Destination Archives - Page 17 of 44

December 3, 2014 by Jeremy

Golf In Greece – Where To Go

Golf is a fine sport across Europe that originated in the British Isles, specifically in Scotland and its popularity has crossed borders to other parts of the world. It is a classic sport previously played by the high and mighty but now more individuals have warmed up to the sport, it’s fashionable everywhere you go.

Greece is a favorable destination to play golf due to its scenic beauty, sunny weather throughout the year and the fact that it is a top holiday destination. As a golf holiday destination, it attracts many visitors who want to combine their holidays with some activity to keep the blood pumping.

Locals are also warming up to the sport therefore ensuring more popularity for the spot. Though it may not be a popular golfing destination like other countries, Greece is steadily changing its tourism policy to include other ways to attract visitors, which includes developing the golfing scene.

ATHENS

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world with over 3000 years of recorded history. It has fascinating ancient sights such as Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Perthanon and the Theatre of Herodes Atticus.

For golfers who want an entertaining city break, Athens is home to the international Gylfada Golf Course, an 18 hole par 72 opened in 1966, and since then has hosted numerous golfing events. It is the greenest in Europe with shrubbery and other ancient trees.

RHODES

It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and a special gem with spectacular beaches, medieval architecture and numerous age-old monuments. Some of its highlights include the treasures of the Old Town, Lindos and Butterfly valley.

The Afondou Golf Course is in Rhodes is an 18 hole course that is challenging for players of all levels of skill. The manicured course offers excellent services to golfers such as caddies, balls, and golf clubs and caddy carts at reasonable prices.

Rhodes is a great destination to combine a family break with a golf holiday, as it is home to some fantastic family friendly villas which can keep the kids happy whilst you head off for a quick round.

CRETE

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and one of the most popular destinations in Greece. It is vibrant with stunning beaches and ancient attractions such as Minoan palaces, medieval castles, Venetian towns, Byzantine monasteries and Ottoman mosques. Crete is home to two courses namely Crete Golf Club and Hotel Porto Elounda Mare Golf Course.

Crete Golf Course is located in Hersonissos, Lassithi and is quite different from any other course in Greece since it is a desert course. Breathtaking scenes of rolling mountains form the backdrop of the course that is only an hour’s drive from the airport of Heraklion. It is one of the most popular courses with a variety of challenges for all levels of players.

Hotel Porto Elounda Mare Golf five star resort offers two options for its visitors; they can play within the hotel vicinity in the 9-hole par-3 course or the 18-hole golf course in the area. The hotel is ideal for golfers who would like to play golf near their accommodations; however, the professional course is only half an hour drive from the hotel.

December 2, 2014 by Jeremy

2015 Family Holiday Ideas

STAY AT MARTINHAL IN PORTUGAL

Portugal has become a top family holiday destination due to its fabulous sandy beaches, sun and incredible family friendly resorts such as the exclusive Martinhal resort. The Martinhal resort is set within a protected natural park close to the historic town of Sagres on the stunning unspoilt Western Algarve.

It offers luxurious 37 bedrooms, pools and a wide variety of family villas and villages to cater for different kinds of families. Located along the Martinhal Beach, this family resort is exceptional and purposely built for families. It incorporates children and adult facilities and activities in such an extraordinary manner so that every member of the family has something to do throughout. There is also a wide variety of family friendly meals and warm hospitality from the staff.

BE ADVENTUROUS IN RUSSIA

Russia is the largest country in the world and offers incredibly diverse landscapes that only beckon for adventure. It is rich in culture with cities like St Petersburg and Moscow leading in rich cultural attractions and numerous splendid sights that appeal to the old and young alike.

From the ornate dorms of St Basil’s cathedral to the vast Hermitage and the Winter Palace, it is full of state of the art architectural wonders. It is a year round destination with summers offering midnight sun and white nights in winter. A holiday in Russia is the perfect break for the family who wants to go off the beaten path.

Let your family enjoy an epic journey of traversing through the Trans Siberia Railway from Moscow to Beijing past dense forests, across the wide steppe-land of Mongolia all the way to the Great Wall of China.

This adventurous trip gives your family an opportunity to experience five different time zones, sail in the world’s largest fresh water Lake, camp in a Mongolian yurt and enjoy the ever-changing landscapes.

VISIT THE SUN STATE OF FLORIDA

Ask any child in the world where they would like to go and the answer would be most likely Disney Land. If you are looking for 2015 family holiday ideas, visiting Florida is an excellent ideas, as your kids will get to visit the place of their dreams.

The ‘Sunshine State’ has a lot to offer families including sun kissed beaches, family friendly resorts, historical monuments, charming islands and theme parks.

Visit the home of Disney movies and let your children enjoy seeing their favorite characters and live in the fantasy world for a day. Let your kids loose themselves in the fascinating world of magic, castles and princesses in Disneyland.

St Augustine offers old world charm with its ancient monuments, unique attractions, excellent shopping and spectacular beaches. Miami is popular as a family holiday destination with perfect weather, award winning beaches and celebrity sightings.

Islands such as The Keys, Amelia, Fort Meyers and Sanibel are ideal for families with their wide variety of attractions, beaches, shops, restaurants, villas, hotels and sporting activities.

Florida State has a lot to offer for families whether travelling in luxury or on budget. Though many all-inclusive resorts are expensive, there are other options for families on a tight such as camping, villas, budget hotels and campervans.

December 1, 2014 by Jeremy

Exotic Luxury Breaks To Try In 2015

INDIA

India may only sound simple with its five-letter name but with its diversities in its landscapes, culture, people, religion, time zones and history, you might expect a longer hard to pronounce name. An entire subcontinent with exotic sounds, smells and sights will linger in your memories for a lifetime.

The most iconic monument in India is the token of love, the Taj Mahal, which is a wonder of the world; however, India has a lot more to offer beyond this dazzling monument. It is a land of magnificent castles, palaces, forts, temples, bustling cities and stunning beaches. You can shop until you drop in Jaipur, relax in a houseboat in Kerala, drink tea in Darjeeling, go on a tiger safari in Central India and meditate in the Buddhist monasteries in Leh, Ladakh.

Enjoy luxuries in India’s opulent palace hotels; traverse the country in luxurious train rides, stay in boutique and heritage hotels or retreat to rural homes in the cool hill stations. Greaves India are a renowned specialist for luxury India holidays if you need further advice.

SOUTH AFRICA

Just as the name suggests, you do not have to struggle locating this destination on a world map. South Africa is home to unforgettable experiences, remarkable adventures and incredible scenery; from lofty mountains to vast jungles and stunning coastline and from sun-baked deserts to lush valleys, it is the envy of other African countries.

It is the home of excellent game viewing where seeing penguins and elephants, sharks and lions is the norm. Its National Parks are vast and have some of the best infrastructure in the whole of Africa. Luxurious lodges and tents scatter the parks for the ultimate game viewing experiences.

Cape Town is one of the world’s most picturesque cities surrounded by breathtaking natural scenes including the towering Table Mountain, dense forests, manicured vineyards and the dramatic coastline. It is also soaked in history and culture evident in Victoria and Alfred Water Front, Cape Town’s main hub offering free entertainment, a variety of shops, restaurants and museums. South Africa produces some of the best wines in the world, hence prepare to wine and dine in style.

TURKEY

From ages past, to date, Turkey has been an international destination for centuries. Weary travelers from the East and the West found a haven of tranquility and settled in this Eurasian country. The result is an intriguing blend of cultures, fascinating architecture, interesting history and stunning historical treasures, perfect for a luxury break.

Istanbul is the capital of Turkey a city of contrasts where the old and the new pair in breathtaking harmony. Ancient mosques and Byzantine churches stand side by side as if trying to recite what happened to the world while the modern suburbs of Istanbul flourish.

Turkey has something for everyone; historical buffs can enjoy exploring the ancient castles, palaces and battlefields, cultural fanatics can soak up in culture in museums and the city of Ephesus and for those who cannot resist lazing along the pristine beaches, Antalya and Bodrum will be a fine treat.

As a world famous destination, Turkey has a lot to offer the luxury travelers including luxurious resorts, yachts, villas, boutique hotels and fabulous dining experiences.

November 30, 2014 by Jeremy

Making Hay While The Snow Flies: Enjoy These Winter European Breaks

Winter is truly the best time to laze around and snuggle under the sheets, while sipping a cup of warm beverage with a good book to keep company. However, for adrenaline junkies, winter is the time to do even more adventurous sports, like ice skiing.Some would just want to find something new to do in order to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. If you are considering winter European breaks at the moment, below are the top things you can do to make the most out of the colder months to come…

Skiing in France

If you love to ski – or would like to try it out at least once – then you should never miss out the chance to conquer the French Alps, which is one of Europe’s top and most beloved skiing destinations.The French Alps boasts a wide range of skiing opportunities for every skill level, and also has the most reliable of snow conditions. Mont Blanc is the most popular spot not just for skiing, but also for hiking and climbing.Because of its popularity as a skiing destination, it is suggested that you avoid going there during the peak seasons of Christmas and New Year as huge crowds and long queues are to be expected. Stay in luxury in Meribel and soak up the après ski like most do (often in preference to the skiing itself!).

The Northern Lights

Science has a lot to do behind the Aurora Borealis – or more commonly known as the Northern Lights – but there is something definitely magical about it. Many travelers often go up north the Scandinavian regions during the winter season – the best time to see it – just to witness this amazing spectacle in the sky. Cruise ships treading along the Norwegian coasts are often the popular choice including the Hurtigruten Cruise promise, where passengers are given another 6 to 7 days of voyage for free if they do not get to see the Northern Lights on their 12-day Classic Round Voyage.

Winter Lights Festival in Iceland

Although Iceland is more popular to travelers as a study abroad destination, there is actually another reason why you should be visiting one of the coldest areas in Europe during winter. Every February, Reykjavik, its capital city, celebrates the Winter Lights Festival where winter sports, museums and restaurants make the city lively. What’s more, Iceland has a plethora of outdoor geothermal swimming pools that offer weary travelers a chance to submerge in warm waters even while the snow is falling all around.

Sun in Cyprus

Cyprus is, for the most part, known as a sizzling summer destination, thanks to its golden coastlines and wealth in sunny beaches. But surprisingly, it is also fast becoming a trending destination for winter breaks. The small Mediterranean island is home to Mt. Olympus, the highest peak of the Troodos Mountains. The mountain is only 2000m above sea level, but just enough so that it could collect the right amount of snow to have a ski resort built. The snow does not last long, but on good days, it attracts quite a lot of visitors wanting to escape the sun, sand and sea, proving to be quite popular among the locals who want to try something new.

November 29, 2014 by Jeremy

Far Flung Locations That Are Worth The Trip

Sometimes it is not worth travelling a long way for your holiday. Particularly when there are so many great destinations close to home. However, there are some places that really are worth the extra time you will spend travelling as what you find when you get there is simply incredible. Here are five far flung locations that are more than worthy of the extra miles.

Burma

Burma is a massive country that is just finding its place on the travellers map. With its magnificent culture and warm and friendly people it won’t be long before this country rivals nearby countries such as Thailand and Cambodia for visitor numbers.

Visit Inle Lake to see how the people live and work on the lake, Bagan to see the thousands of temples and Ngapali beach to relax on the white sands.

Japan

Japan has an incredibly deep history; a truly unique culture and some magical landscapes and that are just waiting to be explored. Cosmopolitan Tokyo has everything you could want from a city break, with spectacular five star hotels and world class restaurants and shopping.

The ancient city of Kyoto will captivate your imagination with its wonderful architecture and the snow-capped Mount Fuji is both dramatic and serene with some wonderful hiking opportunities.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is like a laid back India. Compact in size it is easy to travel around and visit its different areas without having to endure the long bus journeys or internal flights that you do in many destinations.

Colonial Galle is a charming place with some beautiful boutique hotels and fantastic restaurants serving up all the Sri Lankan classics. The hillside city of Kandy and its surrounding hill country was the home to Sri Lanka’s last independent kingdom and there are plenty of cultural sites that enable you to learn all about this fascinating time.

Once you have finished exploring, head to laid back Unawatuna to relax on the beach and enjoy the wonderful climate and delicious seafood.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers with an abundance of flora and fauna unlike anywhere else in the world. It is also a great place to visit for outdoor activities, with the jungles, volcanoes and rivers all providing the perfect backdrop.

Peru

Peru is famous for Macchu Picchu and the magnificent Inca Trail that takes visitors up its steps to see where the Inca population lived in the 15^th century. It really is fantastic, and this alone makes the long trip to Peru worthwhile, but if you have time on your side then Peru has so much more to offer.

Visit the desert oasis Huacachina to try out sand boarding on the rolling sand dunes, Lima to see cosmopolitan Peru at its best and the Cordillera Blanca mountain range for some trekking in stunning snowy mountains.