Daily Archives for March 23, 2012

San Diego is Awesome

Destinations, North America - Ross French - March 23, 2012

plane

planeLanding at San Diego International airport, you will be preparing for the holiday of a lifetime. Whether you want a beach, mountain, coastal or a desert holiday, San Diego will accommodate your needs.  Being the 8th largest city in America, San Diego is vast and diverse in what it has to offer and if you visit without a car, public transport here is good and accessible. Flights to San Diego won’t bust your bank account either.
Places to stay in downtown San Diego range from boutique style accommodation such as the DoubleTree by Hilton.  This is a good place for families as they have rooms with bunk beds especially for kids.  A less expensive option would be the Mission Valley Resort, about 15 minutes from the airport.

There are several free activities available in San Diego if you know where to look.  Go to the Seaport Village where you will be entertained for hours by live musicians and street artists.  Don’t forget to take your credit cards, as the shops here are plentiful as are the restaurants.  A whole day could be spent here as it is spread along roads lined with trees and is four miles long.  You could picnic in Spreckels Park on a Sunday night whilst listening to live music or stroll into the Gaslamp Quarter to appreciate fine, Victorian architecture and dine at one of the dozens of restaurants.  This part of San Diego also has over 75 clubs, pubs and restaurants so boredom will not be a problem. If you fancy a trip to the theatre then the San Diego Performing Arts League offers half price tickets if you turn up on performance day, otherwise book through their website and pay full price.  Other activities will incur a charge but you can buy a ‘Go San Diego’ card which gives you access to over 50 attractions.  Cards start from $74.00 for an adult and go up to $292.00 for a 7-day pass.  It may seem quite a steep price to pay but if your aim is to pack your holiday with as many San Diego sight as possible, the card is well worth this amount.

If you are drawn to the ocean, several activities await you from surfing (lessons are available) to fishing and jet skiing.  If you are feeling very adventurous, you could charter a boat to take you as far afield as Ensenada, Mexico.  Over seventy miles of beach are within the San Diego area so there really is something for everyone.  If you are in San Diego between December and March, a whale-watching trip is one way to enjoy the water or you could stay on dry land to witness the amazing sight of hundreds of whales migrating to the warmer waters of California from icy Alaska.

Whether you are a beach bum or a culture buff, this exciting city has something to offer from water sports to galleries and theatres.  There will never be a dull moment on your holiday- even for those on a budget as many activities and entertainments are offered without a charge.

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Ski chalets in Zermatt

Travel Tips - Ross French - March 23, 2012

Zermatt

It is impossible to speak about this beautiful town, nestled in the north of Switzerland without mentioning the famous Matterhorn.  It is a stunning sight and well worth a visit, whether you’re going to Zermatt ski chalets in the winter or soaking up the hot rays in the summer.
Zermatt is Switzerland’s most visited ski resort, possible due to the amount of snowfall but what the town has to offer to tourists is key to its’ popularity.

Ski chalets in Zermatt

There is a lot of choice when deciding where to stay, from expensive, luxury apartments to the cheaper, traditional style chalets.  A studio apartment sleeping two can be as little as £540 for seven days, depending on the time of year and although Zermatt can be an expensive place to holiday, there are ways to enjoy staying there on a budget.  Opt for self-catering and it is possible to save a considerable amount.  Supermarkets, of which there are three, are within easy reach of the resort.  Some of the hostels in Zermatt look like traditional ski chalets from the outside and offer very cheap accommodation, with shared dormitories starting at around £27.00 per person per night and private rooms starting at £30.00.

Different Seasons in Zermatt

A popular summer activity is hiking.  There is approximately 250 miles of paths to walk through various landscapes from glaciers and lakes to forests.  Make sure you prepare properly by having the correct equipment such as sturdy walking boots.  For the experienced mountaineer, climbing the Matterhorn is an option but there are rules you must follow.  It is necessary to book at least two week sin advance and it is recommended that a guide is hired, even by the most experienced of climbers.  Insurance is also a must, which can be purchased locally from Air Zermatt.
For the less experienced, climbing the Matterhorn is seriously discouraged but there are smaller mountains to conquer and guided mountain tours to get the adrenalin going.

Switzerland is not a country most people associate with wines but the Swiss do produce dozens of palatable varieties and when visiting the Matterhorn glacier, wine buffs will be pleased to note that there are wine tasting sessions every Friday inside the cave.  A return trip costs approximately £40.00.  If this is not within your budget, it may be preferable to pay from just £18.00 to visit Schwarzsee Paradise, where there are several hiking trails and a lake.  For the more active – and something the children will enjoy – hire dirtscooters to tackle the trails!  Prices start for £35.00 for a family of four or for an extra £20.00, refreshments will be included.

Although the amount of places to ski reduce, skiing and snowboarding in this resort throughout the summer months is possible due to the altitude of their peaks.

Take a train from the BVZ station to Gornergrat, where you can sit on the terrace of the Kulmhotel, enjoying the vista of the Matterhorn.  This hotel offers traditional Swiss dishes at reasonable prices.

Do a little research if your budget is tight but here are plenty of things to do and many places to visit in Zermatt and you don’t have to pay a fortune to have a brilliant holiday.

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Try Benidorm Holidays For A Lot of Sun and A Lot More Fun

Destinations - Ross French - March 23, 2012

airport

airportMembers of the same family or even friends always have something to fight about because of their different interests, and this is no exception when it comes to choosing a holiday destination for their next vacation. However, with Benidorm holidays all these differences can be thrown out the window of your car as you ride towards this Spanish resort. This is because Benidorm holidays have something for everyone, from the friend who likes to lizard on the beach to the party animal who would like to enjoy Benidorm’s famed night-time. There is also something for the water sports lover who would like to race with the waves, or the group member who simply loves to watch. The buffet comes complete with something for children and adults as well so that they too can join the rest of the group in having the time of their life with Benidorm holidays.

Something for everyone
The two crescent shaped golden beaches of Benidorm have fine sand and are about three miles long, and this is perfect for an afternoon walk for young and old lovers who want to feel the soft sand as it kisses their feet as they stroll hand in hand with someone special. A night in Benidorm has made it a favourite for younger people and Benidorm holidays will show you why. The night-time itinerary will be fully booked as you enjoy some of the best entertainment in Europe.
Individuals who like vacationing in more lively surroundings will find a place for them in Playa de Levante which is the eastern beach, while those who fancy a little bit of privacy can go to the less crowded Playa de Poniente in the western side of Benidorm. Individuals who love to experience nature’s ingenuity can visit Terra Natura which is a one way trip to see most of the world’s animals and people in their native habitat, while those who want a stroll down history lane can visit Terra Mítica where ancient civilization themes abound, and where they can travel back in time and see how the ancient Greeks or Egyptians lived.
Water lovers could splash around in the water park at Aqualandia while sports lovers can enjoy some water sports or land sports such as tennis and horse-riding. Children can watch dolphins at the Mundomar aquarium and the whole family can enjoy delicious meals at the many choice restaurants around the resort. At the end of it all, you can go shopping in one of the gift and souvenir shops, or better still, visit the indoor market at Rincon de Loix

The weather welcomes you to Benidorm
The weather in Benidorm is quite friendly and encouraging, and this is what has made Benidorm holidays so popular. The summers are hot, but not too hot so that you are not scared away from the beach, and the waters are just cool enough to make you forget the sun. However, it is always advisable to always carry sun-screen in order to enjoy more feel-good hours while walking on sunshine. The winters are mild and bearable, and the average winter temperature is about twelve degrees, which is still suitable for a night of singing and dancing.
Benidorm holidays peak season is during the summer months of June and July, and at this time, prices for travel as well as accommodation and entry into the various parks can be quite expensive. However, if individuals want to save some money on a trip to this beautiful resort, they could try travelling during the off-peak seasons, such as spring time, as the weather is still friendly, and the prices are even friendlier.

Benidorm is the place to be
Benidorm holidays are a buffet of sorts, and your plate will be full with fun places to go and fun things to do, and you and your whole family or group of friends will be satisfied after it all. Benidorm holidays will make you want to relocate permanently to this resort, and even if you leave, you will definitely want to come back.

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