Browsing Month February, 2010

Who knew a kitchen could make all the difference?

When you take a holiday, it should be stress-free. You shouldn’t have to worry about added costs, family members getting in each other’s way or feeling confined by the choices of your chosen destination.

Is it any wonder, then, that the European self-catering holiday has become increasingly popular over the last few years? More people are choosing flexibility, space and freedom over traditional holidays and for good reason.

When you choose a self-catering holiday§, it means that you’ve chosen to stay in an accommodation—a flat, cottage or some other type of lodging—that comes equipped with a kitchen. If that doesn’t sound like a big deal, consider the following six reasons to choose a self-catering holiday:

1. You save money. A lot of money. When you have a kitchen, you don’t have to eat out for every meal. Stopping by the local market or picking up some basic foodstuffs from the local grocery is significantly less expensive than handing over cash for yet another restaurant meal.

2. You eat healthier. When you have control over what you cook, chances are you’ll eat smaller portions and make healthier choices. Self-catering holidays are particularly appealing for those with dietary restrictions or who are on special diets because they allow for control and flexibility in food choices.

3. Your schedule is more flexible. When you choose a self-catering holiday, you aren’t confined by the hours set by local restaurants. You also have more freedom to make what you want when you feel like it. If the urge to eat breakfast foods late in the evening, nothing says you can’t whip up some bacon and eggs for dinner.

4. You save time. No more standing in long lines or waiting for someone to take your order at the local restaurant. In order to enjoy a meal, all you have to do is walk to the kitchen and make it yourself. This can be particularly helpful if you have to grab a meal to go because you’re in a hurry.

5. You (sometimes) have more space. Though accommodations in many large cities such as London are often as small as those without kitchens, you may be rewarded with larger lodging. Some self-catering accommodations not only include kitchens but also sitting rooms and additional bedrooms. This can be particularly appealing if you are traveling with your family or a large group. Larger self-catering lodging allows everyone to have more space, which can help keep stress to a minimum, especially when you are spending all day, every day with the same people.

6. You still find joy in local dining. Instead of dreading yet another meal on the town, you’ll continue to find eating out to be a worthwhile and fun activity while you are on holiday because it’s still a treat. Trying local foods is one of the true joys of experiencing a new place, but when it becomes tiresome and habitual, it loses its appeal. By taking advantage of self-catering holidays, you continue to make dining out an integral and interesting part of your getaway.

Many thanks to JoAnna Haugen

New Age fanatics from all over the world instantly recognize the name ìDaylesford,î while other travelers might not know this small town in Victoria from a preceding reputation. Originally one of the boomtowns during Australiaís gold rush, Daylesford has seen its share of good times and hard times, and somehow managed to keep coming out on top. A couple of hours from Melbourne by car, Daylesford can often feel worlds away, with its population of just around 3,000 and buildings left over from when miners tried their luck in the townís mountain streams. Still a laid-back and sleepy town, Daylesford is currently enjoying a different sort of boom: one of spirituality that goes back to the townís second-biggest asset, mineral water.

While gold may have been king during the 1850s, less than a hundred years later, it was water that made Daylesford a big deal. Nearby Hepburn Springs provides Daylesford with some of the richest mineral water in all of Australia, and travelers from all over the world flock to the various spas and natural pools to experience its cleansing and revitalizing powers for themselves. There has been a particularly huge boom for those who are interested in the culture of New Age, with numerous yoga studios and chakra cleansing stations opening around the city. Whether it feels like the Haight of San Franciscoís 1960s or modern-day Sedona is anyoneís guess, but Daylesford has definitely made a huge impression on the New Age scene.

Itís not just crystal-toting hippies who are drawn to the springs, though. Well-to-do Australians and foreigners are also into the mineral water in a big way, with countless numbers of luxury day spas opening up around town to provide a different sort of access to its refreshing and healing powers. With a number of the original gold rush structures still intact, Daylesford definitely has a classic, old-fashioned appeal. Unlike more built up parts of Australia, those visiting and spending the night will find that Daylesford accommodation has more bed and breakfast, mom and pop than big-name chain.

With the foothills of Australiaís Great Dividing Range serving as the townís backdrop, Daylesford provides an incredible opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment of rich history in a beautiful setting. Yoga ashrams and art galleries might be flooding the town, but the spirit of adventure and ruggedness that began with the gold rush still manages to stay alive today, now that Daylesford is seeing more visitors than ever before.

Image from Peter Dunphy – North East Victoria Tourism

Scenic Helicopter Tour over Gran Canaria

See the magnificence of Gran Canaria from an all new perspective as you fly over the coastline in your own private helicopter. Let your imagination take flight as you take-off in the helicopter for your grand tour over Gran Canaria.

Your tour starts with a pickup from your hotel and drive in an air-conditioned luxury sedan to the heliport. Once you are on-board, your pilot will begin communications with the control tower and prepare for take-off. Listen to all the chatter and excitement on your top-of-the-line headphones and join the engaging banter. Your pilot has the best local knowledge and will share with you some really entertaining local lore as you get ready to fly.

You have got to book this !

Soon as you take-off, the first thing you will notice is the Atlantic Ocean in the near distance. As you gain height and your helicopter starts on its flight path, you will soon have a 240^o view of one of the most magnificent landscapes in all of Europe. The rugged coastline with the Atlantic surf crashing on the rocks is a sight to behold.

Your flight will take you way above the highest points of the island and show you Gran Canaria from unbelievable angles. You will gasp in awestruck wonder as you fly over landmarks that you visited on the ground but that now seem totally different from the air. Every minute of the flight will be 60 seconds of pure discovery and excitement. The romanticism of the entire flight is just unparalleled.

Watch as sheep, vehicles, houses and men flash below the fuselage looking like ants on the ground. Experience the vastness and grandeur of Gran Canaria from a height and store it away in your memories for a life time. The images will stay with you long after the helicopter lands and you have been transported back to your hotel. This is one experience you would not want to miss in your lifetime.

Paris… the city of romance and love! It has often been called the most romantic city in the world. Now you can experience this romance in the best possible way… by touring Paris in a horse and carriage. Imagine riding around Paris in a beautiful carriage drawn by a pair of magnificent and perfectly matched horses. It can be oh so romantic!

Your tour begins from the best known landmark in all of Europe – the Eiffel Tower. The carriage will pick you up from the east pillar and take you on a dream ride around Paris, showing you the best sites and scenes of one of the most beautiful cities of the world. Slowly traverse through the historical streets of Paris and absorb the breathtaking sites of this city of love and lovers.

Book the carriage wich  will take you past some of the most sites in Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Champs de Mars, the Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais, the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Trocadero. Observe each and every detail of these most amazing historical monuments as the horses trot at a leisurely pace past them.

After a ride through history, you complete your tour of Paris at exactly the same spot from where you started – at the east pillar of the Eiffel Tower. Though it is a short carriage ride, you will feel as though you have travelled through centuries.

If you are planning on proposing to your girlfriend or boyfriend, you cannot find a better setting than this romantic, horse carriage tour of Paris. A proposal inside the luxurious carriage will definitely leave your partner speechless at first and then attached to you for the rest of your lifetimes. The memories you collect will be the sweetest of your life.

Imagine this… you are sitting atop the tallest building in Paris with a flute of champagne in hand and watching the amazing site of all of Paris spread out below you. You would feel like you are sitting on the top of the world.

With your special ticket in hand, you make your way to the 360 Degree Café located on the 56^th floor of Montparnasse Tower, the tallest office building in Paris at 210 meters. You are greeted upon arrival with a glass of champagne or another beverage of your choice and some selected nibbles. With your glass of bubbly in hand, cast your eye over the entire city of Paris laid out at your feet.

Get a different view of all of Paris’ famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Sacre Coeur, Musee d’Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, and the Louvre. If the day is clear, you can even see the aircrafts taking off from Orly Airport located outside the city.

Once you have had your fill of the café, take the short flight of stairs to the 59^th floor terrace for the most panoramic view of your life. Check out the 360^o views of Paris from the open observation deck – a view that will stay with you all your life. Make sure you carry your camera along because the photo opportunities from the observation deck are unparalleled anywhere in Europe.

You can take your time drinking in the amazing scenes and sights of the most romantic city in the world as both the café and the observation deck are open all day and late into the night. So if you time you arrival at Montparnasse Tower, you can view the most amazing sunset of your life. Watch the sun set as a ball of fire over the length of the city of Paris and gasp in amazement as the lights of the city come on one by one with the deepening dusk.

You will be rooted to the spot and not want to leave Montparnasse Tower ever! This is one highlight of Paris that you must not miss. Book this vacation deal now and visit the Montparnasse Tower.

There’s nothing to compare with the beauty of a sunset over the Grand Canyon! One of the biggest natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon’s grandeur is even more majestic at sunset. Enjoy this spectacle of a lifetime by visiting the Grand Canyon in a private chartered helicopter straight from Las Vegas.

An incredible 100 minutes of flying time from Las Vegas will bring you to the greatest chasm on earth. Along the way, you can feast your eyes on unparalleled vistas of the Grand Canyon and amazing desert landscapes. Your well-informed pilot will keep you entertained with some incredible facts and figures and point out landmarks along the way.

Your trip begins with a luxury car picking you up from your hotel in the early afternoon and ends the same way late in the evening. In between, you fly to the Grand Canyon in a state-of-the-art Eco-Star luxury helicopter piloted by some of the most experienced pilots around. The helicopter lands you on a private landing spot about 3500 ft inside the Canyon.

You will be served chilled champagne, beverages and a light snack as you gaze down at the mighty Colorado River from a height of 300 ft. The grandeur of the Canyon all around you will leave you spellbound and create memories of a life time. For a full 30 minutes, you will be surrounded by millions for years of the earth’s history recorded for eternity in the walls of the Canyon.

Your return journey will be illuminated by the rays of the setting sun, a sight that you must capture without fail on your camera. Sights along the way include the Valley of Fire, Elephant Rock, Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, the Hoover Dam and the Las Vegas Strip all lit up in the dusk. But none of these would compare to the adventure and images you will carry away of the Grand Canyon.

This is one adventurous and bewitching tour you will never forget!

We would like to recommend you America’s Secret Recipes. “They will Teach You the Jealously Guarded Secrets Behind Dishes From Billion Dollar Restaurants Like The Cheesecake Factory®, KFC®, The Olive Garden®, PF Chang’s®, Red Lobster®, Chili’s®… (plus many others) and Show You How to Easily Make Them at Home!”

Save Time , Money and get started in a Record Time ! You do not need to be a chef ! Click Here!

Welcome the new day gliding in a hot air balloon over the Las Vegas valley. View the beautiful landscapes around Las Vegas as you enjoy the rising sun and marvel at how it lights up the countryside with the first golden rays of the day.

The amazing 45 – 75 minute ride begins with your arrival at the launching spot and the pilots and crew inflating the balloon. Gaze in amazement as the massive, color-striped balloon fills up with hot air and gets ready to sweep you away into the skies. Once you join the pilot and your co-tourists in the massive, hand-woven wicker basket, the balloon is ready to take off. You will never experience a similar sensation as that of the earth falling away below your feet as the balloon rises silently into the morning sky.

Book your balloon flight over Las Vegas now !

The open-air wicker basket will float with you on wind currents as you take in the 360-degree view of the Las Vegas spread below you. Along the way, you will enjoy rare sights of some of Vegas’ most beautifully laid out residential areas, the fantastic Las Vegas Strip and the majestic Red Rock Mountains and Red Rock Canyon in the distance.

Your knowledgeable pilot-captain will treat you to some amazing history of the region and also introduce you to the landmarks of the Las Vegas valley. As you enjoy all of these stunning sights and scenery, you will be greeted by the sun rising in all its splendor from the east. The overall effect is one of peace and tranquility as there would be no sound whatsoever to disturb your pleasure.

The most amazing thing about the ride is that you will not feel the breeze as you would be moving with it. When you land, you will find the ground crew already there to greet you with flutes of chilled champagne and some sumptuous finger snacks. Soft drinks are also available for those who prefer lighter beverages.

You will be amazed at the start the balloon ride gives to your day in Las Vegas!

Honeymoon is the most romantic period of your life and the best time to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. With your newly wedded spouse beside you, it is a great time to visit some of the most romantic and exciting destinations of the world. Every holiday should be well planned, but this holiday is special. So it is even more important to plan it out to the finest detail.

Now you can leave the planning to the experts and just take your pick from the five most romantic holiday destinations the world over.

Top 5 Romantic Holidays

NEW! Expedia.com.au: Top 5 Romantic Holidays: Packages from AU$482, Hotels from AU$28!

Fiji:

Fiji is the ultimate honeymoon holiday destination with its white sandy beaches, tropical sunsets and unbelievably blue waters. The beach makes for great hand-in-hand walks, while the balmy nights are just perfect for lying in each other’s arms. A short flight from the eastern coast, Fiji is also a surprisingly affordable destination. A honeymoon in Fiji is definitely a very special one.

Maldives:

Heavenly is the only word that can describe Maldives. This small gathering of islands is a paradise of pearly sands and aquamarine waters. Plus, Maldivian resorts are well known for their comfort and affordability. You can laze around in the shade of trees in your own hummock, or walk for hours on the soft white sands that make up the unending beaches of this island nation.

Bali:

Bali is the pearl of the orient – it has the most fabulous beaches you will ever find. Steeped in history and located right on the tropics, Bali is the honeymooner’s heaven. Scenic shorelines, tranquil retreats, luxurious spas and lots of sporting and leisure make Bali an unmatched destination to start your new life.

Tahiti:

Tahiti brings together the romance of the South Pacific and the charm of France. It is a honeymooner’s delight with its indigo seas, aquamarine waters and gorgeous islands. Honeymooners have lot of choices for accommodation – the main island of Tahiti, or the dream-like Moorea, the twin islands of Huahine, or Bora Bora, widely considered by honeymooners to be the most beautiful in the world.

Rome:

Rome is much more than the centre of the Christian world; it is also an unbelievable place to enjoy your honeymoon. The ancient architecture, art, and sights of the city are unique to Rome and you will find yourself lost in history. Toss a coin together in the Trevi Fountain, or walk hand-in-hand around the Coliseum; everything about Rome is romantic and grand. Throw in the fabulous accommodation and sumptuous food, and you have all the makings of a most memorable honeymoon. Just like the eternal city, your love too will last for eternity.