Larnaca’s top attractions

On the southern coast of Cyprus is the attractive town and harbour of Larnaca, Greece. This flashy, cosmopolitan town looks more in keeping with the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera than the sleepy holiday island of Cyprus.

Glistening glass office and apartment blocks reflect the unabating summer sun; the wide, sheltered, white-sand bay is fringed by a pastel coloured promenade complete with joggers and roller-bladers and the yachts lining the harbour are sizeable, stylish but not too flashy that they start to look tacky.

For many, the raison d’être of this town is the beach, whilst for others it is the port. Either way, although both are good enough reasons to choose holidays to Larnaca, there’s actually a lot more to this town that initially meets the eye. On The Beach offers holidays to Laranaca all year round so you can get to grips with this addictive city whenever you please, and maybe even return for seconds.

Larnaca Fort

Founded way back in 1625 to defend the island from offshore attacks, Laranca Fort is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture and is well preserved to this day. You can walk around the fortified walls and there is also a small museum on site giving you a small insight into the town’s and the fort’s history.

Salt Lakes

There are a couple of salt lakes in Cyprus and one can be found just outside Larnaca. Depending on the season you can walk right over the dry salt lake, or alternatively you may be able to catch flocks of pink flamingos hunting down what little water remains. Right next to the salt lake is the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, which is a major pilgrimage site for Muslims as it’s where the tomb of Umm Haram – the foster mother of Mohammed – lies.

Diving

The waters around Cyprus are incredibly clear and abundant with marine life for great diving. You can even see dolphins, sharks, turtles, rays and seals if you come at the right time of year. However, the biggest draw to Larnaca is the wreck of the Zenobia ferry from 1980. She sunk due to an onboard fault along with all her cargo, including lorries and cars. The wreck is now teeming with marine life and due to its shallow depth – around 18 metres – it can be enjoyed by even relatively inexperienced PADI divers. Dive-In diving school is full accredited by PADI, the international body monitoring and licensing scuba diving.

Family activities in Lesbos

There is one thing Lesbos has in common with Ireland: it’s colloquial description as the Emerald’ island. However, that is where similarities stop. This island is dramatic and rugged but also soft and delicate. It has an abundance of flora and fauna, a dazzling climate that has other areas of the Med seeing the green eyed monster and its beaches are to die for. It also boasts a rich cultural history having produced numerous poets, writers and musicians throughout its history.

Lesbos is the third largest Greek Isle with its own large hospital and university so it is ‘open for business’ all year round, unlike many of its smaller neighbours. This is one of the reasons why Lesbos is such a popular family destination: families don’t need to travel in the peak – and most expensive – summer months to bathe in sunshine. On The Beach offer Lesbos holidays throughout the year, so you can travel during the May or October half-term breaks.

But it’s not just the climate that makes Lesbos the perfect family holiday island. Here are three reasons you and your family should take Lesbos holidays.

Lesbos is a densely forested, mountainous island. Olive trees are the most prolific vegetation, covering 40% of the island with some 11 million trees, but there are other unique forests to explore too, that are like few other places on earth. The Petrified Forest of Lesbos is the world’s second largest. The forest, which is around 20 million years old, was created by volcanic eruptions and this eerie landscape shows remnants of fossilised sub-tropical trees. It’s an interesting place for families to explore and makes a change from man-made attractions. You can find out more about the forest and the surrounding geo-park here.

Molyvos village in Lesbos

The island’s rugged and undulating interior just happens to be perfect mountain biking land. Although getting up Mount Olympus at 967 metres will be a challenge, there are plenty of smaller mountains and reasonable sized hill to set your sights on. If you like adventure and working up a sweat, then this is definitely an activity for you and your family.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a more relaxed way of life – on holiday at least – then head to Vatera, one of the longest beaches in all of Greece. This sandy beach stretches for seven kilometres and with minimal development in the area you’ll have no problem finding your own space to stretch out and relax. Your children will be able to swim in the safe, shallow waters or build sand castles and you can just sit back, relax and work on your tan.

Three Must-See Sights in Kos, Greece

The Greek islands are known for their beauty: rugged pine-clad cliffs, seas that vary in colour between emerald and tanzanite, turquoise-domed white-walled buildings and golden sand beaches that stretch for miles.

The region is also packed to the brim with history, so much so its museums are overflowing and artefacts are shipped off the museums and galleries around the world. To top it all off, the Greek Islands together boast one of the best climates in Europe: endless days of sunshine, warm and balmy evenings and cool night times.

Kos might not be on a similar scale in landmass to Crete or Rhodes, but it makes up for its lack of size with a heavy dose of history and breathtaking beaches. On The Beach offers Kos holiday packages throughout the year, making the most of its southern-Med climate, which thanks to its location in the Dodecanese islands, near to Turkey and with great hotels, is one of the Greek Islands’ best.

So what can you expect to get up to on a Kos holiday? Here are three sights that are not to be missed, though not for sporting activities.

Hippocrates Tree

This vast, towering and undeniably beautiful tree, with branches that reach forward seeking new light, is said to be one of the oldest trees in Europe. Legend has it that Hippocrates – the father of modern medicine – planted this tree around 2,000 years ago and taught his pupils the art of medicine from beneath its branches. It is located in Kos Town, in front of the Castle of the Knights. You can read more about it on Wikipedia.

Castle of the Knights

Located in the heart of Kos Town’s old area – which is a sight to behold in itself as it’s one of the oldest cities in Europe dating back to  366 B.C. – is the well-preserved Castle of the Knights. It was built-in the 15^th century by the crusading Knights of St John to protect the island from Ottoman attacks. The on-site museum is brimming with artefacts from the castle and the island as a whole.

Asclepion

Although only ruins and remnants remain, you can still get some idea of the grandeur of this 4th century BC healing temple. It was built-in honour of the god of health and medicine, Asclepios, on a hilltop perch overlooking Kos Town and the beaches and rugged landscape surrounding it.

Arch of Constantine

Situated midway between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, the arch commemorates the battle victories of Emperor Constantine. The structure bears inscriptions and numerous relief carvings depicting the emperor’s many battles against Maxentius, which include seizing Verona and the Battle of Milvian Bridge.

Capitoline Museums

The Palazzo Senatorio, the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori form the museum complex. The buildings contain the remains of ancient Roman buildings and art. Visitors also find historic artwork created during the medieval and Renaissance eras.

Circus Maximus

Measuring 2,037 feet (621 meters) in length, the circus was the largest sporting arena of the Roman Empire. The facility held up to 150,000 spectators and regularly held competitions centered around religious holidays. The location also achieved notoriety for being the site of burning Rome.

Colosseum

Holding over 40,000 spectators, the colosseum was one of the largest structures completed in the Roman Empire. Famous for battles between gladiators and the punishment of Christians, millions annually visit the site after arriving on flights to Rome. Exploring the massive structure includes journeying through the many underground passageways used for holding and transporting the animals and human participants to the arena floor.

Palatine Hill

Located in the center of the Seven Hills of Rome, research indicates that Palatine Hill was one of the first inhabited sites of the city. As early as 1,000 B.C., the affluent made their homes here. Architectural features of the site include the Imperial Palace and the city’s ancient retaining walls.

Pantheon

Reconstructed in 127 A.D. and filled with the art of the masters, the Pantheon is one of the best preserved pieces of Roman architecture. Originally designed as a temple for the Roman gods, the building became a Catholic church in the 7th century.

Theatre of Marcellus

Caesar began construction on this magnificent example of Roman architecture but the Emperor Augustus completed the structure and named it for his nephew in 13 B.C. Measuring 394 feet (120 meters) in diameter, the open theater held up to 20,000 spectators who arrived at the location for enjoying live concerts and plays. The structure later served as a fortress and palace during the middle ages.

Trevi Fountain

Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, the structure replaces an earlier fountain built in 1453. The world famous fountain features an overall ocean theme having chariot riding Tritons. Measuring 85 feet (26 meters) tall and 66 feet (20 meters) wide, the fountain provided the backdrop for a number of motion pictures.

Vatican City

A city within a city, the Vatican complex covers 108.7 acres and features numerous buildings surrounded by medieval gardens containing sculptures and water fountain. Millions arrive on flights to Rome to tour the Vatican museums, St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica, home of the Sistine Chapel. These locations house some of the most world-renowned artwork, created by Bernini, Michelangelo and Raphael.

Via Appian Antica

Many believe this ancient Roman road, known as the Appian Way, was the location where Christ confronted Paul. Now a park filled with sculptures, the location also gained notoriety for its collection of burial catacombs.

It helps to find a great place to stay when you are there but also to check out some fun sporting events in the region for fun also.

Vacation is expensive, but for many people, it’s much more expensive than it ought to be. It happens because people don’t realize there are alternatives, but there are! In fact, there are numerous relatively simple ways to save big on your vacation. With that in mind, let’s explore five of the best:

1. Build a realistic budget.
The worst mistake vacationers make is to go without a financial plan. Even a broad plan typically isn’t good enough. Instead, you need a detailed plan that breaks your vacation down into its finest components and even accounts for contingencies. A big advantage of such a budget is that it highlights where your greatest expenses lie, and you can use that to target savings.

Another advantage is to ensure a cushion. If you have $4,000 to spend, then you should budget $3,000 or less. The unexpected will arise, and when it does, that cushion lets you deal with it without altering your trip or cutting into your non-disposable resources.

2. Use a deluxe aeroplan card year-round.
An Aeroplan card is a credit card with a built-in airline miles bonus program. Every time you make a purchase with the card, the airline awards you air miles based on the amount of the purchase. If you use such a credit card often, it’s possible to pay for your entire airfare or at least reduce it by a significant amount.

The best way to take advantage of such a program is to use the card throughout the year. However, incurring interest defeats the purpose. So before you start, clear any credit card debt. Then, begin making all purchases on your card, including mortgage, utilities, grocery bills and so forth. The key is to pay the bill each month to avoid the charges, and by avoiding them, all of the air miles you earn are completely free.

3. Target all-inclusive travel bundles.
Buy your vacation ahead of time, but more importantly, buy it in all-inclusive bundles. The bigger the bundle is, the greater the savings are. On the surface, it does seem like you sacrifice choice because the package will dictate many of those choices for you. However, if you budget and plan early, then you’ll have plenty of time to choose the bundle perfectly suited to you. There are countless all-inclusive travel packages available, and you can even involve a travel agent and still end up saving more in the end.

4. Avoid phone call costs.
When it comes to vacation, phone costs are one of those “hidden” costs. We say hidden because people tend not to think about them until it’s too late. Nevertheless, phone costs are a significant expenditure, especially when travelling overseas. Fortunately, modern technology has given us an array of options. The cheapest option is to bring a laptop and use Skype and instant messenger via Wi-Fi at the hotel and local free Wi-Fi zones. For local calls, buy a disposable cell phone. You can even save more money by buying that phone in advance with the precise coverage needed.

5. Follow the dollar.
One of the best decisions vacationers can make is to follow the dollar because dollar conversion rates can be a significant factor. If you go where the dollar value is low, then you significantly reduce your options and budget power. If you go where the dollar value is high, then you’ll maximize your budget. For instance, lately, European vacations have been a “bad buy” for American travelers. Mexico and Brazil, on the other hand, have offered a considerable amount of value.

Enjoy your broke-free travels!

It can be one of the most fascinating times of your life, but if you study abroad you have to make sure you have fully comprehensive insurance because being away from the culture you know can be quite a shock and very difficult to get used to.

As one of the world’s most up-and-coming holiday destinations, more and more people are visiting Dubai every year. With stunning beaches, scorching temperatures and many magnificent luxury Dubai hotels to stay in, a holiday here is sure to be a memorable experience. Away from the pristine beaches, Dubai offers so much more and there are a range of activities available that are sure to remain lodged in the memory for a very long time.

Indoor Skiing
Despite it being one of the sunniest places on the planet, tourists in Dubai can surprisingly ski here in the giant indoor ski run. Located in the heart of the city, Ski Dubai is perfect for tourists who want to exchange the sun for the snow for a day. Providing all the equipment necessary to ski, the centre has expert ski instructors so visitors can get the most out of their day on the slopes. All ages and abilities are catered for in the centre, which makes for a great change from the sweltering Dubai sun.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Bringing magnificent marine life creatures up-close and personal, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo allows tourists to experience their favourite sea life. Visitors to the Aquarium are guaranteed to have an underwater experience that they’ll never forget as they walk along huge aquariums to see a range of sea life. For a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience, the highlight of the day has to be the chance to swim with sharks in a protected underwater cage – available to anyone over the age of 10.

Dolphin Bay
Holidaymakers in Dubai who like their marine life a little friendlier and a lot less scary should take a trip to Dolphin Bay. Visitors here are able to enjoy a unique Dolphin Encounter experience, whilst learning all about these fascinating animals at the same time. Available to visitors of all ages, the Dolphin Encounter allows guests the chance to share the waist-high shallow waters with a dolphin, giving them an amazing opportunity to interact with this loveable creature.

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach
Offering stunning views over the Arabian Gulf and home to some of the top hotels in the city, the Jumeirah Beach walk is Dubai’s only outdoor shopping experience along the beach. Boasting hundreds of retail outlets, this 1.7km long promenade is one of the best shopping destinations in Dubai, and although it is bustling with activity during the day, it really comes alive at night. This beach front development features some of the biggest names in fashion, many fabulous restaurants and jewellery shops, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Dubai.

The Spain Ticket Bureau offers tickets to Sports Events, Concerts and Hotel Accommodation. With cheap air travel and an easily accessible European travel network, many people now look further afield when they book up for shows. The Spain ticket Bureau website features an array of events and shows that would be ideal to plan an excursion around. These trips make an ideal gift or simply as a treat. All the offers include secure payment and delivery and include VAT, so no hefty added charges in the background.

Famous events are featured all over the website to inspire you in your choice. Whether it’s Formula 1, The International Tennis Tour, boxing, or a musical, the suggestions are abundant. Recent eye catching offers include The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, Eric Clapton, and Rihanna. The Spain Ticket Bureau check many of the prices against online competitors to ensure competitiveness and in some cases, they make a lowest price guarantee, an offer that may well inform your choice.

STB acts as official ticket agent of FC Barcelona and has over fifteen years experience in the market. One of its most popular offers is tickets to see Barcelona FC at their famous Nou Camp stadium. This is one of the most prestigious stadiums in world sport.

Barcelona is a beautiful city, famous for its organic Gaudi styled architecture, and The Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and Park Guell are unique sights. This is why the Nou Camp has great appeal for an excursion. You will see a renowned sporting event and experience the wonderful surrounds of the Catalan capital. Most people would agree that a trip to the football is a vital part of your holiday itinerary, made possible by the Spain Ticket Bureau.

So whether you’ve planned an excursion and want tickets to coincide with it, or you want to plan an excursion around a popular event, the Spain Ticket Bureau makes all of this possible.

If I need to mention Theme Parks and Florida in the same breath – then you’ve probably been in a coma for some time. Florida is an ideal place for a family holiday with theme parks and attractions to suit small kids, medium-sized kids, and really, really big kids. However, there is more to a Floridian holiday than theme parks. Here are a few of the other major advantages to Florida holidays in 2012 – for those days when you find yourself all themed out.

Coasting along
Florida has more coastline than any other continental US state. This should be great in itself but add to that fact that there are three different coasts to choose from – the western gulf of Mexico, the eastern Atlantic and the southern Straits of Florida in the north of the Caribbean – and you can see why the home of surfing in the eastern US is here in Florida. One added extra makes the coastline special – the climate is tropical, which makes the water deliciously warm! With so many coastlines it’s unsurprising that the range of activities along the shores is varied. Surfing is big here – the Atlantic coast combines great swells and warm waters; diving and snorkelling are hugely popular – thanks to the clear waters and abundant sea life. Meanwhile, swimming with dolphins in Florida is almost compulsory. Kayaking along the shores or creeks is also popular, as is just lying around and doing absolutely nothing at all. Bliss.

Natural states
Florida is littered with National and State Parks. Everglades is in the far southwest of the state is a massive sub-tropical wilderness and offers the best chance to get closest to some of the world’s rarest species. Less well known to tourists are the State Parks – and these are well worth a visit. These parks offer all manner of leisure activities and most offer camping facilities of two different kinds – that with full facilities or the ‘primitive’ variety which allows you to experience the beauty of Florida’s landscapes at its best. The State Parks include access to some of the best preserved environments in Florida, from beach paradises to pine forests, and are a real surprise to those who believed that the most likely animal to spot in Florida was a man dressed up as a big mouse.

Cultural highlights
Again, if you thought that culture in Florida was limited to faux-castles, throw your guide book out of the window. There is a massive and thriving artistic and cultural life in the State. The big cities like Tampa, Miami and Orlando all have flourishing arts, crafts, and theatre or music scenes. Artists, being artists, have founded numerous colonies in the small, warm and tourist-visited towns that litter the coast. The cultural heritage of Florida is mixed – native Indians, Spanish, French, British invaders and settlers have contributed over the centuries to create a unique culture, heritage and left their own marks on the cuisine. Many seaside towns offer excellent Latino cuisine – with a heavy emphasis on Tapas dining and seafood is an obvious theme.

While Disney holidays in 2012 may be the best way to keep the kids entertained there is a vast range of opportunities to explore the other sides that Florida holidays can offer.

When the Wright Brothers invented the airplane, they forever changed the course of history on planet earth. No longer were we limited to slow modes of transport like trains, ships and busses which took days if not months to take us to our destinations. It was now possible to go from one place to another within a matter of hours.

In the early days of flight, flying was an expensive affair. Airplanes need enormous amounts of fuel, and airfare was pretty expensive. Travel by air was reserved for the rich and famous. Celebrities, businessmen and women, and people in high society were the only ones that could fly.

But slowly, airlines understood the fact that unless they reach the masses, they will not be able to make high profits. They also knew that in the long run, they would have to make flights affordable in order to sustain their businesses.

Pretty soon, airfares began to become attractive. Domestic flights became cheaper and more people started to fly to and fro within the country. The advantages of air travel over ground travel became increasingly apparent to most people. Intercity Bus lines came under a lot of pressure as a result of this.

Airfare prices continued to drop, and new and innovative schemes were put in place to attract more travelers. Frequent flyer and loyalty programs were initiated which made air travel ever more attractive and economical. Business travelers could fly to their destination, do business and be back home the same day, thanks to low cost airlines.

Pretty soon, even prices of tickets for international flights began to come down. Cheap international flights now became a reality. Several international airlines offered attractive prices and benefits to international travelers, helping them make the switch from traveling by intercontinental ocean liners, to traveling by airplane across the seas.

You can also take advantage of cheap international flights today. Instead of spending weeks or months on an ocean liner, you can hop into an airplane and reach your destination across the seas within a matter of a few hours. Even flying to a destination half way across the globe takes only 24 hours.

There are different ways to spot cheap prices for international flights. There are websites on the Internet that list a wide range of low cost airlines that provide attractive prices for international flights. It is just a matter of locating these websites and using their services.

You can compare prices on these sites and choose an airline that offers you the best price on the day that you wish to fly. You can also book your air tickets directly through the site using your credit card. The next time you wish to fly abroad, use one of these sites to get the best possible price for your air ticket.

If you choose to book a river cruise, you’ll have the chance to combine a relaxing voyage over water while enjoying beautiful scenery and taking part in some fantastic activities.

Destinations all over the world offer these kinds of cheap holidays, although one place you may be particularly inclined to visit is South America.

By heading to the continent, you’ll be able to go on a cruise of the Amazon. One of the longest rivers in the world, it takes in, among other countries, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.

You’ll also have the chance to spend time in Brazil, where you can meet local tribes to find out how they survive in the rainforest and go on nature hikes, with monkeys and freshwater dolphins just some of the creatures that you can see.

Alternatively, the Danube can make the perfect setting for a river cruise holiday and will take you through some of Europe’s most beautiful towns and cities. From your starting point in Germany, you’ll be able to explore Passau’s stunning gothic architecture before continuing to Austria.

Once here, you’ll have the chance to visit Salzburg. Make sure you explore the city’s old town district which contains an array of beautiful Baroque buildings and you can learn more about the life and work of composer Wolfgang Mozart who was born here.

Salzburg is also the setting for the award-winning musical The Sound of Music, so you’ll be able to re-live your favourite scenes from the film as you explore the cobbled streets and nearby Alpine countryside.

Continuing along the river through cities such as Vienna and Bratislava, you’ll eventually arrive at Budapest, your final destination. You will find a range of fantastic attractions here, including the world’s largest thermal water cave system and the stunning neo-gothic parliament building.

The flora and fauna surrounding the Danube that you see during the cruise will vary depending on what part of the river you are on and in which country; however, you may get the opportunity to see white pelicans and tawny owls, as well as a range of other beautiful birds.

Some 100 different species of fish can be found in the river, including the Balkan loach and the Black Sea salmon, so there’ll certainly be lots of wildlife for you to take in while voyaging through Europe.

To sample American culture during your river cruises, book a voyage along the Mississippi. Here you’ll be able to visit a number of iconic cities, including Nashville and St Louis, while travelling along on a traditional steamboat.

One of the more interesting stops on your cruise, however, may be New Orleans. The Louisiana city is regarded as the birthplace of jazz and is something of a melting pot of different cultures, so you can tuck into some authentic Cajun cuisine before exploring the historic French Quarter.

If you’re keen to see some natural scenery on a river cruise, be sure to consider visiting China. By taking a boat trip down the Yangtze river, you’ll be able to see a number of fascinating gorges.

Other places you’ll be able to take in include Fengdu Ghost City, as well as parts of the Great Wall of China which are relatively free of tourists.

You’ll also have the chance to visit Chongqing Zoo. Perhaps one of the most popular excursions along the waterway, the zoo is home to a wide range of animals including tigers, pandas and giraffes.

For a truly historic river cruise, there is possibly nowhere quite like the Nile. The world’s longest river takes in a number of countries throughout Africa, although it is perhaps most commonly associated with Egypt. Indeed, by travelling from Aswan up to Luxor you’ll be able to get a glimpse into the history of this fascinating ancient civilisation.

You should find that your cruise line moors up at Thebes. Here you’ll be able to explore the vast Karnak temple complex. With the development over 2,000 years old you certainly won’t be short of historic tombs and monuments to see, although you might find the precinct built in tribute to Amun-Re, the king of the Egyptian gods, is really interesting.

Once back onboard, you’ll cruise further along the river before arriving at Luxor. The temple here is home to an effigy of Ramesses II and the Abu el-Haggag mosque, while a little further north you’ll arrive at the Valley of the Kings.

This is one of Egypt’s most famous tourist destinations and while it contains dozens of royal tombs it is perhaps the one belonging to famous boy king Tutankhamen that will be of most interest.

You’ll also be able to see a wide range of wildlife, including several species of fish. However, it could be the thought of catching a glimpse of a Nile crocodile that will really appeal. These majestic creatures can grow up to 16 feet long!

Wherever you go, taking a river cruise allows you to relax in luxury and make use of fantastic amenities while enjoying fascinating sights and taking part in exciting activities.