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Archive for May, 2010

Why a holiday in Turkey? May 21

Holidays in Turkey have never been more popular than they are today. The mix of lovely sandy beaches, some absolutely stunning scenery and a history that goes back into the mists of time make a Turkey holiday one that really does offer something for everyone. Turkish beach holidays are always popular with travellers from the UK, drawn by the glorious sunshine and hot, dry climate. Escaping for two weeks holiday is quite easy in Turkey, the beaches, historical architecture and cultural differences making home seem a million miles away. The culinary experience as well as the cultural one will prove this!

Starting with the Turkish Cuisine, it has many influences from Central Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Caucasia or again the Balkans. It is not a homogeneous cuisine, more of a regional one, which wherever you are is worth experiencing as it is very diverse and offers a wide variety of flavours. One can also find the famous Turkish delights! In the beverage department, Turkey also has local wines and beers, which will make your culinary experience during a holiday to Turkey even more authentic.

Turkey has the advantage of being on the Mediterranean Sea as well as on the Aegean Sea and Black sea, which offer golden, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The advantage of going on holiday to Turkey is that one can relax, appreciate the joys of Turkish baths and massages, but one can also shop in the largest covered market in Istanbul, or go skiing or trekking. In addition it has the advantage of not being too far from the UK, which makes life easier! And there is something for everyone to do! Thanks to Monster travel’s all round holiday trips, a week-long summer break in Turkey is affordable and easy.

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Holidays in Egypt: a great destination for all and at all times! May 21

There was a time when a holiday to Egypt was reserved for the wealthy, as cheap flights to Egypt were not to be found anywhere. So the general consensus was to go away, but not too far, stay within the boundaries of Europe, in countries such as France or Italy. Thankfully times have changed and Egypt is now on our doorsteps thanks to cheap Egypt holiday packages.

Cairo, Egypt’s magnificent capital is the largest city in Africa and one of the most densely populated in the world. It has a lot to offer visitors, including the numerous vestiges of Pharaohs to the Romans via the Greeks. It is therefore a country with an incredible cultural mix. The famous Nile River runs through Cairo from North to South and is a natural draw for holidaymakers. It is a city which is always warm, so whatever time of year an Egyptian holiday is planned, from the height of summer through to enjoying some winter sun, a holiday in Cairo is an excellent choice!

Another great destination in Egypt is Sharm el Sheikh, which is a famous city situated between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai. It is a great place for tourism as it has many miles of sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters to offer the holidaymaker, which also makes it attractive when it comes to watersports. Scuba diving is a must for anyone taking a holiday to Sharm el Sheikh, with the Red Sea providing dazzling underwater scenery. The pyramids are easily accessible from there as well. The perfect all-round place to go and relax in the sun? It has to be Sharm el Sheikh!

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10 Tips For Fantastic Holiday Photos May 20

At PhotoBox we appreciate that part of the fun of any holiday is browsing through your photo prints. Why not get canvas prints of them? It’s a great way of prolonging the feel good factor, especially when your photos reflect what a brilliant time you had. So here’s our guide to capturing fantastic holiday photo prints.

Get up to date

Digital cameras have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years so if your camera is a little ancient it could be holding you back. How about treating yourself to a new one with tax free prices at the airport.

Endless energy

Pack a spare camera battery and your charger to ensure you’ve plenty of power whilst you’re away.

Take it to the max

Always take your photos at your camera’s maximum resolution setting, so whenever you take photos you really love you always have the option to turn them into big canvas prints or photo gifts galore.

Think before you click

Consider the overall balance of your photos. You don’t want to end up with endless photo prints of the same stretch of beach.

More memory

Memory cards are as cheap as chips these days so there’s no excuse for not having enough.

Get inspired

Take a look at local postcards to give you an idea of where you can find the most interesting photo opportunities. You don’t have to copy what they’ve done but it will certainly inspire your own photos.

Take plenty of pictures

Any photographer will tell you, to get great results it helps to take lots of photos, then when it comes to photo printing, or printing photo canvases you can take your pick.

Have a little patience

Once you find a great location try waiting for a bright blue sky, interesting cloud formation, or breathtaking sunset, believe me it will make all the difference to your photos.

Sense of scale
Consider what other areas of interest you can add to give your photos a sense of scale, such as your kids in the foreground making sandcastles, or colourful boats along the shore.

Tell a story

When you’re out enjoying dinner try and remember to photograph your food before you tuck in! It is things like this that give your photos a real storytelling element.

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Collect Airmiles for your next cheap holiday May 12

Everyone deserves to have a holiday at least once a year. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a short city break in the autumn in one of the UK’s cheap hotels, or a two week sun-filled break in Europe – holidays are to be enjoyed and looked forward to.

However, as with most things that we enjoy in life, holidays can be expensive. Even a short break in London can cost a small fortune when you factor in all of the additional expenses, such as meals, travel, activities and, of course, your hotel room. When you collect Airmiles, however, you can save up miles to put towards your stay, allowing you to take advantage of cheap hotel rooms, and sometimes even free stays.

Airmiles can be collected in a variety of different ways, such as whenever you spend money on your Lloyds TSB Airmiles Duo Credit Card Account. Every time you use your Cards, whether it’s for your weekly grocery shop or to pay your bills, you’ll be collecting Airmiles that can be exchanged for cheap hotels, or even free flights within the UK and to other countries.

There are other ways to collect Airmiles as well, including exchanging your Tesco Clubcard vouchers.
The more Airmiles you collect, the further you could travel with your free flights. If you collect 10,000 Airmiles, you could even fly to Australia for the dream holiday of a lifetime, and your flight wouldn’t cost you a penny!

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How to amuse your children on family holidays May 06

When travelling with a family, two of the most popular destinations for Brits are France and Spain. Both family holidays have enduring appeal for their great climate and close proximity to the UK.

Family holidays in Spain offer never ending stretches of sandy beaches and warm temperatures no matter where you stay. Andalucia in south Spain is a long standing favourite of the British holiday maker offering fabulous weather and some great cities to visit such as Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Here you can take the kids to Grenada’s Science Park or visit the butterfly house. In the south east, visit Costa Blanca - an excellent location for families with warm waters, soft sandy beaches, great temperatures and some beautiful towns and cities to visit. The great thing about staying in mobile holiday homes is they make a great base for enjoying days on the park where the children can play with others their own age as well as day trips out to see the sights and visit the beach.

For family holidays in France, there are plenty of very child-friendly mobile homes and holiday resorts. Depending where you stay, the big draw for children is often a day out at Disneyland Paris.

For the outdoor types, visit the stunning forests of Fontainebleau where you can enjoy some lovely family walks through the woods. A favourite with many children is sharing a bike ride with mum and dad down many of the country lanes, stopping off for the obligatory ice cream along the way.

These are just a taste of the many attractions available for children when it comes to family holidays in France and Spain.

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In and around Heathrow Airport May 04

Of course, a trip to the airport is primarily about taking a flight. Airport parking, checking in and boarding tend to be the main concerns during the time leading up to the journey. However, making the most of the time spent in the airport means that you can get so much more out of the airport than just flying. At Heathrow airport, there is so much to enjoy that can enhance the whole travelling experience, that you may find yourself wanting to get there even earlier.

Heathrow airport parking can be quick and hassle-free with deals available for booking online. Once parked up, you will find there is much to do inside the airport to make the time spent waiting for your flight both relaxing and enjoyable.

For the ultimate in relaxation, spa treatments are available however much time you have to spare. Book in for a full treatment or pop by if you only have time for a quick fix treatment. Use the time to pick up last minute holiday essentials or indulge in some serious retail therapy with major brands, from clothes to beauty to accessories, available inside the airport. If all that shopping seems like too much trouble, you might want to just kick back with some drinks and a bite to eat. Whether you want to enjoy a fine dining experience or literally grab a snack before your flight, there is a range of eateries to cater to all tastes before you continue with your onward journey.

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In and around Manchester Airport May 04

Flying from Manchester airport brings several benefits that are bound to make your journey simpler and more pleasurable. One of the simplest things about your journey will be the airport parking. Manchester airport parking could not be easier with a range of car parking options to suit all journeys from long to short stay, with online booking systems and pre-book options.

Manchester airport has a range of shops and services that will keep you and the family entertained after check in. This is where your holiday will begin and treating the time spent in the airport as part of your trip means getting as much out of it as you can whether you choose to spend the time eating and drinking or shopping for essentials or holiday treats. There is a choice of eateries and bars to enjoy and far from just duty free essentials such as perfume, shopping at Manchester airport means browsing through a range of stores you would usually find on the high street.

Manchester airport also offers a range of services that you would not expect to find. Home delivery is on offer for your shopping or alternatively, you can arrange to collect items at the airport on your return journey if you do not want them delivered to your home. Or, if you are not there to shop, then Manchester airport has the perfect way to wind down for your holiday with a spa treatment centre on hand to pamper you before your onward journey.

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