Travel and Destinations Blog

If you are going on vacation then it is likely that you will have a lot of things to think about. It can be a stressful period for the person who is in control of everything; they have to make sure they don’t forget anything , they need to ensure that their house is looked afterand that they get to the airport on time. 

Getting to the airport is one of the main things that you need to consider. There are lots of different options at your disposal; you can opt to book a taxi, pay for a train, catch the bus or drive your car there. The latter option tends to be the most preferred choice because it is the easiest and offers individuals the most comfort. If you take your own car then you need not worry about the reliability of public transport. Moreover, it is more comforting to know that once you arrive back at your home airport all you need to do is hop in your own car and drive home. 

If you are going on holiday and flying from Manchester Airport then there are several things that you need to consider when seeking to take your car and leave it at the airport. After all, there are lots of different companies you can book your car park space through, and it is pivotal that you choose a top option. 

The first thing that you need to contemplate is how much it will cost you to leave your car at the airport for the duration of your stay. A lot of people seem to think that this option is one of the most expensive. But that is not always the case; taxis can be costly and if there are several of you travelling via public transport then the total easily adds up. Nevertheless, when looking for a company to book your space at Manchester airport car park through you should get several quotes and search around for the best deals. 

In addition to price, you also need to take a look at the company’s cancellation and refund policy. After all, you have no control over whether your flight is delayed or cancelled. You need to make sure that if this unfortunate occurrence happens your car will be ok and that you can book an extra night for a decent price, rather than incurring a high level of fees. 

Furthermore, it is also very important that you make sure the service you seek is not on a first come first serve basis. This is highly inadvisable because it means that your car park space is not guaranteed. In addition to this, keep in mind that Manchester Airport has three terminals. Therefore, you need to decipher which terminal you will be using and ensure that you book a space at a car park which is near to the place that you need to be. 

Finally, it is also a good idea to read reviews and feedback left by customers regarding how good the airport car parking company is. This is the best way to gain and honest and genuine insight. Furthermore, it will alert you to any red flags and ensure that you do not go for a business with a bad reputation. 

All in all, if you consider the points mentioned in this article then you should have no trouble booking your spot at Manchester Airport and leaving your car in safe hands whilst you enjoy your vacation. 

Author Bio  :

Brenda is a multimedia journalist. In her spare time she likes to shop and watch football. She used APH as a resource for this article, thus if you need more information on manchester airport car park it is advisable to visit their site.

Venice has Italy’s some of the must-see places and it attracts people of all kinds. The moment you reach Venice Airport and head towards the main part of city, you can see some of the best locations in front of you.

Surrounded by thin fog, due to humidity and full of visitors across the globe, northeast Italy is a dream location. This amazingly beautiful city is not just the subject of backdrop of some films or postcards, but it exists has dozens of glorious gondoliers and bridges. In short, it is nothing more Thana normal city, which young couples love to visit. It welcomes tourists of all kinds. To seize the essence of Venice, you must understand the atmospheres and spirit of the city.

Here are top 6 places that you must see during your next visit to Venice -

St Mark’s Square

St Mark’s Squareis the first name that comesto everybody’smind when they thinkaboutVenice. It is the biggest square in the city and there is the beautiful Basilica devoted to Saint Patron. Its floor has been hidden by thousands of pigeons. Tourists feed birds with seeds or bread crumbs. Do not forget to take the picture of the square full of pigeons; in fact, it is said that the number of pigeons in city is much more than that of inhabitants. Earlier, it was a big garden and Doge Vitale wanted Rio BatarioRiverto be filled in order to allow the creation of the square. In the past, it hosted bull fights, processions, fairs, and tournaments, but today, it’s full of expensive bars.

The Grand Canal

Often referred to as Canalazzo, it is the biggest canal of Venice. It crosses the city and is 4-km long, separating the ancient centre of Venice, namely Centro Storico into 2 parts. The Grand Canal has ‘S’ reverse shape and is 5meter deep and almost 70m wide.

If you want to get a whole new view of Venice, you can travel around the boat on the canal. The ferry small-boat departs from Santa Lucia to St Mark Square, offering you the wonderful view of the city. You can observe the uniqueness of the building, and constructions of the canal, while the boat moves towards St Mark.

Doge’s Palace

Visitors are fond of this place because of its historic importance; it had been under the radar of many due to terrible fire attacks. The importance of this place was underlined by Napoleon as he wanted Doge of Venice palace to become the headquarters of his rulingduring the late 1790s. Despite the loss of funds of the new unified country, it spared no costs to one of the most important symbols of Venice.

Venice’s Bridges

It’s quite tough to tell which one the best bridge really is, as there are nearly 354 of them in Venice.

The city of Venice has an integral relationship with its bridges. They connect the small city to different locations, facilitating swift movementsfrom one zone to another.One of the very popular bridges is theBridge of Sighs and people confess their love to each other passing under this bridge. Another famous bridge, named the Bridge of Constitution has been built by Santiago Calatrava, well-known Spanish architecture. The custom-built Bridge has been opened to the public since 2008, and it draws large masses of tourists on regular basis.

Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Here, you can see the most influential Italian collection, dedicated to American and European modern arts. This Museum is home to dozens of masterpieces of the famous artists of the 1900s, including Duchamp, Brancusi, Kandinsky, Picasso, de Chirico, and Pollock.

Gianni Mattioli’s greatest collections are the most interesting things to see in this museum. The arts displayed will give you an idea of Italian Futurism with creators as Rosai, Carra, Sironi, Soffici, and some art paintings of Morandi and Amedeo Modigliani’s beautiful portrait.Peggy Guggenheim, an American art collector spent all her life inrealizing the biggest art museum that could enhance the frontlines across the globe. Her passion for the prestigious collections didn’t stop even during World War II and now, the museum, represents the noted artist’s collection.

Window-Shopping in Local Markets

Walking through the streets of the city, you can shop in local stores or boutiques. Try taking a look at the various workshops. All the local shops, from ordinary to restaurateurs are certainly worth watching; if you love greatest Italian stylists like D&B, Valentino, Prada, visit Saint Mark.

Apart from the aristocratic appearances, the city is full of quality workshops, with unique dresses, precious cloths, and ceramic masks. You can visit Murano/Burano islands to buy the wonderful laces and fine blown glass objects.

So, make sure that you take out a few days out of your hectic schedule to visit the lovely city of Venice, and have a blast with your near and dear ones.

Author Bio - Adri is a travel freak who loves to explore a new country every year, when she takes a week long break from work. She had the most fun during Luxury Venice holidays with Citalia and she highly recommends everyone to explore the beauty of Venice.

Travelling with large sporting items such as longboards and golf clubs can be stressful without the correct research and preparation. With the many available airlines offering flights for your cheap Gran Canaria holidays, it is important to check the airline's policy on carriage for sporting equipment. This would lessen your chances of experiencing hassles when booking your holidays here.

Sporting equipment carriage costs are based on weight and each airline prices vary. When booking a flight, to avoid a stressful check-in, there are a few steps that can be taken to avoid many pitfalls of travelling unprepared with large longboard or other large sporting equipment. Preparation before travel is a key factor in reducing stress and will ensure a smooth check-in. Part of the enjoyment of a holiday is the travelling and holidays are about relaxation and fun and it would be futile to end up in a stressful situation with large charges at the airport and having to deal with more than one desk.

Pre-booking of sporting equipment is an essential part of travel planning. There are few worse experiences than arriving at a busy check-in desk with sporting equipment only to be told to head to a different desk to have your sporting item, weighed, wrapped and then charged, be given a ticket to take back to the main check-in desk and risking another long wait. Pre-booking your equipment saves time and money and correct packaging of items will equally avoid damage in transit and lengthy claim battles with insurance companies. Airlines offer hefty discounts on pre-booking of sporting items and check-in desk price are notably higher. Once pre-booked and paid for, then there is no longer the consideration of unexpected charges on the day of the flight only to have the same on the return journey. Longboards are cumbersome enough items, it is one thing bringing them from the car to the check-in desk, it will involve a whole new set of dynamics to finally get to the check-in desk only to be told that another desk will deal with the item.

To ensure a smooth check-in, make sure sporting equipment is pre-booked and paid for before leaving for the airport. It will save time and money and ensure your holiday to Gran Canaria is relaxed and fun.

French Polynesia is a region best explored by boat. Its islands are often described as the most beautiful in the world because of their deserted sandy beaches and warm turquoise lagoons.

The South Pacific Region and French Polynesia
The French Polynesian islands are in the South Pacific region and they consist of five island groups, the Tuamotus, the Austral, the Gambier, the Marquesas and the Society Islands. Tahiti, Raiatea and Bora Bora are part of the Society Islands.

Tahiti
The 'Queen of the Pacific', as Tahiti is known as, is perfect for exploring on a Sunsail yacht charter. There are many bays and natural harbours on the Tahitian coastline and there are near-perfect nautical conditions throughout the year. The main port is Pape'ete, which is also the capital. Pape'ete is a vibrant city with many restaurants, bars and clubs. Tahiti is famous for its black sandy beaches, created when volcanic lava flow reached the ocean. Whales are often spotted off Tahiti and professional surfers can be found throughout the year riding the waves at Teahupoo.

Raiatea and Tahaa
Raiatea is the second-largest island after Tahiti. This is the most central of the eastern islands and it is considerably quieter than Tahiti. Known as a 'sacred island', it is rich in history, legend and archaeological sites known as 'marae'. These marae, or temples, are thought to be the origin of much of the local legend and lore. Taputapuatea Marae, on the south-eastern coast of Raiatea, is the most important of the temples.

Near to Raiatea is the island of Tahaa, which is rich in marine life and popular with sailors and water-sports enthusiasts. Visitors can also watch native turtles in their natural environment at the island's sea-turtle reserve. Tahaa is known as the 'Vanilla Island' as it has a constant vanilla aroma as a result of its production of around 80% of the region's vanilla.

Visitors can learn how the world-famous Tahitian black pearls are created at one of the local pearl farms and take time to visit the galleries and shops of traditional artists and craftsmen on the island. For those who are interested in tattoo art, the French Polynesian islands are believed to be where the symbolic art of tattooing developed.

Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a romantic island with hibiscus valleys, lush tropical slopes and white sandy beaches. Diving with giant manta rays, enjoying exciting water sports and shopping are just some of the other attractions available. Visitors may also choose to take a 4x4 trip along Bora Bora's overgrown forest roads, keeping an eye out for the US naval guns left behind in 1945. The island is also popular as a mooring point for yacht charters and round-the-world expeditions.

Maupiti
Maupiti is the smallest and most isolated of the Society Islands. Located around 40 km from Bora Bora, it has a slower pace of life, offering visitors a glimpse of paradise without the glamour of other Society Islands. Visitors can climb Mt Teurafaatiu for amazing views across the island or take the opportunity to snorkel in some of the many lagoons.

AUTHOR BIO
Adriana Frederick writes on yacht charters for a range of travel blogs and websites. Adriana is currently planning her next Sunsail charter to explore Tonga, which is located between New Zealand and Hawaii.

In this article I will first describe something of the geography of Phuket. I will then explain what bareboating is and look at some of the attractions that Phuket and its surrounds, have to offer.

ABOUT PHUKET
Phuket is located to the south west of Thailand and is one of the world's premier holiday resorts. Although its waters are usually calm and its climate benign, exploring Phuket by boat does require some previous sailing experience. Winds frequently reach 20 knots, or even more at the height of the monsoon season. Although much of the navigation is line of sight you will need a basic knowledge of sailing charts and how to use GPS to get the most out of sailing Phuket's waters. The island is packed full of beautiful and secluded bays which can only be explored by yacht and are frequently ignored by flotilla holidays.

WHAT IS BAREBOATING?
Bareboating is one of the two main types of yacht charter: flotilla sailing and bareboat yacht charters. Flotilla sailing means just that, sailing as a large group of yachts and meeting up in the evenings for group meals and activities. It provides support to inexperienced sailors and a built-in social life but after a while most people prefer to set out on their own. Bareboating is where you hire a boat and head off under your own sail to explore the seas and sights. Before embarking on a bareboating holiday it is best to have been on at least one flotilla holiday or to have gained a decent amount of sailing experience some other way.

The best bareboat charters in Phuket will include all of the equipment you need to enjoy your holiday, such as safety gear, charts, towels, GPS etc., leaving you with less to worry about. They will also provide a certain amount of advice, for instance, where to go and where to avoid and also some support should you get into any trouble.

POPULAR SIGHTS
Phuket is one of the best places in the world to sail and offers several unique experiences. Not least of which is James Bond Island as featured in The Man With the Golden Gun, this is one of the must see sights when sailing around Phuket and plenty of anchorage is provided at Koh Yang. A visit to Maya Bay is also highly recommended. The Beach was filmed in the bay where 300 feet cliffs rise above you on three sides. The snorkelling here is excellent and the beaches are perfect.

For scuba divers, the stand out location is Shark Point, a rocky outcrop about four miles north east of Koh Kai. Here you can swim with harmless nurse and leopard sharks all year round and in February and March they are joined by the enormous whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

Phuket is a highly recommended sailing destination, especially for a bareboat holiday which allows for more of its beautiful bays and coves to be explored. It is not for the novice sailor but you don't need to be another Ellen MacArthur either to make the most of this world class destination.

AUTHOR BIO:
Adriana Frederick is an experienced sailor and an expert in bareboat yacht charters. She is a regular visitor to Thailand and has written several travelogues.

Baby lane at immigration much better than the 2 hour wait at Antigua. No baby this time but it was better - same tip make sure to have water for the arrivals waiting time and the very long and sea sickening (why) transfer. 
The transfer was sea-sickening due to the winding roads on off braking and length of time it takes to cross almost the whole of the island from the airport to our resort in reduit beach.

This beach is too short to have a meaningful run on but it is a pleasant start to the day if combined with a swim and some yoga moves perhaps.

Our room is nice just trying to get the indoor pool removed (from a dodgy air con unit)

If you are looking to head to the Riviera Maya in Mexico for a vacation, you are in for a fantastic time in a stunning destination. This is a place where you can truly unwind and relax, enjoying the glorious weather and Caribbean vibe, taking in the pristine beaches and azure waters, and even taking time out from your relaxation to do some exploring and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the area.

For many people who head to Riviera Maya, relaxation is the name of the game, and doing your relaxation in the stunning surroundings of this destination is the perfect way to take time out. If you want to make your vacation even more relaxing and enjoyable, opting for an all inclusive resort can be an excellent idea, as this means that you have even less to worry about as you soak up the beauty of the area.

Over recent years, the all inclusive option has become an increasingly popular one for travellers to this destination, as there are many benefits to opting for an all inclusive resort or vacation. Some of the benefits of enjoying the Riviera Maya on an all inclusive basis include:

The cost:

Even though you may pay more money upfront to book an all inclusive deal in the Riviera Maya, you will usually find that over the duration of your vacation you actually save money, as you don’t have to keep shelling out for costly drinks, meals and snacks while you are there because they are all included in the price

The ease and convenience:

When you head off on vacation, the last thing you want to be doing is continually messing about with cash and credit cards in order to buy basics such as food and drink. Relaxing by the pool is never quite as relaxing if you have to keep a constant eye on your wallet, credit cards, cash etc. When you go all inclusive you won’t even need your cards and cash whilst you are at your resort, so you can leave them safely locked away and simply enjoy being care free and relaxed while still being able to get drinks, snacks and meals whenever you like

Feeling more pampered:

Having access to drink, food and, in some cases, even entertainment at your fingertips can make for a far more pampered vacation than one where you are constantly worrying about whether you can afford to splash out on an exotic cocktail or a nice meal. This is just one more reason to consider an all inclusive vacation at the Riviera Maya
Photo courtesy of Flickr

Nice Arrival

We Arrived by air with EasyJet into terminal 2. BA also serves Nice but their Sunday morning flight isn’t city break friendly departing at 8:00am. Take the 98 (quatre vingt dix huit) from the bus stop bays outside to the right of where you clear le douanne. It’s the end of the line (the bus line) so there is no direction to worry about. It’s  4 euros for a day pass and we didn’t seem to find a cheaper  fare – so you might like to keep the card in case you want to use a tram. We stayed at Le Meridien next to the jardin Albert just close enough to the old town vieille ville and close enough (as you can get) to the sea (there are no hotels on the sea proper the road and the pedestrianised Boulevarde Des Anglais are instead).

Affectionately known as Sin City, Las Vegas in Nevada is a hive of activity and excitement, providing around the clock entertainment, fabulous sights, incredible experiences, and everything you could hope for if you want a really unique, unforgettable vacation experience.

People head to Las Vegas for all sorts of reasons and there many reasons why you should make sure that you visit this vibrant destination at least once in your lifetime. Las Vegas truly provides a vacation experience like no other, with everything from incredible hotels and amazing entertainment and world class shows to incredible natural sites and fabulous weather.

There are many reasons why Las Vegas is such a wonderful vacation destination for adults, three of which are detailed below:

The hotels: When you visit Las Vegas you will come across hotels the likes of which you will never have seen before. These hotels are mostly found along Las Vegas Boulevard, otherwise known as the famous Las Vegas Strip. Here, you will find huge hotel resorts with a variety of wonderful themes. Take in the fabulous Venetian Hotel with its own recreation of St Mark’s square in Venice, complete with river and gondolas running through the hotels. Pay a visit to the wonderful Paris hotel, which has its own Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Take a trip to the incredible Mirage Hotel, with its erupting volcanoes outside and its indoor dolphin habitat and Secret Garden. These are just a few of the stunning hotel resorts that can be found here, most of which have huge casinos as well as great shopping, many restaurants and bars, shows with world famous stars, and more

The entertainment: Known as an adult’s playground, Las Vegas has wonderful entertainment on offer to suit every taste, preference and budget. You can enjoy the thrill and excitement of the casinos with a vast array of slots and table games with complimentary cocktails. You can catch a show, with a choice of world famous stars on hand to entertain you and some fabulous musicals to choose from, not to mention a range of other variety acts that you can choose from. The nightlife in Vegas is electric, with some world famous nightclubs within the casino resorts where you can often find A list celebrities hanging out

The sights: Vegas is a place where you will be able to head out to see some stunning sights, with a range of excursion available by car, coach, helicopter and plane. You can visit world famous sites such as Lake Mead and Hoover Dam or visit one of the wonders of the world in the form of the breathtaking Grand Canyon. 

Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the most famous boulevards in the world. Most people will know it simply as the Las Vegas strip and it literally is a strip of vibrant neon and fabulous structures that slices through the darkness of the surrounding Nevada desert.

The strip is made up of awe inspiring world class hotel resorts towering up into the darkness and lit up with neon on all the colours of the rainbow. You will also find bars, restaurants, theatres, and some of the most amazing sites that you can imagine lining the strip, such as the Mirage volcanoes erupting, the Paris Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe and the New York skyline as you head towards the New York New York hotel and resort.

You will find that a stroll along the strip is like no other you will ever have experienced. The strip is always teaming with people and there is always something happening. With so many huge hotel resorts lining both sides of the strip, you can pop in and out of huge and often wondrous hotels as you stroll along. As you are walking you will see some of the sights and attractions that have made the strip such as fabulous place, such as the pirate show at Treasure Island and the famous Bellagio fountains, which shoot up into the air and dance in time to the music.

When you visit Las Vegas it is always best to go for a resort hotel on the Strip if you prefer to be in the heart of the action. You will find that opting for a hotel in the centre of the strip puts everything within easy reach, so you can explore the whole of the four mile strip at your own pace and from a very conveniently located base. 

For shopaholics, the strip is a wonderful place to stay, as you are surrounded by a vast array of shops from designer boutiques to specialist shops and souvenir shops. Many of the hotels have their own shopping malls, so you can even try out the shopping opportunities at different hotels as you explore the strip – the perfect way for some retail therapy.

Of course, there are many places to visit off the strip, from the old school Vegas at Fremont Street, Downtown, to the splendour of the Grand Canyon. No matter where you want to go, you will find plenty of cabs lining the strip as well as exciting excursions that can be arranged with speed and ease and which can whisk you from your strip hotel to a variety of amazing sights and places of interest. 

The wonderful world of Las Vegas is something that many people aspire to experience at least once during their lives, and this is a destination that you will never forget once you have visited. With entertainment to suit all tastes, sights to behold, and glittering entertainment fused with neon lights and a vibrant atmosphere, Vegas really does have it all. 

Whilst you may believe that a holiday in Las Vegas is out of your reach, you will find that there are ways to save money on the total cost of the trip. Many people opt for travel agent packages when going to Las Vegas but although this may offers greater speed than booking your flights and hotels separately, you may find that the latter is a far cheaper way to get to Vegas. 

One of the key reasons you should consider booking your flight and accommodation separately is that you can often get some great deals on accommodation simply by joining up to the player’s cards that the big name hotels offer via their websites. You can then access excusive offers and rates and if you gamble when you visit the hotel in person, you can earn points towards free rooms in the future. By getting the special rate on a hotel and then finding a competitively priced flight, you could actually save yourself a significant amount of money compared to booking a packaged deal.

If you want to try and get the lowest prices possible, there are two key things that you will need to do, which are as follows:

Search for a low cost flight: You will find that a number of major airlines offer direct flights to Las Vegas and any others offer indirect flights as well, so there is plenty of choice available. The cost of the flight can vary widely depending on the airline you choose, so you need to make sure you compare flights from a number of airlines in order to try and get the most competitive deal. If you can be flexible with the time of year and days that you travel, you have a far better chance of getting a great deal. Also, keep your eyes peeled for special sales and discounts, which may occur from time to time

Look around for a good deal on a hotel. You will find some great deals on hotels that are right in the heart of the action on the neon lit Las Vegas strip. You can compare deals through third party sites but it is also well worth going on to the individual hotel sites. You will often find that you can sign up to the hotel’s player’s card, which could net you money off your hotel room and provide you with access to exclusive offers and deals to get the cost of the room down.

Given the sheer size and beauty of these Las Vegas hotels, you will be very surprised at just how affordable the rates are, as many of these hotels are luxury four and five star resorts offering a huge range of facilities and amenities.

Getting married in Las Vegas

When it comes to getting married, most couples want to enjoy a ceremony and day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. For those who want to enjoy a really special wedding day and celebration, heading to a new and exciting destination can prove ideal. There are many people who decide to head abroad to paradise beach locations for the perfect setting and a wonderful, romantic beach wedding in the sunshine. However, for those who crave more excitement, fun and glamour, and bags of the unusual on their wedding day, Las Vegas can be the perfect wedding destination.

If you are planning a trip to fabulous Las Vegas in Nevada, you are in for a real treat. This is a place that offers everything from wonders of the world through to around the clock entertainment, world class shows and acts, the ultimate in casino gaming action, great cuisine, excellent shopping, celebrity nightlife, and much more. Another thing you will be able to feast your eyes on when you come to Las Vegas is the myriad of amazing, breathtaking hotels that line Las Vegas Boulevard, which is also known as the Las Vegas Strip.

There are some stunning hotels that line the famous strip, the likes of which you will most likely never have seen before if you have never visited Vegas in the past. With so many wonderful, huge and exciting resorts to choose from, it can be really difficult to decide which one you should stay in. Many of the hotels are themed hotels based on things such as world famous cities, different eras in time such as medieval times, exciting environments such as the circus, and other great themes such as pirates, the Wild West and more.

Travelling to Las Vegas on vacation can be hugely exciting, particularly when you consider the wide range of huge, glamorous resort hotels that you can choose to stay on and around the famous Las Vegas Strip. There are many huge resorts that line the strip, with hotels catering for every taste and preference. Whilst these resort hotels are huge and very exciting and unusual in many ways, the prices for accommodation are often pretty reasonable when you compare them to the cost of staying at some regular hotels.

The strip is lined with mostly 4 and 5 star resort hotels, so you can look forward to a little luxury and glamour when you stay here. However, one thing that some visitors do get caught out by when staying at some of these hotels is the extra charges known as resort fees, which can mount up to a tidy sum of money if you are there for a few days or more.

Resort fees are daily fees that are imposed by most hotels on the Strip for a number of services and facilities that are provided to guests during their stay. However, these facilities and services are ones that many believe should either be included in the upfront cost of the hotel or should be optional, so guests only have to pay for them if they use them. Some of the services and facilities that hotels cite as their reason for charging these fees include gym facilities, daily newspapers and internet access amongst other things. However, not everyone wants or needs these facilities and many believe that it is unfair that they have to pay an average of $20-$25 per night per room for the privilege of access to services and products they have no interest in.

Unfortunately, with the vast majority of hotels on the strip, you have to pay this fee whether you like it or not, which means that the total cost of your stay can be far higher than you originally anticipated if you are staying for a few days. Whilst some hotels will waive the fee if the customer protests enough, this is usually not the case and many customers feel embarrassed about kicking up a fuss and simply end up paying the fee even though they feel it is unjustified.

Enjoy the Las Vegas vibe with a Parisian flavour

As any seasoned Las Vegas visitor will know, Sin City is packed to the rafters with huge mega resorts boasting a range of different and exciting themes. This is a destination with hotels to cater for every taste and preference, from properties that boast circus acts and theme parks inside to ones based on various famous cities from around the world, such as Venice, New York and Paris.

Whatever you are looking for in Las Vegas, you will find it in one of the beautiful resort hotels that line the famous Las Vegas strip. You will find hotels that boast a great party vibe, properties that provide a haven to relax after a hard day of exploring and resorts that offer the ability to enjoy a whole host of entertainment without ever having to leave the hotel.

If you are looking for a hotel that boasts chic elegance, tasteful décor and plenty of decadence, the place to head to is the Paris resort and casino, which is a fabulous mega resort that enables you to enjoy the wonderful Las Vegas vibe fused with a unique Parisian flavour.

The Paris resort and casino enjoys an excellent mid-strip location on Las Vegas Boulevard, where it is surrounded by a variety of other mega resorts. Marked by the majestic Eiffel Tower replica outside along with a replica of the famous Arc De Triomphe and the Paris balloon, this is a hotel that is easy to spot from afar! For those who want to be at the thick of the action, this is the perfect location as it is a far busier part of the strip than the quieter north side and offers a whole host of entertainment right on your doorstep.

My stay at the Paris

Over the past year I have stayed at five different Las Vegas hotels, all located on the Strip. The Paris is definitely the most chic and elegant property I have stayed in and during my time at the resort I enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing break in vibrant surroundings and with a world of entertainment at my fingertips.

As soon as I stepped into the huge lobby of the Paris, I found myself immersed in Parisian ambiance and surrounded by decadence including the elegant décor and beautiful chandeliers.

Even during busy periods, the lobby and reception area had an air of serenity and calm about it, possibly enhanced by the palatial surroundings.

The check in process was very fast and efficient and within a matter of minutes I was on my way to the Calais Suite that I had been booked into. The member of staff at check in was very friendly as well as informative, giving us a clear explanation of where to go to find our suite, which we were able to locate without any problem at all.

The suite itself had a double door entrance and as I stepped through into the foyer I was delighted to find myself in a gorgeous, very tastefully decorated, and extremely comfortable suite, which boasted a wet bar with coffee maker, fridge, dining area, comfortable settee and armchair, and a large wall mounted flat screen TV. In addition to the elegant living area was a spacious bedroom with a super comfy bed, storage cupboard with safe, and another wall mounted TV. The suite was filled with beautiful furniture and fixtures, such as tables, dressers, lamps and a trademark chandelier over the dining table.

The Calais suite also offered two tastefully decorated bathrooms, one of which came with a large shower cubicle and the other with a fabulous, huge spa tub and make up area. High quality toiletries and sparkling fixtures and fittings completed both bathrooms.

The suite was absolutely delightful and offered all the comforts and amenities I could need for my stay in the heart of Las Vegas’ famous strip. However, the best was still to come – when I looked out of the window of my suite I was greeted by the famous Bellagio fountains and the Eiffel Tower, enabling me to enjoy what has to be amongst the most sought after views on the Strip. The view from the window was wonderful in the day time but at night time it was truly breathtaking. This is when the Eiffel Tower came to life with its sparkling lights and the Bellagio fountains were at their best. Just being able to enjoy that view from the settee in the living room and even from the bedroom was a real treat and a wonderful sight to fall asleep to as well as wake up to.

During my stay I also ordered room service to my suite quite late one evening. My order was taken efficiently and the food was delivered in good time. It was also beautifully cooked and

presented, so I enjoyed a lovely meal in the comfort of my suite whilst enjoying the striking night time views from my window. Pure bliss!

The resort

Outside of the suite, I found the Paris to be a hive of activity, which boasted a great atmosphere. The casino is, of course, a key area within the resort and one in which I spent plenty of time enjoying the music, the tables, the slot machines and the eateries. Having visited many of the casinos on the Strip, I’ve noticed that some are very harshly lit, which combined with the bright lights of the machines, can be quite challenging on the eyes. The Paris does not have this problem – the lighting is quite subdued, which helps to create a great ambiance and atmosphere within the gaming area and is far easier on the eyes.

The casino itself has a great selection of tables and slots, so there is something for every taste, preference and mood. Many visitors will, of course, also be interested in the cocktail service and I found the service in the Paris to be excellent. Whether I was at the tables or the machines, there were cocktail waitresses coming around on a regular basis. The service was very quick and efficient and was spot on in terms of accuracy throughout my stay. It was also refreshing to find that the cocktail waitresses were usually really friendly and pleasant to talk to, always providing service with a smile.

Within the casino you will find the grand entrance to the new restaurant Steak, which is the restaurant of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Whilst I didn’t eat there, it did look very grand and really stood out with its contemporary design. There are a number of other eateries and shops just off the casino floor, including a fabulous crepe house where I ate on a couple of occasions and Le Village buffet, which always seemed very popular and busy during my stay. The Paris also connects to Bally’s Hotel and Casino, so you can simply continue walking past the shops and eateries and you quickly find yourself in the Bally’s casino area, which offers additional shopping and dining options.

Unfortunately, I was unable to use the pool at the Paris during my stay due to the heat in Las Vegas (and my very sensitive skin!). However, I did have an excellent view of the pool area from my suite and everyone there seemed to enjoying themselves relaxing

on the sun beds, listening to the music, and generally chilling out around the pool with its exciting party atmosphere.

Towering into the sky and dominating the island of Bali is mount agung, with an elevation of just over 3000m (3013m) it is a worthy challenge. It remains to date the hardest climb I have ever undertaken. I climbed with a friend of mine Dave who is american and quite experienced and one of the few people I know fitter than me at least at the age I was back then.
We approached the climb through a monastery and it was the wrong season the trail was washed away at points and I found myself having to climb tree roots vertically. The gradient was incredible on average and it took a massive 6 hours to get up there and 4 down. Climbing down was a long and enjoyable affair on the way up it did make me cry a couple fo times in a way I hadn't before and I consider myself quite a grown man, the mountain didn't beat me but on another day it might have. I would love the chance to one day scale the beast again.

related links

Wikipedias info on the mountain : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Agung 

Guys

This goes out to however whos not to busy at work, has time on their hands and has unlimited internet access (so most of you I guess, especially GWA)..

Recently in NZ I went to "The worlds most eastern city" (Gisborne) and when i was in Argentina all those months ago, I went to "The worlds most southern city (ushuaia)".. so what I would like to know, what are the worlds most western and northern cities. From what I gather, the most northern is in Canada somewhere and I'm guessing the worlds most western will be in one of the pacific islands.. 

answers on the guestbook, no blue peter badges at stake

Mins

Finding a family holiday which suits everyone can be a tough task. If you have a number of different opinions to take into account then it can seem like mission impossible at first. However, if we go through the issues one by one you might just find the ideal solution.

The Weather

It is likely that most of your family want to be pretty much guaranteed sunshine. This is why Spanish holidays, for example, are so popular during the summer. What about if someone in the family is highly sensitive to the sun’s rays and wants something cooler, though? By looking a bit further north, such as France or the North of Italy, you could find lower temperatures. Choosing a countryside location rather than the beach can also give you the chance to enjoy some shade as you go for walks around the place.

The Activities

You are extremely lucky if you have a family made up of people who all want to do the same thing. Far more likely is that you will have someone who wants to lie on the beach, another person who prefers to do some sports and so on. A good idea is to look for a place which offers you a variety of activities. In this case, a trip to a campsite is a smart move. For an idea of what you could offer your family the Keycamp website comes recommended. 

The Food

Not everyone likes eating out in a restaurant every single day for a week or two, although Italian food from Jamie’s Italian is probably worth considering! This is why more and more family holiday deals are taken on a self catering basis. With this type of deal you can save money and also ensure that the whole family gets the home cooking they are used to. You might want to make the occasionally trip to a restaurant but it won’t be essential.

The Cost

We have seen a few ideas for saving money, such as going camping and looking at self catering trips. It is fairly likely that the person who is paying is the only one who is overly concerned about cash, so if that is you then it best to make the budget clear from the beginning.   

The Accommodation

Will everyone be happy in the same type of accommodation? This is an important point and one which you need to consider carefully. The previous idea of going camping is certainly tempting, as the kids in particular will enjoy this. You might need to take a family vote on it before you can go ahead and book anywhere, as you don’t want to risk having upset family members over there.

New Zealand, the land of Kiwi fruits and Kiwi birds is a place which no one would like to miss. This is because it is a place that will be a host to exotic and mesmerizing climate, cuisine, flora and fauna. However, if you want a quick lineup of the best attractions, you need to go through the best places to visit in New Zealand. Here is a quick list of the five places which make New Zealand special for tourists.

5- Kaikoura

With a rather bizarre name, this scenic and beautiful coastal town is located aptly in South Island. On one hand, there are the pristine and glistening waters. On the other are the looming and stately mountains of the Canterbury region. The Kaikoura is a town that provides dazzling sights to the tourists. Inside the periphery of the town, there is enough eye-candy to keep the tourists happy. The streets reek of fascination while the restaurants dish up some of the most delicious seafood delicacies. And the beaches and marine life attractions are worth a visit.

4- Mt. Cook National Park

The World Heritage has rightly chosen this neatly trimmed and beautiful alpine park in South Westland. This is where the alpine mountain ranges of the region loom higher than ever. They overlook the grasslands and lend a dazzling feel to the entire park. The crowning attraction is, as the name suggests, the highest peak known as Mt. Cook. Along with its neighboring peaks, Mt. Cook is popular with travelers who wish to go for some unconventional mountaineering adventures. There are many pleasant hotels and inns located in the mountain slopes.

3- Queenstown

Yet another town finds it way in the five best attractions of New Zealand. It is situated next to Lake Wakatipu in Otago region. However, the reasons why travelers should check Queenstown out are many. The location of the town is a big advantage. Surrounded by immense hills and mountain ranges, Queenstown ends up being a hotspot for bungee jumping. There are other adventures as well. And for those, who like being streetwise, they can opt for exploring the beautiful streets and cafes in the city.

2- Fiordland National Park

One of the best places to visit in New Zealand includes the famous Fiordland National Park. This park is a site that holds something special and exclusive for tourists. The Park is an extensive natural reservoir of stunning delights like the fiords, steep mountains, waterfalls and other natural attractions. These spots end up being popular attractions among travelers. Thus, the Fiordland National Park is worth checking out.

1- Bay Of Islands

Quite why this attraction ranks first in the list has to do with its name. The site is a fantastically expansive park of 150 islands. The Bay Of Islands is where you can give a look at some of the most exotic species of mammals and sea creatures.

These are the best places to visit in New Zealand. Have a look at each of them and enjoy your stay for long.

Guest post written by Melissa Davis, travel blogger from Australia who recently traveled around New Zealand and stayed at Christchurch Clearwater Resort and have a great time in New Zealand.