Fancy A Holiday

Planning on where to go for a romantic holiday is just as exciting as the holiday experience for many people. Doing research and exploring the broad range of countless holiday ideas is as invigorating as actually enjoying these holidays for a of couple of weeks in a sunny place.

However, now that the world has become a global village with everything exposed out so clearly, it becomes very difficult for someone to actually find that little place with all the expectations of a dream place with the perfect sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine. Still, such a place does exist with all the standards that the holiday maker is looking for and that place is the paradise island of Mauritius.
Some kilometers off the coast of Madagascar in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a beauty of perfect turquoise lagoons, white beaches and lustrous forested mountains. In fact, Mauritius can be taken as example if ever a paradise has to be created.

A beautiful little islet ‘Ile aux Cerfs’ (meaning Deer Island) is found in the eastern waters of Mauritius which harbors a grand golf course and amazing beaches where a number of water sports can be enjoyed. There are plenty of sites all around Mauritius for scuba diving and discovering the rich marine life.

Flic en flac is the perfect town to hang out in with its broad range of shopping malls, restaurants, nightclubs, casinos and above all, long stretches of white sandy beaches ideal for late night romantic strolls.

Mauritius is multi cultural in nature with people from all over the world very effortlessly living together and having a broad range of individual cultures as seen in local traditions, cuisine, religious beliefs and which marks Mauritius as one of the top destinations in the world. Nevertheless, English is the first language of Mauritius as it was once a British colony and so communication is an easy business on the island.

Mauritius boasts itself of the perfect holiday destination for beach lovers but there are also a number of activities suited to most couples.

As far as paradise islands are concerned, Mauritius forms part of those best idyllic places offering a variety of activities, scenery, beaches for the perfect romantic holidays. All in all, a visit to heaven on earth.

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A few months ago I went on a short break to Iceland for 4 nights, included in the package was hotel accommodation at Hotel Reykjavik. Hotel Reykjavik is officially rated as a three star hotel and situated in a quiet street not far from the city centre. Transfer time from Keflavik airport is around 50 minutes but will be longer if using the shuttle bus as Hotel Reykjavik is the last stop.

Compared to many of the other hotels we saw on the way to ours I preferred its location, even from the outside it looked more appealing. The hotel is small with only 79 rooms over two floors but they have a breakfast room where they have an average choice of what to eat such as, toast, croissants, cold meats, cereals and fruits. When I went in November 2010 we hardly ever saw anyone else there, it seemed like we were the only guests. There was always someone on reception and they were always friendly and welcoming. We got many maps supplies to us by the hotel that allowed us to explore on foot by ourselves. There are also many brochures where excursions are offered, the hotel will book them for you.

Our room was on the 1st floor, there were lifts if you had luggage which was handy and the communal areas are clean. The room was a little small but we were only there for a few days so it wasn’t a major issue. Towels and bed linen was plentiful, there was an extra duvet in the cupboard along with some more pillows if you needed them. There were tea and coffee making facilities in the room which were re-stocked daily, otherwise you could call reception to have some more sent up. There was a hairdryer in the bathroom and toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and a shower cap was provided on a daily basis. Our room was cleaned daily and there was a mini fridge in the room though there was only two bottles of water in it.

The city centre is a short walk from the hotel between 10-15 minutes, it’s well signed. We did go on one occasion but everything was too expensive so we didn’t go back again. The food was cheaper than I imagined it to be so that was a plus. There are many places to eat within walking distance of the hotel including the city centre but next to the hotel is Harry’s Restaurant and a few minutes after Harry’s there is another called Madonna Restaurant serving Italian food.

I had the choice of sticking with Hotel Reykjavik or upgrading for an extra £50 to the Hilton hotel, I am glad that I stayed in Hotel Reykjavik as the Hilton was a little disappointing. Even if you are booking as an independent traveller Hotel Reykjavik is well recommended!

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Many people spend years saving up for their dream holiday or for somewhere that has always seemed impossible to visit due to finances. Lots of people think that having cheap short breaks are better than having 2 weeks off at a time to do multiple trips during this duration. I agree that finances play a major part in deciding where to go on holiday and if where you want to go is even possible on the budget you have in mind so here are a few things to consider when taking multi trips.

Multi trip holiday guide
A lot of people think that touring holidays are mostly for younger people and involve a bulky travel bag and slumming it in hostels and poorly performing hotels and B&B’s. This is a common misconception many older travellers are taking up the opportunity to travel as their offspring leave home and they are financially able to do so.

Accommodation
You do not need to stay in hostels or use shared accommodation there are very good deals to stay one or two nights at one and two star hotels, usually smaller hotels perform better as there are less people to satisfy. There’s no need to slum it, if you can afford to upgrade then do so as many tour operators start off at a low price then increase it if you want better flights, accommodation, rooms and service etc.

If you want to visit Europe bear in mind that it is expensive and worthwhile exploring for longer rather than a few short breaks as going back and forth will not save you money. Try going on guided tours you can save money and make friends along the way too. Tours to places such as Italy are very popular as there is so much to see and without proper guidance you may find that your trip was a waste because you didn’t get to see all you wanted.

Flights to places like Asia can be expensive s combine them, do stop over’s at Dubai, Hong Kong and Bangkok you can have a few days to spend exploring whilst also saving money on combined flights. There are regularly good deals that involve stopping over for a day or two, most places only require a short visit before you get bored or run out of money.

Consider other modes of transport such as train and coach, you get better deals than flying holidays and see more due to the flexibility. You can also do fly-cruise holidays and combine the two, the best ones are those that leave from the Caribbean or Spain there is so much to do or see.

You don’t save money by going on short breaks but simply spend more but save on annual leave, if you can save up your money and take week long breaks that combine two or more places to see and explore. Its well worth the money and the experience will be a happy one, be the envy of all your friends and family.

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Since the recent snowfall so close to Christmas and New Year many people have taken to going abroad for Christmas rather than staying here in the Arctic conditions. With places in England struggling to reach above 0⁰C public transport has been greatly affected and many motorists have been left stranded or unable to use their cars.

Travel companies have seen an increase of as much as 60% since it started snowing a few weeks ago, places such as Spain, Dubai, and Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh have proven to be very popular last minute destinations. But is it all worth it? Those that have decided to go on holiday to beat the cold miserable weather will have to face up to it sooner or later so it doesn’t really make sense. If anything its worse coming back to cold weather than it is to leave it behind, not to mention the risk of illness when you come back.

Since Friday many airports have struggled to stay open let alone allow flights out of the terminal. British Airways is the biggest offender at the moment as they are struggling to cope with such harsh weather conditions. People have been left to sleep in the airport for days on end and there doesn’t seem to be any hope of ‘normal’ services resuming any time soon.

People that managed to get away a week ago will find that they will struggle to get a flight back to the UK as many airports have major delays. If you are lucky enough to get a flight back you may find that the plane has to land at a different airport to the one you booked to land at due to dangerous icy conditions.

It seems a silly idea for those who think going away is better than sticking it out as one way or the other the whole nation will suffer at one point. The ones I feel sorry for are those who save up for a year just to be able to visit family overseas, they will truly miss out as this is the only thing to look forward to for some families.

If you are still deciding whether or not to go away because of this recent spell of bad weather then it is advisable to stay put. Even rail services such as the Eurostar are suffering people are having to queue outside and overnight for hours on end in freezing temperatures. Remember you will have to come back and face the music at some point so why not stick it out?

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I have always been interested in going to Iceland but since the volcano eruptions back in 2010 many people have been scared and sceptical about visiting this amazing country. As the volcanic ash brought all flights around the world to a standstill holidaymakers were stranded abroad with no help or guidance from insurance companies. Well as most cases have been resolved it was then agreed that volcanic ash is a natural disaster and is therefore not covered on most insurance policies. The volcano in Iceland does not look like it is to erupt any time soon so if you’re braver enough take advantage of these fantastic deals to discover this lovely natural wonder.

Iceland really does have something for everyone, the flight time is only 3 hours from the UK and short city breaks to Reykjavik can cost as little as £259 including flights and accommodation. There is much to explore whilst there too, with lovely scenic retreats, hiking, geothermal wonders, volcanoes and of course the Northern lights. The prices for holidays to Iceland have reduced since the volcanic ash cloud incident but this is to entice people back as there is nothing to fear at this moment in time. Some insurance policies will charge you extra if you want to have natural disasters like this one added to your policy so that you are covered, so if you want to spend a little extra for peace of mind do it.

Excursions in Iceland
Northern lights tour – experience the auroras also known as the Aurora Borealis, a natural display of different coloured lights in patterns and shapes across the sky. Only available from September to April this is one of the popular excursions to go in Iceland. You will have a bus or private car pick you up from your hotel then the adventure begins as the hunt for the best location is on to view the Northern Lights natural phenomenon.

Golden Circle excursion – visit some of the most spectacular places of interest on the same day with this exciting tour of waterfalls, hot springs and glaciers. Geysir where hot springs shoot out from the ground every ten minutes. Gullfoss waterfall where there are breathtaking views and refreshing cool water. Stop at a volcanic crater and then visit Thingvellir National Park, a place of beauty and history. This is usually a whole day tour but there are half days available also, the tour itinerary will vary depending on the tour company.

Volcano excursions – there are many volcanoes in Iceland some more famous than others, a hot favourite at the moment is Eyjafjallajokull volcano due to its destruction and change in environment since its eruption in early 2010. There are many others that are just as interesting and beautiful to explore but they come at a price as most are far away from Reykjavik city centre, the main destination for tourists.

Blue Lagoon – no visit to Iceland is complete without a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon, although it is manmade it is a natural phenomenon that not countries have at their leisure. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in natural surroundings. You can bathe in the milky blue water and relax under the waterfall. There is a spa onsite and also a restaurant, if you want a truly unique spa experience you can also stay in the hotel of the Blur Lagoon.

There are many other excursions to undertake whilst in Iceland but the ones listed above are the most sought after and easily available. Other excursions such as visiting a volcano are only done by some tour companies at set times of the year. The most expensive part of going to Iceland is the flights and the cost of living such as food and transport. Accommodation and the excursions are fairly cheap but when you add them all together you can pay quite a lot if you want to see all Iceland has to offer.

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Nowadays before buying a product, trying a service or even going on holiday we tend to go on the internet and find reviews before making up our minds. There are many independent sites that ask members of the public to review a product or service to inform others. Most of these sites are not biased and are from people of all backgrounds but there are a few that will be biased such as those that are set up by companies asking for their products to be reviewed. Larger stores that trade online now have reviews from customers that have recently bought from them so before you buy a product you can read trusted reviews first.

There are many websites that specialise in reviewing holidays such as hotels and resorts with the biggest being tripadvisor. Originally based in the US after it became such as success they launched the .co.uk version for the UK so we can also review hotels and let other holiday makers know what we think.

But since the introduction of these review sites businesses that have had negative reviews are said to be losing business. Personally I believe that all hotels should have independent reviews from travellers so others who are going there can read other traveller experiences and niggles. A business should be able to take constructive criticism and take steps to make their customers happy; also some people have higher standards than other so this can play a part when trying to decide whether a hotel is worth 3 stars or 5 stars.

In the US there is no defamation act so businesses cannot sue website owners or even individuals whereas in the UK the defamation act has been in place since 1996. So you can be sued by a company or hotel if you fail to remove any negative reviews or comments if you fail to remove them when asked to do so. There have been a few successful cases in the UK where website owners or individuals who write negative reviews have been sued but in most cases by asking them to remove such content is sufficient enough. Not many people have the funds to be able to take on a large corporation or business so most cases do not get taken to court.

I find the defamation act to be very harsh as most people who review hotels are travellers who have had bad experiences or feel like they have been ripped off. Most feel they cannot complain whilst at the resort for fear or having an even worse time. Some hotels list so called ‘trouble makers’ who complain even if the complain is viable such as ‘dirty rooms or leaking tap’. As long as you review hotels on a website other than your own you should be safe, if the hotel in question wants the review to be removed it will. In the mean time I will continue to review all my holidays to ensure other holiday makers know exactly what they are getting for their money.

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Since the recession hit many families have to rethink whether or not they can afford to go on holiday. As the costs of holidays are increasing so is the cost of inflation, wages are not going up to cover these costs. Holidays are seen by most families as a luxury they just cannot afford, even holiday in the UK are more expensive than going abroad.

For years there have been small companies that offer ‘holiday swaps’ these allow people who own homes all over the world to travel to a ‘home away from home’. Holiday house swaps are becoming increasingly popular nowadays as couples who have children save the most. You only need to sort out and pay for flights and a little bit of money for food and entertainment. For many people the thought of letting a stranger into your home is very uneasy as you don’t know who they are and what damage can be done to your property whilst you are away. After extensive research there are not many complaints about this weird way to have a holiday.

Most people who swap homes do so via a well reputable company and in most cases they have to pay an annual membership for this service, so if you can get free accommodation at the end of it, it’s well worth it. The majority of people who house swap are upper middle class people who have big houses or houses/flats that are in well sought after areas. Although you may get a few that are just normal houses that are nowhere near anything of interest.

What to look out for when holiday swapping

• Some holiday swappers are leaving behind pets or plants that need looking after so if you are allergic or would prefer not to research as much as possible
• Some holiday swappers also would like the use of your car so you must check your insurance policy to make sure that it is legal and safe to do so
• Not all holiday swaps allow children; this is because they do not have adequate safety such as a crib or carpeted floors instead of tiles or laminate
• Make sure that there will be no building works carried out whilst you are there as there have been previous holiday swappers that have been left disrupted by works being carried out to the home

There are things like bedding, towels and general housekeeping to consider as there will be a house manual left by the owners. This can be cause problems if one family is fussier than the other, also if you choose to swap your home you will need to include a list of what can be found in your area for the new family that will live there temporarily. Things like supermarkets, sights, babysitters and restaurants.

Do some thorough research before you choose and make sure you have insurance for both your own home and the holiday home you plan to visit.

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If you are benefiting from the reductions that travel companies offer for last minute packages then why not follow our handy tips to organising everything efficiently so you don’t panic at the last minute. If you are travelling with a spouse or partner then all you need to do is chuck a few things in a suitcase, if however you have children this may not be as easy as it sounds, so here are some tips.

Last minute holiday tips

• If you are going or plan to go on a beach holiday then get out the suitcases and start packing the basics such as swimwear, beach towels and summer clothes. As British weather can be unpredictable even if the weather was to get better you can always dig them out the suitcase if you need them.
• Don’t pack toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel and sun cream. If you get them at the airport you will save luggage allowance, also buy the small travel sizes as they are likely to run out before you travel back. Sun cream, after sun products and insect repellent is usually always on offer at the airport so save some money and also luggage allowance here.
• Shop around on airport parking deals so you have an idea of how much it costs, most places require at least 24 hours notice for you to benefit from airport parking discounts of up to 70%.
• Have a bag packed if you have a young child or toddler that still needs milk or nappies, it’ll save time if the bag has already been pre-packed. As children are also allowed to bring on hand luggage use it to your full advantage by stocking up on nappies and other baby essentials for when you are on holiday.
• If you have house plants don’t neglect them, buy slow water feeders that slowly release water or plant food, they can cost as little £1 and will last 28 days.
• If you are going on a family holiday make sure everyone knows that they will be travelling, it’s a pain because young children will keep talking about it but if they are involved they will help out more and there will be less reliant on you to do everything.
• Make a list of things that need to be packed such as underwear, pyjamas and shoes. There are some items that need to be packed at the end such as toothbrushes and chargers for mobile phones; cameras and camcorders so don’t forget them either.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked with the keys out of site and not still in the keyhole, if you have a light timer then use it for the evening to make it look like people are home.

You shouldn’t really tell all your neighbours if you are going on holiday as you don’t want to advertise an empty house to the whole neighbourhood. If you are worried about your house leave your keys with a good trusted friend or relative that can check or drive by the house daily.

By taking note of these handy tips you can save time as well as money, don’t be afraid to book last minute because of the preparation just be organised and prepared.

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As the summer holiday is now starting for most students, school children and teachers holiday companies are making a huge profit by marking up their prices for influx of holiday makers that will be looking to get away within the next few weeks. But research has shown that the amount of people going on holiday this summer has fallen dramatically.

Travel companies have bought too many seats and holiday packages for hotels abroad that they are now unable to sell them. This has caused many travel agencies to slash the costs of holidays during the next 6 weeks. The biggest saving will be those that can afford to spend a little more and travel a little further afield. Holidays to places such as the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Far East have had their prices reduced by up to £800 so if you couldn’t afford to go on holiday when the holiday deals were first released then chances are you get more for your money now that they have been reduced.

The average cost for a week’s holiday in Europe was over £2,000 last year in some places this has fallen by 25% the further afield you go the cheaper it has become. The only place that has had an increase of both tourists and price is Orlando with an increase of over £100 compared to last year. As we all know the cost of holidays both during peak and off peak seasons are very inflated so for travel companies to reduce their prices by as much as £800 it goes to show that they aren’t as ‘affordable’ as they can be.

Now that the schools have closed for the summer it may be the best time to shop around and find that ‘bargain’ family holiday. Places such as Spain, Greece and Turkey have suffered a massive blow by the reduction of tourists visiting and the price of the Euro falling. By opting for all inclusive or half board meal plans you could save some money on self catering packages but this is not always the case so shop around.

Is it too late to book a summer holiday?
It’s never too late to book a last minute getaway, but if you have children this can cause a problem if you need to travel within the next few days. Many people make the mistake of buying too much or packing too many items when they go on holiday so buy toiletries and last minute things at the airport and buy travel sizes so you don’t use up your allowance. Shop around and if you find a deal that fits your budget go for it and have a nice time.

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With school holidays and summer fast approaching many families are looking for a cheap getaway. Some people choose to book their holidays a year in advance so they have time to sort out the finances for it. With the average family holiday for four costing £2,500 if not more it’s easy to see why families are being sensible about paying for it. There are also professions such as teaching where teachers have no choice but to holiday during peak times such as school holidays.

Do offers of £99 holidays really exist?
If you buy newspapers or receive weekly newsletters from travel companies and agents you will notice how every now and again you will see offers of ‘bargain’ holidays that are available for a limited time only. Here are a few that I have come across 1 week in Turkey £139 including flights, 1 week in Greece £159 including flights and the most popular 1 week in Spain £129 including flights. When you see a week’s accommodation including flights to the destination you think ‘wow what a bargain’ but what does it or doesn’t it include?

When you call up so called ‘£99’ holiday deals you are nearly always told that they’re sorry but the offer has sold out, this is a ploy so the travel agent can tell you about other so called ‘fantastic’ deals they currently have. It’s not known if such bargain holiday deals were ever available in the first place or if it’s just a way of reeling in potential customers.

If you are lucky enough to find a bargain holiday then here are some popular mistakes travellers make when they book their holiday:
Airport departure and arrival – check to see that the departing airport is accessible to where you live, you may fin that the holiday you’re after is departing from an airport further than you think. It’s the same for the holiday arrival destination, make sure it is in your resort area and you don’t need a costly and lengthy taxi ride to another resort.

Are meals included – know beforehand if you have a bed and breakfast, half board, all inclusive or self catering accommodation. If it is self catering you can save some money by bringing some essentials such as tea bags, sugar, powdered milk and pasta.

Airport transfers – when you arrive at your holiday destination are transfers included or do you need to pre book or find a taxi when you arrive. This is important as you don’t want to be left stranded at the airport in a foreign country.

Luggage allowance – most cheap holidays only give you an allowance of 10-15kg and this is to be taken onboard as hand luggage. If you want to bring a suitcase that needs to be checked in you may have to pay an additional £30 that will also give an allowance of 23kg or more.

Location – if you are getting a good deal you may want to enquire about local amenities such as how close is the beach, the bus stop, taxi, supermarket etc. You may find that the beach is a good 15 minutes walk or a fee paying bus ride daily which can soon add up.

In all you are highly unlikely to be able to find a good deal for anything less than £300 at least. Once you take into account that you will need to go to the airport via taxi or pay a week’s airport parking, transfers at the holiday destination, food, transport costs on holiday and pocket money for gifts, souvenirs or entertainment you soon find out that there is no such thing as a £99 holiday.

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