Chania

Chania is located along the north coast of Crete and is the second largest city on the island. When people talk about Chania they will mention the Venetian Harbour, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and the picturesque waterfront restaurants. It is a beautiful city with most of its sites such as old buildings, museums, churches and craft shops being located close to the harbour. This means that you can explore the waterfront and streets and walk along the harbour wall to the Venetian Lighthouse, making your holiday in Chania truly unique.

Today the city of Chania can be divided in two parts; the old town and the modern city. The old town is situated next to the old harbour and is the matrix around which the whole urban area was developed. This makes it an interesting place to visit if you are interested in the history and culture of Crete. The Naval Museum is another brilliant way to learn about the history of Crete but is by no means only for history fanatics and everyone is bound to enjoy a trip to the museum while on your holiday in Chania.

The modern part of Chania is where most locals live and work. It is less traditional than the old town, but there are still areas of charming beauty or of some historical interest. The oldest district of the modern city is Nea Hora and is located beyond the west end of the old town. Although it is a developing area, it is also a very picturesque one, with narrow old lanes leading to a small fishing harbour.

You will never be short of options for where to get food whether you are a fussy eater or are willing to try anything once. There are many restaurants and cafes serving a range of dishes from local delicacies to more traditional British food which you can enjoy on your holiday in Chania. The culture and character of Cretan people and their traditions provides a great atmosphere for you to enjoy your dinner in and will make you feel right at home. A restaurant that many people recommend is The Well of the Turk. This unusual restaurant has a creative blend of North African, middle eastern and Greek food, set in an old Turkish house with a well.

Water – sports are very popular activities in Chania which is probably down to the success of the city’s local water polo team. With success in the primary league of the Greek national championship for many years now, locals are keen to keep the tradition going and participate in water – sports themselves. Football, basketball and mountain climbing and walking are other popular activities that you can try while on holiday in Chania.

The city enjoys an enviable Mediterranean climate with sunny dry summers and mild rainy winters. During the period between April and October, clear – sky weather is almost an everyday feature. The atmosphere is always warm but fierce heat – waves are not very common which means that the temperature never gets too unbearable. If sun soaked holidays filled with culture and entertainment is what you want then a holiday in Chania is right up your street.

Boston

If you are looking for the perfect USA holiday then Boston is one of the top places to visit. Not only is it the capital of Massachusetts, it’s the largest city in New England and is often considered to be the unofficial economic and cultural centre of the New England region.Second only to San Francisco for its popularity with tourists, an American travel information magazine recently named Boston as the seventh most popular city in the world. A trip to this beautiful city will guarantee that this is one USA holiday that you will never forget.There is so much to do that it is unlikely that you will manage to see all the sites it has to offer.

A good place to start whilst on your USA holiday is the Freedom Trail which is one of America’s first historic walking tours. It is the perfect introduction to Colonial and Revolutionary Boston and takes visitors to 16 historical sites which gives you an idea of the best places to visit.Faneuil Hall is a collection of boutiques, eateries and pushcart vendors housed in converted 18th century warehouses which has played an integral role in the life of Boston’s residents for over 250 years. When you can’t possibly shop any more, you can enjoy the street entertainers that frequently perform outside the hall. For something a bit different while on your USA holiday you can take part in a Boston Tea Party Re – enactment sail on board the Tall Ship Liberty Clipper. You can help set the sails and then prepare for the fight where cannons will be shot and chests of tea will be thrown overboard.

You can also take part in a Boston tradition by taking a ride on the famous Swan Boats in the Public Garden. You can enjoy a peaceful 15 minute ride as a Swan Boat driver paddles you around the Public Garden Lagoon.

Just a short ferry ride from the city, you can visit the Boston Harbour Islands, the country’s newest National Park, composed of 34 islands. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, island tours, hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Most of the major places of interest are within walking distance of each other so you don’t have to worry about paying for taxis or getting lost on busses. There is a wide selection of hotels available to suit every taste and budget, ranging from the most luxurious hotels and large chain hotels, to smaller inexpensive lodgings.

The whole of the greater Boston area is served by an excellent transport system which includes an underground railway – the ‘T’ which is perhaps the easiest way to travel into and around the city. It’s no surprise that this is one of the top places of choice for people who want a USA holiday as you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the city.

Image belongs to: Joseph Hurtado http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumpetca/408416721/in/set-72157594566621889/

 

Barbados

If you go on a Caribbean cruise holiday you are likely to stop over at many of the beautiful islands. One that is particularly special is Barbados as it offers stunning scenery and an interesting history. World famous for its beaches and cricket these are two things that you definitely wouldn’t be able to escape when visiting the tropical island.  

When first settled in 1625 Barbados was found to be almost totally covered in dense jungle with a very large population of wild pigs. The first descendants were African slaves who were bought to the island in the 17^th century to work the sugar cane plantations. Now referred to as Barbadians, they worked hard to make something of the island and this is even very evident today. Something that would reassure anyone going on a Caribbean cruise holiday is the fact that from 1841 to 1845, Barbados was considered the healthiest place in the world to live with only one death per 66 people, compared to a world average of approximately one death per 35 people.   

Something that tourists who go on a Caribbean cruise holiday will learn about is Barbados’s interesting history. In the past thousands of people would travel to Barbados because it was thought to have healing qualities. With the exception of the head, people were completely immersed in the sands of the beaches of Cattlewash in St. Andrew as this was believed to kill many illnesses. This practice lasted for many years before it started to wane.  

In recent years there has been a massive construction boom with new hotels and housing complexes springing up. The trend accelerated as the island prepared to host some of the key Cricket World Cup matches in 2007 and has continued thanks to the large amount of tourists the island receives every year.  Due to the number of people falling in love and immigrating to Barbados, a shortage of jobs has prompted many Barbadians to find work abroad. They then send the money that they are earning back home which is an important source of income.  

Barbados attracts so many visitors every year that it is now one of the most prosperous islands in the Caribbean. In fact, the export of sugar was its main revenue earner for many years but tourism has now taken over this. As well as this, its political, economic and social stability has given it one of the highest standards of living in the developing world. This is hardly surprising because when on a Caribbean cruise holiday you can’t help but be intrigued by the gorgeous island.

Antalya

Antalya is one of Turkey’s most popular holiday resorts situated on the Mediterranean coast. Narrow winding streets and ancient city walls make it a quaint and beautiful atmosphere for those interested in culture and sight – seeing.

Activities

There is so much to do in Antalya your only problem will be running out of time. You can take a jeep safari into the mountains but pack your sun – cream as the sun is very strong. You can go river rafting on the Koprulu River which is great fun and taken by specialists who are well trained. For an unforgettable experience take part in the tour through the sunken city of Kekova. The boat goes through the city and to the church of the holy Santa Claus and visits the rock graves and the amphitheatre of Myra.

Nightlife

Antalya provides the Turkish south coast’s liveliest nightlife. Most bars go on into the night providing discos but if you want something more lively, the most popular places for all – night dancing are Club Ally, Club Arma and Club Ceila.For something a bit different, most hotels offer floor shows, usually with belly – dancing and are open to non – guests.

Eating Out

There are many different places to enjoy a meal wherever you are in Antalya. The coast road to Lara comes highly recommended which has magnificent views and traditional Turkish cuisines.Meze is usually an appetizer which begins your meal but a lot of people find a selection of meze is plenty for their main meal. Spicy kebabs are a traditional main meal in Antalya and many say that the fruit tastes better in Turkey.

Where to Stay

There are many different varieties of accommodation in Antalya ranging from hostels to rental villas and luxury palace hotels. Most hotels have rooms with private bathrooms and include breakfast in the price. Hostels are surprisingly pleasant and even offer internet access and evening shows such as belly dancing. Villas and apartments are the most popular form of accommodation as room sizes can vary and prices are competitive.Saklikent is an ideal winter sports resort. Skiing, swimming and windsurfing will keep you entertained in the day and there are restaurants and bars for evening entertainment.

Attractions

The natural beauty of Antalya will astound you and a walk behind the cascade at the Upper Duden Waterfalls will leave you breathless. You can see traditional Turkish architecture in Kaleici, historic houses in Yivli Minare and sunbath on Konyaalti and Lara beaches when you feel like taking a break.

Image belongs to: Rachel Pearce. Taken from: www.flickr.com

Agadir

With its long sandy beaches, 340 days of sunshine a year and European – style cafes, it’s not hard to see why Agadir is a favourite holiday destination amongst tourists.It’s not a traditional city you would expect to find in Morocco. However, it’s modern, busy and dynamic qualities make it the country’s most visited and popular resort. 

Activities

A holiday in Agadir will be more action packed than you can imagine. There are plenty of water – sports available including jet – skiing and diving, quad biking, horse riding, golf, tennis and even camel riding. For those who prefer to relax, Agadir is Morocco’s premier seaside resort which you will not be disappointed with. You can choose to relax and sunbath or go out on one of the boat trips where you can see dolphins and whales. The beaches are swept clean every morning and patrols keep you free from peddlers and beggars, making your experience a truly relaxing one. 

Nightlife

Nightlife is about café and restaurant culture rather than pubbing and clubbing. Due to this, street café’s stay open late into the night.There are only three main clubs in Agadir, all of which are part of hotels. Normally these clubs will be playing a wide range of music including R ‘n’ B, hip hop, Arabic, house, Spanish, Latin and Moroccan. Drinks tend to be expensive as you can pay up to £9 for a cocktail and nights start late with clubs not getting busy until about 12.30. It’s a worthwhile experience though with a friendly and energetic atmosphere and tunes guaranteed to get you on the dance floor. 

Eating Out

Your holiday in Agadir may see you braving the local cuisine or sticking with familiar British delights. For traditional Moroccan cuisine, head to Nouvelle Talbortj which has many different restaurants on offer, all of which are very cheap.There are also plenty of good restaurants located on the beach which offer good value and brilliant views. 

Where to Stay

Agadir’s luxury, modern hotels are great for those looking for convenience and organised entertainment. Package holidays are very popular with those choosing to holiday in Agadir. Most hotels offer excursions and activities you can participate in for an extra cost.If you would prefer something more traditional to the Moroccan culture, the Nouvelle Talbortj area comes highly recommended and is complimented by its cheap prices. 

Attractions

There is plenty to see and do during your holiday in Agadir. You can take your pick from the five museums on offer, take cultural day trips to the Massa Lagoon, Paradie Valley and the old walled city of Taroudannt.If you’re more active, take time out from Agadir to head up into the Atlas Mountains.  Agadir is used by many trekkers and mountain bikers as the jump off point for adventuring in the beautiful blood-red mountains that overlook Agadir. 

Other Info

Agadir’s trains, buses and taxis are abundant, frequent and cheap making transportation quick and easy.