I know I’m not alone when I say that my dog is more than just a pet – he’s part of the family…which is why, when we went on our family holidays in Italy, he came with us.
In the past, we have been on several holidays in Italy and left our dog at a kennels in our home town. Although the kennels are run by highly professional staff and kept spotlessly clean, our poor Rocky pined for us while we were away – and the truth was that we missed him too. Add to that the fact that the boarding fee for Rocky’s stay was almost as much as it would cost for one of us to stay at a hotel, we decided it was time for a change.
We love holidays in Italy so decided that we would stick with the same destination, but choose a holiday which allowed our dog to come with us. I found that it was fairly easy to find camp-sites which accepted doggy visitors, so the decision was made – our family holiday would be a camping trip!
Of course, before we booked our holidays in Italy there were a number of arrangements to make. Just like us humans, dogs need to have their own passport which allows them to travel through Europe. We took the recommendation of the DEFRA website, which suggested we visited a veterinarian to discuss everything we needed to do to make sure that Rocky could travel with us. The registration process with PETS is fairly complex, as it includes vaccinations, microchipping and a blood test before the dog can actually travel. Rules also mean that the registered dog cannot travel for the first six months after the passport is issued.
Once we’d completed all the necessary requirements for Rocky’s passport, we were able to book our ferry and accommodation and start planning our vacation. During the journey itself, we were driving our own vehicle, so it was easy to ensure that our pet was comfortable and not overly stressed by the new experiences. During the ferry journey, we were a little concerned that he would be upset, but a walking area was provided, so we were able to reassure him.
When we arrived at our destination, holidays in Italy began for all of us. We’d brought some of Rocky’s favourite food and toys, so he instantly felt at home, although it was easy to buy additional supplies in the local shops. We loved having our canine companion with us, and he was thrilled discovering all the new smells, sights and sounds of Italy.
Our recommendation for any dog owner who hates leaving their pet behind when they go on holiday is to sort out a passport as soon as possible. While it may seem like a complicated process any vet will be able to guide you through it, and it is worthwhile to be able to enjoy your family holidays in the company of your faithful friend – after all, he deserves a holiday too!
Until our last vacation, my husband and I had always assumed that Luxury Cruises were designed for the older generation, and had nothing to offer us. In fact, we’d have probably not considered Luxury Cruises amongst our top holiday choices, however our (grown-up) children booked us a holiday for our wedding anniversary.
We were both a little nervous about cruising, having always imagined that the atmosphere would be very formal, but a browse through the company website proved that we were wrong on a number of counts. The latest cruise packages are aimed at the requirements of couples like us – relaxed dress codes, excellent quality facilities and exciting activities to get involved in.
Our surprise wedding anniversary gift turned out to be more than just a pleasant holiday though. Any couple who has been together for some time will know what I mean when I say we’d lost our “spark”. Working, paying bills, home maintenance and all those things which are part of modern daily life can suck the romance out of a relationship – those pressures on our time can make it hard to focus on your loved ones. We found that being our cruise holiday helped to reignite that flame that was missing, giving us time to appreciate each other and try new things together.
Elegant & Well-Appointed
Luxury cruises offer an elegant setting which creates a romantic atmosphere as soon as you step on-board. We were expecting being on a cruise to be like staying in a hotel that happened to be on the sea, but what we found was that the ship was more like an entire resort! In our cabin, all those little details had been taken care of, and when we needed anything, the friendly staff were always on hand to offer assistance.
Sharing Special Moments
As we had never tried Luxury Cruises before, we were excited to see how many great facilities were available on board. Hubby had always wanted to try his luck at the casino, and we spent a fun evening together doing something that neither of us had done before. We also enjoyed romantic spa sessions with massage treatments, as well as taking excursions on the shore for a taste of culture and history.
All of the activities we got involved in, and sights we saw together made us realise that it wasn’t our relationship that was getting stale, but the things we were doing at home!
Disconnect!
Although it is possible to surf the web, check your emails and even update your Twitter account during a cruise, we decided to disconnect for the duration of our holiday together. It surprised us to realise how much time we both spent each day , when at home, on social media and other websites, and not giving each other attention. Cutting back on being online during the cruise gave us more time together, and this is something we’ve resolved to continue with at home.
Overall, we’d recommend Luxury Cruises to any couple who wants to spend time with their loved one, and reignite that relationship spark.
Caribbean cruises are perfect for families, especially those with children. As cruise holidays, including Caribbean cruises grow ever more popular, a greater number of families are choosing a Caribbean cruise holiday for their annual summer getaway and they’re enjoying fun-filled high seas adventures which are effectively several holidays in one.
Caribbean cruises incorporate a number of exotic locations, sandy beaches and a wide range of unforgettable activities, from swimming with dolphins, to riding horses along the beautiful shores and much, much more. Caribbean cruises are becoming some of the most popular cruise holidays available because they allow holidaymakers and families to see more of this incredible region within the duration of their stay.
Caribbean cruises pack in plenty of action packed games and activities, perfect for the whole family, whether the day is spent at sea on any of our incredible cruise liners, or docked at any of the glorious Caribbean holiday destinations. As well as shows for the whole family to enjoy there are parties and kids clubs just for youngsters plus babysitting for the little ones if you decide to enjoy some exploration of your own; and Caribbean cruises are perfect for exploration.
Plus, let’s not forget that another benefit of a Caribbean cruise has to be the weather. The sun and spectacular views will follow you, wherever your Caribbean cruises take you, and good weather is a luxury that every member of the family will welcome; not just mum and dad. Caribbean cruises are perfect for families precisely because each holiday is innumerable holidays crammed into one. There are experiences that children of all ages will enjoy and more than enough that they will want to enjoy with their parents.
Ciro’s Brasserie, at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, has reason to celebrate after being nominated for Restaurant of the Year, in the Cheshire Life Food and Drink Awards 2011. Now everybody at the fantastic four star hotel is hoping to go one better and take home the title outright.
The Restaurant of the Year award, from Cheshire Life, is sponsored by Panache Interiors, and judges each of the nominated restaurants on a variety of criteria, and not just the food being served, although that is obviously incredibly important. A team of experienced and knowledgeable judges will visit each restaurant, including Ciro’s Brasserie at the Chester Hotel Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, scoring each establishment on cuisine, service, ambience and its individual, distinctive features. Once a decision has been reached, the winner will be announced at a glamorous award ceremony in Manchester on 25 October.
Incredibly, Ciro’s Brasserie is not the only first class restaurant at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa; which is one of the best hotels in Chester and the North West. Owned and operated by Nelson Hotels, the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa is a massive stately hotel set within its own beautiful grounds. The stunning Ciro’s Brasserie is a Mediterranean style restaurant with a unique and striking ambience. Its unforgettable design is reminiscent of an authentic Tuscan Villa’s courtyard. It was this ambience which drew the attention of the Restaurant of the Year awards panel, and the restaurant’s exceptional food, from executive head chef Leigh Myers, which sealed the deal. Ciro’s boasts an intriguing modern European menu, firmly rooted in excellent local, seasonal ingredients, which is sure to offer something to suit every palette.
Leigh comments: “It’s fantastic to be nominated for the Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year award. We are passionate about delivering fantastic food and excellent service, ensuring each and every guest enjoys a first-class dining experience. To have our work recognised in the form of this nomination, from such a popular and well regarded magazine, is amazing. We’ve all got our fingers crossed for the 25th October.”
espite many people thinking that they will never need to make a claim, travel insurance is something that anyone going on a trip should have as it makes sure you are covered in the event of a whole range of emergencies.
As there are many different types of travel insurance available, selecting the correct policy to match your needs can be a bit if a minefield, so which one is right for you?
Annual insurance
If you’re a travel enthusiast who enjoys several holidays a year, multi-trip annual travel insurance could be the perfect policy for you. As the name suggests, this covers you over the course of a year and insures individuals for an unlimited number of trips, although the trips will generally need to be for less than 90 days at a time. If you travel regularly, this type of travel insurance certainly helps to ease your administration burden if you know you’ve already got your insurance sorted.
Backpacking
For those looking to take a ‘gap year’ and set off on a backpacking adventure, there are plenty of special backpacker’s travel insurance packages that you could take advantage of. Specialist insurance such as this usually covers trips for between 31 days and 18 months, taking account of the fact that people vary the length of their trips considerably. This is a good type of travel insurance for backpackers as it covers a wide range of sports you might participate in during your time away as well as a number of optional extras that can be added to your cover if you need to.
Single trips
If you’re someone who just goes on the occasional trip, such as a beach holiday or city break, travel insurance for single trips could be just what you’re looking for. All you need to do is specify the dates of your trip (normally between 3 and 365 days) and you should be able to get cover for that period. As well as the standard cover such as healthcare, baggage, money and emergency assistance, you can also get extras such as sports cover depending on what you plan to do on your trip.
Adventure holiday
If you’re going on an adventure holiday, there are a couple of travel insurance policies that might be right for you. If your adventure is part of a backpacking trip then backpacker’s insurance with added extras for various sports might be a good option. If the trip is a one-off then single trip insurance with added sports coverage could be a good idea: if you’re in doubt, check with your holiday insurance provider to find out which policy would be best for your needs.
There are many reasons why holidays in Turkey are proving ever more popular. Turkey has so much to offer visitors from outstanding natural beauty, unique heritage and archaeological interest to overhauled hotel and tourist infrastructure in a variety of gorgeous Turkish resorts, competitive prices, fun and excitement for couples, friends and families of all ages.
For all of these reasons and more, holidays in Turkey are among the most popular available. Thanks to the country’s amazingly diverse topography it is possible to experience four climates in one day of your
Turkey holidays; exploring Turkish holiday resorts and beaches and then skiing or simply staring in awe at majestic mountains within a couple of hours journey.
The rectangular shape of the country faces water on three sides, from three different oceans and Turkey’s entire coastline is lined with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and peninsulas. But that’s not all: move inland and holidays in Turkey can be just as filled with mountainsides, forests, valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and grottoes.
Whether you prefer idly catching rays in one of the gorgeous Turkey resorts, or making every second count with epic action packed activities, your Turkey holiday will not disappoint. Turkey is a thrill seekers paradise whether you’re looking for land based thrills like skiing, mountain climbing, trekking or hiking, sea faring thrills like jet-skiing, scuba diving, speed boating and more or gravity defying air thrills like hang-gliding.
Summer in Turkey can last as long as 8 months, giving you plenty of opportunities to plan a Turkey holiday around you, when you need it most. But this fantastic country is more than just a holiday destination; it is an open air museum of cultural history, documenting multiple bygone civilizations in its relics and ancient landmarks.
Holidays in Turkey can encompass several holidays in one, because the country is a whole continent in one place.
If your wedding wish had been to get away from the bustles of city life and get married in a calm and exotic location Igloo village could be your best pick. Located in those icy and snowy areas in the Northern hemisphere, these places give you the best views you’d get just once in your lifetime. And to start your marital life in the presence of those special northern lights is a beautiful dream turning into reality.
Travelbee, the leading white wedding specialist offers you wedding packages to one of the most popular wedding destination – the Kakslauttanen Igloo Village that lies amidst the Lapland scenic beauty. The package includes wedding ceremony, travel arrangements, stay in the glass Igloo, photography, reindeer or snowmobiling, champagne and a lot more, ever for your guests. This makes a perfect wedding destination where you could extend your stay for honeymoon as well.
At Travelbee you not only find these great wedding packages but you could also get them tailor made so that your wedding remains the way you’ve always wanted it to be. Whichever venue you choose for the wedding we ensure that the paperwork done would be considered legal in the UK. So what’s stopping you? Check out Travelbee and make your dreams come true.
Known as Bombay during British colonial rule, Mumbai is India’s largest city, and the capital of the state of Maharashtra. The city is home to around 21 million people, making it the sixth most populous city in the world.
Without doubt, Mumbai is also India’s commercial capital, and one of the country’s most important ports. It is renowned as a city of diversity and contrast – as well as Bollywood, the fashion industry and a thriving gem trade, the city is home to the largest slum population in India, with abject poverty defining the lives of many people. Dharavi, the second-largest slum on the entire continent, is located in central Mumbai and is home to 800,000 people. Incredibly, there is a literacy rate of 69% in Mumbai’s slums.
The inequality isn’t a reason not to visit Mumbai, but is something that you should understand before travelling there, and is something you may find quite troubling to witness.
The city’s bustling streets are crammed full of impressive colonial buildings, as well as all manner of temples, mosques and bazaars dating back to India’s ancient past. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus offers a cornucopia of imperial history, whilst the Dhobi Ghat offers a more contemporary experience where you can eat, drink and dance in a fascinating mixture of restaurants, bars and clubs.
Other famous sites include the Taj Mahal and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum). Many people also don’t realise that Miami is only city in the world with more Art Deco architecture than Mumbai.
The city also has various zoos, parks and gardens, as well as opportunities for camping and a range of other outdoor activities. There are also various cultural and religious festivals throughout the year such as Mumbai Festival and Diwali.
There are hotels in Mumbai to suit every budget, so be sure to have a look at what’s available.
One of the world’s most historic and fascinating cities, Rome is famous for its rich heritage and important buildings. Many magnificent monuments and truly ancient ruins reside in Rome, together with numerous vibrant shopping areas, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities. The city has much to offer tourists and also offers a selection of nearby beaches.
Standing alongside the scenic River Tiber, Rome has a population of almost 3 million and experiences hot summer weather and particularly mild, pleasant winters. With year-round attractions, many people choose to visit Rome between November to February, when the city is at its quietest.
Rome Hotels:
Being one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, it is hardly surprising that Rome is full of hotels, catering for all tastes and budgets. Ranging from impressive hotels in the Centro Storico (historic centre), to more modern accommodation around the Campo dei Fiori, hotels in Rome quickly become fully booked, and so be sure to reserve your room in advance. Bed and breakfasts in Rome are known as ‘pensioni’ and often provide particularly good value for money, with a number being located close to the ‘Stazione Termini’ railway station and Trastevere area.
Rome Tourism:
Rome has long been a major tourist destination and its historical attractions and important ruins are known throughout the world. However, the city is also an exciting and vibrant place to visit, with many impressive shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and seasonal festivals. Some of the most popular places to visit in Rome include the Circus Maximus, the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Janiculum Hill, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the vast Vatican City, the official residence of the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic faith. The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City is particularly awe-inspiring, together with the city’s numerous art galleries and museums.
Popular events in the city include many operas, ballets and concerts at Rome’s numerous theatres. Other seasonal highlights include regular football matches at the Stadio Olimpico, the Rome Marathon each March, religious events throughout Easter, concerts at the Teatro Olimpico, June’s Pesaro Film Festival, and also the Festa della Madonna della Neve, held every August.
Rome Transport:
With good rail connections to a number of major cities, including Florence and Venice, Rome is well-connected by highways, which provide easy access to nearby towns. Rome’s Metro subway network, public buses and trams all provide inexpensive ways to travel throughout the city. Car rental is one of the most popular ways to travel out of the city and is perfect for day trips and excursions.
Located around 18 miles / 29 km from the city centre, Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Fiumicino, is an important air transport hub. Dealing with large numbers of domestic and international flights each day, ground transportation at the airport includes buses, trains and car hire.
Rome Shopping:
Known for its chic fashion boutiques and expensive department stores, shopping in Rome is a major attraction. With many bustling shops clustered around the Piazza Di Spagna, other popular stores can be found around the city’s Via Del Governo Vecchio area, close to the Spanish Steps, along the Via Sistina, and on Via Borgognona. Also, the pedestrianized Via Frattina is the perfect place for some serious window shopping.
Rome Restaurants:
Home to one of the greatest cuisines in the world, Italian restaurants are known for their superb local specialities, which include freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes, paninis, salads, a selection of cheeses and many other types of food. Al fresco dining is particularly popular in Rome, with an array of cafes, bars and superb ice cream shops clustered around the piazzas.
Next time you are visiting the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, instead of just concentrating your trip around the metro area and it’s surrounding historical places, take a trip around Puerto Rico’s country side and discover it’s beauty and culture. You can start by staying at a Parador.
A Parador in Puerto Rico is a small country inn participating in a government program. This program certifies the quality and hospitality of the inn. The inns in this program that also have restaurants serve traditional Puerto Rican food. These Paradores are usually located close to historic areas or popular attractions.
Some of the most popular paradores include:
In the hearth of downtown Mayaguez, the town with the only zoo on the island, The main place of the west side of the island and home to one of the biggest universities in Puerto Rico.
In between a coffee and a sugar plantation on the south east coast of the island, at the start of a panoramic road with some of the most interesting views on the island.
At the shore, just minutes away from the Bioluminescence Bay, with tours and local attractions, one of the most attractive Paradores in the island.
These are some of the locations of The Paradores in Puerto Rico, explore your options for an unforgettable adventure, sightseeing beautiful places in the tropical island of Puerto Rico.