Browsing Month October, 2009

The tourism industry often goes through changes and welcomes new practices, regardless to the country. Now a day, for example, most of the tourists prefer self catering cottages over the hotels; particularly if it is a family holiday. If taking a self catering cottage for rent suits your best friend, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will suit you as well. This new practice certainly has got more advantages over disadvantages. But before you plunge into a decision of hiring a self catering cottage for your next vacation, consider all the factors so that your vacation remains free from petty troubles.

1.       Broader Options to Choose From

The first thing that will catch your eye about the self catering cottages is the brilliant choice of properties. If you are going for a vacation with your family, you can opt for a small yet modest property that perfectly suits your requirement. Or else, if you are planning a trip with a large band of friends, you can opt for a self catering cottage that is large enough. Thus your choices can be tailored from a wide range of cottages to perfectly suit your need.

2.       Fits Your Pocket

You can choose a self catering cottage as per your budget. There are economic yet chaste self catering cottages to serve you. On the other hand, if you are planning a luxurious holiday, you can find an expensive and deluxe cottage as well from a wide range of variety. For example, a standard self catering cottage for six people can cost you around 50 to  60  Euros/Day. If opting for a luxurious one, the cost may rise up to 95 – 115 Euro/Day. Most of these self catering cottages have superb kitchens with all required gadgets and mod cons. In the big budget luxurious cottages, you can find large kitchens with coffee making machines and big freezers.  So, you don’t have to worry about crossing your holiday budget ever; just choose your self-catering cottage sensibly.

3.       Cook or Buy – Choice is Yours

Many tourists prefer to explore the local cuisines during a fun filled holiday. If you are staying in a self catering cottage, you have the options of either cooking foods on your own or eating out. Some night you may go to a restaurant and the local cuisines, other nights you can cook back and save your money. In fact, you can also go to a local grocery shop, buy the ingredients and try your hand on the local recipes. 

4.       A Sense of Freedom

A holiday in a self catering cottage gives you a certain feeling of independence and freedom that can never be experienced in any other vacation. You can bring your pets here with you or take your meals whenever you prefer to. But more importantly, a self catering holiday ensures cheap yet healthy and extravagant food that suits your mood, taste and budget. So there is no wonder people planning family vacations these days are more inclined towards hiring a self catering cottage in the various countries across the globe. 

Before you book a self catering cottage for your next vacation, always make sure you have done a lot of homework and gathered enough information about the cottages, their availability, charges, amenities and others. Just make sure next time you go for a holiday, it turns out to be completely different and fulfilling experience altogether. 

 

Sweden is a beautiful country that is full of contrasts, both geographical and cultural. In the south-west part of the country you can clearly feel the Danish influence whereas in the north, Nomadic cultures prevail. Similarly, the cities in Sweden are modern, stylish and sophisticated but the countryside far away from the din and bustle of the city seem to be just the perfect place for people who look for calm and tranquility.

Sweden enjoys a beautiful summer and the best time to visit this country is between June and August. You can also visit Sweden in the spring time, particularly in the month of May and June. The scenic beauty of Sweden offers a more soothing and gentle charm if compared to the rugged coast of neighboring Norway. The country is full of forests and lakes; particularly long stretches of water between the capital Stockholm and Gothenburg. The Scandinavians prefer to visit Östersund located at the heart of the country. You will, however, find the majority of the tourists first opting either for the Baltic Islands or the cities. The “Kingdom of Crystal”, a forested area between Stockholm and Malmö is another hot spot to visit.

You can take a boat trip from the city centre of the capital Stockholm and visit the Drottningholm Palace. The opera house inside the palace is preserved in its original form of 18th century. Authentic instruments and period costumes are used here whenever a play is staged.

Do you have a couple of days in hand? Go for a cruise on the MS Ceres along the famous Göta Canal. It will surely be an experience of a lifetime. Tours are available both from Gothenburg and Stockholm. If you visit Sweden in summer, do spend some time in the hundreds of miles of magnificent Swedish beaches, especially those lying on the west coast. The country has more than 90,000 lakes. You can enjoy some adrenaline rush in the windsurfing and waterskiing centers on the lakes and coast.

Active sport lovers can spend some quality time by participating in skating, ice climbing, snowmobiling or dog sledding. There are excellent facilities to indulge yourself in these outdoor sports across the country. You can also opt for golf as the country has more than 400 golf courses. One of them is situated in the Arctic Circle and enjoys daylight for 24-hours during summer.

Cycling is a popular creation in Sweden, particularly in the southern part of the country. The Swedish Cycling Promotion Institute provides scheduled cycling tours across the country. You can also opt for fishing. Norrbotten is an angler’s paradise where you can find lots of mountain streams and excellent sea fishing areas.

Take a trip to the Härjedalen Valley in the southern Lapland. You can find a large number of reindeer, musk ox, beaver, buzzard, elk and lynx. This region is also famous for skiing in winter. If you are on a family trip, take your kids to Mora. It is in the centre of the Lakeland region and the children would simply love Father Christmas here at the Santaworld theme park.

Are you interested in culture and history? Visit Bohuslän province to see some most important examples of ancient Swedish civilization. You can find relics here that date back to the Viking times or even to the Bronze Age.

Norway is a land of contrasts with a captivating and diverse landscape. Imagine a country with some of world’s most appealing scenic beauty with massive glaciers, deep fjords, long coastline, pure air and crystal clear rivers and sea, Norway has it all! The country welcomes you with all its breathtaking natural beauty which is variable with the change of season. The informal, leisurely pace of life in Norway is perfect for those who look for a relaxing holiday amidst magnificent surroundings. The Northern Lights and Midnight Sun are the two finest attractions that Norway is characterized by.

Norway is one of the few countries in Europe that enjoys all four seasons. Each season has its own charm and offers activities associated to it. Therefore, you can take a trip to Norway at any time of the year. People, however, generally prefer to visit this beautiful counter between May and September. People who prefer to stay away from the hustle-bustle of city life should take a trip to Norway in the late spring as sights and hotels are open and less crowded. Central Norway is one of the top destinations in Norway. This part of the country is occupied with most spectacular fjords, largest glaciers and highest mountains. The Jotunheiman National Park is Norway’s one of the most visited wilderness areas. The network of hiking trails here passes through waterfalls, valleys and lakes and leads o the captivating mountains and glaciers. Private lodging and self catering cottages are available in the area nearby.

Oslo, the capital of Norway offers attractive holiday packages for the tourists. The city has continental climate; pleasant summer with average temperature of 21°C in July and August. Winters here are long with heavy snowfall and consistent temperature below 0°C. Vigeland Park is a popular tourist attraction here that showcases more than 200 sculptures crafted by Gustav Vigeland. The Frogner district in Oslo is also a popular tourist attraction with fine monuments and museums. You can take some time out to visit the Akershus Slott & Festning, a medieval castle and fortress built in 1300.

Bergen, the historical city is located on the south-western coast of Norway. The city is the gateway to the western fjords and on the other side, the city is flanked by seven hills. Bergen enjoys the most rainfall in Norway and it lasts for weeks together. The city, therefore, is titled as ‘the city of rain’. It also has the warmest climate in the country with an average temperature of 15°C in summer. Tourists often take a trip to see the Jostedalsbreen glacier, Sognefjord (the deepest and longest fjord in Norway) and the magnificent Geirangerfjord waterfall.

You should also take a trip to cities like Lillehammer, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Honningsvag and more. Lillehammer is the oldest winter sport resort in Norway. The city is at the northern end of Lake Mjøsa. HVDC Cross-Skagerak’s ‘Static Inverter Park’ lies adjacent to Kristiansand. Stavanger is the city of deep fjords, small islands and sandy beaches. Honningsvag is one of the best home base to reach the world famous and spectacular Cape North, the best place to enjoy the ‘midnight sun’. Tromse, the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ is a lively town in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains with lots of pubs, street music and cultural events. If you love train journeys you must not miss the finest and most spectacular trip in Norway, the Oslo-Bergen railway which passes through the exposed Hardanger Plateau and the wonderful mountain ranges.

Oslo, the capital city of Norway regularly attracts the visitors from across the globe with its scenic beauty, lively culture and globally acclaimed concert halls. The city is full of contrasts; an amalgamation of modern metropolis with all facilities and matchless natural beauty. Oslo, located between the forested hills and fjord, is an appealing place for leisure time and activities. The tourists can enjoy most of the exciting activities of Oslo by availing public transportation. You may go sightseeing, or go for stroll. If you like adventures, opt for mountain biking or skiing downhill. You can play golf or go for a swim in the outdoor swimming pools or beaches. There are a lot of options to choose from.

A guided tour by boat or bus is a great way of exploring the attractions of Oslo and learning about this beautiful city. The city tours are available all year round. The angelic Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park is a must see. Famous for its 212 sculptures, the park always open and allows free entry. If you want to experience a world class ballet and opera performance, you must visit The Opera House, the extraordinary building opened in April 2008. Holmenkollen Ski Jump is considered as world’s second oldest ski jump competition. This major tourist attraction in Oslo is under renovation for the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Interested tourists can get more information about this famous ski arena from Holmenkollen Visitors’ Centre. People interested in Norwegian culture and the rich history of the country should visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, the Norwegian museum of culture and history. The historical museum known as the Akershus Fortress is another popular tourist spot. There are many other famous museums in Oslo that are worth a visit like the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Fram Museum, Norwegian Maritime Museum, Viking Ship Museum and more. You can also visit Gamlebyen, the old town to get a glimpse of the medieval Oslo. A walk along the Akerselva River will help the tourists learn more about Oslo’s enthralling industrial history.

The admirers of design, architecture and art should visit Munch Museum which Oslo’s national museum of art. DogA (Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture) and Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art are some other famous museums to visit. Oslo’s new attractions include the Holocaust Center and the Nobel Peace Center. Tourists can also visit TusenFryd Amusement Park in summer to enjoy its great rides or go to The Royal Palace, the residence of Norwegian King and Queen that allows guided tours during summer.

The museums in Mumbai, just like any other museums in the world, portray the culture, art and tradition of India. India has a rich, old civilization that dates back to 3000 – 1500B.C. The tourists, therefore, can find rare specimens of relics, paintings, sculptures and ancient artifacts in the museums of Mumbai and other parts of the country. Mumbai, being the commercial hub of Maharashtra, always gets more attention. The museums in Mumbai not just display the ancient artifacts, but they also provide genuine information about them as provided by the Indian historians as well as historiographers across the globe.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

The Prince of Wales Museum, currently known as the “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya” is one of the finest museums in India. The foundation stone of this heritage building was laid by George V – the Prince of Wales himself. Some respected Indian citizens set up this museum to honor the visit of ‘His Highness’ – King George V. The museum was ready in 1914, but it was used converted to a military hospital during World War I. It was re-opened and inaugurated in 1923 by Lady Lloyd. This museum, built in Indo-Saracenic style is situated at the heart of South Mumbai, near Gateway of India. The museum is divided in three main sections: Archaeology, Arts and Natural History. It exhibits a wide range of rare and ancient artifacts of India and foreign countries. You will find artifacts from Indus Valley civilization, relics from the Maurya and Gupta emperor. It is open to public between 10.15 am and 5:45 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Bhau Daji Lad Museum

Built in 1872, Bhau Daji Lad Museum is considered to be the oldest museum in Mumbai. The museum was earlier known as ‘Victoria & Albert Museum’ and was named after the museum of London. Dr. Bhau took the initiative to build this huge museum and it was planned with an amount of Indian Rupees 6,000 only. The building is recently renovated by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Mumbai (INTACH). The museum exhibits above 6,000 sculptures, coins, paintings, pottery, ivory work and other artifacts of ancient India. There are different sections based on the varied cultural and social life of India. The museum has more than 4,000 manuscripts and reference books along with historic and pre-historic costumes, clay models, silver works and more.

Bombay Natural History Society

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), founded in 1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India. The organization is devoted to the preservation of nature and natural resources and encourages education and research in natural history. The renowned Naturalist and Ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, nurtured this tradition that has now become the guiding principle of this organization. More than 30 countries have now joined BNHS and helping them for their cause of preserving nature. It is within a walking distance from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. The tourist here can find rare specimens of insects, vertebrates, butterflies, beetles and preserved reptiles. Interested individuals are offered a temporary membership that allows them to know more about the society and their activities.

Mani Bhavan

Mani Bhavan, also known as “Gandhi Museum”, is a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, India’s “Father of Nation”. Gandhi lived in this house between 1917 and 1934 each time he visited Mumbai (then Bombay). The Mani family, said to the friends of Gandhi stayed here and the building was later owned by Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri. In 1955, “Gandhi Smarak Nidhi” became the administrator of the building and the organization transformed this home into a memoir to Gandhi. This two-storied building hosts a photo display of Gandhi’s life and over 20,000 books. The room where Gandhi stayed is well preserved and his own belongings like his old charkha and books. The museum is open everyday between 9.30 am to 6 pm.

Globally acknowledged for the “Midnight Sun” (April to July) and the “Northern Lights” (October, February, March), North Norway offers a lot of to its visitors. This rugged land of deep fjords, steep mountains beautiful coastline is a perfect place for outdoor activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding and wildlife safaris. When it comes to accommodation in North Norway, the foreign tourists have a lot of options to choose from. But now-a-days, they generally prefer self catering cottages over luxurious hotels. These country cottages and Cabins are quite popular with the Norwegian holidaymakers as well. In Norway, these cabins are known as “Hytte”. They are normally situated in the lap of nature; the deep forests or by the sea shore, places where you are sure to find nature’s majestic beauty and tranquility, the two key factors that attract thousands of travelers across the globe each year to North Norway.

It may be a family holiday, a reunion of friends, a short break or a honeymoon, these superb self catering cottages are ideal for both activity and leisure holiday experience. These cottages provide a quality standard of accommodation and amenities. In North Norway, you will find both old and brand new cottages with different privileges and rents; just pick the one that suits your need and budget. Some of these cottages offer getaway packages that transport the tourists from the hustle-bustle of city life to the world of unsurpassed beauty in the quiet of nature.

Getting the right type of cottage in the right place ensures you enjoy the finest holiday experience. There are plenty of websites that offer rented cottages in Norway. The booking can be done through the websites and the company, after reviewing the booking details, contacts the individual to resolve the prospected clients’ queries, confirmation and payment arrangement. The standard rental costs of these cottages generally vary from £350 to £950 and above a week, according to the standard, size and season. But the tourists can find more luxury or budget cottages outside this standard range. In the high season, the usual rental period is Saturday to Saturday; these start and finish days, however, may be chosen by the tourist in the low season as they may prefer to stay less than a week during this time.

The Amsterdam museums are home to vast artistic wonders and historic treasures and very tourist should try to visit at least a few of them. They are among the prime tourist attractions. There are more than fifty museums in Amsterdam and they attract millions of visitors each year. With a varied range of museums dedicated to art, film, press, sex, torture, science and technology or kids, Amsterdam is sure quench everybody’s thirst. During the colder months in Amsterdam, visitors are likely to spend more time indoors and museums are the best places to go. But long queues for ticket outside these museums can be boring, particularly in weekends and summer. Buying a ticket online from the museums’ respective website would be a smart move. According to some reports, even where there is no need to buy a ticket, tourists still may have to wait long if they have a free access card like “Museumkaart” or “Iamsterdam Card”. Almost all museums expect ‘Anna Frank House’ accept these cards.

The Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is located at Paulus Potterstraat 7 and it is right next to the Rijksmuseum. This museum gives a tough competition to Rijksmuseum as the most significant museum of Amsterdam, if not of Netherlands. This museum owns nearly 260 original paintings of Van Gogh and a large number of these works is donated by Theo Van Gogh, the younger brother of the great painter. Van Gogh was influenced by different art genre and the museum holds sample of them all. His works influenced by ‘Expressionism’, ‘Post-impressionism’ and other genres are all present here. One of his famous early works, ‘Potato Eaters’, can be seen in this museum. Here you can also find the paintings created during the last few days of his life when he went insane and started using more and more dots in the primary colors of blue, red and yellow. Along with Van Gogh, the museum also exhibits works of some of the greatest impressionist painters like Jozef Israëls, Paul Gauguin, Maurice Denis and Claude Monet. The visitors can book tickets online to visit this museum.

The Rijksmuseum

If you want to know about the culture and history of Netherlands, a visit to The Rijksmuseum, the national museum of Netherlands is a must. The museum exhibits the famous 17th century paintings by the “Dutch Masters”, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Vermeer, along with a few exhibits from the 16th and 18^th century artworks. The museum is going through a massive renovation process and the museum, therefore, is partly opened these days. But all the highlights of the museum are exhibited in a very sophisticated manner. The Rijksmuseum exhibits 20 artworks by Rembrandt, which includes famous works like ‘The Jewish Bride’ and ‘The Night Watch’. The museum also showcases Vermeer’s finest paintings like ‘The Love Letter’ and ‘The Kitchen Maid’. There are 4 paintings of Vermeer in this museum. You will find great creations of other painters on the display like Frans Hals’ ‘The Merry Drinker’ or Ferdinand Bol’s ‘Portrait of Elizabeth Bas’. Silverware, furniture and paintings from 17th century artists are also in display here. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Fridays.

Anne Frank House

With nearly a million visitors each year, Anne Frank House is one of Netherlands most popular museums. Located at Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, the museum is dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who maintained a diary when she along with her family hid from Nazi persecution. This is the house where Anne wrote her famous diary which is on permanent display in this house. There are temporary exhibitions on Anti-Semitism, Anti-Racism that caused greatest tragedies to the human race. Waiting behind long queues are almost confirm while visiting this museum. Tourists should buy online tickets or need to go early. This museum doesn’t accept the ‘Museumkaart’ or ‘Iamsterdam Card’.

Sex Museum (Venustempel)

One of the most exciting museums in Netherlands is surely the “Venustempel” or the Sex Museum in Amsterdam. Founded in 1985, it is the first and oldest museum of this kind on earth. Located at the Damrak, this museum offers some food for thought and is rather serious in approach than the Erotic Museum in the Red Light District. Based on the theme of love, the museum exhibits a huge collection of erotic paintings, pictures, objects, photographs, recordings and even attractions. The exhibits are gathered personally by the owners of the museum. The collections are displayed in two separate houses; one on the back of the building and one on the front, both connected by a specially designed stairwell. Tourists need to be at least 16 years of age. The museum is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

A trip to Norway is an ideal for those who love nature. The country also enjoys a rich cultural heritage. From the stories of Vikings, trolls to busy cities and creative designs, this little country up north always offers more than one can imagine. The captivating, timeless beauty of Fjords that stretches along the country’s west coast; the rugged mountains and beautiful forests mesmerize even the locals. The four major cities of Norway have a distinct appeal to offer: Oslo is the present-day capital as well as the financial center. The city has a strong culture of arts with a good number of galleries and museums. The charming city of Bergen is a former Hanseatic trading port and is considered as a “gateway” to Fjordland. It is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has many buildings dated from the 17th century and earlier. Stavanger, the fourth largest city of Norway, is center of the Norwegian oil industry. Trondheim is a well known center of Christian pilgrimage and technical research.
Norway is one of the few European countries that experiences all four seasons with their own charm and activity associated to it. Hence, tourists can come here during any time of the year. People, however, generally prefer to visit this country from May to September. The scenic beauty is Norway’s main attraction, particularly the Fjords of the southwest and the North Cape which is a popular spot to observe the Midnight Sun of midsummer.

The principal cities like Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen offer a good choice architectural interest and historical sites for the visitors. The often mountainous inland countryside is ideal for those who look for true wilderness. Winter sport is also another prime reason for visiting the country.
Norway is rated as the world’s most peaceful nation by the Global Peace Index.

The barely populated wilderness between the main urban centers is true delights. You can see Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier, here. There are opportunities to participate in outdoor activities including skiing, fishing and rock-climbing. The less energetic can simply marvel at the awesome beauty of Norwegian countryside with its high mountain lakes, numerous steep-sided valleys and unbelievable views.

 

If you are a tourist in Singapore, your trip will be incomplete if you don’t visit the beautiful museums in the city. These museums in Singapore are decorated with loads of artifacts, paintings and artworks to provide a complete idea about the rich culture and history of the country. The museums in Singapore can be segregated into categories like heritage museums, national museums, art museums and more. Whether enjoy a vacation with family, friends or alone, these museums are sure to enrich your knowledge about this beautiful island city-state.

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is one of the finest museums in Asia that present an integrated and broad perspective of pan-Asian civilizations and cultures. It is one of the National Museums of Singapore that work for a better understanding of the rich cultures that make up the multi-ethnic society of Singapore. The artifacts in this museum are housed in two separate buildings. The museum first opened at the Armenian Street in 1997. But later in 2003, the museum was shifted to the Empress Place Building. The Armenian Street building is now the home of a brand new ‘Peranakan Museum’. The Asian Civilisations Museum now houses 11 galleries that showcase more than 1300 artifacts on the civilizations of Southeast Asia, China, South Asia, and West Asia. There is a café and a restaurant, a museum, a fully-equipped auditorium in this museum. The tourists also enjoy the spectacular view of the Singapore River from here.

Singapore Art Museum

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is actually built on an 18th century school building called ‘Saint Joseph’s Institution’. The restoration of the institution to an art museum started in 1992 and in 1996, The Singapore Art Museum was opened to public as the first international standard museum in Singapore specialized in art. This museum currently enjoys the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artworks. The Museum has a collection of over 7,000 Southeast Asian and Singapore modern and contemporary works of art that includes works from some of the 20th century greats like Roy Lichtenstein and Frank Stella. The museum spread its wings in 2008 with 8Q SAM, a modern art space where the people can directly communicate with the ideas and works of contemporary artists. The museum is open daily between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the entry is free of Fridays.

Singapore History Museum

The Singapore History Museum was the former name of the National Museum of Singapore between 1993 and 2006. The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore with its rich history that dates back to its inception in 1887. The famous exhibition here, “Riverside Point” exhibits the history of Singapore through stories of people who lived along the Singapore River. The Living Galleries in this museum reflects the adoption of cutting-edge techniques to present history and culture and revolutionize the conventional museum experience. The Museum hosts numerous vibrant events and festivals each year like live performance, the famous Night Festival, film screenings and more. The members of this museum can avail online bookings from its official website as well.

Chinatown Heritage Center

Chinatown Heritage Center, a joint effort of the National Heritage Board and the Singapore Tourism Board showcases lots of untold stories and memories of the Singapore’s early forefathers and their perilous journey from faraway places to settle in this area. Located along the Pagoda Street, this Chinatown Heritage Center is made of three newly restored shop houses at Chinatown’s ethnic quarters. Each of the levels in this Centre takes a trip to the different time in the history of Chinatown. You can learn about the rich history of Chinatown through the exhibits that describes the real life stories of the former residents here. Guided tours are available to explore this place better. You can always take a break to have an aromatic cup of coffee and local snacks at the Centre’s ‘Kopi Tiam’ or Coffee Shop. There is also a souvenir shop inside the museum. It is open daily between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Check out some other activities in Singapore

rance is undoubtedly the most romantic getaway in Europe. Not only does it allure tourists with its winding mountain slopes and vast stretches of plain lands but it can also boast about some of the best beaches within the continent. Hence, it is easy to deduce that France is a very tempting holiday option not just for young romantic couples or families but is also the most sought after destination for the jet-set pack.

Tourists can decide to reside in any place across France, be it in its picturesque countryside of the north or amidst the divine natural beauty of the beaches of the south. Some of the most sought after tourist destinations within France are Alsace-Lorraine, Aquitaine, Corsica, Burgundy, Midi-Pyrenees, Normandy, Provence, Loire-Valley, Cote D’ Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhone-Alps, Loir Atlantique, Normandy and Ile de France. All these places have the best of rental accommodations to meet all kinds of needs of the tourists. It remains only for the tourists to check out what exact facilities they want to enjoy and accordingly rent a holiday home of their choice.

The Alsace-Lorraine area chiefly appeals to those who love adventure combined with some good wining and dining. Old ruins, forests and lakes surround the holiday homes here. Good food and wine are available round the clock. These also provide superb fun facilities for kids who can enjoy in the pools within the holiday homes. The scenario is completely different in Aquitaine, which can turn into the best holiday option for families. The self catering rental homes, surrounded by rich farmlands and orchards and rolling hills imbue the atmosphere with merriment and fun.

The jet-set class may enjoy their holidays in the grand French Riviera regions of Cote d’ Azur where rental villas come with all sorts of luxurious accommodations. However, the buzz and activity that surrounds Paris cannot be substituted for and there are numerous wonderful holiday homes available in the heart of the city. Delphine, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Bastille neighborhoods are the best places to search for holiday homes. An art lover should definitely explore the holiday homes in Chez Piaf where a secluded neighborhood along with the proximity of numerous art galleries and museums prove ideal.

Paris is home to an array of galleries and museums. The city is the capital of a country globally respected for its culture and the tourists, therefore, are advised to visit those buildings here that have been turned into historical monuments. The locals generally enjoy a trip to their museums in the weekends. So the tourists, if interested to avoid the crowd, should plan their trip to the Paris museums in the weekdays. The tourists should purchase a “Carte Musée” or ‘Museums and Monuments Card’ from the Paris Tourist Office to avoid the long queues outside the museums. These cards ensure priority access and unlimited visits to sixty monuments and museums in and around Paris.

Musée du Louvre (The Louvre Museum)

The Louvre Museum is the arguably the best art museum in the world. The museum is housed in the ‘Renaissance Palace’ which was actually built to defend Paris against the invaders. The building, however, was transformed into a museum around 1793. The lower ground floor of the museum is full of Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiques. The ground floor is decorated with the finest collections of Italian sculptures from 16th to 19th century and French sculptures from 5th to 18th century. The tourists can find the globally acclaimed Mona Lisa of Leonardo DaVinci in the first floor. Several Italian paintings from the 13th to the 17th century are also exhibited here along with the ‘Winged Victory’ that is placed on the stairs to the first floor. The second floor features Dutch, French, Flemish and German paintings. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday and the entry to the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Musée d’Orsay (The Orsay Museum)

The Orsay Museum holds the chronological link of the French culture between the Louvre and the Pompidou. The museum building was actually a railway station called Gare d’Orsay and was the terminus of south-western French railway until 1939. It was used as a mailing center during World War II and in 1986, the building was re-opened as a museum. The finest of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks are exhibited here. In the ground floor, the tourists will find Pre-Impressionism works by Manet, Delacroix, Degas Monet and more. The next floor showcases paintings by Rodin, Seine, and Lille Terraces with artworks and sculptures of famous artists like Denis, Munch, Klimt and Galle. The upper floor is decorated with works of Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Matisse, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Seurat and Whistler. Photography is allowed inside the museum provided the flash guns are turned off.

Centre Pompidou (The Pompidou Centre)

The Pompidou Centre is a museum completely focused on modern and contemporary artworks. The giant, futuristic arts museum is situated in the district of Beaubourg in Paris. The museum looks like a huge transparent box with brightly colored pipes and tubes. The museum has a huge public library for 2,000 readers, a cinema hall, a music research institute, bookshops, educational activity area and a restaurant. The famous Surrealism and Dada movement artworks are exhibited here. Picasso, Miro, Kandinsky, Pollack all the masters and their mastery are prominently featured here.

La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie Museum

The La Cité des Sciences Museum is considered as one of the world’s largest and widely visited science and technology museums. The museum is located at ‘La Villette’ and was opened to the public from 1986. The museum has one of the worlds’ largest geodesic domes called ‘Géode’ which is home to an Omnimax theatre hall with 1000 square meter screen. The tourists would love ‘The Explora’, a permanent exhibition hall that incorporates interactive exhibits ranging from biology to outer space. The museum also has a Mediterranean aquarium, a planetarium and two science activity corners for infants and teenagers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day (Sunday until 7 p.m.) except Monday.

Antwerp, the second largest city in Belgium, is romantically called ‘the daughter of River Scheldt “. It is the second largest harbor in Europe. The city is often considered as the diamond center of the World. Any time of the year is perfect to visit Antwerp. The winter is, however, damp and cool. The city is more crowded in the summer as the nightlife is especially good then. But if you prefer to avoid crowd, late autumn to early spring is the best time to visit Antwerp.

The best part of an Antwerp tour is that the most of the major tourist attractions are located close to each other. This enables the tourists to avoid long distances to visit the major tourist attractions.

Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is a major crowd puller in Antwerp and records around a million visits annually. There are around 950 different species of animals here. The separate bird house in the premises houses different species of birds as well. Some rare animals like the Okapi, Giraffe, Orangutan, Polar Bear, Siberian Tiger and Indian Lions are housed here. The place is ideal to visit with family and friends.

Grote Markt

Another popular tourist center in Antwerp is the Grote Market. The place has a wonderful 16th century city hall. The place is full of numerous restaurants and shops where you can enjoy some really good dining and shopping. The large fountain in the middle of the City Square pays homage to Brabo, the mythical hero of Antwerp.

Antwerp Cathedral of Our Lady

The Cathedral of Our Lady or “Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kathedraal”, as says the people in Antwerp, is one of the most magnificent monuments in Belgium. It is one of the tallest buildings in Antwerp and a fine example of lace architecture in stone. The church was damaged and reconditioned a number of times. Some famous paintings like Elevation of the Cross (1610), Descent from the Cross (1612) and the Resurrection Triptych (1612) by Rubens re housed in the cathedral. This Gothic architecture styled building is a must visit.

Steen Castle and Fortress

Steen Castle is the oldest building in Antwerp. The name came from the word ‘Steen’ that means ‘stone’ in Dutch and it was one of the earliest constructions in the city that was made of stone. The building was used as a prison from 1549 to 1823. The castle is now the home of National Maritime Museum and is considered a popular tourist spot.

Aquatopia

The Aquatopia is home of over ten thousand fish with huge aquariums and fabulous viewing windows. It was reopened in 2005 after an extensive renovation. Situated opposite to Antwerp Zoo and open except the National holidays, Aquatopia is a confirmed favorite tourist spot with its popular shows and regular events for children.