Travel Guide

Found between the islands of Amager and Zealand, is Copenhagen. Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark and has a population of nearly 2 million. It’s a modern metropolis of several districts and its numerous recreational areas, water and bicycle paths set its distinctive image from other cities in Denmark. This Danish town is encompassed by three pristine sandy beaches that expand for eight kilometers which is actually a couple of minutes coming from the area center either by foot or bicycle.

The stunning Amager Strandpark found inside the location of the 3 beaches includes an artificial island which measures two kms long. Its beaches have won international prizes because of its amazing design including a system of Harbour Baths across the waterfront of the city. This city is surely a wonderful summer getaway for your family.

Copenhagen is well-known because of its best tasting beers where the globally popular brewed beers Carlsberg of Carlsberg Breweries are manufactured and produced. There are many a varied combination of different points of interest and activities that you certainly enjoy in the city and its cobblestone streets, old Danish homes and historical structures are wonderful points of interest itself, as well as the ultra-modern attractions that are added in almost every year.

The Little Mermaid statue in the Langelinie harbor is really a choice by travelers. If you want to learn more about the history of Denmark as well as its citizens, the Copenhagen City Museum and shops and entertainment with a carnival-like appeal. To get deeper into Danish history the Prince’s Palace’s National Museum would be the ideal places to see. The Tivoli Gardens of Copenhagen tend to be popular for its theme park and entertainment complexes that attract more than 3 million tourists every year.

If you want to experience the night life within the city with just the best tasting beers, the Nyhavn Canal will probably be a fun and exciting encounter for its long line of bars. This particular leisure district is called the “Longest Bar in Scandinavia”. Additional main points of interest that you must not overlook are the Rosenborg Castle, Freetown Christiania, Christiansborg Palace among many others.

Weather: The city of Copenhagen goes through mild temperatures throughout the year, whatever season it could be. Citizens always enjoy pleasant weather which in no way gets too hot in the summer season and not too cold during the winter months. Rain fall that are scattered all throughout the year are always moderate. The city always has a gloomy weather meaning grey skies are a common sight all throughout the year.

Transport: Copenhagen has extremely reliable, clean, affordable and secure public transport services such as Metro or trains and buses that operate via a one-fare system, meaning tickets fares are accepted in all these public transports. Night buses are efficient and trains operate all night long on Fridays and Saturdays. Tourists are encouraged to get the “Copenhagen Card” to get rides in public transports and entry in most major tourist spots in the city for free. Bicycles are still the most loved form of transport in the city especially for locals. Cycles taxis are also available and very cheap for tourists.

The Republic of Cuba lies in the Caribbean islands and has a tropical climate. This is nicely mediated by the ocean breezes which tend to sweep across the island.

As a holiday destination, Cuba is vibrant, fun and has a smorgasbord of things to do. The capital Havana has a great party district in Vedado, and sometimes plays host to celebrities wanting to relax in their time off. Hit the streets here and you will be able to watch the processions of the carnival in a true Caribbean style, along the Malecon. Go to the Tropicana bar in the capital to see the place where Carmen Miranda once performed, and enjoy a tipple in the open-air bar whilst watching some cabaret. Make sure you immerse yourself fully in the Cuban lifestyle whilst you are here and also learn about the country’s past. The Museo de la Revolución tells all about the revolution that took place, so you can make sure you appreciate just what you are seeing today. Finish a day in the capital with a look around the Plaza Vieja, which has many boutiques and museums, which are a far cry from the days that bull fighting was the town’s main entertainment there. If you are staying in Havana, make sure that you escape for a day to the closest fabulous beaches at Playa del Este, which has six kilometres of the legendary Caribbean sands and sparkling waters, complete with palm trees.

To really embrace the Cuban lifestyle though, you need to make sure you soak up the culture and take advantage of the music and life that is all through the island. Santiago de Cuba is the opposite end of the island to Havana, yet is the second largest city and a real place to see. The best musicians and dancers are in this area, and put on great Afro-Cuban performances all over the city every night. In the day you can look at some UNESCO World Heritage sites around the area, such as the citadel of San Pedro de la Roca and the Baconao Park.

To see some good views you should be prepared to travel a little. Try climbing Torre de Manaca Iznaga which is a watchtower with a lovely restaurant by it- this will give you views of the Valley of the Sugar Mills, where there used to be over 50 sugar mills, a real heritage of Cuba. The Sierra Maestra which is in the Oriente, or the Zapata Peninsula should definitely be hiked too in order to see great views and lots of local wildlife such as tropical birds and reptiles.

All about enjoying life, you should enjoy the variety of Cuba and make the most of the climate. Try the Varadero resort if you want beaches and lots of partying into the night, but make sure you take excursions to take advantage of things such as the local reef diving from Cayo Coco, which is one of the world’s largest reefs and a breathtaking site.

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Taba is on the border of Egypt and Israel, on the Egyptian side. It is a small town, but one that is popular with both locals and holiday makers. Taba, is not the most action packed place in the world, but the Egyptian setting is stunning and you can always use it as somewhere you stop for a few days, before moving on to other resorts in Egypt, or up into Israel.

Taba is a romantic holiday town, which is good for couples, or groups of adults, but may not have enough to do for families who are looking for a nice break. There are a few things to do in the region though if you do not mind going out of Taba itself on some days. You will find trips on offer include places such as Mount Sinai and Petra. You can also head to Beer Sweer, 15km south, for some nice beach areas with eating establishments and straw huts to relax in.

Another place it is a great idea to go and visit is Castle Zaman. Because of the raised location, you can see into 4 countries from this tall castle and spend some lovely time at the bar or relaxing by the pool there. With a gift shop offering a great deal of items to buy for friends and family back home, you can tick several of the key boxes for your holiday here: seeing something breathtaking, getting souvenirs, relaxing and soaking up some sun. Many tourists who visit the castle come back urging others to go and see it if they are in the region, so it really does come with high recommendations. This is an adult only kind of sight though, as there is drinking and not any child friendly activities on offer to keep little ones entertained.

Taba is a great place for an adult holiday, as the famous Hilton hotel there also has a casino, Casino City, which is what draws many people in to Taba. The hotel itself has 11 stories and includes a diving centre as well, the casino is the main draw though. This is an excellent hotel to stop at if you can afford it, with all the modern amenities you need and an interesting array of activities on site plus a private beach available to residents.

Red Sea diving is one reason tourists flock to Taba. Red Sea Water World is in Taba Heights, which is an area where development is booming, in order to help locals have better facilities to integrate them into a tourist area, and also to offer some new features to Taba in general. There are 6 hotels as well as a diving centre and water sports, as mentioned, which are nestled in amongst the scenic mountain scenery of the area. Red Water Sea World offers diving with qualified instructors, and will teach you everything that you need in order to be able to have a fun day in the water and see some nice sights. If you are into sports, but prefer something less active, then why not try the Three Corners El Wekala Resort Golf Course for a nice relaxing day on a fantastic course nestled in Taba Heights.

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Dusseldorf is definitely the famous centre of style and advertising sectors in Germany. It’s the capital city of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia that is magnificently situated by the river of Rhine. Trade fairs are abundant all year round in this German town. It is the place to find several Rhenish carnival celebrations like the annual GroBte Kirmes am Rhein funfair celebrated July of every year wherein in close proximity to 5 million people as well as tourists participate. Dusseldorf is an extremely elegant and stunning town which makes it one of the country’s top 5 global cities along with Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The “big 5″ are leading cities of international investments and quick market advancement. Some of the big international players based here are Sony Ericsson, Nokia, NTT, GTS and Sandvik. Being one of the richest cities in Germany, Dusseldorf features impressive towers and buildings which are preferred visitor attractions.

If you are planning to visit to Germany, then Dusseldorf must be included in your list of priority destinations. You should visit the Altstadt, Dusseldorf’s old town center exactly where vehicles are not permitted on its beautiful cobbled roads. This particular place is tormented with incredible boutiques and trendy and luxurious dining establishments. Altstadt is sometimes called the longest bar on the planet due to many bars lined up within the district. The place is extremely popular because of its delicious beers making it a beer drinking paradise where it in no way runs out of people who hang out and relax. It’s also possible to enjoy shopping at some other high-class shops just like the Konigsallee, relax in the old city park of Hofgarten, and admire the city’s advanced harbor of Dusseldorf-Hafen and historical area of Kaiserswerth.

Some other ideal tourist spots well worth visiting in Dusseldorf would be the rococo castle Schloss Benrath, the Gothic Basilica of St Lambertus, the baroque cathedral of St Andreas, the old town hall which was developed in 1573, Rathausufer, the statue of Jan-Wellem-Reiterdenkmal at Rathausplatz, the Schlossturm Structure at Burgplatz and the Stadterhebungsdenkmal. Some of these places have long names that are too difficult to pronounce but are too easy to like.

Local climate: Going to the city of Dusseldorf is best during the months of May and September due to abundant warm and sunny weathers. Even the winter months in the city are usually fairly mild although occasional snowfall and frost are experienced during the months of December, January and February. Spring time arrives with an abundance of sunshine in March and April. The weather temperatures begin to rise in May and onwards but rain showers and thunderstorms unpredictably happen within any particular day of the summer months.

Transport: The city of Dusseldorf is served by a large international airport based 40 kms from the city called Dusseldorf Monchengladbach. Long-distance train stations serve the city for both national and regional services. The Deutsche Bahn railway network has greater than a thousand train stops in the city every day. The buses are also efficient public city transports. Metered taxi transports are also plentiful in the city but fares should be discussed with drivers first before riding in one especially when the service will be used in long trips in and around the city.

Sightseeing
There are many tours available around Menorca, one of them being a boat trip from Mao harbor. Mao is Menorca’s capital city and there you will find more tourist attractions like the Xoriguer distillery with its enormous copper stills bubbling away into alcohol. Mao harbor is a pleasant coast line with its unique fishing boats and its attractive houses that are built into the cliffs. Menorca has a few landmarks one being the 17 century castle that was built to protect the harbor with it working drawbridge and fabulous scenery.

Castell de Sant Nicolau is a must see for all travelers to Mao city. The Military governors house is a grand looking palace but it can only be viewed from outside. The principal theatre was the first opera house in Menorca built over 200 years ago and is a fine building that is now used as a cinema. Or take a visit to the very popular Placa Alfons III and its charming windmill that is something of an attraction for tourists. If you are looking for historic landmarks or beautiful landscaped gardens you will find these in and around the island of Menorca.

Beaches
There are a few beaches around Menorca that have golden sand with clear waters and offer very good water sports like sailing and paragliding and water skiing. The beach facilities are excellent too with volley ball courts and life guards throughout the summer months. To the east and the south is where the best beaches are found. Punta Prima beach has some splendid views and is becoming quite a popular beach. Cala Binisafuller beach is the most popular with the tourists staying in hotels close by. There are some quieter beaches still to be found and being developed towards the eastern part of the island. Son Su is Menorca’s longest beach stretching around 2 miles long.

Shopping
Menorca has plenty of shops opening 7 days a week as well as many beachfront stores that stay open late into the night. There are plenty of shopping opportunities and a varied range of items to purchase. There will be something for everyone. Markets are every week and during the summer they can be open every day in high season selling everything from fruit and vegetables to leather, jewelery and local crafted items. Many of the shops will close between 1 pm and 5 pm for a siesta from the baking heat but they reopen late into the night

Nightlife
Nigh time entertainment is based around the hotels and restaurants. There are no wild and crazy night clubs it is relatively low key. There are a few discotheques and jazz bars and bars playing live music. You will find a casino in Mahon, the only one. It is situated by the harbour. There is also an opera house there. Mahon is probably the liveliest town in Menorca, but the best night out has to be the fantastic traditional Andalucian horse show. The horses are specially and highly trained the Menorcan way. It is a magnificent performance showing the connection between man and beast, a really fantastic night’s entertainment.

Eating
Menorca’s favourite cuisine is stewed lobster and fish; there is quite a French influence in the pastries and flans of Menorca. You will find your beach front has fast food restaurants along the coast line for filled crusty batches and burgers and the inland restaurants serve a wide variety of food to suit all the family.

Happy Holidays!

Sightseeing

From the Monkey Park, where you can see the bird and plant life of the area, to a mini cruise at sunset along the Gambian river, there are plenty of excursions in the Gambia. Travel along its narrow but beautiful countryside with colour and sunshine all year round. Take a trip out to see the baobab tree; every part of this tree is useful from the fruit, seeds and leaves that are used as ingredients in sauces, beverages and medicines and also for making ropes. Parks and reserves are dotted all around the Gambia. The most famous reserve is in Abuko, approximately 25 kilometres drive from Banjul. The park has been protected since 1916 because it supplies the capital with its drinking water. Have a trip out to some of the local schools and leave a donation so they can prosper in their education.

You could travel to Gambia National Park which is also known as Baboon Island. Unfortunately the river boats are not allowed to stop for you to enter the Island, this is so the monkeys can be left undisturbed, but it is still a great day out and very photographic. Abuko is a paradise for those of you who are bird watchers with over 300 species in this tropical forest. It is a must for all the family to experience its sights and sounds. If you would like to see a diverse variety of cultural items visit the National Museum in Banjul. You will need several hours to see everything but it is well worth a trip there. If you’re quite daring and would like a great experience visit Bakau crocodile park where you can walk among the crocodiles, some are even friendly enough you can have your photo taken stroking one, if you dare.

Eating

Gambia is well known for its fresh sea fish dishes using Barracuda, Atlantic prawns and butter fish. Fish are cooked with vegetable and rice. Try Domoda one of the islands typical dishes. This is meat stewed in peanut puree and served with rice. Chicken Yassa is cooked with lime and rice a delicious tangy dish. Gambia does provide cuisine from all around the world. These are served in luxury hotels and many restaurants in the towns. Fast food is available but not as accessible as most other countries. Outdoor shacks do sell fast food but be careful you may be taking a trip to the hospital afterwards pretty fast too.

Nightlife

In Banjul there is little or no nightlife, if any it will be hotel based, but a short taxi ride will take you to the town of Sennagambia where you can find all the nightlife you would possibly want. The music is varied from place to place playing all types from pop to Reggae and R&B. There are lots of restaurants too, some playing local live music. You can have a good night out if that is what you are looking for on your holiday in the Gambia.

Shopping

There are no designer stores or supermarkets in the Gambia and there is very little shopping in Banjul. There are local markets, selling crafts and beads and some bargains can be had with silver items and beautiful material. Leather belts, hand crafted jewellery and tourist souvenirs are about all you can really purchase in the Gambia.

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Situated between Ethiopia (to the north) and Tanzania (to the south) lies the unspoilt Kenya with world famous safari parks and glorious sandy beaches.

Kenya is split up into eight provinces which can further be split down into districts. There were sixty nine in total according to the last census in 1999. The eight provinces are: Central, Coastal, Nairobi, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western. As well as having the provinces to explore, Kenya also has several busy cities if you would prefer to escape and indulge in a spot of retail therapy. Kenyan markets and shopping are things that may rarely be considered when thinking about the country, but in actual fact it is a veritable smorgasbord out there, with many fine shops and markets to cater for everyone’s taste. Start off with a trip to the capital city, Nairobi, and think about the kind of items you may want to acquire. One thing that Kenya is known for is the beautiful cloth that comes out of the country. Head down to Biashara Street and have a look at the range of fabric shops available, so you can choose a lovely piece to take home.

If you are someone who prefers markets or going to see a range of different shops though, then definitely just wander around the city and make the most of the open air markets there every day. The City Market itself is great and has a variety of items that you could buy, for yourself or as gifts to take home for friends and family as a token of Africa. Haggling is perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, at these markets, so you can easily get bargains. However, be careful when haggling over goods such as ornaments as often these can be handmade and are of a high quality. It can be offensive to name too low a price, so make sure you inspect items and see how well crafted they seem before you put in your initial offer. Bargaining is fun in the culture, but if you are someone who has little time or get frustrated, then just make a clear ‘final price’ and ask for the stall owners own. Make a compromise and pay up or leave without the item. Nairobi also hosts the Sarit Centre, a large shopping zone that can be found by heading for the Westlands area if you want to make the most of every shopping district.

Travelling out into the lesser know cities of Eldoret and Machakos can be good for shopping if you do not like the busier environments as much. Real bargains can be found out in the smaller towns though. Often there will be markets selling many goods which are handmade and very well crafted: wood carvings, cloths, jewellery and baskets are treasures to look out for. If you are prepared to travel, the coastal town of Lamu is perfect for shopping for good quality items. Renowned as one of the best areas in terms of craftsmanship, it is worth going to see, or maybe even being the destination you choose to stop in.

Kenya is well known for excellent shopping, but make sure you take advantage of other wonders too. There are beautiful sandy beaches in the coastal regions which, although very hot, will allow you beautiful sea views and a chance to paddle. Consider The Gedi Ruins, Mount Kenya, Maasai Mara and Kakamega forest reserves (to name a few) if you are in Kenya and make the most of this beautiful country.

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Taman Negara is a nature reserve in the heart of Malaysia. If you are visiting Malaysia, this is one place that you should not miss. However, make sure that you get an entry permit before venturing into the park. Also, if you intend fishing or clicking photographs of the natural beauty and wildlife, get the required license. Remember, these are rules that you have to follow, or else you could get into serious trouble with the law.

If you are visiting Teman Negara, then the first place you should go to is the Canopy Walk. This walk is suspended around forty-five meters above the ground and definitely not for the faint hearted. You have to climb a ladder to get to the walk and then you need to use the ladder to get off the walk. The walk is extremely safe and secure, but people who suffer from vertigo or are afraid of heights may not want to venture on it. Initially the walk was built for researchers, but later on it was opened to public. The walk is not free and you have to pay a nominal amount to access it. The rate is different for adults and children.

Another attraction of park is the Orang Asli. It is presumed that this tribe was the first inhabitant of Malaysia. The tribe has been dwelling in the forest for more than hundred years. You need to take a twenty-minute ride on a boat to get to the place where the Orang Asli live. The tribal people are quite friendly and are always willing to show curious visitors how to make fire or use a blow pipe.

Of course, to need the wildlife in its natural habitat, you will have to spend the night here. There are around 6 observation hideaways in the park that you can access by foot or by taking a boat ride. The most popular wildlife of the park are wild pigs and wild cats.

Planning for a vacation

Some people are naturals and others are almost ‘phobic’ at the thought of packing and preparing for their holiday abroad.

Last minute panics, checking for passports and tickets at least a dozen times before stepping out of the door are all too familiar for many people.

So with this in mind we have come up with a ‘prepare to travel guide’ which will hopefully eliminate these ’symptoms’ and have you enjoying your holiday as soon as you step out of your front door.

Below is a time line check list so you can start your preparations long before you leave for your holiday abroad.

6 Months before

1) OK this is important but something so many people overlook, make sure your passport is not about to expire!

2) Make sure you have had all inoculations required for your destination.

3) Make sure you have ordered any visa etc you will need.

The week before

1) Check you have canceled things you don’t require while you are away like the milk (if you still have it delivered) and the newspapers etc. If you are canceling the milk try to do it directly with the milkman as opposed to leaving a note as it is always a good sign to thieves that you will be away.

2) Confirm you have all documentation for things like travel insurance, your flights, accommodation confirmations and important numbers you will need.

3) Order your currency or travelers checks

4) Make sure you have medical cards or the relevant paperwork for the country you are visiting

5) Make sure you have a driving license if you intend to or have already hired a car.

6) If you are driving to the airport make sure you have booked parking

The night before

1) Confirm you have packed all the items mentioned above.

2) Confirm transport to the airport is booked such as taxis

3) If driving make sure you have the long term parking confirmations and instructions

On the day

1) Make sure you have all of the above

2) Double lock windows and doors

3) Make sure you have everyone with you who should be going (kids, spouses, parents, grandparents etc)

4) Have you turned everything off such as cookers, ovens, kettles etc.

Now enjoy your holiday!

In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea lies one of the club capitals of Europe: a small island named Ibiza with some of the biggest named clubs in the industry, including Pacha, Space, Café del mar and many others. This means that large numbers of tourists are attracted to the island on a seasonal basis, as the club scene is always alive. If you are looking for a clubbing holiday, then look no further.

Many of the clubs are set in the beautiful San Antonio bay, a plateau that is flat for around five hundred meters and covered with clear water, allowing you to walk out into the middle of what seems the sea. Sant Antoni bay is one of the best night scenes, as just a few meters away from the beautiful sand is a line of the hottest clubs for techno, electronic dance, house and trance music, with regular visits from huge UK DJ’s such as Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Tiesto and Dark Forest constantly bringing the hottest and most up to date music that there is. You should always try to buy tickets to the main clubs in advance, as door prices can be around 20 euros more, enough for 2 more beers when you get inside!. The prices for drinks can be high, so be warned to take plenty of cash with you, but there really is not any other island like it for the atmosphere, so it is well worth a visit at least once.

Head to a sunset café first, before the clubs, to really get in the mood for a great night out. Cocktails and spirits overlooking the sun setting over San Antonio will allow you to relax and get those initial cheaper drinks, so you are prepared for the clubbing scene later. Try the Café del Mar and make the most of the wonders of the Ibiza scenery. The music will already be spinning in the bars, so you will be entertained all through the night. Around this area are many go karting tracks and usual day time holiday activities too, so you will never be bored.

If clubbing is not to your taste then do not fear for Ibiza is a historical island with ancient ruins scattered around too. There are desirable tourist hot spots, from old castles up in the mountains and built on cliff edges, to the magnificent old town and the old port of Ibiza. This has fantastic ramparts and old crooked authentic streets, which are brilliant for getting lost down on a hot afternoon, as the sun is covered by the high old style Spanish architecture which is just made more outstanding by the site of the sun glistening over the old tiled roofs. Being an island of vast history, Ibiza is locally claimed to be the birth place of Christopher Columbus and there is a monument that has been erected in his honour.

For a more family feel, try the Playa d’en Bossa area, with carousels and bouncy castles as well as everything else a child could need for a great holiday in the sun. Water sports can also be enjoyed around all of the coastal areas, meaning there is an activity whatever your age.

Happy Holidays!