Travel Places

115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean form the network of this very beautiful part of the world. Often called a honeymooners paradise, Seychelles is much more than just that. The Gods above have been very generous towards this enchanting country, it has some superb beaches, and when you want to venture beyond the coastal region, there are some lush hills which are the venues of great jungle trails.

Where to go in Seychelles:

The best places to visit in Seychelles are the three main islands, Praslin, LeDegue and Male’. There are no crowds in sight, the beaches are a dreamlike setting, and birds and giant tortoises abound in their natural habitat. Water sports such as scuba diving are very popular, given the abundance of marine life all around you.

What to see in Seychelles:

After the amazingly beautiful beaches, Morne Seychellois  National Park in Mahe is one of their main attractions. It can only be accessed by walking, and guided walking tours are the most popular way to go through the park.

Where to stay:

Seychelles has some exquisite villas and luxurious hotels which provide you with the ultimate in luxury. A special effort is now being made to provide some economy options for the average tourist, in order to take away the tag of being a millionaire’s destination.

Which currency to use in Seychelles:

The currency used here is the Seychelles Rupee, but visitors must pay for everything with foreign currency, the most popular one being the Euro. Prices everywhere will be quoted for you in Euros.

Playa Blanca is the fastest growing resort on the holiday island of Lanzarote.  Offering great weather, fantastic beaches and loads for visitors to do and see.  As well as plenty of good value, high quality holiday accommodation.

Playa Blanca is located at the southern foot of Lanzarote.  Which is one of the seven Spanish islands that make up the Canaries.  These are one of the most popular winter sun destinations in the world – thanks to their close proximity to key markets such as the UK and Germany. 

Whilst other winter sun destinations such as the Caribbean or the Far East require the best part of a day spent on board a plane the Canaries are just a four hour flight from all major UK airports.  With services to Lanzarote provided by low cost airlines such as Monarch and Ryanair.

Until twenty years or so ago Playa Blanca really was a sleepy little village – with little going on beyond the local fishermen pulling in their nets and boats at the end of another hard day at sea.  Today that’s all changed – as Playa Blanca has grown quickly to become the second biggest resort on the island and welcomes hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers every year.

The twin keys to its success are weather and beaches.  The resort has a great climate and usually enjoys the best weather Lanzarote has to offer.  Enabling visitors to enjoy beautiful stretches of sand such as Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada all year round.

The resort evolved around the harbour – from where it is possible to hop onto ferries across to the next door island of Fuerteventura.  And the main seafront promenade – which as is where the bulk of the best restaurants in the resort are located.

There are plenty of good quality places to stay in Playa Blanca.  As the resort is home to the largest range of hotels and holiday villas in Lanzarote. 

The five star Gran Melia Volcan is located just above the relatively new Marina Rubicon – where tourists can enjoy gazing at some seriously expensive yachts.  Whilst the best holiday villas in Playa Blanca can be found in and around areas such as Faro Park and Costa Papagayo.

A vacation here doesn’t mean breaking the bank either.  With rental rates starting at around £400 per week for a villa with private pool and two bedrooms.  Capable of accommodating up to four people.

Many people believe that the most beautiful and scenic part of California is the Napa Valley. It is recognized all over the world as the Wine County of the US. But it is much more than that.

Vineyards abound in this area, they are a part of the breathtaking natural beauty of the county, The wineries invite you to come and partake of their “Drinks for the Gods” and the balmy weather beckons you all the year round.

Where to go in the Napa valley:

Visit the wineries around Napa Valley, they offer guided tours and also wine tasting sessions. There are also some five star restaurants here – just watch your wallet.

What to do in Napa valley:

Food is an important part of this valley. Some of the finest restaurants such as French Laundry are located here. Fresh fruit, some great cheese, freshly baked bread and homemade jam – all the ingredients that you need for a picnic, and of course the all important cork-screw, after all you are sure to need it in this county.

Where to stay:

The lodgings range from the very fancy and luxurious to homesteads and wineries that offer places to stay. Keep in mind that fact that summer and fall are the main tourist seasons here, so accommodation may not be easy to find

What to do here:

Wine and more wine. Unless you are planning to just taste the wine and then spit it out, do try not to go to more than one or two wineries on one day!

Lanzarote is one of the most popular destinations in Spain. Welcoming millions of tourists very year from countries such as the UK, Eire and Germany. Many of these visitors will be spending their Lanzarote holidays in the resort of Puerto del Carmen. Which is the oldest and most popular on the island. Dating back to the 1960´s when it emerged from its former shell as a small fishing village called La Tiñosa.

Today most of the fishing boats have disappeared – to be replaced by luxury yachts and excursion vessels. And the once quiet and dusty streets are now filled with a selection of some of the best hotels, apartments and villas in Lanzarote. Many of which are arrayed around the harbour in the Old Town section of the resort.

Tourists first started visiting the Canaries as long ago as the 19th century. When intrepid Victorians would visit the islands for their curative properties. Enjoying the balmy year round weather that is often likened to an eternal spring. Mass market package tourism only started up in the 1970´s. As the then ruler General Franco sought to increase his foreign currency reserves by attracting foreign holiday makers to Spain. And today the Canaries have evolved to become the second most popular holiday region in the country – second only to Catalonia.

Much of the reason for their success as a tourist destination can be attributed to the fact that these seven islands all enjoy a great climate all year round, along with excellent beaches and good quality accommodation facilities. For example there are some truly luxurious villas for holidaymakers to select from. Boasting private pools, all mod cons and much more besides. Located both in the main resorts and across Lanzarote´s unique volcanic countryside.

There´s a fine choice of these villas in Puerto del Carmen. Which also provides tourists with an ideal base for touring and exploring the island thanks to its central location on Lanzarote. As a result most of the main attractions are within a twenty to thirty minute radius of the resort, such as the unique volcanic region – the most popular tourist hot spot on the island and one of Spain’s most visited national parks. Or the many varied works of a creative local artist called César Manrique. Who developed a number of unique sites on the island such as the Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio and the Cactus Garden.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing that can be seen from outer space and even from the sky. Most people do not realise this picturesque reef has been formed by literally billions of living organisms known as coral polyps. They combine together to form spectacular coral formations, and cover literally hundreds of tiny islands, off the eastern coast of Queens land in Australia.

The popularity of this amazing place lies in the abundance and variety of marine life, the charming islands, and above all the remarkable coral formations. The spectacular colours, and the immense variety of marine life here, make diving into the sea an unforgettable experience. There are over 1500m species of fish and over 400 varieties of coral which can be viewed here.

Most visitors take day trips on boats from the many towns located on the coast of Queensland. It is also possible to hire a yacht for your personal visit. Cairns is the most popular port of departure. The daily tour normally consists of a visit to one or two coral reefs, followed by lunch and a cruise back to the port of departure.

There are also many diving trips which are organised by many tour operators. The best way to really relish the beauty of this location is by diving into the water and observing underwater scenery at its finest.

You can also make it into an overnight trip by staying at the numerous resorts sprinkled along the many islands in this region. This will give you more time to see some of the less traversed areas and quieter reefs.

Snorkelling and diving are the main activities indulged in by the tourists. If you have never done this before, try the tours which are specifically for the first time divers. Or you can join air trips, which take you over some of the most spectacular areas.

A world heritage site, Yosemite National park is located in East Central California, spanning the counties of Toulumne, Mariposa and Madera. A magnificent landscape that has been carved out by glaciers, it is visited by over 3.5 million visitors every year.

The joy of visiting this national park lies mainly in its awesome natural splendours. Everything seems to be large and majestic. Ranging from the breathtaking Glacier Point, where the views seem to encompass the entire state, to the swirling waters of the Merced River, every corner of this National Park spells grandeur.

How to get there:

Yosemite Park is 3 hours away from San Francisco by road. Most visitors tend to concentrate on the seven square miles of Yosemite Valley, where most of the popular sites are located.

Popular Sites:

El Capitain: A granite cliff that seems to tower over the valley, is one of the world’s most popular rock climbing sites. It offers year long accessibility, combined with different rock formations for a varied experience.

Mariposa and Merced and Toulumne Groves: The giant Sequoia trees of these groves can enthral you with just their size. But do look carefully and enjoy the beauty of these graves and the dignity they seem to exemplify.

Waterfalls: The granite cliffs and rock formations are great places for the waterfalls to be formed. In the months of April, May and June they can be observed in their abundance. You cannot miss the Yosemite falls – the highest in the United States.

Merced and Toulumne Rivers: These rivers have carved out deep canyons in the valley, and offer ample opportunities for rafting etc.

Activities around this region:

Backpack across the Toulumne Meadows, or at least walk across the 14 mile trail to Cloud’s Nest. If you feel that is too long for you, try the shorter trails to places like Elizabeth lake and Soda Springs.

Walk upto the Grizzly Giant, a 2,700 year old tree, which is as tall as a 20 storey tower. The hush of the forest and the splendour of these trees are enough to make this into a memorable walk.

Climb the El Capitain, there are about 80 routes to the top ranging from the doable to the impossible.

Take tour bus, along the scenic route of Tioga Road till the Glacier Point.

Adjoining regions:

Mariposa County : One of the few places left in this world where there are no permanent traffic lights, this country encloses much of the Yosemite National Park. It has no towns in its area, just three communities which live in census designated areas. 95% of the Yosemite Park has been designated as wilderness, hence enjoy the solitude and natures finest views.

Where to stay:

Camping – you can camp at the many campsites in this valley. Do check their opening and closing dates.

Lodging – there are many lodges such as Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp which provide lodging in the Park.

This park needs to be visited again and again in order to really be able to enjoy all that it offers. Every corner, every tree, every waterfall invites you to sit near it and enjoy the magnificence of God’s creations.

Bali is small, you could traverse the entire during one leisurely day. There are also travel advisories issued against travelling there from various countries.

But, it is a beautiful destination. It has been hit by terrorist activities, but then so has most of the civilised world. Bali charms you and it’s people love to have visitors around them. Leave your heavy backpacks at home, carry a small bag and travel around in a bus, if you are adventurous. If you are looking for luxury, there are some awesome hotels and resorts all around you. There are also budget hotels and timeshare places, Bali loves everyone and makes a place for everyone.

Best time to visit :

The cooler months from April till October. The rest of the time it is more humid and there are chances of rainstorms.

How to get there:

By air, you can fly to Bali Ngurah Rai airport, just south of Kuta . Most international airlines have flights to Bali. By sea you can reach Java, just west of Bali by ferries. Or you can take an overnight bus from Jakarta and then take the ferry from Java

What to watch out for:

Beggars and peddlers and touts; they can make your life difficult by hounding you.

Minor thefts, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing are quite common.

Bad traffic: do not expect that if you are walking on the footpath you are safe, watch the traffic all around you and take your own safety precautions.

Go out and enjoy yourself, it is a great place to sit on the beach and relax.

It has been described as a city for lovers, but we would like to describe it as a city for all those who love anything that is beautiful.

A city of waterways and canals and gondolas and singing gondoliers, it defies description. Every building seems to be a monument to someone’s grand dreams. Meandering lanes and fabulous squares, castles housing fabulous treasures and museums housing amazing art collections, all these form part of this remarkable city.

The Piazza San Marco has more pigeons than people and occasionally it gets flooded, but just sitting there and enjoying the grandeur of the world’s largest square is enough to make it worthwhile.

The Canale Grande should be traversed late in the evening, when all the palaces along the way have been illuminated, and you can avoid all the daytrippers who throng the boats.

The Basilica De San Marco, a monument to Byzantine architecture is place of worship and a glory to behold. Once again go to see it in the evening when it has been illuminated, it is an unforgettable sight.

To see the real Venice walk through it s cobbled streets and along the canals, bridges and squares. Stand on the Rialto Bridge and watch the world go by.

Remember, Venice is beautiful but expensive. So look for cheaper ferry’s rather than gondolas, eat in smaller cafes rather than in the restaurants in the plazas and take a waterbus ticket and travel all over the city.

Switzerland is the one country in the world where beauty abounds in every corner and in every valley or hilltop. It reminds you of all the paintings and postcards you have seen, lovely green hills, flowers and snow-clad peaks and pristine cleanliness. Every road you traverse, every resort you go to leads to exclamations of joy, and a look of amazement and wonder of the face of the traveler.

The best time to visit Switzerland would be between June and September. The months of April/May and October are also good times, and since the crowds are less, the costs are lower. But the weather is slightly colder then, so go prepared for that.

Since tourism is one of Switzerland’s biggest money spinners, you will find resorts and hotels and budget inns in every town. It is a highly efficient country, and all the trains and buses run with clockwork precision. The inter-connectivity by road and train is tremendous, so you can travel around with ease.

Do remember a few things when you visit Switzerland. All restaurants close by 9 pm, so if you are planning to wander around at night, please have your dinner in time. Food is more expensive here than in most European nations, so keep this in mind when you plan your holiday. Euros are not very welcome, since the Swiss are fiercely independent and would prefer that you use their currency.

These are but minor hiccups when you plan a holiday to this beautiful country. Nature is at her finest here, and you will leave with a lingering desire to come back again.

Most tourists who visit Spain, spend just a day or so in Madrid before moving towards the beaches or other resorts in the country. But Madrid deserves much more than this, it is a beautiful city, vibrating with culture and joy and history abound in every corner.

There is so much to see and do here. If you like watching people and mingling with the crowds, go to Plaza Mayor. Full of bars and restaurants, no one ever seems to sleep here. There are over 3100 culinary places in Madrid, so you are never short of choices. Madrid has the largest number of bars, per capita than any city in Europe, and Spain has some very fine wines. So go out and have a great evening!!

If you want to see beautiful palaces and buildings, go to the Palacio Real – a palace housing centuries of history within its ramparts. The treasures of this palace can keep you riveted for hours.

By far the best place to visit in Madrid is Museo Del Prado. You can easily get lost in this place while looking at one of the finest art collections in the world. It houses Flemish, Dutch, Spanish and German art collections.

If you are fond of good food, go and have a “tapas” at one of the eating places, or have some great fish at Plaza Mayor. If you like live music, join the crowd at Sala Heineken or  La Riveira, or just follow the sounds of a group playing music at any of the Plazas.

Well, what are you waiting for? Madrid beckons.