The Unique Spirit of Seville - Don't Miss This One

The Tomb of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is a name that few are unfamiliar with, but his place of resting is a lesser-known fact. It is the city of Seville that houses his tomb through a cathedral’s southern doors. There is some controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the remains that are found in the tomb; the bones that lie there, which were brought to Spain from the Caribbean in 1899, were subject to question. The higher-ups in the Dominican Republic claimed to hold the real bones in its capital city.

Unfortunately for the Dominican Republic the DNA from the bones in Seville matched that of the great explorer’s brother, so Seville is indeed home to the real bones. Go see them.

image by Arshad Habib

Cathedral

The cathedral itself is the biggest in the entire world – that alone makes it worth seeing. The cathedral’s history is quite impressive too in that before a cathedral stood there it was the site of a 12th century Mosque – Almohad. The remains of the mosques great minaret can still be seen today standing next to the main building of the cathedral. It’s said that the cathedral’s creators stated the following “Let us create such a building that future generations will take us for lunatics.” If you see the scale of the cathedral that stands in Seville today – you’ll see that they’ve achieved their goal.

  

Basílica de La Macarena

The Basilica de la Macarena houses what is considered to be the most impressive example of a Virgin in all of Seville. The golden-crowned statue is a beauty to behold – she is even adorned with five diamond and emerald brooches that were donated by a famous matador of the region. 

 

Bullring

Bullfighting is quite a controversial sport – about that there is no question, however it’s worth taking note that in Spain this is much less the case and when in another country we must respect the culture’s traditions as outsiders. The bullring in Seville is the oldest in all of Spain and is said to hold what can only be compared to a religious significance to its thousands of fans.

The construction of the building itself started in 1758 which cements its age (no pun intended). It’s possible to take guided tours of the bullring in English (or Spanish if you speak it) that discuss the history of the place and describe some of history’s most famous bullfights (image by Laura713).

If you’re of a strong stomach and fancy watching a bullfight for yourself, it’s possible to do so between spring and autumn.

Getting to Seville is a doddle and by far the best way to do so is by plane. It’s often worth driving to the airport, parking the car and then picking it up upon your return – you can learn a bit more about how that works here. Flights leave pretty regularly, but, of course, book in advance to avoid being disappointed – you don’t want to miss out on a trip to one of the most enchanting cities on the planet.

If you’ve been to Seville and happen to have some tips regarding where to go (we know we’ve certainly not covered everything here), then be sure to let us know down in the comments section!

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Rome: The Most Fun Winter Place A Family Can Ever Tour

If you got bored with the daily schedule in your home city and want to escape it for some real fun, Rome is that place you can spend time having fun with your family getting around the city and capturing romantic ruins of the great Rome or “Roma” as the locals pronounce it. You can lose yourself in the nostalgia that Rome city castes upon you: you can stop at some big sights like St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican the brave gladiators once made their home and get transported in the wonderful history of the place.

Every child in the world has a huge accumulation of bold stories of the gladiators sipped in their little brain through a lot of movies on “HBO” or “Discovery channel.” Your children are certainly going to have a blast making those gladiators their friends, getting a lot of clicks of the monuments and sharing their stories with their friends back home. Keep in mind that in popular destinations like Rome, it is recommended to book your transportation and accommodation in advance, especially when traveling with your family.  Many online sites such as Monarch offer flights to Rome and many other services to meet you needs and your pockets.

Trevi Fountain

As you make your way through the zillions of tourists from across the world having fun around the Trevi fountain (one of the most famous and fun to be around with family destination), you can wish for quite a few good things to happen to you before you turn and dump a few coins in Trevi Fountain: part water feature, part magnificent sculpture. If your child is a lovely cute little baby, he/she may not like this idea of throwing money in the water and may keep the coins to buy a few chocolates for him/herself. (image byAndy Worthington)

Street Artists

If you don't happen to have any artist friends in your family who keeps asking for an appointment to work on a spectacular charcoal portrait of yours, you and your children would love to sit around those artists for your lovely portraits. You can find those portrait artists at almost every corner of the street. In the beginning, you are impatient and keep running to the artist’s stand to see how you look at the paper every next minute; and the man asks you to go back and advises you to remain still for some minutes. Just a quite few more strokes and he makes your portrait come to life on the paper. That is thrilling, you would say. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. You go back and fix it on the wall of your bedroom and it never fails to amaze you and remind you the great time you have had once in Rome.

Mediterranean Beach Walk
Well, if you love being around on the sea beaches and seashores with your family, that is a great place for you. If you plan to stay in some great hotel, it will have a plenty of swimming pools but it is nothing like dipping your toes in the Mediterranean on a sweltering day baking yourself in the sunlight on a summer day. Sperlonga is one of the seashores admired the most by the authorities on the environment. It has been given a 'blue flag’ for the clean water and other great initiatives to make it a wonderful experience for the families touring Rome. It is the nearest destination from Rome: some 45 minutes away; famous for the whitewashed town and amazing stretch of sand all over the place (image by let eat bee)

You will admire about every tourism destination that you can order for anything you want from the service stations located all around. And the experience you will never forget is guaranteed by a little bit of everything Rome is privileged with.

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Top 5 Things to do at Walt Disneyworld Florida

For many families taking the kids to Walt Disneyworld in Florida is a dream come true. But with so many things to do it can be difficult to know where to start. The age of your children will be a consideration, as will be their specific interests, but there are some things that really are unmissable.

Try and enjoy attractions in as many different parts of the park as possible, as this will give you a varied experience of Disneyworld. Read on for our suggestions to make the most of this highlight from your holiday in the US with Cosmos.

Mickey's PhilharMagic

Everyone loves Mickey Mouse - he is the Disney character that we have all grown up with, so what could be better than seeing him on the big screen? Well, maybe one of the biggest screens in the world!

Mickey's PhilharMagic, situated in the Magic Kingdom, is a 3D film in which the lovable mouse, along with his mate Donald Duck, takes you on a ride through a number of Disney classics that will stimulate your senses. There's music, special effects and lots of fairytale magic.

Space Mountain

Also in the Magic Kingdom is Space Mountain - possibly the world's most famous ride. This roller coaster transports visitors 180 feet up to its peak, before plunging them into space. Taking place entirely in the dark, you will speed past galaxies and stars.

This version of the attraction in Orlando is the only one to feature two tracks that mirror each other's twists and turns. Not suitable for younger kids, this ride is definitely one that teens and dads tend to enjoy. (image blow by expressmonorail)

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show

Also great for older children is this fast-paced stunt show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. As well as stunning the audience with huge explosions and death-defying jumps, it offers an insight into how action-packed movies are really made.

If big fireballs, motorcycles bursting through windows and stuntmen falling from five-storey buildings sound like your families idea of entertainment, this is the show for you. Just remember, don't try any of the stunts at home.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Animals are always a big hit with the kids and the chance to drive through an African-style savannah should not be missed. See giraffe grazing, zebra wander in front of your jeep and elephants taking shade under a baobab tree.

The premise of this attraction is that you are out with a group of rangers looking for poachers, which helps to bring the conservation message home. Look out for the lions and cheetahs that can also be spotted in the park, which you will find in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Shark Reef

Not as cuddly as some of the other animals, but just as fascinating are the leopard and bonnethead sharks found at Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach. These species are completely harmless, allowing visitors to get up close and personal.

Don the snorkel gear and explore an underwater world, complete with coral reef and sunken shipwreck. Swimming among the fish will open up a colourful world, which the kids will be excited about for weeks after.

For anyone who doesn't want to get wet there is the opportunity to see Shark Reef from a sunken tanker through the portholes. Remember that kids under ten wishing to swim will need to be accompanied by an adult.

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6 Fascinating Attractions in Dubai

If you and your family are looking for the ideal vacation this year, then there is no better destination than Dubai. Dubai is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it offers a variety of luxuries and attractions that are perfect for couples looking for a romantic get away or if you are looking for an adventurous vacation for the whole family. These 6 Fascinating Attractions In Dubai will make your families vacation one of a kind and completely unforgettable.

Burj Khalifa

On your unique vacation to Dubai, you can catch a part of history as you and your family get the opportunity to see the world's tallest building. This impressive piece of architecture holds more than 17 world records. It stands at an impressive 2,772 ft tall and is full of rental space, an observation deck, and even hosts fireworks for the new year. (image courtesy of pjmbarlickoz)

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

This incredible and one of a kind aquarium and underwater zoo will make your trip memorable for the entire family. Your children will have the opportunity to learn about the exotic animals under the seas as they get a first hand glimpse at the animals in their natural habitats. You can do more than just look at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, you can get close to the animals with unique scuba and cage diving experiences. (image courtesy of drkrishi)

The Iconic Artificial Island Of Palm Jumeirah

If you want to see all the incredible sites that Dubai offers, then you need to see the The iconic Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, in addition to many other attractions. When you get the chance to see this iconic island, you are also getting to see a piece of history because it is the largest artificial island there is. (image courtesy of lexich_76)

Camel Market

artificial island of Palm Jumeirah. This is a man made island that

was made by the government of Dubai. This island, from top, has a very unique feather-like shape inside a coin and has many resorts and hotels , including the luxurious

The Camel Market is a great way to add a little culture to your trip. When you go you can get the chance to see camels of all ages and sizes. The haggling can be entertaining as you watch the sales and trading of these unique animals. This is one of the oldest attractions that Dubai has to offer. (image courtesy of artefaque)

Grand Mosque

If you are looking for site seeing than you have to see the Grand Mosque. The Grand Mosque is one of the largest Mosques in Dubai. This incredible mosque was originally the main school for studying the Qur'an. This incredible architectural landmark will educate you a little about the history of religion in Dubai. (image courtesy of memphistours_1955)

Lost Chambers

Lost Chambers is one of the most mysterious and fun aquariums in Dubai. You can experience all the beautiful water life and have the chance to feed the fish. Not only will you get to interact with some of the beautiful creatures under the water, but you will also get educated about various myths and history of these incredible animals.  (image courtesy of fotorene )

Take a vacation like never before and come and experience all the incredible attractions and luxuries that Dubai has to offer. Dubai can offer your family culture, fun, adventure, and an incredible learning experience. Make Dubai a part of your next vacation plan, for an incredible experience you won't forget.

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Spending a Weekend in NYC? Here are Few Ideas

New York City is one of the best cities to spend a weekend in North America. It has many iconic landmarks to see and visit, which we see only in the films and TV. it is because if these legendary sights that most movie shootings are done here, these include the Grand Central, Times Square, The Statue of Liberty and many others, the list is endless. There are many ways to take this tour around New York, if you are a fun of nightlife, then the diner cruises are for you, if you are a movie fanatic, Movie and TV site tour were made with you in mind. Moreover, there are other means like water taxi and just walks like n the case of Wall Street. 

A New York Water Taxi Tour

Contrary to the hassle and stress characterized to getting a taxi in New York, the New York Water Taxis offer a more relax option to use while touring the city. They are schedule at intervals of 45 minutes within each other and stop at five points between Midtown and Brooklyn. They are a preferable way to enjoy the scenic beauty of New York City while you ride across the East and Hudson Rivers. You are able to catch a glimpse of such monumental and historical landmarks such as The Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building as well as other interesting sites. You can hire a ninety- minute ride water taxi or hop on and off at your own convenience and pleasure, whatever suites you best, either way, a great time is guaranteed.

The Hop on/Off + 9/11 Memorial Pass tour stops at Christopher Street, Battery Park, South Street Seaport and Fulton Ferry in Dumbo respectively. In Christopher Street, the oldest street in West Village, passengers will have the greatest shopping experience from the assortment of boutiques and enjoy delicious foods. Next, the bus water taxi stops at Battery Park and the National 9/11 Memorial and museum. Here you get to see the granite pool that replaced the twin towers and the famous World Trade Center skyscraper. 

From Battery Park, the Water taxi proceeds to the nest stop which is South Street Seaport which holds a feel of the ancient NYC. This is attributed to the dominant 19th century commercial buildings characterizing the place. You also get to visit the South Street Seaport Museum, the Pier 17’S dockside mall and Titanic Park. Finally, the last stop; Fulton Ferry. This is Brooklyn and it’s where you get to see Brooklyn Bridge Park and if you were intending to send some post cards, this is the places that offers the beast scenarios for them. It is simply elegant and beautiful. Brooklyn has been named the second most expensive city to live in, in the United States and hopping off at this point may just tell you why.

TV and Movie Sites Tour

This is a good way to spend your weekend; touring movie sites, especially if you are a movie fanatic like myself. This tour begins from Times Square, almost always a monument featured in most movies, and by bus traces through the neighborhoods mostly seen in all time favorite film and TV hits. These include, West Village, chic’s shopping haven SoHo and TriBeCa, the real estate sanctuary. Along with these you get to visit movie settings including the apartment house that a favorite of many, Friends, The Daily Burge offices in Spider-Man to name just but a few. In total On Site New York TV and Movie Tour affords you forty amazing movie and TV locations to see and enjoy. What’s more, you get to be guided by an actor or actress who has firsthand movie set experience and is familiar with them.

A Wall Street Walk Tour

A visit to the Wall street, which is the home of the New York Stock Exchange, is another fabulous way to make your weekend special and worthwhile. With its rich, anyone would want to walk the streets and view the landmarks that each bears a story that builds to the existence of this street. These include, The Wall Street Bull, Trinity Church, The New York stock Exchange, Ground Zero and The Federal Reserve.

This tour involves a walk through the street as the tour guides give you the stories behind the monuments found in it. The likes of John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan made world history along this Wall, take a tour there and get to hear stories about them.

Hornblower Diner Cruise-Manhattan By Night

The sights of New York City at night is a wonder and how else to better revel in its beauty that on a yatch while you enjoy exquisite cuisine. Nothing beats the Hornblowers Manhattan Diner Cruise in offering this kind of package for a nice romantic time. They offer a four-course meal and a complimentary drink and while you enjoy the good food, you get to tour New York’s finest landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the remarkably tall fantastic World Trade Centre and the intrepid from a distance. You can also take snap shots and dance to some music in between courses. This experience lasts approximately three hours and is refreshing for both New York dwellers, which get to enjoy seeing from a distance as well as to the tourists on a special weekend.

The Ride

If your desire is to be part and parcel of the life in New York City for just a weekend, then look no further that The Ride. The Ride is a that integrates entertainment and sightseeing all in one, plus you get to see ordinary people go about the daily activities and dramas of life. In addition, the hosts, show video snippets of the top attraction of the City, among these being Times Square, The Chrysler Building, Grand Central, theatre District, Carnegie hall and other amazing places you probably only hear about or see on films and TV.

This one of a kind bus has a 49 stadium seating arrangement that allows the passengers to seat facing the transparent side of the bus. You definitely want to mention in a conversation that you have ridden in a one of a kind bus, 49 feet long and 14 feet tall, it is the only one allowed by the law. There isn’t nothing that species life than spontaneity and The Ride, offers this.

Whichever way you choose to tour this beautiful and busy city, always be sure to book in advance the package that most appeals to you. These can be done either personally or online to avoid last minute hustles that may end up ruining your weekend.

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Great Travel Tips for Sharm el-Sheik

Sharm el-Sheik is famous for its snorkeling and beautiful beaches and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Arab world which is located at African continent. Located at the bottom of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea, this beautiful region is definitely worth a visit. The weather is mostly always good, although it can be humid in summer, and there are the odd cold snaps. There are many hotels and hostels to suit every budget.

There's a lot to see and do in the region. The number one reason people have for visiting the area is the snorkeling and diving and with beautiful blue seas and the incredible sea life on show at Ras Mohamed National Park, you can see why. There are a huge number of tropical fish, exotic corals and even sharks in this part of the Red Sea. You can relax on the beach or got out on a boat to see the sights of the water, and if you want to learn to dive, then you can also do that here too. There is not just the national park, but also Tiran Island to explore.


Want to try a real Egyptian experience? You can go on a camel safari to truly experience Egypt. After all, you can't visit Sharm el-Sheik without a camel ride, or your friends might not believe you were in Egypt! The camels you will be riding are single humped Dromedary camels, perfectly adapted to the harsh climate of the desert. Following your trek, you can also sit down and have a genuine Bedouin tea or full dinner. There's so much to see and do, therefore it is a must to book some cheap flights to Sharm el-Sheik in order to begin your adventure.

If you want to explore the history of the region, then you should consider a day out for a visit to St Catherine's Monastery, built around 530 A. D. and supposedly built on the site of Moses' burning bush. You can explore the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. While it is a trek from Sharm el-Sheik at 100 miles or so, it is definitely someone to consider for a day out.

If you get bored of the water, you can always go off and explore the desert on a trip out on quad bikes for a more modern look at Egypt than the one you'll see from the back of a camel. Or try some of the wonderful local cuisine and go shopping in one of the many bazaars.

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The Inside Scoop: Tips and Tricks for Travel to Majorca

Majorca, the island paradise off the east coast of Spain, isn’t the kind of destination most people would put on their shortlist if they were looking for a budget holiday destination around Spain. The government, apparently, has an interest in keeping Majorca positively upscale, too – they’ve actually enacted legislation to keep hotel builders from opening anything lower than a 3 star when they build new. The tourism business model that they are interested in, apparently, goes after the high-end high profit tourist.

What do you do if you can’t go that high?

You can’t let a little hurdle like the unavailability of budget accommodation keep you from such a special holiday destination. As with as any other tourist spot, you always have ways of working around the system (one of which is to travel in spring or in autumn when the weather is beautiful, but it still isn’t considered high season).

If the idea of taking the trip when it’s the off-season doesn’t seem your style, you do have two options. One would be to book far ahead enough so that you are able to find something in one of Majorca’s older, budget hotel pickings.

The other choice is rather new – a holiday rental. Going with a company like HouseTrip holiday rentals, you could easily find a home to rent at seasonally competitive rates. 

Money doesn’t really talk in Majorca, if you think about it

If you were to visit New York, London or Paris on a tiny budget, you would find yourself priced out of the most sought after attractions. A small budget on at an island paradise, though, doesn’t run into quite the same kinds of problems. The main attraction at a place like St. Tropez or Majorca is the natural beauty of the place itself. There isn’t much to spend money on, anyway.

The breathtaking views to be had on the Majorcan west coast, the peaceful little secret beaches of the south of the island, the exotic Mediterranean environment to be found on every little Majorcan market street, getting back in touch with nature on a hikingtrail and a chance to rejoice snorkelling in the jewel like waters all around – most people who visit Majorca, do so for its spectacular natural beauty. Even if you had a great deal of money, you wouldn’t have much more to spend it on in Majorca. The greatest Majorcan experiences are free. 

How do you make up for the expensive hotel, though?

To be certain, the main attractions of Majorca don’t cost much. All you need to do is to set aside enough money for the expensive hotels. To do this, you need to know how to save money when you eat, though. Luckily, expensive Majorca does offer plenty of ways to save money.

1. Majorcan restaurants have a curious policy in the way they price their menus. While their regular menus are expensive, they all suddenly drop their prices when it’s lunchtime. It’s a 50-year-old tradition from the time Generalissimo Franco ruled. He believed that the working classes needed at least one filling and affordable meal a day. Even at the posh restaurants, a menú del día will get you a full three-course meal and wine for more than €18. You can get by on half as much at one of the more mid-market restaurants. You just need to fill up at lunchtime.
2. Since evening meals tend to be routinely expensive, many tourists in Majorca take a page out of the locals’ book – they go around from one restaurant or bar to the next, only ordering the cheapest parts of the menu – sausages like the sobrassada, local salads like the tumbet, and so on. While most Majorcan beach bars happen to be there expensive, the ones on the southern beaches are quite affordable. Spending no more than €15 can get you seafood and sangria.
3. Some skip the restaurants altogether. They shop around the markets of Majorca for the ingredients of a great picnic and take their meal to the beaches.

Getting around Majorca

Many tourists arriving in Majorca look at the inexpensive car rentals available at the airport and grab a car. This is a mistake, though, because parking anywhere can be very expensive. Instead, renting a bicycle or taking the bus can be a far better idea.

Celebrating life in Majorca doesn’t need a huge budget – it only needs a fertile imagination.

About the writer

An expert in European travel and a holiday home owner, Simon Dance works for Holiday Rental marketplace HouseTrip.com.

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Machu Pitccu Peru- The Story Behind this Ancient Culture

Many people in the world have heard of Peru. When taken into consideration it should be noted that Peru has quite the interesting history of culture. There is no doubt hat Peru has a very deep an interesting heritage and culture. Take a look at the following movie that demonstrates the beauty of Peru

Among many cultural sites, one such culture is known as Machu Picchu. It is located in the Cusco region of Peru and is an Inca site from the 15th century. It is known as the "Lost City of the Incas" and is the most popular icon of the Incan civilization. Today it is a fascination among archaeologists and there are still many things that are not known to us. But regardless, here what we do know:

Pachacuti

1) It is believed that Machu Picchu was built was a royal home for Inca emperors and nobles. Others believe that it was once a women's prison arena and even a defense area. It was also looked at as a retreat and home for one single emperor known as Pachacuti.

2) No one ever knew or had a record of Machu Picchu until the year of 1911. An American historian known as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the city during that year. He believed that he had found the city known as Vilcabamba, the last Incan stronghold, and he gave quite the interesting account of the discovery.

The Temple of the Sun

3) Many excavations of this Incan site have revealed over 50 burial sites and over 100 skeleton remains. It was initially thought that the majority of the remains were female. This would indicate that Machu Picchu would have been matriarchal society. However this has been discredited since recent research shows that the ratio of males and females

4) Places in Machu Picchu such as The Three Windows, The Sacred Square, The Temple of the Sun, and The Intihuatana were all places used for rituals. These rituals would reveal impressive knowledge of the Incas in regards to physics and cosmology.

5) The Incas in Machu Picchu used an interesting technique to build the city structures. They would cut up the stones used for building with the best precision. Therefore the stones would not perfectly and no mortar was needed to bind them. As a result many of the city structures were highly resistant to events such as earthquakes. This method of building has also led researchers to speculate about extraterrestrial help given to the Incas since there was no modern technology back then. In one way or another they built a city whose ruins still stand today.

6) It is said that the people of the city were self-sustaining. Since the city was built high in the mountains it would be difficult for travelers to get to it. Farming terraces in the city area have also been known to add more speculation to this idea.

Since there is so much interest in Machu Picchu and the history of it is still a mystery it has been named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It was given this honor in July of 2007.

So come on down to Machu Picchu and go back to the ancient times of Peru.

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Tips on Discovering Luxurious Dubai

 Dubai is famous for being one of the most luxurious destinations in the world. What's more, it's also among the most varied in terms of attractions, with everything from vast shopping centers and water parks to nature reserves and fine dining on offer. Today, we'll be taking a look at some of the best things to do and see while you're here.

 

Stay in a lavish hotel

Now, being synonymous with luxury, Dubai is somewhere a stay in a lavish hotel is a must. In fact, it's famous for being home to the world's first seven-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab.

You don't have to go up to seven-star standard to experience utter luxury, though. There's a huge array of five-star establishments here that are just about as luxurious as you could imagine - so much so that it's hard to envisage just exactly what else seven-star could give you!

Among the hotels you can book through luxury travel specialists like Sovereign is the One&Only Royal Mirage, which is perched on the ever-popular Jumeirah Beach. A five-star resort, it's nestled in an impressive 65 acres of beautiful gardens, with plenty of sea-facing, Arabian-style rooms and suites that are perfect for really getting into the spirit of the place.

Visit Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

When thinking of Dubai, high-rise buildings and man-made beaches usually spring to mind - but there's another side to the city. Head to the end of Dubai Creek and you'll reach Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans around 6.2 sq km.

Created to preserve the local natural ecosystem, it is home to more than 500 species of flora and fauna and in winter more than 20,000 water birds can be spotted here.

Dine out in style

Dubai has as strong a reputation for fine dining as it does for luxury hotels, so you really can't miss treating yourself to a meal out at an upmarket restaurant. One of the interesting things about eating here is that there's such a wide range of choice when it comes to cuisine, with food from all over the world available.

Among the establishments to look out for are those that have just received praise from the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2013, including Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire, which won the much-coveted Restaurant of the Year. Japanese restaurant TOMO, meanwhile, snapped up Best Newcomer and was applauded for its authenticity.  And if you are a wine lover, this post is a great one.

Hit the shops

Because of the sheer wealth of Dubai and the staggering array of stores its home to, hitting the shops is a must.

It's best to aim for a mixture of shopping centers and traditional souks to get a comprehensive image of the destination's culture.

For the ultimate mall experience, head to Dubai Mall, which is the largest in the world - and is, in fact, also being expanded so it's able to welcome even more visitors than before. There are well over 1,000 stores here, as well as around 160 places to eat and drink. And, just in case that wasn't enough, there's also a cinema, an aquarium and an ice rink - and much else besides!

Deira Gold Souk, meanwhile, gives you a slightly different taste of the city. Here you can see dazzling jewellery; go to Sikkat al-Khail Street to find it.

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Greece - the Land of a Thousand Islands

While choosing to holiday in Greece is not difficult, thanks to its reputation for great weather, stunning beaches and friendly locals, picking which island you want to visit is another matter altogether.

There are between 1,200 and 6,000 islands owned by Greece (estimates vary depending on the size criteria applied), so there's a lot of potential destinations to choose from. Even if you narrow it down to inhabited islands, this gives you a list of several hundred.

 So in order to help you choose where to book your island getaway (which you can do via this link), here's a guide to three of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece (one small and peaceful, one medium-sized and one big and lively) and what they have to offer.

Alonissos

One of the lesser-known Greek islands, Alonissos is a member of the Northern Sporades chain in the Aegean Sea. It's a small island, 4.5km wide and 20km long, so you can easily explore the whole area during your stay.

Despite its diminutive size, Alonissos has plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained. Walking is a popular activity on the island, with a number of mountains to climb that afford incredible views.

Enjoy wonderful sea vistas from the summit of Kalovoulos Mountain or look out over the whole of Alonissos from the top of Megalo Chorafi Mountain, which sits right in the centre of the island.

On the coast, the beautiful beaches and peaceful coves are a big draw. Those looking to take things easy can relax in the sunshine or paddle in the clear, warm waters, while more active holidaymakers can scuba dive and kayak.

Kos

Kos is one of the Dodecanese islands and lies just a few miles off the Turkish coast. It is quite a bit larger than Alonissos at 40km long and 8km wide. Its population is also far bigger, with around

33,000 inhabitants compared to Alonissos's 3,000.

Being more built up, Kos has a wider range of attractions on offer, ranging from visiting the Asklepion ancient Greek ruins and exploring the castle during the day to hitting the pubs, clubs and restaurants in the main towns once the sun has gone down.

And of course there's a ton of stunning strips of sand dotted around the island for when you want to top up your tan or go for a swim in the sea.

Rhodes

Yet bigger still, Rhodes is the largest Dodecanese Island and has a population of more than 115,000.

Formerly the site of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes, and

littered with many relics, the island is a real delight for history buffs. The Old Town of the city of Rhodes is a World Heritage Site and there are some incredible archaeological sites dotted around the island, including the Acropolis of Lindos, Ancient Kamiros and the Acropolis of Rhodes.

Aside from revisiting history, you can do pretty much anything you desire on Rhodes, from relaxing on beaches to dancing the night away in the clubs and bars, and from walking in the hills to taking banana boat rides.

You are also spoilt for choice in terms of accommodation, with numerous resort towns lining the coast, including Faliraki, Lindos and Rhodes.

Although there are many things to consider when visiting Europe, I hope this guide has helped you reach a decision or at the very least shown you what great places the Greek islands are to visit.

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Sentosa Singapore - The Best Family Destination

Singapore a country in Malay Peninsula. It's blend of three nations China India and Malaysia making it a major tourist attraction for most people in the world. The English speaking-population and the friendly population makes you get around it.With the merge of different western culture, habits makes it a major tourist attractions site been supplemented by the friendly locality.

Sentosa Singapore has many attraction sites including one as well known universal studio. I would call it ride the movie in Singapore studios, thrill seeker and families will be the first to experience many new rides and shows based on blockbuster hits.Don't be left behind for the show.

Adventure cove

Adventure Cove is a memorable unique site in Singapore .It's an aquatic adventure park for the old and the young.Don't miss the cold breeze and fun that follows.

Be exited with the new generation in 4-dimensional digit effect. Using the-state-of -the-art digital projection system, movies come to life right off the big screen.Change your culture, habits and taste new life.

Skyline is the most exciting thing here. The lure offers a unique outdoor experience for all ages. This includes parity go-cart, part toboggan and others.

The Song of the Sea brings a mesmerizing show with live cast, pyrotechnics and dramatic effects. Flame bursts, water jets and captivating music makes it a performance you don't want to miss.

Mega Zip Adventure Park is a must for all visitors. Gives you the whiz over the canopy and the buzz of the Siloso beach. It includes over 450 meters of long and 72 meters above sea.Don't miss the experience to feel you in another world.

Flying trapeze is an excellent form of sport whether you're participating or speculating. Learning the trapeze helps ones concentration, strength and coordination and aid you conquer any fears of heights.

Skyline luge brings you the first luge in southern Asia. The luge is a fun filled gravity ride safer for all ages. With braking and self-steering makes the ride as exciting and leisurely as you want it.

Do you want to live your dream? Try the iFly adventure. It's the world's largest wind tunnel for indoor skydiving. I fry Singapore has made flying more fun and easier than ever. Spanning 16.5 feet wide and 56.5 feet tall what else can you ask for?

Segway Eco adventure offer incredible fun you can't resist. This include fun rides through twists and turns, explore the beaches of the Sentosa while gliding effortlessly on a Segway, they also offer beautiful beaches, resort world, universal studios and night activities.

These are just among the few pleasantries you find in Sentosa Singapore. Singapore is the home to fun excitement what else would you ask for if planning for a family holiday or some personal retreat.

Did I say that the climatic condition of this place is all you could ask for personal refreshment? This is one place you can't live without going for a holiday. With the cool breeze from the beach this just makes your nerves just wish for more.

Singapore is the place to be for fun and excitements.

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