A place of diversity

If you have dreams of travelling to Asia and want to soak up the atmosphere of an authentic Asian country yet also like the bright lights and cosmopolitan luxury of goods and services, then Hong Kong is for you.  Little wonder then that it is Asia’s prime tourist location.

History of Hong Kong

Situated on the southeast coast of China, Hong Kong has a rich and unique history.  Starting out as a group of fishing villages off the South China Sea, Hong Kong is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, in total covering some 425 square miles, including the hundreds of outlying islands, including Lantau where the world’s fifth busiest international airport is situated.  The flight to Hong Kong itself is a treat when you look out and see what appears to be a tiny stretch of tarmac in the vast sea!  However, with 800 aircraft movements per day linking Hong Kong withmore than 150 worldwide destinations, you can be assured that this is a highly professional airport with first class facilities and customer service.

The city of Hong Kong was claimed by the British in 1842 following the first Opium War with China, under the Treaty of Nanking.  This was expanded to include the Kowloon peninsular in 1860 and a 99 year lease was granted on the New Territories in 1898.  British rule continued until the return to Chinese sovereignty on 1st July 1997, when she was handed back by the last British Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten (now Lord Patten).  Rather than being merely a part of China, Hong Kong has a unique position as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and as such has been able to retain its capitalist system inherited under British rule and with it the resulting freedom of speech, trade and independent judiciary system.

Must do places to go and visit

Hong Kong Island

The Peak  -  The number one tourist destination of Hong Kong.  For the most spectacular views across the harbour, city and as far as your eyes can see, take a trip to the Peak.  Reachable by the Peak Tram, you will often see adverts claiming it to be an unforgettable ride to the Peak!  I couldn’t agree more, but if like me, you prefer to keep your feet on terra firma, beware - the tram literally climbs the peak for about 1,200 feet, being pulled by steel cables up a very steep slope.  Trusting the non-questionable engineering skill that has created the tram, you pass buildings that look like they’re leaning at a 45° angle.  This is not my idea of fun!  However, if you are a thrill seeker - go for it.  The trams run every day between 7am and midnight, but there are other ways to reach the peak if you’d prefer.  What I did enjoy however, is the breath-taking views.  Equally outstanding in daytime or a night, this is one that you shouldn’t miss.  Be flexible in the planning of your itinerary though if you want to view during the day.  Hong Kong does suffer from mist and fog at times, and it would be a shame to make the effort to go to the peak only to find you can’t see very much.

Victoria Harbour  -  Like a lot of Hong Kong, this area is a hive of activity day and night.  Take a harbour cruise around one of the world’s busiest and most impressive natural harbours.  There are different types of cruise available depending on your preference.  You can climb aboard a Chinese style tour boat for afternoon sailing the seas to see sights such as the Peak, Kowloon, Tsing Ma Bridge which is the world’s longest road and rail suspension bridge which connnects the rest of Hong Kong to the airport on Lantau Island.

Alternatively you could take a trip at night to see the spectacular lights and the marvellous skyline at night on a Star Ferry cruise, or one of the floating restaurants where you can listen to live bands and dance the night away.

Symphony of Lights  -  this is another spectacular treat that tourists love.  Situated at the Victoria Harbour, this extravaganza of coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights that synchronize a performance to music can be viewed from the harbour promenade or from a harbour cruise.  Confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, this is a real must for any trip to Hong Kong no matter how short.

Jumbo  -  Is fine dining your desire?  Then visit Jumbo, situated in Aberdeen Harbour, a floating restaurant which seats up to 2,300 people, offering 6-star gourmet dining of traditional Chinese and modern cosmopolitan dishes.  Jumbo is one of the world’s largest floating restaurants and has been thrilling tourists since opening in 1976, and since its renovation in 2003 now also offers shopping, sightseeing and cultural attractions.

Aberdeen area  -  if you’ve made the effort to go to Jumbo, you can’t fail to spend time around the Aberdeen area where you will catch a glimpse of how hundreds of Chinese people live in their traditional fishing junks.

Also visit the Ocean Park which is Hong Kong’s theme park and oceanarium, and if you’re a horse racing fan, go along to the Happy Valley Racecourse where between September and early July you can mix with the locals to enjoy racing at this famous course.  Running since 1846 during the day, night racing has been offered since 1973. 

Kowloon

Clock Tower  -  A favoured site for those on a colonial tour, the Clock Tower at Kowloon can be found near the Star Ferry concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui.  The area had previously been the Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, but is now th Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  The tower is sign-posted from the Star Ferry Central Point and remains an important cultural structure.

Jade Market  -  Whilst on Kowloon take a trip to the Jade Market where you can buy a variety of souvenirs made from Jade.  To Chinese people, Jade is a very precious stone and is associated with long life and good health.

The Peninsular Hotel  -  perfect for afternoon teas and cucumber sandwhiches, this hotel is the height of luxury and is a must on any colonial tour of Hong Kong.

Outlying Islands 

There are plenty of temples and significant statues to visit on many of the outlying islands of Hong Kong - too many to mention here.  If time is limited however, it is worth going to Lantau Island and from there you can see the Po Lin Monastery and also the Giant Buddha.   At 34m high and weighing 250 tonnes, the Giant Buddha is the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. 

Another favourite place to visit off the northernwest tip of Lantau is the Stilt Village - home to the Tanka People at Tai O Fishing Village.  Feeling safer living in homes on stilts than on the ground, get a glimpse of a world away from the glitzy lights of downtown Hong Kong city.

There is so much more to see and do in Hong Kong, what I have given here is just a small snapshot of what remains one of my favourite places on earth!  Writing this piece has brought back such fantastic memories that I wish I were there again.

  for Cheap flights to Hong Kong - from £298

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Things to do

Not content at simply lazing around in the sunshine and taking is easy?  You won’t be disappointed in the excursions and boat trips available, and the watersports including jet ski rides, wind surfing, water skiing, parasailing, surfing and kayaking.  The Greeks islands also has fabulous walking routes, especially the less developed islands in the off-peak season, so you can be as active as you like.

Popular Destinations

There are over 200 inhabited islands in total, with the best holiday destinations being:

Alonissos, Corfu, Crete, Ithaca, Kalymnos, Kefalonia, Kos, Lefkas, Lesbos, Meganissi, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Paxos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Skopelos, Syros, Thassos and Zante.

Corfu

Closest to home and one of the first of the Greek Islands to become a ‘package tour’ holiday destination, Corfu is in places overdeveloped and crammed with cheap hotels, happy hour bars and discos, most notably north and south of Corfu Town and along the north coast.  If that is what you are looking for in your holiday then fine, you won’t be disappointed.  If however you don’t want that, well, Corfu still has a great deal to offer and don’t let that thought put you off.  There are still some areas of this island which are largely unspoilt and boast some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery from the whole of the Greek islands.  If peace and tranquility are on your tick list, head for the west or south of the island.

Crete

An island of opposites - a major part of this island is like Corfu, home to happy hour bars and loud music, or stick to the west side of the island for the gorgeous scenery, less crowded beaches and peace!  Corfu is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean.  One of your ‘must visit’ locations whilst on Crete is the ancient Minoan city of Knossos.

Santorini

Santorini is renowned not just for being a pretty Greek island with plenty of warm sunshine and fabulous food at the many top tavernas.  It is also a romantic spot favoured by honeymooners due to the breathtaking sunsets achieved by the fumes that still rise from the active offshore volcanoes that erupted in 1500BC, thus creating the island that sits on the rim of the volcano.  The downside to this though is the black volcanic sand on the beaches, which is a bit off-putting when considering the normal white sandy beaches you would expect to find in the Med.  Also, as a well developed tourist spot, prices can be quite high and it is very busy.  Get round that though, and probably the best views can be had from Santorini - which is why most Greek postcard photos are shot there.

Paros

With no large airport, Paros demands that you reach it by ferry so it is great if you want to spend your holiday island hopping.   In a central position in a cluster of islands known as the Cyclades, it is perhaps most famous for its fine, translucent marble of which the Venus de Milo was made.  It is also one of the best islands in the area (although not the largest) which plenty of pretty houses, crystal clear sea and long sandy beaches, which are particularly clean and tidy.  A very peaceful island for those wanting a quieter pace of life.

Leros

A new emerging holiday island, Leros can be found just off the Turkish coast between Kos and Samos.  Like Paros, you have to travel to it by ferry, but it is definitely worth a visit.  Not specifically a beachy type of holiday awaits you here, but there is plenty to do and see.  If WWII interests you, there are plenty of relics and references to be found of the heavy bombing suffered at the hands of both the Germans and British.

Skyros

A complete contrast to the majority of tourist hungry Greek islands, is Skyros.  Remote, private and very protective of its refusal to be taken over by tourism, (although tourists who do venture here are made very welcome), this island is more suited to those who like an adventure off the beaten track.  There is no airport, and ferries are limited (certainly not daily like most other islands).  Once on the island it is best not to rely on public transport to get you around - hiring a car or bike is strongly recommended!

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Although timing suggests we should be looking forward to having summer evenings and the great summer holiday on out thoughts, it is also the perfect time to plan a winter break.  Apart from those seeking sunshine to escape a dark, cold and wet winter at home, an increasingly popular winter holiday is of course, ski-ing.  For seasoned pros, you will know this already, but novices who have only been ski-ing on distant memory school trips, or those who have never tried it before, why not give it a whirl?

I’ll admit to linking thoughts of ski-ing with Austria or Switzerland (and have never been disappointed in the past), and associate France with Paris and St Tropez but not ski-ing.  However, France IS an extremely popular ski-ing destination, easy to get to, and with plenty on offer.  In these recession times, it is comforting to know that ski-ing holidays in France tend to be cheaper too!

One fabulous resort renowned for its excellent winter sports is Méribel.  Méribel is a postcard-perfect alpine ski-resort, and boasts the largest ski area in the world, with more than 600km of unspoilt pistes.  Nestled between Courchevel and Val Thorens in the heart of the Trois Vallees, Méribel is split into 3 main villages:  Méribel, Méribel Mottaret and Méribel Village.

With 114 red runs and 33 blacks in the area, more experienced skiers with find a host of exhilarating runs to really push themselves.  However, beginners are amply catered for too.  L’Ecole du Ski Français has 400 ski and 40 snowboard instructors covering 8 different languages, so if you need a little guidance around the terrain, or to increase skills and improve technique, you’ll get plenty of help.  In addition to fabulous downhill ski-ing, Méribel also offers cross-county ski-ing, well marked walks and snowshoeing - (perfect for members of your group who want to enjoy the holiday with you, but don’t share your enthusiasm for ski-ing).

Après-ski

Of course the après-ski is legendary!  It goes without saying that a good-sized resort should have plenty going on when off the slopes.  Not just the bars and restaurants (more of which later), Méribel offers fantastic spas like the Rond Point, a brand new spa at Hotel Yéti in the centre of Méribel.  With stunning views of the slopes, aid your relaxation and recuperation from the ski-ing in the personal massage rooms, sauna, steam room and relaxation room.

The Rond Point bar (or the ‘Ronny’) is also a great starting point for the après-ski drinks where you’ll also enjoy live music and dancing and generally an atmosphere of enjoyment and having fun.

If eating out is your pleasure - Méribel has it all.  Suiting all tastes from casual pizza houses, traditional savoyard meals dripping with cheese, ham and potato, to haute cuisine, recommended favourites include La Blanchot (near the airport) or Le Plantin (just past Méribel Village).

Other Winter Sports in France

France is also playing host to other snow sports.  Les Arcs, now part of the huge Paradiski area linked with La Plagne, is way ahead in terms of cutting edge winter sports.  For instance, try ski joëring - an ancient form of Scandinavian transport which involves donning a pair of skis and letting horses do the hard work by pulling you along - a sort of combination of water-skiing, horse riding and cross-country ski-ing!  Don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy sport though - it will certainly test the strength in your arms!

These 1.5 hour treks take place at La Cavale Equestrian Centre in Les Arcs in the french Alps, and are suitable for beginners too, as well as children over 12 years.  You can even try your hand at ski joëring in the summer - just swap the skis for rollerskis.

Speed riding is another winter sport that is gaining a following, but it is not for the faint-hearted.  Also available at Les Arcs (or Chamonix), you can experience this new adrenalin rush sport which involves part ski-ing, part gliding.  In order to attempt speed riding you must be able to competently handle all piste runs as well as being comfortable off-piste.  Any knowledge of paragliding is helpful, although not essential.  The canopy is half the size of a normal paragliding canopy and has been designed to react quickly and precisely to it’s user’s commands - that’s reassuring to know!  Apart from decent ski-ing capabilities, speed riding is more about confidence and the ability to trust yourself and your equipment - a case of mind over matter.

Currently, you can save an extra £100 when you book online with Directline Skiing.

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An important Middle East country in terms of politics and trade, Egypt covers an area of about 390,000 square miles, mainly in north Africa, and is the world’s 38th largest country.  Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.

Egypt is one of the most heavily populated countries in Africa and the Middle East, and most of those people live in the centres of greater Cairo (Capital and largest city of Egypt), Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta, and other areas around the banks of the River Nile which boasts the only area of arable agricultural land in Egypt.  Much of Egypt is desert, which is sparsely populated.

Tourism in Egypt

One of the greatest ‘pulls’ for tourism is of course, Egypt’s ancient civilisation.  Think of pyramids, the Sphinx, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and you will immediately think of Egypt.

Although trips to the Sphinx and pyramids are usually very near to, if not at the top of most people’s list when visiting Egypt, it isn’t all desert and sand in vast sprawling places.  The hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities is hugely popular too, and the contrast with downtown Cairo is immense.

 Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is one of Egypt’s top holiday destinations.  Situated on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, it has the mountains of Mount Sinai on one side and the Red Sea on the other.  A magnet for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, it is considered to be one of the best locations in the world for these water sports.

A variety of hotels catering for standards, superior and family rooms, on a bed & breakfast, half-board or all-inclusive basis can be found, many of which are top-named hotels.  Whatever your circumstances or preferences, you’ll find what you are looking for at Sharm el Sheikh.

Apartments Abroad has a vast selection of hotels and apartments not only in Sharm el Sheikh, the rest of Egypt and throughout the world.  Click on the ‘buy now’ button below for more information or to make a search for the perfect accommodation for your holiday.

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Denmark is a clean and pleasant country with a mild climate that doesn’t really experience extremes.  Beaches are clean and safe, as are the 6,000 miles of cycle track and you will feel a sense of tranquility around you.  The Danes take a relaxed approach to life, and time out with family and friends is a valued pastime.  Eating out is very popular.

Denmark is located in norther Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.  It is the southernmost of the 3 Scandinavian countries and consists of a mainland peninsula, Jutland and 406 islands, covering an area of 17,000 square miles.

Copenhagen

By far the most popular tourist location in Denmark is the capital city, Copenhagen.  Copenhagen is situated on the island of Sealand.  It has existed for over 6,000 years and started out as a humble fishing village, and is now one of the world’s design capitals.

Most stores in Copenhagen are within walking distance, and the cuisine ranges from Michelin starred restaurants to fast food.  You will also find a wealth of bars and cafes which stay open very late.  In fact, many of which don’t get going until after midnight!

Places to visit in Copenhagen

The city is small enough to travel by foot to explore, but don’t be fooled - there are plenty of things to see and do!

The Little Mermaid is the most popular tourist attraction in Denmark, and was presented to the city on 23th August 1913 in honour of the fairy tale of the same name, written by Denmark’s famous author, Hans Christian Anderson.  You can take a canal boat or bike tour to see the statue at Langelinie.  If you happen to visit Copenhagen on 23rd August, you can watch or even take part in the annual birthday celebrations for the famous mermaid.

There are plenty of art galleries and museums to visit, including The National Museum, The National Gallery and Louisana - a world-class museum of modern art.

Other must-see places are the Amalienborg Palace - the royal couple’s winter residence situated in the city centre.

Also, the Kronborg - one of Europe’s most important Renaissance castles.

For the kids, 2 great amusement parks will surely delight.  Take them to Tivoli (Georg Carstensen’s old garden) and Bakken (the world’s oldest amusement park in Dyrehaven in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen).

Take a look at the great deals currently offered by Cheapflights, for example a return flight from Newcastle with KLM between 31st August 2009 and 7th September 2009 will cost you £145 (incl taxes).  Click the buy now button below for more information and to book.

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Cornwall lies at the South West tip of England.  It has the longest stretch of coastline in the UK, measuring over 700 km, with over 50 km of it being heritage coastline.  It is not surprising then, that Cornwall has a rich maritime history and many fishing villages and sailing communities.  The shape and size of the county means that the sea is in quite close proximity wherever you go.

Cornwall is also famed for its mines - especially tin mines.   So important is the link between Cornwall’s past and tin mining, that UNESCO has credited ten areas from the West of Cornwall to West Devon with World Heritage Site Status, thus preserving this fascinating story of traditional industry for generations to come.  It is possible to take guided tours around some of these old mines.

Places to visit

As well as historical interests like the tin mines, there are also a wealth of fine beaches and 12 areas of outstanding natural beauty.  The English Channel lies on one side of Cornwall, whilst the Atlantic lies on the other side - both offering very different scenes and experiences.

Land’s End
Lizard’s Point - a network of medieval enclosures and Bronze Age settlements.
Penzance
Newquay - don’t forget your surf board!
Tintagel - Legend has it that King Arthur was born at Tintagel Castle.
Truro - Cornwall’s capital city.
National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek
Eden Project - Dramatic global greenhouse at St Austell

Places to Stay

With a vast choice of accommodation from fine hotels, bed & breakfast establishments to self-catering in the form of caravan, or lodge, the list is endless.  You could come to Cornwall many times and have a different experience each visit.

Just 15 minutes drive away from the North Cornwall coast and 40 miles from the Eden Project, the Avallon Lodges at Launceston, are perfectly placed to make the most out of this marvellous county.  Sleeping up to 5 (or choose the smaller Chestnut Premier if there are only 2 of you), a price guide for this lodge is £560 for a family of 4 for 7 nights in the height of the school holiday season throughout August.  Try beating that price abroad!

With record numbers of Britons choosing to book holidays at home this year, you can still have a great family week away without breaking the bank.  Remember to try out those famous Cornish pasties and scones with clotted cream!

  click here for further information or to book for Avallon Lodges or other holidays with Hoseasons.

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Berlin is the capital city and one of 16 states of Germany, it is also the largest city, occupying an area of 883km with a population of 3.4 million people within the city limits.

Despite one third of the city being destroyed during WWII, the 1948 blockade (caused by the withdrawal of the Russians from the Allied Organization, set up after the end of the war and resulting in the East becoming separate), and the actual division of East and West Berlin courtesy of the Berlin Wall from 13th August 1961 to 9th November 1989, Berlin has retained a wealth of beautiful architecture, although mixed with numerous modern buildings, and has always been a very vibrant and busy city.

Berlin has a history of attracting visitors.  Many visitors came because of the quality and diversity of its cultural life, partly due to the immigration of French Huguenots, (after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes), Poles and Bohemians, and other Europeans over the last 300 years or so.  This blending of cultures has blessed Berlin with a vast array of international restaurants for one, so if eating well on holiday is a ‘must-have’ for you, then you won’t be disappointed.  Germany is famous for its beer of course, and one drink you must try on your trip is the famous Berliner Weisse mit Schuss - a wheat based beer with a dash of raspberry syrup or woodruff - delicious!

During the so-called ‘divided city’ years, Berlin was literally cut in two by an impassable 3.5m - 4m high wall which ran for 106 km.  It was lit at night by powerful projectors and was guarded by observation posts and firing squads.  The wall itself on the west side, used to be a marvellous tourist spot, where people would be entranced by the beautiful if sometimes somewhat macabre images that had been painted on it.  I remain thankful that I was able to visit Berlin before the wall came down, and remember so clearly some of the images like the one below.

Although the Wall no longer remains, one reminder of those turbulent years which is a ‘must-do’ on your trip is a visit to the Wall Museum (Haus am Checkpoint Charlie).  Checkpoint Charlie refers to the famous Allied checkpoint where Westerners had to pass in order to enter East Berlin.  No stuffy museum is this.  I spent virtually a whole day there and was utterly enthralled with the vast quantity and quality of exhibits.  It gives a fascinating insight into life during the ‘divided city years’, and vast detail about people who devised ingenious plans to flee to the West - not all of them successful.  Found on Friedrickstrasse, I recall making a telephone call home very near to the museum to welcome my sister and her new baby home from hospital.  My niece will celebrate her 22nd birthday next month!  Although the checkpoint is no longer operational, the site has been preserved.

There are too many places of interest to see, and there are many very good guide books available, but a few of my favourite places are detailed below:

Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate)

The very first picture shown above, the gate stands in what was the former East Berlin, and was separated from the West by the Wall.  The gate inspired by the Propylaea of the Parthenon, was built by Langhans in 1789  and is surmounted by a reconstruction (after the war there was a contest between the two Berlins) of the famous Victory Quadriga by Schadow.  The Brandenburg Gate is an iconic image of Berlin, and features on German Euro coins.

Reichstag

The second image is of the Reichstag, the traditional seat of the German Parliament.  Destroyed by fire in 1933 and badly damaged in 1945 during the last Allied offensive, the Reichstag was restored in the 1950s with the exception of the dome.  However, the Reichstag was again remodelled in the 1990s by British architect Norman Foster and features as glass dome, which enables the public fabulous views over the city as well as free public access to the parliamentary proceedings.

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedaechtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church)

This neo-Romanesque memorial church of 1891-5, was built in memory of Kaiser Wilhelm I.  The ruin, kept as a reminder of the destruction of war, has been strangely incorporated in the modern group (1961) of pierced polygonal buildings which are the new church and its separate campanile.  If my memory serves me well, I remember this become known locally as the ‘Lipstick and Powder Box’.

Kurfuerstendamm (Ku’damm)

The Ku’damm is a 3.5km stretch of luxury hotels, car showrooms, cafes, cinemas, nightclubs, international restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and boutiques, and is the centre of luxury trade and entertainment in the city.  On the Ku’damm you will find KaDeWe - Berlin’s answer to Harrods.  You can also find Rathaus Schoeneberg, where JFK made his famous ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ speech.

Siegessaeule (Victory Column)

The column is the landmark to look out for when travelling along any of the roads which, under a variety of names, lead 12km from the shores of the Havel to the centre of Berlin.  It is 222ft high and is topped by a Victory commemorating the campaigns of 1864, 1866 and 1870.  From the top you can enjoy the view of the Spree, the Tiergarten and the Hansa area - it will take you 285 steps to get this view though!

Funkturm (Radio Tower)

Known to Berliners as ‘the lump’, the Funkturm is a city mascot.  The 130 m high tower has a wide but confusing panorama of the whole of the city.

Berlin has one of the most diverse and vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe, making it the premier nightlife destinations of Europe.

Long distance rail lines connect Berlin with all the major cities of Germany and many cities of neighbouring European countries.  The efficient S Bahn (overground) and U Bahn (underground) systems, along with trams and buses ensure that travel to and around the city is as hassle-free as you can imagine.

Places to stay

As you’d imagine for any busy city, there are many diverse places to stay in Berlin.  One such place is the Air In Berlin Hotel.  A 3 night B&B break at this hotel with flights from Gatwick to Berlin Schoenefeld in June 2009 will cost you £302 per person (was £327)

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 What comes to your mind when thinking about Australia?  Is it the gorgeous weather, cute koala bears, Ugg boots, cricket or maybe such wonderful iconic sights as the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef or Ayres Rock?  The popularity of Australia as a holiday destination remains extremely popular, especially for those special occasion and once in a lifetime holidays, as well as for the ever growing number of gap year students.

With a continent so vast, it will be impossible to bring you every detail or delight from Australia, but we will endeavour to bring you some key information and ideas of places to visit, to help you plan a wonderful holiday.  This will be a long process, after all, this web site is aimed at holidays and travel all over the world not just Australia, but if you keep coming back over the following months and even years, there will always be something new for you to discover.

We’ll start with some basics:

Climate and Time

Australia has a range of climates due to its vast size, geographical location in the world and the lack of high mountainous ranges.  Therefore, when planning a trip to Australia, it is work taking note of the seasons and likely weather outlooks, to make the most of your time there.  Of course, this will be easier if you are planning on only visiting a specific part of Australia, but if you’re thinking of a once-in-a-lifetime trip and are trying to encompass as much as possible in that trip, it will be more complex.

In Australia the Summer months are:

Dec - Feb  (Southern states are best places to visit)
Nov - Apr  (Wet season in Northern Queensland, parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory)
Jan - Feb  (Most of the rain to fall in the Great Barrier Reef.

The Winter months are:

Jun - Aug  (Best time to visit North, West and Red Centre.

Australia also has 3 time zones.

Australian States

Australia is made up of 6 states (Western Australia (the largest which takes up almost a third of the continent, much of which is arid terrain and used for farming / mining), Southern Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales).  It also has 2 territories, namely the Northern Territories and the ACT (Australian Capital Territory).

Flights to Australia

Flights from Europe take between 20 - 30 hours
Flights from North America take about 15 hours

Melbourne and Sydney airports are the busiest and have good links to major cities. 

Public Transport

Various shuttle buses operate between the major airports and their cities which are less expensive that the fast but efficient taxis.  Either way, you shouldn’t have much difficulty in arranging adequate transport once you arrive in Australia for transfer to your chosen accommodation.

In addition, once there travelling around this expansive country couldn’t be easier.  Rail and excellent long-distant express bus services run daily between major cities.

For self-drive once you arrive, remember that in Australia the speed limit on motorways is 100 - 110 km (62 - 68 mph) and on urban roads it is 40 - 60 km (37 - 52 mph).  Also, driving is one the left hand side of the road.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

The emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) can be contacted on number 000.

Various dates to plan your holiday around

January  -  Australian Open (tennis) - Melbourne.  Mid to late January.
                       26th January - Australia Day (public holiday).
February  -  Chinese New Year
March  -  Australian Formula One Grand Prix - Melbourne.  Early March.
April  -  25th April - Anzac Day (public holiday).
May  -  Bangtail Muster - Alice Springs
June  -  Wintersun Carnival - Gold Coast.  Variable dates.
July  -  Camel Cup Carnival (Camel Races)  -  Alice Springs.  Mid July.
August  -  City to surf (fun run) - Sydney.  Mid August.
September  -  AFL Grand Final (Australian Football).  Late September.
October  -  Gold Coast Indy Carnival (motor race).  Mid October.
November  -  Melbourne Cup (horse racing).  First Tuesday in November.
December  -  Hobart Summer Festival.  Late December.

Of course, Australia hosts a greater number of holidays and events throughout the year.

PLACES TO VISIT

Tasmania’s World Heritage Area

Tasmania’s wilderness is of such significant natural beauty that around 20% of the state is under World Heritage protection, with one of the most accessible areas, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, just 170 km from the capital Hobart.  The alpine scenery here is truly spectacular.  There are many hiking trails here, the most famous of which is the 5-10 day Overland Track in the hear of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

November to April are the best months to explore, but the weather can be unpredictable at any time, changing in minutes from warm and sunny to rain, or even snow!

If you’re an active person who is fairly fit and fancy a hiking trip around this fantastic area, G.A.P Adventures are currently taking bookings for an 8 day accompanied Cradle Mountain Overland Track Tour.  Dates available are between 11th October 2009 - 11th April 2010.  Maximum group size is 10 (but usually about 8), with accomodation on 2 nights in a hotel and the other 5 nights spent camping in the wilderness with local experienced hiking guides.

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In these days of financial insecurity, it is even more important that those precious two weeks away from work are spent doing something you enjoy that will give you pleasure and relaxation away from the stresses and strains of normal daily life.

Whether your idea of holiday heaven is soaking up the blistering sun in far off lands, a sporty ski or boating holiday, or simply taking in the marvellous scenery to be had in close proximity to home, we hope to give you food for thought that helps you make the best decisions and ultimately that you have a wonderful holiday.

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