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.
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.
