My Travelog

When planning a trip to Spain, don’t forget to consider visiting Malaga. There’s so much to do in this area, no matter your interests, time limits, or budget. It’s conveniently located near the airport, and is a popular destination for visitors to southeastern Spain.

Malaga City Overview

You’ll find something for everyone here in Malaga, which is located on the Costa del Sol. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a casual beach visitor, or a nature lover, you’ll find an activity that suits you.

You can enjoy the outdoors by taking nature tours, walking tours or hiking tours. These types of tours are great ways to see Malaga close up. You can also choose a theme for your tour, whether it’s history or nature. You can walk through ancient artifacts or carefully manicured landscaping. You can go on a tour of museums or a tour of gardens. You can find a gentle, meandering walk through beautiful scenery, or a rugged hike through rough terrain.

Taking a walk through Malaga is like a taking a walk back in time. Through the history of the rule of the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs, you can see that the museums and the churches communicate the importance of these contributions in this country. A popular tourist attraction in this area is the birthplace of Picasso, the famous Spanish painter. It’s located in the Plaza de la Merced. In 1998 the home was re-opened by the Picasso Foundation under the direction of the King and Queen of Spain. It’s now open to the public as a museum, and it pays tribute to Picasso’s life and talent.

Another thing you’re sure to find here is a festival or street fair. Spain, as a deeply religious country, honors most religious holidays by holding a special event in its name. Therefore, you’ll find small villages and larger towns all over Spain observing important religious events.

If you’re a shopper, you can enjoy the thrill of finding a one-of-a-kind item at a street market or local shop. If you’re shopping for souvenirs, hit the streets to find unique items handcrafted by local artisans.

After hours, it’s time for fun. Enjoy the ambiance at one of Malaga’s many nightclubs, or head up the coast to Benidorm, the most popular tourist attraction on the coast. You can find places to sit back and relax with a drink, and lively places in which you can dance the night away.



By: Clinton Maxwell

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UK and worldwide advertising by the Spanish National Tourist Office emphasises the multi-faceted nature of the country. Different regions all offer unique landscapes, lifestyles, cuisine and opportunities for exploration.

Spain is a country of sleepy villages where the siesta is still observed and wonderful meals are served not before 3pm for lunch and 9pm for dinner. This is traditional Spain – and you don’t have to travel far from popular resort areas to find it.

But of course, Spain is also the hustle and bustle of the big, modern cities – with international standard hotels, major art centres and museums. Sporting legacies from the Olympic Games of 1992 as well as the fanatically-followed football teams all add to the mix of non-stop attractions for city breaks or multi-centre visits. Of course, in Spain you will find some of the most dramatic landscapes and seascapes in Europe.

So: here are a set of Top 10 Tips which reflect the best of this fabulous country:

Beaches: From the cosy coves of the Costa Brava to the vast acres of golden sand on the island of Fuerteventura, there is a beach to suit you whether you like a busy resort or a strip of sand near a fishing village.

Nightlife: The Spanish like it long and late and you’re more than welcome to join in. Try a traditional flamenco show or the latest sounds on the disco island of Ibiza.

Food: Tapas bars have brought Spanish cuisine to many countries, and you will soon discover it is as varied and delicious as anywhere in Europe. You should not miss a meal of rice-based paella, the Spanish national dish.

Wine: There are wine growing regions all over the country, the best-known being La Rioja in the north. Visit Jerez to see the home of sherry and check out the little known vintages of the Canaries.

Art: Spain has produced world-renowned painters ranging from classical Velazquez to surrealist Picasso. Madrid has some of the finest art museums in the world.

Cities: All the buzz and excitement of the country comes together in the capital, Madrid; and Barcelona, the Olympics city by the sea. Also look at up-and-coming Seville, Valencia and Palma.

Nature: Spain is home to many national parks, such as the Picos de Europa in the north and Donana in the south. Tenerife has Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide.

History: Did you know the Moorish Arabs ruled Spain for seven centuries, and that their legacy includes the fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada? Palaces and castles abound.

Shopping: Big city stores such as El Corte Ingles rub shoulders with colourful traditional markets. The Canaries are a duty-free zone.

Touring: Hire a car or take your own, and discover the “Real Spain” along the back roads. Touring routes include the White Towns of Andalucia.

There you have it – 10 great reasons for a holiday in Spain – and 10 great reasons to go back for more.



By: Jimi St Pierre

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With the population strength of 2.7 million, Rome has mild to rainy climate in winter while in the summer it is hot and dry. To understand the city’s artistic richness it would be wise to move on foot since you can play it by ear while you can take quick side trips at the inspiration of the poetic spirit in you. However to move around conveniently you can depend on private guided tours for which you can easily contact your hotel management. Tram-Bus system is another reasonably priced option that will take you around the city and Rome’s neighborhoods as well to enjoy a charming tour.

Whatever may be your special preferences as a tourist there are some places you cannot miss when you are visiting Rome with the sole purpose of sightseeing. In the popularity scale possibly the Coliseum would come next to the Vatican to say the least. Moreover it is the most recognizable structure of Rome. Since operating hours vary all along the year it would be advisable that for admission details you call beforehand.

Once you finish the gravity-filled visit of The Coliseum, stroll along the lane to Foro Romano, also known as Roman Forum, which was Ancient Rome’s community center. Economic, political and religious activities took place at that very site. In the midst of the ruins a number of its columns still stand high even after 2000 years, vouching for the great qualities of Roman architecture valued even today. From 9 am to an hour before sunset it remains open for visitors while free admission it offers.

The Pantheon stands today without hardly any changes and that makes it difficult to believe that it is 1,800 years old really. Around 125 AD, Emperor Hadrian built The Pantheon or “temple to all gods”. The 9-meter opening of its concrete dome is the only source of illumination inside. Here remain buried two kings of Italy and many other prominent individuals of Europe. Every day in week including holidays except Christmas it remains open. No admission fee is charged.

Three hours you can spend easily for visiting The Vatican and the collection there, of paintings, sculptures, books and a number of artifacts that record the Catholic Church’s history in chronological order. Also relish in St. Peter’s Basilica, the wonder of Michelangelo’s Pieta, note its detailed masonry, and the papal catacombs as well. Proceed next to the Vatican Museum that houses some more thrilling antiquities of which no less important are Egyptian mummies dating back to the BC period. In case there is time constraint move to the Sistine Chapel skipping all other attractions. It is stated that when Pope Julius II invited Michelangelo, a rare sculptor basically, to paint the Bible on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he guessed it could be a ploy of his rivals who might have thought that since Michelangelo was not known for his skill as a painter he would create something very ordinary and thus would land in an embarrassing situation. However events did not follow exactly that track as we learn from the history. Truly speaking, the Sistine Chapel is considered perhaps as the Renaissance period’s most valued gift.

Since you will get many restaurants and cafes in near vicinity of main tourist attractions and that makes it easy to take care whenever you are hungry. For specials and tourist information the hotel concierge is generally the best source and that is the case here too.



By: Ray J. Walberg

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ine beaches, luxury enclaves and spectacular sunsets have long attracted vacationers to this idyllic region. A number of major resorts have sprouted up along the coast. Now there’s one more – and it’s a doozy. The Resort at Pelican Hill opened in November 2008, capping decades of dreaming and an intense three years of construction under the direction of the Irvine Company, a long-time developer of upscale residential properties in Southern California. It’s the first major resort built from scratch by the Irvine Company – they do have one other hotel in the area they bought and refurbished – and it’s obvious they have pulled out all the stops. Of course, they had a pretty nice piece of property to begin with. The resort is spread out over a total of 504 acres on the hills south of Newport Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In essence, they’ve transplanted a piece of Italy to the Newport coastline, replicating the olive and fig trees, the over-size Italian architecture – incorporating the styling of Andrea Palladio, an architect from the 16th Century — right down to the Italian plaster finish on buildings that look like they belong in Tuscany. Arriving for our getaway weekend, it was hard not to notice the Bentleys, Mercedes and BMW’s in the circular driveway. Not that we got any less attention in our standard 4X4 SUV – the service begins from the moment you arrive, with staff obviously trained to pay attention to every last detail. We were quickly checked in and then directed to follow our bellman on his golf cart as he showed us where to park our car. The accommodations at Pelican Hill are residential style, but none of them are privately owned. There are the bungalows that are between 847 and 1,694 square feet, and then there are the more expensive villas, which are really like vacation homes that range between 2,000 and 3,073 feet. All have great views of the Pacific and the latter even come with their own private butler. Staying in a bungalow suite, we were just going to have to do without. It was tough duty, all right. Our suite was divided into two main areas, with a full set of couches, lounge chairs, big-screen plasma TV and entertainment center and dining area on one side, and master bedroom on the other side, complete with a king bed, another big-screen plasma TV entertainment center as well as a fireplace and small kitchen nook with counters and small refrigerator. The bath area, all done in travertine and rich dark woods, included a double vanity, walk-in shower and an over-size tub with peek-a-boo shutter doors opening out to the master bedroom. The overall impression is one of elegance and craftsmanship. Everything is larger than you might expect – which is what Andrea Palladio was all about – from the bungalow’s square footage to the high wood ceilings. The piece de resistance was the wide deck area accessible through sliding glass doors from both sides of the bungalow and large enough to accommodate two ultra-luxurious lounge chairs, a four-place dining table and plenty of space in between to just linger by the see-through deck railings and drink in the gorgeous views of the Pacific, including Catalina Island. It’s one of those places you wouldn’t mind just holing up for the weekend and never leaving your bungalow, but Pelican Hill makes a point of offering a wide range of activities including swimming in one of the three pools, bike and hiking trails, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a major spa, a scenic golf course and Camp Pelican, a place for the kids to spend days and half days while their elders get a short reprieve from parenting. We took advantage of this one afternoon and our eight-year-old pronounced her time spent there a complete success – especially because she got to play Wii much of the afternoon with her camp counselor. One of the swimming pools deserves special mention because it is so unique. The Coliseum Pool is circular and, at 136 feet wide, is reported to be the largest circular pool in the world. More than a million glass tiles were used to cover the pool’s bottom. And we were especially impressed by the poolside cabanas – solid walls on both sides with curtains that can be drawn for privacy as well as television, music and lounge chairs. It would be really easy to hunker down here for the entire day. We didn’t sample dinner at the resort, but we did have breakfast brought into our bungalow – a wide assortment of pastries, egg dishes, fruit, cereal, bacon and chicken sausage, and probably way too much for our family of three. But everything was hot and cooked to perfection and the service, as you might imagine, was impeccable. The resort actually has several dining locations: Andrea, the resort’s flagship restaurant, the Pelican Grill, two cafes and the Coliseum Grill. When you do decide to leave the resort grounds, there is much to see and do in the area. Just to the south is the ritzy beach community of Laguna Beach with its restaurants, shopping and great beaches. To the north is Newport Beach including chic shopping destinations such as Corona del Mar and, about three miles away, Fashion Island shopping complex. Just a bit further is one of the biggest shopping centers in the country, South Coast Plaza, where you will find L.A.’s top fashions and designer accessories. Balboa Island is just a five-minute drive and will give you hours of enjoyment as you visit the quaint shops and restaurants and view the enchanting but expensive homes on this small piece of island real estate. The island has a tiny, but busy Main Street — actually it’s called Marine Avenue — which is just a few short blocks with about 70 shops and restaurants to explore. This little example of Small Town Americana offers a wide selection of shops in all price ranges as well as several boutiques and galleries. It isn’t just the downtown shopping area that makes Balboa attractive. It’s fun to observe life on an island that remains exclusive because it is so expensive. The sunshine and harbor views take you far away from city life and clogged freeways. The colorful villas and vacation-style homes on the island are opulent for their size — with these prices, no one’s going to skimp on their home maintenance. We also enjoyed a quiet afternoon down at Crystal Cove, a historic beach area just across the Coast Highway from the Resort at Pelican Hill. It’s a state park that gives you access to some of the best beaches and tide pools in Southern California. A few dozen dilapidated beach cottages were taken over by the state in 2005 when their leases expired, and the process of restoration has begun. An afternoon down at Crystal Cove is like visiting a small Mexican beach town where there is no real tourist infrastructure – just rustic old buildings, one very popular beachfront restaurant and about three miles of gorgeous beach. It’s well worth a visit. AT A GLANCE WHERE: The Resort at Pelican Hill is just on the southwest outskirts of Newport Beach, which is located in Orange County, south of Los Angeles. WHAT: The resort – as well as Newport Beach – is a playground for the rich-and-famous, but not so expensive that you can’t sample the good life for a weekend. WHEN: Year-round, with blue-sky weather virtually any time of the year. The ocean views and climate make this area seem like the Mediterranean – especially at Pelican Hill, where the architecture is designed to look like Tuscany. WHY: This place that combines so much – luxurious accommodations, sunshine, Italian architecture, great views, excellent service, lots of amenities and nearby activities. HOW: For more information, contact the resort at 800-315-8214 or visit www.pelicanhill.com. You can also contact the Newport Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-94-COAST or visit www.visitnewportbeach.com.

By: Cary Ordway

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Weekend holiday breaks are a great way to refresh yourself, unwind and recharge your batteries before getting back into the grind of working Monday morning. Long weekend breaks can usually start from Thursday straight after work and arriving back on Monday, therefore you would not need to take so much time off. The best way to fully appreciate your time off on a weekend holiday break is to take part in sporting activities.

Ski weekends are a very popular way of taking your mind off the real world and feel rest assured by the prospect of losing calories whilst on holiday. Going skiing in France or Italy, has been a popular choice for many and was once exclusive to the rich and wealthy. These days skiing is something that everyone including young people and students are able to enjoy sliding down slopes of the French Alps, without worrying about breaking the bank.

Looking for the right resort for the perfect ski weekends getaway, can prove to be a difficult task especially if this is the first ski trip you have ever made. For first-timers this is a very important part of your skiing experience as this is what will help to improve your skiing ability, for example choosing the resort with the best slopes suitable for beginners. There would be no point in choosing a short break in Morzine, France, if it is popular amongst expert and professional skiers.

A resort like Morzine is good for large groups and for people who are familiar with skiing on an intermediate level. Beginners will most likely feel overwhelmed by the amount of people taking part in skiing and intimidated by the expert skiers. Resorts such as Flaine or Meribel offer a great deal of comfort in practising your skiing techniques and provide good teaching grounds for private skiing tuition. Beginners should consider paying the extra cash on taking up on private skiing lessons, although group ski lessons are good for people not so keen on doing it on their own.

For those who are more experienced in the field of skiing, will perhaps feel that their ski weekends are best enjoyed in places such as Chamonix, Morzine, or Chatel In France. Other resorts which offer a diverse piste and off-piste skiing are Courmayeur in Italy, Verbier in Switzerland or Schladming in Austria. These resorts offer a great variety for the young or experienced thrill seekers, however beginners may feel out of place, therefore its is best to select your resorts carefully.

When travelling for a short skiing weekend break, it is always a good idea to buy insurance prior to boarding the plane. This is imperative to people going for the first time and is certainly a must for even the most professional of skiers, as it is best to prepare yourself for any unpredictable situations. It is not always a good idea to stick with the cheapest equipments as they may not be as durable as new equipment. Always purchase equipment and attires that is custom fitted for you, by approaching a well known retailers. If in doubt approach someone with some background in skiing.

The problem with taking a ski weekend break is that the only way people are able to travel further is if they are willing to pay the extra cash on the journey there and taking the time on fully enjoying the experience. Longer breaks are generally better for those looking to enjoy a relaxing time abroad as well as skiing. This could also be an ideal time for beginners to practise and improve on their skiing. One thing is for certain, that is a weekend away skiing will mean a good short burst of adrenaline rush and a good way to vent out any pent up frustration.



By: Anna Stenning

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m, which is situated in the West Midlands, is the 2nd largest city in the uk. indeed, the city’s vast population is 2nd only to that of london.

Most of Birmingham city centre was destroyed during the 2nd world war, and unsightly replacement buildings were hastily erected. despite this, since the nineties, Birmingham has been undergoingsome radical changes and a number of the post war buildings have been replaced. most of the city centre is pedestrianized now, and the canals have also been cleaned up to make them image prettier.

Birmingham is well-known as a national commercial centre & it has been named as the 3rd best bits location in england to locate a business, & the 21st best in Europe by a 2007 cushman and wakefield report. in addition to this, its also the 4th most visited city by overseas visitors in england.

People who are from Birmingham are often called ‘Brummies’, because of the city’s nickname of Brum. This name comes from the city’s dialect name, Brummagem, which is derived from one of the city’s earlier names, ‘Bromwicham’. there is a distinctive Brummie accent, which is typical of people from this city.

One of the best things about Birmingham has to be its great museums, galleries and attractions which are fun & educational for the whole family. one of the most interestingis Dudley Zoo, which is situated next to dudly castle & has some fantastic animals who live in 40 acres of stunning gardens.

Some of our other favourites include the sarehole mill, bantock house & bantock house.

Birmingham has a bustling city centre that is packed with top high-street stores, so it’s a fabulous location for fans of shopping to visit. despite this, serious shoppers might rather visit the city’s Bullring mall. in actual fact, the Bullring is huge and boasts 160 shops, which include some fabulous names such as principles, agent provocateur and skechers. its also has a massive Selfridges shop and over 25 restaurants, so you can really spend the complete day there.

If you’re lucky enough to spend the night in Birmingham, you should take advantage of the city’s fun night life. The city has everything from quaint inns & vip wine bars to enormous clubs, which means that you’ll find that there’s something for everyone.

Needless to say brum has branches of much major hotel chains such as malmaison & radisson sas. This means that you can unwind after your massive evening out with a fabulous rest.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our guide to stuff to do in Birmingham & would appreciate your feedback. If you require any further info on Birmingham, do not hesitate to contact your nearest tourist information office who’ll be pleased to help you.

By: Karriane Lacinder

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With your next weekend break you must plan a holiday package to the Cultural Capital of Holland, Amsterdam. With its beautiful canals running through the city centre, Amsterdam earned itself the honorary name of “the Venice of the Netherlands”. Amsterdam is physically small, beautiful, relatively quiet, and an unusual city in that it has all the advantages of a big city — culture, history, food, entertainment, good transport.

If you’re planning a short city break in Amsterdam, there are a lot of places you shouldn’t miss. The largest park of the city, Vondelpark, close to the Leidseplein and the big museums, is always alive with skaters, joggers and all sorts of street performers. During your city break you must visit Amsterdam’s most famous day market, with stalls lining both sides of the Albert Cuyp street. The canals of course are one of the major attractions of the ‘Venice of the North’. By daytime already very charming, by night they become even more enchanting because a lot of the canal houses and bridges are beautifully illuminated. The flower market on the Singel between the Munt tower and the Koningsplein is one of the most colourful, sweet-smelling sightseeing attractions in Amsterdam.

Waterlooplein is the host to Amsterdam’s largest flea-market, the merchandise has become more geared towards visiting tourists with lots of second-hand apparel and smoking paraphernalia, but for cheap clothes it’s still hard to beat. The Reguliersdwarsstraat is a street lined with bright and cheery cafes, restaurants and clubs. Especially in summertime, on warmer evenings the street in front of the bars is a favourite hangout for many locals and tourists. The popularity of Rembrandtplein has arised along with the café terraces that are packed during summer with people enjoying a pleasant drink and watching the world go by. The so-called Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) is probably the most famous bridge in Amsterdam; white-painted drawbridge has spanned the River Amstel since 1672.

Amsterdam is one of the most colorful cities in the world and why not, where else do you find so many places of interest, famous museums, cozy pubs and fun shops and (flower) markets. It is a city of peaceful streets and canals, historic houses and neighborhoods, an exciting, youthful nightlife, and bustling commerce. It attracts, and keeps attracting, travellers from all over the world.

Enjoying a city break to Amsterdam from the UK has never been easier. With an excellent choice of flights to Amsterdam from UK airports, airfares are very competitive and are at an all time low! Book online with www.myamsterdam.co.uk and receive access to discounted airfares and flights & hotel packages.

Tourist Relevant Information:

Amsterdam City Metropolitan Area Code: AMS

International Phone Code: +31 20

Standard Time: GMT + 1

Served by all the major international airlines, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is considered to be one of the finest in Europe in terms of both its facilities and efficiency, located 8.7 miles (14 km) SW of Amsterdam. Check out some budgeted accommodations and hotels in Amsterdam. The Hilton Amsterdam is in one of the City’s most exclusive areas. Ideally located for both business and leisure travellers. The Hotel borders a canal and overlooks its own garden and marina. In the fashionable heart of sparkling Amsterdam City, you’ll find a unique and small five-star hotel; The Bilderberg Garden Hotel/ Mangerie de Kersentuin. This culinary hotel combines international style and luxury with welcoming hospitality and personal attention in a warm, intimate atmosphere.



By: Annie Jones

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A Luxury Weekend Break to Marrakesh has the real sound of romance and mystery to it, and it is easily possible to find and book a romantic getaway package to a new Riad in Marrakesh called the Riad Noir D’Ivoire.

The luxury weekend break will start at the airport where you will be met, and driven the fifteen minutes to the Medina, and then it is a ten minute walk, and the sights and sounds of Marrakesh will overwhelm you immediately.

Situated in the north east section of the Medina in Marrakesh this is a real escape from 21st century life, and a blessed cool relief after the pressures of tourist days in the Medina where you can be pursued for what seems like hours on end!

Beautifully decorated, and each with its own feel, there are six rooms of which two are suites, although the double rooms are pretty amazing themselves.

One of the features of all the rooms are how comfortable are the beds, so comfortable guests have been known to sleep through the early morning call to prayer, which in the Medina is very loud indeed.

If you can book it, get the Elephant Suite, which has a small balcony overlooking the courtyard, a huge fireplace, and a round beaten silver bath tub, and a monsoon shower. You will find mineral water and dried apricots and roasted almonds in your room or suite, with sunhats and a straw basket for goodies shopping in the Medina.

The Riad Noir D’Ivoire is centred around a courtyard with a small plunge pool, and palm trees with huge leaves at each corner, and one side is the bar, and the other the restaurant. At one end is a boutique and at the other end a comfortable lounge or more accurately a Salon with comfortable sofas, an extensive library, and in the winter a roaring log fire.

You eat breakfast on the roof terrace where there are a mass of potted plants and sun loungers.

The staff are brilliant with that well trained ability to appear just when needed and disappear completely at other times, but somehow reappearing just when you think you might want them again. This type of behaviour is so important when you are on a romantic weekend package, and you don’t want to be disturbed but equally you want service, and here the Riad Noir D’Ivoire is fantastic.

The food is just right, and lacked for nothing, they seemed to know intuitively exactly what you are going to need after an exhausting day sightseeing. The dishes are local with a European edge – just right.

A great help before you get lost in the medina is the owners give you a local mobile phone with her number and that of the riad programmed in, so that when you get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways, you can be rescued with directions. You will need this otherwise your luxury weekend break to Marrakesh could turn into the stuff of nightmares.

For a Luxury weekend romantic getaway package style break there is no doubt that the Riad Noir D’Ivoire in Marrakesh rings all the right bells

For more information go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Vacations-in-Africa/



By: Peter R Stewart

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It wasn’t so long ago that city breaks were limited to the occasional trip to Paris or Bruges. These days, however, with cheap flights so readily available, there has been a veritable explosion of new and exciting city break destinations.

A prime example of this is Eastern Europe which remains an undiscovered enigma for a cheap citybreak to many people. This is an area that has seen huge growth due largely to the increased number and frequency of flights but also to the number of discount hotels available in cities stretching across half a continent and as diverse as Prague, Bucharest and Riga.

And it is not just the Europe city break that is proving popular with UK tourists. Budget flights are no longer the exclusive preserve of the traditional “budget airlines”. Worldwide flights are at the cheapest level they have ever been in relative terms and there are plenty of hotels ready to cash in on the increasing number of tourists.

For example if you buy the flight at the right time, you could perhaps treat yourself to a luxury 4 * Hotel or even a 5 * Hotel to make your break that bit special. Alternatively if you are looking for a short city break or holiday that doesn’t cost the earth, it is very easy to find a deal on a wide range of 2 * Hotels and 3 * Hotels in various citybreak destinations. The key to this is to be flexible with the date of your holidays and take advantage of last minute hotel and cheap flight offers available.

When booking a worldwide flight, remember that staying a Saturday night is important to keep down the cost of your ticket. And of course for worldwide hotels (especially city centre business hotels), they are often cheapest at weekends as there core business is the weekday business traveler. Alternatively you may find that a discount hotel will often offer you free nights – for example, pay 3 stay 4.

So whether you are looking at citybreaks as a means of escaping the British winter or as a weekend getaway for that special occasion, there has rarely been a better time to travel. In this current economic climate the customer is king when it comes to breaks of all kinds. Whether it’s a deal on a worldwide hotel you are after or simply a cheap flight to go and visit the relatives, remember there has never been a better time to do it!



By: David Hogg

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After going through the grind Monday through Friday, the week ends come as a blessing to unwind and relax. The best way to do this the last minute week end breaks. Let us examine some ways to make these last minute week end breaks even more enjoyable.

Internet – the treasurer trove of offers

A decade ago, last minute week end breaks could have been a tough proposition particularly with the tickets and accommodation. But the internet has changed all that. Within the comforts of your home, you can grab a number of competitive offers for a variety of locations. It is not just the hotel accommodation that can be obtained at a discount; even your airline tickets can be much less expensive. Just as in the case of hotels, airlines too love to fill vacant seats at the last minutes at deep discounts than carry empty seats. By devoting time on research, you will be able to explore places which you have never visited before, or be a guest at one of those luxury hotels which you always wanted.

Adding value

You can add value to your last minute week end breaks when you pay attention to these factors:

There are discounted week end offers put up at the start of the week itself in certain cases.

With adequate homework, you can spot one of these and plan your trip in advance saving the last minute scurry. Popular week end tourist locations may be going at peak rates rather than discounted rates. It is simply a demand and supply equation that makes things cheaper. Similarly, popular vacation seasons when families plan their travel in advance can be avoided for the last minute week end breaks. Check for the pricing at regular intervals and you are sure to find one that suits you over a few weeks.



By: crystaltravel

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The Tagus is the main river in Lisbon and in Portugal and Lisbon is located at the point where the Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean; it enhances the city’s importance. My first excursion was to the Monsanto Natural Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe covering an area of around 9 square kilometers, it took 2 days to visit this park! Over the following days I visited the highlights of the capital, which includes St. George’s Castle and the major attraction of Belem and Jeronimos Monastery. The Quelez Palace is just 15 km from the city and Sintra is just 29 km from the city, both are well worth a visit.

Lisbon plays an important role in the country’s literacy rate which is 93%. The city has several private and public secondary schools and several international schools. Lisbon has 4 major state universities.

Lisbon is the original birthplace of Fado music, characterized by mourful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. There are two main varieties of Fado. One is rooted in Lisbon and the second is in Coimbra, of the two Lisbon is the most famous.

Getting around in Lisbon is comparitively much easier than any other city in Europe as train travel is relatively inexpensive. Most visitors simply buy a ticket every time they make a journey. There are different discount schemes for train travellers and children under 4 go free. Under 12’s pay half price and senior citizens above 65 yrs can get 30% off. If you are planning a lot of train travel, using a rail pass might save you money.

Traveling by bus can be more expensive than train as buses link you to most of the countries smaller towns and villages. There are comfortable express buses that operate on longer routes. For this you have to reserve tickets in advance. All buses are privatized but still you can find a national network of express coaches called Rede Expressos.

Lisbon is the perfect place to enjoy a holiday. That’s why reservations in hotels are essential. Especially during peak season when many hotels are filled with Europeans enjoying holidays in Lisbon. Most of the hotels require at least one-days deposit before they reserve a room for you. But still you can get hotels at the last moment if your travel agent is good. My travel agent was one of the UK’s best travel agents. Their site name is Lisbon Breaks. You can use the site to find city breaks in Lisbon, cheap Lisbon flights, cheap hotels in Lisbon and holidays in Lisbon. All are easily bookable online.



By: Andy

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