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Archive for July 12th, 2010

Top 5 things to do in Majorca Jul 12

Majorca is the biggest island in Spain, its capital is Palma. It’s situated in the Mediterranean Sea and Balearic Islands, The best time of year to travel to Majorca is during the month of June and September, as temperatures can reach a maximum of 84°F (29°C).The national dishes  of Majorca include Sobrassada which is a dish made up of saffron rice cooked with meat (traditionally chicken and pork) and vegetables. And the Ensaïmada is a sweet pastry.

Discover the Majorcan Caves

There are so many caves on this  stunning   island, some of which you can actually swim into. If you decide not to swim you can travel to the caves via boat or bus. Ceaves del Drach (Caves of Drach) are a set of four caves on this Majorca. The Black Cave, White Cave, Cave of Luis Salvador, and Cave of the French are all attached to each other. Martel Lake is  subterranean   lagoon  situated in the caves. These caves are definitely worth visiting, as you can take some amazing and unforgettable pictures .

Have fun at the Majorca’s water parks

Why not have fun at Majorca’s famous water park, Marine Land. Some of the attractions include getting up and close to the parks resident bottlenose dolphins or watching the acrobatic and playful sea lions. For those who love our feathered friends, there is a parrots and exotic birds show. Marine Land has many aquariums that  display  sharks and tropical fish (in separate tanks), however this park’s aquatic animals are not only limited to dolphins and fish; they also have a colony of penguins, stingrays and sea turtles .
Art Galleries and Museums

If you’re looking to go explore Majorca’s artistic and creative  heritage  , why not visit  the fantastic  galleries and museums scattered throughout the island. Es Baluard is a museum of modern and contemporary art located in the island’s capital, Palma. The art temporary exhibited in this gallery originate from Balearic artists.

Hit the beach

You’ll  be surprised at how many beaches you can enjoy  on this stunning  island. One popular holiday resort with amazing beaches is the Cala d’or, located on the east coast of Majorca. Be sure to get there first to claim your place  , due to its popularity is does become  fairly  crowded during the popular holiday months. Why not check out the other beaches nearby - Cala Es Forti. Cala Serena and Cala Esmeralda.

Nightlife in Majorca

Enjoy yourself at  night as well as you would by day! Majorca is the home of one of the largest night clubs in Europe, BCM. This club can hold 5000 people at any one  time; they also have house and international Dj’s on rotation to offer a vast array of local and worldwide music.  Alternative  clubs that are definitely worth a visit include: Banana, Boomerang and Buffalos.

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5 things to do in Dalaman Jul 12

Dalaman is a district situated in the South-western coast of Turkey. You can travel to Dalaman from any major UK airport, when you arrive why not experience some of Dalaman’s finest features.

Discover the Countryside

Take a day trip and observe the local area in greater detail but don’t limit yourself to the public transport; why not go that additional mile and rent a car. With your own car you can now take your day trip at your own pace and leisure. Drive to Dalyan, its located nearly 24km from Dalaman. If you’re an wildlife lover you will appreciate visiting this town, you might even catch a glimpse of the local storks, cranes and kingfishers . Did you know that the whole town is an environmentally protected area? This is due to the decline in numbers of Loggerhead Turtles, it is not easy to see these uncommon creatures now as during their critical breeding dates the remaining migratory beaches are off limits to visitors to protect them . If Dalyan is not your thing, drive to Fethiye where you can explore the rock tombs that were carved into the cliff walls. Its marina and waters are also a favourite with scuba divers.

Dining Out

Should you choose to eat out in Dalaman you will be spoilt for choice , due to its close proximity to the sea most of the food offered consist of vegetables, fish, sardines, anchovies . But other staple dishes do incorporate lamb, chicken, lentils, onions, almonds and yoghurt . Should you want somewhere more familiar to eat suiting all your imaginable desires while in the district, fast food chains such as McDonalds, KFC and Burger King , but if you want to sample traditional foods its best to try one of the local restaurants; such as Akkaya Garden Restaurant who provide fresh Turkish home cooked meals as well as dishes from Europe.

Purses and wallets at the ready, we’re going shopping

In Turkey when you go shopping you need to be able to haggle, haggling is negotiating with the vendor for lower price for the goods; being able to do so you will be able to walk away with a great bargain. The most appropriate place to haggle is at the local markets that are located in Ortaca, Fethiye, Marmaris , and Koycegiz. On a Tuesday the Fethiye market is open for trading and this is the greatest market in Dalaman. These markets offer a wide variety of items ranging from small ornaments to hand woven carpets. Another place to check out is The Grand Baazar at Dalaman Airport, as this is a great place to purchase any last minute gifts for loved ones; shops usually open from 8am and close around 10pm.

Treat yourself to some relaxation at a spa hotel

If you’re looking for a therapeutic and relaxing time in Dalaman, why not stay at a luxurious spa hotel? One popular spa hotel is the Therme Maris and is located on Dalaman beach. This spa gives you the opportunity to buy day passes to use on all or the majority of their treatments that include pedicures, massages and manicures ; as well as access to the sauna, gym, pool, mud bath and jacuzzi .

Take to the water

Ölüdeniz, not only is it a resort village, it also has one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Dalaman; this beach is also said to be the most photographed beach in the Mediterranean. While you are there you could take go para-sailing, scuba diving, take driving lessons or go canoeing  . Patara, Icmeler, Caliz and Olu Deniz are also other beautiful beaches nearby you could visit during your holiday. If you are on holiday with children, try visiting the local water parks; AquaDream Water and ParkAtlantis Water Park for some good clean fun.

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Top 5 things to do in Sharm el-Sheikh Jul 12

Egypt is the world’s 38th largest country ; it sprawls across two continents both Africa and the Middle East . Egypt is a fantastic place to go on your vacation as it hardly ever rains . Temperatures can reach a maximum of 90F (32C) in the summer. But If you decide to take a holiday near the Red Sea coast you are likely to get temperatures reaching up to 109F (43C).

Here are some great activities that will help you make the most of your Egyptian holiday.

Water Sports

One city in Egypt which is extremely popular among divers for its tranquil and stunning underwater scenes is Sharm el-Sheikh; which is located at just a stone’s throw away from the Dead Sea. At this stunning location you can undertake water sport activities that include wind surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving . While beneath the waves you can witness hundreds of different types of corals and over 1000 fish species . One particular place in Sharm el-Sheikh where you can find great diving sites is in the Ras Mohammed National Park, located at the in the Sinai Peninsula.

Explore the Pyramids and Statutes

Do you know there are over 100 Pyramids strewn all across Egypt? These amazing monuments traditionally identified with Egypt have been standing for thousands of years. Giza Necropolis situated on the outskirts of Cairo is home to one of the famous seven wonders of the Ancient World; The Great Pyramid of Giza. Also while in Giza why not take a trip to the most famous statue in the world as well, The Great Sphinx. This statue of a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion is one of the oldest monumental sculptures built by the Ancient Egyptians.

Go Shopping in Cairo

Why not take stroll to Cairo, not only is it Egypt’s capital but it’s also Africa’s largest city. Cairo is located in Northern Egypt and situated along the Nile River. Travelling around this city is easy you can choose from to travel by trams, taxi, ferry, rail or airplane . While perusing the markets of Egypt you need to be able to haggle with the trader , as it’s the local market culture and is expected. So when you’re prepared to purchase an item, the best rule is to see the price the seller is demanding as the maximum, and negotiate down from there. Remember you’re aiming to get the price as low as you possibly can; the ultimate goal is half the asking price.

Whether its antiques or fine clothing you are looking to buy , there are amazing locations throughout Egypt to shop such as The Arkadia Shopping Mall situated in Cairo. It holds over 500 stores on its five floors; it’s also the largest Mall in Cairo. Another place to shop is The Ramses Hilton Mall that is also located in Cairo, who offer a vary array of jewellers, homeware and clothing , as well as a cinema.

A Birds Eye View

Why not discover Egypt from up above? The weather is predominantly clear and sunny so you can admire it without missing a thing . Taking a trip in an hot air balloon not only is breath taking but they can also make the experience personal to suit your own specific desires . Flights last approximately 45 minutes and some operators even offer light refreshments . There are different types of balloons; they normally vary based on the price and size of the balloon. This is a great opportunity to take pictures of Egypt from a bird’s eye view, or even snap a few pictures of other balloons flying along with you.

Clubs and Pubs

If you want to experience Egypt when the sun goes down there are many places you can go! Take an evening cruise down the River Nile and admire the beautiful Egyptian night sky. Many of the boats offer a variety of live entertainment some in the form of restaurants, discos and belly dancers . If clubbing is your thing there are many nightclubs scattered around Egypt for those looking for a fast and high tempo evening. Some famous nightclubs include Little Buddha, Calypso and Hard Rock Cafe . Sufi Dancing shows (also known as the Sufi Whirling) are also very popular among tourists in Egypt. The dance is a customary religious dance performed at specific locations throughout Egypt. If horses are your thing go and see an Arabic horse show; these beautiful horses perform amazing routines in such elegant fashion, you will be disappointed if you miss it.

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