BEAT the back-to-work blues and start planning your next escape with our top 10 places to visit in 2011.
Spain’s pulsating Ibiza is a clubber’s dream during the European summer.
Jaw-dropping Dubai creates new wonders every year
Most dynamic country: SPAIN
Spain is the world’s third most-visited country and is determined to be No.1 not just by relying on its considerable cultural and historical laurels, but by providing first-class visitor attractions.
Barcelona is a European centre for cutting-edge fashion and shopping, Valencia is the 2011 European Capital of Sport (including yachting, soccer and Formula 1 racing) and Madrid is one of Europe’s trendiest and most confident capitals, with a terrific restaurant and nightlife scene.
South American tourism will only continue to grow, particularly with Brazil awarded the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
South America offers gracious architecture, sophisticated shopping, and locals with a flair for dancing and nightlife.
The continent also boasts the world’s highest lake, driest desert and most diverse rainforest; names such as the Galapagos, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu evoke destinations that intrepid travellers dream about. More:
No jet lag, an English-speaking population and a society distinctly and wonderfully different what’s not to like about Hong Kong?
The variety of experiences in this compact city is extraordinary, whether it’s Disneyland for the kids, sophisticated dining for adults, old temples, modern malls, bustling street markets or fine museums.
Festivals and other events through the year also gives Hong Kong an energetic edge. Boasting one of the world’s best airport hotels (Novotel Hong Kong Citigate), even a brief stopover can be a delightful experience.
A strong dollar and economic woes in Europe make it a bargain destination in 2011, and peaceful, demonstration-free Switzerland is the perfect choice, especially as it’s no longer expensive. The Swiss franc is almost on par with the dollar, and Switzerland is not pricier, and sometimes a little cheaper, Throw in some of the world’s most beautiful alpine scenery, towns rich in history, and a thriving contemporary nightlife and arts scene in cities such as Zurich, and you have holiday heaven in European style.
Best culture: MOROCCO
Beyond the Middle East, Morocco offers fabulous culture, evocative old towns and markets straight from the Middle Ages, and breathtaking mosques, not to mention the Sahara desert, Mediterranean coast and Atlas Mountains.
Romantic destinations include Casablanca, Fez and MarrakentsDcntesh, and if Lonely Planet has nominated newly spruced-up Tangier as one of its top cities for 2011, commending it for good shopping, a varied arts scene, fine dining and new spirit of optimism.
Dubai creates new wonders every year. In 2010 it opened the world’s tallest building and is a destination to enjoy fine dining, dune-bashing in a four-wheel-drive or adrenaline-pumping slides at a water park.
With the cost of hotel rooms at their most competitive, spend the extra cash on shopping during the Middle East’s premier tourist event, the Dubai Shopping Festival, which runs from late January to late February.
The mountain resort at Jackson Hole in Wyoming, which has recently upgraded its airport, is garnering a fine reputation as an alternative ski destination.
It has abundant slopes for beginners and intermediates, back-country skiing for the experts and an entirely new terrain park for snowboarders.
South Africa grabbed the world’s attention in 2010 by hosting a highly successful FIFA World Cup.
Pack your vuvuzela if you’re after soccer, rugby or cricket, or your pith helmet to make the most of superlative national parks and safari lodges.
Return visitors are now looking beyond wildlife and vineyards to South Africa’s many other pleasures: wildflower routes along the east coast, hikes among magnificent scenery in the Drakensberg mountains, exploration of colonial battlefields, or discovering the Little Karoo, South Africa’s answer to the Outback.
There’s no doubt tourists like tropical island escapes and, with Bali and Fiji both a little bit yesterday, 2011 is the year to explore lesser-known destinations.
Vanuatu is the up-and-coming place, with waterfalls and active volcanoes, shimmering lagoons and beautiful beaches, superb dive sites and impeccable eco-credentials.
It’s not for those after fancy resorts or nightlife, but offers a laid-back and traditional experience, a taste of local culture (including the amazing Naghol ceremony, the original bungy jumping), adventures into nature and myriad diverse islands.
Helen Wong, managing director of leading China tour specialist Helen Wong’s Tours, says forward bookings are strong for her tours, such as the 14-day China Odyssey and 18-day Ancient Panoramas tour.
With So many cheap flights,cheap hotels,& Airline tickets available for International Travel deals,from Budget to Luxury. Booking Vacation packages online, is EASY.
Dubai beach hotels for the sun-loving tourist or Dubai villas for the world traveller
Dubai is a destination sun-lovers are adding to their world travels more and more during the past few months, but western tourists and businessman planning on traveling to Dubai for a little sun, or to take care of business need to take care of a few items, before traveling to this land of ancient mystery and natural beauty. Make sure your Dubai visas are in perfect order, or your trip could get a little more complicated. People traveling to Dubai should also do research on Dubai hotels to find the accommodations they prefer. This will give you more time to make plans to visit the local sites and spend time learning about Dubai and the people that live here, while having a great time.
Western travellers will find Dubai hotel apartments are available for tourists wanting to book accommodations for a future visit to Dubai. Western businessman will find that Dubai apartments are available, maybe even in a location convenient for business meetings, but booking accommodations ahead of time is suggested. Once you have booked the accommodations you need to make your trip to Dubai comfortable and relaxing, you can start making plans to visit a few of the local attractions.
Dubai hotels are use to providing western tourists and businessman with the amenities and services they’re use to and you’ll find the people of Dubai luxury hotels to be warm, tolerant and understanding. You should do a little research on the laws of Dubai and the social customs of the people, before traveling to Dubai, and look on travel forums for advice on how to act when in Dubai. This will help keep you from making social mistakes that can be embarrassing and possibly time consuming and costly, during your adventures in Dubai.
Make sure to make plans to do a little shopping while in Dubai, and stop in at the Dubai Duty Free shop in the Dubai International Airport. Golf lovers should make a note to try out some of Dubai’s outstanding golf challenges, tennis courts, squash courts, Dubai hotels beach clubs and gyms. You can choose to just lay around the beach or Dubai hotel pool, if you decide to, or you can take part in Dubai’s amazingly vibrant nightlife. There are few local museums and heritage sites, modern malls that will remind you of home, and quite a few local markets where you can shop for items that you won’t find back home.
For more information and assistance with booking a room in Dubai hotels, contact dubaishortstay.com.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai has the largest population and is the second-largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country’s legislature.
The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, and the earliest settlement known as Dubai town dates from 1799.
Dubai was formally established in the early 19th century by the Al Abu Falasa clan of Bani Yas, and it remained under clan control when the United Kingdom assumed the protection of Dubai in 1892. Its geographical location made it an important trading hub and by the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port. In 1966, the year oil was discovered, Dubai and the emirate of Qatar set up a new monetary unit to replace the Gulf Rupee. The oil economy lead to a massive influx of foreign workers, quickly expanding the city by 300% and bringing in international oil interests. The modern emirate of Dubai was created after the UK left the area in 1971. At this time Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and four other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates. The following year Ras al Khaimah joined the federation while Qatar and Bahrain chose to remain independent nations.
In 1973, the monetary union with Qatar was dissolved and the UAE Dirham introduced throughout the UAE. A free trade zone was built around the Jebel Ali port in 1979, allowing foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export capital. The Gulf War of 1990 had a negative financial effect on the city, as depositors withdrew their money and traders withdrew their trade, but subsequently the city recovered in a changing political climate and thrived.
Today, Dubai has emerged as a global city and a business hub. Although Dubai’s economy was built on the oil industry, currently the emirate’s main revenues are from tourism, real estate, and financial services. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. This increased attention has highlighted labor rights and human rights issues concerning its largely South Asian workforce. Dubai’s property market experienced a major deterioration in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the worldwide economic downturn following the Financial crisis of 2007–2010.
With So many cheap flights,cheap hotels,& Airline tickets available for International Travel deals,from Budget to Luxury. Booking Vacation packages online, is EASY.
Do you ever tell yourself I just need to book that exotic island vacation package I’ve always dreamed of? Which quickly turns into I just never find the time to getaway. It’s a common problem in today’s fast paced, hustle, fast food society. Too many times we simply don’t take enough time for ourselves, our family and friends.
We turn around look in the mirror and we are looking at a late thirties someone square in the face wondering, were did my life go? We remember in our teens and twenties we were much more adventurous and made more time to get away, but our thirties and beyond have been hijacked by our career, responsibilities, and playing catch up for some life mistakes. Our bright dreams of world travel get shelved with the news of junior on the way or a collapse in the American financial system.
Some hot trends emerging are sexy, affordable, vacation clubs which begin to paint the canvas of a lifestyle design. These clubs are founded on the concept of bulk wholesaling power. This is a business model used by companies like Costco or Sam’s Club. This same strategy is targeted towards the travel business which is a multi-trillion dollar industry. The vacation club builds a loyal membership base and goes out into world and uses bulk buying leverage to secure amazing deals on all kinds of vacations. These range from relaxing island vacation packages to affordable all inclusive vacation packages or just a quick weekend getaway.
They include all of the popular destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, and Australia. The more exclusive luxury clubs offer trips to exotic locations like Dubai, Fiji, Costa Rica, or Tahiti. These premier clubs also offer luxury packages to major sporting events like the Superbowl or the US Open golf tournament. Other packages feature high profile celebrity charity events where meeting and mingling with sports figures and celebrities is part of the experience. Being part of a club doesn’t guarantee a change in old habits but it at least gets us dreaming of the possibilities again.
I challenge you to start living the life of your dreams. Life is short and it is meant to be lived, so remember to love, be passionate, and go travel!
Bryan Choate is a Dad, Dreamer, CEO and like you doesn’t tend to make enough time for world travel.
Island Vacation Packages. Vacation Clubs and Packages.
With So many cheap flights,cheap hotels,& Airline tickets available for International Travel deals,from Budget to Luxury. Booking Vacation packages online, is EASY.