Kamis, 21 September 2017

Discover Fairy Tale Family Holidays in Bavaria Like I Did

When it comes to planning a holiday in family style, there are so many factors to take into consideration. It needs to be affordable and there needs to be enough fun amusement so that everyone is happy and able to relax together. A touch of nice scenery would also be beneficial as would friendly locals and good weather- oh and maybe a mountain or two, but where can all these qualities be found in one place? Well, look no further, for family holidays in Bavaria are all these things and more. Well, maybe the weather can't be guaranteed, but the Summers are normally nice and hot and sunny and the Winters cold and snowy enough to guarantee good Winter sports.

That is what is so good about Bavaria, especially Chiemgau, which is the area around the largest lake in the region, the Chiemsee. The mountains and lakes provide brilliant trekking and swimming in the Summer and exhilarating skiing and ice-skating for much of the Winter, not to mention sailing, boating and all the sports that go on around them, such as cycling and mini-golf. The saunas in this area also deserve a mention, for they are the best I have seen. Not just your couple of cramped boxes to sweat in and then go home, but whole complexes full of many different types of saunas, steam rooms, turkish baths and sun-beds, jaccuzis, palm trees, restaurants, outdoor sports, lots of pools with slides and diving boards and more. They certainly make you feel welcome and want to stay the whole day and even on into the evening too! The best has to be Therme Erding near Munich.

The Chiemsee is so large that you could be forgiven for believing you have come to the seaside! All the travel guides will highlight it as a favourite holiday place for the locals as much as the foreigners. At the height of the season it can be buzzing with people on their family holidays and yet it never seems overcrowded. There are plenty of rustic looking restaurants and hotels to tempt you with refreshing weissbier, apple strudel or bratwurst to name a few of their local specialities. Many of them speak English and are only too pleased to speak it with you, although they will be delighted if you show willing and have a go at their language. Along the path to the lakeside you can often see the locals selling their wares and if you are lucky, you might find yourself admiring them in their lederhosen and dirndl, the local dress, especially at the times of their many traditional festivals. They love celebrating and will gladly sell you their alpine hats and souvenirs in recognition of their cultural diversity.

When you arrive at the lake you will be met by elegant swans gracefully swimming up and down and different types of boats gently gliding in the water, which you can hire and explore the lake for yourself. The ferries will transport you to the islands where you can visit the palace of the late King Ludwig of Bavaria on the Herren Insel. The lake encompasses a large area, majestically bordered on one side with a mountain backdrop, offering one of the most beautiful pictures of Germany that you will see. At Prien you can find the perfect combination of most of these amazing features where you can also find a steam train to take you around the area to admire the scenery at your leisure, if your feet are growing tired. What better way to spend your holiday, where nature is at it's best and the Bavarian people welcome you with open arms. Well I think so anyway!

Rabu, 06 September 2017

3 Tips for Having a Fun Family Holiday Vacation

Holiday travel need not involve a trip to a boring unheard of town and sleeping on couches or kids' beds. Families these days are enjoying the trend toward planning holiday celebrations at vacation destinations. This way family members get to use their vacation time from work actually going somewhere fun and interesting instead of visiting their home towns. It is really a win-win situation because family members get to visit and celebrate the holidays while staying in a comfortable hotel and site-seeing.

Popular destinations for family gatherings include Las Vegas, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, Florida, and the Caribbean. For Las Vegas, the Christmas holiday season marks the start of the Las Vegas busy season that lasts through the winter and into the spring as snowbirds escape cold and gray climates for Nevada sunshine and stimulating night life and casino action.

Because gambling is a popular activity for many people, Las Vegas is particularly well suited as a vacation destination for holiday family gatherings. There are plentiful hotel resorts with various themes. There are gambling games to satisfy every whim. Las Vegas shows really are world class entertainment, but the tickets aren't cheap by the way. The shopping is truly fabulous and an excellent way to get rid of any casino winnings.

Another thing that makes Las Vegas and other gambling destinations appealing to families planning a holiday vacation is the potential for low room rates. A family member who is a regular or at least an annual casino visitor can get a player rating that will qualify him or her for complimentary prices or "comps" on rooms and meals. Casino resorts are eager to sign up visitors for their player rating or player points as part of their marketing efforts. Usually a player can find out about the deals offered by casinos by talking to guest services or a casino floor supervisor.

Tips for a successful holiday family vacation:

    Plan as early as possible to get good rates on flights and rooms.
    Be willing to compromise. If everyone can't decide on where to go, let majority rule. If the vacation turns out to be a bust, everyone will know who to listen to next time.
    Plan for free time. Don't pack so many activities into each day that nerves get frazzled and tempers flare. Relax and have fun at a leisurely pace.

Vacation destinations and resorts are eager to accommodate families interested in an alternative to the family gathering at a home. And families are also glad to avoid any bickering about who will host the family for the holidays and it is nice to skip all the housework needed to prepare for guests.

Minggu, 27 Agustus 2017

Holiday Travel - Getting Around Cornwall

How many times have you got lost when you go on holiday? How many times have you sat in a queue of traffic or been left circling a car-park just to find an illusive parking space at a top tourist spot? And all of this on your 'relaxing' holiday. Driving and navigating around a new area can be both stressful and daunting and quite often, you can miss out the best bits by going the direct route.

Yet with some planning and a bit of imagination (and sometimes a lot of guts!) there are some interesting alternatives to travelling around Cornwall while on your self catering holiday and uncover some little gems you wouldn't necessarily see whilst using the most well trodden paths throughout the South West.

Land

The former artists' colony of St. Ives encompasses all the charm of the quaint Cornish villages and continues to attract many visitors each year. Even if you've been to St. Ives before, a trip on the St. Ives Railway, a short journey across from St. Erth station, is an opportunity to experience the dramatic views of Hayle Towans and Carbis Bay before arriving in St. Ives. With trains running everyday (except Christmas day and Boxing day) all you have to do is make sure you don't miss the last train back to your self catering holiday cottage!

To get out and about on public transport, you could wait for a sunny day or pack your waterproofs and head out on FirstGroup's Service 300 open top 'Cornwall Explorer' in the West of Cornwall. Sit on the top deck and see over the Cornish hedgerows and feel the wind on your face as you travel through West Cornwall. Buy a day ticket and you can hop on and off the First bus routes enjoying places such as Mousehole, Newlyn and Land's End for as long as you want.

Sea

Fancy spending the morning in Mevagissey and be in Fowey in time for afternoon tea? Well, by using the Mevagissey to Fowey ferry or more lovingly known as the Bessie-James, you can arrive in Fowey after a 35 minute boat ride that follows the spectacular coastline. Even well behaved dogs are welcome aboard this regular service that picks up and drops off on Lighthouse Quay, Mevagissey and Whitehouse Quay, Fowey, leaving you more than enough time to explore the galleries, coffee shops and perhaps the pubs too (seeing as no-one is driving!)

For a more serene and individual opportunity to explore the coastline at your leisure, why not hire a kayak or canoe and head out on your own? Many beach shops can arrange the hire of all the equipment and guide you to some of the best spots for a morning or full days excursion.

Air

For some though, being on the ground just doesn't offer the same perspective as perhaps the sky. Cornwall offers some of the most incredible aerial views spanning the county, and from the air you can trace the contours of moorlands and coastlands that Cornwall is famed for and possibility even the traditional Cornish holiday cottage you're staying in. For the traditional, take a trip to Bodmin or Perranporth airfields for a trial flight that will amaze or for those wanting something just that little bit different, head on down to Redruth where they can offer hang gliding, paragliding and paramotoring.....you've just got to remember to keep your eyes open though!!

Minggu, 13 Agustus 2017

Magnificent Murcia - The Undiscovered Spanish Holiday Hotspot

Just when you thought that every aspect and area of Spain had been explored, every secret delight of this stunning European nation had been uncovered and that each pristine beach, vibrant city and cultural and historic sight had been seen, the Spanish authorities announce that a brand new international airport is to be constructed in a hidden corner of secret Spain.

This new airport will open up the skies and indeed the entire region of magnificent Murcia to a global audience, revealing a brand new holiday hotspot in one of the leading travel and tourism destinations in the world for us all to explore and enjoy.

The autonomous region of Murcia is tucked away in a lesser known and once secluded part of south-eastern Spain. It has a fabulous Mediterranean coastline, an enviably attractive climate, a vibrantly exciting regional capital city, the largest saltwater lake in Europe, a wealthy cultural heritage, property prices well below the national norm and now, emerging and soon to be booming tourism and real estate markets.

If you're seeking a brand new Spanish holiday hotspot or if you're looking for a corner of Spain in which you can live, retire or invest in property whilst remaining confident in the knowledge that you're getting in ahead of the rest, Murcia will be your destination of choice in 2008, and here are the top five reasons why: -

1) The region of Murcia will see construction of its international airport begin in 2008 with construction time estimated to take just two years. The region's councillor for public works, housing and transport, José Ballesteros, is said to be confident that the airport's private owned status will mean that it can attract low cost airlines and provide travellers with low flight costs and greater flexibility compared to state owned airports. It is understood that Mr. Ballesteros has already been in meetings with the lower cost European carriers such as Ryanair, Air Europa, Air France, Iberia and TUI which bodes exceptionally well for the likely number of tourism arrivals that the region can expect when the airport comes online as early as 2010.

Current predictions for the increase in arrivals that the new airport will bring to Murcia are in the region of 1.5 million passengers when the airport opens, increasing to over 5 million by 2015 - and if you're going to be one of these passengers you will benefit from easy and affordable access to one of Spain's most beautiful and unspoiled regions.

2) Murcia embodies diversification in terms of the travel and holiday experience it can offer its visitors. From the fabulous Mediterranean coastline with its soft sandy beaches, pretty fishing villages and inimitably evocative ocean views, to the mountainous and rural interior where the landscape is stunning, the climate is perfect and the lifestyle is so life-enhancing and laid back. Whatever type of holiday location you prefer, you will find it in Murcia.

3) Not only can Murcia offer visitors a laid back holiday location, it is home to a city of the same name where holidaymakers and residents alike are treated to a vibrant and positive atmosphere and where they can enjoy an exciting café, bar and restaurant scene, where they can indulge in fantastic retail therapy or take in the historic attractions of everything from the world famous Santa Maria Cathedral in Murcia to the Almudí Palace, from the Monteagudo Castle to the Ramón Gaya Museum in the Plaza Catalina.

4) Property prices in Murcia have completely defied the national norm in recent months. Whereas prices for homes in many of the most well known areas of Spain have declined in the last twelve months, prices in Murcia have continued to rise steadily at about 4% year on year At the same time, it is worth noting that the Kyero.com Spanish House Price Index records the median price of a home in Murcia as lying well below the national average, proving that there is plenty of room for price growth over the coming years. Interest in property for sale in Murcia has been increasing ever since talk about the proposed airport began. Now that construction of the airport has been given the go ahead, local developers are witnessing a strong increase in interest. Mike Hamilton, Director of Casas de Lorca a highly regarded real estate development company in Murcia, recently commented on his personal predictions for real estate in the region in light of the airport announcement:

"My predictions for the coming year are for a gradual rise in demand. Murcia is one of the fastest growing regions in Spain anyway, and a new international airport will further drive growth. The supply of property in the holiday home market has increased over the last 3 years and demand had been struggling to keep up. Therefore prices are currently very attractive but should naturally begin to rise towards the end of the year as demand begins to take over supply. The demand in the retirement or early retirement market still vastly outweighs the supply so I predict prices will increase more in this sector. This is where Spain is still a firm favourite versus emerging countries. So far in 2008 we have seen business more than quadruple and 90% of our clients are looking for properties to relocate to. We are looking forward to a very good year."

5) Murcia is affordable, it is about to become highly accessible, it has the best climate in Spain, it is not over developed, it is rich in culture, history, heritage, gastronomy, nature, sport and leisure. It is a region in which to live, to retire, to enjoy a holiday and what's more, it is one of the corners of Spain where there is still a buoyant property market, where prices remain affordable, where the real estate for sale is expansive and exclusive and where an investment made today could well reap significant dividends, gains and yields over the short to medium term.

Whether your interest in Spain lies in finding a hidden corner in which to lay your hat and find a home or in holidaying in a highly exciting emerging destination, Murcia embodies the realisation of all your personal interests. It is quite possibly the final part of Spain to be made so much more accessible thanks to the new international airport, and it is certainly a region of this beautiful nation that should not be overlooked or ignored for a moment longer. Discover the real Spain, visit Murcia.

Senin, 24 Juli 2017

Some Fantastic Travel Destinations to Visit This Holiday

Naming top ten travel destinations could prove easy, but how relevant such a list is, that is debatable. This article refers to the most popular locations based on the statistics made with international travel agencies, and according to travelers' reviews posted on a number of web pages.

Latin America deserves a place on the list with Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Peru as favorite destinations but the remnants of the ancient Maya and Inca civilizations, or the modern and sunny Cancun are not to be overlooked either. The cultural impact, the leisure activities combined with some great weather conditions, make this part of the world a focal attraction point for millions of tourists during the peak holiday season.

Western Europe with the charm of the Romantic setting of Paris, the historic attraction of Rome and Venice, the fascination of Spain's former Arab cities and the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland can be included in the list of top ten travel destinations any time of the year. Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza require a special mention here, as they are some of the most exotic resorts in the European part of the world.

The Egyptian Pyramids and Morocco mark any foreigner who visits them, and travel agencies put up thousands of touristic packages for holidays on the dark continent. One of the features of African resorts consists in the constant touristic push and an unforgettable adventure in the multitude of cultures that mingle so much in the crowded North-African cities. Whether you choose a well known resort or a more discreet one, this part of Africa will always rank among the top ten travel destinations.

Moving further on to the distant countries of the Far East it is impossible not to notice the fascination with Nepal and the ancient Buddhist temples on the roof of the world. It is the Nepalese capital city, Kathmandu, with millennia of history that attracts most of the tourist crowds. As for the climbing of the Everest, very few courageous people dare to venture on the crests of Himalaya.

Finally, an impressive number of sunny islands can enter a top ten travel destinations list: Bali, Jamaica, Crete, Hawaii and many others, which is why the list needs to be a lot more comprehensive, as so are the beauties man and God created. All in all the places that you take most to the heart are those you'd also like to visit, and therefore, anyone can create a list of top ten travel destinations.

Sabtu, 08 Juli 2017

Honeymoon Holiday Packages at Mahabaleshwar Hill Stations in India

Mahabaleshwar - A delightful and scenic hill-station, Mahabaleshwar is the holiday lifeline for people in Mumbai and across India. After facing the stresses of daily life, commuting long distances and tolerating hot and humid weather, Mahabaleshwar outperforms the best beauty products in the market by acting like a natural toner for your skin, body and soul. It presents an alluring picture of a quaint hill-station with more than its share of scenic spots, delicious natural goodies like strawberries and innumerable boat rides. Nature lovers will be suitably occupied with the hill-station's glades and valleys. Food lovers can gorge on fudges, jams, jellies, blackberries and strawberries. Adventure enthusiasts can experience the unique forest rides and horse rides that Mahabaleshwar is famous for.

History

Given its wealth of natural charms, it is not surprising that Mahabaleshwar enjoyed pride of place as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during colonial rule. Thanks to the efforts of Maharaja of Pratapsinha of Satara and Sir John Malcolm, the first Governor to visit Mahabaleshwar in 1828, Mahabaleshwar got firmly established as both a health resort and a leisure destination. Slightly at variance with this persona is the fact that Mahabaleshwar served as a jail for around 120 Chinese and Malay convicts in the middle and latter half of the 1860s. The prisoners with their dedicated farming activities made Mahabaleshwar synonymous with red potatoes and strawberries. Such were the intoxicating charms of Mahabaleshwar that several prisoners chose to make it their home even after their release. Truly, it is a great example of India's diversity that Mahabaleshwar's voter's list had Chinese names till the year 1951. Mahabaleshwar is distinctly segregated into two areas; old Mahabaleshwar that is largely dotted with temples and new Mahabaleshwar that bustles with city life. A famous historic spot close to Mahableshwar is Pratapgadh Fort where the legendary Maratha warrior Shivaji overcame the treacherous General Afzal Khan.

What to see

Popular Points

Mahabaleshwar has a vast array of 'points' from where one can glimpse historical sights or beautiful landscapes, gardens and valleys or of course its famous waterfalls. Here are some of the most popular points.

Arthur's Point

is easily the most popular as it offers a stunning view of rockscapes and clear denotation of the Konkan and Deccan territories of Mahabaleshwar. Named after Arthur Malet, the first resident at this area, Arthur's Point is 12 km away from the main market of Mahabaleshwar. Nature lovers will be delighted at the opportunity to paddle their feet in Tiger's Spring, which is believed to be the originating point of the river Savitri.

Babbington Point

offers an imposing view of three important valleys; Makarandgadh, Solshi and Koyna. A treat in store for visitors en route this point are the Bishop Tank Live streams.

Kate's Point

also known as Echo Point stands tall on a 50 mt high rock. Sir John Marshall, credited with discovering Mahabaleshwar probably rewarded himself by naming this point after his daughter, Kate. Visitors to this point will be captivated by the serene grandeur of the Krishna valley and the tumultuous waters of Dhom dam.

Bombay Point

is one of the most frequented spots at Mahabaleshwar. It offers a stunning view at sunset hours and is therefore also known as Sunset Point. One can also glimpse Pratapgarh Fort from this point.

Lakes and Waterfalls

Venna Lake

is easily the most glamorous and sought after leisure spot at Mahabaleshwar. The opportunity it offers for long, enchanting boat rides is of course its main claim to fame. A person looking for a silent communion with nature can clamber onto a boat and escape into his or her own world. Couples get their money's worth of long, romantic rides. Families and people traveling in groups make a boisterous event out of a boat ride at this lake.

Lingmala, Chinaman and Dhobi waterfalls

For city dwellers, the cascading waterfalls of Mahableshwar offer a beautiful and refreshing communion with nature. To see the sparkling waters gush down and feel the icy droplets on one's skin is sheer bliss. No wonder that these waterfalls are one of the greatest attractions of Mahabaleshwar.

Fruits and Honey

Honey lovers will be tantalized at the opportunity to visit Sanjeevan Honey Centre. Set up in the midst of the forest at Mahabaleshwar Poladpur Road, the main product is derived from the honey comb of the Molofice species, a globally recognized and superior honey species. Another treat in store for visitors to this plant is the chance to visit a leading juice centre AFCO. Jams, juices, gulkand and syrups are the specialities here. The journey doesn't end here. There is also Natraj Chikki Centre on the premises which is famous for its specialities; strawberry chikki and strawberry fudge. Visiting hours at this complex are 11.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Makhria Garden and Pratap Sinha Park

Tourists who would like to take a quiet stroll among plants and flowers should head for these parks. Well-maintained and attractive, these parks are popular with residents and vacationers.