Jan 31

Some of the Best Balearic Waterparks

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If you are heading out on recession beating a family holiday to any of the Balearics this year, try to make sure you get yourself over to one of these awesome waterparks.  There is nothing better than hitting some of the best water featured attractions in the blazing sun and it has to be said it is the most fun way to cool down in the heat.

Aqualand – Magaluf, Mallorca
This park is large.With more thank 15 different slides and other attractions, if you ever visit Majorca and are in the west of the island this is definitely one park you need to visit.  From unique slides like the boomerang, black hole and the tornado to the super slaloms and the 8 lane ‘multi-pistas’ there is an attraction for all.  They even have surf beach pool that can create over 1m high waves, and for the people that just want to relax, try the Congo River.  For the younger children there is the mini park catering in smaller versions of some of the grown up slides

Hidropark – Alcudia, Mallorca
If you are not located in the west of the island, over in the east you have the Hidropark in Alcudia.Hidropark is a smaller park than Aqualand but not short of slides. You really should try the kamikaze although its not one for the faint hearted.This park is miniscule in comparison to Aqualand i’d reccoment going to aqualand due to the sheer size of it.

Aguamar – Playa den Bossa, Ibiza

The White Isle has two worthy waterparks the first, and larger of the two is the Aguamar located just 15 minute bus drive from Ibiza town.  The Aguamar has many slides all will depend how daring you are feeling in your quest to cool down.  There are around seven types of slides as well as your relaxing rubber ring style slides.There is also one that other people describe as the high and fast one.This slide is not for the faint hearted.

Agualandia – Talamanca, Ibiza
Near to the family oriented resort of Talamanca lies Aqualandia.  Aqualandia is smaller than the Aguamar and caters more for children with many more children’s slides and lots of sheltered areas.  Aqualandia has the favoured multiple lane slides and twisty inflatable slides.This is on of the most family friendly waterparks in Ibiza.

Aquacenter – Los Delfines, Menorca

Family friendly Aquacenter in Los Delfines has many attractions for the whole family to get splashing.The main highlights of this park are the Giant Toboggan and the Black Hole.They also have the rides that all water parks have like multi lane slides for the whole family to race to the finish. There is also a Jacuzzi for the adults.

Aquarock – Cala’n Bosch, Menorca
The main attraction in Aquarocks is their kamikaze slide.  For the more adventurous slider in you, this slide will pummel you into the water at a cracking rate.  As with most of the parks listed here this too caters for your family with a dedicated children’s area with smaller versions of the adult slides for maximum family fun.As well as the waterpark there is even go kart if you prefer to stay dry.

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Jan 29

Norway Luxury Hotels – Finding The Right One!

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Norway is famous for its breathtaking varied natural scenery and landscapes. Being home to the ancient Vikings and its unique architecture and culture, the nation is now home to numerous spectacular buildings and attractions. The country is sparsely populated, and has countless amazing destinations to visit.

Oslo is the capital and largest metropolitan of Norway. The city is a beautiful setting against the amazing natural background, as well as a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene. Housed in the city are many prominent museums and attractions of all sorts. There are many Norway luxury hotels in Oslo, such as the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, Catalina Apartment Hotel Oslo, and many others.

The capital city has some affluent areas for shopping, dining and night life, as well as some impressive attractions. There are the striking architectural pieces of the Akershus fetning medieval castle and fortress, the award-winning Opera House, as well as many interesting museums and scenic parks.

One of the most tourist-frequented areas in Norway is Bergen, holding its breathtaking architecture and magnificent landscapes. There are countless luxurious hotels, in the district, like the Grand Terminus Hotel, Det Hanseatiske Hotel, and are various more. Bergen has a vibrant culture and stunning attractions, including its beautiful wooden buildings and fascinating museums, amongst many other wonders.

Another area with amazing scenery and fascinating pieces of architecture is Stavanger. There are scores of deluxe lodgings here, like the Thon Hotel Maritim and Park Inn. Hiking and climbing is a must, to experience some of the most spectacular sceneries in Norway. There are also numerous wonderful attractions, such as the Gamle Stavanger, a well-preserved historical lane with pretty wooden buildings, the Stavanger Oil Museums, and numerous others.

Trondheim is also a wonderful town for its architecture and culture. The town, is largely resided in by college students, and hosts the prominent, superb Nidarosdomen cathedral, the biggest baroque cathedral in all of Norway. There are also some spectacular wooden mansions and architecture, as well as many majestic hotspots and activities. Deluxe resorts here include the glamorous Hotell Britaniaa, and the deluxe Radison SAS Royal Garden Hotel.

A district that stands out from different Norwegian areas is Fredrikstad. The unique and scenic town has several luxury hotels, like the Radisson SAS Hotel Fredrikstad, Rica Hotel Fredrikstad, and others. The aged secured district, which was founded in 1567 and Kongsten castle are also worth a visit. Other than that, there are numerous other scenic towns and alpine areas around Norway, offering plenty of superb scenery, quaint scenic towns, and brilliant activities.

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Jan 25

Luxury European River Cruises

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For couples who are looking for a modern, sophisticated atmosphere and excellent European itineraries, five- star luxury Amadeus Waterways ships are hard to beat on the rivers of Europe. Accommodation is generous with large Junior Suites onboard, well equipped fitness facilities and gyms and delicious food. The standards of the boats themselves are more than maintained by the quality of service on board, which is consistently excellent.

AMA Waterways cruises has recently added brand-new river cruise ships – MS Amadante, MS Amacello, MS Amalegro and MS Amadagio – four of the most elegant ships on European rivers. Cruises on the great European rivers, including Danube river cruises and Rhine River cruises are popular because of the variety of landscapes and the stunning scenery that rolls by, but cruising on a luxury river cruise is also a perfect way to see the small towns and villages along the banks of those rivers. AMA’s ships have state-of-the-art amenities and, like all the ships of Amadeus Waterways, are tastefully decorated with comfortable cabins and excellent facilities.

In addition to cruising the traditional waterways of Europe, Amadeus Waterways Cruises also offer a new cruise from Provence to Spain on board the MS Swiss Pearl and a fascinating Russian Waterways cruise on board the MS Leo Tolstoy. The MS Swiss Pearl has been one of Europe’s most beautiful river cruise ships since 1993 and has recently started on the Rhône and Saône rivers in France. As you would expect, given the gastronomic traditions of the French, the food is sumptuous with breakfast buffets including a rich assortment of breads and pastries and regional specialties, homemade soups, gourmet entrees and desserts with unlimited wines from France’s great wine regions.

Luxury cruises that take in the impressive views and history of river routes between Moscow and St Petersburg come no better than the MS Leo Tolstoy, the most luxurious cruise ship ever built for Russian rivers. The Leo Tolstoy was originally designed for high ranking Kremlin officials and to host foreign dignitaries. Today, she is still one of the top ships in Russia, with luxurious decor, large, well-appointed cabins and elegant public areas.

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Jan 25

What Japan really has to offer

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In a country famous for innovative technology, are we really justified in being shocked that they have the most complicated public toilets as well? Concentrating on comfort, cleanliness and even attempting to ease embarrassment, Japanese toilets are far beyond what most expect, though for anybody living there, these should be fast turning into the norm.

Of course we can’t go into the health befits of the squat toilets from yesteryears that are still common here, but are actually not as inventive as you’d hope from the Japanese. Those you’d find in other Asian states as well, often in villages though.

When it comes to a touch of invention, it starts here by dumping humiliation. Talk about the discomfort of knowing someone is in a stall next to you and can essentially hear you making some funny sounds; funny to them but embarrassing for you. Eastern tech folks have cured this by creating a device frequently known as a ‘Sound Princess’. Found in just about all the newer public restrooms, the newer public restrooms, the device, when turned on, literally sounds like a flushing toilet, drowning out any other sound that might be made when using the facilities. This ensures that even the shyest of folk can relax, knowing no-one can hear them.

What Japan actually has to offer in modern toilets industry, if you need to call it that, are the washlets possessing a variety of features to please everyone (yes, we are still chatting toilets ). The control panel for the Washlet might remind you of something you might see in a rocket ship ; these toilets may look ordinary, but are anything but normal.

A common feature on each is a bidet, which can be combined with toilet paper, or used on its own to clean everything and everything. Most have two nozzles, with adjustable water pressure to each area, gently cleansing without being uncomfortable. Many Washlets have built in dryers, making toilet paper pointless. Comfort does not stop here though, with heaters attached, cold seats are a thing of the past. Some models even have automated lid opening, closing and flushing, catering to males and females with the push of a button.

Making those certain visits to the loo is never welcomed by anyone, but Japanese have made the whole thing an experience worth trying. The sole main problem that most travellers face in these toilets is the language barrier. The control panels have Eastern instructions and once seated getting up can become tough. There’s no question though that these toilets are catching up in the rest of the world as well, even the high tech man in black, Will Smith, when building his house got the Japanese to provide his toilets.

Thinking about traveling outside of the country? Famouswonders.com can help you decide where to go on your next vacation, or you can view Hakone Lake District Japan.

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Jan 18

Assistance For Travelers With Disabilities

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If you or someone close to you is disabled, you may have been put off the idea of traveling because of the increased difficulties. If you have ever wondered if travel aids for disabled people exist, the answer is a qualified yes.

Airlines, for example, will normally offer services to help disabled passengers. But the passenger needs to confirm exactly what is available. In addition, the airline needs to be contacted ahead of time and made aware of what is needed. You must be clear about the exact nature of the disability.

Among the services airlines often offer are a wheelchair loan, extra help getting on and off the plane, a separate room for security checks, and more. Wheelchairs and other disability aids do not usually count towards the passenger baggage allotment.

While many accessible hotels have ramps and elevators for easy access, this needs to be checked before making your reservation. If they offer airport pickup, you should confirm that you can easily board the transport. If not, ask them to provide appropriate transportation for you.

Some countries, like the United States, require access for the disabled. But not every destination will have that type of law. Therefore, it is very important to get confirmation of all services at each destination.

When it comes to the mobility aids, it is probably a good idea to bring your own rather than rely on rentals. That way you know what you are getting and that it is something you can use. There are a variety of travel wheelchairs available, for example, that are much easier to stow than the normal variety.

Fortunately, there is more awareness in the travel industry of the needs of disabled travelers. Facilities, especially at tourist spots, are making themselves more accessible. You can also find travel agencies that devote themselves to disabled clients. These people already know where the best service is going to be for your needs, so you may want to start there.

There are many websites are devoted to giving the disabled traveler advice. Especially interesting are the blogs from disabled travelers themselves. These offer many personal tips to making your travel as best an experience as you can.

For anyone who has put off traveling because of a disability, there is no time like the present to take your vacation. With a little research, good organization and patience you can find the travel aids for disabled people that you need. The trip of a lifetime awaits you.

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Jan 17

Eurostar Breakdown Debacle

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Eurostar passengers stranded in London

Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded or delayed due to Eurostar train breakdowns over the recent wintery weekend. Siz broken down Eurostar trains have resulted in as many as 55,000 travellers experiencing disruption.

Eurostar have reported that although their trains have been reliable for over 15 years the abnormally acute weather conditions in northern France have caused the problems that have been experienced. Eurostar have identified the flaw that has caused their trains to fail and they are taking steps to fix the issue.

It is reported that as many as 2000 passengers were trapped in the Channel tunnel on broken down trains. Some are reported to have spent as much as 16 hours confined in their trains below the English Channel. Many had no food, no water and no information from the train operators telling them what was happening. Some travellers abandoned their stranded trains and attempted to walk through the cold, dark tunnel which extends for 24 miles beneath the channel.

Although Eurostar have issued apologies and promised to pay refunds and compensation to travelers affected by the debacle many passengers are very unhappy with the way the situation has been managed. Some passengers are reported to have suffered from panic attacks and others have experienced the effects of claustrophobia. Many have complained about the lack of information, food, water and support.

On Saturday as many as 31,000 ticket holders were forced to change their travel plans and on Sunday all services were cancelled resulting in a further 27,000 people being stranded.

Freezing weather conditions have continued to disrupt travel in all parts of the British Isles with flight cancellations from many airports. As weather forecasters warn of further heavy snow in many parts of the UK further travel disruption is expected as Christmas approaches. The Scottish Police have advised travelers to stay at home unless their journey is absolutely essential.

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When flying from Scottish airport save money by booking your Glasgow airport parking, Edinburgh airport parking or Aberdeen airport parking in advance.

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Jan 16

Internet search shows Egypt to be one of the most popular holidays around!

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Holidays are a curious term across the internet. When you try to find a holiday what do you expect when you type in “holidays”? I would imagine that anyone who types in the word “holidays” into Google doesn’t really know where it is that they want to go! In order for me to get the best results, i conducted a lot of research into these areas. There will be another post dedicated to tourists in the USA!

Interestingly enough when you ask people, which holidays are the most popular, most will say Spain or Turkey, and for the most they are right. These holidays are well known, for being a hot country in a cheap environment. However, what about the holiday searches outside of Europe! When you ask people this you then get this answer “the Caribbean or America”. And this is where you will find them to be (sort of) wrong.

People don’t really look online for “America Holidays” in fact they try to delve deeper into the country, and search for states or cities. Florida, California and New York, these are among the biggest states to receive this search volume. Search Volume is that amount of people that look on the internet for a specific term. I decided to then have a look at this, as I thought that this was the right assumption. There was something i found that was very different. Egypt had a higher search volume than both of them put together. When targeting a location in Egypt, you can quickly see how much of search volume there really is.

Sharm El Sheikh for some reason gets a whopping amount of searches from the UK. This accounts for almost two hundred and fifty thousand people searching for this on the internet in the United Kingdom. Holidays only receives450k so it is amazing how much this receives. Everybody has the general idea of where they want to go, some are just lazier than others or want to see what offers are available to different places.

To conclude Egypt holidays is one of the most popular vacations in the world, and Sharm El Sheikh holidays is the most popular location, if you prefer to go on a swimming holiday, I recommend Hurghada holidays!

 

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Jan 14

KwaZulu Natal Golf Holiday Guide (South Africa)

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South Africa's Best Golf Courses - Champagne Sports Resort

KwaZulu Natal has South Africa’s best climate, white sandy beaches and tourist attractions. KwaZulu Natal also has some of the the best golf courses in the country, with 16 courses being ranked within the Golf Digest top 100 courses for South Africa. Golf can be played throughout the year in KwaZulu Natal because it has very mild winters. If you are looking for more than just golf on your KwaZulu Natal golf holiday, then there are numerous other tourist attractions that KwaZulu Natal offers.

With the favorable South African Rand exchange rate, overseas visitors will also find that the price of green fees, accommodation and restaurants is just a fraction of what they would pay in Europe or the United States. To find and book an airfare to South Africa, or within South Africa, take a look at the following airfare search and booking facility for South Africa.

A wide variety of quality championship golf courses means that any KwaZulu Natal golf holiday will provide a good challenge for both the professional and amateur golfers. Any KwaZulu Natal golf holiday should include the following courses:

  • Durban Country Club – The top ranked golf course in KwaZulu Natal. Opened in 1922, this historic course has hosted the South African Open 14 times. With its dense bush, indigenous trees and undulating fairways it is hard to believe that this spectacular championship course is actually situated in the center of Durban. This semi-links course which has been carved into the sand dunes is no walkover, and really bares its teeth when the a strong onshore wind blows.
  • Wild Coast Sun Country Club – If you are planning a KwaZulu Natal golf holiday, then this golf course must be on your list to play – this course is rated as South Africa’s top golf courses. Wild Coast is a permanent yearly fixture on the South African professional golf tour. Golf carts are compulsory on this immaculate golf course as it has been designed on some spectacular but rugged terrain. Although under 6000 meters, with six par threes, this course is no pushover – especially when the wind blows off the sea.
  • Champagne Sports Resort – Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensburg mountains, this perfectly manicured course not only offers the golfer a superb challenge of golf, but also an incredible scenic experience. Although a long course with the longest par five in the country, the high altitude means you will hit your longest ever drives.

If you want to find out more about the golf courses in KwaZulu Natal, check out the GolfLinx KwaZulu Natal golf guide.

Besides its world class golf courses, KwaZulu Natal has many other attractions. KwaZulu Natal has some of the top beaches within South Africa, and the warm Indian Ocean provides ideal swimming conditions most of the year. Northern KwaZulu Natal also has some of the best game reserves in South Africa, two of which are the Umfolozi and the Hluhluwe nature reserves. The Drakensburg mountain range is also a must on your itinerary if you are into mountains, hiking and backpacking. The Amphitheater in the Northern Drakensburg is the single biggest rock face in the world. There are many other tourist attractions in KwaZulu Natal besides the few mentioned here to keep you busy whilst you are not hitting golf balls.

To search and book accommodation within KwaZulu Natal, check out the GolfLinx KwaZulu Natal accommodation directory.

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Jan 13

Cheap hotels add to the family fun in Florida

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As a family holiday destination, Orlando in Florida has to be one of the most well known and is certainly one of the top Combining an excellent climate with unrivalled entertainments, from Disney to Universal Studios, there is something for all ages here Better still, for those who seek them out there are some great cheap hotels to be found and enjoyed.

Adventure park resorts are a great way to bring out your inner child. The most popular are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Cartoon characters and fairy-tale themes make Disney a brilliant choice for the younger traveller. Universal, on the other hand, is great for older kids, focusing on Blockbuster faves and comic book greats. If you’re in the mood for a bite and a boogey, check out Universal Citywalk, a pedestrianised area of restaurants and nightclubs. Do your research and you’ll be able to find discount deals for both resorts.

Orlando’s outlets are a great place to stock up on seasonal trends or time-trusted classics. There are several outlet malls that offer fabulously low prices on just about anything. Meanwhile, dining in Orlando can be done on any budget. Many cheap hotels often offer a complimentary continental or hot breakfast included with your stay. This is excellent way to save money. If you want to save on food, make sure to eat at the hotel in the morning, have a snack at lunchtime and then you’ll have extra cash to splash in the evening. If you want to experience the class and scrumptious cuisine of a five-star resort, without the extortionate price-tag, stay somewhere cheap but book a nice meal at one of these resorts. For something a bit more informal, just head down International Drive for a wide-range of restaurants where bookings aren’t neccessary.

For a fun-filled family holiday, there are few options better then Orlando. The best way to see and do it all on a budget is to keep your accommodation expenses minimal. Seeking out cheap hotels for your holiday will save you valuable pennies that can be better spent on enjoying a fabulous Floridian holiday.

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Jan 11

Seaside holidays and cheap hotels on the French Riviera

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An enticing Mediterranean climate, timeless scenery and excellent shopping are just some of the draws for holidaymakers heading to the Cote d’Azur – otherwise known as the French Riverira. This stylish choice is sometimes thought of as a destination for wealthy travellers, but it is equally possible to enjoy all the region’s delights on a budget as well. Cheap hotels can be found all along the coast for those who know where and when to look.

Stretching across France’s Southern coast, the French Riviera is made up of several cities and towns. With its great transport links, Nice is great city to base yourself while exploring the region. A walk down the historic Promenade des Anglais and you’ll understand what Nice is really about. From the sea stretching out on one side to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps on the other, it’s hard not to be impressed. Meanwhile, an array of cheap hotels also makes this a sensible place to stay.

If you’re looking for a luxurious break, head to the seaside city of Cannes. It truly is a playground for the rich and famous with its stylish designer shopping district and trendy nightclubs. Sun-worshippers will enjoy spending the day soaking up the rays on the beach and with lunch at one of the many cafes that stud the seaside. Night time is all about glitz and glam, so be sure to pack your trendiest attire. Visit out of season and you’ll find some great deals on cheap hotels.

A less well known and more affordable destination is Menton. There’s a strong Italian influence in this tiny French town as it once belonged to Genoa. It’s truly charming with cobbled streets and medieval architecture. With an abundance of shops, gardens and museums, you won’t find yourself short of things to do. If you’re going to be travelling between the French and Italian coasts, Menton has several cheap hotels, making it a great base.

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