Chicago City Breaks
Posted on 09. Jan, 2012 by admin in Chicago, USA
If you think that taking a city break sounds like an expensive option, then think again. Try a visit to Chicago and delight in the many free attractions available, the reasonably priced places for tasty eating and the high quality budget accommodation that the ‘Windy City’ has to offer. (more…)
What precautions should travellers take for medical tourism
Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by admin in Travel articles
Medical tourism is a multi-million dollar industry that allows travelers to travel aboard to receive help from plastic surgeons at a cheaper rate. This is very important to people that can’t afford to pay for expensive plastic surgery and are very limited in their country of available plastic surgeons where the cost of breast implants, for example, could be halved. (more…)
Why to Slope off to France this Winter
Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by admin in Featured articles
With easy access to the UK, especially thanks to the wide availability of low cost airlines, and no fewer than three mountain ranges, it’s no wonder that France is the number one ski destination for Brits. Whether you’ve never worn a pair of skis in your life, or are an old hand on the piste, France has an extraordinary range of runs you can take your pick from, at different altitudes to suit varying levels of ability and experience. (more…)
Get a Slice of the American Dream
Posted on 26. Sep, 2011 by admin in Featured articles
Nowhere does big and bold like America. This huge country (around 9.8 million sq km, fact fans), certainly has enough theme parks, restaurants, bars and malls to match its size, thanks to that wonderful American Dream. If you’re the sort of person who likes their holidays big and the entertainment bigger, look no further than the US of A; a place you definitely won’t forget in a hurry.
For food fans, America doesn’t shirk from a challenge. From that old-style cooking in the Deep South to upmarket bistros in Manhattan, eating your way around the country is a sizable challenge. But for that classic All-American experience, is has to be a 50s style diner, and they don’t come better than Rosie’s diner in Rockford, Michigan.
Rosie’s offers good, home-cooked food in wonderfully large portions, with some quintessentially American dishes such as the classic foot-long, cheeseburgers and the mouth-watering steak and bleu cheese wrap. And of course, you must leave some room for a stack of pancakes (they offer half-portions if you can’t quite manage it!).
It’s probably best to give it some time between visiting Rosie’s and our next big attraction. Disney World in Florida offers no less than four theme parks, as well as the Disney Boardwalk and Blizzard Beach. Head to the Magic Kingdom and try out Splash Mountain or the enormous Haunted House, before marvelling at the stunning nightly fireworks display in the Main Street. And to see how the magic comes together, the Disney Hollywood Studios demonstrates how Disney put his legendary films together, as well as offering the chance to meet some of his stars in the flesh.
If you’re after a glamorous time, look no further than Vegas for plenty of glitter and sparkle. Take in a show along the Boulevard before indulging in one of Sin City’s favourite past-times: the casino. Vegas is designed to be over the top, and nowhere comes more OTT than the stunning MGM Grand Hotel. This enormous resort could almost be a holiday in itself, so head to the on-site casino for the most memorable poker game of your life. Although the stakes may not be too high you’ll certainly feel like a star, so dress up and enjoy your time as a Vegas inhabitant.
And when all that blackjack and poker game excitement becomes too much, the resort has more than enough entertainment to keep you going ‘til the early hours. Take in the Cirque du Soleil’s production of Ka, the Crazy Horse Paris show and the fabulous Lion Habitat, before dancing the night away in Studio 54: a full re-creation of the New York nightclub.
However you choose to spend your time, it’s certain that nowhere does extravagance and indulgence quite like America. From the enormous theme parks and attractions along the Florida coastline to the shops and bright lights of its big cities, the US is a country you can return to time and time again. Have fun capturing the American Dream.
Five fun family activities with the kids in Bali
Posted on 29. Jun, 2011 by admin in Bali
Bali is a perfect destination for families and you will always feel that your kids are welcome everywhere by the locals. But if you want to spoil them or just fancy doing something special as a group, then you cannot beat our list of fun family activities in Bali courtesy of Bali with Kids – a new dedicated guidebook with over 300 kid-friendly places and activities for families. You’ve got to love their motto: “Happy Kids Make Happy Parents.”
Bali Treetop Adventure Park and the Botanical Gardens of Bedugul
Bali Treetop Adventure Park, Bedugul Botanical Gardens, Candikuning.
Tel: +62 361 8520680
Bali Tree Top Adventure Park is one of the most popular activities for kids in Bali and they all absolutely love it. Swinging and flying high between trees is open to all from 4 years old to over 70! In total they offer 65 challenges for all levels and ages: suspended bridges, spider nets, Tarzan jumps, flying-fox, flying swings and it is fun for everyone. They have 6 color-coded circuits according to the level of difficulty: Squirrel Yellow, Squirrel Green, Discovery, Dancing with Trees, Emotion and Adrenalin. They range from an easy and short yellow circuit for the youngest kids to a black adrenaline circuit with 20 meters high breathtaking jumps. You can combine a trip to Tree Top Adventure Park with a boat ride in beautiful Lake Bratan. Apart from the traditional boats, it is now also possible to jetski or do parasailing.
Bali Fun World – Sukawati
Bali Fun World, Jl. Lettu I Wayan Sutha II, Batuan, Sukawati, Gianyar.
Tel: +62 361 294 924 or +62 81 2286 0760
This is the biggest indoor playground in Indonesia with 2000m2 filled with attractive and safe equipment that kids absolutely love. Kids can have fun all day at the various stations such as the 9m climbing wall, the slides, the labyrinth, the ball pool, the inflatable sumo costumes for wrestling and more. It is common to see parents and grand parents having lots of fun there too. In the area reserved for younger kids, they have mini slides, a trampoline, swings, an obstacle course, a bouncy castle, rocking animals, mini cars and bikes and other soft play toys. The older kids can enjoy the gladiator fight, the rodeo bull ride, the giant boxing, the bungee-trampolines, the basketball hoops and the air hockey tables. This outing can be combined with a trip to Sukawati market.
Bali Bird Park and Reptile Park – Batubulan
Bali Bird Park, Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir, Batubulan, Gianyar.
Tel: +62 361 299352 Email: sales@bali-bird-park.com
The birds at Bali Bird Park invariably amaze the children with their shape, colors and curious behaviors. The park is set in beautiful and very well maintained gardens. They have gathered over 1000 birds from all over the archipelago but also from other continents and the park has small information signs in English. Birds of paradise, cockatoos and many more will fascinate children. Don’t miss the fantastic Javanese Hawk and Serpent Eagles. Your kids will laugh at the naughty pelicans pinching their feeder’s bottom if they don’t get fed as much as they would like. Enquire about bird feeding sessions and the free flight bird shows. Does your child like creepy monsters? Then don’t miss The Reptile Park, right by the Bali Bird Park. Visitors can not only view lizards, snakes and other scaly creatures, but hold them as well! A visit to the bird park can be combined with a trip to Ubud.
Trekking with Jean of the Jungle
Jean de la Jungle, Tel: +62 81805680662
Email: jeandelajungle@yahoo.fr
This amazing man can take families and kids into the heart of the jungle or into the unknown countryside for an unforgettable adventure. His passions are to walk and run in natural surroundings and understand the real Bali, the land and its people. His treks are physical, full of discovery and fun but he wants them to be educational too. A trek starts at 7 am, you get picked up by car from your hotel or villa and lasts for 2 to 6 hours, depending on your chosen itinerary and physical ability. On the way you will have time to enjoy and absorb the magnificent countryside, see valleys, jungle, rice fields, rivers, villages and even a bridge that leads to nowhere! Kids particularly love rice fields, crossing rivers, the mud and seeing and learning about jungle animals. He has carefully designed 15 treks comprising 3 levels of difficulty and he can help you choose the most suitable for your family. The “Wet Monkey” trek is a kids’ favourite.
The King’s Swimming Pool – Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga, Amlapura, Karangasem. Tel: +62 81558001934
Email: info@hoteltirtangga.com
On the East Coast of Bali, Tirta Gangga is a palace, home to the swimming pool of the kings. The setting is beautiful and a series of ponds abound with huge koi fish. Kids love jumping on the stepping-stones across the pond in between the statues. Two large swimming pools with fresh spring water are wonderful to swim in under an enormous sacred Banyan tree. The water, straight from the slopes of Mt Agung, is cold and refreshing. Close by is the Tirta Ayu restaurant overlooking where you can enjoy delicious Balinese specialties. At the back of the restaurant was once the king’s residence but has now become an attractive hotel where they sometimes celebrate weddings.
Bali with Kids is currently sold in Asia and worldwide in electronic versions. You can also subscribe to the free monthly newsletter for update or email: contact@baliwithkids.com. Visit www.baliwithkids.com
Cambodia’s Queen Mother Monique celebrates 75th birthday
Posted on 16. Jun, 2011 by admin in Cambodia
On Saturday, June 18, 2011, one of Southeast Asia’s greatest survivors will celebrate her 75th birthday, as well as almost 60 years as a member of Cambodia’s royal family, the House of Norodom.
Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, as she is now formally known, was born Paule-Monique Izzi on June 18, 1936, in Saigon, then the capital of French Cochinchina, today Ho Chi Minh City. She was born into a distinctly middle-class colonial family. Her father, Jean-François Izzi, was a banker of French, Corsican and Italian descent, while her Khmer mother, Pomme Peang, was from Phnom Penh.
The young Monique studied at some of the best schools in Phnom Penh—Norodom Primary, Sisowath High School and the Lycée René Descartes—and looked set to live a normal middle-class life in colonial Phnom Penh, generally considered to have been the most attractive city in French Indochina at that time.
All this changed in 1951, however, when King Norodom Sihanouk, at the time 29 years old, with 10 years on the throne and an established reputation as a lady’s man, first cast eyes upon 16-year-old Monique while awarding her first prize at a beauty contest. They married in 1952 and again, more formally, in 1955, and have been together—for richer and for poorer—ever since.
Sihanouk—and therefore, by extension, Monique—lived through some seriously troubled times before reaching old age and a comfortable retirement. Following independence from France in 1953, Sihanouk ruled over a notionally neutral Cambodia trapped between communist North Vietnam and pro-American rightist regimes in South Vietnam and Thailand. He gradually became convinced of the inevitability of US defeat, however, and began to tilt towards Hanoi and away from Washington.
In 1965, Sihanouk made an agreement with the People’s Republic of China and North Vietnam to allow North Vietnamese bases in eastern Cambodia, and to permit Chinese military supplies to reach these forces via a ‘maritime Ho Chi Minh Trail’ using the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville, thus alienating South Vietnam and its all-important US patrons. At the same time, Sihanouk became increasingly ruthless in his suppression of home-grown Cambodian communists, who he personally labeled “Khmers Rouges”.
This balancing act was to prove impossible to sustain. He alienated the Cambodian left, leading to the outbreak of civil war in 1967, and he alienated the right, leading to his ouster in a military coup led by General Lon Nol and backed by the CIA in 1970. Sihanouk was in Beijing at the time of the coup, and was quick to accept China’s offer of help at the price of openly backing the communist insurgency not just in Vietnam, but also in Cambodia.
The Khmer Rouge Years
Monique, who by this time had been at Sihanouk’s side for almost 20 years, soon joined him in Beijing, and then in North Korea, where Kim Il Sung built the deposed royals a 60-room palace complete with its own movie theatre. Sihanouk was bitterly angered by the coup, but at least the life he and Monique now led was still comfortable—after all, the indulgent monarch once said of the French: “I am anti-colonialist, but if one has to be colonized, it is better to be colonized by gourmets”.
Norodom Sihanouk embraces Khieu Samphan
Despite this, injured pride and fury towards Lon Nol drove Sihanouk and Monique into the arms of his old enemies, the ruthless Khmer Rouge. In 1973, with Chinese encouragement, the former royal couple made a difficult and dangerous trip down the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam, before entering Khmer Rouge territory to show their support for the communist insurgency. Khmer Rouge pictures of the time show Sihanouk and Monique clad in black pajamas and Ho Chi Minh sandals, embracing Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan, eating in communal kitchens and sitting on the steps of their wooden ‘white house’ in the Khmer Rouge liberated zone.
What Monique thought of all this must remain a matter for speculation, but we know that Sihanouk hated it, and we can guess she did too.
Then, on April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh and established the living hell that was Democratic Kampuchea, emptying the cities, abolishing commerce, money, religion and the family. Over the course of the next three-and-a-half years, an estimated two million people, or more than 20 per cent of the Cambodian people, were to die of starvation, disease and murder, amounting to state-sponsored genocide.
Soon after the Khmer Rouge victory in April 1975, Sihanouk and Monique returned to Cambodia by air from Beijing. Sihanouk was to become symbolic Head of State for the new regime, and imagined himself living in comfort, acting as “a public relations man for Cambodia … having some jazz parties and doing some filming”.
Instead, he and Monique found themselves terrified prisoners in the Grand Palace for the duration of the Khmer Rouge regime, cut off from the outside world while the Khmer Rouge murdered at least 18 of Sihanouk’s relatives. Indeed, there is clear evidence that Pol Pot intended to order the execution of the royal couple, their lives only being spared because of the intervention of Mao Zedong and Kim Il Sung on Sihanouk’s behalf.
A Life in Exile
Norodom Sihanuk and Princess Monique at Bantaey Srei
Sihanouk’s imprisonment only ended with the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia in December 1979, when he was whisked away to New York with the assistance of the Chinese to represent the deposed Khmer Rouge regime at the United Nations. This Sihanouk refused to do, defecting to the US and announcing that the UN seat should remain empty, as he also refused to recognize the Vietnamese puppet regime installed after the Khmer Rouge defeat.
For the next 10 or so years, until the Vietnamese withdrawal from Cambodia in 1989, Sihanouk and Monique led a comfortable but bitter life of exile in both Beijing and Pyongyang. The former Paule-Monique Izzi must have wondered what had become of her fairy-tale life as a princess in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh while her husband descended into a cycle of declining health and her country remained racked by a vicious war between Vietnamese occupiers and Khmer Rouge fanatics.
There was eventually to be a happy ending, however. Two years after the Vietnamese withdrawal, Sihanouk returned to Phnom Penh in 1991 after 13 years in exile and almost four years as a prisoner. Monique also returned to Phnom Penh, and was at her husband’s side in 1993 when the Cambodian monarchy was restored and Sihanouk again became king.
King Father and Queen Mother
No doubt to show his love and gratitude, Sihanouk—who was by now seriously ill and spending long periods of time receiving treatment in Beijing—ennobled his long-suffering, former beauty queen wife, making her ‘Samdech Preah Cheayea’ in 1992, raising her again to ‘Samdech Preah Mohesey Norodom Monineath’ in 1993, and finally to the elevated rank of ‘Samdech Preah Reach Akka Mohesey Norodom Monineath’ in 1996—though she is still often popularly referred to as Queen Monique.
Sihanouk’s health continued to decline, and on 7 October, 2004, he stepped down from the throne for reasons of poor health. A chapter had ended for Monique, but a new and perhaps happier one was about to begin. On 14 October, 2004, the Throne Council appointed the eldest of her two sons, H.R.H. King Norodom Sihamoni, successor as constitutional monarch, and Monique became Cambodia’s Queen Mother.
Today Sihamoni remains King of Cambodia, though strongman President Hun Sen retains real power. There is genuine affection for the royal family across the country, and an ailing but still active ‘King Father’ Sihanouk, together with ‘Queen Mother’ Monique, are quite probably as content and secure as they have ever been throughout their long years of royal power, imprisonment and exile.
This guest article has been kindly provided by Pictures from History – a comprehensive database of high quality images covering Asian culture and historical events.
Bumming Across America; 10 Well Kept Secrets
Posted on 02. May, 2011 by admin in Featured articles
Ask one hundred people what comes to mind when you say America and you may get one hundred different answers. Hamburgers, Budweiser, Mickey Mouse, the Empire State Building, baseball and Hollywood are all icons of the American Dream. From sea to shining sea, America is big, brash and beautiful and with cheap car hire you can see it all.
America is a nation of car drivers and while there are options for public transport, the simplest way to get anywhere is behind the wheel of your own vehicle. If you are travelling on a budget, the options for cheap car hire are many and varied with some companies offering vehicles for $11 per day (excluding petrol/gas).
America is so large that the easiest way to travel across it is by using the Interstate System: interconnected highways that get you from A to B and then on to D, ensuring that you don’t have to go through C. The Interstate is great if you want to cover huge distances in a short period of time but you risk missing out on much of what the country has to offer.
In America, distance is a major factor. Boston and New York may not look that far apart but even this relatively short trip down the I-95 will take you five hours and that is on a good day. Try Chicago to Las Vegas, a mere 27 hours on the road. The fact that the Interstate is just miles of dull driving, enlivened occasionally by stopping for gas and you would be better off taking the time to hit the State and Federal roads to actually see the real America.
Weather is something else to consider and changes in climate can be dramatic depending on when you go. The East Coast has severe winters and humid summers, the South can experience hurricanes and tornados and the West Coast is mainly sunny. Cities are not fun places in the summer although the exodus of locals for the holidays can mean less people. The majority of Americans, however tend not to leave the country so the chances are that tourist destinations will be packed.
Accommodation to fit any budget is widely available in America, including motels and nationwide chains such as Best Western or Hampton Inns. They are easy to find and reasonably priced, offering complimentary breakfast and free Internet access (chargeable in larger hotels) but backpacking is not that common and hostels are in relatively short supply.
America has many areas of natural beauty and a visit to a National Park is the best way to experience the scenic side of the country. For $80, a pass allows entry to every National Park in the country for a year and will save you time and money at more than 2,000 locations.
City passes are also available meaning that you don’t have to wait in line for attractions and they also give you discounts on food, etc. A pass is also essential if you want to spend time in Orlando, as the daily rates for entry into Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios remain the same irrespective of what time you arrive. One word of warning, as soon as you enter Florida you will see offers for cheap tickets, which are nothing more than an attempt to sell time-share property.
Americans love their food and the size of the portions provided is legendary. Fast food chains are generally the same as their European counterparts but chain restaurants and individual establishments will give you a plate of food that is unlikely to be consumed in one sitting. For this very reason, asking for the remains of your meal “to go” will not be considered insulting and the right choice of entrée can last for days.
Tipping is another factor. The service industry operates on minimum pay and the waitress who serves you a bottomless cup of coffee will expect a gratuity in return. The same goes for bartenders who expect at least a dollar when serving you a drink, so a general rule is to make sure that you tip an appropriate amount for the service provided.
Finally there is health insurance. It’s simple; get it before you come here. America doesn’t have universal healthcare and the uninsured traveller may find that a visit to a hospital will cost more than the flight home or even be refused treatment without insurance.
It may be the Land of the Free, but always expect to be charged.
Booking Last Minute Flights: When and Why
Posted on 01. May, 2011 by admin in Featured articles
When we spontaneously feel like a holiday in more exotic climbs, finding last minute flight deals that won’t leave you out of pocket can be the biggest challenge you face. However, in some instances, you could be surprised to find that long-haul flights to the Far East can be less expensive than you think: allowing you to spend more money on enjoying your holiday.
Last minute flights aren’t just a possibility for those with deep pockets who go on holiday as and when. Careful comparison makes a surprise visit to the relatives highly achievable, and it will allow you to break the restraints that prevented you from having travelling freedom.
Some flight companies allow you to compare the fares for all scheduled flights to your desired destination over the next seven days. This is the best way to find last minute flights that are reasonably priced, especially if you are slightly flexible as to when you go on your break over the next seven days. You may find that a flight earlier in the morning will be cheaper, and with the time difference in your chosen destination, it could allow you to spend more time admiring the sights and sounds of the hotspot you picked on the day you arrive.
Just because some great deals can be found in the heat of the moment on the Internet doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to book flights in advance anyway. Normally, flight companies levy their price in relation to how full the plane is. Once tickets for the service are available, it’s not uncommon for the majority of the seats to be priced at a low rate in relation to their competitors. This is because advance bookings improve cash flow and allow flight companies to generate revenue into the future.
Now, if you are wondering when the best time is to be spontaneous, you may find that many travel services that offer last-minute deals for their customers restrict travel between Wednesday and Saturday. In the experience of many companies, there isn’t much demand for a break to commence on a Monday or a Tuesday. Instead, others opt to travel later in the week to enjoy a long weekend. Therefore, when browsing online for some brilliant spur-of-the-moment deals, don’t be surprised if you have only a select few days to travel.
You need to remember that whether you are going on holidays to Vietnam or somewhere closer to home, you may have an expensive time finding the perfect hotel rooms and car hire services unless you find a really good website for last minute packages. This is where everything you could possibly need to have a good time, including insurance to keep you safe whatever happens during your break, is provided in one go. Not only is this highly convenient and saves you time, but it also prevents the excitement of a last minute holiday from being transformed into a laborious task. Let’s be honest, if you’re going to be off work for a while, this is the last thing you want.
Once you have booked your last minute journey, all you need to do is to ensure that you save money when on the flight. If you’re going to have to pay through the nose for an in-flight meal during a short-haul service, why don’t you invest in some great takeaway food from the airport terminal? It’s these little trimmings of the things you don’t really want that add up to make brilliant savings.
Whenever you feel like the clock is against you and the stress of your spontaneous holiday is mounting, just remember that you’ll be able to be laidback upon your arrival. If you want to go to the beach at the last minute, or change your mind and wish to try a restaurant on the marina in the evening, you won’t be confronted with any difficulties because you didn’t make a reservation. Think of the sunshine, the laughs and the memories that await you on your holiday to the Far East.
Comparing websites and going with a reputable travel provider is a great idea. You wouldn’t think it, but last minute travel can be a buyer’s market. After all, if you don’t book with a certain flight company or a hotelier, they may run the risk of losing precious revenue, with one of their hotels or plane seats going to waste. Don’t be afraid to be a savvy customer, you owe it to yourself!
Hotels on the legendary Las Vegas Strip
Posted on 30. Apr, 2011 by admin in Featured articles
Hotels in Las Vegas are among the best in the world for sumptuous luxury, fantasy themes and diamond star amenities found on the legendary Las Vegas Strip.
Excalibur Las Vegas
Live like a royal in the heart of The Strip at Excalibur Las Vegas hotel and casino. Stretch out in comfort and grand King Arthur style in a standard, widescreen or suite accommodation at the most famous castle address for world class gaming and top name entertainment. Excalibur Hotel is home to the one and only joust at the Tournament of Kings dinner show for a rebel rousing adventure with dancing wenches, invading armies and fireworks. Eat your dinner with your fingers and let the games begin.
The Excalibur entertainment is a cut above the rest with unique one of a kind shows you will find nowhere else. Thunder From Down Under is the place to party for a first-class all male show with some of the hottest hunks on the planet. Check out The Australian Bee Gees for a musical blast to the past for classic tunes that never fade away. Excalibur guests may enjoy a deep discount for a two show combo selected from this hotel and the next door neighbours at the Luxor Hotel and Casino for Criss Angel, Carrot Top and Menopause the Musical.
Dining at Excalibur is delectable with six hot picks off The Strip. Feast at the Roundtable Buffet, live it up at the Camelot Steakhouse, fill up on comfort foods at the Sherwood Cafe, find a tasty take away at the Village Food Court, indulge in Mexican cuisine at Baja Fresh and let your inhibitions run wild at the weird and wacky Dick’s Last Resort where your manners are checked at the door.
Paris Hotel Las Vegas
Slip away from the rat race and indulge your senses in authentic Parisian ambiance at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas. Finely crafted European furnishings, crystal chandeliers and a warm amber glow sets the tone for elegance, romance and a classic French experience in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
Five star dining is a way of life at the Paris Hotel at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, perched 100 feet overlooking the The Strip. Catch a breeze with al fresco dining at Mon Ami Gabi for authentic French cuisine, or order a mouthwatering beef plate in culture and style at the Les Artistes Steakhouse, said to be the most artistically decorated dining room in Vegas. After dinner, resident artists Barry Manilow and master hypnotist, Anthony Cools, light up the stage with dynamic entertainment.
Special Offers from Virgin Holidays:
5 nights at the Excalibur, Las Vegas from £915.
Five nights in Las Vegas with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Las Vegas, accommodation at the 3V Excalibur on a room only basis. Prices based on 2 adults travelling and sharing a standard room, price includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on mid week departures 29 May – 29 June 2011.
Start your holiday before you’ve even taken off in the V ROOM at Gatwick Airport…adults £20, Kids £12 Virgin Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected
To book: http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/, 0844 557 3859 or visit one of our 50 stores located in Debenhams and House of Fraser stores nationwide.
Scuba diving in Phuket
Posted on 05. Apr, 2011 by admin in Phuket
Sitting on the stunning Andaman Sea, with its beautiful beaches and exciting undersea eco systems, Phuket is a destination of choice for those who are dedicated to their diving. With easy access to mile upon mile of amazing coral reefs, which are home to some superb marine life specimens, a diving holiday in Phuket is a must-do for all those who move in diving circles.
And with this popular tourist destination offering an exciting array of after hours entertainment, it is no surprise that everyone from the newly initiated novice to the experienced expert diver is heading for this tropical Thai destination. (more…)
Tips for driving in France
Posted on 04. Apr, 2011 by admin in france
With a fantastic network of quality roads and a fascinating countryside, touring France by car easily rates as the best way to see the country. As long as you heed basic safety warnings and be mindful of the rules of the road, you should have an incident-free and pleasant journey.
The following useful driving tips for France highlight the road rules, speed limits, fuel costs and so on. (more…)
Guide to visiting Curaçao from a cruise ship
Posted on 21. Feb, 2011 by admin in Caribbean
The colourful island of Curaçao is found just 42 miles to the east of Aruba and was first settled by Spanish merchants in 1499. But it was subsequently conquered by Dutch forces in 1634, who established the capital city as Willemstad as its capital, with Jewish and Dutch traders bestowing a distinctly north European feel to the island.
According to early legend, an early governor was so plagued by migraines that he passed a decree that every single house must be decorated pastel shades to avoid the usual bright white aggravating his condition. Whatever the true cause of the muted colours, approaching the port with a wonderful array of sea blue and candy-cotton pink buildings is a fairytale experience. (more…)
Come on holiday with Johnny Foreigner by joining Tourism Malaysia’s fab blogging competition
Posted on 17. Feb, 2011 by admin in Uncategorized
Hello there friends! Johnny foreigner has been selected from literally BILLIONS of entries to compete in the Tourism Malaysia blog competition. Our article on ‘Why Malaysia is truly Asia’ is clearly the best piece out there so make sure you lend your support by choosing Crystal Wilde and uploading a quick photo here.
Those that help us by uploading pictures will stand a chance to come with Johnny Foreigner on holiday to the fabulous five star Pangkor Laut resort off the west coast of Malaysia. So don’t be shy but upload a picture today!
Why is Malaysia truly Asia?
Posted on 10. Feb, 2011 by admin in Malaysia
Waking on the beautiful island of Pulau Kapas, I throw off my sheet and stumble bleary-eyed to the door. A monitor lizard shuffles past with serpent tongue flitting. Outside the timber balcony lays a broad sweep of sand and clear blue ocean. There is not a soul in sight. “Paradise,” I yawn as my companion continues to dose indoors.
After a delicious breakfast of freshly-picked fruit we stroll across an impossibly perfect beach. Where else can you leave the first footprints in the sand at noon these days? Leaping into the warm waters of the South China Sea, a kaleidoscope coral garden greets us with its resident family of cheery clownfish. Out of the corner of my eye darts a small reef shark, perhaps ten metres from the shore.
Travel in Malaysia encapsulates everything about Asia and the Orient. This is not only because there are ancient Hindu temples, Taoist places of worship and imposing Mosques, but because the country also values those other facets of the Asian character – nature and progress. From the tallest towers of Kuala Lumpur to the world’s oldest rainforest of Taman Negara and the sparkling reefs around Pulau Redang, Malaysia proves the old and new can combine in perfect harmony.
Sunset on the Perhentian Islands
Asia has always been synonymous with a friendly smile and award-winning hospitality, and nowhere is this attention to welcoming visitors more evident than in Malaysia. On countless trips to the country I’ve sat at more strangers’ tables than a pub drunk; constantly waved over with a friendly grin while whatever repast being enjoyed is shared around one more plate.
One of my fondest memories is being asked to participate in the Buka Puasa breaking of fast in Kuala Terengganu after the holy month of Ramadan. As a non-Muslim I considered it a great honour, and felt an intensely pious moment as we shared a few dates over sunset and I watched my companions take part in the Maghrib prayer.
Religious freedom thrives in present day Malaysia. States such as Penang have flourished off ethnic diversity for centuries, with obscure dialects such as Hokkien spoken commonly on the island despite hardly being heard in China anymore. And different cultures will adopt each other’s speech for day-to-day activities, shopping in an Indian market with a few words of Tamil or talking Bahasa to the owner of a restaurant.
The iconic Petronas Twin Towers
But Malaysia is also refreshingly modern, with cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown spearheading the Tiger Economy across the globe. Scores of well-heeled young urbanites head out every Saturday to shake a tailfeather to the sounds of top international DJs from Europe and beyond. Argentine steak is flamed medium-rare on parilla grills while wood-fired ovens produce pizza crisp enough to make a Neapolitan sing.
And when it comes to natural beauty, this small nation has it all. The picturesque shores of the Perhentian Islands gleam with pearl-white sand and sparkling clear water. Donning a snorkel to chase green turtles and white tip sharks from Kecil and towards Besar is unforgettable. Then to relax with a cool drink and enjoy roasted Barracuda on the sand, sheer bliss.
My mouth still waters at the thought of the succulent masala dosas served in banana leaf restaurants around KL’s Little India. “Let’s stay for just one more!” I would beg my friend as the waiter brings yet another savoury masterpiece to our table and sweeps away a mêlée of used crockery. Three swift bites and the scrumptious pancake has vanished, and I’m breaking a hastily-made promise by signalling to the bemused chef for another.
Malaysia is truly Asia because you can never have your fill.
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Guide to visiting historic Cartagena from a cruise ship
Posted on 09. Feb, 2011 by admin in Cartegena
The attractive old city of Cartagena is a very calm introduction to the wilds of Colombia, and after some time here you’ll wonder what all the negative publicity was about.
Here you can plunge in the town’s gruesome history concerning pirates, conquistadors and cursed gold or even shop until you drop at a glut of classy boutiques.
Ancient forts, palaces and cathedral fill the walled town with fine 16th century colonial architecture. And soft white beaches and world-class snorkelling are close at hand as well. Some first class restaurants offer delightful waiter service in Cartegena and worry not about security; highly visible and friendly tourist police peddle push bikes around the main attractions all hours of the day and night.
Cartagena also is a regular stop on the way to Panama’s picture postcard San Blas Islands and great for stocking up on supplies before hitting countless sandy palm tree-covered inlets.
Cartagena’s colonial fortress and walled city were declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. There are only a few places in the world with such a rich and varied history, and countless people come into this magical South American port every day. Without doubt everyone who arrives here leaves utterly enchanted by its bewitching splendor.
Where ships dock in Cartagena
The port of Cartagena offers a free shuttle bus service for the 20 minute trip towards the old town.
Getting around Cartagena
On foot: getting about Cartagena is simple on foot and there are plenty of free tourist maps available to keep visitors on the right track.
By hire car: major hire car operators operate from the town if you would like to explore the surrounding countryside. Although, with so much life to experience in the old town, it is unlikely you will have sufficient time to make it worthwhile.
By taxi: fast and efficient metered taxis are on hand all over Cartagena. Be sure the driver puts the meter on immediately, however.
Shopping in Cartagena
All sorts of curios, souvenirs and trinkets can be found in the town, from ‘designer’ watches to traditional handicrafts. The main square boasts lots of budding artists hawking pencil sketches of ancient buildings or portraits for very reasonable prices – but be ready to haggle hard. Near the city walls are more reputable boutiques doing a superb line in reproduction colonial artefacts of varying quality.
Bars and nightlife in Cartagena
Cartagena offers a good range of nightspots ranging from quite sterile local bars, trendy lounge pubs with live music and the more seedy ‘hostess’ variety of establishment. There are also young places aimed at backpackers and NGO volunteers which keeps on partying until the wee small hours. Calle del Arsenal has the most to offer visitors to Cartegena including Mr Babilla, which is the most famous nightclub in town with great ‘crossover’ music.
Beaches by Cartagena
La Boquilla is the most convenient beach to get to and lies around eight kilometers north of town.
Ten minutes further down the coast is the well-maintained Manzanillo Beach, which is popular with families.
Playa Blanca is without doubt the prettiest beach in the surrounds. Take a boat, bus or taxi 22kms south of the old town.
The Rosario Islands have good snorkeling and fine sand if you fancy taking a tour 30kms south of town.
Where to eat in Cartagena
There are a few decent Cartegena restaurants by the harbor, but otherwise many people just sit out in the old town and dine under the stars while listening to live music. There are Italian, French and especially local Creole dishes to try and prices are reasonable on the whole. Just head for anywhere which looks busy.
Main sightseeing attractions in Cartagena
Naval Museum: This attraction within the old walls has permanent exhibits on the military history, Universal Navigation and the Colombian Navy.
Church of San Pedro Claver: Built at the start of the 17th century by Jesuit priests. There is also an archeological museum here.
Fort of San Filipe de Barajas: Completed in 1789 to guard against pirates. The city was placed under siege five times during the 1500s.
Inquisition Palace: Constructed in 1770 for the Spanish Inquisition, this is one of most important examples of civil architecture in the city.
Swamp of the Virgin: The unique plant and animal life of this mangrove swamp is fascinating to explore by an organized tour.
The Gold Museum: charts the history of the conquistadors and their oft ill-fated quest for all that glistens.
Cartegena’s ‘seaside resort’: is filled with bars, good quality hotels, shops and restaurants. It is a magnet for international tourists and holidaying Colombians alike.
Activities in Cartagena
Scuba diving: is very popular with lots of unique reefs and wrecks to be explored. PADI courses are very cheap too if you’ve a few days to spare.
Partying: not many places in the world do a party quite like Colombia! Salsa until dawn whilst sipping on mojitos and daiquiris.
Relaxing: the Rosario Island chain is a designated national park richly adorned by coral reefs.
Taking a ride on a chiva: these colorful buses made wood have become an iconic symbol of the country, with historical scenes, festive designs and even biblical imagery. Nowadays they’re used for city tours or bar on wheels.
Travel tips
What to enjoy: sinking a cool beer in the Plaza de Bolivar.
What to avoid: begging and some of the seedier bars.
Language: Spanish.
Essential info: temperatures stay around 90˚F all year with April, May, and October, November the wettest months.
Money: Colombian peso, although US dollars are sometimes accepted.
Fact: Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez set his book, Love in the Time of Cholera, in the city.
Sightseeing in Manila – attractions, activities & Intramuros
Posted on 22. Nov, 2010 by admin in Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. Though largely destroyed in WWII it has regrouped as a large and frenetic Southeast Asian capital with a unique flavour. There are many attractions in Manila and plenty to see and do – wet weather and air pollution permitting.
The main historical attraction in Manila is the Intramuros. This is an ancient walled city originally built by the Spanish settlers – intramuros means ‘within walls’. It is a fairly large space and one of the only parts of Manila that wasn’t completely destroyed by the bombings of WWII. Wide pedestrian plazas and gardens decorate the space today. (more…)
Medical tourism in Thailand – breast augmentation, cosmetic surgery & rhinoplasty
Posted on 15. Nov, 2010 by admin in Thailand
Medical tourism in Thailand has become hugely popular with Westerners, mainly due to the relatively inexpensive prices offered by even the most advanced hospitals and medical clinics, but because of the scope for travelling in the country as well.
Thailand’s most reputed clinics and hospitals have English-speaking highly professional physicians able to perform plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, LASIK eye surgery, and coronary surgery to extreme high standards. (more…)
Buying property in Chiang Mai as an expat – real estate, condos, houses & land
Posted on 09. Nov, 2010 by admin in Chiang Mai
Enjoying the reputation as one of Asia’s most liveable cities, Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand has become one of the country’s growing real estate markets, drawing increasing amounts of both international and national investors and buyers. Chiang Mai property offers outstanding value in both houses and condominiums, certainly compared to Phuket or Bangkok. (more…)
Bangkok Airport – safety, scams, facilities & getting there
Posted on 07. Nov, 2010 by admin in Bangkok
Bangkok’s glittering new international airport is called Suvarnabhumi Airport. It is 25kms away from Bangkok, in the east. The name Suvarnabhumi refers to a fabled golden kingdom that was said to exist in this particular marshlands in Bangkok and it was chosen as the name of the airport by the King of Thailand. There have been some problems since opening including the 2008 closure of the airport by political protestors. (more…)
Medical tourism in India – Chennai, Madras, plastic surgery & heart bypass
Posted on 05. Nov, 2010 by admin in Travel articles
Medical tourism in India is a fast developing industry, so much so that it is expected to overtake mighty Thailand as the world’s premier medical tourism country within the next five or ten years. Facilities and staff here are absolutely top notch and some of the surgeons here are the best in the world. (more…)
