is powered by solar and wind energy. Which are ideal sources on a sunny island such as Lanzarote.

Guests here can choose from conventional villa accommodation through to luxury Yurts – a type of tent favoured by Mongolian yak herders. But with a thoroughly modern twist as these versions enjoy hard wood floors and boast all mod cons. Whilst anyone staying here can also pick their own organic fruit and veg from the garden and enjoy rides on Mollie the resident donkey!

Fancy something with a bit more sophistication? Then head for the Gran Melia in nearby Costa Teguise – widely regarded as the one of the best hotels in Lanzarote. And boasting an interesting heritage as it was constructed under the aegis of the famous local artist called César Manrique. Who was also responsible for the design of the interior central garden – the main focal point of this establishment.

The Gran Melia boasts impressive public spaces and a breathtaking swimming pool, bearing all the hallmarks of Manrique´s hand. Whilst also enjoying a great location right on the beach at Playa Cucharas. The hotel is also home to a number of exclusive self contained units in the grounds – which are regarded as the finest Lanzarote holiday villas available.

Alternatively enjoy a room with a view – by staying in Lanzarote´s only high rise building – now home to the Arrecife Gran Hotel. For years this construction was a real eyesore as it stood as burnt out shell for decades. As local planners worked out what to do with this illegally constructed edifice – which was built in contravention of Lanzarote´s strict planning laws.

Pragmatism eventually won out and the shell was transformed into a five star hotel replete with rooftop restauarant, swimming pool and luxury spa. Just like the Gran Melia the Arrecife Gran is also located right on a beach – in this case the Playa del Reducto in the heart of the islands capital city.

Kenya is where safaris originated, when “the white man” thronged this area to see the myriad animals which seem to roam this country in large numbers.

Safaris are now better organised, provide much better facilities, and still manage to give the viewer a thrill when they have their first look at a giraffe or a zebra in the wild. They have among the best game reserves in the world, specially the Masai Mara and Amboseli.

When to go there:
The really spectacular annual wildebeest migration takes place in August and September. If you can manage to get any bookings, go during these months. They move from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti in Tanzania, and it is one of the most amazing sights in the world. The other good months are the dry months of May till September and January and February.

How to go there:
Take the help of a tour operator to organise your tour. Since a lot of travelling is involved, let them make the arrangements. They organise everything including the safaris, the lodges, the flights from one game reserve to another.

Where to stay there:
All the game reserves have a variety of resorts and places to stay in. There are five star hotels, villas to stay in and campsites to pitch your tent in. You can also opt for homestay places which are now becoming very popular.

What to watch out for:
Mosquitoes – like other flora and fauna, they thrive here. Just carry an insect repellent with you and wherever possible wear long sleeves. Watch out for muggers in cities like Mombasa and Nairobi, try not to carry too much money on yourself when you move out.