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Archive for November, 2008

South Africa ‘a great December escape’

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Anyone who feels slightly sick at the prospect of having to spend yet another Christmas eating Brussels sprouts and playing charades with elderly family members may be interested in a report on one website which suggests a place to get away from it all.

RTE Money comments that the first couple of weeks in December are ideal for taking holidays to South Africa to get some of its summer sunshine as opposed to the frostbite you may be vulnerable to in Britain.

“South Africa is buzzing in December, with the whole country on summer holidays,” the site points out.

Not only this, but the fact that South Africa is in the same time zone as us, which means that you won’t get jet lag and that you have more time to look around and explore what it has to offer.

The rand is currently good value against the pound, so anyone buying currency for their South African holidays will get more for their money.

A recent study carried out by Kayak.co.uk found that a whopping 60 per cent of people hope to escape from this year’s festive season, mostly to get away from the commercialisation seen during December.

However, others simply wanted to avoid their in-laws…

Posted in Africa, Christmas Holidays | Comments Off

There is a honeymoon to suit you…

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

No matter what your taste or budget, there is bound to be a honeymoon destination somewhere in the world that can awaken your passion and sense of adventure.

This is according to the Age’s Susannah Petty, who has come up with a few suggestions of places that could be perfect for the most romantic holiday of your life.

“While baking by a hotel pool can hold a certain appeal, for romantics or those seeking something a little more unusual there is a wide range of options on offer,” she points out.

Firstly, there is Australia and in particular the Coober Pedy region some 850 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Here, holidaymakers can stay in the underground Desert Cave Hotel, which has 19 sunken rooms and an underground bar.

The tour of the area also allows visitors to check out dingoes and kangaroos.

For those who prefer their adventures above ground, there is the Indian paradise of Goa.

Ms Petty comments that the atmosphere is one of love and spiritualism and that it is no wonder even the Indians honeymoon here.

Anyone on the lookout for a honeymoon destination should pay a visit to holidaysplease.co.uk, which offers trips to Australia, India and many other countries.

Posted in Romantic Holidays | Comments Off

Why not try ‘posh camping’ holidays?

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Britons looking for cheap accommodation on their holidays should try ‘posh camping’, Frances Tuke, spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents, has suggested.

This is “the kind of camping where you get semi-permanent structures,” the expert pointed out, commenting that is it becoming increasingly popular in these times of economic difficulty.

Her comments follow a report in the National recently, which said that more people on holidays to Thailand are booking hostels as they look for better value for money on their holidays.

Anyone keen on such holidays may be interested in a recent article on CNN.com, which said there are a number of community projects in Phuket that travellers can participate in, staying in no-frills accommodation as part of their trip.

In addition, there is the Koh Yao Noi Homestay Club, a community-based scheme which allows tourists to stay in the actual homes of 25 participating families on the island and is situated close to the tourist mecca of Bangkok

However, travellers may still be able to get good value from hotels keen to attract customers – Konstanze Auernhemier of STR Global has said that they are cutting their prices all over the world to ensure that people continue to use them over any other form of accommodation.

Posted in Economic Situation, Thailand, Travelling | Comments Off

Holidaymakers ‘should definitely explore Mauritius’

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Anyone going on holidays to Mauritius should ensure they take time out to explore the island, one source has said.

Claire Wrathall of the Financial Times said she went there last February and was surprised at the number of people who simply stayed by the pool at their hotel, missing out on all Mauritius has to offer outside.

She points out how the island acted as a muse for a number of famous writers including Mark Twain, Joseph Conrad and Charles Darwin, all of whom were inspired by its natural beauty.

“Certainly the abundance, the variety, the omnipresence of vibrant, vivid colour is striking,” Ms Wrathall states, adding that the sea is a beautiful turquoise colour that turns into indigo over the coral reefs.

However, Twain summed it up in a more poetic manner when he wrote: “Rugged clusters of crags and peaks, green to their summits … What there is of Mauritius is beautiful.”

Jasper Gerard, writing for the Telegraph, also recently wrote that he enjoyed his holidays in Mauritius, saying that he found it to be accommodating, beautiful and diverse.

According to Discover Mauritius, the temperature on the island is likely to be around 22 degrees C in winter.

Posted in Mauritius | Comments Off

Get ready for a romantic honeymoon, boys!

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Footballers Joe Cole and Tommy Williams have a lot to look forward to once their respective partners come out of the jungle, if recent conversations on I’m a Celebrity are anything to go by.

Wag Carly Zucker, who is engaged to Cole, said she can’t wait to get back into his arms, while Nicola McLean – Williams’ squeeze – also said she is desperate to see her man.

However, both of the girls said they will try for babies when they go on their respective honeymoons, which could mean a very romantic break for both couples.

Zucker, a fitness instructor, said: “I’d like to be pregnant on the last day of the honeymoon so I can drink [beforehand] and then I’m going to go for it. I can’t wait to have his babies.”

Cole and Zucker are set to marry in June 2009.

Although they may be sick of Australia by the time they leave the jungle, the Wags could consider a tour down under with their men in order to see some romantic locations.

Nicole Kidman recently credited swimming in a waterfall in the Australian outback with contributing to her unexpected pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Sunday Rose in July.

Posted in Romantic Holidays | Comments Off

Choose the Caribbean for pink sand and luxury holidays

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

People considering holidays to the Caribbean have been presented with an array of reasons to do so by one newspaper.

The Toronto Star reports that the luxury hotels, the family-friendly atmosphere and the great food available make the Caribbean an ideal luxury holiday destination and suggests a number of places where travellers to the region could go.

Firstly, there is Antigua and Barbados, where the recently opened Lighthouse Bay resort offers decadence and an idyllic location on Palm Beach, which has pink sand.

Next, in Antigua, the Mamora Bay Divers scuba centre opened last year and offers holidaymakers who want to get a little more active to do so, while enjoying the beautiful marine life around the island’s reefs.

On Jamaica, Bob Marley fans can visit the Marley Resort and Spa for some reggae-influenced accommodation and possibly some celebrity spotting at the Bajan Blue restaurant, which boasts a different theme every night.

Finally, sticking with Jamaica, those wanting less luxury and more green ethics can opt for a stay at the Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, which uses solar power and is eco-friendly.

“There are plenty of reasons for [holidaymakers] to seek some solace in the sand and surf of the Caribbean this winter,” the Star remarks.

Last month, a spokesperson for the Association of Independent Tour Operators said that the Caribbean is a popular destination for Brits heading abroad at Christmas.

Posted in Caribbean, Christmas Holidays | Comments Off

Volunteering and South Africa popular for gap holidays

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Most people going on gap year holidays are choosing holidays in South Africa for their adventures, it has emerged.

According to non-profit organisation the Year Out Group, the country rose from joint fourth place in 2006 to claim the accolade for 2007.

Last year’s top country, India, fell to sixth place on the list for last year.

Meanwhile, volunteering was found to be the top activity when it comes to gap year holidays, with teaching, conservation projects and sports coaching all popular.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of the Year Out Group, said that 76 per cent of people who opt for gap years are 18 to 24-year-olds, showing them in a positive light as a demographic willing to help the needier in the world.

He added that more people in general are going on gap years: “Year Out Group members alone sent nearly 47,000 people on gap year schemes in 2007, a 20 per cent increase on 2006,” the source said.

We reported earlier this month how travel author Penelope McEniry had said gap years could help to encourage independence, resilience and self-reliance among those who take them, according to the Age.

Have you been on a gap year? Did it help you to get a job or to improve your confidence? We’d love you to let us know.

Posted in Travelling | Comments Off

Brits ‘choosing holidays for currency value’

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Long haul holidays are getting more and more popular as people seek better value breaks amid the economic downturn.

We reported last week that Brits are turning their backs on the US and the eurozone as the pound slumps against their respective currencies, booking instead holidays to South Africa, Thailand and Dubai, according to the National Air Traffic Services.

This has now been underlined by currency exchange company Travelex, which said that Brits are considering more far-flung destinations instead of standard short haul package holidays.

Julian Neal, global marketing director at Travelex, said: “Australia and South Africa are both long haul destinations where the pound has been performing well over the past couple of months.”

Ramblers Worldwide has also reported an increase in South African holidays thanks to the exchange rate of the rand against the pound.

Meanwhile, over a million people are expected to visit Cape Town between November 2008 and January 2009 as part of the city’s peak travel season.

However, this figure is being boosted by South Africa’s position as 2010 World Cup host.

Anyone keen on getting there is time for the World Cup should get over to holidaysplease.co.uk to investigate soon – the tournament kicks off in 563 days.

Posted in Africa, Economic Situation, Thailand | Comments Off

Find a nice brew on Mauritius holidays

Friday, November 21st, 2008

While China may be the first country that springs to mind when you think of tea, perhaps Mauritius deserves a mention too.

Anyone who loves a good brew can take part in various tours on the island that celebrate its tea-growing heritage, based at the Movenpick spa resort.

The day-long Tea Route tour takes tourists on a tour of Mauritius, leading them through the history of the tea trade, as well as letting them see first-hand how the drink gets to our mugs at a traditional tea factory in Bois-Ceri.

In addition, there is a tea museum, where you can taste a variety of different types of the drink, perhaps choosing some as a treat for loved ones back home.

For those who aren’t such big fans of the drink, Mauritius is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, as well as the sacred lake, which is housed inside the crater of a thankfully extinct volcano.

Bel Ombre, which is located on the south-west coast of the island, is the resort where much of the tea-related activities take place.

Maurutius is part of the Mascarene Islands and has Reunion Island to its south-west and Rodrigues to the north-east.

It is also famous for being the only known home of the dodo, which is Portuguese for ‘simpleton’.

Posted in Mauritius | Comments Off

Holidaymakers heading to South Africa, Thailand and Dubai

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Holidays to South Africa, Thailand and Dubai are on the up as people try to get the best value from their breaks and avoid unfavourable currency exchanges, it has emerged.

National Air Traffic Services figures released this week show that fewer people are taking holidays to the US than was the case six months ago due to a slump in value of sterling.

However, holidays to other destinations were still found to be popular, with people flocking to enjoy good weather and savings in the destinations mentioned above.

“People are looking for value and hedging their bets,” said Lee Hayhurst, spokesman for Travel Trade Gazette to the Times.

It was recently suggested by Matt Rudd of the same publication that the value of the rand against the pound makes South Africa a good destination for holidays that won’t break the bank.

Meanwhile, the airline Monarch has held a poll on its website which found that 36 per cent of respondents believe the economic downturn will have no effect on their holidays, although many are making their summer 2009 bookings now so that they can save up.

Anyone spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a holiday destination should visit holidaysplease.co.uk, which offers advice on how to get luxury holidays at the best value possible.