Archive for the ‘tourism’ Category

Tenerife celebrates record number of British tourists in 2011

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Tenerife definitely had reason to celebrate last year. 2011 was for the Canary island, the best year for tourism concerning their British guests. According to new figures released by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, the highest number of Brits ever visited their island last year.

The figures released in February 2012 regarding last year’s record breaking tourism showed that 10.6% more Brits visited Tenerife than the year before, totalling 1,658,315. September was the month that saw the highest increase that, based on the year before, saw an increase of a staggering 34%! Before 2011, the last time the island saw record breaking figures was back in 2005.

But how are these figures laid out. Well, hotels saw the number of tourists increase by 14%, with another 7.6% increase in other forms of accommodation. It was not just the summer that saw an increase either; the 2010/2011 winter period also saw a rather impressive climb in numbers by 6.3% compared to the previous year. Although last year’s figures were only released in February 2012, the Tenerife Tourism Corporation are confident that already the 2011/2012 winter season is set to be another record breaker.

But it was the summer that boasted the highest increase in British tourists to Tenerife, equating to a rise of 21.2%. The Travel Trade Industry Director of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, Pia Louw, has responded to these findings by saying: “We’re extremely pleased to see a come-back in British tourists, which demonstrates confidence is gradually being restored. Nonetheless, in such uncertain conditions and in such a highly competitive environment, we will continue to work hard to maintain our position as a top holiday choice for UK visitors, which represent our most important source market.”

These record breaking figures couldn’t have come at a better time either, as they were announced at the same time as the Tenerife Tourism Corporation announced their new four-year tourism strategy which will, undoubtedly, help these British tourism figures to continue growing.

Book Tenerife holidays online.

Things You Should Look For In Car Hire Lanzarote Services

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

There are a lot of people these days who choose to spend their vacations in Lanzarote. Sightseeing is one of the most favorite activities of tourists on the island, apart from spending time at the beach and shopping. You won’t run out of car hire Lanzarote services to do business with. But before starting to choose a company to rent a car from, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind.

To start with, you need to start making arrangements for your car rental several months in advance. This is very important because of the fact that Lanzarote is quite a popular tourist destination and renting cars, just like renting villas, tends to be a little difficult since they get filled up quickly. As such, you need to be sure you will look for car rental companies at least two months in advance.

If you are on a budget, you will do best to compare at least two or three car rental companies with each other to find one you can afford. This is also a reason you should search for car rental companies in advance. The extra time is needed to compare the services and prices being offered. This way, you can have a car you can drive around Lanzarote without spending a fortune.

Apart from these tips however, there are a few things you need to look for before you choose to rent a car from a particular rental car company. Among the things you need to look for, recommendations are the most important. You need be certain the rental company you plan to do business with has transacted with many other clients prior to yourself and learn what these previous clients have had to say about them.

A rental company that is well established is another thing you should look for. Using websites such as Allvillaslanzarote, try to find out which of the available car rental companies have been in business the longest. You should choose rental companies that have been in business for a long time since you can typically rely on these more established companies to provide reliable service.

Considering they have been in the industry as long as they have, this can only mean they are providing high quality services to their clients. You just have be sure you will take your time to gather as much information as you can about these car rental companies and carefully study them before you choose a particular rental company to rent a car from.

If you want to know the best car hire Lanzarote residents rely on then visit http://allthingslanzarote.com for more details.

Things To Do in Doha, Qatar

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

It is really disturbing that you have not yet charted out your itinerary for your <a target='_blank' href="http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/qatar/doha"Doha, Qatar trip, which is fast approaching. You are actually an alien to the country since you are going there for the first time. You are utterly confused to decide what places you should visit. There will not be a problem as far as you work on these ideas before your journey and try to make it an unforgettable one.

Doha, the capital city of the state of Qatar is a place that could not be excluded at any cost by tourists especially, all shopaholics. The Omani market and the Souq Waqif markets in Doha are famous for their collection of unique and authentic things. The memorabilia you find there will be the unique of its kind. City Center Shopping mall is another option for shopping. Since Doha is full of huge malls and markets, even a full day may not be enough for your shopping spree.

A sports junkie can enjoy sailing and windsurfing in Qatar. There are beaches near Doha so if you are up to these challenging sports, you can join a sailing club or hire boats from sailing academies near your hotel. There are also establishments that offer sand boarding and skiing for a fee. You could also pay to join a day trip to Doha Bay.

If you want to experience fishing in Doha’s clear and blue seas, it is also possible. You can rent your own boats from renting establishments near you. To make fishing easier for you, you could also join fishing trips usually organized by tour companies.

Doha has grand pearl diving spots where you can have a wonderful diving experience but never forget to try out scuba diving also. Before going for diving, visit Al Thakira and Al Wakra where the renowned mangrove swamps are located.

If you say water activities are not your cup of tea then you can enjoy the land activities like horse riding. The Sealine Beach Resort is offering an affordable horse-riding package, which is worth giving a try. If you have enough time you can take riding lessons at Al Shaqab Riding Club.

Doha Golf Club is open for people other than the members. So you can benefit yourself by trying golf out there. The atmosphere at this place will smoothen you as you get a break from the desert view.

Doha is the apt destination for those who travel in quest of amusement. You can get everything you search for in those clubs and bars, which are kept opened until late midnight or even throughout the day. Rydges, Garvies European Club, and Qube are among such renowned merrymaking spots. Singing, dancing, drinking and dining will obviously make your day sumptuous.

The view from the Dhow restaurant is breathtaking and the traditional Qatari food mouthwatering, it is not that you get to eat such delicious food on a daily basis. Besides, the play of lights on the shimmering waters calls for some photography. The scenic beauty of the bay needs to be captured on camera.

These are just some ideas of things to do in Doha, Qatar. Be not afraid to try anything of the things mentioned above to make your stay fun and meaningful.

Cecelia Owens loves travel and she does freelance writing for the top South African travel comparison website, BestFlights.co.za offering Flights to Doha.

Things to avoid on holidays to Majorca

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Attracting 6 million tourists to its shores each year is the Balearic Island of Majorca. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Majorca boasts a clich selection of sun, sea and sand. But whilst the island may almost be paradise, there are, however, a few things to avoid when holidaying in Majorca.

You should be careful about what you eat and drink on the island. Only eat foods and snacks which look fresh, and make sure that any seafood or dairy products have been kept in safe, refrigerated conditions. Water, too, is a problem on the island as it doesn’t have any rivers and is prone to drought. Therefore, stick to drinking only bottled water, and not water that runs out of taps, even if it looks OK.

Unfortunately, the same island that has brought us master painters like Picasso and Mir is now also prepared to offer unsuspecting tourists fakes and forgeries of these artists. If you do see a sketch or painting claiming to be by a famous artist, make sure you see a certificate of authentication and a guarantee. Peddlers, too, operate around the island, so unless you are really keen, avoid eyeing up merchandise on stalls and in markets. If you are interested, offer half the asking price and take it from there.

No doubt the beaches on Majorca are what most people go for, so by no means miss them out. However, do be aware that the restaurants and bars which line the beach front are usually extortionately overpriced and sell low quality food. Also note the trileros in pedestrian areas; gamblers which make the three-cup trick look easy to win when in fact it’s a set up.

Just like all popular holiday destinations, you will be fine as long as you remember to pack your common sense along with your suntan lotion and bikini!

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Top Majorca resorts set to be renamed?

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

Majorca is one the Mediterranean Sea’s Balearic Islands which lie just off the east coast of Spain. Majorca (or Mallorca, as it is known in the local Catalan language) lies next to its neighbouring – and equally popular- islands of Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera, with Majorca alone attracting 6 million tourists every year. So why, then, has this island, which relies almost completely on the tourist industry, decided to rejuvenate its resorts?

It has been reported that a whopping 300 million Euros has been pledged by private investors to help overhaul one of the island’s most popular tourist resorts of Magaluf. Best known for offering affordable 3* all-inclusive hotels and a wide selection of pubs, bars and clubs, it seems they have decided to try and go more upmarket.

This overhaul is said to include a regeneration project to offer holiday makers a better selection of 4 and 5* luxury hotels and apartments; very sophisticated. Of course, to get rid of the resort’s current image it needs more than just a cosmetic change. Those with a keen interest in the development are also keen to change the name of Magaluf, with one investor putting forward the name of Nova Calvia.

Since the 1960s, the island has seen little reinvestment. The bulk of the 300 million Euros pledged investment will be provided by the Meli Hotels International group who plan on building the 4 and 5* hotels. Plans are already underway, although some are concerned that the resort may struggle to develop the more sophisticate image they are after.

One of the more certain name changes on the island is that of the Majorcan capital of Palma. Recently, officials have decided to change the name from Palma to… Palma de Mallorca! OK, so it’s not the world’s most exciting change, but the government felt that as many other Palmas exist elsewhere, Palma de Mallorca will help the capital – and the island as a whole – to become more individual.

Book holidays to Majorca and find loads of cheap holiday deals online.

Tips For Travelling Iceland

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Sitting between Europe and North America, Iceland is a mountainous, North Atlantic island. Although this land can be quite harsh, it is certainly a country of natural majesty and austere beauty. Eruptions of lava, geysers, hot springs, fissures and glaciers make Iceland seem untouchable, but it is a very popular tourist site. Settled in the 9th century, by the Nordic and Celtic people, Iceland has an ancient history. A Norwegian Viking, by the name of Ing’lfur Arnarson, originally settled on what is present day Reykjavik, or Iceland’s capital.

Of all Iceland’s wonders, perhaps the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are the most famous. A surprisingly large number of people believe they can only be seen in winter, but that is not true. They are visible all year long. The Midnight Sun, which occurs in Scandinavia during early summer, is another popular favorite. During this phenomenon, you can see the sun at midnight, and if you want the opposite, catch the Polar Night, during the winter months.

At some point in your vacation, you will most likely spend some time in Reykjavik City, Iceland’s capital. It is one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world, and the nightlife is vibrant. The variety of pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls is endless, and live music is becoming a trademark. In fact, there is at least one concert on any given night. The assortment of local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores making shopping an adventure, as does the Kringlan shopping mall.

No trip to Iceland is complete unless you try one of the whale-watching tours. Surrounded by an ocean that provides a natural habitat for whales, dolphins and seals, Reykjavik is ideal for this activity. The tours will also take you past Puffin Island, as well. Reykjavik’s landmark, the Perlan, or Pearl, is simply a must-do on any itinerary. Built in 1988 atop huge tanks, which store the natural hot water for heating the city, this rotating restaurant sits under a huge glass dome. The cuisine is top-notch, and the views breathtaking.

If you are into Viking history, you simply have to investigate some of Reykjavik’s museums. The Sun Voyager is another stop you will want to make. It is a massive steel sculpture of a Viking ship, created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, and it is found on Mt, Esja. Make sure to view it at sunrise or sunset. Also, make the time to stop at the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Set up in Viking fashion and offering a customary Viking feast, this distinctive restaurant lets you to step back in time and experience some memorable Viking culture.

A very popular tourist attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. This outdoor, geothermal seawater pool is approximately 45-minutes, by car, from Reykjavik. The fluorescent blue pool, covered in steam, stays at about 104-degrees all year long.

This amazing country offers tourists a wide variety of unique experiences, and all of them delight and awe. Dramatic, striking, and eerily austere, a trip to Iceland is truly memorable.

Graham McKenzie is a webmaster for the leading UK Flight Comparison website, which offers detailed information on Booking a Flight from the UK.

How to Secure the Best Deals for Luxury Accommodation

Friday, April 27th, 2012

To say the truth, the quality of accommodation where you stay can make or break your business trip or vacation. And so nowadays a lot of people want to stay in ultimate comfort, however still are not willing to book a luxury hotel because of their their prices. Especially this is true when people are travel on a limited budget. You will be amazed, but today it is possible to save money even on luxury hotels.

On the web there are a lot of various hotel deals to select from. This means that all you need to do is to spend some time in order to find the best deals on the luxury accommodation. And hence you will be able to enjoy affordability and quality hotel experience.

Before you start trying to save money on the luxury hotel, it is necessary for you to determine what exactly you are looking for in a hotel stay. Probably you need the place where you can enjoy all the luxury services that the hotel offers. Or you need place where you could only change your clothes and have rest.

If you are hunting for the luxury hotel to enjoy all the facilities that it may offer, you should think carefully if you will be able to actually use all the services and amenities that it offers.

Today using the internet you can easily find a lot of different deals on luxury hotel stay. On the internet you will find a lot of different websites of travel agencies and luxury hotels that are able to tell you which luxury hotels are available in the location you are planning to visit.

Another thing that you need to bear in mind is that the prices of the room may vary greatly within the same hotel since the categories of each hotel cater to various needs and budgets. And hence you could save some money and at the same time stay in a luxury hotel as well as use the services available by selecting the rooms in the lower categories.

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Get to know Interesting things about the Capitol Theatre in Sydney

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

If you are paying a visit to Sydney, it would be a sin to miss the Capitol Theater. Located at 13, Campbell Street, right at the heart of Sydney’s Haymarket, Chinatown, the Capitol theatre is iconic in the world of theatre, with the promise of an exquisite and unique theatre experience. The Capitol eloquently reinvents the old world charm of the 1930s with all its grandeur and opulence, intelligently pairing it with modern amenities, but with style and elegance.

What began as early as 1892 as the Belmore Market building has today transformed into one of the most popular vacationer attractions of the city. Built by City Architect George McRae, and Norman Selfe, a structural engineer, as early as 1981, you can still see the motifs of fruits and foliage from its days as a marketplace, on the remains of the terra cotta decorations of the arches.

The building was reconstructed in 1916, when it was transformed into a hippodrome, an open air arena, intended especially for the Wirth Bros circus. One placing feature that was built at the time was a 3.6 meters deep water tank, 12 meters in diameter, which was used to enthrall the crowd with performances by seals and polar Bears. When the pool was not in use, it doubled up as a circus ring. The pool exits to date, Nonetheless is covered by a new floor.

Ten year from then, when the Circus became commercially non-viable, the building was Eventually converted into a picture palace, or a movie theatre. It was then in 1927, that a renowned United states architects, John Eberson and Sydney theatre designer Henry White reintended the building to look like the Capitol as we know it, for its new tenants Union theatres. That is when the building attained its architectural props and classical reproduction statues, that lend the grandeur and old world charm to it. It received a grand starting in 1928, and any individual who stepped within seemed to have been transported to a magical world, and was left mesmerized by its whimsical decor and lavishness.

men and women would escape to the Capitol to be fascinated by the charms of a different Universe. The Capitol hosted epic exhibits of orchestra, musicals, operas, ballet performances, Nonetheless its glory was short-lived. Soon after, the country was hard hit by Despression symptoms, and by 1933 the Capitol was transformed into a talkies and begun screening second class motion pictures. By the late 1970s the Sydney City Council was previously considering demolishing it. Later in 1981 a Heritage Council conservation committee took over and recreated it into a world class lyric theatre.

After a restoration process that took almost two years and $30 million to complete, with an expanded orchestra pit, new dressing bedrooms and specialized areas, was Capitol’s final claim to fame. An acclaimed production of Miss Saigon, in 1995, shot Capitol back to good results giving Sydney a Movie house to be proud of.

The fixed up Capitol theatre, today, is the country’s only atmospheric cinema that has been entirely developed into a primary lyric theatre, which offers men and women a unique theatre experience and simultaneously preserves a crucial part of the theatrical and architectural history and tradition of Australia and with such a rich history is an complete must visit.

Looking to visit Sydney, Get to know more by visiting Gary Searle’s blog and get relevant information on Sydney’s Tourist Attractions and Facts About Sydney.

Nashville – The “Music City”

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Nashville, the county seat of Davidson County is the capital of Tennessee State and is located on the banks of the Cumberland River. This “Music City” also houses many educational and healthcare centers alongside transporting, publishing and banking industries.

But why is it named as such? During the 1940?s to 1960?s, Nashville had been the place where various music genres flourished, including country music, R&B, blues, gospel, and even pop. In fact, artists like Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Ike and Tina Turner, and many others played in several clubs in Nashville. Jazz also took home in Nashville, during the time of Louis Armstrong, Lil Hardin, and Jimmie Lunceford. It is also notable that dance orchestras entertained visitors in big downtown hotels even before the Second World War. No wonder, David Cobb, an announcer from WSM radio, named Nashville as “Music City U.S.A.” while on air.

You can hear diversified music in Nashville over the years. In addition to the local music of Nashville’s famous country music and bluegrass, the classical lovers can enjoy chamber and symphony orchestras. Nashville is also famous for some outstanding gospel quartets and church choirs. Besides all these traditional music you can hear pop, rock, and hip-hop start to burgeon in Nashville, which is also called as the “Music City.”

Three WSM engineers started the first recording studio called Castle in 1946. In 1955 Owen and Harold Bradley opened their very own recording studio on 16th Avenue South and later had to include the Quonset hut. The Quonset hut became part of the studio and was located behind the building, which housed the recording studio. Legendary artists such as Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Simon & Garfunkel, REO Speedwagon and Johnny Cash were recorded here. Today the city boast with 130 music publishers, 80 record labels, 180 recording studios and over 100 live music clubs, which showcases artists from various genres.

‘615 Music’ is a famous recording studio located at Nashville known for its musical talent in television, radio and advertising. Ninety national and international awards received by the studio is a sign of the great musical talent contributed by the studio for television shows and advertisements. The famous television shows like ?King of the Hill?, ?Dateline? and ?Today? was shouted in this studio. Companies like Wendy’s, FedEx and Busch Beer have their music advertisements created by this studio.

It is also noteworthy that vinyl records are still created in Nashville. In fact, United Record Pressing, one of the very few (four, to be exact) remaining vinyl manufacturers in the US, is in Nashville. United Record Pressing has created vinyl records for various artists since 1949. These artists include Elvis Presley, Britney Spear, Lionel Richie, N?Sync, and Christina Aguilera.

When you go on a tour to Nashville, you have to remember that this place is famous for its music. You can never call your trip over unless you see the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Cecelia Owens loves travel and she does freelance writing for the top South African travel comparison website, BestFlights.co.za offering Flights to USA.

I Went on Holiday to the Algarve in Search for Great Wine

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

The Algarve is among the locations in the world which is recognized for its fine wine. This can be due to the favorable soil and also the place that promotes wine growing. Thus, it is also known as an ideal terroir in the wine producing terminology. As such, Portuguese wine is classified among other famous wines all over the globe like French wine. A majority of wines in the Algarve are red with minimal amounts of white wine. The production of those wines is done by upscale cooperatives. Algarve wines have high alcohol content material owing towards the warm climate. Apart from wine, Algarve also has beautiful beaches and also a wealthy tourism market.

In reality, most of the wine enthusiasts who also really like travelling enjoy paying a visit to this Portuguese region to find out and sample the different wines found here. I also set out on a journey towards the Algarve in search of very good wine. One of the things that I discovered was that it is Vitis vinifera is favored by the climate here that is certainly commendable for both short term and long-term demands. That’s, grape vines thrive under the warm air, bright sunshine and also the cool sea breeze that determine the alcohol content material. Ironically, it’s these factors that also draw tourists here. These vines swelter under the warm air from the night. The majority of the vines are normally juicy and sweet even as they develop the needed flavor since their acids are replaced by sugars as they ripen. This means that a majority in the Algarve wines don’t have the acidic content material which is refreshing.

Apart from sampling the numerous wines, I also got to possess a feel in the tourism sector, so I took some time off to relax. Certainly one of the breathtaking sceneries is certainly the beaches which are golden along with the crystal clear calm waters and blue sky that guarantee you a rewarding adventure. Also notable was the reality that the majority of the districts in the Algarve had bright colors that offer you a special sort of cheer. This Portuguese region has coastlines which might be endless. You can also venture inland to get a actual encounter of the history and the heritage of Algarve. Certainly one of the ought to visit areas of the Algarve is Albufeira which is also regarded as a tourist capital. Albufeira just isn’t only endowed with golden beaches but in addition other facilities like golf courses, luxury holiday resorts and wonderful restaurants that make it a European paradise.

The Algarve provides assorted accommodation facilities at varied rates thus you’ll be able to make sure you have the best encounter ever. The hotels and restaurants have fine furniture to match up their standards of service they deliver to guests coming here. A number of the notable pieces of furniture are pine tables and chairs that make your dining knowledge here memorable simply because they may be uniquely and artistically produced. On the other hand the hotel rooms are nicely equipped with many getting furnishings inside the balconies that overlook the beautiful beaches exactly where you’ll be able to sit and enjoy your wine within the evening as you unwind.

In conclusion, visiting Algarve in Portugal guarantees you certainly one of the very best experiences as you not merely get to sample some of the world’s greatest wines but you also get the very best of the tourism industry there.

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