Resort Guides

Reykjavik For A  Refreshing Break Reykjavík is the perfect place for a rejuvenating short break. It's easy to get to with various companies offering flight deals to Reykjavic, and it's easy to get around. It has the reputation for being expensive, but it doesn’t have to be -   if you know where to look. Here are a few ideas on how to enjoy your time in Iceland without breaking into a financial hot flush! Firstly, Reykjavik is quite small – at least, small enough to get around on foot, although there are frequent buses, which are kept in pristine condition and stop everywhere on the island. The scenery is raw, suprising and colourful and one way to experience it is by joining one of the many Golden Circle tours, taking in key sites of interest - or, you could hire a bike! Pedal power will get you off the beaten track and at around £23.00 gbp per day – it’s a good deal and you can book a Guide to help you along the way too!  The Northern Lights are visible,

Comoros, pronounced Co-MORE-oh, with a silent s, is an adventurer's paradise.  A former French colony, this archipelago in the Mozambique Channel has been the site of 20 coups since gaining independence from France in 1975.  Things have calmed down since 2002 after the country had democratic elections, and become more attractive to foreign investment and tourism. Islands Of The Moon While under French rule, colonists set up plantations on the islands, and about a third of the land on the islands is still taken up by plantations.  The islanders are Muslim and speak dialects of Comorian, though most also speak Arabic and French.  These are the descendents of Arab traders, French colonists, Persian sultans, African slaves, and Portuguese pirates. Tourists can visit ancient mosques, royal tombs, a fortress, and sulfurous crater lakes.  Check out the protected green turtle, and threatened birds and insects at the marine reserve on Mohéli.  Hike through lush rainforests to see b

Nothing adds to a round of golf like an attractive location. From verdant fields to majestic mountains, a gorgeous setting can turn golf from a game into a treasured memory. Europe is home to some exceptional golf courses, many of which feature lush landscapes and backdrops that rank among the most picturesque in the world. Here are some European golf courses that golfers with an eye for beauty will not want to miss. Spain's Club de Golf Alcanada This course sits directly on the shore of the beautiful island of Mallorca, giving golfers a dazzling view of the Mediterranean Sea. The club gets its name from Alcanada, an island just offshore that features a scenic lighthouse. The view of Alcanada and the mountains behind it is one of the main reasons for the course's undeniable aesthetic appeal. The course is as lovely as its setting, and its ideal golfing terrain is framed by olive groves, oaks, and stone pines.  http://www.golf-alcanada.com/en/index.html Belfast’

Here are a selection of destinations for adventurous travellers looking for excitement.   Morocco   Morocco in 2013 is going to be a lively place to visit. Dubbed “The country that travels within you”, Morocco offers a great mix of culture and modernity, providing some amazing accommodation options that mix these two perfectly. Riads in particular, offer an appealing luxury option for anyone hoping to enjoy traditional Morocco sophistication. You can try the newly opened Taj Palace Marrakech or be among the first to flock to the Banyan Tree being opened this year. From here, you can experience the thrill of the famous Djena El Fna square in the heart of Marrakech with its thrilling performances. Alternatively, you can head to one of Morocco’s many dreamy cities along the coast. Most notable among these include Tangiers, Essaouira, and the famous Casablanca. With international surfing conventions in January, desert runs, and charity mountain climbing in the Alps, 2013 pro

Traditionally people buy a second home for a number of reasons; these often are investment, a home from home abroad, or as a quick profit maker. The latter, with property markets across the globe having plummeted in recent years, is perhaps less popular these days. However depending where you buy turning a reasonable profit is still possible and in the case of both of the former reasons to buy, there are still numerous advantages of buying property overseas. Investing Strategies As in investment, overseas property is not particularly different to buying investment property in the UK. There are three common advantages to investing in property. Firstly property can provide rental income, secondly it can increase in value over the long term and thirdly you can add value and sell quickly at a profit. Again, the latter is less likely these days but in the right region, at the right price, it’s not impossible. Additionally, there is also the opportunity that a long term strategy will

Ships At Sea - The Latest Luxurious Cruise Ships The latest range of Cruise Ships to grace the seas are nothing short of spectacular. And best of all - they are financially accessible! If you have ever thought that a cruise holiday might be a little restrictive - think again. If you travel on one of the larger ships, you'll have a different region of the boat to explore each day. In between deck life, first class facilities and entertainment, you'll also be stopping over in some of the best spots in the Caribbean , with easy access to fascinating places. So what's a Caribbean Cruise all about? Many cruises leave from the UK - which is great if you are looking for a no-fly option, but others have the option to fly you out from UK and stay in a luxury villa or hotel prior to departure to start your cruise. It's a bit of a double holiday - a week to wind down before you head out to open water and the adventure of a cruise holiday! One of the biggest ships availabl

The top five tallest hotels in the world today all currently stand in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Even the smallest of these structures is still over 1000 feet tall. The only higher hotel in the world is the Ritz-Carlton in the International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong. This occupies floors 102-118 of the building, with the world’s highest swimming pool and bar on floor 118. Since the dawn of the skyscraper hotels have been getting taller and the views all the more spectacular because of it. So far the recently opened JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai with 77 floors stands as the tallest. Tallest Hotels in Dubai There are currently five hotels in Dubai which rank as the top five tallest in the world. The Address Downtown Dubai is the smallest, at a mere 1,004 feet or 306m tall. Next up is Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, 1,014ft, and then Burj Al Arab at 1,060ft. The Rose Rayhaan was until November 2012 the tallest hotel in the world at 1,092ft, but has recently be

What to do and see in a 48 hour stop over in Singapore Singapore is probably most famous for being a fabulous stop-over city. It’s one of the major hubs in this part of the world, and if you’ve ever travelled to New Zealand, Australia or even Bangkok, and the Philippines – you’ve probably done a stop over through the amazing Singapore airport. A lesson we should all learn as travellers though – is to never pass up the chance to explore a new city. Singapore has tones to offer a budding tourist or holiday maker – and you should give it a chance to wow you, rather than just staying cooped up in the airport for the duration of your stopover. There are a few options here. Either you can keep a short stop-over and take advantage of the free city-tour that Singapore airport runs (it last and hour and technically you never have to go through customs or check out of the airport – because you stay in possession of airport staff) or you can opt for a longer stop-over (2 days

The charm of Sharm El Sheikh There are loads of reasons to choose Sharm El Sheikh for your next holiday - far too many to list here. But if Sharm is somewhere in the maybe pile, then this list should help you decide.  Year round glorious weather – this is a big pull for holidaymakers who want guaranteed sunshine and warm temperatures. From April till October, temperatures can soar into the mid 40s. And in winter months expect a pleasant average of 25°C. It does get dark fairly early during this time. High standard hotels – most hotels in Sharm El Sheikh hotels are four or five star and all-inclusive. You’ll be pleased with the facilities and amenities on offer as well as the cleanliness and customer service … and the all inclusive food and drinks are an added bonus as well! Short flight – well, ish! 5 and a bit hours. Ok, not as close as our beloved Spain or The Canaries. But for the peace of mind that you’ll have all that lovely sunshine, it’s a lot close than Du

If you want to go skiing just anywhere, do not read this article. There are amazing global locations to ski that offer world class skiing as well as world class facilities. You may be tempted to hone your snowboarding skills or even attempt skiing for the first time. Whatever your agenda, the resort that you choose will shape your whole skiing experience. Don’t risk it – try one of the best ski resorts in the  world. Utah Alta and Snowbird near Salt Lake City, Utah, United states are the stuff of ski legend. Not only is the terrain beautiful, the facilities amazing but it’s the quality of the snow that grabs serious skiers’ attention. The snow looks as though it was produced by Hollywood – it’s the softest, powder in the United States and will make your days up these neighbouring mountains unforgettable. St Anton St Anton Am Arlberg has the history of a real challenging array of ski trails and runs. These act like magnets to some of the world’s top skiers as well as the more ad

The island boasts gorgeous beaches and clear blue sea and much more. The middle is mountainous and covered with ancient forests, which makes it perfect for hiking and biking. Its towns have a real cosmopolitan feel and offer great opportunities for shopping, dining, partying and more. If you are planning to travel to Gran Canaria, try and time your trip so that you get to experience one of the many great festivals that are held year round, below is a list of the most popular to get you started. January – The Festival de Musica de Canarias kick starts the year with a celebration of classical music. Well regarded all throughout Europe this festival attracts local and international artists and allows people to experience some of the best that classical music has to offer. February – Carnaval comes to town and those planning to travel to Gran Canaria will enjoy festivities for the whole family. There is a competition to crown the Carnaval Queen, Latin dancing, local music, a chi

Romantic Spots in Las Vegas The images of neon lights, strippers and gambling into the wee hours of the morning generally do not conjure feelings of romance. Las Vegas certainly has these things, but it is also one of the most romantic cities in the country. These dazzling Vegas locations will let you see the romantic side of Sin City.   Eiffel Tower There is no place in Vegas that is more romantic than the Eiffel Tower replica located at the Paris Hotel. Many a question has been popped on the observation deck that overlooks the entire city. The restaurant located on the tower’s 11th floor serves French cuisine prepared by award winning Chef Jean Joho and has an amazing view of the dramatic Bellagio fountains. Foundation Room The exotic furnishings and private rooms are not what makes this restaurant and lounge a romantic haven. The balcony rises high over the vibrant lights of the city and provides a spectacular view. Couples can dine on the restaurant’s patio and enjo

Sometimes it’s difficult choosing where to vacation. It’s hard to think of the perfect place for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a girl’s week away. There are loads of factors to consider when you’re making this decision, and loads of reasons why you should, and why you shouldn’t visit a particular city. But Phuket? Draw up the pros and cons and you’ll only get pros – it’s the perfect holiday destination for any occasion, and here are six reasons why. Have you seen those beaches? They’re gorgeous. You know those tropical beaches you see in all the travel guides? Well head to Phuket (the outskirts) and you’ll find that. Pristine blue water, white sand… It’s just like a dream. Phang Nga Bay is a popular tourist destination, with limestone cliffs jutting from emerald water. And hey, you might like to paddle out to James Bond Island! Take advantage of the stunning scenery. Shop, shop, shopping! It’s so cheap you might go a little bit overboard. You can buy all the pre

The people who visit Banff in Alberta, Canada do so because of the beauty of the place and because they are adventure lovers. When you are in Banff, you cannot help it but to live some of the most exciting adventures that you will live in your life. Ski The area has been visited for skiing now for several years and it is recognized as one of the best to go to when in Alberta. There are plenty of places to stay and ski at when you visit Banff including the Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. If you are a frequent visitor, you can also take advantage of the different frequent visitor offers which the resorts can put within your reach. Snowboarding Just like skiing, snowboarding is a very popular winter sport in Banff. The mountains give you some of the best snowboarding opportunities this side of the world so you should make sure that you take advantage of them. You will have a hard time finding a better place and conditions for snowboarding on the continent. Whether you are in

It definitely happens to everyone who starts skiing: one bad fall makes you paranoid about your speed, shape and safety overall. Your movements become constrained and your fear of falling becomes overwhelming. As a result, your learning progress becomes very slow. In order to avoid fears like that it is reasonable to start your skiing career (yes, it was not a typo: career) with easy and safe slopes. Read on to know more about the list of European ski resorts designed for beginners. Les Arcs, French Alps Les Arcs, Paradise for Beginners, is famous all over the world for perfect conditions for novices. This ski resort is a part of a huge Ski resort system called Paradiski that offers more than 425 km of slopes for riders. Les Arcs has more than enough of easy low-sloped pistes. It is excellent for perceiving basics of skiing or snowboarding. Unlike most of other resorts, Les Arcs has a lot of “green” (novice) slopes, so you won’t get tired of monotony. Safety is of a very

The resort of Hanalei Bay offers a fabulous tropical escape with views that are absolutely heavenly. Enjoy the picturesque beaches, spectacular golden and crimson orange Hawaiian sunsets and famous multicolored Hawaiian rainbows from the convenience and comfort of your personal lanai. Gaze out over a pristine sparkling ocean vista and take in the splendor of the breathtaking Namolokama mountain range and Bali Hai, the mountain peak made famous by the movie South Pacific. Relax beneath a gently swaying palm tree while enjoying soft Hawaiian breezes.  Kauai is rated as having some of the best beaches in Hawaii. There is so much here for beach and water lovers. Take a walk on soft white sand that stretches for miles on a crescent beach. Thrill to the crystal turquoise multicolored blue water. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and wind surfing, along with some of Hawaii's premier surfing opportunities.  Lovers of this gorgeous tropical Hawaiian paradise

If you're looking for somewhere to take the kids during the school holidays, the historic city of Oxford, England, is full of fun things to do for the whole family. UK-based company, Pass Smart, has come up with a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your stay. Getting around Wander or cycle around the cobbled streets to get the most of your visit. Most places of interest are within walking distance, but you can also hop in a taxi if the kids get tired. Oxford, as a university town, has an excellent bus service. You can pay for a single or return ticket, and the stops are clearly sign posted. Exploring by bus is an easy, hassle-free way to get around the city. The Ashmolean Museum With regular exhibitions, a fantastic range of classic art and ancient sculptures all under the roof of this beautiful building, there's no shortage of culture to discover. They even have a range of kids programmes to keep the little ones entertained. For the younger ones, t