With summer approaching its can be hard to choose where to go on your holidays , but with the
travel directory
things are made alot easier. Search from dozens of top hotels, B&Bs
and resorts in your holiday destination of choice. Book your holiday
with the help of the travel directory this summer. Whether you’re
thinking of going abroad to top destinations like Spain, France or
Turkey; or staying in the UK for top locations like Devon, Cornwall,
London or the Lake District, the travel directory has got it all.
Booking holidays can be tough so help make it nice and simple!
A few top holiday trends for 2012 – in Europe, many are still having to
keep close tabs on their finances due to the recession so
cheap holiday destinations
are going to be big this year. Currency is one things to think about –
does the country use the expensive Euro or is there a currency that can
be bought cheaper, helping you get more from your money? This factor has
helped Turkey surge in popularity as it uses Lira rather than the Euro.
Croatia and Eastern European countries are also set to be popular this
year. More established destinations like Spain, America and france will
likely see a small loss in market share as cheaper countries increase in
popularity.
Whatever you go this year do your research and enjoy a cheap holiday at a great destination!
Posted on 09 Sep 2008 by admin | Filled under: laos
Luang Prabang, located in north central Laos, is the country's most
popular tourist destination. Known for its beautifully preserved
temples, monks in saffron robes, and pastel colored French colonial
architecture, Luang Prabang sits on a narrow peninsula of land formed by
the union of the mighty Mekong and Khan Rivers. The old city, where
most of the cultural sites, hotels and restaurants reside, is just 300
meters wide by one kilometer long and resembles a thumb in shape. The
manageability of the city's small size, friendliness of the locals, and
old-world feel makes Luang Prabang seem more like a small town rather
than a major hub of commerce and tourism.
Since Laos opened to tourism in 1989 little has changed in Luang
Prabang due to its status as a UNESCO world heritage site. All buses and
trucks are banned within the city limits, keeping noise and traffic at a
minimum. The city also preserves its traditional feel by continuing to
enact a 11:30pm curfew for both residents and travelers.
Luang Prabang has an assortment of natural and cultural sites which
are easily accessible on foot or by bike. Most of the city's sites are
off the two main streets, Th Khen Khong and Th Sisavangvong, which run
along the eastern Mekong coast and down the middle of the peninsula. The
best panoramic views of the city can be found at the top of Phou Si
Hill, a 100-meter high hill at the base of the peninsula. Dotted with
small temples and shrines, the trek up Phou Si Hill is well worth the
climb, especially at sunset.
Not to be missed is the Royal Palace Museum or Haw Kham. Built in
1904, during the French colonial era, for King Sisavangvong and his
family, the last occupant of the palace was his son, crown prince Savang
Vatthana, who took the throne after his father's death in 1959. In 1975
the monarchy was overthrown by the communists and the crown prince and
his family were sent to re-education camps, never to be heard of again.
The palace was later turned into a national museum. The palace contains
various royal and religious objects including the Crown Jewels of Laos
and the Pha Bang, a gold, silver and bronze standing Buddha.
As a religious centre, Luang Prabang has thirty-two temples. Shoes,
and often photography, are prohibited inside the temples and it's
recommended that foreigners wear pants and women dress modestly,
although it's not strictly enforced at all locations. The most popular
temples are Wat Mai Suwannapumaram, Wat Visoun, and Wat Xieng Thong. Wat
Mai Suwannapumram, a nineteenth century temple, is conveniently located
next door to the Royal Palace Museum making it one of the most visited.
The temple is known for its gold relief panels covering its front
façade. Near the northern tip of the peninsula is Wat Xieng Thong, the
city's most brilliant temple. This colorful temple is covered in ornate
paintings and mosaics of every color of the rainbow. On the temple
grounds is the royal funeral chapel which holds an impressive 12-meter
high funeral chariot and urns for members of the royal family. To the
east of town center is the Wat Visoun, the oldest continually operating
temple in Luang Prabang. The temple contains a collection of 15th and
16th century wooden Calling for Rain Buddhas and ordination stones. If
you haven't gotten your temple fill after visiting the big three, I
suggest taking a "temple tour" by renting a bike and hitting the lesser
visited temples located outside of Luang Prabang city limits and across
the Mekong River.
Luang Prabang is also a great jumping off point for trekking,
rafting, and elephant riding excursions. Tours to the popular Pak Ou
Caves and Koung Si waterfall are inexpensive and offered by a plethora
of tour companies in old town. The Pak Ou Caves, located on a cliff
face, are full of thousands of Buddha statues. The old and disfigured
Buddhas are a memorable site as they cover almost every nook of the
cave. Koung Si waterfall, 32-kilometers away, is considered one of the
most picturesque in the country and is set in a breathtaking public
park. The 200-foot high waterfall cascades down into a sparkling
turquoise pool which provides welcome relief after the arduous walk up
hill.
If you aren't looking to see the sites, Luang Prabang offers an
assortment of activities such as taking Lao cooking classes, shopping at
the famous Hmong night market, or enjoying an inexpensive Lao or Thai
massage. Some of my favorite days were spent sitting in open air cafes
on Th Sisavangvong and getting lost wandering the streets admiring the
beautiful architecture and people.
This picturesque riverside city is the perfect place to kick back and
relax and enjoy the famous chilled out Laotian lifestyle. I recommend
staying in one of its many quaint guest houses in old town for at least 4
days, anything less and you won't have the proper time to decompress. I
stayed for a total of 6 nights but could have easily stayed longer
because time flies when you are doing really nothing at all.
Comments (0)
Posted on 25 Aug 2008 by admin | Filled under: france
The Île de la Cité regarded, as Paris' epicentre where the medieval
city was established is a breathtaking attraction when travelling to
France. This magnificent natural island within the city of Paris is a
renowned landmark. Boasting many attractions within its vicinity, some
that include age-old palaces, churches and buildings, are among the
must-sees here.
Sightseers to the Île de la Cité can explore the historical island
and its attractions in any order and to cater to all types of foreign
speaking travellers, many tour guides are available and ready to take
you on a guided expedition around the earliest possible settlement in
Paris. With many ancient buildings and bridges structured here, some
noteworthy attractions a visitor can discover are The Pont Neuf also
known as the New Bridge and the bronze statue of Henry IV is also a
classic attraction to see. However, the original statue of Henry IV was
destroyed during the French revolution in 1792 and rebuilt using the
surviving shreds in 1818.
A spectacle at the Île de la Cité is the Seine River – a picturesque
river stream that overlooks the island and houses a number of ships,
boats and paddleboats that could be utilized for a 360-panaromic view of
the island if interested. Other attractions within the Île de la Cité
are the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, The Conciergerie Prison, Louis
IX's Sainte-Chapelle and the Ancien Cloître are among the beautiful
landmarks here.
Another must see at the island is the Deportation Memorial for the
many French victims in the Nazi concentration camps during the cold
World War II. This sight is made up of over 200,000-lit light crystals
on a dark wall depicting the exterminated. Also, a single light
flickering is placed – to say that some of these people killed were to
this date unknown.
Travellers looking for a modern and comfortable Paris city centre hotel will find the Millennium Hotel Paris Opéra an ideal option. So why not make a Paris hotel reservation
at this lodging option and enjoy the abundant facilities, charming
surroundings and friendly hospitality tailor made for a deserving guest
such as yourself.
Comments (0)
Posted on 21 Jul 2008 by admin | Filled under: portugal
Oporto is one of the most ancient European cities. It was born from
the Douro river during the Middle Ages. The city was classified as World
Heritage by UNESCO in 1996.
Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal and
the capital of the north. Porto gave its name to Portugal and its
language. The name derives from the Roman settlement of Portus Cale. The
Douro, which comes from Rio do Ouro (River of Gold), has always been
Porto's income.
You will find allot of surprises here. Porto is conservative, but also contemporary and artistic.
In the other side of the river the city is called Vila Nova de Gaia.
By the river you will find many Port Wine Cellars which you can visit
and taste the wine.
Oporto was the European Capital of Culture at 2001 and "Casa da
Música" was an architectural masterwork built at that time by Rem
Koolhaas. Take a tour and listen to a concert.
São Francisco Church you really can't miss. From the outside it may
look an ordinary church but the inside is one of Europe's most
extraordinarily interiors that you will see in a church.
Comments (0)
Posted on 20 Jun 2008 by admin | Filled under: malaysia
Malaysia's wide variety of tourist attractions, coupled with its very
rich culture has attracted the attention of the tourists from all over
the world.
To plan for Malaysia holidays, you must at least
spend a good week or two to appreciate the beauty that this country has
to offer. From the technologically savvy environment of Kuala Lumpur to
the unspoiled beaches and sweltering island of Langkawi, you can be sure
that you will definitely find the kind of holiday that you are looking
for. All you have to do is to recognize your whim, and then, choose the
perfect escape for your holiday.
If you are keen to see the
modernized part of Malaysia, and on the way bask your eyes in the sight
of the twin towers of Petronas Towers in Suria KLCC, then your choice
will be to book a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Conveniently located in at the
Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang junction, KL combines its proud
modernized industry with its humble but rich cultural heritage.
On
the other hand, if you are looking for an escape from the rush of the
modernized industry, going to Kelantan will be a good choice. Kelantan
or "Land of Lightning," is basically an agricultural state with rich
rice fields, swarming with fishing villages and virgin beaches. Situated
in the northeast part of the Malaysia peninsula, Kelantan prides itself
for its lush culture and peaceful communities. You can do river
cruises, jungle trekking, bird watching and even river rafting.
On
the west coast of Malaysia, lies a seaside city called Malacca. To walk
in the streets of Malacca is to relive the history of the Malaysia
Peninsula. Its architecture is that of Portuguese influence that
accurately depicts its colonial past.
These are but a few of the
choices that you can choose from if you are opting to go for Malaysia
holidays. Other notable states that you can visit in Malaysia are Negeri
Sembillan, Penang, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu. Each state
boasts its own attractions. You can surely not have enough of Malaysia,
and to go to its historic places rich with a heterogeneous culture is
something that you should not miss.
Comments (0)
