Turkey

A short break in Turkey is an ideal place to go if you are looking for sun, fun and culture. It can be quite difficult to decide what to do on holiday and where the best places to go are especially if you are only on a short break in Turkey. There is so much to see and do that it would be impossible to fit everything in. However, the best way to get around this is to stick with the things that are popular amongst other holiday makers as well.

The Turkish bath has been present in Turkey for thousands of years and is something that should definitely be done whilst on a short break in Turkey. They became popular when local residents didn’t have the facilities in their own houses so would go to the local public Turkish bath. It was tradition for people then to view going there as a day out and would prepare picnics to take with them to eat when they finished bathing. Despite the fact that most people now have baths in their own homes, the traditional Turkish bath is still as prevalent as ever and they can still be found in almost every neighbourhood of all the big towns and cities in the country.The magic carpets are definitely something you will come across while on your short break in Turkey. Carpet weaving has long traditions and you can take trips and tours to learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Throughout the country you will see carpets for sale in every size, design and colour scheme in stalls, street – side shops and elegant showrooms. No trip to Turkey would be complete without a trip to a carpet shop and many claim that the purchase of a Turkish carpet is number one on their shopping list.

Taking a boat cruise on the Bosphorus (Istanbul) will probably be one of the highlights of your short break in Turkey. You will see so many sites that you literally won’t know where to look including the Selimiye Barracks where Florence Nightingale worked, Topkapi Palace, Rumeli Hisari and many more stunning sites. You can chose whether to take a traditional Istanbul ferryboat or a faster TurYol boat depending on how long you want to stay.

Folk and belly dancing performances are both very popular forms of entertainment in Turkey. Belly dancing is called “gobek dans” and it is still custom for the bride and groom to hire a belly dancer for their wedding. You can still go and see various performances with belly dancers all around Turkey today. Folk dancing normally involves the dancers wearing special costumes and often reflects natural events or daily life. Again, there are many performances you can go and see wherever you are staying while on your short break in Turkey.With so much to see and do a short break in Turkey is ideal for everyone regardless of how old you are or what interests you. You can guarantee that regardless of what you do however you will have a great time.

Image belongs to: Carla Saliba. Taken from: www.flickr.com

Visit Sunny Florida

If you are looking for a USA holiday that is going to leave you wanting more, then a visit to Miami, Florida is called for. Probably due to its mild climate all year round and endless access to the ocean, Miami was ranked the nation’s number one Healthiest City by a magazine in 2002.  

With some of the world’s top sporting facilities, sparkling waters and top attractions, Miami attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the globe. Apart from the most obvious tourist spot, Disney World, Florida has so much to offer. If theme parks aren’t your thing then a USA holiday in Miami will suit you perfectly. 

Why not pay a visit to Miami Metro Zoo where you will be able to see hyenas, tigers, lions, leopards, bears, camels, giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinos, gorillas, kangaroos, crocodiles and much more. There are also playgrounds and water play areas as well as wildlife shows, animal talks, animal meet and greet sessions and other activities. 

For true nature lovers the Everglades National Park is an absolute must when on any USA holiday. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US boasting rare and endangered species such as the American crocodile and the Florida panther. You can go on boat tours of the park or camp there if you would prefer to make a few days of it. 

The Venetian Pool which was originally a rock quarry is a popular spot for those wishing to relax while on their USA holiday. Situated in a residential area of Coral Gables it was used as a source of coral rock for construction during the early years of Coral Gables until it was turned into a public pool. The pool is surrounded by several Spanish style buildings, a garden patio and a grotto which means there is plenty around to keep you busy for the day.  

Being surrounded by so much water it is inevitable that water sports are a very popular activity when in Miami. You can participate in windsurfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, kayaking and pretty much any other water sports you can think of while on your USA holiday.   

You will find a large variety of restaurants along the seafront of Miami Beach from fine dining to laid back fast food. Whatever you fancy you are greeting by stunning sea views which is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. 

Image belongs to: Joseph Hurtado http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumpetca. Taken from: www.flickr.com

Sunny Zante Holidays

Zante is the beach holiday island that dreams are made of. With a coastline roughly 123 kilometers in length, the island of Zante is trimmed with beautifully tranquil coves, broad white-sandy bays and resort beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.  Zante is known to locals as “Zakynthos” and only in English as “Zante”. 

Nicknamed centuries ago as “flower of the East” by the Venetians who once colonised it, Zante gets its Greek name from an ancient mythical character: Zacynthus, son of the legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus Third largest of the Ionian Islands and most Southerly, Zante has a thriving tourism industry which caters for everyone.  Party seekers dance the night away in the bars and clubs on Zante’s vibrant club scene; then recover by day on one of Zante’s many quiet coves and beaches.  ‘Laganas’, situated on the South coast is the biggest and liveliest resort on Zante, well renowned for its nightlife. 

Laganas has possibly the best beach on the island, and this is where Zante’s endangered loggerhead turtles nest.  From here, it is easy to venture to the most photographed spot on Zante – the famous Smuggler’s Cove. Parents with young families come to Zante to take advantage of the rather more quiet and family focused resorts on Zante, which provide entertainment for the kids and a well earned rest in the Zante sunshine for mum and dad.  Argassi and Tsilivi are the contenders here. 

For those with the curiosity to explore Zante’s interior, Zante is an island of contrasts offering stunning scenery, white cliffs, sleepy olive groves and dusky mountains.  The roads on Zante are driveable and there are car hire companies aplenty.  Zante also has some amazing cave dives, with marine life rich in moray eels, monk seals, octopus, and loggerhead turtles (caretta caretta).

International air travelers to Zante arrive via Zakynthos International Airport.  Olympic Airways flies 2-3 times daily to Zante from Athens – even in winter. Zante is also well served by ferries running from the Greek mainland; plus ferries sail regularly from Brindisi in Italy, direct to Zante’s shores.Zante is a picturesque island with a village atmosphere.  Holiday makers are as welcome in Zante’s friendly tavernas and local shops, as they are in Zante’s resort bars and shopping complexes. The natural beauty of the island and the variety of holidays available on Zante, combine to make it one of the top tourist destinations in Greece.

Image belongs to: Carla Saliba. Taken from: www.flickr.com

Zante Holidays

When you go on holiday it can be difficult to decide where to go as there are so many options available nowadays. If you are looking for warm weather and beautiful beaches then Zante is the holiday island that dreams are made of. With a coastline roughly 123 kilometres in length, the island of Zante is trimmed with beautifully tranquil coves, broad white – sandy bays and resort beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.                                        

The island is the third largest of the Ionian Islands and most Southern of them all. Zante has a thriving tourism industry which caters for everyone. Party seekers can dance the night away in the bars and clubs on Zante’s vibrant club scene and then recover by day on one of Zante’s many quiet coves and beaches. 

The resort of Laganas is situated on the South coast of the island and is the biggest and liveliest which is well known for its nightlife. Laganas has possibly the best beach on the island, and this is where Zante’s endangered loggerhead turtles nest. From here, it is easy to venture to the most photographed spot on Zante – the famous Smuggler’s Cove.Parents with young families come to Zante to take advantage of the rather more quiet and family focused resorts which provide entertainment for the kids and a well earned rest in the sun for mum and dad.

Argassi and Tsilivi are the most popular destinations for those after a quieter family holiday.

For those with the curiosity to explore the island, Zante offers stunning scenery, white cliffs, sleepy olive groves and dusky mountains. The roads on Zante are driveable and there are car hire companies aplenty. Zante also has some amazing cave dives, with marine life rich in moray eels, monk seals, octopus, and loggerhead turtles. Zante is a picturesque island with a village atmosphere. Holiday makers are as welcome in Zante’s friendly tavernas and local shops, as they are in Zante’s resort bars and shopping complexes. The natural beauty of the island and the variety of holidays available on Zante make it one of the top tourist destinations in Greece. 

 

Image belongs to: Christian Bachellier. Taken from: www.flickr.com 

Zante

Zante has two very different sides to it; the hustle and bustle of the busy club scene and the historical and cultural aspect which appeals to those with an ‘explorer’ extinct in them. Whichever category you are in, the beauty and tradition of the island is likely to capture the hearts of all those who visit Zante.

 Activities

 

Zante offers everything you would expect from one of the Greek islands – swimming, water – sports, bowling, tennis and much more. As well as this there are plenty of boat tours available from local tour operators.

Nightlife

 

Zante is a lively and energetic island offering a vast array of bars and clubs. Argasi and Laganas are the liveliest resorts which are more suitable for the younger crowd. Laganas is the centre of the clubbing scene with popular places including Pink Panther, Zeros and Cocktails and Dreams. As well as this there are dozens of bars and clubs along the Laganas strip providing a range of different music. This definitely is not the place to go if you want a good night’s sleep but you are guaranteed fun and excitement.

Eating Out

 

You will find a large assortment of restaurants in Zante. There are plenty of places to get traditional British food and the all important cooked breakfast the morning after the night before. If you fancy something a bit diverse, whichever resort you are at you will find traditional Greek restaurants along the seafront. This provides beautiful views as the sun goes down and in traditional Greek style the atmosphere is friendly and full of spirit. Customary music and dancing will be put on with guests encouraged to take part.

Where to Stay

 

If you are going to Zante to party then Argasi and Laganas are recommended as you will be right in the centre of everything. Laganas strip has many hotels which are close to shops, clubs, pubs, restaurants and the beach.

 

Some of the quieter family resorts are Alikanas, Kalamaki and Vassilikos. All of these resorts offer a variety of hotels, apartments and villas. Many of them offer facilities for children and provide activities to keep them busy in the day while parents relax by the pool.

Attractions

 

Famous for its turtles, a turtle boat trip is a must. These can be booked through local tour operators which normally have offices located along busy streets. The prices are reasonable and most companies guarantee you will see turtles or you get your money back.  You can also book boat trips to the Blue Caves which are famous for their stunning shade of blue seas and rock formations. Some tour operators let you jump off the boat and swim around the caves.

 

The most famous beach in Zante is Smugglers Cove. The crystal clear waters and white sand creates stunning scenery along this private and secluded beach. You can only access the beach by boat but it’s well worth the trip as you can explore the ship wreck that was washed up onto the shore over 20 years ago.

 

One of Zante’s best kept secrets is the island of Agios Sostis at the southern tip of Laganas Bay. It is accessible through a walkway which makes a pleasant walk to the island. There is a club on the island called Cameo Club. However, the real beauty is the surprise you have when you arrive on the island. A beautiful, secluded and quiet beach is complimented by a live DJ and bar providing all kinds of refreshments. It’s hard to believe you’re only minutes away from the madness of Laganas when you’re relaxing on this stunning and picturesque beach.

Image belongs to: Christian Bachellier. Taken from: www.flickr.com