HolidaysPlease

People planning a holiday to Dubai may be interested to move beyond the modern glamour of the city and explore its history as a trading port, an author has suggested.
 
According to Lara Dunston, author of DK Eyewitness Dubai, the city’s “rich heritage” is steeped in the Bedouin tradition of hospitality.
 
Historically, she said, “travellers of all kinds” have come to the city to trade their wares for several centuries.
 
She added that this tradition continues today – with English families, Australian backpackers and Russian holidaymakers among the many people who take a holiday in Dubai each year.
 
Ms Dunston added that the glitz and glamour of the city is “just one aspect” and there is much to do and see beyond the shops.
 
Dubai’s department of tourism and commerce marketing claimed last month that the country hosts an estimated 700,000 tourists from Ireland and the UK each year.
 
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell spent time in the city during the festive season last year with her daughter, Bluebell.
 
Previous figures published last spring suggested that 6.95 million people from around the world stayed in hotels in Dubai during their visit to the city.
 
August, November, December, February and March were named as the five most popular months to take a holiday in Dubai.

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.

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.