Exclusive 10% off Bookings

 Exclusive 10% off Bookings

If you're looking for a Great Britain Getaway this October/November that combines history, architecture, fun, beauty and intrigue then it sounds like you need a dose of Edinburgh. With 10% savings to be had on Edinburgh accommodation with our Hotels.com deal, all that's left to think about is which bobbly hat to pack.

With hotel prices starting at £89 and our Hotels.com discount code, a trip to Edinburgh is not as expensive as you may think. If that doesn't persuade you, perhaps our round up of highlights will...

For those bright and brisk Autumnal days, a ramble around the Royal Botanic Gardens is an absolute must. You can always dash into one of the hothouses if it gets a little chilly. Points of interest include the T'ing and Chinese Hillside. 

You can't come to Edinburgh without a gander at the Castle but before you start Googling entrance fees, consider a tour instead. In the spirit of Halloween, an after dark tour is the perfect way to learn a bit of history and get thoroughly spooked at the same time. You won't forget it. Try Mercat Walking Tours or City of the Dead Tours.

If you're planning ahead, New Year's Eve in Edinburgh is something you really should experience at least once. Less hectic than fireworks in London but equally as epic, Edinburgh Hogmanay is arugably the world's best New Year Party. It's four incredible days of exciting cultural highlights and celebratory events drawing crowds from all over the world. Have a few Scotch's and wrap up warm! 

Grassmarkets is nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town and offers visitors one of the most picturesque and vibrant areas of the city. Grassmarkets is the cultural hub of Edinburgh with a range of independent retailers, oustanding restaurants and quirky pubs steeped in history, traditional ale and music. 

If you're looking for fine dining, Edinburgh won't disappoint. There are four Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. In Leith we have Restaurant Martin Wishart and Kitchin, more centrally there is Castle Terrace Restaurantand in The Balmoral Hotel, Number One offers diners the wonderful expertise of Jeff Bland. 

If you suspect you might have a Scottish heritage then definitely visit the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Co. Here you can find out your clan history and buy your very own Tartan. 

Another Scottish tradition equally as important is knowing your malts from your blends. Enthusiasts should embark on a history tour of the national tipple and learn what it is that makes Scottish malts so darn good. 

Tempted? Visit our Hotels.com discount code page for a great deal....

Photo by iStockphoto

Half Term Get Aways

Half Term Get Aways

School may only just have started but the rush is on for half term get aways. Travel experts are predicting a sell-out October half term as one travel site reports a 23% increase in searches compared to 2011.

If you're thinking of a autumn get away top of the list for autumn sun is the Canary Islands, though searches to the luxe end of the market (Dubai) are up by 96%. That said Tenerife followed by Lanzarote, Majorca, Gran Canaria and Red Sea resorts look to be where most families will be  heading. City break searches are also up with New York scoring highly at 66%, and European favourites Lisbon, Barcelona and Rome also featuring. 

Fancy sticking closer to home and doing something more kid friendly well you can't go wrong with  Butlins who have a range of half term breaks across their resorts with lots of spooky goings for kids for Halloween with pumpkin making, arts and crafts, and trick or treat trails. Not to mention waterparks, funfairs and numerous shows for adults and kids. Prices start from just £36pp. There's also the chance to stay at Butlin's new Wave Hotel in Bognor Regis (above) with some pretty cool family apartments and family rooms available. We're loving the fact that for a hotel there’s a separate children’s room in each family room featuring bunks each with their own built-in TV!

If camping/glamping is more of your thing check out Go Glamping which has a range of half term holidays on offer from bell tents on the Isle of Wight to Camping Pods in Cornwall. Prices start from £99.00 for a 3 or 4 night short break.

For working parents who can't get time off and/or older children who want a parent free break  (kids aged 7 to 17 years) brilliant activity holiday specialistsPGL have some great offers on half term 7 night, 4 night multi activity breaks starting from £189.00. Activities include abseiling, kayaking, mountain biking, trampolining, zip wires and many more.

So what will you be doing this half term? Let us know.

Penny's Picks: Winter Sun

Penny's Picks: Winter Sun

If you feel like jetting away from the dreary British weather, there are some excellent winter sun deals to be found this month. As long as you’re prepared to invest a little time in your search, you should be able to make some real savings.

First of all, have a think about likely destinations. Read up on locations using travel guides and blogs, and check average weather conditions for the times you hope to visit using guidebooks or sites such as Weather2Travel. It’s good if you can be flexible about countries you’d like to visit, so you have a wider choice.

Package Deal?

Next, have a think about whether you’d prefer a package holiday, or a holiday you put together yourself by booking flights and hotels separately. It’s often cheaper to go DIY for shorter breaks in less-common locations, but you tend to find the biggest bargains among the late availability package deals.

Always check the small print, and when buying a package deal make sure you know whether airport transfers and meals are included, and what the hotel arrangements are going to be. Some packages allocate you a hotel on arrival, so at least get some idea of what the hotel’s minimum star rating will be, and decide whether that’s acceptable to you.

To save the most money on a package deal, it pays to shop around: there could be several agents offering the same holiday, and prices may vary for the same thing. Places to start include TeletextHolidays and TravelSearch.

You could try your hand at haggling too, or look for voucher codes and special offers. Travel sites like easyJet Holidays and lowcostholidays.com often have great voucher codes and discounts available on package bookings.

Joining the mailing lists of various agents is another handy way to keep bang up to date with the latest offers.

Flight Only Bookings 

When looking for flights be flexible about times and days, and don’t assume that budget airlines will automatically give you the best deal. Be especially careful to read the small print to avoid hidden costs such as booking fees, check-in fees, overpriced refreshments and taxes. Since many airlines charge a small fortune for suitcases and excess baggage, stick to hand luggage only if possible.

Check online travel sites like On the Beach and Opodo as they offer low cost flights and great last minute deals all year round. Keep your eyes peeled for special winter flight sales or cheap upgrades deals that are definitely worth checking out before you book. Comparison sites like Skyscanner and Fly.comcan be helpful too.

Hotel Only Bookings 

For helpful overviews, visit comparison websites such as Trivago andEasyToBook. If you have a specific hotel in mind, visit their website or phone them as this regularly gives you the greatest savings. It’s also worth checking whether breakfast is included in the price of any deal, since buying it separately at the hotel is often costly.

If you want luxury-for-less, voucher codes are a great place to start, with lots of online travel agents offering discounts on bookings. Other deals to look out for are room upgrades and flash sales at Expedia and Hotels.com.

Wherever possible, cross-check your hotel booking with an independent hotel review site such as TripAdvisor to find out if it’s as good as it looks, and whether standards have recently fallen or improved.

Budget Rent a Car: 20% off Advanced Bookings

Budget Rent a Car: 20% off Advanced Bookings

Though a holiday is a great time to kick back and relax, it's also a great time for adventure. Bus tours are OK, but there's nothing like hiring a car and creating your own. With 20% off advanced bookings at Budget Rent a Car, driving to where memories are made won't have to cost the bank.

Organised tours are all well and good, but there's nothing like getting out there on your own. With great prices available at Budget Rent a Car and 20% off from ourvoucher codes page, forging your own way around a holiday destination won't cost as much as you think. Check out our recommendations for self-made adventures below.

New Zealand is a beautiful country to drive around. With room for 5 people and plenty of space for luggage a Ford F150 is ideal for taking in the sights of the glorious North Island. Visit the quietly stunning beach at Piha, take in the Auckland skyline from Davenport and breathe in the sulphurous smells of Rotorua (it's beautiful as well - but don't say we didn't warn you about the smell). They also drive on the same side of the road as the UK - winning!

Alberta, Canada is an awesome place to create your own adventure, and memories you'll treasure forever. Between December and March, there's the chance to see the stunning Northern Lights, and you can take in some truly sensational scenery all year round. The Toyota Prado 4x4 is just the vehicle for a trip to Alberta.

If you're keen to stay a little closer to home, the South of France is a really lovely part of the world. Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles, top up your tan in St Tropez and mingle with the rich and beautiful in Monaco. Small and nippy, the Renault Twingo is ideal for whipping round on the continent. 

So where will you be driving off into the sunset? Wherever you visit, don't forget that making your own adventures is much more fun than sitting on a bus tour. Visit our Budget Rent a Car voucher codes page to see what's on offer now!

TENERIFE ISLAND SPAIN

 TENERIFE ISLAND SPAIN

Tenerife, also known as the island of eternal spring is the largest (2034sq km), the highest (3718m) and the (estimated population of 655 656 inhabitants), the most populated island of the Canary Islands. Roque del Oeste is a small island near Tenerife, which is really just a rock near the island of Graciosa. The smallest inhabited island of the Canary Islands Isla Lobos. A family lives here.

The Canary Islands belong to Spain by administrative and geographical Africa. The island of Fuerteventura is the closest to Africa, located about 100 km away, while Tenerife is located approx. 300 kilometers of Africa.

The Canary Islands are divided into two Spanish provinces: Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife belonging to Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma, in the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote Gran Canaria property.

Despite the fact that the islands are of volcanic origin, are very different from each other. High mountains dominate the island of Tenerife, while hills dominate the island of Lanzarote.

The culmination of the Canary Islands, which is actually the culmination of Spain, Pico del Teide is 3718 meters high. The summit of the mountain is covered with snow for several weeks during the winter, while tourists enjoy the beaches of southern temperatures of 25-28 degrees Celsius.

The island of Lanzarote is the driest and most urbanized Gran Canaria, La Palma is the greenest, most isolated El Hiero and richest natural beauty of La Gomera.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island and the seat of the island council (cabildo insular). The city is capital of the autonomous community of Canary Islands (Shared With Las Palmas), sharing Governmental Institutions Such as Presidency and ministries.

The overall population of the islands is around 1.5 million, of which one third lives on the island of Gran Canaria. The natives are friendly Generally, but in places where tourism has Developed They Became more careful and suspicious when it comes to strangers.

The main income comes from tourism, agriculture and trade. Bananas, tomatoes and tobacco are grown in large amounts.The wine tradition is famous in Tenerife.
The Local islanders love festivals. These festivals Usually at least last three days. Most celebrations are related to religion. The locals wear traditional costumes and enjoy the local traditional local dishes.

Mount Teide, located in Tenerife, is the highest in Spain. The view From this mountain in a clear sunny day (they are quite frequent) is amazing. The colors of various volcanic rocks are very Clearly seen here: ocher and rust, black and beige, in fact you almost any color you can imagine. Tenerife has a diverse climate and diverse topography to as much larger countries. Usually Tenerife is called a mini continent.
Tenerife is a paradise for tourists and an idyllic holiday destination. The south, Especially Playa de las Americas, is famous worldwide for its nightlife.

Tenerife is famous Because of its beautiful golden beaches and great facilities. Terasitas beach in the northern Santa Cruz, was extended in 1973 by bringing in sand from the Sahara desert. There are a lot of palm trees That much neeeded offer tourists the shade When it gets too hot. Playa de las Americas, in the extreme south-east of the island, now offers some very good beaches near a modern Infrastructure for tourism.

GREECE - ZEUS ISLAND

GREECE - ZEUS ISLAND

It is trully the land of eternity with sandy beaches lapped by turquoise waters and incredibly picturesque landscape. The charm and magic of the attraction of the island is enhanced by the hospitality, the warmth of its people and the clear water of the sea coast Discover mythsand full of legends, the birthplace of Zeus and paradise awaiting tourists from early spring to late fall.

It is the southernmost region and the fifth largest island in Europe. Crete, an area of ​​8400 km ², measured from east to west and 250 km from north to south, with a maximum latitude of 60 km, is the largest island

Greece. The island separates the Aegean from Libya, which marks the border between Europe and Africa. At the center of the island are the majestic mountains and plateaus, deep ravines bare terminate in fertile valleys. The northern part of the island is more populated. There align large cities located in coves suitable for anchoring, and south by the rocks that rise above the sea, is sparsely populated. dry Mediterranean climate. The hot summer is longer than in other regions of Greece ..

The public road network is well developed. Most places on the island is accessible by local transport, but it is recommended to rent a car so you can explore the island freely. There are regular sailings between cities.

Hersonissos is situated 25 km from Heraklion. It extends from the north coast of central Crete on mountain ridges in the center of the island, near the region of Lassithi. Say, a city of Hersonissos, but in reality composed of several villages, each with a different atmosphere. Today, Hersonissos is well organized and is the most popular tourist destination in Crete. Here, tourists can enjoy the convenience of the best conference facilities and places of outstanding natural beauty.

In the north of the island, Especially in Limin Hersonissou (Hersonissos port) and Analipsi, you will find a luxury tourist resort, Offering a wide variety of hotels and apartments for rent. It is one of the best places for mass tourism, Offering sandy beaches, dining options, and nightclubs Many other leisure activities Such as marine sports, golf, paragliding, scuba diving, mountain biking, etc. .. Here you will find some interesting Remains of Roman buildings Which tourists can visit in the north of the island.
Generally shops are open in the morning and in the afternoon Until late at night. Most shops are closed falling on the afternoon siesta. Banks and post offices are open for a shorter period of time. Hersonissos resort in the shops are open on weekends aussi.

Tipping is included in MOST bills from restaurants and hotels, it is common aim to leave about 10% of the total consumptions. The hotel staff and taxi drivers Usually receive tips.

Hersonissos resort really is stunning That for tourists come here for the first time. Tourists can relax on vacations Because thesis are very quiet Areas, away from crowds. There are lush mountain vegetation Areas with natural beauty and rare, Such as key nodes and steep hills. Do not forget to walk the picturesque alleys of the villages, trying out the Cretan cuisin in the local taverns and cafes, admire the little old buildings and the traditional Byzantine churches.

TOURISM IN NEPAL: Sagarmatha

 http://world-traveltrip.blogspot.com/

Sagarmatha

MT.EVEREST  is also known as sagarmatha. It is located in Nepal. It is the highest peak of the world. It is given Mount Everest the official name sagarmatha. This name had not previously been used; the local inhabitants knew the mountain as Chomolungma in Nepal. The mountain was not known and named in ethnic Nepaland surrounding area.

http://world-traveltrip.blogspot.com/

TOURISM IN NEPAL: BHEDETAR

http://world-traveltrip.blogspot.com/

BHEDETAR

Bhadetar (also spelt Bhedetar) is a small hill top town in Eastern Nepal. It is a stop over place for all the vehicles travelling through this hill town, be it morning tea or afternoon snack. It is about 1,420m above the sea level, mostly foggy weather during winter but great place to be during non winter months with cool relaxing temperature and great view of the Himalayas and the Southern plains . It is also a gateway to Limbu villages of Rajarani (King Queen), Okhrae and Chaubise.

Read More Visit....     http://world-traveltrip.blogspot.com/

The beaches of Maui

The beaches of Maui

With its relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality, Maui was the perfect holiday for my family, I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of life in California. We were in the town of Lahaina, the hottest city around Hawaii. In fact, you only get an average of 7 inches of rain per year. One would expect in Hawaii reflects the relaxed attitude in cities sleeping, but Lahaina was a hive of activity. Lots of places to eat and shop, and many things to do.

While there are many activities and tourist traps in Maui, we spent most of our time in the water. The island is home to hundreds of beaches, including the famous black sand beach on Wai'anapanapa Park, on the road to Hana. This beach offers snorkeling, and you can swim at Black Rock, Molokini (an extinct volcano now filled with coral and fish) and the city of turtle. There is also a living coral reef covering submerged Molokini. The ocean is full of marine life, including fish of the State of Hawaii Humuhumunukunukuapua'a. Be alert while in the water, suddenly, you may discover that you swim with sea turtles.

In addition to being in the water, there are many opportunities to be on top of it. Sport fishing offers tourists the opportunity to fish for tuna and mahi mahi, and some fish weighing up to 100 pounds!

Surf lessons are also available, and Hawaii waves for everyone, from beginners to Laird Hamilton. The surf was very soft and the water temperature selected was absolutely perfect, so that even the pleasant backdrop.

Whether you choose to visit places of tourist arrivals or stay back on the beaches, Maui is a wonderful place full of wildlife, relaxation and opportunity.

Faroe Islands

Location and size  
Situated in the heart of th­­­­­­e Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62°00’N, the Fa­r­oe Islands lie n­­­­orthwest of Scotland and halfway be­tween Iceland and Nor­­way. The archipelago is compos­ed of 18 islands cover­ing 1399 km2 (545.3 sq.­miles) and is 113 km (70 mi­­les) long and 75 km (47 miles) wide, roughly in the shape of an arrow­head. There are 1100 km (687 mi­les) of coastline and at no time is one more than 5 km (3 miles) away from the ocean. The highest moun­tain is 882 m (2883 ft) ab­ove sea level and the a­v­­e­­­­rage height above sea level for the country is 300 m (982 ft).
 
Climate
The weather is maritime and quite changeable, from mo­ments of brilliant sun­shine to misty hill fog, to showers. The Gulf Stream encircling the islands tem­pers the climate. The har­bours never freeze and the temperature in winter time is very mod­erate consi­der­ing the high latitude. Snow­fall occurs, but is shortliv­ed. The aver­ag­e tempera­ture ranges from 3,5°C in win­ter to 12°C in the sum­mer. In sheltered areas, the tem­perature can be much high­er, but the air is always fresh and clean no matter what the season. 
Population
The population is 48,565 (1st February 2011). About 19,900 people li­v­­­­­­e­ in the metro­politan area which com­­­prises Tórs­­havn, Kirkjubøur, Velba­staður, Nólsoy, Hestur, Kolt­ur, Hoyvík, Argir, Kald­bak, Kaldbaksbotnur,  Norð­radalur, Syðradalur,  Hvít­a­nes, Sund, Kolla­fjørð­ur, Signabøur and Oyra­reingir, while about 4,600 people live in Klaks­vík, the s­e­c­­o­­nd lar­gest town in the Faroe Islands.   
 
Form of Government
Since 1948, the Faroe Island­s have been a self gover­ning region of the King­dom of Denmark. It has its own parlia­­ment and its own flag. It is not, however, a member of the European Union and all trade is go­ver­ned by special treaties.

Languages Spoken
Faroese is the national lan­guage and is rooted in Old Norse. Nordic langu­ages are readily understood by most Faroese, and Eng­lish is also widely spoken, especially among the youn­ger people.

Religion
Religion plays an important part in Faroese culture and over 80% of the population belong to the established church, the Evan­gelical-Lu­theran. 10% of the popu­lation belong to the Chris­t­ian Breth­ren (Plymouth Breth­ren).

Industry
The fishing industry is the most important source of income for the Faroes. Fish products account for over 97% of the export volume. Tourism is the second lar­gest industry, followed by woollen and other manu­factured pro­ducts.

Alilia Resorts. Maldivian

Surrounded by an aqua sky and turquoise sea, this Maldivian resort is heaven on earth and one of many luxury villas from Alilia Resorts.  The ecological design was guided by environmental impact studies before its implementation and as a result, the resort promotes rainwater harvesting and minimizes disruption to corals around the islands.  An 18+ hour trip to the Maldives may not be in our near future…but at least we can close our eyes and pretend for now.

Sergenti National Park

Serengeti Under Canvas, run by renowned & Beyond, is a luxurious tented camp within the Sergenti National Park. The annual movement of 1.5 million wildebeest across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world and the camp moves around the park year round, following the Great Migration. This is definitely going on my bucket list .

Turkey beyond Istanbul

Turkey beyond Istanbul is to rent a car and see where the road takes you. From the Mediterranean in the South on up to the Aegean in the West, week two was the ultimate adventure: driving along the Lycian Way, making pit stops in the most charming port towns, imagining the lives that once occupied the ancient city of Ephesus and the many fascinating ruins, swimming in the warmest, saltiest and most pristine waters, standing dumbfounded in front of the eternal fires of Chimera, hopping on boats to explore multiple secluded beaches . . . and admitting that I might have gone a bit overboard with the kilim and ceramic purchases.

 

Magic Mountain Lodge Chile.

Montaña Mágica Lodge, also known as Magic Mountain Lodge, is located within Huilo Huilo, a 232 square mile natural reserve in southern Chile. 



Covered in rainforest moss and vines, this manmade volcano-like structure spews water and is only accessible by a monkey bridge. And if this isn’t sufficiently magical and surreal, outside are hot tubs, carved from hollowed out tree trunks, with ideal vantage points for wildlife sightings.