Archive for 2012
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are located in Goa, the coastal city in India. There are over 20 stretches of tranquil, white sands that range from secluded spots to fun-filled tourist shores. Whether you want a private, relaxing vacation experience or a popular destination, Goa has some spectacular ports of call.
The beaches of Goa offer activities like surfing, water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving, catamarans, banana boats, and water and jet skiing. On the beaches, visitors can play volleyball, football or just relax and watch the picturesque, azure-coloured water lapping at the shore. Most of the beaches are spotted with restaurants and some are full-fledged resorts.
Goa’s most well-know beaches include:
- Arambol Beach
Arambol Beach is located on the northern tip of Goa and is ideal for nature lovers. The unspoiled paradise has a sweeping coast and is surrounded by majestic, steep cliffs. Nestled close to the fishing village of Arambol, it offers swimming, a hot spring near the beach, and restaurants dotted around the beach. There is a variety of water sports, dolphin watching, boat trips and some wild parties happen on the beach after the sun goes down.
- Anjuna Beach
Anjuna beach in Goa is a popular destination and is home to a popular weekly flea market and caters to a younger crowd that likes to party and is known for its full-moon, all night rave parties. The beautiful beach is expansive and filled with activity on any given day. Anjuna beach was gained fame in the ’60s and ’70s by attracting hippies and has since been called the “freak capital of the world” for its eccentric community.
- Benaulim Beach
Goa’s Benaulim beach is popular with vacationers because of its homey, village ambiance and virgin, undiscovered beach. Although it gets crowded during the weekend, it’s still far from being over-populated and remains a hidden gem from tourists. It’s located on the southern tip of Goa and is accessed from buses that run from Colva, a short 2 km away. The best places to grab a bite to eat are small shack-like cafes on the beachfront. A fair, called The Beach Bonanza, is held every Sunday from April until September and visitors can experience a bullfight set to the beat of traditional Konkani music.
- Candolim Beach
Goa’s Candolim Beach is host to miles of serene sand and a wonderful place to dine on delicious Indian fare. With plenty of outstanding restaurants, Candolim beach offers live music, karaoke and a variety of other live entertainment for its visitors. You can dine on a range of cuisine, including spicy North Indian dishes, Tasty Goan cuisine or even Western style food. This beach is perfect for those who want a quiet, relaxing day soaking up the sun on the beach and are looking for a little night life afterwards.
Wherever you go, consider how you spend your money; having a cashback credit card (Representative18.5% APR variable), or other cards, may entitle you to some added perks depending where you are. Take a look around the see which one offers the rewards to suit your trip! Cards are also a great way to avoid carrying cash around with you while abroad.
Becoming the glam destination city of Asia, Singapore is a fusion of Las Vegas, Manhattan, Sydney and LA. With skyscrapers, classy clubs and top class restaurants, every street is picture perfect presented with green, manicured sideways. With a selection of parks and nature reserves Singapore is a beautiful garden city to visit. Singapore appears hi-tech and modern however once you immerse yourself in the city, you will find it’s an undeniably Asian city with a unique character. Here are tips to ensure you take it all in:
- 1. Singapore Botanic Gardens is like paradise and should definitely be on your list. Open from 5am, it’s tropical and tranquil with idyllic koi ponds, colourful fish, waterfalls a variety of birds and there are varieties of orchids and hybrids.
- 2. Local Food: Singapore is a food paradise. Local favourites including chicken rice and chili crab which can be sampled at the outdoor Hawker Centre at the Esplanade. Barbecued stingray and kangkong is another dish worth trying at Serangoon Gardens. As well as the local delicacies, there is a fine dining scene with big name restaurants including CUT Singapore by Wolfgang Puck, Morton’s Steakhouse, and Ku De Ta.
- 3. Chinatown offers streets lined with trinket, clothing and food stalls as well as the Chinatown Heritage Centre, an authentic piece of Singapore history. Take a trishaw ride through Chinatown by night to see the beauty of the lit up city. The tour guides make sure to entertain with humorous tour guides. There is a boat ride along the river, a meal and it ends with a laser show at Marina Bay Sands.
- 4. Rooftop bars including 1-Altitude have some of the best nightlife and amazing views of the city and skyline.
- 5. Shopping: What would a city break be without some shopping? Ensure to bring your credit cards as you discover the style in this fashion city. The stores along Haji Lane and Ann Siang Hill feature the local design talent. The famous Orchard Road is usually a first port of call for many visitors with luxury labels, distinctive boutiques and high street stores. Singapore also has the widest range of electronics and they are all within the Funan DigitaLife Mall and Sim Lim Square. With prices up to 20% cheaper than other commercial outlets, don’t forget your credit card for this one!
Booking your fitness holidays Europe is a simple process that can now be done online. Prior to booking you can research all of your destination options using the in-depth information that is available online. There are many locations throughout Europe that now offer world class spas and more. Choose from locations that focus mainly on physical fitness, or those that combine this with mental relaxation and wellness as well.
Once you have made the decision of where you would like to go, log on and search for availability during the dates on which you wish to travel. The fact that these holidays are popular choices means that you should indeed consider booking well in advance of your travel dates. It is also possible to secure the best rates if you choose to book early, as rates can fluctuate over time.
After you book your fitness holidays Europe, simply print out your confirmations and prepare to travel. Those who are taking part in fitness holidays for the first time are certainly in for an experience. Many choose to take these holidays over and over again. Extending your active life into one of these holidays may allow you to reach new goals, and will certainly prove to be exciting. Do as much or as little as you wish. These no pressure holidays are for everyone.
Since ancient times, Greece has gifted the western world with philosophy, language, arts, democracy, sports and logic. Today, the country offers travellers blue-topped churches, whitewashed cottages, grand mountains, idyllic vineyards, serene beaches and bustling cities. While the Parthenon may draw visitors into the country, they keep coming back due to the diverse landscape, friendly people and divine cuisine.
Food in Greece represents a combination of Greek, Turkish and Italian traditions. Mediterranean tastes abound in fresh, seasonal dishes. Dining out is a treasured national pastime centered around good company and great food. On your next Greece holiday, indulge in this beloved tradition at any one of the following outstanding restaurants.
Vlassis
Serving the very best of traditional food in Greece, this intimate Athens restaurant is loved for its attentive customer service and home-style cooking. Don’t leave without trying the fried eggplant served with tomato and yogurt or the fresh octopus stifado.
Selene
Feast on some of Greece’s finest foods at this Santorini hotspot. Using only the freshest ingredients, chef Konstantina Faklari crafts traditional dishes with a modern flair. Start with the famous Santorini salad, a delectable mixture of tomato, cucumber, capers, olives, chloro powder and sorbet. The piglet with an orange confit and apple puree is a savory and sweet local delicacy that is not to be missed.
Baraki
Nestled in Piatsa square in Folegandros, this cozy bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of traditional rakomelo, a warm and soothing combination of Tsipouro brandy, cardamom, cinnamon and honey. The bar is also known for its extensive collection of fine Greek wines, including the strong-flavored retsina, made from pine resin. Between live jazz sets, join locals for a shot of ouzo, the country’s most popular drink.
Sunset Restaurant
For international cuisine and an unbeatable view, there is no better place than the Sunset Restaurant in Kalymnos. Italian dishes like spaghetti al mare and linguini with crayfish sit side-by-side on the menu with Greek favorites like grilled tsipoura and grilled haloumi. Perched on top of a hill overlooking Hohlakas Beach, the Sunset Restaurant is one of the best places to watch the sun dip into the Mediterranean.
Aigli
This lovely bistro is a favorite for affluent Athenian families. Serving an international menu amidst the charming Zappelion Gardens, Aigli is known for its foie gras, profiteroles, crème brûlée and oysters. On your next Greece holiday, spend an afternoon here sipping a strong coffee and watching the world go by from the terrace.
These restaurants offer visitors the very best in Greek and international cuisine. Greeks are known for their flavorful and fresh culinary creations that utilize local ingredients, traditional recipes and diverse influences. From moussaka to pastitsio, sahanaki to paidakia, your taste buds will not be disappointed.
Cheap holidays abroad are easier to arrange than many might think, especially for adventurous spirits willing to trade a little unnecessary pampering for huge savings. From charming self-catered cottages to zany hostels with communal kitchens, intrepid travellers discover delightful adventures in foreign lands are possible even on a very modest budget.
Naturally, the internet is an invaluable tool for finding bargain holiday packages at major tourist destinations as well as off-the-beaten path deals not offered by typical travel agents. Some websites offer side-by-side comparison rates for chain hotels, airfare cost and car rental services for comparison in a given area. These services rarely mention those smaller, and cheaper, family owned businesses, though. They can only be found by digging through reviews and blogs by previous travellers eager to share their discovery.
Travelling on a budget does not necessarily mean roughing it, either. Many of the boutique hotels and hostels offer quite homey accommodations in sparkling clean facilities with a friendly staff full of helpful tips on nearby sights and warnings about the local tourist traps. Often these facilities include a free tour of the region or at least maps that guide guests on a walking tour that starts at their front door. Sometimes they even have bicycles and motor scooters available for guest excursions.
Meals are another issue that can burn up a lot of a holiday budget unless given careful consideration. Selecting accommodations with self-catering facilities can go a long way towards keeping costs down since there is the option of preparing meals and snacks and saving leftovers for later. With some friendly questions, travellers often are directed to local eateries that offer excellent food at a fraction of the cost for the same fare in a fancier setting.
Transportation costs are often the biggest budget wreckers. Savvy travellers in major cities seek out single purchase passes which provide the holder with unlimited free access to public transportation for a specific period of time so there is no need to pay for individual rides. Often these passes grant additional discounts at popular attractions, historical sites, restaurants and shopping venues.