Cyprus embodies the spirit of a much needed holiday: waterfront cafes that serve fresh seafood, nightclubs that bring together peoples from across the globe, ancient relics and ruins that cause wonder to flood the memory, and the serenity of the sea that allows you to unwind.

The modern nation state embodies everything European with an international flavor that everyone enjoys. Stroll along the seafront in renovated old town in Larnaca, the city with the main airport, and the 9th century church Saint Lazarus. Shop for designer clothes and relic souvenirs at My Mall in Limassol where afterwards you can take in fish and chips at the British Pub. Explore the Turkish communities of northern Cyprus where you’ll taste and touch the varieties of Asia including the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia where you’ll find both art and archaeology.

A deeper experience of Cyprus comes from renting a car to drive around the island in a day. Small mountain villages take you back to a previous day. Valleys and peaks of the Trodos Mountain range distort your senses, making you think you are in central Europe. Mount Olympus calls you to a future you can only grasp by moving forward. On your journey, be sure to stop along the way to pick up homemade beverages, cheeses, and simple local cuisine you’ll appreciate as intimacy with your surroundings.

But what do you really need to know before going on your Cyprus holidays? Know that you’ll be a changed person after you leave. The sense of ancient history, the EurAsian hospitality, and the combination of contemporary flare with former prominence creates an intriguing atmosphere of limitless possibilities. You can relax or you can do business. You can shop or you can dig up the past. You can see the see or view the mountain valleys. All you need to do is choose, enjoy, experience.

If you are planning on visiting Cyprus once, be prepared on going back a second time. Don’t let the size of this Mediterranean gem fool you into thinking that you can see it all in a few days or even a week. Plan a multiple trip excursion so that you will thoroughly enjoy the Cypriot experience. cheap Cyprus holidays are available throughout the year, but as like any other planned holiday, make sure to check the weather forcasts and seasons well in advance to get the most out of your trip!

Consider the Age of Your Children

or those of you travelling with younger children, you may want to think about a destination other than Bangkok, since the traffic noise of the busy streets tends to be a bit overwhelming for the little ones. But don’t let this discourage you from planning a trip to Thailand, as there are numerous alternatives to consider. For the most part, you can head in almost any direction and find a province or region that is resplendent with family venues to enjoy.

For instance, travel to the east and visit the coastal area of Pattaya – an area renowned for its colourful and spectacular nightlife. Head north and discover Koh Samui Island, the 3^rd largest Thai island and a stunning beach resort. Additionally, the lower northern region is home to the U-Thai Thani province, known for its archaeological excavations and historic sites. Finally, travel to the south and visit Satun, a province filled with amazing beaches and picturesque national parks.

Definite Considerations

Remember that the bottom line where family holidays are concerned is keeping the children interested and occupied throughout the day.  Some of the adventures or getaways that you definitely want to consider (depending on the age of your children), include elephant rides, floating markets, jungle treks, theme parks, and water parks. Remember that boat trips and river tours are great daytime adventures, no matter how old your children are.

Personal safety precautions

No matter how you plan your itinerary, your primary consideration should be you and your family’s safety.  Always remember that you are travelling in unfamiliar settings and it quickly becomes obvious to the locals that you are a tourist.  The following is a list of precautions to take heed of when travelling with your family, and ensuring your safety in the process:

• Make two copies of your passport.  Leave one with a family member or a close friend while keeping the other in your luggage.
• Take along a list of credit card emergency phone numbers and account information.
• Educate yourself about the area you are travelling to so that you are fairly familiar with it.
• Stay in open, public places, especially if you venture out at night.
• Don’t wear flashy clothing or jewellery because it will attract unnecessary attention.

Finally, always make sure that you check out the latest guidelines and advise offered by the applicable foreign tourism office, or other government tourist agency.

Whatever it is that you want from your holiday, you are sure to get it in Florida.  Fabulous weather, beautiful beaches and truly magical family days out are all part and parcel of this amazing destination.  And, with so many different things to do, you are certain to want to return!

Attractions

Just about anyone on their Florida holidays will want to visit the big-name attractions; and there are certainly plenty choose from!  If you like your movies, then ‘Universal Studios’ are an absolute must.  Not only will you get to know plenty of behind-the scenes secrets to the films, but you can also go on to experience many of the movies for yourself.  The theme park area of ‘Universal Studios’ has plenty of special rides that are based all around your favourite films.

‘The Kennedy Space Centre’ and ‘SeaWorld’ are two other great places go and see.  Both of these will appeal to everyone in the family and they are rich with their own blends of magic and wonder.

And of course, who could go to Florida without dropping by to see Mickey Mouse and his friends?  But the four ‘Disney World’ parks are not exclusively for the kids; with a huge selection of adrenaline-pumping rides and regular family shows everyone will be sure to have a great time.

Accommodation

Florida has a great choice of villas and hotels in many wonderful locations.  However, most people going on Florida holidays will opt to stay in a villa as there are so many plus’s involved; your own pool, much more space and freedom from noisy children.

It also means not being stuck with a large group of tourists wanting to visit the attractions at all of the busiest times!

With a villa you are your own boss and able to choose what to do, when you feel like doing it.  A few of us may enjoy the comfort of having our holidays organised for us, but the majority of people will want to have plenty of freedom with their time away.

Something Different

One of the best things of all about Florida holidays is that there is such a large variety of places to visit.  Not only do you have all of the well-advertised resorts, but there are numerous other attractions as well.

If you want to see some of the area’s alligators in their natural environment, then ‘Gatorland’ is well worth a visit.

With 110 acres of wildlife reserve and its very own theme park it is sure to be a fun-packed experience for everyone in the family. ‘The Florida Aquarium’ has one of the largest collections of fish and plants (around 20,000 varieties!) in the whole of America. So, if you have a love for the underwater world then this is the place to head for.

Or how about airboat rides at Boggy Creek?  There are regular passenger tours around the area or private hire airboats for the more adventurous visitors.  You can even go out for a trip at night… and who know what you may get to see!

There are some great surfing beaches on offer in California that I just have to mention. However I won’t waste much time telling you about these great surf spots because as I mentioned before many people know about these locations. They will be able to give you much more information than I ever could in this single article.

Huntington Beach or ‘Surf City, U.S.A’

With a ‘perfect break’ Huntington Beach or ‘Surf City, U.S.A’ is one of the top surf locations in America and is known all over the world. Malibu Beach is great for those people who want to perform some takeoff manoeuvres with its long waves. If a beautiful beach is what you’re after then you can’t go wrong at Oceanside. Of course there are loads more great spots to check out in California but there are plenty more if you don’t live on the West coast.

Surfing is like a religion in Hawaii and there are lots of high quality surfing beaches to visit. Sunset Beach on the North Coast of Oahu is a beach for the surfing pros out there. The waves break over the reef to form some epic tube waves. Only attempt surfing these waves if you know what you’re doing, November through to March produces the best waves and swells.

Massive waves, beautiful crystal clear waters and all year round sunshine make Waikiki Beach also in Hawaii a much visit destination for any serious surfer. The location has a long running tradition of surfing and is best visited between May and September.

If you find yourself on the East coast you better head down to Florida for some of the best breaks around. The East coasts version of surf city would have to be Sebastian Inlet, which has great waves and big crowds for most of the year.

You can find Sebastian Inlet, or The Inlet as it is commonly called, located South of Cocoa Beach which itself is another surfing location worth visiting. Cocoa beach contains the most famous surf shop in the world (Ron Jons) and is also home to Kelley Slater, six times World Champion surfer.

The Great Ocean Road

Australia is a vast country with a massive array of thing to see. For such a large country many people consider leasing cars. This provides an affordable and easy way to travel this beautiful country without having to rely on public transport.  If you are intending on staying longer than 3 months an alternative to leasing a car would be to buy one.  There are many backpackers wanting to sell their cars quickly so you will be able to pick up a cheap deal.  However these cars will have clocked up a few miles so you will want to check how much repair costs will set you back before buying.  The good thing about buying a car in Australia is that individuals aren’t required to have insurance.  Anyone can drive the car with no additional costs.

Driving in Australia

Driving in Australia is actually easy but don’t be surprised if you have to make a few U-turns along the way.  It seems as though many road signs in the outback appear exactly where you are supposed to be turning and by the time you have seen the sign you might have driven straight past your junction.  A few things you should be aware of are the long driving distances, the big heavy road trains which stop for nothing (hence the huge bull bars fitted to the front of each truck).  Make sure you carry with you some spare fuel, lots of water and food, more than one spare tyre and some tools if you have room.  You might want to consider purchasing a few other extras such as fan belts and engine oil.  These could help you avoid breaking down and waiting for help.

Travelling by Bus

Where public transport is concerned there are a few different options that you may want to consider as alternative to renting a vehicle. Probably the most economical way to travel long distances is by Greyhound bus although this can be rather time consuming. It can easily take days to travel between some of the major cities. Whilst buses leave everyday or two they usually won’t run with the same frequency they would in Europe or North America.

Internal Flights

Lots of people choose to make use of domestic flights to travel between some of the furthest corners of Australia. There are a good amount of internal destinations and flights available, which will save you a lot of extra time that would normally be spent for overland travel. If you are holiday in Australia then the downside to this form of travel is that you will not get to see any of this wonderful country that you came to visit on your travels.  On the other side it takes 5 hours to get from Sydney to Perth by flying which would take two days solid driving across the Nullabor Plain without stopping.

Travelling by Train

The train network in Australia is very limited and runs two major routes. These are Sydney to Perth and Darwin to Adelaide. The trains do not run often and should be viewed more of an attraction rather than a convenient way to get around.

For these reasons many people do opt to go for a rental car which provides them with the flexibility to go where they want when they want to. On top of this Australia does have some amazing driving scenery that you risk missing by using public transport. The Great Ocean Road, situated on Australia’s South coast and starting just below Melbourne, in one of these sights that you simply could not see without your own vehicle.

Lift Sharing

If you are going to be backpacking in Australia a good method of getting around is by sharing lifts with other travellers.  Once you get into the backpacking circuit you will learn the ropes quickly and finding people to share lifts with is easy.  In most hostels around the country drivers will advertise on notice boards wishing to find other backpackers to share fuel costs.  This is a great way to get around and get to meet new people if you are travelling alone.

There are many options for getting around Australia but driving has to be the best way to experience the outback and to see sights unaccessible by bus or train.

Many Brits will be thinking about a European city break as the weather begins to warm up, and the Czech Republic is a country that many will turn to. By staying in Prague, holidaymakers can bask in the glory of one of the continent’s most fascinating cities, and one that boasts thousands of years of history.

What is so special about the Czech capital?

Well, despite its origins stretching back some 1,100 years, it is only since the 1980s and the early 1990s and the collapse of communism that brought Prague within easy reach. Since then, the city has established itself as one of the world’s leading city break destinations – 4.1 million people travelled there last year – the vast majority of whom stayed in Prague hotels.

The advent of cheap flights carriers has also made getting to Prague easier, and airlines serving the Czech capital operate from a number of regional airports including East Midlands, Norwich and Cardiff. With the city just a few hours away, it’s easy to see why it has become so popular among Brits – from groups on stag weekends to couples; Prague has proven to have something for everyone.

Its nightlife has clearly been a huge draw. The promise of cheap, world-class Czech beer is a good enough reason to visit Prague in itself for a number of people, and the table service you receive in bars and restaurants means no long queues at the bar. There is a bar or club in the Czech capital to suit every taste – whether you’re a serious clubber or someone who likes to dance to some cheesy classics.

Eating out in Prague

Don’t head straight out drinking though – you wouldn’t want to miss Prague’s super restaurants, would you? To many, the capital is known as ‘the city of a hundred spires’, but to the gastronomes among us it is also known as ‘the city of a thousand restaurants’.

Menus in Prague’s eateries are usually provided in Czech, English and German, and the country as a whole takes special pride in its meat dishes. Pork is arguably the most popular meat, closely followed by chicken and beef. Due to the country’s landlocked position, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that fish is something of a rarity – although fresh trout and carp is widely available if you stay in hotels in Prague during Christmas.

One of the most popular elements of Czech cuisine is knedliky, which consists of boiled and sliced dumplings. Wheat or potato-based, these are often served with meals in Prague restaurants. When you find an eatery that takes your fancy, perhaps try roast pork with dumplings and Sauerkraut or marinated beef sirloin, both of which are widely available.

Sightseeing & Attractions

While that’s your evening out sorted, what are you going to do during the day? Well, you certainly won’t be stuck for choices. Much of Prague’s capital is on UNESCO‘s list of World Heritage Sites, and there are two iconic landmarks that immediately spring to mind – one of which is the grand, imposing Prague Castle.

Arguably the most important structure in the history of the Czech Republic, Prague’s castle dominates the city’s skyline. It is certainly a sight to be behold – according to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the largest ancient castle in the world at 570 metres long and approximately 130 metres wide. Over the years Roman Emperors, Kings of Bohemia and presidents of both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have all resided here, with the castle’s history dating right the way back to the ninth century.

Boasting just about every architectural style of the last millennium, the castle certainly isn’t a stand-alone building. Within its walls are the Gothic St Vitrus’s Cathedral, the medieval cottages of Golden Lane and the much-visited National Gallery collection of Bohemian baroque and mannerism art. Due to the castle’s size, visitors are recommended to devote at least half a day to exploring it and, for a fuller picture of its history, you can visit the nearby Old Royal Palace, home of the permanent Story of Prague Castle Exhibition.

If the castle is Prague’s most famous structure, then Charles Bridge most come a pretty close second. Despite being only a fraction of the size, the bridge, which crosses the River Vltava, is well known among tourists around the world. What makes it so famous? Well, between the beginning of the 15th century and as recently as 1841, it was the most important river crossing in the Czech capital. Resting on 16 arches, the bridge is flanked by two impressive towers, and the one located on the Old Town side is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest examples of civil gothic-style buildings.

Charles Bridge is adorned with baroque statues along each of sides, and the most famous is that of St John of Nepomuk, a celebrated local martyr who was thrown to his death from the bridge during reign of Wenceslas IV. The bridge differs greatly depending on when you visit. If you go during the day, for example, the likelihood is that you’ll have to share it with large number of other tourists.

Making Prague your next City Break

While you may have to sacrifice some personal space, you can be sure of an excellent atmosphere, with the bridge also being occupied by street entertainers and local artists. It’s always nice to sit down and watch a master at work, and some of the best come out as the sun begins its descent. This is arguably the best time to visit Charles Bridge and certainly when it looks its most romantic – and whether or not you can make the most of it will depend on who you’ve travelled to Prague with!

With a range of Prague hotels to choose from and an all-encompassing nightlife to enjoy, not to mention a wealth of historic and cultural attractions, the Czech capital really does have something for everyone. When will you organise a visit to see the city in all its glory for yourself?

Florida cruises are special, and none more so than one taken with Celebrity Cruises This two week long fantastic cruise starts out in Southampton in England, where you’ll board your cruise ship Celebrity Eclipse the newest of Celebrity’s solstice class ships.  On board, you will discover a refined level of elegance, style and design, and you will be made to feel welcome here.

Wave goodbye to anyone you’re leaving behind as the ship sails at 4:45pm on day one.  Eat, sleep, and wake refreshed as you arrive in your first foreign port at 7am on day two – Le Havre, Paris, France.  During the day while you are in port, you can take a stroll along the Champs Elysees, explore the Place de la Concorde, do a little shopping, and take in the sights of Paris.  At 9pm though, the ship sets sail again, and while you sleep, you’re on your way to Cherbourg.  A day spent here perhaps visiting La Cite de la Mer where you can learn all about the story of underwater exploration in history and fiction, and then a whole day at sea enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the water around you, and the vibrant entertainments on board ship.

Day five and you reach Vigo, Spain in the early morning, with its impressive Royal navy dockyard, and crafts market where you can invest in great pieces created by local artists.  The nearby Somerset village is home to the world’s smallest drawbridge which opens a mere 22 inches.
Day six is another day spent at sea enjoying the on board facilities, and then it’s on to Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.  From here, the longest leg of the journey begins, and you’ll spend six days at sea where you can really get a feel for the open water.  There’s plenty to do on board though, with entertainment, sunbathing, wonderful cuisine, and excellent service so that you’ll feel pampered and relaxed when you reach your destination.

On day fourteen, Miami, Florida, in all its glory is laid out before you as you sail into port at 7am.  This spectacular city is built right on the beaches, and it’s a vibrant place to be with flavours from Latin America slipping into the food, language, music and spirit of the place.  From here, you can explore many parts of Florida, from the beaches of Miami, to the Florida Keys, and the theme parks of Orlando, Florida is alive with people and entertainment, and makes the perfect destination for a cruise as you land refreshed, and ready to enjoy the sights and sounds that greet you.

Over the last 20 years Alcudia has become synonymous with value for money family holidays in Spain. Unlike the south of Majorca which is home to mega resorts like Palma Nova and Magaluf, the north of Majorca has still managed to retain most of its charm and remains to a point largely unspoilt.

Getting To Alcudia

Alcudia is 54km from Palma, the easiest way to get there is to hire a car which you can pickup from Palma airport. However if you are booking a holiday to the resort through a tour operator your airport transfers will be included within the price of the holiday. Transfer times will vary depending on the number of stops the transfer bus needs to make, but you are generally looking at around one – two hours door to door.

Alcudia Old Town

The old town of Alcudia is an excellent example of a traditional Majorcan town with narrow cobbles streets and cafe lined squares where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Alcudia was once home to the Phoenician and Greek’s and then reached it’s crescendo in the 2nd century when the Romans made it their capital ‘Pollentia’. The town was destroyed in the 6th century and returned to its former glory by the Moors who build ‘the town on the hill’ aka al-kudia. Today one of the most striking things about the old town are the walls enclosing it which were built in the 14th century.

Alcudia Beach

The beach is one of the main reasons that Alcudia is so popular with families. Miles of flat sand and shallow water make this an ideal spot for sunbathing and swimming. For the more adventurous there is a wide range of water sports available too.

Alcudia Port

The port of Alcudia is a real gem of a spot in the resort. Focused around Passeig Maritim (the walkway running parallel to the port) there is a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants. And if you fancy a stroll after lunch walk across to the marina where you gawp at some of the luxury yachts moored there.

Things To Do

Alcudia is primarily a family destination with plenty to do for your children. The main waterpark is the hidropark which has a wide range of pools and flumes to keep you entertained for the day.

Albufera wetlands are very near Alcudia which are a protected nature reserve that is home to over 80% of the Balearics bird species and 400 plant species.

Virtually every aparthotel in the resort has a kids club, great swimming pools and evening entertainment for all the family, so you are guaranteed a good time whereever you stay in the town.

Places to Stay

Alcudia offers a range of accommodation to suit virtually every taste. Looking for something traditional and romantic? Then there are a range of small hotels in the old town.

If you are looking for an all inclusive holiday then the Hotel Bellevue and Club Mac complex offer great value holiday deals.

And for everything else there are an abundance of great value hotels and apartments the length of the beach area that can be booked independently or through a tour operator.

The Algarve is Portugal’s main tourist regions and makes an ideal location for a family holiday.  With the sun, sea and sand attracting many families to the Shores of the Algarve it is easy to understand why the Algarve in Portugal is a popular destination for a peaceful holiday with your family, and your golf clubs.  Yes don’t forget to take your golf clubs as you will be able to get more than a few rounds of golf in while you are there, even if you are with the family.

Why choose the Algarve?

• The Algarve region in Portugal has a number of golf courses that are maintained to an impeccable condition.
• These courses will test your skills with most courses offering a mixture of 3, 4 and 5 Par holes.
• There are plenty of things to do and see so you don’t have to worry about your family entertaining themselves while you go for a round of golf.
• Unlike the weather found in the UK or northern Europe, you won’t be restricted by inclement weather.  The weather in the Algarve is consistently reliable all year round.
• The warm weather, sea views and fresh ocean air makes an ideal location to relax and relieve the everyday pressures of back home.
• You can be playing golf in the morning at sunrise and by the afternoon relaxing on the beach by the seaside.

Golf Courses in the Algarve

Here are some of Portugal’s best known courses:

San Lorenzo Course

San Lorenzo Golf Course is an immaculately kept and designed golf course.  This 18 hole golf course starts with a Par 5 and ends with a Par 4 with an overall Par of 72.  To be able to golf here men are expected to have a minimum handicap of 28 and women are expected to have a minimum of 36.

From Faro – 39 Minutes to Drive (19.1km)

From Albufeira – 44 Minutes to drive (41km)

Salgados Golf Course

The location of this 18 hole golf course makes it a little more challenging from other courses in the Algarve region.  Surrounded by lakes, accuracy is key for making it round this Par 72 course.  Like San Lorenzo the minimum handicap for men is 28 and 36 for women.

From Faro – 45 Minutes to drive (47km)

From Albufeira – 19 Minutes to drive (8km)

If you are planning a scuba diving holiday to Tenerife, when you venture under the waves you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. The impressive underwater rock formations are stunning and rich with marine life. The island of Tenerife is an ideal and increasingly popular scuba diving destination. Due to the volcanic history of the Canary Islands, the depth of the water around the shoreline allows divers the opportunity to explore the ocean and it’s marine life.  It is ideal for beginners as well as the more experienced.

When scuba diving in Tenerife you can expect to see an abundance of sea dwellers including stingrays, morays, trumpet fish, octopus and turtles, as well as caves inhabited by parrotfish, barracudas and giant anemones.  There are artificial reefs in the form of shipwrecks, The Meridian, The Condesito and The Estorne.

With year round temperatures of between 20 degrees in winter and 30 degrees in summer, Tenerife provides an ideal climate for scuba divers and an excellent choice as a winter diving destination. There are a wide range of dive sites and training courses that can be experienced.  If you wish to further your diver education you can complete technical and rebreather courses.

Tenerife is also ideal for families that may be traveling with divers, there are plenty of attractions and exploring to do on land as well as under the waves.

For more information on diving in tenerife visit www.dive24-7tenerife.com