Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Unusual Ideas for a Berlin Holiday

One of Europe’s hottest travel destinations at the moment is Berlin. You can see why so many people are taking a Berlin holiday lately. The city has incredible history that dates back well over 100 years and covers the most important events in European history. You have the Prussian past with its ornate buildings, wide streets and militarism as well as science and technology. You then have them momentous events of the First World War and the chaos and near revolutions that followed it.

In Berlin you can see the building where Germany declared itself a republic and banished the old Prussian rulers. You also have all of the troubling history that followed from the end of the First World War and the treaty of Versailles that included economic collapse, the great depression and Germany’s experience of hyperinflation. After that is the rise to power of the Nazis and the terrible atrocities they committed. You can still see synagogues that were burned to the ground and memorials to the millions of Jews, Gypsies, gay people and political dissidents that they murdered.

Next came the cold war period when Berlin was divided by the wall. You can still see stretches of it showing how it divided families and imprisoned a nation. When most people plan a Berlin holiday these are the sorts of sights they have in mind. Don’t get me wrong. Seeing all of this in the city is incredible. But Berlin also has a lot more to offer. Consider taking a Berlin boat tour and spend the afternoon winding your way down beautiful canals. Or walk in its huge parks. It also is a food-lover’s paradise.

If you thought the only food you could get in Berlin is sausage and cabbage then think again. There is a wide variety of great restaurants. Some say that the best Italian food that you will find apart from in Italy is in Berlin. And you should also sample the country’s fine wines. If you have never loved Riesling after a stint in Germany I can assure you that you will.

The Breath Taking City Of Murcia

Murcia province has some of the best cities in the country of Spain. The cities include the capital city of Murcia itself, the coastal town of Mazarron, and Cartagena, one of Spain’s richest cultural assets. One of the excellent features of Murcia City which has continued to attract many tourists is the Segura River which divides the city. The big trees offer shades to individuals and it will surely entice you to explore the place further. The narrow streets have lots of shops, restaurants and bars that will lead you to the fabulous Plaza del Cardinal Beluga where the Cathedral is located.

You can also find a wide variety of museums near the cathedral. You can visit the city hall and the Palacio Episcopal which have remained a good view to the tourists. There is also a museum dedicated to the Murcia artist Ramon Gaya. This was inaugurated in 1990 and was also named after the artist. Ramon Gaya was influenced by great artists such as Vasquez and Rembrandt. You can also find an archaeological museum in the city of Murcia which shows the history and operation of the irrigation system.

The influence of Moors is also very evident in the castle of Monteagudo and the Almudi Palace which are really worth-visiting. You should also head to the Market de Veronicas and the Malecon Garden for your sight seeing activity to be complete. If you want your tour in Murcia City to be more memorable, you should also see the irrigation system which has helped the region cultivate crops. This area is famous all throughout Europe.

The food in Murcia City has also been known for its diversity. In this city you can taste a wide selection of rice stews, rice dishes and authentic mouth-watering desserts. The freshest of fishes and other seafood can also be found in Murcia. The city also produces the best tasting wines which are well known in the world. The El Rincon de Pepe is a well known restaurant which serves the best Spanish dishes and international cuisines.

The city of Murcia is very lively because of the University in the area which has attracted a great number of students. The old quarter is often busy especially during weekends because of the daytime and nighttime entertainment it offers. You can also find restaurants in the old quarter that serve delicious tapas. People from Andalucia also visit this place to shop, dine out and have fun. Murcia City is really a fantastic place for the whole family with all the exciting activities to look forward to. If you have a rental car, you can also visit the neighboring towns of Murcia.

Dining out in the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca is the coastline section that runs down the province of Alicante. The Costa Blanca is known for its excellent cuisine and many delicacies. When it comes to good food, the Costa Blanca is sure to your guarantee satisfaction. One of the reasons why they have great tasting food is the ingredients that they use which are for a large part naturally grown fruits and vegetables. The recipes were passed on from generation to generation. What is so great about the food in the Costa Blanca is that each region has its own specialty.

Tapas are known to be the king of all dishes in the Costa Blanca. This is one of the beloved finger foods. It comes in different variations such as the gamba rola, Pulpo seco and many more. These are all made of different kinds of seafood. Aside from producing tasty salazones or dried and salted fish, the locals of the Costa Blanca are also a lover of rice dish. They even have over 300 rice dish menus which are cooked with different toppings. These dishes are available in both small and big restaurants. Among these 300 rice dishes, paella is still the most popular.

For desserts, turron is the best seller with its heavenly taste. It is made of sugar, honey, egg white and almonds. What makes it so popular among tourists and locals is its sweet taste that will leave you craving for more. Turron will even taste better with El fondillon on the side.

Another tasty treat for the whole family is Arroz con leche or creamy rice pudding. This delicious dessert also has cream filling.

There are lost of restaurants in Costa Blanca which offer these kinds of food. One of which is Al Zarague which serve Middle Eastern dishes. And what is really great about the venue is that it suits all budget. The restaurant opens every evening and this is located in between the towns of Benissa and Calpe. The desserts are really mouth-watering and the main dishes are simply irresistible.

If you are looking for typical dishes of Costa Blanca, then you must head to Casa Canto. This is a great restaurant which serves Costa Blanca specialty. For seafood lovers, you can also try Batiste which has the large selection of fresh products from the Santa Pola.

If you are craving for noodles, Restaurante Emilio serves all sorts of seafood with noodles in place of rice. After your meal, you can also take a walk in Gandia’s beach.
The food in the Costa Blanca are really a delightful treat after tiring day of taking a long tour in the tourist attraction of the Costa Blanca. Your stomach will be rejoicing with all these tasty delicacies.

Sydney Travel Tips

This travel guide to Australia full of Sydney travel tips will provide you with what you need to know if you are planning on visiting this large and diverse city. Sydney provides a myriad of options for travelers regarding where to go, what to see, and what to do. It is definitely a city that needs to be experienced head-on. So dive in head first and experience a little bit of everything that this colorful city has to offer.

Sydney is definitely one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world, and so you need to invest the time and energy needed to fully enjoy everything about this city. From its beaches and picturesque backdrop to its culture and rich heritage there is so much to discover in Sydney. The city is definitely busier during its spring and summer months, roughly from September through to February. Winter will still be busy with visitors, although prices tend to be lower for travelers as this is the off-season.

The atmosphere in Sydney is relaxed and friendly, and most residents will happily help you with directions and suggestions of what to visit. In terms of tipping, although they aren’t generally expected, your wait staff may expect a 10% tip from you if they know you are American. Since Americans are used to tipping they’ve tipped Aussies over the years, making them used to receiving tips from North American travelers. It is also nice to round up your taxi fare in lieu of a tip.

Sydney is generally very safe, but you should always be cautious when traveling anywhere. Be protective of your money, important documents, and wallet as pickpockets are known to sometimes roam in crowds. It is smart to not travel along at night, especially if you are a woman out at the bars and nightclubs. If you are using the rail system at night, sit close to a guard. If you are traveling to the suburbs or outside the city, ask someone which areas you should steer clear of.

Equipped with these general Sydney travel tips, you are now ready to begin planning your exciting trip.

The Tourism of Alicante

One of the rising centers of tourism in the world tourism industry today is Spain’s province of Alicante and more precisely, the driving force behind the province, its capital namesake, the city of Alicante. Alicante Spain is popular today throughout the world as a tourist destination due to its exotic locale and abundant offerings to its visitor guests. It is, in fact, Spain’s fastest growing economic division and is a diverse, multi ethnic, yet traditionally Spanish community.

The city enjoys warm temperatures throughout the year and because of this, it is a favorite destination of many tourists from northern Europe during both winter and summer as it allows these people to enjoy a warm, temperate climate within Europe at very reasonable prices. Alicante also benefits from very few days of rain and this also makes it an ideal summer and winter resort for many people.

Another one of the drawing powers that Alicante has, for many people, is the abundance of nature around the city, the region is flanked by mountains close by and the city has a long sprawling beach only a few kilometers from the city centre, making everything from a hike to long evening stroll possible. Because of its closeness s to the beach, Alicante also has a rich portfolio of water sports that it offers, making it an ideal destination for water-sport lovers.

The rich, Spanish culture and the immense history that Alicante offers only serve to make it a more exotic experience for any visitors and the festivities that the city arranges for all year round ensures that no one is left out. And because of this, the night life and the social life in Alicante is very rich and interactive. The reasonable accommodation rates, and acceptable cost of living, coupled with all these factors has made sure that, today, Alicante is one of Spain’s premiere tourist destinations, competing with the likes of Madrid and Barcelona.

Tips For First Time Travelers Upon Arrival At The Alicante Airport

Once you have decided that Alicante is going to be your destination and this year for your holidays you will be delighted to know that Alicante airport Spain is a thoroughly modern facility that bears little resemblance to its humble roots. The modern facilities at this fabulous airport include two terminals with a further terminal being built as we speak. Car hire at Alicante airport is also a modern facility which is offered from several different international and local companies. You also have the advantage of a bus service which will take you to the height of Alicante, Benidorm, and many of the other cities.

Traveling alone may seem that it entails a lot of risk especially if it is your first time to travel. There are so many things that you have to take into account for you to be able to arrive safely in your desired destination. If you are planning to go to the lovely city of Alicante, you should heed these few tips to ensure that you are going to have a great holiday experience. Some people may be too complacent with leaving their luggage bags unattended and end up arriving at the Alicante Airport empty handed. Here are some tips that will help you avoid this kind of scenario.

Pack the things that you will need for your travel and only try to take the essentials. These things should be kept in your hand luggage and not inside the check-in luggage that you are going to deposit at the baggage counter. You should also choose a simple type of luggage bag so as not to attract undue attention from the wrong people. The bag that you should choose should also be durable.

Alicante Airport has ATMs that you can withdraw cash from, so you need not bring a large amount of cash with you. Only bring enough cash for a few expenses such as a coffee or newspaper at the airport, or purchasing one or two items on the plane. You should also put a label on your luggage so the carrier will be able to identify your bag much easier in case the bag gets lost. Your contact information should be readable if it is hand written. Remove any stickers from your previous travel and keep your luggage bag clean.

If in the unlikely event you lose your luggage bag, make sure that you report it to the airport staff immediately so that they can take the necessary actions. You also have to fill out some forms to make the entire process of recovery a lot faster. These things may seem to be unavoidable to some passengers upon their arrival at Alicante Airport Spain but with the airport staff’s efficiency you will be able to recover your bag in no time.

Venues For Sunshine Coast Weddings

Whether you live in Australia or are keen to conduct your wedding ceremony in foreign climes, you could consider Sunshine Coast weddings as a possibility. Knowing what you can expect from venues in the location will help you to decide whether it is right for you.

Golf Course
Choosing to hold your wedding at a golf course on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland can be beneficial as it will allow you to reduce the need for further venues. You will be in a position to have the ceremony and reception in the same place for added convenience.

Beach
The beach has to be one of the best wedding venues as it can result in a wonderful backdrop not only during the ceremony, but also in respect of photographs. The amount of space that it will be possible for you to use can also be a positive. However, you may be limited as to what you will be able to do, for example, erecting a marquee. You must obtain permission from the local council to pursue this option.

Church
There are a number of churches and other religious venues in Queensland where your wedding can be held. In view of the fact that they will be often be limited as to the number of ceremonies that they can carry out, you must make them aware of your interest as soon as possible to enable you to book your desired date.

Restaurant
Consider hiring a favorite restaurant for your wedding which is the ideal potion if you are concerned about the catering and want an easy solution.

Boat
If you are a fan of the water and are keen to have an unusual wedding, you can conduct the ceremony on a boat in the ocean for a lovely Sunshine Coast Weddings option. This is a perfect solution if you only have a few guests.

The Sunshine Coast is sure to offer you many options to create the perfect wedding so start your research now.

Calpe Car Hire

If you are thinking of booking a holiday to Spain there is no better place to take a holiday than in Calpe. Calpe is a popular sea side resort on Spain’s northern Costa Blanca and within easy reach of Alicante airport. It is important to note however that if you are thinking of booking a holiday to Calpe you will need to hire a car or take a taxi from the airport.

It is much better to hire a car in Calpe as everything is spread out and if you have booked one of the luxury villas on the hill side then you will need a car to be able to purchase some groceries, go to the beach or have a meal at the beach. The beaches in Calpe are fabulous lined with promenades you can seek refreshments at the cafes, bars and restaurants or do a spot of souvenir shopping at one of the boutiques.

Calpe has clean blue flag beaches nestling on both sides of the Penon d’Ifach which is Calpe’s most famous landmark. You can enjoy a day climbing the mountain. If you wish to take part in this activity make sure you arrive there early in the morning as the amount of climbers allowed up there at any given time is restricted.

Another special thing to do in Caple is have a meal at the famous fish market where you can pick your fish and have it cooked for you. Also be sure to sample the free sangria, mussels, chopitos and fried squid on offer.

Car hire is also necessary if you wish to leave Calpe and maybe go to Altea for the day or have a day out at one of Benidorm’s theme parks or maybe have a night out at Benidorm Palace or one of the other numerous night clubs and bars offering free live entertainment.

How To Find The Best Dubai Discount Hotels

If you want to plan a relaxing getaway to escape from the stress of your daily life then Dubai may be just the right choice. During the past decade Dubai has created an aura of luxury that is associated with its name. There are rooms in the city that will cost you more than two thousand dollars, but today there are also excellent Dubai discount hotels within reach of most budgets.

Many factors determine how much you will be charged for a hotel room; usually these are the same considerations in all destinations.

The locations of the hotel are one such factor. The hotels in Jumeirah Beach Dubai are arranged in certain districts. The cheapest rooms are often to be found in the inner city area, whereas the upmarket hotels have views overlooking the sea.

Though the cheaper rooms many not have the same panorama as what can be had in the Park Hyatt or Burj al Arab, they are still excellent value for money. Look for a hotel that offers a free taxi service from the airport as this will save you some cash.

Also the amount of discount you are given will be determined by how far in advance you book the room. Most hotels will offer the best deals for bookings made a long time in advance and more so at popular times of the year. But it can also be possible to get hold of an excellent last minute package. No hotel wants empty rooms so they will often advertise cheap rooms rather than leave them unoccupied; all you will need is the flight.

You will find that the most competitive prices are now to be found on the internet. More of us are now booking holidays online as opposed to using traditional travel agents. The best deals usually appear quicker on websites.

There will be deals available online that cannot be had elsewhere. Be aware that the prices can change quickly, with a website the information you see on your screen will be updated at least on a daily basis. You may get the best deal by looking over the course of a few days.

Dubai had not escaped the global recession. As less tourists are travelling to the region, and in general, more rooms are available at a discount. Try to find a hotel deal that also includes the cost of flying and various hotel services.

Cuba Holidays

Cuba is a sensational and inviting holiday destination with a hint of something different. One thing’s for sure, if you holiday in Cuba, it’s an experience you are not likely to forget.

The beautiful Spanish colonial buildings of the capital Havana are complimented by the stunning landscape and attractive mountainous region. Havana is home to over a quarter of Cuba’s total population and will most probably be your port of entry. Cuba also has many sensational beaches with a climate just right for idling on the sand.

Music is a central part of Cuban life indeed, Havana is home to not only the rumba, but also the mamba and the cha-cha-cha. The cool sound of Jazz can be heard throughout the city whether it be on street corners or in a late night jazz bar. Wherever you go in Cuba, music is sure to be all around.

Cuba’s climate is extremely pleasant and ideally suited to visitors wishing to spend time on the beach or sample some fantastic night life. The pleasant winds ensure that the temperature never gets too hot and makes for enjoyable sunny days and wonderful balmy nights.

Cuban food is a fusion of Caribbean, Spanish and American with a twist of African thrown in for good measure. Soups and stews are most popular here and are usually eaten with rice on the side. Restaurants are generally full of character, lively and very reasonable in price.

Out of the city, you can spend time visiting tobacco fields or simply wandering the hills and taking in the beautiful scenery. People here in general are very welcoming to visitors and have a happy nature. Cuba is a fantastic destination that you will want to visit again.  For the American who can’t easily travel to Cuba, while not exactly the same, much of the general merchandise Puerto Rico has to offer is similar.

If you are thinking of visiting Cuba, for more information and a more detailed guide to Cuba holidays, visit the Smashing Holidays web site.