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. 

For travellers looking for the ultimate in luxury holidays, the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean is the ideal destination. Known as one of the most scenic islands in Caribbean, St Lucia is also one of the most mountainous, with numerous volcanic peaks giving way to valleys of lush, green jungle. Stunning beaches can be found in St Lucia, as well as pretty coastal villages and banana and coconut plantations.

Until the recent tourism boom in St Lucia, the economy of the country was heavily reliant on the exportation of bananas. With heightened competition in the banana industry, tourism has become crucial to St Lucia, and a greater number of luxury resorts have appeared in recent years.

Luxury holidays in St Lucia are often beach-focused, although there are plenty of other activities to entertain visitors to the island. The capital city of Castries is a port of call for cruise ships and hosts an impressive duty-free shopping centre in the harbour, as well as lively markets held regularly in the city. Landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Fort Charlotte can also be seen here.

Other sites to visits during holidays in St Lucia include the Pigeon Island Museum, Sulphur Springs; the site of one of the only drive-in volcanoes in the world, and the West Indian town of Soufriere. Cape Moule a Chique boasts one of the most impressive views on the island, where it is possible to see the island of St Vincent on a clear day.

Visitors to the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina may find themselves wondering what attractions to visit.  Aside from the many traditional tourist sites, the city is filled with picturesque neighbourhoods, delicious restaurants, and spectacular shopping.

For a traditional night out, make your way to El Niño Bien.  Although there are many tango shows for tourists around Buenos Aires, this particular place is where residents go for some homegrown entertainment.  A night filled with graceful dance, El Niño Bien is not a tango place, but an authentic Milonga salon, where locals can be found drinking and dancing.

For the traveller with a large appetite, a visit to Cabaña Las Lilas is essential.  This famous steakhouse has been serving the public since 1905, and is known worldwide for providing patrons with the nation’s best beef.

A visit to Museo Evita will add a touch of history to your day as you stand before the Casada Rosada.  It is here that Evita Peron addressed the crowds.  You can also see the tomb where she was buried at the Recoleta Cemetery.  To get her full life’s story, visit the Museo Evita, where many of her personal possessions are on display.

There are several great shopping districts in the city.  One is Calle Florida, which is filled with quaint boutiques and shops.  The San Telmo Antiques Fair in Plaza Dorrego, which is held every Sunday, is a good location for smaller crafts and antique finds.  Spend the day wandering through the stalls as you enjoy live music and tango dancing.

Where Is It

The town of Sarasota is found on the west coast of Florida, in the United States.  Situated approximately 60 miles south of Tampa, the area is famous for its relaxed lifestyle and its 35 miles of quartz beaches.

Things To Do

If you are looking for a holiday destination that offers a balance of activities, relaxation, and culture, then Sarasota is definitely worth considering.  Golfers can choose from 60 courses to tee-off from in the area.  Fishing is a popular sport and charter boat trips can be arranged for keen fishermen.  Tennis is also a big sport in Sarasota, having raised Wimbledon champions in the past. If you are a keen tennis player, then the facilities in Sarasota are excellent.  For those seeking cultural delights, Sarasota also has much to offer.  Boasting its own opera house and ballet company, museums, art and antique galleries, this small city has a historic charm and a distinct European atmosphere to it.  Downtown Sarasota also has a vibrant night life offering live music as well as comedy and jazz clubs.

Getting There

The nearest international airports are situated at Sarasota, Tampa, and St Petersburg.

Where To Stay

As a long-established holiday destination, there is a wide range of accommodation available.  Whether you are looking for a one room apartment or a beach-side mansion on Long Boat Key, there are plenty of holiday rentals available.  A search online will illustrate the staggering amount of choice on offer.

If you really want to get away from it all, the city of Perth in Western Australia is the perfect travel choice.  Lying on the Swan River along the west coast of mainland Australia, it is described as the most remote city in the world.  Yet despite its geographical isolation, Perth is a sophisticated place, famous for its cosmopolitan feel and modern architecture.  You can arrive in Perth by land, sea, or air.  Several airlines fly to Perth from the United Kingdom, and once there you will be spoilt for choice with a number of things to do and places to see.

Nature lovers are well provided for in this scenic part of the world.  Perth has nineteen white sandy beaches to choose from and the whale watching season lasts from June to December.  Food lovers will appreciate the fare along the seafront of Perth, where smart restaurants and bistros vie for your custom.  If wine is your passion, then a tour of the world leading wineries in the nearby Swan Valley is an excellent choice.  The central business district is the place to go when exploring the nightlife, with plenty of nightclubs and bars to choose from.

Getting around is easy by car, rail, or the free bus service operating seven days a week within the business district.  A wide range of accommodation is also available for all tastes and budgets.  Whether you want a pampering package in a boutique hotel or a rustic break in a bed and breakfast in the hills, Perth offers plenty of choice.

Beautiful gay Paris is the city of love, romance and fine cuisine.  This capital city exudes charm from every alley and beguiles all who visit it.  Even getting to Paris has a certain romantic charm to it, especially from London as visitors board the Eurostar at beautifully renovated St Pancras and alight at the delightfully French Gare du Nord a mere two-and-a-half hours later.

Paris is crammed to bursting with top tourist attractions.  For culture vultures, The Louvre is a must to catch a glimpse of the alluring Mona Lisa.  History buffs will likely want to get themselves down to the Palace of Versailles, to retrospectively soak up the outrageous indulgences of the long-gone French royal family. 

For those who simply want to see the many architectural sights, and bust the myth that a trip to Paris is only for the wealthy, the city is a delight to discover on foot, walking down the Champs Elysee to the L’Arc de Triomphe, and onwards again to all that epitomises Paris, La Tour Eiffel.  Though you can take the lift to the summit of the tower, walking the 1,000 or so steps to the second stage is well worth it – the views are spectacular.  You get a sense of being up close and personal with the inner workings of the tower, and you are more than entitled to a patisserie treat once you descend! 

Paris will delight every visitor lucky enough to walk through its streets.

For a truly unique holiday experience, Iceland is tough to beat.  With volcanoes, glaciers,     geothermal spas, and varying amounts of daylight, this is one location that offers a large number of unusual experiences.

Landscape

The landscape of Iceland is quite different from any other place on Earth, and both volcanic and geothermal activity is high.  Travellers can see volcanoes and geysers – including Geysir, the namesake of them all – throughout the island.  Geysir erupts every five minutes.  Hiking is challenging but rewarding here with the tough volcanic terrain. 
Opportunities for ice climbing on glaciers are abundant; visitors can even climb frozen waterfalls.  For a more relaxing activity, tourists can soak in the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a large geothermal spa.

Despite its name, the climate of the country is really quite mild considering its proximity to the Arctic Circle.  The location does create an interesting effect when it comes to daylight; winter means nearly 20 hours of darkness per day, while summer has almost continuous daylight.  Spring and autumn provide more typical days.

Food

Visitors to Iceland should be prepared to sample some pretty unusual fare.  Naturally, seafood is big here.  So are dishes made from lamb such as smoked lamb, lamb sausage, singed sheep’s head, and sheep’s fat.  Dried fish with butter, hot dogs, and skyr – a yogurt type of dairy product – are common snacks.  Although controversial, many restaurants that cater to tourists will serve whale meat. 

Iceland offers visitors an exceptional travel experience.  For those who love the outdoors and natural wonders, this is an especially great choice of holiday destination.

For a truly unique holiday experience, tourists may want to try the most populous city in the world.  With over 18 million residents, Shanghai is simply packed with people.  The unusual history and culture of this city make it a top destination for travellers.

Unique History

Shanghai is an ancient city, but it is the more recent past that makes it special.  In the early 20th century Shanghai was divided between China, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Austria, Japan, and the U.S.  The result of that divide is that the city has a number of different European-style neighbourhoods and a very cosmopolitan feel.

The French Concession

One of the nicest parts of the city is the former home of the French.  The tree-lined streets of the French Concession offer a refreshing getaway from some of the more bustling areas of Shanghai.  On a walking tour visitors can see the many examples of Art Deco architecture in this neighbourhood.  Fuxing Park, designed in the French style, has several nice shops and restaurants popular with locals.

The Old City

For a taste of pre-Westernised Shanghai, a visit to the Old City is in order.  Found behind walls, this part of the city remained under Chinese control and as a result retains a feeling of true Shanghai culture.  Here visitors can see lovely old temples such as Chenxiang Ge Temple and the Temple of the Town Gods, and enjoy tea at one of the traditional tea houses.  The Fuyou Antique Market and Xiliupu Fabric Market are fun places for tourists to shop and take in the sights.

Canada’s natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls, offers more than just the beauty of the Falls themselves.  The city of Niagara Falls offers entertainment suitable for the entire family, from souvenir hunting to dining in family style or elegant restaurants.  Adult visitors might want to try their luck at Fallsview Casino, dine at the Skylon Tower or visit the Niagara Botanical Gardens for an afternoon of smelling the roses.  Guests to this city will find a wide variety of attractions and interesting spectacles to keep them busy.

The Falls Attractions

Guest may view the Falls from either the Canadian or American side, from viewing platforms or along sidewalks running parallel to the water.   For more adventurous guests, Journey Under the Falls takes visitors for a unique view of the water from the caves underneath the Falls.  The Maid of the Mist boat ride brings visitors into the whirlpool area at the base of the Falls: so close that visitors feel the spray of the water.  Niagara also has helicopter rides for an aerial view of the river and Falls and the surrounding area.

Family Attractions

Attractions the entire family can enjoy include Marineland.  This is an amusement park filled with rides and marine animals for the family to enjoy.  Fallsview Indoor Water Park is also a highlight, with twisting water slides and lazy rivers right across from the Falls themselves.  Clifton Hill has unique and fun museums, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Nightmares – a haunted house that dares its visitors to last the entire tour.

When it comes to luxury holidays of a lifetime, the Seychelles offers a tropical paradise where unspoilt nature is cherished and revered. The Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 115 islands, though 3 islands are the main focus for tourism. The largest is Mahé which houses the capital Victoria, with its smaller satellites of Praslin and La Digue completing the trio.

At one time the Seychelles were called ‘The Original Garden of Eden’ and it is not hard to understand why. Lush tropical forests filled with rare species of plant and animal life give way to the islands’ famous white sandy beaches and the ever-present deep blue ocean.

Visitors taking luxury holidays in the Seychelles will find luxuriously appointed accommodation overlooking the tropical sea where sipping cocktails while watching the orange and yellow hues of the sunset on the horizon is sometimes all that seems necessary to do. Inviting restaurants with food prepared and presented to gourmet standards are the norm and the bounty of the surrounding waters is always on the menu.

The natural world can be explored in botanical gardens and bird sanctuaries with some of the world’s rarest species on display. The enormous and strangely-shaped fruit of the Coco-de-Mer palm tree may be seen perhaps with a sighting of the Seychelles Black Parrot, the islands national symbol.

The Seychelles are a magnet for water sports enthusiasts with sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving all part of varied mix of activities. Underwater life can also be observed through the prism of a glass-bottomed boat, a fascinating experience and a real holiday treat.