Go Travel and See the World

Are you a person who love to travel? How many countries have you been to? This came out of my mind while I was taking a snack of smoked cheese with ham in it and sweet green grapes awhile ago. I guess I need to make a post about this and I will enumerate all the countries that I have been to. I would say, this is quite a travel inventory. What do you think folks?

One of the countries I visited in Europe is Spain. I love this country and sad to say that they are now one of the countries that needs financial help from the European Union. I guess most of the financial help will be coming again from Germany like what had happened to Greece.

Let’s finally proceed with the main topic. This is about my trip in Madrid, Spain. It was actually my second visit in Spain’s capital city. One of the sights I visited was Plaza de Cibeles. In fact, I saw it a lot of times because everytime I went around Madrid, I always passed this lovely square.

Known as the Cibeles Square in English, this square has been an iconic symbol of Madrid. It has a neo-classical architecture with a beautiful fountain in front of it and is located in front of Cibeles Palace. It was formerly called as Plaza de Madrid, then changed  later   to Plaza de Castelar and was , which was eventually replaced as Plaza de Cibeles.

Here are some of the  snapshots I captured when I was there.

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain. This was taken during my second visit last March 2012.	I love Madrid!

It seems that I was away from this blog for a few decades. Sorry folks, I was just so busy travelling again in Europe with friends. Besides there were a lot of events and activities that took place the past weeks. I was also busy with some offline and online jobs and assignments. I am always happy when a lot of things keep me busy.

I am finally back here and would love to share some travel snapshots during our visit lately in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. It was actually my second visit to this city. My first visit was last August 2011.

Here are some of the photos I took from Budapest.

Some people might find cruise holidays expensive at first glance, compared to the standard cost of a week’s stay in a package holiday resort. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find that it represents excellent value for money, where you can discover a new destination every day, enjoy sumptuous cuisine every waking minute and take advantage of excellent onboard facilities from fitness equipment and pools to cinemas and spa treatments.

What’s more, cheap cruise holidays are easy to find and readily available via recognised tour operators, or by booking direct with the cruise liner. Many tour operators offer regular discounts on cabin upgrades, drinks packages and even onboard spending money, along with reductions on the overall cost of the cruise.

For instance, Thomas Cook cruise deals are always on offer and due to the fact that the company doesn’t own its own fleet, instead booking holidays with the likes of P&O and Royal Caribbean International, they can also pass on discounts provided by the cruise liners themselves.

Furthermore like any package holiday, the prices often come down the closer you get to the departure date. Tour operators and liners would rather sell cabins cheaply than let them go empty for the duration of the cruise, so you will often see further reductions on the cost of cruise holidays the nearer you get to the departure date. So it’s well worth playing the waiting game if you can bear the suspense.

Finally, another good tactic is to book well ahead – up to a year before the cruise departs – and take advantage of early booking deals on next season’s sailings. In addition, you can usually split the cost and pay off your holiday over a longer period of time. So however tight your budget, it’s always worth shopping around to find the best cut-price cruise deals.

When it comes to sizzling holiday destinations with scorching sun, a red hot reputation and an ever hotter nightlife, Malia is the place to be.

It’s got everything that a party-lover could ever want: cool R&B classics, urban tunes, dance and chilled house, rock bars and all-night clubs. There’s plenty of cheesy fun too with all the electric 80s tunes, karaoke chaos and school discos you could ever wish for. The clubbing scene might not be as big as Ibiza but it certainly punches well above its weight in the nightlife stakes.

One thing’s for sure, the reputation of Crete clubbing holidays well and truly precedes it. Take a trip here and you won’t be disappointed.

But aside from booming bars and a hedonistic clubbing scene, Malia has got plenty more going for it. By day, take advantage of the resort’s gorgeous slice of golden sandy beach which is all parasols, sunbeds and water sports. Take your pick between pedalos, jet skiis and speed boats, or join in with a spot of volleyball. If that’s too much like hard work, you could always lay your towel on a patch of sand and while away the hours topping up your tan.

And did you know that Malia was the setting for Inbetweeners: The Movie? Take a trip around the town and visit the places that appeared on the film. Or if you feel like soaking up a little culture while you’re here, the old town is well worth a look. You could also wander up the beach and explore some of Crete’s other holiday resorts, or take any one of the numerous day trips to see a little more of the island.

Whatever you like doing by day and whatever you’re into at night, Malia is a heavyweight nightspot that certainly packs a punch.

I had the pleasure to visit London, England and United Kingdom’s capital city  last 2008. I wish to visit it again to explore more of the city.  I auditioned as SAMSUNG GLOBAL BLOGGER and I hope to win the contest to witness  one of the most exciting events this year, the 2012 London  Olympics. Please support me by watching it and liking  in Facebook.  You can click the video HERE. Thanks in advance and I truly appreciate all your time and effort.

Back to my trip in London last 2008. I did not really experienced  and explored  everything in London. A day or two is not enough to see all.  I saw from outside the Tower Bridge, London  Eye, London Bridge,  Westminster Abbey, the Parliament or the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral and more.

I am hoping to win the contest  and be a Samsung Global Blogger to be in London again and share the beauty of this city. And of course to witness the Olympics.

If you’re looking for a cheap hotel near Euston Station then there are a good number of options but you needn’t look any further than the Travelodge that sits just a few minutes’ walk from station. The convenience of the hotel itself makes it ideal for anyone arriving into Euston on business, with every other part of central London very easily accessible. The transport links from the Euston area in fact are excellent indeed. You can hop on a Tube right from the station and get to the West End or to the City of London within a matter of minutes. Alternatively you can stroll over in a minute or so to either King’s Cross or to St Pancras International, where a train can take you to any other part of the region or even across to the continent.

Staying at a Euston hotel makes good sense if you’re in town on business but it can also be a great place to base yourself if you’re visiting London on a city break and you’re looking to explore as much of the capital as you can. The immediate vicinity is one of the busier parts of London but within a very short walk to the west you can make your way to Regent’s Park, which is an enormous open space that is lovely in any weather and an absolutely delightful place to be when the sun is out. Film fans might recognise the park as a backdrop to scenes in the Oscar-winning movie The King’s Speech and children will no doubt be excited by London Zoo, which sits in the far corner of the park.    

Other great places to visit within a short journey of your Euston hotel will be Hyde Park, which is every bit as pleasant and picturesque as Regent’s Park, and the British Library, which is actually on Euston Road and boasts one of the most amazing collections of written artifacts anywhere in the world.

When it comes to holiday cruises the list of options is endless. A quick scour of the web will turn up hundreds of tantalising getaways from the UK coastline and Channel Islands to the far-flung corners of the Caribbean. But one firm favourite that remains steadfastly at the top of most holidaymakers’ wish lists – regardless of whether they travel by land, air or sea – is the Mediterranean, and it’s not hard to see why.

On a Mediterranean cruise you’ll have the chance to slip into a truly luxurious way of life. Wake up in a new destination every morning, breakfast like a king with all the croissants, bagels and smoked salmon you could wish for, and venture out to explore the latest port of call – before ticking yet another stunning destination off your list. It’s an unashamedly luxurious way to travel and one that will leave you feeling thoroughly relaxed and invigorated.

So what can you expect from your Mediterranean cruise? Firstly there is a great choice of itineraries which means you can take your pick from a stunning range of destinations from Lisbon and Dubrovnik to Gibraltar and Cannes. In most cases the ship will dock at a different port each day, leaving you to explore the destination in your own time or join an escorted excursion to really make the most of your visit.

But while this is one of the main highlights of the voyage you certainly don’t have to alight at every stop. Instead, you could choose to stay onboard and enjoy the superb facilities on offer – perhaps enjoy a relaxing shoulder massage, take a refreshing dip in the pool or just catch up on the latest bestseller under the Mediterranean sun.

Whatever you choose to do, cruise holidays are a unique and luxurious way to see the world. But be warned – once you’ve been bitten by the cruise bug there’s no going back…

Norwich is a lovely and vibrant city, located in the county of Norfolk, in the east of England. There are many Norfolk Holiday Cottages within a stone’s throw of Norwich which make a charming holiday at any time of year. Norwich has a rich cultural history and was even among the four finalists for the UK City of Culture for 2013. Here is my guide of what not to miss in Norwich.

A great place to shop

Norwich is a great destination for a shopping trip. Whatever your style, the new Chapelfield shopping centre is a great place to shop until you drop. With over ninety stores including House of Fraser, Hollister and apple, Chapelfield’s has proved extremely popular since its opening in 2005. Outside the shopping centre, Norwich city centre is certainly worth a visit, with a great mix of chain store and independent retailers as well as Norwich Market, which is one of the biggest outdoor markets in England. Voted the best City Centre in the UK in 2006, Norwich is a thriving shopping destination.

Beautiful buildings

Norwich’s rich history has lead to a legacy of stunning buildings dotted around the city. As part of a plan to promote Norwich’s heritage on an international scale, a list of twelve listed buildings has been drawn up. This includes historic buildings like Norwich Castle, built as a palace for William the Conqueror which has been a museum since 1894. Norwich Cathedral dates back to 1096 houses both the highest Norman tower, which reaches 40 metres into the sky, and the largest cloisters in England. The list also includes some never buildings like The City Hall built in 1938 with a impressive art deco interior and The Forum finished in 2001 with its impressive 21st-century design. Why not make it your mission to visit all twelve buildings?

Manufacturing History

Mustard has been manufactured in Norwich for over 180 years, so a trip to the Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum is a must, especially for mustard lovers. It’s the place to learn about the famous Colman’s yellow packaged mustard that has become such a British institution and discover how mustard is made. It’s also a great opportunity to pick up a gift for anyone who loves mustard, with everything from tea towels to mustard pots and even speciality mustard.

With so much to do, Norwich is a great option for your next break away, visit www.webcottages.co.uk for a selection of lovely cottages in the area.

Photo attribution
Mustard Shop flickr
Norwich Cathedral flickr

Not everyone likes to relax on holiday by taking up residence on a sunlounger with a book. More active types may prefer to make the most of time away from work by enjoying exciting activity holidays.

If you love keeping fit and healthy, then you’re unlikely to want to let your routine slide while you’re away. Why not instead enjoy the best of both a relaxing break and fantastic fitness facilities with Neilson fitness holidays?

Sailing holidays and guided cycling holidays are two types of specialised fitness holiday available, but you’ll also find some amazing hotels tailored to support more ‘all round’ fitness programmes.

Offering much more than a basement ‘fitness suite’ in a forgotten corner of a hotel complex, Neilson hotels offer fitness holidays with a difference. With facilities and amenities of the highest standard, you’ll enjoy your fitness routine like you’ve never enjoyed it before.

As an example, let’s look at the Retreat Beach Club, Sivota Beach, Greece. Idyllically located amongst tiny coves, lush green hills and secluded beaches, this Neilson complex boasts a waterfront pool, beautifully decorated rooms, a split level restaurant with terrace and a children’s club, all set within beautifully landscaped grounds.

What’s really special about this holiday choice however, are the facilities for leisure and fitness. You can take advantage of your stunning location right on the Aegean Sea with a range of watersports and sailing opportunities, or take your pick from the varied fitness programme. Four floodlight tennis courts are also available for your use, with group coaching included in the cost of your holiday.

Those who love to cycle will also find amazing mountain biking facilities available to them, including top of the range bikes, expert guiding and skills tuition.

Don’t let your fitness routine slide while on holiday. Instead incorporate it into a memorable trip where you’ll have expert coaching and fitness specialists on hand to help motivate you and ensure that you get the most out of your fitness holiday.

Flying with the family can seem like a daunting task. Whether it’s your first trip away with a tiny tot or you are looking for short haul destinations for tearaway teens, family holidays to Majorca are ideal.

Cheap holiday deals online can help you cut the costs of travelling with the clan. So many low to mid budget hotels are available for family holidays to Majorca, all inclusive of the wonderful Balearic weather.

Wherever you stay on the island, there is an array of attractions and excursions to keep the kids happy and everyone else entertained.

Cheap holiday deals can only be optimised by free fun and Majorca is home to over 40 beautiful blue flag beaches. Whether you choose to stay in Palma and visit Cala Estància or take a trip to the lagoon like shores of Cala Barques in Pollença, you are never far away from a striking sun-soaked shore.

When the family have finished splashing in the sea, a trip to the Palma Mallorca Aquarium is in order. Here children over eight years can dive with the stingrays, while fearless young adults can swim with sharks. There is also an impressive collection of sealife to view as well as overnight camping for kids with kangaroo sharks from 19:30hrs to 11:00hrs the next day.

The ultimate safari experience can be found at Porto Cristo’s Safari Zoo. Either hire a car and brave the monkeys or take the safari train; this is an amazing opportunity to get near to nature. From alligators to wallabies, Majorca’s Safari Zoo has it all.

No family holiday would be complete without a trip to a waterpark. Venture into the party capital, Magaluf, for a fun packed day at the Western Water Park. Ride the waves and fly down the flumes, while the young ones paddle in the outdoor water playground.

Check online for cheap holiday deals to Majorca and make the most of your summer break away.