02/06/2010 by Silver Blogger.

A View of the Greek Island Rhodes
by: Dan Williams
If you have always fancied a holiday on a Greek island but were worried about busy beaches and crowded bars and night clubs full of noisy young people having fun then perhaps Rhodes is the destination you’ve been looking for. Perhaps it’s the location of Rhodes that sets it apart from other Greek islands, being much nearer to the coast of Turkey than Greece. Rhodes certainly has a slightly different feel to the other main islands like Corfu, Kos, Mykonos, Naxos and Kefallonia and Zakynthos off the west coast. It seems to attract an older cross-section of travellers and more family groups.

As you read through the reviews posted by people about their visits to the island, the common theme is quiet beaches, relaxed surroundings and peaceful days in the sun.

Quality is another word associated with Rhodes and the island has its fair share of luxury 5-Star Hotels.

Rhodes is lucky enough to enjoy over 250 kilometers of coast and therefore has a great choice of beaches. One of the best is the oddly named Anthony beach, named after the actor Anthony Quinn who fell in love with the island while filming The Guns of Navarone and ended up buying some land on the island. This beach is small and beautiful but not well suited for families with young children as the rocks and stones are tricky underfoot.

A more developed beach with full facilities can be found at Faliraki Beach. It is one of the biggest and most developed beaches on the island and has lots of golden sand and clear waters to keep holidaymakers happy. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants on hand and also a choice of watersports activities for more active people. Kalathos beach and Tsabika beach both offer soft sand, but many beaches on Rhodes are stony so families with children should check carefully where they head for.

Like many Greek islands, the main town has the same name as the island itself and Rhodes town is certainly full of interesting attractions. It has its fair share of tourist developments, including large hotels and shopping areas but it also has a wealth of history to explore and enjoy. The medieval part of the city, sitting high above the harbour, dates back many hundreds of years and old fortifications indicate that the town was often subjected to siege and invasion over the centuries. It is this part of Rhodes that attracts many visitors. The large palace surrounded by paved walkways and alleyways, combined with squares, courtyards and gateways provides an old town that illustrates architecture and style throughout the ages. The main fortress is divided into northern and southern halves. In the south the Hora houses a Turkish bazaar and other markets, while the northern section, the Kollakio, has the Street of Knights the palace of the Grand Master. Rhodes town, which is accessed by one of eleven ancient gateways, has been nominated as a site of world cultural heritage by UNESCO, one of only 878 in the world.

Rhodes is also a very green town, with areas of grassland between the old castles and many tree-lined avenues. It certainly makes a stroll around the town a very pleasant way to pass the time.

The harbour is a central focal point for the capital and, although not large by any means, has an interesting mix of old and modern boats. It is also a stopping point for larger passenger ships and island hopping cruise ships.

Flights into Rhodes arrive at Diagoras International Airport, which is situated south-west of Rhodes town, about 15 kilometers away. The airport takes a mix of national flights, mainly from Athens and charter flights from abroad bringing holidaymakers to the island. The airport was opened in the late seventies but benefits from a new terminal which opened 3 years ago.

About The Author
Islands like Rhodes are popular tourist destinations and Dan Williams has all the information people look for before they travel. He can also help tourists find cheap flights to Rhodes and other locations such as those offered on the FlyThomasCook website.

Article courtesy of Article City

Posted in Greek Islands | No Comments »

20/03/2009 by Silver Blogger.

Cheap flights online

By tom cena www.free-articles-zone.com

Today everybody is looking out for cheap flights online, but increase in the airfare while traveling has become very difficult issues among the common people to plan their holiday vacation at any exotic holiday destination by any airlines. As there are so many persons who love to fly where traveling is concern but with the increased airfare it is not so easy and traveling by flight may leave you with a hole in your pockets as well. For a cheap and comfortable traveling everybody wants cheap flights for his/her travel destination. However, many of travelers find difficulties fulfilling their travel as they fail to plan for the entire journey, which is the major drawback while arranging a trip. But finding out the best offers and more importantly finding out cheap online flights to their desired location is quite distressing and pleasurable. There are various online travel sites that come up with plenty of online cheap offers or discount airfares. Only for cheap flights you can see several of travel portal online available for you but only few of them know about how online travel site gives you your cheap airfare on one search. It has been seen while traveling a passenger sitting next to you has bought his cheap flights online and you paid full price for the same airline and for same traveling destination. Today I will tell you how to make utilize of such online cheap flights and save you pocket from getting hole.

Get some helpful hints and tactical tips on how to buy cheap flights available online. A question arises on whether a traveler has done enough research work or went to the right travel site to find the bargain. All such worries can be alleviated with the help of online travel sites, word-of-mouth, and travel agents. Make use of various resources that are used to provide information about cheap flights and best airfare deals. Knowing what types of resources are available and using them to their advantage is the way to get those cheap flights online. Majority of the online travel sites aims to give best and cheap flights to his/her customer only on one search. A traveler should have to mention their travel need means when and where should like to go means their travel destination, and also they have to tell them about booking for their flights, hotels or cruise. Only travel loving person have to contact customer care via email and they will contact you via your phone email address with your complete travel packages related to your flights, hotels etc various travel sites are one source of finding cheap airline tickets and you can also look at bargain airfare sites. A search for cheap online flights among different carriers ensures that you get the cheapest fare. Various airlines display information about inexpensive flights offer on their websites depending on the season, destinations and departures. Browsing and comparing various cheap flights online ensures a traveler to get the best deal available.

Generally on online travel sites you can book you airline tickets along with your complete information about your destination like about your desired location, destination weather, perfect time to visit, tourist attraction, accommodations, entertainment places and when and where should you go in your destination. One can come across cheap flights online if they desire to break their flight journey. Most of the times it is more expensive to buy a direct flight than to buy a flight that stops one or two (or even three) times on the way. Such issues has been seen while using an online travel or flight agency, indirect flights will be cheaper, as you’ll be likely to fly with various companies at the lowest prices available. A traveler can book their cheap flight online if they settle their flying dates on midweek. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the perfect cheap days to fly if you want to save money. Look out for sales and discounted tickets while are mostly available on weekdays. Don’t try to fly on local events or holidays; flights will be packed and really expensive on thanksgiving, Christmas or on New Year.

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20/03/2009 by Silver Blogger.

Malta Holidays Beating The Credit Crunch

By Roger Munns 

Oil prices and higher aviation fuel costs might suggest that Malta, which is a three hour flight from her main market of the United Kingdom, might see a drop in tourist numbers this year.

And with the media reporting on a possible recession there could be even more reasons why a holiday in Malta might not be top of everyone’s list for summer 2008.

But surprisingly reports from Malta suggest that the island could see a rise in the number of tourists taking a holiday there this year.

The Malta holidays industry could get an unexpected boost this summer too as Spain, which is the number one destination for European holidays, suffered adverse publicity in June as strikes over the price of fuel resulted in poor publicity suggesting some hotels and resorts were struggling to keep going.

But some in the travel industry think that the suggestions of a ten per cent rise in the number of tourists this year could be optimistic.

‘We might have agreed with the analysis a couple of months ago’, state Malta holidays internet site YourMalta.com, ‘But we have seen quite a decline in the number of people enquiring about holidays and hotels in Malta in the last couple of months, and the highest number of visitors will be July and August. Unless there’s a sharp rise in the number of people taking late bookings we can’t see the year overall showing a ten per cent rise, nothing like it.’

Indeed some analysts in the travel industry might agree that as the UK is the main market for Malta hotels and holidays, that falling house prices, job insecurity and a faltering economy could stop some Brits taking an overseas trip at all in 2008 in favour of a cheaper one on home soil.

Cheap Malta Flights

But whether the rise in the number of people taking a holiday in Malta this year is ten per cent or less than that, there is no doubt that the Malta hotels and holidays market has done well in the last three years, returning it to mainstream holiday destination status.

Malta has successfully diversified her market place, making it less reliant on the British tourist, who has been the mainstay of the Malta holidays industry in the past.

Low cost airlines, and Malta’s own airline - Air Malta - have opened new routes to Malta, allowing other Europeans apart from the British to have a holiday in Malta, and with flights to Malta cheaper now than in previous years it has helped boost the number of British tourists too who might previously have been put off by the cost of flights to Malta compared to Spain.

Notable successes in the island’s diversification has seen the number of tourists from Italy, Sweden, Norway and even Spain discover what Malta has to offer.

And it’s not just cheap flights to Malta that have attracted the tourists - Malta is steeped in history, churches, beaches and some of the Malta hotels are now offering the best spa facilities in the Mediterranean.

The property industry in Malta has done well too, with an increase in tourists it has seen the number of overseas property buyers interested in buying a Malta property rise in recent years. Whether Malta property prices will continue rising though is dependent upon other economies, but increased interest could see Malta real estate hold its own compared to other countries.

And it will be interesting to see if Malta can do well again this year for their holidays, in times of low activity.

Posted in Malta | No Comments »

20/03/2009 by Silver Blogger.

Menorca Holidays Shake, Rafa And Roll

By Roger Munns http://www.free-articles-zone.com

Company: Tribune Properties

The golden era of modern tennis when Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe were winning Grand Slams was the last time the sport could be said to be exciting to watch, but now Rafa Nadal from Spain’s Balearic Islands and Switzerland’s Roger Federer have made the game watchable to a mass audience again.

The numbers 1 and 2 in the world produced what was widely described by sports journalists around the world as Wimbledon’s finest men’s final in a generation last July where Nadal triumphed, and then in early February this year the two produced a pulsating final lasting over four hours in another Grand Slam event - the Australian Open. Again Rafa Nadal was victorious.

Upon returning home to the Balearic Islands after his Wimbledon triumph last summer - the Balearics are made up of Rafa’s home island of Majorca, along with Menorca and Ibiza - Rafa was given a hero’s welcome, and the island came to a standstill for the day as celebrations carried on from dawn to the early hours of the next morning.

Before Rafa’s rise to the top of the tennis world, The Balearic Islands have been best known in the wider world as prime holiday destinations - Menorca for example is known as a quiet family holidays island, and with flights to Menorca under two hours from London has become a favourite for the British holidaymaker since the early 70’s.

But with a recession hitting Menorca’s main holiday markets of Britain and Germany, the tourist authorities for the islands have come up with a stroke a world class tennis player would be proud of - they have signed Rafa Nadal up to promote Menorca as a holidays destination to the British and German publics, and be the recognisable face for their holiday marketing activities.

‘Rafa is an instantly recognisable symbol of something positive’, comments leading Menorca travel site yourmenorca.net, ‘And associating Menorca with someone as dynamic and successful as Rafa Nadal could help the island attract more tourists at a time it really needs it.’

Of all the islands in the Balearics, Menorca is known as one for family holidays. Quiet, sedate, peaceful are words often used to describe Menorca and Menorca holidays.

But as well as promoting Menorca as a reminder to past visitors to holiday on the island again, it’s quite possible that Rafa Nadal’s image among the population as a whole in both Germany and the UK could be enough for new generations to consider taking holidays in Menorca for the first time - something the island would welcome as once people take a trip to Menorca they often return and count the island as one of their top holiday destinations to consider for future years.

British visitors, an important constituent of Menorca tourism, have been hit by the strength of the Euro against Sterling, and Menorca holidays are more expensive than holiday destinations which don’t have the euro - Turkey in particular has seen a big jump in British tourists, and outside of Europe Egypt and Morocco have benefitted too at the expense of traditional favourite Spain - in 2008 Spain experienced a drop of a million holidaymakers compared to the year before.

And while the island will still be seen as peaceful compared to some holiday destinations, it will be determined to keep that as part of the appeal that has attracted holidaymakers in the past. But new companies are also springing up among the Menorca holidays businesses that will appeal to those first time Menorca visitors who might want a little activity - and might expect it too considering Rafa Nadal’s image. One new company is offering escorted mountain bike tours, while another is offering jeep safaris - perfect for the younger generation of tourists Menorca would like to see return in future years.

The new companies providing the tourist facilities will be welcomed by the Menorca hotels too. Menorca hoteliers have invested heavily in recent years, refurbishing existing hotels while a few new ones have been added too. But if occupancy rates drop this year there is a possibility that some Menorca hotels will open just for June, July and August, while others may be mothballed until the number of visitors increases again.

Menorca will be hoping her holidays industry has a bit of Rafa Nadal’s success for 2009.

Posted in Resort Reviews | No Comments »

20/03/2009 by Silver Blogger.

Travel Tips for a Wise Traveler Like You

by Jamie Hanson (http://www.articlegimp.com)

Traveling has always been one of the most fun-filled, exciting, entertaining and most of the time informative activity that you can totally enjoy by yourself or with your family and friends. With the help on the internet you can easily find travel agents online that can assist you in getting affordable discount air travels or any other budget travel promos and travel packages that their online travel agency offers.

It doesn’t matter if you already have pre-arranged travel deals or just last minute travel arrangements because there are a lot of best travel websites to choose from that can accommodate your needs. As a traveler, you should also need to make preparations yourself and not purely rely on your travel agent. These are some basic travel tips for you to take into account to experience a hassle free travel and vacation.

As much as possible, plan your trip early. If you’re traveling during holidays, it is best to look for online travel deals at least a couple of months before the season starts. This way you can even have a chance to book under discount travel promos which travel agencies usually offer in advance.

Another good tip is to maximize your budget. Make a list of your proposed budget in advance and try to follow your budget list at least up to the degree that you can. Make food your number priority followed by your lodging necessities. Take also into consideration the age bracket of your group. If you’re going to travel with kids, their needs and safety should be on the top list of priorities.

Next of the travel tips you need to take into account is to familiarize yourself with your travel destinations. If you still don’t have a place in mind you can easily choose from the top ten travel destinations online. If you and your company want to have a beach get-away then you might want to check websites about the famous and wonderful South Miami Beach or the magnificent coast of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta Mexico. If your budget and time permits it, you can even try checking out the wonders of Asian beaches like the renowned Boracay in the Philippines. Ultimately, wherever you plan to go, you must have an overview of the place and its surroundings to avoid difficulties and disturbances.

Another important tip, and a very sound advice, is to take care of your belongings. You read this tip online, see the sign at every airport and subconsciously know that this is significant, however, with all the fuss there is during travel plus the excitement you feel, there will be moments that your belongings will slip into your mind. And this moment of yours becomes the shining time for thieves to take advantage and stole your possessions.

And aside from your budget list, make one checklist that enumerates everything you need to do and to accomplish before, during and after your vacation. You may be teased by your family and friends as having an obsessive-compulsive disorder but shrugged it off. Remember, being prepared is a lot better that being sorry.

And lastly, enjoy every minute of your travel preparation. It is as important as the actual vacation so take your time and have a blast.

Posted in Travel Tips | 1 Comment »

23/01/2009 by Silver Blogger.

Can anyone recommend a resort in Santorini for me.

Posted in Recommended Holidays | No Comments »