The beautiful city of Cannes – playground of the rich and famous, and home to the Cannes International Film festival – is a beacon on the French Riviera.  Located at the head of the Mediterranean, this iconic location welcomes millions of visitors every year. The Hotel Majestic Barriere is host to musicians, artists and stars of stage and film from all over the world. The hotel offers magnificent views of the Riviera and the jetty. The U Spa Barrière is a pampering experience that makes a relaxing trip worthwhile. The hotel’s three restaurants include the famed Fouquet Cannes restaurant and the Sud Beach Restaurant.

Rooms and Facilities 

The hotel’s 265 rooms and 84 suites are complemented by two fabulous penthouse suites – the Majestic Suite and the Christian Dior Suite. Designed by Lucien Barrière and Christian Dior, the suite joins the traditional Majestic Penthouse as the hotel’s flagship residences and is usually booked months in advance of the film festival. The hotel’s rooms have an elegant white-and-pastel ambience, with contemporary French paintings and murals.

The Hotel Majestic Barriere enshrines the spirit of Cannes and the French Riviera.

Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa, and is the most southern city on the continent of Africa.  Called the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is located near the Cape of Good Hope, and in recent years has been increasing in popularity as a tourist destination.  

The best times to visit this famous South African city include October and November; this is when springtime, with its warmer weather, arrives.  The summer lasts from December through February, with the sun setting as late as 8:30 pm; February days in particular can be very hot.  March through to May offers cool but comfortable autumn weather.

Travellers from the UK will most likely arrive at Cape Town International Airport.  Cape Town is big enough to warrant a visitor having their own transport to fully appreciate its beauty, unless the traveller is using the services of a tour company.  Most Cape Town roads and highways are in excellent condition, and car hire can be arranged throughout the city and at the airport.
 
One of the most popular attractions in Cape Town is The Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest building in South Africa, having being built between 1666 and 1679.  The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens showcase beautiful flora, and are open to the public year round.  Robben Island is also open to visitors and is the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, while the Rhodes Memorial is set on the slopes of Devil’s Peak and provides one of the most amazing views of the city.  The Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront is located at Cape Town Harbour beneath the slopes of beautiful Table Mountain; it is a huge entertainment and shopping complex that is popular with tourists due to the many fashionable restaurants and shops found there.  There are also countless galleries and museums to visit in the city. 

Fun activities include taking the cable car up Table Mountain and soaking in the views from the top; more adventurous visitors can also climb Table Mountain.  A drive through Simonstown and a visit to the colony of African penguins at Boulders is an excellent outing for the entire family.  Wine tours can be arranged which visit a variety of wineries in Constantia Valley and Cape Winelands. 

Part of an archipelago situated in the south west Indian Ocean, Mauritius provides a carefree luxury holiday destination ideal couples, families or the single traveller. Protected by the surrounding coral reefs, the coastline has pristine white sands and crystal-clear azure-blue waters. Offshore, dolphins and turtles can be found.  The interior boasts contrasting scenery of mountains and rainforest, containing waterfalls, tropical fruit trees and exotic flowers; deer, tortoises and monkeys can also be spotted here.   

Mauritius holidays offer more than relaxing beach getaways – the popular Pereybere Beach boasts lively shopping, bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean.  With its world-class hotels and resorts, coupled with the romantic charm of the island, Mauritius is an exclusive luxury holiday destination for honeymooning couples.

Mauritius has a rich multicultural heritage, resulting from European, African and Asian influences throughout its history. Visitors are able to appreciate the diverse religious festivals by exploring the capital, Port Louis, and other towns. 

Mauritius Holiday Choices

Mauritius holidays will appeal to discerning travellers looking for adventure such as water sports, diving or deep-sea fishing, hiking, trekking on horseback or cycling.  Mauritius is the place to relax, whether on one of the island’s pristine white sandy beaches or by the hotel pool soaking up the sun with a traditional cocktail.
 
Leisure Activities Include:

•    Golf or tennis.  
•    Snorkelling the coral reefs.
•    Inland activities include zip-lining, skydiving and quad biking.
•    Spa and pamper.

Mauritius Features:

•    Market at Flacq.
•    Blue Bay glass-bottom boat.
•    International cuisine from world-class chefs.

There are many reasons why people travel to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, and relaxation is one of the most popular of them.  Visitors seeking to indulge in relaxation will often find that the need is fulfilled through the many therapies that are available.  The various spas linked with the different hotels and resorts make it easy to find the type of relaxation package suitable for you.  There are many components that make up a Maldivian spa and rejuvenation luxury holiday, and this is predominately decided by the type of therapies that you wish to try.

Maldivian therapies differ because of the type of natural and native products that are used.  Common treatments include aromatherapy sessions and spa wraps, all of which use products and ingredients native to the Maldives.  Sea salt is another component that is often used to create the natural exfoliating creams that are used during therapy sessions.  The use of fresh fruits, Indian herbs, vegetables and pure essential oils derived from the atolls is the reason why you are able to differentiate the treatment you receive from a Maldivian spa from some of the more chemically-enhanced treatments available elsewhere.

Yoga, meditation and Thai massage are other natural therapies that are used to engage the entire body.  This allows your body to thoroughly relax, while the sea breeze helps to clear your mind.  Maldives holidays allow you to enjoy this escapism so that you can return to normal life feeling recharged and ready to tackle 21st Century life head on.

A colourful and bustling city, this east-meets-west destination is truly unique.  With a mix of both Christian and Islamic influences, you certainly need more than a long weekend to discover what Istanbul – formally Constantinople or Byzantium – has to offer.

You will find a great selection of accommodation in the city, from central boutique hotels to cheap and cheerful hostels.  For those planning on staying a little longer, you can even rent a room in private accommodation.  In any case, the underground makes it easy to get round the city, so if you wander a little too far from the centre a good map and dictionary should get you where you want to go.

The main sights include: The Blue Mosque, a huge, domed building commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I; Topkapi Palace, which housed some of the famous Sultans; the bustling Grand Bazaar where you enjoy the art of haggling; the Bosphorus (the night cruises are recommended) and the Archaeology museum.

Although Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, it is almost like another country by itself.  It is a great transport hub too, so you can take a coach to one of the bordering countries, or venture deeper into Turkey itself to see its wide beaches or green countryside.

Location

Austin lies within the state of Texas in the United States.  Situated in the centre of the state, Austin is quickly gaining a reputation as a great city to visit.

Getting There

Austin Bergstrom International Airport lies only six miles out of town and receives most international airlines.  In the city you can also find an Amtrak train station and Greyhound Bus Terminal.

Things To Do

As a college town, Austin has a young laid-back feel to it and has a thriving bar and café culture.  The popularity of its famous music festival, South By Southwest, has led to the city being known as the  ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ and the venues downtown on Sixth Street have live music most nights.  It is a cosmopolitan city and you experience almost any cuisine from Sushi to Italian, with the local speciality, Tex-Mex food, especially easy to find. 

If you are looking for something unique, why not take a look at the world’s largest urban bat colony living beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.  At dusk every night you can see 1.5 million bats fill the surrounding skies.

For a look at grand architecture you can visit the state capitol building, which is open all week and is free of charge.  If not then why not look beyond the city limits and explore the rural hill country where scenic trips can be taken by steam train through the beautiful Texan landscape.

When To Go

The climate is good all year round, although summer can be extremely hot.  Spring or Autumn could be the best time to visit.

With temperatures cooling from their blistering summer highs and the hordes of tourists thinning, autumn is perhaps the best time to take a sightseeing holiday. Dahab, a small town on the coast of Egypt, is the perfect autumnal destination. Temperatures, which throughout the summer months reach into the thirties Celsius, have become more comfortable. Still remaining deliciously warm, in the upper 20s or lower 30s, the days are warm, perfect for sunbathing or visiting the sights.

Windsurfing is a particularly popular activity in Dahab, with 320 days of perfect wind; lessons are readily available for groups or individuals. They are suitable for beginners, experts and those in between.

With a famed selection of reefs offering wonderful scuba diving and snorkelling options, Dahab attracts a young, ‘alternative’ crowd compared to some of the nearby tourist resorts. Shore dives into the Red Sea reveal fish and plant life of such variety and colour that the area is noted for being one of the best dive sites in the world. Lessons and groups are available for all skill levels and glass bottomed boats offer a glimpse into the underwater world without ever having to touch the wet stuff.

The surrounding area offers a variety of breathtaking scenery and activities that visitors will never forget. Take a trip to St. Catherine’s Monastery across the burning desert; ride a camel, or combine the trip with climbing Moses’ Mountain at sunset to experience the spectacular colours and sights. Safari trips through nearby canyons, such as the Coloured Canyon and the White Canyon are perfect for adventurous types, while visitors who prefer to take a more leisurely excursion can remain in a jeep to view these natural beauties.

Situated midway along the eastern Caribbean chain, St Lucia is a tropical island rich in natural beauty.  Spectacular twin peaks rise 2,000 ft from the sea, with white sandy beaches to the north and black volcanic sands to the south.  St Lucia is a perfect luxury holiday destination for couples, families or the single traveller.

With the Caribbean to the west and the Atlantic to the east, the island’s interior combines lush green rainforest and fields of banana, mango, coconut and papaya. St Lucia boasts the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater. St Lucia is steeped in history, influenced by French and British culture, dating back to the early 17th century.

St Lucia holidays offer the visitor opportunities to explore its strikingly diverse landscapes and tour small villages with open-air markets, experiencing first hand the island’s warmth, high standards of hospitality and excellent cuisine. Luxury holidays in St Lucia offer many prestigious hotels and resorts.

For divers, St Lucia has many colourful reefs, underwater mountains and caves to explore. Other offshore activities include windsurfing and deep-sea fishing, while inland adventures include hiking, cycling or island tours on horseback.

St Lucia Holiday Choices

St Lucia luxury holidays will appeal to the most discerning of travellers seeking luxury holidays, such as wedding or honeymoon packages, spa and pamper treatments, water sports or simply quiet relaxation.

Leisure Activities Include:

•    Golf at one of three courses.
•    Water-skiing.
•    Diving or snorkelling the coral reefs.
•    Turtle, whale and dolphin watching.
•    Island cruises.
•    Duty-free shopping.

St Lucia Features:

•    Soufriere volcano.
•    Castries yacht basin.
•    Diamond mineral baths.
•    Cape Moule à Chique.

Straddling the banks of the Elbe, Dresden city is a charming spectacle of Baroque architecture.  Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and dominated by Soviet architecture during the years of the German Democratic Republic, Dresden has seen its centre restored to her pre-war majesty since Germany’s reunification in 1990.

The city has been famous across Europe for centuries and celebrated its 800th birthday in 2006.

The Frauenkirche, in Altstadt, (the Old Town), is the most famous attraction in Dresden.  Recently rebuilt, its pinnacle is a gold cross, gifted by the people of Coventry as a mark of friendship between the two cities.  Climb to the top of the Bell Tower and enjoy breathtaking views of the “Florence of the North”. Other famous landmarks include the Opera House and the Zwinger, home to Saxony’s art treasures.

Neustadt, or New Town, is home of the more alternative communities and students.  Every year it hosts the Neustadt festival, celebrating all of the creativity that Neustadt embraces.  It’s also home to Dresden’s best comic store, “Dresden Comic Laden”.

Steamboat trips along the Elbe are very popular, giving visitors fantastic photographic opportunities.  The banks of the river are also a favoured spot for enjoying beer gardens.

Situated in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic is a historical jewel. Filled with fairytale castles and medieval towns, the country is one worth making time to tour. The Czech Republic offers visitors many beautiful national parks and elegant resorts. It is also known to produce some of the best beer in the world.

Most people who visit the Czech Republic use the city of Prague as their home base. This city is bursting with historical monuments and tales that go back as far as one can imagine. Attempting a thorough sightseeing trip of this city is going to take some time as the city dates back to about 400 BC, around the time of the Celtic Tribes.

One of the main focal points in this city is the Prague Castle while other attractions include the New Town of Wenscslas Square, the famous Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral and the University. This city has suffered immensely during its existence from constant invasions, especially when the Nazis arrived during WWII. It was during this time that the entire country was locked tightly under Soviet rule. In 1989 the communism of the Velvet Revolution saw the city slowly restore to become one of the most powerful and visited in Europe.

The Czech Republic’s varied historical past has made it an honoured country of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the exceptionally beautiful town of Cesky Krunlov, which is adorned with fairytale castles and accented by the Vltava River.

For sightseeing activities, head off to Kutna Hora, which is the country’s ancient silver mine. A good tour will also include stops at several of the local castles. Other places worth a visit include the impressive Vranov Castle, Hluboka, or the striking Konopiaita Castle.