Travel Tips

Unforgettable Delhi

2010-04-11T21:59:00.001-07:00

As Delhi prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in six months, we explore some of the city’s most colourful attractions from sari shopping to Bollywood dancing.

Shop for a sari
Shopping for a sari, the traditional garment worn by Indian women, is a truly memorable experience. With hundreds of colourful fabrics (usually cotton or silk) and patterns to choose from, the experience could take up an entire afternoon, so allow plenty of time. Fortunately, shops usually serve tea or soda to refresh you while you make up your mind. Support local villagers and buy khadi (hand-spun cloth). Shops selling unique, handcrafted khadi fabrics, shirts, clothes and products can be found all over Delhi.

A flash in the pan
Boasting 4,500 years of hygiene history, Sulabh International Toilet Museum is one place in Delhi where you won't need to queue for the loo. An extensive collection of privies, chamber pots and water closets in use since AD1145 are on display, including a beautifully decorated Austrian golden toilet and an electric chamber pot for use on chilly nights. Quirky photographs, poems, trivia (apparently King Louis XIII had a commode under his throne) and artefacts provide yet more washroom wisdom.

Website: www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org

Explore ancient alleys
You'll find quirky on every corner of Delhi's oldest street, Chandni Chowk, also Asia's largest wholesale marketplace. The area's centuries-old, narrow, bustling, and bewildering lanes are not for the faint-hearted which is why a rickshaw is the best way to negotiate the hubbub. Those that do venture into this market will enjoy a melting pot of Old Delhi life, with everything from pigeon flyers to the hidden world of eunuchs. Watch calligraphers practise their painstaking yet elegant art; marvel at precious stones in the jewellers' lane, Dariba Kalan, and admire garlands made from gold and currency notes in Kinari Bazaar, the wedding street.

Learn to dance Bollywood-style
Forget Pineapple Dance Studios. Try and follow in the footsteps of a Bollywood movie star under the tuition of Rahul Verma, one of Delhi's leading choreographers, who claims he can teach students basic moves in just two hours. Made up of numerous dance forms from Indian classical to bhangra, hip-hop and jazz, a Bollywood dance lesson will ensure you can strutt your stuff no matter which club you're in. At the very least, you'll be able to impress your friends back home.

Website: www.bollywoodnaach.com

Let your mind unfurl...
Architecture doesn't get more quirky than the Lotus Temple. The expressionist flower design of this Bahá'í temple consists of 27 free-standing marble clad ‘petals' arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Bahá'í laws state that the temple must be open to everyone regardless of religion. Visit the exhibition or watch a film in the information centre to learn more about the faith celebrated in this elegant Delhi building, which attracts more visitors than either the Taj Mahal or Eiffel Tower. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1730.

...or your body uncurl
If the cross-legged lotus position is more your thing, where better to reconnect with yourself than in India, the birthplace of yoga? Whether you are interested in Ashtanga, Bikram, Hata or Kundalini, Delhi boasts countless yoga and meditation centres offering in-depth courses and drop-in classes. Ask your hotel or home-stay host to direct you to the nearest centre, then pop into a class or arrange a private session.

Throw together a picnic
India Gate, the country's largest war memorial, is Delhi's top spot for a picnic at the weekend and offers a real carnival atmosphere. Join the throng of locals who congregate with their family and friends on the lawns surrounding Lutyen's masterpiece on balmy, summer evenings, while kids enjoy the children's park. Tuck into tongue-tingling samosas or paranthes (unleavened flat breads) stuffed with vegetables and washed down by cooling cumin-flavoured lassi (yoghurt-based drink). Watch out for the hawkers selling weird and wonderful souvenirs.

Enjoy food for a steal
Restaurants don't come any funkier than Chor Bizarre, which roughly translated means Thieves Market. This Delhi restaurant is decorated with an eclectic mix of wares that, true to the restaurant's name, have been collected with or without the consent of their owners. Part art, part kitsch, they include a four-poster dining table, olde-worlde film star pictures and an antiquated car on which food is served. The music is a mix of Hindi and 1950s western tunes and the food is as bizarre as the décor. Try the traditional Kashmiri Wazwan dishes and the all-you-can-eat buffet, which is good value at 425 INR (£6).

Website: www.chorbizarrerestaurant.com

Saintly music
Saunter down to the Sufi Dargah (mausoleum) of Hazrat Nizamuddin between 1700-1900 and listen to the entrancing sounds of qawaali singing. Thursday evenings at this venerated Sufi shrine are particularly popular, with throngs of people providing a fair-like atmosphere. On special days like the annual holiday Urs each April, people come from all over the world to absorb this rare musical style, believed to be imparted by the saints. Tour operators like TransIndus organise weekly outings in Delhi to the shrine.

Author: Kathryn Liston

Travel diary 2010

2010-04-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

Now that spring has finally sprung we are full of the holiday spirit. Check out our top destinations and events for the year ahead, from an alternative city break in Berne to exploring the Alaskan wildlife.

April

Follow the action: Amsterdam will be gearing up for its annual Queen's Day celebrations with the Orange Festival at the end of the month (30 April). Street parties take over the laid-back streets, parks and squares, with thousands of revellers cavorting in orange wigs, capes, feather boas and body paint.

Take it easy: Base yourself in a cosy country cottage and explore the landscape and folklore of Cornwall as it blooms into spring. The Lizard Peninsula in the south and the Tintagel caves in the north have ruggedly romantic seascapes, or venture onto the wilds of Bodmin Moor and enjoy a drink at haunted Jamaica Inn.

May

Follow the action: Head to Manhattan in spring when there is less heat on the city streets and shorter queues for the main attractions than in the humid and busy summer months. Join the art buffs, students and curious tourists at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit in West Village (29-31 May).

Take it easy: Leaves are starting to fall from the trees at the Berenty Reserve in Madagascar, making it easier to spot the bright eyes and bushy tailed lemurs. Treat yourself to a ‘soft' adventure package with plush accommodation, minimal driving and an easy tour pace.

June

Follow the action: Forget the UK's more corporate summer events - for an authentic festival experience, join the summer equinox celebrations at Stonehenge in Wiltshire (20 - 21 June). Mystical vibes are in the air during the free all-nighter when hundreds gather around the ancient stones to see the sun rise.

Take it easy: At this time of year the Florida Keys has all the perks of a big summer resort but without the heaving crowds. The waters around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West will be warm enough to explore the beautiful living-coral barrier reef.

July

Follow the action: Caribbean and Latin culture make an exotic mix in the city of Santiago de Cuba. Locals love their live music all year round but party fever really takes over during the Festival of Fire (2 - 12 July). Rum flows freely as colourful floats pass by and conga lines wind through the historic streets.

Take it easy: If you're after an inexpensive beach break close to home, Croatia is just over two hours away from the UK. It's got miles of coastline and islands, and sea and land temperatures reach a glorious 28°C (83°F) at this time of year.

August

Follow the action: If you're after thrills and spills, winter season is well underway in Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island in August. Of course it's famous for bungy jumps and late night fun, but it's the perfect time for skiing or snowboarding on Mount Coronet and The Remarkables if you can't wait for the European winter season.

Take it easy: For a lazy mid-summer trip take a short ferry ride over to Brittany, northern France. With a similar climate to the UK, now is the time to enjoy its rugged coastline and seafood banquets. Explore the region by hire car and stay in guest houses along the way.

September

Follow the action: For live wildlife action book a tour to Admiralty Island National Monument in Alaska to see brown bears hunting for wild salmon. If that's not enough action, go native and paddle the canoe route from Angoon village to Mole Harbour.

Take it easy: Tranquillity can be found on the west coast of Ireland at any time of year, but why not combine your stay with the Galway International Oyster Festival (23-26 September). The slippery delicacy is served with Guinness and champagne at various events, including the Oyster Opening Championship on the opening day and Magnificent Mardi Gras Party.

October

Follow the action: No where celebrates Halloween like America and liberal San Francisco is the place to go for ghoulish parties and parades. The vibrant neighbourhood of Castro is host to the biggest and gaudiest parade of revellers.

Take it easy: Australia's wide-screen landscapes make it perfect driving country. Take advantage of the mid-spring climate to cruise along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Hair-pin bends wind around awesome cliff-side views, including the sight of the Twelve Apostles - huge eroded limestone rocks jutting up from the sea. Laid-back beach towns and national parks provide plenty of pit-stops.

November

Follow the action: Swap murky UK skies for crisp Swiss vistas and take a trip to its historical capital Bern. With stately medieval architecture and elegant hotels it has all the ingredients for a civilised city break. But watch out, the annual Onion Festival (22 November) will add a pungent twist to your stay as 700 onion-wielding stalls line the streets.

Take it easy: With the summer season just starting, Natures Valley on South Africa's east coast can be enjoyed in relative peace. Remote beaches are lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, and indigenous trees tower over lagoons and rivers. Stay close to nature at one of the many comfortable lodges and guest houses in the valley.

December

Follow the action: Feed your festive anticipation by taking a coach or plane to Germany and visiting the Christmas markets. Stock up on traditional crafts and delicacies at the open-air markets of Cologne, Aachen, and Koblenz. Whilst there, take in the wintery splendour of the Rhineland's countryside and dreamy Barvarian castles.

Take it easy: Egypt's pyramids are a tourist draw throughout the year, but if you want to avoid the stress of heat and crowds go in December. The Nile Valley still enjoys average temperatures of 20°C-26°C (68°F-79°F) so you can pack light, just take some warm tops for the evening.

Author: Louise Jones

Spring beach breaks

2010-04-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

If you can't wait until summer to get your sun and sand fix, here are some ideas to help you enjoy the beach without the crowds or the searing heat.

Best for romance: Antigua and Barbuda

Average daily temperature in April: 26°C (78°F).
Why go? Caribbean tourism starts to slow at this time of year so April is perfect for an affordable tropical getaway. The island of Antigua has a beach for every day of the year, so there are plenty to choose from. Jabberwock Beach on the northeastern coast is a swath of white sand with warm waters that are perfect for a relaxing swim. The island of Barbuda is renowned for its wild beauty and deserted beaches - ideal for a romantic escape. Head to Palm Beach and laze on the shimmering spectacle of pink-tinged sand. It's only accessible by boat so pack a picnic and enjoy the solitude with the one you love.
Insider tip: Take an excursion to Great Bird Island from Dickenson Bay. Glass-bottomed boats afford leisurely views of the reef, and a restored pirate ship sails around the island, taking passengers for day or evening trips.

Best for families: North Cyprus

Average daily temperature in April: 23°C (74°F).
Why go? Sunny days dominate the endless stretches of coastline in this Turkish-Cypriot part of the island. Take your pick from secluded spots, sandy beaches and rocky coves, overlooked by the pine-clad Kyrenia Mountains. Head off the beaten track and you'll find Alagadi Turtle Beach, which can be enjoyed in spring before the nesting season - you may even see a turtle or two splashing around. Silver Beach in Famagusta has warm, shallow waters so is very safe for children, and the nearby ancient ruins will keep both the kiddies and adult explorers entertained.
Insider tip: Jump in a hire car with your beach gear and head for the Karpaz Peninsula for your pick of secluded spots for a relaxing family picnic.

Best for diving: Egypt

Average daily temperature in April: 25°C (77°F).
Why go? The richly coloured coral and marine life of the Red Sea is a magnet to visitors during Egypt's sweltering summer season. Go there before June and you'll have more room to stretch your limbs and snorkel in the calm, clear waters. Sharm el Sheikh has all the facilities of a popular tourist resort with diving schools to get you started and trips for more experienced divers.
Insider tip: If you prefer low-key lounging, head up the coast to the natural beauty of Nuweiba. Find shade under a thick palm grove and cool-off the shallow bay near the ruins of a Turkish fort.

Best for luxury: Dubai

Average daily temperature in April: 33°C (91°F).
Why go? April is a great time to head to the desert coast with warm temperatures offset by a cooling breeze. Exclusive resort-style hotels are in abundance, and you can bag luxury for less at this time of year. A long stretch of powdery white sand along Jumeirah Road provides the main beach area. It's divided into sections and owned by private hotels (non-guests can pay to use them), as well as public areas such as Al Mamzar Park. Swimming in this part of the Arabian Sea is a unique experience, with a stunning architectural backdrop of hotels that would make any urban city proud.
Insider tip: Take a break from the beach and stroll through the cooling wind towers, cafés and art galleries of the pretty Bastakiya Quarter.

Best for nature: Bulgaria (Black Sea)

Average daily temperature in April: 23°C (74°F).
Why go? Head to Bulgaria's south eastern coastline and enjoy a comfortable climate and picturesque surrounds. Abundant woodland provides shade and contrast to the swathes of golden sand along the Black Sea coast. St. Konstantin is one of many resorts tucked between the foliage and the sea, with a parkland setting and a local monastery as its namesake. Golden Sands boasts the largest beach, with surrounding parkland sloping down to the sea.
Insider tip: Nearby hot springs and mineral baths will give your skin a complete detox after soaking in the calm seawater.

Best for exclusivity : Taormina, Sicily

Average daily temperature in April: 20°C (68°F).
Why go? Taormina is Sicily's most famous, upmarket and exclusive resort and is starting to warm up nicely in the spring months. The area has several coves and grottoes that can be explored and beach resorts are sheltered between a rocky mountain range and the Ionian Sea - ideal for grabbing a secluded spot. Hop on a cable car to reach the pebble beaches of Isola Bella and Mazzaro. In the summer the beaches are heaving but in April and May visitors can take a more leisurely approach to bagging a sunbed.
Insider tip: Feel like a star for the night and stay at the San Domenico Palace Hotel. Built on the site of a 15th-century monastery, the hotel is one of the finest in Italy, offering opulence and luxury with a superb restaurant, piano bar and heated pool with a wonderful view of Mount Etna and the bay below.

Author: Louise Jones

Festivals 2010

2010-03-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Fancy something different to Reading Festival or Glastonbury? Check out our globe-trotting guide to alternative festivals around the world taking in everything from culture to food.

Cultural Festivals

Join the crowds: Experience the whirlwind of brightly coloured costumes, beating drums, and jeering crowds in Pamplona, Spain, during the Festival of San Fermin from 6-14 July. The most famous attraction of this renowned week-long celebration is encierro, or running of the bulls. Crowds begin amassing at 0630 for this exhilarating spectacle, in which bulls stampede behind hundreds of runners for 825m (2,706ft) to reach a bull ring. Guaranteed to get your adrenalin going.

Escape the crowds: The Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) in Hong Kong celebrates a popular Chinese hero with a three-day festival of food, entertainment, and colourful boat races starting on 23 July. This exciting sporting competition involves teams of men and women paddling furiously in a flotilla of elaborately-decorated dragon boats across picturesque Victoria Harbour. It's one of the biggest events in the annual calendar and an unforgettable experience.

Food Festivals

Join the crowds: Around 20,000 visitors are lured to the Isle of Wight every summer for an event celebrating one of the island's most pungent vegetables: garlic. Follow your nose and sniff your way to the vast Garlic Marquee where you can sample bizarre concoctions from garlic beer to garlic ice cream. If this sounds too unsavoury, don't worry: the Garlic Festival between 14-15 August embraces all of the island's produce so expect hundreds of stalls overflowing with succulent meats, dairy products, fruits, and juices. Be prepared to loosen your belt for this unbeatable food fest.

Escape the crowds: Enjoy the charm of woodsy Maine in northeast USA during a five-day festival celebrating this state's claim to fame - lobster. At the Maine Lobster Festival between 4-8 August, be amazed as 20,000 pounds of fresh, delicious Maine lobster is cooked to perfection right in front of you. Tuck in as you soak up views of scenic Penobscot Bay. With parades and fun runs, including one race where contestants have to speed across 50 partially submerged lobster crates without falling into the chilly Atlantic - all on the menu, this is a true family-friendly festival.

Film Festivals

Join the crowds: The Oscars may be over but the red carpet reappears for another dose of A-list glamour at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Starting on 12 May, this is the place to go for high-calibre films, celeb sightings, and all-round glamour. Although access to premieres is strictly limited, try and snap up a ticket for outdoor screenings on the beach at Cinéma de la Plage, or for Director's Fortnight when independent films are available to the paying public. Even if you don't get in, the chance to star-gaze on the Croisette, the coastal road that threads through Cannes, is movie heaven for any ardent film buff.

Escape the crowds: Don't be scared to venture away from the norm this spring. A Night of Horror International Film Festival in Sydney, Australia, is a unique and easily accessible festival promoting the darker imaginations of filmmakers around the world. Best of all, this 10-day gore fest starting on 15 April is set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful cities. The event may lack Hollywood razzamatazz but when you're in such an unbeatable location, who cares?

Flower Festivals

Join the crowds: Discover horticulturist heaven at the Chelsea Flower Show in London starting on 25 May. Admire brilliantly coloured floral arrangements crafted by talented garden designers, and enjoy sweet fragrances drifting through the air as you enjoy a meal or drink at one of the many food venues. For a chance to take home your favourite plant, stick around until 1600 on 29 May when some exhibitors begin to sell off their products. Festival tickets go fast so be sure to buy them in advance.

Escape the crowds: For flowers and fun, wander around a spectacular sea of pale white and pink blossoms in Washington DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the city between 27 March and 11 April, when the cherry trees are expected to bloom, signalling the start of spring. The festival in America's capital is celebrated with fireworks, a lantern lighting ceremony, street festivals, galas and cruises.

Visual Arts Festivals

Join the crowds: Visit Scotland for the 2010 Edinburgh Arts Festival - which is held as part of the summer-long main festival extravaganza - and witness a cultural explosion as talented artists contribute stunning exhibits of modern and contemporary visual art to the city's world-class museums and galleries. Events start on 29 July, and also include everything from children's storytelling tours to cooking lessons, making Edinburgh a perfect getaway with friends or family.

Escape the crowds: Head to the sunny coast of France for the Arles Photography Festival starting on 3 July. The small village, where Vincent Van Gogh once lived, is flooded with lively enthusiasts who appreciate traditional and quality photography. The festival continues until 19 September.

* Take a break in the sun, city or snow, with our Ideas for Easter Holidays.
* Ticked off Paris, Rome & Amsterdam? Check out our Top 5: Alternative short breaks.
* Read our review of the Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich for a luxury weekend in the UK.

Author: Lisa Relle

Ideas for Easter Holidays

2010-03-26T02:42:00.002-07:00

Whether you’re planning a break in the sun, city or snow, check out our cracking range of ideas for Easter Holidays.

Easter breaks: with your other half

Where? Seychelles.
Why? A slice of paradise beckons in this Indian Ocean idyll where average temperatures hover around 29°C (84°F). Lap up the rays and you'll return home with a sun-kissed glow that will last you throughout the summer.
What? The three principle islands of this archipelago are Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, each boasting a wide selection of 5-star beach resorts that will leave you gasping in delight. Clear waters create a picture postcard setting for divers and snorkellers, while land lubbers can enjoy bird watching, dazzling white beaches and tropical forests. Wildlife lovers should visit the Aldabra atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see giant land tortoises. Around 150,000 of these incredible creatures live here, reputedly five times more than on the Galapagos Islands. If you're feeling romantic, wow your other half with a private yacht trip to a deserted island.

Easter breaks: with your mates

Where? Switzerland.
Why? While snow at most ski resorts in Europe is patchy in April, the high altitude of the Swiss Alps means that snow is rarely in short supply, ensuring that you can still slope off for some late season skiing.
What? Head for the car-free resort of Zermatt, Europe's highest ski resort, overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn. Featuring a mix of chocolate-box chalets and grand hotels, there is a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget. Thanks to the size of the ski area, there is plenty of terrain to suit all skiers, from beginners to experts. When you tire of skiing, go ice skating, ice climbing, tubing or snowshoeing. Alternatively, consider attractive, snowsure Saas Fee or Grindelwald bristling with lively après-ski restaurants, pubs, and cafés. Grindelwald offers special spring skiing and accommodation packages perfect for coordinating your Easter holiday. With a little bit of everything available, Switzerland ensures an ideal experience for you and all of your mates.

Easter breaks: with tots

Where? Athens, Greece.
Why? The exuberant atmosphere of the Greek capital during Easter will suit the endless energy of young kids while giving parents a vibrant and entertaining cultural experience. Another bonus: average daily temperatures in April are a pleasant 20°C (68°F).
What? A series of flamboyant festivities occurs during "Great Week" from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday. In preparation of the traditional Easter roast, markets in Athens come alive, brimming with delicate meat cuts and freshly made cheeses. Visit the historic market of Psiri where free cheese is offered to kids and homemade wine is available for adults. Kids can marvel at dyed Easter eggs, strewn flower petals and candles lit throughout the city. On Easter Eve, at midnight, church bells toll, fireworks erupt and sirens blare - noise and light saturate every corner of the city. On Easter Day, local Athenians venture into the countryside to craft traditional wreaths out of wild flowers. When Easter is over, you still have Athens to explore, a city endowed with rich ancient treasures.

Easter breaks: with teens

Where? Puerto Rico, USA.
Why? Puerto Rico is a little island with big appeal. Its tropical Caribbean climate, warm waters and diverse geography will suit families looking for anything from adventure to relaxation.
What? The legacy of Spanish rule has manifested itself in the island's lively music, language, cuisine and architecture. Base yourself in the capital San Juan and visit the old town where an impressive Spanish fortress overlooks sparkling turquoise seas. To really awe your teens, take them to the tropical rainforest of El Yunque, where they can hike endless paths and marvel at exotic plants and birds. Or head for the huge waves at Rincon, on the island's west coast, which attracts talented surfers year-round. If you plan to relax in luxury, stay at the El Conquistador Resort on the northeast coast. This tropical haven offers a myriad of activities. Teens can slip and slide in the expansive seaside water park, putt around a golf course, enjoy treatments designed specifically for teens at the spa, play tennis, basketball or volleyball, scuba-dive and fish.

* Heading to South Africa? Read insider tips in our 2010 World Cup City Guide.
* Check out our Top 5: Mother's Day gifts, from twilight cruises to spa breaks.
* Read our review of the new, stylish Hilton Liverpool, inspired by the city's history.

Author: Lisa Relle

2010 World Cup City Guide: Part 2

2010-03-26T02:42:00.001-07:00

In part two of our World Cup City Guide, we explore South Africa’s lesser-known host cities, which despite being off the well-beaten tourist routes, offer a wealth of things to see and do.

Nelspruit

Misconception: A dull agricultural supply centre.

Word on the street: Despite being in a major fruit growing region, Nelspruit is the gateway to fantastic game lodges. It's also close to the land-locked Kingdom of Swaziland and beautiful Mozambique.

Before kick off: 10 on Russell, in the Central Business District, delivers excellent food and service from the oldest building in town. Be sure to try the trout at Chez Vincent on Ferreira Street. The Hillside Tavern Steak House and Pub in the Village Centre is good for rowdier evenings.

The final whistle: Use Nelspruit as a base to go on a safari in Kruger National Park; eat mopane worms at Shangana Cultural Village just outside the town Hazyview, 45km (28 miles) north of Nelspruit; see stalactites and stalagmites in two-million-year-old Sudwala Caves, the world's oldest caves; take in incredible views of the Blyde River Canyon from God's Window viewpoint near Graskop; do a spot of fly-fishing in quaint Dullstroom.

Red card: Consider the region's private game reserves carefully before you part with your cash - you may well have a much better experience at the state-run Kruger National Park.

Insider tip: Soak up wild South Africa from the deck of Makulu Manzi (Big Water) Restaurant overlooking the Crocodile River in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden. The gardens also have a great collection of cycads and baobab trees.

Pretoria

Misconception: The home of conservative Afrikanerdom.

Word on the street: Since political change, Pretoria has become a fast-paced, cosmopolitan capital city and is now associated with rock bands like Desmond and the Tutus, Wonderboom, and the maverick, anti-establishment Afrikaner musicians Johannes Kerkorrel and Koos Kombuis.

Before kick off: Hatfield and Brooklyn are the suburbs for eating and drinking - try Tings and Times and News Café. Closer to the stadium, the Eastwood Tavern is great for a pre- or post-match pint. Order excellent grills from family-friendly The Godfather, on the corner of Heuwel and Mike Crawford Streets, or try the ostrich kebabs at the Blue Crane on Melk Street.

The final whistle: The Herbert Baker-designed seat of government, the Union Buildings, offer a fantastic view of the city. Church Square in the city centre has a monument to Boer leader and one-time president, Paul Kruger, but within spitting distance is the Palace of Justice, where Nelson Mandela was tried for treason. Don't miss the Correctional Services Museum at Pretoria Central Prison where political prisoners were incarcerated and often executed.

Red card: As with Johannesburg, be sensible but not paranoid about crime. Avoid walking alone at night, lock car doors, and keep handbags and expensive equipment out of sight.

Insider tip: If the football gets too much, one of the best places to relax in Pretoria are the Botanical Gardens, which accommodate 198 bird species and paved nature trails. Most of the plants are South African natives. Find the gardens on Cussonia Avenue in the suburb of Brummeria.

Polokwane

Misconception: Sorry, Polo-what?

Word on the street: Once called Pietersburg, Polokwane is the busy capital of Limpopo province, in the far north of the country.

Before kick off: Old Joe's Bar at the Ranch Hotel (also a lion reserve), just out of town will help you put the world to rights; closer to home, you'll find almost everything you need at the Savannah Mall, which houses a range of reliable restaurant chains. The Pebbles Café on Mandela Street serves dinner, tea and lunch.

The final whistle: See the first five years of the city in pictures at the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum.The Polokwane Game Reserve, with 52 species of game, is a 10-minute drive from the city. On the outskirts, the Bakone Malapa Museum highlights the lifestyle of traditional Venda indigenous tribes.

Red card: Although Polokwane is malaria-free, some parts of the Limpopo province are malarial zones. Check before you leave the UK, and seek advice from your GP.

Insider tip: You can see some of the world's oldest fossils at Makapan's Cave between Polokwane and Mokopane.

Rustenberg

Misconception: The site of a world-famous platinum mine and not much else.

Word on the street: Rustenburg is just over an hour from Pretoria and Johannesburg, with the Magaliesberg mountains and excellent game reserves on its doorstep.

Before kick off: Apart from chains like Cape Town Fish Market and News Café, you can eat steak, steak and more steak at the Porterhouse in the Biblio Plaza, on the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela Drives. Nearby, the Flying Dutchman and the Castle Corner are good for a few pints.

The final whistle: If you can't get to Kruger, spot the Big Five at the Pilanesberg National Park or Madikwe Game Reserve. Head to nearby Sun City offering over-the-top glamour, with a casino, the Palace of the Lost City Hotel, and an artificial wave house for homesick surfers. Or slow down the pace and visit the Magaliesberg Meander craft route.

Red card: Don't be tempted to drive back to Johannesburg late at night, especially after a few pints. Spend the night in Rustenburg instead.

Insider tip: If you're lucky you can spot black eagles and Cape vultures while cycling or doing a day hike through the magnificent Kgaswane Moutain Reserve, just 4km (2.5 miles) from the town centre.

* Read our South Africa World Cup City Guide: Part 1, including Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

* Mother's Day is fast aproaching. Check out our round up of some of the best Mother's Day treats at home and abroad, from twilight cruises to spa breaks.
* Feeling adventurous? Read our guide to the world's best Adventure holidays.
* Read our latest hotel review of the new, stylish Hilton Liverpool, situated in trendy Liverpool One and inspired by the city's history.

Author: Vivienne Hambly

Adventure holidays

2010-03-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

Blaze a trail along ancient Inca routes in Peru or raft the mighty Nile river in Uganda as we discover some of the world’s best adventure holidays.

Mountain trekking, Peru

Explore the many faces of Peru, from the frenetic city life of Ecuador's Quito to the wild wonders of the Amazon jungle. This 18-day South American tour combines adventure and outstanding natural beauty. The hiking adventure starts in Cuzco where trekkers explore the Inca spiritual sites of Sacsayhuaman and Tambo Machay before heading to the ancient sites of the Sacred Valley. The next three days are spent on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you will climb the steps to the Sun Gate to watch one of the world's most glorious sunrises. Next it's time to explore the heart of the Amazon jungle with expert local guides before visiting the wildlife and spectacular scenery of the Galapagos islands.
Cost: From £2,019pp.
Website: www.gapadventures.com

High-speed thrills, India

Enjoy high-octane thrills against the backdrop of one of the world's most exotic countries on a 10-day jaunt through India. Admire views of an ancient fort in Rajasthan as you whizz through the air on a zipline. A pre-dawn hot air balloon trip over this colourful city guarantees spectacular bird's eye views. You'll continue your journey to Corbett National Park for an elephant safari through tiger-rich jungles. Finally, you'll head off to some of the remotest corners of the Himalayas for the chance to spin past jaw-dropping vistas on the back of an Enfield Bullet motorbike. These stunning landscapes and adrenalin-high thrills will leave you gasping in delight - literally.
Cost: From £4,799pp.
Website: www.blacktomato.co.uk

White water rafting, Uganda

The tourism titans of Kenya and Tanzania mean Uganda is often overlooked by wildlife lovers. However, this less explored country, known as the Pearl of Africa, offers incredible animal-spotting adventures. Your adventure holiday begins in the dense forests of Kibale where you'll follow a tracker in search of wild chimpanzees - the moment you hear their tree-beating antics is truly heart-stopping stuff. Then it's on to Biwindi Impenetrable Forest for some challenging hiking with one magical reward - the chance to encounter rare mountain gorillas. Back in bustling Kampala, grab your swimsuit for a white water rafting trip on the mighty Nile where you'll hurtle through a series of stomach-churning grade five rapids such as Rib Cage, Silverback and Jaws. Awesome.
Cost: From £2,349pp.
Website: www.adventurecompany.co.uk

Jungle river tour, Malaysia

Explore Malaysia's Taman Nagara National Park from all angles with a canopy walk and jungle boat tour, which includes three hours' gliding down the Sungai Tembeling river in a wooden boat, and tip-toeing your way through the rustling jungle canopy on a hanging bridge. For something a little wilder, venture off the beaten track into the Malaysian jungle with a four-day jungle trek in Endau Rompin National Park. After pitching your tent, spend the evening in the glow of the campfire, learn the ways of the Orang Asli indigenous group, and listen to the weird and wonderful sounds of the night time jungle.
Canopy walk and jungle boat: £168pp.
Campfire jungle trek: £256pp.
Website: www.malaysiatravelplan.co.uk

Husky safari, Finland

Learn how to handle a team of fluffy huskies and zoom over the soft Scandinavian powder on this Finnish adventure focusing on a five-day husky safari. After mastering your vehicle, the safari will take you through spectacular wintery scenery, peppered with deep green forests, shimmering frozen lakes and miles and miles of gleaming white snow. You'll be covering around 40km (24 miles) a day, and the remoteness of the location means there is also a good chance of witnessing the Northern Lights. After an exhilarating day on the snow, snuggle up at night in wilderness cabins that come complete with a Scandinavian sauna.
Cost: From £1,495pp.
Website: www.responsibletravel.com

From glaciers to geysers, Iceland

Explore Iceland's rugged south coast and the lively capital of Reykjavik on an eight-day tour. Ice-axe and climb your way up the massive Myrdalsjokul ice-cap, and marvel at the Solheimjokul glacier and the Skogafoss waterfall. The first couple of days are spent exploring the glacier and snowshoeing in the hills, offering inspirational views of the ice cap and ocean. Moving back west, the route takes in must-see sights: Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal waterspouts at Geysir, and historic Thingvellir with its lake and volcanic rift scenery.
Cost: From £1,199pp.
Website: www.exodus.co.uk

Author: Tina Banerjee

Istanbul 2010: Capital of Culture

2010-03-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

With beautiful relics from Istanbul's Ottoman past standing proud alongside a flourishing contemporary art scene, this 2010 Capital of Culture is a striking showcase of ancient worlds and cutting-edge design.

While the dome of the Haghia Sophia, the grandeur of the Blue Mosque and the sights and smells of the Spice Bazaar remain at the heart of a first-time visit to Istanbul, it is the city's atmospheric Turkish cafés, cosmopolitan rooftop bars, opulent hotels, and colourful culinary heritage that make this a truly enthralling destination.

Art

Istanbul's reputation as a vibrant cultural melting pot is aptly celebrated by a diverse and thriving art scene. Formerly an Ottoman palace, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum houses one of the world's most exemplary collections of rugs and carpets. Delve further into Turkey's past with the impressive collection of Ottoman calligraphy, stone pieces from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras on display at Sabancı University's Sakıp Sabancı Museum.

Leading Istanbul's contemporary art movement, the Istanbul Modern Art Gallery, in a large converted warehouse by the Bosphorus, features everything from permanent and temporary exhibitions to photography, a library, cinema and design store. Exhibitions in Istanbul's Capital of Culture year include photography exhibition Time Within Us (until May 2010), and From Traditional to Contemporary: Cultural Memory in Modern Turkish Art (until May 2010).

See Istanbul 2010 for more art projects across the city.

Festivals

Sitting on the cusp of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is fed by a diverse concoction of musical influences, and festivals here are a big deal. As a 2010 Capital of Culture, the city's upcoming music events are promising to be extra special.

Istanbul's most renowned festival is the International Istanbul Music Festival, which takes place across a variety of venues between 3-30 June. Performances range from traditional and modern dance displays to world-class orchestral concerts, and more intimate musical sessions.

For a heady dose of some big names in rock and pop, Rock ‘n' Coke explodes once more this July. Grab a cold beer and bop til you drop in this thriving open-air event. The 2010 line up is yet to be announced, but past acts have included American rapper Eminem and UK prog-rock group Muse.

See Istanbul 2010 for more live music across the city.

Drink

An arty crowd can be found at KeVe: a long-standing café tucked inside a pretty arcade filled with various plants and strings of little lights. Pull up a seat, sip a chilled drink, and feel very much part of the city's bohemian scene.

For a refreshing tea-stop in a quaint cobbled courtyard, try Haco Pulo. Or for something more potent, knock back some boza (a Turkish drink made from fermented grain), at Vefa Bozacisi; this long-standing café has been serving customers boza since the 19th century.

Sip a fresh fruit cocktail whilst taking some first-class views over the Bosphorus at Leb-i Derya Richmond - a sleek new venue catering for the larger wallet. If you're dressed to impress, continue the night at outdoor club Reina.

Food

Eat fresh Mediterranean dishes amid sleek modern style at Müzedechanga, in the grounds of the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Decked out by prominent Istanbul designers, Müzedechanga's wooden furnishings are given a contemporary edge with glass and steel touches. When temperatures soar, join the city's glitterati in some swanky alfresco dining at Nu Teras - the rooftop jewel of entertainment complex Ne Pera.

Enjoy a seasonal menu whole-heartedly championing Istanbul's Ottoman past, at Asitane. Sample such Ottoman delights as almond soup, and stuffed vine leaves with sour cherries, before taking a wander next door to the gorgeous Byzantine Chora church.

Find a no-frills Turkish feed at Ayasofya Kebap House in Sultanahmet which serves an assortment of solid meaty dishes. Then sate a sweet tooth with some sticky baklava washed down with a potent coffee at locals' favourite patisserie Çiğdem Pastanesi.

Shopping

Ditch the paint-stripping bottle of raki and belly dancer Zippo lighter, and take home a piece of quality Turkish handiwork.

Pick up authentic antique carpets and beautiful kelims (woven rugs) in little A La Turca, found in fashionable Çukurcuma. For assured quality and a wide range of Asian textile products, visit Cocoon; while the eye-catching modern designs at Dhoku in the Grand Bazaar bring the traditional kelim into the 21st century.

The Design Zone found near Istanbul's Grand Bazaar features contemporary Turkish designs a plenty. Many designers work recognisable motifs from the country's Ottoman past into modern pieces, including furniture and jewellery.

Hotels

Three of Istanbul's most luxurious hotels are steeped in history, while offering a stay fit-to-bursting with 21st century comforts. Set in a neo-gothic 19th century Imperial palace, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski boasts divine Palace Suites that offer a real Sultan experience.

Opening its doors in 2006, Les Ottomans is a refurbished 1790 waterfront mansion with a treasure trove of ornate designs and antique fittings, including a marble hamam (Turkish bath).

Spend the night in a renovated raki (anise-flavored aperitif) distillery, at Sumahan-On the Water on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. This tranquil retreat fuses simple contemporary design with traditional touches, and many rooms come complete with their own Turkish bath.

Insider tip: Join students in the shisha cafés opposite the university for a relaxing afternoon socialising and playing games.

Author: Ruth-Ellen Davis

Alternative Swiss ski holidays

2010-03-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

When you've this many slopes it would be a shame to waste them. Catherine Quinn discovers why the Swiss have cornered the market on outlandish ways to travel downhill.

Ever wondered what it's like to plummet downhill on a wooden seat strapped to a single ski? I hadn't, until I was securely strapped in and pushed over the precipice. But then, neither had I given much thought to sledding on a blow-up surfboard, or carving the slopes on a bike equipped with snow-runners. All of these activities were part and parcel of the very unusual Swiss "cube" experience, which, I discovered was anything but square.

My first thought as I took off down the mountain was that with scenery this good I really should be paying attention. But as the mountain vistas tore by, my main focus was on staying aboard an inflatable ‘airboard' decidedly lacking in suspension. Of course I'm well aware that whilst the snow-capped hills look innocent enough from a distance, seeing them in close-up would be colourful for all the wrong reasons.

The idea behind my current mode of transport is a new concept in Switzerland. Whilst skiing is undoubtedly the most popular of winter entertainments in this part of the world a few restless locals have tired of the well-worn routes, the trusty equipment, and the tedious safety of it all and yearn for adrenalin-fuelled alternatives.

With this in mind, the Cube Hotel was born - a residence which supplies not only skiing facilities, but a range of innovative purpose-built vehicles which will plummet down a snowy slope in new and unpredictable ways. The dual advantage of this is that the hotel also offers the unusual extra of providing a similar range of vehicles for the summer months too. Meaning thrill-seeking guests can become regular visitors all year round.

In the winter the contraptions on offer include the ‘airboard' atop which I make my first giddy plunge, and a number of other euphemistically titled adrenalin generators such as the ‘ski fox' the ‘snow bike' and the ‘snow scooter'.

Whilst these vehicles may look intimidating lined up at the base of the ski lift, all have been ingeniously designed with Swiss panache to be easily (if not adeptly) tackled by a first-timer without lessons. No small part of the appeal is that these unique forms of transport are loaned on a rolling rotation basis, making them very good value - especially for Switzerland.

Rather than loan a single vehicle, visitors are encouraged to run the gamut of what's available, so the room rate will grant you access to as many as you can get up the hill and down again before sunset.

The hotel is designed around a basic chalet style of arrangement, including full ski pass and use of the extensive facilities. Downstairs a lively bar is the precursor to an underground nightclub for those looking to enjoy the après ski ambiance from, whilst a sauna, steam room, rock-climbing wall and a la carte restaurant cater to guests with more sedate intentions during their stay.

The exterior of straight glittering glass is something of a regional sight in its own right, and on my first morning, despite the chill, more than a few guests had assembled outside to enjoy breakfast against its mirrored grandeur.

As I was soon to find out, this impressive backdrop takes on a rather different hue when you're rushing by aboard a runaway lilo. But with several vehicles to get through before I could even think of having completed the Cube ‘experience' I arrived early to make my ascent.

Having chosen the gratifyingly remedial looking ‘airboard' for my first trip, I board to the uncertain realisation that my chin would be a bare few inches from the ground for the entire journey down.

The ski-bike is my next choice, and in retrospect would have made the best first vehicle. Despite comprising an odd looking saddle mounted on ski-style rollers it genuinely does handle very similarly to a normal push bike, with the small exception that the brakes only work when not too much momentum has been built up.

This meant the snow-bike made its unstoppable journey down the mountain, with apparently little recognition of my desperate attempts to wrest it one way or another. I spent more than one terror-filled moment being dragged towards, and then nearly off the edge as I fought to heave back in the opposite direction.

Having made it to the bottom, I was fairly anxious to surrender my cumbersome new transportation for something more sedate, but there was no such luck. I'd left the ‘ski-fox' until last, and now it was time to hurtle down the slopes sat aboard a seat mounted on a single ski.

Funnily enough, by now I was almost enjoying myself, and had paused more than once to admire the mountain magnificence sweeping past as I picked up speed.

Swinging onto the smooth curves of the final approach with the clean mountain air coasting past and the odd marmat running for cover the risk of plunging headfirst into a nearby snowdrift suddenly didn't seem to matter. And handing over my final vehicle I couldn't wait to take the chairlift back over those endless snowy slopes all over again tomorrow. In Switzerland it seems going downhill fast is the only way to travel.

Cube Savognin
Veia Sandeilas 12,
Talstation Savognin Bergbahnen
Tel. +41 (0) 81-659 14 14
Website: www.cube-savognin.ch

2010 World Cup City Guide: Part 1

2010-03-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

Heading to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup? In the first of a two-part series, read our insider’s guide to each of the host cities to get the most out of your trip.

Durban

Misconception: Surf city is the country's sleepiest city.

Word on the street: Durban's pace may be laid-back but you'll have to move fast to catch the best waves at 0500. Of South Africa's three major cities, Durban is perhaps the most multicultural and has spawned some of the country's best talent - look out for names like designer Amanda Laird Cherry and singers Busi Mhlongo, and Nibs van der Spuy.

Before kick off: The Elephant and Castle on bustling Florida Road and Jack Rabbit's in Morningside offer approximations of an English local, but for something more urbane, try Bean Bag Bohemia and the Beach Café on the beachfront. Spiga d'Oro is the go-to for late-night pasta and pizza. Little Gujarat and Palki restaurants celebrate Durban's Indian hertiage.

The final whistle: The Rainbow Jazz Restaurant is a Durban institution but expect simple tables and quarts of beer. Do swim in the Indian Ocean: the best beaches are to the north (Umhlanga) and south (Scottburgh) of the city. Further afield, the Midlands Meander, an extensive arts and craft's route, makes a pleasant day or overnight trip.

Red card: Avoid Point Road at night. Be circumspect about beachfront hotels; big names are good, but others, generally set back from the beach, have been sliding downhill since the 1980s.

Insider tip: uShaka Marine World is home to one of the five largest aquariums in the world; watch the harbour workings over a drink from the deck of the BAT Centre.

Port Elizabeth

Misconception: A windy city in an industrial wasteland.

Word on the street: It's true that sand might whip your legs when the wind picks up on PE's excellent beaches but renowned Eastern Cape hospitality makes this place a friendly city.

Before kick off: There's not much permanently established around the stadium, so best to do your drinking around Summerstrand and Humewood, a 10-minute taxi ride away. Summerstrand's Boardwalk complex opposite the pier offers a casino, shopping and amusements for the kids. 34°South and 78 Restaurant and Bar dish up excellent fusion and seafood, while the Blue Waters Café hits the spot for cocktails.

The final whistle: Head out of town for a few days to Addo Elephant Park, enjoy outdoor adventures in the Sunday's River Valley and do the 8km (5-mile) Sacramento Trail at Sardinia Bay. Excellent surf spots - Jeffrey's bay, St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis - are an hour away on the N2 motorway. See the working fishing harbour at Port St Francis.

Red card: Steer clear of Happy Valley and other open park areas, particularly at night.

Insider tip: Walk on Shark Rock Pier and enjoy sundowners at any of the nearby pubs. Swim at Humewood and King's Beach and entertain the kids at nearby Bayworld, an oceanarium, snake park and cultural museum.

Cape Town

Misconception: Snobbish locals in this most European of African cities pretend they don't belong to the rest of country.

Word on the street: People in queues will lend you money if you're a few rand short. Cape Town is known affectionately as Slaapstad (Sleepy Town), a play on the Afrikaans name Kaapstad.

Before kick off: Fill up at the 24-hour McDonalds opposite the stadium, which was rebuilt specifically for the World Cup. Stop at Den Anker at the Waterfront for delicious Belgian beer and chips, or try any of the bars in nearby Greenpoint.

The final whistle: Buy the makings of a picnic at the Porter Estate Produce Market on every Saturday morning at the Chrysalis Academy behind the Tokai Forest picnic area. Don't miss the Hoerikwaggo Trail, a five-night, six-day 100km (62-mile) hike from Cape Town to Cape Point.

Red card: Don't walk up Table Mountain alone or without the proper clothing and supplies - it's more dangerous than it looks. Avoid most places in Long Street. Although it's one of the city's oldest streets bristling with shops, cafés and restaurants, it is overrated.

Insider tip: Milnerton beaches are pristine and deserted; Ashton's Restaurant at Greenways Hotel is just as good as the food at the famed Mount Nelson Hotel (or Nelly to locals) but minus the snootiness; you can use the Table Mountain cable car for free on your birthday - take ID to prove it.

Johannesburg

Misconception: An unsightly and dangerous urban sprawl of mine dumps, shopping malls and housing complexes so secure they rival Fort Knox.

Word on the street: Extremely social city in which a counter street culture is developing alongside improved anti-crime measures. It is also the world's largest man-made urban forest, thanks to a city-wide tree planting initiative.

Before kick-off: As Jozi (as it's known to locals) is spread out, it's best to eat before you head off to a match. Parktown, Parkview, Greenside and Melrose Arch have a thriving pavement culture and a host of excellent restaurants and bars. Try Moyo, Gramadoelas and Sophiatown for unrivalled new-African cuisine.

The final whistle: Tour Soweto, passing through Vilakazi Street, once home to Nobel prize winners Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Catch up on South African history at the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. Visit the Rosebank Mall rooftop craft market. Escape to the country on the Crocodile Ramble, an area offering adventure activities, arts and crafts plus spa hotels, or watch the sun rise over the Magaliesberg mountains on a hot air balloon safari.

Red card: Avoid ubiquitous shopping malls; be sensible but not paranoid about security - lock car doors, be discreet with expensive equipment and hold on to your handbag.

Insider tip: Admire the Joburg skyline while sipping a cocktail at Sky Bar in the Holiday Inn Sandton-Rivonia Road - it's the closest you'll get to New York in Africa. Take high tea at the Westcliff Hotel.

Bloemfontein

Misconception: Culturally and topographically flat.

Word on the street: Bloemfontein is built on a series of hills, is home to a thriving arts scene and is central to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Before kick-off: Have a pint at The Mystic Boer, the home of South Africa's alternative Afrikaans rock scene. Most pubs and restaurants, like Beef Baron and Barbas Café, are situated around Westdene; many are franchises, however.

The final whistle: Drive up to the game reserve on Naval Hill in the centre of the city, stopping at the Orchid House, named after its huge collection of flowers, en route. Drive 90 minutes to Kimberley and re-live the diamond rush where the Big Hole, a gigantic, hand-dug crater, is part of the open-air Kimberley Mine Museum.

Red card: As Bloemfontein is an arid city, don't get excited about the Waterfront, which has been described as a "glorified cesspool".

Insider tip: Visit the National Women's Memorial, a memorial to the 27,000 Boer/Afrikaner women and children who died in British concentration camps during the second Anglo-Boer War. Previously unpublished Boer photographs have just been released.

* Read our South Africa World Cup City Guide: Part 2 on 1 March.

Author: Vivienne Hambly

Winter sun: Alternative South American beaches

2010-03-10T01:00:00.001-08:00

With the weather on the wrong side of brisk, it's the perfect time to escape to South America's lesser-known beaches. From tropical Brazil to leisurely-paced Uruguay, find sunshine, sand and plenty of much-needed space.

Argentina: Pinamar and Cariló

Forget the kiss-me-quick city Mar del Plata and its faded glory days, and head to Pinamar and Cariló - two glamorous yet low-key small resorts on the Atlantic coast, 340km (211 miles) south of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Luxurious homes exist harmoniously within the 90-year-old pine forest, and these two towns, with Mar de Ostende and Valeria del Mar nestling between them, spring to life in the summer months with local tourists filling hotel rooms and renting out private homes.

Kite surfing and beach parties

Pinamar, the larger of the pair, is home to dozens of beach clubs dotted along 8km (5 miles) of dunes, allowing you to claim plenty of grain space. Kite surfing has taken off in the past few years but you can also try your hand at sand boarding, surfing, horse riding and deep sea fishing, or even rent a 4x4 and head north to tackle the dunes yourself. Although temperatures cool in the evenings, after-beach parties around a crackling campfire are de rigueur.

Sand dunes and spas

Cariló (which means ‘green sand dune' in the Indian Mapuche language) meanwhile, boasts 300m- (984ft-) wide dunes (which Francis Ford Coppola used as a setting for The Hamptons in 2009 film Tetro) and hotels with fabulous spa facilities. The emphasis is on couples and families being pampered to the max, then heading off to their Italian Riviera-style beach tent to while away the sunny hours in the 30-degree heat, cool cocktail in one hand, magazine in the other.

Uruguay: Punta del Diablo

It's worth dropping into the ritzy Punta del Este for a 24-hour Eurotrash explosion, if only to say you've seen the thoroughly ostentatious display of enormous yachts, surgically enhanced bodies and large twinkling jewels. But, for rest and relaxation, head for the lazy fishing village of Punta del Diablo - 298km (185 miles) from Uruguay's capital city Montevideo - a beachside spot so laidback, that it's practically buried in the sand.

Peace and quiet

Punta del Diablo prides itself on not having any hotels - lodgings are simple two or three-roomed cabins - and just nine restaurants and bars open their doors; be sure to tuck into a super-fresh shark steak caught from the local waters. Sun worshippers and surfers mingle on the main beach, which sweeps along in front of the town centre, but venturing north or south will guarantee extra seclusion. While a stay in Punta del Diablo is one of meandering coastal walks coupled with lashings of peace and quiet, more and more cabañas are springing up, meaning its off-the-beaten-track days are numbered, albeit at an unhurried Uruguayan pace.

Brazil: Trancoso

While Copacabana is an obvious Brazilian hotspot, the hill-top town of Trancoso in the southern part of Bahia state is a beachside beauty which has so far avoided the jostling crowds and tacky tourist attractions of the country's more publicised coastal strips. This tropical destination is surrounded by cocoa tree plantations; vegetation lines the coast, and the clear, warm waters and small waves lapping at the feet of this fishing town are perfect for swimming and snorkelling (though a less than ideal spot for surfers) and the pristine white beach is a regular spot for yoga and meditation.

Hammocks and chocolate

Although there are some boutique hotels offering holistic treatments, the genuine Trancoso vibe is about pitching up a hammock (buy one on the beach), and soaking up this town's relaxed spirit while gently rocking yourself off for a snooze. For trinkets and handmade gifts, head to main square Quadrado Historico, but do look out for ‘Peixe Frito' or ‘Fried Fish', a friendly chocolate seller called Lincoln who can be found plying his delicious, locally made wares on the beach. Trancoso provides an excellent base from which to explore other places such as Praia do Espelho, considered the most beautiful beach in Bahia; Caraíva, a native Indian village hidden in a nature reserve, and only accessible by canoe; or Itacaré for those in need of a surf fix.

Chile: Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

From fishing coves to the crazy cable cars whisking you up the steeply inclined 100m (328ft) hill to reach town, Valparaíso blends quaint painted houses with its busy fishing port, as well as narrow passages and European mansions. Hills provide a pretty backdrop to the cobbled alleyways and sandy architecture of this attractive town - a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003 - and the harbour is a lovely bird watching spot.

Powerful surf and pristine parks

North of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar is a true Pacific beach experience: the waters are cool and the surf powerful enough to often warrant a red flag, so let loose your inner child, and splash around in the shallows before returning to the tufty dense sands which resemble static curling waves. Known as the Garden City, Viña del Mar is located 120km (75 miles) west of capital city Santiago, and boasts villas, three castles, pristine parks and hosts the International Song Festival every February. For more basking in the sun and frolicking in the sand, wind you way back down the coast to secluded Reñaca, an hour south of Viña del Mar, where you can certainly claim the beach as your own for the day.

Insider tip: Although January and February indicate high season across the region, prices do drop substantially in November and March, as do visitor numbers, guaranteeing more sand for your pound.

Author: Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Egypt holidays: Diving in Sharm el-Sheikh

2010-03-10T00:58:00.000-08:00

Escape Britain’s cold snap and take the plunge in the Red Sea on a diving holiday. It’s guaranteed to have you hooked, as Heidi Fuller-love discovers.

As the closest tropical waters to Europe, the Red Sea is a mecca for those seeking a diving holiday. Fed by the Indian Ocean and hemmed in by the Sahara desert, Ras Mohammed National Park accessible from Sharm el-Sheikh boasts some of the world's best dive sites.

Consider the stats and you can see why. Created in 1983, this vast marine reserve teems with more than 1,200 species of fish, as well as turtles, manta rays and sharks. This is partially due to the fact the Red Sea is fringed by 2,000km (1,240 miles) of coral reefs.

With water temperatures rarely sliding below 20°C (68°F) and plenty of value-for-money hotel packages available, Sharm el-Sheikh offers a fantastic, affordable, year-round dive destination.

Choose a learn-to-dive course

Recently commended by judges in Virgin Holidays' prestigious Responsible Tourism Awards, I headed for the Camel Dive Club in the buzzing Sharm el-Sheikh resort of Na'ama Bay, one of the Red Sea's best established diving centres.

Checking into the club's 48-room hotel, I discovered a lobby cluttered with gas bottles and diving masks. The following morning when I flung open the double doors of my room, I was greeted by the sight of learner divers flopping around in the club's specially designed pool.

Your first plunge

If you want to learn to dive, but still want time to explore the sights around Sharm el-Sheikh too, opt for a two-day learner course costing around €199 (£176).

Joining a group of five other students, our first lesson involved learning underwater sign language gestures and basic diving know-how before we headed for the pool.

Kitted out in skin-tight wetsuits, masks, fins and an unwieldy weight belt, we practised breathing through our regulators, then plunged into the water one by one and sank to the bottom.

It took a while to adapt to the bizarre sensation of seeing the world through several metres of water, but we soon felt confident enough to master the tricky art of emptying water from our masks, which can happen during a leakage, without returning to the surface.

Next we practised controlling our diving buoyancy. Lying on the bottom of pool face downwards, we slowly added air to our BCDs (Buoyancy Control Devices) until we began to float.

Gathering up our gear, we set out for Na'ama Bay, a 2km (1.2-mile) stretch of beach strewn with suntanned bodies, where a special area penned off for novice divers proved ideal for practising the skills we had learnt in the swimming pool.

On the final day, a boat puttered us out to a dive site called Near Garden for our first real experience of the deep blue. The spectacular explosion of colour beneath the waves as we dived down to a maximum depth of 12m (39ft) was dazzling.

Surrounded by shoals of striped anemone fish, we watched bulging-eyed puffer fish fossicking amongst vividly coloured corals, whilst blue-spotted stingrays stirred up sand on the seabed far below.

At first it was difficult not to panic at the sight of shadowy, shark-like forms shifting in the deeper gloom ahead of us, but we soon got used to being the smaller fish in this very big pond. It was eye-boggling. By the time I returned to the surface, I was hooked.

In and around Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh might be a diver's mecca, but there's plenty to do and see above water too.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy a 4-wheel drive tour though Lawrence of Arabia scenery to visit St Catherine's, a stunning 6th-century cliff-top monastery, where it is believed God dictated his Ten Commandments to Moses.

Closer to home, the streets behind Na'ama Bay are a labyrinth of bazaars selling perfumed spices, chic clothes and cheap tat, which morph at sunset into open-air cafés where you can sit on cosy cushions puffing a shisha pipe, or drinking reasonably priced beer, wine or cocktails.

Stroll to the waterfront and you'll find dozens of smart restaurants serving everything from Russian to Thai cuisine. For a cheaper dining option, head inland to Abou El Sid, an inexpensive eatery above the Hard Rock Café where you can sample creamy spinach and chicken molokheya soup, lentils, rice and chickpeas koushari and other sumptuous Egyptian specialties.

If you're still looking for some action, make a beeline for King of Bahrain Street. Along this busy artery lined with trendy pubs and clubs, Pacha, where David Guetta, Sarah Main and other international celebrity DJs regularly come to spin their cutting-edge sounds, is definitely the pick-of-the-crop for late-night revellers.

For me, however, the best attractions lay under the sea. With natural wonders like the coral wall at Shark Reef and a graveyard of stricken wrecks like the Thistlegorm still waiting to be discovered, I know I'll be back for another diving holiday in the Red Sea next year.

Insider tip: There's plenty to freak out novice divers in the marine-rich waters off Sharm-El-Sheikh, but as as long as you don't touch anything, the danger is minimal.

Camel Dive Club, Sharm el-Sheikh
Website: www.cameldive.com
A half-day try-out diving session costs around €35 (£31).
A four-day Padi Open Water dive course costs €320 (£282).
A week's stay in a double/twin room at the Camel Hotel, plus three days guided diving, starts from €264 (£233) per person.

Sharm Excursions
Website: www.sharmexcursions.com
Price of a day-long tour to St Catherine's monastery and Dahab from £28.

Author: Heidi Fuller-love

Snowboarding in Whistler

2010-03-05T20:43:00.001-08:00

Canada falls under the spotlight next month when it hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics. After learning to snowboard in the country a decade ago, Susie Henderson returns to Whistler Blackcomb to find out if she's still got the right moves.

A shaky start

I cautiously edged my snowboard a few more feet down the slope, scraping twigs and rocks exposed by the spring thaw. 'In the Spirit' was a steep gladed trail (where the trees had been thinned out a little) and had seemed the perfect challenge on the last day of my holiday in Whistler. After all, wasn't I supposed to be moving off the dreaded intermediate plateau?

The board's nose snagged yet another tree trunk, catapulting me head first. I looked left and right, wondering what had happened to the route. One skier had sashayed past me several minutes before, but this no longer looked like the official run. A stream was gushing to my left beneath the snow and I suspected I needed to be on the other side. How was I going to get out of this?

Returning to Whistler

Ten years previously I had spent a winter season in Whistler and learned to snowboard. My boyfriend (now husband) persuaded me to buy a cut-price sparkly tangerine board and I signed up for a lesson. That evening, I wondered if I would ever be able to move my stomach muscles again.

Several more lessons and 50 odd days of riding later however, I had reached a reasonable level of snowboarding and could confidently cover a good portion of the mountains. But then I found a 'proper' job in the UK and had to be thankful for a week's snowboarding each year. My progression halted.

Would a return to Whistler give me the push I needed to ride outside my comfort zone? Would I ever join the young guns in the terrain park or my husband (no young gun, though he'd like to think so) on the double black runs?

Challenging slopes

Whistler Blackcomb will certainly give even the most experienced skier or boarder a run for their money. The resort boasts two mountains, over 200 runs, five terrain parks, a whopping 3,307 hectares (8,171 acres) of terrain and 38 lifts. The newest, the Peak 2 Peak gondola, opened in December 2008 and straddles the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb, dangling at a terrifying (and record-breaking) 436m (1,427ft) above the ground at one point.

With an average annual snowfall of 10m (33ft), the resort is a good bet for powder. At the start of the 2009/10 season, Whistler received a record 560cm (220 inches) of white stuff in November alone, making for an epic snow base.

Refresher lessons

I decided a refresher lesson was the best course of action and joined a one-day summit ride session. Other options include private lessons, supergroup lessons (three students maximum) or two-day women-only Roxy All Star snowboard camps.

Whistler Blackcomb prides itself on its international staff and you're as likely to hear a 'G'day mate', as a 'Hey dude'. My snowboard instructor, Sig, hailed from the New Zealand resort of Turoa and was about to complete his second season in Whistler.

My classmates were made up of a retired Canadian who split his time between Vancouver and Whistler, three 30-somethings living in Dubai, but originally from South Africa and Scotland, a Cambridge chemistry lecturer and an electrical engineer from Derby. I'd picked up a few bad habits over the years and it was good to revise basic technique. 'Make the shape of a house with your legs,' Sig urged. 'No A-frames!' To encourage us to relax our limbs, he suggested we 'ride like Thunderbird puppets'.

Building confidence

Once we'd ironed out some niggles and begun to snowboard with a little more fluidity, he taught us to ride fakie (where you lead with the opposite foot from normal). I had previously tried this a few times on my own, but had never committed. Sig yelling instructions at me ('hump and dump' are the body positions to remember) gave me the impetus I needed to complete a few turns instead of giving up.

In the afternoon we tried out some hits (small jumps) at the side of the runs. Let's just say Shaun White isn't quaking in his boots after my performance.

Over the next few days, I practised and improved my technique, but despite my husband's best efforts, steered clear of steeps and terrain parks (even the Terrain Garden, which a three-year-old could cope with).

Back to the piste

Which takes me back to my final day on that black tree run. Alone. On the wrong side of the stream.

I made the error of taking off my board. Within seconds I was up to my thighs in snow and my right foot was jammed. 'Help!' I cried feebly. The adrenaline was pumping and I hacked the snow around my foot with the snowboard and strapped back in. I took a deep breath, bombed across the snow, directly over the stream and eventually found my way back to the piste.

Was this what escaping the intermediate plateau was all about?

The trouble with being a 30-something mum instead of a young gun is that I'm secretly quite happy playing it safe. Why would I want to subject myself to the terror of a cliff-like couloir when there's a perfectly good blue run to cruise?

Whistler's incredible mountains and top-notch teaching staff give you the chance to work on and improve your skills. If you want to take it to the next level, there's every opportunity to do so.

But if the intermediate plateau's your territory, join me on 'Cruiser'. I'll leave the 'Couloir Extreme' run to the experts.

* Read more about the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Further information

Getting there: Air Canada and British Airways run direct flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver. Pacific Coach operates a coach from Vancouver Airport to Whistler.

Book a lesson: A one-day summit ride session with Whistler Blackcomb costs C$99 (£60).

Where to stay: The Delta Whistler Village Suites has both rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites.

Tourist information: Tourism Whistler or Tourism BC.

Author: Susie Henderson

India: Off the beaten track

2010-03-05T20:42:00.001-08:00

With just 10 months to go before India hosts the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Emma Field escapes the country's well-trodden tourist hotspots to discover more about the nation’s favourite brew: tea.

Verdant Assam is to tea what Venice is to canals, Paris is to fashion and Colombia to cocaine. Assam is one of only two areas in the world with its own native tea bush and is the world's second-largest producer of tea. I chose to immerse myself in Assamese tea lore in Dibrugarh, which boasts the coveted title of Tea Capital of Assam as well as a new airport. It's a world away from India's popular tourist trails so don't expect to see many other foreigners during your stay. You can expect, however, to thoroughly impress your friends with your adventurous spirit and new-found knowledge.

Tea plantations

The British established the first Indian tea plantations in Assam over 150 years ago. It is an indescribably pleasant experience to wander through the tea plantations as the trees casts dappled shadows across the bushes, learning about the tea-making process as it's going on around you.

The tea pluckers, wearing broad, pointed straw hats, work two shifts a day, each plucking around 20kg of tea leaves which they carry in a bundle on their heads to the weighing machine. They pluck the tea bushes on a weekly rotation - if the young leaves are left any longer, the taste of the tea is affected.

From the tea plantation, the lesson in tea production proceeds to the factory where a roll call of machinery that wouldn't be out of place in Bertha rolls, sorts and grades the tea before it is sent off to auction. Well-known brands such as Lipton and Tetley then buy the stuff from different growers to blend the tea you and I know and love.

How to taste tea

Naturally, the only way to follow a tour of a tea plantation and factory is with a tea tasting. The manager of the tea estate personally conducts tea tasting sessions every day - he tests each batch produced in the factory, which means tasting tea up to four times a day.

He does it by adding 100ml of boiling water to three grams of tea. After covering and letting it brew for five minutes, he separate the leaves and pours the liquid into a large cup to cool. Observing the infusion (the brewed tea leaves) is critical: the brighter the leaves, the better the tea.

After adding two teaspoons of milk, he inspects the liquor (the tea itself) to ensure the colour is bright and golden. Finally, he tastes the tea by slurping it to allow the flavour to spread across his tongue. A good cup of tea is brisk, refreshing and smooth rather than flat.

Following his example, I tasted tea of different ages, comparing the various cups. The younger tea clearly tasted fresher and was livelier and brighter.

Where to stay

I stayed in Chowkidinghee Chang Bungalow, which, like all chang bungalows in Assam, was built raised on stilts to allow the colonial gent to mount his elephant with ease - no tiresome ladder or ungainly scrambling required. The height also made it harder for man-eating beasts to creep up on the bungalows' two-footed occupants.

Nowadays there's not much need for either protection from tigers or elephant riding, although Michael Palin did visit Chowkindinghee's sister bungalow, Mancotta, to see the plantations from the grand height of an elephant's back as he toured the area for his Himalaya TV series. The bungalow has been restored and inside, it eerily resembles a rustic English cottage with sofas, polished wooden floors and a fireplace, though with temperatures during my visit hitting 38ºC, I failed to see the appeal of a roaring log fire.

The view from the bungalow's delightful veranda tells a very different story. Instead of quaint English countryside, the bungalow is surrounded by a well-kept hedge that, by night, exotically flickers with fireflies and, beyond that, tea plantations.

Insider tip to Assam: The ultimate cup of tea is made from leaves plucked in May, June and July, at the height of the growing season.

* Indus Tours and Purvi Discovery offer a nine day, full board package from £82pp per night (based on two sharing), including a tea plantation tour and other activities.

Author: Emma Field

New World Heritage sites 2009

2010-03-05T20:40:00.000-08:00

Most of us could name a few World Heritage sites across the globe, but each year UNESCO adds some lesser-known locations to a list of more famous names. Reputation isn’t everything though, so here's our pick of the highlights of 2009 new additions that are vying for your affection.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines

Few diving destinations around the world can offer such a personal underwater experience as Tubbataha Reef. Situated off the coast of the Philippines in the Sulu Sea, the isolated reef was formed thousands of years ago when volcanic islands sunk into the ocean. The attached coral reefs weren't willing to go down without a fight and continued growing upwards towards the surface. Over time this resulted in the creation of a unique 100m (328ft) underwater coral wall and two coral islands that are home to over 100 species of bird and 500 different types of fish including manta rays, lionfish and clownfish.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, Wales

One of the major achievements of the Industrial Revolution, the design of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in northeastern Wales was used as an inspirational template for similar projects all over the world. The elegance of the structure and the fact that the canal was built without the use of locks is even more impressive given the undulating nature of the landscape that surrounds it. All that engineering innovation, courtesy of pioneering designer Thomas Telford, certainly benefits anyone who visits today. Whether you cross by foot or by boat, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the River Dee valley from 38m (125ft) in the air.

The Dolomites, Italy

Although the Dolomites are hardly a well-kept secret, it's not surprising that the mountain range in northeastern Italy has been acknowledged as a site of global significance. The mountain range is a series of stunning visual contrasts, with pale faced limestone rock faces towering over a variety of different types of forests and meadows. In the spring and summer, take a walk in the Dolomites; watch the sun bounce off glassy lakes and go home with photos of picture-perfect villages or one of the 50 types of orchid found here. In the winter, enjoy some of the most thrilling ski runs on the continent.

The Wadden Sea, Germany/Netherlands

This 400km (248-mile) stretch of coast that covers both Germany and the Netherlands is a nature lover's paradise. As the largest unbroken system of mud and sands flats in the world, it has as unsurprising wealth of bird and marine wildlife. Around 12 million birds, such as the common shelduck and hen harrier, pass through the area throughout the year and the Wadden Sea is a stopping point for migratory journeys from across the globe. These transitory visitors join the more permanent residents, such as harbour and grey seal. Turn inland and vibrant green salt marshes await, or at low tide turn the other way to walk out to one of the nearby islands. Just watch out for the prawns and hermit crabs that are bound to be darting around your feet.

Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Islands

In the south of Santiago Island, the town of Cidade Velha is a testament to Europe's colonial impact on Africa during the slave trade. It was a major stopping point for slaves being transported to the Caribbean and Brazil, and those who disobeyed their masters were punished on the white marble whipping post located in the centre of the town. Potential invaders were faced with the daunting sight of Forte Real de São Filipe, built to see off a variety of pirates, as well as the French and English. Cidade Velha has had its fair share of illustrious visitors; Vasco de Gama and Christopher Columbus moored here on different journeys across the globe.

Mount Wutai, China

Peace and tranquillity is guaranteed for anyone who visits the last of our picks from the 2009 UNESCO World Heritage sites. One of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, Mount Wutai and the 53 sacred monasteries found on its five terraces had a profound affect on the country's palace architecture for 1,000 years. Hundreds of statues line the site, each telling a different story, while the vertical forests that fall away from Mount Wutai spend much of the year topped with a dusting of snow. Designed to show the harmony between man and nature, it's easy to see why pilgrims still visit Mount Wutai today.

Author: Jonathan Moore

Alternative wonders of the world

2010-03-02T00:42:00.002-08:00

WTG presents its guide to seven alternative wonders of the world. If you're tired of hearing about the world's more traditional spectacular sites, then consider a visit to some of these little-known gems picked from around the globe.

Colca Canyon, Peru

Makes the Grand Canyon look like a crack in the road.

With a passing glance, the scale of Colca Canyon could easily be missed. It doesn't possess as many startling drops as its American counterpart and its sloping climbs can be deceiving but don't let your eyes fool you; statistically there's no contest between the two. Colca Canyon is over 3,000m (9,842ft) deep; that's more than two times the depth of the Grand Canyon.

Most of Colca Canyon is uninhabited but a number of colonial villages are sprinkled across lower parts of the valley. Although there are endless stunning views and a huge variety of seasonal colours in Colca Canyon, the Andean Condor is the major draw for tourists. The Cruz del Condor is the most popular location to watch condors ride the canyon's thermal waves.

Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), Columbia

All the mysticism of Machu Picchu without the crowds.

After days of hard trekking, you pause for a moment before the final descent to Machu Picchu. As the morning fog clears you wait with baited breath for the first view of the astonishing Inca settlement, only to find an army of buses parked directly in front of you.

It's not unreasonable to expect something a little more personal after all that effort and the Lost City in Columbia is the perfect alternative. There are no roads for miles around the Lost City, so there'll be no unwanted bum bags in your holiday photos. The three-day trek through undulating jungle to reach the Lost City is hard going, and culminates in a climb up 1,200 near-vertical steps. It wasn't discovered until 1972, despite being older than Machu Picchu, although local tribes have visited the site for much longer. The city itself is made up of ascending terraces and circular platforms. Helicopters frequently land on the highest point of the city and for a tidy sum those who can't face the walk back can hitch a lift.

Tikal, Guatemala

Instead of desert think rainforest for the Central American version of the Egyptian pyramids.

The Egyptian pyramids may be the most famous pyramids in the world, but the endless miles of sand hardly make the most intriguing of backdrops. Tikal, the most important of all the Mayan cities, was inhabited until the 10th century AD and is surrounded by rainforest containing a huge variety of wildlife. Animals ranging from jaguars to toucans can be found in Tikal National Park, and a glimpse of them certainly beats a face full of sand.

There are thousands of different structures at Tikal and many have yet to be excavated, despite 30 years of archaeological work. There are a number of palaces and public open spaces in the ceremonial centre of the site but the pièce de résistance is the six Mesoamerican pyramids, some of which are over 60m (200ft) tall.

Tufi, Papua New Guinea

Unchartered diving awaits in Papua New Guinea's version of the Great Barrier Reef.

Visitors to Tufi have the chance to explore some of the world's most pristine underwater delights. Tufi is only accessible by boat or plane and divers can take their pick from WWII wrecks, inland fjords or coral reefs. Even the outer reefs, many of which have yet to be mapped, can be reached by boat in 30 minutes. The mixture of soft and hard coral makes for overwhelming underwater diversity. Finally, the 30m (100ft) visibility and year-round water temperatures of over 25°C (77°F) mean you won't miss a trick.

Kumbhalgarh Fort, India

The Great Wall of China minus a few thousand miles.

Kumbhalgarh Fort was not designed with easy access in mind. It was built on a steep hill in 1419 by Maharana Pratap, one of Rajasthan's heroes, and remains unconquered to this day. The main reason is that it's circled by a 36km (22miles) continuous wall, the second longest in the world behind the Great Wall of China.

Given that the walls are up to 7m (25ft) thick and seven fortified gateways protect Kumbhalgarh, it's surprising anybody tried. Find a suitable perch when the sun goes down- the fort is spectacularly lit up for a few moments each evening.

Arènes d'Arles, France

The glory days of Rome's Colosseum are long gone, but this Roman amphitheatre is still used today.

It doesn't boast the 50,000 capacity or the same grand history as its Rome counterpart, but Arles's Roman amphitheatre has all the same ingredients and it is wonderfully well preserved. Most importantly, it's still used today as a bull-fighting venue so with a leap of imagination there's still a chance to soak up some of the atmosphere generated in ancient Rome. When you've stopped shaking your fist, there are many other examples of Roman architecture to explore in Arles.

Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul

The Taj Mahal was built for one lucky lady, but Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace stands toe-to-toe for sheer opulence.

For every claim the Taj Mahal can make for being the most elaborate palace in the world, Dolmabahçe Palace can match it. The Taj Mahal may be decorated with precious stones, but Dolmabahçe has its very own crystal staircase built in the shape of a double horse shoe. The crystal fixation doesn't end there though; the palace contains the world's largest bohemian crystal chandelier with 750 lamps and weighing 4.5 tonnes. Sultan Abdülmecid built it in 1843 for the princely sum of 35 million tonnes of gold and another 14 tonnes were used to gild the ceilings.

Author: Jonathan Moore

City break: Tunis

2010-03-02T00:42:00.001-08:00

Sensual, sub-tropical Tunis, just under three hours' flying time from our shores, is a great place for a city break. Tunisia's capital combines French influence with its Berber heritage and North African setting.

Although radiating French flavour in its Parisian-style boulevards where flower stalls and newspaper kiosks rub shoulders with pavement cafes, patisseries and an assorted mix of colonial and modern buildings (a legacy of years of French rule), you will never doubt for a minute that you are in North Africa. The spice-scented souks, calls of the muezzin and dry desert heat are sure to stir your soul.

Souks and spices

For more than a whiff of ancient intrigue, don't miss a visit to the well-preserved medieval Medina (old town). A froth of white domes, minarets and terraces, it's a walled city-within-a-city where frenzied commerce has taken place for 12 centuries. This labyrinth of cool, sun-blanched narrow streets, an invasive tumult of impressions, seethes with vitality, the air smelling of a hundred pungent spices and freshly-baked bread. This teeming maze of furtive passageways is bursting with hammams (public bathhouses), mosques and tiny workshops where sun-leathered gnarled old men wearing red felt hats called ‘chechias' busily operate sewing machines.

This Aladdin's cave of stalls, each fronted by a smooth talking stall holder with a line in patter that would put many a used car salesman to shame, is festooned with thousands of twinkling fairylights. A mind-boggling array of goods, in a tapestry of hues as rich as a Scotsman's brogue, spill onto the cobblestones. Everything you could possibly want is here, along with plenty that you wouldn't.

An abundance of powerfully potent perfumes with dubious names like ‘Romance in the Souk' and ‘Come Hither at Midnight' probably fall into the latter category. Gaudy Berber jewellery and brightly coloured carpets are displayed alongside brass pots, leather bags, antique lanterns, incense burners, musical camels and sparkling, pointy-toed slippers. Although the hassle factor is relatively low key, haggling is the name of the game. Start by offering a third of the asking price and off you go - it isn't too arduous, and if you are determined and play it well, you can come away with a bargain.

Besides being a massive marketplace, the Medina is also a fully functioning community with residential areas, mausoleums, cafes, schools, libraries and mosques. The serene, enclosed Zeytouna mosque, also called the Great Mosque, is the city's largest and the only one open to non-muslims who may enter the courtyard though not the prayer hall. Built in 732AD, it flourished from the 13th century onwards as an important Islamic university.

Bursting with culture and history, it is not surprising that UNESCO designated this medieval Arab city a World Heritage site. When darkness falls, the Medina's silence is astonishing - the whole place is spookily deserted with only skinny stray cats wandering its alleyways.

Cafe culture

Exit the Medina from the eastern side, cross through the Porte de France and you are back in the 21st century, in elegant, tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the city's most important thoroughfare, named after the country's former long-serving president. This is a bustling place lined with banks, shops, restaurants and the ‘see and be seen' Café de Paris, a great place to sit and watch the world go by.

Tunis has a vibrant cafe culture with modern European-style cafes sitting alongside traditional cafes, both offering tastebud-tingling choices. Mingle with the locals as you sip fine Turkish coffee, or try gunpowder tea steeped in strong mint, topped with pine nuts and served in small glasses - Tunisians often add dried salted chickpeas to theirs. Since there is no such thing as a smoking ban here, you can puff fragrant tobacco through a chicha (water pipe) to your heart's content if you wish.

Culinary delights

The city's Dar restaurants are where to go for a taste of authentic cuisine in lavish surroundings. They are former palaces or grand houses that are traditionally decorated and usually slightly hidden away from public view. In the centre of the Medina, there are two Dars both tiled to the hilt and worthy of featuring in The Thousand and One Nights. Dar el Jeld (www.dareljeld.tourism.tn) and Dar el Kheiratat (www.darelkheirat.com) both offer three-fork dining (the highest gastronomic rating) in cool surroundings with atmospheric live music.

Bursting with flavour, Tunisian cuisine blends sophisticated French styles and Arab spice with an interesting smattering of Andalucían, Italian and Turkish influences. The emphasis is firmly on fresh ingredients and typical dishes are sturdy though fiery. Couscous, Tunisia's national dish, a main course stew of chicken, fish or vegetables, is on menus everywhere, while you can't leave Tunis without savouring a bumper bowl of seriously fabulous chorba, a spicy barley soup with chick peas and vegetables in a rich tomato stock. Desserts tend to be very sweet with one of the most popular being ‘kab el ghazal', a horn-shaped pastry stuffed with almonds.

In all but the cheapest restaurants, customers are welcomed with complimentary fresh bread, olives and harissa (a concentrate of garlic and red chilli pepper). Mechouia is a ubiquitous Tunisian dish of roasted vegetables mashed with tuna and eggs, while something you might approach more cautiously is a brik, lightly cooked egg wrapped in a hot envelope of filo pastry with the addition perhaps of tuna or prawns. Although tasty, it is hard to eat without dribbling egg down your front because tradition decrees briks must be eaten by hand.

Excursions from the city

Now a prosperous suburb of Tunis, Carthage was once capital of the Punic Empire. It was unfortunate that first the Romans then the Vandals did a pretty thorough job of destroying it, with the result that little remains of the once-great city from where Hannibal set off with his elephants to conquer Rome. Interesting archeological sites among the wildflower-strewn ruins include the remains of the Antonin Baths, one of the largest bath houses built during the Roman Empire, with no-expense-spared gigantic cool room, Olympic-sized swimming pool, separate rooms for cold and hot baths, sauna and exercise area.

The Carthage Museum at Mount Byrsa is also worth a visit. It has some fascinating exhibits, including an ancient set of dice, clay masks designed to ward off evil spirits and a baby's drinking bottle from 200BC.And while you are in history mode pop into the Bardo Museum, a magnificent villa once home to the country's movers and shakers that now houses one of the world's largest and finest collections of beautifully restored Punic and Roman mosaics. Here you can gawp over scenes of battling sea gods, cavorting nymphs and a Mediterranean Sea full of glistening fish and scary sea monsters. Look out, too, for imposing statues rescued from Carthage and masses of busts of - it has to be said - rather unattractive Roman emperors.

Author: Gilly Pickup

Top family holidays

2010-03-02T00:40:00.000-08:00

The time has come to start planning the annual summer escape, but with kids in tow it's not always easy to keep everyone entertained. Here are some of our top picks for the best breaks for the whole family.

Sail away

Family bonding doesn't get more necessary than when trying to work together. Nonstop Sail offers family breaks, with courses to achieve a Royal Yacht Association Competent Crew qualification by the end or more relaxed jaunts around the West Country coastline. With canoes onboard, families can take a break from skippering and explore the nearby rivers and waterways.

Tree house trip: France

What child hasn't dreamt of spending the night hiding out in a tree house? Well, now they can at one of the six Keycamp sites dotted across France. Accommodation may be nestled in the tree canopy but they are a far cry from the shack-like offerings many might remember from their childhood. Each tree house has four single beds and a double with a large decked terrace and a toilet. There is also a fully equipped tent at the base of the tree hide-out with fridge, freezer and cooking facilities. The sites currently offering the Tarzan retreats are Dol De Bretagne (Brittany), Carnac Grand Métairie (Brittany), Berny Rivière (near Paris), La Forêt (Vendée), Le Château des Marais (Loire) and Le Val de Bonnal (Jura).

Hit the water: Llangollen Canal

Kids and adults will be kept entertained on a narrowboat holiday with Hoseasons. The Llangollan Canal is one of the most picturesque waterways in the UK and also offers plenty of action to keep nippers amused. A highlight of the route is the Chirk Aqueduct which is followed by a long dark tunnel and continues on past the 600-year-old Chirk Castle. However, it only puts you in good stead for the 38m (127ft) Pontcysyllte Aqueduct that soars at dizzying heights above the River Dee valley.

Cool kids city: Berlin

Currently one of the hottest cities for adult escapes and nightlife junkies, Berlin shouldn't be overlooked for its fantastic child-friendly appeal. For a start Kindercity (kindercity.de) has a 6,000 sq metre play and learning centre. Or take them to Legoland Discovery Centre with its miniature Berlin and medieval castles. At the AquaDom & Sea Life little ones can get up close to around 4,000 creatures of the deep and at Magic Mountain they can climb about. There are also adventure playgrounds, skateboard parks, city beaches and puppet and theatre shows if they are still feeling energetic.

Get active: Wales

The Clyne Farm Activity Centre in Wales is the prime place for those with energetic children and a love of the great outdoors. Various outdoor pursuits are on offer, including a guided walking tour of the coastal waterfalls and pools as well as the chance to get down and dirty in the muddiest assault course in the world. There is also horse riding, archery, climbing, canoeing, surfing, quad biking and much more besides. Accommodation comes in the form of old stone cottages, fully equipped as a home from home - an added benefit when holidaying with children.

Beach break: Crete

Thomson's Sensatori Resort in Crete is five-star luxury but at affordable family-friendly prices. The various pools are a star attraction, with a special family zone and children's splash pool, water jets, a tropical treehouse for little monkeys to climb over as well as an adults-only pool with giant outdoor hot tub for parents to relax in. Children can hang at the Play House and Sully Science Lab and for the evening there are movies and sleepovers so adults can enjoy a meal or two alone or head to the luxury spa. Tiny tots will be taken care of by nursing staff with UK-accredited childcare qualifications and can even borrow a mobile phone for complete peace of mind.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Six of the best UK bank holiday breaks

2010-02-26T22:21:00.002-08:00

Make the most of the long bank holiday weekends coming up and explore the best of the UK. From a cultural break discovering local artists in Scotland to a unique Ayurvedic spa break to relax body and mind, we have covered all bases for a long weekend escape.

Best for: culture
Spring Fling, Scotland

The rugged Scottish county of Dumfries and Galloway isn't high on the tourist radar, but the inspiring landscapes have attracted a wealth of artists. For one weekend each year, the 80 or so local artists and craftsmen open up their studios to the public as part of the Spring Fling event held over the May Bank Holiday (23-25 May). The best way to explore the area is on foot or bike, heading down the small lanes to discover private studios harbouring cultural delights. As well as seeing the paintings and sculptures on display, visitors can also take part in workshops and dine on some delicious home-made cakes.

Best for: relaxation
Ayush Wellness Spa, Jersey

Take a break from the rat race and gain a new perspective on life on a relaxing holistic break. At the first ‘destination Ayurveda spa' in the British Isles, Ayush follows 5,000-year-old Sanskrit philosophies to restore health and aid in complete relaxation. Situated in the Hotel de France in St Helier, Jersey, the sprawling rooftop spa has six private treatment suites, relaxation lounge, yoga studios and a library, perfect for pampering both body and mind. Two- and three-day packages are available, such as the Pure Cleanse and Restorative programmes, each designed to detoxify and rejuvenate. Each programme includes massages and an Ayuervedic treatment as well as full use of the spa facilities, which includes a stunning rooftop infinity pool, massage pool, hot and cold plunge pools and sauna. Breaks start at £175 per person.

Best for: city breaks
NewcastleGateshead, UK

Sat on opposite sides of the River Tyne, Newcastle and Gateshead have been transformed into a unique tourist destination known aptly as NewcastleGateshead. Far more than just another northern conurbation, NewcastleGateshead is vibrant and energetic with a rich history that seems to be etched onto every street corner. Whilst the modern day city beats with a young-spirited verve, the region has a rich history stretching back 2,000 years. Art has been a major factor in the area's regeneration and Anthony Gormley's iconic Angel of the North has become part of the area's modern identity. The region reborn, it has regained its confident swagger to become the crowning jewel of the northeast. Boasting excellent galleries, stunning architecture, great nightlife and friendly locals, NewcastleGateshead is establishing itself as one of the UK's must-visit destinations.

Best for: romance
Tor Cottage, Devon

Take the one you love to a rural hideaway for a long weekend. Tor Cottage is set within a sprawling estate near Chillaton, nestled in its own private valley, and is ideally located near Dartmoor for long blustery walks. All rooms come with snug log fires and a complimentary bottle of Cava and Moorish chocolate truffles. Order a ‘picnic platter' or breakfast hamper of brioche, croissants, orange juice, wild salmon, eggs, cheese and cold meats and dine al fresco amid wild flowers and ancient woodlands. Guests can even go for a moonlight swim in the outdoor heated pool. Double rooms cost from £130 with a minimum two-night stay required.

Best for: kids
Feather Down Farms, across the UK

Working farms are a constant source of entertainment for children as well as a chance for them to learn more about nature, animals and the great outdoors. There are more than 20 sites dotted throughout the UK with each farm housing several tents. However, banish any ideas of cramped and damp accommodation. The Feather Down tents are more like a house, with kitchen, master bedroom, bunk room and flushing toilet. Each of the working farms involved are passionate about preserving the countryside. Children will enjoy gathering fresh eggs from the hen house and getting to know the animals in the paddock area. Each site also has bike rental for exploring the surrounding countryside.

Best for: adventure
Nae Limits, Perthshire

For a long weekend of adventure, you can't go wrong with Scotland. The weather may not be very predictable, but rolling mists, pea-soup fogs and torrential rain are an occupational hazard for any country with mountains, lochs, coastline, forests and thousands of acres of open countryside to get mucky in. Anyway, Scotland has its fair share of good weather too - the east coast has more hours of sunshine than southeast England.

Nae Limits, conveniently based in Perthsire, prides itself on having perfected the ‘Art of Adventure' and offers a huge variety of activities, both on land and in water. You can choose from cliff jumping, canyoning, abseiling, quad biking and adventure tubing, to name a few, or do a multi-activity day to get a taste of everything. They can also offer help and advice with accommodation, transport and, if you've got the energy, any further entertainment. Nae Limits still has availability on a number of its Easter activities, including rafting, canyoning and sphereing.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Action at sea: cruising 21st-century style

2010-02-26T22:21:00.001-08:00

Cruises are undergoing something of a renaissance. Growing numbers of younger cruisers means on-board activities and shore excursions are becoming more active, flexible and fun. Jane Archer explores the burgeoning world of the 21st-century cruiser.

Who says cruising is for old people? Big cruise ships these days are packed with activities that are great whether you are five or 55. Children can have hours of fun in the kids' clubs and dipping in and out of the swimming pools, and there are huge and luxurious spas and solariums where adults can relax and be pampered.

But there is so much more for the 21st-century cruiser: rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks and water parks, celebrity-run speciality restaurants in which you can dine like the stars and adrenaline-packed shore excursions for fun days in port.

On-board activities

Not so long ago, napkin-folding classes were considered the perfect way to keep passengers occupied when they had had enough of looking out to sea. There are still sessions on how to be the perfect hostess, and many ships have cookery demonstrations and wine-tasting sessions, but such gentile occupations are fast giving way to much more active ways to pass the days at sea.

Royal Caribbean International's Voyager-class ships (for instance - Voyager of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas) have rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks, but also a FlowRider, a powerful wave you can surf on, and water parks with fountains, jets and even a lazy river.

It's all terrific fun, but things get even better at the end of 2009, when Royal Caribbean launches Oasis of the Seas. This is a huge ship, holding 5,400 passengers. As well as all the features above (and actually there are two walls and two FlowRiders), there is a zip wire - get harnessed up and slide on a wire across the top of the ship - and the first carousel at sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line has 10-pin bowling alleys and Wii Sports games on its newest ships - Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade. Its next new ship, Norwegian Epic, launching in July 2010, will have the first ice bar at sea. Passengers will be kitted out in fur coats, gloves and hats, and be able to drink ice-cold vodkas in freezing temperatures.

Water slides are a favourite with Carnival Cruise Lines and Italian line Costa Cruises. On new ship Carnival Dream, launching in September 2009, there will be a four-deck-high water slide and a two-lane racing slide.

Ocean Village has juggling and trapeze workshops to keep kids of all ages entertained on days at sea; P&O Cruises has bungee trampolines on deck 19 of Ventura, offering the ultimate view across the sea if you dare look up; guests on Cunard's Queen Victoria can learn sword fighting.

If all that sounds too energetic, Princess Cruises has the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour on Ruby Princess, letting guests visit the engine control room, laundry, food stores, bridge and theatre, and even climb into the funnel. On sea days, Holland America Line holds galley tours lasting about 30 minutes: passengers can pass through the kitchens, watching the chefs in action and tasting on the way.

A taste of celebrity

Traditionally, evening dining on a cruise ship meant eating at the same time every night, sharing with other passengers on a pre-allocated table. Passengers can still do that, but cruise lines these days are increasingly flexible, offering alternative ‘eat-when-you-like' options in the main restaurant.

More than that, most cruise lines have speciality restaurants that cost extra - the food served in the dining room is included in the cruise price. Princess Cruises has the Crown Grill, serving steaks and other cuts of meat, and also Sabatini's, where guests munch their way through 12 or so courses, with antipasti, pizzas, pastas, salads and soups all on the menu. Norwegian Cruise Line ships have up to 10 restaurants, with French bistros, Mexican diners and sushi bars included in the mix.

Recently several cruise lines have gone another step further and signed up celebrity chefs to run their speciality restaurants.

Gary Rhodes has restaurants on P&O Cruises' Arcadia (Arcadian Rhodes) and Oriana (Oriana Rhodes), serving up food best described as "Brit with a twist", while Marco Pierre White ("contemporary with an Italian essence") has designed the menus served in the White Room on P&O's newest ship, Ventura.

Ocean Village has The Bistro, on the ships Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two, serving menus designed by James Martin (expect "British with a hint of the Med"). Martin was voted the favourite celebrity chef at sea in a Cruise Critic poll in March 2009.

Sushi king Nobuyuki ‘Nobu' Matsuhisa (serving "Japanese with a European twist) has a restaurant and sushi bar on Crystal Cruises' two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

Aldo Zilli ("classic Italian") has teamed up with Thomson Cruises and has a speciality Italian restaurant on Thomson Celebration.

Several cruise lines have celebrity cruises, when top-name chefs come on board to host cookery demonstrations and cook up sumptuous meals.

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, Martin Burge, head chef at Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds, and Colin Bussey, former executive head chef at Gleneagles Hotel, have cruised with Silversea Cruises; in October 2009 Anton Mosimann will be on board Silversea's Silver Wind. Jacques Pépin, chef to three French presidents and executive chef with Oceania Cruises, often cruises with Oceania. His next cruise is in August.

Active shore excursions

Cruise lines still sell sedate coach excursions, allowing older passengers to see the sights without too much effort, but as cruisers get younger, so the ships' tours are a lot more exciting.

Ocean Village has some of the best days out - canyoning in the South of France (this involves donning a wetsuit and clambering over boulders as you make your way down a fast-flowing river), and swinging, sliding and zipwiring between trees in Corsica. Ocean Village ships also carry a fleet of bikes and there are city tours by pedal power for anyone feeling fit.

Zip-wiring through trees in a harness has become a hugely popular excursion. Princess Cruises offers it in Alaska and Jamaica, where it is combined with a thrilling bobsled ride. Princess also has river-tubing in Grenada.

Carnival Cruise Lines has a survival adventure in Belize. Passengers will learn to make fire without matches and cook jungle-style. Celebrity Cruises has helicopter flightseeing trips over Hawaii, with the chance to see an active volcano.

Passengers with a few thousand pounds to spare visiting Livorno on a P&O Cruises' ship can hire a Ferrari F430 for a day; a cheaper option is a bike ride in Alicante. It's mostly downhill, great fun and there's a slap-up local lunch after to celebrate.

Windstar Cruises has a new selection of tours in Europe, including helicopter rides over Monte Carlo and Mount Etna, speedboat rides in Croatia and Portofino and underground cave trekking in Koper, Slovenia.

You can take thrilling speedboat rides around the Stockholm and Helsinki archipelagos; go into the network of tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City where the Viet Cong lived during the Vietnam war; even pilot a Russian MiG fighter over the skies above Moscow. All these are offered by Crystal Cruises, to those who want the ultimate thrill.

Author: Jane Archer

Top five red-light districts

2010-02-26T22:18:00.000-08:00

Many guides gloss over red-light districts - a huge shame in our opinion as they can provide unique and titillating insights into a city's character. Here, we examine the colourful underbellies of five very different cities.

The Reeperbahn, Hamburg

One of Hamburg's most popular attractions, the Reeperbahn is popular with both tourists and locals. It's the epicentre of Hamburg's nightlife and buzzes with theatres, cabarets, sex shops, prostitutes, strip clubs, bars and nightclubs. It's also home to Germany's only live sex act, which takes place in cabaret venue Safari.

The Reeperbahn is almost equally famous for its influence on the Beatles who played here frequently in the 1960s. John Lennon once said: "I might have been born in Liverpool - but I grew up in Hamburg." The Beatles Platz, opened in September 2008, pays tribute to the Fab Four.

Grosse Freiheit (Great Freedom), was once the only street where Catholics could practise their religion in an otherwise Protestant Hamburg. The Catholic Saint Joseph Kirche, dating from the early 18th century, now sits side by side with the clubs and prostitutes. A large police station is located on Davidstrasse (where prostitution is legal at certain times of day), meaning there's a high police presence although you should be wary of pickpockets. The hardcore red-light activity takes place on the gated Herbertstrasse, where prostitutes sit behind windows. Women are discouraged from entering the street as, unsurprisingly, the prostitutes dislike being gawped at.

Did you know? In German the Reeperbahn is also called die sündige Meile (‘the sinful mile').

Orientation The Reeperbahn is in Hamburg's St Pauli district. Take the S-Bahn to Reeperbahn.

Pigalle, Paris

Paris, the city of love, romance, sex and intrigue, wouldn't be complete without its own red-light district. Pigalle is the purveyor of Parisian sex and erotica. Unlike its European cousin in Amsterdam, there are no window brothels. You're advised to avoid the strip clubs, where many a tourist has been ripped off, and stick to the more established venues such as the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret venue and the clubbing and concert spot Divan du Monde, the former haunt of poet Baudelaire.

Despite the seedy way of life that thrives in Pigalle today, the area has a surprisingly cultured history. Artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Maurice Neumont all lived here and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec had his studio here. The nearby Espace Dalí displays the works of Salvador Dalí. But most people don't come to Pigalle for art -that's what the rest of Paris is for. Instead head to the Musée de l'érotisme (Museum of Eroticism), near the Moulin Rouge. It takes the subject of sex seriously, tracing the history of erotica across the world. It's open until 2am.

Did you know? Named after artist Jean-Bapiste Pigalle, Paris' red-light district was nicknamed ‘Pig Alley' by Allied soldiers who came here for some risqué entertainment during WWII.

Orientation The district is centred on Place Pigalle, between ninth and 18th arrondissements, adjacent to Montmartre neighbourhood. Take the Metro to Pigalle and you'll find yourself in the thick of it.

Kings Cross, Sydney

Slowly shrugging off its dangerously sleazy reputation, Kings Cross is undergoing a process of gentrification, which in this case is no bad thing. It's a 24-hour attraction, popular as a base for backpackers, where adult bookshops, strip clubs, topless waitresses, nightclubs and prostitutes exist alongside trendy cafes, excellent restaurants, cabaret, jazz bars and quirky fashion outlets. Bright and brash, ‘The Strip' is the most infamous area but don't miss out on seeing the El Alamein Fountain and the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Traditionally Kings Cross was home to Sydney's artists, deviants, criminals and bohemians, meaning there's a fascinating wealth of history to be explored. Much of it revolves around the very colourful characters who have inhabited the area, including Abe Saffron (also known as ‘Mr Sin' and ‘Boss of the Cross'), who dominated the area's organised crime scene in the boom years of the late 1960s, and Rev Ted Noffs, who provided a positive counter culture through The Wayside Chapel. People from all walks of life can be seen here, but try not to stare at the bizarre characters you're likely to encounter as it can cause offence.

Did you know? Kings Cross was originally called Queens Cross and is the most densely populated area in Australia. It contains Sydney's oldest area, Woolloomooloo.

Orientation Located 2km (1.2 miles) east of the Central Business District, Kings Cross is made up of several distinct precincts and is easily accessible by bus and train.

Kabukichō, Tokyo

Tokyo's authorities are keen to turn Kabukichō into a family-friendly area, free of sleaze and crime, to aid the city's bid for the 2016 Olympics. A midnight curfew has already been imposed so go before the character is entirely eroded. Locals are fiercely opposed to the sanctioned blandification, cherishing the district's ramshackle architecture and all who inhabit it, and are understandably unwilling to give it up for the sake of yet more prime real estate.

Kabukichō provides some welcome light-hearted relief to Tokyo's business-oriented front. The atmosphere is fun and surprisingly diverse. Kabukichō is somehow slightly more genteel than most other red-light districts: instead of sex clubs, brothels and go-go girls, you'll find host and hostess bars, spas and love hotels. But this is still a red-light district, and it would be naive not to expect gangs, drugs and prostitution. Go after 6pm, when the area comes to life.

Did you know? Kabukichō is named after a kabuki theatre which was planned for the site but never built.
Orientation Kabukichō, an area of just 600 sq m (6,460 sq ft), is located northeast of Shinjuku station.

Patpong, Bangkok

Lurid, gaudy and shocking, Patpong is Asia's most notorious red-light district. There are go-go girls, ladyboy cabarets, explicit sex shows, including the infamous ping pong displays, and hundreds of touts waving ‘menus' in numerous languages at both innocent and not-so-innocent passers-by. The area is renowned for tourist traps and scams so be aware of how much you're paying for drinks and never keep a tab behind a bar.

The place fizzes with energy and there's no need to go into a sex club to feel the buzz. The atmosphere spills out on to the streets, and everyone is treated alike, straight or gay, male, female or somewhere in between. In addition to sex, Patpong thrives on shopping, excellent restaurants, nightclubs and boxing bars. The hugely popular night market sells surprisingly sophisticated imitation goods, Thai products, arts and crafts and dodgy CDs and DVDs. Go prepared to haggle.

Did you know? Patpong has been owned by a Chinese-Thai family, called Patpong, since the 1940s. It was originally a banana plantation but evolved into brothels and sex bars with the arrival of US servicemen during the Vietnam War.
Orientation Patpong 1 and Patpong 2, which run between Silom and Sarawongse roads, are the district's epicentre. The nearest BTS Station is Saladaeng; the nearest MRT station is Silom.

Author: Emma Field

Pilgrimages and religious destinations

2010-02-21T01:12:00.003-08:00

WTG has compiled a selection of pilgrimages and religious destinations for those who want escape the modern materialism of Easter and learn more about the world's religious traditions, customs and practices.

Jerusalem, Israel

Considered one of the world's holiest cities, Jerusalem is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For Jews the city is Ir Hakodesh, the site of Solomon's Temple and Israel's self-declared eternal capital. Christians come to Jerusalem to, quite literally, follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ as he went to his crucifixion. Jerusalem (Al-Quds in Arabic) is also where Muslims believe the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven in the early days of the new faith of Islam, and it is revered as the third most holy site in Islam.

Upon entering the old, walled city, the sense of history becomes palpable. Small alleyways and bazaars full of traders jostling for your attention surround the three holy sites, which are all within a few hundred metres of each other: the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jerusalem is a must-see destination whatever your beliefs and visitors are inevitably awestruck by the city's historic and religious significance.

Best time to visit Jerusalem has hot summers and nippy winters so the best time to travel is from March to September - particularly during Easter when Christian pilgrims throng the alleyways of the old city.

Things to know Travellers should check government advice before going and be prepared for delays at checkpoints dotted around Arab East Jerusalem. Visitors should also be aware that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the religious Al-Haram compound where the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque are situated.

Kumbh Mela, India

Relatively unknown to people outside the Hindu faith, the Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which takes places four times in every twelve-year cycle in different locations in India. According to Hindu belief, the festival can wash away the sins of devotees and free him or her from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

The event involves colourful scenes of bathing in the sacred Ganges river, and participating in religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and debating doctrines in religious assemblies.

The next Kumbh Mela takes place in March and April 2010, in Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Along with the pilgrimage itself, travellers should check out Haridwar's other attractions: the Chandi Devi Temple, the Har Ki Pairi Ghat, the colonial-era Masoori hill station and a number of trekking trails.

Best time to visit India experiences a vast array of climates. See our guide to India's climate for more information.

Things to know In January 2007, the Kumbh Mela lasted around six weeks and reportedly attracted more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims to Allahabad, northern India.

Lumbini, Nepal

Situated in the Himalayan foothills, Lumbini is revered as the birthplace of Buddha. The Buddhist faith calls on devotees to visit this small, sleepy town in the southwestern Terai plains of Nepal when possible.

Lumbini has several historic temples, the most important being Maya Devi, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace, and the Puskarini, or holy pond, where Buddha's mother is said to have taken the ritual dip prior to his birth and where Buddha had his own first bath.

Tourists are able to visit numerous gardens, both old and new, featuring remnants of many of the ancient monasteries. The focal point is a sanctum featuring a stone slab marking the spot locals believe to be the exact birthplace of Buddha. Highly recommended is the weekly communal bazaar, where villagers converge to buy grains, spices, pottery, jewellery, saris and various other items.

Best time to visit Lumbini is visited year-round by pilgrims, but spring and autumn get the best weather.

Things to know Travellers should be prepared for a scenic but exhausting 300km (186 miles) road trip from Kathmandu to Lumbini. You are advised to take precautions against travel and altitude sickness.

Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Christians have been walking along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela - translated as ‘The Way of St James' - for over a thousand years. The ancient route leads from St Jean Pied de Port in southern France to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. The route has long been revered as one of the most important Christian pilgrimages.

Pilgrims traditionally travel alone and on foot, carrying only the bare necessities. Pilgrims and tourists can join the route at various points, but don't miss the highlight, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where Christian pilgrims believe the relics of Jesus' apostle, Saint James the Elder, lie.

Best time to visit While pilgrims follow the route all year round, the best times to visit are spring and summer.

Things to know The main route, commonly known as the Camino Frances, traditionally starts in St Jean Pied de Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees in southern France, and snakes through landscapes for 800km (500 miles).

Aboriginal Blue Mountains walkabout, Australia

Aside from Uluru, widely known as Ayers Rock, little is known about Aboriginal culture and traditions outside of Australia. There are hundreds of aboriginal sites open to tourists across the country, including one surprisingly close to Sydney. Only a couple of hours' drive from the capital of New South Wales is Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Here you can trek through stunning landscapes, crawl through lost caves and learn about traditional Aboriginal life. Visitors will see ancient art and ceremonial sites and hear the Dreamtime stories of the local Darug nation. Travellers also have the chance to paint their bodies with traditional ochre, taste bush tucker, see native animals, visit sandstone caves, and bathe in a crystal-clear billabong beneath a waterfall.

Best time to visit Australia's summer is from November through to March, but visitors should be aware there are rainy spells through this period.

Things to know When in Sydney you can take an Aboriginal cultural cruise. The Aboriginal-owned-and-operated ‘Deerubin' boat offers tours with a guide outlining the history of the area, recounting stories and Aboriginal place names, and pointing out rock carvings and old Aboriginal settlements.

Author: Waqas Qureshi

Luxury camping mini breaks in the UK

2010-02-21T01:12:00.001-08:00

Camping in Britain these days doesn't have to involve the hassle of setting up camp and making do. When time is short, luxury campsites mean you can simply spend a night under canvas with all the hard work done for you. WTG introduces the ‘nano glamp'.

Have you noticed the number of travel industry buzzwords being thrown about at the moment? Flashpacking (backpacking with laptops, mobile phones and luxury hotels), staycations (holidaying at home), set jetting (travelling to destinations made famous by films - Mumbai's slums are the most recent beneficiaries, thanks to Slumdog Millionaire), voluntourism (holidays spent helping others), glamping (glamorous camping), me-estas (extended ‘me time'), nano breaks (one-night only holidays), mancations (man-only getaways, as coined by Vince Vaughan in The Breakup), and babymoons (post-honeymoon, pre-firstborn holidays for newlyweds) are just a few.

We thought it's about time WTG stepped into the fray and started bandying around its own travel term, so let us introduce the ‘nano glamp'. The term is a heady combination of glamping, staycations, and nano breaks. Plus, you need to stay close to home to make the most of your precious time, so let's throw in eco-tourism too. It's going to be huge...

The nano glamp is a mini camping holiday with all the thrills of sleeping under canvas and none of the fuss. It gives you a booster injection of fresh air and a break from routine in a two-day, one-night holiday at any time of the year. And, in these Credit-Crunch times, it's easy on your pocket too.

Picture the scene of your average camping holiday. You arrive on site and unpack. It starts to rain so everything gets wet as you attempt to pitch the tent and get tangled in the guy ropes. You've forgotten your tent poles. You exhaust yourself pumping up air mattresses. You've arrived late and the local shop selling charcoal and disposable BBQs is closed. Everyone's hungry and grumpy. The kids start to cry. You start to cry. In short, it's miserable.

Not so with the nano glamp. You arrive and are shown to your pre-erected tent, tipi, yurt, etc. You simply move in, like you would with a hotel, but without the room key to lose. It's healthy fast food; it's instant, comfortable camping.

We tested out the theory at Norfolk's award-winning, eco-friendly Deepdale Tipis, home to a number of tipis as well as a hostel, campsite and a working farm. Each tipi comfortably sleeps six people and on-site facilities include showers, toilets, washing-up area, cafe, shop and tourist information. Faux-fur mattresses, a wood-burning stove, logs, indoor and outdoor seating and a BBQ are all provided so once the car is unloaded all that's left to do is enjoy yourself.

The Deepdale site is located on the outskirts of Burnham Deepdale on the north Norfolk coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty only two-and-a-half-hours' drive from London. (Note: Close proximity to home is essential for a successful nano glamp.) It's a popular tourism spot so there's plenty to do.

Head to nearby Holkham Beach, which featured in the final scenes of Shakespeare in Love, for a long walk. The vast expanse of sand and sky will knock the city pollution from your lungs and the dunes provide ample shelter for a picnic lunch. Once you've got yourself fully in holiday mode (note: this doesn't take long when you know you've only got a couple of days for your nano glamp), choose between hiring a bike for a half day (Deepdale Farm plans to introduce bike hire early this year), checking out one of Norfolk's ubiquitous windmills (Bircham Windmill is the closest; it also does bike hire), or, a little further away, the Queen's Norfolk home, Sandringham, which dates from 1870. (Note: Try to fit in at least three different activities over the two days to make sure you feel you're really making the most of your nano glamp.)

In the evening, depending on the weather and how organised you are, head back to Deepdale and either cook your own meal around the tipi or eat in one of Burnham Deepdale's pubs: The Jolly Sailors and The White Horse. The White Horse has the better location but we opted for The Jolly Sailors because Deepdale visitors receive a 10%-off-meals voucher when they check in. It's a pleasant, short walk along the coast to get there, taking in marshland, small harbours and piles of lobster pots. Remember your torch for the return journey along the road though, as there are few street lamps.

(Note: On a nano glamp you have to make time for relaxing too; a holiday's not a holiday unless you get time to simply hang out.) Make the most of the time you get in the tipi by having a leisurely breakfast and stroll around camp. It won't take long to pack up and head off for your last activity before going home.

We walked to Blakeney Point to see the seals. It was a long walk along a shingle beach and, devastatingly, there were no seals to be seen but we comforted ourselves with a restorative cream tea in Wells-next-the-Sea. To guarantee a seal encounter go to Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary which cares for sick, injured and distressed marine animals. There's a seal hospital, otters and penguins.

Deepdale's tipis cost £72 to £114 per night, depending on the time of year and week, and sleep up to six people comfortably.

Try Go Glamping to find a luxury campsite near you. Not all campsites allow visitors to stay for only one night, so check before you book. Deepdale allowed us to stay for one night as we visited during their off-peak season in February (two nights is their usual minimum stay), so it's always worth asking.

Author: Emma Field

Top five natural phenomena

2010-02-21T01:11:00.001-08:00

Follow us on a tour of the world's most exciting, spectacular and unmissable natural events. From surfing on the Severn to battling bats in Zambia, Mother Nature lays on some impressive displays. Here are some of the best.

Japanese Cherry Blossoms

The arrival of cherry blossoms, known as sakura, marks the start of the hanami (flower watching) festival, which represents a new beginning for many Japanese people. Outdoor parties and picnics, with sake and karaoke, take place all over the country. The flowers epitomise a Japanese aesthetic of delicate beauty and are a must on any spring trip to Japan.

Where?
Ueno Park, Tokyo and Maruyama Park, Kyoto are popular viewing spots.

When?
The blossoms open throughout the country in March and April but times vary according to the weather.

How?
For a detailed guide to the festival and timings of the blossom, plus more good spots to see the show, check http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng.

Northern Lights

Aurora Borealis, the shimmering coloured patterns in the night sky caused by electrically charged particles, are one of the most bewitching spectacles you can witness. Notoriously shy, you need to be prepared for disappointment. Follow our guide to spotting them, though, and there's a good chance you could see what the Algonquin Indians believed to be their ancestors dancing around ceremonial fires.

Where?
Norway, Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Lapland. In short, the further north the better, though they have been seen as far south as Scotland.

When?
Between November and February, although they can be seen as early as late August and as late as mid April.

How?
Get away from areas with light pollution - the more rural the better.

Stay for a while; your chances of seeing them will increase and once the aurora appears it tends to stay for more than one day.

Contact your destination beforehand to check for the darkest nights and likelihood of the lights appearing.

Try to combine the lights with another activity. That way, if they don't appear, you won't be too disappointed.

Northern Lights Holidays offers tailored cruises in the Norwegian fjords to see the aurora, as does Voyages Jules Verne.

Zambia bat migration

Each October, 8 million furry fruit bats congregate to feed in clumps of trees. The clouds of straw-coloured bats thronging the glowing skies at dawn and dusk are an astonishing sight.

Where?
Kasanka National Park, Zambia.

When?
The bats move in at the end of October and hang around for about six weeks.

How?
Tribes Travel includes the mammal migration on its Zambia Safaris, as does Wildlife Worldwide.

Severn Bore

Britain's longest river is subject to a curious phenomenon known as the tidal bore. During the highest tides, rising water is funnelled up the estuary into a wave which travels upstream against the river's normal flow. The wave can reach up to 2m (6ft) and provides one of the world's best inland surfing experiences (though this is officially discouraged). The rapid increase in the volume of water and the power of the swell can tear boats from their moorings.

Where?
Most people spectate from the banks between the limits of Overton near Fretherne and Maisemore near Gloucester. It is generally at its best between Minsterworth and Lower Parting, Gloucester.

When?
The Bore happens several times each month, but is at its largest around the equinoxes. For a detailed timetable check www.severn-bore.co.uk.

How?
Numerous factors alter the size, speed and timing of the Bore. Turn up to your viewing spot well in advance of the wave's expected arrival.

Old Faithful

This spectacular geyser in Yellowstone National Park, which can shoot out 32 litres of boiling water up to 100-180m (328-590ft), is a primeval display of the earth's inner workings. America's first National Park is also home to bears, wolves, elk and buffalo.

Where?
Yellowstone is in Wyoming, northwest USA.

When?
Old Faithful erupts every 45 to 110 minutes for 1.5 to 5 minutes.

How?
Entry to the park costs US$25 for a private, non-commercial vehicle. For more information check http://www.nps.gov/yell/.

13 March 2009

Top South American hikes

2010-02-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

With the Andes stretching almost the entire length of the continent, South America is home to some incredible hiking. Throw in waterfalls and rocky islands, and you have a hiker's paradise.

Inca trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

The famous lost city is one of the continent's biggest draws, attracting more hikers than anywhere else. Crowds got so big a few years ago that the authorities imposed restrictions of 500 hikers per day.

Setting off from Km82, El Camino Inca is a 26m (45km) route through the majestic remains of the Inca civilisation, the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. Its final point is Machu Picchu - a city covered in jungle until it was discovered in 1911.

The hike through cloud forest takes in other Inca ruins along the way - including Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca - offering fans of carved granite plenty to see.

Altitude: 2,430m (7,970ft).
Best time to go: May to September.
Average price: US$250.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Climbing Cotopaxi, a volcano standing at 5,890m (19,324ft), is one of Ecuador's biggest challenges. The snow-capped peak is reached after an arduous climb involving crampons and ice picks. Famed for its perfectly formed cone shape, Cotopaxi is one of the Andes' most attractive peaks.

The high-altitude climb means that some time will be required to acclimatise beforehand - hikers should spend a few days in Quito or somewhere of equal elevation.

Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador's most visited mainland park, attracting people in search of pumas, condors and Andean seagulls. The park's grass-covered paramo plateaus are surrounded by more volcanoes.

Climbers are recommended to set out on the 6-8 hour hike as early as 1- 2am.

Altitude: 5,890m (19,324ft).
Best time to go: December to April.
Average price: US$150.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

The world's highest waterfall drops from 979m (3,212ft) in Venezuela. Located within the Canaima National Park, Angel Falls is surrounded by grassland, jungles and hidden canyons.

The trek to this natural wonder crosses grassy plains and rainforests where exotic wildlife thrives within - look out for macaws, toucans, jaguars, sloths and anteaters.

The hike crosses vertical rock formations - tepuis - that are several million years old. Their flat, sloping tops are the site of unique plant life. The route begins under canopied rainforest and ends in one of the natural pools at the bottom of the kilometre-high falls.

Altitude: 979m (3,212ft).
Best time to go: Year-round.
Average price: US$1,499 (for one week, including food and lodging) with Angel Ecotours.

Lost City, Colombia

Thought as impressive as Machu Picchu by many, Colombia's Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) is hidden away in dense jungle, and can be reached only by at least six days of hiking or an expensive helicopter ride.

The abandoned former home of the Tayronas, built in around 500BC, is carved from mountainous jungle on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

The trek to reach it involves a series of muddy trails up and down valleys in sticky, humid heat. At night, hikers rest in hammocks strung up in the dark jungle.

The Lost City is looked after by the indigenous Indians that still live in the area - the only companies they permit to bring tourists are Turcol and Sierratours.

Altitude: 1,200m (3,937ft).
Best time to go: December - early March.
Average price: £90.

Isla del Sol, Bolivia

Often likened to hiking in the Greek Islands, Lake Titicaca has an almost Mediterranean feel. The dry air and land are scorched by bright sun all year and skies are almost always blue.

If fully acclimatised to the altitude, this route along the island's ridgelines can be very relaxing - and there are views across the lake on either side. The Chincana ruins are also nearby.

The trip to Isla del Sol starts from the Bolivian town of Copacabana and traverses the island from north to south.

Altitude: 4,000m (13,123ft).
Best time to go: May to September.
Average price: Free (can be hiked independently).

Fitz Roy (Los Glaciares), Argentina

Located close to Chile's surreal Torres del Paine landscape, Fitz Roy in Argentina is arguably even more spectacular. At the tip of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, it is one of the most difficult mountaineering destinations in the world.

The jumping off point is El Calafate, a small village close to the Perito Moreno Glacier - one of the only glaciers in the world that is continually advancing and growing.

This hike is known for its bad weather - expect rain, sleet, hail, snow and, most of all, wind. During the Patagonian summer (December to March), evenings are light until at least 10pm.

Altitude: 3,405m (11,171ft).
Best time to go: November to April.
Average price: US$1,000 with Southern Explorations.

Author: Caroline Lewis

Holidays for under £100

2010-02-01T22:58:00.001-08:00

Economic meltdown needn't mean missing out on taking a holiday this year. Think outside the box with our great budget-busting holidays for city breaks, families, spas, winter-sun and beyond.

City break: Amsterdam

With the flight time a mere 50 minutes from London to Schiphol International Airport, Amsterdam is the perfect city break for those looking to make the most of a short stay. Return flights can be booked for around £58 per person with easyJet. A great budget accommodation choice is the City Garden Hotel, which has double rooms for £45 (breakfast included) when booked through hotels.nl. The hotel is in a central location near to Leidseplein, Vondelpark and the Museumplein. Rooms are equipped with a shower, television and tea- and coffee-making facilities with views of either the park or the bustling shopping street of PC Hooftstraat. Save even more money with the I Amsterdam Card. For €38 (£34) it gives visitors free public transport around the city, a free canal cruise and free entrance to 27 museums, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum.

Spa break: Donnington Valley, Berkshire

Lastminute.com is currently offering a one-night spa break at Donnington Valley, Berkshire for £69.50 per person when two people book for stays between 1 March and 26 April. The break includes one night's accommodation, breakfast and a 30-minute treatment, plus full use of the spa facilities, including steam room, sauna, aromatherapy room, monsoon shower and pool. The private retreat is just an hour from London and an off-peak return train ticket is £28.50 from London Paddington to Newbury station, bringing the whole trip just under budget.

Family holiday: Lifestyle Holiday Park, Brittany

Lifestyle holidays are offering fantastic money-saving family breaks to two of France's most popular holiday parks from £56 per family per night, including ferry transfers from Portsmouth to Caen. The holidays must be booked before 15 March and are valid for travel between May and October, making it a great summer holiday option. Accommodation is in a two- or three-bedroom holiday lodge on a self-catering basis at either the resort of Château Des Ormes or Port du Plaisance in Brittany, France. Both parks have plenty to keep adults and children entertained, including water parks, adventure courses, paintball and mountain biking.

Last-minute skiing: Interhome

For those still hoping to catch some last minute powder but don't want to spend a fortune, check out Interhome for last-minute availability on ski chalets and apartments in some of Europe's top skiing destinations. The vast majority of accommodation is fairly basic, but for as little as £9 per person per night, it offers bargain-priced access to the slopes and some fantastic end-of-season skiing.

Last-minute winter sun: Faro, Portugal

Push the budget a tiny bit and £105 per person will get you a seven-night break in the self-catering Pedras D'el Rei Apartments in Portugal's Algarve region, including flights and transfers (based on two sharing). The low rise white-washed buildings sit in the heart of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and close to the traditional fishing village of St Lucia - perfect for those wanting to get away from the more commercial resorts of the Algarve. With an on-site swimming pool and golf courses nearby, the apartments are ideal for relaxing in some last-minute winter sun.

Stay for free: home swaps

If you are ready to think outside the normal holiday-booking box, the latest fad for home swapping is a great money-saving scheme. The premise is simple: sign on with an agency and browse through thousands of homes around the world. Once you find one you like you contact the owners directly and try to arrange a direct swap with your own home. The best companies to try are Intervac, HomeLink and Home Base Holidays. Other than the joining fee of £29 for one year, the accommodation won't set you back a penny.

UK break: Cornwall

Travelsmith Holidays are currently offering a three-night break in a luxury villa or apartment in the north Cornish coastal town of Porth. The four-star luxury accommodation is just £99 per person (based on four sharing) for stays up until 6 April and includes lunch at the Jamie Oliver-inspired restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall, plus admission to the Eden Project. The accommodation is set in the grounds of the Porth Veor Manor Hotel, overlooking Porth Beach.

Camping: Baia Domizia, Italy

For those planning on spending the night under canvas and wanting guaranteed dry weather and balmy evenings we suggest you head slightly further afield to sunnier climes. Eurocamp currently offering excellent deals on many of their luxury tents throughout Italy and Spain. One of our personal favourites is the Baia Domizia in Tuscany, which is offering seven-night stays in a six-man tent for £435 in Jul. which divided between six works out as just £72.50 each. Nestled in a pine forest just to the north of the Bay of Naples, the site offers direct access to a beach and four swimming pools as well as close proximity to most of the region's famous sights, including the town of Pisa.

Train trip: London to Lille

Ok, so it might technically be more of a day trip than a holiday, but in just over an hour on the Eurostar you could be soaking up some Flemish ambience for a mere £59 return ticket. Lille has some excellent museums, great food and beer, and, of course, the world-renowned Grande Braderie (Europe's biggest flea market).

Beach break: Ibiza

With a mixture of high-energy nightlife and scenic sandy coves, Ibiza remains one of the most visited islands in the Mediterranean. Although popular with the rich and famous, Ibiza can still be enjoyed by those on a budget as Teletext Holiday is offering a selection of wallet-friendly beach breaks. One of our top picks has to be the seven-night package break to the Poniente Apartments in popular San Antonio, which has some of the best nightlife on the island. Although slightly over budget at £110 per person for holidays between May and October, the price does include return flights from Stansted and transfers to the accommodation.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Portugal's Centro region

2010-02-01T22:57:00.001-08:00

Portugal often gets overshadowed by its larger neighbour, Spain, but its Centro region, in between Porto and Lisbon, reveals a land of history, beauty and (sunny) charm.

An area with strong links to the Duke of Wellington and the Peninsular War, there are sites of great historical importance - from the Bussaco forest to Wellington's winter headquarters at Freineda.

For the most authentic experience, stay in one of the country's pousadas - a network of atmospheric inns housed in historic buildings such as 13th-century monasteries, castles, palaces and convents.

Almeida

One of the most fascinating towns in the region, Almeida is a star-shaped fortress, close to the Vilar Formoso border. This walled city is a medieval town with a population of just 1,500. Interesting sites include the castle ruins (originally built in the Middle Ages), the town hall and the 17th-century fortress. Almeida was designed to defend the nation and is an example of military architecture. There is a pousada (Senhora das Neves) located on the site of a former prison within the old walls of the village.

Belmonte

Belmonte is most famous for its 13th-century castle and Jewish quarter - it's home to the largest Jewish community in Portugal. There is a modern synagogue and a Jewish Museum. The castle was converted into a manor house in the 15th century by Pedro Alvares Cabral, the founder of Brazil.

The Pousada do Convento de Belmonte is an ancient monastery on the Esperança Mountain with views over the Cova da Beira region. Fans of mushrooms should head to the pousada's restaurant - during the Mushroom Festival (October-December), the head chef puts on a seven-course banquet with courses including a mushroom cappuccino with herbs and mushroom ice cream. The chapel and sacristy have been converted into a lounge and bar area, with the original granite preserved.

Close by is Estrela's Mountain, one of Europe's most important nature reserves and the highest mountain in Portugal.

Coimbra

Home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, Coimbra remains a lively student town where cobbled old streets rise upwards from along the river banks. The town has a Jewish, Arab and Christian heritage. It is one of Portugal's oldest cities and was the capital from 1139 to 1256.

The university itself is the city's biggest attraction - perched high above the town and lit up at night, it remains one of the world's greatest learning centres.

The commercial centre of the city - Baixa (downtown) - is full of cafes, shops, restaurants and boutiques. Nearby, in Comercio Square, is the Church of São Tiago. Don't be misled by its plain 12th-century façade - inside is a rococo altarpiece in gilded wood. The Baroque Library, built in 1717, is comprised of books that all date from before 1800.

The Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas is an 18th-century mansion whose previous guests include Centro's favourite British hero, the Duke of Wellington.

Curia

Not far from Coimbra is Curia - a small town that is home to the Palace Hotel, a grand art nouveau building dating from the 1920s, and the Quinta do Encontro, one of the most prominent wine-making estates in Portugal's Bairrada region.

Bussaco Forest

A forest dense with around 700 varieties of trees, many of which were brought to Europe by Portuguese explorers from Africa and America, Bussaco was the scene of one of the major battles of the Peninsular War in 1810 - when the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon's troops.

In the midst of the forest, amongst waterfalls, fountains and tiny hermitages, is the Military Museum of Bussaco. Even better is the Bussaco Palace Hotel - a five-star former holiday residence of Portuguese royalty and one of the most unique hotels in the world.

Viseu

Viseu is known for its art - it was home to an important school of painting in the 16th century and now hosts the museum that exhibits the works of Grão Vasco, one of Portugal's finest painters.

The centre of Viseu has hardly changed since medieval times. Rua Direita is a vibrant street full of shops, cafes and old townhouses.

Author: Caroline Lewis

New for 2009

2010-02-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Discover what's new for 2009, from designer hotels and celebrity endorsed golf courses to modern museums and record-breaking snow domes.

Museums

Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing, Chicago, May 2009

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the Modern Wing will provide a new home for the museum's collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. Nearly a decade in the making, the new wing will increase the size of the Art Institute by a third, making it the second largest art museum in the United States. The building will house the museum's world-renowned collections of modern European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, architecture and design, and photography.

Magritte Museum, Brussels, June 2009

Dedicated to the life work of surrealist painter Rene Magritte, the new Magritte Museum opens on 2 June and is located on the Place Royale. The museum will hold 200 works, the largest collection of Magritte paintings in the world, plus photographs and drawings by the artist.

Attractions

SeaWorld Manta, Florida, USA,
summer 2009

The Manta Ray ride is a face-down coaster, the first to be built in Florida and will give the riders the sensation of swooping and gliding like a ray.

Al Ruwaya golf course, Dubai, September 2009

The Al Ruwaya golf course in Dubailand will be Tiger Woods' first foray into designing a golf course and will provide a unique experience aimed at all levels of play. The luxurious development will also feature a golf academy, club house, Boutique Hotel and a selection of villas.

Falcon City of Wonders, Dubai, late 2009

Falcon City of Wonders is an ambitious tourist attraction shaped like a falcon and featuring life-size replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World and many other iconic modern structures such as the Eiffel Tower.

Sunny Mountain Snow Dome, Dubai, late 2009

Dubai's second Snow Dome will be the largest free standing see-through dome structure in the world. The Snow Dome will include a rotating ski deck, mountain run, training area, snow play area, toboggan run, ice-skating rink, ice-skating adventure area and a flying theatre featuring a virtual flight over the Antarctic.

Hotels

W Hotel Santiago, Chile, April 2009

Set against a panoramic backdrop of the snow-capped Andes and marvellous sunsets, the W Hotel in Santiago will offer an urban retreat away from the bustle of the city's skyscrapers,

Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh, May 2009

Fashion label Missoni has collaborated with the Rezidor Hotel Group to create a new wave of stylish hotels. The first hotel from the team will open in Edinburgh, with another planned to open in Kuwait later in the summer. Hotels are due to be built in 10 locations over the next five years, each with its own distinctive look inspired by its surroundings.

Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway, June 2009

To be opened by the Queen of Norway in the summer, the Juvet Landscape Hotel offers an up-close-and-personal stay with Mother Nature. A mixture of traditional farmhouses and sleek boxes on stilts will offer unique views of the craggy Norwegian landscape. Guests can explore the Norwegian wilds through a variety of activities from skiing to white-water rafting.

The Armani Hotel, Dubai, September 2009

Upon completion the Armani Hotel Dubai, will form part of the Burj Dubai development, which is set to be the tallest residential and commercial tower in the world. The hotel will be situated in the main tower and will offer 160 guestrooms and suites, a luxury spa, a private member's club, two gourmet restaurants and a nightclub - all in luxurious Armani style.

Spas

Jabulani Spa, Machaca Hill eco-retreat, Belize, March 2009

This boutique spa in the heart of the Belize rainforest is situated in the remote and private Laughing Falcon Reserve. The spa's signature treatments will use produce from the retreat's organic garden and visitors can stay at one of the 12 treehouse suites.

Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, Australia, September 2009

Located adjacent to the Blue Mountains Heritage Area, the Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa will be a conservation-based resort bordered by two national parks. Spread out across the foothills of the towering sandstone cliffs will sit 40 free-standing suites, each with its own deck and private swimming pool. The luxurious spa will offer a range of treatments developed from natural products.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Undiscovered Africa: exploring Ethiopia

2010-01-30T08:22:00.001-08:00

Ethiopia is one of Africa's greatest cultural destinations with no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. It's safe, easy to travel around and has a unique character for the most part untainted by European colonial influence.

Addis Ababa

Ramshackle, chaotic and grubby, most visitors would be forgiven for quitting the capital at the first opportunity. Give it a chance, though, and Addis reveals its gentler charms. Beyond the smoke-choked streets and scrawny goats trotting at the roadside, there are some fine museums, blooming bougainvillea and a chance to sample Ethiopia's unique cuisine.

Highlights

The National Museum, off Entolo Road, containing the bones of Lucy, one of our earliest ancestors. The three- to four- million-year-old hominid distinguished by her upright walk continues to excite - as does the collection of exhibits ranging from Haile Selassie's throne to the modern art on the top floor.

Eat at one of the city's ‘cultural restaurants'. Dashen Traditional Restaurant, off Itegue Taitu Street, has live music and serves injera, the slightly sour flatbread on which dishes are heaped to be eaten with the hands.

Gonder

Africa's ‘Camelot' in north western Ethiopia was the country's capital between 1636 and 1855. Visitors primarily come for its well-preserved castles and churches but, somewhat incongruously, there are also some fine art deco buildings built by the Italians during their brief occupation in the 1930s.

Highlights

Wander the Royal Enclosure containing Fasiladas' Palace - the oldest and the most striking of Gonder's castles combining an unusual blend of Aksumite, Indian, Portuguese and Moorish influences.

Pop in to an Italian deco cafe and enjoy a coffee before bracing yourself for more historical treasures. Ethiopia is renowned for its thick, dark coffee which is as potent as it is tasty.

Axum

The ruins of ancient Axum, close to Ethiopia's northern border, mark the heart of a civilisation that was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia.

Highlights

The ancient royal capital of the earliest Ethiopian kingdom is renowned for its ancient, carved granite obelisks, its archaeological remains and its church, which claims to house the Lost Ark of the Covenant.

Lalibela

‘Africa's Petra' is a remarkable collection of 12th-century rock-hewn churches where pilgrims still come to prostrate themselves before painted icons and medieval crosses. A visit during Ethiopian Christmas in January rewards with hordes of white-clad priests and pilgrims processing through the rocks by torch light.

Highlights

Bet Giyorgis (St Georges' Church), the most complete and well-engineered of the churches is freed completely from the rock. It is one of the most sophisticated examples of rock-hewn architecture on the planet.

Visit Bet Maryam, with its animal frescoes and mysterious column of ‘past and future of the world' - a pillar shrouded in cloth that is said to be inscribed with predictions for the future.

Getting there and around

BMI and Ethiopian Airways fly to Addis Ababa from London Heathrow.

Ethiopian Airways also offers internal flights to all the destinations above and will give you a discount if you've flown internationally with them. If you only have a short time in the country it's well worth travelling between the sights by air - overland journeys are long, exhausting and uncomfortable.

When to go

The great news is sunshine is virtually guaranteed. There is a rainy season between the middle of June and the end of September, but for the rest of the year clear skies reign - temperatures never generally rising above the late twenties. Only on the lowland edges of western, eastern and southern Ethiopia can temperatures creep above 30°C.

Top five alternative romantic destinations

2010-01-30T08:21:00.003-08:00

This Valentine's Day, forget Paris. Rome is such a cliché. And there's nothing romantic about Venetian gondolas when a thousand other couples are doing it too. True romance requires a dash of originality so head to one of our top alternative romantic destinations.

Brighton

Cuddling up on the pier to eat hot chips straight from the paper as the winter waves crash onto the pebbly beach beneath - what could be more romantic than that? There's nothing like a good dose of fresh sea air to get you in the mood, and Brighton in February has plenty of that.

Take your Valentine for blustery walks along the sea front and seek refuge from the wind in the Royal Pavilion. Oddly incongruous with its English seaside location, the pink domes and minarets of the building were once the seaside home of George IV, the extravagant king of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover from 1820 to 1830. Buy trinkets for each other in the Lanes, home to over 200 independent shops, and the more bohemian outlets of the nearby North Laine where more than 300 outlets are squeezed into an area of just under half a square mile.

Later, either head out to experience Brighton's legendary nightlife, or go for a more intimate evening with oysters and Champagne in Riddle & Finns followed by a film in the Duke of York's Picturehouse cinema, Britain's oldest cinema. Make sure you reserve one of the cosy sofas for two in the balcony area.

Québec City

Frequently labelled the most romantic city in North America, Québec City hits its romantic peak in February this year when Valentine's Day coincides with the end of Winter Carnival, the largest winter carnival in the world. Founded in 1608 as a fur-trading post, Quebec City is one of North America's oldest cities and the only one north of Mexico with a city wall.

The narrow cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town make a picturesque course for the city's horse-drawn calèches to follow, and there are more romantic hotels than you can shake a box of chocolates at. Try to stay at the Auberge Saint Antoine if you can. Located in a historic warehouse in the old port area, the boutique hotel is frequently rated as one of the best hotels in Canada and is something of a landmark in the city.

Beyond the hotel, check out the winter sports, snow sculptures and canoe and dogsled races of the Winter Carnival. Take part in the Snow Bath event if your Valentine antics leave you a bit hot under the collar. Otherwise, take the funicular from Dufferin Terrace and explore the core of the old town.

Mediterranean cruise

All too often overlooked by those not in the know, a mini cruise provides the perfect opportunity to devote all your attention to your partner. Your transport, meals, entertainment and sightseeing are all discreetly taken care of for you and you can be as sociable or as coupley as you please. There's no pressure to do anything - you can bed down in your cabin venturing out only to eat and admire the sea view, take part in shore excursions and onboard nightlife or adopt a healthy mix of everything.

A mini cruise is the perfect, unhurried way to see a chunk of the Mediterranean. Cruise ships usually leave from a European port, such as Barcelona, then spend two, three or four nights at sea. A typical itinerary might include Barcelona, Ibiza and Marseille or Cannes, Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Rome (Cittavecchia) or a number of Greek islands. Alternatively head to Bilbao, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge or the Channel Islands for shorter cruises departing from the UK.

Damascus

With evidence of human habitation dating back to 4000BC, Damascus vies for the title of oldest continually inhabited city in the world. One of the city's many ancient stories tells of the Prophet Mohammed looking down on the old town as he returned from Mecca. Legend has it that he refused to enter Damascus on the grounds that he only wanted to enter paradise once.

The romance of the Orient is alive and well in Damascus. The sense of history crammed into the compact old town is palpable. The old city centre encloses several souks and bazaars, important mosques and shrines and winding alleys within its old city walls. Throughout it all pervades the colourful street life, with vendors, hawkers and the wailing call to prayer. Set up camp in a traditional coffeehouse and soak up the atmosphere.

Northern Lights in Norway

The only thing better than cosying up in a cold climate is cosying up in a cold climate with the Aurora Borealis shimmering above. The sight of one of nature's most spectacular phenomena is guaranteed to spark romance. Although a sighting can't be guaranteed, going in February won't harm your chances. In fact, it's considered one of the best times to see them.

Hurtigruten runs a number of ocean voyages along the coast of Arctic Norway where sightings of the Northern Lights are common. All of their voyages take in Tromso, a major Aurora Borealis research centre thanks to the frequency of light displays the region experiences during the winter months. Hurtigruten boats offer wake-up calls so you won't miss any Aurora activity, even if it happens at 3am. Plus, being on a ship greatly increases your chances of seeing them as the level of light pollution at sea is minimal. The hours of daylight in February in Norway are about the same as those in the UK so you'll have a good amount of time to take in the views of Norway's rugged coastline too.

Author: Emma Field

Travel trends 2009

2010-01-30T08:21:00.001-08:00

If you want to keep your finger on the travel pulse check out our predictions for 2009's top trends and destinations.

1. Philadelphia

The city may be mockingly known as New York's ‘Sixth Borough', being just over an hour's train ride away, but Philadelphia is stepping out of the Big Apple's shadows and is well worth a visit in its own right.

Philadelphia's most important sights are preserved in Downtown's picturesque Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and the Constitution Center, honouring the US Constitution.

Besides its iconic historical sights, Philly also has a vibrant arts scene and is a city bursting with energy and ideas, with a renowned orchestra, world-class museums and some fantastic restaurants. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the city's crown jewel, though Philadelphia is also home to art-house cinemas, forward-leaning galleries and traditional and avant-garde theatre.

For more information see our city guide to Philadelphia.

2. Belgrade

Belgrade was given a massive tourism boost in 2008 when it became the host for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest and is due to attract even more visitors in the year ahead.

Situated in Serbia at the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube, the city of Belgrade is perched between Eastern Europe and Russia on one side and Western Europe on the other. And with a chequered past of rulers, occupiers, empires and conquerors with their many influences, a unique culture has been created that is both Eastern and Western in character and outlook.

Modern-day Serbia is working hard to put the legacy of former president Slobodan Milošević behind it, and Belgrade is earning itself a reputation as a city that knows how to have fun. But what really distinguishes this great city is the warmth and generosity of its people who are keen to prove to the world that they're a friendly lot who welcome visitors with open arms, warm smiles and a glass or two of the local rakija (brandy).

There is a real vibrancy and energy amongst the people, both young and old, and Belgrade is a 24-hour city that feels safe no matter what time of the day or night it is. Belgraders take their pleasure seriously, with a seemingly insatiable appetite for coffee, cigarettes, good food and socialising - a fact testified by the sheer number and variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the city.

For more information see our city guide to Belgrade.

3. The Corn Islands, Nicaragua

The Corn Islands offer a taste of the Caribbean as it was before many of its islands became over-developed and expensive. The two isles of Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island, off the coast of Nicaragua, make an ideal destination to soak up the laid-back atmosphere and discover paradise at its most natural.

The coast is littered with shipwrecks from explorers, pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear. These, together with the abundance of marine life and coral reefs, make it an excellent destination for scuba-divers. The interior offers other eco-tourism adventures amid the thick vegetation of the subtropical forests.

The tourist trade is still in its infancy, so you can get a basic room for less than $10 a night in family run accommodation. Although still only visited by those in the know, accessibility is good with several daily flights between Big Corn Island and Managua, Nicaragua's capital. Alternatively, Big Corn Island can be reached by taking the ferry that departs once a week from El Rama, a small port town on the Escondido River.

The Corn islands may be far off the travel grid, but the pay-off is solitude, scenery and some of the best fishing, diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean, at bargain prices.

For more information see our guide to the Corn Islands.

4. Budoni, Sardinia

If the remoteness of the Corn Islands doesn't appeal but you still want the crystal clear waters and golden beaches head to Budoni in Sardinia instead. The town is made up of a main street, from which a number of narrow lanes lead Eastwards to Cala Budoni, the town's main beach.

Further out of the town travellers can stroll through a dense pine wood that provides a habitat for numerous species of animals, including a great variety of birds, the most famous of which is the flamingo.

5. Ecuador

The Ecuadorian government is aiming to turn Ecuador into one of the five best destinations of the American continent. It seems it is achieving its goal as 2009 is set to be a great year for Ecuador as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and 150 years of his Theory of Evolution, which was "mainly inspired by what he saw in our Galpagos islands," explains the Ecuador's Minister of Tourism, Mrs Veronica Sion de Josse.

For more information see our country guide to Ecuador.

6. Hospitality tourism

Along with the urge to save money, hospitality tourism is spreading like wild fire across Europe. For those who have never heard of the concept, it includes home-stays and exchanges, couch surfing and hospitality clubs.

In fact, websites such as www.couchsurfing.com and www.hospitalityclub.org have taken off over the past two years as travellers look for free accommodation and the chance of more authentic cultural experiences that are often missed when staying in a standard hotel.

7. Eco trekking in the Nam Ha national park, Laos

Most people come to Laos and make a brief tour of Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang with perhaps a brief detour to the mysterious Plain of Jars. But those who make the effort to explore further afield will be well rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people and unique glimpses of a country hardly changed for over a century.

The Nam Ha National Protected Area is one such underrated gem. With around 30 ethnic groups, mountains, waterfalls and plateaux the landscape is ideal for trekking and the whole park is protected by an eco tourism policy of keeping groups small to aid preservation.

For more information see our country guide to Laos.

8. Yemen

Yemen is quickly establishing itself as a great tourist destination, attracting travellers with its striking scenery and spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture. Yemen boasts hugely varied landscapes, from magnificent mountains to lush fruit-growing valleys to semi-arid plains and wide sandy beaches. The towns and cities hide souks and spice markets, mosques and ancient city walls.

The country is home to numerous significant archaeological sites, while adventure travellers can enjoy camping and trekking in the unique Socotra archipelago, which counts over 270 endemic species among its enormous range of wildlife and plant life.

For more information see our country guide to Yemen.

9. India

India is fast becoming a popular choice for those wanting more bang for their buck, and as it emerges as a new tourism superpower it will be head of the agenda for many tour operators.

India is a mystical land that presents the traveller with a bamboozling array of unforgettable experiences. Its intoxicatingly rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage.

For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.

For more information see our country guide to India.

10. Musandam Peninsula, Oman

Although the UAE has been luring the cash rich and luxury hungry to its exuberant hotels and shopping malls for many years, those looking for a taste of true Arabia and some stunning scenery will be heading to the stunning Musandam Peninsula in Oman.

Jutting into the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran and bisected from the rest of Oman by the UAE, the Musandam Peninsula has been described as the ‘Norway of the Middle East' for its numerous dramatic fjords. With the Hajar Mountains looming all around, the only way to access the inner sanctum of the waterways, where turtles and dolphins are a common sight, is by boat. The best way to experience Musandam is by heading out on a cruise on a dhow (traditional wooden boat), which can be booked through a local tour operator or with the accommodating fishermen in Khasab.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Beat the Monday blues

2010-01-30T08:19:00.000-08:00

The third Monday of January is officially the gloomiest day of the year. Read on for our top ways to beat the peak of the January comedown.

The third Monday of January is the year's emotional low point for many: the parties of Christmas and New Year are over; your social highlight is a gossip by the office coffee machine; you're utterly broke and payday seems an age away; the weather is rubbish and you've already broken your New Year resolutions. The outlook is bleak.

What you need is a little travel inspiration to take the edge off those extra-intense Monday blues. Here are our top five ways to perk yourself up:

1. Find some winter sun

If you're feeling lethargic or like you just want to go into hibernation, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the most common form of which is known as winter depression. Fortunately it's easily fixed and the most effective treatment is getting more sun. In our book, that makes a winter sun break a medical necessity! Snap up a cheap last minute deal to the Canary Islands or Egypt. January is also the best time to visit Thailand, India, South Africa and the Caribbean.

2. Pamper yourself

After all those seasonal indulgences, you're probably feeling sluggish, dull, grey and completely unmotivated. Kick start your system and get your New Year's resolutions back on track with a spot of pampering. Most spa centres are offering all kind of detox deals at the moment so jump on the ‘New Year, new you' bandwagon and book yourself in for a detoxifying massage, fat-loss wrap and invigorating body brush. Lastminute.com has plenty of January-themed special offers.

3. Plan your summer holiday

Book a summer holiday so you've got something to look forward to. For a little extra peace of mind, book with Thomson or First Choice who have introduced redundancy cover; get a full refund on your holiday up to one month before departure if you are made redundant. The offer is valid on bookings made before 31 January on their branded summer 2009 package holidays. This is in addition to the protection offered by ATOL, which protects you if your tour operator goes bust.

4. Embrace the winter

Winter can be a beautiful thing. Embrace it and book yourself a holiday cottage in the UK. January is off peak so prices are low but the countryside is just as beautiful as the peak summer months. You just need to alter your expectations. Think wild, windswept moors, stormy seas or snug country pubs. Add to that cosy log fires, comfy sofas and filling your lungs with fresh, cool air and you get the idea.

5. Get some exercise

Force yourself outside and get your heart pumping. Exercise is another highly effective way to beat SAD. If you can't quite get the motivation to do it by yourself, consider going on an activity holiday either in the UK or abroad. Skiing is the ultimate winter activity but if that's not your thing there are plenty of exciting alternatives. How about a trek up Mount Kilmanjaro, cycling the Atlas Mountains or a ranching holiday in America or Argentina? Closer to home, Activity Wales does year-round white-water rafting adventures in North Wales.

Author: Emma Field

Vilnius and Linz

2010-01-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Vilnius and Linz have replaced Stavanger and Liverpool as European Capitals of Culture. Find out the best each city has to offer.

Vilnius

Vilnius, in Lithuania, is one of Eastern Europe's most popular destinations. Since joining the EU in 2004, more and more people have arrived to explore the city's historic centre and hundreds of churches.

The baroque old town's crumbling facades and air of decay have since been gentrified, leaving the buildings around central Didzioji gleaming. It is one of the largest old towns in Europe, with over 1,200 buildings scattered across Vilnius's hilly, bendy streets.

Of the city's many churches, synagogues and monasteries, the cathedral, which dates from the 13th century, is the most impressive. Now restored to its original white, the building was elaborated with 18-century additions. Its freestanding belltower reaches almost 57m (187ft) into the sky, dominating the spacious Gediminas Square.

The historic University of Vilnius was granted its charter in 1579 - the campus extends over a whole block of the Old Town. Its original architecture reflects the university's ongoing construction under the varying influences of gothic, renaissance, baroque and classical styles.

For great views across Vilnius's many spires, visitors should walk or take the funicular up to Gediminas's Tower of the Upper Castle, a small mound where the only remaining tower of the city's castle, built in 1409, stands. More views of the city are offered from the top of the TV Tower.

Vilnius events

Vilnius celebrates its millennium in 2009 - the city was first mentioned in the monastic Annals of Quedlinburg in 1009. Events throughout the year will celebrate the city, including the following:

European Café
This discussion club will take place regularly throughout the year, inviting the capital's guests and residents to discuss contemporary culture.

Uzgavenes, February
A traditional pre-Easter celebration in the centre of Vilnius that bids farewell to the long winter in anticipation of spring and its warmth.

Let There Be Night, June
A festival of culture on midsummer night. Dance lessons, open-air cinema, concerts in churches and poetry readings will all be taking place.

Art in Unusual Places, September
Projects by professional artists will be hidden throughout the city, in unexpected places. They will include video and audio installations, operettas and social campaigns. City residents are invited to create displays in their gardens and houses.

Festival of Lights, November
Science, nature and art will combine to explore the world of light, during the darkest period of the year.

Lithuania

Outside of its enchanting capital, Lithuania offers forests, lakes and more castles. Around 28km (17 miles) away, in Trakai, an ancient capital, visitors will find Lake Galve - a lake with 21 islands, one with a castle. Popular Baltic coast resorts include Palanga and Kursiu Nerija, both famous for their clean white sand, pine forests and sand dunes. A UNESCO World Heritage site awaits at the Curonian Spit National Park, on the peninsula between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea.

Linz

The capital of Austria's Upper province, right on the Danube, Linz is emerging as a modern centre with a flourishing economy - there are more jobs than people. Austria's third largest city, Linz joins the Mühlviertel region towards the Czech border with the rolling hills that lead to the Alps in the south, situated roughly halfway between Vienna and Salzburg.

Green spaces account for 60% of the city, making Linz one of Austria's most environmentally friendly communities. Cultural life in the city is equally diverse, with world-famous institutions such as the Bruckner Orchestra and Ars Electronica Center. In an attempt to rid its industrial image, Linz has developed its cultural and art scene with annual events, including Brucknerfest and the Ars Electronica festival.

Baroque buildings cover the city's main square, including the Landhaus (the seat of the provincial government) and the Altes Rathaus (the old town hall). Mozart House is where the composer created his Linz Symphony in 1783.

Linz is also home to both one of Austria's oldest original churches and its largest place of worship. St Martin's Church was first documented in 799. Inside, Roman stone inscriptions can be seen. The Immaculate Conception, the city's New Cathedral, was consecrated in 1924 and can seat 20,000 people.

For views over the city, take the mountain tram to the Pöstlingberg - the pilgrimage church, a viewing platform and the Grottenbahn cave railway await. There is also a zoo halfway up.

Linz events

Linz's year as Capital of Culture will be marked with regular events throughout each month, including:

Best of Austria, January-May
An art collection gathering the country's most significant works together in Linz's Lentos Art Museum. Over 30 museums, galleries and private art collections throughout Austria will contribute works.

80+1: A Journey Around the World, June-September
The Ars Electronic Center will provide the virtual environment for Linz's global trip - 81 days around the world during which 20 places will be visited via optical cables and satellite links.

The Library of Rescued Memories, October-December
A multi-media exhibition in the Wissensturm that will present pictures and stories of Jewish life before the Holocaust, based on Centropa interviews.

Upper Austria

As a region, Upper Austria has spectacular scenery which combines mountains and hills with river valleys and lakes. Close by is Mühlviertel, an area of the country made famous by Adalbert Stifter, an author who describes the romanticism of the region. It is also home to the Horse Railway, the first on the European continent, and Austria's weaving industry.

Author: Caroline Lewis

Cruise routes: which is right for you? Part II - choosing by interest

2010-01-21T01:32:00.001-08:00

Part II of our cruise routes series helps you choose a route based on what you're interested in. So whether you're into adventure, culture or simply a bit of sun, we've found the route for you.

If you're more into sun bathing and relaxation, you're going to want a different cruise experience to those who want to check out museums and galleries or walk across glaciers. Likewise, if you love luxury, you're going to be happier on a cruise ship that pampers and takes care of every little detail for you. Or perhaps you're not yet convinced that a cruise is for you and want to combine a cruise with a more traditional land-based holiday. Whatever you want, our guide to choosing the best cruise route based on your interests will help you decide.

For adventure

Antarctica, the most remote place on earth, is the destination for you. An Antarctic cruise is an entirely different experience from any other cruise. There's no shopping or eating in luxury restaurants. Instead, you'll be taken ashore in a zodiac (inflatable boat) to walk among penguins, check out seal colonies or take a dip in the thermal waters of Deception Island. There are also stunning iceberg formations, vistas of glaciated mountains and whales to watch from the ship.

For culture

For museums, galleries and an unparalleled sense of history, it's got to be the Mediterranean. Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Florence, Dubrovnik, Venice: the concentration of culture is unbeatable. A cruise through the Mediterranean is akin to checking off a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Plus, the food is fantastic, the wine flowing and the weather balmy. No wonder the Med is the most popular cruise destination in the world.

To experience something a bit different, choose a route that takes in South America and the Panama Canal. You can go ashore to learn about the village life of the indigenous people or discover Mayan and Inca civilisations. The place is simply bursting with colonial buildings, crumbling fortresses and brightly coloured birds all set against a jungle backdrop. And of course, there's the incredible feat of engineering that is the canal itself.

For sun

White-sand beaches, clear blue seas and laid-back island attitude make Caribbean cruises some of the most popular around. Most cruises leave from Florida for a trip filled with sunshine, cocktails and fun. You can choose to play at being Robinson Crusoe on apparently deserted islands such as Nevis or Barbuda, soak up some history in the colonial plantations of Antigua or explore the underwater shipwrecks of Grand Cayman. The Greek islands are a great alternative.

For the destination port

Cruises only allow you to stay and explore a place for one day, possibly two. For some people, that really isn't long enough to get to know a destination as well as they'd like to. Many cruise companies now operate fly, cruise and stay trips where you can combine a cruise with a lengthier stay in a destination of your choice. You can spend a week or more before or after your cruise discovering all a place has to offer in far more depth than you'd be able to on a regular cruise. For example, you could fly to New York, spend a week checking out the sights before taking a transatlantic cruise back via Ponta Delgada on the Azores and the Canary Islands, or do the same in Singapore or Hong Kong before sailing off around the Indian Ocean.

We've created longer, more in-depth cruise port guides to the following destinations for this very reason: Cape Town, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Venice, Barcelona, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Buenos Aires.

Check out our cruise guides and Cruise routes: which is right for you? part I for help choosing a route based on your traveller type.

Author: Emma Field

Cruise routes: which is right for you? Part I - choosing by traveller type

2010-01-21T01:31:00.001-08:00

Part I of our cruise routes series helps you select the best route for your holiday. Read on for the best cruise routes for first-time cruisers, families, couples, older cruisers and those with plenty of time on their hands.

Going on a cruise for the first time can be daunting. The first thing to be aware of is that a cruise doesn't have to cost you your life savings. Don't forget, the price includes food, accommodation, day- and night-time entertainment, gym membership, kids clubs and flights. It doesn't usually include spa treatments or shore excursions. Plus, early booking discounts are available. In many cases cruises are a more affordable option than land-based holidays.

Once you've set your budget, it's important to decide what you want from your cruise. The variety of cruises available is staggering, from mini cruises and world cruises to Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic, Alaskan and Antarctic cruises, and they cater for a much greater range of holidaymakers than the ‘newly wed or nearly dead' cliché would have you believe.

If you're travelling as a couple, you're going to have a different set of priorities to those holidaying as a family or in their retirement. Likewise, if you've only got a few days to spare, you're going to want a completely different experience to those lucky cruisers who have entire months at their disposal. The beauty of the cruise holiday is that there's something for everyone.

We've divided our recommendations into traveller type (families, couples, older cruisers, the time-rich and the time-poor) and your interests (adventure, culture, sun and getting to know a port). Here's our guide to choosing the best cruise based on your traveller type:

For families

Families are brilliantly catered for on cruises, and we don't just mean the food. When it comes to choosing a ship, the basic rule is ‘the bigger the better'. The larger ships have kids clubs, babysitting services, multiple dining options and all kinds of activities for all ages, from spas and golf driving ranges for mum and dad, to swimming pools and climbing walls for all the family. Kids are so well taken care of that you could easily go for days without seeing them! And the environment on cruise ships is safe and contained enough that there's absolutely no need to worry.

The best routes for families are in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, where the warm weather means kids can make the most of on-board swimming pools and outdoor activities.

For couples

As a couple you can be as sociable or as coupley as you choose. Obviously there are plenty of other people to mix with and the unique cruise liner atmosphere means it's easy to get talking over a formal dinner or while taking part in dance classes or team games such as volleyball. When you're feeling romantic, you can indulge in some pampering for twosomes or enjoy the view from your private balcony.

You can also get married on board - the captain can legally marry you! The only criterion is that you must be in a port or no more than 5km (3 miles) from land. Most cruise liners will sort the whole ceremony out for you, including photo albums. There might even be a few upgrades in it for you.

The most romantic destinations are the Caribbean, for honeymoon-standard white-sand beaches and colourful rum cocktails, and Alaska for snuggling up in front of jaw-dropping views of mountains and glaciers and a spot of whale watching.

For older cruisers

A more traditional cruise suits the older traveller. A mid-sized ship is cosier, cheaper and you can explore ashore by day and enjoy some on-board entertainment in the evening. You usually have to dress for dinner and can choose a child-free ship.

Top destinations for older cruisers include the fjords of Norway, northern Europe and the Baltic. Retired travellers might also find the time for a round-the-world cruise taking in the delights of the Far East, Europe and the Americas (see For time-rich cruisers below).

For time-poor cruisers

Cruises don't have to mean endless days at sea. Mini cruises are becoming more and more popular with time-famished holidaymakers. They're also a great, non-committal way to get a taster of what a cruise is all about, so perfect for first-time cruisers. Mini cruises generally last four to five days and include all the usual on-board entertainment but you get more for your money than you would with a land-based holiday as you usually visit two to three destinations in that time.

You can cruise to destinations in the Baltic, France, Spain and Channel Islands directly from the UK, or fly to ports in the Caribbean or Spain and Italy for Mediterranean mini cruises.

For time-rich cruisers

Lucky, lucky time-rich travellers! A round-the-world cruise is the ultimate in cruising. Usually lasting anywhere from four weeks to three months, these cruises take in just about every type of destination you can think of. A typical trip, starting in the UK might take you across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and USA, through the Panama Canal to a few ports in South America before cruising on to some South Pacific islands, including Hawaii, then on to the New Zealand and Australia. Asia comes next, followed by Africa or the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean. Of course, you can do this in the opposite direction or join a cruise for just a section. Themed cruises, such as visiting Commonwealth countries, are also available.

A world cruise is a hassle-free way to experience plenty of different cultures without having to deal with the hassles of airport check in, lost luggage or arranging your own transport. One thing worth asking is how long the ship stays in each port - with all that time at sea you'll need more than one day on land at a time.

Check out our cruise guides and Cruise routes: which is right for you? part II for help choosing a route based on your interests.

Author: Emma Field

Children's Christmas holidays

2010-01-21T01:30:00.002-08:00

Our pick of the best children's Christmas and winter holidays, from visiting Father Christmas to sleeping in a real igloo.

If we believe our grandparents, the British weather just doesn't do Christmas like it used to. A white Christmas is a rarity these days, meaning that millions of kids grow up without ever waking on Christmas morning to the sparkle of snow-reflected light on the ceiling. Fortunately, the legendary Christmas of snowball fights, tinkling reindeer bells and snowflake-patterned jumpers can be experienced by children today - you just have to travel a bit further afield for it.

For North American kids, Santa Claus lives in the North Pole; Danish children are told he lives in Greenland; while British kids believe Father Christmas has a home (complete with elves and toy factory) in Lapland (an area of Scandinavia far more accessible than the North Pole or Greenland). And even if your kids are too old to believe in Father Christmas, there's plenty of snow, reindeer and sparkle to satisfy even the most cynical of offspring.

Here's our pick of the best children's holidays to meet Father Christmas, stay in a winter wonderland, get active in the snow or make the most of the UK's own Christmassy facilities.

Meet Father Christmas

Every young kid dreams of meeting the big man himself but long queues for a turn on the lap of a grouchy and over-worked Santa stand-in rarely live up to expectations. Good thing, then, that there are entire, snow-covered resorts in or near the Arctic Circle dedicated to creating the perfect visit to Santa's grotto.

Savalen, which claims to be the home of the Norwegian Father Christmas, lets you visit his farm (with miniature ponies, lama and, of course, reindeer), workshop and toy laboratory as well as take part in a number of activities including horse and sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris, dog sledding and ice fishing. All this in a compact snowy mountain resort complete with cute log cabins, Santa Street and a spa for the grown ups. Activities Abroad still has places left for its 19 December departure and every family gets a private audience with Santa in his home.

Slip over to Sweden and you'll find Laponia, a family-owned hotel in Arvidsjaur, home to the Sami people. Arctic Discovery runs special four-day, three-night Christmas trips to the hotel (places are still available on their 19 December departure), which arranges trips to Father Christmas's home where the children's wish lists are attentively listened to, photos taken and presents given out. There are also plenty of activities to choose from, including sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris and ice driving.

Winter wonderlands

If your children are slightly older but still enraptured by snowy scenes (this applies to adults too) there are plenty of options for a slightly more grown-up Christmas trip.ICEHOTEL, usually the reserve of glowing newlyweds and couples, opens its icy doors to children at Christmas time. Christmas Eve sees a visit from Father Christmas, a torch-lit procession and a concert of Christmas carols. Arctic Experience still has places for its four-night package leaving on 23 December. There are plenty of activities but the highlight is the night in the unique ICEHOTEL. (Due to the accommodation, Arctic Experience advises against bringing children under eight years old, but understands that parents know best how their kids will cope.) You'll sleep on an ice bed in an ice room - you can even drink from ice glasses in an ice bar.

Another option is to stay in an igloo. Emagine Travel organises holidays to the rustic Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland, which has an igloo village with real igloos varying in size from two to eight berths. There are also warm, glass igloos - perfect for gazing up at the magical northern lights from the comfort and warmth of your own bed. If staying in an igloo for your entire holiday nips a bit too close to frostbite, then consider one of their individual unpretentious log cabins which are nestled in snow-covered forest and come with fireplaces and saunas but no TV or phone. As well as offering all the usual activities, Hotel Kakslauttanen is right on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, which has a superb network of cross-country skiing trails.

Post-Christmas winter activities

If your children are a bit older then meeting Father Christmas probably isn't their number one holiday priority. Still in Lapland, but with less focus on FC, are a number of family-oriented adventure holidays, specially designed to prevent those post-Christmas blues.

Arctic Discovery's five-day, four-night Snowy North trip runs from January to April and is suitable for ages five and up. There's no Santa element and the emphasis is on family fun. Based in Boden, Swedish Lapland, the trip includes an Arctic train journey, dog sledding, guided tour of the famous ice hotel, horse riding through a snowy alpine forest and a trip to Sweden's best water park.

Specifically created to fill the gap between Christmas and New Year, Canterbury Travel runs four-day trips to Luosto resort in Finnish Lapland. The holiday lets kids drive their own snowmobile (assessed on ability) and involves reindeer and huskies, ice skating, tobogganing and mini snow games (such as tug of war).

Activities Abroad has a seven-night family winter adventure holiday based in Kittila, Finnish Lapland. The holiday includes a trip to a reindeer farm, husky and reindeer safaris, cross-country skiing and a snowmobile safari to Lainio Snow Village, a village full of snow sculptures, an ice bar, restaurant and snow hotel. Places are available from December to April.

Christmas in the UK

Notice that none of the holidays mentioned here are day trips to meet Father Christmas in Lapland, which are rather rushed, relatively expensive and extremely bad for the environment. If, for financial or environmental reasons, you'd rather not leave the UK at all over the Christmas break there are plenty of options right here.

It's Santa's little secret, but his real home is in Kent. (Really, why would you want to live somewhere frozen and dark for half of the year?) Lapland UK recreates Father Christmas's home, deep in snowy woodland, for children to visit for a day. The snow isn't real but it is created by the best snow-makers around (they also did the snow for James Bond). There are all the usual husky dog and reindeer encounters, plus an apprenticeship with elves in Father Christmas's factory, but the best bit is the personalisation of the whole experience. Each kid gets an invitation through the post from Santa himself and the parents are asked to fill out a form with family details so ‘Father Christmas' knows all kinds of facts about your child when they meet him. It's very convincing.

For a longer UK Christmas break, Centre Parcs (www.centerparcs.co.uk) transforms its Whinfell, Sherwood, Elveden and Longleat forest villages into a Lapland fairy tale. In addition to all the usual activities (such as horse riding, tennis, pampering, birds of prey experiences), there are Santa's Grottoes, horse and carriage rides, street theatres and pantomimes.

Author: Emma Field

Five of the best Christmas markets

2010-01-21T01:30:00.001-08:00

Miss the high-street mayhem and head to one these traditional Christmas markets to stock up on all your festive needs.

1. Budapest

Budapest exudes romance throughout the Christmas season, with twinkling lights and snow-blanketed squares setting the scene. The biggest market is at Vőrősmarty Square and is the only one to hold an official certificate from the Hungarian Society of Folk Arts & Crafts, meaning that all of the products sold at the market have to be handmade and traditional. Visitors can pick up wrought-iron candlesticks, tree decorations, brightly painted wooden toys and glassware, all in the shadow of the snow capped Buda hills. Get into the festive spirit with a touch of ice skating in the Városliget city park or relax in the open-air Széchenyi Baths. The festivities kick off on November 29 and stalls open from 9am until late daily.

For more accommodation and travel information see our Budapest city guide.

2. Copenhagen

Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens embrace the absolute essence of Christmas. Europe's first amusement park opens its gardens each December with throngs of brightly painted stalls selling all manner of festive accoutrement from hand-carved angels, to candles and wooden dolls. Try a glass of glogg (mulled wine with liquor and spices) or aebleskiver (hot apple dumplings). Rides are still open during the day, however it's after dark when the Christmas charm comes to life as the park glitters with thousands of lights and knit-clad ice skaters glide around the lake. The market is running until December 28 and opens from 11am until late daily.

For more accommodation and travel information see our Copenhagen city guide.

3. Barcelona

Each year since 1786 Barcelona's glittering Fira de Santa Llúcia market kicks off on December 13. The gothic cathedral and its surrounding cobbled streets become entrenched in the Christmas spirit with stalls selling handmade artefacts and nativity scenes carved out of clay. The Catalan-inspired fair adds a quirky twist to the traditional festivity, with figurines of the defecating caganer (‘Christmas Crapper') - fashioned in all its squatting glory. The tradition dates back to the 18th century and the bizarre statues are thought to symbolise hope and fertility for the coming year. The market is open until Christmas Eve from 10am-8pm daily.

For more accommodation and travel information see our Barcelona city guide.

4. Vienna

Christmas is serious business for the Viennese, with the inhabitants of the Austrian capital opting for traditional and refined rather than tacky and commercial. In fact, they have completely outlawed the notion of red-suited Santa Claus and have created their own icon - Weiner Christkindl, a blond-locked maiden. In homage to the city's creation, the Christkindlmarkt opens on November 15 in Rathausplatz. Looming over the square is the neo-gothic building of the town hall, which opens its numbered curtains one by one in advent calendar fashion. On sale are beeswax candles, decorations and wooden toys, as well as warming drinks and kitsch charms.

For more accommodation and travel information see our Vienna city guide.

5. Berlin

With around 60 markets across the city, Berlin does Christmas full pelt. The most popular market is the one around the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche, which attracts around four million visitors each year. Around 100 stalls cluster around the Memorial Church, selling traditional arts and crafts as well as more radical artworks from some of the city's cutting-edge artists and designers. The interesting collection of antique and contemporary jewellery make perfect Christmas gifts.

For more accommodation and travel information see our Berlin city guide.

Best of the rest:

Tallinn - Grab some quirky hand-knitted jumpers and juniper wood toys from one of the 50 stalls in the Town Hall Square.

London - Borough Market on London's Southbank may not technically be a Christmas market (since it's a year round fixture), but it does conjure the festive vibe with the scent of mulled wine and holly-strewn stalls. Pick up all your food treats, from hand-reared meats to artisan cheeses.

Nuremberg - The Nuremberg Christmas market is the best known in Germany. Around 200 stalls are crammed into the cobbled square beneath the gothic church of Frauenkirche.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Five great all-American road trips

2010-01-21T01:29:00.001-08:00

Fortunately for non-Americans, one driving symbol of the American dream, the all-American road trip, can be experienced by everyone. Hit the byways, avoid the highways and you're halfway there.

Apparently, an American who's felt no desire to cross the country on four wheels is either a liar or a communist. Road trips are part of the American psyche, stamped on the national soul by artists such as Jack Kerouac and Tom Waits, movies such as Thelma and Louise and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the legendary westward migrations of gold seekers and the first settlers.

Thanks to frequent, loaded references to it, Route 66 is the classic American road trip ((Get your kicks on) Route 66 was composed way back in 1946), symbolising freedom and the pursuit of the American dream. It was decommissioned in 1985 after being deemed ‘irrelevant' and replaced by the Interstate Highway System. It's still possible to travel portions of it since it was designated National Scenic Byway ‘Historic Route 66'. To complete the entire journey from Chicago to Los Angeles as it would have been in the 20th century requires a large amount of map reading, but is well worth the effort.

As well as Route 66, America offers so many vast open roads, it's hard to know where to begin. As a rule, the byways are the traditional two-lane stuff of legend, whereas highways tend to be more like monotonous motorways. To help you choose, we've found five very different routes to help you explore this magnificent and sprawling country in the 21st century:

Best for mountains: Blue Ridge Parkway

Originally called the Appalachian Scenic Highway when it was commissioned in the 1930s, the Blue Ridge Parkway meanders through the meadows and valleys of the southern Appalachian Mountains. It connects northern Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in southern North Carolina.

The drive takes you through astonishing mountain vistas, best seen in autumn when the area's many trees change colour and blaze with reds, golds and yellows. It's a slow, relaxing route interspersed with plenty of opportunities for picnics, camping and side trips down hiking trails or into nearby communities. For a dose of history, stop at Humpback Rocks, where 19th-century Appalachian skills and traditions are demonstrated, and Mabry Mill, Floyd County, Virginia. Lodges and restaurants are available along the parkway.

Length: 755km/469 miles
Location: North Carolina and Virginia

Best for glaciers: Alaska's Marine Highway

Not strictly a highway, Alaska's Marine Highway is actually a ferry system, although it was declared an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration (an honour given to only 27 roads with features unique enough to turn them into a tourist attraction in their own right) and receives federal highway funding. It's one of the few ferry systems in America with transport, not leisure, as its primary purpose and it carries around 350,000 passengers and 100,000 cars every year. The system stretches from Bellingham, Washington to Unalaska, with 32 terminals, incredible views of the roughly hewn Alaskan fjords, glaciers, volcanoes and plenty of wildlife, including whales, in between.

It takes just under three days to travel from Bellingham to Skagway and 18 hours from Sitka to Juneau. Cabins cost extra (this is not a luxury cruise!) but an even better idea (depending on the weather, of course) is to simply set up a tent or just lay out a sleeping bag on deck and watch the northern lights dance overhead.

Length: 5,633km/3,500 miles
Location: Southwest Alaska

Best for coastline: Pacific Coast

If you could do only one road trip in a convertible, this is it. Known in Oregon as the Pacific Coast Byway and in California as Highway 1, Highway 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) depending what part of it you're on, this route is almost as legendary as Route 66 (the PCH section is a designated All-American Road). It snakes along hugging the coast from the northwest tip of the USA at Olympic National Park all the way down to San Diego, close to the Mexican border.

Redwood National Park, the logging and fishing communities of Washington and Big Sur, with its jagged mountains plunging down to pounding surf, are highlights as well as the energetic cities of Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. At times it can feel like you're the last person left alive on earth, but with that view and the salty wind in your hair, you don't even care.

Length: 1,500km/932 miles
Location: California, Oregon, Washington

Best for plains: Native American Scenic Byway

The Native American Scenic Byway offers a chance to enjoy both the rolling prairie views and journey into the heart of the Sioux nation who have lived and worked on this land for centuries. The route takes you through the reservations of four tribes of Lakota Sioux (Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock), passing lakes, streams, roaming buffalo and the Missouri River. Along the way monuments, museums and sacred sites teach you about the Sioux people. A highlight is Sitting Bull memorial, near Mobridge, South Dakota. It apparently contains the remains of Sitting Bull, a revered and influential Sioux chief who was murdered by government agents in 1889.

Length: 575km/357 miles
Location: North Dakota and South Dakota

Best for desert: Death Valley Scenic Byway

More of an experience than a drive, the Death Valley Scenic Byway sweeps you through some of the most dramatic, rugged and unique landscapes in America. To get the most out of it, step out of the car and hike a few of the well-marked trails. Stop at marked viewpoints and take in panoramas of the valleys and peaks that rise and fall from over a mile above sea level to 86m (282ft) below (the lowest point in North America). Salt pans, coloured rocks eroded by the wind and rain and shifting sands make for desolate, eerie viewing.

Length: 302km/188 miles
Location: California

Best for a little bit of everything

If you find it hard to choose just one of America's striking features to see, head for the roads that take in as many as possible. Running coast to coast between Chesapeake Bay and San Francisco, the US-20 traverses the Rocky and Appalachian mountains, the Great Plains, the deserts of Utah and Nevada, the Wild West and Silicon Valley to give a good cross-section of American society, history and culture.

A bit further south, the old US-80 joins San Diego in California to Savannah, Georgia. Landscapes shift and change as quickly as the people and the cuisine. For a culinary or musically themed road trip, this might be your bet: Tex-Mex, Cajun, BBQ and Creole can be munched to the sounds of a huge variety of music, from honky-tonk or gospel to country and western.

An excellent source for further information on American road trips is the National Scenic Byways Program.

Author: Emma Field

Tennessee: music and mountains

2010-01-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

Music legends may have put Tennessee on the map, but the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and the home of country music also offers outdoor adventure, historical charm and great Southern hospitality.

The King may be dead, but like many of his musical forefathers, the legend of Elvis's music lives on in Memphis, Tennessee. Each year thousands of devoted fans flock to the gates of Graceland to walk the hallowed paths of their beloved icon.

Meanwhile, queen of country music Dolly Parton pays homage to her birthplace with the aptly named Dollywood theme park. But surrounding all of this music medley is a varied wilderness, including the snaking Mississippi river and the Smokey Mountains, both of which have inspired many a song.

Memphis

If you want to experience the Presley story then head to the Graceland Mansion. With an audio-guided tour featuring commentary and stories from Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie, the trip takes in the King's 14-acre estate, a tour of his infamously kitsch house, car collection and two private jets.

If that's not enough to satisfy your lust for Memphis music, American Dream Safari offers a three-hour Greatest Hits Tour of the city in a retro 1955 Cadillac.

See where it all began for Elvis at the Sun Studio. Presley recorded his first ever demo here and it also started the careers of many other stars including Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison.

Beale Street is the home of blues and live music and a drink can be enjoyed at BB Kings. Being the ‘pork BBQ capital of the world' there is no shortage of great Southern food. Leonard's Pit Barbeque offers good honest home-made grub.

Nashville

If Memphis is the birthplace of rock 'n' roll then Nashville is the home of country. Nowhere illustrates this better than the Country Music Hall of Fame. Take the ‘Sing Me Back Home' tour and be immersed in the sounds of country music through a treasure trove of artefacts, photographs, films and original recordings as well as live performances.

The Grand Ole Opry is home to the longest running live radio show in the US, and has launched many a career, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton all started out here. It is also the place to take in a show with the best country performers from Nashville and beyond.

Dollywood

Spanning 125 acres and nestled in the lush foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, Dollywood is one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the US.

Although Dolly Parton's rhinestone Barbie image may not appear to blend with nature on paper, Dollywood is more a monument to the singer's life and her love for the Smokey Mountains than a tacky homage to the star. However, fans won't be disappointed as they are bound to still catch the odd glimmer of a pink Stetson or two.

As well as amusement park rides, Dollywood's live entertainment showcases the best in country, bluegrass, mountain and gospel music with more than a dozen stage shows.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

As Dolly Parton wistfully chirps, ‘The greenest state in the land of the free,
And the home of the Grand Ole Opry, is calling me back to my Smokey Mountain home'.

It's no surprise then that the traditional Tennessee gal has been named as the ambassador to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

The country singer clearly isn't the only one to fall under the charms of the Smokey Mountains. It is the most visited national park in America. Renowned for its diverse plant and animal life, and ancient mountains, there are 800 miles of hiking trails along which you are likely to catch a glimpse of bears, deer and elk.

The only accommodation in the park itself is Le Conte Lodge. Perched atop 6,593 ft (2,009m) Mount Le Conte, the third highest peak in the park, the lodge offers basic accommodation in log cabins, complete with covered porches and rocking chairs.

For more information: Visit the Tennessee Department of Tourism.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Five great rail journeys

2010-01-12T09:26:00.001-08:00

A train journey is one of the most thrilling ways to experience a country. We've picked five fantastic routes sure to seduce the explorer in you.

1. Rocky Mountaineer

The route
The Rocky Mountaineer train travels from the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver or the ski resort of Whistler across country and through the Canadian Rockies to either Jasper, Banff or Calgary.

Why go?
The two-day journey captures the romance of rail travel as it follows the historic route constructed over 100 years ago. The entire train ride takes place during daylight hours to ensure full enjoyment of the glacier-strewn lakes, majestic mountain ranges and ferocious rivers.

How to book
Rocky Mountaineer offers trips from £779 per person.

2. Trans-Siberian Railway

The route
The main Trans-Siberian line runs from Moscow to Beijing on one of two branches - the Trans-Mongolian line or the Trans-Manchurian line. There are two direct trains a week from Moscow to Beijing, one via Mongolia and one via Manchuria.

Why go?
A rail journey for the adventurous, the Trans-Siberian Railway takes you from Imperial Russia, across the land of Ghengis Khan and through the nomadic steppes of Mongolia. Traversing 10 time zones and two continents, the train trip takes travellers through the weird and wonderful, where you can meet the locals and visit sights like the Great Wall of China.

How to book
Trans-Siberian Experience offers trips from £509 per person. A cheaper option is to buy a ticket yourself at the station in Moscow, however, spaces are not always guaranteed.

3. Marrakech Express

The route
Most visitors jump aboard the Marrakech Express in Tangier, from where it snakes across Morocco taking in Rabat, Casablanca and the Atlas Mountains before reaching its final destination, hypnotic Marrakech.

Why go?
Travel across the soaring Atlas Mountains, soak up the romance of Casablanca, explore Fez's ancient medina and hit the colourful souks of Marrakech.

How to book
Great Rail Journeys offers trips from £2,895 per person.

4. PeruRail

The route
The spectacular rail journey runs from the beautiful city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, to the staggering Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. The first half of the journey sees the train wind through the magnificent Andean mountains and deep valleys of the Huatanay River. The rolling Andean Plains then stretch out before you, where the endless vista is only broken by the roaming alpaca.

Why go?
PeruRail is the only way to travel to the heights of Machu Picchu without walking the Inca Trail. With valleys and colonial churches giving way to the barren altiplan and snow-capped peaks, this rail journey offers unrivalled cultural lure in the luxurious and elegant surrounds of a 1920s Pullman train.

How to book
PeruRail offers various trips long the route from as little as £35.

5. Eastern and Oriental Express

The route
Travel from frenetic Bangkok through luscious Thailand, to the infamous River Kwai and onwards to Malaysia, colonial Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis, before crossing the causeway over the Straits of Johor to the elegant city of Singapore.

Why Go?
Awake in the splendour of the classical train and marvel at the views en route from Wang Po as the train crosses the hair-raising wooden viaduct beside a towering cliff. The trip includes a guided tour of the River Kwai Bridge station and a river cruise. As the train makes its way down to Singapore, dense rainforest and towering mountains frame remote golden temples and villages, all of which can be admired whilst relaxing on the open-decked Observation Car.

How to book
Orient Express offers trips from £1,110 per person.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Britain's best beaches

2010-01-12T09:25:00.001-08:00

From deserted craggy coves to family favourites, we reveal our ultimate seaside selection for the best beaches to be found along Britain's stretches of award-winning coastline.

The British seaside has been a beloved national institution for decades. From parasol-toting royals strolling down the promenades to sandals-and-socks-clad gents with a handkerchief precariously balanced atop their heads, the British love the beach and swarm to it in droves upon the first glimmer of summer sun.

But despite popular belief, the British coastline is much more than kiss-me-quick hats, murky waters and the relentless ker-ching of arcade games. Outside of the main tourist haunts, there are glorious swathes of untouched sands and evian-clear waters to be discovered; in fact, an ample 372 of the UK's beaches fly the famous Blue Flag. Here is our choice of the best beaches Britain has to offer:

Frinton-on-Sea, Essex

For some old-school beach fun, head to the family seaside resort of Frinton-on-Sea. The self-proclaimed ‘discerning' beach resort has resisted the temptations of modernisation, instead it has retained a quaint traditional feel that the area prides itself on.

With only one pub and not a glimmer of neon in sight, Frinton-on-Sea has shunned the lures of a quick-buck and instead welcomes visitors to its collection of independent shops and tea rooms found along tree-lined Connaught Avenue. The beach itself retains much of its former glory and is lined with Victorian style beach huts, reminiscent of the days when the town was a favorite retreat for the aristocracy.

Eat: Head to leafy Connaught Avenue where there is a collection of family-run restaurants serving delicious home cooked grub.

Stay: Much like the surrounding area, The Rock Hotel (website: www.therockhotel.co.uk) exudes a chintzy charm that brings to mind the bygone era of doilies and flock wallpaper. Sat on The Esplanade, the hotel offers uninterrupted views of the sea and double rooms from £80.

Getting there: By road leave the A133 at Weeley and take the B1033 directly into Frinton-on-Sea. Trains go from London Liverpool Street to Thorpe-le-Soken, from where a connecting train takes you into Frinton-on-Sea.

Holkham Bay, Norfolk

Tucked beyond the secluding fringes of a pine-tree blanket, Holkham Bay is easy to miss from the road, but well worth the hunt. After a short trip down Lady Ann's Drive (opposite the Victoria Hotel), and a walk through the dunes, three miles of custard cream sand stretches as far as the eye can see.

If you prefer to spread your picnic in peace rather than squeezing onto a stamp-sized patch of sand this is the beach for you. The stretch of coastline is so quiet that the Queen herself often does a spot of corgi-walking whilst in residence at Sandringham. Hollywood royalty has also graced Holkham's sands with Gwyneth Paltrow strolling down it in the last scene in Shakespeare in Love.

Eat: with its distinct lack of fish and chip shops and candy floss stalls, the only place to buy some grub is at the sandwich hut near the car park. But if you don't want to shell out a small fortune then bring a picnic with you. Stock your hamper in Wells-next-the-Sea, which also has a few dining options. A closer choice is the Victoria Hotel (website: www.victoriaatholkham.co.uk) which can arrange a picnic hamper or you can try the local produce in its restaurant.

Stay: the Victoria Hotel (doubles from £120) offers a mixture of chic and old-world charm and is within walking distance of the beach. For a cheaper option head into Wells-nest-the-Sea where there is a choice of great value b & bs.

Getting there: By road turn off the A149, and take the turning opposite the Victoria Hotel, for Lady Anne's Drive, where you can also park for £3 per day.

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

With craggy coves, a hefty slab of sand and toiling surf, this is one of the most charismatic bays in Britain. The strong coastal breeze makes it an ideal spot for sailing and windsurfing and nature enthusiasts will revel in the nearby sprawling National Nature reserve straddling the cliff tops. The walks are definitely not for the faint-hearted as some of the trails cut a steep route up towering sand dunes and along hair-raising coastal paths. If you are feeling active, head into the salt marshes and valley; complete with its very own fairy-tale Castle.

Eat: There are many restaurants in Gower itself or head to the village of Mumbles and dine in one of its many tea rooms.

Stay: You don't get much of a better beach view than from the cliff top campsite overlooking the bay. The Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park (website: www.threecliffsbay.com) has its own private path to the beach and a view that was voted ‘Best in Wales' by Country Life Magazine.

Getting there: By road leave the M4 at junction 42 and follow the signs towards South Gower and Port Einon. Trains go to Swansea City Centre, from where you can catch the 118 bus to Gower.

Porthminster beach, Cornwall

Cornwall's answer to the star-studded shores of Biarritz, this ‘urban' beach is minutes from the surfer-studded bustle of St Ives and boasts alluring jade green waters. Although St Ives has made its name as the South's answer to the glitzy Grand Plage, Portminster is actually a great family choice. The award-winning half-mile crescent of powdery perfection is in a sheltered location making it ideal for letting little ones take a dip without fear of being bowled over by waves as seen on other beaches along the bay.

Eat: St Ives is awash with restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes, from traditional pubs and sugar-scented bakeries serving homemade treats to gourmet delicatessens and high-brow eateries. If the walk into town doesn't appeal, Porthminster Café is beach-side and serves up a delicious range of fish fresh off the line.

Stay: The Porthminster hotel (website: www.porthminster-hotel.co.uk) is nestled in subtropical gardens and perched above St Ives Bay, with direct access onto Porthminster beach. Doubles rooms are from £60 per person, per night for dinner and bed and breakfast.

Getting there: Trains go into St Ives, from where Porthminster beach is a short walk on the south side of town. By car follow the A3074 through Lelant and Carbis Bay to St Ives.

For more information: See the VisitBritain website at www.visitbritain.com.

Author: Caroline Cullern

Touring the Lake District

2010-01-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Take a tour of the Lake District this summer, England's oldest National Park, for some mountains, hiking and heavy duty scenery.

Around Windermere

Windermere may be the most famous of the lakes but it is also the most crowded. Call in by all means but the circus may become too much for some, especially in high summer. Fairground rides, 500-seater ferries and plus-sized Peter Rabbits make England's largest lake a busy place.

For some peace, and slightly more accurate representations of famous animals from children's literature, visitors should travel the short distance to Hawkshead, a village famous for the residence of Beatrix Potter. Both properties, a gallery in the office of Beatrix's husband and Hill Top, her home in Near Sawrey, are owned by the National Trust (website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk). The visitors do flock, but the calm serenity which inspired such wonderful creations as Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jeremy Fisher remains resolutely undisturbed.

Ambleside and Grasmere

Pitch your tent in Great Langdale (website: www.ntlakescampsites.org.uk), a base for exploring Ambleside and Grasmere. The two nearby pubs bring civilisation close but the campsite is surrounded by satisfactory amounts of pretty hills, green valleys and sheep to still feel alone with nature. Hike up to Stickle Ghyll to stumble upon more lakes and even greater views. Sturdy boots and a map are recommended, as are high-sugar snacks for along the way - a good time to try some Kendal Mint Cake. Walking sticks may help you fit in with the fully kitted pros but they aren't essential.

If the isolated nature thing isn't working, head into Ambleside - a lovely town with pubs, shops, restaurants and a cinema where you can get dinner and a film for under £10.

Slightly sleepier is Grasmere, once home to the undisputed literary heavyweight, William Wordsworth. Dove Cottage (website: www.wordsworth.org.uk), the set of his opium-fuelled, poetry-writing sessions with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, is open to visitors to come and wander lonely as clouds. The house is preserved as though still inhabited by its famous dwellers and their guests and the garden where some of the greatest lines of English literature were composed is free to ramble in. The museum next door is hosting a Turner exhibition this summer, included in the ticket price.

Water-based activities

To really get active and make the best use of the water, Coniston is the place to take on some watersports. The Coniston Boating Centre offers canoeing and kayaking, sailing lessons and self-drive electric boat hire. If you prefer to stay dry, there is a Victorian gondola that tours the lake (website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola). Almost right on the shores, Coniston Hall Campsite (tel: (01539) 441 223) gives you somewhere to rest, particularly necessary if you've tackled the steep climbs up Coniston Old Man or to the many tarns.

Other sights in Coniston include the John Ruskin museum (website: www.ruskinmuseum.com) and his lakeside villa, Brantwood (website: www.brantwood.org.uk), filled with his paintings and drawings. Try the local beer, Bluebird Bitter, made in a micro brewery at the Black Bull Hotel (website: www.conistonbrewery.com).

Ferries and fishing

Up in Keswick, Derwentwater presents itself from nowhere, spreading out on the banks of Borrowdale valley to a vast scene of stranded jetties and romantic rowing boats. It is surrounded by looming mountains that seem to be protecting it, keeping it safe and preserved from becoming the new Windermere. Hike 1234ft up to Walla Crag for sublime views over the landscape. Boat trips through the calm waters are operated by Keswick Launch (website: www.keswick-launch.co.uk). The best views from the water are onboard the Ullswater steam ferry, the lake where Wordsworth first saw his host of golden daffodils, outside of Keswick.

Keswick itself has a market, and nightlife more bustling than might be expected. For a fresher dinner to baked beans, fish for perch, pike, trout and salmon in Derwentwater. For a mini Stone Henge, Castle Rigg is a short distance from Keswick's centre. Sheep roam amongst hikers at this arrangement of rocks on a plateau that is ringed at each turn by more pikes.

A final challenge

If you're less interested in cream teas and villages, and more inclined to heavy duty exertion, get involved with some serious hiking - up Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Situated in remote Wasdale, it is for the dedicated only. The summit is 978m (3210ft) above sea level, with views falling down over Wast Water, the deepest lake in the country.

Author: Caroline Lewis

Palermo

2010-01-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Sicily's largest city and a cultural rival to Rome or Florence, Palermo offers several different types of holiday in one.

An important city for centuries, Palermo caught the attention of the Arabs, Normans and others who invaded and left their mark. The city's architecture reflects its jumbled history - there are skylines that push together Arab domes with Norman spires, with baroque cathedrals and 19th-century theatres at the other end of the next side street.

It may appear that the city hasn't been preserved very well - the worn or bordering-on-decrepit-looking buildings that you'll inevitably come across will put some visitors off. See behind this and witness the gradual renovations and refurbishments, and you're left with a historically important, actually rather elegant city.

Palermo's districts

Divided up into quarters, Palermo's attractions can be separated into four districts - El Capo, La Kalsa, La Vucciria and Albergheria.

In El Capo, the highlight is undoubtedly the cathedral. A seemingly ongoing structure that represents several different eras and styles at once, it is difficult to see what the Arabs left and what the Normans finished. Nothing reflects the city's diversity better than the cathedral, a building that could actually be three.

La Città del Ottocento (city of the 1800s) isn't far - don't miss the Teatro Massimo (website: www.teatromassimo.it), Teatro Politeama Garibaldi and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna (website: www.galleriadartemodernapalermo.it).

Once notorious for shady characters, La Kalsa has now opened up to visitors, and though many of the sights are crumbling, they are still worth casting a glance at for the sake of visible former glory. The Galleria Regionale is here, a Gothic building home to a collection of medieval art. Anyone interested in Sicilian puppetry should not miss the Museo delle Marionette (website: www.museomarionettepalermo.it). Tucked away close to the marina, Giardino Garibaldi offers a little shade from the city sun - and there's also an interesting fig tree with exposed roots to see.

Fighting the Mafia

One of Palermo's biggest initiatives is to rid the city of its Mafia association, a problem that costs the businesses around £130 million a year in extorted local protection money or pizzo. Housed in an art nouveau building and serving local specialities such as pane con la milza (veal spleen sandwiches), Antica Focacceria San Francesco (website: www.afsf.it) is one of La Kalsa's best attractions. A city institution, it's also pizzo-free, making it the most popular bakery in town. The Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi, a 13th-century church and former Franciscan monastery, shares the same piazza.

Shopping and more sights

The best thing in La Vucciria is its famed street market, a tangled network of narrow side streets crowded with densely stocked stalls selling everything from freshly dried tomatoes to mobile phone covers. The nearby Basilica di San Domenico, a white and gold baroque church, is imposingly grand thanks to its structure and the towering palm trees outside. This is where many famous citizens are buried, including former prime minister Francesco Crispi. An important collection can be seen in the Museo Archeologico Regionale, in an equally important building - a 17th-century monastery with a courtyard.

Albergheria sprawls out to the east from Quattro Canti (a decorated intersection in the middle of the historic centre), containing a wide selection of chiesas (churches) in different styles. First up is San Cataldo Church, unfinished due to the murder of its creator in 1160 but impressive all the same - the bright red domes form an unusual rooftop. San Giovanni degli Eremiti, a church with a matching rounded rooftop and peaceful garden, is currently undergoing restoration and hard hats are required for a visit - the building is 800 years old.

If you've had your fill of Arab-Norman churches, some baroque excess awaits at Chiesa del Gesù and San Giuseppe dei Teatini. Or, if you want a building that combines all three, see La Martorana Church off Piazza Pretoria - a medieval church with bell tower and some slightly out-of-place ornate amendments from a few centuries later. The Palazzo dei Normanni, for many the city's highlight, is the seat of the Sicilian regional government and once the seat of Roger II. A castle that began as a Roman fort, it was developed by the Arabs in the ninth century and the Normans in the 12th. Its majestic Palatine chapel is covered in Byzantine mosaics.

Escaping the city

The city can be hot and hectic so visitors should not forget the beautiful island countryside that surrounds Palermo. Mondello's turquoise waters are just a short bus ride away. This is where Palermitans head for a beach fix and an art nouveau pier sits on the shore. An hour away by train, Cefalù (website: www.cefalu.it) is a rival to the east coast's Taormina. A huge cathedral and rock face sit above the town, with a popular beach below.

Closer to the city is the cathedral in Monreale, at the top of a steep hill. More Byzantine mosaics await as do extensive views over the city, hills and sea.

If you prefer slightly darker, indoor-based attractions, and don't mind encountering mummies, head out to the Capuchin Catatombs, a collection of 8,000 bodies embalmed by Capuchin friars between the 17th and 19th centuries. Perhaps too sinister and frightening for some, it attracts many visitors all the same.

Author: Caroline Lewis

Holiday on a budget

2010-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Have a great city, beach or career break on a budget without lowering yourself to stag-infested city centres, Brit-packed beaches or over-tramped backpacker trails.

If you're craving a break but feeling the squeeze, don't panic. It is possible to travel on a budget without compromising on quality. By following a few simple rules and choosing your destination wisely you can still get away and avoid the middling crowd.

Rule one: Be flexible on dates. Travel mid week and outside of school holidays if at all possible.

Rule two: Sign up for newsletters and be the first to hear about special offers. Ryanair (website: www.ryanair.com) sends regular e-mails giving subscribers the chance to book the cheapest flights before anyone else, as well as special members-only flight offers. Travelzoo (website: http://uk.travelzoo.com) sends subscribers a weekly Top 20TM newsletter featuring fantastic deals compiled from hundreds of companies' sales.

Rule three: Research, research, research. Use as many travel comparison sites as possible to vastly increase your chances of scraping a rock-bottom deal (see below for our favourites). Check out the offers of travel agents in your local high street; they're often desperate to compete with the online agencies and will put in that extra effort to get you a deal. Finally, try booking your flight and accommodation separately through the no-frills airlines and specialist hotel comparison sites.

Rule four: Choose your destination carefully. While there's something to be said for simply going to wherever the flights are cheapest, if you get there and find it costs £6 for a pint, it's not exactly going to do wonders for your bank balance.
Here are our top destinations for budget city, beach and career breaks:

City break

Splurge on flights; save on spending once you get there.

Eastern European cities such as Budapest are good options but avoid the unfortunate places popular with rambunctious hens and stags. Decide what you want out of your holiday and go somewhere you can get it cheap.

If culture is your thing, head to Glasgow or London for free entry to many fantastic museums and galleries. Madrid hosts three of the world's greatest museums: Prado Museum (website: www.museodelprado.es), Reina Sofia National Art Centre Museum (website: www.museoreinasofia.es) and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (website: www.museothyssen.org). Entry usually costs €6 for each museum, but with a Passeo del Arte card you can get into all three for €14.40. Plus, they're all within a ten-minute walk of each other, so you save on transport! Tip: entry to the Prado and Reina Sofia museums is free on Sundays.

For bargain shopping try New York. Return flights for around £250 can be still be found, and by staying in a hostel for around £18 per night you can take advantage of the strong exchange rate to stock up on clothes from the numerous designer outlets. To save even more on accommodation, kip for free in the home of a generous stranger from www.couchsurfing.com.

Exquisite gastronomy on a budget can be hard to find, but Istanbul provides a fantastic array of Mediterranean fare, mezze, international cuisine and of course, Turkish coffee, all within reach of no-frills airlines. There's also stunning architecture and cheap accommodation.

Beach break

Go for longer for better value.

A two-week break can cost only a little more than one week. For example, two weeks in Africa's Cape Verde in early October will cost you around £750 with Thomson Plus, whereas going for seven nights will save you only about £150. Sounds expensive, but once you're there you can get a three-course meal for a little over £10 and a beer or glass of wine for under £1.

If Africa's a little too pricey try Croatia, for around £300. The difference between 10 days and one week on the Dubrovnik Riviera in early October is only about £5 (booking through www.travelsupermarketcom). So you see, more is less!

All-inclusives are worth considering too. Once you've forked out for the trip, holiday spending is kept to a minimum. And, when you've slept and eaten to your heart and wallet's content you can escape the confines of the resort to explore, or simply laze on the beach with ‘free' drinks on tap.

For a cheaper version of your usual beach holiday, choose Portugal instead of Spain, the Black Sea in Bulgaria instead of Italy and Brittany instead of the south of France. All are noticeably cheaper but still offer beautiful beaches and the same fair weather.

Career break

Earn while you learn.

Career breaks require a little more investment than holidays or travelling (make sure you have enough money to cover yourself both on your trip and when you get back) but with some clever planning you can combine the trip of a lifetime with something that'll look great on your CV.

Use the time to gain new skills. Take a course with TEFL (website: www.tefl.com) or TESOL (website: www.tesol.org) and spend a year teaching English in places such as Asia and South America. In addition to a wage, schools often provide accommodation and will sometimes throw in flights for their new teachers. For something a little more physical, train to be a ski or snowboard instructor with SnowSkool (website: www.snowskool.co.uk) in France, Canada or New Zealand.

It's also possible to get work visas for Canada, New Zealand (ages 18-30) and USA (ages 18-38), and a number of companies offer specialist services including visas, bank accounts and help finding a job (see below).

Volunteering is a great way to take a break and give something back. You don't have to fork out a fortune to do it either; volunteers are needed right here in the UK. If conservation's your thing, go to the The National Trust (website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk). To work with kids, try the Children's Country Holidays Fund (website: www.childrensholidays.org.uk), which provides holiday camps and breaks for inner-city children who have been victims of violence, abuse, poverty and bullying, allowing them to be children again.

Recommended travel comparison sites
Kayak: www.kayak.co.uk
SideStep: www.sidestep.com
Cheapflights.co.uk: www.cheapflights.co.uk
skyscanner: www.skyscanner.net
Lastminute.com: www.lastminute.com
travelsupermarket.com: www.travelsupermarket.com

Recommended budget flight sites:
Ryanair: www.ryanair.com
easyJet: www.easyjet.com
Zoom: www.flyzoom.com
Cheapflights.co.uk: www.cheapflights.co.uk
Wizz Air: http://wizzair.com

Recommended budget accommodation sites:
LateRooms: www.laterooms.com
halfpricehotels.co.uk: www.halfpricehotels.co.uk
CouchSurfing: www.couchsurfing.com
The Hospitality Club: www.hospitalityclub.org

Recommended career break sites:
Gap Year for Grown Ups: www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk
The Career Break Site: www.careerbreaksite.com

Recommended travel guide:
Download your free mini guide on www.worldtravelguide.net!

Author: Emma Field

Porto minibreak

2010-01-05T00:04:00.001-08:00

Take a slug of port, grab a squeaky rubber hammer and join the riverside mayhem in northern Portugal's most charismatic city, which celebrates its unique St John's Festival in June.

Recent years have seen a dramatic facelift of Lisbon's upcountry cousin, which was once an attractive but down-to-business port city, but now fairly bubbles over with cultural verve and new attractions. Among them are: an avant-garde concert hall, a shiny new metro system, a sparkling football stadium and a top-notch contemporary art museum.

But Porto's traditional appeal is still as strong as ever. Amber-roofed houses tumble down the steep granite slopes to the River Douro, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ribeira district is an enchanting tangle of medieval lanes, shadowy arches and atmospheric docks. Hand-painted azulejos (tiles) splash blue over buildings, iron bridges soar across the River Douro and scores of historic port wine lodges jostle for space on the opposite bank.

If you visit Porto over a weekend, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are our top recommendations to make the most of your time there.

Catch a festival

Porto's biggest bash - literally - is on 23 June, when the Festa de São João (St John's Festival) sees inhabitants prowling the streets with squeaky rubber hammers or leeks in search of unsuspecting heads to wallop. The squeaky mallets are sold all over the city in June, and add percussion to the festival's lively schedule of concerts, street-dancing, boat races, parties and fireworks. Our advice? The best defence is offence - so buy a hammer and join in!

Take a walk

Pack your comfy shoes and prepare yourself for some leg-aching ups and downs, because - despite the steep hills - Porto is an excellent city to explore on foot. One of the best routes is through the alluring riverside Ribeira district, a tightly packed collection of medieval cobbled passageways and rickety houses, then along the photogenic quayside past barcos rabelos (traditional port wine boats), and across the pedestrian walkway of the glowering iron Ponte de Dom Luís I to toast your arrival in the port wine warehouses across the river.

Try the tipple

Follow the aroma of alcohol vapours to the cobbled lanes and venerable port warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the historic heart of Portugal's lucrative port wine trade, and nowadays it's the scene of many a tourist's ‘port crawl' from one tasting session to the next. Take a stroll below the densely packed port lodges and their gigantic rooftop signs along the lovely riverside promenade lined with striking barcos rabelos and beautiful views back to Porto.

To bypass the multiple warehouses, don your glad rags and head to the exclusive Solar do Vinho do Porto (website: www.ivdp.pt), a posh bar affiliated with the Port and Douro Wines Institute and stocking more varieties than you can shake an Alka-Seltzer at.

Take in the views

Take the metro across the soaring iron bulk of Ponte de Dom Luís I for a spectacular panorama down over the city, river and port wine lodges. Or if you'd rather skip the vertigo, the same views can be devoured from Vila Nova de Gaia's 16th-century Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, on the neighbouring hill.

See the sights

Crowning the skyline are the imposing Sé fortress-cathedral and the dramatic baroque Torre dos Clérigos - both well worth the climb to visit. In the Ribeira, take a snoop inside the splendid neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa, home to an exquisite Arabian-style ballroom, writhing with Islamic designs and gilded stucco.

While in the Ribeira, make time to explore Igreja de São Francisco's dazzling gothic interior and its creepy catacombs. And to snap pictures of some of Porto's stunning azulejos, wander around the blue-smothered exteriors of Igreja do Carmo and Capela das Almas.

Try the food

Tripas (tripe) may be the local speciality, but don't let that put you off. The city's plentiful seafood, delicate pastries and typical cod-fish dishes are excellent. Café Majestic (website: www.cafemajestic.com) is Porto's most famous tea shop - an art nouveau delight filled with frolicking cherubs, decadent gilding and eye-popping pastries.

Soak up some culture

Experience Porto's blossoming arts scene, with a trip to the excellent Museum of Contemporary Art (website: www.serralves.pt). With a minimalist modern design as striking as its collection, and a sprawling sculpture park on its doorstep, the gallery is a worthy diversion from central Porto.

Catch a show

Indulge in a little pleasurable melancholy - squeeze into one of Porto's atmospheric old bars for a performance of Portugal's exquisitely sorrowful fado music. Or catch a concert in Porto's stunning new concert hall Casa da Música (website: www.casadamusica.com), aka the 'concrete diamond', and follow it up by investigating the spirited bars and nightlife of the Ribeira district.

Take a trip

Hop aboard a boat trip up the River Douro to trace port wine back into its heartland - passing vine-covered hills, whitewashed lodges and lofty bridges en route. Shorter cruises are also offered in ersatz barcos rabelos, the pretty wooden sailboats once used to transport port from the vineyards to Porto.

Author: Charlotte Amelines

Texas ranch adventure

2010-01-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

For a true taste of the wild west, head to America's lone-star state on an action-packed ranching holiday.

Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a cowboy or are just bored of the usual resort holiday, a ranching trip might be just the thing you are looking for.

If like me, you have little riding experience, this needn't put you off as many ranches cater for all levels of abilities. I opted for the Beaumont Ranch (website: www.beaumontranch.com) in Texas, home of the Stetson-toting cowboy, and they are well versed in handling complete novices, such as me, up to the more experienced rider.

With its own herd of Texas longhorns, horses, two huge events barns and central location near Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, the vast 323-hectare (800-acre) Beaumont Ranch is perfect for those looking for the ultimate taste of Texas, both in the saddle and out of it.

I first arrived at the Beaumont Ranch in the dead of night, unaware of the stunning scenery and active farmland that surrounded me. However, the ranching experience immediately began when I was shown into my impressive suite. Each room has been especially designed to emulate Texas at the end of the 19th century, and certainly set the scene for the week to come.

After waking at dawn, and marvelling at my stunning lake view, it was time to get stuck into my western experience. My first day on the ranch saw me practising lassoing skills, and quite frankly, mine required a bit of work. Apparently it's all in a well-timed snap of the wrist used to encircle the cow, or in my case a plastic longhorn, and proved a lot harder than it looked but highly entertaining nonetheless.

One of the best things about the Beaumont Ranch is the choice in activities on offer. For those looking for the complete cowboy experience you can opt for activities such as branding, cattle drives, fence checking, horse riding and overnight camping trips. Alternatively, those looking for a less hands-on experience can partake in a country dance lesson, enjoy a round of golf or relax with a spot of fishing at the well-stocked pond.

Personally, I opted for the more active experience and decided to saddle up and ride out with the longhorns in true cowgirl manner. Sat astride my sturdy steed, Black Jack, many a morning was spent trekking out in search of the cattle and then helping the experts herd them up. Being a complete city slicker, the beautiful blue sky, rolling hills and vast open plains made the ride a completely unforgettable experience.

My last night on the ranch was spent relaxing in true western style as we sat around the flickering campfire toasting smores - a delicious mixture of toasted marshmallows, chocolate and biscuits. This favoured snack of the modern-day cowboy certainly made great campfire fodder and the perfect end to a fantastic ranching holiday in the lone-star state.

For more information contact the State of Texas Tourism Office at www.traveltex.com.

Alternative ranching destinations:

Estancia Huechahue, Argentina

Situated 1,609km (1000 miles) southwest of Buenos Aires, Estancia Huechahue is a 6,070-hectare (15,000-acre) self sufficient working ranch. Ride against the stunning mountain panorama with the Andes rising majestically on one side and the vast Patagonian expanses stretching out on the other. Rides take in the vast array of wildlife, Indian reservations and Indian burial caves, formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. Follow the Huechahue stream through the basalt canyons, where you can break into a canter through the water meadows.

Price: From £159 per person per night.
Booking: Unicorn Trails (website: www.unicorntrails.com).

Horizon Ranch, South Africa

This 10,000-hectare (24,710-acre) ranch lies deep within the Waterberg Mountains and is home to the Baber family who have been operating the working cattle and game ranch for over a century. The ranch offers varied and exciting riding for those of all levels - with long and short rides at various paces available. Join in on the daily cattle work or head to the neighbouring game reserve where you can catch a glimpse of giraffe, zebra and many more game species.

Price: From £109 per person per night.
Booking: Unicorn Trails (website: www.unicorntrails.com).

La Reata Ranch, Canada

La Reata Ranch is a unique working ranch nestled in the beautiful Saskatchewan river valley, overlooking the sandy shores of Lake Diefenbaker. Experience the cowboy way of life with a ride across the rolling prairies. Depending on season visitors can assist in the calving, branding, doctoring and cattle drives. After a hard day's work you can head down to the lake for swimming, canoeing, fishing and boating or hike up the backdrop of rolling hills where you can see anything from deer and owls to golden eagles and pelicans.

Price: From £995 per person per week.
Booking: La Reata Ranch (website: www.lareata.com).

Julthorp Ranch, Sweden

After visiting Montana, Lollo and Eva Nilsson decided to set up Sweden's first western-style ranch. Situated an hour's drive northeast of Gothenburg, Julthorp Ranch is the closest thing to a traditional American ranch in Europe - complete with animal heads adorning the walls and booted cowboys greeting you at the door. However, there is one thing missing and that's the cattle. Although technically a riding school, the saloons and roping lesson give you a taste of a real working farm, without getting your hands dirty.

Price: From £350 per person for two nights full-board.
Booking: Julthorp Ranch (website: www.julthorpranch.se).

Author: Veronica Kirby