Spain Holiday Website

Summer holidays on the Spanish Mediterranean

Traveling to Spain for the long awaited summer holidays is on a lot people’s agendas.

Being such a large and diverse country, there is always something to satisfy all tastes. From your standard beach holiday on one of Spain’s Costas, to a rural break in some Europe’s best natural parks, to a renting a cottage in a small white washed village, the choices are limitless.

Traditionally, summer is a time for people to head to the coast and enjoy relaxing by the beach. Along the Costa Brava there are numerous places to visit. Characterized by its hidden coves and ‘rugged’ landscape it is a firm favorite with all nationalities. Calella de Palafrugell, Lloret de Mar, Empuriabrava, Roses Platja d Aro, Catalonia - are all destinations that are popular with foreign and national visitors.

Further on down the coast you have the Costa Blanca. The white coast. One of the more mountainous areas of Spain (the province of Alicante is actually the second most mountainous in Spain), this sets the scene for some breathtaking coastal landscapes. Some of the more well-known areas are, Altea, Calpe, Denia, Javea, La Marina and Moraira. For some beautiful holiday rentals on the Costa Blanca. Denia also provides easy access to the Balearic Islands with car ferries leaving regularly.

The Costa Tropical is one area that is becoming popular. Still relatively untouched, it is an area that is beginning to open up, mainly due to improved road access and the increasing availability of flights to Granada. Areas such as Motril Almunecar Salobrena or Albondón are still very Spanish and remain to be properly discovered.
To book your Spanish holiday villa directly from the owner.

A little extra that car hire companies like to throw in, is extra insurance. Make sure you are fully insured, but don’t get taken in by the little extras they throw at you that may not be necessary for example, insurance for the undercarriage of the car, unless you are intending to drive off road (which most car hire companies will not let you do anyway) it’s a waste of money. Read the small print, you don’t want to be panicking if something does go wrong, but why waste money unnecessarily!

If you can return the car to the car rental company empty of fuel - go for this option, it works out cheaper, but usually you collect the car with a full tank and have to pay the car hire company for the fuel, which is usually more than filling up yourself and have to return it full.

Check the car over when you collect it, note any dents or scratches, incase there is any disagreement when you return the car. Also check that the tyres are road worthy and that it has a spare wheel. If you get stopped by the police, you are usually held responsible for any problems like this, not the car hire company.

If you go with a reputable car hire company it is unlikely that you will have any problems and at least you will be safe in the knowledge that the car is safe and the customer care is there should you require it.

Marbella and the nearby Puerto Banús are important beach resorts of the Costa del Sol. The town is famous for being a playground for the rich and famous. Marbella is famed as an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists from Northern Europe, as well as the well-heeled from the UK, Ireland and Germany. At Elviria Hills resort you can experience the true Marbella, and get a feel for what  what the rich and famous love about the area. Grab a luxury apartment rental Elviria Marbella and holiday like a star.

A popular, and fashionable place to visit - there are multiple attractions in the area. With numerous restaurants of varying degrees of class. Golf courses, shops, and bars are all in abundance. Marbella is a wonderful mix of glamour and charm. A beautiful promenade runs along the length of the resort, lined with shops, bars and restaurants, and the famous port at Marbella is home to plenty of luxury yachts and cruisers. A 7km stretch of golden sand offers the perfect place to relax and enjoy the wonderful sunshine of the Costa del Sol, with the two beaches of Marbella, El Fuerte and El Fontanilla, providing all the convenient amenities one would expect. Hidden away behind Marbellas’ glamorous exterior, with its’ chic designer shops and elegant marina, is an authentic old quarter, full of Andalusian charm and Moorish influences. ‘Orange Square’ has a maze of narrow streets, rows of whitewashed houses with flower-filled balconies and offers plenty of charming local craft shops and traditional tapas bars. The skyline of Marbella is fairly low-rise, offering accommodation to suit most visitors, with the surrounding hills and countryside dotted with exclusive private homes and luxury villas.

Because this is a coastal urbanisation, many homes are within walking distance of the beach. Also conveniently located are the Santa María and Santa Clara golf courses with their respective clubs; two more courses - Golf Club Marbella and Golf Rio Real - are only a short drive away. The El Casco Tennis club is another attraction at Elviria, offering quality facilities.

The Paphos area also encompasses a large number of rural villages and small townships that have on the whole so far escaped the building bonanza that has gripped the rest of Cyprus in recent years. It’s one area of the Island that is littered with little villages that nestle at the base of the Troodas mountains and surrounding countryside almost forgotten. Life in these sun drenched corners of this Mediterranean paradise goes on much the same as it has done for many generations with land and farms being passed down from Farther to Son in the traditional Cypriot way. So for holiday makers who want the benefits of village life with the luxury of all mod cons, then a search into property for rent here would be a good start. The Cypriot people are amongst the friendliest you could ever be fortunate enough to meet anywhere in the world and their warm welcome is a genuine one not just something they put on for money spending tourist.

If you are looking for an ideal mediteranean break, with cost in mind, then property to rent in Paphos would be worth looking at.

Devon and Dorset are neighbouring counties in the south west of the UK, both boasting long sandy beaches, glorious countryside and popular cities for those who prefer shopping and city life. Both are home to some of the UK’s best beaches, and have a massive tourist industry around them. Hordes of holiday makers flock to the area annually, taking in the wonderful fresh air and picture postcard scenery.

If you’re looking for a caravan holiday in Devon then there are a number of popular caravan parks in the area with resorts such as Bideford and Dawlish being popular locations for holiday makers. There are plenty of local attractions that will be of interest too. Paignton Zoo and the cliff railway at Lynton and Lynmouth remain a popular draw to keep the children happy, and there’s plenty for grown-ups too, with shopping and cream teas high on the list of things to do.

Then again, if Devon’s not you’re thing, then why not try a caravan holiday in Dorset, its neighbouring county. Like Devon there are plenty of great places to stay and visit. Popular resorts include Weymouth and Christchurch. The county’s Heritage Coastline remains a top draw for dinosaur fossil hunters and has a wealth of places to visit related to the county’s ancient history. The town of Bournemouth is also a popular stop for holiday makers looking for a break from the long beaches and seaside fun.

Caravan holidays are the ideal solution for budget conscious and their simplicity and ease of use will remain attractive to holiday makers everywhere. Whether you tow your own little caravan or rent at one of the larger holiday parks with their entertainment and attractions, you know and your whole family will enjoy the trip and freedom that caravan holidays offer.

Richard Hammond, James May andJeremy Clarkson discuss how they are going to travel the 1000 miles in Vietnam.

The popular BBC television programme has produced a special edition filmed in Vietnam. The series which is top rated in the UK, features three presenters; Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May who generaly review cars, and related stories.

They are given 25,000,000 Dong each, and told to get some wheels so that they can complete the journey from Ho Chi Min to Ha Long Bay in 8 days. They quickly learn that this money doe snot add up to much, and equates to about $1000 - nowhere near enough to get themselves a car. The main reason for this is the fact that there are not that many cars in Vietnam, so gaining a cheap vehicle is simply not possible. The only option for them is to get motorbikes, or a scooter.

Jeremy Clatkson is not happy with his mode of transport

Richard is quite happy with his new motorbike - a Russian army issue left over from the war, and relishes the thought of the expedition. Jeremy, on the other hand feels as though he has a raw deal with his scooter, and moans excessively.

Thye get on their way, and the first stop is the town of Dalat. Dalat is in the Lam Dong province up in the highlands. The climate is known to be of a mild nature, and lends itself to the growing of many different types of flowers. This beautiful scenery has made it a popular destination for visitors, and there are many places of interest. Vietnam’s only manufatured wine also comes from this area, and has a slight Peach flavour. Next on the tour, is the beach town of Nha Trang - a popular resort.

The Top Gear team get measured up

They carry on up the coast, and eventually come to Hoi An. Located in Central Vietnam, Hoi An is known for it’s quality tailoring.  There are several high class shops that will make you clothes, or a jacket in just a few hours for a few dollars. The guys decide to get some oulandish clothes made, and are impressed with the results.

Drop a candle into the river and make a wish

They visit the old town, and marvel at the moon festival - which happens once a month on the evening of the new moon. You can buy a ‘floating candle’ and drop it into the river. This enables you to have a wish, and hope that the river will carry it to the gods.

The next stop was the old city of Hue, and they remarked at the bullet holes that scar the walls of the ancient citadel. During the conflict between the North and South, the opening battles were staged around central Vietnam, and the locals formed a defensive postion in the old fortress. This was no match for the Modern Communist army, and there were many casualties here. 

Onward and upward, but they soon realised that they were not going to be abel to travel the whole distance on their motorbikes. They decided to take the train the rest of the way. When they arrived, there seemed to be a problem, as instead of a sign pointing towards Ha Long, they found the words Hanoi, which meant another few hours of travelling until the finish could be claimed.

Arring at the entrance to Ha Long bay

Upon reaching Ha Long bay, they felt relief after finishing the journey, and contemplated their journey. They were then informed that they had not finished, and had to embark on a sea crossing to a small bar located on a jetty somewhere in the bay. This would involve converting their motorbikes from road going transport to water going transport. The result was amusing.

Richard Hammond shows off his motorbike turned water bike

They navigated their way through the picturesque wateers of Ha Long bay, and eventually they all found their way to the bar.

Jeremy Clarkson says this at the end of the programme; “I’m sorry but our machines were completely overshadowed by this incredible, beautiful, brilliant country. It’s hard to sum it up really, perhaps that’s why people, when they get back from this place always say the same thing. Vietnam! You don’t know man - you wern’t there.”

If you like the idea of venturing on a journey through Vietnam, then visit Venture Travel.

bucket brand

According to FutureBrand, Australia earns the coveted spot as the world’s top country brand for the third consecutive year, according to the 2008 Country Brand Index (CBI) which will be officially released Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 at London’s World Travel Market, the premier annual exhibition of the global travel trade. Rising from its sixth place ranking last year, Canada is recognized second and the United States rounds out the top three country brands in the 2008 study. Other countries making the top 10 include Italy, Switzerland and France. The CBI examines how countries are branded and ranked according to key criteria, and identifies emerging global trends in the world’s fastest growing economic sector – travel and tourism, which accounts for US$5.9 trillion of economic activity worldwide this year and more than 238 million jobs.

2008 CBI Top Country Brands
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. United States
4. Italy
5. Switzerland
6. France
7. New Zealand
8. United Kingdom
9. Japan
10. Sweden

CBI, now in its fourth year, is a comprehensive study of approximately 2,700 international business and leisure travelers from nine countries conducted by FutureBrand, a leading global brand consultancy, in conjunction with public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice. This year’s index includes rankings and trends as well as travel motivations, challenges and opportunities within the worlds of travel, tourism and country branding (visit http://www.countrybrandindex.com for complete results).

Rising Stars
The CBI also identified China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Croatia, respectively, as the top three “rising stars” – those likely to become major tourist destinations in the next five years. Also making the list this year are Vietnam, India and Cuba. In addition, this year’s CBI includes an in-depth report of how China fares post- Beijing Olympics.

“In this our fourth year, it is exciting to see many countries embracing the idea of brand. However, we still feel this is a largely underdeveloped category with most countries continuing to promote and market themselves in ways that are not differentiated. Particularly in the coming years, country brands must improve both their strategic orientation as well as their delivery,” said Rina Plapler, senior executive director, FutureBrand.

This year’s CBI touches on a variety of topics relevant to travelers and tourism professionals including: intergenerational travel (represented by countries such as the U.S., Canada and Japan), medical tourism, mainstream luxury (represented by countries like Japan and Spain), ‘stay’cations and a rise in the off-the-beaten-track trips. Other notable trends this year focus on niche travel opportunities and the changing destination landscape.

“With the current state of the world— economic turmoil, political unrest and global warming—it’s interesting to see which countries come out on top in branding themselves, generating global recognition and fueling the travel and tourism industry,” said René A. Mack, president, Weber Shandwick’s Travel & Lifestyle Global Practice.

The 2008 Country Brand Index reports a number of emerging trends in travel and tourism that include:
o Changing Landscape – Within the industry, there has been a significant shift in the countries that are experiencing real tourism growth. Traditional tourism “hotspots” are being overshadowed by rising star destinations. In terms of regional performance, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East are experiencing higher growth rates than the average world demand. Chief among the changing landscape, citizens are becoming more outspoken about the brands their countries are aligning with to propel tourism, from branding efforts to logos to key messaging. The desire of many travelers to seek authentic vacation experiences has led to a rise in poverty travel – visiting poverty-stricken and/or polluted places and communities that showcase a reality otherwise unseen on an upscale or exotic expedition.
o Specialized Travel on the Rise – Rapid growth in formerly niche travel and tourism markets continues to be a trend within the industry, including:
o Rise of Women – Women are traveling more frequently without men, and women-only tours and retreats are becoming increasingly popular. Women comprise over half of adventure travelers worldwide.
o Grandchild on Board – Affluent retirees in the U.S., Canada and Japan are traveling more and more. Half of vacationing baby boomers are now traveling with their grandchildren, indicating a new segment of multi-generational travel.
o Finite Travel – There is a rise in people visiting places and/or species that are seen as endangered or in some form of time-related environmental risk. From polar bear and harp seal excursions to rain forest expeditions, many travelers are making it a priority to visit these places before they are
irrevocably altered.
o Spontaneous Travel – The biological imperative to escape will never go away, however, high pressured lifestyles and advances in online travel have resulted in consumers taking shorter trips each
year, often booked last minute.
o Religious Tourism – The concept of religious sites and pilgrimages is again becoming increasingly popular among travelers. For instance, the Vatican launched the world’s first airline for Catholic pilgrims. Specialized religious tours are catering to orthodox believers.
o Luxury Flying Upgrades – Responding to need, many airlines have developed greater flight options and service classes to cater to the lucrative luxury travel market. These include First and Business Class only airport terminals, as well as new and improved upper class sections in airplanes introduced by leading carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates Airlines. Additionally, there are a variety of new alternatives to conventional air travel that provide greater flexibility to the luxury traveler. Chief among them is the increased availability of regional jets and air taxis. Airports are upgrading at a faster rate, with technological advances such as Radio Frequency Identity (RFID), smart ID cards and self-check-in playing a greater role in the airport experience. The check-in process is also continuing to evolve, as airlines like Air Canada continue to develop bar code technology to allow passengers to board solely with their cell phones (without a printed e-ticket).

Win a London Property Portfolio

A new slant on the trusted property raffle model is a competition to Win a London Pad. This concept is an exciting prospect for anyone with a dream to own their own lettings empire. Not only that, but you could own a multi million development outright.

The rental income will be half a million UK pounds per year, which would mean that you may never need to work again. Alternatively, if you do not like the idea of owning a project such as this, then you have the option of selling it, and wreaping a multi million pound windfall. Expert advice will be offered in respect of managing the property. Or, you can have the building managed for you.

Great Ormond Street Hospital is a special care unit for very sick children. They are world renowned for giving children the best possible chance of getting better. Obviously, the treatment they provide is based upon the latest medical techniques. This means that they will use the latest equipment, and drugs. All this costs money, and to enable the hospital to keep providing this service, they rely on donations.

MP4 Player

To enter, all you have to do is purchase an MP4 player for the price of 60 UK Pounds. You could give it as a christmas present, or keep it yourself. The gadget has a 4 Gigabyte memory, so can hold up to 2000 songs, or 4 hours of playback for video. This is a handy tool, and the usual retail price is 89 UK Pounds.

These are the best points to consider about this competition

• Get a 1 in 200,000 chance to win a property fortune.
• Give money to Great Ormond Street Hospital. 
• Own an MP4 player.

Seems like a great idea to me, so I have entered. Why don’t you?
Click here for more details.

Barack Obama

With Obama being elected as the first black president, we are definately seeing a new age dawning. But, this is not the only big news event to have come out of America recently. With the US being the major driving force for the world’s economies, we are now seeing repercussions being felt worldwide as the US economy wavers.

The question being asked by the travel industry is, Will travelling be as popular in a World recession? well, don’t ask me, because I don’t know, but let’s look at some facts.

• According to the WTTC and a recent study from them regarding the current Global downturn ”Overall, the new TSA results reveal a moderate impact on the Travel & Tourism industry as a result of the global economic downturn, with its annual growth rate experiencing a slowdown in 2008, to 3%, in comparison to 3.9% in 2007.” Other factors in the study reveal that, if anything travel will change slightly with people deciding to travel more locally in order to save money.
• World Travel & Tourism is expected to generate close to US$8 trillion in 2008. With more growth expected.
• Asian consumers are set to lead the way as western economies struggle.

The travel business in general will see a slight downturn in certain sectors, but on the whole it will be the saviour of a lot of struggling economies.