Archive for February, 2009

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Alternative honeymoon destinations ‘getting more popular’

Friday, February 27th, 2009

More people are seeking something slightly different for their honeymoon in order to have a great experience and to have something to tell their friends about upon their return.

This is according to an article on the Travel Counsellors website, which points out that while traditional favourites such as the Seychelles and Paris will always be popular, other holiday destinations are now rising into the limelight for people looking to share their first luxury holiday together as a married couple.

Sicily could be one option for newlyweds on the lookout for something different – the article points out that it is “rich in history and culture”, as well as having some of the finest wines in Italy.

Meanwhile, looking further afield, the Dominican Republic is often overlooked by many people who choose Caribbean destinations such as Barbados or Jamaica.

However, Travel Counsellors points out that the Dominican Republic is one of the less busy islands, so could present the perfect opportunity for a romantic, secluded getaway.

“Dominica does offer some amazing walking, snorkelling and incredible natural beauty,” the website attests.

According to Andrea DeLucia, writer and editor of TravelSavvy, Venice is also continuing to be as popular for honeymoons.

Some 20 million tourists visit the city each year, including those looking for a romantic ride on the gondolas.

Posted in Romantic Holidays, Seychelles, Ultimate Luxury | Comments Off

Mauritius ‘is a beautiful island’

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Mauritius has been highly recommended by one travel writer to Britons who may have previously been undecided about going there.

Tim Jepson, writing for the Telegraph, called it “a beautiful island with plenty to offer” and said that its turquoise seas, scenic beaches and spectacular mountains are sure to delight Britons who need some sunshine after what has been a long winter.

He said that even as he flew into Mauritius’s airport, he could see that it had a charming, relaxed appearance – and it did not disappoint when he had actually landed.

“Balmy, tropical air [drifted] through the car’s open windows as we [passed] through neat, flower-decked villages,” he lamented.

Mr Jepson said he particularly enjoyed his visit to the capital of Port Talbot, which he thought had an air of India about it.

Mauritius is only 40 miles long by 30 miles wide, but is very distinct culturally, with 22 languages and 90 religions.

According to Discover Mauritius, the temperature in its coastal areas is between 22 degrees C in winter and 34 degrees C in summer.

Western and northern regions are typically warmer and drier than the east and the south.

The currency is the Mauritian Rupee.

Posted in Mauritius, Travelling, Ultimate Luxury | Comments Off

Cape Town ‘is as diverse as its landscape’

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Keen travellers should make sure they visit Cape Town at least once in order to explore all the city has to offer.

This is according to an article in Candis magazine, which describes the South African city as “like no other” thanks to its range of attractions for all kinds of people.

For instance, there are mountain ranges for climbing hiking and watersports, as well as safari parks for animal lovers.

In addition, the city is also likely to appeal to environmentally-conscious travellers, since it community-based tourism is prevalent in Cape Town, the article points out.

“This kind of tourism is becoming more popular with people wishing to experience the ‘real South Africa’ and benefits the local rural and urban communities directly,” Candis states.

The piece adds that there are a variety of different projects that tourists can get involved with, from shopping for handicrafts to volunteering in regional communities.

For people with plenty of time to relax in Cape Town, the Amakhala Game Reserve in Paterson in recommended for its guided safaris, while Table Mountain is an obvious must-see for Brits.

Anyone considering holidays to South Africa may be pleased to know that there is only a time difference of two hours between there and the UK, so no pesky jet-lag!

Posted in Safari, Travelling, south africa | Comments Off

Brits ‘will be flocking to Brazil’

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Brazil is set to soar in popularity with Britons taking advantage of the great exchange rates and the reduced air fares.

This is according to Laura Rendell-Dunn, spokesperson for Journey Latin America, who said that people are going to want to pick somewhere that offers excellent value for money, especially if it is for a long-haul holiday which is likely to be a longer stay.

“People will be thinking: before things start improving with the economy and the prices of tickets start to increase, let’s take advantage of these good prices and travel now,” the expert opined.

Indeed, Brazil could be better value for holidays than many places in Europe – previous research published by the company found that even with airfares taken into account, Latin America offered better value than the south of France.

On some occasions, everyday things such as attraction admission tickets were up to 70 per cent cheaper.

Tom Hall from Lonely Planet recently said in an article for the Guardian that it is possible to see plenty of great things in Brazil in only three weeks, particularly in the south-east and Rio de Janeiro.

Rio De Janeiro is probably most famous for its statue of Christ which stands 30m tall on Mount Corcovado, as well as for the beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana.

Posted in Travelling, Ultimate Luxury | Comments Off

April ‘a good time to holiday in Goa’

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

If the impending arrival of spring is not enough to stop you daydreaming about foreign climes, then a holiday in Goa in April could be the perfect solution.

According to The Nation Travel, while the Indian region is great to visit at any time of year, it is particularly good in April because it will not be quite so busy with other tourists.

The website points out that the official tourist season will not have begun then, so streets and hotels will be more peaceful, but most of the main attractions will still be open.

The monsoon will still be quite a way off, so travellers will not have to put up with too much heavy rain.

“A high point is the availability of hotel rooms, which means you don’t have to book too far in advance and have added bargaining power,” the news provider points out.

While in Goa, holidaymakers should take time to visit the Anjuna flea market, which is held every Wednesday on Anjuna Beach, as well as the markets in Chaudi and Mapusa.

Goa is also renowned for its beautiful, sun-kissed beaches and idyllic scenery, so Palolem and Arambol beaches should also be seen, The Nation concludes.

The Indian region could also be the perfect place for a honeymoon, Merinews recently suggested.

Posted in Travelling, Ultimate Luxury | Comments Off

Brits ‘are looking for last-minute deals’

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

More people than ever are leaving their holiday bookings until the last minute in order to seek out the best bargain they possible can, new figures suggest.

According to InsureandGo, the length of time between customers buying travel cover and their jetting of to sunnier climes has reduced by 25 per cent between January 2007 and January 2009, suggesting that people are waiting to take advantage of special offers online.

“We think this is a good indicator that people are booking last-minute holidays,” said InsureandGo founder Perry Wilson.

Indeed, 796,000 policies were sold to customers who were departing within three days of purchase.

Mr Wilson warned that holidaymakers should always buy their travel cover as soon as they purchase their holidays in order to be covered for cancellation, as well as so that they do not forget.

The increase in last-minute bookings could also be a knock-on effect of the credit crunch, as people seek to ensure that their job will stay safe by the time summer holidays come around.

The majority of people are still seeking breaks of a fortnight, it was recently reported.

Check out holidaysplease.co.uk for special offers on destinations such as St Lucia, Thailand and Hawaii.

Posted in Economic Situation, St Lucia, Thailand | Comments Off

Beware scams on holiday, travellers warned

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Holidaymakers should not allow their well-earned break in the sun to be ruined by their falling victim to a scam.

This is the advice of insurance provider LV=, which recently carried out a survey and found that 21 per cent of Brits have been targeted by fraudsters at some point in the last five years.

Couples – perhaps especially those on honeymoon with only eyes for each other – were found to be the most likely to be targeted, making up 43 per cent of scam victims, whereas those travelling alone represented 18 per cent of con victims.

The average cost each time was £250, a sizeable chunk of anyone’s holiday budget.

Emma Holyer, a spokesperson for LV=, said: “Not only can cons cost money but they can ruin a trip, so we are offering advice on steps to take to avoid ending up out of pocket or on a tour that you don’t want to be.”

The company’s advice includes not dropping your guard any more than you would at home, not taking part in scratchcard promotions – which purport to offer a prize but actually lead into a timeshare sales pitch – and only booking trips with reputable firms that can provide identification.

According to figures cited by the Mirror from the Office of Fair Trading, victims of scratchcard scams pay an average of £3,000 for “little more than access to an internet booking site offering the same service they could get at a travel agent for free”.

Posted in Economic Situation, Travelling | Comments Off

An Indian honeymoon ‘will capture the heart’

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

India has been recommended as the perfect place to take a honeymoon.

Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa and Darjeeling are all suggestions put forward by Merinews.com as being the ideal place to enjoy the most romantic holiday of a couple’s life, thanks to their air of relaxation and beauty.

“Visit once and [you are] sure to lose your heart with the alluring and captivating beauty of this beautiful country,” the news provider states.

Taking a houseboat down the rivers of Kerala, through the rich green vegetation could suit those who want to escape from everything ad everyone, while a boat ride on Lake Pichola in Rajasthan’s Udaipur may fit the bill for others.

There is also Goa, with its beautiful sandy beaches and palm trees, as well as its reputation for being a hippy mecca, for couples who enjoy visiting places with a unique cultural history.

It seems Darjeeling should be known for more than just its delicious tea – a recent article published by MSN Life and Style attests that it is a paradise for romantic holidays thanks to its abundance of nature.

As if that isn’t enough, a luxury three-course meal for two can cost as little as £50 all over India – what are you waiting for, brides-to-be? If you need more information, check out holidaysplease.co.uk for extra details.

Posted in Romantic Holidays, Ultimate Luxury | Comments Off

Visit Thailand for relaxation – and very big fish

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Anyone on the lookout for somewhere inspiring to stay while in Thailand should look no further than Ko Lipe.

A tiny island – measuring only one kilometre by two kilometres – in the Andaman Sea, it nevertheless offers holidaymakers plenty to do.

For those who like more lively breaks, Pattaya Beach offers bars and restaurants on the sand, while on the other side of the island, Sunrise Beach is a relaxing haven and a great base for scuba diving thanks to its coral reefs.

Ko Lipe can be easily reached by boat from the main tourist resorts of Koh Phi Phi, Krabi and Trang.

There is also accommodation to suit all budgets, the Thai tourist board attests, with everything from backpackers’ huts to a five-star hotel.

Meanwhile, anglers may soon be flocking to Thailand after it was reported that a man has landed what could be the biggest ever freshwater fish caught on a line.

Ian Welch landed the stingray while working to tag the species with a team of biologists on the Maeklong River.

It weighed 55 stone and was seven feet long with a sting measuring ten feet.

The whopper was tagged and released back into the wild.

Posted in Thailand, Ultimate Luxury, water sports | Comments Off

‘Adventure is on the cards’ for British holidaymakers

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

British people are rejecting the traditional bucket and spade break in favour of something altogether more exciting when it comes to their holidays, it has been claimed.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), has revealed that with the credit crunch still going on, people are saving up their money in order to do something as far removed from their boring everyday routine as they can.

“People to a certain extent are booking away from Western Europe. [They] are wanting to go mid and long haul, because [they] are getting more adventurous,” she commented.

In response to a recent Abta survey, 32 per cent of people said the purpose for their holidays is to avoid the tedium of their everyday lives, while 19 per cent said they take breaks in order to spend time with their family or friends.

Thailand could be an ideal destination for people looking for something different – the Guardian’s Andrew Spooner recently said he visited Koh Samui island and found it to be close to paradise thanks to its white sand beaches and clear seas.

Visitors could also indulge in scuba diving, as well as guided walks in the tropical forests.

Posted in Thailand, Travelling | Comments Off

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