Archive for November, 2010

Our Wonderful Amsterdam City Break

Nov-28-2010 By GuestPoster

My wife and I had a particularly special occasion this year - our silver wedding anniversary. And to celebrate, we were determined to take a luxury city break - really pull out all the stops and enjoy ourselves and that's what we did. Only thing was where to go? After much deliberating, we decided on the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.

I had visited the city once before, but my wife had never so a city break to Amsterdam was the ideal option. There are many things to see and do in Amsterdam and our itinerary was a lengthy one. On our list was the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank Huis, the Heineken Brewery and we wanted to take a look at the red light district just to see if it was as crazy as everyone said.

The Dutch are very laid back and friendly while at the same time they can come across as quite abrupt. They do not suffer fools gladly and their English is near perfect. All this makes you feel quite at home (at least for English speakers).

Our first stop was at the Van Gogh Museum in the Museum district if the city. The collection is housed in an ultra modern building which showcases the works splendidly. The museum is home to the largest collection of Van Goghs in the world and most of the favourites are here. Indeed one can spend a good half day just wandering the rooms here. A very pleasurable experience indeed.

We booked tickets for one of the long canal boats. It's a great way to see the city in style and the drivers and guides are invariably well informed and multi-lingual. This method of transport allowed us to stop off at our other points of interest along the way. The red light district is truly a weird and wonderful place. At night it is extremely seedy and unwelcoming however, during the day it feels quite safe and is filled with tourists.

For more city break guides, check out Smashing Holidays.

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Hotels on Koh Phangan

Nov-25-2010 By GuestPoster

Travel to Panviman Resort, Koh Phangan

If you’re in the mood for some serious partying and having some fun in the sun at the same time, then there’s nowhere else to go but to Koh Phangan. This Thai island is nestled in the wonderful waters of the Pacific Ocean and is gifted with pure white beaches. But aside from all of those natural blessings, the island is also home to the very famous Koh Phangan Full Moon Party which is celebrated once every month when the yellow round moon makes its appearance. And from that, so many other parties have been conceived including the Half Moon Party, the New Moon Party and the Black Moon Party. But if you’re thinking of going to the island, then you should look up a number of hotels to stay in. These resorts are found in Haadrin Beach in Koh Phangan where the Full Moon Party is held.

Sunrise Resort

The Sunrise Resort offers rooms with twin beds or a king sized bed. Each room comes with a shower and bathtub, a large balcony, a mini bar and Wi-Fi connection. Guests can relax and catch up on their shows with the rooms’ satellite TV's before going out to the beach and partying all night. The resort has a swimming pool, a sunrise bar and a seaside restaurant. Guests also have access to room service, internet service and laundry service.

Al Colosseo Palace

This hotel is located on the famous Haadrin beach, and is designed to be a condominium and a hotel in one. Al Colosseo Palace merges the beach and the jungle landscapes into something really exotic. Guests are treated to pool side breakfast and can even arrange for pool side Italian dining upon request. The hotel’s staff is on-call 24 hours of the day. The condotel rooms is equipped with a DVD player and a satellite TV.

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The Gorgeous Thai Location – Koh Phi Phi

Nov-20-2010 By GuestPoster

Over the last decade or so Thailand has become an increasingly more popular holiday destination. There are many different locations across Thailand that cater extremely well to tourists, but none more so than Koh Phi Phi. This beautiful location really has everything that you could ever want from a holiday destination and this is why it is so popular.

There is a wide range of extremely good quality hotels for you to choose from here from the extremely basic and cheap to the opulent and expensive. This means that Koh Phi Phi is affordable for almost anyone who wants to visit. The overall quality of the accommodation here is very good as is the rest of Thailand so whichever property you choose to stay at you can be assured of great service and excellent lodgings.

The location is famous for a number of different reasons but the 2 main features that lure in thousands of travelers each year are the beautiful beaches and the amazing scuba diving that you can enjoy in the area. Both of these are some of the best that you will find in Thailand. As there are so many good quality diving locations around Koh Phi Phi there is no need to pre-book any of the diving; you can just arrive and decide yourself when you wish to dive. This is a great advantage for many people as you do not always know when you will fancy diving.

Although, this Thai location is deemed as one of the more quiet spots there is still an element of nightlife for you to enjoy. There are a number of bars and some excellent restaurants which can be the perfect places to unwind after a hard days scuba diving or a day of water sports on one of the stunning beaches.

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In search of that perfect vacation or holiday paradise for you and your loved ones? How about a stroll along picturesque coastlines, sipping coffee at a villa overlooking the crystalline commanding waters of the Mediterranean Sea, or an adventurous nature trek to forest clad mountains? No matter what your preferences are you are sure to find them in Cyprus.

Situated at the helm of three continents, where East meets West and old meets the new, Cyprus has become one of the top tourist destinations anywhere in the world. Blessed with a wonderfully serene climate, picturesque terrain and the perfect view of the majestic Mediterranean Sea, this island paradise is perfect for that unforgettable holiday in the sun. With all these opportunities awaiting its every visitor, it is no wonder that tourists flock to this island nation every year. For this reason, finding accommodations here can take some planning and foresight to make sure that you have the perfect villa or resort before they are fully booked.

That is why some people opt to invest and purchase their own piece of this paradise. This assures them that they will always have a place to go home to in Cyprus. You can choose to have your own place in the sun by looking into beach real estate or enjoy a unique holiday experience by investing in your own Cyprus holiday home. With its God given beauty, opportunities here are endless and the reasons to invest in this part of the world are many.

Once in Cyprus, the prices of properties sold here will surprise you and you may find it difficult to choose among the many options presented. Arm yourself the right knowledge and take a good look at the island before finally selecting your area of choice. Would you prefer the vivacious city of Nicosia, a chic resort like Limassol, or if your prefer the lights and sounds of a night out the city of Ayia Napa maybe the best place for you? In an island teeming with possibilities, the choice is yours.

What can you invest in?

Beach Front Homes - Snuggled in the Mediterranean with an average of 320 days sunshine per year and surrounded by 39 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, a beach house creates the perfect backdrop for your home under the beautiful Cypriot sun.

Holiday Homes - Everyday can be a holiday in this island nation paradise. You can choose between a villa, apartment, or a mansion to come back to during the cold months of the British holiday season. You will find many properties smack in the center of tall pine trees, overlooking its majestic mountains. The view alone will guarantee you a memorable holiday with your friends and family.

Whether you look to Cyprus for investment, to frolic in the sun, as a second home for the holidays, or as place to retire to, you will discover an island rich in history, culture and beauty.

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New York in 24 hours

Nov-16-2010 By GuestPoster

My challenge was to find out if New York really is the city that never sleeps. By the end of my mad dash across the city in 24 hours I found that the city truly lives up to its name. It’s possible to live here for years and still not catch a glimpse of everything and I guess that is why people find New York to be one of the most attractive holiday destinations in the world.

Morning: The best way by far to take in the city is by walking around its neighbourhoods. I recommend starting out on the Upper West Side, stopping for breakfast at Le Pain Quotidian and while there make to ask for New York Bagel with coffee. (It’s a local staple). From here, you can set out towards Central Park which is a wonderful place to relax and soak of the atmosphere of the bustling city. Heading south from Central park you can take a visit to Strawberry Fields, which is garden filled with flowers planted as a memorial to John Lennon opposite the very spot where he was killed. Next set out towards the Cloisters just off 190th Street. This is a splendid museum of medieval art situated in the backdrop of Fort Tyron Park which is fitted with beautiful gardens, tapestries and paintings which take you back hundreds of years ago.  You should also have enough time to fit in a visit to the Time Warner Centre where you can also experience the Jazz at Lincoln Centre which offers spectacular views and upbeat jazz music

Afternoon: Next stop, Broadway!  After taking in some of its amazing sights, you can go on to explore Times Square, where you can get 50% off tickets at the TKTS stand shortly after 3pm for the Theatre that night. South of Times Square, lies Herald Square, which is one of the biggest shopping districts in New York. Ensure to take a visit to Macy’s while you are there.(the king of department stores)

Night: Now you can catch the 4 or 6 subway train to Brooklyn Bridge where you can walk across one of the most impressive historical landmarks in the city. Here, you will experience the most breath-taking views of the cityscape. If you want to continue in this spirit, go to the river café, directly beneath the bridge which is a stylish and classical restaurant designed for fine dining. If this isn’t to your taste try Grimaldi’s on Old Fulton Street, which offers real-deal New York Pizza for a more authentic experience.  Finish off your evening with a trip to the Broadway musical you booked earlier.

Accommodation: If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in New York, I advise you stay in the Chelsea Star Hotel.  The employees there are very friendly and willing to give you insider advice about travelling around the city and key locations to visit. Location is a key strength of this hotel as it is within walking distance of Empire State Building, Times Square and Penn Station.

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Where could you possibly go when you want to run away from home for a while, a little trip that will knock some sense off your head? When things seem off and running away from the bitter realities of life seem to be the only solution, get your bag, pack, get a cab and fly somewhere. But where? Bulgaria is the place to be. Am I getting raised eyebrows? Just so you know there are different Bulgaria vacation packages which can suit your taste, lifestyle, needs and finances.

As a country in Southern Europe, Bulgaria is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The traditions of the people there are dated back during the prehistoric times with mixes of different cultures that have passed the land and have lived in the neighboring territories. The country is a blend of antiquarian mystery and contemporary freedom. It is blessed with an atmosphere plush living and customs.

Bulgaria offers more than its heritage and traditions. It has become one of the most visited spots around the world. Getting Bulgaria vacation packages provides opportunities for travelers to experience life in the country to the fullest.

So where will you start hunting for such privileges? Different travel agencies online and offline can greatly cater to your needs. They can give you different sets of offers to feast on ranging from the days of stay, pick-ups at the airport and travel guides. The key is to collect, compare and select.

If you are looking for cheaper packages, you can readily plan to go off season. Usually such offers are discounted and are more inexpensive compared to travelling during the holiday season, for example.

Bulgaria vacation packages promises a pleasant stay within the colorful walls of the country. It’s a trip you don’t want to miss.

Harvin Gulfill is the editor of Pakkerejser. Here you can also read more about Bulgarien charter.

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Beachfront Hotels

Nov-3-2010 By GuestPoster

There are many places with beautiful beaches. The key is to find a nice place to stay when you are looking for beachfront hotels. Florida has the most beautiful beaches in the United States. They are known for their beautiful powder soft white sand beaches.  They also have clear blue water as Florida is located in part of the Gulf of Mexico.  At a place like this you want to stay beach front.  Tourism in Florida is based solely on these beautiful beaches. This explains why there are so many choices of hotels.

Hotels literally line the entire beach . When you are looking for a beachfront hotel you are going to run into some high prices. That is why it is important to look in the future. If you are for sure going make your reservations in advance you will save up to 75%.  These beachfront hotels are going to be more luxurious than other hotels off of the beach.

Checking prices and booking in advance is going to be your best friend when it comes to finding a nice place. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a run down motel across town on your family vacation.  Here is an extremely valuable tip when it comes to getting a beach front hotel. If you don’t mind sacrificing the view of the ocean you can get a garden view or street view room at a discounted rate just because they are usually the last ones  to be taken and the hotels sometimes have a harder time getting rid of these room just because they are not as popular as the beach view rooms.

When you find a hotel you want ask them if they have any rooms available. They will give you the answer of yes or no , obviously. If they do have availability I then reply with “what is the rate”? And they will give me their “rack rate”. The rack rate is the max price they are allowed to charge for a room. Never accept this price they are authorized to go down on the rate. I always ask what is the best rate they can give me. They will come back with a lower rate. At this point I ask if they can go lower or at least give me the rate for a federal employee. You will be surprised at how much lower they will go on the price. For more travel tips on getting a great price on a hotel visit cheap hotels in branson.

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